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.
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 buildouts. 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.
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.
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?
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
