Left-leaning listening club studies right‑wing podcasts to learn messaging

A largely young, left-leaning group called Unfortunately Not a Sound Bath has been meeting in Brooklyn and on Zoom to listen to and analyse right‑wing podcasts, the club's founders and members said. The club, which organises biweekly Zoom sessions and occasional in‑person meetups, was created by Nina Harris and Jordan Silver of Crooked Media.

Members said they have immersed themselves in some of the brashest right‑wing commentators, including Nick Fuentes and Tucker Carlson, and in discussions have also examined hosts such as Matt Walsh, Benny Johnson, Ben Shapiro and Marjorie Taylor Greene. The founders said the point is tactical analysis of messaging: sessions break into Zoom rooms to dissect episodes and identify techniques like hammering a core message or emphasising particular identities.

Harris said the emphasis Jordan gives at the start of every call is, "We're not here to talk about how sad we are." About 600 people have cycled through the club, which draws a cross‑section of ages and political views. Members said the process has helped them encounter offensive or conspiratorial ideas without becoming emotional and has sometimes helped them find common ground with family or friends.

Henry Ewing, who attended a January meetup, joked, "I haven't turned to the dark side yet," and another member described finding agreement with a relative over opposing congressional stock trading.

Key Topics

Culture, Podcast Listening Club, Brooklyn, Crooked Media, Nina Harris, Jordan Silver