Sarah grew up in the Church of Scientology. But she also grew up in a small town. And, in a neurodiverse family.  We come from so many places. Exploitative, hierarchical, hypocritical. Generous, tender, and odd.  It is an honor to present this installment of Listeners' Stories. We're tickled to learn that Sarah's awakening from Scientology was quickened by that South Park episode. And we're humbled to learn about how her mother, despite being deeply enmeshed in a coercive cult, still managed to kindle both compassion and common sense in her children. -- -- -- <a href="https://www.patreon.com/conspirituality">Support us on Patreon</a> Pre-order Conspirituality: How New Age Conspiracy Theories Became a Health Threat: <a href="https://www.hachettebookgroup.com/titles/derek-beres-matthew-remski-julian-walker/conspirituality/9781541702981/">America</a> | <a href="https://www.amazon.ca/Conspirituality-Conspiracy-Theories-Became-Public/dp/1039005535/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?qid=1671042345&amp;refinements=p_27%3AMatthew+Remski&amp;s=books&amp;sr=1-1">Canada</a> Follow us on <a href="https://www.instagram.com/conspiripod/">Instagram</a> | Twitter: <a href="https://twitter.com/derekberes">Derek</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/matthewremski">Matthew</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/JulianMWalker">Julian</a> Original music by <a href="https://open.spotify.com/artist/5UeZCWSQYhQZwLM4tZxyrf?si=eOol5AckQli7rJgG-3I5tg">EarthRise SoundSystem</a> Learn more about your ad choices. Visit <a href="https://megaphone.fm/adchoices">megaphone.fm/adchoices</a>

134: Elon Musk, Buddhabro? (w/Ann Gleig and Brenna Artinger)

Dismantling New Age cults, wellness grifters, and conspiracy-mad yogis. At best, the conspirituality movement attacks public health efforts in times of crisis. At worst, it fronts and recruits for the fever-dream of QAnon. As the alt-right and New Age horseshoe toward each other in a blur of disinformation, clear discourse, and good intentions get smothered. Charismatic influencers exploit their followers by co-opting conspiracy theories on a spectrum of intensity ranging from vaccines to child trafficking. In the process, spiritual beliefs that have nurtured creativity and meaning are transforming into memes of a quickly-globalizing paranoia. Conspirituality Podcast attempts to bring understanding to this landscape. A journalist, a cult researcher, and a philosophical skeptic discuss the stories, cognitive dissonances, and cultic dynamics tearing through the yoga, wellness, and new spirituality worlds. Mainstream outlets have noticed the problem. We crowd-source, research, analyze, and dream answers to it.