Viewpoints

Sit down with Viewpoints each week as we report on social issues, the environment, history, food – you name it. What’s it like to give birth in prison? Could the plague resurface with climate change? How has politics been permanently reshaped by the Trump era? Candid stories on topics you should know, plus Culture Crash – a three-minute recap on a timely topic in media to keep you up-to-date on all things music, TV and film. Hosted by Marty Peterson, Gary Price, Ebony McMorris, Evan Rook and produced by Amirah Zaveri. New shows posted each Sunday by 5 a.m. EST. Subscribe and listen, and find out more info at viewpointsradio.org. Also, follow us on X & Instagram @ViewpointsRadio.

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Episodes

• Viewpoints Explained: Ancient Genes, Modern Labs: The Quest To Revive These Species

  Wednesday, August 6, 2025

  3 minutes

  Scientists are bringing extinct species back to life using cutting-edge genetic engineering, but is resurrecting ancient animals a fascinating innovation or a dangerous human disruption of nature? Learn More: https://viewpointsradio.org/viewpoints-explained-ancient-genes-modern-labs-the-quest-to-revive-these-species Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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• Culture Crash: Why “Succession” Will Always Be A Great Rewatch

  Wednesday, August 6, 2025

  4 minutes

  We review the hit HBO show, “Succession” and why this dramatic masterpiece spanning four seasons is worth watching more than once. Learn More: https://viewpointsradio.org/culture-crash-why-succession-will-always-be-a-great-rewatch Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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• Strings Attached: The Inequities Still Shaping Classical Music Today

  Sunday, August 3, 2025

  13 minutes

  Despite big efforts in recent years to boost diversity in classical music, the genre is still exceedingly difficult to break into. According to an industry wide study conducted last year by the League of American Orchestras, African Americans made up just 2 percent of professional orchestras nationwide. Violinist and educator Brendan Slocumb and activist Afa Dworkin discuss what's holding the industry back and how improved early access music programs in public schools are vital to creating opportunity for historically excluded populations. Learn More: https://viewpointsradio.org/strings-at...

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• The Living Night: Uncovering Nature’s Hidden Third Shift

  Sunday, August 3, 2025

  9 minutes

  While towns and cities sleep, a bustling animal world emerges. This week – we explore the hidden nighttime lives of urban wildlife - from foxes in Berlin to possums in American backyards – and cover why it's essential to appreciate and protect these often-unseen creatures that we share our world with. Learn More: https://viewpointsradio.org/the-living-night-uncovering-natures-hidden-third-shift Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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• Viewpoints Explained: Is Society Ready For Fewer Babies?

  Wednesday, July 30, 2025

  4 minutes

  Around the world, birth rates are plunging as young adults prioritize careers, grapple with rising living costs, and confront an uncertain future. As populations shrink, economies face tough questions about how to adapt to these changing trends. Learn More: https://viewpointsradio.org/viewpoints-explained-is-society-ready-for-fewer-babies Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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• Culture Crash: Finally – A Superman Worth Believing In

  Wednesday, July 30, 2025

  4 minutes

  After a decade of misfires, DC’s latest Superman reboot, directed by James Gunn, delivers a hopeful, heroic take on Clark Kent. We review the latest Superman film now in theatres. Learn More: https://viewpointsradio.org/culture-crash-finally-a-superman-worth-believing-in Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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• Private Equity 101: How Takeovers Are Reshaping America

  Sunday, July 27, 2025

  11 minutes

  Private equity sounds like distant Wall Street jargon, but it’s reshaping the very fabric of daily American life from hospitals and pharmacies to brands that play a vital role in communities. This week - We cover how exactly a private equity firm works and the hidden drivers behind these corporate takeovers. Learn More: https://viewpointsradio.org/private-equity-101-how-takeovers-are-reshaping-america Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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• The Wellness Boom: Hope, Hype And Hard Truths

  Sunday, July 27, 2025

  8 minutes

  The wellness industry is booming, but how much is genuine, and how much is simply clever marketing? Journalist Hayley Krischer joins us to unpack the murky world of viral wellness trends and how millions have gotten sucked into this cycle of continuous buying. Learn More: https://viewpointsradio.org/the-wellness-boom-hope-hype-and-hard-truths Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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• Viewpoints Explained: Closing The Digital Divide One Classroom At A Time

  Wednesday, July 23, 2025

  3 minutes

  Across America, millions of students in lower-income areas lack daily access to the internet and other software, leaving them behind in a digital-first world. We highlight Ed Farm - an innovative nonprofit that’s working to boost these communities. Learn More: https://viewpointsradio.org/viewpoints-explained-closing-the-digital-divide-one-classroom-at-a-time Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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• Culture Crash: Enjoy A Good Scare? Our Take On “28 Years Later”

  Wednesday, July 23, 2025

  4 minutes

  We review the recent horror film, “28 Years Later”. For the past year, it’s been a highly anticipated release, but is the new movie overhyped or well deserving of the attention? Learn More: https://viewpointsradio.org/culture-crash-enjoy-a-good-scare-our-take-on-28-years-later Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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• From Sunrise To Last Call: The Women Behind The Counter

  Sunday, July 20, 2025

  9 minutes

  Diners are an American staple. It’s where you stop for a piece of pie and a cup of coffee from coast to coast. But small, mom and pop diners are slowly disappearing to larger chains. We uncover how old-school waitresses at these are key to communities and what it’s like being in this industry for 40, 50 or 60+ years. Learn More: https://viewpointsradio.org/from-sunrise-to-last-call-the-women-behind-the-counter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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• Where Killers Lurked: The Pacific Northwest’s Deadly History

  Sunday, July 20, 2025

  11 minutes

  In the 1970s and 80s, the serene beauty of the Pacific Northwest became the unlikely backdrop for some of America’s most notorious serial killers. Pulitzer Prize-winning author Caroline Fraser, who grew up near Ted Bundy’s hunting grounds, revisits this dark chapter to dig deeper into why this region became a hotspot for violent crime. Learn More: https://viewpointsradio.org/where-killers-lurked-the-pacific-northwests-deadly-history Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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• Culture Crash: Yes, “The Bear” Is Still That Good

  Wednesday, July 16, 2025

  4 minutes

  The Bear’s fourth season dials down the frenzy and leans into reflection, giving its characters—and viewers—more room to breathe. We offer our review of the latest season of the hit show. Learn More: https://viewpointsradio.org/culture-crash-yes-the-bear-is-still-that-good Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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• Viewpoints Explained: New Questions Emerge Around Spacex And Nasa’s Mission To Mars

  Wednesday, July 16, 2025

  3 minutes

  Are humans capable of withstanding the lengthy trip to Mars? We cover the scientific research that’s shedding some doubt on future human missions to the far away planet. Learn More: https://viewpointsradio.org/viewpoints-explained-new-questions-emerge-around-spacex-and-nasas-mission-to-mars Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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• Why More Retirees Are Choosing This Option

  Sunday, July 13, 2025

  10 minutes

  As inflation and housing costs rise across the U.S., a growing number of retirees are looking beyond the border for a more affordable lifestyle. We speak with a couple enjoying their retirement in Ecuador, and a longtime expat who made the move more than two decades ago. Learn More: https://viewpointsradio.org/why-more-retirees-are-choosing-this-option Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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• Why Are All Major U.S. Cities Sinking?

  Sunday, July 13, 2025

  10 minutes

  Across the U.S. and around the world, major cities are slowly sinking. This phenomenon—called land subsidence—is driven by groundwater overuse, rapid urban development and is intensified by climate change. In this segment, experts Tom Parsons and Pietro Teatini break down what’s causing the ground to drop, why it’s happening faster in some places than others, and what can be done to slow or manage the damage before it’s too late. Learn More: https://viewpointsradio.org/why-are-all-major-u-s-cities-sinking Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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• Viewpoints Explained: Afghanistan, Four Years On: What’s Left For Women Under Taliban Rule?

  Wednesday, July 9, 2025

  3 minutes

  Since the Taliban’s return, Afghan women have vanished from public life—barred from school, work, and many public places. As individual rights and economic prosperity continue to erode, many Afghans are living in a homeland that no longer feels like home. Learn More: https://viewpointsradio.org/viewpoints-explained-afghanistan-four-years-on-whats-left-for-women-under-taliban-rule Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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• Culture Crash: James Gunn’s Superman: The Hero The Dc Universe Desperately Needs

  Wednesday, July 9, 2025

  4 minutes

  Warner Bros. and DC Comics have handed James Gunn the keys to Superman. Will it be a success? Learn More: https://viewpointsradio.org/culture-crash-wheres-the-song-of-the-summer Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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• Highways To Displacement: The Hidden History Of Urban Renewal

  Sunday, July 6, 2025

  8 minutes

  It looked like progress—new highways, modern bridges—but in cities across America, those blueprints masked something else entirely. In Detroit and beyond, entire Black neighborhoods were destroyed, and communities were split by concrete. We uncover the deeper implications of transportation policy in the mid 1900’s and how cities today are trying to get back to these once-connected and diverse communities. Learn More: https://viewpointsradio.org/highways-to-displacement-the-hidden-history-of-urban-renewal Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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• Burning Year-Round: The New Reality Of Firefighting In America

  Sunday, July 6, 2025

  12 minutes

  As wildfire season stretches into winter and blazes burn hotter and faster than ever, former firefighter Kelly Ramsey reflects on her time battling fires during California’s brutal 2020 and 2021 season. She shares her candid experience with us of what it’s like to fight fire in a system that’s breaking under its own weight. Learn More: https://viewpointsradio.org/burning-year-round-the-new-reality-of-firefighting-in-america Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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• Culture Crash: Where’s The Song Of The Summer?

  Wednesday, July 2, 2025

  3 minutes

  By this time last year, the charts were packed with new pop powerhouses. But this year the usual summer music buzz feels oddly quiet. We look at what’s behind the pop music slowdown. Learn More: https://viewpointsradio.org/culture-crash-wheres-the-song-of-the-summer Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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• Viewpoints Explained: What Juneteenth Reveals About American History

  Wednesday, July 2, 2025

  3 minutes

  Juneteenth marks the true end of slavery in the U.S., but its meaning runs deeper than just a date. We uncover how the holiday came to be and its significance today. Learn More: https://viewpointsradio.org/viewpoints-explained-what-juneteenth-reveals-about-american-history Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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• America’s Deep Ties To The Rise Of Fast Food

  Sunday, June 29, 2025

  10 minutes

  From McDonald’s to Taco Bell, fast food is in nearly every American town and city —but how did we get here, and what does our obsession with speed and convenience say about our culture? We trace the rise of fast food and explore its broader impact on health, business, and the American family. Learn More: https://viewpointsradio.org/americas-deep-ties-to-the-rise-of-fast-food Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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• Harvard University Vs. President Donald Trump: Inside The Upheaval In Higher Education

  Sunday, June 29, 2025

  10 minutes

  A high-stakes legal fight is unfolding between Harvard University and the current administration. At the center: international students, federal funding and questions about free speech on campus. We look at how one of the country’s top schools became a political flashpoint—and what’s at stake beyond the Ivy League. Learn More: https://viewpointsradio.org/harvard-university-vs-president-donald-trump-inside-the-upheaval-in-higher-education Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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• Culture Crash: Stephen King’s Most Unexpected Movie Yet

  Wednesday, June 25, 2025

  3 minutes

  The Life of Chuck is a rare, heartfelt Stephen King adaptation that traces one man’s life in reverse. Directed by Mike Flanagan, it swaps horror for hope, and we review why it’s a must see this summer. Learn More: https://viewpointsradio.org/culture-crash-stephen-kings-most-unexpected-movie-yet Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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• Viewpoints Explained: Sinking Cities: What’s Causing The Ground To Drop

  Wednesday, June 25, 2025

  3 minutes

  A new study finds that America’s largest cities are sinking each year. We cover what’s really behind this change and why it’s an urgent issue affecting millions. Learn More: https://viewpointsradio.org/viewpoints-explained-sinking-cities-whats-causing-the-ground-to-drop Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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• The Push To Improve Youth Mental Health Care

  Sunday, June 22, 2025

  9 minutes

  More than one third of collegiate athletes have experienced a mental illness at some point in their lives. We speak with Dr. Julie Amato, a sports psychologist, about the prevalence of mental health disorders among young athletes and what’s being done to improve support services and get rid of stigma both on and off-campus. Learn More: https://viewpointsradio.org/the-push-to-improve-youth-mental-health-care Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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• “They Called It Healthcare. We Called It Survival.”

  Sunday, June 22, 2025

  11 minutes

  Incarcerated people are legally entitled to healthcare, but are often met with delays, denials and bias. Former prisoner Chanell Burnette and researcher Brian Nam-Sonenstein reveal how cost-cutting, secrecy, and for-profit contractors are putting lives at risk inside U.S. prisons. Learn More: https://viewpointsradio.org/they-called-it-healthcare-we-called-it-survival Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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• Viewpoints Explained: The Sneaky Ways In Which We Overcaffeinate

  Wednesday, June 18, 2025

  3 minutes

  Over the past two decades, caffeine levels have continued to creep higher and higher. We cover how much hidden caffeine is packed inside many of these newer energy drinks and the consequences of being overly caffeinated. Learn More: https://viewpointsradio.org/viewpoints-explained-the-sneaky-ways-in-which-we-overcaffeinate Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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• Culture Crash: Love Movies? Why You Should Get On Letterboxd

  Wednesday, June 18, 2025

  3 minutes

  We review the online platform, Letterboxd. Think Goodreads - but for movies instead. Learn More: https://viewpointsradio.org/culture-crash-love-movies-why-you-should-get-on-letterboxd Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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