Best Defector Media Podcasts (2025)

1
The battle of Harvard: When education, funding and politics collide 11:39

1d ago11:39

11:39

With the cancellation of grants to Harvard University, the revocation of visas for foreign students, and the withdrawal of research funding, the Trump administration is moving forward with its agenda to cut public spending. These measures are widely seen as an attack on the state of Massachusetts, which traditionally votes Democrat and whose econom…

1
Hartford Has It (Clinical Depression) with Megan Greenwell 1:05:16

1d ago1:05:16

1:05:16

Drew is off doing important things, so Roth is joined by co-host Kelsey McKinney and guest Megan Greenwell, author of Bad Company: Private Equity and the Death of the American Dream to talk about how old men with too much money destroy companies and people’s lives through private equity. Then, they dive into the Funbag, answering real questions fro…

1
Putin's recruits: The young Africans fighting for Russia in Ukraine 12:52

8d ago12:52

12:52

Nicknamed the "Black Wagners", hundreds of African men have been recruited by the Russian army to fight against Ukraine. Lured by promises of high wages, jobs or even Russian passports, some have voluntarily opted to join Russian President Vladimir Putin's army. But for others, things are far more complicated: dozens have been manipulated and forci…

1
Living For Lunch with Alan Siegel 59:08

9d ago59:08

59:08

The Ringer staff writer Alan Siegel drops by to talk about his new book, Stupid TV, Be More Funny: How the Golden Era of The Simpsons Changed Television-and America-Forever. He reveals perhaps too much information about Operation Dizzy Fox, Los Angeles’ lost utopian monorail future, and exactly how gross the Simpsons Writers’ Room (like, the physic…

1
"My Biggest Regret" with Yowei Shaw 1:08:46

12d ago1:08:46

1:08:46

Yowei Shaw (Proxy) joins the Redacted Friends and talks about Mic's biggest regret. C O M E S E E H A C K C I T Y C O M E D Y Tickets F O L L O W U S https://www.instagram.com/asiannotasianpod https://www.instagram.com/nicepantsbro https://www.instagram.com/jennyarimoto/ P A T R E O N https://www.patreon.com/asiannotasianpod P A R T N E R S -Check …

1
Pakistan, broken innocence: An exclusive investigation into sexual violence at madrasas 31:35

15d ago31:35

31:35

In Pakistan, more than 2 million children frequently attend madrasas – Koranic schools that offer free religious education to the most disadvantaged. But behind the walls of these revered institutions lies a chilling reality: thousands of children are subjected to sexual violence in deafening silence. Our correspondents bring us a special 31-minute…

1
The Most Polite 30 Seconds in Podcasting History with Will Leitch 1:08:28

16d ago1:08:28

1:08:28

New York Magazine contributing editor, Washington Post columnist, and Deadspin founder Will Leitch joins Drew and Roth to talk about the creative writing process, the NBA finals, the Stanley Cup finals, and the Cardinals dropping the ball with their fans once again. His new novel, Lloyd McNeil’s Last Ride, is out now! Do you want to hear your quest…

1
North Korean defectors struggle to adapt to new life in South Korea 12:26

22d ago12:26

12:26

Every year, North Koreans risk their lives trying to escape the regime in Pyongyang. For those who do manage to flee, neighbouring South Korea is the obvious destination. More than 34,000 North Korean defectors have entered the country since 1953. But they still find it difficult to adapt to life in a nation so geographically close to their own, ye…

1
An Apology to Brad Lohaus 1:07:07

23d ago1:07:07

1:07:07

It’s just Drew and Roth this week, and guess what? They’re gonna talk NBA playoffs, because Drew actually knows what he’s talking about this year! For real! He has thoughts on these teams! Then, they open up the funbag to answer real questions from real listeners like you! Do you want to hear your question answered on the pod? Well, give us a call …

1
A Single Beige Thought 59:56

26d ago59:56

59:56

The Redacted Friends try to have a single beige thought. Later they check out each other's Explore page. C O M E S E E H A C K C I T Y C O M E D Y Tickets F O L L O W U S https://www.instagram.com/asiannotasianpod https://www.instagram.com/nicepantsbro https://www.instagram.com/jennyarimoto/ P A T R E O N https://www.patreon.com/asiannotasianpod P …

1
Egypt's resource crisis: Water, food, and a surging population 12:46

29d ago12:46

12:46

Egypt, the most populous country in the Arab world, is facing a crisis: a growing shortage of food and water. How do you feed a population of 113 million people – estimated to grow to 160 million over the next 25 years – when even water is running short? The Nile, Egypt’s lifeline, is under stress. The government is drilling deep into the Sahara to…

1
Crazy Mid-Air Adjustments with Jason Steinhauer 1:01:21

1M ago1:01:21

1:01:21

Jason Steinhauer, public historian and author of History, Disrupted: How Social Media and the World Wide Web Have Changed the Past, lays out for Drew & Roth whether the current system is actually Fascism or merely sparkling Authoritarianism, and if historical precedent can even predict our modern times at all. And then after that, somehow, they als…

1
Italy: The women taking on the mafia 26:14

1M ago26:14

26:14

Italy's southern Puglia region is the territory of the Sacra Corona Unita, also known as the "fourth mafia". Less well known than Cosa Nostra, the Camorra or the 'Ndrangheta, the criminal group is still very powerful. It has infiltrated all sections of Italian society, from local firms to public administration. Our reporters went to meet a group of…

1
A Very Grim Place To Have A Beauty Pageant with Brandy Jensen 1:07:18

1M ago1:07:18

1:07:18

Defector’s Culture Editor Brandy Jensen doesn’t follow any sports, so she joins Drew and Roth to talk about other topics! Should Drew continue watching Reacher if episode one didn’t hook him? Can Brandy save the state of modern design in America? Would any of them accept a $400 million 747 from Qatar, no questions asked? Then, they open up the Funb…

1
S5E6 - New York or LA? with Andrea Jin (Baby Goat Podcast) 1:02:07

1M ago1:02:07

1:02:07

Los Angeles-supremacist Andrea Jin rejects every drink Mic offers her. Andrea has some hot takes about mangos and America. C O M E S E E H A C K C I T Y C O M E D Y Tickets F O L L O W U S https://www.instagram.com/asiannotasianpod https://www.instagram.com/nicepantsbro https://www.instagram.com/jennyarimoto/ P A T R E O N https://www.patreon.com/a…

1
The mullahs’ voice: How conservatives seek to win over Iran's youth 12:52

1M ago12:52

12:52

In a country in the midst of change, where more and more women refuse to wear the veil despite the rules, conservatives are looking to maintain their grip on power. Nearly 180,000 clerics, or mullahs, preach the words of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in Iran, but not all of them are ultra-conservative. Some have understood the need for dialogue, in a soci…

1
1995 Man of the Year President Bill Climpton with Ben Collins 1:10:26

1M ago1:10:26

1:10:26

CEO of The Onion Ben Collins joins Roth to talk about running The Onion. How does a private citizen actually buy a long-standing-and-at-the-time-languishing satirical newspaper? Do you just sit there and clap your hands as they make jokes? How do you stand back up beloved bits and programs in the media landscape of 2025? And Ben shares two importan…

1
PFAS 'forever chemicals': Citizens take on industrial giants in quest for justice 12:36

2M ago12:36

12:36

PFAS, better known as "forever chemicals", are ultra-resistant to water and heat – so much so that they are virtually indestructible in nature. These chemicals are everywhere in our daily lives – in clothes, cosmetics and kitchen utensils – and are poisoning us. FRANCE 24's reporters Cécile Khindria and Juliette Lacharnay went to meet the citizens …

1
Bernie Sanders Liz Phair Lyrics with Patrick Redford 1:05:28

2M ago1:05:28

1:05:28

Defector’s own and basketball podcaster Patrick Redford joins Drew and Roth to talk about the NBA playoffs! What teams are zagging with Hyperball? How capital-G Good are the Cavs and the Thunder? Should Steve Ballmer just come out as a ball-knower? And in the back half of the show, Patrick has to respond to breaking Sacramento Kings news and they d…

1
S5E5 - Is Voting Worth It? with Josh Burstein (Bernie Sanders) 55:47

2M ago55:47

55:47

Comedian, director and political guy Josh Burstein (Bernie Sanders, Asian Comedy Festival) drops by to answer some questions about the Democrats. Then, the [Redacted] Friends do a comedy-politics mind meld. C O ME S E E H A C K C I T Y C O M E D Y Tickets F O L L O W U S https://www.instagram.com/asiannotasianpod https://www.instagram.com/nicepants…

1
Migrants in limbo: With US out of reach, Mexico becomes their final destination 13:08

2M ago13:08

13:08

The banks of the Suchiate River in southern Mexico, on the border with Guatemala, are sometimes called "the silent border" of the United States. Tens of thousands of migrants pass through there every year. Although the United States is their goal, Mexico often ends up being their final destination. FRANCE 24's Laurence Cuvillier, Matthieu Comin and…

1
What Goes On in the Mind of a Football Man with Mike Tanier 1:04:27

2M ago1:04:27

1:04:27

National football reporter and writer of the Too Deep Zone substack Mike Tanier joins Drew and Roth to get excited about the NFL Draft. How do teams come up with a coherent draft board… or do they? Is everyone watching the same Shedeur Sanders tape? And how many Twitch streams do they need to grind tape on? And as always, they dive into the Funbag,…

1
Thirsty giants: Big tech's data centres multiply in drought-hit Spain 12:48

2M ago12:48

12:48

In recent years, Spain has become a leading destination for tech giants to set up their data centres in Europe. Madrid even aims to become a "digital hub" on the continent, like Germany and the UK. But at what cost to the environment? To cool down their servers, data centres consume billions of litres of drinking water: a huge worry in Spain, one o…

1
The Incredibly Late Spring Break Podcast 50:52

2M ago50:52

50:52

Here’s what Drew wrote for the agenda for this episode: - I bitch about spring break - Roth and I shoot the shit That’s what will happen. And as always, they dive into the Funbag, answering real questions from real listeners. Do you want to hear your question answered on the pod? Well, give us a call at 909-726-3720. That is 909-PANERA-0! Sponsors …

1
S5E4 - Can Internment Camps Happen Again? with Kevin Nguyen (The Verge) 1:10:04

2M ago1:10:04

1:10:04

Author Kevin Nguyen chats about his new book. Then, the gang go on a very dark, pretty funny camping trip. C O ME S E E H A C K C I T Y C O M E D Y Tickets F O L L O W U S https://www.instagram.com/asiannotasianpod https://www.instagram.com/nicepantsbro https://www.instagram.com/jennyarimoto/ P A T R E O N https://www.patreon.com/asiannotasianpod P…

1
The great purge: US federal workers reel from Trump's sweeping cuts 12:54

2M ago12:54

12:54

Since his inauguration for a second term on January 20, US President Donald Trump has been shaking US democracy to its core with his executive orders. By implementing drastic budget cuts, withdrawing from international agreements and ordering massive layoffs of federal employees, he is moving so fast that the courts can't keep up. The stated aim of…

1
Why Am I Talking to the New Jags GM Right Now? with Tim Marchman 1:05:58

2M ago1:05:58

1:05:58

Director of politics, security, and science at Wired Tim Marchman joins Drew and Roth to explain what the hell is going on with DOGE. What exactly are they doing? How has Wired been able to investigate what’s been going? And what can Americans do to fight back? In the back half of the show, Marchman gets a chance to talk about the White Sox and the…

1
Returning to Khartoum: In Sudan, civilians try to rebuild their lives 31:40

3M ago31:40

31:40

The Sudanese army has just won the battle of Khartoum, the capital of Sudan, after two years of civil war. It is now calling on inhabitants to return home. But at what price? Our reporters were on the front line during the final phase of the offensive against the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF). Watch their exclusive 31-minute report.…

1
I’m Not Going to Mention Where He Went to College with Maitreyi Anantharaman 1:04:29

3M ago1:04:29

1:04:29

Defector’s own Maitreyi Anantharaman joins Drew and Roth to talk hoops and baseball! Who should we be rooting for in the women’s final four tournament? What’s going on with Paige Bueckers and does it have anything to do with Nico Harrison? Do we like the MBB Duke team now? And is the torpedo bat cheating or do we want the Yankees not to succeed? An…

1
S5E3 - Are We Too Old For This Shit? 52:54

3M ago52:54

52:54

Mic drives over to Jenny's house. The Asian Friends reminisce and talk about the TV Show "Younger." C O ME S E E H A C K C I T Y C O M E D Y Tickets F O L L O W U S https://www.instagram.com/asiannotasianpod https://www.instagram.com/nicepantsbro https://www.instagram.com/jennyarimoto/ P A T R E O N https://www.patreon.com/asiannotasianpod P A R T …

1
Honduras struggles to combat human trafficking 12:51

3M ago12:51

12:51

The small Central American country of Honduras has become a hub for a devastating – yet often overlooked – scourge: human trafficking, the third most profitable criminal activity in the world after drug and arms trafficking. Located between North and South America, Honduras is a key transit point for all kinds of trafficking. Endemic poverty, wides…

1
Luxury Ice Fishing Apparatus with Bob Mould 54:31

3M ago54:31

54:31

Musician Bob Mould joins Drew and Roth to talk about his newest album, Here We Go Crazy, as well as life in general! They discuss how his recent marriage has changed his songwriting, what sort of magic goes into that whole arcane process, and what keeps bringing a world-touring musician back to America, even in 2025. Do you want to hear your questi…

1
How Armenia is raising a new generation of soldiers 12:29

3M ago12:29

12:29

Armenia, a tiny country of just three million people, is dealing with a population crisis that could threaten its very survival. A deadly war with neighbouring Azerbaijan in 2020 coupled with a high infertility rate has led to demographic decline. Now, the government is trying to reverse the trend and boost Armenia's population to five million by 2…

1
The 2025 Idiot’s Guide to March Madness with Ken Pomeroy 59:31

3M ago59:31

59:31

College basketball metrics analyst Ken Pomeroy joins Drew and Roth for his annual preview of this year’s March Madness tournament! They answer your burning college basketball questions: How does Ken feel about being quoted by the governor of West Virginia? Does the fact that some players are wandering ronin affect the quality of play? What’s going …

1
S5E2 - Why can't we be friends? with Jasper Wang (Defector Media) 58:59

3M ago58:59

58:59

Comedian and business Asian Jasper Wang stops by the pod to share a break-up story. The [REDACTED] Friends trade tips on finding and keeping friends. C O ME S E E H A C K C I T Y C O M E D Y Tickets F O L L O W U S https://www.instagram.com/asiannotasianpod https://www.instagram.com/nicepantsbro https://www.instagram.com/jennyarimoto/ P A T R E O N…

1
Belgium's house of 'pass-ages': A journey of birth and death 13:22

3M ago13:22

13:22

In a quiet residential area of Brussels, tucked away among the modern and uniform facades of the Forest neighbourhood, sits a house that is giving birth to a unique project which could revolutionise our approach to the start and end of life. Here, expecting mothers and end-of-life patients live side by side, cared for respectively by midwives and v…

1
I Can’t Trust Hot White Dips with Jasper Wang 1:00:04

3M ago1:00:04

1:00:04

Defector’s own Jasper Wang joins Drew and Roth to share the true crime story that happened to him. Can you solve the mystery of the burst pipes in Montana? Speaking of, these NFL teams are busted, as revealed by their free agency performance! In the second half of the episode, they explore the possibilities of the MLB forcing Tamba Bay Rays owner S…

1
Seeds of hope: Saving mangroves in the Niger Delta 36:18

4M ago36:18

36:18

One of the most polluted places in the world is located at the heart of the Niger Delta where decades of oil exploitation have ravaged the native flora. Fringing the delta of the Niger River, local mangrove forests are essential to biodiversity and the survival of local communities. In Nigeria, scientists, activists and lawyers are joining forces t…

1
The First Half Is About the State of the World with Denny Carter 1:00:05

4M ago1:00:05

1:00:05

Editor of the Bad Faith Times Denny Carter joins Drew and Roth to talk about everything that’s happening. They know what happened the last time Denny was on. That’s what they’re talking about. But don’t worry, they’re pivoting about something much more sunny in the second half of the podcasts: the Dallas Mavericks! Is this team cursed, rigged, or j…

1
S5E1 - [REDACTED] NOT [REDACTED] 34:17

4M ago34:17

34:17

THIS PODCAST HAS BEEN CANCELED IN ACCORDANCE WITH FCC ORDER 45.2.9 ("WAY TOO MANY ASIANS"). Please delete this file and proceed to listen to other podcasts. C O ME S E E H A C K C I T Y C O M E D Y https://www.eventbrite.com/e/hack-city-comedy-with-mic-nguyen-and-jenny-arimoto-tickets-1149524692299 F O L L O W U S https://www.instagram.com/asiannot…

1
Bangladesh faces never-ending battle against child marriage 12:55

4M ago12:55

12:55

Bangladesh is the country in Asia with the highest ratio of child marriages to its population. Some 38 million women are married before the age of 18, according to UNICEF – amounting to one in two women. This is despite the fact that child marriage has been illegal since a British empire-era law from 1929, with the legal age set at 18 for women and…

1
Your Kids Are Mid with Nathan Grayson 1:02:34

4M ago1:02:34

1:02:34

Nathan Grayson, co-founder of Aftermath and author of the new book Stream Big: The Triumphs and Turmoils of Twitch and the Stars Behind the Screen, talks to Drew and Roth about game streaming. Is Twitch a healthy company? Do the streamers like being on it? And how does this all feel in contrast to creating their worker-owned-journalism outfit? And …

1
Serbia, an Eldorado for Russian exiles since the war in Ukraine 12:38

4M ago12:38

12:38

Since the start of the war in Ukraine, Serbia has become a refuge for Russians fleeing their country. We went to meet this new Russian diaspora which has become an integral part of Serbian society. These exiles, most of them opposed to Russian President Vladimir Putin, have recreated a "miniature Russia" in the small Balkan country and invested mas…

1
The Paddington 2 of the NBA with Rohan Nadkarni 1:01:25

4M ago1:01:25

1:01:25

NBC News’ Rohan Nadkarni joins Drew and Roth to tell us what’s going on in the NBA after the All Star break. Who are three most interesting teams to watch in the East and the West? And in the second half of the show, they give you the sandwich talk that you’re craving, kicked off by a homemade vegan Double Down in Drew’s own home. And as always, th…

1
Coastal submersion in Sierra Leone: The vicious cycle of poverty 13:12

4M ago13:12

13:12

According to the United Nations, Sierra Leone is one of the countries most exposed to coastal erosion. More than two million people are threatened by rising sea levels. Even the capital, Freetown, and its informal settlements – built by reclaiming land from the sea – are on the brink of sinking. A phenomenon caused by climate change, but exacerbate…

1
Disrespecting John Madden’s Name 1:00:17

4M ago1:00:17

1:00:17

Drew and Roth break down The Big Game, including why Tom Brady’s commentary is so very bad and the Eagles defense is so very good. The back half of the pod is NBA corner as the guys discuss Miriam Adelson, the Mavericks’ beefy private sheriffs, and Dončić trade conspiracies. Plus, two voicemails for the Funbag, answering real questions from real li…

1
Hong Kong, law and order: Inside the rebel city now under Chinese control 39:23

4M ago39:23

39:23

FRANCE 24 brings you a special report on the new Hong Kong, with the freedom-loving former British colony undergoing a severe political, social and economic takeover by the authorities in Beijing. In what was until recently the last island of freedom in China, the Chinese Communist Party is imposing its rules and its model of society.…

1
Both the Eagles and the Chiefs Are Gonna Win with Dan McQuade 1:10:46

5M ago1:10:46

1:10:46

Defector’s very own Dan McQuade joins Drew and Roth to talk about The Big Game! As chief Philly correspondent, Dan weighs in on how the Eagles can do it. Also as chief Philly correspondent, Dan explains how the Eagles can never, ever win it all. In the back half of the pod, everyone is still trying to have a thought other than “what the hell” about…

1
BONUS S4E24 - Live From San Francisco 1:05:42

5M ago1:05:42

1:05:42

It's a bonus episode! In this crazy live show, Dylan Adler and Jes Tom hop on to debate the most pressing issues facing Asian America. Taped live at The Korner Store in San Francisco. H A C K C I T Y C O M E D Y S H O W https://www.eventbrite.com/e/hack-city-comedy-with-mic-nguyen-and-jenny-arimoto-tickets-1119949361689 See Privacy Policy at https:…

1
AWOL: Why are Ukrainian soldiers leaving their units and how to get them back? 12:49

5M ago12:49

12:49

In the aftermath of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022, hundreds of thousands of Ukrainians rushed to military recruitment centres to defend their country. Almost three years of war later, the momentum has stalled. Our correspondent Gulliver Cragg reports.By FRANCE 24 English

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Defector Media Podcasts

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