Podcast Summary: The Glenn Beck Program – Ep 247 | The Secret Hack to Understanding Women | Alex Clark

Release Date: March 1, 2025

Introduction

In Episode 247 of The Glenn Beck Program, host Glenn Beck engages in a profound conversation with Alex Clark, the influencer and host of Culture Apothecary. The duo delves into the intricate relationships between American culture, politics, health, and wellness. They explore the evolving landscape of the conservative movement, the pervasive influence of Big Pharma, the impact of processed foods on public health, and the rising concerns surrounding mental health and medication.

1. The Shift in the Conservative Movement Towards Health and Wellness

Glenn Beck opens the discussion by questioning whether it's "cool to be conservative now," noting a significant transformation within the conservative big tent. Traditionally associated with stereotypical images, the movement is now attracting diverse demographics, including what Beck refers to as "hippies," specifically the positive subset he calls "Maha hippies."

Notable Quote:

"Maha is playing a big role in that. The Maha hippies, they didn't change. They just recognized the left changed and the right is changing as well." – Glenn Beck [00:34]

Alex Clark highlights the emergence of the Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) movement, emphasizing its potential to transcend previous political boundaries and focus on nonpartisan health and wellness issues.

Notable Quote:

"This MAHA movement, this isn't a four-year program for the Trump administration. MAHA will transcend MAGA. It is a nonpartisan political movement to fix our food, to fix our health." – Alex Clark [09:03]

2. Critique of Big Pharma and the Food Industry

A substantial portion of the conversation centers on the detrimental effects of Big Pharma and the processed food industry. Both hosts express skepticism about the effectiveness of pharmaceutical interventions, arguing that they often mask symptoms rather than addressing root causes. The discussion extends to the historical manipulation of food production, referencing figures like John D. Rockefeller and Edward Bernays, who played pivotal roles in shaping modern medicine and dietary habits.

Notable Quotes:

"Big Pharma, Big Food... all of these different things we've been given are protecting no one." – Glenn Beck [31:38]

"Edward Bernays is the father of propaganda... he wrote a scientific letter and sent it out to every doctor in America that says science now shows that the most healthy breakfast is a couple of eggs and some bacon or some ham every morning." – Alex Clark [38:38]

3. The Role of Propaganda and Marketing in Shaping Health Policies

The hosts dissect how propaganda and marketing have historically influenced public perception and health policies. Alex Clark underscores the manipulation behind seemingly benign initiatives like the food pyramid, revealing how various industries have "bought bigger sections" to promote their products under the guise of nutritional guidelines.

Notable Quote:

"Everything we grew up with was completely bought and paid for from the food pyramid." – Alex Clark [36:22]

Glenn Beck references Edward Bernays' strategies to illustrate how marketing techniques have been repurposed to serve industrial and pharmaceutical interests, often at the expense of public health.

4. Impact of Processed Foods on Public Health

A critical examination of processed foods reveals their role in the surge of chronic diseases and declining overall health in America. The discussion highlights how industrialization of food has led to the proliferation of seed oils, GMOs, and other additives detrimental to health.

Notable Quotes:

"We're feeding ourselves artificial products that are causing chronic diseases." – Glenn Beck [31:24]

"Food freedom is a human right. That should be an American right to buy or sell or grow whatever food you want." – Alex Clark [51:14]

Alex Clark shares personal anecdotes, including the tragic loss of his father to health issues exacerbated by poor dietary choices, reinforcing the urgent need for a return to natural, unprocessed foods.

5. Mental Health: Depression and Over-Medication

The conversation shifts to mental health, with a focus on depression and the over-reliance on pharmaceutical solutions. Both hosts express concern over the effectiveness and side effects of antidepressants, advocating for alternative approaches like diet and lifestyle changes to address mental well-being.

Notable Quotes:

"Depression runs in my family like a pack of wild elephants. I lost my mother and brother to suicide." – Glenn Beck [60:52]

"With antidepressants, the placebo effect is almost the same as the actual drug. The antidepressant is basically, the lines are exactly the same." – Alex Clark [64:25]

Alex Clark introduces the concept of Post-SSRI Sexual Dysfunction (PSSD), a severe side effect of antidepressants, highlighting the hidden dangers of over-medicating mental health issues.

6. Personal Stories and Call to Action

Alex Clark shares a deeply personal story about his father's battle with glioblastoma and the challenges of navigating the healthcare system. This narrative serves as a powerful call to action for listeners to prioritize health, make informed dietary choices, and advocate for systemic changes in healthcare and food policies.

Notable Quotes:

"I hope I can save someone else or someone else's loved one." – Alex Clark [74:53]

"Our brains are hijacked. I know exactly what a Jiffy pancake tastes like versus McDonald's. It was engineered that way so that you crave it." – Alex Clark [55:00]

Conclusion

Episode 247 of The Glenn Beck Program presents a compelling discourse on the intersections of politics, health, and culture. Through insightful dialogue, Glenn Beck and Alex Clark illuminate the pressing issues of Big Pharma's influence, the dangers of processed foods, and the complexities of mental health treatment. The episode serves as a clarion call for the conservative movement to embrace health and wellness as pivotal components of its agenda, advocating for informed choices and systemic reforms to foster a healthier, more informed America.

Notable Excerpts with Timestamps

• 00:34 – Glenn Beck questions the current "coolness" of conservatism and introduces Alex Clark.
• 09:03 – Alex Clark explains the nonpartisan nature of the MAHA movement.
• 31:38 – Discussion on the pervasive influence of Big Pharma and Big Food.
• 38:38 – Alex Clark elaborates on Edward Bernays' role in shaping dietary norms.
• 51:14 – Alex Clark asserts that food freedom is a fundamental human right.
• 60:52 – Glenn Beck shares his personal struggles with depression and familial suicide.
• 64:25 – Alex Clark critiques the efficacy of antidepressants compared to placebos.
• 74:53 – Alex Clark narrates his father's battle with glioblastoma and the failures of the healthcare system.

Key Takeaways

• The conservative movement is experiencing a significant shift towards prioritizing health and wellness.
• Big Pharma and the processed food industry have historically manipulated public health policies for profit.
• There is a critical need to return to natural, unprocessed foods to combat chronic diseases.
• Mental health treatment often over-relies on pharmaceuticals, neglecting more holistic approaches.
• Individual choices and systemic reforms are essential to foster a healthier society.

Further Actions for Listeners

• Educate Yourself: Understand the ingredients in your food and avoid industrial seed oils and processed items.
• Advocate for Change: Support movements like MAHA that aim to reform health and wellness policies.
• Promote Natural Health Solutions: Embrace diet and lifestyle changes over pharmaceutical interventions where possible.
• Connect with Local Farmers: Ensure the authenticity of your food sources by knowing and supporting local agriculture.

Resources Mentioned

• Culture Apothecary – Alex Clark's platform focusing on health and wellness.
• Edward Bernays' propaganda strategies.
• Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) movement.

Final Thought

The episode underscores the importance of informed decision-making in personal health and the necessity for broader systemic changes to address the root causes of America's health crises. Glenn Beck and Alex Clark invite listeners to join the movement towards a healthier, more conscious society.