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Devin Katayama Devin Katayama is a Senior Producer for NPR's Throughline podcast.
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Devin Katayama

Thursday

The story of 'Monopoly' and American capitalism

The Monopoly Ultimate Banking Game from Hasbro is displayed at Toy Fair in New York, in 2016. (AP Photo/Mark Lennihan, File) Mark Lennihan/AP hide caption

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Mark Lennihan/AP

Throughline

The story of 'Monopoly' and American capitalism

There's more to Monopoly than you might think. It's one of the best-selling board games in history — despite huge economic instability, sales actually went up during the pandemic — and it's been an iconic part of American life at other pivotal moments: a cheap pastime during the Great Depression; a reminder of home for soldiers during WWII; and an American export during its rise as a global superpower. It endured even as it reflected some of the ongoing inequities in American society, from segregation and redlining to capitalism run rampant. That's because Monopoly is also built on powerful American lore – the idea that anyone, with just a little bit of cash, can rise from rags to riches. Writer Mary Pilon, the author of The Monopolists: Obsession, Fury, and the Scandal Behind the World's Favorite Board Game, describes Monopoly as "the Great American Dream in a board game – or, nightmare."

The story of 'Monopoly' and American capitalism

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Thursday

After Roe: A New Battlefield

Opponents of abortion rights parade past the U.S. Supreme Court in 1992. Marcy Nighswander/AP hide caption

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Marcy Nighswander/AP

Throughline

After Roe: A New Battlefield

The Supreme Court's decision in Roe v. Wade transformed the landscape of abortion rights overnight. For the doctors, lawyers, feminists, and others who had fought for nationwide legalization, Roe was the end of a long battle. But for the growing movement against abortion rights, it was the beginning of a new battle: to protect the fetus, challenge abortion providers, and ultimately overturn Roe. This is the story of how opponents of abortion rights banded together, built power, and launched one of the most successful grassroots campaigns of the past century.

After Roe: A New Battlefield

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Saturday

A School For Kids With Autism Copes With Fire's Physical And Emotional Damage

The post-fire entryway of the Anova school, which was located in Santa Rosa's Luther Burbank Center for the Arts. Adam Grossberg/KQED hide caption

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Adam Grossberg/KQED

Shots - Health News

A School For Kids With Autism Copes With Fire's Physical And Emotional Damage

KQED

Dealing with a fire or other natural disaster is hard on anyone, from evacuation to aftermath. And people with physical or developmental disabilities have particular needs, say emergency planners.

Friday

Confessions Of A Kentucky Derby Gate-Crasher

Stephen Johnstone and his niece, Sarah, crashed the Kentucky Derby celebration together in 2008. Courtesy of Stephen Johnstone hide caption

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Courtesy of Stephen Johnstone

Sports

Confessions Of A Kentucky Derby Gate-Crasher

LPM News

Stephen Johnstone started celebrating with the winning families and jockeys — uninvited — in 1963. In the 18 times he's sneaked into the festivities, he's never been caught. Once you're past the gate, he says, your job is to share the joy of the moment.

Confessions Of A Kentucky Derby Gate-Crasher

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Thursday

Health

Kids Have A Say In Louisville's School Lunch Menu

LPM News

New guidelines announced by the U.S. Department of Agriculture on Wednesday call for less fat and more fruits in school lunches. In Louisville, Kentucky, the Jefferson County School District lets students evaluate its healthy food offerings.

Kids Have A Say In Louisville's School Lunch Menu

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