Code Switch
NPR
What's CODE SWITCH? It's the fearless conversations about race that you've been waiting for. Hosted by journalists of color, our podcast tackles the subject of race with empathy and humor. We explore how race affects every part of society — from politics and pop culture to history, food and everything in between. This podcast makes all of us part of the conversation — because we're all part of the story. Code Switch was named Apple Podcasts' first-ever Show of the Year in 2020.Want to level up your Code Switch game? Try Code Switch Plus. Your subscription supports the show and unlocks a sponsor-free feed. Learn more at plus.npr.org/codeswitch
Episodes
Mentioned books
Feb 4, 2026 • 35min
The history of Black History Month, one hundred years in
Jarvis Givens, Harvard professor of education and African and African American studies and author of I'll Make Me a World, explores the 100-year history of Black History Month. He traces its origins from Negro History Week, highlights grassroots preservation by teachers and communities, and discusses how celebrations shifted over time. The conversation centers on memory work, everyday lives, and the politics of teaching Black history.
Jan 31, 2026 • 17min
Americans are worried about crime. Here’s how politicians leverage it
Meg Anderson, NPR national desk correspondent covering criminal justice, discusses how fears about crime persist despite long-term declines. She explores how disorder and high-profile cases shape public panic. She recounts intense reporting from Minneapolis and explains how crime rhetoric is used to justify heavy-handed policies and federal actions.
11 snips
Jan 28, 2026 • 28min
What the history of U.S. protests illuminates about today
Gloria J. Browne-Marshall, constitutional law professor and author of A Protest History of the United States, offers a historical lens on protest movements. She traces labor wins, union strategies, and sanitation strikes. She highlights youth roles, the personal costs of activism, and why protest builds power over time.
15 snips
Jan 24, 2026 • 17min
What the quarter-zip craze tells us about Blackness and respectability
Jonathan Square, Parsons professor and fashion scholar, explores how the quarter-zip became a symbol in debates about Black fashion and respectability. He connects viral TikTok popularity to long histories of policing Black dress. The conversation touches on Black dandyism, nostalgia, elite styling, and the limits of dressing for protection.
13 snips
Jan 21, 2026 • 39min
How local police extend ICE's reach, even in sanctuary cities
Join cultural anthropologist Peter Mancina, a visiting scholar at Rutgers and author of On the Side of ICE, as he dives into the complexities of policing in sanctuary cities. He reveals how local police often aid ICE despite the intention of sanctuary policies. Mancina discusses the impact of administrative warrants, the history of local-federal cooperation, and the role of body cameras in immigration enforcement. He advocates for a reevaluation of policing practices to genuinely protect immigrant communities.
10 snips
Jan 17, 2026 • 22min
Freedom through the eyes of foes: Rev. Martin Luther King and Sen. Barry Goldwater
Nicholas Buccola, a Professor of humanism and ethics and author of One Man's Freedom, explores the contrasting legacies of Martin Luther King Jr. and Barry Goldwater. He delves into how both redefined freedom: Goldwater's abstract ideals versus King's focus on dignity and tangible rights. Buccola addresses why each leader was perceived as both a champion and a threat to freedom, and how their visions resonate in today's political landscape. He emphasizes the lessons from the 1960s that can inform our current struggles for liberty and justice.
8 snips
Jan 14, 2026 • 33min
Venezuela and the long tradition of US interference
Join Jasmine Garsd, an NPR immigration correspondent with firsthand reporting on Venezuelan migration, and Greg Grandin, a Pulitzer Prize-winning historian, as they dissect the turbulent history of U.S. interventions in Latin America. Jasmine shares her surreal experience at Nicolás Maduro's court appearance, revealing polarized reactions from the crowd. Meanwhile, Greg dives into how Latin American struggles shaped modern notions of sovereignty and critiques U.S. policies that intertwine material interests with ideology, shedding light on the refugee crisis fueled by decades of interference.
11 snips
Jan 10, 2026 • 18min
Jelani Cobb talks democracy, Trumpism, and the future of journalism
Jelani Cobb, a journalist and the Dean of Columbia Journalism School, dives deep into the current state of U.S. democracy. He discusses Trump's rise as a backlash to Obama's presidency and examines the lethal acceleration of undemocratic actions during Trump’s second term. Cobb addresses the militarization of policing and critiques recent military operations abroad. He also stresses the ethical duties of journalists to uphold trust and highlights the need for focus on pressing questions amidst societal progress and potential authoritarian threats.
Jan 7, 2026 • 35min
How 'The Joy Luck Club' highlighted the complicated dynamics of immigrant families
In this discussion, author Jasmine Chan shares her insights on the enduring themes presented in Amy Tan’s The Joy Luck Club. Chan reflects on the challenges of intergenerational communication within immigrant families and how these dynamics resonate today. The conversation explores the evolution of Asian narratives in literature, showcasing critiques of gatekeeping in publishing. They also discuss the novel's emotional depth, contrasting it with its film adaptation, and how these stories inspire broader conversations about motherhood, identity, and empathy.
16 snips
Jan 3, 2026 • 34min
Support for Israel is waning, but many White Evangelical Christians remain steadfast
Daniel Hummel, a historian and fellow at the University of Wisconsin–Madison, dives into the steadfast support for Israel among older White Evangelical Christians, despite declining support from other demographics. He explores the historical roots of this connection and its substantial influence on U.S. foreign policy. Hummel details how dispensationalism and key figures like Billy Graham shaped modern evangelical beliefs. He also discusses the political mobilization of evangelicals in the 20th century and the global reach of Christian Zionism, highlighting its theological and political implications.
