Reveal
The Center for Investigative Reporting and PRX
Reveal’s investigations will inspire, infuriate and inform you. Host Al Letson and an award-winning team of reporters deliver gripping stories about caregivers, advocates for the unhoused, immigrant families, warehouse workers and formerly incarcerated people, fighting to hold the powerful accountable. The New Yorker described Reveal as “a knockout … a pleasure to listen to, even as we seethe.” A winner of multiple Peabody, duPont, Emmy and Murrow awards, Reveal is produced by the nation’s first investigative journalism nonprofit, The Center for Investigative Reporting, and PRX. From unearthing exploitative working conditions to exposing the nation’s racial disparities, there’s always more to the story. Learn more at revealnews.org/learn.
Episodes
Mentioned books
6 snips
Sep 3, 2025 • 27min
Being Black in America Almost Killed Me Part 1
Trymaine Lee, a Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and MSNBC contributor, shares his powerful journey after surviving a massive heart attack. He reflects on the impact of gun violence on Black lives, revealing the emotional weight he carries as a journalist. Trymaine also discusses the intersection of his health crisis with his work, illuminating the challenges Black journalists face in addressing systemic issues while navigating their own identities. His transformative experiences underscore the urgent need for empathy and community in storytelling.
14 snips
Aug 30, 2025 • 51min
Will the National Parks Survive Trump?
In this engaging discussion, Heath Druzin, an Idaho public radio reporter, and Doug Smith, a wildlife biologist credited with the successful wolf reintroduction in Yellowstone, explore the ecological significance of wolves and their ongoing challenges. They highlight the impact of budget cuts on conservation efforts, revealing emotional stories from park scientists like Nadia Hamdan, who addresses the dire consequences for endangered species. The conversation dives into ideological battles affecting historical narratives within national parks, emphasizing the urgent need for public support.
18 snips
Aug 27, 2025 • 31min
Why Rehab Often Fuels Relapse Instead of Recovery
Shoshana Walter, a staff writer at The Marshall Project and author of "Rehab, An American Scandal," delves into the chaotic landscape of America’s rehab industry. She examines how the system often exploits patients, leading to higher relapse rates. The discussion highlights stark racial disparities in treatment, revealing how the opioid crisis intersects with past drug epidemics. Walter also discusses the puzzling decline in overdose deaths while cautioning against complacency, reflecting on the need for compassionate approaches in addressing addiction.
Aug 23, 2025 • 51min
A Baby Adopted, A Family Divided
Andrew Becker, a reporter specializing in investigative journalism, joins the discussion alongside Bernice Yeung to unravel the controversial adoption saga of David Leavitt. They explore the ethical dilemmas surrounding the adoption of a Native American child by a non-Native family, revealing how it skirts the Indian Child Welfare Act. The conversation dives into the generational trauma faced by the Native family, leaving them feeling dispossessed, and highlights the legal and emotional turmoil that ensue when cultural identities clash in custody battles.
9 snips
Aug 20, 2025 • 27min
Why Conservatives Are Trying to Kill the Voting Rights Act
Jamelle Bouie, a New York Times columnist known for his insights on history and politics, dives into the Voting Rights Act's 60-year legacy. He discusses how the law has been undermined by recent Supreme Court decisions and argues that the U.S. is facing a constitutional emergency. Bouie critiques the Democratic Party as overly cautious and emphasizes the need for bold leadership. He also explores how learning from Republican strategies could enhance voter engagement, highlighting the effectiveness of simple messaging in reaching constituents.
Aug 16, 2025 • 50min
What Police Weren’t Told About Tasers
Matt Masters, a Kansas City police officer, shares the heart-wrenching story of his son, Bryce, who suffered cardiac arrest after being tased for over 20 seconds during a routine stop. Once a proponent of taser use for its perceived safety, Masters now challenges the transparency of Taser International regarding the dangers of this weapon. The conversation dives into taser marketing, the ethics of their use in law enforcement, and urgent calls for greater accountability and safety awareness in police training.
8 snips
Aug 13, 2025 • 28min
Trump’s Homelessness Crackdown Has Been Tried Before. It Didn’t Work.
Sam Tsemberis, a clinical psychologist and CEO of Pathways Housing First Institute, shares his insights on the critical issue of homelessness. He discusses the implications of the Trump administration's shift from the Housing First approach to punitive measures. Tsemberis highlights the importance of stable housing as a foundation for recovery and critiques the dangers of moving funding away from housing to treatment. He underscores the proven successes of Housing First and advocates for a compassionate, systemic change in addressing homelessness.
6 snips
Aug 9, 2025 • 50min
She Ate a Poppy Seed Salad. Child Services Took Her Baby.
Shoshana Walter, a reporter with The Marshall Project, dives into the troubling consequences of inaccurate drug testing on mothers. Susan Horton shares her harrowing experience of having her newborn taken away after a false positive from eating a poppy seed salad. Grace Smith recounts her battle against wrongful accusations of drug use during childbirth. They explore the systemic issues surrounding these tests, highlighting the emotional toll on families and the urgent need for reform in child protective services and hospital drug testing practices.
Aug 6, 2025 • 25min
Gazans Are Starving. It’s a Manmade Catastrophe.
Abe Ajrami, a dedicated Palestinian aid worker based in the U.S., vitalizes the Gaza Soup Kitchen's mission to stave off famine in Gaza amidst a dire humanitarian crisis. He sheds light on the alarming starvation gripping the region and questions the international community's response to perceived genocide. Personal stories evoke the desperation faced by families seeking food, while he passionately advocates for meaningful support and a potential path toward a two-state solution. Ajrami's insights challenge perceptions and call for human dignity in the face of adversity.
5 snips
Aug 2, 2025 • 51min
They Followed Doctors’ Orders. The State Took Their Babies.
Shoshana Walter, a seasoned reporter for Reveal, delves deep into the harrowing stories of mothers facing child welfare investigations due to their prescribed addiction medications. Jade Dass shares her personal struggle after taking Suboxone during pregnancy and losing custody of her newborn. The discussion uncovers the disconnection between medical advice and state actions, emphasizing societal stigma and the emotional turmoil families endure. Walter's upcoming book further explores these critical issues, shedding light on the intersection of motherhood, addiction, and systemic challenges.
