The Dark Shining Moment Countercast
Dark Shining Moment tells the story of how Russia exploited the internet to interfere in America’s 2016 election, The Dark Shining Moment Countercast examines some of the promoted narratives coming out of authoritative regimes, and explores how democracy can thrive in the digital age.
Ranieri & Co.
Show overview
The Dark Shining Moment Countercast launched in 2024 and has put out 14 episodes, alongside 1 trailer or bonus episode in the time since. That works out to roughly 8 hours of audio in total. Releases follow a roughly quarterly cadence, with the show now in its 2nd season.
Episodes typically run thirty-five to sixty minutes — most land between 28 min and 42 min — though episode length varies meaningfully from one episode to the next. It is catalogued as a EN-language News show.
There hasn’t been a new episode in the last ninety days; the most recent episode landed 12 months ago. The busiest year was 2024, with 11 episodes published. Published by Ranieri & Co..
From the publisher
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. 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. While the first six episodes titled Dark Shining Moment tells the story of how Russia exploited the internet, The Dark Shining Moment Countercast examines some of the promoted narratives coming out of authoritative regimes. Identifying such disinformation is just part of the puzzle. The Countercast will also explore how democracy can thrive in the digital age because, in the information age, narrative doesn't just inform a society--it shapes the questions that people ask.
Latest Episodes
S2 Ep 7The Kremlin's warping of AI chatbot results with McKenzie Sadeghi
The Pravda network generates over three million articles a year designed to shape the results of AI chatbots created and used in democracies. McKenzie Sadeghi from New York-based Newsguard researched the latest Russian effort to taint Western sources of knowledge and information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
S2 Ep 6Counterculture in the era of Donald Trump with Pat Thomas
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
S2 Ep 5The China, Russia and U.S. narrative contest in Southeast Asia with Kean Wong
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
S2 Ep 4US Election Proves to be 'World Cup' of Interference with Jed Willard
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
S2 Ep 3A Longer View of Russia, Colonialism and the West, with Kyle Wilson
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. 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
S2 Ep 2US Blames Russia for Interfering in 2024 Election via RT, Faked News, with Matt Sussex
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
S2 Ep 1US Accuses Russian Media Outlet RT of Covert Activity, with Peter Tesch
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
S1 Ep 6Dark Shining Moment Episode 6: The Moment That Never Ends
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
S1 Ep 5Dark Shining Moment Episode 5: Evil at Scale
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
S1 Ep 4Dark Shining Moment Episode 4: Murky World Battle Space
EAn 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
S1 Ep 3Dark Shining Moment Episode 3: A Shift in Tone
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
S1 Ep 2Dark Shining Moment Episode 2: Poor Man's NSA
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
S1 Ep 1Dark Shining Moment Episode 1: School of Fish
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
Ep 1Dark Shining Moment, Trailer
trailerIt 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