S9 Ep60: QAnon and the Mainstreaming of Extremism with Mike Rothschild

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 Please share this episode using these links Audio: https://pod.fo/e/2fea53 YouTube: https://youtu.be/xnrXBtzdpWc Support Secrets and Spies 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 Connect with us on social media 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. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.