Shaping Opinion
Shaping Opinion

Shaping Opinion

Tim O'Brien

Overview
Episodes

Details

The Shaping Opinion podcast helps you see through the spin. It reveals things you may not know, and it exposes other things some may want to keep hidden. Its focus is on how your thoughts and attitudes are influenced to create change in the culture, sometimes for better, sometimes for worse. Host Tim O’Brien – author, senior media advisor and veteran damage control expert – empowers you with a fresh perspective. He comfortably takes you inside trending issues, stories and to the people who unravel it all through deep-dive conversations. After decades in handling high stakes and complex crisis management situations, Tim probes to uncover what’s real and what matters, and what will shape the future. Watch or listen every Monday wherever you get your podcasts.

www.shapingopinion.com

Recent Episodes

Zantac and Cancer, with Brent Wisner
JUL 29, 2024
Zantac and Cancer, with Brent Wisner
<p>One of the nation’s leading trial attorneys Brent Wisner talks about his role in current litigation against several big pharma companies who’ve all been manufacturers of the popular heartburn drug called Zantac, which has been taken off the market amidst concerns over possible cancer diagnoses. Brent is the managing partner and lead trial attorney at the law firm of Wisner Baum. He’s been recognized as one of America’s 50 Most Influential Trial Lawyers by Trial Lawyer Magazine. And he serves as co-lead trial counsel in the Zantac Products Liability Litigation in Delaware. </p><p>Chances are if you ever had a serious problem with heartburn, you might have taken a popular drug called Zantac. The generic form of the drug is called ranitidine</p><p>In 2020, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration requested that manufacturers of the drug withdraw all prescription and over-the-counter (OTC) ranitidine drugs from the market immediately. This was part of an ongoing <a target="_blank" href="https://www.fda.gov/drugs/drug-safety-and-availability/fda-updates-and-press-announcements-ndma-zantac-ranitidine">investigation</a> of a contaminant in ranitidine medications.</p><p>Fast forward to May of this year. That was when Pfizer, one of the manufacturers of Zantac, agreed to settle more than 10,000 lawsuits about cancer risks related to the now discontinued heartburn drug. Still, this company and these lawsuits do not represent the entirety of the problem and the legal woes for manufacturers. That’s what we will be talking about today.</p><p>For more information, go to <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ShapingOpinion.com">www.ShapingOpinion.com</a>. This is also our Substack hub, where you can subscribe and become a member of our podcast family.</p><p>LIKE & SUBSCRIBE for new videos as soon as they are posted: <a target="_blank" href="https://www.youtube.com/@shapingopinion/videos">https://www.youtube.com/@shapingopinion/videos</a></p><p>Follow the Shaping Opinion Podcast on all social platforms: Twitter/X – @Shaping Opinion, Instagram – @Shaping Opinion, on Facebook at Shaping Opinion and don’t forget to join the “Shaping Opinion Podcast Listeners” Group on Facebook.</p><p><strong>Links from Our Conversation</strong></p><p>Zantac Lawsuit Update: What you Need to Know About The Heartburn Medications, Forbes - <a target="_blank" href="https://www.forbes.com/advisor/legal/product-liability/zantac-lawsuit/">https://www.forbes.com/advisor/legal/product-liability/zantac-lawsuit/</a></p><p>Sanofi to Settle 4,000 Zantac Cancer Lawsuits in US State Courts, CNN – <a target="_blank" href="https://www.cnn.com/2024/04/05/business/sanofi-to-settle-zantac-cancer-lawsuits/index.html/">https://www.cnn.com/2024/04/05/business/sanofi-to-settle-zantac-cancer-lawsuits/index.html/</a></p><p>Zantac Not a cause of Woman’s Cancer, Jury Says in First Trial Over Drug, Reuters – <a target="_blank" href="https://www.reuters.com/business/healthcare-pharmaceuticals/zantac-not-cause-womans-cancer-jury-says-first-trial-over-drug-2024-05-23/">https://www.reuters.com/business/healthcare-pharmaceuticals/zantac-not-cause-womans-cancer-jury-says-first-trial-over-drug-2024-05-23/</a></p><p>Judge Appoints Four Attorneys to Lead 77,000 Zantac Cancer Cases in Delaware, PR Newswire – <a target="_blank" href="https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/judge-appoints-four-attorneys-to-lead-77-000-zantac-cancer-cases-in-delaware-301827346.html#:~:text=Judge%20Vivian%20L.,of%20the%20State%20of%20Delaware">https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/judge-appoints-four-attorneys-to-lead-77-000-zantac-cancer-cases-in-delaware-301827346.html#:~:text=Judge%20Vivian%20L.,of%20the%20State%20of%20Delaware</a>.</p><p></p> <br/><br/>This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit <a href="https://www.shapingopinion.com?utm_medium=podcast&#38;utm_campaign=CTA_1">www.shapingopinion.com</a>
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49 MIN
ChatGPT is Bullshit, with Michael Hicks
JUL 22, 2024
ChatGPT is Bullshit, with Michael Hicks
<p>One of the co-authors of a groundbreaking academic paper, Michael Hicks, makes the case that “ChatGPT is bullshit.” That’s not only the title of his paper, but a compelling point of view that we dig deep into in this conversation. Michael is one of the three co-authors of the paper, along with James Humphries and Joe Slater. All three are educators at the University of Glasgow.</p><p>Michael Hicks is a Lecturer in Philosophy of Science and Technology at the University.  He’s mostly interested in the ways we use scientific laws and models to understand what’s possible, and what isn’t. He says he also thinks about conditional reasoning, probability, and explanation.  </p><p>For more information, go to <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ShapingOpinion.com">www.ShapingOpinion.com</a>. This is also our Substack hub, where you can subscribe and become a member of our podcast family.</p><p>LIKE & SUBSCRIBE for new videos as soon as they are posted: <a target="_blank" href="https://www.youtube.com/@shapingopinion/videos">https://www.youtube.com/@shapingopinion/videos</a></p><p>Follow the Shaping Opinion Podcast on all social platforms: Twitter/X – @Shaping Opinion, Instagram – @Shaping Opinion, on Facebook at Shaping Opinion and don’t forget to join the “Shaping Opinion Podcast Listeners” Group on Facebook.</p><p><strong>Links from Our Conversation</strong></p><p>* ChatGPT is Bullshit, Springer Link - <a target="_blank" href="https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10676-024-09775-5/">https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10676-024-09775-5/</a></p><p>* Michael Townsen Hicks, website - https://www.townsenhicks.com</p><p></p> <br/><br/>This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit <a href="https://www.shapingopinion.com?utm_medium=podcast&#38;utm_campaign=CTA_1">www.shapingopinion.com</a>
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54 MIN
Do Schools Care About Kids’ Safety Anymore?, with Mo Canady
JUL 15, 2024
Do Schools Care About Kids’ Safety Anymore?, with Mo Canady
<p>The head of the National Association of School Resource Officers (NASRO), Mo Canady joins us to talk about a self-inflicted safety crisis at many American schools because school boards are terminating their in-school police presence. They are banning School Resource Officers, and more and more parents are outraged. Mo has been a member of NASRO’s board since 2005. And before that he held positions in law enforcement, and as an instructor for NASRO.</p><p>One of the more notable recent events is where a 17-year-old student at Garfield High School was shot and killed on June 6th in a school parking lot after trying to break up a fight between two other boys.</p><p>There is no way of knowing if the shooting could have been prevented, but one thing is clear. There was no police presence at the school. This after the Seattle School Board voted in 2020 to remove the position of School Resource Officer at the school. That district is one of roughly 70 in the country to do so.</p><p>In this episode, we talk about those School Resource Officers – or SROs - and the vital role they play in school communities.</p><p>For more information, go to <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ShapingOpinion.com">www.ShapingOpinion.com</a>. This is also our Substack hub, where you can subscribe and become a member of our podcast family.</p><p>LIKE & SUBSCRIBE for new videos as soon as they are posted: <a target="_blank" href="https://www.youtube.com/@shapingopinion/videos">https://www.youtube.com/@shapingopinion/videos</a></p><p>Follow the Shaping Opinion Podcast on all social platforms: Twitter/X – @Shaping Opinion, Instagram – @Shaping Opinion, on Facebook at Shaping Opinion and don’t forget to join the “Shaping Opinion Podcast Listeners” Group on Facebook.</p><p><strong>Links from Our Conversation</strong></p><p><a target="_blank" href="https://www.foxnews.com/media/after-shooting-seattle-parents-regret-school-kicking-out-officers-2020-who-protecting-our-babies/">After Shooting, Seattle Parents Regret School Kicking Out Officers in 2020: “Who is protecting our babies?”</a>, Fox News</p><p><a target="_blank" href="https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/garfield-high-used-to-have-a-cop-but-seattle-schools-canceled-the-job/#:~:text=But%20the%20Seattle%20School%20Board,and%20four%20other%20Seattle%20schools/">Garfield High Used to Have a Cop, but Seattle Schools Canceled the Job</a>, Seattle Times</p><p><a target="_blank" href="https://www.police1.com/school-resource-officer/chicago-board-of-education-unanimously-votes-to-end-cpd-contract-remove-sros#:~:text=CHICAGO%20%E2%80%94%20The%20Chicago%20Board%20of,2024-25%20school%20year%20starts.">Chicago Board of Education Unanimously Votes to End CPD Contract, Remove SROs</a>, Police1</p><p><a target="_blank" href="https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/education/2023/09/11/more-school-districts-are-bringing-back-or-adding-school-resource-officers/7073111800t/">More School Districts are Bringing Back or Adding Police,</a> USA Today</p> <br/><br/>This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit <a href="https://www.shapingopinion.com?utm_medium=podcast&#38;utm_campaign=CTA_1">www.shapingopinion.com</a>
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28 MIN
Defeating Anxiety through Courage, with Janet Jackson Pellegrini
JUL 8, 2024
Defeating Anxiety through Courage, with Janet Jackson Pellegrini
<p>If you suffer from anxiety, you may be given a lot of options. Drugs, illegal or legal. Alcohol. Therapy. But one thing most may not bring up to you is something that’s inside of you. Courage. In this episode, we talk with Janet Jackson Pellegrini, one of the authors of a new book called, “You Can Overcome Anything with Courage.”  The book contains 17 different stories from 17 different people. Each shares his or her personal stories and life lessons that have one thing in common – they found the courage to overcome the challenges they faced. Janet tells her story of overcoming anxiety and solving a big life problem simply be reframing her brain after a single casual conversation.</p><p></p><p>LIKE & SUBSCRIBE for new videos as soon as they are posted: <a target="_blank" href="https://www.youtube.com/@shapingopinion/videos">https://www.youtube.com/@shapingopinion/videos</a></p><p>Stay up to date by signing up for the Shaping Opinion Substack here:  https://shapingopinion.com</p><p>Find the full audio show wherever you get your podcasts: Apple — </p><p>For all episodes and to learn more about Shaping Opinion at: https://shapingopinion.com</p><p>Follow the Shaping Opinion Podcast on all social platforms: Twitter/X – @Shaping Opinion, Instagram – @Shaping Opinion, on Facebook at Shaping Opinion and don’t forget to join the “Shaping Opinion Podcast Listeners” Group on Facebook.</p><p><strong>Links from Our Conversation</strong></p><p>* <a target="_blank" href="https://www.amazon.com/You-Can-Overcome-Anything-Courage/dp/1960665170/ref=sr_1_1?crid=146Z1IRLSX1G4&#38;dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.8DRYRpbE-8NCtO7HFM8ElH3Bv1MncmVo3iz8zthDiA5RQpPKsL8G-KUBuuSjCeSmBHbVHPauEfIBpmYFNhC988HqSTnvyiPd5XuHDvHOAnJzyVB9SV0WlUu_x0VwhqewuPqRmPgH5t04yIkDVHt-fSzJ2L1-COzQ-1VmksrrpRw.EX-ZvXrabcmVJUUXBtyrKu65-bQz3Z3xEU3TECZ5dL0&#38;dib_tag=se&#38;keywords=you+can+overcome+anything+with+courage&#38;qid=1718918177&#38;sprefix=you+can+overcome+anything+with+courage%2Caps%2C92&#38;sr=8-1">You Can Overcome Anything with Courage</a> (Amazon)</p><p>* <a target="_blank" href="https://www.post-gazette.com/local/city/2013/02/23/Tambellini-restaurant-Downtown-says-arrivederci/stories/201302230208">Tambellini Restaurant Downtown Says Arrivederci!</a> (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette)</p> <br/><br/>This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit <a href="https://www.shapingopinion.com?utm_medium=podcast&#38;utm_campaign=CTA_1">www.shapingopinion.com</a>
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42 MIN
Don't Cancel the SAT, with April Bleske-Rechek
JUL 1, 2024
Don't Cancel the SAT, with April Bleske-Rechek
<p>University professor and researcher April Bleske-Rechek makes her case for standardized testing in college admissions at a time when there’s an aggressive movement to get rid of the tests.  She co-authored an article recently in Skeptic Magazine where they say the standardized tests are not biased, but are in fact more fair than other measures to gauge student potential.</p><p>April is a Professor, University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire where she focuses on Individual Differences and Evolutionary Psychology. She has written for many peer-reviewed journals, and is an active member of the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression (FIRE).</p><p>Check out this FULL EPISODE at YouTube:</p><p>Check out this FULL EPISODE at Rumble: https://rumble.com/v51728f-dont-cancel-the-sat-with-april-bleske-rechek.html</p><p>LIKE & SUBSCRIBE for new videos as soon as they are posted: <a target="_blank" href="https://www.youtube.com/@shapingopinion/videos">https://www.youtube.com/@shapingopinion/videos</a></p><p>Stay up to date by signing up for the Shaping Opinion Substack here:  </p><p>https://shapingopinion.substack.co</p><p>Find the full audio show wherever you get your podcasts: Apple — </p><p> Spotify — </p><p>For all episodes and to learn more about Shaping Opinion at: </p><p>https://shapingopinion.com</p><p>Follow the Shaping Opinion Podcast on all social platforms: Twitter/X – @Shaping Opinion, Instagram – @Shaping Opinion, on Facebook at Shaping Opinion and don’t forget to join the “Shaping Opinion Podcast Listeners” Group on Facebook.</p><p><strong>Links from Our Conversation</strong></p><p>* <a target="_blank" href="https://www.skeptic.com/reading_room/standardized-admission-tests-fairer-than-other-measures-not-biased/">Standardized Admission Tests Are Not Biased</a>, Skeptic Magazine</p><p>* <a target="_blank" href="https://www.thefire.org/news/faculty-network-interview-april-bleske-rechek-university-wisconsin-eau-claire?gad_source=1&#38;gclid=CjwKCAjwjqWzBhAqEiwAQmtgT6VE4ZaSY5Poj_WsnYU8rTwVpcN7EXveXeHgrsrK-UcU1UO_ybmXJBoClVoQAvD_BwE">April Bleske-Rechek</a>, The Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression (FIRE)</p> <br/><br/>This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit <a href="https://www.shapingopinion.com?utm_medium=podcast&#38;utm_campaign=CTA_1">www.shapingopinion.com</a>
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51 MIN