Kim explores the startling relationship between WWI propaganda, American advertising, and Donald Trump. As she investigates the tools of psychological manipulation used to sell everything from ice cream to upscale automobiles, she learns how those same tools are used to stir unrest and—at times—spark violence.

American Propaganda is an investigative five-part podcast series from The Control Variable, hosted by journalist Kim Cutter, that takes an unprecedented look into the history and science of propaganda to better understand the events of January 6th, 2021. The podcast chronicles Kim’s own journey, from watching the events of January 6th in horror to desperately seeking to understand how this group of people could be moved to scale the Capitol walls and storm the seat of our democracy… in the name of something so patently false as a stolen election. Exploring the events leading up to that fateful day, she quickly realizes the crucial role that propaganda played in inciting the mob to violence. Join Kim as she speaks with a wide range of experts, from prominent neuroscientists and theologians to artists, historians and crowd psychologists about the role propaganda has played at key moments in history, the devastating impact it’s having on America right now… and what we can do about it.