Rephonic
Artwork for Us & Them
West Virginia
Donald Trump
Abortion
Homelessness
Medicaid
Safer Kentucky Act
Substance Use Disorder
Women's Health Center Of Maryland
Reproductive Rights
Affordable Housing
Maryland
Louisville, Kentucky
Abortion Rights
Daniel Johnston
American Revolution
Appalachia
Covid-19
Housing Crisis
Criminal Record
Criminal Justice

We tell stories from the fault lines that separate Americans. Peabody Award-winning public radio producer Trey Kay listens to people on both sides of the divide.

PublishesTwice monthlyEpisodes276Founded11 years ago
Number of ListenersCategory
Society & Culture

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Artwork for Us & Them

Latest Episodes

Daniel Johnston, a visual artist and singer-songwriter from West Virginia made his mark in the indie music scene of the1980s. His raw and unpolished style earned him a label as an outsider artist, and a place in the state’s Music Hall of Fame. Johnst... more

Hundreds of thousands of kids rely on America’s foster care system. West Virginia has the highest rate of foster care placements of any state - four times the national average. Foster care is most often needed because of parental substance use, menta... more

YouTube

Psychedelic drugs are getting attention from the Trump administration as treatment potentials for some mental health conditions. An executive order from President Trump fast tracks research and access to the drugs, which can carry health risks. On th... more

YouTube

The 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence arrives at a moment when Americans are arguing not just about politics—but about our nation’s history. As President Donald Trump calls for the removal of what he labels “divisive” history from ... more

YouTube

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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Recent Guests

Irwin Shucid
Music historian and journalist
WFMU / Journalist and historian featured in episode
Episode: Us & Them Encore: Daniel Johnston — The Troubled Life And Artistic Genius Of West Virginia Music Hall Of Fame Inductee
Cathy McCarty
Singer-songwriter and Daniel Johnston collaborator
Glass Eye; collaborator with Johnston
Episode: Us & Them Encore: Daniel Johnston — The Troubled Life And Artistic Genius Of West Virginia Music Hall Of Fame Inductee
Dick Johnston
Daniel Johnston's brother
Family; manages estate
Episode: Us & Them Encore: Daniel Johnston — The Troubled Life And Artistic Genius Of West Virginia Music Hall Of Fame Inductee
Brandy Wilson
Former CPS worker in West Virginia
Department of Health and Human Resources / Mission West Virginia
Episode: Us & Them Encore: Our Foster Care Crisis
Mark Wilson
Husband of Brandy Wilson, foster parent
West Virginia foster care system
Episode: Us & Them Encore: Our Foster Care Crisis
Nikki Snuffer
Foster parent and caregiver
Family foster home (Winfield High/ kinship programs)
Episode: Us & Them Encore: Our Foster Care Crisis
Luisa Snuffer
Foster parent
Family foster home
Episode: Us & Them Encore: Our Foster Care Crisis
Larry Cooper
Executive with Children's Home Network
Children's Home Network (Florida)
Episode: Us & Them Encore: Our Foster Care Crisis
Rachel Kinder
Kinship care program lead
Mission West Virginia
Episode: Us & Them Encore: Our Foster Care Crisis

Host

Trey Kay
Host and lead storyteller, engages with guests across divides to illuminate lived experiences behind policy and culture.

Reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars from 440 ratings
  • One of my favorite pods

    Us and Them has continue to be one of my favorite podcasts. It’s very informative, the topics covered are very interesting, and I love that the host gives you a true wide range of perspectives without it being heavily one sided or judgmental. I always look forward to new episodes.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Kasslea
    United States2 years ago
  • Five Star

    This podcast continues to be one of the most informative and important on my playlist. I always feel like sharing episodes to ppl I know with the hopes of fostering good discussion and tending to our nations divi visions. So good and worth your time.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    cmcveigh23
    United States3 years ago
  • So glad I found this

    I am so glad to have stumbled across this podcast. It has a unique way of looking at both sides and them connecting them. We really aren’t all that different are we?

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    Jcmaidens
    United States4 years ago
  • Great how multiple viewpoints are considered in each episode. The podcast calmly explores different sides and in this enables us to broaden our thinking. Thank you for your work!

    Podcast Addict
    5
    Candida Oxford
    5 years ago
  • Glad to have found Us & Them

    Not only is Us & Them very engaging and an interesting podcast to listen to, but I am surprised by the multiple ways of looking at the topics. It’s not just black & white, but in-between too. Even though it can be hard to listen to some of the guests, they exist and it’s healthy for us all to try to keep our minds open. Thanks Trey Kay for your great work!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    SequoiasOutBack
    United States5 years ago

Listeners Say

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

Well-produced narratives that connect personal stories to policy.
Insightful and rigorous storytelling with real-world impact.
Thoughtful, balanced, and compassionate dialogue that bridges divides.
Respectful yet challenging conversations that illuminate multiple perspectives.

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The Viall FilesNick Viall

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Us & Them: The Good, The Bad, And The American Revolution
Q: What role do universities play in shaping the public understanding of the founding era?
Universities should expand worldviews, foster safe, respectful debate, and provide tools for critical thinking rather than indoctrination.
Us & Them Encore: Substance Use Disorder — Can You Recover Without A Place To Call Home?
Q: What has been the practical impact of the Safer Kentucky Act on unhoused people in Louisville?
While some see the act as a necessary push toward treatment, others describe it as criminalizing homelessness and creating new barriers to stable housing, with real consequences on access to services and safety.
Us & Them: The Mythology Of Crime Stats
Q: So, how are crime statistics wielded to bolster these two approaches?
Ineptly, unprofessionally and malevolently, if I pronounce that correctly.
Us & Them: The Mythology Of Crime Stats
Q: But you were mentioning kind of an experience that you had with a wing of the Biden administration.
The Trump administration is directing federal resources toward addressing crime in places like Washington, DC, California, Tennessee, and perhaps Chicago and Baltimore. And yet, others have noted that the crime rates, specifically violent crime, is down.
Us & Them: Rebuilding Justice In A Divided America
Q: What distinguishes the Trump era of authoritarian populism from earlier versions of conservative law and order politics?
The Trump administration lacks concern for local autonomy, insisting that communities handle criminal justice as long as it aligns with their desires.

Audience Metrics

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

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
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Frequently Asked Questions About Us & Them

What is Us & Them about and what kind of topics does it cover?

This program explores America's fault lines by profiling real people, communities, and issues at the center of political and cultural divides. Frequent topics include housing insecurity in rural and Appalachian areas, rural health care and hospital closures, addiction and recovery, and the social impacts of policy decisions. Alongside historical and cultural conversations—ranging from civil rights in music to interpretations of the American Revolution—the show emphasizes empathy, plausible solutions, and the lived experiences behind headlines. A standout quality is the blend of personal storytelling with policy analysis, offering nuance and multiple perspectives without sacrificing human context. Listeners likely appreciate thoughtful, cros... more

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Which podcasts are similar to Us & Them?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Us & Them:

1. The Daily
2. Scene on Radio
3. This American Life
4. Embedded
5. Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me!

How many episodes of Us & Them are there?

Us & Them launched 11 years ago and published 276 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 Us & Them?

Recent guests on Us & Them include:

1. Irwin Shucid
2. Cathy McCarty
3. Dick Johnston
4. Brandy Wilson
5. Mark Wilson
6. Nikki Snuffer
7. Luisa Snuffer
8. Larry Cooper

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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