The Beacon Waves: Recent Episodes
The Beacon Today
Palm Beach Atlantic University's journalism program presents a mixed-bag podcast channel. We cover topics from environmental trends to psychology to policies and controversies in the digital, Gen-Z world. Check us out a thebeacontoday.com
On this episode of Just Sayin’ Dan and new co-host, Rach, dive into new topics regarding education in Florida. From discussing their own experiences to books under ban threats, and the meaning of being a life-long learner, the duo discusses how truly crucial education and learning are to people at all stages of life.
On this episode of Just Sayin’, Geege and Dan discuss Palm Beach Atlantic University’s Monday Night Live. “MNL” is a student-run comedy show, similar to Saturday Night Live, that has everything from live skits to video sketches, and musical performances. Jacob Rinker, an MNL actor, joins in on the discussion to give behind-the-scenes information as well as hint at the upcoming show. Rinker also dives into his own personal experience in his MNL journey along with comedy in general. “I like making people laugh, I get a lot of joy from putting a smile on people’s faces," he said. "Go see MNL! Enjoy friends!"
By Gianna D'Occhio and Daniella Pacheco
Find more inspiring stories at thebeacontoday.com!
On this episode of Just Sayin', Dan and Geege chat about the importance of Women’s History Month. Female entrepreneur and co-founder of Angie’s Epicurean Angela Fernandez discusses how Women’s History Month can be a beautiful time to help other women and support those who are trying to start a business. Geege and Dan also give a personal insight into their definition of the celebration and discuss local women-owned businesses worth supporting. Welcome to Just Sayin', friends!
By Gianna D'Occhio and Daniella Pacheco
Find more inspiring stories at thebeacontoday.com!
Our2Sons, founded by Cindy Singer and Staci Katz, was created to provide support for people struggling with drug addiction and walk with those people in early recovery. With help from donations, Singer and Katz are able to make themselves available to meet the needs of so many who feel alone or abandoned. Listen to the podcast above to hear the incredible story of how they got started, and what their organization is doing today.
To donate to Our2Sons, visit their website at our2sons.org or search Our2Sons on Facebook and find a link there. They also take donations through mail at 17144 Bermuda Village Drive
Boca Raton, FL 33487.
If you or someone you know is struggling with addiction, please contact the SAMHSA substance abuse helpline at 1-800-662-HELP.
An inside look into what it is like to be a journalist in today’s climate. Tune in to interviews with CBS 12 reporter Madeline Montgomery, award-winning CBS 12 reporter and anchor Stefany Valderrama, and Emmy-award winning CBS 12 photojournalist Max Shepman. In this series, we will cover what it takes to be a journalist in today’s day and age of the global pandemic, while also facing the issues associated with the fake news dilemma. Listen in as we highlight the difference between the facts journalists work hard to share compared to the mass of misleading clickbait that makes up today’s growing social media networks.
By Morgan Therrien
An inside look into what it is like to be a journalist in today’s climate. Tune in to interviews with CBS 12 reporter Madeline Montgomery, award-winning CBS 12 reporter and anchor Stefany Valderrama, and Emmy-award winning CBS 12 photojournalist Max Shepman. In this series, we will cover what it takes to be a journalist in today’s day and age of the global pandemic, while also facing the issues associated with the fake news dilemma. Listen in as we highlight the difference between the facts journalists work hard to share compared to the mass of misleading clickbait that makes up today’s growing social media networks.
By Morgan Therrien
An inside look into what it is like to be a journalist in today’s climate. Tune in to interviews with CBS 12 reporter Madeline Montgomery, award-winning CBS 12 reporter and anchor Stefany Valderrama, and Emmy-award winning CBS 12 photojournalist Max Shepman. In this series, we will cover what it takes to be a journalist in today’s day and age of the global pandemic, while also facing the issues associated with the fake news dilemma. Listen in as we highlight the difference between the facts journalists work hard to share compared to the mass of misleading clickbait that makes up today’s growing social media networks.
By Morgan Therrien
For a long time, Cindy Rivero lived with shame and fear that led to her shutting her voice out. As a sex trafficking survivor, Rivero now uses her story to be an advocate for other victims and speaks out to educate other women.
By Daniella Parra
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is a progressive lung disease that prevents people from breathing clearly and properly. It affects more than 16.4 million Americans, according to the American Lung Association. So far, there’s no cure for this disease as COPD hospital readmission rates continue to soar all over the country.
At Holy Cross Health in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, a team of respiratory therapists is on a mission to decrease readmission rates by educating their patients on how to manage their COPD.
“The patients aren’t really told why they’re [taking medications]. ‘Just take it. It’ll make you feel better,’” said Helen Visco, the respiratory therapist who completely revamped Holy Cross’ COPD program. “Education starts in our first meeting with the patients here in the hospital.”
A surplus of readmission rates can affect a hospital’s federal funding, so it was crucial that the Holy Cross respiratory department developed a solution. More importantly, readmissions mean patients are still having difficulties maintaining a disease that’ll stay with them for the rest of their lives. That’s where Visco and her team come into play.
By educating patients and diligently following-up with them once they’re discharged from the hospital, the patients gained a sense of trust and placed their hope into a program that wants to see them live a better quality of life.
Hear how the new-and-improved COPD program helped a patient learn how to live with the challenges of her condition. Also, Visco and the manager of Holy Cross’s respiratory department explain how they initially launched the program and how other hospitals could replicate their success.
By Amber Amortegui
The streets of downtown West Palm Beach are loud, outgoing and fun to spend your weekends at. However, we tend to miss what is also going on at these streets. Homeless people on Clematis don’t have enough water and are starving. The Give Back Community, led by international student Umberto Rossi is trying to do something about this issue. Every Friday night The Give Back Community gathers together with volunteers to provide the homeless with food, water and clothes. But that is not all they do. Rossi sits down with the homeless, to listen to their story and to help them change their lives.
Have you ever wondered how your favorite dish makes it to the dinner table? Journalist Rachida Harper explores the ins and outs of farming with her co-host, Kyle Shelton, and two agriculturalists.
In this first episode of the Beyond the Crown podcast you will meet, understand, and find motivation from beauty queens as they share what’s beyond their crowns. These women are strong, smart, and powerful leaders in their communities, and you can be too. In this Podcast you will learn about the dedication, purpose, and discipline it takes to earn a crown on your head… whether it be in pageants or in life. Miss South Florida Fair 2019, Mariluz Cook and Miss Palm Beach County USA 2019, Ginelle Ruffa join as guests to discuss the Miss America 2.0 Rule Changes.
The neighborhoods of North Tamarind are some of the most dangerous areas in the city of West Palm Beach, Florida. Ricky Aiken, founder of Inner City Innovators, tells his incredible story of overcoming a background of addiction, violence and struggle, ultimately becoming a leader in the movement to bridge the gap between cultures and classes among West Palm Beach.
We dove deep into the study of our dreams (and nightmares), featuring real-life testimonials, research, and professional interviews.
Let's talk about personality tests. Where do these tests come from? Are they even accurate or helpful?
We did a little of our own research and dug up the skeptic side of the argument.
Music credits: Roadtrip by Joakim Karud Dawn by Sappheiros
Special thanks to: Chris Rivera truTV's "Adam Ruins Everything"
A few modern miracle stories are told here -
The Browns won some games for the first time in over 600 days. A college grad started up a small business from a tricycle, and it is actually successful. A girl was told her entire teenage and adult life that a disorder would make it impossible for her to have children. Today, she is fourteen weeks pregnant.
We use peer conversation and interviews to tell these stories and get firsthand accounts - and Alex cracks a few jokes too.
Music credits: Intersection by DJ Quads Endeavor by MGR 7TH Waves by Joakim Karud Feel Good by Chris Hayes Music
Special thanks to: Nate Eichner Chris Morgret Amy Schatzmann Rebecca Roulette
The NFL has a concussion problem. The music industry is too draining for too many artists. College students are struggling to keep their chins up under the pressures of school and adult life.
We read the numbers and followed the trends in an attempt to get inside the heads of athletes, college students, and musicians alike.
Music credits: "Lovestory" by AK "Simple Chill Intro Song/Rap Beat" by CMeisterBeats "Simple" by HipHopBases "Slow Motion" by ben from BenSound
Thank you to: -Emily Fedeli -Sports Illustrated: "Will NFL Be Able To Enforce Its New Helmet-Hit Rule?" -CNN: "What Is CTE?" -Vox: "The NFL's Concussion Crisis, Explained" -News 5 Cleveland: "Record high numbers of more college students seeking mental health help" -CBS Boston: "New Concerns About Mental Health Of College Students" -ABC News (1994): "Kurt Cobain's Death"
People everywhere are ditching plastic straws and switching to paper to save our oceans. In West Palm Beach, local business owners are digging deep into their pockets to afford the trend while local scientists fear the public is missing the point.