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Back to the People

Author: Nicole Shanahan

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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.

48 Episodes
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John Jordan is a seasoned Maine lobsterman who has spent decades navigating the rugged waters of the North Atlantic. His unwavering dedication to preserving the integrity of Maine's lobstering industry has made him a respected voice in discussions surrounding sustainable fisheries, regulatory challenges, and the cultural importance of lobstering to Maine’s identity. With over 35,000 hours on the water, John brings an unparalleled depth of experience and insight into the challenges facing traditional fishing communities. Devyn Campbell is a lifelong fisherman from Boothbay Harbor, Maine, deeply connected to the sea and the traditions of his coastal town. Known for his commitment to sustainable fishing practices and local advocacy, Devyn balances his time on the water with civic engagement, representing the voices of fishermen and coastal residents. As one of the youngest in his profession, Devyn carries a unique perspective on the generational challenges facing Maine's fishing industry, including shrinking fleets, regulatory pressures, and shifting local economies.
Will Harris is a fourth-generation cattleman and the owner of White Oak Pastures, a family farm in Bluffton, Georgia, established in 1866. After graduating with a degree in animal science from the University of Georgia, Harris initially practiced conventional industrial farming. Over time, he grew disillusioned with its environmental and ethical impacts, prompting a shift to regenerative agriculture. Under his stewardship, White Oak Pastures became a pioneer in sustainable farming, focusing on restoring soil health, promoting biodiversity, and treating livestock humanely. Harris has become a champion for small farmers and regenerative practices, showcasing how agriculture can heal the land while strengthening local communities.
Scott Presler is an American conservative activist recognized for his extensive grassroots organizing and voter registration efforts. Raised in Florida and Fairfax County, Virginia, he is the son of a U.S. Navy captain. Presler earned a degree in criminal justice from George Mason University. In 2016, Presler served as a regional field director for the Republican Party of Virginia, actively supporting Donald Trump's presidential campaign. Presler gained prominence in 2019 after leading urban cleanup initiatives in cities like Baltimore and Los Angeles, mobilizing volunteers to remove significant amounts of trash. In 2023, Presler launched Early Vote Action (EVA) with a focused mission to register Republican voters and ensure they vote early, by mail, absentee, or on Election Day. EVA played a key role in securing Pennsylvania for Donald Trump in 2024, thanks in part to Presler’s outreach efforts, including engaging communities like the Amish to support Trump.
Since 2015 Creon Levit has worked at Planet Labs, where he is the Chief Technologist, Director or R&D, and a Planet Fellow. Prior to that, he worked at NASA Ames Research Center in Silicon Valley, where he was one of the founders of the NAS (NASA Advanced Supercomputing) division, co-PI on the Virtual Wind Tunnel project, co-founder of the NASA Molecular Nanotechnology Group (the first federally funded research lab devoted to molecular nanotechnology), co-PI on the hyperwall project, investigator on the Columbia accident investigation board, member of the NASA engineering and safety center, investigator on the millimeter-wave thermal rocket project, the Stardust re-entry observation campaign, PI on the LighForce project, special assistant to the center director, and chief scientist for the programs and projects directorate.
Barry Arata served as a firefighter and Fire Engineer with the San Jose Fire Department in California. Throughout his career, he has been dedicated to public safety, responding to emergencies and advocating for strong community preparedness. In 2021, he became a prominent voice opposing vaccine mandates for city employees, emphasizing individual rights and the operational integrity of emergency services. Barry also joined legal efforts to challenge public health policies that he believed could impact the safety and efficiency of first responders.
Ron Johnson was elected to the U.S. Senate in 2010 after successfully running a manufacturing business in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, for thirty years. From 2015 to 2021, he served as Chairman of the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs and remains a member of the committee. In September 2024, Senator Johnson led a roundtable discussion titled American Health and Nutrition: A Second Opinion, where he and an assembled panel provided a foundational and historical understanding of the changes that have occurred over the last century in agriculture, food processing, and healthcare industries, which impact the current state of national health. He currently serves as the Ranking Member of the Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations and is also a member of the Budget and Finance committees. Senator Johnson was re-elected to his third term in the U.S. Senate in 2022 and resides in Oshkosh with his wife, Jane. They have three children and four grandchildren.
Mad Agriculture is a credit fund (think bank) that lends to farmers converting farmland to regenerative practices, at a profitable spread. Their mission is to help farmers and ranchers thrive ecologically and economically. They work on-the-ground with producers to create Regenerative Farm Plans, and don’t shy away from dreaming big about the ecological, social and economic potential of regenerative farming. They are healing landscapes that have been mismanaged and need love, care, and stewardship. Philip Taylor, Ph.D., is the Executive Director of Mad Agriculture. He co-founded the organization in 2016 with his life partner, Nicole Brinks, to reimagine and restore our relationship to the land, sea, and each other through good agriculture. Philip’s work has been published in numerous journals, including Nature, Nature Climate Change, and Ecology, and he has diverse international experience in both private and public sectors, having led research and business efforts throughout North America, Africa, Latin America and Southeast Asia. Brandon Welch is on a mission to create a regenerative revolution in agriculture. In late 2017, he helped launch Mad! to help farmers transition their land to regenerative organic agriculture by providing agronomic and business planning support, building new crop markets, and providing access to aligned capital. Brandon led the launch of Perennial Fund I and Mad Capital, which is now working with farmers on over 79,000 acres in 15 states in the US, on track to transition 10,000 acres of land to certified organic. He manages the Mad Capital team and works actively across the company, spanning sales, credit, operations, asset management, fundraising, and strategic planning.
Nestled in the heart of California’s San Joaquin Valley, Burroughs Family Farms is dedicated to sustainable practices that nurture the land, respect the environment, and provide high-quality, organic products. Our family has been farming for over five generations, combining innovative techniques with a deep respect for tradition.
Dr. Shawn Baker is the leading authority on an animal-based diet and author of The Carnivore Diet, promoting a zero-carb, high-protein approach to nutrition. With over 30 years of experience practicing as an orthopedic surgeon, Dr. Baker shifted his focus to nutrition after observing the transformative health benefits of a carnivore diet, emphasizing the consumption of meat, eggs, and dairy, on his own health and his patients. He is the Chief Medical Officer and Director of Revero Inc., which focuses on reversing autoimmune and chronic diseases through medical nutritional therapy, addressing root causes through low-carb diet sources from animal fats, and some fruits and vegetables. Through his work and prominent social media presence, Dr. Baker has inspired many to explore the carnivore diet as a way to optimize health, improve energy, and treat chronic conditions naturally.
Tom O'Neill dedicated 20 years to uncovering the truths behind the CIA, MKUltra, and the violence of the 1960s. What he uncovered is both chilling and revealing, exposing a convoluted network of government sponsored experiments studying behavioral modification and mind control. O’Neil’s investigation ends in 1975 but many of us question whether the legacy of these programs still impact us today.
Steven Bailey, born in Northern California, was raised by a farmer and an elementary school teacher. Through his time on the family ranch, he learned resilience and discipline. Inspired to serve, he joined the U.S. Marine Corps Reserves as a young adult. After completing his degree at California State University, Sacramento, Bailey worked for Governor Deukmejian as a Deputy Director in the Department of Social Services and attended law school at night. He later established an 18-year law practice, specializing in criminal and administrative law, including complex cases like those involving the death penalty. In 2008, Bailey was elected as a California Superior Court Judge, handling intricate criminal and civil cases until his retirement in 2017. In 2018, Bailey ran unsuccessfully for California Attorney General, winning 36.4% of the vote. During the COVID-19 pandemic, he defended businesses and individuals affected by harsh mandates and continues to advocate against unconstitutional practices. Married to his wife Kathleen for 47 years, Steven resides in Northern California, where they enjoy time with their family, including their children and grandchildren.
Winston Marshall is the host of The Winston Marshall Show and co-founder of the Dissident Dialogues festival of ideas. In 2007, he co-founded the UK folk-rock band Mumford & Sons, which enjoyed a 14-year run, winning multiple accolades including 2 Grammy Awards, 2 Brit Awards, and an Ivor Novello. The band also performed with legendary artists like Bob Dylan, Bruce Springsteen, Neil Young, Willie Nelson, and Elton John. Marshall's written work has been featured in The Free Press, The Jewish Chronicle, The Spectator, The Daily Mail, and more. From 2022 to 2023, he hosted the podcast Marshall Matters for The Spectator. He has appeared on prominent platforms such as BBC, Times Radio, LBC, Fox News, Fox Business News, UnHerd, Triggernometry, Sky News Australia, GB News, and The Daily Wire.
John Kempf is a farmer, agronomist, author, and founder of Advancing Eco Agriculture, a platform dedicated to revitalizing soil and plant health that benefits the consumer and the grower alike. He is a leading advocate for regenerative agriculture practices, boasting their economic returns for farmers, climate cooling capabilities, and enhanced biological function of crops. Kempf has become a trusted voice for those looking to increase yields while restoring ecosystems, and he hopes to make regenerative models of agriculture management globally mainstream by 2040. Kempf is the host of The Regenerative Agriculture Podcast, where he interviews top growers and scientists, sharing cutting-edge insights into sustainable farming practices. Kempf's work is grounded in the belief that healthy soils produce healthy plants and, in turn, healthy communities, making him a pivotal figure in the future of sustainable agriculture.
Sally Fallon Morell is a nutrition activist and author of Nourishing Traditions: The Cookbook that Challenges Politically Correct Nutrition and the Diet Dictocrats. She works to challenge conventional beliefs about the role of fats and cholesterol in the human diet, and she advocates for their benefit in supporting healthy growth, proper function of the nervous and immune systems, and optimum energy levels. Drawing inspiration from the work of Dr. Weston A. Price, who studied traditional diets in healthy communities around the world, Morrell promotes the use of nutrient-dense ancestral foods and traditional preparation techniques. In 1999, she became the founding president of the Weston A. Price Foundation, which has grown to include over 15,000 members and nearly 600 chapters worldwide. Morrell’s work has driven public health discussions on the benefits of animal fats, high-cholesterol diets, and raw milk as she furthers her mission to promote the evidence for vibrant health through nutrient-dense foods.
Harmeet Dhillon is a distinguished attorney renowned for her expertise in civil rights, constitutional law, and election law. Born in India and raised in the U.S., she earned a degree in Classical Studies from Dartmouth College, where she was active in journalism and debates, advocating for free speech. She obtained her Juris Doctor from the University of Virginia School of Law and began a notable legal career, working at prestigious firms before founding the Dhillon Law Group in San Francisco. Her firm specializes in complex civil litigation, employment law, and First Amendment rights. Dhillon has represented clients in high-profile cases involving free speech, religious freedom, and civil liberties, earning accolades such as being named one of the nation's "Best Lawyers Under 40" by the National Asian Pacific American Bar Association. She has received multiple awards from South Asian legal organizations and was recognized as one of California's top attorneys.
Kelly Ryerson, popularly known as “The Glyphosate Girl,” is a leading advocate in exposing the public health dangers of glyphosate, the active chemical in common weedkillers. She became fascinated with intestinal permeability, the gut microbiome, and the effect of toxins on human health after mending her chronic illness, hyperemesis gravidarum, through diet change and vitamin replenishment. Pursuing her work at the intersection of health and agriculture, she received her MBA from the Stanford Graduate School of Business with a focus in Healthcare Public Management and a certification in Integrative Health Coaching from Duke University. She is the founder of GlyphosateFacts.com, a platform that raises awareness of glyphosate’s agrochemical damage to both the human body and the environment. In hopes of creating a world in which clean, toxin-free food is the norm, Ryerson collaborates with farmers, scientists, and policymakers to address these concerns. Irena Mavridis is a cardiovascular registered nurse. As a resident of San Mateo, California, she is the leader of the NoCellOuts coalition, a group actively opposing the installation of 5G cell towers in residential areas. Leading over 500 households, alongside Kelly Ryerson, Mavridis advocates for stronger regulations regarding the placement of cell towers due to concerns about potential health risks on the San Mateo community. Putting the safety of her community first, Mavridis works closely with city officials and lawmakers to update the city’s wireless ordinances and reconsider existing permits for these facilities.
Dr. Paul Saladino is a double board certified MD, host of the Fundamental Health podcast, and author of The Carnivore Code. He completed residency at the University of Washington and attended medical school at the University of Arizona where he focused on integrative medicine and nutritional biochemistry. Prior to medical school, Saladino worked as a physician assistant in cardiology. It was during this time that he saw first hand the shortcomings of mainstream Western medicine with its symptom focused, pharmaceutical based paradigm. He decided to return to medical school with the hope of better understanding the true roots of chronic disease and illness, and how to correct and reverse these.
Thomas Massie is currently serving his sixth term as U.S. Congressman for Kentucky’s 4th District. An MIT-trained engineer and the former Lewis County Judge Executive, he is well-regarded as one of the fiercest defenders of liberty in Congress. Massie serves on three committees, including the House Committee on Rules, the House Committee on Transportation & Infrastructure, and the House Judiciary Committee. He has a strong focus on reducing government intervention, defending civil liberties, and advocating for fiscal conservatism. A steadfast believer in personal freedom, Massie continues to challenge the status quo in Washington.
Mark McAfee is a fifth generation farmer, owning and operating Raw Farm, the largest raw dairy operation in the world. He works to offer raw dairy products intended for human consumption, advocating for their non-allergenic, digestible, and probiotic properties. He is the Chairman of the Raw Milk Institute, founded in 2012, which seeks to improve the safety and quality of raw milk products. He is committed to promoting the health benefits of raw dairy products and maintaining sustainable farming practices, making him one of the foremost leaders in the field. Off the farm, he lectures on the gut biome benefits of raw milk at Stanford, University of Southern California, and medical schools in the United States, Australia, and Canada.
Earlier this year, I made my way down to Yuma, Arizona, to see firsthand the reality unfolding at our southern border. I met with sheriffs, local officials, and leaders from advocacy groups who truly grasp the severity of this humanitarian crisis.
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