The Plan for November—and After The Plan for November—and After
Ben Wikler lays out Democratic strategy, and John Nichols talks about progressive candidates for the Senate.
Jul 22, 2026 / Podcast / Jon Wiener
Norm Eisen: Fighting Trump’s Threats to Voting— Plus Protest Success Stories Norm Eisen: Fighting Trump’s Threats to Voting— Plus Protest Success Stories
On this episode of Start Making Sense, the attorney who founded Democracy Defenders
talks about election protection, and John Nichols reports on this week’s Republican defeats.
Jun 24, 2026 / Podcast / Jon Wiener
The Dems After Tuesday’s Primaries, plus Elmore Leonard’s Bad Guys The Dems After Tuesday’s Primaries, plus Elmore Leonard’s Bad Guys
John Nichols analyzes this week’s primary results in California and elsewhere, and, from the archives, Elmore Leonard talks about where his characters and plots came from.
Jun 3, 2026 / Podcast / Jon Wiener
Winning State Legislatures and Winning Midterm Elections Winning State Legislatures and Winning Midterm Elections
On this episode of Start Making Sense, Daniel Squadron argues that state governments provide the key check on Trump, and John Nichols reviews the political landscape.
May 20, 2026 / Podcast / Jon Wiener
Democrats After the Voting Rights Act—Plus, Jewish Anti-Zionism Democrats After the Voting Rights Act—Plus, Jewish Anti-Zionism
On this episode of Start Making Sense, Harold Meyerson argues Democrats remain likely to win the House in November, and Adam Hochschild talks about the Bund in prewar Europe.
May 13, 2026 / Podcast / Jon Wiener
Election Protection in the Midterms—Plus Racism and Antisemitism in the 1940s and ’50s Election Protection in the Midterms—Plus Racism and Antisemitism in the 1940s and ’50s
On this episode of Start Making Sense, Ian Bassin of Protect Democracy talks about preparations for voting in November, and historian Steven J. Ross discusses the far right post-W...
May 6, 2026 / Podcast / Jon Wiener
FDR, the OG Antifascist—With Eric Rauchway FDR, the OG Antifascist—With Eric Rauchway
On Fighting Fascism: What lessons can we learn from FDR's successes in battling the threat of American fascism in the 1930s?
May 1, 2026 / Podcast / Matt DaSilva, Jonathan Smucker, and Aaron Regunberg
Dem Voters Triumph— Plus, That Springsteen Movie Dem Voters Triumph— Plus, That Springsteen Movie
On this episode of Start Making Sense, John Nichols analyzes Tuesday’s elections, and Greil Marcus explains what’s missing in Springsteen: Deliver Me From Nowhere.
Nov 5, 2025 / Podcast / Jon Wiener
Voters, Democrats, and Redistricting—Plus, Confederate Monuments in LA Voters, Democrats, and Redistricting—Plus, Confederate Monuments in LA
On this episode of Start Making Sense, Harold Meyerson previews the elections next Tuesday, and Christopher Knight comments on the new art exhibit at MOCA.
Oct 29, 2025 / Podcast / Jon Wiener
Good News for Dems—Plus, Fascists and Teachers Good News for Dems—Plus, Fascists and Teachers
On this episode of Start Making Sense: John Nichols on recent special elections, and Randi Weingarten on Why Fascists Fear Teachers.
Sep 17, 2025 / Podcast / Jon Wiener