Today we discuss “gender affirming surgeries”, AI and the future of cognition, and wild foxes. Kaiser Permanente is pausing surgery on trans-presenting children—we discuss sex and gender, meaning and identity, delusion and madness. Then: unlike the physical multiverse, mental multiverses are common, and becoming more so, as AI makes it ever more difficult to know what is true. We discuss grief, and how our worlds must fork when we think, but do not know, that someone has died. Similarly, when events are unclear—who was responsible for the death of President Kennedy in 1963? Are aliens visiting Earth—we must keep multiple mental universes alive in our heads at once. Correctives to this include meeting people in person, and embracing belief systems that have timeless value. Finally: more wild foxes, this time trying to eat a raccoon carcass. Included: discussion of the evolution of territoriality, parental care, and animal behavior more generally.

*****

Our sponsors:

Masa Chips: Delicious chips made with corn, salt, and beef tallow—nothing else—in loads of great flavors. Go to http://masachips.com/DarkHorse, use code DarkHorse, for 20% off.

Caraway: Non-toxic, beautiful, light ceramic cookware. Save $150 on a cookware set over buying individual pieces, and get 10% off your order at http://carawayhome.com/darkhorse10.

CrowdHealth: Pay for healthcare with crowdfunding instead of insurance. It’s way better. Use code DarkHorse at JoinCrowdHealth.com to get 1st 3 months for $99/month.


*****

Join us on Locals! Get access to our Discord server, exclusive live streams, live chats for all streams, and early access to many podcasts: https://darkhorse.locals.com

Heather’s newsletter, Natural Selections (subscribe to get free weekly essays in your inbox): https://naturalselections.substack.com

Our book, A Hunter-Gatherer’s Guide to the 21st Century, is available everywhere books are sold, including from Amazon: https://amzn.to/3AGANGg (commission earned)

Check out our store! Epic tabby, digital book burning, saddle up the dire wolves, and more: https://darkhorsestore.org

*****

Mentioned in this episode:

Kaiser Permanente pauses “gender-affirming surgery” for minors: https://x.com/BillboardChris/status/1948119275094552610

Do not affirm, do not comply: https://darkhorsestore.org/products/do-not-affirm-do-not-comply-t-shirt-unisex

From Myths to the Multiverse: How Knowledge Evolves w/ Bret Weinstein & Brett Hall: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kp8DevWKCic

Malaysia Airlines 370: https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/search-missing-malaysia-airlines-flight-suspended-end-year-rcna199653

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Today we discuss organ donation, and parenting in the animal world. Organ donation: how can we modify incentives so that people who need organs have a good chance of getting them, but people with healthy organs are never sent to an early death because their organs are valuable? Then: a natural history primer on parental care and feeding ecology of some local mammals and birds. What can be learned from observing the successful parenting of both barn swallows and red foxes?

*****

Our sponsors:

Jolie: Beautiful showerheads that filter out the garbage without reducing water pressure. Go to http://jolieskinco.com/DarkHorse to get free shipping; free returns within 60 days.

Fresh Pressed Olive Oil Club: Scrumptious & freshly harvested. Go to http://www.GetFreshDarkHorse.com to get a bottle of the best olive oil you’ve ever had for $1 shipping.

ARMRA Colostrum is an ancient bioactive whole food that can strengthen your immune system. Go to http://www.tryarmra.com/DARKHORSE to get 15% off your first order.

*****

Join us on Locals! Get access to our Discord server, exclusive live streams, live chats for all streams, and early access to many podcasts: https://darkhorse.locals.com

Heather’s newsletter, Natural Selections (subscribe to get free weekly essays in your inbox): https://naturalselections.substack.com

Our book, A Hunter-Gatherer’s Guide to the 21st Century, is available everywhere books are sold, including from Amazon: https://amzn.to/3AGANGg (commission earned)

Check out our store! Epic tabby, digital book burning, saddle up the dire wolves, and more: https://darkhorsestore.org

Thumbnail Solskin/DigitalVision via Getty Images

*****

Mentioned in this episode:

NYT 2025: Push for more organ transplants puts donors at risk: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/07/20/us/organ-transplants-donors-alive.html

NYT 2003: Bret letter to the editor on organ donation and incentives: https://www.nytimes.com/2003/11/18/opinion/he-gave-of-himself-so-that-i-could-live-3-letters.html

Monty Python’s The Meaning of Life on organ transplants: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sp-pU8TFsg0

Cornell on barn swallows: https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Barn_Swallow/overview

Avian Architecture: https://amzn.to/4f4Hxh5 (commission earned)

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Bret Weinstein speaks with Dr. Jonny Hudson and Dr. Michael S. Bryant on the subject of Nazi doctors. 

Dr. Jonny Hudson has a PhD in Holocaust and Genocide Studies and Dr. Michael S. Bryant has a PhD in Modern European History and is a Professor of History and Legal Studies at Bryant University. He is also the author of “Confronting the ‘Good Death’: Nazi Euthanasia on Trial, 1945-53” and Nazi "Crimes and their Punishment."

*****

Sponsors:

Fresh Pressed Olive Oil Club: Scrumptious & freshly harvested. Go to http://www.GetFreshDarkHorse.com to get a bottle of the best olive oil you’ve ever had for $1 shipping.

VanMan: Tallow and honey balm, deodorant, and many other amazing animal based personal care products. Go to http://www.vanmanscompany.com/darkhorse and use code darkhorse10 for 10% off your first order.

*****

Join DarkHorse on Locals! Get access to our Discord server, exclusive live streams, live chats for all streams, and early access to many podcasts: https://darkhorse.locals.com

Check out the DHP store! Epic tabby, digital book burning, saddle up the dire wolves, and more: https://www.darkhorsestore.org

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Today we discuss Epstein, Trump, MAGA, and how we know what we think we know. The actual economy exists, as does the attention economy; now Bret introduces a new term: the leverage economy. This implies that there is a commodity that we cannot see, which can be used to coerce players to act in certain ways. We see evidence of this in academia, in the news, and in politics. Discussion includes data mining, conspiracy, and whether Trump will pick up neocons as he loses some of his base.

*****

Our sponsors:

Everyday Dose: Coffee plus collagen, mushrooms & nootropics – delicious! Get 45% off your first subscription order and also receive free gifts at  everydaydose.com/darkhorse.

Fresh Pressed Olive Oil Club: Scrumptious & freshly harvested. Go to www.GetFreshDarkHorse.com to get a bottle of the best olive oil you’ve ever had for $1 shipping.

Sundays: Dog food so tasty and healthy, even husbands swear by it. Go to www.sundaysfordogs.com/DARKHORSE to receive 35% off your first order.

*****

Join us on Locals! Get access to our Discord server, exclusive live streams, live chats for all streams, and early access to many podcasts: https://darkhorse.locals.com/

Heather’s newsletter, Natural Selections (subscribe to get free weekly essays in your inbox): https://naturalselections.substack.com

Our book, A Hunter-Gatherer’s Guide to the 21st Century, is available everywhere books are sold, including from Amazon: https://amzn.to/3AGANGg (commission earned)

Check out our store! Epic tabby, digital book burning, saddle up the dire wolves, and more: https://darkhorsestore.org

*****

Mentioned in this episode:

Goldberg in the NYT: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/07/14/opinion/trump-jeffrey-epstein-files.html

Trump on truth social: https://x.com/chesschick01/status/1945498352507879536

Heinrichs in the Free Press: https://www.thefp.com/p/the-rights-1939-project

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Today we discuss YouTube, flash floods, science, and Epstein. First: a head injury explains our late start, but all is fine. Then: four years after being demonetized by YouTube, both of our channels have been remonetized. Why were we demonetized in the first place, and what did we refuse to do to get back in the good graces of YouTube? Also: flash floods are often tragic, but does it inherently follow that they are due to anthropogenic climate change? Similarly, does not believing that mRNA shots will work against Covid mean that you don’t believe in Covid? Finally: two competing hypotheses for what is going on with the federal government’s newest treatment of Epstein: are they covering for a peace deal in the Middle East, or are they being strong-armed by organized crime? 

*****

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Sundries Farm: Extraordinary hand grown and harvested garlic from a family farm on the volcanic soils of Idaho. Go to www.sundriesfarm.com & enter code DarkHorse for 10% off. 

Manukora: the most flavorful, delicious, and nutritious honey you’ll ever have. Get $25 off your starter kit at www.Manukora.com/DarkHorse

Timeline: Accelerate the clearing of damaged mitochondria to improve strength and endurance: Go towww.timeline.com/darkhorse and use code darkhorse for 20% off your first order.

*****

Join us on Locals! Get access to our Discord server, exclusive live streams, live chats for all streams, and early access to many podcasts: https://darkhorse.locals.com/

Heather’s newsletter, Natural Selections (subscribe to get free weekly essays in your inbox): https://naturalselections.substack.com

Our book, A Hunter-Gatherer’s Guide to the 21st Century, is available everywhere books are sold, including from Amazon: https://amzn.to/3AGANGg (commission earned)

Check out our store! Epic tabby, digital book burning, saddle up the dire wolves, and more: https://darkhorsestore.org

*****

Mentioned in this episode:

Brownstone Institute: https://brownstone.org

Hunter-Gatherer’s Guide: https://www.huntergatherersguide.com

Dodging the Buzz Saw (DHP #82): https://www.youtube.com/live/IOf6Lut6W7k

NYT on Trump & climate change: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/07/08/climate/trump-climate-energy-department.html

Scott Adams on Epstein: https://x.com/quotesfromcwsa/status/1942636561171972205

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Bret Weinstein speaks with Twila Brase, RN, PHN on the subject of Real ID and why there is cause for concern, especially for medical freedom.

Find Twila Brase on X at x.com/twilabrase and at http://refuserealid.org. 

*****

This episode is sponsored by:

Caraway: Non-toxic, beautiful, light ceramic cookware. Save $150 on a cookware set over buying individual pieces, and get 10% off your order at http://carawayhome.com/darkhorse10.

*****

Join DarkHorse on Locals! Get access to our Discord server, exclusive live streams, live chats for all streams, and early access to many podcasts: https://darkhorse.locals.com

Check out the DHP store! Epic tabby, digital book burning, saddle up the dire wolves, and more: https://www.darkhorsestore.org/

Theme Music: Thank you to Martin Molin of Wintergatan for providing us the rights to use their excellent music.

*****

Mentioned in this episode:

Refuse Real ID http://refuserealid.org/

Real ID Act text: https://www.dhs.gov/xlibrary/assets/real-id-act-text.pdf

Big Brother in the Exam Room: The Dangerous Truth about Electronic Health Records https://amzn.to/3IdRjAW (commission earned)Red Lined TSA Letter https://www.cchfreedom.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Red-Lined-TSA-letter-5.pdf 

The rule also requires agencies to coordinate their plans with DHS, make the plans publicly available, and achieve full enforcement by May 5, 2027. https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2025/01/14/2025-00484/minimum-standards-for-drivers-licenses-and-identification-cards-acceptable-by-federal-agencies-for 

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Today we discuss sex and vaccines, reality and renegades. First: men can no longer compete in women’s sports—from Trump’s Executive Order, to the NCAA’s response, to William “Lia” Thomas having his records rescinded at Penn, reality is prevailing. Other evidence includes the UK Supreme Court declaring that “man” and “woman” refer to biological reality; and the U.S. Supreme Court writing an opinion that forcing LGBTQ+ books on children in public elementary schools is unconstitutional. Men cannot magically turn into women, nor boys into girls, no matter what they believe or are told. Then: from the ACIP (Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices) to Vinay Prasad’s latest presentation at the FDA: the federal government is being populated by a combination of true renegades and middle ground scramblers who are dressed like renegades. A good toolkit for understanding how to make sense of the claims being made is necessary, and we all should be rooting for the renegades to win.

*****

Our sponsors:

CrowdHealth: Pay for healthcare with crowdfunding instead of insurance. It’s way better. Use code DarkHorse at JoinCrowdHealth.com to get 1st 3 months for $99/month.

ARMRA Colostrum is an ancient bioactive whole food that can strengthen your immune system. Go to http://www.tryarmra.com/DARKHORSE to get 15% off your first order.

Helix: Excellent, sleep-enhancing, American-made mattresses. Go to www.HelixSleep.com/DarkHorse for 27% Off - an offer exclusive for listeners of DarkHorse!

*****

Join us on Locals! Get access to our Discord server, exclusive live streams, live chats for all streams, and early access to many podcasts: https://darkhorse.locals.com

Heather’s newsletter, Natural Selections (subscribe to get free weekly essays in your inbox): https://naturalselections.substack.com

Our book, A Hunter-Gatherer’s Guide to the 21st Century, is available everywhere books are sold, including from Amazon: https://amzn.to/3AGANGg (commission earned)

Check out our store! Epic tabby, digital book burning, saddle up the dire wolves, and more: https://darkhorsestore.org

*****
Mentioned in this episode:

Trump’s EO: https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/02/keeping-men-out-of-womens-sports/

Paula Scanlan speaks about men in women’s sports:https://x.com/xx_xyathletics/status/1940381615131332719

U.K. Supreme Court: https://www.supremecourt.uk/cases/uksc-2024-0042

The Lancet – sex isn’t binary! https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(25)00834-7/fulltext

U.S. Supreme Court – Mahmoud vs Taylor: https://www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/24pdf/24-297_4f14.pdf

William Thomas in the record books: https://www.outkick.com/sports/lia-thomas-upenn-womens-swimming-record-books-updated-acknowledges-transgender-swimmer-note

RFK Jr on Tucker: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w_fzlwxJZAA

ACIP committee with Robert Malone and Retsef Levi: https://x.com/janjekielek/status/1939482343313453423

Prasad on myocarditis: https://x.com/US_FDA/status/1940111214497210425

Prasad makes full professor: https://x.com/bretweinstein/status/1554849287300792320

Earlier clips of ZDogg and Prasad and Makary: https://x.com/alexandrosm/status/1574530850565558272

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Today we discuss MAHA, wearables, health, and Israel. RFK Jr. announced that he hopes that in four years, all Americans will be wearing health tracking devices. What are the implications for individual health? Is hypothesis-driven science being undermined? Will equity be used as a way to force this on people? What should we think of the fact that Casey Means, the nominee to Surgeon General, has a company that incorporates wearables? What does Yuval Noah Harari have to tell us? Does having your data uploaded to the cloud seem like a good idea? There seem to be two very different models of how to MAHA: 1) hone your intuition, trust your senses, and try to create an environment with as little exposure to hyper-novelty as possible; or 2) tech your way out of the problem, and trans-humanize your way to success. Also: Bret introduces Warner the wearables werewolf. Breaking news: Israel and the U.S. appear to have brokered a deal that includes several other countries in the Middle East, and leaves open the possibility of a two-state solution.

*****

Our sponsors:

Brain.fm: intense music that boosts productivity. Unlock your brain’s full potential free for 30 days by going to http://brain.fm/DARKHORSE

Pique’s Nandaka: delicious mushroom, tea, and chocolate drink that provides all day energy. Get 20% off plus free frother+beaker at http://www.Piquelife.com/DARKHORSE

Jolie: Beautiful showerheads that filter out the garbage without reducing water pressure. Go to http://jolieskinco.com/DarkHorse to get free shipping; free returns within 60 days.

*****

Join us on Locals! Get access to our Discord server, exclusive live streams, live chats for all streams, and early access to many podcasts: https://darkhorse.locals.com

Heather’s newsletter, Natural Selections (subscribe to get free weekly essays in your inbox): https://naturalselections.substack.com

Our book, A Hunter-Gatherer’s Guide to the 21st Century, is available everywhere books are sold, including from Amazon: https://amzn.to/3AGANGg (commission earned)

Check out our store! Epic tabby, digital book burning, saddle up the dire wolves, and more: https://darkhorsestore.org

*****

Mentioned in this episode:

RFK reprimanding congressman Pallone: https://x.com/endtribalism/status/1937533702382453215

RFK recommending wearables to all Americans: https://x.com/seckennedy/status/1937541852908974384

Yuval Noah Harari on biometrics: https://x.com/robinmonotti/status/1937792969765179776

Levels: https://www.levels.com

Aluminum in vaccines: https://x.com/thechiefnerd/status/1938274234968772949

Times of Israel report: https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog_entry/report-netanyahu-agreed-to-end-gaza-war-within-two-weeks-after-us-strike-on-iran/

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James Lindsay has been in the “hot seat” for the last nine months over using and promoting the idea that there is a “woke right.” Bret Weinstein sits down with James for a special DarkHorse intervention. Joining them in Palm Springs is their friend and filmmaker, Michael Nayna. 

Find James Lindsay on X at https://x.com/ConceptualJames and on https://newdiscourses.com.
Find Michael Nayna on X at https://x.com/mikenayna and on https://www.michaelnayna.com.

*****

Sponsors:

Masa Chips: Delicious chips made with corn, salt, and beef tallow—nothing else—in loads of great flavors. Go to http://masachips.com/DarkHorse, use code DarkHorse, for 20% off.

Dose for your Liver: Tasty drink with milk thistle, ginger, dandelion & turmeric to support liver health. Save 30% of your first month at http://dosedaily.co/DarkHorse.

*****

Join DarkHorse on Locals! Get access to our Discord server, exclusive live streams, live chats for all streams, and early access to many podcasts: https://darkhorse.locals.com/

Check out the DHP store! Epic tabby, digital book burning, saddle up the dire wolves, and more: https://www.darkhorsestore.org

Theme Music: Thank you to Martin Molin of Wintergatan for providing us the rights to use their excellent music.

*****

Mentioned in this Episode:
- Bret’s tweet on the Woke Right: https://x.com/BretWeinstein/status/1920176340923252893
- The Case for Christian Nationalism https://amzn.to/3TydzYG
- The Communist Manifesto https://amzn.to/3T5iRe3
- Alien Powers: The Pure Theory of Ideology https://amzn.to/3G1qFdY
- Critical Constructivism Primer https://amzn.to/4lmaB5B
- From Class to Race: Essays in White Marxism and Black Radicalism https://amzn.to/3T08hoH
- The Rise of Right-Wing Wokeism https://media.thegospelcoalition.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/02195248/The-Rise-of-Right-Wing-Wokeism.pdf
- Trump’s tweet https://x.com/ConceptualJames/status/1840442778909630587
- James’ tweet explaining Operation Michael https://x.com/ConceptualJames/status/1840510556056195340

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Today we discuss war, regime change, cyber-attacks, libertarianism, and driving. In what ways are Israel’s attack on Iran reminiscent of events from the past? Are the neo-cons back, or did they never go away? It would seem that we are being frog-marched to war. Speaking of destabilization: North America's largest publicly traded wholesale distributor of natural foods (UNFI) was hacked, leaving market shelves empty at tens of thousands of stores. In better news: Bret returned from FreedomFest, and provides a report, and discusses his model for Libertarianism 2.0. And: Matthew Crawford on why we drive. Which is better: horses or cars? We circle back to a discussion of efficiencies, coercion, and freedom.

*****

Our sponsors:

Timeline: Accelerate the clearing of damaged mitochondria to improve strength and endurance: Go to http://www.timeline.com/darkhorse and use code darkhorse for 20% off your first order.

Caraway: Non-toxic, beautiful, light ceramic cookware. Save $150 on a cookware set over buying individual pieces, and get 10% off your order at http://carawayhome.com/darkhorse10.

ARMRA Colostrum is an ancient bioactive whole food that can strengthen your immune system. Go to http://www.tryarmra.com/DARKHORSE to get 15% off your first order.

*****

Join us on Locals! Get access to our Discord server, exclusive live streams, live chats for all streams, and early access to many podcasts: https://darkhorse.locals.com

Heather’s newsletter, Natural Selections (subscribe to get free weekly essays in your inbox): https://naturalselections.substack.com

Our book, A Hunter-Gatherer’s Guide to the 21st Century, is available everywhere books are sold, including from Amazon: https://amzn.to/3AGANGg (commission earned)

Check out our store! Epic tabby, digital book burning, saddle up the dire wolves, and more: https://darkhorsestore.org

*****

Mentioned in this episode:

Newsweek on DNI Gabbard and Iran: https://www.newsweek.com/tulsi-gabbard-iran-nuclear-weapon-2051523

Bret on Israel in 2023: https://x.com/BretWeinstein/status/1712588777737367564

FreedomFest 2025: https://freedomfest.com

Crawford 2020. Why We Drive: Toward a Philosophy of the Open Road https://amzn.to/4e4bVrc (commission earned)

Support the show