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On Point with Meghna Chakrabarti
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On Point with Meghna Chakrabarti

Author: WBUR

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Get ready for your aha moment: Every weekday, host Meghna Chakrabarti pierces your news bubble to expose the whole story. Getting answers to the questions that need to be asked, examining our history and the human condition. No topic is too complicated or off the table. It’s all On Point.
2694 Episodes
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President Trump says he wants to "take" Greenland. If he does, he will be effectively attacking Denmark, a NATO ally. How Trump's imperialism could destroy one of America's oldest and most important alliances. *** Thank you for listening. Help power On Point by making a donation here: www.wbur.org/giveonpoint
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
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Comments (100)

Steven Jones

I found this podcast really thought-provoking because it connects so many dots between speculation, technology, and economic risk. I’ve noticed how gamification in fintech and crypto collateral can feel a lot like a casino, where outcomes are unpredictable and stakes are high. The discussion about AI investments and their environmental impact really hit home—it’s easy to get caught up in hype without considering long-term consequences. Personally, I try to stay informed and cautious about speculative trends. When I want entertainment without the stress of real-world speculation, I turn to reliable platforms like https://7bitcasino28.com/ which offer fun, secure gaming experiences without the systemic risks.

Jan 15th
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Sherry Merriam

Such a sensitive interview.I so appreciate the host

Nov 20th
Reply (1)

Alex Arafat

It’s fascinating how much American schools invest in education technology, yet student achievement remains stagnant. As a teacher, I’ve seen how EdTech can increase accessibility and engagement, but I also worry about it replacing genuine learning. It’s clear that technology can enhance education, but without proper training and support for teachers, and without addressing core issues like funding disparities, its effectiveness is limited. On the other hand, platforms like https://idmekp.my/ are doing a great job in enhancing the education system by providing better user management and data verification, which could complement efforts to improve how tech is used in schools.

Oct 17th
Reply

John McVicker

Context? This guy is from CSIS, reputedly a lobbying group for the armaments industry. An industry that has a strong financial interest in putting out stuff that makes Great Leader happy. And this is bound to do that. Unsubscribing.

Sep 30th
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Steve Waugh

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Sep 20th
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Steve Waugh

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Sep 20th
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Steve Waugh

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Sep 20th
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Robin

Really interesting discussion — the parallels between counterterrorism tactics and drug war strategies are striking, especially when it comes to questions of legality and human rights. It reminded me of how narratives can shift depending on policy frameworks, just like in media and streaming models where platforms evolve with changing demands https://www.magishub.com show how access models differ across devices, even though the core content is the same. Context really shapes perception — whether in law, policy, or entertainment.

Sep 17th
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Jamie Stewart

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Aug 31st
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Thewiffleballking

Farm bill subsidies to corn and soy production are huge giveaways to the highly concentrated factory farming/meat packing industry. Most of the corn and soy are fed to cows, pigs and chicken, not people. 83% of all farms in the US grow food to feed the animals that we eat. Subsidies to this highly concentrated industry are a bad idea since they are a huge contributor to global warming as well. 

Jul 9th
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Jun 24th
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Chris L'Hommedieu

I tried to listen but gave up after 10 minutes. She did her best but the delusion of the Israeli government officials exhausting.

Jun 8th
Reply

eloise burnett

I couldn't finish this episode due to the overly emotional man continuously interrupting/talking over the host.

Jun 5th
Reply

Lucy Marie

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May 23rd
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Bea Kiddo

It’s more like karma or comeuppance. Musk needs that. Musk should be deported.

Apr 29th
Reply

Jeremiah Tafuri

this Gonzales guy from the heritage foundation was allowed to lie to freely without any real push back. Gonzales even admits that the artifacts that prove the 1619 project correct were, in part, provided by the Smithsonian. he also slandered the heck out of the Smithsonian director without pushback.

Apr 10th
Reply

Charles Bird

consider doing a podcast on the world and local population. your show and other media nibble at the edges like your conversations on migration and declining birthrates. what is the goal? how many people? Shall we continue to displace forests and farmland with densely placed people? until they are gone? Population is a causal factor in housing, hunger, global warming and more. I believe we should talk about it.

Sep 26th
Reply (1)

Daniel Reeves

Conservative Christian fundamentalism exhibits a disheartening lack of critical thinking.

Sep 18th
Reply

ID29480982

It's infuriating when folks say we need to increase Social Security payments to "save" it. We could actually lower contributions by removing the cap for rich people. They need to pay their fair share instead of relying on the backs of working-class Americans. While we're at it, let's ditch this greed-driven healthcare system for a nationalized one. Our current setup treats basic needs like luxury items, prioritizing profits over care.

Sep 16th
Reply

Ross

we don't have to work today. that is what makes us human. we can say fuck you. today or another we shall overcome.

Aug 1st
Reply