Broken

A podcast deconstructing the systems that shape American life.

Recent Episodes

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Episode 47Apr 28, 2026

The Myth of the Meritocracy

with Dr. Sarah Chen

We examine how the promise of upward mobility became a tool for maintaining inequality, and what it would take to build a system that actually rewards talent and effort.

Episode 46Apr 14, 2026

Who Owns the Internet?

with Marcus Webb

A deep dive into the infrastructure that powers our digital lives — from undersea cables to content moderation — and the corporations quietly shaping what we see and say online.

Episode 45Mar 31, 2026

The Housing Trap

with Elena Rodriguez

How American housing policy created a system where shelter became speculation, and why neither party seems willing to fix it.

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About the Show

Broken Media is a weekly podcast that examines the institutions, policies, and ideas that define modern America. Through long-form conversations with journalists, scholars, and practitioners, we dig beneath the headlines to understand how power actually works.

From healthcare to housing, education to elections — we believe that understanding the systems around us is the first step toward changing them. No hot takes. No partisan talking points. Just careful analysis and genuine inquiry.

New episodes every Monday. Available wherever you get your podcasts.