Former CNN Africa correspondent Robyn Curnow tries to explain America to the rest of the world.

Former CNN Africa correspondent Robyn Curnow tries to explain America to the rest of the world.

Do you want to know the truth behind the world’s wildest conspiracy theories? Former CIA officers John Sipher & Jerry O’Shea try to determine where misinformation is coming from, when we’re being lied to and when a conspiracy theory is an actual real conspiracy. In the world of espionage, they were part of creating conspiracies. Now they and their circle of experts probe what’s true and when we’re being manipulated.

New episodes every week.

Watch Mission Implausible on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@MissionImplausiblePod
Executive Producers: Adam Davidson, John Sipher, Jerry O'Shea & Jonathan Stern. Producer: Rachel Harner
A production of Honorable Mention and Abominable Pictures

Do you want to know the truth behind the world&rsquo;s wildest conspiracy theories? Former CIA officers John Sipher &amp; Jerry O&rsquo;Shea try to determine where misinformation is coming from, when we&rsquo;re being lied to and when a conspiracy theory is an actual real conspiracy. In the world of espionage, they were part of creating conspiracies. Now they and their circle of experts probe what&rsquo;s true and when we&rsquo;re being manipulated.
New episodes every week.
Watch Mission Implausible on YouTube: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/@MissionImplausiblePod" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.youtube.com/@MissionImplausiblePod&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1765390388763000&amp;usg=AOvVaw2Xv6PaRO8ms-z_hEp0Uxvi">https://www.youtube.com/@MissionImplausiblePod</a>
<ul>
<li>Executive Producers: Adam Davidson, John Sipher, Jerry O'Shea &amp; Jonathan Stern. Producer: Rachel Harner</li>
<li>A production of Honorable Mention and Abominable Pictures</li>
</ul>

Mission Implausible

Mission Implausible: Ex-CIA Officers on Conspiracy Theories

The South African Perspective - Part One (with Robyn Curnow)

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/197c12db-e07b-4d94-b792-b2e4016bec64/transcript

Drawing on her leadership roles with Planned Parenthood Global and humanitarian organizations in Africa, actor & activist Stephanie March (ADA Alex Cabot on Law & Order: SVU) describes how ill-conceived policy decisions —particularly the dismantling of USAID programs — have immediate, devastating consequences. Plus, is there any actual nation-building happening in Venezuela, why CIA doesn’t use honey traps and the truth about Area 51.

Drawing on her leadership roles with Planned Parenthood Global and humanitarian organizations in Africa, actor &amp; activist Stephanie March (ADA Alex Cabot on Law &amp; Order: SVU) describes how ill-conceived policy decisions &mdash;particularly the dismantling of USAID programs &mdash; have immediate, devastating consequences. Plus, is there any actual nation-building happening in Venezuela, why CIA doesn&rsquo;t use honey traps and the truth about Area 51.

From Hollywood to Human Rights: The Real Cost of Conspiracy Thinking (with Stephanie March)

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/f2aacd10-da86-4649-b7b9-b3cc0045fa85/transcript

From wellness culture and yoga influencers to QAnon forums and January 6, the pathways into conspiracy extremism aren’t always obvious — especially for women. Identity and meaning can quietly turn misinformation into ideology. Author and researcher Noelle Cook discuss did direct fieldwork with women involved in conspiracy movements and the Capitol attack. Extremism doesn’t always look extreme. Sometimes it looks like community. Radicalization — it’s not just for men.

Watch Mission Implausible on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@MissionImplausiblePod

From wellness culture and yoga influencers to QAnon forums and January 6, the pathways into conspiracy extremism aren&rsquo;t always obvious &mdash; especially for women. Identity and meaning can quietly turn misinformation into ideology. Author and researcher Noelle Cook discuss did direct fieldwork with women involved in conspiracy movements and the Capitol attack. Extremism doesn&rsquo;t always look extreme. Sometimes it looks like community. Radicalization &mdash; it&rsquo;s not just for men.
Watch Mission Implausible on YouTube: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/@MissionImplausiblePod" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.youtube.com/@MissionImplausiblePod&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1765390388763000&amp;usg=AOvVaw2Xv6PaRO8ms-z_hEp0Uxvi">https://www.youtube.com/@MissionImplausiblePod</a>

Wellness to Weaponization: How Women Are Drawn into Conspiracy Extremism (with Noelle Cook)

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/be82152c-d665-497f-b704-b3ba003b863c/transcript

Our team gives their analysis of a disturbingly familiar year in power and politics, normalization and surprises. Much of it was predictable, some was worse, and some was worse that worse. Yet conspiratorial thinking cuts both ways, and 2025 illuminated some “theories” as being actual conspiracies. What trajectories might actually improve in 2026?

Watch Mission Implausible on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@MissionImplausiblePod

Our team gives their analysis of a disturbingly familiar year in power and politics, normalization and surprises. Much of it was predictable, some was worse, and some was worse that worse. Yet conspiratorial thinking cuts both ways, and 2025 illuminated some &ldquo;theories&rdquo; as being actual conspiracies. What trajectories might actually improve in 2026?
Watch Mission Implausible on YouTube: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/@MissionImplausiblePod" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.youtube.com/@MissionImplausiblePod&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1765390388763000&amp;usg=AOvVaw2Xv6PaRO8ms-z_hEp0Uxvi">https://www.youtube.com/@MissionImplausiblePod</a>

What Fresh Hell: 2025 in Conspiracy Theories and Disinformation

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/9280ca7f-1240-414e-a9e9-b3ba00279a94/transcript

The South African Perspective - Part One (with Robyn Curnow)

In 1 playlist(s)

Mission Implausible: Ex-CIA Officers on Conspiracy Theories

Social links

Follow podcast

Recent clips