On Point with Meghna Chakrabarti

WBUR

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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109 episodes
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English

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Today · 38 min
The Jackpod: Passing the buck
On Point news analyst Jack Beatty puts America’s $40 trillion national debt into perspective and looks into some seemingly straightforward ideas to address it.
Friday · 36 min
How AI deepfakes are upending political advertising
AI-generated political ads flooded TV and social media this midterm cycle. Roughly half of them used likenesses of real candidates. Most didn’t disclose they used AI. What does this mean for the future of truth in elections?
Thursday · 38 min
What should Democrats in Congress do now?
All 435 districts in the House, and 33 seats in the Senate were up for election during these midterms. Now that voting is over, will there be incentives to compromise, or political paralysis in the new Congress?
Wednesday · 37 min
What voters really wanted this election cycle
The midterm elections have been focused on who will control Congress, but voters have also been weighing in on who will control their state in 36 gubernatorial races and over 140 ballot initiatives. A breakdown on the down ballot races and issues.
Tuesday · 37 min
Why U.S. military bombings haven't stopped the global cocaine boom
Since last year, the U.S. military has killed 240 people from Latin America while bombing alleged drug smuggling boats. With cocaine prices falling globally, whether the killings are deterring drug traffickers or just changing how drugs reach American streets.
November 2 · 40 min
Should Greek life be abolished or reformed?
The Cornell Seven case has reignited the debate over whether fraternities should be allowed on college campuses at all. How to find the line between enriching community support and a system that might institutionalize harmful behavior.
November 2 · 48 min
The Jackpod: Not on bread alone
On Point news analyst Jack Beatty looks back at a time when social values played a bigger role in American political life and hears a call for that ahead of this year’s midterms.
November 2 · 48 min
The Jackpod: Not on bread alone
On Point news analyst Jack Beatty looks back at a time when social values played a bigger role in American political life and hears a call for that ahead of this year’s midterms.
October 30 · 45 min
Min Jin Lee's new novel asks: Is education worth sacrificing for?
In her sweeping follow-up to "Pachinko," author Min Jin Lee zooms in on learning centers, or hagwons, in the South Korean diaspora. "American Hagwon" examines whether education can really deliver a perfect life.
October 29 · 36 min
Could the biggest election security threat come from the federal government?
From running tabletop exercises, to citing Civil War-era laws protecting voters, state election officials are on guard against threats; and not just from abroad. What state officials are doing to protect the midterms from federal government interference.
October 28 · 39 min
The case for 'anti-fascist economics'
Inequality, inflation, gas prices are all on the rise. Economist Isabella Weber argues the way to solve America's affordability crisis is to change how we think about economics.
October 27 · 38 min
Does Trump's Russian diesel deal betray the U.S.?
Congress passed the Lindsey Graham Sanctioning Russia Act with a bipartisan vote. This month, President Trump waived those sanctions. Why many legislators, policymakers and military strategists are saying the president betrayed U.S. interests.
October 26 · 39 min
Israel's election and what it means for U.S. support
Israel goes to the polls in a razor-close election. What the results will mean for the trajectory of the war with Iran, ongoing conflict in Gaza and the West Bank and the future of U.S.-Israel relations.
October 26 · 44 min
The Jackpod: One cheer for private health insurance
On Point news analyst Jack Beatty on why Sen. Bernie Sanders’ proposal for Medicare for All warrants more scrutiny than it's getting in progressive political circles.
October 23 · 38 min
Should AI have the same rights as humans?
AI company Anthropic says you can no longer be "abusive or cruel" to its model, Claude. And Claude itself will decide what counts. Many in the AI world say that's a dangerous mistake.
October 22 · 47 min
On Point Live: The North Carolina factor
North Carolina voters will help decide the balance of power in the U.S. Senate. Join Meghna Chakrabarti for a special -- and spicy -- conversation live from Greensboro, N.C.
October 21 · 46 min
How should we be talking about the Cornell case?
Cornell University is at the center of a rape allegation that has raised difficult questions about how we talk about consent, sexuality and justice. Do we have the right language to have these discussions?
October 20 · 38 min
How a few tight Senate races could define Congress
A number of Senate races are too close to call -- defying expectations and upsetting established political affinities within certain states. What does this say about the midterms and the direction of American politics?
October 19 · 42 min
Are we on the verge of a new Cold War?
The Pentagon is rethinking America's nuclear weapons strategy – including lowering the barrier for their use in the battlefield. Why national security analyst Joe Cirincione says this could spark a new nuclear arms race.
October 19 · 25 min
The Jackpod: A rough start for Gen Z
On Point news analyst Jack Beatty looks into the impact that AI is having on the job market for Gen Z graduates and the difference that choice of college major can make.

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