Free Daily Podcast Summary
Paper Trail: Daily Summaries Delivered
by ProPublica
Investigative reporters at ProPublica chase down evidence of wrongdoing and bring it to light. That evidence can be on paper — or on thumb drives, in secret recordings, from conversations with whistleblowers. Each episode, you’ll ride along as we talk to reporters and their sources, uncover hidden facts and show you the receipts. When we publish what we find, things can change. Laws are passed, corrupt leaders fall, innocent people walk out of prison and sometimes a life is even saved. Investigative reporter Jessica Lussenhop is your guide.
Latest Episodes
The most recent episodes — sign up to get AI-powered summaries of each one.
- 2 weeks ago44 min
Susan Collins and the Case of the Disappearing FBI Probe
When the Trump administration shut down an elite FBI anti-corruption unit, investigations in progress got shelved. ProPublica reporters learned details of one of these: The CEO of a naval technology company alleged that he had bribed politicians, including Sen. Susan Collins. If he was telling the truth, his story provided a road map to how corruption really works in Washington, D.C. But the CEO was in prison for fraud, and Collins claimed she’d been cleared by the FBI. Could anything he said be true? Read the original reporting here: https://www.propublica.org/article/fbi-susan-collins-navatek-campaign-donations-investigationContact the reporters here: Molly Redden, William Turton, Avi Asher-SchapiroSupport our journalism by donating at propublica.org/donate.
- 4 weeks ago36 min
Who’s the Shadow President?
Reporter Andy Kroll got his hands on secret tapes of a low-profile bureaucrat named Russell Vought. Turns out, as director of the Office of Management and Budget, he’s been quietly reshaping the federal government and commanding many of the second Trump administration’s biggest moves. Read the reporting here: https://www.propublica.org/article/russ-vought-trump-shadow-president-omb Support our journalism by donating at propublica.org/donate.
- Sep 15, 202628 min
Don Jr.’s Secret Wedding Guest
While investigating the personal wealth of the president’s oldest son, investigative reporters Justin Elliott and Brett Murphy learned something almost too strange to be true: that a Russian oligarch closely allied with Vladimir Putin might have attended Donald Trump Jr.’s recent wedding in the Bahamas. Using a combination of social media and shoe-leather reporting, a team of ProPublica reporters soon realized that the guest list was just the tip of the iceberg. Read the reporting here: https://www.propublica.org/article/donald-trump-jr-wedding-bankrolled-russian-oligarch-umar-kremlev-putinSupport our journalism by donating at propublica.org/donate.
- Sep 10, 202644 min
The Predatory Industry Behind MLB’s Dominican Superstar Pipeline
Major League Baseball has built a pipeline in the Dominican Republic to scoop up young players with the potential of superstars like Red Sox hero David “Big Papi” Ortiz. But reporter Gus Garcia-Roberts uncovered how MLB has allowed a shadow industry to flourish — one that exploits young players and their families. In this episode, Gus brings us the story of Belfi Rivera, a supernaturally talented young Dominican player who experienced firsthand how the system is broken. Support our journalism by donating at propublica.org/donate.
- Sep 3, 202644 min
How the Planet-Altering Disaster of “Forever Chemicals” Was Kept Secret
We now know harmful “forever chemicals” are likely in the bodies of most people on Earth. Decades ago, 3M knew that these chemicals had seeped into the public’s blood, but they kept that a secret. One 3M scientist helped reporter Sharon Lerner understand how they kept it quiet for so long.Reporter: Sharon LernerRead More: https://www.propublica.org/article/3m-forever-chemicals-pfas-pfos-inside-story Support our journalism by donating at propublica.org/donate.
- Aug 20, 202641 min
The True Story of Why Immigration Agents Raided a Chicago Apartment Building
In the middle of a September night last year, hundreds of agents stormed a Chicago apartment building, some rappelling down from a Black Hawk helicopter. They arrested 37 immigrants and claimed that two were confirmed members of the violent Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua — but then never identified any of them. Reporters Melissa Sanchez and Sebastian Rotella set out to track down the people arrested, and, along with a team of ProPublica reporters, they uncovered a very different story behind the raid.Read the original reporting here: https://www.propublica.org/article/chicago-venezuela-immigration-ice-raid-landlord-tren-de-araguahttps://www.propublica.org/article/chicago-venezuela-immigration-ice-fbi-raids-no-criminal-chargesSupport our journalism by donating at propublica.org/donate.
- Aug 6, 202645 min
How “Forgive and Forget” Buried a Church’s Dark Secret
Host Jessica Lussenhop received an unusual email: A prosecutor had major concerns about a case in Minnesota. A man had pleaded guilty to felony child sexual abuse, but it seemed like the church he belonged to, the Old Apostolic Lutheran Church, might have played a part in keeping the abuse quiet. Lussenhop teamed up with reporter Andy Mannix, and they discovered this case was just a symptom of a much bigger problem in the OALC.Read the original stories here: https://www.propublica.org/series/forgive-and-forgetThe National Sexual Assault Hotline can be reached at 800-656-HOPE (4673).If you have information about the OALC, contact Andy Mannix and Jeremy Kohler.Support our journalism by donating at propublica.org/donate.
- Jul 23, 202633 min
What Happened When Trump Officials Destroyed USAID (From Reveal)
This week, we’re presenting a conversation with ProPublica reporters that originally aired on Reveal’s podcast “More to the Story.” When the administration and DOGE cut off funding to USAID, administration officials claimed that aid was still flowing and no one had died as a result. Reporters Brett Murphy and Anna Maria Barry-Jester learned that wasn’t true and traveled to South Sudan and Kenya to find out what really happened. If you have information on foreign aid, contact Murphy here and Barry-Jester here.Read the original reporting here: https://www.propublica.org/article/kenya-trump-usaid-world-food-program-starvation-children-deathshttps://www.propublica.org/article/usaid-cholera-deaths-trump-humanitarian-aid-cuts-south-sudanSupport our journalism by donating at propublica.org/donate.
Get Paper Trail summaries in your inbox
Free AI-powered daily recaps. Key takeaways, quotes, and mentions — in a 5-minute read.
Get Free Summaries →Free forever for up to 3 podcasts. No credit card required.
You Might Also Like
Listeners also like.
Reveal
Investigative reporters expose systemic injustices and hold powerful institutions accountable through in-depth stories on social issues.
Deep Cover
People live double lives, from suburban fathers hiding criminal pasts to the secrets that unravel families.
The Tara Palmeri Show
A political journalist reveals behind-the-scenes dynamics and unfiltered realities of power in Washington and beyond.
The Improvement Association
A reporter investigates persistent election fraud allegations in rural North Carolina and the group at the center of the controversy.
Sidebar with Katie Phang
Legal and political analysis from a former prosecutor cutting through spin to deliver factual clarity on major headlines.
48 Hours
Investigates compelling crime and justice cases through in-depth reporting, interviews, and evidence analysis.
After the Fact
Explores data and trends shaping public health, environment, and economic issues through expert analysis and nonpartisan discussion.
In The Dark
Investigative journalism uncovering systemic failures in criminal justice and powerful institutions through deep dives into specific cases.
Slow Burn
Examines pivotal political and cultural moments in American history through archival audio and firsthand accounts.
Brief Recess: A Legal Podcast with Michael Foote & Mélissa Malebranche
Lawyers analyze viral legal cases, answer listener questions, and explain how to navigate the justice system with humor and practical advice.
Bridge of Lies
A 19-year-old artist's disappearance on the Jersey Shore reveals lies and a hidden crime after an undercover sting.
Infamous
Investigative journalists explore major scandals of the 21st century, from celebrity controversies to political deceptions.
About Paper Trail
Investigative reporters at ProPublica chase down evidence of wrongdoing and bring it to light. That evidence can be on paper — or on thumb drives, in secret recordings, from conversations with whistleblowers. Each episode, you’ll ride along as we talk to reporters and their sources, uncover hidden facts and show you the receipts. When we publish what we find, things can change. Laws are passed, corrupt leaders fall, innocent people walk out of prison and sometimes a life is even saved. Investigative reporter Jessica Lussenhop is your guide.
Customized Recaps
AI-powered recaps with compact key takeaways, quotes, and insights.
Straight to Your Inbox
Get key takeaways from Paper Trail in a 5-minute read.
Save Hours Every Week
Stay current on your favorite podcasts without falling behind.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Podzilla's Paper Trail daily summary?
It's a free AI-powered email that summarizes new episodes of Paper Trail as soon as they're published. You get the key takeaways, notable quotes, and links & mentions — all in a quick read.
How does the Paper Trail podcast summary work?
When a new episode drops, our AI transcribes and analyzes it, then generates a personalized summary tailored to your interests and profession. It's delivered to your inbox every morning.
Is this an official Paper Trail product?
No. Podzilla is an independent service that summarizes publicly available podcast content. We're not affiliated with or endorsed by ProPublica.
Can I get summaries of other podcasts too?
Absolutely! The free plan covers up to 3 podcasts, any in the catalog. Basic raises that to 15, Pro to 40 and Max to 100. Browse our full catalog at /podcasts.
How often does Paper Trail release new episodes?
Paper Trail publishes biweekly. Our AI generates a summary within hours of each new episode.
What topics does Paper Trail cover?
Paper Trail covers topics including News, Documentary, Culture, Society & Culture. Our AI identifies the specific themes in each episode and highlights what matters most to you.
Start getting Paper Trail summaries tomorrow morning.
Free forever for up to 3 podcasts. No credit card required.
Free forever for up to 3 podcasts. No credit card required.