Podcast Summary:

Podcast: New Thinking Allowed Audio Podcast
Episode: InPresence 0265: New Thinking Allowed and The Epstein Files
Date: March 17, 2026
Host: Jeffrey Mishlove (with conversational aid from his alter ego)
Duration: ~24 minutes

Overview: Episode Theme and Purpose

This episode features host Jeffrey Mishlove directly addressing concerns and controversies regarding guests on the New Thinking Allowed channel who have been linked—sometimes indirectly—to scandals and specifically to references found in the "Epstein Files." Mishlove reflects on the complexities of platforming individuals later associated with ethical breaches, questionable behaviors, or controversial opinions, while reasserting the channel's primary commitment to intellectual debate and the exploration of challenging ideas. He also shares personal insights and philosophy on compassion, the dangers of "cancel culture," and the holistic value of engaging with diverse, sometimes marginalized, perspectives.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Problem of Scandal in Intellectual Discourse

• Mishlove acknowledges a recurring challenge: guests, including psychotherapists and spiritual teachers, have sometimes later become embroiled in scandals or lost professional credentials for various reasons.
• Decisions about whether to continue featuring such individuals are made case-by-case, taking into consideration whether their ideas remain valuable and relevant, even if their conduct is problematic.
• Example: "Sometimes, in my opinion, psychologists have had their licenses removed because they were engaged in alternative forms of therapy... Sometimes their licenses were removed for other reasons of a more ethical nature and of serious concern." (04:00)

2. The Epstein Files: Channel and Guest Connections

• Mishlove confirms that his name, as well as New Thinking Allowed guests, appear in the "Epstein Files"—records related to the late Jeffrey Epstein—often due to their involvement in discussions on consciousness shared by Deepak Chopra, who was in correspondence with Epstein.
• Mishlove stresses he never had direct contact with Epstein.
• Discussion includes how the University of Arizona canceled its 2026 Science of Consciousness conference due to past Epstein donations, a decision Mishlove criticizes as unreasonable.
• "I don't believe in Cancel Culture." (07:10)
• "There were many, many discussions about the nature of human consciousness between Deepak Chopra and Mr. Epstein that got into the files." (05:25)

3. Nuances of Guest Platforming and Responsibility

• New Thinking Allowed seeks to stimulate thought, not to endorse personal lives or behaviors of its guests. The platform does not equate giving a voice with endorsement.
• Example: Darrell Schoon, formerly convicted for dealing cocaine, remains a valued guest because of his intellectual contributions, not because the channel condones or encourages his past choices.
• "Does that mean that we're encouraging people to do what he did, to become a drug dealer? Absolutely not. New Thinking Allowed is an intellectual channel." (09:24)
• The same logic applies to guests with radically different philosophies, such as skeptics (James Alcock) or politically controversial figures (Jason Reza Giorgiani).

4. Handling Problematic or Controversial Guests

• In instances of ethical breaches by spiritual leaders or allegations of harmful recruitment by guests, content may be removed from public recommendations but not necessarily deleted.
• "When we learn about things after the fact, we tend to refrain from rebooting, rebroadcasting, republishing their material. However, when those older interviews were conducted before this information became public... we're not necessarily going to take it down either." (13:37)
• Notable cases:
  • Jason Reza Giorgiani's videos moved to "unlisted" due to concerns about cult recruitment but remain available for access.
  • Open invitation for critical public debates remains in place for controversial guests.

5. Compassion, Unity, and the Perils of Othering

• Mishlove draws on his background in criminology and experience facilitating therapy at San Quentin prison to advocate for recognizing the full humanity of all individuals, regardless of their actions.
• He relates the current climate around Epstein references to historical cycles of moral panic and witch hunts.
• "Even if you're a murderer or a rapist, you are still a human being, and you deserve a measure of respect." (18:47)
• Through personal stories—like welcoming a convicted friend back after serving his sentence—Mishlove argues for the importance of compassion, forgiveness, and rejecting collective hysteria.
• "We have to understand that at a very deep and a very real and very important level, you and I are one with each other, and we're one with everyone else." (21:30)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On San Quentin prisoners:

  "Even though the officials at the San Quentin prison didn't like to admit it, the inmates in that prison were human beings just like you and me." (00:00, 19:21)

• On platforming controversial voices:

  "Just because a guest has been platformed on the New Thinking Allowed channel does not mean that we endorse everything about them or consider them a person of spiritual and moral values whose example should be followed." (16:32)

• On cancel culture:

  "I don't believe in Cancel Culture." (07:10)

• On association with Epstein files:

  "I can tell you that my name is mentioned several times in the Epstein files and I have never had any contact with Mr. Epstein whatsoever." (05:10)

• On moral unity:

  "You and I are one with every witch, with every criminal, with every murderer, with every thief, with every kidnapper and robber, and with every saint. We share that one consciousness. It's part of who we are." (22:18)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• San Quentin anecdote / opening reflection: [00:00]
• Channel’s approach to scandal among guests: [04:00]
• The ‘Epstein Files’ and New Thinking Allowed’s involvement: [05:10]
• Criticism of University of Arizona conference cancellation: [06:30]
• View on Cancel Culture: [07:10]
• Handling guests with criminal backgrounds (Darrell Schoon): [08:45]
• Platforming skeptics and controversial figures (James Alcock, Jason Reza Giorgiani): [11:50], [14:30]
• Process for reviewing/releasing problematic content: [13:37]
• Unlisting videos, shadow banning, invitations to debate: [16:00]
• Personal philosophy on unity and forgiveness: [19:21], [21:30]
• Closing reflection on compassion and non-othering: [22:18]

Takeaway Themes

• Intellectual Openness: Platforming is not endorsement; ideas deserve a platform even when the individual or their opinions are contentious.
• Transparency and Case-by-case Ethics: The show takes care to continually reassess previously aired material and guest affiliations in light of new information.
• Humanization and Compassion: Regardless of a person’s actions or reputation, their humanity and the capacity to participate in intellectual discourse are valued.
• Rejecting Social Hysteria: Caution is urged against moral panic, cancel culture, and the reduction of complex social issues to black-and-white judgments.

In summary:
This episode serves as both a public clarification of New Thinking Allowed’s position on controversy and association—especially regarding the Epstein files—and as a wider exploration of the responsibilities and challenges inherent in fostering open, thought-provoking discourse in an age of moral polarization. Mishlove’s steady insistence on critical thought, respect for humanity, and intellectual integrity comes through as the guiding philosophy shaping the channel's content and decisions.