Inside the wrongful conviction of Ben Spencer

Inside the wrongful conviction of Ben Spencer

Author: WBUR May 20, 2025 Duration: 42:05
No witnesses. No physical evidence. An ironclad alibi. Nevertheless, a Texas jury sentenced Ben Spencer to life in prison for a murder he didn't commit. Journalist and author Barbara Bradley Hagerty shares what it took to set Spencer free. *** 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
Falling Behind: The opportunity gap [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

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. *** Than…
Falling Behind: Troublemakers [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 45:22
'Boys will be boys.' How are perceptions about boys’ behavior in the classroom shaping their entire education? It’s part two of On Point’s weeklong series, "Falling Behind: The Miseducation of America's Boys." *** Thank…
Falling Behind: Do we treat boys like malfunctioning girls? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 46:32
Boys fall behind girls in education in the U.S. starting as young as eight years old. Understanding how boys learn is key to knowing why that’s happening. It's part one of On Point’s weeklong series “Falling Behind: The…
An African history of Africa with Zeinab Badawi [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 42:37
Everybody’s heard about Ancient Egypt. But just downriver, the kingdom of Kush was one of the most powerful states in the Nile valley. Sudanese-British journalist Zeinab Badawi gives us a lesser-known history of Africa’s…
Swipe left: Why dating today stinks [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 41:25
The dating scene can be a frustrating place to be right now. From dating app burnout to the struggle to meet IRL, single folks are fed up. Why modern dating feels so broken and what can be done to fix it. *** Thank you f…
Our mental health in the hands of AI [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 43:37
AI is everywhere, and increasingly, people are turning to it for therapy. What’s at stake when we lose that human to human-therapist connection? *** Thank you for listening. Help power On Point by making a donation here:…
The fall of Florida citrus [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 41:37
Florida citrus production has dropped more than 90% in the past two decades -- a blow for the state's economy and cultural identity. What's driving the decline of Florida's orange groves, and what can be done about it? *…
How 'Blessings and Disasters' shape Alabama [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 43:11
Alexis Okeowo says Alabama, where she grew up, shows the best and worst of the American experiment. In her new book, "Blessings and Disasters," she wrestles with the state’s complicated past. *** Thank you for listening.…
How AI is changing the music business [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 44:08
The world’s largest music streaming service now lets users to monetize music in which they don’t play or sing a single note. How is AI shaping how we make and profit from music? *** Thank you for listening. Help power On…
The Jackpod: What’s wrong with the White House press corps? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 40:03
On Point news analyst Jack Beatty on how the Trump administration has transformed which reporters get to be in the White House briefing room and travel with the president. *** Thank you for listening. Help power On Point…