Topic: Steak

The New World screwworm has reportedly returned to Texas, posing a threat to the cattle industry. This biological issue coincides with skyrocketing beef prices, with reports of "jumbo tomahawk" steaks selling for as much as $875 in high-end Austin restaurants. Industry insiders suggest this may lead to a significant reduction in the domestic cattle herd.

The Department of War faces scrutiny over reports of extravagant spending, including $6.9 million on lobster tails and $15 million on ribeye steaks in a single month. Critics, including Stephen Colbert and CNN, highlight these costs alongside purchases of Herman Miller recliners and fruit basket stands. Secretary Pete Hegseth is accused of burning through a $93 billion budget in September 2025 as the war with Iran looms.

A crowdsourced investigation into the "steak and lobster" military deployment theory reveals that while the Navy uses "surf and turf" to boost morale before bad news, most other branches simply serve it every Friday. Producers with decades of service clarify that these meals are often a routine part of the weekly menu cycle rather than a definitive signal of imminent combat.

Reports indicate a significant U.S. military buildup in the Middle East, with potential strikes on Iran being weighed by the Trump administration. The "steak and lobster" meme—a rumor that the military serves high-end meals before an invasion—is discussed alongside actual troop movements. While the administration hasn't sought a formal declaration of war, naval and air presence in the region has reached a critical mass.

A viral TikTok video showing U.S. troops being served steak and lobster is debunked as an old clip from February. The "surf and turf" meal is a traditional morale booster served before deployments, leading to false speculation of an imminent invasion. The hosts lament the breakdown of the internet and the reliance on AI chatbots for fact-checking.

Matthew Martell is dubbed "Sir Martel, Peddler of Hardware." He critiques the reading of "ad" notes on the show and requests a "mRNA vaccine and free tomahawk steak" at the Round Table. He also offers a discount for his hardware business and encourages a friend to stop buying Dogecoin and donate to the show instead.

Fifty-one migrants were found dead in a tractor-trailer in San Antonio, Texas, due to extreme heat and lack of water. Reports indicate the victims were sprinkled with "steak seasoning" to mask the smell of decomposition. Texas Governor Greg Abbott blamed President Biden's "open border" policies, while Mexican President Lopez Obrador criticized the lack of control on both sides of the border.

A critique of morning television news highlights the excessive advertising on NBC's Today Show compared to CBS and ABC. Observations include the prevalence of "deals" segments and Father's Day promotions for Omaha Steaks. CBS is noted for its heavy rotation of entertainment news, specifically promoting the new Space Jam movie starring LeBron James, while NBC featured the opening of the Velocicoaster in Florida.

A new search feature has been added to the No Agenda website, allowing users to search through episode transcripts. The hosts acknowledge major donations from "Anonymous" and "Sir Otaku," the latter of whom redirected funds from a cancelled NHL season ticket. Sir Otaku also requests "mac and cheese karma" for an upcoming steak competition in Texas.

Adam Curry and John C. Dvorak discuss the pretentiousness of "entremonts" (palate cleansers) in high-end restaurants. Curry also mentions his success in Austin by ordering his meat at exactly "142 degrees," a specific temperature request that confuses waiters but results in perfectly cooked steak.

John C. Dvorak recounts a successful No Agenda meetup at Sparks Steak House in New York City. He mentions a mysterious gift of expensive champagne from a couple identified as the "Duke and Duchess of Japan" and notes the attendance of show regulars like Rod Adams and Nick the Rat.

John C. Dvorak reviews the musical "Disaster," a comedy spoof of 1970s disaster films like The Poseidon Adventure currently in previews. He notes the high entertainment value despite doubting the show's long-term longevity. Additionally, the hosts announce a listener meetup at Sparks Steak House in Manhattan scheduled for the following Tuesday to celebrate Dvorak's birthday.

A media report featuring a head waiter on the Queen Elizabeth cruise ship describes the extreme luxury available to high-paying passengers, including personal butlers and "anything you want" menus. John C. Dvorak mocks the waiter's claim that they would "try" to make pumpkin pancakes, arguing it contradicts the promise of unlimited service. Dvorak expresses his lingering grudge against the cruise line for their lack of cooperation with his past reporting efforts.

A listener recalls laughing in a grocery store at a clip of "Megatron Man" mocking a selfie girl. Another anecdote involves "No Agenda Karma" manifesting at a Gordon Ramsay restaurant, where a listener found a wire fragment in their mac and cheese, resulting in a free $300 meal for the table.

Judy Schwartz donated to reach a $1,000 lifetime total, earning the title Dame of Bernie Village. In response to her request, John Dvorak recommends Taylor's Vintage Port for her ceremony. The hosts also discuss the recipe for "Depression Slave Stew," a cost-effective meal made with cheap cuts of chuck steak and wine, which has become a popular topic among the audience.

A new trend in high-end restaurants involves servers asking for the specific "temperature" of meat rather than traditional doneness levels. The hosts find this practice annoying and pretentious, joking about bringing their own pocket thermometers to verify the exact degrees. They speculate this trend started in Los Angeles and is spreading to other major cities.

Adam Curry announces plans to make "chocolate bacon on a stick" based on a tip from a local market vendor. The hosts sign off, encouraging listeners to support the show and "deconstruct mainstream media bullcrap." They mention upcoming topics for the Thursday show and conclude with their signature sign-offs from Austin and Silicon Valley.

Donations are acknowledged from listeners like Richard Troyano, who commented on the "fictional" nature of the 9-11 Commission Report. Another donor, Sir Craig Peters, contributes in honor of his wife's chemotherapy treatment and promotes Gilda's Club Delaware Valley, an organization providing support for families living with cancer.

Donald Trump appeared on Greta Van Susteren's show to criticize the U.S. government's relationship with China. Trump repeatedly complained about the White House hosting "steak dinners" for foreign leaders while the U.S. economy suffers.

The hosts offer birthday greetings to Katie Hammer and James Wilson. A donor from Honolulu requests that John C. Dvorak republish his old recipes from BoardWatch Magazine, specifically a famous flank steak recipe. The hosts also promote the $5 and $30 monthly subscription tiers as the "lifeline" for the program's sustainability.