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Artwork for Empire City: The Untold Origin Story of the NYPD

Empire City: The Untold Origin Story of the NYPD

Wondery | Crooked Media
Fraud
Blood Vines
Public Housing
Murder
New York City
NYPD
Crime Scene
Corruption
Housing Rights
NYCHA
Affordable Housing
Megan Stoner
True Crime
Federal Investigators
White Zinfandel
Wine Scams
California Wine Industry
Licciardi Family
Earthquake
Eric Adams

The police tell us they are here to protect us. But what if their original purpose was something else altogether? Peabody Award-winning host Chenjerai Kumanyika takes listeners on a journey to uncover the hidden history of the largest police force in the world – from its roots in slavery, to rival police gangs battling across the city, to everyday people who resisted every step of the way. As our ... more

PublishesMonthlyEpisodes14Founded2 years ago
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History

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Artwork for Empire City: The Untold Origin Story of the NYPD

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Recent Guests

Fanta Kaba
A resident reporter investigating LGBTQ housing issues
Episode: Listen Now - Code Switch: What happens when public housing goes private?
James Rodriguez
Professor at City University of New York specializing in public housing and gentrification
City University of New York
Episode: Listen Now - Code Switch: What happens when public housing goes private?
Sanji Lopez
Resident of Batanzas Houses in the Bronx affected by public housing privatization
Episode: Listen Now - Code Switch: What happens when public housing goes private?
Brenda Temple
Resident observing changes in her housing development post-privatization
Episode: Listen Now - Code Switch: What happens when public housing goes private?
John Teufel
Attorney and former police misconduct investigator in New York
Episode: Bonus Episode: The Fall of Eric Adams

Reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars from 841 ratings
  • Outstanding work

    I found this show after hearing Conscious Lee interview Chenjerai Kumanyika on Black History for Real. I just finished binging all 8 episodes. I’m going to include Empire City as “recommended listening” for a graduate course on Social Justice and Health Care Ethics I teach at a university school of nursing.

    Thank you especially for honoring the names of the fallen, including Marsha P. Johnson and Sylvia Rivera.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Lisel P.
    United States3 months ago
  • Only true crime in which I'm interested are the crimes of the pigs and us government

    Podcast Addict
    1
    JosendheLP
    4 months ago
  • Mr

    An amazingly revelatory story told by a truly impressive voice. Some things you already understand in general but the presentation of details and contexts can illuminate in ways that make the familiar feel foreign. Kudos to Chenjerai for bringing this history home!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Bunny Lacour
    United States8 months ago
  • So informative

    I really loved the dried on the history of the NYPD. It was a great look at a perspective that isn’t talked about enough.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Masterson031
    United States10 months ago
  • Look Back to Understand Now

    There’s synchronicity involved with this podcast and it’s information. It is so timely. It’s uncanny how much the moment of now matches up with the times of Tammany Hall infamy. Boss Tweed has been reincarnated as Trump and there are so many other ways in which our time is replaying ghosts of our past.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Hagstoz
    United States10 months ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Feedback often points to the high-quality production and the insightful nature of conversations prompted by the content.
Many appreciate the show's ability to connect past events with present-day issues, making it a crucial listen for anyone interested in social justice.
Some viewers express gratitude for shedding light on lesser-known aspects of the NYPD's origins, which they feel are essential for understanding current societal issues.
Listeners praise the engaging storytelling and deep historical insights, highlighting its relevance to contemporary discussions about policing.

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Listen Now - Code Switch: What happens when public housing goes private?
Q: What does NYCHA mean to you?
It's stability and community, providing a sense of security for residents.
Listen Now - Code Switch: What happens when public housing goes private?
Q: What happens when public housing goes private?
A whole lot of the poorest residents of America's biggest city, who are almost all people of color, are about to find out.

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Frequently Asked Questions About This Podcast

What is This Podcast about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A thought-provoking exploration of the origins and evolution of the NYPD highlights the complexities surrounding modern policing. Through engaging storytelling, the narrative uncovers the police force's historical roots in slavery, the tensions between rival police factions, and the resistance from everyday citizens. Listeners are taken on a journey that not only provides historical context but also reflects on contemporary issues and debates related to law enforcement, making it relevant for those concerned about justice and societal reforms. The unique angle of connecting past events with present concerns sets this series apart, appealing to those interested in both history and current social issues.

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These podcasts share a similar audience with this podcast:

1. This American Life
2. Reveal
3. Throughline
4. Embedded
5. The Daily

How many episodes of this podcast are there?

this podcast launched 2 years ago and published 14 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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Recent guests on this podcast include:

1. Fanta Kaba
2. James Rodriguez
3. Sanji Lopez
4. Brenda Temple
5. John Teufel

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