Go behind the headlines: From the economy and health care to politics and the environment – and so much more – On Point hosts Meghna Chakrabarti and David Folkenflik speak with newsmakers and real people about the issues that matter most. On Point is produced by WBUR for NPR.
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The On Point podcast is an incredibly smart program that dives deep into current issues and provides listeners with comprehensive and well-informed discussions. The host, Magna, is highly knowledgeable on a wide range of topics and her expertise shines through in every episode. I listen to this show daily and often find myself going back into the archives to catch up on past episodes. The programming is truly amazing and I am grateful for the valuable information it provides.
One of the best aspects of this podcast is the host, Magna. She is a skilled interviewer who asks insightful questions and steers the conversations exceptionally well. Her intelligence and ability to navigate complex topics make each episode engaging and thought-provoking. Additionally, the show covers a variety of subjects with a global perspective, allowing listeners to stay informed about what's happening in the world beyond their immediate surroundings. It's like Fresh Air with Terry Gross, but with more focus on politics and a broader worldview.
Another highlight of this podcast is Meghan Chakrabarty, who is brilliant in her guest selection and interviewing skills. The show makes an effort to present a balanced view of issues by inviting guests from diverse perspectives, which I really appreciate. The recent fora discussing the war in Gaza with both Israeli and Palestinian guests exemplify this commitment to balanced reporting. However, one minor issue I have is the excessive adulation of Jack Beatty in the "Jackpod" series. While his knowledge and commentary are valued, it would be better if his contributions were allowed to speak for themselves without excessive praise.
I also want to express my gratitude for having a dedicated weekly show with Jack Beatty as he brings valuable analysis and intelligence to each episode. His presence on the show adds depth and insight that greatly enhances the listening experience. Furthermore, I agree with another listener who shared their plan to leave America if Trump gets elected in 2024. It's reassuring to hear that others are considering similar options, and it's important to keep our options open if undesirable political outcomes arise.
In conclusion, The On Point podcast is an exceptional program that offers deep dives into current issues and keeps listeners well-informed. The host, Magna, is incredibly knowledgeable and skillful in her interviewing style. The show covers a wide range of topics and presents a balanced view of issues, which is highly appreciated. While there may be minor flaws such as excessive praise and occasional meandering in the host's delivery, these are outweighed by the overall quality of the programming. I highly recommend this podcast to anyone seeking intelligent discussions on important topics.
In recent speeches to the U.S. military, President Trump has laid out a politicized vision for America's armed forces. How Trump could change what the U.S. military is for, who it serves and who it's fighting against.
Prediction markets have long been an under-the-radar way to bet on politics, sports and pop culture. Now, platforms like Kalshi and Polymarket are going mainstream. Why are they getting so popular, and how could they impact the way we predict the future?
President Donald Trump's on-again, off-again tariff strategy has created uncertainty around the world. Can America's 35 million small businesses stay afloat?
From 2021 to 2025, Jake Sullivan served as President Joe Biden's U.S. national security adviser. He had enormous influence on the U.S. response to some of the deadliest conflicts in the world.
Later this month, the Supreme Court will hear a case that could overturn a key provision of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 that protects against racial discrimination. Without it, some legal experts say states and local jurisdictions would be permitted to effectively silence the votes of millions of people.
On Point news analyst Jack Beatty on Kristi Noem. How the former South Dakota governor rose to head the Department of Homeland Security and the impact she is having on the agency that's been described as “too big to manage.”
Major League Baseball will add an automated ball-strike system next season. How human judgement is giving way to technology across the sports world, and what that means for players, umpires and fans.
How can a lawyerly society and an engineering society learn from each other? And what's at stake if they fail? Author Dan Wang set out to answer those questions about the U.S. and China.
Charlie Kirk's assassination. The United Healthcare CEO's murder. Several recent high-profile killings seem to have political motivations. What's driving this — and what can we do about it?
Free speech, funding and academic freedom at U.S. colleges are under attack. Princeton President Christopher Eisgruber shares how his university is weathering the storm.
Meghna recently appeared on this episode of This Old House Radio Hour to talk about her childhood home in Corvallis, Oregon. She has a great time talking about the house, her family, and the American dream. We hope you enjoy it too.
Host Meghna Chakrabarti and executive producer Jonathan Dyer offer a behind-the-scenes look into how On Point is produced. Recorded in front of a live audience at WBUR CitySpace.
Las Vegas is in a tourism slump. Hotel occupancy and air travel are down, and many local hospitality employees are experiencing layoffs or cuts in their hours. What's driving this downturn, and can Sin City bounce back?
On Point news analyst Jack Beatty on a concept that explains an anomaly in today's economic news: retail sales are up while other key economic indicators are down.
From leased property to defense contracts, private space companies have become fully intertwined with public infrastructure. But not everyone's sold on how intertwined these systems have become.
Elon Musk says xAI has one of the most powerful supercomputers in the world. It's located in Memphis, Tennessee and it's called Colossus. But neighborhood residents say Colossus belches colossal pollution.
Today, the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals is known as a conservative juggernaut. But that hasn't always been the case.
President Trump has issued an Executive Order requiring the Justice Department to prosecute people for burning the American flag. But the Supreme Court has ruled flag burning is free speech. What the debate reveals about the value of national symbols.
If you have ever found yourself dealing with a threatening person, and instead of fleeing them, you flattered – that's called fawning. Psychologist Ingrid Clayton on the psychology behind this self-preservation strategy.
On Point news analyst Jack Beatty on the U.S. vote against a UN resolution backing a two-state solution to the Israel-Palestinian conflict.
The Heritage Foundation says it will "identify and target" Wikipedia editors over alleged bias. What does that mean for Wikipedia's future?
Congress has overhauled the federal student loan system, including big changes on borrowing caps and loan restrictions. Education experts say this will up the demand for private loans. So, what does that mean for student borrowers?
President Trump's order to attack a Venezuelan boat on drug smuggling suspicions has alarmed some Republican lawmakers.
Charlie Kirk helped shape conservative politics over the last decade. His assassination raises a question for all Americans: Can anything turn back the rising tide of political violence in America?
A growing number of young people say their mental health diagnosis is an important part of their identity. But by medicalizing imperfection – could young people be losing what makes them uniquely human?
The Jackpod is on hiatus this week. But in the meantime: Send us topics or ideas you want to hear on The Jackpod via the On Point VoxPop app.
For decades, kids in St. Louis County caught crawdads in Coldwater Creek, made mudpies, went swimming -- and were exposed to nuclear waste. Hear the story of how St. Louis became a dumping ground for radioactive waste generated by the Manhattan Project.
The trucking industry, and more broadly the freight industry, still hasn't fully recovered from the business impacts of COVID. What's behind that?
River Selby served as a hotshot – an elite wildland firefighter. Selby shares the reality of the life and work of firefighters trying to save America's western forests. And how despite fire seasons getting longer and longer, fewer people want to join hotshot crews.
One in 31 American children have autism spectrum disorder, according to the CDC. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has vowed to find the cause. But experts are skeptical.
The Humvee is an American military icon. Yet the Department of Defense has announced the vehicle's retirement. What does this say about our shifting military priorities?
On Point news analyst Jack Beatty on President Trump's marathon cabinet meeting, how his cabinet addresses him, and what that says about his presidency.
President Trump demanded cuts from private businesses. Blacklisted major law firms. And threatened companies to invest more in America. The uncertain legal landscape for U.S. businesses today.
AI is doing students' homework, writing their essays -- and probably replacing a lot of their future jobs. Is it time to rethink what schools are for?
Pulitzer Prize-winning historian David Blight says President Donald Trump is attacking American history and scholarship for political ends. Blight says it's time for historians to fight back.
AI is playing a larger role in the job hunting and hiring process. It helps job seekers fine-tune their resumes and cover letters, and employers winnow down applicants. But the new technology isn't getting it all right.
A bonus episode in our series "Falling Behind: The Miseducation of America's Boys." Dr. Kevin Simon, attending pediatric psychiatrist at Boston Children's Hospital, shares his experience and expertise in a conversation recorded on stage at WBUR CitySpace.
Teenage boys are experiencing increasing rates of loneliness and suicidal thoughts -- which is having a direct impact on their achievement in school. How can schools address that? The final part in On Point's special series “Falling Behind: The Miseducation of America's Boys.”
After decades of decline, male teachers now make up less than a quarter of the public-school teaching force. What's driving men away, and what would it take to bring them back? On Point's weeklong series exploring boys and education continues.
Data show boys are falling behind in school. Black boys are falling behind the most. What's happening in classrooms that are bucking that trend? On Point's weeklong series exploring boys and education continues.
'Boys will be boys.' How are perceptions about boys' behavior in the classroom shaping their entire education? It's part two of On Point's weeklong series, "Falling Behind: The Miseducation of America's Boys."
Boys fall behind girls in education in the U.S. starting as young as eight years old. Understanding how boys learn is key to knowing why that's happening. It's part one of On Point's weeklong series “Falling Behind: The Miseducation of America's Boys.”
Everybody's heard about Ancient Egypt. But just downriver, the kingdom of Kush was one of the most powerful states in the Nile valley. Sudanese-British journalist Zeinab Badawi gives us a lesser-known history of Africa's great historical triumphs.
The dating scene can be a frustrating place to be right now. From dating app burnout to the struggle to meet IRL, single folks are fed up. Why modern dating feels so broken and what can be done to fix it.
AI is everywhere, and increasingly, people are turning to it for therapy. What's at stake when we lose that human to human-therapist connection?
Florida citrus production has dropped more than 90% in the past two decades -- a blow for the state's economy and cultural identity. What's driving the decline of Florida's orange groves, and what can be done about it?
Alexis Okeowo says Alabama, where she grew up, shows the best and worst of the American experiment. In her new book, "Blessings and Disasters," she wrestles with the state's complicated past.
The world's largest music streaming service now lets users to monetize music in which they don't play or sing a single note. How is AI shaping how we make and profit from music?
On Point news analyst Jack Beatty on how the Trump administration has transformed which reporters get to be in the White House briefing room and travel with the president.
A dozen states are banning people from buying sodas and some sugary snacks using federal food assistance. The effort is part of the “Make America Healthy Again” campaign led by Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Will the restrictions convince people on SNAP to eat less junk food?
The U.S. Congress cut federal funding for public media, shuttering the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. What does that mean for the future of local news across the country?
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