On Point | Podcast

The late William F. Buckley, Jr. is one of the most important figures of the American right. How did the erudite and dapper Yale man pave the way for President Donald Trump?

The Congressional Budget Office estimates the current budget bill will add $3 trillion to the federal deficit over the next decade. On Point wraps up a weeklong exploration of what Trump's budget bill tells us about government spending and our financial future.

On Point news analyst Jack Beatty on the connections and correlation between President Trump, his most loyal supporters and the popularity of the Fox News Channel.

The One Big Beautiful Bill Act will increase defense spending to over $1 trillion for the first time in U.S. history. But will it actually improve U.S. national security?

Republicans are proposing significant changes to food assistance, which could impact supplemental nutrition programs for older adults, school lunches and the agriculture industry. What will the cuts mean for hunger and nutrition in the U.S.?

The One Big Beautiful Bill Act is really about one big thing: Taxes. Some conservative economists say it also shows a striking shift in Republican tax policy.

The 'One Big Beautiful Bill' is making big changes to health care. Getting rid of automatic enrollment to the ACA, cutting premium assistance, adding work requirements for Medicaid. What the budget bill means for health care.

A bonus episode in our series "Falling Behind: The Miseducation of America's Boys." Dr. Kevin Simon, attending pediatric psychiatrist at Boston Children’s Hospital, shares his experience and expertise in a conversation recorded on stage at WBUR CitySpace.

Between 2019 and 2020, nearly 2 million people took to the streets of Hong Kong to fight legislation that could give Chinese authorities the power to criminalize dissent. It's been 5 years since China passed the so-called national security law. How has Hong Kong changed?

On Point news analyst Jack Beatty on how political activist Christopher Rufo became one of the most influential voices in conservative politics today.

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.

The Trump administration is clamping down on foreign students who want to attend American universities – and the schools that admit them. What that could mean for innovation and enterprise in the U.S. and around the world.

The White House is demanding that ICE make 3,000 arrests per day – and it's pulling in agents from the FBI and the DEA to help. How Trump's push for mass deportations is reshaping U.S. law enforcement.

We tend to associate “brainwashing” with cults and hostages, but author and science historian Rebecca Lemov says it can happen to anyone. Her new book “The Instability of Truth" explores the history and science of brainwashing and what it can teach us with misinformation on the rise.

Trump’s space-based missile defense system. Could it protect the country against a nuclear attack, or is it technically impossible?

On Point news analyst Jack Beatty on how the impact of AI in the 21st century could be more disruptive to the workforce than mass production was in the 20th century.

Israel's government recently voted to ramp up the war in Gaza. A food blockade starved Gazans for months. And critical voices internationally, and within Israel itself, are rising. What do Israel’s government and its people want now in Gaza?

Running tests on lab rats, mice and other species is an integral part of biomedical research. Now, some say artificial intelligence and other technologies could soon make the practice obsolete.

For decades, kids in St. Louis County caught crawdads in Coldwater Creek, made mudpies, went swimming -- and were exposed to nuclear waste. Hear the story of how St. Louis became a dumping ground for radioactive waste generated by the Manhattan Project.

YouTube turns 20 this year. The platform now hosts 20 billion videos, and lets basically anyone, anywhere on Earth, create, share and watch. How has YouTube changed us?

On Point news analyst Jack Beatty on the Environmental Protection Agency’s new mission under the leadership of its new administrator, Lee Zeldin.

NBA teams have nearly tripled the number of 3-point attempts since the turn of the century. Fans now say it's hurting the game. Is the NBA taking too many 3s?

In an effort to reduce inequality in education outcomes, some school districts are removing honors classes or other programs for high achievers. Some students, parents and teachers say the push to "de-track" or "de-level" classrooms is limiting learning for everyone.

The Trump administration says it's going to modernize air traffic control equipment. Many administrations before have promised the same thing. So why hasn't it happened?

Rebroadcast: Being alone often gets a bad rap. But research shows alone time can actually boost overall well-being, increasing our emotional regulation, contentment and creativity.

AI is playing a larger role in the job hunting and hiring process. It helps job seekers fine-tune their resumes and cover letters, and employers winnow down applicants. But the new technology isn’t getting it all right.

On Point news analyst Jack Beatty assesses what Elon Musk and his Department of Government of Efficiency have achieved as Musk’s appointment as special government employee is due to expire.

El Salvador was once the murder capital of the world. Now under President Nayib Bukele, it’s safer than Canada. But with 2% of its population locked up -- what is the real cost of this newfound safety?

A $400 million jet from Qatar. His own crypto coin. Is President Donald Trump normalizing corruption?

No witnesses. No physical evidence. An ironclad alibi. Nevertheless, a Texas jury sentenced Ben Spencer to life in prison for a murder he didn't commit. Journalist and author Barbara Bradley Hagerty shares what it took to set Spencer free.

AI companies say they are running out of high-quality data to train their models on. But they might have a solution: data generated by artificial intelligence systems themselves. The pros and cons of synthetic data.

Texas state legislature just passed a bill that would send doctors, teachers, librarians and more to jail if they provide kids with "harmful" materials. But who decides what's harmful, and what's not?

On Point news analyst Jack Beatty on the life and experiences of the White House Deputy Chief of Staff and their connection with Trumpism.

A ceasefire deal has put a pause on conflict between India and Pakistan. But experts say the two nuclear powers have a lot to work out if the Kashmir region is to move toward long-term peace.

The world's 1.4 billion Catholics have a new pope, Leo XIV. But the church he now leads is far from unified. What does the global Catholic Church want from a new pope -- and can he deliver it?

The Biden administration first labeled Venezuelan gang as a multi-national criminal organization. President Trump has now put Tren de Aragua at the center of the debate over immigration and deportation. But will his methods neutralize the threat Tren de Aragua poses to the U.S.?

As the U.S. military faces a recruiting crisis, women have been consistent enlistees into America’s armed forces. So why is Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth canceling a program supporting them?

The vast majority of Trump’s executive orders have come from The Heritage Foundation’s Project 2025, and the so-called "America First" plan. How the Trump administration is turning Project 2025 and the so-called 'America First' agenda into reality.

On Point news analyst Jack Beatty on what President Trump does and doesn’t know about U.S. history and what that means for the country today.

The Trump administration wants to expand the American lumber industry by logging more trees in national forests and raising tariffs on lumber imports. The impact that could have on the domestic timber industry.

Hurricane Helene devastated western North Carolina last year. President Donald Trump promised North Carolinians he wouldn’t forget them. But recently, Trump's FEMA rejected the state's request for extended relief funding.

Starting May 7, you will have to have a REAL ID to board a U.S. domestic flight. But so much has changed in the 20 years since Real ID was first proposed, is REAL ID 20 years out-of-date?

Millions of healthy children didn't set foot in a classroom for more than a year during the COVID pandemic. Journalist David Zweig says those school closures may have done more harm than good.

President Trump believes that if you're born in the United States, you should not automatically be a citizen. Historian Heather Cox Richardson says Trump is willfully misinterpreting American history and the Constitution.

On Point news analyst Jack Beatty on the centrality of the rule of law in the U.S. And the findings of a Pew Research poll that 88% of Americans believe that President Trump should follow Supreme Court orders.

Austin, Texas was known as a funky, liberal haven in a deep red state. Now, there’s big tech money pouring in and huge growth. How has life changed there?

Flamin' Hot Cheetos, Skittles, Mountain Dew Baja Blast. These foods all contain petroleum-based synthetic food dyes the FDA wants to phase out by the end of next year. Will the ban change American eating habits?

The Tesla Takedown protests have been mostly peaceful, but there have been a few incidents of vandalism and even property destruction. Now, Elon Musk and his allies are calling the entire protest movement "domestic terrorism." Is that a fair label?

Tariffs, mortgage rates, clashes with the fed – all make for uncertainty in the economy. On Point’s “Money Ladies” Michelle Singletary and Rana Foroohar join us to talk about your money, the global economy and America’s future.

Will AI devastate humanity or uplift it? Philosopher Christopher DiCarlo's new book examines how we can navigate when AI surpasses human capacity.

The immigration status of Afghans who helped the U.S. government is in jeopardy under the latest Trump crackdowns. How that impacts Afghan refugees and their families already in the U.S. and those stuck abroad.

Harvard University is suing the White House. What the university’s clash with the Trump Administration means for the rest of higher education.

As the Trump Administration looks to cut government spending, many Indigenous communities say they’re losing vital public services. It could be a violation of long-standing treaties between tribes and the federal government.

With more than 60% of Americans taking a prescription drug, there are increasing questions about how these medicines are approved, how they're kept safe and how they’re priced. In a new book, Harvard’s Dr. Jerry Avorn argues the drugs we take have been compromised by profits.

Teenage boys are experiencing increasing rates of loneliness and suicidal thoughts -- which is having a direct impact on their achievement in school. How can schools address that? The final part in On Point’s special series “Falling Behind: The Miseducation of America’s Boys.”

After decades of decline, male teachers now make up less than a quarter of the public-school teaching force. What’s driving men away, and what would it take to bring them back? On Point’s weeklong series exploring boys and education continues.

Data show boys are falling behind in school. Black boys are falling behind the most. What’s happening in classrooms that are bucking that trend? On Point’s weeklong series exploring boys and education continues.

'Boys will be boys.' How are perceptions about boys’ behavior in the classroom shaping their entire education? It’s part two of On Point’s weeklong series, "Falling Behind: The Miseducation of America's Boys."

Boys fall behind girls in education in the U.S. starting as young as eight years old. Understanding how boys learn is key to knowing why that’s happening. It's part one of On Point’s weeklong series “Falling Behind: The Miseducation of America’s Boys.”

Spotify promised independent artists a new revenue stream, and listeners exposure to new music. In the new book 'Mood Machine,' music journalist Liz Pelly examines how the streaming giant has shaped our listening habits.

On Point news analyst Jack Beatty on who’s been advising President Trump on his tariff policies.

A White House executive order seeks to eliminate “improper anti-American ideology” and promote "American greatness" at the nation’s museums. What Trump's recent attacks on the Smithsonian mean for how Americans understand their shared history.

A new On Point special series explores why America’s boys are falling behind in school, and what can be done about it. Hear the first episode on Monday, April 14 in your podcast feed.

Many on the political right accuse the left of policing what people can and can't say. Now, the Trump administration is cracking down on words related to diversity and inclusion. Has a so-called 'woke right' replaced the so-called 'woke left?'

From pandemic inflation to the impact of tariffs the price of groceries is getting a lot of attention. But who decides what we pay -- and why?

The National Weather Service has been around for more than 150 years – their mission is explicitly to provide forecasts and warnings to protect lives and property. Experts warn that its hollowing out could have long-lasting implications.

In this week’s Jackpod Meghna and Jack spoke about this episode of On Point from August last year about ‘radical monarchist’ Curtis Yarvin and the so-called New Right movement. To make it easy to find we’re dropping it here again.

President Trump has signed several Executive Orders targeting law firms who have challenged his agenda or hired his political enemies. Many in the legal community worry about the impact this could have on the overall legal system.

On Point news analyst Jack Beatty on Donald Trump’s musings about being president for a third term and what paths might exist for that to happen.

The merchant marines are sometimes referred to as the "fourth arm of national defense." So what does a shortage mean for American security?

Rebroadcast: Judith Boivin thought she was helping the FBI go after drug traffickers. But in reality she had fallen victim to an elaborate plot to rob her of her retirement savings. She is not alone. How elaborate new scams are trapping well-meaning Americans.

They used to work in now-shuttered regional social security offices, or protecting our National Parks or nuclear security. Then President Trump, Elon Musk and DOGE terminated their positions -- and thousands more.

Escalating trade wars, disputes with allies, group chats with top U.S. officials' attack plans. What does the second Trump administration look like from China?

Dozens of Afghan women studying abroad are terrified of being sent back to Afghanistan if the State Department cancels their U.S.-funded scholarships. In this archive episode from September last year, Afghan women reveal what it's like to live under Taliban rule.

Rebroadcast: 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.

On Point news analyst Jack Beatty looks ahead to April 2nd, what the Trump administration has dubbed Liberation Day, when an array of reciprocal tariffs go into effect.

Conspiracy theorists believe more than $400 billion of gold is missing from Fort Knox. President Trump says he will visit Kentucky with Elon Musk to see if the gold is there. Some economists and historians say this tells us more about the economy in general than security of gold resources.

Mortgage finance giants Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac have been under government conservatorship since 2008. President Trump wants to privatize them. But what could that mean for America's mortgage market?

Americans throw away more than 15 billion pounds of electronic waste every year. In his new book 'Waste Wars,' Alexander Clapp reveals how millions of pounds of our trash get shipped around the world, making a few people rich and many people sick.

Masayoshi Son is pouring billions of dollars into U.S. artificial intelligence and flexing his ties to President Donald Trump. Who is this Japanese billionaire and what does he want?

Rebroadcast: Dyslexia affects one in every 5 Americans. But only 2 million are diagnosed and receive the help they need. Why?

On Point news analyst Jack Beatty on emerging angst and growing protests over the Trump administration, far from the centers of political power in Washington D.C.

Journalist Natasha Hakimi Zapata's book “Another World is Possible” explores what the U.S. could learn about ways to tackle issues such as inequality, health care and homelessness from innovative solutions deployed abroad.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth vowed to reshape the Pentagon. How the Trump administration is making sweeping changes to the U.S. armed services, just two months into its term.

In the U.S., shopping is almost a religion. For Emily Mester’s family, Costco was their Sunday ritual. In her new book, 'American Bulk,' Mester tells the story of how her family struggled with the desire to own everything they possibly could.

The Trump White House is using Department of Homeland Security intelligence to identify pro-Palestinian college protesters. Courts have ruled that campus protests are protected by the First Amendment. But as the Trump administration seeks to punish speech it does not like, whose first amendment rights are next?

President Donald Trump declared America is entering a “Golden Age” on Inauguration Day. But as inequality grows, some historians say that the country is in a new Gilded Age.

On Point news analyst Jack Beatty looks at the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine from Russian president Vladimir Putin’s perspective, as a ‘preventive war.’

Artificial Intelligence algorithms are being used to decide who gets welfare benefits, and how much. Some experts say it’s leading to “devastating” cuts in benefits for those most in need.

Alaska’s Glacier Bay National Park was first designated a national monument a century ago. Even with climate change, Glacier Bay has a surprising story to tell about nature’s resilience.

The House has passed a budget resolution, and a plan to extend President Trump's 2017 tax cuts. What’s known about the impact of those cuts on American taxpayers and the economy?

In 1997, Walter Johnson was given five life sentences for robbery and drug offences. Decades later, he was released by the same judge who originally sentenced him. A conversation with that judge about the power of second chances. 

Basketball legend Michael Jordan’s automotive racing team 23XI is suing NASCAR, alleging the organization is an illegal monopoly. The case could make waves across the entire sport.

On Point news analyst Jack Beatty on the numerous ways Donald Trump has sided with Russian President Vladimir Putin since re-entering the White House.

From laptops to learning software, schools invest billions of dollars each year on education technology. But what do we really know about how effective that tech is in the classroom?

FBI Director Kash Patel wants to go after President Trump's enemies. That reminds some historians of J. Edgar Hoover, the FBI's notorious first director. But some say Patel wants to weaponize the FBI so completely, even Hoover would disapprove.

Bond traders are worried about President Donald Trump’s proposed tax cuts – and the ever-growing national debt. Could the bond market be a check on Trump’s agenda?