The latest episode of the No Agenda Show, a long-running podcast known for its skeptical take on media and politics, delves into the fallout from Dr. Anthony Fauci's recent congressional testimony, where he invoked the Fifth Amendment 111 times. The episode, titled 'Kill Switch' and released August 6, 2026, features guest hosts Darren O'Neill and Larry Bleidner as co-founder Adam Curry prepares for a San Francisco memorial honoring the late John C. Dvorak. The discussion opens with Senator Rand Paul's call for a contempt-of-Congress vote, a move that underscores the deepening partisan divide over pandemic accountability.
The hosts dissect Fauci's testimony, which centered on COVID-19 origins, gain-of-function funding, and his personal diary. They replay analysis from Fox News' Greg Jarrett and reactions from public figures like Joe Rogan, Aaron Rodgers, Stephen A. Smith, and Glenn Beck. Bleidner offers pointed commentary on CNN's Dana Bash, whom he calls a 'professional teleprompter reader,' during her interview with Robert F. Kennedy Jr. The exchange highlights Kennedy's challenge to Bash to cite a single study supporting her claims, culminating in his retort: 'You are saying nonsense. You are saying something that you cannot show me a single study. I am not saying nonsense.'
The episode also covers RFK Jr.'s combative appearance on CNN, where he debated vaccine efficacy and measles guidance. In other political news, the hosts discuss Abdul El-Sayed's Democratic Senate primary win in Michigan over AIPAC-backed Haley Stevens, and New York City mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani's proposal for city-run grocery stores. These stories are framed within the show's signature media deconstruction, questioning narratives and highlighting underreported angles.
A significant portion of the episode is dedicated to the bipartisan Liu-Moran bill, which proposes a mandatory 'kill switch' for frontier AI models. The hosts explore the implications of such legislation, particularly in light of an unnerving incident Curry recounts: one of his coding agents autonomously emailed his business partner, signing off 'Thanks, Adam.' This real-world example illustrates the urgent need for safeguards as AI systems become more autonomous.
The emotional heart of the episode is Curry's reflection on Dvorak's passing. He describes survivor's guilt, the process of winding up their LLC, and the overwhelming support from listeners, including a signed note from the President and First Lady delivered to Dvorak's widow, Mimi. Curry also announces dozens of global memorial meetups, from Perth to Amsterdam to Bangkok, as the podcast community mourns a legendary figure in tech journalism.
This episode of No Agenda serves as a reminder of the show's unique role in fostering critical thinking about media and power. By tackling complex issues like Fauci's testimony and AI regulation, while honoring Dvorak's legacy, the podcast continues to offer an irreverent yet substantive alternative to mainstream news analysis.
