Conspiracy Finds a Home at The Epoch Times

What if one of the most widely shared conservative news sources on social media wasn’t just a media outlet, but the mouthpiece of a fringe spiritual movement—one that believes in demons, karma, and a cosmic showdown between good and evil? 

In this explosive episode, host Shane E. Burkett pulls back the digital curtain on The Epoch Times—a media juggernaut that grew from a quiet anti-communist newsletter into a $122 million empire, pushing everything from political conspiracy theories to climate change denial, all while allegedly laundering millions through a complex financial web. 

But the deeper you dig, the stranger it gets. 

We trace The Epoch Times back to its spiritual roots—Falun Gong, a movement founded by Li Hongzhi, who claims to possess supernatural powers and preaches a blend of qigong, alien mythology, and anti-scientific beliefs. What started as a peaceful resistance to Chinese Communist persecution evolved into a global spiritual-political hybrid—and The Epoch Times became its digital sword. 

 This isn’t just a case of media bias—it’s a story of blurred lines between faith and propaganda, between ideological warfare and information manipulation. Through firsthand accounts, investigative reporting, and leaked memos, we explore how the organization channeled Falun Gong’s apocalyptic worldview into a coordinated social media strategy that made Breitbart and Newsmax look like amateurs. 

 From obscure beginnings in 2000 to viral Facebook posts reaching hundreds of millions, The Epoch Times found its groove not in journalism, but in digital evangelism—pushing content that fed America’s growing appetite for divisiveness and moral clarity. 

 But in 2024, the cracks split wide open. 

 CFO Bill Guan was indicted for allegedly running a sophisticated money laundering operation that funneled illicit funds into the company’s accounts, allegedly inflating revenue by over 400%. Suddenly, the empire built on spiritual warfare and clickbait headlines was under federal scrutiny—and facing an existential crisis. 

 Founder Li Hongzhi distanced himself, warning his followers to stop engaging in political attacks. The Epoch’s leadership quietly shifted. Their Hollywood ambitions through Epoch Studios began to stall. And what was once the right’s favorite viral content mill is now navigating its most unstable chapter yet. 

 In this episode, Shane unpacks: 

• 🔍 The founding of The Epoch Times and its entanglement with Falun Gong
• 🧠 How spiritual ideology shaped editorial decisions and media expansion
• 📈 The meteoric growth from $3.8M to $122M in five years—and the hidden cost
• 💸 The federal indictment and what it reveals about their funding strategies
• 🌍 Their global f

Perspective: Faith, Science, Politics, and Life is a thought-provoking podcast that explores the forces shaping our world. Hosted by Shane Burkett, this show dives into the intersections of religion, scientific discovery, political shifts, and everyday life, featuring deep conversations with experts, thought leaders, and changemakers. No topic is off-limits—expect bold discussions, critical thinking, and new insights that challenge the way you see the world. Join the c

Perspective: Faith, Science, Politics, and Life is a thought-provoking podcast that explores the forces shaping our world. Hosted by Shane Burkett, this show dives into the intersections of religion, scientific discovery, political shifts, and everyday life, featuring deep conversations with experts, thought leaders, and changemakers. No topic is off-limits—expect bold discussions, critical thinking, and new insights that challenge the way you see the world. Join the c

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