76 episodes

The people and struggles that changed America—one year at a time. In each episode, host Josh Levin explores a story you may have forgotten, or one you’ve never heard of before. What were the moments that transformed politics, culture, science, religion, and more? And how does the nation’s past shape our present?

One Year Slate Podcasts

    • History
    • 4.2 • 1.2K Ratings

Listen on Apple Podcasts
Requires subscription and macOS 11.4 or higher

The people and struggles that changed America—one year at a time. In each episode, host Josh Levin explores a story you may have forgotten, or one you’ve never heard of before. What were the moments that transformed politics, culture, science, religion, and more? And how does the nation’s past shape our present?

Listen on Apple Podcasts
Requires subscription and macOS 11.4 or higher

    Slow Burn: Gays Against Briggs | 2. Defend Our Children

    Slow Burn: Gays Against Briggs | 2. Defend Our Children

    In 1977, John Briggs was a small-time state senator with big dreams. But Briggs’ plan to ban gay and lesbian teachers from California schools changed the arc of his life and career. Suddenly, he was a right-wing hero, and a villain of the gay rights movement. And his message seemed to be catching on all over the country.

    Season 9 of Slow Burn was written and produced by Christina Cauterucci. Slow Burn is produced by Kelly Jones, Joel Meyer, and Sophie Summergrad. 

    Josh Levin is the editorial director of Slow Burn.

    Derek John is Slate’s executive producer of narrative podcasts.

    Susan Matthews is Slate’s executive editor.

    Merritt Jacob is our senior technical director. We had engineering help from Patrick Fort and Madeline Ducharme.

    Our theme music is composed by Alexis Cuadrado. Artwork by Ivylise Simones, based on an image of Silvana Nova and a poster designed by Larry Hermsen and the Too Much Graphics Collective.

    Join host Christina Cauterucci and special guests as they record a special, live episode of Slow Burn at the Tribeca Film Festival on June 13.
    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    • 53 min
    Slow Burn: Gays Against Briggs | 3. Harvey Milk vs. the Machine

    Slow Burn: Gays Against Briggs | 3. Harvey Milk vs. the Machine

    After decades of wandering and job-hopping, Harvey Milk found his purpose as a gay community leader with growing political ambitions. But his historic election was just the beginning. As John Briggs’ gay teacher ban gained momentum, it was up to Supervisor Milk and his allies to figure out how to stop him. 

    Subscribe to Slate Plus to immediately unlock all episodes of Slow Burn: Gays Against Briggs. Your subscription also gets you ad-free access to all your favorite Slate podcasts, plus other member exclusive content. Join now on Apple Podcasts by clicking “Subscribe” at the top of our show page. Or, visit slate.com/slowburnplus to get access wherever you listen.
    Season 9 of Slow Burn was written and produced by Christina Cauterucci. Slow Burn is produced by Joel Meyer, Sophie Summergrad, and Kelly Jones.

    Josh Levin is the editorial director of Slow Burn.

    Derek John is Slate’s executive producer of narrative podcasts.

    Susan Matthews is Slate’s executive editor.

    Merritt Jacob is our senior technical director. We had engineering help from Patrick Fort and Madeline Ducharme.

    Our theme music is composed by Alexis Cuadrado. Artwork by Ivylise Simones, based on an image of Silvana Nova and a poster designed by Larry Hermsen and the Too Much Graphics Collective. 

    Join host Christina Cauterucci and special guests as they record a special, live episode of Slow Burn at the Tribeca Film Festival on June 13.
    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    • 57 min
    Slow Burn: Gays Against Briggs | 4. You Must Come Out

    Slow Burn: Gays Against Briggs | 4. You Must Come Out

    In the early days of the anti-Briggs campaign, a Richard Pryor comedy set turned into a public fiasco and laid bare longstanding divisions in the gay community. With the movement low on cash and running out of time, thousands of gay Californians decided their only option was to tell the world who they really were. 

    (If you—or anyone you know—are in crisis, contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, anytime: Dial 988 or visit 988lifeline.org.)

    Subscribe to Slate Plus to immediately unlock all episodes of Slow Burn: Gays Against Briggs. Your subscription also gets you ad-free access to all your favorite Slate podcasts, plus other member exclusive content. Join now on Apple Podcasts by clicking “Subscribe” at the top of our show page. Or, visit slate.com/slowburnplus to get access wherever you listen.

    Season 9 of Slow Burn was written and produced by Christina Cauterucci. Slow Burn is produced by Kelly Jones, Joel Meyer, and Sophie Summergrad. 

    Josh Levin is the editorial director of Slow Burn.

    Derek John is Slate’s executive producer of narrative podcasts.

    Susan Matthews is Slate’s executive editor.

    Merritt Jacob is our senior technical director. We had engineering help from Patrick Fort and Madeline Ducharme.

    Our theme music is composed by Alexis Cuadrado. Artwork by Ivylise Simones, based on an image of Silvana Nova and a poster designed by Larry Hermsen and the Too Much Graphics Collective. 

    Join host Christina Cauterucci and special guests as they record a special, live episode of Slow Burn at the Tribeca Film Festival on June 13.
    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    • 57 min
    Slow Burn: Gays Against Briggs | 5. Strange Bedfellows

    Slow Burn: Gays Against Briggs | 5. Strange Bedfellows

    As Election Day approached, the campaign to defeat Proposition 6 faced formidable odds. John Briggs’ fundraising juggernaut was churning out cash, and public opinion polls were solidly in his favor. To turn the tide, gay rights activists unveiled a powerful symbol and gambled on the support of an improbable ally: Ronald Reagan.

    (If you—or anyone you know—are in crisis, contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, anytime: Dial 988 or visit 988lifeline.org.)

    Subscribe to Slate Plus to immediately unlock all episodes of Slow Burn: Gays Against Briggs. Your subscription also gets you ad-free access to all your favorite Slate podcasts, plus other member exclusive content. Join now on Apple Podcasts by clicking “Subscribe” at the top of our show page. Or, visit slate.com/slowburnplus to get access wherever you listen.

    Season 9 of Slow Burn was written and produced by Christina Cauterucci. Slow Burn is produced by Joel Meyer, Sophie Summergrad, and Kelly Jones.

    Josh Levin is the editorial director of Slow Burn.

    Derek John is Slate’s executive producer of narrative podcasts.

    Susan Matthews is Slate’s executive editor.

    Merritt Jacob is our senior technical director. We had engineering help from Patrick Fort and Madeline Ducharme.

    Our theme music is composed by Alexis Cuadrado. Artwork by Ivylise Simones, based on an image of Silvana Nova and a poster designed by Larry Hermsen and the Too Much Graphics Collective. 

    Join host Christina Cauterucci and special guests as they record a special, live episode of Slow Burn at the Tribeca Film Festival on June 13.
    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    • 55 min
    Slow Burn: Gays Against Briggs | 6. The Murders at City Hall

    Slow Burn: Gays Against Briggs | 6. The Murders at City Hall

    On election night in 1978, gays and lesbians in California braced themselves for the statewide vote on Proposition 6. Less than a month after the results came in, a pair of killings shocked San Francisco and the nation.
    Subscribe to Slate Plus to immediately unlock all episodes of Slow Burn: Gays Against Briggs. Your subscription also gets you ad-free access to all your favorite Slate podcasts, plus other member exclusive content. Join now on Apple Podcasts by clicking “Subscribe” at the top of our show page. Or, visit slate.com/slowburnplus to get access wherever you listen.
    Season 9 of Slow Burn was written and produced by Christina Cauterucci. Slow Burn is produced by Sophie Summergrad, Kelly Jones, and Joel Meyer.
    Josh Levin is the editorial director of Slow Burn.
    Derek John is Slate’s executive producer of narrative podcasts.
    Susan Matthews is Slate’s executive editor.
    Merritt Jacob is our senior technical director. We had engineering help from Patrick Fort and Madeline Ducharme.
    Our theme music is composed by Alexis Cuadrado. Artwork by Ivylise Simones, based on an image of Silvana Nova and a poster designed by Larry Hermsen and the Too Much Graphics Collective.

    Join host Christina Cauterucci and special guests as they record a special, live episode of Slow Burn at the Tribeca Film Festival on June 13.
    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    • 56 min
    1990: Pizzastroika

    1990: Pizzastroika

    Pizza Hut’s adventure in the Soviet Union was unlike any restaurant opening before or since. It involved a fleet of submarines, a very special pizza topped with tuna and salmon, and a casual dining spot on a mission to change the world.

    This episode was written by Kelly Jones and Josh Levin, One Year’s editorial director. One Year’s senior producer is Evan Chung.

    This episode was produced by Kelly Jones and Evan Chung, with additional production by Olivia Briley. 

    It was edited by Joel Meyer and Derek John, Slate’s executive producer of narrative podcasts. Merritt Jacob is our senior technical director.

    Join Slate Plus to get a special behind-the-scenes conversation at the end of our season about how we put together our 1990 stories. Slate Plus members also get to listen to all Slate podcasts without any ads.
    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    • 57 min

Customer Reviews

4.2 out of 5
1.2K Ratings

1.2K Ratings

Cw_ak ,

Make more episodes please!!!!!

I luv this show it’s nice to have a show that isn’t all about DEATH sadly those are the only shows that last on podcast sites super sad luv the show!!!!!!!!!

jluv81 ,

Why?

Just learned their will be no more seasons of this show and I’m so disappointed. Also not surprised because it seems that any truly good podcasts get cancelled and the subpar ones live on endlessly. Such is life. Loved this show. Should be more of them.

apmurphygogo ,

Love all the obscure stories

Love the topics covered, and 1 hour episode are the perfect story length

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