On Point with Meghna Chakrabarti

WBUR

Duke Herbarium

Donald Trump

Social Media

Smartphone Use

Parenting

Climate Change

Biodiversity

Disinformation

Children's Mental Health

Youth Advocacy

Technology Addiction

Plant Specimens

Cyberbullying

Child Development

Herbarium Research

Community Support

Species Extinction

New York University

Plant Ecology

Lady Gaga

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.

4.5k ratings

Publishes	Daily	Episodes	505	Founded	20 years ago
Number of Listeners		Category	News

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Guests Hosts Reviews Charts Talking Points

Latest Episodes

Israel’s endgame in Iran

Israel and the U.S. are fighting the Iran war together — but they may not have the same goals. What’s Israel’s strategy?

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

Yesterday • 36 min

How to find glory in the ordinary

Terry Tempest Williams writes about finding beauty in unexpected places, animals, plants, memories and moments. She shows us how to do that in today's increasingly chaotic world.

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Thank you for listening. Help power On Point by making a donation ... more

13 Mar 2026 • 40 min

The Jackpod: The power of example and the example of power

On Point news analyst Jack Beatty on the moral character of American leaders from George Washington to Donald Trump and what that means for the moral character of the nation.

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Thank you for listening. Help power On Point by making a donation here... more

13 Mar 2026 • 44 min

How big will the Iran war price shock be?

The gas pump is just the first place you’ll pay more because of the U.S.-Israel-Iran war. How might commodities, financial markets, fertilizer and food also be impacted?

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Thank you for listening. Help power On Point by making a donation here: wbu... more

12 Mar 2026 • 39 min

Key Facts

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Number of Listeners

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Recent Guests

Mukhtar Khan

Professor of comparative politics, international relations, and political theory

University of Delaware

Episode: How big will the Iran war price shock be?

Mark Finley

Non-Resident Fellow in Energy and Global Oil at Rice University's Baker Institute; former senior US economist at BP

Rice University / Baker Institute; BP

Episode: How big will the Iran war price shock be?

Vali Nasr

Professor of International Affairs and Middle East Studies at Johns Hopkins SAIS

Johns Hopkins University SAIS

Episode: Why Iran wants a long war

Daniel Elmauer

Associate professor of law at Ohio Northern University; retired lieutenant colonel

Ohio Northern University

Episode: Is the U.S. fighting a war without rules?

Mark Nevitt

Associate professor of law at Emory University; retired Navy commander and JAG

Emory University

Episode: Is the U.S. fighting a war without rules?

Douglas MacMillan

Corporate Accountability Reporter at The Washington Post

The Washington Post

Episode: Who will profit off of ICE’s new detention warehouses?

Mario Guevara

Asylum seeker, former journalist who was detained

Independent, lived in Georgia; detained in Folkston ICE facility

Episode: Who will profit off of ICE’s new detention warehouses?

Aaron Reichlin-Melnick

Senior Fellow at the American Immigration Council

American Immigration Council

Episode: Who will profit off of ICE’s new detention warehouses?

Donnelly Kwan

Professor of Ethnomusicology

University of Kentucky

Episode: Why 'KPop Demon Hunters' is everywhere

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

Right?
Annoying Host Catchphrase: “Right? •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.

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

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•EPISODE: “Trump’s 2025 authoritarian playboo... more
Apple Podcasts
3
(Gibberer)
Australia12 days ago
moved to review after the ukraine stolen kids one😭
this show covers a huge range of topics (some lighthearted, some polarizing, some heartbreaking, some practically helpful), and it frequently covers important subjects that don’t get a ton of coverage in mainstream like npr, new york times etc (like the ukrainian kids being stolen by russian in this one! another recent good one was about the book “Drink Yourself Sober” just to show the range they cover)
i don’t always agree with the ideas put forth in interviews, but that’s a GOOD thing! it’s s... more
Apple Podcasts
5
jenel45623
United States19 days ago
Love her natural curiosity!
Many days, I get hooked by the topic and opening lines. Wide-ranging intellectual inquiry in an accessible, fun format. Great job!
Apple Podcasts
5
Ibu Lili
United States21 days ago
Laura
I love this this podcast and the topics explored. Magna simply makes the podcast for me. She does an excellent job and is so eloquent and relatable. Thank you!
Apple Podcasts
5
skdjdififjfkf
United Statesa month ago
On Point is truly on PoinT
A consistently thoughtful, intelligent interview show. Meghna stands out for depth, clarity, and substance.
Apple Podcasts
5
donaldww
Canada2 months ago

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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	#172	United States/News
Apple Podcasts	#72	China/News
Apple Podcasts	#138	Chile/News
Apple Podcasts	#213	Finland/News
Apple Podcasts	#229	South Korea/News

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Is the U.S. fighting a war without rules?

Q: What are the challenges of applying proportionality and distinction in naval warfare?

Proportionality requires weighing military advantage against civilian harm; in international waters and with stealthy naval assets, it can be difficult to minimize civilian impact, but feasible precautions and targeted strikes are still expected under the law of armed conflict.

Is the U.S. fighting a war without rules?

Q: Do rules of engagement differ between peacetime and wartime, and how do they relate to international law?

ROE are national, based on policy and mission, and must align with the law of war; during wartime they can be more permissive to achieve military objectives while avoiding unnecessary civilian harm, though debates persist about how they should be applied.

Is the U.S. fighting a war without rules?

Q: How is a decision made to attack a naval vessel like the DINA, and who is involved in that decision?

Decisions are typically pre-planned at a high level, involving the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and the Secretary of Defense, with orders cascading down to the ship; self-defense ROE could apply if attacked, but in this case it appears to be a planned operation.

How big will the Iran war price shock be?

Q: Put it in context regarding the global supply of oil given the Strait of Hormuz disruption.

The Strait's closure reduces a major flow of crude and refined products; the market is highly mediator-driven with OPEC, stockpiles, and infrastructure playing critical roles, and recent price increases show how a disruption translates into higher prices and broader economic effects.

The Trump administration's war against legal immigration

Q: Okay. David, so let's get down and dirty into individual agencies, starting with USCIS, right? That's the US Citizenship and Immigration Services.

The policy is a ban or freeze on processing benefits for about 40 countries, with many categories halted or blocked, including naturalization and family-based visas, under broad security justifications and inconsistent exemptions.

Audience Metrics

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

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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.

Where can I find podcast stats for On Point?

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. Fresh Air
2. On the Media
3. The New Yorker Radio Hour
4. The Ezra Klein Show
5. Throughline

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?

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. Mukhtar Khan
2. Mark Finley
3. Vali Nasr
4. Daniel Elmauer
5. Mark Nevitt
6. Douglas MacMillan
7. Mario Guevara
8. Aaron Reichlin-Melnick

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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