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.

Nadine Seiler attends a rally for voting rights in front of the Supreme Court Building in Washington, D.C., on December 7, 2022.

Best of 2022: Elie Mystal on the Constitution, plus Kelly Lytle Hernández on “Bad Mexicans” Best of 2022: Elie Mystal on the Constitution, plus Kelly Lytle Hernández on “Bad Mexicans”

For the last episode of 2022, we feature some of our favorite book segments.

Dec 29, 2022 / Audio / Jon Wiener and Start Making Sense

Nelson Lichtenstein on the UC Strike Settlement and Sean Wilentz on Bob Dylan’s Christmas Album

Nelson Lichtenstein on the UC Strike Settlement and Sean Wilentz on Bob Dylan’s Christmas Album Nelson Lichtenstein on the UC Strike Settlement and Sean Wilentz on Bob Dylan’s Christmas Album

On this episode of the Start Making Sense podcast, we get a new update on the biggest strike in the country and demystify Bob Dylan’s holiday record.

Dec 22, 2022 / Audio / Jon Wiener and Start Making Sense

“The Nation” and the Midterms

“The Nation” and the Midterms “The Nation” and the Midterms

This week, our own D.D. Guttenplan, Elie Mystal, Joan Walsh, John Nichols, and Chris Lehmann discuss the midterm election results.

Nov 10, 2022 / Audio / Jon Wiener and Start Making Sense

nurses at Childrens and United Hospitals in St. Paul

Nurses on Strike and the Women Lawyers Who Challenged Trump Nurses on Strike and the Women Lawyers Who Challenged Trump

On this week’s episode of Start Making Sense, Bryce Covert on hospitals, plus Dahlia Lithwick on the courts.

Oct 6, 2022 / Audio / Jon Wiener and Start Making Sense

Can Democrats Hold the Senate? Plus: Ken Burns’s “The U.S. and the Holocaust”

Can Democrats Hold the Senate? Plus: Ken Burns’s “The U.S. and the Holocaust” Can Democrats Hold the Senate? Plus: Ken Burns’s “The U.S. and the Holocaust”

On this week's episode of the Start Making Sense podcast, John Nichols comments on the future of the Senate, and David Nasaw reviews a new documentary.

Sep 29, 2022 / Audio / Jon Wiener and Start Making Sense

Bhaskar Sunkara on Bernie in 2024, Plus Chris Lehmann on the “Brooks Brothers Riot”

Bhaskar Sunkara on Bernie in 2024, Plus Chris Lehmann on the “Brooks Brothers Riot” Bhaskar Sunkara on Bernie in 2024, Plus Chris Lehmann on the “Brooks Brothers Riot”

On this week's episode of Start Making Sense, The Nation’s president and its D.C. Bureau chief join the podcast for discussions on the democratic presidential bid and a Republican ...

Sep 22, 2022 / Audio / Jon Wiener and Start Making Sense

Congregants at First Baptist Dallas church

The Conservative Takeover of the Southern Baptists, and Jared Kushner’s New Book The Conservative Takeover of the Southern Baptists, and Jared Kushner’s New Book

On this week’s episode of Start Making Sense, Sarah Posner explains how the Baptists became conservative, and Amy Wilentz comments on Jared’s White House memoir.

Sep 15, 2022 / Audio / Jon Wiener and Start Making Sense

Amy Littlefield  on How Abortion Rights Triumphed in Kansas, Plus Barbara Ehrenreich Remembered

Amy Littlefield on How Abortion Rights Triumphed in Kansas, Plus Barbara Ehrenreich Remembered Amy Littlefield on How Abortion Rights Triumphed in Kansas, Plus Barbara Ehrenreich Remembered

On this week’s episode of the Start Making Sense podcast, on-the-ground reporting from Kansas and an interview with the late Barbara Ehrenreich.

Sep 8, 2022 / Audio / Jon Wiener and Start Making Sense

Chris Lehmann on GOP Plans for 2023 and Patrick Leahy on January 6

Chris Lehmann on GOP Plans for 2023 and Patrick Leahy on January 6 Chris Lehmann on GOP Plans for 2023 and Patrick Leahy on January 6

On this week’s episode of Start Making Sense, a discussion of Republicans’ plans for next year and a look back at the Capitol riots from a senator’s POV.

Sep 1, 2022 / Audio / Jon Wiener and Start Making Sense

What the Mar-a-Lago Raid Means for Democrats

What the Mar-a-Lago Raid Means for Democrats What the Mar-a-Lago Raid Means for Democrats

On this week's episode of Start Making Sense, John Nichols and Eyal Press join the show to discuss Trump, Democrats, and dirty work.

Aug 25, 2022 / Audio / Jon Wiener and Start Making Sense

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