Best Washington University in St. Louis Engineering Podcasts (2025)

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Should states cut their property taxes? 33:10

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28m ago33:10

33:10

Rising property tax bills are squeezing homeowners across the country. So, several states are proposing expanded tax relief programs or even the complete repeal of property taxes. How these changes would impact local communities.By WBUR

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The might and magic of human muscles 35:27

3d ago35:27

35:27

Our muscles power us -- from the tissue that pumps blood from our heart to the tiny fibers that give us goosebumps. How exactly do muscles work — and how can we best strengthen them?By WBUR

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The Jackpod: The other Washington 37:59

3d ago37:59

37:59

On Point news analyst Jack Beatty sees Washington state’s first-in-the-nation social insurance program for long-term care as a portent for the future of the politics of remedy in the U.S.By WBUR

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The world has its first AI government official 35:24

4d ago35:24

35:24

Albania’s prime minister has installed a new minister. Only it isn’t human, it’s Artificial Intelligence. What does this signal for the evolution of government administration around the world?By WBUR

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From unthinkable to politics as usual: The government shutdown story 37:08

5d ago37:08

37:08

Government shutdowns have become an expected reality in American politics. But before 1980 they were pretty much unheard of. The history of government shutdowns in the U.S.By WBUR

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Unpacking the details of the Israel-Hamas ceasefire 42:09

6d ago42:09

42:09

President Trump insists the ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas is holding. But peace between the two sides rests on shaky ground. What aspects of the agreement are encouraging long-term stability, and what aspects are holding it back?By WBUR

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America is polarized. Could this writer's new approach fix it? 33:39

7d ago33:39

33:39

Polarization pushes people apart. Writer Chloé Valdary says we can heal deepening divisions by treating each other like human beings, not political abstractions.By WBUR

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Could the Maine Senate race determine the future of the Democratic party? 36:34

10d ago36:34

36:34

A handful of Democrat says they’re coming for Maine Senator Susan Collins' seat. But first they have to capture the soul of the Democratic party.By WBUR

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The Jackpod: How health care can save Democrats and democracy 37:52

10d ago37:52

37:52

On Point news analyst Jack Beatty argues that Democrats are making a strategic mistake in their demand to extend ACA health care subsidies and its role in the government shutdown.By WBUR

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Will TrumpRx actually lower drug prices? 37:25

11d ago37:25

37:25

Discounted prices will be offered at TrumpRx – a new direct-to-consumer website launching next year. It's a result of deals President Trump recently cut with pharmaceutical giants like Pfizer and AstraZeneca. But who really benefits?By WBUR

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What can Americans learn from Stalinism? 40:35

12d ago40:35

40:35

Some historians argue that President Trump is using a Stalinist-style playbook to amass power, silence his enemies and suppress science. What Americans should know about notorious Soviet dictator Joseph Stalin's style and political tactics.By WBUR

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Is education technology actually helping students learn? 35:17

13d ago35:17

35:17

From laptops to learning software, schools invest billions of dollars each year on education technology. But what do we really know about how effective that tech is in the classroom?By WBUR

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Why Gen Z says 'hotties need hobbies' 33:57

14d ago33:57

33:57

Sewing, scrapbooking, sports clubs. Many Gen Z’ers are taking up real-world hobbies as an antidote to doomscrolling. Why hobbies make us happy — and how to get one.By WBUR

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The Jackpod: Shake the superflux 39:10

16d ago39:10

39:10

On Point news analyst Jack Beatty on limitarianism: the case against extreme wealth and for a wealth cap.By WBUR

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The big impact of small interactions 34:57

17d ago34:57

34:57

A stranger holding the door open for you. A friendly wave from a neighbor. An angry driver cuts you off. The new book "The Social Biome" reveals how 'everyday communication connects and shapes us.'By WBUR

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Trump's plan for the military to serve his political agenda 35:51

18d ago35:51

35:51

In recent speeches to the U.S. military, President Trump has laid out a politicized vision for America's armed forces. How Trump could change what the U.S. military is for, who it serves and who it’s fighting against.By WBUR

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What happens when you can bet on anything? 35:43

19d ago35:43

35:43

Prediction markets have long been an under-the-radar way to bet on politics, sports and pop culture. Now, platforms like Kalshi and Polymarket are going mainstream. Why are they getting so popular, and how could they impact the way we predict the future?By WBUR

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How Trump's tariffs are squeezing small businesses 32:23

20d ago32:23

32:23

By WBUR

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‘It affects your wiring’: Jake Sullivan on the weight of his work as national security adviser 36:47

21d ago36:47

36:47

By WBUR

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The Supreme Court case that could upend the Voting Rights Act 37:20

24d ago37:20

37:20

Later this month, the Supreme Court will hear a case that could overturn a key provision of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 that protects against racial discrimination. Without it, some legal experts say states and local jurisdictions would be permitted to effectively silence the votes of millions of people.…

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The Jackpod: Homeland insecurity 33:40

24d ago33:40

33:40

On Point news analyst Jack Beatty on Kristi Noem. How the former South Dakota governor rose to head the Department of Homeland Security and the impact she is having on the agency that’s been described as “too big to manage.”By WBUR

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Are robo-referees making sports more fair or less fun? 35:12

25d ago35:12

35:12

Major League Baseball will add an automated ball-strike system next season. How human judgement is giving way to technology across the sports world, and what that means for players, umpires and fans.By WBUR

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Lessons for the U.S. in 'China’s quest to engineer the future' 31:18

26d ago31:18

31:18

How can a lawyerly society and an engineering society learn from each other? And what’s at stake if they fail? Author Dan Wang set out to answer those questions about the U.S. and China.By WBUR

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Is there really a rise in left-wing political violence in America? 46:56

27d ago46:56

46:56

Charlie Kirk's assassination. The United Healthcare CEO's murder. Several recent high-profile killings seem to have political motivations. What’s driving this — and what can we do about it?By WBUR

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Princeton's president on how the university is taking a stand 46:31

28d ago46:31

46:31

Free speech, funding and academic freedom at U.S. colleges are under attack. Princeton President Christopher Eisgruber shares how his university is weathering the storm.By WBUR

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Meghna's old house 52:00

29d ago52:00

52:00

Meghna recently appeared on this episode of This Old House Radio Hour to talk about her childhood home in Corvallis, Oregon. She has a great time talking about the house, her family, and the American dream. We hope you enjoy it too.By WBUR

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Behind the scenes of On Point 36:47

1M ago36:47

36:47

Host Meghna Chakrabarti and executive producer Jonathan Dyer offer a behind-the-scenes look into how On Point is produced. Recorded in front of a live audience at WBUR CitySpace.By WBUR

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The real story behind the slump in Las Vegas tourism 45:25

1M ago45:25

45:25

Las Vegas is in a tourism slump. Hotel occupancy and air travel are down, and many local hospitality employees are experiencing layoffs or cuts in their hours. What's driving this downturn, and can Sin City bounce back?By WBUR

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The Jackpod: Plutonomy 35:45

1M ago35:45

35:45

On Point news analyst Jack Beatty on a concept that explains an anomaly in today’s economic news: retail sales are up while other key economic indicators are down.By WBUR

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How private companies are influencing the new space race 46:27

1M ago46:27

46:27

From leased property to defense contracts, private space companies have become fully intertwined with public infrastructure. But not everyone’s sold on how intertwined these systems have become.By WBUR

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Is Elon Musk’s supercomputer polluting Memphis? 46:15

1M ago46:15

46:15

Elon Musk says xAI has one of the most powerful supercomputers in the world. It’s located in Memphis, Tennessee and it’s called Colossus. But neighborhood residents say Colossus belches colossal pollution.By WBUR

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The legacy of the 5th Circuit: Past and present 45:40

1M ago45:40

45:40

Today, the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals is known as a conservative juggernaut. But that hasn’t always been the case.By WBUR

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Why the flag burning debate is still not settled 45:23

1M ago45:23

45:23

President Trump has issued an Executive Order requiring the Justice Department to prosecute people for burning the American flag. But the Supreme Court has ruled flag burning is free speech. What the debate reveals about the value of national symbols.By WBUR

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The strange psychology behind fawning 45:59

1M ago45:59

45:59

If you have ever found yourself dealing with a threatening person, and instead of fleeing them, you flattered – that’s called fawning. Psychologist Ingrid Clayton on the psychology behind this self-preservation strategy.By WBUR

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The Jackpod: The two-state mirage 36:16

1M ago36:16

36:16

On Point news analyst Jack Beatty on the U.S. vote against a UN resolution backing a two-state solution to the Israel-Palestinian conflict.By WBUR

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The right wing is coming for Wikipedia 41:32

1M ago41:32

41:32

The Heritage Foundation says it will "identify and target" Wikipedia editors over alleged bias. What does that mean for Wikipedia’s future?By WBUR

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What to know as the student loan industry becomes more privatized 41:58

1M ago41:58

41:58

Congress has overhauled the federal student loan system, including big changes on borrowing caps and loan restrictions. Education experts say this will up the demand for private loans. So, what does that mean for student borrowers?By WBUR

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How presidents use the U.S. military in the war on drugs 41:22

1M ago41:22

41:22

President Trump's order to attack a Venezuelan boat on drug smuggling suspicions has alarmed some Republican lawmakers.By WBUR

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What Charlie Kirk's assassination reveals about political violence in America 45:42

1M ago45:42

45:42

Charlie Kirk helped shape conservative politics over the last decade. His assassination raises a question for all Americans: Can anything turn back the rising tide of political violence in America?By WBUR

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Have we taken therapy culture too far? 45:17

2M ago45:17

45:17

A growing number of young people say their mental health diagnosis is an important part of their identity. But by medicalizing imperfection – could young people be losing what makes them uniquely human?By WBUR

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The Jackpod: We want to hear from you 0:48

2M ago0:48

0:48

The Jackpod is on hiatus this week. But in the meantime: Send us topics or ideas you want to hear on The Jackpod via the On Point VoxPop app.By WBUR

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The long-term effects of nuclear waste in St. Louis 45:11

2M ago45:11

45:11

For decades, kids in St. Louis County caught crawdads in Coldwater Creek, made mudpies, went swimming -- and were exposed to nuclear waste. Hear the story of how St. Louis became a dumping ground for radioactive waste generated by the Manhattan Project.By WBUR

1
The great freight recession 45:14

2M ago45:14

45:14

The trucking industry, and more broadly the freight industry, still hasn't fully recovered from the business impacts of COVID. What's behind that?By WBUR

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The 'hotshot' life 40:53

2M ago40:53

40:53

River Selby served as a hotshot – an elite wildland firefighter. Selby shares the reality of the life and work of firefighters trying to save America’s western forests. And how despite fire seasons getting longer and longer, fewer people want to join hotshot crews.By WBUR

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What 25 years of CDC data on autism tells us 43:35

2M ago43:35

43:35

One in 31 American children have autism spectrum disorder, according to the CDC. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has vowed to find the cause. But experts are skeptical.By WBUR

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Why it's the end of the road for the Humvee 41:07

2M ago41:07

41:07

The Humvee is an American military icon. Yet the Department of Defense has announced the vehicle’s retirement. What does this say about our shifting military priorities?By WBUR

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The Jackpod: The autocrat of the cabinet table 36:32

2M ago36:32

36:32

On Point news analyst Jack Beatty on President Trump’s marathon cabinet meeting, how his cabinet addresses him, and what that says about his presidency.By WBUR

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How Trump is transforming the way corporations do business in the U.S. 43:34

2M ago43:34

43:34

President Trump demanded cuts from private businesses. Blacklisted major law firms. And threatened companies to invest more in America. The uncertain legal landscape for U.S. businesses today.By WBUR

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How to redesign schools for the AI age 43:21

2M ago43:21

43:21

AI is doing students’ homework, writing their essays -- and probably replacing a lot of their future jobs. Is it time to rethink what schools are for?By WBUR

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The fight against Trump's 'war on history' 43:28

2M ago43:28

43:28

Pulitzer Prize-winning historian David Blight says President Donald Trump is attacking American history and scholarship for political ends. Blight says it’s time for historians to fight back.By WBUR

Washington University In St. Louis Engineering Podcasts