Explore every episode of the podcast On Point with Meghna Chakrabarti
| Title | Pub. Date | Duration | |
|---|---|---|---|
| How China's superfast charging cars are leaving American EV's in the dust | 09 Apr 2026 | 00:37:00 | |
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 EV’s in the dust. *** Thank you for listening. Help power On Point by making a donation here: wbur.org/giveonpoint | |||
| What are Israel's goals in Lebanon? | 08 Apr 2026 | 00:37:33 | |
So far, more than a million people have been forcibly displaced by Israel’s invasion of southern Lebanon. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says eradicating Hezbollah is critical for Israeli security. But critics argue Israeli occupation will only reenergize the Iran-backed militia. *** Thank you for listening. Help power On Point by making a donation here: wbur.org/giveonpoint | |||
| How to make AI work for us | 30 Mar 2026 | 00:37:57 | |
AI has become unavoidable. It prompts us when we write emails, handles our customer service issues, answers our internet queries. How AI is changing our lives and what we can do to ensure it's actually helping, not harming us. *** Thank you for listening. Help power On Point by making a donation here: wbur.org/giveonpoint | |||
| The Atlantic and 'The unfinished revolution' | 13 Dec 2025 | 00:57:30 | |
Jeffrey Goldberg, editor in chief of The Atlantic, joins Meghna at WBUR’s CitySpace to discuss The Atlantic's new project examining America at 250 and the most urgent, complex and challenging questions the country is facing. Then, Goldberg interviews Massachusetts Congressman Jake Auchincloss on topics ranging from the state of the Democratic party to the Trump administration's intentions in Venezuela. *** Thank you for listening. Help power On Point by making a donation here: wbur.org/giveonpoint | |||
| The once and future dictionary | 12 Dec 2025 | 00:34:30 | |
The quest to define and canonize new words in American English is as old as the country itself. In the new book "Unabridged: the thrill of (and threat to) the modern dictionary," author Stefan Fatsis explores how that quest has changed in the age of the internet. *** Thank you for listening. Help power On Point by making a donation here: wbur.org/giveonpoint | |||
| The Jackpod: Over there | 12 Dec 2025 | 00:44:46 | |
On Point news analyst Jack Beatty on the Trump administration’s new national security strategy and what it could mean for U.S. relations with longstanding European allies. *** Thank you for listening. Help power On Point by making a donation here: wbur.org/giveonpoint | |||
| Wasted money, effort and opportunity in Afghanistan | 11 Dec 2025 | 00:35:05 | |
A government oversight report exposes billions in wasted U.S. aid during Afghanistan’s reconstruction -- highlighting corruption, mismanagement, and the human toll of failed policy. *** Thank you for listening. Help power On Point by making a donation here: wbur.org/giveonpoint | |||
| When can the U.S. government actually revoke citizenship? | 10 Dec 2025 | 00:32:27 | |
The U.S. Department of Justice says it’s prioritizing denaturalization, or stripping foreign-born Americans of their citizenship. How would that process work and what's at stake? *** Thank you for listening. Help power On Point by making a donation here: wbur.org/giveonpoint | |||
| The Trump administration’s real goal in Venezuela | 09 Dec 2025 | 00:34:47 | |
The U.S. is ready for war with Venezuela with more than a dozen warships and 15,000 troops now in the region. The Trump Administration says it’s about drugs, but some experts say that's a cover for something else. *** Thank you for listening. Help power On Point by making a donation here: wbur.org/giveonpoint | |||
| Is education research actually helping teachers? | 08 Dec 2025 | 00:31:51 | |
A recent analysis finds the majority of presentations at a big annual education research conference were about things like “resistance,” “safe spaces,” and “identity." But many classroom teachers say they want to learn about student behavior, discipline and mental health. Could this gap be damaging American education? *** Thank you for listening. Help power On Point by making a donation here: wbur.org/giveonpoint | |||
| Is hip-hop dying? | 05 Dec 2025 | 00:36:51 | |
Earlier this fall, there were no rap songs in the Billboard Top 40 for the first time since 1990. Is this just a blip in commercial popularity, or is it a sign that hip-hop is losing its grip on mainstream America? *** Thank you for listening. Help power On Point by making a donation here: wbur.org/giveonpoint | |||
| The Jackpod: Rural ressentiment, or ‘the country strikes back’ | 05 Dec 2025 | 00:44:25 | |
On Point news analyst Jack Beatty on the modern history of the multi-faceted divide between rural and urban America and why it threatens democracy. *** Thank you for listening. Help power On Point by making a donation here: wbur.org/giveonpoint | |||
| Why a former federal judge calls Trump ‘uniquely dangerous’ | 04 Dec 2025 | 00:35:26 | |
Mark Wolf spent four decades as a judge on the federal bench after being appointed by President Ronald Reagan. But Wolf recently resigned, citing the Trump administration’s “deeply disturbing assault" on the rule of law. *** Thank you for listening. Help power On Point by making a donation here: wbur.org/giveonpoint | |||
| The Jackpod: Naked to our enemy | 30 Mar 2026 | 00:34:55 | |
On Point news analyst Jack Beatty on how the Trump administration has eroded the ability of the U.S. to counter the threat of terrorism, even as that threat appears to be growing. *** Thank you for listening. Help power On Point by making a donation here: wbur.org/giveonpoint | |||
| A family secret like no other | 03 Dec 2025 | 00:37:29 | |
Christine Kuehn knew hardly anything about her father’s family. But when a mysterious letter reaches her doorstep in 1994, it kicks off a 30-year journey uncovering her family's Nazi history, and their role in the attack on Pearl Harbor. *** Thank you for listening. Help power On Point by making a donation here: wbur.org/giveonpoint | |||
| How the cybersecurity industry is responding to growing foreign threats | 02 Dec 2025 | 00:32:40 | |
American companies are being targeted by foreign spies, ransomware groups and even fake job applicants from North Korea. One cybersecurity firm speaks out about the threats they're seeing and how they're combating them. *** Thank you for listening. Help power On Point by making a donation here: wbur.org/giveonpoint | |||
| What the next generation of doctors needs to know about AI | 01 Dec 2025 | 00:35:57 | |
AI is helping doctors treat patients in American hospitals. But many new doctors say they haven’t been trained in how to use it. Now, Stanford University is mandating AI training for all its medical students. *** Thank you for listening. Help power On Point by making a donation here: wbur.org/giveonpoint | |||
| Meghna Faking the Nation! | 29 Nov 2025 | 00:54:56 | |
Meghna recently appeared on this episode of Fake the Nation, joining comedian and host Negin Farsad and comedian/writer Benari Lee Poulton to share their unvarnished takes on topics ranging from why billionaires love owning sports teams, to just what are the best years of your life? Meghna had fun. We hope you enjoy it too. *** Thank you for listening. Help power On Point by making a donation here: wbur.org/giveonpoint | |||
| How AI is changing the music business | 28 Nov 2025 | 00:36:08 | |
The world’s largest music streaming service now lets users to monetize music in which they don’t play or sing a single note. How is AI shaping how we make and profit from music? *** Thank you for listening. Help power On Point by making a donation here: wbur.org/giveonpoint | |||
| The big impact of small interactions | 27 Nov 2025 | 00:34:58 | |
A stranger holding the door open for you. A friendly wave from a neighbor. An angry driver cuts you off. The new book "The Social Biome" reveals how 'everyday communication connects and shapes us.' *** Thank you for listening. Help power On Point by making a donation here: wbur.org/giveonpoint | |||
| The power of gratitude | 26 Nov 2025 | 00:34:54 | |
Studies show that feeling grateful can make you more patient, honest, generous and even help with your sleep and immune system. Psychologist David DeSteno on how to practice gratitude daily. *** Thank you for listening. Help power On Point by making a donation here: wbur.org/giveonpoint | |||
| Can democracy survive without reading? | 25 Nov 2025 | 00:32:27 | |
People around the world are reading less. In the U.S., the share of people reading for pleasure dropped by 40% in the last 20 years. Writer James Marriott says that puts democracy in danger. *** Thank you for listening. Help power On Point by making a donation here: wbur.org/giveonpoint | |||
| How ACA subsidies became a lifeline for millions of Americans | 24 Nov 2025 | 00:36:49 | |
Some Obamacare subsidies are set to expire at the end of this year. This could double premiums for many enrollees. How a government subsidy that was intended to be temporary, became something millions of Americans cannot live without. *** Thank you for listening. Help power On Point by making a donation here: wbur.org/giveonpoint | |||
| What the U.S. loses when our allies stop sharing intelligence | 21 Nov 2025 | 00:34:40 | |
Intelligence sharing between the U.S. and its allies has long been a powerful national security tool. But recently, some allies have stopped sharing key intelligence with the United States. What does that mean for U.S. national security? *** Thank you for listening. Help power On Point by making a donation here: wbur.org/giveonpoint | |||
| Introducing ‘Question Everything’: Why did ICE Lock Up this Pro-Trump Reporter? (Part One) | 28 Mar 2026 | 00:42:55 | |
The story of an idiosyncratic reporter trying to free himself from U.S. government detention from KCRW’s “Question Everything.” This is the first in a special two-part series about Mario Guevara. The second part is also out now. *** Thank you for listening. Help power On Point by making a donation here: wbur.org/giveonpoint | |||
| The Jackpod: The revolutionary mind | 21 Nov 2025 | 00:39:44 | |
On Point news analyst Jack Beatty on the role that concepts of power, liberty and conspiracy played in the American Revolution. (Inspired by Ken Burns’ PBS documentary series, ‘The American Revolution.’) *** Thank you for listening. Help power On Point by making a donation here: wbur.org/giveonpoint | |||
| Can math equations solve inequality? | 20 Nov 2025 | 00:35:22 | |
Mathematician Eugenia Cheng wants us to rethink our relationship to math -- and equality. We hear how different paths lead to identical outcomes in math, and how that can help us all in real life. *** Thank you for listening. Help power On Point by making a donation here: wbur.org/giveonpoint | |||
| How JPMorgan's embrace of AI could change banking for us all | 19 Nov 2025 | 00:38:42 | |
JPMorgan aims to become the first major bank fully powered by AI. What does that mean for the future of banking? *** Thank you for listening. Help power On Point by making a donation here: wbur.org/giveonpoint | |||
| Why are scam ads everywhere online? | 18 Nov 2025 | 00:31:54 | |
Scam ads are flooding Facebook, YouTube and other social media. Tech companies are making billions allowing them. Who's behind all of these online ads? And what can we do about it? *** Thank you for listening. Help power On Point by making a donation here: wbur.org/giveonpoint | |||
| The Iranian women defying their country’s strict laws | 17 Nov 2025 | 00:40:22 | |
Iranian law controls how women dress, what they drive and what they do in public. But now, more women across Iran are rebelling — risking severe fines or up to 10 years in prison. *** Thank you for listening. Help power On Point by making a donation here: wbur.org/giveonpoint | |||
| What the NBA betting scandal reveals about the mafia today | 14 Nov 2025 | 00:36:02 | |
Last month, federal prosecutors indicted an NBA coach and current and former professional basketball players in an illegal sports betting scheme. How the FBI's investigation into the gambling ring is shining a light on how the mob has evolved to survive. *** Thank you for listening. Help power On Point by making a donation here: wbur.org/giveonpoint | |||
| The Jackpod: Tired of winning yet? | 14 Nov 2025 | 00:32:47 | |
On Point news analyst Jack Beatty on the state of the U.S. economy and what recent polling reveals about the perception gap between President Trump and American workers. *** Thank you for listening. Help power On Point by making a donation here: wbur.org/giveonpoint | |||
| Welcome to the casino economy | 13 Nov 2025 | 00:33:19 | |
Speculative investment is up. New financial products are on the market. Billions of dollars are flowing to unproven industries. Has the American economy become one giant casino? *** Thank you for listening. Help power On Point by making a donation here: wbur.org/giveonpoint | |||
| The real reason for the U.S.-Argentina bailout | 12 Nov 2025 | 00:32:34 | |
American taxpayers are bailing out Argentina to the tune of $20 billion. But what does the U.S. get out of it? And can it really fix Argentina’s economy? *** Thank you for listening. Help power On Point by making a donation here: wbur.org/giveonpoint | |||
| No one wants their MTV | 11 Nov 2025 | 00:31:18 | |
On August 1st, 1981, MTV was born. The 24-hour music video channel transformed the music industry and pop culture. Now, MTV is now shutting down many of its international music channels. *** Thank you for listening. Help power On Point by making a donation here: wbur.org/giveonpoint | |||
| Iran's complex revolutionary history | 27 Mar 2026 | 00:34:39 | |
Many in the West see Iran as a nation defined by a revolution. It’s also one of the world's oldest continuous civilizations that’s withstood centuries of struggle. How Iran’s history affects what’s happening today. *** Thank you for listening. Help power On Point by making a donation here: wbur.org/giveonpoint | |||
| Down payments: Now paid by your employer | 10 Nov 2025 | 00:37:58 | |
Housing has become so expensive in many places that people can't afford to live where they work. So, some local governments and businesses are helping with down payment costs to attract and keep employees. Is it working? *** Thank you for listening. Help power On Point by making a donation here: wbur.org/giveonpoint | |||
| Why insomnia is an American health crisis | 07 Nov 2025 | 00:35:42 | |
More than 1 in 3 adults in the U.S. don’t get enough sleep, and 12% suffer from chronic insomnia. What’s driving more Americans toward chronically poor sleep, and what can be done about it? *** Thank you for listening. Help power On Point by making a donation here: wbur.org/giveonpoint | |||
| The Jackpod: Across the panhandle | 07 Nov 2025 | 00:28:35 | |
On Point news analyst Jack Beatty on a proposed ballot initiative in Montana that could deny corporations the power to spend money on political campaigns. *** Thank you for listening. Help power On Point by making a donation here: wbur.org/giveonpoint | |||
| Epstein survivor Annie Farmer tells her story | 06 Nov 2025 | 00:35:09 | |
Annie Farmer was 16 years old when Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell sexually abused her. What does she want from the Trump administration now? *** Thank you for listening. Help power On Point by making a donation here: wbur.org/giveonpoint | |||
| Is Trumpism what you think it is? | 05 Nov 2025 | 00:39:40 | |
President Trump's supporters say he’s a heaven-sent savior, cracking down on bloated government and unauthorized immigrants. Critics call him authoritarian – targeting political opponents and using the presidency for personal enrichment. *** Thank you for listening. Help power On Point by making a donation here: wbur.org/giveonpoint | |||
| Why the Supreme Court tariffs case is about so much more | 04 Nov 2025 | 00:36:57 | |
This week, the Supreme Court will consider the constitutionality of Trump’s tariffs. But the implications are far greater than trade policy. How the ruling could change the scope of presidential power. *** Thank you for listening. Help power On Point by making a donation here: wbur.org/giveonpoint | |||
| Lessons from America’s peanut allergy flip-flop | 03 Nov 2025 | 00:37:01 | |
For years, doctors warned parents to keep peanuts away from children until they turn three. But that advice backfired. Experts now say delayed exposure helped cause a peanut allergy surge in the U.S. Lessons for public health from peanut allergy advice. *** Thank you for listening. Help power On Point by making a donation here: wbur.org/giveonpoint | |||
| What can 'Frankenstein' teach us about AI? | 31 Oct 2025 | 00:36:16 | |
Director Guillermo del Toro’s new movie adapts Mary Shelley’s horror classic, Frankenstein. It comes as the world is grappling with a new unpredictable creation: artificial intelligence. *** Thank you for listening. Help power On Point by making a donation here: wbur.org/giveonpoint | |||
| The Jackpod: A day that will live in …. | 31 Oct 2025 | 00:41:51 | |
One year after the election of 2024, On Point news analyst Jack Beatty has analysis of what happened that day and why. *** Thank you for listening. Help power On Point by making a donation here: wbur.org/giveonpoint | |||
| How Katie Herzog drank her way to sobriety | 30 Oct 2025 | 00:36:38 | |
For 20 years, journalist Katie Herzog tried to stop drinking. But nothing seemed to work. Until she stumbled upon a lesser-known path to sobriety. *** Thank you for listening. Help power On Point by making a donation here: wbur.org/giveonpoint | |||
| The might and magic of human muscles | 26 Mar 2026 | 00:36:11 | |
Our muscles power us -- from the tissue that pumps blood from our heart to the tiny fibers that give us goosebumps. How exactly do muscles work — and how can we best strengthen them? *** Thank you for listening. Help power On Point by making a donation here: wbur.org/giveonpoint | |||
| What happens when private equity becomes video gaming's 'final boss' | 29 Oct 2025 | 00:34:22 | |
Private equity firms are poised to take over iconic video game maker Electronic Arts in a massive leveraged buyout. What happens when private equity owns the games you play. *** Thank you for listening. Help power On Point by making a donation here: wbur.org/giveonpoint | |||
| Why are suicide rates among young Americans going up? | 28 Oct 2025 | 00:33:28 | |
Young adult suicide rates are rising in the U.S. For Americans aged 18 to 27, the rate increased by nearly 20% in the past decade. What’s behind the rise, and what are states doing about it? *** Thank you for listening. Help power On Point by making a donation here: wbur.org/giveonpoint | |||
| Should states cut their property taxes? | 27 Oct 2025 | 00:33:10 | |
Rising property tax bills are squeezing homeowners across the country. So, several states are proposing expanded tax relief programs or even the complete repeal of property taxes. How these changes would impact local communities. *** Thank you for listening. Help power On Point by making a donation here: wbur.org/giveonpoint | |||