Rephonic
Artwork for Scene on Radio
Capitalism
White Supremacy
Wilmington
Social Justice
Clarence Thomas
Slavery
Civil Rights
1898 Wilmington Massacre
Feudalism
Reparations
Colonization
Enclosure
Racial Healing
Racism
Community Activism
Wilmington Coup Of 1898
Guns
The Copernic Affair
Historical Acknowledgment
Education

Scene on Radio is a two-time Peabody-nominated podcast that dares to ask big, hard questions about who we are—really—and how we got this way. Our latest is Season 7, Scene on Radio: Capitalism. Previous series include Seeing White (Season 2), looking at the roots and meaning of white supremacy; MEN (Season 3), on patriarchy and its history; The Land That Never Has Been Yet (Season 4), exploring de... more

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes133Founded11 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
DocumentarySociety & Culture

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Artwork for Scene on Radio

Latest Episodes

Ever thought about whether America's overwhelmingly corporate, for-profit news system is working as it should? It didn't have to be this way. In the 20th century, reformers fought for a more democratic and more accountable news media in the United St... more

The early history of the news in Europe and the U.S. offers surprising lessons about the best traditions of journalism, and about the news we need in our own time of crisis. 

By John Biewen, with co-host Chenjerai Kumanyika. Interviews with Pascal V... more

Scene on Radio requests and receives an independent analysis of its own journalistic biases. We then return the favor, examining the examiner. The exercise leads to fresh insights into the muddled ways people often think about bias.

By John Biewen, ... more

For generations, many on the political right have claimed that major news media in the U.S. have a pronounced liberal bias. Is it true? And why does it matter? We take a fresh look. 

By John Biewen with co-host Chenjerai Kumanyika. Interviews with M... more

Key Facts

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On the MediaWNYC Studios
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The Ezra Klein ShowNew York Times Opinion

Recent Guests

Peter Beinart
Writer and professor of journalism and political science
City University of New York
Episode: S8 E3: About that Liberal Media
Penny Abernathy
Retired professor and leading expert on news deserts
University of North Carolina; UNC journalism program
Episode: S8 E2: When the News Dies
Angelica Das
Researcher/analyst focused on civic health and journalism's role in democracy
Democracy Fund
Episode: S8 E2: When the News Dies
Althea Weaver
Former Democratic Party chair in Bladen County, local community member
Bladen County Democratic Party
Episode: S8 E2: When the News Dies
Mark DeLap
Editor and former general manager of the Bladen Journal
Champion Media (owner)
Episode: S8 E2: When the News Dies
Dannagal Young
Professor of Communication and Political Science at the University of Delaware, directs the Center for Political Communication
University of Delaware
Episode: S8 E1: The Myth of the Echo Chamber
Corey Melby
Agriculture consultant in Brazil involved as a fixer for the on-ground reporting
Brazilian agriculture projects tied to Mato Grosso
Episode: Guest Episode: Drilled: Carbon Cowboys
David Sirota
Host of Master Plan
The Lever
Episode: Guest Episode: Master Plan: The Kingmakers
Amanda Hollis-Bruski
Pomona College Professor
Pomona College
Episode: Guest Episode: Master Plan: The Kingmakers

Host

John Biewen
Host of Scene on Radio; producer and longtime creator linked to the Kenan Institute for Ethics at Duke University.

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars from 12.7k ratings
  • Impeccably Researched

    This podcast is well researched and produced. It weaves real classroom lectures and discussions from knowledgeable guests in insightful ways. I rewind often to make certain I understand the history and connections. I have finished one season and am sad that it’s over. It’s addictive learning.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Talented10th
    United States3 months ago
  • Easily one of the best podcasts I have ever heard. I've relistened to almost every season, trying to internalize the stories and lessons to better understand the world we live in.

    Podcast Addict
    5
    beatha
    3 months ago
  • Terrifically researched and thought-provoking

    For weeks now this has been my favorite podcast! Each season takes on major concepts, from whiteness to patriarchy to capitalism, unpacks key mythologies, and introduces listeners to important counter-narratives and voices. For this immigrant this was an eye-opening introduction to US history in global perspective. I really wish John Biewen and his co-hosts would take on the history and present of fascism with the same admirable rigor and panache!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Bossyfemme
    United States3 months ago
  • Best podcast ever!

    This was like an engaging and well-researched academic journal come alive. It was amazing to listen to the diverse cast of academics and professionals engaging with the salient topic of what does it mean to be white? My favorite episode was Part 5: Little War on the Prairie. I teared up several times at how connected I felt to the loss and grief. I couldn't recommend this podcast more.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Fellow Manga reader
    United States4 months ago
  • Greatest podcast out

    Oh my God!!!!! I am so glad to found this podcast. Everyone in the world who are English speakers need to listen to this podcast especially season 2. My God

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    emmalove98
    United States5 months ago

Listeners Say

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

Crowd appreciates the thoughtful, well-sourced interviews and balance of history and current events.
Some listeners feel certain seasons skew toward a particular ideological viewpoint but acknowledge strong reporting.
Audience notes the show blends archival work with compelling storytelling.
Listeners praise rigorous research and in-depth exploration of big topics.

Chart Rankings

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

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Proxy: Nicole Can't Stop Being Aggro
Q: Is it healthy for activists to remain in a state of anger without addressing grief?
The conversation highlights the importance of acknowledging grief while still using anger as a motivational force in activism.
Lever Time: Trump, Colbert, And The War On Truth
Q: Why is Times v. Sullivan important?
It establishes a high bar for defamation lawsuits, protecting the media's ability to report on powerful individuals and preventing frivolous lawsuits.
Favorite Things: The Copernic Affair
Q: What is the origin of the Middle East?
The discussion shifts towards uncovering how the investigation into the Copernic attack unexpectedly pivoted towards the Middle East.
Favorite Things: The Copernic Affair
Q: Can you introduce yourself?
Oren Chagrir shares his name and talks about the Copernic Affair, specifically relating to his mother's death in the bombing.
Bonus: Michael Kliën and the Body Politic
Q: Do you have favorite reactions to the things people have said to you about this experience?
Michael notes that many participants have revelatory moments in Parliament, feeling transformed, which can lead to changes in their everyday behavior, though those effects may fade over time.

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 Scene on Radio

What is Scene on Radio about and what kind of topics does it cover?

This show consistently tackles big, often controversial questions about power, systems, and society, with a strong emphasis on historical context and documentary storytelling. Across seasons it examines topics from capitalism and democracy to race, patriarchy, media, and environmental issues, frequently weaving on-the-ground reporting with archival research and expert commentary. Notable strengths include rigorous research, thoughtful synthesis of complex ideas, and a clear commitment to exploring how structures of power shape everyday life. Listeners who appreciate well-sourced narratives, challenging perspectives, and connections between history and current events are likely to find it highly engaging.

A standout aspect is the show's abi... more

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How many listeners does Scene on Radio get?

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How many subscribers and views does Scene on Radio have?

To see how many followers or subscribers Scene on Radio 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 Scene on Radio?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Scene on Radio:

1. Code Switch
2. On the Media
3. Throughline
4. Reveal
5. The Ezra Klein Show

How many episodes of Scene on Radio are there?

Scene on Radio launched 11 years ago and published 133 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 Scene on Radio?

Our systems regularly scour the web to find email addresses and social media links for this podcast. We scanned the web and collated all of the contact information that we could find in our podcast database. But in the unlikely event that you can't find what you're looking for, our concierge service lets you request our research team to source better contacts for you.

Where can I see ratings and reviews for Scene on Radio?

Rephonic pulls ratings and reviews for Scene on Radio from multiple sources, including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Castbox, and Podcast Addict.

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What guests have appeared on Scene on Radio?

Recent guests on Scene on Radio include:

1. Peter Beinart
2. Penny Abernathy
3. Angelica Das
4. Althea Weaver
5. Mark DeLap
6. Dannagal Young
7. Corey Melby
8. David Sirota

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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