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Unruly Subjects

Rowhome Productions
ICE
Department Of Justice
Hip Hop
Election Interference
Labor Rights
Public Safety
Politics
Culture
Civil Rights Law
Campus Speech
Family Dynamics
Activism
Voter Purging
Labor Movement
Political Activism
Black Maternal Health
Public Education
Labor Unions
Cash Bail System
May Day

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

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes24Founded7 months ago
Number of ListenersCategories
PoliticsNewsNews Commentary

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Artwork for Unruly Subjects

Latest Episodes

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This week, we hear the story of how the "punishment bureaucracy" uses narrative and media to maintain state violence. We’re looking at the devastating impact of jailing someone simply because they cannot afford to pay ba... more

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Before he was a scholar, journalist, and podcast host, Chenjerai was a rapper. And this week’s show is all about how hip-hop is connected to our larger political struggles. 

📝 Got a minute to tell us a little bit about... more

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**Got a minute to tell us a little bit about yourself?**

Take the Unruly Subjects Audience Survey: docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSd2yAl6HSeeImYB94zgMHftklj_hVArDjRY4Q3fJQ57UgA_hA/viewform

Here at Unruly Subje... more

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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 martia... more

Key Facts

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Recent Guests

Alec Karakatsanis
Civil rights lawyer, founder of Civil Rights Corps, author of Copaganda
Civil Rights Corps
Episode: Locked Up for Being Poor: The Reality of Cash Bail and the Copaganda Machine
AD Carson
Professor of Hip Hop in the Global South, UVA; author of Being Dope
University of Virginia
Episode: Being Dope, Staying Unruly: Why We Need Hip-Hop to Understand Power, to Build Power and to Fight the Power
Todd Wolfson
President of the AAUP and national VP of AFT; Rutgers organizer
AAUP / AFT
Episode: Getting Unruly on May Day: Education Workers, Labor Power, and the Fight Ahead
Jessica Tang
President of AFT Massachusetts; former president of the Boston Teachers Union
AFT Massachusetts
Episode: Getting Unruly on May Day: Education Workers, Labor Power, and the Fight Ahead
Carl Rosen
Retired General President of UE (United Electrical, Radio and Machine Workers of America)
UE
Episode: Getting Unruly on May Day: Education Workers, Labor Power, and the Fight Ahead
Carla Harris
Public school teacher and organizer in Guilford County, NC
Public Schools / May Day Strong
Episode: Getting Unruly on May Day: Education Workers, Labor Power, and the Fight Ahead
Mikyung Ryu
International Director of the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions
KCTU
Episode: When the President Declares Martial Law: What We Can Learn From South Korea’s Struggle to Defeat an Authoritarian Turn
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

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 States2 months 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 States6 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.

Apple Podcasts
#16
Italy/News/News Commentary
Apple Podcasts
#159
Italy/News
Apple Podcasts
#102
Austria/News/News Commentary
Apple Podcasts
#220
South Africa/News/News Commentary
Apple Podcasts
#232
South Korea/News/News Commentary

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Getting Unruly on May Day: Education Workers, Labor Power, and the Fight Ahead
Q: What does May Day strong look like locally and how does that connect to statewide solidarity?
Locally, organizers engage in door-knocking, community coalition-building, and direct actions; statewide, they aim to coordinate through May Day Strong with allies in civil rights, immigrant rights, and voting rights movements to sustain pressure and build long-term power.
Getting Unruly on May Day: Education Workers, Labor Power, and the Fight Ahead
Q: So I know that AAUP and AFT have launched this platform and it's really super timely. By the way, we're going to put this in the show notes for y'all. Why did y'all launch this platform right now?
The platform is a response to a right-wing narrative about higher education; it argues that higher ed is crucial for democracy and the economy, and it lays out a vision for free public higher ed, debt-free pathways, and democratic governance to counter attacks on public institutions.
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.

Audience Metrics

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

Listeners per Episode
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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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How many listeners does Unruly Subjects get?

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Which podcasts are similar to Unruly Subjects?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Unruly Subjects:

1. Movement Memos
2. Throughline
3. Empire City: The Untold Origin Story of the NYPD
4. Democracy Now! Audio
5. Citations Needed

How many episodes of Unruly Subjects are there?

Unruly Subjects launched 7 months ago and published 24 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 Unruly Subjects?

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What guests have appeared on Unruly Subjects?

Recent guests on Unruly Subjects include:

1. Alec Karakatsanis
2. AD Carson
3. Todd Wolfson
4. Jessica Tang
5. Carl Rosen
6. Carla Harris
7. Mikyung Ryu
8. Saddiqa Kumanyika

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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