Episodes
Bon Iver has made heartbreak an art form — but his latest album flips the script in a way that listeners aren’t expecting. We cover how we feel about this newest drop titled, “Sable, Fable”.
Learn More: https://viewpointsradio.org/culture-crash-bon-iver-breaks-the-pattern-in-his-newest-album
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Last summer, the ground erupted in sound. What caused this rare, deafening phenomenon — and how do cicadas know when it’s time to emerge after several years underground?
Learn More: https://viewpointsradio.org/viewpoints-explained-the-secret-timing-of-cicadas
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Burnout, anxiety, and identity crises—sometimes therapy alone isn’t enough. This episode explores the transformative role of life coaching through the lens of Mason Farmani, a high-powered executive who realized success wasn’t the same as fulfillment. We break down makes life coaching different, what to look for in a credible coach, and why self-awareness—not job titles—is the real foundation of a meaningful life.
Learn More:
https://viewpointsradio.org/when-therapy-isnt-enough-how-life-coaches-help-you-rewrite-the-playbook
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For tens of millions of former prisoners, freedom comes with a steep price — social stigma, debt, and systemic barriers to employment. We dive into the challenges this population faces when reentering society, and how a new wave of “second chance” hiring is creating meaningful change in the workforce.
Learn More:
https://viewpointsradio.org/when-the-sentence-ends-the-struggle-begins
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In this podcast-exclusive episode, you'll hear the original interview audio between Viewpoints Radio producer Polly Hansen and BBC correspondent and author of "All the Living and the Dead" Hayley Campbell. The two have a conversation about the nuances of working within the death industry and all of the invisible roles within this field that people aren't as familiar with. They also talk about how death is viewed in the U.S. and why - unlike other cultures - people tend to distance themselves from the post-mortem body.
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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".
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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