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The Tara Show

The Tara Show

By: Audacy
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Tara presides over the Upstate's #1 all news/talk morning show every weekday on News/Talk 989 WORD.Tara's faithful listeners are affectionately known as "Tara-ists" because of their passion and participation in the show. Tara was named 2021 Best News Talk Show and Best overall Personality, AGAIN, by the South Carolina Broadcasters Association! Tara took home the same honors in 2018 and was also named 2016 "Personality of the Year!" In addition, Tara has also won over two dozen state and national journalism awards for column writing, news reporting and investigative reporting while working for three newspapers and writing for a variety of national publications. She won a first place reporting award from the North Carolina Press Association for an investigative series about the weaknesses in Charlotte's overburdened court system, which regularly let murderers off the hook with less than 15 years in prison. Due to her work, that system has been reformed. Tara is also a winner of the prestigious first place Green Eyeshade Award, a national award for column writing from The Society of Professional Journalists. Tara took to the airwaves about 15 years ago to do a radio show heard up and down the coast and fell in love with bypassing her editors to talk straight to the people. Tara hasn't stopped reporting, and still brings her investigative journalism to the show. Tara is a mom, wife and talk radio convert-- and weekday mornings she's live and local on News/Talk 989 WORD. Are you a "Tara-ist"? It's time to get captured!2024 © 2021 Audacy, Inc. Politics & Government
Episodes
  • “Manufactured Reality: From Rhetoric to Violence”

    “Manufactured Reality: From Rhetoric to Violence”
    Apr 27 2026
    “Manufactured Reality: From Rhetoric to Violence” DESCRIPTION: Tara connects the dots between media narratives, radicalization, and real-world danger—asking how belief turns into action. SUMMARY: Tara delivers a powerful and unsettling analysis of how repeated narratives and misinformation can shape belief systems that lead to real-world consequences. Focusing on a recent manifesto tied to an attempted act of violence, she argues that the individual was not acting irrationally in a vacuum—but instead operating within a constructed reality built from repeated claims, political messaging, and media narratives. The episode challenges the audience to consider how information ecosystems influence perception. Tara examines key claims within the manifesto—including allegations about Donald Trump—and contrasts them with publicly known investigations, emphasizing how unverified or misleading narratives can take hold when repeated often enough. A central theme is the idea that radicalization doesn’t always look chaotic—it can appear structured, logical, and even justified to the individual if their underlying assumptions are flawed. Tara warns that when people are immersed in a distorted version of reality, their actions may follow a dangerous internal logic. The conversation also highlights ongoing concerns about presidential security, pointing to systemic vulnerabilities and the reactive nature of protection services. Drawing historical parallels, Tara underscores the reality that preventing threats is inherently more difficult than executing them, raising concerns about future risks. The episode closes with a call for accountability—both in media narratives and institutional preparedness—arguing that failure in either domain can have irreversible consequences. KEY TALKING POINTS: How repeated narratives shape belief systems Manifestos as structured reflections of perceived reality The danger of misinformation becoming “truth” to individuals Claims vs. verified findings in high-profile political narratives The psychology of radicalization and justification Security vulnerabilities and the limits of prevention Historical parallels in political violence and survival The role of accountability in media and government QUOTABLE MOMENTS: “He wasn’t acting randomly—he was acting on what he believed was real.” “If the premise is false, the logic becomes dangerous.” “You don’t need chaos to create violence—just conviction built on the wrong foundation.” “Protection reacts. Threats act.” CALL TO ACTION: Follow, subscribe, and share as Tara breaks down the forces shaping belief, behavior, and the headlines that follow. HASHTAGS: #AmpersWave #MediaInfluence #PoliticalRhetoric #BreakingNews #Misinformation #NewsAnalysis #PodcastDaily #CurrentEvents CUSTOM LABELS: politics, media, misinformation, radicalization, analysis, breaking news, security, public discourse
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    10 mins
  • “No Both Sides? Rhetoric, Violence & Media Silence”

    “No Both Sides? Rhetoric, Violence & Media Silence”
    Apr 27 2026
    “No Both Sides? Rhetoric, Violence & Media Silence” DESCRIPTION: Tara breaks down explosive political rhetoric, media double standards, and the dangerous line between speech and action in today’s charged climate. SUMMARY: Tara takes a hard look at escalating political rhetoric and the debate over whether it is contributing to real-world violence. Centering on controversial statements from online commentator Hasan Piker and his appearance on a major media platform, Tara questions why rhetoric that appears to justify violence is being amplified rather than condemned. The episode challenges the idea of “both sides” being equally responsible, arguing that there is a cultural and institutional difference in how extreme speech is treated across the political spectrum. Tara highlights examples of inflammatory language, explores the concept of “social murder” rooted in the writings of Friedrich Engels, and connects it to modern political discourse. The conversation also dives into the rise of conspiracy theories following recent events, including claims that incidents were staged, and examines how a lack of transparency—particularly around unreleased government documents—can fuel public distrust. Tara closes with concerns about ongoing threats, the limits of security, and the real-world consequences of sustained political hostility. KEY TALKING POINTS: Controversial rhetoric and its normalization in political discourse Media responsibility in platforming extreme viewpoints The debate over “both sides” and political accountability Historical roots of “social murder” and its modern usage Conspiracy theories tied to recent political violence Government transparency and withheld investigation documents Security realities and concerns over future threats QUOTABLE MOMENTS: “There is no both sides when one side tolerates the intolerable.” “When rhetoric escalates, reality eventually follows.” “If you hide the truth, people will fill in the blanks.” “Security can react—but it can’t predict intent.” CALL TO ACTION: Subscribe, share, and stay informed as Tara cuts through the noise and exposes the narratives shaping today’s headlines. HASHTAGS: #AmpersWave #PoliticalRhetoric #MediaBias #BreakingNews #FreeSpeech #NewsAnalysis #PodcastDaily #CurrentEvents CUSTOM LABELS: politics, media, rhetoric, analysis, breaking news, conspiracy, Trump, journalism, public discourse
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    6 mins
  • “Social Murder & Media Spin: The Rhetoric Nobody Owns”

    “Social Murder & Media Spin: The Rhetoric Nobody Owns”
    Apr 27 2026
    “Social Murder & Media Spin: The Rhetoric Nobody Owns” DESCRIPTION: Violent rhetoric, media double standards, and rising conspiracy theories—today’s breakdown dives into who’s saying what, who’s platforming it, and why it matters right now. SUMMARY: Tara examines escalating political rhetoric following a recent violent incident involving former President Donald Trump. The episode focuses on controversial commentary from online figure Hasan Piker, including calls interpreted as endorsing political violence, and the decision by major media outlets to platform him. Tara argues that such rhetoric is not isolated and explores its historical roots, including the concept of “social murder” from Friedrich Engels. The discussion also highlights reactions across the political spectrum, including claims that the incident was staged, and growing conspiracy theories fueled by delayed or withheld government documents related to prior investigations. Tara questions the role of transparency, media accountability, and political messaging in shaping public perception—and whether the current climate is intensifying division and distrust. KEY TALKING POINTS: Media platforms featuring controversial voices accused of endorsing violence The concept of “social murder” and its historical origins Debate over whether political rhetoric is contributing to real-world violence Conspiracy theories surrounding recent and past incidents Government transparency concerns involving withheld investigation documents Public trust, media responsibility, and political accountability QUOTABLE MOMENTS: “They pretend they don’t know where this is coming from—but they do.” “This isn’t just rhetoric—it’s messaging with consequences.” “When transparency disappears, conspiracy fills the gap.” CALL TO ACTION: Follow, subscribe, and share to stay ahead of the narratives shaping today’s headlines. HASHTAGS: #AmpersWave #PoliticalRhetoric #MediaAccountability #BreakingNews #FreeSpeech #NewsAnalysis #PodcastDaily #TrendingNow CUSTOM LABELS: politics, media, rhetoric, breaking news, analysis, conspiracy, Trump, journalism, current events
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    11 mins
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Very impressed by her knowledge and thought provoking observations. This is a must listen podcast if you want to keep up with important news and how it affects you!

The government is not your friend!

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