Rephonic
Artwork for Unspun
Misinformation
Critical Thinking
Outrage
News Values
Media Manipulation
Media Literacy
Political Victimhood
Disinformation
Federal Employees
Psychological Effects Of Outrage
Emotional Manipulation
Social Media Influence
Government Shutdown
Whatsapp
Social Media
Science Communication
Health Misinformation
Objectivity In Journalism
Polling
Texas Power Outage

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.

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes83Founded2 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
News CommentaryEducationNewsSelf-Improvement

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Artwork for Unspun

Latest Episodes

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 pro... more

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 — a... more

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... more

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, ... more

Key Facts

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Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

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Recent Guests

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
Bill Adair
Knight Professor of the Practice of Journalism and Public Policy at Duke University, founder of Politifact
Duke University
Episode: Who lies more, liberals or conservatives (feat. Bill Adair)
Craig Silverman
Writer for ProPublica and editor of the European Journalism Center's Verification Handbook series
ProPublica
Episode: The deception of division (feat. Craig Silverman)
Ted Streuli
Director of Oklahoma Watch, an award-winning journalist
Oklahoma Watch
Episode: How Non-Profit Newsrooms Keep Investigative Reporting Vibrant
Kyle Spencer
Author of Raising Them Right, award-winning journalist for publications including the New York Times and Politico
Episode: How political movements recruit and use youth

Host

Amanda Sturgill
Host of Unspun, focusing on media literacy and the manipulation of truth in news.

Reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars from 155 ratings
  • Sound quality

    Dr. Stugill voice soft; the advertising horribly too loud. Please adjust to even out the sound quality. Thanks.

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    JCASEA
    United Statesa month ago
  • Invaluable.

    So useful and pertinent! Yes, she talks too fast, but that is easily solved by going to Settings and setting playback speed at .75. Makes all the difference!

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    S’no flake
    United States5 months ago
  • Voice is All on Podcasting…

    I frequently “rewind” because your voice does not keep me with you. Monotone. Lack of enunciation. Too fast, like trying to keep us with you with speed, instead of the gravity of what you say. Dr. Sturgill: I will repost a 5 star review if you can improve your delivery! To be clear: your content is 5 stars+ ! The one star is just to get your attention. Please have a qualified voice coach session; it’ll make all the difference. Thanks!

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    JCASEA
    United States6 months ago
  • Excellent explanations, analysis and examples of techniques for misleading arguments or news. My only complaint is that she bends over backwards to note that both sides are guilty of these practices.

    Podcast Addict
    5
    curmudgeon
    6 months ago
  • Very informative

    Real world skills to see beyond the headlines.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    DIYredneck
    United States7 months ago

Listeners Say

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

Many highlight the relevance of the topics discussed, especially regarding misinformation and media manipulation.
Listeners appreciate the insightful content and the emphasis on critical thinking in media consumption.
Overall, the importance of media literacy as presented is frequently endorsed by the audience.
Some feedback mentions the pacing of delivery as something that can improve, reflecting a desire for clearer communication.

Chart Rankings

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

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

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.
The Fabled First Amendment
Q: Where does the phrase 'entitled to your own opinion, but not your own facts' fit in with the First Amendment?
This touches on whether anyone can be punished for misinformation, as the Supreme Court has ruled that lies can be protected speech under the First Amendment.

Audience Metrics

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

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
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Age Range
Household Income
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Frequently Asked Questions About Unspun

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

The content focuses on critical thinking regarding current events and historical narratives, primarily examining how news and information can be manipulated by various actors. Episodes frequently tackle topics such as misinformation, media literacy, and the impact of ideological narratives on public perception. The discussions often draw parallels between contemporary issues and historical examples, helping listeners to develop a nuanced understanding of how political and media messaging intersects. Unique features include an emphasis on real-world applications of critical thinking, aiming to empower listeners to recognize and challenge misleading information across different media platforms. This approach makes it appealing to those intere... more

Where can I find podcast stats for Unspun?

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How many listeners does Unspun get?

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How many subscribers and views does Unspun have?

To see how many followers or subscribers Unspun has on Spotify and other platforms such as Castbox and Podcast Addict, simply upgrade your account. You'll also find viewership figures for their YouTube channel if they have one.

Which podcasts are similar to Unspun?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Unspun:

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

How many episodes of Unspun are there?

Unspun launched 2 years ago and published 83 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?

Our systems regularly scour the web to find email addresses and social media links for this podcast. We scanned the web and collated all of the contact information that we could find in our podcast database. But in the unlikely event that you can't find what you're looking for, our concierge service lets you request our research team to source better contacts for you.

Where can I see ratings and reviews for Unspun?

Rephonic pulls ratings and reviews for Unspun from multiple sources, including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Castbox, and Podcast Addict.

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What guests have appeared on Unspun?

Recent guests on Unspun include:

1. Dr. Jen Mercieca
2. Jess Craven
3. Steve Pearson
4. Liz Winstead
5. Mojiella Odayel
6. Bill Adair
7. Craig Silverman
8. Ted Streuli

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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