Conspiracy Theories

During the Cold War, many believed the Soviet’s greatest weapon was fear. Did they fake a UFO landing in New Mexico to terrify Americans? Or were they actually equipped with highly advanced aircraft that was only confused for — or inspired by — alien technology? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Meteor crashes with no remains, metallic objects over small villages, and jellyfish creatures hovering above city centers... These were just a few UFO sightings within the Soviet Union in the last century. Did the USSR cover up the truth about its extraterrestrial visitors? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

CIA agent Kermit Roosevelt led a covert operation to overthrow Iran's Prime Minister in 1953. But Operation Ajax didn’t go according to plan. Theories about it continue to this day, ranging from whether Roosevelt went rogue and hatched his own plan, to what Iranian politics would look like today without foreign intervention. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

After Iran nationalized its oil fields, a seminal coup erupted in 1953. It appeared to be a spontaneous revolution — but many began to wonder if it had in fact been engineered by international intelligence agencies in order to reclaim the oil industry. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

New Coke was one of the biggest commercial flops in American history, and a massive success for Coca-Cola. Executives collected huge bonuses while original Coke sales spiked. Which leads some to wonder: Was New Coke's failure the plan all along? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In 1886, an Atlanta-area pharmacist created an American institution: Coca-Cola. Seven years later, their rival, Pepsi, debuted. Since then, the soda giants have battled for market dominance. How far would they go to come out on top? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

19th century author Mary Shelley is known for penning the classic horror novel, Frankenstein. But many contest her authorship. Were Mary and other female authors victims of a sexist industry? Or was there more going on behind the scenes? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

J.D. Salinger’s The Catcher in the Rye has been held as a seminal book of required reading in America. But after multiple acts of violence were linked back to it, people wondered if the text could incite people to do malicious things… Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dracula wasn’t the only frightful fiction conjured by Irish author Bram Stoker… In this retelling of “The Judge’s House,” a Cambridge student is overcome with curiosity — then dread — as he faces an evil man’s terrifying legacy. Listen to Part 1 right here, then search “Haunted Places: Ghost Stories” to hear Part 2, when the Judge himself comes calling…  Haunted Places: Ghost Stories is a Spotify Original from Parcast. Every Thursday, find a new tale of terror from some of history’s greatest authors. Listen free on Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On April 3rd, 1996, the weather in Croatia wasn't great — but it wasn't bad enough to explain why experienced Air Force pilots crashed into a mountain. Many suspect that Ron Brown's flight was sabotaged by a terrorist organization, the Croatian government, or maybe even by the Clintons themselves. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In 1996, during a trade mission to Croatia, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Ron Brown and 34 other passengers died in a plane crash — one that seemed too bizarre to chalk up to an accident.

Many experts believe the world will run out of oil in the next 30 years, and some people think the looming scarcity inspired unconscionable acts — like the Iraq War in 2003. But there might be massive reserves under our feet that oil companies don't want you to know about.

In 1859, a prospector invented modern drilling technology and kicked off an oil rush in the United States. Countless corporations made themselves rich through mass extraction — but according to one geologist and physicist, the world is on track to run out of fuel by 2050. When that happens, society as we know it may collapse.

Was Danny Casolaro murdered for getting too close to The Octopus? What had his investigations uncovered? And were his sources framed and defamed for helping him? 

In the early ‘90s, investigative journalist Danny Casolaro claimed he’d stumbled upon a clandestine organization made up of top government officials. Just as he was preparing to publish an exposé, he was found dead in his hotel room.

What took the NFL so long to admit the threat of traumatic brain injuries? Some suggest the dangers are widely overblown. Others claim the NFL took a page from Big Tobacco’s disinformation playbook. And still others insist the League ignored the issue because of systemic racism. 

Could one of America's favorite pastimes be a silent killer? For decades, the National Football League overlooked the effects of repeat concussions in their athletes — and some players continue to pay the cost in the form of depression, violent behavior, even suicide.

Theories multiplied in online and radio discourse about the true perpetrators of the Deepwater Horizon disaster. Was it the oil companies themselves, North Korea, or even radical environmentalist groups?

In 2010, the Deepwater Horizon oil rig exploded and then sank, kickstarting one of the largest oil spills in history. The companies who ran the rig became targets of lawsuits and heavy government regulation — but was the world looking at the wrong culprits?

Fans believed it was no coincidence that Brittany and her husband Simon died six months apart from the same complications. Some suspected toxic mold in the home. Others found a suspicious connection to the DHS. And her estranged father began casting doubt on her mother, claiming foul play. 

They’re a powerful political dynasty with no shortage of tragedies, scandals and controversies. Ahead of the 60th anniversary of John F. Kennedy’s inauguration, revisit the most shocking moments in the Kennedy family history — from conspiracies and cover-ups to assassinations and affairs — in this Parcast limited series.  All 12 episodes are available January 19th. Listen free, only on Spotify. 

Her breakout role in 1995’s “Clueless” made her America’s sweetheart. But was Brittany Murphy also a murder victim? The 32-year-old died under mysterious circumstances in 2009, and when her widower died of the exact cause just months later, Murphy’s mobster father cried “murder.”

For decades, the C.I.A. funded Operation Gladio and hid it from the public. They may have also used their weapons and agents in an attempt to assassinate Pope John Paul II, and kill former Italian Prime Minister, Aldo Moro.

During the Cold War, a secret military operation hid hundreds of weapons caches throughout Europe. They trained resistance fighters and prepared for a Communist invasion, and may have also orchestrated a series of devastating terrorist attacks.

Secret files, vanished reports, called-in favors… How far did corporations, lobbyists, and possibly even high-ranking U.S. politicians go to protect the billion dollar asbestos industry? 

Once called a “magical mineral,” asbestos was used in everything from curtains to cigarette filters in the 20th century. But as its health hazards became alarmingly apparent, America’s asbestos giants buried the truth of their deadly product.

During the Cold War, the U.S. government funded radiation experiments on unwitting civilians — including a group of boys at Fernald. Who else was subjected to lab-rat treatment by the government? And can we be sure their covert experiments have stopped? 

Originally billed as an education center for people with intellectual disabilities, the Fernald School exploited thousands of kids for free labor. The institution was rife with abuse even before it became a testing ground for radiation experiments in the 1940s and ‘50s.

This patch of ocean is at the center of famous disappearances, from the U.S.S. Cyclops to Naval Flight 19. Are they just coincidences? Or are more mysterious powers at play? 

Ships vanish. Planes disappear. And no wreckage ever seems to surface. The Bermuda Triangle in the Atlantic is known for its mysteries and deathly claims on countless lives — dating all the way back to ancient Greece.

Ever since the Bible code was deciphered, theorists have wondered who was responsible. Was it a gift from extraterrestrial life forms? The work of time travelers? Or perhaps the code lies only in the minds of those who believe it… 

A hidden code embedded within Hebrew Scripture has predicted some of the world’s biggest events, from the Gulf War and the Great Depression to the 1969 moon landing.

Was the CIA involved in a devastating act of bioterrorism in the 1970s? On this episode of Science Vs, unravel a decades-old conspiracy theory involving pigs and the CIA. Listen here, then head over to Science Vs to binge more episodes on everything from 5G and pandemics to vaping and fast diets. There are a lot of fads, blogs and strong opinions — but then there’s science. Follow Science Vs free on Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts! 

After spending years investigating the alien attack at Fort Benning, John Vasquez only found one other serviceman who remembered the events. Do both men share the same delusion, or did they really recover false memories?

In the late summer of 1977, Private John Vasquez was allegedly abducted by aliens at Fort Benning, Georgia along with 1500 of his fellow soldiers.

Over the decades, numerous theories have been proffered as to what, exactly, crashed in Shag Harbour, Canada. But whether it was a piece of Cold War technology, or an alien craft, there is ample evidence that it was extremely out of the ordinary.

A sleepy Canadian fishing town gained international attention in 1967 when hundreds of people witnessed an unidentified flying object crash off the coast of Nova Scotia. There is still no official account as to what the object was, and the government claims to have found nothing in the water. The only clue left behind was a thick, shining foam.

Three generations of the Bush political dynasty have conspiracy theories swirling around them, involving a connection to JFK’s death, the grave of a Native American leader, and a war undertaken for questionable motives.

The official story of the Bush family’s rise in America is one of adventure, accomplishment and power. Where does that story begin, and how did they become one of the most powerful political dynasties in American history?

Paul Bennewitz’s 1981 report sparked multiple conspiracy theories, particularly around the Majestic 12 — a secret government group tasked with investigating extraterrestrial life. It also suggested the use of alien technology in developing spacecraft, and proposed evidence of otherworldly interference. 

After witnessing multiple UFO sightings around Kirtland Air Force Base in New Mexico, researcher Paul Bennewitz took matters into his own hands — and in 1981, uncovered a secret base where he believed aliens were conspiring with the U.S. government.

Parcast Network is spinning a web of new shows and special programming to celebrate our favorite season. Follow us into the darkest depths of history, mystery, and the human mind — starting with this episode of Crime Countdown! Hosts Ash and Alaina are ranking the top 10 haunted crime scenes, including an Irish castle with a deadly trap door and the home of a ghostly bride.  If you enjoy this episode, search Crime Countdown to find more passionate takes on top-ten rankings. Listen free on Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts! 

It’s distracting at best, and destructive at worst — but what actually causes the Hum? Some say it’s produced by active natural gas lines. Others point to military planes sending low-frequency transmissions. And a few suggest it’s a government attempt at mind control. 

Since it was first reported in England in the 1970s, this low-frequency humming has spread around the world. No one has been able to trace its source.

Did the Republican Party plot to hide evidence of Ronald Reagan’s wrongdoing? What was Vice President George H.W. Bush's true role? And did the CIA help the Contras smuggle drugs — and kick off the 1980s crack epidemic? 

Every Wednesday, meet us at the intersection of chaos and fate… We’re unveiling the backstories and hidden lessons inside superstitions from around the world, and telling the stories of those who dare to defy them. Are these eerie codes of conduct simply about exerting control in an unpredictable world? Or can we truly sway supernatural forces to work in our favor? Enjoy this exclusive clip from our episode on black cats. Then search Superstitions to find more episodes, free on Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts. 

Throughout the 1980s, Ronald Reagan's administration ran an illegal weapons trade right under Congress's nose. Even today, it's impossible to say for sure who was involved, due to the changing stories and possible cover-ups surrounding the Iran-Contra Affair.

The official story of Poe’s ill-fated final journey isn’t the only story. Some believe he was robbed and died from a resulting injury. Or that he was murdered by his future in-laws. Or maybe he was taken prisoner by a gang and tortured… 

Most historians believe literary icon Edgar Allan Poe died in 1849 of alcohol poisoning. But the circumstances of his death are baffling: Four days before he died, Poe turned up incoherent, wearing someone else’s clothes. What really happened during his delirious final days?

According to a CIA dossier, the Red Brigade was an unimpressive group of barely competent terrorists. Yet somehow, they managed to kidnap former Italian Prime Minister Aldo Moro, hold him hostage, and murder him while avoiding capture. Was the Red Brigade getting bolder? Or did they get help from the CIA?

On March 16, 1978, a radical terrorist cell kidnapped former Italian Prime Minister Aldo Moro, killing his bodyguards and snatching him from his vehicle with tactical precision. How did a tiny, underequipped guerrilla cell pull off one of the most notorious crimes in Italian history? And did they do it alone?

The Black Hills Forest in South Dakota is home to Mount Rushmore. Some say that the area is a magnet for paranormal phenomenon. Others claim the monument itself serves as a Presidential Doomsday bunker. Or perhaps, the landmark is a time capsule meant for future civilizations.

It’s been hailed as a “shrine of democracy,” but Mount Rushmore’s history is filled with strong-arming and contention, starting with the stolen land it sits on. And though the sculptor’s designs were never officially completed, some say the U.S. government still has plans for the monument.

The U.S. government refuses to comment on what went on at the Montauk Air Force Base. But several so-called "Montauk boys" have testified about their experiments with sex trafficking, brainwashing, and terrorism. Was Montauk a gruesome, predatory experiment? Or is the truth even more twisted than that?

Officially decommissioned in 1981, the Montauk Air Force Base in New York is rumored to have been the site of government experiments with time travel and mind control. Its decades-old secrets began to unravel in 1984, when engineer Preston Nichols allegedly uncovered repressed memories of their sordid research.

In his 1965 rematch with Muhammed Ali, heavyweight boxing champion Sonny Liston went down a little too easily. The suspicious defeat followed him until his mysterious death in 1971, which only fueled the rumors of foul play. 

Charles “Sonny” Liston was once the heavyweight boxing champion of the world: a human dreadnought built for fighting. But during a match with a newcomer in May 1965, Liston was sent to the mat by an unremarkable punch few spectators even noticed. How could the champion go down so easily?

If the world really is hollow, why have so many scientists covered up the evidence? Is it because the earth's interior holds the key to surviving an apocalypse? Or because it's home to an alien species. Or perhaps we've been living on the inside this whole time.

For centuries, human cultures around the world have maintained the earth is hollow—home to spiritual beings or monsters. The idea persisted through Norse legends, Greek mythology, Hindu texts… and into the modern era.

Fluoridated water may be one of the most controversial federal programs of the past century. In the 1950s, watchdogs argued fluoride was part of a communist plot. More recently, it's been linked to big business interests and mind control programs.

Nearly three out of four U.S. communities add fluoride to their water. Officially, the compound strengthens teeth and helps prevent cavities—but recent studies have suggested it might increase cancer risks and lower IQ. Is fluoridated water a medical marvel, or a poison? And why is the U.S. government afraid to address the evidence against it?

Investigating the blast and compiling evidence was a huge undertaking. And in the 25 years since the Oklahoma City bombing, McVeigh was turned into something of a folk hero, with his rhetoric inspiring copycats and seeping into mainstream politics.

On the morning of the attack, McVeigh parked a rental truck below the Murrah building’s daycare center. At 9am, he ignited the bomb’s two-minute fuse and fled. The explosion was catastrophic, and the day thereafter was filled with tragic deaths, miraculous survivals—and the hunt for the person at the center of it all.

After coming of age in the early ‘90s, Timothy McVeigh became increasingly radicalized against the U.S. government. Witnessing tragic events at Ruby Ridge and Waco motivated him to plan and execute the most devastating incident of domestic terrorism in American history.

2020 marks the 25th anniversary of this devastating attack: On April 19, 1995, a U.S. Army veteran named Timothy McVeigh detonated a truck bomb outside the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City, killing 168 people and injuring hundreds more.  Join us on a four-part series examining the event. In this first episode, we look at the historic underpinnings of domestic terrorism in the U.S., and chronicle the events that triggered McVeigh’s revenge against the government.

Fifty years after Jimmy Hoffa's disappearance, no one knows how he died or where he was buried. Did the FBI push him out of a plane? Was he murdered by the notorious serial killer "The Iceman"? Or was it his best friend and mob associate, Frank "The Irishman" Sheeran?

From the 1950s to 1970s, Teamsters President Jimmy Hoffa was America's working class hero. But his ties to the mob landed him in hot water, and on July 30, 1975, Hoffa vanished outside of a Detroit restaurant—never to be seen again.

Some theories about the Spear of Destiny are as old as the lance itself. Does it actually hold occult powers and a terrible curse? Was it the reason Hitler invaded Austria? And is it possible that many of history's conquerors shared the same sword—or were there duplicates?

The lance that pierced Jesus on the cross is said to hold mystical powers. Passed down through history from Charlemagne to Otto I to Adolf Hitler, the Spear of Destiny brings impossible victories to those who wield it… and tragic death to those who abandon it.

When the U.S.S. Eldridge disappeared in a green fog, theories surrounding the failed Naval project ran rampant. Some say it sparked other government operations. Others say they saw the ship teleport to Norfolk, Virginia. And one first-hand witness claims the project allowed him to travel through time.

In October 1943, the U.S.S. Eldridge became enveloped in a green fog and disappeared in the Philadelphia Shipyard. Years later, Carlos Allende's claims about what happened were dismissed as a hoax—until more witnesses came forward.

To this day, no one is quite certain of how composer Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart died. He was well-liked by the public, but had enemies all around. Was he poisoned by his rival, Antonio Salieri? Or did his connections to the Freemasons get him killed? 

On December 5th, 1791, one of the greatest composers of all time died at the age of 35. Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s death immediately sparked questions about what befell him. Some wondered if it was a strange illness, while others believed there was a more sinister cause… 

After the Titanic sank, people searched for something—or someone—to blame. Millionaire J.P. Morgan, insurance fraud, and even a cursed mummy were all speculated to be the malevolent force behind the ship’s demise. 

When the Titanic sank on its maiden voyage in 1912, over 1,500 people lost their lives… and to this day, many wonder if poor planning, negligent design, and undertrained crew members played a role in the devastating event.

His untimely death in 1996 left fans searching for answers. Some say Death Row Records CEO Suge Knight helped orchestrate his murder, but sightings of the late rapper have sparked theories that Tupac is still alive… And that he may even be performing in disguise. 

In 1996, rap artist Tupac Shakur was shot and killed just off the Las Vegas Strip. Many believe his assailants were members of the Los Angeles Southside Crips, but no one has ever been convicted of his murder. In fact, some say that Tupac Shakur may still be alive...

He was killed by police outside Chicago's Biograph Theater on July 22nd, 1934. But some theorists believe John Dillinger used an innocent man as a decoy to fake his own death. And he may have even had help from the FBI and other inside sources throughout his criminal career.

By the 1930s, John Dillinger pulled off 24 bank heists and three jailbreaks—making him Public Enemy Number One. He was one of the most famous celebrity criminals in history, until he was shot and killed by the FBI outside Chicago's Biograph Theater in 1934.

Since its establishment in 1913, the Federal Reserve has been primed for conspiracies. Some believe it was the Fed that intentionally caused the Great Depression. Others claim they had a hand in JFK's assassination. While many feel the Fed might be part of a secret society's plot to establish a New World Order.

In 1910, six wealthy bankers met in secret on Jekyll Island, Georgia. There, they drafted up the plans for America's centralized bank, better known today as, The Federal Reserve. "The Fed" is completely autonomous from the U.S. government making it one of the most powerful private organizations in the world.

In 2010, word spread online that things around the world were changing. From beloved children's books to the titles of movies, people were finding out that what they had once remembered as fact was now false. This is now known as the Mandela Effect, and people are still trying to figure out its cause.

The Matrix is considered to be one of the greatest science fiction films of all time. But what if its central idea was based more in fact than fiction? The Simulation Theory suggests that every living thing today is living inside of a computer simulation. And some of the greatest minds of our time believe it may be true...

When a major earthquake hit the Caribbean in 2010, conspiracy theorists started studying the skies—noting peculiar low-frequency wavelengths. Between environmental catastrophes, a failed NASA mission, and government mind control technologies, HAARP's weather-modifying apparatus has been blamed for altering far more than just the weather.

After his sudden death in 1943, Nikola Tesla never saw his plans for an earth-shaking death ray to fruition. But in the late 1980s, it's possible the government did. Switching hands from major gas corporations to U.S. Department of Defense teams, the High Auroral Research Program in Alaska raised far more questions than they did answers.

After General Butler's claims were heard by the Special Committee on Un-American Activities in 1934, he was called a liar and a fraud. But others believed the respected General's testimony was authentic, and the Committee may have been in on the fascist plan.

In the 1930s, many felt that Franklin Delano Roosevelt’'s New Deal program erred too far on the side of socialism. A former U.S. General was subsequently roped into a plan to overthrow FDR in an attempt to establish a new fascist regime.

Demonic possession, alien technology, and a secret base in Antarctica—it all seems like the stuff of science fiction. But for many, it's the explanation for how Adolf Hitler rose to power...and how he might have survived World War II.

We are thrilled to bring you a brand new episode of Conspiracy Theories today and for the foreseeable future. We thank you for your patience during this unprecedented time. Many have wondered how someone as evil as Adolf Hitler came to power. Between his rise from anonymous artist to fanatical dictator, his obsession with so-called miracle weapons, and his final days in an underground bunker, some feel as though there is more to Hitler's story.

After publishing his books in the 1970s, followers of Zecharia Sitchin began to search for clues that the inhabitants of Nibiru actually visited Earth. Some even claim that Nibiru was tied to the Mayan Apocalypse theory—and that future contact with the mysterious planet is inevitable.

In the 1970s, author and researcher Zecharia Sitchin discovered the prospect of an additional planet in our solar system called Nibiru. After a close examination of ancient Sumerian texts, Sitchin wrote a series of books to prove that the ancient people had not only found the planet, but had been in contact with its inhabitants.

Due to the unfortunate spread of COVID-19, Parcast has decided to halt recording for the time-being. This is a precautionary measure taken to ensure the safety of our hosts and staff. In the meantime, we're excited to share one of our classic episodes that we know you'll enjoy! Following WWII, a secret CIA mission was put in place to recruit Germany’s top scientific minds in an effort to help America’s space and defense program stay ahead of the Soviets during the Cold War.

Dr. Sidney Gottlieb ran the CIA's mind control program up until the 1970s without the public's knowledge. He may have even ordered hits on his employees to keep the project under wraps. But some still believe sub-projects under MKUltra's heading may have gone on to thrive...

During the height of the Cold War, the United States scrambled to compete with the Soviets. As paranoia over espionage and mind control festered, the C.I.A. decided to create their own "Special Interrogation" Program that inevitably led to testing hallucinatory drugs on unwitting American Civilians.

We’ve made enormous strides in the development of intelligent machines. But officially, the Technological Singularity is a long way off. Some computer scientists even think it will never happen. But some theories suggest that it could actually play out—or has already.

Technologies exist today that could lay the groundwork for the development of fully conscious artificial intelligence. It begs the question: could our own technology replace us as the dominant intelligent species on Earth? 

Paganism. Human sacrifice. A “New World Order.” The Bohemian Club has been accused of plenty since its founding in 1872. But what's really happening in the depths of Bohemian Grove? And why don't they want the world to know?

On the last Sunday of every month, Parcast Rewind replays a classic episode of Conspiracy Theories that you might have missed!  Diamonds are considered one of the world’s most valuable gemstones. But what if their prices are high due to brilliant marketing and supply monopoly tactics, not because of their rarity? And if that’s the case, are diamonds just a run-of-the-mill gemstone?

Deep in the heart of the redwood forests is a 2,700-acre plot of land called the Bohemian Grove, home to an exclusive, secret gentleman’s fraternity known as the “Bohemian Club.” Each July, the club hosts a two-week festival that could be described as a bacchanal for the world’s most prominent and influential men.

In the late 1980s, historical revisionist, Heribert Illig recognized a massive discrepancy in our calendar. Illig began to construct his Phantom Time Hypothesis in an effort to prove that Otto III fabricated 297 years of history, therefore explaining why the Dark Ages were so dark after all.

In the year 1000 CE, Otto III and Pope Sylvester II met to discuss their plans on how to emulate the Second Coming of Christ. Their meeting may have resulted in a 297 year jump that immediately placed them in the new millennium...meaning we may not be living in the year 2020, but instead, 1723.

After thousands of witnesses reported mysterious airship sightings across the continental United States in the late 1890s, three major conspiracy theories arose—offering three very different explanations.

On the last Sunday of every month, Parcast Rewind replays a classic episode of Conspiracy Theories that you might have missed!  It’s a conspiracy theory dating back to 1947, about the U.S. Government developing bits and pieces of technology from crashed UFOs. They figure out how the alien tech works, and then feed said technology into American industry.

Between November 1896 and May 1897, thousands of mysterious flying objects were spotted across the continental U.S. All that remains of the official story are the newspaper articles. But were they part of the cover-up?

By Christmas 1926, New York City hospitals were flooded with those suffering from alcohol poisoning. As medical examiners began to investigate the rising death toll, they deduced that the consumed moonshine contained poisonous ingredients that could only come from one organization—the U.S. Government.

Between 1920 and 1933, it was illegal to make, sell, or transport alcohol in the United States. Bootleggers and rum-runners, funded by gangsters, flooded the United States with alcohol. When the government still couldn’t get people to stop drinking alcohol during Prohibition, they hatched a plan that put lives at risk.

Here’s one of our listeners’ most requested episodes of 2019: Richard Nixon resigned on August 9th, 1974, but Watergate was far from over. The scandal spawned a number of bizarre and mysterious conspiracy theories.

Here’s one of our listeners’ most requested episodes of 2019: On June 17th, 1972, five men were caught breaking into the offices of the DNC at the Watergate Complex in Washington D.C. Over the next two years, journalists and congressional investigators worked to expose the White House’s involvement and cover-up of the crime.

Did Dorothy Kilgallen really die from an accidental overdose? Or was the famous journalist murdered because of information she uncovered during her investigation into JFK and Lee Harvey Oswald's assassinations?

She was an American journalist and T.V. personality who died while investigating the assassination of President John F. Kennedy. The official cause of death was a lethal combination of alcohol and barbiturates. Did Dorothy Kilgallen die from her own vices, or did she know too much?

Not everyone is so convinced that the CIA terminated Stargate Project in 1995 because remote viewing wasn’t working. All of which posit that Stargate Project found out too much information—not too little.

Is the human mind capable of seeing far off places or objects without needing to be physically there? The CIA claims their scientific attempts to prove its existence failed. But not everybody agrees.

In 1838, Samuel Birley Rowbotham waded into the shallow waters of England’s Old Bedford River to conduct an experiment. His findings would conclude, according to him, that the Earth was flat. His teachings have since sparked a movement of believers called the "flat earthers."

For as long as humans have believed the Earth was round, there have been skeptics. But could Aristotle, Magellan, NASA and over 2,000 years of historical beliefs all be wrong? 

If William of Stratford never received a proper education, how could he have written such learned plays? Historians have their own ideas, providing possible explanations about the person—or people—behind the pen.

Many historians believe William Shakespeare is the greatest playwright who ever lived. Many don’t—citing theories of theft to explain his library of work. 

What would have been a historic global circumnavigation in 1937, turns into the disappearance of one of the world’s greatest pilots. But not everyone is convinced by the “facts” surrounding the crash. 

A record-breaking aviatrix who became a symbol for adventure vanishes in 1937. During an ambitious global circumnavigation, Amelia and her navigator fell prey to technical difficulties and crashed into the ocean. But not everyone is convinced that this could have led to the death of the greatest pilot of her time.

Did the King of Rock ‘n' Roll kick the bucket due to a drug overdose? Or did an out of shape—past his prime—lonely rockstar intentionally find his way out of the spotlight?

Elvis Presley was one of the most successful musicians of all time and was one of the most famous men on the planet at the time of his death in 1977, at the young age of 42. But some question the official story of his passing and claim instead that the King faked his death to escape the immense pressures of his unprecedented fame. Sponsors! Better Help - Get 10% off your first month! Go to BetterHelp.com/CONSPIRACY and use discount code CONSPIRACY!

For nearly four decades, locals and tourists have wondered at the purpose behind the bizarre granite slabs that sit on a hill in Elbert County, Georgia. Though they may just be the passion project of an eccentric rich man, the instructions that are inscribed on the slabs hint at something more sinister.  Sponsors! Better Help - Get 10% off your first month! Go to BetterHelp.com/CONSPIRACY and use discount code CONSPIRACY. 

A bizarre monument made of granite and bearing a list of instructions for humanity’s survival exists on a hill in Georgia. While these Guidestones may just be an eccentric project of an anonymous man with too much time and money, there has long been a theory that they actually link to the dogma of some secret, sinister society. 

The Great pyramid of Giza. The Nazca Lines. The Moai Statues of Easter Island. Long considered engineering feats of ancient civilizations, there are some theories that are still discussed today that these ancient monuments may be the work of extraterrestrial civilizations. 

The ancient world proved itself capable of remarkable feats of construction. Thousands of years later, historians and archeologists are still unsure of how such marvels were constructed. As our understanding of the capabilities of ancient empires as grown, so has the suspicion that these ancient peoples were assisted by extraterrestrial visitors. 

Richard Nixon resigned on August 9, 1974, but Watergate was far from over. The scandal spawned a number of bizarre and mysterious conspiracy theories, linking the break-in and Nixon's administration to the kidnapping of an attorney general's wife, the crash of a Boeing 737, and the assassination of J.F.K. Parcasters - Which UFO sighting kicked off the alien craze? It wasn’t Roswell! Subscribe to Extraterrestrial today to learn about the close encounter that started it all, the Mount Rainier flying saucer sighting. Search for Extraterrestrial on Spotify to listen now!

On June 17th 1972, 5 men were caught breaking into the offices of the DNC at the Watergate Complex in Washington D.C. Over the next two years, journalists and congressional investigators worked to expose the White House’s involvement and cover-up of the crime, ultimately leading to the end of Richard Nixon’s presidency. Parcasters - This week on Crimes of Passion we take on the infamous case of Lorena and John Bobbitt! You won’t want to miss this one! Listen today on Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts.

In 1885, French priest Bérenger Saunière discovered a pair of ancient scrolls hidden in the altar of his church. Soon after, he became mysteriously wealthy. Could he have uncovered evidence of a secret church order known as the Priory of Sion and the Holy Grail? Sponsors!  BetterHelp - Conspiracy Theories listeners get 10% off your first month with discount code CONSPIRACY at BetterHelp.com/CONSPIRACY Embrace Pet Insurance - Get your FREE quote at EmbracePetInsurance.com/CONSPIRACY.

The early days of the Catholic church were plagued by dissent, infighting, and uncertainty. After centuries of arguments about the nature of Jesus Christ, a cohesive Christian Bible finally emerged. But was it really the word of God, and if not, could a secret society known as the Priory of Sion hold the key to Biblical truth and the true Holy Grail? Parcasters - Irma Grese made a name for herself as one of the most brutal concentration camp guards in the Nazi regime. How did she earn her reputation? Find out today on Female Criminals.

In the summer of 1969, Senator and Presidential hopeful Ted Kennedy crashed his car into a pond on Chappaquiddick Island and killed his passenger, Mary Jo Kopechne. The fallout of the incident and Kennedy's suspicious would haunt his political career for the rest of his life. Parcasters - This week on The Dark Side Of, we move on from Hollywood and start our exploration of the music industry. Our first episode details the myth of the 27 Club, you won't want to miss it! Subscribe to The Dark Side Of on Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts.

On July 18th, 1969, Ted Kennedy, the youngest son of Joseph Kennedy Sr., drove his car off of a single lane bridge into a pond, resulting in the death of his female passenger. He wouldn't report the accident for ten hours, and in doing so set the scene for an investigation that would lead to more questions than answers. Parcasters - Don’t miss all of our special Summer of ‘69 episodes by subscribing to Parcast Presents: Summer of ‘69, on Spotify, or anywhere you listen to podcasts! Sponsors! Embrace Pet Insurance - Get your FREE quote at EmbracePetInsurance.com/CONSPIRACY right now!

The Denver International Airport is the largest airport in the United States. Since it opened in 1995, the weird art and unanswered questions about the construction have led to all manner of conspiracies about secret bunkers, sinister societies, and hidden messages. Sponsors! BetterHelp - Get 10% off your first month with when you go to BetterHelp.com/CONSPIRACY with discount code CONSPIRACY.  Gabi - Take 2 minutes and see if you can save up to $865 when you go to Gabi.com/CONSPIRACY.

In 1995, the Denver International Airport opened 16 months over schedule and nearly 2 billion dollars over budget. In the nearly 25 years since, all manner of conspiracies have plagued the airport, centered around the weird art, unusual architecture, and unanswered questions about the airport's construction.   Parcasters - George and Barbara Kogan had a happy marriage before a younger woman entered the scene. When millions of dollars are on the line, love becomes slightly more complicated. Listen to our new episode of Crimes of Passion on Spotify, or wherever you get your Parcast Originals!

Officially, Operation Mockingbird was a brief wiretap of two journalists in the early 1960s. But there has long been a conspiracy that Mockingbird was really a much broader endeavor that involved some of the most prominent journalists of the 20th century.  Parcasters - Cults...UFOs...Nazis? If you don’t know about the Vril Society, you’re in for a treat! This group allegedly developed flying saucers for the Third Reich. Search for Extraterrestrials on Spotify or wherever you listen to Parcast Originals.

In the fallout of the Watergate scandal, a number of the CIA’s black ops operations were revealed to the public in the early 1950s. Among them was a decades old operation that saw CIA agents using journalists, both domestic and foreign, to gather intelligence and spread pro-American propaganda. Parcasters - On Female Criminals we dig into The Everleigh Club, a brothel run in turn of the century Chicago by sisters Ada and Minna. Learn more about this underground den on Female Criminals, listen on Spotify or anywhere you listen to podcasts!

Over the past three decades, more and more details about the US government’s involvement in cocaine trafficking have trickled into the public eye. With each new revelation, it starts to look less like the Reagan administration was merely complicit in the crack epidemic - and more like they actively conspired to create it. Sponsors! BetterHelp - Go to BetterHelp.com/Conspiracy to get 10% off your first month with discount code CONSPIRACY. Gabi - Take two minutes and see if you can save up to $865 a year on car insurance at Gabi.com/CONSPIRACY. There are NO fees, NO forms, and NO spam.

In the 1980s, a super-potent new form of cocaine swept through the streets of America, leaving a trail of destruction in its wake. At the same time, the Reagan administration was doing business with drug traffickers all over Latin America, and turning a blind eye to the chaos.    Parcasters - This week on Crimes of Passion we look into a blood feud that ravaged post-Civil War Texas! Listen to this incredible tale at parcast.com/passion

In 2007, a lone conspiracy theorist proposed that the greatest threat to American sovereignty wasn’t a foreign enemy, or even a rising dictator - it was the North American Union, a secret plot to unite the US, Canada, and Mexico into one super-country.  Sponsors! The Farmer’s Dog - Get 50% off your two week trial of fresh, healthy food at TheFarmersDog.com/CONSPIRACY. Plus, you get FREE shipping! Storyworth - For $20 off, visit StoryWorth.com/CONSPIRACY when you subscribe!

In the mid-2000s, rumors began to circulate that President George W. Bush, Mexico’s President Vicente Fox, and Canada’s Prime Minister Paul Martin were conspiring to fuse their borders, currencies, and policies. The new super nation would be called the North American Union. Parcasters - This week on Crimes of Passion we explore the startling act of revenge undertaken by two sisters who viciously murder their mother's abusive boyfriend. Tune in now at parcast.com/passion

If a cure for cancer was discovered, millions of lives would be saved - and billions of dollars would be lost by the pharmaceutical companies that manufacture chemotherapy drugs. How far would Big Pharma go to protect their profits? Sponsors! BetterHelp - Get 10% off your first month with discount code CONSPIRACY at BetterHelp.com/Conspiracy. Poshmark - Get $5 off your first purchase when you enter the invite code Conspiracy5 at sign up.

Since its founding in 1906, the Food & Drug Administration has been responsible for protecting the health and safety of American consumers. But some worry the FDA might be doing more harm than good, especially when it comes to one of the most fatal diseases in modern history: cancer. Sponsors! The Farmer’s Dog - Get 50% off your two-week trial of fresh, healthy food at TheFarmersDog.com/CONSPIRACY. Plus, you get FREE shipping! Poshmark - Get $5 off your first purchase when you enter the invite code: Conspiracy5 when you sign up.

Atlantis has captivated scholars and theorists for generations. It’s potential existence presents an existential question for every modern society. Will advanced technology save us in the face of overwhelming peril? Finding Atlantis could be the key to answering this question.  Parcasters - Brenda Spencer loaded her rifle at Grover Cleveland Elementary school, she would end up killing two people. Her reason? She didn’t like Mondays. Learn more in today’s episode of Female Criminals! Available now at parcast.com/criminals

A legend, used as a political allegory by the ancient philosopher Plato. But over the centuries, countless amateur historians and archaeologists have asserted that the lost island really existed - and one of them may have actually located it. Parcasters - If you lived through the Titanic, would you ever work on a ship again? Violet Jessop did, and you won't believe what happened. Check out our two episode series on Miss Unsinkable, at parcast.com/survival

When Union troops cornered John Wilkes Booth in a remote barn after his assassination of President Lincoln in 1865, they were given strict orders to take him alive. However, Booth was shot to death, without provocation, dying before he could be interrogated or tried for the crime.  Sponsors! BetterHelp - Conspiracy Theories listeners get 10% off the first month with discount code CONSPIRACY at BetterHelp.com/CONSPIRACY.

At the close of the Civil War in 1865, President Abraham Lincoln was killed by a conspiracy of Confederate sympathizers led by actor John Wilkes Booth. But some contend that the conspiracy didn't begin or end with Booth and his accomplices - someone much more powerful was pulling the strings. Parcasters - If you haven’t checked out Extraterrestrial, this week is the time to start! Catch up on our Dulce Base episodes now, and follow the riveting investigation of cattle mutilations in New Mexico. Available now at parcast.com/extraterrestrial

In 1962, the CIA proposed staging a false flag operation to drum up public support for a war on Cuba. Officially, this plan never went into effect. But some believe a plan based on Operation Northwoods was carried out nearly 40 years later, on September 11th, 2001. Sponsors! Robinhood - Robinhood is giving listeners of Conspiracy Theories a FREE stock like Apple, Ford, or Sprint to help you build your portfolio. Sign up at Conspiracy.Robinhood.com. Upstart - Hurry to Upstart.com/CONSPIRACY to find out HOW LOW your Upstart rate is. Checking your rate only takes 2 minutes—and won’t affect your credit!

In April 1959, Fidel Castro visited the White House to meet with Vice President Richard Nixon. By the end of the meeting, Nixon knew they would never be friends, but he couldn't have imagined how formidable an enemy Castro would become. Parcasters - Crimes of Passion is covering the Fred Jablin murder today, if you're into conspiracies, you won't want to miss this one! Check it out: parcast.com/passion

While thousands of previously healthy people were suddenly falling ill and dying throughout the '80s and '90s, everyone was looking for answers. Some of these answers might be found in the resume of Robert Gallo, a U.S. military contractor who developed bioweapon viruses in the late '60s and early '70s...and was one of the first people to identify the HIV virus in 1983. Parcasters - Check out our new show, Survival! In our first episode we covered Shin Dong-hyuk’s escape from a North Korean internment camp. Available now at parcast.com/survival

In the late '70s, a mysterious disease cropped up in the U.S. where healthy young people were suddenly dying and doctors couldn't explain why. By the early 1980s, nearly 1000 U.S. citizens had died from AIDS. Some wonder if the U.S. government was intentionally ignoring the disease, or if they engineered the epidemic as a population control scheme. Parcasters - Interested in political dealings? You won’t believe what we’ve covered on our Assassinations podcast! Check it out at parcast.com/assassinations

Low-resolution footage. Shadows that don't quite line up. Visible prop markers on rocks. If the 1969 moon landing was staged, it wasn't done meticulously. Questions remain about the discrepancies in the photos and videos taken aboard the Apollo 11 mission. Perhaps faking a moon landing was even harder than actually putting a man on the moon. Sponsors! BetterHelp - Conspiracy Theories listeners get 10% off your first month with discount code CONSPIRACY. Go to BetterHelp.com/Conspiracy. Robinhood - Robinhood is giving listeners of Conspiracy Theories a FREE stock like Apple, Ford, or Sprint to help you build your portfolio. Sign up at Conspiracy.Robinhood.com. Upstart - Hurry to Upstart.com/CONSPIRACY to find out HOW LOW your Upstart rate is.

Half a billion viewers around the world tuned in to watch Neil Armstrong take his first steps on the moon's surface in 1969. It was one of the greatest television moments in history - and many suggest Stanley Kubrick should have received a Best Director award for the broadcast. Even today, there's considerable speculation that putting a man on the moon is a task too difficult for even the best astronauts to accomplish. Parcasters - To learn about an iconic event in American history, check out our our new episode on John McCain on HOSTAGE, wherever you get your shows. Listen now at parcast.com/hostage Sponsors! BetterHelp - Go to BetterHelp.com/Conspiracy to get 10% off your first month with discount code CONSPIRACY.

When a 93-year-old Nazi war criminal was found dead in Spandau Prison in 1987, some refused to believe the official verdict of suicide by hanging. Doctors were baffled that the weak, elderly prisoner had the strength to hang himself. The timing of Rudolph Hess’s death was suspicious as well. After spending 50 years in prison, he was finally going to be released.  Sponsors!  Robinhood - Get a FREE stock like Apple, Ford, or Sprint to help you build your portfolio. Sign up at Conspiracy.Robinhood.com.

War criminal and powerful Nazi, Rudolf Hess, was sentenced to 50 years in prison at the Nuremberg Trials. In 1987, official reports agreed he died from suicide by hanging himself inside the Spandau Prison. However, Hess' son claims he was murdered by the British Secret Intelligence Service to prevent him from revealing pertinent information.  Parcasters - You might call the death of Rudolf Hess unsolved. You can check out our UNSOLVED MURDERS podcast if you want to try to solve more puzzling deaths. Listen now at parcast.com/unsolved

What many thought was a weather balloon turned out to be a top-secret surveillance craft being used to spy on the Soviets. Surviving witnesses have all given different and contradictory versions of what happened, some more sensational than others. Regardless of what theory you believe, UFOlogists have been captivated by Roswell ever since the 1950s.  Extraterrestrial! - Thank you Bill and Tim for joining us! Check Parcast's new podcast Extraterrestrial now to hear more ET stories with Bill and Tim! Just search for Extraterrestrial wherever you listen to podcasts Sponsors! BetterHelp - Conspiracy Theories listeners get 10% off your first month with discount code CONSPIRACY when you go to BetterHelp.com/Conspiracy. Torrid - Go to Torrid.com and use Promo Code CONSPIRACY15 for $15 off every $50 you spend! That means you can get up to $150 off a $500 order! Upstart - Hurry to Upstart.com/CONSPIRACY to find out how low your Upstart rate is!

One morning in 1947 a rancher discovered debris on his property in Roswell, New Mexico. The debris didn’t look recognizable and the army was quickly called to the scene to declare it as a crashed weather balloon… but that’s not the only story. Many believe aliens were found at the scene of the crash, even leading a mortician to request a coffin that could fit alien bodies.  Extraterrestrial! - Thank you Bill and Tim for joining us! Check Parcast's new podcast Extraterrestrial now to hear more ET stories with Bill and Tim! Just search for Extraterrestrial wherever you listen to podcasts Sponsors! BetterHelp - Conspiracy Theories listeners get 10% off the first month with discount code CONSPIRACY.

April 4th, 1968 marks the day one of the most powerful public speakers and civil rights activists was tragically murdered by James Earl Ray. Many people believe, including some of Martin Luther King Jr.’s very own children, that the “lone” gunman didn’t actually act alone. Authorities have investigated the case, but haven’t found conclusive results.  Parcasters - After this episode of Conspiracy Theories, check out our new show Extraterrestrial and learn about the abduction of Barney and Betty Hill. Listen at parcast.com/extraterrestrial.

James Earl Ray, a 40-year-old escaped convict, pleaded guilty to the Assassination of Martin Luther King, Jr. He was sentenced to 99 years in prison without trial. But years later, Ray claimed he didn’t act alone. He was a mere pawn at the center of a dark and twisty conspiracy to kill the civil rights activist.  Sponsors! Zola - To start your free wedding website and also get $50 off your registry on Zola, go to Zola.com/CONSPIRACY.

Pretty much everyone in the United States owns a cell phone today. Yet, they might be detrimental to our health. Some believe they can even be weaponized in the form of lasers, heat rays, and particle beams. The only major health study conducted to this point was funded by telecommunications companies, raising questions about the credibility of the results. Sponsors! Torrid - Go to Torrid.com and use Promo Code CONSPIRACY15 for $15 off every $50 you spend! That means you can get up to $150 off a $500 order! Upstart - Hurry to Upstart.com/CONSPIRACY to find out HOW LOW your Upstart rate is! Checking your rate only takes 2 minutes—and won’t affect your credit!

Cell phones are a ubiquitous element of society today. We use them for just about everything. In many ways, they are beneficial to a person’s well being. We set alarms on our smartphones to wake us up, and fall asleep watching videos or texting with friends. Still, questions remain as to whether these devices are safe to use, or if they could actually be hazardous to our health. Parcast News - Be sure to check out Parcast’s first fictional crime show MIND’S EYE at Parcast.com/MindsEye!

After the U.S. military dropped the first atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki in 1945, the world roared with questions: what long-term health risks could atomic weapons carry? How did the Soviet Union build their own bomb so quickly? And did the Manhattan Projects scientists have help from extraterrestrials? Sponsors! Care/of - For 25% off your first month of personalized Care/of vitamins, visit TakeCareOf.com and enter code CONSPIRACY.  Sun Basket - Go to SunBasket.com/CONSPIRACY today to learn more and get $35 off your first order! Torrid - Go to Torrid.com and use Promo Code CONSPIRACY15 for $15 off every $50 you spend! That means you can get up to $150 off a $500 order!

After the U.S. military dropped the first atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, the world roared with questions: what long-term health risks could atomic weapons carry? How did the Soviet Union build their own bomb so quickly? And did the Manhattan Project's scientists have help from extraterrestrials? Parcast - Listen to our new show Mythology where ever you listen to Podcasts!

Is the agency known for helping the United States rebuild after natural disasters, actually responsible for the deaths of millions of people? The fear of FEMA “death” camps have deep implications for the future of the United States and the agency. Sponsors! ModCloth - To get 15% off your purchase of $100 or more, go to ModCloth.com and enter code THEORIES at checkout.  Upstart - Hurry to Upstart.com/CONSPIRACY to find out how low your Upstart rate is! 

FEMA, The Federal Emergency Management Agency, helps millions of people recover after a natural disaster. However, some say FEMA might not be the solution to disasters, but the cause of them. FEMA is alleged to have established hidden “death” camps for one ominous reason: to detain, and possibly kill, American citizens who don’t conform to the New World Order.  Sponsors! StoryWorth - For $20 off, visit StoryWorth.com/CONSPIRACY when you subscribe!

Most Americans don’t believe the theory that Lee Harvey Oswald acted alone in Dallas, Texas in 1963. He must have been working for the Cubans or possibly the Soviets. Or was it an accident? Or was the US Government behind the most examined assassination in modern U.S. History. Sponsors! Parcast - Rate, review and subscribe to our new show Assassinations which premieres November 19th!

Lee Harvey Oswald is the sole person responsible for Kennedy’s assassination. Or is he? Many Americans think the government’s official story is flawed and Oswald didn’t act alone. Is there someone else out there responsible for JFK’s death? Sponsors! Parcast - Rate, review, and subscribe to our new podcast Hostage!

Vaccines are universally accepted and overwhelmingly deemed safe and effective by medical professionals today. Yet, controversy remains about what’s inside of them, who’s controlling them, and for what purpose? Sponsors! Upstart - Hurry to Upstart.com/CONSPIRACY to find out how low your Upstart rate is! Checking your rate only takes 2 minutes—and won’t affect your credit!

These injections provide long-term, sometimes lifelong protection against a disease, but are there side-effects we don’t know about? Sponsors! Parcast - Be sure to rate, review, and subscribe to our new podcast Kingpins!

The Human Genome Project allowed us to understand the genetic blueprint of a human being. What could the reverse engineering of UFOs teach us about life beyond our world? Subscribe now to our new podcast HOSTAGE, featuring the riveting story of Patty Hearst's abduction by the Symbionese Liberation Army. Sponsors! Parcast - Subscribe to our new shows Hostage and Kingpins! Head to Parcast.com/Hostage and Parcast.com/Kingpins now so you don’t miss an episode!

Nations routinely advance themselves by creating schematics from stolen or recovered technology. Could we be doing the same thing by reverse engineering alien spacecraft? Subscribe to our new show - Hostage - today! Sponsors! Parcast - Sign up for the Parcast Monthly Newsletter at Parcast.com!

Is this organization planning to dominate the world through a sudden coup and implementing martial law? Are they using mass surveillance to bring us into a Brave New World scenario? Or has the takeover been so gradual over generations that nobody is aware it’s already happening? Sponsors! Parcast - Sign up for the Parcast Monthly Newsletter at Parcast.com

Were organizations like the United Nations, NATO, and The Warsaw Pact truly designed to prevent another world war? Or were these the first steps in the consolidation of power by the New World Order? Sponsors! Parcast - Sign up for the Parcast Monthly Newsletter at Parcast.com

In 1919, eight members of the Chicago White Sox, including Shoeless Joe Jackson, were accused of throwing the World Series. But new evidence casts doubt on Jackson’s involvement. Was Shoeless Joe Jackson framed by mobster Arnold Rothstein? Or was this all an elaborate scheme by U.S. government to prevent Major League players from unionizing? Sponsors! Parcast - Sign up for the Parcast Monthly Newsletter at Parcast.com.

In 1919, America had two favorite pastimes: baseball and corruption. The two coincided in 1919, when eight members of the Chicago White Sox were accused of conspiring with gamblers to intentionally lose the World Series to the Cincinnati Reds...but did they conspire? 

The 1995 Oklahoma City bombing carried out by Timothy McVeigh and Terry Nichols was the deadliest act of domestic terrorism ever carried out by American citizens on their own country’s soil. Were they secretly funded by a middle eastern terrorist cell? Or worse, were they patsies for a plan hatched by the U.S. government?

Timothy McVeigh and Terry Nichols met in army basic training during the 1980s. In 1995, they would kill 168 innocent people when a bomb they constructed detonated outside the Alfred P. Murrah Federal building in Oklahoma City. Was McVeigh angry at the government. Or was this part of a government plan to distract the public from a scandal involving the President?

GMOs include foods that have been genetically modified or grown in labs. Some people claim scientists are distorting facts to silence the discoveries of non-GMO activists. Others say biotech companies are allowing dangerous products to be released to the public… possibly for mass mind control. 

GMOs include foods that have been genetically modified or grown in labs. Opponents claim that GMOs cause health issues, and harm the environment. Advocates insist they help safely and cheaply increase food supply and are more environmentally conscious. Are GMOs a sinister bid by major corporations to take control of our food system, or a high-tech science that could solve world hunger? Or, is it something much worse?

This is a crossover episode with the hosts of Conspiracy Theories and Unexplained Mysteries. Listen to part two right after this episode on the Unexplained Mysteries feed. Less than one hour into its flight, Malaysia Airlines flight 370 disappeared from the skies. Despite all of the geo-location technology that exists, and more than $160 million in a search and recovery effort, the whereabouts of flight MH370, and the circumstances of its disappearance over the Indian Ocean in 2014 remain a mystery.  Listen to part 2 now on the Unexplained Mysteries feed. Part 2 will not be on the Conspiracy Theories feed. Thanks! 

Officially, Marilyn Monroe died of suicide on August 5th, 1962. But in the last weeks of her life, the CIA, the FBI, the Mafia, labor union leader Jimmy Hoffa, and possibly 20th Century-Fox were all surveilling Marilyn Monroe’s house. At the 56th anniversary of her death, we take another look at the conspiracies surrounding it. Evidence was missing, no one can agree on a timeline, and Robert Kennedy himself lied about that night. Was Marilyn Monroe involved with the mafia, a communist spy, or an inconvenient mistress? Or was she a victim of mental illness who never got the help she needed?

Norma Jeane Mortenson adopted the name and persona of Marilyn Monroe when she began modelling as a teenager in Hollywood. She would become one of the most recognizable movie actresses of her time, but also have affairs with very famous and powerful men. When she was found dead of an apparent overdose, the coroner concluded it was suicide. Based on eyewitness testimony and autopsy analysis, it could have been murder. But if she was killed, who did it and why? 

Diamonds are considered to be the rarest and most valuable gemstone. Is that really true? Or is making diamonds appear more valuable than they actually are and monopolizing the diamond trade the first step in consolidating power to form a New World Order? 

Diamonds are considered one of the world’s most valuable gemstones. But what if their prices are high due to brilliant marketing and supply monopoly tactics, not because of their rarity? And if that’s the case, are diamonds just a run-of-the-mill gemstone? 

The Freemasons are seen as a secretive and elusive fraternal organization. But with their secrecy comes questions and theories. Do their ubiquitous landmarks and symbols reflect a secret link to Devil Worshippers? Why do they only recruit powerful individuals? And do they use their charitable contributions to shield others from noticing their nefarious practices? 

Officially established in the late 1300s, the Freemasons were initially an oversight committee for other stonemasons in Europe. Over the years, their requirements and mission changed. From Founding Fathers to various U.S. presidents, many of the country’s most famous and influential men belong to the secretive fraternal organization. Did these men join the Freemasons because of their power, or did they gain their power from being a Freemason? 

We now know that sugar plays a large role in the risk of developing heart disease. But this wasn’t always the case. Did the government know that sugar was the culprit all along? Or did the sugar industry finance specious studies to blame heart disease on saturated fat? 

In 1980, the federal government’s Dietary Guidelines recommended Americans restrict their saturated fat intake to reduce their risk of heart disease. Since then, America’s obesity rate - a risk factor for heart disease - has sky-rocketed. Did the government get it wrong about fat? 

Who are the Men in Black? Are they are part of a shadow government designed to conceal alien activity on earth? Or are they part of the alien race, living among us on earth to learn our secrets. Or are they something else entirely? 

The Men in Black are a secret organization that are believed to cover up UFO sightings and alien encounters. The government denies its existence, yet many citizens claimed to have encounter them. Are these people lonely souls looking for attention? Or is the government keeping a tight lid on one of the biggest conspiracies in U.S. history? 

After World War II, the U.S. and Soviet Union raced to capture top German scientists in order to utilize the advanced technology the Nazis had used during the war. The U.S. called this Operation Paperclip. But was Operation Paperclip really organized by the U.S. government? Or was it organized by a larger, international group planning something more ominous? 

Following WWII, a secret CIA mission was put in place to recruit Germany’s top scientific minds in an effort to help America’s space and defense program stay ahead of the Soviets during the Cold War. What is the legacy of these Nazis in America? Did the U.S. overlook war crimes for the sake of technological advancement? 

Did the CIA create the crack epidemic by planting the drug in the inner cities? Was the War on Drugs actually a pretense to attack and weaken black communities? Why does the U.S. have the highest incarceration rate in the developed world? And are government-led conspiracies behind it all? 

Over the past two decades, private prisons have increased exponentially to accommodate the rising incarceration rate. But many people wonder: Were the number of private prisons built as a response to the rising incarceration rate…or were they the cause of it? 

The body of Chandra Levy was found over a year after her disappearance. After numerous missteps by investigators during the homicide investigation, it remains unsolved. Were the investigators covering for somebody? What could this D.C. intern have learned that would lead to her untimely demise? 

Chandra Levy was a graduate student from the University of Southern California working at an internship in Washington D.C., when her life was tragically cut short in 2001. After details of Levy’s affair with California congressman Gary Condit surfaced, the press began asking questions about the mysterious details surrounding Levy’s disappearance and the flawed investigation that followed.

With more than 900 people dead, the Jonestown Massacre has sparked many theories over the past 40 years. Did the government have a hand in these deaths? Could the cult have been connected to the mysterious MK-Ultra program? And was Jim Jones murdered, or did he fake his own death? 

At the command of Jim Jones, more than 900 followers of The Peoples Temple drank a beverage laced with cyanide in an act that Jones labeled “revolutionary suicide”. Jones himself was found dead from a shot to the head. But the details of this mass suicide doesn't quite line up. Was this truly a mass suicide, or was it a mass murder? And did Jim Jones fake his own death? 

Kurt Cobain, the famed musician who influenced grunge music and voiced the emotions of thousands of people, was found dead at only 27 years old. Officially, he lost his battle with depression and drug addiction. But with several suspicious events surrounding his death, many have wondered for years if he was murdered… by his own wife. 

Kurt Cobain’s fame as the lead singer and guitarist of Nirvana, and his tumultuous marriage to Courtney Love, thrust him into the spotlight. But Kurt felt misunderstood by the media, and his drug addiction brought trouble for the young musician. When he was found dead in his home on April 8, 1994, it looked like suicide. But do the mysterious circumstances surrounding his death point to murder? 

Reefer Madness and the war on drugs swept the United States in the 1930s but was this war truly started to protect the public? Or did a few powerful men have more personal reasons to ignite this battle? 

At the turn of the 20th century, pharmacies sold medicines containing cannabis regularly. There was no stigma surrounding it. But in the 1930s, a few powerful men stirred up fear about marijuana. The official story: in 1937 the government passed the Marijuana Tax, essentially prohibiting weed because it presented a danger to the public in the form of Reefer Madness. ...But is this the truth? Or are there more sinister motives behind this prohibition? 

The root of hundreds of conspiracy theories, the modern Illuminati is shrouded in mystery and secrecy. And at the top of the rumored group are the most illuminated ones, 12 ruling bloodlines that control every major event. We dive deep into the Illuminati, investigating the theories that surround this secret society, including their apparent current plan for global domination and possible members and leaders. 

Please note that today’s episode is going to sound a little different than a typical episode of Conspiracy Theories. We felt it was important for us to share the founding and history of the Illuminati before diving into the conspiracy theories. The Illuminati has stirred up fear and controversy for well over 200 years. This secret society began as a small group, born from the Freemasons, and ended only a few years after its founding… or did it? 

In 1997, a viral email spread across the internet claiming chemicals were being released from planes. No one questioned the news — it was accepted as fact, and has grown since then to become one of the most popular conspiracy theories of our time. We examine theories about chemtrails: what they are, who controls them… and why. 

We’ve all seen it: the long trailing cloud as a plane flies across the sky. These clouds, called aircraft contrails, are officially said to pose no threat to our health or environment. Contrails are reported to be water vapor from the aircraft’s engine…but is this the truth? Or are they actually dangerous chemtrails being released by the government to control everything from the weather, to our minds?

For years, Area 51—and the conspiracy theories surrounding it—has inspired many movies, books and internet debates. Is the government developing incredibly advanced technology? Are they hiding evidence of extraterrestrial life? Did they fake the moon landing, and use Area 51 to film it? We explore these theories and more as we search for the truth.

From its founding in 1955 until 2013, Area 51 was completely top-secret. The CIA did everything to keep it this way, from denying its existence to trying to wipe images of the base off of every map. But how was Area 51 founded… and why? 

Two years after Princess Diana died in a car crash, the French authorities concluded the death was accidental. But people around the world weren’t so sure this is what really happened, and many believed she was killed. We investigate the theories about MI6, medical sabotage, and the mysterious death of a photojournalist. 

In 1997, Princess Diana of Wales died in a car accident in Paris. The news shocked the world, and many people weren’t so sure this was an accident. In the first episode of two on Princess Diana, we explore her life...and perhaps her not-so-accidental death. 

The truth is rarely the only story. Every Wednesday, we take a skeptical look at history's most controversial events and cover-ups… What's really at Area 51? How did Princess Diana die? Are the Illuminati controlling everything? Conspiracy Theories premieres Wednesday January 31st. Here is a sneak peek.