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On Point with Meghna Chakrabarti

WBUR
Donald Trump
Artificial Intelligence
United States
Trump Administration
Iran
Mental Health
Republican Party
Congress
Democratic Party
Jeffrey Epstein
Education
Department Of Homeland Security
Covid-19
China
Elon Musk
Housing Affordability
Russia
Education Technology
Inflation
Venezuela

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.

PublishesDailyEpisodes505Founded20 years ago
Number of ListenersCategory
News

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Artwork for On Point

Latest Episodes

Why do American kids love chicken nuggets and applesauce, but hate broccoli and brussels sprouts? In her new book “Picky," Helen Veit explores how American children became the fussiest eaters in history.

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A handful of states from California, Pennsylvania to Maine have tried to adopt a more rehabilitative Scandinavian prison model. But such models have failed to be replicated at large scale. Why?

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A mysterious condition can push your blood alcohol level sky-high — even if you haven’t had any drinks. What causes auto-brewery syndrome — and what are the legal and medical implications?

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Several federal judges have issued opinions saying the Trump administration is flouting the rule of law and the principles of democracy. How effective has the bench been in checking executive power?

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Key Facts

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Recent Guests

Massimo Fagioli
Professor of Ecclesiology at the Loyola Institute at Trinity College, Dublin
Trinity College Dublin
Episode: Trump vs. the Pope
Michelle Dillon
Dean of the College of Liberal Arts at the University of New Hampshire
University of New Hampshire
Episode: Trump vs. the Pope
Brian Fraga
Staff reporter at the National Catholic Reporter
National Catholic Reporter
Episode: Trump vs. the Pope
Valerie Friedland
Professor of Linguistics, University of Nevada, Reno
University of Nevada, Reno
Episode: The 'why' behind how we talk
Katie Wilson
Seattle Mayor (guest for live interview)
City of Seattle
Episode: Seattle's new socialist mayor has big plans
Vicki Ward
Investigative journalist and author
Vicki Ward Investigates (Substack)
Episode: New questions for the Epstein files investigation
Inga Esping
Principal of McPherson Middle School, Kansas
McPherson Middle School
Episode: The teachers pushing back on screens in schools
Jared Cooney Horvath
Cognitive neuroscientist and author of The Digital Delusion
The Digital Delusion / author
Episode: The teachers pushing back on screens in schools
Linda Bilmes
Daniel Patrick Moynihan Senior Lecturer in Public Policy and Public Finance at Harvard Kennedy School
Harvard Kennedy School
Episode: The real cost of the war with Iran

Hosts

Meghna Chakrabarti
Host known for her eloquent communication and ability to dissect complex topics. She engages guests in thoughtful discussions, often exploring historical and social contexts that enrich the audience's understanding.
Anne-Marie Sievertsen
Host and analyst who contributes to discussions with a focus on cultural and political nuances, adding depth to the episodes.

Reviews

4.3 out of 5 stars from 4.5k ratings
  • Awesome interviewer!

    I always learn a lot!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Lutabuta
    United States15 days ago
  • Honest, factual good analysis

    Podcast Addict
    5
    scoopy
    a month ago
  • Great program

    So much background and info about things I want to know: science, world affairs, social issues, a full array. I love Magnas’ style of interviewing. Always so intelligent.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    wildwood93425
    United Statesa month ago
  • Right?

    Annoying Host Catchphrase: “Right? •EPISODE: Roundtable: Former Military Officials On The Protests Against Police Violence. Excellent panel discussion on a scary topic.

    ~

    •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 playboo... more

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    (Gibberer)
    Australiaa month ago
  • Right?

    Annoying Host Catchphrase: “Right? •EPISODE: Roundtable: Former Military Officials On The Protests Against Police Violence. Excellent panel discussion on a scary topic.

    ~

    •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 playboo... more

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    (Gibberer)
    Australia2 months ago

Listeners Say

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

Listeners appreciate the nuanced and informative discussions, highlighting the depth and clarity provided by the host.
The ability of the host to create relatable and engaging narratives is frequently praised by the audience.
Some feedback notes a desire for more focus on in-depth explorations rather than surface-level conversations.
Many cite the quality interviews and thought-provoking questions that challenge conventional viewpoints.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#120
United States/News
Apple Podcasts
#84
China/News
Apple Podcasts
#179
Chile/News
Apple Podcasts
#181
Philippines/News
Apple Podcasts
#199
South Korea/News

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

The real cost of the war with Iran
Q: So today, we're going to try to find the answer. And we're going to begin with Justin Wolfers. He's a professor of public policy and economics at the University of Michigan. Welcome to On Point.
Wolfers emphasizes that the Defense Department's cost estimates are a starting point and that true costs include long-term factors such as veteran care, debt servicing, and broader economic repercussions that aren't captured in initial figures.
Seattle's new socialist mayor has big plans
Q: What first comes to mind about the scale of government spending in Seattle relative to affordability?
The guest explains that per-capita spending misses the bigger picture of housing supply and demand, noting that rapid population growth outpaced housing stock and requires substantial public investment to build housing, transit, and services, but emphasizes the need for efficiency and outcomes over labels.
What happens when religious fundamentalists come to power? (Part One)
Q: Are there lessons you think the United States should learn or could draw from Iran's experience?
The guests suggest that mixing religion with politics is a slippery slope, that theocratic rule tends to produce disillusionment among the populace, and that gradual consolidation of power often involves coercion and purging opponents; the takeaway is to avoid conflating religious authority with political governance.
Trump's 'Homeland empire'
Q: So it's part of this bigger picture, as you wrote about in Homeland Empire. First, give us your definition for what you see that as being.
Homeland Empire is a conceit and a backdrop we can use to understand a set of policies that merge domestic security and border control with a foreign policy posture, where the idea of the nation is expanded to include aggressive policing at home and a reimagined perimeter abroad.
How to make AI work for us
Q: What kind of regulatory structure does Marcus advocate for?
He advocates for an independent AI regulatory agency outside of tech companies, akin to FDA-style oversight for drugs, to evaluate safety and societal impact before deployment and to hold companies liable for negative consequences after release.

Audience Metrics

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

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
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Age Range
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Frequently Asked Questions About On Point

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

The episodes feature in-depth discussions on significant contemporary issues, often blending expert opinions with historical context. Topics commonly explored include political debates, societal challenges, and cultural reflections, indicating a commitment to navigating complex narratives. The content addresses pressing subjects such as the implications of U.S. foreign policy, pivotal historical events, and the emotional dimensions of shared human experiences. Additionally, there is a distinctive focus on personal stories and expert insights which may provide listeners with a richer understanding of pressing global matters, making it appealing to those seeking thoughtful, well-rounded perspectives.

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Rephonic provides a wide range of podcast stats for On Point. We scanned the web and collated all of the information that we could find in our comprehensive podcast database. See how many people listen to On Point and access YouTube viewership numbers, download stats, audience demographics, chart rankings, ratings, reviews and more.

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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. On the Media
4. Here & Now Anytime
5. The New Yorker Radio Hour

How many episodes of On Point are there?

On Point launched 20 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?

Our systems regularly scour the web to find email addresses and social media links for this podcast. We scanned the web and collated all of the contact information that we could find in our podcast database. But in the unlikely event that you can't find what you're looking for, our concierge service lets you request our research team to source better contacts for you.

Where can I see ratings and reviews for On Point?

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What guests have appeared on On Point?

Recent guests on On Point include:

1. Massimo Fagioli
2. Michelle Dillon
3. Brian Fraga
4. Valerie Friedland
5. Katie Wilson
6. Vicki Ward
7. Inga Esping
8. Jared Cooney Horvath

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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