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Building on last week’s episode with Carl Cameron from Fox News, part two offers a behind-the-scenes look at journalism’s devolution on Media Roundtable, with Frank Sesno, the Emmy Award-Winning, CNN Washington Bureau Chief, and Director at George Washington University. Frank IS journalistic integrity in human form, and bemoans the current state of media, declaring, “It’s a Mess.” but suggests questions are the answer and offers a vision of possibility for values-driven brands.

In this week’s edition of The Media Roundtable, Dan sits down with “Campaign Carl,” Chief White House Correspondent and 20 Year Fox News Veteran, Carl Cameron. Cameron takes us behind the scenes from 1996 when he started at Fox News and the change from an honest pursuit of “fair and balanced” to the present self-proclaimed, approach to “Standing up for what’s right”. Carl has interviewed every US President since Ronald Reagan, and pulls no punches in his candid and sometimes scathing retelling of his experience.

This week Dan Granger sits down with David French, who in his eponymous movement: David Frenchism, has been vocal in criticizing his party and has suffered the consequences publically. In this episode, he opens up about threats he and his family received in the wake of being a Republican who publically denounced Trump, shows us how increased cultural fragmentation has ignited a sense of real threat to our country, and calls us to choose the kind of people and brands we want to support for reasons we can defend in the public square of today's society.

In episode two, Knights of the Media Roundtable, we assemble our Media Roundtable Founding Partners for a panel discussion about the divided state of our union, sharing our vision and plans to make positive change.

How can we live up to the American ideal of unity? Following the inauguration of Joe Biden, Dan lays out his plan to bring the country together by mobilizing marketers to support truth and civility in journalism.

We wanted to share one last episode before the end of the year. In this bonus episode, Dan Granger, Founder & CEO of Oxford Road, sits down with John Batchelor from The John Batchelor Show to make a special announcement. Today we are pleased to introduce to you our plan to create positive change in our culture through the formation of the Media Roundtable. Media Roundtable's purpose is to empower media and advertisers to advance even-handed reporting and opinion without malice. Our strategy is simple: shift the incentive structure that currently feeds our modern "Outrage Industrial Complex" and reward content that benefits its audience and treats its subjects with dignity, even if through disagreement, but always with respect.   There is much to say about our efforts and we will continue to explain in the coming weeks. For now, we ask that you listen to this interview, visit MediaRoundtable.com to learn more and most importantly, sign our Pledge.

Less than 24 hours from the polls closing, legendary NPR host and decorated journalist Bob Garfield joins us in a state he describes as "filterless and at my wits' end". Beyond being an award winning Radio Host, Podcaster, six time book Author, Bob is also the founder of the Purple Project for Democracy - a non-partisan coalition, campaign and movement to rediscover and recommit to our democratic values and institutions. During our conversation, Bob shared his exhaustion and disenchantment with seeking to understand and find common ground with those who support, "Trumpism". His descriptions of those on the Trump side of the polarization spectrum ranged between "having much to answer for" and "blood on their hands". He had similarly harsh words for sponsors of Fox News. Not unlike last week's interview with Newt Gingrich, Bob is someone who spent part of the discussion talking about past efforts to find common ground but who generally sees both sides of the spectrum reaching a place of incompatibility (my words, not his). Like Newt, Bob is in what he sees as a fight to save democracy. He also believes in the impact that Brands can make through their stewardship of ad dollars. The other area where they both seem to agree is in the idea that I'm living in a fantasy world. My belief is that reconciliation is possible, but only if one side will have the humility to lay down their weapons and take responsibility for the problem. Then it will be safe for the other side to follow suit. As we move through our next series of decisions about what programs we will sponsor and how we will respond as citizens to already disputed election results, you will have to choose which reality you believe.  -Dan Granger

Pro Tip: When speaking about polarization with Newt Gingrich within seven days from a Presidential Election, prepare for a wild ride. Our thirty-five minutes together is all at once the shortest, most dense, and perhaps most consequential discussion we've had on this series. At 77, Newt is at once the storied Republican Warrior, fighting an existential threat where through this election, the fate of America hangs in the balance, and concurrently the softened Elder Statesman, calling conservatives to listen and seek common ground with the other side. In our short time, he offers his thoughts on the history of our divisions, systemic racism, and prescriptions for how businesses, media, and politicians can pull us out of our "cycle of cynicism and negativism." Newt's comparison of today to the pre-Civil War Era where the prospect of war became inevitable, are concerning to say the least. As a historian and political practitioner, few have lived that have known more about the occupants of our Highest Office. We explore our contrasting expectations of Trump's behavior, George Washington's position on parties, and the secret to his success in collaborating with Bill Clinton. For extra credit, he regales us with a story about the time Richard Nixon gifted him a strategy that later resulted in the Republican Revolution, his position as House Speaker, and perhaps a clue that explains our union's current state. If it makes you feel better, we also talk about podcasts. "For the country's sake, it would be really helpful if starting in December or January, people could just listen to each other." It doesn't matter if you love or hate the man or his policy positions; this interview is an education. 

Matthew joins us on The Divided States of Media to discuss how we can engage our differences across the political divide and find common points of agreement — which he has successfully achieved in the marketing of his book. He also describes the influence that advertisers have on the media products our nation has gone from devouring to choking on: "The advertising business fundamentally decides what kinds of media are worth creating." His advice to the advertising community: "think about the consequences of your actions and the power that you have to shape the media going forward." For marketers feeling sidelined by the vitriolic nature of modern media, this episode is your rallying cry to be part of the solution. Listening to Matthew not only makes you smarter, but it's also a fun ride. Let me know what you think.

We've gotten "high on conflict" according to Carly Fiorina. The former CEO of HP, first woman to run a Fortune 50 Company, and 2016 Presidential contender joins us on The Divided States of Media to discuss the threat of polarization and hate. She explains, "We are mainlining controversy like a drug... the media is amplifying it."  During her time with HP, Carly was pushing Stakeholder Capitalism before it was cool. In this hour-plus conversation, she details her philosophy — "market share grows when customers and employees believe they are doing business with a company that is principled." It's what she calls, "enlightened self-interest". More than virtue signaling, she breaks down the ways the media is failing its customers by allowing "entertainers masquerading as journalists" to rile us up, instead of putting in the time and energy to hear from both sides while encouraging collaboration and problem-solving to occur over time. She also explains how this correlates with distrust in media reaching an all-time high. My conversation with Carly was refreshingly clarifying, if not sobering. It's a call to action for our industry to do the hard work, even if it feels like swimming upstream in our present climate. I hope you'll make time for this one.

This week on The Divided States of Media, Dan sits down with David Smick, Director of Stars and Strife, a new film that should be required viewing for all Americans as an antidote to the hate and divisions that plague us. The film was co-produced by Barry Levinson (Think Rain Man, Good Morning Vietnam, The Natural) and includes interviews with Rahm Emmanual, James Baker, Leon Panetta, Alan Greenspan, and a host of other powerhouse contributors; it's a history lesson in how our society has become so addicted to hate, media's role in the decline of civility; and the antidotes to what ails us. Our interview with the Director goes deeper on topics pertinent to business leaders and people in media to help do our part to heal as a nation. The film will bring you to tears, while this interview will give you a deeper understanding.

Our spiciest episode so far. This week on The Divided States of Media, Dan sits down with Podcaster, Angel Investor (He turned a $100k investment into over $100M), and philanthropist Jason Calacanis. Jason gives us a tech mogul's view into the causes and solutions around today's polarized state and gives a refreshing cause for optimism. He makes a sound argument for why podcasts are the answer to Media's suicidal tendencies and has practical solutions for how the private sector can join forces to solve some of this country's most difficult problems. We don't choose favorites, but if we did...

This one's for the data geeks. Marketers — wouldn't it be great if you had a simple chart that could show how fair and objective the media you're sponsoring truly is? This week on The Divided States of Media, Dan sits down with Vanessa Otero, founder and CEO of Ad Fontes Media. Using a weighting algorithm, her company's Interactive Media Bias Chart®, objectively rates media outlets based on bias and reliability. Vanessa and her team's efforts are helping advertisers and agencies get a clearer picture of how and where they invest their ad dollars.

"Quit your job and start a podcast!" This week on The Divided States of Media, Dan sits down with someone who actually "walks the walk"; Katie Herzog, reporter & Co-Host of Podcast "Blocked and Reported". As a former journalist and new Podcaster - Katie discusses freedom and gratitude for independence, amid shifting journalistic norms, and why after being canceled and harassed multiple times, she made the switch from traditional journalism (as a writer for The Stranger) to podcasting. From her show to her neighborhood Katie's on a mission to bring us all together and that journey begins with empathy.

"Media", the Fourth Estate, is meant to act as an independent watchdog for the other branches of government. But these days, our media system is as polarized as our nation. This week on The Divided States of Media, Dan sits down with media executive, journalist, and founder of Fourth Watch, Steve Krakauer. Having worked for both Fox News and CNN, Steve gives a behind-the-scenes look at how the media works, shares his thoughts on how we got here, and provides a plan to get back to where we need to be. Steve's insights can help marketers and American citizens as a whole navigate through today's divided media landscape.

This week on The Divided States of Media, Dan sits down with fellow Michiganian, Wall Street lawyer turned podcast interviewer, Jordan Harbinger. As a podcaster who's interviewed everyone from Kobe Bryant to Ray Dalio, Jordan has a strong word of caution to the media system as it stands and a warning to all if we don't turn things around soon.

This week on The Divided States of Media, Dan sits down with entrepreneur political figure, and author of "Contract to Unite America'. Dan Neal discuss how by being unaffiliated with any political party. Neal was able to lead a charge to unite the country and bring pragmatism back to Washington and to Madison Avenue. For marketers dealing with a seemingly polarized consumer base, Neal shares practical insights to gain an edge by reaching out the "Hidden Majority".

Introducing The Divided States of Media: A Podcast for Marketers Reaching a Divided America

After brief intermission we'll be back in August with a new name, a new lineup of guests and a clear focus on helping brands reach a divided nation.  Our goal is to provide you with insights and strategies from brand and media leaders, seeking to find calm within the panic, growth inside recession, and to help facilitate conversations from both sides of the aisle in hopes of finding unity within these divided states of media.

Media's New Deal: Season Finale!  We're putting Dan Granger in the hot seat as he shares what has been on his mind the past 3 months with the host of Ricochet's The Roth Effect, Carol Roth.