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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
Vatican
Oslo Plaza Woman

Conspiracy Theories, Cults, and Crimes explores true stories of belief taken too far: murderous cults, criminal cover-ups, mass manipulation, and the conspiracies that still won't die. Hosted by Vanessa Richardson, three weekly episodes dig into cases like Jonestown, Heaven's Gate, CIA mind control experiments, and presidential assassinations. This is true crime at the intersection of faith, fear ... more

PublishesDailyEpisodes122Foundeda year ago
Number of ListenersCategories
HistoryTrue Crime

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Artwork for Conspiracy Theories, Cults, & Crimes

Latest Episodes

During the Cold War, the CIA quietly turned modern art into a weapon. Convinced that America needed to prove its cultural superiority over the Soviet Union, the agency secretly promoted abstract expressionist painters like Jackson Pollock, Mark Rothk... more

In the 1950s and 60s, at the height of the Cold War, the CIA launched a secret program called Operation Midnight Climax as part of its notorious MKUltra mind-control research. Operating out of safehouses in San Francisco and New York, agents used sex... more

In the late 1960s, a group of California idealists calling themselves the Brotherhood of Eternal Love set out to change the world through psychedelics, believing that LSD could bring about spiritual awakening and universal peace. Inspired by figures ... more

In January 1996, the small Brazilian city of Varginha became the center of one of the most famous UFO stories in South American history. Multiple witnesses, including three young women, reported seeing a strange creature with a large head and red eye... more

Key Facts

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Contact Information
Podcast Host
Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

Recent Guests

Laurah Norton
Host of One Strange Thing, paranormal mystery researcher
One Strange Thing
Episode: CONSPIRACY THEORY: Brazil's UFO Cover-Up: The Varginha Incident feat. Laurah Norton from One Strange Thing
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
Host of Crime House's newest show, The Final Hours.
Crime House
Episode: CULTS: The Rajneesh Movement
Kourtney Nichole
Host of Crime House's newest show, The Final Hours.
Crime House
Episode: CULTS: The Rajneesh Movement
Carter Roy
Host of Murder, True Crime Stories
Crime House
Episode: The Rasmussen Coverup Pt. 2, with Carter Roy

Host

Vanessa Richardson
Host of Conspiracy Theories, Cults, & Crimes; Lead narrator for Crime House Originals powered by PAVE Studios

Reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars from 856 ratings
  • Is this whole thing AI?

    Feels like stuff pulled from googling a topic. Tone is overwhelmingly dramatic. Sounds like an AI voice. Sounds like it was written by AI.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    It’s ai right?
    United States8 days ago
  • excellent

    if you want to hear a good, thorough condensed version of any of these cults/sects/whathaveyous, what they're base on, the beliefs etc., this is your podcast. an hour or so is time very well spent. you'll come out more informed.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    elisego
    Canada11 days ago
  • Tired old stories

    This pod tested my patience. These are the same cases that have been “researched” by every pod in the category. No new insights, no deep coverage, just the same tired stories from way back when that have been done to death for literally decades. Hard to take the faux “journalism” seriously.

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    mmrbrb
    United States24 days ago
  • Subscriber still getting ads

    Good podcast, but paid for no ads and still getting them.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    401klady
    United Statesa month ago
  • Ok

    The episodes I’ve listened to are ok. The one about Marilyn Monroe had a big contradiction that the host never caught. In one sentences she says the water had been cut off to Marilyn’s home so she wouldn’t have been able to get water to take the pills. Then a few sentences later she said the maid was washing clothes in the washing machine at 4:30am when police arrived. It can’t be both. Maybe pay attention to details before recording. If this lady had someone else with her, it might be a better ... more

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    Jcifmrjfi
    United States2 months ago

Listeners Say

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

Listener feedback highlights strong narration and high production quality, with some notes on pacing and ads.
Listeners appreciate the host's delivery and detailed research but some critique factual accuracy in a few episodes.
Audience comments praise the show's coverage of cults and conspiracies and suggest improvements in sound design and consistency.

Chart Rankings

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

Spotify
#30
United States/History
Apple Podcasts
#47
United States/History
Apple Podcasts
#57
Canada/History
Apple Podcasts
#106
United Kingdom/History
Spotify
#50
Australia/History
Apple Podcasts
#49
Australia/History

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

CONSPIRACY THEORY: Brazil's UFO Cover-Up: The Varginha Incident feat. Laurah Norton from One Strange Thing
Q: What would constitute a credible resolution for this case?
Credible resolution would involve independent testing of evidence, access to all hospital and military records, corroboration from multiple sources, and ideally, exhumation or forensic analysis that could yield objective data about the infection or tissue involved.
CONSPIRACY THEORY: Brazil's UFO Cover-Up: The Varginha Incident feat. Laurah Norton from One Strange Thing
Q: How do you weigh eyewitness accounts against the lack of physical evidence?
Eyewitness accounts are valuable, especially when multiple, independent witnesses corroborate details; however, researchers must weigh potential biases, social pressures, and the broader context, looking for supporting documentation and patterns in official records.
CONSPIRACY THEORY: Brazil's UFO Cover-Up: The Varginha Incident feat. Laurah Norton from One Strange Thing
Q: What drew you to this case, given there is no hard physical proof?
The testimony of the three young women remains compelling because of its consistency over decades, and because archival and declassified papers can provide a paper trail that invites scrutiny, even if it doesn't prove an alien encounter.
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.

Audience Metrics

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

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
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Age Range
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Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About Conspiracy Theories, Cults, & Crimes

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

A narrative-driven show that examines conspiracy theories, cults, and crimes through historical context and investigative storytelling. Episodes spotlight controversial movements, high-profile conspiracies, and the psychology behind mass belief, often weaving archival material with host narration. The format tends to blend deep research with engaging, cinematic delivery, and often features a single-host narration with periodic guests. Noteworthy are its focus on both infamous cults and pivotal political conspiracies, along with a clear emphasis on questions of power, manipulation, and accountability. This podcast is likely to appeal to listeners who enjoy careful debunking balanced with provocative storytelling and historical analysis.

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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. Twisted Tales with Heidi Wong
3. Murder: True Crime Stories
4. Crimes Of Reddit with Sabrina Deana-Roga & Alexis Linkletter
5. Crime House 24/7

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

Conspiracy Theories, Cults, & Crimes launched a year ago and published 122 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. Laurah Norton
2. Harini Bhat
3. Dr. Harini Bhat
4. George Knapp
5. Christine Wallace
6. Heather McKinney
7. Sarah Turney
8. Kourtney Nichole

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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