On Point | Podcast

WBUR

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. read less

Our Editor's Take

The On Point podcast investigates headline-making stories from a human interest perspective. It comes from Boston public radio station WBUR. Host Meghna Chakrabarti is a radio producer and journalist. She hosted the Modern Love podcast. She discusses relevant worldwide developments and conveys applicable insights to listeners. The varied topics include global warming, controversial leaders, TikTok, and ADHD. Guest hosts, including Boston Globe columnist Kimberly Atkins Stohr, lead certain episodes.

On Point analyzes Donald Trump's political eligibility and legal issues. Chakrabarti discusses repercussions for Republicans who don't follow the party line. For example, Liz Cheney served as Wyoming's US Representative. She won her 2020 Republican primary election with 73 percent of the votes. Then Cheney chose her country over Trump's policies in the 2022 election. She only received 29 percent of the votes then. Unlike Trump, Cheney conceded. The podcast reveals why she disagrees with politicians discrediting election results.

Journalist Tanya Kozyreva reports on life in Ukraine six months after Russia's invasion in 2023. The citizens express pride in their country. The On Point podcast reveals that the country still needs help. Ukrainian living conditions remain untenable. Utilities like water and gas are scarce. Some residents use plastic bags as toilets. There's a 50 percent unemployment rate. Many men left their professions to fight, separating them from relatives seeking asylum. Listeners learn why some Ukrainians must sign letters saying they refuse to leave as winter nears.

The podcast features athletes, too, including Serena Williams. The tennis champion went pro at age 14 and spent 319 weeks as the number one player. Williams won her first Grand Slam at age 17. She explains how she's changing her relationship with tennis. Williams talks about waking up without the pressure of playing at an elite level.

On Point also provides relief from distressing news. One episode studies whether the US should try a four-day workweek like the UK did. Chakrabarti asks Dr. Saundra Dalton-Smith for tips on how to get more rest. Chakrabarti and her colleagues deliver the essential news. They also provide resources to help manage and understand it. New episodes air weekdays.

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Justice Breyer's ear notch test for our constitution

Justice Breyer's ear notch test for our constitution

Textualism, which sees a legal system's original structure as immortal, is the dominating philosophy on the court today. But retired Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer argues pragmatism, which considers consequences of legal decisions, is the better mindset. About: On Point is WBUR’s award-winning, daily public radio show and podcast. Every weekday, host Meghna Chakrabarti leads provocative conversations that help make sense of the world.

Episodes

Justice Breyer's ear notch test for our constitution

Justice Breyer's ear notch test for our constitution

Textualism, which sees a legal system's original structure as immortal, is the dominating philosophy on the court today. But retired Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer argues pragmatism, which considers consequences of legal decisions, is the better mindset. About: On Point is WBUR’s award-winning, daily public radio show and podcast. Every weekday, host Meghna Chakrabarti leads provocative conversations that help make sense of the world.

India’s high-stakes election

India’s high-stakes election

Elections in the world’s largest democracy are underway. Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s power is ascendant. But, like in other global democracies, so are concerns about religious nationalism and democratic decline. Ashutosh Varshney and Vivan Marwaha join Meghna Chakrabarti. About: On Point is WBUR’s award-winning, daily public radio show and podcast. Every weekday, host Meghna Chakrabarti leads provocative conversations that help make sense of the world.

How to move from languishing to flourishing

How to move from languishing to flourishing

Languishing. That feeling of a lack of motivation or direction. Most people feel a sense of languishing at some point in their lives. So how do we move from languishing to flourishing? Sociologist Corey Keyes has spent his career trying to find the answer. About: On Point is WBUR’s award-winning, daily public radio show and podcast. Every weekday, host Meghna Chakrabarti leads provocative conversations that help make sense of the world.

A roadmap to better health for women

A roadmap to better health for women

Physician Dr. Sharon Malone is on a mission to help women better manage their health in the American health care system. Her No. 1 tip from her book 'Grown Woman Talk' -- Be your best advocate. About: On Point is WBUR’s award-winning, daily public radio show and podcast. Every weekday, host Meghna Chakrabarti leads provocative conversations that help make sense of the world.

The Jackpod: The haunting relevance of D-Day

The Jackpod: The haunting relevance of D-Day

On Point news analyst Jack Beatty recalls a 1984 speech by President Reagan outlining the importance of allies and collective security. About: On Point is WBUR’s award-winning, daily public radio show and podcast. Every weekday, host Meghna Chakrabarti leads provocative conversations that help make sense of the world.

Your data, the U.S. government and the 'new American surveillance state'

Your data, the U.S. government and the 'new American surveillance state'

Your exact location, what apps you use, the last thing you bought online. Your data is for sale – and the U.S. government is buying it. Byron Tau joins Deborah Becker. About: On Point is WBUR’s award-winning, daily public radio show and podcast. Every weekday, host Meghna Chakrabarti leads provocative conversations that help make sense of the world.

The ethical dilemma of involuntary mental health treatment

The ethical dilemma of involuntary mental health treatment

Several states have changed policy in recent years to make involuntary commitment easier for people with severe mental illnesses. But forced treatment still raises civil rights questions, with some saying it can harm patients. About: On Point is WBUR’s award-winning, daily public radio show and podcast. Every weekday, host Meghna Chakrabarti leads provocative conversations that help make sense of the world.

Battleground: How the outcome of the Ohio Senate race affects us all

Battleground: How the outcome of the Ohio Senate race affects us all

The 2024 Ohio senate contest could determine the balance of power in of the U.S. senate. What’s at stake in Ohio? Karen Kasler, Christopher Devine and Tim Ryan join Anthony Brooks. About: On Point is WBUR’s award-winning, daily public radio show and podcast. Every weekday, host Meghna Chakrabarti leads provocative conversations that help make sense of the world.

How the 2024 U.S. presidential election could be stolen

How the 2024 U.S. presidential election could be stolen

There are several perfectly legal ways to steal a U.S. presidential election, according to election law expert Lawrence Lessig. Lessig says the U.S.’s election and legal systems are vulnerable – and need immediate correction. About: On Point is WBUR’s award-winning, daily public radio show and podcast. Every weekday, host Meghna Chakrabarti leads provocative conversations that help make sense of the world.

The Jackpod: How it looks to a Republican

The Jackpod: How it looks to a Republican

On Point news analyst Jack Beatty reviews the evidence that former President Donald Trump’s multiple criminal prosecutions are politically motivated. About: On Point is WBUR’s award-winning, daily public radio show and podcast. Every weekday, host Meghna Chakrabarti leads provocative conversations that help make sense of the world.

The high cost of the youth sports arms race

The high cost of the youth sports arms race

Youth sports are supposed to be about fun and team spirit. But now, kids are training year-round and joining expensive travel leagues earlier. It’s costing families, and kids too. About: On Point is WBUR’s award-winning, daily public radio show and podcast. Every weekday, host Meghna Chakrabarti leads provocative conversations that help make sense of the world.

Rebroadcast: The little-known virus behind a majority of nongenetic birth defects

Rebroadcast: The little-known virus behind a majority of nongenetic birth defects

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. About: On Point is WBUR’s award-winning, daily public radio show and podcast. Every weekday, host Meghna Chakrabarti leads provocative conversations that help make sense of the world.

Democrats consider changing course on Israel support

Democrats consider changing course on Israel support

President Biden told Israel the humanitarian situation in Gaza is unacceptable and an immediate ceasefire is essential. Meanwhile, U.S. weaponry continues to flow to Israel. Could Biden back up his tough talk and curtail military aid? About: On Point is WBUR’s award-winning, daily public radio show and podcast. Every weekday, host Meghna Chakrabarti leads provocative conversations that help make sense of the world.

China’s divided memory of the Cultural Revolution

China’s divided memory of the Cultural Revolution

"3 Body Problem," a Netflix adaptation of the Chinese sci-fi novel by the same name, is causing controversy in China for its depiction of the Cultural Revolution. How do the Chinese people see this crucial period of their history? About: On Point is WBUR’s award-winning, daily public radio show and podcast. Every weekday, host Meghna Chakrabarti leads provocative conversations that help make sense of the world.

How to become a 'supercommunicator'

How to become a 'supercommunicator'

As humans, we have conversations all the time. But research shows we actually aren’t very good at communicating. Journalist Charles Duhigg shows us not only how to become a communicator -- but a 'supercommunicator.' About: On Point is WBUR’s award-winning, daily public radio show and podcast. Every weekday, host Meghna Chakrabarti leads provocative conversations that help make sense of the world.

Whistleblowers, an executive shakeup, and the future of Boeing

Whistleblowers, an executive shakeup, and the future of Boeing

Last month Boeing whistleblower John Barnett was found dead - an apparent suicide. He’d spent the last 7 years speaking out about Boeing’s declining safety and quality. About: On Point is WBUR’s award-winning, daily public radio show and podcast. Every weekday, host Meghna Chakrabarti leads provocative conversations that help make sense of the world.

The Jackpod: How to steal an election

The Jackpod: How to steal an election

On Point news analyst Jack Beatty tells Meghna what he expects to see outside and inside polling stations in November 2024 About: On Point is WBUR’s award-winning, daily public radio show and podcast. Every weekday, host Meghna Chakrabarti leads provocative conversations that help make sense of the world.

What defines Latino identity in the U.S.?

What defines Latino identity in the U.S.?

64 million Latinos live in the U.S. It’s a population bigger than any Spanish-speaking country in the world except Mexico. What defines American-Latino identity? About: On Point is WBUR’s award-winning, daily public radio show and podcast. Every weekday, host Meghna Chakrabarti leads provocative conversations that help make sense of the world.

'Pig-butchering': The online scam that's raked in $75 billion and counting

'Pig-butchering': The online scam that's raked in $75 billion and counting

The pig-butchering scam. It's a criminal industry that targets the vulnerable, engages in human trafficking, and exploits weaknesses in digital currency. How does it work? About: On Point is WBUR’s award-winning, daily public radio show and podcast. Every weekday, host Meghna Chakrabarti leads provocative conversations that help make sense of the world.

Sports betting is booming, but at what cost?

Sports betting is booming, but at what cost?

Sportsbooks are everywhere. Sports betting has changed how fans engage with games and generated $5 billion in taxes. But the industry is also fueling scandals and concerns over addiction. About: On Point is WBUR’s award-winning, daily public radio show and podcast. Every weekday, host Meghna Chakrabarti leads provocative conversations that help make sense of the world.