Ruth DeFoster
Journalism professor and media scholar at the University of Minnesota who researches cultural fears, moral panics, and how media shapes public perception; coauthor of The Fear Knot.
Best podcasts with Ruth DeFoster
Ranked by the Snipd community
22 snips
Nov 12, 2025 • 33min
The Science of Fear—and How to Break Free From It
Ruth DeFoster, a journalism professor, and Natashia Swalve, a neuroscience expert, delve into why we fear irrational things while overlooking real dangers. They explore how fears have evolved but often mislead us, discussing societal moral panics and how algorithms shape our perceptions. Ellen Vora, a psychiatrist, reframes anxiety by linking it to the body and lifestyle choices, diving into how food and drink impact mental health. Together, they dissect the attention economy's manipulation of fear, highlighting profound insights on how to manage our anxieties.
14 snips
Nov 3, 2025 • 47min
What Wikipedia’s Success Reveals About Trust & Are We All Too Fearful?
Jimmy Wales, founder of Wikipedia, discusses how the platform thrives on transparency and community trust, revealing that its success is rooted in collaboration rather than chaos. He contrasts Wikipedia's success with social media's toxicity, emphasizing moderation's role in sustaining trust. Ruth DeFoster, a journalism professor, explores the origins of fear, explaining that most fears are learned and amplified by media. She highlights how our perceptions can misplace fears, suggesting that understanding these mechanisms can help us manage them better.
