Hi everyone, Today’s podcast guest is Ethan Strauss from The House of Strauss Substack. Ethan and I met at a dinner in San Francisco in August and I was fascinated by his experiences in the sports industry world, having closely covered the Golden State Warriors NBA team during their winning streak. We had a great conversation on the podcast discussing the NBA, Ethan’s time following the GSW, leaving The Athletic due to various pressures and constraints, joining Substack, creating an independent model, and building a relationship with his readers. I hope you enjoy this more left-field, alternative conversation deviating from our focal topics. Stay tuned for Dr. Jay’s upcoming conversation with Mattias Desmet and our joint podcast with Vivek Ramaswamy on public health, FDA reform, and the pharmaceutical industry. — Rav Arora Subscribe to our Substack: https://www.illusionconsensus.com/ 

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Episode 21: Sports Writer Ethan Strauss: "You Don't Have To Be A Contrarian To Be A Heretic"

An independent podcast by Dr. Jay Bhattacharya and Rav Arora devoted to dismantling weaponized "consensus" in science. Weekly topics include Covid policy, online censorship, holistic medicine, mental health, and well-being. 

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Hi everyone, We’re excited to release the full audio version of the podcast now - you can listen here or in the Spotify and Apple links available below. We apologize, there was another production delay as a key member on our team had to leave to his home country to address a personal emergency. The full, official video premiere will be tomorrow. For those patiently waiting, we didn’t want to disappoint you so we decided to provide the audio today at the very least. Take a listen now before the full video experience in high-definition quality with all our new graphics comes out tomorrow. Spotify link / Apple link The Illusion of Consensus is a listener-supported podcast. Become a paid member now to receive exclusive Q+As and member-only podcast segments: 

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LISTEN NOW: Russell Brand Interview

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.illusionconsensus.com

Hi everyone, Here’s a sneak peak preview of our conversation with Russell Brand dropping tomorrow! Members can access this early access clip now and hear one of Russell’s signature soliloquies (does anyone do it better?)! We hope you enjoy it. Tune in tomorrow for the podcast premiere!  Consider supporting our work by becoming a paid member (we need your help…

Sneak Peek: Russell Brand Interview

Hi everyone, I’m happy to bring you the first episode — in a series of conversations — on sleep health with Dr. Nerina Ramlakhan, a physiologist and sleep therapist, about the importance of sleep and how to improve sleep quality. We discuss various topics including the current sleep discourse, the difference between ‘martini sleepers’ and ‘sensitive sleepers,’ the role of inner safety in sleep, and the challenges of sleeping on airplanes. Dr. Ramlakan emphasizes the need for an inside-out approach to sleep, focusing on emotional and mental well-being in addition to external factors like light and exercise. She also highlights the importance of individualized approaches to sleep and the role of somatic work in achieving better sleep. In this final part of the conversation, Nerina discusses the importance of going to bed earlier before midnight and the impact it has on mental health. She highlights the trend of young people going to the gym at night instead of getting enough sleep and the potential long-term health consequences. She also explains the connection between the circadian rhythm and the rhythms of nature, emphasizing the importance of going to bed as the light levels start to drop.  Housekeeping: Become a paid member now to receive early access and member-only segments of SEASON 2 of The Illusion of Consensus. First episode launching May 15th with Russell Brand! Listen To Sleep Podcast Now: Apple podcasts / Spotify Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Background 09:19 The Current Sleep Discourse 14:16 Andrew Huberman and Sleep Protocols 22:37 The Importance of Inner Safety 26:31 Somatic Work for Better Sleep 32:22 Preparing the Nervous System for Better Sleep on an Airplane 47:52 The Importance of Deep Sleep for Growth Hormone and Organ Regeneration 01:06 Going to Bed Earlier Before Midnight 01:13 Practical Tips for Improving Sleep 01:32 Dealing with Waking Up at Night Takeaways * Sleep is a complex issue that is influenced by both external factors (such as light and exercise) and internal factors (such as emotional and mental well-being). * Building inner safety and addressing emotional and mental well-being are crucial for improving sleep quality. * Somatic work, such as yoga nidra and progressive muscle relaxation, can help individuals get out of their heads and into their bodies, promoting better sleep. * Napping can be a valuable tool for rest and rejuvenation, especially in situations where it is difficult to get a full night's sleep, such as during travel. * An individualized approach to sleep is important, as different people have different sleep needs and preferences. Train your nervous system to rest and relax in waking hours to improve sleep on an airplane. * Power napping can help improve energy levels and overall sleep quality. * Specific organ systems are replenished during different phases of deep sleep. * While scientific research on these correlations is limited, observations from clinical experience support their significance. Going to bed earlier before midnight is important for mental health and overall well-being. * Practical tips for improving sleep include eating breakfast within 45 minutes of waking up, avoiding caffeine as a substitute for food, staying hydrated, going to bed earlier, and cultivating a healthier relationship with technology.  The Illusion of Consensus is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support our work, consider becoming a paid subscriber: 

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Ep 52: Sleep Podcast with Dr. Nerina Ramlakhan (Part 1)

Hi everyone, In this episode, professor Bryce Nickels and I discuss the debate over the origin of COVID-19, specifically whether it was a lab leak or a natural spillover. We highlight the challenges faced by scientists who question the lab leak theory and the suppression of dissenting voices. We also discuss the risks and ethics of gain-of-function research and the need for transparency and public accountability in the scientific community. The conversation in this part focuses on the deliberate suppression of Jeremy Farrar's involvement in the Nature Medicine paper, the importance of getting the paper retracted to expose the manipulation by top funders, and the hearing on Peter Daszak's role in gain-of-function research. The discussion also touches on the challenges of having different perspectives during the pandemic and the need for a healthier culture of scientific debate and discussion. The Illusion of Consensus is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support our work, consider becoming a paid subscriber: Takeaways * The scientific journals have played a role in suppressing the lab leak theory and promoting the natural spillover theory. * There is a need to reevaluate the justification for certain types of research, such as studying exotic viruses in labs, and consider the potential risks and ethical implications. There was a deliberate suppression of Jeremy Farrar's involvement in the Nature Medicine paper, which is an ethical violation that needs to be addressed. * Getting the paper retracted is important to expose the manipulation by top funders and inform the public and scientific community about the deliberate shaping of the message on the origins of the virus. * The hearing on Peter Daszak's role in gain-of-function research was a historic event that may change the future direction of the origins issue and the regulation of risky virology research. Listen Now: Apple podcasts / Spotify Sound Bites * "The debate over COVID has become something where you have to take sides and stay with everyone that's on your side on every issue." * "Biosafety Now's mission is to reduce the risks of lab-generated pandemics and push for public transparency and accountability." * "The consensus in the mainstream press and among scientists like Tony Fauci was that there was no debate about the lab leak theory." * "Nature medicine. They tried to get into nature and it went into nature medicine." * "The paper states that the work was funded by the Wellcome Trust, which is, he was the head of it. So that is a clear, I mean, that's simply just an ethical violation that's as clear as day and nobody can dispute it." * "The acknowledgement of malfeasance or misfeasance and misconduct is the most critical thing. And that paper is the one that needs to go first." A note from our podcast sponsor: Alcami Elements - a premium herbal supplement for energy, focus, and concentration. Alcami contains 9 high-quality adaptogens that can help regulate your nervous system and optimize energy and focus. Adaptogens are herbs and mushrooms that help build the body’s resilience to stress. Get 10% off your first order or 30% off a monthly subscription using the code "illusion” here: https://www.alcamielements.com/products/alcami-elements-life-enhancing-beverage 

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Ep 51: The Polarized Debate over the Origin of COVID-19 With Professor Bryce Nickels

Hi everyone, In this interview I talk to Debbie Lerman, an investigative journalist, about the key players and decision-making processes behind the pandemic response in the United States. She reveals that the National Security Council (NSC) took over as the lead policy group, with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) becoming the lead federal agencies. This shift in power sidelined the CDC and HHS, which were traditionally responsible for managing infectious disease outbreaks. Debbie also explores the appointment of Deborah Birx as the head of the White House Task Force and questions the involvement of Matt Pottinger, a China expert, in the decision-making process. The conversation explores the role of the government and public health officials in the COVID-19 response. The Illusion of Consensus is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support our work, consider becoming a paid subscriber: Takeaways: * The National Security Council (NSC) and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) took over as the lead policy and federal agencies, respectively, in the pandemic response. * Deborah Birx was appointed as the head of the White House Task Force, but the involvement of Matt Pottinger in the decision-making process is questionable. * The decision-making process behind the lockdowns and the development of vaccines was influenced by the defense industry and lacked democratic participation. * There is a need to restructure pandemic response plans to ensure that the right people with reasonable training and the right temperament are in charge. * Revoking emergency declarations and promoting democratic participation are essential to maintain trust in public health and prevent a bioterrorism-like response in the future. Watch: Apple / Spotify Chapters: 00:00 Introduction: Debbie Lerman's Investigative Journalism on the Pandemic 04:48 The Key Players: National Security Council and Department of Homeland Security 10:02 Sidelining the CDC and HHS in the Decision-Making Process 26:10 Deborah Birx's Controversial Appointment 29:34 Questioning the Involvement of Matt Pottinger 31:27 Deborah Birx and the Non-Traditional Approach to Public Health 34:50 The Decision-Making Process Behind the Lockdowns 41:04 The Development of Vaccines and Operation Warp Speed 47:47 The Ineffectiveness of Contact Tracing 52:23 Treating COVID-19 as a Bioterrorism Crisis 59:33 Restructuring Pandemic Response Plans and Promoting Democratic Participation A note from our podcast sponsor: Alcami Elements - a premium herbal supplement for energy, focus, and concentration. Alcami contains 9 high-quality adaptogens that can help regulate your nervous system and optimize energy and focus. Adaptogens are herbs and mushrooms that help build the body’s resilience to stress. Get 10% off your first order or 30% off a monthly subscription using the code "illusion” here: https://www.alcamielements.com/products/alcami-elements-life-enhancing-beverage 

This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.illusionconsensus.com/subscribe

Ep 50: Debbie Lerman Breaks Down Key Players In The Pandemic Response - National Security Council (NSC), Department of Homeland Security (DHS), And Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)

Episode 21: Sports Writer Ethan Strauss: "You Don't Have To Be A Contrarian To Be A Heretic"

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