Seek Safely

Self-help’s Intensifying Flirtation with Conspiracy Theories

June 12, 2023 Jean Brown & Dr. Glenn Patrick Doyle Season 2 Episode 6
Self-help’s Intensifying Flirtation with Conspiracy Theories
Seek Safely
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Seek Safely
Self-help’s Intensifying Flirtation with Conspiracy Theories
Jun 12, 2023 Season 2 Episode 6
Jean Brown & Dr. Glenn Patrick Doyle

Conspiracy theories are on the rise in many areas of our society, and this holds true within the self-help industry, especially since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic. Jean and Glenn discuss this situation, shedding some light on why it is that conspiracies fit so easily into the realm of self-help–an industry that has often presented itself as an alternative to the mainstream.

But while the fringes have long been comfortable territory for self-help, these conspiracy theories seem to be taking up more space and pushing the industry into more political territory as well, which feels like a newer development. Ultimately, we find ourselves asking more questions than offering answers at this point.


Also mentioned in this episode: 

The Problem with Tony Robbins” by MüneCat on YouTube


$10.4 Billion Self-improvement Market Pivots to Virtual Delivery During the Pandemic” by John LaRosa for MarketResearch.com


We Need to Talk about the Rise of White Supremacy in Yoga” by Arusha Wijeyakumar in InStyle

@ShantiWithin on Instagram


How Dangerous is Jordan B. Peterson, the Rightwing Professor who “Hit a Hornet’s Nest'?

in The Guardian


Learn more about SEEK Safely on our website

Follow SEEK on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook

Follow Dr. Glenn on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook

Read the memoir “This Sweet Life: how we lived after Kirby died” by Jean and her mom, Ginny Brown

Donate to support SEEK’s mission

To Contact SEEK email info@seeksafely.org

Show Notes

Conspiracy theories are on the rise in many areas of our society, and this holds true within the self-help industry, especially since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic. Jean and Glenn discuss this situation, shedding some light on why it is that conspiracies fit so easily into the realm of self-help–an industry that has often presented itself as an alternative to the mainstream.

But while the fringes have long been comfortable territory for self-help, these conspiracy theories seem to be taking up more space and pushing the industry into more political territory as well, which feels like a newer development. Ultimately, we find ourselves asking more questions than offering answers at this point.


Also mentioned in this episode: 

The Problem with Tony Robbins” by MüneCat on YouTube


$10.4 Billion Self-improvement Market Pivots to Virtual Delivery During the Pandemic” by John LaRosa for MarketResearch.com


We Need to Talk about the Rise of White Supremacy in Yoga” by Arusha Wijeyakumar in InStyle

@ShantiWithin on Instagram


How Dangerous is Jordan B. Peterson, the Rightwing Professor who “Hit a Hornet’s Nest'?

in The Guardian


Learn more about SEEK Safely on our website

Follow SEEK on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook

Follow Dr. Glenn on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook

Read the memoir “This Sweet Life: how we lived after Kirby died” by Jean and her mom, Ginny Brown

Donate to support SEEK’s mission

To Contact SEEK email info@seeksafely.org