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
Aug 30, 2023 • 38min
Bad Bunny, Reggaeton, and Resistance
Bad Bunny, a genre- and gender norm-defying Puerto Rican rapper, becomes a symbol of political dissent in Puerto Rico after Hurricane Maria. His impact on Puerto Rican culture and politics is discussed, along with the complexities of race and identity in the reggaeton genre. The emotional connection to one of his songs reflects the love for Puerto Rico. The podcast explores the praise, criticism, and challenges faced by Puerto Rico, highlighting the poignant themes in Bad Bunny's music.
Aug 23, 2023 • 27min
What Makes A Good Race Joke?
Comedians discuss how and why race appears in their jokes, sharing personal experiences and challenges faced by comedians of color. They talk about mistaken assumptions, the impact of identity on stage, and the role of audience perception in shaping jokes. The podcast also explores the topic of superficial and insincere land acknowledgments.
20 snips
Aug 16, 2023 • 24min
Family, fortune, and the fight for Osage headrights
A man fights for his share of an Osage headright inheritance, revealing a dark history of violent crimes against the Osage people. He reconnects with his birth family and decides to give his share back to the tribe.
Aug 9, 2023 • 34min
How Hip-Hop Fights The Power — And Also Serves It
Exploring the origin story of hip-hop and its impact on culture, the podcast delves into its diverse sub-genres, influence on language and fashion, and its contradictions as a tool for both resistance and capitalism. It also highlights the global impact of hip-hop, its use by powerful institutions such as the US State Department for diplomacy, and the complex relationship between hip-hop and American institutions.
5 snips
Aug 2, 2023 • 33min
Rolling the dice on race in Dungeons & Dragons
Dungeons & Dragons is one of the most popular tabletop role-playing games of all time. But it has also helped cement some ideas about how we create and define race in fantasy — and in the tangible world. This week we revisit a deep dive into that game. What we find about racial stereotypes and colonialist supremacy is illuminating.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy
Jul 26, 2023 • 34min
Code Switch's beach reads — no beach required
There are race books, and there are beach reads, and never the twain shall meet. You know that old truism, right? Well, this is Code Switch (the show about race and identity and romance and drama from NPR), and we weren't willing to accept that dichotomy. So on this episode, we're bringing you a bouquet of our favorite summer thrillers, love stories, memoirs and more — all of which have something to say about race.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy
Jul 19, 2023 • 33min
This Conspiracy Soup Contains Bugs — And Racism
Gene Demby and NPR's Huo Jingnan dive into a conspiracy theory about how "global elites" are forcing people to eat bugs. And no huge surprise — the theory's popularity is largely about its loudest proponents' racist fear-mongering.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy
Jul 12, 2023 • 37min
Is "home" still home after 30 years away?
Brian de los Santos always thought of Mexico as his "home" — despite not having been able to return to his country of birth for three decades. But when he finally got a chance to visit, his conception of what home was and where he belonged totally shifted.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy
Jul 5, 2023 • 33min
What Happens After A Racist Massacre In Your Neighborhood?
This week, we're sharing the first episode of "Buffalo Extreme," a three-part series from our play cousins at NPR's Embedded. The series follows a Black cheer squad, their moms and their coaches in the year after the racist massacre at the Jefferson Street Tops in Buffalo, New York, just blocks from their gym. NPR hands the mic to the girls and women in that community as they navigate the complicated path to recovery in the year after.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy
Jun 28, 2023 • 34min
Honoring My Enslaved Ancestors, Part Two
In the second of two episodes, Code Switch co-host B.A. Parker is figuring out what kind of descendant she wants to be. Parker and her mom decide to go back to the plantation where their ancestors were enslaved, because despite the circumstances of slavery, this is where their family began.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy
