Conspirituality Podcast: Bonus Episode - "Calling Out Bullsh*t"

Hosts: Derek Barris, Matthew Remski, Julian Walker
Release Date: January 20, 2025
Episode Type: Bonus Sample

Introduction

In the bonus episode titled "Calling Out Bullsh*t," Conspirituality hosts dive into a critical examination of recent reporting surrounding COVID-19 vaccine trials. The episode focuses on dissecting claims made by journalist Alex Berenson and the subsequent discussions that highlight potential flaws and dangers in sensationalized reporting within the conspiracy-laden spiritual landscape.

Key Discussions and Insights

1. Analysis of Alex Berenson's Reporting on Moderna's Vaccine Trials

The episode begins with Alex Berenson's alarming report about a young child who allegedly died from a COVID booster during Moderna's vaccine trials. Berenson claims that Moderna did not inform regulators about the incident promptly, instead incorporating it into a vast dataset two years after the event.

• Alex Berenson (00:03):
  "Did you hear about the young child who died from the COVID booster during Moderna's vaccine trials? And that Moderna didn't even let regulators know, quietly slipping it into a huge data set only recently, even though the child died about two years ago."

Barris critiques the lack of transparency and the vague details provided in Berenson's account. He points out the absence of crucial information such as the child's gender, race, age, location, and the exact timeframe between the vaccination and the adverse event.

• Derek Barris (00:55):
  "We have no idea how it made that determination. What other underlying facts there are. We don't even know the gender of the child, the race of the child, the age of the child, where this happened, how many days or weeks after the shot it occurred."

2. Examination of FDA's Involvement

Barris extends his critique to the FDA, suggesting complicity in the concealment of the child's death. He underscores the potential negligence or intentional oversight by regulatory bodies in handling adverse events related to vaccine trials.

• Derek Barris (00:55):
  "We just know the child died and they sat on it and FDA sat on it."

3. Unveiling the Holes in the Narrative

Transitioning from Berenson's reporting, Barris introduces his analysis influenced by the book "Calling the Art of Skepticism in a Data Driven World" by Carl T. Bergstrom and Jevin D. West. He emphasizes the importance of skepticism, especially when encountering sensational claims that may lack substantive evidence.

• Derek Barris (01:27):
  "If you're an anti vaxxer searching for more reasons to distrust the [COVID] job, Berenson provides plenty of them, data and science be damned."

Barris warns listeners about the dangers of unverified reporting and the potential spread of misinformation that can undermine public health efforts and foster paranoia within spiritual and wellness communities.

4. The Role of Conspirituality in Combating Misinformation

Throughout the episode, Conspirituality aims to bridge the gap between skepticism and spirituality by challenging narratives that exploit conspiracies for personal gain or ideological agendas. The hosts advocate for critical thinking and evidence-based analysis to counteract the spread of disinformation within the New Age and wellness sectors.

Conclusions

"Calling Out Bullsh*t" serves as a cautionary discourse on the perils of unverified sensationalism in reporting, especially concerning public health issues like vaccine trials. By dissecting Berenson's claims and highlighting the lack of transparency, the hosts underscore the necessity for diligent skepticism and accountability among journalists and influencers alike. The episode reinforces Conspirituality's mission to dismantle harmful conspiratorial narratives and promote informed, rational discourse within the spiritual and wellness communities.

Note: This summary is based on a transcript sample provided and aims to encapsulate the key discussions and critiques presented in the episode. For a comprehensive understanding, listening to the full episode is recommended.