PODCAST · news
The Round Room
by The Round Room at Emerson College
The Round Room aims to present digestible, international news for the average college student. By reporting on context-based current events, we hope to make news more accessible and understandable for you.
Episodes
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2026 Winter Olympics Recap
In this episode of The Round Room, we examine how politics have overshadowed the 2026 Winter Olympics—from protests in Milan over the reported presence of U.S. ICE agents, to American athletes speaking out against immigration policies, and the disqualification of a Ukrainian athlete over a war...
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States Without Borders - Part 2
What makes a nation — and what happens when a nation doesn’t have a state of its own? In this episode of The Round Room, we explore communities like the Basques, Kashmiris, and Kurds who share a common identity, language, and history but lack full sovereignty. We break down nationalism, autonomy,...
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States Without Borders
In this episode of The Round Room, we examine stateless nations and what independence movements reveal about identity, sovereignty, and power in global politics. Through case studies on Catalonia, Scotland, and Quebec, we explore how history, culture, and political conflict shape demands for...
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Sudan Conflict
In this episode of The Round Room, we unpack the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Sudan. What began as a local conflict has escalated into a global one, with countries supplying troops and weapons to both sides. Caught in the middle are the people of Sudan, who are facing dwindling support as...
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Student Protest In Asia
In this episode of the Round Room we go over seas and explore several student protests occurring in Asia. Join us as we explore fights against corruption and political elitism, while also seeing the powerful role social media plays in protest and revolution in the 21st century. From Nepal to the...
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Global Student Protests
In this episode of the Round Room we explore historical efforts of student protests all across the globe. Join us as we go back in time to Mexico in the 1960s and the Movimiento Estudiantil, China in the 80s and the Tianemen Square protests, Iran in 2022 and the Woman, Life, Freedom Movement, and...
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4B and Other Women's Movements Around the World
In this episode of the Round Room, we examine the evolving landscape of women's rights movements in the 21st century. We explore how transgender women are facing increasing violence and discrimination worldwide spotlighted by international incidents in China, Iran, and Afghanistan. We also…
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Georgian Protest
In this episode of the Round Room, we explore the rising political unrest in Georgia, a former Soviet republic at the crossroads of Europe and Asia. We unpack the recent consolidation of power by the ruling Georgian Dream Party, the controversial election of far-right president Mikheil...
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Uygher Situation
In this episode of the Round Room, we delve into the ongoing persecution of the Uyghur community, a predominantly Muslim ethnic group from China’s Xinjiang region. We unpack the Chinese government’s systematic repression, from mass internment in so-called "re-education camps" to forced labor,...
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Colombia - Catatumbo Conflict
In this episode of The Round Room, we explore the escalating humanitarian crisis in Colombia’s Catatumbo region, where armed groups, drug trafficking, and a lack of government control have fueled decades of violence. We break down the region’s complex history, from guerrilla movements and...
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What's Happening In South Korea?
In this episode of the Round Room, we flash back to December 3, 2024, when South Korea was thrown into political chaos after President Yoon Suk Yeol declared martial law in an unprecedented move to suppress opposition power. As troops surrounded parliament and fear spread nationwide, the echoes…
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Trump is Back in Power: What it Means for the Rest of the World
In this episode of The Round Room, we’re broadcasting from Barcelona, Spain, bringing a global lens to U.S. politics. As Donald Trump begins his second term as America’s 47th president, we analyze his foreign policy: Is it truly isolationist, or does it follow the “Madman Theory”? We break down…
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Venezuela's Election
In this episode, Monica and Rocio unpack Venezuela's tumultuous political history, tracing the rise of Hugo Chávez, the failed 2002 coup, and the ongoing struggles under Nicolás Maduro. They delve into U.S. intervention, economic collapse, and election controversies, shedding light on the role of...
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India's Elections
In this episode of The Round Room we dive into India's recent elections. India’s caste system, rooted in a 3,000-year-old social hierarchy, continues to shape every facet of life for millions, despite being officially outlawed. Dalits, or "Untouchables," face systemic oppression,...
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South Africa Elections
In this episode join our hosts as they examine the end of apartheid in South Africa, focusing on the ANC's historic rise to power and its recent electoral decline in 2024. Once a symbol of liberation, the party now faces growing public discontent over issues like corruption, inequality, and...
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Puerto Rico's Election
In this episode The Round Room dives into the complexities of Puerto Rico's November 5th gubernatorial election, where the question of political status — remaining a U.S. territory, pursuing statehood, or seeking independence — takes center stage. We explore the island's colonial past, enduring...
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Austria's Election and the Rise of the Right in Europe
In this episode, join The Round Room as we break down the recent win of Austria’s far-right Freedom Party and its implications. With a history rooted in nationalist ideology, this victory is a key part of a broader trend of rising far-right populism across Europe. Follow us as we explore how this...
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A Year in Review: Context for October 7
In this episode join The Round Room as we explore the long-standing conflict between Israel and Palestine, beginning with the founding of Israel in 1948 and key events like the Nakba, the Six-Day War, and the Intifadas. To the recent escalation on October 7, 2023, with Hamas' attacks and Israel's...
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Revisiting: Haiti and the United States
In this episode join the Round Room as we revisit the current situation going on between Haiti and the United States. Amidst political turmoil back home, Haitians have kept immigrating to the United States in search of a better life. This has led to push back and racism from certain sectors of…
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Reacting to (and correcting) Viral Videos
Join hosts Monica and Rocio for the first time in video!!! In today's episode our hosts will be reacting to and providing context for the statements made in comedian Ziwe's interview with former representative George Santos. Expect some laughs and shock as we fact check several statements...
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Tensions in the East China Sea
In this episode join the Round Room team on a deep dive into the historic tensions between China and Japan over islands in the pacific. This conflict has been present since even before the 20th century and still persists to this day. Expect to learn about the reasons behind the conflict and the...
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Argentina’s New President– What are the economic and global implications?
In this episode, the Round Room team discusses Argentina's new president Javier Milei. Winning the election this past December, Milei has come to be a controversial figure. From his eccentricity involving the cloning of his dogs to his far right political views Milei has been a large topic of...
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What is the United Nations?
In this episode, the Round Room team explores the United Nations. Ever since its origins after World War II the UN has played a key role in numerous conflicts around the world. Despite this, a lot of the history of the UN and their previous operations are not well known. In this episode expect to...
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The U.S. and Iran: Revisiting a Longstanding Conflict
In this episode, the Round Room team revisits and provides further context on the conflict between Iran and the US. Ever since the Iranian revolution in 1973 tensions have been high between the two countries. Further tensions grew after the 444 day long hostage crisis. With the war on terror...
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YOU are like Papa! (Pope Francis)
In this episode, the Round Room team explores the influence of Pope Francis on Catholicism. Besides being the first Latin American Pope, he is also considered to be one of the most liberal popes. From seeking to cut down the corruption in the Vatican and even making slight progress for LGBTQ+...
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What's Happening in the DRC?
In this episode, the Round Room team explores the current situation in the Democratic Republic of Congo. While some may call the situation a genocide due to the ethnic components involved, it is hard to make this conclusion due to the several other factors at play like politics, religion and...
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LGBTQ+ Legislation: International Flop - Part 2
In this episode, the Round Room team continues onto the second part of episode 2: a continuation of taking a look at LGBTQ+ legislation from all around around the world. In our second and final part, the team explores legislation in Africa and Asia. Here, you will listen to see if laws affecting...
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LGBTQ+ Legislation: International Flop - Part 1
In this episode, the Round Room team introduces the first part of episode 2: taking a look at LGBTQ+ legislation from all around the world. In this first part, we take a look into legislation in the Americas, Europe, and Australia. Here, you will listen to see if laws affecting the queer…
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Venezuela: Oiling Up Diplomacy
Welcome back to the Round Room for Season 2! In this episode, the all-new Round Room team put together an episode on the recently eased sanctions imposed on Venezuela. As Venezuela's economy mainly relies on oil, the petrostate has fallen into an unfortunate economy which has furthered living…
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Ethiopia: Issues With Women Migrant Workers
In this episode, we take a deeper look into serious difficulties which woman migrant workers from Ethiopia continuously face. We first start by taking a look at the Tigray War, a conflict which raised tensions between the Ethiopian government and Eritrea while, most of all, increasing the ethnic...
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France, There's People That are Dying
In this episode, we take a look at the ongoing protests which have taken France by storm. After President Macron proposed a policy which would increase France's retirement age to 64 in order to avoid a national pension deficit, French citizens took to the streets to show opposition. Macron has...
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Centuries Long Conflict: Armenia and Azerbaijan
In this episode, we discuss the ongoing conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan. Starting with the Armenian Genocide in 1915, we take a look at how events have changed throughout the last century and specifically focus on the conflicts and wars in the Nagorno-Karabakh region. While looking at the...
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Ohio: East Palestine Derailment
In this episode, we discuss the Ohio train derailment which happened last month and the rippling effects we've seen in different aspects since the event occurred. Here, we look into the facts of what we so far know about the train derailment itself as well as the impacts it had left on East...
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Arif Faisal: Injustice and Cover-Up by Cambridge PD
In this episode, we discuss the police-caused shooting of UMass Boston student Arif Sayed Faisal and the lack of consequences that the Cambridge Police Department has been facing. We also look into the limited information coming from the ongoing investigation and why that information might be...
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FIFA World Cup 2022: Human Rights Violations and Corruption
In this episode, we pinpoint the human rights violations surrounding the World Cup hosted in Qatar and how politics and human rights meet together with sports, including a discussion on anti-LGBTQ+ rhetoric and violations against migrant workers seen in the sports tournament. This podcast is…
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Haiti and its Troubling Relationship with the United States
In this episode, we discuss the current political, economical, and social issues which Haiti has and continues to face and how involvement from the United States has affected the country. This podcast is hosted by Monica Rivera Sosa and Natalie Vasileff. To keep up with podcast updates, please...
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Mahsa Amini: The Decades-Long Fight for Women's Rights in Iran
In this episode, we discuss the current revolution in Iran and provide historical context as to what is going on and why. This podcast is hosted by Monica Rivera Sosa and Natalie Vasileff. To keep up with podcast updates, please follow us @theroundroompod on Instagram. Please note that we also…
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
The Round Room aims to present digestible, international news for the average college student. By reporting on context-based current events, we hope to make news more accessible and understandable for you.
HOSTED BY
The Round Room at Emerson College
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does The Round Room have?
The Round Room currently has 37 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is The Round Room about?
The Round Room aims to present digestible, international news for the average college student. By reporting on context-based current events, we hope to make news more accessible and understandable for you.
How often does The Round Room release new episodes?
The Round Room has 37 episodes. Check the episode list to see recent publication dates and frequency.
Where can I listen to The Round Room?
You can listen to The Round Room on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts The Round Room?
The Round Room is created and hosted by The Round Room at Emerson College.
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