By: Joshua Roberts (Comm 297R) (Special Projects Page)
Project Purpose:
I chose to run a social media page, via Instagram, for the show and podcast, “One Nation Under God.” This show bridges the gap between Politics and Religion and helps inform the American people of controversial topics through the lens of a secondary researcher.
This country is the most divisive and contentious it has ever been in our history. Social media has completely divided people into two categories: right or wrong, Conservatism or Liberalism, Republican or Democratic, or those who spread false information and those who choose to have no part of it.
This project engaged audiences, targeted a niche demographic, and offered unique genres of content.
Project and Samples:
In this project, I pushed myself to post daily inspirational quotes, scriptures, and news on the social media page’s “Instagram Story.” Before an episode would begin production, I created a forum where audience members could write down their thoughts, feelings, or opinions toward the chosen topic. This helped with engagement, retention, and brand awareness.
I also took the liberty to create YouTube thumbnails for the show to add a theme and message for those scrolling through Instagram and, of course, YouTube.
This project also included breakdowns, reviews, and clips from the show’s episodes. I created 3-4 Instagram Reels showcasing short-form content with effects, captions, and various camera angles. This helped streamline content right to the fingertips of the audience, and it helped build the show’s reputation and overall message.
With the discussion of controversial topics, I included an open chat via Instagram DMs to communicate with audience participants. I wanted to connect with the audience and practice on social media what I have been preaching on the show: open and respectful conversations and debates. Here, I had many negative and positive experiences conversing with others. As the social media page admin, I maintained the highest respect as I shared facts and opinions on political and religious topics and conversations. This aspect was crucial in understanding, from a journalistic perspective, the other side of the conversation.
Lastly, for this project, I dove into the news and what has been occurring in our country and in the world. I posted several Instagram Stories showing the news coverage and helped inform people about recent events, conversations, and policy changes. This allowed people not only to find out what was going on, but it also helped them see that the show is staying up to date with the most current situations.
YouTube Link to the show: https://www.youtube.com/@OneNationUnderGodPodcast
Instagram Link to the Comm 297R Project: https://www.instagram.com/onenationundergodshow/
Challenges:
With the welcoming of hearing from all perspectives, this welcomed a problem as well. I wanted to maintain an open and respectful environment, but many commenters wanted to disagree without respect. This distilled the overall theme and environment of the One Nation Under God Show.
To mitigate this, I would respectfully respond with a fact or some additional research to help them either see the truth or know that I hear them. There is not much an individual can do regarding other people’s feelings and emotions; however, how we respond is what matters most.
Another challenge I encountered was the lack of skills and knowledge required to become a social media administrator. I am grateful for the opportunity I had to learn and push myself to expound on the skills I do have.
Project Processes:
First, for every day of the week, I would post daily posts of news coverage, events, quotes, and scriptures to ensure the site had consistent content for the audience. This resulted in several hours of gathering information and generating content for the Show’s storyboard on Instagram.
Before an episode of the One Nation Under God Show would release, I would post a forum for all audience members to respond to the episode’s topic. There, I would communicate with them and create engagement. This form of work offered unique opportunities for both the viewer and the Show to create lasting impressions of respect and effective communication.
Once an episode would air on YouTube, I would go through the entire episode and find three major topics or stories the Show shared and create an Instagram Short. This process began with clipping the desired content and forming short-form content. I would add background music, a variety of camera angles, and edited subtitles to ensure the video was both engaging and entertaining. This was a major part of the responsibility of being a social media administrator.
Lastly, each episode of the show required a clear and effective thumbnail that draws in the audience. The day the episode released, I created the thumbnails and also posted them to social media so the audience could easily distinguish which video I am advertising and marketing for.
Experiences:
The experience of running the social media campaigns for the One Nation Under God Show helped build my character and provided me with opportunities to grow technically and psychologically. This Show changed my perspective on politics, religion, and how I perceive people and their differences in opinions and views.
One experience in particular came from the Show’s episode titled “Illegal Immigration, Deportation, and the 2025 Government Shutdown.” I posted several Instagram Reels that informed the American people and Reels that allowed them to truly understand, through facts, what was occurring in our country. This experience taught me the importance of hearing various perspectives and listening to others. I was able to maintain the Show’s environment and ultimate purpose in being open and respectful.
The experience of working under this Show pushed me to learn new editing, marketing, and recording skills. I wanted to lighten the burden on the host and present a well-organized and professional social media account.
I learned about social media management and the proper consistency that is required to engage audience members, retain them, and reach a wider market. This experience offered me the unique opportunity to expound upon my effective communication and analytical mindset. I looked at the statistics of the Show’s progress and planned ways to increase the viewership.
Takeaway:
Managing a social media account requires constant effort, consistency, and diligence.
I learned that everyone has a voice and unique gifts that can contribute to our society. Through this experience, I saw that audience engagement from the admin is vital to the overall success of the page.
To those listening, reading, or watching, I hope to some extent or another, you feel welcome, heard, and appreciated. How glorious it is that we all have different perspectives, opinions, and personas!
I pray humbly that each topic discussed was executed in a way that offered unique perspectives from each political party (Republican or Democratic). I hope that through this Show, you have inherited tools to assist you as you become a better researcher.
May God bless you and your families for years to come. And may God bless the United States of America!
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