Intercepted with Jeremy Scahill

Intercepted with Jeremy Scahill is a weekly investigative news podcast produced by the digital media outlet The Intercept. Hosted by the outlet's co-founder and renowned investigative journalist Jeremy Scahill, the program provides in-depth analysis and reporting on U.S. foreign policy, surveillance, militarism, corporate power, and social justice movements. Launched in early 2017, the podcast serves as an audio extension of The Intercept's mission to hold powerful institutions accountable through adversarial journalism.

Overview

The podcast was established as an audio companion to the work of The Intercept, the investigative news organization co-founded by Scahill, Laura Poitras, and Glenn Greenwald following their pivotal reporting on the National Security Agency (NSA) documents provided by whistleblower Edward Snowden. *Intercepted* builds upon this legacy, focusing on the intersection of war, politics, and power while often featuring long-form interviews with journalists, activists, and experts. It is explicitly positioned as a counter-narrative to mainstream corporate media and frequently critiques the military-industrial complex, the Democratic Party and Republican Party establishments, and the conduct of institutions like the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) and the Pentagon.

Host and format

Jeremy Scahill, the host and guiding voice of the podcast, is a Pritzker Military Library Literary Award-winning author known for his books Blackwater: The Rise of the World's Most Powerful Mercenary Army and Dirty Wars: The World is a Battlefield. His reporting career includes extensive work for Democracy Now! and as a national security correspondent for The Nation. The format typically consists of a monologue from Scahill setting the context for the week's theme, followed by a deep-dive interview or a curated panel discussion. Guests have included notable figures like philosopher Cornel West, journalist Anand Gopal, and Democratic Socialists of America organizer Megan Day.

Notable episodes and coverage

The podcast has produced numerous episodes that have sparked significant discussion, often focusing on underreported conflicts and U.S. intervention. Early notable coverage included detailed analysis of the Trump administration's foreign policy, particularly regarding Yemen and the war in Afghanistan. It provided extensive reporting on the murder of Jamal Khashoggi and the Saudi Arabian-led intervention in Yemen. The show has also dedicated series to topics like the history of the CIA, the 2019 coup in Bolivia, and the 2020 uprising following the police killing of George Floyd. During the COVID-19 pandemic, it critically examined the responses of governments and the profiteering of pharmaceutical companies.

Reception and impact

*Intercepted* has been critically acclaimed, winning awards such as the iHeartRadio Podcast Award for Best News Podcast. It is frequently cited by other left-wing media outlets and has developed a dedicated audience that values its uncompromising, critical perspective. The podcast's impact is noted in its ability to bring nuanced, investigative contexts to current events, influencing discourse within progressive and anti-war circles. Some criticism has come from more centrist or neoconservative commentators who dispute its interpretations of U.S. policy and alliances, such as with Israel.

Production and distribution

The podcast is produced in-house by the audio team at The Intercept, with senior producers like Shawna Thomas and José Olivares often contributing to its editorial direction. It is recorded in New York City and distributed freely via major podcasting platforms including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Stitcher. The production is supported through the funding model of The Intercept, which relies on donations from members and the backing of its parent organization, First Look Media, the nonprofit media enterprise founded by eBay creator Pierre Omidyar.

Category:2017 podcast debuts Category:American political podcasts Category:The Intercept