ProPublica on Thursday announced the launch of “Paper Trail,” a flagship podcast hosted by investigative journalist Jessica Lussenhop. With new episodes available on Thursdays beginning May 14, the podcast is brought to listeners everywhere in partnership with public media organization PRX.
On “Paper Trail,” the reporters behind ProPublica’s most consequential investigations open up their notebooks and guide listeners through issues crucial to our lives and country while uncovering abuses of power across critical areas such as healthcare, business, technology, criminal justice, the environment and the government. An audio trailer is available now.
“My greatest hope for the show is that, by meeting our reporters and hearing from our sources, listeners will learn not just how we uncover secrets but why our work matters to their day-to-day lives,” Lussenhop said. “Informing the public is how change happens. That’s what this whole show is all about.”
The first episode of “Paper Trail” will unspool how the U.S. Food and Drug Administration gave foreign factories a special pass to continue sending generic drugs to the U.S. even though they were made at plants the agency had banned because of contamination, filthy labs and falsified records. The FDA largely withheld the information from the public and did not routinely test the medications to ensure they were safe. Across future episodes, audiences will go behind the scenes of ProPublica’s investigations, following the evidence — whether on paper or thumb drives, in secret recordings, or from conversations with whistleblowers — to find out who got hurt and how it could be made right. When reporters share what they find, it can change laws, topple corrupt leaders, exonerate the innocent and sometimes even save a life.
“On this show, listeners will get to experience the fascinating journey investigative reporters go on to uncover and document the truth. They’ll hear moving, inspiring stories from sources, and then — and this is my favorite part — they’ll follow along when these stories make a real impact on the world,” said Katherine Wells, executive producer for audio at ProPublica.
“ProPublica’s mission represents what we also believe in public media: We’re at our best when we meaningfully inform audiences about the world around us,” said Jason Saldanha, chief operating officer of PRX. “We’re proud to partner with the team behind ‘Paper Trail’ to bring listeners inquisitive, enthralling audio.”
The podcast’s production team includes Wells (Vox, The Atlantic), Julia Longoria (Radiolab’s “More Perfect,” The Atlantic’s “The Experiment,” The New York Times), Gabrielle Berbey (“More Perfect,” “Today, Explained,” WNYC) and Sabby Robinson (“Post Reports,” APM Reports), with sound design by David Herman of Good Studio (“Floodlines,” “When We All Get to Heaven”).
“Paper Trail” is available free across all major podcast platforms, including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, Overcast and NPR One.
About Jessica Lussenhop
Lussenhop has reported for ProPublica’s Midwest team covering Minnesota on issues affecting vulnerable populations, such as child welfare, criminal justice and housing. Her reporting has changed state housing laws and touched off enforcement actions by the Minnesota attorney general. Previously, Lussenhop served as a senior writer for BBC North America and as a fellow for “This American Life.”
About ProPublica
ProPublica is an independent, nonprofit newsroom that produces investigative journalism in the public interest. With a team of more than 150 dedicated journalists, ProPublica covers a range of topics, focusing on stories with the potential to spur real-world impact. Its reporting has contributed to the passage of new laws; reversals of harmful policies and practices; and accountability for leaders at local, state and national levels. Since it began publishing in 2008, ProPublica has received nine Pulitzer Prizes, six Peabody Awards, eight Emmy Awards and 18 George Polk Awards.
About PRX
Celebrating more than 20 years as a nonprofit public media company, PRX works in partnership with leading independent creators, organizations and stations to bring meaningful audio storytelling into millions of listeners’ lives. PRX is one of the world’s top podcast publishers, public radio distributors and audio producers, serving as an engine of innovation for public media and podcasting to help shape a vibrant future for creative and journalistic audio. Shows across PRX’s portfolio of broadcast productions, podcast partners and its Radiotopia podcast network have received recognition from the Peabody Awards, the Tribeca Festival, the International Documentary Association, the National Magazine Awards and the Pulitzer Prizes. Visit prx.org for more.
