Digital Social Hour: The Shocking Connection Between Meat and Your Mental State | John Lewis DSH #865

Release Date: November 6, 2024

Host: Sean Kelly
Guest: John Lewis
Platform: Tubi (Documentary available)
Social Media: Instagram, Twitter, Eventbrite

1. Introduction

In episode #865 of Digital Social Hour, host Sean Kelly engages in a compelling conversation with filmmaker and vegan advocate John Lewis. The discussion centers around John's impactful documentary, They're Trying to Kill Us, which delves into the intricate connections between meat consumption, mental health, and broader societal issues.

2. John Lewis' Documentary and Its Impact

John Lewis introduces his documentary, They're Trying to Kill Us, a sequel to his first widely-viewed Netflix documentary that explores the detrimental effects of meat consumption on health and society.

• Controversial Yet Influential:
  "It was controversial, but it was like, it woke a lot of people up. Like, even if people didn't go necessarily vegan, they were just like, yo, we gotta change the way we eat."
  (00:49)

• Record Viewership:
  "It's actually been recorded as, like, the most viewed documentary on Netflix."
  (00:42)

The documentary resonated deeply, especially as it premiered before the global lockdowns, prompting viewers to reassess their dietary habits and consider the broader implications of their food choices.

3. Personal Journey to Veganism

John shares his personal transformation from a butcher to a vegan, highlighting pivotal moments that influenced his decision.

• From Butcher to Vegan:
  "I was a butcher at one point. That's how crazy it is. A vegan that was a butcher."
  (01:23)

• Health Catalyst:
  "I didn't go vegan until my mom... my mom was diagnosed with colon cancer... too much fried animal food... this is a lifestyle choice."
  (02:07)

John's mother’s diagnosis and the medical advice he received spurred him to research and ultimately adopt a vegan lifestyle, leading to significant improvements in his physical and mental well-being.

4. Health and Mental Health Implications

A significant portion of the discussion focuses on how meat consumption affects both physical and mental health, emphasizing the brain's vulnerability.

• Brain and Diet Connection:
  "Your brain is an organ. So if you eat up food and it up that, why wouldn't it up your brain?"
  (07:58)

• Pharmaceuticals in Animal Agriculture:
  "They dump more pharmaceuticals in the animal agriculture to keep them from getting sick and dying early."
  (09:56)

John highlights how the overuse of antibiotics and vaccines in animal farming not only impacts the environment but also poses health risks to humans consuming these products.

5. Environmental and Community Impacts

John provides a harrowing account of the environmental degradation caused by large-scale animal farming, particularly focusing on hog farms.

• Pollution and Health Hazards:
  "They have three of these lagoons holding hog feces. And the waste pollutes the water, affecting nearby communities."
  (12:09)

• Impact on Communities of Color:
  "Majority of these hog farms... located in communities of color. Hog waste goes into these people's houses."
  (13:04)

The documentary showcases the disproportionate environmental burdens placed on marginalized communities, leading to severe health consequences, including fatalities.

6. Industry Practices and Marketing Manipulation

The conversation sheds light on the manipulative marketing strategies of the food industry and its parallels with the pharmaceutical sector.

• Addictive Food Marketing:
  "It's called the FDA for a reason. Because food is a drug. It's the most addictive thing you'll ever put in your body."
  (14:56)

• Fast Food Industry Critique:
  "The CEO of McDonald's... he doesn't eat fast food. They'll give it to us in a heartbeat."
  (17:19)

John criticizes the fast-food giants for promoting unhealthy eating habits through sophisticated marketing techniques designed to manipulate consumer behavior, likening them to major drug dealers.

7. Social and Spiritual Aspects

John explores the spiritual dimensions of diet, suggesting that meat consumption can inadvertently affect one's mental and spiritual state.

• Spiritual Disconnect:
  "He had to be on a dating show... slipped up and ate meat. Felt like it took him further away from his spiritual beliefs."
  (07:50)

• Generational Trauma and Wealth:
  "What about the generational trauma that's passed down too for the other generations? And it's just evening it out."
  (30:25)

The discussion emphasizes how dietary choices are intertwined with cultural, spiritual, and generational factors, influencing not just individual health but also community dynamics.

8. Personal Anecdotes and Lifestyle Choices

John shares personal stories about his athletic pursuits, relationships, and lifestyle adjustments since adopting veganism.

• Athletic Performance:
  "I'm no longer an athlete, but I still feel like I'm able to move like I did when I was in college."
  (03:17)

• Positive Mindset:
  "Happiness is a learned art. It's a skill. You got to practice it every day if you want to have a good jump shot."
  (37:58)

John discusses how embracing veganism has enhanced his physical capabilities and mental clarity, underscoring the importance of a positive mindset in achieving personal goals.

9. Future Projects and Closing Remarks

Looking ahead, John discusses upcoming projects that continue to address societal disparities and promote positive change.

• New Documentary Concept:
  "We're working on a film that talks about the disparity of financial income between races... what would happen if every black person in the country got a million dollars."
  (29:34)

• Educational Advocacy:
  "Education doesn't mean you got to have 12 degrees hanging on your wall. Education is everywhere."
  (32:31)

John emphasizes the need for educational initiatives and documentaries that tackle systemic inequalities, aiming to foster a more informed and equitable society.

10. Notable Quotes

• "It's the human body... if you treat it right, it's gonna treat you right."
  (03:39)

• "Food is a drug. It's the most addictive thing you'll ever put in your body."
  (14:56)

• "Happiness is a learned art. It's a skill. You got to practice it every day."
  (37:58)

• "We're living in a world right now... if one candidate says something, no matter how true it is, if they hate that person, it doesn't matter."
  (34:08)

Conclusion

Sean Kelly and John Lewis conclude the episode by reiterating the profound impact of dietary choices on individual health and societal well-being. They advocate for increased awareness, education, and positive community actions to address the complex issues surrounding meat consumption and its broader implications.

Where to Watch:
John Lewis's documentary, They're Trying to Kill Us, is currently available on Tubi. For more information and updates on future projects, follow John on Instagram, Twitter, and Eventbrite.

Stay tuned to Digital Social Hour for more insightful discussions with industry experts, entrepreneurs, and thought leaders shaping our world.