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

• 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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• 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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• Culture Crash: Why We Miss Watching Our Favorite Films On DVD’S

  Wednesday, April 9, 2025

  4 minutes

  In the era of streaming, Culture Crash host Evan Rook explains why he misses watching films on DVD. For him, having physical copies is more than just nostalgia – it improves the entire viewing experience. 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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• From Academia To All-In: One Woman’s High-Stakes Poker Journey

  Sunday, April 6, 2025

  10 minutes

  What happens when a Harvard grad with a Ph.D. in psychology reinvents herself at the poker table? Maria Konnikova went from academia to all-in, learning that poker isn’t just about cards — it’s about mastering your mind and knowing when to bluff big. We speak with her about the psychology behind the game and her quick rise from poker novice to professional. Learn More: https://viewpointsradio.org/from-academia-to-all-in-one-womans-high-stakes-poker-journey Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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• Kitchen Innovation: The Debate Over Lab Vs. Land-Grown Meat

  Sunday, April 6, 2025

  9 minutes

  Imagine biting into a juicy burger—same texture, same flavor—but it was never part of a living, breathing animal. Lab-grown meat is no longer science fiction; it’s a billion-dollar industry on the verge of revolutionizing how we eat. But will consumers embrace meat cultivated in a petri dish? And what does this shift mean for farmers, the environment, and the future of food as we know it? Journalist and author Chase Purdy joins us to share his insights into the world of cell-cultured meat. Learn More: https://viewpointsradio.org/kitchen-innovation-the-debate-over-lab-vs-land-grown-meat Lea...

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• Viewpoints Explained: The Origins Of April Fools Day

  Wednesday, April 2, 2025

  3 minutes

  We cover the ancient origins of April Fools Day and its evolution over the years. Learn More: https://viewpointsradio.org/viewpoints-explained-the-origins-of-april-fools-day Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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• Culture Crash: The Releases We’re Counting Down In 2025

  Wednesday, April 2, 2025

  4 minutes

  We cover some of the most anticipated film releases coming down the pipeline this year. Learn More: https://viewpointsradio.org/culture-crash-the-releases-were-counting-down-in-2025 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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• What’s Fueling The Conflict & The War In The Congo?

  Sunday, March 30, 2025

  11 minutes

  While headlines focus on Ukraine, a silent war rages in the Democratic Republic of Congo, displacing millions and fueling a humanitarian crisis. At the heart of the conflict: a ruthless battle for power, resources, and survival. Historian Pedro Monaville and U.N. human rights expert Mary Lawlor unravel the hidden forces driving the violence and the struggle to obtain peace. Learn More: https://viewpointsradio.org/whats-fueling-the-conflict-the-war-in-the-congo Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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• Exploring The Unknown: Skiing Five Hundred Miles To The North Pole

  Sunday, March 30, 2025

  9 minutes

  The North Pole has inspired countless legends, but few have ever set foot on its shifting, icy terrain. In this segment, explorer Erling Kagge recounts his grueling 500-mile trek across the frozen Arctic Ocean, facing relentless cold, polar bears, and the eerie isolation of endless daylight. Reflecting on survival, adventure, and climate change, Kagge offers a rare glimpse into one of Earth’s last great frontiers. Learn More: https://viewpointsradio.org/exploring-the-unknown-skiing-five-hundred-miles-to-the-north-pole Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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• Viewpoints Explained: Canada’s New Leader Mark Carney Vows To Not Back Down

  Wednesday, March 26, 2025

  3 minutes

  Canada’s new prime minister Mark Carney has relatively little experience in politics but has already made quite a splash, vowing to stand up for Canada against threats from the U.S. to its sovereignty and economy. Learn More: https://viewpointsradio.org/viewpoints-explained-canadas-new-leader-mark-carney-vows-to-not-back-down Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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• Culture Crash: Lady Gaga Is Back: A Review Of Her New Album “Mayhem”

  Wednesday, March 26, 2025

  4 minutes

  Musician, producer, actress. Lady Gaga is a woman of many talents, but is her latest musical album an extension of this success or is it yet another pop album? Learn More: https://viewpointsradio.org/culture-crash-lady-gaga-is-back-a-review-of-her-new-album-mayhem Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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• Looking Back With Rick Steves: The Importance Of Traveling The Lesser-Known Path

  Sunday, March 23, 2025

  9 minutes

  Travel icon Rick Steves takes us back to 1978 when he ditched the guidebooks and set out on the legendary Hippie Trail from Istanbul to Kathmandu. With tales of adventure—like sleeping in a stationary abandoned train car only to find it rolling at dawn—Steves reflects on how these unexpected moments shaped his life perspective. While many travelers today often stick to Instagram-worthy hotspots, he urges more Americans – young and old – to step out of your comfort zone and travel somewhere off the beaten path. Learn More: https://viewpointsradio.org/looking-back-with-rick-steves-the-import...

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• Buses, Trains And Trams: The Birthplace Of Public Transportation

  Sunday, March 23, 2025

  10 minutes

  Tens of millions of Americans rely on mass transit each day to get to where they need to be. While mass transit took a big blow in ridership during the COVID pandemic and for several years after, there will always be a need for this vital public resource. We speak with mass transit expert Steven Beaucher about the first subway system built in Boston and the state of mass transportation agencies today amid budget cuts. Learn More: https://viewpointsradio.org/buses-trains-and-trams-the-birthplace-of-public-transportation Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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• Culture Crash: The Brilliant Director Behind Best Picture Winner “Anora”

  Wednesday, March 19, 2025

  4 minutes

  Indie film, “Anora” won big at this year’s Academy Awards earning five Oscar wins. We cover the steady rise of director Sean Baker and highlight some of his previous works that we love. Learn More: https://viewpointsradio.org/culture-crash-the-brilliant-director-behind-best-picture-winner-anora Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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• Viewpoints Explained: Would You Try Couples Therapy? Talking It Out Before Saying “I Do”

  Wednesday, March 19, 2025

  3 minutes

  As therapy becomes less taboo, more couples are signing up for couples counseling in the lead-up to their wedding date. We talk about this growing trend and what partners dig into during these pre-wedding sessions. Learn More: https://viewpointsradio.org/viewpoints-explained-would-you-try-couples-therapy-talking-it-out-before-saying-i-do Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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• Why Real Self-Care Is The Ability To Set Boundaries

  Sunday, March 16, 2025

  8 minutes

  Acclaimed therapist and social worker Nedra Glover Tawaab joins us this week to talk about boundaries. Many people don’t have a clear distinction when it comes to their boundaries in various relationships – whether it be with friends, colleagues, family, or romantic relationships. Tawaab breaks down why this inner reflection is so important and how to go about establishing and enforcing these set boundaries. Learn More: https://viewpointsradio.org/why-real-self-care-is-the-ability-to-set-boundaries Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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• Inside The Mass Firings Of Federal Workers

  Sunday, March 16, 2025

  12 minutes

  On Valentine’s Day, Eric Anderson showed up for work at Indiana Dunes National Park. Hours later, he learned by email (from someone he didn’t know) that he had been fired. Anderson is one of the many thousands of federal employees blindsided by mass layoffs orchestrated by the newly formed Department of Government Efficiency, or DOGE, led by tech billionaire Elon Musk. Officials claim the cuts are saving taxpayers millions, but critics warn they’re gutting essential services and putting public safety at risk. As legal battles unfold and DOGE continues these reductions, the question remains:...

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• Culture Crash: If You’re Loving The Pop Girl Renaissance, Take A Listen To These Alt Artists

  Wednesday, March 12, 2025

  3 minutes

  We cover another genre where female artists are breaking through, leading to great music and many thousands of loyal fans. Learn More: https://viewpointsradio.org/culture-crash-if-youre-loving-the-pop-girl-renaissance-take-a-listen-to-these-alt-artists Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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• Viewpoints Explained: An Uncertain Season For National Parks

  Wednesday, March 12, 2025

  3 minutes

  Spring and summer are just around the corner, marking the busiest months for U.S. national parks. But with recent layoffs by the Department of Government Efficiency, or DOGE, many are worried about the gaps in staffing this year. Learn More: https://viewpointsradio.org/viewpoints-explained-an-uncertain-season-for-national-parks Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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• 60 Days Out: Reminiscing & Rebuilding After The L.A. Fires

  Sunday, March 9, 2025

  10 minutes

  The January wildfires that swept through Los Angeles left many thousands displaced, with Altadena among the hardest-hit areas. Longtime resident Carole Wilson Roberts and her daughter Rhea share their experience of losing their home and all of memories it held, while architect Joanna Grant discusses how rebuilding efforts are incorporating fire-resistant designs. Despite the many challenges and anxieties ahead, many Californians are remaining optimistic and plan to rebuild what once was. Learn More: https://viewpointsradio.org/60-days-out-reminiscing-rebuilding-after-the-l-a-fires Learn mo...

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• Unusual Jobs: Journalist Turned Private Eye

  Sunday, March 9, 2025

  10 minutes

  The field of private investigation is rapidly changing. And not entirely for the good. We speak with Tyler Maroney – a journalist turned private eye about the evolution of the trade and the role tech-savvy investigators play in influencing and providing transparency to governments, corporate entities and other sectors. Learn More: https://viewpointsradio.org/unusual-jobs-journalist-turned-private-eye Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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• Viewpoints Explained: Will Food Prices Ever Go Down?

  Wednesday, March 5, 2025

  3 minutes

  President Donald Trump made many promises on the campaign trail last year that he would bring prices down for basics like groceries and gas. However, food prices have only continued to increase due to inflation and other causes. We cover why prices remain stubbornly high and if there’s any relief headed our way. Learn More: https://viewpointsradio.org/viewpoints-explained-will-food-prices-ever-go-down Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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• Culture Crash: Flow: “A Film Experience Unlike Any Other”

  Wednesday, March 5, 2025

  4 minutes

  We cover why we love the animated film, Flow. The movie came out last year and was recently nominated for an Academy Award in the category, “Best Animated Feature Film”. Learn More: https://viewpointsradio.org/culture-crash-flow-a-film-experience-unlike-any-other Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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• Why Is Being A New Parent So Hard?

  Sunday, March 2, 2025

  9 minutes

  It’s safe to say that many first-time parents can admit that there’s a big gap between the perception of parenting versus what it’s like to become a parent yourself. While this time is filled with many high highs and low lows, it’s filled with confusion, uncertainty and isolation. After all, for much of the first year, your baby can’t speak to you and your reliant on their unique cues. We speak with parenting expert Vered Benhorin about how to form a deeper, more present relationship with your child and enjoy the mundane activities and play you do as a parent. Learn More: https://viewpoints...

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• A Deep Dive Into DeepSeek: Why Is This Platform Different?

  Sunday, March 2, 2025

  10 minutes

  The Chinese company, DeepSeek made quite a splash back in late January of this year with the release of its artificial intelligence model, R-1. We cover why DeepSeek is different from the numerous models out there, what Americans should keep in mind if they choose to use it, and why its introduction is causing other companies in the AI race to potentially reshape their strategy. Learn More: https://viewpointsradio.org/a-deep-dive-into-deepseek-why-is-this-platform-different Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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• Culture Crash: Our Favorite Mind-Bending Movies

  Wednesday, February 26, 2025

  4 minutes

  We highlight some of our favorite, lesser-known films within the horror/thriller/sci-fi genre. Learn More: https://viewpointsradio.org/culture-crash-our-favorite-mind-bending-movies Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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• Viewpoints Explained: An Early Initiative From Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

  Wednesday, February 26, 2025

  3 minutes

  Former presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. was recently confirmed as the U.S. health secretary under President Trump’s new administration. Late last year, he publicly announced a push to remove fluoride from the public water. Now that he’s in office, we cover both sides of the debate surrounding this possible new initiative. Learn More: https://viewpointsradio.org/viewpoints-explained-an-early-initiative-from-health-secretary-robert-f-kennedy-jr Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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• Why 2025 Is Your Money Management Year

  Sunday, February 23, 2025

  9 minutes

  Scarlett Cochran became pregnant at 19. As a single mom, she had to quickly find work but soon found herself in a dead-end job that paid about $25,000 a year. She knew she needed to make a change, so started with small steps in the right direction. Growing up, Cochran came from a family where finances were always a tension point. It drove a wedge between her parents, so learning about money or having open conversations as a family never happened. She joins us today to share her journey and how she was able to reinvent herself by going back to school and sticking to a strict budget. Learn M...

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• Between 2016 And 2024, 30 Million Women Were Subjected To Female Genital Mutilation

  Sunday, February 23, 2025

  10 minutes

  For many Americans, the assumption is that female genital mutilation – the process of partially or fully cutting female external genitalia – is an outdated, old-world tradition that is no longer practiced. Sadly, this isn’t the case, and more than 200 million girls and women today have undergone the traumatic and life-altering practice. The U.S. isn’t immune either to this practice, with surgeries usually occurring under the radar in smaller, private practices. We speak with Jaha Dukureh, a victim of FGM and global advocate, to get a better understanding on why FGM persists and what’s being...

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