Viewpoints Radio: Recent Episodes
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Sit down with Viewpoints each week as we report on social issues, the environment, history, food – you name it. What’s it like to give birth in prison? Could the plague resurface with climate change? How has politics been permanently reshaped by the Trump era? Candid stories on topics you should know, plus Culture Crash – a three-minute recap on a timely topic in media to keep you up-to-date on all things music, TV and film.
Hosted by Marty Peterson, Gary Price, Evan Rook and produced by Amirah Zaveri. New shows posted each Sunday by 5 a.m. EST. Subscribe and listen, and find out more info at viewpointsradio.org. Also, follow us on Twitter & Instagram at ViewpointsRadio.
It’s the end of summer and we’re still talking about Taylor Swift’s “Era’s Tour”. Swift is continuing the mania (and profits) with the upcoming release of the movie simply titled: “The Era’s Tour”. Learn More: https://viewpointsradio.org/culture-crash-from-live-concerts-to-film-the-dominance-of-taylor-swift Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
We highlight recent population trends across America in a post-pandemic world. Several once prominent cities have struggled to bounce back after a mass exodus of urban residents. Learn More: https://viewpointsradio.org/viewpoints-explained-americas-struggling-cities Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Some people argue that the comedy genre is on its way out. But this week, we discuss how comedy isn’t going anywhere– it’s just adapting to the changing times. Learn More: https://viewpointsradio.org/culture-crash-is-comedy-dead-or-does-it-just-look-a-little-different Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Covid-19 shook up norms for many public transit agencies including commuter rail companies that pre-pandemic largely catered to commuting office employees. We highlight how several businesses are re-framing their strategy during this period. Learn More: https://viewpointsradio.org/viewpoints-explained-an-uncertain-future-for-commuter-rails Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Solar energy is big business in the U.S. and is only set to expand in the coming years, with an annual growth rate of 21 percent. But after these solar panels die, where do they go? How ‘green’ is this technology if we’re dumping thousands of used, toxic panels into landfills? We speak with two experts in the solar panel recycling space about how innovation is driving this shift and what more needs to be done to make this energy source truly sustainable. Learn More: https://viewpointsradio.org/when-green-energy-turns-toxic-re-tooling-solar-panels Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
With summer break over and millions of students back in school, it’s a good time to talk about the importance of mental health. After all, adolescents today face an excessive number of demands both in and outside of the classroom. This week on Viewpoints - we speak with author Jennifer Breheny Wallace about the importance of sharing how a person’s value should never be linked to their performance. Learn More: https://viewpointsradio.org/never-good-enough-a-rise-in-mental-health-issues-among-adolescent Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
From Black Mirror to The Twilight Zone, we explore why the sci-fi genre has always been a hit amongst American audiences. We also touch on some of our favorite sci-fi series now streaming. Learn More: https://viewpointsradio.org/culture-crash-why-do-we-like-watching-sci-fi-so-much Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
We highlight the deeper intricacies and theories behind Venus’ unusual surface. Learn More: https://viewpointsradio.org/viewpoints-explained-the-secrets-of-venus Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Conspiracy theories have been around for hundreds of years. From secret projects to secret government societies, these theories are prevalent are prevalent across society. We speak with two conspiracy experts about how these stories arise, why they’re so pervasive online and why artificial intelligence may make these narratives more difficult to detect. Learn More: https://viewpointsradio.org/separating-fact-from-fiction-are-you-a-victim-of-misinformation Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Whoever thought, “This white, liquid substance from this animal look like its safe enough that I’m going to drink it.” Out of the many items we have today (whether its food, drink or something else) there was a person who first took the risk in trying it themselves. We explore the many firsts throughout history and how key archaeologic evidence plays a role in accurately telling these narratives. Learn More: https://viewpointsradio.org/from-cows-milk-to-saltwater-oysters-the-first-people-to-dive-into-the-unknown Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
The Marvel Cinematic Universe has had a series of flops in recent years. In a landscape with so much content, will this production company be able to bounce back and rebuild its brand name? Learn More: https://viewpointsradio.org/culture-crash-will-marvel-bounce-back Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Meta – the parent company of Facebook and Instagram – has decided to ban all news content on these platforms in Canada. We talk about what’s driving this big move and how it’s going to impact both Canadians and media outlets. Learn More: https://viewpointsradio.org/viewpoints-explained-an-end-to-finding-news-content-on-social-media-in-canada Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
In 2012, researchers at the University of California-Irvine estimated that the average human’s attention span was around seventy-five seconds. in recent years, this number has dropped to forty-seven seconds. What’s leading to this continuing decline in our attention spans? We speak with one mindfulness expert to get some tips on how people can slow down, increase their focus, and feel less chronically stressed. Learn More: https://viewpointsradio.org/feeling-distracted-disconnected-heres-how-to-slow-down Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
It’s been the deadliest year on record for wildfires in Canada. While California is typically the focus point for these events, the new reality of human-caused climate change is that wildfires are becoming a greater threat in areas never seen before. We speak with Dr. Adrienne Edwards, a botanist and wildfire expert, about how Americans can best prepare for wildfire season and help stop the spread. Learn More: https://viewpointsradio.org/the-growing-risk-of-wildfires-from-coast-to-coast-are-you-prepared Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Millions of Americans rallied last month as two of the biggest film releases hit theaters. Yes, we’re talking about “Barbie” & “Oppenheimer” aka “Barbenheimer”. We discuss the massive revenues these two movies drew. Learn More: https://viewpointsradio.org/culture-crash-the-power-of-barbenheimer/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
ChatGPT, the generative artificial intelligence platform, has been dominating media headlines since its release late last year. We discuss what sets humans apart from this network created by OpenAI. Learn More: https://viewpointsradio.org/viewpoints-explained-can-chatgtp-perfectly-mimic-humans Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
The screenwriters strike in Hollywood is now in its third month. Last month, the Screen Actors Guild joined forces with the Writers Guild of America and called a strike. We speak with two active voices in the industry about what’s driving this strike and why these asks are so important to current and future professionals in this landscape. Learn More: https://viewpointsradio.org/whats-happening-in-hollywood-the-strike-explained Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Online retail sales are set to surpass $1.6 trillion by 2027. With so much growth in the market, retailers are investing big in artificial intelligence software that improves customer interaction, usability, supply chain and more. We speak with the Chief Technology Officer of Zenni Optical about how retailers are setting up for this new era of digital dominance. Learn More: https://viewpointsradio.org/how-artificial-intelligence-is-fueling-the-1-1-trillion-in-online-retail-sales Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
There seems to be a subscription for nearly every product or service these days. But how much is too much? And when you’re ready to cancel, why does it always seem like it’s a pain to go through the process? We uncover how some businesses use deceptive marketing tactics to keep consumers paying. Learn More: https://viewpointsradio.org/viewpoints-explained-how-much-are-you-paying-for-subscriptions-each-month/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
We discuss the ongoing screenwriters & actors strike that’s halting production on a large array of TV shows and films. Learn More: https://viewpointsradio.org/culture-crash-almost-three-months-later-why-the-strike-in-hollywood-is-still-marching-on Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Soccer has steadily gained a following in recent years in the U.S. Amongst Americans 18-29 years old, the sport is now more popular than baseball. We speak with soccer expert, G. Edward White about what’s driving this shift and why it took so long for soccer to take hold in America. Learn More: https://viewpointsradio.org/will-soccer-finally-score-big-in-the-u-s Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
The James Webb telescope is the largest and most powerful space telescope ever built. A year and a half ago hundreds of thousands of people cheered after the telescope successfully launched and opened to begin capturing the universe in more detail than ever before. We speak with one astronomer about how this telescope will lead to greater discoveries – including the hunt extraterrestrial life. Learn More: https://viewpointsradio.org/looking-through-a-new-lens-the-largest-most-powerful-telescope-ever-built Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
We talk about the abundance (and overuse) of computer-generated images in recent blockbuster film releases. We also highlight a couple new summer drops that we’re looking forward to. Learn More: https://viewpointsradio.org/culture-crash-why-we-cant-get-onboard-with-cgi Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
We break down how higher education will be affected by the Supreme Court’s recent ruling ending affirmative action. Learn More: https://viewpointsradio.org/viewpoints-explained-why-is-an-end-to-affirmative-action-such-big-news Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Did you know that cannabis use dates back tens of thousands of years? While its earliest use traces back to Asia, it eventually spread to Europe and then America and was used in a variety of capacities. We speak with highly acclaimed pharmacology expert Dr. Richard Miller about the global history of cannabis and its controversial record over the last 70 seventy years of American history. Learn More: https://viewpointsradio.org/the-interesting-origins-of-cannabis Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
The National Institute of Health. National Cancer Institute. These are just some of the research foundations that are thriving today thanks to the work of health activist Mary Lasker. We speak with biographer, Judith L. Pearson about the many big contributions Lasker made to cancer & heart disease research throughout the twentieth century. Learn More: https://viewpointsradio.org/mary-lasker-a-public-health-pioneer Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
What’s fueling the staggering increase in pedestrian deaths in recent years? We discuss this alarming upward trend. Learn More: https://viewpointsradio.org/viewpoints-explained-pedestrian-deaths-hit-a-40-year-high Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Jay Leno. David Letterman. Jimmy Fallon. Stephen Colbert. We highlight the rise and fall of late-night TV. Learn More: https://viewpointsradio.org/culture-crash-is-the-late-night-talkshow-format-dead Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Yes, ChatGPT isn’t dominating media headlines anymore, but the technology is still leading to massive changes across America. One area where its making waves is the music production industry. We speak with two experts within the field about how artificial intelligence is forcing them to rethink the future of music artistry and production. Learn More: https://viewpointsradio.org/has-artificial-intelligence-forever-changed-the-music-industry Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Only 1 in 4 Americans feels financially secure, according to a recent survey by consumer financial services firm, Bankrate. We speak with two financial experts about how more Americans can have productive conversations about their spending and come up with a plan to save and invest more for the future. Learn More: https://viewpointsradio.org/avoiding-conversations-around-money-heres-how-to-get-started Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
It seems like there’s always a new streaming app coming or going lately. Take the creators of HBO for instance. In a short span of time, the subscription platform has been called HBO Now, HBO Go, HBO Max and now it’s just Max. We discuss the ever-evolving landscape of streaming. Learn More: https://viewpointsradio.org/culture-crash-why-are-streaming-platforms-always-changing Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Who is Yevgheny Prigozhin? The elusive leader of the mercenary force, The Wagner Group, is now globally known for the recent rebellion he launched against the Russian regime. We discuss the short-lived coup that’s now known as the biggest uprising in Vladimir Putin’s 23-year-reign. Learn More: https://viewpointsradio.org/viewpoints-explained-the-36-hour-rebellion-within-russia Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Purveying for the top chefs across America is an ever-changing series of requests dependent on food trends and tastes. While some chefs are seeking out rare microgreens, others are looking for the finest cuts of beef. And these small quantities of in-demand ingredients come at a hefty price. We highlight the many niche aspects of fine dining and how we can all takeaway some learning points to infuse it into our own cooking at home. Learn More: https://viewpointsradio.org/would-you-ever-spend-63000-on-a-pound-of-rare-mushrooms-some-chefs-say-yes Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
High demand for travel this summer is leading to exorbitantly high prices for flights, hotels and rental cars. If traveling out of state this summer is out of the question (or you just want to spend more time at home), we offer up some ways to rediscover your own town, city, or region and gain a new perspective. Learn More: https://viewpointsradio.org/no-travel-plans-this-summer-how-to-make-the-most-out-of-where-you-are-already Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
A couple weeks ago, millions across the world were stuck to news reports focused on the search of the missing submersible vessel, Titan, which had fallen off the radar during its descent down to see the Titanic wreckage. Today, we know that the five passengers onboard the sub died due to a ‘catastrophic implosion’ onboard. We discuss the lack of regulations in this growing, private industry of extreme tourism. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
For over a decade, British satirist Charlie Brooker has been writing/producing his hit Netflix anthology "Black Mirror." We highlight the recent drop of season 6. Learn More: https://viewpointsradio.org/culture-crash-a-new-season-of-black-mirror Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
When you imagine who’s a runner – who do you picture? Most Americans would describe a person who’s lean, muscled, and fits into a certain body type category. Martinus Evans, runner, author & founder of the Slow A-F Run Club, is hoping to break this way of thinking. He argues that anyone – at any body size – can be a consistent runner. Evans shares his story of how he got into running and embodies his own mantra as a 300-pound-man who’s run eight marathons. Learn More: https://viewpointsradio.org/you-need-to-lose-weight-or-youre-going-to-die-what-one-man-did-next Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
We speak with Egyptian-American astrophysicist Sarafina El-Badry Nance about her experience earning a PhD in astrophysics. Before specializing in this field, she had to gain a good understanding of math, physics, and astronomy. She openly shares that these subjects never came naturally to her and it took a lot of hard work to get where she is today. Now, she’s speaking out about the barrier to entry in these fields and the importance of greater inclusion and opportunities for those who’ve been historically excluded. Learn More: https://viewpointsradio.org/95-percent-left-to-discover-the-people-tasked-with-uncovering-the-many-mysteries-of-our-universe Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
We discuss the sharp decline of San Francisco - a once-golden and in-demand tech hub where startups, social media and tech ruled. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Black holes have always intrigued and captured the imagination of millions since they were first theorized and coined by German physicist Karl Schwarzschild in 1916. For decades, scientists have worked to learn more about these mysterious objects in space. However, even today, there’s still much we don’t entirely understand about these mysterious phenomena. Janna Levin, an astronomy & physics professor at Columbia University, joins us to discuss the most intriguing aspects of these space giants. Learn More: https://viewpointsradio.org/what-we-do-still-dont-know-about-black-hole Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
A couple months back, millions of Americans dressed up, donned their hats and blazers, and went to the racetrack for the biggest horse racing event of the year: The Kentucky Derby. This week – we discuss the early history of horse racing in America and one African American jockey who made a lasting impact on the sport. Learn More: https://viewpointsradio.org/isaac-murphy-a-forgotten-sports-legend Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
We dive into the popularity of the new videogame, “Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom." Learn More: https://viewpointsradio.org/culture-crash-a-foray-back-into-zelda Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Millions of Americans now get Juneteenth off each year because of its classification as a federal holiday (which officially went into effect in 2021). But what does Juneteenth really signify? When did people originally begin celebrating the day? We highlight the importance of this historic holiday. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
The COVID-19 pandemic shook up how Americans work, where they live and what they value in life. But, as people move past the pandemic, demographers wonder if certain migration trends are here to stay or will eventually shift back. We talk about population trends over the last few years and how this is impacting cities that were once bustling and booming. Learn More: https://viewpointsradio.org/cities-left-behind-the-reality-of-population-decline Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
It’s expected that the U.S. cannabis industry will surpass 50 billion dollars in revenue by 2028, according to top cannabis research firm, Brightfield Group. Each year, new states are legalizing recreational marijuana, building new opportunities for entrepreneurs. But who gets a piece of this pie? How’s the industry building a more equitable space that people at all socioeconomic levels can enter? We talk about the current landscape and the changes that need to be made to include communities and populations who’ve been historically targeted during the War on Cannabis. Learn More: https://viewpointsradio.org/cannabis-profit-a-need-to-make-reparations Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
In a time where “superhero fatigue” is setting in, “Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse,” now in theatres, is still breaking through. Learn More: https://viewpointsradio.org/culture-crash-our-love-for-spider-man Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Nearly 10% of American children have ADHD. We speak with a clinical child psychologist at Harvard Medical School, Dr. Ellen Braaten, about the different types & presentations of this disorder, how it affects children and common challenges for diagnoses, acceptance, and treatment. Learn More: https://viewpointsradio.org/de-bunking-the-misconceptions-stigmas-of-adhd Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Cats get a lot of hate across the world for being un-trainable, moody, and, at times, hard to figure out. This week – we cover all things cats and why these furry felines (who’ve long been human companions) are unique. Learn More: https://viewpointsradio.org/the-10000-year-relationship-our-long-held-fascination-love-for-cats Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
“Succession” has all the elements of a prime family drama. An ultra-rich, very public family that has no shortage of drama, conflict, and greed. We discuss the show’s final season on HBO. Learn More: https://viewpointsradio.org/culture-crash-a-triumphant-end-to-a-brilliant-show Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
There are more than 700,000 social workers across America. We speak with longtime social worker and professor, Dr. Anthony Estreet about the vital role these professionals play in countless different sectors and why there needs to be more support and incentives for people working in this difficult role.
Learn More: https://viewpointsradio.org/the-importance-of-americas-social-workers
Thinking of getting away this summer? With flight and hotel prices skyrocketing, we speak with travel expert Bonnie Sinclair about the many benefits of road tripping via RV. Sinclair has traveled across the U.S. with her husband and highlights a few of her top destinations.
Learn More: https://viewpointsradio.org/r-v-life-the-classic-american-way-of-roadtripping
We discuss musician, Frank Ocean’s recent performances - or lack thereof.
Learn More: https://viewpointsradio.org/culture-crash-the-coachella-let-down
As of 2022, the average American woman earned 82 cents for every dollar earned by a man. While it may not seem like much of a pay difference, this disparity adds up over time. And it’s been this way for decades with little progress happening in America to lessen this wage gap in America. We speak with two experts about this issue and how workers – in various industries and at different levels – can better advocate for more equal pay across the board.
Learn More: https://viewpointsradio.org/why-is-the-gender-pay-gap-in-america-still-so-wide
What would you do if you suddenly found out you weren’t related to the parent that raised you? This is exactly what happened to author Dani Shapiro after she took an at-home DNA test. We speak with her about this life-changing surprise and why there are thousands more with similar secrets across America.
Learn More: https://viewpointsradio.org/the-secrets-found-through-dna-testing
We discuss how sequels and new adaptations of films and TV shows have become more of the norm in Hollywood.
Learn More: https://viewpointsradio.org/culture-crash-the-sequels-and-spin-offs-that-keep-on-coming
More than a third of educators in America are considering leaving their positions, according to recent research from consulting firm, McKinsey. We speak with two education experts about the mounting challenges both new and veteran teachers are facing and how average Americans can better advocate for the teachers in their communities.
Learn More: https://viewpointsradio.org/part-2-helping-americas-educators
We discuss the popular new Netflix series, “BEEF,” starring Steven Yeun and Ali Wong, that’s become a Top 10 watch on the platform.
Learn More: https://viewpointsradio.org/culture-crash-a-review-of-beef
While TikTok has been getting a lot of heat lately for its connections to China, there’s also a larger privacy and data problem across all social media platforms. We speak with two experts about the fast-evolving social media landscape and how consumers can better protect themselves from data mining.
Learn More: https://viewpointsradio.org/tik-tok-isnt-the-only-app-with-a-data-privacy-problem
As the weather warms up, you may be hearing and seeing more birds in your backyard. Spring is peak migration for this species, but in recent decades, there’s been a 30 percent decline in North American bird varieties. We speak with one expert about the challenges facing these animals and how listeners can make a difference.
Learn More: https://viewpointsradio.org/spring-a-time-of-flight-for-birds
We highlight the last season of the hit HBO series, Succession and why other shows that have outlasted their prime should take note of the upsides of ending on a high note.
Learn More: https://viewpointsradio.org/culture-crash-the-final-season
The Barrymore family has a long and storied history in Hollywood. For actress, Drew Barrymore, she grew up surrounded by the ups and downs of being in a very public family and acting in TV and films as a child. Today, she looks back on her life and shares what she’s learned along the way.
Learn More: https://viewpointsradio.org/a-different-viewpoint-speaking-with-actress-drew-barrymore
Who do you think of when you read or hear the word, psychopath? Rarely does anyone think of the neuroscientist next door. We speak to two experts about what the term means in the medical world and why many people who have psychopathic tendencies can function in a non-violent, productive manner.
Learn More: https://viewpointsradio.org/understanding-the-unknown-psychopathic-tendencies
Millions of Americans rely on mass transit each day to get to where they need to be. While mass transit has had its up and downs in recent decades - and especially during the COVID-19 pandemic - there will always be a need for this public resource. We speak with mass transit expert Steven Beaucher about the the state of mass transportation agencies today and the first subway system built in Boston.
Learn More: https://viewpointsradio.org/a-history-the-beginnings-of-mass-transit-in-america
We discuss the new Apple TV+ series, “Shrinking” featuring Jason Segel and Christa Miller.
Learn More: https://viewpointsradio.org/culture-crash-the-new-show-shrinking
Between February 2020 and May 2022, around 300,000 teachers left teaching to pursue another profession. While the COVID-19 pandemic is no longer a front and center issue, millions of public-school educators are still struggling to keep going in positions that mean long hours, low pay and a growing number of curriculum mandates. In part one of this story, first grade teacher Lori Cash - who’s taught for more than 30 years - shares the challenges teachers are facing and touches on a few points that need to change.
Learn More: https://viewpointsradio.org/failing-americas-teachers
We explore some of the older, classic TV series that are now available on streaming platforms.
Learn More: https://viewpointsradio.org/culture-crash-revisiting-the-classics
Asian American actress, Michelle Yeoh won her first Oscar at this year’s Academy Awards for her performance in Everything Everywhere All At Once. We speak with media expert April Reign about the continued push to improve diversity & equity in all aspects of Hollywood.
Learn More: https://viewpointsradio.org/is-hollwood-really-changing-the-diversity-debacle
Women’s History Month is a time to look back and honor the women of the past who’ve made a difference. One of these stories is that of Edith Wilson. On paper, she’s known as Woodrow Wilson’s second wife and first lady, but her story is much more fascinating than what meets the eye. Author Rebecca Roberts joins us to share the story of this fierce and independent woman.
Learn More: https://viewpointsradio.org/the-untold-story-of-edith-wilson
Did you know that our federal government classifies more than 50 million pieces of documents each year? Why are so many documents marked as classified? And why is there such a long lag time for them to be unsealed? We uncover this outdated process and focus on one new method that’s aiming to make this process more efficient and speedier.
Learn More: https://viewpointsradio.org/a-withholding-of-public-information
The box office is on a hot streak. We highlight some of our favorites so far this year.
Learn More: https://viewpointsradio.org/culture-crash-back-to-the-theatre
You’re probably familiar with the saying: ‘You are what you eat.’ It’s no secret that the foods we consume directly correlate to how we feel, look and more. But there’s more to food than just providing us with energy and nourishment. A lack of certain nutrients can exacerbate depression, anxiety, and other mental health disorders. We speak with food expert and author, Mary Beth Albright about food’s intimate connection to how we feel.
Learn More: https://viewpointsradio.org/foods-connection-to-our-mental-health
Late last year, more than 48,000 graduate students, researchers and teaching assistants unionized and went on strike against the University of California system, encompassing nine college campuses. Across the state, schools like Berkeley, UCLA and University of California-San Diego to name a few came to a standstill as thousands demanded higher pay, better healthcare and other improved benefits. We speak with master’s student, Kelsey Wardlaw (who went on strike) about her experience and why unionizing felt like the right path forward.
Learn More: https://viewpointsradio.org/what-led-to-the-largest-higher-education-strike-in-u-s-history
We discuss why “The Addams Family” spinoff, “Wednesday” is fairing so well with younger audiences.
Learn More: https://viewpointsradio.org/culture-crash-the-popularity-of-the-netflix-series-wednesday
More than six million companion animals enter U.S. shelters each year, and a little over four million are adopted. Sadly, shelters still rely on euthanizing when facilities are overcrowded, and an animal has been there for a while. Author Laurie Zaleski has made it her life’s work to rescue hundreds of these unwanted pets and care for them on her farm. We speak with Zaleski as well Dr. Joshua Fisher, an animal expert, about the importance of caring for these animals and heading to shelters to adopt instead of a pet store or breeder.
Learn More: https://viewpointsradio.org/animal-control-and-rescue
That’s right – Creed III is the newest installment in the boxing drama. We cover whether this early 2023 blockbuster is worth the watch.
Learn More: https://viewpointsradio.org/culture-crash-the-release-of-creed-iii
Acclaimed therapist & social worker Nedra Glover Tawaab joins us this week to talk about boundaries. We often don’t think about our own boundaries and the boundaries we need in our relationships – whether it be with friends, colleagues, family, or romantic relationships. Tawaab breaks down how to set these boundaries and approach difficult conversations.
Learn More: https://viewpointsradio.org/real-self-care-is-setting-boundaries
We discuss why Season 3 of the Netflix show, “You” threw us for a surprise.
Learn More: https://viewpointsradio.org/culture-crash-how-we-feel-about-you-season-3
A young Joanne Chang envisioned a prominent career in business. She graduated from Harvard University with a degree in applied mathematics and economics and went into consulting in her twenties. Despite career success, she decided to switch gears and become a chef. We sit down with Chang to hear about her culinary career journey and the advice she has for others who may be in a similar boat.
Learn More: https://viewpointsradio.org/a-new-viewpoint-speaking-with-acclaimed-pastry-chef-joanne-chang
Online sports betting is a multi-billion-dollar industry and is only increasing in size year over year. We cover this burgeoning sector, the lack of overhead regulation in the U.S. and the risks this pervasive form of gambling has on a younger population.
Learn More: https://viewpointsradio.org/online-sports-betting-a-lucrative-new-industry-or-a-gateway-to-gambling-addiction
For Scarlett Cochran, money management wasn’t a topic of conversation growing up. Her parents never went to college and money was always a touchy subject for her family. It wasn’t until she was in her early twenties and struggling with money that she realized the importance of budgeting and accruing savings. We sit down and speak with Cochran to learn about her inspiring journey and path to financial wealth.
Learn more: https://viewpointsradio.org/looking-up-the-path-to-financial-wealth
Have you thought about end-of-life planning? Would you like to be buried or cremated – or possibly have a green burial? While death may be a topic that’s shied away from, it’s something that each one of us eventually confronts head on. This week – we talk about the importance of being involved in the death process of loved ones and learning about what burial options are available when that time comes. Host: Marty Peterson. Guests: Hayley Campbell, journalist, author, All the Living and the Dead; Cassie Barrett, Director, Cemetery Operations, Carolina Memorial Sanctuary.
Learn More: https://viewpointsradio.org/green-burials
We discuss Paramore’s latest album release after a long hiatus.
Learn More: https://viewpointsradio.org/culture-crash-a-return-to-paramore
At the beginning of 2020, there were about 580,000 Americans homeless on a given night, according to the National Alliance to End Homelessness. Fast forward almost three years and this number has stayed about the same. With basic living prices and rent still high, we share the many faces of homelessness and one inspiring story about resilience in the face of several challenges.
Learn More: https://viewpointsradio.org/the-unseen-faces-of-homelessness
It can be hard to explain what it’s like to feel in awe. For me, I can remember feeling this way after reaching the top of a mountain after an hours-long climb and looking onto the vast horizon, or after watching the film Inception in theatres for the first time and being blown away by the soundtrack. We speak with renowned social psychologist Dacher Keltner about awe and what experiences elicit this emotion.
Learn More: https://viewpointsradio.org/in-awe-a-renewed-lens-on-life
We talk about the new murder mystery TV show, “Poker Face” that’s now streaming on Peacock.
Learn More: https://viewpointsradio.org/culture-crash-a-new-murder-mystery
The Wild, Wild West: cowboys, shootouts, open prairies & gold mines galore. While this is a common stereotype surrounding the colonial West, there’s much more about this region and period than meets the eye. For thousands of women, living out West meant greater independence, and an opportunity to start anew. Historian and author Winifred Gallagher joins us this week to share how the women of the Old West paved the way for women across the U.S.
Learn More: https://viewpointsradio.org/forging-opportunity-the-early-women-of-the-west
The Oscars are right around the corner. Here are some of our favs that’ve received an Oscar nod.
Learn More: https://viewpointsradio.org/culture-crash-academy-award-nods
Last month, the Federal Aviation Administration grounded all departing flights across the U.S., leading to thousands of delayed flights and major headaches for travelers. In short, this outage was caused by a widespread system failure of the air traffic control system. Without it, pilots are essentially flying dark with no news of ground conditions, weather updates, etc. In the days and weeks following, this incident has raised many questions about the aging software and systems that we heavily rely upon. We speak with two aviation experts about this recent fiasco and what it means for all technology-reliant industries.
Learn More: https://viewpointsradio.org/a-distengrating-framework
Economic uncertainty is on the minds of millions of Americans. Part of this uncertainty stems from continuing inflation and instability plaguing global markets. We speak with longtime economist and banker, James Rickards about the factors feeding into these rising costs and supply chain woes.
Learn More: https://viewpointsradio.org/the-many-causes-of-supply-chain-inflation-woes
Higher prices at the grocery store – from eggs to meat to specialty items – dictate what many Americans buy and cook throughout the week. While it can be difficult to pull back on the items we like, this shift in diet is nothing new. Across history – war, famine, economic instability has affected what Americans choose to spend their money on. Even today, the current economic uncertainty has shifted recipes and food trend. This week, we rewind back to the Great Depression, which forced millions of Americans to find new recipes and get creative with the limited number of ingredients they could afford.
Learn More: https://viewpointsradio.org/a-changing-palate-across-periods-of-economic-uncertainty
Some of our favorite throwback bands are back together in 2023. From Blink 182 to Fall Out Boy, these are just a few big names that are putting out new music out after years away from the limelight.
Learn More: https://viewpointsradio.org/culture-crash-getting-back-in-the-game
The first crossword was published in 1913 by journalist Arthur Wynne. Since then| the timeless puzzle has stayed in style and graces newspapers from the New York Times to USA Today. Self-acclaimed lovers of crosswords are known as ‘cruciverbalists’ and compete online as well as create these puzzles for publishing. We speak with crossword expert Adrienne Raphel to find out more about this beloved word game.
Learn More: https://viewpointsradio.org/for-the-love-of-crosswords
Books have been taken off shelves since the colonial period| but| in recent years| more books than ever have been deemed unsuitable for young readers. We discuss the controversy by highlighting two differing perspectives on the debate.
Learn More: https://viewpointsradio.org/banned-books-two-sides-to-the-story
We discuss how new AI technology platforms like DALL-E and ChatGPT are making waves in the creative landscape.
Learn More: https://viewpointsradio.org/culture-crash-how-chatgtp-is-changing-the-arts-scene
Ahead of the year’s biggest game, we discuss the state of American football following the serious injury suffered by Bills player Damar Hamlin earlier this month.
Learn More: https://viewpointsradio.org/culture-crash-a-tough-month-for-the-nfl-ahead-of-the-super-bowl
A new year bring new stressors. We speak with University of California – San Francisco professor and health psychologist Dr. Elissa Epel about how listeners can better manage their stress this year by employing certain lifestyle habits.
Learn More: https://viewpointsradio.org/how-to-better-deal-with-stress-this-year
In recent years, power attacks on electric power stations in the U.S. have become more common. We discuss what’s driving this uptick, how power companies and government organizations are responding and what you should know as consumer.
Learn More: https://viewpointsradio.org/a-key-vulnerability-u-s-power-grids
We discuss the new film, “Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery” now streaming on Netflix.
Learn More: https://viewpointsradio.org/culture-crash-a-review-of-glass-onion
We explore the screenwriting brilliance of Aaron Sorkin.
Learn More: https://viewpointsradio.org/culture-crash-the-career-of-aaron-sorkin
Experts estimate that between 4-6 percent of prisoners behind bars are innocent. We explore what factors feed into these wrongful convictions and how advocates in the arena are fighting for justice.
Learn More: https://viewpointsradio.org/a-pathway-to-exoneration
Do you have trouble falling or staying asleep? If so, you’ll know that not getting good rest can take a big toll on how you feel both physically and mentally. This is amplified in space for astronauts who sleep in a zero-gravity environment that relies on an artificial day/night cycle. This week, we explore the fascinating science and study of how humans sleep in space and its effects on the body.
Learn More: https://viewpointsradio.org/falling-asleep-in-space
There are more than 68 million young people in the U.S. who makeup Generation Z – that is anyone born between 1997 and 2012. Research shows that this cohort is the most racially and ethnically diverse than any other previous generation and are progressive in their mindsets. On top of this, they’re extremely tech-savvy and believe that mental health is equally as important as physical health. Culture expert John Schlimm helps us understand who Gen Z and what impact they’ll have on the future world.
Learn More: https://viewpointsradio.org/who-is-gen-z
his past November, thousands of Taylor Swift fans were left frustrated and disappointed after Ticketmaster’s platform failed to deliver on general sale tickets for her upcoming tour. We discuss how this recent failure has stirred a larger conversation about the consequences & long-term effects of monopolies. Host: Gary Price. Guests: Diana Moss, president, American Antitrust Institute; Krista Brown, senior policy analyst, American Economic Liberty Project.
Learn More: https://viewpointsradio.org/the-fallout-from-industry-monopolies
We highlight some of the movies we’re looking forward to in 2023.
Learn More: https://viewpointsradio.org/culture-crash-2023-film-releases
Dr. Carolyn Sufrin worked for years as an OB/GYN for inmates at a San Francisco Jail. She joins us this week to talk about the challenges pregnant prisoners face and what needs to change to make the prison system more humane| compassionate| and rehabilitation-focused for women in this situation.
Learn More: https://viewpointsradio.org/giving-birth-behind-bars
Extinction is a normal part of evolution| but the speed at which the Earth is losing species is abnormal. Scientists estimate that today’s extinction rate is hundreds| or even thousands| of times higher than the natural progression. It’s hard to quantify the exact number of species affected| but experts say it’s at least 10|000 species per year that go extinct. What’s driving this sped up process and how can humans help more species survive?
Learn More: https://viewpointsradio.org/the-fight-to-survive-on-the-brink-of-extinction
The new show, “Wednesday” is topping Netflix charts this season. We explore why this TV spinoff of “The Addams Family” movie is fairing so well with younger audiences.
Learn More: https://viewpointsradio.org/culture-crash-tim-burton-strikes-again
Amazon has recruited popular authors to take a stab at creating a Twilight Zone-esq, six-part book series.
Learn More: https://viewpointsradio.org/culture-crash-can-authors-predict-the-future
Many people think leading a healthy lifestyle means giving up sweets, but our two guests today prove them wrong. They explain how you can make easy substitutes when baking that produce decadent desserts without all the calories and sugar.
Learn More: https://viewpointsradio.org/how-to-skip-the-sugar-without-giving-up-dessert
Internet has become a necessity in our lives, but not everyone has access. With serious issues, like politics and education, being discussed almost exclusively online, more and more people are wondering if internet should be free. An expert explains the pros and cons of government-subsidized internet.
Learn More: https://viewpointsradio.org/is-living-in-the-age-of-the-internet-a-right-or-privilege
We discuss Steven Spielberg’s latest film “The Fabelmans” which gives an inside look at the director’s journey into moviemaking.
Learn More: https://viewpointsradio.org/culture-crash-a-review-of-the-fabelmans
From the Mississippi River’s historic low water levels to Pakistan’s non-stop flooding, the effects of extreme weather are being felt across the globe. Experts explain the common denominator between these seemingly opposite weather events, and the health and financial toll of natural disasters.
Learn More: https://viewpointsradio.org/the-effects-of-extreme-weather-felt-across-the-globe
Just because it’s the holidays doesn’t mean it’s a time of joy and happiness for everyone. Millions of Americans during this period struggle to just make it through the commitments, pressure, and difficult memories that these months bring. We speak with psychologist Mary Lamia about how to sit with your emotions, communicate with loved ones and set realistic expectations this month.
Learn More: https://viewpointsradio.org/grieving-amidst-the-holidays
Boozy Pecan, French Silk, Key Lime Pie. The many pie flavors out there are endless – and just because Thanksgiving and all-things pumpkin have passed, doesn’t mean an end to holiday sweets. Viewpoints speaks with cookbook author Ken Haedrich about the prevalence of pie in American culture and how anyone – at any skill level – can learn to bake this dish.
General Electric was once valued at 650 billion dollars. For decades, it was globally recognized for its innovation in electric, aviation, healthcare, and financial services. Today, it’s a much different story. The company is preparing to split into three separate entities to increase its value and is in the process of downsizing from its large headquarters in Boston. Business expert and author William D. Cohan joins us this week to share the story of General Electric.
We highlight some of our favorite odes to Christmas that never get old.
Learn More: https://viewpointsradio.org/culture-crash-feeling-festive-with-some-classic-tunes/
Recruiting across the military’s branches has hit record lows. With the pandemic and overall slowing interest, the military desperately needs to up its numbers as members at its higher rungs begin to retire from service. We speak with military expert, Katherine Kuzminski about what’s feeding into less Americans signing up and how the government aims to kickstart interest.
Learn More: https://viewpointsradio.org/the-militarys-most-challenging-recruiting-year-yet
We review the new film “Don’t Worry Darling” which boasts an all-star cast starring Florence Pugh, Harry Styles, Olivia Wilde and more.
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President Donald J. Trump announced his intentions earlier this month to run in the 2024 Presidential Election. With this news making headlines, we go back in American history to uncover some of the stories of previous one-term presidents that preceded Trump. We also highlight how campaigns have evolved and what stands out for modern voters when selecting the next Commander in Chief.
Learn More: https://viewpointsradio.org/the-2024-presidential-election
Millions of people follow celebrity culture sites, social accounts, and outlets. How did this industry of celebrity news become the billion-dollar machine it is today? We speak with two media experts about its evolution and pros and cons to this form of entertainment.
Learn More: https://viewpointsradio.org/celebrity-gossip-its-evolution-into-a-multi-billion-dollar-industry
We review the new movie, “The Banshees of Inisheerin” by acclaimed writer and director Martin McDonaugh.
Learn More: https://viewpointsradio.org/culture-crash-an-irish-drama
About 70 million people in the U.S. struggle with sleep. We speak with sleep expert and psychologist Aric Prather about how to fix your sleep problems without relying on sleep aids.
Learn More: https://viewpointsradio.org/in-pursuit-of-better-sleep
The average cost of attending a four-year, public college has ballooned to $27,800 per year. This equates to more than $110,000 spent to have an undergraduate degree. Even with current financial aid, for millions of students, it’s not feasible to dig themselves into lifelong debt. We speak with two higher education experts about what needs to change with financial aid in America.
Learn More: https://viewpointsradio.org/the-higher-education-cost-crisis-part-2
The average cost of attending a four-year, public college has ballooned to $27,800 per year. This equates to more than $110,000 spent to have an undergraduate degree. Even with current financial aid, for millions of students, it’s not feasible to dig themselves into lifelong debt. We speak with two higher education experts about what needs to change with financial aid in America.
Learn More: https://viewpointsradio.org/the-higher-education-cost-crisis-part-2
We all want answers to the complicated questions in life, but sometimes just asking the questions are enough to make us think deeply about our lives and our world. We talk to bioethicist Dr. Gregory Stock who’s made a living asking questions that sometimes have no hard and fast answers. In all reality, sometimes the process of coming to an answer is often more important than any one answer itself.
Learn More: https://viewpointsradio.org/exploring-the-questions-that-have-no-right-answer
We all want answers to the complicated questions in life, but sometimes just asking the questions are enough to make us think deeply about our lives and our world. We talk to bioethicist Dr. Gregory Stock who’s made a living asking questions that sometimes have no hard and fast answers. In all reality, sometimes the process of coming to an answer is often more important than any one answer itself.
Learn More: https://viewpointsradio.org/exploring-the-questions-that-have-no-right-answer
Last month, more than 150 people died after extreme crowding trapped hundreds of people celebrating Halloween in a popular neighborhood in Seoul, South Korea. We talk about why this phenomenon is so fatal and what to do if you find yourself in an unsafe situation.
Learn More: https://viewpointsradio.org/culture-crash-a-perfect-post-meal-holiday-movie
Last month, more than 150 people died after extreme crowding trapped hundreds of people celebrating Halloween in a popular neighborhood in Seoul, South Korea. We talk about why this phenomenon is so fatal and what to do if you find yourself in an unsafe situation.
Learn More: https://viewpointsradio.org/culture-crash-a-perfect-post-meal-holiday-movie
Student loan debt in the U.S. has burgeoned to 1.7 trillion dollars. And over the past two years, many borrowers have paused on paying these loans because the government paused on payment deadlines due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Last month, Biden’s administration vowed to cancel $10,000 of student loan debt for the average borrower and up to $20,000 for Pell Grant recipients. We highlight what this move achieves (and doesn’t) and what solutions are needed to solve this problem long-term.
Learn More: https://viewpointsradio.org/the-higher-education-cost-crisis-part-1
Student loan debt in the U.S. has burgeoned to 1.7 trillion dollars. And over the past two years, many borrowers have paused on paying these loans because the government paused on payment deadlines due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Last month, Biden’s administration vowed to cancel $10,000 of student loan debt for the average borrower and up to $20,000 for Pell Grant recipients. We highlight what this move achieves (and doesn’t) and what solutions are needed to solve this problem long-term.
Learn More: https://viewpointsradio.org/the-higher-education-cost-crisis-part-1
New York is America’s largest metropolis with a population of more than eight million people. Longtime resident and New York Times journalist, Sam Roberts joins us this week to highlight the stories behind some of the remarkable people who made the Big Apple the innovative and bustling city it is today.
Learn More: https://viewpointsradio.org/new-york-a-peoples-history
New York is America’s largest metropolis with a population of more than eight million people. Longtime resident and New York Times journalist, Sam Roberts joins us this week to highlight the stories behind some of the remarkable people who made the Big Apple the innovative and bustling city it is today.
Learn More: https://viewpointsradio.org/new-york-a-peoples-history
Taylor Swift’s new collection titled, Midnights, has created a global frenzy over the last couple of weeks. We dive into this new release and what we like about this cohesive album.
Learn More: https://viewpointsradio.org/culture-crash-a-return-to-t-swift
Taylor Swift’s new collection titled, Midnights, has created a global frenzy over the last couple of weeks. We dive into this new release and what we like about this cohesive album.
Learn More: https://viewpointsradio.org/culture-crash-a-return-to-t-swift
More than 1.3 million African Americans served as part of the U.S. military and helped with war efforts during WWII. Yet rarely is this population ever fairly represented in blockbuster movies or TV shows about this era. Matthew Delmont, a history professor at Dartmouth College, joins us this week to shed some light on the contributions of African Americans who stepped up and served despite the discrimination, bias and violence they faced.
Learn More: https://viewpointsradio.org/african-americans-in-wwii/
Of all job holders in America, 58 percent – or 92 million people – say they have the option to work their positions remotely at least part of the week, according to a recent nationwide survey conducted by consulting firm, McKinsey & Co. Will this way of working continue long term? What are some of the challenges that companies are facing in this still relatively new landscape? We answer these questions and more this week on Viewpoints.
Learn More: https://viewpointsradio.org/the-future-of-remote-work
Starting to feel like there’s an overflow of superhero releases? Or a constantly new extension to the Star Wars world? We touch on a few picks that, in our opinion, have been overdone.
Learn More: https://viewpointsradio.org/culture-crash-an-overflow-of-legacy-sequels
Scientists are thinking big to voyage to Mars and one day possibly inhabit the far away planet. One big challenge is building a food production model from the ground up. We speak with one food scientist about how these food systems and people’s diets on Mars may look one day and what we can learn from these advancements to improve our current food systems on Earth.
Learn More: https://viewpointsradio.org/feeding-more-mouths-more-sustainably
Scientists are thinking big to voyage to Mars and one day possibly inhabit the far away planet. One big challenge is building a food production model from the ground up. We speak with one food scientist about how these food systems and people’s diets on Mars may look one day and what we can learn from these advancements to improve our current food systems on Earth.
Learn More: https://viewpointsradio.org/feeding-more-mouths-more-sustainably
Constantly crossing off items from your daily or weekly ‘To-Do List’ but feel like you never actually have time to do the things you really want to do? Acclaimed time management expert Laura Vanderkam joins us this week to share some unique tips on how to get through your mundane tasks quicker and regain more of your time.
Learn more: https://viewpointsradio.org/getting-organized-finding-the-time/
Constantly crossing off items from your daily or weekly ‘To-Do List’ but feel like you never actually have time to do the things you really want to do? Acclaimed time management expert Laura Vanderkam joins us this week to share some unique tips on how to get through your mundane tasks quicker and regain more of your time.
Learn more: https://viewpointsradio.org/getting-organized-finding-the-time/
We highlight three spooky (and very scary) Halloween films that will leave you needing to keep the bedroom light on at night.
Learn More: https://viewpointsradio.org/culture-crash-three-halloween-horror-picks/
We highlight three spooky (and very scary) Halloween films that will leave you needing to keep the bedroom light on at night.
Learn More: https://viewpointsradio.org/culture-crash-three-halloween-horror-picks/
The electric vehicle market is booming. Nearly every automaker is pledging to invest in this technology and is rolling out sleek new models with all the bells and whistles. While electric is seen as the future, for many Americans these newer cars are often out of reach because of the hefty price tag. We speak with two experts about this current market and what progress is being made to make EV’s more available to all.
Learn More: https://viewpointsradio.org/electric-vehicles-reducing-sky-high-costs--a-lack-of-accessibility/
The electric vehicle market is booming. Nearly every automaker is pledging to invest in this technology and is rolling out sleek new models with all the bells and whistles. While electric is seen as the future, for many Americans these newer cars are often out of reach because of the hefty price tag. We speak with two experts about this current market and what progress is being made to make EV’s more available to all.
Learn More: https://viewpointsradio.org/electric-vehicles-reducing-sky-high-costs--a-lack-of-accessibility/
What happens if you pass away in the Arctic, or in outer space? How do people in Thailand or India mourn their dead differently than people in the U.S.? We answer these questions and more with the help of mortician Caitlin Doughty.
Learn More: https://viewpointsradio.org/discovering-death-answers-from-a-mortician/
What happens if you pass away in the Arctic, or in outer space? How do people in Thailand or India mourn their dead differently than people in the U.S.? We answer these questions and more with the help of mortician Caitlin Doughty.
Learn More: https://viewpointsradio.org/discovering-death-answers-from-a-mortician/
The recent Netflix series, "Dahmer – Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story" has been met with mixed reviews. We discuss some of the differing opinions on this new true crime series.
Learn More: https://viewpointsradio.org/culture-crash-a-new-look-at-dahmer/
The recent Netflix series, "Dahmer – Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story" has been met with mixed reviews. We discuss some of the differing opinions on this new true crime series.
Learn More: https://viewpointsradio.org/culture-crash-a-new-look-at-dahmer/
Americans are increasingly busy, and there’s more content than ever before vying for a piece of their time. In this new landscape, many media are outlets shifting their formats to better compete with social media and Americans’ reduced attention spans. Co-founder of Axios Roy Schwartz joins us this week to talk about how everyone, and not just journalists, can use this stylistic change to improve both their writing and presenting.
Learn More: https://viewpointsradio.org/the-state-of-journalism-a-new-expanding-format/
Americans are increasingly busy, and there’s more content than ever before vying for a piece of their time. In this new landscape, many media are outlets shifting their formats to better compete with social media and Americans’ reduced attention spans. Co-founder of Axios Roy Schwartz joins us this week to talk about how everyone, and not just journalists, can use this stylistic change to improve both their writing and presenting.
Learn More: https://viewpointsradio.org/the-state-of-journalism-a-new-expanding-format/
It seems like every preteen has their own cellphone these days. Just last week, I saw a kid (possible 9 or 10 years old) walking down the street talking to someone through their smartwatch. Who would’ve thought? With more young people owning tech at an earlier age, it’s important for both parents and kids to sit down from the get-go and talk about how to stay safe online, minimize social media use and more.
Learn More: https://viewpointsradio.org/phone-guidelines-for-kids
It seems like every preteen has their own cellphone these days. Just last week, I saw a kid (possible 9 or 10 years old) walking down the street talking to someone through their smartwatch. Who would’ve thought? With more young people owning tech at an earlier age, it’s important for both parents and kids to sit down from the get-go and talk about how to stay safe online, minimize social media use and more.
Learn More: https://viewpointsradio.org/phone-guidelines-for-kids
More Americans are watching less baseball these days. What changed? We discuss some theories as to why the sport is seeing a downturn.
Learn more: https://viewpointsradio.org/culture-crash-the-decline-of-americas-favorite-pastime/
More Americans are watching less baseball these days. What changed? We discuss some theories as to why the sport is seeing a downturn.
Learn more: https://viewpointsradio.org/culture-crash-the-decline-of-americas-favorite-pastime/
Just last month, the railway industry narrowly averted a strike that would’ve resulted in more than 100,000 railway workers walking off the job. This dispute over pay, hours and working conditions would’ve shut down the U.S. railway system, costing billions of dollars in lost revenue from commuter travel and a stall in commodities and goods shipments. Over the past year, headlines covering workers striking or pushing to unionize have become commonplace. What’s driving this labor revolt? Stay tuned this week.
Learn More: https://viewpointsradio.org/workers-are-fed-up-the-continuing-strikes-unionizations-in-the-u-s/
The beauty of a photo is that it freezes a specific moment in history forever. A single snapshot has the power to convey a scene better than words ever could. We speak with author and activist Philip Allen about the role photography and videography played during the Civil Rights Movement and the role it still plays today in capturing racial bias & inequality.
Learn More: https://viewpointsradio.org/the-power-of-photography/
The new Hulu drama series, “The Patient” stars Steve Carell and Domhnall Gleeson. We review the first few episodes of Season 1.
Learn More: https://viewpointsradio.org/culture-crash-a-review-of-the-patient/
Record-breaking flooding hit Pakistan this summer resulting in 1,500 lives lost and an estimated 10 billion dollars in damages. Around the world, countries are seeing weather extremes from excess flooding to severe drought and higher than average heat. We speak with two climate experts about the correlation between climate change and these extreme weather events.
Learn More: https://viewpointsradio.org/the-increasing-occurrence-of-weather-calamities
YouTube was created by three friends in 2005 and, shortly after, was sold to Google in 2006 for 1.65 billion dollars. Since then, it’s become the largest video-sharing platform in the world (with a quarter of the world’s population on the site) and continues to thrive with revenue exceeding 28 billion dollars in 2021. We discuss some of the platform’s shortcomings and where it’s headed next.
Learn More: https://viewpointsradio.org/the-rise-of-youtube
We review the new Netflix series, “Devil in Ohio” which offers a less-scary take than your typical gore-filled, killer-at-every-corner horror show.
Learn More: https://viewpointsradio.org/culture-crash-a-light-fright-for-fall/
More men and women these days are both working full-time, yet household tasks are still unevenly handled predominantly by women. We sit down with gender expert Kate Mangino about this imbalance in cognitive labor and physical chores and how more of a balance can be carved out in current relationships and future generations.
Learn more: https://viewpointsradio.org/breaking-gendered-roles-in-the-household/
There are an estimated three million shipwrecks lying under the ocean and underground. We speak with author Daniel Stone this week about these fascinating structures that give us a fascinating look into a past era.
Learn more: https://viewpointsradio.org/the-lost-world-of-shipwrecks
We cover the dilemma of cropping full screen shows and films to fit our modern, widescreen TV’s. Many who are against this edit argue that changing this format ruins the media’s original form.
Learn more: https://viewpointsradio.org/culture-crash-a-true-viewing-experience
Death is a natural part of life, yet we avoid talking about it in American society. We speak with a psychiatrist and expert in grief and trauma about how parents, caregivers and adults in general can best have conversations with young people about loss and death. How do you broach the subject? What shouldn’t you say? We answer these questions and more this week on Viewpoints.
Learn More: https://viewpointsradio.org/conversations-about-loss-and-death
35 percent of collegiate athletes have experienced a mental illness at some point in their lives. We speak with a sports psychologist this week about the rising prevalence of mental health disorders among young athletes and what’s being done to improve support services and get rid of stigma both on campus and off-campus.
Learn More: https://viewpointsradio.org/the-mental-health-epidemic-plaguing-collegiate-sports
We cover some of the blockbuster films making their debut this fall at a theatre near you.
Learn more: https://viewpointsradio.org/culture-crash-fall-movie-releases/
How often do you think about the privileges you have in life? What life experiences may have looked a bit different if you had darker skin or lighter skin? This week – we highlight conversations about the role of white privilege in American society and how the average person can push for greater racial justice.
Learn More: https://viewpointsradio.org/the-invisible-power-of-privilege
How often do you think about the privileges you have in life? What life experiences may have looked a bit different if you had darker skin or lighter skin? This week – we highlight conversations about the role of white privilege in American society and how the average person can push for greater racial justice.
Learn More: https://viewpointsradio.org/the-invisible-power-of-privilege
Public transportation – from trains to buses to trams – took a big hit in ridership and profits during the COVID-19 pandemic. Now, as more people are back and relying on these community systems once again, the future is unclear as many municipalities face record challenges. We speak with two experts in the sector about the current state of public transit in the U.S.
Learn More: https://viewpointsradio.org/public-transportation-seeing-a-resurgence-or-running-on-empty
Public transportation – from trains to buses to trams – took a big hit in ridership and profits during the COVID-19 pandemic. Now, as more people are back and relying on these community systems once again, the future is unclear as many municipalities face record challenges. We speak with two experts in the sector about the current state of public transit in the U.S.
Learn More: https://viewpointsradio.org/public-transportation-seeing-a-resurgence-or-running-on-empty
We explore the new docu-comedy series, "The Rehearsal" produced and directed by Canadian comedian Nathan Fielder who’s best known for his parody reality show, "Nathan for You."
Learn more: https://viewpointsradio.org/culture-crash-nathan-fielder-is-back
We explore the new docu-comedy series, "The Rehearsal" produced and directed by Canadian comedian Nathan Fielder who’s best known for his parody reality show, "Nathan for You."
Learn more: https://viewpointsradio.org/culture-crash-nathan-fielder-is-back
John Urschel is not your typical mathematician. Before earning his PhD in applied mathematics from MIT, Urschel played college football at Penn State and then went on to play in the NFL with the Baltimore Ravens. For several years, he was able to juggle both passions and reach the top echelons of both sport and academia. This week – we touch on his unique path & what he’s learned along the way.
Learn more: https://viewpointsradio.org/one-man-two-paths-building-a-career-in-the-nfl-and-applied-mathematics/
If you were to guess what the fastest growing news source for adults is what would you say? If you jokingly said TikTok...you’re right. More Americans are turning to social media for their news instead of seeking out information from established news outlets. This shift applies to both conservative and liberal consumers of news. We discuss what’s driving this push and how it’s affecting the accuracy of information.
Learn more: https://viewpointsradio.org/have-americans-stopped-keeping-up-with-the-news/
We discuss the new Hulu series “The Bear” which takes places in Chicago, Illinois.
Learn more: https://viewpointsradio.org/culture-crash-a-review-of-the-bear/
More young people are reading these days thanks to one community on Tik Tok. We discuss the rise of BookTok and how publishers and authors are using this platform to better engage with consumers.
Learn more: https://viewpointsradio.org/the-rise-of-booktok/
Ever agree in the moment, but then look back and wish you spoke up and said something? This action of wanting to go with the flow is a very real phenomenon. We sit down with two experts to uncover how people’s actions and opinions are altered by conformity bias.
Learn more: https://viewpointsradio.org/decisions-decisions-understanding-conformity-bias
We discuss the series finale of the six-season show “Better Call Saul” featuring actor Bob Odenkirk as attorney, Saul Goodman.
More at: https://viewpointsradio.org/culture-crash-the-end-of-better-call-saul
In the first quarter of 2022, solar power made up 50% of all new electricity-generating capacity in the country. On top of this, residential solar installations also had its biggest quarter ever, with a 30% increase in demand year-over-year, according to the Solar Energy Industries Association. While current solar energy relies on the sun, scientists are now developing new technology that would allow for 24/7 energy absorption. We speak with an expert about this exciting development and what lies ahead.
Learn more: https://viewpointsradio.org/elevating-solar-energy/
Over the last two years, 10 percent of teachers have left the field. That equates to 300,000 teachers gone. There are many reasons for this exodus, but with millions of students heading back to school this fall – what’s being done to get more teachers back in the classroom?
Learn more: https://viewpointsradio.org/the-worsening-teacher-shortage/
We cover the release of "Nope" – a new film written, directed and produced by Jordan Peele.
Learn more: https://viewpointsradio.org/culture-crash-saying-yes-to-jordan-peeles-nope
The NBA was founded in 1946 in New York City. For many years, the organization was predominantly white. Today, more than 75 percent of its players are black. We speak with basketball expert and former NBA player and coach Ray Scott about the league’s early years and its efforts to evolve in a time when segregation and discrimination ran rampant.
Learn more: https://viewpointsradio.org/the-early-history-of-the-nba/
There are some items of clothing that truly never go out of style. Whether it’s a pair of crisp blue jeans or a classic little black dress, these pieces persist time and seasonal trends. Fashion writer and author of The Ten, Lauren Cochrane joins us this week some of the most iconic clothes in fashion history and how these pieced shaped American style culture.
Learn more: https://viewpointsradio.org/styles-that-persist-time-fast-fashion-trends/
With TikTok continuously adding new users, many platforms like Instagram and Facebook are fighting to stay current with new updates mimicking TikTok. But, what if some of us like these OG platforms the way they are?
Learn more: https://viewpointsradio.org/culture-crash-race-to-stay-present-for-social-media-sites/
There are more than 27 million refugees in the world. This population has lost their homes, their culture and their identities as a result of conflict, persecution, etc. We speak with two experts about the refugee experience and just how difficult it can be to start a new life somewhere else.
Learn more at: https://viewpointsradio.org/supporting-refugee-resettlement/
Are you familiar with the African leader, Mansa Musa? Most people have never heard this name. However, he was an instrumental figure in early Europe’s expansion. This week – we highlight a lesser-known narrative about how Europe exploited African gold and labor in order to fuel its expansion.
Learn more: https://viewpointsradio.org/mansa-musa-an-untold-narrative-africa-modern-world/
This 1980’s hit by artist Kate Bush is making a resurgence thanks to a recent Stranger Things episode.
Learn more: https://viewpointsradio.org/culture-crash-this-years-summer-anthem/
Orick, California; Lawrence, Kansas; Detroit, Michigan. These are just a few of the towns and cities across the U.S. that have fallen off the map. Stanford University law professor and author Michelle Wilde Anderson joins us this week to explain why these areas have declined over time and how residents have suffered during this downturn.
Learn more at: https://viewpointsradio.org/left-in-the-dust-forgotten-blue-collar-u-s-cities-towns/
What’s changed in policing since May of 2020 when George Floyd was murdered by Minneapolis police? Two experts in law and police policy join us this week to share some current statistics on police violence in the U.S. and some of the updated policies that have taken hold over the last two years.
Learn more at: https://viewpointsradio.org/progress-in-policing-initiatives-since-george-floyds-death/
We highlight some of our favorite movies, new and old, in the sci-fi genre.
Learn more at: https://viewpointsradio.org/culture-crash-favorite-sci-fi-films/
Finding the right wine can be extremely intimidating if you don’t know what you’re looking for. Strolling through the wine aisle, it can sometimes be easier to give up and choose a bottle based off whether you like the label or not. It’s true that wine is complex – after all it dates back to 6000 B.C. Expert sommelier Elizabeth Schneider joins Viewpoints this week to give us an introduction to all things wine.
Almost two-thirds of all Americans will be jetting away this summer. For some, this means traveling to a tropical paradise filled with relaxation. While the all-inclusive resort is an easy pick, it might be worth rethinking this choice. We cover the highly popular global beach tourism industry and the dark side of this foreign tourist-focused culture.
Are you more of a Harry Potter book fan or film fan? We discuss this expansive wizarding world this week on Culture Crash.
In 2021, climate disasters cost the U.S. more than 145 billion dollars and led to the deaths of 688 people. Each year, these extreme weather events weather events are growing to be more frequent as the climate shifts. We discuss the growing economic toll of these mass destruction events and what can be done to switch course.
Learn more at: https://viewpointsradio.org/cost-of-more-weather-related-disasters/
There’s more spots to find secondhand items apart from Goodwill or a local antique store. Next time you’re in the market for something specific, go online and search if your area has a Buy Nothing group. This week – we highlight the ‘buy nothing’ mentality and how the platform works.
Learn more at: https://viewpointsradio.org/gift-economy/
We explore some of our favorite films at the box office that have struck gold so far this summer.
Learn more at: https://viewpointsradio.org/culture-crash-box-office-boom/
here are close to two million Americans serving in the U.S. Armed Forces, according to 2021 data from the Department of Defense. The U.S. is considered to have the world’s strongest military, yet many Americans are disconnected from this subsect of American culture. We speak with two experts about why this is and how the gap can be bridged between civilians and those who serve.
Learn more at: https://viewpointsradio.org/gaining-greater-understanding-of-military-experience/
With the Child Tax Credit coming to an end, many U.S. parents are finding it hard to make ends meet with little help from the government – especially amid rising inflation. We speak with Dr. Dana Suskind about how this lack of support severely impacts children during critical development years.
Learn more at: https://viewpointsradio.org/parents-plight/
We explore some of the latest TV shows and movies now available on streaming platforms from Netflix to HBO Max.
Learn more at: https://viewpointsradio.org/culture-crash-newest-offerings-out-to-stream-now/
There are more than 438,000 employees working in childcare, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. As of May 2021, the media hourly wage in this sector is around $13/hour. With rising costs and many other open jobs, many are leaving their positions in childcare. We speak with two experts about the growing early childcare gap in the U.S. and why bettering the sector starts with valuing these workers more.
Learn more at: https://viewpointsradio.org/working-in-childcare-the-heavy-cost-of-raising-someone-elses-kids/
The average garment worker in Bangladesh is paid about $86/month. A livable wage in the country is around $200/month. Even in the U.S., it’s not much better. Most employees in U.S. garment factories work 60-70 hour per week and are paid $300/week, totaling $1,200/month, according to the Garment Worker Center. Longtime fashion writer and industry expert Dana Thomas joins us to help us understand the labor and environmental crisis plaguing the fashion industry.
Learn more at: https://viewpointsradio.org/barely-surviving-making-a-living-as-a-garment-worker/
We discuss the dilemma of cropping full screen shows and films to fit our modern, widescreen TV’s. Many who are against this edit argue that changing the format ruins the originality and nostalgia of the media.
Learn more at: https://viewpointsradio.org/culture-crash-true-viewing-experience/
Iliana Regan has worked in the restaurant biz in almost every position imaginable. From mid-tier service to high-end fine dining, she’s a self-taught, Michelin-starred chef that’s known for her ability to create masterful dishes using naturally sourced and foraged ingredients. However, as she’s risen the ranks over the years and made a name for herself, she’s also had several low points in her life that have shaped who she is today. We sit down in-person with Regan to talk about her fine dining career and her struggles with addiction.
Learn more at: https://viewpointsradio.org/dining-with-iliana-regan/
How do professionals question people in a way that uncovers the truth? What are some body gestures that show someone’s lying? This week – we speak with one interrogation expert about the subtle signs that give people away and how the average person can use these tactics in day-to-day interactions.
Learn more at: https://viewpointsradio.org/art-of-detecting-lies/
British superstar Harry Styles is out with a new album that’s getting rave reviews. We discuss his evolution from boy band hunk to a respected solo artist and actor.
Learn more at: https://viewpointsradio.org/culture-crash-evolution-of-harry-styles/
Remember how much fun it was to crack open a new coloring book and crayons when you were a kid? These days, adults are reliving that thrill in massive numbers. We talk to two of the most popular artists of these books about why and how they put them together, what the attraction is for adults and how it can benefit everyone to sit down, unwind and focus on the page in front of them.
Learn more at: viewpointsradio.org/finding-calm-through-coloring/
While many Americans have grown to be increasingly eco-conscious, some things remain the same. It seems like all too often it’s common to see a driver chuck a cigarette butt out the window or throw one on the sidewalk. We speak with expert Thomas Novotny about how this type of littering affects the environment and the wildlife within it.
Learn more at: viewpointsradio.org/the-environmental-damage-caused-by-millions-of-littered-cigarettes/
Yearning for shows with that classic, comic book feeling? HBO Max is here to save the day. With its new additions of Batman Beyond and Batman: The Animated Series, you can get back to your superhero roots.
Getting started in gardening can seem overwhelming - especially if you have trouble keeping a solo houseplant alive. But with some research and a small investment, the rewards of tending to a garden are life-long. We speak with two gardening experts about how to get started and be successful this season.
Learn more at: viewpointsradio.org/how-to-get-into-gardening-this-summer/
From long lines at the airport to hard-to-find reservations, people are traveling in full force this summer. Acclaimed TV host and European tour guide Rick Steves joins us this week on Viewpoints to share several traveling tips, including how to get around crowds and stay safe this season.
Learn more at: viewpointsradio.org/post-pandemic-travel/
We highlight the long-awaited album “Dance Fever” by Florence + the Machine.
Learn more at: viewpointsradio.org/culture-crash-new-florence-the-machine-album/
In 2021, more than 40 million Americans left their jobs. Many of these people left their current roles for greener pastures. We analyze how the pandemic changed mindsets on work and discuss some strategies that people who are looking to switch jobs can use.
Learn more at: viewpointsradio.org/jumping-jobs-in-2022/
The pandemic exposed the fragility of our global food system and just how much rely on the many components that make up the food supply chain. At the height of the pandemic, when there were numerous food production and shipping delays, farmers across the U.S. stepped up and contributed to their local food supply. With domestic farms declining, America is extremely reliant on foreign shipments. We discuss the many challenges farmers are facing and the barriers to entry in agriculture.
Learn more at: viewpointsradio.org/supporting-u-s-farmers/
We discuss the final season of the hit NBC primetime series, “This Is Us."
Learn more at: viewpointsradio.org/culture-crash-the-final-chapter-of-this-is-us/
Wondering what to do with all those face masks you’ve accumulated over the past two years? Well, these face coverings are good for more than just protecting against COVID-19. Long before the pandemic, millions of people in countries across East Asia were accustomed to wearing a mask when they had a cold, it was peak flu season or just in a crowded space. We speak with two experts about the future of face masks in the U.S.
- Learn more at: viewpointsradio.org/masking-up-past-covid/
Most of us point to McDonald’s as the founding of fast food as we know it. But the American staple began nearly a hundred years ago with two chains, White Castle and A&W. We speak with Adam Chandler, journalist and author of Drive-Thru Dreams: A Journey Through the Heart of America’s Fast-Food Kingdom about the events that fed into the rapid rise of the fast-food industry and how different chains are fighting to stay present and on-trend in today’s competitive restaurant landscape.
- Learn more at: viewpointsradio.org/americas-culture-fast-food/
Almost 40 years later, there’s a sequel to the popular classic, “Top Gun”. This time it’s “Top Gun: Maverick” and still features Tom Cruise, but he’s joined by an entourage of other well-known names in Hollywood. We discuss this highly anticipated theatre release.
- Learn more at: viewpointsradio.org/culture-crash-top-gun-maverick/
Regretting that bachelor’s degree in archaeology? Or still chipping away at $50,000 in student loans from that private university? This week – we talk about why more young people aren’t given greater direction when it comes to choosing post-secondary schooling. Two higher education experts join us to talk through some of the challenges facing programs and how students can make a more informed and cost-effective choice.
Each year, more than 91 million acres of corn are planted across the country. Currently, 40 percent of this harvest is refined into ethanol. This biofuel is a key additive in the gas that powers our cars and reduces greenhouse gas emissions. But with electric cars gaining popularity – how long will this massive ethanol market survive? How are producers making this process more environmentally friendly?
Learn more at: https://viewpointsradio.org/future-of-ethanol/
Ashamed to blare pop music while driving? Us too. Why does the genre often get such a bad rep? We highlight some of the musicians that are prominent within pop.
Learn more at: https://viewpointsradio.org/culture-crash-proud-of-pop/
Between 2001 and 2019, suicide rates for young people ages 10 to 19 jumped 40 percent. Between the same period, emergency room visits for self-harm increased 88 percent, according to the CDC. The pandemic has only exacerbated these numbers. What’s driving this increase? What are experts in the field seeing firsthand? This week on Viewpoints.
Learn more at: https://viewpointsradio.org/adolescent-mental-health-crisis/
Russia is a major exporter of diamonds, with the country supplying one-third of the world’s diamonds. This is a notable amount as the large Russian diamond company, Alrosa has direct ties to the Russian government. This week – we cover the global diamond trade and what more needs to be done to ensure that the global diamond business is not funding Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Learn more at: https://viewpointsradio.org/global-intake-of-russias-diamonds/
The Last of Us and The Last of Us Part II both have intricate storylines set in a post-zombie apocalypse world that makes for adventurous and exciting game play. We dive into the creative development that sets this game apart.
Learn more at: https://viewpointsradio.org/culture-crash-the-last-of-us-part-ii/
There’s truth in the saying that the people you surround yourself with heavily impact your life. It alters the decisions you make and the goals and aspirations you set. That’s why it’s so important to find people who are invested in your success. We speak with two career and mentorship experts this week to breakdown the many benefits of mentorship and how to go about finding the right person for you. Learn more at: https://viewpointsradio.org/importance-of-seeking-mentors/
What does Amazon, Apple, Kellogg and Starbucks all have in common? Workers at locations within these brands have unionized or are in the process of voting whether to form a union. Across the board, in various sectors, there seems to be a continuous stream of personnel calling a strike or moving to unionize. What’s behind this big labor movement? What defines a union? We answer these questions and more this week on Viewpoints.
Learn more at: https://viewpointsradio.org/post-pandemic-push-to-unionize/
We highlight some of the movies that aren’t quite worthy of an Oscar nomination but are still entertaining and worth the watch.
Learn more at: https://viewpointsradio.org/culture-crash-mid-tier-movies/
Coral reefs are home to 25 percent of all marine life – approximately 800,000 species. But these vibrant, colorful landscapes are more than just a home for life; coral reefs are animals themselves. Two ocean experts join us this week to share some interesting facts about these unique creatures and why people should care about their declining existence.
Learn more at: https://viewpointsradio.org/saving-coral-reefs/
New York City is home to more than 8.4 million people. For many, the Big Apple is seen as the center of the universe; it’s the most populous city in the U.S. and is a must-see destination for billions across the globe. But the metropolis is much more than its typical stereotypes. Look a little closer and you’ll find many hidden gems throughout the city. Tour guide and author Laurie Lewis joins Viewpoints to shed some light on the stories behind some of the city’s most famous buildings and parks.
Learn more at: https://viewpointsradio.org/treasures-of-new-york/
This week on Culture Crash: we break down the new release from A24 in theaters now, titled Everything Everywhere All At Once.
Learn more at: https://viewpointsradio.org/culture-crash-many-multiverses/
As of early April, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has displaced more than 4.2 million refugees, according to UNICEF. And the residents of Ukraine are not the only people who’ve become refugees due to war, persecution and natural disaster. On Viewpoints this week – we discuss the importance of helping migrants who need support in getting to safety and finding shelter, education, and more.
Learn more at: https://viewpointsradio.org/refugee-crisis/
These days, it seems like the blouse or sweater that was bought last season has already disintegrated. When did quality-made clothes disappear, and the rise of new, cheaper fabrics take hold in the U.S.? Author Sofi Thanhauser joins us this week to shed some light on how the garment industry got to where it is today.
Learn more at: https://viewpointsradio.org/history-of-fabric/
From “Interstellar” to “Solaris”, we love a good sci-fi movie that transports us to a new dimension and time. We highlight some of our favorites and why the genre continues to be popular.
Learn more at: https://viewpointsradio.org/culture-crash-sci-fi-film-genre/
In the U.S., current overdose deaths of heroin, fentanyl and prescription opioids have increased over six times from rates seen in 1999, according to the CDC. With the opioid epidemic raging on into 2022, what’s on the forefront of treatment research when it comes to better tackling substance use disorders? Dr. Anna Rose Childress, a professor and psychiatrist at the University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, joins us this week to breakdown the decades-long epidemic, the challenges of treating addiction and share some new innovations in clinical research. Learn more at https://viewpointsradio.org/addiction-treatment-innovations/.
Many would argue that the Kennedy family is an American cultural and political dynasty. From former President John F. Kennedy to past Kennedy’s that have served as senators, ambassadors and in other high ranking government positions, the name today still signifies power and prestige. However, go back just three generations from JFK and the Kennedy’s were poor, Irish refugees who had just arrived on the shores of America. This week – we discuss this historic ascent from rags to riches. Learn more at: https://viewpointsradio.org/history-of-kennedy-family/
In recent years, vinyl’s have been making a big comeback. We discuss how old and new music alike is being played on this old musical medium. Learn more at viewpointsradio.org/culture-crash-return-of-vinyl-records/.
As the pandemic winds down and millions get back to a more normal routine, some employers are mandating for workers to return to the traditional office environment. But – some are pushing back, wondering why it’s necessary to go back in if they can do the same tasks from home. Dr. Lynda Gratton breaks down how work has been forever changed by Covid-19 and the new models and technology that have taken hold instead of the traditional, in-person Monday-Friday routine. Learn more at: https://viewpointsradio.org/new-ways-of-working/
All the signals we send, from the words we use to the gestures we make, form an impression on the people we interact with every day. Human behavior research Vanessa Van Edwards joins us this week to share some insight on the many different signal cues out there and how to put them into use to improve your communication skills. Learn more at: https://viewpointsradio.org/communication-signals-we-send/
Better Call Saul starring actor Bob Odenkirk is coming to an end after six seasons. We discuss how the spinoff of Breaking Bad carved out a name for itself with a strong storyline and stellar performances. Learn more at: https://viewpointsradio.org/culture-crash-better-call-saul-ending/
More than 54 million Americans ages 65 or older are living in the U.S. today. This accounts for almost 17 percent of the total population. This number is only set to rise over the next two decades as millions more baby boomers transition into this next phase of life. As this population further ages, many will require care. So often we talk about the healthcare system and the patients themselves, but what about the caregivers who provide these services? In many cases, this role falls on family members shoulders, and for this group, it can be all too easy to quickly lose sight of personal health, wellness and relationships. We discuss the ups and downs of caregiving in a world that can feel isolating and hard to navigate.
Learn more at: https://viewpointsradio.org/health-care-for-aging-population/
Why do we believe one person but believe another is lying? This week, author Sarah Weinman joins us as we discuss the story of one American man in the 1950’s who was able to dupe millions and get released from prison.
Learn more at: https://viewpointsradio.org/guilty-marked-innocent/
The song, “Heat Waves” by the British indie pop rock band, Glass Animals continues to be a hit track almost two years after its release. We discuss its continued popularity and what else is worth a listen from Glass Animals.
Learn more at: https://viewpointsradio.org/culture-crash-heat-waves/
From weather forecasting to cellular coverage to global imaging, we heavily rely on space satellites in our day to day lives. The growing amount of litter just past Earth’s atmosphere threatens these services as well as astronauts living in space. We discuss the serious issue of human-created space debris and what’s being done to curb this problem before it reaches catastrophic levels. Learn more at: https://viewpointsradio.org/space-debris/
Less than 2 percent of all classical musicians are African American. Despite a push for more diversity and inclusion in recent years, the industry largely remains the same in makeup. Two classical music experts join us this week to help us understand the barriers for entry into classical music and how those in the field are helping younger populations gain exposure and greater access to the genre. Learn more at: https://viewpointsradio.org/classical-music-diversity/
"The Batman" starring Robert Pattinson has dominated box office charts the last couple of weeks. We discuss if the new take on the classic franchise is worth the hype. Learn more at: viewpointsradio.org/culture-crash-the-batman/
In President Biden’s State of the Union speech earlier this month, he addressed the many pitfalls of the current mental health care system. Millions of Americans are falling through the cracks and failing to get the consistent and comprehensive help they need.
More so, the isolation of the pandemic has taken a big toll on young people as rates of depression, anxiety and other mental disorders have sharply risen in children and adolescents.
- What are the key areas that need to be fixed? Why is mental health just as important as physical health?
- We answer these questions and more this week on Viewpoints.
- Learn more at viewpointsradio.org/mental-health-care-sytem-problems/
Inflation just seems to keep on rising month after month. Between January 2021 and January 2022, prices across the board went up by 7.5 percent. What’s next?
- Economics professor Dr. Christian Vom Lehn joins us to breakdown what’s fueling these continued price hikes and how the invasion of Ukraine by Russia may make certain goods and services pricier.
- Suburban wife and mom Carrie Leonard also joins us this week to share how her family is dealing with inflation and saving money where they can.
- Learn more at viewpointsradio.org/inflation-squeeze/
We travel back in time to the 1990’s as author Chuck Klosterman joins Culture Crash to highlight the iconic culture, media and politics of this infamous decade. Learn more at viewpointsradio.org/culture-crash-chuck-klosterman-the-nineties/
Eagles. Sea lions. Black bears. What do all these animals have in common? A surprising number of each of these species are now calling cities home. Countless different species of wildlife were driven out of cities centuries ago, but in recent decades have begun returning in greater numbers and adapting to the human-centric infrastructure. Two wildlife experts join us this week to highlight how we can both coexist in these settings.
Learn more at: viewpointsradio.org/urban-wildlife/
Ever wish that you could turn back time and do something differently?
- Everyone’s been there at one point or another. Regret is an all-too-common feeling that’s simply part of life, but it’s what we learn from our mistakes that matters.
- Writer Daniel Pink joins us this week to breakdown the intricacies of this emotion and share how people can avoid self-pity and constructively move forward.
- Learn more at: viewpointsradio.org/power-of-regret/
"The Prestige" was released in 2006 and features some of Hollywood’s biggest names, including Christian Bale, Hugh Jackman and Michael Caine. We discuss why it’s a remarkable movie that never gets old watch after watch.
Learn more at: viewpointsradio.org/culture-crash-the-prestige/
Millions have heard of 23-time Olympic gold medalist swimmer, Michael Phelps. But how about Bob Bowman? Most likely not. Bowman was Phelps’ longtime swimming coach who started working with the young swimmer when he was just 11 years old. He was there every step of the way in Phelps’ athletic career, crafting him into the Olympic swimming superstar he is today. It makes you wonder – where would many of the top athletes be today without the coaches who guided, motivated and supported them?
Learn more at: viewpointsradio.org/game-changing-coaches
The Harry Potter series is one of the most beloved stories of all time, unlocking a world of wizarding magic, adventure and intrigue to millions of young readers. We discuss how its unconventional storyline and character development can shift thinking and teach real life lessons to young and old readers alike.
Learn more at: viewpointsradio.org/harry-potter-lessons
This year’s Super Bowl halftime show featuring Eminem, Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg and Mary J. Blige was an instant hit. It was a blast to the past and reinvigorated that the nostalgic music of our younger years will always hold a special place in our hearts.
Learn more at: viewpointsradio.org/culture-crash-super-bowl-halftime-nostalgia
Most parents know that reading is vital to a child or teen’s development and learning. But reading isn’t everything. To fully understand many topics, experiences and encounters help to fully engrain what’s being taught. We speak with an education expert and clinical psychologist this week about how to bring more curiosity, creativity and critical thinking to learning.
Ahead of Presidents Day on Monday, February 21, we highlight some of our past presidents and their accomplishments and failures. What’s a common trait amongst the men who’ve held this role? Which president championed environmental policy? How have political campaigns changed or stayed similar over the last hundred years? Ronald Gruner, author of We the Presidents, joins us this week to answer these questions and more.
From Belfast to King Richard, we breakdown this year’s highly anticipated list of Academy Award ‘Best Picture’ nominees. The Oscar’s will be held on March 27, 2022.
More than 101,000 Americans died from a drug overdose between April 2020 and April 2021, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Substance abuse, or addiction, is a national crisis that’s only continuing to worsen as new drugs enter the market and treatment has been disrupted due to the pandemic. Recovering addict Dr. Carl Erik Fisher joins us this week to share his own story with addiction and what can be done to improve treatment for people suffering from substance abuse issues.
You can love biking, but if your city or town isn’t bike friendly, it can be difficult to get around safely. Dr. Susan Shaheen, a professor of civil and environmental engineering at the University of California-Berkeley, joins us this week to highlight the country’s current infrastructure and what more needs to be done to promote greater citizen mobility with bikes, scooters and other non-motor modes of transportation.
We discuss the new film, “Nightmare Alley” which is a remake of the 1947 film of the same title. It’s filled with a star-studded cast and does not disappoint. Hear why this movie makes our ‘Best of 2021 Films’ list.
It feels like the fitness market has more options than ever before. Between the rise of at-home fitness, traditional gyms and focused classes, consumers can pick and choose to workout whichever way they like. This week – we speak with two fitness experts about evolving trends in exercise and what’s next.
From sundials to mechanical clocks to atomic clocks, humans – throughout the centuries – have kept track of time using many different methods. Physics and astronomy professor Chad Orzel joins us this week to highlight just how much we rely on accurate clocks and how timekeeping technology has evolved across human history.
The hit sitcom, “How I Met Your Mother” ran for nine seasons between 2005 and 2014. Now, producers are creating a new take on the original show with the launch of the series, “How I Met Your Father”. We discuss if the new release is worth the hype.
We play many roles in life: coworker, manager, partner, parent, caregiver. The list is seemingly endless. It can be all too easy to get wrapped in these many roles and forget all together about spending time on yourself as an individual. We speak with acclaimed writer and author, Eve Rodsky about the mental toll of our daily lives and how to get back to finding a balance.
What was your favorite comic book series, video game or card game growing up? Depending on your age, it could have been Magic: The Gathering, Batman or Minecraft. In fact, you still could be a fan of these no matter what your age is. This week – we discuss the vast world of fandom and just what it means to be a part of this community.
New writer & director Emma Seligman is generating a lot of buzz across Hollywood. This week, we discuss her debut film, “Shiva Baby” that’s now streaming on HBO Max.
By 2030, 74 million Baby Boomers in the U.S. will be 65 or older. As people age, this means bigger burdens on the healthcare system, senior housing and care. But, what if one day, we could slow down this process of biological aging? Two researchers from Northwestern University join us this week to share some of the latest innovations in the anti-aging field.
Ever find yourself staring at a recipe and feeling completely lost or overwhelmed? Us too. Cooking doesn’t have to be this big production, but can instead be a time to unwind, experiment and not always aim for perfection. Cookbook author Leanne Brown joins us this week to unpack how to become a calmer cook this year by planning ahead and setting new expectations.
The series, “Love Life” is a whimsical ride through the ups and downs of modern dating, relationships and finding love. Seasons 1 and 2 are now out on HBO Max.
If an unexpected $400 charge came up, it’s estimated that 40% of Americans would struggle to pay this amount, according to data published in 2019 by the Federal Reserve. Life happens. Circumstances change. And that’s why it so important to be financially secure with savings, an emergency fund, investments and more. We speak with financial expert, Emily Guy Birken this week about how to start budgeting and saving.
Before photography, the most commonly used medium to capture a single moment in time was painting and illustration. Though photos and video have flooded most media outlets, illustration as a whole has not been replaced. It’s still used to this day because of its unique ability to convey emotions and integrate a single moment within a broader context. Career illustrator Tim ‘O Brien has created some of the most famous magazine covers, book covers and more in recent history. He joins us this week to help us understand the skill and work it takes to become a successful editorial illustrator.
We binge and review some of the new movies we’ve missed in recent months, including a critique of “The Novice” and “Mass."
20 million people work within the food production industry in the U.S. The pandemic has altered this sector and resulted in many pressures placed on this population. This week – we highlight the people behind these various roles and the changing landscape of this 24/7 food supply chain.
More than 80 percent of the world’s population lives under light-polluted skies, according to a 2016 study published in the journal “Science Advances”. Light pollution can impact sleep, general health and negatively impacts the environment, killing millions of birds each year and disrupting the seasonal cycle of trees. Another effect? The beautiful stars in our skies are clouded by the bright beams of lights all around us. We discuss the issue of light pollution and how stargazers can bring about change in their local communities.
We travel back in time to discuss the nostalgia of the very first “Spider-Man” movie and how it kicked off a series of sequels and superhero reboots produced by Marvel Studios.
In the U.S., there are roughly 19 million people with felony convictions. For this population, finding stable work can be a tumultuous and draining process. Without a job, it can be all too easy to slide back into a past life and end up behind bars once again. This week – we explore the role of work in prison, the lack of skills gained and the importance of employers opening their doors to second-chance hiring.
Researchers estimate that around 10 million Americans suffer from seasonal affective disorder each year. The milder version of this diagnosis is commonly referred to as the winter blues and is estimated to affect 10 to 20 percent of people. We speak with psychologist Dr. Carrie Ditzel about the prevalence of SAD and how people can combat these feelings and find additional support.
The new film release, “Spider-Man: No Way Home” is a massive blockbuster hit. We discuss what makes these crossover movies such a success and what’s coming up next in the Marvel universe
Thinking about adding a new furry member to the family to ring in the new year? Before saying yes, make sure you have enough time to dedicate to a new dog or cat. Veterinarian Dr. Carol Osborne joins us this week to share some helpful tips on adoption, pe
In 2006, Filipino immigrant Elizabeth Keathley mistakenly registered to vote while at a DMV in Illinois. After receiving her Voter ID in the mail, she ended up casting a ballot in the next election thinking she could do so. However, she wasn’t a U.S. citizen at the time and, because of her actions, faced eventual deportation back to the Philippines. We speak with Keathley and the lawyer who helped her, Richard Hanus, about her years-long legal fight and the common confusion around the Motor Voter Law.
We discuss Showtime’s new TV series, “Yellowjackets” which has a similar feel to the hit show, “Lost” and “Lord of the Flies."
A familiar aroma has the ability to transport us back to a different time in life or remind us of a specific place or person. Smell is deeply connected to memory and emotion, playing a significant role in how we view the world around us. This week – we highlight the power of smell, how our noses process these scents and what it’s like when you lose your sense of smell.
Learn more at:
https://viewpointsradio.org/smells-memories-reliance-on-scent/
Frozen carrots. Bruised apples. Sad-looking slices of pizza. For too long, school lunches in the U.S. have been overlooked. Highly processed foods are often quickly thrown together with a hodgepodge of unhealthy ingredients. Students deserve better. Brigaid founder Dan Giusti joins Viewpoints this week to share how he, along with hundreds of professional chefs, are redefining the school lunch landscape.
Learn more:
https://viewpointsradio.org/culture-crash-a-new-perspective-on-the-fab-four/
We discuss some of our favorite festive tunes from over the years, including Frank Sinatra’s, “Let It Snow” and Nat King Cole’s classic, “Joy to the World”.
Learn more at:
https://viewpointsradio.org/culture-crash-christmas-music/
The Rosetta Stone is an intriguing slab of rock. In short, it’s a vital key to understanding the unique Egyptian language of illustrated text referred to as hieroglyphs. Writer Edward Dolnick joins us this week to shed some light on the artifact and how the cryptic message was finally decoded.
Federal student loan debt has ballooned in recent years. In 2007, debt totaled $642 billion dollars. 14 years later, this number has risen to close to $1.7 trillion. More than 43 million Americans have student loan debt, with the average person owing around $39,000. With payments on student loans expected to restart early next year after an almost two-year freeze due to the pandemic, will more people struggle to pay back what they’ve taken out? What should students know before heading to college?
Exclusive to Disney+, the new documentary, “Get Back” follows The Beatles in their natural element as they record the album “Let It Be".
Last minute emails. Gift buying. Traveling. Sometimes the holiday to-do list can feel never-ending. It can be a stressful period – especially after another year spent living within a pandemic. We speak with psychiatrist Dr. Frank Anderson about the importance of setting boundaries and expectations this holiday season.
Do you find yourself carrying less and less cash in recent years? You’re not alone. Last year, cash payments made up about 18 percent of all transactions, according to a national study conducted by the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta. For homeless populations and nonprofit fundraisers that rely on in-person cash giving, what’s the outlook? How can the public help in different ways or donate through digital transactions?
We share why we think the new Netflix release, “Tick, Tick…Boom” is perhaps the best musical movie of 2021.
The U.S. still has the highest number of inmates in the world, with more than 2 million people behind bars. For a segment of this population, spending weeks, months, or even years in solitary confinement is very much a reality. We speak with two criminal justice experts about the lasting effects of solitary confinement and the mental health crisis plaguing prisons.
There’s nothing quite like comics. The art of illustration mixed with text takes on many forms, including comic strips, books, graphic novels and more. Columbia University professor and author of American Comics: A History Jeremy Dauber joins us this week to help highlight the interesting history of comics and how it’s evolved into a multi-billion-dollar industry today.
The Forward is a science fiction series comprising of six short novellas written by prominent authors in the genre. We discuss what we like about this unique format.
Rental and home prices across the country are skyrocketing. On average, rental prices have risen by 16 percent this year. In some cities, people are seeing as high as 30 percent increases on monthly rent. For middle and low-income citizens already on a tight budget, it’s impossible to make ends meet – especially as prices for food, gas and other basics keep ticking upwards. We speak with two housing experts about the complete lack of affordable housing in this country and the worsening homelessness epidemic.
Tech companies make billions of dollars each year selling personal information from users’ online activity. While it may seem like people have some control over privacy settings, this is merely an illusion argues law professor Neil Richards. This week on Viewpoints - we highlight the lack of privacy online and why consumers should expect better from corporations and their government.
Actress Kristen Stewart plays Princess Diana in the highly anticipated release, “Spencer”. We highlight Stewart’s performance and what we loved about this new take on the late royal.
Today, there are close to 11 million vacant jobs in the U.S. – a record-breaking number. Why are more Americans not filling these positions? How is this affecting businesses? What will eventually happen if these jobs go unfilled? We explore these questions and more this week as we’re joined by hospitality entrepreneur, Ravindra Jayara, and senior labor economist, Dr. Abigail Wozniak.
We’ve barely just scratched the surface of space exploration. Many scientists at NASA and in the private sector have set their sights on the eventual human mission to Mars – but what lies past the red planet? Will humans one day be able to travel outside of our solar system? Physicist Dr. Daniel Whiteson joins us this week to explain the strange and beautiful intricacies of the cosmos.
We explore some of our favorite Thanksgiving-themed episodes to get you in the holiday spirit. We touch on multiple “Friends” features to classic Thanksgiving installments of “The Simpsons” that never get old.
In 2020, nearly 40 million Americans lived in food-insecure households. With food prices rising across the country, food insecurity is only set to worsen, disproportionately affecting minority populations. How can people help? What are other resources available to those in need? Two experts on food insecurity join us this week to help breakdown the modern hunger crisis.
Sharing a meal and trying something new is not only a way to expand your palate, but to learn about foreign cultures, customs and traditions. We speak with Korean cook, Joanne Molinaro about her early memories of food and family and the traditional Korean recipes and ingredients that make up the cuisine.
The popular book, “Dune” is now hitting screens in theatres and on streaming platform, HBO Max. We discuss the highly anticipated blockbuster release featuring male lead Timothee Chalamet.
Across the U.S., many teachers are simply overwhelmed. In their careers, they’re not only an educator, but a leader, listener and mentor. They play many other roles than simply teaching students the set curriculum. However, the pandemic has exacerbated these duties and some educators are perpetually stressed and leaving the field for good. We speak with two education experts about the current classroom landscape and what schools can do to fully support their teachers to make sure their needs are heard.
Poverty exists, but it’s hard to grasp what it’s really like if you’ve never experienced it firsthand. Journalist Sarah Smarsh joins Viewpoints this week to share her story of growing up poor in rural America. She shares memories from her childhood
We explore the long list of film franchises the seem to go on forever. Among these are the Star Wars franchise and the most recent installment in the Bond series, No Time to Die.
Today, many young people look up to the influencers they habitually watch online, whether that’s through TikTok, Instagram or YouTube. This pastime has turned into a career option for some, and today, some college students are pursuing degrees in social media to work within the industry or try their hand at becoming an influencer themselves. We discuss the state of social media education and the larger implications of this shift in modern culture.
It’s been a century and a half since the fire that reshaped the Chicago landscape took hold across the city. Chicago History museum curator Julius L. Jones joins us this week to discuss some interesting historical facts about the fire that you’ve probably never heard before.
Netflix’s new release, “Squid Game” has become an overnight sensation, garnering more than 111 million views from accounts in just its first few weeks on the platform. What makes the show just so good?
You may have held out on getting a pet for years and years, but when the pandemic hit, it seemed like an opportune time to add a new furry member to the family. Today, more than 70 percent of Americans own one pet or more, and this number is only set to i
The FDA is a massive organization that handles a wide variety of regulations and responsibilities. However, some critics argue that the FDA has failed to evolve with the times, spending large amounts of resources on dated measures and messaging tactics. Former FDA employee Dr. Richard Williams joins us this week to highlight some of these issues within food messaging and nutrition guidelines.
We discuss the dilemma of cropping full screen shows and films to fit our modern, widescreen TV’s. Many who are against this edit argue that changing the format ruins the originality and nostalgia of the media.
How long do you think beer has been around for? Well, archaeologists have recently discovered proof of beer-making in the Middle East dating back more than thirteen thousand years. While the rise of hard seltzers has been making headlines lately, beer has a rich cultural history and has evolved as a drink over thousands of years. Two brew experts join us this week to uncover some interesting facts about the beer world.
When’s the last time you visited your community library? If it’s been awhile, there’s a large chance a lot has changed in recent years. Many libraries have stepped up and evolved during the pandemic to offer more remote classes and resources, as well as a place to work and connect with others if you need to get out of the house. The best part? It’s all free.
Dominic Fike, a popular, up-and-coming musician, performed recently at the Firefly Music Festival in Delaware. We discuss his performance at the highly anticipated event and the difficult task of becoming not only a great musician, but performer as well.
I don’t know if it’s just us, but this year really has flown by. It’s odd to think that 2022 is only three months away. Unfortunately, the Delta variant is causing the COVID-19 pandemic to still linger on this year, but many are optimistic that the worst is now behind us. Pediatrician Dr. Jenna Wheeler joins us this week to offer up some advice on holiday gatherings, keeping healthy through flu season and the importance of getting younger children vaccinated as soon as they’re eligible.
Alzheimer’s was first described in a female patient back in 1906. For many decades, scientists have been trying to decode this disease with no avail. Instead, more questions keep popping up as we learn more about this complex disease and face dead ends in treatment exploration. Two experts in the field join Viewpoints this week to shed some light on modern Alzheimer’s research.
Many film lovers have gotten accustomed to watching new movies at home during the pandemic, but is it for the better? Film creators are pushing for a return back to theaters, but only time will tell what’s next.
Opera is a beloved art form, but its racial history is as flawed as the rest of our culture. We talk to Naomi Andre, a professor at the University of Michigan, about the history of race in opera and how this traditional art form is evolving with the times.
Like many other mental illnesses, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is often misunderstood and clumped into a stereotypical category. Many people believe that the disorder is just physical behaviors, such as persistent organization, washing one’s hands all the time, or checking the lock on the door constantly. But what people don’t realize is that OCD is a lot more than just these behavioral actions. David Adam, who has OCD and has extensively studied the disorder, joins us this week to help dispel any myths and pre-conceived perceptions.
Constructing a new building requires many resources, from hundreds of hours of labor to thousands of pounds of steel, cement, glass and other building materials. Design consultant Ned Cramer joins us this week to uncover how the industry is utilizing new technology to build more sustainably and lessen waste.
Many Americans stay home and crank up the air conditioning once temperatures reach 80 degrees. Imagine working for hours on end outside in temperatures exceeding 90 or 100 degrees. On top of this, there’s little shade, minimal breaks and often not enough water. This is the reality for millions of laborers who work in agriculture, construction and other industries. Why aren’t there more legal guidelines protecting these essential workers?
We explore the different focuses of the sports documentary series that highlight the stories of different sports superstars.
Today, there are many young adults who were mere babies when 9/11 happened. They learn about the terrorist attacks from history books, television segments and documentaries as well as the firsthand stories of people who lived through the experience. Former FDNY Battalion Chief Joseph Pfeifer joins us this week to share his story from that morning. Pfeifer was the first firefighter chief on the scene at the World Trade Center complex and lost his brother, Kevin, who was also a firefighter.
The 2021-2022 school year is officially in full swing. But, it’s not the return that many were hoping for as COVID-19 cases spread, and outbreaks pop up in classrooms across the U.S. While there are barriers and challenges just like last year, school must go on. We speak with education expert, Julie King, to get some tips on how to navigate the hectic back to school season and how parents can communicate with their kids so they feel heard and supported.
Kanye West just released his latest album, “Donda” late last month. We sift through the hype and offer our take on the new creative release.
Ballet requires athleticism, artistry and decades of grueling practice. It’s an extremely competitive field and few dancers manage to become principal dancers at major theatres. This week on Viewpoints – James Whiteside, a principal dancer at the American Ballet Theatre, shares his professional ballet journey and what he’s learned about himself along the way.
How do artists find inspiration for a new song on an album, or a new idea for a movie? We discuss how great art is more interconnected than you may think.
The average American checks their phone about 90 times a day, according to a 2019 survey from tech research firm, Asurion. How often would you say you check? Every hour? Once every 20 minutes? Do you ever panic when your phone isn’t right next to you? This ‘attached at the hip’ mentality is severely affecting happiness and quality of life for millions of people. So, what can be done to break this all-consuming cycle? Addiction expert Dr. Anna Lembke joins us to break down the widespread problem and offer up some solutions.
The news of the Taliban regaining control of Afghanistan has swept news headlines this month. Hundreds of thousands of Afghan citizens have already fled the country, but how will everyday life change for those who remain? We discuss the precarious situation in the region and the reversal of modern freedoms and economic stability for millions of men, women and children.
We discuss some of our favorite non-fiction reads as the weather turns cooler and the season of pumpkin everything is soon upon us.
There’s something special about dinosaurs. These majestic creatures walked the Earth more than 230 million years ago, yet, even today, they capture our wildest imaginations. Most us have heard the familiar narrative that an asteroid collided with Earth and this catastrophic event led to their downfall..but is there more to the story? Would dinosaurs still be around today if the asteroid flew past Earth? This week on Viewpoints.
We highlight the podcast, Dissect, which takes a look at the poetic lyrics behind some of the biggest songs in rap and hip-hop.
Have you ever had trouble falling or staying asleep? If you have, you’ll know that not getting good rest can have a big impact on how you feel physically and mentally. For astronauts in space, sleeping in a zero-gravity environment surrounded by loud fans, bright lights and cramped quarters can be an issue. We discuss some of the bodily systems behind sleep and how astronauts in space for months on end deal with these challenges.
Gold mining has been a lucrative business for many generations. Today, it’s still a booming industry with global mining companies expanding into new markets each year. This week – we highlight the incredible story of activists in northern El Salvador who stood up to mining company, OceanaGold and won.
What were some of the best movies if we rewind back one decade? We highlight some of our top picks from the year 2011, including the documentary, Jiro Dreams of Sushi and the baseball sports hit, Moneyball.
Every year it seems like there’s a new diet or health trend that captures people’s attention. The keto diet, which mainly cuts out carbohydrates, has seen a sustained rise in popularity. Originally used as a treatment for kids with epilepsy, today, thousands of ordinary people follow this regimen as well. This week – we’re joined by registered dietician, Kristen Sedler, and two people who tried the keto diet and both had entirely different experiences.
It’s that time of year already: back to school. After eighteen months of kids and teens learning remotely or on a hybrid schedule between in-person and remote, millions are returning back to classrooms full-time. While this may change as COVID-19 cases rise due to the Delta variant, for now, many schools are moving forward with plans to welcome students back with the caveat of requiring face masks while indoors. We discuss the highly anticipated return back to class and how some educators have changed their perspectives on learning over the past year.
When most people imagine the early West, they picture wide open landscapes, lawlessness and sweaty men working away in mines and on farms. While this is part of the narrative, the other lesser known side is the unique opportunities the West held for women of the 19th and early 20th centuries. Author Winifred Gallagher joins us this week to share how the ladies of this region fought for greater equality and recognition.
Jeff Bezos and Richard Branson both made history last month as they rocketed out of Earth’s atmosphere and successfully reached space. This trip was many years in the making as both billionaires built their own respective companies, Blue Origin and Virgin Galactic, to transport them to space as private civilians. Now, people are lining up and paying hefty prices to take this same voyage. Where will the space tourism industry go from here? Are the risks worth the experience?
“Elite” is a foreign language teenage drama series that does not disappoint. It’s edgy, entertaining and fast-paced. The show is now streaming on Netflix with four seasons out and another one on the way.
Wondering what to do with the dozens of face masks and all of those unused yeast packets? Us too. There are several items that Americans sought after during the height of the Covid-19 pandemic that help to showcase what this period in time was like. Once the pandemic is fully over, how will we look back and remember this time? How are museum curators and everyday people remembering this important part of history? This week on Viewpoints.
There are some items of clothing that truly never go out of style. Whether it’s a pair of jeans or a classic black dress, these pieces transform with the vibe and trends of each decade. Fashion writer and author of The Ten Lauren Cochrane joins us this week to highlight some of the most iconic clothes in fashion history.
We had mixed feelings heading to see the new film, Pig, featuring actor Nicholas Cage. Listen to why this feature film ended up blowing our expectations out of the water.
Millions of Americans put off going to a doctor or hospital because they’re afraid of the high cost of care. Depending on your insurance, one MRI scan can cost upwards of a thousand dollars. One trip to the emergency room can mean thousands of dollars in charges that people can’t afford to pay. So, what’s driving these sky-high prices? How can people negotiate down these hefty bills?
There’s much more to being a professional musician than the practice and performance aspect of the career. For independent artists, there’s an entire side of entrepreneurship to handle, including money management, marketing, networking and more. Debra Silvert, the flutist of the orchestral ensemble, Duo Sequenza, highlights the challenges and rewards of carving out a career in the competitive classical music space.
Funny man Jason Sudeikis plays Ted Lasso in Apple’s TV’s new series. The show follows Lasso, a small-time coach, as he moves to England to lead a professional soccer team despite having little knowledge of the sport.
The social media platform, TikTok started in September 2016. There have been many critics over the years that have doubted the lasting popularity of the short-form, video-driven service. But, fast forward five years later and it’s still booming. What sets TikTok apart from the graveyard of dead platforms like Snapchat and Vine?
Each year, as the flowers bloom and the days turn warmer, we spring forward and adjust our clocks one hour forward. The routine of ‘springing forward’ can feel like a nuisance and for some, it can severely throw off their internal body clocks for days or weeks on end. Why do we still practice daylight saving time today? Dr. Beth Malow, a neurologist and sleep expert, joins us this week on Viewpoints.
Millions of Americans put off going to a doctor or hospital because they’re afraid of the high cost of care. Depending on your insurance, one MRI scan can cost upwards of a thousand dollars. One trip to the emergency room can mean thousands of dollars in charges that people can’t afford to pay. So, what’s driving these sky-high prices? How can people negotiate down these hefty bills?
The U.S. prison population has decreased during the pandemic, but the number of people behind bars is still close to two million. Some of these inmates have been in prison for decades and at a young age were deemed by the justice system to be ‘unfixable’. This week, we shed light on the cycle of youth incarceration in this country and why people like Ian Manuel, a former inmate, were sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole at age 13.
It seems like lately almost everyone is heading to the airport. Whether you’re flying, driving or taking a train, vacations are a highly anticipated time to get away from everyday life. Everyone deserves relaxation, but is there a way to make sure that you’re traveling more consciously? Are you booking excursions with local, independent companies? Supporting small shops? Does the place you’re staying at or traveling with use sustainable practices?
The Criterion Channel makes it easy to watch older movies that are often forgotten on mainstream streaming platforms like Netflix. We discuss some of our favorite picks from the old Hollywood days.
The Hulu comedy, Dave, is a fictional story about the sensationalized rapper, Lil Dicky. The show look like many other comedies at first but is actually jam-packed with well-thought out jokes and plots. Dave is now streaming on Hulu and FXX.
Unions, which are organized labor groups, are prevalent across the U.S. You’ve probably heard of the term in the media or may know someone who’s part of a union. But, have you ever heard of a worker center? It operates in similar functions as unions; however, this resource is much more community-based and is more of a guiding advocate in responsive situations where the worker is facing harassment, unpaid wages or other issues. We speak with two labor experts this week to highlight how vital worker centers are to low-wage workers who often don’t have a voice.
All parents want their kids to succeed and live good lives, and part of accomplishing that is raising them to understand the value of a dollar. It’s can be easier than ever before for young children to see something online and feel like they need it, or waste money through an in-app game purchase. We speak with Beth Kobliner, a financial expert and author of the book Make Your Kid A Money Genius (Even if you’re not) about tips and tricks to help our children learn the value of each dollar.
Bo Burnham has taken on many roles throughout his career. We discuss his latest project, Inside, now streaming on Netflix.
The 50 richest families in the world have a combined net worth of $1.2 trillion dollars. The Koch family, the second richest name on the list, is worth a staggering $100 billion dollars. Could you imagine having that amount of money? It’s definitely enough to sustain several generations to come. How does one accumulate so much wealth? For many families, it isn’t just about success and business growth, but the business of building wealth through loopholes like philanthropy and loose taxation laws.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that employee turnover at nursing homes in an average year is 74 percent. With high rates of turnover and not enough new workers entering the caregiving field, the U.S. is deep in a senior care crisis that’s only set to get worse. This week – two senior care experts join Viewpoints to discuss why no one wants these jobs and how this lack of infrastructure and funding in certain areas is creating chaos amongst seniors and their families who need help.
Lake Mead, the reservoir created by the Hoover Dam, is at its lowest levels ever recorded. Drought is not a new problem in the West, but it is getting worse as the years go by. What’s being done to curb water consumption and increase supply so people’s taps don’t run dry?
The average clothing item today is worn anywhere from seven to ten times before it’s discarded on donated. Why is this number so low, and what happens once the garment leaves a person’s closet? Maxine Bedat, a prominent voice in sustainable fashion, joins us this week to shed some light on the clothing crisis and how its impacting workers and the environment.
Stephen King is globally recognized as the master of horror – but how does he create each masterpiece? We break down what sets his works of literature apart from all of the other authors across several genres.
In the U.S., most Americans commonly use vegetable or olive oil when cooking. While we don’t often here about palm oil, it’s in many of the products that we buy at the grocery store, including everything from food to personal care products. And abroad, palm oil is widely used in cooking and frying. Last year, global consumption reached 72 million tons. However, this ingredient is not being produced sustainably and has led to widespread deforestation in Southeast Asian countries. What’s being done to curb the palm oil crisis?
Imagine running 50 miles – almost double the distance of a typical marathon. Do you think you could ever do it? Dean Karnazes, an ultra-runner, joins Viewpoints this week to break down the extreme sport of ultra-marathons. He’s been tackling long distances and smashing records for several years and has made a name for himself in the running world. We hear his story and some tips he has for people who are trying to slowly ease into everyday running.
This week, we discuss the importance of an album’s length. All too often it can feel like some of the songs on the album are just there to fill time, so people feel like they’re getting more music for their money.
Baseball is back, and fans can once again revel in the experience of heading to a ballpark, grabbing some peanuts and cheering on their team as they score a homerun. Longtime baseball writer and faithful Phillies fan Timothy Malcolm joins Viewpoints this week to break down some of his favorite stadiums in the U.S. and some tips you should keep in mind before buying a ticket.
The first New York Times wedding announcement was published in 1851. It was one sentence long and covered a young, white couple who had just married in New York. Today, the wedding and engagements section at the paper and other media outlets across the country look a lot different. We explore how this unique page has evolved over the years and the rat race some couples go through to get an announcement published at a prominent paper like The New York Times.
Author John Green is best known for young adult novels like The Fault in Our Stars, but his latest release heads in a completely different direction. It’s called The Anthropocene Reviewed and it’s hooked our attention.
Why are people so afraid to give speeches in public? For many, it can be the cause of much anxiety and dread. We speak with a psychologist and a speech educator about why this anxiety builds and how we can use this adrenaline to our benefit when putting ourselves out there.
Many people are worried that non-native plants and animals are invading the U.S. and preventing native species from thriving. Each year, a lot of money and time is spent trying to rid the land of these aliens - often to no avail. But, are these species present because they’re the only ones that can exist in that environment? Are some plants and animals actually helping to create a more diverse and robust ecosystem? And are some native species really native to the U.S.? Our guests offer up a different perspective on the invasive species debate.
The streaming platform, HBO Max has gained a lot of ground since its launch in May of last year. We dive into the wide variety of shows and films available and why it’s become our favorite place to search for something to watch.
The average person ends up trashing 25 percent of the food they buy from the grocery store. This can mean fresh produce, expired dairy, stale bread – the list goes on and on. This cycle of food waste across households, grocery stores and restaurants adds up, resulting in more than 81 billion pounds of fresh, edible food being thrown away each year. What’s the solution? Two food experts join us this week to offer some answers.
The movie, “Little Fish” is an intriguing story of a world ravaged by a virus that erases people’s memories. It’s a gripping film that hooks your attention from the get-go and is worth the watch.
The birth of the space shuttle in 1981 marked a new era of space travel. For the first time ever, NASA had a spacecraft that could launch into space and come back to earth and land like an airplane. While the shuttle had many successful flights, there were also some big catastrophes that ultimately led the program to cease operations in 2011. Former chief historian of NASA Roger Launius joins Viewpoints this week to tell the story of this era of American space history.
The cryptocurrency that started it all, Bitcoin, is now valued at around 1.6 trillion dollars. And in just the last month, another, newer form of crypto, Dogecoin has skyrocketed in popularity across the Internet, sharply driving up the price per token. We explore the fascinating and fast-evolving world of cryptocurrency and the future of traditional financial systems as digital currency gains ground across the globe.
The U.S. workforce is now more than 50 percent female, yet many women today still have little knowledge on financial planning and how to make their income work for them rather than the other way around. Executive and financial expert Jennifer Barrett joins us this week to shed some light on the importance of becoming financially autonomous and advocating for yourself in your career, relationships and beyond.
A modern take on the classic detective/thriller genre is exactly what we need right now and the “Mare of Easttown” does not disappoint. We explore this new series starring Kate Winslet.
In 2017, Sara Dykman biked more than 10,000 miles, following the path of the annual Monarch migration. Along her route, she stopped to educate and raise awareness about the beauty and fragility of the butterfly. Dykman joins us this week to teach us about the insect’s unique migration patterns across North America and how individuals can help this dwindling species.
How often do you buy an item from the store that’s packaged in a plastic container or wrapped in plastic? Daily decisions like these add up and are feeding into the global plastic crisis. Scientists estimate that there’s anywhere between nine to 16 million tons of plastic on the seafloor, polluting the environment, harming species and releasing harmful microplastics into every corner of the planet. Two experts on plastic join us this week to shed some light on the problem and how we can each make a difference by changing our consumption habits and calling on leaders to craft stricter laws on waste management and manufacturing.
As more Americans get vaccinated, the light at the end of the tunnel shines a little bit brighter each day. We discuss the slow return of theater-released movies and some of the future films we’re most excited for.
The late actor, Jimmy Stewart, gave us some very memorable characters during his time in Hollywood – many very funny; others endearing; and some dark and villainous. Perhaps Stewart’s most dramatic role was the one that not many people know about, but that molded his life and his psyche – not to mention his acting – for most of his career: serving as a fighter pilot in World War II. We talk to an author who delved into Stewart’s war service about how flying missions over Europe and seeing his comrades die affected the actor and the types of roles he chose to play post-war.
As more Americans look to decrease their carbon footprints, what’s one way to make a big difference? Flipping the narrative on the traditional American diet. Beef is more carbon-intensive to produce than chicken, but did you know that cheese is also worse than chicken? It’s this knowledge that can change people’s dietary decisions and decrease greenhouse gas emissions, slowing global warming. Paul Greenberg, a food and science writer, joins Viewpoints this week to share how people can adjust their daily eating habits to make a difference.
The perspectives of black authors are vital in understanding why racial bias still plagues our country. We offer up some timely recommendations to add to your 2021 reading list.
Today, the average student graduating from a four-year, public university leaves with $28,600 in student loans. On top of this, students owe interest once payments kick in, and this can range from 3 to 5 percent for federal loans and can go as high as 12 percent for private loans. For some, the large sum of these loans plus interest can take several years to pay off and has a big effect on life decisions like when to start a family or if they can afford to leave a toxic job. This week – we cover the student loan crisis in the U.S. and talk about alternative options and resources that can help lower the current cost of higher education.
Taylor Swift recently re-recorded and released her hit 2008 album “Fearless”. We discuss the nostalgic vibes we felt while listening to these old Taylor tracks.
From abrupt changes in gravity to galactic cosmic radiation, astronauts face numerous challenges as they push to explore further into the unknown. Dr. Emmanuel Urquieta, from the Center for Space Medicine at the Baylor College of Medicine, joins Viewpoints this week to help us understand some of the health impacts of spending time in space and the hurdles that come with longer missions like sending humans to Mars.
Despite the pandemic, carbon emissions are at an all-time high, topping records over the past 3.6 million years. For years, scientists have warned of humans approaching a critical tipping point of global warming – and it’s here. Sustainability scientist Dr. Kimberly Nicholas joins Viewpoints this week to break down the current climate landscape and explain why turning things around requires a collective effort.
Facebook founder and CEO, Mark Zuckerberg added 41 billion dollars to his wealth over the past year. And that’s nothing compared to what Tesla CEO, Elon Musk raked in: 157 billion. The majority of humans on the planet can’t even fathom earning that amount of money. Yet, for many in the top .01 percent, it’s a never-ending cycle of holding onto and building their wealth for generations to come. As the rich get richer and take up a bigger piece of the pie, what’s left for the rest of us? How can leaders and laws slow this extreme wealth inequality?
In recent years, foreign language films have started to be taken more seriously in the top awards categories. Take Parasite winning Best Picture at the Oscars last year. We discuss some of the best international films released over the last twelve months and where to watch them.
Physician burnout is still a very real problem in the U.S. – and the pandemic has only exacerbated these feelings in some of the hardest hit hospitals across the country. We speak with Dr. Greg Hammer at Stanford University about the pandemic’s lasting effects on mental health and systems that have been created to better support people working in medicine or in medical school.
About 60 percent of Americans don’t yet have a written will in place. People spend a lifetime working hard, saving money, building assets, but often never think about what would happen in case they suddenly passed away. Viewpoints speaks with life planning expert, Abby Schneiderman, about the importance of organizing your life both on paper and online.
The newest musical release by AJR is titled, “OK ORCHESTRA 5”. It’s an energetic, unique collection that you won’t be able to get out of your head this spring.
Organizing people or items by A to Z is a common method all over the world. It’s used in schools, businesses, libraries and more. But why is this the predominant method today? What are some other systems that people of the past used? Historian Judith Flanders joins us this week to shed some light on the fascinating study of alphabetization.
The new director’s cut of “Justice League” is now out on HBO Max. The action movie clocks in at a whopping four hours. Is it just another overhyped streaming release or something more?
New York is the latest to legalize recreational marijuana. This move will create thousands of new jobs and is expected to generate billions of dollars in revenue after a lackluster year in tourism, real estate and business. And New York isn’t alone. Each year, more states are voting to allow both adult-use and medical marijuana sales. But, with this, comes challenges. In a fast-growing industry, how do you ensure that smaller entrepreneurs aren’t left behind? Or those who’ve been systemically affected by the war on cannabis are given greater opportunity?
AI software is everywhere these days. It’s built into cars, tech, robotics and used in numerous fields from stock portfolio management to pharmaceuticals. But, what does the future of artificial intelligence hold as this technology expands? How will current problems be exacerbated? AI expert and New York Times journalist, Cade Metz joins Viewpoints this week.
This year’s awards season looks a bit different due to the pandemic stalling new releases. But, as those in showbiz say, the show must go on.
Whatever age you are, there’s always certain pressures to hit life milestones by set periods. It can mean moving out, getting married, having a family or even retiring by a ‘normal’ age. We discuss why these external pressures shouldn’t feed into personal decisions and how today’s generations and the challenges they face greatly differ from those of their parents or grandparents.
The wintry storm that crippled the entire state of Texas last month is estimated to cost 195 billion dollars in damages and has already been linked to dozens of deaths due to prolonged exposure of extreme cold. For several days, millions of Texans were left without heat in their homes, no running or clean water and food shortages. What factors fed into this statewide failure? Is this a weather pattern that will happen more frequently as the climate shifts?
WandaVision started off with a bang, differentiating itself from other shows. But what started off as an original and unique series quickly transformed into every other Marvel blockbuster. We discuss what went wrong.
On average, its estimated that the typical worker receives one email every six minutes. This constant stream of emails and instant messages throughout the day continuously pulls people away from their main tasks and leads to workout burnout. And the pandemic – with more people working from home – has only made this worse. Computer science and communication expert, Cal Newport joins us this week to break down the main issues and possible solutions.
Life has many challenges – but it’s how you respond to these obstacles that truly matter. Characteristics like passion, perseverance and grit can all factor into the end result and can make all the difference rather than focusing on pure talent or intelligence.
It’s been almost 25 years since the first Harry Potter book was released. Today, the wizarding franchise is worth billions of dollars and has extended out to movie spinoffs, themed amusement parks, merchandise and more. We delve into the magical world and what sets the books apart from the films.
Conflict is part of life, but it doesn’t have to be a completely negative experience; it can be an opportunity for personal growth and forging deeper relationships. We speak with two experts who specializing in studying conflict to better understand how to resolve disagreements with a spouse, family member, or with colleagues in the workplace.
It seems like every day there’s a new documentary released on a streaming platform that hooks viewers. The content ranges from true crime, sports and many other subjects. But with this constant cycle of releases, is quantity or quality the real goal here?
The oil and gas industry employs millions of workers. In 2018, 6.7 million Americans worked within the traditional energy sector. Yet, when we often hear about the industry, it’s entangled in political and environmental news. Rarely does it look at the workers themselves and the challenging and physical barriers of the job. In 2013, Michael Patrick Smith moved from Brooklyn, New York to Williston, North Dakota to work as an oil swamper. He joins us this week on Viewpoints.
How has a year-long pandemic affected the U.S. economy? Will it bounce back as more people get vaccinated or will there be long-term ramifications? Economist James Rickards joins Viewpoints this week to share his insights on the post-pandemic economy.
Before the pandemic there weren’t so many concerts, theatre performances and other arts available to watch from your living room TV. While the last eleven months have been tough on the industry, it’s allowed more people to gain access to shows that they otherwise couldn’t afford or travel to. Take Hamilton for instance. We discuss some of our favorite picks available to stream now.
Over the last two decades, Arctic melt has increased by about 60 percent. It’s estimated that if all of the glaciers and ice caps were to disappear into the ocean, sea level would rise by 230 feet, wiping out all of the coastal cities and town around the globe. Journalist and author, Andrea Pitzer shares the history of Arctic exploration and how the landscape has changed over time – but not for the better.
Congested roads. Crumbling parking lots. Vacant strip malls. These are some of the challenges that suburbs across the country are facing today. What to do with the vacant retail and office space? How do you make people less dependent on cars and more active? Architect June Williamson is a proponent of mixed-use developments that create more efficient suburbia. This vision creates a 15-minute suburb where basic amenities and activities are walkable, and spaces bring people together rather than dividing them with large, empty lawns, lots and physical structures.
In the early 1900’s, the Greenwood District in Tulsa, Oklahoma was commonly referred to as the ‘Black Wall Street’. It was a predominantly African American town that was booming due to the nearby discovery of oil. It was a wonderful place to live, work and raise a family – but that all changed on May 31, 1921. In a matter of hours, the town was burnt to ashes and its estimated that up to 300 people were murdered. Historian Scott Ellsworth tells the largely untold story of the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre.
How often do you skim a headline and feel like that’s all you need to know? Or gather your daily news from a Twitter or Facebook feed? Economist & journalist Tim Harford joins Viewpoints this week to share the impacts of sensationalized or one-sided information and how we can all become more inquisitive consumers of content.
We discuss the new Hulu release, Framing Britney Spears, which follows Spears’ rise to pop stardom, the ups and downs of her life in the spotlight and the controversial conversatorship that she’s reportedly been under since 2008.
As some schools return back to in-person learning, we take a look at a few of the ways teaching has changed this year, including new safety precautions and the use of continued e-learning technology. Kelly Rigg is an eighth-grade teacher in Ephrata, Pennsylvania and shares what’s it’s been like to be back teaching in the classroom full-time during a pandemic.
The Jupiter moon, Europa is 390 million miles away from Earth. In 2025, the NASA Europa Clipper mission launches and is estimated to arrive in Jupiter’s orbit by 2031. Why Europa? Underneath its radiated surface, the icy moon is believed to host a vast ocean similar to Earth’s that has ample conditions for complex life. Author David W. Brown joins Viewpoints this week to shed some light on the Jovian moon and some of the challenges that came with the lengthy approval of this deep space mission.
Sometimes a tense, high stakes show isn’t the relaxing break we all need. We discuss our favorite lighthearted, easy-to-consume series that are entertaining and great to watch time and time again.
Each year, thousands of troubled young adults are sent to long-term, in-patient behavioral centers that are seen as the last resort. Their parents often sign off on this treatment because they believe that this ‘tough love’ route is the only answer to turning things around. Journalist and author, Kenneth R. Rosen joins Viewpoints this week to share his own adolescent experience at three of these centers and the long-term damage this type of treatment can wreak on young minds.
Today, the field of forensic science is one of the most important tools that investigators have in cracking a case. From forensic geology to DNA and ballistics analysis, analyzing the science behind each crime is crucial. To better understand the field, we go back to the twentieth century to shed a light on Edward Oscar Heinrich – an innovative man who made many contributions to early forensic science in the U.S.
HBO’s new release, Tiger chronicles the ups and downs of Tiger Wood’s golf career and personal life. We discuss if the new documentary is overhyped or worth the watch.
The field of attribution science studies extreme weather events in order to uncover what role man-made climate change plays in the severity or likelihood of each disaster. We speak to renowned climatologist Dr. Friederike Otto to better understand the reasonings behind attribution science and the implications this research has on science, global politics and climate litigation.
Between the internet, radio, podcasts and books, there’s a wide breadth of information out there on how to get your finances in order. But sometimes the mixed advice and confusing explanations can lead to complete inaction. This week, we speak to a personal finance expert about the starting key steps you can take to build your financial future and prepare for any unforeseen emergencies.
Today’s superhero storylines can sometimes feel a bit too involved if you’re looking for something more laid-back to watch. We rewind back to the 90’s to offer a few entertaining selections that don’t require much backstory and are available to stream now.
The world of youth sports can be incredibly stressful. Long practices, hefty investments and increasingly selective teams can add up to parents pushing their kids to the brink. We speak with Rich Cohen, a hockey dad, about the modern pressures of the competitive sport and why some parents end up caring more about the sport than their own kid does.
It’s been ten months since many schools across the nation shifted to online learning. Students, parents and everyone working within education have braved the many challenges of learning within a pandemic. With vaccine distribution underway, many within the field are seeing the light at the end of the tunnel and the eventual return to classrooms hopefully later this year. We speak with two education experts about the changes happening in the field as technology plays a bigger role.
When scrolling through streaming sites like Netflix, Disney+ Amazon Prime or Hulu, the number of movies and shows can feel endless. But, how many of these originals are really worth the watch? Shouldn’t the focus be more on quality rather than quantity?
We know so much about the men of the Civil War, but the courageous women of this time and their contributions are seldom shown in history books. Historian Karen Abbott decided to change that. She tells the story of several women who helped their respective sides during the Civil War. These women were not just nurses and aides, but endearing female soldiers and spies disguised and embedded in the fight.
While many small, neighborhood stores are fighting to keep their doors open, e-commerce giants like Amazon are seeing staggering growth. In fact, 2020 was the most successful year-to-date for the company. The pandemic has forced millions to buy more items online or through curbside pick-up. So, how has this shift in shopping habits changed the retail game for good? Business journalist Lawrence Ingrassia joins Viewpoints this week to break down the evolving e-commerce landscape.
Whether you’re a young adult or not, the teen-focused show, “Euphoria” is a refreshing take on this period of life and all the struggles that come along with it. The full series is now streaming on HBO and HBO Max.
You’ve probably seen a black and white portrait of a suspect displayed online, broadcasted on TV or even printed in a newspaper back in the day. But how exactly does a forensic sketch artist create such a detailed and accurate profile based off a single, hour-long witness interview? Lois Gibson, a longtime police sketch artist in Houston, joins Viewpoints this week.
To call someone a traitor or label an act as treasonous is a big claim. But what exactly does treason mean? What does it entail? We speak with constitutional law expert, Professor Carlton Larson about its limited use in modern courtrooms and the public’s perception of the law versus its actual scope and definition.
We discuss Steve McQueen’s five-part series, “Small Axe” that originally aired in the UK but is now available to stream in full on Amazon Prime.
Who do you think of when you read or hear the word, psychopath? Rarely does anyone think of the mild-mannered neuroscientist next door. We speak to two experts about what the term actually means in the medical world, how it’s tested for in various people and why many people who have psychopathic tendencies are able to function in a non-violent, productive manner.
Black holes have always intrigued and captured the imagination of millions since they were first theorized and coined by German physicist Karl Schwarzschild in 1916. For decades, scientists have worked to learn more about these mysterious objects in space. However, even today, there’s still much we have yet to learn.
There’s no doubt it’s been a long and frankly, weird year. We highlight some of the books, shows and movies that kept us entertained in 2020.
Before the game shows of today, there were countless series of the past that defied our notion of showmanship. Full of grandiose props, charismatic hosts and the perfect, hand-picked contestants, these series kept viewers hooked till the very end and were (really) too good to be true. We discuss some of the most popular game shows in American history and how the industry has evolved over the last 70 years.
Getting on a stage in front of a crowd can be extremely daunting. But, taking a risk and trying something new may not only lead you to a new hobby but a renewed perspective on life. Improv comedy forces you to connect on a deeper level with others, as well as yourself through the collaboration, communication and confidence the performance art requires.
We recommend the new movie, “The Vast of Night” now available to stream on Amazon Prime. It has the same vibes as “The Twilight Zone”, transporting viewers back to an entirely different time period.
Thank goodness 2020 is just about over. While this year has been full of many challenges, it’s also made more Americans realize what truly matters and the importance of being thankful for even the littlest of things. As we all look ahead to next year and the habits we hope to cultivate, we discuss the benefits of practicing gratitude through writing.
Segregation not only divides cities but leads to divided people as well. It fuels biases against people who may look or act different than us, leading to generations of inequity and discrimination. Viewpoints speaks with social justice activist, Tonika Johnson about the many impacts’ segregation has had on the city of Chicago.
“The Last of Us” and “The Last of Us Part Two” both have intricate storylines set in a post-zombie apocalypse world that makes for adventurous and exciting game play. We dive into the creative development that sets this game apart.
The northwestern coast of South Africa & Namibia has been a mining hub for diamonds since the 1900’s. Local workers labor through long shifts and hazardous working conditions in order to feed their families. The pay? Roughly five cents per carat of rough diamonds found. While some may argue that the industry stimulates the local economy, once a company deems an area to be over-mined, it pulls out, leaving behind nothing for locals except ravaged land.
Alex Trebek hosted Jeopardy! for 37 seasons until his passing last month from pancreatic cancer. The trivia quiz series is unlike any other show on TV – and some would argue that a big part of what made it so entertaining was Trebek’s talent for leading the game. We explore his career legacy and what’s next for Jeopardy!.
You don’t need to be a chess whiz to enjoy The Queen’s Gambit. Viewpoints explores the Netflix breakout hit featuring actress Anya Taylor-Joy.
When do you call it quits on a book that you just can’t get into? We discuss a few picks that are popular reads but just didn’t hook us enough to continue on.
How do professionals question people to get the information they want? We talk to an expert in interrogation and lying on this subject, and how law enforcement and job interviewers use the same tactics to find out if someone may be lying to them.
Apple co-founder, Steve Jobs, was hailed as a genius and master innovator during his lifetime, but his career wasn’t always a smooth, upward trajectory. He failed many times and was eventually sidelined at Apple. We speak with one of his biographers about how Jobs changed his ways during this turbulent time, and how his experiences working with NeXt Computer and Pixar helped develop him into a savvier, more understanding leader.
Boozy Pecan, Cranberry-Pear, Banana Crème. The many flavors and textures of pie are endless. Just because Thanksgiving and all-things pumpkin have passed, doesn’t mean an end to sugary holiday sweets. Viewpoints speaks with cookbook author Ken Haedrich about the prevalence of pie in American culture and how anyone – at any skill level – can bake a delicious pie in no time.
Throughout history - war, famine, economic instability has affected what we choose to buy at the grocery store. Even today, the pandemic has shifted our grocery shopping and eating habits. This week, we rewind back to the Great Depression, which forced millions of Americans to find new recipes and get creative with the limited number of ingredients they could afford.
The colder months are a great time to tuck into a new novel. We recommend a few of our favorite books that are easy to get through and will keep you hooked from start to finish.
The 2018 massacre at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High in Parkland, Florida was the deadliest high school shooting in U.S. history. A teen gunman opened fire killing 17 students and faculty and injuring 17 others. Viewpoints speaks with high school teacher Jeff Foster who was there that day and is still an active voice in ending gun violence.
Technology has shaped the way we stay in touch, fall in love and even have kids. Dr. Debora Spar joins Viewpoints this week to share how innovation affects several different aspects of our lives and what the future holds in this space.
Alex Trebek, the host of Jeopardy, passed away at age 80 earlier this month. We remember his finesse, humor, genuine personality and decades-long dedication to the popular game show.
Before the pandemic, roughly 4 in 10 people across the world believed that if science didn’t exist their lives would be no different, according to a global survey conducted by 3M Corporation. We dig into this staggering statistic and how COVID-19 has altered people’s perception of the field.
The National Football League was founded in 1920 – and it’s no surprise that a lot has changed since then. Viewpoints speaks with three sports experts about the evolution of the football industry, its humble beginnings and why the NFL is still so pervasive and popular in American culture.
It’s a good time to tuck in and explore some of our favorite, most comforting shows. We discuss a few recommendations now available to stream.
According to the Environmental Protection Agency, greenhouse gases trap heat in the atmosphere leading to a warmer planet. The largest source of greenhouse gas emissions due to human activities is from burning fossil fuels like coal, oil and natural gas for electricity, heat and transportation. In recent years, the increasingly dry and warm climate in the U.S. has led to extreme fires, record drought and more severe hurricanes. So, what can be done to alter the path we’re currently on and make renewable energy (that results in less emissions) widely accessible for everyone?
Tom Shone has released a new book, The Nolan Variations highlighting some of the lesser-known details about director Christopher Nolan and his films.
Compulsive buying disorder affects around five percent of Americans. With prime shopping season fully underway, the number of ads and limited-time deals can lead to several unneeded purchases. We speak with psychologist, Dr. Michael Vilensky about how retailers get you to keep buying and what to do if you feel like you’re shopping is getting to be a problem.
You may be familiar with the classic children’s book, Goodnight Moon, but what about Good Morning Zoom? One mom living in New York City wanted to help her children better understand the pandemic, so wrote a parody based off of one of their favorite bedtime stories. The result? A funny, yet realistic look at parenting and getting through this period.
We discuss the upsides of film festivals going digital this year as well as some of our favorite hidden gems in the lineup.
There are more than 5.2 million Native Americans living in the U.S., yet only a small fraction cast a ballot each election cycle. What factors lead to this low turnout? Viewpoints speaks with two experts about how historical bias feels into the current challenges facing this group.
Halloween is just around the corner, falling on Saturday, October 31st. this year. Whatever your plans are this weekend, it’s important to stay safe by following the recommended precautions. The holiday may look a little different this year, but it doesn’t have to be any less spook-tastic.
Planning for death is an important part of life. Getting your affairs in order and communicating your final wishes to your loved ones are two vital steps in this process. We speak with John Keith, the owner of Keith Monument, to better understand the field and some of the ways that COVID-19 has changed the way we celebrate life.
Mike Flanagan’s popular miniseries is back for a sequel with the Haunting of Bly Manor that was released earlier this month on Netflix. We dive into the two horror shows and determine if they’re worth the watch.
In 2016, President Trump ran on a platform that vowed to deport all of the undocumented immigrants in the country. However, four years later and this population is still relatively the same. Is it a practical plan to deport millions who have lived in the U.S. for more than a decade, are law-abiding and fill important jobs that would otherwise be vacant?
Each year, white collar crime results in losses that range between 300 and 800 billion dollars. Comparatively, other street-level crimes only total 16 billion dollars. Despite the huge cost, we seldom hear about lasting consequences for corporate offenders. We explore the prevalence of white-collar crime in our country and the systems that allow this corruption to flourish.
This year’s spooky festivities may look a little different on October 31st – and that’s okay. We share some of our favorite frightening films for the holiday.
We all know the rule: “I before E, except after C,” but it’s not applicable in “weird” or “science” or many other words. The English language has many exceptions to its rules and these irregularities make it a difficult language to learn. Two language experts join Viewpoints this week to share the many frustrations of English and the rules at play today.
The field of private investigation is rapidly changing. And not entirely for the good. We speak with Tyler Maroney – a journalist turned private eye about the evolution of the industry and the role tech-savvy investigators play in influencing and providing transparency to governments, corporate entities, criminal justice lawyers and other sectors.
We discuss director Chloe Zhao’s upcoming film, Nomadland that’s already generating a lot of buzz ahead of its December release.
The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign has developed a quick and affordable saliva-based test that makes it possible for students, faculty and staff to get checked twice a week for COVID-19. We speak with one of its creators, Dr. Martin Burke about the large scale implementation of this method and the upcoming challenges with flu season quickly approaching.
How will COVID-19 change the college admissions process? Will more students stay close to home? Will standardized tests be a thing of the past? Journalist, Jeffrey Selingo spent a year embedded in three college admissions offices and joins Viewpoints this week to share his insights and how this pandemic will alter higher education for good.
Seasons one, two and three of “Dark” are now streaming on Netflix. The highly rated show has an intricate plot that’s sometimes hard to follow but it's ultimately worth the watch.
Americans spent 700 billion dollars on groceries in 2018. Across the U.S., there are more than 38,000 supermarkets, each stocking thousands and thousands of distinct products. But what is the human cost of this mass consumerism? Well, the burden largely falls on low-paid workers at each level of food production and distribution - and the pandemic has only exacerbated many of these problems.
The 2020 school year feels a bit different for the millions of students ‘back to school’ in whatever form that may be. We speak with two child development experts, Dr. Irene Koolwijk and Lindsay Jones, about some of the available resources and methods that parents can use to keep their young ones on track.
2020 has not been as full of new releases as in previous years due to the pandemic, so we’re rewinding back to some of our favorite selections from a few writers and directors.
Navigating back to school this year has been challenging to say the least. With switching policies and protocols, everyone is just trying to get through the fall one day at a time. Viewpoints speaks with two education experts about the biggest barriers to learning and what online education technology can really offer students.
The blockbuster release, “Tenet” by prominent director Christopher Nolan is one of the first major films to make a theatre release in several months. Is it worth the watch?
Suffering from a travel bug that can’t be quenched this year? Chicago writer, Jessica Mlinaric believes that if you look hard enough you don’t have to leave your town or city to experience something new. We cover some of the interesting, historical sights around Chicago and how you can explore your own area.
Without inventors like Benjamin Franklin or visionaries like Elon Musk, the world would look a bit different. Both of these people and countless others followed their passion, but sometimes it can be hard to slow down and take a risk. Do you enjoy writing? Tinkering with tech? Creating music? Art? It’s never too late to forge a different career path or side hobby. We speak with Kickstarter co-founder, Yancey Strickler about some of the barriers to entry creatives face today and how to find support within a community.
Hurricane Laura ramped up to a Category 4 hurricane late last month and was the strongest storm to hit the Louisiana coast in more than a hundred and sixty years. Each year, the most powerful storms during the Atlantic hurricane season typically form between the end of August and early October. We speak with two experts to better understand the history of hurricanes and the destruction they wreak each year.
Chadwick Boseman passed away from cancer at the age of 43 on August 28. We honor his legacy and his many contributions to film from starring in Black Panther to his portrayal of baseball player, Jackie Robinson in the 2013 movie 42.
Today, ex-government employee, Edward Snowden is recognized around the world for his role in leaking highly classified information about government mass surveillance. We explore the benefits and consequences of modern surveillance and how both private business entities and governments are acquiring information from millions of Americans.
It’s only September and this year’s wildfires in California are already worse than last year with still months left in peak fire season. We explore the growing challenges facing Californians and what the future holds for The Golden State.
It’s no surprise that many of us are always looking for new ways to de-stress and relax this year. Whether you’re cooking, driving or just relaxing, the music of Frank Ocean is a fantastic choice.
The U.S. has the largest prison population in the world with more than 2.3 million inmates. Each year, prisons cost taxpayers 80 billion dollars. But with two thirds of those incarcerated returning back behind bars within a few years, clearly something is broken. We discuss how some popular reforms do more harm than good and what needs to change within the system.
All humans need some amount of rest – whether that’s five hours or eight. But how we sleep and the quality of that slumber can vary widely. We speak with sleep expert, Matthew Walker, a professor at California-Berkeley, who says getting restful sleep is the single biggest thing we can do to vastly improve our mental and physical health.
Writer & director Charlie Kaufman is known for several hit movies including Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind and Synecdoche, New York. We explore some of his biggest career triumphs and the upcoming release of his new Netflix original, I’m Thinking of Ending Things that’s based off the novel written by Iain Reid.
Rewind back to 1896 aboard the voyager ship, the Herbert Fuller. Just a week into the journey, three people aboard were murdered and there were multiple suspects. The murder trial that follows is historic and helped shape modern law today.
For most people this year, traveling seems like a distant memory. Getting on a plane, taking a train or even using public transport on a daily basis has been largely abandoned with COVID-19. But once it is safe to travel again – where’s the first place you’d like to go? Acclaimed travel guide, writer and TV host, Rick Steves joins Viewpoints this week to share how you can get the most out of your travels and fully immerse yourself in the local culture, people and history.
The new summer release, Folklore, by artist Taylor Swift heads in a stylistically different direction than what she’s largely known for. We discuss the new album and some of our favorite songs.
When Dutch forces surrendered to the Germans in May of 1940, the Nazis gained control of the Netherlands and set in action a plan to exterminate hundreds of thousands of Jews and minorities. Arguably, the most famous voice from that region is Anne Frank – the young teenage girl who wrote of her daily life in hiding until she was discovered in 1944 and died in the Bergen-Belsen concentration camp. While Anne Frank is a prominent voice, there are many other stories of those who hid out for years, evading capture and awaiting freedom.
We’ve all received spam calls and fishy-looking emails that promise us a free vacation or a great bargain that’s too good to pass up. Sometimes they even come from a phone contact or your boss asking for help or to download an attachment. Author and comedian, James Veitch has made a name for himself by replying to these scams and continuing the conversation, effectively wasting the scammers time as much as they waste ours. We speak with him about his trade and the major telltale signs to look out for in a scam.
The Forward is a new science fiction series of six short novellas written by prominent authors in the genre. We discuss the appeal and if the new release is worth the purchase.
Viewpoints speaks with father-son duo, Richard and Billy Chizmar about the combined process of writing the popular horror story, Widow’s Point.
There are millions of Americans who live together as husband and wife, but never become formally “married.” What are their rights? Who gets the house, the car and the bank accounts if the relationship ends or one of them passes away? We speak with a contract and family law attorney who has written extensively on the subject to find out how society and the courts views co-habitation relationships. We also cover what steps cohabiting couples should take to still be recognized by the law.
In the early to mid 1900’s, capturing a picture was cumbersome and complicated and took weeks to process the film. Then, Edwin Land, the creator of the Polaroid camera, came along and revolutionized the industry. Viewpoints speaks with author Ron Fierstein who profiles Land in his book, A Triumph of Genius: Edwin Land, Polaroid, and the Kodak Patent War.
Learn more at:
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We discuss the new debut album and band both called “Red Hearse”. The band is made up of musicians Jack Antonoff, Sam Dew and Mark Spears, better known as Sounwave.
Trauma comes in many shapes and forms throughout life. Viewpoints speaks with psychiatrist, Dr. James S. Gordon in order to better understand a person’s reaction to trauma and the body’s resilience in dealing with these stressful events and situations.
Thousands of Americans are certified cuddlers. You might be asking - what does it mean to be a ‘certified cuddler’? Christina Hepburn joins Viewpoints this week to talk about this relatively new niche and how she’s working to dissolve the stigmas associated with the industry.
This year has forced the film industry – like many other industries – to adapt and do things a little differently. This means a new resurgence of drive-in theatres or the option to buy new releases straight from your home TV. We go through some of our favorite films and upcoming releases set for fall.
Glass, wood, stone. These are some of the natural materials that are on the forefront of construction. Today, a greater number of architects and developers are not only thinking about profit and supply, but the additional - sometimes invisible - factors at play when it comes to new build outs. These include the true benefits to humans, the environmental toll and the most practical designs that are symbiotic with nature. We uncover the modern perspective of ‘conscious construction’ this week on Viewpoints.
Scientology – is it a religion, spiritual group, business organization? The group was created in the 1950’s and is headquartered in Los Angeles. There’s been much mixed media coverage about Scientology, but, still, most people know little about the claimed religion. We speak with a former member about her involvement and the people who commit their faith, time and money to Scientology.
On a single night in the U.S. there are more than 550,000 people homeless – and this number is only set to rise as COVID-19 has put millions out of work and shattered the stability of the U.S. economy. As a child or teen who has to deal with homelessness at a young age, it can be a tough road of shifting from temporary housing to another shelter. Giselle Burgess and her five kids were in this position in New York City, so Burgess decided to start a Girl Scout Troop named Troop 6000 to help her girls and others in this situation. We cover the inspiring story of Troop 6000 this week on Viewpoints.
When you think of a cult, what image pops into your head? Is it one of violence or extremism? Is it people in all white praying and worshipping a guru? What exactly defines a cult? We answer these questions and more this week on Viewpoints.
Tenet, the newest movie from acclaimed director Christopher Nolan, is set to release next month. We take a look back at some of Nolan’s biggest film triumphs including the star-filled thriller, Inception.
Prominent Hollywood director Joel Schumacher died on June 22, 2020 at the age of 80. We discuss his legacy and some of the films he’s best remembered for.
Millions of Americans have embraced plant-based meat like the Impossible Burger, but how do you feel about real meat that’s grown in a petri dish in a lab? If the taste, texture and smell exactly resembled meat that was traditionally farmed outside, would you eat it? Lab-grown, cell-cultured chicken, beef and pork is set to hit the mass market in just a few years. What’s the science and process behind this new technology?
Texas Hold ‘Em is the most popular poker game in the U.S. today. It’s a game of strategy, psychology and quick decision-making. Writer and professional poker player Maria Konnikova joins Viewpoints’ to share how she was able to use her background to master the game and amass more than $300,000 in winnings in just three years.
There’s a certain amount of nostalgia when we revisit our favorite music, show and movies from those young, teenage years. This week on Viewpoints we discuss how many Americans cling to the hot pop culture of their generation.
The Texas Rangers (no, not the baseball team) but the western law enforcement agency dating back to 1823 is known for patrolling the rugged Texas terrain. For almost 200 years, its members have protected tiny towns along the border and have helped solve numerous crimes and corruption throughout the state. However, the valiant group also has a darker history filled with corruption, murder and violence against minorities. Author and journalist Doug Swanson joins Viewpoints this week to share the full picture of the famed Texas Rangers.
While some of us still prefer pen and paper, many younger people are shifting to everything digital. And it’s not just for to-do lists or communication, but also using platforms like Instagram, Twitter or Facebook as a daily, reflective ‘online diary’. However, sometimes this vulnerability in such a public setting can lead down a slippery slope. We discuss the pros and cons of candidly sharing your life on social media.
The days when election and campaign news dominated the news cycle seem so distant. It’s safe to say that no one could’ve imagined this year would be such a curveball. Learning’s been disrupted, many parents are continuing to work from home and fears over COVID-19 are still very much present. We speak with a family trauma expert, Dr. Abigail Gewirtz, about dealing with these anxieties as an adult and how to have important conversations with your child or teen if you’re sensing that they’re more irritable, worried or anxious lately.
Getting started gardening can seem like an overwhelming task, especially if you have trouble keeping a houseplant alive. But with some research and a small investment for tools, seeds and soil, the rewards of tending to a garden are huge. Fresh produce, flowers and herbs, as well as a renewed connection to nature are just some of the benefits of this increasingly popular outdoor hobby.
Sometimes a new release fits into multiple genres but has to be classified into one specific genre. Star Wars is labeled as a space opera – but what exactly does that mean? Viewpoints discusses these conundrums.
The new streaming service, HBO Max can be a bit confusing. What does it cover that’s not already on HBO Go or HBO Now? We discuss the differences and the hottest shows and films on the platform.
Finding the right wine is intimidating. Strolling through the wine aisle, it can sometimes be easier to give up and choose a bottle based off whether you like the label or not. Wine is complex. However, if you’re interested in finding out more about the refreshment, you have to start somewhere. Sommelier Elizabeth Schneider joins Viewpoints this week to give us an introduction to all things wine.
Business owners have had an extremely stressful year as COVID-19 forced millions of shops to close their doors for two plus months. Now, as much of the country is reopen, some salon, spa and wellness owners are still anxious about if many customers will return and the current changes to operations to protect both staff and clientele. We speak with three owners about adapting to this new reality and the challenges they’re facing.
In April, May and June of this year, 550,000 weddings across the U.S. were set to take place. As the threat of COVID-19 swept much of the U.S., many of these pre-planned weddings had to be rescheduled. Viewpoints speaks with Erika Hernandez-Fullerton, a recent bride herself and owner of a wedding planning company, to find out how couples in this predicament are making the best of this unusual situation.
George Floyd was 46 years old when he was murdered on the street by ex-Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin. The father of five moved to the Midwest city in 2014 where he worked driving a truck and providing security at a local restaurant. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Floyd lost his security job. On May 25, Floyd was suspected of using a counterfeit $20 bill at a local store and officers were called to the scene. The question remains: how can a simple police call lead to the killing of an unarmed and unresisting man? For weeks, protests and outrage have spread across the U.S. and internationally as the killing of Floyd brings racial inequality and police brutality into focus once again. Even in the midst of a pandemic, people are showing up to say they’re fed up with the lack of equal justice, rights and opportunities for all.
Reading the works of black authors is an important part to better understanding why racial inequities still plague our country. We offer up some recommendations to add to your reading list.
Tensions between the people of Hong Kong and the Chinese communist government are quickly escalating in recent months. With the proposal of a new national security law in late May further tightening the grip on the semi-autonomous territory of Hong Kong, the city is a tipping point as protesters risk their lives to fight for political democracy and civil liberties.
Imagine finding a rough, circular rock-like object and spending many minutes, if not hours, trying to pry it open to see what’s inside. Once you finally cracked it open, who would slurp down the slimy, raw interior of an oyster, praying that it wouldn’t kill them? We discuss the many firsts throughout history and the bold civilizations who uncovered these discoveries.
Zack Snyder’s version of the movie The Justice League will premiere on streaming service HBO Max in 2021. We discuss the new release set to be a great improvement from the 2017 Warner Brothers version that was a blockbuster flop.
Losing someone you love – whether that’s a partner, friend or a part of your family – can be devastating. Is there a way to ‘correctly’ deal with the process of death and grieve after the person has passed? This week on Viewpoints.
The Epic of Gilgamesh is thought to be the oldest epic poem ever written, created in 2000 BCE. Throughout time, poetry has stayed constant, with greats like Walt Whitman, Emily Dickinson and Henry Thoreau publishing cherished works still topical today. John Kenney is a modern poet whose work is frequently featured in the New Yorker. He’s best known for his collection of Love Poems for Married People and joins Viewpoints this week to share his many musings and provide some words of advice when it comes to writing.
Lynn Shelton passed away earlier this month at age 54. We discuss some of her biggest achievements and legacy in Hollywood.
Memorial Day is on Monday, May 25 this year. It is a day that we remember those who have served and lost their lives protecting this country. To honor our veterans, we highlight a unique story from World War II about the heroic men of the U.S. Air Force 44th Bomb Group.
When we think back to the biggest space accomplishments in history, many of us instantly remember Apollo 11 – the mission that landed humans on the moon. However, we seldom talk about Apollo 8 when astronauts successfully orbited the moon. Author and historian, Jeffrey Kluger joins Viewpoints to discuss why Apollo 8 was a vital foundational mission for space travel and what it meant to the future of NASA.
The popular show, Parks and Recreation has returned for a special, one-time-only episode featuring the original cast. We discuss if the new release is a flop or worth the watch.
The sports documentary, Save the Last Dance, has received high praise over the last several weeks. We discuss the 10-part docuseries now streaming on the ESPN app.
Iliana Regan has worked in the restaurant industry for more than two decades in almost every position imaginable. From fast service to high-end fine dining, she’s a self-taught, Michelin-starred chef that’s known for her ability to create masterful dishes using naturally sourced and foraged ingredients. As her career has skyrocketed up, she’s also had several low points in her life that have impacted who she is today.
Jessica Byrne is a 26-year-old software engineer from Portland that’s saved more than $300,000 in a very short span of time. We speak with Byrne about how she grew her skill base in order to up her salary and then quickly save thousands through compounding interest, investing and maintaining a frugal lifestyle.
In most states, construction is deemed an essential service during the COVID-19 pandemic. With roadways fairly clear and schools temporarily closed, crews are getting to work while still adhering to social distancing rules. In effect, construction spending was up 4.7 percent in March 2020 compared to March 2019. Viewpoints speaks with two people working in the industry to get an inside view on growth and job opportunities as well as current challenges facing the sector.
How will the upcoming award’s season be affected by COVID-19? We discuss the state of the film industry and how the Academy is changing its rules during this unprecedented time.
Even as Americans shelter-in-place, coffee consumption is up in the first four months of 2020. Why is coffee a drink that is so popular across the globe? The drink was first consumed by Sufi monks in the fifteenth century as part of a religious ceremony, but quickly gained popularity across the Middle East where it then eventually spread to Europe. Viewpoints discusses the complicated history of coffee production and American’s reliance on this caffeine-packed drink.
Could you ever imagine that some imported white asparagus could cost upwards of $250? Neither did we. This week on Viewpoints, we delve into the niche world of luxury and on-trend ingredients as well as roles in the food industry you’ve probably never heard of.
Have you pretty much watched everything on your list at this point? All four seasons of the AMC series Halt and Catch Fire are now available on Netflix. While you’ve probably never heard of the show, it’s definitely a binge-worthy watch.
Complex ingredients like maltodextrin and ferrous sulfate can seem scary, but are they actually bad for you in the long-term? We speak with chemist and author, George Zaidan about how food processing took hold in early human history and what to keep in mind when it comes to keeping a healthy diet.
Older films are hard to find these days on mainstream streaming platforms like Netflix and Hulu. We delve into how to track down some of the best indie, classic and foreign films to watch from your home sofa.
The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated the housing crisis as many millions of Americans can no longer afford to pay rent or their monthly mortgage. Viewpoints speaks with two housing experts about why so many people struggle to find affordable housing in the U.S. and one possible solution to the problem.
With billions across the world staying home right now due to coronavirus, air pollution in many major cities has cleared making way for blue skies and new views of nature. This week, Viewpoints speaks with journalist and author Thomas Kostigen about the role of geoengineering in tackling another approaching global crisis: climate change.
Imagine finding out at 54-years-old that the father who raised you wasn’t actually your biological dad. Novelist Dani Shapiro found herself in this position after she and her husband sent in an at-home DNA test to Ancestry.com and it came back with some unexpected results.
Drones are already a multi-billion-dollar business and only set to grow in revenue over the next five years, reaching an estimated 63 billion by 2025. The unmanned aircraft systems can be applied to a wide breadth of tasks and are an essential resource during war, rescue and public health crises, including the COVID-19 pandemic. Viewpoints speaks with two drone experts about innovation and security challenges facing the industry.
Videogames are a great way to pass time. As many of us are trying to do exactly that these days, we delve into the fantasy world and discuss some of our favorite classic and new release picks.
The first published crossword was created in 1913 by journalist Arthur Wynne. Since then, the timeless puzzle has stayed in style and graces newspapers from the New York Times to USA Today. Self-acclaimed lovers of crosswords are known as ‘cruciverbalists’ and compete online as well as create these puzzles for publishing. We speak with crossword expert, Adrienne Raphel to find out more about this beloved word game.
On a typical day, the National School Lunch Program serves 20.2 million free lunches to students in need, according to the USDA. With sweeping school closures across the U.S. in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, millions of students are going hungry. Viewpoints discusses the new reality foodservice workers face and the balance between staying safe and serving meals.
During this period of social distancing, the constant screen time while working from home and watching Netflix can get to be a bit overwhelming. Viewpoints discusses some of our favorite classic reads by prominent authors.
Everyone remembers little Gertie from the movie E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial and the actress who played the part: Drew Barrymore. However, a lot has changed since then. Today, Barrymore is mother of two, accomplished actress, businesswoman and now, author. In her new memoir she opens up about growing up in Hollywood, fending for herself at age 14 and what she’s learned over the years.
Coronavirus has affected nearly every industry across the globe, including the entertainment biz. We discuss how several facets of Hollywood, from production to movie theaters, have adapted to the new reality.
With many unknowns hanging above our heads during this global pandemic, it’s vital to stay present and positive. We discuss small steps you can take each day to find structure and the importance of looking at the long-term picture.
We discuss some of the best selections now streaming on Netflix as millions turn to movies right now for evening entertainment.
In a moment where many are practicing ‘social distancing’ it can be a good opportunity to put down your phones and pick up a stress-relieving solo hobby. We speak with Shannon Downey, creator of Badass Cross Stitch, about the simplicity and art of cross-stitching as well as how she’s used it to channel local and national social issues.
Human use of cannabis dates back to tens of thousands of years ago. And the drug wasn’t just used in medicinal or recreational settings, but also part of religious ceremonies or used by warriors before wartime battle. We speak with pharmacology expert Dr. Richard Miller about the drugs global history and its prohibition in the U.S. over the last 70 years.
Ever feel like each morning you look at your closet, and despite the large number of clothes, never really have anything to wear? This abundance of extra fabric not only takes up space but also can be a burden to your headspace. We speak with two experts about how to shop and consume less as well as best organize the items you already have.
Devs has only released a handful of episodes on Hulu so far, but the sci-fi thriller has already generated a lot of buzz for its gripping plot and eerie feels. We dive into the limited series featuring leads Nick Offerman and newcomer, Sonoya Mizuno.
In a moment where many are practicing ‘social distancing’, it can be a good opportunity to put down your phones and pick up a stress-relieving solo hobby. We speak with Shannon Downey, creator of Badass Cross Stitch, about the simplicity and art of cross-stitching as well as how she’s used it to channel social issues.
Does it ever seem like the more you try to finish, the less you accomplish? It may be that you’re expending too much energy on mindlessly doing rather than planning and prioritizing. Viewpoints’ speaks to two experts in the field about some simple strategies you can employ to get things done in a more efficient manner.
From the classic 1985 film, Clue to the more recent release, Knives Out, the mystery genre can be just the right pick-me-up when you fall into a post-Oscar season movie slump. Viewpoints’ discusses some of our favorites from this genre.
The white hair, rosy cheeks and stark complexion are what we often picture when we think of our first president. But behind his looks and historic accomplishments, what are some facts that are not as well publicized? Viewpoints’ speaks with history buff and author, Alexis Coe to learn more about the man, the myth: George Washington.
If you take a look at some of the newer brands that are shaking up retail – from Dollar Shave Club to Casper mattresses – all of these ideas are based off traditional products rather than new inventions. How are some of these startups outperforming the big-name, traditional brands that have ruled the consumer market for decades?
Better Call Saul is the show we never knew we needed after the hit show Breaking Bad came to a close. Season 5 of the show is now airing on AMC.
What exactly classifies a person as a genius? Are there biological differences between male and female geniuses? Viewpoints’ explores these questions and highlights a few overlooked female scientists throughout history.
Today, body-worn cameras are a mainstay in many police departments across the country. While the new technology increases transparency, is it leading to better relationships between the public and police? How are innovations in the field - including the incorporation of artificial intelligence - changing officers’ day-to-day duties?
The hit drama, This Is Us has led its viewers down a puzzling, sometimes draining series of twists and turns throughout the last four seasons – but is the show finally fizzling out?
1,000,000 animal and plant species now face the threat of extinction. As more than 80 percent of all global biodiversity lives on private land, what is the role of corporations when it comes to protecting these endangered species? Viewpoints speaks with Margaret O’ Gorman, president of the Wildlife Habitat Council, about the creative and adaptive policies companies can take to make a difference.
Sometimes you don’t want a critically acclaimed show or Oscar-worthy movie, but rather something funny like a cheesy rom-com or a bit of classic stand-up. We discuss two Bo Burnham comedy specials that are now streaming on Netflix.
From sugary lattes to grocery staples like yogurt and bread, sugar still seems to be lurking everywhere. Even with greater awareness, it can still be hard to avoid the cookies and cake if you’re craving something sweet. Viewpoints speaks with baking blogger, Elif Yamangil and cookbook author, Jennifer Tyler Lee about the importance of limiting sugar in your diet and how to do so while still indulging in some healthier sweets.
Imagine being born into slavery in the South. You have not a dime to your name, received no education and all you know are the surrounding fields of a plantation. What would you do after slavery is abolished? How would you start over? February is Black History Month. As we remember the past and the history of slavery in America, it’s important to not only take in the perspectives of historians and educators, but also direct firsthand accounts from the people who lived through this experience. Viewpoints’ speaks with historian and photographer, Richard Cahan, co-author of the new book River of Blood: American Slavery From the People Who Lived It.
Coloring books aimed at children, adults and even seniors have been all the rage in recent years and are still trending in 2020. But what’s so special about these patterns and designs that draw people in? We delve into the process of putting together these collections and why the creative outlet has become a mainstay for so many looking to switch off and de-stress.
The topic of healthcare is one of the most debated issues so far in the 2020 election – but what’s the fix for the expensive, inefficient system that’s currently in place? So far it’s a murky answer. Millions are struggling with the high cost of care, doctors are burning out and patient-doctor interaction is at an all-time low. We speak with an industry expert about the current woes of American healthcare and what can be done.
The writer of “Hamilton” Lin-Manuel Miranda is back at it again. Come October 2021, the Broadway play is set to hit theaters across the country. But will it be worth the watch?
The field of mathematics is still seen as a boring and overly complex field by many. But Matt Parker, a former math teacher turned popular YouTuber, is working to fix that stubborn mindset. In his new book, he illustrates the powerful and interesting side of math through real-life examples that have failed because someone’s calculations were just slightly off.
Can it ever be too easy to cast a ballot in an American election? The answer is yes. Filipino immigrant Elizabeth Keathley mistakenly registered to vote while at a DMV in Illinois through a law best known as the Motor Voter Law. This originally well-intentioned program is now trapping hundreds of immigrants into federal charges and possible deportation for an act they didn’t fully comprehend to begin with.
It can sometimes still feel unreal that NBA superstar Kobe Bryant is gone. The retired Los Angeles Lakers player was more than just an athlete, but a tremendous idol to millions of people across the world. We discuss his legacy and the fragility of life.
We explore Ian Reid’s horror novel, “I’m Thinking of Ending Things” that tops our list of scariest books of all time. It’s a quick read with a twisting plot that keeps you hooked all the way through.
It seems like lately political breaking news has hit an all-time high with all of the continuous impeachment coverage and campaign trail updates. While it’s important to be an informed citizen, what do you do with all of this knowledge? Is it leading to change? Could you do something better with your time? We delve into these questions and more this week on Viewpoints.
More than 75 years ago, a diverse set of men and women making up the Office of Strategic Services were united together in their determination to win World War II. Some served as government spies or propagandists and others gathered intelligence for army invasions. Whatever role they played, the OSS staff worked tirelessly for years and rose to the challenge wherever they were needed.
When life gets tough it can be hard to find gratitude and joy in the little things. We speak with two authors about how to take small steps each day in order to think positive and refocus on what’s important.
Hate the stair master? Dread the treadmill? Exercise doesn’t have to be an anxiety-inducing, hour-long activity. It can be getting a group of friends together for an axe-throwing session or even going on a ten-minute walk during lunch. Each little bit of movement matters. We uncover how taking on a different mindset to activity can lead to better habits and a happier life.
This year’s Oscar nominations are out and there are some good contenders in the mix, but a few movies that were looked over. We delve into some of our favorite films from 2019 that didn’t make the nomination cut, but are still worth the watch.
Author Dave Eggers has been a cult hero since his 2000 memoir, "A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius" took readers on a wild and enthralling ride. Now, almost two decades later, he’s still producing novels that push the boundaries of dialogue and prose.
In 1881, Lt. Adolphus Greely and 24 men set out on a voyage to explore the northernmost Polar Arctic where few had ventured before. The goal was to collect vast amounts of scientific data of the unknown region and hopefully reach the North Pole. But the expedition soon went awry when no resupply made it to the camp for two years and the men were left to fend for themselves. Starvation, frostbite and even tales of cannibalism soon followed in this historic tale of exploration and survival.
Roughly 15 percent of 25 to 35-year-old’s are back living with their parents, according to a 2016 study by Pew Research Center – and this number is only on the rise. Higher rent, cost of living and student debt are all contributing factors, however, there are some young adults stuck in an unmotivated, directionless state labeled as “failure to launch” We break down the term and what parents can do to nudge their young adults along.
Millions of Americans are addicted to alcohol and drugs, and many of them eventually end up unemployed, broken, separated from their families and homeless. We talk to an author who’s battled alcohol and drug addiction for many years and finally found help through treatment. We also speak with a psychologist about the causes of addiction and why some people are more likely to become addicts than others.
The 2020 census is just around the corner. We speak with an employee from the U.S. Census Bureau about the importance of taking part in the nationwide survey and how the government is reaching students and their families through new in-school programs.
We explore the new release, 1917 now playing in theaters. The new film, which is filmed acclaimed cinematographer, Roger Deakins, has an action-packed storyline that does not disappoint.
Humans have always practiced various forms of self-expression, whether that’s through written word, music, art or some other outlet. The art of tattooing is one such form that dates back to thousands of years ago. We speak with a history expert, Craig Koslofsky about some of the earliest tattoo designs and how they were achieved as well as other skin alteration methods including scarification and branding.
A new year means a new lineup of highly anticipated movie releases. We cover some of the biggest films for 2020 from the new Top Gun sequel featuring Tom Cruise to Christopher Nolan’s new action movie, Tenet.
Being a college or professional athlete is hard enough. Throw on top of that the constant commentary online and it can sometimes be hard to look away from what people are saying. Two football players offer up their thoughts on the pros and cons of social media and how to stay focused and positive.
The Harry Potter series is one of the most beloved stories of all time, unlocking a world of wizarding magic, adventure and intrigue to millions of young readers. We discuss how its unconventional storyline and character development can shift thinking and teach real life lessons.
Each day, 10,000 Americans will hit retirement age. With millions of people aging, the need for home health aides is set to expand by 47 percent between 2016 and 2026, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. So, what are the best senior care options out there? How much does it cost per year? What is working as a home health aide really like?
Disney+ debuted this past fall to a lot of speculation about what another streaming platform could really add to the already crowded marketplace. We discuss its offerings and who might really benefit from its niche selection.
A quick look into Viewpoints producer, Annie Krall's festive conversations with Holiday Baking Championshipjudge Lorraine Pascale, Season 4 champion Jen Barney and Season 1 champion Erin Campbell.
Thousands of movies have been released over the last ten years. With the mind-boggling amount of films available, it can be easy to forget about a fantastic movie you may have watched years ago. We take a look at some of the best picks of the decade that might not be getting as much attention as other films on your typical end-of-year/end-of-decade lists.
Christmas is just a few days away. By now, most people have bought all of their presents and have tucked their worn-in credit cards away until the new year. Viewpoints’ speaks with Colin Morris, director of product management at Adobe Analytics, about some of the hottest items and shopping trends this year, as well as the estimated 143 billion dollars that Americans are set to spend just online during the 2019 holiday shopping season.
There’s nothing quite like watching reality TV – and holiday-themed reality TV may be even better if you’re trying to de-stress during the month of December. We delve into the world of Food Network’s popular show, Holiday Baking Championship to get the inside scoop on what it’s really like to compete and judge a competitive baking series.
Extreme forest fires in California; increased flooding throughout the Midwest; rising sea levels threatening much of the coastal United States. Viewpoints speaks with author Avanti Centrae and ecologist Alejandro Frid about some of these extreme weather patterns and how people across the world are changing the way they live in order to adapt to this new landscape.
Cooking during the holidays can be a major source of stress – but it doesn’t have to be. Viewpoints speaks with cookbook author Julia Turshen to get some insider tips & tricks on how to quickly pull together a successful holiday meal with basic cooking skills and ingredients that are most often already in your pantry.
We delve into two great true crime miniseries, “When They See Us” and “Unbelievable” that are now streaming on Netflix. The two shows take a deeper look into past crimes to uncover how the justice system failed the people behind these stories.
Did you know that only one out of every five dogs will finish their life with the family who originally took them home? Top Dog Foundation, specifically helps find new homes for senior dogs through a variety of programs. We speak with the founder of the organization, Jean Stelten-Beuning about the current need and how owners can plan ahead to ensure the long-term welfare of their pet.
While many schools have put in place comprehensive anti-bullying campaigns, we still seldom focus on ensuring that the child bullies get the help they need. We routinely punish troubled kids with harsh detentions, suspensions and from there it escalates onward. Because of this, many bullies seem to never get the proper support and get stuck in a perpetual cycle of trouble throughout their adult life. How can we shift our systems so these kids don't fall through the cracks?
What it’s like to be a teenager in today’s hyper-competitive, tech-driven world? Trey Edward Shults’ new movie follows the dizzying lives of two teenagers as they navigate the sometimes-insurmountable pressures of youth-hood.
Viewpoints Producer Annie Krall spoke with Dr. Thomas Oden and Dr. James Webb who have both made side careers for themselves outside of medicine and in the recording booth.
The Panama Canal was one of the most treacherous builds in modern history. In the late 1800's, the French took on the project and failed. Then, the U.S. took over its construction with a new plan in 1904. The man-made waterway spanning 51 miles took more than a decade to complete and resulted in the deaths of thousands of workers. Why did so many thousands die? What challenges did engineers and laborers face? We answer these questions and more.
Have you other wondered how children in other countries are taught? What are classrooms like? How are teachers educated? Class sizes? Teru Clavel, education expert and author, lived abroad and enrolled her three children in local schools to see the differences firsthand in learning. We speak with her about the major contrasts between Asia and U.S. school systems and the varying cultures.
The new series stands apart from other superhero shows while also staying true to the original “Watchmen” graphic novel written by Alan Moore. We discuss the first season that’s now streaming on HBO.
This is Then & Now with Amirah Zaveri & Annie Krall. We talk to a new guest each episode about what's changed in the industry they're in. This week we speak with Carolyn Becker, a thrift influence who goes by the name Petite Punk online. Becker talks about how the sustainable fashion and social media space have changed in just a short time.
What would it be like to feel crippled by identity theft for most of your young adult life? Axton Betz-Hamilton shares her surprising identity theft story and how she’s now helping others in a similar boat.
Everyone needs some kind of creative outlet. For two practicing doctors, they’ve turned their respective interests into separate and successful side careers. Viewpoints’ speaks with each about the stressors of working in the medical field and how they de-compress and give back through their musical talents.
Season two of “Castle Rock” is now streaming on Hulu. The Stephen King-inspired show is full of spooky plotlines and a diverse mix of characters – but is it worth the watch?
Being a teenager is tough these days – but being a parent to a teenager can be even be tougher sometimes. Over the last five years, two researchers, who are parents themselves, traveled across the world to observe several different animal species and their socialization out in the wild. The focus? To possibly better understand our own adolescence and evolutionary needs.
What would it be like to photograph a sitting president? Viewpoints Radio speaks with Lawrence Jackson who was an official White House photographer during the eight-year Obama administration. Through his unique position, he intimately witnessed every angle of the presidency from the historic to the chaotic.
Sometimes you want to watch an expertly written and produced hour of television with central themes and a commentary on modern life - and sometimes, you just want to shut your brain off and watch something easy. This is about those latter experiences.
It’s almost too easy to purchase items these days. Need dinner? A ride? Groceries? A last-minute outfit? All of these items are just a click away with a credit card that’s saved online or in a mobile app. We speak with money expert, Ashley Feinstein Gerstley from The Fiscal Femme to find out why most Americans - at any age - barely have any savings in the bank and how to start becoming more fiscally responsible through small, simple steps.
Have you ever wondered how to create the color purple using only natural pigments? Or why, amongst completely different languages, the third color term that’s identified after black and white is always red? Viewpoints’ speaks with two color experts about the theorized meanings behind certain hues and their natural origins.
It used to be that you’d tune into a basketball game or tennis match with whoever was in the room. Now, social media and the internet allow us to watch, analyze data and connect in real-time commentary with people from around the world.
It’s been almost 75 years since the end of World War II. With Veterans Day around the corner on Monday, November 11, we uncover some of the photographs taken from 1945, the final year of the conflict. These images show the sheer destruction caused by a war that lasted six years and cost millions and millions of lives. What was it like to be a U.S. Army Signal Corps photographer? What did they see? How do you move on after war?
It’s almost 2020. While many Americans have grown to be more eco-conscious, some things still remain the same. It seems like almost everyday a smoker is seen stomping on a cigarette and leaving it on the pavement or chucking a lighted butt out the car window. Did you know that nearly 38 percent of all collected litter is cigarettes? We speak with an expert about how this type of litter affects the environment and its ecosystems.
Why do Americans tend to sway away from foreign language films? We discuss some of the best of this genre in recent years and what’s on our radar right now.
International influence is increasingly pervasive in today’s interconnected, social media-driven world. Swedish author Elisabeth Åsbrink joins Viewpoints to discuss how Sweden has changed in recent years and the perception of the country versus the reality of what’s happening within its borders.
People place such a heavy emphasis on finding and arranging care for loved ones, whether that’s hiring professional care or becoming the caretakers themselves. And if people take on the role themselves, it can be easy to quickly lose sight of personal health, wellness and relationships. We discuss the ups and downs of caregiving in a world that’s not always so straightforward and forgiving.
Directed by Ang Lee and starring Will Smith, Gemini Man employs new filming technology aimed at immersing audiences deeper into the film. We discuss if the new release lived up to all the hype.
Did you know that dogs can smell up to 100,000 times better than the average person? Most of us are familiar with service or police dogs using their nose to sniff out a particular scent, but now researchers are harnessing the power of a dogs nose to find malaria, diabetes and even some of the hardest-to-detect cancers.
Strawberries are ubiquitous in the U.S. Supermarkets in every town stock cartons of fresh strawberries year round at an affordable price. But this widespread availability may come to a halt in the near future as the industry faces several big challenges. We discuss the history of the strawberry and where it’s headed today as environmental sustainability, labor shortages and other issues start to boil over.
Directed by Todd Phillips, the newest installment in the “Joker” franchise was released earlier this month to mixed reviews. We cover the evolution of the classic villain and how this movie portrays a different side of the character and society itself.
The retail giant, Forever 21 was once a prominent leader in the trendy style category for teens and young adults, boasting the latest fashions at bare bone prices. However, earlier this month, the company filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy citing decreased sales and increased online competition. But for many, the recent news has also signaled a shift in consumer shopping habits and the potential decline of fast fashion. We speak with journalist and author Dana Thomas about the fast fashion industry, its negative effects and if consumers are really starting to change the way they shop.
Awards season is quickly approaching as we countdown the last few months of 2019. We discuss this year’s biggest blockbusters, new releases and what movies have high hopes for an Oscar win.
What happens if you pass away on an airplane or in outer space? Why do bugs only eat certain parts of your body? These are some of the questions Caitlin Doughty answers everyday and in her new book "Will My Cat Eat My Eyeballs?" Viewpoints spoke with Doughty about why discussing death is still such a taboo topic in the U.S. and how our burial and funeral practices vary widely from other cultures.
These days physical books have a lot of competition. From TV to smartphone use, it can be hard to switch it all off and dive into a new book. That’s why it’s so important to start a routine of reading and storytime from the get-go with your child. We discuss how children’s books have changed over the years and how to go about finding the best books for each age and interest.
We discuss the new movie “Ad Astra” starring Brad Pitt as an interstellar astronaut, and why it’s more than your typical ‘on a mission to save the world’ space drama.
Viewpoints producer Annie Krall interviewed the founder of Samuel Adams, Jim Koch to learn about his Boston Beer Company’s mindset for the spiked seltzer TRULY. She also spoke with Anheuser Busch’s Vice President of their Beyond Beer portfolio to understand the marketing that goes into a spiked seltzer like Bon Viv. Natasha Swords, Editor in Chief of DrinkMe Magazine and Bonfort’s Wine and Spirit Journal also weighed in on why the spiked seltzer craze is here to stay.
If you were at a beach or barbecue this summer, there was probably a box of spiked seltzers somewhere in the vicinity. These canned, around 100-calorie alcoholic beverages have been the latest craze in 2019 and beverage industry experts predict that the hype isn’t going to end anytime soon. Viewpoints spoke with the founder of Samuel Adams and Boston Beer Company, Jim Koch, along with two other industry experts to get the inside scoop on why spiked seltzers are just so popular among consumers.
Stephen King’s latest novel, The Institute, sees the famed storyteller excelling at something he has done better than other writers for decades: telling a story from the perspective of a child.
While some of us have fond memories of an idyllic childhood filled with joyous birthday parties and summer road trips, some children face a completely different home life. This instability can overtake a child or teen and lead them down a dangerous path. The nonprofit, Friends of the Children, understands the importance of getting to a child early on and setting a permanent mentor-child relationship that they can rely on while everything else in their life may be up in the air. We learn about the organization and how they’re helping thousands of children move past these struggles to thrive.
Most of us at one point in our lives have thought about spontaneously getting a tattoo. By the next morning, however, we’re glad we didn’t take the leap. Dr. Eric Bernstein is a board-certified laser surgeon with more than 25 years of experience in laser tattoo removal. Throughout the years, he’s seen just about everything and heard almost every reason out there for why patient wants their ink gone for good. Bernstein leads us through the interesting process of tattooing, how a tattoo actually gets removed and the good, the bad and the ugly designs he’s seen over the years.
Viewpoints producer Annie Krall interviewed the 2019-2020 National High School Rodeo Queen McKardy Kelly about her love of rodeo. and spoke to the executive director of the National High School Rodeo Association, James Higginbotham, about how rodeo is more than just a sport. It brings people together in the hectic pace of life today. The World #6 Professional Bull Rider Cody Teel also shares his passion for the dangerous sport and all the body parts he’s broken while on the job.
Most of us point to McDonald's as the founding of fast food as we know it. But the American staple actually began nearly a hundred years ago with two chains, White Castle and A&W. We speak with Adam Chandler, journalist and author of Drive-Thru Dreams: A Journey Through the Heart of America's Fast-Food Kingdom.
When most of us think of rodeo, we travel back in time to the Wild Wild West where cowboys roamed the streets. These days, the sport is still alive and thriving but is evolving with the times. We speak with three rodeo experts about everything from bull riding to rodeo clowns and queens.
Noah Hawley is the man behind the TV shows “Fargo” and “Legion.” He also writes novels and his latest, “Before the Fall,” is a mystery thriller that has been winning awards and demands to be read.
In the U.S., most women look to achieve that summery glow or bronzed tan. But in much of the world and in many ethnic cultures, having lighter skin is widely preferred and is viewed as a status symbol of beauty and wealth. To achieve this look, millions of women use whitening creams, pills and even IV drips filled with a myriad of ingredients. We speak with three experts about the prevalence of skin whitening, side effects and how to change some of these deeply rooted cultural stereotypes that feed into this mentality.
Ryan Leigh Dostie, author of Formation: A Woman’s Memoir of Stepping Out of Line, enlisted in the Army after graduating from high school and was deployed to Iraq shortly after finishing her training. In 2002, while abroad, she was raped while sleeping in her Army barracks. What followed was a series of victim-blaming tactics and unfair bias directed towards her by her commanders. Dostie spoke with Viewpoints about her experience and how she found the strength to move on.
The Netflix original “Mindhunter” is finally back for season two, and to celebrate its return we talk about what sets this true crime and thriller series apart from all of the others.
Viewpoints producer Amirah Zaveri spoke with Dr. Carlos Charles a dermatologist who started Derma Di Colore in New York City - a dermatology practice catering to women with darker skin tones. In this clip, Dr. Charles talks about the role large companies play in marketing to women with a darker complexion and the deep-rooted cultural issues that feed into the practice of skin lightening.
What it’s like to swim inside of an iceberg the size of a small country? World-renowned cave diver Jill Heinerth led a team of divers inside the massive B-15 iceberg in Antarctica, and throughout her career has completed hundreds of other underwater dives across the world. We speak with Heinerth about the beauty and risks of cave diving and the importance of her work in helping scientists, biologists and researchers learn more about the Earth’s oceans and ecosystems.
Viewpoints producer Annie Krall interviewed the first female high school football player in Texas to play, score, and win a state championship game: K-Lani Nava. Nava is also a huge women’s soccer fan. The U.S. Women’s World Cup victory this summer was monumental and potentially the catalyst for lasting change according to developmental psychologist Dr. Christia Spears Brown. Brown studies gender identity in young kids and she is excited to see what comes of gender barriers in sports.
Autumn is right around the corner, and with the changing of seasons comes several new movie releases that seem promising.
When we think of a typical high school football player, most of us imagine a muscled teenage boy in a uniform. We speak with K-Lani Nava, the first female football player to score and win in a Texas high school championship game, about the importance of breaking gender stereotypes to play the sport you love.
About 10 percent of nurses today are men. As aging Americans place a greater strain on healthcare, the nursing industry faces a rising demand and is already responding by finding ways to recruit early on. We dispel some of the myths around the field and new medical technology in the works.
Viewpoints producer Annie Krall interviewed the President of the American Association for Men in Nursing Blake Smith to get a better understanding of the role male nurses play in the healthcare field. One of those nurses in particular, Brian Underwood a.k.a “The IV Guy” uses Instagram to help educate fellow nurses on the best technique to insert an IV. The nursing profession is more than just keeping track of paperwork and checking patient vitals, and these men are here to set the record straight on the challenges that come along with the scrubs.
We discuss the new debut album and band both called “Red Hearse”. The band is made up of musicians Jack Antonoff, Sam Dew and Mark Spears a.k.a. better known as Sounwave.
While schools have put in place comprehensive anti-bullying campaigns, we seldom focus on ensuring the child bully gets the help they need to succeed. We still punish troubled kids with detentions, suspensions and from there it escalates onward. Many seem to never get the proper help and get stuck in a perpetual cycle of trouble throughout life. How do we change our mindset and practices in order to stop these children from falling through the cracks?
Diversity in reporting is vital to news that conveys differing perspectives. We speak with Zahra Hankir, journalist and author of Our Women on the Ground to learn more about this issue and some of the stories of these courageous female journalists who’ve risked their lives to report from within the Middle East.
Around 90 percent of the plastic we use is left unrecycled and dumped in a landfill. Over time, this waste seeps into our oceans, harming its ecosystems and creating islands of floating garbage. The Great Pacific Garbage Patch is now more than twice the size of Texas. How do we reduce plastic consumption and get manufacturers to adopt more eco-friendly practices? We discuss the crisis and how people can change.
The NFL turns 100 this year. We discuss the American tradition of football and why the sport is so near and dear to our hearts.
We review the new science fiction book, “Recursion” written by American author Blake Crouch who’s widely known for the “Wayward Pines” trilogy.
It’s estimated that worldwide there are currently between 20 and 40 million people who are exploited through forced labor, marriage and prostitution, according to the International Labor Organization. We take a look at the South Asian country of Nepal where as many as 20,000 girls each year fall victim to human trafficking. We discuss solutions and what more needs to be done to end this global human rights crisis.
Viewpoints producer Amirah Zaveri chats with Sarah Bakker, director of operations at the American Himalayan Foundation, about the prevalence of human trafficking from Nepal into the brothels of India. So far, the AHA's STOP Girl Trafficking Initiative has helped 24,000 Nepali girls get an education and stay safe.
You want to eat healthy, but sometimes that’s not always possible. There’s nothing around that’s quick, affordable and above all, hits the spot. We cover how new models are creating a greater number of nutritious options and the challenges that comes with sustaining the profitability of these new systems.
Season two of the HBO show, “Succession” returns August 11. We discuss the basic premise of the ruthless family drama and the success of its first season.
Parenting in the online era can be quite confusing. At what age should you let your kid have a Facebook or Snapchat account? How closely should you monitor what they view on the internet? We speak with Julianna Miner, author of Raising a Screen Smart Kid: Embrace the Good and Avoid the Bad in the Digital Age, to get the inside scoop on teaching kids how to responsibly navigate the digital world.
What exactly is implicit bias and how does it form? We break it down and talk about why it’s so important for parents to address this issue with kids through discussions and diverse environments early on.
We cover the Norco shootout of 1980 – an extravagant bank robbery by five heavily armed criminals ending in multiple lives lost, several wounded and a police helicopter shot down from the sky. We speak with author, Peter Houlahan about that fateful day and how it forever changed police response to organized crime.
In an ideal situation, a taser – an electrical weapon – allow law enforcement to subdue a subject without having to pull out their gun. But why do tasers sometimes fail? We discuss possible factors at play when a taser is deployed and new technology in development at Axon Enterprise, the main supplier of tasers and body cameras to law enforcement.
We travel back in time to discuss the nostalgia of the very first “Spider-Man” movie and how it kicked off a series of sequels and superhero reboots produced by Marvel Studios.
Cookie cutter houses, large backyards and shopping centers took hold during the rapid rise of suburbia during the second half of the 20th century. Now, towns across the U.S. are facing a new set of challenges from climate change to shifting demographics that require a different landscape than what was first constructed. We speak with two experts about the current state of suburbia and potential solutions.
Summertime is prime wedding season, and if you have several weddings to attend or be involved in, the costs can quickly start to add up. We speak with two women who are shaking up the wedding industry with their nontraditional viewpoints.
Viewpoints producer, Annie Krall, speaks with professional "Bridesmaid For Hire" Jen Glantz about the difficulties that can come with being a bridesmaid. Then, wedding planner Ashley Smith discusses an unusual take where one wedding option calls for removing the institution of bridesmaids and groomsmen entirely.
We discuss how the rise in streaming technology has impacted the availability of classic, foreign and indie films.
Author Jared Yates Sexton shares memories from his own turbulent childhood and accounts as a journalist and connects it to the larger discussion around the phenomenon of toxic masculinity in the U.S. What exactly is toxic masculinity and how is it affecting men and youth?
Viewpoints Radio intern Annie Krall speaks to Jared Yates Sexton about toxic masculinity.
It happens to everyone. Despite your perseverance, you just can’t get into the book you’re reading. Do you push yourself to keep on going or give up and raise a white flag?
Viewpoints producer, Annie Krall, speaks with student Mev Becoja, who's aid was cut during for her junior and senior years of college.
Student loan debt is set to skyrocket to two trillion dollars by 2022. We talk two students about their differing perspectives on financial aid and debt. We also speak with Mike Bartini, the director of student aid at Bowdoin College, about how important it is that students and families take time to focus on the financials of higher education before enrolling.
Season four of the TV show, ‘Veronica Mars’ premieres on Hulu July 24. We take a look back at the evolution of the series and its surprising survival through low ratings and network TV changes.
Viewpoints Radio producer Amirah Zaveri chats with NYT bestselling author David Epstein who recently released his new book "Range: Why Generalists Triumph in a Specialized World". Listen in for a short clip from the interview.
Amirah Zaveri, the producer of Viewpoints Radio, asks New York Times bestselling author David Epstein about his unique career path and what he learned along the way.
The rise and fall of the now defunct blood-testing company Theranos has captivated the attention of millions and exposed the dark side of the startup culture in Silicon Valley. Elizabeth Holmes, founder and CEO of Theranos, is awaiting trial next summer, facing 11 felony charges for allegedly defrauding the public. We speak with Stanford professor Dr. Phyllis Gardner who doubted Holmes from the very beginning.
Viewpoints Radio intern Annie Krall spoke with linguistic experts and psychologists about the prevalence of emojis today. How do emojis help us communicate what we really mean? Why do we use them so much? Listen in for a short clip from her interview.
Many of us throw an emoji or two in a text or social media message to help get our point across. But do you ever wonder how emojis came about and why we pick certain ones over others? We speak with three experts about their rise in popularity and reflection of different cultures and generations.
Canada’s Oak Island has mystified explorers for hundred of years, drawing many to its shores with the hope of finding buried pirate’s treasure under its oak trees. We speak with Randall Sullivan, the author of The Curse of Oak Island: The Story of the World’s Longest Treasure Hunt to learn more the area’s historical significance and this never-ending quest.
2019 is flying by. From the good to the bad to the so-so, we discuss movie trends so far this year and what we hope is coming in the second half of 2019.
Fall and Rise: The Story of 9/11 written by Mitchell Zuckoff shares numerous accounts from September 11, 2001. We highlight a few of the stories from the book and talk about modern implications today, including the political upheaval over medical and victim compensation funding for those affected.
Phoebe Waller Bridge has produced and starred in several hits ranging from “Killing Eve” to “Solo: A Star Wars Story”. Now, she’s working on the script for the fourth James Bond movie and has created a new season of the show “Fleabag”. We discuss her success in Hollywood and the allure of shorter TV shows.
Social media has become an all consuming way of life for many. It’s hard to get away from unconsciously opening Facebook or Instagram throughout the day and scrolling through your feed. While social media can be positive, the unrealistic posts can also lead to damaging outcomes. We discuss its negative effects and the rise in the number of plastic surgery procedures among younger generations.
The first U.S. case of the plague presented in the early 1900’s in San Francisco. We speak with author, David Randall about the outbreak and how it changed sanitation practices and government response. Fast forward to today where the plague is still present in certain parts of the U.S. We speak with professor, Michael Antolin who studies modern day cases of the disease and its context within climate change.
John Urschel is not your typical doctoral candidate. Before studying mathematics at MIT, Urschel played college football for Penn State and then in the NFL for three seasons with the Baltimore Ravens. Mathematics and football have always been central focuses in his life. He discusses the challenges of juggling both and why he ultimately left football to pursue his PhD.
The opening credits of a beloved television show evoke a certain sense of nostalgia for many. We hear the tune and we instantly connect it to a certain series. How have theme songs changed throughout the years and why do they mean so much to us?
We speak with Nora McInerny, the author of No Happy Endings: A Memoir about enduring the loss of her husband and accidentally finding love again. McInerny discusses the grief and despair she felt and how she learned to embrace those feelings rather than tuck them away.
In the U.S., one in four women are victims of domestic violence. Between 2014 and 2017, the number of victims killed by their partners rose by 20 percent. Two survivors share their firsthand stories and struggles. We also speak with author, Rachel Louise Snyder, about why domestic violence persists and what can be done.
Amirah Zaveri asks Rachel Louise Snyder, journalist and author of the new book “No Visible Bruises: What We Don’t Know About Domestic Violence Can Kill Us” about the portrayal of domestic violence in the media and how women are rallying around this issue.
We discuss the new movie produced by Sony Pictures titled “Brightburn”. The film is different than the typical storyline in that it chronicles the rise of a superhero that uses his power for evil rather than good.
We discuss the new HBO miniseries, co-produced with Sky UK, titled “Chernobyl”. The show follows the chronological events of the 1986 nuclear disaster in the Soviet Union and captures the confusion and terror in the days, months and years following the accident.
How we buy our food has drastically changed throughout the decades. We discuss the evolution of the grocery marketplace from local grocers to big-box retailers and how this has affected the production chain. More so, how food co-ops operate and aim to help support local farmers and communities.
We speak with the Tim O’Brien who has illustrated numerous magazine covers throughout the years. O’Brien discusses his career, the history of illustration and how the art form is used to convey a specific, singular moment or feeling that other mediums may not be able to capture.
Mark Obmascik shares the incredible story of two men fighting for opposing sides and tangled in the complexities of World War II. He exposes how our enemy isn’t as different as we think, the lasting effects of war and the process of finding forgiveness and peace.
School lunches in the U.S. have long been overlooked. Dan Giusti, the former head chef of Noma and founder of Brigaid, is gaining ground in his efforts to overhaul the school lunch system and bring scratch cooking back into cafeterias. We speak with Giusti about his journey from fine dining to lunch reform and some of the barriers facing Brigaid.
Binge-watching several seasons of a TV show all at once might not be the best idea after all. For some lighter shows like “Stranger Things” it may make sense, but it can be cumbersome and brain draining to get through all eight seasons of “Game of Thrones” in a matter of weeks. We discuss an alternate route that avoids the fatigue.
Amirah Zaveri speaks with Dan Giusti, chef and founder of Brigaid who's working to fix the American school lunch system.
We discuss the new album Pep Talks from the band Judah & The Lion, most known for their 2016 single “Take It All Back”. The album features a funky, electronic vibe coupled with old time folk and bluegrass instruments, offering a refreshing perspective in the alternative rock genre.
Racial segregation still persists throughout the U.S. One factor contributing to this inequality is the structure of our town and cities. Richard Rothstein and Tonika Johnson talk about how past laws and our government created a divided demographic and the impact this has on certain populations.
For many, learning about mathematics can be a terrifying and daunting task. Steven Strogatz discusses the importance of learning the basics of calculus and not only the math itself, but also understanding its historical prevalence and everyday use in our world.
We examine how television series have grown to be more diverse and inclusive in the Peak TV era. One such show is Ramy, a new Hulu original, which candidly follows the life of a young, first-generation Muslim man and the challenges that arise with the melting pot of cultures.
Journalist and author Dahr Jamail exposes how climate change is affecting our ecosystems and natural landscape, including the melting and disappearance of massive ice glaciers. We discuss the long- term consequences of global warming and what we can do as a society to reverse the damage.
We all know the names of famous First Ladies – Martha Washington, Mary Todd Lincoln, Eleanor Roosevelt, Nancy Reagan – and they all left their marks on our country in one way or another. One of these ladies that you probably don’t know much about is Louisa Adams, wife of President John Quincy Adams. Our guest has researched this extraordinary woman and discusses her strength, political wit and resilience.
We all get gut instincts when we walk into a room of strangers. Do we fit in here? Do these people seem friendly? Snap judgments are simply a part of how we function. But Princeton University psychology professor Alexander Todorov says that while these first impressions are natural, we should try to resist them.
If you came upon a rundown, roach-infested bunkhouse in the heartland of America, full of middle- aged and elderly men in poor health who worked all day at a job for little pay and had been for decades, you might think you had time traveled back to the 19th century. We talk to an author who writes about this very situation where mentally challenged men were pressed into servitude in 1974 and remained there until 2009 when some determined social workers stepped up to their aid.
Elisabeth Moss stars in the new indie movie, “Her Smell” directed by Alex Ross Perry. The film follows Moss as she plays the chaotic role of fictional punk rocker, Becky Something, who is mentally unstable, addicted to drugs and clawing to get her life together.
We examine Beyonce’s consistent influence throughout all sectors of media. The visionary artist is known for her fierce demeanor and powerhouse concert performances, rewriting traditional female and black stereotypes in media.
In Meredith May’s new book, she examines the parallels between the inner workings of beehives and our society, and how beekeeping taught her numerous life lessons as a child. She also discusses the threat to bees with commercialized beekeeping and what we can do to protect these insects vital to our ecosystem.
For decades, science fiction was a genre written almost exclusively by white males. Now, the genre is flourishing with diverse voices, thanks in part to the trailblazing writer Octavia E. Butler. Historian Gerry Canavan discusses the obstacles Butler faced and her legacy on one of the most popular genres in American literature.
The new sci-fi adventure movie, Annihilation, is based on a book but the adaptation is looser than what we typically expect. How director Alex Garland created something new.
Fashion advertising raises issues about confidence, self esteem and body image. Our guest discusses why it’s important to look beyond the advertisements and find the fashions that are right for you, how cheap clothing is hurting developing countries and the environment, and why designers and manufacturers need to change how they create clothing for and market to older men and women.
In the 20 years since writing the young adult novel Speak, based on her own rape, author Laurie Halse Anderson has met with numerous audiences of adolescents. She has found a huge gap in the ways girls and boys perceive what constitutes sexual consent, abuse, and the consequences of assault, and attributes this to a parental inability to discuss the topic with children. She discusses the issue.
The wildly popular TV show Game of Thrones is set to wrap up its story with six episodes this season, yet its fans may be unsatisfied. The TV show has departed the path of the books.
Horror movies are major box office. Some experts see the film “The Creature from the Black Lagoon” as a turning point. One reason is the Gill Man character, created by an often overlooked female trailblazer in monster design, Millicent Patrick. An author who has researched Patrick discusses her significance in American culture and the horror film genre.
Everyone knows about the presidency of Franklin D. Roosevelt, but not many know about the powerful and loyal confidant FDR relied on, Marguerite “Missy” LeHand. Our guest discusses the life and work of this remarkable woman and how she helped and influenced one of the greatest chief executives of our time.
Streaming services are multiplying, and none of them carry everything. Many people are finding that satisfying their TV viewing desires through streaming services is getting as expensive as cable.
Recess helps kids unwind during the school day, but it’s much more than just a time to exercise. We talk to two recess “specialists” about the mental as well as the physical benefits of recess, and learn about some recess activities that help a child be more creative, more social as well as more physically active.
Statues commemorating the Confederacy remain in some towns in the US South, though its principles promoting slavery and oppression of blacks are in disrepute. Some towns have removed these statues in the face of heavy opposition. A former Mayor of New Orleans describes how his thinking evolved toward a decision to remove the statues in his city, and the issues it brought forth.
Jordan Peele used to be best known as a sketch comic, but his second film as a director, “Us,” is showing that the success of his first, “Get Out,” was no fluke.
Gardeners always seek to get the most out of their plants, but some are finding that their plot of land doesn’t produce the way it used to because of wildly changing, extreme conditions torrential rain, then draught, heat then cold. We talk to two experts who explain ways to increase your garden’s productivity, and how it can help combat climate change.
You see authors thank their editors all the time in the acknowledgements section of a book. But exactly what does an editor do? We talk to an editor himself who explains to us what an editor does to get the book from a manuscript to the finished copy on store shelves.
Summer is almost here, which means the concert and music festival season in almost in full swing. We talk a look at why a day at an amphitheater can stick with you for life.
Hearing voices in your head comes with an unfortunate stereotype that you must be mentally ill. However, experts tell us the “voices in your head” can be used to talk to, and about, yourself in a healthy, productive way. In fact, most people hear voices in their head and already use inner speech on a daily basis. We discuss tips and techniques to use “self-talk” as a way to get yourself through tough decisions and lower stress.
For a few decades now, teens have flocked to YA novels like The Hunger Games or The Fault in Our Stars. Why are they so popular? We talk to two novelists who say young adult fiction can help teens consider big issues and life and ‘practice’ their responses to real-world problems like violence and drugs.
Sometimes you want to watch an expertly written and produced hour of television with central themes and a commentary on modern life… and sometimes, you just want to shut your brain off and watch something easy. This is about those latter experiences.
All parents want their kids to succeed and live good lives, and part of accomplishing that is raising them to understand the value of a dollar. We talk to Beth Kobliner, a financial expert and author of the book Make Your Kid A Money Genius (Even if you’re not) about tips and tricks to help our kids, from toddlers to post-grads, handle money responsibly.
On April 20, 1999, Sue Klebold’s son and his friend went into Columbine High School and committed one of the largest mass shootings in US history. Over the last 18 years, Klebold has been forced to cope with this horrible tragedy while managing anxiety attacks and being blamed by so many. Klebold talks about her story and the mental health massages she wants every American to know.
Anecdotal evidence and some real data science both suggest that we never grow out of the things we loved at 15.
The Harry Potter series is full of creatures and storylines that parallel real-life adversities like depression, PTSD and grief in a heightened reality. Dr. Janina Scarlet says these stories are so powerful that she uses them to help people cope in real-life therapy sessions.
The hustle and bustle of the world can overwhelm us all from time to time. Expert Marc Lesser talks about how we can embrace mindfulness to relieve anxiety, enhance our empathy and become better collaborators and leaders in our lives.
Netflix’s new show, Russian Doll is an ethical, mysterious, funny drama modeled after the Groundhog Day “waking up in the same moment” plot. It’s an especially great binge-watch.
We grow up hearing nursery rhymes and fairy tales that deal with good and evil. All of us fondly remember the cartoons of our youth and the stories we grew up with. We talk to Soman Chainani about authoring a new entry into the catalogue of mythology and his attempt to course-correct the lessons more modern stories have been teaching our children.
Spring is almost here! That means it’s time to start thinking about gardens and landscaping. Expert Benjamin Vogt has a new way to garden, so that your property can be a place that looks nice, and also contributes to a healthy ecosystem that helps animal species and our planet thrive.
Audiobooks used to be big, cumbersome collections of tapes. Now, they’re simply files on our phones, and their portability and convenience make them a great option for commute-time listening.
Reshma Saujani is a lawyer, a former political candidate, an author and the founder of Girls Who Code. She says our society puts too much pressure on women to be perfect, which means girls are afraid to explore their true passions for fear of failure. She’s hoping to change that, and to teach girls that it’s okay to try something that you might not succeed at.
These days, there is data on just about everything. Our social media presence, our careers, our web search history- it’s all crunched into data points. And author Seth Stephens Davidowitz says all that data can shed plenty of light on the truth about who we really are underneath all of our social formalities.
Superhero franchises have spent a decade carefully laying plans for big, expanded universes. But we look at “Veronica Mars” and “Breaking Bad,” two TV shows that have broadened their universes in their own ways.
The right to an education is guaranteed to all students, regardless of disability, by federal law. But experts and parents are now wondering if we are doing enough to help autistic students maximize their abilities to live their best possible lives. We discuss the current status of public schooling for students with autism and how the systems in place can be optimized to help students grow even more.
After working for years as an OB/GYN for inmates at San Francisco Jail, author Carolyn Sufrin wanted to tell the story of the women she helped. She talks about what health care for pregnant women in jails and prisons looks like, and the changes she hopes to see in the system.
This year’s Academy Awards have been a series of mistakes, from suggesting a Best Popular Film award to the plan to award from of the evening’s awards during commercial breaks.
Between Alexa, Google and Siri, artificial intelligence is here. But looking forward, AI will only get more and more intelligent. Author and researcher James Rollins discusses why AI has long scared scientists and storytellers, and what the future of our technology could look like if we aren’t careful.
Facing the prospect of death isn’t pleasant, but it is the reality of being human. We talk to two experts about how people can get their affairs in order both personally and medically to ensure their wishes are respected and their loved ones can properly grieve if the unthinkable happens.
There is so much new TV content being made that it can be easy to fall behind or forget to check out a show you meant to watch. We look at a few of these overlooked gems, like Showtime’s “Escape at Dannemora”
Throughout history, stories have been told but sometimes preserving them for future generations has proven difficult. We examine the ways stories have been passed down, and the role the written word has played in shaping our civilizations.
From Pirates of the Caribbean and Captain Hook to the Pittsburgh Pirates and Tampa Bay Buccaneers, pirates have a real foothold in our culture. But their history is anything but a fair tale. Historian Eric Jay Dolin joins the show to discuss some of the most notorious real-life pirates to ever life.
Every year, there is some outrage over Oscar snubs. This year, many of us wish Ethan Hawke had been nominated for First Reformed. We look at why.
We talk to the parent and the doctor of a transgender child to discover what science says about gender transitions and how one family navigated the issues associated with having a child you suddenly don’t fully understand.
Grudges are something most of us think of as a negative feeling. They’re petty or vindictive or unforgiving. But we talk to author Sophie Hannah, who says grudges can be a really positive thing in our lives if we just know how to hold them properly. She can explain.
For a decade now, it seemed like comic book movies had settled in to an existence based on these larger cinematic universes. Now, Spider-Man and The Joker are proving comic stories can have their cake and eat it, too.
Brian Scudamore founded 1-800-GOT JUNK when he was just 18. Now, it’s one of the biggest companies in the world. He talks about the lessons he learned and what advice he has for young entrepreneurs dreaming of creating the next big startup.
Since the beginning of the US prison system, religion has been suggested as a way to help rehabilitate criminals. We talk to Tanya Erzen, a professor of religion, about why that is and what role prison ministries play in the lives on inmates.
With a new year comes new things to look forward to, and this year will offer an enormous slate of hotly anticipated new films, like Toy Story 4, It: Chapter 2, and a plethora of superhero offerings.
Grief is an innate part of human life, but how we process that grief varies from person to person. Tom Malmquist knows too much about grief after he lost his partner shortly after the birth of their first child. Malmquist put his experiences into his novel, In Every Moment We Are Still Alive, to help others in similar situations feel less alone.
In America, we may have an idea of how China’s one-child and two-child policies work, but the truth is more complicated than many of us imagine. We talk to journalist and author Vanessa Hua about how these policies have rippled all the way into America.
In 2014, True Detective was a cultural juggernaut. In 2015, it was a laughing stock. Can the new season recapture the magic for HBO?
Maintaining a relationship or a marriage is a wonderful thing, but sometimes it can be tricky. We hear tips from an expert clinical psychologist on how couples can communicate better, understand each other more deeply, and work through some of the issues common in modern marriages.
We’ve all seen how our fiction portrays cybercrime, but what does it really look like? Jonathan Lusthaus, the director of the Human Cybercriminal Project at the University of Oxford, joins the show to talk about the real crimes committed online and what, if anything, we can do to protect ourselves.
In a crowded field of great films from 2018, Bing Liu’s Minding the Gap, a documentary available on Hulu, stands above the pack.
Early January has long been a time for people to hit the re-set button and try to refocus their energy and attention for the year ahead. We talk to two experts about how to overcome anxiety to feel happier and more at ease, despite the chaos of our everyday life.
Women have served in the US military dating all the way back to the Revolutionary War. Back then, they had to lie about their sex and their names in order to get enlist, but some did. Now, combat positions are open to women. We discuss the vital role women have played in America’s military might.
This year saw the passing of Anthony Bourdain, a chef, writer, and travel documentarian. We take a look at the impact and legacy of this cultural giant.
New Year’s Eve is a huge night for bars, but what if you’d rather not brave the elements and pay big cover charges? We discuss ways to ring in the new year on your couch with festive drinks, snacks, and maybe a movie.
We’re about to enter the season of New Year’s resolutions. Maybe you want to write a book, make a short film, or paint your masterpiece. We talk to two published authors about silencing your inner critic, breaking through any artistic funks, and finally putting pen to paper in 2019.
You may have noticed a new movie on your Netflix homepage called Roma. It’s Oscar-winning director Alfonso Cuarón’s most personal film yet and an absolute masterpiece.
Christmas 1941 came just weeks after the devastating attack on Pearl Harbor dragged America into World War II. We talk to historian Stanley Weintraub about how America was getting ready for war while trying to celebrate the holiday season.
Sarah Ruhl is a MacArthur Fellowship recipient and a famed playwright. As a professor, she met Max Ritvo, who went on to become a published poet. She recounts the story of their friendship and how they used letters to make a connection and comfort one another while Ritvo faced the end of his life.
The Golden Globe nominations are already out, and the next few months will be chalk full of top 10 lists and award nominees. We look at what movies you should keep an eye out for.
Cooking for holiday parties can be a major source of stress. We have big groups at our house for hours at a time, and you want to impress them with your culinary skills. But some of us don’t really have many culinary skills. We talk to Julia Turshen for some insight into how to impress with our holiday cooking this season.
We know about the planets within the Milky way galaxy, but what about planets outside of our neighborhood? We talk to Dr. Donald Goldsmith about “exoplanets” and where science stands on the issue of life thriving somewhere else in the universe.
Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald has been mystifying and disappointing fans around the globe. We take a look at why the movie simply does not work.
It’s getting cold outside, which means it’s time to cuddle up with some good books to pass the time. Or maybe you’re just on the prowl for some holiday gifts for the reader in your life. Either way, we have some options for what to read this winter.
Investigative journalism is a necessity in a democracy. Independent journalists putting in long hours to serve as watch-dogs for our government can have long-lasting ramifications, just look at the impact Woodward and Bernstein made with their Watergate investigations. We talk to one expert about the current state of investigative journalism in America and what can be done to ensure the watchdogs stay in business.
It used to be that you’d watch sports with whoever was in the room. Now, our phones and tablets allow us to watch sports with the entire internet, and look up statistics and names in an instant.
We all sleep, it’s human evolution. But the amount of sleep we get and the quality of that sleep can vary greatly. We talk to Matthew Walker, a professor at California-Berkeley, who says sleep in the single biggest thing we can do to help our physical and mental health both in the short-term and long-term.
It’s no secret: American students are way down the international list when it comes to math scores. Why is this? Is there something we could be doing to make learning math a simpler task? Our guests say yes, and have suggestions for kids- and adults- struggling to master mathematics.
Director Sam Esmail has taken Gimlet’s hit podcast "Homecoming" and infused it with a whole lot of cinematic flair in his new Amazon Prime series that serves as a throwback to classic thrillers and a trailblazer for the brave new world of 30 minute dramas.
It can easy to get the blues, especially with all of the division and turmoil in the world. But author Kate Davies has a different way of look at the world: one that can make us more hopeful, positive, and willing to pitch in and help. She calls it intrinsic hope, and it may be just what we all need this holiday season.
Bullying is nothing new, but that doesn’t make it any easier to deal with. Plus, in the social media era, the techniques are getting more public and crueler. We look at bullying, the shame it can cause, and how it can stick with us for life.
Halloween and Christmas both have a plethora of holiday classics to create a mood, but Thanksgiving doesn’t have those. We offer a modest proposal to give Stuck In Love a try.
From the moment a child is born, parents are working to get them off on the best possible foot in everything from sports to academics. We look into how families can best evaluate good pre-kindergarten programs for children, and how those programs can set kids up for success.
For decades, choosing what beer to drink was really just a decision between a few big players. Now, there are thousands of breweries across the country. We talk to two experts about how and why craft beer came to the forefront and how they recommend novices jump into the world of beer.
Author Dave Eggers has been a cult hero since his 2000 memoir took readers on a wild ride. Now, almost two decades later, he’s still finding new ways to tell his stories.
Ann Hood was a Beatles fan all her life. Then, tragedy struck and she found herself unable to listen to the band at all. She tells the true story of how she re-gained her love for the iconic group, and how she channeled her story into a work of fiction pleasing multiple generations of readers.
Over 95 years ago, New York City was the target of a terrorist attack that has yet to be solved. No suspects have ever been named in the attack that killed or injured over 400 Wall Street bystanders. In contrast to the attacks of September 11th, which occurred just around the corner from the 1920 bombing, this deadly event has been all but erased from the collective American consciousness.
The podcast that captured the minds of countless Americans back in 2014 is back with an in-depth look at the criminal justice system in Cleveland, offering a detailed look at such a vital American system.
Body image, food addition, societal pressure and obesity can be tricky problems to talk about. Author Kristan Higgins tries to do just that in her novel Good Luck With That. She talks about her experiences, her research, and how we can approach discussing these pressing, but difficult, issues.
There are all sorts of myths about how we can avoid dementia or how to best brainstorm a new idea. We talk to a psychologist and author to get the inside scoop on how our minds really work, and why we just can’t resist the urge to watch cute animal videos online.
With Halloween this week, many of us are looking for something spooky to watch. Well look no further than Netflix’s The Haunting of Hill House, a show that’s like This Is Us meets The Shining.
It’s the time of year when we dress up in costumes, head to haunted houses, and shell out candy to trick-or-treaters. But why do we do those things? We take a look at the traditions of Halloween and what makes being scared so fun.
Spiders and bats are two of the most indelible symbols of Halloween fear across the country. We talk to experts to get the truth behind these traditionally scary creatures, and hear why neither of them are nearly as scary as we’ve been made to believe.
The Old Man & The Gun is a movie about bank robberies, so it may come as a surprise that it’s a touching drama and may be the perfect way for Robert Redford to bid farewell to film fans.
Lists are a part of our everyday. Often, they are a forgotten part of our everyday. But Shaun Usher read through countless lists to compile a stunning collection of lists throughout time that shed light on the times, our collective history, and the list makers themselves.
Video games are often considered child’s play, or at least something below “real” art. Author Andrew Ervin argues that’s not true, and that video games are now big-business for TV networks and advertisers, as well as a source of true artfulness.
Television shows often rely on a fast pace to keep audiences engaged. AMC’s Better Call Saul takes the opposite approach to rousing success.
Sarah Smarsh is a journalist and author who grew up poor on a farm in Kansas. She discusses life in rural America, how our culture treats people living in poverty, and the causes she attributes to America’s wage gap.
If you’ve had to speak in public, you know the nerves that come with public speaking. So you probably also know the pain of umming, uhhing, or misspeaking. We explore where these vocal blunders come from and what they might mean.
Sometimes, classifying art in one specific genre can be tricky. Look at Star Wars. It’s a space opera, sure. But what does that mean? It was built to be a Western. And sci-fi. With some fantasy aspects? And who is the intended audience? Is it for kids? Teenagers? Adults? All of the above? That can be the difficulty in classification.
There are millions incarcerated in American prisons, even many juveniles who were sentences to long terms alongside adults. We talk to guests about how and why this happens, whether it should continue, and what life is like for young people behind bars.
Retirement can be bittersweet. On one hand, it’s something you build toward your whole life, but it can also be intimidated to lose your purpose in the workplace. We talk to Helen Wilkes about how she found a new passion in her retirement, and how she’s helping others make their retirements more fulfilling.
This is the time of year film buffs look forward to: the fall season is when the movies hoping to vie for accolades are released. We look at a few of the titles garnering early awards buzz.
We know so much about the men of the Civil War, but the women from the war are all but forgotten in our history. Historian Karen Abbott decided to change that. She tells the story of several women who helped their sides during the Civil War.
Hank Green has a massive internet presence as a podcaster, vlogger, tweeter, and more. Now, he’s become an author. His new book, An Absolutely Remarkable Thing, deals with internet fame and our reactionary culture head-on. He joins the show to discuss these issues, and whether is the internet is good.
This week marks the return of one of the best shows on TV. With a high-concept and a stellar cast, The Good Place has become a critical darling and a bold step forward for the genre as a whole
Frances Stroh grew up in the family that owned America’s third biggest brewer, Stroh Brewing Company. As she aged into adulthood, she watched as both the brewery and her family life fell apart. She talks about the struggles the company faced, how her family dealt with it, and when a legacy can become a burden.
For generations, cash was the way Americans paid for things. But in the age of debit cards, credit cards, Venmo, and Bit Coin, cash is becoming less and less necessary for most of us. We explore why that is, and who is still using cash in this new economy.
With summer behind us, for many Americans, it’s the time to really focus on sports. The NFL season is underway, the MLB Playoffs are about to begin, and the drama is intensifying.
Sexual offenders have to live by a very particular set of rules. They can’t live near playgrounds, they’re on a registry for life. These rules exist to make everyone safer. But they also can limit a reformed criminal’s ability to reintegrate into everyday life and be productive members of society.
With social media streams dominating our time, sometimes our self-esteem can plummet. We talk to two experts on what we can do to get in touch with ourselves and learn to have a happier, more positive disposition throughout our lives.
We have found a perfectly 2018 movie: American Animals. It’s a stylish heist film with a stellar young cast and a catchy soundtrack that is interspersed with a true-crime documentary.
Thanks to online shopping, internet banks and social media, our information has never been more vulnerable to theft. We explore what exactly is in all of those privacy agreements we often agree to without reading, and how we can try to re-claim our privacy in a digital world.
There’s a long history of soldiers processing their experiences through poetry. We talk to Adam Gilbert, a war history and author of A Shadow on Our Hearts: Soldier-poetry, morality, and the American war in Vietnam about the history and future of these soldier poets.
Reviving old TV shows has been all the rage lately, and more are on the way with Murphy Brown and Veronica Mars in the works. We look at how writers can make their revivals stand out.
One morning without warning, Giulia Lukach experienced a psychotic break. We talk to her husband Mark about Gulia’s journey, his own experience as a caregiver, and how they overcame three stints in a psych ward.
We have all heard of polygraph machines or ‘lie detectors.’ But are they truly reliable? Their results are inadmissible in court and yet some investigation agencies still use them. We talk to historian and author John Philipp Baesler about the polygraph’s history and its questionable use in our modern world.
While we often celebrate the prestigious TV shows that win awards, we rarely reflect on our appreciation for ‘junk food TV,’ the purely entertaining shows that can help get us through our weeks.
James W. Loewen explains ‘sundown towns,’ towns where minorities were not welcomed after sun down, and he says some of them are still unofficially ‘sundown’ due to their lasting reputations.
Though Apollo 11 gets all the fame and Apollo 13 was made into a thrilling Ron Howard movie, author and historian Jeffrey Kluger says the Apollo 8 mission was a foundational trip for American space exploration. He takes us through the mission and examines what it meant for NASA moving forward.
In a wild moment, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences announced its intention to honor popular films at the Oscars. We explore why that’s a really bad idea.
We grow up with visions of creative genius: the divine power to create stories from whole cloth and write symphonic masterpieces. But is that how it really works? We look at the creative process, and why it may not be as romantic as some of us imagine.
When people discuss “the immigrant narrative,” you may picture Ellis Island. But what is that process like today? We talk to two writers about the more modern immigrant journey.
One of this year’s gems at the cinema is in theaters now. It’s called Blindspotting, and it explores racial dynamics and gentrification in American cities.
We’ve all been in the position at some time in another where we have to give a presentation at school or at work, and often times, it can make us incredibly nervous. We discuss this fear and tips for overcoming it and delivering the best speech possible.
Everyone has different causes that are close to their hearts. We talk to a philanthropy specialist about how we can donate to those causes and ensure that our contribution makes the biggest impact possible.
Streaming networks have opened up the length an episode of television can run. Gone are the days when writers needed to accommodate advertisements. But episodes that run long often present a new slate of problems – namely, staying interesting.
Opera is a beloved art form, but its racial history is as flawed as the rest of our culture. We talk to Naomi Andre, a professor at the University of Michigan, about the history of race in opera and how this traditional art form is hopefully getting with the times.
Have you ever lied on a survey or a social media post? Stephens-Davidowitz says that almost all of us do. He researched the data of big websites like Google and Facebook to discover that what people say or post about themselves often seems contradictory to what their internet searches reveal about their interests or beliefs.
A new documentary from HBO, Come Inside My Mind, explores the life of actor Robin Williams as told by his friends and family. The documentary is cleverly narrated by the actor himself using audio from earlier interviews.
Picture books can teach children valuable lessons that will stick with them for life. Our guests discuss the importance of producing books about social issues like race, gender, and disability. And how as a combination of text and images picture books have an advantage when it comes to depicting diversity.
We all love a good theater performance. But are theater and performance good strategies to affect social change? Our guest thinks so. He’s a performer, writer and educator who uses serious play and theater to help change people’s minds and change society for the better.
Bo Burnham has followed in the footsteps of Jordan Peele and Greta Gerwig, transforming from a performer to the director of a terrific debut film. His movie, Eighth Grade is out now.
Fake news’ has remained a headline mainstay for years now…but politicians seem to be skewing its meaning. We talk to two teachers about what is and isn’t fake news, and how they’re teaching students (and their parents!) how to see through the fiction.
Most of us have heard of the Cosa Nostra, but there’s another powerful mafia in Italy: the ‘Ndrangheta. We talk to an expert about this lesser-known mafia and the brave mothers who stood up to the crime organization.
Christopher Nolan’s landmark superhero epic, The Dark Knight was released a decade ago this week, but its effects on our culture are still being felt.
We all know the rule: “I before E, except after C,” but it’s not applicable in “weird” or “science” or many other words. The English language has many exceptions to its rules, and these irregularities make it a difficult language to spell. Vivian Cook, Professor Emeritus of Applied Linguistics at Newcastle University and author of Accomodating Brocolli in the Cemetary: Or Why Can't Anybody Spell, and Niall McLeod Waldman, author of Spelling Dearest: The Down and Dirty, Nitty-Gritty History of English Spelling, explain more about where these complex spelling rules come from and what can be done about it.
The English language is a melting pot of several languages all jumbled together over its long history. Combining the spelling and pronunciation of old English, French, Latin, Dutch, and others has produced a language with silent letters, varied spellings, and many exceptions to its rules. Some of the influences on the formation of the English language were the conquerors infiltrating the country, the church writing the books, and the academics refining the language.
Many people have brought up ways to change this problem and fix one of the most inconsistent language systems in the world. When the English language came to America, it became even more complex, because Noah Webster, trying to simplify English spellings, gave us two ways to spell the same words, “labour” or “labor” for example. Some have proposed a phonetic spelling, but with all the different accents in the world, Cook says it would do more harm than good. Waldman proposes adjusting the exceptions to fit the rules, in order to make the language more consistent. In any case, they both suggest that in future we create a set of rules to add consistency to new words entering the English language.
When you’re at a party, you may notice how people are always drawn to the extroverts. But what about the introverts? We talk to experts about the qualities that make more introverted people great, too.
It’s a dilemma many of us face from time to time: Should you keep reading a book even if you don’t like it very much, or should you set it down?
The LGBT community has often felt ostracized by various religious groups, specifically the Catholic Church. In 2013, Pope Francis made headlines by saying he wouldn’t judge homosexuals, which started a new process of reconciling the Catholic Church with the LGBT community. Reverend James Martin, SJ, a Jesuit priest and author of Building a Bridge: How the Catholic Church and the LGBT Community Can Enter Into a Relationship of Respect, Compassion, and Sensitivity, discusses how these two groups can treat each other with fairness and dignity.
Martin points out that the church has always been opposed to same-sex relations because of homophobia. The Catholic Church and its members were often afraid of and made uncomfortable by gay people, and that was magnified by the church due to religious beliefs. As a result, many LGBT people have felt marginalized by the church. But, Martin says it is time to change this. He gives a few key pieces of advice to help include LGBT people into the Catholic Church. The most important thing, he says, is to listen to LGBT people and treat them like fellow human beings and fellow Catholics.
Martin encourages Catholics who have a prejudice against LGBT people to ask themselves one question: would I treat a straight person this way? In the Catholic Church, LGBT people are often put under a microscope for the sin of sexual immorality, while divorced people, or people living together before marriage, or people who have committed other sins get a ‘free pass.' This selective focus on LGBT people and their sin is unfair, Martin says. Furthermore, he says, it’s important to make it clear that homosexuality is not a sin, because it’s not chosen. Especially when considering all the persecution that the LGBT community faces, Martin encourages his fellow Catholics to remember that we are all sinful and should not judge. By treating each other with respect and understanding, the LGBT community and the Catholic Church can bridge the conflict that has separated them for so long.
For more information about the Catholic Church and the LGBT community or to purchase of a copy of Martin’s book, see the links below.
As apps like Spotify and Pandora have taken over, musicians have been forced to make their new albums into an event. We look at how they do that, and how streaming music impacts us as listeners.
It’s a topic that has been in the news lately: how our government detains groups of people. We look back at history to see what really happened in World War II Japanese internment camps, and how we can avoid similar shame now and in the future.
Spider-Man movies have been done and redone several times now, but a new animated movie about the web-slinger is coming out in December, and it will finally tell the story from a fresh perspective.
The Bollinger Everyman Wodehouse Prize is given annually to what a panel of judges deem to be the funniest book of the year. But this year, the judges hit a snag: they didn’t think any of them were funny.
Teamwork is seen as a premium in our culture. We believe that two is better than one. But entrepreneur and author Shane Snow says that we often don’t use our groups and teams to their fullest potential. He gives us the science behind why, and how we can improve our communities.
Learn more at: https://viewpointsradio.org/creating-better-teams/
Summer is finally here, and if you’re like me, that means it’s time to get to business on that reading list. I’ve always found that my favorite entertainment source in the summer is to go read a book in the great outdoors.
Of course, picking the right book can be a challenge, because the last thing any of us want is to be bored by a book. Here are four books I’ve read recently that you may want to seek out this summer.
First up, Dark Matter by Blake Crouch. Crouch is most famous for his Wayward Pines series, but don’t sleep on his 2016 scifi thriller Dark Matter. The book tells the story of a man who is abducted and wakes up in another reality. Using some fascinating science fiction, the book is a non-stop page turner perfect for fans of Black Mirror.
Another science fiction read is Elan Mastai’s romp All Our Wrong Todays. The book is similar to Dark Matter in that it deals with alternate realities, but Mastai’s book tells the story of a man from a different world who stumbles into our reality…and finds it to be underwhelming. The book is less a thriller a more of a comedy.
If science fiction isn’t your thing, Fierce Kingdom by Gin Phillips tells a heart-pounding story set in a reality all too real. The book centers on a mother and her young child as their afternoon at the zoo becomes a nightmare after they hear gunshots ring out. The reader is swept along as the two of them try to run, hide, and survive. Set all in one day, Fierce Kingdom’s 290 pages can even be read in one sitting.
And finally, if you are interested in history, you may want to check out The Last Days of Night by Graham Moore. The book tells a dramatized version of true story with national significance: the race to illuminate America between Thomas Edison, George Westinghouse, and the rouge Nikola Tesla. The book paints a wonderful picture of days since past and may just ignite a passion in you to get to the bottom of who really deserves the credit for the incandescent lightbulb.
Dark Matter by Blake Crouch, All Our Wrong Todays by Elan Mastai, Fierce Kingdom by Gin Phillips, and The Last Days of Night by Graham Moore are all available now. For links to more information about all three, visit Viewpoints Online dot net… and when you finish them, feel free to let us know your thoughts on Twitter at Viewpoints Radio.
Netflix and Amazon are go-tos for many Americans looking for a movie to watch. But how can people watch classics like The Maltese Falcon or Singin’ in the Rain in this new world?
With all of our technology and reliance on computers, many schools are phasing out some handwriting lessons. Specifically, schools have stopped teaching cursive. We talk to two experts about whether that’s a good idea.
Learn more at: https://viewpointsradio.org/is-cursive-still-worth-teaching/
Fox’s hit sitcom New Girl ended this month after 7 seasons. We take a look back at the show’s run and what makes sitcoms so special to us.
Many parents and educators struggle to connect and communicate with adolescent boys. Dr. Adam Cox, clinical psychologist for over 20 years and author of Cracking the Boy Code: How to understand and talk with boys, explains what he’s learned after devoting his career to engaging with school-aged boys. The majority of young boys are not natural communicators, so Dr. Cox breaks down why this is and what parents can do differently to have better conversations with their sons.
For years, Barnes and Noble was the big enemy to independent bookstores. Now, Amazon is the big bad and some are calling for consumers to ‘save” Barnes and Noble…but should we?
You’ve probably heard that bees are in trouble, and that we need bees for many of the foods and plants we have come to love. We learn what we can all be doing to do our part and help save the bees before it’s too late.
The financial world was shocked when the FBI began investigating Wall Street big shot Steve Cohen and his company SAC Capital. We discuss what they were looking for, what they found, and what it all means going forward.
Hamilton is over 3 years old, but it still tops the iTunes and Spotify charts every few weeks or so thanks to the “Hamildrops,” where creator Lin-Manuel Miranda releases new Hamilton-adjacent material every few weeks or so.
True crime stories fascinate us, but they can also have a big impact. We look at true crime and specifically, Michelle McNamera’s book, I’ll Be Gone in The Dark.
What should you do if you child tells you they feel they were born as the wrong gender? Do you force them to conform to their born gender or do you support their feeling of being born into the wrong body? We talk to the parent and the doctor of a transgender child to sort through the confusion and discover what science says about gender transitions and how one family navigated the issues associated with having a child you suddenly don’t fully understand.
Netflix is becoming a bigger player in the film world, which is leaving a bad taste in some people’s mouths. We look at the arguments for and against Netflix as a film distributor.
When it comes to social media, who owns what information, and how do we assert the rights we do have? We talk to a professor of law about the legal issues associated with online profiles.
Westworld, the show that mystified audience when it stormed onto the scene in 2016, is back tonight. We discuss the show and take a look at the perils of reading fan theories online.
Roger Ebert died 5 years ago this month. Ebert was probably the most famous and influential movie critic of all time, thanks to his sharp wit, passionate perspective, and yeah, his TV show.
If Ebert loved a film or a filmmaker, he’d champion it for years. In 1994, Ebert watched a documentary called Hoop Dreams, which followed two youth basketball players in Chicago as they navigated turbulent home lives and violent neighborhoods while hoping to one day play in the NBA. The movie was the product of documentarian Steve James. Immediately, Ebert loved the film. His review of it begins, “A film like Hoop Dreams is what movies are for. It takes us, shakes us, and makes us think in new ways about the world around us. It gives us the impression of having touched life itself.” The final two words of that quote, “life itself,” later became the title of a memoir by Ebert…and then, fittingly, the name of the documentary about his life released after his death that was made by, who else? Steve James.
Famously, though, Ebert was prickly. And if he didn’t like your movie, he’d also let you know. He even wrote a book called I Hated Hated Hated This Movie and another called Your Movie Sucks. His 2005 review of Deuce Bigalow: European Gigolo cut to the chase right in the first paragraph, saying “Deuce Bigalow is aggressively bad, as if it wants to cause suffering to the audience. The best thing about it is that it runs for only 75 minutes.”
It was these passionate praises and brutally honest take-downs that endeared Ebert to the masses. He said what he believed, and he would fight for it for as long as you had the time to listen to him or read his work.
Our current age of criticism has been boiled down to numbers and percentages. We don’t relate so much to a single critic or a single perspective, but to the aggregate. We don’t really care what any one review has to say, but rather, what percentage of critics liked a movie on Rotten Tomatoes, or what the average rating is on MetaCritic.
Ebert, though, inspired a connection. People would read his reviews and consider his perspective. He reviews would shed light on the film, the filmmaker, and even the fim’s connection to Ebert’s own life. Readers trusted Roger, in some cases, they trusted him more than they cared about the general consensus.
Whenever I finish a movie made before his death in 2013, I like to find his review of it and see what he thought of it. I don’t always agree, but there’s always some merit to his words.
You can read Roger Ebert’s reviews on Roger Ebert dot com. Steve James’s documentary about Ebert, Life Itself and Ebert’s own memoir Life Itself are both available now.
Politicians have always stirred up controversy as a way to get ahead. What is the attraction to these high-conflict politicians, and how do they argue their ways to the top?
Summer is getting closer, which means concerts are selling out across the country. We discuss the magic of live music and what makes it such a memorable night out.
In 1947, India was split into two countries: India and Pakistan. Author Veera Hiranandani talks about the history of the partition and how it is still tragically relevant in 2018.
Movie trailers are more hyped than ever and fans pour over every screenshot and detail included in them but what happens when some of the trailer turns out to be a spoiler?
Everyday, the news seems to present us with more and more bad news which can be discouraging, and often affect our outlook on the world. But, these daily occurrences do not have to influence us as much as they do. Tara Cousineau, clinical psychologist and author of The Kindness Cure: How the Science of Compassion Can Heal Your Heart and Your World, explains that if people can learn to counteract the predisposed negativity around them by being more thoughtful and less judgmental, they may experience more kindness in their lives. Yet, many people have a difficult time doing this because it is often difficult to unlearn behaviors.
Author Marc Perrusquia joins the show to tell the story of Ernest Withers, a Civil Rights photographer and a spy for the FBI, and helps us parse through what it all means.
A new installment to JK Rowling’s Wizarding World is coming in November. We look into the film’s teaser trailer and what to expect of our Jude Law’s take on Professor Dumbledore.
We talk to experts on sociology and racism about what racism looks like in our modern world and what can be done to help make the world more tolerant and less racially biased.
The new sci-fi adventure movie, Annihilation, is based on a book but the adaptation is looser than what we typically expect.
The recent shooting in Parkland, Florida has ignited a public debate over gun reform, but what are the real facts about gun violence in America? And, who is actually researching the phenomenon? Researcher Adam Pah says one thing missing from the gun reform debates are the essential data points that should be informing future policy decisions.
Learn more at: https://viewpointsradio.org/studying-school-shootings-and-gun-violence/
For years, Netflix has been the top choice for TV streaming enthusiasts. But Hulu has slowly become a well-rounded service with original titles and a backlog of TV classics.
Author Susan Meissner discusses with us the Spanish Flu of 1918, how it interacted with World War I, the immense cost of the sickness, and how her novel explores the illness.
We run through five of the biggest Academy Award contenders of the year and where you can watch them after the ceremony.
Experts talk about how schools are teaching young adults to think critically at a time when when students are taking an active role in political conversations.
While there are a number of factors that can affect the success that an individual will have in the pursuit of a goal, grit is one with high value. Angela Duckworth, Professor of Psychology at the University of Pennsylvania, Scientific Director of the Character Lab, and author of Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance, defines grit as a combination of two things: perseverance in the pursuit of a long-term goal and passion for that goal.
While talent is an important determinant in achieving a goal, passion for that talent plays a role, too. Duckworth explains that it could take many years for an individual to develop their passion, but that it usually is something an individual finds interesting and meaningful. Without passion, an individual may lack the drive to persevere through obstacles.
Finding a passion may be difficult, but grit is something that can heavily influence how an individual deals with life. Duckworth believes that adults can instill in children the grit to achieve their goals from a young age. She explains that adults must model what it means to struggle and overcome obstacles. Particularly that struggling is not necessarily a bad thing because children often mimic the characteristics of their parents and role-models.
Authors Richard and Billy Chizmar aren’t just partners, they’re family. Their new horror novella, Widow’s Point, tells the story of a haunted lighthouse. Despite its scary plot, the father and son say writing it was a blast.
Like other mental illnesses, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is highly misunderstood within the culture. Many people believe that the disorder is just behaviors, such as persistent organization, washing one’s hands all the time, or checking the lock on the door constantly. But, what people do not realize is that OCD is a lot more than just these behavioral actions.
The misconceptions overlook one prevalent aspect of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. David Adam, reporter at Nature and author of The Man Who Couldn’t Stop: OCD and the True Story of a Life Lost in Thought, explains that OCD begins with an obsession, which is usually a disturbing thought that will not stop, and a compulsion is usually a repetitive behavior in response to the thought. Once someone acts on this thought, they increase the likelihood that the thought will return which creates a cycle. Adam explains that this cycle is what defines the obsession and compulsion as a disorder because it has the ability to to affect the person’s quality of life. This cycle often makes the disorder debilitating for those who suffer from it.
Despite the severity of the disorder, it is undermined in society because its understanding is manifested through jokes. The ideas and depictions of OCD presented by these jokes has much larger consequences than many people realize. Adam explains that these expressions of the disorder can be harmful to those actually suffering from OCD because they are not able to recognize the symptoms.
While grief is an innate part of human life and something everybody experiences, the way in which people manage this grief is different. Some people choose to sulk, others choose to listen to music. But, Tom Malmquist, author of In Every Moment We Are Still Alive, chose to write a novel after the death of his partner to deal with the pain he was feeling. Through the novel, he was able to create something meaningful out of his grief.
Despite being based on real events, In Every Moment We Are Still Alive is not a memoir or an autobiography. Malmquist explains that he wrote this story as a novel because he made conscious decisions to include or add certain events, while leaving out others, and by choosing to focus more on some details than others. In sharing his grief in this novel, he hopes that other grieving people will read his book and realize that they are not alone. Listen in to hear Malmquist tell us more about his experiences with grief, and pick up a copy of his book.
There was a time when science fiction stories had to be a part of some established arc or it wouldn’t get made. Now the stand-alone sci-fi is thriving once again.
With technology constantly changing, new ways of documenting stories are being used to allow people access to reading them. These new inventions have led many people to wonder just how storytelling happened in the past, and what changes have allowed for stories to continue to be told over time.
Storytelling has always been an important part of human communication. In the past, stories relied on oral communication. Martin Puchner, Professor of English and Comparative Literature at Harvard University and author of The Written Word: The Power of Stories to Shape People, History, Civilization explains that before written word, stories had to be able to withstand being told from one generation to the next by remaining relevant. He also explains that there were rare exceptions to this rule, in which some stories were lost and then rediscovered, a feat that Dr. Puchner says is very lucky. The only way to ensure that a text survived from one generation to the next was to continue to verbally communicate the story.
Since then, many technologies have been created that increased the accessibility to written text. These developments have allowed for new writing techniques to surface. One of these elements of modern writing that Dr. Puchner explains is introspection, which was not always important in literature, but emerged about a thousand years ago when the first novel was written, and since then, it has become an important aspect of storytelling. The written word has had many other significant impacts, not just on the way humans write, but also on how humans understand the world.
YouTube stars rack up huge followings and a lot of cash. But YouTube’s hottest star is in a lot of hot water over one of his videos. How should the internet regulate itself?
Authors Thomas Cathcart and Daniel Klein use humor to explain philosophical beliefs from deep thinkers, like Immanuel Kant and John Locke.
TV theme songs: they’re the soundtrack to our childhoods. But have you ever stopped to think about their evolution or how many of them you’ve grown fond of?
Many directors and authors have used Alfred Hitchcock’s Rear Window as a frame for their own story line. The plot details the events of a person who is spying on their neighbor and witnesses a murder. A.J. Finn, author of The Woman in the Window, talks about his book that follows a similar narrative, and how he used his personal experience to make it a story of his own. Despite sharing some of the same details with other books, Finn wanted his version to rely on the emotional aspects of the story because of his experience with mental illness. He explains, “ ...I plugged into the narrative this character who had experienced much of what I’ve experienced, who had struggled much as I had struggled, whose grief felt to me comparable in intensity even though our circumstances were different, and if The Woman in the Window is notable for anything, and I hope it is, I would like it to be the emotional resonance.” Listen to Finn tell us more about the inspiration behind his debut novel, as well as his own story of mental illness.
We talk to marketing specialists about how to craft a good ad, how ads are effectively measured and what makes an ad memorable.
We highlight Binge Mode, a podcast made for obsessive fans of cultural touchstones, like Game of Thrones, Pixar’s Coco, and Star Wars.
In the last year, two movies including Christopher Nolan’s latest blockbuster have introduced the story of Dunkirk to American audiences. We talk to Michael Korda, a historian and author, who explains some of the real history, including why Hitler and Churchill acted the way they did throughout the ordeal.
Awards season is here and one contender is the divisive Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri. The film’s racial politics has set the stage for an interesting stretch run to Oscars season.
We talk about the reasons for cities, their role as cultural epicenters, and a radical plan to stop American cities from decaying under our very feet.
We like to think we’re in control of our own actions… but are we? We talk to Dr. John Bargh, a professor of psychology at Yale University and author of Before You Know It: The unconscious reasons we do what we do, to discuss just how much of what we do is dictated by our unconscious minds.
We look ahead to the movies set to be released this year, from blockbusters like Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald to more serious fare like Damien Chazelle’s Neil Armstrong biopic, First Man.
For decades, science fiction was a genre written almost exclusively by white males. Now, the genre is flourishing with diverse voices, thanks in part to the trailblazing writer Octavia E. Butler. Historian Gerry Canavan discusses the obstacles Butler faced and her legacy on one of the most popular genres in American literature.
The news typically shows us stories about the national government being stuck in a gridlock on most of the big, important issues. Sarah Van Gelder, co-founder of Yes! Magazine, went on a trip across America to see how change is being made at the local level and found inspirational stories and examples of community involvement solving big problems while paving the way for a better future.
Lena Waithe won an Emmy last year for her work on Master of None. Now, she brings her passion project to the screen in Showtime’s newest show, The Chi.
The world of television has never been busier. With more than 500 scripted shows airing in 2017, it's never been harder to keep up with the medium. We talk to TV critic Alan Sepinwall about staying on top of things, the trends of TV, and one of the great shows of the century so far, Breaking Bad.
Author Douglas Abrams shares the joy practices and little things that the Dalai Lama and Archbishop Tutu do daily to experience joy regularly.
Foreign language media is not most of our bread-and-butter. Every year at the Oscars or Emmys, most of us watch the reel of movies or shows from other countries unaware of any of the titles flashing across the screen.
Netflix is trying to change that, at least slightly, with their latest blockbuster series, Dark. Dark is a fascinating sci-fi mind-bender. It is probably mis-served a little by the easy comparisons to “Stranger Things”—both shows feature disappearing children and kids riding bikes into forests.
But that’s really where the similarities stop-where Stranger Things would lovably reference Risky Business or ET, Dark opts to instead deal with heavier fare- like what our place is in the world and whether we have free will.
Dark is a masterpiece of atmospheric dread, the music and cinematography give it incredible production value and the show manages to cross, pollinate time travel with local-gossip and generations-old grudges in a really compelling way.
If you love shows that make you think, and media that provide no easy answers, Dark may be the show for you.
Its German-language origins do mean you’ll have to rely on subtitles or an English dubbed version that is far from perfect.
Some people prefer to watch it in its original German with English subtitles, I opted to use both the English dubbed track and the English subtitles, helping me keep track of exactly what is being said.
While the subtitles and dubbing can be a little bit of a distraction, Dark is so good that you quickly forget about all that because you’re just so absorbed in the drama.
Season one of Dark is now streaming on Netflix. A second season has already been confirmed.
We talk to an expert in the field of habit-making about how we can make our resolutions last all year round.
It’s no secret that technology consumes our lives. we sit on computers at work, we use our phones and social media feeds to fill time on our commutes, and we are constantly finding new apps to solve problems.
At times, it’s all great and super convenient...but there is a down side. Maybe we spend less time with our families having face-to-face conversations, and maybe it can get a whole lot worse from there.
That’s a simplified version of what the show “Black Mirror” is all about-so yeah, it’s pretty heavy. “Black Mirror” is an anthology show, every episode tells a unique story with a different cast, about the future of technology.
In one episode, people have DVR-like devices in their brains allowing them to re-live events from their own past. In another, an augmented reality video game can adapt to put characters in a horror situation that exactly replicates their worst fears.
It’s sort of like the “Twilight Zone” for the digital age. What would happen if user scores that are impacted by others perception of us develop some kind of caste system? Or what if you could block people, like you can on twitter, in real life?
The show began in Britain, where it aired its first two seasons and a christmas special on Channel 4. In 2016, the show was continued on Netflix, which distributed 6 new episodes. Now, the show returns with six more installments of all that can go wrong with the devices we put in our pockets and on our walls-the televisions, phone screens, and other black mirrors we can’t stop looking at.
“Black Mirror” is a fascinating look at technology that may very well exist someday and a wonderful reminder that sometimes, less is more when it comes to the advancing technology of the times.
The first 13 installments of “Black Mirror” are now streaming on Netflix. Season four debuts with six new episodes on Friday.
Author Christina Crook discusses her 31-day vacation from the internet to reconnect with her physical life.
This year, low-cost horror movies like “Get Out” made big noise at the box office. We discuss one man responsible for the trend: producer Jason Blum.
We talk to one expert about how cognitive diversity can improve the results for a school, business, or even an entire society.
Diners are an American staple. It’s where you stop for a piece of pie and a cup of coffee from coast to coast. But diners are slowly disappearing to larger chains. We talk about the waitresses who make the diners function and the culture behind the career.
No time of year has more classics and standards than the holiday season. Beginning in early November, you can’t help but to start hearing the familiar Christmas tunes of years past in department stores and on the radio.
Personally, I’m a strong believer that Christmas music is appropriate starting on Black Friday and extending until New Years Day. Once Thanksgiving dinner is done, I pull the records out of the drawer and once New Years has past, I put them back away… metaphorically, of course. What I literally mean is I take my Christmas playlist out of a hidden folder in Spotify for a month or so and then hide it again.
Naturally, I enjoy the Christmas classics- Chuck Berry singing “Run Run Rudolph”, Frank Sinatra’s “Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snow”, and Nat King Cole’s “Joy To The World.”
And then I enjoy the more modern Christmas wrinkles like NSYNC’s infectious “Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays” and Kelly Clarkson’s “Wrapped in Red.”
But like all families, my family has some holiday traditions of our own. My dad’s favorite Christmas tunes come from the Beach Boys, so this is the time of year I like to enjoy “Little Saint Nick”, “Santa’s Beard”, and the “Man with All the Toys.
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But one of my most cherished Christmas traditions is listening to my mom’s favorite Christmas album. Every year growing up, or at least some years, my sister, my brother, and me would open our presents to Amy Grant’s Christmas album. Nothing says Christmas day to me more than hearing Amy Grant’s “Emmanuel.”
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Admittedly, “Emmanuel” is probably a classic to no one outside of my family-and maybe Amy Grant’s- but for us, it’s essential Christmas listening.
Whatever your favorite Christmas songs are, whatever you consider the appropriate time to blast them in your car, and especially you only want a hippopotamus for Christmas, there’s no debating that now is the time to revel in that warm holiday feeling that comes with hearing the Christmas songs you cherish the most.
When you’re the new person at the office, in the neighborhood or at a party it can be an awkward situation, especially if you’re not the most gregarious person. Our guest discusses the issue and offers advice on how to navigate various situations when you’re the newbie in the room.
We talk to a literary editor who explains to us what an editor does to get the book from a manuscript to the finished copy on store shelves.
We discover how Jack London’s own journey informed his writing, and how his books reflect the plight of exploited workers and impoverished women and children.
We talk to two experts about the need for average citizens to be the eyes and ears of big data collecting projects.
We talk to a mom and an author who together have created a children’s book and game designed to make giving back to others a fun pursuit.
We talk to a scholar about what exactly W.E.B. Du Bois did to improve the study of sociology and what his impact truly was.
It has been a turbulent few months for the entertainment industry- especially the film world. Mega-producer Harvey Weinstein has been embroiled in controversy since accusations of sexual assault have been made public. In just a few weeks time, more than 75 individuals have come forward accusing Weinstein of wrongdoing- leading to his dismissal from his own company and a frantic scramble to disassociate the movies his company was working on from his shadow.
Then, accusations against other stars began to break. Dustin Hoffman, Charlie Sheen, producer Brett Ratner, and Gossip Girl star Ed Westwick have all been accused of various sexual crimes.
There’s too many people accused of these crime to list them all, but notably, actor Anthony Rapp accused Kevin Spacey of sexually assaulting Rapp when he was just 14. In response, Spacey put out a statement saying he didn’t remember the incident but apologized if it did happen, and then came out as a gay man. The LGBTQ+ community widely criticized Spacey for conflating his homosexuality with his alleged pedophilia and assault. And then more accusations came against Spacey. At the time of recording, at least 14 individuals have specifically accused spacey of wrongdoing.
With these accusations has come a swell of individuals and companies trying to distance themselves from the accused.
None have done so more swiftly than director Ridley Scott, whose forthcoming film All the Money in the World featured Spacey in a supporting role. The movie is set to be released in December, but Scott has announced his intention to replace Spacey with actor Christopher Plummer. The announcement came on november 8, and reports are Scott is determined to re-shoot the role and have the film completed in time for the December 22 release date.
It’s a move that is unprecedented-replacing an actor in a completed film.
If Scott pulls it off, and there’s no reason to believe he won’t- he will completely re-write the narrative of his movie from a film starring an alleged sexual criminal to the movie that took a stand against the sexual crime that has apparently run rampant in Hollywood for decades.
Resources for victims of sexual assault are available at OnlyWithConsent.org or by calling the national sexual assault hotline at 1-800-656-4673.
Americans pride themselves on never forgetting the attacks and terrorism of our history, but somehow a 1920 attack on New York City has slipped through the cracks.
The technology used to catch criminals is constantly being invented and then reinvented. From fingerprints to DNA, advancements in technology have allowed authorities to more accurately and efficiently locate and apprehend criminals. Now, what may be the largest addition to the tool belt of the criminal justice system yet is the technology we all carry in our pockets daily.
Cellphones have long been used to find and convict criminals, mainly through call logs and cell tower triangulation, but mobile devices now serve as de facto personal GPS trackers with extreme accuracy. Oxygen Forensics Inc. creates software that allows investigators to extract and interpret data from practically any digital device. Lee Reiber, COO for the company, says there now exists more mobile devices than people on this Earth, and the uses for our mobile data are infinite.
Even if a suspect refuses to talk, their mobile data can serve as evidence of location, communication history, and proximity to others. It also holds records of all documents and information that many of us wrongly assume is private. Pressing delete doesn’t mean information can’t be recovered and, even in cases where no mobile phone is involved, Reiber says any ‘smart’ device that collects data (and they all do) can be utilized.
What else can the data being collected around us be used for? Jerry Ropelato is the CEO of White Clouds, a large scale 3D printing technology company. He says virtually any set of information can be transformed into a physical object using 3D printing.
Whether it’s used to create medical materials or to build an exact model of an object, the possibilities are endless. Recently, White Clouds aided a defense attorney by replicating a residential crime scene to better convey their side of the story to the jury. No matter the use of these technologies, one thing is clear. This is only the beginning phase of the possible applications and only time will tell the true impact.
We all sleep, but the amount of sleep we get and the quality of that sleep can vary greatly. We talk to Matthew Walker, a professor at California-Berkeley, who says sleep in the single biggest thing we can do to help our physical and mental health both in the short-term and long-term.
We’ve all been amused or annoyed by someone’s bumper sticker, but have you ever stopped to think that these strips of adhesive paper with the pithy statements on them could actually mean something.
We think of gardens as a place meant to look nice or grow some vegetables, but author Benjamin Vogt says gardens can be about cultivating a better environment and reconnecting humans with nature
John Green's latest book, Turtles All The Way down chronicles the life of a teen with OCD. The book offers a great story and pulls back the curtain on a misunderstood mental disorder.
If you’ve had to speak in public, you know the nerves that come with public speaking. So you probably also know the pain of umming, uhhing, or misspeaking. We explore where these vocal blunders come from and what they might mean.
As we get older, we all will suffer from some memory loss. The question becomes what memory loss is a normal byproduct of getting older and when is it a sign of a larger problem
Avatar smashed box office records worldwide, eight years later four sequels are being produced but does that past success mean audiences crave more from the land of Pandora?
Have you ever fantasized about going back in time and changing world history? How about your own personal past? If we could travel eternally through space and time, how would this power affect us, psychologically and emotionally? We talk about the appeal of time travel fiction with author Travis Langley who examines these questions in his book Doctor Who Psychology: A Madman with a Box, through an analysis of the longest-running sci-fi TV series of all time.
Dr. Langley says that time travel fiction provides a safe space to explore the emotions and consequences of all kinds of “what if” questions we all have, teaches us lessons that can we can apply to everyday life.
When and how should parents sign up their children for schools? Dr. Suzanne Bouffard, author of The Most Important Year: Pre-Kindergarten and the Future of Our Children, says that the pre-kindergarten year sets the tone for the quality of schooling that student will experience for the rest of their lives.
Some studies show that pre-K programs do not help students, but Dr. Bouffard says these programs are not created equally, and parents must look carefully to distinguish a high-quality program that will help students with lifelong learning from the rest. Some things to look for are the relationship between students and teachers and the balance of time spent on academic subjects and time designated for play. The activities in the room should also be age-appropriate, and students should have plenty of activities to choose from.
Author Soman Chainani talks about a new entry into the catalogue of mythology and his attempt to course-correct the lessons more modern stories have been teaching our children.
One thing this year’s Emmys ceremony made very clear: Peak TV isn’t going anywhere anytime soon.
Author Dylan Thuras talks about a few of the places you probably never heard about but which offer unique vacation experiences, educational opportunities and a lot of fun.
College is thought of as a ticket to a better life. Non-traditional students- those who go to college later in life- can face an uphill battle in their fight to obtain that ticket. We talk to Mike Rose from UCLA about accommodating these students.
Football has been facing a head trauma crisis for years. Now, youth football enrollment and NFL TV ratings are both down. We explore the future of football in America.
Two experts talk about how to overcome fears, withstand constant change, and feel more happiness in our everyday lives.
Reshma Saujani began an organization dedicated to teaching girls to code, and hopes to empower a new future of innovation.
Dr. Charles Fernhough author of The Voices Within: The History and Science of How We Talk to Ourselves says that hearing voices is part of the human experience, and needs to be understood better. One thing Dr. Fernhough is trying to do is educate the public about the difference between thoughts and talking to yourself. There is also no real right way to talk to yourself, and some people do it more often than others. Dr. Ethan Kross, a professor of Psychology at the University of Michigan, is studying how people talk themselves through problems, which he calls self-talk.
A study showed that people who use their name while talking themselves through a problem have a higher rate of success. Although third person self-talk is proven to be more effective, you might get some strange looks if you talk out loud in the third person.
We look back at the man, and the business deals, that made Polaroid and instant photography possible.
Traditionally, a sitcom show is episodic: you don’t necessarily need to see every episode. But NBC’s The Good Place embraces a serialized structure, which gives it a unique feel.
On the 10th anniversary of 2007, we take a look at some of the films from a decade ago that have proved to stand the test of time and make 2007 a year in film worth remembering.
We explore the science behind happiness, how our brain achieves the elusive emotion, and how it all depends on who you are and where you are.
It’s the American dream to start your own business and watch it thrive. But most of the time, that’s easier said than done. We explore entrepreneurial tips and tricks from the 20-something CEO who has already become a start-up expert.
Parents want what’s best for their kids. But sometimes, they can take it too far. We talk to two experts about “over-parenting,” the tendency to demand your child earn straight A’s, work to be a sports star, and find the time to work a part-time job and how to fix it.
Biographer Larry Tye talks about Bobby Kennedy's personal side, how he helped his brother John become president, and how his legacy inspires liberals and conservatives to this day.
Breaking Bad is a modern classic of TV, and insanely compelling. But is binge-watching such shows really the best idea or do the best plots take time?
We all get gut instincts when we walk into a room of strangers. Do we fit in here? Do these people seem friendly? Snap judgments are simply a part of how we function. But Princton University psychology professor Alexander Todorov says that though these impressions are natural, we should try to resist them.
Sexual behavior has confused and confounded humans for centuries. Gil Rosenthal, a Texas A&M biology instructor and author, says we can learn a lot about ourselves by looking to other species in the natural world, and considering the sexual lives of fish.
Noah Hawley is the man behind the TV shows Fargo and Legion. He also writes novels and his latest, Before the Fall, is a mystery thriller that has been winning awards and demands to be read.
Most of us rely on our debit cards, finding it easier to not use cash for transactions, however, the United States Treasury still printed up to 80 billion dollars of paper money last year. Where is all this money going? What is it being used for?
In his book The Curse of Cash, Harvard economics professor Kenneth Rogoff describes that printed cash often causes citizens to be poorer and less safe. He claims that printed cash is used for evading tax and committing crimes like buying and selling drugs. He believes that cash needs to provide value to citizens rather than authorizing crime. He believes that if society used less cash, then perhaps crime could be reduced.
One solution Rogoff proposes is “financial inclusion”, a system where people on welfare receive debit cards. In countries like India, the fast majority of the population receive a debit account through welfare. This saves the government money because they no longer have to print checks, and those receiving welfare do not have to transfer checks into their account. With the debit system, the money from welfare goes directly into a debit account which the recipients then can spend. This would make transactions easier for people and could lead to less reliance on cash.
Rogoff predicts the termination of cash bills in the next 10-20 years.
Thousands of pregnant women pass through our prison system each year. What happens to these ladies when they need the most medical care? We talk with Carolyn Sufrin who describes her experience as an OBGYN for California prison inmates in her book Jailcare: Finding the safety net for women behind bars.
Emmy nominations always bring with them some disappointing snubs. With only one nomination, the show Catastrophe has largely been overlooked this year. We explore what makes the series special.
Our guests discuss the fear of public speaking and offer advice on how to create, prepare for and deliver a speech with confidence.
Quiet films such as A Ghost Story can provide a transformative experience if viewers give them a chance.
Our guest discusses when and how to say “no” effectively for the benefit of the individual and others.
Do you find yourself too distracted to get important things done? Have you tried every method to stay productive but haven’t found the right one? We talk with two expert consultants on how you can finally tackle that to-do list.
David Allen, author of Getting Things Done: The art of stress-free productivity, emphasizes committing ourselves to the outcome of the task itself, and then asking what physical activity needs to happen in order to get to our desired outcome. Allen’s three steps for reaching productivity are “capture , clarify and organize.” We must capture what has our attention in a to-do list or a reminder. Next, we should clarify if what we captured is actionable. Then, we should delegate certain lists for certain activities.
Productivity consultant Steve McClatchy notes that both a to-do list and a calendar serve as the most efficient productivity methods. Before we can commit to an activity, we must look on our calendars to see if we are free. Once we write an activity down on the calendar, the to-do is the action after the decision is made. McClatchy says that although people look at procrastination negatively, it often forces us to complete an activity or task. He explains that putting something off long enough may cause our bodies to panic, which then leads to focusing all our energy on the activity that we once dreaded.
A generation of children grew up with Harry Potter. We look at the books and movies they grew up watching, how they differ and what will stay with them until the very end.
It has been over 20 years since the story of Harry Potter began Why, after all this time, do people still flock to the series for comfort and thrills?
Elements of the Harry Potter series such as dementors and Patronuses can be viewed symbolically as representative of the struggle of good versus evil. Many readers connect emotionally to Harry’s loss, struggle, and battle to fight his own demons. Clinical therapist Dr. Janina Scarlet builds on this connection by using superheroes, witches and wizards to help her patients cope with their depression or PTSD.
In her first book Superhero Therapy: A hero’s journey through acceptance and commitment therapy, Scarlet describes how she uses superheroes to help veterans deal with their PTSD. Dr. Scarlet's patients select their favorite superhero, and then discuss how their own experience may relate. She says that the vulnerabilities of each superhero allows the patients to dive into their own flaws and overcome them.
Along with superhero therapy, Dr. Scarlet uses her personal favorite book series, Harry Potter. Scarlet says that the Harry Potter series truly demonstrates how to overcome traumatic experiences. When reading a story about a boy that deals with the loss of his parents, people can either relate and learn from him or sympathize for him. Although Harry may live in a fictional world, reading his story allows people to recognize he has similar experiences and feelings as all of us.
Dr. Scarlet talks about finding the Patronus in all her patients to help them beat their depression. She says if we can all connect with happy memories as Harry did, then we can start to overcome any personal dementors in our lives. If you would like to know more about how Harry Potter can help you, keep an eye out for Dr. Scarlet’s Harry Potter therapy book coming soon.
Christopher Nolan set the box office on fire with his Dark Knight trilogy and made a cultural phenomenon with Inception. We explore his directorial career and what sets him apart.
Liking pop music is usually thought of as shallow and immature, but why? Pop music gave us The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, and yes, Justin Timberlake.
Learn more at: https://viewpointsradio.org/culture-crash-pop-music/
After World War I, the city of Smyrna was set ablaze and people had to run to the beaches just to escape the flames. We’ll hear how governments and diplomats in the West all but ignored their plight, and how the efforts of one brave relief worker and a Navy commander finally brought the victims to safety.
Aaron Sorkin's screenplays have been praised for their pace and structure. We look into why the Oscar winner's writing style is so effective in film and on TV.
Many of us have heard the heroic tales of Apollo 11 and Apollo 13, the missions to send men to the moon, but what about the other missions? When Astronauts Frank Borman, James Lovell, and William Anders fearlessly took off in December of 1968 and safely orbited the moon, they paved the way for the future space exploration to come. Author Jeffrey Kluger recently wrote Apollo 8: The Thrilling Story of the First Mission to the Moon about this mission and its impact on history and science.
In August 1968 NASA made a bold decision: In just 16 weeks, the United States would launch humankind's first flight to the moon. Only the year before, three astronauts had burned to death in their spacecraft, and since then the Apollo program had suffered one setback after another. Meanwhile, the Russians were winning the space race, the Cold War was getting hotter by the month, and President Kennedy's promise to put a man on the moon by the end of the decade seemed sure to be broken. But when Borman, Lovell, and Anders were summoned to a secret meeting and told of the dangerous mission, they instantly signed on.
The race to prepare an untested rocket for an unprecedented journey paves the way for the hair-raising trip to the moon. Then, on Christmas Day, a nation that has suffered a horrendous year of assassinations and war is heartened by an inspiring message from the trio of astronauts in lunar orbit. And when the mission is over - after the first view of the far side of the moon, the first Earth-rise, and the first reentry through the Earth's atmosphere following a flight to deep space - the impossible dream of walking on the moon suddenly seems within reach.
TV theme songs: they’re the soundtrack to our childhoods, adolescence, and Sunday nights. But have you ever stopped to think about their evolution or how many of them you know well?
We often think about streaming apps as vehicles for a new wave of TV, but streaming also allows us to revisit old shows.
It seems like many movies coming out are franchise movies and that can get pretty dull. But the success of Wonder Woman sheds light on one way studios can keep their ‘tent poles’ fresh.
The rules of the English language always seem to have an exception or ten. We explored how the language got so complicated.
In modern society, introverts have often been depicted as shy, easily overwhelmed, or as having poor communication skills. The notions, stereotypes, and cultural understandings of introverted individuals are discussed by Todd Kashdan, Professor of Psychology at George Mason University, and Sophia Dembling, author of The Introvert’s Way: Living a quiet life in a noisy world. We discuss what introversion is and how introverts can be a lot of fun to be around.
The Leftovers will air its final episode this week on HBO. Though its tough subject matter and study of grief can be overwhelming, it’s a show with a lot to admire and themes worth exploring.
Rapper Logic’s song “1-800-273-8255” is a mental health anthem, designed to help suicidal listeners realize the value of their life.
Video games have long been seen as child’s play, but now they are the source of massive TV ratings and legitimate artistic expression. We talk to author Andrew Ervin about the transformation.
This weekend, you may have noticed a Netflix banner for the new season of Master of None. The show was created by, and stars, comedian Aziz Ansari and made a big splash in the fall of 2015 when it first debuted. Learn more at: https://viewpointsradio.org/culture-crash-aziz-ansari-has-a-lot-to-say-in-master-of-none/
Culture Crash is a segment where we examine literature, film and entertainment to explore issues and trends affecting the country.
Jonathan Lethem's latest book is an inside look at his thoughts on literature, he talks to us about what inspires him, and how he feels about tough critics.
Science enables us to know much more than ever before. We can be aware of what disorders we could pass on to our kids and we can conduct screenings on children to discover irregularities in their genes. Such screenings can help doctors catch issues early but they can also put a huge burden on families.
Between the election cycle and coverage of President Trump’s first 100 days, we’ve all seen some fake news online. We talk to two educators about the harm that can be done when people believe fake news, the education crisis involved when students believe fake news, and tips we can all use to identify lies online and keep ourselves informed by only the truth.
We talk to two experts about some notable explorers of the past and ways you can see the world through fresh eyes yourself.
We discuss the current status of public schooling for autistic students and how the systems in place can be optimized to help students grow even more.
Yankees historian Marty Appel talks about the life of Casey Stengel, who spent over 50 years in professional baseball and won 8 World Series titles.
We talk to a family law attorney who has written extensively about cohabitation to find out how society and the courts view cohabitation relationships.
America is facing a literacy problem. We talk to several experts who suggest that we may simply be teaching the skill incorrectly.
Dr. Kerry Emanuel explains what makes scientists so certain greenhouse gasses are to blame for climate change and how the problem can be addressed in a way that creates jobs.
Charlton Heston was a soldier, a liberal, and a conservative in his 84 years. Biographer Marc Eliot discusses how Heston's politics impacted his career and legacy.
It has been decades since Bob Marley’s death, but his music is still played and his face still shows up on tee shirts.
Somaliland, a breakaway region of Somalia, is an impoverished region that isn’t officially recognized as a distinct country. Children born there are given very little opportunity, but Jonathan Starr is trying to change that. Starr, a former hedge fund manager, talks about his journey from Wall Street money manager to Somaliland school runner and how he and his school and changing lives where it matters most.
The Bill of Rights may seem like they were simply added on to the end of the Constitution. Civil liberty lawyer Burt Neuborne offers a different outlook on the document. Neuborne dives into the structure of the Bill of Rights and explains how James Madison used organization skills to ensure the first ten amendments to the United States Constitution build on each other and establish a logical system of government.
Mark Greaney is a New York Times bestselling author perhaps best known for collaborating with Tom Clancy on three books, but Greaney’s own spy series has been ongoing since 2009. He joins the show to talk about his Gray Man series, where he gets his inspiration, and to separate the true elements he learned from real US operatives from the fiction he imagines when writing.
Life in the Shadow of the Columbine High School Shooting; Teaching Your Kids About Money
Corban Addison is a law-trained author who uses his books to shine a light on human rights violations. He joins the show to talk about researching his latest novel, A Harvest of Thorns, about sweatshops and unfair labor. Addison talks about the violations he found around the world including here in America and the brands he recommends for shoppers trying to make a positive impact with where they spend their dollars.
Learn more at: https://viewpointsradio.org/sweatshops-and-unfair-labor-practices/
Two political science experts discuss how movements in the past have brought about change and how they compare to the Women's March, the March for Life and the March for Science.
Authors Thomas Cathcart and Daniel Klein authors join the show to tell stories, crack jokes, and clarify some of the big ideas of philosophy.
In 1966, Civil Rights pioneer James Meredith set out on The March Against Fear, a walk to prove black citizens no longer needed to fear white people. Soon after beginning, he was ambushed and shot. The march was continued by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Stokely Carmichael, and countless others. Weeks later, Meredith had recovered and rejoined the walk, giving history an enduring image of persistence and determination. We talk to historian Ann Bausum about the history and impact of the march.
Photo historian Richard Cahan talks about the history of the Japanese internment camps, and why we should look at them as a cautionary tale not as precedent.
Cities, from New York and Chicago to New Orleans and San Francisco, are a vital piece of our country. First, we talk to author Joshua Jelly-Schapiro about the role these cities have come to play in our culture and out lives. Then, we talk to author and former professor William Goldsmith about the problems facing our cities and his ideas on how we can fix them.
Many people remain in bad situations because they are afraid to quit, but they shouldn’t. Our guest says that if you take the time to carefully plan just how and when you’ll walk out the door, it’s easier to deal with the anxiety, fear and depression that can follow such a big decision. We’ll hear about steps anyone can take – and those they shouldn’t – when it’s time to quit and move on.
It’s a common goal to get back to the creative passions of your youth and write that novel but something always seems to be holding us back. We talk to two experts about the roadblocks on the way to finishing your masterpiece and how to overcome them.
Later this week, President-elect Donald Trump will become President Donald Trump. With his inauguration looming, the Republican party must feel pretty good about their position moving forward. But how are they doing with minority voters, specifically African Americans? We talk to expert and author Corey Fields about what motivates black Republicans, how they’re treated both at home and within their party, and what the future may hold for the direction of minorities within the Republican voting block.
We talk to two experts on conflict about how to make disagreements with anyone, from your work life to your home life, into a more peaceful, enlightening experience.
With “La La Land” tapping into theaters and a strong contender for this year’s Oscars, we wanted to re-visit one of the quintessential American art forms: jazz.
We see it everywhere: time travel. The concept has dominated our books, movies, and television for decades. We even saw a time travel ethics question dominate our primary election coverage. So what is it about these stories that we find so irresistible? We talk to Dr. Travis Langley, a pop culture psychologist, to uncover what lies underneath the fantasy we’ve all indulged from time to time: traveling backwards and forwards through time.
With new gadgets and programs being invented every day, the technologies used in solving crimes are changing constantly.
We talk to a journalist who has tried to erase her digital footprint, and an attorney who deals with online privacy about protecting your person information online.
Two stress specialists provide tips and tricks to help you calm down a bit during this hectic time of year and also prevent undue stress at other times.
Stanley Weintraub talks about one Christmas, in 1944, when American soldiers spent a freezing holiday fighting for their lives against during the Battle of the Bulge.
Hearing voices in your head comes with an unfortunate stereotype that you must be mentally ill. However, experts tell us the “voices in your head” can be used to talk to, and about, yourself in a healthy, productive way. In fact, most people hear voices in their head and already use inner speech on a daily basis. We discuss tips and techniques to use “self-talk” as a way to get yourself through tough decisions and lower stress.
Most of us have heard the name of Henry Clay, but he’s not one of the people we usually remember the way we do George Washington or Thomas Jefferson. Our guest says that Clay was just as important to our nation as the founding fathers, and he discusses the great contributions this Speaker of the House made to keep our country together, fight for justice, and create the foundations of our extensive modern U.S. transportation system.
We’re joined by two experts who agree that closing the wage gap should be a priority, but who have very different takes on how that can be achieved.
We discuss the myths surrounding acceptance to an “elite” college and how high school counselors can better serve diverse and often financially strapped students.
With Thanksgiving over, it’s time to start looking toward our December holiday parties and the meals that come with them. Author Julia Turshen joins the show to talk about her tips and tricks to make those Christmas and Hanukah dinner a little less daunting. With advice on dressings, sides, desserts and more, Turshen breaks down some basic techniques to make great food with little experience.
We talk to a mom and an author who together have created a children’s book and game designed to make giving back to others a fun pursuit.
We talk to two experts who say children take to science readily if it’s presented in the right way by tapping into the “ick factor” that seems to fascinate them.
In about six weeks, people will be celebrating the New Year and many of them will be resolving to change something in their lives – the ubiquitous “New Year’s Resolution.” We talk to a behavior specialist and coach about how bad habits are created and why. She also gives us some ways to help give those resolutions some staying power for the year ahead.
Does working crossword puzzles, Sudoku, and playing other games help prevent Alzheimer’s and dementia? Why does time seem to crawl when we’re young and speed up as we age? Does multitasking really help us get more done? We talk to a psychologist and author about these popular ideas and get the real story about how our minds can sometimes trick us into thinking things that really aren’t true.
In 2004 we spoke with activist Tom Hayden, who passed away last month. His hopeful, yet controversial, thoughts on gangs and violence can still be beneficial.
Kids are always on their phones, tablets or computers – even when they’re sitting across from one another at the lunch table! Does communicating via screens hurt kids? We talk to two researchers who found that too much screen time at the cost of face-to- face communication could decrease our ability to recognize emotions, and possibly even shorten our lives.
We explore why kids behave the way they do in certain situations, and offer strategies for dealing with a child that can help them grow more responsible.
Our guest offers suggestions to parents, educators and policymakers about how expanding our children’s knowledge base in school will help make them read better.
We talk with two citizen scientist advocates about the importance of having average citizens be the eyes and ears of large research projects.
Although he never became president, Bobby Kennedy spearheaded a great deal of change in America with his work in civil rights, crime fighting and by combatting corruption. Our guest remembers this icon and talks about his more personal side, how he helped his brother John become president, and how his legacy inspires liberals and conservatives to this day.
With the baby boomers transitioning into retirement in record numbers, and their parents living longer, we’re facing an eldercare challenge that’s bigger than we’ve ever seen before in this country. Who will take care of all of the older Americans who will need medical and end-of-life assistance in the coming decades? And how will we ensure that elder citizens will be able to live in comfort and dignity during their senior years? We talk to an activist about her own experiences with the system, and learn about strategies for dealing with the eldercare challenges that face us.
Developing “emotional agility” to deal with the thoughts, emotions and the stories we have in our lives.
There have been news stories all summer about wildfires destroying thousands of acres of forest in the West and elsewhere. Most of the time we hear about the devastation, but our guests says that fires actually help forests stay healthy and can even bring them back to their natural states by removing non-native plants.
It seems that everywhere you go, fashion surrounds you – in ads for clothing and makeup, a billboard, the cover of a magazine, or virtually anything featuring a model. These images provide us with the idea of what makes a perfect person: If you wear this color lipstick and this kind of dress, you’re considered beautiful. The fashion industry has been doing this for ages, but over time it has increasingly raised issues about confidence, self-esteem and body image. Our guest discusses why it’s important to look beyond the advertisements and find the fashions that are right for you, how cheap clothing is hurting developing countries and the environment, and why designers and manufacturers need to change how they create clothing for and market to older men and women.
We’ve heard a lot about climate change and global warming over the past 20 years or so, but ironically people care about it less now than they did a decade ago. We talk to a researcher and author about how the framing of climate change can skew the message and create attitudes that affect how we think of global warming and how we become motivated – or not – to do something about it
It’s tough for many parents to make sure that their kids eat nutritious meals, what with all of the advertising for less than healthy fast foods on the market. We talk to a nutritionist and a chef about strategies and foods that parents can use to help their kids make better choices at mealtime and in between.
Hillary Clinton is running for president as the Democratic nominee this year, and for many people she’s the first woman to ever seek that job. It might surprise you to know, however, that hundreds of women have run for president. One of our guests introduces three other prominent females who made progress in running for the White House. The other talks about the private side of Secretary Clinton and how, as First Lady, she tried to keep family life as normal as possible for the president and her daughter, Chelsea.
Throughout American history we’ve had politicians who stir up controversy during their campaigns: Bernie Sanders, Pat Buchanan, Joe McCarthy and now Donald Trump, to name just a few. These candidates are what one of our guests calls “high-conflict politicians.” What is the attraction some voters have for these candidates? Why are they so loyal to them? And what is the political climate that brings them to the fore? We discuss these issues with our guests who look at the politics and the psychology of high-conflict candidates.
A Holocaust survivor discusses the need for young people to learn about the Holocaust and the reasons why it happened.
If you came upon a rundown, roach-infested bunkhouse in the heartland of America, full of middle-aged and elderly men in poor health who worked all day at a job for little pay and had been for decades, you might think you had time traveled back to the 19th century. We talk to an author who writes about this very situation where mentally challenged men had been pressed into servitude in 1974 and remained there until 2009 when some determined and caring social workers stepped in to help them.
Two gun specialists talk about the history of guns in the U.S. and give suggestions on how to strengthen gun laws to promote safety and still guarantee American gun owners’ rights.
Our guest, Gerald Moore, was a reporter and editor for one of these publications and talks about what it was like to work there.
This week's guest, Larry Bogad is a performer, writer and educator who uses serious play and theater to help change people’s minds and change society for the better.
A new survey shows that many Americans are suffering from financial anxiety and it’s affecting their health and happiness.
How smart are animals? That’s a question that scientists – and pet owners – have been asking for decades. Our guest is a scientist who has studied animal intelligence and he discusses how neuroscience and biology are coming up with new definitions of what it means to be an intelligent animal, and using medical technology and unique experiments to better understand intelligence in non-humans.
Much of the world is without clean, potable water on a consistent basis, and even in developed countries where water is available, cleaning it for drinking and bathing and treating the wastewater is expensive and uses a lot of energy. We talk to a scientist who is working on new technology that will make filtering and sanitizing water more efficient, use less resources and provide clean drinking water to countries where water-borne diseases negatively affect the population at alarming rates.
Wallflower, shy, anti-social. All negative words we’ve used to describe people who are “introverts.” Our guest – an introvert herself -- talks about just what an introvert is, and how they are actually very sociable in the right settings. She also discusses ways in which teachers and others can encourage introverts’ participation in school and in other groups, and how “quiet ones” complement the more gregarious and outgoing extroverts in their lives.
Eating healthy doesn’t have to mean eating bland foods made with expensive ingredients that are hard to find. Our guests talk about how to introduce more fish and healthy fats, less gluten and less salt into your meals without a lot of fuss or fancy cooking techniques. They also discuss how to use spices and herbs to create flavor combinations that will keep you and your family satisfied at every meal.
Learn more at: https://viewpointsradio.org/healthier-eating-it-doesnt-have-to-be-boring-or-bland/
Our guest discusses how she learned a lot about how to raise children, find food and water, and community cooperation from the Bushmen of southwestern Africa.
Why is it that some people succeed and others don’t? There are many reasons why we follow through on the tasks we begin, but our guest thinks that those who do succeed in the big things in life have something called “grit.” We discuss how passion, hope and perseverance all play into the ability for some individuals to keep on course –even when they face hurdles in their lives and their work — and accomplish great things.
Many school-aged children in the U.S. end up in juvenile detention or expelled from school for offenses ranging from arriving late to breaking the dress code to fighting in the hallway. Once “pushed out” from school, these children are often headed down the road to a life of poverty and more serious crimes. A good portion of these kids are African-American girls who, our guest says, are unfairly targeted for discipline because of a misunderstanding of their behavior. We discuss this phenomenon and also talk to a professor who has studied the effect that extremely strict school rules have on the students and the teachers who are made to enforce them.
Should children be tried as adults and sent to adult prisons? Our guests discuss so many people are incarcerated and how juveniles should be given another chance.
Speaking in public can be a very anxiety-producing experience, but why? And how can we remove some of that anxiety and do a better job in front of an audience? Our guests discuss the fear of public speaking and offer advice on how to create, prepare for and deliver a speech with confidence.
When people head out on foreign vacations this summer, many of them take the tried and true path: visit the big monuments, tourist attractions and stay with their tour groups. Our guest has spent many years of his life traveling the world and he suggests that for a better and more memorable trip, you should rub shoulders with the locals in the country you’re visiting. We’ll hear his thoughts on why it’s important to learn about the culture of the country you’re visiting, how freedom is interpreted in other countries and how you can help the people you meet better understand America and you.
What is it that makes you buy one brand of vodka or soup or ketchup over another? Do you like the way it tastes? Is it a brand that you remember your favorite movie star using? Or is it something else? We talk to a brand expert who has researched the psychology of why we buy what we buy and find out that it’s not always a conscious decision, but one that is influenced by our brains, memories, and how we perceive ourselves using a product or service.
In America, we have the most varied cuisine in the world with thousands of foods available in grocery stores and menus in restaurants from every corner of the globe. Why do we need all of this variety? And why are meat and barbecue so high up on our list of favorite foods? Our guests offer some answers to these questions.
Everyone hates clutter, but so many of us just can’t seem to get it out of our lives. Our guests discuss how we end up with full closets and basements, how to start weeding out the good stuff from the junk and how adopting a minimalist lifestyle not only keeps our homes neat, it also helps to de-clutter our thinking and maintain focus on those things that are most important to us.
Many ecologists, farmers and members of the public are worried that non-native plants and animals are invading the U.S. and preventing native species from thriving. Much money and time is spent trying to rid the land of these aliens – often to no avail. But are these species present because they’re the only ones that can thrive in an area? Are they multiplying because of something bad we’re injecting into their environment? Are these aliens actually helping nature create a diverse and robust environment? And are those so-called native species of plants and animals really native? Our guests have some surprising answers to those questions.
Two former Navy Seals talk about the march they created to honor those who served and raise money to help vets, their families and first responders around the country.
Technology has been moving at break-neck speed during the past 30 years, with the invention and adoption of the personal computer and the internet in the first wave, and more sophisticated hardware, software, cell phones and apps in the second wave. Our guest, an internet pioneer himself, discusses the third wave of technology that will take all of these innovations one step further – integrating them into our world in ways that will bring them more fully into our educational systems, healthcare, work and our every day lives.
It’s no secret: American students are way down the international list when it comes to math scores. Why is this? What makes math so hard for U.S. kids to learn, and how can we help make math easier? Our two guests have answers to both of those questions along with some innovative ideas on how to help kids – and adults – become better at math.
Author Lori Sackler talks about why we are reluctant to discuss money matters with aging parents, spouses or children and why it is so important that we do.
We talk to a journalist to find out just how extensive the legalized marijuana industry is now, and how it could grow in the future.
Our guest discusses the strength, political savvy and resilience of America’s only foreign-born First Lady, Louisa Adams.
We talk to three best-selling authors of historical fiction about how they write their books and why.
We talk to two recess specialists about the benefits of recess, and learn about some recess activities that help a child be more social and physically active.
We talk to a specialist on interrogation and lying about how to get to the truth and find out if someone might be lying.
Our guests discuss upcoming astronomical events and how you can watch them with the naked eye or with inexpensive binoculars and telescopes.
We talk to two educators about how some schools are teaching students how to debate correctly and the benefits for students who engage in thoughtful, civil, debate.
We all get stressed now and then, but did you ever consider that this “stress” is actually fear? Our guests discuss why that is, how it can sabotage our lives and work, how to handle fear when it comes along, and how to do a better job on the job of recognizing fear and learning to handle it.
A.O. Scott talks about why it’s good to be a discerning viewer of the arts, how to be a better critic and how criticism makes us see things in a different light.
Character in a person is something we admire, and something we all would like to think that our kids grow up to achieve. But how do you teach them character? What are some of the virtues that go hand-in-hand with character and how can we instill them in our kids? We talk to two people who work with character education efforts to find out how two very different organizations are teaching kids teamwork, responsibility, fairness, friendship and other character traits in some very trying environments.
People tell us all the time to “have a good day,” but what does that really mean? How do you work on having a really good day? Our guest has researched the topic and has come up with some very interesting and helpful information from neuroscience and psychology that anyone can use to make their day more productive, less anxiety-provoking and just more pleasant.
David Axelrod offers insight into President Obama's terms in office, the candidates on the stump now, and the parties’ strategies in this campaign season.
We speak with a wildlife expert and a wildlife photographer about why it’s important to protect cheetahs for future generations.
We talk with two young adult authors about how kids work out issues through the genre and learn valuable lessons about hope, trust, friendship, good and evil.
Sex and labor trafficking are big business in the U.S. and around the world. Often it’s young people and immigrants who are forced to work in the sex industry or in sweatshops, restaurants and hotels with little pay, horrible hours and horrible living conditions. We talk to an author who’s experienced dealing with young people caught in this web, and a university lecturer who’s an advocate for trafficked victims, about the extent of the problem, how desperate people become ensnared in the trafficker’s trap, and how law enforcement and communities can help the victims escape from a life of slavery and abuse.
About this time of year, New Year’s resolutions begin to wane -- and most die. How do you keep them going? And how can you make better ones that you’re more likely to keep in the future? Our guests give advice on crafting a goal and setting up a process that will help you attain it.
Do humans have more than five senses? Our guest wanted to know, so she spoke to scientists and biohackers about our five senses and perhaps even finding a 6th sense.
What is the gap? When did it begin to develop and why? And what can we do to narrow it? Our guests offer their opinions on the subject and some solutions.
We talk to three marketing specialists about how to craft a good ad, how ads are effectively measured and what makes an ad memorable.
Many stories of child sexual abuse in schools by trusted teachers, coaches and clergy have come to light in the past decade or so. We talk to a former student of the Horace Mann School about how the story of abuse there came to light.
We talk to a spokesperson for lab-grown diamonds and to a geologist about how mined diamonds and gemstones compare to those grown in a lab.
Our guests talk about what immigrants to this country offer to all of us and how we should create a plan to allow them to become full members of the community.
Our guest shows us through stories from his own life that we should take joy in the little victories that make life happy and fulfilling.
Barrymore talks about what she’s learned on the way to becoming an accomplished actress and a mature and loving mother.
We talk to two arts experts about the value of music education and hear from some students about their experiences playing and studying music in and out of school.
In school we learn that the American Revolution began with the battles of Lexington and Concord. But did it?
We talk to a photographer who not only took many memorable pictures of The Beatles, but who also became their good friend.
We talk to an author about how after the attack on Pearl Harbor FDR, Churchill and others planned for the war during the weeks before the Christmas and New Year’s holidays.
We talk to two constitutional specialists about how to interpret the document, and hear how some Supreme Court justices approached an issue that is once again in the news.
We are a culture that’s obsessed with the future and technology. We want to “seize the future” like no other generation before, and become available to anyone 24/7 through the internet, wifi and cell phones. Our guests address these phenomena and discuss why it’s happening and how concentrating too much on the future and the internet affects our world, our relationships and our lives.
This holiday season, there probably won’t be a celebration in the country that doesn’t contain cheese in some form or another. It’s one of America’s favorite snack foods, and cheddar is our favorite variety of the dairy product. But what is cheese? How is it made and how did cheddar get to be America’s iconic cheese? And how do “processed cheese food products” fit into the mix? Our guest is a cheese expert and will answer those questions and more!
Adult coloring books are all the rage, we talk with two of the most popular artists of these books about why and how it can benefit everyone to relax and color a picture.
How do young people deal with race in their lives? We aren’t born racist, so how do some of them become that way? We talk to two young readers authors about their new book that addresses the issue. We discuss how young people relate to those of different races, how friendship and loyalty can figure into how we think of race, and why we need to question our expectations of behaviors based on race.
It’s almost time to head to the mall and check out the holiday decorations and pick up some presents for friends and family. A lot of people will be buying clothing, shoes, accessories and making sweets as gifts, thinking only about the cost and if the recipient will like it. Our guests say that you should also consider where the gift comes from, what it’s made of and how the workers who created it are treated. Our guests discuss the need for sustainable, ethically-made gifts, from clothing to jewelry to chocolate.
Our guest says that Henry Clay was just as important to our nation as the founding fathers, and he discusses the great contributions this Speaker of the House made.
Although their numbers are dwindling every year, there are still many people alive today who remember and lived through the Holocaust during World War II. One of these men spoke to us about his experience as a young boy in a Czechoslovakian work camp, and how his mother – through hard work, quick thinking and just pure luck – managed to keep herself and her two children from the death camps in Poland. He also discusses the need for young people to learn about the Holocaust and the reasons why it happened.
There have been a number of incidents recently where large companies or their spokespeople give the business a black eye by their manufacturing practices or illegal behavior. What can a business do to bounce back and once again create trust with its customers? Our two business specialist discuss the issue and offer advice about how companies can avoid problems with their brands as well as how to clean up the mess afterwards.
We talk to an author whose new book chronicles an exhibition to the North Pole and the men who risked their lives to find out what was actually on the top of the world.
Author Jack London is known for his stories of adventure in the Klondike, the Yukon and other far-away places. Our guest, however, says these stories also reflect his desire to bring the plight of poor and exploited workers to the public’s attention. We’ll hear how London’s hardscrabble youth and physically demanding jobs informed his writing, and find out how the author used sustainable farming methods long before they became fashionable.
Speaking in public can be a very anxiety-producing experience, but why? And how can we remove some of that anxiety and do a better job in front of an audience? Our guests discuss the fear of public speaking and offer advice on how to create, prepare for and deliver a speech with confidence.
It’s the time of year when all the ghosts and goblins, witches and monsters, superheroes and villains don their Halloween best and head off to trick-or-treat, party or walk through a haunted house. Why do we dress up for the holiday? What do our costumes say about us? Why do we love to be frightened on this night in the year? We talk to a psychologist and a haunted attraction specialist about these issues, and also take a look at where some of our Halloween traditions came from.
We’re all familiar with the various ages such as the Jurassic and the Paleozoic, but have you ever heard of the Anthropocene? We meet a woman who has traveled around the world looking at how climate change caused by humans has transformed areas of our planet and how people are looking for creative ways to deal with the changes in lifestyle, agriculture and migration caused by these changes.
You can find almost any fruit – domestic and exotic – in the produce section of grocery stores across the country these days. There’s one fruit, though, that’s both domestic and exotic that you will have a hard time locating: the pawpaw. The once-common fruit has all but disappeared from stores except for a few mail order specialty shops and some farmers’ markets. We talk to a man who wanted to know more about this exotic, tropical-tasting fruit so he researched its history, culinary uses and the efforts to bring it back into favor here in the states.
What does it take to be a successful entrepreneur? A hot idea? Venture capital money? A lot of internet buzz? Those things help, but our two guests, who are both successful entrepreneurs and businessmen, say there is a lot more to it, especially if you do business solely or mostly on the internet. They’ll give us advice on picking the best partner, why financing your venture is a family affair, and how to present yourself in the best way to internet customers.
When a child is placed in foster care, she’s already been through the traumatic experience of being removed from her family’s care, and now faces an uncertain future in a new home – sometimes worse than the one she left. We discuss the successes and failures of the system and hear about what can be done to strengthen it so that children receive the best care available, foster families get the support they need to help a child with the transition, and caseworkers receive the support they need to do their jobs.
Although unemployment is down across the nation, there are still pockets of workers who have been unemployed for years, with no hope of ever finding a good job. Our guest researched the sociological effects of long-term unemployment on out-of-work autoworkers in Michigan, and found out that the hurt, humiliation and family problems that unemployment brings aren’t just about the financial losses. He also discusses how the global economy is making employment more difficult in the U.S., and suggests some ways to alleviate the burden of the unemployed and help all workers gain good, secure employment.
When you ask an American, “where are you from?” most of them will say it’s where they live now or where they were born. We talk to one man who thought long and hard about that question and went on a journey around the Midwest and Plains States to try to answer it. He learned a lot about his family’s heritage and the cost in lives, land and culture that indigenous peoples paid so European settlers could call themselves Americans.
We talk to two negotiation specialists about how to approach a salary increase request and get some psychological advice on how to gain the upper hand.
We talk to two employment specialists about how the interview and resume processes have changed, and how applicants can get the edge in the digital job search market.
We’re taught from a young age that we should obey authority and do what adults tell us to do. Those lessons usually work in our favor, however there are times when a child – and an adult – should say "no" to the ones in charge. Our guest has studied this issue and has come up with situations where refusing to do something is the right thing, and he discusses when and how to say “no” effectively and for the benefit of the individual and others.
We talk to a noted contract and family law attorney who has written extensively on the cohabitation to find out how society and the courts view cohabitation relationships.
These days “instant photography” means digital pictures that can be cropped, enhanced, captioned and uploaded to the Internet in a matter of minutes. It wasn’t that long ago, however, that “instant” photography was a lot more cumbersome and complex, and as novel as the latest tech gadgets are today. We’ll hear about the genius who made the first instant photos happen, take a look at his other inventions, and hear how his success led to a battle of giants in the photography world.
Snapchat is quickly rising to the top of the social media hierarchy, and presidential candidates want to tap into its growing audience. But how exactly do you reach young voters on social media without sounding “too political” and boring?
Everyone makes lists: shopping lists, to-do lists, Christmas lists, and many more. But what do your lists say about you?
The Netflix television show, Orange is the New Black, depicts life in a women’s prison – but is it real? Are the inmates whose lives they portray realistic? We toured a real women’s medium-security prison, talked to the administration and some inmates there to find out. We also talk to the real-life Alex Vause from OITNB, Cleary Wolters – a former inmate and friend of Piper Kerman, author of the book Orange is the New Black: My year in a women’s prison.
What’s a women’s prison really like? We visited Rockville Correctional Facility and sat down with two inmates to discuss their prison experience, past regrets and what they’ve learned while serving their sentences.
Our guest offers a new way to discuss abortion – without taking sides, without name-calling or raised voices -- that brings the issue to a more personal and compassionate level.
We hear that we should be happy, and that happiness helps you live longer, brings more tranquility to your life, and to the lives of your family and friends. But do you know what happiness truly is? We talk to a psychologist and a philosopher about the essence of happiness, how to find it and how it’s different from person to person and across the globe.
We talk to a historian about how executive powers and privilege for the President were created not by Congress but by the first man to hold the nation’s highest office.
We talk to jazz legend Sheila Jordan and her biographer about Jordan’s career, the racism that jazz musicians experienced, and the need to preserve this music for future generations.
We talk to two specialists in human trafficking about the issue and what’s being done to help the survivors of this horrible crime and their families.
We talk to a self-proclaimed “odd child” and imaginative artist and also to a psychotherapist about the pitfalls of over-involved parenting and the benefits of letting kids be on their own to use their imaginations.
We talk to a veteran comedy writer about the process of writing funny stuff and the successes and failures that make a comedian a star.
Are invasive species present because they’re the only ones that can thrive in an area? Are they multiplying because of something bad we’re injecting into their environment? Are these aliens actually helping nature create a diverse and robust environment? And are those so-called native species of plants and animals really native? Our guests have some surprising answers to those questions.
There has been a debate going on for decades over Social Security and it’s future. Sometimes we hear that it’s going to go bankrupt; other times politicians want to scrap part of it and have workers find commercial financial instruments for their retirement; still others want to cut money paid out to retirees, their survivors and the disabled. We talk to an author and researcher about his ideas on why Social Security is important, isn’t going broke, and how it can be expanded and funded with modest increases in the future.
When the last child leaves home for college, marriage or that first job, parents are often sad and at loose ends about how the rest of their lives will progress. We talk to a therapist and author who’s experienced her own children leaving home, about the emotions of “the empty nest” and what parents can do to reframe their lives when the children go out on their own.
We talk to a researcher and author about how the framing of climate change can skew the message and create attitudes that affect how we think of global warming and how we become motivated to do something about it.
We talk to a man who has researched the unusual side of gardening and find out about some very interesting plants, and how they were cultivated and used in the past as hallucinogens, medicines and tourist attractions.
Does it ever seem like the more you try to get stuff done, the less you accomplish? We talk to two experts about some simple strategies you can use to make more of the time you have to get things done.
We talk to a writer and editor about the importance of letter writing, and what we can learn from reading letters from notables and unknowns of the past.
America is a melting pot with its many traditions and cuisines. Some of the food that is so loved by families across the country isn’t the healthiest. Two cooks and a baker share how they are making ethnic dishes healthier.
We talk to one of Steve Jobs's biographers about how he changed his ways after he left Apple, and how his experiences with NeXt Computer, Pixar, and becoming a husband and father helped him develop into a more understanding innovator and leader.
There were many women who contributed knowledge and sometimes their health and lives to the Atomic Age, but who are overshadowed by the men. We talk to two authors whose books give these women the recognition they deserve.
There are movies about a lot of sports and athletic competitions, but for some reason baseball outnumbers them all. Why is that?
We’ll hear how the Bill of Rights is, indeed, a cohesive and carefully plotted document, how it captures the essence of liberty our forefathers fought for, and how, in modern cases, some amendments are misinterpreted.
We talk to two creative people – one an artist and the other a business consultant – about the essence of creativity, how they foster creativity in their work and how anyone can be creative if they just look at their life and work in a different way.
Our guest, a former U.S. astronaut admits he wasn’t the best young student in school in those subjects, but later on he grew fascinated by them and turned his newfound interest into becoming a Navy pilot and then a member of NASA’s Space Shuttle team
Our guest took a 31-day vacation from the Internet to reconnect with her loved-ones and learn about how online life needs to be balanced with face-to-face communications and relaxation
Two travel experts about where the action is this season, how to get more for your travel dollars, and hear some tips for making your travel more fun.
Our guest says that he’s talked to people who have found ways of incorporating their dreams into their lives in very creative and he’ll pass along some advice on just how to do it.
We talk to a cyber-security expert and a technology attorney about the new threats to privacy and how we can protect ourselves from intrusions.
How do professionals question people to get the information they want? We talk to a specialist on interrogation and lying about this topic.
Can race be taught as a school subject, like chemistry and foreign language? And if so, what kinds of curricula are best for making students understand how other races fit into and benefit society?
Everyone knows the line “It was a dark and stormy night” from Snoopy’s exploits as a budding novelist. But do you know the real author of that famous line, and why he has a literary competition named after him?
What can we do to keep our bosses happy, our client's needs fulfilled, and ourselves from pulling out our hair? We talk to two men who have found that meditating can help workers.
Search dogs will follow a scent for miles and even put their lives in danger looking for survivors of mudslides and building collapses. How do they do it, and why?
This year marks the 25th anniversary of the Gardner Museum heist of millions of dollars in paintings by Rembrandt, Vermeer and others. Nobody knows who took the paintings, but our guest has a theory.
A few weeks ago, veteran news anchor, Brian Williams, was suspended because he had embellished a story. We talk to a psychologist and a news veteran about the issue, how it can happen and what the future may hold for Williams.
Many people remain in bad situations because they are afraid to quit, but they shouldn’t. We’ll hear about steps anyone can take when it’s time to quit and move on.
A number of high-profile companies have appointed new CEOs lately. What is it that makes one candidate better than another to lead a corporation and make it innovative and profitable? We talk to two management specialists about the characteristics of a good leader, what the CEO is responsible for, and what sets great CEOs apart from other business leaders.
The Academy Award-nominated film, “The Imitation Game” brought to light the contributions of Alan Turing in breaking the Enigma code during WWII. Throughout his career, he thought that maybe we could build a computer that could think like a human. But could even the best tech whizzes of today build a machine that could not only think but also converse like a human? We talk to a man who researched that issue and even competed in a contest to prove he was human, and find out what it takes for chatbots to
Millions of Americans are addicted to alcohol and drugs, and many of them end up unemployed, broken away from their families and homeless. We talk to a psychologist about the causes of addiction, and why some people are more likely to fall to it than others, and find out how an author who is battling alcohol and drug addiction made his journey to sobriety, and the lessons he learned on the way.
The history of physics is a long and extremely interesting one, littered with the names of some of the most famous scientists in the world, like Galileo, Newton, Copernicus, Einstein, Curie, and others. It is also the story of great discoveries that changed cultures, religious beliefs and politics over the centuries. We talk to a science historian about a few of the highlights throughout the long history of physics and astronomy.
Millions of Americans are addicted to alcohol and drugs, and many of them end up unemployed, broken away from their families and homeless. We talk to a psychologist about the causes of addiction, and why some people are more likely to fall to it than others, and find out how an author who is battling alcohol and drug addiction made his journey to sobriety, and the lessons he learned on the way.
Conflict is part of life, but it doesn’t have to be a negative experience. We talk to two experts on conflict about how to make disagreements with a spouse or other family member, or with colleagues at work a positive and productive learning experience.
All of us drew pictures as children, but as we grew older, we saw that we either did or did not have real talent. Those of us who were not skilled gave it up and went on to do other things. Our guest says that we shouldn’t have dropped the pencil or paintbrush, and He’ll tell us how we can all benefit from drawing on a daily basis – both in developing skill in art, and creativity and confidence in other parts of our lives.
Civics classes in many grade schools and high schools aren’t the same as they were back 20 years ago, when teachers lectured on “how a bill becomes a law” to a roomful of bored students. These days, kids are more likely to discuss and debate some of the most pressing issues of the day. We talk to two researchers about how some schools are teaching students how to debate correctly, how discussion of hot topics can foster understanding of diverse points of view, and the long-term benefits for students w
The next presidential campaigns are gearing up and GOP and Democratic hopefuls are already testing the waters more than 18 months before the elections. The people you see in front of the cameras and in the headlines are only part of the story, though. Behind the scenes are men and women who support the candidates in very important ways. We’ll hear about a few of these hardworking “sidekicks” who served some of our modern presidents, and even about one who made George Washington smile!
So much literature is written by white authors – of the past and present – that it’s not always relevant to young people of color, immigrants or those from non-western backgrounds. Our guest, an award-winning author, says it’s time to hear from different voices in literature – beginning when children just start to open books. We’ll hear how she became a writer, and get a peek inside her memoir of growing up in two worlds – written entirely in verse. Hosted by Marty Peterson.
Many of us make resolutions on New Year’s Day to lose weight, exercise more or maybe save more money. How are those going a month later? Most Americans don’t keep resolutions after a few weeks. Why is that? We’ll discuss strategies for planning and fulfilling that big change in your life.
It’s amazing that in the 21st century, science knows so much about all of the organs of the body save one: the brain. We talk to a scientist and author about the unbelievable abilities of the brain, how memories help us predict the future, where dreams are located, how brain injury can sometimes make someone a genius, and how research into brain function is opening up new areas of understanding the mind and its possibilities.
Kids are always on their phones, tablets or computers – even when they’re sitting across from one another at the lunch table! Does communicating via screens hurt kids? We talk to two researchers who found that too much screen time at the cost of face-to-face communication could decrease our ability to recognize emotions, and possibly even shorten our lives.
Sometimes talking about serious subjects, even with friends and family, can cause arguments and bad feelings. But just as Mary Poppins said, “…a spoonful of sugar makes the medicine go down,” humor can make the discussion of serious subjects go down easier. Our guests are two very talented and funny people who use humor, satire and irony to make their points about women in science, and the immigrants’ experience.
Late night television has changed dramatically during the past year with younger hosts such as Jimmy Fallon, Seth Meyers, Stephen Colbert and James Corden taking over the helms of popular shows. Are these new hosts going to change late night in a substantial way? And if so, will they be changes for the better? We talk with a media professor and a former late night talk show star and author about the issue.
We’ve all heard stories about people who overcome tremendous odds and end up becoming a success. Or they’re faced with a serious illness, but they manage to come through it healthier and happier. How do they do it? We talk to two people who have experience with adversity about what it takes to make it through the dark, and seemingly hopeless times in life.
We all want answers to the complicated questions in life, but sometimes just asking the questions are enough to make us think deeply about our lives and our world. We talk to a man who has made a living asking questions that sometimes have no hard and fast answers, or where the resolution changes depending upon our age or circumstances. He tells us how the process of coming to an answer is often more important than any one answer itself.
One fact that was brought out during the onslaught of that Hurricane Sandy was the need to update our nation’s weather forecasting and emergency management systems. We talk to a journalist and author who conducted research on the storm, the systems that tracked it and found out how our weather forecasting, tracking and evacuation protocols and equipment need to be modernized to deal with the extreme weather that climate change will bring us in the future.
Why are people so afraid to give speeches in public? It’s the cause of sweaty palms, headaches, nausea and weak knees, to mention only a few of the problems speakers experience. We talk to a psychologist and a speech educator about why anxiety builds when we have to give a public address, and how we can use this stress to our benefit.
The PBS series, “Downton Abbey” premieres this week, and it’s one in a long line of very popular programs that the network has produced. How do they find shows like “Downton,” “Sherlock,” “Brideshead Revisited,” and “Poldark”? What goes into choosing which programs make it on the air? And how has the format for “Masterpiece” affected commercial network programming through the years? We talk to the producer of the series and also to a TV expert about these issues.