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Code Switch What's CODE SWITCH? It's the fearless conversations about race that you've been waiting for. Hosted by journalists of color, our podcast tackles the subject of race with empathy and humor. We explore how race affects every part of society — from politics and pop culture to history, food and everything in between. This podcast makes all of us part of the conversation — because we're all part of the story. Code Switch was named Apple Podcasts' first-ever Show of the Year in 2020.

Want to level up your Code Switch game? Try Code Switch Plus. Your subscription supports the show and unlocks a sponsor-free feed. Learn more at plus.npr.org/codeswitch
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Code Switch

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What's CODE SWITCH? It's the fearless conversations about race that you've been waiting for. Hosted by journalists of color, our podcast tackles the subject of race with empathy and humor. We explore how race affects every part of society — from politics and pop culture to history, food and everything in between. This podcast makes all of us part of the conversation — because we're all part of the story. Code Switch was named Apple Podcasts' first-ever Show of the Year in 2020.

Want to level up your Code Switch game? Try Code Switch Plus. Your subscription supports the show and unlocks a sponsor-free feed. Learn more at plus.npr.org/codeswitch

Most Recent Episodes

You told us — what brings you joy

We asked, and you answered: How do you connect joy and resistance? Jackie Lay hide caption

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Jackie Lay

You told us — what brings you joy

On this bonus episode of the show, we're hearing from some of YOU about what brings you joy, how you connect joy and justice work, and why joy is so important in your lives.

You told us — what brings you joy

Listen · 16:53
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Is joy an act of resistance?

A woman smiles while sipping a fancy drink. That's joy, right? Jackie Lay hide caption

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Jackie Lay

Is joy an act of resistance?

The phrase "joy is resistance" has been popping up all over the place lately. But what, exactly, does it mean? In this episode, we're unpacking what joy is, when it can actually be used as a tool for social change, and why the slogan has become so popular (even when joy itself feels more tenuous.)

Is joy an act of resistance?

Listen · 36:38
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Protests are near constant. Do they work?

A side-by-side of protests from the civil rights movement, versus protests of the 21st century. Jackie Lay hide caption

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Jackie Lay

Protests are near constant. Do they work?

To the casual observer, it might seem like the U.S. has been spent years in a constant state of protest, from the Women's March in 2017 to the racial uprisings in 2020 to the No Kings protests earlier in the summer. But some are starting to wonder: How effective are any of those protests? When it comes to achieving lasting social change, do any of them work?

Protests are near constant. Do they work?

Listen · 30:35
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Congress has voted to eliminate government funding for public media

Act now to ensure public media remains free and accessible to all. Your donation will help this essential American service survive and thrive. Visit donate.npr.org now.

Congress has voted to eliminate government funding for public media

Listen · 2:01
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The books, movies and music that shaped the Code Switch team
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The books, movies and music that shaped the Code Switch team

Once upon a time, members of the Code Switch team were just kids, learning about race and identity for the first time. So on this episode, we're sharing some of the books, movies and music that deeply influenced each of us at an early age — and set us on the path to being the race nerds we are today.

The books, movies and music that shaped the Code Switch team

Listen · 30:45
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The lighter side of immigration: A day at the park in Queens

Shot of the Unisphere, the 140 foot-tall metal sculpture in the middle of Flushing Meadows Corona Park. The Unisphere was originally commissioned for the 1964-1965 World's Fair and has since become an icon for the borough of Queens. Wendy Correa/NPR hide caption

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Wendy Correa/NPR

The lighter side of immigration: A day at the park in Queens

This week on Code Switch, we're doing a different kind of immigration coverage. We're telling a New York story: one that celebrates the beautiful, everyday life of the immigrant. Code Switch producer, Xavier Lopez and NPR immigration reporter, Jasmine Garsd spend a day at Flushing Meadows Corona Park.

The lighter side of immigration: A day at the park in Queens

Listen · 38:18
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Dispatches from the living memory of trans people of color

Three people stand in window frames. Jackie Lay hide caption

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Jackie Lay

Dispatches from the living memory of trans people of color

Trans people are major targets of the second Trump administration. But in a way, that's nothing new; trans people have been fighting for their rights, dignity, and liberation for generations. So on this episode, we hear from trans elders about what their lives have looked like over the decades, and what messages they have for young people.

Dispatches from the living memory of trans people of color

Listen · 39:00
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Iranian American identity was under scrutiny long before the U.S. struck Iran

Protesters in Tehran chant slogans and one holds a poster with a vampire-like illustration of President Trump to protest the U.S. strikes on nuclear sites in Iran. Getty Images/Getty Images Europe hide caption

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Getty Images/Getty Images Europe

Iranian American identity was under scrutiny long before the U.S. struck Iran

We're throwing back to a conversation we had in 2020 with Jason Rezaian, Iranian American journalist who had been previously jailed in Iran. Back in January of 2020, the first Trump administration carried out a military operation killing Qassem Soleimani, an Iranian military commander. Now, the second Trump administration is striking Iranian nuclear sites. While lots has changed since 2020, much of our conversation with Jason is still eerily relevant.

Iranian American identity was under scrutiny long before the U.S. struck Iran

Listen · 32:15
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The administration's fight against antisemitism is dividing Jews
(L) Andrew Harnik / (R) Matthew Hatcher / AFP

The administration's fight against antisemitism is dividing Jews

In recent months we've seen the Trump administration punishing speech critical of Israel in its widening effort to combat what it sees as antisemitism. As protestors have been detained for pro-Palestinian activism, we've seen attacks on Jews and people expressing concern for Israeli hostages in Gaza — and in the wake of all this, a lot Jews don't agree on which actions constitutive antisemitism. On this episode, we're looking at the landscape of this disagreement, and talking to the legal scholar who came up with the definition of antisemitism that the White House is using, and who says he's worried that definition is being used in a way that could hurt Jews instead of protect them.

The administration's fight against antisemitism is dividing Jews

Listen · 37:51
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