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Deep Background with Noah Feldman

Pushkin Industries
Benghazi
Bush V. Gore
Libya
Florida
Ronald Reagan
Iran-Contra
Al Gore
George W. Bush
Iran-Contra Affair
Oliver North
Iran-Contra Scandal
Hillary Clinton
Supreme Court
Florida Supreme Court
Education
2000 Presidential Election
Election Night 2000
Happiness
George Santos
Behavioral Science

Behind every news headline, there’s another, deeper story. It’s a story about power. In Deep Background, Harvard Law School professor and Bloomberg View columnist Noah Feldman will bring together a cross-section of expert guests to explore the historical, scientific, legal, and cultural context that help us understand what’s really going on behind the biggest stories in the news.iHeartMedia is the... more

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Recent Guests

Bruce Rastetter
Ethanol kingpin of Iowa, founder/CEO of Summit Agricultural Group
Summit Agricultural Group
Episode: Introducing Drilled: Carbon Cowboys
Harold Hamm
Oil industry figure and investor referenced in connection to energy interests
Private sector/energy
Episode: Introducing Drilled: Carbon Cowboys
Paolo Frans
Frans Brothers partner involved in Brazilian ag ventures
FS Fueling Sustainability (and related entities)
Episode: Introducing Drilled: Carbon Cowboys
Marino Frans
Brother of Paolo Frans; involved in hospital foundation in Lucas do Rio Verde
Foundation leadership
Episode: Introducing Drilled: Carbon Cowboys
Corey Melby
Agriculture consultant and fixer in Mato Grosso
Independent/agriculture consultancy
Episode: Introducing Drilled: Carbon Cowboys
Kelly Holland
Key figure in the porn industry and former head of Penthouse
Episode: From The Kink Machine: The Hidden Business of Pleasure
Curtis Potec
Former strip club DJ and unexpected businessman behind early porn tube sites
Episode: From The Kink Machine: The Hidden Business of Pleasure
Dr. Susan Domchek
Executive director of the Basser Center for BRCA at the University of Pennsylvania, specializing in oncological research, treatment, and prevention of BRCA-related cancers.
University of Pennsylvania
Episode: Decoding Genetic Cancer Risk with Dr. Susan Domchek from Decoding Women's Health
Julianne Himmelstein
Assistant US attorney and lead federal prosecutor in the criminal inquiry into Benghazi
Department of Justice
Episode: Benghazi: Episode 6 - Radicals

Host

Noah Feldman
Host of Deep Background, Harvard Law School professor; Bloomberg View columnist; experienced interviewer.

Reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars from 1.1k ratings
  • "I Don't Deal With Facts"

    You forgot to mention the death of The New York Times.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    Norwich42
    United States3 years ago
  • 2022 + 2023 content status?

    I haven’t seen any recent episodes. Any reason?

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    alucardi
    United States3 years ago
  • Impressive !

    Reminds me of Charlie Rose debates and or discussions! Also similar to the Economist .. this is how I stay informed about important topics occurring everyday.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    false psychology
    United States4 years ago
  • Great podcast, BUT….

    Noah’s shows never fail to be interesting. I have learned so much from him and his guests. He clearly is prepared with great questions for his guests without pandering. When he disagrees, he does it with grace. The big BUT is this: I am a Pushkin subscriber and pay extra so that I don’t have to be assaulted by advertising. Noah betrays this agreement by having an advertisement featuring the most obnoxious voice this side of Tucker Carlson at the end of every episode. Not cool at all. There shoul... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Tom Rubens
    United States4 years ago
  • Insightful and challenging

    If ever I think that I know and understand a subject, listening to a Noah Feldman guest respond to insightful questions makes me think again. If anything, the greatest value of the podcast to me is to remind me that it is better that I should understand rather than opine, and that humility is a valuable mindset when approaching issues.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    The Worcester Mediator
    United Kingdom4 years ago

Listeners Say

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

Thoughtful, rigorous analysis that challenges assumptions.
Listeners value well-prepared questions and deep context behind headlines.
Some critiques focus on production quality or ad load rather than content.

Chart Rankings

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

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Introducing Drilled: Carbon Cowboys
Q: What role did US investors and policy incentives play in Brazil's carbon capture narrative?
US investors, notably Rastetter's network, leveraged incentives like the Inflation Reduction Act to expand markets for ethanol and carbon capture in Brazil, raising questions about real environmental benefits versus economic gain.
Introducing Drilled: Carbon Cowboys
Q: Is this pro-ethanol, or a critical look at the industry?
The host and interviewees aim to balance critical investigation with industry context, acknowledging investments and incentives while scrutinizing environmental and social impacts.
From The Kink Machine: The Hidden Business of Pleasure
Q: What is the current power structure within the porn industry?
There are conglomerates buying up adult entertainment industry properties, often without revealing their owners, creating concerns over transparency and control.
Bush v. Gore: Bonus - Legacy.
Q: What mark did the ruling leave on the court in your view?
Justice Stevens believed it left a 'wound' on the court due to its poor quality and the lack of respect shown towards state court judges, which he felt lingered.
Bush v. Gore: Bonus - Legacy.
Q: Can you explain why they didn't join the majority on the remedy question?
They thought that the recount should proceed under defined standards despite any possible violation of equal protection.

Audience Metrics

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Frequently Asked Questions About Deep Background

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

Deep Background offers rigorous, context-driven conversations that unpack who holds power and why. Across episodes, the show frames major headlines within legal, historical, and policy angles, often bringing in university scholars, policymakers, investigative reporters, and industry insiders to dissect incentives, governance, and real-world impact. Listeners likely appreciate thorough, sourced analysis and a willingness to challenge conventional narratives. A standout trait is the host's methodical, often counterpoint-heavy interviewing style and a consistent focus on meaning, accountability, and long-term implications behind fleeting news moments.

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How many listeners does Deep Background get?

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How many subscribers and views does Deep Background have?

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Which podcasts are similar to Deep Background?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Deep Background:

1. Against the Rules: The Big Short Companion
2. Revisionist History
3. Freakonomics Radio
4. The Ezra Klein Show
5. Interesting Times with Ross Douthat

How many episodes of Deep Background are there?

Deep Background launched 7 years ago and published 196 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 Deep Background?

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.

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What guests have appeared on Deep Background?

Recent guests on Deep Background include:

1. Bruce Rastetter
2. Harold Hamm
3. Paolo Frans
4. Marino Frans
5. Corey Melby
6. Kelly Holland
7. Curtis Potec
8. Dr. Susan Domchek

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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