Conspirituality – Bonus Sample: MAHA Inaction

Date: November 10, 2025
Hosts: Derek Beres, Matthew Remski, Julian Walker
Episode Theme:
In this bonus episode, the Conspirituality hosts expose and critique the inner workings and broader implications of MAHA Action—a conspiritual activist group linking wellness, anti-vaccine propaganda, and political ambitions. The hosts analyze the organization's leaders, messaging, and manipulative strategies, highlighting how charismatic influencers turn public health skepticism into a partisan movement.

Main Episode Overview

The hosts dissect the “Maha Revolution,” focusing on MAHA Action—a nonprofit founded by prominent anti-vaccine figures—and its tactics to sway public opinion during a turbulent health and political climate. The episode delivers a critical look at how spiritual and wellness influencers exploit fears, misunderstandings, and conspiracy theories to grow their movements and attack mainstream science and public health.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Who and What is MAHA Action?

• Leadership and Founding

  • Founded by Del Bigtree and Robert F. Kennedy, MAHA Action presents itself as a grassroots public health advocacy group but is, in reality, a well-organized vehicle for anti-vaccine and wellness disinformation.
  • Tony Lyons, president of MAHA Action and founder of Skyhorse Publishing, introduces the meeting with updates on their activities.
    • [00:06] Tony Lyons (A): “Welcome to the Maha Revolution… We've had more than 8,000 people on each of our calls. We've had some tech problems, but it's… generally going better and better each week.”

• Connection to Publishing & Disinformation

  • Skyhorse Publishing, run by Lyons, has released numerous books espousing conspiracy theories, including Kennedy’s The Real Anthony Fauci and Vax Unvax, as well as other controversial titles.
  • Lyons previously pledged to direct Skyhorse profits toward anti-vaccine initiatives.

2. Personal Ties & Reflections

• Host Disclosure
  • Host Derek Beres shares a personal connection, having published a fitness book with a Skyhorse imprint before he was deeply involved in anti-vax coverage.
    • [01:44] Derek Beres (B): “Full disclosure… I published a book on a Skyhorse imprint… long before I covered the Anti Vax and contrarian health space as much as I do now. The fact that any money... helped Lyons and his cause is something that still will keep me up some nights.”

3. MAHA Action’s Tactics and Contradictions

• Populist Messaging and Scapegoating

  • MAHA Action frames itself against “Big Pharma,” “Big Ag,” and “Big Food”—claiming to champion sweeping reforms and cultural changes.
    • [03:05] Tony Lyons (A): “Secretary Kennedy and his whole team are making incredible progress… The bad news is that these companies have been lying to you. They've been poisoning you, and now they're getting desperate… they're paying influencers… to make people afraid of change.”

• Paranoia and Persecution Complex

  • Members attribute all criticism to conspiracies and sinister motives allegedly funded by pharmaceutical interests.
    • [03:51] Derek Beres (B): “Throughout the call, Lyons keeps talking about how any criticism… by the mainstream media is because they really are funded by pharma or have ulterior motives.”

• Explicit Partisanship Under Non-Partisan Branding

  • Despite claims of neutrality, MAHA Action’s organizing (especially around midterms) reveals an unmistakable partisan agenda.
    • [03:51] Derek Beres (B): “While MAHA Action explicitly states that it is not partisan, it is very much a partisan effort for the rights.”

4. Influencer Pipeline and Recruitment

• High-Profile Guests and Cross-Promotion
  • Weekly (or sporadic) Zoom calls feature celebrity and contrarian figures such as Dr. Oz, Russell Brand, Gary Breca, Asim Malhotra, and Jillian Michaels, demonstrating the convergence of wellness, celebrity, and pseudoscience in recruiting followers.

Memorable Quotes & Moments (with Timestamps)

• Lyons on the Movement’s Growth:

  • [00:06] Tony Lyons (A): “Welcome to the Maha Revolution. I'm Tony Lyons, president of Maha Action, and I just want to welcome you all here. We've been getting really great numbers… more than 8,000 people on each of our calls.”

• Host’s Reflection on Publishing Ties:

  • [01:44] Derek Beres (B): “The fact that any money that was generated from that book helped Lyons and his cause is something that still will keep me up some nights…”

• On Populist Framing:

  • [03:05] Tony Lyons (A): “We're seeing historic cultural changes. The way people think about food, about Big Pharma, about Big Ag, Big Food, it's changing dramatically. And the bad news is that these companies have been lying to you….”

• On Persecution and Defense Mechanisms:

  • [03:51] Derek Beres (B): “There's so much going on. Lyons keeps talking about how any criticism… by the mainstream media is because they really are funded by pharma or have ulterior motives.”

• On Political Mobilizing:

  • [03:51] Derek Beres (B): “Lines repeated throughout this call how important it was to organize for the midterms… it is very much a partisan effort for the rights.”

Timeline of Important Segments

• 00:06–01:44: Tony Lyons introduces MAHA Action, boasting participation and expanding events.
• 01:44–03:05: Host Derek Beres gives background on Skyhorse Publishing and his personal connection; outlines MAHA’s foundational narrative and leaders.
• 03:05–03:51: Lyons on “cultural changes,” alleging corporate malfeasance and persecution from the mainstream.
• 03:51–End: Beres analyzes the group’s rhetoric, highlighting contradictions between proclaimed intentions (nonpartisanship, public health) and their evident aims (partisan politics, anti-vaccine influence).

Episode Tone & Style

The hosts employ a critical, analytical, yet conversational tone—mixing personal reflection, skepticism, and clear attribution of sources and evidence. They blend narrative storytelling with pointed analysis, exposing cultic dynamics and manipulative strategies with urgency and clarity.

Summary Takeaway

This episode offers an incisive look at how modern “conspirituality” movements, exemplified by MAHA Action, fuse wellness culture, conspiracy theory, and political opportunism. Through charismatic leaders like Tony Lyons and platforms like Skyhorse Publishing, they shape public opinion, sow distrust in institutions, and recruit new followers under the guise of altruistic “health freedom.” The hosts challenge listeners to scrutinize the true motives and broader social impact of such movements, calling attention to how pseudoscience and partisanship entwine within the conspiritual landscape.