Back to the People with Nicole Shanahan

Annelise E. Barron is the W.M. Keck Associate Professor of Bioengineering at Stanford University. Her lab focuses on human host defense peptides (antimicrobial peptides), particularly LL-37, studying their biophysics, mechanisms of infection defense, and roles in Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease. The group also develops biostable peptoid mimics of LL-37 as potential therapeutics for antibiotic-resistant infections, including neurological, respiratory, and ocular diseases. Past work includes creating mimics of lung surfactant proteins for pneumonia treatment and ventilator-associated lung injury prevention.Dr. Barron’s research extends to the pathogenic mechanisms of COVID-19 and the links between innate immunity, metabolic health, and susceptibility to viral and polymicrobial infections. She is broadly interested in systems-level analyses of complex human diseases.She earned her B.S. in Chemical Engineering from the University of Washington, Ph.D. from UC Berkeley, and completed postdoctoral work at UCSF and Chiron Corp. She joined Stanford in 2007 after a decade on Northwestern University’s faculty. Her awards include the NIH Pioneer Award (2020), Oskar Fischer Award (2022), PECASE (1999), Beckman Young Investigator Award (1999), and Camille Dreyfus Teacher-Scholar Award (1998). She has published over 177 papers (H-index: 58) and co-founded five biotechnology companies. With gratitude to our sponsors: RA Opticshttps://raoptics.com/bttpUse Code: BTTP-----Sky Horse Publishinghttps://www.skyhorsepublishing.com/-----Sign Uphttps://www.backtothepeople.net

Chandler Crump is a 20-year-old Gen Z commentator, artist, and activist whose political journey began at age 14 when he attended Turning Point USA’s Young Black Leadership Summit. At that event, TPUSA founder Charlie Kirk told him that he was his “No. 1 fan,” and that it didn’t matter how young he was, that he could still stand and fight for his beliefs. That moment of encouragement inspired Chandler to immerse himself in the conservative movement, and he has since many more TPUSA events. Today, he credits TPUSA with shaping both his worldview and his commitment to advancing the conservative principles of individual liberty, free markets, and open dialogue.

Alex Lee Moyer is a filmmaker, director, and editor best known for probing contemporary subcultures and difficult cultural topics. She started her creative career editing music videos and documentaries, including The New Radical (2017), and gained acclaim for her directorial debut TFW NO GF (2020), a documentary examining the lives of young men immersed in online subcultures. Her second feature, Alex's War (2022), explores the controversial figure Alex Jones, offering a candid look at the polarizing media personality and larger themes of information, trust, and cultural division. Moyer is the founder of Onset Creative, her own production company, intended as an incubator for ambitious and culturally relevant film projects. With gratitude to our sponsors: RA Opticshttps://raoptics.com/bttpUse Code: BTTP-----Sky Horse Publishinghttps://www.skyhorsepublishing.com/-----Sign Uphttps://www.backtothepeople.net

Kaizen Asiedu, a Harvard Philosophy graduate and Emmy Award winner, shares insights on civil discourse in today’s polarized climate. He discusses the call for authenticity in politics and the importance of accountability, especially for younger generations facing economic challenges. Drawing from his journey in esports to life coaching, he emphasizes the need for nuanced conversations about race and compassion. Kaizen advocates for personal responsibility, urging individuals to recognize their role in societal issues while fostering critical thinking skills to combat media bias.

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.

In this engaging conversation, guests share their diverse insights. Mike Flynn delves into his military career and experiences in the White House, revealing the intricacies of loyalty in politics. Chloe Cole speaks candidly about her journey with gender transitioning as a teenager, advocating for caution in medical procedures for youth. Joseph Ladapo discusses his startling findings on the COVID-19 lockdowns and their effectiveness. Wesley Huff defends the Christian worldview, emphasizing the importance of understanding apologetics in today's context.

Cynthia Daley, a professor and director at California State University, Chico, dives into the world of regenerative agriculture. She discusses the ecological advantages of these practices, including water conservation and soil health. Cynthia highlights the innovative California Agricultural Resiliency Index and the role of farmers in combating climate change. Listeners will learn about the importance of sustainable meat choices and the challenges small farmers face in an evolving agricultural landscape. Her insights advocate for collaboration and a shift towards sustainable practices.

Chuck Benbrook, an agricultural economist and advocate for organic farming, discusses the hidden health risks of glyphosate and its link to chronic diseases. He explores the organic movement, emphasizing consumer safety and the need for transparency in pesticide use. Benbrook critiques Bayer's acquisition of Monsanto and its implications for public health. He highlights the challenges posed by glyphosate-resistant weeds and calls for a reevaluation of agricultural policies to promote sustainable practices.