

Citations Needed
Nima Shirazi and Adam Johnson
Citations Needed is a podcast about the intersection of media, PR, and power, hosted by Nima Shirazi and Adam Johnson.
Episodes
Mentioned books

May 29, 2024 • 1h
Ep 202: Ideological Shaping of the Possible Part I: Democrats and the Black Box Corporate Consulting Industry
Political strategists David Plouffe, James Carville, and Robert Gibbs discuss the influence of Democratic consultants with corporate ties on party politics. They delve into conflicts of interest, lack of transparency, and the blurred lines between political commentary and corporate affiliations within the US media and political landscape.

26 snips
May 15, 2024 • 1h 20min
Episode 201: The Conservative, Faux-Erudite Rise of Nuance Trolling
Aliza Pilichowski, nuanced view of Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Discuss rise of Nuance Trolling blocking societal progress. Analysis on deceptive tactics, historical perspectives on Vietnam War, media discourse exposing deceptive practices, critique on using nuance to maintain status quo. Emphasis on collective action over intricate discussions for societal change.

14 snips
May 8, 2024 • 24min
News Brief: Axios, NYT Help White House Obscure Their Role in Rafah Invasion
Critique of US administration's support for Israel, manipulation of ceasefire terms, political complexities of the conflict, US government's contradictory actions, White House's political maneuvers for 2024 election, mainstream institutions and wealthy donors critique White House's actions

20 snips
Apr 27, 2024 • 33min
News Brief: Campus Anti-Genocide Protests and the Weaponization of Squishy, Bad Faith "Safety" Rhetoric
The podcast covers reactions to pro-Palestinian protests on US campuses, from liberal handwringing to police crackdowns. It delves into safety rhetoric and urgency to address the crisis in Gaza, challenging justifications for declaring protests as unsafe. The manipulation of narratives and skewed priorities in the West Bank and Gaza is discussed, urging for leveraging political leverage to stop atrocities. Progressive leaders criticize Democrats for their lack of urgency in confronting ongoing genocide.

Mar 27, 2024 • 1h 2min
Episode 200 - The Rise of the War on Drugs 2.0: This Time It's Different, We Promise
Media sensationalizes hyper potent street drugs like fentanyl, promoting fear. War on Drugs 2.0 doubles down on punitive measures. Critique of carceral logic and lack of genuine solutions. Impact of Measure 110 and resistance to drug decriminalization. Focusing on societal reliance on punishment over social interventions. Reinvestment of marijuana tax revenue in Oregon for treatment and support. Advocacy for prevention-focused solutions over criminalization.

6 snips
Mar 20, 2024 • 1h 41min
Episode 199: The Golden Age of Crybullyism
The podcast explores the rise of elite crybullyism, where powerful figures portray themselves as victims to manipulate power dynamics. It delves into examples like police officers fearing unarmed civilians, corporate executives claiming intimidation by union organizers, and lawmakers feeling threatened during protests. The episode critiques how these elites use anti-bullying rhetoric to shield themselves from criticism while characterizing their actual victims as victimizers.

27 snips
Mar 13, 2024 • 1h 5min
Episode 198: How The Atlantic Magazine Helps Sell Austerity and War to Middlebrow Liberals
Exploring The Atlantic's influential but misleading narratives, from promoting war and austerity to downplaying progressive voices. Unpacking the magazine's history of center-right leanings, elite ownership, and controversial writers, like Jeffrey Goldberg. Critiquing biased coverage of topics like Israel-Palestine conflict and campus controversies, highlighting a disconnect from reality and liberal ideals.

Mar 6, 2024 • 24min
News Brief: Media, Billionaires' Attacks on Homeless People May Pay Off Big at Supreme Court
Exploring the upcoming Supreme Court case on criminalizing homelessness, the podcast delves into the potential consequences and the broader issues of poverty criminalization. It discusses extreme proposals like internment camps, advocates for systemic solutions like housing, and emphasizes the importance of advocating for the rights of homeless people.

Feb 28, 2024 • 60min
Beg-A-Thon Live Show 1-30-24: The Grim Popularity of Rise-And-Grind TikTok #Influencers
Exploring rise-and-grind influencers on social media promoting intense motivation and self-improvement. Analyzing the blend of military-themed motivation with personal growth ideologies. Critiquing extreme productivity advice and its impact on individuals' work ethic and political leanings. Discussing the intersection of self-help narratives with political ideologies, particularly within fitness culture.

9 snips
Feb 21, 2024 • 41min
News Brief: How US Media Obscures the Violence of the Generic, Sterile-Sounding "Border Deal"
Maximilian Alvarez from The Real News joins to discuss Democrats' adoption of right-wing border policies, GOP hypocrisy, impact on vulnerable communities, political strategies, and media storytelling in shaping public perceptions.