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Artwork for KPFA - Against the Grain

KPFA - Against the Grain

KPFA
Academic Boycott
BDS Movement
Nakba
Zionism
Labor Rights
Social Reproduction
Personalized Medicine
Microwork
Racism
Military Research
Capitalism
Class Struggle
Mahmood Mamdani
Revolutionary Movements
Public Health
Environmental Determinants Of Health
Gene-Based Medicine
Neoliberal Capitalism
Museum Of Modern Art
Gig Economy

Acclaimed program of ideas, in-depth analysis, and commentary on a variety of matters—political, economic, social, and cultural—important to progressive and radical thinking and activism. Against the Grain is co-produced and co-hosted by Sasha Lilley and C. S. Soong.

PublishesDailyEpisodes1000Founded20 years ago
Categories
PoliticsNews

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Artwork for KPFA - Against the Grain

Latest Episodes

Driven by his determination to place workers at the center of U.S. history, David Montgomery emerged as a key architect of what’s called the New Labor History. James R. Barrett describes Montgomery’s investigations into working-class life, his politi... more

A radio and web media project whose aim is to provide in-depth analysis and commentary on a variety of matters — political, economic, social and cultural — important to progressive and radical thinking and activism.

The post Against the Grain – Marc... more

Noam Chomsky reminds us that the present inequalities of wealth and power were built into the system since the very founding of the U.S. government.

The post Fund Drive Special: Democracy or Plutocracy? appeared first on KPFA.

The rich have not been so powerful and mind-bogglingly wealthy since the Gilded Age of the late 19th century. Yet their grip on society has often been shrouded in a veil of adulation, enabled by a media that celebrates them rather than holding them t... more

Key Facts

Accepts Guests
Contact Information
Podcast Host

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Recent Guests

Jordan Camp
Associate Professor of American Studies and Co-Director of the Social Justice Institute at Trinity College
Trinity College
Episode: Gramsci on Authoritarianism
Eva Payne
Assistant Professor of History
University of Mississippi
Episode: U.S. Empire and Sexual Morality
Michael German
Former FBI agent and author
Brennan Center for Justice at NYU
Episode: Police and the Far Right
Emily Mitchell-Eaton
Assistant Professor of Geography at Colgate University
Colgate University
Episode: Imperial Migration
Eric Blanc
Labor scholar and organizer, Assistant Professor of Labor Studies at Rutgers
Rutgers University
Episode: Worker Organizing in the Time of Trump
Samar Al-Bulushi
Assistant Professor of Anthropology at the University of California, Irvine, author of War Making as World Making
University of California, Irvine
Episode: Counterterrorism in Context
Luma Hasan
Palestinian activist and social studies educator
Teach for Liberation
Episode: Palestinian Teacher’s Travails
Anita Say Chan
Associate Professor of Information Sciences and Media Studies
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Episode: The Misuse of Data from Eugenics to Big Tech
Benjamin Snyder
Associate Professor of Sociology at Williams College and author
Williams College
Episode: Baltimore’s Spy Plane

Hosts

C. S. Soong
Co-host and producer known for thoughtful and well-researched interviews, bringing depth to discussions on political, economic, and social issues.
Sasha Lilley
Co-host and key contributor to the discussions, focusing on providing critical analysis and diverse perspectives on various socio-political topics.

Reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars from 242 ratings
  • Excellent research and hosts

    Very thoughtful and informative! Sasha Lilley and CS Song are very adept at guiding the interviews forward. I almost always learn something that changes my knowledge of the world, even from the eps whose titles I am less interested in. My favorite was an interview with David Graeber.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    DostDevil
    United States4 years ago
  • Are there any herbs for ‘orange-man-bad’ syndrome??

    Extremely biased against Trump presidency. While there is some credible, unbiased, subjects discussed on this podcast, it fails to objectively evaluate the White House w/out selling the same old propaganda the left has been dishing for four years

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    whyareyouonlyonitunes
    United States5 years ago
  • KPFA, and public intellectualism, at its best

    Simply one of the finest scholarly radio shows in America. I’d been listening to Against the Grain on FM for more than a decade, and I’m so grateful that it’s now offered via podcast so I can easily listen to it on the east coast. You’d be hard pressed to find a more fascinating podcast hearing from the most innovative leftist intellectuals today.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Tkoshark
    United States5 years ago
  • Yo

    Yo chill on the ram das

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    yoooooooooootkrnn
    United States6 years ago
  • favorite

    This has been my favorite podcast for over 5 years. I never miss it! CS and Sasha are excellent interviewers with deep knowledge of their own that they draw on in each episode. And they speak with brilliant and interesting people! Thank you and keep up the good work!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Sadie Bolt
    United States8 years ago

Listeners Say

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

Overall, it is regarded as an essential source for discussions on radical politics and progressive thought.
Listeners appreciate the thoughtfulness and depth of analysis provided by the hosts, highlighting the informative nature of discussions.
Some find the content to be biased towards extreme left views, which may not align with all listeners' perspectives, indicating a potential polarization in audience reception.
The podcast is praised for featuring expert guests whose perspectives challenge mainstream narratives.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#198
South Korea/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#211
United Arab Emirates/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#250
Ireland/News/Politics

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Labor History Pioneer
Q: How did David Montgomery's work influence the field of working-class history?
His emphasis on a broader understanding of class and the importance of worker agency has shaped subsequent studies, leading to work and community studies that reflect diverse identities within the working class.
Labor History Pioneer
Q: What did Montgomery understand by class, and what role did it play in people's lives?
Montgomery viewed class as a broad force in history that included not just economic conditions but also social and cultural experiences affecting one's life, emphasizing the importance of workplace experiences and community influences.
Labor History Pioneer
Q: What was it about David Montgomery's background that seemed unlikely for someone who became a pivotal labor historian?
Montgomery grew up in an upper-middle-class background that was largely apolitical, with little inclination towards political questions until his experiences during World War II sparked an interest in socialist ideas.
Against the Grain – March 4, 2025
Q: How should we wrap our minds around the extent of wealth that the 1% has?
Understanding the difference between counting to one million and counting to one billion can help contextualize the enormity of the wealth of the ultra-wealthy.
Against the Grain – March 4, 2025
Q: What is the main driver behind the surge in billionaires?
The surge in billionaires is primarily driven by neoliberal policies, which reduced tax burdens and fueled economic growth in sectors like tech.

Audience Metrics

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

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

Frequently Asked Questions About KPFA - Against the Grain

What is KPFA - Against the Grain about and what kind of topics does it cover?

Content centers around progressive and radical topics, addressing a range of political, economic, social, and cultural issues that are significant to contemporary activism. Through thoughtful interviews and guest contributions, episodes explore subjects such as labor history, economic inequality, authoritarianism, and the complexities of U.S. imperialism. A notable aspect is the inclusion of discussions that challenge mainstream narratives, providing depth and critical insights into the mechanisms of power and resistance. This approach not only engages listeners but also fosters an informed community interested in social justice and egalitarian principles.

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Which podcasts are similar to KPFA - Against the Grain?

These podcasts share a similar audience with KPFA - Against the Grain:

1. Jacobin Radio
2. Behind the News with Doug Henwood
3. The Dig
4. The Intercept Briefing
5. The Red Nation Podcast

How many episodes of KPFA - Against the Grain are there?

KPFA - Against the Grain launched 20 years ago and published 1000 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on KPFA - Against the Grain?

Recent guests on KPFA - Against the Grain include:

1. Jordan Camp
2. Eva Payne
3. Michael German
4. Emily Mitchell-Eaton
5. Eric Blanc
6. Samar Al-Bulushi
7. Luma Hasan
8. Anita Say Chan

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