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
Nov 15, 2025 • 18min
How Trump's cuts to public media threaten the first Native American station
Kristin Hall, the general manager of KYUK in Bethel, Alaska, oversees an Indigenous-led station facing severe funding cuts. Joining her is Esther Green, a Yupik elder and co-host of the spiritual wellness show Ikayutet. They discuss how KYUK lost 70% of its budget, the station's critical role as the only local news source for 56 villages, and their on-the-ground reporting during recent disasters. Esther shares insights on community healing through Ikayutet, while Kristin highlights the bid for new funding amidst staff reductions.
Nov 12, 2025 • 31min
Tribal colleges are a unique resource — and they're under threat
Graham Lee Brewer, an Associated Press reporter focused on Indian Country, leads a discussion on the unique role of tribal colleges. Ruth de la Cruz shares insights on the Four Sisters Garden and revitalizing traditional seed banks. Mike Bartholomew emphasizes the importance of archival projects for Indigenous knowledge. Student Zaysha Grinnell highlights the community-centered learning experience enriched by elder involvement. Together, they address funding challenges and the impact on cultural education, revealing the resilience and significance of these institutions.
4 snips
Nov 8, 2025 • 36min
The hidden history of demonizing SNAP recipients
Josh Levin, a journalist and author, discusses the infamous Linda Taylor, whose story fueled the 'welfare queen' stereotype. The conversation highlights how political rhetoric demonized SNAP recipients, especially Black women, amid economic turmoil in the 1970s. Levin reveals Taylor's criminal history and complex identity claims, and how her narrative was manipulated by politicians like Reagan and Clinton to justify welfare cuts. The aftermath saw aggressive prosecutions of minor infractions, pushing many into extreme poverty.
Nov 5, 2025 • 40min
Freedom of speech has never been for everyone
Anshuman Mondal, a Professor and author of 'Racism and Free Speech', dives deep into the complexities surrounding freedom of speech. He explores how social and economic dynamics amplify certain voices while marginalizing others. Mondal advocates for nuanced approaches to speech limitations to advance racial equality, discussing tools like counter-speech and social sanctioning to combat racism. The conversation emphasizes that current free speech debates often reflect underlying power struggles rather than clear rights.
12 snips
Nov 1, 2025 • 21min
How Zohran Mamdani is scrambling establishment Democrat's brains
Tanvi Mizra, an independent reporter from Queens, dives into Zohran Mamdani's explosive rise in the NYC mayoral race. She highlights how he activated unlikely voters, particularly renters and young progressives, through grassroots organizing and a renter-focused message. Mizra also discusses Mamdani's outreach to South Asian communities, his innovative policy promises shaped by street-level feedback, and the complex voting behavior in Black neighborhoods. The impact of Islamophobia on his campaign and its dual role in mobilizing and demoralizing supporters is also examined.
15 snips
Oct 29, 2025 • 38min
How Elon Musk and JD Vance plan to 'save civilization' with more babies
Emily Merchant, an associate professor specializing in demography, and Julia Black, a tech reporter focused on pronatalism, dive into the controversial topic of population growth. They discuss how figures like Elon Musk and JD Vance advocate for increased birth rates to 'save civilization.' The conversation unearths the historical fears surrounding overpopulation, the intersection of eugenics with modern pronatalism, and the implications for societal structure. Julia shares insights from NatalCon, revealing the disturbing ties between this movement and nationalist ideologies.
Oct 25, 2025 • 17min
Unpacking the Trump administration's immigration raid in Chicago
Myra Kwaja, a reporter from the Invisible Institute, dives deep into the chaotic midnight immigration raid in Chicago, revealing how heavily armed agents executed a military-style operation that left both migrants and citizens traumatized. She discusses the deteriorating conditions of the building where many migrants lived and the controversial tactics used by DHS to dramatize the raid. Furthermore, Myra highlights local community efforts to resist these aggressive actions and the complex relationships between migrants and longtime residents.
12 snips
Oct 22, 2025 • 37min
Racist slurs, naughty words, and how dictionary editors define them
Join journalist Stefan Fatsis, author of 'Unabridged,' as he dives into the world of slurs and the editorial battles behind their definitions. Discover how dictionary editors navigate heated debates over terms like the N-word and why its lookups spiked recently. Fatsis shares insights on the evolution of language, from controversial entries like 'ain't' to the ongoing discussions about gendered terms. He also highlights the challenges faced by lexicographers in the digital age, including the threats posed by AI and declining staffing.
16 snips
Oct 15, 2025 • 42min
What does Israel mean to American Jews?
Marjorie Feld, a history professor and author of 'Threshold of Dissent,' dives into the complex history of Jewish criticism of Israel, discussing how early anti-Zionism emerged and the impact of the Holocaust on Jewish unity. Activist Will Alden shares his personal journey navigating Jewish identity and political activism amidst the current Israel-Palestine discourse. They explore generational divides, the fraught language surrounding the conflict, and how recent events have sparked renewed discussions and coalition-building within the Jewish community.
12 snips
Oct 11, 2025 • 15min
Stacey Abrams on how voter suppression threatens democracy
Stacey Abrams, a prominent voting rights activist and founder of the American Pride Rises Network, discusses the urgent threats to democracy posed by voter suppression. She highlights how demographic shifts and targeted tactics are increasing restrictions on voters of color. Abrams details the ten steps leading rights from democracy to autocracy, and emphasizes the role of local governance in restoring faith in the electoral process. Her call to action? Stay engaged, hold officials accountable, and ensure every vote counts.
