Throughline
NPR
Throughline is a time machine. Each episode, we travel beyond the headlines to answer the question, "How did we get here?" We use sound and stories to bring history to life and put you into the middle of it. From ancient civilizations to forgotten figures, we take you directly to the moments that shaped our world. Throughline is hosted by Peabody Award-winning journalists Rund Abdelfatah and Ramtin Arablouei.Subscribe to Throughline+. You'll be supporting the history-reframing, perspective-shifting, time-warping stories you can't get enough of - and you'll unlock access bonus episodes and sponsor-free listening. Learn more at plus.npr.org/throughline
Episodes
Mentioned books
Sep 12, 2019 • 32min
Three Chords And The Truth
When Lil Nas X released his viral hit "Old Town Road" last year, he sparked a conversation about what country music is and who is welcome in the genre. To better understand the deep and often misunderstood history of country music, we sat down with renowned filmmaker Ken Burns to talk about his new documentary series Country Music and his process as a storyteller.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy
Sep 5, 2019 • 36min
The Litter Myth
Heather Rogers, journalist and author of "Gone Tomorrow: The Hidden Life of Garbage," joins Iron Eyes Cody, the actor famously known as the 'Crying Indian,' and Finis Dunaway, a history professor. They delve into the history of waste management in the U.S., discussing how branding litter has shifted the responsibility from manufacturers to individuals. The impact of the 'Crying Indian' ad is explored, critiquing the misrepresentation of Native identities while highlighting its role in raising environmental awareness. They call for acknowledging corporate responsibility in pollution.
Aug 29, 2019 • 38min
On The Shoulders Of Giants
Amira Rose Davis, a Professor at Penn State and co-host of the feminist sports podcast Burn It All Down, dives into the complex legacy of athlete activism. She discusses Colin Kaepernick's protest and its impact on societal conversations around patriotism and police brutality. The talk touches on historical figures like Jack Johnson and Wilma Rudolph, who broke barriers and championed civil rights. Davis also explores the challenges athletes face when their activism meets public scrutiny, as seen through Mahmoud Abdul-Raouf's journey.
Aug 22, 2019 • 30min
Strange Fruit
Billie Holiday helped shape American popular music with her voice and unique style. But, her legacy extends way beyond music with one song in particular — "Strange Fruit." The song paints an unflinching picture of racial violence, and it was an unexpected hit. But singing it brought serious consequences.In a special collaboration with NPR Music's Turning the Tables Series, how "Strange Fruit" turned Billie Holiday into one of the first victims of the War on Drugs.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy
Aug 15, 2019 • 48min
Mass Incarceration
The United States imprisons more people than any other country in the world, and a disproportionate number of those prisoners are Black. What are the origins of the U.S. criminal justice system and how did racism shape it? From the creation of the first penitentiaries in the 1800s, to the "tough-on-crime" prosecutors of the 1990s, how America created a culture of mass incarceration.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy
Aug 8, 2019 • 30min
Scorched Earth
The term "concentration camp" is most associated with Nazi Germany and the systematic killing of Jews during World War II. But colonial powers used concentration camps at the turn of the 19th century to crush rebellions. In this episode, how a war between Britain and South African Boers gave rise to some of the first camps.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy
Aug 1, 2019 • 30min
Huey Long Vs. The Media
Huey Pierce Long: you either loved him, or hated him. He combined progressive economic ideas with an autocratic streak, earning him thousands of adoring fans and fearful enemies. Long went from traveling salesman to Louisiana governor, and then US senator, through his mastery of the media. Then once in power, he waged a war against it.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy
Jul 25, 2019 • 35min
Milliken v. Bradley
After the landmark decision in Brown v. Board of Education, public schools across the country were supposed to become more integrated, but by the 1970s, many weren't. As a way to remedy segregation in their city, the Detroit school board introduced busing across Detroit. But the plan was met with so much resistance that the issue eventually led all the way to the Supreme Court.This week, segregation in Detroit public schools and the impact of a Supreme Court case that went far beyond that city.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy
Jul 18, 2019 • 48min
Rules Of Engagement
Tensions between the U.S. and Iran have deep historical roots, dating back to the 1953 coup. The rise of Khomeini transformed relations, culminating in the storming of the American embassy. The brutal Iran-Iraq War and its aftermath further complicated dynamics, leading to U.S. military involvement, especially in the Gulf. Notably, the tragic incident involving the USS Vincennes underscores the dangers of miscommunication. Additionally, Iran's use of strategic proxies and the Stuxnet cyberattack reveal the evolving nature of conflict and international security challenges.
Jul 11, 2019 • 36min
Four Days In August
The U.S. and Iran have had a tense relationship for decades — but when did that begin? This week, we feature our very first episode about an event from August 1953 — when the CIA helped to overthrow Iran's Prime Minister.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy
