Free Daily Podcast Summary
Unspun: Daily Summaries Delivered
by Amanda Sturgill
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.
Latest Episodes
The most recent episodes — sign up to get AI-powered summaries of each one.
- 5 days ago29 min
"So God Made Trump": Christian Nationalism and Media
Christian nationalists think their country and their God are related, and they've built a media ecosystem to spread their beliefs. Agreeing with this changes how they understand facts, what they support and even some of what they do. In this week of UnSpun, DrSturg breaks down some of the research on Christian nationalists and the media.LINKSNPR piece on the Dilley Meme TeamOriginal video, shared online by politicianFollow Dr. SturgBlueSky -Prof. Amanda Sturgill (@DrSturg) Websites -Sturg says|Unspun’s SubstackQuestions and TipsTheUnspunPodcast@gmail.comDr. Sturg’s BooksDetecting Deception: Tools to Fight Fake NewsWe are #AltGov: Inside the Resistance on Social MediaAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
- 1 weeks ago19 min
Who Controls Your News Feed? Algorithms, Inequality, and the News You See (UnSpun Journal Club)
You probably saw some news today.But did you choose it?Or did it simply find you?In this episode of UnSpun, DrSturg looks at research examining how people experience news in everyday life—and why that experience differs depending on how much money you have and how educated you are. The industry needs to look at audiences differently, and the implications for democracy are profound.LINKSPaper covered in this episodeFollow Dr. SturgBlueSky -Prof. Amanda Sturgill (@DrSturg) Websites -Sturg says|Unspun’s SubstackQuestions and TipsTheUnspunPodcast@gmail.comDr. Sturg’s BooksDetecting Deception: Tools to Fight Fake NewsWe are #AltGov: Inside the Resistance on Social MediaAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
- 2 weeks ago24 min
Can You Trust Influencers? The Hidden Power of Parasocial Relationships
Why does an influencer you've never met sometimes feel like a friend?In this episode of UnSpun, DrSturg looks at the psychology behind parasocial relationships — the one-sided relationships audiences can develop with influencers, creators, streamers, and other public figures.We’ll look at how influencers create a sense of intimacy and how those relationships can make advertising more persuasive, reduce our resistance to sales pitches, increase loyalty, and encourage people to spend more time and money with a creator. They can also create enormous pressure for influencers themselves.And the stakes get even higher when influence moves beyond products and into politics.As governments, brands, platforms, and political actors recognize how powerful influencers can be, we have to ask a bigger question:What happens when the person shaping what you think is not a journalist, but someone who feels like your friend?Follow Dr. SturgBlueSky -Prof. Amanda Sturgill (@DrSturg) Websites -Sturg says|Unspun’s SubstackQuestions and TipsTheUnspunPodcast@gmail.comDr. Sturg’s BooksDetecting Deception: Tools to Fight Fake NewsWe are #AltGov: Inside the Resistance on Social MediaOriginal image from Fquasie on Wikimedia Commons. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
- 3 weeks ago31 min
Science for the rest of us: Why experts need a megaphone (UnSpun Rewind)
It's harder to get quality information on science that affects your health and life. Dr. Sturg interviews science communicator and neuroscientist Dr. Ben Rein on how researchers with media skills can make a difference. PLUS, People rely on some bad cues for how to make choices, and sometimes newsmakers don't help. In this episode, learn why "we've always done it this way" can be a bad thing. Follow Dr. Ben Reinhttps://www.benrein.comhttps://www.tiktok.com/@dr.brein?lang=enhttps://www.instagram.com/doctor.brein/?hl=enhttps://twitter.com/dr_breinhttps://www.youtube.com/channel/UCn3KN9-HZ0y_kgZWlkhOPtQhttps://scholar.google.com/citations?user=xjXaTY4AAAAJ&hl=en&oi=aoFollow Dr. Sturghttps://twitter.com/DrSturghttps://www.instagram.com/drsturgill/https://www.linkedin.com/in/amandasturgill/Check out my booksDetecting Deception: Tools to Fight Fake NewsWe Are #AltGov; Inside the Social Media ResistanceAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
- Aug 18, 202622 min
Why quality news matters: Journalism and Democracy (UnSpun Rewind)
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 relationship works, why it's failing and what you can do about it as you get UnSpun. Follow Dr. SturgBlueSky -Prof. Amanda Sturgill (@DrSturg) Websites -Sturg says|Unspun’s SubstackQuestions and TipsTheUnspunPodcast@gmail.comDr. Sturg’s BooksDetecting Deception: Tools to Fight Fake NewsWe are #AltGov Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
- Aug 11, 202622 min
What happens when the rich control the news? UnSpun Rewind: Press in an Oligarchy
Who really controls the news? And what happens when it's the wealthy? In this UnSpun, rewind, Dr. Sturg explores the role of the press in an oligarchy, which is where a small, powerful elite shapes public perception through media ownership, restricted access, and censorship. From billionaire-backed news outlets to state-controlled media, learn how information is manipulated and some things journalists can do to fight back.Follow Dr. SturgBlueSky -Prof. Amanda Sturgill (@DrSturg) Websites -Sturg says|Unspun’s SubstackQuestions and TipsTheUnspunPodcast@gmail.comDr. Sturg’s BooksDetecting Deception: Tools to Fight Fake NewsWe are #AltGov: Inside the Resistance on Social MediaAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
- Aug 4, 202624 min
Why is the government targeting universities and the media? UnSpun Rewind on Authoritarians and the News
On this week's UnSpun, DrSturg explores why authoritarian governments target the press and educational institutions, and how these tactics are appearing in democracies worldwide:Why authoritarian governments restrict press freedom:Common tactics of information control:The consequences of information control:Ways to overcome the censorshipResources mentioned:Survey: http://bit.ly/UnSpunSurveyBooks: "Detecting Deception: Tools to Fight Fake News" and "We Are #AltGov: Social Media Resistance from the Inside"Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
- Jul 28, 202627 min
Why does everything feel broken? How newsmakers use sabotage methods to undermine your confidence in your government
There was a secret playbook for destroying governments and newsmakers use some of the same tactics on YOU right now.What if the chaos in your government isn't an accident? In 1944, the OSS (now the CIA) wrote a classified manual teaching resistance fighters how to dismantle a Nazi occupation from within. Today, those same tactics are being used by governments, politicians and would-be authoritarians,and it's working.In this episode of UnSpun, DrSturg goes over the 5 sabotage strategies straight from the now declassified Simple Sabotage Field Manual. Learn what to look for with examples from recent news. LINKSThe declassified OSS sabotage manualJD Vance tweet with false information about immigrants eating petsFollow Dr. SturgBlueSky -Prof. Amanda Sturgill (@DrSturg) Websites -Sturg says|Unspun’s SubstackQuestions and TipsTheUnspunPodcast@gmail.comDr. Sturg’s BooksDetecting Deception: Tools to Fight Fake NewsWe are #AltGov: Inside the Resistance on Social MediaAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
Get Unspun summaries in your inbox
Free AI-powered daily recaps. Key takeaways, quotes, and mentions — in a 5-minute read.
Get Free Summaries →Free forever for up to 3 podcasts. No credit card required.
You Might Also Like
Listeners also like.
What Next | Daily News and Analysis
A daily news podcast that helps you make sense of current events and what they mean for the day ahead.
Unbiased Science
Two scientists analyze health topics using objective, evidence-based approaches to inform everyday decisions.
Breaking News from Pod Save America
Political news and analysis from former Obama administration insiders, covering breaking stories, speeches, and underreported issues.
UNBIASED Politics
A lawyer-hosted recap of U.S. political news, elections, and legal developments explained clearly and without opinion.
On the Media
Analyzes media narratives, misinformation, and bias to help listeners understand how news is shaped and reported.
Americast
Weekly analysis of U.S. politics and social media’s impact on elections from BBC journalists and guests.
American Friction
A UK-based podcast analyzing US politics with expert interviews and commentary on current events and major issues.
Runaway Country with Alex Wagner
Alex Wagner explores America’s political divisions through conversations with people living through the nation’s most urgent conflicts.
The Truth of the Matter
Breaks down complex global policy issues through informed, balanced discussions without spin or sensationalism.
The Find Out Podcast
A weekly discussion dissecting American politics during Trump’s second term with humor, honesty, and left-wing perspective.
Spolitics
Explores how sports intersect with race, gender, sexuality, and culture through narrative storytelling and in-depth conversations.
The Tucker Carlson Show
A political commentary podcast offering opinionated analysis from a conservative perspective on current events and media narratives.
About Unspun
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.
Customized Recaps
AI-powered recaps with compact key takeaways, quotes, and insights.
Straight to Your Inbox
Get key takeaways from Unspun in a 5-minute read.
Save Hours Every Week
Stay current on your favorite podcasts without falling behind.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Podzilla's Unspun daily summary?
It's a free AI-powered email that summarizes new episodes of Unspun as soon as they're published. You get the key takeaways, notable quotes, and links & mentions — all in a quick read.
How does the Unspun podcast summary work?
When a new episode drops, our AI transcribes and analyzes it, then generates a personalized summary tailored to your interests and profession. It's delivered to your inbox every morning.
Is this an official Unspun product?
No. Podzilla is an independent service that summarizes publicly available podcast content. We're not affiliated with or endorsed by Amanda Sturgill.
Can I get summaries of other podcasts too?
Absolutely! The free plan covers up to 3 podcasts. Upgrade to Pro for 15, or Premium for 50. Browse our full catalog at /podcasts.
How often does Unspun release new episodes?
Unspun publishes weekly. Our AI generates a summary within hours of each new episode.
What topics does Unspun cover?
Unspun covers topics including News, Education, Commentary, Self-Improvement. Our AI identifies the specific themes in each episode and highlights what matters most to you.
Start getting Unspun summaries tomorrow morning.
Free forever for up to 3 podcasts. No credit card required.
Free forever for up to 3 podcasts. No credit card required.