Keeping It Real: Conversations with Jillian Michaels
Episode Summary: "A Global Power Grab Is Happening-And It Starts With Food & Water!"
Release Date: February 21, 2025

In this compelling episode of "Keeping It Real: Conversations with Jillian Michaels," host Jillian Michaels engages in a profound dialogue with Emmy Award-winning journalist Nate Halverson. Halverson, renowned for his investigative prowess, delves into his groundbreaking documentary, "The Grab," which exposes the covert maneuvers of governments and corporations to seize control of essential resources—food, water, and land—altering the very foundation of global power dynamics.

1. The Shift from Oil to Water and Food as Global Power Resources

The conversation kicks off by highlighting a significant shift in the causes of global conflicts. Historically, oil has been the primary catalyst for wars, but in the 21st century, the battleground has moved to water and food. Halverson emphasizes,

“In the past, wars have been fought over oil. In the 21st century, wars will be fought over water, food, land. These aren't just basic resources anymore. They're building blocks of power.”
[00:12] Nate Halverson

This transformation is driven by escalating climate change and increasing geopolitical tensions, making these resources central to national survival and dominance.

2. Key Examples of Resource Grabs

a. China's Acquisition of Smithfield Foods

One of the most startling revelations comes from Halverson’s investigation into China’s acquisition of Smithfield Foods, the world's largest pork producer in America. He reveals,

“It's the largest ever purchase of an American company which essentially gave this Chinese meat processor one in four American pigs. So with one deal, they effectively purchased about 1 in 4 American pigs.”
[00:45] Nate Halverson

This acquisition is not merely a business transaction but a strategic move to secure a stable food supply, safeguarding China's vast population’s nutritional needs.

b. Saudi Arabia's Farmland in Arizona

Halverson draws attention to Saudi Arabia's investments in Arizona's agricultural land. He explains,

“Almerai, with the subsidiary Fundamante, had bought about 15 square miles of desert in Arizona. They were pumping up the water from underneath this ancient water and using it to irrigate. They grow hay that they then ship to Long Beach, which is then sent back to Saudi Arabia to feed dairy cows.”
[16:08] Nate Halverson

This practice depletes local water resources irreversibly, leaving rural communities in Arizona struggling for their basic water needs.

c. Impact on Zambia and Other Developing Nations

In Zambia, Halverson describes how local farmers are forcibly removed from their ancestral lands, leading to profound social and economic disruptions:

“These folks don’t speak English, they speak Lala. They don’t have money to pay an attorney, so they get pushed off their land. Their homes are bulldozed, and they’re dumped in forests without access to water. This leads to homelessness, malnutrition, and generational poverty.”
[22:19] Nate Halverson

Such actions are often facilitated by corrupt local governments, enabling powerful foreign entities to exploit these regions without accountability.

3. The Role of Private Military Corporations

A particularly alarming aspect discussed is the involvement of private military corporations (PMCs) like Blackwater:

“Erik Prince, the founder of Blackwater, shifted his focus to Africa, investing heavily in agriculture rather than traditional security services. These PMCs are now providing security for these large-scale resource acquisitions, ensuring that local populations cannot oppose them.”
[34:38] Nate Halverson

This militarization of resource acquisition underscores the lengths to which powerful entities will go to maintain control over essential resources.

4. Government Regulation and Bipartisan Concerns in the US

The episode underscores a growing bipartisan awareness in the United States regarding foreign ownership of farmland and resource exploitation. Halverson notes,

“In Arizona, the Democratic Attorney General sued the farm, with help from a Republican local politician. This issue is seeing Democrats and Republicans unite, which is rare in today’s polarized political climate.”
[44:41] Nate Halverson

Despite this unity, there remains a lack of comprehensive federal regulations to prevent such exploitative practices on a national scale.

5. Information Disparity and Decline of Investigative Journalism

Halverson brings to light the critical issue of information disparity exacerbated by the decline in investigative journalism:

“There are fewer investigative journalists today, with only a third of the newsroom staff compared to two decades ago. This leads to less oversight and fewer revelations about such critical issues.”
[62:09] Nate Halverson

He urges the public to support investigative journalism as a means to bridge this information gap, emphasizing its role in uncovering truths that major media outlets might overlook due to corporate influence.

6. The Geopolitical Implications: Russia and Ukraine

Linking historical and contemporary geopolitical strategies, Halverson discusses Russia's focus on Ukraine as the "breadbasket of Europe":

“Ukraine's agricultural output is vital. Putin’s strategy mirrors the Nazis’ 1940s plan to control Ukraine to starve Russia. Today, Russian investments aim to make Russia an agricultural superpower by controlling valuable land and water resources.”
[55:34] Nate Halverson

The ongoing conflict in Ukraine is presented not just as a territorial dispute but as a strategic move to dominate global food supplies.

7. Environmental and Health Concerns: PFAS and Sustainable Agriculture

Addressing environmental degradation, Halverson highlights the use of toxic chemicals in agriculture:

“A farm in Michigan was shut down due to high PFAS levels from using sewer sludge as fertilizer. The state chose not to test other farms to avoid widespread shutdowns, jeopardizing the food supply.”
[48:31] Nate Halverson

This symbolizes the broader challenges of maintaining food security without compromising environmental and public health.

8. Conclusion and Call to Action

In wrapping up, Halverson emphasizes the urgency of addressing these global resource grabs:

“We need a global consensus to manage food and water resources sustainably. Without it, we’re heading towards widespread instability and conflict.”
[52:51] Nate Halverson

He calls for increased public awareness, support for investigative journalism, and bipartisan political action to safeguard essential resources for future generations.

Notable Quotes

• Nate Halverson: “There might not be anything more important to the next generation than water.”
  [16:18]

• Nate Halverson: “The time to take water and food resources very seriously is now.”
  [53:14]

• Jillian Michaels: “People need to wake up and be pissed about it.”
  [52:09]

Key Takeaways

1. Resource Control as Modern Power: Water and food have become the new oil, central to national power and global stability.
2. Global Exploitation: Powerful nations and corporations are systematically acquiring essential resources from vulnerable regions, leading to environmental degradation and social upheaval.
3. Private Militarization: The use of PMCs like Blackwater in resource acquisition highlights the militaristic approach to maintaining control over vital assets.
4. Need for Regulation and Awareness: There is an urgent need for comprehensive policies and increased public awareness to counteract these exploitative practices.
5. Support Investigative Journalism: Strengthening investigative journalism is crucial in uncovering and addressing these hidden power grabs.

Final Thoughts

This episode serves as a wake-up call, urging listeners to recognize the critical importance of food and water in shaping global power structures. By shedding light on the intricate and often hidden mechanisms of resource control, "Keeping It Real: Conversations with Jillian Michaels" not only informs but also empowers its audience to take meaningful action towards a more equitable and sustainable future.

For those interested in exploring these issues further, Nate Halverson’s documentary "The Grab" is an essential watch, providing an in-depth examination of the complex interplay between global politics, corporate interests, and environmental sustainability.