
historyDec 18, 202456:27pending
The Great Fortean Taylor Swift Conspiracy
About this episode
🐰👣😱
Paul and Stephen welcome back Ian Simmons from the Fortean Times for another dive into the eccentric, the uncanny, and the downright bizarre. In this episode, the trio explores everything from conspiracy theories’ transformation from quirky fun to dangerous obsession, to the KLF’s wild antics, including burning a million pounds and wielding fake machine guns.
They also venture into giant rabbit sightings, Taylor Swift’s rumored occult connections, and the enduring weirdness of Aleister Crowley’s alleged descendants. They dive deep into the mysteries behind Havana Syndrome and explore the strange intersections of social panics, urban legends, and technological anomalies. From phantom jetpack sightings and the eerie behavior of drones near military sites, they weave through bizarre contemporary events with the precision of conspiracy theorists—minus the paranoia.
It’s a freewheeling Chinwag filled with folklore, conspiracies, and questions best left unanswered. Wag on, weirdos!
Ian Simmons is the News Editor of Fortean Times, the world's leading magazine for weird news. He has written for Fortean for over 30 years.
Paul Giamatti is a Golden Globe award winning actor and producer. Stephen Asma is a professor and author specializing in the philosophy of science, religion, and art.
🐰👣😱
=========
Make sure to follow us @chinwagpod 👉🏼
IG: https://www.instagram.com/chinwagpod/
Tik: https://www.tiktok.com/@chinwagpod
Website: http://chinwagpod.fm
YT Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@chinwagpod
Send your stories, Qs, or thoughts to 📧 questions [at] chinwagpod [dot] fm
=========
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Get every episode summarized
Each time Paul Giamatti’s CHINWAG with Stephen Asma publishes, we email you a written briefing from the transcript — the topics, who appeared, and any specific claims, with the ad reads skipped.
Email me new episodesFree for 3 shows. No card needed.
Hosts & guests
No transcript yet
This episode has not been transcribed. Request it and it moves to the front of the queue.
More episodes
More from Paul Giamatti’s CHINWAG with Stephen Asma

The Final Wag
Paul Giamatti’s CHINWAG with Stephen Asma
Feb 26, 20252:01:11pending

Philosophy of Film 101 with Bill Hader
Paul Giamatti’s CHINWAG with Stephen Asma
Feb 19, 20251:09:45pending

CHINWAG LIVE: He Said Droids, Not Druids!
Paul Giamatti’s CHINWAG with Stephen Asma
Feb 12, 202535:59pending

CHINWAG LIVE: Monolith Mania
Paul Giamatti’s CHINWAG with Stephen Asma
Feb 5, 202554:35pending