Back to the People with Nicole Shanahan

Kaizen Asiedu is a Harvard Philosophy graduate, Emmy Award winner, and cultural commentator with 800,000+ followers across social platforms. Publicly endorsed by Elon Musk as a “clear thinker,” Kaizen walked away from his Emmy-winning career at Riot Games—where he helped architect League of Legends’ competitive formats and global esports policies—to pursue truth and elevate public discourse. As the creator of Clear Thinker, Kaizen has developed a systematic course and community that teaches people how to cut through media bias and political manipulation using critical thinking principles grounded in formal philosophy and peer-reviewed psychology. His non-partisan approach to complex cultural and political issues has made him a trusted voice for Americans who feel politically homeless in today’s polarized landscape. Noted for tackling controversial topics ranging from politics to social issues, Kaizen promotes authentic, courageous conversation and encourages his audience to “attack problems, not people.” His mission is to restore clarity, nuance, and civil discourse to American culture by equipping people with the cognitive tools to think independently and resist tribal groupthink—regardless of political affiliation. If you’re interested in learning more about Clear Thinker Academy—featuring both systematic training and a community of truth-seekers—go to clearthinkeracademy.com to join the waitlist. With gratitude to our sponsors: RA Opticshttps://raoptics.com/bttpUse Code: BTTP-----Sky Horse Publishinghttps://www.skyhorsepublishing.com/-----Sign Uphttps://www.backtothepeople.net

Deborah A. Conrad is a physician assistant from Rochester, NY, who was dismissed from United Memorial Medical Center (Rochester Regional Health) in October 2021 after fulfilling her legal duty to report COVID-19 vaccine adverse events to VAERS. She has filed a landmark False Claims Act lawsuit against her former employer, challenging institutional suppression of reporting. As of March 2025, her case has survived a motion to dismiss and has advanced into discovery. With gratitude to our sponsors: RA Opticshttps://raoptics.com/bttpUse Code: BTTP ---- Sky Horse Publishinghttps://www.skyhorsepublishing.com/ ----- Sign Uphttps://www.backtothepeople.net

Miles Wallace is a first-generation fisherman who has dedicated his life to sustainably diving and fishing off the California coast. The ocean is more than his livelihood — it is where he now raises his family and where he finds his deepest sense of purpose. From the kelp forests of the Channel Islands to the rugged drop-offs of the Pacific, Miles works with care and respect, knowing the future of our oceans depends on the choices we make today. Unlike large-scale industrial operations, Miles relies on low-impact, hands-on practices. As a vocal advocate for honest labeling, regenerative fishing practices, and family-owned operations, Miles represents a new generation of fishermen committed to safeguarding the ocean for the future. With gratitude to our sponsors: RA Opticshttps://raoptics.com/bttpUse Code: BTTP ----- Sky Horse Publishinghttps://www.skyhorsepublishing.com/ ----- Sign Uphttps://www.backtothepeople.net

Leslie Manookian is the president and founder of Health Freedom Defense Fund, a nonprofit which seeks to rectify health injustice through education, advocacy, and legal challenges to unjust mandates, laws, and policies that undermine our health freedoms and human rights. She is a former successful Wall Street business executive and award-winning documentary film producer and writer. She writes and speaks on topics of health, freedom, nutrition, personal development, politics and more. She chose to leave Wall Street at the height of her career in order to pursue this more meaningful path.

A few of my favorite conversations from the first half of 2025. Featured guests include Dr. Joseph Ladapo, Dane Wigington, Joe Allen, Wesley Huff, Chloe Cole, and the Flynn Family.-----With gratitude to our sponsors:RA Optics⁠⁠https://raoptics.com/bttp⁠⁠Use Code: Nicole-----Backyard ButchersGo to ⁠⁠https://www.backyardbutchers.com/pages/nicole⁠⁠ and use code “Nicole” for 20% off your steaks and tallow direct from the Texas ranch.-----Sky Horse Publishing⁠⁠https://www.skyhorsepublishing.com/⁠⁠-----Mama Suds⁠⁠https://mamasuds.com⁠⁠Use code 'NICOLE'-----Sign Up⁠⁠https://shop.backtothepeople.net⁠⁠

Cynthia Daley is a professor within the College of Agriculture at California State University, Chico, and serves as the Director for the Center for Regenerative Agriculture & Resilient Systems. Cynthia is originally from Illinois, where her family has been actively engaged in the farming profession for more than four generations. She completed her undergraduate degree at the University of Illinois, her doctorate at University of California Davis. She joined the CSU Chico, COA faculty in 1997 and later founded the Organic Dairy Education & Research Program in 2006. Seeing the need to grow the ecological farming movement, Daley went on to co-create the Regenerative Agriculture Initiative in 2016 and guided  this program  to Center status in May of 2019. The new Center for Regenerative Agriculture & Resilient Systems is a consortium of interdisciplinary faculty and farmers who recognize the ecological benefits of regenerative farming practices including water conservation, soil fertility, and carbon sequestration. The Center's guiding principle is that agriculture, when done regeneratively, can be the solution to soil degradation and climate change.-----With gratitude to our sponsors:RA Optics⁠https://raoptics.com/bttp⁠Use Code: Nicole-----Backyard ButchersGo to ⁠https://www.backyardbutchers.com/pages/nicole⁠ and use code “Nicole” for 20% off your steaks and tallow direct from the Texas ranch.-----Sky Horse Publishing⁠https://www.skyhorsepublishing.com/⁠-----Mama Suds⁠https://mamasuds.com⁠Use code 'NICOLE'-----Sign Up⁠https://shop.backtothepeople.net⁠

Charles “Chuck” Benbrook is an agricultural economist known for advocating organic farming and researching the health and environmental impacts of agriculture. He holds degrees from Harvard and the University of Wisconsin-Madison and has worked in government, academia, and nonprofit organizations. Formerly a research professor at Washington State University, he now leads the Heartland Health Research Alliance. His studies suggest organic foods may offer health and safety benefits and highlight concerns about pesticide and GMO use. Benbrook’s work has helped shape public debates on food safety and sustainability, and he has served as an expert witness in pesticide litigation, remaining a key voice in discussions on agricultural policy and environmental health. -----With gratitude to our sponsors:RA Opticshttps://raoptics.com/bttpUse Code: Nicole-----Backyard ButchersGo to https://www.backyardbutchers.com/pages/nicole and use code “Nicole” for 20% off your steaks and tallow direct from the Texas ranch.-----Sky Horse Publishinghttps://www.skyhorsepublishing.com/-----Mama Sudshttps://mamasuds.comUse code 'NICOLE'-----MASA Chipshttp://masachips.com/bttpUse code 'BTTP'-----Sign Uphttps://shop.backtothepeople.net

Susan Perlman is one of the founders of Jews for Jesus. She came to faith in Jesus in 1971, initially believing she was the only Jew in the world with such a belief. In 1973, she joined the newly formed Jews for Jesus group in California. Susan currently serves as Chief Partnership Officer, leading the organization’s partnerships with mission agencies, Messianic congregations, churches, and theological institutions. She is also part of the executive leadership team and the US board of directors. With a background in media and communications, Susan has written a wide range of evangelistic materials and has served the global Christian community through involvement in organizations like the Lausanne Movement and MissioNexus. She is passionate about personally sharing the gospel with Jewish people and continues to engage with seekers and skeptics through her podcast. ----- With gratitude to our sponsors: RA Optics https://raoptics.com/bttp Use Code: Nicole ----- Backyard Butchers Go to https://www.backyardbutchers.com/pages/nicole and use code “Nicole” for 20% off your steaks and tallow direct from the Texas ranch. ----- Sky Horse Publishing https://www.skyhorsepublishing.com/ ----- Mama Suds https://mamasuds.com Use code 'NICOLE' ----- MASA Chips http://masachips.com/bttp Use code 'BTTP' ----- Sign Up https://shop.backtothepeople.net

Patrick James is a documentary filmmaker, content creator, and host of the YouTube channel "So Weird with Patrick James," where he explores and analyzes conspiracy theories, ancient mysteries, and unexplained phenomena. His channel has garnered millions of views, with popular videos focusing on topics such as the Great Pyramid of Giza, the Sphinx, UFOs, secret government projects, and alternative theories about history and science. He takes a broad, multidisciplinary approach on his podcast, blending storytelling with open-minded inquiry into the unknown. ----- With gratitude to our sponsors: RA Optics https://raoptics.com/bttp Use Code: Nicole ----- Backyard Butchers Go to https://www.backyardbutchers.com/pages/nicole and use code “Nicole” for 20% off your steaks and tallow direct from the Texas ranch. ----- Sky Horse Publishing https://www.skyhorsepublishing.com/ ----- Mama Suds https://mamasuds.com Use code 'NICOLE' ----- MASA Chips http://masachips.com/bttp Use code 'BTTP' ----- Sign Up https://shop.backtothepeople.net

Michael Kane is a former New York City public school special education teacher with over 13 years of experience. He is the founder of Teachers for Choice, a group of educators that opposes forced medical mandates—such as vaccine requirements—for employment, school attendance, or access to public life. He has worked as a New York City public school teacher for over 13 years. He is a leading advocate in the fight for individual choice regarding medical interventions, especially in the education sector, and has led legal and public campaigns against COVID-19 mandates in New York City. In 2021, Teachers for Choice sued the NYC Department of Education and won a court-ordered stipulation pertaining to in-school COVID testing and privacy rights. ----- With gratitude to our sponsors: RA Optics https://raoptics.com/bttp Use Code: Nicole ----- Backyard Butchers Go to https://www.backyardbutchers.com/pages/nicole and use code “Nicole” for 20% off your steaks and tallow direct from the Texas ranch. ----- Sky Horse Publishing https://www.skyhorsepublishing.com/ ----- Mama Suds https://mamasuds.com Use code 'NICOLE' ----- MASA Chips http://masachips.com/bttp Use code 'BTTP' ----- Sign Up https://shop.backtothepeople.net

Joel Salatin is a farmer, author, and outspoken advocate for regenerative agriculture. His first exposure to farming came on his father’s 1,000-acre chicken and dairy farm in Venezuela. In 1959, following the election of President Rómulo Betancourt—who implemented a land redistribution program—the Salatin family relocated to Virginia. There, they purchased Polyface Farm in Swoope, nestled in the Shenandoah Valley. Today, Salatin owns and operates the farm, which has become a national model for sustainable and ethical agricultural practices. Salatin is widely recognized for his pioneering work in rotational grazing, soil health, and decentralized food systems. Through his books, public speaking, and media appearances, he challenges the industrial agriculture model and promotes local food networks, transparency, and self-reliance. His work has been featured in documentaries such as Food, Inc. and Fresh, and he is the author of several books, including You Can Farm, Folks, This Ain’t Normal, and The Marvelous Pigness of Pigs, in which he critiques industrial farming and advocates for a return to localized food systems. In addition to his writing, Salatin serves as editor of the monthly magazine Stockman Grass Farmer, dedicated to pasture-based livestock production. He also teaches a two-day agribusiness course in conjunction with the magazine. As an educator and speaker, Salatin has addressed audiences at institutions such as the University of California, Berkeley, the Stone Barns Center for Food and Agriculture, and the 2020 Libertarian National Convention, where he spoke about limiting government regulation in farming. ----- With gratitude to our sponsors: RA Optics https://raoptics.com/bttp Use Code: Nicole ----- Backyard Butchers Go to https://www.backyardbutchers.com/pages/nicole and use code “Nicole” for 20% off your steaks and tallow direct from the Texas ranch. ----- Sky Horse Publishing https://www.skyhorsepublishing.com/ ----- Mama Suds https://mamasuds.com Use code 'NICOLE' ----- MASA Chips http://masachips.com/bttp Use code 'BTTP' ----- Sign Up https://shop.backtothepeople.net

Dane Wigington is the lead researcher and founder of GeoengineeringWatch, dedicated to exposing and halting covert climate engineering operations. With a professional background in solar energy, including work with Bechtel Power Corporation and licensure as a contractor in California and Arizona, Wigington's interest in geoengineering intensified after observing significant declines in solar energy collection at his Northern California home. This prompted extensive research into atmospheric aerosol spraying and its environmental impacts. He has since become a prominent voice in raising awareness about the potential dangers of geoengineering, contributing to documentaries like The Dimming and hosting the weekly broadcast Geoengineering Watch Global Alert News. ----- With gratitude to our sponsors: RA Optics https://raoptics.com/bttp Use Code: Nicole ----- Backyard Butchers Go to https://www.backyardbutchers.com/pages/nicole and use code “Nicole” for 20% off your steaks and tallow direct from the Texas ranch. ----- Sky Horse Publishing https://www.skyhorsepublishing.com/ ----- Mama Suds https://mamasuds.com Use code 'NICOLE' ----- MASA Chips http://masachips.com/bttp Use code 'BTTP' ----- Sign Up https://shop.backtothepeople.net

Harmeet K. Dhillon is a nationally recognized civil rights and constitutional law attorney, founder of the Dhillon Law Group, and founder of the Center for American Liberty. Born in Chandigarh, India in 1969, she moved to the U.S. as a child and has become a prominent Republican Party official and legal commentator. From 2016 until April 2025, she served as a Republican National Committee official, where she championed election integrity and the rights of parents and religious minorities. She was nominated by President Trump in December 2024, and confirmed by the Senate in April 2025, to be the next United States Assistant Attorney General for the Civil Rights Division.

Joe Allen has written for Chronicles, The Federalist, Human Events, The National Pulse, Parabola, Salvo, and Protocol: The Journal of the Entertainment Technology Industry. He holds a master’s degree from Boston University, where he studied cognitive science and human evolution as they pertain to religion. As an arena rigger, he’s toured the world for rock n’ roll, country, rap, classical, and cage-fighting productions. He now serves as the transhumanism editor for Bannon’s WarRoom. Allen writes in his groundbreaking book, Dark Aeon, that “Transhumanism is the great merger of humankind with the Machine. At this stage in history, it consists of billions using smartphones. Going forward, we’ll be hardwiring our brains to artificial intelligence systems.” But he argues that humanity’s salvation is still within our grasp.

Dr. Joseph Ladapo is a Nigerian-American physician and health policy researcher currently serving as the Surgeon General of Florida since 2021. Born in Nigeria, he immigrated to the United States at the age of 5 with his family when his father, a microbiologist, came to continue his studies. Dr. Ladapo completed his undergraduate studies at Wake Forest University, where he was a decathlete and captain of the varsity track and field team. He then went on to earn his MD from Harvard Medical School and a PhD in Health Policy from Harvard Graduate School of Arts and Sciences. He completed his clinical training in internal medicine. Throughout his career, Dr. Ladapo has held various academic positions. He served as a faculty member in the Department of Population Health at NYU School of Medicine and as a Staff Fellow at the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Prior to his current role, he was an Associate Professor at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA. Dr. Ladapo's research focuses on clinical trial interventions and reducing the population burden of cardiovascular disease. His work has been funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, and his studies have been published in leading medical journals. In recent years, Dr. Ladapo has gained prominence for his bold stance on COVID-19 mitigation measures, in which he opposed mask and vaccine mandates, questioned the safety of COVID-19 vaccines, and approved alternative treatments. Currently, Dr. Ladapo serves as a Professor of Medicine at the University of Florida College of Medicine in addition to his role as Florida's Surgeon General. He is married and has three young children.

Pete Kennedy is an attorney based in Sarasota, Florida, with decades of experience defending food freedom and small-scale farming. From 2008 to 2016, he served as President of the Farm-to-Consumer Legal Defense Fund, where he championed the rights of farmers and consumers against overreach by state and federal regulators. Pete has represented or supported dairy farmers facing enforcement actions in Florida, Wisconsin, Ohio, Michigan, and Indiana, and has played a key role in helping farmers across the country establish raw milk operations. His work has made him a trusted advocate in the national movement for local food freedom and informed consumer choice.

Dr. Mollie James is a board-certified critical care physician and trauma surgeon with frontline experience treating COVID-19 patients in both New York City and the Midwest. A vocal advocate for medical freedom and informed consent, she founded the James Clinic to provide patient-centered care without insurance or government interference.

Wesley “Wes” Huff is a Canadian Christian apologist, theologian, and scholar specializing in biblical manuscripts and Christian theology. Born in Multan, Pakistan, he spent his early years in the Middle East, significantly influencing his interest in cultural and theological studies. At the age of 11, Huff was diagnosed with a rare neurological condition, acute transverse myelitis, that left him paralyzed from the waist down. However, he experienced a remarkable recovery that doctors could not explain medically, an event that profoundly shaped his passion for ministry and theology. As the Central Canada Director for Apologetics Canada since 2019, Huff has been actively involved in organizing and participating in public dialogues, debates, and interfaith events across North America. He regularly presents at conferences, churches, and university campuses, addressing the reliability of biblical manuscripts, theology, and cultural engagement. Huff lives in Toronto with his wife and three children, and his work is highly regarded for its academic rigor and engaging communication style.

Brendan Carr's career in telecommunications policy spans over a decade. He began his legal career as a clerk for Judge Dennis W. Shedd of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit. Later, he worked as an attorney at Wiley Rein LLP, focusing on appellate, litigation, and telecom practices. In 2012, Carr joined the FCC as a staffer, working on spectrum policy and competition matters. He then served as the lead advisor to FCC Commissioner Ajit Pai on wireless, public safety, and international issues. Carr was later appointed as the FCC's General Counsel, representing the agency in court and serving as its chief legal advisor. In 2017, President Donald Trump nominated Carr to serve as an FCC Commissioner, and he was confirmed unanimously by the U.S. Senate on August 3, 2017. He was sworn into office on August 11, 2017. In January 2025, Carr was elevated to the position of FCC Chairman by President Trump during his second term.

Dr. Dave Weldon is a physician and former member of Congress. He was born in Amityville, New York, on August 31, 1953. After graduating from Stony Brook University in 1978, he earned his M.D. from the University at Buffalo School of Medicine in 1981. Dr. Weldon served in the U.S Army from 1981 to 1987 and in the Army Reserve from 1987 until 1992. After his military service, he practiced medicine in Florida. Dr. Weldon represented Florida’s 15th congressional district in Congress from 1995 to 2009. He is a physician at Health First Medical Group in Malabar, Florida. President Donald Trump nominated Dr. Weldon in November 2024 to serve as Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC); however, his nomination was withdrawn by the White House on March 13, 2025, just hours before his scheduled Senate confirmation hearing. Dr. Weldon is married to Nancy Weldon and they have two children.