On Point

On Point

By WBUR

Let's make sense of the world – together. From the economy and health care to politics and the environment – and so much more – On Point host Meghna Chakrabarti speaks with newsmakers and everyday people about the issues that matter most. On Point is produced by WBUR.

Episodes

Donald Trump's potential indictment and its national implications

For the first time in U.S. history, a former president may be charged with a serious crime. We discuss the legal and political fallout of the possible indictment of Donald Trump.
24/03/23·47m 19s

Sociologist Matthew Desmond on why poverty persists in America

In America we have the wealth and the know-how to end poverty, so why don’t we? Sociologist Matthew Desmond seeks answers in his new book “Poverty, By America.”
23/03/23·47m 5s

How Turkey’s hasty rebuild could set the nation up for another disaster

Just three weeks after the catastrophic earthquake in Turkey, reconstruction was already underway. Turkey’s president, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has promised to rebuild in one year. But is racing to rebuild the right answer? Evren Aydoğan, Divya Chandrasekhar and Jared Maslin join Meghna Chakrabarti.
22/03/23·47m 8s

Why mental health is declining for teenage girls in the U.S.

Teen mental health is declining, particularly among girls. The pressure of social media is often cited as a leading cause. But that’s not the full story behind the mental health of teenage girls in the U.S.
21/03/23·47m 25s

Silicon Valley Bank's collapse: What happens when mid-sized banks get too big to fail

The collapse of Silicon Valley Bank marks the second largest bank failure in America’s history. Some say a 2018 rollback on bank regulations helped cause it. What happens when so-called mid-sized banks also get too big to fail?
21/03/23·47m 8s

'Battle for your brain': What the rise of brain-computer interface technology means for you

Computer brain interfaces used to be the stuff of science fiction. Now, headphones and earbuds with sensors that can read your brain waves – and sell your data – are hitting the market. Experts say it’s the time to establish rules of the road.
17/03/23·47m 20s

The abortion pill lawsuit that could change how the FDA approves drugs

A Texas lawsuit attempting to ban the abortion pill could undermine how the FDA approves drugs. If the plaintiffs succeed, experts say the pharmaceutical industry could be thrown into chaos -- leaving past and new drugs also on the chopping block. Glenn Cohen and Eva Temkin join Meghna Chakrabarti. 
16/03/23·47m 12s

First person: Why clownfish need darkness

Emily Fobert is a research fellow at the University of Melbourne in Australia. In the lab, Emily studies how light pollution affects marine life.
15/03/23·5m 31s

In defense of darkness

Earth needs darkness just as much as it needs light. Human light pollution is pushing back the dark, which is changing the natural world, and could be hurting us, too. Johan Eklöf joins Meghna Chakrabarti.
15/03/23·47m 20s

The fight for control of the St. Louis police force

The State of Missouri controlled the St. Louis police force from the Civil War until a decade ago. Now Republican state politicians want that power back. We explore the struggle for control of the police between the city and state.
14/03/23·47m 14s

First person: Behind a scientist's discovery of a tongue-replacing parasite

Professor Nico Smit specializes in aquatic parasitology at Northwestern University in South Africa. Many years ago, while working on his Ph.D., Smit ran across something special in the coastal waters off South Africa: a tongue-replacing parasite.
13/03/23·6m 48s

Why losing parasites could have devastating effects on our ecosystem

Parasites. Cause of human disease. Big on the yuck-factor. It's easy to think of them as doing no good -- but researchers say that's the wrong way to think of these essential creatures.
13/03/23·47m 20s

Cartoonist Barbara Brandon-Croft on being the first Black woman with a nationally syndicated comic

Barbara Brandon-Croft is the first Black female cartoonist to be nationally syndicated. Her comic strip, “Where I’m Coming From,” ran from 1991 to 2005 and featured nine Black women who talk about everything from racism, politics, friendship to love.
10/03/23·47m 17s

Journalist Hannah Barnes on the inside story of the collapse of Tavistock’s gender identity clinic

Following a scathing independent report last year, Britain is shutting down its leading gender identity clinic. We talk about what lead to the closure, and how the debate over “gender affirming care” is unfolding in the United Kingdom. Hannah Barnes joins Meghna Chakrabarti.
09/03/23·47m 4s

The science and politics of COVID natural immunity

More studies are finding that natural immunity from COVID can be as protective as vaccination. U.S. health leaders knew this in 2021 — but most didn’t publicly acknowledge it. Why? Dr. Chris Murray and Dr. Paul Offit joins Meghna Chakrabarti.
08/03/23·47m 20s

Courts, profit and the monetization of America's justice system

Injustice in America’s for-profit justice system. When profit becomes the point, families become targets of the very justice system that is meant to protect everyone.
07/03/23·47m 11s

Could a four-day work week work in the United States?

When dozens of companies in the U.K. experimented with a four-day work week, employers and employees loved it. Could a four-day work week work in the United States? Juliet Schor, Matthew Bidwell and Shawn Noratel join Meghna Chakrabarti.
06/03/23·47m 3s

The politics and policies behind Ron DeSantis's reshaping of Florida education

Florida governor Ron DeSantis is making changes to public K-12 education. How are his policies and politics impacting Florida classrooms? Jeff Solochek joins Meghna Chakrabarti.
03/03/23·47m 16s

First person: The book bans leaving Florida school bookshelves empty

In July 2022, Florida Governor DeSantis signed Florida House Bill 1467. It requires all schoolbooks to be reviewed by a district employee holding an educational media specialist certificate, to ensure the books are grade level appropriate and free of pornography. Shortly after the bill went into effect, videos started popping up on social media of empty school bookshelves. Brian Covey, who posted a video of those empty bookshelves, joins Meghna Chakrabarti.
03/03/23·7m 0s

What can Russian sanctions achieve?

The international community responded to Russia's invasion of Ukraine with harsh sanctions. But a year later, Russia is still fighting in Ukraine. Have sanctions failed? Adam Smith, Frank Vogl and Sergey Aleksashenko join Meghna Chakrabarti.
02/03/23·47m 25s

'The last supper': How a 1993 Pentagon dinner reshaped the defense industry

Thirty years ago, a secret dinner at the Pentagon led to a flurry of consolidation in the defense industry. We hear the story of that so-called "last supper" and what it means for the Pentagon's $800 billion budget today. Norman Augustine and Rep. John Garamendi join Meghna Chakrabarti.
01/03/23·47m 33s

'Blood Money': Inside the global business of selling plasma

Millions of Americans sell their blood plasma every year. It’s part of a global, multibillion dollar business. But what is plasma really used for? Kathleen McLaughlin and Dr. Morey Blinder join Meghna Chakrabarti.
28/02/23·47m 1s

Who benefits, who loses from the occupational licensing system?

Since the 1950s, the number of occupations requiring a state license has ballooned. Who benefits, who loses when one in four workers in America need a license to do their job?
27/02/23·47m 14s

'60 is the new 50': As life expectancy rises, how Americans are embracing life's third act

100 years ago, average life expectancy in the U.S. was 47. Today, it's closer to 80 -- and lots of people are using those extra 30 years to reinvent themselves. Tom Andrew, Chip Conley and Sara-Lawrence-Lightfoot join Anthony Brooks.
24/02/23·47m 34s

What the Ohio train derailment tells us about rail safety in the U.S.

When a train carrying hazardous materials derailed in East Palestine, Ohio, residents were forced to evacuate. Industry critics say lax safety regulations and industry lobbyists set the stage for this disaster.
23/02/23·47m 8s

How American educators can better teach the history of slavery

Contemporary political battles have put school classrooms at the center of a debate about race and our country’s history. How should American educators be teaching the history of slavery? Danielle Allen and David Blight join Kimberly Atkins Stohr.
22/02/23·47m 16s

Daily life in Ukraine after a year of war

Since Russia invaded Ukraine one year ago this week – nearly 8,000 civilians have been killed, 11,000 injured and millions displaced. We hear from Ukrainians about their year of living through war.
21/02/23·46m 39s

'For as long as it takes': Can the West keep its promise to Ukraine?

It’s been nearly a year since Russia invaded Ukraine. Both sides are preparing for new offensives. Can NATO keep its promise to stand with Kyiv for as long as it takes?
20/02/23·47m 8s

What Amazon's push into health care means for patients

Amazon is no longer content with being your go-to retailer, streaming service, or smart speaker. The trillion-dollar company now wants to be your doctor’s office and your pharmacy.
17/02/23·47m 27s

Child sexual abuse material is on the rise online. Will lawmakers and big tech finally act?

There is more child sexual abuse content online than ever before. And not just on the dark web, but on platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and Snapchat. What can the major tech companies do to stop it?
16/02/23·49m 36s

Trade wars: Examining the Biden administration's China policy

A deal with the Netherlands and Japan marks America’s latest effort to curb China’s semiconductor production. National security, meets economic rivalry, meets trade war geo-politics.
15/02/23·47m 28s

What China's spy balloon reveals about Chinese and U.S. espionage and diplomacy

Before the shooting down of more unidentified aerial objects over the past few days, there was the China spy balloon. That gave us a rare glimpse into spycraft between the U.S. and China. What have we learned?
14/02/23·47m 23s

How will the West adapt as the Colorado River diminishes?

The federal government asked the seven Colorado River Basin states for a plan to cut water. All came to an agreement – except California. Now the federal government may have to step in. How will the West adapt as the Colorado River runs dry? Jennifer Pitt, Bart Fisher and Kathryn Sorensen join Meghna Chakrabarti.
13/02/23·47m 9s

Why Congress quietly just gave the FDA more power

Congress recently, and quietly, gave the FDA the power to prohibit off-label uses of medical devices. What’s behind that change and what it could mean for prescription medication? Zachary Brennan, Randall Stafford and Brad Thompson join Meghna Chakrabarti.
10/02/23·47m 23s

How the ultra-rich avoid paying taxes

In the 1980s, a lawyer devised a tax dodge that would save the ultra-rich millions. In the 1990s, Congress stepped in to make the maneuver even more lucrative. We hear how the ultra-rich avoid paying taxes.
09/02/23·47m 27s

Biden's populist moment: Jack Beatty on the State of the Union address

Populism, border politics and primaries. In this podcast special, On Point news analyst Jack Beatty highlights key moments from President Biden's second State of the Union address.
08/02/23·30m 21s

The power of American English to unite a fractured nation

American English has many forms. It’s evolved over 400 years to match this country’s dynamic history. Humanities professor Ilan Stavans says that because it’s so adaptable, American English can unify our fractured nation. Ilan Stavans joins Meghna Chakrabarti.
08/02/23·47m 34s

What life is like for women under Taliban rule

The Taliban promised they would honor Afghan women's rights. Instead, they have banned women from universities, even required covering the faces of female mannequins. Mina, Najia Naseem and Rangina Hamidi join Meghna Chakrabarti.
07/02/23·46m 46s

Why more Americans are choosing to live in multigenerational housing

One in five Americans now live with their parents, grandparents, or adult children -- all under one roof. It's a remarkable change from a few generations ago. Ammylou Daludado, Michelle Singletary and Hope Harvey join Meghna Chakrabarti.
06/02/23·47m 34s

First person: Finding everyday awe in nature in Yosemite National Park

John Reynolds has lived in Yosemite National Park his entire life. In this 'First person' diary, he shares how living in nature helps him maintain a sense of awe.
03/02/23·5m 37s

Everyday awe: Science's answer to your search for happiness

How do you find deep happiness? Researcher Dacher Keltner says the answer is to find everyday wonder.
03/02/23·47m 19s

Rebroadcast: The Eichmann tapes and the comforting myth of the 'banality of evil'

The banality of evil. That was Hannah Arendt's famous observation during the trial of Adolf Eichmann, the ‘architect of the Holocaust.’ Now, there's evidence that Eichmann's evil was anything but banal. Yariv Mozer and Bettina Stangneth join Meghna Chakrabarti.
02/02/23·47m 31s

Do 'elite' police teams like Memphis's SCORPION unit do more harm than good?

Special police units like the now-disbanded SCORPION team in Memphis are common around the country. Police chiefs say they’re essential for fighting crime. Critics say their elite status and lack of accountability is a recipe for abuse.
01/02/23·47m 21s

First person: The fight to 'ordain women' in the LDS church

A recent edition of On Point explored the role of patriarchal power in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and the consequences of that for Mormon women in abusive relationships. Currently, only men in the Mormon Church get to ascend the religious hierarchy. Kate Kelly founded the group Ordain Women roughly a decade ago to try to change that.
31/01/23·8m 6s

Mormon women confront power and patriarchy in the LDS church

This month, a Utah man murdered his wife, and their five children, and his mother-in-law, before killing himself. That’s sparked a conversation among Mormon women about power and safety in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.
31/01/23·47m 30s

How the world came together to save the ozone layer

In the 1980s, the world came together to ban CFCs, commonly used chemicals that were destroying the atmosphere’s ozone layer. Are there lessons we can apply to tackling climate change? Paul Newman and David Victor join Meghna Chakrabarti.
30/01/23·47m 21s

The GOP's ambitions in the House

House Republicans are getting down to business, drafting legislation to spend more money on border control, less on the IRS. Hardliners are calling for radical changes to social security and Medicare. How will the GOP advance its agenda in the House? Rep. Gary Palmer, Scott MacFarlane and Philip Wallach join Kimberly Atkins Stohr.
27/01/23·47m 3s

Why some anxiety is good, even though it feels bad

Over 40 million adults in America suffer from an anxiety disorder. But anxiety, the emotion, has an evolutionary purpose: It helps us prepare for an uncertain future. Tracy Dennis-Tiwary and Marc Brackett join Kimberly Atkins Stohr.
26/01/23·46m 58s

The U.S. immigration crisis through the eyes of a border town mayor

Until recently Bruno Lozano was the mayor of Del Rio, Texas. Once seen as a rising star in the Democratic party, he’s now a fierce critic of President Biden’s handling of the southern border.
25/01/23·47m 5s

Rethinking diversity, equity and inclusion training

Almost every major company in the U.S. requires their employees to participate in diversity, equity and inclusion training. But is DEI training achieving what it aims to do? Frank Dobbin, Robert Livingston and Chloé Valdary join Anthony Brooks.
24/01/23·47m 33s

'The fight of his life': Journalist Chris Whipple's inside look at the Biden White House

So far, the presidency of Joe Biden has seen some big legislative successes, but a disastrous withdrawal from Afghanistan. With a new Republican House majority determined to block his agenda, what’s next for the Biden presidency?
23/01/23·47m 33s

The future of small colleges

College enrollment is down across the nation. Demographic changes are largely driving that. What does the decline mean for the future of small colleges?
20/01/23·47m 13s

Is it time to rethink how we care for dementia patients?

In Europe there are ‘dementia villages’ where residents can live freely despite their memory loss. Could that work here in the United States? Iris Van Slooten and Dr. Tia Powell join Meghna Chakrabarti.
19/01/23·46m 14s

Inside the mind of a fabulist

Representative George Santos has lied about almost every aspect of his life. How do uncontrolled fabulists get that way -- going way beyond the little fibs we all tell -- to cutting all ties with the truth?
18/01/23·47m 13s

New guidelines recommend early, aggressive treatment for childhood obesity

The American Academy of Pediatrics has released new guidelines to tackle the obesity epidemic. They’re calling for family counseling, early treatment with drugs and even surgery. Can pediatricians turn the epidemic around?
17/01/23·47m 23s

Moms Demand Action founder Shannon Watts on a decade of taking on the NRA

In 2012, horrified by the Sandy Hook school shooting, stay-at-home mom Shannon Watts founded Moms Demand Action. It’s now one of the largest anti-gun violence groups in the nation. Shannon Watts joins Meghna Chakrabarti.
16/01/23·47m 11s

Can gun liability insurance make our neighborhoods safer?

The nation’s first gun insurance mandate took effect this year in San Jose, California. Gunowners in the city are required to have liability insurance, or they'll be fined a minimum of $250. But can insurance actually curb gun violence?
13/01/23·47m 25s

How fast fashion and social media fuel a high consumption, low quality world

Fast fashion retailers like Shein sell t-shirts for less than $5 apiece. This business model, along with social media, fuels an erosion in the quality of clothing at every level. What price are we really paying for super-affordable fashion? Danielle Vermeer and Mandy Lee join Meghna Chakrabarti.
12/01/23·47m 25s

Earth's growing population: 'A direct affront to our own survival'

The population of planet Earth reached 8 billion people late last year. By the year 2100, we're headed for 2 billion more. What does that mean for us and our planet? Elizabeth Hadly is a professor of biology at Stanford University, and director of the Jasper Ridge Biological Preserve in California's Santa Cruz Mountains. For four decades, she's been an eyewitness to dramatic changes in the plant and animal kingdoms caused by human beings.
11/01/23·5m 2s

8 billion humans and counting: What it means for the planet's future

In the early 1800s, the human population hit 1 billion. As of late last year, human population 8 billion. And by the end of the century, it’s expected to top ten billion. What does that mean for humanity and the environment? Jennifer Sciubba and William Rees join Meghna Chakrabarti.
11/01/23·47m 26s

First person: How one teacher thinks AI could help his students

ChatGPT is one of the most sophisticated AI chat bots ever released. With just a few prompts, it can write almost anything. Daniel Herman, a high school English teacher in Berkeley, California, has some ideas about how ChatGPT might find its way into his classroom.
10/01/23·5m 35s

How AI chatbots are changing how we write and who we trust

ChatGPT is one of the most sophisticated AI chatbots ever released. A high school teacher says it writes better than some students. But what happens when we can't tell the difference between computer and human-generated writing?
10/01/23·47m 23s

Concerns, contradictions and the continued use of the death penalty in the U.S.

After a series of botched executions, Alabama could soon begin executing death row incarcerated people using lethal gas. Oklahoma, Mississippi, Missouri, California, Wyoming and Arizona have legalized execution by lethal gas. We hear why.
09/01/23·47m 7s

'The eyes, the ears of all things': The spiritual power of peyote

First person: The Indigenous peoples of the Americas have been using psychedelics for thousands of years. Colonization and extermination ripped away their right to use psychedelics for generations.
06/01/23·5m 31s

Psychedelics and who should be able to use them

When psychedelic drugs were banned by federal law in 1970, it ended a debate over who should have access to them. Now that debate has been reignited. Amy Lynn McGuire joins Meghna Chakrabarti.
06/01/23·47m 13s

Remarkable science: Why aging might be reversible

Aging might be reversible. Harvard researcher and biotech founder Dr. David Sinclair theorizes in his New York Times best-selling book, “Lifespan,” that aging doesn’t have to be inevitable.
06/01/23·1h 5m

What to expect from a GOP-controlled House

The GOP has taken back the House. But with a fractious caucus, and an ascendant far-right wing, how will Republicans run the House and what do they want to achieve in the new Congress? Sarah Longwell joins Meghna Chakrabarti.
05/01/23·47m 0s

The real winners and losers in America's lottery obsession

Americans spend almost $100 billion a year on state lotteries. Why do so many states receive just a fraction of that money? Jonathan D. Cohen joins Meghna Chakrabarti.
04/01/23·47m 24s

The Money Ladies' New Year's guide to the economy

The Money Ladies are back. Michelle Singletary and Rana Foroohar will be our guides for what to watch for in your personal finance and national economy this year.
03/01/23·47m 4s

Rebroadcast: How climate change is moving the world's forests north

Rebroadcast: Trees are on the move. Because of climate change, the world’s forests are heading north. What does this mean for us and our survival? Ben Rawlence joins Meghna Chakrabarti.
02/01/23·47m 14s

More than money: Solutions for reining in monopoly power

Rebroadcast: For antitrust reformers, the size and power of companies like Google and Facebook represent more than a threat to consumer welfare. It’s the final episode in our series “More than money." Matt Stoller, Jack Beatty and Carl Shapiro join Meghna Chakrabarti.
30/12/22·47m 12s

More than money: Defining American antitrust law, from Bork to Khan

Rebroadcast: From Robert Bork's "consumer harm" to Lina Khan's "democratic harm," we discuss the ideas that drive the government's approach to antitrust regulation. Daniel Crane, Barry Lynn and Jack Beatty join Meghna Chakrabarti.
29/12/22·47m 17s

More than money: Antitrust lessons of the Gilded Age

The nineteenth century saw the rise of great monopolies. Americans pushed back. What changed?  We discuss lessons learned from antitrust action in the Gilded Age with Jack Beatty and Charles Postel.
28/12/22·47m 29s

More than money: Microsoft and the big tech question

Rebroadcast: Microsoft wanted to acquire Activision-Blizzard for almost $70 billion. Is the mega-merger a new kind of monopoly?
27/12/22·47m 11s

More than money: The monopoly on meat

Rebroadcast: Our series "More than money" is an exploration of the hidden power of monopolies in the U.S. Part I looks at how corporate monopolies dominate the beef industry. "It's failed consumers on one end of the supply chain, and it's failed the American family farmer and rancher on the other." Bill Bullard, Claire Kelloway and Jack Beatty join Meghna Chakrabarti.
26/12/22·47m 34s

The healing power of music

Many of us turn to music to feel better. But music can also help us physically heal. Studies show music can affect our blood pressure and our heart rate – and even help us manage pain.
23/12/22·47m 3s

The Jan. 6 committee report and what the DOJ may do next

For the first time in American history, Congress has referred a former president for criminal prosecution. Will the Justice Department bring charges against Donald Trump?
22/12/22·47m 13s

How the collapse of FTX put the effective altruism movement in jeopardy

Disgraced FTX founder Sam Bankman-Fried was one of the biggest proponents of a philanthropic movement called effective altruism. Where does the movement go from here? Molly White and Richard Chappell join Meghna Chakrabarti.
21/12/22·47m 33s

Why Americans are spending less time with friends — and what to do about it

Americans are spending more time alone and less time with friends, according to a Census Bureau survey. We hear what's behind the drop in time spent with friends, and why it’s important to reverse the trend.
20/12/22·47m 15s

'Don't Look Back': Author Achut Deng's journey of survival from Sudan to America

Before she was a teenager, Achut Deng escaped civil war in South Sudan and life in a Kenyan refugee camp. Until recently, she carried that secret history with her.
19/12/22·47m 20s

First person: Why soccer is so much better in Spanish

The 2022 World Cup wraps up this weekend in Qatar when Argentina plays France in the final. Nico Cantor is a soccer broadcaster, primarily for CBS Sports. He’s doing Spanish language commentary for Fútbol de Primera at this World Cup.
16/12/22·13m 5s

Understanding Marjorie Taylor Greene's influence in a Republican-controlled House

Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene will be a potent force in the Republican Controlled House. What will she do with her influence? Robert Draper and Tia Mitchell join Meghna Chakrabarti.
16/12/22·34m 11s

Remarkable science: Living to 100 with Blue Zones author Dan Buettner

In the third installment of our podcast-only series Remarkable Science, we talk with journalist, author and National Geographic fellow Dan Buettner. He's spent more than a decade analyzing 'Blue Zones' — five places where people live the longest, healthiest lives.
16/12/22·58m 47s

Behind the bankruptcy tactic shielding corporate executives from accountability

There is a new bankruptcy tactic being used to shield executives from accountability. Non-debtor releases give corporate leaders -- like the Sackler family and Harvey Weinstein -- immunity from lawsuits for life. Mike Spector and Clifford White III join Meghna Chakrabarti.
15/12/22·47m 12s

Rebroadcast: Social psychologist Jonathan Haidt on democracy, social media and how to fix America's 'ailing' institutions

Social psychologist Jonathan Haidt says America is in trouble. He sees it on college campuses and through social media. Haidt joins Meghna Chakrabarti to discuss democracy, social media and how to fix America's 'ailing' institutions.
14/12/22·47m 17s

Rebroadcast: Inside one developer's big bet on affordable housing in Los Angeles

A California entrepreneur says he's building affordable homes in South Central LA at half the usual cost. How? By saying no to public funding. Martin Muoto and Mike Loftin join Meghna Chakrabarti.
13/12/22·47m 19s

What do American Christians believe about their religion?

When referring to Christians, politicians and the media are often focusing on one group -- politicized evangelicals. But, in truth, they are a small slice of the broad spectrum of American Christianity. Jonathan Tran and Jua Robinson join Meghna Chakrabarti.
12/12/22·46m 57s

Understanding J. Edgar Hoover's America

Former FBI chief J. Edgar Hoover. He hated the American left. Demonized and investigated his critics. But what did the rest of America think about him? Beverly Gage joins Meghna Chakrabarti.
09/12/22·47m 5s

Mosul, 5 years later: Rebuilding a city from rubble

In 2017, the battle to retake Mosul from ISIS razed the city to the ground. Approximately 10,000 civilians died. Their families have spent the past five years trying to bring their city back. Ali Baroodi, Maria Rita Acetoso and Sarhang Hamasaeed join Meghna Chakrabarti.
08/12/22·47m 29s

Learning from Mauna Loa: How the volcanic eruption will shape Hawaiian history

Hawaii’s Mauna Loa volcano is erupting for the first time in nearly four decades. A new generation of researchers equipped with new technology are observing the primal forces that continue to shape the planet.
07/12/22·47m 30s

What China's zero COVID protests tell us about China today

Across China, remarkable public demonstrations against the country’s zero COVID policy. Could this mark the surfacing of deeper discontent in Chinese society? Dr. Yangyang Cheng joins Meghna Chakrabarti.
06/12/22·47m 13s

How children are taught to read faces a reckoning

Huge numbers of kids are struggling to read. Why? Because literacy curriculum used in thousands of classrooms doesn’t work. Emily Hanford joins Meghna Chakrabarti.
05/12/22·47m 14s

Essential trust: How to rebuild trust in America

Studies show a majority of Americans believe other Americans mostly look out for themselves. With trust on the decline, can it be rebuilt? Robert Putnam and Jack Beatty join Meghna Chakrabarti.
02/12/22·47m 10s

Essential trust: How healthy skepticism builds trust

Trust is essential for survival, for relationships, for a civilized society. But trust needs an ally. We hear why building trust needs a good dose of healthy skepticism, too. Sanford “Sandy” Goldberg, Jack Beatty and Julia Jordan-Zachery join Meghna Chakrabarti.
01/12/22·47m 3s

Essential trust: Lessons from Brazil's trust crisis

Brazilians have low levels of institutional trust. They also have low levels of trust in each other. Why? Chayenne Polimédio and Rafael Ioris join Meghna Chakrabarti.
30/11/22·47m 34s

Essential trust: The brain science of trust

What happens in our brains when we trust someone? Neuroscientists explain how our brains process trust, and why it's worth the risk. Jamil Zaki and Oriel FeldmanHall join Meghna Chakrabarti.
29/11/22·47m 24s

Essential trust: Trust in the animal kingdom

Rebroadcast: Jane Goodall formed incredible bonds with chimpanzees in the wild. But were those bonds similar to what we humans experience as trust?
28/11/22·47m 23s

Rebroadcast: How to save the endangered monarch butterfly

The fragile beauty of the monarch butterfly. Can they be saved?
25/11/22·47m 23s

First person: Faces of the 2020 'shecession' today

From February to May 2020, almost 12 million American women lost their jobs compared to 9 million men, according to Pew Research. But new analysis finds that gender was not the main driver behind those pandemic job losses for women.
25/11/22·19m 9s

Rebroadcast: How a U.S. Marine and an Afghan interpreter forged a bond of friendship in Afghanistan

Zac Zaki and Tom Schueman join us to talk about the friendship they forged in Afghanistan, and what it took to get Zaki out of Kabul.
24/11/22·47m 15s

Rebroadcast: Journalist Putsata Reang shares an immigrant daughter's story in 'Ma and Me'

Journalist Putsata Reang has reported on many wars. Her own life is defined by the war her family escaped. “What did I owe my mother for giving me life?" The question gripped Reang when she decided to tell her mother that she's gay.
23/11/22·46m 37s

What Ticketmaster's Taylor Swift debacle reveals about the music industry's monopoly problem

Congress has tried for years to reign in this ticketing monopoly. Will Taylor Swift Fans make all the difference? Krista Brown and Andre Barlow join Kimberly Atkins Stohr.
22/11/22·47m 15s

The inventory glut and what it means for your holiday shopping

Last year at this time, retailers had high demand, but stock was in short supply. This year, that’s turned on its head. So, what does that mean for consumers? G. Tony Bell and Alla Valente join Kimberly Atkins Stohr.
21/11/22·46m 57s

An 'invisible epidemic': Survivors of domestic violence on living with traumatic brain injury

Rebroadcast: An 'invisible epidemic' is causing suffering in millions of women. It affects memory, concentration, balance. We discuss traumatic brain injuries in survivors of domestic violence. Eve Valera and Rachel Ramirez join Meghna Chakrabarti.
18/11/22·47m 14s

The economic impact of the pandemic on women

A new word was coined to describe the economy in the fall of 2020: She-cession. Neat, but maybe too convenient. Claudia Goldin joins Meghna Chakrabarti.
17/11/22·47m 25s

Split-ticket voters and their impact on the latest election

In a country that’s increasingly polarized – many voters in the midterms said it doesn’t have to be that way. We hear what ticket splitting tells us about what American voters are looking for.
16/11/22·47m 33s

What Elon Musk's Twitter takeover means for the social media platform

Elon Musk borrowed billions to buy Twitter. Now he has to figure out how to pay all that back. But there’s just one problem. Nilay Patel and Sen. Ed Markey join Anthony Brooks. 
15/11/22·47m 35s

How to slow down and find some meaningful rest

In a world where we emphasize productivity and even celebrate busyness, is constant fatigue inevitable? Or – can we learn and practice meaningful rest? Dr. Saundra Dalton-Smith joins Meghna Chakrabarti.
14/11/22·47m 34s

Richard Reeves on why the modern male is struggling, and what to do about it

Are cultural and economic forces changing boyhood, manhood and fatherhood? Richard Reeves says yes, and that many men and boys are struggling.
11/11/22·46m 59s

RSV: What's behind the surge, and how to contain it

Children’s hospitals across the U.S. are being overwhelmed by the respiratory infection RSV. Can it be contained, and how? Dr. Meghan Bernier and Saad Omer join Meghna Chakrabarti.
10/11/22·47m 7s

What can we learn from the midterms?

The biggest test of U.S. democracy since Jan. 6, 2021. What do the midterm election results tell us about Americans' belief in democracy and the direction of the nation? Heather Cox Richardson, Stephen Henderson, Tom Bonier, Lisa Desjardins and Jack Beatty join Meghna Chakrabarti.
09/11/22·47m 19s

Journalist David Wallace-Wells on climate change and climate hope

After a year of catastrophic weather events, nations have gathered for the COP27 climate conference. The picture is grim, but some climate scientists say they’re encouraged by progress the world has made. David Wallace-Wells joins Meghna Chakrabarti.
08/11/22·47m 34s

The growing threat to ballot initiatives

Important ballot measures are at play in the midterms. In some states, voters are being asked to consider limiting their own right to put citizen-sponsored initiatives on future ballots. Neil Volz, Chris Melody Fields Figueredo and Josh Visnaw join Meghna Chakrabarti.
07/11/22·47m 34s

Colleges’ role in curbing the student debt crisis

The Biden Administration wants to make higher ed more affordable. Why aren't colleges and universities doing more themselves to make getting a degree less expensive? Eric Kelderman and Mitch Daniels join Meghna Chakrabarti.
04/11/22·47m 14s

Is customer service bad on purpose?

Press one. Press two. Try to find a human, but you can’t. Welcome to the nightmare that is customer service. Jeannie Walters and Jared Spool join Meghna Chakrabarti.
03/11/22·47m 34s

The reality of the drug trade in San Francisco

An open-air drug market is thriving San Francisco’s Tenderloin neighborhood. We explore what's behind it. Randy Shaw, Leighton Woodhouse and Sam Quinones join Meghna Chakrabarti.
02/11/22·47m 17s

The future of affirmative action

The Supreme Court set a precedent for affirmative action more than 40 years ago. Now that precedent hangs in the balance as the court considers it again.
01/11/22·47m 6s

What we know about the midterm elections, from Colorado to Nevada

The midterms are right around the corner, and both parties are talking all about the economy. What message will win with voters? Natasha Korecki, Jon Ralston, Bente Birkeland and Chad Livengood join Anthony Brooks.
31/10/22·47m 21s

Modern conservatism and its discontents in Britain

Britain is on Prime Minister number three, in just the past two months. What's going on with Britain's conservative party, and with the nation they've been elected to lead? Emily Maitlis and Jack Beatty join Meghna Chakrabarti.
28/10/22·47m 25s

Should animals have personhood rights?

For years, legal activists fought to free their client ... an elephant. Earlier this year, the state's highest court rejected that argument. But the question's now out there: If corporations can have some personhood rights, why not animals, too? David Scheel and Richard Cupp join Meghna Chakrabarti.
27/10/22·47m 27s

What's standing in the way of Puerto Rico's recovery

Puerto Rico is recovering from Hurricane Fiona which hit last month. It’s also still recovering from Hurricane Maria, which hit more than 5 years ago. So, what’s holding back Puerto Rico’s recovery?  Adi Martinez-Roman and Deepak Lamba-Nieves join Meghna Chakrabarti.
26/10/22·47m 33s

First person: Leaving Russia to avoid war in Ukraine

Timothy Snyder says Russian President Vladimir Putin is vulnerable at home, as Russian men leave to avoid being sent to fight in Ukraine. Dmitry Grigoriev is Russian man living in Georgia to avoid mobilization. He shares his story.
25/10/22·5m 21s

Historian Timothy Snyder on how war ends in Ukraine

Russia invaded Ukraine eight months ago, seemingly unprepared for the fight Ukraine would put up. Scholar Timothy Snyder answers the question: How will the war in Ukraine end?
25/10/22·47m 20s

In 'Half American,' historian Matthew Delmont tells the story of World War II from the Black perspective

More than a million Black Americans fought for the United States in World War II. They fought for a double victory: over fascism and over racism. But their fight would continue long after the war ended. Matthew Delmont joins Kimberly Atkins Stohr.
24/10/22·46m 50s

How the strong U.S. dollar is hurting the global economy

The U.S. dollar is soaring against other currencies, adding to fears of a global financial meltdown. When that happened in 1985, governments took action. Could that happen today? Kenneth Rogoff and Jean-Claude Trichet join Kimberly Atkins Stohr.
21/10/22·47m 3s

The 'Texas two-step': A controversial legal strategy to avoid corporate liability

Corporations facing massive litigation are using a new legal strategy to avoid liability. It’s known as the Texas two-step. Step one: create a subsidiary and transfer a few assets and all the lawsuits. Step two: The subsidiary files for bankruptcy. Rob Rasmussen, Mike Spector and Leigh O'Dell join Kimberly Atkins Stohr.
20/10/22·47m 22s

Big money and big temptation in the world of online chess

Chess is an ancient game of grand masters, now being upended in the digital domain. To add to the upheaval, grand master Hans Niemann has been accused of cheating in more than 100 games. Danny Rensch, Levy Rozman and Anna Cramling join Meghna Chakrabarti.
19/10/22·47m 32s

Financial columnist Rana Foroohar's lessons for localizing a global economy in 'Homecoming'

If the U.S. is to be less reliant on global supply chains, businesses and consumers are going to have to change expectations. Rana Foroohar joins us to discuss what it'll really take to rebuild the economy at "home." Rana Foroohar and Jack Beatty join Meghna Chakrabarti.
18/10/22·47m 21s

Voter roundtable: Listening to Latino voters from across the country

Political analysts call the Hispanic vote a ‘sleeping giant.’ Most still vote Democratic, but the GOP is gaining ground. We'll listen to Hispanic voters from across the country. Rick Sanchez, Veronica Lopez, Iris Ramos-Jones and Doni Curkendall join Meghna Chakrabarti.
17/10/22·47m 17s

What we learned from the Jan. 6th committee's likely final public hearing

In the likely final hearing of the January 6th House Committee, the members laid out their key findings – detail after detail. Eric Cortellessa, Elaine Kamarck, Sarah Longwell and Jack Beatty join Meghna Chakrabarti.
14/10/22·47m 18s

Young people think the country's moving in the wrong direction. Will they show up to the polls?

Who is least likely to vote in the midterms next month? Young Americans. But are politicians any more likely to listen to young Americans if they don't turn up at the ballot box? Fana Haile-Selassie, Tinisee Buckman and Troy Simpson join Meghna Chakrabarti.
13/10/22·47m 18s

Pres. Biden wants to end U.S. reliance on China. Could Beijing show us the way?

Key parts of our economy and defense rely on imports from China. President Biden wants to end that dependence. On the flipside, President Xi has been trying to untangle China’s economy from ours for years. How’s that working out? Hung Tran and Elaine Dezenski join Meghna Chakrabarti.
12/10/22·47m 19s

Inside one developer's big bet on affordable housing in Los Angeles

A California entrepreneur says he's building affordable homes in South Central LA at half the usual cost. How? By saying no to public funding. Martin Muoto and Mike Loftin join Meghna Chakrabarti.
11/10/22·47m 22s

What the U.S. can learn from the fall of democracy in Chile

Chile is a democracy that fell into dictatorship for nearly two decades. What were the warning signs? Robert Funk, Peter Siavelis and Heraldo Muñoz join Meghna Chakrabarti.
10/10/22·47m 23s

A report card on week one of the Supreme Court’s new term

In its last term the Supreme Court struck down Roe v. Wade, limited the authority of the EPA and expanded gun rights. In its new term, the court faces decisions on voting rights, affirmative action, gay rights. Amy Howe, Carolyn Shapiro and Erwin Chemerinsky join Kimberly Atkins Stohr.
07/10/22·47m 6s

In 'Illustrated Black History,' artist George McCalman paints Black Americans onto our nation’s canvas

Portraits are about far more than pencil or paint. But for most of our nation’s history, Black Americans were denied that public honor. Now, with a collection of 145 portraits of America’s iconic and unsung Black heroes -- one artist is setting out to change that. George McCalman joins Kimberly Atkins Stohr.
06/10/22·47m 27s

First person: Living with long COVID

Long COVID is generally defined as having symptoms that persist for more than four weeks. Hanna Tripp has lived with COVID symptoms since March 2020, just as the pandemic began. Hear her story in today's 'First person' diary.
05/10/22·4m 20s

How Chronic Fatigue Syndrome is helping doctors understand long COVID

Thousands of Americans suffer from long COVID, and doctors still don’t understand it. But researchers who’ve spent decades studying Chronic Fatigue Syndrome say they have some answers. Dr. David Putrino and Dr. Lucinda Bateman join Kimberly Atkins Stohr.
05/10/22·47m 26s

Voter roundtable: Conservative voters on what's motivating them to vote in the midterms

Republicans have a chance to take back the U.S. House and Senate in November’s midterm elections. We sit down with conservative voters across the nation to hear what’s on their minds.
04/10/22·46m 55s

Iran's women in revolt

Women across Iran have taken to the streets after the death of a young woman in police custody. Their government says it will ‘mercilessly confront’ them: dozens have been killed. Neither side is backing down: what’s next for the women of Iran?
03/10/22·47m 3s

How a Texas law could impact First Amendment rights and content moderation online

In Texas, large social media platforms may soon lose the right to moderate their own content. We discuss NetChoice v. Paxton – and how a Texas law could impact First Amendment rights and content moderation online. Alan Rozenshtein and Julie Owono join Kimberly Atkins Stohr.
30/09/22·47m 13s

The danger of being a journalist in Mexico

In Mexico, more than a dozen journalists have been murdered a year, every year, for two decades. In 2012, Regina Martinez was one of them. One reporter wanted to know why. Katherine Corcoran joins Kimberly Atkins-Stohr.
29/09/22·47m 9s

Behind supervised injection sites: A controversial solution to overdose deaths

Only one city in the U.S. has supervised drug injection sites to combat overdose deaths. We discuss a life-saving solution that’s seemingly too controversial. Peter Davidson and Ronda Goldfein join Kimberly Atkins Stohr.
28/09/22·47m 4s

America’s climate havens of the future

Millions of climate refugees are expected to move north from the South and West in years to come. The mayor of Buffalo, New York says they’ll be welcome. Maria Agosto, Matt Hauer and Beth Gibbons join Kimberly Atkins Stohr.
27/09/22·47m 15s

What's behind the recent increase of Venezuelan migrants in Texas

Every day, U.S. border patrol drops off hundreds of Venezuelan refugees in downtown El Paso. From then on, they’re the city’s responsibility. But why? Uriel Garcia, Molly O'Toole and Niurka Meléndez join Kimberly Atkins Stohr.
26/09/22·46m 59s

In 'Secret City,' author James Kirchick traces the unknown history of gay Washington

Post-World War II, there was something seen as even worse than being a communist in U.S. politics: being gay. We discuss how lives and careers were lost through decades of bipartisan homophobia. James Kirchick joins Meghna Chakrabarti.
23/09/22·47m 33s

Pushback in Russia on Putin's war

With Russia’s military setbacks in Ukraine, there’s been increasingly open criticism of President Putin and his war. We examine Putin's pressure points. Nikolas Gvosdev and Olga Ivshina join Kimberly Atkins Stohr.
22/09/22·47m 10s

In ‘Lady Justice,’ Dahlia Lithwick profiles women who used the rule of law to challenge Trumpism

Law journalist Dahlia Lithwick profiles female lawyers and judges who challenged the Trump administration in her new book, 'Lady Justice.'
21/09/22·47m 24s

Rebroadcast: In 'Work Pray Code,' author Carolyn Chen reflects on what happens when we worship work

Many Silicon Valley companies want their software engineers to live for their jobs. And they offer them everything from meals to dry cleaning to spiritual coaches. But is the office really the place to find a life’s worth of fulfillment? Carolyn Chen and Lauren Padron join Meghna Chakrabarti.
20/09/22·47m 32s

Essential trust: Trust in the animal kingdom

Jane Goodall formed incredible bonds with chimpanzees in the wild. But were those bonds similar to what we humans experience as trust? It's the first episode of our series "Essential trust."
19/09/22·47m 20s

The Jackson, Mississippi water crisis and America's crumbling water system

Jackson, Mississippi hasn't had safe drinking water for weeks. The city's mayor says the problem's decades in the making. That makes Jackson a lesson for the entire country. Donna Ladd, Aaron Packman and Catherine Coleman-Flowers join Meghna Chakrabarti.
16/09/22·47m 14s

Remarkable science: How to prepare for the fall season of infectious diseases

Our series of podcast-only episodes called Remarkable Science features conversations with scientists about their work, recorded in front of a virtual audience at WBUR’s CitySpace venue in Boston. Dr. Jennifer Nuzzo, director of the Pandemic Center at Brown University, and Dr. Albert Ko, professor of public health and epidemiology and medicine at Yale, explore how we should all go about living in a time of outbreaks, pandemics and other infectious threats.
16/09/22·1h 1m

President Biden's anti-crime bill: Will it make America safer?

President Biden's $37 billion anti-crime plan includes funding to hire 100,000 more police. What's actually in the plan? Richard Rosenfeld and Elie Mystal join Meghna Chakrabarti.
15/09/22·47m 31s

Inside Europe's energy crisis

Russia has cut off energy supplies to Europe. It's causing a crisis. How long can Europe hold on? Suriya Jayanti and Tim McPhie join Meghna Chakrabarti.
14/09/22·47m 16s

Can political ads influence the outcome of an election?

The midterms are coming, and your TV's already been flooded with campaign ads. But do the ads even work? Do they sway voters at all? Christopher Warshaw and Dan Bayens join Meghna Chakrabarti.
13/09/22·47m 27s

Solutions and next steps in saving the U.S. postal service

This year, Congress actually came up with a solution to help the U.S. Postal Service. A bipartisan bill passed that's the biggest financial reform of the Post office in 20 years. What's been fixed?  Jacob Bogage and Paul Steidler join Meghna Chakrabarti.
12/09/22·47m 27s

The Bin Laden papers, and the inside story of al-Qaida's fall

One decade and 6,000 pages of documents later, the Bin Laden papers have upended our understanding of al-Qaida. Nelly Lahoud joins Meghna Chakrabarti.
09/09/22·47m 25s

Censorship wars: Why have several communities voted to defund their public libraries?

Some school libraries have been forced to remove controversial books. The threat now is on public libraries, where some communities have recently taken another step -- they've voted to defund their local libraries. Deborah Caldwell-Stone, Patrick Sweeney and George M. Johnson join Meghna Chakrabarti.
08/09/22·47m 31s

Education reporter Anya Kamenetz on how the pandemic changed public education

The COVID-19 pandemic completely upended children’s lives as they knew it. What did they lose? We talk to a longtime education reporter about how the pandemic changed her view of public education. Anya Kamenetz joins Meghna Chakrabarti.
07/09/22·47m 34s

In 'Survival of the Richest,' author Douglas Rushkoff examines the escape plans of the tech elite

In Douglas Rushkoff’s latest book: “Survival of the Richest," we hear how the tech elite are planning to escape the destruction they had a hand in creating.
06/09/22·47m 11s

Rebroadcast: Inside the lives of social media influencers

The life of a digital influencer. Primp. Place product. Post. And cha-ching! But… that’s not all. “There is such an incredible amount of labor, much of that remains concealed behind the scenes." Brooke Erin Duffy and Ayana Lage join Meghna Chakrabarti.
05/09/22·47m 13s

Rebroadcast: Author Steven Rinella's tips for raising 'outdoor kids in an inside world'

Phones. TVs. Computers, everywhere inside. But outside, how can we help kids see the forest beyond the screens? Steven Rinella joins Meghna Chakrabarti.
02/09/22·47m 16s

Rebroadcast: Scholar Randall Kennedy's reflections on race, culture and law in America

For decades, scholar Randall Kennedy has been writing about race, culture and the law. “We are certainly much further from the racial promised land than I had thought that we were," he says. Randall Kennedy joins Meghna Chakrabarti.
01/09/22·46m 30s

Inside the science of empathetic joy

Mass grief. Mass outrage. Seemingly everywhere. But can we also learn to share in each other’s joy? Eve Ekman, Shelly Gable and Amelie, an On Point listener, join Meghna Chakrabarti.
31/08/22·47m 23s

The college educators behind the push to speak freely on campus

Steven Salaita was a rising star in the field of American Indian studies. In the fall of 2012, he applied for a job at the University of Illinois. Then, he lost everything. “I had taken to Twitter and other forms of social media to condemn Israel’s bombardment of the Gaza Strip in Palestine," Salaita remembers. "And suddenly, I got an email out of the blue informing me that the job offer had been pulled." Academic freedom on American campuses. Keith Whittington joins Meghna Chakrabarti.
30/08/22·46m 6s

Rebroadcast: Protecting whale superhighways

Whales migrate along routes thousands of miles long - oceanic superhighways - that also happen to be corridors of human disruption. We discuss the fight to protect whale superhighways. Kerri Seger and Michael J. Moore join Meghna Chakrabarti.
29/08/22·46m 35s

First person: Former NFL wide receiver Markus Wheaton on finding passion after football

On the most recent episode of On Point, we talked about Serena Williams' retirement. Or, as she calls it, 'an evolution away from tennis.' Williams's decision brings to light the challenges for professional athletes who retire after being successful in sports their whole lives. We talked to former NFL wide receiver Markus Wheaton. He played in the league for six seasons.
25/08/22·5m 19s

How athletes are redefining retirement

After 23 Grand Slam singles and 27 years on tour, Serena Williams says this U.S. Open will be her last. Williams says she’s “evolving away from tennis.” But what does that mean for athletes who have dedicated their lives to pursuing greatness in a sport? William C. Rhoden and Kensa Gunter join Kimberly Atkins Stohr.
25/08/22·46m 59s

Life in Ukraine, 6 months into the war

It’s Independence Day in Ukraine. Official celebrations have been canceled. But the fact that there’s an independent Ukraine at all is celebration enough for Ukrainians. President Zelenskyy is vowing to fight on. What lies ahead for Ukraine? Tanya Kozyreva, Michael Kofman and Olga Ivshina join Kimberly Atkins Stohr.
24/08/22·46m 59s

Vermont Sen. Patrick Leahy's life in American politics

Vermont Senator Patrick Leahy knows what it’s like to fly with presidents. Kimberly Atkins Stohr hears about his life in American politics.
23/08/22·47m 19s

'Real and present danger’: How Trump rhetoric is impacting the FBI after the Mar-a-Lago search

Donald Trump's supporters are unleashing a torrent of criticism of the FBI after agents searched Mar-a-Lago. What impact is it having? Andrew McCabe and Dennis Lormel join Kimberly Atkins Stohr.
22/08/22·46m 53s

The history of the price of free speech

Author Salman Rushdie remains in critical condition after a brutal knife attack last week. We'll look at the long history of the price people pay to defend free speech. Jacob Mchangama joins Meghna Chakrabarti.
19/08/22·47m 35s

Pod extra: Revisiting a 2013 interview with Salman Rushdie

In 2013, Meghna Chakrabarti spoke with Salman Rushdie, on the tail end of his book tour for Joseph Anton. Today, in this podcast special, we're resurfacing the 2013 Radio Boston interview with Rushdie.
19/08/22·21m 16s

The wage myths of the modern economy

Why are wages what they are? We talk about the myths that help set wages in the modern economy. Jake Rosenfeld and Larry Mishel join Meghna Chakrabarti.
18/08/22·47m 21s

The Ohio primary and what it means for the general election

We look closely at swing state Ohio, and what the midterms Senate race there says about the appeal of Trumpism nationwide. Gary Abernathy, Haley BeMiller and Jack Beatty join Meghna Chakrabarti. 
17/08/22·47m 22s

A new study says you might need to exercise twice as much. But who's got the time?

A new study finds that the standard recommendation of two-and-a-half hours a week of exercise may not be enough. You might need twice as much exercise to live a long, healthy life. NiCole Keith and Dr. Eddie Phillips join Meghna Chakrabarti.
16/08/22·47m 34s

How a U.S. Marine and an Afghan interpreter forged a bond of friendship in Afghanistan

Zac Zaki and Tom Schueman join Meghna Chakrabarti to talk about the friendship they forged in Afghanistan, and what it took to get Zaki out of Kabul.
15/08/22·47m 12s

How Trump’s generals fought back

Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Mark Milley had written a letter of resignation. In it, he accused former President Donald Trump of betraying the country. But Milley never sent the letter. That's according to a stunning report in the New Yorker magazine. Susan Glasser and Peter Baker join Meghna Chakrabarti.
12/08/22·47m 22s

How the meatpacking industry skirted COVID safety regulations with the help of the White House

The nation's meatpacking companies skirted COVID safety regulations. And they did it with the White House's help, according to a little known Congressional report. So how’d they get away with it? Michael Grabell and Debbie Berkowitz join Meghna Chakrabarti.
11/08/22·47m 30s

Understanding China's military might, and whether Beijing will use it

1996. The last Taiwan Straights crisis. China's was badly outmatched by the U.S. So what's the Chinese military capable of now? Oriana Skylar Mastro and Bonny Lin join Meghna Chakrabarti.
10/08/22·47m 9s

Behind the government-backed effort to create a national EV charging network

The federal government is spending big to usher in an electric vehicle future. What ideas can make sure the money is well spent? Samantha Houston and Alexander Laska join Meghna Chakrabarti.
09/08/22·47m 18s

Remembering the legacies of Black pioneers Nichelle Nichols and Bill Russell

From the deck of the Starship Enterprise, to the storied parquet of the NBA -- Nichelle Nichols and Bill Russell changed how the world saw Black Americans. We remember the legacies of these two pioneers. Angelique Fawcette and Marc J. Spears join Meghna Chakrabarti.
08/08/22·47m 27s

The paradox: How democracy can lead to liberalism — or fascism

In a truly open society, all ideas can flourish -- even those that tear down democracies. New technologies help those ideas spread. So, are fragile democracies the norm? Zac Gershberg, Sean Illing and Jack Beatty join Meghna Chakrabarti.
05/08/22·46m 43s

Rebroadcast: The mental health crisis among American children of color

Youth suicide has been on the rise across the United States. And for young people between the ages of 5 and 12, the suicide rate for Black children is nearly double that of white children. Tami Charles and Kevin Simon join Meghna Chakrabarti.
04/08/22·47m 31s

What happens when American teens get more sleep

The typical teen body clock and the typical school start time are out of synch. California is pushing back the start of the high school day. Other districts already have. Did it work? Lisa L. Lewis joins Meghna Chakrabarti.
03/08/22·47m 16s

First person: Thinking globally, acting locally to save the monarch butterfly

First person: Jose Luis Alvarez, co-founder of Forests for Monarchs, and Martha Askins, a retired lawyer, discuss the beauty of the monarch butterfly and conservation efforts to save them. 
02/08/22·11m 22s

How to save the endangered monarch butterfly

Every year, migratory monarch butterflies travel thousands of miles. But for decades, their population has been declining. Now, the monarchs are endangered. We discuss how to save the endangered monarch butterfly. Orley “Chip” Taylor and Wendy Caldwell join Meghna Chakrabarti.
02/08/22·47m 28s

Behind the new study changing how doctors view depression

You’ve seen the pharma ads saying depression may be caused by a chemical imbalance in the brain. But for years, doctors have known that's not entirely true. A big new study confirms that, and it’s come as a shock to patients. Daniel Carlat joins us.
01/08/22·47m 10s

Unpacking bipartisan efforts to reform the Electoral Count Act

A new bill proposes critical updates to the Electoral Count Act of 1887, but is it enough to prevent another Jan. 6th? Matthew Seligman, Derek Muller and Jack Beatty join Meghna Chakrabarti.
29/07/22·47m 22s

'On Point Live' from KPCC: A conversation with The Black List founder Franklin Leonard

Franklin Leonard is founder of The Black List, a company and production studio that searches for the best screenplays that aren't getting attention from Hollywood execs. In a pod exclusive, Leonard joins Meghna Chakrabarti for a special live event at KPCC's Public Radio Palooza series in Pasadena, California.
29/07/22·1h 8m

The COVID lessons we didn't learn for the monkeypox outbreak

Monkeypox is spreading across the country, with numbers rising. COVID was supposed to be a wake up call for American public health. So how did this happen? Aaron Gettinger and Dr. Ali Khan join Meghna Chakrabarti.
28/07/22·47m 34s

Amid rising violence, a look inside the possible return of stop-and-frisk in Philadelphia

There were more than 560 homicides in Philadelphia last year. Now, some elected officials are calling for the return of a controversial policing tactic: stop-and-frisk. Sammy Caiola, Shira Scheindlin and Councilman Isaiah Thomas join Meghna Chakrabarti.
27/07/22·47m 32s

Americans are avoiding the news. What can journalists do?

Amanda Ripley is a journalist, and even she, like millions of Americans, decided to turn off the news. So what needs to change? Ripley has an answer, and it begins with giving people hope. Joe Segal, Amanda Ripley and David Bornstein join Meghna Chakrabarti.
26/07/22·47m 34s

James Webb Space Telescope: Humanity's deepest glimpse into the universe yet

The James Webb Space Telescope has sent back its first images. We'll discuss the deepest glimpse into the story of the universe human kind has ever had. Catherine Espaillat and Steve Finkelstein join Meghna Chakrabarti.
25/07/22·47m 23s

What the Jan. 6 committee learned about the Capitol attack, 18 months later

As its series of hearings wraps up, what has the January 6 committee revealed about Donald Trump and the attack on the Capitol? Rep. Jamie Raskin, Rosalind Helderman and Jack Beatty join Kimberly Atkins Stohr.
22/07/22·47m 0s

A 'transition candidate': Where is America headed next?

During the 2020 Presidential campaign, Joe Biden called himself a “transition candidate.” But transition to bring America where? Mike Lux, Jonathan Lemire and Jack Beatty join Kimberly Atkins Stohr.
21/07/22·46m 56s

The political marriage between the GOP and militias

In several countries, elected politicians are making deals with violent militias. Is America next? Rachel Kleinfeld and Bill Kristol join Kimberly Atkins Stohr.
20/07/22·47m 23s

The un-separation of church and state

In decisions involving state funding for religious schools and prayer on a high school football field the conservative majority on the Supreme Court says it is defending religious liberty. But for some, that seems more like an attack. Linda Greenhouse and Michael McConnell join Kimberly Atkins Stohr.
19/07/22·47m 7s

How to navigate the current stage of the COVID pandemic

Omicron BA.5 is the new dominant COVID strain in the U.S. New mutations. A new set of questions. Dr. Ashish Jha, Professor Marlene Wolfe and Dr. Amesh Adalja join Kimberly Atkins Stohr.
18/07/22·47m 4s

The Eichmann tapes and the comforting myth of the 'banality of evil'

The banality of evil. Hannah Arendt's famous observation during the trial of Adolf Eichmann, the ‘architect of the Holocaust.’ There's new evidence that Eichmann's evil was anything but banal. Yariv Mozer and Bettina Stangneth join Meghna Chakrabarti.
15/07/22·47m 33s

How 'normal' Republican staffers paved the road to Trump

“America never would have gotten into this mess if it weren’t for me and my friends.” That's how Tim Miller begins his new book "Why We Did It." Tim Miller and Sarah Isgur join Meghna Chakrabarti to discuss how “normal” Republican staffers paved the road to Trump.
14/07/22·47m 10s

The history of far-right populism, from the John Birch Society to Trumpism

Decades before QAnon, far-right conspiracists were already pushing a conservative political agenda. We discuss the history of far-right populism – from the John Birch Society to Trumpism. Edward Miller and Jack Beatty join Anthony Brooks.
13/07/22·47m 14s

How a Supreme Court case on federal elections could imperil democracy

Some Republicans say state legislatures should have the power to override federal elections. The Supreme Court is taking up a case that could make that the law of the land. We hear why some say that would imperil our democracy. Bertrall Ross, Dan Vicuña and Dallas Woodhouse join Anthony Brooks.
12/07/22·47m 35s

Online extremism and the digital footprint of mass shooters

Analysts studying recent mass shootings say there's a previously unrecognized pattern. It begins in the darkest corners of the internet. We discuss the online training ground for mass shooters. Alex Newhouse and Emmi Conley join Meghna Chakrabarti.
11/07/22·47m 34s

The crypto market meltdown: Could it pave the way to new regulations?

The crypto market is in meltdown, with $2 trillion lost so far. Could it pave the way to new regulations? Hester Peirce and Molly White join Meghna Chakrabarti.
08/07/22·47m 26s

Lessons from America's brief experiment with universal free school meals

A pandemic program that worked, but was eliminated anyway. We hear what's behind the end of the universal free school meals program. Lisa Davis, Teresa Brown and Krista Ruffini join Meghna Chakrabarti.
07/07/22·46m 58s

Pod Extra: Transportation Sec. Pete Buttigieg, Sen. Ed Markey on actions the government can take to improve the airline industry

On Point senior editor speaks with Democratic Senator Ed Markey of Massachusetts and Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg about the actions the federal government could take to improve the airline industry.
06/07/22·18m 27s

Unfriendly skies: Will airline service ever improve?

A pilot shortage exacerbated by pandemic staff cuts and a mandatory retirement age has led to thousands of flight delays and cancellations. After a $50-plus billion bailout during the pandemic, why does airline service seem even worse? William J. McGee joins Meghna Chakrabarti.
06/07/22·47m 35s

How the Supreme Court's EPA ruling will shape government power

The Supreme Court upended 40 years of deference to agencies like the EPA. They've ruled that the EPA can't aggressively regulate carbon emissions. But the ruling could curb the reach of almost every regulatory agency in the country. Christine Todd Whitman, Lisa Graves, Paul DeCamp and Christopher Wright join Meghna Chakrabarti.
05/07/22·47m 27s

Rebroadcast: Historian Jon Grinspan on the last time Americans fought for democracy

Rebroadcast: Historian Jon Grinspan says Americans in the past fought to fix democracy. But what does that mean for Americans today? "Many of our problems have, if not identical moments in the past, parallels and similar tendencies in our democracy across time.” Jon Grinspan and Jack Beatty joined Meghna Chakrabarti.
04/07/22·47m 22s

Rebroadcast: Who's to blame for America's polarized politics? Tom Nichols says 'All of us'

Who's to blame for America's polarized politics? The government? The media? Special interests? Tom Nichols says the problem is 'all of us.' Tom Nichols and Jack Beatty join Meghna Chakrabarti.
01/07/22·47m 26s

What Cassidy Hutchinson's testimony reveals about the truth behind Jan. 6th

As January 6th rioters closed in on the Capitol, the Trump White House did nothing. Cassidy Hutchinson, former senior aide to then White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows went to Meadows' office and found him scrolling on his phone. Chris Whipple, Alan Rozenshtein and Jack Beatty join Meghna Chakrabarti.
30/06/22·47m 12s

How the Supreme Court's overturning of Roe v. Wade will alter the lives of women of color

Unlike when Roe was first decided in the 1970s, women needing abortions now are more likely to be women of color who are already mothers. How will losing access to abortions alter their lives? Kwajelyn Jackson, Fatima Goss Graves and Janai Nelson join Meghna Chakrabarti.
29/06/22·47m 12s

In 'An Immense World,' Journalist Ed Yong helps us perceive the world the way animals do

What if you could taste the world’s electrical fields? Hear vibrations in a leaf? Or see magnetic currents guiding you home? Science writer Ed Yong helps us perceive the world the way animals do – through eyes, ears, antennae and more.
28/06/22·47m 7s

Inflation, record-high gas prices, interest hikes: Making sense of our confusing economy

Record-high gas prices. Interest rate hikes. A tight jobs market. Inflation at a 40-year high. We discuss the confusing state of the American economy. Rana Foroohar joins Meghna Chakrabarti.
27/06/22·47m 21s

What we know about the forces behind the Jan. 6th insurrection

The January 6th select committee is continuing to pick apart the events and forces that led up to the attack on the Capitol. After weeks two of hearings, what have we learned about Donald Trump’s efforts to overturn the 2020 election? Andrea Bernstein, Ilya Marritz and Jack Beatty join Kimberly Atkins Stohr.
24/06/22·46m 56s

Title IX, 50 years later: Why female athletes are still fighting for equality

50 years ago, Title IX outlawed sex-based discrimination at federally funded schools. But in collegiate level sports, you’d be pushed to know it. Donna Lopiano and Lori Bullock join Kimberly Atkins Stohr.
23/06/22·47m 23s

COVID reinfections, emerging variants: Your pandemic questions, answered

COVID reinfections were considered rare in 2020, but emerging variants have now made them increasingly likely. We discuss what we now know about COVID-19. Akiko Iwasaki and Dr. H. Cody Meissner join Kimberly Atkins Stohr.
22/06/22·46m 58s

As war drags on in Ukraine, is it time to talk compromise?

U.S. aid is helping Ukraine in its ongoing battle with Russian invaders. But ongoing conflict comes with a risk. As war drags on ... is it time to talk compromise? Anne Applebaum, Steven Simon and Ivanna Klympush-Tsintsadze join Kimberly Atkins Stohr.
21/06/22·46m 49s

The Supreme Court of mistrust

Despite their differences of opinion, the nine justices of the U.S. Supreme Court have always regarded mutual trust as a pillar of their establishment. But the leak of a draft ruling has rocked that. So is the court forever changed? Dahlia Lithwick, Amy Howe and Carolyn Shapiro join Kimberly Atkins Stohr.
20/06/22·46m 41s

Smarter health: How AI could change the relationship between you and your doctor

Will artificial intelligence replace doctors? It's the final episode in our series “Smarter health." Dr. Sumeet Chugh and Stacy Hurt join Meghna Chakrabarti.
17/06/22·47m 34s

Smarter health: How Greece used AI to reopen its borders and curb COVID

Summer 2020. The worldwide COVID death toll had hit half a million. And the Greek government had a decision to make. How could the nation open up to tourists while also keeping COVID under control in Greece? In this podcast extra, On Point senior editor Dorey Scheimer talks with professor Hamsa Bastani. Bastani helped develop 'Eva,' an AI algorithm that helped Greece curb COVID.
17/06/22·9m 34s

How New Mexico is learning to live with the megadrought

The Western megadrought. This year, it's brought early, record-breaking wildfires to New Mexico. The drought is forcing permanent ecosystem changes. Can there be longterm solutions? Mayor Louie Trujillo and John D’Antonio join Meghna Chakrabarti.
16/06/22·47m 13s

How the NRA's creed defines America's gun debate

For decades, the NRA has said that America's astronomical rate of gun violence is "the price we pay for freedom." We'll look at that creed, and how it may be the most powerful force in the American debate about guns. Frank Smyth and Pat McCrory join Meghna Chakrabarti.
15/06/22·47m 21s

Jan. 6th hearing: Will the committee's message break through to the American people?

Congress's January 6th select committee is broadcasting its hearings directly to Americans. But with partisan gaps widening, and fewer people saying Trump is responsible for the attack on Congress, can the hearings break through with the American people? Lisa Desjardins, Steven Levitsky and Jack Beatty join Meghna Chakrabarti.
14/06/22·46m 55s

Author Steven Rinella's tips for raising 'outdoor kids in an inside world'

Phones. TVs. Computers, everywhere inside. But outside, how can we help kids see the forest beyond the screens? Steven Rinella joins Meghna Chakrabarti.
13/06/22·47m 32s

Smarter health: Regulating AI in health care

Health care is heavily regulated. But can the FDA effectively regulate AI in health care? It's episode three of our series “Smarter health."   Elisabeth Rosenthal, Finale Doshi-Velez and Yiannos Tolias join Meghna Chakrabarti.
10/06/22·47m 32s

Gun laws in America and how the ATF was set up to fail

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives enforces gun laws already on the books. How can enforcement happen when the very agency charged with doing so are handicapped by Congress? Champe Barton and David Chipman joins Meghna Chakrabarti.
09/06/22·47m 31s

In 'Work Pray Code,' author Carolyn Chen reflects on what happens when we worship work

Many Silicon Valley companies want their software engineers to live for their jobs. And they offer them everything from meals to dry cleaning to spiritual coaches. But is the office really the place to find a life’s worth of fulfillment? Carolyn Chen and Lauren Padron join Meghna Chakrabarti.
08/06/22·47m 3s

Inside the science of empathetic joy

Mass grief. Mass outrage. Seemingly everywhere. But can we also learn to share in each other’s joy? Eve Ekman, Shelly Gable and Amelie, an On Point listener, join Meghna Chakrabarti.
07/06/22·47m 26s

Adm. James Stavridis on what decision-making in the heat of battle can teach civilians

Admiral James Stavridis knows what it takes to make decisions in battle. Stavridis says the things needed to make good decisions in war are not that different from what's needed to make good decisions in everyday life. He'll tell us about it.
06/06/22·47m 35s

Smarter health: The ethics of AI in health care

AI, ethics, your care. It's episode II of our special series “Smarter health." Glenn Cohen and Yolonda Wilson join Meghna Chakrabarti.
03/06/22·47m 21s

In 'Secret City,' author James Kirchick traces the unknown history of gay Washington

Post-World War II, there was something seen as even worse than being a communist in U.S. politics: being gay. We discuss how lives and careers were lost through decades of bipartisan homophobia. James Kirchick joins Meghna Chakrabarti.
02/06/22·47m 1s

Can Texas find its way out of the state's gridlocked gun debate?

Texas used to have some of the strictest gun laws in America. But since they were relaxed, there have several mass shootings across the state. We talk to Texans about the laws they've stripped away. Rep. Joe Moody and Michael Cargill join Meghna Chakrabarti.
01/06/22·47m 27s

The fragility of unenumerated rights

Justice Samuel Alito’s draft opinion on abortion shows the Supreme Court could overturn Roe v. Wade on the basis that abortion is “not deeply rooted in the nation’s history and traditions.” We look at the fragility of unenumerated rights. Kenji Yoshino and Jack Beatty join Meghna Chakrabarti.
31/05/22·47m 11s

Burn pits: Behind the 'silent killer' ignored by the U.S. government for years

REBROADCAST: Burn pits in Afghanistan and Iraq. Vast piles of U.S. military waste set alight, pouring smoke into the air that U.S. soldiers would breathe. Why were they ignored for so long? Megan Stack, Le Roy Torres and Dan Brewer join Meghna Chakrabarti.
30/05/22·47m 31s

Smarter health: How AI is transforming health care

American health care is complex. Expensive. Hard to access. Could artificial intelligence change that? It's the first episode in our series 'Smarter health.' Dr. Ziad Obermeyer joins us.
27/05/22·47m 24s

Inside LA's struggle to address its unhoused crisis

It’s estimated that more than 60,000 people live on the streets and in the parks of Los Angeles. Or put another way – 20% of all unhoused Americans – are in LA. Can the city find a way to house everyone who calls LA home? Heidi Marston and Rachel Estrada join Kimberly Atkins Stohr.
26/05/22·47m 1s

A school shooting in Uvalde, Texas, gun control and American politics

Following the mass shooting of 19 elementary school children in Uvalde, Texas yesterday, we ask what will it take for us to find the political will to prevent these kind of events from being a uniquely American experience. Lee Drutman, Daniel Webster and Jack Beatty join Meghna Chakrabarti.
25/05/22·47m 7s

Remarkable science: Exploring our AI and robot-supported future

Life with robots once seemed possible only in science fiction. But today, scientific advances in artificial intelligence and robotics have ensured that robots are a part of our everyday lives. On May 13, the Day of AI, we brought together a panel of experts to talk about the future of AI and robots. This is the first installment of our series Remarkable Science -- featuring conversations with scientists about their discoveries, recorded in front of an audience at WBUR’s CitySpace venue.
24/05/22·55m 21s

The people of Ukraine on life during war

Since the start of the war, we’ve listened to voices from Ukraine. As the war grinds on, how do Ukrainians see things? Ivan Gomza, Olga Buzunova and Mariana Budjeryn join Meghna Chakrabarti.
24/05/22·47m 6s

'Great replacement theory' and its deep roots in America

Great replacement theory -- the erroneous belief that there's an effort underway to 'replace native-born Americans with immigrants for electoral gains.' That fear has moved from the fringes to the mainstream. As many as one in three Americans say they believe it. Jeffery Robinson and Ricky Jones join Meghna Chakrabarti.
23/05/22·47m 0s

Trailer: 'Smarter health,' an upcoming series from On Point

The U.S. spends more on health care than any other country in the world. But Americans are not as healthy as people living in other rich nations. Could artificial intelligence change all that? Starting Friday, May 27th, On Point presents a four-part series: 'Smarter health: Artificial intelligence and the future of American health care.'
20/05/22·2m 9s

How climate change is moving the world's forests north

Trees are on the move. Because of climate change, the world’s forests are heading north. What does this mean for us and our survival? Ben Rawlence joins Meghna Chakrabarti.
20/05/22·47m 25s

The corporate monopolies behind the national baby formula shortage

The a national baby formula shortage. The reason? Corporate monopolies, poor quality control and federal regulation. Matt Stoller joins Meghna Chakrabarti.
19/05/22·47m 31s

What CPAC's embrace of Viktor Orban says about the state of U.S. politics

In an archive edition of On Point: As American conservatives meet for their conference in Budapest, we learn more about why they're gathering to hear Viktor Orban. Jack Beatty and Kim Scheppele join Meghna Chakrabarti.
18/05/22·47m 34s

Journalist Putsata Reang shares an immigrant daughter's story in 'Ma and Me'

Journalist Putsata Reang has reported on many wars. Her own life is defined by the war her family escaped.  “What did I owe my mother for giving me life?" The question gripped Reang when she decided to tell her mother that she's gay. Putsata Reang joins Meghna Chakrabarti.
17/05/22·47m 33s

When does life begin? Exploring how different religions answer the question

Different religions in America have different answers to the question of when life begins. If the government adopts one definition of life when it comes to abortion access, is it restricting the free practice of all other beliefs? Elizabeth Reiner Platt and Rabba Sara Hurwitz join Meghna Chakrabarti.
16/05/22·47m 19s

Rebroadcast: How to cut through the 'noise' that hinders human judgment

Rebroadcast: If you consult three doctors and get three different opinions, that’s an example of what Nobel Prize-winning psychologist Daniel Kahneman and his colleagues call “noise.” How do you decide what to do when professionals don’t agree? We’ll cut through the noise and exploring human judgment. Daniel Kahneman and Olivier Sibony join Meghna Chakrabarti.
13/05/22·47m 4s

The mental health crisis among American children of color

Youth suicide has been on the rise across the United States. And for young people between the ages of 5 and 12, the suicide rate for Black children is nearly double that of white children. Tami Charles and Kevin Simon join Meghna Chakrabarti.
12/05/22·47m 34s

The legacy of uranium mining on Navajo lands

For more than 40 years, millions of tons of Uranium ore were mined from Navajo lands to make nuclear weapons. Thousands of workers were exposed to deadly radiation. Those workers are about to lose funding to cover their health costs. Phil Harrison and Amber Crotty join Meghna Chakrabarti.
11/05/22·45m 17s

Why China won't relent on its 'zero COVID' strategy

In Shanghai, the long near total lockdown has meant empty streets, food insecurity, and rising anger and dissent. So why is China still pursing its iron clad COVID-zero strategy?  Don Weinland, Dr. Yangyang Cheng and Yanzhong Huang join Meghna Chakrabarti.
10/05/22·47m 35s

In Latin America, abortion access is expanding. Why is the U.S. moving in the opposite direction?

In the United States, Roe v. Wade is on the brink of being overturned. But across Latin America, abortion access is expanding. Why is the United States going in the opposite direction from much of the world on abortion rights? Michelle Oberman, Cora Fernandez Anderson and Jack Beatty join Meghna Chakrabarti.
09/05/22·47m 23s

The science of headache disorders

More than half the world's population experienced a headache disorder in the past year. Why? Dr. Amaal J. Starling and Dr. Peter Goadsby join Meghna Chakrabarti.
06/05/22·47m 34s

Pod extra: The lawyer who argued for Roe in Roe v. Wade

In a podcast extra, Meghna Chakrabarti reflects on a 2017 conversation with Sarah Weddington, the Texas attorney who successfully argued Roe v. Wade 44 years ago.
06/05/22·27m 38s

Remembering the 1 million Americans lost to COVID

The U.S. is approaching a grim milestone – one million dead from COVID-19. Millions more Americans trying to figure out how to live life without the person they loved. We remember those we've lost to COVID. Micki McElya and Marisa Renee Lee join Meghna Chakrabarti.
05/05/22·47m 21s

Social scientist Yascha Mounk on American democracy and how we can find common ground

Politics feels like a centrifugal force, pushing, tearing American democracy apart. So what glue can hold us together? Yascha Mounk and Jack Beatty join Meghna Chakrabarti.
04/05/22·47m 15s

Inside Florida's property insurance crisis

Florida property insurance is a hot mess. One word: Litigation. In fact, more than 75% of all property insurance lawsuits in the United States originate in Florida. Mark Friedlander and Jeff Brandes join Meghna Chakrabarti.
03/05/22·47m 13s

The federal government's role in causing and fixing the student debt crisis

The Biden Administration has delayed the restart of student loan repayments. We discuss the federal government's role in causing and fixing the problem of high student loan debt. Josh Mitchell and Beth Akers join Meghna Chakrabarti.
02/05/22·47m 21s

The algorithms behind America’s growing infatuation with Formula One racing

Intensity. Drama. Speed. Americans are falling in love with Formula One racing. However, is the new motor sports fandom real, or driven by a Netflix algorithm? Drew Lawrence and Carlos Serra join Meghna Chakrabarti.
29/04/22·42m 28s

The risks and rationale of expanding NATO

Vladimir Putin’s invasion of Ukraine has pushed the Nordic nations toward NATO. How will it change European security? Emma Ashford, Heli Hautala and Wess Mitchell join Meghna Chakrabarti.
28/04/22·47m 12s

How NATO expansion happened in the '90s

NATO expansion in the '90s. U.S. Defense Secretary Les Aspin asked in 1993: "How do you deal with the question of membership?" Ultimately, the Clinton administration's answer to that question may have had more to do with domestic politics than international alliances. Mary Elise Sarotte and Charles Kupchan join Meghna Chakrabarti.
27/04/22·47m 28s

What happens to women's rights when democracy backslides

From Nazi Germany to Mussolini’s Italy, fascists worked to repress the rights of women by restricting education and abortion rights. Now, there are echoes of that past again. Anne Wingenter and Erica Chenoweth join Meghna Chakrabarti.
26/04/22·47m 15s

Social psychologist Jonathan Haidt on democracy, social media and how to fix America's 'ailing' institutions

Social psychologist Jonathan Haidt says America is in trouble. He sees it on college campuses and through social media. Haidt joins Meghna Chakrabarti to discuss democracy, social media and how to fix America's 'ailing' institutions.
25/04/22·47m 14s

On Point Presents: 'China's quarantine queen' from Endless Thread

While you were tending to your quarantine sourdough starter, Chinese YouTube star Li Ziqi was growing mushrooms, making peach blossom crowns and listening to the sound of blooming roses. Join Amory Sivertson and Ben Brock Johnson in their podcast 'Endless Thread' as they explore Li Ziqi, and why millions of isolated people worldwide have been drawn to the quiet intricacy and beauty of her videos. 
24/04/22·41m 30s

Pod extra: A pro-gun community in Louisiana leads the charge on disarming domestic abusers

Some states and local law enforcement agencies have taken it upon themselves to develop their own firearm hand-in laws that they can effectively enforce. That’s happened in California, Washington state, Colorado and Lafourche Parish, Louisiana. On Point producer Paige Sutherland has more on what's happening in Louisiana and the gap in America's gun laws.
22/04/22·18m 31s

The next phase of the Jan. 6 investigation

The House committee investigating the January 6 insurrection will soon make public what they’ve found. Congressional historian Ray Smock says the stakes are high. Kimberly Atkins Stohr hosts a discussion on the next phase of the Jan. 6 investigation with Betsy Woodruff Swan, Raymond Smock and Jack Beatty.
22/04/22·47m 21s

The inside story of Georgia’s shift left

Georgia, once solid red, is looking more purple than ever. We hear the inside story of Georgia’s shift left, and what it can teach Democrats nationwide. Greg Bluestein joins Kimberly Atkins Stohr.
21/04/22·47m 19s

The legacy of Title 42

A controversial immigration policy meant to keep COVID-19 out of the U.S. is set to end next month. But despite claims of the policy causing a humanitarian crisis, U.S. lawmakers claim lifting Title 42 will cause a different crisis here at home.  Eleanor Acer, Aaron Reichlin-Melnick, Harold Koh and Monette Zard join Kimberly Atkins Stohr.
20/04/22·47m 18s

The politics of calling the Russia-Ukraine war a genocide

Last Tuesday, President Joe Biden declared genocide was taking place in Ukraine. "I called it genocide because it’s become clearer and clearer that Putin is just trying to wipe out the idea of even being able to be a Ukrainian," the president said. But is Biden right? We discuss the politics of calling the Russian invasion of Ukraine a genocide and the investigations to prove it. Kate Cronin-Furman and Eugene Finkel join Kimberly Atkins Stohr.
19/04/22·47m 28s

The complicated history of women's fitness

Personal fitness for women used to be considered unladylike. That all changed with fitness pioneers like Lotte Berk and Judi Sheppard Missett. But look closer and there’s much more to the story than jazz shoes and leg warmers. Danielle Friedman and Jessica Rihal join Kimberly Atkins Stohr.
18/04/22·47m 11s

On Point presents: 'Belly Up' from Last Seen

When three friends went on a rum-fueled rampage one night deep in the Nevada desert, they never expected the trouble they would find themselves in a week later. The men broke into a remote unit of Death Valley National Park known as Devil's Hole — a mysterious flooded cave that happens to be home to the one of the rarest fish on Earth, and one that's critically endangered too. This episode, based on Paige Blankenbuehler's High Country News feature, is a bite-size crime story starring an obscure species of tiny fish, and some hedonistic humans who stepped a little too far over the line, and suffered some big consequences. Last Seen host Nora Saks dives into the fraught relationship between humans and nature, and the long arm of the law intended to protect our most vulnerable species.
17/04/22·39m 17s

How microplastics affect human health

Water bottles. Shopping bags. Computers. Medical equipment. Food containers. We're living in an invisible miasma of microplastics. What's it doing to human health? Erica Cirino and Heather Leslie join Meghna Chakrabarti.
15/04/22·47m 25s

Ambassador Bill Taylor on the U.S.-Ukraine relationship

Ambassador Bill Taylor has been the top U.S. diplomat in Ukraine twice, most recently under President Trump. He joins Meghna Chakrabarti to discuss how the United States’ relationship with Ukraine is changing.
14/04/22·47m 23s

Understanding Biden's proposal to tax billionaires' unrealized gains

According to the White House, billionaires in America pay income tax at a rate that’s just half that of the average worker. President Biden is proposing taxing the unrealized gains of the richest Americans — assets the wealthy haven’t yet cashed out on. Steve Rosenthal joins Meghna Chakrabarti.
13/04/22·47m 28s

A disinformation expert's guide on combatting online abuse

Online attacks and harassments have become a fact of life for many women online. Can it be stopped? Nina Jankowicz joins Meghna Chakrabarti.
12/04/22·47m 8s

How open-source intelligence is shaping the Russia-Ukraine war

There's an unprecedent number of intercepted audio coming out of the Russia-Ukraine war. How is it changing what's happening in Ukraine? John Scott-Railton and Andrei Soldatov join Meghna Chakrabarti.
11/04/22·47m 14s

On Point presents: Space heist (or, how to steal a planet)

WBUR, the home of On Point, makes a handful of podcasts you may not have heard before, and we want to change that. So, we’re continuing with our weekend playlist of other podcasts made at WBUR. Today: An episode from 'Endless Thread' — about a battle between astronomers over a somewhat unassuming rock.
10/04/22·41m 0s

Behind the decades-long fight to close the 'boyfriend loophole'

An effort to get guns out of the hands of abusive boyfriends failed again in Congress. We discuss the story behind the two-decades old fight to close the so-called “boyfriend loophole."
08/04/22·47m 20s

AFL-CIO president Liz Shuler on the future of America's labor movement

Last year, Liz Shuler became the first ever woman elected president of the country's largest labor union. She joins us to talk about where the labor movement is headed.
07/04/22·47m 22s

Pod extra: How personal finance columnist Michelle Singletary inspired one family's debt journey

Jennifer and Tyrone Harris had $230,000 of debt. But after four years, they paid down their debt entirely. How did they do it?
06/04/22·5m 46s

Personal finance expert Michelle Singletary reflects on 25 years of her column 'The Color of Money'

For 25 years, Michelle Singletary has dished out personal finance guidance at the Washington Post. Who did she turn to for advice?
06/04/22·47m 23s

Solutions for America's teacher shortage

America doesn't have enough teachers. The Biden administration is calling for states to spend and recruit more. Will that work? Linda Darling-Hammond joins Meghna Chakrabarti.
05/04/22·47m 33s

What a Russia-Ukraine peace agreement might look like

A Russia-Ukraine peace agreement. Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy wants concrete security guarantees. Would Russia accept? Ret. Lt. Gen. Donald Kerrick, Max Seddon and Dr. Cindy Wittke join Meghna Chakrabarti.
04/04/22·46m 56s

On Point presents: 'Murph' from Last Seen

WBUR, the home of On Point, makes a handful of podcasts you may not have heard before, and we want to change that. Every Sunday for the next month, we’ll drop one of our favorite episodes of a WBUR podcast in this feed. First up: An episode from the new season of 'Last Seen.' Amory Sivertson traces the enigmatic life of Jack Murphy, or "Murph the Surf," who pulled off the biggest jewel heist in New York City history.
03/04/22·37m 50s

First person: A scientist's discovery puts space into focus

The James Webb Space Telescope is NASA, the European Space Agency and the Canadian Space Agency's most ambitious space observatory ever. A million miles away from Planet Earth, it is designed to look back to the beginnings of the universe. In this 'First Person,' we hear from Robert Gonsalves, creator of the phase retrieval imaging technique now being used by the James Webb Space Telescope.
01/04/22·8m 9s

The remarkable story of the James Webb Space Telescope

Peering deeper into the universe than we ever have before. We hear the remarkable story of the James Webb Space Telescope. Marcia J. Rieke and Nikole Lewis join Meghna Chakrabarti.
01/04/22·47m 26s

The American far-right's Russian embrace

Influential voices on the American far-right, such as white nationalist Nick Fuentes, are genuflecting to Russia. How close, and how dangerous is the far-right's Russian relationship? Jason Blazakis, Natalia Antelava and Jack Beatty join Meghna Chakrabarti.
31/03/22·47m 19s

What the U.S. can learn from South Korea's COVID strategy

In January, South Korea had about 4,500 new COVID cases a day. By mid-March, that number ballooned to over 400,000. But at the same time, South Korea has one the lowest COVID death rates in the world. So, how are they doing that?  Sangmi Cha and Jerome Kim join Meghna Chakrabarti.
30/03/22·47m 30s

No food, medicine or electricity: The truth about life in Ethiopia's Tigray region

Ethiopia’s government has turned the northern Tigray region into a virtual prison. Five million people. No way in. No way out. No food, no medicine, no electricity. How long can the world look the other way? Etana Dinka, Hayelom Mekonen and Ephraim Isaac join Meghna Chakrabarti.
29/03/22·47m 18s

2 former U.S. officials on America's next steps in the Russia-Ukraine war

Alexander Vindman and Lawrence Wilkerson have unique histories that have brought them to two different views on what the U.S. and Europe must do as Russia continues its attack on Ukraine. We hear from them both. Ret. Lt. Col. Alexander Vindman and Ret. Col. Larry Wilkerson join Meghna Chakrabarti.
28/03/22·47m 25s

Protecting whale superhighways

Whales migrate along routes thousands of miles long - oceanic superhighways - that also happen to be corridors of human disruption. We discuss the fight to protect whale superhighways. Ari Friedlaender joins Meghna Chakrabarti.
25/03/22·47m 22s

Inside Missouri's push to ban out-of-state abortions

A legislative proposal in Missouri would make it illegal for a woman to cross state lines to receive a legal abortion. Restricting a woman's freedom of movement. Is it the next step in states that continue to tighten abortion access? Tessa Weinberg, Dr. Colleen McNicholas and Mary Elizabeth Coleman join Meghna Chakrabarti.
24/03/22·47m 26s

Life during war in Ukraine

For millions of Ukrainians who have not -- and cannot -- leave their cities, how are they enduring life in a warzone? Alevtina Kakhidze and Ivan Gomza join Meghna Chakrabarti.
23/03/22·46m 5s

What would a 'no-fly zone' mean for Ukraine?

Big rhetoric around three simple words. But what would a "no-fly zone" really mean in the skies over Ukraine? John Kornblum and Lt. Gen. David Deptula join Meghna Chakrabarti.
22/03/22·47m 20s

What Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson's history as a public defender means for the Supreme Court

Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson would be the first former public defender on a bench full of former prosecutors and corporate lawyers. What difference would that make on the highest court in the land? Nancy Gertner and Benjamin Barton join Meghna Chakrabarti.
21/03/22·47m 28s

China's place in the Russia-Ukraine war

The U.S. and NATO have warned Beijing not to back its ally. What China chooses to do now will have worldwide implications for years to come. We talk about it. Tong Zhao, Dr. Yangyang Cheng and Oriana Skylar Mastro join Meghna Chakrabarti.
18/03/22·47m 31s

Pod extra: Dr. Celine Gounder on how political divisions shaped the U.S. COVID response

Dr. Celine Gounder is a senior fellow and editor-at-large for public health at Kaiser Health News. She shares where the U.S. struggles in talking about the pandemic, and what we can do to fix it.
17/03/22·4m 59s

COVID, 2 years later: Lessons learned from a global pandemic

COVID, two years later. We discuss building trust and lessons for leaders who will face the next pandemic. Richard Tofel and Jack Beatty join Meghna Chakrabarti.
17/03/22·47m 11s

How the global financial system enables oligarchy

Sanctions are squeezing Russia’s economy, but not its wealthiest. We look at how the global financial system enables oligarchy, and how to fix it. Louise Shelley and Oliver Bullough join Meghna Chakrabarti.
16/03/22·47m 14s
-
-
Heart UK
Mute/Un-mute