Classy with Jonathan Menjivar is a podcast about social class in America. Host Menjivar has produced NPR shows including Fresh Air with Terry Gross and This American Life. He has also worked on popular podcasts like Project Unabom and The Clearing.

Menjivar grew up in a working-class Latino household. As an adult, he became middle-class. This transition gave him an acute awareness of social class in the US. People often feel shame and discomfort talking about class. Menjivar analyzes his feelings on the topic as he seeks answers to big questions about class.

Social class in the US can be a fraught and complicated topic. The Declaration of Independence states that all people were created equal. The US Constitution also prohibits titles of nobility. Accusations of class warfare often follow any talk of class. At a time of record wealth inequality, most Americans identify as middle-class. Other factors, like education and race, also come into play. Wealthy people report feeling guilty about having more than most. In Classy, Menjivar seeks to understand all of this.

In his exploration of class, Menjivar talks with sociologists, comedians, and radio personalities. They analyze various aspects of the topic. One episode is about how people navigate class in the workplace. Another focuses on the intersection between class and race. Menjivar also chats with people who grew up working class and became wealthy. Together, they explore the trappings and codes people use to recognize each other. The host explores the link between food and social class as well.

Throughout the interviews, listeners will hear enlightening personal reflections. In one episode, Menjivar converses with two people of color working in fashion. He realizes he has adapted to his environment by suppressing part of his identity. In his view, admission into the middle class was conditional on being less Latino.

The Classy with Jonathan Menjivar podcast is an honest reflection on a difficult topic. Many listeners may relate to the stories they hear. The host's openness and vulnerability make the content all the more poignant.