wbur.org
support wbur today!
About the Show
Tom Ashbrook in the studio

Tom Ashbrook in the studio

On Point is the fastest growing talk show on NPR — two hours broadcast daily across the country, hosted by award-winning journalist Tom Ashbrook. The show’s lively conversation covers everything from breaking news to ancient poetry, with newsmakers, thinkers, journalists, artists, scientists and ordinary citizens from around the world.

Broadcast live from 10 a.m. to noon ET, with listener call-in, from WBUR in Boston, the show airs throughout the day on 120 NPR stations coast to coast.

Here’s what Tom has to say about the show:

In ballet, “on point” means up on your toes.

In war, it’s the lead soldier on patrol

In conversation it’s the heart of the matter.

That’s where we strive to be every day with our listeners — up on our toes, out front, at the heart of what’s going on.

Here at On Point, we’re looking to create a different kind of conversation about the country and the world we live in — about who we are, and where we’re going. Maybe it’s the kind of national conversation you’ve always wanted. Fast, fun, serious, surprising. Open to everyone. And above all, unflinchingly honest. With voices from all over the planet. Fresh voices. Passionate voices.

On Point was born in the immediate aftermath of the attacks of 9/11, when the country was looking for answers and impatient with old certitudes. We still carry that urgency today: to test, challenge, and probe. And while we do it, to celebrate the people, arts and ideas that make life a joy.

We hope you’ll add your voice to the On Point conversation — on the air, and here online. We look forward to hearing from you.

-Tom Ashbrook

On Point staff

Tom Ashbrook is On Point’s host and managing editor. Jack Beatty, On Point’s news analyst, appears each Friday on our Week in the News roundtable and on other shows throughout the week.

On Point’s senior producer is Wen Stephenson. Our senior editor is Karen Shiffman. Our team of producers includes Julie Diop, Eileen Imada, Stefano Kotsonis, Hilary Barngrove McQuilkin, Tania Ralli, and John Wihbey, with assistance from Pien Huang, Sam Gale Rosen, Silvia Spring, and interns Samina Uddin and Will Roseliep. Our technical director is James Ross.

On Point’s website is designed and maintained by WBUR’s New Media department.

* * *

On Point airs live nationally each day from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. ET, and is rebroadcast at various times throughout the day. See a list of NPR stations that air the show.

If you are a program director interested in learning more about On Point, please call us at 617-358-1468. For all other queries, please contact us here.

On Point Today
Hour 2
Peter Matthiessen
Wednesday, October 8, 2008 PETER MATTHIESSEN

Renowned author and nature writer Peter Matthiessen on the 30th anniversary of his landmark travel tale, “The Snow Leopard.”

 
Hour 1
The Second Debate
Wednesday, October 8, 2008 Obama 2008

McCain and Obama appeal to the undecided. We’ll score their second debate as they enter the campaign home stretch.

Comments [2]

Recent Shows
Investigating the Subprime Scandal
Tuesday, October 7, 2008 081007plunder225

Investigative reporter Danny Schechter names names, in what he calls the “plunder” of the U.S. economy.

Comments [50]
 
Banks and Housing in Crisis
Tuesday, October 7, 2008 Liar Loans

At the root of the financial crisis — problems with American bank regulation and the American housing market. We’ll look at both.

Comments [59]
On Point Blog
On the issues
By Wen Stephenson

A note here, and a question or two for listeners, about On Point’s campaign coverage. You may have noticed recent shows with the phrase “Issues ‘08″ in the title. In these final weeks leading up to Election Day, Nov. 4, we’re aiming to produce at least one full hour per week that delves into a [...]

More » | Comments [2]
 
Comments on Comments…
By Wen Stephenson

So, dear web souls, long time no see… Yes, our “presence” in this space has been somewhat lacking of late. All I can say is, we’ve been plenty busy producing a radio show. (Funny, we managed to create this new website, but we couldn’t figure out how to create more hours in the day — [...]

More » | Comments [3]
 
Denver to St. Paul…
By Tom Ashbrook

Hurricane Gustav makes a heck of a segue from Democratic to Republican conventions, but even through the roar of the storm the shift in political cultures hits you like a balloon drop…
The Dems made a huge point of massive recycling efforts at their weeklong mile-high Denver party. You couldn’t throw away a chicken bone [...]

More » | Comments [5]