
Throughline
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
Latest episodes

28 snips
Jan 18, 2024 • 52min
The Right to Bear Arms
Exploring the history of the Second Amendment, the podcast discusses the landmark case of Jack Miller challenging gun laws. It examines the Supreme Court's evolving interpretation of the amendment, including the well-regulated militia clause, and the transformative impact on America's understanding of gun rights. The podcast also delves into the tragic assassinations of notable figures and their effect on the national dialogue. Included is a discussion on the landmark D.C. vs. Heller case, which focused on the interpretation of the Second Amendment and its aftermath.

10 snips
Jan 11, 2024 • 50min
When Things Fall Apart (Throwback)
Exploring the concept of the internal struggle between good and evil within each individual and its impact on society. Is civilization just a thin layer that covers our raw human nature? Exploring the influence of veneer theory on our fear towards others and proposing a new narrative to challenge it. The bleak picture of human nature presented by the Founding Fathers and the necessity of government. Debating the value and necessity of hierarchical structures and contrasting viewpoints. The infamous Stanford Prison Experiment and understanding human cruelty. How narratives we create about ourselves impact real-life situations. The power of collaboration and optimism in the face of climate change.

20 snips
Jan 4, 2024 • 57min
The Nostalgia Bone (2021)
Tracing the history and paradoxes of nostalgia, from its origins as an illness to its dominant role in our time. Exploring the transformative power of music and nostalgia. Examining the multifaceted nature of nostalgia, its impact on progress, and its role in providing solace. Exploring the origins and symptoms of nostalgia as a disease affecting Swiss soldiers. Examining the confusion and changing understanding of nostalgia. Connecting nostalgia to societal changes, literature, and cultural preservation. Discussing the conflicting beliefs about nostalgia and its manipulation in society. Exploring the role of nostalgia in coping with emotions and the power of objects. Individual stories of deeply nostalgic memories.

5 snips
Dec 28, 2023 • 52min
Editing Reality (2023)
This podcast explores the blurred line between entertainment and reality through the lens of reality TV. It delves into the structure and influence of reality TV shows, examines their impact on love, the American dream, and the rage machine. It discusses the role of entertainment in coping with emotions and draws parallels between ancient Rome and modern-day examples like reality TV. It also explores the rise of pseudo blood sports in reality TV and the influence of reality TV on perception. Finally, it ponders the increasing loneliness in modern society and the fusion of reality and fantasy in TV shows.

6 snips
Dec 21, 2023 • 52min
Apology: The Way Back (2023)
Explore the power of sincere apologies, restorative justice, and the impact of public apologies. Understand the importance of apologies in corporate and public settings. Discover the historical trauma of the Salem Witch Trials and the divided opinions on Willy Brandt's apology. Dive into the rise of public apologies, including President Clinton's apology for the sex scandal.

11 snips
Dec 14, 2023 • 50min
Dare to Dissent
This podcast explores the stories of people who dared to dissent and stood up against their own groups. It delves into the White Rose resistance movement in Nazi Germany, challenges the idealized version of Martin Luther King Jr., and discusses the events in Tiananmen Square during the protests for democracy in China.

9 snips
Dec 7, 2023 • 49min
The Lord Of Misrule
The podcast explores the story of Thomas Morton, his banned book 'New English Canon', and his radical vision for America. It delves into the battle over narratives and the colonization of Massachusetts. The podcast also discusses Morton's unorthodox methods in establishing good relations with Native people and his arrest and exile. Additionally, it explores the deteriorating relations between colonists and native communities and the brutal Pequot War. The speakers challenge the constructed narrative of the rise of the United States and highlight the importance of diverse perspectives.

Nov 30, 2023 • 58min
A.D.A. Now! (2020)
This podcast explores the history of the Americans with Disabilities Act, the discrimination faced by individuals with disabilities, the emergence of the disability rights movement, and personal stories of living with disabilities and fighting for equality.

Nov 23, 2023 • 47min
How U.S. Unions Took Flight
Explore the impact of unions in the airline industry, the rise of organized labor and recent surge in labor activism, the power of labor unity, and the role of unions in civil rights. The podcast also discusses the story of Victoria Frankovich and her battle for unions in the airline industry and explores the rise and fall of unions in society.

36 snips
Nov 16, 2023 • 52min
A History of Hamas
This podcast delves into the origins and ideology of Hamas, exploring the historical context of its formation and the influence of the Muslim Brotherhood. It also discusses the impact of Hezbollah and the Oslo Accords on Hamas, as well as the complex relationship between Israel and the organization. The podcast highlights the Hamas attacks in the 1990s and the fractured nature of the Palestinian Authority. Overall, it provides a comprehensive understanding of Hamas and its significance in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.