Futuro Media Announces the Return of the Award-Winning Politics Podcast ‘In The Thick’

 

Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Maria Hinojosa returns with the politics podcast In The Thick on September 12. Line up of co-hosts includes journalist Paola Ramos, actor and producer Judy Reyes, and political science professor Dr. Christina Greer.

New York (September 10, 2024) –  Independent, nonprofit news media organization and podcast studio Futuro Media announced the return of the award-winning politics podcast In The Thick. This pop-up season brings back the bold, unfiltered conversations that have established it with a devoted following. Hosted by Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Maria Hinojosa, the podcast will premiere its first episode on Thursday, September 12, just in time to analyze the critical moments shaping the 2024 presidential election. Following the September 12 premiere, all In The Thick episodes will debut weekly on Wednesdays. 

Joining Hinojosa are an impressive lineup of rotating co-hosts: Paola Ramos, journalist, host and correspondent for Vice News, and author of “Defectors: The Rise of the Latino Far Right and What It Means for America”; Judy Reyes, actor (“Scrubs,” “Claws”) and producer; and Dr. Christina Greer, political science professor at Fordham University and author of “Black Ethnics: Race, Immigration and the Pursuit of the American Dream.” Together, they will break down the first presidential debate, scheduled for Tuesday, September 10, offering listeners insights and fresh perspectives on the road to election day in November.

Known for its dynamic roundtable format, In The Thick will continue to dive deep into pivotal issues, from voting and other civil rights to cultural, reproductive, and racial justice, among other issues impacting marginalized communities across the U.S., especially in this election year. 

In The Thick stands out as a politics podcast helmed by a Latina journalist that showcases journalists and issue experts each week, carving out a space for voices and perspectives often missed in mainstream media. “In The Thick was born in 2016 out of a sense of frustration that our voices were not being heard in mainstream political analysis and out of a sense of responsibility to uplift these voices,” said Hinojosa. 

“We are now back for the same reasons. Our return symbolizes not giving up hope and not surrendering space in our democracy for political analysis that comes from perspectives beyond those of privileged white men. I feel a deep sense of responsibility with our podcast, and bringing in women’s voices to run the show with me is a dream come true.”

“This is a crucial moment for US democracy. More than ever, Latino and female representation in media is key to unpacking the main issues impacting the nation’s democratic life. In The Thick is back to covering our reality with rigor, diversity, and a unique perspective,” said Peniley Ramírez, Co-CEO and Executive Director of Futuro Media.

In The Thick is pioneering in its approach, blending fact-driven journalism with authenticity. It’s a politics podcast that challenges the status quo, fosters critical dialogue between journalists and experts, and empowers its audience to engage with the political landscape in meaningful ways.

“At this moment in time, it is so necessary to have unapologetic voices discussing what this nation could and should be. There is a need for the type of journalism Maria Hinojosa has diligently provided for years. I am honored to be in conversation with her during this crucial moment in our American democracy,” said Dr. Greer. 

“I am so excited to join the In The Thick team as a co-host, particularly at a time when our voices and conversations can help guide a growing Latino electorate through what promises to be one of the most important elections of our lifetime,” said Ramos.

“As people of color, our labor, intelligence, humor, experiences, diversity and perspectives are key to the very existence of this nation, and its future. I am honored to be a part of the return of In The Thick, an essential show where listeners can find the insight they need to navigate this unprecedented political moment,” said Reyes.

Listen and follow In The Thick on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, Pandora, or wherever you get your podcasts.

Follow In The Thick on their social media channels: Instagram, X, TikTok, Threads, and Facebook.

In The Thick’s pop-up season is supported in part by the Hispanic Federation and Futuro Media’s Friends of Democracy Fund.

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About In The Thick

In The Thick, Futuro Media’s acclaimed podcast captures the realities of our communities across the country through sharp analysis, as well as humor and heart. We pride ourselves on bringing journalists and issue experts of color to the table to offer information and insights missing elsewhere in mainstream journalism. Since 2016, we’ve attracted a loyal and growing audience and have maintained a 5-star rating on Apple Podcasts. We’ve received multiple Webby nominations and in 2020, Adweek named In The Thick the 2020 Diversity and Inclusion Podcast of the Year. 

In The Thick has been cited by several publications as a top political podcast, including TIME, Vanity Fair, Vulture, Teen Vogue, Cosmopolitan, among others, and headlined the 2022 NABJ/NAHJ conference event with a live taping of the show. We earned 1.8M downloads in 2022 and 850K downloads in 2023 (partial year). Notable guests include: Elie Mystal, Adam Serwer, Jamil Smith, Imara Jones, Wajahat Ali, Maria Teresa Kumar, Ai-jen Poo, Ed O’Keefe.

About Futuro Media

Futuro Media is an independent, non-profit news media organization and podcast studio founded in 2010 by Pulitzer Prize winner Maria Hinojosa. Based in Harlem, NYC, Futuro Media produces the Peabody Award-winning Latino USA, the longest-running public radio Latino news and cultural program, which celebrated 30 years on the air in 2023, Futuro Studios, focused on original podcasts and programming including Pulitzer Prize-winning podcast Suave, and acclaimed podcasts La Brega, Anything for Selena, and The Sum of Us, and our IRE and Murrow award-winning Futuro Investigates, our investigative journalism arm that produced the USA v. García Luna podcast, the After Uvalde: Guns, Grief & Texas Politics documentary, and In The Thick, politics, unfiltered.

PRESS CONTACT

Luis Luna — luis@futuromediagroup.org