📘 Episode Description
"Is it really news if it’s not sensational?"
In this compelling episode of Kent Hance, The Best Storyteller in Texas, Kent dives deep into the evolution of modern media, the rise of Fox News, and the shifting landscape of political communication. With his signature wit and storytelling charm, Kent unpacks how headlines are crafted to grab attention, why sensationalism dominates the news cycle, and how Fox News went from a startup with an $80 million budget to a $14 billion media powerhouse.
Listeners will hear fascinating behind-the-scenes anecdotes, including Kent’s ride on Marine One with Congressman Ralph Hall, who quipped, “As a freshman congressman, I’d have to say something really stupid for them to run with it.” Kent also shares insights into Roger Ailes’ strategy to make Fox a populist network and the clever tactic of paying cable providers to carry their programming.
From polling strategies and campaign advertising to the impact of social media on presidential communication, Kent offers a masterclass in how media and politics intersect. He even touches on quirky stories like aggressive driving habits, nickname lore from his hometown of Dimmitt, and a man in South Korea who called the police over 1,600 times in four days.
🔑 Key Moments & Memorable Quotes
- “If it bleeds, it leads” — the mantra that shaped sensational news.
- “We report, you decide” — and how Fox News flipped that narrative.
- “You’ve got a year to get over it” — Kent’s take on defamation lawsuits.
- “I’ve met all 96% of aggressive drivers in America” — a classic Kent one-liner.
🧠 Themes Explored
- Media bias and trust
- Political strategy and polling
- The influence of cable news
- The evolution of presidential press access
- Humor and humanity in everyday stories
📣 Call to Action
If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share it with a friend who loves great storytelling and sharp insights. For more episodes, scroll through the catalog and discover Kent’s greatest hits every Friday!
Popular Podcasts
Stuff You Should Know
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.
Dateline NBC
Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Follow now to get the latest episodes of Dateline NBC completely free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content: DatelinePremium.com
Cardiac Cowboys
The heart was always off-limits to surgeons. Cutting into it spelled instant death for the patient. That is, until a ragtag group of doctors scattered across the Midwest and Texas decided to throw out the rule book. Working in makeshift laboratories and home garages, using medical devices made from scavenged machine parts and beer tubes, these men and women invented the field of open heart surgery. Odds are, someone you know is alive because of them. So why has history left them behind? Presented by Chris Pine, CARDIAC COWBOYS tells the gripping true story behind the birth of heart surgery, and the young, Greatest Generation doctors who made it happen. For years, they competed and feuded, racing to be the first, the best, and the most prolific. Some appeared on the cover of Time Magazine, operated on kings and advised presidents. Others ended up disgraced, penniless, and convicted of felonies. Together, they ignited a revolution in medicine, and changed the world.