On Point with Meghna Chakrabarti - podcast cover

On Point with Meghna Chakrabarti

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.
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Episodes

Is the Freedom of Information Act delivering on its promise?

For a democracy to be by the people and for the people, what do the people need to know? The Freedom of Information Act is central to answering that question. What FOIA has uncovered in its 60 years, and what it's up against now. *** Thank you for listening. Help power On Point by making a donation here: wbur.org/giveonpoint

Jun 25, 202641 min

The big influence of big sugar

The U.S. is one of the largest sugar producers in the world. And for more than 200 years, the sugar industry has gotten special protections from the government. Why? *** Thank you for listening. Help power On Point by making a donation here: wbur.org/giveonpoint

Jun 24, 202639 min

Should fans be able to alter the music they love using AI?

Spotify is set to launch a new tool that will enable subscribers to create cover versions and remixes of their favorite songs – using AI. What that could mean for musicians, their fans and the music on your playlist. *** Thank you for listening. Help power On Point by making a donation here: wbur.org/giveonpoint

Jun 23, 202638 min

What makes baseball magic

Curses, superstitions and pre-game rituals have been part of baseball for as long as the game has been around. What’s behind the magical traditions of America’s pastime. *** Thank you for listening. Help power On Point by making a donation here: wbur.org/giveonpoint

Jun 22, 202639 min

The Jackpod: Yankee Doodle Caged

On Point news analyst Jack Beatty on why he feels ambivalent about the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. *** Thank you for listening. Help power On Point by making a donation here: wbur.org/giveonpoint

Jun 22, 202649 min

What does the Iran peace memo mean for the U.S.?

President Trump promised regime change in Iran, no nuclear development and a restabilization of the region. Now that the U.S. and Iran have signed a Memorandum of Understanding, did we get any of that? *** Thank you for listening. Help power On Point by making a donation here: wbur.org/giveonpoint

Jun 19, 202642 min

What Frederick Douglass warned us about America

In 1852, Frederick Douglass delivered what many consider the best abolitionist speech of all time. He asked, “What, to the American slave, is your 4th of July?” What makes it such a masterpiece — and what can we take from it today? *** Thank you for listening. Help power On Point by making a donation here: wbur.org/giveonpoint

Jun 18, 202639 min

What Frederick Douglass warned us about America

In 1852, Frederick Douglass delivered what many consider the best abolitionist speech of all time. He asked, “What, to the American slave, is your 4th of July?” What makes it such a masterpiece — and what can we take from it today? *** Thank you for listening. Help power On Point by making a donation here: wbur.org/giveonpoint

Jun 18, 202639 min

Is there a right (or wrong) way to love America?

As America’s 250th anniversary approaches – the birth of this nation will be celebrated by millions. But what does it mean to be truly patriotic in the U.S.? *** Thank you for listening. Help power On Point by making a donation here: wbur.org/giveonpoint

Jun 17, 202639 min

Will a historic sewage spill undo the Chesapeake Bay's restoration?

The oyster is a huge part of coastal culture and economy in the U.S. But a historic sewage spill and climate change could put decades of restoration efforts at risk. *** Thank you for listening. Help power On Point by making a donation here: wbur.org/giveonpoint

Jun 16, 202638 min

Meghna Chakrabarti in conversation with American historian Heather Cox Richardson

Meghna sits down with American historian and author of the popular Substack "Letters from an American." They discuss America's 250th birthday, their favorite parts of the Declaration of Independence and optimism about America's potential. Join the On Point Club to hear the full conversation! *** Thank you for listening. Help power On Point by making a donation here: wbur.org/giveonpoint...

Jun 16, 20265 min

Meghna Chakrabarti in conversation with American historian Heather Cox Richardson

Meghna sits down with American historian and author of the popular Substack "Letters from an American." They discuss America's 250th birthday, their favorite parts of the Declaration of Independence and optimism about America's potential. Join the On Point Club to hear the full conversation! *** Thank you for listening. Help power On Point by making a donation here: wbur.org/giveonpoint...

Jun 16, 20265 min

How prediction markets have found their way into American politics

A Google engineer and member of special forces have been arrested for placing illegal bets on prediction markets. And these are just examples of the insider trading that may shape more than the country’s finances. *** Thank you for listening. Help power On Point by making a donation here: wbur.org/giveonpoint

Jun 15, 202637 min

The Jackpod: Mindless

On Point news analyst Jack Beatty on the Trump administration’s war on the concept of climate change. *** Thank you for listening. Help power On Point by making a donation here: wbur.org/giveonpoint

Jun 15, 202641 min

Is ‘eldest daughter syndrome’ real?

Eldest daughters have a reputation for being Type A and bossy. But they can also do emotional heavy lifting in families. What does science say about how birth order influences our personalities? *** Thank you for listening. Help power On Point by making a donation here: wbur.org/giveonpoint

Jun 12, 202638 min

Is it safe for Americans to go into the woods today?

Health Secretary RFK Jr. doesn't think so. That's why the Trump Administration is investing millions of federal dollars to reduce Lyme disease by 25 percent by 2035. But how? *** Thank you for listening. Help power On Point by making a donation here: wbur.org/giveonpoint

Jun 11, 202636 min

The real story of birthright citizenship

The Supreme Court will issue its decision on President Trump’s effort to overturn birthright citizenship within days. Historian Heather Cox Richardson with the real story of birthright citizenship. *** Thank you for listening. Help power On Point by making a donation here: wbur.org/giveonpoint

Jun 10, 202637 min

How John Quincy Adams went from president to maverick

John Quincy Adams was a one term president. He then entered Congress where he presented so many anti-slavery petitions that Southern Congressmen wanted him out. What that says about how Congress can work. *** Thank you for listening. Help power On Point by making a donation here: wbur.org/giveonpoint

Jun 09, 202637 min

How New Mexico's governor got big things done

New Mexico’s Democratic governor Michelle Lujan Grisham has a robust list of progressive achievements – including making her state the first in the U.S. to offer free universal childcare. The outgoing governor shares what her party can learn about how she got it done. *** Thank you for listening. Help power On Point by making a donation here: wbur.org/giveonpoint...

Jun 08, 202649 min

How New Mexico's governor got big things done

New Mexico’s Democratic governor Michelle Lujan Grisham has a robust list of progressive achievements – including making her state the first in the U.S. to offer free universal childcare. The outgoing governor shares what her party can learn about how she got it done. *** Thank you for listening. Help power On Point by making a donation here: wbur.org/giveonpoint...

Jun 08, 202649 min

The Jackpod: Slamming the golden door

On Point news analyst Jack Beatty on the impossibility of White House deputy chief of staff Stephen Miller’s vision for the U.S. as a nation without immigrants. *** Thank you for listening. Help power On Point by making a donation here: wbur.org/giveonpoint

Jun 08, 202648 min

Inside a diminished CDC as it confronts Ebola

The Centers for Disease Control has lost as much as a third of its staff under the Trump administration. How the Ebola outbreak in Africa exposes a weakened CDC. *** Thank you for listening. Help power On Point by making a donation here: wbur.org/giveonpoint

Jun 05, 202641 min

Inside a diminished CDC as it confronts Ebola

The Centers for Disease Control has lost as much as a third of its staff under the Trump administration. How the Ebola outbreak in Africa exposes a weakened CDC. *** Thank you for listening. Help power On Point by making a donation here: wbur.org/giveonpoint

Jun 05, 202641 min

A road trip through American history

Historian Beverly Gage hit the road to learn about our country's history. She visited more than 300 historic sites -- from museums and battlefields to roadside attractions. What she learned about how America honors its history. *** Thank you for listening. Help power On Point by making a donation here: wbur.org/giveonpoint

Jun 04, 202640 min

China's take on the Trump summit

President Trump heaped praise on China’s President Xi after their recent summit. While the Chinese leader’s rhetoric was much more restrained. A review of the U.S.-China summit from China's perspective. *** Thank you for listening. Help power On Point by making a donation here: wbur.org/giveonpoint

Jun 03, 202640 min

Why the pope wants to 'disarm' AI

Pope Leo XIV has published his first major document. The encyclical “Magnifica Humanitas” focuses on AI and what the pope calls the “distorting effects of technological power.” *** Thank you for listening. Help power On Point by making a donation here: wbur.org/giveonpoint

Jun 02, 202637 min

The Declaration of Independence: 250 years later

The Declaration of Independence is the founders' vision of America's values – equality, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. How that vision still lives on today. *** Thank you for listening. Help power On Point by making a donation here: wbur.org/giveonpoint

Jun 01, 202638 min

The Jackpod: Catastrophe-proofing AI

On Point news analyst Jack Beatty on the perils and promise of AI as outlined in the papal encyclical, “Magnifica Humanitas,” and a forthcoming law review paper, “AI and Existential Risk.” *** Thank you for listening. Help power On Point by making a donation here: wbur.org/giveonpoint

Jun 01, 202645 min

How China's superfast charging cars are leaving American EVs in the dust

An electric vehicle battery that charges almost as fast as it takes to fill a tank of gas. And it might soon be available almost everywhere except the United States. How China's superfast-charging electric vehicles are leaving American EVs in the dust. *** Thank you for listening. Help power On Point by making a donation here: wbur.org/giveonpoint

May 29, 202638 min

Does Trump's 'anti-weaponization' fund go too far?

Donald Trump plans to use a $1.776 billion fund to compensate anyone he chooses, including people who stormed the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6. Some Congressional Republicans are furious. Other critics call it the worst act of presidential corruption in history. *** Thank you for listening. Help power On Point by making a donation here: wbur.org/giveonpoint

May 28, 202640 min
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