When an Iranian cleric suggested the U.S. had no real heroes outside of Spiderman and SpongeBob, it raised a provocative question: what happens when a nation’s identity is built on fictional media? In this episode, Ross Briese dives into cultivation theory—a concept that explores how the media we consume subtly (and not so subtly) shapes how we see the world. From TikTok to prestige TV, we unpack how characters, platforms, and advertisers blend into a “synthetic reality” that blurs the line between truth and fiction. Whether you're watching reality TV or doom-scrolling on your phone, this 5-minute-deep dive will change the way you think about media—because it might already be changing the way you think.

Listen now to learn how George Gerbner’s theory still applies in the TikTok era.

About the Host:

Ross Briese is a Communications and Media Studies major at the Community College of Baltimore County with aspirations of becoming an investigative journalist. This episode of Know-It-All was created as part of the MCOM 111: Introduction to Mass Media course, taught by Professor Beth Baunoch. Ross explores cultivation theory to examine how the media we consume not only reflects life but also transforms it. He was particularly inspired by Raziye Nevzat’s article, Reviving Cultivation Theory for Social Media (2018), which reimagines George Gerbner’s theory in the context of today’s internet-driven culture.

References

Bansinath, B. (2024 March 25). What We Know About the Mommy Vlogger Accused of Child Abuse. The Cut. https://www.thecut.com/article/ruby-franke-utah-mommy-vlogger-pleads-guilty-to-child-abuse.html

Contreras, R. (2023 May 1). Nearly 75% of Chinese Americans Reported Discrimination in Past Year. Axios. https://www.axios.com/2023/05/01/chinese-americans-report-racial-discrimination-asian-hate#

Gerbner, G. (1987). Television’s Populist Brew: The Three Bs. Institute of General Semantics, 44(1). https://web.asc.upenn.edu/gerbner/Asset.aspx?assetID=1636

Givebutter. (2024 January). #HoistTheAds. https://givebutter.com/c/hoisttheads

Marat, E. (2020 January 6). Iran Cleric: We Have No Good Revenge Targets, Only US Heroes Are SpongeBob and Spider-Man. The Mind Unleashed.https://themindunleashed.com/2020/01/iran-cleric-we-have-no-good-revenge-targets-only-us-heroes-are-spongebob-and-spider-man.html

Morgan, M. (1995). The Critical Contribution of George Gerbner, in John Lent (Ed.), A Different Road Taken (1st ed., pp. 99-117). Westview Press. https://web.asc.upenn.edu/gerbner/Asset.aspx?assetID=2765

Nevzat, R. (2018). Reviving Cultivation Theory for Social Media. The Asian Conference on Media, Communication, and Film. https://papers.iafor.org/wp-content/uploads/papers/mediasia2018/MediAsia2018_42554.pdf

In this episode of Know-It-All, we explore how Italian filmmakers broke free from censorship after Mussolini’s fall, giving birth to Italian Neo-Realism. This movement rejected Hollywood-style productions, instead using real locations, non-professional actors, and documentary-style filming to depict the struggles of post-war Italy. Directors like Roberto Rossellini, Vittorio De Sica, and Luchino Visconti created powerful films such as Rome, Open City and Bicycle Thieves that captured the hardships of everyday life. Though short-lived, Neo-Realism remains one of the most influential film movements in history.

About the Host:

Shelby Santmyer is a student at CCBC, currently pursuing her associate’s degree in general studies while balancing life as a soon-to-be mother of two. A dedicated stay-at-home mom, she took on the challenge of earning her degree to push herself and prove that she can achieve anything she sets her mind to.

Beyond academics, Shelby has a passion for baking and dreams of someday opening her own bakery. Her love for film and family heritage inspired her to explore Italian Neo-Realism for this podcast, as she is half-Italian and deeply connected to her Sicilian roots. Watching Rome, Open City in her Movies: History and Art class with Professor Beth Baunoch sparked her fascination with this powerful cinematic movement.

Further Exploration:

Cinema Neo-Realismo

Works Cited

Dixon, Wheeler, W. and Foster, Gwendlyn, A. A Short History of Film, Third Edition. Rutgers University Press, 2018. EBSCOhost, search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&AuthType=ip,url,uid,cookie&db=nlebk&AN=1609110&site=eds-live&scope=site.

Divadaniela. “Film Styles: Italian Neorealism.” CineCollage, 2015, cinecollage.net/neorealism.html.

Ionnone, Pasquale. “The Roots of Neorealism.” The Roots of Neorealism, BFI, 25 Apr. 2024,www.bfi.org.uk/sight-and-sound/features/roots-neorealism.

When was the last time you picked up a physical newspaper? With digital news dominating our screens, print journalism has slowly faded into the background—but at what cost? In this episode of Know-It-All, host Brianna Whittaker explores the consequences of the newspaper industry's decline, from political polarization and misinformation to economic downturns and job losses. As newspaper circulation plummets to historic lows, what does this mean for our democracy and access to reliable news? Tune in as we discuss why the disappearance of print media is more than just a sign of changing times—it's a crisis for informed communities.

About the Host:

Brianna Whittaker is a Digital Forensics major at The Community College of Baltimore County. A passionate researcher and storyteller, Brianna enjoys exploring thought-provoking topics that challenge conventional perspectives. In addition to her studies, she balances life as a stay-at-home mom, embracing a slower-paced lifestyle while finishing her degree.

With a love for media, research, and creative expression, Brianna has enjoyed diving into the world of Mass Media through her MCOM111 course with Professor Beth Baunoch. She is an avid fan of making home videos, spending time with her cat, and letting her curiosity guide her through fascinating topics—like the one covered in this episode.

For this podcast, Brianna discussed the decline of print newspapers, which she believes is overlooked in today’s fast-paced digital world. By sparking conversation, she hopes to encourage listeners to reflect on the role of journalism in shaping informed communities.

Further Exploration:

https://www.pewresearch.org/journalism/fact-sheet/newspapers/

https://news.northwestern.edu/stories/2022/06/newspapers-close-decline-in-local-journalism/

https://www.governing.com/archive/gov-newspapers-government-studies.html

Works Cited

• Dews, Fred, and Eric Bull. “The Decline of Newspapers, in Four Charts.” Brookings, 23 Oct. 2014, www.brookings.edu/articles/the-decline-of-newspapers-in-four-charts/.
• Karter, Erin. “As Newspapers Close, Struggling Communities Are Hit Hardest by the Decline in Local Journalism.” News.northwestern.edu, 29 June 2022, news.northwestern.edu/stories/2022/06/newspapers-close-decline-in-local-journalism/.
• PEW RESEARCH CENTER. “Trends and Facts on Newspapers | State of the News Media.” Pew Research Center’s Journalism Project, 10 Nov. 2023, www.pewresearch.org/journalism/fact-sheet/newspapers/.
• “When No News Isn’t Good News: What the Decline of Newspapers Means for Government.” Governing, 23 Apr. 2019, www.governing.com/archive/gov-newspapers-government-studies.html.

In 1975, Jaws forever changed how people viewed the ocean—and the great white shark. Dubbed the original summer blockbuster, the film sparked widespread fear, increasing shark hunting, government culling programs, and a lasting public perception of sharks as ruthless predators. But what were the real-world consequences of this fear? And how has science and conservation worked to undo the damage? Join host Brianna Patrick as she explores The Jaws Effect, the unintended legacy of Spielberg’s classic, and the ongoing battle to shift the narrative on these misunderstood creatures.

About the Host:

Brianna Patrick is a computer science major at the Community College of Baltimore County, passionate about making technology more diverse, inclusive, and accessible for all. This podcast episode is part of a Mass Communications class project. The topic explores the powerful influence of media on society, using Jaws as a real-world example of how storytelling can shape public perception—sometimes with unintended consequences. The discussion highlights the importance of creating content responsibly and making informed choices in the media consumed and produced.

Germain, J. (2022, June 20). Steven Spielberg regrets how 'Jaws' impacted real-world sharks. Smithsonian Magazine. Retrieved from https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/steven-spielberg-regrets-how-jaws-impacted-real-world-sharks-180981335/

Maycock, S. A. (2020). The Jaws effect. SharkSpeak. Retrieved from https://www.sophiemaycocksharkspeak.com/post/45-years-of-the-jaws-effect-1

McGuire, D. (2023). How Jaws influenced shark perception. Shark Stewards. Retrieved from https://sharkstewards.org/how-jaws-influenced-shark-perception/

Romeo, J. (2020, August 14). Sharks before and after Jaws. JSTOR Daily. Retrieved from https://daily.jstor.org/sharks-before-and-after-jaws/

Is the media shaping your reality more than you think? In this episode of Know-It-All, host Micah Glasgow unpacks the power of gatekeeping, agenda-setting, and social media algorithms in influencing what we see, think, and care about. From global conflicts to viral trends, discover how corporate interests and personal biases shape the information we consume—and what you can do to break free from the bubble. Tune in to learn how to challenge your perspectives and take control of your digital reality.

About the Host:

Micah Glasgow is a Communications and Mass Media major at the Community College of Baltimore County with aspirations of becoming a college professor in English or Media Studies. Passionate about the influence of media on society, Micah chose this Know-It-All episode topic to explore how media shapes our perceptions and reality. Inspired by concepts from his class, Introduction to Mass Media, this episode presents key ideas concisely and engagingly.

What makes Japanese horror so uniquely terrifying? In this episode of Know-It-All, host Emily Lambert unpacks the eerie allure of J-Horror, from its Kabuki-inspired storytelling to the chilling works of filmmaker Takashi Shimizu. Discover how Japanese horror departs from Hollywood’s jump scares and gore, instead weaving slow-burning psychological dread that lingers long after the credits roll. Through exploring folklore, traditional ghost stories, and modern filmmaking techniques, this episode sheds light on why J-Horror continues to captivate and unsettle audiences worldwide.

Tune in to uncover the secrets behind the terror—if you dare.

About the Host:

Emily Lambert is a passionate storyteller with a BA in Theater Studies from UMBC. Currently pursuing certification in Early Childhood Education at the Community College of Baltimore County, she aspires to become a certified 3rd-grade teacher in Maryland. Her love for film—especially horror—led her to explore the genre’s artistry in her Movies: History & Art course (MCOM 150) with Professor Beth Baunoch. Fascinated by the technical, visual, and special effects that make horror so compelling, Emily was especially intrigued by the influence of Kabuki theater in Japanese horror. This curiosity inspired her to dive deeper into the eerie and captivating world of J-Horror for this episode of Know-It-All.