To the Point
117 episodes - English - Latest episode: about 1 year ago - ★★★★★ - 573 ratingsA monthly reality-check on the issues Americans care about most. Host Warren Olney draws on his decades of experience to explore the people and issues shaping – and disrupting - our world. How did everything change so fast? Where are we headed? The conversations are informal, edgy and always informative. If Warren's asking, you want to know the answer.
Homepage Apple Podcasts Google Podcasts Overcast Castro Pocket Casts RSS feed
Episodes
Malcolm Gladwell on the page and in the podcast
September 30, 2019 07:00 - 29 minutesMalcolm Gladwell’s latest book, “Talking to Strangers,” is out, while he’s hosting the podcast, “Revisionist History.” In both media, Big Ideas reveal surprising connections between disparate events and actions. Warren talks with one of America’s most popular public intellectuals.
The UN: Climate change and future generations
September 25, 2019 07:00 - 37 minutesGreta Thunberg inspired Fridays for Future--school strikes around the world. Were the leaders of major polluters paying attention? Not according to what they told the United Nations. We’ll hear how youthful protesters are reacting to business as usual.
Is the world waking up to climate change?
September 19, 2019 07:00 - 47 minutesStudents are cutting class, and workers are striking worldwide. At the UN, governments will be held accountable for promises made in the Paris Accords. Multinational corporations are feeling international pressure. Will activism and awareness add up to action?
Saving the planet one hamburger at a time
September 16, 2019 07:00 - 15 minutesIf Americans cut just one hamburger from their diet every week, it would be like taking 10 million cars off the road every year. After cutting energy use, less meat and more plant-based food add up to the easiest--and healthiest--way to reduce your carbon footprint.
The decline of organized labor and America’s middle class
September 12, 2019 07:00 - 54 minutesIn 1950, America had the richest middle class in the world, but now U.S. workers face wage stagnation and historic wealth inequality. That's according to Steven Greenhouse, author of “Beaten Down, Worked Up: The Past, Present, and Future of American Labor."
National Security and Climate Change
September 05, 2019 07:00 - 41 minutesRising oceans wildfires and water shortages threaten US military operations worldwide. At the same time, the Pentagon is a major emitter of greenhouse gases. Can the defense establishment clean up its act and keep America safe at the same time?
The high cost of cheap plastics
August 31, 2019 16:00 - 34 minutesConsumers do their duty filling those blue bins every day, but recycling centers are shutting down. Just 9% of plastic waste is ever processed for second use. Public cleanup expenses and worldwide pollution have led to calls for a ban on single-use plastics, despite the cost to convenience.
Can the Democrats get it together in time?
August 29, 2019 07:00 - 35 minutesThe race for the presidential nomination poses another stress test for the Democratic Party. With unity the essential requirement for defeating President Trump, too many candidates may stay in the contest too long. We’ll look at the potential consequences of a divided nominating convention.
Did Boeing prioritize profits over safety?
August 19, 2019 07:00 - 40 minutesMonths after two deadly crashes, Boeing’s 737 Max aircraft still isn’t cleared for take off. The grounding has cost Boeing billions and thousands of flights have been cancelled. Investigations portray a culture of deceit and cost cutting, incentivizing corporate profit over product safety.
What will it take to prevent mass shootings?
August 08, 2019 07:00 - 1 hourWill mass shootings become part of America’s background noise? That’s an ugly prospect raised by the deaths of 34 people this week in Texas, Ohio and California. So, why are such atrocities on the rise? President Trump and others blame video games and mental illness, but evidence shows otherwise. In fact, it appears there’s reason behind the madness. UCLA constitutional law professor Adam Winkler says, “I think that they are designed to create terror and to spread terror.” There is, “A c...
California v. Trump on auto emissions
August 03, 2019 16:00 - 37 minutesPresident Trump wants to roll back Obama-era emission standards. But, after secret meetings with California’s top regulator, Ford, Honda, VW and BMW won’t go along. Will Toyota, GM and other car makers be left behind?
Are Democratic candidates playing into Trump’s hands?
July 30, 2019 07:00 - 26 minutesOnce again it’s the race for the White House as Reality TV, with 20 performers focused on making the next audition. Are “bold proposals” politically risky? Are moderators letting the candidates off easy?
Beat climate change: get out of your car?
July 27, 2019 16:00 - 34 minutesThe original purpose of cities was to bring people together. That was their function for thousands of years. Then came the 20th Century and the automobile, which, “blew cities apart.” That’s according to Robert Kunzig of National Geographic, who tells us that, Climate Change may bring cities together again. Satellite research by NASA shows that cars--not to mention trucks and buses--produce a major part of the greenhouse gases responsible for climate change. Getting rid of cars sounds like...
Partisanship and Racism from the Bully Pulpit
July 25, 2019 07:00 - 52 minutesTeddy Roosevelt coined the term “Bully Pulpit.” Other presidents have used it to get the nation behind them. For President Trump, it’s an instrument of division. Republicans have given up on a “big tent” party. Reporters have to repeat overtly racist attacks on Congresswomen of color.
Federal scientists censored and forced to move
July 20, 2019 16:00 - 23 minutesScience continues to suffer attack from the Trump administration. Testimony on climate change and national security has been censored. Government research jobs are being moved out of Wasington. There’s a “real exodus” of expertise needed to face the challenges of the future.
Can Fake News Lead to Real War?
July 18, 2019 07:00 - 43 minutes“False flag” reports, even outright deceptions, have led to some of America’s longest wars. New technology makes another disastrous mistake more likely than ever. Tensions between the US and Iran are fertile ground for Artificial Intelligence, internet hackers and hawks in both countries.
It’s time to talk about climate change
July 15, 2019 07:00 - 22 minutesThe challenge of climate change can seem overwhelming--especially with the Trump administration dropping the ball. But cities have opportunities to make change. Consumers can develop new habits. And ending our climate silence to talk about climate change could lead to real progress.