The Rise of Soul Music: Stax, Motown & the Genre Today
We speak with two experts about the cultural relevance of soul music today and how current artists and organizations are carrying on the legacy of this music.
A Pioneer In Paving Greater Diversity In Sci-Fi
Historian Gerry Canavan discusses the obstacles Butler faced and her legacy on one of the most popular genres in American literature.
Love Books? We Do Too: Why The Publishing Industry Is At A Crossroads
We cover how publishing has changed over the last 50 years and how this affects what books you see and read.
“95 Percent Left To Discover”: The People Tasked With Uncovering the Many Mysteries of Our Universe
Egyptian-American astrophysicist Sarafina El-Badry Nance speaks about her experience earning a PhD in astrophysics and the barriers to entry in the field.
Isaac Murphy: A Forgotten Sports Legend
We discuss the early history of horse racing in America and one African American jockey who made a lasting impact on the sport.
Is Hollywood Really Changing? The Diversity Debacle
We speak with media expert April Reign about the continued push to improve diversity & equity in all aspects of Hollywood.
The Rise of BookTok
More young people are reading these days thanks to one community on TikTok. We discuss the rise of BookTok and how publishers and authors are using this platform to better engage with consumers.
Supporting Refugee Resettlement
We speak with two experts about the refugee experience and just how difficult it can be to start a new life somewhere else.
Culture Crash: The Final Chapter of “This Is Us”
We discuss the final season of the hit NBC primetime series, “This Is Us”.
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.
Diversity Dilemmas in Opera
Opera is a beloved art form, but its racial history is as flawed as the rest of our culture. We talk to Naomi Andre, a professor at the University of Michigan, about the history of race in opera and how this traditional art form is evolving with the times.
Culture Crash: Literature Tackling Race & Inequality (2021)
The perspectives of black authors are vital in understanding why racial bias still plagues our country. We offer up some timely recommendations to add to your 2021 reading list.
The Unending Toll of Discrimination
Segregation not only divides cities but leads to divided people as well. It fuels biases against people who may look or act different than us, leading to generations of inequity and discrimination. Viewpoints speaks with social justice activist, Tonika Johnson about the many impacts segregation has had on the city of Chicago.
The State of Climate Science in the U.S.
According to the Environmental Protection Agency, greenhouse gases trap heat in the atmosphere leading to a warmer planet. The largest source of greenhouse gas emissions due to human activities is from burning fossil fuels like coal, oil and natural gas for electricity, heat and transportation. In recent years, the increasingly dry and warm climate in the …
Culture Crash: The Voices of African American Authors (2020)
Reading the works of black authors is an important part to better understanding why racial inequities still plague our country. We offer up some recommendations to add to your reading list.
A Shift in Sweden: Similarities and Differences to the U.S.
International influence is pervasive in today’s interconnected, social media-driven world. Swedish author Elisabeth Åsbrink joins Viewpoints to discuss how her home country of Sweden has changed in recent years, and the perception of the country versus the reality of what’s happening within its borders.
Gender & Sports: How Do These Distinctions Shape Who We Become?
When we think of a typical high school football player, most of us imagine a sweaty, muscled teenage boy in a uniform. One of our guests this week is K-Lani Nava, the first female football player to play, score and win in a Texas high school state championship game. She, along with Dr. Christia Spears Brown, both discuss the importance of breaking gender …
The Price of News: The Challenges Female Arab Journalists Face
Diversity in reporting is vital to news that showcases differing perspectives. We speak with Zahra Hankir, journalist and author of the new book, Our Women on the Ground, to learn more about some of the courageous female journalists who’ve risked their lives to report from within the Middle East during tumultuous periods. These women defy terrorists, the …
The Complexities of Implicit Bias
What exactly is implicit bias and how does it form? We breakdown this complicated issue and discuss why it’s so important for parents to address implicit bias with kids early on through candid conversations and exposure to diverse environments.
Navigating Collegiate Financial Aid
Student loan debt is set to skyrocket to two trillion dollars by 2022. We talk to students about their differing perspectives on financial aid and debt. We also speak with Mike Bartini, the director of student aid at Bowdoin College, about how important it is that students and families take time to focus on the financials of higher education before …
The Rise of Emojis: Why We Just Can’t Stay Away
Many of us throw an emoji or two in a text or social media message to help get our point across. But do you ever wonder how emojis came about and why we pick certain ones over others? We speak with three experts about their rise in popularity and reflection of different cultures and generations.
The Cost of Beauty: How Social is Changing Our Perception
Social media has become an all-consuming way of life for many. It’s hard to get away from unconsciously opening Facebook or Instagram throughout the day and scrolling through your feed. While social media can be positive, the unrealistic posts can also lead to damaging outcomes. We discuss its negative effects and the rise in the number of plastic surgery …
Culture Crash: A Greater Diversity Within Television
We examine how television series have grown to be more diverse and inclusive in the Peak TV era. One such show is Ramy, a new Hulu original, which candidly follows the life of a young, first-generation Muslim man and the challenges that arise with the melting pot of cultures.
Diversity in Sci-Fi
For decades, science fiction was a genre written almost exclusively by white males. Now, the genre is flourishing with diverse voices, thanks in part to the trailblazing writer Octavia E. Butler. Historian Gerry Canavan discusses the obstacles Butler faced and her legacy on one of the most popular genres in American literature.
