Conspirituality Podcast: Bonus Sample Episode Summary
Episode Title: Bonus Sample: A Master Class in Wellness Propaganda
Release Date: May 26, 2025
Hosts: Derek Beres, Matthew Remski, Julian Walker
Introduction
In this bonus episode of the Conspirituality podcast, host Derek Beres delves into the intricate world of wellness propaganda, focusing on key figures and controversies shaping the current landscape. The episode promises an in-depth examination of Cali Means, a prominent figure in the wellness industry, and his entanglements with political and corporate entities.
Profile of Cali Means
[00:03] Derek Barris: "Strap in for this one. It's gonna be a lot."
Derek introduces Cali Means, emphasizing his transformation from a food and pharma lobbyist to a pivotal figure in the wellness movement. Cali, alongside his sister Casey Means—now the Surgeon General nominee—authored the bestselling book Good Energy. This publication attributes most diseases to metabolic dysfunction, despite both authors lacking formal medical training. Derek critiques the unorthodox credentials of Cali and Casey, noting, “Neither have any endocrinology training. Callie has no medical training whatsoever.”
Rise to Prominence and Influence
The book Good Energy significantly elevated Cali and Casey’s status within the wellness community, leading to their association with Maha, a key player in the sector. Cali now serves as one of RFK Junior's top advisors, positioning him at the nexus of wellness advocacy and political influence. Derek highlights the importance of this relationship, setting the stage for the ensuing controversies.
True Med and Wellness Company Conflict
A substantial portion of the episode addresses the internal strife within Maha, particularly between Cali Means' company, True Med, and Foster Collson's Wellness Company.
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True Med Overview:
- Products and Services: True Med allows consumers to use Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) and Health Savings Accounts (HSA) funds to purchase a variety of wellness products, such as supplements, ice baths, and red light therapy devices.
- Regulatory Scrutiny: The IRS has raised concerns, sending warnings against purchasing untested supplements from these platforms, which True Med rebuffs by claiming to have found a "loophole."
- Customer Claims: True Med advertises having 320,000 satisfied customers, though Derek questions the feasibility of this number given the company's relatively recent launch in September 2023. He posits, “Either True Med employs dozens of doctors who have solely devoted careers to these calls, or at best those happy customers aren't getting anywhere near the supposed lackluster service that American doctors provide to their patients on average.”
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Wellness Company Profile:
- Founding and Board Members: Established by Foster Collson, an heir to a Canadian aviation and logging fortune, the company includes notable anti-vaccine advocates like Peter McCullough, Harvey Risch, and Drew Pinsky on its medical board.
- Product Offerings: The company markets products such as a COVID-19 vaccine detox and an emergency medical kit containing antibiotics and ivermectin.
- Competitive Strategy: Both True Med and the Wellness Company leverage telehealth services to connect consumers with doctors, facilitating the purchase of their products through scripts or recommendation letters. Their marketing strategies often involve criticizing mainstream medical practices as untrustworthy or evidence-lacking.
Conflict and Accusations
A significant conflict arises when Wellness Company CEO Peter Gilliloy accuses Cali Means of abusing his position at the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), alleging violations of laws against conflicts of interest.
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Cali Means' Defense:
- Cali responds by accusing the Wellness Company of disseminating "provably false information" to Laura Loomer, a controversial figure known for spreading conspiracy theories. He asserts, “[...] you and your cadre of Peter McCullough and Kelly victory are spreading lies and trying to fuck with him and hurt his administration.” ([Timestamp Pending])
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Laura Loomer's Allegations:
- Loomer has tweeted suspicions that True Med may be engaged in tax fraud by auto-generating recommendation letters instead of facilitating genuine doctor consultations. Derek explores the plausibility of these claims, considering the operational demands of servicing 320,000 customers with limited telehealth resources.
Analysis of True Med's Operational Claims
Derek scrutinizes True Med's assertion of having 320,000 happy customers, juxtaposing it against the logistical challenges of providing adequate telehealth services without substantial medical staffing. He calculates that servicing 320,000 customers would require an impractical amount of doctor time, suggesting that either the customer base is overstated or the service quality is compromised.
Conclusion and Forward Look
Derek provides context for listeners about Cali Means' influence and the broader implications of his actions within the wellness and political arenas. The episode sets the stage for a forthcoming 35-minute interview with Cali Means, promising listeners a firsthand look into his strategies and the propagation of wellness propaganda.
Supporting Content and Further Listening
For those interested in exploring this narrative further, Conspirituality encourages listeners to subscribe via Patreon or Apple Podcasts to access the full interview and additional bonus content. The hosts emphasize the importance of supporting independent media in combating the spread of disinformation within the wellness and spiritual communities.
Notable Quote:
[Timestamp Pending] Cali Means: "If one more thing happens, I'm going to go to Jay Bhattacharya and Bobby and tell him that you and your cadre of Peter McCullough and Kelly Victory are spreading lies and trying to fuck with him and hurt his administration."
This episode of Conspirituality provides a critical examination of the intersection between wellness advocacy, political influence, and misinformation. By dissecting the actions and claims of key players like Cali Means, the hosts illuminate the complexities and potential dangers of the current wellness propaganda landscape.
