Paper Trail, published by ProPublica, follows investigative reporters as they pursue evidence of wrongdoing, from documents and whistleblower conversations to secret recordings. Investigative reporter Jessica Lussenhop hosts. The show has 14 episodes released roughly every two weeks, typically about 39 to 44 minutes long. Estimated downloads per episode are 20,000 to 80,000, with a rate of $360 to $2,000 per episode.
Investigative journalism audience with a highly rated, premium-produced ProPublica series
- Apple Podcasts shows 610 ratings averaging 4.8 out of 5, with most ratings at five stars.
- Episodes run about 35 to 45 minutes on a fortnightly schedule, with high production values.
- Recent episodes cover politics, public health, and corporate accountability, attracting a serious, engaged audience.
Brand fit report
Content
- Formats
- narrative, interview, investigative reporting
- Tone
- serious, informative
- Language
- English
- Production
- Studio production
- Typical length
- 35 to 45 minutes
Audience
Commercial
- Brands seen
- ProPublica
- Categories promoted
- None yet
- Affiliate links
- Yes
The description and a funding link ask listeners to support the journalism by donating at propublica.org/donate, and no sponsor mentions were found in the feed.
Suitability GARM Brand Safety Floor + Suitability
The feed is flagged explicit (value 1), and episode titles cover topics such as "Should People Who Killed Their Abusers Walk Free?" and immigration raids, which carry political and violence-related subject matter.
We classify content, never people. No age, gender, ethnicity, religion or political views are inferred about the creator. Audience figures are estimates unless marked verified. Creators can correct anything on their profile.
Where to listen
| Platform | Link |
|---|---|
| Website | www.propublica.org/series/paper-trail |
| Apple Podcasts | podcasts.apple.com/podcast/id1896058335 |
| RSS feed | publicfeeds.net/f/16890/feed-rss.xml |
Benchmark score: 81 / 100
Public rule, same for everyone. How it works.
Recent episodes
| Episode | Date | Length |
|---|---|---|
| Susan Collins and the Case of the Disappearing FBI Probe | 2026-10-15 | 44 min |
| Who’s the Shadow President? | 2026-10-01 | 36 min |
| Don Jr.’s Secret Wedding Guest | 2026-09-15 | 29 min |
| The Predatory Industry Behind MLB’s Dominican Superstar Pipeline | 2026-09-10 | 44 min |
| How the Planet-Altering Disaster of “Forever Chemicals” Was Kept Secre | 2026-09-03 | 44 min |
| The True Story of Why Immigration Agents Raided a Chicago Apartment Bu | 2026-08-20 | 42 min |
Last six episodes from the show's feed, latest 4 days ago, a new one about every 14 days.
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,…
About Paper Trail
Paper Trail is an investigative podcast from ProPublica, hosted by investigative reporter Jessica Lussenhop, according to the show's description in the feed. Each episode follows reporters as they pursue documents, whistleblower accounts, and secret recordings to expose wrongdoing, and the show publishes about 14 episodes so far, roughly every two weeks, with a typical runtime of 35 to 45 minutes.
Apple Podcasts lists 610 ratings for the show with an average of 4.8 out of 5. The audience is estimated rather than published, at roughly 20,000 to 80,000 downloads per episode based on the ratings count, and the show's listeners are likely to be adults interested in news and public accountability. The feed promotes donations to ProPublica rather than paid sponsors.
Brands that want to reach serious, news-minded listeners may find the show suitable for trust-led or premium campaigns. An estimated mid-roll rate of $360 to $2,000 per episode would fit a sponsor seeking a high-attention audience.
Written from the show's public RSS feed, its Podcast Index listing and episode titles. Numbers updated 2026-10-19. Paper Trail can edit or remove this page at any time.
Questions about Paper Trail
How much does Paper Trail charge for a podcast sponsorship?
Based on estimated downloads of 20,000 to 80,000 per episode, a host-read mid-roll would be roughly $360 to $2,000 per episode. Actual pricing depends on the rate the show accepts. The show's contact email unlocks on Starbooked for $0.80.
What is Paper Trail about?
Paper Trail is a ProPublica podcast in which investigative reporters chase evidence of wrongdoing, from documents and whistleblowers to secret recordings, and explain how their stories changed outcomes.
How do I contact Paper Trail about sponsoring an episode?
The show's contact email unlocks on Starbooked for $0.80. Boosted shows can be booked through Starbooked, so check the listing for availability.
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