Culture Crash: The Best Movies That Never Won Best Picture
Some of the most iconic films in history never won Best Picture. This episode looks at how timing, competition and Academy quirks shapes what gets remembered versus what’s overlooked.
Viewpoints Explained: The Limits Of Recycling In A Plastic World
If we spend effort recycling items, it’s logical to assume that most of these bottles, cartons and boxes will be recycled and reused. However, for plastic, this is rarely the case. We talk about the plastic crisis and why it’s important to cut down on the plastic you use in your daily life.
Changing Cancer Trends & One Olympian’s Cancer Story
Cancer is starting to show up in ways doctors didn’t expect - earlier, and often without clear warning signs. Through seven-time Olympic medalist Shannon Miller’s experience, this story underscores how rising cancer rates are forcing tighter guidelines on screening and the importance of not delaying routine checkups and yearly scans.
Why Are People Betting On War?
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.
Culture Crash: Is Late Night Officially Toast?
Late night isn’t losing talent, but it’s losing timing. By the time the monologue airs, the jokes have already made the rounds online. We cover the continued decline of late-night TV.
Viewpoints Explained: From Gameplay To Surveillance? Pokémon Go’s Next Chapter
Remember the Pokémon Go craze of 2016? Millions of players thought they were just catching Pokémon, but - more than a decade later - their history is being used to build a detailed map for robots.
The Draw Of Flying Without A Cabin
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.
Saudi Arabia’s Global Sports Push
We cover the real reasons behind Saudi Arabia’s dramatic entry into several sports.
Culture Crash: Why “Shrinking” Feels Like The TV We Want Right Now
We look at why shows like “Shrinking” on Apple TV are growing in popularity. Is it that we - the audience - want more genuine, feel-good TV?
Viewpoints Explained: Why The Strait Of Hormuz Could Raise Your Grocery Bill
A narrow stretch of water thousands of miles away is quietly shaping what you’ll pay at the grocery store. We break down how conflict in the Strait of Hormuz is driving up global prices.
Are We Overusing Mental Health Language?
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.
When Anxiety Starts Early: What’s Changed For Kids Today
We speak with school counselor Jennifer Licate about why anxiety is showing up earlier in childhood and how growing up today feels fundamentally different than it once did. We delve into the forces behind this shift, from constant connection and rising expectations to the lingering effects of disruption and what these changes mean for how kids deal with stress long-term.
Culture Crash: A Version Of Harry Styles We Love To Hear
Harry Styles leans into upbeat, dance-driven pop on his latest album, “Kiss All the Time. Disco, Occasionally.” We review the recent drop this week on Culture Crash.
Viewpoints Explained: The Steps That Will Lessen Your Intake Of Microplastics
Microplastics are nearly impossible to avoid, but small shifts like skipping heated plastics and ultra-processed foods can help limit how much enters our bodies.
The Push To Free America’s Rivers
We look at why thousands of dams are coming down across the U.S. and what changes happen once a river is no longer held back. In places like the Klamath River, the shift is already visible, offering a clearer picture of what restoration can look like and lead to.
Part 2: The Case For The Humanities In A Changing Job Market
We look at what life actually looks like after a humanities degree, where the path forward is often unclear and non-linear. For many graduates, the value shows up later, as they move between roles and lean on skills that translate across industries.
Culture Crash: The Genre That Keeps Asking Bigger Questions
Science fiction films tap into our deepest curiosity about the future, using imagined worlds and technologies to explore timeless questions about humanity.
Viewpoints Explained: The New Way We’re Paying For Everything
Buy now, pay later promises flexibility, but those small installments can add up faster than many shoppers realize. We cover this growing trend this week on Viewpoints Explained.
What’s A Micro-Retirement? Inside The Career Trend Popularized By Gen Z
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.
Part 1: The Case For The Humanities In A Changing Job Market
As AI, automation, and economic uncertainty reshape the job market, many students are turning away from majors like English, history, and philosophy. We look at why the humanities still attract passionate students and why the skills they build may be more relevant than critics assume.
Culture Crash: Nirvanna The Band The Show The Movie” & The Art Of The Long Joke
A long-running internet comedy experiment jumps to the big screen with Nirvanna [sic] the Band the Show the Movie.
Viewpoints Explained: Why Younger Couples Are Embracing Prenups
Prenuptial agreements were once associated with celebrity wealth, but younger couples are increasingly embracing them as practical financial planning before marriage. This week, We look at what’s driving this trend.
The Ozempic Era & The Staying Power Of Keto
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.
Culture Crash: Charlie XCX: From Pop Princess To Gothic Queen
After a culture-defining pop explosion, Charli XCX shifts gears in a bold new direction swapping neon dance floors for something darker. We review her latest drop.
