Podcast Summary: Digital Social Hour – "Are Expensive Waters Just a Scam? The Shocking Reality | Cormac Hayden DSH #867"

Release Date: November 7, 2024

Host: Sean Kelly
Guest: Cormac Hayden, Founder of Oasis

1. Introduction to Water Quality Concerns

Sean Kelly opens the episode with a striking revelation about the true nature of bottled and tap water. Through his conversation with Cormac Hayden, Kelly delves deep into the pervasive issues surrounding water quality in the United States and globally.

Notable Quote:

Interviewer (Sean Kelly) [00:30]: "Apparently, these bottled water companies are literally using tap water."

2. The Deceptive Nature of Bottled Water

Cormac Hayden exposes the misleading practices of bottled water companies. He explains that many brands labeled as "spring water" or "sparkling water" are essentially processed tap water. Despite marketing campaigns that suggest purity and natural sources, the reality is often far from it.

Notable Quotes:

Cormac Hayden [00:34]: "Most of them. And what's crazy is that you'll get a lot of bottled water that's like spring water. When you turn to sparkling water, it's all tap water."

Sean Kelly [03:03]: "Yeah, I used to use one in college and I thought it did stuff."

3. Health Implications of Contaminated Tap Water

The discussion shifts to the health risks associated with consuming contaminated tap water. Cormac shares his personal experience of moving to LA and falling ill due to poor water quality, highlighting the high levels of contaminants present in municipal water systems.

Notable Quotes:

Cormac Hayden [01:18]: "When I moved to LA, I came from the Midwest, drank tap water all my life, and got sick immediately. It wasn't anything crazy, but I started drinking tap water here and had stomach aches."

Sean Kelly [02:05]: "That's insane. And people also shower in it. And then the steam?"

Cormac Hayden [02:14]: "It's like a gas chamber, literally, because you have this steam and you're breathing it in all day."

4. Solutions: Effective Filtration Systems

Hayden emphasizes the importance of using advanced filtration systems to mitigate the harmful effects of contaminated water. He recommends reverse osmosis filters supplemented with carbon and VOC filters to effectively remove a broad spectrum of contaminants, including VOCs, chloramine, and chlorine.

Notable Quotes:

Cormac Hayden [02:17]: "The best filters to get are like a home filter. You want to get reverse osmosis, but you also need a carbon filter on top of it."

Sean Kelly [02:44]: "I used to use one in college and I thought it did stuff."

5. The Misleading Marketing of Water Brands

Cormac critiques the marketing strategies of major water brands, pointing out that companies like Fiji and Lacroix use appealing imagery and endorsements while failing to disclose the presence of harmful substances like arsenic and microplastics in their products.

Notable Quotes:

Cormac Hayden [03:22]: "When you turn to sparkling water, like Lacroix bubbly, it's all tap water. The cans are lined with microplastics."

Sean Kelly [04:36]: "Their marketing is crazy. Go to any luxury gym, any big podcast. They have big Fiji bottles because it's a point of status."

6. Cormac’s Water Scoring System

Hayden introduces his comprehensive water scoring system, which evaluates bottled water based on the presence of contaminants and adherence to ideal health standards. This system aims to provide consumers with transparent and objective assessments of water quality.

Notable Quotes:

Cormac Hayden [05:03]: "How I rate the water is based on ideal scores. If we're not trying to live up to our ideal life as a society, what's the point?"

Sean Kelly [05:54]: "You're like the David Portnoy of the water world."

7. Challenges and Industry Pushback

Discussing the backlash from the bottled water industry, Hayden acknowledges potential legal threats and resistance from major brands. However, he remains undeterred, utilizing social media and public platforms to raise awareness and encourage consumers to demand higher quality standards.

Notable Quotes:

Cormac Hayden [22:43]: "The goal is to have more brands launch products that are microplastic-free. Once we overcome this, we'll be healthier and live longer lives."

Sean Kelly [22:42]: "Do you ever get worried that the water bottle company will try to legally come after you?"

Cormac Hayden [22:59]: "As soon as they sue, we'll just post a video about it. Consumers will switch from them."

8. Expanding the Mission Beyond Water

Hayden expands his mission to include the scrutiny of other consumer products, such as supplements and food items. He highlights the prevalence of heavy metals like lead in products deemed healthy, such as dark chocolate and popular supplements, advocating for broader consumer awareness and regulatory oversight.

Notable Quotes:

Cormac Hayden [12:10]: "They tested chocolates, dark chocolates. 23 out of 28 of them came back with positive lead."

Sean Kelly [25:01]: "There's so many things that we just thought were normal growing up."

9. Vision for the Future

Looking ahead, Hayden envisions a world where clean water and food are accessible to all. He discusses the technological advancements needed to achieve this goal, including scalable filtration systems and efficient distribution networks. Hayden remains committed to educating the public and driving systemic changes to ensure safer consumption standards.

Notable Quotes:

Cormac Hayden [21:05]: "I want to be as unbiased as possible, but I really want to solve the problem of giving people clean water to drink and clean food."

Sean Kelly [26:38]: "We'll link it below. Thanks for coming on, man."

10. Conclusion and Call to Action

Sean Kelly wraps up the episode by encouraging listeners to take proactive steps in evaluating their water sources. He directs them to Oasis's platform to check their water quality scores, reinforcing the importance of informed consumer choices for better health.

Notable Quote:

Cormac Hayden [26:38]: "Check your water on Oasis."

Final Thoughts:

In this episode, Sean Kelly and Cormac Hayden shed light on the alarming truth about bottled and tap water quality. Through candid discussions and Cormac's insightful analysis, listeners are empowered to question commonly held beliefs about water safety and take actionable steps towards ensuring their consumption choices support their health and well-being.

For more information and to evaluate your water quality, visit Oasis.