Viewpoints Radio

Award-winning reporting on current issues featuring America's leading experts.

Marty Peterson

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Marty Peterson - Co-Host of Viewpoints Radio - headshot

Marty became co-host of Viewpoints in 2008 and brings a unique background to the program. After earning a bachelor’s degree from Dartmouth College and an MBA…

Marty Peterson

Co-Host

When Body Types Become Trends

Body ideals have swung from ultra-thin to curvy and back again, but social media now puts those changing standards in front of young people constantly. Two eating disorder experts explain how online comparison and commentary about other people’s bodies can shape body image and what parents and guardians should watch for.

How Life Looks Different On Two Wheels: Inside Motorcycling

Motorcycles offer a sense of freedom that’s hard to replicate, but riding also comes with real risks. We look at what draws people to riding, the biggest dangers motorcyclists face and what every driver can do to make the road safer.

What A Mortician Can Teach Us About Death

Americans are notoriously uncomfortable when it comes to talking about death and being around the dead, but not every culture treats it as something to avoid. Mortician Caitlin Doughty takes us from India to Thailand to explore how other societies confront mortality more openly than we often do.

What’s Causing More Frequent And Severe Wildfires?

Wildfires are becoming harder to contain as hotter, drier conditions make fire seasons longer and more destructive. And the impact doesn’t stop at the fire line anymore. Smoke can travel thousands of miles, exposing people far from the flames to serious health risks. We look at what’s driving this scary increase and why controlled burns may be part of the solution.

From Shutout To Shaping Modern Basketball In The NBA

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.

Are GLP-1’S Killing The Restaurant Industry?

GLP-1 drugs are mixing up how some Americans eat, but they’re not the only force reshaping restaurant menus. We look at the growing trend towards smaller portions, more protein and social media-driven menu items.

Looksmaxxing: The Online Trend Changing How Young Men See Themselves

Looksmaxxing sells young men the idea that a better face or body can unlock confidence and success. We speak with two experts to understand how the trend has become a dangerous and addictive path into damaging comparisons, risky procedures and online communities that treat insecurity as a problem to be endlessly optimized.

The Psychology Behind Conformity Bias

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.

When Gas And Energy Bills Break The Budget

For millions of working households, higher prices mean constantly rearranging the same limited income. This story looks at how gas, utilities, housing and other basic costs are forcing families above the poverty line to cut back, delay bills and live without any real financial cushion.

Playing Through The Noise: Athletes, Social Media, And Mental Health

College and professional athletes face pressure from every direction and social media makes it nearly impossible to tune out the criticism. Two football players discuss the benefits and pitfalls of being online, and how athletes can protect their focus and well-being beyond the game.

The Simple Learning Tool We May Be Leaving Behind

In an era dominated by keyboards, it is easy to think handwriting is a skill of the past. But are we shortchanging our brains by abandoning this ability? Our guests this week explore the critical cognitive benefits of handwriting and discuss how the physical act of writing by hand significantly boosts literacy, memory retention, and idea generation.

The Housing Market’s Missing First Step

For generations, the starter home was the first real step into the American dream. Now, with prices climbing, inventory shrinking and builders incentivized to go bigger, we look at how that first rung of homeownership has moved out of reach for many first-time buyers.

“Am I Too Invested?”: The Emotional Rollercoaster Of Youth Sports

The world of youth sports can be incredibly taxing. Strenuous practices, hefty investments and increasingly selective teams can add up to parents pushing their kids to the brink. We speak with Rich Cohen, a longtime hockey dad, about the modern pressures of competitive sports and why some parents seem to end up caring more about winning than their child does.

No Driver, No Problem: Inside The Rise Of Waymo

Driverless cars are no longer a futuristic experiment but are already picking up passengers in cities across the country. We look at how the fast expanding rideshare company Waymo works| why some people trust it more than human drivers and the questions that remain as autonomous vehicles become part of everyday life.

The New Rules Of Political Comedy

Political comedy used to feel like a shared national pressure valve, but it feels far more fractured now. This story looks at how satire is changing in Trump’s second term and why the freedom to mock people in power still matters beyond the punchline.

The Hidden Forces Behind The Words We Use

Words like “rizz” and “unalive” may sound like internet throwaways, but they demonstrate how quickly social media is reshaping language. We’re joined by linguist Adam Aleksic who breaks down how slang spreads online, why emojis still matter and how algorithms are changing the way we communicate.

No Shade, No Standard: America’s Heat Safety Gap

As extreme heat intensifies, outdoor and factory workers are facing risks their jobs were never built to handle. With protections still varying by state, advocates are pushing for updated national standards on shade, water, rest and retaliation-free reporting.

After Live Nation And Ticketmaster’s Trial, Will Concerts Be Cheaper?

Concert tickets have skyrocketed in recent years, with Live Nation and Ticketmaster facing growing scrutiny over their control of the live music business. We look at the recent antitrust verdict against the companies and what it could mean for artists, independent venues and millions of fans across the U.S.

Protein Overload: What’s Behind Our Latest Food Obsession?

Protein has become the dominant signal of “healthy” today with everyone seemingly focused on how to increase their daily protein intake. However, experts say most Americans are already getting enough through a balanced and diverse diet. We delve into the massive shift towards protein-everything and how marketing is reshaping what we think we need.

Part 2: Fly Me To The Moon: The Science Of Surviving In Space

We look at the debate over whether the Moon or Mars is the more practical place for a first settlement, and the tradeoffs each present. In part two of this story, we focus turns to what long-term living would realistically entail and how humans would need to adapt.

Fly Me To The Moon Part 1: The Science Of Surviving In Space

In part 1 of this two-part story - we look at what daily life off Earth would require, from managing waste and hygiene to coping with confinement and constant exposure to risk. The science makes clear that reaching space is one hurdle while staying there safely is another entirely.

A File That Changed A Family’s History: Inside Interracial Marriage In America

We speak with Dorothy Roberts, an acclaimed law & sociology professor, about uncovering her father’s research on interracial marriage and the journey of realizing her own family and upbringing were part of this larger project. What starts as a personal discovery opens into a deeper look at race, identity and why relationships alone can’t undo deep-rooted discrimination.