In today’s media landscape, it can be hard to separate fact from fiction. There is a race for ratings versus the need to always deliver clear, concise, and accurate information. If adults have a hard time separating the two, how do tweens and teens stand a chance?In this episode of The Speak Good Podcast, host Brad Phillips invites author Robin Terry Brown to talk about how kids, tweens, and teens can become more educated about truth versus misinformation. She addresses how and why young people can easily become overloaded with information and provides the tools needed to separate the noise from the news.GUEST BIO:Robin Terry Brown is the former senior editor for National Geographic Kids magazines and books, in which her role included editing the popular Weird But True! series. A graduate of the master's program at Northwestern University's Medill School of Journalism, Robin is a longtime editor and writer who has written for numerous publications and books. She also has a self-described penchant for “getting the facts straight.” Her latest book is Breaking the News: What's Real, What's Not, and Why the Difference Matters.For Tweens and TeensDigital Compass by Common Sense Education – Games and quizzes on social media smartsCommonsense Media – Fact-checking toolsSociety of Professional Journalists –  Journalistic code of ethicsNews just for kids:Smithsonian Tween TribuneDogo NewsNews For KidsFor Parents and TeachersMedia literacy websites with tools for parents and teachers:American Library Association's Literacy ClearinghouseCommonsense MediaMedia Literacy ClearinghouseNew Literacy ProjectFollow us on Twitter @speakgoodpodCheck out our blogGot an episode idea? 

What is it about stories that make them such potent tools of influence and persuasion? Annette Simmons would tell you that stories are largely about connection. When someone can see themselves in your story, that generates a sense of trust in the storyteller and the story they are telling. As she writes in her bestselling book, The Story Factor, “Story is a pull strategy (rather than a push). If your story is good enough, people – of their own free will – come to the conclusion they can trust you and the message you bring.” In this episode, we talk to Annette about her story, including her more than 30-year career listening to and telling stories, and helping others use them to effect change. GUEST: Annette Simmons, Author, The Story Factor, Whoever Tells the Best Story WinsBIO:Annette Simmons is an author, keynote speaker, consultant, and founder of Group Process Consulting – a firm she founded to help others communicate better through stories. She started her career with a business degree from Louisiana University in the early 1980s and then headed off to Australia where she worked for 10 years in international business. Once back in the states, she earned a master’s degree in adult education and psychology and soon after launched her business to help others use storytelling as a communications tool. In addition to her consulting work, she is the author of four books, The Story Factor, Whoever Tells the Best Story Wins, A Safe Place for Dangerous Truth, and Territorial Games: Understanding and Ending Turf Wars at Work.Follow us on Twitter @speakgoodpodCheck out our blogGot an episode idea?

In the last 18 months, we've been asked to “trust the science.” COVID-19 put science on center stage. We heard words and phrases most of us had never heard before. Skeptical segments of the population paused, questioned, and even challenged scientific advice. That’s understandable, especially when fear, mixed messaging, and misinformation confronts us daily. And it's made even worse when the information they seek is delivered poorly - or at least omits some critical communications elements.  Dr. Faith Kearns has spent most of her career developing science communication projects for government agencies, scientific associations, and academic institutions. In this episode, we talk about her latest book, Getting to the Heart of Science Communication: A Guide to Effective Engagement, and how scientists and "the public" - although, as you'll hear, she dislikes that term - can more effectively engage with one another and discuss the societal and environmental challenges facing us. You can reach Dr. Faith Kearns at:Instagram: @fkearnsTwitter: @frkearnsBlog The Science UnicornFollow us on Twitter @speakgoodpodCheck out our blogGot an episode idea?

What happens when you have a diverse newsroom? All stories are told. MSNBC’s Tiffany Cross, who had to fight her way into the newsroom from tough beginnings, joins us to talk about broadening the narrative and creating a more informed and politically aware public. She brings a unique perspective to this discussion having spent her career at the crossroads of media, politics, and policy. In her book, she further explores the political landscape by delving into the role African Americans have played in shaping democracy and the political forces that work to suppress their voters. GUEST: Tiffany Cross, Host, MSNBC's "The Cross Connection" and Author, Say It Louder: Black Voters, White Narratives, and Saving Our DemocracyTiffany Cross is a journalist, media and political analyst and author. She recently served as a Resident Fellow at Harvard Kennedy School’s Institute of Politics. She has spent the past two decades honing her narrative skills in newsrooms, as well as on the campaign trail where she has worked with local, state, and federal candidates. She began her journalism career at CNN, before moving on to BET News where she covered Capitol Hill and produced political specials. She also is co-founder of The Beat DC, a multimedia platform where national politics, policy, business, media, and all people of color meet.The Cross Connection with Tiffany Cross on MSNBC https://www.msnbc.com/cross-connection Follow us on Twitter @speakgoodpodCheck out our blogGot an episode idea?

For Lorenzo Lewis, a barber chair is more than simply a place to settle in for a haircut or shave. It's a place where men and boys of color can feel safe and supported in sharing the pain and worries that may be holding them back from a better and more rewarding life. Since 2016, Lorenzo’s Confess Project has been working to confront the stigma around mental health for men of color, largely by training barbers to become mental health advocates who can share mental health strategies and coping skills. In this episode, we ask Lorenzo about how he's helping barbers learn the communication and listening skills to serve on the frontlines of mental health care. The Confess Project websiteConnect with the Confess Project Follow us on Twitter @speakgoodpodCheck out our blogGot an episode idea?

Climbing the corporate ladder.For many professionals it’s an ongoing goal. Raises, bonuses, awards, and industry-leading successes. Those are the boxes that millions aspire to check off. But even more employees don’t achieve the success they seek because of they don’t know how to navigate the landmines that come with dealing with the person in the corner office.As the President and Co-Founder of Careerstone Group, a woman owned consultancy focused on leadership and development, Mary Abbajay guides success. Her book is called “Managing Up: How to Move Up, Win at Work and Succeed with Any Type of Boss.”In this episode, Ms. Abbajay arms readers with savvy advice for improving their relationship with their boss and getting the most of out of their job without “kissing up” or stepping on toes.Careerstone Group websiteRead more about Mary AbbajayFollow us on Twitter @speakgoodpodCheck out our blogGot an episode idea?

As the founding director of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Lonnie Bunch was responsible for creating a museum that started with no objects, no staff, no building – not even a location for the building. Since opening in September 2016, the museum has welcomed 6 million visitors. In this episode, he discusses how he created a space that tells stories of tragedy and triumph, hardship and resilience. We'll also discuss several timely issues related to race in America and his still acute imposter syndrome. GUEST Lonnie Bunch is the Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution, the first African American and first historian to serve in that role. Prior to becoming Secretary, Lonnie was the founding director of the Smithsonian's National Museum of African American History and Culture. Considered one of the most influential museum professionals of his time, Lonnie has also worked with the California African American Museum in Los Angeles, National Museum of American History, and the Chicago Historical Society. His latest book, A Fool’s Errand: Creating the National Museum of African American History and Culture in the Age of Bush, Obama, and Trump, chronicles the making of the museum.Follow us on Twitter @speakgoodpodCheck out our blogGot an episode idea?

Authoritarian leaders, from Benito Mussolini and Muammar Gaddafi to Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump, are different in important ways. But they use similar techniques to gain and keep power, such as invoking a sense of nostalgia, assigning blame to a targeted group, demonstrating virility, flouting corruption laws, and using propaganda. In this episode, we'll discuss what history teaches us about how strongmen rise, the best ways to combat propaganda, and how to weaken the strongman.Guest Ruth Ben-Ghiat is an internationally acclaimed historian, speaker, and political commentator. She is a professor of history and Italian studies at New York University, and the author of several books, the most recent of which – Strongmen: Mussolini To The Present – is the focus of our conversation.Visit her websiteSubscribe to her newsletter, LucidSend an email to BradVisit throughlinegroup.com

Rep. Eric Swalwell recently wrote an interesting article called "My Opponents Smear Me on Fox News, Then Want to Grab Dinner." He was inspired to write it after a colleague on the other side of the aisle invited him for a meal. Before they went out, Swalwell glanced at his opponent's Twitter feed - and noted that they had sent five tweets slamming him. Is it all just "for the fans?"In this episode we speak with Swalwell about the phony "bro" culture in Congress, an unexpected run-in with Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX), and what he sees as the best way to break through ideological silos and communicate with fair-minded opponents.Guest Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-CA)Visit his websiteSend an email to BradVisit throughlinegroup.com