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.

Randi Weingarten on the Peace Movement in Israel; Gary Younge on ‘Rustin’

Randi Weingarten on the Peace Movement in Israel; Gary Younge on ‘Rustin’ Randi Weingarten on the Peace Movement in Israel; Gary Younge on ‘Rustin’

On this episode of Start Making Sense, the AFT president reports on her recent trip to Israel, and the former Guardian correspondent talks about the organizer of the 1963 March on...

Dec 7, 2023 / Podcast / Jon Wiener

Israeli left-wing activists hold a demonstration near the Ministry of Defense in Tel Aviv on November 11, 2023, calling for a cease-fire amid ongoing battles between Israel and Hamas.

D.D. Guttenplan on Ending the War in Gaza and John Powers on “Slow Horses” D.D. Guttenplan on Ending the War in Gaza and John Powers on “Slow Horses”

On this episode of Start Making Sense, The Nation’s editor talks about the peace movement, and our critic reviews the British spy show on TV.

Nov 30, 2023 / Podcast / Jon Wiener

Israeli left-wing activists hold a demonstration near the Ministry of Defense in Tel Aviv on November 11, 2023, calling for a cease-fire amid ongoing battles between Israel and Hamas.

Why We Need the Israeli Left More Than Ever Why We Need the Israeli Left More Than Ever

On this episode of Start Making Sense, Dahlia Scheindlin talks about Israel after Netanyahu, and David Kipen reads from California diaries.

Nov 22, 2023 / Podcast / Jon Wiener

A boy searches through buildings, destroyed during Israeli air raids in the southern Gaza Strip on November 10, 2023, in Khan Yunis, Gaza.

Palestinian Lives and Deaths Palestinian Lives and Deaths

On this week’s episode of Start Making Sense, conversations from our archives, where Rachel Kushner reports on Palestinian refugees and Adam Shatz talks about Edward Said.

Nov 16, 2023 / 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.

Abortion and the Democrats; Gaza and History Abortion and the Democrats; Gaza and History

On this episode of Start Making Sense, John Nichols analyzes Tuesday’s elections, and Fintan O’Toole considers Gaza’s past and future.

Nov 9, 2023 / Podcast / Jon Wiener

People rally in support of Palestinians in Times Square in New York on October 8, 2023.

After a Gaza Cease-Fire: D.D. Guttenplan After a Gaza Cease-Fire: D.D. Guttenplan

On this episode of Start Making Sense, The Nation’s editor comments on the future of Israel and Palestine, and Harold Meyerson analyzes the autoworkers’ victory.

Nov 2, 2023 / Podcast / Jon Wiener

A group of Palestinians stands amid the rubble of a bombed building.

Adam Shatz on Israelis, Palestinians, and Hamas Adam Shatz on Israelis, Palestinians, and Hamas

On this episode of the Start Making Sense podcast, The Nation’s former literary editor comments on the Israeli war underway in Gaza.

Oct 26, 2023 / Podcast / Dave Zirin

Israeli soldier at border near Gaza

Gaza and Us: Amy Wilentz Gaza and Us: Amy Wilentz

On this episode of the Start Making Sense podcast, a conversation about Israel, Hamas, and the Palestinians.

Oct 19, 2023 / Podcast / Jon Wiener

Union members picket outside a General Motors facility in Langhorne, Pa., Monday, Sept. 16, 2019. More than 49,000 members of the United Auto Workers walked off General Motors factory floors or set up picket lines early Monday as contract talks with the company deteriorated into a strike.)

The UAW’s Historic Victory—Plus, Elon Musk and American Democracy The UAW’s Historic Victory—Plus, Elon Musk and American Democracy

On this episode of Start Making Sense, Harold Meyerson analyzes the auto strike, and David Nasaw talks about Tesla and Twitter.

Oct 12, 2023 / Podcast / Jon Wiener

Bill McKibben: Power to the People in Maine—Plus, Clinton’s “Fabulous Failure”

Bill McKibben: Power to the People in Maine—Plus, Clinton’s “Fabulous Failure” Bill McKibben: Power to the People in Maine—Plus, Clinton’s “Fabulous Failure”

Podcast / Start Making Sense / Oct 5, 2023 Bill McKibben: Power to the People in Maine—Plus, Clinton’s “Fabulous Failure” On this episode of Start Making Sense, the coming re…

Oct 5, 2023 / Podcast

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