Rough Translation

NPR

4.8 (7.3K)
NEWS COMMENTARY
UPDATED WEEKLY

How are the things we're talking about being talked about somewhere else in the world? Gregory Warner tells stories that follow familiar conversations into unfamiliar territory. At a time when the world seems small but it's as hard as ever to escape our echo chambers, Rough Translation takes you places.

12/27/2023 · BONUS

Rough Translation New Years Message

As we head toward a new year, former Rough Translation host Gregory Warner reflects on "goal disengagement" — letting go of past goals, rather than coming up with New Year resolutions. He recommends three of his favorite episodes aligned with this theme for Rough Translation fans and new listeners. Episodes are in the show notes below. And we encourage you to visit our archives with some timeless Rough Translation gems. When Failure is a 4-Letter Word: https://www.npr.org/2019/07/05/738963753/when-failure-is-a-four-letter-word War Poems: https://www.npr.org/2018/07/02/625501009/war-poems American Surrogate: https://www.npr.org/2017/10/17/547332434/american-surrogate Discover Rough Translation's archive of timeless episodes here: https://www.npr.org/podcasts/510324/rough-translation Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

5 min
08/30/2023 · BONUS

Hold the Sitar: The Making of the Love Commandos Theme Song

In this bonus episode of Love Commandos, Gregory Warner interviews musician John Ellis, who composed Rough Translation's original theme music in 2017, and songwriters Amira Gill and VASU, who jointly created the new theme song for Love Commandos. They discuss their musical processes, and how they incorporate stories into their music. Love Commandos will be releasing more bonus episodes like this one over the next few weeks, where the team will continue to take listeners behind the scenes of the show and continue exploring the themes of love and marriage in modern India. To access those episodes, sign up for Embedded+ at plus.npr.org/embedded. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

25 min
08/23/2023

Calling It Quits

In Episode 5 of Love Commandos, couples seeking to shut down the Love Commandos' shelter band together for a risky plan. Want to hear bonus episodes of Love Commandos? Sign up for Embedded+ at plus.npr.org/embedded. Subscribe to host Gregory Warner's Rough Transition substack newsletter. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

30 min
08/16/2023

Forever Yours

On Episode 4 of Love Commandos, couples in the shelter feel pressured to stay indefinitely. We try to figure out why. Want to hear episodes of Love Commandos a week before everyone else? Sign up for Embedded+ at plus.npr.org/embedded. Subscribe to host Gregory Warner's Rough Transition substack newsletter. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

34 min
08/09/2023

The Honeymoon

On Episode 3 of Love Commandos, stories of life inside the Love Commandos shelter begin to diverge as co-founder Sanjoy Sachdev shows a different side.Want to hear episodes of Love Commandos a week before everyone else? Sign up for Embedded+ at plus.npr.org/embedded. And subscribe to host Gregory Warner's Rough Transition Substack. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

31 min
08/02/2023

After The Wedding

On episode 2 of Love Commandos, an inter-caste couple in India hits a breaking point. They make one last-ditch phone call to try to stay together. Want to hear episodes of Love Commandos a week before everyone else? Sign up for Embedded+ at plus.npr.org/embedded. Subscribe to host Gregory Warner's Rough Transition newsletter on Substack. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

32 min
07/26/2023

The Vow

When falling in love can mean risking your life, the Love Commandos in India will protect you. But at what cost? This is episode 1 of our series Love Commandos. Want to hear episodes of Love Commandos a week before everyone else? Sign up for Embedded+ at plus.npr.org/embedded. And follow host Gregory Warner on Substack here. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

22 min
SEASON 8 TRAILER

New Season: Love Commandos. Starting Wednesday, July 26th.

They seemed like superheroes. In a country where arranged marriage is the norm, the Love Commandos promise to protect love couples and help them marry. But is this a group of protectors in the way they promise to be? Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

3 min

See All (102)

Gregory Warner

Host

4.8

out of 5

7,312 Ratings

MISS YOU!!!

Feb 15

vmor3221

Great show that deserves more
Message to the Team

Jan 10

Laurel Elaina

Hey Rough Translation, It’s been a year. I hope the cast has been doing well. Some of us in your meager fandom want to hear from you folks again, on rough translation topics, even if it’s just to re-hash old episodes, and maybe or maybe not make some commentary on how the perspective from about five years ago has likely changed in the year of 2025. Either way, good luck to you all.
Great series...

08/01/2024

Kozmo 702

…wish there was more.
I love this podcast!!

03/12/2024

AKLRG

I am so sad that this podcast was canceled. It is wonderful! The stories, the perspectives, the variety of people, places, and ideas are all so unique and fascinating. I highly recommend it.
Listen to Hotel Corona from 5/13/2020

12/07/2023

LifeWithRudy

Please listen to the beautiful story. This should be made into a movie!
Great archive

12/05/2023

DostDevil

So many interesting stories in here! I actually don’t really like the Love Commandos reporting, so I would recommend people skip it and start with one-offs.
Don’t leave us!

10/31/2023

eb ramírez

I have enjoyed every one of your episodes. Wish you the best!
No I can’t believe it’s over. We need podcast like this more than ever NOW

10/28/2023

Mashimaboo

I looooooove this podcast so much! I found it recently and have been listening to all old episodes. We need podcast like this more than ever NOW
Love Rough Translation

09/16/2023

KTravelBug

I love rough translation and always share it with friends. Its Our go-to podcast to listen to on on road trips. Many episodes have been listened to multiple times. I love getting to here stories from around the world from the people themselves. Can be even more meaningful than travel itself, because you can go to a country but still not hear stories like these!
A NGOs kid i absolutely love this!!!

08/28/2023

Chrsiti M

Such great work and execution by the host and all the participants!! I grew up as an NGO in UA and haven’t been “home” in almost 18 years and haven’t traveled a lot either and this podcast helps me feel connected to the rest of the beautiful world we inhabit

How are the things we're talking about being talked about somewhere else in the world? Gregory Warner tells stories that follow familiar conversations into unfamiliar territory. At a time when the world seems small but it's as hard as ever to escape our echo chambers, Rough Translation takes you places.