Culture Crash: Are Movie Franchises Killing Creativity?
Is the Hollywood ‘franchise machine’ the downfall of great movies? We discuss if directors should balance their blockbuster hits with smaller indie pieces.

Is the Hollywood ‘franchise machine’ the downfall of great movies? We discuss if directors should balance their blockbuster hits with smaller indie pieces.

Cases of hantavirus are on the rise – is this the start of another pandemic? Here’s everything you need to know about the rare infection.

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.

Money decisions are rarely just about math. Financial expert Lev Mandel explains how early family lessons, anxiety and repeated habits can shape the way people view money and approach these conversations, and why understanding those patterns can help build a healthier relationship with finances over time.

Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey is already stirring debate over how ancient stories should sound on screen. We review his latest Hollywood blockbuster.

Matcha’s rise in the U.S. has turned a centuries-old tea tradition into a café staple and Gen Z favorite. We look at what’s fueling the boom and why not every green latte is the same quality.

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.

Edgar Smith was convicted of murder, but from prison, he built a powerful case for his own innocence. We speak with writer and author Sarah Weinman about how his story captured public attention and why so many people wanted to believe him.

We review Noah Kahan’s latest album that leans into a fuller sound while continuing his introspective songwriting style.

The United Arab Emirates departure from OPEC signals a shift in how global oil production is coordinated, potentially making energy markets less predictable over time.

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.

The financial impact of America’s white-collar crime dwarfs that of street level offenses, yet these cases are less visible and often less punished. We examine some of the structural reasons behind this big gap in enforcement.

We discuss how the viral Netflix show “Beef” turns a single conflict into a wider story about status, power, and how quickly everything in life can unravel.

Longtime Apple CEO Tim Cook is out after 15 years at its helm. Now, there are some hefty expectations facing the next leader of this legacy tech giant.

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.

We speak with two gardening experts to better understand what happens once planting begins, why results depend so heavily on local, year-to-year conditions and how to slowly implement more native species into your own personal gardens and yards.

We review the newest film “The Drama” and why these distinctly unique movies are less common these days.

We look at why sprawling menus are becoming harder for restaurants to sustain. Limiting options is helping kitchens stay predictable, reduce waste and keep service from breaking down during busy hours.

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.

We look at how the familiar formula of lawn, mulch, and seasonal color is being reconsidered by both home gardeners and growers. What’s replacing it is a more site-driven approach that prioritizes what can actually thrive in a space and what that land can give back to the surrounding ecosystem.

A.I. is all shiny and new in Hollywood, but we argue that traditional filmmaking still wins over audiences. We highlight the success of the recent film “Project Hail Mary” starring Ryan Gosling.

Intel created the processors found in most computers around the world and helped shape modern computing. Now, the legacy company is struggling to find a clear path forward in a crowded space. Will it reinvent itself and bounce back or end up in the tech graveyard?

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.

We have a conversation with communication expert Vanessa Van Edwards about the subtle cues people give off without realizing it and just how quickly those signals shape first impressions. Once you start paying attention to these signs, it’s clear how much they influence whether someone trusts you and takes you seriously.
Subscribe to get the latest from Viewpoints Radio directly in your inbox.

