139 Comments

My jaw dropped when this podcast was cancelled on NPR. I have been listening for years and this podcast has kept me company throughout my workdays and evenings where I'd love to get a glimpse of a world beyond my own. Thank you for all that you do and your commitment to telling intimate stories from real people. Can't wait to keep listening!

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Love the support! Means so much to read posts like this, seriously

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Have you considered YouTube?

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I second this!

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Hi! Not sure where to share about why I subscribed so I'll just leave it here :) I live in San Francisco bay area, and I was born and raised in China. I didn't know about the podcast in the past, but the latest Substack reads post leads me here. As a Chinese immigrant, I deeply deeply care about what's happening in China these days - not through the political lens (I feel I cannot trust Chinese or western journalistic reports) - but more like an anthropologist lens, which is without agenda but with compassion and curiosity. I appreciate your article on Chinese migrant workers, so I decided to subscribe after reading it :)

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Hi Lucy, it is so exciting to me that you joined even without knowing the podcast. Welcome! And yes to curiosity instead of prescriptive or political lenses.

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Love the name! So relieved that we will not be deprived of your excellence. I invite all of the fans of RT to become paying members, if possible. GW’s work is so value-packed, it is worthy of compensation. The modest annual fee is the cost of a few lattes. Come on all, let’s help support this admirable work!

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I am a big fan of Rough Translation because of its unique focus of storytelling. I look forward to not only the work of Gregory Warner but to hearing more from the community that this podcast has attracted. And I do hope Gregory finds a way to keep paying his mortgage and perhaps finding an even higher profile for his abilities.

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It was a damn mistake to drop the podcast.

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I think it’s a massive loss for NPR.

I’m an Australian who is currently living in London. I’ve also lived in the US - being abroad listening to Rough Translation is opening me up to even more of the worlds’ cultures. Plus I love hearing Gregory’s voice - in my opinion - best voice in the business. Please keep going!

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Why did I subscribe? Because the cat must still be fed.

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Rough Transition sounds interesting; I’m subscribing. I retired in 2000, and it’s been fantastic. However, for the first time, I started thinking about aging a couple of years ago. There’s no doubt things are changing for my wife and I. There are favorite hobbies and sports I can no longer pursue. I’m in transition, but I have a positive attitude, and so far, it’s working out. I look forward to your new venture.

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Growing discontent among Chinese migrant workers. It appears to be a concern that growing globally.

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Rough Translation has been my favorite podcast for years now. As someone who managed to travel a lot around my college years but can't seem to make it out of the country since, I love each and every one of your stories. I'm excited to see where you go from here.

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thank you Sarah. I look forward to taking us places!

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Hello, I live in Las Vegas and have been a fan of Rough Translation from the very beginning. I love learning about culture from around the world. I have also enjoyed Gregory's storytelling and thoughtful ways of presenting multiple perspectives. The most memorable episode for me was American Surrogate. I'm not a huge reader and don't need another email newsletter type thing, but I love Gregory's work so much that I want to continue to follow what he does. I'll miss the podcast.

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Gregory, I’m a fellow world traveler - been doing it for over 50 years. I have loved your work with Rough Translation - it feels so important to me. Thank you for all you have contributed to our understanding the world - and ourselves! - better. I can’t believe NPR won’t continue hosting your show, but I’m glad I can still follow you here.

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Welcome! Where in the world are you these days?

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Like Kristika, I was floored that the podcast needs a new home. I have been telling everyone about Rough Translation. It's one of my favorites by far. The content is awesome and connects me with the larger world but I also love the humanity and care in which the reports are done. I'm born in Canada, from a Egyptian father, and having eastern European roots on my mother's side, grew up in France and have been living in the US for over 20 years. I feel pretty multicultural and that might be why I find the podcast fascinating. It was a big effort for me to join Substack as I don't need to be part of another platform. That alone is a big testament to how much I value your work. Good luck on the next stage!

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I'm so appreciative! Substack isn't perfect for sure, but it seemed like the sort of platform that would be the opposite of what I've experienced before, in terms of independence and editorial control. Whatever we make here won't be felled because of someone else's economic decision!

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Late to the party, currently in Queens NYC but from all over, orginally Pakistan - all 3 of us siblings have been born in a different country! Big fan of Rough Translation, as much as a I lament the lack of global coverage in local news, I miss global storytelling even more. So I loved hearing these wild and/or touching stories from all over our weird (and also wild) planet. Sorry to hear about the break-up (been there) but I know the new reincarnation will be righter (for now) & brighter. Can't wait to see what's next after this AMAZING season of Love Commandos. My uninterested/wanting nothing to do with me teen and tween literally BEGGED me to collectively listen to the episodes when they came out, and that in itself is a great gift - so thank you. Mine was a love marriage so it bought up some interesting conversations about where I am from.

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Oh wow that is SO great to hear. How did your kids hear about the podcast? Have you checked out the episode called Austenistan? It's about jane austen novels and love marriage in Pakistan and I'm curious what you think.

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Every once in a while, I can force them to do something with me so when we do road trips, we put on Podcasts… My 11-year-old is obsessed with Business Wars but I wanted a break so I managed to convince him to give this a try since I was keen on listening to the final season. After one episode, they were both hooked. They also loved Heavyweight (sniff sniff), hopefully not RIP forever on that show.

I have NOT heard of Austenistan - but will queue it up. I wasn’t one of the “Austin” obsessed girls growing up in Karachi but PLENTY of my pals were.

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Hi, I'm a huge fan of the podcast for years now. As a brazilian, I really enjoyed the discussion about race in brazilian public institutions you did some years ago. I always loved travelling and learning different languages and cultures. What I love the most about it is to realize despite different ethnicites, backgrounds, culture, religion, etc, we as humans in the end have more in common than we think. Excited to continue seeing stories from you!

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