Shawn Ryan Show #248

Guest: Jon Delaney | Episode Title: Who's Protecting Jeffrey Epstein's Secrets?

Date: October 27, 2025

Overview

In this episode, Shawn Ryan sits down with Jon Delaney, the founder of "Real News, No Bullshit," to tackle the decay of media credibility, the manipulation of narratives (both foreign and domestic), the invisible hand of propaganda, and the persistent secrecy shrouding the Jeffrey Epstein case. Through a candid, wide-ranging discussion, they break down how modern journalism is being weaponized, how foreign and corporate influences have infiltrated even independent outlets, and what can be done to reclaim truthful information in the "psyop age." The conversation is unvarnished, skeptical, and ultimately hopeful about the role of independent voices and human connection.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Origins and Purpose of "Real News, No Bullshit"

[01:10-04:58]

• Jon Delaney, not a veteran or official, launched Real News, No Bullshit out of frustration with media division, echo chambers, and headline spin.
• The turning point: the chaos and division of January 6th made him realize he needed to broadcast unfiltered news, not just to friends but to larger audiences.
• “We've got to get back to a place where people can start treating Americans like Americans again. We're far from that, dude.” - Jon Delaney [24:11]

2. On Faith, Personal Growth, and Accountability

[05:13-11:19]

• Delaney discusses his current spiritual search; grew up Catholic, now reading the Bible daily.
• Offers a Civil War-era Bible to Shawn as a symbolic gift (“Both sides blamed each other, but the church just burned. Fits what we’re talking about – everyone blaming each other.” [07:16])
• Shawn recommends “Jesus Calling” for plainspoken guidance.

3. Propaganda, Bias, and the State of Modern Media

[12:06-23:10]

• Delaney’s definition of propaganda: “Just things that are outright bullshit that they're pushing.” Gives examples from his Ukraine coverage.
• Notes that the majority of media, globally and in America, is now driven by interests, not facts.
• "I would say propaganda is any form of manipulation of the truth to include lying... that also includes withholding truth." - Shawn Ryan [16:30]
• The American media landscape: stories painted to fit red/blue narratives, with crucial facts often omitted to fit preconceived stories.

4. Echo Chambers, Algorithms, and Information Siege

[31:58-36:20]

• Both agree older generations (esp. Boomers) are stuck in single-source, unsalvageable echo chambers.
• The algorithmic “cage”: social platforms only feed users topics/narratives they already agree with, further polarizing.
• “You can tell when you’re in a cage when every other post is all the same subject... it’s a specific one-sided narrative about that subject.” - Shawn Ryan [35:53]

5. Building "Real News, No Bullshit" – Internal Practices

[37:05-41:12]

• Delaney’s small, deliberately contradictory staff ensures a balance of perspectives.
• Each story is crafted by at least two writers with opposing views, then synthesized.
• Final publishing control rests with Delaney to filter out strong individual biases.

6. Double-Edged Sword of Independent Media

[42:27-54:55]

• The breakdown of trust in Corporate Media (especially starting with the Trump “fake news” era and COVID-19 suppression of alternate theories) led to a boom in independent outlets.
• Yet, the "rise of independent media" is now plagued by profit motives: most outlets, left and right, are activists chasing clicks, not journalists.
• “All activists, mini-CNNs, mini-Fox News... They’re not journalists.” - Jon Delaney [54:59]

7. Influencer Payments and Engineered Narratives

[64:12-79:44]

• Detailed exposé (with evidence) of “influencers” receiving direct payments to parrot specific talking points, especially around SNAP benefits, soda bans, Trump imagery (see Influenceable marketing company example: [64:20-73:44]).
• Many influencers did not disclose payment, betraying their self-described “independent” status.
• This practice is rampant on both right and left; extends to celebrities acting as campaign surrogates, but with less transparency/danger.
• “If you’re taking money and pushing news, calling yourself independent, you’re not independent. You’re owned.” - Jon Delaney [72:38]

8. Foreign Influence – The Real Front Line

[79:50-115:50]

• Direct government outreach:
  • The UK directly approached Delaney, offering exclusive access to shape stories about UK policy issues for an American audience ([81:39-87:17]).
  • Delaney questions the ethics regardless of ally/adversary status: “If it’s okay for them to do it, is it OK for China, Russia, Qatar, Israel, too?” [91:16]
• Covert foreign influence:
  • Offered large sums (up to $40,000) for stories in China via a US marketing agency, under the auspices of a Chinese government entity ([96:54-101:37]).
  • Highlighted Russia’s use of US-based PR firms to secretly pay influencers for Ukraine war narratives; mentions DOJ investigations.
  • Israel, Qatar, and other Middle Eastern states are named as heavy payers for social media influence, often using US intermediaries and sometimes offering $7,000+ per post.
• All sides weaponize division and manufacture favorable narratives—often under the public radar.

9. Weaponized Bots, Comment Section Manipulation, and Digital Warfare

[133:22-144:01]

• Explains the rise of “bot networks”—from OnlyFans spam to sophisticated copycat accounts with entire fake digital lives.
• Bots now steer comment conversations, generate polarizing content, mimic human users (sometimes including friends/family connections).
• Some bots even interact with other bots, creating the illusion of real debate under posts.
• “You might be arguing with somebody that's not even real.” - Jon Delaney [138:01]
• Touches on cutting-edge physical tactics: attempts to jam Manhattan cell towers using fake phone calls, likely foreign actors.

10. Societal Fallout and Solutions

[144:01-end]

• Massive distrust: Nuclear-armed states sit at a “table” where some hide their firearms (real intentions), making the world less stable.
• Modern life is increasingly dictated by algorithms, attention capture, and weaponized information.
• The only counter? Human connection and critical self-reflection.
  • “All you can do is be the person to set the example.” - Shawn Ryan [115:50]
  • “Get out of your echo chamber. Challenge your thoughts.” - Jon Delaney [118:54]
• Delaney and Shawn both advocate for reading/listening outside one's comfort zone, seeking human interaction offline, and holding all sources—mainstream and independent—accountable to the same standards.
• Suggests possible long-term solutions: bipartisan executive leadership, algorithmic transparency, societal patience as younger, more skeptical generations replace older ones tethered to old narratives.

Notable Quotes and Memorable Moments

• On Media Propaganda:

  • “It's hard to zero in on what's true and what's not. You know, you might say one thing and the guy behind you has a different story.” – Jon Delaney [17:07]

• On Social Media Echo Chambers:

  • “If you get stuck in an echo chamber, then you’re basically being herded like sheep.” – Jon Delaney [33:29]

• On Corporate/Foreign Influence in Independent Media:

  • “That’s not independent. You’re owned.” – Jon Delaney [72:38]
  • “If we’re supposed to be what the mainstream isn’t, we’re doing an awful job. This is worse.” – Jon Delaney [105:32]

• On the Epstein Case Cover-Up:

  • “Unless it aligns with the wildest conspiracy theory out there, nobody’s going to believe it.” – Shawn Ryan [122:38]
  • “Our government’s done this to itself. It’s the boy who cried wolf. You lie once, twice, three times… eventually nobody believes you.” – Jon Delaney [123:05]

• On Human Connection as the Fix:

  • "You have to show you can have a fucking conversation with someone you disagree with, and it can be a cordial, nice conversation. That's how you make change." – Shawn Ryan [118:48]
  • “Much more unites us than divides us. You just don't realize it because people get stuck in the echo chambers.” – Jon Delaney [159:52]

• On Hope and Moving Forward:

  • “We gotta get back to that. If we don’t, it’s not good.” – Jon Delaney [159:15]

Timestamps for Important Segments

• Jon’s Origin Story, January 6th Impact: [01:10-04:58, 22:01-24:11]
• Faith and Spiritual Search: [05:13-11:19]
• Defining Propaganda and Media Analysis: [12:06-23:10]
• Algorithmic Echo Chambers: [31:58-36:20]
• Internal Practices at "Real News, No Bullshit": [37:05-41:12]
• Rise and Risks of Independent Media: [42:27-54:55]
• Influencer Payment Scandals; Specific Examples: [64:12-79:44]
• Foreign Influence and Government Outreach: [79:50-115:50]
• Weaponized Bots and Digital Warfare: [133:22-144:01]
• Societal Collapse, Solutions, and Hope: [153:05-159:37]

Conclusion

This episode lays bare the realities of modern media: entrenched propaganda, weaponized narratives, profit-driven activists masquerading as journalists, and a flood of foreign and domestic manipulation—all feeding unprecedented division and skepticism. Delaney and Ryan’s solution isn’t technical, but deeply human: reject the echo chamber, practice self-skepticism, build real connections—even with those you despise—and demand honesty from every source. As the world’s “psyops” accelerate, vigilance and dialogue—not dogma—are the only way to protect the truth.

Find Jon Delaney:

• Instagram: @realnewsnobullshit
• Website: RealNewsNoBullshit.com

Find Shawn Ryan:

• The Shawn Ryan Show
• @VigilanceElite