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Rough Translation

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How are the things we're talking about being talked about somewhere else in the world? Gregory Warner tells stories that follow familiar conversations into unfamiliar territory. At a time when the world seems small but it's as hard as ever to escape our echo chambers, Rough Translation takes you places.
102 Episodes
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As we head toward a new year, former Rough Translation host Gregory Warner reflects on "goal disengagement" — letting go of past goals, rather than coming up with New Year resolutions. He recommends three of his favorite episodes aligned with this theme for Rough Translation fans and new listeners. Episodes are in the show notes below. And we encourage you to visit our archives with some timeless Rough Translation gems.When Failure is a 4-Letter Word: https://www.npr.org/2019/07/05/738963753/when-failure-is-a-four-letter-wordWar Poems: https://www.npr.org/2018/07/02/625501009/war-poemsAmerican Surrogate: https://www.npr.org/2017/10/17/547332434/american-surrogateDiscover Rough Translation's archive of timeless episodes here: https://www.npr.org/podcasts/510324/rough-translationLearn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy
In this bonus episode of Love Commandos, Gregory Warner interviews musician John Ellis, who composed Rough Translation's original theme music in 2017, and songwriters Amira Gill and VASU, who jointly created the new theme song for Love Commandos. They discuss their musical processes, and how they incorporate stories into their music. Love Commandos will be releasing more bonus episodes like this one over the next few weeks, where the team will continue to take listeners behind the scenes of the show and continue exploring the themes of love and marriage in modern India. To access those episodes, sign up for Embedded+ at plus.npr.org/embedded.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy
Calling It Quits

Calling It Quits

2023-08-2333:361

In Episode 5 of Love Commandos, couples seeking to shut down the Love Commandos' shelter band together for a risky plan. Want to hear bonus episodes of Love Commandos? Sign up for Embedded+ at plus.npr.org/embedded. Subscribe to host Gregory Warner's Rough Transition substack newsletter.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy
Forever Yours

Forever Yours

2023-08-1638:222

On Episode 4 of Love Commandos, couples in the shelter feel pressured to stay indefinitely. We try to figure out why. Want to hear episodes of Love Commandos a week before everyone else? Sign up for Embedded+ at plus.npr.org/embedded. Subscribe to host Gregory Warner's Rough Transition substack newsletter.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy
The Honeymoon

The Honeymoon

2023-08-0935:271

On Episode 3 of Love Commandos, stories of life inside the Love Commandos shelter begin to diverge as co-founder Sanjoy Sachdev shows a different side.Want to hear episodes of Love Commandos a week before everyone else? Sign up for Embedded+ at plus.npr.org/embedded. And subscribe to host Gregory Warner's Rough Transition Substack.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy
After The Wedding

After The Wedding

2023-08-0236:171

On episode 2 of Love Commandos, an inter-caste couple in India hits a breaking point. They make one last-ditch phone call to try to stay together. Want to hear episodes of Love Commandos a week before everyone else? Sign up for Embedded+ at plus.npr.org/embedded. Subscribe to host Gregory Warner's Rough Transition newsletter on Substack.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy
The Vow

The Vow

2023-07-2623:363

When falling in love can mean risking your life, the Love Commandos in India will protect you. But at what cost? This is episode 1 of our series Love Commandos. Want to hear episodes of Love Commandos a week before everyone else? Sign up for Embedded+ at plus.npr.org/embedded. And follow host Gregory Warner on Substack here.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy
They seemed like superheroes. In a country where arranged marriage is the norm, the Love Commandos promise to protect love couples and help them marry. But is this a group of protectors in the way they promise to be?Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy
726 miles in one day. Gas station sushi. Mysterious loading docks. We hit the road with two American women who found long-haul trucking as a means of escape and self-transformation.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy
Nigerian novelist Chibundu Onuzo dreams of returning to Lagos, but she worries she'll struggle to adapt in the city of her birth, where the word "oppressor" is often used as a compliment. In this episode, she seeks advice from her "big boss" older brother.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy
Who are you at work? In this episode, two stories of people who really commit to embodying their work selves. The result? New realms and new personalities.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy
Many of us think we can't share our stories of failure until we've reached success. Some Mexico City entrepreneurs started a club to change that, and the world took notice.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy
When Portugal forbade bosses from contacting employees after hours, international media jumped at the chance to cover the new law. Portuguese workers were oddly quiet. Why?Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy
In 2021, France suspended a law that forbids eating lunch at work. We talk to an American teacher relieved to see it go and a French historian determined to bring it back.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy
A video ricochets across Chinese offices, and a scooter thief becomes an icon for brewing discontent. Why is a thief who says he's tired of working viewed by the Chinese state as such a threat?Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy
We're back @Work. The new season of Rough Translation will tell surprising stories from workplaces and work cultures around the world.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy
Home/Front: Marla's List

Home/Front: Marla's List

2021-07-1052:115

Marla kept a detailed account of Iraqi civilians harmed by war. How did she recruit people in the U.S. military to help them? And what toll did it take on her? Part 2 of the story of Marla Ruzicka. You can find Part 1 here.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy
Home/Front: Marla's War

Home/Front: Marla's War

2021-06-3037:333

Marla Ruzicka didn't belong in a war zone. Nobody in Afghanistan knew what to make of her. Until Marla started to solve a problem that no one thought could be solved.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy
Two worlds: dress uniforms and foosball tables. The military and Silicon Valley used to work hand in hand. Now, why won't big tech build them a new gonculator?Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy
Home/Front: Battle Borne

Home/Front: Battle Borne

2021-06-1642:261

Alicia's situation raises questions about the VA's caregiver program. And a new diagnosis changes everything for Matt. How will Alicia and Matt start healing their respective wounds, borne out of different battles? Find part 2, Battle Lines, here. And part 1, Battle Rattle, here.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy
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Comments (118)

Len Conyers

Who am I to question their "truth"? A Journalist....a TRUTH SEEKER. This one question encompasses All that is wrong with journalism today. As far as the women in Congo who have been raped and brutalized, my heart goes out to you, but there is NO excuse to lie about being raped. Every single case of false reporting, turns one more heart cold to the next time a woman/girl has the guts to tell their actual TRUTH.

Aug 4th
Reply (8)

Len Conyers

I thought the whole point of this show was to draw parallels between these issues in other countries, and those here at home. Are we shying away from the left-wing propagating and instigating hatred between the different cultural groups in this country? Are we not going to draw the parallels between this story and the fact that when I look outside, here at home, the world is normal, but when I watch the "news" the world is ending, and we're all racist bigots?? We're just not going to talk about that huh? Coocoocoocool

Aug 4th
Reply (2)

Len Conyers

I'm really glad that the US is doing away with these racist hiring practices.

Aug 3rd
Reply

it

will miss you and look forward to hearing/having you back!

Apr 11th
Reply

Sheri Price

is there a reason all current episodes are not appearing in this app?

Jan 31st
Reply

Stella Maranga

why are these Russia/Ukraine episodes not showing up in the feed?

Apr 28th
Reply

majopareja

Amazing! Rough Translation at its best!

Jan 5th
Reply

An-D

What an amazing woman!

Jul 22nd
Reply

Devin Sperling

This show is ostensibly about bridging the civil/military divide but we're three episodes into the season and it's only focusing on one case that is an extreme example of violence and PTSD that just reinforces veteran stereotypes. All this show is doing is widening the gulf it's supposed to be trying to fix.

Jun 16th
Reply

dok dicer

It's so sad how this American ideology around the military and their supposed heroism (for engaging in imperial warfare for oil against outgunned and outfinanced countries and their civilian population) victimizes spouses and normalizes that abuse. I don't need to understand what that abusive pos went through to know that nobody should suffer through what he put his wife through.

Jun 9th
Reply

Arielle Niss

I’ve been loving Rough Translation for YEARS! This new civ/mil series is eye-opening. And the music is really evocative. Thanks, team!!

Jun 8th
Reply

mari arana

Wow, I'm always so I'm awe of military families. What a huge sacrifice.

May 16th
Reply

Gabriella Arroyo

this one made me cry last time, and again this time.

May 10th
Reply

Katie Devlin

the lack of understanding about the Black and Korean community issues regarding the LA riots 100% equate to the French- former colonie boys.

Apr 8th
Reply

ncooty

Anecdotes provide an interesting perspective, but this podcast often uses anecdotes as a means for individuals to over-generalize their own experiences or cast their suspicions as facts. There seems to be little effort to check facts or to contextualize these anecdotes within actual statistics. For example, what are the relative absolute and frequencies of violent crimes against people of Asian descent in the U.S.? Have those frequencies increased? Is it just a matter of increased reporting or sensitivity? Are there any relevant covariates to race that help explain the trends (vs. insinuating that all crimes against racial minorities are racially motivated)? This is just lazy story-telling with a lack of concern for facts, context, or journalistic integrity--as if you think allowing a guest to spread inaccurate information via your platform is not your problem.

Mar 26th
Reply

Brent Cupp

n.nnnnnn

Mar 18th
Reply

ncooty

Guide books are sometimes wrong. Sometimes, they increase the popularity of certain activities, such that they're no longer the same as they were for the writer of the guide book. That's not racism. It's corrosive and wrong to blame everything on racism, and to search so fervently for the ways in which we're each sanctified victims.

Mar 7th
Reply

Kyomi Paris

12:16 Also, the man who wrote the tweet is referring to muslims as a sort of threat, and the joke goes to show that islamic presence is just... the opposite. socially speaking, peaceful and unobtrusive. What's wrong with washing your hands 5 times a day and covering yourself? (everyone is doing this now!) ... What's wrong with being Muslim?

Feb 6th
Reply

Kyomi Paris

12:16 It clearly demonstrates that now, all are doing the same things (but under different labels: covid 19 safety &/ muslim tradition), and how different are we? i.e We are all ''normal'' people. The only real difference between a Muslim and a non Muslim is religious belief concerning God, and personal practices.

Feb 6th
Reply

mari arana

Sad that this poor man was harassed and brought down by his own chosen religious group who did not act according to what they supposedly believe.

Jan 11th
Reply