Start Making Sense

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Start Making Sense is The Nation’s flagship weekly podcast, hosted by contributing editor Jon Wiener, featuring the magazine’s writers and editors as well as activists who shape the week in news. Subscribe at Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts, for new episodes each Wednesday.

What Happened and What Comes Next

What Happened and What Comes Next What Happened and What Comes Next

On this episode of Start Making Sense, John Nichols analyzes the election results.

Nov 6, 2024 / Podcast / Jon Wiener

Democratic presidential nominee, Vice President Kamala Harris speaks during a campaign rally on October 28, 2024, in Ann Arbor, Michigan.

Harris’s Closing Arguments, Plus Election Protection Harris’s Closing Arguments, Plus Election Protection

On this episode of Start Making Sense, Bhaskar Sunkara on working-class issues, and Sophia Lin Lakin on the ACLU’s preparations.

Oct 30, 2024 / Podcast / Jon Wiener

Supporters of former president Donald Trump watch as he holds a rally in the historical Democratic district of the South Bronx on May 23, 2024, in New York City.

Are Black and Latino Voters Really “Drifting”? Plus Melania and Her Memoir Are Black and Latino Voters Really “Drifting”? Plus Melania and Her Memoir

On this episode of Start Making Sense, Steve Phillips on electoral demographics and Amy Wilentz on the former first lady’s new book.

Oct 23, 2024 / Podcast / Jon Wiener

Understanding the Undecideds, plus Working Class Voters Now

Understanding the Undecideds, plus Working Class Voters Now Understanding the Undecideds, plus Working Class Voters Now

On this episode of Start Making Sense, Rick Perlstein on the failures of journalism, and Eyal Press on Harris in Pennsylvania.

Oct 16, 2024 / Podcast / Jon Wiener

Representative Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (D-WA) participates in the Bipartisan Defending Borders, Defending Democracies Act news conference in the US Capitol on Wednesday, March 6, 2024.

The Polls and Us—Plus, How a Dem Wins in a Red District The Polls and Us—Plus, How a Dem Wins in a Red District

On this episode of Start Making Sense, Rick Perlstein on polls and Marc Cooper on Representative Gleusenkamp Perez's campaign in Washington.

Oct 9, 2024 / Podcast / Jon Wiener

Travels in Trumpland—Plus, the Fight Over “Freedom”

Travels in Trumpland—Plus, the Fight Over “Freedom” Travels in Trumpland—Plus, the Fight Over “Freedom”

On this episode of Start Making Sense, John Nichols reports on Democrats in Red districts, and Eric Foner talks about Kamala’s campaign to claim a key concept of Reaganism.

Oct 2, 2024 / Podcast / Jon Wiener

Republican vice presidential nominee, US Senator JD Vance (R-OH) speaks with media on September 14, 2024, in Greenville, North Carolina.

Trump and Vance, Cats and Dogs, and Haiti; Plus, Small-Town Trumpers Trump and Vance, Cats and Dogs, and Haiti; Plus, Small-Town Trumpers

On this episode of Start Making Sense, Amy Wilentz talks about Haitians in the US, and Sasha Abramsky reports on MAGA as a local political movement.

Sep 25, 2024 / Podcast / Jon Wiener

Republican presidential nominee former president Donald Trump, on September 13, 2024, in Las Vegas, Nevada.

This Time It Will Be Harder for Trump to Challenge the Election—Plus, Talking to Trumpers This Time It Will Be Harder for Trump to Challenge the Election—Plus, Talking to Trumpers

On this episode of Start Making Sense, Rick Hasen on election law, and Arlie Hochschild on white men in Appalachia.

Sep 18, 2024 / Podcast / Jon Wiener

Former US president Donald Trump and US Vice President Kamala Harris during the second presidential debate in Philadelphia on September 10, 2024.

What Kamala Accomplished at the Debate— Plus Victory for Homeless Vets What Kamala Accomplished at the Debate— Plus Victory for Homeless Vets

On this episode of the Start Making Sense podcast, John Nichols analyzes the presidential debate, and Mark Rosenbaum reports on the VA’s defeat in LA.

Sep 11, 2024 / Podcast / Jon Wiener

Cynthia Fardella of Fort Lauderdale, Florida, shows her support during an event for women's reproductive rights, on June 24, 2024.

Florida as Abortion Ground Zero, Plus Rachel Kushner on “Creation Lake” Florida as Abortion Ground Zero, Plus Rachel Kushner on “Creation Lake”

On this episode of Start Making Sense, Amy Littlefield reports on the battle for reproductive rights, and Rachel Kushner talks about her new novel.

Sep 4, 2024 / Podcast / Jon Wiener

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