The Stakes

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The Stakes is a show about social change, hosted by Kai Wright. We live in extreme times—a climate on the verge of crisis, an economy built on inequality and a political system that feels like it’s falling apart. So, how’d we get to this point? And what happens next? From democracy to healthcare, from pop culture to the environment, our reporters are working to understand why we live the way we do—and why it matters. Because if we can better understand the society we‘ve got, maybe we can figure out how to create one that works for more people. The Stakes is produced by WNYC Studios, home of other great podcasts including Radiolab, Death, Sex & Money, On the Media, Nancy and Here’s the Thing with Alec Baldwin.

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Recent Reviews
  • the Omnipotent1
    More, more, more!
    There are more issues, more tangents to follow up on such as the history of the laws limiting and eradicating rent control and public housing units! Too short! Discontinued too soon! Not enough seasons and content! Get back to work!!!
  • Ericka A
    Very Relevant
    I love listening to this podcast. Discussions on a wide variety of issues and subjects. They do a great job interviewing both sides(when available) if a party refuses to be interviewed I don’t feel it fair to blame the podcast or accuse them of bias reporting. I do feel some episodes offer their opinions in their reporting but it’s hardly what I would label as polarizing. They’re doing an amazing efforts to bring social and economic issues to the table and creating a dialog which I feel is always a great thing no matter which side of the table you land on or even if you’re unaware of the some of the issues being discussed it’s a great place start and explore/research on your own. Hope you guys release more episodes soon.
  • ggs256
    Great podcast
    Really interesting breakdown of key issues
  • Suevisa
    Important issues, effectively presented
    This podcast makes me feel COMPELLED to treat issues of race with more dedication.
  • paRtyThyME666
    One of the best
    Truly, the effort that goes into making each of these stories so thorough and so concise must be monumental. I’m thankful for the whole team of this podcast, because they are producing some of the best investigative journalism available right now. I think podcasting has become heavily over-saturated with half-assed attempts at offering “hot takes” on cultural issues, but this podcast rises infinitely above that trend by never shying away from complex, difficult topics and never pulling any punches in their conclusions. Perfect length, great hosting, relevant topics, always insightful. One of my new favorites!
  • JoyceFam5
    Dutch Boy: Start Here!
    Downloaded pod a bit ago and decided to start with the first episode. I knew a bit about the history of lead paint, but was surprised to learn new insights and perspective. Love the length of the pod. Easy listen.
  • Fikqal2
    Depth and coolness
    I really appreciate the subjects and depth of coverage in this podcast. I learn something new every time. Thank you kai
  • RonsterBalmer
    Just when I thought it was getting better...
    The smug groupthink and bias emerged with a vengeance in the climate change episode. The host sure knows his audience. I will still stay subscribed and listen so that I hear all sides on some issues, even if they are opinions passed off as fact.
  • Austin Lolo
    We See into the Hearts of Everyday People
    Doug brings his great love of people and his enthusiasm to these interviews. There are a diversity of guests; the common denominator is their passion in life and how they have discovered it and keep working on it. Doug goes below the surface and asks questions we can relate to in our own lives. The podcast really focuses on what is dear to Doug‘s heart and also to his guests.
  • Caleb Alexander
    Snappy, rhythmic journalism
    Falling in love with this show after the drops on OTM’s feed. Just listened to the personal, playful, historical episode on genderfluidity. Just loving it. Stories are tightly edited, informative, and have a personal touch that is well worth your attention.
  • X13 b45 8
    Spicy Sound Effects
    The goofy music is annoying especially when talking about mind control. Seems to be an attempt to make the dialogue more emotional. A trend of commercial enterprises.
  • Jbaxteracme
    Well-researched. And edited.
    “Persuasion” was teased on my favorite Podcast, “On The Media.” Yes, they’re both WNYC, and yes, they were helping one of theirs. But the first two parts, so far, of this three-part series are well-worth the recommendation. I subscribed to this podcast. You should, too.
  • SheBearMoon
    Personal taste
    This podcast is really hit or miss for me. Sometimes it really resonates and other times I fast forward because the episode just annoys me.
  • merk68
    Behavior modification
    Great game intro on Behavior modification... I have been working in this felid for about 30 years... I forget its not common knowledge
  • Eatspinkcrayons
    Gender Fluid episode
    I wish I was able to get more pushback from the Gender Fluid episode. Listen, most of us who are made up of many cultures do not want to be indentified as just the one you see but we have to check a box. I would love if the person you interviewed was asked about which box was checked and how that makes them feel and how out could be changed.
  • peacefulpanda71
    Great podcast
    I am a dedicated follower of Kai Wright and his excellent reporting!!
  • tripj1972
    Great
    I'm only a couple of episodes and I love podcast already
  • Edgar Bier
    Where’s the stories on the Hispanic struggle
    Cmon now don’t forget about us!
  • mrderekturner
    Brilliant
    Kai Wright is a revelation. This is such an important contribution to our discourse
  • Mrs. Gluten Free
    Therapist recommended
    This show is phenomenal. I recommend the episodes often to my clients & other therapists because they cover a wide range of topics that hit close to home. Especially the giving birth while black episode, is a great episode to listen to to facilitate conversations on race with medical and clinical professionals and how they are responding internally and externally to patients.
  • Ruby CR
    Excellent!
    So happy to hear Kai Wright hosting his own show. I could have listened to another hour of To Be Young, Conscious & Rap. Keep it coming!
  • etalerman
    Culturally informative
    This dive into the issues that shape our culture and lives is told through first hand narratives and compelling human stories. Each episode provides historical context and lays how we got to where we are today. I devour each episode and make each part of our (graduate) classroom discussion.
  • BulletBob777
    Amazing what you don’t know
    The show on a woke pregnancy was a real eye opener. Excellent interviews excellent guests a very well done show.
  • annapatriciaproff
    🌝
    PHEW! Kai is back. What I love about Kai is that he’s able to explain—in detail—how we got to the problems I live through everyday and what could be next. I end up feeling smarter yet somehow lighter afterwards? Great first ep. 🌝
  • seanshepsean
    Insightful!
    Powerful and masterfully told look into our most important issues. Thanks for this incredible show!
  • staceyismoving
    Kai Wright does it again
    Kai Wright continues to bolster his reputation as an award-winning journalist with his latest podcast The Stakes. For the debut episode, he tells the American story of the marketing of paint. It’s a shocking story, full of deliberate and insidious malfeasance, and at under 30 minutes, is a bite of the choices made to create our shared American history.
  • Sailjazz
    The Stakes: well done
    Once again Kai and his excellent team explore a present-day phenomenon that most of us thought had become a thing of the past. This compact and provocative story digs deep and leaves us with concerns about the spaces where people live, corporate behavior, social policy, healthcare, and equality in general. Having attended the Eric Holder interview earlier this week, I am excited to see where "The Stakes" takes us.
  • My ears are open
    All ears
    Such a smart thoughtful important take on why we are still dealing with the legacy of poison on the walls of peoples’ homes. It’s not an accident. Go Kai Wright! Go The Stakes! Let’s change things for the better!
  • awwilder
    Satisfying deep dive
    Finally a new place to hear in depth reporting on issues that don't always stay in the spotlight. I feel like I learned so much beyond the headlines and can actually understand how problems like lead paint affected millions of Americans. The podcast also gives me hope that if problems like this can be created, maybe they can also be fixed.
  • Salvarado4
    😎
    So glad Kai is back with more! Great first episode!!
  • Jim @wnyc
    Stories that matter
    Love host Kai Wright (from There Goes the Neighborhood, The United States of Anxiety, Caught). Love the idea of stories that really matter, about how we got where we are and what we can do about it.
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