Citations Needed, co-creator and co-host
I am the co-creator and co-host of Citations Needed, a podcast about the intersection of politics, power, propaganda and the press.
Blending political commentary and media analysis with a heavy dose of skepticism, humor and history, Citations Needed calls out and corrects the media’s ubiquitous reliance on and regurgitation of false and destructive narratives, tropes and stereotypes.
Since launching in July 2017, and now in its seventh season, the show has rapidly gained popularity and has earned over 20,000,000 downloads. Citations Needed is entirely listener-funded through Patreon support and Bonfire merch sales.
In 2020, Citations Needed was a 24th Annual Webby Awards Honoree in Podcasts: News & Politics. In 2023, Citations Needed was a 19th Annual Davey Awards Silver Winner in Podcast Series-News & Current Events.
Some Reviews
“Hosts Nima Shirazi and Adam Johnson are experts at unpacking the news behind the headlines, picking apart phony studies, and showing how the historical inertia behind nebulous concepts like “national security” or being “tough on crime” is often used to prop up, well, bullshit. Shirazi and Johnson have a great rapport and often include well-informed guests. Worth a listen if you’re trying to decontaminate your news diet.” - Matt Shuham, “The 16 Best Podcasts Of 2022,” The Huffington Post (December 8, 2022)
“We expect journalists to be unbiased, but there’s always another story behind the one they’re reporting. But what is it? On Citations Needed, hosts Nima Shirazi and Adam Johnson dissect themes that pop up in media and explain why the story is being told the way that it is. The pair find common themes across real news headlines to reveal how there is often one big media machine telling us the same story in different ways and across different outlets. Why is “Education as the Great Equalizer” so convenient and appealing to report on? What’s behind all of the “vote harder” messaging we’re getting? How is the “data-driven” label sanitizing cruel austerity politics? Are we living in a simulation? Maybe, but the least we can do is understand it. This is the show media outlets don’t want you to listen to. You’ll never read the news the same way again.” - Lauren Passell, “10 of the Best Indie Podcasts You've Never Heard Of,” Lifehacker (September 26, 2022)
“Here’s a political podcast that casts its net wider than formal politics, looking at how the media and PR industry shape, create, and maintain political power. It’s hosted by Nima Shirazi and Adam Johnson, who are joined by a range of specialists, advisers, and academics to discuss a particular issue each week. Recent episodes have focused on the use of inquiries and investigations by politicians to silence activists and on Hollywood’s relationship with America’s security services.” - Simon Chandler, “The best political podcasts for 2022,” Digital Trends (March 22, 2022)
“[I]f the last four years has taught us anything, it’s that politics kind of touches…everything? Citations Needed, hosted by Nima Shirazi and Adam Johnson, examines media, power, and politics, basically uncovering the bullshit you might not have been aware of. “ - Tim Marcin, “The best politics podcasts: 9 shows that'll keep you informed and entertained,” Mashable (October 3, 2020)
“Thought-provoking analysis of the hidden assumptions and agendas underlying the reporting that we read and the news that we see on TV.“ - Andrew Whalen, “11 Podcasts to Escape Into That Are NOT True Crime Cases,” Newsweek (June 12, 2020)
“There are no Pinocchio designations on Citations Needed, a podcast about the ‘intersection of media, PR, and power.’ But hosts Nima Shirazi and Adam Johnson provide a much more valuable service: Lengthy, fascinating breakdowns of how viral, sometimes inaccurate stories permeate news cycles.“ - Colin Groundwater and Alex Shultz, “The Best Podcasts to Listen to During Self-Isolation,” GQ (Apr. 29, 2020)
“A searing dissection of how popular media narratives shelter the powerful and cloud the truth… Want to know how the west’s narrow definition of corruption obscures a vast wealth transfer from the global south to wealthy westerners? How news sites’ favourite ‘neutral experts’ on Iran might not be so neutral after all? Or which terms the media employs over and over to vilify the homeless? Citations Needed fearlessly explores how mainstream US media narratives shelter the powerful and distort our views on a huge variety of topical issues.” - “35 of the best podcasts in tech, culture, politics and more,” Wired UK, (Oct. 10, 2019)
“A very left-leaning podcast that cuts through the political bullshit of anyone and everyone using facts, research, and a desire to speak truth to power…a refreshing voice and honesty that is often missing from other places.” - Princess Weekes, “7 Podcasts to Help You Ignore Your Family This Holiday Season,” The Mary Sue (November 22, 2018)
"For anyone who feels like the news is lacking an extra dimension of analysis, CITATIONS NEEDED is an essential deep-dive into the current events that generally whiz by you at break-neck speed. Hosts Nima Shirazi and Adam Johnson are some of the finest critics of media I’ve ever encountered; they have a deft ability to crack open a news story and demonstrate how seemingly objective stories actually have a very clear perspective they are trying to push about racial minorities, real estate, poverty, or capitalism. " - Carter Moon, “Podcast of the Week,” Crossfader Magazine (March 23, 2018)
"Imagine the incisive self-criticism of On the Media, the adversarial and anti-establishment tone of Intercepted, and the moral exasperation of Delete Your Account. Hosted by two guys who’ve worked as journalists, political commentators, and media analysts, it’s a show that picks apart the lazy tropes and stereotypes that corporate media relies upon and helps to perpetuate." - John J. Dodig, Not My First Radio (Nov. 20, 2017)
"Delivers pointed criticism of the U.S. media while breaking down common political narratives. Think of it as 'MythBusters' for the news cycle... Overall, it offers a strong rebuke of the media and of establishment politics, something we all need right now for many reasons. For anyone looking for nuanced takes on the state of political discourse in this country, this is your show." - Charlie May, “The 25 best political podcasts for anxious liberals (just like you!),” Salon (Nov. 5, 2017)
"Like the History Channel for the left, mixed with a news-style relevancy which is brought by their dynamic guests." - Devyn Springer, “10 Podcasts You Should Be Listening To In The Era of 45,” Wear Your Voice: Intersectional Feminist Media (Sept. 16, 2017)
