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Artwork for Throughline

Throughline

NPR
Americans With Disabilities Act
Second Amendment
Civil Rights Movement
Disability Rights Movement
Jack Miller
Nostalgia
National Rifle Association
Eugenics
Institutionalization
Covid-19
National Firearms Act
Gun Control Act Of 1968
Chicago
Disability Justice
Ed Roberts
Rehabilitation Act
Public Apology
American History
Olfaction
Romanticism

Throughline 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 journalists Rund Abdelfatah and Ramti... more

PublishesTwice weeklyEpisodes445Founded7 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
DocumentarySociety & CultureHistory

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Artwork for Throughline

Latest Episodes

When the 14th amendment was ratified after the Civil War, it redefined what it meant to be an American. Today on the show, we bring you the story of how the 14th amendment was created, and the intention behind equal protection for all.

To access bon... more

What’s one thing people across the U.S. can agree on? Hint – it’s about money. Voters from all political parties overwhelmingly see unlimited spending in elections as a threat to our democracy. So if most people don’t like all this money in politics,... more

YouTube

When President Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation in the middle of the Civil War, he was not just changing the terms of peace, he was risking his own political future and forcing the nation to confront what its democracy really stoo... more

The U.S. immigration detention system is spread out across federal facilities, private prisons, state prisons, and county jails. It’s grown under both Democratic and Republican presidents. And it’s been offered up as a source of revenue for over a ce... more

Key Facts

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

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People also subscribe to these shows.

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Recent Guests

Richard Cowardeen
Rhodes Professor Emeritus of American History at Oxford University
Oxford University
Episode: How the Civil War changed how we vote
Brianna Nofil
Assistant professor of history at William and Mary
William and Mary
Episode: Who profits from migrant detention?
Khalil Gibran Muhammad
Professor of African American Studies and Public Affairs at Princeton University and author of The Condemnation of Blackness, Race, Crime and the Making of Modern Urban America
Princeton University
Episode: The lasting legacy of the slave patrols
Karina Del Valle Shorsky
Freelance writer, translator and researcher, known for writing a profile on Bad Bunny for New York Times Magazine
New York Times Magazine
Episode: How Bad Bunny took Puerto Rican independence mainstream
Vanessa Diaz
Professor of Chicano, Chicana and Latino Studies at Loyola Marymount, author of PFKNR
Episode: How Bad Bunny took Puerto Rican independence mainstream
Mary Ann Franks
Law professor and author of Fearless Speech, Breaking Free from the First Amendment
George Washington University
Episode: The right to free speech
Eddie Glaude
Chair of the Department of African American Studies at Princeton, author of 'Begin Again', a book on James Baldwin's legacy
Princeton University
Episode: James Baldwin's Fire
Winifred Gallagher
Journalist and author of 'How the Post Office Created America'
Episode: Signed, Sealed & Delivered | America in Pursuit
Ali Alfone
A senior fellow at the Arab Gulf States Institute in Washington, DC, and an expert on Iranian leadership.
Arab Gulf States Institute
Episode: Iran Protests Explained

Hosts

Rund Abdelfatah
Co-host and journalist known for storytelling that connects history to present-day contexts.
Ramtin Arablouei
Co-host and journalist dedicated to creating engaging narratives that highlight historical perspectives.

Reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars from 21k ratings
  • Throughline is a Gem!

    Throughline is one of the most thorough and well-thought-out historical podcasts I’ve ever listened to. Each episode goes far beyond surface-level storytelling and thoughtfully connects the past to the present in a way that is both intellectually rigorous and deeply engaging.

    What makes this podcast truly exceptional is its commitment to exploring history from multiple perspectives—especially those of Americans whose voices have too often been overlooked or excluded. The storytelling is balance... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    BostonMarlon
    United States21 days ago
  • Podcast is on very left leaning but their episode on Bad Bunny was terrible he's a terrible singer with crap music, his performance at the super bowl was unwatchable.

    Podcast Addict
    3
    bigt3141
    21 days ago
  • Forever Changed

    I LOVE LEARNING and by listening to Throughline I get more in depth facts about historical events

    that weren’t in the

    textbooks or even talked about by black educators in school. I was raised to not question racism or speak out against injustice rather I was to stay silent and abide with was I was told by “the” adults. When I heard Throughline’s conversation with the Professor Eddie G. Jr on James Baldwin in 2000 and one again today, I have to thank Throughline. That episode profoundly changed... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Tamjyo
    United Statesa month ago
  • Brain food, Soul food

    This podcast never fails to make my brain tingle. The stories and perspectives are so beautifully selected and told. The passion from the hosts and the guests is palpable in a way that leaves me inspired, indignant, inquisitive, grieving, hopeful, expanded. Even episodes I'm sure I won't enjoy, like the one about Ramtin's love of the Dune books, leave me surprised and amazed. It's always good to be reminded that there are stories folded away inside everything if you maintain curiosity and just l... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Birdsforbrains
    United Statesa month ago
  • Phenomenal Podcast

    I have listened to hours of Throughline and adore the show. James Baldwin’s episode in particular brought me to tears. The passion and anger displayed throughout the episode and its relevance to our current political climate was unbelievably moving. It gave me the language to describe conversations I’ve had with my own family, and the rage and clarity that I wasn’t able to express as beautifully as James Baldwin and Eddie Glaude have. Thank you.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Sarah Pernell
    United Statesa month ago

Listeners Say

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

Feedback highlights the podcast's ability to make history engaging, with immersive sound design and diverse perspectives.
Listeners praise the podcast for its in-depth and thorough historical storytelling, often connecting the past to current themes.
Some criticisms have been noted regarding certain tones during serious discussions, but overall content quality is strongly favored.

Chart Rankings

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

Spotify
#12
United States/History
Apple Podcasts
#208
United States/Top Podcasts
Apple Podcasts
#4
United States/History
Apple Podcasts
#33
Canada/History
Apple Podcasts
#98
United Kingdom/History
Apple Podcasts
#73
Germany/History

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

James Baldwin's Fire
Q: Did he come out of the civil rights movement feeling hopeful?
Baldwin was disillusioned but continued to bear witness to the struggles for justice and fought against apathy in society, emphasizing the constant potential for change.
James Baldwin's Fire
Q: What do you think Baldwin would have made of that tension today?
Baldwin would likely point to the importance of understanding individual pain within the context of broader social criticism, arguing that personal experiences should drive the quest for social justice.
Iran Protests Explained
Q: How are these protests different from past ones?
These protests are calling for the end of the Islamic Republic rather than just reforms, reflecting deeper frustrations with the regime.
Ken Burns and the American Revolution
Q: What was the American Revolution really about?
It was a civil war characterized by various social dynamics and involved different groups fighting for their interpretation of liberty and rights.
Pride, Prejudice, and Peer Pressure
Q: What do you think makes the characters in Pride and Prejudice resonate so strongly with today's readers?
Many modern readers relate to the themes of first impressions, societal pressures, and economic struggles depicted in the novel.

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 Throughline

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

Exploring the intricate tapestry of history, the podcast takes a deep dive into pivotal events and figures that have significantly shaped the world we live in today. Each episode connects the past with the present, addressing themes such as political influence, civil rights, and societal change through immersive storytelling and expert insights. The unique blend of sound design and narrative brings historical events to life, making complex subjects accessible and engaging for listeners.

Notably, the thoughtful exploration of diverse perspectives, especially those often overlooked in traditional narratives, sets this podcast apart. With a focus on both well-known and obscure topics, it offers an enriching experience that appeals to history ... more

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?

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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. Short Wave
5. Code Switch

How many episodes of Throughline are there?

Throughline launched 7 years ago and published 445 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.

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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. Richard Cowardeen
2. Brianna Nofil
3. Khalil Gibran Muhammad
4. Karina Del Valle Shorsky
5. Vanessa Diaz
6. Mary Ann Franks
7. Eddie Glaude
8. Winifred Gallagher

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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