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.

Federal agents block people protesting an ICE immigration raid at a nearby licensed cannabis farm on July 10, 2025, near Camarillo, California.

How the Courts Blocked ICE’s Racial Profiling—Plus, How Organizers Succeed How the Courts Blocked ICE’s Racial Profiling—Plus, How Organizers Succeed

On this episode of Start Making Sense, Mark Rosenbaum on the injunction in LA, and Michael Ansara on The Hard Work of Hope.

Jul 23, 2025 / Podcast / Jon Wiener

Musk’s Third Party—Plus, the Birthright Citizenship Class Action

Musk’s Third Party—Plus, the Birthright Citizenship Class Action Musk’s Third Party—Plus, the Birthright Citizenship Class Action

On this episode of Start Making Sense, the Working Families Party’s Maurice Mitchell on Musk’s “American Party” and David Cole on why birthright citizenship will win at the Suprem...

Jul 16, 2025 / Podcast / Jon Wiener

Trump vs. LA—Plus, Rachel Kushner’s “Creation Lake”

Trump vs. LA—Plus, Rachel Kushner’s “Creation Lake” Trump vs. LA—Plus, Rachel Kushner’s “Creation Lake”

On this episode of Start Making Sense, Harold Meyerson on the fight against ICE in Southern California, and Rachel Kushner on her latest novel.

Jul 9, 2025 / Podcast / Jon Wiener

Zohran Mamdani is seen at the 2025 NYC Pride March on June 29, 2025.

How Mamdani Won—Plus, Harvard vs. Trump How Mamdani Won—Plus, Harvard vs. Trump

On this episode of Start Making Sense, Bhaskar Sunkara on New York’s seismic election, and E.J. Dionne on universities under attack.

Jul 2, 2025 / Podcast / Jon Wiener

E. Jean Carroll leaves the courthouse on September 6, 2024 in New York City.

How E. Jean Carroll Beat Trump in Court—Plus, What Really Happened In the 2024 Election How E. Jean Carroll Beat Trump in Court—Plus, What Really Happened In the 2024 Election

Podcast / Start Making Sense / Jun 25, 2025 How E. Jean Carroll Beat Trump in Court—Plus, What Really Happened In the 2024 Election On this episode of Start Making Sense, E.

Jun 25, 2025 / Podcast

Thousands of protesters gather in Grand Park by City Hall during the nationwide No Kings protest in Los Angeles, Calif., on June 14, 2025.

Lessons of "No Kings"—Plus, Stopping the Medicaid Cuts Lessons of "No Kings"—Plus, Stopping the Medicaid Cuts

On this episode of Start Making Sense, Indivisible's Leah Greenberg talks about next steps, and labor strategist Ai-jen Poo talks about the summer’s big political campaign.

Jun 18, 2025 / Podcast / Jon Wiener

Protesters continue to clash with the Los Angeles Police Department in downtown Los Angeles over the immigration raids on Monday, June 9, 2025.

Saturday’s “No Kings” Day of Defiance—Plus, a Report from LA Saturday’s “No Kings” Day of Defiance—Plus, a Report from LA

On this episode of Start Making Sense, Indivisible's Ezra Levin on Saturday’s nationwide protests, and Harold Meyerson on the National Guard and the Marines in Los Angeles.

Jun 11, 2025 / Podcast / Jon Wiener

Virginia Democratic gubernatorial candidate, former representative Abigail Spanberger speaks during an Everytown for Gun Safety rally on April 10, 2025.

The 2025 Vote the Dems Must Win—Plus, New York in the 1960s The 2025 Vote the Dems Must Win—Plus, New York in the 1960s

On this episode of Start Making Sense, John Nichols talks about key races this November, and J. Hoberman remembers New York’s 1960s avant-garde.

Jun 4, 2025 / Podcast / Jon Wiener

Deserted pickup truck display and US flag at Garrett Farms, outside of Midland, Texas.

Winning Rural Voters—Plus, J. Edgar Hoover Winning Rural Voters—Plus, J. Edgar Hoover

On this episode of Start Making Sense, Anthony Flaccavento and Erica Etelson explain the Rural New Deal, and Beverly Gage says the FBI’s first Director actually did some good thin...

May 28, 2025 / Podcast / Jon Wiener

Protesters gather in downtown Chicago on May 17, 2025, to commemorate 77 years of Nakba, marking the displacement of Palestinians.

Jamie Raskin on “A Rally a Day”—Plus, the Books of 1925 Jamie Raskin on “A Rally a Day”—Plus, the Books of 1925

On this episode of Start Making Sense, Jamie Raskin talks about defeating Trump, and Tom Lutz comments on the books of 1925 that are not The Great Gatsby.

May 21, 2025 / Podcast / Jon Wiener

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