456 episodes

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

Code Switch Code Switch

    • Society & Culture
    • 4.6 • 14K Ratings

Listen on Apple Podcasts
Requires subscription and macOS 11.4 or higher

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

Listen on Apple Podcasts
Requires subscription and macOS 11.4 or higher

    In the world of medicine, race-based diagnoses are more than skin deep

    In the world of medicine, race-based diagnoses are more than skin deep

    We've probably said it a hundred times on Code Switch — biological race is not a real thing. So why is race still used to help diagnose certain conditions, like keloids or cystic fibrosis? On this episode, Dr. Andrea Deyrup breaks it down for us, and unpacks the problems she sees with practicing race-based medicine.

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    • 33 min
    This conspiracy theory about eating bugs is also about race

    This conspiracy theory about eating bugs is also about race

    Gene Demby and NPR's Huo Jingnan dive into a conspiracy theory about how "global elites" are forcing people to eat bugs. And no huge surprise — the theory's popularity is largely about its loudest proponents' racist fear-mongering.

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    • 32 min
    The musical legacy of Japanese American incarceration

    The musical legacy of Japanese American incarceration

    In February of 1942 after the bombing of Pearl Harbor, the U.S. government issued an executive order to incarcerate people of Japanese descent. That legacy has become a defining story of Japanese American identity. In this episode, B.A. Parker and producer Jess Kung explore how Japanese American musicians across generations turn to that story as a way to explore and express identity. Featuring Kishi Bashi, Erin Aoyama and Mary Nomura.

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    • 30 min
    Why menthol cigarettes have a chokehold on Black smokers

    Why menthol cigarettes have a chokehold on Black smokers

    In the U.S., flavored cigarettes have been banned since 2009, with one glaring exception: menthols. That exception was supposed to go away in 2023, but the Biden administration quietly delayed the ban on menthols. Why? Well, an estimated 85 percent of Black smokers smoke menthols — and some (potentially suspect) polls have indicated that a ban on menthols would chill Biden's support among Black people. Of course, it's more complicated than that. The story of menthol cigarettes is tied up in policing, advertising, influencer-culture, and the weaponization of race and gender studies. Oh, and a real-life Black superhero named Mandrake the Magician.

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    • 35 min
    Before the apps, people used newspapers to find love

    Before the apps, people used newspapers to find love

    To celebrate the history of Black romance, Gene and Parker are joined by reporter Nichole Hill to explore the 1937 equivalent of dating apps — the personals section of one of D.C.'s Black newspapers. Parker attempts to match with a Depression-era bachelor, and along the way we learn about what love meant two generations removed from slavery.

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    • 37 min
    How college footballers led the fight against racism in 1969

    How college footballers led the fight against racism in 1969

    It's 1969 at the University of Wyoming, where college football is treated like a second religion. But after racist treatment at an away game, 14 Black players decide to take a stand, and are hit with life-changing consequences. From our play cousins across the pond, our own B.A. Parker hosts the BBC World Service's Amazing Sport Stories: The Black 14. Listen to the rest of the series wherever you get your podcasts.

    *This episode contains lived experiences which involve the use of strong racist language.

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    • 32 min

Customer Reviews

4.6 out of 5
14K Ratings

14K Ratings

EMO Philly ,

Learning, learning, learning

I am constantly learning new things from this podcast! I think Gene has always been great and I’m very happy with BA’s arrival to the team. My world has expanded and I look forward to continuing to learn!

808needisaymore ,

One of the best!

I love this podcast. I just listened to the public housing episode. Fanta Kaba was so good!!! It really got me thinking about the question of who gets to live where. I am always learning when I listen. Thank you so much for all of your work!

Injeel H ,

Code Switch: The Black 14

Absolutely amazing. Football is my thing! Has been all my life. As a player, coach, student and historian of the game, this is a story I never knew. Thank you BA Parker and the whole team for bringing this piece of history to the world.
Moreover, thank you to all the hosts and team for the amazing work you do with the Code Switch podcast. Your excellent work on a myriad of subjects is vitally necessary and so appreciated!

Keep doing what you’re doing! We hear you and thank you!

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