Episodes
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What sparked the rise of progressive candidates within the Democratic Party? In this episode of "Make It Make Sense," Kate Andrews talks with Evan Barker, author of "Nothing Left: Confessions of a Democratic Operative," about why the establishment hasn’t been able to stop DSA-aligned candidates, the controversial influence of figures like Hasan Piker and how "woke" culture issues haunt the party.
Can San Francisco’s turnaround offer a model for other American cities? In this episode of “Make It Make Sense,” Kate Andrews talks with San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie about his efforts to move the city beyond years of concerns over crime, homelessness and public disorder. They discuss falling crime rates, budget challenges, the city’s approach to drug addiction, and the role of artificial intelligence and tech in its recovery.
Is the massive investment in artificial intelligence creating a catastrophic economic bubble? In this episode of “Make It Make Sense,” Damir Marusic sits down with Impact Theory co-founder Tom Bilyeu to break down the risks of AI-driven debt, shadow banking and fast-depreciating GPU hardware. They examine how an AI market correction could ignite political extremism, critique U.S. fiscal policy under President Donald Trump and discuss what it will take to rebuild the American middle class.
How much of America’s affordability crisis is being driven by government policy? In this episode of “Make It Make Sense,” James Hohmann talks with Scott Lincicome, the Cato Institute's vice president of general economics about the policies keeping everyday costs high. They discuss the viral debate over $20 burritos, how tariffs and trade restrictions raise prices, the politics behind food and energy costs, the Trump administration’s mixed record on free trade, the rise of economic populism in both parties and why affordability is likely to remain a major issue heading into 2028.
Are the 2026 midterms shaping up to be a massive blue wave, or will severe polarization keep the government divided? In this episode of "Make It Make Sense," James Hohmann and former White House political director Doug Sosnik break down the changing working-class vote, the rise of the DSA and what it all means for the 2028 election. Doug Sosnik's Substack: https://opiniontoday.substack.com/
Can Democrats embrace their progressive wing without putting key Senate seats at risk? In this episode of “Make It Make Sense,” Kate Andrews talks with Sen. John Fetterman (D-Pennsylvania) about Abdul El-Sayed’s Michigan primary victory and the battle over the Democratic Party’s future. They discuss rising democratic socialism, supporting Israel, expanding health care coverage, preserving the filibuster, immigration enforcement, political polarization and rejecting speculation that he may switch parties.
How does online extremism escape the internet and enter American politics? In this episode of “Make It Make Sense,” Kate Andrews talks with CNN correspondent and “Black Pill” author Elle Reeve about the evolution of online radicalization since the 2017 Unite the Right rally in Charlottesville, Virginia. They discuss how extremist ideas become normalized through jokes and algorithms, the return of white nationalists to major social platforms, declining trust in media and public institutions, reports of groypers working on Capitol Hill, conspiracy-driven influencer culture, and the forces radica
Is the rise of democratic socialism helping — or hurting — the Democratic Party? In this episode of “Make It Make Sense,” James Hohmann and Ruy Teixeira, co-author of “The Emerging Democratic Majority,” examine the growing influence of the Democratic Socialists of America and the party’s continued struggle with working-class voters. They discuss whether socialist candidates can win outside deep-blue districts; the divide between progressive professionals and working-class Democrats; Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez’s prospects in 2028; and how the party could rebuild its appeal on immigration, energy,
Is the old political divide giving way to a new populist era? In this episode of “Make It Make Sense,” Carine Hajjar talks with conservative commentator Michael Knowles about the forces reshaping both major parties ahead of the midterms. They discuss the rise of democratic socialism, whether Republicans have abandoned small-government conservatism, the use of federal power against universities, Donald Trump’s economic challenges, the political consequences of the Iran war and whether JD Vance can hold together the MAGA coalition in 2028.
Is America walking away from the world order it created? In this episode of “Make It Make Sense,” Carine Hajjar talks with Post columnist Fareed Zakaria about the forces reshaping global affairs. They discuss America’s retreat from international leadership, the political backlash against globalization and the risks posed by artificial intelligence, as well as the growing rivalry between the United States and China, tensions over Taiwan and whether the war with Iran has strengthened Tehran’s control over the Strait of Hormuz.
Can America reject racial preferences without ignoring racial inequality? In this episode of “Make It Make Sense,” Carine Hajjar talks with economist and author Glenn Loury about race, opportunity and ideological diversity in American life. They discuss the decline of the Black Lives Matter era, affirmative action after the Supreme Court’s ruling, why more Black men have supported Donald Trump, the political backlash facing higher education and whether government pressure on universities threatens academic freedom.
Can California afford to keep going in the same direction? In this episode of “Make It Make Sense,” Kate Andrews talks with gubernatorial candidate Steve Hilton about his campaign to overhaul the state’s government and economy. They discuss California’s high cost of living, his proposal to make the first $150,000 of income tax-free, whether frustrated Democratic voters could support a Republican, the proper role of government in regulating AI, and what California can learn from the United Kingdom.
Is the United States turning into the Golden State? In this episode of “Make It Make Sense,” Kate Andrews talks with historian Victor Davis Hanson about the political and cultural shifts reshaping America. They discuss Christopher Nolan’s take on “The Odyssey,” the war with Iran, Gavin Newsom’s record in California, and whether democratic socialism is a genuine grassroots movement or a project driven by urban elites.
Are double standards becoming the norm in American politics? In this episode of “Make It Make Sense,” Carine Hajjar and Brad Palumbo, an independent journalist and YouTube creator, break down the growing fractures on both the left and the right. They discuss recent Senate races involving Graham Platner and Abdul El-Sayed; the controversy surrounding Ken Paxton in Texas; and how media echo chambers, viral clips and conspiracy theories are pushing the country further apart.
Is AC a luxury or a necessity? In this episode of "Make It Make Sense," Cato Institute research fellow Chelsea Follett joins James Hohmann to discuss Europe's cultural and regulatory resistance to air conditioning. The conversation explores the dangers of modern "degrowthism" and climate fatalism, contrasting them with a solutions-oriented, pro-technology mindset.
Is higher education too powerful to ignore? In this episode of "Make It Make Sense," Jason Willick sits down with Greg Lukianoff, president and CEO of the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression, to unpack the escalating war over campus free expression, Title IX and the Trump administration's tactics targeting Harvard. They also dive into the psychology of modern censorship and peer into the future of AI, warning why elite control over algorithmic outputs might be the ultimate threat to human knowledge.
Why are young adults increasingly rejecting marriage despite clear data showing it leads to greater happiness and financial success? In this episode of "Make It Make Sense," Kate Andrews and Carine Hajjar sit down with Brad Wilcox, sociology professor at the University of Virginia and a fellow at the American Enterprise Institute and the Institute for Family Studies. They break down the modern "marriage paradox" and debunk the mainstream media's anti-family narrative, explaining why married mothers and fathers report significantly higher levels of meaning, stability and prosperity. The convers
In this episode of “Make It Make Sense,” Kate Andrews sits down with Freya India, author of "Girls: Generation Z and the Commodification of Everything." They explore the challenges of coming of age in a chronically online era, discussing how constant digital access affects mental health and self-image among young women.
How did Congress become weaker and what does that mean for U.S. government today? In this episode of “Make It Make Sense,” host Damir Marusic talks with American Enterprise Institute scholar Yuval Levin about Congress’s decline, recent Supreme Court decisions and how technology and polarization are reshaping American politics.
Is there an end in sight for the Russia-Ukraine war? In this episode of “Make It Make Sense,” Kate Andrews asks Damir Marusic and Dominic Pino what they saw on the ground in Ukraine. They also discuss how Kyiv is employing drone warfare, why Vladimir Putin has resisted a peace deal and what it would take to bring Russia back to the negotiating table.
Is the Democratic Party having its tea party moment? In this episode of “Make It Make Sense,” James Hohmann talks with Liam Donovan, political strategist and a president at Targeted Victory, about the rise of Democratic populism, its effects on the midterms and how it compares to the rise of Trumpism.
Whoever controls artificial intelligence will win the 21st century. In this episode of “Make It Make Sense,” James Hohmann talks with Kyle Chan, a foreign policy fellow at the Brookings Institution, about the AI race between the United States and China, how Beijing is deploying the technology and whether fears of a Chinese AGI takeover are just hype.
What would a new Iran deal mean for the United States? In this episode of “Make It Make Sense,” Carine Hajjar sits down with Behnam Ben Taleblu, senior director of the Foundation for Defense of Democracies’ Iran program. They discuss whether a new agreement would strengthen or appease the Iranian regime, how Lebanon factors into the negotiations and what the ultimate costs and benefits could be for the U.S
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.
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.
