Make It Make Sense

Kat Timpf: The right has an affordability problem Oct 12, 2026 36:39 Why are younger Americans turning toward socialism, and what does that say about the political choices facing both parties? In this episode of “Make It Make Sense,” Carine Hajjar talks with comedian, author and “Gutfeld!” co-host Kat Timpf about her libertarian worldview, the affordability and housing crisis, Donald Trump, the Iran war and the 2026 midterms. They also discuss Timpf’s experience wi

Brian Schimpf: Drone warfare is changing everything Oct 6, 2026 44:44 How is artificial intelligence changing modern warfare, and what does it mean for the U.S. military? In this episode of “Make It Make Sense,” Damir Marusic talks with Anduril co-founder and CEO Brian Schimpf about rogue AI, autonomous weapons, the company’s Lattice platform and the Pentagon’s shift toward cheaper weapons and drones. They also discuss lessons from wars in Ukraine and Iran, NATO’s d

Andy Beshear: Why Democrats need to talk about God again Sep 29, 2026 44:36 How does Andy Beshear see the future of the Democratic Party and American politics? In this episode of “Make It Make Sense,” Kate Andrews talks with the Kentucky governor about his new book, President Donald Trump, health care, the national debt, school choice, the role of faith in public life and whether he is considering a run for president in 2028. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for mor

Jared Polis: Why school choice is a no brainer Sep 22, 2026 23:21 How did Colorado become one of the country’s top states for education? And should other states follow its lead? In this episode of “Make It Make Sense,” Kate Andrews talks with Colorado Gov. Jared Polis (D) about school choice, universal pre-K, Trump’s new education tax credit, alternatives to four-year college, AI in the classroom, workforce training and the future of education policy. Hosted on

Should America ban superintelligent AI? | Ro Khanna Sep 16, 2026 45:24 Should Washington ban superintelligence and establish strict safety standards for advanced AI? In this episode of "Make It Make Sense," Carine Hajjar sits down with Rep. Ro Khanna (D-California) to discuss federal AI oversight, wealth taxes, Hasan Piker's influence on the Democratic Party and how Democrats can regain the trust of middle-class voters. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more

Is crime really down? Sep 7, 2026 32:57 As murder rates plummet to a 20-year low, why are so many American cities still grappling with disorder? In this episode of "Make It Make Sense," Carine Hajjar sits down with Manhattan Institute fellow Heather Mac Donald to explore "teen takeovers," the root causes of urban anarchy, pushback against progressive prosecutors and whether President Donald Trump deserves credit for the nationwide drop

Jason Oppenheim: L.A.’s mansion tax is a disaster Sep 1, 2026 37:27 Is Los Angeles's progressive "mansion tax" actually destroying the city's real estate market and worsening the housing crisis? In this episode of "Make It Make Sense," Kate Andrews talks with Jason Oppenheim, star of Netflix's "Selling Sunset" and founder of the Oppenheim Group, about the disastrous unintended consequences of California's housing policies, the reality of the homelessness crisis an

Why a former Democratic operative thinks the party needs a reckoning Aug 28, 2026 34:14 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.

Mayor Daniel Lurie on how San Francisco got back on track Aug 21, 2026 27:23 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 intel

Will the AI bubble break American politics? Aug 17, 2026 35:37 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 und

Why the right is fighting about $20 burritos Aug 13, 2026 27:11 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 ener

Democrats have a 2028 problem Aug 10, 2026 34:46 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/ Hosted

John Fetterman’s warning to the Democratic Party Aug 7, 2026 33:30 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 fili

How conspiracy theories took over Aug 6, 2026 32:47 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

Why Democrats Keep Losing Working-Class Voters | Ruy Teixeira Aug 4, 2026 38:35 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-bl

Michael Knowles on why the left's populist rebrand won't work Jul 31, 2026 35:49 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, Do

Fareed Zakaria: Is America losing the world? Jul 29, 2026 30:45 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

Did DEI break colleges? Jul 28, 2026 37:21 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, th

How can California be saved? Ask Steve Hilton. Jul 24, 2026 29:01 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 Jul 23, 2026 35:05 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? Jul 21, 2026 32:05 Are double standards becoming the norm in American politics? In this episode of “Make It Make Sense,” Carine Hajjar and Brad Polumbo, 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? Jul 17, 2026 31:24 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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/pr

Does the right have a cancel culture problem? Jul 16, 2026 34:14 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? Jul 15, 2026 26:58 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 Jul 10, 2026 33:49 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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Is the president too powerful? A constitutional scholar weighs in. Jul 9, 2026 34:08 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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Inside Ukraine’s fight to survive Jul 2, 2026 33:16 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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more

Is this the Democratic tea party? | Liam Donovan Jun 30, 2026 36:11 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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Who is winning the AI battle? Jun 25, 2026 26:35 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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more

Did Trump achieve his goals in Iran? Jun 23, 2026 34:30 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

What happens next in Iran? Jun 16, 2026 24:29 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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more

Why Gen Z hates capitalism Jun 15, 2026 30:38 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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Did Trump make America’s 250th about himself? Jun 12, 2026 27:33 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? Jun 9, 2026 21:15 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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

D.C. has a ‘teen takeover’ problem Jun 8, 2026 30:35 ‘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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Was Trump’s ‘weaponization fund’ doomed from the start? Jun 5, 2026 37:06 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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Did Trump win the late-night comedy battle? Jun 3, 2026 28:44 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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What happens in California after Gavin Newsom? Jun 1, 2026 29:27 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. May 29, 2026 28:23 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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What's behind Zohran Mamdani's mass appeal? May 27, 2026 25:22 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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Why data centers don't deserve so much hate May 26, 2026 50:16 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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Will the Ukraine war force Putin's exit? May 22, 2026 21:53 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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What Thomas Massie's loss means for MAGA May 20, 2026 19:15 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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Why Bernie Sanders is wrong about Sweden May 19, 2026 26:25 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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Graham Platner is forcing Dems to change May 15, 2026 32:46 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? May 13, 2026 52:00 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? May 11, 2026 46:10 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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Are colleges undermining education with easy A's? Apr 15, 2026 34:32 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? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Affordability gets worse as Iran war drags Apr 14, 2026 38:33 An upcoming Washington Post Opinions show. Stay tuned.00:00 - Monologue02:49 - Affordability gets worse as Iran war drags16:36 - Trump AI meme angers MAGA28:22 - Who really pays taxes in America? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Trump ally Viktor Orban loses in Hungary Apr 13, 2026 48:38 An upcoming Washington Post Opinions show. Stay tuned.00:00 - Monologue03:13 - Trump ally Viktor Orban loses in Hungary19:29 - Trump sends Navy to blockade the Strait of Hormuz33:51 - Will Eric Swalwell step down after accusations? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

AI paranoia becomes unhinged Apr 10, 2026 34:11 An upcoming Washington Post Opinions show. Stay tuned.00:00 - Monologue03:03 - AI paranoia becomes unhinged13:14 - Trump threatens big pharma20:10 - NFL draft forces school closures?The Washington Post is owned by Jeff Bezos, who founded Amazon. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Never subsidize a sports stadium Apr 9, 2026 37:19 An upcoming Washington Post Opinions show. Stay tuned.00:00 - Monologue02:22 - Never subsidize a sports stadium13:53 - Is the Iran ceasefire over already?25:39 - VA spending spiked. Are veterans better off? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Biggest TACO yet? Trump backtracks from 'Living Hell' threat Apr 8, 2026 37:28 An upcoming Washington Post Opinions show. Stay tuned.00:00 - Monologue02:33 - Biggest TACO yet? Trump backtracks from 'Living Hell' threat19:26 - Annie Ramos detained while securing military spouse benefits29:04 - Jamie Dimon warns businesses may leave under Mamdani tax policy Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Potomac sewage spill. What really happened? Apr 7, 2026 38:14 An upcoming Washington Post Opinions show. Stay tuned.00:00 - Monologue02:20 - The Potomac sewage spill. What really happened?13:59 - Trump threatens 'Living Hell' on Iran30:06 - Artemis II breaks space travel record. Who does this help? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Trump: Send Iran to the Stone Age Apr 2, 2026 33:52 An upcoming Washington Post Opinions show. Stay tuned.00:00 - Monologue03:13 - Trump: Send Iran to the Stone Age16:43 - Can Trump make Iran war worth it for U.S.?29:38 - Hegseth exonerates Army helicopter crew over Kid Rock flyby Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Get your own oil? Trump flip-flops on Strait of Hormuz Apr 1, 2026 37:30 An upcoming Washington Post Opinions show. Stay tuned.00:00 - Monologue04:23 - Get Your Own Oil? Trump Flip-Flops On Strait Of Hormuz 15:55 - The Politics Of Conversion Therapy25:36 - Trump Wants Birthright Citizenship Revoked Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Lindsey Graham vacationing during shutdown Mar 31, 2026 37:08 An upcoming Washington Post Opinions show. Stay tuned.00:00 - Monologue02:26 - Lindsey Graham Vacationing During Shutdown13:57 - Kash Patel Targeted By Pro-Iranian Hackers23:19 - Does Graham Platner's Past Matter? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Meta, YouTube found liable in addiction trial Mar 26, 2026 34:18 An upcoming Washington Post Opinions show. Stay tuned. The Washington Post is owned by Jeff Bezos, who founded Amazon and Blue Origin. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Gas prices skyrocket as Iran war drags Mar 25, 2026 29:31 An upcoming Washington Post Opinions show. Stay tuned. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Activists Exploit Cuba Crisis with Luxury Trip? Mar 24, 2026 34:38 An upcoming Washington Post Opinions show. Stay tuned. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What happened to Tulsi Gabbard? Mar 19, 2026 29:28 An upcoming Washington Post Opinions show. Stay tuned. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Trump Struggles To Open The Strait of Hormuz Mar 17, 2026 34:55 An upcoming Washington Post Opinions show. Stay tuned. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Who was behind Iranian girls' school bombing? Mar 12, 2026 40:31 An upcoming Washington Post Opinions show. Stay tuned. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Tariff Refunds on Hold — What Happens Now? Mar 10, 2026 40:17 An upcoming Washington Post Opinions show. Stay tuned. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Iran war sends gas prices climbing — what happens next? Mar 5, 2026 46:29 An upcoming Washington Post Opinions show. Stay tuned. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

So much winning. But are we? Feb 26, 2026 39:26 An upcoming Washington Post Opinions show. Stay tuned. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Episodes

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