Welcome to the very first episode of the CAPTivated Podcast! Hosts Hanna, Julius and Sage sit down with Dr. Nicole Hemmer, Associate Professor of History and Director of the Rogers Center for the American Presidency at Vanderbilt University, to explore the history and power of conservative media in American politics. From William F. Buckley Jr. and Rush Limbaugh to Ben Shapiro and Charlie Kirk, this episode traces how and why right-wing media evolved into a dominant force in the digital age. Nicole also breaks down what’s different about contemporary conservative influencers, why fact-checking fails and media literacy isn’t enough, and how strong local communities matter more than perfect information systems.

Three Key Takeaways from Nicole

1. Politics and media are inextricable - You can't fix one without addressing the other
2. 20th-century solutions don't solve 21st-century problems - We need forward-looking approaches, not nostalgia for a media "golden age"
3. Touch grass with others - Strong local communities and real-world connections are essential foundations for both better media consumption and democratic health

Find out more about:

• Prof. Nicole Hemmer
• Her books Messengers of the Right and Partisans
• Her Radiotopia podcast This Day
• Made By History the historical analysis column Nicole helped found at the Washington Post which has now moved to TIME
• Her instagram @‌pastpundit
• Her Bluesky @‌pastpunditry.bsky.social 

Some of the texts we refer to in this episode:

• Nicholas Buccola, The Fire Is Upon Us

Nicole’s Media Diet:

• Meat and Potatoes:  The Daily, 5-4, Strict Scrutiny, New York Times, Boston Review, The New Yorker, The Tennessean
• Junk Food/Palate Cleanser: If Books Could Kill, Taskmaster, Bridgerton, Love Is Blind

This podcast is part of CAPT’s efforts to encourage open and diverse intellectual exchange. The ideas presented by individuals on the podcast are their own and do not represent Purdue University, which adheres to a policy of institutional neutrality.

We would love to hear your thoughts on this episode! Send us feedback to [email protected]