Dark Shining Moment

Follow Dark Shining Moment
Share on
Copy link to clipboard

It was the moment the 21st Century began in earnest: In 2016, Russia reached out across the internet and interfered with America’s democracy, setting the conditions that helped propel Donald Trump into the White House. A 'Dark Shining Moment' tells the story of the first people to detect Russia’s interference - before that pivotal election. It’s a narrative about how information has been used to create a new reality for the public, for democracies and for the world - kicking off the crisis we’re in today.

Ranieri & Co.


    • Mar 19, 2025 LATEST EPISODE
    • infrequent NEW EPISODES
    • 35m AVG DURATION
    • 13 EPISODES
    • 2 SEASONS


    Search for episodes from Dark Shining Moment with a specific topic:

    Latest episodes from Dark Shining Moment

    Counterculture in the era of Donald Trump with Pat Thomas

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 19, 2025 49:10


    The MAGA movement presents itself as anti-establishment, but with Donald Trump as president, it is the establishment. A look back at what counterculture once meant in democratic society - including the lives of Jerry Rubin, Allen Ginsberg and Eldridge Cleaver. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    The China, Russia and U.S. narrative contest in Southeast Asia with Kean Wong

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 2, 2025 41:42


    In the current stage of emerging great power competition, influence is eveything. When it comes to influencing a targeted society, there are multiple paths: some overt, some more subtle and nuanced. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    US Election Proves to be 'World Cup' of Interference with Jed Willard

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 8, 2024 28:53


    There has been a surge of foreign interference aimed at the US during the presidential campaign between Donald Trump and Kamala Harris. Foreign powers such as Russia, China, Iran seed bad information into the domesitic information flow of democracies in order to exploit real life emotions, shape perceptions, and where possible, influence outcomes on the ground. Host: Chris Zappone Executive Producers: Rob Ranieri (Ranieri & Co.) & Caroline Winter (PodTalk) Credits/Contributors: The opening theme is “Space Ambient Sci-Fi” by Aleksey Chistilin from Pixabay. Guest: Jed Willard Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    A Longer View of Russia, Colonialism and the West, with Kyle Wilson

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 14, 2024 45:13


    Amid the current clash in geopolitical narrative, former Australian diplomat and analyst Kyle Wilson discusses the history and culture of Russia, imperialism and the right to self-determination of smaller countries. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    US Blames Russia for Interfering in 2024 Election via RT, Faked News, with Matt Sussex

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 28, 2024 27:06


    The US Department of Justice reveals an influence campaign run through Russia's international propaganda arm, RT. The US also seizes 32 internet domains used in the "Doppelganger" disinfo campaign: https://coldwardaily.com/2024/09/23/us-doj-doppelganger-indictment-all-277-pages/ ANU professor Matt Sussex discusses the larger impacts. Host: Chris Zappone Executive Producers: Rob Ranieri (Ranieri & Co.) & Caroline Winter (PodTalk) Credits/Contributors: The opening theme is “Space Ambient Sci-Fi” by Aleksey Chistilin from Pixabay. Guest: Matt Sussex Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    US Accuses Russian Media Outlet RT of Covert Activity, with Peter Tesch

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 20, 2024 26:29


    The US accuses RT, Russia's propaganda outlet, of conducting influence operations, cyber activities, and even fund-raising. Peter Tesch, Australia's former ambassador to Russia, discusses the impact RT has on democracies. Host: Chris Zappone Executive Producers: Rob Ranieri (Ranieri & Co.) & Caroline Winter (PodTalk) Credits/Contributors: The opening theme is “Space Ambient Sci-Fi” by Aleksey Chistilin from Pixabay. Guest: Peter Tesch Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    Episode 6: The Moment That Never Ends

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 16, 2024 41:43


    After the election, society is altered with many people left angry and distrustful of each other. Russian subversion is aimed against both left and right. Hints about Trump's collusion with Russia abound, terrifying one half of the country and infuriating the other. Story written and narrated by: Chris Zappone Executive Producer: Greg Muller Consulting Producer: Richard Baker Production Manager: Nick Randall Sound Design: Marty Peralta Credits/Contributors: The opening theme is “Rainbow Death Revisited” by Votaries courtesy of Wharf Cat Records. Special thanks to Taisiya Payne, Jeff Megahan, Slava Grigoriev  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    Episode 5: Evil at Scale

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 9, 2024 41:02


    With a shared understanding of the presidential campaign shattered, information chaos reigns. Into the narrative vacuum, fantasies replace realities and Donald Trump is elected president. Story written and narrated by: Chris Zappone Executive Producer: Greg Muller Consulting Producer: Richard Baker Production Manager: Nick Randall Sound Design: Marty Peralta Credits/Contributors: The opening theme is “Rainbow Death Revisited” by Votaries courtesy of Wharf Cat Records. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    Episode 4: Murky World Battle Space

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 2, 2024 42:03


    An enormous noise is generated online, turning Malcolm Nance's attention from terrorism to bots, trolling, Russian hacks and leaks. The chaos targets Democrats, Republican candidates in the primaries, and journalists, disrupting the media's ability to report on Trump. Story written and narrated by: Chris Zappone Executive Producer: Greg Muller Consulting Producer: Richard Baker Production Manager: Nick Randall Sound Design: Marty Peralta Credits/Contributors: The opening theme is “Rainbow Death Revisited” by Votaries courtesy of Wharf Cat Records. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    Episode 3: A Shift in Tone

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 26, 2024 42:19


    In Arkansas, Andy Rosebrook notices how Russian state media insinuates itself into America's news flow, sowing the seeds of distrust and polarisation. From a distance, Russians figure out how to mobilize a Texas community around a conspiracy fear. Story written and narrated by: Chris Zappone Executive Producer: Greg Muller Consulting Producer: Richard Baker Production Manager: Nick Randall Sound Design: Marty Peralta Credits/Contributors: The opening theme is “Rainbow Death Revisited” by Votaries courtesy of Wharf Cat Records. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    Episode 2: Poor Man's NSA

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 19, 2024 38:33


    In the aftermath of the September 11th attacks, Andrew Weisburd tracks jihadist terror websites, which put him on the trail of Iranian and then Russian social media troll networks. The road to 2016 passes first through Syria, then Ukraine, and finally to the US election. Story written and narrated by: Chris Zappone Executive Producer: Greg Muller Consulting Producer: Richard Baker Production Manager: Nick Randall Sound Design: Marty Peralta Credits/Contributors: The opening theme is “Rainbow Death Revisited” by Votaries courtesy of Wharf Cat Records. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    Episode 1: School of Fish

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 12, 2024 28:20


    An office in St Petersburg works to divide society for the glory of the Kremlin. Just one aspect of a larger information war that is revealed when a contractor in Afghanistan stumbles upon a vast, mysterious network of anti-Western conspiracy websites. Story written and narrated by: Chris Zappone Executive Producer: Greg Muller Consulting Producer: Richard Baker Production Manager: Nick Randall Sound Design: Martin Peralta Credits/Contributors: The opening theme is “Rainbow Death Revisited” by Votaries courtesy of Wharf Cat Records. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    Dark Shining Moment, Trailer

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 28, 2024 4:13


    It was the moment the 21st Century began in earnest: In 2016, Russia reached out across the internet and interfered with America's democracy, setting the conditions that helped propel Donald Trump into the White House. A 'Dark Shining Moment' tells the story of the first people to detect Russia's interference - before that pivotal election. It's a narrative about how information has been used to create a new reality for the public, for democracies and for the world - kicking off the crisis we're in today. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    Claim Dark Shining Moment

    In order to claim this podcast we'll send an email to with a verification link. Simply click the link and you will be able to edit tags, request a refresh, and other features to take control of your podcast page!

    Claim Cancel