Equal Time with Martha Burk

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“Equal Time with Martha Burk” is a weekly 2 1/2 minute commentary on topics in the public debate, political issues, and how decisions in Washington and around the world affect ordinary citizens. Dr. Burk is a political psychologist and women's issues expert who is co-founder of the Center for Advan…

Martha Burk


    • May 12, 2025 LATEST EPISODE
    • weekly NEW EPISODES
    • 3m AVG DURATION
    • 225 EPISODES


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    Latest episodes from Equal Time with Martha Burk

    Mother's Day Missed Some Moms Who Gave Birth to Non-Humans

    Play Episode Listen Later May 12, 2025 3:00


    We just celebrated Mother's Day, honoring our moms, grandmoms, caretakers, and other women who helped us along the way. But let's not forget some who gave a different kind of birth – the mothers of invention.  Though you've probably never heard of them, their work has advanced society and made life easier. Here are just a few. 

    How Does Trump Trash Women? Let Us Count the Ways

    Play Episode Listen Later May 5, 2025 3:00


    Trump claims to love women. Let's see how the majority of the population, majority of registered voters, and majority of those who actually show up at the polls have fared since his inaugural.

    Dim Lights, Thick Smoke, Loud Music and a Bit of History

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 28, 2025 3:00


    Ever heard (or heard of) honky tonk music? How about the moniker "honky" given to whites by Black folks? Any relation? Listen and find out.

    Earth Day: Do We Still Have It?

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 21, 2025 2:31


    Many people think Earth Day was just a hippie invention that went away with the 1970s. Think again.

    Another Nasty Surprise, Especially for Seniors

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 14, 2025 3:01


     The Trump-caused stock market crash is all over the news, but there's another national disaster going on under the radar at the same time, with senior citizens the on the receiving end.

    There's More to the Month of April Than Fools

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 7, 2025 3:00


    We're all used to April Fool legends and pranks, but over time A LOT more has happened (and still is happening) than most people know about.

    Here's a Bit of Poetic History You Didn't Know

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 31, 2025 2:30


    Universal suffrage for women came to the US in 1920. But poet from the 1800s tells a much earlier tale.

    Shortchanging American Kids Around the World

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 24, 2025 3:01


    The Department of Defense operates 161 schools in 11 foreign countries, Guam and Puerto Rico serving about 65,000 students. The Musk/Trump administration has banned various books in those schools. You know, such dangerous books as No Truth Without Ruth, a children's book about Ruth Bader Ginsburg that are now banned.

    Saint Patrick's Day: Was the Namesake Really Irish?

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 17, 2025 3:01


    St. Patrick's Day is celebrated worldwide, and the day's namesake is honored as green thru and thru. But was he actually Irish?

    Here's a Place Where the U.S. is Far From Number One

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 10, 2025 3:00


    Women from all over the world are meeting at the U.N. this week in New York.  Where does the good 'ol USA rank?

    Oscars 2025: Never Mind the Glitz, Who Were the Biggest Losers?

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 3, 2025 3:01


    Same old, same old. Amid the glitz and glam, there's still one category that comes out last every time. Can you guess?

    The Watch Dog is Being Taken Off the Case

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 24, 2025 3:01


    Ever been stiffed by an insurance company or hit with a "resort fee", "processing fee", or other charges you weren't told about? There's been a watchdog bureau on the case to limit these scams and recover money, but TrumpMusk has shut it down.

    President's Day: The Good, the Bad, and the Bizarre

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 17, 2025 3:01


    Our president's through the years have mostly served us well -- along with some notable accomplishments -- and weirdness.

    Black History Month Has a Longer History Than You Think

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 10, 2025 2:59


    February is Black History Month. Most people think it started when President Gerald Ford issued a proclamation in 1976 honoring the month. Not so -- its origin was way back in 1915, by a man you never heard of.   

    Trump's Phantom Benefit for Low Wage Workers

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 3, 2025 3:00


    It's a brand new Administration, and your new Prez is going to fight for the underdog by eliminating income taxes on tips.  At  a rally in Vegas he promised “If you're a restaurant worker, a server, valet,  bell hop, bartender, one of my caddies, your tips will be 100 percent yours.” Great news? Not exactly.

    Sick of Politics? Let's Eat Some Chocolate Cake!

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 27, 2025 3:01


    Betcha didn't know we have an official Chocolate Cake Day. Eat up, it's also a no guilt day.

    Huffing and Puffing - Will Orange Hair Make Across the Day 1 Finish Line?

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 20, 2025 3:00


    Donald Trump has named over 50 actions he'll take on Day 1 of his new presidency. It's a tall order -- can he do it?  

    Did the United States Win the War on Poverty?

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 13, 2025 2:15


    President Lyndon Johnson declared the "War on Poverty" over fifty years ago.  Did we win it?  Where does the US stand today?

    A New Year's Trip Around the World

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 30, 2024 3:01


    This week rings in a brand new year.  Will you whoop it up with a wee bit too much champagne, or be a good kid and celebrate at church? Chances are you won't stray far from U.S. tradition – fireworks, the countdown, popping bubbly, or lighting a candle for good luck. Take a tour around the globe to see how other countries mark the changing of the calendar:

    Christmas Around the World: A Variety of Old and New Traditions

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 23, 2024 3:00


    December is a time for celebrations, including the eight days of Hanukkah, the Jewish festival of lights, and Kwanzaa.  While Americans usually shop till they drop and exchange gifts , traditions around the world, old and new, bring a different twist to the season.

    Holiday Help: Here's One You Definitely Don't Want to Miss

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 9, 2024 2:30


    Times are tough all over, but some people are more deserving than others. Here's one that's really in a bind -- and it's someone you may know about, but if not a big surprise. Open your heart and pocketbook. 

    Goodbye Joe - You've Got One Chance to Go Out a Hero

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 2, 2024 3:00


    In less than two months Joe Biden leaves the presidential stage for good.  He could go out a hero for the majority of the population with a stroke of the pen and make history in the bargain. Will he do it?

    Turkeys, Taxes, Elon, George, and Jeff

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 25, 2024 3:01


    Thanksgiving is here, and once again food banks will be helping the poor with the meagerist of meals. Some of our tax money also helps out with  food stamps. But there's a surprise hidden in the rules.

    Beware the Ides of November

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 18, 2024 3:00


    November has been the month for politics in the US since 1845, when Congress passed a federal law designating the first Tuesday following the first Monday in November as Election Day. But maybe there's something mystic (or sinister) about the politics of November, judging from notable political events going WAY before 1845.  

    Veterans Day -- Some Soldiers You Don't Know About

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 11, 2024 3:00


    The Civil War was hard fought on both sides. But some of the combatants were special -- in a way you wouldn't guess.

    It's Crunch Time -- Candidates in Their Own Words

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 4, 2024 2:30


    We've been inundated with words, words, and more words for months from Trump and Harris. Whose the most convincing? You decide -- your future depends on it.

    Halloween History: From Creepy Crawlers to Trick or Treaters

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 28, 2024 3:01


    It's almost Halloween, when the creepy crawlers come out, along with ghosts, goblins, candy, tricks and treats.  Did it really start as a pagan ritual?  Yes and No.

    Project 2025 -- What's in it for YOU?

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 21, 2024 3:01


    Unless you live in a cave or under a rock, you've no doubt heard of Project 2025, a conservative manifesto from the Heritage Foundation outlining an ambitious agenda for a second Trump administration.  Trump claims he never heard of it, even though many of its authors came straight out of his administration when he was Prez. It's got something for everyone. 

    It's Columbus Day -- But 'Ol Chris Didn't "Discover America"

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 14, 2024 2:45


    The U.S. has been celebrating Columbus Day since 1792, after the explorer who sailed from Spain in 1492 and supposedly "discovered America." But he never actually touched land in what is now the United States, landing in Cuba and Hispaniola, mistaking them for China and Japan.

    Hispanic Heritage in the U.S. -- Stuff You Didn't Know

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 7, 2024 3:00


    Hispanics are being demonized and terrorized by grandstanding candidates looking to stir up trouble. But their contribution to U.S. history is robust .  (And by the way, we stole Texas from Mexico).

    Relax Girls -- The Great Protector is With You

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 30, 2024 3:00


    Women no longer have to worry about reproductive freedom -- or anything else. The problems have been solved and females are now protected.

    School's In -- With Some (Really ?) Important Topics for Kids

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 23, 2024 3:01


    It's September, and school's in in most of the U.S. Readin', writin' and ‘rithmetic as usual, but in some places a new topic will be added to the curriculum: the Bible, with all its gore and mayhem. Parents -- even some Christian ones -- are pushing back.

    A New Wave of Abortion Supporters: Men in Red States

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 16, 2024 3:01


    Abortion access has always been viewed as a woman's problem. Men rarely talked about it, and it didn't seem high on their political priorities. Not any more – since Trump proudly took credit for overturning Roe v. Wade with his anti-woman, anti-choice Supreme Court picks, men are paying attention – particularly in red states with the most restrictive abortion policies.  

    Debate or Debacle?

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 9, 2024 2:45


    The first (and probably only) Prez candidate debate is this week. Will both parties go by the rules? More importantly, will we learn anything we don't already know?

    Labor Day: So-called Good Guy Companies Quietly Union Busting

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 2, 2024 3:01


    Labor Day became a national holiday in 1894, when President Grover Cleveland signed a law making the first Monday in September a day off for workers. Labor unions had campaigned for years to gain recognition of both the contributions and the mistreatment of workers. History is littered dirty tricks to keep unions out with bullets and billy clubs. Now it's more genteel, but some so called "good guy companies" are still quietly (and illegally) union busting. 

    Kids Are Back in School: The Good, Bad and Illegal

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 19, 2024 3:00


    School varies by state and even towns and districts. Some kids get what they need, others get less or nothing -- what gives?

    Choose Carefully -- You Could Be Voting for the Next Two Prezes

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 12, 2024 3:00


    Most people think Vice Presidents don't matter -- just window dressing for low level events. But history shows they could become number one at any minute: Let's look at the best & the worst.

    A New Kind of Sports Bra -- For You Too Guys

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 5, 2024 3:01


    Sports on TV has long been guy heavy. But a new kind of sports bra for both genders may just be the uplift the fans need.

    Prosecutor vs. Perp -- You Decide

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 29, 2024 3:01


    Presidential history was made when President Biden gracefully ended his candidacy for a second term.  He put country over self and very possibly saved our democracy. The crowds are loving his prosecutor replacement. His convicted felon opponent is less than thrilled.

    July marks a milestone you've may never have thought about, and it ain't pretty.

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 22, 2024 3:01


    Besides record heat and fireworks on the 4th, July is known for something else: Black Women's Equal Pay Day. The day in 2024 when Black women's wages caught up to what white men made by the end 2023: one hundred and ninety one extra days work, to be exact.

    The Republican Convention: Women in the Platform Crosshairs

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 15, 2024 3:00


    Political conventions always lay out a party's vision for the future if their folks get in power. This year's Republican plan is a doozy for the majority of voters: women.

    A Perfect Solution to Biden's Dropout Dilemma

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 8, 2024 3:01


    After President Biden's recent meltdown during a debate with Donald Trump, various factions are calling for him to drop out of the presidential race. He says no -- here's a great solution.

    July 4, 1776: A Surprise Signer Lost to History

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 1, 2024 3:01


    If you remember your junior high history lessons, you know that the Declaration of Independence was signed on July 4, 1776, famously declaring that  “all men are created equal.”  All of the signers were male.  Nevertheless, a woman's name appeared on the official document.  

    An Anniversary You Don't Want to Celebrate

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 24, 2024 3:01


    June 24th marks the  anniversary of the infamous Dobbs  Supreme Court decision, trashing women's right to abortion guaranteed since Roe v. Wade in 1973. Let's inventory  the  damage to women's rights, emboldening states to jump on the anti-woman, anti-abortion, anti-choice bandwagon.

    Are You a Kid at Heart of Ever Been One? Pick Your Prez.

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 17, 2024 3:01


    The New York Times Kid Section recently showcased the candidates' answers to kid friendly questions. Listen to their direct quotes and pick your leader for the next four years.

    Father's Day Ain't What it Used to Be

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 10, 2024 3:00


    Back in the day Mom stayed home with kids, housework, and runny noses. Dad went to work, plopped down in the evening with the newspaper or TV and did little else. No more -- it's a new world out there for fathers.

    The D-Day Stowaway: 150,000 Sailors and One Surprise

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 3, 2024 2:31


    June 6 marks the anniversary of D-Day, the day in 1944 when Allied forces in World War II invaded France from offshore. It was the largest seaborne invasion in history. Thousands never made it out of the water, making the landing on Normandy one of the deadliest days of the war. In an all-out push, 150,000 sailors – and one stowaway  -- hit the beaches.

    Memorial Day: Not What You Were Taught in School

    Play Episode Listen Later May 27, 2024 3:01


    Official history says the first Memorial Day celebration was held in Arlington National Cemetery on May 30, 1868, where Union and Confederate soldiers from the Civil war are buried.  Nope. The earliest ceremony was years earlier, and the participants not the people you learned about in school.  

    Learn Something New: It's Asian American Pacific Islander Month

    Play Episode Listen Later May 20, 2024 3:01


    May is Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Month,  was designated in 1992 by President George H. W. Bush to pay tribute to immigrants who enriched America's progress -- but only after a century of persecution.

    A New Corporate Dirty Trick to Pick Your Pocketbook

    Play Episode Listen Later May 13, 2024 3:00


    We all have to buy groceries, household goods, and a fair amount of fast food. But are we getting what we pay for, or a hidden swindle?

    Who Invented Mother's Day? Not Hallmark or the Florist Society

    Play Episode Listen Later May 6, 2024 3:01


    Most people think Mother's Day is just a day for mom to get gifts and thanks. But it has a far more serious and important origin and history.

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