Robert Siegel

Guest Host 

Just three days ahead of the Nevada Caucus, six Democrats took to the debate stage in Las Vegas. But there was one notable newcomer on the stage: Michael Bloomberg.

What Happened In Vegas: Mike Bloomberg's Debate Debut

Brittany Knotts

Freelance Producer

Democratic presidential candidate former New York City Mayor Mike Bloomberg delivers remarks during a campaign rally on February 12, 2020 in Nashville, Tennessee. Bloomberg is holding the rally to mark the beginning of early voting in Tennessee ahead of the Super Tuesday primary on March 3rd. (Brett Carlsen/Getty Images)

Democratic presidential candidate former New York City Mayor Mike Bloomberg delivers remarks during a campaign rally on February 12, 2020 in Nashville, Tennessee. Bloomberg is holding the rally to mark the beginning of early voting in Tennessee ahead of the Super Tuesday primary on March 3rd.  (Brett Carlsen/Getty Images)

Just three days ahead of the Nevada Caucus, six Democrats took to the debate stage in Las Vegas. But there was one notable newcomer on the stage. We’ll talk Michael Bloomberg's first debate performance. Michael Kranish, Mara Gay and Michael Beckel join Robert Siegel.  

News

Politics

David Brooks wants Americans to ditch the idea of the nuclear family. We'll hear why.

David Brooks Says The Nuclear Family Was A Mistake. Is He Right?

Wes Martin

Mr. and Mrs. Paul, and their children Belinda and Cliff, say grace before starting their meal. (Jacobsen /Three Lions/Getty Images)

Mr. and Mrs. Paul, and their children Belinda and Cliff, say grace before starting their meal.  (Jacobsen /Three Lions/Getty Images)

David Brooks wants Americans to ditch the idea of the nuclear family. In his latest piece for The Atlantic, Brooks declares the end of the era of mom, dad and two and a half kids. We'll hear why. David Brooks and Dr. Andrea Hunter join Robert Siegel. 

family

Life

Opinion

Boy Scouts of America filed for bankruptcy after years of declining enrollment and mounting allegations of widespread sexual abuse. Is this the death knell for the organization?   

Amid A Flood Of Sex Abuse Lawsuits, Boy Scouts of America Files For Bankruptcy

Grace Tatter

Producer, WBUR Podcasts

A statue stands outside the Boys Scouts of America headquarters in Irving, Texas. (AP Photo/LM Otero)

Boy Scouts of America filed for bankruptcy after years of declining enrollment and mounting allegations of widespread sexual abuse. Is this the death knell for the organization? Cara Kelly, Marci Hamilton, Alvin Townley and Col. Randy Rizor join Robert Siegel.  

Business

Crime & Justice

Chinese espionage is a real problem for this country. But is the FBI overreacting to Chinese theft of intellectual property, and creating a new red scare?

As FBI Tackles Chinese Espionage, Some Fear A New Red Scare

Stefano Kotsonis

Senior Producer, On Point

A Huawei logo is seen at the entrance of the Huawei Cyber Security Lab at a Huawei production base during a media tour in Donggguan, China's Guangdong province on March 6, 2019. Chinese telecom giant Huawei gave foreign media a peek into its state-of-the-art facilities on March 6 as the normally secretive company steps up a counter-offensive against US warnings that it could be used by Beijing for espionage and sabotage. (WANG ZHAO/AFP via Getty Images)

Chinese espionage is a real problem for this country. But is the FBI overreacting to Chinese theft of intellectual property, and creating a new red scare? Peter Waldman, Larry Diamond and Xi Xiaoxing join Robert Siegel. 

Technology

We talk to Walter Shaub about how he ran the Office of Government Ethics and the future of ethics in government.

Walter Shaub Wants You To Fight For An Ethical Democracy

Dorey Scheimer

Senior Editor, On Point

Walter Shaub speaks at a Nobody Is Above the Law rally protesting President Trump's interference in the Mueller investigation on November 08, 2018 in Washington, DC. (Larry French/Getty Images)

Walter Shaub speaks at a Nobody Is Above the Law rally protesting President Trump's interference in the Mueller investigation on November 08, 2018 in Washington, DC. (Larry French/Getty Images for MoveOn)

For decades, Walter Shaub advised presidential candidates about transparency, ethics and how to avoid conflicts of interest. We talk to Shaub about the future of ethics in government. Walter Shaub joins Robert Siegel. 

Independent bookstores aren’t just back, they’re thriving. How do indie booksellers continue to attract and maintain a loyal base of customers?

Indie Bookstores, Once On The Verge Of Disappearing, Are Making A Comeback

Dana Brigham, manager at Brookline Booksmith, says the store has survived and outlived its mega-store competitors by focusing on the community. (qwrrty/Flickr)

Independent bookstores aren’t just back, they’re thriving. As other small retailers struggle to compete with big box stores and online shoppers, how do indie booksellers continue to attract and maintain a loyal base of customers? Ryan Raffaelli and Jamie Fiocco join Robert Siegel. 

Books

Economy

Looking to the week ahead in news. The Nevada caucus is next as Democrats fight for the soul of their party. Plus, the latest from Washington and legacy of impeachment.

Week Ahead: Nevada Caucus, State Of The Democratic Party, Legacy Of Impeachment

Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) speaks during a campaign rally in the gymnasium at Wakefield High School February 13, 2020 in Arlington, Virginia. After placing fourth in both the Iowa caucuses and the New Hampshire primary, Warren is looking to regain traction heading into Nevada, South Carolina and the Super Tuesday contests. (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

Looking to the week ahead in news. The Nevada caucus is next as Democrats fight for the soul of their party. Plus, the latest from Washington and the legacy of impeachment. Jon Ralston, Jack Beatty and Abby Livingston join Robert Siegel.

On Point interviews with candidates for president in the 2020 election.

2020 Presidential Candidates

On Presidents Day, taking stock of the evolution of the office itself. What has the presidency become? Where is it headed? What does it say about us?

On Presidents Day, Understanding The Evolution Of The Office Itself

Hilary McQuilkin

Producer, On Point

George Washington, the 1st President of the United States of America. Original Publication: From the engraving by W Nutter, after CG Stuart. (Hulton Archive/Getty Images)

George Washington, the 1st President of the United States of America.  Original Publication: From the engraving by W Nutter, after CG Stuart.  (Hulton Archive/Getty Images)

On Presidents Day, taking stock of the evolution of the office itself. What has the presidency become? Where is it headed? What does it say about us? Barbara Perry, Saikrishna Prakash and Jon Michaels join Robert Siegel.