No Agenda Show – Episode 1845: "Slave Slab"

Date: February 22, 2026
Hosts: Adam Curry & John C. Dvorak
Theme: Deconstructing Media with No Agenda

Overview

This episode dives deep into recent revelations surrounding Jeffrey Epstein, the ongoing obsession with kompromat and conspiracies in American public life, the manipulative power of modern technology (the "controller slab"/smartphones), the influence of social media addiction on youth and adults, and hot-button geopolitical issues such as Iran, tariffs, and central bank digital currencies. Adam and John bring their signature media assassination and cultural skepticism, punctuated by offbeat humor, notable soundbites, and astute audience insights.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Alien Files and Disclosure (00:22 – 01:23)

• Donald Trump’s UFO Disclosure Promises: Trump claims he’ll order the Pentagon to release UFO/alien files, following an accusation that Obama leaked classified info. The hosts are skeptical:

  "We're going to see absolutely nothing." — Adam (01:21)

• The segment highlights the cyclical nature of alien file hype in politics and the media’s complicity in stirring public interest with little substance.

2. Jeffrey Epstein Revelations & Deconstruction (02:06 – 23:38)

• New Reports on Epstein Files: Channel 4 reports over 14.6 terabytes of Epstein’s data remain unreleased. Dvorak notes that released material paints Epstein’s homes as high-end brothels/hotels for wealthy, socially awkward men rather than pure blackmail operations.
• Thesis: Epstein as a Billionaire Brothel Owner:

  "He was running a private hotel ... a brothel for high end customers ... If you have a billion dollars, that brings in 50 million a year at 5%." — John (05:00–05:51)

• Floor Plans, ‘Slutolog,’ and Surveilling Girls: The operation mimicked a hotel in amenities and staff. Surveillance was likely to keep tabs on the girls, not to blackmail clients.
• Debate: Brothel vs. Blackmail:

  "Do you think it was used to curry favor, or was there some blackmail at play?" — Adam (06:58)

• Allusions to Underage/Legal Technicalities:

  "17 years old is the age of consent in New York ... And the rest of it was all speculation." — John (10:16)

• Epstein and Kompromat-Obsessed Internet Culture: The online public sees all power moves as driven by "Epstein files" and kompromat.

Zorro Ranch and the New Mexico Truth Commission (11:45 – 18:15)

• Bipartisan Committee to Investigate Alleged Crimes at Epstein’s Zorro Ranch: Andrea Romero (NM State Rep.) outlines plans for full investigation, referencing emails, possible bodies, and DNA-seeding schemes.
• Pressures and Limitations:

  "If folks came forward on a crime, why was this never investigated?" — Andrea Romero (17:10)

The Cast of Characters

• Names like Prince Andrew, Pritzker, Wasserman, and others are mentioned as potentially implicated, stirring up both international political tension and Royal family drama.

Skepticism Toward Victim Narratives and Legal Fallout

• They dissect Virginia Giuffre’s background and media claims about her, noting the complexities and financial incentives at play.

Royal Scandal Fallout (23:45 – 30:54)

• Prince Andrew’s Damaging Involvement: Suspension from royal duties and possible removal from succession due to Epstein ties; BBC coverage notes the monarchy's attempts at damage control.
• Media's Role: Jennie Bond (BBC) and the hosts examine the tradition of "never complain, never explain" and increasing calls for royal transparency.

3. Technology Critique: The 'Controller Slab' (40:00 – 54:22)

• The "Controller Slab" Concept (Smartphones as Modern Shackles):
  Adam recounts feeling "unshackled" when his phone dies unexpectedly, driving home dependency on digital devices for daily life.

  "Calling it a phone is weak and pathetic ... It's a controlling slab or a security slab." — Adam (43:49)

• Social Overstimulation and the 'Mouse Paradise' Experiment: Parallels between overcrowded, overstimulated mice ceasing reproduction and modern humans lost in constant digital interaction (39:00–42:00).
• Smartphone Addiction in Schools:
  Student bans are widely circumvented (kids bring backup phones), illustrating the futility of institutional restraint versus tech-addicted youth (49:17–52:55).

4. Social Media Addiction and Lawsuits (54:31 – 58:50)

• Meta (Instagram) Lawsuit for 'Addicting Children':

  "All of us know social media is a problem, whether it’s on partisanship or making us hate each other." — Kara Swisher (57:24)

• Age Gating Fails: Millions of underage kids use Instagram, exposing the facade of platform moderation efforts.
• Parental Modeling of Tech Addiction:

  "Parents are on it all the time ... In the bedroom, at the dining table..." — John (58:40)

• Anderson Cooper’s Admission:

  "I find myself ... scrolling and feeling terrible about my life because everyone seems to be having a more exciting life." — Anderson Cooper (59:05)

5. AI, Image Rights & Hollywood Hysteria (64:50 – 71:01)

• AI Deepfakes and Likeness Rights:
  Hollywood (via SAG-AFTRA’s Sean Astin) panics over AI tools (e.g., Sea Dance 2.0 by ByteDance) that can replicate famous actors and voices.

  "You’re a journalist. Your job is to make sure that the First Amendment is protected." — Sean Astin, satirically quoted by Adam (67:48)

• No FAKES Act & Copyright: Debate over whether manipulating digital likeness is a free speech or copyright concern.
• Netflix Dumbing-Down & Captions: The move toward bite-sized, easily digested content to cater to lowering attention spans.

6. Tariffs, Global Trade, & Central Bank Digital Currency (81:59 – 103:06)

• Tariffs Supreme Court Ruling:
  Tariffs struck down, quickly replaced by executive action; Cato Institute’s "globalist" lobbying called out (91:08).
• Media & Think Tank Influence:
  The Supreme Court’s decision echoes the Cato Institute’s brief, raising concerns about the Court’s independence.
• Central Bank Digital Currency & Stablecoin (CBDC):
  Trump brothers advocate for USD-backed stablecoins; Adam and John discuss the implications for sovereignty and surveillance.

  "Digital money is digital money and you’re controlled..." — Adam (87:03)

7. Iran & Geopolitical Tensions (128:48 – 147:48)

• Potential US Strike on Iran:
  Build-up of forces, rumors about 'steak and lobster' dinners as an omen; skepticism about the seriousness of the threat.

  "Troops are getting steak and lobster ... that means it’s coming on." — Adam (131:23)

• Nuclear Negotiations as Theater:
  The hosts propose that the nuclear standoff is largely a cover for realignment in oil deals and a pivot away from China.
• Iranian Foreign Minister Holds Firm:

  "It’s very dear to us because we have paid a lot ... now a matter of dignity and pride." — Iranian FM (138:57)

8. Cultural Decline & "Gen Z" Critique (157:21 – End)

• Generational Insults, Mental Health, & Social Atomization:
  • The hosts lament the direction of culture, referencing Gen Z mocking boomers, and a boots-on-the-ground ER nurse’s report of high rates of suicide and psychological distress among trans patients and youth.
  • Notable quote:

    "I may have a goofy ass haircut, but I thank my lucky stars every day I’m not a fat balding conservative in a piece of shit pickup truck." — Gen Z TikTok (159:13)

• Audience & Producer Shout-Outs:
  Value for Value segment, meetups, and show credits reinforce the grassroots, producer-driven community at the heart of No Agenda.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Always Seeing Kompromat:

  "Everything is through the lens of Epstein ... It's amazing. That's the lens that people see stuff through right now." — Adam (11:04)

• On Smartphones:

  "We are the robots. The way people are going, talking to these chat bots ... you are the robot." — Adam (47:52)

• On Social Media:

  "Since 2007 when that phone came out. Satan's tool." — John (62:31)

• Anderson Cooper’s Admission:

  "I find myself ... feeling terrible about my life because everyone seems to be having a much more exciting life." — Anderson Cooper (59:05)

• On the Phone Addiction in Schools:

  "Kids are smart. They have multiple phones ... They're dragging around like Wall Street brokers." — John (53:13)

• On Fake Outrage and Distraction:

  "Hollywood desperately clinging on to relevance when ... that fight scene was a great fight scene ... It’s fantastic." — Adam (67:37)

Important Timestamps

• [00:22] Trump’s UFO/Alien Files Announcement
• [02:06–23:38] Epstein File Deep Dive (AI clips, UK reports, 'Slutolog', etc.)
• [23:45–30:54] Prince Andrew & Royal Family Fallout
• [40:00–54:22] Controller Slab (smartphone addiction/thoughts)
• [54:31–58:50] Social Media Lawsuit, Addiction, and Anderson Cooper’s Confession
• [64:50–71:01] AI Ethics & Hollywood Reactions
• [81:59–103:06] Tariffs, Cato Institute, and Digital Currencies
• [128:48–147:48] Iran, Nuclear Negotiations, and US/China Tensions
• [157:21–end] Gen Z Mockery, Cultural Critique, Meetups, Producer Community

Tone and Language

• Cynically Humorous, Skeptical, and Irreverent: Adam and John maintain their signature banter, freely exchanging barbs and off-the-wall analogies with offbeat, well-researched cultural commentary.
• Interactive: Listeners are referenced, acknowledged, and encouraged to participate via meetups, donations, and time/talent contributions; community stories and boots-on-the-ground reports are central.
• Critical of Mainstream Narratives: The show thrives on exposing inconsistencies, media manipulation, and the absurdity of both official stories and public hysteria.

Conclusion

Listeners are treated to a broad deconstruction of current events, exposing the stories behind the headlines about Jeffrey Epstein, tech addiction, royalty under fire, financial power plays, and the geopolitical theater of Iran. All the while, Adam and John engage listeners as essential co-producers, wielding their signature blend of cultural critique, skepticism, and sardonic wit.

"It's the whorehouse thesis. We'll take it." — Adam (23:23)

"We go out, we hit people in the mouth." — Adam (128:28)

For more, visit noagendashow.com and check out the episode's full archives, show notes, and producer-driven resources.