Episodes
A high-stakes legal fight is unfolding between Harvard University and the current administration. At the center: international students, federal funding and questions about free speech on campus. We look at how one of the country’s top schools became a political flashpoint—and what’s at stake beyond the Ivy League.
Learn More: https://viewpointsradio.org/harvard-university-vs-president-donald-trump-inside-the-upheaval-in-higher-education
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From McDonald’s to Taco Bell, fast food is in nearly every American town and city —but how did we get here, and what does our obsession with speed and convenience say about our culture? We trace the rise of fast food and explore its broader impact on health, business, and the American family.
Learn More: https://viewpointsradio.org/americas-deep-ties-to-the-rise-of-fast-food
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The Life of Chuck is a rare, heartfelt Stephen King adaptation that traces one man’s life in reverse. Directed by Mike Flanagan, it swaps horror for hope, and we review why it’s a must see this summer.
Learn More: https://viewpointsradio.org/culture-crash-stephen-kings-most-unexpected-movie-yet
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A new study finds that America’s largest cities are sinking each year. We cover what’s really behind this change and why it’s an urgent issue affecting millions.
Learn More: https://viewpointsradio.org/viewpoints-explained-sinking-cities-whats-causing-the-ground-to-drop
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More than one third of collegiate athletes have experienced a mental illness at some point in their lives. We speak with Dr. Julie Amato, a sports psychologist, about the prevalence of mental health disorders among young athletes and what’s being done to improve support services and get rid of stigma both on and off-campus.
Learn More: https://viewpointsradio.org/the-push-to-improve-youth-mental-health-care
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Incarcerated people are legally entitled to healthcare, but are often met with delays, denials and bias. Former prisoner Chanell Burnette and researcher Brian Nam-Sonenstein reveal how cost-cutting, secrecy, and for-profit contractors are putting lives at risk inside U.S. prisons.
Learn More: https://viewpointsradio.org/they-called-it-healthcare-we-called-it-survival
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We review the online platform, Letterboxd. Think Goodreads - but for movies instead.
Learn More: https://viewpointsradio.org/culture-crash-love-movies-why-you-should-get-on-letterboxd
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Over the past two decades, caffeine levels have continued to creep higher and higher. We cover how much hidden caffeine is packed inside many of these newer energy drinks and the consequences of being overly caffeinated.
Learn More: https://viewpointsradio.org/viewpoints-explained-the-sneaky-ways-in-which-we-overcaffeinate
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As the use of artificial intelligence tools like ChatGPT become common in schools, teachers are grappling with a steep rise in student cheating and declining engagement. We discuss AI’s real-world impact on learning, from eroded writing and reading comprehension skills to broader ethical and societal concerns.
Learn More: https://viewpointsradio.org/is-artificial-intelligence-destroying-education
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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. We cover the long history of the Kennedy reign and how this name continues to persist today.
Learn More: https://viewpointsradio.org/how-a-single-mother-in-boston-sparked-a-political-empire
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Weddings come with a long checklist—venue, catering, flowers, music and so on. But an increasing number of couples are adding something unexpected to this list.
Learn More: https://viewpointsradio.org/viewpoints-explained-the-quiet-shift-happening-before-weddings-this-summer
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It’s not your typical horror franchise—and that’s exactly the point. Final Destination is back yet again, and this time has more elaborate deaths, unexpected nostalgia and a familiar question: can anyone really cheat death?
Learn More: https://viewpointsradio.org/culture-crash-death-rides-again-in-final-destination-bloodlines
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For several decades, Native families passed down quiet, painful stories about children taken, languages lost and lives upended. Journalist and citizen of the Red Cliff Ojibwe Tribe Mary Annette Pember heard them too, but it wasn’t until she went digging through church archives that these and countless other stories were brought to the surface. This week, we trace the dark hidden history of Native American boarding schools in a post-Civil War America.
Learn More:
https://viewpointsradio.org/erased-the-untold-story-of-native-children-in-u-s-boarding-schools
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Ever wish that you could turn back time and choose differently? Everyone’s been there at one point or another. Regret is an all-too-common feeling that’s part of life| but it’s what we learn from our mistakes that matters. Writer Daniel Pink joins us this week to break down the intricacies of this emotion and what so many people get wrong about regret.
https://viewpointsradio.org/the-surprising-science-of-what-we-regret-most
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Bon Iver has made heartbreak an art form — but his latest album flips the script in a way that listeners aren’t expecting. We cover how we feel about this newest drop titled, “Sable, Fable”.
Learn More: https://viewpointsradio.org/culture-crash-bon-iver-breaks-the-pattern-in-his-newest-album
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Last summer, the ground erupted in sound. What caused this rare, deafening phenomenon — and how do cicadas know when it’s time to emerge after several years underground?
Learn More: https://viewpointsradio.org/viewpoints-explained-the-secret-timing-of-cicadas
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Burnout, anxiety, and identity crises—sometimes therapy alone isn’t enough. This episode explores the transformative role of life coaching through the lens of Mason Farmani, a high-powered executive who realized success wasn’t the same as fulfillment. We break down makes life coaching different, what to look for in a credible coach, and why self-awareness—not job titles—is the real foundation of a meaningful life.
Learn More:
https://viewpointsradio.org/when-therapy-isnt-enough-how-life-coaches-help-you-rewrite-the-playbook
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For tens of millions of former prisoners, freedom comes with a steep price — social stigma, debt, and systemic barriers to employment. We dive into the challenges this population faces when reentering society, and how a new wave of “second chance” hiring is creating meaningful change in the workforce.
Learn More:
https://viewpointsradio.org/when-the-sentence-ends-the-struggle-begins
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In this podcast-exclusive episode, you'll hear the original interview audio between Viewpoints Radio producer Polly Hansen and BBC correspondent and author of "All the Living and the Dead" Hayley Campbell. The two have a conversation about the nuances of working within the death industry and all of the invisible roles within this field that people aren't as familiar with. They also talk about how death is viewed in the U.S. and why - unlike other cultures - people tend to distance themselves from the post-mortem body.
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Earlier this month, former President Donald Trump called for the reopening of Alcatraz as a federal prison. But what would that take? We explore the history, cost, legal hurdles, and political undertones behind the proposal—and why the idea may not be as straightforward as it sounds.
Learn More: https://viewpointsradio.org/viewpoints-explained-alcatraz-prison-museum-or-political-symbo
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With Sinners, Ryan Coogler moves beyond franchises to deliver a bold, original film that’s part musical, part horror, and entirely unforgettable. We look at how this ambitious story set in 1930s Mississippi is winning over critics and audiences alike.
Learn More: https://viewpointsradio.org/culture-crash-ryan-cooglers-sinners-the-rise-of-the-original-blockbuster
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We’re more connected to the news than ever—but at what cost? We explore how the modern media environment is reshaping our mental space, and what happens when it becomes harder to look away than to stay informed.
Learn More: https://viewpointsradio.org/headline-stress-disorder-is-real-are-you-stuck-in-the-doom-loop
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After decades in broadcasting, Gerald McBride wasn’t looking for a new career, but he was interested in following a new passion. We explore his journey as a first-time filmmaker and what his path says about creative evolution at any age.
Learn More: https://viewpointsradio.org/seventeen-years-one-dream-turning-passion-into-action-at-any-age
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As steep tariffs on imports take effect, people are responding with full carts and growing concern. But this act isn’t a luxury everyone can afford. We cover the ripple effects of incoming tariffs.
Learn More: https://viewpointsradio.org/viewpoints-explained-what-tariffs-are-quietly-triggering-across-america
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Audiobooks aren’t new—but they’re more accessible than ever before. Many selections are also free through certain platforms. We cover the world of audiobooks on this week’s Culture Crash.
Learn More: https://viewpointsradio.org/culture-crash-why-its-time-to-rethink-how-you-read
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If landing a job today feels harder than it should, you’re not imagining it. In this segment, we speak with longtime career consultant Sheila Nielsen to explore the invisible barriers in today’s hiring landscape and the strategy that can get you in the door and at the interview table.
Learn More:
https://viewpointsradio.org/outsmarting-the-system-standing-out-in-todays-tough-job-market
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Conspiracy theories have been around for hundreds of years. From secret projects to secret government societies, these theories are prevalent across society. We speak with two conspiracy experts about how these stories arise, why they’re so pervasive online and how artificial intelligence can make these narratives more difficult to detect.
Learn More: https://viewpointsradio.org/misinformation-nation-conspiracy-theories-in-the-digital-age
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Major pharmacy chains like Walgreens and CVS are closing stores and slashing costs—but it’s more than a financial story. As competition rises and consumer habits shift, what’s at stake for patients who rely on these physical locations?
Learn More:
https://viewpointsradio.org/viewpoints-explained-inside-the-struggles-of-walgreens-cvs-and-the-modern-drugstore
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With the passing of Pope Francis last month, viewership of the recent film, “Conclave” has spiked. We offer our review of the blockbuster movie and its depiction of the real-life conclave held in Vatican City.
Learn More:
https://viewpointsradio.org/culture-crash-why-everyone-should-watch-conclave
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Misinformation about autism isn’t new—but it’s gaining traction in dangerous ways. This week, we confront the myths head-on, exploring what autism really is (and what it isn’t) and why political language and policy matter. Experts Kristyn Roth and Dr. Emily Hotez share what the latest science tells us.
Learn More:
https://viewpointsradio.org/separating-fact-from-fiction-the-truth-about-autism
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