Best Amanda Sturgill Podcasts (2025)

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Hijacking hashtags to control the conversation: How minor politicians make themselves stars 22:25

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15d ago22:25

22:25

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…

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Riots or Rights? How Media Shapes Your View of Protests 22:00

22d ago22:00

22:00

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 ma…

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Demagogues, Misinformation, and the Death of Truth in U.S. Democracy 43:44

29d ago43:44

43:44

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 Presi…

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Before you tell Aunt Gladys to stuff it 17:38

1M ago17:38

17:38

What does Jan. 6 have to do with cherry picking? A lot, it turns out. Find out how. Plus Dr. Sturg tells what the research says about Thanksgiving dinner with the relatives. Can you change Aunt Gladys's mind? Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy…

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Dog Whistles & Double Meanings: How Politicians Hide Controversial Messages in Plain Sight 21:29

1M ago21:29

21:29

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 …

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Science, Health & Hype: How Misinformation Undermines Public Trust 27:34

2M ago27:34

27:34

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 expla…

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Mistakes Were Made: The Art of Political Equivocation and Avoiding Accountability 22:17

2M ago22:17

22:17

“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 re…

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Grandstanding: How Performative Politics Undermines Democracy 24:05

2M ago24:05

24:05

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? A…

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The Language of Emotion, Power & Persuasion: How Metaphors Shape Politics: 29:35

3M ago29:35

29:35

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, …

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The Authoritarian Playbook: Why Universities, Law Firms and the Press are Under Attack 24:34

3M ago24:34

24:34

By Amanda Sturgill

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Satanic Panic to Gaza Protests: What Happens When News Misunderstands Religion 25:42

3M ago25:42

25:42

Satanic Panic to Gaza Protests: What Happens When News Misunderstands Religion Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacyBy Amanda Sturgill

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Can Local Journalism Survive Big Tech and Billionaires? 24:37

3M ago24:37

24:37

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…

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Journalism in the Age of AI: Truth, Tech, and Transparency 26:22

4M ago26:22

26:22

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, mi…

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Journalism, Bias, and the Battle Over Truth 26:57

4M ago26:57

26:57

What does it mean for journalism to be “objective”—and has that ideal outlived its usefulness? In this episode, DrSturg traces the rise of objectivity as a professional norm, examine how it shaped newsrooms, and look at the moments where it fell short—from Civil Rights reporting to vaccine coverage. She explores how political polarization, social m…

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Testing Boundaries: How Politicians and Media Shift Public Perception 22:16

4M ago22:16

22:16

How do once-radical ideas become mainstream? In this episode of UnSpun, explore the Overton Window—the concept that explains how political and social boundaries shift over time. From the Green New Deal to gun control laws, media coverage, and social movements, I break down how public opinion is influenced, often without us realizing it. Join me as …

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The Press in an Oligarchy: How Power Controls the News 22:46

4M ago22:46

22:46

Who really controls the news? In this episode of UnSpun, we explore the role of the press in an oligarchy—where a small, powerful elite shapes public perception through media ownership, restricted access, and censorship. From billionaire-backed news outlets to state-controlled narratives, we break down how information is manipulated and what journa…

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News vs. Opinion: How to Tell the Difference in Today’s Media Landscape 23:26

4M ago23:26

23:26

In today’s media landscape, distinguishing between news, commentary, and editorials has become harder than ever. With publications shifting editorial policies (like Jeff Bezos’ recent changes at the Washington Post), cable news blending reporting with opinion, and social media amplifying misleading content, it’s no wonder audiences feel lost. Image…

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Weaponized Humor & The Decline of Investigative Journalism: Why Truth Is Under Attack 19:52

5M ago19:52

19:52

Ever notice how politicians & public figures claim their most controversial statements were "just a joke"? It’s not by accident. In this episode of UnSpun, we dive into how humor is used as a shield—and a weapon. Then, @DrSturg breaks down the techniques of investigative journalism, a struggling but vital part of a news organization's work. Adverti…

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The Watchdog vs. Bureaucracy: Journalism’s Role in Government Accountability 27:19

5M ago27:19

27:19

Join DrSturg to explore the complex relationship between journalism and bureaucracy. From the history of the spoils system and civil service reform to modern challenges like restricted access and regulatory capture, this episode examines how journalism holds bureaucracies accountable while facing its own pressures Advertising Inquiries: https://red…

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Why You're Addicted to Outrage: How feelings control what you do online 29:18

5M ago29:18

29:18

Social media manipulators are using age-old communication tactics to keep you angry and to get you to click and share. In this episode of UnSpun, learn the tactics that can change everything from what you think to how you act. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy…

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The Dark Side of Social Proof: How Popularity Promotes Misinformation 24:09

5M ago24:09

24:09

In this episode of UnSpun, we look at social proof—how the popularity of an idea, product, or belief can influence our decisions in ways we don’t even realize. From political mandates to viral crowdfunding campaigns, and even robots gaining our trust, we’ll uncover the hidden forces of social proof in our daily lives. With clips from newsmakers so …

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Access Journalism: Are journalists too close to the powerful? 21:37

6M ago21:37

21:37

Test the murky waters of access journalism—the practice of prioritizing relationships with sources over journalistic objectivity. Dr. Sturg discusses cases including the downfall of Harvey Weinstein, a reflection on Trump’s media strategy, and Bob Woodward’s books, to explore how access can shape the stories you hear. Advertising Inquiries: https:/…

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Online Anonymity: How Digital Masks Shape Our Behavior 23:08

6M ago23:08

23:08

There are complex dynamics to online anonymity and how we act when we think we won't get caught. From cyberbullying to support communities, discover how anonymous interactions shape your digital lives. Dr. Sturg uses research insights, real-world cases to give you practical strategies for responsible online engagement. Advertising Inquiries: https:…

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Are fact-checkers better than community notes: Is Facebook making a mistake? 12:21

6M ago12:21

12:21

Dr. Sturg gets into the question: Who should fact-check online information? Meta's recent decision to end its professional fact-checking program on Facebook and Instagram in favor of a community-based system sparked a significant debate. For years, professional fact-checkers with rigorous training have been the gatekeepers of truth, meticulously in…

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From radicalization to resilience: Finding balance on social media 20:30

6M ago20:30

20:30

In this week's episode of UnSpun, Inspired by the tragic New Year's attack in New Orleans, we explore the research on how social media can create echo chambers that manipulate and radicalize people online. But it's not all doom and gloom—we also highlight the positive aspects of social media, such as connecting with loved ones, finding communities,…

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How Politicians Divide and Conquer with Wedge Issues 23:36

7M ago23:36

23:36

If you feel like we're divided, you're not wrong. Dr. Sturg takes you though the strategic manipulation of public opinion through the wedge strategy. This week, explore how politicians deliberately create and weaponize wedge issues to manipulate voter emotions, exploit social tensions, and even reshape the political landscape. From the civil rights…

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Why does the news make people feel so upset? 22:17

7M ago22:17

22:17

Episode Highlights Explore false cause and see how newsmakers overhype correlations Find out how media influences how we process information Key Takeaways Our brains are wired to find patterns, sometimes creating false connections Media consumption can significantly impact our worldview, but you can stop it Deep Dive Topics Scientific thinking and …

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The Freedom Paradox: How Fear Leads to Poor Decisions 14:40

7M ago14:40

14:40

In this week's UnSpun, DrSturg breaks down the research on reactance, a human behavior that explains choices like refusing masks. Delve into the psychological concept of reactance and explore why people resist when they feel their personal freedom is under threat. We discuss real-life examples and hypothetical scenarios that illustrate how reactanc…

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Modern Propaganda: Unmasking Media Manipulation 23:47

7M ago23:47

23:47

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. Starting out, learn how people judge others unfairly. Seet how propaganda has changed over time, from N…

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The Hidden Truth Behind Political Purity Tests 14:52

8M ago14:52

14:52

In this episode of UnSpun, we explore the Appeal to Purity—a tricky way people exclude others from groups to manipulate thinking. We look at how this tactic works, its history, and how to defend against it with simple strategies. From political rallies to major historical events, we'll unpack the impact of this fallacy. Follow Dr. Sturg BlueSky -Pr…

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Does Journalism still Matter in a Democracy? 22:20

8M ago22:20

22:20

How can we be drowning in information and at the same time, badly informed? In this week's UnSpun, DrSturg breaks down the relationship of journalism and democracy. Journalism came first, and democracy wouldn't exist without it. But today, journalism is struggling and around the world, democracy is struggling right along with it. Find out how the r…

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Post-election training: Learn tell when newsmakers are being deceptive 13:54

8M ago13:54

13:54

After US voters cast their ballots, some folks may try to win by acting like the election was rigged, In this episode, DrSturg goes over several ways newsmakers try to deceive, and you can check your own deception detection skills with an audio quiz. Follow Dr. Sturg Twitter -Prof. Amanda Sturgill (@DrSturg) / X Websites -Sturg says|Unspun’s Substa…

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Who lies more, liberals or conservatives (feat. Bill Adair) 34:16

9M ago34:16

34:16

How do you speak truth to power when people call you biased just for checking facts? 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. Check out Bill Ada…

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What is sane washing and why do journalists do it? 15:50

9M ago15:50

15:50

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.…

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The deception of division (feat. Craig Silverman) 33:05

9M ago33:05

33:05

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. Check out Craig Silverman Twitter | Linked…

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Disaster Disinformation hurts NC communities devastated by Hurricane Helene 20:24

9M ago20:24

20:24

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. Local article on what FEMA is actually doing in NC Follow Dr. Sturg Twitter -Prof. Amanda Sturgill (@DrSturg) / X Websites -Sturg says|Unspun’s Su…

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How Non-Profit Newsrooms Keep Investigative Reporting Vibrant 32:41

10M ago32:41

32:41

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. Plus, DrSturg breaks down false choice in the WrapUp. Check out Oklahoma Watch. Follow Dr. Sturg Twitter -P…

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When newsmakers avoid responsibility by blaming their accuser 12:58

10M ago12:58

12:58

When a newsmaker is accused of wrongdoing, there can be a pattern to their response. In this week's episode, Dr. Sturg teaches you about DARVO, an acronym that can help you know when someone is trying to escape blame. Listen to 3 real world examples. Follow Dr. Sturg Twitter -Prof. Amanda Sturgill (@DrSturg) / X Websites -Sturg says|Unspun’s Substa…

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How political movements recruit and use youth 28:01

10M ago28:01

28:01

When it comes to political movements, students and other young people are useful allies. In this episode, Dr. Sturg and author Kyle Spencer talk about Spencer's book, Raising them Right. Plus, friend of the show Israel Balderas breaks down the law on campaigns using songs the artist wishes they wouldn't. Follow journalist Kyle Spencer Twitter - @Ky…

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Do journalists have ethics 28:39

10M ago28:39

28:39

One thing that separates professional journalists from content creators is their code of ethics. In this episode, Dr. Sturg breaks down what you should be able to expect from someone who calls themselves a journalist. But, adhering to this code is a lot harder than it used to me, and she tells you why. We close out with a fun game where you can gue…

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What to know about social media radicalization 13:20

11M ago13:20

13:20

Radicalized extremism led to Taylor Swift having to cancel Eras Tour concerts in Austria and continues to be a threat worldwide. And some people say social media is to blame. In this week's UnSpun minisode, Dr. Sturg looks at the most recent research on how social media algorithms can bathe users in ever more extreme views. BBC article on radicaliz…

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What it takes for a reporter to get the story (Episode 25) 32:53

11M ago32:53

32:53

Sometimes to get to the truth, a reporter just has to start knocking on doors. In this week's UnSpun, DrSturg talks to award-winning journalist Joe Bruno about his work uncovering a voter fraud scheme in North Carolina. Plus, warm up is back with several examples of the fallacy of authority for you to try your skills. Learn more about the scheme an…

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Are First Impressions on Social Media Always Right? Understanding Bias in Judging Others 21:31

11M ago21:31

21:31

Why do people do and say the things they do? Whether it's running a red light or asking to talk to the manager, when you observe people's actions, there's a risk of misunderstanding that can make the world even more divided. Dr. Sturg breaks down the research on a common thinking error that can give you trouble in making interpersonal judgements. F…

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How AI might affect elections - I'm not optimistic (with Lee Raine) - Episode 24 37:09

11M ago37:09

37:09

As a tireless producer of information, including disinformation, AI poses real risks to elections going forward. As we find ourselves at a crossroad with machines that seem like they can think, Lee Rainie, director of the Imagining the Digital Future Center and Dr. Sturg talk about several AI-related issues on the horizon. Plus, Dr. Sturg talks abo…

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News in a bubble: the risks of letting other people choose what news you know about (Episode 23.5) 18:44

11M ago18:44

18:44

If you are getting most of your news from evening cable shows or podcasts, you're not alone. But you're also probably not as well-informed as you think you are. In this episode, Dr. Sturg breaks down curation of news and how it affects your knowledge about what's going on. Letting other people decide what stories are important can be useful or even…

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UnSpun Rewind: Are polls worth anything any more? 47:26

12M ago47:26

47:26

Do high-profile debates truly shift opinions or votes? On this episode, Dr. Sturg gets into the studies to see if debates produce real changes. From Kennedy-Nixon to Romney-Obama, she looks at famous debates and explores what the research says about impacts on voters. She also looks the logical flaw of hasty generalization, using debate slip-ups as…

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Why is social media the worst way to get breaking news (Ep. 22.5) 16:40

12M ago16:40

16:40

Why did it seem like everyone in the media thought Biden's debate performance concerned democrats? And how does telling a good story get in the way of the truth? In this episode, Dr. Sturg goes over the cozy relationship between politicians and the journalists who cover and explains the narrative bias. It's a tendency to fit facts into a story, and…

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How newsmakers using fear affects how you see the world: UnSpun Rewind (feat. Dr. Seth Norrholm 36:21

12M ago36:21

36:21

UnSpun Rewind in honor of the political convention in the US this week. Are things as bad as the politicians say? Are they the only ones who can save us? Dr. Sturg breaks down the Appeal to Fear trick and guest Dr. Seth Norrholm talks about what being made afraid does to your thinking and judgment. "Nothing happened" doesn't make for much of a head…

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Christian Spiritual Warfare Becoming Political Violence (Episode 22 feat: Dr. Matt Taylor) 54:22

1y ago54:22

54:22

What's a "good" parent or a "true" member of a political party? In this week'e episode, Dr. Sturg runs down the Appeal to Purity as a way of creating us vs. them. Then, she and guest Dr. Matt Taylor talk about how a substantial religious movement is trying to remake American culture in their own image, why they might support political violence arou…

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Why journalists do a bad job moderating debates (Episode 21.5) 15:06

1y ago15:06

15:06

If debates make you cringe, you aren't alone1 Dr. Sturg breaks down how the way televised debates are structured benefits media and benefits candidates, but generally isn't that great for the audience. Journalists can't do a good job as both a journalist and a moderator at the same time, and the financial model for news doesn't incentivize them to …