Recent Episodes
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Recent Reviews
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Business/ Student UserAn authentic, impartial advocate for leaving choice in the hands of the readerI love this podcast so much and am so grateful it exists. I’ve started making summer lists for my near adolescent child to read some titles explored in episodes. Thanks for holding to the root that the choice of what we read should remain in our hands for ourselves or our children. Thanks for providing a wide array of topics, genres and interests that all advocate for compassion, complex thought, empathy, growth and forage on the boundaries of what we thought we knew and should know.
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New Shoots After the RainVelshi Banned BookclubThis is a great show. Thanks for what you do.
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JeReynAZAbsolutely Great Podcast!I am a lifelong reader and would rather read books than watch movies. Thank you for this opportunity to hear the voices of the authors and their points of view. Velshi is a gift. ❤️
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RRBpray4novGreat WorkI’ve got to stop listening to to this podcast. It makes me buy too many books! As an old English/biology major, I agree that so many of these books are essential reading. Books that challenge you and force you to actually think truly are the books most worth reading and now people, most of whom probably have never read them, want to ban them. Thanks for this truly great podcast. And please check out Ultra by Rachel Maddow too!
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Glo5785Love hearing the authors perspectiveI’ve had this podcast marked to listen to for quite a while, and finally had the opportunity. I like Ali Velshi and really appreciate the objective of his podcast. I’m appalled at all the book bannings so I’m really glad he has this forum. I’ve only listened to the first season, so anxious to hear seasons two and three but very, very pleased with the content.
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MazocarI am sure this podcast is amazing!Everything that MSNBC produces is amazing and balanced journalism. They way they are able to report and discuss all sides of every important issue is truly impressive. The depth in which they understand America and the world surely means that they will be here for generations to come.
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SMMRN4Thank you!I love to listen to VELSHI! He is ALWAYS asking the right questions and he is ALWAYS explaining things in way that is easy to understand! I love that he has taken on Banned Books. This is a good fight! Thank you! Everyone should be listening to this Podcast, including our children!
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rlynnlibrarianEssential listeningI’m a librarian! Thank you for doing this! It’s a wonderful supplement to book clubs and banned book awareness features. Suggestion: graphic novelist Mike Curato!
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Digital3xA very one-sided demonization of booksA very one-sided demonization of books. The authors, limited, worldview and pretentious belief he is educated beyond the average listener makes this podcast, boring and more dystopian than any book he talks about. If you’re looking for a one-sided podcast with limited self-examination, and the same old, we need more control over humanity. This is probably what you’re looking for enjoy.
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B. AgueroThanks for this podcast!Today I listened to your podcast with my heart constricted, not only for the heartfelt stories that led the authors to write those books, but also for the frightening times we are witnessing in this timeline and the terror of imagining the future of our kids without these books...
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elhokayNew FavoriteThis is my new favorite podcast. I am rereading 1984, and will read The Giver next. I hope people will learn to develop their critical thinking from reading these kinds of books and seeing how these concepts are relative to our country today. Please keep the episodes coming—we need them now more than ever.
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KatiePeepawsFantastic books are discussedReally love this podcast- so refreshing to see an Anchor from MSNBC tackle something more than Trump bashing!
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Steve DingleGreat new format for the showIt’s so cool to get to see how Ali and his producers interact, awesome content
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jimsandyHelps to Venture into UnknownsI listened to the Toni Morrison discussion . It really helped me to understand the author. I had a hard time with Beloved & gave up. I have a renewed strength to try again I adore Ali always have, he is this perfect for podcast 💙💙💙
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Robertag-tMissing this podcast..,Wish this podcast could return …
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Tbuck501Necessary civil disobedienceI loved this podcast, and only wish it had continued to run longer. I read several of the books recommended by Velshi, and wasn’t disappointed. Would recommend.
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HawkibabsThe Podcast we need now!Thank you for putting a spotlight on banned books & delving into banned books with the authors! Bravo!
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JanetsteinerLoved this!This is a very important podcast. I hate to see it end. Thank you. Thank you ! And thanks for reading 45s indictments.
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LexTerrace!Awesome! Awesome! Awesome!Thank you for taking time out your precious life to shed a bright light on the subject of banning books. Ignorance is the real killer of humanity; we must continue to educate people on this subject and others. I pray that one day people will not be afraid to hear and embrace the truth so we can all work together to correct the many injustices being inflicted on all of mankind around the globe. Namaste Ali Velshi, you are truly a warrior trying to do your part! I love watching your news show because you give it to us straight with no chaser! (:
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Writer wayNevermindBad news coverage and does not make me feel empathetic
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sad one in DenverVeld hi banned book club/Margaret AtwoodThis was so timely for me. I am working through a book about creationism versus evolution. Written by Matt Young and Paul K Stroud. At the end of each chapter, they have questions on beliefs versus science. She made me think about other ways I can combat non-scientific , pseudoscience. Thank you again really enjoyed it.
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Serious topicsImportant and InterestingThank you for hosting this podcast. I appreciate the thought provoking content. And, Mr. Velshi, I like your delivery.
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TracynotStacy#2Needs a different hostThe content is good. The host isn’t a good fit - his delivery is so intense and fast it’s unpleasant to listen to. Someone softer spoken would make this podcast better.
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mimshowOutstandingI have always reacted to book banning with a visceral loathing as it contradicts what education is all about, which is an expansion of intellectual horizons at the cost of our comfortable assumptions about the world in which we live.
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Catia50I’m trying to read them all.I am a 73 year old avid reader. Many of the books that have been banned are books I read decades ago. Some I read before a very tiny minority of the country were able to declare something unfit for their children to read, thus keeping it from all children and young adults. Did reading “Caste” make me uncomfortable? Absolutely. As it should. I learned a lot from that book. My current quest to to through the banned book list and read every one. Still learning but I haven’t read one yet that deserves outright banning. Young people who are questioning their lives, their sexuality need examples that tell them they are not weird, just another iteration of what it means to be human. As we are headed towards “1984” and Handmaid’s Tale” once fictional, now too close to reality… I shudder to think what will become of this country. Thank you for bringing these amazing authors to your podcast.
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🌠🌈🌌🌄🌊🗻🌅🌋🗾Thank you from a YA author/library staff memberI’m a YA author whose work is currently being removed/reviewed from several public and school libraries. I also work in youth services at a phenomenal public library. I’m passionate about protecting the right for readers of all ages to access materials they may not be able to find anywhere else. Banning books disproportionally impacts the most vulnerable communities. Librarians are educated to help children and young adults find age-and-developmentally appropriate materials; It’s beyond frustrating that so many untrained individuals seem to think they know better than professionals. Thank you for going beyond soundbites and having these important, in depth conversations.
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LiamDougThis Is a "Must Listen!" PodcastAli Velshi, with his rich stentorian voice, is one of my favorite MSNBC news anchors. His Banned Book Club is so necessary during these dark days of Trumpism, MAGA, and White Christian Nationalists' attack on civil rights and our democracy — to say nothing of their acts of domestic terrorism, their violence and their racism. Mr. Velshi's podcast is a real public service, very much in keeping with his long history of contributions to humanitarian and charitable causes.
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Lucylulu5VitalMr Velshi ALWAYS breaks it down to what is so very important and what we need to know. Again, his reporting is vital to our democracy. His content should be prime-time. Maybe this country would wake up and tune in. Thank you for all you are doing.
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HeyktbThe list goes on…Exploring these banned books with their authors…hearing their stories and their reasons for writing their books, tragically illustrates how those with small minds and closed hearts are restricting any reflections of reality in favor of some fantasy society that neither exists nor has ever existed. The term “woke” is for me not a pejorative but instead a word that inspires me to learn more, read more, think more. I can’t wait to become more woke as I read these books each week along side Ali’s podcast. I am a school teacher, a veteran, the mother of a veteran and the spouse of a veteran. We are all woke!
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JeanannerOutstandingAli, you make me smarter with every podcast. I don’t know where you find the hours in the day to do all you do. Your interviews bring out the best from your guests and keep your listeners intrigued. I’ve always enjoyed you on msnbc whether you’re on your show or filling in. You keep getting better and better. Many thanks.
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Tom HagyJust Yes!What a great service. A creative way to counter the assault on literature, education, and thought. Well done!
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Guidogal46WOW!This was first Podcast. I am hooked. Ali is so adept at interviews and has such relevant points. He also has a fabulous media voice. I am going to watch his news hours now. I do wish his time was weekly rather than the weekend.
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Oldpunk52Fantastic Podcast!Thanks so much for this thought-provoking look at an incredibly important issue in our country. These authors have so much to say, I hope people are listening!
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Tronathon007Just NoAnything beyond the letters LGB is a mental disorder.
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hek9If not now, when?Fantastic podcast with brilliant people all the way around. Ali since breaking onto TV, you have gotten better every year I follow you !
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VQuarterAbsolutely Necessary!I am super happy to have this podcast and share it with the youngsters in my family and community. Thank You!
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The Window WhisperShort-Sighted & Flawed PremiseIf we take the stand that no books should be banned, we then welcome pornographic, holocaust denying, racist, and various other “phobic” literature to enter the school. Are we ready to do that? Perhaps the issue is really, everyone believes some books shouldn’t be accessible at government schools, how do we agree on which ones should be banned when we all have different ideas
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shark 101GarbageTypical liberal propaganda, pointless views and intent of destroying America with nonsensical woke propaganda
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Cornell Dog DocA young person needs to find their voiceGrowing up in the 60s I had zero exposure to books that addressed sexual exploitation, body shaming and anorexia, and LGBT+ concerns. I know that literary role models undergoing these life traumas would have helped me navigate my own path. Thank you Ali and staff for this terrific podcast.
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jwnewton18Great topic, but delivery needs workI was really excited for this podcast when I heard advertising for it. The topic is right up my alley. But, I only made it part way through the first episode before I had to turn it off. I was hoping more for a conversationalist tone discussing the books but instead it felt like a Southern Baptist minister doing the yelling-preaching thing at me. I imagine that, like myself, most listeners of this podcast are anti-banning of books and pro-diversity of voices, so the preaching also felt pointless. I’m hoping to give this one another try in a few episodes to see if it’s settled down into something more listenable for me.
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Penny4booksExcellent podcastI have listened to 2 podcasts. Both handled these banned books well. I am looking forward to more.
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ShewillI love your new pod cast . I am a retired school teacher .Twenty five years ago a group of us in our inner city middle school fought to update our school library when we noticed the girls all reading “Gone With The Wind.” It was a struggle to get books written by people of color or at the very least under 40 on the shelves. Judy Blume was one we fought to allow. One student told me she was glad there was something to read now other than dog books! Now it grieves me to see now most have been removed . They are not banned per say but removed as they are considered out of date. But” Gone With Wind “ remains . Keep up the good work. I watch your show each week. Sherryl Williams. Macon, Ga
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Sisu - PoikkaFactsFacts, if we allow there are such things as facts, are neither true or false - facts simply are. Ignoring facts about the world, eg., the 1619 Project, is problematic. Statements about it, or beliefs expressed it can be true or false; however the fact of the 1619 Project is neither true or false The above is a nuance of Use/Mention under fallacies described by Francis Watanabe Dauer
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DonnaGeezImportant WorkThank you for this podcast and the introduction to books and topics I wish I had had more information on as I was growing up. I was born in 1959, raised in a Catholic household and was sheltered from anything that my parents didn’t consider ‘normal’ and definitely wasn’t exposed to black culture. I’ve learned a great deal in 64 years and this podcast and these books further expand my knowledge and understanding. What you’re doing is important work, especially now when so much of our history and so many people are under attack.
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DinaForHillI’m so excited!I love Ali’s banned book segment on his show, book banning is on the rise and we need to be aware of this and make it stop. I’m thrilled to be part of this podcast book club 💙💚💜
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GrandmaKaycExcellentI watch Ali every time he’s on. I’m trying to purchase the books being banned. I want my grandkids to learn the truth. As I expected this podcast is excellent. Thank you Ali.
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Cali Lili Indies ™pwMiM™ feMt0“ The 21st Century is A Time Of Useful Consciousness…”©️Mr. Velshi is performing public service duties everywhere from reading indictments to salvation of literature. As I’ve written in a recent essay: “ The 21st-century is the time of useful consciousness. “ I assume my own scheduled upcoming book might get banned as it’s based on my feminist LGBTQ interracial love story that questions matters of faith - in a movie & album “eVe N’ god this female is not yet rated” one day in the epiphany of a 21st century girl who kissed a girl I now know that if it happens , I’ll be in good company.
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Renita from Florida!Absolutely great showWe need these talks in our time!! ❤️
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TriedalotofnicknamesCompassion and ToleranceWell done! I only wish some of the book banning disciples will listen in and understand the perspectives of the authors. Doing so may open their hearts to the compassion, fear and tolerance they speak to and write about. Just my opinion, but I believe if we can teach kids ( and many adults) what it means to be tolerant, we would have a better world.
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JerryKM/SitgesGreat podcastSuch a valuable and enlightening podcast! I am excited and looking forward to more episodes. Thank you.
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