No Agenda Show Episode 1833 - "Spicy Mode"

Hosts: Adam Curry & John C. Dvorak
Date: January 11, 2026

Episode Overview

In Episode 1833 of the No Agenda Show, Adam Curry and John C. Dvorak dive into a wide spectrum of current events, conspiracy theories, and media deconstructions with their signature humor, skepticism, and banter. Major themes include the escalating geopolitical situation in Venezuela and Iran, U.S. energy and foreign policy, Minnesota fraud scandals, AI controversies (including "spicy mode" on Grok/X), mounting social unrest, and media failures to properly cover or contextualize global and domestic stories. As always, the hosts balance sharp media analysis with memorable quotes and punchy observations.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Canadian Secession, Protest, and U.S. Media Myopia

• Alberta Independence Movement: Thousands in Calgary sign a petition for Alberta's separation. Adam and John are amused and skeptical, joking about Canadians' reluctance to chant ("No justice, no peace... no oil?").
• Media Bias: The hosts note the lack of U.S. mainstream coverage for serious domestic and international events compared to sensational and divisive protest coverage (e.g., over-focus on Minneapolis).

2. Venezuelan Conflict, High-Tech Warfare, and U.S. Objectives

• Alleged U.S. Directed Energy Attack:
  • Reports circulate, including one amplified by White House press secretary Carolyn Levitt, of U.S. forces using advanced, possibly sonic, weapons against Venezuelan troops, causing mass casualties.
  • John expresses skepticism: “It’s not that we don’t have this sort of weaponry, but I don’t think it was necessary. I think it’s just to scare the hell out of these guys. I think it was planted.” (08:08)
  • Adam pushes the possibility, referencing prior U.S. black projects: “Remember they had the cancer gun?…If we can go to the moon, why wouldn’t we be able to do this?” (10:08)
• Oil, Geopolitics, and Corporate Interest:
  • U.S. oil executives meeting with President Trump about “total access” to Venezuelan oil and restoring stability.
  • The role of American corporations, market manipulation, Citgo auctions, and hedge fund (Paul Singer) influence.
  • The complexity of involving American business, potentially undermining U.S. shale producers (25:09).
• Diplomatic Back Channels & Media Cover-Up:
  • Little to no M5M (mainstream media) reporting on the ground in Venezuela—most intel is from international sources.
  • Jokes about credit card receipts for journalists and budget tightening.
• Stabilization Plan:
  • Discussing U.S. government’s “three step plan” (15:38): stabilize, rehabilitate, transition—where "transition" means installing friendly governance.
  • Rubio’s involvement and release of political prisoners and pastors (16:25, 16:28).

"The whole thing to me ... about the sonic weapon. I think it's all meant to intimidate the drug cartels. People have no idea…the drug cartels have better weapons than most of these South American countries have in their military." — Adam Curry (21:35)

3. Iran’s Economic Protests and Media Manipulation

• Unrest & Crackdown:
  • Ongoing deadly protests over economic mismanagement, inflation, and shrinking subsidies.
  • Communication blackout—phones and internet shut off, but Starlink terminals reportedly smuggled in.
• Media Coverage & Disinformation:
  • Best coverage comes from non-U.S., boots-on-the-ground sources (Al Jazeera, France 24).
  • PBS’s late surface-level coverage: “At least it’s something.” (45:39)
• The Disputed Petrodollar & New “Stablecoin” Narrative:
  • Adam notes, “the petrodollar is over…that’s why the stablecoin gambit is being set up.” (36:13)
• Conspiracies & Contradiction:
  • Discussion of conflicting reports and alleged “nothing is happening” gaslighting from some pro-regime or counter-protest media.

4. Drug Cartels, Oil, and European Fallout

• Cocaine Flows, Sanctions & European Markets:
  • Shift in drug routes: “Venezuela has long since stopped shipping anything to the United States…cocaine use in the US is down…but is way up in Europe.” (47:46)
  • Flood of cheap drugs in Europe and the possible geopolitical and social consequences discussed.

5. Minnesota Fraud, Food Stamps, and Political Maneuvering

• Scale of Fraud:
  • Ongoing investigation into massive welfare and food stamp fraud in Minnesota, especially among Somali networks.
  • Discussion of how fraud was downplayed as “overbilling” by state agencies; whistleblower testimony (56:00).
• Political/Media Response:
  • Ilhan Omar (MN Rep.) defends state policies against accusations, tries to play down fraud.
  • Adam: “It’s not fraud, it’s overbilling.” — highlighting bureaucratic cover-ups.
• Federal Crackdown & Local Politics:
  • Treasury Secretary speaks candidly about following the money, drawing comparisons to Mafia and cartel investigations.

6. Minneapolis Shooting, ICE, and the “Domestic Terrorist” Debate

• Recent ICE Shooting & Aftermath:
  • National protests erupt after ICE agent shoots a Minneapolis woman; media repeats “George Floyd” narrative loop.
  • Minneapolis Mayor Fry and Police Chief on CNN defending the city; contest ICE's version of events.
• Dimension A vs Dimension B:
  • Adam & John use their long-running “two realities” riff, underscoring the intractability of media/fan group polarization and narrative battles.
• Legal Definitions & Media Dissection:
  • Dissecting the U.S. legal definition of “domestic terrorism" and whether it fits the incident (74:21).
  • Satirizing the endless Zapruder-like video analysis, “I have eyes. I can see it.”
  • Jake Tapper’s openly partisan “position” as journalist critiqued: “He’s not interviewing her anymore, he’s part of it.” (78:56)

7. AI, ‘Spicy Mode,’ and the Deepfake Crisis

• X/Grok's Controversial "Spicy Mode":
  • The AI tool’s ability to generate sexualized deepfakes—scandal as images of real people, including minors, are undressed and shared.
  • European authorities react: “This is not spicy. This is illegal. This is appalling.” (117:31)
  • Elon Musk’s ex-girlfriend’s image gets targeted by the bot—ironic and notable moment.
• Regulatory Threats:
  • Calls to ban X from app stores, European governments’ threats, UK PM condemnation.
• Broader AI Disillusion:
  • Riffing on the lack of “killer apps” at CES except for bird-spotting binoculars, Roomba with legs, toothbrushes, and Tamagotchi revivals.
  • Adam: “That is the advanced AI economy that we're going into…” (109:05)

8. UK "Synthetic News" and Farage’s Avengers

• Analysis of a viral, entirely fabricated "news" video about King Charles confronting PM Keir Starmer—a detailed case of AI-generated, narrative-warping media making the rounds on YouTube. (142:13, 144:18)
• “There’s a bunch of these out there…You have to be careful.” — John (148:34)

9. Zoomers, Tech Illiteracy, and Intentional De-skilling

• Older millennials and managers complain about younger workers' lack of basic IT skills—command-line, typing, using Excel, troubleshooting.
• Discussion of surging RAM prices due to AI demand (100:11).
• Linux & interface nerd banter: Adam touts "Omarchi” for keyboard-driven productivity.

10. Listener Letters, Donation Segment, Housekeeping

• Legal help sought by a military contractor terminated for COVID vax refusal.
• Minnesota meetups, newsletter notes, art selection discussions.
• Call-outs for continued financial support; playful shaming of “freeloaders.”

Notable Quotes & Moments

• On overhyped weapon rumors:
  “Why can’t you just believe that we’re awesome? You’re anti-American, man. I think we’re pretty awesome.”
  — Adam Curry (09:33)
• On petrodollars & new digital currency plans:
  “That’s why the stable coin gambit is being set up. So don’t worry about the petrodollar. It’s not a thing anymore, people.”
  — Adam Curry (36:13)
• On alleged DEWs used by U.S. troops:
  “For 18 years I’ve been talking about directed energy weapons.”
  — Adam Curry (04:54)
• On AI at CES:
  “This is the advanced AI economy... Oh, you just stick this thing in your mouth and within 20 seconds your teeth are clean.”
  — Adam Curry (109:05)
• On mainstream media’s superficiality:
  “Just a top line surface report from PBS. Not much else.”
  — Adam Curry (45:39)

Important Timestamps

• Venezuela attack/DEW narrative: 03:07 - 10:41
• US oil interests & Citgo auction: 11:25 - 25:51
• Iran protests and crackdown: 33:00 - 41:33
• Europe’s coked-up crisis: 47:11 - 51:30
• Minnesota fraud, Ilhan Omar, and whistleblowers: 56:00 - 64:21
• Minneapolis ICE shooting debate: 69:30 - 80:49
• AI "spicy mode"/deepfake scandal: 116:43 - 121:23
• Synthetic UK news & Charles/Starmer showdown: 142:13 - 148:34
• CES AI product mockery: 102:51 - 112:05

Running Gags & Tone

• Dimension A/B: Ongoing bit about two parallel realities and the impossibility of reconciliation.
• Snark & Parody: Satirical redefinitions: “It’s not fraud, it’s overbilling”; comments on media personalities (e.g., Jake Tapper, Nancy Pelosi).
• Banter About Podcasting, Linux, and Generational Gaps
• Continued Listener Engagement through dedouches, karma requests, and crowd-sourced insights.

Conclusion

Episode 1833 of No Agenda exemplifies Adam and John’s approach: dissecting mainstream narratives, elevating underreported stories, tracing the shadowy links between money, media, and power while lampooning both political figures and tech fads. Memorable for its skeptical coverage of the Venezuelan “superweapon” story; deconstruction of media bias in domestic protests and international crises; and the absurdity of AI and deepfake technologies, this episode reminds listeners that, to paraphrase the hosts, “the country’s always been this way”—and you’d better pay attention, stay skeptical, and 'produce' accordingly.

For value for value support, clips, and upcoming meetup info, see: NoAgendaDonations.com and NoAgendaMeetups.com