A. Brad Schwartz
Historian and author of Broadcast Hysteria, interviewed here about the 1930 Ohio penitentiary fire and its impact on the development of CBS News.
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Apr 29, 2026 • 36min
How a Prison Fire Helped Create CBS News
A. Brad Schwartz, historian and author of Broadcast Hysteria, discusses the 1930 Ohio Penitentiary fire and its shocking live radio coverage. He recounts Otto “Deacon” Gardner’s eyewitness broadcast, how local reporting was patched to a national feed, and how the moment pushed CBS from entertainment toward serious news.
Jul 22, 2025 • 41min
War of the Worlds: Orson Welles' Alien Invasion Hoax
Join A. Brad Schwartz, a writer and historian known for his book on Orson Welles, as he delves into the 1938 War of the Worlds broadcast. He uncovers the reality behind the panic, revealing that only a small fraction of listeners were truly alarmed by the staged alien invasion. Schwartz discusses the powerful role of media in shaping public perception and fear, and how the broadcast remains a watershed moment in media history. Expect insights on the intertwining of fiction and societal anxieties, and a reflection on today's misinformation landscape.
