The Jackpod: The ties that bind

The Jackpod: The ties that bind

Author: WBUR March 23, 2026 Duration: 40:13
On Point news analyst Jack Beatty on Trump's ties to Jeffrey Epstein and Russia and how it might explain the administration's agenda. *** 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
The Epstein class: What the files reveal about the global elite [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 33:54
Politicians, top business leaders, high-ranking professors, royalty. A select network of global ultra-elites, and how they paved the way for Epstein himself. *** Thank you for listening. Help power On Point by making a d…
Celebrating Ramadan while living in fear [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 34:33
Muslims around the world are celebrating the holy month of Ramadan. But for immigrant communities in the U.S., those celebrations are being tempered by fears of ICE. *** Thank you for listening. Help power On Point by ma…
Where are Ukraine's abducted children? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 35:35
Tens of thousands of Ukrainian children have been abducted by Russian forces in the past four years of war. They have been placed in Russian re-education camps, adopted by Russian families, or sent for military training.…
A stress test for the midterms [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 35:34
President Trump wants congress to pass the SAVE Act, requiring would-be voters to prove they are citizens. He’s called for Republicans to nationalize voting and even mused that the midterms should be canceled. What that…
Why you can't get that jingle out of your head [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 39:06
We all know jingles – those catchy tunes that have advertised products for decades from candy to car insurance. But how do they work, and more importantly, are they having a comeback? *** Thank you for listening. Help po…
The Jackpod: Two cheers for the filibuster [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 30:07
On Point news analyst Jack Beatty on the threat to voting rights posed by the SAVE Act, requiring proof of citizenship to vote. *** Thank you for listening. Help power On Point by making a donation here: wbur.org/giveonp…
How to change a memory [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 32:32
Neuroscientist Steve Ramirez sees memory as a way to time travel. But what if we could edit our memories? *** Thank you for listening. Help power On Point by making a donation here: wbur.org/giveonpoint
Inside PragerU’s conservative push into American classrooms [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 33:03
PragerU is a conservative video giant. It’s produced more than 2,000 videos that it says promote American and Judeo-Christian values. Now its content is approved in 10 states’ school systems. *** Thank you for listening.…
The Epstein files' lingering questions [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 34:12
Three million documents were released from the DOJ’s investigation into Jeffrey Epstein. The release identifies numerous rich and powerful men as Epstein associates. But critics say the release is simply not enough. ***…
How America sees itself through film [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 34:47
The National Film Registry names 25 movies each year that showcase the range and diversity of American filmmaking. How those movies reflect – and have shaped -- America’s history and culture. *** Thank you for listening.…