Politics, Media, and Tech's Eroding Trust: A Modern Scandal Breakdown

Resources

Books

• "Human Family" by Maya Angelou - Recited in an advertisement for MSNBC's rebrand, the poem was used to evoke a sense of unity and shared humanity.

Videos & Documentaries

• Video from Corbin Bowles showing Stan Duncan directing employees back to their workplace - This video was presented as evidence in the Condé Nast staff firing incident, showing the HR chief's interaction with employees.

Research & Studies

• Gallup poll on trust in the media - Mentioned as having reached an all-time low of 28%, this study highlights a significant distrust in media institutions.

Articles & Papers

• "MSNBC’s Rebrand, ESPN’s Solitaire Scandal, and James Talarico’s Friends. Plus: The Atlantic’s Charlie Warzel" (The Press Box) - This is the title of the podcast episode itself, referencing the topics discussed.
• Axios review of James Talarico's Instagram follows - This review by Axios is the source of the information about James Talarico following adult film performers, escorts, and OnlyFans models.
• Politico feature from Adam Wren on James Talarico - This feature is cited as the source for information about James Talarico's enrollment in the Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary.
• Article in the New York Times on MSNBC's rebrand - Michael Grybaum's article in the New York Times is mentioned as reporting on MSNBC's 20 million ad campaign for its rebrand.
• Article in the Philadelphia Inquirer on the Philadelphia Museum of Art's rebrand - This article is referenced for the detail that changing the museum's name to the Philadelphia Art Museum elicited the unfortunate moniker "FART".
• Article by Drew Laver on the ESPN solitaire scandal - Drew Laver is cited for noting that the company endorsed in the solitaire scandal is facing a lawsuit for allegedly defrauding customers.
• Article by Max Tanny on Condé Nast - Max Tanny's reporting is referenced for the details about Condé Nast abruptly firing four staffers after they confronted the company's head of human resources.
• Article by Sarah Viren in the New York Times Sunday Magazine about Melvin Bragg and "In Our Time" - This article is mentioned for discussing the use of the podcast "In Our Time" as a sleep aid.
• Piece in The Atlantic by Charlie Warzel - Charlie Warzel's article in The Atlantic is mentioned, with the title "YouTube Bends the Knee," discussing YouTube's actions regarding a lawsuit from Donald Trump.

People Mentioned

• James Talarico (US Senate candidate in Texas) - His social media activity, specifically who he follows on Instagram, is the subject of discussion.
• Beto O'Rourke - Mentioned as a point of comparison for James Talarico's campaign.
• Graham Allen Patterner - His past controversy (Nazi tattoo) is used as a point of comparison for the James Talarico story.
• Maddow (Rachel Maddow) - Mentioned for explaining MSNBC's name change in an internal PSA and for appearing in commercials for the rebrand.
• Chris Hayes - Mentioned in relation to the "Hayes Challenge" for horrible acronyms and for appearing in commercials for MSNBC's rebrand.
• Jacob Soboroff - Mentioned for appearing in commercials for MSNBC's rebrand, shown looking in his notebook.
• Stephanie Ruhle - Mentioned for appearing in commercials for MSNBC's rebrand, shown looking at a script.
• Maya Angelou - Her poem "Human Family" was recited in an advertisement for MSNBC's rebrand.
• Alex Kartini (Listener) - Credited with finding an example of a horrible acronym related to the Philadelphia Museum of Art's rebrand.
• Stephen A. Smith - His endorsement deal with a solitaire app and being caught playing solitaire during an NBA finals game is the central point of the ESPN solitaire scandal.
• Mina Kimes - Mentioned for participating in the solitaire endorsement deal and for her mea culpa tweet.
• Laura Rutledge - Mentioned for participating in the solitaire endorsement deal.
• Kendrick Perkins - Mentioned for participating in the solitaire endorsement deal.
• Drew Laver (Awful Announcing) - Cited for noting the lawsuit against the solitaire company endorsed by ESPN personalities.
• Momdani - His victory speech and appreciation for wrestling promos are discussed.
• Donald Trump - Mentioned in relation to Momdani's speech, his past presidency, and his appearance in the booth during a Lions Commanders game.
• Vince Scully - Mentioned as the broadcaster who had Ronald Reagan in the booth during the '89 Baseball All-Star Game.
• Ronald Reagan - Mentioned for being in the broadcast booth with Vince Scully during the '89 Baseball All-Star Game.
• Bob Tisch - Mentioned as a friend who owned the Giants.
• Woody Johnson - Mentioned as a friend who owns the Jets.
• Joe Namath - Discussed in relation to Donald Trump's appreciation for him and his football career.
• Jacory Croskey Merritt - Mentioned as a runner during the Lions Commanders game.
• Deebo Samuel - Mentioned for catching a touchdown pass during the Commanders game.
• Mariota - Mentioned as throwing a touchdown pass to Deebo Samuel.
• Kenny Albert (Fox announcer) - Invited Donald Trump to call a play during the Lions Commanders game.
• Jonathan Vilma (Fox announcer) - Mentioned as being in the booth with Donald Trump during the Lions Commanders game.
• Charlie Kirk - His show is mentioned as being hosted by JD Vance.
• Hank Green - Discussed as a YouTuber who has built a massive store of trust with people, with trust levels higher than the media.
• J.D. Vance - Mentioned for hosting Charlie Kirk's show and for his political strategies.
• Mark Zuckerberg - Mentioned in the context of Donald Trump's threat to put him in jail.
• Elon Musk - Discussed in relation to his ownership of X (formerly Twitter) and his financial status.
• Adolf Hitler - Mentioned in the context of content resembling 4chan appearing on X.
• Joe Durawski (Listener, English Professor at BYU) - Sent in a question about the word "paramountcy."
• Blake Topmeyer (USA Today) - Author of an article about BYU football that used the word "paramountcy."
• TK Dwyer - Sent in the opening scene from the movie "Shaun of the Dead" which includes the word "exacerbates."
• Eric Raskin (Boxing Scene) - Wrote a strain pun headline for Boxing Scene.
• Christy Martin - Mentioned in relation to the movie "Christy" starring Sydney Sweeney.
• Clint Eastwood - His movie titles are referenced for the strain pun headline.

Organizations & Institutions

• Spectrum Business - Sponsor of the podcast.
• Maybelline - Advertiser for Sky High Mascara.
• Axios - Publication that reported on James Talarico's social media follows.
• US Senate - The office James Talarico is running for.
• MSNBC - Undergoing a rebrand to "MS Now."
• Condé Nast - Publisher of The New Yorker and Vanity Fair, facing employee issues.
• The New Yorker - Magazine published by Condé Nast.
• Vanity Fair - Magazine published by Condé Nast.
• ESPN - Facing a scandal involving a solitaire endorsement deal.
• The Atlantic - Publication where Charlie Warzel writes.
• Ringer Podcast Network - The network producing "The Press Box."
• Fox - Network broadcasting the Lions Commanders game.
• CBS - Network broadcasting the Patriots-Bucs game.
• BYU - University football program discussed in relation to an article using the word "paramountcy."
• USA Today - Publication of an article about BYU football.
• Boxing Scene - Publication for which Eric Raskin wrote a headline.
• Clint Eastwood - His movie titles are referenced.
• BYU Football - Subject of a USA Today article.
• Lions - NFL team.
• Commanders - NFL team.
• Patriots - NFL team.
• Bucs - NFL team.
• Texas Tech - College football team.
• BYU - College football team.
• Indiana - College football team.
• Penn State - College football team.
• Dallas Morning News - Newspaper.
• Houston Chronicle - Newspaper.
• Columbia University - Mentioned in relation to Momdani.
• Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary - James Talarico is enrolled here.
• University of Oxford - Fiona Stafford's affiliation.
• University of Reading - Paddy Bullard's affiliation.
• Durham University - Karen O'Brien's affiliation.
• BBC 4 - Radio station that airs "In Our Time."
• House of Lords - Melvin Bragg is a member.
• H.G. Wells - Author of "The Time Machine."
• Molière - Subject of an "In Our Time" episode.
• Hindu goddess Kali - Subject of an "In Our Time" episode.
• Knights Templar - Subject of an "In Our Time" episode.
• Federalist Papers - Subject of an "In Our Time" episode.
• Citizen Kane - Subject of an "In Our Time" episode.
• Jane Austen - Author of "Persuasion."
• Spotify - Mentioned in the context of its podcast recommendations.

Courses & Educational Resources

• Master of Divinity - James Talarico is seeking to obtain this degree.

Websites & Online Resources

• spectrum.com/freeforlife - Website for Spectrum Business to find out how to get free business internet.
• maybelline.com - Website to shop Sky High mascara.
• instagram.com - Social media platform where James Talarico follows various individuals.
• escortbook.com - Website where one of the individuals James Talarico follows has a page.
• youtube.com - Platform where commercials for MSNBC's rebrand can be seen, and mentioned in relation to Charlie Warzel's article.
• twitter.com - Social media platform discussed extensively, including its role in politics and as a platform for influencers and trolls.
• x.com - The current name for Twitter, discussed in relation to Elon Musk and its content.
• 4chan.org - Website mentioned as being similar in content to the "For You" tab on X.
• tiktok.com - Social media platform mentioned in relation to politicians and its algorithm.
• imdb.com - Mentioned in relation to looking up movie titles.
• https://thepressboxpod.com/ - Mentioned as the senior nominees submission site for the overwork twitter joke of the week.

Other Resources

• The Press Box (Podcast) - The podcast itself.
• Galaxy Brain (Podcast) - Charlie Warzel's new podcast.
• In Our Time (BBC 4 Radio Show/Podcast) - A long-running BBC radio show hosted by Melvin Bragg, discussed for its educational content and as a potential sleep aid.
• RSS feed - Mentioned in the context of subscribing to podcasts in 2007.
• The Hayes Challenge - A challenge named after Chris Hayes related to horrible acronyms.
• "The Solitaire Scandal" - A term used to describe the ESPN endorsement deal.
• "Wrestling Promo" - A style of speech discussed in relation to Momdani's victory speech and Donald Trump.
• "Monday Night Raw" - A WWE show where wrestling promos are featured.
• "Doge Mode" - A term used to describe Elon Musk's behavior earlier in the year.
• "The Ten Commandments" - Mentioned in the context of Christian faith and politics.
• "The Bible" - Referenced in discussions about human imperfection.
• "The New Testament" - Referenced in discussions about human imperfection.
• Ice - Mentioned in the context of immigration enforcement tactics.
• "Sicario" soundtrack - Mentioned in relation to how videos are edited for political messaging.
• "The Sunshine State" - Nickname for Florida, discussed in the context of Jim Nantz using state nicknames.
• "The Show-Me State" - Nickname for Missouri, discussed in the context of Jim Nantz using state nicknames.
• "The Good, the Bad and the Ugly" - A Clint Eastwood movie title.
• "Play Misty for Me" - A Clint Eastwood movie title.
• "Christy" - A movie starring Sydney Sweeney.
• "The Undertaker" - Wrestler whose "sit up" is compared to the host's reaction to hearing his own voice.
• "The Press Box" Zoom camera - Mentioned in relation to Charlie Warzel's appearance on the podcast.