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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
Education
Florida Supreme Court
2000 Presidential Election
Election Night 2000
George Santos
Happiness
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

PublishesMonthlyEpisodes196Founded7 years ago
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Latest Episodes

On the 250th anniversary of the United States, Revisionist History investigates the story of what was, at the time, the biggest secession movement in the U.S. since the Civil War. The Staten Island Problem reconstructs the battle for New York City am... more

We have been told the Revolution was fought over taxation and representation. But what the founders were most angry about in our country’s most famous document was Indian affairs. How did generations of Americans miss this?

Hosted and reported by I... more

Drilled is a true-crime climate change podcast exposing how corporate corruption and political operatives built decades of climate denial and delay. Hosted and reported by award-winning investigative climate journalists, led by Amy Westervelt, each s... more

Streamed by millions every day, porn is everywhere. It shapes our culture, our relationships, and even technology. Yet, nobody seems to know who really controls the business. The power brokers tend to lurk in the shadows, while their performers remai... more

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Similar Podcasts

People also subscribe to these shows.

The Last Archive
The Last ArchivePushkin Industries
Radio Atlantic
Radio AtlanticThe Atlantic
The Ezra Klein Show
The Ezra Klein ShowNew York Times Opinion

Recent Guests

Ned Blackhawk
Historian, Western Shoshone and Yale professor who contributed to shaping the podcast's narrative
Yale University; Western Shoshone
Episode: From First America: Merciless Indian Savages
Nick Estes
Historian and Indigenous scholar who appeared in the reporting and discussions
Lower Burrell Sioux Tribe
Episode: From First America: Merciless Indian Savages
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

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

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Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

From First America: Merciless Indian Savages
Q: Why is it important for Americans to know the darker parts of the Declaration and the Revolution?
Because understanding the full context reveals how Indigenous dispossession is tied to the founding myths, which in turn informs how we confront ongoing injustices and build a more accurate national narrative.
From First America: Merciless Indian Savages
Q: Can you please introduce yourself?
Hi, I'm Ned Blackhawk, Western Shoshone historian and Yale University professor who helps shape the podcast's historical framing.
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.

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.

Where can I find podcast stats for Deep Background?

Rephonic provides a wide range of podcast stats for Deep Background. We scanned the web and collated all of the information that we could find in our comprehensive podcast database. See how many people listen to Deep Background and access YouTube viewership numbers, download stats, audience demographics, chart rankings, ratings, reviews and more.

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 with Michael Lewis
2. The Last Archive
3. Revisionist History: The Staten Island Problem
4. Radio Atlantic
5. The Ezra Klein Show

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. Ned Blackhawk
2. Nick Estes
3. Bruce Rastetter
4. Harold Hamm
5. Paolo Frans
6. Marino Frans
7. Corey Melby
8. Kelly Holland

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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