The Kojo Nnamdi Show

By WAMU 88.5

What's The Kojo Nnamdi Show about?

The Kojo Nnamdi Show is a daily talk show — a meeting space for curious Washingtonians to make sense of the communities where they live and work. We'll introduce you to the people shaping the present and future of the region, tap into fascinating local stories, explore overlooked local history, and meet up-and-coming talent from around the region.

Download our free app to listen on your phone

The Kojo Nnamdi Show episodes:

04.01.2021
Saying Goodbye To The Kojo Nnamdi Show
On this last episode, we look back on 23 years of joyous, difficult and always informative conversation.
03.31.2021
Author Briana Thomas On ‘Black Broadway In Washington D.C.’ And The History Of D.C.’s Black Culture
Kojo talks with author Briana Thomas about her book “Black Broadway In Washington D.C.,” and the District’s rich Black history.
03.31.2021
Kevin Young Takes The Helm Of Smithsonian African American Museum
Poet, essayist and editor Kevin Young is the second director of the Smithsonian's National Museum of African American History and Culture. He joins Kojo to talk about his vision for the museum and how it can help us make sense...
03.30.2021
A Conversation With PBS NewsHour’s Judy Woodruff
Ms. Woodruff joins us to talk about her successful career in broadcasting, how the field of journalism has changed over the decades and why she chose to make D.C. home.
03.30.2021
Digging Into Maryland’s Past
After almost 90 years of searching, archeologists have uncovered St. Mary's fort, the founding site of the Maryland colony.
03.29.2021
Kojo For Kids: WNBA Superstar Elena Delle Donne
She led the Mystics to 2019 WNBA championship. Hear why she says, "life is more than a game."
03.29.2021
Dr. Leana Wen On The Light At The End Of This Pandemic Tunnel
In times of uncertainty, we look to medical professionals for guidance. Emergency physician and public health expert Dr. Leana Wen joins us — one last time — to share her expertise and answer your essential questions.
03.26.2021
The Politics Hour: March 26, 2021
Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-D.C.) recaps this week's H.R. 51 hearing and tells us what's next for statehood. And Maryland State Sen. Clarence Lam (D-District 12) talks about the state's vaccine rollout and previews the last two weeks of the...
03.25.2021
Is It Time To Reinvent The Federal Government Again?
The pandemic has changed how the federal government operates, but should those changes remain?
03.24.2021
Lonnie Bunch: The Smithsonian At 175
The leader of the largest museum complex in the world shares his thoughts on the institution's past, present and future.
03.23.2021
Local High School Students On Their Pandemic Year
Many students have been out of the classroom for more than a year. Kojo talks with local high school students and WAMU education reporter Debbie Truong about what a year of COVID-19 has meant for them.
03.22.2021
Kojo For Kids: Actor and Singer Eleasha Gamble
A kid from Takoma Park decided she wanted to shine on the big stage when she grew up. Here's how she made it.
03.22.2021
Combatting Acts Of Violence And Racism Against Asian Americans
How is the local Asian American community coping in the wake of the tragedy in Georgia? And what can be done to counter racist attacks in Washington and across the country?
03.19.2021
The Politics Hour: March 19, 2021
Indivisible's Director of Democracy Policy Meagan Hatcher-Mays tells us why the national organization is making D.C. statehood a priority. And Prince George's County Executive Angela Alsobrooks (D) talks about the county's vaccine rollout, loosening COVID-19 restrictions and more.
03.18.2021
Reviving The Restaurant Scene After A Pandemic With Chef José Andrés
Special guest José Andrés joins Kojo for a conversation about what this pandemic year has meant to D.C.'s food scene, and what recovery could look like in our region.
03.17.2021
The Year Of COVID And How It Changed Our Lives Forever
We look back at the tumultuous, trying and unprecedented times of the past year.
03.16.2021
Did You Hear The Buzz? Cicadas Are Coming Back
It's been 17 years since Brood X cicadas emerged en masse in the D.C. region. University of Maryland's Michael Raupp, aka The Bug Guy, tells us what to expect.
03.16.2021
In Full Bloom: The Significance Of Cherry Blossoms In The District
With the Cherry Blossoms beginning to bloom, we’re discussing how the flower took root in the District, and its significance in Japanese culture.
03.15.2021
Kojo For Kids: Graphic Novelist Judd Winick
WHOMP! BONK! VRROOOM! Let's talk about comics.
03.15.2021
Discussing Amazon HQ2’s Impact On Arlington And The Region
Amazon HQ2 development is underway. What can locals expect as progress continues?
03.12.2021
The Politics Hour: March 12, 2021
Congresswoman Jennifer Wexton (D-VA, 10th District) talks about the $1.9 trillion coronavirus relief package. And Montgomery County Councilmember Nancy Navarro (D-District 4) talks about vaccine equity.
03.11.2021
On Exhibit: Museums One Year After The Pandemic
Museums in the District are transferring many of their exhibits and programs online, and it seems to be more accessible for everyone.
03.10.2021
Ta-Nehisi Coates: Reflections On Recent History
Award-winning writer Ta-Nehisi Coates joins us to discuss this moment in history, his Washington roots and what's next for Superman.
03.09.2021
When Your Hobby Becomes Your Side-Hustle
Kojo sits down with three Washingtonians to talk about making a side-business out of their passions, and the joys and challenges of working for yourself.
03.09.2021
CNN’s Abby Phillip On Her Maryland Roots And Her Rise To The Anchor Desk
Kojo talks with the Bowie native about growing up in the region, her rise at CNN and everything in between.
03.08.2021
Kojo For Kids: Composer and Conductor Rob Kapilow
What makes a great song great?
03.08.2021
Poet Safia Elhillo On D.C.’s Diasporic Communities And “Home Is Not A Country”
Poet Safia Elhillo joins us to discuss her first young adult novel, "Home is Not a Country."
03.05.2021
The Politics Hour: March 5, 2021
Anne Arundel County Executive Steuart Pittman (D) talks about the county's vaccine rollout and making the tax code more progressive. And D.C. Councilmember Vincent Gray (D-Ward 7) talks about disparities in the District's vaccinations and how the pandemic has affected...
03.04.2021
Staging The Recovery: Live Events A Year Into The Pandemic
For almost a year, many local theaters and music venues have been entirely shutdown. How are they coping, and could the $15 billion federal aid set aside for the arts be enough to "Save Our Stages?"
03.03.2021
George Pelecanos: Writing From Home
The D.C. crime writer talks about his latest projects and other local authors you may want to discover.
03.03.2021
Community Organizers Respond To A Spike In D.C.’s Gun Violence
Gun homicides reached a 15-year peak in 2020. How are D.C.'s communities responding to the violence?
03.02.2021
“I Came As A Shadow” And The Defining Legacy Of Coach John Thompson
Jesse Washington, who co-authored "I Came as a Shadow" with John Thompson, joins us to discuss the life and legacy of the Hall of Fame Georgetown University basketball coach.
03.01.2021
Kojo For Kids: Author Hena Khan
Discover books about Muslim American kids that will resonate with every kid.
03.01.2021
In The Weeds: Virginia Becomes The 16th State To Legalize Marijuana
The Virginia legislature passed a marijuana legalization bill Saturday, joining 15 other states and the District of Columbia.
02.26.2021
The Politics Hour: February 26, 2021
At-Large D.C. Councilmember Robert White talks about bias in the way D.C. police respond to protests. And Virginia State Sen. Scott Surovell (D-District 36) talks about abolishing the death penalty and his other priorities this legislative session.
02.25.2021
The Struggle For Vaccine Equity
Black and brown communities in our region and nationwide have been hardest hit by the coronavirus. Now, these same communities are facing low vaccination rates for COVID-19.
02.25.2021
The Story Of D.C.’s Secret Covid Morgue
Even the clergy who blessed it were not supposed to talk about it.
02.24.2021
The Cost Of Delaying Medical Care During A Pandemic
About 1 in 5 American households missed needed medical care during the pandemic. We discuss the health crisis unfolding in the shadow of COVID-19.
02.23.2021
Marty Baron On The Post, Retirement And The Future Of Journalism
Kojo sits down with Washington Post executive editor Marty Baron to talk about his retirement, how the paper changed under his tenure and the future of journalism.
02.23.2021
Will Baltimore Regain Local Control Of Its Police Department?
After more than a century, Baltimore is on the verge of controlling its police department again.
02.22.2021
Kojo For Kids: Soccer Star Abby Wambach
What are your questions for one of the game's most dominant players?
02.22.2021
Has Gentrification Actually Slowed In D.C.?
A study suggests that D.C. is no longer the "most intensely gentrified city" in the U.S., but some are skeptical about the new ranking.
02.19.2021
The Politics Hour: February 19, 2021
Fairfax County Board Chair Jeff McKay talks about the coronavirus vaccine rollout. And Congressman Jamie Raskin (D-MD) discusses the Senate impeachment trial.
02.18.2021
Can Local Leaders Address Systemic Racism?
What can local lawmakers and community leaders do to address structural racism in our communities and in the region?
02.17.2021
Is A “Homeless Pandemic” Looming?
Hear how people who are experiencing homelessness are faring during these unprecedented times, and learn about ways you can help the shelters that are their lifeline.
02.16.2021
“Through The Cracks” Investigates The Disappearance Of Relisha Rudd
Eight-year-old Relisha Rudd disappeared from a D.C. homeless shelter in 2014. In WAMU's podcast "Through the Cracks," host Jonquilyn Hill explores what happened to Relisha, and whether her disappearance was, as the city later claimed, "unpreventable."
02.16.2021
Georgetown Could Be Home To An African American Burial Ground
Researchers and residents have been unearthing human remains on a block in Georgetown for the last century. DCist's Elliot Williams joins us to talk about his latest reporting on the issue.
02.15.2021
Kojo For Kids: Civil Rights Icon Ruby Bridges
At six, she became the young face of the Civil Rights Era.
02.15.2021
This Presidents Day, Learning Lessons From Our Founding Fathers
How can the political divisiveness our Founding Fathers faced help us understand today's challenges?
02.09.2021
What’s So Funny? Humor And Local Politics
Meet us at the intersection of politics and comedy. We talk with Eric Saul, the creator of local satire site The Takoma Torch, and Josh Gibson, the man behind the D.C. Council's wry Twitter account.

What's The Kojo Nnamdi Show about?

Download our free app to listen on your phone

The Kojo Nnamdi Show episodes:

Saying Goodbye To The Kojo Nnamdi Show

Author Briana Thomas On ‘Black Broadway In Washington D.C.’ And The History Of D.C.’s Black Culture

Kevin Young Takes The Helm Of Smithsonian African American Museum

A Conversation With PBS NewsHour’s Judy Woodruff

Digging Into Maryland’s Past

Kojo For Kids: WNBA Superstar Elena Delle Donne

Dr. Leana Wen On The Light At The End Of This Pandemic Tunnel

The Politics Hour: March 26, 2021

Is It Time To Reinvent The Federal Government Again?

Lonnie Bunch: The Smithsonian At 175

Local High School Students On Their Pandemic Year

Kojo For Kids: Actor and Singer Eleasha Gamble

Combatting Acts Of Violence And Racism Against Asian Americans

The Politics Hour: March 19, 2021

Reviving The Restaurant Scene After A Pandemic With Chef José Andrés

The Year Of COVID And How It Changed Our Lives Forever

Did You Hear The Buzz? Cicadas Are Coming Back

In Full Bloom: The Significance Of Cherry Blossoms In The District

Kojo For Kids: Graphic Novelist Judd Winick

Discussing Amazon HQ2’s Impact On Arlington And The Region

The Politics Hour: March 12, 2021

On Exhibit: Museums One Year After The Pandemic

Ta-Nehisi Coates: Reflections On Recent History

When Your Hobby Becomes Your Side-Hustle

CNN’s Abby Phillip On Her Maryland Roots And Her Rise To The Anchor Desk

Kojo For Kids: Composer and Conductor Rob Kapilow

Poet Safia Elhillo On D.C.’s Diasporic Communities And “Home Is Not A Country”

The Politics Hour: March 5, 2021

Staging The Recovery: Live Events A Year Into The Pandemic

George Pelecanos: Writing From Home

Community Organizers Respond To A Spike In D.C.’s Gun Violence

“I Came As A Shadow” And The Defining Legacy Of Coach John Thompson

Kojo For Kids: Author Hena Khan

In The Weeds: Virginia Becomes The 16th State To Legalize Marijuana

The Politics Hour: February 26, 2021

The Struggle For Vaccine Equity

The Story Of D.C.’s Secret Covid Morgue

The Cost Of Delaying Medical Care During A Pandemic

Marty Baron On The Post, Retirement And The Future Of Journalism

Will Baltimore Regain Local Control Of Its Police Department?

Kojo For Kids: Soccer Star Abby Wambach

Has Gentrification Actually Slowed In D.C.?

The Politics Hour: February 19, 2021

Can Local Leaders Address Systemic Racism?

Is A “Homeless Pandemic” Looming?

“Through The Cracks” Investigates The Disappearance Of Relisha Rudd

Georgetown Could Be Home To An African American Burial Ground

Kojo For Kids: Civil Rights Icon Ruby Bridges

This Presidents Day, Learning Lessons From Our Founding Fathers

What’s So Funny? Humor And Local Politics