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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

Trump is banning diversity programs. What's lost in the DEI purge?
Jackie Lay

Trump is banning diversity programs. What's lost in the DEI purge?

President Trump has put diversity, equity, and inclusion in his crosshairs — but there's no consensus on what DEI even means. Some say that that fuzziness is the point, and that the current anti-DEI push is part of a larger plan to undo the gains made by the Civil Rights Movement.

Trump is banning diversity programs. What's lost in the DEI purge?

Listen · 32:07
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With measles on the rise, what we can learn from past epidemics
Carleen Coulter

With measles on the rise, what we can learn from past epidemics

As the U.S. health system grapples with new outbreaks and the risk of old diseases making a comeback, we're looking to the past to inform how people in marginalized communities can prepare themselves for how the current administration might handle an epidemic. On this episode, a conversation with historian and author Edna Bonhomme, about her latest book A History of the World in Six Plagues.

With measles on the rise, what we can learn from past epidemics

Listen · 29:51
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What Mahmoud Khalil's arrest means for international students ... and everyone
Jackie Lay

What Mahmoud Khalil's arrest means for international students ... and everyone

Mahmoud Khalil, a legal permanent resident and Columbia alum, was detained by ICE for his role in leading pro-Palestinian protests at his former university last year. As Khalil's case has captured the nation's attention, free speech advocates see it as a test of the First Amendment. Meanwhile, the Trump administration argues they have the right to deport Khalil without charging him with a crime. On this episode, why Khalil's arrest should worry all of us.

What Mahmoud Khalil's arrest means for international students ... and everyone

Listen · 36:30
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This Palestinian-American's debut novel may not be political — but her existence is

Author Betty Shamieh next to the cover of her new novel, Too Soon. Lisa Keating hide caption

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Lisa Keating

This Palestinian-American's debut novel may not be political — but her existence is

To be a Palestinian-American writer right now can lead to a lot of expectation to focus on identity and devastation, but in her debut novel, Too Soon, Betty Shamieh shares the story of three generations of Palestinian women trying to find love, purpose and liberation.

This Palestinian-American's debut novel may not be political — but her existence is

Listen · 32:26
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A look at the human toll of the construction of the Panama Canal

Author Cristina Henriquez next to the cover of her new novel, The Great Divide Brian McConkey/Ecco hide caption

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Brian McConkey/Ecco

A look at the human toll of the construction of the Panama Canal

The Panama Canal's impact on the geopolitical stage far outreaches its roughly 51-mile stretch of land and water. This week, we're trying to understand the canal's murky future - from climate change to President Trump's threat to take it for the U.S. - by looking at its turbulent, cataclysmic birth.

A look at the human toll of the construction of the Panama Canal

Listen · 31:48
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Black audiences see themselves centered in a brand new soap opera
Jackie Lay

Black audiences see themselves centered in a brand new soap opera

B.A. Parker digs into the historical connection between Black Americans and soap operas with the launching of "Beyond the Gates," the first ever soap focused primarily on a Black family.

Black audiences see themselves centered in a brand new soap opera

Listen · 36:20
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The NFL's concussion problem beyond CTE
Jackie Lay

The NFL's concussion problem beyond CTE

In 2015, the NFL agreed to an uncapped settlement to pay former players diagnosed with brain disease. The agreement came after players sued the league for covering what it knew about the links between brain disease and football. But who's gotten paid and how much is affected by their race. On the final episode of our series on race and football, we speak with Will Hobson, investigative sports reporter at The Washington Post.

The NFL's concussion problem beyond CTE

Listen · 22:56
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The Black enclave that could be lost to the Los Angeles wildfires

(Left) Margaret Larkin wears protective gear before visiting her former home. (Right) Larkin's grandson, Dejohn Jones Jr. inspects the damage at his childhood home. Jireh Deng hide caption

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Jireh Deng

The Black enclave that could be lost to the Los Angeles wildfires

Altadena was the site of the Eaton fire, one of two major wildfires in Los Angeles County in January. The wind and flames destroyed more than 9,000 structures — and with them, the long-tenured Black community in the town. As efforts to recover and rebuild the town are underway, many residents are left wondering, what of their community will remain?

The Black enclave that could be lost to the Los Angeles wildfires

Listen · 30:35
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An NFL star on what the game costs those who play it

Collage of football players falling, helmets and footballs. Jackie Lay hide caption

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Jackie Lay

An NFL star on what the game costs those who play it

Dominique Foxworth played in the NFL from 2005 to 2011. After he retired, he went on to become the head of the NFL Players' Association, the union that represents players in the league. In this conversation, he describes what it was like sitting across from the league's lawyers, advocating for things like players' health care at a time when the risks of playing football were becoming clearer.

An NFL star on what the game costs those who play it

Listen · 18:08
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Untangling the history of Black rights on Native land

(from R to L) Michael Hill, Dietta Parker (Michael's mom), and Ron Jones II (Michael's attorney) outside of the Okmulgee County Courthouse after Michael's final day in court Allison Herrera hide caption

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Allison Herrera

Untangling the history of Black rights on Native land

How the criminal legal system considers who is and isn't Native, and what that means for the Black people who are members of tribal nations. This reporting is part of an audio documentary from Audible called Tribal Justice: The Struggle for Black Rights on Native Land.

Untangling the history of Black rights on Native land

Listen · 33:14
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