Throughline

A record number of Americans have died from opioid overdoses in recent years. But how did we get here? And is this the first time Americans have faced this crisis? The short answer: no.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Have you ever wondered why your smartphone or toaster oven doesn't seem to last very long, even though technology is becoming better and better? This week, in a special collaboration with Planet Money, we bring you the history of planned obsolescence – the idea that products are designed to break.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Exploring the history of militarization at the U.S.-Mexico border, from President Trump's national emergency declaration to past presidential responses. Discussing the evolution of border enforcement, the impact of events like World War II and the Bracero program, and the emergence of drug paranoia in the late 1960s. Tracing the transformation of US border security from military deployment to post-9/11 era policies, including the creation of the Department of Homeland Security.

Vladimir Putin has been running Russia since 2000 when he was first elected as President. How did a former KGB officer make his way up to the top seat — was it political prowess or was he just the recipient of a lot of good fortune? In this episode, we dive into the life of Vladimir Putin and try to understand how he became Russia's new "tsar."Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Conspiracy theories are a feature of today's news and politics. But they've really been a part of American life since its founding. In this episode, we'll explore how conspiracy theories helped to create the U.S. and how they became the currency of political opportunists.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

The podcast explores the first presidential impeachment in American history with a focus on Andrew Johnson's presidency during a divided United States after the Civil War. It covers the challenges of Reconstruction, politically motivated uprisings, the drama of the impeachment trial, and the significance of impeachment as a constitutional means of redress.

Kim Jong Un, the enigmatic leader of North Korea known for his nuclear ambitions, and Donald Trump, the 45th President of the United States recognized for his controversial foreign policy, engage in a riveting dialogue. They delve into the complex history of the Korean Peninsula, unpacking the roots of the U.S.-North Korea tensions. Hear about the devastating impacts of the Korean War, the dark realities of living under dictatorship, and the ongoing struggle for power in a divided Korea. It’s a captivating exploration of a region often shrouded in mystery.

Explore the stories of heavyweight boxer Jack Johnson, sprinter Wilma Rudolph, and basketball player Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf, who used their platform to protest racial injustice. From Johnson's rise to Rudolph's perseverance and Abdul-Rauf's political awakening, these lesser-known stories of black athlete activism shed light on the current debate sparked by Colin Kaepernick.

It's no secret that Iran and the U.S. have a history of animosity toward each other. But when and how did it begin? This week we look back at four days in August 1953, when the CIA orchestrated a coup of Iran's elected Prime Minister Mohammad Mossadegh.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

NPR's new history podcast hosted by Ramtin Arablouei and Rund Abdelfatah. New episodes every Thursday starting February 7th.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy