How Abdul El-Sayed Can Win Michigan, Plus an Election Protection Test Case How Abdul El-Sayed Can Win Michigan, Plus an Election Protection Test Case
The Michigan Democratic Senate primary provided a test of the power of AIPAC and big money. John Nichols has our analysis.
Aug 5, 2026 / Podcast / Jon Wiener
Election Protection for the Midterms, Plus “The Odyssey” for Filmgoers Election Protection for the Midterms, Plus “The Odyssey” for Filmgoers
Skye Perryman of Democracy Forward talks about free and fair elections, and John Powers of Fresh Air discusses the new Christopher Nolan film.
Jul 29, 2026 / Podcast / Jon Wiener
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
Trump’s Renewed War, More ICE Killings, and Teaching American History Trump’s Renewed War, More ICE Killings, and Teaching American History
On this episode of Start Making Sense, Harold Meyerson analyzes the week’s politics, and Beverly Gage explains Trump’s attacks on the Smithsonian.
Jul 15, 2026 / Podcast / Jon Wiener
Jamie Raskin on How to Fight Trump—John Nichols on the Dems After Platner Jamie Raskin on How to Fight Trump—John Nichols on the Dems After Platner
Representative Raskin lays out a strategy for the House, and The Nation’s Nichols talks about the Senate races, including Maine.
Jul 8, 2026 / Podcast / Jon Wiener
What Trump Lost (and Won) With the Supremes What Trump Lost (and Won) With the Supremes
David Cole breaks down the Supreme Court’s latest rulings, while Amy Wilentz explains what the end of Temporary Protected Status means for Haitian immigrants.
Jul 1, 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
Why Harvard Won’t Settle—Plus, the Struggles of Supermarket Workers Why Harvard Won’t Settle—Plus, the Struggles of Supermarket Workers
On this episode of Start Making Sense, Randall Kennedy analyzes Harvard v. Trump, and Ann Larson explains work behind the grocery store checkstand.
Jun 17, 2026 / Podcast / Jon Wiener
Primary Elections From LA to Maine—Plus AI “Poetry” Primary Elections From LA to Maine—Plus AI “Poetry”
On this episode of Start Making Sense, Harold Meyerson analyzes recent primaries, and Katha Pollitt tests AI’s ability to write poetry.
Jun 10, 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