Best humanrights Podcasts (2026)

1
A Shocking U.S. Attack and "a Transition Without a Transition" in Venezuela 45:29

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3h ago45:29

45:29

After midnight on January 3, 2026, the Trump administration bombed Venezuelan military sites and extracted the country's authoritarian leader, Nicolás Maduro. President Trump declared that the United States is now "running" Venezuela and emphasized access to its oil reserves. The rest of Maduro's government—the key political figures, the generals, …

1
Tal Becker on The Emerging "Judeo-Muslim Civilization" and What It Means for the Middle East 35:23

13d ago35:23

35:23

Are we in a 'plastic moment,' an inflection point where the future of the Middle East can finally be reshaped? Veteran peace negotiator Dr. Tal Becker joins the podcast to analyze the shifting tides of regional diplomacy. Reflecting on his recent discussions in Abu Dhabi, Becker describes the Abraham Accords as an emerging "Judeo-Muslim civilizatio…

1
Blaise Reacts to Gov. Hochul Signing Medical Aid in Dying Act 11:54

19d ago11:54

11:54

Yesterday, NY Gov. Kathy Hochul said she would sign the Medical Aid in Dying Act. The legislation would allow people with six months or less to live to be prescribed a cocktail of drugs to end their suffering. Blaise shares his reaction, along with how his opinion has changed over the years. What do you think? Share your thoughts with Blaise! If yo…

1
You Actually Can Protect People from Crime Without Destroying Democracy 59:01

20d ago59:01

59:01

This is a variation of a talk that I give a few times per year. (It's usually shorter.) I haven't written it up as a publication yet. The gist: it's perfectly possible to protect people from crime without locking up 3 percent of a country's male population, blowing up civilian boats on the high seas, and dismantling democracy. Long experience in La…

1
AJC's Asia Pacific Institute on How Australia's Government Ignored the Warning Signs Before Bondi 15:27

21d ago15:27

15:27

Once considered a haven for Jews, Australia is reeling after a deadly Hanukkah terror attack at Bondi Beach left 15 dead—the tragic outcome of skyrocketing hate. AJC Asia Pacific Institute Associate Director Hana Rudolph joins the podcast to unpack the crisis, revealing that despite over 2,000 antisemitic incidents in the year following October 7, …

1
Sheltering in Place in Sydney: What AJC's Moshe Lencer Witnessed at Bondi Beach the Day After an Antisemitic Massacre 20:35

21d ago20:35

20:35

AJC Director of Campus Affairs Moshe Lencer was on his first visit to Australia when the unimaginable happened. Hours after he enjoyed the sun at Sydney's Bondi Beach, it became the site of an antisemitic terrorist attack, leaving 15 people, including a child and a Holocaust survivor, dead. Moshe recounts attending a student leadership shabbaton, i…

1
U.S.-Mexico Border Update: December 12, 2025 26:16

24d ago26:16

26:16

I'm trying something new here: a full-length video version of this week's U.S.-Mexico Border Update. This week's WOLA Border Update covers developments in the military's growing role at the U.S.-Mexico border, reports of deteriorating and inhuman conditions at ICE detention facilities, and updates from Mexico.…

1
The Producer of Pulp Fiction on His New 10/7 Docu-series Red Alert on Paramount+ 31:13

25d ago31:13

31:13

Join host Manya Brachear Pashman for a powerful conversation about Red Alert, the Critics Choice Award-nominated Paramount+ docu-series that confronts the October 7 Hamas massacre with unflinching honesty. Producer Lawrence Bender (Pulp Fiction, Good Will Hunting) shares why this project couldn't wait—launched in real time to push back against deni…

1
Erasing Jewish History: Why What Happened in Ireland Should Alarm All Jews 18:26

1M ago18:26

18:26

When Dublin officials moved to strip the name of Chaim Herzog—Israel's Irish-born sixth president—from a community park, it wasn't just a local dispute. It was an act of erasure. In this emotional episode, Dr. Alexandra Herzog, AJC's Director of the William Petschek Global Jewish Communities Department, explains why this attempt to rewrite history …

1
Announcing Democracy&: A New Podcast From The Washington Office on Latin America 1:05

1M ago1:05

1:05

In this series from the Washington Office on Latin America (WOLA), prominent decision-makers from across the Americas—those who have been at the heart of democratic governance—share personal reflections and insights on the meaning, challenges, and future of democracy in the region. In each episode, members of the WOLA team sit down with a current o…

1
Architects of Peace: Episode 6 - Building What's Next 33:59

1M ago33:59

33:59

Five years after the signing of the Abraham Accords, the Middle East looks very different—defined by both extraordinary cooperation and unprecedented challenges. In this episode, we unpack how Israel's defensive war on seven fronts affected regional partnerships, why Abraham Accords nations have stood by the Jewish state, and what expanded normaliz…

1
Vital Voices Live with Sanna Marin 35:12

1M ago35:12

35:12

In this inspiring episode of Vital Voices Live, we sit down with Sanna Marin, former Prime Minister of Finland and a global advocate for democratic resilience, gender equality, and compassionate leadership. Marin reflects on her historic rise to national leadership, the complexities of governing through crisis, and the values that continue to guide…

1
Why is there less migration at the U.S.-Mexico border? 32:04

1M ago32:04

32:04

This is audio accompanying [a video presentation](https://youtu.be/0v7akdHu40A) that walks through what the data tells us is happening at the U.S.-Mexico border, why so few people are migrating amid Trump's crackdown, and whether numbers are likely to stay low. "Keeping people from migrating by withdrawing rights and instilling terror" is not a pol…

1
Zohran Mamdani and the 2025 Elections: What It Means for Jewish Communities 19:00

2M ago19:00

19:00

From New York to California, the 2025 elections carry important implications for the Jewish community. AJC New York Director Josh Kramer addresses concerns over New York City mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani, who has questioned Israel's right to exist as a Jewish state and accused it of genocide. Kramer highlights fears over rising antisemitism in New Yo…

1
Vital Voices Live with "The Cool Girls" Laura Brown, Kristina O'Neill and Special Guest Tarana Burke 46:20

2M ago46:20

46:20

In this special edition of Vital Voices Live, host Norah O’Donnell sits down with editors-turned-authors Laura Brown and Kristina O’Neill to celebrate the launch of their new book All the Cool Girls Get Fired: How to Let Go of Being Let Go and Come Back on Top. Together, they unpack their own career turns—from top-tier magazine leadership to the mo…

1
Amid Blame and Shame, Reclaiming Jewish Identity with Sarah Hurwitz 26:38

2M ago26:38

26:38

"To me, that ark is: engaging deeply with our traditions. It's reclaiming some of what we lost when we were assimilating and trying to fit in. We have thousands of years of text that have such wisdom about the human condition, about how to be a good person, and lead a worthy life . . . What we can really do is, we can be Jews. And to be a Jew has a…

1
How the War with Hamas Has Impacted the Israeli Economy 29:59

3M ago29:59

29:59

How did the Israeli economy react to the war against Hamas? Hear from a major player on the ground – Dr. Eugene Kandel, former economic adviser and Chairman of the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange, discusses Israel's financial resilience after the war against Hamas. Having made aliyah from the Soviet Union in 1977 with his family, Dr. Kandel covers the stoc…

1
Piercing the Propaganda Bubble in El Salvador 1:09:21

3M ago1:09:21

1:09:21

WOLA presents a new episode about El Salvador, coinciding with our awarding of our 2025 Human Rights Award to MOVIR, El Salvador's Movement of Victims of the Regime, which supports victims and families of arbitrary detentions carried out by President Nayib Bukele's government. In this conversation, Ricardo Valencia, assistant professor of public re…

1
Inside the Advocacy Effort to Bring the Hostages Home 11:15

3M ago11:15

11:15

"Since before he was President, he [Trump] has made it clear that this is a priority, and he has instructed his team to work on this issue day in and day out . . . " More than two years after the October 7 massacre, Hamas has agreed to return the 48 hostages still in Gaza under the U.S.-brokered peace deal. Jessica Bernton, AJC's Director of Congre…

1
The Grim Side of El Salvador's "Security Model" 1:00:49

3M ago1:00:49

1:00:49

A special episode as part of WOLA's 2025 Human Rights Awards Month President Nayib Bukele's government has jailed nearly 2 percent of El Salvador's entire population—the highest incarceration rate in the world. Still, because violence has dropped sharply, political figures across Latin America speak about emulating Bukele's "security model." But be…

1
Vital Voices Live with Ashley Judd and Jaha Dukureh 47:55

3M ago47:55

47:55

1
Architects of Peace: Episode 5 - Accords of Tomorrow 33:47

3M ago33:47

33:47

On the sidelines of the UN General Assembly, AJC hosted a conversation with Jason Greenblatt, a key architect of the Abraham Accords, and former U.S. Ambassador to Israel Dan Shapiro. They discussed the challenges threatening regional stability, from unilateral moves on Palestinian statehood to political pressures within Israel, and underscored wha…

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Architects of Peace: Episode 4 - Partners of Peace 31:56

4M ago31:56

31:56

Tune into the fourth installment of AJC's latest limited podcast series, Architects of Peace. Go behind the scenes of the decades-long diplomacy and quiet negotiations that made the Abraham Accords possible, bringing Israel, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, and later Morocco, together in historic peace agreements. From cockpits to kitchens to con…

1
U.S. drug policy takes a "radical" and "chilling" turn. Is Venezuela in the crosshairs? 59:06

4M ago59:06

59:06

Since late August, the Trump administration has sent a flotilla of U.S. warships to the southern Caribbean, in the largest naval display in the region in decades. On September 2, a U.S. drone strike sank a small boat near the Venezuelan coast, killing as many as eleven civilians. Administration officials allege the vessel carried cocaine, but have …

1
Architects of Peace: Episode 3 - From the White House Lawn 22:27

4M ago22:27

22:27

Dive into the third episode of AJC's latest limited podcast series, Architects of Peace. Go behind the scenes of the decades-long diplomacy and quiet negotiations that made the Abraham Accords possible, bringing Israel, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, and later Morocco, together in historic peace agreements. On September 15, 2020, the Abraham Ac…

1
Vital Voices Live with Secretary Hillary Clinton 55:14

4M ago55:14

55:14

In this powerful episode of Vital Voices LIVE, Secretary Hillary Rodham Clinton joins Vital Voices CEO Alyse Nelson for a candid and wide-ranging conversation about the defining issues of our time. Together, they examine the rise of authoritarianism, the impact of toxic masculinity, and the global epidemic of violence against women—while underscori…

1
The New Age of Sexism: Laura Bates & Gary Barker in Conversation with Alyse Nelson 26:04

4M ago26:04

26:04

Did you know that 96% of all deepfakes are non-consensual, and 99% of them target women? In this eye-opening episode, Vital Voices President & CEO Alyse Nelson sits down with Laura Bates, bestselling author of Men Who Hate Women and the brand-new release The New Age of Sexism, alongside Dr. Gary Barker, founder and CEO of Equimundo. Together, they …

1
Architects of Peace: Episode 2 - Behind the Breakthrough 22:20

4M ago22:20

22:20

Tune into the second episode of AJC's newest limited podcast series, Architects of Peace. Go behind the scenes of the decades-long diplomacy and quiet negotiations that made the Abraham Accords possible, bringing Israel, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, and later Morocco, together in historic peace agreements. Former U.S. Ambassador to Israel Dav…

1
Architects of Peace: Episode 1 - The Road to the Deal 22:39

4M ago22:39

22:39

Listen to the first episode of AJC's new limited podcast series, Architects of Peace. Go behind the scenes of the decades-long diplomacy and quiet negotiations that made the Abraham Accords possible, bringing Israel, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, and later Morocco, together in historic peace agreements. Jason Isaacson, AJC Chief of Policy and …

1
3 Ways Jewish College Students are Building Strength Amid Hate 35:12

5M ago35:12

35:12

"Our duty as Jewish youth is paving the way for ourselves. Sometimes we may feel alone . . . But the most important thing is for us as youth to pave the way for ourselves, to take action, to speak out. Even if it's hard or difficult." As American Jewish college students head back to their campuses this fall, we talk to three leaders on AJC's Campus…

1
"We Are in the Middle of a New Family Separation Crisis" 1:00:43

5M ago1:00:43

1:00:43

Since January, the United States' migrant detention and deportation system, which was already troubled, has become increasingly opaque. Access to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facilities is restricted, internal oversight agencies have been hollowed out, and credible information about conditions inside is scarce. Yet reports that have em…

1
Vital Voices Live with Shafiqa Khpalwak and Mahal Wak 45:16

5M ago45:16

45:16

On this episode of Vital Voices Live, Shafiqa Khpalwak and Mahal Wak share their powerful stories of evacuating Afghanistan after the Taliban’s takeover of Kabul four years ago-and the urgent realities Afghan women continue to face today. In conversation with Rina Amiri, U.S. Special Envoy for Afghan Women, Girls, and Human Rights, they reflect on …

1
From the Amazon to Academia: Antisemitism, Zionism, and Indigenous Identity 32:31

5M ago32:31

32:31

As the school year kicks off, Adam Louis-Klein shares his unexpected journey from researching the Desano tribe in the Amazon to confronting rising antisemitism in academic circles after October 7. He discusses his academic work, which explores the parallels between indigenous identity and Jewish peoplehood, and unpacks the politics of historical na…

1
"Somebody wanted me in prison…" Paul Chambers and Tyrell Haberkorn on laws silencing scholars in Thailand 37:08

5M ago37:08

37:08

Dr. Tyrell Haberkorn and Dr. Paul Chambers join Free to Think to discuss the use of Thailand's lèse-majesté law to intimidate and silence scholars. After three decades living and working in Thailand, Professor Paul Chambers was arrested in April 2025 and charged under Article 112 of the Thai Criminal Code with lèse-majesté, or insulting the monarch…

1
War and Poetry: Owen Lewis on Being a Jewish Poet in a Time of Crisis 32:49

5M ago32:49

32:49

"The Jewish voice must be heard, not because it's more right or less right, but it's there. The suffering is there, the grief is there, and human grief is human grief." As Jews around the world mark Tisha B'Av, we're joined by Columbia University professor and award-winning poet Owen Lewis, whose new collection, "A Prayer of Six Wings," offers a po…

1
S4E2 - Happy Birthday ADA 20:31

6M ago20:31

20:31

Happy 35th birthday to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Check out my take on an ADA event I attended last week, some federal news impacting people with disabilities, and some disheartening news in New York. I also acknowledge where progress has been made and what we need to do to protect and strengthen our rights. Make sure to subscribe w…

1
An Orange Tie and A Grieving Crowd: Comedian Yohay Sponder on Jewish Resilience 22:04

6M ago22:04

22:04

What do you do when you're an Israeli comedian set to perform in Paris on the very day the world learns the fate of the Bibas family? Yohay Sponder faced that moment in February 2025—and chose to take the stage. Wearing an orange tie in their honor, he brought laughter to a grieving crowd. Since October 7th, he has used comedy to carry pain, affirm…

1
Vital Voices Live with Andrea Mitchell and Ambassador Linda Thomas Greenfield 47:20

6M ago47:20

47:20

In this special episode of Vital Voices Live, veteran journalist Andrea Mitchell sits down with U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Linda Thomas-Greenfield for a powerful conversation on global leadership, diplomacy, and the role of women driving change on the world stage. From her early days in Louisiana to representing the United States at the …

1
From Broadway to Jewish Advocacy: Jonah Platt on Identity, Antisemitism, and Israel 30:42

6M ago30:42

30:42

Being Jewish podcast host Jonah Platt—best known for playing Fiyero in Broadway's Wicked—joins People of the Pod to discuss his journey into Jewish advocacy after October 7. He reflects on his Jewish upbringing, challenges media misrepresentations of Israel, and shares how his podcast fosters inclusive and honest conversations about Jewish identity…

1
Subverting America From Within: How CCP Is Manipulating US Media and Legal System to Target Its Critics 18:34

6M ago18:34

18:34

The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) is deploying a robust campaign to manipulate American society, media, and government, trying to turn U.S. institutions against CCP critics and even fellow Americans. For decades, the CCP has systematically infiltrated our political systems, businesses, and institutions to subvert America from within. The CCP's alar…

1
NTD Exclusive: US Secretary of Veterans Affairs Doug Collins Sits Down With Steve Lance 18:51

6M ago18:51

18:51

In an NTD Exclusive, Steve Lance sits down with U.S. Secretary of Veterans Affairs, Doug Collins. They talk about leading the department through faith and compassion, cutting wait-times for veterans, and the historic parade in Washington celebrating the Army's 250th Anniversary. 💛Support us: https://donorbox.org/ntd 🧶Shop: https://www.ntdgiftshop.c…

1
Trump Meets Texas Flood Victims, Surveys Damage; PBS, NPR Face Funding Uncertainty 55:08

6M ago55:08

55:08

President Donald Trump is in Texas, surveying the damage from last week's deadly flooding. Officials say the flood and resulting tragedies are unprecedented. As the Senate grapples with the nearly $10 billion in spending cuts, some from rural districts are pushing to save PBS and NPR. We dive in with Rep. Burgess Owens (R-Utah). It's been a big wee…

1
Rubio: 'High Probability' Trump & Xi Will Meet This Year 21:08

6M ago21:08

21:08

Could a summit between President Donald Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping be on the horizon? Secretary of State Marco Rubio says it's a "high probability." It follows Rubio's meeting with China's top diplomat—details on that, coming up. The Trump administration is working to ban ownership of U.S. farmland by Chinese nationals. But that's just one…

1
Sexual Violence as a Weapon of War: The Dinah Project's Quest to Hold Hamas Accountable 23:48

6M ago23:48

23:48

"In so many cases, as is the case of October 7, there are no direct victims who are able to speak – for the very grim reason that Hamas made sure to kill almost each and every one of them. The very few that did survive are too traumatized to speak . . . " Shortly after the October 7 Hamas terror attacks on Israel, witness accounts emerged of women …

1
Leaked Trump Audio: U.S. Warns of Bombing Russia, China Over Ukraine, Taiwan 23:10

6M ago23:10

23:10

Newly released audio from last year has President Trump saying he would bomb Russia if it invaded Ukraine. He gave a similar warning to China over Taiwan. President Trump: "With Putin I said, 'If you go into Ukraine, I'm going to bomb the s*** out of Moscow. I'm telling you I have no choice.' So he goes like, 'I don't believe you.'" A prominent law…

1
US Nat'l Security Crimes: 9 Chinese Nat'ls Arrested, Charged, or Pled Guilty in One Day 23:18

6M ago23:18

23:18

In one day, nine Chinese nationals were arrested, charged, or pleaded guilty in cases tied to U.S. national security. One of them, a Chinese hacker caught in Italy, is accused of stealing critical U.S. COVID-19 research during the pandemic. We have the details on the investigation. Steve Yates, senior fellow of national security policy at the Herit…

1
Journalist Matti Friedman Exposes Media Bias Against Israel 31:52

6M ago31:52

31:52

How has the media distorted Israel's response to the October 7 Hamas attacks? In this powerful conversation from AJC Global Forum 2025, award-winning journalist and former AP correspondent Matti Friedman breaks down the media bias, misinformation, and double standards shaping global coverage of Israel. Moderated by AJC Chief Communications and Stra…

1
Vital Voices Live with Ashlyn Harris 41:18

6M ago41:18

41:18

On this episode of Vital Voices LIVE, two powerhouse voices take the stage: Ashlyn Harris and Brittany Packnett Cunningham. Ashlyn — two-time World Cup champion, advocate, and mom — gets candid about life after soccer, embracing imperfection, and what it means to lead with authenticity as a queer woman. Brittany brings her signature brilliance, gui…

1
"Simultaneously juggling nine processes at once": Colombia's "Total Peace" plan and mounting security challenges 1:01:14

6M ago1:01:14

1:01:14

Nearly three years into President Gustavo Petro's term, his flagship "Total Peace" initiative is faltering. On this episode of the WOLA Podcast, Gimena Sánchez-Garzoli, WOLA's Director for the Andes, provides a sweeping overview of Colombia's peace and security reality.

1
Vital Voices Live with Tourmaline 29:49

6M ago29:49

29:49

To kick off Global Pride Month in DC, Vital Voices Live welcomed the brilliant Tourmaline for a powerful conversation honoring the legacy of Marsha P. Johnson — the trailblazing Black trans icon who helped shape the LGBTQ+ movement. Tourmaline — filmmaker, activist, and author of the new biography Marsha — joined host Sharita Gruberg, Vice Presiden…

Humanrights Podcasts