This is Reality - The Reality Winner Podcast

How and why did a 25-year-old with a Pikachu bedspread become the #1 terrorist in the United States? In 2017, REALITY WINNER, a highly decorated former Air Force linguist was charged with leaking proof of Russian interference in the 2016 election to the media. Her goal – to help protect Democracy. Reality received the longest sentence ever imposed for unauthorized release of government information - five-years, three-months – for her patriotic efforts. THIS IS REALITY captures the unfolding events of the interrogation, the trial, the imprisonment and the current efforts to pursue clemency with those that were 'in the room' where it all happened.  Produced by Dori Berinstein, Sally Horchow, and Rebecca Aparicio. Part of the Broadway Podcast Network. Visit bpn.fm/ThisIsReality for more info and tickets to the show. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On June 3, 2017, 11 FBI interrogators surprised Air Force crypto-linguist Reality Leigh Winner at her home in Augusta, Georgia, accusing her of leaking classified information proving Russian Interference in the 2016 election. THIS IS REALITY speaks with Reality Winner's mother Billie Winner-Davis, sister Brittany Winner, lawyer Alison Grinter Allen and Broadway's IS THIS A ROOM Director Tina Satter, to try and make sense of that harrowing day. Visit bpn.fm/ThisIsReality for more info, to sign Reality's petition for clemency, and to get tickets to any productions of Is This A Room. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Who is Reality Winner? This episode introduces us to the young woman with a fondness for CrossFit, rescuing animals and Pikachu collectables who was convicted under the Espionage Act of 1917 for leaking proof of Russian interference in the 2016 election. Reality’s mother, Billie Winner-Davis and sister, Brittany Winner, share their personal stories and explain how Reality’s personality traits and interests were twisted and used against her during her trail.  Visit bpn.fm/ThisIsReality for more info, to sign Reality's petition for clemency, and to get tickets to any productions of Is This A Room. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We explore how the effects of a post 9/11 national security state, the Espionage Act of 1917, and the current events of 2017 have all created the perfect storm for Reality Winner to become the most prosecuted leaker of all time.  Reality Winner, was a 25 year old NSA contractor when she was arrested for leaking classified documents detailing Russian interference in the 2016 election. The critically acclaimed Broadway play IS THIS A ROOM, play reenacts the verbatim transcript of the FBI interrogation at Reality’s home on June 3, 2017.  Visit bpn.fm/ThisIsReality for more info, to sign Reality's petition for clemency, and to get tickets to any productions of Is This A Room. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Learn how the government was able to use the Espionage Act of 1917 to prosecute Reality. How the U.S. government was able to use Facebook messages, private diary entries and phone conversations against Reality Winner in her bail hearing, ultimately denying her bond.  Featured in this episode are: Billie Winner-Davis and interview footage from Reality’s stepfather Gary Davis (Reality’s stepfather) and Reality’s defense lawyer Titus Nichols. Reality Winner, was a 25 year old NSA contractor when she was arrested for leaking classified documents detailing Russian interference in the 2016 election. The critically acclaimed Broadway play IS THIS A ROOM, play reenacts the verbatim transcript of the FBI interrogation at Reality’s home on June 3, 2017.  IN THIS EPISODE WE TALK ABOUT: How the Obama administration began using the Espionage Act of 1917 to crackdown on whistleblowers like Reality. How Reality was denied bail even though she had no prior record.  How Reality was denied her Miranda Rights when she was arrested. How the U.S. government was able to use Facebook messages, private diary entries and phone conversations against Reality Winner TO LEARN MORE 100 YEARS LATER THE ESPIONAGE ACT Reality Winner's attorney makes statement on NSA leak VOSOT FULL INTERVIEW WITH TITUS NICHOLS YOUNG LEAKER ARRESTED Reality Winner's mom reacts to denied bail Visit bpn.fm/ThisIsReality for more info, to sign Reality's petition for clemency, and to get tickets to any productions of Is This A Room. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, we go in depth into the legal challenges that Reality faced while being charged under the Espionage Act with her defense lawyer, Titus Nichols. We go through her bond hearings, appeals, and how the law is structured to always favor the federal government. By speaking through the legal challenges, we see how the cards were stacked against Reality Winner. We will look at how the government can use and bend the laws to suit their own needs. TO LEARN MORE Press Release from the Department of Justice: https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/federal-government-contractor-georgia-charged-removing-and-mailing-classified-materials-news Affidavit for Arrest Warrant- Reality Winner: https://www.justice.gov/opa/press-release/file/971331/download CRIMINAL COMPLAINT- Reality Winner: https://www.justice.gov/opa/press-release/file/971336/download Visit bpn.fm/ThisIsReality for more info, to sign Reality's petition for clemency, and to get tickets to any productions of Is This A Room. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Reality’s mother Billie Winner-Davis, her sister Brittany Davis, and activist Wendy Collins discuss experience in prison. While in prison, Reality was held in solitary confinement in an ICE Facility, denied basic human necessities, had to battle COVID twice, and was physically and sexually assaulted. This episode covers how the government’s denial of bail and the horrible conditions of being held at the Lincolnton County jail for over a year, forced Reality to accept a plea deal. TO LEARN MORE Press Release from the Department of Justice: https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/federal-government-contractor-georgia-charged-removing-and-mailing-classified-materials-news Affidavit for Arrest Warrant- Reality Winner: https://www.justice.gov/opa/press-release/file/971331/download CRIMINAL COMPLAINT- Reality Winner: https://www.justice.gov/opa/press-release/file/971336/download Visit bpn.fm/ThisIsReality for more info, to sign Reality's petition for clemency, and to get tickets to any productions of Is This A Room. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In 2017, Reality Winner, a highly decorated former Air Force linguist was arrested by the FBI for leaking proof of Russian interference in the 2016 election to the media. Her goal – to help protect Democracy. Reality received the longest sentence ever imposed for unauthorized release of government information – five-years, three-months.   In the initial six episodes, Hosts Dori Berinstein and Sally Horchow, capture the unfolding events of the interrogation, the trial, the imprisonment and the current efforts to pursue clemency with those that were ‘in the room’ where it all happened. And now, in this 7th episode, they begin a ground-breaking, multi-episode interview with Reality Winner herself. For the first time, Reality is sharing her incredible story. This is Reality, capturing the story of NSA whistleblower Reality Winner, was recently recognized as New & Noteworthy by Apple Podcasts.  TO LEARN MORE Press Release from the Department of Justice: https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/federal-government-contractor-georgia-charged-removing-and-mailing-classified-materials-news Affidavit for Arrest Warrant- Reality Winner: https://www.justice.gov/opa/press-release/file/971331/download CRIMINAL COMPLAINT- Reality Winner: https://www.justice.gov/opa/press-release/file/971336/download Visit bpn.fm/ThisIsReality for more info, to sign Reality's petition for clemency, and to get tickets to any productions of Is This A Room. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Reality Winner details her traumatic experiences as a prisoner in Lincolnton, Georgia County Jail…while awaiting her trial for espionage. The inhumane treatment has inspired Reality to fight for Prison Reform.  TRIGGER WARNING: This episode includes discussion of self harming behavior, including suicide and disordered eating.  TO LEARN MORE Press Release from the Department of Justice: https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/federal-government-contractor-georgia-charged-removing-and-mailing-classified-materials-news Affidavit for Arrest Warrant- Reality Winner: https://www.justice.gov/opa/press-release/file/971331/download CRIMINAL COMPLAINT- Reality Winner: https://www.justice.gov/opa/press-release/file/971336/download Visit bpn.fm/ThisIsReality for more info, to sign Reality's petition for clemency, and to get tickets to any productions of Is This A Room. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Reality Winner details her traumatic experiences as prisoner in Carswell Federal Prison. Reality struggled with bulimia, drug use, and anxiety following months of lockdown and surviving sexual assault. This inhumane treatment has inspired Reality to fight for Prison Reform.  TRIGGER WARNING: This episode includes discussion of self harming behavior, disordered eating, sexual assault, and addiction.  TO LEARN MORE Press Release from the Department of Justice: https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/federal-government-contractor-georgia-charged-removing-and-mailing-classified-materials-news Affidavit for Arrest Warrant- Reality Winner: https://www.justice.gov/opa/press-release/file/971331/download CRIMINAL COMPLAINT- Reality Winner: https://www.justice.gov/opa/press-release/file/971336/download Visit bpn.fm/ThisIsReality for more info, to sign Reality's petition for clemency, and to get tickets to any productions of Is This A Room. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Reality Winner details her experience post-Carswell. Her release to a halfway house, home confinement, and probation. Reality and her mother Billie detail how inhumane experiences in the prison system have affected their lives and how they plan to continue to advocate for prison reform.  TO LEARN MORE Press Release from the Department of Justice: https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/federal-government-contractor-georgia-charged-removing-and-mailing-classified-materials-news Affidavit for Arrest Warrant- Reality Winner: https://www.justice.gov/opa/press-release/file/971331/download CRIMINAL COMPLAINT- Reality Winner: https://www.justice.gov/opa/press-release/file/971336/download Visit bpn.fm/ThisIsReality for more info, to sign Reality's petition for clemency, and to get tickets to any productions of Is This A Room. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, we speak to Reality, her lawyer Alison Grinter, and her mother Billie about Reality’s fight for clemency and pardon. Without a pardon, she will be unable to vote, secure housing, and will continue to face challenges seeking employment.  Sign the petition at https://standwithreality.org/. TO LEARN MORE Press Release from the Department of Justice: https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/federal-government-contractor-georgia-charged-removing-and-mailing-classified-materials-news Affidavit for Arrest Warrant- Reality Winner: https://www.justice.gov/opa/press-release/file/971331/download CRIMINAL COMPLAINT- Reality Winner: https://www.justice.gov/opa/press-release/file/971336/download Visit bpn.fm/ThisIsReality for more info, to sign Reality's petition for clemency, and to get tickets to any productions of Is This A Room. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Journalists Trevor Timm and Kevin Gosztola explore why Reality’s case highlights a larger conversation about why freedom of the press is essential to democracy. Reality’s lawyer Alison Grinter Allen adds a legal perspective. Visit bpn.fm/ThisIsReality for more info, to sign Reality's petition for clemency, and to get tickets to any productions of Is This A Room. Trevor Timm is a co-founder and the executive director of Freedom of the Press Foundation. He is a journalist, activist, and legal analyst whose writing has appeared in the New York Times, The Guardian, USA Today, The Atlantic, Al Jazeera, Foreign Policy, Harvard Law and Policy Review, and Politico. He also writes a column on press freedom for Columbia Journalism Review. Trevor formerly worked as an activist at the Electronic Frontier Foundation. Before that, he helped the longtime General Counsel of The New York Times, James Goodale, write a book on the Pentagon Papers and the First Amendment. He received his J.D. from New York Law School. In 2013, he received the Hugh Hefner First Amendment Award for journalism. Trevor is also the co-founder of the Stand With Reality campaign, which is raising money for Winner’s legal defense and awareness about the Espionage Act’s use against the sources of journalists. Kevin Gosztola is managing editor of Shadowproof Press. He publishes the Dissenter Newsletter at Substack and hosts "The Dissenter Weekly" show, which covers whistleblower stories. He also produces and co-hosts the weekly podcast, Unauthorized Disclosure.  Alison Grinter Allen is a Board Certified Criminal Defense Attorney and executive director of Legal Access Texas, an access to justice non-profit organization. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Journalists Trevor Timm and Kevin Gosztola explore why Reality’s case highlights a larger conversation about why freedom of the press is essential to democracy, connecting the dots with Russia’s war on Ukraine. Visit bpn.fm/ThisIsReality for more info, to sign Reality's petition for clemency, and to get tickets to any productions of Is This A Room. Trevor Timm is a co-founder and the executive director of Freedom of the Press Foundation. He is a journalist, activist, and legal analyst whose writing has appeared in the New York Times, The Guardian, USA Today, The Atlantic, Al Jazeera, Foreign Policy, Harvard Law and Policy Review, and Politico. He also writes a column on press freedom for Columbia Journalism Review. Trevor formerly worked as an activist at the Electronic Frontier Foundation. Before that, he helped the longtime General Counsel of The New York Times, James Goodale, write a book on the Pentagon Papers and the First Amendment. He received his J.D. from New York Law School. In 2013, he received the Hugh Hefner First Amendment Award for journalism. Trevor is also the co-founder of the Stand With Reality campaign, which is raising money for Winner’s legal defense and awareness about the Espionage Act’s use against the sources of journalists. Kevin Gosztola is managing editor of Shadowproof Press. He publishes the Dissenter Newsletter at Substack and hosts "The Dissenter Weekly" show, which covers whistleblower stories. He also produces and co-hosts the weekly podcast, Unauthorized Disclosure.  Alison Grinter Allen is a Board Certified Criminal Defense Attorney and executive director of Legal Access Texas, an access to justice non-profit organization. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Journalists Marcy Wheeler and Joe Conason share their thoughts on the documents seized by the FBI at Mar A Lago and how Trump could potentially face charges under the Espionage Act, the same charge Reality was brought under.  GUEST BIOS  Joe Conason is editor-at-large of Type Investigations. He is also founder and editor-in-chief of The National Memo, a daily newsletter and news site. For 18 years he wrote a weekly political column for The New York Observer, where he formerly served as executive editor, and for 12 years he wrote a weekly column for Salon. He previously served as investigative editor of The American Prospect and editor-at-large for Conde Nast’s Details. Before that, he worked for The Village Voice as a columnist, staff writer and national correspondent. He is the author of several books, including Big Lies: The Right-Wing Propaganda Machine and How It Distorts the Truth (St. Martin’s Press) and, with Gene Lyons, The Hunting of the President: The Ten-Year Campaign to Destroy Bill and Hillary Clinton (St. Martin’s Press), both of which were New York Times bestsellers. His most recent book is Man of the World: The Further Endeavors of Bill Clinton. His articles and essays have appeared in Harper’s, Esquire, The Nation, The New Republic, The Guardian (London) and The New Yorker, as well as scores of other periodicals. He appears frequently as a commentator on television and radio, including several years as a regular guest on Air America’s Al Franken Show. A winner of the New York Press Club’s Byline Award, he has covered every American presidential election since 1980. Marcy Wheeler is an independent journalist writing about national security and civil liberties. She writes as emptywheel at her eponymous blog, publishes at outlets including Motherboard, the New Republic, and Al Jazeera, and appears frequently on television and radio. She is the author of Anatomy of Deceit, a primer on the CIA leak investigation, and liveblogged the Scooter Libby trial. Marcy serves on the Advisory Committee for the House Fourth Amendment Caucus, is a senior fellow at GWU’s Center for Cyber and Homeland Security, and was declared an Internet Human Rights hero by AccessNow. Marcy has been blogging full time since 2007. She’s known for her live-blogging of the Scooter Libby trial, her discovery of the number of times Khalid Sheikh Mohammed was waterboarded, and for reverse-engineering government surveillance years before it otherwise gets disclosed. Marcy has a PhD from the University of Michigan, where she researched the “feuilleton,” a short conversational newspaper form that has proven important in times of heightened censorship. Before and after her time in academics, Marcy provided documentation consulting for corporations in the auto, tech, and energy industries. Marcy, her spouse, and June Bug the Terrorist FosterEx Dog recently moved to Ireland. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Micah Lee, a computer security engineer who develops technology to protect whistleblowers, gives his unique thoughts in this episode. He shares why he believes whistleblowers are important to our democracy and how the Espionage Act of 1917 reveals the imbalance in the American justice system. MICAH LEE - BIO Micah Lee is First Look Media’s Director of Information Security. He is a computer security engineer and an open-source software developer who writes about technical topics like digital and operational security, encryption tools, whistleblowing, and hacking using language that everyone can understand without dumbing it down. He develops security and privacy tools such as OnionShare, Dangerzone, and semiphemeral. Before joining The Intercept, he worked as a staff technologist at the Electronic Frontier Foundation, where he explained how technologies work to journalists and lawyers, and worked to encrypt the web. He is a founder and former board member of the Freedom of the Press Foundation, a member of the Distributed Denial of Secrets advisory board, and a Tor Project core contributor. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Reality Winner and Billie Winner-Davis, Reality’s mother, react to the FBI raid on Mar-a-Lago, discuss Reality’s recent petition for clemency and how current events have impacted the family.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices