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AlternativeRadio

David Barsamian
United States
Democracy
Israel
Vietnam
Palestine
Health Insurance Industry
Community Media
Gaza
Racism
Sovereignty
Climate Change
Corporate Media
Latin America
Capitalism
Militarism
Social Justice
World Trade Organization
International Monetary Fund
Vietnam War
Materialism

Alternative Radio is an "unembedded" weekly one-hour public affairs program offered free to all public radio stations in the US, Canada, Europe, South Africa, Australia, and on short-wave on Radio for Peace International. AR provides information, analyses and views that are frequently ignored or distorted in other media. Visit alternativeradio.org for the complete catalog.

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes24Founded16 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
NewsGovernment

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Artwork for AlternativeRadio

Latest Episodes

Many people, when they hear the word propaganda, immediately associate it with Nazi Germany and torchlight parades or Putin reviewing the troops in Red Square. But propaganda has Roman Catholic church origins going as far back as 1622, when Pope Greg... more

What is fascism? Michael Parenti, author and historian, says, “Fascism historically has been used to secure the interests of large capitalist interests against the demands of popular democracy. Then and now, fascism has made irrational mass appeals i... more

On February 28th, Israel attacked Iran. Almost immediately, the U.S. joined the fray. The claims against Iran are eerily similar to those made against Iraq in 2003. Remember back then, Baghdad supposedly was a great danger. Today, it is Iran we are t... more

A new world order is emerging that is dangerously more wicked and destructive. Led by the United States, it is marked by savagery at home and abroad. The old order has collapsed, buried under the weight of its contradictions, mendacities and hypocris... more

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Recent Guests

Chris Hedges
Award-winning independent journalist, host of The Chris Hedges Report
Independent journalist, author
Episode: [Chris Hedges] Savagery at Home & Abroad
Benjamin Het
Historian, author of Burning the Reichstag, Crossing Hitler, and The Death of Democracy
Hunter College and The Graduate Center, City University of New York
Episode: [Benjamin Hett] How Hitler Happened
Sheldon Whitehouse
US Senator from Rhode Island
US Senate
Episode: [Sheldon Whitehouse] The Trump, Putin & Epstein Triangle
Erica Chenoweth
Harvard Kennedy School professor; directs the Nonviolent Action Lab
Harvard Kennedy School; Nonviolent Action Lab
Episode: [Erica Chenoweth] Nonviolent Civil Disobedience
Ilan Pappé
Called Israel's bravest historian; Professor of history at the University of Exeter
University of Exeter
Episode: [Ilan Pappé] The Historical Context of the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict
John Shattuck
President Emeritus of the Central European University and Professor of the Practice in Diplomacy at Tufts University
Tufts University
Episode: [John Shattuck] Resistance
Aviva Chomsky
Distinguished historian, author and activist, professor of history at Salem State University
Salem State University
Episode: [Aviva Chomsky] Gunboat Diplomacy: Then & Now
David Korten
Visionary intellectual, author, and advocate for economic and social justice
Episode: [David Korten] The Future of Humanity
Stephen Bezruchka
Faculty of the Department of Health Systems and Population Health at the University of Washington, emergency physician, author of 'Inequality Kills Us All'
University of Washington
Episode: [Stephen Bezruchka] Health Care in America

Host

David Bar-Samyan
Host of the program; long-running interviewer known for navigating complex geopolitical and human rights issues with guests across academia, journalism, and activism.

Reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars from 663 ratings
  • Too much Chomsky

    Have listened for decades to this unique broadcast first on public radio, now on a pod. But after learning about Epstein friendship, Chomsky lands differently. Taking a break.

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    mooglitz
    United States9 months ago
  • We need more like this

    Alternative Radio has been around for so many years and doing such important work elevating voices that are working for the betterment of our world. We need more folks joining David Barsamian and his team in doing this. We need more voices to fight the corporatist narrative that is assailing us daily on all sides. There are more of us than there are of them. Our collective voice should be reflective of that.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    BeardedYeti
    Canada9 months ago
  • Great podcast

    Always educational, a great platform for listening to an excellent variety of experts on current issues and their underlying causes.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Baowshy
    Australia2 years ago
  • Too Left

    If you want to pull down the civilization we are in this is the pod for you.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    Aoibhistin
    United States2 years ago
  • Great Program, terrible Podcast policy

    I appreciate the great show and speakers, and am glad they bothered to create a Podcast of it at all, but c’mon, one episode at a time (or you can telegraph, fax or use smoke signals to request/receive old episodes)?!

    It would be much more useful to share the back catalog, or at least a half-dozen or more episodes at a time versus being so controlling with them. I get that it’s likely a revenue stream, but perhaps create a Patreon or subscription feed to get the full

    Episodes or get extra cont... more

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    Tolga M
    United States2 years ago

Listeners Say

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

Some listeners wish for broader access to back catalog and fewer paywall-related limitations.
Overall sentiment praises rigorous content and commitment to unembedded perspectives.
Critics appreciate the educational value but some note inconsistencies in episode availability and pacing.
Listeners value the depth and breadth of interviews, praising the courageous platform for diverse global voices.
Fans highlight the podcast as a long-standing source of critical analysis and groundbreaking conversations.

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Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

[Erica Chenoweth] Nonviolent Civil Disobedience
Q: Talk a little bit about higher education, and given your position at the Kennedy School, what have you observed about the intersection of academia and democratic participation?
Chenoweth notes that universities and faculties have become battlegrounds for rights and free expression, with many institutions suing or resisting policies, while also pointing to acts by faculty and students pushing back and expanding democratic norms. She emphasizes the unique role of academia in supplying data, training, and a platform for civil resistance, even as universities face pressures to conform to political power.
[Ilan Pappé] The Historical Context of the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict
Q: What do you think about the idea of a moderate Israeli pushback and retreat from the current genocide?
From my observations in Israel, the younger generation has graduated from an educational system that supports neo-Zionists, which is why most Israelis prefer to be a racist state rather than a democracy.
[Ilan Pappé] The Historical Context of the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict
Q: Could you tell us any more about that? It sounds like England is getting just as brutal in its treatment of Palestinian resistance as the United States with university students.
I do think that like in some other Western European countries, the demonstrations for Palestine gave a pretext for some sections of the government, especially in the security services, a pretext to curb freedom of speech.
[John Shattuck] Resistance
Q: What are your thoughts on how a resistance can overcome a power that relies so predominantly on physical military force?
For now, the resistance needs to highlight and resist any signs of military occupation and foster public awareness about the dangers of deploying military forces against dissent.
[John Shattuck] Resistance
Q: How can I convince people who don't believe it that democracy is worth saving?
Engage in dialogue to understand their critiques of democracy and discuss the necessary fundamental changes to restore faith in democratic institutions.

Audience Metrics

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Frequently Asked Questions About AlternativeRadio

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

- This program offers in-depth interviews and analysis on geopolitics, U.S. policy, global justice, and social movement strategy, often challenging mainstream narratives and highlighting overlooked or critical perspectives from scholars, activists, and public figures. Episodes frequently connect foreign policy, human rights, climate, and democracy with domestic political dynamics, aiming to illuminate power structures and alternative paths forward. The format tends to be rigorous, with a focus on historical context, evidence-based arguments, and calls to action for civic engagement.

- Noteworthy strengths include a consistent commitment to unembedded, critical viewpoints, a willingness to tackle controversial topics, and a catalog that emph... more

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How many listeners does AlternativeRadio get?

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What are the audience demographics for AlternativeRadio?

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How many subscribers and views does AlternativeRadio have?

To see how many followers or subscribers AlternativeRadio has on Spotify and other platforms such as Castbox and Podcast Addict, simply upgrade your account. You'll also find viewership figures for their YouTube channel if they have one.

Which podcasts are similar to AlternativeRadio?

These podcasts share a similar audience with AlternativeRadio:

1. Ralph Nader Radio Hour
2. Economic Update with Richard D. Wolff
3. The Chris Hedges Report
4. Democracy Now! Audio
5. The Intercept Briefing

How many episodes of AlternativeRadio are there?

AlternativeRadio launched 16 years ago and published 24 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 AlternativeRadio?

Our systems regularly scour the web to find email addresses and social media links for this podcast. We scanned the web and collated all of the contact information that we could find in our podcast database. But in the unlikely event that you can't find what you're looking for, our concierge service lets you request our research team to source better contacts for you.

Where can I see ratings and reviews for AlternativeRadio?

Rephonic pulls ratings and reviews for AlternativeRadio from multiple sources, including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Castbox, and Podcast Addict.

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What guests have appeared on AlternativeRadio?

Recent guests on AlternativeRadio include:

1. Chris Hedges
2. Benjamin Het
3. Sheldon Whitehouse
4. Erica Chenoweth
5. Ilan Pappé
6. John Shattuck
7. Aviva Chomsky
8. David Korten

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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