On the Media
WNYC Studios
On the Media is a weekly show that uses the media as a lens to understand our world. On the Media listeners say the show is an essential companion, helping them survive the firehose of media coming at them 24/7. Hosted by Brooke Gladstone and Micah Loewinger, the show does not do ‘hot takes’, instead offering listeners context, historical parallels, media analysis and often a much appreciated deep exhale. On the Media hosts have an eye on the nuances and details regularly missed by other outlets which helps listeners understand where they should be paying attention (and what they can afford to ignore). Our media diets have untruths woven in, and inconvenient truths left out. These are the bits explored every week at On the Media.
Episodes
Mentioned books
17 snips
Jan 31, 2026 • 51min
Videos of ICE Violence Are Plentiful. Accountability.… Not So Much.
Eliot Higgins, founder of Bellingcat and open-source investigator, outlines a VDA framework for verification, deliberation, and accountability. Radley Balko, author and policing critic, draws parallels between modern federal operations and the Boston Massacre. Brandy Zadrozny, reporter on extremism, describes far-right creators shaping narratives at Minneapolis protests and how bystander video changed the story.
12 snips
Jan 28, 2026 • 19min
Stars and Stripes in Peril
Erik Slavin, Editor-in-Chief of Stars and Stripes and long-time military reporter, discusses the Pentagon’s push to reshape the paper. He describes why local, on-base reporting matters. He warns about blending PR with journalism and recalls investigations that forced policy changes. He explains how honest coverage can actually strengthen troop morale.
64 snips
Jan 24, 2026 • 50min
Trump's Plan to Tank America
Drew Harwell, tech reporter at The Washington Post who covers digital recruitment and government tech. Joseph Cox, investigative tech reporter and 404 Media co-founder specializing in surveillance. Garrett M. Graff, journalist and historian focused on geopolitics. They discuss ICE’s growing surveillance tools and recruitment blitz. They map how U.S. alliances and global standing are being strained under recent political moves.
33 snips
Jan 21, 2026 • 30min
Trump's War On the Fed [EXTENDED VERSION]
In this insightful discussion, Mark Blyth, a Professor of International Economics and Public Affairs at Brown University, dives into the pressing investigation into Fed Chair Jerome Powell. He explores the risks of politicizing the Federal Reserve, explaining how it could threaten its independence and lead to undesirable rate manipulation. Blyth highlights central banks' evolving authority post-2008, using Turkey as a cautionary tale. He urges listeners to focus on real economic pressures like supply chains instead of sensational headlines about the Fed.
43 snips
Jan 17, 2026 • 50min
Trump's War on the Fed, Explained. Plus, How One School Teacher Stood Up to Putin.
Mark Blyth, a Professor of International Economics at Brown University, dives into the Trump administration's influence on the Federal Reserve, exploring the complexities of central bank independence and the consequences of populist pressures. David Borenstein, co-director of the documentary about Russian school propaganda, shares harrowing tales of teachers' compliance and small acts of rebellion against state indoctrination amid intense surveillance. Together, they illuminate the urgent issues surrounding power, education, and the fight for truth.
26 snips
Jan 14, 2026 • 23min
Who is Russell Vought?
Investigative reporter Andy Kroll, who covers justice and the rule of law at ProPublica, delves into the enigmatic Russell Vought, a powerful figure within the White House. Kroll explains how Vought’s unconventional strategies at the Office of Management and Budget often align with MAGA priorities and discusses his controversial funding freezes, including implications surrounding impeachment. He also traces Vought’s journey from a Hill aide to an influential activist, revealing how Vought's rhetoric aims to instill fear in federal employees and potentially shape future administrations.
84 snips
Jan 9, 2026 • 50min
A Deadly ICE Shooting in Minnesota. Plus, Trump Plays King in Venezuela.
Jeffrey Mitrott, a senior investigative reporter for the Minnesota Star Tribune, dives into the fallout from a deadly ICE shooting in Minneapolis, revealing the truth behind viral claims of fraud at Somali daycares. Rafael Osio Cabrices, editor-in-chief of Caracas Chronicles, discusses Venezuela's fractured media landscape and the complexities surrounding U.S. foreign policy interventions. Political scientist Abe Newman explains 'neo-royalism' and critiques how elite-driven foreign policies prioritize personal power over global stability.
9 snips
Jan 7, 2026 • 21min
The Forgotten History of the First Sitcom
Emily Nussbaum, a television critic for The New Yorker, dives into the fascinating story of Gertrude Berg, the pioneer behind the sitcom. They explore how Berg crafted the character of Molly Goldberg to redefine stereotypes of Jewish mothers. Nussbaum highlights the show's politically charged themes during the Depression and its bold transition to television. The discussion also touches on the impact of the Red Scare on Berg’s legacy and the erasure of her contributions from TV history, drawing eerie parallels to today's media landscape.
14 snips
Jan 2, 2026 • 50min
How Debate Took Over the Internet. Plus, a Case for Confronting the Past.
Mehdi Hasan, journalist and editor-in-chief of Zeteo, shares insights from his confronting debates with far-right conservatives on Jubilee, tackling the evolving nature of political discourse online. He raises critical questions about the fine line between platforming extremist views and fostering understanding. Meanwhile, Bryan Stevenson, founder of the Equal Justice Initiative, emphasizes the importance of truthful historical memory, arguing against the erasure of painful histories. He inspires hope through storytelling and advocates for public narratives that honor the legacy of slavery and racial violence.
25 snips
Dec 31, 2025 • 19min
The Rapid Rise of Bari Weiss
Peter Shamshiri, co-host of If Books Could Kill, dives into the meteoric rise of Bari Weiss, the new editor in chief of CBS News. He discusses her controversial academic activism at Columbia and highlights her transition from the New York Times to founding The Free Press. Shamshiri critiques the site's perceived neutrality amid its conservative leanings and examines its rapid subscriber growth and funding from Silicon Valley. The conversation touches on the framing of narratives in media and the intriguing parallels between the woke left and right.
