265: Guru Rehab

We return to the ongoing saga of Aubrey Marcus. As a wealthy, anti-vax New Ager who campaigned for RFK Jr (before going MAGA), he’s a pole star for the conspirituality moment and its political manias. He’s also a ceaseless innovator of guru narrative tech, with his latest trick being the attempt to turn his own implosion into top-tier content by enlisting an ex-fiance to prove his spiritual bona fides. , As we look at his rehab schtick in the context of the great guru death-spirals of the past, we’ll learn that he has a lot of the old 1970s vibe going on, but the digital age brings new humiliations and opportunities. At the end, we'll update you on another guru rehab in motion: the Liver King. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Zohran Mamdani's win in the NYC democratic mayoral primary has been filled with deflections and pivots so that politicians and pundits don't have to focus on the core issues he's talking about. The left has a path worth considering. The democratic establishment is, for the most part, refusing to endorse him. Derek wonders if the rest of the left can avoid similar traps. Show Notes Globesonic On the Pier: 8 Years in NYC Globesonic Sound System 5 Years On The Hudson River The Cause That Turned Idealists Into Authoritarian Zealots Why I Just Quit DSA Ocasio-Cortez Loses the Democratic Socialists’ Endorsement Over Israel Status of DSA National Endorsement for Rep. Ocasio-Cortez Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On June 24, Brian Johnson, aka The Liver King, was arrested in Austin for threatening Joe Rogan. The infamous raw organ "primal" influencer has since published dozens of videos detailing what appears to be a downward spiral—though the problems date back years. Derek and Julian detail the crash. Show Notes 'Liver King' arrested in Austin after allegedly threatening Joe Rogan 'Liver King' says he 'will never stop' after arrest over alleged threat against Joe Rogan Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

"Tonight we made history," grinned Zohran Mamdani as his supporters cheered with delight, "I will be your Democratic nominee for the mayor of New York City. His victory over disgraced former governor Andrew Cuomo in this primary election has made Mamdani, the 33-year-old fresh-faced Indian Muslim assemblyman from Queens, into a national sensation—and one of the biggest news stories in the week when Trump bombed Iran's nuclear facilities. He's used his eloquent, telegenic charisma to make a principled stand for Democratic socialist policies, call for Palestinian human rights, and propose a radical re-envisioning of policing in his city. Which of course makes him the target of conspiracy-mongers and right-wing propagandists, as well establishment Democrats and supporters of Israel. As masked ICE thugs, cynical SCOTUS enablers, movie-villain oligarchs, and MAGA cult ghouls steadily dismantle democracy we'll discuss the Mamdani Effect. Is he the hero we've been hoping for, or are his hard-left positions corrosive to a broader anti-Trump coalition? Show Notes NYC Councilman Brad Lander Is ‘Glad’ To Belong To A Shul That Promotes Toeiva; Adds That Israel Is ‘Occupying’ West Bank Defund the Police? Turning a Slogan into Policy - Democratic Socialists of America (DSA)  Reimagining a More Equitable Policing and Public Safety System in New York City  Seven Facts About the NYPD Budget After Winning NYC's Democratic Mayoral Primary, Zohran Mamdani Reaffirms Support For Reparations  NYC mayoral candidate Zahron Mamdani vows to 'expand and protect' trans healthcare  Democratic NYC Mayoral Candidate Zohran Mamdani Is Pledging $65 Million for Trans Health Care Divine Shawarma: NYPD Officer's Halal Lunch Break Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Greta Thunberg is a burr in the ass of the powerful throughout the world—and not only for rightwing sociopaths. Increasingly, as she grows up, learns more, and networks with other activists around the world, she’s become a scourge for liberals as well. Many of them would prefer she remain a child, providing a theatre of emotional catharsis for a climate crisis industry more interested in raising money from green economy donors than forcing change.  Now, as Thunberg broadens her target to capitalism and colonialism writ large, it’s more and more clear that she’s confronting what autistic philosopher Robert Chapman calls “the empire of normality,” from her lived experience of autism, about which so many of the conspiracy theories we cover here swirl.  Seizure of the Madleen Why do Fascists Hate Greta Why are Liberals Backing Away from Greta? Neurodiversity and activism   Masking, Burnout, Contemplation Hamster Wheel of Capitalism Parenting in Humility ChaptersPart one (Saturday on Main Feed):Part two: Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Greta Thunberg is a burr in the ass of the powerful throughout the world—and not only for rightwing sociopaths. Increasingly, as she grows up, learns more, and networks with other activists around the world, she’s become a scourge for liberals as well. Many of them would prefer she remain a child, providing a theatre of emotional catharsis for a climate crisis industry more interested in raising money from green economy donors than forcing change.  Now, as Thunberg broadens her target to capitalism and colonialism writ large, it’s more and more clear that she’s confronting what autistic philosopher Robert Chapman calls “the empire of normality”, from her lived experience of autism, about which so many of the conspiracy theories we cover here swirl.  CORRECTION: Robert Chapman's pronouns are they/them. Chapter One: Seizure of the Madleen Why do Fascists Hate Greta Why are Liberals Backing Away from Greta? Neurodiversity and activism  Chapter two (Monday on Patreon): Masking, Burnout, Contemplation Hamster Wheel of Capitalism Parenting in Humility  Show Notes Israel Intercepts Gaza-Bound Aid Ship With Greta Thunberg Aboard - The New York Times  Greta Thunberg “kidnapped by the Israeli occupation forces” - YouTube  Greta Thunberg Frog Hat - Shibtee Clothing  Posts distort 2018 Greta Thunberg tweet on climate danger | AP News  Lindsey Graham Fantasizes About Sinking Gaza Aid Ship Carrying Greta Thunberg | Truthout  Thunberg gets backlash for pro-Palestinian post – DW – 10/21/2023  Fact Check: Altered image of Greta Thunberg holding antisemitic book | Reuters  Right-Wing Attacks Greta Thunberg  The cult of Greta Thunberg - spiked  Targeting Greta Thunberg: A Case Study in Online Mis/Disinformation | German Marshall Fund of the United States The dangers of depicting Greta Thunberg as a prophet Margaret Atwood says Greta Thunberg is the ‘Joan of Arc’ of environmentalism | The Independent  Greta Thunberg speech at climate protest Glasgow, November 5  We are all living in Greta's world now The Greta Effect: a timeline of Thunberg's activism leading to her being on the Madleen Fridays for Future – How Greta started a global movement Greta Thunberg: From a Darling of Liberal Media to Public Enemy No. 1 - Left Voice  Why the Media Stopped Covering Greta Thunberg  Greta Thunberg Speaks from Aid Ship Heading to Gaza Despite Israeli Threats: It’s My Moral Obligation | Democracy Now!  Jason Hickel: Why a Liberated Palestine Threatens Global Capitalism  The Climate Movement Breaks Through | The Nation Greta Thunberg Was Targeted for an Octopus. Then Israel Chimed In  Greta Thunberg is far from the only neurodivergent climate activist – many who see the world differently also want to change it  School strike for climate - save the world by changing the rules | Greta Thunberg | TEDxStockholm  Understanding Masking: A Neurodiversity-Affirming Perspective - Autism Society of NC Mask of Your Own Face – Experiences with Masking as an Autistic Adult - Autism Spectrum News Autistic Masking “Masking Is Life”: Experiences of Masking in Autistic and Nonautistic Adults - PMC  What Is Autistic Burnout? | Psychology Today Canada The Treadmill Tendency  Greta Thunberg on X: "yes, please do enlighten me. email me at [email protected]" / X  Our House Is on Fire by Greta Thunberg, Svante Thunberg, Malena Ernman, Beata Ernman: 9780143133575 | PenguinRandomHouse.com: Books Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

“Dad went to war last night” read Vance Boelter's text to his family in the early hours of June 14. This was sent after his shooting rampage aimed at Democratic lawmakers, which left two dead and two critically wounded.  Turns out Boelter is an ordained pastor in a church associated with the New Apostolic Reformation, which sees the world as a spiritual battlefield and whose leaders have preached that political enemies are possessed by demons.  This is not some small fringe movement. Key figures in the Trump administration are adherents. We revisit this apocalyptic evangelical Christian cult and consider its political violence and religious extremism. Show Notes Seven Mountain Mandate, Paula White and Trump Home-goods companies prepare new Trump-linked products Who Wants a MAGA Instant Pot? I Tried Pre-Ordering the Trump Phone. The Page Failed and It Charged My Credit Card the Wrong Amount Doug Ford's Bill 5 is now law in Ontario. Here's what happens next Chiefs of Ontario issue urgent warning on Bill C-5, the One Canadian Economy Act, and will rally on Parliament Hill CCLA Urges Federal Government to Reverse Course on Bill C-5 Legal experts gear up to challenge Bill 5 as First Nations pledge to ‘close Ontario’s economy Reckless and chilling: Bill 5 is Doug Ford’s most dangerous legislation yet Anti-fascists linked to zero murders in the US in 25 years Brief: Stealing Democracy for Jesus An Audio-Documentary Series on the Christian Leaders and Ideas that Fueled the Capitol Riot The Army of God Comes Out of the Shadows Meet the powerful evangelicals who believe Trump is an apostle who will reclaim America for Christ Vance Boelter and the Rise of “Spiritual Warfare” We Should Not Be Shocked That the Alleged Minnesota Shooter’s Christian School Is Connected to Political Violence Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In Evangelical homes across the United States, sex outside of marriage is a sin against God. So, when Abbi becomes pregnant at 16, her devout parents hide her away at the Liberty Godparent Home, a little-known facility for pregnant teens on the campus of Liberty University. The Home says it helps girls decide what comes next – whether that’s parenting their babies or placing them for adoption. But inside the facility, the girls hear a different message: God wants their babies to go to more “deserving” Christian couples. Some girls will find the strength to fight back. Others will have no choice but to give in. And some, like Abbi, will turn their grief into resistance – and take a stand against the system before more mothers lose their children to adoptions they never wanted.   From Wondery, host and reporter T. J. Raphael tells a startling true story of young love, coercion, and defiance – and the dangerous resurgence of maternity homes in post-Roe America. Listen to Liberty Lost: Wondery.fm/LL_Conspirituality Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

He built a lucrative seminar empire in the 80s, owned an Italian Villa, founded a “spiritual university,” and travelled the world with a harem of handsome young initiates. Roger Hinkins claimed to be inhabited by another consciousness that he called “John the Beloved” and the “Mystical Traveller,” which taught the secrets of out-of-body experiences. As he copied those teachings from elsewhere, his lies eventually caught up with him. But he told his loyal followers that critics and defectors were infected with an infectious demonic energy called “The Red Monk.” For this self-contained installment of his popular Roots of Conspirituality series, Julian tells the fascinating story the Movement for Spiritual Inner Awareness, and how its leader fooled devotees into thinking he was clairvoyant. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What dangers does an RFK Jr HHS pose to Americans, really? Derek dives into science writer's Laurie Garrett's work, who spoke to the dangers we're facing today in 1994—and who has raised an alarm about the consequences of destroying public health ever since. Show Notes The Coming Plague — Laurie Garrett Betrayal of Trust — Laurie Garrett Laurie Garrett on This Week in Virology Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices