Defending the Human Body in an Engineered Age, feat. Annelise Barron
Annelise E. Barron is the W.M. Keck Associate Professor of Bioengineering at Stanford University. Her lab focuses on human host defense peptides (antimicrobial peptides), particularly LL-37, studying their biophysics, mechanisms of infection defense, and roles in Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease. The group also develops biostable peptoid mimics of LL-37 as potential therapeutics for antibiotic-resistant infections, including neurological, respiratory, and ocular diseases. Past work includes creating mimics of lung surfactant proteins for pneumonia treatment and ventilator-associated lung injury prevention.Dr. Barron’s research extends to the pathogenic mechanisms of COVID-19 and the links between innate immunity, metabolic health, and susceptibility to viral and polymicrobial infections. She is broadly interested in systems-level analyses of complex human diseases.She earned her B.S. in Chemical Engineering from the University of Washington, Ph.D. from UC Berkeley, and completed postdoctoral work at UCSF and Chiron Corp. She joined Stanford in 2007 after a decade on Northwestern University’s faculty. Her awards include the NIH Pioneer Award (2020), Oskar Fischer Award (2022), PECASE (1999), Beckman Young Investigator Award (1999), and Camille Dreyfus Teacher-Scholar Award (1998). She has published over 177 papers (H-index: 58) and co-founded five biotechnology companies.
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1:20:57
How Charlie Kirk Inspired a Generational Movement, feat. Chandler Crump
Chandler Crump is a 20-year-old Gen Z commentator, artist, and activist whose political journey began at age 14 when he attended Turning Point USA’s Young Black Leadership Summit. At that event, TPUSA founder Charlie Kirk told him that he was his “No. 1 fan,” and that it didn’t matter how young he was, that he could still stand and fight for his beliefs. That moment of encouragement inspired Chandler to immerse himself in the conservative movement, and he has since many more TPUSA events. Today, he credits TPUSA with shaping both his worldview and his commitment to advancing the conservative principles of individual liberty, free markets, and open dialogue.
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Telling Stories Nobody Else in Hollywood Will Touch, feat. Alex Lee Moyer
Alex Lee Moyer is a filmmaker, director, and editor best known for probing contemporary subcultures and difficult cultural topics. She started her creative career editing music videos and documentaries, including The New Radical (2017), and gained acclaim for her directorial debut TFW NO GF (2020), a documentary examining the lives of young men immersed in online subcultures. Her second feature, Alex's War (2022), explores the controversial figure Alex Jones, offering a candid look at the polarizing media personality and larger themes of information, trust, and cultural division. Moyer is the founder of Onset Creative, her own production company, intended as an incubator for ambitious and culturally relevant film projects.
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Clear Thinking and Changing How We Speak to One Another, feat. Kaizen Asiedu
Kaizen Asiedu is a Harvard Philosophy graduate, Emmy Award winner, and cultural commentator with 800,000+ followers across social platforms. Publicly endorsed by Elon Musk as a “clear thinker,” Kaizen walked away from his Emmy-winning career at Riot Games—where he helped architect League of Legends’ competitive formats and global esports policies—to pursue truth and elevate public discourse. As the creator of Clear Thinker, Kaizen has developed a systematic course and community that teaches people how to cut through media bias and political manipulation using critical thinking principles grounded in formal philosophy and peer-reviewed psychology. His non-partisan approach to complex cultural and political issues has made him a trusted voice for Americans who feel politically homeless in today’s polarized landscape. Noted for tackling controversial topics ranging from politics to social issues, Kaizen promotes authentic, courageous conversation and encourages his audience to “attack problems, not people.” His mission is to restore clarity, nuance, and civil discourse to American culture by equipping people with the cognitive tools to think independently and resist tribal groupthink—regardless of political affiliation. If you’re interested in learning more about Clear Thinker Academy—featuring both systematic training and a community of truth-seekers—go to clearthinkeracademy.com to join the waitlist.
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1:13:06
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1:13:06
The Lawsuit That Could Reshape Vaccine Injury Accountability Forever, feat. Deb Conrad
Deborah A. Conrad is a physician assistant from Rochester, NY, who was dismissed from United Memorial Medical Center (Rochester Regional Health) in October 2021 after fulfilling her legal duty to report COVID-19 vaccine adverse events to VAERS. She has filed a landmark False Claims Act lawsuit against her former employer, challenging institutional suppression of reporting. As of March 2025, her case has survived a motion to dismiss and has advanced into discovery.
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"Back to the People," hosted by Nicole Shanahan, is a podcast that dives deep into the heart of the most underexplored and often overlooked topics today. Each episode invites listeners into a thought-provoking journey through discussions that illuminate the voices and stories less heard in mainstream media. Nicole brings together experts, activists, and everyday individuals to unpack complex issues, share untold stories, and explore solutions that get back to the core of humanity. This podcast aims to bridge gaps, foster understanding, and bring critical, unseen perspectives to the forefront, empowering listeners to engage with the world in new and meaningful ways. Join Nicole every week for a compelling blend of empathy, curiosity, and enlightenment.
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