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.

Right-Wing Attacks on Small-Town Libraries—Plus, “The Snow Leopard”

Right-Wing Attacks on Small-Town Libraries—Plus, “The Snow Leopard” Right-Wing Attacks on Small-Town Libraries—Plus, “The Snow Leopard”

On this episode of Start Making Sense, Sasha Abramsky on the culture war, and Pico Iyer on Peter Matthieson’s spiritual journey through the Himalayas.

Aug 17, 2023 / Podcast / Jon Wiener

A demonstrator stands outside the Barrett Prettyman Courthouse in Washington, D.C., on August 1, 2023, the day of former president Donald Trump’s indictment related to his efforts to overturn the results of the 2020 election.

Erwin Chemerinsky on the Trump Indictment, Plus Katha Pollitt on “Barbie” Erwin Chemerinsky on the Trump Indictment, Plus Katha Pollitt on “Barbie”

On this episode of Start Making Sense, the prosecution strategy against Trump, and the reasons for the success of this year's biggest blockbuster.

Aug 10, 2023 / Podcast / Jon Wiener

A bag of popcorn, Barbie website displayed on a phone screen and Oppenheimer poster displayed on a screen in the background are seen in this illustration photo taken on August 1, 2023.

Trump’s Trials, Plus Barbie and Oppie Trump’s Trials, Plus Barbie and Oppie

On this episode of Start Making Sense, Joan Walsh talks about prosecuting the ex-president, and John Powers discuses this summer’s two biggest movies.

Aug 3, 2023 / Podcast / Jon Wiener

United Parcel Services (UPS) workers walk a “practice picket line” on July 7, 2023, in the Queens borough of New York City, ahead of the UPS strike.

The Teamsters Win, but Hollywood Continues to Strike The Teamsters Win, but Hollywood Continues to Strike

Podcast / Start Making Sense / Jul 27, 2023 The Teamsters Win, but Hollywood Continues to Strike On this episode of the Start Making Sense podcast, John Nichols reports on th…

Jul 27, 2023 / Podcast

The War on Black Studies—Plus, Hollywood on Strike

The War on Black Studies—Plus, Hollywood on Strike The War on Black Studies—Plus, Hollywood on Strike

On this episode of the Start Making Sense Podcast, Robin Kelley talks about Rick DeSantis, and Josh Gondelman comments on SAG and the WGA

Jul 20, 2023 / Podcast / Jon Wiener

Cornel West speaks at the 2019 Hutchins Center Honors W.E.B. Du Bois Medal Ceremony at Harvard University on October 22, 2019.

Cornel West Should Run as a Democrat; Plus, Supreme Court Wins and Losses Cornel West Should Run as a Democrat; Plus, Supreme Court Wins and Losses

On this episode of the Start Making Sense podcast, Nation editor D.D. Guttenplan discusses the primaries, and David Cole analyzes the Supreme Court and the Constitution.

Jul 13, 2023 / Podcast / Jon Wiener

UPS workers and Teamsters members during a rally outside a UPS hub in the Brooklyn borough of New York on Friday, April 21, 2023.

Summer of Strikes—Plus, After Affirmative Action Summer of Strikes—Plus, After Affirmative Action

On this episode of Start Making Sense, Jane McAlevey talks about unions, and John Nichols comments on the politics of education.

Jul 6, 2023 / Podcast / Jon Wiener

Protesters line the corner of Commerce and North Prince Street during a pro-choice rally held by Eastern New Mexico Rising in Clovis, N.M., on January 22, 2022.

The Battle on the Abortion Borderland, Plus RFK Jr. The Battle on the Abortion Borderland, Plus RFK Jr.

On this episode of the Start Making Sense podcast, Amy Littlefield reports on abortion access a year after the repeal of Roe, and Joan Walsh talks about her experience with the ant...

Jun 29, 2023 / Podcast / Jon Wiener

voting booth

How Democrats Can Win Working-Class Voters and How Doctors Are Fighting Against Hospitals How Democrats Can Win Working-Class Voters and How Doctors Are Fighting Against Hospitals

On this episode of the Start Making Sense podcast, Katie Rader talks about politics and Eyal Press reports on medical care in America.

Jun 22, 2023 / Podcast / Jon Wiener

Cornel West speaks at Harvard University

Cornel West Should Not Be Running for President; Plus the GOP vs. Divorce Cornel West Should Not Be Running for President; Plus the GOP vs. Divorce

On this episode of Start Making Sense, Joan Walsh on politics, and Katha Pollitt on Republicans and women.

Jun 15, 2023 / Podcast / Jon Wiener

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