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PODCAST

Unspun

Amanda Sturgill

Unspun is critical thinking about the news. Hear real examples, past and present, of newsmakers attempting to mislead you and understand how they manipulate the truth. Learn how to avoid being swayed by fake news and misinformation. Get Unspun, because you deserve the truth.

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All Episodes

27:08

"Don't tell me what to think" : Why we push back...

Unspun ·

2025/11/18

Why do people reject information meant to help them?In this episode of UnSpun, we explore psychological reactance — the instinct to resist control — and how it shapes our reactions to fact-checks, corrections, and even each other. From COVID-19 warning labels to social-media fatigue and holiday-table arguments, DrSturg traces how the need for freedom can make truth feel like pressure. And she offers a better way to get people to stop rejecting facts.Topics covered:– What psychological reactance is–

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29:37

Invisible weapons: How media makes you a casualty in...

Unspun ·

2025/11/05

In today’s wars, the battlefield is more than land, sea, or air—it’s information.This episode of UnSpun examines how media has become both a weapon and a target in the age of hybrid warfare. From Russian deepfakes in Ukraine to meme wars in U.S. politics, information has become the terrain where global power is contested.Learn how disinformation systems are built, how governments—both authoritarian and democratic—deploy them, and how ordinary citizens can defend themselves. Advertising Inquiries:

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22:05

From Knitting Codes to Encrypted Chats: The Evolution...

Unspun ·

2025/10/21

In this episode of UnSpun, we trace the invisible architecture that keeps truth alive when communication is forbidden.From Phyllis Latour Doyle’s coded knitting in Nazi-occupied France to encrypted mesh networks during Hong Kong’s pro-democracy protests, “The Geometry of Trust” reveals how humans build secret systems of meaning under surveillance.This episode explores how communication itself becomes resistance when power demands silence.🔗 Check my book on the #AltGov resistance movement here:

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32:16

Is nationalism the new religion?

Unspun ·

2025/10/07

In this episode of UnSpun, we examine a phenomenon hiding in plain sight — the rise of civil religion. From stadium memorials that look like worship services to presidents who sound like preachers, faith and politics have fused into something new — and dangerous. We trace how America’s patriotic rituals became sacred texts, how global leaders have learned the same language, and what happens when dissent becomes heresy.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out:

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23:19

Who Decides What Counts as Hate Speech? From Henry...

Unspun ·

2025/09/23

What exactly is “hate speech”—and who gets to decide?This episode of UnSpun traces the shifting definitions of hate speech across a century of mass media. From Henry Ford’s antisemitic newspaper in the 1920s to Father Coughlin’s radio sermons, from Rwanda’s radio-fueled genocide to Roseanne Barr’s infamous tweet, Don Imus’s firing, and the recent suspensions of Jimmy Kimmel and Stephen Colbert—we follow how governments, corporations, and audiences have drawn, erased, and redrawn the boundaries of

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26:32

Law and Order: When safety becomes suppression

Unspun ·

2025/09/08

Law and Order” — it sounds reassuring. But what does it really mean?In this week’s episode of UnSpun, we unpack how those three words have been used across centuries — from 1500s England to 1960s Alabama to 2020s America — not just to fight crime, but to reshape societies. In this episode, we explore:The hidden history of “law and order” as a political weaponHow leaders like George Wallace, Richard Nixon, and Donald Trump used the phrase to suppress dissentThe role of economic fear in making people

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27:14

Divided We Scroll: How Wedge Issues and Purity Tests...

Unspun ·

2025/08/12

“You either agree with us… or you’re out.”Ever felt like saying the wrong thing—even gently—could get you exiled from your community, your party, your friend group? In this episode of UnSpun, Dr. Sturg explores the rise of ideological purity tests:Why your social feed feels like a loyalty gauntletHow politicians, religious leaders, and even scientists use purity rhetoric to silence dissentThe hidden power of wedge issues in dividing movementsAnd how the internet has made it faster, more punishing,

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22:25

The real threat from AI is truthiness

Unspun ·

2025/07/21

Have you ever believed a video, article, or photo—only to realize it was completely fake? Generative AI tools like ChatGPT and Midjourney are making it cheaper and easier than ever to create convincing misinformation. In this UnSpun, Dr. Sturg explores the unsettling rise of AI-driven lies, what it means for journalism, politics, and democracy, and how you can keep yourself from falling for convincing fakes.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out:

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22:25

Hijacking hashtags to control the conversation: How...

Unspun ·

2025/07/01

Politicians don’t just post online—they surf the trends. In this episode of UnSpun, Dr Sturg explores agenda surfing: hijacking trending topics to gain attention, distract from controversy, or push unrelated agendas. From Germany''s far-right 120 decibels campaign to Trump's Twitter distractions and coordinated WhatsApp groups in India, we show how political actors use digital platforms to dominate the conversation. Plus, we explain how crises and media events create golden moments of

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22:00

Riots or Rights? How Media Shapes Your View of Protests

Unspun ·

2025/06/24

Ever wonder why the same protest looks peaceful on one news channel and chaotic on another? In this episode of UnSpun, Dr. Sturg looks at how media coverage frames public demonstrations. Learn about the "protest paradigm," explore how journalists' choices shape your perception, and discover real-world examples from Black Lives Matter to historic marches in Birmingham and Occupy Wall Street.🔍 What you'll learn in this episode:How media framing can turn peaceful demonstrations into

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43:44

Demagogues, Misinformation, and the Death of Truth in...

Unspun ·

2025/06/17

Why do repeated lies work—even when we know they’re false? In this episode of UnSpun, Dr. Sturg explores the Big Lie in American politics, the psychology behind the illusory truth effect, and how figures like Kari Lake have used rhetoric to reshape public belief. She also talks to rhetoric expert Dr. Jennifer Mercieca, author of Demagogue for President, about how demagogues manipulate language to avoid accountability, build loyalty, and undermine democratic norms.Advertising Inquiries:

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21:29

Dog Whistles & Double Meanings: How Politicians Hide...

Unspun ·

2025/06/03

What do politicians really mean when they say “law and order,” “traditional values,” or “globalists”? In this episode of UnSpun, we explore the use of dog whistles—coded phrases that sound harmless but carry covert messages to particular audiences. From Nixon’s Law and Order to Trump’s use of “globalist,” we break down how this language works, why it’s effective, and how to spot it. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

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27:34

Science, Health & Hype: How Misinformation Undermines...

Unspun ·

2025/05/27

Why are so many people turning away from evidence-based medicine? In this week’s episode of UnSpun, we explore the rise of health misinformation, the breakdown of public trust, and how philosophy, social media, and emotion are shaping our views of science. From vaccine skepticism to the raw milk debate, we walk through real-world examples and explain the logical fallacies behind modern health myths. Learn how constructivism, personal experience, and flawed definitions of “safe” and “effective” are

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22:17

Mistakes Were Made: The Art of Political Equivocation...

Unspun ·

2025/05/13

“Mistakes were made.” “Kinetic military action.” “Efficiency.” These phrases sound harmless—until you dig deeper. This week on UnSpun, we explore the subtle, slippery language politicians use to avoid accountability, shift blame, and reframe controversies. From Obama and Elon Musk to Stephen Miller and the 2025 immigration updates, we break down real examples of weasel words, equivocation, and blame avoidance in action. Learn how to spot vague language, passive voice, and emotional manipulation—and

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24:05

Grandstanding: How Performative Politics Undermines...

Unspun ·

2025/05/06

Political grandstanding is everywhere—from Congress to Tik Tok—and it's shaping how we talk, think, and even legislate. In this week’s episode of UnSpun, we break down performative patriotism, online outrage, and the troubling new USCIS policy monitoring social media for “anti-Americanism.” What happens when dissent gets misbranded as disloyalty? And how does grandstanding erode trust and civil discourse? Listen in as we explore the narcissism behind moral posturing and its consequences for

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29:35

The Language of Emotion, Power & Persuasion: How...

Unspun ·

2025/04/29

Metaphors shape how we think—and feel—about politics. In this episode of UnSpun, we decode the hidden power of language, visuals, and music in political messaging. From Obama’s “arc of history” to crime-as-a-stain ads, learn how metaphors manipulate perception, stir emotion, and frame entire debates. Whether it’s a red hat, a patriotic soundtrack, or a cartoon donkey at the border—nothing is accidental. #PoliticalMetaphors #MediaLiteracy #UnSpunPodcastAdvertising Inquiries:

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24:34

The Authoritarian Playbook: Why Universities, Law...

Unspun ·

2025/04/22

On this week's UnSpun, DrSturg explores why authoritarian governments target the press and educational institutions, and how these tactics are appearing in democracies worldwide:Why authoritarian governments restrict press freedom:Common tactics of information control:The consequences of information control:Ways to overcome the censorshipResources mentioned:Survey: http://bit.ly/UnSpunSurveyBooks: "Detecting Deception: Tools to Fight Fake News" and "We Are #AltGov: Social Media

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25:42

Satanic Panic to Gaza Protests: What Happens When...

Unspun ·

2025/04/15

Satanic Panic to Gaza Protests: What Happens When News Misunderstands ReligionAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

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24:37

Can Local Journalism Survive Big Tech and Billionaires?

Unspun ·

2025/04/08

In this episode of UnSpun, host DrSturg explores the past, present, and uncertain future of local journalism. Learn how local newspapers and TV stations went from thriving community pillars to empty shells—and why it matters. We examine the roles of money, consolidation, platforms like Facebook and TikTok, audience habits, misinformation, and AI in dismantling local media. If you’ve ever wondered what happens when no one covers city council meetings or school board votes, this episode is for

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26:22

Journalism in the Age of AI: Truth, Tech, and...

Unspun ·

2025/04/01

This week, Dr. Sturg looks at the accidental Signal chat leak involving U.S. officials and journalist Jeffrey Goldberg, digs into the rising influence of artificial intelligence in journalism. AI tools like ChatGPT, DALL-E, and automated content generators are reshaping how news is gathered, produced, and consumed. Learn about the ethical risks, misinformation potential, and what you, as a news consumer, can do to stay informed.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out:

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86 results

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