Viewpoints Radio
Award-winning reporting on current issues featuring America's leading experts.
Before becoming Executive Producer of both shows, Amirah attended the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (Go Illini!) and earned a degree in broadcast journalism…
Executive Producer
This week - we cover how Halloween’s modern traditions trace back to ancient Celtic and Christian customs that have evolved over centuries.
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 her take on traditional Korean recipes and ingredients that make up the cuisine.
How can AI actually make your life easier? We look at practical ways to use these tools for everyday tasks and decision-making, along with the limits, privacy concerns and why using your human judgment still matters.
Legendary designer Bob Mackie passed away at the age of 87 last month. We highlight some of his biggest triumphs and how his timeless design style still transcends through time.
High-speed trains have transformed travel across Europe and Asia, but the U.S. has barely gotten started. We look at what’s held America back and whether a growing number of regional projects could finally change that.
Artificial intelligence gets a lot of attention for what could go wrong, but some of its most useful applications may be surprisingly mundane. We look at how governments are using it to simplify confusing forms, shorten wait times and make public services easier to navigate.
Investment scams are getting harder to spot as criminals use crypto, fake websites and AI to look legitimate. We break down the warning signs that can help listeners avoid falling victim.
As NASA looks deeper into dark matter and dark energy, astrophysicist Sarafina El-Badry Nance is asking a different question: who gets the chance to help solve those mysteries? She explains why broader access, mentorship and representation in astrophysics matter if the field wants to reach its full potential.
Even people who understand the healthcare system can struggle to find the off-ramp when treatment stops matching what a patient wants. We explore why end-of-life options are so often discussed too late and how families can start those conversations sooner.
Flock license plate cameras are helping police solve crimes faster, but their rapid spread is raising a bigger question about how much of our everyday movement should be tracked.
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.
Holiday travel can be stressful for pets, whether they’re joining the trip or staying behind. Veterinarian Dr. Carol Osborne shares how owners can prepare pets for travel, choose a safe sitter or boarding facility and make unfamiliar environments feel a little more like home.
Many museums across the country have been struggling to make ends meet over the last few years. We look at why some are now being forced to close their doors.
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.
Cats have a reputation for being moody, mysterious and nearly impossible to train. But there’s a lot more behind their behavior. This week, we explore what makes cats so unique and how thousands of years alongside humans shaped the furry felines we know today.
We cover how Gen Z is embracing sewing, mending and other “granny hobbies.”
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.
Why does a song from decades ago bring back details you thought you’d forgotten? Princeton researcher Elizabeth Margulis looks at what happens when music sends our minds wandering, why certain songs become tied to specific chapters of our lives and what we lose when listening to music takes a backseat.
School cellphone bans are spreading fast in recent years, but is this new initiative actually working? We look at what changes when phones leave from classrooms and why this policy may be here to stay.
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 couples to politics to global conflict, the same patterns can push people further apart. Psychotherapist Scott Gibbs explains what happens when fear, defensiveness and the need to be right takes over.
Peptides promising better skin, faster muscle recovery are more are quickly gaining popularity across the U.S. We cover the rise of injectable peptides, what exactly they are and the risks of buying these liquid vials online.
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.
It’s back-to-school season, and millions of kids and teens are heading back to school where they’ll eat 1-2 meals each day. We discuss modern school cafeteria menus, how they’ve changed from what we remember and what parents can take away from these menus and incorporate into snacks and dinners at home.
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