What’s the difference between a conspiracy theory and gossip? When does joking around about Kate Middleton’s abduction turn into something much darker? Are women actually more susceptible to contemporary conspiracy theories — or are we just finally paying attention to it? Cristen Conger, host of the new podcast Conspiracy, She Wrote joins me to talk about Taylor Swift’s evil twin, Beyoncé’s illuminati connections, Katie Holmes getting impregnated by Scientology aliens, sex trafficking panics, and how to talk to someone when they start directing a conspiracy theory your way. We go deep down the wormhole in this one, friends, but I think you’re gonna love it.
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Show Notes:
Go listen to Conspiracy, She Wrote!
Follow Cristen’s other (very popular!) podcast Unladylike on Instagram
My piece from earlier this year re: the information vacuum around Kate Middleton’s disappearance from public view
Annie Kelly is one of the leading researchers on QAnon (and women’s involvement in particular). Read her excellent op-ed in the Times and listen to her episode of QAnon Anonymous on Mothers for QAnon
I briefly mention a book about the history of C-sections — it’s called Invisible Labor, and here’s an interview with author Rachel Somerstein
Cristen talks about The Awful Disclosures of Maria Monk — here’s a fascinating deep dive
CORRECTION: An earlier version of the podcast referenced Naomi Klein, when we meant Naomi Wolf. The episode has been corrected and re-uploaded. Thank you to Marissa for pointing it out in the comments!
We’re currently looking for your questions for future episodes about:
The Present and Past of NICOLE KIDMAN (with Sam Sanders!)
Midwest [Dad] Masculinity / Tim Walz Memedom
What Happened to the Summer Blockbuster?
The new Gladiator + Paul Mescal JUST GENERALLY
Explaining trends on BookTok
Why does it feel like thrifting sucks now
Anything you need advice or want musings on for the AAA segment
You can submit them (and ideas for future eps) here (this is the subscriber-only form!)
The Feminine Draw of Contemporary Conspiracy