Rough Translation

Rough Translation was actually created and hosted by Gregory Warner as an NPR podcast, distinct from Hidden Brain (which is hosted by Shankar Vedantam). Warner launched Rough Translation to take NPR-style reporting international, examining how topics like race, justice, and identity unfold in cultural contexts outside the United States.

Unlike daily news roundups such as NPR's Up First, Rough Translation is a narrative, story-driven show that takes a single American theme—like masculinity or cancel culture—and traces how it manifests in countries like France, Nigeria, or Brazil. Warner's approach blends personal storytelling with on-the-ground international reporting, making it closer in format to shows like This American Life but with a global lens.

The podcast has covered stories ranging from a French comedian navigating race and free speech to Nigerian podcasters dealing with cultural taboos around sex. Many episodes are structured around a specific American debate that Warner then refracts through an international counterpart, often spanning multiple countries within a single themed arc.

Rough Translation has operated in seasons rather than continuous weekly production, with NPR releasing new arcs periodically. Listeners should check the NPR One app or the show's NPR page for the most current season status and episode schedule.