Falling Behind: The opportunity gap

Falling Behind: The opportunity gap

Author: WBUR August 27, 2025 Duration: 46:47
Data show boys are falling behind in school. Black boys are falling behind the most. What’s happening in classrooms that are bucking that trend? On Point’s weeklong series exploring boys and education continues. *** Thank you for listening. Help power On Point by making a donation here: wbur.org/giveonpoint

Each weekday, On Point with Meghna Chakrabarti cuts through the noise of the 24-hour news cycle to bring clarity and depth to the stories that matter. Produced by WBUR, this daily news podcast is built on the conviction that understanding requires more than headlines. Meghna Chakrabarti guides conversations that dig into the roots of current events, connecting today’s debates to historical context and the broader human experience. You’ll hear thoughtful interviews with experts, journalists, and people directly affected by the issues, all aimed at answering the pressing questions that often go unasked. The approach is rigorous but accessible, tackling complex subjects-from politics and science to culture and ethics-without shying away from nuance. It’s a space where multiple perspectives are examined, not just presented, fostering a more complete picture of our world. Tuning in feels less like being talked at and more like being part of a necessary, informed discussion. For anyone feeling overwhelmed by fragmented news sources, this podcast offers a reliable, substantive hour of analysis that respects the listener’s intelligence and curiosity. The result is a consistently engaging program that doesn’t just report what’s happening, but explains why it matters.
Author: Language: en-us Episodes: 100

On Point with Meghna Chakrabarti
Podcast Episodes
What 25 years of CDC data on autism tells us [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 43:35
One in 31 American children have autism spectrum disorder, according to the CDC. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has vowed to find the cause. But experts are skeptical. *** Thank you for listening. Help power On P…
Why it's the end of the road for the Humvee [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 41:07
The Humvee is an American military icon. Yet the Department of Defense has announced the vehicle’s retirement. What does this say about our shifting military priorities? *** Thank you for listening. Help power On Point b…
The Jackpod: The autocrat of the cabinet table [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 36:32
On Point news analyst Jack Beatty on President Trump’s marathon cabinet meeting, how his cabinet addresses him, and what that says about his presidency. *** Thank you for listening. Help power On Point by making a donati…
How to redesign schools for the AI age [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 43:21
AI is doing students’ homework, writing their essays -- and probably replacing a lot of their future jobs. Is it time to rethink what schools are for? *** Thank you for listening. Help power On Point by making a donation…
The fight against Trump's 'war on history' [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 43:28
Pulitzer Prize-winning historian David Blight says President Donald Trump is attacking American history and scholarship for political ends. Blight says it’s time for historians to fight back. *** Thank you for listening.…
How AI is changing the job marketplace [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 42:10
AI is playing a larger role in the job hunting and hiring process. It helps job seekers fine-tune their resumes and cover letters, and employers winnow down applicants. But the new technology isn’t getting it all right.…
Falling Behind: How to talk with boys [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 54:24
A bonus episode in our series "Falling Behind: The Miseducation of America's Boys." Dr. Kevin Simon, attending pediatric psychiatrist at Boston Children’s Hospital, shares his experience and expertise in a conversation r…
Falling Behind: 'We're in jail with our emotions' [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 45:50
Teenage boys are experiencing increasing rates of loneliness and suicidal thoughts -- which is having a direct impact on their achievement in school. How can schools address that? The final part in On Point’s special ser…
Falling Behind: Where have all the men gone? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 45:55
After decades of decline, male teachers now make up less than a quarter of the public-school teaching force. What’s driving men away, and what would it take to bring them back? On Point’s weeklong series exploring boys a…