We Disrupt This Broadcast uses drama to dissect society

👂 Most people think of entertainment as a way to unwind and escape the pressures of daily life. We Disrupt This Broadcast, however, treats the small screen as one of the most powerful forces shaping political and social consciousness.

What to expect: In episodes running 45-60 minutes, writer and comedian Gabe González and researcher and academic Caty Borum host TV creators, researchers, and experts for deep conversations about the issues that touch everyday life, analyzing how drama shapes public opinion and can, at times, push policy in new directions.

Motherhood and social justice: One episode takes on the mystery-crime series All Her Fault — but rather than stopping at plot or performance, uses it as an entry point into the social pressures facing working mothers and the impossible standard society sets for them. The episode features series creator Megan Gallagher, who discusses her experience using a thriller to expose the culture of blame directed at working mothers in the United States. She is joined by Kristin Rowe-Finkbeiner, CEO of MomsRising, who connects the drama to reality and explores how TV can shift public conversations and build support for more equitable policies for working women.

What we liked: What sets this podcast apart is that it refuses to treat drama as mere entertainment, but rather as a cultural document that reflects social and political change. It offers a different lens for reading TV works by blending academic analysis with accessible language, managing to be substantive without feeling heavy or elitist. It also pushes the listener past plot and character to ask what these shows actually reveal about the world.

Our verdict: If you’re looking for a podcast that goes beyond conventional reviews and uses entertainment as a way into politics, society, and culture, this one belongs on your list.

WHERE TO LISTEN- You can tune in on Apple Podcasts | Spotify.