Episodes

  • What happens next in Iran?

    What happens next in Iran?
    Jun 16 2026
    What is the state of Iranian society following years of extreme tension? In this episode of "Make It Make Sense," Opinion Editor Adam O'Neal sits down with Jason Rezaian, The Washington Post's director of press freedom initiatives, to examine the devastating impact of conflict on Iran's citizens and why the promise of liberation remains unfulfilled.
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    25 mins
  • Why Gen Z hates capitalism

    Why Gen Z hates capitalism
    Jun 15 2026
    Has Gen Z completely given up on capitalism — and America? In this episode of "Make It Make Sense," James Hohmann sits down with columnist and “Reasonably Optimistic” host Megan McArdle to explore why young voters are turning to socialism and how politicians like Zohran Mamdani are capitalizing on their angst.
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    31 mins
  • Did Trump make America’s 250th about himself?

    Did Trump make America’s 250th about himself?
    Jun 12 2026
    As the nation approaches its 250th anniversary next month, has a bipartisan celebration of independence become a casualty of political division? On this Episode of "Make It Make Sense," host Kate Andrews joins James Hohmann and Damir Marusic to break down how America’s upcoming milestone has transformed into a polarizing event. The guests examine the friction between competing "America 250" and "Freedom 250" initiatives, the impact of the presidency on national unity, and whether citizens can still find shared civic pride in local traditions despite the toxic political climate in Washington.
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    28 mins
  • Are Graham Platner's scandals helping him?

    Are Graham Platner's scandals helping him?
    Jun 9 2026
    Are Graham Platner's controversies actually helping him in the Maine Senate race? In this episode of "Make It Make Sense," Kate Andrews talks with Carine Hajjar about Platner's rise, his refusal to drop out amid multiple scandals, and why Democrats are still standing behind him.
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    21 mins
  • D.C. has a ‘teen takeover’ problem

    D.C. has a ‘teen takeover’ problem
    Jun 8 2026
    ‘Teen takeovers’ are becoming a defining issue in the D.C. mayoral race. In this episode of “Make It Make Sense,” James Hohmann and Rob Gebelhoff break down where the candidates stand on crime and policing, how they may approach the National Guard in D.C., and whether they’ll work with or against President Donald Trump.
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    31 mins
  • Was Trump’s ‘weaponization fund’ doomed from the start?

    Was Trump’s ‘weaponization fund’ doomed from the start?
    Jun 5 2026
    Was President Donald Trump's "Anti-Weaponization Fund" doomed to fail from the start? In this episode of "Make It Make Sense," Kate Andrews, Jason Willick and Damir Marusic discuss the rise and fall of the $1.776 billion fund while exploring whether "lawfare" has fundamentally changed the ideal of an apolitical justice system.
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    37 mins
  • Did Trump win the late-night comedy battle?

    Did Trump win the late-night comedy battle?
    Jun 3 2026
    Did President Donald Trump kill late-night television shows, or did comedy podcasts simply beat them at their own game? In this episode of "Make It Make Sense," James Hohmann, Carine Hajjar and Damir Marusic explore the massive cultural shift in comedy during the Trump era.
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    29 mins
  • What happens in California after Gavin Newsom?

    What happens in California after Gavin Newsom?
    Jun 1 2026
    With Gavin Newsom's era as California governor ending, could Tom Steyer be the Democrat to step up? Or will skyrocketing costs and crime finally break the party's grip on California? In this episode of "Make It Make Sense," Carine Hajjar, Jason Willick and James Desio explore the future of the Golden State's political landscape, including whether the GOP can capture the governor's mansion and if Spencer Pratt has a real shot at winning the L.A. mayoral race.
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    29 mins