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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 more information.

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 Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 information.

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 in crime. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 and why he believes the artificial intelligence boom will ultimately save the state. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 radicalizing parts of both the right and the left. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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, cultural and economic issues. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.