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.

A convoy of 30 vehicles driven by Israeli activists from the “Standing Together” movement, gather in the southern Israeli city of Ashkelon near the border with the Gaza Strip on March 7, 2024, in a show of support for Palestinians.

Israeli Jews and Palestinians Standing Together—Plus, Blue Cities in Red States Israeli Jews and Palestinians Standing Together—Plus, Blue Cities in Red States

On this episode of Start Making Sense, Sally Abed talks about Israel’s biggest Jewish-Palestinian grassroots movement, and Harold Meyerson reports on GOP states preempting action ...

Apr 3, 2024 / Podcast / Jon Wiener

Voting signage outside a polling location in Toledo, Ohio, on Tuesday, November 7, 2023. Ohioans are considering a proposed amendment, called Issue 1, to prevent the state from interfering with reproductive decisions, including contraception, while allowing abortion bans with exceptions after fetal viability.

Wages on the Ballot in Battleground States—Plus, Cities With Cease-Fire Resolutions Wages on the Ballot in Battleground States—Plus, Cities With Cease-Fire Resolutions

On this episode of Start Making Sense, Saru Jayaraman talks about minimum-wage initiatives, and John Nichols reports on city councils’ stands against the war in Gaza.

Mar 27, 2024 / Podcast / Jon Wiener

Joe Biden AIPAC

Jews Against AIPAC—Plus, Free Speech on Campus Jews Against AIPAC—Plus, Free Speech on Campus

Podcast / Start Making Sense / Mar 20, 2024 Jews Against AIPAC—Plus, Free Speech on Campus On this episode of Start Making Sense, Alan Minsky talks about Jewish opposition to…

Mar 20, 2024 / Podcast

Joe Biden at podium

What the Polls Get Wrong About Biden—Plus, Turmoil in Haiti What the Polls Get Wrong About Biden—Plus, Turmoil in Haiti

On this episode of Start Making Sense, Steve Phillips argues for expanding the electorate, and Amy Wilentz reports on Port-au-Prince.

Mar 13, 2024 / Podcast / Jon Wiener

Biden After Super Tuesday—and the Case for a Voting Rights Amendment

Biden After Super Tuesday—and the Case for a Voting Rights Amendment Biden After Super Tuesday—and the Case for a Voting Rights Amendment

On this episode of Start Making Sense, John Nichols has our analysis of the Super Tuesday primary elections, and Richard Hasen proposes a voting rights amendment to the constituti...

Mar 6, 2024 / Podcast / Jon Wiener

Abortion Could Make Florida a Swing State; Plus “Ukrainians in Exile”

Abortion Could Make Florida a Swing State; Plus “Ukrainians in Exile” Abortion Could Make Florida a Swing State; Plus “Ukrainians in Exile”

On this episode of Start Making Sense, Amy Littlefield on reproductive rights in Florida, and Janek Ambros talks about his documentary short film.

Feb 28, 2024 / Podcast / Jon Wiener

Nithya Raman won a Los Angeles City Council seat as a progressive political newcomer.

“Renters Are the Sleeping Giants of LA Politics”—Plus the Hidden History of AIDS “Renters Are the Sleeping Giants of LA Politics”—Plus the Hidden History of AIDS

On this episode of Start Making Sense, Peter Dreier reports on the fight for control of LA, and Kai Wright and Lizzy Ratner talk about “the plague in the shadows.”

Feb 21, 2024 / Podcast / Jon Wiener

A messy empty hospital dormitory room after an armed attack forced the closure of Fontaine Hospital in Port-au-Prince, Haiti

The Families That Made Fortunes Selling Opium, Plus the News from Haiti The Families That Made Fortunes Selling Opium, Plus the News from Haiti

On this episode of Start Making Sense, Amitav Ghosh explains what the “China trade” was actually doing, and Amy Wilentz reports on the continuing American disaster in the Caribbea...

Feb 14, 2024 / Podcast / Jon Wiener

Donald Trump, on stage, points in front of a large sign reading

Jeff Merkley on a Cease-Fire In Gaza, and Sean Wilentz on Disqualifying Trump Jeff Merkley on a Cease-Fire In Gaza, and Sean Wilentz on Disqualifying Trump

On this episode of Start Making Sense, the progressive senator from Oregon talks politics, and the Princeton historian explains the 14th Amendment.

Feb 7, 2024 / Podcast / Jon Wiener

Heroes of the Left, Plus Healthcare for the Undocumented

Heroes of the Left, Plus Healthcare for the Undocumented Heroes of the Left, Plus Healthcare for the Undocumented

On this episode of Start Making Sense, John Nichols presents The Nation’s Progressive Honor Roll and Sasha Abramsky reports on California’s big step toward healthcare for all.

Jan 31, 2024 / Podcast / Jon Wiener

x