Announcing The Dark Shining Moment Countercast, a new original podcast series from Ranieri & Co. This highly anticipated piece of work comes after the international success of Dark Shining Moment, the story of how Russia exploited the internet to interfere in America’s 2016 election, altering history and helping to create the world we live in today. The Dark Shining Moment Countercast picks up where DSM ended, taking the exploration into this rich territory to the next level. The series is created and produced by a talented team of industry experts including Chris Zappone, Caroline Winter and Rob Ranieri, who are passionate about exploring how democracy can thrive in the digital age. It also features special guests, including former Ambassador to Russia Peter Tesch and Professor Matt Sussex, who bring unparalleled insights to the critical issues shaping global politics and democracy.
With a looming election in an era where information is power, The Dark Shining Moment Countercast steps in to dissect the narratives shaping global politics, technology, and the very questions we ask as a society. It's not just about identifying disinformation—it's about understanding how these promoted narratives, especially from authoritative regimes, influence the world we live in. The Dark Shining Moment Countercast takes the analysis further, asking the essential question: how can democracy thrive in the digital age? With thought-provoking conversations and expert insights, this podcast offers listeners a critical lens on the information age, where stories don't just inform—they shape our future. Seen above, the artwork for the series has the same core element from Dark Shining Moment, but has been inverted: a play on the 'other side of the argument'.
The series is written and narrated by Chris Zappone, Digital Foreign Editor at The Age/Sydney Morning Herald. He has presented on related subjects at SXSW in the US and testified to Parliament on the political risk of social media manipulation.
Chris explains, “Dark Shining Moment tells the story of Russia's interference in Western politics almost a decade ago. The DSM Countercast carries the story into the present and expands it - viewing the contest between liberalism and authoritarianism in the examples around us. It's important not just to call out authoritarian narratives but to focus on what could support the democratic mind, too.” Chris has written for years on this topic and related themes on his blog, Cold War Daily.
Starting the series strong, the first guest on Episode 1 is Peter Tesch: Australia's former Ambassador to Russia. Peter has spent 35 years in the Australian federal public service. He was Ambassador to the Russian Federation (2016–19) and Head of the International Security Division (2014–15). He also served as Deputy Permanent Representative to the United Nations, New York (2002–05). During episode 1, we explore the United States accusing Russian media outlet RT (Russia’s propaganda entity) of covert activity. Drawing on his rich experience and knowledge, Peter discusses the impact RT has had on democracy. You can listen to episode 1 now.
Adding more prestigious industry talent, Caroline Winter joins the crew as an Executive Producer. Caroline is a passionate storyteller who has criss-crossed the nation working as a reporter, producer and newsreader at the ABC and commercial, TV and radio networks, and is now co-owner of PodTalk. Caroline explains why she jumped at the chance to work on The Dark Shining Moment Countercast:
“I’m delighted to work on this project with Chris and Rob. As a long time journalist, I thoroughly enjoy diving into new topics, learning something new, challenging the status quo and shining a light in dark places, none more than when the stakes are high, as they are with what we are spotlighting in The Dark Shining Moment Countercast.
Chris’s passion for exploring and explaining how authoritarian narratives are shaping our world and in turn our democracy, is infectious. Rob’s vision for the Countercast as an extension of the original incredible DSM narrative series is epic, he knows what our audience needs and wants and is guiding the podcast to deliver that.
I feel privileged to work alongside both Chris and Rob, and our fascinating guests, as we explore how politics, media and globalisation intersect in the digital age.”
The series marks Ranieri & Co. Co-founder, Rob Ranieri’s first foray into producing, strengthening his position as a podcast thought-leader. Rob says, “It's been such an incredible opportunity to work on this landmark series, as it allows me to further my knowledge and understanding of our industry by getting a breath of experience in all different facets of podcasting - strategic planning, scripts, stakeholder management, editing, media strategy. And to do it with elite talent such as Chris and Caroline is an absolute privilege. I'm incredibly proud of what we're creating: content that is timely, informative and important right at this very moment in time.”
The Dark Shining Moment podcast has garnered significant attention and praise from both media outlets and listeners alike, providing an exciting springboard for The Dark Shining Moment Countercast. ASPI's Policy, Guns & Money podcast highlighted its deep dive into election-related disinformation, noting insightful discussions with Chris Zappone on the evolving information environment and the role of social media and AI. RN Breakfast's Patricia Karvelas spotlighted the podcast's timely exploration of the pivotal events leading to Donald Trump's 2016 election victory, while ABC Listen praised its thorough examination of Russian interference. With features in Apple Podcasts across the United States, Australia, and New Zealand, Dark Shining Moment quickly charted in Politics and News categories, establishing itself as a must-listen for anyone interested in global affairs.
As The Dark Shining Moment Countercast launches, it promises to build on the remarkable success of its predecessor, Dark Shining Moment, while expanding the conversation into even more pressing global issues. With an expert team, engaging guests like Peter Tesch and Matt Sussex, and a clear mission to explore how democracy can thrive in the digital age, this new series is essential listening for anyone who cares about the intersection of politics, technology, and media. Whether you're a long-time fan, or new to the Dark Shining Moment universe, this podcast will challenge you to think critically about the narratives shaping our world—and where we go from here. Don’t miss out on the series, available now.
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