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Unruly Subjects

Rowhome Productions
ICE
Department Of Justice
Election Interference
Labor Rights
Politics
Culture
Civil Rights Law
Campus Speech
Family Dynamics
Activism
Voter Purging
Political Activism
Black Maternal Health
Food
Music
Cop City
Comedy
Racism
Black Lives Matter
Voting Rights Act

Unruly Subjects is a weekly show about politics and culture hosted by Chenjerai Kumanyika, media professor and Peabody Award-winning audio journalist. Each week, Chenjerai makes sense of the week’s struggles with some of his favorite people - thinkers, journalists, friends, and folks who can help us laugh through the pain.

The show is created in partnership with Rowhome Productions. Support Unrul... more

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes21Founded6 months ago
Number of ListenersCategories
News CommentaryNewsPolitics

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Artwork for Unruly Subjects

Latest Episodes

This week, we look back at the martial law crisis that happened in South Korea in 2024, the Union-led opposition that organized swiftly, and the nationwide general strike that helped played a key role in defeating martial law and spurring mass mobili... more

It’s Black Maternal Health Week! So on this week’s show we’re taking a deep look at the conditions Black mothers face before and after giving birth. 

🙏 We make Unruly Subjects 100% independently! Support the show on Patreon here: www.patreo... more

This week on Unruly Subjects, Chenjerai finally gets into sports. Kind of. Recently, it came to his attention that Steph Curry - one of the greatest NBA players of all time - has been investing in Israeli technology that’s linked to military actions ... more

This week on Unruly Subjects, Chenjerai is joined by his close friend Professor D Noble to unpack the viral fallout surrounding white rapper Jack Harlow. Following Harlow’s move into Neo Soul with his new album Monica, Chenjerai and Professor Noble d... more

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Recent Guests

Saddiqa Kumanyika
Psychotherapist specializing in perinatal mental health; wife of the host
Grounded Beginnings / perinatal mental health advocate
Episode: Creating Conditions for Black Mothers to Thrive
Malajah Rigsby
New mother and caregiver; participant in the interview
Caregiver; mother of Leilani
Episode: Creating Conditions for Black Mothers to Thrive
Shantice Edwards
Black Southern-raised full-spectrum doula; Reiki and sound healer
SisterWeb Doula Network
Episode: Creating Conditions for Black Mothers to Thrive
Dave Zirin
Sports journalist, The Nation
The Nation
Episode: Steph Curry, Sportswashing, and Why NBA players are investing in Israeli Security Tech?
CoCo Watson
Singer and cultural organizer
Independent artist
Episode: Steph Curry, Sportswashing, and Why NBA players are investing in Israeli Security Tech?
Demetrius Noble
Professor Noble, guest on the episode
University/academic field (as introduced)
Episode: Jack Harlow’s "Blacker" Comments: Unpacking the Fallout with D Noble
Hrag Balian
Co-founder of No Data Centers MPK
No Data Centers MPK
Episode: How to Kill a Data Center
Steven J. Kung
Co-founder and organizer with No Data Centers MPK
No Data Centers MPK
Episode: How to Kill a Data Center
Claire Wang
Journalist covering The Guardian and The Guardian/The Atlantic etc.; researching anti-data center movement
The Guardian, journalist
Episode: How to Kill a Data Center

Host

Chenjerai Kumanyika
Host of Unruly Subjects, media professor and audio journalist with a focus on politics and culture.

Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars from 20 ratings
  • Love this pod, just one request!

    Essential listening these days! Absolutely love it. Well researched and relevant to everyone. The only request is if the clapping/whooping sounds could be halved 😅 I definitely appreciate them sometimes but are a little too frequent for my taste. Even still, LOVE THE POD! Thank you!!!!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    rsam92
    United Statesa month ago
  • Essential, brilliant, and surprisingly hilarious

    Chenjerai Kumanyika has a rare gift for making complex political and social issues feel accessible without losing an ounce of nuance. What I love most is that while the topics are serious, the show is genuinely fun—often funny and perfectly willing to embrace the absurdity of our current moment. The production from the Rowhome team is top-tier; the sound design and pacing make even the heaviest deep dives feel like a sharp, witty conversation. If you want news commentary that challenges your bra... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Philly Music Guy
    United States3 months ago
  • On point!

    Unsurprisingly for any project Chenjerai tackles, this podcast is tight & on point!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Skatzesq
    United States5 months ago
  • Everything Chenjerai does is gold!

    This is exactly what our world needs right now, and Chenjerai is the man for the job.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    laurajoycedavis
    United States6 months ago

Listeners Say

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

Listeners praise the show's nuance and accessibility, noting the host's ability to tackle complex issues with wit.
The production quality and pacing are highlighted as top-tier by many listeners.
Guests and discussions are repeatedly described as insightful and timely, resonating with an audience seeking rigorous yet engaging political culture talk.

Chart Rankings

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

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Steph Curry, Sportswashing, and Why NBA players are investing in Israeli Security Tech?
Q: What historical parallels do they draw to illustrate this pattern?
They compare contemporary Coke-like celebrity involvement to earlier uses of Black stars in public diplomacy and jazz figures to promote American imperialism, suggesting a re-run with athletes instead of musicians.
Steph Curry, Sportswashing, and Why NBA players are investing in Israeli Security Tech?
Q: How do the guests connect celebrity culture to geopolitics in sports?
They argue that athletes' cultural capital and endorsements can serve as cover for state violence (sports washing) and that black athletes are targeted as authentic voices to push these narratives.
Steph Curry, Sportswashing, and Why NBA players are investing in Israeli Security Tech?
Q: What is the core claim about Steph Curry's investments in Israeli tech?
Curry is alleged to be underwriting the Israeli security state via Penny Jar Capital, funding firms tied to military and surveillance infrastructure, thereby contributing to a system of occupation and oppression.
How to Kill a Data Center
Q: What was the turning point that made you believe you could actually win this time?
The January 21st city council meeting packed with residents and the council's decision to ban the data center, instead of requiring an environmental impact report, showed that sustained community pressure could override initial expectations and force a concrete policy outcome.
How to Replace Family Policing with Real Community Care
Q: What was your introduction to the system and how did that move you into being an organizer and advocate?
April describes losing her children to the family policing system in 2013 after a series of traumas, and explains how multiple investigations and systemic failures pushed her toward advocacy, eventually leading to founding Philly Voice for Change to create a community-led nonprofit that addresses access to treatment, mentoring, and mutual aid.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Unruly Subjects

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

Unruly Subjects presents a thoughtful mix of politics and culture, with frequent deep dives into civil rights, labor organizing, policing, and how culture intersects with public policy. Episodes often feature activists, journalists, and scholars who connect current events to broader social movements, while also spotlighting personal narratives and practical organizing strategies. Expect rigorous analysis, a clear left-leaning orientation toward social justice, and a balance of serious critique with accessible storytelling that invites both reflection and action. Notable strengths include high-quality production, candid conversations with a wide range of guests, and a consistent focus on solidarity, community organizing, and democratic parti... more

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Which podcasts are similar to Unruly Subjects?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Unruly Subjects:

1. Reveal
2. Movement Memos
3. Pod Save the People
4. It's Been a Minute
5. Fresh Air

How many episodes of Unruly Subjects are there?

Unruly Subjects launched 6 months ago and published 21 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on Unruly Subjects?

Recent guests on Unruly Subjects include:

1. Saddiqa Kumanyika
2. Malajah Rigsby
3. Shantice Edwards
4. Dave Zirin
5. CoCo Watson
6. Demetrius Noble
7. Hrag Balian
8. Steven J. Kung

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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