Beyond Manipulation: The Annihilation of Personal Agency with John Kirbow

Beyond Manipulation: The Annihilation of Personal Agency with John Kirbow

In this episode, Louise Levin sits down with John Kirbow—a former U.S. Army Psyops specialist—to unmask the tactics used to fracture societies from the inside out. From the warzones abroad to the algorithm-driven battlefields of social media, Kirbow breaks down how psychological operations, false binaries, and engineered outrage erode our ability to think, connect, and choose freely. With the calm of a therapist and the precision of a strategist, Louise and John explore how we reclaim agency in an age of manipulation. The conversation moves from critical thinking to compassion, from division to dialogue—urging listeners to look beyond the noise and interrogate the systems shaping their beliefs. This isn’t about left or right. It’s about waking up. His Book: Combating Domestic Extremism: A Post-9/11 War Veteran’s Perspective – How lessons from the warzone can help us confront radicalization, conspiracy, and civic decay.

Dr. Michelle Holko: The Intersection of Biology and AI. The Race to Control Life.

In this episode of Soft and Savage, Louise Levin speaks with Dr. Michelle Holko about the urgent crossroads at the intersection of biotechnology, AI, and national security. Holko explains how biology is shifting from discovery to design, unlocking new possibilities in medicine, food, energy, and defense. But she warns that while the U.S. pioneered breakthroughs like genome sequencing, China’s coordinated “whole-of-country” push in biotech now threatens American leadership. Together they explore chilling risks—biological weapons, super-soldier research, and food weaponization—alongside hopeful moonshot opportunities. The conversation is both soft in its humanity and savage in its recognition of high-stakes global competition. Instagram: @mholko The National Security Commission on Emerging Biotechnology: https://www.biotech.senate.gov/ [https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqbDJ1eVVjS0FaQXkyd1dwUEZ0c3ZjRmh5aHRqQXxBQ3Jtc0ttYWdRS3pFX2NiTnZCRUY0aGdPQ25raW13Yk9XclU5d2x0WkFEUjR6NXZ3RDBkcVB1MEUzaml1NmVOQmVKdVdYWTg3Wlk3bEU2Wm51TC14OUxZblVucjNNR3g0SWZfY05yQzRfSGRMdU5wel9QNmJuRQ&q=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.biotech.senate.gov%2F&v=YRC6haGCExg]

The Planet Earth Guide to Investing in Cryptocurrency with Sir John Hargave

In this episode of Soft and Savage, John Hargrave—CEO of Media Shower and author of The Intelligent Crypto Investor—cuts through the confusion of crypto by reframing it in familiar terms: blockchains as shared spreadsheets, cryptos as companies, and tokens as stocks. Drawing on his own journey from early Bitcoin gains to devastating losses and recovery, Hargrave emphasizes disciplined, long-term investing over hype, advocating for diversification, dollar-cost averaging, and a maximum 10% allocation to crypto. He challenges conventional thinking by arguing that crypto is not just an asset class but a foundational technology poised to replace the global financial system, while also making a provocative case for a future global digital currency. Throughout, the conversation balances skepticism and clarity, transforming crypto from an intimidating abstraction into a practical, investable framework.  Show Notes Guest * Sir John Hargrave – CEO, Media Shower Books & Publications * The Intelligent Crypto Investor [https://www.amazon.com/Intelligent-Crypto-Investor-John-Hargrave/dp/1394366426] * Blockchain for Everyone [https://www.amazon.com/Blockchain-Everyone-Learned-Secrets-Millionaire/dp/1982113545/ref=sr_1_1?crid=B1DQ7C57N7WK&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.Fs9Gcoj0xqJvwrjdc3IJDBXX9xMjxGxsl3XMLhHB5mgOgUKv7cZZj6TO1mo4URMGzQyOjK7dBZ0S4JnjfV08uNvNAbK9SGnmj8Ppxj540HmgMNM2teE2k6fUI6adhs8f2vYeLj36pBbiS2gKTuz94VK52E6D4q5s7fNRxNstey0jlZtKcARSwiUGVnAFybece-_dTOQue9RbJ58xhzQXi1YFcLb3BVmLvjX8e-Z4Kkw.Sul6T6QMUkqciFe9oz5Cn8Vc8IJTBuspiZ9rTrFAJ0Y&dib_tag=se&keywords=blockchain+for+everyone&qid=1774537849&s=books&sprefix=blockchain+for+everyone%2Cstripbooks%2C104&sr=1-1] * The Intelligent Crypto Investor newsletter Company & Platforms * Media Shower [http://www.mediashower.com/] Social Profiles * LinkedIn: John Hargrave * X (Twitter): @sirjohnhargrave Key Concepts Covered * Crypto as companies; tokens as stocks * Blockchain explained as a “shared spreadsheet” * Bitcoin as a volatile tech asset—not currency or gold * Stablecoins as a bridge between traditional finance and crypto * Long-term investing strategy (≤10% allocation, steady investing) * The case for a future global digital currency Notable Mentions * Coinbase [http://coinbase/] (retail investing platform) * Circle Internet Financial [https://www.circle.com/?utm_term=circle%20internet%20financial%20llc&utm_campaign=ENV+-+G+-+Search+-+Brand+-+Circle+Brand+-+BM&utm_source=adwords&utm_medium=ppc&hsa_acc=2894751369&hsa_cam=21275683630&hsa_grp=161485174945&hsa_ad=698997839918&hsa_src=g&hsa_tgt=kwd-1891891833017&hsa_kw=circle%20internet%20financial%20llc&hsa_mt=b&hsa_net=adwords&hsa_ver=3&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=21275683630&gbraid=0AAAAADnA_PLnXpiS7LPyCgtvf3ds9FoIa&gclid=CjwKCAjwspPOBhB9EiwATFbi5N_OCVfXJt6G5rmOOWM7SyCP3y2C3YQrxNyR7QqbaO1_A_zAMlcdMxoC480QAvD_BwE] (US stablecoin issuer) This content is for informational and educational purposes only and does not constitute financial, investment, or legal advice. We are not financial advisors. Always do your own research and consult with a qualified professional before making any financial decisions.

Narcissism: The Soup We’re Swimming In Sam Vaknin

Episode Summary: Dr. Samuel Vaknin unveils narcissism's dual nature: wounded children wearing masks of grandiosity. From love-bombing to discarding, they create psychological mazes for victims while their emptiness drives constant validation-seeking. Different types—overt, covert, somatic, cerebral—share childhood trauma origins, but their destructive patterns can captivate individuals and societies alike. Sam Vaknin  Malignant Self Love: Narcissism Revealed: https://www.amazon.com/Malignant-Self-Love-Narcissism-Sam-Vaknin/dp/8023833847 Youtube page:https://www.youtube.com/@samvaknin Instagram: @narcissismwithvaknin