Culture Crash: A Look Back At What Got Us Through 2020
There’s no doubt it’s been a long and frankly, weird year. We highlight some of the books, shows and movies that kept us entertained in 2020.


There’s no doubt it’s been a long and frankly, weird year. We highlight some of the books, shows and movies that kept us entertained in 2020.

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.

Alex Trebek hosted Jeopardy! for 37 seasons until his passing last month from pancreatic cancer. The trivia quiz series is unlike any other show on TV – and some would argue that a big part of what made it so entertaining was Trebek’s talent for leading the game. We explore his career legacy and what’s next for Jeopardy!.

Dr. Debora Spar joins Viewpoints this week to share how innovation affects several different aspects of our lives and what the future holds in this space.

Alex Trebek, the host of Jeopardy, passed away at age 80 earlier this month. We remember his finesse, humor, genuine personality and decades-long dedication to the popular game show.

Before the pandemic, roughly 4 in 10 people across the world believed that if science didn't exist their lives would be no different, according to a global survey conducted by 3M Corporation. We dig into this staggering statistic and how COVID-19 has altered people's perception of the field.

Compulsive buying disorder affects around five percent of Americans. With prime shopping season fully underway, the number of ads and limited-time deals can lead to several unneeded purchases. We speak with psychologist, Dr. Michael Vilensky about how retailers get you to keep buying and what to do if you feel like you’re shopping is getting to be a problem.

You may be familiar with the classic children’s book, Goodnight Moon, but what about Good Morning Zoom? One mom living in New York City wanted to help her children better understand the pandemic, so wrote a parody based off of one of their favorite bedtime stories. The result? A funny, yet realistic look at parenting and getting through this period.

We discuss the upsides of film festivals going digital this year as well as some of our favorite hidden gems in the lineup.

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.

Planning for death is an important part of life. Getting your affairs in order and communicating your final wishes to your loved ones are two vital steps in this process. We speak with John Keith, the owner of Keith Monument, to better understand the field and some of the ways that COVID-19 has changed the way we celebrate life.

This year’s spooky festivities may look a little different on October 31st – and that’s okay. We share some of our favorite frightening films for the holiday.

We all know the rule: “I before E, except after C,” but it’s not applicable in “weird” or “science” or many other words. The English language has many exceptions to its rules and these irregularities make it a difficult language to learn. Two language experts join Viewpoints this week to share the many frustrations of English and the rules at play today.

The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign has developed a quick and affordable saliva-based test that makes it possible for students, faculty and staff to get checked twice a week for COVID-19. We speak with one of its creators, Dr. Martin Burke about the largescale implementation of this method and the upcoming challenges with flu season quickly …

How will COVID-19 change the college admissions process? Will more students stay close to home? Will standardized tests be a thing of the past? Journalist, Jeffrey Selingo spent a year embedded in three college admissions offices and joins Viewpoints this week to share his insights and how this pandemic will alter higher education for good.

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.

2020 has not been as full of new releases as in previous years due to the pandemic, so we’re rewinding back to some of our favorite selections from a few writers and directors.

Navigating back to school this year has been challenging to say the least. With switching policies and protocols, everyone is just trying to get through the fall one day at a time. Viewpoints speaks with two education experts about the biggest barriers to learning and what online education technology can really offer students.

Chadwick Boseman passed away from cancer at the age of 43 on August 28. We honor his legacy and his many contributions to film from starring in Black Panther to his portrayal of baseball player, Jackie Robinson in the 2013 movie 42.

We speak with sleep expert, Matthew Walker, a professor at California-Berkeley, who says getting restful sleep each night is the single biggest thing we can do to vastly improve both our mental and physical health.

Once it is safe to travel again – where’s the first place you plan to go? Acclaimed travel guide, writer and TV host, Rick Steves joins Viewpoints this week to share how you can get the most out of your travels and fully immerse yourself in the local culture, people and history without spending a fortune.

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.

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.

On a single night in the U.S. there are more than 550,000 people homeless – and this number is only set to rise as COVID-19 has forced millions out of work and shattered the stability of the U.S. economy. As a child or teen who has to deal with homelessness at a young age, it can be a tough road of shifting from temporary housing to another shelter.
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