The Experiment is a journalistic storytelling podcast about the US Constitution. It aims to tell the story of "our unfinished country." The premise that the US began as an experiment inspires the podcast's title.The Atlantic produced The Experiment with WNYC Studios. WNYC's Julia Longoria hosts the podcast, with contributions from Atlantic staff members. The podcast began in 2021 and ended in 2023.
Each episode of The Experiment uses storytelling to explore an aspect of the American political or legal landscape. The first episode is about a loophole in the US Constitution. This fascinating anomaly could allow someone to commit a crime without receiving punishment. Pulitzer Prize-winning Atlantic journalist Ed Yong joins Julia on this episode. Together, they explain how this loophole came into existence. An interview with author and elk hunter Mike Belderrain supports the story.
In another episode, titled "Judge Judy's Law," Julia tells the story of the Judge Judy TV series. Peter Bresnan, an Atlantic podcast producer, joins Julia on the episode. They explore the distinct approach to law that Judge Judy Sheindlin took with her TV court show.
Some episodes are about topics pertinent at the time of their broadcast. Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 inspires the narrative of the episode "One American Family's Debt to Ukraine." Another episode tells the story of the history of abortion in the US. It aired before the Supreme Court hearing that overturned Roe v Wade in June 2022. Interviews and archive audio footage support the storytelling in the podcast.
The Experiment may interest people who enjoy American politics and lawmaking. Fans of storytelling podcasts and readers of The Atlantic may also enjoy it. Some discussions in the podcast include strong language. Other conversations are about sensitive topics like self-harm and suicide. All 59 episodes of the podcast are available for listening.
Episodes