Dahlia Lithwick joins Renato to discuss what’s next for Jack Smith now that the Florida indictment has been thrown out?President Biden has reportedly said that Court reform is going to be a priority in his re-election campaign. What would that look like? Plus, there were some difficulties getting this episode together! Keep up with our Guest: Dahli…

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…

Norm Eisen joins Renato and Asha to talk about how this shiny new presidential immunity works when applied to Trump’s current prosecutions. Plus, Renato changed firms and Asha is exploring her options. Keep up with our Guest: Norm Eisen https://twitter.com/normeisen Sate Democracy Defenders Action Questions for the pod? https://formfacade.com/sm/eu…

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…

Presidential Immunity and Chevron Deference were among two of the most consequential Supreme Court rulings this session. What does Presidential Immunity mean for Biden and for Trump’s criminal trials? Renato and Asha are joined by Kim Wehle to discuss the end of Chevron. Keep up with our Guest: Kim Wehle twitter.com/kimwehle Simple Politics with Ki…

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 …

In Mar-a-Lago, Judge Cannon held a 2 day hearing and invited amici to argue whether Special Counsels are Constitutional. Trump responds to Jack Smith’s request to modify Trump’s pretrial release conditions. SCOTUS gets Rahimi right by ignoring its own precedent. Plus, kids behind the wheel. Questions for the pod? https://formfacade.com/sm/euYIPJdVe…

We learn as children to follow the rules, but sometimes people use the rules deceptively to avoid addressing uncomfortable topics. Dr. Sturg goes through examples of misplaced focus and talks with Ajay Parasram and Alex Khasnabish, hosts of a YouTube series called "Frequently Asked White Questions." Check out Frequently Asked White Questions Follow…

Hunter Biden was found guilty of a felony. What’s next? How is Trump handling his felony conviction as he awaits sentencing? Plus, Asha really nails it. Questions for the pod? https://formfacade.com/sm/euYIPJdVe Trump Court Cases Cheat Sheet https://asharangappa.substack.com/p/your-trump-court-cases-cheat-sheet?r=3od4c&utm_medium=ios&utm_campaign=p…

You have a lot of choices about how to spend your time, so how and why do you choose to spend it with certain media? In this episode, Dr. Sturg breaks down the things that make media appealing and shows how deceptive newsmakers can use these human tendencies against you. Follow Dr. Sturg Twitter -Prof. Amanda Sturgill (@DrSturg) / X Websites -Sturg…

From COVID to presidential sex scandals, newsmakers use distraction to tell the story they want and take your attention from the story you *need*. Dr. Sturg breaks down this common issues with several examples of politician deception for you to try your skills. Then, she and award-winning journalist Ben Welsh talk about data journalism. Data storie…

Trump has been found guilty on all 24 counts. He’s scheduled to be sentenced on July 11th. What kind of sentence should we expect? Hunter Biden is on trial for a gun charge in Delaware. What is his team’s strategy? Plus. Henry really likes cicada season! Read Renato’s Piece in the NYT Opinion | How Trump’s Team Blew It - The New York Times Question…

How does the news decide who to interview, and what do they do with people who just don't want to answer the questions? Dr. Sturg breaks it down in this week's mini-sode of UnSpun. Here's an example of a newsmaker being evasive in an interview. Send us your questions and comments at theunspunpodcast@gmail.com and don't forget to like and subscribe!…

The jury in Trump’s Manhattan trial is deliberating. What do they have to find in order to convict Trump? Did prosecutors do enough to convict? Questions for the pod? https://formfacade.com/sm/euYIPJdVe Trump Court Cases Cheat Sheet https://asharangappa.substack.com/p/your-trump-court-cases-cheat-sheet?r=3od4c&utm_medium=ios&utm_campaign=post Subsc…

Do attorneys plan for media coverage as a part of a trial? Do reporters covering courts do a good job, or are they missing things. Asha Rangappa and Renato Mariotti answer questions about the intersection between the courts and the media in this episode of UnSpun. Asha Rangappa and Renato Mariotti have a ton of experience in different parts of the …

Trump called his only witness and it was kind of a disaster. The jury of the first ever criminal trial of a former US President will be deliberating soon. Their instructions are somewhat complicated. Plus, a criminal haircut? Questions for the pod? https://formfacade.com/sm/euYIPJdVe Trump Court Cases Cheat Sheet https://asharangappa.substack.com/p…

They are name-calling in congressional committees and judges don't like it when witnesses roll their eyes. It's summer travel time in North America, and as we get ready to go see those relatives we really disagree with, we're re-airing an episode on getting along across difference. Dr. Sturg breaks down the research on how you can get along and may…

Michael Cohen has a story to tell. He also has a lot of baggage. It remains to be seen whether the jury will find his story credible. Also, why isn’t everything he’s saying Trump said hearsay? Plus, we hope you had a better Mother’s Day than Melania. Questions for the pod? https://formfacade.com/sm/euYIPJdVe Trump Court Cases Cheat Sheet https://as…

Headlines are a changing art, as the pressures of digital algorithms are forcing news makers to emphasize the popular over the important. In this minisode of UnSpun, Dr. Sturg explains how headlines come to be and shares the latest research on how that affects you, the audience. Tweet about NYT article with buried lede. Follow Dr. Sturg Twitter -Pr…

Stormy Daniels’ testimony in Trump’s trial may be problematic for the prosecution. Judge Merchan admits that he is treating Trump differently from most other defendants. Other than Trump not being there, what are you looking for in a hotel? Questions for the pod? https://formfacade.com/sm/euYIPJdVe Trump Court Cases Cheat Sheet https://asharangappa…

If you repeat a lie enough, people may start to believe it. This idea of the big lie has been around for a while, but the last 8 years it has been so bad that fact checkers had to create a whole new rating level for how bad the lying is. Dr. Sturg breaks down the history of the big lie and shows how surrogates and supporters help to spread it. In t…

The Supreme Court has heard the immunity arguments and some justices seem to want to answer a question that isn’t before them. Trump has slept through much of his trial in Manhattan, but Asha is riveted. She even made a chart! Plus, what kind of person kills a pet?! Questions for the pod? https://formfacade.com/sm/euYIPJdVe Trump Court Cases Cheat …

In this minisode of UnSpun, Dr. Sturg breaks down how press conferences work and how they are used to shape the public's view of what a newsmaker is doing. Plus, a logical thinking review. Washington Post article on Chanel Rion and OANN's presence at White House Press Conferences Follow Dr. Sturg Twitter -Prof. Amanda Sturgill (@DrSturg) / X Websit…

The People of the State of New York against Donald J. Trump has begun. Asha and Renato break down the first couple of days of the trial–– from opening statements to jury selection, The People’s first witness, and Trump’s continued violation of Judge Merchan’s gag order. Plus, Asha is open to becoming a Swifty. Questions for the pod? https://formfac…

Angela V. Shelton and Frances Callier, Frangela, host the very popular The Final Word podcast on the MSW Media Network. But the podcast is just one waypoint in an accomplished career in comedy and acting. The artists discuss the rewards and challenges they have faced in their careers, explain why representation benefits everyone and give the inside…

*The original upload of this episode had some sync issues. Those issues are fixed in this version. Jury selection and seating in Trump’s election interference trial in Manhattan; people are confused about FISA– Asha will straighten them out. Plus, what does it take to be “camera ready?” Questions for the pod? https://formfacade.com/sm/euYIPJdVe Sub…

Jack Smith responded to Judge Cannon’s jury instruction request as the Mar-a-Lago case continues to go off the rails; Trump is still arguing that he has immunity before, during, and after his presidency; plus, maybe Asha should have been a doctor. Trump Court Cases Cheat Sheet https://asharangappa.substack.com/p/your-trump-court-cases-cheat-sheet?r…

It is always fair to include both sides? Dr. Sturg breaks down the history and future of objectivity in this miniepisode of UnSpun. Follow Dr. Sturg Twitter -Prof. Amanda Sturgill (@DrSturg) / X Websites -Sturg says|Unspun’s Substack Questions and Tips TheUnspunPodcast@gmail.com Dr. Sturg’s Books Detecting Deception: Tools to Fight Fake News We are…

This week: Truth Social hit the NASDAQ and its share price seems untethered from its financials; Trump gets gagged by the judge in the hush money case; plus Asha has an HOA issue. Trump Court Cases Cheat Sheet https://asharangappa.substack.com/p/your-trump-court-cases-cheat-sheet?r=3od4c&utm_medium=ios&utm_campaign=post Watch us on YouTube https://…

News media and news makers can do better at working to protect democracy. In this week's episode, Dr. Sturg breaks down the research on how media cover elections and gives some examples of the the appeal to nature fallacy. Then, author, professor and NBC contributor Barbara McQuade and Dr. Sturg talk about her new book and the ways that lawmakers c…

This week: Trump catches a break and gets his bond reduced by almost 70%. Hears arguments on the mifepristone injunction that came from Judge Kacsmaryk in Texas. The Judicial Conference puts an end to judge shopping. Plus, we find out what kind of nerd Renato was before his glow-up. For a limited time, save up to 35% at CozyEarth.com and enter COMP…

Trying a new episode format - single host minisodes! Let me know what you think! What's even worse for carrying disinformation than social media? Messaging apps! In this episode, Dr. Sturg reviews a deceptive tactic with some new clips and goes over the research on how apps like WhatsApp and Telegram make it very hard to stop Fake News from spreadi…

This week: Judge Cannon is over-complicating issues in the documents case; Trump can’t get bonded; plus Asha did some sneaky stuff back in the day. For a limited time, save up to 35% at CozyEarth.com and enter COMPLICATED at checkout. Follow Brian Greer on Twitter: Secrets and Laws (@secretsandlaws) / X Trump Court Cases Cheat Sheet https://asharan…