Shamans are a religion yes, and it probably wasn't very wise mentioning that in the presence of a bunch of ruthless capitalists - you may as well dangle a steak in front of dogs.

But while I can't know that anything is being said that is true, and can't discount it either. Theorems are proven by confidence level in the null hypothesis being incorrect. Evidence is the only thing that separates 'science' from belief. A lack of evidence is a failure to prove anything, not a proof that it doesn't exist.