Culture Crash: The Simpsons’s Apu Problem
The Simpsons is a cultural institution. But one character, Apu, is a racist stereotype, and some Indian-American actors and comedians think it’s past time for a re-evaluation.
Culture Crash: Hollywood’s Sexual Assault Scandals
With sexual assault allegations coming against some of Hollywood’s top producers, directors and stars, director Ridley Scott is taking a big step to distance his movie from Kevin Spacey’s soiled reputation.
Culture Crash: The Future of Football in America
Football has been facing a head trauma crisis for years. Now, youth football enrollment and NFL TV ratings are both down. We explore the future of football in America.
Culture Crash: Stephen King’s Mastery of Storytelling (2017)
Stephen King is known for his horror masterpieces, but he’s also written beloved dramas and fantasy novels. We explore what makes his novels click.
Culture Crash: Logic’s 1-800-273-8255
Rapper Logic’s song “1-800-273-8255” is a mental health anthem, designed to help suicidal listeners realize the value of their lives.
Post-Election Protests: Can They Make Real Change?
Two political science experts discuss how movements in the past have brought about change and how they compare to the Women's March, the March for Life and the March for Science.
History, Not Precedent: America’s Internment Camps (2017)
Photo historian Richard Cahan talks about the history of the Japanese internment camps, and why we should look at them as a cautionary tale not as precedent.
Remembering the Activism of Tom Hayden
In 2004 we spoke with activist Tom Hayden, who passed away last month. His hopeful, yet controversial, thoughts on gangs and violence can still be beneficial.
The Climate Change Mindset (2016)
We talk to a researcher about how the framing of climate change can skew the message and how we become motivated, or not, to do something about it.
Using Tactical Performance as Protest (2016)
This week's guest, Larry Bogad is a performer, writer and educator who uses serious play and theater to help change people’s minds and change society for the better.
Making Public Discourse Less Toxic
James Hoggan, author of, I’m Right and You’re an Idiot, researched the topic of toxic public discourse and why it permeates our political and social communications these days.
What African Americans Think of the First Black President
We talk to an African American author about what Black Americans think about the president as he finishes his tenure as our first African American president.
Encouraging Young People to Vote
Young people love political campaigns but, unfortunately, they don’t have the same enthusiasm about voting in elections. Why is this? And how can we encourage more young people to cast their votes on election day? We talk to two political specialists about the phenomenon and how we can make it easier for America’s youth to vote.
Everyone’s a Critic! Why It’s Important That You Should Be
A. O. Scott, a movie critic for the New York Times, thinks we should all be critics of the films, fine art, literature & other pleasures we indulge in. He will talk about why it’s good to be a discerning viewer of the arts, how to be a better critic, how criticism makes us see things in a different light and how it helps us become better at choosing those …
How Humor Helps Us Deal with Serious Topics
Sometimes talking about serious subjects - even with friends and family - can cause arguments and bad feelings. Our guests are two very talented and funny people who use humor, satire and irony to make their points about women in science and technology, and the immigrant experience.
Are We Obsessed With The Future?
We are a culture that’s obsessed with the future and technology. We want to “seize the future” like no other generation before, and become available to anyone 24/7 through the internet, wifi and cell phones. Our guests address these phenomena and discuss why it’s happening and how concentrating too much on the future and the internet affects our world, our …
Jack London: Adventure Author and Social Activist (2015)
Author Jack London is known for his stories of adventure in the Klondike, the Yukon and other far-away places. Our guest, however, says these stories also reflect his desire to bring the plight of poor and exploited workers to the public’s attention. We’ll hear how London’s hardscrabble youth and physically demanding jobs informed his writing, and find out …
Belonging: Why It’s Important to Be From Somewhere
When you ask an American, “where are you from?” most of them will say it’s where they live now or where they were born. We talk to one man who thought long and hard about that question and went on a journey around the Midwest and Plains States to try to answer it. He learned a lot about his family’s heritage and the cost in lives, land and culture that …
Social Media and the Presidential Election
Snapchat is quickly rising to the top of the social media hierarchy, and presidential candidates want to tap into its growing audience. But how exactly do you reach young voters on social media without sounding “too political” and boring? We speak with two media-savvy election pundits about the issue.
The Psychology of Climate Change (2015)
We’ve heard a lot about climate change and global warming over the past 20 years or so, but ironically people care about it less now than they did a decade ago! We talk to a researcher and author about how the framing of climate change can skew the message and create attitudes that affect how we think of global warming and how we become motivated – or not – …
