Discovering Death: Answers From a Mortician
What happens if you pass away in the Arctic, or in outer space? How do people in Thailand or India mourn their dead differently than people in the U.S.? Mortician Caitlin Doughty gives us the answers.
Workers Are Fed Up: The Continuing Strikes & Unionizations in the U.S.
Over the past year, headlines covering workers striking or pushing to unionize have become commonplace. What’s driving this labor revolt?
The Rise of YouTube
YouTube was created by three friends in 2005 and, shortly after, was sold to Google in 2006 for 1.65 billion dollars. Since then, it’s become the largest video-sharing platform in the world.
One Man, Two Paths: Building a Career in the NFL and Applied Mathematics
Before earning his PhD in applied mathematics from MIT, Urschel played college football at Penn State and then went on to play in the NFL with the Baltimore Ravens. This week – we touch on his unique path & what he’s learned along the way.
Decisions, Decisions: Understanding Conformity Bias
Ever agree in the moment, but then look back and wish you spoke up and said something? This action of wanting to go with the flow is a very real phenomenon.
The Worsening Teacher Shortage
Over the last two years, 10% of teachers have left the field. With millions of students heading back to school this fall – what’s being done to get more teachers back in the classroom?
The Early History of the NBA
We speak with basketball expert and former NBA player and coach Ray Scott about the NBA's early years and its efforts to evolve in a time when segregation and discrimination ran rampant.
Gaining a Greater Understanding of Military Experience
The U.S. is considered to have the world’s strongest military, yet many Americans are disconnected from this subsect of American culture. We speak with two experts about why this is and how the gap can be bridged between civilians and those who serve.
Working In Childcare: The Heavy Cost of Raising Someone Else’s Kids
We speak with two experts about the growing early childcare gap in the U.S. and why bettering the sector starts with valuing these workers more.
Barely Surviving: Making a Living as a Garment Worker
Longtime fashion writer and industry expert Dana Thomas joins us to help us understand the labor and environmental crisis plaguing the fashion industry.
Jumping Jobs in 2022
In 2021, more than 40 million Americans left their jobs. We analyze how the pandemic changed mindsets on work and discuss some strategies that people who are looking to switch jobs can use.
The Higher Education Conundrum
We talk about why more young people aren’t given greater direction when it comes to choosing post-secondary schooling. Two higher education experts join us to talk through some of the challenges facing programs and how students can make a more informed and cost-effective choice.
The Importance of Seeking Out Mentors
We speak with two career and mentorship experts this week to break down the many benefits of mentorship and how to go about finding the right person for you.
The Early History of the Kennedy’s
From former President John F. Kennedy to past Kennedy’s that have served as senators, ambassadors and in other high ranking government positions, the name today still signifies power and prestige. However, go back just three generations from JFK and the Kennedy’s were poor, Irish refugees who had just arrived on the shores of America. This week – we discuss …
Rethinking Work
Dr. Lynda Gratton breaks down how work has been forever changed by COVID-19 and the new models and technology that have taken hold instead of the traditional, in-person Monday-Friday routine.
Paving a New Future For Classical Music
Less than 2% of all classical musicians are African American. Two classical music experts join us this week to help us understand the barriers for entry into classical music and how those in the field are helping younger populations gain exposure and greater access to the genre.
The Pang of Regret
Regret is an all-too-common feeling that’s simply part of life, but it’s what we learn from our mistakes that matters. Writer Daniel Pink joins us this week to break down the intricacies of this emotion and share how people can avoid self-pity and constructively move forward.
The Coaches That Changed the Game
Bowman was Phelps’ longtime swimming coach who mentored Phelps since he was 11 years old. He was there every step of the way in Phelps’ athletic career, crafting him into the Olympic swimming superstar he is today. It makes you wonder – where would many of the top athletes be today without the coaches who guided, motivated and supported them?
Our Resilient Food System & Supply Chain
20 million people work within the food production industry in the U.S. The pandemic has altered this sector and resulted in many pressures placed on this population. This week – we highlight the people behind these various roles and the changing landscape of this 24/7 food supply chain.
A Breakdown in Housing
In some cities, people are seeing as high as 30 percent increases on monthly rent. For middle and low-income citizens already on a tight budget, it’s impossible to make ends meet – especially as prices for food, gas and other basics keep ticking upwards. We speak with two housing experts about the complete lack of affordable housing in this country and the …
The Mental Toll of Teaching
Across the U.S., many teachers are simply overwhelmed. In their careers, they’re not only an educator, but a leader, listener and mentor. They play many other roles than simply teaching students the set curriculum. However, the pandemic has exacerbated these duties and some educators are perpetually stressed and leaving the field for good. We speak with two …
The Rise of ‘Influence’ in This World
Being an influencer has turned into a career option for some, and today, some college students are pursuing degrees in social media to work within the industry or try their hand at becoming an influencer themselves. We discuss the state of social media education and the larger implications of this shift in modern culture.
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 …
The Modern Diamond Business
The northwestern coast of South Africa & Namibia has been a mining hub for diamonds since the 1900’s. Local workers labor through long shifts and hazardous working conditions in order to feed their families. The pay? Roughly five cents per carat of rough diamonds found. While some may argue that the industry stimulates the local economy, once a company …
