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Throughline

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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 journalist Rund Abdelfatah. Support public media by joining NPR+ at [plus.npr.org] (http://plus.npr.org/) . You’ll get perks for over 25 NPR podcasts, including sponsor-free listening for Throughline.

#475

How college football's deadliest year built the NCAA

A listener emailed the Throughline team with a stunning factoid: Teddy Roosevelt helped cr... more

Yesterday

19 MINS

19:29

Yesterday

#474

Health Insurance in America

Millions of Americans depend on their jobs for health insurance. But that's not the case i... more

05 Nov 2026

52 MINS

52:30

05 Nov 2026

#473

Remembering Noah Adams

Today on the show, we honor the late Noah Adams, longtime NPR All Things Considered host. ... more

03 Nov 2026

24 MINS

24:08

03 Nov 2026

#472

Shadows, war, and finding Moomin joy

The Moomins have been a beloved children’s series around the world for decades. And now th... more

29 Oct 2026

51 MINS

51:46

29 Oct 2026

#471

The dramatic race to discover Insulin

Looksmaxxing, weight loss, and muscle building have fueled a massive craze for injectable ... more

22 Oct 2026

37 MINS

37:08

22 Oct 2026

#470

Can the polygraph test really spot a lie?

From dating shows to police interrogation rooms, the polygraph test has long been marketed... more

20 Oct 2026

19 MINS

19:34

20 Oct 2026

#469

Is the death penalty cruel and unusual?

The Eighth Amendment. What is cruel and unusual punishment? Who gets to define and decide ... more

15 Oct 2026

47 MINS

47:51

15 Oct 2026

#468

Why does everything get a standing ovation now?

Call it standing ovation inflation: these days, it feels like it's mandatory to stand and ... more

13 Oct 2026

16 MINS

16:22

13 Oct 2026

#467

Four Seasons of Ceasefire in Gaza

NPR’s Anas Baba is one of the last remaining journalists in Gaza working full-time for an ... more

08 Oct 2026

43 MINS

43:17

08 Oct 2026

#466

How To Avoid The End of the World

We live in a moment with almost daily reminders of how fragile life on Earth is whether it... more

01 Oct 2026

52 MINS

52:07

01 Oct 2026

#465

Forty years of what if

On January 28, 1986, the Space Shuttle Challenger exploded 73 seconds after liftoff. All s... more

29 Sep 2026

21 MINS

21:18

29 Sep 2026

#464

Democratic Socialism. Hope or Hopeless?

The Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) is having a big moment. Its candidates and its ... more

24 Sep 2026

50 MINS

50:18

24 Sep 2026

#463

How two swing states changed American voting

Today on the show, the balance of Congressional power is up for grabs in this midterm elec... more

17 Sep 2026

50 MINS

50:11

17 Sep 2026

#462

How baseball got its beat

Major League Baseball’s postseason is just a few weeks away, and here on Throughline we kn... more

10 Sep 2026

32 MINS

32:03

10 Sep 2026

#461

Is it time for a Luddite Renaissance?

Calling someone a "Luddite" is usually an insult – shorthand for someone who is behind the... more

08 Sep 2026