Author and conspiracy researcher Mike Rothschild joins Chris to unpack the rise, evolution, and enduring influence of QAnon. They explore its blend of old and new conspiracies, its gamified social appeal, and the algorithmic fuel behind its viral spread. Mike explains how QAnon adapted across borders, embedded itself into mainstream politics, and fostered real-world violence—culminating in the January 6 Capitol attack. They also examine QAnon’s psychological grip, its creative and authoritarian appeal, and how families and societies can respond. Plus, COVID’s role in supercharging conspiracies, why Russia’s role may be overstated, and the challenges of countering disinformation in the age of social media.

Subscribe and share to stay ahead in the world of intelligence, geopolitics, and current affairs.

Order The Storm Is Upon Us from Penguin and Hachette:

https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/676746/the-storm-is-upon-us-by-mike-rothschild/

https://www.hachette.co.uk/titles/mike-rothschild/the-storm-is-upon-us/9781800960459/

Learn more about Mike and his work: https://themikerothschild.com

Follow Mike on Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/rothschildmd.bsky.social

Follow Mike on Twitter/X: https://x.com/rothschildmd

Audio: https://pod.fo/e/2fea53

YouTube: https://youtu.be/xnrXBtzdpWc

Become a “Friend of the Podcast” on Patreon for £3/$4: https://www.patreon.com/SecretsAndSpies

Buy merchandise from our shop: https://www.redbubble.com/shop/ap/60934996

Subscribe to our YouTube page: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCDVB23lrHr3KFeXq4VU36dg

For more information about the podcast, check out our website: https://secretsandspiespodcast.com

Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/secretsandspies.bsky.social

Instagram: https://instagram.com/secretsandspies

Facebook: https://facebook.com/secretsandspies

Spoutible: https://spoutible.com/SecretsAndSpies

Follow Chris and Matt on Bluesky:

https://bsky.app/profile/chriscarrfilm.bsky.social

https://bsky.app/profile/mattfulton.net

Secrets and Spies is produced by F & P LTD.

Music by Andrew R. Bird

Photos by Win McNamee, Brent Stirton & Stephanie Keith/Getty & Terica Adkins

Secrets and Spies sits at the intersection of intelligence, covert action, real-world espionage, and broader geopolitics in a way that is digestible but serious. Hosted by filmmaker Chris Carr and writer Matt Fulton, each episode examines the very topics that real intelligence officers and analysts consider on a daily basis through the lens of global events and geopolitics, featuring expert insights from former spies, authors, and journalists.