Know It All

What would life look like without the internet? No social media, no streaming services, and no instant access to information. In this episode of Know-It-All, CCBC student Eden Ortega explores the major technological transitions that transformed media and changed how humans communicate. Eden Ortega is a dual-enrolled student at the Community College of Baltimore County with aspirations of studying...

In this episode of Know-It-All, CCBC Professor Eric Cotton explores our complicated relationship with superhero movies. Despite dominating the box office for decades, superhero films have never won the Academy Award for Best Picture. So why do audiences continue to flock to them? About the Host: Eric Cotton is a professor of Chemistry at the Community College of Baltimore County. He holds a PhD in...

From Tuckman’s stages of group development to the concept of “work group norms,” this episode breaks down how groups form, how expectations take shape (often without anyone realizing it), and why those norms can either drive productivity—or lead to dysfunction like social loafing. Whether you're working on a class project, part of a team, or just tired of doing all the work yourself, this episode...

Directors like Francis Ford Coppola, Martin Scorsese, and Stanley Kubrick began creating films that reflected the uncertainty of the era—shaped by events like the Vietnam War and Watergate. Movies such as Taxi Driver and The Godfather introduced morally complicated characters and stories that challenged audiences rather than offering simple answers. At the same time, the decade gave rise to the mo...

Drawing on film scholarship, the episode examines how risk-averse studio strategies can sideline originality, limit opportunities for new voices, and shape the kinds of stories audiences see. Boyd ultimately asks whether today’s moviegoers are choosing what they want to watch — or what studios assume will sell. About the Host:  Ka’Ryn Boyd is a Communications major at the Community College of...

About the Host:Mo Frand is a student at the Community College of Baltimore County planning to transfer into an engineering program. This episode was produced as part of coursework in Mass Communication. Mo is passionate about understanding how media affects public thought and aims to be part of a future where facts matter more than spin. Sources Featured in This Episode:Happer, Catherine, and Greg...

About the Host:Emmanuela Badjoko is a student at the Community College of Baltimore County majoring in Mass Communication. She is passionate about media history, digital culture, and the role of platforms in shaping public opinion. This episode reflects her curiosity about how technological shifts influence the way we consume and understand information. Sources Featured in This Episode:Lule, J. (2...

About the Host:Khadijah Kaffo is a General Studies major at the Community College of Baltimore County and plans to transfer into a Public Health program. With a growing interest in social health and media literacy, she uses this episode to explore how manipulative advertising and unregulated messaging impact public health and personal decision-making. Sources Featured in This Episode:Friedman...

About the Host:Yasmin Movahedi is a student at the Community College of Baltimore County majoring in Media Studies. Her interests lie in storytelling, feminism, and how media both shapes and reflects our understanding of gender. This episode is part of her ongoing exploration of genre, identity, and film. Sources Featured in This Episode:Clover, Carol J. Men, Women, and Chainsaws: Gender in the Mo...

Kate discusses lighting theory, emotional tone, and insights from award-winning lighting designer Jules Fisher, showing how a small shift in color or contrast can dramatically change how we feel when we watch a movie. About the Host:Kate Slone is majoring in Unmanned Aircraft Systems at the Community College of Baltimore County and plans to pursue a degree in Digital Media. Her goal is to combine...

Gary explores how these festivals differ, the kinds of films that premiere at each, and why they play such an important role in the film industry and global culture. About the Host:Gary is an engineering major at the Community College of Baltimore County. His goal is to become a mechanical engineer developing greener energy solutions for a sustainable future. A love of travel and global culture in...

Through critical analysis, Aiden explores how money, fame, and style choices can distort truth and harm documentary subjects, raising questions about filmmakers’ responsibilities when telling real people’s stories. About the Host:Scott is a General Studies major at the Community College of Baltimore County with aspirations in zoology and conservation. Scott applies film analysis skills from Movies...

Did you know the influencer industry is worth a staggering $250 billion? In this episode of Know-It-All , host Meg Hamilton breaks down the booming world of influencer marketing. Learn what it really means to be an influencer, the key differences between micro-, macro-, and mega-influencers, and why brands are investing big in social media personalities. Plus, we uncover how much influencers are a...

When an Iranian cleric suggested the U.S. had no real heroes outside of Spiderman and SpongeBob, it raised a provocative question: what happens when a nation’s identity is built on fictional media? In this episode, Ross Briese dives into cultivation theory —a concept that explores how the media we consume subtly (and not so subtly) shapes how we see the world. From TikTok to prestige TV, we unpack...

When was the last time you picked up a physical newspaper? With digital news dominating our screens, print journalism has slowly faded into the background—but at what cost? In this episode of Know-It-All , host Brianna Whittaker explores the consequences of the newspaper industry's decline, from political polarization and misinformation to economic downturns and job losses. As newspaper circulatio...

In 1975, Jaws forever changed how people viewed the ocean—and the great white shark. Dubbed the original summer blockbuster, the film sparked widespread fear, increasing shark hunting, government culling programs, and a lasting public perception of sharks as ruthless predators. But what were the real-world consequences of this fear? And how has science and conservation worked to undo the damage? J...

Is the media shaping your reality more than you think? In this episode of Know-It-All , host Micah Glasgow unpacks the power of gatekeeping, agenda-setting, and social media algorithms in influencing what we see, think, and care about. From global conflicts to viral trends, discover how corporate interests and personal biases shape the information we consume—and what you can do to break free from...

What makes Japanese horror so uniquely terrifying? In this episode of Know-It-All , host Emily Lambert unpacks the eerie allure of J-Horror, from its Kabuki-inspired storytelling to the chilling works of filmmaker Takashi Shimizu. Discover how Japanese horror departs from Hollywood’s jump scares and gore, instead weaving slow-burning psychological dread that lingers long after the credits roll. Th...