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, 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

Republican presidential candidate former president Donald Trump and Republican vice presidential candidate Senator J.D. Vance of Ohio appear on the first day of the Republican National Convention at the Fiserv Forum, on July 15, 2024, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

Tim Walz vs. JD Vance, plus Summer Beach Reading Tim Walz vs. JD Vance, plus Summer Beach Reading

On this episode of Start Making Sense, Katha Pollitt on JD Vance and John Powers on summer reading.

Aug 7, 2024 / Podcast / Jon Wiener

Vice President and Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris speaks during a campaign fundraising event in Pittsfield, Massachusetts, on July 27, 2024.

How Kamala Can Win, and Homeless Vets Sue the VA How Kamala Can Win, and Homeless Vets Sue the VA

On this episode of Start Making Sense, Steve Phillips analyzes changes in the electorate and Mark Rosenbaum talks about the class action suit in LA.

Jul 31, 2024 / Podcast / Jon Wiener

Vice President Kamala Harris campaigns for president as the presumptive Democratic candidate during an event, on July 23, 2024, in West Allis, Wisconsin.

Kamala and America; plus the Fight for Arizona Kamala and America; plus the Fight for Arizona

On this episode of Start Making Sense, John Nichols examines the tasks facing the Democrats, and Sasha Abramsky reports on politics in the swing state of Arizona.

Jul 24, 2024 / Podcast / Jon Wiener

Delegates wave Trump signs as the Republican National Convention opens at the Fiserv Forum, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, on Monday, July 15, 2024.

Politics After the Assassination Attempt Politics After the Assassination Attempt

On this episode of Start Making Sense, Harold Meyerson analyzes the Trump campaign as their convention begins, and Joan Walsh reports on Kamala Harris as a potential presidential ...

Jul 17, 2024 / Podcast / Jon Wiener

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