Peabody-Award Winning Podcast "We Disrupt This Broadcast" Explores Television’s Power to Challenge Norms and Inspire Social Change
In an era where television holds immense cultural sway, shaping perceptions and influencing societal discourse, the Peabody Awards and the Center for Media & Social Impact (CMSI) at American University have launched a thought-provoking podcast, "We Disrupt This Broadcast," to delve into the transformative potential of entertainment media. Now in its second season, the podcast convenes Peabody Award winners and industry luminaries to dissect how television can challenge conventional narratives, ignite conversations, and inspire meaningful social change. Through in-depth discussions with creators of groundbreaking shows like "Shrinking," "Ted Lasso," "Mo," "Severance," "Bad Sisters," "Andor," and "Hacks," the podcast unveils the creative processes and motivations behind these disruptive narratives.
Caty Burom, executive director of CMSI and executive producer of the podcast, describes the production process as akin to a newsroom, with the team meticulously selecting weekly topics focused on television’s ability to challenge mainstream narratives. They then identify relevant guests, craft the episode’s tone, and conduct interviews over several weeks. The podcast’s fundamental purpose is to introduce audiences to these "disruptors," the individuals who dare to challenge conventional storytelling, and to provide insights from experts who elucidate the significance of their work. By shedding light on the creative journeys and societal impact of these storytellers, "We Disrupt This Broadcast" aims to empower aspiring creators and foster a deeper understanding of television’s transformative power.
CMSI, based within American University’s School of Communication, serves as a creative innovation lab and research center dedicated to exploring media’s role in social change. Patricia Aufderheide, a professor in the School of Communication and senior researcher at CMSI, emphasizes the importance of this work, highlighting how the Center’s initiatives, including the podcast, offer invaluable resources for anyone seeking to make a difference through media. Aufderheide, who founded the Center for Social Media in 2000, expresses gratitude for Burom’s leadership in reinventing it as CMSI, expanding its focus to encompass broader media landscapes. Burom articulates the Center’s vision of media as a catalyst for positive social transformation, emphasizing the concept of "civic imagination" – the ability to envision a better world as a prerequisite for building it.
The Peabody Awards, renowned for recognizing excellence in media across television, radio, podcasts, and streaming, serve as a natural partner for this endeavor. The awards celebrate stories that reflect pressing social issues and amplify emerging voices, aligning perfectly with the podcast’s mission to explore television’s capacity to address critical societal concerns. Burom underscores television’s profound cultural influence, shaping beliefs, worldviews, and self-perceptions. The podcast’s core objective is to spark dialogue about contemporary television and celebrate the innovators who craft intricate and thought-provoking narratives.
CMSI recognizes the unique potential of podcasts as a medium for fostering meaningful conversations. Aufderheide notes the intimacy and long-form nature of podcasts, which allow for deeper exploration of complex issues and contribute to their lasting impact on listeners. Through initiatives like "We Disrupt This Broadcast," CMSI seeks to transform media into a tool for reflection, activism, and change, demonstrating how entertainment can shape both individual perceptions and broader policy discussions. Professors within CMSI and the School of Communication encourage students to cultivate critical media literacy and develop their own impactful stories.
The Center’s research focuses on how entertainment media addresses issues of equity, social change, and contemporary challenges. Aufderheide emphasizes the responsibility of media producers to understand the implications of their work, either directly or by working with those who possess such understanding. CMSI instills in students the awareness that they are not merely passive consumers of media but active creators with the potential to become agents of change. Burom underscores the vital role of media representation in shaping our understanding of the world, emphasizing the need for critical media literacy to navigate the complexities of media’s influence. By fostering critical engagement with media content, CMSI empowers individuals to become discerning consumers and active participants in shaping a more just, equitable, and informed society. This article, meticulously edited and copy-edited by a dedicated team of student journalists, reflects the collaborative spirit and commitment to journalistic excellence that permeates American University’s School of Communication.