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From QAnon revelations and deep state operations to 9/11 controversies, cryptic online videos, and tales from the fringes, conspiracy theories are an inescapable part of American life. But which ones pose real threats? Which deserve a closer look? And which are simply outlandish? Dive into these 10 podcasts that explore the shadowy world of conspiracies and uncover the truths they wish to keep hidden.
American Hysteria
American Hysteria delves into how imaginative thinking has influenced our society. From moral panics and urban myths to hoaxes, trends, fringe ideologies, and national misconceptions, host Chelsey Weber-Smith narrates the most bizarre tales from American history with wit and humor. She also explores the forces shaping our shared reality—and occasionally, the realities we reject. Chelsey recently launched an exciting new feature, the Urban Legends Hotline, where listeners can call in to share local myths. If your story intrigues her, Chelsey might even investigate it in person. (Find the Urban Legends Hotline here.)
Stuff They Don’t Want You To Know
Stuff They Don’t Want You To Know brings a thoughtful and research-driven approach to the realm of conspiracy theories. Ideal for those fascinated by hidden truths and alternative viewpoints, hosts Ben Bowlin, Matt Frederick, and Noel Brown explore government cover-ups, paranormal occurrences, obscure history, and mysterious events. They support or debunk these topics using verified facts, historical evidence, and reliable sources. Some episodes are incredibly timely (like a recent discussion with Gilbert King of the acclaimed true-crime series Bone Valley), while others remain timeless, as conspiracy theories persist indefinitely. Since 2013, Ben, Matt, and Noel have cultivated a massive following of listeners eager to uncover forbidden knowledge.
Knowledge Fight
Dan Friesen and Jordan Holmes keep a close eye on Alex Jones, saving you the trouble. Every week on Knowledge Fight, they analyze recent segments from Jones’ Infowars shows, attempting to decode his messages. Their deep dives can get intense, but Dan and Jordan’s humor makes the journey both entertaining and enlightening. To understand conspiracy theories, studying their most vocal proponents is key, and this podcast serves as an essential guide to the origins of some of America’s most outlandish beliefs.
Lizard People
While some conspiracy theories are alarming and unsettling, others are downright hilarious. Comedian Katelyn Hempstead’s Lizard People focuses on the latter. The show invites humorous guests to share their fascination with the most absurd conspiracy theories you’ve likely never encountered. Is New Zealand a fabrication? Is Rivers Cuomo secretly Kurt Cobain? Are octopuses extraterrestrial beings? Could The Walking Dead be a documentary? The answers are probably no, but isn’t it entertaining to speculate? Each episode features a guest presenting their outlandish theory, and Katelyn attempts to debunk it. Ultimately, she decides how convinced she is by the theory and how much she secretly wishes it were true.
QAnon Anonymous
QAnon has steadily infiltrated mainstream discourse, gaining followers—even among sitting members of Congress—who subscribe to the Deep State Theory. This theory alleges that a global network of Democrats and celebrities engages in child abuse and cannibalism. Information is disseminated through cryptic “drops” by the anonymous figure “Q.” Keeping up with this ever-shifting maze of misinformation is challenging, but QAnon Anonymous hosts Julian Feeld, Travis View, and Jake Rockatansky act as your guides. They break down the core elements of the conspiracy, from “The Storm” and “The Great Awakening” to every bizarre ideology in between. What’s truly alarming isn’t just the theories themselves (though they are disturbing), but the sheer number of people who believe them.
My Momma Told Me
On My Momma Told Me, comedians Langston Kerman and David Gborie explore the most amusing (and often controversial) Black conspiracy theories. Guests share the stories their mothers told them, sparking discussions about their validity—or absurdity. Should you burn your hair to prevent spells? Is Churches Chicken a KKK operation aimed at sterilizing Black men? Does everything lower sperm count? Langston and David might not have the answers, but they’re happy to entertain these ideas with humor and curiosity.
Web Crawlers
Dive into the bizarre with Ali Segel and Melissa Stetten, the hosts of Web Crawlers, a podcast exploring unsolved mysteries, eerie cults, scams, and unsettling conspiracies from across the internet. Alie and Melissa recount wild histories, share quirky “bimbo” news updates, and delve into listener-submitted stories from their mailbag. While the topics are often creepy, the show is also a celebration of friendship, with the hosts’ infectious chemistry bringing humor to tales of cancer frauds, authors faking their deaths, Wendy the Snapple lady’s cocaine use, and more. These two are tumbling down the rabbit hole, laughing every step of the way.
Last Podcast on the Left
On Last Podcast on the Left, Ben Kissel, Marcus Parks, and Henry Zebrowski deliver hilariously exaggerated retellings of the wildest beliefs people actually hold. Each episode is meticulously researched, covering topics like UFO crashes, 9/11 intelligence failures, Jeffrey Epstein, and lesser-known news stories. The tales are so outrageous, you’ll wish they were made up—but they’re not. Even if you’ve heard the same story elsewhere, the unique spin of Last Podcast on the Left makes it a must-listen.
Red Web
Red Web explores the internet’s most fascinating mysteries, conspiracies, and paranormal occurrences. Hosts Trevor Collins and Alfredo Diaz tackle stories that raise more questions than answers, striving to uncover the truth. Trevor brings the facts, while Alfredo provides comedic relief, creating a perfect blend of investigative journalism and humor. From eerie online videos and mysterious sky ooze to the world’s most enigmatic phone number and a literal box of insanity, they cover it all with wit and curiosity.
Jordan Klepper Fingers the Conspiracy
Jordan Klepper dives headfirst into the murky waters of conspiracy theories like pizzagate, Hunter Biden’s laptop, and Italian satellites allegedly influencing the Biden election on Jordan Klepper Fingers the Conspiracy. This six-episode series takes him directly into MAGA territory as he navigates the wild claims that have influenced contemporary American politics and culture. Known for his sharp interviews and commentary on The Daily Show, Jordan brings his unique perspective to these episodes, stepping away from the desk and into the bizarre. You’ll binge it quickly and be left wanting more.
