The brainwashing of my dad : how the rise of the right-wing media changed a father and divided our nation-- and how we can fight back

A powerful and eye-opening exploration of the impact of right-wing media on individuals and society This groundbreaking book delves into the personal journey of Jen Senko, whose father fell victim to the insidious influence of media manipulation, leading to a deep divide within their family and our nation. Through research and personal anecdotes, Senko unveils the tactics employed by right-wing media outlets to shape public opinion, sow discord, and distort reality. From talk radio and cable news to social media platforms, she exposes the mechanisms used to manipulate minds and stoke fear, ultimately leading to the polarization and division plaguing our society. Key topics covered With thought-provoking insights and practical advice, Senko empowers readers to recognize and combat the destructive influence of media bias. By sharing strategies for reclaiming critical thinking, fostering constructive dialogue, and rebuilding bridges, The Brainwashing of My Dad offers hope for healing our divided nation. After her beloved dad got addicted to right-wing talk radio and Fox News, Jen Senko feared he would never be the same again... Frank Senko had always known how to have a good time. Despite growing up in a poverty-stricken family during the Depression and having to fight his way to middle-class status as an adult, he tended to look on the bright side. But after a job change forced Frank to begin a long car commute every day, his daughter Jen noticed changes in his personality and beliefs. Long hours on the road listening to talk radio commentators like Rush Limbaugh sucked her father into a suspicion-laden worldview dominated by conspiracy theories, fake news, and rants about the "coastal elite" and "libtards" trying to destroy America. Over the course of a few years, Jen's dad went from a nonpolitical, open-minded Democrat to a radical, angry, and intolerant right-wing devotee who became a stranger to those closest to him. As politics began to take precedence over everything else in her father's life, Jen was mystified. What happened to her dad? Was there anything she could do to help? And, most importantly, would he ever be his lovable self again? Jen began the search for answers, and found them... as well stories from countless other families like her own. Based on the award-winning documentary, The Brainwashing of My Dad uncovers the alarming right-wing strategy to wield the media as a weapon against our very democracy. Jen's story shows us how Fox News and other ultra-conservative media outlets are reshaping the way millions of Americans view the world, and encourages us to fight back. "Author Jen Senko's father went from being a non-political, open-minded Democrat to a radical, angry, and intolerant right wing devotee, which eventually imploded the entire family dynamic. As politics began to take precedence over anything and everything, Jen was mystified at how these concepts began to insidiously seep into her father's mood and mindset. How had this happened? When and why had this started? Jen began the search for answers, and found them, in addition to an endless list of families just like her own. This isn't a story about just one man. It's the story of a media phenomenon that changed a father and eventually divided a nation."-- Provided by publisher The shocking truth behind the right-wing media machine that changed a father -- and the nation. Jen Senko looks at the rise of right-wing media through the lens of her WWII vet father who changed from a life-long, nonpolitical Democrat to an angry, right-wing fanatic after his discovery of talk radio on his way to work one morning.