On Point | Podcast

Hosted by Meghna Chakrabarti, On Point is a unique, curiosity-driven combination of original reporting, newsmaker interviews, first-person stories, and in-depth analysis, making the world more intelligible and humane. When the world is more complicated than ever, we aim to make sense of it together. On Point is produced by WBUR.

Website : https://www.wbur.org/radio/programs/onpoint

RSS Feed : https://rss.wbur.org/onpoint/podcast  

Last Episode : July 18, 2025 6:00pm

Last Scanned : 1.1 hours ago

Episodes

Episodes currently hosted on IPFS.

Week of Wonder: Can we save the quietest places in the world?
Confirmed 4
Our planet’s rich nature sounds are disappearing, drowned out by human-made noise. Sound recordist Matt Mikkelsen travels the world, listening to and working to preserve our vanishing soundscapes.
Expires in 47 hours
Published Friday
Week of Wonder: Volcanologist Tamsin Mather on her 'adventures in volcanoland'
Confirmed 3
What's it like standing on the slopes of an active, erupting volcano? Volcanologist Tamsin Mather takes us on her journey to some of the world's biggest volcanoes.
Expires in 23 hours
Published Thursday
Week of Wonder: The truth about your period
1
Menstruation is a definitive experience of a woman's life, and an indicator of her health. So why has period blood or menstrual fluid been largely under-researched?
Published Wednesday
Week of Wonder: 'Vivaldi smells like breakfast sausage'
1
Smell can trigger memories and influence emotions. New research is giving us insight into how that happens, including why some people can "smell" music and why losing the sense of smell can alert us to what might make us sick.
Published Tuesday
Week of Wonder: The marvelous and misunderstood world of sharks
1
Sharks are full of secrets, despite being some of the oldest creatures on the planet. Marine biologist Jasmin Graham has spent a decade studying them — and trying to bring more women of color like her into the field. 
Published Monday
The Jackpod: It's going to be everywhere
1
On Point news analyst Jack Beatty on the rapid expansion of the Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency under the Trump administration.
Published 07/11
Why American farmers rely on unauthorized workers
1
More than 40% of hired farm laborers in the U.S. are immigrants without legal status. President Trump campaigned on a plan for mass deportation. But even he admits -- the country can't survive without many of the undocumented workers he promised to remove.
Published 07/08
The power of the golden share
1
When President Trump approved the merger between Nippon Steel and U.S. Steel he demanded a so-called “golden share.” It gives the White House a say in key business decisions. So, what happens when the White House controls a private industry?
Published 07/07
A daughter, a father and a family's struggle with 'American Bulk'
1
In the U.S., shopping is almost a religion. For Emily Mester’s family, Costco was their Sunday ritual. In her new book, 'American Bulk,' Mester tells the story of how her family struggled with the desire to own everything they possibly could.
Published 07/04
The power of intuition
1
Why are some problems best solved by 'trusting our gut?' And how has intuition helped some people make crucial decisions? The role of intuition in perception and action.
Published 07/03
The secrets of super agers
1
“Super agers” are people who live well into their 80s without developing chronic diseases, such as cancer, diabetes or cardiovascular issues. What can we learn from them to promote healthier, longer lives?
Published 07/02
Who are the Zizians?
1
A cult-like group referred to as the Zizians is linked to a string of violent deaths across the U.S. It has its roots in Silicon Valley – and a movement called Rationalism. Who are these groups and what do they believe?
Published 06/30