Conspirituality

How New Age Conspiracy Theories Became a Health Threat

By: Derek Beres, Matthew Remski, Julian Walker

Narrated by: Matthew Remski

Conspirituality takes a deep dive into the troubling phenomenon of influencers who have curdled New Age spirituality and wellness with the politics of paranoia—peddling vaccine misinformation, tales of child trafficking, and wild conspiracy theories.

In the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, a disturbing social media trend emerged: a large number of yoga instructors and alt-health influencers were posting stories about a secretive global cabal bent on controlling the world’s population with a genocidal vaccine. Instagram feeds that had been serving up green smoothie recipes and Mary Oliver poems became firehoses of Fox News links, memes from 4chan, and prophecies of global transformation.

Since May 2020, Derek Beres, Matthew Remski and Julian Walker have used their Conspirituality podcast to expose countless facets of the intersection of alt-health practitioners with far-right conspiracy trolls. Now this expansive and revelatory audiobook unpacks the follies, frauds, cons and cults that dominate the New Age and wellness spheres and betray the trust of people who seek genuine relief in this uncertain age.

With analytical rigor and irreverent humor, Conspirituality offers an antidote to our times, helping listeners recognize wellness grifts, engage with loved ones who've fallen under the influence, and counter lies and distortions with insight and empathy.

©2023 Derek Beres, Matthew Remski, Julian Walker (P)2023 PublicAffairs

Fascinating Subject

This is an incredible book. I've always been fascinated with the topic and this is a very well executed exploration.

Will listen again

For a fan and longtime listener to the podcast, this book was an excellent addition. It is so dense in information, analysis and at times poetic text that I found it challenging to take in at times. Now the plan is to go back and listen to some of the podcast episodes mentioned in the book... and then before long the book will be in my ears for another round 😎

Thorough and thoughtful

As a listener of the Conspirituality Podcast, I was excited to here about this book. The topics and timelines covered are vast yet the exploration of them throughout this novel scales them down in a way that’s understandable and digestible. I realize now that my experience with and base knowledge of the “major players” in the conspirituality space is far less robust than I thought. I learned so much about different movements, different people, and myriad overlap between them all. The narration of the book is excellent and brings a balanced tone of compassion and concern. Being a nonfiction text centered around a rather disheartening topic, listening can get a bit weighty. Take it in chunks and digest the different parts over time, and you won’t be disappointed.

A clear voice arising from the din

I am a product of the “conspirituality” world investigated by this important book.

I desperately crave a community where this kind of conversation is allowed and encouraged.

These three authors have opened up a dialogue within myself that I am often terrified to have with the communities I was brought up in and am still in.

Thank you, Gentlemen, for your brave awkward, and earnest investigation.

Excellent analysis of conspiratorial thinking and the various individuals and groups that influence many people.

The authors explain much of the history of the current conspiracies that are affecting our society in terms of health, politics, and spiritual lives. I highly recommend reading this book.

Wonderfully done!

I’m a podcast listener, so I’m already a fan. This book provides a terrific overview of the conspirituality landscape, and all the subtle ways it’s creeping into our lives, sometimes without us noticing.

It’s important to note that this book isn’t a “let’s gawk at the weirdos,” fest, but rather a compassionate and informative primer on what conspirituality is, who is benefitting, but more importantly, who is being harmed.

Read by one of the hosts, it’s a practiced and wholly pleasant voice bringing you these stories.

Enlightening!

Sometimes challenging if you have experience in the new age self help world, but in a good way.

Keeping me sane

The Conspirituality podcast has been helping me check my magical thinking and stay aware of wellness scams for the last couple of years. This book is an excellent deep dive into that body of work as well as an encyclopedia of grifters. Perhaps I need a hard copy as a reference. I am so grateful for the work these gifted journalists and academics have put in to calling out the BS. Thanks for keeping me sane, guys.

Great addition to the podcast

Very much enjoyed. I’ll listen to it again. The case studies at the end were heartbreaking.

Excellent!!!

A pleasure to listen to, really well written and researched. Positively packed with important information and insights. Bravo!