The U.S. prison population has decreased during the pandemic, but the number of people behind bars is still close to two million. Some of these inmates have been in prison for decades and at a young age were deemed by the justice system to be ‘unfixable’. This week, we shed light on the cycle of youth incarceration in this country and why people like Ian Manuel, a former inmate, were sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole at age 13.
21-24 Segment 2: The Highs of Running
Imagine running 50 miles – almost double the distance of a typical marathon. Do you think you could ever do it? Dean Karnazes, an ultra-runner, joins Viewpoints this week to break down the extreme sport of ultra-marathons. He’s been tackling long distances and smashing records for several years and has made a name for himself in the running world. We hear his story and some tips he has for people who are trying to slowly ease into everyday running.
21-18 Segment 1: Jimmy Stewart: The Hollywood Actor & Fighter Pilot
The late actor, Jimmy Stewart, gave us some very memorable characters during his time in Hollywood – many very funny; others endearing; and some dark and villainous. Perhaps Stewart’s most dramatic role was the one that not many people know about, but that molded his life and his psyche – not to mention his acting – for most of his career: serving as a fighter pilot in World War II. We talk to an author who delved into Stewart’s war service about how flying missions over Europe and seeing his comrades die affected the actor and the types of roles he chose to play post-war.
21-15 Segment 1: Managing Mental Health In The Medical Field During A Pandemic
Physician burnout is still a very real problem in the U.S. – and the pandemic has only exacerbated these feelings in some of the hardest hit hospitals across the country. We speak with Dr. Greg Hammer at Stanford University about the pandemic’s lasting effects on mental health and systems that have been created to better support people working in medicine or in medical school.
21-12 Segment 2: The Mental Toll of a Full Work Inbox
On average, its estimated that the typical worker receives one email every six minutes. This constant stream of emails and instant messages throughout the day continuously pulls people away from their main tasks and leads to workout burnout. And the pandemic – with more people working from home – has only made this worse. Computer science and communication expert, Cal Newport joins us this week to break down the main issues and possible solutions.
21-11 Segment 2: The Power Of Persevering Through Life’s Challenges
Life has many challenges – but it’s how you respond to these obstacles that truly matter. Characteristics like passion, perseverance and grit can all factor into the end result and can make all the difference rather than focusing on pure talent or intelligence.
Culture Crash 21-08: Framing Britney Spears
We discuss the new Hulu release, Framing Britney Spears, which follows Spears’ rise to pop stardom, the ups and downs of her life in the spotlight and the controversial conversatorship that she’s reportedly been under since 2008.
21-06 Segment 1: Forced Behavioral Treatment Programs
Each year, thousands of young adults are sent to long-term, in-patient behavioral centers that are seen as the last resort for troubled teens. Their parents often sign off on this treatment because they believe that this ‘tough love’ route is the only answer to turning things around. Journalist and author, Kenneth R. Rosen joins Viewpoints this week to share his own adolescent experience at three of these centers and the long-term damage this type of treatment can wreak on young minds.
21-04 Segment 1: A Pandemic Education: It Continues On Into 2021
It’s been ten months since many schools across the nation shifted to online learning. Students, parents and everyone working within education have braved the many challenges of learning within a pandemic. With vaccine distribution underway, many within the field are seeing the light at the end of the tunnel and the eventual return to classrooms hopefully later this year. We speak with two education experts about the changes happening in the field as technology plays a bigger role.
20-51 Segment 2: What Are You Grateful For?
Thank goodness 2020 is just about over. While this year has been full of many challenges, it’s also made more Americans realize what truly matters and the importance of being thankful for even the littlest of things. As we all look ahead to next year and the habits we hope to cultivate, we discuss the benefits of practicing gratitude through writing.
20-43 Segment 1: Halloween 2020: The Kickoff To This Year’s Holiday Season
Halloween is just around the corner, falling on Saturday, October 31st. this year. Whatever your plans are this weekend, it’s important to stay safe by following the recommended precautions. The holiday may look a little different this year, but it doesn’t have to be any less spook-tastic.
20-39 Segment 2: Young Learners & Their Development During Covid
The 2020 school year feels a bit different for the millions of students ‘back to school’ in whatever form that may be. We speak with two child development experts, Dr. Irene Koolwijk and Lindsay Jones, about some of the available resources and methods that parents can use to keep their young ones on track.
20-35 Segment 1: Rehabilitation While In Prison: Getting To The Root Of The Problem
The U.S. has the largest prison population in the world with more than 2.3 million inmates. Each year, prisons cost taxpayers 80 billion dollars. But with two thirds of those incarcerated returning back behind bars within a few years, clearly something is broken. We discuss how some popular reforms do more harm than good and what needs to change within the system.
20-35 Segment 2: Sleeping Soundly: The Interconnected Benefits of Getting Good Rest
All humans need some amount of rest – whether that’s five hours or eight. But how we sleep and the quality of that slumber can vary widely. We speak with sleep expert, Matthew Walker, a professor at California-Berkeley, who says getting restful sleep is the single biggest thing we can do to vastly improve our mental and physical health.
20-31 Segment 1: Better Understanding Trauma
Trauma comes in many shapes and forms throughout life. Viewpoints speaks with psychiatrist, Dr. James S. Gordon in order to better understand a person’s reaction to trauma and the body’s resilience in dealing with these stressful events and situations.
20-31 Segment 2: A Different Career: The Life Of A Professional Cuddler
Thousands of Americans are certified cuddlers. You might be asking - what does it mean to be a ‘certified cuddler’? Christina Hepburn joins Viewpoints this week to talk about this relatively new niche and how she’s working to dissolve the stigmas associated with the industry.
20-28 Segment 2: The Business Of Lab-Grown Meat
Millions of Americans have embraced plant-based meat like the Impossible Burger, but how do you feel about real meat that’s grown in a petri dish in a lab? If the taste, texture and smell exactly resembled meat that was traditionally farmed outside, would you eat it? Lab-grown, cell-cultured chicken, beef and pork is set to hit the mass market in just a few years. What’s the science and process behind this new technology?
20-27 Segment 2: Is Instagram The New Online Diary For Generation Z?
While some of us still prefer pen and paper, many younger people are shifting to everything digital. And it’s not just for to-do lists or communication, but also using platforms like Instagram, Twitter or Facebook as a daily, reflective ‘online diary’. However, sometimes this vulnerability in such a public setting can lead down a slippery slope. We discuss the pros and cons of candidly sharing your life on social media.
20-26 Segment 2: Is Your Child Feeling Anxious Right Now? Giving Support Without Shielding Them From The World
The days when election and campaign news dominated the news cycle seem so distant. It’s safe to say that no one could’ve imagined this year would be such a curveball. Learning’s been disrupted, many parents are continuing to work from home and fears over COVID-19 are still very much present. We speak with a family trauma expert, Dr. Abigail Gewirtz, about dealing with these anxieties as an adult and how to have important conversations with your child or teen if you’re sensing that they’re more irritable, worried or anxious lately.
20-22 Segment 1: Losing A Part Of Your Heart: Dealing With Loss
Losing someone you love – whether that’s a partner, friend or a part of your family – can be devastating. Is there a way to ‘correctly’ deal with the process of death and grieve after the person has passed? This week on Viewpoints.
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