No Agenda Show, Episode 1806 – “Gray Zone”
Hosts: Adam Curry & John C. Dvorak
Date: October 9, 2025
Episode Overview
Episode 1806 of the No Agenda Show, entitled “Gray Zone,” features hosts Adam Curry and John C. Dvorak in their signature media deconstruction style. They analyze recent media coverage, political developments in the U.S. and Europe, and current events ranging from the deployment of National Guard troops in American cities to the acquisition of news outlets, the European "gray zone" drone campaigns, and much more. The duo also dig into narratives on antisemitism, the Middle East, conversion therapy, and economic manipulations, all with their trademark sarcasm, skepticism, and media-savvy wit.
Key Topics and Highlights
Dolly Parton, Vaccines, & Media Messaging
[01:27] – [03:43]
- Discussion about public worries over Dolly Parton’s health and her media appearance promoting vaccination.
- Memorable Quote:
- Dolly Parton: “Do I look sick to you? I’m working hard here… Nothing major, but I did have to cancel some things so I could be closer to home, closer to Vanderbilt, you know, where I'm kind of having a few treatments… but I wanted you to know that I’m not dying. Vaccine.” [01:59]
- Curry and Dvorak riff on the media’s use of certain talking points and the "most definitely" catchphrase.
- Memorable Quote:
The 3x3 Media Comparison
[03:59] – [15:33]
- John's 3x3 Segment: compares news coverage on ABC, NBC, and CBS regarding the deployment of National Guard troops to Chicago and Portland:
- Across networks, coverage is criticized as highly propagandistic and focused on narrative, rather than fact.
- Debate about whether Trump is threatening to invoke the Insurrection Act.
- Media framing around "crime crackdowns," “unconstitutional invasions,” and the painting of cities like Chicago as “hellholes.”
- Notable Exchange:
- Curry: “I mean, the propaganda is strong on this one. Our own people are falling for it. It's interesting.” [06:31]
- Dvorak: “Trump and the thuggery that his agents have brought has actively made us less safe. The President tonight says that's just not true. It's like a war zone.” [05:05]
Skydance, Barry Weiss, and the “Rightward Shift” Controversy at CBS
[15:33] – [27:09]
- Analysis of Skydance’s acquisition of Bari Weiss’s Free Press, speculation on the announced $150 million price, and discussion of Weiss’s new role at CBS.
- Dvorak is deeply skeptical of the reported price, suggesting creative corporate bookkeeping.
- NPR coverage:
- Bari Weiss presented as a “contrarian” and the “editor-in-chief,” which Adam asserts is a mostly ceremonial title in TV news, doubting she’ll actually run the news division.
- Notable Quote:
- Dvorak: “She’s no different than anybody else that's working in media, period. She's not like I'm going to shake things up.” [20:39]
- NPR: “The real key in media and changing the way the propaganda is set up and pushed out is simple. It's just story selection.” [27:28]
Jimmy Kimmel's Ratings Collapse
[29:15] – [30:26]
- Discussion on Jimmy Kimmel’s loss of 85% of his comeback viewership, with both hosts mocking the failed attempts to revive his show.
The Candace Owens “Dead Man Switch”
[31:33] – [41:00]
- Candace Owens claims to have distributed a "dead man switch" package of evidence in case of harm, following allegations and conspiracy theories surrounding Charlie Kirk's death, Israeli influence, and antisemitism.
- Hosts mock and dissect the emergence of figures like John Mappin (with his “North Sea Nexus” and reforestation initiatives), highlighting a spiral of bizarre, conspiratorial online discussions.
- Curry: “Is this the Jews? Is it Israel? I'm not sure who it is, but they are coming after Candace and her family.” [37:35]
Zionism, U.S. Foreign Policy, and Antisemitism
[43:23] – [71:52]
- Deep historical dive into the military-industrial complex’s relationship with Israel, the separation between Zionism and Jewish identity, and recurring media and political tropes.
- Michael Hudson audio: details how U.S. sought to use Israel as its “Foreign Legion.”
- Exposes media reliance on Gaza Health Ministry/Hamas figures, the lack of Western reporters in Gaza, and the artificiality of the “numbers game.”
- Curry: “The problem I have with this is that people are confusing Zionists with Jewish people. And Candace Owens throwing gasoline on the fire by saying, those people… It’s the Jews.” [67:17]
European Political Turmoil: Macron, France, and the EU
[72:35] – [81:45]
- France’s political crisis following PM Le Cornu’s resignation; Macron’s weakness and the deadlocked parliament are scrutinized.
- Hosts dissect how the fragmented French republic – now on its fifth iteration – is stuck and unable to enact reforms.
- Dvorak: “The thing's a mess. The right wingers have got to take over.” [80:09]
“Gray Zone” – EU, NATO, Russia, and Drone/Hybrid War Hysteria
[82:03] – [94:14]
- Breakdown of the new “targeted gray zone campaign” narrative, with drone incursions, “hybrid war” language, and legislative responses in Germany and Lithuania.
- Hosts posit this is mostly a financial scam to keep European defense money within the EU, under the pretense of countering Russian threats.
- Curry: “This is a giant psyop and it's just to not send the money to us.” [93:24]
Antifa, Domestic Unrest & Foreign Funding
[97:21] – [102:41]
- Media and Trump administration designating Antifa as both a domestic and possibly international terrorist organization.
- Open Society Foundation, City of London, and “North Sea Nexus” are tongue-in-cheek named as destinations for “following the money.”
Economic Manipulation & Housing
[103:19] – [110:58]
- Luongo’s “Gold, Guns and Goats” podcast idea: U.S. housing policies (Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac) manipulated to undermine middle class wealth and sow the seeds of Marxist/socialist revolution.
Vaccine Court Exposé
[155:24] – [166:19]
- Detailed critique of 60 Minutes report on the National Vaccine Court; U.S. government indemnification of vaccine manufacturers, undercompensation of victims, and the “no-fault” payout system.
- Curry: “This is a disgrace. So what this lawyer is doing is she's saying, well, you can either get, get some money or you can opt out of getting any money whatsoever, then go and sue them on your own. Good luck.” [161:14]
End-of-Show Banter: PodPing, Gen Z, and Listener Feedback
- The show closes with extended audience interaction, Value-for-Value appointment, donation reading, “John’s Tip of the Day”—highlighting Tubi as a top free streaming TV option, and the end-of-show mix.
Featured Quotes & Memorable Moments
-
On U.S. Media Coverage [06:31]:
Curry: “The propaganda is strong on this one. Our own people are falling for it. It's interesting.” -
On Media’s Shift [20:39]:
Dvorak: “She’s no different than anybody else that's working in media, period. She's not like I'm going to shake things up.” -
On France’s political gridlock [80:09]:
Dvorak: “The thing’s a mess. The right wingers have got to take over.” -
On European ‘gray zone’ funding [93:24]:
Curry: “This is a giant psyop and it's just to not send the money to us.” -
On Candace Owens’ conspiracy [37:35]:
Curry: “Is this the Jews? Is it Israel? I’m not sure who it is, but they are coming after Candace and her family.” -
On Zionism vs. Jewish identity [67:17]:
Curry: “People are confusing Zionists with Jewish people. And Candace Owens throwing gasoline on the fire… It’s the Jews.” -
On the Vaccine Court [161:14]:
Curry: “This is a disgrace… you can either get some money or you can opt out of getting any money whatsoever, then go and sue them on your own. Good luck.” -
On Kimmel's ratings collapse [29:15]:
Curry: “Of course, you won’t see it as a headline—after his glorious comeback, Jimmy Kimmel sheds 85% of his key viewers.”
Important Timestamps
- 01:27 — Dolly Parton health scare, vaccine promo
- 04:01 — JCD's “3x3” media comparison
- 15:33 — CBS/Bari Weiss/Skydance acquisition
- 29:15 — Jimmy Kimmel’s ratings woes
- 31:33 — Candace Owens “dead man switch”
- 43:23 — Zionism, US foreign policy, antisemitism deep dive
- 72:35 — French/European political crisis
- 82:03 — “Targeted gray zone campaign”/Hybrid war/EU defense spending
- 97:21 — Antifa: domestic/unrest/funding
- 103:19 — Economic housing manipulation/Gold, Guns and Goats
- 155:24 — Vaccine Court segment
- 170:55 — Listener donations & audience interaction
Final Note on Tone and Style
This episode was densely packed—in true No Agenda style—with unsparing sarcasm, inside jokes, media references, dry humor, and relentless skepticism of both mainstream and alternative narratives. Curry and Dvorak encourage critical listening, mock sensationalism, and frame themselves as outsider media analysts questioning power and “social control scripts” across the world.
If you missed the episode, this summary offers a comprehensive roadmap of the major themes, media criticism, and the hosts’ unique perspective, highlighted with their most quotable moments.
Next episode: Tune in Sunday, October 13, 2025, for another round of media deconstruction and cultural analysis with Adam Curry and John C. Dvorak.