Throughline
NPRThroughline is a time machine. Each episode, we travel beyond the headlines to answer the question, "How did we get here?" We use sound and stories to bring history to life and put you into the middle of it. From ancient civilizations to forgotten figures, we take you directly to the moments that shaped our world. Throughline is hosted by Peabody Award-winning journalist Rund Abdelfatah. Support p... more
| Publishes | Twice weekly | Episodes | 499 | Founded | 8 years ago |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Number of Listeners | Categories | HistoryDocumentarySociety & Culture | |||
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Latest Episodes
For generations, the SAT has loomed large in the lives of teenagers. The quest for a perfect or near-perfect score has filled many test takers with dread. In this episode, a listener's question makes us wonder... who decided the SAT was the best and ... more
Cobalt mining is one of the world's most dangerous jobs. And it's also one of the most essential: cobalt is what powers the batteries in your smartphone, your laptop, the electric car you felt good about buying. More than three-quarters of the world'... more
This year, K-pop Demon Hunters picked up a couple of Oscars, the pop group BTS made its triumphant return to sold out crowds, and K-pop took center stage at the World Cup final. It’s all part of Korea’s 50-year game plan to achieve global cultural do... more
Brownie Wise revolutionized how we store our food. She was one of the first female corporate executives in U.S. history. But she’s not a household name. This week on our series Hidden Histories, the rise and fall of the queen of plastics—and one of c... more
Key Facts
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Recent Guests
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Reviews
- Competent, but overproduced
Interesting content, but unfortunately, in the model of Radiolab, too many illustrative audio clips spoil the broth.
Apple Podcasts3Saurolophus
United States10 days ago - What happened to this show??
Now that Ramtin is gone this show is not the same. Is there an AI voiceover now?? What happened to the music. I used to love this show so much I became a paid subscriber. So sad, I don’t know what happened this show. Not the same
Apple Podcasts2AMHAIDUnited Statesa month ago - The podcast you cite at dinner parties
I have never written a podcast review before but I felt compelled to share my love for the podcast, Throughline. It is thoughtful, in-depth and ventures into topics most outlets wouldn’t. I find myself looking forward to the next episode and I’ve recommended it to so many friends. It’s the one podcast that I can confidently refer to as a source of historical and current events insights. Thanks for tackling the subjects no one else is.
Apple Podcasts5NuovaItalianaUnited Statesa month ago - Truly Superb Program
I wanted to offer one recommendation, but first I would like to express how much I love this podcast: I love it a lot. Every episode packs a punch. Even if an episodes centers on topic that does not particularly interest me, Throughline still draws me in. I have learned a lot from this podcast and it always introduces me to topics or new perspectives. My one recommendation to the Throughline Team: it would be great if you could list the books that are referenced in the episodes. Ezra Klein does ... more
Apple Podcasts5FrankiegutUnited Statesa month ago - Minimize
Omitting critical facts about Hamas’s terrorist activities (atrocities) and the framing coverage that downplays the group’s violence
Apple Podcasts1LizitattennisUnited Statesa month ago
Listeners Say
Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.
Chart Rankings
How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.
Spotify | #15 | United States/History |
Apple Podcasts | #248 | United States/Top Podcasts |
Apple Podcasts | #6 | United States/History |
Apple Podcasts | #24 |  Canada/History |
Apple Podcasts | #100 |  United Kingdom/History |
Apple Podcasts | #52 |  Australia/History |
Talking Points
Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.
Audience Metrics
Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Throughline
What is Throughline about and what kind of topics does it cover?
Throughline offer a historically grounded, story-driven approach to current events and long-running cultural debates. Episodes explore how past forces and decisions shape today's headlines, blending archival research, expert interviews, and narrative storytelling to illuminate complex topics—from technology and economics to politics, race, and social change. Notable strengths include rigorous historical context, diverse guest voices, and a clear emphasis on how historical memory informs modern policy and public life. The show frequently features historians, journalists, and subject-matter experts, often tying big ideas to human-centered stories that help listeners see the throughline from past to present.
Where can I find podcast stats for Throughline?
Rephonic provides a wide range of podcast stats for Throughline. We scanned the web and collated all of the information that we could find in our comprehensive podcast database. See how many people listen to Throughline and access YouTube viewership numbers, download stats, audience demographics, chart rankings, ratings, reviews and more.
How many listeners does Throughline get?
Rephonic provides a full set of podcast information for four million podcasts, including the number of listeners. View further listenership figures for Throughline, including podcast download numbers and subscriber numbers, so you can make better decisions about which podcasts to sponsor or be a guest on. You will need to upgrade your account to access this premium data.
What are the audience demographics for Throughline?
Rephonic provides comprehensive predictive audience data for Throughline, including gender skew, age, country, political leaning, income, professions, education level, and interests. You can access these listener demographics by upgrading your account.
How many subscribers and views does Throughline have?
To see how many followers or subscribers Throughline 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 Throughline?
These podcasts share a similar audience with Throughline:
1. Radiolab
2. This American Life
3. Fresh Air
4. Code Switch
5. Planet Money
How many episodes of Throughline are there?
Throughline launched 8 years ago and published 499 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 Throughline?
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 Throughline?
Rephonic pulls ratings and reviews for Throughline from multiple sources, including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Castbox, and Podcast Addict.
View all the reviews in one place instead of visiting each platform individually and use this information to decide if a show is worth pitching or not.
How do I access podcast episode transcripts for Throughline?
Rephonic provides full transcripts for episodes of Throughline. Search within each transcript for your keywords, whether they be topics, brands or people, and figure out if it's worth pitching as a guest or sponsor. You can even set-up alerts to get notified when your keywords are mentioned.
What guests have appeared on Throughline?
Recent guests on Throughline include:
1. Michael Kim
2. Heijin Lee
3. Alina Seljuk
4. Mary Pilon
5. Brendan Barlow
6. Tom Bramel
7. Giles Slade
8. Markus Krajewski
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.