Rephonic
Artwork for Unspun
Misinformation
Social Media
Critical Thinking
Donald Trump
Journalism
Fake News
Media Literacy
Disinformation
Social Media Algorithms
Media Manipulation
Local Journalism
Emotional Manipulation
Democracy
Brexit
Law and Order
Outrage
News Values
Investigative Journalism
Black Lives Matter
Covid-19

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.

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes120Founded3 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
News CommentaryEducationNewsSelf-Improvement

Listen to this Podcast

Artwork for Unspun

Latest Episodes

What happens when censorship stops looking like censorship?

In this episode of UnSpun journal club, DrSturg looks at the book The New Censorship: How the War on the Media Is Taking Us Down, which looks at how populist authoritains harm journalism wi... more

Christian nationalists think their country and their God are related, and they've built a media ecosystem to spread their beliefs. Agreeing with this changes how they understand facts, what they support and even some of what they do. In this week of ... more

You probably saw some news today.

But did you choose it?

Or did it simply find you?

In this episode of UnSpun, DrSturg looks at research examining how people experience news in everyday life—and why that experience differs depending on how much mo... more

Why does an influencer you've never met sometimes feel like a friend?

In this episode of UnSpun, DrSturg looks at the psychology behind parasocial relationships — the one-sided relationships audiences can develop with influencers, creators, streamer... more

Key Facts

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Number of Listeners
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Recent Guests

Ben Rein
Neuroscientist and postdoctoral researcher at Stanford
Stanford University
Episode: Science for the rest of us: Why experts need a megaphone (UnSpun Rewind)
Chia Segar
Guest guiding the analysis of the dog whistle paper
Episode: How to say nasty things while staying popular: UnSpun Journal Club
Brian Karam
Journalist providing behind-the-scenes perspective and interview-style framing
Self (journalist) / former political correspondent
Episode: How to say nasty things while staying popular: UnSpun Journal Club
Dr. Sturge
Educator/author interviewed for this episode
Episode: Is it bad for blllionaires to control the news? Unspun Rewind
Dr. Jen Mercieca
Studies political rhetoric, democracy, and the relationship between political speech and communication.
Episode: Demagogues, Misinformation, and the Death of Truth in U.S. Democracy
Jess Craven
Political dynamo and author of the Chopwood, Carry Water newsletter
N/A
Episode: Why You're Addicted to Outrage: How feelings control what you do online
Steve Pearson
Host of the How We Win podcast
N/A
Episode: Why You're Addicted to Outrage: How feelings control what you do online
Liz Winstead
Cohost of the Feminist Buzz Kills live pod
Feminist Buzz Kills live
Episode: Why You're Addicted to Outrage: How feelings control what you do online
Mojiella Odayel
Host of Feminist Buzz Kills live pod
N/A
Episode: Why You're Addicted to Outrage: How feelings control what you do online

Hosts

Amanda Sturgill
Creator and host focused on media literacy and critical analysis of news, often collaborating on Unspun with MSW Media.
Brian Karam
Longtime political journalist contributing to discussions on information integrity and democratic processes.

Reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars from 173 ratings
  • Great, clear discussion of important discussions related to news/information ecosystem.

    Podcast Addict
    5
    skeptic
    2 months ago
  • Small bites big flavor

    I like listening to this podcast for the deeper dive in easily digestible pieces. It feels like I’m strengthening my foundational media literacy, in a non stressful way.

    Adding: very grounding lately!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Aliza77
    United States7 months ago
  • Awesome info

    Thank you, Amanda, for your service to our nation!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    bcoll88
    United States7 months ago
  • Thank you

    Amanda, I’m really grateful you’re in this world. Your work genuinely means a lot to me. I’ve been married 35 years, and things at home have gotten… politically intense (she went full MAGA). Your research helps me stay grounded and sane when it feels like everything’s spinning. Thank you for what you do.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    BeecherPerson
    United States7 months ago
  • Great and informative!

    I love this show. It gives me a more informed frame for digesting the news and seeing it in a fact based rather than biased view. Thanks!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    AGK49
    United States7 months ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Many find discussions timely and transformative for how they consume news.
Listeners praise actionable insights for spotting manipulation and understanding media bias.
Sound quality concerns show engagement and desire for production improvements.
Audience appreciates concise, evidence-based analysis over partisan commentary.
A powerful mix of practical media literacy guidance and real-world examples.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#28
Ukraine/News/News Commentary
Apple Podcasts
#232
Ukraine/News
Apple Podcasts
#246
Ireland/News/News Commentary

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

The reflecting pool is blue: The Big Lie (UnSpun Rewind)
Q: One thing I wonder is, do you think Trump's strategy of shock value and outrage has lasting appeal for future politicians or is it a moment of its own?
Mercieca argues that while Trump popularized outrage as a tactic, it's a sustainable strategy in a fragmented media landscape; however, she cautions it's corrosive to democratic norms and public trust, and future politicians may adopt similar tactics but with varying effectiveness depending on context.
Demagogues, Misinformation, and the Death of Truth in U.S. Democracy
Q: So in what way is that rhetorical genius of Donald Trump expressed?
Trump uses rhetoric as a weapon to dominate public discourse and escape accountability.
Demagogues, Misinformation, and the Death of Truth in U.S. Democracy
Q: So can you explain what rhetoric is?
Rhetoric is a method of persuasion that helps us make decisions in the absence of perfect information.
Who lies more, liberals or conservatives (feat. Bill Adair)
Q: Do you think the media was adequately prepared for sort of a big lie presidency?
No, the media was not ready for this asymmetry in lying and continues to struggle with it.
The Fabled First Amendment
Q: When does freedom of speech cross to incitement?
There is a legal test (Brandenburg Test) determining if speech is incitement, assessing both intent and the likelihood of producing imminent lawless action.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
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Frequently Asked Questions About Unspun

What is Unspun about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A thoughtful show focused on critical thinking about the news, media literacy, and how information is shaped by powerful actors. Episodes unpack real-world examples of misinformation, propaganda tactics, and the pressures on journalism—from paywalls and consolidation to AI-enabled fact-checking and election-related manipulation. The host(s) emphasize practical tools for discerning truth, spotting manipulation, and evaluating sources, making it a go-to for listeners seeking grounded, evidence-based media literacy. Notable strengths include clear frameworks, timely case studies, and a willingness to critique both media practices and audience vulnerability. A standout angle is treating complex topics—cult coverage, dog whistles, and misinforma... more

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Which podcasts are similar to Unspun?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Unspun:

1. Cleanup on Aisle 45 with AG & Harry Dunn
2. UnJustified
3. The Daily Beans
4. Beans Talk
5. Talking Feds

How many episodes of Unspun are there?

Unspun launched 3 years ago and published 120 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact Unspun?

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What guests have appeared on Unspun?

Recent guests on Unspun include:

1. Ben Rein
2. Chia Segar
3. Brian Karam
4. Dr. Sturge
5. Dr. Jen Mercieca
6. Jess Craven
7. Steve Pearson
8. Liz Winstead

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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