Best Jody Avirgan & Radiotopia Podcasts (2025)

1
Jack Johnson't Big Fight (1913) 21:38

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8h ago21:38

21:38

It's June 3rd. This day in 1913, boxer Jack Johnson is sentenced under the Mann Act, a vice law that sought to curb prostitution -- though many saw the sentencing as targeing Johnson for being a prominent and outspoken Black athlete. Jody, Niki, and Kellie discuss Johnson's boxing career, the many "great White hope" boxers he defeated, and how his …

1
Inside Airline Cockpits (Some Sunday Context) w/ Ganesh Sitaraman 29:10

2d ago29:10

29:10

Today, another in our "Some Sunday Context" series, where we bring you new conversations and episodes from the archives that try to help us make sense of life here in 2025. Nathan Fielder's "The Rehearsal" -- unexpectedly -- has many of us thinking about airline safety and aviation policy. His show is concerned with the interpersonal dynamics insid…

1
The Forgotten Resistance To Indian Removal (1830) 18:06

5d ago18:06

18:06

It's May 28th. This day in 1830, President Andrew Jackson has signed the Indian Removal Act into law, leading to the forcible removal of Native Americans in Georgia and elsewhere, culminating in the Trail of Tears a couple years later. But despite Jackson getting his way, there was widespread resistance at the political, legal, cultural and moral s…

1
Hippies vs. Hard Hats (1970) 27:32

7d ago27:32

27:32

It's May 26th. This day in 1970, Richard Nixon is hosting a group of labor leaders at the White House, where they present him with a hard hat. A few weeks earlier, in New York City, construction workers had attacked tens of thousands of anti-war protesters in lower Manhattan, cheered on by Wall Street workers. Jody, NIki, and Kellie discuss how the…

1
Lana Del Rey's "Norman F***ing Rockwell" with Avery Trufelman 1:09:55

12d ago1:09:55

1:09:55

Tonight on Summer Album / Winter Album: "Norman Fucking Rockwell!" Lana Del Rey. 2019. Our special guest: Avery Trufelman, host of Articles of Interest Jody Avirgan is arguing Winter, Craig Finn is arguing Summer. Craig won the coin toss. He is presenting first. Weigh in and find lots more on ⁠⁠instagram⁠⁠, and clips on our ⁠⁠youtube⁠⁠ page. Get in…

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The 100-Year Butter Battle (1904) 25:07

12d ago25:07

25:07

It's May 21st. This day in 1904, a fight over taxing margarine reaches the Supreme Court. It's a key moment in the long fight between traditional butter and its margarine subsitute. Jody, NIki, and Kellie discuss why the fight has been so contentious, and some of the more absurd ways in which Big Butter has tried to stop the spread of margarine. Si…

1
The MeckDec - North Carolina's Favorite Myth (1775) w/ Jeremy Markovich 25:58

14d ago25:58

25:58

It's May 20th. This day in 1775, the town of Mecklenburg, North Carolina went ahead and declared independence from Britain, before anywhere else in the country had formally done so. Or, at least, that's the story that North Carolina likes to tell about itself. Jody, Niki, and Kellie are joined by Jeremy Markovich to discuss the Mecklenburg Declarat…

1
Malcolm X Turns 100 (Some Sunday Context) 20:05

16d ago20:05

20:05

Monday, May 19th would have been Malcolm X's 100th birthday. Today, as part of our "Some Sunday Context" series, we bring you an episode we did last year about his assasination. There are a number of new books and lots of coverage about X's 100th birthday -- the story and context around his death tells us a lot about his life and legacy. We'll be b…

1
Miami Explodes Into Violence (1980) 22:44

19d ago22:44

22:44

It's May 14th. This day in 1980, Miami is seeing the biggest racial uprising of the 70s or 80s, as riots and violence erupt with the acquittal of police officers accused of killing a man by the name of Arthur McDuffie. Jody, Niki, and Kellie discuss why the violence broke out, how it echoes so many of the uprisings of the 1960s and 1990s -- but why…

1
An Early Climate Change Warning Ignored (1957) w/ Amy Westervelt 29:12

21d ago29:12

29:12

It's May 13th. This day in 1957, oceanographer Roger Revelle offered testimony to Congress about the perilous effects of carbon in the Earth's atmosphere. Jody, Niki, and Kellie are joined by climate journalist Amy Westervelt to discuss how the warnings about climate change were being presented much earlier than we may realize, and how voices like …

1
SINNERS And The Deep History Of The Mississippi Delta (Some Sunday Context) 24:32

23d ago24:32

24:32

SINNERS is the hit movie of the year so far, and Ryan Coogler's epic has a lot of people looking into the history of the Mississippi Delta in the first decades of the 20th century. There aren't real vampires, but from the music to the cultural mix, the region's history deserves a deeper look. Today, as part of our "Some Sunday Context" series, we'r…

1
The Woman Who Invented -- And Disowned -- Mother's Day (1914) 17:07

26d ago17:07

17:07

Happy Mother's Day! The holiday was invented and popularized in the first decade of the 20th century, often credited to a woman named Anna Jarvis, who had a very interesting relationship with her own mother. Jody, Niki, and Kellie discuss where the idea came from, why Jarvis was so focused on it being about honoring her mother, specifically -- and …

1
Reagan's German Cemetery Visit Controversy (1985) 18:17

28d ago18:17

18:17

It's May 5th. This day in 1985, President Reagan visits a German military cemetery in Bitburg, where a number of SS Soldiers were buried. Jody, Niki, and Kellie discuss why the visit to the cemetery had been a controversial decision for months, why Reagan still went ahead with the visit -- and how the attempt to clean up the mess afterwards didn't …

1
The Women's Health Vacuum (Some Sunday Context) 16:43

1M ago16:43

16:43

The Trump administration is targeting health and scientific research -- often based on whether it includes keywods like "women." This presents the risk that a science vacuum will emerge, which could take years or decades to unwind. Today, as part of our "Some Sunday Context" series, we go back to a moment when there was a huge dearth of research an…

1
Pavement's "Slanted and Enchanted" with Yasi Salek 55:42

1M ago55:42

55:42

Tonight on Summer Album / Winter Album: "Slanted and Enchanted." Pavement. 1992. Our special guest: Yasi Salek, host of ⁠BandSplain⁠. Jody Avirgan is arguing Winter, Craig Finn is arguing Summer. Craig won the coin toss. He is presenting first. Weigh in and find lots more on ⁠instagram⁠, and clips on our ⁠youtube⁠ page. Get in touch through ⁠our we…

1
Lincoln Needs Troops (1861) 20:06

1M ago20:06

20:06

It's May 1st. This day in 1861, the Civil War is breaking out and President Lincoln issues a desperate call for more military volunteers. Jody, Niki, and Kellie discuss how Lincoln's appeal galvanized the sides of the conflict, with Northern volunteers feeling called to duy and Southerners framing the battle as "northern agression." Find out more a…

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The Artists Who Worked For The CIA (1960) w/ Benjamen Walker 25:41

1M ago25:41

25:41

[[This is an episode from the This Day archives -- we'll be back with a new conversation real soon!]] It's May 5th. This day in 1960, a British theater critic named Kenneth Tynan is hauled before a Senate sub-committee to answer questions about what is seen as his anti-American work. It's a moment that captures the cultural and political swirl of t…

1
The First 100 Days (Some Sunday Context) 42:38

1M ago42:38

42:38

We're reaching the 100 day mark of Donald Trump's second term in office. 100 days has traditionally been a benchmark for assessing how productive and impactful a presidency is. Today, Jody Niki and Kellie get together for a "Some Sunday Context" conversation to look back at where the idea of "first 100 days" came from, and run through some of the m…

1
John Paul Jones' Half-Baked Raid On British Soil (1778) 21:27

1M ago21:27

21:27

It's April 23rd. This day in 1778, John Paul Jones leads the only American raid on British soil in the Revolutionary War. Jody, Niki and Kellie discuss Jones's spotty past, and what brought him to the port of Whitehaven, where he launched a scheme to raid the town. It did not go well, but the day wasn't a total failure, as he later stumbled into on…

1
Betty Ford Enters Rehab (1978) 21:15

1M ago21:15

21:15

It's April 22nd. This Day in 1978, former First Lady Betty Ford is in the Long Beach Naval Hospital, being treated for addiction to pain killers and alcohol. Outside, a spokesperson shares the news with the country. Jody, Niki, and Kellie look at the life of Betty Ford, from dancer to First Lady -- and why it was so significant that she shared her …

1
Prisons, Photos, CECOT, Abu Ghraib, and What Shocks Us (Some Sunday Context) 25:53

1M ago25:53

25:53

The eyes of the world are on the images coming from a prison in El Salvador. The photos are being used as propoganda for U.S. deportation efforts; and are shocking those who care about abuse and the judicial process. For some, they are reminiscint of the photos that emerged during the Iraq War from the Abu Ghraib prison. Niki shares her thoughts as…

1
Joni Mitchell's "Court and Spark" with Tim Heidecker 57:35

2M ago57:35

57:35

Tonight on Summer Album / Winter Album: Court and Spark. Joni Mitchell. 1974. Our special guest: Tim Heidecker, musician and host of Office Hours, On Cinema, and lots more. Jody Avirgan is arguing Summer, Craig Finn is arguing Winter. Jody won the coin toss. He is presenting first. Special thanks to Carmel Holt. Be sure to check out "The Road To Jo…

1
The Battles Of Lexington and Concord -- and Menotomy? (1775) 15:38

2M ago15:38

15:38

It's April 1775. This day in 1775, the Revolutionary War is sparked when British troops enter the towns of Lexington and Concord. But later that same day there's a third battle in a third town that is often forgotten. Jody, NIki, and Kellie discuss what happened in the town of Menotomy, how the fighting there was much more brutal than in Lexington …

1
The Ludlow Massacre (1914) 22:19

2M ago22:19

22:19

It's April 17th. In 1914, at the mining town of Ludlow, Colorado tensions are ratcheting up to a moment when the national guard and private police would descend upon an encampment of striking workers, killing dozens including women and children. Jody, Niki, and Kellie discuss how things got so heated in Ludlow -- and the public outrage that boiled …

1
Is Craig's New Record A Summer Album Or Winter Album?! (Rapid Fire) 24:08

2M ago24:08

24:08

Between full episodes, we'll bring you quick conversations with some of our favorite music people -- rapid reactions to a bunch of classic albums: Summer or Winter. Today, a special chat between Jody and Craig about Craig's new album "Always Been" -- Craig talks through some of the records that inspired his new work, and renders a final verdict: Su…

1
Government vs. Universities (Some Sunday Context) 59:43

2M ago59:43

59:43

The Trump administration is going after universities -- threatening to withhold funding in an attempt to bring them under ideological control. It's a very rocky moment, but the history of the relationship between federal funding and research institutions has often been rocky. Today on our "Some Sunday Context" series, Jody, Niki, and Kellie look at…

1
The Lynching Of A German Immigrant (1917) 16:27

2M ago16:27

16:27

It's April 9th. This day in 1917, a German man by the name of Robert Prager is attacked and lynched during a time of rising anti-immigrant sentiment in The United States. Jody, Niki, and Kellie talk about the pervasive suspicion of Germans in the run-up to World War I, and how Prager's lynching was cheerleaded by the media, the government, and larg…

1
The First Girl Scouts Cookies (1917) 15:19

2M ago15:19

15:19

It's April 8th. And it's Girl Scouts Cookies season. This day in 1917, a troop in Muskogee, Oklahoma is baking cookies to raise funds in support of the WWI efforts. Within a decades, a full-blown cookie empire would be born. Jody, NIki, and Kellie discuss the role the cookie sales play in the larger project of the Girl Scouts, how the First Lady ha…

1
Booker, Thurmond, Super-Long Floor Speeches, And Energy (Some Sunday Context) 20:38

2M ago20:38

20:38

How will this week be remembered in the history books? Will it be the week that Trump's tarrifs changed everything, or the week in which Democrats found some new energy? Jody shares his thoughts as part of our "Some Sunday Context" series -- and then we take a listen to our archive episode about Strom Thurmond's fillibuster. This was, of course, th…

1
Belle and Sebastian's "If You're Feeling Sinister" with Jon Ronson 57:53

2M ago57:53

57:53

Tonight on Summer Album / Winter Album: If You're Feeling Sinister. Belle and Sebastian. 1996. Our special guest: Jon Ronson Jody Avirgan is arguing Summer, Craig Finn is arguing Winter. Jody won the coin toss. He is presenting first. Weigh in and find lots more on instagram, and clips on our youtube page. Get in touch through our website.…

1
Starbucks #RaceTogether Campaign Backfires (2015) 19:49

2M ago19:49

19:49

It's April 3rd. In 2015, Starbucks announces that it is bringing its "Race Together" initiative to a close, after it was relentlessly mocked and critced online and in stores. Jody, Niki, and Kellie look back at the very-Obama-era effort by the coffee chain to spark conversations about racial inequality by having their baristas write #racetogether o…

1
Carter's Unbelievable Rabbit Vendetta 18:39

2M ago18:39

18:39

It's April 1st. This day, Jimmy Carter performed on of the most unbelievable acts in presidential history. Sign up for our newsletter! Find out more at thisdaypod.com And don’t forget about Oprahdemics, hosted by Kellie, coming soon from Radiotopia. This Day In Esoteric Political History is a proud member of Radiotopia from PRX. Your support helps …

1
Five Lessons For Five Years (Some Sunday Context) 24:29

2M ago24:29

24:29

We are turning five! For today's "Some Sunday Context" conversation, Jody, Niki, and Kellie mark five years of the show and run through five big themes and lessons from five years of covering American history. 00:00 Happy 5th Anniversary! 3:30 Theme One: People Are Petty! 7:10 Theme Two: Near Catastrophe 10:30 Theme Three: Backlash Defines Everythi…

1
Walter Martin on Wilco, Bruce, Outkast, and Donovan (Rapid Fire) 8:04

2M ago8:04

8:04

Between full episodes, we'll bring you quick conversations with some of our favorite music people -- rapid reactions to a bunch of classic albums: Summer or Winter. Today, Walter Martin of The Walkmen, lots of great solo projects, and the Walter Martin Radio Hour, which you can find on substack. More soon!…

1
"I'm Just A Bill" (1976) 17:45

2M ago17:45

17:45

It's March 27th. This day in 1976, Schoolhouse Rock premieres the song "I'm Just A Bill," an animated look at the process by which legislation gets passed -- or languishes in the halls of Congress. Jody, Niki, and Kellie talk about how the song came together, the legislation at the heart of the process, and whether lawmaking still happens the same …

1
The Church Sancturary Showdown (1980) 18:44

2M ago18:44

18:44

It's March 25th. This day in 1980, a church in Tucson announces that it will provide sanctuary to immigrants -- in open defiance of US law. Jody, NIki, and Kellie discuss the roots of the church sanctuary movement, the conviction of eight leaders including Reverand John Fife, and the ongoing role of religious progressivism. Sign up for our newslett…

1
Graceland (Some Sunday Context from Summer Album / Winter Album) 43:01

2M ago43:01

43:01

Today, for our Some Sunday Context" series, a little bit of a departure. Jody has a new music show called "Summer Album / Winter Album" -- here's a taste of the recent conversation on Paul Simon's classic "Graceland" with special guest Malcolm Gladwell. We hope you enjoy it, and if you want to hear the full episode make sure to subscribe to the new…

1
Paul Simon's "Graceland" with Malcolm Gladwell 58:39

2M ago58:39

58:39

Tonight on Summer Album / Winter Album: Graceland. Paul Simon. 1986. Our special guest: Malcolm Gladwell Jody Avirgan is arguing Summer, Craig Finn is arguing Winter. Craig won the coin toss. He is presenting first. Check out Malcolm's series with Paul Simon "Miracle and Wonder" Weigh in and find lots more on instagram, and clips on our youtube pag…

1
"Give Me Liberty Or Give Me Death" (1775) 19:17

3M ago19:17

19:17

It's March 23rd. This day in 1775, Patrick Henry of Virginia gave a speech in which he (maybe) uttered one of the more famous phrases in American political history. Jody, Niki, and Kellie discuss how Henry came to give such a fiery speech, the reaction from those in the room -- and why it's hard to know exactly what he said, if it matters at all. S…

1
The First State-Run Lotto (1963) w/ Ian Coss 26:37

3M ago26:37

26:37

It's March 17th. Today (actually, March 12th) in New Hampshire kicked off its first lotto system, ushering in a new era of state-sanctioned and state-run gambling that continues to grow today. Jody, Niki, and Kellie are joined by Ian Coss, host and produer of the new series "Scratch & Win" from GBH. They discuss what the lotto was like in those ear…

1
Deportation, Protest and John Lennon (Some Sunday Context) w/ Hrishikesh Hirway 29:53

3M ago29:53

29:53

Today, an episode from the archives that may provide some context for the news playing out today. We'll be doing more Sunday episodes -- from the archives and fresh conversations -- throghout the first year of the second Trump administration. /// It’s October 24th. This day in 1973, former Beatle John Lennon sued the U.S. government, demanding to k…

1
What William Freeman's Act Meant (1846) 22:03

3M ago22:03

22:03

Part two of our conversation with Harvard's Robin Bernstein about William Freeman's act of murder and protest in the prison town of Auburn, NY. Robin's new book is called Freeman's Challenge -- it's available now! Sign up for our newsletter! Find out more at thisdaypod.com This Day In Esoteric Political History is a proud member of Radiotopia from …

1
William Freeman's Shocking Revenge (1846) w/ Robin Bernstein (Part 1) 27:22

3M ago27:22

27:22

It's March 11th. This day in 1846 (technically March 13th) in the town of Auburn, NY, and man by the name of William Freeman commited a series of murders that shocked the community and made them reckon we the impact of the local for-profit prison. Jody, Niki, and Kellie are joined by Harvard's Robin Bernstein to discuss how Freeman came to commit t…

1
The US-Canada "Special Relationship" (Some Sunday Context) 14:47

3M ago14:47

14:47

Today, an episode from the archives that may provide some context for the news playing out today. We'll be doing more Sunday episodes -- from the archives and fresh conversations -- during the first year of the second Trump administration. /// Happy St. Patrick’s Day! It’s March 16th. This day in 1985, U.S. President Ronald Reagan and Canadian Prim…

1
The King Of Haiti (1811) 25:08

3M ago25:08

25:08

It's March 6th. This day in 1811, Henri Christophe is proclaiming himself as the first King of Haiti -- he would also be the nation's last. Jody, Niki, and Kellie are joined by Marlene Daut of Yale to discuss how Haiti ended up with a king after its revolution, the remarkable life of Christophe, and how the instability of the time still lingers tod…

1
Vampire Weekend's "Modern Vampires Of The City" with Amanda Petrusich (Live from On Air Fest) 46:14

3M ago46:14

46:14

Tonight on Summer Album / Winter Album: Modern Vampires Of The City. Vampire Weekend. 2013. Our special guest: Amanda Petrusich of The New Yorker. Jody Avirgan is arguing Winter, Craig Finn is arguing Summer. Craig won the coin toss. He is presenting first. This episode was recorded live at the On Air Fest in Brooklyn. Weigh in and find lots more o…

1
Mexico Meddling (1913) 16:15

3M ago16:15

16:15

This day, it's 1913. Mexico City is in the midst of what would come to be known as "la decena tragica" -- the ten tragic days. Jody, Niki, and Kellie discuss how the Mexican revolution finally arrived in Mexico City, and how the internal strife was exacerbatted by U.S. meddling, from a checked-out president to an ambassador gone rogue. Sign up for …

1
The Anti-DEI Cycle (Some Sunday Context) 56:35

3M ago56:35

56:35

There's an anti-DEI push taking place under the Trump administration -- is it just another in the long cycle of backlashes going all the way to reconstruction? Welcome to our latest "Some Sunday Context" conversation. Jody, Niki, and Kellie discuss the PC wars of the 90s, anti-affirmative action efforts of the 70s and 80s, and more. Plus, quick rea…

1
The Anti-Pay-Toilet Fight (1973) 19:46

3M ago19:46

19:46

It's February 27th. This day in 1973, the City of Chicago is converting all of its pay toilets to free toilets. Jody, NIki, and Kellie discuss the grassroots movement and years-long fight over pay toilets -- and why public restrooms have always been such contested spaces. Sign up for our newsletter! Find out more at thisdaypod.com This Day In Esote…

1
The Truth Inside Indian Boarding Schools (1928/2025) w/ Dana Hedgpeth 20:39

3M ago20:39

20:39

It's February 24th. This day in 1928, a major report is issued highlighting conditions inside the so-called Indian Boarding Schools, which were set up by the US Government in the middle of the 19th century to "Americanize" Native American children. Jody, NIki, and Kellie are joined by reporter Dana Hedgpeth to discuss what the report found, and how…