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Throughline

NPR
Americans With Disabilities Act
Second Amendment
Civil Rights Movement
Disability Rights Movement
Jack Miller
Nostalgia
National Rifle Association
Covid-19
Eugenics
Institutionalization
Chicago
Gun Control Act Of 1968
National Firearms Act
Disability Justice
Rehabilitation Act
Ed Roberts
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 weeklyEpisodes459Founded7 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
DocumentaryHistorySociety & Culture

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Artwork for Throughline

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Key Facts

Accepts Guests
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Contact Information
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Recent Guests

Amanda Frost
Professor of immigration law; author
University (immigration law)
Episode: Who gets to be an American citizen?
Joe Thorndyke
Historian for Tax Analysts
Tax Analysts
Episode: Al Capone and the transformation of the IRS
Paul Camacho
Former IRS Special Agent, Mob Museum board
Mob Museum, IRS CI
Episode: Al Capone and the transformation of the IRS
Dan Kopel
Writer and biographer of objects, author of The Banana, The Fate of the Fruit, The Change of the World
Episode: What the banana tells us about US history
Victor Acuña Ortega
Professor emeritus at the University of Costa Rica
Episode: What the banana tells us about US history
Ali Al-Ahmed
Saudi journalist and dissident
Saudi dissident, Washington-based commentator
Episode: How Saudi Arabia shaped Silicon Valley
Sequoia Carillo
NPR reporter
NPR
Episode: The Ojibwe Nation
Anya Steinberg
Throughline producer
Throughline
Episode: The Ojibwe Nation
Brenda Child
Ojibwe historian and Professor
University of Minnesota
Episode: The Ojibwe Nation

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 21.4k ratings
  • Exceptional reporting

    Huge thanks to Rund and Ramtin for this amazing podcast. You have really brought history to life and expanded my perspective. Keep up the great work.

    Thanks to NPR for enabling such work.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    TravenAdventure
    United Statesa month ago
  • Highly recommend

    Really appreciate podcast that provides deeper explanation of events when the typical news covers a lot of topics with little depth

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Jesse00000
    United Statesa month ago
  • Best History Podcast

    I am almost done listening to every single episode. The depth of history is amazing, and the connections made are always mind blowing.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    theyounggoat
    United Statesa month ago
  • Some episodes are excellent

    Others completely let the American colonial project off the hook (notably, episodes on Iran and Israel). Grim.

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    Emily Van Duyne
    United Statesa month ago
  • Valuable use of your time.

    NPR at its best …. Although always keeps knowledge flowing.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    MT Blues Lover
    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
#10
United States/History
Apple Podcasts
#220
United States/Top Podcasts
Apple Podcasts
#8
United States/History
Apple Podcasts
#28
Canada/History
Apple Podcasts
#106
United Kingdom/History
Apple Podcasts
#57
Australia/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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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. Up First from NPR

How many episodes of Throughline are there?

Throughline launched 7 years ago and published 459 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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What guests have appeared on Throughline?

Recent guests on Throughline include:

1. Amanda Frost
2. Joe Thorndyke
3. Paul Camacho
4. Dan Kopel
5. Victor Acuña Ortega
6. Ali Al-Ahmed
7. Sequoia Carillo
8. Anya Steinberg

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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