From the Strait of Hormuz to the Streets of Minneapolis—Plus, Mamdani and the Midterms From the Strait of Hormuz to the Streets of Minneapolis—Plus, Mamdani and the Midterms
On this episode of Start Making Sense, John Nichols analyzes the politics of the Iran war, and Maurice Mitchell talks about political movements and voting.
Mar 18, 2026 / Podcast / Jon Wiener
War in Iran, News in America War in Iran, News in America
On this episode of Start Making Sense, Tom Stevenson analyzes the war in Iran, and Tara McGowan explains the new media landscape for young and news-avoidant voters.
Mar 11, 2026 / Podcast / Jon Wiener
Trump’s Attacks on Voting, and on Iran Trump’s Attacks on Voting, and on Iran
David Cole talks about fighting a coming executive order restricting voting in the midterms, and John Nichols explains a congressional War Powers resolution on Iran.
Mar 4, 2026 / Podcast / Jon Wiener
State of the Union: Not Good—Plus, Jackie Robinson v. Paul Robeson State of the Union: Not Good—Plus, Jackie Robinson v. Paul Robeson
Trump’s State of the Union speech was predictable, but revealing of his state of mind. John Nichols has our analysis.
Feb 25, 2026 / Podcast / Jon Wiener
Election Protection in the Midterms—Plus Slaves Escaping by Sea Election Protection in the Midterms—Plus Slaves Escaping by Sea
Harold Meyerson explains Democrats’ preparations for Trump’s threats to voting, and Marcus Rediker talks about Black America in the 1850s.
Feb 18, 2026 / Podcast / Jon Wiener
The Battle for Minneapolis, and the Fight for Texas The Battle for Minneapolis, and the Fight for Texas
John Nichols reports on the resistance in Minnesota, and Steve Phillips analyzes Jasmine Crockett’s strategy in the Texas Senate Democratic primary.
Feb 10, 2026 / Podcast
The Fight to Stop ICE—in Congress, and at the Super Bowl The Fight to Stop ICE—in Congress, and at the Super Bowl
John Nichols comments on Democrats’ work in Congress to limit ICE, and Dave Zirin explains how Bad Bunny will make the Super Bowl halftime show a center of resistance.
Feb 4, 2026 / Podcast / Jon Wiener
Freezing ICE Funding in the Senate, plus Standing Together in Israel and Palestine Freezing ICE Funding in the Senate, plus Standing Together in Israel and Palestine
Leah Greenberg of Indivisible talks about how to rein in ICE, and Sally Abed explains how Palestinians and Israeli Jews are Standing Together for peace and equality.
Jan 28, 2026 / Podcast / Jon Wiener
Minneapolis: the Landscape of Resistance; plus the Destruction Brought by DOGE Minneapolis: the Landscape of Resistance; plus the Destruction Brought by DOGE
Podcast / Start Making Sense / Jan 21, 2026 Minneapolis: the Landscape of Resistance; plus the Destruction Brought by DOGE John Nichols on Minneapolis groups preparing for Fr…
Jan 21, 2026 / Podcast
Trump, from Minneapolis to Caracas—Plus, How Capitalism Came to Communist China Trump, from Minneapolis to Caracas—Plus, How Capitalism Came to Communist China
On Start Making Sense, Harold Meyerson on Trump’s efforts to overcome collapsing support, and critic John Powers talks about the new TV series “Blossoms Shanghai” by Wong Kar Wai....
Jan 14, 2026 / Podcast / Jon Wiener