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Artwork for Conspiracy Theories, Cults, & Crimes

Conspiracy Theories, Cults, & Crimes

Crime House
CIA
Manhattan Project
Nuclear Weapons
Salem Witch Trials
Circleville Letters
NXIVM
Dyatlov Pass Incident
Order Of the Solar Temple
World War II
Heaven's Gate
Keith Raniere
J. Robert Oppenheimer
Gordon Massey
Mary Gillespie
New York City
Joseph Force Crater
Rajneesh Movement
Emanuela Orlandi
Oslo Plaza Woman
Elizabeth Short

Conspiracy Theories, Cults, and Crimes is a true crime and conspiracy theories podcast about the people who take belief too far and the deadly consequences that follow.Hosted by Vanessa Richardson, two weekly episodes unpack real stories of murderous cults, criminal cover-ups, mass manipulation, and twisted conspiracies. From Jonestown and Heaven’s Gate to CIA mind control experiments, presidentia... more

PublishesDailyEpisodes90Foundeda year ago
Number of ListenersCategories
True CrimeHistory

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Artwork for Conspiracy Theories, Cults, & Crimes

Latest Episodes

For centuries, the Freemasons have counted kings, revolutionaries, and founding fathers among their ranks, a secret brotherhood whose rituals, oaths, and hidden hierarchies shaped the modern world. But when whistleblower William Morgan was abducted a... more

In Peru's scorching Nazca Valley, ancient inhabitants carved enormous animal figures into the desert floor over a thousand years ago, figures so large they can only be understood from the air. In this episode of Conspiracy Theories, Cults, and Crimes... more

In April 2009, four Somali pirates boarded the MV Maersk Alabama in the Indian Ocean, taking Captain Richard Phillips hostage in a lifeboat standoff that gripped the world. In this episode of Conspiracy Theories, Cults, and Crimes, Vanessa examines h... more

In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, indigenous communities across Melanesia developed powerful religious movements in response to the sudden arrival of European colonizers and wartime military forces bearing vast material wealth. Believing thi... more

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Recent Guests

Harini Bhat
Host of Hidden History
PAVE Studios
Episode: CONSPIRACY THEORY: Mercy Brown & the Vampire Panic featuring Dr. Harini Bhat
Dr. Harini Bhat
Host of Hidden History, physician/science communicator
Hidden History / PAVE Studios
Episode: The Case Files History Left Unsolved | Hidden History with Dr. Harini Bhat
George Knapp
Investigative journalist
Las Vegas news outlet
Episode: CRIME: The Murder of Bob Lazar, Alien Engineer
Christine Wallace
Guest from Sinisterhood, discussed Raëlian Movement
Sinisterhood
Episode: CULTS: The Raëlians with Christie Wallace and Heather McKinney from Sinisterhood
Heather McKinney
Guest from Sinisterhood, discussed Raëlian Movement
Sinisterhood
Episode: CULTS: The Raëlians with Christie Wallace and Heather McKinney from Sinisterhood
Sarah Turney
Advocate for missing persons, host of Voices for Justice
Voices for Justice podcast
Episode: Pullman: The Company Town Experiment
Kourtney Nichole
Host of Crime House's newest show, The Final Hours.
Crime House
Episode: CULTS: The Rajneesh Movement
Carter Roy
Fellow Crime House host
Crime House
Episode: The Rasmussen Coverup Pt. 1, with Carter Roy
Dr. Tristin Engels
Licensed Clinical Forensic Psychologist
Episode: CONSPIRACY THEORIES: The Smiley Face Killers with Dr. Tristin Engels

Host

Vanessa Richardson
Host of Conspiracy Theories, Cults, & Crimes; Host of the show on Crime House / PAVE Studios

Reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars from 372 ratings
  • Doing accents

    It’s so weird that this host mentions every Spanish word with a Spanish accent, yet does not do so with any other languages, dialects or countries. Why not pronounce “India” with an an Indian accent, or “hamburger” with a German accent? Or any Italian or Russian reference or location with respective accents? Does she order Chinese food with a Chinese accent? British? Tibetan? If you’re gonna do one accent, do them all and be inclusive.

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    Ytrwqb
    United States19 days ago
  • Love the content, can’t tolerate the computer generated muzack

    I would really enjoy this show, but the background music makes it nearly intolerable for me. I know everyone doesn’t have this reaction, but it’s like nails on a chalkboard to my brain. I can only listen when ambient noise washes it out. I hope it goes away. I’d like to listen.

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    Sophi4_kitten
    United States19 days ago
  • Pass on.

    Ads galore, inter spread with self advertising. Seems like half of the content is nothing but ads.

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    Donkey Ote
    Australiaa month ago
  • Love the podcast but confused about one thing

    This is a great podcast and is well researched. I’ve learned new things about cases id heard many times. The host is a great speaker and is always understandable and clear. My only question is at the end Vanessa says to come back next time and we’ll decode the episode together. What does that mean? Because she never talks about the episode again. So I’m confused. That’s my only question. Lol.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Schmootzie
    United Statesa month ago
  • Check out teinted syrup

    This year we caught can of syrup cut with table syrup 50% no way to find out . In this episode you see how the gov of our province bevome communist and it is like this for ALL.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Zoro the II
    Canadaa month ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

A few listeners request more structured, multi-episode coverage on single cases instead of standalone episodes.
Fans appreciate deep dives into cults and conspiracies, with strong material on historical context and narrative clarity.
Listeners praise Vanessa's soothing voice and storytelling craft; ads are a frequent critique.
Some episodes are accused of factual gaps or inaccuracies, prompting calls for stricter fact-checking.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#42
United States/History
Apple Podcasts
#46
Canada/History
Apple Podcasts
#96
United Kingdom/History
Apple Podcasts
#53
Australia/History
Apple Podcasts
#211
France/History
Apple Podcasts
#26
South Africa/History

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

CONSPIRACY THEORY: China's Bigfoot featuring Maci and Nadoly from GHOSTEAS
Q: Do you think we will ever have definitive proof of a cryptid like the Yeren or Bigfoot?
They express cautious optimism that science may eventually prove or disprove such creatures, but many would be disappointed if proof revealed a simple primate rather than something extraordinary.
CONSPIRACY THEORY: China's Bigfoot featuring Maci and Nadoly from GHOSTEAS
Q: What makes cryptid stories credible beyond physical evidence?
The hosts emphasize conviction and consistency in tellings, coupled with multiple independent accounts, which can lend plausibility even when some details are unverified.
CRIME: The Great Maple Syrup Heist featuring Ashley & Ricky from Crime Salad
Q: If you had to pull off a fictionalized heist as a couple, what would you steal and how would you do it, and would you work together or split the idea?
They humorously propose a joint venture aligned with their shared values (for example, rescuing dogs from a puppy mill rather than stealing) and emphasize that teamwork would be essential, reflecting their real-life dynamic as a couple.
CRIME: The Great Maple Syrup Heist featuring Ashley & Ricky from Crime Salad
Q: So in this case, these guys started by quietly draining a few barrels of Maple Syrup and replacing it with water, and nothing happened. Still, they got away with it. What do you think motivated the crew to keep it up despite early red flags?
The guests suggest that the financial lure, the sense of fairness they felt from a system they perceived as unfair, and the appeal of operating with relative impunity created momentum; as the operation grew, confidence hardened into a belief that they could outmaneuver the Federation and avoid consequences.
CONSPIRACY THEORY: Mercy Brown & the Vampire Panic featuring Dr. Harini Bhat
Q: So tell us a little bit more about your approach.
Harini explains she investigates historical cases with a commitment to grounding theories in documented history while remaining open to exploring credible questions, blending scientific inquiry with lore to illuminate how evidence shapes public perception.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Conspiracy Theories, Cults, & Crimes

What is Conspiracy Theories, Cults, & Crimes about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A true crime and conspiracy-focused show hosted by Vanessa Richardson that unpacks real stories of murderous cults, criminal cover-ups, mass manipulation, and provocative conspiracies. Episodes blend historical cases, modern context, and cultural commentary, often exploring media sensationalism, power dynamics, and the human cost behind sensational headlines. Notable strengths include Vanessa's narrative style and the show's willingness to tackle controversial topics with archival detail and careful storytelling, though some listeners wish for tighter fact-checking and deeper multi-episode arcs on single cases.

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Which podcasts are similar to Conspiracy Theories, Cults, & Crimes?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Conspiracy Theories, Cults, & Crimes:

1. Serial Killers & Murderous Minds
2. Murder: True Crime Stories
3. Twisted Tales with Heidi Wong
4. Crime House 24/7
5. Crimes Of...

How many episodes of Conspiracy Theories, Cults, & Crimes are there?

Conspiracy Theories, Cults, & Crimes launched a year ago and published 90 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on Conspiracy Theories, Cults, & Crimes?

Recent guests on Conspiracy Theories, Cults, & Crimes include:

1. Harini Bhat
2. Dr. Harini Bhat
3. George Knapp
4. Christine Wallace
5. Heather McKinney
6. Sarah Turney
7. Kourtney Nichole
8. Carter Roy

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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