Unspun

Dec 10 2024 52 ep. 28 mins 198
Unspun Podcast artwork

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.

  News  Education
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The Freedom Paradox: How Fear Leads to Poor Decisions

Dec 10 2024 14 mins  
In this week's Unspun, DrSturg breaks down the research on reactance, a human behavior that explains choices like refusing vaccines.

Modern Propaganda: Unmasking Media Manipulation

Dec 03 2024 23 mins  
In this episode of UnSpun, Dr. Sturg explorse guilt by association and dive deep into modern propaganda. From historical exampless to today's digital battlegrounds, discover how propaganda has evolved and what research says makes you susceptible.

The Hidden Truth Behind Political Purity Tests

Nov 19 2024 14 mins  
In this episode of UnSpun, we dive into the political purity tests, exploring their history, how they are used today, and ways to counter them.

Does Journalism still Matter in a Democracy?

Nov 12 2024 22 mins  
Journalism came before democracy, and democracy would not exist without it. Learn how journalism's struggles are causing government of the people to struggle and some ideas for what you can do about it on this week's UnSpun with DrSturg.

Post-election training: Learn tell when newsmakers are being deceptive

Nov 05 2024 13 mins  
US voters cast their ballots, it looks like some folks may try to win after the fact by acting like the election was rigged; in this episode, DrSturg goes over several ways newsmakers try to deceive, and you can check your deception detection skills with an audio quiz.

Who lies more, liberals or conservatives (feat. Bill Adair)

Oct 29 2024 34 mins  
This year features several high-stakes elections, and a new threat to the truth is AI. DrSturg lets you test yourself with AI vs. real examples and she and guest, Politifact founder Bill Adair, talk about journalism's relationship with the truth.

What is sane washing and why do journalists do it?

Oct 22 2024 15 mins  
If a politician says something that's garbled or hard to understand, a journalist's go-to is to not quote, but paraphrase. But does that do a disservice when it obscures the fact that the politician is often like this? DrSturg breaks down how journalists choose to paraphrase and quote and how that might not work so well in the modern media climate.

The deception of division (feat. Craig Silverman)

Oct 15 2024 33 mins  
When a politician wins by 51% and says everyone he represents agrees with him, that's a fallacy of division. DrSturg breaks down this common thinking program. She and her guest, ProPublica's Craig Silverman, talk verification and how journalists and audiences can go about checking the information they get.

Disaster Disinformation hurts NC communities devastated by Hurricane Helene

Oct 08 2024 20 mins  
Disinformation from both major political figures and social media randos has hurt relief efforts in the wake of Hurricane Helene. Dr. Sturg breaks down what's happening, why and what you can do about it.

How Non-Profit Newsrooms Keep Investigative Reporting Vibrant

Oct 01 2024 32 mins  
Although mainstream media is suffering economically, grant and membership supported non-profit news is thriving. DrSturg and Oklahoma Watch's Ted Streuli talk about how the model lets experienced reporters uncover news in the public interest.