Fighting Matters

In this episode of Fighting Matters, Steve Kwan and Stephan Kesting unpack the political chaos of early 2026 and its real-world consequences for martial artists. From international instability and economic shocks to propaganda, media capture, and rising authoritarianism, they discuss why “keeping politics out of jiu-jitsu” is no longer possible... and what individuals can actually do in moments like this. 🔗 Links Mentioned: • Fighting Matters Linktree — [https://linktr.ee/fightingmatters](https://linktr.ee/fightingmatters) • BJJ Mental Models — [https://bjjmentalmodels.com](https://bjjmentalmodels.com) • Grapplearts — [https://grapplearts.com](https://grapplearts.com) ⸻ 👥 Featuring: • Steve Kwan — @bjjmentalmodels • Stephan Kesting — @stephankesting ⸻ 🧠 Topics Discussed: • Why global politics now directly affect martial arts • Authoritarianism, distraction, and media manipulation • Economic collapse, inflation, and gym sustainability • Voting with your dollars and leaving toxic gyms • Building unlikely coalitions in existential moments • Why silence and “staying apolitical” is no longer neutral ⸻ 📖 Chapters: 00:00 — Opening and Stephan’s rant 03:30 — Distraction politics and global instability 08:20 — Checks, balances, and institutional failure 15:00 — Elections, force, and fear 24:40 — Canada, China, and economic survival 39:00 — Why martial artists can’t ignore this 46:30 — What individuals can actually do 56:10 — Coalitions, Rogan, and strange bedfellows 01:04:40 — Voting with your dollars 01:07:15 — Final thoughts and calls to action

This episode of Fighting Matters closes out the year with a no-holds-barred look at Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in 2025. The hosts break down the biggest wins, deepest disappointments, and most important moments that shaped the sport—on and off the mats. From cultural flashpoints to genuine bright spots, this is BJJ’s year in review, warts and all. 🔗 Links Mentioned: • Fighting Matters Linktree — [https://linktr.ee/fightingmatters](https://linktr.ee/fightingmatters) • Fighting Matters Substack — [https://fightingmatters.substack.com](https://fightingmatters.substack.com) ⸻ 👥 Featuring: Steve Kwan — @bjjmentalmodels Mike Mahaffey — @oldbastardbjj Jesse Walker — @roughhandsbjj ⸻ 🧠 Topics Discussed: • The biggest controversies in BJJ in 2025 • Sexual misconduct and accountability in the sport • Extremism, grifters, and bad actors in Jiu-Jitsu • Disappointments and missed opportunities • The year’s most positive moments and standout contributors ⸻ 📖 Chapters: 00:00 — Intro & framing BJJ’s year in review 02:45 — The worst of BJJ in 2025 18:40 — Accountability, abuse, and culture problems 41:10 — Transition to the best of 2025 46:30 — Positive standouts and hopeful trends 58:40 — Final thoughts and looking ahead to 2026

In this episode of the Fighting Matters podcast, hosts Steve Kwan, Mike Mahaffey, and Jesse Walker confront the relentless bullying and scapegoating of transgender athletes, especially within combat sports. They unpack how bad-faith arguments, misinformation, and moral panic have turned a tiny minority into a political and cultural punching bag, and discuss what gym owners, coaches, and training partners can do to create safer, more inclusive spaces. 🔗 Links Mentioned: • Fighting Matters Linktree — [https://linktree.com/fightingmatters](https://linktree.com/fightingmatters) • BJJ Mental Models (Steve Kwan) — [https://bjjmentalmodels.com](https://bjjmentalmodels.com) • Old Bastard BJJ (Mike Mahaffey) — [https://instagram.com/oldbastardbjj](https://instagram.com/oldbastardbjj) • Rough Hands BJJ (Jesse Walker) — [https://roughhandsbjj.com](https://roughhandsbjj.com) ⸻ 👥 Featuring (Hosts): • Steve Kwan — @bjjmentalmodels • Mike Mahaffey — @oldbastardbjj • Jesse Walker — @roughhandsbjj ⸻ 🧠 Topics Discussed: • How trans athletes became a political and cultural scapegoat • Bullying vs. good-faith discussion around sports and fairness • Why hate movements target small, vulnerable groups • Misogyny, fear, and propaganda in combat sports culture • What gym owners can do to make their spaces safer and inclusive ⸻ 📖 Chapters: 00:00 — Why trans athletes are being targeted 03:30 — Scapegoating and bad-faith arguments 07:45 — Why this problem must be addressed by gym culture 13:10 — Sports, fairness, and fabricated moral panics 21:00 — Propaganda, fear, and political exploitation 42:30 — What coaches and gyms can do differently 54:10 — Final thoughts on dignity, accountability, and inclusion

The Fighting Matters crew is joined by Shaun Benson from The Boys to talk about about the show and how it relates to the state of the world right now. Along the way we explore the blurring of lines between credible information and disinformation, the rise of Fascism, and the real bad guy responsible for evil in both The Boys and the real world. Follow Shaun on Tiktok https://www.tiktok.com/@shaunybenso and on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/shaunmbenson/

In this episode of Fighting Matters, Steve Kwan and Jesse Walker talk with writer Adrian Nathan West about his New York Times piece on Craig Jones, exploring how trolling, politics, and culture collide in modern Jiu-Jitsu. 🔗 Links Mentioned: • The NYT Article — [https://nyti.ms/3Y1N6oz](https://nyti.ms/3Y1N6oz) • Nate West’s Website — [https://anathanwest.com](https://anathanwest.com) • The Baffler — [https://thebaffler.com](https://thebaffler.com) ⸻ 👥 Featuring: Steve Kwan — [https://bjjmentalmodels.com](https://bjjmentalmodels.com) Jesse Walker — [https://roughhandsbjj.com](https://roughhandsbjj.com) Adrian Nathan West — [https://anathanwest.com](https://anathanwest.com) ⸻ 🧠 Topics Discussed: • Why Craig Jones is a uniquely effective internet troll • Gordon Ryan’s influence on young grapplers • How Jiu-Jitsu intersects with politics • The importance of fact-checking in modern media • The future of independent journalism • Whether trolling can actually shift culture in BJJ ⸻ 📖 Chapters: 00:00 — Welcome & Introductions 02:00 — How the NYT Article Came Together 06:30 — Craig Jones’ Online Persona 12:45 — Gordon Ryan’s Political Influence 18:00 — Why Athletes Shape Public Opinion 25:10 — Left, Right, and Populism in BJJ 32:00 — Fact-Checking for the NYT 38:30 — The Rise of Independent Media 45:20 — AI’s Impact on Journalism 53:00 — Should We All Be Trolls? 57:20 — Where to Find Nate’s Work

In this episode of the Fighting Matters podcast, hosts Steve Kwan, Stephan Kesting, and Jesse Walker break down how bad BJJ coaches trap students with rank. They explore how belt pressure becomes a tool for fear and control, why some gyms drift into cult-like behavior, and how to spot red flags before you get stuck. 🔗 Links Mentioned: • Grapplearts Black Friday Sale — [https://www.grapplearts.com](https://www.grapplearts.com) • BJJ Mental Models Premium — [https://bjjmentalmodels.com](https://bjjmentalmodels.com) • Rough Hands BJJ — [https://roughhandsbjj.com](https://roughhandsbjj.com) ⸻ 👥 Featuring: Steve Kwan — @bjjmentalmodels Stephan Kesting — @StephanKesting Jesse Walker — @roughhandsbjj ⸻ 🧠 Topics Discussed: • How bad coaches use rank as leverage • Why students feel trapped in toxic gyms • How cult dynamics show up in BJJ • When to leave and how to stay safe • Why character matters more than belts ⸻ 📖 Chapters: 00:00 Intro 02:10 Why rank becomes a trap 10:45 When coaches cross the line 22:30 Cult signs inside BJJ gyms 35:40 How to get out safely 47:20 Why character matters most 59:00 Final thoughts and deals

In this episode of the Fighting Matters podcast, hosts Steve Kwan, Mike Mahaffey, and Jesse Walker talk about the recent political shift of Marjorie Taylor Greene (MTG) and her public apology regarding her past rhetoric and actions. They explore the implications of her apology, the need for accountability, and the potential for redemption in politics. 🔗 Links Mentioned: • Fighting Matters Linktree — [https://linktree.com/fightingmatters](https://linktree.com/fightingmatters) • Fighting Matters Food Drive (direct link) — [https://teamfeed.feedingamerica.org/teams/7625](https://teamfeed.feedingamerica.org/teams/7625) • Fighting Matters Substack — [https://fightingmatters.substack.com](https://fightingmatters.substack.com) ⸻ 👥 Featuring: Steve Kwan — [https://bjjmentalmodels.com](https://bjjmentalmodels.com) Mike Mahaffey — [http://oldbastardbjj.com](http://oldbastardbjj.com) Jesse Walker — [https://roughhandsbjj.com](https://roughhandsbjj.com) ⸻ 🧠 Topics Discussed: • Marjorie Taylor Greene's recent apology is a rare moment in politics. • The need for accountability and consequences for past actions is crucial. • Creating off-ramps for defectors from harmful ideologies is important. • Empathy and understanding can help bridge political divides. • Misinformation plays a significant role in shaping beliefs and actions. • The rise of extremism poses a serious threat to political discourse. • Finding common ground is essential for moving forward. • Public apologies can pave the way for political redemption. • The importance of community initiatives in addressing social issues. • Engaging in face-to-face conversations can foster understanding. ⸻ 📖 Chapters: 00:00 Introduction and Light Banter 01:24 Marjorie Taylor Greene's Political Shift 06:15 The Complexity of Apologies in Politics 10:01 Navigating Human Rights and Political Accountability 17:01 The Role of Redemption in Politics 20:58 Consequences and the Future of Political Figures 28:04 The Need for a Reckoning in Politics 35:14 Navigating Extremism and Hate Groups 37:51 The Dangers of Normalizing Hate 39:22 The Complexity of Redemption 41:30 Assessing Paths to Redemption 44:34 Creating Off-Ramps for Extremists 48:42 The Political Landscape Shift 53:16 Finding Common Ground 01:01:28 Community Action and Food Drives

MMA analyst Luke Thomas joins the Fighting Matters crew to discuss fixing fights in the UFC in particular, and MMA in general. We look at which specific type of fighter is being targeted, who might be behind it, and the role of the FBI in investigating the UFC. More Luke Thomas MMA analysis on his YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/lukethomas Luke Thomas gets political: https://www.youtube.com/@LukeThomasGetsPolitical Follow Luke Thomas on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lukethomasnews Luke Thomas on Substack: https://lthomas.substack.com/

In this episode, Steve Kwan, Jeff Shaw, and Jesse Walker break down how the ongoing SNAP and ACA shutdown could devastate working-class Americans, and why Jiu-Jitsu gyms will be hit especially hard. They unpack how food assistance and healthcare subsidies keep communities afloat, why cutting them is both illegal and economically disastrous, and how martial artists can take action through solidarity, food drives, and conscious spending. 🔗 Links Mentioned: • Fighting Matters Food Drive — [https://teamfeed.feedingamerica.org/teams/7625](https://teamfeed.feedingamerica.org/teams/7625) • Fighting Matters Substack — [https://fightingmatters.substack.com](https://fightingmatters.substack.com) • BJJ Mental Models — [https://bjjmentalmodels.com](https://bjjmentalmodels.com) ⸻ 👥 Featuring: Steve Kwan — [https://bjjmentalmodels.com](https://bjjmentalmodels.com) Jeff Shaw — [https://bellinghambjj.com](https://bellinghambjj.com) Jesse Walker — [https://roughhandsbjj.com](https://roughhandsbjj.com) ⸻ 🧠 Topics Discussed: • What the SNAP shutdown really means for Americans • How ACA cuts raise healthcare costs for everyone • The ripple effect on gyms and small businesses • SNAP’s economic multiplier and why it matters • Why “the cruelty is the point” in U.S. politics • Building community resilience through action ⸻ 📖 Chapters: 00:00 Introduction 02:15 What SNAP Really Does 05:20 How Food Assistance Fuels the Economy 09:40 Why Jiu-Jitsu Gyms Will Feel the Pain 12:30 Launching the Fighting Matters Food Drive 18:10 Debunking SNAP Myths 24:30 The Affordable Care Act Fallout 28:40 Real Stories of Rising Premiums 33:10 Tax Cuts, Inequality, and Stagnation 40:00 Jiu-Jitsu Analogies for a Broken Economy 45:20 What Gym Owners Can Do 50:10 Voting With Your Wallet 52:00 Final Thoughts: Stay Strong as a Community

In this episode, Steve Kwan sits down with journalist Michael Colborne of Bellingcat to expose how far-right movements use aesthetics and martial arts culture to recruit young men. They discuss the origins of the “active club” network, the rise of far-right fashion and fitness subcultures, and how hate groups weaponize masculinity and community to spread extremism. Michael also shares how visual literacy can help parents, coaches, and martial artists identify warning signs and resist radicalization within their own gyms. 🔗 Links Mentioned: • Michael Colborne’s work — https://www.bellingcat.com/ ⸻ 👥 Featuring: Steve Kwan — @BJJMentalModels Michael Colborne — https://colborne.bsky.social/ ⸻ 🧠 Topics Discussed: • How “active clubs” exploit MMA and gym culture • The far-right’s obsession with aesthetics and branding • Recognizing coded extremist symbols and fashion • How online propaganda turns into real-world violence • What parents and coaches can do to push back ⸻ 📖 Chapters: 00:00 Introduction 03:00 What Are Active Clubs? 10:00 The Three F’s: Fashion, Fitness, Fighting 18:00 Symbols, Codes, and Far-Right Aesthetics 28:00 How Hate Groups Recruit 38:00 Warning Signs for Parents and Coaches 53:00 Countering Radicalization in Martial Arts 01:07:00 Humor, Awareness, and Pushing Back

In this episode of Fighting Matters, Steve Kwan sits down with UK political video essayist JimmyTheGiant and Truth Collective founder Chris Ingram to unpack how billionaire networks, social media algorithms, and post-truth politics are reshaping democracy across the globe. Links mentioned: • JimmyTheGiant on YouTube — https://www.youtube.com/@JimmyTheGiant • The Truth Collective — https://truthcollective.global • BJJ Mental Models — https://bjjmentalmodels.com ⸻ 👥 Featuring: Steve Kwan — @BJJMentalModels JimmyTheGiant — @JimmyTheGiant Chris Ingram — The Truth Collective ⸻ 🧠 Topics Discussed: • How online radicalization targets young men • The billionaire networks funding global disinformation • Project 2025 and the “post-truth” political era • The rise of rent-seeking capitalism and tech feudalism • Why social isolation fuels extremism • How independent media can fight back ⸻ 📖 Chapters: 00:00 Introduction 02:00 Jimmy’s journey out of the alt-right pipeline 09:30 How billionaires weaponized media and politics 18:00 The global export of MAGA conservatism 30:00 Why fascism is resurging worldwide 43:00 The tech economy, AI, and rent-seeking capitalism 56:00 How misinformation thrives in the attention economy 1:10:00 Rebuilding truth through independent media 1:23:00 Closing thoughts and next steps

When gym leaders stay silent, people get hurt. In this episode of Fighting Matters, Steve Kwan, Stephan Kesting, and Jesse Walker speak with guest Sonia Sillan of Combat Arts Academy about what happens when Jiu-Jitsu coaches fail to protect their students. Together, they unpack the culture of silence in martial arts, the myth of “mat enforcers,” and how real leadership means building safe spaces and speaking up when it matters most. Combat Arts Academy — https://caaseattle.com Sonia Sillan on Instagram — @combatartsacademy ⸻ 👥 Featuring: Hosts: Steve Kwan — @bjjmentalmodels Stephan Kesting — @stephankesting Jesse Walker — @roughhandsbjj Guest: Sonia Sillan — @combatartsacademy ⸻ 🧠 Topics Discussed: • Why coaches must speak up about abuse • The dangers of “mat enforcer” culture • How to teach emotional regulation on the mats • Creating a trauma-informed beginner program • Breaking silence and rebuilding trust in Jiu-Jitsu ⸻ 📖 Chapters: 00:00 Introductions & Gym Culture 04:20 Why Jiu-Jitsu Needs Beginner Programs 09:45 The Myth of Mat Enforcers 16:00 Emotional Regulation and Rolling Intensity 27:00 Speaking Up to Power 33:40 When Coaches Fail Their Students 36:45 Handling Abuse and Reporting It 44:00 How to Build Safe Gym Culture 53:00 Gaslighting and Victim Blaming in Jiu-Jitsu 1:10:00 Leadership, Integrity, and Doing What’s Right

In this episode of Fighting Matters, Steve Kwan (BJJ Mental Models), Jeff Shaw (Bellingham BJJ), and Mike Mahaffey (Old Bastard BJJ) sit down with journalist and Muay Thai fighter Karen Attiah. Karen was the founding editor of the Washington Post’s Global Opinions section and later a columnist covering race, gender, and culture. After 11 years at the Post, she was abruptly fired (by email) for “violating social media policy.” Her real offense? Speaking honestly about power, violence, and free speech in America. Together, the panel explores what Karen’s story reveals about censorship, media ownership, and how corporate media is collapsing under the weight of its own contradictions. They dig into the chilling effect on journalists, the influence of billionaires over public discourse, and the uneasy marriage between combat sports and authoritarian regimes. This is a conversation about free speech, courage, and what it means to fight inside and outside the ring. Support Karen @ The Golden Hour on Substack: https://karenattiah.substack.com/ ⸻ 👥 Featuring: Karen Attiah — Journalist @, The Golden Hour, author, Muay Thai silver medalist Jeff Shaw — @BellinghamBJJ Steve Kwan — @BJJMentalModels Mike Mahaffey — @OldBastardBJJ ⸻ 🧠 Topics Discussed: • Why the Washington Post fired Karen Attiah • The death of free speech in corporate media • Saudi Arabia, sportswashing, and martial arts • How authoritarianism co-opts combat sports • Fighting as therapy, resistance, and truth-telling ⸻ 📖 Chapters: 00:00 Introduction to Karen Attiah 01:50 Karen's Journey in Journalism 04:15 The Impact of Social Media on Journalism 10:58 The Incident Leading to Termination 14:19 Free Speech and Its Implications 18:48 The Role of Media Ownership 24:03 The Legacy of Jamal Khashoggi 30:41 The Intersection of Combat Sports and Politics 36:09 The Double Standards in Free Speech 43:27 Lessons from Combat Sports 45:37 The Power of Wrestling in Storytelling 48:07 Wrestling and Politics: A Cultural Connection 51:56 Martial Arts: A Personal Journey 59:03 The Intersection of Martial Arts and Politics 01:06:01 Finding Strength in Community and Self-Awareness 01:12:02 The Future of Independent Media and Personal Agency

In this episode of Fighting Matters, Steve Kwan (BJJ Mental Models), Jesse Walker (Rough Hands BJJ), and Stephan Kesting (Grapplearts) dive into the chaos of America’s accelerating news cycle. From Charlie Kirk’s assassination to Trump’s authoritarian rhetoric, from RFK Jr.’s war on science to the weaponization of “cancel culture,” the team unpacks why democracy feels like it’s collapsing in real time. Together, they explore how “flooding the zone” with scandals makes it impossible to process events, why speech and violence aren’t the same but are getting dangerously blurred, and how propaganda is rewriting history before our eyes. Along the way, they connect politics back to the martial arts community, asking whether it’s even possible to “keep politics out of Jiu-Jitsu” when the very freedoms that allow us to train are under threat. The takeaway: democracy doesn’t collapse in one big moment; it dies fast, in floods of outrage, distraction, and chaos. ⸻ 👥 Featuring: Stephan Kesting — Grapplearts, Essential Wilderness Steve Kwan — BJJ Mental Models Jesse Walker — Rough Hands BJJ ⸻ 🧠 Topics We Cover: • The “flood the zone” strategy and why chaos is the point • Charlie Kirk’s assassination and his canonization into a martyr • Trump’s public calls to prosecute political enemies • Stephen Miller’s funeral speech vs. Joseph Goebbels’ rhetoric • Speech vs. violence — where’s the real line? • Jimmy Kimmel, the FCC, and government-driven censorship • Free speech absolutism and its real limits • The weaponization of propaganda inside martial arts spaces ⸻ 📖 Chapters: 00:00 Introduction to Fighting Matters 01:02 Round Robin: The Week’s Most Insane News 06:43 Charlie Kirk’s Assassination & Fallout 15:20 Stephen Miller’s Speech vs. Nazi Parallels 20:14 Capitulation, Propaganda, and Corporate Cowardice 27:02 Speech vs. Violence: Where’s the Line? 33:45 Social Media, Disinformation, and Civil War Rhetoric 40:01 Free Speech Absolutism Debunked 47:35 The Charlie Kirk Memorial as Propaganda Theater 54:35 RFK Jr., Autism, and Attacks on Science 01:01:12 Polio, Vaccines, and the Return of Preventable Diseases 01:05:30 Cognitive Dissonance and the MAGA Movement 01:09:00 Closing Thoughts & Where to Find Us

In this episode of Fighting Matters, Steve Kwan (BJJ Mental Models) and Jesse Walker (Rough Hands BJJ) welcome special guest Dr. Derek Jones. Derek is a BJJ black belt, innovation educator, and retired philosophy professor whose work bridges martial arts, culture, and political thought. Together, the team explores how memes evolved from internet jokes into one of the most powerful tools of propaganda in modern politics. From Richard Dawkins’ Selfish Gene to AI-driven meme floods, from the shifting Overton Window to the weaponization of humor, this conversation digs into how memes shape culture, spread extremism, and even destabilize democracy. Along the way, we discuss comedy as cover, the dangers of nihilism, and whether memes can still be reclaimed for good. The takeaway: memes aren’t harmless entertainment; they’re a frontline in the battle over culture, politics, and truth itself. ⸻ 👥 Featuring: Derek Jones — BJJ black belt, social innovator, philosopher Steve Kwan — @BJJMentalModels Jesse Walker — Rough Hands BJJ ⸻ 🧠 Topics We Cover: • What memes really are: from Dawkins to digital culture • How memes spread faster than truth, and why they stick • The Overton Window and cultural manipulation • Comedy, plausible deniability, and “just joking” politics • AI meme factories and the flood of propaganda • The Joker, fascism, and the politics of nihilism • Can memes be used for good? ⸻ 📖 Chapters: 00:00 Introduction to Fighting Matters 01:01 Meet Derek Jones: Black Belt & Philosopher 03:15 What Is a Meme, Really? 07:13 How Memes Shape Personality and Culture 09:53 Why Anyone Can Now Create Viral Propaganda 14:10 AI and the Future of Meme Warfare 20:14 Memes, Overton Windows, and Shifting Norms 23:55 The Plausible Deniability of Sharing Memes 28:23 Comedy as Cover: From Pepe to Rogan 33:43 The Joker, Fascism, and Mocking the System 37:51 Memes as News and the COVID Meme Boom 41:36 Is Society Getting Dumber, or Just Faster? 46:49 Offloading Memory to AI: Help or Harm? 53:37 Wall-E vs. Terminator: The Real AI Dystopia 55:49 Human Responsibility in an Automated World 59:09 Can Memes Still Be Used for Good? 01:02:26 Levity, Connection, and Fighting Back with Humor 01:03:08 Closing Thoughts

In this special reaction episode of *Fighting Matters*, Jesse Walker and Mike Mahaffey respond to the shocking assassination of conservative influencer Charlie Kirk at a Utah event. While both hosts strongly condemn Kirk’s rhetoric as harmful and divisive, they emphasize that political violence is never the answer and only undermines progressive causes. They discuss the dangers of normalizing assassination as a political tool, the disproportionate fallout such acts will have on marginalized communities, and the urgent need to fight bad ideas with better ideas rather than bullets. Ultimately, they call for kindness, free speech, and a recommitment to democratic debate as the only sustainable way forward.

In this episode of Fighting Matters, hosts Stephan Kesting and Steve Kwan engage with Derek Beres, a health and science journalist and co-host of the Conspirituality podcast. They explore the role of RFK Jr and the Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) movement's role in promoting conspiracy thinking, inaccurate health narratives, and spreading of misinformation about vaccines. Stephan, Steve and Derek examine the historical roots of the anti-vax movement, the role of individualism in health conspiracies, and the influence of wellness culture on public health. They discuss the challenges of misinformation, the financial motivations behind health narratives, and the need for systemic change in health policy. 00:00 The Intersection of Conspiracy and Wellness Culture 06:04 The Deep Historical Roots of the Anti-Vax Movements 08:50 COVID Denialism and Its Roots 11:40 The Role of Individualism in Health Beliefs 14:47 How MAHA Has Dismantled Health Tracking Data 17:40 Data Integrity and COVID Death Counts 23:37 Why RFK's approach Is a Disaster for People Who Aren't Rich 26:42 The Profit Motive in Wellness 37:57 The Ethics of Supplement Marketing 41:34 The Dangers of Misinformation in Health 45:46 Contradictions in MAHA and MAGA Public Health Messaging 51:54 The Role of Personal Responsibility in Health 56:20 The Impact of Wellness Influencers 01:01:22 The Appeal of Common Sense Solutions 01:03:55 The Challenge of Misinformation Follow the Conspirituality Podcast on all channels or go to [https://www.conspirituality.net](https://www.conspirituality.net/) Keep up with Derek's analyses of the situation at [https://www.derekberes.com](https://www.derekberes.com/) or at [https://bsky.app/profile/derekberes.bsky.social](https://bsky.app/profile/derekberes.bsky.social)