On Point with Meghna Chakrabarti

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. *** Thank you for listening. Help power On Point by making a donation here: wbur.org/giveonpoint

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. *** Thank you for listening. Help power On Point by making a donation here: wbur.org/giveonpoint

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? *** Thank you for listening. Help power On Point by making a donation here: wbur.org/giveonpoint

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. *** Thank you for listening. Help power On Point by making a donation here: wbur.org/giveonpoint

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. *** Thank you for listening. Help power On Point by making a donation here: wbur.org/giveonpoint

If Congress passes the GENIUS Act, banks will be allowed to issue their own cryptocurrency, as long as it’s tied to a stable asset like the dollar. But some economists warn it could have very unstable outcomes. *** Thank you for listening. Help power On Point by making a donation here: wbur.org/giveonpoint

On Point news analyst Jack Beatty on the rapid expansion of the Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency under the Trump administration. *** Thank you for listening. Help power On Point by making a donation here: wbur.org/giveonpoint

Zohran Mamdani won New York City’s Democratic mayoral primary. He's a self-declared Democratic Socialist with a populist's platform. That's made some Democrats across the country nervous. Is populism the party's path forward? *** Thank you for listening. Help power On Point by making a donation here: wbur.org/giveonpoint

For people with disabilities, artificial intelligence tools are helping them see, hear, experience, and move through the world in profound new ways. *** Thank you for listening. Help power On Point by making a donation here: wbur.org/giveonpoint

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. *** Thank you for listening. Help power On Point by making a donation here: wbur.org/giveonpoint

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? *** Thank you for listening. Help power On Point by making a donation here: wbur.org/giveonpoint

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. *** Thank you for listening. Help power On Point by making a donation here: wbur.org/giveonpoint

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. *** Thank you for listening. Help power On Point by making a donation here: wbur.org/giveonpoint

“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? *** Thank you for listening. Help power On Point by making a donation here: wbur.org/giveonpoint

Since its creation 14 years ago the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau has used its powers to return billions of dollars to defrauded consumers. Now the Trump administration wants to close it. What the CFPB has meant for consumer protection in the U.S. *** Thank you for listening. Help power On Point by making a donation here: wbur.org/giveonpoint

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? *** Thank you for listening. Help power On Point by making a donation here: wbur.org/giveonpoint

In a conversation recorded at the WBUR Festival, Dr. Anthony Fauci speaks frankly about the threats he sees to public health under the Trump administration and the “severe intimidation” of scientists at the NIH. *** Thank you for listening. Help power On Point by making a donation here: wbur.org/giveonpoint

A personal message from Meghna Chakrabarti about why The Jackpod is taking a short break. *** Thank you for listening. Help power On Point by making a donation here: wbur.org/giveonpoint

You’ve heard of 'mom brain.' But how do men’s brains change when they become fathers? *** Thank you for listening. Help power On Point by making a donation here: wbur.org/giveonpoint

The Trump Administration wants more Americans to have babies. It's proposing a $5,000 "baby bonus," among other policies. Would this fix the nation's historically low birth rate? *** Thank you for listening. Help power On Point by making a donation here: wbur.org/giveonpoint

Sam Altman has been called the face of Artificial Intelligence. To many, he remains an enigma. Wall Street Journal reporter Keach Hagey has the inside story on the rise of Sam Altman and his impact on our future. *** Thank you for listening. Help power On Point by making a donation here: wbur.org/giveonpoint

Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu got what he wanted this weekend after the U.S. bombed Iran. But Netanyahu says its goals in Iran have not yet been fully achieved. So, what are Israel’s goals in Iran? And what role does the U.S. still play? *** Thank you for listening. Help power On Point by making a donation here: wbur.org/giveonpoint

The late William F. Buckley, Jr. is one of the most important figures of the American right. How did the erudite and dapper Yale man pave the way for President Donald Trump? *** Thank you for listening. Help power On Point by making a donation here: wbur.org/giveonpoint

Recently, On Point explored how Hong Kong has changed five years after China passed its so-called national security law and vastly diminished protest and free speech in Hong Kong. Our colleagues at WBUR’s podcast Endless Thread also took a look at this law. Specifically, how it changed how people in Hong Kong interact digitally — on social media, and in text messages. What happens to online speech when you're unsure how much the government is monitoring your speech, and what the repercussions will be if they don't like it? And if you want to hear more Endless Thread, you can follow our podcast wherever you follow On Point. Show notes: PROFILE: For Jeffrey Ngo, The Fight For Hong Kong is Far From Over(The Hoya) Social Media and the Hong Kong Protests (The New Yorker) Hong Kong protesters join hands in 30-mile human chain (The Guardian) Hong Kong national security law: What is it and is it worrying? (BBC) *** Thank you for listening. Help power On Point by making a donation here: wbur.org/giveonpoint

The Congressional Budget Office estimates the current budget bill will add $3 trillion to the federal deficit over the next decade. On Point wraps up a weeklong exploration of what Trump's budget bill tells us about government spending and our financial future. *** Thank you for listening. Help power On Point by making a donation here: wbur.org/giveonpoint

On Point news analyst Jack Beatty on the connections and correlation between President Trump, his most loyal supporters and the popularity of the Fox News Channel. *** Thank you for listening. Help power On Point by making a donation here: wbur.org/giveonpoint

The One Big Beautiful Bill Act will increase defense spending to over $1 trillion for the first time in U.S. history. But will it actually improve U.S. national security? *** Thank you for listening. Help power On Point by making a donation here: wbur.org/giveonpoint

Republicans are proposing significant changes to food assistance, which could impact supplemental nutrition programs for older adults, school lunches and the agriculture industry. What will the cuts mean for hunger and nutrition in the U.S.? *** Thank you for listening. Help power On Point by making a donation here: wbur.org/giveonpoint

The One Big Beautiful Bill Act is really about one big thing: Taxes. Some conservative economists say it also shows a striking shift in Republican tax policy. *** Thank you for listening. Help power On Point by making a donation here: wbur.org/giveonpoint

The 'One Big Beautiful Bill' is making big changes to health care. Getting rid of automatic enrollment to the ACA, cutting premium assistance, adding work requirements for Medicaid. What the budget bill means for health care. *** Thank you for listening. Help power On Point by making a donation here: wbur.org/giveonpoint

A bonus episode in our series "Falling Behind: The Miseducation of America's Boys." Dr. Kevin Simon, attending pediatric psychiatrist at Boston Children’s Hospital, shares his experience and expertise in a conversation recorded on stage at WBUR CitySpace. *** Thank you for listening. Help power On Point by making a donation here: wbur.org/giveonpoint

Between 2019 and 2020, nearly 2 million people took to the streets of Hong Kong to fight legislation that could give Chinese authorities the power to criminalize dissent. It's been 5 years since China passed the so-called national security law. How has Hong Kong changed? *** Thank you for listening. Help power On Point by making a donation here: wbur.org/giveonpoint

On Point news analyst Jack Beatty on how political activist Christopher Rufo became one of the most influential voices in conservative politics today. *** Thank you for listening. Help power On Point by making a donation here: wbur.org/giveonpoint

American companies are being targeted by foreign spies, ransomware groups and even fake job applicants from North Korea. One cybersecurity firm speaks out about the threats they're seeing and how they're combating them. *** Thank you for listening. Help power On Point by making a donation here: wbur.org/giveonpoint

The Trump administration is clamping down on foreign students who want to attend American universities – and the schools that admit them. What that could mean for innovation and enterprise in the U.S. and around the world. *** Thank you for listening. Help power On Point by making a donation here: wbur.org/giveonpoint

The White House is demanding that ICE make 3,000 arrests per day – and it's pulling in agents from the FBI and the DEA to help. How Trump's push for mass deportations is reshaping U.S. law enforcement. *** Thank you for listening. Help power On Point by making a donation here: wbur.org/giveonpoint

We tend to associate “brainwashing” with cults and hostages, but author and science historian Rebecca Lemov says it can happen to anyone. Her new book “The Instability of Truth" explores the history and science of brainwashing and what it can teach us with misinformation on the rise. *** Thank you for listening. Help power On Point by making a donation here: wbur.org/giveonpoint

Trump’s space-based missile defense system. Could it protect the country against a nuclear attack, or is it technically impossible? *** Thank you for listening. Help power On Point by making a donation here: wbur.org/giveonpoint

On Point news analyst Jack Beatty on how the impact of AI in the 21st century could be more disruptive to the workforce than mass production was in the 20th century. *** Thank you for listening. Help power On Point by making a donation here: wbur.org/giveonpoint

Israel's government recently voted to ramp up the war in Gaza. A food blockade starved Gazans for months. And critical voices internationally, and within Israel itself, are rising. What do Israel’s government and its people want now in Gaza? *** Thank you for listening. Help power On Point by making a donation here: wbur.org/giveonpoint

Running tests on lab rats, mice and other species is an integral part of biomedical research. Now, some say artificial intelligence and other technologies could soon make the practice obsolete. *** Thank you for listening. Help power On Point by making a donation here: wbur.org/giveonpoint

New York City has lost control of its jails. In May, a federal judge ruled that the city’s jails, including Rikers Island, will now be run by a manager who will report directly to the court. What’s next for one of the country’s largest and most notorious facilities? *** Thank you for listening. Help power On Point by making a donation here: wbur.org/giveonpoint

For decades, kids in St. Louis County caught crawdads in Coldwater Creek, made mudpies, went swimming -- and were exposed to nuclear waste. Hear the story of how St. Louis became a dumping ground for radioactive waste generated by the Manhattan Project. *** Thank you for listening. Help power On Point by making a donation here: wbur.org/giveonpoint

YouTube turns 20 this year. The platform now hosts 20 billion videos, and lets basically anyone, anywhere on Earth, create, share and watch. How has YouTube changed us? *** Thank you for listening. Help power On Point by making a donation here: wbur.org/giveonpoint

On Point news analyst Jack Beatty on the Environmental Protection Agency’s new mission under the leadership of its new administrator, Lee Zeldin. *** Thank you for listening. Help power On Point by making a donation here: wbur.org/giveonpoint

NBA teams have nearly tripled the number of 3-point attempts since the turn of the century. Fans now say it's hurting the game. Is the NBA taking too many 3s? *** Thank you for listening. Help power On Point by making a donation here: wbur.org/giveonpoint

In an effort to reduce inequality in education outcomes, some school districts are removing honors classes or other programs for high achievers. Some students, parents and teachers say the push to "de-track" or "de-level" classrooms is limiting learning for everyone. *** Thank you for listening. Help power On Point by making a donation here: wbur.org/giveonpoint

The Trump administration says it's going to modernize air traffic control equipment. Many administrations before have promised the same thing. So why hasn't it happened? *** Thank you for listening. Help power On Point by making a donation here: wbur.org/giveonpoint

Rebroadcast: Being alone often gets a bad rap. But research shows alone time can actually boost overall well-being, increasing our emotional regulation, contentment and creativity. *** Thank you for listening. Help power On Point by making a donation here: wbur.org/giveonpoint

AI is playing a larger role in the job hunting and hiring process. It helps job seekers fine-tune their resumes and cover letters, and employers winnow down applicants. But the new technology isn’t getting it all right. *** Thank you for listening. Help power On Point by making a donation here: wbur.org/giveonpoint