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On Point with Meghna Chakrabarti

WBUR
Duke Herbarium
Donald Trump
Social Media
Parenting
Smartphone Use
Biodiversity
Climate Change
Disinformation
Youth Advocacy
Children's Mental Health
Technology Addiction
Plant Specimens
Cyberbullying
Child Development
Herbarium Research
Community Support
Plant Ecology
New York University
Lady Gaga
Species Extinction

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

We all know jingles – those catchy tunes that have advertised products for decades from candy to car insurance. But how do they work, and more importantly, are they having a comeback?

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On Point news analyst Jack Beatty on the threat to voting rights posed by the SAVE Act, requiring proof of citizenship to vote.

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

Neuroscientist Steve Ramirez sees memory as a way to time travel. But what if we could edit our memories?

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

PragerU is a conservative video giant. It’s produced more than 2,000 videos that it says promote American and Judeo-Christian values. Now its content is approved in 10 states’ school systems.

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Key Facts

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

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Recent Guests

Jacob Hearth
Neuroscientist at the University of Georgia's Institute of Gerontology
University of Georgia
Episode: Brainwaves: How does a brain stay healthy?
Melanie Mitchell
Professor at the Santa Fe Institute, expert in artificial intelligence and cognitive science, author of Artificial Intelligence, a Guide for Thinking Humans.
Santa Fe Institute
Episode: Brainwaves: Is AI actually thinking?
Kyle Mahold
Assistant professor in linguistics at the University of Texas at Austin, co-author of a paper on language models.
University of Texas at Austin
Episode: Brainwaves: Is AI actually thinking?
Martin Pistorius
Author, accessibility specialist, and web developer who was misdiagnosed during his illness
Episode: Brainwaves: Are you in there?
Christophe Koch
Neuroscientist and leading expert on consciousness, chief scientist at the Tiny Blue Dot Foundation
Tiny Blue Dot Foundation; Allen Institute
Episode: Brainwaves: Are you in there?
Nancy Kanwisher
Professor of Cognitive Neuroscience at MIT
MIT
Episode: Brainwaves: Why is the brain such a mystery?
Dr. Peter Hotez
Professor of Pediatrics and Molecular Virology at Baylor College of Medicine and co-director of the Texas Children's Hospital Center for Vaccine Development
Baylor College of Medicine
Episode: What if the polio vaccine becomes optional?
Dr. Kurt Milhoen
Current head of the CDC's Vaccine Advisory Panel.
CDC
Episode: What if the polio vaccine becomes optional?
Dan Wang
Research fellow at Stanford University's Hoover History Lab and author of 'Breakneck: China's Quest to Engineer the Future'.
Stanford University
Episode: Lessons for the U.S. in 'China’s quest to engineer the future'

Host

Meghna Chakrabarti
Host of On Point, known for engaging deeply with complex topics and fostering meaningful discussions with guests.

Reviews

4.3 out of 5 stars from 4.5k ratings
  • 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 States11 days 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
    Canadaa month ago
  • Best thoughtful commentary

    Awesome

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Happy tot
    United Statesa month ago
  • Serious Journalism

    Megna Chakrabarti is a serious journalist. I’ve listened for many years, and enjoy sharing episodes with others. The Jackpod is great too, however, Jack of late is either revealing his biases, or becoming more biased. I am sorry for it either way, as I’m tuning into the Jackpod somewhat reluctantly.

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    TX&NC
    United Statesa month ago
  • 1/13/26 Episode on Infrastructure

    Who was that useless idiot you interviewed! He has no answers. Don’t waste my time again!

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    pwj7050
    United Statesa month ago

Listeners Say

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

There are mentions of dissatisfaction regarding an increase in political topics, with some feeling discussions are not delving deeply enough into specific issues.
Listeners appreciate the depth of research and the host's ability to ask nuanced questions, often highlighting the podcast's informative nature.
Positive feedback frequently revolves around the quality of guests and the variety of topics explored, indicating a demand for rich, engaging dialogues.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#83
United States/News
Apple Podcasts
#52
China/News
Apple Podcasts
#138
Hong Kong/News
Apple Podcasts
#164
Chile/News
Apple Podcasts
#176
Philippines/News
Apple Podcasts
#215
Colombia/News

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Brainwaves: Is AI actually thinking?
Q: How would you define what human thinking is?
Human thinking involves abstract reasoning, problem-solving, and is heavily influenced by our environment and experiences.
Brainwaves: Are you in there?
Q: Why would we say that AI lacks consciousness?
AI systems can perform intelligent actions but do not have subjective experiences or feelings like humans do.
Brainwaves: Are you in there?
Q: When would you say consciousness first emerges in a human being?
It is not clear, but it may start around the second trimester and is likely influenced by developmental factors over time.
Brainwaves: Are you in there?
Q: Are you conscious during non-dream states of sleep?
Most people think we are not conscious, but studies show some may experience thoughts or sensations just before waking.
Brainwaves: Are you in there?
Q: Christophe, what is consciousness in human beings?
Consciousness encompasses all experiences we have such as seeing, dreaming, and feeling. It varies by the individual's sensory experiences and self-awareness.

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 broad range of topics is thoughtfully explored, emphasizing contemporary political and social issues while intertwining personal narratives and historical contexts. Frequent discussions delve into societal divisions, healthcare, education, and the impact of technology, particularly in relation to artificial intelligence and its implications for various fields. The host engages with experts, showcasing their insights on the pressing concerns of modern life, such as the erosion of democratic values, the role of gratitude in well-being, and the influence of media on public discourse. Unique elements of this podcast include its commitment to addressing complex subjects with depth and nuance, often steering clear of mainstream narratives to of... more

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Which podcasts are similar to On Point?

These podcasts share a similar audience with On Point:

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

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What guests have appeared on On Point?

Recent guests on On Point include:

1. Jacob Hearth
2. Melanie Mitchell
3. Kyle Mahold
4. Martin Pistorius
5. Christophe Koch
6. Nancy Kanwisher
7. Dr. Peter Hotez
8. Dr. Kurt Milhoen

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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