Hey everyone, welcome to Conspirality, where we investigate the intersections of conspiracy theories in spiritual influence to uncover cults, pseudoscience, and authoritarian extremism.

I'm Derek Barris.

I'm Matthew Remski.

I'm Julian Walker.

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New Yorker writer Charles Bethlehers recently decided to attend men's retreats. Well, at least

those who would admit him. His expose on the modern men's movement got us thinking about

what's happening over

those very expensive three-day weekends, as well as the inspiration behind these groups dating

back to the 70s, and even how a movement tracing back to the work of Robert Bly was co-opted

by the right-wing alpha male crowd. Today we discuss Bethea's article in the context of modern men's groups,

where they come from, what function they serve,

and what they might get wrong and horribly wrong.

While I was still on Twitter, I remember seeing this dude named Nick Adams posting as the alpha guy.

And it was so over the top, I just couldn't tell if he was serious or not.

It just felt like parody.

But no, of course not, because men who posture as alpha males can only sound like parody, it seems. A former conservative politician in Australia who couldn't find much success

...