On Point | Podcast

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.

Banned from speaking in public, Afghan women risk telling us their stories

The Taliban has banned women from speaking in public. They're banned from singing, reading, reciting poetry, or even laughing outside their homes. What do the recent crackdowns mean for Afghan women -- and what can the international community do to stop it?

09-27
51:25

The Jackpod: The most dangerous blot

On Point news analyst Jack Beatty on the constitutional procedure that calls for the House of Representatives’ congressional delegations to determine the winner of the presidential election in the event of a tie in the electoral college.

09-26
35:15

What’s fueling America’s Zyn obsession?

Zyn nicotine pouches have exploded in popularity, generating millions of dollars for tobacco giants — and a new subculture on the internet, or “Zynternet.” Zyn has even found its way into national politics. What's behind the rise of Zyn?

09-26
49:33

Long-range weapons could help Ukraine. But at what cost?

Ukraine wants to use western long-range weapons to strike targets inside of Russia. Vladimir Putin says if President Biden approves such use of western weapons, it will mean massive war. Could a decision to help Ukraine win its war spark a larger geopolitical catastrophe?

09-25
53:53

How periods unlock health secrets beyond the female reproductive system

Menstruation is a definitive experience of a woman's life, and an indicator of her health. So why has period blood or menstrual fluid been largely under-researched?

09-24
47:07

How Russia is trying to influence the 2024 election

Russia’s efforts to influence American voters in this year’s elections are getting more advanced. They’ve even used American media personalities to try to sow division. How can we protect election integrity?

09-23
49:40

What does one owe their country? A family's 'reckoning on China'

In a new memoir, New York Times correspondent Edward Wong retraces the complicated story of his father’s life as a zealous young Communist in China to an immigrant in America. What does it mean to love country over party?

09-20
48:53

The Jackpod: That’s entertainment?

On Point news analyst Jack Beatty on the entertainment value of conspiracy theories as a source of their appeal.

09-19
43:34

Why young men are attracted to Donald Trump's MAGA movement

The gender divide among Gen Z voters is deeper than any other generation. Young women are drawn to progressive politics. Young men are drawn to Trump. But why?

09-19
48:57

Should the government give first-time homebuyers $25,000?

Vice President Harris proposes giving a $25,000 grant to first-time homebuyers to help solve America’s housing crisis. Many are skeptical. But Florida’s Republican Governor Ron DeSantis has championed a similar program in his state.

09-18
49:09

Part II: Why is America's birthrate declining?

Becoming a parent was once a social norm. But today, more Americans than ever are ambivalent about having children. What could create a renewed sense of meaning in parenting?

09-17
48:50

Part I: Why is America's birthrate declining?

Hear On Point's mini-series on the declining birth rate in the United States. We're not looking at economics, or education, but another aspect of parenthood highlighted and debated in two new books. Do children bring a unique sense of meaning to life?

09-16
50:10

A scientist's search for the origins of COVID

In 2020, Alina Chan called for the scientific community to not abandon a potential lab leak origin of SARS-CoV-2. She was called a conspiracy theorist and a race traitor. Her story and the search for the origins of COVID, four years later.

09-13
48:34

The Jackpod: Unanswered questions

On Point news analyst Jack Beatty imagines a presidential debate in which Vice President Kamala Harris candidly answers the questions of undecided voters.

09-13
38:40

Rebroadcast: Can 'colorblindness' lead to equality in America?

In his new book "The End of Race Politics," Coleman Hughes argues that closing racial divides in America means building a color-blind society. Coleman Hughes joins Meghna Chakrabarti.

09-12
49:56

Is Mexico's judicial reform a good or bad idea?

Mexico could soon become the world's first country to elect every single one of its judges, even on the Mexican supreme court. Will it combat corruption or is it a political power grab?

09-11
50:03

Can we save the quietest places in the world?

Our planet’s rich nature sounds are disappearing, drowned out by human-made noise. Sound recordist Matt Mikkelsen travels the world, listening to and working to preserve our vanishing soundscapes.

09-10
49:27

Is extreme heat an extreme disaster?

Phoenix, Arizona has crossed a troubling milestone. More than one hundred days of temperatures over 100 degrees. Across the country, extreme heat kills more Americans than hurricanes, floods and tornadoes combined. So why don’t we label is a disaster?

09-09
49:53

An economist's vision of economic growth -- with less destruction

The world’s focus on growth - also known as GDP - has led to higher living standards, longer life and more jobs. But it has also destroyed the climate and created mass inequality. Economist Daniel Susskind argues that what we need isn’t less growth, but less destructive growth. Is that possible?

09-06
50:30

The Jackpod: Hold the joy

On Point news analyst Jack Beatty finds contemporary resonances in the new book by British historian Richard J. Evans, “Hitler’s People: The Faces of the Third Reich.”

09-06
36:57

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.

09-26 Reply

Daniel Reeves

Conservative Christian fundamentalism exhibits a disheartening lack of critical thinking.

09-18 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.

09-16 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.

08-01 Reply

David Graber

what is up with the description and picture for this episode?

06-24 Reply

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