To the Point

To the Point

A monthly reality-check on the issues Americans care about most. Host Warren Olney draws on his decades of experience to explore the people and issues shaping – and disrupting - our world. How did everything change so fast? Where are we headed? The conversations are informal, edgy and always informative. If Warren's asking, you want to know the answer.

New York Times columnist Nicholas Kristof on the cognitive bias towards bad news and why, despite war and a pandemic, the world is “way better off than we tend to think it is.”

Nicholas Kristof: The world is better off than we think

New York Times columnist Nicholas Kristof on the cognitive bias towards bad news and why, despite war and a pandemic, the world is “way better off than we tend to think it is.”

LA Times columnist Steve Lopez talks about the benefits and burdens of getting older as he looks for retirement options in his latest book, “Independence Day.”

Steve Lopez: California’s population is getting older… and so is he.

LA Times columnist Steve Lopez talks about the benefits and burdens of getting older as he looks for retirement options in his latest book, “Independence Day.”

David Wallace-Wells says, despite the failures of COP-27, he’s less pessimistic about climate change than he was five years ago.

David Wallace-Wells sees some hope for Earth’s climate future

David Wallace-Wells says, despite the failures of COP-27, he’s less pessimistic about climate change than he was five years ago.

Iran Expert Robin Wright says women are making history by leading weeks of protest against Iran’s Islamic Revolution.

A new generation of women is challenging Iran’s Islamic Revolution

Iran Expert Robin Wright says women are making history by leading weeks of protest against Iran’s Islamic Revolution.

Media critic Margaret Sullivan sees a crisis in democracy – before and after the November elections.  She calls it a test for the political news media.

Will news media step up to face the threat to democracy?

Media critic Margaret Sullivan sees a crisis in democracy – before and after the November elections. She calls it a test for the political news media.

Scott Galloway’s new book calls America “Adrift,” but he says the country is not yet lost.

‘Adrift’: Author Scott Galloway charts America’s crises

Scott Galloway’s new book calls America “Adrift,” but he says the country is not yet lost.

Donald Trump is likely to seek a 2024 presidential run, and it’ll be more extreme than what Americans saw in 2020 and 2016.

Will Trump run for White House again?

Donald Trump is likely to seek a 2024 presidential run, and it’ll be more extreme than what Americans saw in 2020 and 2016.

The failed history of America’s biggest utility is the focus of Katherine Blunt’s book, “California Burning: The Fall of Pacific Gas and Electric – And What it Means for America’s…

Can PG&E keep the lights on?

The failed history of America’s biggest utility is the focus of Katherine Blunt’s book, “California Burning: The Fall of Pacific Gas and Electric – And What it Means for America’s…

What are the risks of keeping the Diablo Canyon Nuclear Power Plant open? And an atheist and Muslim agree on what happens when people find religion through politics.

Diablo Canyon: Can the nuclear plant work safely for 10 more years?

What are the risks of keeping the Diablo Canyon Nuclear Power Plant open? And an atheist and Muslim agree on what happens when people find religion through politics.

Does the news really have to be all that bad, or does our addiction to catastrophe drive outlets to deliver what sells? How might today’s media be fixed?

Is catastrophic news coverage fit for human consumption?

Does the news really have to be all that bad, or does our addiction to catastrophe drive outlets to deliver what sells? How might today’s media be fixed?

What to expect of the Supreme Court’s decision to ease conceal-carry restrictions, Biden’s new gun safety law, and the Sandy Hook lawsuit?

SCOTUS strikes down concealed-carry law. Is gun control in danger?

What to expect of the Supreme Court’s decision to ease conceal-carry restrictions, Biden’s new gun safety law, and the Sandy Hook lawsuit?

Why does America’s baby formula shortage continue? Also, Norm Eisen’s new book traces corruption from the Trump White House to the rest of the country.

Baby formula crisis reveals dangers of too little competition in US economy

Why does America’s baby formula shortage continue? Also, Norm Eisen’s new book traces corruption from the Trump White House to the rest of the country.

The United Nations can’t stop Russia’s war on Ukraine. And author Yascha Mounk says more diversity is a threat to democracy, but he’s still hopeful.

UN won’t end Russia-Ukraine war, diversity can threaten democracy

The United Nations can’t stop Russia’s war on Ukraine. And author Yascha Mounk says more diversity is a threat to democracy, but he’s still hopeful.

Five possible scenarios, including a bloody stalemate, could end the Russia-Ukraine conflict, according to Foreign Policy.

Ukraine faces ‘bloody stalemate’ — and 4 other scenarios

Five possible scenarios, including a bloody stalemate, could end the Russia-Ukraine conflict, according to Foreign Policy.

What does the first week of Vladimir Putin’s invasion of Ukraine say about the likelihood of a cyber and nuclear war?

Will sanctions against Russia make Putin more volatile?

What does the first week of Vladimir Putin’s invasion of Ukraine say about the likelihood of a cyber and nuclear war?

An environmental activist is calling on like-minded advocates to build an “adamant nonviolent movement” to rapidly reach zero emissions.

Why protesting at politicians’ homes may help undo climate change

An environmental activist is calling on like-minded advocates to build an “adamant nonviolent movement” to rapidly reach zero emissions.

California is losing its leadership position in the effort to mitigate climate change, and politics and other disasters may be to blame, according to a state lawmaker.

California is no longer climate change leader, says assembly speaker

California is losing its leadership position in the effort to mitigate climate change, and politics and other disasters may be to blame, according to a state lawmaker.

A nuclear meltdown near the San Fernando and Simi Valleys was kept secret for 20 years.

California breaks promise to clean up radioactive pollution from nuclear meltdown

A nuclear meltdown near the San Fernando and Simi Valleys was kept secret for 20 years.

Celebrity athletes are shaping American politics and culture, says Jane Coaston of the New York Times.

Sports superstars increasingly refuse to ‘shut up and dribble’

Celebrity athletes are shaping American politics and culture, says Jane Coaston of the New York Times.

When the U.S. Supreme Court refused to stop a draconian new Texas abortion law, especially since Roe v.

Abortion and climate change: What will upcoming decisions mean in the long haul?

When the U.S. Supreme Court refused to stop a draconian new Texas abortion law, especially since Roe v.