The Illuminati - the infamous conspiratorial obsession - wasn't always that way. It was the work of one man that brought the illuminati from obscure to omnipresent - John Todd. In the 1970s, Todd burst into the public eye with tales of secret societies and dark rituals, claiming to be an ex-witch linked to human sacrifices among the elite. But as his tales spread and followers grew, his web of secrets unraveled, and ultimately - he vanished. 'Cover Up: The Conspiracy Tapes' exposes the twisted hidden story of a man whose myths influenced some of the most notorious events in recent history. Unlock all episodes of Cover Up, ad-free, by subscribing to The Binge. Plus, get binge access to brand new stories dropping on the first of every month. Just click ‘Subscribe’ on the top of the Cover Up show page on Apple Podcasts or visit GetTheBinge.com to get access wherever you listen. Cover Up is a series of investigative stories that take us on a journey into a world of subterfuge and secrecy - a world where the truth is concealed under a blanket of lies. From corrupt individuals to clandestine institutions, Cover Up exposes deceit, deception and the abuse of power...
Introducing Cover Up: The Conspiracy Tapes
In the mid-1970s, a man burst onto the evangelical scene with a shocking tale: claiming to be a former witch involved in human sacrifices among elite circles. After converting to Christianity, he toured the nation warning of hidden Satanists and spoke about a secret organization known as the Illuminati. John Todd preached salvation to frightened congregations, urging them to prepare for a world takeover by stockpiling weapons and retreating to remote areas.
But John Todd was no saint; he was not the good, honest Christian he claimed to be. He was running from his past. As his influence peaked and his teachings spread through countless tapes, his facade crumbled, and he vanished. Yet, his legacy endured, inspiring acts of extreme violence from Ruby Ridge, Waco, PizzaGate, QAnon right through to the steps of the Capitol on January 6th.
A Magnificent Noise & Sony Music Entertainment production.
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