Reveal
The Center for Investigative Reporting and PRX
SummaryReveal is an essential destination for anyone who believes that understanding the truth is the first step toward a more just society. Hosted by Al Letson, this investigative podcast goes far beyond the headlines to pull back the curtain on the institutions, power structures, and historical narratives that define the American experience. Whether examining the Supreme Court’s opaque shadow docket, the commercialization of global sports, or the systemic biases that allowed the early AIDS epidemic to devastate marginalized communities, the show consistently digs into the "why" behind the news. What makes Reveal stand out is its commitment to pairing high-level analytical rigor with deeply human storytelling. Each episode functions as a deep dive, bringing in historians, activists, scientists, and investigative journalists to dismantle complex topics into accessible, urgent conversations. You will hear about the resilience of Indigenous tribes fighting for sovereignty, the hidden connections between ancient architectural propaganda and modern politics, and the ongoing struggle to confront the nation’s history of racial terror. The show is driven by a singular, persistent curiosity about the state of our democracy. It asks uncomfortable questions about accountability, the erosion of local journalism, and the fragility of our founding promises. If you are looking for a program that treats its listeners as active participants in the search for truth, Reveal provides a thoughtful, provocative, and necessary exploration of the forces shaping our world today.
Updated Jul 8, 2026
Episodes
The Secret Origins of the Supreme Court’s Shadow Docket
The Supreme Court is increasingly bypassing traditional, deliberative legal processes to decide cases via shadow docket.
Why America at 250 Still Cannot Face Slavery
Brian Stevenson explains why America must move beyond performative gestures to truly confront its history of slavery.
Space, “Star Trek,” and Social Justice
Theoretical physicist Dr. Chanda Prescott-Weinstein explores the cosmos, social justice, and sci-fi travel theories.
Has America Lived Up to Its Founding Promise?
Examine the gap between the American founding promise of equality and the lived reality of those historically excluded.
Trump’s Gilded White House Makeover Is All About Power
Trump is using gold-filled aesthetic makeovers and monument projects to signal power and rally his base.
The Beautiful Game Is More Unaffordable Than Ever
Skyrocketing ticket prices and corporate greed are making the World Cup increasingly unaffordable for ordinary fans.
Bryan Stevenson on Confronting America’s Legacy of Slavery
Bryan Stevenson shares how Montgomerys memorial sites confront the painful history of slavery and racial terror.
The Plague in the Shadows
Early AIDS researchers ignored women and marginalized groups, forcing incarcerated activists to fight for their lives.
Heather Cox Richardson on the Real Genius of America
Historian Heather Cox Richardson explains how recognizing the mistakes of our past can help us protect our democracy.
We Get It. You Don’t Trust Us.
As local newspapers vanish and news deserts spread, the collapse of journalism fuels a deep crisis in public trust.
The Revolutionary Roots That Inspired Tupac Shakur
From his mother’s Black Panther roots to his artistic evolution, discover the complex forces that shaped Tupac Shakur.
Fortress Europe: The Fight for Refugees in Greece
Human rights defenders in Greece face criminalization and intimidation for exposing illegal migrant pushbacks at sea.
Why Conservatives Are Trying to Kill the Voting Rights Act
The conservative movement has long sought to dismantle the Voting Rights Act to curb federal power over elections.
Inside America’s Race to Hide the World’s Money
Wealthy Americans are hiding trillions in domestic trusts to dodge taxes and shield assets from public scrutiny.
Iran, the US, and the Making of a New Middle East
Teaching Kids to Read: How One School District Gets It Right
Ibram X. Kendi vs. America’s “Antiracism Backlash”
As the Trump Administration Erases Black History, These Writers Are Keeping It Alive
The Man Who Taught Nonviolence to Martin Luther King Jr.
Taken by ICE
Listen to Reveal with Podtastic
Smart Skip for Reveal
Smart Skip automatically skips past the interruptions listeners skip in Reveal episodes, using aggregated listener data.
Smart Summaries for Reveal
Podtastic generates evolving AI summaries for Reveal and every episode. Know what's worth listening to before you press play.
Smart Topics in Reveal
Podtastic highlights key topics in Reveal episodes so you can jump straight to the sections that interest you most.
Skip Silence for Reveal
Skip Silence auto-removes silences from Reveal episodes — saving you 5–15 minutes per hour.
Enhance Voices for Reveal
Enhance Voices in Reveal episodes — voice-tuned EQ and compression that makes voices clearer and evens out loud and quiet podcasts.
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