Podcast Summary: "Congress' Crypto Week; Are Your Supplements Safe?"

Title: Here's the Scoop
Host: Yasmin Desugian
Release Date: July 15, 2025
Duration: Approximately 19 minutes
Sections Covered:

1. Congress' Crypto Week
2. Are Your Supplements Safe?
3. Headlines

1. Congress' Crypto Week

Overview:
The episode kicks off with a deep dive into the booming cryptocurrency market, highlighting Bitcoin's recent surge to an unprecedented value of $120,000 per coin. This milestone coincides with Congress declaring the week as "Crypto Week," signaling a significant push towards regulating the cryptocurrency industry.

Key Discussions:

• Bitcoin's Surge and Government Involvement:
  Yasmin Desugian introduces the topic by noting Bitcoin's all-time high value, prompting a discussion on the government's role in legitimizing crypto.

  • Yasmin Desugian [02:20]: "It's only as legitimate crypto as one makes it. And the president is trying to, along with the government now make it legitimate."

• Understanding Cryptocurrency:
  Christine Romans, NBC News' senior business correspondent, explains the fundamentals of cryptocurrency, emphasizing its speculative nature compared to traditional assets like stocks or real estate.

  • Christine Romans [01:51]: "It is a digital asset. It is a cryptocurrency, and it is a relatively new phenomenon."

• Legislative Efforts and Challenges:
  Ryan Nobles, chief Capitol Hill reporter, elaborates on the complexities Congress faces in regulating crypto. He highlights the rapid evolution of technology versus the slow pace of legislative action.

  • Ryan Nobles [04:55]: "Technology is moving at such a rapid pace and Congress moves in the exact opposite pace."

• Role of Lobbyists:
  The discussion underscores the heavy involvement of lobbyists in shaping crypto-related legislation, raising concerns about potential conflicts of interest and the influence of vested interests.

  • Ryan Nobles [05:55]: "Lobbyists are heavily involved in the crafting of this legislation. They're the experts here. But the problem is lobbyists come into these conversations with a vested interest in mind."

• President's Crypto Ventures and Ethical Concerns:
  The conversation touches upon the president's personal investments in crypto, including a currency named "Dollar Sign," and the ethical implications of his financial gains from the industry.

  • Yasmin Desugian [06:27]: "Bloomberg reporting earlier this month that crypto's recent rise has added $620 million to the president's estimated net worth. Wow, that seems like a conflict of interest to me."

• Public Guidance on Crypto Investment:
  Christine Romans advises the general public on the volatility of crypto investments, recommending that only a small, risk-tolerant portion of one's portfolio be allocated to cryptocurrencies.

  • Christine Romans [08:04]: "It is incredibly volatile right now... it might be appropriate if you are prepared for that money to disappear."

Notable Quotes:

• Christine Romans [03:09]: "This administration is really focused on letting this industry flourish and making sure the US Is the center of it."
• Ryan Nobles [07:45]: "There is a real, earnest and I think responsible effort by members of Congress to regulate this industry in a responsible way... but there is also opportunities for... to grift off of it."

2. Are Your Supplements Safe?

Overview:
Transitioning from the financial realm, Yasmin Desugian addresses the booming supplement market and its unintended consequences. The episode highlights the alarming increase in supplement-related liver injuries and the potential risks consumers face.

Key Discussions:

• Supplement Market Growth:
  With statistics from the Council for Responsible Nutrition, Yasmin points out that supplement usage surged from 60% in 2017 to 75% in 2024, reflecting a significant trend in health and wellness.

  • Yasmin Desugian [10:15]: "As many as three out of four adults were taking supplements in 2024. That is up from about 60% just a few years before in 2017."

• Rise in Liver Injuries:
  The conversation shifts to the concerning rise in drug-induced liver injuries linked to supplements, citing studies from the Journal of Liver Transplantation and Hepatology.

  • Yasmin Desugian [13:00]: "Supplement related liver failure requiring patients here in the United States to be wait listed for transplants increased eightfold."

• Expert Insights:
  Dr. Kavita Patel, a physician and health policy researcher, discusses the dangers of unregulated supplements, including high doses of vitamins and the presence of harmful contaminants like heavy metals and pesticides.

  • Dr. Kavita Patel [11:02]: "Not all supplements are created equal... we're taking them in such large quantities that they can actually hurt you more than they help you."

• Consumer Advice:
  Dr. Patel emphasizes the importance of consulting healthcare professionals before starting any supplement regimen and advises checking for third-party testing to ensure product safety.

  • Dr. Kavita Patel [14:41]: "Having that frank conversation with a trusted healthcare professional... ask about third party testing."

• Misconceptions and Risks:
  The episode addresses common misconceptions, such as the belief that supplements can replace whole foods, highlighting the risks of nutrient imbalances and organ damage.

  • Dr. Kavita Patel [16:07]: "There is just no thing as a whole substitute for something."

Notable Quotes:

• Dr. Kavita Patel [14:36]: "The liver can get overwhelmed... Some of the biggest culprits, especially for the liver, high doses of vitamins A, vitamin E, high doses of calcium, high doses of turmeric."
• Christine Romans [08:29]: "Use it if you can lose it. It is purely speculative for the average person."

3. Headlines

Overview:
Concluding the episode, Yasmin Desugian presents a roundup of the day's key headlines, covering a range of topics from economic indicators to high-profile news stories.

Key Highlights:

• Inflation Update:
  Inflation saw a monthly increase of 0.3% in June, the highest since January, with tomatoes being a significant factor due to a new 17% tariff on fresh Mexican imports.

  • Yasmin Desugian [16:25]: "A new 17% tariff on fresh Mexican imports could hike prices up by about 10%, turning your summer BLT or Caprese salad into a luxury item."

• Senate Confirmation Hearing:
  Mike Walsh faced tough questions during his confirmation hearing for the UN Ambassador position, particularly regarding a security lapse involving a leaked signal chat about military strikes in Yemen.

  • New Jersey Senator Cory Booker [17:21]: "A moment where our national security was clearly compromised... Smearing people, attacking folks... disqualifying about you for this position."

• Beyoncé's Unreleased Music Stolen:
  Police reported that hard drives containing Beyoncé's unreleased music were stolen from her choreographer's vehicle. NBC News obtained the 911 call related to the theft.

  • Suspect's 911 Call [18:17]: "They have my computers and it's really, really important information in there."

• MLB All-Star Game Innovations:
  The MLB All-Star Game in Atlanta introduces robot umpires and sees players opting for their regular team attire instead of flashy uniforms, blending tradition with technology.

  • Yasmin Desugian [18:51]: "Robot umps are gonna call balls and strikes. It's gonna be funny to watch those players fighting with umpires that are robots."

Notable Quotes:

• Senator Cory Booker [17:21]: "Smearing people, attacking folks, singling them out just furthers it compounds what I think is disqualifying about you for this position."
• Suspect in Beyoncé's Theft [18:17]: "They have my computers and it's really, really important information in there."

Conclusion:
In this episode of "Here's the Scoop," Yasmin Desugian adeptly navigates listeners through the intricate worlds of cryptocurrency regulation and the burgeoning supplement market's health implications. By featuring expert insights and timely headlines, the podcast provides a comprehensive overview of issues impacting both the financial landscape and public health.