The Prevailing Narrative with Matt Bilinsky

Latest Episodes:

Episode 52: ADHD Over-Diagnosis, "Safetysim", and the Cultural & Financial Factors Driving America's Mental Health Crisis - with Freddie DeBoer Mar 16, 2023

Show notes

Freddie DeBoer is one of my favorite writers and someone whose blunt yet thoughtful wisdom is sorely needed these days. Freddie joins me to discuss:

The explosion in ADHD diagnosis and prescription drugs such as Aderral and Ritalin.
How ADHD and other disorders have become "cultures" and "communities" that define people's identities
The role of pharmaceutical companies and bureaucratic rewards incentivizing claims of ADHD and other disorders
How "Safetyism" (the prioritization of emotional comfort over all things) is impeding solutions
Freddie's criticism of social shaming (i.e., "cancel culture") from a progressive, left-wing perspective
The rage of the "creative underclass"

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Episode 51: "A spectacular demolition of modern life": The social commentary of White Lotus, Tar, & Triangle of Sadness with Comedian Leah Lamarr Mar 10, 2023

Show notes

Social commentary has become a lost art in movies and television, but recently 3 works were very deliberate in exploring the unique features of modern life: HBO mini-series White Lotus, and the films Tar & Triangle of Sadness.

My friend and comedian Leah Lamarr joins me to discuss these works and the social issues they comment on:

- Shifting gender roles in modern relationships - do women want to be "equal partners"?

- The unique dysfunctions of the rich & beautiful in the social media age

- Selling beauty & glamour for money and access

- How power dynamics are portrayed in the "Woke" era

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Episode 50: Niccolo Soldo -Niccolo Soldo - Shadowy Online Figure on "Turbo America", the History of AIDS, A Deep Dive on the Russia/Ukraine Conflict, & Much More! Feb 23, 2023

Show notes

Despite being both anonymous and controversial, Niccolo Soldo (not his real name) has built up one of the most popular pages on Substack and interviewed some of the leaders of media and industry.

He joins me to discuss many of the wide ranging and fascinating topics he covers on his Substack:

- "Turbo America": His contrarian theory that America is now actually more powerful than ever.

- History of AIDS: Niccolo is one of the world's leading researchers on the history of AIDS, and recently penned a brilliaint 8-part retrospective.

- The Rise of Vladimir Putin & the Russia/Ukraine Conflict

- MAGA & BLM: The failed American populist movements of the late 2010's.

- California in the 60's & 70's: Why is the west coast both the engine of culture and social movements, and a hotbed of con men, grifters, and charlatans?

- The Sexual Revolution and its Fallout

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Episode 49: Roy Price - ex-Head of Amazon Studios and Streaming Pioneer on the Future of the Media Business Feb 14, 2023

Show notes

Roy Price has always been 2 steps ahead in the media world. He was the 1st employee of Amazon Video and the Head of Amazon Studios as TV and Film consumption shifted to streaming platforms. Roy built Amazon's streaming and production resources seemingly from nothing - presiding over 12 productions that won Best Series at the Emmy's and Golden Globes.

Roy is sharing his insights and predictions for the media business on his Substack, Price Point, and joined me this week to discuss.

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Episode 48: Biden's State of the Union: The Good, The Bad, The Bullshit; Big Week in Cancel Culture Resurrections; Identarianism vs. Universalism Feb 09, 2023

Show notes

Joe Biden delivered his 1st post-mid terms State of the Union. Does he benefit from our low expectations? How real are his (claimed) accomplishments? Are the Republicans botching a response? (some are, some aren't)

Louis C.K., Dave Chappelle, Armie Hammer, & Salman Rushdie all back in the news this week. Has Cancel Culture faded? Was it real in the first place? Why or why not?

Exploration of 2 great pieces on identity politics - 1 by Thomas Chatterton Williams and 1 by Andrew Sullivan. Contrasting a focus on identity (Identarianism) vs. universal values (Universalism)

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Episode 47: Fyre Fest's Billy McFarland - Fresh Out of Jail & Ready for His Next Act Feb 03, 2023

Show notes

By now we're all familiar with the Fyre Fest debacle and the man behind it all - Billy McFarland. Billy has paid his debt to society with 4 years in prison...but now has to pay his debt to Fyre Fest victims to the tune of $26 million (non-dischargeable!!!).

Billy appears to be taking responsibility for his mishaps, and is saying all the right things. But he's had a habit of saying the right things and doing the wrong ones. Will his actions match his words this time and lead him down the Road of Redemption? Only time will tell.

He joins me for a raw, candid interview including:

- More inside scoop on Fyre Fest.

- The character failings he believes led to his downfall.

- The lessons learned in solitary confinement.

- His early days as an entrepreneur pre-Fyre.

- Why he is SURE he can make your brand go viral.

- Is Ja Rule ducking Billy for a fight?

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Episode 46: Alleged "Sex Cult" NXIVM - Did the Public (and the Courts) Get It Wrong? Member Nicki Clyne Says They Did Jan 26, 2023

Show notes

In 2017 explosive claims dropped about NXIVM and its leader Keith Raniere. Lurid tales of sexual abuse, blackmail, financial impropriety, and even physical "branding" with hot irons.

The court system agreed and sentenced Raniere to 120 years in prison.

NXIVM member Nicki Clyne was front and center for it all. She claims the accusations against Raniere and NXIVM are predominantly false and obscured by media hysteria. She joins me to present her case and an insider's account of what really transpired at NXIVM.

Hear her out and come to your own conclusions.

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Episode 45: Legendary Music Video & Comedy Director, and Creator of "Hard Knocks" - Marty Callner Jan 24, 2023

Show notes

Marty Callner has directed the most iconic figures of the past 50 years - Madonna, the Rolling Stones, Cher, Brittney Spears, Aerosmith, Whitney Houston, Jerry Seinfeld, Chris Rock, George Carlin....the list goes on and on.

The NY Times has called him "the most influential director you've never heard of" and that is quite the under-statement as Marty revolutionized THREE different entertainment mediums - music videos, comedy specials, and sports broadcasting.

Marty directed award winning music videos, basically invented the filmed comedy special, and created HBO's groundbreaking football series "Hard Knocks". Truly a career without equal and he joins me to discuss it all.

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Episode 44: Artificial Intelligence and ChatGPT with Machine Learning Engineer Nikolai Yakovenko; Woke Institutional Capture with Aaron Sibarium Jan 19, 2023

Show notes

4:00 - The ChatGPT app rocked the tech world just before the holidays, providing us a glimpse into the commercial capabilities of Artificial Intelligence. Former Twitter engineer and machine learning expert Nikolai Yakovenko joins us to break down this technology and its anticipated impact on our lives.

47:16 - Aaron Sibarium has been documenting the Woke takeover over critical institutions ranging from medicine and education to corporate American and finance...and even law. How the Culture Wars are impacting more than just "culture".

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Episode 43: The Harry & Meghan Media Blitz with Royal/Pop Culture Commentator Kinsey Schofield Jan 12, 2023

Show notes

To start off 2023, all anyone can talk about are the revelations from Prince Harry & his wife Meghan Markle....or how they're tired of hearing about them. Kinsey Schofield has researched the claims made by H & M and we put them under a microscope, and discuss how this saga speaks to larger issues in current media and culture.

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