Topic: Nativism

While Governor Josh Green touts Hawaii's low COVID-19 mortality rates, the hosts point to data showing that Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders experienced some of the highest death rates in the country. The discussion questions the accuracy of the governor's "analytical" success story and the impact of strict island lockdowns.

Comedian Josh Selter performs a satirical bit where he identifies as "Walking Tomahawk," a trans-indigenous Native American. The sketch mocks modern identity politics and "transphobia" by depicting a white man demanding access to a reservation bathroom based on his "assigned origin at birth." The hosts discuss the "shaking" and "self-pity" tropes common in TikTok videos that the satire targets.

Mainstream conservative commentators like Bill O'Reilly and Mark Levin are criticized for using "native ads" to sell specialty gold coins at prices significantly above the spot market value. These "limited edition" coins are described as a potential scam targeting elderly listeners who want to roll over their IRAs. The hosts recommend buying standard gold bars or reputable collectible coins at market price rather than through high-commission podcast sponsors.

The hosts discuss how Big Pharma uses "native ads" and influencer outreach to maintain media control as traditional TV viewership declines. Adam Curry admits to "Debunkbot" tendencies, citing his past experience being "burned" by the quantum dots conspiracy as a reason for his increased skepticism.

The discussion continues with TikTok clips of women bragging about being "divorced and unable to cook" as a way to ward off conservative men. Another clip features a woman telling Trump supporters that the movie *Wicked* is "not for them." The hosts identify the *Wicked* clip as a potential "native ad" paid for by the film's marketing team.

A recent media report claiming that tampons contain trace amounts of lead and arsenic has been dismissed by some medical experts as "fear-mongering clickbait." Critics suggest the study may be a form of native advertising intended to drive consumers toward alternative products like menstrual cups and discs. Experts noted that the levels of metals detected are clinically insignificant and comparable to amounts found in common vegetables like kale and arugula.

A new awards program titled the No Agenda Podcast Awards, or the GOATS, is introduced. Unlike traditional ceremonies, these awards will feature categories specific to the medium such as "Best Vocal Fry," "Most Use of the Word Right," and "Best Transition to an Ad Read." Producers who have donated to the show are invited to submit clips for nomination, with the hosts maintaining final control over the winners.

McDonald's is launching a new spinoff brand called CosMc's, with the first location appearing in Bolingbrook, Illinois. The concept appears to focus on customizable caffeinated drinks and small snacks, targeting the afternoon "pick-me-up" market. Simultaneously, the company announced over 50 tweaks to its core burger recipes, a move heavily promoted across national morning news programs in what critics call coordinated native advertising.

A news story about a "Secret Santa" paying off layaway accounts at a Kmart in Melbourne is deconstructed as a native advertisement for Mattel. The hosts point out that the news segment specifically highlighted the prices of a Barbie house and dreamboat, suggesting the entire event was a coordinated marketing stunt for the Barbie brand.

The hosts critique the "PopStart" segment on the Today Show as a platform for native advertising. They highlight a "food collaboration" between Blue Moon beer and Pop-Up Bagels, featuring Al Roker and Savannah Guthrie, as an example of blatant product placement disguised as news.

The hosts critique a news segment featuring Dr. Alicia Robbins, who suggests that women in their 40s should use weight loss drugs to manage perimenopause symptoms. They characterize this as "ghoulish" marketing intended to expand the consumer base for GLP-1 drugs to younger, healthy populations.

ABC News featured a segment promoting Paxlovid as a critical treatment for COVID-19, which the hosts identify as "native advertising" tied to pharmaceutical sponsorships. The report claims Paxlovid reduces hospitalization risk by 90%, even as newer studies suggest decreasing effectiveness. The hosts mock the scripted nature of these morning show health segments and the financial ties between networks and drug makers.

Reports of sharks consuming cocaine bales off the coast of Florida are identified as a promotional stunt for Discovery Channel's Shark Week. The "Cocaine Sharks" narrative follows the success of the film "Cocaine Bear" and is described as a recurring annual media cycle. Scientists observed hammerhead sharks exhibiting erratic behavior near dumped drug packages.

Fox News' "The Five" features a segment on the Kraft Flavors Club, which allows fans to test new macaroni and cheese varieties like Buffalo and Pizza. The hosts criticize the segment as "outrage television" mixed with cheap native advertising, noting Greg Gutfeld's apparent disdain for the ad.

The program's "Value for Value" funding model is explained as an alternative to corporate advertising. This leads into a critique of a segment on NBC's Today Show featuring a man on a 100-day McDonald's diet. The segment is identified as a native advertisement disguised as viral TikTok content, complete with superimposed logos and corporate slogans.

A viral TikTok discussion featured a woman claiming Native American heritage and criticizing the lack of acceptance within both the Black and Indigenous communities. The program concluded with a reminder of the upcoming Thursday broadcast and a final "Go Eagles" sign-off ahead of the Super Bowl. The outro included a satirical segment on New York City mandates and the "Agenda 2030" initiative.

The hosts contrast "native advertising"—ads that look like news stories—with their own "value-for-value" model. They mock the "seamless" integration of brands into podcasting, using Taco Bell's Mexican Pizza and Oreo research as examples of corporate manipulation. The segment emphasizes that No Agenda was built on listener support rather than the "midroll ads" that have become standard in the industry.

An NPR report on "poop-themed" songs reveals that musicians like Matt Farley are seeing a surge in streams driven by children using Amazon Alexa smart speakers. The hosts criticize the segment as a form of "native advertising" for Amazon while noting the absurdity of the content being broadcast on public radio.

A news story about a woman whose Apple Watch saved her life by detecting a heart tumor is identified as a "native ad." The hosts point out the hallmarks of placed content, such as the product being featured on the news desk and the specific "after-package" discussion by anchors. They argue this is a common tactic used by Apple to promote health features.

Kraft Macaroni and Cheese announced a rebranding to "Kraft Mac & Cheese," marking its first name change in 85 years. The update includes a refreshed logo featuring a "noodle smile" with a cheese drip, which has been widely criticized as unappealing. Media outlets like Axios and CNBC are accused of running the press release as native advertising, while the brand manager, Victoria Lee, claims the change reflects how fans organically discuss the product.