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, 2026•41 min
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, 2026•39 min
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, 2026•38 min
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, 2026•39 min
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, 2026•49 min
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, 2026•42 min
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, 2026•39 min
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, 2026•39 min
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, 2026•39 min
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, 2026•38 min
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, 2026•5 min
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, 2026•5 min
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, 2026•37 min
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, 2026•41 min
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, 2026•38 min
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, 2026•36 min
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, 2026•37 min
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, 2026•37 min
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, 2026•49 min
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, 2026•49 min
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, 2026•48 min
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, 2026•41 min
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, 2026•41 min
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, 2026•40 min
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, 2026•40 min
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, 2026•37 min
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, 2026•38 min
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, 2026•45 min
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, 2026•38 min
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, 2026•40 min