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: Alcatraz: Prison, Museum… Or Political Symbol?

  Wednesday, May 28, 2025

  3 minutes

  Earlier this month, former President Donald Trump called for the reopening of Alcatraz as a federal prison. But what would that take? We explore the history, cost, legal hurdles, and political undertones behind the proposal—and why the idea may not be as straightforward as it sounds. Learn More: https://viewpointsradio.org/viewpoints-explained-alcatraz-prison-museum-or-political-symbo Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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• Culture Crash: Ryan Coogler’s “SINNERS” & The Rise Of The Original Blockbuster

  Wednesday, May 28, 2025

  4 minutes

  With Sinners, Ryan Coogler moves beyond franchises to deliver a bold, original film that’s part musical, part horror, and entirely unforgettable. We look at how this ambitious story set in 1930s Mississippi is winning over critics and audiences alike. Learn More: https://viewpointsradio.org/culture-crash-ryan-cooglers-sinners-the-rise-of-the-original-blockbuster Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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• Headline Stress Disorder Is Real – Are You Stuck In The Doom Loop?

  Sunday, May 25, 2025

  11 minutes

  We’re more connected to the news than ever—but at what cost? We explore how the modern media environment is reshaping our mental space, and what happens when it becomes harder to look away than to stay informed. Learn More: https://viewpointsradio.org/headline-stress-disorder-is-real-are-you-stuck-in-the-doom-loop Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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• Seventeen Years, One Dream: Turning Passion Into Action – At Any Age

  Sunday, May 25, 2025

  9 minutes

  After decades in broadcasting, Gerald McBride wasn’t looking for a new career, but he was interested in following a new passion. We explore his journey as a first-time filmmaker and what his path says about creative evolution at any age. Learn More: https://viewpointsradio.org/seventeen-years-one-dream-turning-passion-into-action-at-any-age Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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• Viewpoints Explained: What Tariffs Are Quietly Triggering Across America

  Wednesday, May 21, 2025

  3 minutes

  As steep tariffs on imports take effect, people are responding with full carts and growing concern. But this act isn’t a luxury everyone can afford. We cover the ripple effects of incoming tariffs. Learn More: https://viewpointsradio.org/viewpoints-explained-what-tariffs-are-quietly-triggering-across-america Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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• Culture Crash: Why It’s Time To Rethink How You Read

  Wednesday, May 21, 2025

  4 minutes

  Audiobooks aren’t new—but they’re more accessible than ever before. Many selections are also free through certain platforms. We cover the world of audiobooks on this week’s Culture Crash. Learn More: https://viewpointsradio.org/culture-crash-why-its-time-to-rethink-how-you-read Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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• Outsmarting The System: Standing Out In Today’s Tough Job Market

  Sunday, May 18, 2025

  9 minutes

  If landing a job today feels harder than it should, you’re not imagining it. In this segment, we speak with longtime career consultant Sheila Nielsen to explore the invisible barriers in today’s hiring landscape and the strategy that can get you in the door and at the interview table. Learn More: https://viewpointsradio.org/outsmarting-the-system-standing-out-in-todays-tough-job-market Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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• Misinformation Nation: Conspiracy Theories In The Digital Age

  Sunday, May 18, 2025

  10 minutes

  Conspiracy theories have been around for hundreds of years. From secret projects to secret government societies, these theories are prevalent across society. We speak with two conspiracy experts about how these stories arise, why they’re so pervasive online and how artificial intelligence can make these narratives more difficult to detect. Learn More: https://viewpointsradio.org/misinformation-nation-conspiracy-theories-in-the-digital-age Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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• Culture Crash: Why Everyone Should Watch “CONCLAVE”

  Wednesday, May 14, 2025

  3 minutes

  With the passing of Pope Francis last month, viewership of the recent film, “Conclave” has spiked. We offer our review of the blockbuster movie and its depiction of the real-life conclave held in Vatican City. Learn More: https://viewpointsradio.org/culture-crash-why-everyone-should-watch-conclave Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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• Viewpoints Explained: Inside The Struggles Of Walgreens, Cvs, And The Modern Drugstore

  Wednesday, May 14, 2025

  3 minutes

  Major pharmacy chains like Walgreens and CVS are closing stores and slashing costs—but it’s more than a financial story. As competition rises and consumer habits shift, what’s at stake for patients who rely on these physical locations? Learn More: https://viewpointsradio.org/viewpoints-explained-inside-the-struggles-of-walgreens-cvs-and-the-modern-drugstore Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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• Separating Fact From Fiction: The Truth About Autism

  Sunday, May 11, 2025

  12 minutes

  Misinformation about autism isn’t new—but it’s gaining traction in dangerous ways. This week, we confront the myths head-on, exploring what autism really is (and what it isn’t) and why political language and policy matter. Experts Kristyn Roth and Dr. Emily Hotez share what the latest science tells us. Learn More: https://viewpointsradio.org/separating-fact-from-fiction-the-truth-about-autism Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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• A Life In Chess: Susan Polgar’s Groundbreaking Journey

  Sunday, May 11, 2025

  8 minutes

  She was told girls couldn’t compete. Then she changed the game. From backroom chess clubs in Budapest to the world’s biggest stages, Grandmaster Susan Polgar’s rose through ridicule to become the first woman to earn the Grandmaster title on equal terms. Now, she’s passing the torch to a new wave of champions. Learn More: https://viewpointsradio.org/a-life-in-chess-susan-polgars-groundbreaking-journey Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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• Culture Crash: Why “Black Mirror” Is Unlike Anything Else On TV

  Wednesday, May 7, 2025

  3 minutes

  With the newest season of “Black Mirror” now out on Netflix, we look back on some of our favorite episodes from past seasons and why the show is a modern masterpiece, exposing the often-unsettling relationship between humanity and technology. Learn More: https://viewpointsradio.org/culture-crash-why-black-mirror-is-unlike-anything-else-on-tv Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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• Viewpoints Explained: Inside The Conclave: The Hidden Rules Of Electing A Pope

  Wednesday, May 7, 2025

  4 minutes

  As the world waits for the election of a new pope, few understand the ancient, secretive ritual behind it. From handwritten ballots to color-coded smoke, the conclave operates under centuries of storied tradition. Learn More: https://viewpointsradio.org/viewpoints-explained-inside-the-conclave-the-hidden-rules-of-electing-a-pope Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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• What Happened To Marriage?

  Sunday, May 4, 2025

  12 minutes

  Today, almost 40 percent of American adults aged 25 to 54 are unpartnered—a major shift from just a generation ago, according to a 2021 Pew Research Center analysis of U.S. Census Bureau data. As marriage rates fall, researchers are exploring how economic independence, shifting cultural values and a rethinking of adulthood itself are reshaping what commitment looks like. Learn More: https://viewpointsradio.org/what-happened-to-marriage Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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• The Polyester Trap: How Fashion Became Disposable

  Sunday, May 4, 2025

  8 minutes

  Our closets are overflowing, but real clothing—the kind built to last—has almost disappeared. Author and fashion expert Sofi Thanhauser unravels how the industry traded craftsmanship and quality for maximum profits. Learn More: https://viewpointsradio.org/the-polyester-trap-how-fashion-became-disposable Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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• Podcast Exclusive: A Conversation with Death Penalty Expert Gianna Toboni

  Friday, May 2, 2025

  24 minutes

  Viewpoints producer Polly Hansen speaks with Gianna Toboni -- an expert on the U.S. prison system and its death penalty policies. Toboni is a journalist, filmmaker and author of the new book, The Volunteer: The Failure of the Death Penalty in America and One Inmate's Quest to Die with Dignity. This is a behind-the-scenes, extended listen of the full interview that was originally recorded for the Viewpoints segment, "Execution by Firing Squad: A New Option Within a Broken Prison System". Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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• Culture Crash: 30 Years. 7 Movies. One Tom Cruise. Is “Mission: Impossible - The Final Reckoning” The Last Chapter?

  Wednesday, April 30, 2025

  3 minutes

  The eighth movie in the “Mission: Impossible” series is set to hit theaters on May 23. We cover the evolution of this blockbuster action franchise spanning almost three decades. Learn More: https://viewpointsradio.org/culture-crash-30-years-7-movies-one-tom-cruise-is-mission-impossible-the-final-reckoning-the-last-chapter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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• Viewpoints Explained: Can We Revive Extinct Species? Scientists Say Maybe

  Wednesday, April 30, 2025

  3 minutes

  Scientists have brought three unusual wolf pups into the world using DNA that hasn’t walked the Earth in tens of thousands of years. Could this be the beginning of a new era in conservation, or is it a step too far? Learn More: https://viewpointsradio.org/viewpoints-explained-can-we-revive-extinct-species-scientists-say-maybe Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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• Execution By Firing Squad: A New Option Within A Broken Prison System

  Sunday, April 27, 2025

  10 minutes

  As states like South Carolina bring back the firing squad, a once-archaic method of execution is making a quiet return. We explore what’s driving this shift, and why some inmates, like Scott Dozier, saw it as a more humane option than lethal injection. This segment explores the ethical and logistical cracks in America’s capital punishment system — and what the rise of the firing squad says about where we’re headed. Learn More: https://viewpointsradio.org/execution-by-firing-squad-a-new-option-within-a-broken-prison-system Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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• An Architectural Rebirth: A City Rising From The Ashes

  Sunday, April 27, 2025

  10 minutes

  More than 150 years later, the Great Chicago Fire still shapes the bustling Midwestern city we know today. Historian Julius L. Jones walks us through how a combination of dry weather, wooden construction, and miscommunication led to one of the most destructive urban fires in U.S. history. Learn More: https://viewpointsradio.org/an-architectural-rebirth-a-city-rising-from-the-ashes Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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• Viewpoints Explained: This Policy Change Could Reshape Your Neighborhood—Here’s Why

  Wednesday, April 23, 2025

  3 minutes

  Many small business owners are bracing for higher costs soon due to tariffs. What lies ahead for communities and residents who rely on these local shops? Learn More: https://viewpointsradio.org/viewpoints-explained-this-policy-change-could-reshape-your-neighborhood-heres-why Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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• Culture Crash: An Instant Hit: Our Takeaways From Netflix’s "Adolescence”

  Wednesday, April 23, 2025

  4 minutes

  We cover the cinematic and unique brilliance of the new show, “Adolescence”. Learn More: https://viewpointsradio.org/culture-crash-an-instant-hit-our-takeaways-from-netflixs-adolescence Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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• Nowhere Left To Run: Surviving The New Reality Of Climate Change

  Sunday, April 20, 2025

  9 minutes

  As climate disasters become more frequent and less predictable, the idea of relocating to a “safe” place is a far-fetched solution. Environmental policy experts Anna Weber and Kiara Rutherford discuss how extreme weather is reshaping where—and how—we live, and why the time for coordinated, equity-focused climate action is now. Learn More: https://viewpointsradio.org/nowhere-left-to-run-surviving-the-new-reality-of-climate-change Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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• From Juvie To Prison: Is Rehabilitation Possible After Committing Murder At Age 16?

  Sunday, April 20, 2025

  10 minutes

  Can a teen who commits murder ever truly be rehabilitated? Journalist Claudia Rowe shares the story of 16—year-old Maryanne Atkins and how a Washington state law gave her a second chance—offering therapy, stability, and education instead of adult prison. As more states rethink youth sentencing, we explore the benefits of real rehabilitation instead of being thrust into a justice system built around punishment. Learn More: https://viewpointsradio.org/from-juvie-to-prison-is-rehabilitation-possible-after-committing-murder-at-age-16 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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• Culture Crash: Why We Love These Sci-Fi Features

  Wednesday, April 16, 2025

  3 minutes

  We highlight some of our favorite sci-fi blockbusters. Learn More: https://viewpointsradio.org/culture-crash-why-we-love-these-sci-fi-features Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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• Viewpoints Explained: Which Country Is Ranked #1 As ‘The Happiest In The World’ & Where Does The U.S. Fall?

  Wednesday, April 16, 2025

  3 minutes

  We cover who are the happiest citizens on earth, according to the annual study, The World Happiness Report published by the University of Oxford. Also, where does the U.S. rank? Surprise – we’re far below the Top 10. Learn More: https://viewpointsradio.org/viewpoints-explained-which-country-is-ranked-1-as-the-happiest-in-the-world-where-does-the-u-s-fall Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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• What’s Behind The Madness?

  Sunday, April 13, 2025

  11 minutes

  What started as a second-tier basketball tournament is now a national obsession. We unpack the history, psychology, and spectacle of March Madness — from busted brackets and Cinderella runs to rising stars in women’s basketball shifting the spotlight. It’s chaos by design, and superfans wouldn’t have it any other way. Learn More: https://viewpointsradio.org/whats-behind-the-madness Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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• Why Mastering This Trait Can Come In Handy During Stressful Times

  Sunday, April 13, 2025

  9 minutes

  Curiosity won’t pay your bills, but it might just keep you sane when it feels like everything’s falling apart. Writer A. Kendra Greene explores how tuning into life’s overlooked details help calm all the chaos. In a world built to distract, she makes the case for wonder as a form of resistance. Learn More: https://viewpointsradio.org/why-mastering-this-trait-can-come-in-handy-during-stressful-times Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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• Viewpoints Explained: What Is Signal? The App Embroiled In Controversy

  Wednesday, April 9, 2025

  3 minutes

  Last month, a prominent journalist was accidentally added to a group chat on Signal where national security officials were discussing classified information about an upcoming airstrike attack. We breakdown how Signal is different than other messaging apps and why this incident shouldn’t be downplayed. Learn More: https://viewpointsradio.org/viewpoints-explained-what-is-signal-the-app-embroiled-in-controversy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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