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After Words

C-SPAN
Donald Trump
China
Mental Health
Democracy
Ukraine
Russia
Social Media
Elon Musk
Nuclear War
American Dream
Feminism
United States
Resilience
Barbara Walters
Project 2025
Critical Race Theory
CIA
Immigration
America
Climate Change

Best-selling nonfiction authors in in-depth conversations about their books, ideas, and the issues shaping today’s world. New episodes drop every Saturday after 10 pm ET. From C-SPAN, the network that also brings you the Lectures in History and Q&A podcasts.

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes398Founded21 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
PoliticsArtsBooksNews

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Latest Episodes

Maya Kornberg and Former U.S. Representative Derek Kilmer (D-WA) discussed congressional reform over the past 50 years and the forces that thwart those efforts. This event was hosted by the New York University John Brademas Center in Washington, DC. more

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Neurosurgeon and medical journalist Sanjay Gupta discussed strategies for preventing and managing pain and promoting wellness. This event took place at the 2026 New Orleans Book Festival at Tulane University.

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The John Locke Institute's Stephen Davies argued that the world is witnessing the emergence a permanent new form of "right-wing" politics. He spoke at the Competitive Enterprise Institute in Washington, DC.

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Reporter Aaron Davis argued the Trump administration has politicized the Justice Department. This was part of Maryland's 2026 Gaithersburg Book Festival.

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Key Facts

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Accepts Sponsors
Contact Information
Podcast Host
Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

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Recent Guests

Sanjay Gupta
Neurosurgeon and medical journalist
CNN, University of Michigan
Episode: Managing Chronic Pain with Dr. Sanjay Gupta
Stephen Davies
Author of The Great Realignment, Why the New Right Is Here to Stay
Institute of Economic Affairs (Senior Education Fellow)
Episode: Political Realignment and the "New Right"
Aaron Davis
Washington Post investigative reporter and co-author of Injustice
The Washington Post
Episode: The Politicization of the Justice Department
Jon Meacham
Historian and author of American Struggle, Democracy, Dissent and the Pursuit of a More Perfect Union
Author, Historian
Episode: American Struggle with Jon Meacham
Stephen Lang
Actor and performer reading historical texts on stage
Actor
Episode: American Struggle with Jon Meacham
Ellen Burstyn
Award-winning actress reading historical texts on stage
Actor
Episode: American Struggle with Jon Meacham
Megan Garber
Atlantic staff writer and author of Screen People
The Atlantic
Episode: Screen People - How We Entertained Ourselves into a State of Emergency
Eyck Freymann
Author of Defending Taiwan, A Strategy to Prevent War with China
Hoover Institution
Episode: Defending Taiwan: A Strategy to Prevent War with China
Aziz Abu Sarah
Palestinian peace advocate and co-author of The Future is Peace
Interact (co-executive director)
Episode: The Future is Peace with Palestinian Aziz Abu Sarah and Israeli Maoz Inon

Hosts

Sarah Catalan
Host of Afterwards on C-SPAN; interviewer
Dan Blewett
Host of Afterwards on C-SPAN; interviewer

Reviews

4.1 out of 5 stars from 268 ratings
  • Trash

    They have insurrectionist , Qanoners , and maga scum on their show. . It’s true garbage

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    Murphy Tim
    United States9 months ago
  • Omar El Akkad’s book

    Hamas broke the ceasefire by its surprise attack pogrom killing 1,200 and taking 200 hostages. Iran & Hamas’ mission is the destruction of Israel and the US/West. How should Israel and the US have acted?

    Mr. El Akkad, should blame Hamas for building its military around civilian infrastructure, using civilians as human shields. The Hamas Gaza medical ministry does not differentiate Hamas fighters from civilians. Hamas uses civilian deaths as propaganda against Israel.

    Why haven’t Arab governme... more

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    another RJF
    United Statesa year ago
  • Immigration

    It’s not anti-immigration, we are just about all Legal immigrants to the US.

    It’s anti-Illegal immigration.

    People can come to the US, but they have to do it legally, with skills, ready to work, pay taxes, assimilate & become US citizens.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    another RJF
    United States2 years ago
  • Dei

    Woke trash now. Sad.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    Rogan is Trash
    United States2 years ago
  • Matilka Wilbur and the 562 project

    Matika knows all the leftist woke ideology but doesn’t seem to know anything about Native American culture

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    This Ken
    United States3 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

The host sometimes dominates the conversation which can hinder guests at times
Audience values in-depth, idea-forward interviews, though some reviews note perceived bias or mentoring of questions
Clear guest curation with strong book-centered conversations,

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#104
South Korea/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#240
Saudi Arabia/News/Politics

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Screen People - How We Entertained Ourselves into a State of Emergency
Q: Was there a clear villain in all of this? Is it us or the tool builders?
The guest argues it is a systemic problem arising from the combination of human incentives and platform architecture, with both users and designers bearing responsibility.
The Politicization of the Justice Department
Q: What role did non-governmental actors play in influencing DOJ decisions during this period?
The narrative notes clinicians of influence from political figures and external advisory groups, including House committees and internal prosecutors who sought accountability, but ultimately governance depended on the internal culture and leadership choices within the DOJ.
The Politicization of the Justice Department
Q: How did the January 6 investigations evolve under Merrick Garland, and what was the aim?
Garland and his deputies aimed to conduct a meticulously executed investigation that could be viewed in a way that the public would accept over decades, avoiding a rushed or politicized approach while maintaining legal integrity.
Defending Taiwan: A Strategy to Prevent War with China
Q: What are the key pillars of deterrence, and which ones need strengthening?
Pillars include political deterrence (one China policy and coalition-building), military deterrence (conventional and strategic), economic deterrence (integrated with allies), and a balanced approach that leverages allied scale; none should be single-handedly relied upon.
Defending Taiwan: A Strategy to Prevent War with China
Q: What makes deterrence possible? Is Xi deterring or deterring a country, a person, or a regime?
Deterrence hinges on understanding Xi's incentives and showing credible resolve and restraint across a spectrum of options, not relying on a single capability.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About After Words

What is After Words about and what kind of topics does it cover?

This show features in-depth conversations with best-selling nonfiction authors and thought leaders, focusing on their books and the big ideas shaping politics, policy, culture, and science. Episodes often center on timely controversies, historical analysis, and practical implications, pairing rigorous inquiry with personal storytelling. Notable strengths include high-caliber guests spanning politics, technology, environment, and culture, plus a format that blends bookish exploration with broader societal context. Potential listeners who enjoy long-form, idea-forward interviews with thoughtful questions and a mix of history, policy, and science will likely find this appealing. A recurring edge is the ability to connect complex topics to curr... more

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Which podcasts are similar to After Words?

These podcasts share a similar audience with After Words:

1. Booknotes+
2. Q&A
3. Lectures in History
4. For the Ages: A History Podcast
5. Washington Today

How many episodes of After Words are there?

After Words launched 21 years ago and published 398 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact After Words?

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What guests have appeared on After Words?

Recent guests on After Words include:

1. Sanjay Gupta
2. Stephen Davies
3. Aaron Davis
4. Jon Meacham
5. Stephen Lang
6. Ellen Burstyn
7. Megan Garber
8. Eyck Freymann

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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