Rephonic
Artwork for Revisionist History: The Staten Island Problem

Revisionist History: The Staten Island Problem

Pushkin Industries
Alabama
Nazi Germany
Artificial Intelligence
Hollywood
Jesse Owens
Psychology
New York City
Elvis Presley
Olympic Games
George Floyd
Small Talk
Parapraxis
Southwest Airlines
Staten Island
Development Hell
Emergency Medical Services
Public Health
Grief
Revisionist History
Murder

On the 250th anniversary of the United States, Revisionist History investigates the overlooked story of what was, at the time, the biggest secession movement in the U.S. since the Civil War.

A movement that took place on a small island miles out to sea from New York City. An early example of the politics of resentment that dominates America today. What do you do when a democracy looks like it’s ... more

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes221Founded10 years ago
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Artwork for Revisionist History: The Staten Island Problem

Latest Episodes

There's a sentence in the Declaration of Independence that almost no one talks about. It's the last grievance: “He has excited the merciless Indian Savages”, it reads, "whose known rule of warfare, is an undistinguished destruction of all ages, sexes... more

The Afro is one of the most iconic hairstyles of the last century. And one of its main ingredients was a product: Afro Sheen. But Afro Sheen did so much more than make Black afros shine. It was the money behind the television show Soul Train and it h... more

Election night 1993 meets election night 2016. The fate of the island and the country converge in the figure of one man: Rudy Giuliani.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

At the height of the secession movement, the Wu-Tang Clan forms on Staten Island. We take a tour of early 1990s hip-hop and reveal the hidden history of the group.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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Recent Guests

Skiz Fernando
Wu-Tang Clan biographer and longtime journalist
Wu-Tang Clan biographer
Episode: The Staten Island Problem - Part 4: Wu-Tang vs. Shaolin
Daphne McWilliams
Filmmaker from Staten Island
Filmmaker
Episode: The Staten Island Problem - Part 4: Wu-Tang vs. Shaolin
Godfrey Baldacchino
Professor of island studies
University of Malta (island studies expert referenced in the episode)
Episode: The Staten Island Problem - Part 3: The Tuvalu Effect
David Goldfarb
Staten Island attorney and civic activist
Staten Island Unified for New York / Vote No participants mentioned
Episode: The Staten Island Problem - Part 3: The Tuvalu Effect
Robert Scamardella
Attorney and local figure active in debates
Vote Yes Inc.
Episode: The Staten Island Problem - Part 3: The Tuvalu Effect
Bob Federa
Staten Island official who argued for staying in NYC
NYC government
Episode: The Staten Island Problem - Part 3: The Tuvalu Effect
Dan Singletary
Staten Island secession advocate explored through archival tapes and interviews
Independent artist and activist
Episode: The Staten Island Problem - Part 2: A New Map
Bobby Scamardella
Local attorney who debated secession and was involved in civic discussions
Staten Island community and legal circles
Episode: The Staten Island Problem - Part 2: A New Map
David Dinkins
Former mayor of New York City
New York City
Episode: The Staten Island Problem - Part 1: The Mayor vs. the Borough President

Hosts

Ben Nadeff Haferi
Host of the series, introduces the episode and guides the narrative; narrating and guiding the exploration of Staten Island secession and Wu-Tang Clan
Malcolm Gladwell
Host of Revisionist History; lead presenter, provides archival perspective and narrative framing

Reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars from 83.2k ratings
  • Superb

    Without a doubt the best podcast there is no matter what your interests are , I’ve laughed I’ve cried its superb 👌oh and I’ve ordered Bobby Braddock’s book after listening to this

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Karen mcinerney
    Ireland23 days ago
  • Good show but so many ads

    I really like this podcast, but it has too many ads.

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    NHcvs
    United States24 days ago
  • Revisionist Hatered

    I have been a big fan of Pushkin Industries and the things that Malcom Gladwell and his team have put together for several years, but this particular series was nothing but a targeted hit job on Republicans; particularly Rudy Giuliani and Donald Trump.

    Why? Two men, two Republicans didn’t destroy Staten Island. Ben is so liberal that he almost wanted to blame Obama for not doing enough to eradicate the white people on the Island.

    Disappointed with the political slant and disappointed that Pu... more

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    Toolshed
    United States24 days ago
  • Ben is a race baiter

    Unreal that you ended this podcast with the same old Trump hating BS. All roads lead to Trump for you TDS losers!

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    Eclectic Music Lover 123
    United Statesa month ago
  • Wonderfully told and insightfuld

    Wonderfully told and insightfuld. But please elaborate om the fall of the Leon Festinger theory, which is haunting psycology. It seems to be botch with giant holes in the data.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Emil Rosenstrøm
    Denmarka month ago

Listeners Say

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

Riveting archival storytelling with strong historical framing.
Some listeners perceive bias in coverage, depending on topic.
Thoughtful, well-researched look at a little-known political moment.
High praise for the archival depth and guest expertise.
Ads can feel intrusive and interruptive for some listeners.

Chart Rankings

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

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Revenge of "A Good Walk Spoiled"
Q: So tell me, how did you come across this story and decide to put it before the voters of Los Angeles?
Nazarian explains the proposal as a starting conversation, using a parcel tax to approximate the tax revenue that best-use value would generate, and describes polling that suggested strong public support.
Introducing The News from Scene on Radio
Q: Do you agree with this book that babies are racist and that CRT is being taught in schools?
The host leads with a prompt about CRT and a controversial description, and the guest provides context on how questions about race and education intersect with media framing, highlighting that interpretations of CRT are often politicized rather than reflective of the nuanced scholarship.
The Trust Diagnosis
Q: Tell me about the moment after the surgery when the results came in.
The pathology confirmed what the surgeon said, the cancerous spots were removed, and the initial results were positive, bringing relief though with careful follow-up afterward.
The Trust Diagnosis
Q: When do you say it and how do you communicate that honesty to the client in those first conversations?
You must be absolutely candid from the first conversations, stating both what you understand and what you don't, so they can grasp the seriousness without being overwhelmed, which builds trust.
The Trust Diagnosis
Q: And what is it in that moment, are you, if you had to summarize as simply as possible what you're bringing to them in that moment, what is it?
I'm bringing a depth of experience in handling high-stakes, complex problems, the ability to synthesize information, and a clear, practical plan to help them navigate uncertainty and decide on a course of action.

Audience Metrics

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Frequently Asked Questions About This Podcast

What is This Podcast about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A historically focused, narrative-driven series examining Staten Island's 1990s secession movement and its lasting impact on New York City politics. Through archival audio, expert testimony, and personal recollections, episodes chart how neighborhood grievances intertwine with citywide leadership, crime, media framing, and cultural fingerprints—from Rudy Giuliani's rise to the Wu-Tang Clan era. A standout approach is the careful weaving of politics, identity, and place with rich storytelling, using a steady stream of archival voices to illuminate how a “forgotten borough” influenced national discourse. The series often features renowned observers and on-the-ground perspectives to frame larger questions about belonging, democracy, and memory... more

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1. Cautionary Tales with Tim Harford
2. Against the Rules with Michael Lewis
3. This American Life
4. Freakonomics Radio
5. Radiolab

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this podcast launched 10 years ago and published 221 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 this podcast?

Recent guests on this podcast include:

1. Skiz Fernando
2. Daphne McWilliams
3. Godfrey Baldacchino
4. David Goldfarb
5. Robert Scamardella
6. Bob Federa
7. Dan Singletary
8. Bobby Scamardella

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