Make It Make Sense
We’re making sense of an increasingly complex world through reporting, interviews and expert analysis. Join us every weekday.
Episodes
How can California be saved? Ask Steve Hilton.
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,
Newsom has pushed California to a tipping point
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 dri
Why have political double standards gotten worse?
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
Why doesn’t Europe have AC?
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.
Does the right have a cancel culture problem?
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 t
Why are marriage rates falling?
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 "ma
Social Media Is Making Girls Unhappy | Freya India
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.
Is the president too powerful? A constitutional scholar weighs in.
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.
Inside Ukraine’s fight to survive
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 this the Democratic tea party? | Liam Donovan
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.
Who is winning the AI battle?
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.
Did Trump achieve his goals in Iran?
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 fo
What happens next in Iran?
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.
Why Gen Z hates capitalism
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.
Did Trump make America’s 250th about himself?
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 "F
Are Graham Platner's scandals helping him?
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.
D.C. has a ‘teen takeover’ problem
‘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.
Was Trump’s ‘weaponization fund’ doomed from the start?
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.
Did Trump win the late-night comedy battle?
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.
What happens in California after Gavin Newsom?
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 S
Is America a Christian nation? A conversation with Bishop Barron.
In this episode of "Make It Make Sense," Adam O'Neal sits down with Bishop Robert Barron to discuss Christian nationalism, the role of Catholicism in America and whether Pope Leo is positioned as the "anti-Trump" pope.
What's behind Zohran Mamdani's mass appeal?
Zohran Mamdani successfully built an unlikely coalition of progressives and the professional managerial class, but what ideological shifts made this possible? In this episode of "Make It Make Sense," Sagnik Basu and Zineb Riboua break down how the rise of third-worldism in Western culture fueled this alliance.
Why data centers don't deserve so much hate
The hysteria around artificial intelligence and data centers is growing, but are the public's worst fears warranted? In this episode of "Make It Make Sense," James Hohmann, Jason Willick and Dominic Pino debunk the biggest myths about the technology's impacts on jobs and the environment.
Will the Ukraine war force Putin's exit?
Has the Ukraine war done more damage to Russia than we've heard? In this episode of "Make It Make Sense," Adam O’Neal sits down with David Ignatius to discuss how the war is going, what Ukraine's future holds and what Russia would look like without Vladimir Putin.
What Thomas Massie's loss means for MAGA
After Thomas Massie's primary defeat, what does the future hold for the GOP and the MAGA movement? In this episode of "Make It Make Sense," Kate Andrews, James Hohmann and Robert Gebelhoff discuss the political cost of breaking from President Donald Trump and whether Republicans are speeding toward a midterms disaster.
Why Bernie Sanders is wrong about Sweden
Why do progressives like Sen. Bernie Sanders love Scandinavia so much? In this episode of "Make It Make Sense," Damir Marusic, Adam O'Neal and Dominic Pino debunk the myth of the Swedish socialist utopia.
Graham Platner is forcing Dems to change
Are voters rejecting career politicians? The 2026 midterms are already being shaken up by populist firebrands and antiestablishment outsiders. In this episode of "Make It Make Sense," Kate Andrews, Carine Hajjar and James Desio break down Graham Platner’s controversial momentum in Maine, James Talarico's polished strategy in Texas and Spencer Pratt’s AI-fueled mayoral run in Los Angeles. Are voter
Has the U.S. lost the Iran war?
This episode of "Make It Make Sense," moderated by James Hohmann, asks a critical geopolitical question on where the United States stands with Iran. Damir Marusic and Carine Hajjar debate whether the U.S. has achieved its strategic objectives and if pursuing a new diplomatic deal with Tehran is actually worthwhile. Also, can the Strait of Hormuz be opened without total war? And why is Gen Z agains
Should you be worried about hantavirus?
The hantavirus outbreak has reminded many about the mistakes of covid-19. In this episode, hosts Adam O'Neal, James Hohmann, Carine Hajjar and Kate Andrews discuss whether the confirmed cases on the Hondius cruise ship should cause concern — or if the media and public are overreacting.
Are colleges undermining education with easy A's?
An upcoming Washington Post Opinions show. Stay tuned.
00:00 - Monologue
02:36 - Are colleges undermining education with easy A's?
17:41 - How does cannabis affect the human brain?
27:14 - Will Americans be able to make whiskey at home?
Affordability gets worse as Iran war drags
An upcoming Washington Post Opinions show. Stay tuned.
00:00 - Monologue
02:49 - Affordability gets worse as Iran war drags
16:36 - Trump AI meme angers MAGA
28:22 - Who really pays taxes in America?
Trump ally Viktor Orban loses in Hungary
An upcoming Washington Post Opinions show. Stay tuned.
00:00 - Monologue
03:13 - Trump ally Viktor Orban loses in Hungary
19:29 - Trump sends Navy to blockade the Strait of Hormuz
33:51 - Will Eric Swalwell step down after accusations?
AI paranoia becomes unhinged
An upcoming Washington Post Opinions show. Stay tuned.
00:00 - Monologue
03:03 - AI paranoia becomes unhinged
13:14 - Trump threatens big pharma
20:10 - NFL draft forces school closures?
The Washington Post is owned by Jeff Bezos, who founded Amazon.
Never subsidize a sports stadium
An upcoming Washington Post Opinions show. Stay tuned.
00:00 - Monologue
02:22 - Never subsidize a sports stadium
13:53 - Is the Iran ceasefire over already?
25:39 - VA spending spiked. Are veterans better off?
Biggest TACO yet? Trump backtracks from 'Living Hell' threat
An upcoming Washington Post Opinions show. Stay tuned.
00:00 - Monologue
02:33 - Biggest TACO yet? Trump backtracks from 'Living Hell' threat
19:26 - Annie Ramos detained while securing military spouse benefits
29:04 - Jamie Dimon warns businesses may leave under Mamdani tax policy
The Potomac sewage spill. What really happened?
An upcoming Washington Post Opinions show. Stay tuned.
00:00 - Monologue
02:20 - The Potomac sewage spill. What really happened?
13:59 - Trump threatens 'Living Hell' on Iran
30:06 - Artemis II breaks space travel record. Who does this help?
Trump: Send Iran to the Stone Age
An upcoming Washington Post Opinions show. Stay tuned.
00:00 - Monologue
03:13 - Trump: Send Iran to the Stone Age
16:43 - Can Trump make Iran war worth it for U.S.?
29:38 - Hegseth exonerates Army helicopter crew over Kid Rock flyby
Get your own oil? Trump flip-flops on Strait of Hormuz
An upcoming Washington Post Opinions show. Stay tuned.
00:00 - Monologue
04:23 - Get Your Own Oil? Trump Flip-Flops On Strait Of Hormuz
15:55 - The Politics Of Conversion Therapy
25:36 - Trump Wants Birthright Citizenship Revoked
Lindsey Graham vacationing during shutdown
An upcoming Washington Post Opinions show. Stay tuned.
00:00 - Monologue
02:26 - Lindsey Graham Vacationing During Shutdown
13:57 - Kash Patel Targeted By Pro-Iranian Hackers
23:19 - Does Graham Platner's Past Matter?
Meta, YouTube found liable in addiction trial
An upcoming Washington Post Opinions show. Stay tuned.
The Washington Post is owned by Jeff Bezos, who founded Amazon and Blue Origin.
Gas prices skyrocket as Iran war drags
An upcoming Washington Post Opinions show. Stay tuned.
Activists Exploit Cuba Crisis with Luxury Trip?
An upcoming Washington Post Opinions show. Stay tuned.
What happened to Tulsi Gabbard?
An upcoming Washington Post Opinions show. Stay tuned.
Trump Struggles To Open The Strait of Hormuz
An upcoming Washington Post Opinions show. Stay tuned.
Who was behind Iranian girls' school bombing?
An upcoming Washington Post Opinions show. Stay tuned.
Tariff Refunds on Hold — What Happens Now?
An upcoming Washington Post Opinions show. Stay tuned.
Iran war sends gas prices climbing — what happens next?
An upcoming Washington Post Opinions show. Stay tuned.
So much winning. But are we?
An upcoming Washington Post Opinions show. Stay tuned.
