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On Point with Meghna Chakrabarti

WBUR
Donald Trump
United States
Artificial Intelligence
Iran
Trump Administration
China
Jeffrey Epstein
Russia
Conservatism
Immigration
Prageru
Israel
ICE
Neuroscience
Education
Department Of Government Efficiency
Human Brain
Slavery
Strait Of Hormuz
Capitalism

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
Number of ListenersCategory
News

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Artwork for On Point

Latest Episodes

What did the Jurassic world actually sound like? Using fossils and AI, scientists have reconstructed the calls of insects that lived alongside the dinosaurs. The result is the closest we've ever come to hearing prehistoric Earth.

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On Point news analyst Jack Beatty looks into the devotion of white evangelical Americans to Donald Trump and the power of political Christianity.

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Thank you for listening. Help power On Point by making a donation here: wbur.org/giveonpoint

Ecologist Kullu Suryawanshi has spent 20 years tracking one of the most elusive animals in the world, deep in the mountains of Asia. What has he learned about snow leopards and the humans that share their home?

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Thank you for listening. Help powe... more

Top AI researchers and leaders worry AI is developing too fast. But critics argue the U.S. can't risk to slow down in its AI race with China. So, what might a slowdown look like and who would enforce it?

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Thank you for listening. Help power On Po... more

Key Facts

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Recent Guests

Gabe Lesra
Policy and Advocacy Director at State Democracy Defenders Action
State Democracy Defenders Action
Episode: Did the Treasury just make it easier to launder money?
Gary Coleman
Executive Director at Transparency International US
Transparency International US
Episode: Did the Treasury just make it easier to launder money?
Casey Michelle
Author of The United States of Oligarchy
Author / Commentator
Episode: Did the Treasury just make it easier to launder money?
Rocket Drew
AI reporter at The Information
The Information
Episode: Who's to blame when AI goes rogue?
Seth Alvo
YouTube creator behind Berm Peak, biking content creator
Berm Peak
Episode: How should e-bikes be regulated?
Matt Moore
Policy Council for People for Bikes
People for Bikes
Episode: How should e-bikes be regulated?
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
Bob Wilson
Oil and gas producer in Washington County, Ohio
Independent producer
Episode: Why is toxic wastewater bubbling up from underneath this Ohio city?

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
  • 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 States17 days ago
  • Awesome!

    I listen literally every day at work. I do tedious manual labor, so intellectually stimulating programming like this is a godsend through my headphones. Sincerely incredible interviews and great array of topics. Hats off to Meghna and the whole team for making this show happen. Best radio show in the game

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    JG TY
    United States18 days ago
  • On point

    Ads spoil it

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    ecoej
    United Statesa month ago
  • On point “club”

    Please stop badgering us about joining your “club.” I don’t need another subscription just to read producers notes and get the jackpod a little bit early.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    struggling to hear
    United Statesa month ago
  • …but the ads!

    UPDATING MY PREVIOUS COMMENT.

    I buy from Quince and use Squarespace because I HEARD ABOUT THEM ON another podcast where the host READS THEM GENTLY. The advertisers have to know that we will NEVER buy stuff from the annoying ads!

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    Wanda Laugh
    United Statesa month 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
#105
United States/News
Apple Podcasts
#72
China/News
Apple Podcasts
#209
Chile/News

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Who's to blame when AI goes rogue?
Q: What is the most concerning aspect of the Hugging Face attack according to Gary Marcus?
Marcus emphasizes that OpenAI's failure to implement proper monitoring and alignment, and the broader governance issue of who decides what gets released into the world, are the core problems rather than the attack itself.
Behind the public backlash against Flock cameras
Q: Tell me a little bit more about what evidence you see that Flock cameras are actually doing what the company says and have become an important tool for law enforcement.
The guest outlined three buckets of studies with varying quality, generally finding more recent high-quality studies suggesting crime reductions, especially in motor vehicle theft, though with limitations and a lack of perfect causal inference. The discussion also noted mixed anecdotes of crime solving and abuse, and emphasized the need for stronger, properly controlled data and consideration of trade-offs.
Is AI helping human creativity, or harming it?
Q: Do you have an example of a specific prompt, and how does it shape the writing process when using AI tools like ChatGPT or Claude?
Coral Hart explains that authors start with basic story ideas and characters, then use prompts to flesh out character cards and craft sheets; over time she moves to more advanced workflows where the AI handles drafts while she maintains control over style, voice, and structural decisions.
The not-so-underground world of Black punk
Q: James, how did AfroPunk start and evolve after the documentary
The festival began as small, community-driven screenings and live shows featuring all-Black, fronted acts, growing through a network of friends and a devoted online community; over time sponsorships and corporate attention arrived, prompting expansion and new venues while causing tensions about staying true to punk values.
Can an 'everyday bro' fix your dating life? Comedian Jared Freid thinks so
Q: What would you say to Helen, a listener worried about approaching strangers and meeting people in real life?
Start with a simple, warm opener like commenting on something specific (e.g., shoes). Get reps by walking with a friend and their spouse to practice social cues, and remember that conversations should be about real connection, not perfection.

Audience Metrics

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

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

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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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.

How many listeners does On Point get?

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How many subscribers and views does On Point have?

To see how many followers or subscribers On Point has on Spotify and other platforms such as Castbox and Podcast Addict, simply upgrade your account. You'll also find viewership figures for their YouTube channel if they have one.

Which podcasts are similar to On Point?

These podcasts share a similar audience with On Point:

1. 1A
2. On the Media
3. Fresh Air
4. Here & Now Anytime
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?

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?

Rephonic pulls ratings and reviews for On Point from multiple sources, including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Castbox, and Podcast Addict.

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What guests have appeared on On Point?

Recent guests on On Point include:

1. Gabe Lesra
2. Gary Coleman
3. Casey Michelle
4. Rocket Drew
5. Seth Alvo
6. Matt Moore
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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