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On Point with Meghna Chakrabarti

WBUR
Artificial Intelligence
Donald Trump
Iran
United States
Climate Change
Israel
China
Human Brain
Strait Of Hormuz
Immigration
WBUR
Near-Death Experiences
Language Models
Ladybugs
Trump Administration
Declaration Of Independence
Wealth Inequality
Nuclear Weapons
Neuroscience
Immigration Policy

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.

PublishesDailyEpisodes505Founded21 years ago
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Artwork for On Point

Latest Episodes

The Cornell Seven case has reignited the debate over whether fraternities should be allowed on college campuses at all. How to find the line between enriching community support and a system that might institutionalize harmful behavior.

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On Point news analyst Jack Beatty looks back at a time when social values played a bigger role in American political life and hears a call for that ahead of this year’s midterms.

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In her sweeping follow-up to "Pachinko," author Min Jin Lee zooms in on learning centers, or hagwons, in the South Korean diaspora. "American Hagwon" examines whether education can really deliver a perfect life.

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From running tabletop exercises, to citing Civil War-era laws protecting voters, state election officials are on guard against threats; and not just from abroad. What state officials are doing to protect the midterms from federal government interfere... more

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Recent Guests

Min Jin Lee
Novelist and author of Pachinko and American Hagwon
Episode: Min Jin Lee's new novel asks: Is education worth sacrificing for?
Larry Schwartz-Toll
Faculty director of the Harvard Democracy and the Rule of Law Clinic and former associate White House counsel
Harvard Law School
Episode: Could the biggest election security threat come from the federal government?
Isabella Weber
Associate professor of economics at the University of Massachusetts Amherst and author
University of Massachusetts Amherst
Episode: The case for 'anti-fascist economics'
Tom Nichols
Staff writer at The Atlantic and professor emeritus of national security affairs
The Atlantic
Episode: Does Trump's Russian diesel deal betray the U.S.?
Peter Harrell
Visiting scholar at Georgetown's Institute of International Economic Law and former senior director for international economics at the National Security Council
Georgetown University
Episode: Does Trump's Russian diesel deal betray the U.S.?
Daniel Fried
Former U.S. ambassador to Poland and former State Department coordinator for sanctions policy
Atlantic Council
Episode: Does Trump's Russian diesel deal betray the U.S.?
Dalia Shendlin
Political analyst, public opinion expert, Haaretz columnist and author
Haaretz
Episode: Israel's election and what it means for U.S. support
Mohamed Dawashi
Jewish-Arab relations advocate at Givat Haviva
Givat Haviva
Episode: Israel's election and what it means for U.S. support
Gilad Malach
Researcher of Israel's ultra-Orthodox community
Episode: Israel's election and what it means for U.S. support

Host

Meghna Chakrabarti
Host of On Point; lead author and moderator with a focus on deeper, informed conversations across politics, policy, and culture.

Reviews

4.3 out of 5 stars from 4.7k ratings
  • Ads

    Oh, I never thought that I would miss the Matlab and and Indeed sponsorship messages. I pine for the days that I could listen to On Point without hearing full on commercials for Biore and Liberty Mutual. Have you replaced the CPB funding yet?

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    struggling to hear
    United Statesa month ago
  • Right?

    Annoying Host Catchphrase: “Right?”

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    •EPISODE: Roundtable: Former Military Officials On The Protests Against Police Violence. Excellent panel discussion on a scary topic.

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    •EPISODE: The Threat To US Elections. In which the first guest began every response with “So ...”. I couldn’t get past 6min.

    ~

    •EPISODE: Is Shoplifting Getting Worse In The US? Annoying Guest Catchphrase: “That’s a(n) great/really good/interesting question …” .

    ~

    •EPISODE: “Trump’s 2025 authoritarian ... more

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    (Gibberer)
    Australiaa month ago
  • Sports betting

    I don’t know why the author thought it was so funny that he got sucked down a rabbit hole the first time he used a sport betting app. Are we supposed to think, “Oh, how silly.” I don’t get it.

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    Dargan!
    United Statesa month ago
  • Listen!

    Interesting topics, I learn so much from this podcast.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    JT in 562
    United States2 months ago
  • Episode on ghosts

    Did not appreciate yesterday’s story about the paranormal. When the guest said “trust yourself but also don’t trust yourself” at the end, my heart ached for all of the people out there who have witnessed paranormal phenomena. The kind of language used to ensure an experiencer doesn’t trust their own intuition—taking into consideration all the “what could be an explanation for this”—honestly resembles the rise of anguish that created the #metoo movement. There are SO many people studying this phe... more

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    iowan89
    United States2 months ago

Listeners Say

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

Some critics note perceived biases on certain episodes and guest selection.
Listeners praise the host's preparation and the depth of interviews.
Audience often appreciates accessible, thoughtful exploration of complex issues.
Guest diversity and topic range are cited as strengths.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#130
United States/News
Apple Podcasts
#58
China/News
Apple Podcasts
#174
Chile/News
Apple Podcasts
#204
Indonesia/News
Apple Podcasts
#206
Hong Kong/News
Apple Podcasts
#238
India/News

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

The Jackpod: One cheer for private health insurance
Q: What do you make of Jack's critique of Bernie Sanders, Senator Sanders' version of Medicare for All right now?
Beatty points to the proposal's cost, the limits it could place on other government programs, and the risks of concentrating power. Chakrabarti argues that mixed public-private systems, including those in France and Switzerland, show alternatives worth considering.
The Jackpod: One cheer for private health insurance
Q: What could a Trump administration do with the power over healthcare spending that Medicare for All would give the federal government?
Beatty argues that it could restrict reproductive or gender-affirming care, use AI to deny claims, direct funding away from disfavored states, or create opportunities for political and financial abuse.
Israel's election and what it means for U.S. support
Q: What is needed is a fundamental reassessment of the country's entire social ethos. This seems to be quite a profound moment, as you describe it, in Israel.
Shendlin says Israel must address equality, define where its laws and borders apply, clarify religion's role in public life and confront the relationship between its institutions and the occupation.
Israel's election and what it means for U.S. support
Q: In Israel, what is at stake for Israelis with tomorrow's election?
Shendlin says the election is shaped by a deep divide: Netanyahu's supporters prioritize security and his experience, while opposition voters emphasize accountability, military-service inequities and the country's direction.
Does Trump's Russian diesel deal betray the U.S.?
Q: So strictly speaking, Congress actually provided the president with this waiver power. So is that all we need to just dispense with the legality question and say, yes, what the president has chosen to do is legal?
Peter Harrell says the Graham Act grants waiver authority over some sanctions, but a separate 2022 law prohibits Russian energy imports unless Russia and Ukraine reach an agreement meeting the law's conditions. He says the administration has not provided a legal rationale for how the imports comply.

Audience Metrics

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Frequently Asked Questions About On Point

What is On Point about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A weekday interview show that tackles big, timely issues with depth and nuance. Conversations span politics, policy, economics, media, technology, and culture, often featuring academics, journalists, policymakers, and industry experts who provide historical context, data-driven analysis, and diverse perspectives. The program is notable for rigorous questioning, a calm yet incisive tone, and guests who bridge scholarly insight with real-world implications, making it useful for listeners who want a thorough understanding of complex topics and how they affect everyday life.

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Which podcasts are similar to On Point?

These podcasts share a similar audience with On Point:

1. 1A
2. Fresh Air
3. Here & Now Anytime
4. On the Media
5. The New Yorker Radio Hour

How many episodes of On Point are there?

On Point launched 21 years ago and published 505 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 On Point?

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What guests have appeared on On Point?

Recent guests on On Point include:

1. Min Jin Lee
2. Larry Schwartz-Toll
3. Isabella Weber
4. Tom Nichols
5. Peter Harrell
6. Daniel Fried
7. Dalia Shendlin
8. Mohamed Dawashi

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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