Origins of ThruLine

The podcast delves into the beginnings of the show, highlighting how it started in October 2015 when the hosts were brought on board by Guy Raz to develop a new series. Initially working in isolation at NPR, they began brainstorming ideas during shared lunches, launching conversations about religion and history shaped by their immigrant backgrounds. This camaraderie and shared experience led them to create a concept that intertwined past stories with contemporary issues, ultimately becoming the foundation for ThruLine. After pitching their pilot episode, they received encouragement from leadership, which validated their direction and passion for the project.