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Artwork for On the Media

On the Media

WNYC Studios
Donald Trump
Trump Administration
Elon Musk
Artificial Intelligence
Social Media
Democratic Party
Harvard University
World War II
Climate Change
Democracy
Shortwave Radio
Public Broadcasting
Conspiracy Theories
Fox News
Silicon Valley
Bob Menendez
Iran
Doge
Media Coverage
Voice Of America

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 weeklyEpisodes1902Founded21 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
PoliticsNewsSociety & Culture

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Artwork for On the Media

Latest Episodes

This month a federal watchdog raised the alarm over thousands of staffing cuts at the Federal Emergency Management Agency. On this week’s On the Media, an episode from our miniseries American Emergency, all about FEMA: the agency that steps in when l... more

The sports journalist Pablo Torre recently won the 2026 Pulitzer Prize for audio reporting for an investigation on his podcast, “Pablo Torre Finds Out.” Torre talks with the New Yorker Radio Hour's David Remnick about the challenge of investigative r... more

President Trump has some of the worst approval ratings of any president in modern history, second only to Richard Nixon the week before he resigned. On this week’s On the Media, what the polls say about Americans’ perceptions of Trump and his policie... more

Brooke speaks with Garrett M. Graff, journalist, historian, and author of the newsletter Doomsday Scenario, about Trump’s damage to the United States’ standing as a world power and his dismantling of core pillars of American policy.

On the Media is ... more

Key Facts

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Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

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Recent Guests

Nahid Siamdoust
Assistant Professor of Media and Middle Eastern Studies
University of Texas at Austin
Episode: The Story Behind Trump’s Terrible Approval Rating
Garrett M. Graff
Journalist, historian, and author
Wired (author of a piece titled We Are Witnessing the Self-immolation of an Empire)
Episode: Trump Has Forever Changed America's Place in the World
Cory Doctorow
Author of The Reverse Centaur's Guide to Life After AI; tech journalist; advisor at Electronic Frontier Foundation
Electronic Frontier Foundation
Episode: F@#$ the AI Overlords
Joseph Cox
Investigative reporter and co-founder at 404 Media
404 Media
Episode: ICE's Summer Spending Spree
Gillian Brockell
Independent journalist covering ICE flights and third-country deportations
Gillian Brockell (independent journalist)
Episode: The Red Scare, But Dumber
Liz Dye
Legal journalist and host of the Law and Chaos Podcast
Law and Chaos Podcast
Episode: Trump v. BBC
Ina Steiner
Publisher and journalist, auctionbites.com (E-Commerce Bites)
AuctionBites / eBay reporting
Episode: From Subpoenas to Cockroaches: Journalist Intimidation 101
Jenny Carchman
Documentary filmmaker
Whatever It Takes Inside the eBay Scandal
Episode: From Subpoenas to Cockroaches: Journalist Intimidation 101
Jon Swaine
Investigative reporter, The Washington Post
The Washington Post
Episode: Tulsi Gabbard's Guru

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 11.1k ratings
  • july 24, 2026

    Excellent discussion Gil Duran, thank you!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    midwestBlue
    United States13 days ago
  • Brooke spoke to the devil this week

    On the media is hard to listen to. Not the hosts, but this week Brooke spoke to Daniel Suhr and I’m pretty sure based on what he said that he is the actual devil.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Not into fish I guess
    United Statesa month ago
  • Stick to Original Reporting

    OTM is my favorite program when it carries its own programming. Yet OTM has been presenting derivative episodes that are of vastly lower quality and relevance. FEMA, radio programming and the raid of a small-town newspaper are examples of subjects covered by these non original episodes. I am bereft! Please bring back your fine original reporting. It is of superior quality and far more interesting.

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    Yearning for OTM
    United Statesa month ago
  • june 26, 2026

    Excellent discussion with eddy G. The last lines by his student brought me to tears. Please listen to this epi.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    midwestBlue
    United States2 months ago
  • June 26 2026 episode

    Wow. This conversation floored me. And the last story from the professor… brought a flood of tears and a belief that hope in truth will set us free. Wow. Well done!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Blackbird_dead_of_nite
    United States2 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
#35
United States/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#94
United States/News
Apple Podcasts
#50
Canada/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#139
Canada/News
Apple Podcasts
#166
United Kingdom/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#65
Australia/News/Politics

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Trump v. BBC
Q: What might happen next, given the legal landscape?
Despite the costly nature of the litigation, the case is unlikely to fully resolve soon; judges may push for dismissal on jurisdiction or privilege grounds, but the discovery battles and potential government involvement suggest the legal saga could continue for months, if not years.
Trump v. BBC
Q: What are the strategic moves around subpoenas and discovery in this case?
The BBC used subpoenas to elicit information from journalists, executives, and even government agencies, while the government sought to use executive privilege and statutory mechanisms to insert itself into the case, creating a labyrinth of legal maneuvers that could dictate the cost and duration of litigation.
Trump v. BBC
Q: What happened in the BBC case and why is it significant?
The BBC was sued in the Southern District of Florida for a 12-second edit in Panorama; the case raised questions about jurisdiction, discovery across borders, and the power of media outlets to defend themselves against large defamation claims, with potential implications for international media reporting.
Trump v. BBC
Q: Tell me about Trump's lawyers. Who does he use to bring these cases?
Trump has relied on a small cadre of aggressive, fee-focused lawyers, notably Alina Habba and later Alejandro Brito, whose firms handle these high-cost, high-profile defamation cases, though their approach has drawn sanctions and criticism for procedural missteps.
The Red Scare, But Dumber
Q: Why did you cross the line to call Irish authorities during the ICE flight story?
I felt a moral obligation to intervene when I realized the plane would be there only briefly and could move on before getting coverage; I believed the public deserved to know and that lives were at stake, even if it risked my career.

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. Reveal
4. Radiolab
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 1902 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. Nahid Siamdoust
2. Garrett M. Graff
3. Cory Doctorow
4. Joseph Cox
5. Gillian Brockell
6. Liz Dye
7. Ina Steiner
8. Jenny Carchman

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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