The long-running media deconstruction podcast No Agenda continued its twice-weekly schedule on July 30, 2026, with guest hosts Darren O'Neill and Larry Blythner stepping in for the regular co-hosts. Adam Curry took bereavement time following the passing of John C. Dvorak, and the pair filled the chairs for episode 1890, titled "Flock Off!" The episode, which opened with a candid explanation of the hosting arrangement, delved into several stories dominating the news cycle, including Anthony Fauci's Senate appearance, Elon Musk's latest AI predictions, and a growing bipartisan movement against Flock Safety license plate cameras.
The centerpiece of the episode was Dr. Anthony Fauci's testimony before a Senate committee, where he invoked the Fifth Amendment 111 times. The hosts read verbatim passages from Fauci's roughly 1,100-page diary, which surfaced alongside the hearing, including entries about Julia Roberts, Barbra Streisand, and a Kennedy Center evening with Joan Baez. Blythner did not mince words about the spectacle, calling it "the biggest, uh, comedic event in the history of United States government, no question about it." He argued that Fauci squandered a chance at a Caesar's Palace residency by listening to his six attorneys instead of answering Senator Josh Hawley's questions about the color of his tie and the carpet in front of him.
The episode also explored Elon Musk's interview with The Economist, where he predicted that artificial intelligence will exceed human intelligence within five years, with a 10 to 20 percent chance of "killer robots." The hosts analyzed the implications of such a timeline, reflecting on the potential societal and ethical challenges posed by advanced AI systems.
Another significant topic was the backlash against Flock Safety, a company that operates over 120,000 license plate cameras across 49 states. The hosts discussed how the ACLU has joined right-leaning municipalities in Sedona, Arizona, and elsewhere to cancel contracts with the company. They referenced CEO Garrett Langley's TED Talk and reporting from Sir Ryan Bemrose about antenna sensors capable of harvesting MAC addresses from passing phones. The segment contrasted Langley's pitch that "safety should just be a right" with Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson's stance on incarceration, El Salvador's Bukele prison model, and Radley Balko's book "Rise of the Warrior Cop." The discussion highlighted the bipartisan concerns over privacy and surveillance, as well as the tension between public safety and civil liberties.
The episode also covered a McLaughlin poll on the Iran conflict and Strait of Hormuz strikes, and a WNBA controversy involving the Seattle Storm owner confronting two teenage Sophie Cunningham fans. The hosts analyzed these stories with their trademark clip-driven analysis, providing context and commentary on the broader media narratives.
Amidst the heavy topics, the episode included a lengthy donation segment honoring Dvorak, with tributes from producers around the world, plus knightings and meetup announcements from Coeur d'Alene to Calgary. The show, known for its listener-supported model and independent perspective, continues to question how stories are framed, amplified, or ignored across news outlets and government messaging.
Episode 1890 is available now wherever podcasts are heard, offering a blend of humor, sharp commentary, and media deconstruction that has made No Agenda a staple for skeptical audiences.
