Start Making Sense

Subscribe

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.

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

Republican vice presidential nominee, US Senator JD Vance (R-OH) speaks with media on September 14, 2024, in Greenville, North Carolina.

Trump and Vance, Cats and Dogs, and Haiti; Plus, Small-Town Trumpers Trump and Vance, Cats and Dogs, and Haiti; Plus, Small-Town Trumpers

On this episode of Start Making Sense, Amy Wilentz talks about Haitians in the US, and Sasha Abramsky reports on MAGA as a local political movement.

Sep 25, 2024 / Podcast / Jon Wiener

Republican presidential nominee former president Donald Trump, on September 13, 2024, in Las Vegas, Nevada.

This Time It Will Be Harder for Trump to Challenge the Election—Plus, Talking to Trumpers This Time It Will Be Harder for Trump to Challenge the Election—Plus, Talking to Trumpers

On this episode of Start Making Sense, Rick Hasen on election law, and Arlie Hochschild on white men in Appalachia.

Sep 18, 2024 / Podcast / Jon Wiener

Former US president Donald Trump and US Vice President Kamala Harris during the second presidential debate in Philadelphia on September 10, 2024.

What Kamala Accomplished at the Debate— Plus Victory for Homeless Vets What Kamala Accomplished at the Debate— Plus Victory for Homeless Vets

On this episode of the Start Making Sense podcast, John Nichols analyzes the presidential debate, and Mark Rosenbaum reports on the VA’s defeat in LA.

Sep 11, 2024 / Podcast / Jon Wiener

Cynthia Fardella of Fort Lauderdale, Florida, shows her support during an event for women's reproductive rights, on June 24, 2024.

Florida as Abortion Ground Zero, Plus Rachel Kushner on “Creation Lake” Florida as Abortion Ground Zero, Plus Rachel Kushner on “Creation Lake”

On this episode of Start Making Sense, Amy Littlefield reports on the battle for reproductive rights, and Rachel Kushner talks about her new novel.

Sep 4, 2024 / Podcast / Jon Wiener

Kamala Harris giving a speech and smiling

The Kamala Surprise, Plus the Crisis of the Constitution The Kamala Surprise, Plus the Crisis of the Constitution

On this episode of Start Making Sense, Harold Meyerson on the campaign and Erwin Chemerinsky on the case for a new Constitution.

Aug 28, 2024 / Podcast / Jon Wiener

Former US president and 2024 presidential nominee Donald Trump greets US Senator and vice presidential nominee JD Vance.

Why Does Trump Still Have 44 Percent of Voters? Why Is “Hillbilly Elegy” Still Number One? Why Does Trump Still Have 44 Percent of Voters? Why Is “Hillbilly Elegy” Still Number One?

On this episode of Start Making Sense, Marc Cooper analyzes the GOP today, and Becca Rothfield examines J.D. Vance’s memoir.

Aug 21, 2024 / Podcast / Jon Wiener

Democratic presidential candidate Vice President Kamala Harris and Democratic vice presidential candidate Minnesota Governor Tim Walz.

Kamala Soars, Trump Flounders—and Sherrod Brown’s Strategy Kamala Soars, Trump Flounders—and Sherrod Brown’s Strategy

On this episode of Start Making Sense, Harold Meyerson comments on the campaign, and the senator from Ohio explains his politics.

Aug 14, 2024 / Podcast / Jon Wiener

x