
Ink Stained Wretches
Eliana Johnson and Chris Stirewalt love the news business but they hate a lot of what’s happening to it these days. Using their decades of experience in print, digital and TV news they tell the story behind the stories, always on the lookout for bias, sloppy reporting and, well, just plain wretched journalism. Every week they help you to be a better, smarter news consumer.
Latest episodes

Aug 10, 2023 • 1h 4min
The Fate of The Debate
Will Trump join the debate later this month? Does he have a good reason to sit the first one out? If you are asking these questions, then join us for an early episode this week. We’re cooking up a forecast on first GOP Presidential debate, coverage John Fetterman, STEM in journalism and a serving a robust Facile File. Wretch on!Time Stamps: 1:38 Front Page46:01 Obsessions54:50 Reader Mail1:00:32 Favorite Item of the Weeks If you have a story you want us to talk about, e-mail us at wretches@nebulouspodcasts.com.Follow us on Instagram @InkStainedWretchesShow Notes:Mediaite: Fox & Friends Implores Trump Not to Snub Republican DebateNYTimes: DeSantis Upends Campaign Leadership as Trump Looms and Urgency GrowsAP News:DeSantis is defending new slavery teachings. Civil rights leaders see a pattern of 'policy violence'People: President Biden Speaks Out on Hunter's Daughter, 4, with Ark. Woman: 'Jill and I Only Want What's Best' (Exclusive) Politico: Who at 1600 Penn is making bank?Free Beacon: Biden Monkeypox Adviser Says White House Supports ‘Joy’ of ‘Risky’ SexFree Beacon: WATCH: Biden Monkeypox Adviser Makes Taxpayer-Funded Appearance in BDSM Harness NYTimes: John Fetterman, Hoodie and All, Is Adjusting to Life in the Senate - The New York Times WSJ: New York Times Earnings: Publisher Adds 180,000 Digital SubscribersAP News: Residents are at a loss after newspaper that bound community together shuts in declining coal countyPoynter: A technical question: Should journalism be designated STEM?The Guardian: Racism at heart of US failure to tackle deadly heatwaves, expert warnsLA Times: Remote work gave them a reprieve from racism. They don't want to go backThe Daily Beast: Lizzo Was Never as Progressive as We Wanted Her to Be The Athletic: Ghiroli: Orioles’ unforced error with announcer Kevin Brown dims team’s shine at wrong timeBethenny Frankel on Instagram: “I spend money so you don’t have to”Free Beacon: How MIT Helped Develop Tech for a Chinese Company That Surveils UyghursNYT: How a U.S. Tech Mogul Used Nonprofits to Sow Chinese PropagandaReason: Studies Keep Finding That Social Media Algorithms Don't Increase Polarization. Why Is the Press So Skeptical? WSJ: A Nevada Town Where the West Is Still WildNYTimes: The Secret Hand Behind the Women Who Stood by Cuomo? His Sister.

Aug 4, 2023 • 1h 7min
Our Favorite Books and Films About Journalism
It’s in the title, folks! We are joined by our friend and Nebulous colleague, Eli Lake, to discuss our favorite books and films in the genre of journalism. We have comedies, we have dramedies and we have some picks that are as dramatic as they get. We hope you are able to add a few movies and books to your queue!Books:Personal History, by Katherine Graham What it Takes, by Richard Ben CramerAll the King’s Men by Robert Penn WarrenScoop, by Evelyn WaughMovies:The PaperAll The President’s MenBroadcast NewsShattered GlassCall Northside 777

Jul 27, 2023 • 59min
Media Bites Back at Biden
We’re early this week! And in case you haven’t heard, DeSantis is cooked . . . or at least that’s the latest take from the media. We’re breaking down the latest 2024 news, controversial curriculum in Florida, Hunter Biden, and stick around for great moments in fact-checking.Time Stamps:41:03 - Style Section47:36 - Obsessions53:30 - Reader Mail54:59 - Favorite ItemsShow Notes:NBC: Note cards and shorter stairs: How Biden's campaign is addressing his ageNYPost: Biden’s dog Commander sent Secret Service officer to hospital, bit 6 others after replacing first pooch MajorCNN: DeSantis cuts additional campaign staff in effort to ‘streamline operations’Politico: New Florida teaching standards say African Americans received some ‘personal benefit’ from slaveryWashington Examiner: Truth is the first casualty of liberal media’s war on DeSantisPolitico: Political consultant backing Tim Scott spewed the N-word during card gameWashington Post: Tuberville’s tales about his father in World War II have false elementsNew York Times: Study of Elite College Admissions Data Suggests Being Very Rich Is Its Own QualificationNew York Times: In Florida, Swimmers Brave an Ocean That Feels Like Steamy SyrupWashington Post: Five ways to sleep better during a heat wave without blasting the ACNew York Times: Would You Drink Wastewater? What if It Was Beer?Washington Post: Interior Secretary Deb Haaland’s charged mission of healingVariety: Inside the Battle for CNN: Jeff Zucker, David Zaslav, Chris Licht and 18 Months of Crazy BackstabbingWashington Post: Black Lives Matter images deleted from Jason Aldean’s ‘Small Town’ videoWashington Post: Tracy Chapman, Luke Combs and the complicated response to ‘Fast Car’The Atlantic: What’s the Matter With Barbie?New York Times: I Saw ‘Barbie’ With Susan Faludi, and She Has a Theory About ItWall Street Journal: How Allbirds Lost Its WayNew York Times: Is the Cure to Male Loneliness Out on the Pickleball Court?Business Insider: Exclusive: Hunter Biden's gallery sold his art to a Democratic donor 'friend' whom Joe Biden named to a prestigious commissionAP News: ‘Mama bears’ may be the 2024 race’s soccer moms. But where the GOP seeks votes, some see extremismChalkbeat: Politicians and pundits say parents are furious with schools. Polls say otherwiseNYPost: Gen Z cries ‘time blindness’: Is being late a real medical condition? The Stanford Daily: Stanford president resigns over manipulated research, will retract at least three papersWall Street Journal: Deadly School Fire Casts Light on Sexual Exploitation in Guyana Mining Town

Jul 21, 2023 • 1h 5min
The Interview: Andrew Sullivan
We are delighted to be joined by Andrew Sullivan of The Weekly Dish. He takes us on a journey through his upbringing in traditional media to his days blogging alongside Matt Drudge in the early 2000s and how he ended up on Substack. Andrew’s story teaches us about how journalists connect with audiences and how one finds their voice. Wretch on!If you have a story you want us to talk about, e-mail us at wretches@nebulouspodcasts.com.Follow us on Instagram @InkStainedWretches

Jul 14, 2023 • 1h 10min
Biden Blow-Back
No small talk this week, we’re diving straight into the front page and it’s packed. We’re looking at all things Biden, Clarence Thomas, the fall of The New York Times Sports section and the state of men. Wretch on!Watch this episode on YouTubeIf you have a story you want us to talk about, e-mail us at wretches@nebulouspodcasts.com.Follow us on Instagram @InkStainedWretchesTime Stamps:1:27 Front Page56:37 Obsessions1:01:30 Reader Mail1:05:40 Favorite Item of the WeekShow Notes:The Hill: Secret Service ends probe of White House cocaine discovery with no suspectNYT: Opinion | It’s Seven Grandkids, Mr. President The New Republic: What Do Bidenomics and the President’s Grandchild Have to Do with Each Other? Everything.NYT: DeSantis Confronts a Murdoch Empire No Longer Quite So Supportive RealClearPolitics: California Gov. Newsom: FOX News "Contributes To The Mental Health Crisis" But I Can't Stop Watching It | VideoNewsweek: How's Twitter Working Out for Tucker Carlson? NYT: The Case That Could Be Fox’s Next Dominion Politico: The testosterone primary of 2024 is ‘getting out of hand’ WaPo: Opinion | How today’s Twitter has made conservative boycotts more successfulNYT: The Elite Circle Clarence Thomas Entered That Led to the Supreme Court The Guardian: Lawyers with supreme court business paid Clarence Thomas aide via Venmo National Review: Rand’s Latin American Campaign StopNYT: Transgender Care Bans Leave Families and Doctors ScramblingMediaite: CNN Apologizes After Getting Slammed for Misgendering Dylan Mulvaney In Bud Light SegmentNBCNews: Kidney stones are rising among children and teens, especially girls, research shows NYT: Climate Disasters Daily? Welcome to the ‘New Normal.’WaPo: A dip in the ocean this summer? No thanks. NYT: The New York Times to Disband Its Sports Department Poynter: We should’ve seen it coming: The New York Times dismantles its sports departmentAwfulannouncing:Northwestern’s student newspaper lauded for breaking football program hazing story Bethenny Frankel on Instagram: I love SPECIAL pieces. Do you like? Variety:'Dark Side of the 2000s' Premiere Date, Trailer From Vice TVHuffpost: I Started A Nudist Magazine. I Didn't Expect How Badly I'd Be Treated Because Of It.Obsessions: NYPost: Jake Tapper defends CNN over Trump town hall: 'We can't ignore him' AEI: Could News Bloom in News Deserts?Favorite Item: WaPo: Opinion | Christine Emba: Men are lost. Here’s a map out of the wilderness.WSJ: How to Make Money by Losing $300,000 a Year on Slot Machines

Jul 7, 2023 • 51min
Go Injunct Yourself
What does the word “Patriot” mean to you? Did you go outside to celebrate our nation’s Birthday? Well, the American news media believes these are questions worth debating. Join us on Ink Stained Wretches where we go deep on these topics and other malarky the press had for us this week.Watch this episode on YouTubeIf you have a story you want us to talk about, e-mail us at wretches@nebulouspodcasts.com.Follow us on Instagram @InkStainedWretchesTime Stamps:2:37 Front Page35:58 Obsessions42:35 Reader Mail49:52 Favorite Item of the WeekShow Notes:Bloomberg: Biden Appeal Opens a New Front in Battle Over Internet SpeechNYT: Ruling Puts Social Media at Crossroads of Disinformation and Free SpeechNYT: A ‘Cage Match’ Between Elon Musk and Mark Zuckerberg May Be No JokeWapo: Secret Service investigating suspected cocaine found in White House Politco: White House cocaine culprit unlikely to be found: Law enforcement officialMediaite: Joy Reid Says She Wouldn't Go Out on July 4 'Because America is Awash With Guns' NPR: Heat is making squirrels 'sploot' — a goofy act that signals something seriousWapo: How hot dog contestants went from eating 10 to 76 hot dogs in 10 minutes Hollywood reporter: ESPN Cutting On-Air Talent as It Seeks Additional Cost Savings WSJ: Food Is Meh, Décor Is Bland, Parking Nonexistent: Must Be D.C.’s Most-Exclusive RestaurantThe Atlantic: The Harry and Meghan Podcasts We’ll Never Get to HearObsessions: NYT: Ms. Rachel the YouTube Star Wants to Sing With Her Littles Wapo: An unlikely provocateur, Miss Texas, takes on the state's GOP leaders Favorite Items:CTV News:Unexploded bombs among dangers for nude trespassers, Calgary First Nation says
NYT: Hunter Biden’s Daughter and a Tale of Two Families

Jun 30, 2023 • 1h 1min
Microdosing Lazy Reporting
We’re shaking things up and starting the show with praise this week regarding Hunter Biden coverage. After that, we break down the aftermath of Trump’s Fox Interview, RFK Jr., and the benefits of micro dosing.Watch this episode on YouTubeIf you have a story you want us to talk about, e-mail us at wretches@nebulouspodcasts.com.Follow us on Instagram @InkStainedWretchesTime Stamps:3:26 Front Page45:46 Obsessions 52:30 Reader Mail58:34 Favorite ItemsShow Notes:NBC: Biden warns top aides against offering him political advice about HunterNYT: Opinion | The Meaning of Hunter BidenPolitico: Playbook: Mike Pence’s plan to go further on abortionThe Hill: Trump rips ‘nasty’ Bret Baier after Fox News interviewVanity Fair: Fox News Is Scrambling to Get Donald Trump on the Debate Stage: “He Despises the Murdochs” WaPo:Jesse Watters gets Tucker Carlson’s 8 p.m. slot in Fox News shake-up The Atlantic: Inside the Mind of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. NYT: - Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Wants to Be President. Cheryl Hines Is Along for the Ride.WSJ: Canada Passes Law Forcing Facebook, Google to Pay Media for LinksAP News: Smoke from Canada wildfires is increasing health risks in Black and poorer US communitiesScientific American: Climate-Friendly Cocktail Recipes Go Light on IceThe Atlantic: The Comic Strip That Explains the Evolution of American Parenting Reuters: More Than 100 U.S. Political Elites Have Family Links to SlaveryDestiny of the Republic: A Tale of Madness, Medicine and the Murder of a President by Candace MillardNYT: How Migrants Flown to Martha’s Vineyard Came to Call It HomeNYT: ‘Hava Nagila,’ the Jewish Folk Song, is a Hit at Clubs, Bars and Even Mets GamesObsessions:NYT: Why Did Jenna Lyons Join the Rebooted RHONY?WSJ: Magic Mushrooms. LSD. Ketamine. The Drugs That Power Silicon Valley.Favorite Item: WSJ: This Small Oil Town Has an Extravagant Obsession: Million-Dollar Home RenovationsYahoo Sports: US judge throws out high-profile chess cheating lawsuit

Jun 23, 2023 • 1h 19min
A Nugget of Truth
We’re going big for Grimace’s birthday today on Ink Stained Wretches. We’re sipping on some purple shakes while breaking down the Hunter Biden coverage, Brett Baeir’s interview with Trump, Robert Kennedy and much more. Watch this episode on YouTubeIf you have a story you want us to talk about, e-mail us at wretches@nebulouspodcasts.com.Follow us on Instagram @InkStainedWretchesTime Stamps:3:37 Front Page1:08:12 Obsessions 1:13:10 Reader Mail1:14:47 Favorite ItemsShow Notes:National Review: The Intentionally Provocative Hunter Biden Plea DealThe Dispatch: Night of the Hunter Mediaite: Bret Baier Earns Bipartisan Praise for Grilling Trump on Classified Docs: 'An Extraordinary Interview' Chicago Tribune: Victor Shi: Cameras must be allowed during Donald Trump’s trial Mediaite: Jake Tapper Says CNN Won't Cover 'Potentially Dangerous' Trump Speech — One Month After Network Held Town Hall for Him The Wrap: Gavin Newsom Tells Sean Hannity He Was Blasted by Left for ‘Incredible Relationship’ With Trump During COVID (Video) Commentary Magazine: The End of Cable News? - Christine RosenWaPo: The life and power of Casey DeSantis WaPo: Gov. Ron DeSantis used secretive panel to flip state Supreme CourtNews Nation: Joe Rogan challenges vaccine expert to debate anti-vaxxer National Review: The Real Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Daily Beast: The Lost Titanic Sub Didn't Even Have a Basic Safety BeaconNew Republic: OceanGate CEO Missing in Titanic Sub Had History of Donating to GOP Candidates | The New Republic WaPo: Fred Ryan to leave Washington Post after nine years as publisherWaPo: Tesla 'Autopilot' crashes and fatalities surge, despite Musk's claims WaPo: Inside a conservative confab for young women, where feminism is a lieTIME: Tequila Is Eclipsing Vodka as U.S.'s Most Popular SpiritMichigan Daily: The whiteness of green spaces: The cyclical nature of exclusion in environmental professions Mens Health: Are You Gynosexual? Here's What It Means, According to Experts NYT: Lionel Messi, Saudi Arabia and the Deal That Paid Off for Both Sides NYT: Why Do Team Owners Raise the Championship Trophy First?Mediaite: Andy Reid Raves About Food At Chiefs' White House VisitWSJ: Prince Harry and Meghan, Spotify End Podcasting DealVariety: Prince Harry and Meghan Markle Labeled 'F—ing Grifters' by Spotify Exec Bill Simmons After Deal Ends NYT: A Flight Attendant’s 12 Etiquette Rules for Summer TravelObsessions:Public on Substack: First People Sickened By COVID-19 Were Chinese Scientists At Wuhan Institute Of Virology, Say US Government SourcesWSJ: U.S.-Funded Scientist Among Three Chinese Researchers Who Fell Ill Amid Early Covid-19 Outbreak National Review: When the Scandal of the Century Has No Consequences The Atlantic: Lara Logan’s Break With Reality The Dispatch: When Public Opinion Is Irrelevant NYT: Tracking Major Supreme Court Cases in 2023: Affirmative Action, Elections and MoreFavorite Items: Inquirer: Two Rhode Island officials visited Philly. They were so rude their state launched two separate investigations. Sports Illustrated: Stephen F. Austin Bowling Coach Quits After Affair With Player Is Revealed

Jun 16, 2023 • 54min
The Interview: Jon Ward
Today we are joined by Yahoo News’s Jon Ward. Chris dives deep into Jon’s new book, Testimony: Inside the Evangelical Movement That Failed a Generation. Outside of the book, Chris and Jon also open up about their beginnings in journalism and the rise of digital media. Wretch on!If you have a story you want us to talk about, e-mail us at wretches@nebulouspodcasts.com.Follow us on Instagram @InkStainedWretches

47 snips
Jun 9, 2023 • 1h 7min
Goodbye, Other Chris
Strap in, Wretches. We’re going deep into the firing of CNN Chief, Chris Licht. We also breakdown Chuck Todd’s exit, Tucker’s full Twitter debut and the origins of McDonald’s Grimace. Time Stamps: 2:00 Front Page56:37 Obsessions1:00:50 Reader Mail 1:03:56 Favorite ItemIf you have a story you want us to talk about, e-mail us at wretches@nebulouspodcasts.com.Sign up for our Newsletter Watch the full episode here Follow us on Instagram @InkStainedWretchesShow Notes:The Atlantic: Inside the Meltdown at CNN NYT: Could Jeff Zucker Fix CNN? He Seems to Think So.Semafor: CNN lost trust over COVID coverage, internal report foundPolitico: The Real Reason Chris Licht Got Fired From CNNThe Information: The Real CNN Drama is Cable News' Growing Irrelevance NYT: Chuck Todd to Leave ‘Meet the Press’National Review: NYT: GOP’s Diverse Field Just a Sign of GOP RacismThe New Republic: The Arrogance of Already Crowning Trump the Republican NomineeThe Daily Beast: Casey DeSantis Is the Walmart Melania Trump WaPo: Let Ron DeSantis identify however he wantsMediaite: Jen Psaki, James Comey Envision Trump in an Ankle Bracelet Deadline: Tucker Carlson Debuts Twitter Show To Big Numbers, Threatens To Leave Elon Musk-Owned Platform If Anyone Calls Him OutSemafor: Inside the high-stakes clash for control of Ukraine’s storyNYT: Nazi Symbols on Ukraine’s Front Lines Highlight Thorny Issues of History Mediaite: Is Anyone Going to Retract Their Baseless Claims That Fox News Leaked the Tucker Tapes? APNews: As conservatives target schools, LGBTQ+ kids and students of color feel less safe NYT: Pat Robertson, Who Gave Christian Conservatives Clout, Is Dead at 93Daily Mail: Mark Zuckerberg denies that he was choked out during Jiu-Jitsu tournamentNYT: With Hannah Gadsby’s ‘It’s Pablo-matic,’ the Joke’s on the Brooklyn MuseumVinePair: Behold the Nostalgic, Purple Silliness That Is McDonald's Grimace ShakeObsessions: NYT: The Complicated Reality of Joe Biden, America’s Oldest PresidentThe Guardian: Amazon and Google fund anti-abortion lawmakers through complex shell gameFavorite Items:WaPo: The fugitive heiress next door: Why Brazil is fascinated by Margarida BonettiSemafor: Did Washington underestimate Kevin McCarthy?