We’re living in a moment where it can feel like evidence doesn’t matter anymore. In this episode, Dr. Whitney sits down with Dr. C. Kyle Rudick, a communication and media professor at the University of Northern Iowa who teaches research methods, to talk about why research matters more than ever. They cover how algorithms and campaign messaging shape what we believe, why AI is overwhelming academic research, what kids lose when they skip the hard parts of learning, and how anyone can tell trustworthy information from noise. The conversation turned more political than Dr. Whitney planned, but she's not mad about it. It's the conversation we need right now.
About Dr. C. Kyle Rudick
Dr. Rudick is a full professor, writing coach, podcast host, and public speaker. He has written dozens of articles, books, chapters, and essays, and has served as an editor for some of the top outlets in his field. He founded Publishing Academic Research to help graduate students, early-career scholars, and seasoned academics move their best ideas from proposal to print, with an approach built on rigor, self-care, and joy.
In This Episode
- Why bad and anger-inducing news travels further and faster than accurate information
- How social media feeds went from friends’ real lives to ads and outrage
- Why people who feel powerless may be drawn to conspiracy theories
- The difference between AI as a helpful data tool and AI as a flood of “slop” overwhelming journals
- Why “move fast and break things” doesn’t work when real lives are at stake
- What kids lose when they outsource boredom and hard problems to screens and AI
- Dr. Rudick’s green flags and red flags for evaluating any source
- How to get out of an echo chamber without falling for provocative content
Dr. Rudick’s Quick Checklist for Trustworthy Information
- Ask what the content is trying to get you to do: inform you, or make you angry?
- If your first reaction is outrage, that’s a red flag.
- If you always agree with what you’re reading, you may be in an echo chamber.
- Check whether the source has a commercial stake in the message.
- Look at the source’s expertise and track record.
- Don’t forget your local librarian. They’re trained to find reliable facts for you.
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