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Throughline

NPR
Iran
Israel
Hezbollah
Civil War
United States
Hamas
Civil Rights Movement
Supreme Court
14th Amendment
Lebanon
PLO
Dreams
Civil Rights
Democracy
Abraham Lincoln
First Amendment
Gaza Strip
Second Amendment
Motherhood
Great Depression

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 journalist Rund Abdelfatah.Subscribe ... more

PublishesTwice weeklyEpisodes476Founded7 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
DocumentarySociety & CultureHistory

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Artwork for Throughline

Latest Episodes

Threats against public officials have become much, much more common. This includes everyone from the president of the United States to members of Congress, to state and local officials, and even civil servants like local librarians. Threats have alwa... more

As the U.S. escalated its intervention in Vietnam in the 1960s, the media's coverage ramped up too. Soon, the war permeated the homes of millions of Americans — by television, radio and newspaper. This week, we hear about what happened during the Vie... more

World Cup tickets are going for as high as $45,000. Not in most of our budgets. How did things get so out of hand when the tournament's founder intended to bridge class divides? Today on the show, the origins of the World Cup, from World War I to Mus... more

YouTube

When people remember the March on Washington they often recall the giant crowds or Dr. Martin Luther King’s “I have a dream” speech. Less known is the person who made the event possible. Today on the show, the story of Bayard Rustin, the man behind t... more

YouTube

Key Facts

Accepts Guests
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Contact Information
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Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

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Recent Guests

Mary Anne Franks
Professor at the George Washington Law School; president and legislative policy director of Cyber Civil Rights Initiative
George Washington University; Cyber Civil Rights Initiative
Episode: The shifting line between free speech and a criminal threat
Frances Fitzgerald
War correspondent who reported from Vietnam, known as Frankie
Journalist/Author (The Village Voice, The Atlantic, The New York Review of Books, The New York Times Magazine)
Episode: The uncensored war
Susan Carruthers
Historian at the University of Warwick and author
University of Warwick
Episode: The uncensored war
Simon Cooper
Columnist at the Financial Times and author on soccer
Financial Times
Episode: The World Cup was supposed to bring world peace
Jonathan Wilson
Columnist at the Guardian and author
The Guardian
Episode: The World Cup was supposed to bring world peace
Bryce Gaeling
Host or contributor featured in an on-air segment
Tent, Ohio
Episode: The World Cup was supposed to bring world peace
Norman Hill
National Program Director of the Congress of Racial Equality (CORE)
CORE
Episode: Bayard Rustin and the March on Washington
Robert Forsythe
Professor and co-creator of the Iowa Electronic Markets
University of Iowa
Episode: Prediction markets are making a 150-year comeback
Paul Rhode
Economic historian and colleague of Koleman Strumpf
University of Michigan (formerly UNC)
Episode: Prediction markets are making a 150-year comeback

Hosts

Rund Abdelfatah
Host of Throughline
Ramtin Arablouei
Host of Throughline

Reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars from 21.4k ratings
  • Hmmm..

    I’m confused on the anti communist lens some stories have. I think it can be really disingenuous. Kinda gave me the ick.

    It’s 2026. Pls don’t loose the plot…

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    trillpickles666
    United Statesa month ago
  • Please use 5 stars more sparingly. We'd all be better off if 5 stars ratings were less commonly used so we could highlight the truly exceptional podcasts, like this one.

    Podcast Addict
    5
    curmudgeon
    a month ago
  • Absolute fan of Throughline

    Today I see that Throughline is replaying its 2022 conversation with Viet Thanh Nguyen about how the way we remember and selectively forget the ravages of war has the power to reshape our future. This episode is exceptional, adding to a long list of other Throughline episodes that remain in my memory to this day. I want to thank you for continuing your excellent journalism.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    bailindsey
    United Statesa month ago
  • I love Throughline

    But the latest Reality TV episode was a level above all the rest. It helps that it’s a lighter topic, but the audio engineering especially was great. 10/10

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Kyya!
    United Statesa month ago
  • Best Podcast

    If you only listen to one podcast, make it Throughline. This team creates the most informative and balanced material that provides a deep and insightful analysis of contemporary topics through an historical lens. I’ve learned so much and have a better understanding of today’s complex issues by listening to Throughline. You guys at Throughline rock!!!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Who’sYourNonnie
    United States2 months ago

Listeners Say

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

Guests often highlight the show's ability to illuminate overlooked historical connections.
Fans appreciate accessible depth that expands understanding beyond headline-level context.
Many note the high production quality and thoughtful guest selection.
Some criticisms focus on perceived biases in topic choices or framing of controversial issues.
Listeners praise rigorous research and storytelling that connect past to present.

Chart Rankings

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

Spotify
#14
United States/History
Apple Podcasts
#11
United States/History
Apple Podcasts
#42
Canada/History
Apple Podcasts
#98
United Kingdom/History
Apple Podcasts
#82
Germany/History
Apple Podcasts
#86
Australia/History

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

The uncensored war
Q: Walk me through, how did you actually go about getting that perspective?
Frances Fitzgerald explains she used interpreters, traveled around the countryside, and persisted in showing up to connect with people to gain credible, local perspectives.
How our memory of war can shape the future
Q: So how do we actually make it so that this is just the way we talk about history?
Nguyen argues that we need to acknowledge multiple perspectives, challenge dominant narratives, and implement visible justice mechanisms like memorials and reparations to shift from a single heroic/victim story to a broader, more inclusive memory that informs future choices.
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.

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?

Throughline offers richly researched historical storytelling that connects past events to today's headlines. Episodes span topics from prediction markets and memory wars to labor history, civil rights, border policy, and media evolution, all illustrated with archival material, expert interviews, and narrative storytelling. Listeners can expect rigorous context, nuanced viewpoints, and a tendency to frame current issues through long arcs in politics, technology, and culture. A notable strength is the blend of academic rigor with accessible storytelling, often featuring historians, journalists, and policy experts who illuminate how historical forces shape present-day debates. This mix makes it especially valuable for audiences seeking deeper ... 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?

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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. The Daily
4. Short Wave
5. Fresh Air

How many episodes of Throughline are there?

Throughline launched 7 years ago and published 476 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.

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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. Mary Anne Franks
2. Frances Fitzgerald
3. Susan Carruthers
4. Simon Cooper
5. Jonathan Wilson
6. Bryce Gaeling
7. Norman Hill
8. Robert Forsythe

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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