Podcast Summary: After Hours: Mary Holland on Exposing What’s Really Behind Our Autism Epidemic

Podcast: Full Measure After Hours
Host: Sharyl Attkisson
Guest: Mary Holland, President of Children’s Health Defense
Date: September 25, 2025

Main Theme & Purpose

This episode explores the possible causes behind the ongoing autism epidemic in the United States, focusing particularly on the role of vaccines, environmental toxic exposures, and the lack of transparent investigation by health authorities. Sharyl Attkisson is joined by Mary Holland, whose personal and professional journey has been shaped by her son’s autism diagnosis and subsequent activism. The episode also touches on government conflicts of interest, pending studies under federal leadership, and broader concerns about geoengineering and electromagnetic exposures.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Mary Holland’s Background and Journey

• Mary Holland, raised by two MD parents, originally focused on human rights law in the Soviet Union but shifted to vaccine policy after her son developed autism following vaccinations.
• Quote: “By the time he was 2 years old, he was already regressing into what was then called autism... there was no cogent explanation... other than he had had very serious toxic exposures through his early recommended vaccination schedule.” (03:39)

2. About Children’s Health Defense (CHD)

• CHD began as the World Mercury Project, led by Robert F. Kennedy Jr., focusing on thimerosal in vaccines.
• Broadened into CHD in 2018, targeting a wide epidemic of childhood illnesses and chronic conditions.
• Quote: “Over half of American children have some kind of chronic health conditions. So we want to expose it, we want to stop it, we want to put in place safeguards... and hold the culprits accountable.” (04:52)

3. Current Autism Prevalence and Trends

• As of April 2025, CDC data shows 1 in 31 American 8-year-olds has autism, with higher rates for boys (1 in 12.5 in California).
• Diagnostic rates are likely lagging indicators; real prevalence in younger children may be closer to 1 in 20.
• Quote: “The eight year old age is a... lagging indicator... It’s probably closer to 1 in 20.” (06:06)

4. Prospects for Change under New Federal Leadership

• Noted that with Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as HHS Secretary and President Trump’s past statements, there is unprecedented potential for government-led inquiry into autism causes.
• Kennedy has stated he will soon release government data to investigate the true drivers of autism’s rise.
• Quote: “With Trump and Kennedy together, we have never seen a duo like this in the US Government…” (07:14)
• “There’s no such thing as a genetic epidemic. It must be epigenetic or purely environmental.” —summarizing Kennedy’s view (07:54)

5. Role of Vaccines and Environmental Exposures

• CHD does not blame vaccines exclusively but emphasizes their unique role: mandated, with liability protection for industry.
• Also cite water, air, food, pesticides, and the general “toxic load” children now face.
• Quote: “Vaccines are different because they are mandated... and because there’s a liability shield for the people that give them... that makes them absolutely unique.” (10:30)

6. Vaccine Injury Compensation and Redefining Autism

• Kennedy has appointed Andrew Downing to reform injury compensation; current system is broken, most vaccine-injured not compensated.
• Holland critiques the psychiatric labeling of autism, arguing it represents brain injury and toxic exposure, not just a psychiatric disorder.
• Quote: “This is actually the brain manifestation of what I believe was a toxic physical exposure.” (12:22)

7. Historical Prevalence & Vaccinated vs. Unvaccinated Populations

• Holland disputes the notion that autism has always existed at today’s rates, citing increased prevalence and studies of non- or under-vaccinated populations (e.g., Amish, home-schooled children).
• CHD claims meta-analyses show better health outcomes across the board for unvaccinated children.
• Quote: “By every metric... the unvaccinated children are healthier. That’s just the facts.” (15:10)

8. Lack of Federally Funded Vax/Unvax Research

• Attkisson asks why the government hasn't done large-scale studies comparing vaccinated and unvaccinated health outcomes.
• Holland confirms Kennedy is working with data scientists to analyze available Medicaid and Medicare data, as well as seeking to release the Vaccine Safety Datalink.
• Discusses massive conflicts of interest within federal agencies and calls for independent access to federal vaccine data.
• Quote: “The Centers for Disease Control is a vaccine manufacturer. They are the biggest buyer... The federal government is the injury compensation program... making royalties...” (17:36)

9. Parental Rights, Informed Consent, and Exemptions

• Holland urges parents to decide for themselves about vaccination, highlights religious exemptions in 45 states, advocates restoring rights where they have been lost.
• Quote: “No parent wants to be forced to put their child’s health at risk. And that is the reality today.” (19:27)
• “If a parent looks at the information... and says, I think my child should get a measles vaccine, well, sad to say, there is no separate measles vaccine... But every parent should have that right...” (20:34)

10. Broader Environmental Concerns: Geoengineering & EMF

• Briefly covers the growing public discussion of geoengineering (weather modification) and its lack of mainstream coverage. Suggests mainstream and federal agencies are not transparent about the scope of these activities.
• Describes CHD’s efforts to monitor and publicize geoengineering (e.g., their Geoengineering Report).
• Electromagnetic radiation (“5G”): CHD is pursuing legal action for local communities to have more control over antenna/tower placement, pushing for federal reforms.
• Quote on EMF: “We want to go back to Congress and say this is simply wrong. Local communities who are going to be irradiated, who are then at higher risk... have to have a say.” (27:18)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On the autism epidemic’s normalization:
  “A generation or more doesn’t even remember when the autism epidemic wasn’t horrifyingly common... to many of them, efforts to convince people it’s just normal, it’s always been this way, are somewhat effective...” — Sharyl Attkisson (00:34)

• On environmental risk factors:
  “It’s not one thing, and we would be foolish to think that it’s just one thing. But vaccines are... different because they are mandated... and there’s a liability shield...” — Mary Holland (10:30)

• On government and industry conflicts:
  “Governments, medical authorities, medical institutions, hospitals, they are conflicted... they have lied to us for decades.” — Mary Holland (20:17)

• On parents’ rights:
  “You don’t have to say yes to putting your child’s life and health at risk. You just don’t and you shouldn’t, in my view, or it’s up to you.” — Mary Holland (20:34)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• 03:39 – Mary Holland’s personal journey & son’s autism diagnosis
• 04:52 – Evolution of Children’s Health Defense (CHD)
• 06:06 – Current CDC statistics on autism prevalence
• 07:14 – Political changes and new federal initiatives
• 09:05 – Genetics, environmental exposures, and the autism spectrum
• 10:30 – Focus on vaccines and broader toxic exposures
• 12:22 – Compensation system and redefining “autism”
• 14:46 – Disputing historic prevalence: Amish & homeschooling studies
• 17:36 – Push for vaccinated vs. unvaccinated studies, conflicts of interest
• 20:17 – Message to parents and advocacy for exemptions
• 22:16 – Discussion on geoengineering
• 27:18 – Efforts and legal fights against EMF & 5G expansion

Conclusion & Takeaway

The episode delves deeply into contested and controversial terrain around autism, vaccines, and broader environmental health risks. Mary Holland and Sharyl Attkisson argue that government and industry interests have long stymied full inquiry. However, with new federal leadership, unprecedented access to vaccine and health data, and a shifting climate of public skepticism, the podcast expresses hope that long-standing questions may finally be addressed. Listeners are encouraged to make informed decisions for their families and to push for transparency and accountability in public health.