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Molly Roberts
Molly I'm Molly Roberts.
Drew Goins
And I'm Drew Goins. Each Friday on Impromptu, we talk through the questions we can't stop thinking about.
Molly Roberts
Do we need to rethink how much we drink?
Drew Goins
Why are companies really asking workers to come back to the office?
Molly Roberts
Does boycotting a business actually work?
Drew Goins
Should we quit social media?
Tutor Dixon
We're here when the news gets personal.
Molly Roberts
And the headlines hit home.
Drew Goins
Join Molly and me every Friday on Impromptu from Washington Post Opinions.
Molly Roberts
Find Impromptu Wherever you get your podcasts.
Drew Goins
It is Ryan here and I have a question for you. What do you do when you win? Like, are you a fist pumper?
Ryan
A woo hooer?
Drew Goins
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Molly Roberts
Of us, personal finances aren't just personal. They include a lot more people than ourselves, loved ones, neighbors, the communities we call home, and the causes we hold in our hearts. At Thrivent, we help plan your financial picture with the bigger picture in mind. Because even though our business is helping guide your finances, our ambition is to make it mean so much more. Thrivent Where Money means more Connect with.
Drew Goins
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Clay
Was a summer camp for critical thinking, we'd be the chief counselors.
Drew Goins
Those jelly heads in June would be intellectual warriors by August.
Clay
Be a lot of fun too. Some Bill and Ted's excellent adventure references.
Drew Goins
Thrown in this podcast like a daily dose of that. Minus the campfires, archery and pranking, the girls.
Clay
The bonafide boot camp for critical thinking. You can get in on it for free at the iHeartRadio app or wherever you get your podcast. Just search our names Clay and Balk. Listen and subscribe.
Tutor Dixon
Welcome to the Tutor Dixon Podcast. We have an exciting podcast for you today because we have Cali Means with us. He is the co founder of True Med and you've seen him both and he and his sister both on the show before. But now life is a little bit different for Callie because he has a very important role as a senior advisor to the new Secretary of Health and Human Services, Robert Kennedy Jr. Callie, thank you so much for joining me.
Cali Means
Oh, it's great to be your tutorial.
Tutor Dixon
Obviously, everybody is watching what's going on right now. We're seeing some cuts at the health agency. You're certainly going to see attacks from the left on that. But I think that a lot of this is what people were looking for on a certain side of the aisle. I mean, on the right side of the aisle, for sure people are looking for this. I think there are people that may be on the left side of the aisle are wondering exactly what that means. But I think, you know, you guys have explained very well that there is not only bloat, but also that there has been a lot of stuff going on perhaps in health and human human services that is not necessarily the best for our health.
Cali Means
Well, I think this shouldn't be a left right issue. It should be readily apparent that the argument that the left is now making that more spending and more staff at HHS equals better health is just ridiculous. We spend three to four times more than European countries per capita on health care, and we're the sickest country in the developed world. We have the most bloated bureaucratic health care system in the developed world and we're the worst. So what Bobby Kennedy with President Trump are saying is that actually more efficiency, more focus on these health institutions doing their job is actually goes hand in hand with better health. And I think clearly when, when Maha moms came out and voted in the 2024 election, they were not voting for more government bureaucrats. They were actually voting to remove a lot of these leaders at our healthcare agencies that just factually have overseen an explosion of chronic disease. If, if Secretary Kennedy and President Trump weren't making moves and installing proactively great new people like Marty McCary at the FDA and Jay Bhattashary at the NIH who took over? Who will take over this week, you know, then what did people vote for? So, so I think everyone should be very encouraged by the fact that we're making HHS more efficient and installing people in there.
Tutor Dixon
Well, and, and when you say great new people, I think that's the part that we want to focus on because we have had so many questions about what is actually in our food, what's actually in our drugs. And that's something that obviously the Maha moms were saying, gosh, we've got all this food dye. We saw Vani Hari come out to Michigan and talk about the food dyes. Now we're seeing kind of on a state level people taking a different look at this. I think it's fascinating. I think I've shared with you before that my own niece has had a situation with food dye where it caused her to have ticks. She doesn't have any food dye, but it's almost impossible. I mean, it is shockingly difficult to eat without food dye. If you get food at the, at the local grocery store, you've seen a strange partnership with legislatures and the statewide level, I think it was, it was West Virginia that just said they're cutting food dye. So what does that look like moving forward?
Cali Means
So I think the framework for Secretary Kennedy is that he's laid out the problem of the explosion of childhood chronic disease, the campaign, and rallied a lot of people to, to come to the Trump fold. And now it's time to execute power. And he's showing the playbook that he's going to use. And, and part of that is state federal partnerships. I mean, this administration really believes in federalism. And I think one of the problems is you've had these top down health mandates, top down food mandates. I think we remember Michelle Obama who was trying to impose top down standards to school districts to not eat meat. This is actually a much more bottoms up approach. And where he started was that states oversee in many ways the food stamp program, the SNAP program, and that's the fourth largest entitlement program. We spend about $120 billion to subsidize food a year for lower income folks. The number one item on that program is soda, which just is insane. I mean, before we get into any, you know, divisive policy, we can all agree that we should not be government subsidizing soda for lower income kids. Nobody's trying to ban anything but like these subsidies should be cut. It's over $10 billion a year. The governors, it turns out, can request waivers to adjust the SNAP ingredients. And until the Trump administration, those waivers and requests have been rejected by the federal government. That's co opted by big food money. So now that you have Secretary Kennedy, Brooke Rollins in charge at the, at the usda, they've asked for these waivers and states have stepped up. West Virginia, as you mentioned the most obese state in the country. Over 80% of the state is. Is overweight or obese. The governor was being besieged by soda lobbyists, and he said no to them. And he stood up, issued this waiver, and it was amazing. This event had, you know, thousands of maha moms, and he's been getting national attention. He said, you know, I think. I think what Secretary Kennedy has is, is the voters are really rewarding people that show courage, and Secretary Kennedy is able to shine a light. So the governors of Utah, Arkansas, of Louisiana, and many other states on the list have followed suit. So it's a really cool example. And we can, I think, follow this playbook when it comes to things like school lunches and other programs where there's a federal state partnership. That's a big message for this administration. Every single governor should be calling Secretary Kennedy and figuring out how to make America healthy. And I can promise these governors, you're going to be rewarded. You're going to be invited to the White House with President Trump and Secretary Kennedy, be celebrated as. As a courageous governor. And we're going to make sure that the political benefit you receive will outweigh the anger that the Soto lobbyists have behind closed doors.
Tutor Dixon
Well, I mean, but it goes beyond anger, because this is a lot of money. And that, I think, is where people go, I don't understand how this happened. You know, there's a massive amount of the public that says, how could it be that the government that is an agency that is supposed to protect our health, could be bribed? And that's something that we're going to be talking to the author of no More Tears, the Dark Secrets of Johnson and Johnson on Monday. And that's kind of when you hear what he has to say. It's been kind of shocking to see how much these corporations have bought government. And they bought government, essentially. And I mean, that's essentially what you were just saying, talking about the governors being brave and fighting against this. It's bravery because not only do these lobbyists exist, but they own certain, essentially people in the government.
Cali Means
Yeah. This is what I think, so exciting about Secretary Kennedy's tenure is that this corruption, I'm sure you've seen a lot of it. And this influence peddling, this corporate capture, it's been able to hide behind closed doors. You know, it's been able to hide in these secret meetings where, you know, truly, for the past 20, 30 years, you've had time and time again, soda lobbyists able to keep this $10 billion subsidy from the food stamp program to Coke. It actually makes no sense. And what's happening now is there's a light being shined. I mean, you had the American Heart association. The American Heart association come into Texas with a lobbyist and argue for soda on snap. And this has been actually happening for 20 years. If you go to the American Heart Association's website, which is a group that sets the standard of care for cardiology in the country, their top donors are all food companies. Millions of dollars. They're a paid lobbyist for food companies. And I've seen this early in my career. They've gone to state capitals for the past 20 years and argued for terrible policies like this. But now they come, they make this argument. They don't realize it's 2025. But President Trump's in charge. Secretary K is in charge. And that video got tens of millions of views immediately. You just had Andrew Huberman, the top healthcare podcaster, talking about it. So the American Heart association actually had to reverse course. They said it was a mistake, but it was not a mistake. They've been lobbying for food companies for decades, but they're finally getting caught. So that's an interesting dynamic. You know, when I was starting with Bobby Kennedy and chatting with the Trump folks about two years ago and really wanting to get this issue more front and center, a lot of lawmakers told me we care about this issue, but the phones aren't ringing off the hook. This isn't a grassroots issue, this idea of children's health. We're getting a lot of calls.
Tutor Dixon
That's so crazy.
Cali Means
Two years ago, there wasn't this. There was clearly this frustration of moms. There was clearly this care about what's happening to chronic disease you heard about on the podcast. People grab it. But it wasn't politically or organized. There weren't phones ringing off the hook. And a dynamic now is wherever Secretary Kennedy talks about, there's focus on that area. So moms on the local level are calling. And there's. When you have that great, you see it tutor, tell me if. If you don't see it in a different way. I mean, when there's grassroots activity on the local level behind an issue, it really. It can defeat the big money interests.
Tutor Dixon
We've got more coming up with Cali means. But first, I want to tell you a little bit about my partners at American Alternative. I know people are seeing the stock market going up and down, and that can be. But that's why you need to think about the stability of gold. I'm excited to announce my newest sponsor, American Alternative Assets. They take a different approach to precious metals. American Alternative Assets gets to know you, they get to know your family, and they want to make sure that precious metals are right for you. You should just call and find out if it's a good fit because they only work with people they know they can help. And then once you're a client, they provide quarterly check ins to ensure your strategy is still on the right track. And here's the best part. American Alternative Assets is offering our listeners a free Wealth Protection Guide and up to $10,000 in free silver with a qualified purchase. So call today. It's 877-522-Gold or visit tutorsgold.com right now to claim your free Wealth Protection Guide. Don't wait until it's too late. Protect your wealth and secure your future. Again, that number is 877-522-Gold or visit tutorsgold.com Molly.
Molly Roberts
I'm Molly Roberts.
Drew Goins
And I'm Drew Goins. Each Friday on Impromptu we talk through the questions we can't stop thinking about.
Molly Roberts
Do we need to rethink how much we drink?
Drew Goins
Why are companies really asking workers to come back to the office?
Molly Roberts
Does boycotting a business actually work?
Drew Goins
Should we quit social media?
Tutor Dixon
We're here when the news gets personal.
Molly Roberts
And the headlines hit home.
Drew Goins
Join Molly and me every Friday on Impromptu from Washington Post Opinion.
Molly Roberts
Find Impromptu wherever you get your podcasts.
Drew Goins
Hello, it is Ryan and we could all use an extra bright spot in our day, couldn't we? Just to make up for things like sitting in traffic, doing the dishes, counting your steps. You know, all the mundane stuff. That is why I'm such a big fan of Chumba Casino. Chumba Casino has all your favorite social casino style games that you can play for free, anytime, anywhere with daily bonuses. So sign up now@chumbacasino.com that's chumbacasino.com no purchase necessary. VGW Group void we're prohibited by law 21 plus terms and conditions apply.
Molly Roberts
For some of us, personal finances aren't just personal. They include a lot more people than ourselves, loved ones, neighbors, the communities we call home, and the causes we hold in our hearts. At Thrivent, we help plan your financial picture with the bigger picture in mind. Because even though our business is helping guide your finances, our ambition is to make it mean so much more. Thrivent Where Money means more Connect with.
Ryan
Us@Thrivent.Com after more than a year of war, terror, pain in Israel, the need for security essentials and support for first responders, it is still very very critical. Israel must be prepared for the next attack and Israel is surrounded by enemies as we all know, on all sides now thank goodness the international fellowship of Christians and Jews. They have been there from day one supporting and they will continue to support the people of Israel with their life saving security essentials. Your gift is critical to make this mission successful. Please, whatever you can provide that'll help them build bomb shelters, provide armored security vehicles and ambulances and firefighting equipment and flak jackets and bulletproof vests. So please give a gift to bless Israel and the people of Israel during their time of survival mode. Just go to supportifcj.org that's one word. Supportifcj.org or give them a call now. 888-488ifcj 888488 ifcj Today, the best way.
Drew Goins
To understand all sides of an issue is to know all sides of an issue.
Clay
Can't get that in the mainstream media. Which is why you've got to listen to some Clay and Buck for another point of view.
Drew Goins
Buck, why are you going third person?
Clay
Because, Clay, I think this ad is running in places that might not exactly align with all of our politics or even know who we are.
Drew Goins
It's impossible. But even if it's true, I bet if they did listen, they'd end up agreeing with us on at least one issue, even if they secretly want admitted.
Clay
Well, the only way they're going to find out is if they download the Clay, Travis and Buck Sexton show podcast on the iHeartRadio app or wherever they get their pods.
Drew Goins
We're easy to find. Unlike your wife at Costco, Clay, you speak the truth.
Clay
But we're already losing people.
Drew Goins
I think I gained one or two just now.
Clay
In case you haven't noticed, we like to have a lot of fun as well as talk about what's going on in the world.
Drew Goins
Come hang with us today and every day at Clay and buck. Download the iHeartRadio app, search out those names, Clay Travis, Buck Sexton and come hang.
Tutor Dixon
Well, we saw how many people came out here to go protest at Kellogg and in it is a big deal on those podcasts like you said. And I think that's something that the left hadn't anticipated. And as we see them kind of melting down, it's interesting because if you look at the breakdown of talk online, the online podcasts that are right leaning have about a half a billion followers. On the left leaning side, it's 100 million. You know, that's a massive difference and that's, I think, what we saw in the election, but that's what we see with public health because people are now saying, oh my gosh, were we lied to? And based on what I'm learning from you and from Gardiner Harris and from some other folks, is that, yeah, we were actually lied to in like major ways. We were lied to. And I, and I take this personally because it goes beyond just the food that we're putting in our systems, it also goes to the drugs that we're putting in our systems. And, and I think that's also something that Secretary Kennedy is very concerned with. And the, the way these drugs were approved, even though they have a lot of clinical trials that are showing that they actually aren't doing what the people, what the organization and the corporation is saying that they're doing, it goes beyond that. I mean, there's so much I look at what I read in this book, what I've seen on podcasts, what you've said, and I think to myself, how do they get it all done? One thing that shocked me when I had this conversation that will air on Monday was medical devices have no tracking system. Medical devices that go into your body have no tracking system. And it just by chance came up because it was, we were talking about how Johnson and Johnson had put this mesh into women that was destroying their bodies. And I said, you know, it's interesting because when I had my, when I had my reconstructive surgery after breast cancer, they put these breast implants in that they said that I then read were causing cancer. And I called my doctor at Johns Hopkins, he goes, oh yeah, you should have those taken out. And I said, but, you know, now that I think about it, no one called me. And he said, we have no way of tracking the United States, but other countries do. We have no way of tracking. I mean, it's like if Kellogg's has to recall something, we all get a notice. But if you have to recall a hip replacement or a breast implant or anything that goes into a human body, you don't know about it.
Cali Means
This is all by design. What I always go to when we talk about how dysfunctional the healthcare system is, or people talk about how bad the websites are to sign up, you know, all the different frustrating, you know, how non transparent payment is. A lot of people talk, oh, this could be so much better. It's, this is the largest industry in the country is healthcare. Healthcare is the largest and fastest growing industry in the country. It's the most employed industry in the country. If something consistently is the same way, it's because the invisible hand of the system wants it that way. And the system benefits from a completely obfuscated, non transparent system. So I think that's why it's so important. You know what President Trump and Bobby Kennedy have talked about, which is like the step one of Maha is just giving patients the truth. Secretary Kennedy said with the cuts, literally, departments at hhs, different agencies sell data to each other. They protect their own data between different, different agencies. The degree of dysfunction in the healthcare system is beyond human comprehension.
Tutor Dixon
It is, that is what's so shocking to me because I'm reading about this stuff and I think to myself, the only place I've heard about this, where a company can get away with poisoning you or putting a defective device inside of your body would be like China or Russia, where there wouldn't be a massive news organization that comes out and says no. But the reason we also have pharmaceutical ads. So the media is funded by the bad guy in many cases. And I'm not saying that all pharmaceutical companies are bad because I don't believe that. But to be clear, there are people, there are bad actors who get to use their leverage, their funding leverage over the media to stop any bad press from coming out. So if there is a product that is no good, if there is, I mean, even when you go through the details of the JJ vaccine for Covid, there was, there was so much hidden. And I want to mention, there's a guy that is making news today, Peter Stein. He's a top official that was at the Food and Drug Administration. He was let go. His job was to oversee the reviewers that evaluate the new drugs and people. So this is news now, you know, because people are like, oh my gosh, they got rid of this guy. And here it's at the same time when next week this book is going to hit, people are going to find out that there have been drugs that have been approved with no record of efficacy and in fact the opposite, a record of death in the, in the clinical trials. And to me, in some of these cases, I'm like, these people are getting pressed because they're being let go. I'm wondering if they should be getting pressed because they should be under investigation.
Cali Means
Yeah, so this is breathless coverage right now of Peter Marks, who's the FDA top science, the top scientist of the fda, the top vaccine regulator. When you read the front pages of every publication today, it's, it's, it's an attack on science. It's, how can this possibly Happen?
Tutor Dixon
Yes.
Cali Means
How can, how can Secretary Kennedy possibly treat the pharmaceutical industry this poorly?
Molly Roberts
Now?
Cali Means
I totally agree with you. There's good people in the pharmaceutical industry. We should have a thriving pharmaceutical industry. What I try to do is just step back to the just overarching incentives of our healthcare system, which nobody can argue make money when more people are sick. The pharmaceutical industry, the hospital industry, even the insurance industry, they make money when there's more sickness in America. That's just a fact. And that incentive has totally captured our institutions and was evident no more. No, there was no clearer evidence of that than this guy, Peter Marks. You know, over his tenure as being the top science FDA since 2012, he Time and time and time again overruled scientists at the FDA in favor of pharma. I mean, one example is that in 2020, the two top vaccine scientists at the FDA were raising some concerns about the COVID vaccine, particularly around whether it should be mandated to soldiers. He pushed those two vaccine scientists out and said they were bringing in transient. This guy has no background in vaccines. He has some buddies at a muscular dystrophy drug company which the FDA expert advisory panel said caused massive toxin loads and liver issues. He approved that drug against advice. And now that drug has caused death recently for a young person of liver failure and is being recalled. There's many, many instances like this where he did pharma's bidding for whatever reason, went against the expert opinion, and the drug ended up being recalled. It was another case with an Alzheimer's drug which caused damage. So, you know, these are the type of people at the fda and for whatever reason, when we have the highest rates of diabetes, obesity, we're the top in the world in cancer rates. Out of 212 countries. We are the worst cancer rates in the world of any country. We're basically towards the worst or worst in almost every chronic disease rate. And then the media acts surprised and offended when we change personnel. So this is what Secretary Kennedy really is fighting against. And I think what the American people need to understand when they see one of those articles. I've talked about this a lot. The reason there are pharmaceutical ads. And basically when you're watching cable news now, it's essentially a long pharmaceutical infomercial. You basically have Skyrizi commercials interspersed with the newscasters talking about how great the latest pharma drug is. So, so, so that. That's an effort to buy the news itself.
Tutor Dixon
Yeah, absolutely. Well, and then you. So then you have a situation where you can't actually tell the truth on These. Stay tuned. We have more with Cali means. But first, I want to tell you a great story about my partners at Genucel. It is heartwarming and refreshingly true. 25 years ago, a woman just like me wanted her youthful glow back. I know what that's like. And so Phyllis neighborhood pharmacy in Colonia, New Jersey, and she asked the pharmacist for an antioxidant cream for her wrinkles. But instead of just grabbing something behind the counter, the pharmacist actually offered to compound one for her overnight. Phyllis used the cream for three days and then she went to her dermatologist appointment and the doctor literally thought she got work done, she looked so good. So obviously Phyllis had to brag about the pharmacy and the pharmacist who made this life changing cream. And that's, believe it or not, how GenuCell Skin Care was born. And that was 25 years ago. GenuCell has shipped millions of orders and yet they still have the same philosophy, antioxidants, same natural base, and the same chef in the kitchen. Celebrating 25 years, Jenucel is offering the best pricing since Phyllis walked into Georgia's pharmacy. And right now you can save over 70% off Genucel's complete skin care package featuring the Genucel under eye bags and puffiness serum. I use it. It's awesome. Also the dark spot corrector, you guys, honestly, it works so well. I used to have this spot on my face that I just could not stand. And now you can look, you can barely see it. It really does great things to you and you have immediate effects in some of these products. Results in minutes. So you want to look 5, 10, even 15 years younger. Do it or your money is guaranteed to return to you. So go to jennycel.comdixon that's. That's jenucel.comdixon Every order includes free shipping. And use Dixon at checkout for that extra discount. It's Jenucel. It's G-E-N-U-C-E-L.com Dixon Again, that's Jennucel.com Dixon Stay tuned. We'll be right back. We've all done it. You see a headline but don't have time to read the whole story or there's so much news you're not sure what is worth your time.
Cali Means
Colby.
Tutor Dixon
I'm Colby Ekowitz, co host of Post Reports, the weekday afternoon podcast from the Washington Post. Post Reports brings you what's relevant and revealing. Breaking stories, politics, wellness, culture. Each episode goes beyond a headline for the context you need. Find post reports now wherever you're listening.
Molly Roberts
For some of us, personal finances aren't just personal. They include a lot more people than ourselves, loved ones, neighbors, the communities we call home, and the causes we hold in our hearts. At Thrivent, we help plan your financial picture with the bigger picture in mind. Because even though our business is helping guide your finances, our ambition is to make it mean so much more. Thrivent, where money means more. Connect with us@thrivent.com after more than a.
Ryan
Year of war, terror, pain in Israel, the need for security essentials and support for first responders, it is still very, very critical. Israel must be prepared for the next attack and Israel is surrounded by enemies, as we all know, on all sides now, thank goodness, the International Fellowship of Christians and Jews. They have been there from day one supporting and they will continue to support the people of Israel with their life saving security essentials. Your gift is critical to make this mission successful. Please, whatever you can provide that'll help them build bomb shelters, provide armored security vehicles and ambulances and firefighting equipment, and flak jackets and bulletproof vests. So please give a gift to bless Israel and the people of Israel during their time of survival mode. Just go to supportifcj.org that's one word. Supportifcj.org or give them a call now. 888-488ifcj 888-488ifcj Today, the best way to.
Drew Goins
Understand all sides of an issue is to know all sides of an issue.
Clay
Can't get that in the mainstream media. Which is why you've got to listen to some Clay and Buck for another point of view.
Drew Goins
Buck, why are you going third person?
Clay
Because, Clay, I think this ad is running in places that might not exactly align with all of our politics or even know who we are.
Drew Goins
It's impossible. But even if it's true, I bet if they did listen, they'd end up agreeing with us on at least one issue, even if they secretly want admitted.
Clay
Well, the only way they're gonna find out is if they download the Clay Travis and Buck Sexton show podcast on the iHeartRadio app or wherever they get their pods.
Drew Goins
We're easy to find. Unlike your wife at Costco, Clay, you speak the truth.
Clay
But we're already losing people.
Drew Goins
I think I gained one or two just now.
Clay
In case you haven't noticed, we like to have a lot of fun as well as talk about what's going on in the world.
Tutor Dixon
World.
Drew Goins
Come hang with us today and every day at Clay and buck, download the iHeartRadio app, search out those names. Clay, Travis, Buck Sexton and come hang.
Tutor Dixon
It's been interesting to watch Secretary Kennedy because this isn't a power struggle for him. This isn't a money grab. He has said for years, this is truly who he is. I want to end childhood chronic disease, and I think ending childhood chronic disease ultimately goes into adulthood, too, because those kids are going to grow up. I mean, our generation grew up on foods that were unhealthy, on medications that were being given at a, you know, too many medications. I mean, we now have the most depressed society with the most depressed depression medications. And what we were talking about, what you'll hear us talking about on Monday, is that oftentimes once one of these drugs gets passed by the fda, it's very hard to ever have it reviewed, even if there is information coming back saying this isn't effective, it just stays as an approved drug. And then you've got these, these drug salesmen from the pharmaceutical companies that are pushing it, pushing it, keep pushing it, keep pushing it with the doctors. So you have that, but you also have kids with fatty livers. We've, we've really never seen that before. I mean, that was, my doctor was talking to me about the show. Yeah, we've got these kids with fatty livers now. And I will tell you just the striking difference. When I go, I went to a choir festival last week and the kids came out, and the striking amount of children who are in middle school who are really considerably overweight. And, and these are not, it's not like, you know, those kids, parents just don't care. I don't, I don't believe that for a second. I believe that it is very, it is a struggle to get foods that are healthy for our kids right now. Because I believe that the reason we're seeing this is that the food is, is causing this problem, what, what our kids are ingesting. But it's not just that. I will say also, doctors want to put kids on antidepressants immediately that cause them to gain weight. How can this also be? Why is there no oversight over this?
Cali Means
So you're, you're getting me very fired up here. And, and honestly, like, I get emotional thinking about this because, because we're working right now on a report that President Trump has asked for in an executive order, which is to really analyze what's causing this chronic disease crisis, analyze the trends of childhood chronic disease, analyze how the US Compares to other countries. And we've solicited input from experts around the country. And our initial notes, which is simply bullet points of statistics, is 1500 pages and I just turn to a random page and it's shocking statistics about childhood chronic disease. This report's going to just shock the country. And it's just, it's just, it's just shocking how we got here. And, and I think that's why, you know, millions of, of moms and independents and young people who had probably four years ago never considered voting. Trump came to Trump for the first time because Bobby really awakened that issue. So the Trump administration is really going to lay out this problem. It's going to be the first government administration history to really call this stuff out. Because actually it's interesting seeing these policy debates. There's really a lot of lobbying pressure to not even release the truth. Like actually, yes, like it's explicitly, explicitly what, what food companies and pharma companies argue is it's not even policy. They literally like it's going to hurt us to release that data. So I think one thing Bobby, Secretary Kennedy and President Trump make clear is, listen, we can have policy debates, but we're not going to take lobbying input on releasing transparency data to the American people. That ship has sailed. So they're going to do, thank goodness. You know, I, I think what's so powerful is Secretary Kennedy has power now. He, he has his hand on top of the, the largest department in government. It's actually HHS is the largest by budget government department in the world. And, and he's going to be able to do these things like the SNAP reform. He issued a guidance on baby formula that we're going to immediately figure out why baby formula is so dysfunctional in the United States, make America the leading country for baby formula. He issued this ruling on the grass standards, the fda, right now we have self policing of our food. You talked to Bonnie about this. We don't even know what's in our food. The food dyes are in there because the, the food industry is able to put them in without even checking, you know, whether you're conservative or liberal. Complete self policing Wild west where literally the government doesn't even understand what's in our food. And there's no studies on the chemicals in our food. I mean that, that doesn't make any sense even just from a basic transparency standpoint. So, so Bobby Kennedy, day after day is announcing these actual actions. And I think this system's been rigged by thousands of small steps. And I think if we can just get this momentum on actions that Secretary Kennedy is taking again and again and again. In four years, we're going to be amazed with how different the system looks. One that isn't so callous about children's disease, about vaccine injuries, about the food we're putting in our kids mouths. I mean, we just become immune to all these issues. And I think, I think we're gonna have a much different culture in four years if we keep it up.
Tutor Dixon
Well, and I think that the shocking thing to moms in America has been to hear folks like you come out and say, you know, it's not like this in Europe. They're not allowed to do this. It's like, wait a minute, what? Why?
Cali Means
Bonnie Hari Food Babe has become one of my best friends and I, my unsolicited thoughts to her is always, you know, she holds up the, the ingredient list between the U.S. and Europe. And you know, it's, it's three ingredients in McDonald's fries in Europe and 17 here. And then the Fruit Loops have, you know, in Europe a watermelon juice and beet juice and carrot juice. And here it's crude oil derived, you know, substances, a bunch of other chemicals that they don't have in Europe. I tell Vonnie, just like hold those up until the end of time. Like the European comparisons are so powerful because I don't want to give Europe much credit and they frankly don't have a very good health care system. They have a terrible, like, like inefficient socialist systems in a lot of ways. The point is it's not about the intricacies of health policy. We have a cultural and almost corporate cronyism, corruption issue where we just have such powerful interests that are predicated on, you know, cheap addictive food and then, and then sick care and, and that's one thing this report's going to have, the presidential report. There's, there's going to be over 100 comparisons between Europe, you know, from everything from, you know, the vaccine schedule to school lunches to pharmaceutical prescription guidelines, you know, to standards for kids on exercise. We are like an order of magnitude off, you know, not even mentioning that, you know, a big one is pesticide use. I mean, again, a lot of discussions to have, a lot of policies to talk about. These are complicated issues. But we should know the truth. We should know the truth that the US is dramatically an outlier on things like pesticides. We have worse pesticide standards than China. You know, these developing countries can't afford the disease and sickness and poisoning of their population. So, so we actually have some of the worst standards for some of these things actually in the developed or developing world.
Tutor Dixon
As our health care system gets bigger, we have to be recognizing the fact that that means people are getting sicker. It is really sick care. It's trying to treat symptoms and as you treat symptom, get more. And it just keeps continuing to blow up. I look forward to that report. I really, really do. Because, I mean, just from what you're saying, school lunches, we just got a notice from the school saying, you know, we're complying with all of the state requirements. And I love our school, but our kids have cinnamon rolls at lunch and Bosco sticks. And they were so concerned with the Bosco sticks having that mozzarella in it, they had to teach the extra, the extra help at lunch CPR because. And the Heimlich maneuver because of that, instead of getting a healthy food. I mean, that's the thing my mind, you know, and so I look at that and I say, man, what will we do with school lunches? And you brought up formula. I just like baby formula not being filled with nutrients. It's shocking. So we definitely look forward to that report. We're so glad that you are where you are right now. I mean, I remember months ago interviewing you and thinking, where could this man go and how can he help us? And there you are as a senior advisor in health and human services. And it just brings tears to my eyes because we're so proud of you. Kelly Means. Thank you so much.
Cali Means
Thanks for all you do.
Tutor Dixon
Yep. Thanks for coming on the podcast and thank you all for listening to the podcast. For more episodes, go to the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. And join us next time. Have a blessed day. There's an efficient way to get caught.
Molly Roberts
Up on a lot of news. It's called the seven from the Washington Post.
Tutor Dixon
It's a newsletter and podcast.
Molly Roberts
Whether you're reading or hit play, you get seven stories you need to know.
Tutor Dixon
And you can consume it all in just a few minutes.
Molly Roberts
The 7 is out every weekday morning by 7:00am Eastern.
Tutor Dixon
I'm Hannah Jewell. I'm one of the writers and I.
Molly Roberts
Host the show Find the seven Podcast. Wherever you're listening, the newsletter link is waiting for you in the show. Notes. For some of us, personal finances aren't just personal. They include a lot more people than ourselves. Loved ones, neighbors, the communities we call home, and the causes we hold in our hearts. At thrivent, we help plan your financial picture with the bigger picture in mind because Even though our business is helping guide your finances, our ambition is to make it mean so much. More Thrivent where money means more. Connect with us@thrivent.com hey Clay, if there.
Clay
Was a summer camp for critical thinking, we'd be the chief counselors.
Drew Goins
Those jelly heads in June would be intellectual warriors by all.
Clay
Be a lot of fun too. Some Bill and Ted's excellent adventure references.
Drew Goins
Thrown in this podcast like a daily dose of that, minus the campfires, archery and pranking the girls.
Clay
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Podcast Summary: The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show – "The Tudor Dixon Podcast: MAHA Meets DC with RFK Jr. Advisor Cali Means"
Release Date: April 2, 2025
In this insightful episode of The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show, hosts Clay Travis and Buck Sexton delve deep into the complexities of the U.S. healthcare system with special guest Cali Means, a senior advisor to Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the new Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS). The conversation navigates through significant policy changes, the battle against bureaucratic inefficiency, and the pervasive influence of corporate interests in public health.
The episode kicks off with Tutor Dixon introducing Cali Means, highlighting his pivotal role in shaping the new direction of HHS under RFK Jr.'s leadership. Cali emphasizes the non-partisan nature of the healthcare reforms, asserting that improvements should transcend the traditional left-right political spectrum.
Cali Means (02:54): "This shouldn't be a left-right issue. More efficiency and focus within health institutions are key to better health."
A primary focus of the discussion is the significant reduction in unnecessary spending within HHS. Cali critiques the prevailing notion that increased spending and staffing automatically lead to better health outcomes, pointing out that the U.S. spends three to four times more on healthcare per capita than European countries yet ranks poorly in health indicators.
Cali Means (03:32): "We spend three to four times more than European countries per capita on healthcare, and we're the sickest country in the developed world."
Cali elaborates on the administration's strategy to foster partnerships between federal and state governments, particularly in reforming the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). He criticizes the allocation of SNAP funds to unhealthy products like soda, advocating for waivers that allow states to adjust SNAP benefits to promote healthier food choices.
Cali Means (05:49): "Before, big food money co-opted federal decisions. Now, with Secretary Kennedy, we're empowering states to make healthier choices, like reducing soda subsidies."
A significant portion of the conversation addresses the entrenched corruption within the healthcare system, especially the undue influence of pharmaceutical companies. Cali exposes how organizations like the American Heart Association have historically lobbied for policies that benefit food and drug corporations rather than public health.
Cali Means (08:31): "The American Heart Association's top donors are all food companies. They've been pushing detrimental policies for decades, but now we're shining a light on their true agenda."
Cali highlights alarming issues such as the lack of tracking systems for medical devices implanted in patients, leading to unchecked health risks. He criticizes the FDA's lenient approval processes, citing instances where dangerous drugs were approved despite evidence of potential harm.
Cali Means (20:00): "Peter Marks overruled scientists in favor of pharma repeatedly, approving drugs that have since been recalled due to severe side effects."
Discussing the alarming rise in chronic diseases, especially among children, Cali underscores the administration's commitment to transparency and data-driven policies. He mentions upcoming reports that will unveil shocking statistics about childhood chronic diseases, aiming to inform and mobilize public opinion against corporate malfeasance.
Cali Means (26:57): "This report will shock the country. We're putting an end to the culture of sickness fueled by corrupt corporate interests."
The conversation extends to global comparisons, illustrating how U.S. health standards lag behind those of Europe and even some developing nations. Cali points out discrepancies in food ingredient regulations and pesticide use, emphasizing the need for stringent oversight to protect public health.
Cali Means (35:11): "European standards on pesticides and food ingredients are vastly superior. The U.S. has become an outlier with some of the worst standards globally."
Cali concludes by outlining a vision for a transformed healthcare system free from corporate corruption, prioritizing preventive care, and ensuring that policies are guided by genuine health outcomes rather than profit motives. He is optimistic that the current momentum will lead to substantial improvements in public health over the next few years.
Cali Means (37:08): "In four years, we're going to have a vastly different healthcare system—one that truly cares about preventing disease rather than just treating symptoms."
Efficiency Over Expenditure: Increasing healthcare spending does not equate to better health outcomes. Streamlining HHS operations is essential for meaningful improvements.
State Empowerment: Allowing states to tailor SNAP benefits can lead to healthier food choices and reduce subsidy misuse.
Combatting Corporate Lobbying: Transparency initiatives aim to dismantle the longstanding influence of food and pharmaceutical giants on public health policies.
Medical Oversight Reforms: Enhancing tracking systems for medical devices and tightening FDA approval processes are critical steps toward safeguarding patient health.
Chronic Disease Prevention: A proactive approach to tackling chronic diseases, especially in children, through informed policy-making and public awareness.
Global Standards Alignment: Aligning U.S. health and safety standards with global best practices to ensure higher public health standards.
This episode offers a comprehensive examination of the systemic challenges within the U.S. healthcare system and the bold initiatives underway to address them. Cali Means provides a candid perspective on the necessary reforms to eliminate inefficiency, reduce corporate corruption, and ultimately foster a healthier society. Listeners gain valuable insights into the intricate interplay between government policy, corporate influence, and public health, underscoring the critical need for continued advocacy and reform.
For those interested in the full conversation, you can listen to the episode here.