What is a conspiracy theory? Are conspiracy theories fueling extremism? And how are these theories pulling people toward radical ideas?

Join us for the latest episode of the Jason Institute podcast, where our host, Cristina Pessina, sits down with Professor Dr. Jan-Willem van Prooijen, a behavioral scientist who specializes in conspiracy theories, unethical behavior, and radical ideologies. Together, they investigate what makes a conspiracy theory, why these ideas develop, why they spread, and why so many people today are embracing them, sometimes with dangerous consequences.

This episode explores the powerful impact of the “us vs. them” mentality, examines the roles of social media, and the responsibility political leaders and pop culture figures might have in amplifying these beliefs. What makes conspiracy theories so captivating? Is there anything we can do collectively to curb their spread, or are we on a path we can’t escape?

Tune in to explore one of today’s most urgent and rapidly evolving security challenges.