On today’s episode I’m joined by writer, author, podcaster, amateur mountaineer, cycling enthusiast and food culture chronicler, Derek Beres.

Derek is the co-author of Conspirituality: How New Age Conspiracy Theories Became a Health Threat, and the co-host of the Conspirituality Podcast. Derek and his colleagues began exploring the topic of the rise of conspiracy theories being propagated in the yoga and wellness communities right around the time that the COVID-19 pandemic began to take hold around the world. And their work serves as a cautionary tale for those who may be seeking support in communities and alternative health modalities that may not always be what they seem.

Derek’s experience as a long time yoga instructor and his colleagues’ survival of different cult communities give them a unique insider perspective on how the anti-vax movement and QAnon were able to build a groundswell of momentum and support within the alternative health and wellness world. And they shine a light on some of the main personalities pushing confusing or downright false information out to a vulnerable population.

Personally, I became interested in their work due to my own desire to expand my knowledge of the subject matter and to hold myself to a high standard of integrity and intellectual rigor in my own work related to transformational embodiment and leadership coaching. I also just really love feeling like I’m sitting in on an advanced behavioral psychology class when I read or listen to these guys.

So I really hope you enjoy this conversation with Derek, let’s get into it!

About Derek Beres:
Derek is a multi-faceted author, speaker, and media expert based in Portland, Oregon. He has served in senior editorial positions at a number of tech companies and has years of experience in health, science, and music writing. He regularly speaks on science and media literacy.

You can find Derek online here https://www.derekberes.com/. To purchase a copy of Conspirituality: How New Age Conspiracy Theories Became a Health Threat, you can hit this link right here. Listen to the Conspirituality Podcast and follow them on Instagram.

As always, this podcast streams on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. And NOW, you can check out the visual experience on YouTube!

Be good to yourselves and be good to others,
Weston

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Thanks to my dear compadre from another madre, Billy Hayes, for the intoxicating theme music.