Bonus Sample: The '80s Zen Master Con Man
Conspirituality4 Elo 2025

Bonus Sample: The '80s Zen Master Con Man

Everything about Zen Master Rama was fake—except for the piles of money he made. His black belt in paranormal martial arts, three past lives as a Buddhist teacher, 31 meditation albums he claimed to compose in other dimensions, multiple computer software companies, and a bestseller based on being a “world-class snowboarder” were all smoke and mirrors. He had no training or talent in any of these areas. He was an expert con man, however. The man wore Versace suits and Rolex watches, bought mansions, and owned a collection of pricey cars. His headshots were by the top Hollywood photographer of the day; he made many TV appearances. His students believed he could fill rooms with golden light, skate on light-beams, and protect them from the demons he claimed wanted to steal their enlightened energy. He instructed them to be celibate but then manipulated and coerced the prettiest into joining him for tantric sex rituals he claimed would accelerate their enlightenment. It didn’t end well for anyone—including him. In the latest installment of the Roots of Conspirituality series, Julian tells the tale of Frederick Lenz, a quintessential 80's synthesizer of phoney Buddhism, New Age delusions, cultic abuse, and wealth as a signifier of spiritual progress. Show Notes The Code Cult of the CPU Guru Mentor to Some, Cult Leader to Others The Guru’s Latest Incarnation Atrocity Guide The Enlightenment Fraud of Zen Master Rama Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jaksot(767)

Bonus Sample: Anxiety is The Pitt(s)

Bonus Sample: Anxiety is The Pitt(s)

The Pitt recently exposed fans to the complexities and reality of panic attacks. Derek uses that moment in the exceptional show to discuss his own longstanding struggle with anxiety, exploring the lat...

16 Maalis 6min

Brief: The Stepford Wives Conference

Brief: The Stepford Wives Conference

Turning Point USA's Women’s Leadership Conference returns to Dallas in June. Derek and Julian take a look inside. Show Notes Antifeminist women’s summit: ‘The kitchen is where the real revolution s...

14 Maalis 29min

299: American Jihad

299: American Jihad

As black rain falls from the smoke-choked skies of Tehran, the US and Israel continue their war against the Islamic Republic of Iran. From the start, Trump officials have seemed only to disagree on bo...

12 Maalis 1h 14min

Bonus Sample: Michael Parenti Went to a Yoga Ashram

Bonus Sample: Michael Parenti Went to a Yoga Ashram

Matthew found out that the late Marxist historian Michael Parenti went on a yoga retreat at the Sivananda Ashram in the Bahamas. He clocked the BS immediately—unlike Matthew when he showed up in space...

9 Maalis 5min

Brief: Bishop Bootlicker Barron

Brief: Bishop Bootlicker Barron

Matthew digs into the fascism-enabling political theology of Bishop Robert Barron and the rightward slide of Big Catholic media. From his early admiration of Thomas Merton—carefully stripped of his an...

7 Maalis 45min

298: MAHA’s Glyphosate Meltdown [feat Mallory DeMille]

298: MAHA’s Glyphosate Meltdown [feat Mallory DeMille]

Despite saying “I believe glyphosate causes cancer” a few weeks ago, RFK Jr quickly pivoted when his boss declared an executive order calling for the ramping up of glyphosate under a 75-year-old defen...

5 Maalis 49min

Bonus Sample: On Death & Being Human

Bonus Sample: On Death & Being Human

Cult leaders, religious fanatics, dictators, and charlatans all have one thing in common: they exploit our fear of death. Humans act out “immortality projects” in the form of religion, culture, and po...

2 Maalis 8min

Brief: Re-reading Casey Means

Brief: Re-reading Casey Means

Casey Means was grilled by some Senators at her hearing for nomination of Surgeon General on Wednesday. Others lobbed softballs. Derek revisits the book that made her a star on the MAHA circuit, Good ...

28 Helmi 25min

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