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Artwork for On the Media

On the Media

WNYC Studios
Donald Trump
Trump Administration
Social Media
Climate Change
Elon Musk
Democratic Party
Artificial Intelligence
Harvard University
World War II
Media Coverage
Democracy
Shortwave Radio
Kamala Harris
Public Broadcasting
Fox News
Conspiracy Theories
Fact-Checking
Gaza
Silicon Valley
Bob Menendez

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 weeklyEpisodes1885Founded21 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
NewsSociety & CulturePolitics

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Artwork for On the Media

Latest Episodes

This week, a mob attacked immigrant communities in Northern Ireland after Elon Musk fomented anger on X. On this week’s On the Media, hear how a group linked with a global neo-Nazi movement organized the riots. Plus, what the recent upheaval at 60 Mi... more

China is home to over one billion internet users, and about half are consumers of internet literature. While the industry started as a group of hobby writers, it's now a multimillion dollar industry that has spawned adaptations to TV shows, films, an... more

This week, Anthropic filed for an IPO following a valuation of nearly $1 trillion, which would make it one of the largest IPOs in history. On this week’s On the Media, the company’s marketing campaign to position it as the “good guy” of AI. Plus, wha... more

For a second week, reports of inhumane conditions at Delaney Hall in New Jersey are drawing protesters and camera crews. A handful of journalists and dozens of protesters have been arrested. Under this Trump administration, I.C.E.’s operations have b... more

Key Facts

Accepts Guests
Accepts Sponsors
Contact Information
Podcast Host
Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

Similar Podcasts

People also subscribe to these shows.

The New Yorker Radio Hour
The New Yorker Radio HourWNYC Studios and The New Yorker
The Ezra Klein Show
The Ezra Klein ShowNew York Times Opinion
Reveal
RevealThe Center for Investigative Reporting and PRX

Recent Guests

Maria Kuznetsova
Author, co-author of How to Survive Authoritarianism, a Russian Phrase Book for Everyday Life in America
Author (with Dan Storyev)
Episode: A Russian Phrasebook for Surviving Authoritarianism
Dan Storyev
Author, co-author of How to Survive Authoritarianism, a Russian Phrase Book for Everyday Life in America
Author (with Maria Kuznetsova)
Episode: A Russian Phrasebook for Surviving Authoritarianism
Cameron Hamilton
Former acting director of FEMA
FEMA (Trump administration)
Episode: Episode 4 of American Emergency: The Movement to Kill FEMA
MaryAnn Tierney
Former FEMA deputy director
FEMA
Episode: Episode 4 of American Emergency: The Movement to Kill FEMA
Eric Forand
Director of Emergency Management, Vermont
Vermont state government
Episode: Episode 4 of American Emergency: The Movement to Kill FEMA
Jake Bittle
Staff writer focusing on FEMA and climate change
Grist
Episode: Episode 4 of American Emergency: The Movement to Kill FEMA
Kristi Noem
Secretary of Homeland Security (at times referenced in the episode)
U.S. Government
Episode: Episode 4 of American Emergency: The Movement to Kill FEMA
Corey Lewandowski
MAGA operative and advisor
Politics/Administration
Episode: Episode 4 of American Emergency: The Movement to Kill FEMA
Mark Wayne Mullen
U.S. DHS Secretary referenced in later portion
U.S. Government
Episode: Episode 4 of American Emergency: The Movement to Kill FEMA

Hosts

Brooke Gladstone
Host with long-running role on the program, providing media critique and historical context.
Micah Loewinger
Host of on-the-record discussions and midweek episodes, bringing investigative and data-driven perspectives.

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 States3 months ago
  • Jimmy

    This is jimmy

    🤠

    -l-

    /\

    He likes to travel, so spread him to other podcasts

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Zigzagz121
    United States3 months 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
    France3 months 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 States3 months 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 States3 months ago

Listeners Say

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

Listeners praise rigorous, context-rich interviews and thoughtful critique of media narratives.
Many reviews highlight high-quality journalism and deep dives into media history and accountability.
Some listeners feel the show has become partisan or biased after host changes, citing a shift in tone or guest selection.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#205
United States/Top Podcasts
Apple Podcasts
#15
United States/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#39
United States/News
Apple Podcasts
#22
Canada/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#55
Canada/News
Apple Podcasts
#69
United Kingdom/News/Politics

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Trump's Glitzy Library Grift
Q: Why is money a central issue in presidential libraries?
Donations from nations, individuals seeking pardons, and companies doing business with the government create potential conflicts of interest; without guardrails, large private funds can sway how histories are told and what materials are prioritized or suppressed.
Trump's Glitzy Library Grift
Q: How might this influence future cultural memory and archival practice?
Privatization and donor-influenced museum management could undermine objective, comprehensive public history; greater transparency about donors and funding, and keeping library funding under democratic control, are essential safeguards for accurate oral histories and archival integrity.
Trump's Glitzy Library Grift
Q: What does Trump seem to be intending to do with his library, given how libraries have functioned historically?
If President Trump treats the library like other aspects of his enterprises, it will likely become a space with an alternative narrative about his first term and now his second term, potentially privatized or influenced by outside donors, which could distort public memory unless checked by Congress and public access.
American Emergency: The Movement to Kill FEMA
Q: Can you tell us the story of your very first meeting with Bill Clinton?
The interviewee recounts meeting Clinton when Witt was a governor ally, highlighting their early collaboration and Clinton's interest in disaster preparedness, which laid the groundwork for Witt's later leadership at FEMA.
How a Prison Fire Helped Create CBS News
Q: Tell me about Gardner's role and how his on-air presence shaped the broadcast.
Gardner, the Deacon, was a trained broadcaster among the inmates who, through a microphone-savvy delivery, provided the eyewitness account that anchored CBS's live coverage; his voice and the immediacy of the report helped elevate radio news as a credible, story-driven medium.

Audience Metrics

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

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

Frequently Asked Questions About On the Media

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

A thoughtful, analysis-driven program that uses media coverage as a lens to understand politics, society, and current events. Episodes feature deep dives into how outlets shape narratives, with guests ranging from journalists and historians to policymakers and disaster-management experts. The show consistently provides historical context, comparative angles, and meta-insights about media dynamics, making it valuable for listeners who crave nuance over hot takes and who want to understand what to pay attention to in a noisy information landscape. Noteworthy traits include long-form conversations, a willingness to challenge power, and a track record of anchoring discussions in evidence, data, and historical parallels. This combination makes i... more

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

How many episodes of On the Media are there?

On the Media launched 21 years ago and published 1885 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 On the Media?

Recent guests on On the Media include:

1. Maria Kuznetsova
2. Dan Storyev
3. Cameron Hamilton
4. MaryAnn Tierney
5. Eric Forand
6. Jake Bittle
7. Kristi Noem
8. Corey Lewandowski

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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