Best Song Exploder Podcasts (2025)

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Goo Goo Dolls - Iris 26:54

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5d ago26:54

26:54

Goo Goo Dolls formed in 1986 in Buffalo, New York, and by the time 1998 rolled around, they’d already had a pretty successful career. They’d released five albums, and one of their songs, “Name,” from 1995, had become a Top 10 hit. But things really changed for them when they made the song “Iris.” It originally came out on the soundtrack for the mov…

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907. Q&AF: Overcoming Self-Doubt, Staying Sober In Business & Keeping Business When Relocating 1:02:37

4h ago1:02:37

1:02:37

On today’s episode, Andy answers live call-in questions on how to overcome self-doubt when you feel like you’re never doing enough, how to stay sober while growing a business, and how to keep finding customers when relocating to a new state.

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What do we know about what's driving political violence? 7:29

15h ago7:29

7:29

It's been a year since the assassination attempt on President Trump in Butler, Pennsylvania and the motivations of the shooter are still unclear. The US Capitol Police threat assessment cases have risen for the second year in a row, with the total number more than doubling since 2017. At times political violence is starting to feel as pervasive as …

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#275 - Nick Bryant: Jeffrey Epstein’s Blackmail Empire | BIGGER Than You Were Told (Replay) 1:10:57

24h ago1:10:57

1:10:57

As the DOJ now claims no Epstein client list exists and Epstein-related files remain sealed, we’re re-releasing one of the most explosive interviews we’ve ever done. This is Part 2 of our deep dive with investigative journalist Nick Bryant, originally recorded in October 2024. Nick connects Epstein’s rise, from college dropout to Mossad-linked blac…

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Inside the Diddy trial: why it felt like a watch party at the courthouse 13:01

1d ago13:01

13:01

On July 2nd, Sean Combs was acquitted of the most serious charges he faced: racketeering and sex trafficking. He was found guilty on two counts of transportation to engage in prostitution — and he remains in prison awaiting sentencing in early October. Over the course of eight weeks, the trial became a spectacle, even by the high standards of celeb…

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906. Andy & DJ CTI: Trump Arrives In Kerrville, Texas Following Fatal Floods, Immigration Operation At California Cannabis Farms & Rep. Crockett Slammed For Calling GOP 'Inherently Violent' 1:46:42

2d ago1:46:42

1:46:42

On today's episode, Andy & DJ discuss President Trump and First Lady arriving in Kerrville, Texas, following the fatal floods, the immigration operation at a California cannabis farm leading to a clash between federal agents and protesters, and Rep. Jasmine Crockett slammed for calling the GOP 'inherently violent.'…

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When old oil wells become 'orphans,' that's a problem 7:58

3d ago7:58

7:58

All across the U.S., there are aging oil and natural gas wells no longer in use. A lot of them don't have anyone on the hook to seal them up. Some estimate over a million such "orphan wells" still exist. Because they haven't been plugged, they're still leaking greenhouse gases and other chemicals into the atmosphere and into the land around them. W…

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905. Andy & DJ CTI: Federal Judge Blocks Trump's Birthright Citizenship Ban, Grok Added To Tesla Cars & Brigitte Macron Accusers Cleared Of Defamation 1:46:50

3d ago1:46:50

1:46:50

On today's episode, Andy & DJ discuss the Federal judge who blocked Trump's birthright citizenship ban for all infants, Elon Musk saying AI chatbot Grok will be added to Tesla cars by next week, and the Women who claimed Brigitte Macron was born a man being cleared of defamation.

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A harrowing journey to find food in Gaza 10:31

4d ago10:31

10:31

Israel bans international journalists from independent access to Gaza. But NPR's Anas Baba is from Gaza, and in the 21 months he has been reporting on the war, he's also been living it. Over the course of the war, he has lost a third of his body weight, and until his food supplies ran out several weeks ago, he was getting by on just one small meal …

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Songcraft Classic: MIKE STOLLER ("Hound Dog") 1:31:39

4d ago1:31:39

1:31:39

We're celebrating our 10th anniversary all year by digging in the vaults to re-present classic episodes with fresh commentary. Today, we're revisiting our 2016 conversation with Mike Stoller. ABOUT MIKE STOLLER Mike Stoller has written more than 60 songs that have appeared on the Billboard charts, including the #1 hits “Hound Dog,” “Kansas City,” “…

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After devastating floods a Central Texas community comes together 10:53

5d ago10:53

10:53

It's been nearly a week since devastating flooding tore through Kerr County, Texas killing more than a hundred people. Now, after unimaginable tragedy, residents are coming together to help each other move forward. NPR's Juana Summers and producers Erika Ryan and Tyler Bartlam visited the City West Church, which has transformed from a house of wors…

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Jared's Posting MELTDOWN Continues - Shanny DEMANDS Apology - Sturgis vs Detractors | 1515 5:32:54

5d ago5:32:54

5:32:54

By Drunken Peasants

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The U.S. birth rate is falling fast. Why? It's complicated 10:12

6d ago10:12

10:12

The total fertility rate is a small number with big consequences. It measures how many babies, on average, each woman will have over her lifetime. And for a population to remain stable - flat, no growth, no decline - women, on average, have to have 2.1 kids. In the U.S., that number is 1.6, and dropping. It's driving a new political debate about wh…

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904. Andy & DJ CTI: Massive Search For Survivors After Deadly Texas Floods, Epstein Didn't Have A 'Client List' & Nelly Purchases National Thoroughbred Team 1:42:13

6d ago1:42:13

1:42:13

On today's episode, Andy & DJ discuss the massive search for survivors after the deadly Texas floods with more rain coming, the DOJ and FBI saying that Jeffrey Epstein didn't have a 'client list', and rapper Nelly purchasing a National Thoroughbred team and moving them to St. Louis.

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We're Doing The Wiz 4 - Pass the Squeeze 40:12

6d ago40:12

40:12

It's opening night. Will PVPA pull it off? And almost 20 years later, the cast reflects on the impact doing The Wiz had on their lives. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choicesBy Radiotopia

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Flooding is common in Texas Hill Country. This was different 11:23

7d ago11:23

11:23

Imagine standing in water shallow enough to just barely hit the soles of your feet. And then it rises so fast that in just about ten minutes, it's up to your neck. That's how fast the Guadalupe River in Texas rose last week, according to state officials. Twenty-six feet in less than an hour. That flooding left dozens dead, devastated homes and busi…

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Rev's Tweaker Karaoke - Brett Keane's INSANE Ramblings - Jeff Holiday & Cousin Matt | 1514 2:56:31

7d ago2:56:31

2:56:31

By Drunken Peasants

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903. Q&AF: Setting Boundaries, Getting Over Guilt & Developing The Skill Of Patience 1:01:34

7d ago1:01:34

1:01:34

On today’s episode, Andy answers live call-in questions on how to set boundaries with other driven people, what are some good ways to let go of guilt from your past, and how to build patience as you push for success.

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Watching Shanny's CRAZY Livestream 2:15:29

8d ago2:15:29

2:15:29

By Drunken Peasants

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When it comes to vaccines, how are pediatricians restoring trust? 12:16

8d ago12:16

12:16

If you're a parent, decisions about vaccines have gotten a lot more confusing recently. Robert F. Kennedy, Jr.'s health department is walking back longstanding recommendations. NPR's Pien Huang speaks with a pediatrician and a vaccine researcher to discuss how the changes may affect public health - and how frontline conversations are going between …

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The songs that define America 13:15

10d ago13:15

13:15

Independence Day means different things to each of us. On this 249th birthday for America, we spend some time looking at different definitions of America by revisiting NPR's 2018 series: American Anthem — which had the simple goal of telling 50 stories about 50 songs that have become galvanizing forces in American culture. For sponsor-free episodes…

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#274 - Dr. Sander van der Linden: Is MISINFORMATION The Next Biological Weapon? 1:04:01

10d ago1:04:01

1:04:01

Professor Sander van der Linden’s fascination with misinformation traces back to his own family’s scars under Nazism, a regime that perfected propaganda so insidious it seeped invisibly into everyday life. In his award-winning book Foolproof, van der Linden argues that misinformation is a psychological virus, spreading through minds the way a biolo…

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The Trump domestic policy megabill is set to become law 9:22

11d ago9:22

9:22

President Trump put essentially his entire domestic agenda in one bill. It would significantly cut clean energy incentives, Medicaid and food assistance programs — and double down on tax cuts, immigration enforcement and national defense. Despite opposition from Democrats, and divides within the Republican Party, it passed through Congress. How did…

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902. Andy & DJ CTI: Sean 'Diddy' Combs Verdict, The One Big Beautiful Bill & Trump To Visit 'Alligator Alcatraz' For Grand Opening 1:48:30

11d ago1:48:30

1:48:30

On today's episode, Andy & DJ discuss the Sean 'Diddy' Combs verdict as the mogul is acquitted on sex trafficking charges and convicted on prostitution counts, the US Senate's final push to pass Trump's spending bill, and Trump set to visit 'Alligator Alcatraz' for the grand opening.

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Saving history one story at a time 10:55

12d ago10:55

10:55

This summer marks 80 years since the end of World War II when Allied forces liberated Nazi-occupied Europe, and also began to discover the horrific scale of the Holocaust. An estimated six million Jews were systematically murdered by the Nazi regime. With the passage of time, there are fewer and fewer survivors who can tell the stories of what they…

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Ep. 259 - NORMAN GREENBAUM ("Spirit in the Sky") 1:10:29

12d ago1:10:29

1:10:29

Norman Greenbaum gave the world "Spirit in the Sky," one of the greatest records ever made. He chats with us about his iconic classic, as well as other musical adventures and misadventures over the last few decades. PART ONE: Paul and Scott chat about Instagram, artist accessibility, and what the heck Norman Greenbaum looks like. PART TWO: Our in-d…

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House Speaker may have to make a lot of promises to get bill to Trump's desk 7:49

13d ago7:49

7:49

The massive tax and spending bill central to President Trump's agenda is one step closer to reality. After weeks of negotiations and 49 consecutive votes that started Monday morning, the senate approved President Trump's signature domestic policy bill around lunch time Tuesday. It now goes back to the House of Representatives where Republican Speak…

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Jared's Brain MELTS - Rev Feeds the Algorithm - T-Bob's Fashion Advice | 1513 3:22:19

13d ago3:22:19

3:22:19

By Drunken Peasants

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901. Championship Mindset Ft. Ryan Hardwick: 24h Le Mans Winner 2:06:30

13d ago2:06:30

2:06:30

On today’s episode, Andy and DJ are joined in the studio by 1st Phorm Elite Athlete Ryan Hardwick, who is best known for his victories at the 24 Hour Le Mans, Rolex 24 at Daytona, and the 12 Hour Sebring. They dive deep into Ryan’s early life and the path that led him to become a professional race car driver, his entrepreneurial journey that parall…

1
We're Doing The Wiz 3 - You Don’t Hit White Girls 34:30

13d ago34:30

34:30

Rehearsals are in full swing. But while most students are focused on their songs and dance steps, a tense backstage drama threatens the entire production. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choicesBy Radiotopia

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Why a GOP senator says the budget bill breaks Trump's promise 8:05

14d ago8:05

8:05

The massive budget bill that Senate Republicans are debating pays for some of its tax cuts by slashing hundreds of billions of dollars in Medicaid spending. The latest report from the non-partisan Congressional Budget Office estimates nearly 12 million people will lose health insurance if the Senate version of the bill becomes law. Trump insists th…

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900. Q&AF: Handling Major Setbacks, Finding Your Mission & Workplace Troubleshooting 55:20

14d ago55:20

55:20

On today’s episode, Andy answers live call-in questions on how to keep your momentum going when you face a major setback in life, what’s the best way to find your mission when you hit a ceiling in your profession, and handling a tough call at work when your team cuts corners and things go wrong.

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What this term says about where the Supreme Court is headed 11:26

15d ago11:26

11:26

A number of Supreme Court decisions handed down this term have expanded the power of the president while limiting the power of the courts. How has this term changed the relationship of the judicial and the executive branches? NPR's Scott Detrow speaks with Greg Stohr from Bloomberg about what we've learned about the makeup and direction of the cour…

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Iran's nuclear sites got bombed. North Korea? It's another story 13:04

16d ago13:04

13:04

Although President Trump launched air strikes against Iran's nuclear facilities, the administration has chosen a different path when dealing with Kim Jong Un, the leader of nuclear-armed North Korea. For our Reporter's Notebook series, host Scott Detrow speaks with NPR correspondent Anthony Kuhn about covering Trump and Kim's past negotiations and …

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The Supreme Court just lifted a key check on presidential power 10:56

17d ago10:56

10:56

Three different federal judges have issued nationwide blocks to President Trump's executive order to deny U.S. citizenship to some babies born to immigrants in the U.S. These court orders are called universal injunctions. But when the case reached the Supreme Court, the administration didn't focus on the constitutional right to birthright citizensh…

1
Reacting to the Latest Joe Rogan Bernie Sanders Interview 2:02:37

17d ago2:02:37

2:02:37

By Drunken Peasants

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899. Andy, Eli Wehbe & DJ CTI: Liver King Freed After Threatening Joe Rogan, NYC Mayor Adams Announces Re-Election Bid After Mamdani Wins Dem Primary, & Caitlin Clark May Be Finished 1:44:07

17d ago1:44:07

1:44:07

On today's episode, Andy and DJ are joined in the studio by ultra-endurance athlete and author Eli Wehbe. They discuss the Liver King being freed after threatening Joe Rogan, NYC Mayor Eric Adams announcing his re-election bid following Mamdani’s win in the Democratic primary, and whether Caitlin Clark may be finished after enduring a year and a ha…

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Autism rates have exploded. Could the definition be partly to blame? 8:13

18d ago8:13

8:13

Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. has spent years spreading doubt about the safety of vaccines and linking them to autism. Dozens of studies have debunked the theory, but it has nevertheless persisted for years. Part of the reason why may be that autism diagnoses have soared over the last few decades. Dr. Allen Frances i…

1
Shanny is Melting - More Manatee 2:09:44

19d ago2:09:44

2:09:44

By Drunken Peasants

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We're not built for this heat 12:16

19d ago12:16

12:16

Tens of millions of people across the US are currently under a heat advisory. And the extreme heat isn't just affecting people. You may have seen videos online of the heat causing asphalt roads to buckle. It is impacting rail travel too. Amtrak has been running some trains more slowly, as have the public transit systems of Washington and Philadelph…

1
Little Simz - Free 26:45

19d ago26:45

26:45

Little Simz is a rapper from England who put out her first album in 2015. She’s won the Mercury Prize, a Brit Award, and three MOBO awards. She also starred in the Netflix series Top Boy. Her most recent album is called Lotus. It came out in June 2025, and it followed a pretty tumultuous time in her career. For this episode, I got to talk to Little…

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898. Andy & DJ CTI: Trump Lashes Out At Israel And Iran Amid Ceasefire Violations, NYC Mayoral Results May Take Time & Jury Orders Man To Pay $500K For Assualting Police Offer 1:37:02

19d ago1:37:02

1:37:02

On today's episode, Andy & DJ discuss President Donald Trump lashing out at Israel and Iran amid their ceasefire agreement, why the NYC Mayoral results may take time, and a jury ordered a man to pay $500k for assulting a police offier who killed himself after the captiol riot.

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Songcraft Classic: ANI DIFRANCO ("32 Flavors") 1:30:32

20d ago1:30:32

1:30:32

We're celebrating our 10th anniversary all year by digging in the vaults to re-present classic episodes with fresh commentary. Today, we're revisiting our 2021 conversation with Ani DiFranco. ABOUT ANI DIFRANCO Singer, songwriter, musician, producer, poet, author, spoken-word artist, activist and entrepreneur Ani DiFranco has released more than 20 …

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Medical views on self-managed abortion shifting since overturn of Roe 10:56

20d ago10:56

10:56

Three years ago, the Supreme Court ended the constitutional right to an abortion in the United States. As the legal landscape shifted, the medical landscape of reproductive care was faced with a serious question. Where would people turn for abortions? Abby Wendle, from NPR's Embedded podcast team, has been reporting on self-managed abortions, and h…