A Parent’s Plight
With the Child Tax Credit coming to an end, many U.S. parents are finding it hard to make ends meet with little help from the government – especially amid rising inflation.
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 …
The Interesting Legacies of Past U.S. Presidents
Ahead of Presidents Day on Monday, February 21, we highlight some of our past presidents and their accomplishments and failures. Ronald Gruner joins us this week to answer these questions and more.
An Illustrator’s Art
We speak with Tim O’Brien who has illustrated numerous magazine covers throughout the years. O’Brien discusses his career, the history of illustration and how the art form is used to convey a specific, singular moment or feeling that other mediums may not be able to capture.
Frustrated By the 24/7 Political News Machine? Get Involved Instead
It seems like lately political news has hit an all-time high with all of the continuous impeachment coverage and campaign trail updates, including the start of the Iowa caucuses this week. While it’s important to be an informed citizen, are you putting all of this knowledge to use? Is it leading to change? Could you do something better with your time? We …
Removal of Confederate Statues
Statues commemorating the Confederacy remain in some towns in the US South, though its principles promoting slavery and oppression of blacks are in disrepute. Some towns have removed these statues in the face of heavy opposition. A former Mayor of New Orleans describes how his thinking evolved toward a decision to remove the statues in his city, and the …
Learning How To Identify and De-bunk Actual Fake News
'Fake news' has remained a headline mainstay for years now… but politicians seem to be skewing its meaning. We talk to two teachers about what is and isn’t fake news, and how they’re teaching students (and their parents!) how to see through the fiction.
Author Jack London’s Writings and Social Activism
We discover how Jack London’s own journey informed his writing, and how his books reflect the plight of exploited workers and impoverished women and children.
Bobby Kennedy’s Legacy
Biographer Larry Tye and talks about Bobby Kennedy's personal side, how he helped his brother John become president, and how his legacy inspires liberals and conservatives to this day.
The Immigrant Narrative in Modern Times (2017)
We talk to two writers about the more modern immigrant journey.
Charlton Heston’s Politics: MLK Marches and NRA Speeches
Charlton Heston was a soldier, a liberal, and a conservative in his 84 years. Biographer Marc Eliot discusses how Heston's politics impacted his career and legacy.
The Political Classroom: Teaching Civics (2016)
Civics classes in many grade schools and high schools aren’t the same as they were 20 years ago. These days, kids are more likely to discuss and debate some of the most pressing issues of the day. We talk to two educators about how some schools are teaching students how to debate correctly, how discussion of hot topics can foster understanding of diverse …
Talking About Abortion and Other Touchy Topics in a New Way
Our guest offers a new way to discuss abortion – without taking sides, without name-calling or raised voices -- that brings the issue to a more personal and compassionate level.
