Unspun

Latest Episodes:

Law and Order: When safety becomes suppression Sep 08, 2025

Show notes

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, but to reshape societies.

In this episode, we explore:

The hidden history of “law and order” as a political weapon
How leaders like George Wallace, Richard Nixon, and Donald Trump used the phrase to suppress dissent
The role of economic fear in making people trade freedom for control
Global examples from Canada, China, Turkey, Eastern Europe, and beyond
What the phrase means today — and why we should all listen carefully when it’s used

“Law and Order” isn’t just a slogan. It’s a signal — and sometimes, a warning.

🎧 Listen now to learn what’s really being promised.

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Divided We Scroll: How Wedge Issues and Purity Tests Keep You Distracted and Ineffective Aug 12, 2025

Show notes

“You either agree with us… or you’re out.”

Ever felt like saying the wrong thing—even gently—could get you exiled from your community, your party, your friend group?

In this episode of UnSpun, Dr. Sturg explores the rise of ideological purity tests:

Why your social feed feels like a loyalty gauntlet
How politicians, religious leaders, and even scientists use purity rhetoric to silence dissent
The hidden power of wedge issues in dividing movements
And how the internet has made it faster, more punishing, and more profitable

Learn how groupthink spreads, what purity logic does to our ability to think clearly, and what we can do to fight back.

Real-world examples from the U.S., Canada, Hungary, South America, Reddit, Wikipedia, and more.

It’s about identity, fear, and power and if you feel silenced, this one’s for you..

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

The real threat from AI is truthiness Jul 21, 2025

Show notes

Have you ever believed a video, article, or photo—only to realize it was completely fake? Generative AI tools like ChatGPT and Midjourney are making it cheaper and easier than ever to create convincing misinformation. In this UnSpun, Dr. Sturg explores the unsettling rise of AI-driven lies, what it means for journalism, politics, and democracy, and how you can keep yourself from falling for convincing fakes.

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Hijacking hashtags to control the conversation: How minor politicians make themselves stars Jul 01, 2025

Show notes

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 political actors use digital platforms to dominate the conversation. Plus, we explain how crises and media events create golden moments of “shared attention”—and how elites use them to amplify their power.

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Riots or Rights? How Media Shapes Your View of Protests Jun 24, 2025

Show notes

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 marches in Birmingham and Occupy Wall Street.

🔍 What you'll learn in this episode:

How media framing can turn peaceful demonstrations into perceived threats
Why dramatic images of violence dominate headlines
Real-world examples from global protests and what media gets wrong (and right!)
Practical tips on how YOU can critically evaluate protest coverage

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Demagogues, Misinformation, and the Death of Truth in U.S. Democracy Jun 17, 2025

Show notes

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 President, about how demagogues manipulate language to avoid accountability, build loyalty, and undermine democratic norms.

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Before you tell Aunt Gladys to stuff it Jun 10, 2025

Show notes

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

Dog Whistles & Double Meanings: How Politicians Hide Controversial Messages in Plain Sight Jun 03, 2025

Show notes

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 it’s effective, and how to spot it.

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Science, Health & Hype: How Misinformation Undermines Public Trust May 27, 2025

Show notes

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 explain the logical fallacies behind modern health myths. Learn how constructivism, personal experience, and flawed definitions of “safe” and “effective” are muddying the waters—and how to push back against the infodemic.

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Mistakes Were Made: The Art of Political Equivocation and Avoiding Accountability May 13, 2025

Show notes

“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 real examples of weasel words, equivocation, and blame avoidance in action. Learn how to spot vague language, passive voice, and emotional manipulation—and stay sharp in a world of political spin.

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Our TOPPODCAST Picks

Follow Us

Stay Connected

Related Podcasts

Links

Stay Connected