On Point

The Biden Administration's infrastructure act promised more than $1.2 trillion dollars to build up the country. More than five years later, what was built and what never got started? *** Thank you for listening. Help power On Point by making a donation here: www.wbur.org/giveonpoint

Many legal experts say the Trump administration's attack on Venezuela broke international law. But Trump doesn't seem to care. What does that say about the strength of international law? *** Thank you for listening. Help power On Point by making a donation here: www.wbur.org/giveonpoint

Last month, President Donald Trump approved the sale of one of Nvidia's most powerful AI chips to China. Why the president may have done that -- and what it could mean for national security. *** Thank you for listening. Help power On Point by making a donation here: www.wbur.org/giveonpoint

On Point news analyst Jack Beatty on the opportunity cost of interventionist foreign policy on social betterment programs in the U.S. *** Thank you for listening. Help power On Point by making a donation here: www.wbur.org/giveonpoint

James Clyburn is one of the most influential Democrats in Congress. His new book “The First Eight" is about the Black South Carolina Congressmen who preceded and inspired him. *** Thank you for listening. Help power On Point by making a donation here: www.wbur.org/giveonpoint

With ousted Venezuelan president Nicolas Maduro in a New York jail, President Trump says the U.S. will run his country now. The legality, practicality, and morality of regime change in Venezuela. *** Thank you for listening. Help power On Point by making a donation here: www.wbur.org/giveonpoint

Humans have been obsessed with fitness for centuries. But how did this fascination start? In the new book “When Fitness Went Global” historian Conor Heffernan examines the rise of physical culture worldwide. *** Thank you for listening. Help power On Point by making a donation here: www.wbur.org/giveonpoint

Affordability, inflation, tariffs, jobs -- where does the economy stand now that we're officially in the new year? On Point's “money ladies,” Rana Foroohar and Michelle Singletary, are back to help us sort it out. *** Thank you for listening. Help power On Point by making a donation here: www.wbur.org/giveonpoint

If you feel like car headlights have gotten too bright, you're not alone. The National Highway Traffic Administration receives more consumer complaints about headlight brightness than any other topic. How did this happen? And can we fix it? *** Thank you for listening. Help power On Point by making a donation here: www.wbur.org/giveonpoint

A recent study shows that people using AI to write for them experience some negative cognitive effects. Why? Because there's something special about what writing does in your brain. *** Thank you for listening. Help power On Point by making a donation here: www.wbur.org/giveonpoint

Austin, Texas was known as a funky, liberal haven in a deep red state. Now, there's big tech money pouring in and huge growth. How has life changed there? *** Thank you for listening. Help power On Point by making a donation here: www.wbur.org/giveonpoint

The Trump Administration ordered universities to turn over data to prove they're not considering race in admissions. But education expert Richard Kahlenberg argues that for college admissions to look at merit fairly, they need to look at class. *** Thank you for listening. Help power On Point by making a donation here: www.wbur.org/giveonpoint

Geoffrey Hinton is one of the world's biggest minds in artificial intelligence. He won the 2024 Nobel Prize in Physics. Where does he think AI is headed? *** Thank you for listening. Help power On Point by making a donation here: www.wbur.org/giveonpoint

YouTube turns 20 this year. The platform now hosts 20 billion videos, and lets basically anyone, anywhere on Earth, create, share and watch. How has YouTube changed us? *** Thank you for listening. Help power On Point by making a donation here: www.wbur.org/giveonpoint

Acclaimed vocal ensemble Blue Heron performs a celebration of Christmas in 16th century Spain, from mystical motets to vivacious villancicos. The group's artistic director, Scott Metcalfe, shares insights about each piece. This concert and conversation were recorded at WBUR's event venue, CitySpace. *** Thank you for listening. Help power On Point by making a donation here: www.wbur.org/giveonpoint

Sewing, scrapbooking, sports clubs. Many Gen Z'ers are taking up real-world hobbies as an antidote to doomscrolling. Why hobbies make us happy — and how to get one. *** Thank you for listening. Help power On Point by making a donation here: www.wbur.org/giveonpoint

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? *** Thank you for listening. Help power On Point by making a donation here: www.wbur.org/giveonpoint

An estimated 15,000 churches in the U.S. are likely to close in the next few years. Churches are more than places of worship – they are community centers, shelters, food banks. What's the community impact with church closures on the rise? *** Thank you for listening. Help power On Point by making a donation here: www.wbur.org/giveonpoint

The holidays are all about giving, whether it's presents, donations or volunteer work. What's causing the warm glow you feel when you give someone a gift? *** Thank you for listening. Help power On Point by making a donation here: www.wbur.org/giveonpoint

On Point news analyst Jack Beatty on Philip Roth's 2004 novel "The Plot Against America," and its parallels with the U.S. today.

Color can affect our mood, memory and relationship to people and places. How is color being used to design the world around us and shape our feelings?

The number of grandparents helping with childcare is going up nationally. According to a 2023 Harris Poll, 42% of working parents rely on grandparents for childcare. What does it mean for the lives of those grandparents and the support they need?

In 2011, Siddhartha Mukherjee won the Pulitzer Prize for his biography of cancer, “The Emperor of All Maladies.” Now, he's back with an update on how our understanding of cancer has advanced -- and what lies ahead.

OpenAI's Sora 2 app lets anyone with a smartphone create AI-generated deepfake videos, from phony footage of a corgi rock climbing to fake videos of kids carrying guns in school. Is it time to stop believing our eyes?

Jeffrey Goldberg, editor in chief of The Atlantic, joins Meghna at WBUR's CitySpace to discuss The Atlantic's new project examining America at 250 and the most urgent, complex and challenging questions the country is facing. Then, Goldberg interviews Massachusetts Congressman Jake Auchincloss on topics ranging from the state of the Democratic party to the Trump administration's intentions in Venezuela.

The quest to define and canonize new words in American English is as old as the country itself. In the new book "Unabridged: the thrill of (and threat to) the modern dictionary," author Stefan Fatsis explores how that quest has changed in the age of the internet.

On Point news analyst Jack Beatty on the Trump administration's new national security strategy and what it could mean for U.S. relations with longstanding European allies.

A government oversight report exposes billions in wasted U.S. aid during Afghanistan's reconstruction -- highlighting corruption, mismanagement, and the human toll of failed policy.

The U.S. Department of Justice says it's prioritizing denaturalization, or stripping foreign-born Americans of their citizenship. How would that process work and what's at stake?

The U.S. is ready for war with Venezuela with more than a dozen warships and 15,000 troops now in the region. The Trump Administration says it's about drugs, but some experts say that's a cover for something else.

A recent analysis finds the majority of presentations at a big annual education research conference were about things like “resistance,” “safe spaces,” and “identity." But many classroom teachers say they want to learn about student behavior, discipline and mental health. Could this gap be damaging American education?

Earlier this fall, there were no rap songs in the Billboard Top 40 for the first time since 1990. Is this just a blip in commercial popularity, or is it a sign that hip hop is losing its grip on mainstream America?

On Point news analyst Jack Beatty on the modern history of the multi-faceted divide between rural and urban America and why it threatens democracy.

Mark Wolf spent four decades as a judge on the federal bench after being appointed by President Ronald Reagan. But Wolf recently resigned, citing the Trump administration's “deeply disturbing assault" on the rule of law.

Christine Kuehn knew hardly anything about her father's family. But when a mysterious letter reaches her doorstep in 1994, it kicks off a 30-year journey uncovering her family's Nazi history, and their role in the attack on Pearl Harbor.

American companies are being targeted by foreign spies, ransomware groups and even fake job applicants from North Korea. One cybersecurity firm speaks out about the threats they're seeing and how they're combating them.

AI is helping doctors treat patients in American hospitals. But many new doctors say they haven't been trained in how to use it. Now, Stanford University is mandating AI training for all its medical students.

Meghna recently appeared on this episode of Fake the Nation, joining comedian and host Negin Farsad and comedian/writer Benari Lee Poulton to share their unvarnished takes on topics ranging from why billionaires love owning sports teams, to just what are the best years of your life? Meghna had fun. We hope you enjoy it too.

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?

A stranger holding the door open for you. A friendly wave from a neighbor. An angry driver cuts you off. The new book "The Social Biome" reveals how 'everyday communication connects and shapes us.'

Studies show that feeling grateful can make you more patient, honest, generous and even help with your sleep and immune system. Psychologist David DeSteno on how to practice gratitude daily.

People around the world are reading less. In the U.S., the share of people reading for pleasure dropped by 40% in the last 20 years. Writer James Marriott says that puts democracy in danger.

Some Obamacare subsidies are set to expire at the end of this year. This could double premiums for many enrollees. How a government subsidy that was intended to be temporary, became something millions of Americans cannot live without.

Intelligence sharing between the U.S. and its allies has long been a powerful national security tool. But recently, some allies have stopped sharing key intelligence with the United States. What does that mean for U.S. national security?

On Point news analyst Jack Beatty on the role that concepts of power, liberty and conspiracy played in the American Revolution. (Inspired by Ken Burns' PBS documentary series, ‘The American Revolution.')

Mathematician Eugenia Cheng wants us to rethink our relationship to math -- and equality. We hear how different paths lead to identical outcomes in math, and how that can help us all in real life.

JPMorgan aims to become the first major bank fully powered by AI. What does that mean for the future of banking?

Scam ads are flooding Facebook, YouTube and other social media. Tech companies are making billions allowing them. Who's behind all of these online ads? And what can we do about it?

Iranian law controls how women dress, what they drive and what they do in public. But now, more women across Iran are rebelling — risking severe fines or up to 10 years in prison.

Last month, federal prosecutors indicted an NBA coach and current and former professional basketball players in an illegal sports betting scheme. How the FBI's investigation into the gambling ring is shining a light on how the mob has evolved to survive.

On Point news analyst Jack Beatty on the state of the U.S. economy and what recent polling reveals about the perception gap between President Trump and American workers.