Culture Apothecary with Alex Clark
Episode: Jenny McCarthy On Being Jesus First, Pro-Medical Freedom and Conservative
Air Date: December 12, 2025
Podcast Host: Alex Clark (Turning Point USA)
Guest: Jenny McCarthy
Episode Overview
In this thought-provoking episode, Alex Clark welcomes Jenny McCarthy—actress, advocate, and founder of Formless Beauty—for a candid, multi-faceted conversation about healing culture through wellness, medical freedom, faith, motherhood, and politics. Jenny shares deeply personal stories, including her journey navigating her son Evan’s autism diagnosis, her controversial stance on vaccines, her evolution in spiritual and political beliefs, and her broader mission to empower women and moms. The discussion ranges from health advice and genetic testing to experiences in Hollywood, the wellness movement’s political twist, and the spiritual awakening catalyzed by loss and adversity.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Jenny’s Journey: Healing Evan and Herself
- Initial Focus: Jenny’s wellness journey began with a personal health reset post-pregnancy, but the diagnosis of her son Evan with autism completely took over her life’s purpose.
- Jenny describes the profound moment she realized her mission was to heal her son, and then share what she learned with the world.
- “I knew it was my purpose when he got sick that, okay, it's not only to heal him, but then it's to teach the world how I did it.” (03:18)
- The early 2000s offered very little info; she stumbled on recovery-focussed autism communities, leading to a radical overhaul in diet and therapies for Evan, including the then-shocking step of removing gluten and dairy.
- “When a child doesn't feel good, they're going to act bad... there's a gut-brain connection.” (07:28)
2. The Vaccine Controversy & Medical Freedom
- Jenny details the events leading up to Evan’s MMR vaccination and the subsequent onset of seizures, regression, and ultimately an autism diagnosis.
- She describes the pushback she received from doctors and the medical community:
- “Don’t be one of those quack mothers that are believing all that. It's not true, Jenny. You gotta trust the doctors.” (36:41)
- On linking vaccines to autism: Jenny distinguishes between “autism” and “vaccine injury,” suggesting not all increases in autism rates are due to better diagnostics.
- “The autism that we are seeing... that's not just better diagnosis. There is an absolute shift in the paradigm of our health.” (44:13)
- Jenny discusses broader themes: increased vaccine schedules, lack of double-blind placebo trials, aluminum and mercury exposure, and CDC’s shifting positions.
- “The CDC says there's no correlation between vaccines and autism. Now, they had to eat their own words.” (45:30)
3. Specific Wellness Protocols & Hot Topics
- Genetic Testing: Jenny urges women (especially prospective moms) to get tested for the MTHFR gene mutation, given its role in detoxification and potential impact on both maternal and child health.
- “MTHFR gene mutation is like, some say 40%, some say 60% of the country has this gene mutation and doesn't know it.” (09:02)
- Hormone Health: Jenny candidly details her menopause journey and advocates for early preparation and the use of bioidentical hormone replacement therapy (HRT) for symptomatic women.
- “I wish I would have started preparing for perimenopause by 35.” (13:41)
- Jenny and Alex both discuss their experience with Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, various functional medicine protocols, and the impact of red light therapy and dietary changes (notably the carnivore diet).
4. Wellness Fads, Personal Routine, and Beauty Advocacy
- Jenny recounts the most alternative wellness strategies she’s tried, from Indian sweat lodges to colonics and the carnivore diet.
- On carnivore: “Six months changed my life... my energy level, my brain fog, just so much more clarity.” (24:53)
- She shares her modern-day routine: weight training, infrared sauna, red light therapy, hyperbaric chamber, vibration boards, and a strict supplement regimen.
- After years of battling chronic health issues, Jenny discusses why she launched Formless Beauty, committed to rigorous standards using Environmental Working Group data:
- “Big pharma and big makeup are very similar... but big makeup is not regulated.” (73:07)
- Her product advice: Try the mascara, exfoliator, and moisturizer for sensitive skin.
5. Faith, Advocacy, and Standing Up to the System
- Jenny shares how tragedy deepened her Christian faith and spiritual practice.
- “I've always been a follower of Christ, but when [Charlie] passed, I completely surrendered. I am so devoted.” (67:04)
- On facing threats and career repercussions in Hollywood and media for her activism, including the loss of endorsement deals and being mentioned in medical textbooks:
- “There’s now a chapter in med school books that say, how to deal with Jenny McCarthy type parents.” (49:52)
- She discusses her continued mentorship for mothers (including celebrities) who seek advice in private, and the secret support for medical freedom in Hollywood.
6. The Political and Cultural Shift of Wellness
- Jenny traces her political journey: Once an independent, she now openly identifies as a conservative, inspired by “conservative values, questioning authority, less government control, closer to God.” (63:30)
- Both examine how wellness, once a liberal domain, is now stigmatized as “far-right” by legacy media:
- “Now, if you say that you are into health and wellness, legacy media will label you as a far right, you know, extremist.” (61:38)
- On the future of the medical freedom movement (MAHA): Jenny expresses optimism about building a critical mass that will force systemic change.
- “As soon as that mass conscious awakens, there's no going back. They can't brainwash, brainwash, they can't force us anymore.” (58:19)
7. Notable Advice for Listeners
- Prepare early for hormone shifts—start at 35.
- Don’t settle for a pediatrician who shames or shuts you down about vaccines (“If you feel any piece of shame, run.” (60:02))
- Find a bioidentical HRT-centered, functionally minded doctor.
- Use robust, third-party-tested products (beauty, supplements, etc.).
- Have courage in advocating for your family and values; you’re not alone.
8. Memorable & Emotional Moments
- Jenny’s emotional tribute to Charlie Kirk's work, faith, and the collective grief and spiritual awakening after his murder. (64:04–68:36)
- The episode closes with Jenny offering her “remedy to heal a sick culture”:
- “I'd say prayer. Prayer. I mean, there's nothing more powerful than prayer.” (78:47)
Notable Quotes (with Timestamps and Attribution)
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On realizing her purpose:
- “I knew it was my purpose when he got sick... it's not only to heal him, but then it's to teach the world how I did it.” – Jenny McCarthy (03:18)
-
On medical pushback:
- “Don't be one of those quack mothers that are believing all that.” – Doctor to Jenny McCarthy (36:41)
-
On the autism epidemic:
- “The autism that we are seeing... that's not just better diagnosis. There is an absolute shift in the paradigm of our health.” – Jenny McCarthy (44:13)
-
On political alignment:
- “Conservative values... questioning authority, less government control, closer to God just lined up.” – Jenny McCarthy (63:30)
-
On standing strong:
- “I've always been brave and courageous, but maybe a little bit more confident... I feel like I have this army behind me.” – Jenny McCarthy (71:46)
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On the wellness movement’s shift:
- “Wellness space was predominantly liberal... now, if you say you are into health and wellness, legacy media will label you as a far right... extremist.” – Alex Clark (61:38)
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On why functional medicine is crucial:
- “Those are the ones that look under the hood and really go, not only do you have fatty liver, but we're going to figure out why you have fatty liver, and we're going to figure out how to heal that fatty liver.” – Jenny McCarthy (12:15)
-
On prayer:
- “I'd say prayer. Prayer. I mean, there's nothing more powerful than prayer.” – Jenny McCarthy (78:47)
Timestamps for Key Segments
- Jenny’s personal story & Evan’s diagnosis: 02:27–07:28
- Vaccine/Autism discussion: 36:31–46:22
- Genetic testing & methylation (MTHFR): 09:02–12:52
- Menopause & Hormone advice: 12:52–18:00
- Hashimoto’s, wellness routine, carnivore diet: 21:37–27:38
- On beauty standards & Formless Beauty: 72:18–78:09
- Faith, grief, and finding meaning after loss: 64:04–68:36
- Advice for moms confronting pediatricians: 60:02–60:36
- Political/spiritual transformation: 63:20–63:46
- Cultural/Wellness politics: 61:34–62:41
- Final remedy for healing culture: 78:47
Final Takeaways
Jenny McCarthy’s journey is a case study in radical self-education, cultural bravery, and personal reinvention. Her approach to wellness is rooted in self-testing, bio-individuality, and an unyielding belief in parental and female empowerment. She also places spirituality, prayer, and “being Jesus first” at her core. Her willingness to risk her career and face public backlash in pursuit of medical freedom underscores her impact within the burgeoning “MAHA” (Moms for Medical Freedom) movement. This episode invites listeners to question, research, and above all, cultivate spiritual resilience—“there’s nothing more powerful than prayer.”
Recommended Audience:
Moms, health advocates, women’s wellness community, anyone interested in medical freedom or spiritual approaches to healing culture.
Connect:
- @RealAlexClark / @CultureApothecary on Instagram
- Jenny McCarthy’s YouTube and Formless Beauty
- Sprouts stores for Formless Beauty products
