In the early 1970s, the future of abortion in America was far from settled. Roe v. Wade would change everything, though few knew it at the time. For the seventh season of Slate’s Slow Burn, host Susan Matthews explores the path to Roe—a time when more Republicans than Democrats supported abortion rights. You’ll hear the forgotten story of the first woman ever to be convicted of manslaughter for having an abortion, the unlikely Catholic power couple who helped ignite the pro-life movement, and a rookie Supreme Court justice who got assigned the opinion of a lifetime.
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Slow Burn
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Reviews
Economist Reader Philadelphia
4 out of 5 stars
Great podcast but stop the false updates to drive traffic
Great podcast, but…..stop pushing out fake updates like there are more episodes when there are not. It’s annoying. It’s not right. It’s a form of gaming the system. The only reason for the 4 vs 5 is due to the “false” updates.
Amani❤️Johnson
5 out of 5 stars
**SEASON 6**
Season 6 is the best one, tbh. no hate, its just my opinion + THEIR TRUE CRIME EPISODES ARE A “CHEF’S KISS”!!!
papabev
1 out of 5 stars
Good podcasts
As always the left media can’t have any conversation with out brining up trump and their hatred towards him stick to the subject. Apparently if it’s a fetus it can die but calling it a baby is too far.
RS-123
3 out of 5 stars
Great podcast but annoying notifications
I love the podcasts across the seasons. It’s well researched and keep you tuned in. However, I hate how it sends you notifications about episodes from other Slate podcasts. It’s like weekly now so I just unsubscribed.
McBeckdog1964
5 out of 5 stars
Ultimate Field Trip
I heard Ronald Reagan speak & wasn’t instantly enraged. Some kinda black magic going on. I remember the shuttle disaster well. Loved the stories from the other teachers. Inspiring.
Susanlinnea
4 out of 5 stars
Interesting but
Too much chatting ABOUT the episodes. A little backstory is fine, but it’s not what I’m here for. Otherwise, interesting and engaging first-person stories illuminating the larger topic.
bena88vn
5 out of 5 stars
Amazing show!
This series is so captivating! I have learned so much and enjoyed the narrative reporting. Each show is well researched and allows you to understand impacts on our world today. Season 1, episode 8 is mislabeled and missing. Can makers of the show add this?
LT22
5 out of 5 stars
Stellar reporting of a critical piece of women’s history and rights in America
This was a truly captivating season of Slow Burn and one that felt really timely given the recent Supreme Court action to overturn Roe. There is so much history here, and the episodes are thick with details, first-hand accounts, and documentation, yet it is woven together in a profoundly relatable and human way that honors the stories and experiences shared. It left me with the unsettling feeling of deja vu and a sense that we may have to dig into the Roe playbook yet again to secure rights that should have never been in question or politicized to begin with - the right to personal liberty, privacy, bodily autonomy. It’s clear over time that - to some - these rights were never considered inalienable for women. Thank you for this important work.
Applehack1002!
5 out of 5 stars
Love the historical perspective on a very current issue
However… why has there not been a new episode in a month?
john doe 1 2
2 out of 5 stars
Abortion is not a right
92% of all biologists consider human life to start at conception. With that being said, what reason is there to take the life of an innocent human being?
TaylorAnn ward
5 out of 5 stars
Very well researched
This podcast series on Roe V. Wade was so well researched and very informative. The producers really dove deep into the topic and the interviews that were included were amazing! I wish there was another episode about the recent SCOTUS decision as well though. Amazing work!
firstuseryo
5 out of 5 stars
Outstanding
This series was extremely well-researched, and should be part of every high school history curriculum. Not only it is enlightening about trailblazing women in our history, but it also offers invaluable insights into popular culture at the time and the operations of the Supreme Court. I can’t recommend this podcast highly enough. Kudos to Slate and Susan Matthews and the team. It should win an award.
bpatlbc
5 out of 5 stars
Awesome
Well researched and thoughtful. Impressive work.
DannyDomeninico
5 out of 5 stars
Love this series
Such a well produced series I’ve liked all the seasons. The newest finale was amazing never knew about Blackmun. Very informative and entertaining👍🏼
TheEditrix3
5 out of 5 stars
Gives me chills
Amazing reporting and storytelling. I get chills listening to this knowing that a return to this era is likely imminent.
draight1337
1 out of 5 stars
Was hoping to learn more on the history and topic
The program has an obvious agenda, Season 6 episode 2: 28:27 - People on the pro-life side called saline aborted fetuses as ‘candy apple babies’. I can see how that plays into the narrative but I think it is as a bit general. I liked some of their seasons, but this is a bit silly.
johnsonable
5 out of 5 stars
solid reporting, well-presented
Every season has covered an interesting subject and I’m always happy to see the show pop back into my feed. I get impatient between episodes and seasons, but I know that good reporting and production take time and I haven’t been disappointed yet.
mwiakg1
4 out of 5 stars
Good content, f’ing distracting
Yes, I am old, and I have dropped my share of f-bombs in my life, but I don’t like hearing them sprinkled into otherwise intelligent and civil content. It isn’t exactly offensive, just unnecessary. I know it is becoming expected in the speech of the young but it lowers the tone and diminishes the presentation. Keep up the good reporting, just clean up the unnecessary profanity.
Andybrewster
5 out of 5 stars
BEST podcast
Simply great stuff. Writing, narrating, research, just perfect. One thing though...keep in mind, as President Ford himself said, inherent in the act of pardoning someone, and the acceptance of that pardon, is an admission of guilt. In other words, you can’t pardon an innocent person. Nixon always denied he did anything illegal; by accepting Ford’s pardon, he ended up admitting his guilt. Ford isn’t as dumb as people think. Even Woodward and Bernstein refer to him as a great patriot for pardoning Nixon.
newyorkmaven
5 out of 5 stars
Season 7 narrator ugh
Love this show and was really looking forward to season 7 but the narrator this season is atrocious. Millennial upspeak, vocal fry, the works. Had to stop listening. Otherwise great series. Please think about the voices you use to tell these important stories!
lizmeister7
5 out of 5 stars
Gaslit TV inspired me to listen
I can’t believe what a nightmare this was. I’m just now catching up on the real history. It’s horrifying. And it’s 100 times worse now. Thank you all! I signed up again to Slate Plus too!
fact-addict
4 out of 5 stars
Good for most people
I generally like this form of historical recap reporting. Unfortunately for me though, you say “axe” instead of “ask” repeatedly and I’m out. There is better spoken content out there. I will check-in again next season.
Ordep22
5 out of 5 stars
One of the best.
Learned of this podcast a few days ago and I'm loving it! Finished season 6 and now on to 3. Joel is an awesome host.
Wvupiphi
5 out of 5 stars
Great podcast
I’ve really enjoyed all the seasons so far. I can’t wait until season 7.
Marknwm
5 out of 5 stars
Omg
Can’t wait for this season. Can’t wait to hear this story about roe v wade
ventofhearing
1 out of 5 stars
The worst
The hosts are not interesting or insightful about this case — unfortunate they took the time when they had nothing interesting to say or add to the journey that could meet the complexity and intrigue of such a time and case
Mr. Buster!
5 out of 5 stars
Season on Nixon is necessary
If you love a Revolutions or Forgotten Wars Podcast season focus on something, then you’ll love Slow Burns focus on people like Nixon.
mollyBANGtheband
1 out of 5 stars
Booo
Replaced my five star rating with a one star rating once you had to pay for it starting in season 4. The cherry on top is that for one, it still shows I have unplayed episodes (like notifications) with no option to set as played or delete for episodes that I can’t listen to anyway, and then second it only lets you listen to random episodes for free, which is the stupidest thing ever. Yeah sure I’d love to jump in on the middle of a story, in episode four without knowing anything about this story or the episodes before it, cool! Podcasts and apps have only gotten worse and not surprisingly not greedy. There’s a million podcasts for free, why would I pay for this. Used to recommend this to everyone, not anymore…
Bffuhcc xhgzggzsx
5 out of 5 stars
One of the best
This podcast covers such riveting topics and is well-written and produced! Love!
Joshuausher
5 out of 5 stars
SOOO Good!!!
From Watergate to the rap and rap activist wars of the 90s - this podcast is a serious addiction.
Poostinky
4 out of 5 stars
And we are back from commercial… let’s take a short break
My god, the amount of ads in this is crazy. Maybe I should listen to the one that tells me to buy the no ads version… but first let’s take a short break.
emilioborraz
5 out of 5 stars
Welcoming to re-think about history
I have listened to 2 seasons, this show provides great background for the topics they discuss, with lots of side topics if you want to deep dive.
AlliKat777
5 out of 5 stars
This is what got me into podcasts
Slow Burn season 2 was one of the first podcasts that I really got into and it spawned a love of podcasts. Subsequent seasons have not disappointed. My only wish is that there were more episodes.
azisling
3 out of 5 stars
Rodney King Season
I like the podcast, but it is VERY hard to listen to a journalist repeatedly saying aks instead of ask. English is English.
Lisa Lopezzz
5 out of 5 stars
Puts history into context!
I personally was 20 years old at the time of these events and recall viscerally how they unfolded. The sense of outrage at the verdict and then the sense of terror at the community’s reaction. I lived in Ohio and we even saw unrest unlike anything I had witnessed in my lifetime. In college at the time, I recall a professor assigned an exercise in documenting all the times our local news (broadcast and written) depicted Black people - almost 100 % of the time as criminals. This podcast puts the story more firmly into context- the lawyer’s odd decisions, Mr. King’s upbringing, alcoholism, poverty…. We didn’t know any of this at the time. Excellent job, Slate plus! The ads were gross, as others have already expressed.
Orb7_rulez
5 out of 5 stars
Assemble The solution to global warming
Two Words Im Not Sorry for Breaking rules Penultimate in The slinger It is A cold Hard world Frozen solid Dry ice Wicked compression Horrendously absurd Silently, defiantly Onwards Toxicity Glittering Frosty Two Words Greenhouse Gas Global Warming Carbon Dioxide Wicked Compression Ice Cold Dry Ice Solidly Severed Ice Shelved Great Pyramids Of Freeza Square Cut Negative 108F Opps I Flunked Oppression And Yell Leroy Jenkins LoL WoW!
Chimpfart
1 out of 5 stars
Basically a worse version of Blowback
This show seems like it was cooked up to make a more toned down and PMC friendly version of Blowback. Just go listen to the real thing instead of this reheated microwaved glop that carries water for Ahmed Chalabi, Judith Miller and Don Rumsfeld.
JayMontco
5 out of 5 stars
Ask
The word is pronounced “ask”.
Davidjkeys
3 out of 5 stars
Mostly awesome
The only season I didn’t get through was the one which covered the Iraq war. The narrator was just mundane. I was excited to listen to the series about Rodney King. I was a tween back then, and even then I knew it was a big deal. From what I can recall, this was the first video which truly went viral and pushed social change. I got through the first episode, and when I went to start the second episode, I was offered to listen only if I subscribed. I hate that this used to be a free format and now it’s just another subscription to add 🙄
X13 b45 8
1 out of 5 stars
Way Over Monetized
Great content but like the internet in general it is way too Profit Centric. Not only do they have a subscription system in place but annoying ads throughout. The YouTube model prevails among the most socially conscious “ content providers “.
YoungTorless
1 out of 5 stars
Commentary, not Documentary
I got 37 minutes into this podcast when the narrator started to give his personal testimony of being a black man, blah blah, blah. Get a grip!
DUKEDOG0636
1 out of 5 stars
Not worth your time
This Podcast is the definition of biased reporting.
Brothejr
5 out of 5 stars
Entertaining
This is a well researched and entertaining podcast. The writing is solid and the host is easy to listen to. Would be nice if fast forward was not disabled with this specific podcast.
Lammmmbbbs
5 out of 5 stars
Great coverage and interviews!
Love your podcasts! You cover the stories very well and bring up so much information that I never knew (being young at the time). Thank you so much for sharing. It makes me want to research and learn more! One tip: Y’all are missing the strong influence of Jehovah’s Witness religion & Rodney King’s mom in every decision that was made after his beating. Research that & you will be surprised how much you find that others blames on lawyers. JW would not be allowed to do any of the “worldly” things people wanted him to participate in. Look beyond their false claims to the public!
Zeegha
5 out of 5 stars
Real Good!
This is one of the best podcast series I’ve listened to besides American Scandals & American History Tellers. Keep up the good work! Fewer commercials/ads would be nice. Thanks!
SmithDoe70
5 out of 5 stars
Watergate Series
Loved the series. Intriguing and entertaining. Great research!
YourHighness92
5 out of 5 stars
Great Podacst
Love this new season. Easy to listen to, and Joel is an impeccable host.
kendralec
1 out of 5 stars
Slate airing big oil’s climate misinformation
Really disappointing to hear that Slate is airing ads from Exxon’s ongoing climate misinformation campaign. Their willingness to air advertisements so obviously written to mislead listeners in favor of big oil producers is a huge blow to my confidence in this news organization. Sorry, I draw a hard line on this one and would had loved to listen to this season of Slow Burn, but I will be unsubscribing.
nickname131
5 out of 5 stars
Great New Season
Love the new season; host is great. Some seasons are truly the best, others a bit lackluster. I found both the Tupac/Biggie season and the Iraq season to be less interesting, a little less memorable. Season 6 is starting strong, in particular liked the Latasha episode. It painted a very clear picture of both the surrounding larger context and the personal impact the tragedy had on Latasha’s family.
lizzardmelissa
5 out of 5 stars
Love Joel Anderson
i think the host Joel (one of my favorites from my favorite Hang Up and Listen) makes this slow burn season interesting to listen to. He has a great voice, good papsing, and I like the storytelling - esp in the Latasha episode. i like to listen to the slate plus segment first, and then the slow burn, so i know background before the episode. i am enjoying the show and thanks Joel!
rockychikka
5 out of 5 stars
10/10 would recommend
One of my favorite podcasts! This season on L.A. Riots is already so good. Important storytelling, a must listen
ppsrkrr
5 out of 5 stars
Well done!
So glad Slow Burn is covering this critical topic. Incredible storytelling, very well done.
ME.B.
5 out of 5 stars
Groundbreaking, hard-hitting. Great podcast.
I absolutely love this season, I can't stop thinking about Latasha Harlins’s story!!
blackreezus
5 out of 5 stars
A podcast worth listening to!
This podcast is amazing! There’s so many things I missed when following this story over the years. Joel is amazing!
cloughnn
5 out of 5 stars
Great season
Such an interesting season on an important topic. Can’t wait for next episode!
dylanator247
1 out of 5 stars
Is slate still trying to defund the police?
Asking for a woke friend
xxuncxx
1 out of 5 stars
Threatening violence = unsubscribe
After the host threatened violence on Twitter in the middle of a fairly unhinged, censorious rant I decided to unsubscribe. I enjoyed Slow Burn but I’m not going to listen to/trust a podcast hosted by someone who thinks threats of violence are acceptable behavior.
???@&&
3 out of 5 stars
Knowledge of grammar
Folks, “ Me and wife….” is such an obvious declension mistake you ought be embarrassed.
avidposcastfan
1 out of 5 stars
Unbearable vocal fry
Have listened to this podcast for years. The most recent season is unbearable due to fact that the female presenter insists on using vocal fry literally at the end of ever single sentence. So contrived and fake. I’m unsubscribing.
jboy826
5 out of 5 stars
Slow Burn
Just fast forward through the ads and stop complaining OMG. People are so soft 😂
SFunk2002
5 out of 5 stars
Steve Funk
Back in 2002 when all of this was happening, I remember thinking that it was so obvious that Wolfowitz, Cheney, and Bush were overplaying the theeat to juatify their pre-determined goal to invade Iraq. What was so shocking is how the media went along with it and reported the Bush administration propaganda as if it were true and undisputed fact. Thanks for a great and well done podcast.
mtw00
4 out of 5 stars
Four Stars for the First Four Seasons
Season 5, I’m sorry guys, it wasn’t good. Seasons 1-4 were incredibly engrossing. With Season 5, it felt as if I was listening to an audio reading of the 2003 Iraq War Wiki page. I finished it bc I’m a completist, but it was a slog. I don’t know if it was the host, the production, or the interview style, but please do better next season. I was also incredibly disappointed with the fact that the creators gave an entire episode to Judy Miller. If you were going to do that, you needed a host who would go toe to toe with Judy; not cater to her. Giving Judy so much exposure while glossing over the Valerie Plame scandal was honestly so irresponsible of you.
1JLC123
2 out of 5 stars
Jesus on a tortilla?
I was enjoying this podcast so much until this episode. Having lived in 1977, I would say this episode was completely unnecessary and tells you absolutely nothing about 1977. Just stupid and a waste of time.
hhlbbcnofnsmaspscapcstvcm
4 out of 5 stars
A generally good podcast, if occasionally dull.
Well produced, thoughtful, with non-annoying host and an intriguing plot? Sign me up. My only complaint is that the show is detailed… in some cases, too detail. This might not annoy everyone as much as it annoys me, but in some cases the detailed tangents make my attention wane.
sorry this is
1 out of 5 stars
Very Sad
Have enjoyed all previous Slate series, but the arrogance and immaturity of the person telling the Iraq story is too great of hurdle to overcome and so I have stopped listening. Do you not use editors?
Murderhornet1
1 out of 5 stars
Just listen to “how to start a war” it has less commercials
This feels like the cliffe notes of that book. You can get the audiobook from the library it’s pretty good and has a better narrator. Also this podcast is like 25 minutes long once you chop the ads and the wine club thing. What is this wine club thing? Very bizarre and unrelated to a news site, is this like the CEOs bad idea so the have to do it? Edit: no episode for two weeks? Are you joking? Podcast needs to be consistent or it’s a waste of everyone’s time. it pisses me off when news orgs do this. Why not complete the podcast before airing it so there is a consistent schedule? This is not Serial, nobody is gonna wait around for Noreen’s mediocre reporting and horrific voice.
ohio youth care specialist
5 out of 5 stars
Informative and entertaining
I’ve never really know much about the people in the seasons so after listening to season two I’m telling anyone I can about bill clinton. The narration in each episode is amazing!
Random Man, the other one
2 out of 5 stars
Too many ads
Despite the excellent quality of this podcast and the Political Gabfest, I am unsubscribing to all Slate podcasts because, simply, there are far too many ads. Their subscription model (which removes ads from the feed) is not viable in a podcast world with many providers. Some entity needs to unify podcasts from the major publishers and establish a single reasonable fee for access. It’s a pity, but goodbye Slate for now. You’ve pushed too far.
huenew
4 out of 5 stars
Fascinating
I learned a lot.
GvilleAlchemist
4 out of 5 stars
Was better before the dang Slate Wine Club nonsense
Always informative, and offers a great place to start in researching and understanding historic controversies. But I’m dropping a star from my 5 stars because of the dang Slate Wineclub ad that this pod and every pod by Slate has been tacking on lately. Listen to 2 guys drink together over a zoom call? No thanks, I got enough of that experience during the Covid times.
D18384950482748
4 out of 5 stars
Great program, then ads
I have loved every season of Slow Burn. The interviews from both sides give us an unbiased view of what actually happened, broken down into 40-60 minute segments. I’m withholding 1 star because of this last season. Great subject, going over a narrative I was not aware of but there doesn’t seem to be enough substance since the last 15-20 minutes of the episodes are dedicated to other Slade podcasts that does not even fit the style or type of podcast that is Slow Burn. Hopefully next season focuses on the subject and not on other podcasts.
KenB1234
5 out of 5 stars
Incredibly informative
I didn’t live through a lot of the events this podcast talks about, and if I did, it was when I was too young to be paying much attention. The information, context, and narratives on this podcast are incredibly informative.
peaceloveandrockets
2 out of 5 stars
Maybe
Good show overall, but... Wine club boo! Who authorized this crap? If any one of us wanted to listen to anything with regard to wine we would have found a wine feed.
erindels
5 out of 5 stars
Riveting on all counts!
As a 30 year old I am learning so much I never knew. I knew the very basics of the Clinton impeachment and little about Watergate. I was in middle school during the War in Iraq. I’ve enjoyed learning so many details about these historic events from all sorts of perspectives!!!! Fascinating. I also really appreciate that they are neutral! Presenting the facts makes you see things without the media’s spin on it. Would have been helpful when these events were actually occurring. So much to be learned from all of this history!! Thanks to all involved in making this podcast possible!!
jroman1090
1 out of 5 stars
Great content, but too many ads
I have enjoyed the topics covered, but it’s annoying that there are ads every 4 minutes.
Eatsleepandrun
4 out of 5 stars
Really interesting story
I will start off by saying, everyone she interviews is quite good to listen to. Very riveting and hearing “from the source” was really awesome. The host herself isn’t my favorite but she does a fine job. A couple grammatical issues that got on my nerves but can be looked over. Otherwise she falls into some logical fallacies (like flawed zero sum arguments) that were incredibly annoying. But I enjoyed Slow Burn and whole NO season will ever beat out the one about skanky Bill Clinton, this one was good.
Snidley48
5 out of 5 stars
Malone
I think she does a perfectly good job narrating and her voice is easy to listen to. I have no idea why people are critical of her. As to the point that one commentor made about rewriting history, I would say that what’s going on here is a correction to the false narrative that justified and encouraged an unnecessary war.
earthco77
5 out of 5 stars
Another stellar chapter for Slow Burn
I’m absolutely gobsmacked by the tenor of many of these reviews, especially the unwarranted criticisms of Noreen Malone’s voice. Y’all know that’s thinly-veiled misogyny, right? Jesus, people, pull the giant stick out of your butts and try being a little more humane. Ms. Malone does an excellent job as host and reporter, and she’s every bit as good as all the previous (men) reporters who have helmed this excellent podcast. There are many details of the Iraq War story I was not aware of, and I’m a die-hard news junkie. Congrats on the whole team for this fantastic season.
missibarra_d
1 out of 5 stars
4 minutes in
And I just can’t listen to more of the Season 5 narrator. This podcast is usually one of my favorites, but very distracting with this unpleasant narration.
KPCOFGS
3 out of 5 stars
Often great, but the ads
The first two series, which discussed impeachment, were pretty great. The latest one ... idk, seems to be stretching pretty hard giving blogs a whole episode for their role in the Iraq War. Plus, the wine club podcast gets about half of the time of the later episodes, and it is frankly unlistenable between its incredibly bourgeois topic and the loudness and high pitched, grating voice of its host.
snekhunter
4 out of 5 stars
Interesting but so many ads
Story telling is excellent! However, there are way too many ads interspersed that ruin the flow. Enjoyed season 5 but not sure I will start another season just because of the obnoxious number of ad breaks
drawsomeface
5 out of 5 stars
Great info interesting stories bad ad placement
I am on the 3rd season now but have been listening to season 5 as it comes out so idk how season 4 is but I know the rest. I love the stories they tell, because they so often like to focus on people who have been forgotten to time and that has taught me a lot on historical events I knew but never really understood. The problem is how the podcast transitions to ads. It feels like the cuts happen while someone is talking and you miss what they say. They rarely say something like “we’ll get into that more after the break” or something to smoothly transition and that sometimes makes listening difficult. Otherwise it’s a great show and definitely worth listening to all the seasons.
vffjnhuibg
4 out of 5 stars
Didn’t acknowledge dangers of Cipro
Interesting and engaging podcast for the first 4 seasons definitely, and to some extent the 5th. Like others who have review I just wasn’t as compelled. I really wish they would have touched on how dangerous cipro and other fluroquinilones can be during the anthrax segment where they apparently heralded this highly reactive drug. My mom died from cipro so it’s a deeply personal issue for me and I really hated the lack of journalistic integrity there was in throwing around that drugs name without mentioning the severe effects it can cause on people who take it.
non Whitney Cummings fan
1 out of 5 stars
Voice fry!!! Ear poison
Ouch! That voice fry ruins what would be a totally enjoyable Bush war chronicle. Like totally, fer sher...
MattGaetz
1 out of 5 stars
Watch Blowback
If you want a good pod on the Iraq war watch Blowback season 1
it's just Gigi
2 out of 5 stars
Mixed
Seasons 1-2 were very good. Seasons 3-4 had their moments. However... They should have stopped while they were ahead. Season 5 is HORRIBLE!! Rewriting history is never a good idea. And the narrator (Noreen, I think) is not good. Not even a little bit. Her voice is like nails on a chalkboard. And she sounds like she needs to swallow her spit. It’s gross. Just gross.
Luguentz D
5 out of 5 stars
This show is fantastic
I thought I knew the story of the Iraq War. As it turns out, I had no idea. Noreen's season of Slow Burn is brilliant, enlightening and the best podcast I've heard in a very long time.
mkp1721
3 out of 5 stars
Issues with new season
I have loved every season of slow burn so far, but I really don’t like this new season. The host seems so nice and the material is interesting, but the audio issues are super distracting? I can hear the host breathing into the mic when she’s listening to someone else talk and it makes my skin crawl. She also seems to fade away/towards the mic when she’s talking sometimes. I’ve really tried to like this season but the host has made it hard to pay attention to the story she’s telling :(
burnside007
3 out of 5 stars
Ads
Good story but ad placement and length ruin what would be nice flow.
AlexAnnaJordan
4 out of 5 stars
Excellent Podcast
A very good and interesting review of some of the not so memoriable moments in US history. If I'm giving a completely honest review, Season 1 thorough 4 have been 5 star worthy, but the latest season 5 is the reason the whole podcast doesn't get a 5 star, and it has been really hard to get through. I can't even put my finger on why? The latest season has not been able to grap my attention like the previous 4 did, and I have found it to be not as well written.
JonessTyler
2 out of 5 stars
New Host is Terrible
Can’t stand her voice. Loved the previous seasons but this one on War on Iraq is painful to listen to.
klondon34
1 out of 5 stars
Journalism is great, need another host
No offense, but voice is important for podcasts. I just can’t stop focusing on the host’s lisp. I’m sorry. Radio voices are a thing for a reason.
annepm
1 out of 5 stars
Have enjoyed past seasons but this one is awful
I’ve tried to stick with it, but the narrator’s voice is monotonous and she slurs her words. Giving up in episode 3 because I can’t stand it.
TruePierreDelecto
3 out of 5 stars
Significant Editing Issues
This podcast has a number of flaky editing issues where sections are repeated or skipped.
djkapitalgainz
1 out of 5 stars
blowback
blowback
Luca Strohmeier 🌹
1 out of 5 stars
Listen to Blowback Instead
Season 5 so far has been just awful. Largely ignores the U.S.‘a clear desire to wage war in Iraq along with the documented campaign of misinformation and deception carried out by the US government to justify an atrocity. Instead characterizes the US as a sort of well-intentioned actor “fooled” by outside forces. For an infinitely more informative and entertaining account of the Iraq war please listen to “Blowback” by Noah Kulwin and Brendan James.
Avoidoid
2 out of 5 stars
Serious drop in quality
This new season is very disappointing so far. They skipped over 9/11 and the reasons why that happened, in fact they haven't touched on the reasons why there is a conflict in the middle east at all including all of the misadventures the US had in the region up to that point. They seem to be portraying this as the US just sort of bumbling into this conflict rather than aggressively pushing for it. They only barely touched on the media's complicity in the selling of the war and then only mentioned it in passing. The host has a really wooden delivery which I normally don't mind but in this case it accentuates the surface level information being presented. There also isn't any insight or any analysis whatsoever. To me, when I hear a documentary like this, I want to know the why of it. Why are you telling this story? Is there some new information to convey or is there some larger reason why telling this story right now is important? Unfortunately Slow Burn seems to think the answer to these questions is no which just doesn't make for compelling listening. At best, this is a completely uncritical wikipedia level retelling of the events. At worst it's a whitewashing of recent history and they should know better.
Ncarr0010
2 out of 5 stars
To many ads
Season 5 has way to many ads. I get you have to get paid, but the telling of the story is awful with an ad every 5 mins. I stopped listening after episode 1 and part of 2. Just awful
lboncek
3 out of 5 stars
Good...but...
I really like the content and so far I’m liking Season 5 in terms of the story...BUT. I hate to be this person, because it’s clear that Noreen Malone is a capable journalist, but she should not be the voice narrating this season. She doesn’t sound comfortable speaking, at times she sounds quite labored, and it takes away from the story. If they had hired someone else to read the words, this would be more powerful and captivating.
Guffy77
1 out of 5 stars
The host of season 5 needs to go
The female host of season 5 is impossible for me to listen to. I got 1/2 way through episode 1 and had to turn it off. If there is a transcript of the episode there will be a period after every 3rd word due to he strange pauses. Her enunciation of words also made it difficult to listen to. She’s trying to be dramatic but doesn’t pull it off. I had to leave and unsubscribe before my ears started to bleed.
fizo!
2 out of 5 stars
Season 5 not up to par
Updating my review for season 5: This new drip...drip...drip... style of narration is getting to me. Also, like others have said, the new narrator does not seem very emotionally invested. Seasons 1 and 2 were great, and season 4 was pretty eye-opening (I skipped season 3), but I think it might be time for me to unsubscribe finally...
318swisher
5 out of 5 stars
Great series & perfect NPR partner
Glad I found this on NPR One (it’s amazing app for turning the modern podcast content into a familiar radio-esque listening experience!) Got started because of the (Louisiana’s trash bag) David Duke series, and I’m loving it all! Keep it up y’all
Laeler
3 out of 5 stars
First two seasons are remarkable
Thoughtful, methodical, interesting, funny, don’t take themselves too seriously, truly curious. Seasons three through five are not the same. Too much opinion, especially season five, not enough insight or newly uncovered information. Not enough perspective. Disappointing.
Bungybungy
3 out of 5 stars
Narration
I typically love the Slow Burn series, but I just can’t take the narrator’s voice. Not really a radio voice for the ages. Just can’t do it.
phatdarkie
1 out of 5 stars
Terrible narration
Halfway into episode 2 and I don’t think I can listen anymore to the monotony- literal and figurative- of the narrator. No cadence, no inflection, like a poor maid of honor speech read straight from notes without looking up at the audience. This is to say nothing of the content - which is appropriate, given that the content has nothing to say.
Katie the Pest
1 out of 5 stars
How did this get made?
I cannot put together a cogent review right now because I am... flabbergasted by every bizarre and ahistorical claim presented in this podcast. Apparently the Iraq War happened because a few individuals with inflated egos made some oopsies? Insanely bad and limited analysis that makes no attempt to situate the Iraq War within the US’s history of (very intentional!) imperialist aggression. Not to mention the host sounds like a bored high school student who was forced to read aloud in class. The slate.com of it all is really showing!
dfcfzgfcsgcs
1 out of 5 stars
Elementary
Lacks research and depth. This podcast comes across like it was made the night before the release date. Don’t waste your time. Check out Fault Lines instead.
Ccstx
4 out of 5 stars
Glad I listened
I was interested in listening to this, but someone mentioned negative reviews. I read the reviews. Then I went ahead and listened. First episode presentation was so so; however, there was valid background information on the subject given. The second episode was much more compelling with all of the information about biological weapons and the fear associated with it. Right now during the pandemic, this is a fear we know about, how infection can put us into a tailspin. You can’t escape it. Good summary: 9/11 failure was lack of imagination and Iraq invasion failure was from too much imagination. Easy for us to have hindsight now. Unfortunately history often repeats itself.
Mikafino
1 out of 5 stars
Just awful
Grievous journalistic malpractice that excuses the staggering scale of lies and public manipulation that killed so many to enrich so few. A terrible turn for a once notable narrative podcast. Listen to Blowback if you’re tired of the same old lies, misinformation and manipulation.
MLewicki
1 out of 5 stars
Just…don’t
If you want to understand what happened in Iraq, listen to the podcast Blowback. This new season of Slow Burn is focused on whitewashing and making excuses for the journalists and politicians who knowingly led us into an unjust war. Making all the classic “bumbling empire” type excuses.
EchoparkJimmy
2 out of 5 stars
Turrible voiceovers
What happened to the great narrator from early seasons?
drrrr4rdddd
4 out of 5 stars
W
Dd
ruckerbry
1 out of 5 stars
Awful
Disgusting revision of history and apology of Neocon intervention by those who should know better. Slate and Noreen Malone should be ashamed.
MartinBishop
1 out of 5 stars
Tries to absolve everyone but those responsible
Sorry but any podcast that tries to absolve how those in power and the media are responsible to hundreds of thousands who died from the US invasion is just mind boggling. How does one act like everyone in the US was on board after the biggest protest in history at that point. Listen to Blowback season one if you want an accurate history.
lifeinsuper8
1 out of 5 stars
Revisionist imperial apologia
Disgusting and frankly pathetic. Listen to Blowback instead.
Ohtsam
1 out of 5 stars
Blatant war hawk apologia
Newest season is characterizing the Iraq war as something our country bumbled into when it was an ongoing project of GWB well before 9/11.
bme101
1 out of 5 stars
Season 5
The prior seasons were good, but this one is shaping up to be real Slate-brain level trash. This journalist is a complete rube. Listen to Blow Back season 1 instead
lizzz000
2 out of 5 stars
Curious about season 5
I’ll be curious to see what Season 5 on Ahmad Chalabi and the lead up to the Iraq war adds to the story, beyond what the podcast Blowback already covered pretty extensively.
Blowback Fan
1 out of 5 stars
Listen to Blowback instead
This is weak tea CIA damage control tailored made for gullible Gen X liberals to excuse themselves for supporting The Iraq War.
EpazoteCayote
1 out of 5 stars
Bad rehash of a better podcast done in bad faith
This podcast is working overtime to absolve some extremely bad actors of their involvement in the run up to the Iraq War. It takes at face value much of what it’s guests claim, and makes little effort to turn a critical eye. It’s a poor imitation of the first season of a much more credible, better researched, and well made podcast, Blowback.
erinmishelle
2 out of 5 stars
New season
... is purely revisionist history. What a disappointment.
bobbyfolsom0350
5 out of 5 stars
Simply great
Wonderful podcast
REDROVER86
1 out of 5 stars
Listen to blowback instead
The iraq war is the defining historical event for many millenials....this pod does no service to telling the truth about what really happened....look up “blowback” in the podcast app and enjoy
postingforall
1 out of 5 stars
Season 5–Shallow, uncritical
I’m shocked at how easily this season takes people like CIA officers, the united states media and neoconservatives, and even ahmed chalabi at face value. It gives no history—the Iran Iraq war simply began, the Gulf War simply happened (and wasn’t set up by the US), conditions in Iraq after the Gulf War were terrible. Intentions of all the people involved in the american invasion were basically good. Pure propaganda. Listen instead to blowback, an actually informative and entertaining podcast.
jakeblair
1 out of 5 stars
Slate is trying to copy a better, independent podcast
Thumbs down for this subpar corporatist propaganda
Boadrummer
1 out of 5 stars
Blowback did it better
Blowback pod
morphy232
1 out of 5 stars
You trying to be blowback?
Their latest season is like blowback, but for neolibs
Loser stoolie
5 out of 5 stars
Incredible
My favorite podcast. Love the investigation-type podcast that dives into interesting topics like these. Fantastic work!
MayDayKay
4 out of 5 stars
Season 4 David Duke
I have enjoyed the first three seasons of Slow Burn, and I have just started listening to the David Duke series. The first episode is good, but I can hardly stand to listen to Josh Levine’s reading of it! His tone and cadence is both sing-songie and boring. He may be a good journalist, but he is not a good reader. I hope I can make it through the rest of the series, and I’m wishing I could just read the transcript for myself.
Solar Fleck
1 out of 5 stars
4 ad breaks in a 30 minute podcast?
It’s like trying to watch network tv live after getting used to streaming without ads. Annoying.
cj4300
1 out of 5 stars
No Pesca no slate!!
Deleted until Mike returned
just an honest reviewer 1122
5 out of 5 stars
Outstanding!
I’m so disappointed to see reviewers referencing this as political, liberal, or anti-Trump. Telling the story about an openly racist Nazi who cloaks his racism in religion and supposed Christianity, is providing a service to America. If you view this criticism as any of those titles listed above, perhaps this hits a bit too close to home for you. This guy came dangerously close to becoming the Governor of a very racially divided state. The damage he could have done to the psyche of minorities in that state could have taken generations to mend. I’ll let the listener decide if they hear similarities between the strategies between Duke and Trump, as well as the fervent supporters of each of them.
BenjaminK26
5 out of 5 stars
Enjoyable listen
Enjoy the work. Produced very well. Compelling, well-explained storyline. Fascinating parallels with current events.
Extremely Concerned Patriot
5 out of 5 stars
Liberal Brainwashed Propaganda
This TERRIBLE podcast was ONLY created to expose Trump’s RACISM. I was EXTREMELY OFFENDED. I wanted to listen to something nice and fuzzy, but when they described the NAZI’s actions, he sounded a lot like TRUMP and I REALIZED that I’VE BEEN FOLLOWING AN IDIOT. I am not okay with this. If you, like me, wish to live in ignorance, STAY AWAY FROM THIS PODCAST.
Jahdirn444
5 out of 5 stars
Great journalism
Excellent podcast. The only negative reviews are from trumpies who are mad he lost
Katemyt
5 out of 5 stars
David Duke
I just finished the last episode on David Duke. I went to LSU with Duke, and later worked on the anti-Duke campaign when he ran for the Senate and later for Governor of Louisiana. The reporting was exceptional, and it was great to hear so many familiar voices. Looking back on it 30 years later, the parallels to Trump are undeniable. Even if you know nothing about David Duke, I think you will find this story well worth a listen.
Happy tot
5 out of 5 stars
History we need
Thank you.
Ga mom of 5
1 out of 5 stars
Just another liberal
5 min in and I learn he started his story on watergate because it was made during the Debunked Trump/Russia crap. So just another liberal pretending to want to share something cool just to have an opportunity to attack Trump. It’s old and tiring.
wushu judge
2 out of 5 stars
Didn’t finish
I just wanted a good story; but this guy wants to put in his jabs about modern politics/make sure we know his clear bias so yeah...I’m good. I’m not even a fan of trump. What I’m a fan of is people taking time to write creative material instead of just going for the laugh less low hanging fruit that is Trump.
hairsprayhill
5 out of 5 stars
wonderful!!
great narrator- great music- makes topics that I thought I knew all about seem very new and intriguing - really keeps you interested - very well done! More please!♥️♥️♥️
ihateliberals 2020
1 out of 5 stars
🤮
Just like Joe Biden and his resistance to “racial jungles”.
nnnnnsne
5 out of 5 stars
Same playbook
Same playbook as trump and the GOP
CancerBoA
5 out of 5 stars
dogs need ❤️
I LOVE THIS PODCAST! I love the host of this podcast because I feel like he’s a great narrator and he sticks with facts. I never sense his personal opinion. That’s the best part- I have no idea how HE FEELS AND I AM THRILLED. I just want factual information and stories. I don’t want the hosts feelings involved. Thanks!
Mar503
5 out of 5 stars
History repeats itself
Boy, some things just don’t change. Listening to this just makes me keep thinking of our current political atmosphere.
catfish8019
1 out of 5 stars
Lazy and tired narrative
Liberals trying to link Trump supports and Duke supporters is just a lazy and tired narrative. I loved the first three seasons but I will be unsubscribing going forward.
awal44
1 out of 5 stars
slow, ad-heavy
started listening to tupac/biggie season so missed out on watergate and lewinsky. these are 30 minute episodes with 4 ad breaks! there are some podcasts that are 4 hours long (looking at you hardcore history) with no breaks. many podcasts have ads at the beginning. not a fan of this slow-drip, ad-heavy format that takes you out the story.
imawilks
5 out of 5 stars
Fantastic listen!
Binge worthy!
Colorful Underwear
5 out of 5 stars
“Fake news bag of donuts” is a bot
Not an actual review, but I saw a review from “fake news bag of donuts” that is laughably bad, so I was compelled...
Freddie bag of donuts
1 out of 5 stars
Fake news blackout
Well, well, well. We now have a phone call of Biden threatening the president of Ukraine to cover up investigations right after Trump got elected. Biden threatening financially as well as physically. In his own words. This was two weeks after Trump got elected. OANN. Won’t hear the actual clip on any lib media.
Mott-the-Red
5 out of 5 stars
The Duke Saga
A story of a smart man wanting to “be somebody” and willing to use subterfuge, exaggerations and racial n cultural biases to achieve his goals. Fascinating and well researched exposé. David Duke’s story is a parable of lament aimed in the wrong direction.
Meijken
5 out of 5 stars
Excellent
Spectacular research, extremely well-edited. I love the perspective of lesser-known players in the scandal.
savage is my real name
1 out of 5 stars
😆 hahahahaha
Hahahahaha
drive it into a ravine
5 out of 5 stars
A great and informative listen
I’ve loved every season. Any Trump supporters in denial that they are exactly the same types of fascists who supported David Duke clearly have little capacity for critical thought, but I guess that was obvious.
K hay hay
5 out of 5 stars
Revelatory storytelling
This show helps dissect the question, “how did we get here” in American politics. Preluding the Trumpian world we are living today with insight and historical background that just makes your jaw drop. Bravo to the team.
Squarebutt$&@&&$&91874
1 out of 5 stars
Another Trump hater
Trying to align Trump voters with Duke voters.
victoriaaustin1
5 out of 5 stars
To know Duke is to understand Trump
This was so enlightening to me! After learning about Duke made me understand Trump & the people that support him. There will always be racist politicians unfortunately.
rgruber88
5 out of 5 stars
Engaging listening
Season 4 focuses on David Duke and his bid for governor of Louisiana in 1992. His opponent was one of the most despised men in Louisiana politics, so known as a crook that he gave out bumper stickers that said “Vote for the Crook”. It’s an engaging look at a crucial moment in American history and race relations. The question resonates now more than ever—would I vote my conscience for a candidate I despise, if it meant defeating a truly evil opponent?
Chnvaldez
5 out of 5 stars
Yes to all seasons 💯
One reviewer said that seasons three and four fell short for them. I've listened to all four seasons now. They're all 💯. The subject of Season 3 could perhaps be considered more esoteric due (1) to the length of time that's passed since the deaths of Tupac and Biggie and (2) the narrower angle on a part of the overall American culture because of the genre of music they represent. The work that went into production and research and coverage is A plus. As someone who was a young adult at that time and aware of only the deaths and none of the backstory, I was fascinated and drawn into each episode. I've been a public school educator since 1993, mostly middle and high school, and the deaths of Tupac and Biggie were seismic and the reverberations continue. The intrigue and mystery and desire for things to have turned out differently has continued through at least one generation. Tupac and Biggie are still remembered, idolized, and romanticized; this season reviews the background and history of the "beef" including the opposition to so-called gangster rap. This is a part of our American culture and history and besides its importance, I personally found it compelling and exceedingly well-done. Season 4: I saw David Duke and thought, umm, no thanks. Not even sure why I listened but yep, it was worth it, too. Fascinating to compare the culture we've been living in since 2016 and to trace it back to its predecessor. Seasons 3 and 4 may not immediately appeal to someone due to the seemingly esoteric nature of one and the too-close-for-comfort of the other; both were superb and that is NOT a word I use lightly. It's the only superlative I've got, though. The bonus interview for episode 5 of season 3 really makes me feel the need to show real money 💵 appreciation to Slate with a subscription.
flower-flour
3 out of 5 stars
First 2 seasons are great
Seasons 3 and 4 really fell flat for me.
seancassidy999
5 out of 5 stars
I’m not sh-tting myself
I love this podcast, I really do. Can you please stop airing these stupid ads talking about how I’m sh-tting myself. Yes, we both know they’re really saying “shoulding”. We also both know that the reason they’re saying it is because it totally sounds just like “sh-tting”. It’s offensive and it’s stupid.
joharri3
5 out of 5 stars
LOVE THIS PODCAST!
LOVE THIS PODCAST!
hk_sl8
2 out of 5 stars
Was very good, has faltered
I loved listening and learning through each of the seasons. Watergate predates me so that was mostly new info. I was a teen during Clinton so that was a lot more detail than I was aware of. The only thing that keeps bumping me is the parallels Leon keeps drawing to Trump. I get that he hates him but it seems amateurish when perpetual investigations continue to turn up no evidence. Hollow comparison. Update 8/12/20: Just finished the latest season focused on David Duke’s gubernatorial run in 1991. Pretty fascinating topic as I knew almost nothing about him. His past statements on race speak pretty clearly on what kind of person he is so it was strange to listen to the host deliver the show in a bizarrely personal, partisan way. It was very amateurishly done and very unbalanced by not having either Duke himself or any supporters of his featured in any episodes. Lots of references to his racism through his words but no examples given during the times he was in positions of leadership. The statement in episode 3 or 4 stating that the host made the decision not to feature Duke was the tipping point in this season for me...very childlike approach to reportage. Very poor execution of what should have been an otherwise intriguing topic. For this season’s performance, I’ve reduced my score by one.
BHM CVM
5 out of 5 stars
Nicely done
Great podcast. Very informative and captivating, I never want to leave until the episode closes. Great job!
Patrick39047
1 out of 5 stars
The Duke podcast flops...
The David Duke story is perfect pod cast material. But this one, like almost every Duke story just totally misses the point. Yeah, we get it- he’s a racist bigot narcissistic a-hole. But that’s NOT the whole story. Heck the world has plenty of those. The rise of Duke, and the people who voted for him, cannot be just brushed aside. Delve into the feelings of his supporters- don’t just label them as dumb ass rednecks. Blanket statements such as ...”Duke supporters felt like the white race was being treated unfairly, which is so laughable absurd....” only dismiss them as ignorant and uneducated. If you want to be a journalist ask - why did they feel that way- instead of dismissing them outright. Maybe they have a point, or maybe they are 100% wrong , but it deserves discussion. Also, multiple times during this podcast statements are made that are categorically untrue such as “ recently there has been a MASSIVE number of terrorist attacks by white supremists...” You don’t have to make such statements to condemn racism, but try to be somewhat factual. Race and racism is a excellent topic for in-depth discussion , but a 8 hour diatribe on “Duke is a racist, and duke supporters were racist rednecks”misses the point. This is not journalism. This is same old crap weve been hearing for 30 years. Thumbs down.
genuinejake
5 out of 5 stars
Disturbing and Yet I Can't Turn Away
I rate a story based upon how well the common narrative is weaved in with what's necessary and needed in its retelling for today's audience. With Nixon, Clinton, and David Duke (who was more fascinating in a stomach-churning kind of way that I could have ever imagined), this is accomplished with great detail.
Q-keke
3 out of 5 stars
Love the content, not the narration
I really hate to write this because it sounds so petty but I have always struggled to listen to this podcast because the narration is very unnatural, robotic. It’s just difficult for me to focus and listen to. It’s not like serial or other podcasts where I feel the narration is engaging and captivating. I want to listen to it because I love the content and the storylines. It’s just difficult to get through.
brettholomew
4 out of 5 stars
If you’re a podcast advertiser please read this UPDATED
UPDATED REVIEW bumped up to 5 stars. Advertising is way more tolerable this season (David Duke). Thank you for listening to your subscribers. OLD REVIEW: Is there a story in this podcast? Who knows because all I hear are advertisements. I understand that you want people to subscribe to your paid service but this is the most toxic way to do it. If you’re a marketer, know that your product ad will only be heard on shows with LIMITED ad breaks. When our ears are barraged with this many commercials we listeners SKIP huge blocks of advertisements on shows like this or we abandon the shows all together. Additionally, us listeners begin to resent your company for the constant interruptions. This current model does not work. I’m abandoning this show after 3 episodes of season 3 because it’s unbearable. I can tell there’s good journalism and a good story happening but I don’t care anymore. FIX YOUR ADVERTISING SYSTEM.
Mendy's Banya
2 out of 5 stars
Whoa! Cool!
Is your next story going to be about how N.Y. teen Tawana Brawley was late coming home, so instead of angering her parents, she claimed THREE WHITE MEN RAPED HER & KIDNAPPED HER, causing Al Sharpton to “come to town”, turning the summer of ‘87 into near full blown race riots? Just a thought. Ya see, guys like David Duke are born out of race baiting hysterics. You’re giving Trump the election by erasing bad (Democrat) history, because ‘Those who choose selectively shove the past under a rock are guaranteed to repeat it!’ The 2020 Trump election will look like the floor of a slaughter house thanks to the way ‘The New Left’ chooses to shame people into vote. Lefty’s like you have destroyed our Democratic Party!
PhyllHett
5 out of 5 stars
Excellent as always
Timely and disturbing. So what’s next? Please please please do Iran Contra!
frenchindc
5 out of 5 stars
Story telling at its best!
I go on long walks with my pups and I need you to give me more episodes on any topic pronto 😜 one of the best podcasts out there. Thank you
Gkorvai
5 out of 5 stars
Season 1 and Season 4
I’ve listened to Season 4 on David Duke and Season 1 about Watergate. Both were very interesting and it’s impossible to not draw parallels to our current political situation in 2020
Charlie in Kentucky
5 out of 5 stars
Host is maddening
He begins each sentence in a high pitch and then trails off into a lower register. Every sentence. Drives me to distraction. Why not simply tell the story in one’s own voice? Otherwise excellent.
JZha123
5 out of 5 stars
Excellent reporting
I’ve learned a lot from every season. The episodes are informative and well made!
TheMuzikalPoet
1 out of 5 stars
Podcast went downhill
Seasons one and two were amazing. Season three was full of factual errors and was clearly reported on by someone who has no idea about hip-hop culture. Season four was a MJ obvious way to try to tie David Duke’s ideology to Donald Trump, subtle jabs are prominent throughout the series even though David Duke endorsed democrat candidate Tulsi Gabbard. Journalism is dead unfortunately.
Mighty Max 1983
2 out of 5 stars
Was great and then..........
Really enjoyed it, until he virtue signals his way out of the Duke interview. If you choose not to interview him, that’s fine. But you don’t have to lecture people on why it would immoral to interview him, because he’s bad. You’re a reporter, not my mother.
turnermk
5 out of 5 stars
One of my favorite podcasts
Well produced and excellent hosts. The first two seasons are really extraordinary podcasts series. Seasons 3 and 4 are not quite as compelling as the earlier seasons. However they are still top quality podcast seasons. Highly recommend.
k.hooper
5 out of 5 stars
Every season: original, excellent
I have thoroughly enjoyed every season of Slow Burn. If you are new to this podcast, start at the beginning. Every topic covered has resonance in life today. I am currently listening to the David Duke season with a sinking recognition to each episode. Well done.
Tigermd23
5 out of 5 stars
Slow Burn
Extremely well done and topical.
MichelleLVTennis
5 out of 5 stars
Welfare
Thank you for pointing out (episode 4) that the hate toward those who receive welfare makes it way back to the Reagan years. That was horrible and set a tone in the Republican party alive and well today. Shameful.
Evan B from Austin
5 out of 5 stars
Iran-Contra
Just curious, have y’all ever thought about Iran-Contra as a topic for this podcast? Seems perfect for the political thread you started with in the first two seasons. Just a thought. I and probably many others would love to hear your treatment of it. Thanks for doing great work, Evan Charles
wegotdodson
5 out of 5 stars
Is it fair to be suspicious of one star reviews?
This is informative and relevant to this moment. Not sure why people are crying about it.
Fat Science
5 out of 5 stars
Have faith
My Cousin and I , have this great idea for a podcast ! One of us has a degree in African American Studies , one of us served 13 yrs in prison on a Conspiracy charge.. Also received a letter from Obama . The amount of time a black person gets and the amount of time a White person gets ! Incredible! Plus one of us played College football, Two Men and incredible will of Two Black Mothers .. Love what you guys have put together. Respect
briches
5 out of 5 stars
Critical Backstory
Fascinating look at the history of a man that made it farther than any avowed white supremacist should have gone. Well made, continues the great pedigree of previous seasons.
Ihudu
5 out of 5 stars
Rise of a Racist
You might find it hard to imagine that an avowed racist could build a following and rise to an elected position in a modern American political party. If you are curious how such a far-fetched scenario might happen, this podcast is for you.
Tristan is awesome
5 out of 5 stars
Good podcast
I enjoy the podcast but have problems trying to listen to Seasons 2 and 3. Season 4 starts immediately, but the other seasons continue to say they are unavailable.
JimTurner
5 out of 5 stars
One of the best podcast ever
Thank you
KO_504
5 out of 5 stars
Season 4 - David Duke
I was just a kid in the 80s so never really learned the full background on Duke. This podcast has been great so far. I hope they conclude the season with a tie in to current times and how much Duke’s messaging aligns with the MAGA movement. Duke may have been more direct and obvious with his racism than most people are now, but some of the things he said 40 years ago match quotes you can still hear from politicians and pundits on Fox News everyday.
lily38
2 out of 5 stars
David Duke Season Off?
I thoroughly enjoyed the previous seasons of Slow Burn. This season, focused on David Duke, feels off. The presenter sounds almost glib at times when telling stories, such as when he talks about two friends that David Duke found on his way to a conference, and SO casually mentions that one of the guys went on to try to start a race war by going on a killing spree, and then just moved on. Also, the copy has phrases in it like “handsome, young white supremacist.” I think this season strikes the wrong tone for a story of one of the most hateful and despicable Neo-Nazis in American history.
Thomas Ford
5 out of 5 stars
Perfect
They put so much into this pod. Don’t miss it!
ambeebambi
5 out of 5 stars
Thank you 🙏🏼
Thank you thank you thank you for continuing to speak on these topics.. very informative, so well spoken. Thank you.
son_of_fire
5 out of 5 stars
THE GREATEST PODCAST EVER
It’s like stepping back in history and feeling it like it was
Bellis3815
1 out of 5 stars
Couldn’t get past the voice.
Leon was so much better.
Pdm3455
3 out of 5 stars
Pdm3455
Great content, but too many adds. I may tire of the podcast soon because of this. Seems unnecessary for such a popular podcast.
Seriously funny...
1 out of 5 stars
Nope.
Just nope.
Jayjainupe
4 out of 5 stars
What happened to season 4 ep 1
Love this podcast ! Season 4 episode 1 disappeared out of nowhere. I don’t know if it was uploaded by mistake, but it’s gone. 🤔😒
cerenoe
4 out of 5 stars
Mostly unbiased
I like this podcast. It’s mostly unbiased
jillianaileen
5 out of 5 stars
AmaZing
Thanks so much for going and navigating through the weeds of history. So interesting!!! Love it
Timb_S
5 out of 5 stars
Lived through it but didn’t know it
I love slow burn because it goes in depth about cultural stuff I lived through (or grew up knowing about) but was too young to pay attention to so I didn’t know much about it. Great for people who only have a basic knowledge of these cultural and political events
haiby11111
4 out of 5 stars
Great until season 3
Really loved season 1 and 2 but season 3 just didn’t hit the spot for me. I could not get through it, I was just so not interested and it didn’t hook me like the first two had.
TheMayorJM
1 out of 5 stars
Vague sporadic information
Prior to every season the marketing is annoying. They announce slivers of information at a time. They never really announce a release date for new seasons. Getting any information out of Slate via email is like pulling teeth. I think they just try and drive up google searches or website traffic by withholding information from its loyal fan base. The podcast is ok. But not something I’m going to listen to anymore. I’m not subscribing anymore to a podcast that comes out once a year especially if I have no idea when it’s coming out. They’re already announcing a premise for season 5 and we don’t even know when season 4 drops. JRE, Wondery, luminary, nobody does this except for slate.
Trevortevel
5 out of 5 stars
The first two seasons
Everyone was telling me I had to listen to this podcast and I started with season 3, but wasn’t hooked. Months went by and then the stay-at-home orders happened and thought I would give Slow Burn another chance. I’m really glad I did. Super insightful and captivating. Highly recommend. It is interesting to compare/contrast the scandals of then to now.
JennyHLowenthall
5 out of 5 stars
Superb- highly recommend
I could not stop listening to this. So interesting and captivating.
BoneShaker157
1 out of 5 stars
Season 3 = Meh
Season #1 and #2 were amazing. Absolutely addicting. I literally parked in my driveway forever after work before going in because i didn’t want to stop listening. Third season was like telling the world the sky is blue and grass is green. Not interesting. Overwhelmed with ads. Was hoping season 3 would focus on Trump and his administration. Maybe that will be season 4. Hope so. Otherwise this will be a delete-forget-and-don’t-refer podcast.
uthere
4 out of 5 stars
5 ⭐️ seasons 1&2, 3 for 3
I loved seasons 1 and 2. So well researched, fascinating listens. I was really excited for season 3 because I love the music & remember that time vividly. At first I thought maybe I was disappointed because I already knew a lot of what they cover, but the main problem, and why I finally stopped listening, is the ratio of information to advertisements. The episodes in season 3 are really short and about a 1/3 is advertising. I get that they need to make $ but there has to be a happy medium or it’s just painful & not worth one’s time. Other pods with lots of advertising are usually longer, which allows the listener to settle in and get into the story before being interrupted. It also seemed like they didn’t uncover much info, which wasn’t the case with the 1st 2 seasons. I truly hope the next season returns to it’s earlier form because it’s one of my favorites.
carimama
5 out of 5 stars
Best podcast ever
Slate does a fantastic job of approaching each topic from various perspectives. It is rare to find an investigative reporting piece that doesn’t try to convey a listener to lean toward their perspective. The Slow Burn podcast does a marvelous job at making you really think about each angle considered. I’m curious to find out what season four will dive into.
train^wreck
4 out of 5 stars
Season 3 ok but not as good
I LOVED seasons 1 & 2, and I enjoyed season 3 for the first chunk of it. I agree with the other reviews that the content felt short with too many ad breaks, especially in later episodes, but the content that was there was still interesting. I don’t agree with negative reviews citing the narrator, I thought he was fine. All seasons worth listening to
Claire1722
3 out of 5 stars
First two seasons - amazing! Third season, meh
The first two were so good; well-researched, consistently done, excellent pacing, suspenseful narration. The third, not as good. The content is amazing - I grew up with Tupac and Biggie so I was excited to hear Slate’s take on it. Unfortunately it was much less enjoyable thanks to the narrator. He has an awkward way of speaking and keeps unnecessarily saying “let’s take a quick break” but then immediately continuing with the podcast. I kept wishing Leon was still narrating this season.
WllMa1955
5 out of 5 stars
Great
One of my favorite podcasts. Consistently amazing, consistently engrossing.
Valencia_H.
5 out of 5 stars
Loved it
Very easy to listen too, informative and entertaining. Gave such in depth information!
Alex F. IV
4 out of 5 stars
Informative Podcast on Biggie and Tupac
An easy and informative listen
Movie_Going
5 out of 5 stars
Two Amazing and One Great
I came to Slow Burn from the raving reviews of S1. After flying through S1, and having my wife listen to it too, we finished S2 not too long before S3 started. S1 and S2 are both incredible and two of the best "seasons" of podcast I have listened too. The deep dive they take into the stories and the inside information from people who were there are not to be missed. I will say I did feel S3 was a bit of a step down but I still very much enjoyed it. It did not seem as comprehensive maybe for the simple fact of history that the murders are unsolved so it didn't feel complete? Either way all seasons are worth listenting too especially if they were before your time as all three season are for me.
Weems
4 out of 5 stars
It begins at Season 3
I find season 3 (of 3) the best right now, though I must admit that the idea overall is a good one—take an event with a lot of historical impact and study its buildup and not-as-popular elements. This podcast may have started off as a Presidential Impeachment investigation, but season 3 opened the doors to a much more interesting concept. Maybe Columbine should be in the list of potential investigations? Though I’m not sure what more they could do after Cullen’s book.
NJNYmusicfan
2 out of 5 stars
Tupac and Biggie
Very slow paced and short episodes filled with way too many commercials. Also, I already knew most of the details you said? Disappointed and underwhelmed on this one.
Todd.J.Olsen
5 out of 5 stars
Great start!
Really looking forward to more content. The first 3 seasons have been fun.
natandmart
3 out of 5 stars
Vocal Fry
Oh oh Slow Burn Emily Bazelon lady you have vocal fry. Cannot listen because of the strangled voice. And I like what you have to say. Any chance you could correct this?
thinsafetypin
1 out of 5 stars
The First Two Seasons Are Great. Season 3 is a New Podcast
I really have no idea what beyond having a built in audience made Slate decide to call season 3 Slow Burn instead of just launching it as a new podcast. Fiasco on Luminary is the true season 3 of Slow Burn.
J_Ky
2 out of 5 stars
Improving
The first season is stunningly and comically purposive. The anger at the popular right is still palpable.
Prjnkkinubo
2 out of 5 stars
Stop after first season
The final two seasons of this are really weak compared. Surface level information for the most part with some good interviews all between 10-20 minutes worth of commercials in a 30 minute podcast. I got a lot of ads to pay for the podcast on their website to remove ads, but I think that would make the episodes very short. Slate could have done better.
K R S 1 0
3 out of 5 stars
Season 3 is Pretty biased
It seems to only focus on Tupac’s negative aspects and Biggie’s good aspects.
jt00007893
5 out of 5 stars
Informative
I like the podcast, cool info I’ve never heard before and the story is laid out well.
SirHamlet88pc
4 out of 5 stars
Great pod, too many ads.
Love the podcast. Great reporting and production. Only complaint is that there are too many interruptions!
ashdomani
3 out of 5 stars
More ads than a TV show
Great content, but there are too many ad breaks. It disrupts the flow of the episode when they come every 5-7minutes. If there has to be that many ads maybe they could put them in a longer block of time rather than all individual and scattered throughout the episode.
Zaspac
1 out of 5 stars
Season 3 killed this show
The first two seasons were wonderful examples on investigative journalism breaking into incidents that shaped American culture in ways we still see today. The third season destroyed that momentum. The new narrator is disengaged from his own content. The advertising interrupts the story more frequently than on TV, and the breaks especially make no sense at all. The order of the story makes no sense and is difficult to follow. There are lots of people brought in that have no importance to the story whatsoever. It does not deserve to be included with the first two seasons and is quite frankly an embarrassment to the series as a whole.
rellik242
3 out of 5 stars
Decent content but too much adds
The shows are relatively short but they are full of ads.
Cw000000000
5 out of 5 stars
Season 3 😱🙌 and the host ❤️
I’m a life long LA resident and didn’t know all of the details of this feud. Great rundown and insight. Not to mention the host has a fantastic voice for podcasts and is great at storytelling.
DJ-R
2 out of 5 stars
Seasons 1 & 2 were great. Stopped in season 3
The ads in season 3 were just too much. Felt like only 15 minutes of content. Content feels disconnected and the story is hard to follow. It’s sad for me because I’m a huge hip-hop fan and this story was very compelling, but I just couldn’t finish it.
MirenaS
5 out of 5 stars
Absolutely incredible!
Tons of information presented in a concise, entertaining, and well thought way. I binged all 3 seasons in 2 days, and have recommended the show to everyone I know!
Splashviola
5 out of 5 stars
Explanatory and informative
Slow Burn has a good mix of background, clips, and explanations. It hits the right balance of information and story, pulling together threads of events into a coherent narrative. I’ve enjoyed the first three seasons and I’m looking forward to more! - Robin co-host of the podcast Books That Burn
FreeSilvio
3 out of 5 stars
Too Many Ads
If the episodes were an hour or something the ads wouldn’t be a problem but 30 minute shows with so many ads is just a miserable listening experience. Cut those down and this is a no doubt 5 star.
dtwnLo
3 out of 5 stars
Too Many Commercials
Echoing other reviewers here...great content on Season 3 but come on, you can't even get through 10 minutes without commercials. It becomes an issue because I'm having trouble staying engaged and piecing the story together OR having to stop what I'm doing to skip through them. Please consider bunching them together at the beginning or end.
Wwrrkd
3 out of 5 stars
Ads every 5 mins
Great content ruined by having 3 commercials after only 5 mins of the story... every episode. Way too many ads.
Madtown33
5 out of 5 stars
Awesome Podcast!
I really enjoy learning the ins and outs of the East vs West coast feud through this podcast. They do well as explaining it in an intriguing and historical way by including interviews, real audio clips, and everything else! There are constant commercials (every 2-3 minutes), which is my only complaint.
lreubenstein
5 out of 5 stars
History rhymes
The parallels between the Nixon administration and today are fascinating
Smashley1229
1 out of 5 stars
High hopes, let down
As kids of the 90’s were stoked to listen to this new Slowburn on Tupac. Overall this podcast was a let down. The narrator was boring, writing was poor, and editing and sound was really bad. The whole season could have been trimmed down to 2-3 episodes but dragged on with oddly placed commercial breaks. Yawn.
brittersmc
3 out of 5 stars
Interesting but so frustrating
I so badly want to like this podcast, but the way the narrator treats President Clinton with such kid goves just becomes frustrating by the end of episode 4. "Why did President Clinton continue the affair with Lewinksy? Was he lonely? Was he simple in love?" In light of the #metoo movement, I'm shocked this narrative is told in a way that paints the President (who literally holds ALL the power in these relationships) as a mere victim of stress and tough times. Sheesh.
Eskennon
1 out of 5 stars
Poor narration
Narrator is far too biased. First two seasons were far superior.
rayj710
5 out of 5 stars
Amazing podcast.
Everyone should listen
mackenzie1186
5 out of 5 stars
Love so well done
This show is mesmerizing the detail of the story and the interviews are so good
Jonannewithpursiee
5 out of 5 stars
I like it
Season 3: it’s great to hear the timeline of events in detail as I was kind of young at the time. The host does a great job with researching and storytelling
OutsourcedOnanism
1 out of 5 stars
Toss it Out ..not Up
Season 3. An Expose that exposed absolutely nothing. Tupac was originally a back-up dancer who went to a performing arts school. More like “Hug Life.” Biggie however is the greatest rapper who ever lived.
BigDaddiCane
2 out of 5 stars
Not Deep Enough
The topic is so good that you expect an in-depth podcast, that is, more information than what is either already known or hasn’t been unearthed yet, but, it just falls flat. I mean the deaths of Tupac and Biggie were covered in two sentences. What were Biggie’s last words? What about his autopsy? Who killed Orlando? Were Mob Piru and the Compton Crips mortal enemies like the 60s and Trays?
Edubb999991
5 out of 5 stars
Season 3 is amazing
Great interviews, samples, details, and information that was truly eye opening.
Bphil0123
5 out of 5 stars
Too many ads
Too many ads made for a horrible listening experience that could not be redeemed by great storytelling. Stop trying to up sell the premium subscription. I likely won’t return for future seasons.
S.W.S.
3 out of 5 stars
Missing cultural context
The thread and reconstructed story is good but there’s no additional research into the immediate culture impact of the murders in the context of the 90s. That part is compressed into a minute at the very end of the last episode and I think that was a mistake. It’s not just the myth of Tupac still being alive...it was the surreal nature in which he still dominated the charts and appeared in new movies in the late 90s that kept us talking and thinking about his legacy.
Bobarker403
3 out of 5 stars
Tupac-Centric
All the complaints regarding interrupting the story to sell underwear in season 3 are on point. It didn’t seem as prevalent in the first two seasons. Apart from that, season 3 is just fine. It goes into great detail about Tupac’s background, legal troubles (spoiler: he’s a rapist), and personality; but talks very little about Biggie. Still worth a listen though...
brianbarrera
2 out of 5 stars
Season 3 Disappointment
I enjoyed the first two seasons, but there is something about the host of season 3 that doesn’t quite work. It’s almost as if he’s reading a script on a topic he’s never even heard of. That, plus all of the ads just take you out of the story. 10 minutes of content, 15 minutes of ads... not too sure about that, Slate.
Uwase22
4 out of 5 stars
Is it subjective or objective?
I really loved season 3 of slow burn as an avid hip hop fan!! That said, I got a little bit confused because I couldn’t tell if it was an objective or subjective podcast. Maybe the host didn’t realize this but his opinions could be heard from his research. This made my listening experience a little less than since I believed the host to be a bit biased. Otherwise, good stuff!!!
TwoDoorParamoreClub
5 out of 5 stars
of course there are ads - it’s a free podcast!
I could not stop listening to this podcast, all 3 seasons were incredible! yes there are a lot of ads but it’s not like they can’t be skipped, and the podcast is free so ads are to be expected unless folks want to not have access to the show.
StaceyAdamz
4 out of 5 stars
The Art of Storytelling...
I heard about this podcast on NPR Code Switch. Just finished episode 1 of Season 3 and am definitely interested. It’s the story that’s been told a thousand times, but there is always something new to be learned. My one critique has to do with the host. He’s reading the content and he SOUNDS like he’s reading. It’s as if he’s unfamiliar with the material and it’s his first time ever hearing about hip hop. Also, he doesn’t introduce commercials. One minute you hear Tupac talking and the next second the host is talking about a sponsor. Slate has the budget to kick it up a notch.
Lindsey8274748
2 out of 5 stars
Poor sound engineering
There have been at least fifteen sentences in episode 4 & 5 of season 3 in which the first word of the sentence is cut off. It makes it difficult to listen when we don’t even get full sentences.
Davcivic
2 out of 5 stars
10 min of ads and maybe 15 of story
I mean. I know podcast are here to make money. But jeez. Cutting for ads every like 5 mins. Feels like I’m listening to the radio again.
Comic Enthusiast
2 out of 5 stars
Commercials with some additional content
It's an exaggeration to say this podcast consists of more advertising than content, but there are a ridiculous number of commercials per episode. The third season also didn't seem to fit with the preceding seasons, though I do find the topic interesting.
KrisMinn
3 out of 5 stars
Too many commercials!
Love the content, but there are constant commercials. Seems to be getting worse in later episodes, getting harder to listen and losing interest
TheOilSkins
3 out of 5 stars
Fun Listen
There’s nothing “untold” here, but it’s an enjoyable retelling of the saga. Great as a “road trip” podcast.
projectgirl
5 out of 5 stars
I loved first two seasons!
The Watergate and Clinton/Monica Lewinsky coverage was fascinating. I lived through both but was not really paying daily attention in ‘73-‘74 and was a new mom distracted in late 90’s. It was so helpful to have these two episodes in American history explained in such a thorough and detailed way. Not a hip-hop fan so third season is deleted as soon as episodes drop. I’m sure younger audiences will love though.....
Fwooper26
1 out of 5 stars
Unlistenable because of ads
Too many ad breaks.
aronm
5 out of 5 stars
Binge worthy podcast
I didn’t feel very I interested in the topics of the other two seasons but I heard about this season on another podcast and listened to the first six episodes in one afternoon. This is the first podcast I’ve listened to that really felt like I was listening to a documentary that was so entertaining and really pulls me into each episode. I have really loved this season.
sweetstew3
2 out of 5 stars
Too many ad breaks
I'm really disappointed in the third season. When I found out it was about Tupac and Biggie, I was excited. However, the ad breaks are ruining it for me. Each episode feels incomplete. I think it might be because of how many ads there are in between each segment. Starting off with an ad and having an ad break in the middle of the episode makes sense. But it feels like there are ads every five minutes with this new season. I find myself literally rolling my eyes because it feels constant. I loved the first two seasons, I've even gone back and listened to them multiple times. They were informative, captivating, and it seemed like a lot of effort went into each episode. This season just isn't the same
4AA#$
1 out of 5 stars
Toooo many ads!
I truly loved Seasons 1 & 2 and was beyond excited for Tupac & Biggie. I’ve seen all the documentaries & was hoping to learn something new or at least be entertained. It’s so hard to listen to with the interruptions, I just can’t get into a rhythm which I guess is by design. It’s a shame because this could have been fantastic. I will finish this season with hopes of some redeeming nugget of info. But it will be my last.
pmon19
5 out of 5 stars
Season 4 suggestion!!
Please do a season about LBJ and Ballot Box 13. Would be SO interesting.
Nicki_Waldorf
2 out of 5 stars
The ads
I have been a listener since the beginning of Season 1. I loved that season, along with Season 2. Both were super compelling and interesting. As is the concept of Season 3, which I was so excited for. With that being said, I have tuned out for the rest of the season. The episodes are considerably shorter than Season 2, with way more ads. Season 1 has comparable runtimes to Season 3, with the same amount of ads as Season 2, and has an awesome flow. Season 3’s roughly 30 minute episodes, have almost triple the ads, which make the show so choppy. It’s almost unlistenable because of how disruptive the ads are. I’m really disappointed in what this show turned into.
FrustratedUser!
3 out of 5 stars
Season 1 great. Season 2 meh. Season 3 ughh
This is mostly about Season 3. I was super excited after a lackluster season 2 for a fresh new take. Season 3 started alright - but now feels like the last few episodes are just reading Wikipedia articles about what happened and there’s SO MANY COMMERCIALS. I swear it feels every 5 mins or so. I’m still listening but really hoping it’s building to some better episodes.
noneyrbizness
3 out of 5 stars
Give us a break
WAY TOO MANY ADS - more than twice as many as most comparable podcasts
migney moo
3 out of 5 stars
Monica lewinsky
Bill Clinton is a predator rapist (Broderick) who forced himself on lower level employees (Jones, lewinsky ) . Flew on the Lolita express over 25 x where the 15 year old russian girl were dressed like candy strippers but because he’s for abortion on demand he’s a savior of feminists ? You can treat women like trash as long as you believe in the sacrament of abortion ? Lewinsky’s lucky she wasn’t suicided. Kathleen Wiley conveniently left out too
SkilletFitz
1 out of 5 stars
Advertisements: The Podcast
Season 3 has more ads per episode than any podcast I’ve ever heard. In one episode, there are two ad breaks with less than five minutes of content between them. Split evenly about 50/50 between actual content and ads
TallyCally
3 out of 5 stars
Exhaustive advertisements
Good content, great presentation, but there are so many commercials/ads. Every five minutes, “...let’s take a break...”. Good God.
& I opp
3 out of 5 stars
3 season seems very biased
The third season seems very biased against Tupac. Biggie and Bad Boy in general come across as completely innocent. It just seems disingenuous. Also the pacing for the season seems really off.
JJHinAsia
1 out of 5 stars
Ads ads ads a little content ads ads ads
Done with this podcast. It seems like it’s just an advertisement for premium service so you don’t have to listen to the ads over and over and over.
Hry226
1 out of 5 stars
Ads are killing this podcast
Show really hurts itself with too many ads
Leavins
1 out of 5 stars
Now trash
First two seasons I enjoyed . Season 3 is just tedious and boring. Not sure who made the dumb decision to make this the topic, but definitely brought down the show.
Burbank Nate
2 out of 5 stars
Season 1 is great, Season 3 is garbage
Season 3 should not even be called Slow Burn. It’s not well produced or executed, and the only thing it has in common with Season 1 is the word “Slow”. There is literally 6 minutes of interesting or new material in each 22-minute episode, and about 8 minutes of commercials. The storytelling isn’t compelling, the reporting not very robust. Skip this podcast, watch one of the many documentaries about Tupac
Molly0109
5 out of 5 stars
Love this
It really gives a fresh take and the most in depth look into Tupac.
gbum007
2 out of 5 stars
Content good. Commercials not so much.
You might as well wait for this show to be out entirely... way too many commercials.. perhaps, y’all move them to the beginning? It really messes with the flow of the podcast. The content is good, but could go further (so far).. if there’s way more details for the free listener then add them. Why make it difficult? Cannot wait until producers wake up and realize the damage of placing ads in the middle of podcasts does to the listener.
Its still leaking
1 out of 5 stars
Tupac & Biggie
Does anyone really still care? Both created some very good music. But they wasted it all on a schoolyard beef. The take away is these gentlemen did not have very good conflict resolution skills. That and they believed the hype that surrounded them. Wish they were both still alive.
Boston B
3 out of 5 stars
To many commercials
Slow burn is pretty dope but the commercials are way to much!! Do them all at the start of the show. Makes me almost not want to listen. Would be 5 stars if not for that. WESTSIDE!
cjl2441
2 out of 5 stars
Love the content but...
Forget you, Slate. The amount of ads is just obscene. 4 minutes of content....”Let’s take a break.” 3 more minutes of content...‘Let’s take a pause.” I’m done. Thanks but no thanks.
SowahN
2 out of 5 stars
Too many ads
It’s way to many ads! The episode is 30 mins but 15 mins of ads! I dread listening to it. I guess they do that so we can buy the slate plus membership
pjpodcast
2 out of 5 stars
Way to short and filled with commercials.
Good podcast. But it’s to short a little over a half hour each episode. Not to mention every 5 minutes there’s a commercial, the commercials are about a minute or two long, so right when the show starts commercial couple minutes later commercial, rinse repeat. I will pass on this podcast it’s just to short and filled with commercials for me..
Pinkyheartypink
3 out of 5 stars
Good show
Good show but I feel like the hosts are biased against 2pac and want to make biggie & bad boy look like saints. I don’t know what’s facts or not but that is just what it seems to me.
gianaaaaaaaa
2 out of 5 stars
Too many ads
This season seems to have more ads and shorter episodes. Hard to listen to!
Newmousebrute
3 out of 5 stars
Needs music
A show about musicians needs music. Obtaining rights to play music is probably cost-prohibitive but the narration is a little flat without the music in spite of the dramatic nature of the events being recounted.
Alski26
3 out of 5 stars
Too many ads for such short episodes
I love the content of season 3 but the episodes are so short to have so many ads. It would have been better to condense the episodes
Thisguyoverthere
3 out of 5 stars
6 commercials breaks in 30 minutes
Great show but I can’t enjoy it because they have around 6 commercial breaks in each episode. The fact that each episode is only half an hour really messes with the flow of the show. Do you need money that bad?
Spower18
5 out of 5 stars
To many commercials
Great podcast I really enjoy it. So for all 3 seasons have been great. I swear there is a commercial every 2 minutes. It makes me so hesitant to listen.
friendofthendevil
3 out of 5 stars
Good podcast but too many ads
This latest season is good but the amount of ads are more than any other podcast by far. Probably won’t get sucked into any more seasons after this as a result.
raegenszablewski
4 out of 5 stars
Season 3 Ads
Love love love season 3 and the information shared BUT, why are there ads every 5 minutes? The episodes are only 30 minutes and it feels like have of it is ads. Probably would be better if they lumped the ad reading into 1 or 2 larger sections, instead of individual ads every 5 minutes
BDFRobb
3 out of 5 stars
Decent but greedy
Y’all got too greedy with the commercials.
MeowSupreme
3 out of 5 stars
Commercials
The first two seasons were a lot better than the new one with the ads. Hugely distracting and horribly placed it ruins the flow of the narrative. Probably won’t even finish the season.
upn0rth
3 out of 5 stars
Pick a lane
Season 1 and Season 2 were great. Season 3 about turf wars and rap seems like they ran out of ideas. It is a struggle to stay engaged.
Alec.Ray
5 out of 5 stars
Great show if the subject matter interests you.
The dialogue, interviews, and historical recordings keep your attention. It never drones on and gets boring. I didn’t listen to Season 2, but Season 1 & 3 (so far) are informative and detailed.
digtree
2 out of 5 stars
Info
It’s ok. Seems like a info commercial with all the add brake.
PhyllisDeni
2 out of 5 stars
Review
I find this narrator’s voice to be very difficult to listen to. It drops down after every word and her voice is really hoarse. I hope she’s not planning on making a career out of radio or public speaking. I would most likely listen to your podcast were it not for her voice.
soccerfan75892
4 out of 5 stars
Great podcast, too many commercials
Really enjoy the podcast, but to have 5 commercial breaks for a 30 min podcast seems a bit too much
AmpersandPitchfork
3 out of 5 stars
Excessive Ads
Good content but a really excessive amount of ads.
sandwichrunner
3 out of 5 stars
A good commercial for slate plus
This is a hilarious amount of ads for ~40 minute runtime. Seven promos! Slate needed that money like Tupac taking guest verses.
blanks
2 out of 5 stars
Good show ruined by constant ads
The show is good, season 1 is great, and season 3 has been good as well. Ads are a messed art part of free podcasts. Unfortunately the show feels the need to force ads in every few minutes. Really disappointing when you see how well other shows find a balance between their shows and ad placement.
Dilisnya
5 out of 5 stars
Incredible
A three seasons have brought me new insight on stories that I thought I knew very well. It can’t be overstated how much the team from Slate do their homework on these. Highly, highly recommended!
If ungodly
4 out of 5 stars
These ads are ruining this podcast
Dude, listening to the first two seasons was amazing, and this third season is great so far. BUT the ads are annoying. You’re ruining your content. I get you need money, or maybe you’re trying to annoy people into getting Slate Plus, but you’re doing the opposite. I actually don’t even want to continue to listen to your podcasts if this is how they’re going to be from now on. There are like 6-8 ads in a THIRTY MINUTE podcast. I can just Wikipedia all this information while listening to a Spotify playlist instead of listening to essentially 15 minutes of tracks and info. Please rethink your model, because it isn’t working.
Janet Snakehole
4 out of 5 stars
How bout better representation on your Spotify playlist?
Season 1 was spectacular—so gripping and surprising, especially for someone who didn't live through Watergate. Season 3 is very interesting so far, and the accompanying Spotify playlist is cool, but how about including a Faith Evans song for episode 5!? She features prominently in the episode, and every other song on your playlist so far has been by a male arist!
panda0711
2 out of 5 stars
Clearly not enough material
The content of season 3 is great, but it’s clear you don’t have enough material to fill the time. 10 minutes of ads in a 30 minute episode? Beyond distracting, annoying, and disappointing.
PoodleNoodleBug
4 out of 5 stars
Interesting and informative
Season 1 and 2 are great! And well done in terms of writing and storytelling, and it's great to listen to different voices. But season 3 is all about hip hop and the tracks they use aren't the best.
LDKraj
4 out of 5 stars
Was awesome
I loved the first two seasons of this show. Well researched, engaging, and focused on the content. This third season had me excited, but 30 min episodes with probably over 10 minutes of ads? I’m barely sticking with it. Could be a great opportunity for storytelling about Biggie and Tupac, but I’m not really sure why I’m giving this podcast my time anymore. If you need more funding, I’d rather you ask for it than strip the podcast of actual content with ads every 3 minutes.
carefullistener123
2 out of 5 stars
Disappointing season 3
Messy storytelling and for a show about a music icon, very little actual music.
joe traveltraveltravel
3 out of 5 stars
It’s great but the ads are killing me
Bunch them in the beginning or something it’s way to distracting to have an awesome story cut to commercial every 90 seconds
Kstyles
3 out of 5 stars
Great buy way too many ads
I understand having two ads for a 30 minute podcast, but 6 or more that’s too extensive. You can’t really enjoy the work you have done on S3 thoroughly.
nealvan
3 out of 5 stars
Lost interest
I was excited about the bold turn in season 3, but unfortunately it doesn’t deliver. Seems like a missed opportunity to explore Biggie & Tupac’s complicated history, instead it loses Biggie to focus entirely on Tupac, then veers into well trodden territory about East/West beef and public backlash to gangster rap. Not much new here.
Icpark
3 out of 5 stars
Fine season, if I can follow it
Here’s a show of ads, brought to you by a story about Pac and Biggie. I want to say that the show is well put together but when every half-act is cut up with ads, it’s very difficult to follow and keep interest. You work hard to make the story, which you can tell, it’s great! But.. you work hard to build interest and attention in an episode and then it’s lost when another ad comes on. The craft is hurting. With all due respect, truly.
Murder, etc
5 out of 5 stars
Amazing work
Every major story from modern history could benefit from this kind of treatment. I would listen to every one. Every season of Slow Burn is different and great.
jlouise413
5 out of 5 stars
Need new artwork
Loving season 3! Would love to see the artwork on the podcast’s thumbnail updated.
chucky gloves
3 out of 5 stars
Frequent Ads
Never heard more commercials in a podcast. Been a fan of each season besides that.
Mindspray
3 out of 5 stars
Sell sell sell
Dude is constantly interrupting the podcast to sell the best underwear he’s ever worn.
dill2742
4 out of 5 stars
Ight
Too many ads. 8 ads in 30 min .
CalebBonham
2 out of 5 stars
Slow Burn needs to bring Leon Neyfakh back
I loved the first two seasons of Slow Burn, but the third is lacking. While the subject matter is interesting in this third season, the host lacks the cinematic charisma previously heard.
audreybee3
5 out of 5 stars
Season 3 is awesome
Season 3 is such a good story choice. Also the host’s voice is beautiful. Keep it up.
ryan smith 12$
5 out of 5 stars
Typical
Good content but could do without the narrators political opinion.
navonco
3 out of 5 stars
Season 3
I really tried but not very compelling. Really interested in the final conclusion but not worth the work of listening.
Nick Name Unused
5 out of 5 stars
Can’t Wait for Season 3!
Seasons 1 and 2 were amazing looks into 2 presidencies that I was either too young to remember and not alive for. Overall a great deep dive into history. I am so excited for the Biggie and Tupac story choice for season 3.
cazzie1039475868
4 out of 5 stars
Where’s the Biggie Content?
I’m a huge fan of season 1 and 2. This is incredibly well researched and I’m enjoying so far; however, the Biggie content is extremely lacking. Heavily focused on Tupac. Maybe just change it to “Who Shot Tupac” instead? Feels a little skewed to his story and there hasn’t been more than 5 minutes of information on Biggie...
See Fuller
5 out of 5 stars
Absolutely excellent
Love this Podcast. Episode lengths are just right, stories offer an interesting look into topics from angles the general public may not have known about. Wonderful.. It catches and grips me with two of my loves: Politics and Pop Culture. Season 3 is equally as awesome as seasons 1 and 2 so far. It may take lovers of the first two seasons a while to shift gears but season 3 is right up there with the previous ones. Excellently done guys.
ALC0106
2 out of 5 stars
Just give the facts
In the episodes they just recite facts without their opinion on them, it feels like I may actually be learning something. But then when they start spouting their political views, it feels manipulative. Tell the truth. Be a journalist, not a blogger.
siulelbon
5 out of 5 stars
Stellar show and Season 3 is just as important
I’ve been disappointed to read how negative other reviews have been about season 3. The first two seasons are phenomenal and the third is just as, if not more, urgent in subject matter than the first two. It is the story of two murdered pop culture juggernauts, yes, but it’s also an examination of how hip-hop was an important part of the political climate that bubbled over with the Rodney King race riots. It’s a history about tensions between people of color and law enforcement that continues today. Rap has been the platform and megaphone for people of color, especially at that time. Examining the legacy of Biggie and Tupac is just as important as delving into Watergate and the Clinton Impeachment. Fantastic show. I can’t wait to listen to the many more seasons to come.
Constanza from NY
5 out of 5 stars
More More More
Gripping and so relevant. I’m becoming a political addict. Love the writing.
sm789122
5 out of 5 stars
Worth a listen!
I’ve always been fascinated by the Clinton affair scandal, so I was really excited to find a podcast that covered the story! There was so much I didn’t know about the scandal; I think this podcast provides excellent writing and storytelling. I’ve only listened to the Clinton season so far, but I’m excited to delve into the other seasons. Definitely recommend!
DarkStar⚡️
1 out of 5 stars
Season 3 lost all of the momentum of the previous seasons
Too bad, I really enjoyed Slow Burn but Season 3 seems rushed and piecemeal and like the editor just wanted sound bites.
jjNYCCTNJ
2 out of 5 stars
Confusing if you don’t already know this story intimately
The first episode makes a lot of assumptions about the listeners level of knowledge about Tupac and lost me via confusion. I typically love Slate’s podcasts, but this one lost me early.
Goldie1201
2 out of 5 stars
Apolitical Journalism?
This podcast has covered some very interesting topics. It would be more impactful if it were unbiased. Disappointed that there is clear bias as I feel the integrity of the investigations are undermined by it. It really became almost comical in season 2 compared to season 1. I have yet to listen to season 3 and may not bother at all.
Pac Fan 7
1 out of 5 stars
Highly disrespectful to Tupac’s legacy
This pod sounds like mainstream media without any new twist. There’s no one to speak on Tupac’s behalf. I wanted to like this so bad but sadly I don’t. And I’m 32 I remembered the Tupac era very vivid.
Listener FL
5 out of 5 stars
Excellent Watergate Examination
This review is strictly based on season one; being a former journalist now in my mid-50s, I very much lived through the Clinton scandal, and I’ve had my fill, and I really don’t care about a rivalry between two hip-hop stars, so you’re on your own regarding seasons two and three. I did think I knew a fair amount about Watergate, but then my knowledge was pretty much based on reading All The President’s Men and seeing the movie version. A lot of great information I wasn’t familiar with in this first season, particularly the episode on Martha Mitchell, an apparently bigger player in this scandal than I had realized. Watergate may seem like ancient history to millennials, but there are a lot of parallels between that scandal in the 1970s and what’s going on right now, so I certainly recommend season one for anyone who was not glued to the television set in 1973 and 74. Even if you were, there might learn about something in here you missed, especially given how complex and vast the scandal was.
lacaro1
5 out of 5 stars
SSN 3- where is the new artwork?
Update the art to match the season’s topic
AMT0626
5 out of 5 stars
Season 3 = Binge-worthy
I have little interest in season 1 or 2, but I stumbled upon season 3 of Slow Burn and am really enjoying it. As a 90s teen, the Tupac/Biggie story is one that I feel invested in. And revisiting the story now as an adult takes on an entirely new meaning since I can better appreciate the social and cultural undertones that were at play — race relations, police brutality, etc. I can’t wait for the next episode!
Vburgo
3 out of 5 stars
Slowwwww Burn.
Much slower tempo than the previous seasons. Feels dragged out like when you get stuck behind a old lady at the grocery store and you can’t get around her.
Norse hind
1 out of 5 stars
Tupac the Rapist
It’s amazing how a community is trying to portray a bunch of thugs as legend. They raped, dealt drugs, murdered. The production is too professional for too low level a subject matter. Comparable to a food critic eating a Happy Meal, it doesn’t make sense and is a waste of energy.
JonathanBeltran714
1 out of 5 stars
Stop listening to this podcast after season two!
Highly disappointed on the direction that podcast takes in season 3. This use to be one of my favorite podcast. I honestly have no idea why the podcast change its direction. Disappointed!
rach.14
5 out of 5 stars
Excellent Journalism
Accidentally found the podcast while searching for information on the Nixon impeachment process. So glad I did, it’s become my favorite podcast. I thoroughly enjoyed seasons 1&2 and can’t wait for more of 3.
aalleykate
5 out of 5 stars
Loving Season 3 so far
As a child of the nineties and hip hop fan, I still remember the MTV special reports that told the world the Tupac and Biggie had been killed. The first episode was well done and I’m looking forward to the rest of the season.
Blue wave surfer
4 out of 5 stars
Journalism at its best
First two seasons were incredible. Looking forward to season four.
Fttfyyyyruyyrtyydtytyyjtgfgu
1 out of 5 stars
Missed opportunity
Wanted to love season 3, but the way the first episode handled the sexual assault accusations was distasteful. Compared to the care with which season 2 handled accusations against Clinton, this episode relied on tired “ he said-she said” tropes and failed to give adequate weight to the seriousness of the event. Though Slow Burn picked an interesting subject, failing to examine past events with critical modern awareness shows poor judgement and a missed opportunity.
emkpugh
5 out of 5 stars
LOVE
I am obsessed with all things past political. I can’t stop listening to this because it’s not just a podcast, but an actual story with a timeline. There is so much about Watergate that I didn’t know. It gives me chills. It is so informative and I honestly think everyone should listen!
pj6159
2 out of 5 stars
I thought this was about political scandals?
Seasons 1 & 2, which explore Watergate and the Clinton scandal, respectively, are excellent and worth a listen. Season 3, however, is going to be about rap? I think this podcast is having an identity crisis. I’ll check back in for Season 4 (if there is a Season 4).
airwardan
5 out of 5 stars
Must Listen
This is required listening for everyone right now. The in depth look at past scandals and impeachment proceedings provides important context and frame of reference for the current scandal and inquiry.
dannasamhan
5 out of 5 stars
Slow Burn
Definitely a must listen to anyone interested in American Politics and how impeachment inquiries have been carried out for be corresponding presidents
Brendadabney
5 out of 5 stars
A must listen!
For anyone interest in civics this is a must listen.
Orakamaru
5 out of 5 stars
Excellent resource
Having lived through Watergate I thought I knew everything about it but this podcast opened up my eyes to even more information than I thought possible. Very well done and worthwhile listening to from beginning to end.
Rochester Voter
5 out of 5 stars
Fabulously well told story!
This is a fabulous podcast. One of the very best I have heard, and the best possible way to learn about a history I only vaguely remembered. Thank you! Thank you!
X Recon
4 out of 5 stars
Really?
Fascinating, grateful for this podcast to illuminate this story but I laughed out loud by episode 3 as the amount of “suicides” started piling up. C’mon, man.
johncroweransom
1 out of 5 stars
Bogus advertisement for paid service
These podcasts are entertaining and informative, but the host CONSTANTLY reminds us that to get the full podcast content we have to become paid members of Slate Plus. He repeatedly tantalizes us with content & special episodes that non-Slate-Plus members are missing out on. Out of principle, I’m going to stop listening because the podcast is actually an advertisement for a paid service. I really parted ways when the host promised Slate Plus listeners an extra, members-only interview with key Watergate player John Dean. If that content’s not central to the narrative, then what is? I wish Slate the best of luck getting people to pay their $35 “introductory” rate, but I won’t be one of them. All the allusions to content non-members don’t get access to just infuriate me. Don’t turn your product itself into an advertisement for a more complete product.
funnygerman
5 out of 5 stars
Great and informative!
Excellent podcast, many parallels to the current troubles our country is in. The only bad thing is the same depressing ad about depression over and over again. Truly annoying.
elizapep
5 out of 5 stars
Relevant
This podcast is extremely interesting and relevant for our time in 2019. It provides important context and directly mirrors our current situation. I will definitely be recommending to everyone I know.
octotree
4 out of 5 stars
Really looking forward to Season 3
Hope you’re already working on it.
igern
5 out of 5 stars
Informative
Interesting, well edited and informative.
Podcast information
- Amount of episodes
- 109
- Subscribers
- 65
- Verified
- No
- Website
- Explicit content
- No
- Episode type
- serial
- Podcast link
- https://podvine.com/link/..
- Last upload date
- February 24, 2023
- Last fetch date
- March 25, 2023 11:34 AM
- Upload range
- MONTHLY
- Author
- Slate Podcasts
- Copyright
- 2017 The Slate Group
susbcribers
- Decoder Ring: The Mailbag EpisodeWe’re really lucky to get a lot of listener emails, suggesting topics for the show. In this episode, we’re going to dig into a handful of the most fascinating ones that we’ve yet to tackle on the show. We’re taking on five listener questions that run the gamut—from kids menus to succulents to the chicken that crossed the road. It’s an eclectic assortment of subjects that come to us thanks to you. So let’s jump into our mailbag. Thank you to Mark Liberman and Susan Schulten. This podcast was written by Willa Paskin who produces the show with Katie Shepherd. This episode was also produced by Sam Kim. Derek John is Slate’s Executive Producer of Narrative Podcasts. Merritt Jacob is Senior Technical Director. If you haven’t please yet, subscribe and rate our feed in Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts. And even better, tell your friends. If you’re a fan of the show and want to support us, consider signing up for Slate Plus. Slate Plus members get to listen to Decoder Ring without any ads. Their support is also crucial to our work. So please go to Slate.com/decoderplus to join Slate Plus today.0 comments0
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- Decoder Ring: Cellino & Barnes, Injury Attorneys, 800-888-8888Ross Cellino and Steve Barnes were two Buffalo-based lawyers who became the literal poster-men for personal injury advertising. They poured millions of dollars into ads that did more than just bring in clients: it turned the duo into household names and faces—at least in New York. In this episode, we’re going to look at their rise and everything that happened after. It’s a bumpy ride full of ambition, accidents and tragedy and at its center are two men who, for 25 years, wanted to be at the front of our minds when we got hurt, but who we didn’t really notice until it all fell apart. We hear from Ross Cellino, Rich Barnes, Jeremy Kutner, John Fabian Witt, Trish Rich, Ken Kaufman, Mike Breen, and David Rafailedes. This podcast was written by Katie Shepherd. It was edited by Andrea Bruce and Willa Paskin. Decoder Ring is produced by Willa Paskin and Katie Shepherd. Derek John is Slate’s Executive Producer of narrative podcasts. Merritt Jacob is Senior Technical Director. Thank you to Rachel Strom and Meryl Scheinman, host of Prank You. If you haven’t please yet, subscribe and rate our feed in Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts. And even better, tell your friends. If you’re a fan of the show and want to support us, consider signing up for Slate Plus. Slate Plus members get to listen to Decoder Ring without any ads. Their support is also crucial to our work. So please go to Slate.com/decoderplus to join Slate Plus today.0 comments0
- Decoder Ring: How Preppy Became StreetwearWe bring you a special episode from the Articles of Interest podcast hosted by Avery Trufelman about the incredible reach and adaptability of preppy clothes. It’s a story about the great modernizer of Ivy style, Ralph Lauren, and how he and his label, Polo, were themselves modernized by customers who helped push preppy in a whole new direction, from the runway to the streets. We encourage you to listen to the entire American Ivy series from Radiotopia. Articles of Interest is created by Avery Trufelman. It’s edited by Kelly Prime, mixed and mastered by Ian Coss, fact checked by Jessia Siriano, with music by Avery, Rhae Royal, Sasami, and the Beazlebubs, the Tufts University Acapella Group. Decoder Ring is produced by Willa Paskin and Katie Shepherd. We had mixing help on this episode from Sam Kim. Derek John is Slate’s Executive Producer of narrative podcasts. Merritt Jacob is Senior Technical Director. If you haven’t please yet, subscribe and rate our feed in Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts. And even better, tell your friends. If you’re a fan of the show and want to support us, consider signing up for Slate Plus. Slate Plus members get to listen to Decoder Ring without any ads. Their support is also crucial to our work. So please go to Slate.com/decoderplus to join Slate Plus today.0 comments0
- Decoder Ring: The New Age Hit MachineFor this episode, a story from Slate senior producer Evan Chung about how Yanni, John Tesh and a number of other surprising acts made it big in the 1990s. It’s a throwback to a simpler time—when musicians struggled to find their big break, but discovered it could be possible with a telephone, a television, and our undivided attention. This story originally aired in 2019 on Studio 360 from PRX. We hear from George Veras, Pat Callahan, and John Tesh. This Episode was written and produced by Slate’s Evan Chung. Decoder Ring is produced by Willa Paskin and Katie Shepherd. Derek John is Slate’s Executive Producer of narrative podcasts. Merritt Jacob is Senior Technical Director. If you haven’t please yet, subscribe and rate our feed in Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts. And even better, tell your friends. If you’re a fan of the show and want to support us, consider signing up for Slate Plus. Slate Plus members get to listen to Decoder Ring without any ads. Their support is also crucial to our work. So please go to Slate.com/decoderplus to join Slate Plus today.0 comments0
- S7 Ep. 5: Creating a Winning ShowThe team who made Slow Burn: Roe v. Wade tells the story that unfolded behind the scenes of Apple Podcasts Show of the Year, from the original pitch to the leak of the Dobbs decision. We’ll hear how host Susan Matthews first came up with the idea, how the producers dug up rare archival tape and hard-to-find sources that helped bring the story to life, and how the show tried to fairly represent both sides of the issue. Plus, we dive into what changed after the Dobbs opinion was leaked in May, a month before the show launched. Featuring host Susan Matthews, producers Samira Tazari and Sophie Summergrad, editor Josh Levin, and executive producer Derek John. To hear all of our other Show of the Year Extras visit: https://apple.co/showoftheyear2022 For even more Slow Burn, join Slate Plus. Slate Plus members get exclusive episodes each season. If you’re not already a member, join today and save 50 percent on your first three months.0 comments0
- One Year: 1942 - The Black-Japanese AxisIn 1942, federal officials targeted a group of Black Americans who were allegedly hoping for a Japanese invasion. They uncovered a plot that included stockpiles of weapons and secret passwords—but was any of it true? This week, Joel Anderson tells the story of a shadowy organization in East St. Louis, Illinois, the group’s mysterious leader, and an alleged conspiracy against America during World War II. This episode of One Year was produced by Evan Chung, Sophie Summergrad, Sam Kim, Joel Anderson, Sol Werthan, and Josh Levin. Derek John is executive producer of narrative podcasts and Merritt Jacob is senior technical director. Slate Plus members get to hear more about the making of One Year. Get access to extra episodes, listen to the show without any ads, and support One Year by signing up for Slate Plus for just $15 for your first three months.0 comments0
- Slow Burn Nov 22 · 46m Decoder Ring: The Butt and the BustleFor about two decades towards the end of the Victorian era, in the 1870s and 1880s, a large bustle-enhanced bottom was the height of fashion. In this episode we explore how it’s connected to today’s big booty craze. We look at the bustle’s history with a curator fascinated by old undergarments; consider the various theories about its popularity with the author Heather Radke; and then hone in the tragic story of Sarah Baartman. The bustle may be old-fashioned, but it still has a lot to tell us about race, sex, power and how much people know, or let themselves know, about what they put on everyday. We hear from Heather Radke, author of Butts: A Backstory, as well as Kristina Haughland, Janell Hobson, Pamela Scully, and Maria Garcia. This podcast was written by Willa Paskin, who produces Decoder Ring with Katie Shepherd. This episode was edited by Andrea Bruce. Derek John is Slate’s Executive Producer of Narrative Podcasts. Merritt Jacob is Senior Technical Director. If you haven’t please yet, subscribe and rate our feed in Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts. And even better, tell your friends. If you’re a fan of the show, I’d love for you to sign up for Slate Plus. Slate Plus members get to listen to Decoder Ring without any ads. Their support is also crucial to our work. So please go to Slate.com/decoderplus to join Slate Plus today.0 comments0
- One Year: 1942 - When Internment Came to AlaskaSix months after Pearl Harbor, Japan launched another attack on the United States. This time, Axis forces actually invaded, turning the Aleutian Islands into a battleground. What the country did next, in the name of “protecting” Alaska’s indigenous people, is a shameful chapter of the war. And it’s one the nation has never fully reckoned with. This episode of One Year was produced by Evan Chung, Sophie Summergrad, Sam Kim, Sol Werthan, and Josh Levin. Derek John is senior supervising producer of narrative podcasts and Merritt Jacob is senior technical director. Slate Plus members get to hear more about the making of One Year. Get access to extra episodes, listen to the show without any ads, and support One Year by signing up for Slate Plus for just $15 for your first three months.0 comments0
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- One Year - 1942: The Info Wars of World War IIIn March 1942, a new nightly radio show hit the American airwaves. The stated goal of Station Debunk was to correct all the lies getting tossed around about America’s involvement in the war. But the real story was a whole lot stranger and more devious than it appeared. One Year is produced by Evan Chung, Sophie Summergrad, Sam Kim, and Josh Levin. Derek John is senior supervising producer of narrative podcasts and Merritt Jacob is senior technical director. Slate Plus members get to hear more about the making of One Year. Get access to extra episodes, listen to the show without any ads, and support One Year by signing up for Slate Plus for just $15 for your first three months.0 comments0
- One Year: 1942 - The Day the Music StoppedOn Aug. 1, 1942, the nation’s recording studios went silent. Musicians were fed up with the new technologies threatening their livelihoods, so they refused to record until they got their fair share. This week, Evan Chung explores one of the most consequential labor actions of the 20th century, and how it coincided with an underground revolution in music led by artists like Charlie Parker and Dizzy Gillespie. One Year is produced by Evan Chung, Sophie Summergrad, Sam Kim, and Josh Levin. Derek John is senior supervising producer of narrative podcasts and Merritt Jacob is senior technical director. Slate Plus members get to hear more about the making of One Year. Get access to extra episodes, listen to the show without any ads, and support One Year by signing up for Slate Plus for just $15 for your first three months.0 comments0
- One Year: 1942 - The Year Everyone Got MarriedThere were 1.8 million weddings in 1942, the most that had ever been recorded in a single year in American history. But how many of them would last? 98-year-old Millie Summergrad tells the story of one that did: her own. And a pair of brothers explain what it was like to grow up inside the busiest chapel in Yuma, Arizona—the wedding capital of the United States. One Year is produced by Evan Chung, Sophie Summergrad, Sam Kim, and Josh Levin. Derek John is senior supervising producer of narrative podcasts and Merritt Jacob is senior technical director. Slate Plus members get to hear more about the making of One Year. Get access to extra episodes, listen to the show without any ads, and support One Year by signing up for Slate Plus for just $15 for your first three months.0 comments0
- Slow Burn Oct 20 · 47m One Year: 1942 - The Most Hated Man in AmericaAt the beginning of World War II, the greatest threat to the American war effort wasn’t the Nazis or the Japanese—it was runaway inflation. The man in charge of stopping it was the country’s “price czar,” Leon Henderson. In 1942, he controlled how much coffee ordinary people could drink and how many tires they could buy. Those rules made him a nationwide villain. But would they save the country? One Year is produced by Evan Chung, Sophie Summergrad, Sam Kim, and Josh Levin. Derek John is senior supervising producer of narrative podcasts and Merritt Jacob is senior technical director. Slate Plus members get to hear more about the making of One Year. Get access to extra episodes, listen to the show without any ads, and support One Year by signing up for Slate Plus for just $15 for your first three months.0 comments0
- Decoder Ring: McGruff Takes a Bite Out of Crime Pt. 2McGruff the Crime Dog arrived on the scene at the dawn of the 1980s, just as a firehose of anti-drug PSAs was inundating the youth of America. These messages didn’t always work as intended—but they did work their way into the long term memories of the kids who heard them. In the second episode of our two-part series on the weird world of PSAs and very special episodes, we look at how the McGruff Smart Kids Album influenced everything from straight-edge hardcore to a couple’s wedding playlist. We’ll hear from Sarah Hubbard, Dan Danger, Joseph Cappella, David Farber, Mike Hawes, Robin Nelson, Daisy Rosario, and Tatiana Peralta. This podcast was written by Willa Paskin, who produces Decoder Ring with Katie Shepherd. This episode was edited by Jamie York. Derek John is Slate’s Sr. Supervising Producer of Narrative Podcasts. Merritt Jacob is Sr. Technical Director. Thank you to Tatiana Peralta, Ari Merkin, Wendy Melillo, Dan McQuade, Dale Mantley, Larissa Zargeris, Dave Bledsoe, Larre Johnson, Duane Poole, Eric Greenberg, Charles and Karen Rosen, and Jennifer Holland, Orla Mejia, Andres Martinez and everyone else at the Rutgers library who helped me listen to some old cassette tapes. A few things that were helpful in working on this piece: How McGruff and the Crying Indian Changed America: A History of Iconic Ad Council Campaigns by Wendy Melillo, Taking a Bite out of Crime: the Impact of the National Citizens Crime Prevention Media Campaign by Garrett J O’keefe and others, and “This McGruff Drug Album Might As Well Be By Weird Al,” by Dan McQuade for Defector Media. You can hear Daniel Danger’s McGruff cover album in it’s entirety or you can purchase it here. And lastly, if you are interested in hearing the full McGruff educational program or any of Puppet Productions productions they are available for purchase at puppetsinc.com, part of a company that Rob Nelson still runs. If you have any cultural mysteries you want us to decode, email us at DecoderRing@slate.com If you love the show and want to support us, consider joining Slate Plus. With Slate Plus you get ad-free podcasts, bonus episodes, and total access to all of Slate’s journalism. Check out Remote Works here.0 comments0
- Decoder Ring: McGruff Takes a Bite Out of Crime Pt. 1McGruff the Crime Dog arrived on the scene at the dawn of the 1980s, just as a firehose of anti-drug PSAs was inundating the youth of America. These messages didn’t always work as intended—but they did work their way into the long term memories of the kids who heard them. In the first of two episodes, we take a look at PSAs and their strange afterlife through the lens of a trench-coat wearing bloodhound and his bizarre, yet catchy anti-drug songs. We’ll talk to Dan Danger, Sherry Nemmers, Joseph Cappella, David Farber, Mike Hawes and Robin Nelson to discover how the McGruff Smart Kids Album came to exist in the first place. This podcast was written by Willa Paskin. Decoder Ring is produced by Willa Paskin and Katie Shepherd. We had production help from Sam Kim. Editing by Jamie York and Derek John, Slate’s Sr. Supervising Producer of Narrative Podcasts. Merritt Jacob is Sr. Technical Director. Thank you to Wendy Melillo, Dan McQuade, Dale Mantley, Larissa Zargeris, Daisy Rosario, Drew Bledsoe, Larre Johnson, Duane Poole, Ari Merkin, Charles and Karen Rosen and Eric Greenberg. If you have any cultural mysteries you want us to decode, email us at DecoderRing@slate.com If you love the show and want to support us, consider joining Slate Plus. With Slate Plus you get ad-free podcasts, bonus episodes, and total access to all of Slate’s journalism. Check out Remote Works here0 comments0
- One Year - 1986: The Man From Fifth AvenueAfter Joe Mauri gets evicted from his New York apartment, he becomes a star in the USSR, the subject of a documentary about the injustices of capitalism. But this Cold War icon was using the Soviets just as much as they used him. One Year is produced by Evan Chung, Sophie Summergrad, Sam Kim, Madeline Ducharme, and Josh Levin. Mixing by Merritt Jacob. Derek John is Sr. Supervising Producer of Narrative Podcasts and Merritt Jacob is Sr. Technical Director. Slate Plus members get to hear more about the making of One Year. Get access to extra episodes, listen to the show without any ads, and support One Year by signing up for Slate Plus for just $15 for your first three months.0 comments0
- One Year - 1986: The Miracle of CokevilleOn May 16, 1986, a man with a bomb held an entire elementary school hostage in the tiny town of Cokeville, Wyoming. Yet instead of becoming victims of unimaginable tragedy, all of the hostages in this predominantly Mormon community survived. But how? This week, Evan Chung explores what—or who—saved the children of Cokeville. One Year is produced by Evan Chung, Sophie Summergrad, Sam Kim, Madeline Ducharme, and Josh Levin. Derek John is Sr. Supervising Producer of Narrative Podcasts and Merritt Jacob is Sr. Technical Director. Slate Plus members get to hear more about the making of One Year. Get access to extra episodes, listen to the show without any ads, and support One Year by signing up for Slate Plus for just $15 for your first three months.0 comments0
- One Year - 1986: Herschel vs. the Blubber BustersIn Seattle, a pack of voracious sea lions decimates the local fish population. When fireworks and an underwater air horn don’t scare away the whisker-y mammals, bureaucrats and scientists are faced with a thorny question: Who decides which creatures get to live, and which have to die? One Year is produced by Evan Chung, Sophie Summergrad, Sam Kim, Madeline Ducharme, and Josh Levin. Derek John is Sr. Supervising Producer of Narrative Podcasts and Merritt Jacob is Sr. Technical Director. Slate Plus members get to hear more about the making of One Year. Get access to extra episodes, listen to the show without any ads, and support One Year by signing up for Slate Plus for just $15 for your first three months.0 comments0
- Slow Burn Sep 8 · 59m One Year - 1986: A Boycott in MississippiBlack residents of Indianola, Mississippi, were fed up with decades of separate-and-unequal classrooms. When a white outsider got hired as school superintendent, they decided to take a stand. This week, Joel Anderson tells the story of how their boycott of white businesses transformed the community and captivated the nation. One Year is produced by Evan Chung, Sophie Summergrad, Sam Kim, Madeline Ducharme, and Josh Levin. Mixing by Merritt Jacob. Derek John is Sr. Supervising Producer of Narrative Podcasts and Merritt Jacob is Sr. Technical Director. Slate Plus members get to hear more about the making of One Year. Get access to extra episodes, listen to the show without any ads, and support One Year by signing up for Slate Plus for just $15 for your first three months.0 comments0
- One Year - 1986: The Mystery of Al Capone’s VaultsRumors about the legendary gangster Al Capone’s buried treasure transform an abandoned Chicago hotel into the center of the entertainment universe. Will Geraldo Rivera’s excavation on live TV turn up money, skeletons, or nothing at all? One Year is produced by Evan Chung, Sophie Summergrad, Sam Kim, Madeline Ducharme, and Josh Levin. Derek John is Sr. Supervising Producer of Narrative Podcasts and Merritt Jacob is Sr. Technical Director. Slate Plus members get to hear more about the making of One Year. Get access to extra episodes, listen to the show without any ads, and support One Year by signing up for Slate Plus for just $15 for your first three months.0 comments0
- One Year - 1986: The Ultimate Field TripThis week, Evan Chung tells the story of the American teachers who competed for an unprecedented prize: a spot on the January 1986 launch of the Space Shuttle Challenger. Three of the finalists describe the grueling selection process and the tragedy that killed one of their own. One Year is produced by Evan Chung, Sophie Summergrad, Sam Kim, Madeline Ducharme, and Josh Levin. Derek John is Sr. Supervising Producer of Narrative Podcasts and Merritt Jacob is Sr. Technical Director. Slate Plus members get to hear more about the making of One Year. Get access to extra episodes, listen to the show without any ads, and support One Year by signing up for Slate Plus for just $15 for your first three months.0 comments0
- Slow Burn presents: One Year - 1986: No Crime DayBasketball star Isiah Thomas had an audacious plan to transform Detroit: asking criminals to stay on the good side of the law for 24 hours. Would “No Crime Day” set the city on a new path, or was it a recipe for failure? One Year is produced by Evan Chung, Sophie Summergrad, Sam Kim, Madeline Ducharme, and Josh Levin. Mixing by Merritt Jacob. Slate Plus members get to hear more about the making of One Year. Get access to extra episodes, listen to the show without any ads, and support One Year by signing up for Slate Plus for just $15 for your first three months.0 comments0
