TFTC: A Bitcoin Podcast

Episode #728: The Peer Review Cartel with Nicholas Hoelscher
Date: March 18, 2026
Host: Marty Bent
Guest: Nicholas Hoelscher, Epidemiologist and Administrator at the McCullough Foundation

Episode Overview

In this episode, Marty Bent sits down with Nicholas Hoelscher, an epidemiologist deeply involved in controversial vaccine research, to discuss concerns regarding the COVID-19 vaccines, the peer review process in medicine, childhood vaccine schedules, and alleged systemic failures in public health and regulatory agencies. The discussion covers emerging findings on long-term vaccine components in the body, links to cancer, neurodevelopmental disorders, the integrity of scientific publishing, and sociopolitical inertia thwarting change. Nicholas also shares personal motivations and offers advice for listeners passionate about affecting change.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Latest Research on COVID-19 Vaccine Injuries

Timestamp: 02:42 – 13:59

• Persistence of Vaccine Components:

  • Nicholas describes a case where Pfizer mRNA and plasmid DNA were found in a patient’s tissues 3.5 years after vaccination.
  • They found spike protein, Pfizer mRNA, and SV40 plasmid DNA in skin and blood long after injections.
  • “We basically confirmed that mRNA injection components can last in the human body for at least three and a half years.” — Nicholas Hoelscher [06:07]

• Potential Cancer Link (“Turbo Cancers”):

  • Case reports suggest rare, aggressive cancers in vaccinated individuals, with plasmid DNA detected in tumor tissue.
  • CDC data shows 136,000 excess cancer deaths in the US post-mass vaccination.
  • “Both mRNA and viral vector platforms … appear to be carcinogenic. So it’s a very worrisome situation.” — Nicholas Hoelscher [12:37]

2. Cancer Incidence and Causation Mechanisms

Timestamp: 13:59 – 18:01

• International studies (Italy & South Korea) cited for increased risk of major cancers in the vaccinated population.
• Suggests mRNA vaccines suppress immune function (downregulating T cells, tumor suppressor genes).
• “It’s basically just downregulating the body’s immune capacity.” — Nicholas Hoelscher [16:09]

3. Public Perception & Policy Action

Timestamp: 17:30 – 22:34

• Ongoing suppression by regulatory agencies; positive polling shift amongst the public—56% of Americans now believe COVID shots caused mass deaths (Rasmussen survey).
• Legislative efforts in states like Idaho to ban mRNA shots, especially for children and pregnant women.
• “We are in the majority now, the American public...” — Nicholas Hoelscher [19:02]

4. Challenges in Large-Scale Study and Data Transparency

Timestamp: 22:34 – 26:21

• Lack of federal or mainstream large-scale studies; resource limitations hamper independent research.
• Recent study: 37% of vaccinated (but not infected) pregnant women had spike protein in placentas up to a year post-vaccination.

5. Childhood Vaccine Schedule & Association with Autism

Timestamp: 26:21 – 35:22

• No childhood vaccine licensed via long-term placebo-controlled trials; all tested against other vaccines.
• Nicholas’s comprehensive review: out of 136 studies, 107 found a positive link between vaccines and neurodevelopmental disorders.
• Correlation between vaccine dose increase and autism rates post-1986 (liability shield law for manufacturers).
• “Vaccines appear to most definitely be the single most dominant risk factor, modifiable risk factor for autism.” — Nicholas Hoelscher [30:15]
• AI tools (Grok, ChatGPT, Gemini) fed the research and concluded vaccines cause autism.

6. Mechanism: How Vaccines Might Induce Autism

Timestamp: 31:40 – 35:22

• Discusses role of mercury, aluminum, and other adjuvants (polysorbate 80, neomycin, formaldehyde).
• Vaccines can overwhelm infant detox systems, lead to encephalitis, febrile seizures, and developmental regression.
• Cites case reports: “They develop a high fever ... then they have a febrile seizure ... and after they recover, they’re not the same. They’ve regressed developmentally.” — Nicholas Hoelscher [34:28]

7. Vaccines and Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS)

Timestamp: 35:22 – 38:42

• Recent preprint analyzed VAERS data—over 300 MMR/MMRV vaccine death reports vs. 7 measles deaths since 1995.
• “Vaccines are killing far more children than measles infection. Far more.” — Nicholas Hoelscher [37:06]

8. Misinformation & the Measles Resurgence Narrative

Timestamp: 38:42 – 40:24

• Nicholas rebuts the claim that reduced vaccination drives measles return, suggesting vaccines cause more harm than the disease.
• “A vaccine should never kill more than the disease.” — Nicholas Hoelscher [39:37]

9. Adult Vaccines, Alzheimer's, and Dementia

Timestamp: 42:24 – 44:59

• Large retrospective study: vaccinated adults had 38% higher dementia risk, 50% higher Alzheimer’s risk, dose-dependent.
• “The more doses that these adults received, the higher the risk of dementia became. So that’s a signal of a possible causal relationship...” — Nicholas Hoelscher [43:50]

10. Systemic Barriers: Liability, Economics & the Peer Review "Cartel"

Timestamp: 44:59 – 59:32

• Admitting harms would unleash major lawsuits and economic instability; continues to be covered up.
• Peer review in medical publishing described as a “cartel.” Claims that no critical vaccine papers get accepted in top journals, which are financially linked to pharma.
• “There appears to be a journal cartel ... intentionally suppressing information that was against the vaccines.” — Nicholas Hoelscher [55:44]
• Calls for RICO investigations into scientific publishers.

11. Personal Motivation & Professional Backlash

Timestamp: 50:31 – 54:57

• Nicholas motivated by witnessing the COVID-19 response in 2020; chose public health to investigate harms.
• Faced ostracism and career threats during degree studies for his research focus.
• “I was already under the impression that the shots were, you know, inducing large numbers of deaths in individuals... It should have necessitated an immediate FDA Class 1 recall.” — Nicholas Hoelscher [53:11]
• Autopsy study published, then retracted twice before finally staying up.

12. Disillusionment with Political Solutions

Timestamp: 58:37 – 60:44

• Disappointment in the pace and depth of policy response from leaders (RFK Jr., Trump), with vaccine reform moving “much slower than many of us would have liked.”
• “Now they’re not even talking about vaccines at all ... unfortunately, these political games will set us back another year.” — Nicholas Hoelscher [60:29]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “If you talk about a Fed just gone nuts ... in a world where central bankers are tripping over themselves to devalue their currency, Bitcoin wins.” — Nicholas Hoelscher [00:10/00:22]
• “We basically confirmed that mRNA injection components can last in the human body for at least three and a half years.” — Nicholas Hoelscher [06:07]
• “Both mRNA and viral vector platforms, AstraZeneca, Johnson & Johnson appear to be carcinogenic. So it’s a very worrisome situation.” — Nicholas Hoelscher [12:37]
• “A vaccine should never kill more than the disease. And since that’s the case, alternatives are needed.” — Nicholas Hoelscher [39:37]
• “The more doses that these adults received, the higher the risk of dementia became. So that’s a signal of a possible causal relationship when you have dose dependency.” — Nicholas Hoelscher [43:50]
• “There appears to be a journal cartel ... intentionally suppressing information that was against the vaccines.” — Nicholas Hoelscher [55:44]
• “Those who have made these choices to mandate these products to their employees, you know, perhaps they should go out of business.” — Nicholas Hoelscher [46:52]
• “Now they’re not even talking about vaccines at all ... unfortunately, these political games will set us back another year probably of any actionable policy regarding these dangerous injections.” — Nicholas Hoelscher [60:29]
• “Help disseminate this information, because mainstream media does not cover any of it. None of it.” — Nicholas Hoelscher [61:08]
• “For the next mRNA injection, the next booster, the next lockdown, the next vaccine passport system. Don’t comply.” — Nicholas Hoelscher [62:47]
• “Be vigilant.” — Host 2 (Marty Bent) [65:01]

Actionable Takeaways for Listeners

Timestamp: 61:02 – 65:01

• Share research and evidence among social, personal, and online circles—mainstream media coverage is absent.
• Contact local legislators to express concerns and demand policy change.
• Reject fear of social ostracism and “sheep” mentality; speak truth despite opposition.
• Refuse future vaccine mandates and boosters.

Structure & Flow of the Conversation

• The episode moves from technical scientific findings, to larger public health trends, then to the philosophical and political aspects of system failure and the suppression of dissent.
• Nicholas’s tone is forceful, unwavering, and direct, frequently citing specific studies and population data, always circling back to his central theme: systemic cover-up, regulatory capture, and the failure of public institutions.
• The host interjects as a passionate but dismayed parent, serving as a relatable stand-in for listeners concerned about their children and the broader social implications.

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Intro & Guest Background — 00:41
• COVID Vaccine Injury Case Study & Molecular Findings — 02:42
• Cancer Links & Population Data — 08:04
• Mechanisms of Carcinogenesis — 14:23
• Public Opinion & Legislation — 18:01
• Research Challenges & Recent Findings — 22:56
• Childhood Vaccine Schedule & Autism Review — 26:21
• Potential Mechanisms for Autism — 31:51
• SIDS & Infant Mortality Related to Vaccines — 35:50
• Debate on Vaccine Misinformation and Measles Outbreaks — 38:42
• Adult Vaccines and Dementia/Alzheimer’s Signal — 43:11
• Accountability, Liability, and Economic Impact — 44:59
• Peer Review & Medical Publishing “Cartel” — 54:57
• Personal Motivation & Institutional Pushback — 50:31
• RFK Jr., MAGA, and Political Disappointment — 58:37
• Suggestions for Grassroots Action — 61:02
• Closing Remarks (Be Vigilant!) — 65:01

This wide-ranging and polemical episode provides an in-depth critique of the vaccine industry, public health leadership, and medical publishing, from a voice on the front lines of contrarian vaccine research. The conversation is dense with technical detail, specific case studies, and strategic advice for advocacy and resistance, all delivered in a defiant, activist tone.