Cut To The Chase: Podcast Hosted by Gregg Goldfarb

Gregg M. Goldfarb
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Welcome to "Cut to the Chase:" where we talk about compelling legal, regulatory and public interest information and news. Your host is Gregg Goldfarb, an attorney, entrepreneur, investor and activist.

  1. 2d ago

    Every Continent, 50 Years, No Regrets: Building a Career You Love | Ron Magill

    When Ron Magill announced his retirement on February 15th, plenty of people assumed South Florida was losing its most recognizable voice in the animal world.   On this episode of Cut to the Chase: host Gregg Goldfarb sits down with Ron to set the record straight. He retired from the county, moved his office about 30 yards north, and took on a new role as Goodwill Ambassador and Conservation Liaison for the Zoo Miami Foundation. Ron walks through the work ahead of him, including building the Ron Magill Conservation Endowment, the largest conservation endowment at the zoo, where none of the money can be spent at the zoo itself and goes entirely toward protecting animals in the wild. He also shares the travel programs he's leading, from 11 national parks across five states to polar bears in Churchill and a return voyage to Antarctica.   The conversation turns personal when Ron shares the story of the animal that changed his life. It was a squirrel that came down from a tree during recess, at a time when he was a Spanish-speaking kid being bullied so badly he'd retreated into his shell. He also weighs in on why Miami has become what he calls the Ellis Island of exotic animals, what's realistically possible with pythons and iguanas at this point, and why he's profoundly concerned about the rollback of environmental protections at a national level.   Join Gregg and Ron Magill on Cut to the Chase: as they explore: Why "retirement" for Ron meant moving offices rather than stepping away, and what the Zoo Miami Foundation role actually involves How the Ron Magill Conservation Endowment works, and why none of that money can be spent at the zoo How listeners can join Ron's travel programs through the travel tab at zoomiami.org Why local conservation in your own backyard matters before global causes Whether you can actually make a living in wildlife and conservation work, and what it takes Why storytelling, not statistics or pie charts, is the skill that opens doors in this field What Miami is doing to build green corridors connecting parks for wildlife Why invasive species like pythons, iguanas, and lionfish are here to stay, and what management realistically looks like Why the python hunts matter for public education even when they don't dent the population   TIME STAMPS 0:00 – Intro: "The Ellis Island of Exotic Animals" 0:30 – Welcome to Cut to the Chase & Ron's 4-Decade Legacy 1:01 – Retiring from the County, Not From the Mission 1:38 – New Role: Zoo Miami Foundation & Conservation Endowment 2:05 – Upcoming Trips: Antarctica, Africa, National Parks & How to Join  3:36 – Conservation Work: Audubon, Wildlife Rescue & Protecting Our Backyard 4:22 – Giving Back: Scholarships for the Next Generation  5:06 – "Living a Scam": On Loving Your Job 5:37 – Can You Actually Make a Living Doing This? 6:53 – Why Storytelling Matters More Than Ever 7:11 – The Next Ron Magill? Rising Stars at the Zoo  7:59 – Conservation in Your Own Backyard (Inspired by Wild London) 9:17 – The Squirrel That Changed His Life 11:29 – Escaped Animals & Hurricane Andrew 12:08 – Miami's Invasive Species Crisis: Pythons, Iguanas & More 13:01 – Are We Making Progress? The State of Global Conservation 13:56 – Final Thoughts & Call to Action    Ron Magill has spent more than four decades educating millions about wildlife and inspiring generations to care about conservation. After 46 years working under Miami-Dade County, he now serves as Goodwill Ambassador and Conservation Liaison for the Zoo Miami Foundation, where he leads the foundation's travel program and continues building the Ron Magill Conservation Endowment. He is also a USA Nikon Ambassador and wildlife photographer who has set foot on every continent and visited Africa more than 50 times.   Contact / Follow Ron Magill: Website: https://zoomiami.org (travel programs under the Travel tab) LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ron-magill-0257bb8/   Want more conversations that cut through the noise on science, climate, and the issues shaping our future? Subscribe to Cut to the Chase: with Gregg Goldfarb for new episodes every week.

    Every Continent, 50 Years, No Regrets: Building a Career You Love | Ron Magill

  2. Jul 18

    When Your Boss Asks You Out: Workplace Harassment, Retaliation & Your Rights | Jesse Weinstein

    Has a boss ever asked you to drinks or dinner, and something about it felt off? On this episode of Cut to the Chase: host Gregg Goldfarb sits down with Jesse Weinstein, a partner at Phillips & Associates who has recovered nearly $40 million for employees facing harassment, discrimination, and retaliation at work. Jesse walks through why office happy hours create risk, why HR exists to protect the company rather than the employee, and what retaliation looks like long before someone actually gets fired. He also breaks down medical leave, caregiver rights, and the protections available to pregnant employees, including what happens when people return from parental leave to find their role has quietly disappeared. Practicing across New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania, Jesse shares how to document harassment the right way, what New York City's around-the-clock liability standard means for off-hours conduct, and why reading your employee handbook before anything happens could make or break a future case.   Join Gregg and Jesse Weinstein on Cut to the Chase as they explore: What You'll Learn Why mixing alcohol into work events raises the risk of harassment, and why saying no can trigger its own backlash Why HR exists to protect the company, not the employee, and how investigations can be quietly limited How to document harassment the right way, including timestamped notes, texts, and one-party consent recording rules What counts as retaliation before you're ever fired: isolation, stripped duties, sudden scrutiny, and cold shouldering Why New York City's automatic employer liability rule can apply even to off-premises conduct Your rights around short-term disability, FMLA, and caregiver leave for a family member's medical condition What protections exist for pregnant employees, from morning sickness accommodations to return-from-leave retaliation Why contingency-fee representation means legal help doesn't require money up front Key Moments Introduction: the "boss asks you out" scenario and today's topics Why alcohol at work events raises the risk of harassment Why rejecting a boss's advances can trigger its own backlash Spotting workplace culture red flags during the interview process Why HR exists to protect the company, not the employee How investigations get limited: unquestioned witnesses and quiet dismissals Why documentation matters: timestamped notes, texts, and one-party consent recording Practicing across New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania Sending a rejection text, and why it counters the "it was consensual" defense What leadership can do to actually curb workplace harassment Reading the employee handbook and finding the right HR contact New York City's automatic employer liability for supervisor harassment What retaliation looks like before termination: isolation, stripped duties, scrutiny Weighing legal strategy against personal and career consequences When to call a lawyer, even before you've been fired New York's 24/7/365 liability standard for off-premises harassment Why most people only read their handbook after meeting a lawyer Medical leave rights: short-term disability and FMLA Caregiver leave for a family member's medical condition Pregnancy rights: morning sickness accommodations and the "interactive process" Retaliation after returning from parental leave, and hidden reorgs How contingency fee representation works Whether employees can negotiate to get their job back after termination Closing thoughts and how to reach Jesse Jesse Weinstein is a partner at Phillips & Associates, where he represents employees facing harassment, discrimination, and retaliation across New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania. Over eight years of practice, he has recovered nearly $40 million for clients, with a focus on advocating for women in lower-power roles who often don't know their workplace rights.   Contact / Follow Jesse Weinstein: Firm: Phillips & Associates LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jesseweinstein/ Want more conversations that cut through the noise on science, climate, and the issues shaping our future? Subscribe to Cut to the Chase: with Gregg Goldfarb for new episodes every week.

    When Your Boss Asks You Out: Workplace Harassment, Retaliation & Your Rights | Jesse Weinstein

  3. Jul 12

    Separating Fact From Fiction on Plastics: A Materials Scientist's 5,000-Study Review | Dr. Chris DeArmitt

    Is plastic really the environmental villain it's often portrayed to be, or have politics and misinformation overtaken the science? Dr. Chris DeArmitt, founder of the Plastics Research Council, spent thousands of unpaid hours reviewing more than 5,000 peer-reviewed studies to find out. Host Gregg sits down with Dr. DeArmitt to unpack why plastic makes up just half of one percent of the materials we use, why the "floating island" of ocean plastic doesn't exist, what's actually driving anti-plastic campaigns, and why microplastics may not be the health threat headlines suggest. It's a candid, evidence-first conversation that challenges nearly everything the public has been told about plastic. Join Gregg and Dr. Chris DeArmitt on Cut to the Chase as they explore: What You'll Learn Why plastic is only half of 1% of the material we use, and why that matters The truth behind the "floating island of plastic the size of Texas" What's really in ocean gyres, and why 85% of it is fishing gear, not consumer litter Why life cycle analysis shows plastic is the lowest-impact material in 9 out of 10 cases What microplastics research actually says, and why Dr. DeArmitt calls 80% of the studies flawed Why recycling isn't the environmental fix people think it is, and what actually helps   Key Moments Introduction: Framing the plastics debate and Dr. DeArmitt's background Why he spent 5,000+ unpaid hours reviewing studies, sparked by his daughters' school lessons The half of 1% myth: plastic vs. total material use The straw and single-use cup debate Reusing plastic bottles, and the SODIS water sterilization method The INC-4 plastics treaty meeting in Ottawa and what he saw there The "floating island the size of Texas" myth What's actually in ocean gyres (85% fishing gear) The environmental cost of NGO flights to plastics conferences Recycling: why it's overhyped and how life cycle analysis changes the picture The gold vs. plastic cost/impact comparison Landfill space and the three things that actually help the environment Microplastics: what the science says vs. the headlines Ocean plastic volume in context (the football stadium comparison) Litter as the real problem, and what actually stops it His books, peer review process, and who's changed their mind based on the data What he's working on next Closing: podcasts spreading misinformation, and his ask to hosts like Joe Rogan and Jordan Harbinger   Dr. Chris DeArmitt is the founder of the Plastics Research Council and Phantom Plastics, and a materials scientist recognized as one of the world's leading independent authorities on plastics, microplastics, and the environment. He is the author of The Plastics Paradox and Shattering the Plastics Illusion, both based on his review of thousands of peer-reviewed studies, and both available as free downloads in multiple languages. His research is unfunded by industry, and his conclusions have been reviewed and endorsed by scientists and toxicologists internationally.   The resources mentioned in this episode are: Book: The Plastics Paradox by Dr. Chris DeArmitt Book: Shattering the Plastics Illusion by Dr. Chris DeArmitt SODIS (Solar Water Disinfection) method, referenced for reused PET bottles INC-4 plastics treaty meeting, Ottawa Papermetaller / Eco Loop plastic bag recycling process, Germany Prior appearances: 60 Minutes with Scott Pelley, The Jordan Harbinger Show   Contact / Follow Dr. Chris DeArmitt: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrisdearmitt/ Dr. DeArmitt's books are available for free download in multiple languages.    Want more conversations that cut through the noise on science, climate, and the issues shaping our future? Subscribe to Cut to the Chase with Gregg Goldfarb for new episodes every week.

  4. Jul 3

    GLP-1s, Peptides & Testosterone: What Your Doctor Isn't Telling You | Fabian Calvo

    One in eight Americans is already on a GLP-1. Within the next 12 to 24 months, that number could jump to one in two. And most people have no idea where these drugs actually come from — or what's really in them. In this episode of Cut to the Chase: with Gregg Goldfarb, Gregg sits down with Fabian Calvo — longevity industry insider, pharmaceutical supply chain strategist, and CEO of WellSync — to pull back the curtain on the global drug supply chain, the real science behind peptides and testosterone therapy, and what it actually takes to live a longer, healthier life. If you've ever taken a medication, wondered about GLP-1s, or heard about peptides and had no idea where to start — this episode is essential listening.   Join Gregg and Fabian on Cut to the Chase as they discuss: Why 95% of America's generic drugs are manufactured in China and India — and what that means for national security  What a peptide actually is, why GLP-1s like Ozempic and Wegovy are just the beginning, and how to know if your source is safe The truth about testosterone therapy — why decades of fear were based on bad science, and what the latest research actually shows What NAD does, what rapamycin is, and which longevity treatments have real science behind them Why the U.S. spends trillion a year on chronic disease — and what blue zone cultures are doing differently How pharmacy benefit managers are driving up drug prices for everyday Americans What medicine will look like in 10 years — and the three things you can do right now to be ready   KEY MOMENTS 00:00 — GLP-1s, peptides, and why this conversation matters right now 01:30 — How the pharmaceutical supply chain actually works 03:00 — Why 95% of generic drugs come from China and India 05:00 — What is a peptide? The simplest explanation you'll hear 07:30 — BPC-157, the "Wolverine stack," and what the science says 10:00 — Fabian's background: from real estate to pharmaceutical supply chain CEO 13:00 — The broken U.S. healthcare model and the chronic disease epidemic 16:00 — Female hormone therapy: the NIH study that was completely debunked 19:00 — Testosterone therapy: what's changed, what's FDA-approved, and who it's for 22:00 — NAD, NMN, and Dr. David Sinclair's research explained 25:00 — Rapamycin, Easter Island, and the most exciting longevity drug you've never heard of 29:00 — Blue zones, Japan, and why community might be the best longevity medicine 33:00 — America's drug supply at geopolitical risk — what's being done 37:00 — Why Americans pay more for drugs than any other country 40:00 — Pharmacy benefit managers explained — and why they're a problem 44:00 — What medicine looks like in 10 years and the three pillars to start with today    Fabian Calvo is a longevity industry insider and pharmaceutical supply chain strategist with over a decade of experience at the intersection of drug regulation, compound pharmacy networks, and healthcare access. He is the founder of New Care Pharmaceuticals, an FDA-compliant importer of active pharmaceutical ingredients, and CEO and board member of WellSync, a tech infrastructure company whose platform Boom RX has been placed in over 10,000 medical clinics, med spas, and aesthetics practices across the United States. Fabian has met with FDA leadership including former FDA head Dr. Marty Makary, and has traveled extensively to China and India to vet pharmaceutical sourcing. His mission is to help people live healthier, longer lives through proactive, data-driven healthcare.   The resources mentioned in this episode are: Learn more about WellSync and the Boom RX platform, currently active in over 10,000 medical clinics across the U.S.: wellsync.com Learn more about New Care Pharmaceuticals and FDA-compliant pharmaceutical ingredient sourcing. Research BPC-157 and its studied benefits for gut health, tendon repair, and inflammation — referenced in this episode as a widely researched peptide. Learn more about rapamycin and its longevity research, originally discovered on Easter Island (Rapa Nui) and now being studied for its mTOR-inhibiting and anti-aging properties. Research NAD and NMN supplementation and the work of Harvard PhD Dr. David Sinclair on mitochondrial function and aging. Consult your provider about a comprehensive blood panel that includes hormone levels — Fabian's recommended first step before starting any therapy. Learn more about GLP-1 medications including Ozempic and Wegovy and the compound pharmacy landscape for access and sourcing.     Want to hear more health, legal, and lifestyle conversations that matter? Subscribe to Cut to the Chase: with Gregg Goldfarb. Want to stay updated on our latest podcasts? Subscribe to Cut to the Chase: Podcast Newsletter for monthly podcast releases and the latest legal news: https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/sl/KqDopgE

  5. Jun 26

    Why Organizations Really Fail — A Retired Lt. Colonel Explains | Jacob Bustoz

    Leadership gets tested when the stakes are high and failure isn't an option — and few understand that better than someone who led where decisions carried life-and-death consequences. In this episode of Cut to the Chase, Gregg Goldfarb sits down with Jacob "Jake" Bustoz, a retired U.S. Army Lieutenant Colonel, on how military leadership translates to the civilian business world. From combat medic to the Medical Service Corps and operations across NATO missions and military medical institutions, Jake brings a perspective that's equal parts disciplined and deeply human. Now working with organizations in healthcare, technology, and government, he explains why clarity is a leader's most overlooked strategic asset — and how a company's handling of complexity, talent, and internal politics determines whether it scales or stalls.   Join Gregg and Jake as they explore: Why leadership is "relative and contextual," not absolute  What's really behind declining military recruitment and the rise of the trades  Why organizations fail from a lack of visibility, not intelligence or effort  How to navigate difficult personalities and politics strategically  Why the hiring decision may be the most important call a company makes The difference between claiming value and creating it What it means to be a "transformation-focused" leader   TIME STAMPS 0:00 — Cold open: the hook (why organizations fail, leadership, hiring, the human side of healthcare) 1:00 — Welcome: leadership tested when failure isn't an option 2:02 — From the military to enterprise operations: how the transition happened 3:09 — Why the U.S. military may be the best leadership academy in the world (and the Army turns 250) 4:01 — College, trades, AI anxiety, and declining military recruitment 5:35 — Life after retirement: reinventing identity and seeking out discomfort 6:49 — Helping enterprises operate in complexity, and clarity as a strategic asset 8:12 — Why organizations really fail: visibility into how value gets created 8:52 — Taking the personality out of the equation at the top 10:23 — Talent and team building: why hiring is the most important decision  12:26 — Finding talent in healthcare and remembering it's still a business 14:27 — Empathy, conviction, and the human dimension of care 15:39 — What to do when the "head honcho" is the problem 16:58 — Being a "transformation-focused" executive and challenging the status quo 18:00 — Closing: how to reach Jake    Jacob Jake Bustoz is a retired U.S. Army Lieutenant Colonel and a transformation-focused operations executive. He began his career as a combat medic before commissioning into the Medical Service Corps, going on to lead across NATO missions, healthcare systems, and military medical institutions — including operations supporting roughly 30,000 patients and 200 staff, alongside colleges, research centers, and faculty. Today, Jake helps organizations in healthcare, technology, and government sectors design the systems, operating models, and capabilities they need to scale and perform reliably. His work centers on a single idea: that clarity — visibility into how a business truly creates value and makes decisions — is one of the most powerful strategic assets a leader can have. He is also affiliated with Duke University.   Contact Jacob Bustoz: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jake-bustoz-978896161/ Email: jbustoz@icloud.com   Want more insights on leadership, talent, and the decisions that define careers and companies? Subscribe to Cut to the Chase with Gregg Goldfarb for new episodes every week.

  6. Jun 21

    How to Make a Documentary in 2026 | Steve Dabal

    The barrier to making your first film has never been lower, and this episode breaks down exactly how to start. In Part 2 of his conversation with host Gregg Goldfarb, filmmaker Steve Dabal pulls back the curtain on how his documentary Italian Wannabe came together: shot largely on a phone, edited by hand from terabytes of footage, and finished through community crowdfunding. Steve makes the case that you don't need a perfect subject or a big budget to begin. You need a story you care about and the willingness to start filming. From the free tools that turn a phone into a cinema camera, to why short films are the best reps a beginner can get, to how AI is quietly reshaping what independent filmmakers can afford, Steve offers a grounded look at the craft and the business of documentary work today, and why "make the thing" matters far more than worrying about how it will be received.   Join Gregg and Steve on Cut to the Chase as they explore: How to shoot a documentary for $0 using just an iPhone and free apps  Why the story "reveals itself" and how to start before you know the ending  Why short films are the best training ground for first-time filmmakers  The realistic path to a finished film: rough cuts, community, and crowdfunding  How AI is changing the cost of color, graphics, and finishing work  Why the festival system favors certain films, and how feel-good stories find their audience What comes after festivals: roadshows, screenings-with-dinners, and t-urning a film into an event    KEY MOMENTS 00:00 — Cold open: which films "climb the ladder"  00:01 — You've got a story and an iPhone — what do you actually need? 00:02 — The Blackmagic app: turning a phone into a cinema camera 00:03 — "Just start filming" — 14 terabytes and finding the story 00:04 — Do you really need a great subject to begin? 00:06 — Making the thing vs. releasing the thing 00:07 — Why short films are the best reps for beginners 00:09 — The money question: what $0 can (and can't) get you 00:10 — Rough cuts, honest feedback & the freelance colorist 00:12 — Spend $0 first, then crowdfund the finish 00:13 — AI and YouTube: best or worst time to start? 00:14 — Handmade stop-motion vs. AI temp graphics 00:15 — Inside the festival world: programmers & blind submissions 00:17 — Pairing screenings with dinners to build community 00:18 — What's next: roadshows, AI outreach & the film-as-event 00:21 — Closing: stop chasing the checklist — just make the thing    Steve Dabal is an Italian-American director, cinematographer, and editor with a deep VFX background and a focus on non-fiction storytelling. As co-founder and Creative Director of The Family, a New York-based production house, he has interviewed subjects ranging from Scarlett Johansson and Fortune 500 CEOs to war veterans and 9/11 survivors. His work has screened at SXSW, the New York Film Festival, and internationally. Italian Wannabe is his debut feature documentary. The film sold out five screenings at the 2026 Palm Springs International Film Festival and was also an official selection at the Berkshire International Film Festival. The film was directed, shot, and edited by Dabal, and produced with The Family in association with Current Mindset.    RESOURCES MENTIONED: Learn more about Italian Wannabe and follow the film's festival and pop-up screening tour Learn more about Fiore Market Cafe, chef Bill Disselhorst's legendary South Pasadena restaurant, one of America's Top 100 restaurants Learn more about the village of Casperia, Italy — one hour north of Rome — featured throughout the documentary Learn more about The Family, Steve Dabal's New York-based production company Follow the Italian Wannabe pop-up screening tour to find a screening near you   Want to hear more conversations about life, law, and the stories that matter? Subscribe to Cut to the Chase: with Gregg Goldfarb.   Want to stay updated on our latest podcasts? Subscribe to Cut to the Chase: Podcast Newsletter for monthly podcast releases and the latest legal news: https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/sl/KqDopgE

  7. Jun 11

    Slow Down, Start Over: What Italy Taught a Burned-Out Filmmaker | Steve Dabal Interview | Italian Wannabe

    Most of us are moving faster than ever — more content, more hustle, more output. But what if the most powerful thing you could do right now is stop? In this episode of Cut to the Chase: with Gregg Goldfarb, Gregg sits down with filmmaker Steve Dabal, director of Italian Wannabe — a feature documentary that sold out five screenings at the 2026 Palm Springs International Film Festival and is now doing pop-up screenings across the country. Italian Wannabe follows chef Bill Disselhorst — co-founder of Fiore Market Cafe, one of America's Top 100 restaurants — as he walks away from his Los Angeles life and returns to Casperia, a small medieval village an hour north of Rome, where he and his late wife Anne first fell in love with Italian food, slow living, and the kind of community that doesn't exist on a screen. What started as one man's grief became a meditation on reinvention, passion, and what it really means to belong somewhere. Join Gregg and Steve on Cut to the Chase: as they discuss:   How chef Bill Disselhorst built one of America's Top 100 restaurants — and what happened when he lost it all Why the village of Casperia, Italy holds the secret to a life most of us only dream about What Italian Wannabe is really about — and why it's not just a food documentary How Steve went from a year of no work and near burnout to making his first feature film with a borrowed camera Why community is the most underrated currency in business, film, and life What the film festival circuit looks like right now — and why it has never been a better time to make a documentary The one lesson from Bill Disselhorst that will change how you treat every person you meet   Key Moments:   00:00 — Gregg introduces Italian Wannabe and filmmaker Steve Dabal 01:30 — What Italian Wannabe is really about and how it began 03:00 — How Steve met Bill at Fiore Market Cafe during film school 05:00 — The village of Casperia, Italy and why Bill keeps going back 07:30 — The contrast between hustle culture and the Italian slow life 10:00 — How Bill's approach to community changed how Steve lives and works 13:00 — The one habit — asking people their names — that builds real connection 16:00 — How the writers' strike and a year without work led to the film 19:00 — What it takes to make a documentary today — no degree, no big budget required 22:00 — Italian Wannabe's journey: from borrowed camera to Palm Springs Film Festival sellout 25:00 — Why this film will make you rethink what you're chasing   Guest Bio: Steve Dabal is an Italian-American director, cinematographer, and editor with a deep VFX background and a focus on non-fiction storytelling. As co-founder and Creative Director of The Family, a New York-based production house, he has interviewed subjects ranging from Scarlett Johansson and Fortune 500 CEOs to war veterans and 9/11 survivors. His work has screened at SXSW, the New York Film Festival, and internationally. Italian Wannabe is his debut feature documentary. The film sold out five screenings at the 2026 Palm Springs International Film Festival and was also an official selection at the Berkshire International Film Festival. The film was directed, shot, and edited by Dabal, and produced with The Family in association with Current Mindset. Resources Mentioned:   Learn more about Italian Wannabe and follow the film's festival and pop-up screening tour Learn more about Fiore Market Cafe, chef Bill Disselhorst's legendary South Pasadena restaurant, one of America's Top 100 restaurants Learn more about the village of Casperia, Italy — one hour north of Rome — featured throughout the documentary Learn more about The Family, Steve Dabal's New York-based production company Follow the Italian Wannabe pop-up screening tour to find a screening near you   Want to hear more conversations about life, law, and the stories that matter? Subscribe to Cut to the Chase: with Gregg Goldfarb. Want to stay updated on our latest podcasts? Subscribe to Cut to the Chase: Podcast Newsletter for monthly podcast releases and the latest legal news: https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/sl/KqDopgE

  8. Jun 10

    The War on Science: Climate, Misinformation & How to Fight Back | Dr. Michael Mann

    Science is under attack, and not by accident.  In this episode of Cut to the Chase, Gregg Goldfarb sits down with Dr. Michael E. Mann, one of the world's leading climate scientists, to expose the coordinated, well-financed campaign working to discredit research, intimidate scientists, and pull public opinion away from the facts. From the "hockey stick" graph that made him a target to the death threats, the gutting of federal science agencies, and the way climate denial and vaccine misinformation merged into one anti-science machine, Mann lays out how we got here — and where the openings to fight back actually are. Co-author with Dr. Peter Hotez of the new book Science Under Siege, Mann brings candor and a surprising amount of hope to a heavy subject: why he never backed down, and what he tells students who still dream of becoming scientists. Join Gregg and Dr. Michael Mann on Cut to the Chase as they explore: Why the "hockey stick" graph made one scientist a target for powerful interests How climate denial and vaccine misinformation merged into one anti-science movement What "stochastic terrorism" is, and the real-world cost of speaking out Why clean energy and affordability may be the strongest case for climate action How attribution science could let courts hold fossil fuel companies accountable What Mann tells the next generation of scientists about staying in the fight     KEY MOMENTS 0:12 — Opening: defending truth in a world awash with misinformation 1:38 — The "hockey stick" graph and why it made Mann a target 5:12 — How climate and vaccine denial merged into one anti-science machine 8:12 — The "ladder of denial": why the arguments keep shifting 10:09 — Stochastic terrorism, death threats, and the personal cost 13:26 — Social media, podcasts, and the spread of misinformation 14:51 — Why he refused to give up 18:53 — The political path forward and the midterm elections 19:02 — The MAHA movement: common ground or trap? 23:37 — Why clean energy and affordability should lead the message 32:01 — Advice to students who still want to become scientists 36:01 — The EPA's rollback of the endangerment finding 38:54 — Attribution science, climate liability, and "the polluter pays" 41:03 — The U.S. on the world stage and ceding ground to China 43:56 — Closing: don't politicize the planet   Dr. Michael E. Mann is a presidential distinguished professor in the Department of Earth and Environmental Science at the University of Pennsylvania, where he directs the Penn Center for Science, Sustainability, and the Media. One of the world's most influential climate scientists, he is best known for the "hockey stick" graph, which became an iconic and fiercely contested symbol of human-caused climate change. His latest book, Science Under Siege: How to Fight the Five Most Powerful Forces that Threaten Our World (PublicAffairs, 2025), is co-authored with vaccine scientist Dr. Peter J. Hotez and examines the political and ideological forces driving today's attacks on science, and how the public can fight back. He is also the co-author, with the late Pulitzer Prize–winning cartoonist Tom Toles, of The Madhouse Effect. Named to Bloomberg News's list of the 50 most influential people in 2013, Mann has spent decades at the intersection of science, policy, and public communication, defending evidence-based research in the face of organized denial and personal attacks.   The resources mentioned in this episode are: Book: Science Under Siege: How to Fight the Five Most Powerful Forces that Threaten Our World — by Michael E. Mann & Peter J. Hotez (PublicAffairs, 2025)   Earlier Book Referenced: The Madhouse Effect — by Michael E. Mann & Tom Toles   Learn More: Dr. Michael Mann — michaelmann.net   Topics & People Referenced: Dr. Peter Hotez · the "hockey stick" graph · the EPA endangerment finding · attribution science & climate liability · the MAHA movement   Contact / Follow Dr. Michael Mann: Website: michaelmann.net Want more conversations that cut through the noise on science, climate, and the issues shaping our future? Subscribe to Cut to the Chase with Gregg Goldfarb for new episodes every week.

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Welcome to "Cut to the Chase:" where we talk about compelling legal, regulatory and public interest information and news. Your host is Gregg Goldfarb, an attorney, entrepreneur, investor and activist.

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