{"generated_at": "2026-04-22T21:24:23.705112Z", "slug": "up_first", "source_id": "src_up_first", "name": "Up First from NPR", "episode_count": 10, "avg_signal": 66.0, "median_signal": 64.5, "top_signal": 88.0, "latest_episode_at": "2026-04-21T09:46:39Z", "earliest_episode_at": "2026-04-13T10:11:16Z", "category_mode": "news", "cover_image_url": "https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims3/default/strip/false/crop/3000x3000+0+0/resize/1400/quality/66/format/jpg/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fe0%2F7a%2Ffe9d16a44fbf9dd2d9932ffe799b%2F510318.png", "rank_score": 155.57, "episodes": [{"episode_id": "ep_up_first_a50559d58362", "episode_title": "Iran Ceasefire Deadline, Labor Secretary Out, Hearing For New Fed Chair", "podcast_name": "Up First from NPR", "podcast_slug": "up_first", "source_id": "src_up_first", "category": "news", "publish_date": "2026-04-21T09:46:39Z", "overall_score": 60.6, "score_breakdown": {"clarity": 69.2, "originality": 51.0, "hype_penalty": 3.0, "actionability": 67.0, "technical_depth": 46.0, "information_density": 64.8}, "podcast_cover_url": "https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims3/default/strip/false/crop/3000x3000+0+0/resize/1400/quality/66/format/jpg/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fe0%2F7a%2Ffe9d16a44fbf9dd2d9932ffe799b%2F510318.png", "source_link": "https://www.npr.org/2026/04/21/nx-s1-5793643/iran-ceasefire-deadline-labor-secretary-out-hearing-for-new-fed-chair", "audio_url": "https://prfx.byspotify.com/e/play.podtrac.com/npr-510318/npr.simplecastaudio.com/d52bee4a-b10a-40f8-9417-45064e6b8632/episodes/069e40ad-265f-472d-93f2-9ec54dd95755/audio/128/default.mp3?awCollectionId=d52bee4a-b10a-40f8-9417-45064e6b8632&awEpisodeId=069e40ad-265f-472d-93f2-9ec54dd95755&feed=HMwRVgVt&t=podcast&e=nx-s1-5793643&p=510318&d=780&size=12487829", "listen_url": "https://www.npr.org/2026/04/21/nx-s1-5793643/iran-ceasefire-deadline-labor-secretary-out-hearing-for-new-fed-chair", "verdict": "worth_your_time", "why_listen": "It goes beyond the title with direct discussion of iran, ceasefire, trump, including: Iran says it won't negotiate under threat, but president Trump says he's sending negotiators anyway.", "summary": "Talks to extend the ceasefire between Iran and The US are still up in the air. Iran says it won't negotiate under threat, but president Trump says he's sending negotiators anyway."}, {"episode_id": "ep_up_first_f86bdd8e6dfa", "episode_title": "Trump and Iran Talks, Iran Reacts to Ship Seized, Tariff Refunds", "podcast_name": "Up First from NPR", "podcast_slug": "up_first", "source_id": "src_up_first", "category": "news", "publish_date": "2026-04-20T10:02:02Z", "overall_score": 68.9, "score_breakdown": {"clarity": 64.2, "originality": 63.9, "hype_penalty": 3.0, "actionability": 100.0, "technical_depth": 46.0, "information_density": 65.2}, "podcast_cover_url": "https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims3/default/strip/false/crop/3000x3000+0+0/resize/1400/quality/66/format/jpg/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fe0%2F7a%2Ffe9d16a44fbf9dd2d9932ffe799b%2F510318.png", "source_link": "https://www.npr.org/2026/04/20/nx-s1-5791261/trump-and-iran-talks-iran-reacts-to-ship-seized-tariff-refunds", "audio_url": "https://prfx.byspotify.com/e/play.podtrac.com/npr-510318/npr.simplecastaudio.com/d52bee4a-b10a-40f8-9417-45064e6b8632/episodes/c44823a5-6cff-4ec4-a474-9f9b6ab11151/audio/128/default.mp3?awCollectionId=d52bee4a-b10a-40f8-9417-45064e6b8632&awEpisodeId=c44823a5-6cff-4ec4-a474-9f9b6ab11151&feed=HMwRVgVt&t=podcast&e=nx-s1-5791261&p=510318&d=823&size=13172864", "listen_url": "https://www.npr.org/2026/04/20/nx-s1-5791261/trump-and-iran-talks-iran-reacts-to-ship-seized-tariff-refunds", "verdict": "worth_your_time", "why_listen": "It goes beyond the title with direct discussion of iran, trump, said, including: Iran is calling it piracy and vowing to retaliate.", "summary": "The US fired on and seized an Iranian cargo ship that tried to break through the blockade. Iran is calling it piracy and vowing to retaliate."}, {"episode_id": "ep_up_first_b31259ff3c13", "episode_title": "Hormuz Latest, Trump Rallies Amid Sinking Approval, Tariff Refunds", "podcast_name": "Up First from NPR", "podcast_slug": "up_first", "source_id": "src_up_first", "category": "news", "publish_date": "2026-04-18T14:29:31Z", "overall_score": 55.6, "score_breakdown": {"clarity": 52.8, "originality": 49.4, "hype_penalty": 5.7, "actionability": 59.0, "technical_depth": 53.5, "information_density": 71.8}, "podcast_cover_url": "https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims3/default/strip/false/crop/3000x3000+0+0/resize/1400/quality/66/format/jpg/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fe0%2F7a%2Ffe9d16a44fbf9dd2d9932ffe799b%2F510318.png", "source_link": "https://www.npr.org/2026/04/18/nx-s1-5787760/hormuz-latest-trump-rallies-amid-sinking-approval-tariff-refunds", "audio_url": "https://prfx.byspotify.com/e/play.podtrac.com/npr-510318/npr.simplecastaudio.com/d52bee4a-b10a-40f8-9417-45064e6b8632/episodes/c1afa195-8c71-4da5-b477-4aacee2c69d2/audio/128/default.mp3?awCollectionId=d52bee4a-b10a-40f8-9417-45064e6b8632&awEpisodeId=c1afa195-8c71-4da5-b477-4aacee2c69d2&feed=HMwRVgVt&t=podcast&e=nx-s1-5787760&p=510318&d=921&size=14743137", "listen_url": "https://www.npr.org/2026/04/18/nx-s1-5787760/hormuz-latest-trump-rallies-amid-sinking-approval-tariff-refunds", "verdict": "worth_your_time", "why_listen": "It goes beyond the title with direct discussion of trump, president, iran, including: Putting the temporary reprieve of the ceasefire at risk.", "summary": "Iran says it's clamping down again on the Strait of Hormuz."}, {"episode_id": "ep_up_first_2b1260c6b415", "episode_title": "Zohran Mamdani on NYC as a blueprint for Democrats | NPR's Newsmakers", "podcast_name": "Up First from NPR", "podcast_slug": "up_first", "source_id": "src_up_first", "category": "news", "publish_date": "2026-04-17T17:42:31Z", "overall_score": 67.3, "score_breakdown": {"clarity": 75.4, "originality": 48.6, "hype_penalty": 5.7, "actionability": 99.0, "technical_depth": 53.5, "information_density": 68.4}, "podcast_cover_url": "https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims3/default/strip/false/crop/3000x3000+0+0/resize/1400/quality/66/format/jpg/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fe0%2F7a%2Ffe9d16a44fbf9dd2d9932ffe799b%2F510318.png", "source_link": "https://www.npr.org/podcasts/510318/up-first", "audio_url": "https://prfx.byspotify.com/e/play.podtrac.com/npr-510318/npr.simplecastaudio.com/d52bee4a-b10a-40f8-9417-45064e6b8632/episodes/717be2e7-2929-4eed-97c5-a62ae533a328/audio/128/default.mp3?awCollectionId=d52bee4a-b10a-40f8-9417-45064e6b8632&awEpisodeId=717be2e7-2929-4eed-97c5-a62ae533a328&feed=HMwRVgVt&t=podcast&e=nx-s1-5788620&p=510318&d=1764&size=28239457", "listen_url": "https://prfx.byspotify.com/e/play.podtrac.com/npr-510318/npr.simplecastaudio.com/d52bee4a-b10a-40f8-9417-45064e6b8632/episodes/717be2e7-2929-4eed-97c5-a62ae533a328/audio/128/default.mp3?awCollectionId=d52bee4a-b10a-40f8-9417-45064e6b8632&awEpisodeId=717be2e7-2929-4eed-97c5-a62ae533a328&feed=HMwRVgVt&t=podcast&e=nx-s1-5788620&p=510318&d=1764&size=28239457", "verdict": "worth_your_time", "why_listen": "It goes beyond the title with direct discussion of city, think, it's, including: Our guest today is the mayor of New York City, Zohran Mamdani.", "summary": "It's Layla Fauldin with a special episode of Up First, a conversation from our sister show NPR's newsmakers, where we interview some of the most influential people of our time. Our guest today is the mayor of New York City, Zohran Mamdani."}, {"episode_id": "ep_up_first_3a719e5d97d0", "episode_title": "Lebanon-Israel Ceasefire, Hegseth On Blockade, Trump Nominates New CDC Director", "podcast_name": "Up First from NPR", "podcast_slug": "up_first", "source_id": "src_up_first", "category": "news", "publish_date": "2026-04-17T10:07:43Z", "overall_score": 65.1, "score_breakdown": {"clarity": 73.2, "originality": 61.8, "hype_penalty": 2.7, "actionability": 59.0, "technical_depth": 53.5, "information_density": 71.6}, "podcast_cover_url": "https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims3/default/strip/false/crop/3000x3000+0+0/resize/1400/quality/66/format/jpg/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fe0%2F7a%2Ffe9d16a44fbf9dd2d9932ffe799b%2F510318.png", "source_link": "https://www.npr.org/2026/04/17/nx-s1-5788557/lebanon-israel-ceasefire-hegseth-on-blockade-trump-nominates-new-cdc-director", "audio_url": "https://prfx.byspotify.com/e/play.podtrac.com/npr-510318/npr.simplecastaudio.com/d52bee4a-b10a-40f8-9417-45064e6b8632/episodes/c1e533d2-4de4-4f76-b1af-a50c7fe2924b/audio/128/default.mp3?awCollectionId=d52bee4a-b10a-40f8-9417-45064e6b8632&awEpisodeId=c1e533d2-4de4-4f76-b1af-a50c7fe2924b&feed=HMwRVgVt&t=podcast&e=nx-s1-5788557&p=510318&d=761&size=12182719", "listen_url": "https://www.npr.org/2026/04/17/nx-s1-5788557/lebanon-israel-ceasefire-hegseth-on-blockade-trump-nominates-new-cdc-director", "verdict": "worth_your_time", "why_listen": "It goes beyond the title with direct discussion of israel, ceasefire, hezbollah, including: But Israel is occupying southern Lebanon and says it's not leaving, and Hezbollah wasn't part of the deal and says it has the right to resist.", "summary": "A 10-day ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon is now in effect. But Israel is occupying southern Lebanon and says it's not leaving, and Hezbollah wasn't part of the deal and says it has the right to resist."}, {"episode_id": "ep_up_first_db910661f66b", "episode_title": "Trump's Iran War Timeline, Iran Blockade And Peace Talks, GOP And Trump Pope Feud", "podcast_name": "Up First from NPR", "podcast_slug": "up_first", "source_id": "src_up_first", "category": "news", "publish_date": "2026-04-16T10:03:21Z", "overall_score": 57.1, "score_breakdown": {"clarity": 59.1, "originality": 51.3, "hype_penalty": 3.0, "actionability": 59.0, "technical_depth": 46.0, "information_density": 65.2}, "podcast_cover_url": "https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims3/default/strip/false/crop/3000x3000+0+0/resize/1400/quality/66/format/jpg/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fe0%2F7a%2Ffe9d16a44fbf9dd2d9932ffe799b%2F510318.png", "source_link": "https://www.npr.org/2026/04/16/nx-s1-5787383/trumps-iran-war-timeline-iran-blockade-and-peace-talks-gop-and-trump-pope-feud", "audio_url": "https://prfx.byspotify.com/e/play.podtrac.com/npr-510318/npr.simplecastaudio.com/d52bee4a-b10a-40f8-9417-45064e6b8632/episodes/fb478054-1c44-4089-9abf-9fffad4b636e/audio/128/default.mp3?awCollectionId=d52bee4a-b10a-40f8-9417-45064e6b8632&awEpisodeId=fb478054-1c44-4089-9abf-9fffad4b636e&feed=HMwRVgVt&t=podcast&e=nx-s1-5787383&p=510318&d=789&size=12639548", "listen_url": "https://www.npr.org/2026/04/16/nx-s1-5787383/trumps-iran-war-timeline-iran-blockade-and-peace-talks-gop-and-trump-pope-feud", "verdict": "worth_your_time", "why_listen": "It goes beyond the title with direct discussion of president, trump, iran, including: I think it's close to over.", "summary": "President Trump keeps saying the war with Iran is ending soon. I I mean, I view it as very close to over."}, {"episode_id": "ep_up_first_5220aced3d62", "episode_title": "Dave Chappelle on free speech and the purpose of comedy | NPR\u2019s Newsmakers", "podcast_name": "Up First from NPR", "podcast_slug": "up_first", "source_id": "src_up_first", "category": "news", "publish_date": "2026-04-15T17:00:01Z", "overall_score": 63.9, "score_breakdown": {"clarity": 62.8, "originality": 45.9, "hype_penalty": 5.1, "actionability": 67.0, "technical_depth": 68.5, "information_density": 80.6}, "podcast_cover_url": "https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims3/default/strip/false/crop/3000x3000+0+0/resize/1400/quality/66/format/jpg/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fe0%2F7a%2Ffe9d16a44fbf9dd2d9932ffe799b%2F510318.png", "source_link": "https://www.npr.org/podcasts/510318/up-first", "audio_url": "https://prfx.byspotify.com/e/play.podtrac.com/npr-510318/npr.simplecastaudio.com/d52bee4a-b10a-40f8-9417-45064e6b8632/episodes/55dac1f7-71b4-40c9-a35f-0a14b43b302b/audio/128/default.mp3?awCollectionId=d52bee4a-b10a-40f8-9417-45064e6b8632&awEpisodeId=55dac1f7-71b4-40c9-a35f-0a14b43b302b&feed=HMwRVgVt&t=podcast&e=nx-s1-5786500&p=510318&d=2323&size=37169155", "listen_url": "https://prfx.byspotify.com/e/play.podtrac.com/npr-510318/npr.simplecastaudio.com/d52bee4a-b10a-40f8-9417-45064e6b8632/episodes/55dac1f7-71b4-40c9-a35f-0a14b43b302b/audio/128/default.mp3?awCollectionId=d52bee4a-b10a-40f8-9417-45064e6b8632&awEpisodeId=55dac1f7-71b4-40c9-a35f-0a14b43b302b&feed=HMwRVgVt&t=podcast&e=nx-s1-5786500&p=510318&d=2323&size=37169155", "verdict": "worth_your_time", "why_listen": "It goes beyond the title with direct discussion of like, know, don't, including: You can watch the show on NPR's YouTube channel or search for newsmakers wherever you get your podcasts.", "summary": "You can watch the show on NPR's YouTube channel or search for newsmakers wherever you get your podcasts. Do you feel like your job is to be provocative?."}, {"episode_id": "ep_up_first_ba516718dbcb", "episode_title": "Middle East War Negotiations, War And The Global Economy, New Swalwell Allegations", "podcast_name": "Up First from NPR", "podcast_slug": "up_first", "source_id": "src_up_first", "category": "news", "publish_date": "2026-04-15T09:45:51Z", "overall_score": 62.3, "score_breakdown": {"clarity": 65.1, "originality": 47.4, "hype_penalty": 2.7, "actionability": 67.0, "technical_depth": 53.5, "information_density": 71.9}, "podcast_cover_url": "https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims3/default/strip/false/crop/3000x3000+0+0/resize/1400/quality/66/format/jpg/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fe0%2F7a%2Ffe9d16a44fbf9dd2d9932ffe799b%2F510318.png", "source_link": "https://www.npr.org/2026/04/15/nx-s1-5786030/middle-east-war-negotiations-war-and-the-global-economy-new-swalwell-allegations", "audio_url": "https://prfx.byspotify.com/e/play.podtrac.com/npr-510318/npr.simplecastaudio.com/d52bee4a-b10a-40f8-9417-45064e6b8632/episodes/b145cd1c-28c9-40ca-b472-8e6579b3bef1/audio/128/default.mp3?awCollectionId=d52bee4a-b10a-40f8-9417-45064e6b8632&awEpisodeId=b145cd1c-28c9-40ca-b472-8e6579b3bef1&feed=HMwRVgVt&t=podcast&e=nx-s1-5786030&p=510318&d=787&size=12607365", "listen_url": "https://www.npr.org/2026/04/15/nx-s1-5786030/middle-east-war-negotiations-war-and-the-global-economy-new-swalwell-allegations", "verdict": "worth_your_time", "why_listen": "It goes beyond the title with direct discussion of says, iran, talks, including: And Israel and Lebanon agree to start peace negotiations.", "summary": "President Trump says another round of talks with Iran could happen in the next few days. And Israel and Lebanon agree to start peace negotiations."}, {"episode_id": "ep_up_first_b1f1a02c9b49", "episode_title": "Swalwell Resignation, Strait Of Hormuz Standoff, Trump Feuds with Pope Leo", "podcast_name": "Up First from NPR", "podcast_slug": "up_first", "source_id": "src_up_first", "category": "news", "publish_date": "2026-04-14T09:48:07Z", "overall_score": 70.9, "score_breakdown": {"clarity": 60.7, "originality": 60.0, "hype_penalty": 3.0, "actionability": 99.0, "technical_depth": 46.0, "recency_relevance": 88.0, "information_density": 65.5}, "podcast_cover_url": "https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims3/default/strip/false/crop/3000x3000+0+0/resize/1400/quality/66/format/jpg/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fe0%2F7a%2Ffe9d16a44fbf9dd2d9932ffe799b%2F510318.png", "source_link": "https://www.npr.org/2026/04/14/nx-s1-5784554/swalwell-resignation-strait-of-hormuz-standoff-trump-feuds-with-pope-leo", "audio_url": "https://prfx.byspotify.com/e/play.podtrac.com/npr-510318/npr.simplecastaudio.com/d52bee4a-b10a-40f8-9417-45064e6b8632/episodes/361bfc6b-12e3-482f-8336-b7eff1508c6c/audio/128/default.mp3?awCollectionId=d52bee4a-b10a-40f8-9417-45064e6b8632&awEpisodeId=361bfc6b-12e3-482f-8336-b7eff1508c6c&feed=HMwRVgVt&t=podcast&e=nx-s1-5784554&p=510318&d=782&size=12526699", "listen_url": "https://www.npr.org/2026/04/14/nx-s1-5784554/swalwell-resignation-strait-of-hormuz-standoff-trump-feuds-with-pope-leo", "verdict": "worth_your_time", "why_listen": "It goes beyond the title with direct discussion of trump, pope, iran, including: I've certainly made mistakes in judgment in my past.", "summary": "Democratic congressman Eric Swalwell is resigning after multiple women accuse him of sexual assault and misconduct."}, {"episode_id": "ep_up_first_83d08b172555", "episode_title": "Trump's Blockade, Israel-Lebanon Talks, Hungary's Orb\u00e1n Out", "podcast_name": "Up First from NPR", "podcast_slug": "up_first", "source_id": "src_up_first", "category": "news", "publish_date": "2026-04-13T10:11:16Z", "overall_score": 88.0, "score_breakdown": {"clarity": 92.0, "originality": 87.0, "actionability": 65.0, "technical_depth": 85.0, "recency_relevance": 100.0, "information_density": 88.0}, "podcast_cover_url": "https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims3/default/strip/false/crop/3000x3000+0+0/resize/1400/quality/66/format/jpg/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fe0%2F7a%2Ffe9d16a44fbf9dd2d9932ffe799b%2F510318.png", "source_link": "https://www.npr.org/2026/04/13/nx-s1-5783449/trumps-blockade-israel-lebanon-talks-hungarys-orban-out", "audio_url": "https://prfx.byspotify.com/e/play.podtrac.com/npr-510318/npr.simplecastaudio.com/d52bee4a-b10a-40f8-9417-45064e6b8632/episodes/f733b7cf-d4f3-4eeb-a35c-141cfa23456b/audio/128/default.mp3?awCollectionId=d52bee4a-b10a-40f8-9417-45064e6b8632&awEpisodeId=f733b7cf-d4f3-4eeb-a35c-141cfa23456b&feed=HMwRVgVt&t=podcast&e=nx-s1-5783449&p=510318&d=737&size=11808227", "listen_url": "https://www.npr.org/2026/04/13/nx-s1-5783449/trumps-blockade-israel-lebanon-talks-hungarys-orban-out", "verdict": "must_listen", "why_listen": "It delivers timely, on-the-ground reporting from Beirut and Budapest with direct sourcing from a Hezbollah commander and Hungarian voters, clarifying high-stakes geopolitical shifts.", "summary": "The US Navy began a blockade of the Strait of Hormuz after failed peace talks with Iran, aiming to cut off Iranian oil revenue. Israel continues airstrikes in Lebanon, killing over 100 people including medics, while indirect talks between Israel and Lebanon are set in Washington. In Hungary, Viktor Orban lost power after 16 years as Peter Magyar's party won a supermajority, signaling a shift away from EU populist alliances."}], "category_breakdown": [{"category": "news", "count": 10}]}