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On the Media

WNYC Studios
Organized Retail Crime
Eurovision Song Contest
Shoplifting
Climate Change
Crime Policy
European Broadcasting Union
AI In Journalism
Norman Lear
COP28
Russia
Abba
National Retail Federation
Gannett
All In the Family
Public Education
Jesus
Crimean Tatars
Ukraine
Putin
Israel

On the Media is a weekly show that uses the media as a lens to understand our world. On the Media listeners say the show is an essential companion, helping them survive the firehose of media coming at them 24/7. Hosted by Brooke Gladstone and Micah Loewinger, the show does not do ‘hot takes’, instead offering listeners context, historical parallels, media analysis and often a much appreciated deep... more

PublishesTwice weeklyEpisodes1867Founded21 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
NewsSociety & CulturePolitics

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Artwork for On the Media

Latest Episodes

President Trump threatened to commit war crimes before reaching a shaky ceasefire deal with Iran. On this week’s On the Media, the repercussions of the Nixon-era diplomatic theory that Trump appears to be testing in the Middle East. Plus, why shortwa... more

Prime Minister Viktor Orbán has led Hungary for the past 16 years, the longest-serving leader in the European Union. He has systematically brought the institutions of Hungary under centralized state control, from the courts and the press to the educa... more

The U.S. has waged war on Iran for more than a month now. On this week’s On the Media, what Defense Secretary Hegseth’s monthly Pentagon prayer meetings reveal about his war strategy. Plus, hear how trans rights are being curtailed across the country... more

Last Friday, the Washington state Attorney General sued Kalshi, the prediction market platform where users can place bets on real world events, such as the number of deportations this year or the winner of Survivor 50. Washington’s civil lawsuit is n... more

Key Facts

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The Ezra Klein ShowNew York Times Opinion

Recent Guests

Ivan Nagy
Reporter for the Columbia Journalism Review from Hungary
Columbia Journalism Review
Episode: A New Day for the Press in Hungary?
Marlene Laruelle
Professor at Luiss University in Rome; Director of the Illiberal Studies Program at George Washington University
Luiss University; George Washington University
Episode: Pete Hegseth is Praying for a Holy War
C. Thi Nguyen
Philosophy professor at the University of Utah
University of Utah
Episode: The Danger of Keeping Score
Alejandra Caraballo
Civil rights attorney and clinical instructor at Harvard Law Cyberlaw Clinic
Harvard Law Cyberlaw Clinic
Episode: Trans People are Facing a 'Dual State' in Trump's America
Samantha Gross
Director of the Energy Security and Climate Initiative at the Brookings Institution
Brookings Institution
Episode: Trump Demands Patriotic Coverage of the War in Iran. Or Else….
David Borenstein
Documentary filmmaker
Self-employed / Copenhagen
Episode: A Win For Mr. Nobody!
Pavel Tulankin
Star and co-creator of Mr. Nobody Against Putin
Mr. Nobody Against Putin (Film)
Episode: A Win For Mr. Nobody!
Wes J. Bryant
Former senior policy analyst and advisor at the Pentagon, civilian harm mitigation expert
Pentagon (Civilian Harm Mitigation and Response Center of Excellence)
Episode: Hegseth’s Pentagon Axed a Program Meant to Save Civilian Lives
David Gilbert
Reporter at Wired covering disinformation and online extremism
Wired
Episode: Hegseth’s Pentagon Axed a Program Meant to Save Civilian Lives

Hosts

Brooke Gladstone
Host of On the Media; frequently guides discussions on media policy, broadcasting ethics, and public media.
Micah Loewinger
Co-host focusing on media systems, investigative reporting, and contemporary media culture.

Reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars from 11k ratings
  • Excellent podcast!

    Insightful and important to Making America Strong Again. Transparent presentation & great content! Thanks so much for all your thoughtful work!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    To T or not to Tee
    United States19 days ago
  • Jimmy

    This is jimmy

    🤠

    -l-

    /\

    He likes to travel, so spread him to other podcasts

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Zigzagz121
    United States20 days ago
  • The best of public radio !

    Brooke’s interviews never fail to remind me that the quest for understanding the world and the act of sharing what one learns are priceless and permanent features of New York, a city I left 50 years ago. Her focus, stamina and good cheer are remarkable and I thank her and wish he well. This is truly the best of public radio!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    MobyDick99
    Francea month ago
  • Thank you!

    Have learned so much from this podcast. I especially love the interviews with conservatives where there is actual pushback and engagement instead of allowing their outrageous comments to go unchallenged.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    ShaverCL
    United Statesa month ago
  • On The Media’s Biggest Blind Spot: Latino Erasure in American Media

    Dear On The Media and the WNYC ecosystem (“On The Media”),

    Intentional or not, On The Media has played a role in making the violent and deadly ICE raids possible. The show has never directly critiqued the media industry for its continuous exclusion of Latinos. When Latinos do appear in media narratives, they are overwhelmingly depicted as criminals or victims — rarely as broadcasters, journalists, successful children, adults, families, valued consumers, professionals, or business owners.

    For c... more

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    Jules, The Editor
    United Statesa month ago

Listeners Say

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

Fans appreciate the rigorous fact-checking and historical context, often calling it essential for understanding media power.
Some listeners feel the show has become more partisan or opinionated with newer hosts.
Listeners praise sharp, thoughtful interviewing and the deep dive into media systems.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#36
United States/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#111
United States/News
Apple Podcasts
#64
Canada/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#221
Canada/News
Apple Podcasts
#221
United Kingdom/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#86
Australia/News/Politics

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

The Danger of Keeping Score
Q: What is the difference between a goal and a purpose, and why does that matter for gameplay and life?
A mentor told him that the goal is to win while the purpose is to have fun; many people blur these lines and pursue winning as both goal and purpose, which can distort enjoyment and meaning.
The Danger of Keeping Score
Q: How did you encounter this concept of gamification in your own life?
Nguyen explains his shift from studying philosophy to recognizing how career incentives and institutional rankings create a game-like environment that structures what people strive for, such as publications and departmental prestige.
Pete Hegseth is Praying for a Holy War
Q: So the way that he's fusing his duties in public office with his religious beliefs, is that unique within the Trump administration?
Yes, while elements of Christian nationalism exist more broadly, the episode argues that Hegseth's explicit fusion of policy and church-backed worldview is relatively distinctive in how openly it permeates decisions at the Pentagon and in public rhetoric.
The Century-Long Capture of U.S. Media
Q: Is public broadcasting really a third rail in American policy, or can investment in it pay democratic dividends?
While it has not matched European models, there is evidence that stronger public media funding correlates with healthier democracies, implying that public investment can mitigate some market failures in information provision.
The Century-Long Capture of U.S. Media
Q: How did the Fairness Doctrine fit into this, and why did it ultimately become defunct?
The Doctrine was about ensuring broadcasters covered controversial issues fairly to maintain license legitimacy; it faced political and regulatory tides that led to its erosion, illustrating how public-interest commitments weakened as the system consolidated.

Audience Metrics

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

Listeners per Episode
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Frequently Asked Questions About On the Media

What is On the Media about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A sharp, context-driven analysis of how media shapes politics, public discourse, and democracy. Episodes frequently dissect how journalism operates, the regulatory landscape, and the social impact of digital platforms, often pairing reporting with historical parallels and policy context. Noteworthy is the consistent emphasis on media as a public good, with guests ranging from scholars and journalists to filmmakers, offering rigor without hot takes and a steady pull toward accountability and transparency. This show is especially helpful for listeners who want deeper understanding of how media power, policy decisions, and cultural narratives interact in current events.

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How many listeners does On the Media get?

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What are the audience demographics for On the Media?

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How many subscribers and views does On the Media have?

To see how many followers or subscribers On the Media 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 On the Media?

These podcasts share a similar audience with On the Media:

1. The New Yorker Radio Hour
2. The Political Scene | The New Yorker
3. Fresh Air
4. Reveal
5. The Ezra Klein Show

How many episodes of On the Media are there?

On the Media launched 21 years ago and published 1867 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 On the Media?

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Where can I see ratings and reviews for On the Media?

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What guests have appeared on On the Media?

Recent guests on On the Media include:

1. Ivan Nagy
2. Marlene Laruelle
3. C. Thi Nguyen
4. Alejandra Caraballo
5. Samantha Gross
6. David Borenstein
7. Pavel Tulankin
8. Wes J. Bryant

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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