Absolute Power (Pt.II): Clear Messaging in the Age of the Information Maelstrom
About this episode
In this episode, Doug Passon and Dr. Randy Olson discuss effective communication strategies in the face of overwhelming information and political narratives.
It's easy to get overwhelmed by the onslaught of horrible headlines. But advocates need to fight, and words are our weapons. But the problem is, lawyers are never taught how to cut through the noise and get to the heart of the argument. Part 1 defined the problem: Abuse of Power; Trump exerting total control over the Department of Justice to weaponize the law against his enemies. Don Lemon is the target de jure. In this, Part 2 of "Absolute Power" we consult with communications expert Dr. Randy Olson on how to cut the noise and speak clear truth to power. But it's not easy, particularly when the powers that be engage in Steve Bannon's strategy of "flooding the zone with shit." Therefore, Dr. Olson provides valuable guidance on how we can better communicate the truth of what's happening. IN THIS EPISODE: Cutting through the information maelstrom to find the central theme of your communication (the "Dobzhansky" template); Understanding the power of narrative; Messaging for turbulent times; How Steve Bannon weaponizes non-narrative to "Flood the Zone with Shit"; "The Gish Gallop"; The "DNA" of narrative: Dream, Nightmare, Action; Constructive critique of Abbe Lowell's press release…
People in this episode
Host: Doug Passon
Guest: Dr. Randy Olson
Mentioned in this episode
Organizations: Department of Justice, Abbe Lowell
Books & works: Hospital in Duluth
More episodes of Set For Sentencing
- Pleading Straight Up, No Chaser! (Part I)
- Atkins & The IQ Fallacy: Why IQ is Not a Reliable Measure of Culpability (with Dr. Ted Lidsky)
- Life for Charles "Sonny" Burton: Act now to Save Sonny!
- What's Crackin' at the Sentencing Commission - New Proposals that Could Change the Shape of Federal Sentencing
- Absolute Power Pt. I: Politization and Weaponization at the DOJ (With Gary Restaino)
- A Look ahead: Sentencing Developments for 2026
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