Viewpoints

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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-importance-of-traveling-the-lesser-known-path Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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

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

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: Is this about efficiency, or is something bigger at play? Learn More: https://viewpointsradio.org/inside-the-mass-firings-of-federal-workers Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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

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

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

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

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 more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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

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