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Throughline

NPR
Iran
Israel
Hezbollah
Civil War
United States
Supreme Court
Civil Rights Movement
Hamas
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. Support p... more

PublishesDailyEpisodes495Founded8 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
HistoryDocumentarySociety & Culture

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Artwork for Throughline

Latest Episodes

Monopoly is one of the best-selling board games of all time. It heralds free market economics and celebrates the American dream. That's a far cry from the original intent. This week on our series Hidden Histories, we go back in time to reveal the swi... more

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In our final installment of AP250, how We Shall Overcome became the anthem of generations of protestors. Today on the show, we revisit an episode from the NPR archives about the legacy of hope found in the lyrics of this timeless song.

Support publi... more

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Over the next few episodes, we present Hidden Histories: stories that will make you rethink how the world works. First up, the conspiracy behind the lightbulb—and how it came to shape the entire consumer economy. If you ever wondered why your tech ou... more

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One of the most fundamental aspects of American democracy has been the public’s ability to critique power, whether that’s through protest, legislation, or a really funny joke. Today, we take a romp into the history of American comedy, showing no matt... more

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Key Facts

Accepts Guests
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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

Tom Bramel
Retired deputy fire chief interviewed about the persistent bulb in Livermore
Individual interviewee
Episode: The lightbulb conspiracy is both real and everywhere
Giles Slade
Author of Made to Break, explores obsolescence in America
Author/Historian
Episode: The lightbulb conspiracy is both real and everywhere
Markus Krajewski
Researcher who traced the Phoebus Cartel through archives
Historian/Researcher
Episode: The lightbulb conspiracy is both real and everywhere
Alfred Sloan
Historical figure discussed as architect of modern consumer marketing
General Motors executive (historical figure)
Episode: The lightbulb conspiracy is both real and everywhere
Henry Ford
Founder of Ford Motor Company, early mass production
Automotive
Episode: The lightbulb conspiracy is both real and everywhere
Jeff Bennett
Journalist and author of Black Out Loud
Author, Black Out Loud
Episode: The license to be funny in America
Danielle Fuentes Morgan
Associate professor in the Department of English at Santa Clara University
Santa Clara University
Episode: The license to be funny in America
Kerry Brown
Professor of Chinese Studies, Director of the Lau China Institute
King's College London
Episode: The architect of modern China
Dan Wong
Writer specializing in contemporary China
Author of Breakneck
Episode: The architect of modern China

Hosts

Rund Abdelfatah
Host of Throughline
Ramtin Arablouei
Host of Throughline

Reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars from 21.5k ratings
  • Has loud sudden car horn noises without warning, I had to turn the podcast off while driving.

    Podcast Addict
    1
    nlowry423
    a month ago
  • On Rotation

    I’m happy to make this show a part of my weekly podcast rotation. I look forward to new episodes and even going back to listen to their catalog where I am sure to find something worthy! Thank you for doing what you do!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    E. Harvey16
    United Statesa month ago
  • Wonderful

    So interesting and important no need to nitpick.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    🏹daredev1l
    United Statesa month ago
  • As always, NPR has the Right Stuff!

    Thank you, Throughline & NPR. Your work quality has never wavered, especially during these uncertain times. You make me proud to be supporter of all Public Radio and Television.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Susanyb60
    United States2 months ago
  • Timely current affairs and historical perspectives

    Very diverse yet timely topics as it pertains to the many listeners Interests in current affairs.

    Great style and delivery💪🏻

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Cuttheropper
    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
#16
United States/History
Apple Podcasts
#17
United States/History
Apple Podcasts
#43
Canada/History
Apple Podcasts
#76
United Kingdom/History
Apple Podcasts
#68
Australia/History
Apple Podcasts
#116
Germany/History

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

The architect of modern China
Q: How did Deng Xiaoping's reforms begin to reshape China's economy?
Deng introduced market-oriented reforms while preserving the Communist Party's political structure, using Special Economic Zones like Shenzhen to test capitalist-style growth and attract foreign investment.
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.

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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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. Code Switch
4. Fresh Air
5. Short Wave

How many episodes of Throughline are there?

Throughline launched 8 years ago and published 495 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. Tom Bramel
2. Giles Slade
3. Markus Krajewski
4. Alfred Sloan
5. Henry Ford
6. Jeff Bennett
7. Danielle Fuentes Morgan
8. Kerry Brown

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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