On Point with Tom Ashbrook Podcast

  1. How some police departments are rethinking 911 call responses2023/08/14

    Calling 911 can have tragic consequences for people having a mental health crisis. They can be arrested or even killed. Some advocates and police officers are trying to change that. Brian Peete and Stephanie Van Jacobs join Deborah Becker.
  2. Hip-hop turns 50: The origins of West Coast hip-hop and its lasting legacy2023/08/11

    Born in the Bronx, New York, hip-hop soon found some of its most influential rappers in Los Angeles. On the 50th anniversary of hip-hop, we take a look at how the West Coast helped make hip-hop one of the most dominant cultural forces in the world. Tyree Boyd-Pates and Damita Jo Freeman joined Meghna Chakrabarti.
  3. What a decline in rural colleges means for rural communities2023/08/10

    Rural colleges in America are struggling. Due to enrollment and funding shortages, many have had to close or slash core majors to stay afloat. Andrew Koricich joins Meghna Chakrabarti.
  4. Behind the group pushing for a third-party presidential candidate2023/08/09

    The political organization No Labels says it wants to unite Americans around a third-party presidential candidate. But critics say their efforts are more likely to lead to the re-election of Donald Trump. Jay Nixon, Dick Gephardt and Jack Beatty join Meghna Chakrabarti.
  5. Our planet in hot water2023/08/08

    The waters off Florida and across the Caribbean are reaching record-breaking temperatures. As high as 100-plus degrees Fahrenheit. If warm seawater is here to stay, what will it mean for all that lives in the ocean and on land? Katey Lesneski and Peter de Menocal join Meghna Chakrabarti.
  6. Are index funds getting too powerful?2023/08/07

    Index funds. They’re a very popular way of investing across the stock market. But now the top four funds control roughly one-quarter of all public U.S. companies. We hear how index funds are shaping corporations and the American economy. John Coates joins Meghna Chakrabarti.
  7. Rebroadcast: Richard Reeves on why the modern male is struggling, and what to do about it2023/08/04

    Are cultural and economic forces changing boyhood, manhood and fatherhood? Richard Reeves says yes, and that many men and boys are struggling.
  8. Can focusing on class instead of race solve our country’s equity issues?2023/08/03

    Liberal academic Richard Kahlenberg thinks the only way to truly solve America’s deep inequities is to look at class, not race. "When we focus exclusively on race and ignore the class issues, we are missing a huge part of what makes society unfair in America today."
  9. The authoritarian’s playbook in America2023/08/02

    From Turkey to Chile to Hungary, authoritarian leaders don’t come to power on their own. They get there with the help of political parties, the rich and powerful, friendly media and the just plain corrupt.
  10. Behind the Global South's hesitancy to criticize Russia's invasion of Ukraine2023/07/31

    Since the start of the war, experts in the U.S. and Europe have lamented that countries outside the West have been slow to stand by Kyiv. What’s behind the caution towards aligning with the West?
  11. Facebook whistleblower Frances Haugen's quest to make the internet safer2023/07/28

    Facebook hired Frances Haugen to help it filter out violent rhetoric and abusive behavior. But she says the company ignored her team’s recommendations. So, in 2021, she leaked thousands of pages of internal documents to the media. Today, she says the dangers haven't gone away.
  12. Where and why tipping is changing2023/07/27

    Chances are, you’ve noticed more and more businesses asking you to leave a tip – from coffee shops and breweries to take-out and drive-thrus. How did we get here? Sean Jung and Jeremy Price join Tiziana Dearing.
  13. 'Third places' strengthen community. Here's how we can rebuild them2023/07/26

    Third Places – communities outside of our homes, schools or workplaces – were impacted by the pandemic. How can we rebuild them? Danielle C. Rhubart, Jorge González-Hermoso and Danielle Maude Littman join Anthony Brooks.
  14. Rebroadcast: The real winners and losers in America's lottery obsession2023/07/25

    Americans spend almost $100 billion a year on state lotteries. Why do so many states receive just a fraction of that money?
  15. Why Ron DeSantis' campaign is struggling2023/07/24

    Florida governor Ron DeSantis had a strong start in his run for the GOP presidential nomination. But lately, his polling numbers have dropped and big donors are hitting the pause button. Why isn't his strategy working?
  16. What neuroscience tells us about spiritual experiences2023/07/21

    What happens in the brain when you pray or meditate? Neurotheology explores the connection between our synapses and spiritual revelations.
  17. Inside America's critical shortage of foster care homes2023/07/20

    In some places in the U.S., available foster care homes have been cut as much as 60%. Why is this happening and can it be fixed?
  18. A year of discovery from the James Webb Space Telescope2023/07/19

    A million miles from Earth, the James Webb Space Telescope has spent the past year peering deep into the cosmos and back in time. Why the telescope’s discoveries have scientists in awe.
  19. As extreme heat becomes the new normal, how should we adapt?2023/07/18

    In much of the world, it’s been dangerously hot this summer. And extreme heat is only expected to become more common. Cities across the globe have hired “chief heat officers” to figure out how to adapt to life on a hotter planet.
  20. 'Food, we need to talk': Finding a better way to discuss our bodies and what we eat2023/07/17

    The newest food diets. The magic weight loss pill. Changing beauty standards. We hear constant messaging around how we should eat and look. But what does science have to say about it?
  21. How South Korea became a global beauty powerhouse2023/07/14

    10-step skincare routines, products made from snail mucus. South Korea now exports more cosmetic products than smartphones. But pursuing beauty ideals can come at a social, emotional and physical cost.
  22. Deep-sea mining: Climate solution or ecological threat?2023/07/13

    The International Seabed Authority is meeting to devise regulations that could allow mining of the deep ocean floor for minerals needed for green energy technology. But bringing those minerals to the surface could disrupt delicate deep-sea ecosystems. Gerard Barron, Helen Scales and Andrew Sweetman join Meghna Chakrabarti.
  23. A 25 year-old bet on human consciousness gets settled2023/07/12

    25 years ago, a neuroscientist and a philosopher made a bet that by now, science and philosophy would understand what makes and defines human consciousness. Want to guess who won? Christof Koch and David Chalmers join Meghna Chakrabarti.
  24. Does the man enforcing the country’s gun laws have the tools to do the job?2023/07/11

    Steven Dettelbach heads the Federal Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms. An agency that gun violence prevention advocates say is understaffed, underfunded and is severely restricted by Congress. Steven Dettelbach joins Meghna Chakrabarti.
  25. What's behind the ADHD drug shortage2023/07/10

    Many Americans with ADHD are scrambling for their prescription medication due to a months-long shortage. Why is the rate of adult ADHD diagnosis growing four times faster than diagnoses among kids? Dr. Anthony Rostain joins Meghna Chakrabarti.
  26. How California public colleges boosted diversity without affirmative action2023/07/07

    Decades before the Supreme Court's recent ruling striking down affirmative action, voters in California did the same, ending affirmative action in the nation's largest state higher ed system. Youlanda Copeland-Morgan and John McWhorter join Meghna Chakrabarti.
  27. Instead of finding that dream job, why not find the 'good enough job'?2023/07/06

    Many Americans look to work as a means of self-actualization, community and purpose. But if our job is our only identity – what happens if we lose it?
  28. How the Snowden leaks changed government surveillance2023/07/05

    10 years ago, U.S. intelligence contractor Edward Snowden stunned the world by revealing government officials were surveilling private citizens across the globe. A decade later, has anything changed about government surveillance?
  29. Rebroadcast: The U.S. immigration crisis through the eyes of a border town mayor2023/07/04

    Until recently Bruno Lozano was the mayor of Del Rio, Texas. Once seen as a rising star in the Democratic party, he’s now a fierce critic of President Biden’s handling of the southern border.
  30. Rebroadcast: Americans are avoiding the news. What can journalists do?2023/07/03

    Amanda Ripley is a journalist, and even she, like millions of Americans, decided to turn off the news. So what needs to change? Ripley has an answer, and it begins with giving people hope.

  31. Musician Rhiannon Giddens digs into American roots music and finds connections to cultures around the world2023/06/30

    Pulitzer Prize-winning musician Rhiannon Giddens digs deep into American roots music and finds connections to cultures around the world.

    Can any culture lay total claim to specific styles of music?

    Today, On Point: A conversation with musician Rhiannon Giddens, recorded live at WBUR's CitySpace.
  32. Pitmaster Ryan Mitchell on America’s complicated history with barbeque2023/06/29

    The whole hog barbeque is the original style of American barbeque. It’s a tradition deeply rooted in indigenous and Black history. Ryan Mitchell joins Meghna Chakrabarti.
  33. 'A most tolerant little town': The forgotten story of desegregation in Clinton, Tennessee2023/06/28

    In 1956, a federal judge ordered the town of Clinton, Tennessee to desegregate its high school. The unrest that followed tore the town apart. Rachel Louise Martin and Jo Ann Allen Boyce join Meghna Chakrabarti.
  34. The man helping TikTok disrupt the music industry2023/06/27

    TikTok is a driving force in the music industry. How does the platform identify snippets of music and turn artists into the next generation of global music stars? That's the job of Ole Obermann, which makes him one of the most influential people in pop music today.
  35. Why so many U.S.-educated foreign students don't stay for work2023/06/26

    U.S. universities educate thousands of foreign-born students. They graduate with skills the U.S. needs, and they want to stay here. The immigration system makes it hard for them to stay. Jon Marcus and Nicolas Rollason join Meghna Chakrabarti.
  36. Are return-to-office mandates backfiring?2023/06/23

    Apple, Meta, Amazon and Disney want workers to be in the office more days per week. How does where we work affect our productivity and office culture? Cali Williams Yost and Emma Harrington join Meghna Chakrabarti.
  37. Will the PGA Tour-LIV Golf deal sportswash Saudi's reputation?2023/06/22

    Last year, the PGA Tour and LIV Golf filed lawsuits against each other. Now, the two groups are forming an alliance. What does it tell us about Saudi Arabia’s growing efforts to sportswash its reputation?
  38. Is it time to take Putin's nuclear threats more seriously?2023/06/21

    Russian officials have warned NATO since the start of the Ukraine war that it could resort to nuclear weapons. Most observers think that's bluster. But one former defense attaché to Moscow takes what he's hearing very seriously.
  39. Why one female pastor left the Southern Baptist Convention2023/06/20

    The Southern Baptist Convention – the nation's largest Protestant denomination – overwhelmingly voted to oust women from church leadership. What’s driving this crackdown, and what impact will it have on the church’s already declining population? Carlisle Davidhizar and Daniel Darling join Meghna Chakrabarti.
  40. How cities can better confront climate change2023/06/19

    The city of Milwaukee has an ambitious climate plan to cut its carbon emissions. Hundreds of U.S. cities have similar plans. Very few have met their goals.
  41. How Trump's trial could alter the nation's political landscape2023/06/16

    This week former president Donald Trump pleaded not guilty to dozens of federal criminal charges for his handling of classified documents. How will the trial of Donald Trump alter the nation's political landscape?
  42. Woniya Thibeault survived extreme cold and isolation to become a winner2023/06/15

    Woniya Thibeault used her knowledge of skills used by early humans to become the first women to win History Channel’s wilderness reality show, Alone. Now she wants to show you how you can deepen your connection with nature, and why you should.
  43. 'Recoding America' author Jennifer Pahlka on how we can reshape our government to work for us2023/06/14

    State and federal government is so focused on policymaking that it often fails to provide the services its laws intend. In her new book “Recoding America,” author Jennifer Pahlka outlines why the government doesn’t work and how to fix it.
  44. Should schools ban smartphones in the classroom?2023/06/13

    A new Florida law lets teachers prohibit students from using phones in class. How do phones alter a student's ability to focus, stay on task, absorb new information and exercise self-control? Jeff Solochek, Catherine Steiner-Adair and Michael Horn join Meghna Chakrabarti.
  45. Is Vice President Kamala Harris a liability or an asset in 2024?2023/06/12

    In the race for the White House, due to President Joe Biden's age, Vice President Kamala Harris is under a lot more scrutiny than number twos on the ticket usually are. Eugene Daniels and Kate Andersen Brower join Meghna Chakrabarti.
  46. How California agriculture is the problem and solution to its Colorado River water crisis2023/06/09

    80% of California's water from the Colorado River is used for agriculture. As the river dries up, the first cuts tend to land on farmers. But is targeting the country’s food supply the best way out of this water crisis? Tina Shields and Richard Howitt join Meghna Chakrabarti.
  47. CITES: A historic treaty protecting endangered species turns 50. Is it still an effective tool?2023/06/08

    In 1973, countries came together and signed a historic treaty to stop the international trade of endangered species. 50 years later, the CITES agreement has never been updated, even as species go extinct faster than ever.
  48. First person: 'They've actually penetrated my defenses'2023/06/07

    Kremlin critic Bill Browder recounts how he was targeted by a deepfake video call that he says came from Russia.
  49. Reality wars: Deepfakes and national security2023/06/07

    A prominent Kremlin critic says the Russian government invited him to a Zoom call that turned out to be a deepfake. But what happens when governments start using deep fakes against each other?
  50. What the impeachment of the Texas attorney general means for Ken Paxton and his party2023/06/05

    Republicans in the Texas House voted overwhelmingly last week to impeach State Attorney General Ken Paxton. Charges include fraud, bribery and more. But it’s also revealed a divide in the Texas GOP itself.
  51. 'Greedflation': A once fringe theory of inflation gains momentum2023/06/02

    A pandemic, war in Ukraine, supply chain breakdowns -- all led to soaring prices. And now, the idea that inflation is driven in part by corporations keeping prices high is gaining momentum. We hear why economists are beginning to take 'greedflation' seriously.
  52. The little-known virus behind a majority of nongenetic birth defects2023/06/01

    One virus causes more birth defects in American babies than any other nongenetic disease – but most don’t know it exists. We hear a mother’s journey to understand her daughter’s diagnosis of congenital CMV.
  53. How the medical aid in dying movement is gaining momentum in the U.S.2023/05/31

    In the past five years, states allowing access to life-ending medication for the terminally ill have more than tripled. But as more states allow such end-of-life care, is access really growing? And for whom? Dr. Diana Barnard and Katie Engelhart join Meghna Chakrabarti.
  54. What the debt ceiling deadline means for your money2023/05/30

    The debt ceiling deadline is quickly approaching. How will it impact your personal finances if the U.S. government can’t pay its bills? Michelle Singletary joins Meghna Chakrabarti.
  55. 'The last supper': How a 1993 Pentagon dinner reshaped the defense industry2023/05/29

    In 1993, then Secretary of Defense Les Aspin invited the CEOs of America's largest defense contractors to a private get-together. We hear how a secret dinner at the Pentagon kicked off a massive consolidation in the defense industry. Norman Augustine and Rep. John Garamendi join Meghna Chakrabarti.
  56. Gold Star children on life without their heroes2023/05/26

    The children of fallen soldiers often bottle up their suffering. But some are opening up with the help of a writing seminar for Gold Star kids. Bailey Donahue, Maria Rossi and Thomas Brennan join Anthony Brooks.
  57. Rebroadcast: Understanding J. Edgar Hoover's America2023/05/25

    J. Edgar Hoover, former FBI director. History has cast him as powerful, paranoid, a man not afraid to intimidate and investigate his critics. That's how he's seen now. What about then? Beverly Gage joins Meghna Chakrabarti.
  58. What Hunter Biden's troubles could mean for the president's 2024 reelection campaign2023/05/24

    Hunter Biden faces possible indictment from the Justice Department. Exploring the details behind the headlines about the President's son. Adam Entous joins Meghna Chakrabarti.
  59. What the DeSantis agenda means for higher education in Florida2023/05/23

    Florida law now bans public colleges from offering general ed classes that “distort significant events” or “teach identity politics." What happens when the government tells colleges what they can and can’t teach? Ana Ceballos, Andrew Gothard and Eden McLean join Meghna Chakrabarti.
  60. First person: 'I helped to connect families ... from country to country'2023/05/22

    Thousands of miles of fiber optic cable at the bottom of the world’s oceans carry more than 95% of the world’s data, from phone calls and emails to encrypted military secrets. Rick Chislett spent 41 years laying fiber optic cable around the world.
  61. A new rivalry between the U.S. and China over the world’s undersea cables2023/05/22

    Thousands of miles of fiber optic cable lying at the bottom of the world’s oceans carry more than 95% of the world’s data. Now, those
    undersea cables are at the forefront of a new rivalry between China and the U.S. over who controls the flow of big data.
  62. The U.S. military promised to counter extremism. Has the Pentagon made progress?2023/05/19

    The U.S. military promised to implement policies that would counter extremism in its ranks. But still it persists. What more should the Pentagon be doing to stop extremism in the military?
  63. How remote work is reshaping commercial real estate2023/05/18

    Commercial real estate is cratering. In cities like Los Angeles and Chicago, more than 20% of office space lies vacant. What does that mean for America’s cities?
  64. Why hasn't the media learned its lesson about covering Donald Trump?2023/05/17

    Former president Donald Trump tried to overthrow an election he lost. Now, he’s running for president again. How should news organizations cover candidate Trump in post Jan. 6th America?
  65. A record cull of Yellowstone bison intensifies debate into how to best manage them2023/05/16

    This year more than a third of Yellowstone’s bison have been removed from the herd – most of them shot – after they wandered out of the national park in search of food. That’s intensified the debate into how to best manage the iconic animal. Rick Wallen joins Meghna Chakrabarti.
  66. What happened to Nina Jankowicz when Fox News came for her2023/05/15

    When the Department of Homeland Security appointed Nina Jankowicz to lead an effort to fight disinformation and hate speech, disinformation and hate speech came for her. Now, she’s suing Fox News. Nina Jankowicz joins Meghna Chakrabarti.
  67. The U.S. COVID public health emergency ends: How did the pandemic change American life?2023/05/12

    The COVID-19 emergency declaration is over. Over three years, Americans saw their lives forever changed. We check in with Americans we heard from during the pandemic about life now.
  68. How the politicization of COVID endangered our lives and democracy2023/05/11

    The federal COVID-19 public health emergency is coming to an end today. But as we look back at the three-plus years of the pandemic, did we miss the opportunity to best protect our country? Olivia Troye and Shana Gadarian join Meghna Chakrabarti.
  69. The clock ticks on the debt limit: Lessons from America's last debt ceiling crisis2023/05/10

    The U.S. debt limit clock is ticking. The nation could default in weeks. In 2011, the country came within 72 hours of that happening.
  70. Rebroadcast: Is customer service bad on purpose?2023/05/09

    Press one. Press two. Try to find a human, but you can’t. Welcome to the nightmare that is customer service.
  71. 'It goes so fast': NPR's Mary Louise Kelly on her life as journalist and mother2023/05/08

    NPR's Mary Louise Kelly has reported from around the world. In her new book, she looks back on the choices she made as a reporter and a mother.

    Mary Louise Kelly joins Meghna Chakrabarti, live at the Brattle Theatre in Cambridge, Mass.
  72. Does the Supreme Court need a code of conduct?2023/05/05

    The Supreme Court doesn’t have a code of ethics -- unlike every other judicial bench in the U.S. Who should require and enforce a code of ethics on the high court? Amanda Frost joins Meghna Chakrabarti.
  73. First person: A tragedy inspired her activism2023/05/04

    When Sheila Clemmons Lee’s son was killed in a Nashville police traffic stop in 2017, she joined a coalition campaigning to create a police oversight board. Now, the Republican super-majority in the Tennessee state legislature has moved to abolish the board.
  74. What Tennessee tells us about democracy in America's states2023/05/04

    In Tennessee’s state assembly, Republicans are unabashedly exerting their power – over-ruling local laws, expelling Democratic lawmakers. What does Tennessee tell us about the health of democracy in U.S. state legislatures?
  75. Why Americans are leaving big cities behind2023/05/03

    Americans are moving out of big cities. Cost, quality of life and the pandemic are shifting decades of population growth patterns. So where do Americans want to live now? Peter Nelson, Ben Winchester and Heady Coleman join Meghna Chakrabarti.
  76. Reforming the country's organ transplant system2023/05/02

    Thousands of people die each year waiting for an organ transplant in the U.S. The Biden administration says it’s time the system is reformed. We hear how to improve America’s organ transplant system.
  77. Can AI be regulated?2023/05/01

    Nearly 30,000 experts in the computing and AI world signed an open letter calling for a pause on AI development. What guardrails are needed before more advanced artificial intelligence is unleashed?
  78. Fraud and forgery in the world of fine art2023/04/28

    The world of fine art is full of multimillion dollar one-of-a-kinds and breathtaking masterpieces. But it’s also rife with fraudsters and forgers. When fakes demand a fortune, what does that say about the intrinsic value of art?
  79. Should there be a mandatory retirement age for elected officials?2023/04/27

    Nearly three-quarters of Americans believe there should be a mandatory retirement age for elected officials. In many state judiciaries, there already is. Do mandatory retirement ages work in state courts?
  80. Behind the push to strike down free preventative health care in America2023/04/26

    The Affordable Care Act says you don't have to pay for preventative health care. But a federal judge in Texas recently struck that down. And it could change the way 160 million Americans get their care. Nicholas Bagley joins Meghna Chakrabarti.
  81. What the Discord leaks reveal about the Pentagon's own cyber security2023/04/25

    Cyber warfare is the future of war. And in many ways, that future is already here. So, is the United States ready? Patrick Tucker, Jaspreet Gill and Admiral Mike Rogers join Meghna Chakrabarti.
  82. How insecurity contributes to disenchantment with democracy2023/04/24

    People the world over are feeling economically and culturally insecure. Economist Pranab Bardhan says liberal leaders aren’t paying enough attention to that, and that’s led to a growing disenchantment with democracy.
  83. America's Black maternal health crisis and how to fix it2023/04/21

    As maternal deaths rose in the U.S. during the pandemic, Black women bore the brunt. In fact, they are almost three times more likely to die in childbirth than white women. Helena Grant, Kimberly Seals Allers and Congresswoman Alma Adams join Tiziana Dearing.
  84. An inside look at the Supreme Court's conservative transformation2023/04/20

    Joan Biskupic has been a supreme court analyst for 25 years. Her new book tells the inside story of the court’s conservative transformation -- the personalities and the politics behind the court we have now, and will have for years to come.
  85. What MLB fans and players think of baseball's new rules2023/04/19

    Major League Baseball has new rules designed to speed up the game and attract new fans. We learn what fans and players think of the sport’s big changes in the first few weeks of the new season. Jeff Passan and C.J. Stewart join Anthony Brooks.
  86. Preparing for America's electric vehicle future2023/04/18

    President Biden’s new emissions standards are designed to accelerate the push towards electric vehicles. Among the challenges – batteries, and China’s stranglehold on the supply chain. We hear how to reach an electric future.
  87. The GOP and the abortion trap2023/04/17

    By limiting access to abortion, Republicans have achieved a long sought-after goal. But it has cost them dearly in recent elections and many are looking to 2024 with trepidation. Jess Bidgood, Ramesh Ponnuru, Dante Scala and Eleanor Klibanoff join Anthony Brooks.
  88. The power of populism: Can populism strengthen a democracy?2023/04/14

    It's episode five of our series 'The power of populism.' Populism can have an authoritarian trajectory, but can it also bring about better democracies? Thomas Frank, Jean Louise Cohen and Jack Beatty join Meghna Chakrabarti.
  89. The power of populism: Flipping the script on the urban-rural divide2023/04/13

    It’s easy to think of American populism as disempowered rural residents versus the urban elite. When it comes to America’s electoral system and influencing national policy, who has the real power? Jonathan Rodden and Danielle Allen join Meghna Chakrabarti.
  90. Wisconsin and the politics of resentment2023/04/12

    On Point continues to explore “The power of populism” this week. Today, Wisconsin and the politics of resentment. How has populism flourished in the Badger state? Charlie Sykes and Shawn Johnson join Meghna Chakrabarti.
  91. The power of populism: Populism in the world's largest democracy2023/04/11

    Populism is on the rise across the globe, from Turkey to Hungary to Brazil. The second episode of our series “The power of populism” looks at the appeal of populism in India, and what it means for the future of the world’s largest democracy.
  92. The power of populism: What makes a leader a populist?2023/04/10

    Populism has been on the rise in recent years. But why? And what exactly is populism? It’s the first episode of our series "The power of populism."
  93. What’s next – legally and politically – for Donald Trump2023/04/07

    For the first time in our nation’s history, a president was indicted on criminal charges. What’s next for Donald Trump?
  94. How to fix the growing discipline problem in U.S. classrooms2023/04/06

    Student discipline problems rose sharply in the pandemic. Schools say disruptive behavior has been on the rise for years, but they're not allowed to do much about it. Now, lawmakers want to change that. Ben Court, Patrick Wall and Elizabeth Errico join Meghna Chakrabarti.
  95. How to make America's wireless networks more reliable2023/04/05

    T-Mobile had a major cell phone outage in February. Last year, AT&T customers in Minnesota lost service for four days. What would it take to make America's wireless networks more reliable? Harold Feld joins Meghna Chakrabarti.
  96. 'I could not deliver the care my patients needed': A doctor's experience of moral injury2023/04/04

    Health care professionals across the country say they're being forced to compromise the quality of care they give their patients in the name of profits.

    Dr. Jamie Wooldridge is a pediatric pulmonologist. She says the stresses of the health care industry are driving many doctors and nurses to leave the profession.
  97. Moral injury in modern medicine and how to heal health care workers2023/04/04

    In our nation’s for-profit health system, more and more health care professionals say they're being forced to make choices that are bad for patients. Much like soldiers at war, clinicians now report suffering from “moral injury.”
  98. Why Black children bear the brunt of gun deaths, and what can be done to stop it2023/04/03

    Gun violence recently surpassed car accidents as the leading cause of death for American children. For Black children – that’s been the case since 2006. Dr. Victor Garcia and Joseph Richardson join Meghna Chakrabarti.
  99. Why some states are rolling back telehealth access2023/03/31

    The COVID pandemic paved the way for widespread use of telehealth doctor’s appointments. They worked. But some states are rolling back access to virtual visits.
  100. The American invasion of Iraq through an Iraqi's eyes2023/03/30

    20 years after the U.S. invaded Iraq, congress is quietly repealing its authorization of the war. We look back at the past two decades in Iraq, through an Iraqi's eyes. Ghaith Abdul-Ahad joins Meghna Chakrabarti.
  101. What’s at the root of Israel’s democratic crisis2023/03/29

    Mass protest in Israel have delayed Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s attempts to transform Israel’s judiciary. But there are signs of deeper troubles for Israeli democracy.
  102. Is democracy threatened when lawmakers support insurrectionists?2023/03/28

    Sitting members of Congress are aiding January 6th defendants. Visiting them in jail, releasing raw Capitol footage to Fox news. We hear what it means when members of Congress back the people who tried to tear Congress down.
  103. Should the U.S. fear TikTok?2023/03/27

    The U.S. is considering banning the hugely popular video-sharing app TikTok, over concerns that its Chinese ownership poses a threat to national security. What’s to fear about TikTok?
  104. 'Violation,' Part 1: Two sons, lost2023/03/26
    Info (Show/Hide)
  105. Donald Trump's potential indictment and its national implications2023/03/24

    For the first time in U.S. history, a former president may be charged with a serious crime. We discuss the legal and political fallout of the possible indictment of Donald Trump.
  106. Sociologist Matthew Desmond on why poverty persists in America 2023/03/23

    In America we have the wealth and the know-how to end poverty, so why don’t we? Sociologist Matthew Desmond seeks answers in his new book “Poverty, By America.”
  107. How Turkey’s hasty rebuild could set the nation up for another disaster2023/03/22

    Just three weeks after the catastrophic earthquake in Turkey, reconstruction was already underway. Turkey’s president, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has promised to rebuild in one year. But is racing to rebuild the right answer? Evren Aydoğan, Divya Chandrasekhar and Jared Maslin join Meghna Chakrabarti.
  108. Why mental health is declining for teenage girls in the U.S.2023/03/21

    Teen mental health is declining, particularly among girls. The pressure of social media is often cited as a leading cause. But that’s not the full story behind the mental health of teenage girls in the U.S.
  109. Silicon Valley Bank's collapse: What happens when mid-sized banks get too big to fail2023/03/20

    The collapse of Silicon Valley Bank marks the second largest bank failure in America’s history. Some say a 2018 rollback on bank regulations helped cause it. What happens when so-called mid-sized banks also get too big to fail?
  110. 'Battle for your brain': What the rise of brain-computer interface technology means for you2023/03/17

    Computer brain interfaces used to be the stuff of science fiction. Now, headphones and earbuds with sensors that can read your brain waves – and sell your data – are hitting the market. Experts say it’s the time to establish rules of the road.
  111. The abortion pill lawsuit that could change how the FDA approves drugs2023/03/16
  112. First person: Why clownfish need darkness2023/03/15
  113. In defense of darkness2023/03/15
  114. The fight for control of the St. Louis police force2023/03/14
  115. First person: Behind a scientist's discovery of a tongue-replacing parasite2023/03/13
  116. Why losing parasites could have devastating effects on our ecosystem2023/03/13
  117. Cartoonist Barbara Brandon-Croft on being the first Black woman with a nationally syndicated comic2023/03/10
  118. Journalist Hannah Barnes on the inside story of the collapse of Tavistock’s gender identity clinic2023/03/09
  119. The science and politics of COVID natural immunity2023/03/08
  120. Courts, profit and the monetization of America's justice system2023/03/07
  121. Could a four-day work week work in the United States?2023/03/06
  122. First person: The book bans leaving Florida school bookshelves empty2023/03/03
  123. The politics and policies behind Ron DeSantis's reshaping of Florida education2023/03/03
  124. What can Russian sanctions achieve?2023/03/02
  125. 'The last supper': How a 1993 Pentagon dinner reshaped the defense industry2023/03/01
  126. 'Blood Money': Inside the global business of selling plasma2023/02/28
  127. Who benefits, who loses from the occupational licensing system?2023/02/27
  128. '60 is the new 50': As life expectancy rises, how Americans are embracing life's third act2023/02/24
  129. What the Ohio train derailment tells us about rail safety in the U.S.2023/02/23
  130. How American educators can better teach the history of slavery2023/02/22
  131. Daily life in Ukraine after a year of war2023/02/21
  132. 'For as long as it takes': Can the West keep its promise to Ukraine?2023/02/20
  133. What Amazon's push into health care means for patients2023/02/17
  134. Child sexual abuse material is on the rise online. Will lawmakers and big tech finally act?2023/02/16
  135. Trade wars: Examining the Biden administration's China policy2023/02/15
  136. What China's spy balloon reveals about Chinese and U.S. espionage and diplomacy2023/02/14
  137. How will the West adapt as the Colorado River diminishes?2023/02/13
  138. Why Congress quietly just gave the FDA more power2023/02/10
  139. How the ultra-rich avoid paying taxes2023/02/09
  140. Biden's populist moment: Jack Beatty on the State of the Union address2023/02/08
  141. The power of American English to unite a fractured nation2023/02/08
  142. What life is like for women under Taliban rule2023/02/07
  143. Why more Americans are choosing to live in multigenerational housing2023/02/06
  144. First person: Finding everyday awe in nature in Yosemite National Park2023/02/03
  145. Everyday awe: Science's answer to your search for happiness2023/02/03
  146. Rebroadcast: The Eichmann tapes and the comforting myth of the 'banality of evil'2023/02/02
  147. Do 'elite' police teams like Memphis's SCORPION unit do more harm than good?2023/02/01
  148. First person: The fight to 'ordain women' in the LDS church2023/01/31
  149. Mormon women confront power and patriarchy in the LDS church2023/01/31
  150. How the world came together to save the ozone layer2023/01/30
  151. The GOP's ambitions in the House2023/01/27
  152. Why some anxiety is good, even though it feels bad2023/01/26
  153. The U.S. immigration crisis through the eyes of a border town mayor2023/01/25
  154. Rethinking diversity, equity and inclusion training2023/01/24
  155. 'The fight of his life': Journalist Chris Whipple's inside look at the Biden White House2023/01/23
  156. The future of small colleges2023/01/20
  157. Is it time to rethink how we care for dementia patients?2023/01/19
  158. Inside the mind of a fabulist2023/01/18
  159. New guidelines recommend early, aggressive treatment for childhood obesity2023/01/17
  160. Moms Demand Action founder Shannon Watts on a decade of taking on the NRA2023/01/16
  161. Can gun liability insurance make our neighborhoods safer?2023/01/13
  162. How fast fashion and social media fuel a high consumption, low quality world2023/01/12
  163. Earth's growing population: 'A direct affront to our own survival'2023/01/11
  164. 8 billion humans and counting: What it means for the planet's future2023/01/11
  165. First person: How one teacher thinks AI could help his students2023/01/10
  166. How AI chatbots are changing how we write and who we trust2023/01/10
  167. Concerns, contradictions and the continued use of the death penalty in the U.S.2023/01/09
  168. 'The eyes, the ears of all things': The spiritual power of peyote2023/01/06
  169. Remarkable science: Why aging might be reversible2023/01/06
  170. Psychedelics and who should be able to use them2023/01/06
  171. What to expect from a GOP-controlled House2023/01/05
  172. The real winners and losers in America's lottery obsession2023/01/04
  173. The Money Ladies' New Year's guide to the economy2023/01/03
  174. Rebroadcast: How climate change is moving the world's forests north2023/01/02
  175. More than money: Solutions for reining in monopoly power2022/12/30
  176. More than money: Defining American antitrust law, from Bork to Khan2022/12/29
  177. More than money: Antitrust lessons of the Gilded Age2022/12/28
  178. More than money: Microsoft and the big tech question2022/12/27
  179. More than money: The monopoly on meat2022/12/26
  180. The healing power of music2022/12/23
  181. The Jan. 6 committee report and what the DOJ may do next2022/12/22
  182. How the collapse of FTX put the effective altruism movement in jeopardy2022/12/21
  183. Why Americans are spending less time with friends — and what to do about it2022/12/20
  184. 'Don't Look Back': Author Achut Deng's journey of survival from Sudan to America 2022/12/19
  185. First person: Why soccer is so much better in Spanish2022/12/16
  186. Remarkable science: Living to 100 with Blue Zones author Dan Buettner2022/12/16
  187. Understanding Marjorie Taylor Greene's influence in a Republican-controlled House2022/12/16
  188. Behind the bankruptcy tactic shielding corporate executives from accountability2022/12/15
  189. Rebroadcast: Social psychologist Jonathan Haidt on democracy, social media and how to fix America's 'ailing' institutions2022/12/14
  190. Rebroadcast: Inside one developer's big bet on affordable housing in Los Angeles2022/12/13
  191. What do American Christians believe about their religion?2022/12/12
  192. Understanding J. Edgar Hoover's America2022/12/09
  193. Mosul, 5 years later: Rebuilding a city from rubble2022/12/08
  194. Learning from Mauna Loa: How the volcanic eruption will shape Hawaiian history2022/12/07
  195. What China's zero COVID protests tell us about China today2022/12/06
  196. How children are taught to read faces a reckoning2022/12/05
  197. Essential trust: How to rebuild trust in America2022/12/02
  198. Essential trust: How healthy skepticism builds trust2022/12/01
  199. Essential trust: Lessons from Brazil's trust crisis2022/11/30
  200. Essential trust: The brain science of trust2022/11/29
  201. Essential trust: Trust in the animal kingdom2022/11/28
  202. First person: Faces of the 2020 'shecession' today2022/11/25
  203. Rebroadcast: How to save the endangered monarch butterfly2022/11/25
  204. Rebroadcast: How a U.S. Marine and an Afghan interpreter forged a bond of friendship in Afghanistan2022/11/24
  205. Rebroadcast: Journalist Putsata Reang shares an immigrant daughter's story in 'Ma and Me'2022/11/23
  206. What Ticketmaster's Taylor Swift debacle reveals about the music industry's monopoly problem2022/11/22
  207. The inventory glut and what it means for your holiday shopping2022/11/21
  208. An 'invisible epidemic': Survivors of domestic violence on living with traumatic brain injury2022/11/18
  209. The economic impact of the pandemic on women2022/11/17
  210. Split-ticket voters and their impact on the latest election2022/11/16
  211. What Elon Musk's Twitter takeover means for the social media platform2022/11/15
  212. How to slow down and find some meaningful rest2022/11/14
  213. Richard Reeves on why the modern male is struggling, and what to do about it2022/11/11
  214. RSV: What's behind the surge, and how to contain it2022/11/10
  215. What can we learn from the midterms?2022/11/09
  216. Journalist David Wallace-Wells on climate change and climate hope2022/11/08
  217. The growing threat to ballot initiatives2022/11/07
  218. Colleges’ role in curbing the student debt crisis2022/11/04
  219. Is customer service bad on purpose?2022/11/03
  220. The reality of the drug trade in San Francisco2022/11/02
  221. The future of affirmative action2022/11/01
  222. What we know about the midterm elections, from Colorado to Nevada2022/10/31
  223. Modern conservatism and its discontents in Britain2022/10/28
  224. Should animals have personhood rights?2022/10/27
  225. What's standing in the way of Puerto Rico's recovery2022/10/26
  226. First person: Leaving Russia to avoid war in Ukraine2022/10/25
  227. Historian Timothy Snyder on how war ends in Ukraine2022/10/25
  228. In 'Half American,' historian Matthew Delmont tells the story of World War II from the Black perspective2022/10/24
  229. How the strong U.S. dollar is hurting the global economy2022/10/21
  230. The 'Texas two-step': A controversial legal strategy to avoid corporate liability2022/10/20
  231. Big money and big temptation in the world of online chess2022/10/19
  232. Financial columnist Rana Foroohar's lessons for localizing a global economy in 'Homecoming'2022/10/18
  233. Voter roundtable: Listening to Latino voters from across the country2022/10/17
  234. What we learned from the Jan. 6th committee's likely final public hearing2022/10/14
  235. Young people think the country's moving in the wrong direction. Will they show up to the polls?2022/10/13
  236. Pres. Biden wants to end U.S. reliance on China. Could Beijing show us the way?2022/10/12
  237. Inside one developer's big bet on affordable housing in Los Angeles2022/10/11
  238. What the U.S. can learn from the fall of democracy in Chile2022/10/10
  239. A report card on week one of the Supreme Court’s new term2022/10/07
  240. In 'Illustrated Black History,' artist George McCalman paints Black Americans onto our nation’s canvas2022/10/06
  241. First person: Living with long COVID2022/10/05
  242. How Chronic Fatigue Syndrome is helping doctors understand long COVID2022/10/05
  243. Voter roundtable: Conservative voters on what's motivating them to vote in the midterms2022/10/04
  244. Iran's women in revolt2022/10/03
  245. How a Texas law could impact First Amendment rights and content moderation online2022/09/30
  246. The danger of being a journalist in Mexico2022/09/29
  247. Behind supervised injection sites: A controversial solution to overdose deaths2022/09/28
  248. America’s climate havens of the future2022/09/27
  249. What's behind the recent increase of Venezuelan migrants in Texas2022/09/26
  250. In 'Secret City,' author James Kirchick traces the unknown history of gay Washington2022/09/23
  251. Pushback in Russia on Putin's war2022/09/22
  252. In ‘Lady Justice,’ Dahlia Lithwick profiles women who used the rule of law to challenge Trumpism2022/09/21
  253. Rebroadcast: In 'Work Pray Code,' author Carolyn Chen reflects on what happens when we worship work 2022/09/20
  254. Essential trust: Trust in the animal kingdom2022/09/19
  255. Remarkable science: How to prepare for the fall season of infectious diseases2022/09/16
  256. The Jackson, Mississippi water crisis and America's crumbling water system2022/09/16
  257. President Biden's anti-crime bill: Will it make America safer?2022/09/15
  258. Inside Europe's energy crisis2022/09/14
  259. Can political ads influence the outcome of an election?2022/09/13
  260. Solutions and next steps in saving the U.S. postal service2022/09/12
  261. The Bin Laden papers, and the inside story of al-Qaida's fall2022/09/09
  262. Censorship wars: Why have several communities voted to defund their public libraries?2022/09/08
  263. Education reporter Anya Kamenetz on how the pandemic changed public education2022/09/07
  264. In 'Survival of the Richest,' author Douglas Rushkoff examines the escape plans of the tech elite2022/09/06
  265. Rebroadcast: Inside the lives of social media influencers2022/09/05
  266. Rebroadcast: Author Steven Rinella's tips for raising 'outdoor kids in an inside world'2022/09/02
  267. Rebroadcast: Scholar Randall Kennedy's reflections on race, culture and law in America2022/09/01
  268. Inside the science of empathetic joy2022/08/31
  269. The college educators behind the push to speak freely on campus2022/08/30
  270. Rebroadcast: Protecting whale superhighways2022/08/29
  271. Inside America's latest efforts to curb gun violence2022/08/26
  272. First person: Former NFL wide receiver Markus Wheaton on finding passion after football2022/08/25
  273. How athletes are redefining retirement2022/08/25
  274. Life in Ukraine, 6 months into the war2022/08/24
  275. Vermont Sen. Patrick Leahy's life in American politics2022/08/23
  276. 'Real and present danger’: How Trump rhetoric is impacting the FBI after the Mar-a-Lago search2022/08/22
  277. Pod extra: Revisiting a 2013 interview with Salman Rushdie2022/08/19
  278. The history of the price of free speech2022/08/19
  279. The wage myths of the modern economy2022/08/18
  280. The Ohio primary and what it means for the general election2022/08/17
  281. A new study says you might need to exercise twice as much. But who's got the time?2022/08/16
  282. How a U.S. Marine and an Afghan interpreter forged a bond of friendship in Afghanistan2022/08/15
  283. How Trump’s generals fought back2022/08/12
  284. How the meatpacking industry skirted COVID safety regulations with the help of the White House2022/08/11
  285. Understanding China's military might, and whether Beijing will use it2022/08/10
  286. Behind the government-backed effort to create a national EV charging network2022/08/09
  287. Remembering the legacies of Black pioneers Nichelle Nichols and Bill Russell2022/08/08
  288. The paradox: How democracy can lead to liberalism — or fascism2022/08/05
  289. Rebroadcast: The mental health crisis among American children of color2022/08/04
  290. What happens when American teens get more sleep2022/08/03
  291. First person: Thinking globally, acting locally to save the monarch butterfly2022/08/02
  292. How to save the endangered monarch butterfly2022/08/02
  293. Behind the new study changing how doctors view depression2022/08/01
  294. 'On Point Live' from KPCC: A conversation with The Black List founder Franklin Leonard2022/07/29
  295. Unpacking bipartisan efforts to reform the Electoral Count Act2022/07/29
  296. The COVID lessons we didn't learn for the monkeypox outbreak2022/07/28
  297. Amid rising violence, a look inside the possible return of stop-and-frisk in Philadelphia 2022/07/27
  298. Americans are avoiding the news. What can journalists do?2022/07/26
  299. James Webb Space Telescope: Humanity's deepest glimpse into the universe yet2022/07/25
  300. What the Jan. 6 committee learned about the Capitol attack, 18 months later2022/07/22
On Point
https://www.wbur.org/radio/programs/onpoint
Let's make sense of the world – together. From the economy and health care to politics and the environment – and so much more – On Point host Meghna Chakrabarti speaks with newsmakers and everyday people about the issues that matter most. On Point is produced by WBUR.