NPR Podcast Host Ramtin Arablouei Leaves Network After Workplace Conduct Inquiry

Ramtin Arablouei, co-host of NPR’s “Throughline” podcast, has left the network after an internal investigation into his workplace conduct. The inquiry began after a female employee of the show filed a human resources complaint about his behavior. The probe started in March when the employee told a manager about uncomfortable experiences working with the 43-year-old host.

She said Arablouei shared personal details during one-on-one meetings and made an offensive comment during a team meeting.

The employee reported that Arablouei described a producer as “a case for race mixing,” a remark that left some staff uncomfortable. She also said he flirted with guests and a contract employee of the show. Ali Parker, senior assistant general counsel at NPR, interviewed “Throughline” employees over several weeks.

On April 1, Parker told the female employee that many of her complaints had been corroborated.

That same day, “Throughline” staff learned during a meeting that Arablouei was leaving NPR. Two weeks later, the network informed stations that co-host Rund Abdelfatah would continue as the podcast’s solo host. ” She added that the network takes allegations regarding workplace conduct seriously.

Arablouei has not co-hosted an episode of “Throughline” for several weeks. His bio has been removed from the NPR website, though his story archive remains. Arablouei joined NPR in 2015. Before co-founding “Throughline,” he contributed to several NPR programs including “How I Built This,” “TED Radio Hour,” and “Hidden Brain.