The first season of "This American Divide," looking into how social media contributes to political polarization airs all seven episodes on May 3, wherever you get your podcasts.

Be sure to follow us on Facebook and Instagram @thisdividedusa, rate and review the podcast, and visit our website, www.thisdividedusa.com, for more information. You can also follow Armon Owlia on Facebook and Instagram @armonowlia.

On Jan. 6, 2021, the US Capitol was attacked by supporters of President Trump, reigniting a debate about the role of misinformation and conspiracy theories in American politics. In this first episode, Armon Owlia investigates political polarization and the role of social media, leading him to former QAnon believer Ceally Smith. Through her story, Owlia uncovers the complexity of the social media issue.

Soundtrack Listing For This Episode:
“TAD Recap” by Armon Owlia
"''DRILL'' BEAT 2021” by musicandprod 
“Bass Walker” by Kevin MacLeod
“Back To The Future” by Andy St-Louis; originally by Alan Silvestri
“Just As Soon” by Kevin MacLeod
“A Dark but Peaceful Place” by Gabriel Richards
“Darkest Hour” by Steve Oxen (Fesilyan Studios)
“Cool Vibes” by Kevin MacLeod
“Electro Swingity” by ExoNova
“Suicide” by Lucas King
“Your God Is Dead” by Daniel Beijbom
“Bleak Horizon” by Darren Curtis

Be sure to follow us on Facebook and Instagram @thisdividedusa, rate and review the podcast, and visit our website, www.thisdividedusa.com, for more information. You can also follow Armon Owlia on Facebook and Instagram @armonowlia.

To look forward, one must first look back. On this episode of "This American Divide," host Armon Owlia delves into the historical context of America's political polarization. Through an analysis of key events and decisions dating back to the 1930s, Owlia explores the intentional division of American society and how it laid the groundwork for the current state of political polarization.

Soundtrack Listing For This Episode:
“TAD Recap” by Armon Owlia
"''DRILL'' BEAT 2021” by musicandprod 
“Blue Mood” by Robert Munzinger
“Seedy Streets” by Darren Curtis
“Greaser” by TrackTribe
“Going, Going, Gone” by The 126ers
"60's Music" by Dar Golan
“Covert Affair” by Kevin MacLeod
“On The Cool Side” by Kevin MacLeod
“Bleak Horizon” by Darren Curtis

Be sure to follow us on Facebook and Instagram @thisdividedusa, rate and review the podcast, and visit our website, www.thisdividedusa.com, for more information. You can also follow Armon Owlia on Facebook and Instagram @armonowlia.

The birth of social media was fun and innocent, but now we're living in a world of echo chambers, misinformation, and political division. So, what happened? In this episode, host Armon Owlia takes us on a journey to explore how social media companies use algorithms to tailor our experiences, leading to increased engagement and revenue. But at what cost? Join the conversation with guest Sharon McMahon, as they uncover the dark side of social media and how it's impacting our society.

Episode Editor: Shereen Marisol Meraji

Soundtrack Listing For This Episode:
“TAD Recap” by Armon Owlia
"''DRILL'' BEAT 2021” by musicandprod 
“Walking Along” by Kevin MacLeod
“Remorse” by Mamoune Taleb
“I Knew A Guy” by Kevin MacLeod
“Brick and Mortar” by Nocturnal Spirits
“The Secret Within” by Darren Curtis
“Bleak Horizon” by Darren Curtis

Be sure to follow us on Facebook and Instagram @thisdividedusa, rate and review the podcast, and visit our website, www.thisdividedusa.com, for more information. You can also follow Armon Owlia on Facebook and Instagram @armonowlia.

On this episode, host Armon Owlia looks at the role of trust, misinformation, and the media in our current political climate. Through the eyes of QAnon survivor Ceally Smith, Pulitzer Prize-winner David Barstow, and Harvard professor Todd Washburn, among others, Owlia explores how social media has caused a polarization of American politics and how journalists can help bring truth and accountability to the public.

Episode Editor: Shereen Marisol Meraji

Soundtrack Listing For This Episode:
“TAD Recap” by Armon Owlia
"''DRILL'' BEAT 2021” by musicandprod 
“Foggy Tuesday Morning in Chicago” by Michael Gorenstein
“Bass Walker” by Kevin MacLeod
“Bet On It” by Silent Partner
“Dances and Dames” by Kevin MacLeod
“Backed Vibes - Clean” by Kevin MacLeod
“No Good Layabout” by Kevin MacLeod
“Night on the Docks” by by Kevin MacLeod
“Bleak Horizon” by Darren Curtis

Be sure to follow us on Facebook and Instagram @thisdividedusa, rate and review the podcast, and visit our website, www.thisdividedusa.com, for more information. You can also follow Armon Owlia on Facebook and Instagram @armonowlia.

On this episode of "This American Divide," host Armon Owlia interviews Sharon McMahon on Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act. McMahon clarifies how it protects social media companies from liability for content on their platforms and why it was important in 1996. Owlia references co-author Ron Wyden and whistleblower Frances Haugen's testimony to highlight the current power of social media companies.

Episode Editor: Shereen Marisol Meraji

Soundtrack Listing For This Episode:
“TAD Recap” by Armon Owlia
"''DRILL'' BEAT 2021” by musicandprod 
“Busy Vibes” by Doug Maxwell
“Just As Soon” by Kevin MacLeod
“Soul and Mind” by E's Jammy Jams
“Whisky on the Rocks” by The Flax
“Suspense Scary Music” by Oak Studios
“Bass Vibes” by Kevin MacLeod
“Bleak Horizon” by Darren Curtis

Be sure to follow us on Facebook and Instagram @thisdividedusa, rate and review the podcast, and visit our website, www.thisdividedusa.com, for more information. You can also follow Armon Owlia on Facebook and Instagram @armonowlia.

On this episode of "This American Divide," Armon Owlia talks about self-criticism in a polarized world. QAnon survivor and entrepreneur Ceally Smith discusses social media's responsibility, while clinical psychology student Kara Fox delves into social media's impact on adolescent development. They explore social media addiction and its intentional engineering to keep users hooked.

Episode Editor: Shereen Marisol Meraji

Soundtrack Listing For This Episode:
“TAD Recap” by Armon Owlia
"''DRILL'' BEAT 2021” by musicandprod 
“Daily” by Lukrembo
“In and Out of Consciousness” by Christian Andersen
“Making Up My Mind” by Christian Andersen
“Lounge (Mac Miller x Jazz Rap Type Beat)” by Syndrome
“Horror Ambiance - Ominous Background Music” by ESN Productions
“Bleak Horizon” by Darren Curtis

Be sure to follow us on Facebook and Instagram @thisdividedusa, rate and review the podcast, and visit our website, www.thisdividedusa.com, for more information. You can also follow Armon Owlia on Facebook and Instagram @armonowlia.

On the season finale of "This American Divide," host Armon Owlia discusses the importance of addressing the problem of misinformation and finding SMART - Sustainable, Measurable, Acceptable, Realistic, and Timely - solutions, with help from experts and those who have witnessed the consequences of misinformation firsthand. What follows: a discussion on the need for critical thinking, media literacy, and the responsibility of both organizations and individuals in the fight against misinformation.

Episode Editor: Shereen Marisol Meraji

Soundtrack Listing For This Episode:
“TAD Recap” by Armon Owlia
"''DRILL'' BEAT 2021” by musicandprod 
“Bass Walker” by Kevin MacLeod
“Piano Bar (T-303.811.789-0)” by Francesco Biondi
“That’s The One” by Almost Here
“Dark Matter” by Valter Novak
“Once Upon a Road” by Bladverk Band
“Just For A While” by Magnus Ringblom Quartet
“Smooth Talking” by Nocturnal Spirits
“The Smoke Room” by Alexandra Woodward
“Elise” by Bladverk Band
“Running In The Dark” by William Benckert feat. Sven Lindvall and Jonas Bäckman
“Bleak Horizon” by Darren Curtis

Be sure to follow us on Facebook and Instagram @thisdividedusa, rate and review the podcast, and visit our website, www.thisdividedusa.com, for more information. You can also follow Armon Owlia on Facebook and Instagram @armonowlia.