Escaped Nuns from Evil Convents

Explicit content warning

10/31/24 • 20 min

1 Listener

In the late summer of 1834, a torch-wielding mob burned down a Boston convent for reasons that sound a lot like . . . Pizzagate. Fueled by rumors of kidnappings, papal paranoia and phony exposés, conspiracy theories about nuns in their convents spiraled out of control in 19th-century America. Cristen unravels why that happened and how it set the stage for contemporary culture wars over saving the children.

Chapters:

(00:00) The Mount Benedict Girls Boarding School

(00:40) Rumors and Mob Mentality

(01:30) Pizzagate of 1834

(03:43) America's Manifest Destiny Era

(04:49) The Rise of Anti-Catholic Propaganda

(05:18) "Suspicious" Nuns in Their Convents

(10:30) The Escaped Nun Genre

(11:37) Maria Monk and The Awful Disclosures

(15:09) Impact on Education and Public Schools

(16:41) Abolition and Anti-Catholicism

. . .

Inbox: [email protected]

Instagram: @conspiracyshewrote, @unladylikemedia

Website: conspiracyshewrote.com

Patreon: The Cabal

Conspiracy, She Wrote is an Unladylike Media production created, hosted and written by Cristen Conger. Music is from Blue Dot Sessions.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Chapters:

(00:00) The Mount Benedict Girls Boarding School

(00:40) Rumors and Mob Mentality

(01:30) Pizzagate of 1834

(03:43) America's Manifest Destiny Era

(04:49) The Rise of Anti-Catholic Propaganda

(05:18) "Suspicious" Nuns in Their Convents

(10:30) The Escaped Nun Genre

(11:37) Maria Monk and The Awful Disclosures

(15:09) Impact on Education and Public Schools

(16:41) Abolition and Anti-Catholicism

. . .

Inbox: [email protected]

Instagram: @conspiracyshewrote, @unladylikemedia

Website: conspiracyshewrote.com

Patreon: The Cabal

Conspiracy, She Wrote is an Unladylike Media production created, hosted and written by Cristen Conger. Music is from Blue Dot Sessions.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Previous Episode

The Feminine Draw of Contemporary Conspiracy (Culture Study with Anne Helen Petersen)

What’s the difference between a conspiracy theory and gossip? When does joking around about Kate Middleton’s abduction turn into something much darker? Are women actually more susceptible to contemporary conspiracy theories — or are we just finally paying attention to it? Cristen joined Anne Helen Petersen on Culture Study Podcast to unpack all of that, plus Taylor Swift’s evil twin, Beyoncé’s illuminati connections, Katie Holmes getting impregnated by Scientology aliens, sex trafficking panics, and how to talk to someone when they start directing a conspiracy theory your way.

For more Culture Study conversations on theme with Conspiracy, She Wrote:

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Next Episode

Emotional literacy for misinformation?

1 Recommendations

Ever heard of emotional literacy? In this mini episode (a breadcrumb? red thread?), climate misinformation expert and content creator Abbie Richards explains what it is, why it pairs so well with conspiracy theories, and how we all stand to benefit from more of it. Because if debunking won’t stop the misinformation crisis, maybe it's time to start teaching feelings.

Chapters:

(00:00) Re-introducing Climate Conspiracy Expert Abby Richards Emotional Literacy

(00:28) Media Literacy Won't Save Us

(01:57) Re-introducing Climate Conspiracy Expert Abby Richards

(03:24) The Evolution of Climate Conspiracies

(04:32) Why We Need Emotional Literacy

(10:37) Conclusion and Next Steps

. . .

Inbox: [email protected]

Instagram: @conspiracyshewrote, @unladylikemedia

Website: conspiracyshewrote.com

Patreon: The Cabal