No Agenda Show — Episode 1794 "Heroin Hotties"

August 28, 2025

Hosts: Adam Curry & John C. Dvorak
Theme: Deconstructing the week’s media narratives: Minneapolis church shooting, patterns in reporting on trans shooters, pharmaceutical and psychiatric influences, technology’s impact on youth, AI risks and trends, changes underway in language/politics, community crime and governance, generational shifts, and a healthy dose of classic No Agenda tangents and humor.

Episode Overview

Focused deconstruction of media coverage of recent mass shootings, particularly the Minneapolis church shooting, with a critique of patterns and omissions in mainstream reporting—especially concerning transgender perpetrators and pharmaceutical influences.
Broader critique of the educational system, generational divides, and the impact of technology, especially smartphones, on literacy and values.
In-depth discussion of AI societal integration, potential legal liabilities, and concerns about how AI-driven language is influencing human communication.
Lively exploration of current political language trends, the policing of vocabulary among Democrats, and the broader culture war as seen through everything from crime reporting to pride events and the rewriting of norms.
Recurring themes of media distrust, shifting social patterns and technologies, government interventions, and lively audience engagement.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Minneapolis Church Shooting: Media Narratives & Pattern Recognition

(00:16–16:18)

Media Avoidance: Adam opens with frustration over the lack of interviews with the shooter's family and wider reluctance to scrutinize parental or medical responsibility.
- “I want to see these parents, I want to see somebody talking to him...They’re the ones at fault.” —Adam Curry [01:23]
Patterns of Reporting: John notes a break in media patterns, as the shooter’s manifesto circulated widely but with an all-too-familiar hesitancy regarding the shooter's transgender status and family background.
- Lists five high-profile cases involving transgender or nonbinary shooters, establishing a “pattern.”
- The media’s avoidance is “by design,” not incompetence: “They are here to protect the system and the system is showing us patterns.” —John C. Dvorak [02:05]
Pharmaceutical Angle: Discussion of reported use of SSRIs and psychiatric drugs among shooters, rarely brought up in media.
- “Are you somehow confused with the news media being around to inform you? Because that’s not what they’re for. They are here to protect the system...” —John C. Dvorak [02:05]
- Cites RFK Jr. discussing NIH studies on psychiatric drugs and black box warnings for homicidal/suicidal ideation.
Deeper Root Causes: Dvorak pivots to a “spiritual problem” in America, critiquing the “demonic acts" of gender transitioning minors and the impact of online radicalization.

2. Trans Sanctuary States & Social Fallout

(08:14–12:13)

Minnesota used as an example of a sanctuary state for transgender individuals. The claim that social services and reporting are encouraging troubled youth down such paths, rather than scrutinizing outcomes or providing oversight.
Adam: “Minnesota is a sanctuary state for trans. So that’s not gonna…They’re encouraging it.” [11:01]
John: “I just don’t know of any happy endings. I don’t. Now, it’s only my side.” [11:12]

3. The Psychological/Medical Complex

(16:18–18:36)

Cites a BMJ study: over 60% of DSM-5 panel/task force physicians had undisclosed industry payments. Raises the issue of gender dysphoria’s codification as a disorder and the resulting industry incentives (drugs, surgeries).
Trump administration moves to withhold funding from sex ed programs mentioning transgender topics, a rare policy move praised by hosts.

4. Technology, Literacy, and "Gen Z Hope"

(19:45–26:56)

Teacher clips via British YouTuber "Halo Haley":
- Technology and cellphones directly impairing kids’ attention, ability to write or read. Shortened attention spans and AI (ChatGPT) use undermine basic skills.
- Music teacher shocked by students’ inability to recite the months in order.
John is hopeful about Gen Z:
- Email from a Gen Z rancher touts family values, discipline, and the return to practical skills—a generational pendulum swing away from millennial “nihilism.”

5. Mainstream Media, "Privilege of Platform," and the Taylor Swift Moment

(27:16–37:43)

Behind-the-scenes of TV news production, control rooms, and “hot mic” leaks, recounted with humor and veteran insight.
Extended, comical take: CBS’s Olivia Rinaldi’s on-air glee over Taylor Swift’s engagement demonstrates shallowness in “serious” media
- “This is an exciting moment in my professional career…” —Olivia Rinaldi [35:14]
Discussion transitions into influencer culture, artificial “lives” on social, and how fake engagement can hack social access.

6. AI Lawsuits & "AI Fluff" Language

(39:13–54:14)

AI legal liabilities: A California family sues OpenAI after their son’s suicide, following ChatGPT prompts. Hosts predict massive lawsuits will reshape the industry.
John: “If you remember...the one who encouraged her boyfriend to kill himself...I don’t see why you can’t sue these ChatGPT[s] for this.” [40:55]
Industry insider insights: OpenAI’s CFO plays down technical failures, but users say latest GPT is a letdown.
“AI fluff words”: Linguist Tom Juzek notes that chatbot overuse of grandiose, meaningless adjectives is now seeping into human communication, muddying discourse.

7. “Third Way” Political Language Guide & Word Policing

(54:14–62:02)

Democratic think tank Third Way’s memo lists "problematic" buzzwords Democrats should avoid, e.g.: privilege, triggering, microaggression, safe space, centering, “birthing person,” “cisgender,” “latinx,” intersectionality, “bipoc,” carceration, etc.
John: “The Democrats won’t be able to say anything...” [56:02]
Amused (and critical) breakdown of the self-censoring and how this reflects the left’s attempt to rebrand for election optics.

8. LGBTQ+ Rifts & Activism Collide

(63:39–65:41)

Clash in Ottawa: Queers for Palestine block Pride Parade, demanding apologies for Catholic condemnation of Israel. Adam and John focus on the conflict between different LGBTQ+ factions with humor and derision.

9. Crime, Juveniles, & D.C. Statistics

(75:32–85:44)

Adam and John dissect NPR coverage of DC crime, raising skepticism about falling crime rates (“year not over yet”). Explore juvenile justice reform—“rehabilitation” versus punishment—questioning logic and long-term societal effects.
John: “Bring back spanking, people….” [77:33]

10. Neighborhood Tales & Heroin Hotties

(85:44–93:09)

Adam regales listeners with tales of neighborhood disputes in Fredericksburg, lamenting the decline of direct confrontation (“people just grouse on text”).
John’s story of inadvertently meeting heroin-dealing neighbors, mixed with glamor and absurdity—“Heroin hotties. That’s the name for a show title.” [93:07]

11. UK Financial Control & Global Discontent

(93:29–99:59)

UK’s new withdrawal limits (£200/week before triggering monitoring) and mandatory “Deficit Levy” paycheck deductions highlight tightening government control.
“Raise the Colors” immigration protest movement in Australia and the UK—citizen organizing, not top-down conspiracy.

12. Joe Rogan & Platforming Dissent

(101:08–105:06)

Critique of podcast criticism: British commentators begrudge Rogan for giving a “privilege of platform” to dissenting (but credentialed) experts.
Hosts argue: “Science is not a vote.”

13. International & US Policy, Manufacturing, & Culture

(142:06–174:50)

Germany proposed conscription and wider war preparations; NATO and Ukraine war guarantees; Western political engineering via NGOs and intelligence—Wilkerson: “We bought editors, we bought newspapers, we bought politicians.” [148:41]
US funding shenanigans: Natcast, a mysterious, government-created nonprofit to “allocate” $11B in semiconductor R&D funds, raising transparency concerns.
Trump’s “cabinet meeting extravaganza”: Tariff revenue as deficit solution; the “A Gays” in the Trump administration; Republican gay staffers and internal contradictions.
Discussion of Chinese students in US universities: More about recruiting espionage assets than internationalization or education.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

Adam on media avoidance:
“I want to see…this guy’s mom, who transed him when he was a minor, went to court and changed his name. She was responsible. I want to see these people. …If, oh, why are we protecting them?” [01:23]
John on media design:
“They are here to protect the system and the system is showing us patterns.” [02:05]
John, on a deeper issue:
“We don’t have a gun problem, a political problem, or bigotry problem. We have a spiritual problem in our country.” [05:18]
On RFK Jr. and pharmaceuticals:
“Some of these psychiatric drugs…have black box warnings that warn about suicidal ideation and homicidal ideation…” [06:12]
Adam on “AI Fluff Words”:
“It’s not really saying that you’re great. It’s using performatives…” [54:14]
On the state of education:
“A lot of these kids don’t know how to read because they have had things read to them or they can click a button and have something read out loud to them.” [20:44]
On different generations:
“Millennials, no one’s coming for you… Gen Z is switching and I’m getting a lot of emails from Gen Z and they give me a lot of hope.” [24:53]
On word policing:
“The Democrats won’t be able to say anything. You take all these words out, they’ll…” [56:02]
Classic John/Audience banter:
“What are you afraid of, that you’re going to get someone’s parents angry because you told their kids to knock it off?” [90:07]
On platforming dissent:
“It’s not as much about freedom of speech as it is about privilege of platform. Right, like this is a huge platform.” —British commentator [101:57]

Timestamps to Important Segments

00:16–02:36: Minneapolis shooter, media coverage, and shooter's family
03:34–05:24: John lists patterns of previous transgender or non-binary shooters
05:18–06:10: “Spiritual problem,” demonic acts, duty to question transgendering children
06:10–07:32: Pharmaceutical/SSRI angle with RFK Jr.
08:14–12:13: Minnesota as trans sanctuary, lack of happy outcomes, media cowardice
16:18–18:36: Pharmaceutical conflict of interest in the DSM, Trump policy on sex ed
19:45–22:13: Teacher testimonies: tech, phones, and literacy collapse
24:53–26:56: Gen Z optimism; email from Gen Z rancher
27:30–37:39: Behind-the-scenes news production, Taylor Swift “hot mic” meltdown
39:13–41:21: Family sues OpenAI over son’s suicide following chatbot exchanges
54:14–62:02: Third Way’s word list—Democrat language policing segment
75:32–85:44: DC crime, juvenile justice, punishment vs. reform debate
85:44–93:09: Fredericksburg neighborhood disputes, “heroin hotties” and suburban tales
93:29–99:59: UK’s cash withdrawal alert system, “deficit tax,” protests against immigration
101:08–105:06: Joe Rogan podcast platforming debate
142:06–147:14: German conscription and NATO-Ukraine war discussion
147:14–151:35: Wilkerson on US-funded political/press engineering in Europe
159:12–164:44: Exposé of natcast, a “middleman” company for CHIPS Act funds

Tone & Style

Satirical, irreverent, and heavily critical of both media and government.
Heavy use of anecdotes, running jokes, callback humor, and mock outrage.
Deep cynicism towards official narratives—especially in mainstream news and politics.
Commitment to “media deconstruction” by revealing patterns, incentives, and suppressed narratives.

End of Show/Community

Community announcements: Producer donations and No Agenda meetups upcoming (see noagendameetups.com).
Technical notes: New features in podcasting apps (Podcast Pulse, live Bat-Signal).
Listener feedback: Career, generational, and educational advice; importance of “connection is protection.”

No Agenda Show — Episode 1794 "Heroin Hotties"

August 28, 2025

Episode Overview

Focused deconstruction of media coverage of recent mass shootings, particularly the Minneapolis church shooting, with a critique of patterns and omissions in mainstream reporting—especially concerning transgender perpetrators and pharmaceutical influences.
Broader critique of the educational system, generational divides, and the impact of technology, especially smartphones, on literacy and values.
In-depth discussion of AI societal integration, potential legal liabilities, and concerns about how AI-driven language is influencing human communication.
Lively exploration of current political language trends, the policing of vocabulary among Democrats, and the broader culture war as seen through everything from crime reporting to pride events and the rewriting of norms.
Recurring themes of media distrust, shifting social patterns and technologies, government interventions, and lively audience engagement.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Minneapolis Church Shooting: Media Narratives & Pattern Recognition

(00:16–16:18)

Media Avoidance: Adam opens with frustration over the lack of interviews with the shooter's family and wider reluctance to scrutinize parental or medical responsibility.
- “I want to see these parents, I want to see somebody talking to him...They’re the ones at fault.” —Adam Curry [01:23]
Patterns of Reporting: John notes a break in media patterns, as the shooter’s manifesto circulated widely but with an all-too-familiar hesitancy regarding the shooter's transgender status and family background.
- Lists five high-profile cases involving transgender or nonbinary shooters, establishing a “pattern.”
- The media’s avoidance is “by design,” not incompetence: “They are here to protect the system and the system is showing us patterns.” —John C. Dvorak [02:05]
Pharmaceutical Angle: Discussion of reported use of SSRIs and psychiatric drugs among shooters, rarely brought up in media.
- “Are you somehow confused with the news media being around to inform you? Because that’s not what they’re for. They are here to protect the system...” —John C. Dvorak [02:05]
- Cites RFK Jr. discussing NIH studies on psychiatric drugs and black box warnings for homicidal/suicidal ideation.
Deeper Root Causes: Dvorak pivots to a “spiritual problem” in America, critiquing the “demonic acts" of gender transitioning minors and the impact of online radicalization.

2. Trans Sanctuary States & Social Fallout

(08:14–12:13)

Minnesota used as an example of a sanctuary state for transgender individuals. The claim that social services and reporting are encouraging troubled youth down such paths, rather than scrutinizing outcomes or providing oversight.
Adam: “Minnesota is a sanctuary state for trans. So that’s not gonna…They’re encouraging it.” [11:01]
John: “I just don’t know of any happy endings. I don’t. Now, it’s only my side.” [11:12]

3. The Psychological/Medical Complex

(16:18–18:36)

Cites a BMJ study: over 60% of DSM-5 panel/task force physicians had undisclosed industry payments. Raises the issue of gender dysphoria’s codification as a disorder and the resulting industry incentives (drugs, surgeries).
Trump administration moves to withhold funding from sex ed programs mentioning transgender topics, a rare policy move praised by hosts.

4. Technology, Literacy, and "Gen Z Hope"

(19:45–26:56)

Teacher clips via British YouTuber "Halo Haley":
- Technology and cellphones directly impairing kids’ attention, ability to write or read. Shortened attention spans and AI (ChatGPT) use undermine basic skills.
- Music teacher shocked by students’ inability to recite the months in order.
John is hopeful about Gen Z:
- Email from a Gen Z rancher touts family values, discipline, and the return to practical skills—a generational pendulum swing away from millennial “nihilism.”

5. Mainstream Media, "Privilege of Platform," and the Taylor Swift Moment

(27:16–37:43)

Behind-the-scenes of TV news production, control rooms, and “hot mic” leaks, recounted with humor and veteran insight.
Extended, comical take: CBS’s Olivia Rinaldi’s on-air glee over Taylor Swift’s engagement demonstrates shallowness in “serious” media
- “This is an exciting moment in my professional career…” —Olivia Rinaldi [35:14]
Discussion transitions into influencer culture, artificial “lives” on social, and how fake engagement can hack social access.

6. AI Lawsuits & "AI Fluff" Language

(39:13–54:14)

AI legal liabilities: A California family sues OpenAI after their son’s suicide, following ChatGPT prompts. Hosts predict massive lawsuits will reshape the industry.
John: “If you remember...the one who encouraged her boyfriend to kill himself...I don’t see why you can’t sue these ChatGPT[s] for this.” [40:55]
Industry insider insights: OpenAI’s CFO plays down technical failures, but users say latest GPT is a letdown.
“AI fluff words”: Linguist Tom Juzek notes that chatbot overuse of grandiose, meaningless adjectives is now seeping into human communication, muddying discourse.

7. “Third Way” Political Language Guide & Word Policing

(54:14–62:02)

Democratic think tank Third Way’s memo lists "problematic" buzzwords Democrats should avoid, e.g.: privilege, triggering, microaggression, safe space, centering, “birthing person,” “cisgender,” “latinx,” intersectionality, “bipoc,” carceration, etc.
John: “The Democrats won’t be able to say anything...” [56:02]
Amused (and critical) breakdown of the self-censoring and how this reflects the left’s attempt to rebrand for election optics.

8. LGBTQ+ Rifts & Activism Collide

(63:39–65:41)

Clash in Ottawa: Queers for Palestine block Pride Parade, demanding apologies for Catholic condemnation of Israel. Adam and John focus on the conflict between different LGBTQ+ factions with humor and derision.

9. Crime, Juveniles, & D.C. Statistics

(75:32–85:44)

Adam and John dissect NPR coverage of DC crime, raising skepticism about falling crime rates (“year not over yet”). Explore juvenile justice reform—“rehabilitation” versus punishment—questioning logic and long-term societal effects.
John: “Bring back spanking, people….” [77:33]

10. Neighborhood Tales & Heroin Hotties

(85:44–93:09)

Adam regales listeners with tales of neighborhood disputes in Fredericksburg, lamenting the decline of direct confrontation (“people just grouse on text”).
John’s story of inadvertently meeting heroin-dealing neighbors, mixed with glamor and absurdity—“Heroin hotties. That’s the name for a show title.” [93:07]

11. UK Financial Control & Global Discontent

(93:29–99:59)

UK’s new withdrawal limits (£200/week before triggering monitoring) and mandatory “Deficit Levy” paycheck deductions highlight tightening government control.
“Raise the Colors” immigration protest movement in Australia and the UK—citizen organizing, not top-down conspiracy.

12. Joe Rogan & Platforming Dissent

(101:08–105:06)

Critique of podcast criticism: British commentators begrudge Rogan for giving a “privilege of platform” to dissenting (but credentialed) experts.
Hosts argue: “Science is not a vote.”

13. International & US Policy, Manufacturing, & Culture

(142:06–174:50)

Germany proposed conscription and wider war preparations; NATO and Ukraine war guarantees; Western political engineering via NGOs and intelligence—Wilkerson: “We bought editors, we bought newspapers, we bought politicians.” [148:41]
US funding shenanigans: Natcast, a mysterious, government-created nonprofit to “allocate” $11B in semiconductor R&D funds, raising transparency concerns.
Trump’s “cabinet meeting extravaganza”: Tariff revenue as deficit solution; the “A Gays” in the Trump administration; Republican gay staffers and internal contradictions.
Discussion of Chinese students in US universities: More about recruiting espionage assets than internationalization or education.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

Adam on media avoidance:
“I want to see…this guy’s mom, who transed him when he was a minor, went to court and changed his name. She was responsible. I want to see these people. …If, oh, why are we protecting them?” [01:23]
John on media design:
“They are here to protect the system and the system is showing us patterns.” [02:05]
John, on a deeper issue:
“We don’t have a gun problem, a political problem, or bigotry problem. We have a spiritual problem in our country.” [05:18]
On RFK Jr. and pharmaceuticals:
“Some of these psychiatric drugs…have black box warnings that warn about suicidal ideation and homicidal ideation…” [06:12]
Adam on “AI Fluff Words”:
“It’s not really saying that you’re great. It’s using performatives…” [54:14]
On the state of education:
“A lot of these kids don’t know how to read because they have had things read to them or they can click a button and have something read out loud to them.” [20:44]
On different generations:
“Millennials, no one’s coming for you… Gen Z is switching and I’m getting a lot of emails from Gen Z and they give me a lot of hope.” [24:53]
On word policing:
“The Democrats won’t be able to say anything. You take all these words out, they’ll…” [56:02]
Classic John/Audience banter:
“What are you afraid of, that you’re going to get someone’s parents angry because you told their kids to knock it off?” [90:07]
On platforming dissent:
“It’s not as much about freedom of speech as it is about privilege of platform. Right, like this is a huge platform.” —British commentator [101:57]

Timestamps to Important Segments

00:16–02:36: Minneapolis shooter, media coverage, and shooter's family
03:34–05:24: John lists patterns of previous transgender or non-binary shooters
05:18–06:10: “Spiritual problem,” demonic acts, duty to question transgendering children
06:10–07:32: Pharmaceutical/SSRI angle with RFK Jr.
08:14–12:13: Minnesota as trans sanctuary, lack of happy outcomes, media cowardice
16:18–18:36: Pharmaceutical conflict of interest in the DSM, Trump policy on sex ed
19:45–22:13: Teacher testimonies: tech, phones, and literacy collapse
24:53–26:56: Gen Z optimism; email from Gen Z rancher
27:30–37:39: Behind-the-scenes news production, Taylor Swift “hot mic” meltdown
39:13–41:21: Family sues OpenAI over son’s suicide following chatbot exchanges
54:14–62:02: Third Way’s word list—Democrat language policing segment
75:32–85:44: DC crime, juvenile justice, punishment vs. reform debate
85:44–93:09: Fredericksburg neighborhood disputes, “heroin hotties” and suburban tales
93:29–99:59: UK’s cash withdrawal alert system, “deficit tax,” protests against immigration
101:08–105:06: Joe Rogan podcast platforming debate
142:06–147:14: German conscription and NATO-Ukraine war discussion
147:14–151:35: Wilkerson on US-funded political/press engineering in Europe
159:12–164:44: Exposé of natcast, a “middleman” company for CHIPS Act funds

Tone & Style

Satirical, irreverent, and heavily critical of both media and government.
Heavy use of anecdotes, running jokes, callback humor, and mock outrage.
Deep cynicism towards official narratives—especially in mainstream news and politics.
Commitment to “media deconstruction” by revealing patterns, incentives, and suppressed narratives.

End of Show/Community

Community announcements: Producer donations and No Agenda meetups upcoming (see noagendameetups.com).
Technical notes: New features in podcasting apps (Podcast Pulse, live Bat-Signal).
Listener feedback: Career, generational, and educational advice; importance of “connection is protection.”

1794 - "Heroin Hotties"

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Summary

No Agenda Show — Episode 1794 "Heroin Hotties"

August 28, 2025

Episode Overview

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Minneapolis Church Shooting: Media Narratives & Pattern Recognition

2. Trans Sanctuary States & Social Fallout

3. The Psychological/Medical Complex

4. Technology, Literacy, and "Gen Z Hope"

5. Mainstream Media, "Privilege of Platform," and the Taylor Swift Moment

6. AI Lawsuits & "AI Fluff" Language

7. “Third Way” Political Language Guide & Word Policing

8. LGBTQ+ Rifts & Activism Collide

9. Crime, Juveniles, & D.C. Statistics

10. Neighborhood Tales & Heroin Hotties

11. UK Financial Control & Global Discontent

12. Joe Rogan & Platforming Dissent

13. International & US Policy, Manufacturing, & Culture

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

Timestamps to Important Segments

Tone & Style

End of Show/Community

Editor's Picks: Don’t-Miss Segments

Summary

No Agenda Show — Episode 1794 "Heroin Hotties"

August 28, 2025

Episode Overview

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Minneapolis Church Shooting: Media Narratives & Pattern Recognition

2. Trans Sanctuary States & Social Fallout

3. The Psychological/Medical Complex

4. Technology, Literacy, and "Gen Z Hope"

5. Mainstream Media, "Privilege of Platform," and the Taylor Swift Moment

6. AI Lawsuits & "AI Fluff" Language

7. “Third Way” Political Language Guide & Word Policing

8. LGBTQ+ Rifts & Activism Collide

9. Crime, Juveniles, & D.C. Statistics

10. Neighborhood Tales & Heroin Hotties

11. UK Financial Control & Global Discontent

12. Joe Rogan & Platforming Dissent

13. International & US Policy, Manufacturing, & Culture

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

Timestamps to Important Segments

Tone & Style

End of Show/Community

Editor's Picks: Don’t-Miss Segments