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
Apr 25, 2019 • 35min
Resistance Is Futile
Artificial intelligence, gene modification, and self-driving cars are causing fear and uncertainty about how technology is changing our lives. But humans have struggled to accept innovations throughout history. In this episode, we explore three innovations that transformed the world and show how people have adapted — and ask whether we can do the same today.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy
Apr 18, 2019 • 34min
War Of The Worlds
The Sunni-Shia divide is a conflict that most people have heard about - two sects with Sunni Islam being in the majority and Shia Islam the minority. Exactly how did this conflict originate and when? We go through 1400 years of history to find the moment this divide first turned deadly and how it has evolved since.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy
Apr 11, 2019 • 23min
Nancy Pelosi
Nancy Pelosi is the highest-ranking woman in American politics. She made her first run for public office at 47 years old and went on to become Speaker of the House twice. How has she had such an enduring career, and where does her power lie? On this episode, we trace the rise of the Speaker.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy
Apr 4, 2019 • 42min
Opioids In America
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
Mar 28, 2019 • 33min
The Phoebus Cartel
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
Mar 21, 2019 • 14min
The Border
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.
Mar 14, 2019 • 33min
The Moth
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
Mar 7, 2019 • 41min
American Shadows
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
Feb 28, 2019 • 16min
High Crimes And Misdemeanors
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.
Feb 21, 2019 • 34min
The Forgotten War
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.
