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
Sep 22, 2021 • 35min
Who You Calling 'Hispanic'?
But seriously, who? Because while it is Hispanic Heritage Month, the notion of a multiracial, multinational, pan-ethnic identity called "Hispanic" is a relatively recent — and somewhat haphazard invention — in the United States. So on this episode, we're digging into how the term got created and why it continues to both unite and bewilder.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy
Sep 15, 2021 • 56min
The Making And Remaking Of Afghanistan
For two decades, many Americans have seen Afghanistan depicted primarily through the lens of war. But that's not the full story — not even close. Afghanistan has a long, rich, complex history and culture. A lot of it flies in the face of the images those of us in the U.S. are exposed to. So this week, our friends at Throughline are helping us understand the fuller story.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy
Sep 8, 2021 • 47min
The Lost Summer
Twenty years ago, during the dog days of summer , a fledgling journalist named Shereen Marisol Meraji — maybe you've heard of her? — headed to Durban, South Africa. Her mission: to report on a meeting of thousands of organizers and ambassadors gathered at a global conference on racism. The conference filled Shereen with hope and optimism — all of which would soon be wiped away.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy
Sep 1, 2021 • 38min
The Folk Devil Made Me Do It
What moral panics reveal about the ongoing freakout over critical race theory in schools.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy
Aug 25, 2021 • 27min
'Seeing Ghosts' Across Generations
Kat Chow was 13 when her mother died, and with that loss came profound and lasting questions about identity, family and history. In her memoir, Seeing Ghosts, the author and former Code Switch reporter explores how her mother's death has haunted her through the years, in ways that are profound, tragic and, sometimes, darkly hilarious.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy
Aug 18, 2021 • 29min
Who Runs The World? Kids.
OK, they're not all kids. But they're all students, they're all amazing, and frankly, we're concerned that they might be coming for our jobs. That's right — the Student Podcast Challenge is back, and this year, the stories are more powerful than ever.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy
Aug 11, 2021 • 30min
Care To Explain Yourself?
It's hot out, places are shutting down again, and things might just be feeling a little bit slow. So in the spirit of spicing things up, we wanted to give you all a question to fight about: How much context should you have to give when talking about race and culture? Is it better to explain every reference, or ask people to Google as they go? Comedian Hari Kondabolu joins us to hash it out.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy
Aug 4, 2021 • 49min
Violence That Doesn't Go Viral
We talk a lot on this show about people who have been killed by police officers. But there is so much police violence that falls short of being fatal, but forever alters the lives of the people on the business end of it. So this week, we're turning things over to the "On Our Watch" podcast, out of KQED and NPR's Investigations Team.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy
Jul 28, 2021 • 39min
To Love And Not Forgive
For much of her childhood, Ashley Ford's father was incarcerated, and her mother struggled to raise her while grappling with her own upended life plans. In her new memoir, Somebody's Daughter, Ford looks at how her upbringing shaped her understanding of childhood, authority, forgiveness and freedom.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy
Jul 21, 2021 • 37min
Words To Set You Free
Some of the best books can make you feel free — free from your daily grind, free to imagine a new reality, free to explore different facets of your identity. This month, the Code Switch team is highlighting books that dig deep into what freedom really means.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy
