When it comes to understanding American culture one of the most important things is to listen to a diverse set of voices. And with that in mind, NPR’s Code Switch makes a perfect addition to your podcast rotation. The show centers on issues of race, but within that framework it tackles a huge variety of topics that are political, social, cultural, and everything in between. Alongside a rotating panel of guests and co-hosts, Gene Demby and Shereen Marisol Meraji discuss everything from school busing to Tupac’s legacy to all sorts of different immigrant experiences.
The episodes can vary quite a bit in terms of tone and subject matter, and I get the sense that Code Switch is still finding its voice, which actually makes for an even more fascinating listening experience. Some of my favorite episodes have included “46 Stops: The Driving Life and Death of Philando Castile,” “A Letter From Young Asian Americans, To Their Parents, About Black Lives Matter,” and “Say My Name, Say My Name (Correctly, Please).” I also particularly enjoyed one of the show’s latest episodes, “Hold Up! Time For An Explanatory Comma,” in which Demby and Meraji directly grapple with the question of who they are making the podcast for.
You can find more information and listen to old episodes on the Code Switch site.