Viewpoints Radio
Award-winning reporting on current issues featuring America's leading experts.
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.
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.
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 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.
More young people are reading these days thanks to one community on TikTok. We discuss the rise of BookTok and how publishers and authors are using this platform to better engage with consumers.
Location sharing can feel like a simple safety net, but we look at what happens when “peace of mind” turns into constant, obsessive monitoring. From parents tracking young adult children to couples sharing this real-time info, we explore how this technology can protect, pressure or slowly erode trust depending on how it’s used.
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.
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.
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 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.
Prediction markets were initially built to forecast elections and economic moves but they’re now being used to bet on war, political upheaval and global instability. As money flows into these high-stakes wagers, the line between informed forecasting and profiting off real-world consequences has merged into one and is now under investigation.
We follow pilot and author Caroline Paul into an open cockpit aircraft where there’s little barrier between you and the sky, and where flight turns away from routine and headaches and more into adventure.
Some of the most clinical terms in mental health are now part of everyday speech used in texts, arguments and self-diagnosis. We look at how this cultural shift is changing the way people interpret behavior, label others and understand themselves - and why these medical terms may lead to more confusion and conflict.
For decades, the plan was simple: work nonstop until your mid-60’s and then finally retire. But a growing number of younger workers are pressing pause much earlier, taking intentional breaks from their careers to travel, learn or reset.
Few diet trends divide people quite like keto. Some swear by its strict low-carb formula, while others say the rules are too extreme to last. And yet, even in the age of Ozempic and new weight-loss drugs, keto continues to attract a loyal following. We look at why the diet is different than the rest and still sparks such strong reactions.
For nearly two centuries, HBCU’s have been launchpads, shaping generations of Black leaders and strengthening entire industries. Even today, as these universities produce an outsized share of doctors, judges and engineers, they’re still pushing back against funding gaps and outdated narratives in America.
We cover why the classic after-school job is steadily disappearing, as automation, economic pressure and increased competition edge teens out of the workforce. Experts explain what’s driving the shift and why it matters beyond just a summer paycheck.
When life feels overwhelming, wellness offers answers, or at least something to buy. We look at how self-care turned into a multi-trillion-dollar industry, and why the promise of feeling better so often comes wrapped in marketing.
Australia has become the first country to ban children under sixteen from social media, forcing platforms to block millions of young users overnight. Supporters say the move draws a long-overdue line around online harm while critics feel that it could push teens into riskier digital spaces with less oversight. As legal challenges mount and other countries watch closely, we cover what drove the …
Following an executive order that would reduce funding – which has since been overturned – libraries need support now more than ever.
We cover how researchers are uncovering how disrupted infant sleep may alter brain development and emotional regulation well into adulthood.
We explore where these tools can help, where they fall short, and how some states are already beginning to regulate their use in therapeutic settings.
We’re joined by two experts who trace the divide back to social media, shifting power dynamics, and cultural change. Both also raise some key questions about how this generational split will reshape current norms.
We explore what led to the closure, the political forces behind it and why experts warn the ripple effects both at home and abroad could be devastating.
Subscribe to get the latest from Viewpoints Radio directly in your inbox.
