The Jackpod: The most dangerous blot

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. *** Thank you for listening. Help power On Point by making a donation here: www.wbur.org/giveonpoint

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? *** Thank you for listening. Help power On Point by making a donation here: www.wbur.org/giveonpoint

An estimated 15,000 churches in the U.S. are likely to close in the next few years. Churches are more than places of worship – they are community centers, shelters, food banks. What's the community impact with church closures on the rise? *** Thank you for listening. Help power On Point by making a donation here: www.wbur.org/giveonpoint

The holidays are all about giving, whether it's presents, donations or volunteer work. What's causing the warm glow you feel when you give someone a gift? *** Thank you for listening. Help power On Point by making a donation here: www.wbur.org/giveonpoint

On Point news analyst Jack Beatty on Philip Roth’s 2004 novel "The Plot Against America," and its parallels with the U.S. today. *** Thank you for listening. Help power On Point by making a donation here: www.wbur.org/giveonpoint

Color can affect our mood, memory and relationship to people and places. How is color being used to design the world around us and shape our feelings? *** Thank you for listening. Help power On Point by making a donation here: www.wbur.org/giveonpoint

The number of grandparents helping with childcare is going up nationally. According to a 2023 Harris Poll, 42% of working parents rely on grandparents for childcare. What does it mean for the lives of those grandparents and the support they need? *** Thank you for listening. Help power On Point by making a donation here: www.wbur.org/giveonpoint

In 2011, Siddhartha Mukherjee won the Pulitzer Prize for his biography of cancer, “The Emperor of All Maladies.” Now, he’s back with an update on how our understanding of cancer has advanced -- and what lies ahead. *** Thank you for listening. Help power On Point by making a donation here: www.wbur.org/giveonpoint

OpenAI’s Sora 2 app lets anyone with a smartphone create AI-generated deepfake videos, from phony footage of a corgi rock climbing to fake videos of kids carrying guns in school. Is it time to stop believing our eyes? *** Thank you for listening. Help power On Point by making a donation here: www.wbur.org/giveonpoint

Jeffrey Goldberg, editor in chief of The Atlantic, joins Meghna at WBUR’s CitySpace to discuss The Atlantic's new project examining America at 250 and the most urgent, complex and challenging questions the country is facing. Then, Goldberg interviews Massachusetts Congressman Jake Auchincloss on topics ranging from the state of the Democratic party to the Trump administration's intentions in Venezuela. *** Thank you for listening. Help power On Point by making a donation here: www.wbur.org/giveonpoint