300 episodes
On Point WBUR
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- News
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4.2 • 3K Ratings
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Let's make sense of the world – together. From the economy and health care to politics and the environment – and so much more – On Point host Meghna Chakrabarti speaks with newsmakers and real people about the issues that matter most. On Point is produced by WBUR.
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The paradox: How democracy can lead to liberalism — or fascism
In a truly open society, all ideas can flourish -- even those that tear down democracies. New technologies help those ideas spread. So, are fragile democracies the norm? Zac Gershberg, Sean Illing and Jack Beatty join Meghna Chakrabarti.
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Rebroadcast: The mental health crisis among American children of color
Youth suicide has been on the rise across the United States. And for young people between the ages of 5 and 12, the suicide rate for Black children is nearly double that of white children. Tami Charles and Kevin Simon join Meghna Chakrabarti.
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What happens when American teens get more sleep
The typical teen body clock and the typical school start time are out of synch. California is pushing back the start of the high school day. Other districts already have. Did it work? Lisa L. Lewis joins Meghna Chakrabarti.
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First person: Thinking globally, acting locally to save the monarch butterfly
First person: Jose Luis Alvarez, co-founder of Forests for Monarchs, and Martha Askins, a retired lawyer, discuss the beauty of the monarch butterfly and conservation efforts to save them.
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How to save the endangered monarch butterfly
Every year, migratory monarch butterflies travel thousands of miles.
But for decades, their population has been declining. Now, the monarchs are endangered.
We discuss how to save the endangered monarch butterfly. Orley “Chip” Taylor and Wendy Caldwell join Meghna Chakrabarti. -
Behind the new study changing how doctors view depression
You’ve seen the pharma ads saying depression may be caused by a chemical imbalance in the brain. But for years, doctors have known that's not entirely true. A big new study confirms that, and it’s come as a shock to patients. Daniel Carlat joins us.
Customer Reviews
Unenumerated rights
Thank you for speaking on the ninth amendment. It’s rarely mentioned in discussions on our constitutional rights.
No way to fix electoral college—get rid of it!
Good topic, but since day one the electoral college has been a disaster. It prevents us from being a true democracy with one person one vote.
It also magnifies our differences with its winner take all strategy. In reality, all states are shades of purple.
A fix which throws problems into the courts will have to deal with the large quantities of federal judges appointed by Trump based mostly on their loyalty to him. Ditto for the rogue hyper-partisan Supreme Court now in existence.
The partisan Court of 2000 with Bush Sr appointees gave as Bush Jr. and an unending war in the Middle East, not to mention promotion of fossil fuel interests over dealing with climate change.
A number of states have passed motions that would in practice eradicate the electoral college. If enough states join them this could work.
But if it takes an amendment to the constitution so be it. Without it our fragile democracy will probably fall apart.
Thanks for talking about this vital topic.
What happened?
This show went from being one of my favorite podcasts to a biased and one sided show that is unlistenable.