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.

Protesters hold a huge banner reading

The Abortion Pill Underground—Plus, Can Dems Hold the Senate? The Abortion Pill Underground—Plus, Can Dems Hold the Senate?

On this episode of Start Making Sense, Amy Littlefield on the post-Roe red states, and John Nichols on Senate races in swing states.

May 22, 2024 / Podcast / Jon Wiener

Danzig-Polish fugitives, mostly Jews from the towns surrounding Warsaw, waiting in the quarantine station at Danzig for vessels sailing to the United States, in 1920.

American Origins of the Israel-Palestine Conflict—Plus, Climate Hope American Origins of the Israel-Palestine Conflict—Plus, Climate Hope

On this episode, Harold Meyerson talks about the immigration restriction act passed 100 years ago this month and Elizabeth Kolbert about her new climate change book, H Is for Hope...

May 15, 2024 / Podcast / Jon Wiener

The Mob Attack on UCLA’s Protest Encampment—Plus Israel, Hamas, and Sexual Violence

The Mob Attack on UCLA’s Protest Encampment—Plus Israel, Hamas, and Sexual Violence The Mob Attack on UCLA’s Protest Encampment—Plus Israel, Hamas, and Sexual Violence

On this episode of Start Making Sense, David Myers comments on protest at UCLA, and Azadeh Moaveni discusses sexual violence on October 7 and after.

May 8, 2024 / Podcast / Jon Wiener

President Joe Biden speaking at the Dutch Creek Farms as he kicked off his Rural Investment Tour on November 1, 2023.

How Dems Can Win Rural Voters, Plus “Who’s Afraid of Gender?” How Dems Can Win Rural Voters, Plus “Who’s Afraid of Gender?”

On this episode of Start Making Sense, Anthony Flaccavento talks about a Rural New Deal, and Katha Pollitt critiques Judith Butler’s new book.

May 1, 2024 / Podcast / Jon Wiener

A Better Two-State Solution—Plus, the UAW's Victory

A Better Two-State Solution—Plus, the UAW's Victory A Better Two-State Solution—Plus, the UAW's Victory

Podcast / Start Making Sense / Apr 24, 2024 A Better Two-State Solution—Plus, the UAW’s Victory On this episode of Start Making Sense, May Pundak explains the vision of…

Apr 24, 2024 / Podcast

Trump-Campaigns-In-Erie

Trump’s Very Bad Week— Plus, Prestige TV, From “The Sympathizer” to “Shogun” Trump’s Very Bad Week— Plus, Prestige TV, From “The Sympathizer” to “Shogun”

Podcast / Start Making Sense / Apr 17, 2024 Trump’s Very Bad Week— Plus, Prestige TV, From The Sympathizer to Shogun Trump’s Very Bad Week— Plus, Prestige TV, From “The Sympa…

Apr 17, 2024 / Podcast

Donald Trump Rally with Joe Biden video

Democrats vs. Billionaires, Hamas vs. Fatah Democrats vs. Billionaires, Hamas vs. Fatah

On this episode of Start Making Sense, Bhaskar Sunkara talks about how Democratic candidates win, and Hussein Ibish analyzes the political battle for control of the PLO.

Apr 10, 2024 / Podcast / Jon Wiener

A convoy of 30 vehicles driven by Israeli activists from the “Standing Together” movement, gather in the southern Israeli city of Ashkelon near the border with the Gaza Strip on March 7, 2024, in a show of support for Palestinians.

Israeli Jews and Palestinians Standing Together—Plus, Blue Cities in Red States Israeli Jews and Palestinians Standing Together—Plus, Blue Cities in Red States

On this episode of Start Making Sense, Sally Abed talks about Israel’s biggest Jewish-Palestinian grassroots movement, and Harold Meyerson reports on GOP states preempting action ...

Apr 3, 2024 / Podcast / Jon Wiener

Voting signage outside a polling location in Toledo, Ohio, on Tuesday, November 7, 2023. Ohioans are considering a proposed amendment, called Issue 1, to prevent the state from interfering with reproductive decisions, including contraception, while allowing abortion bans with exceptions after fetal viability.

Wages on the Ballot in Battleground States—Plus, Cities With Cease-Fire Resolutions Wages on the Ballot in Battleground States—Plus, Cities With Cease-Fire Resolutions

On this episode of Start Making Sense, Saru Jayaraman talks about minimum-wage initiatives, and John Nichols reports on city councils’ stands against the war in Gaza.

Mar 27, 2024 / Podcast / Jon Wiener

Joe Biden AIPAC

Jews Against AIPAC—Plus, Free Speech on Campus Jews Against AIPAC—Plus, Free Speech on Campus

Podcast / Start Making Sense / Mar 20, 2024 Jews Against AIPAC—Plus, Free Speech on Campus On this episode of Start Making Sense, Alan Minsky talks about Jewish opposition to…

Mar 20, 2024 / Podcast

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