No Agenda Show – Episode 1823 "Secretary of Egg"
Hosts: Adam Curry & John C. Dvorak
Date: December 7, 2025
Overview
This episode of No Agenda, titled "Secretary of Egg," continues Adam and John's signature style of media deconstruction, freewheeling humor, and political analysis. The show explores recent developments in the world of media consolidation (Netflix-Warner merger), international politics (Eurovision, U.S. military actions), the release of President Trump’s new National Security Strategy, vaccine policy upheaval, as well as domestic U.S. stories on crime, fraud, and immigration. As always, the hosts call out media bias, poke fun at political figures, and riff on the latest intrigue.
Key Topics and Analysis
1. Kennedy Center Honors & Award-Show Elitism
- [00:53–04:53]
- Discussion of recent Kennedy Center Honors as a "middle finger" to entertainment elites.
- Commentary on how commercially successful stars (Gloria Gaynor, Sylvester Stallone, Kiss) are often snubbed by the establishment.
- Adam: “Nobody did it like Gloria Gaynor. Gloria, thank you very much.” ([02:19])
- John raises cynicism about who truly profits from these successes, referencing Gene Simmons of Kiss.
2. Netflix–Warner Merger and Media Panic
- [05:10–12:46]
- News clip: This is “arguably the most influential” deal in media history.
- Regulatory concerns briefly discussed, but John downplays antitrust worries: “Streaming is wide open. Anybody can create a streaming app...Who cares?” ([08:18])
- MAGA world reactions: Paranoia about an “Obama News Network” due to Obamas’ Netflix ties; John and Adam ridicule these theories.
- History of media conglomerates owning studios, from AT&T to Coke to Gulf & Western.
- Adam: “Every company that’s bought Warner has not done well out of it.”
3. Eurovision and Political Fallout
- [13:20–15:40]
- Multiple European countries withdraw Eurovision participation over Israel policy and voting allegations.
- Clip: “The contest… strives to remain apolitical but is repeatedly embroiled in world events.”
- John: “What an embarrassment. This is your pathetic virtue signal. Goodness gracious.” ([14:43])
- Riffing on potential for a U.S.-led “World Vision Song Contest" as a satirical response.
4. U.S. Strikes on Venezuelan ‘Narco Boats’ and the Impeachment Setup
- [16:16–30:49]
- BBC and U.S. news dissect recent U.S. military actions against alleged drug boats; questions of legality, morality, and political strategy abound.
- The narrative is constructed around potential war crimes, with lawyers and pundits forecasting a new impeachment effort.
- Adam: “This is just a setup so they can impeach Trump again.”
- Democrats argue that actions amount to murder, while Republicans and military claim it’s justified anti-narco terrorism.
- John: “If we’re going to broadcast that video, please broadcast the video of the double and triple tap in Iraq, please.” ([29:39])
- Media and politicians clearly divided, all “watching the same video walking away with different opinions.” ([27:22])
5. National Security Strategy: The ‘America First’ Doctrine Expands
- [37:55–58:58]
- President Trump’s new National Security document pivots US focus to the Western Hemisphere, reasserts the Monroe Doctrine, and signals reduced European commitments.
- News analysis and global reactions take turns either panicking or downplaying US retrenchment.
- Adam: “If Fuentes had written up this document, I’d vote for him as President.” ([58:00])
- Sharp language about “civilizational erasure” in Europe and doubts about NATO/European reliability.
- John reads direct excerpts, critiquing and lampooning their tone (“pragmatic without being pragmatist…”), suspecting poetic spin-doctoring.
- Adam and John agree the Monroe Doctrine is essentially “Get off my turf. Exactly.” ([48:59])
- Comparing the media’s slice-and-dice of narrative with literal out-of-context edits.
6. Europe’s Nervous Reaction, and the Zelensky Call
- [60:50–71:16]
- European responses to US strategic shift: mostly calm on the surface, but behind-the-scenes calls (der Spiegel leak) show obvious anxiety about being left “alone” on Ukraine.
- Adam and John: relentless skepticism that the EU’s establishment will survive post-war discontent, referencing Germany, the UK, and France’s domestic struggles and unpopularity.
7. U.S. Domestic Affairs
a. South African Mass Shooting & Gun Control
- [79:00–82:59]
- Analysis of high murder rates and continued illegal gun violence in South Africa despite strict controls.
- Adam and John point out lack of U.S. media coverage.
b. Minnesota Somali Welfare Fraud Scandal
- [83:38–95:55]
- Congressional and media attempts to address/contain fallout from a massive welfare fraud concentrated in Minnesota’s Somali community.
- Ilhan Omar defends her role, downplays terrorism links, and emphasizes that Somali taxpayers are also victims.
- Hosts critique both interviewers’ kid-glove and deflective tactics, lampooning politicization and rhetorical jujitsu (“We're victims. What are you talking about, Margaret?” – John, [91:05]).
- Adam highlights the “investigation” reframing and insincere attempts at closure.
8. CDC & Hepatitis B Vaccine Policy Drama
- [96:04–117:55]
- Coverage of CDC advisory committee’s move to change universal newborn Hepatitis B vaccine recommendation to a doctor–parent consultation model (particularly if mothers test negative).
- Blowback from legacy media and pharma–linked pundits, with repeated “safe and effective” mantras.
- BBC and NPR are especially alarmist, worried about ‘confusion for parents’ and a weakening of public health trust.
- John: “The code word Safe and effective. I believe after hearing it from this guy on the BBC, that is a code. I almost can be convinced that somebody gets a check in the mail for $1,000 for saying the words safe and effective…” ([106:32])
- Exposure of liability shield (from the 1986 Act), and pharma’s unease at loss of control.
- John concludes: “I think this is actually the death knell of the whole system.”
9. Tech Corner: AI Music Detection & Embedded Systems
- [149:32–155:11]
- Listener boots-on-the-ground emails provide insight on Airbus flight computer software glitches (bit-flipping/bad patches) and sample-by-sample estimation models used in AI music copyright detection (“just guessing” with percentages of similarity, then billing the AI model owner accordingly).
10. U.S. Military Realignment: Western Hemisphere Army Command
- [156:15–157:40]
- NPR-reported formation of a new U.S. Army Western Hemisphere Command at Fort Bragg, signaling a renewed military focus on the Americas and border security under Trump.
11. ‘Who Are They?’ – Deep State Edition
- [158:00–161:15]
- Citing Lara Logan, John explains “they” as Council for the Inspectors General on Integrity and Efficiency (CIGIE), positioning it as an overarching federal command and control system for bureaucracy and coverups.
12. Drugs, Narco States & Opioid Vaping
- [161:17–164:11]
- Belgium’s drug chief claims 80% of illegal vape refills seized contain synthetic opioids; John expresses skepticism and notes organized crime’s infiltration of Belgian authorities.
13. Immigration Crackdown & Domestic Impacts
- [164:15–170:28]
- DHS launches operations against criminal aliens in sanctuary cities; ground-level reports (from soft drink drivers and truckers) suggest a real impact on commercial activity and employment.
- Adam shares a personal experience with predatory immigration law firms stringing along legitimate applicants: “Look me up, dude.”
Notable Quotes & Moments
- On Media Awards:
John: “The people who make the movies that are loved most by the audience never get an award ever. Ever.” ([01:15]) - On Streaming Antitrust Fears:
John: “Streaming is wide open. Who cares?” ([08:18]) - On U.S. Strikes & Impeachment:
Adam: “This is just a setup so they can impeach Trump again.” ([30:49]) - On The New National Security Strategy:
John (sarcastic): “No administration in history has achieved so dramatic a turnaround in so short a time.” ([43:00]) - On “Who Are They”:
John: “They are the Council for the Inspectors General on Integrity and Efficiency.” ([159:55])
Timestamps for Major Segments
- [00:53] Kennedy Center Honors discussion, Award show skepticism
- [05:10] Netflix–Warner merger, antitrust speculation, social media panic
- [13:22] Eurovision controversy and political fallout
- [16:16] U.S. strikes against alleged Venezuelan narco boats; impeachment setup
- [37:55] Breakdown of Trump’s National Security Strategy
- [60:50] European reaction, Zelensky leak, nervousness about US policy
- [79:00] South African mass shooting and gun control
- [83:38] Minnesota Somali fraud investigation, Ilhan Omar interview
- [96:04] CDC reverses Hepatitis B universal newborn vaccine recommendation
- [149:32] Embedded firmware expert on Airbus glitch
- [155:11] AI-model-based music copyright calculation
- [156:15] US Army Western Hemisphere Command
- [158:01] Command and control/"they" defined
- [161:17] Opioid-laced vape refills in Belgium, narco state concerns
- [164:15] Immigration crackdown, trucking and economic impact, legal scams
Style, Tone, and Format
- Sarcastic, irreverent, direct
- Heavy use of anecdotes, inside jokes, and callbacks
- Skeptical of all sides; aggressively fact-checks mainstream and alternative media alike
- Regularly attributes hypocrisy and hidden motivations to politicians, bureaucrats, and media figures
Summary
No Agenda Episode 1823 is a marathon of topical breakdown, connecting dots between media spin, political maneuvering, global realignments, and the local impacts of complex policy decisions. Through a blend of humor, informed skepticism, and community-powered insight, Adam and John skewer media hype, expose buried stories, and provide context that few mainstream outlets dare to attempt.
Memorable ISOs and Running Gags
- “Oh my God, these guys are so hot.” ([190:54] end-of-show ISO)
- “Look me up, dude.” – Adam’s advice for handling shady lawyers ([169:42])
- Recurring threats to “quit” if there’s another impeachment ([22:39], [127:29])
- Secretary of Egg as episode title, spawned from confusing “Secretary of AG(Riculture)” in fraud discussion ([92:06])
For the full experience, contributors can tune in live, join the troll room chat, or donate at noagendadonations.com.
