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Make It Make Sense

The Washington Post
Donald Trump
Iran
United States
Artificial Intelligence
Iran War
NATO
Graham Platner
Data Centers
Gas Prices
Cuba
Inflation
Tehran
Data Privacy
Tariffs
Sweden
Ukraine
Catholic Church
Thomas Massie
Tehran, Iran
Washington, DC

We’re making sense of an increasingly complex world through reporting, interviews and expert analysis. Join us every weekday.

PublishesDailyEpisodes40Founded5 months ago
Number of ListenersCategories
NewsPolitics

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Artwork for Make It Make Sense

Latest Episodes

Is there an end in sight for the Russia-Ukraine war? In this episode of “Make It Make Sense,” Kate Andrews asks Damir Marusic and Dominic Pino what they saw on the ground in Ukraine. They also discuss how Kyiv is employing drone warfare, why Vladimir... more

Is the Democratic Party having its tea party moment? In this episode of “Make It Make Sense,” James Hohmann talks with Liam Donovan, political strategist and a president at Targeted Victory, about the rise of Democratic populism, its effects on the m... more

Whoever controls artificial intelligence will win the 21st century. In this episode of “Make It Make Sense,” James Hohmann talks with Kyle Chan, a foreign policy fellow at the Brookings Institution, about the AI race between the United States and Chi... more

What would a new Iran deal mean for the United States? In this episode of “Make It Make Sense,” Carine Hajjar sits down with Behnam Ben Taleblu, senior director of the Foundation for Defense of Democracies’ Iran program. They discuss whether a new ag... more

Key Facts

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Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

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The OpinionsThe New York Times Opinion
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The Ezra Klein ShowNew York Times Opinion
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The New Yorker Radio HourWNYC Studios and The New Yorker

Recent Guests

Behnam Ben Taleblu
Senior Director of the Iran Program at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies
Foundation for Defense of Democracies
Episode: Did Trump achieve his goals in Iran?
Jason Rezaian
The Washington Post's Director of Press Freedom Initiatives
The Washington Post
Episode: What happens next in Iran?
Carine Hajjar
Opinion journalist; reported from Maine
Episode: Are Graham Platner's scandals helping him?
Spencer Pratt
Former reality TV star, LA mayoral candidate
Episode: What happens in California after Gavin Newsom?
Robert Barron
Bishop of the Diocese of Winona, Rochester; founder of Word on Fire Catholic Ministries
Word on Fire Catholic Ministries; Diocese of Winona, Rochester
Episode: Is America a Christian nation? A conversation with Bishop Barron.
Zineb Riboua
Research fellow at the Hudson Institute
Hudson Institute
Episode: What's behind Zohran Mamdani's mass appeal?
Dominic Pino
Political commentator, contributes insights on AI and policy
National Review
Episode: Why data centers don't deserve so much hate
Jason Willick
Political writer/commentator
Episode: Why data centers don't deserve so much hate
David Ignatius
David Ignatius, Washington Post columnist who returned from a trip to Ukraine
The Washington Post
Episode: Will the Ukraine war force Putin's exit?

Hosts

Kate Andrews
Host with extensive coverage across political analysis and policy discussions.
Adam O'Neill
Contributor/host bringing policy critique and political analysis.
James Holman
Host leading discussions with a focus on media framing and policy.

Reviews

1.8 out of 5 stars from 63 ratings
  • Hilariously Bad

    Tedious. Under researched. Knee jerk reactionary centrism. I actually can’t believe how little success this podcast has had. Just delete already, you’re making WaPo and the journalists involved look bad

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    bucksin6yeet
    United States3 days ago
  • lol

    If you delete this now people will forget how embarrassing this show is by the end of the summer

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    jkrau146
    United States4 days ago
  • Abysmal

    Unlistenable

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    Whoever U Want Me 2 B
    Canadaa month ago
  • Excellent jumping off point for political discussion.

    This is a great collection of viewpoints discussing current political topics. It definitely adds to the conversation.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    fueledbymetal
    United Statesa month ago
  • All The

    All the negative reviews are correct. Zero stars from me actually.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    EdeTM
    United Statesa month ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Can be polarizing; some episodes feel confrontational or confrontational in tone.
Balanced, hard-hitting policy discussions that challenge conventional narratives.
Strong guest lineup with sharp, informed viewpoints, though pacing can be brisk for new listeners.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#193
Canada/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#110
Israel/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#148
South Korea/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#181
Russia/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#220
Mexico/News/Politics

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

What happens next in Iran?
Q: What did you see as the biggest obstacles to reporting from Iran and to democratic transition discussions in this period?
There is a deficit of trust and a lack of on-the-ground reporting due to internet shutdowns and access restrictions, making it hard to gauge public sentiment or envision a clear path toward democracy, while negotiations often prioritized keeping the regime in power over genuine political reform.
What happens next in Iran?
Q: How did the ground situation and expectations evolve after the initial strikes and the ongoing negotiations?
Initial support among some for strikes eventually gave way to disappointment as a ceasefire or a deal could preserve the regime, and the population remained wary about the regime's resilience and the potential for real improvements in daily life.
What happens next in Iran?
Q: Let me ask about perceptions of Donald Trump. Let's go back to the start of his term in January 2025. When he came in, people in Iran had experienced four years of maximum pressure. What were their thoughts then, and how did those perceptions change over the following 18 months?
The expectation was that maximum pressure would push the Islamic Republic to end; many believed that if he continued, the regime would bow, though not everyone shared that view. In reality, the policies appeared to entrench the Revolutionary Guard and hurt ordinary Iranians, leading to a mix of hope and disappointment about any potential change.
Is America a Christian nation? A conversation with Bishop Barron.
Q: Do you think America is a Christian nation? Is that an accurate description?
The guest explains that while America is not an established Christian nation, certain Judeo-Christian principles underpin the democracy, and the Founding Fathers created space for religious liberty balanced with secular governance.
Will the Ukraine war force Putin's exit?
Q: What would the fall of Putin look like and how could it happen if the war continues?
The guest argues that there may be no smooth transition; a sudden discontinuity could occur through elite fragmentation or health-related issues, leading to chaos rather than a tidy step-down, with unpredictable repercussions for Russia and its neighbors.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
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Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About Make It Make Sense

What is Make It Make Sense about and what kind of topics does it cover?

The show trades brisk, policy-focused analysis across politics, foreign affairs, energy, and health, anchored by a panel of seasoned political thinkers. Episodes frequently dissect U.S. strategy on Iran, domestic economic messaging, media framing, and the implications of political narratives for voters and policymakers. A standout trait is its willingness to challenge conventional wisdom with data-driven debate and sharp, sometimes provocative takes from a rotating roster of hosts and guests, making it a strong fit for listeners who want no-nonsense, issue-driven conversation with real-time relevance.

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Which podcasts are similar to Make It Make Sense?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Make It Make Sense:

1. Reasonably Optimistic
2. Radio Atlantic
3. The Opinions
4. The Ezra Klein Show
5. The New Yorker Radio Hour

How many episodes of Make It Make Sense are there?

Make It Make Sense launched 5 months ago and published 40 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact Make It Make Sense?

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What guests have appeared on Make It Make Sense?

Recent guests on Make It Make Sense include:

1. Behnam Ben Taleblu
2. Jason Rezaian
3. Carine Hajjar
4. Spencer Pratt
5. Robert Barron
6. Zineb Riboua
7. Dominic Pino
8. Jason Willick

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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