Start Making Sense

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Start Making Sense is The Nation’s flagship weekly podcast, hosted by contributing editor Jon Wiener, featuring the magazine’s writers and editors as well as activists who shape the week in news. Subscribe at Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts, for new episodes each Wednesday.

Republican presidential nominee former president Donald Trump dances during a campaign rally.

What Can Stop Trump—Plus, Project 2025–the Dumb Parts What Can Stop Trump—Plus, Project 2025–the Dumb Parts

On this episode of Start Making Sense, David Cole talks about citizens defending the Constitution, and Rick Perlstein comments on Republican plans for the second Trump term.

Dec 4, 2024 / Podcast / Jon Wiener

Representative Matt Gaetz (R-FL) shakes hands with former president Donald Trump (during a rally at the Banks County Dragway, on March 26, 2022, in Commerce, Georgia.

Exploiting Trump’s Weaknesses—Plus, Mass Deportation in US History Exploiting Trump’s Weaknesses—Plus, Mass Deportation in US History

On this episode of Start Making Sense, Harold Meyerson analyzes splits between MAGA and the Republicans, and Eric Foner explains efforts to remove whole populations in the 19th-ce...

Nov 27, 2024 / Podcast / Jon Wiener

Demonstrators rally against anti-abortion and voter suppression laws at the Texas State Capitol, on October 2, 2021, in Austin, Texas.

Trump Voters for Abortion; and Learning from John Lewis Trump Voters for Abortion; and Learning from John Lewis

On this episode of Start Making Sense, Amy Littlefield reports on reproductive rights in Amarillo, and David Greenberg talks about the life and work of the civil rights hero and l...

Nov 20, 2024 / Podcast / Jon Wiener

Elon Musk embraces Republican presidential nominee former president Donald Trump during a campaign rally at the Butler Farm Show fairgrounds on October 5, 2024, in Butler, Pennsylvania.

Rebecca Solnit on Hope in the Dark—Plus the Musk Bromance Rebecca Solnit on Hope in the Dark—Plus the Musk Bromance

On this episode of Start Making Sense, what it means to have hope, and why the bromance between Trump and the world’s richest man cannot last.

Nov 13, 2024 / Podcast / Jon Wiener

What Happened and What Comes Next

What Happened and What Comes Next What Happened and What Comes Next

On this episode of Start Making Sense, John Nichols analyzes the election results.

Nov 6, 2024 / Podcast / Jon Wiener

Democratic presidential nominee, Vice President Kamala Harris speaks during a campaign rally on October 28, 2024, in Ann Arbor, Michigan.

Harris’s Closing Arguments, Plus Election Protection Harris’s Closing Arguments, Plus Election Protection

On this episode of Start Making Sense, Bhaskar Sunkara on working-class issues, and Sophia Lin Lakin on the ACLU’s preparations.

Oct 30, 2024 / Podcast / Jon Wiener

Supporters of former president Donald Trump watch as he holds a rally in the historical Democratic district of the South Bronx on May 23, 2024, in New York City.

Are Black and Latino Voters Really “Drifting”? Plus Melania and Her Memoir Are Black and Latino Voters Really “Drifting”? Plus Melania and Her Memoir

On this episode of Start Making Sense, Steve Phillips on electoral demographics and Amy Wilentz on the former first lady’s new book.

Oct 23, 2024 / Podcast / Jon Wiener

Understanding the Undecideds, plus Working Class Voters Now

Understanding the Undecideds, plus Working Class Voters Now Understanding the Undecideds, plus Working Class Voters Now

On this episode of Start Making Sense, Rick Perlstein on the failures of journalism, and Eyal Press on Harris in Pennsylvania.

Oct 16, 2024 / Podcast / Jon Wiener

Representative Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (D-WA) participates in the Bipartisan Defending Borders, Defending Democracies Act news conference in the US Capitol on Wednesday, March 6, 2024.

The Polls and Us—Plus, How a Dem Wins in a Red District The Polls and Us—Plus, How a Dem Wins in a Red District

On this episode of Start Making Sense, Rick Perlstein on polls and Marc Cooper on Representative Gleusenkamp Perez's campaign in Washington.

Oct 9, 2024 / Podcast / Jon Wiener

Travels in Trumpland—Plus, the Fight Over “Freedom”

Travels in Trumpland—Plus, the Fight Over “Freedom” Travels in Trumpland—Plus, the Fight Over “Freedom”

On this episode of Start Making Sense, John Nichols reports on Democrats in Red districts, and Eric Foner talks about Kamala’s campaign to claim a key concept of Reaganism.

Oct 2, 2024 / Podcast / Jon Wiener

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