Viewpoints Explained: Afghanistan, Four Years On: What’s Left For Women Under Taliban Rule?
As individual rights and economic prosperity continue to erode, many Afghans are living in a homeland that no longer feels like home.
Culture Crash: Why Everyone Should Watch “CONCLAVE”
We offer our review of the blockbuster movie and its depiction of the real-life conclave held in Vatican City.
Viewpoints Explained: Inside The Conclave: The Hidden Rules Of Electing A Pope
From handwritten ballots to color-coded smoke, the conclave operates under centuries of storied tradition.
Viewpoints Explained: The Continued Retreat From Religion
We discuss why organized religion just keeps losing followers. Where are they going?
A Backwards Online Trend: The Dark Side Of “Tradwives”
How are young women and girls watching these videos affected by these portrayals?
Viewpoints Explained: The Taliban Reaffirms Its Use Of Stoning
We cover this medieval practice and how women in Afghanistan are being specifically targeted by the Taliban.
Viewpoints Explained: The Continued Retreat From Religion
We discuss why organized religion just keeps losing followers.
Viewpoints Explained: Breaking Plates? Eating 12 Grapes In 12 Seconds? How Other Cultures Ring In The New Year
How do people across the world celebrate New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day? We cover some interesting customs and traditions in other countries.
The Rosetta Stone: Why We Care So Much About A 2,000-Year-Old Slab Of Rock
We speak with Edward Dolnick, author of The Writing of the Gods: The Race to Decode the Rosetta Stone, about the monumental impact of this discovery.
The Church of Scientology
Scientology – is it a religion, spiritual group, business organization? The group was created in the 1950’s and is headquartered in Los Angeles. There’s been much mixed media coverage about Scientology, but, still, most people know little about the claimed religion. We speak with a former member about her involvement and the people who commit their faith, …
A Brief History of Skin Marking
Humans have always practiced various forms of self-expression, whether it's through written word, music, art or some other outlet. The art of tattooing is one such form that dates back thousands of years. We speak with a history expert, author and professor at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Craig Koslofsky about some of the earliest tattoo …
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 Alluring Mystery of Oak Island
Canada’s Oak Island has mystified explorers for hundred of years, drawing many to its shores with the hope of finding buried pirate’s treasure under its oak trees. We speak with Randall Sullivan, the author of The Curse of Oak Island: The Story of the World’s Longest Treasure Hunt to learn more the area’s historical significance and this never-ending quest.
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.
The Truth Behind Faith-Based Prison Ministry
Since the beginning of the U.S. prison system, religion has been suggested as a way to help rehabilitate criminals. We talk to Tanya Erzen, a professor of religion, about why that is and what role prison ministries play in the lives on inmates.
Catholicism and the LGBT Community: One Priest’s Mission to ‘build a bridge’
For centuries, the Catholic Church and the LGBT community have been at odds. Now, the Rev. James Martin, a Jesuit priest, is trying to usher in a new era and welcome LGBT individuals to the church.
Maximizing Your Experience Traveling Internationally
Many of us have spent years dreaming of traveling the globe… but what should we do when we book the trip and are preparing to make the dream a reality? Journalist and author Andrew Solomon gives tips on how to get the most out of your trips, from embracing new cultures to establishing better connections.
Lessons on Joy (2018)
Author Douglas Abrams shares the joy practices and little things that the Dalai Lama and Archbishop Tutu do daily to experience joy regularly.
Religion Behind Bars (2017)
We talk to Tanya Erzen, a professor of religion, what role prison ministries play in the lives on inmates.
Lessons on the Pursuit of Happiness (2017)
Douglas Abrams shares the joy practices and little things that the Dalai Lama and Archbishop Tutu do daily to experience joy regularly.
A Memory of the Holocaust
A Holocaust survivor discusses the need for young people to learn about the Holocaust and the reasons why it happened.
Travel, People and Freedom: A journalist’s travels inform his life
Our guest has spent many years of his life traveling the world and he suggests that for a better and more memorable trip, you should rub shoulders with the locals.
Somewhere There Is Still a Sun: A Holocaust Memoir (2015)
Although their numbers are dwindling every year, there are still many people alive today who remember and lived through the Holocaust during World War II. One of these men spoke to us about his experience as a young boy in a Czechoslovakian work camp, and how his mother – through hard work, quick thinking and just pure luck – managed to keep herself and her …
Ethnic Cooking and Baking Without All the Guilt
America is a melting pot of many nationalities, races and religions, each with its own traditions and cuisines. Some of the food that is so loved by families across the country isn’t the healthiest, however, and can cause obesity, blood sugar problems and heart issues. We talk to two experienced cooks and an award-winning baker about how they are trying to …
