Rephonic
Artwork for Unspun
Misinformation
Social Media
Critical Thinking
Donald Trump
Journalism
Fake News
Disinformation
Media Literacy
Social Media Algorithms
Media Manipulation
Local Journalism
Emotional Manipulation
Brexit
Law and Order
Democracy
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.

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes114Founded3 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
News CommentaryEducationNewsSelf-Improvement

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Artwork for Unspun

Latest Episodes

Who really controls the news? And what happens when it's the wealthy? In this UnSpun, rewind, Dr. Sturg explores the role of the press in an oligarchy, which is where a small, powerful elite shapes public perception through media ownership, restricte... more

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 ... more

There was a secret playbook for destroying governments and newsmakers use some of the same tactics on YOU right now.

What if the chaos in your government isn't an accident? In 1944, the OSS (now the CIA) wrote a classified manual teaching resistance... more

America has more news shows than ever, but somehow, we have less information.

In this episode of UnSpun Journal Club, DrSturg looks as new research analyzing more than fifty years of American broadcast television news. Researchers found that adver... more

Key Facts

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Recent Guests

Dr. Jennifer Mercieca
Professor of rhetoric; author
Academic expert on political rhetoric
Episode: The reflecting pool is blue: The Big Lie (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

Host

Amanda Sturgill
Host/Producer of Unspun; frequently presents and analyzes media literacy topics.

Reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars from 170 ratings
  • Great, clear discussion of important discussions related to news/information ecosystem.

    Podcast Addict
    5
    skeptic
    12 days 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 States6 months ago
  • Awesome info

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

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    bcoll88
    United States6 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 States6 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 States6 months ago

Listeners Say

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

Fans appreciate grounded, evidence-based discussions on complex topics.
Some criticism centers on audio quality and pacing, not the content.
Listeners praise the clarity and practicality of media literacy lessons.

Chart Rankings

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

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
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Frequently Asked Questions About Unspun

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

A sharp, media-literacy focused show that dissects how information is produced, amplified, and often manipulated across the news ecosystem. Episodes repeatedly explore topics like media ownership, AI-driven misinformation, online persuasion, and the ethics of journalism, with practical tips for discerning truth from spin. The tone is educational and evidence-based, frequently using real-world case studies to show how audiences can think critically and verify claims in a noisy media environment. A notable strength is a sustained emphasis on local journalism, cognitive biases, and the evolving info landscape, making it helpful for listeners who want clearer standards for evaluating news and for sponsors looking to reach analytically minded au... 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. The Oath and The Office
5. Good News for Lefties | Daily News for Democracy

How many episodes of Unspun are there?

Unspun launched 3 years ago and published 114 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. Dr. Jennifer Mercieca
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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