Viewpoints

Over the past two decades, caffeine levels have continued to creep higher and higher. We cover how much hidden caffeine is packed inside many of these newer energy drinks and the consequences of being overly caffeinated. Learn More: https://viewpointsradio.org/viewpoints-explained-the-sneaky-ways-in-which-we-overcaffeinate Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We review the online platform, Letterboxd. Think Goodreads - but for movies instead. Learn More: https://viewpointsradio.org/culture-crash-love-movies-why-you-should-get-on-letterboxd Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Many would argue that the Kennedy family is an American cultural and political dynasty. From former President John F. Kennedy to past Kennedy's that have served as senators, ambassadors and in other high ranking government positions, the name today still signifies power and prestige. We cover the long history of the Kennedy reign and how this name continues to persist today. Learn More: https://viewpointsradio.org/how-a-single-mother-in-boston-sparked-a-political-empire Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As the use of artificial intelligence tools like ChatGPT become common in schools, teachers are grappling with a steep rise in student cheating and declining engagement. We discuss AI's real-world impact on learning, from eroded writing and reading comprehension skills to broader ethical and societal concerns. Learn More: https://viewpointsradio.org/is-artificial-intelligence-destroying-education Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It's not your typical horror franchise—and that's exactly the point. Final Destination is back yet again, and this time has more elaborate deaths, unexpected nostalgia and a familiar question: can anyone really cheat death? Learn More: https://viewpointsradio.org/culture-crash-death-rides-again-in-final-destination-bloodlines Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Weddings come with a long checklist—venue, catering, flowers, music and so on. But an increasing number of couples are adding something unexpected to this list. Learn More: https://viewpointsradio.org/viewpoints-explained-the-quiet-shift-happening-before-weddings-this-summer Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ever wish that you could turn back time and choose differently? Everyone's been there at one point or another. Regret is an all-too-common feeling that's part of life| but it's what we learn from our mistakes that matters. Writer Daniel Pink joins us this week to break down the intricacies of this emotion and what so many people get wrong about regret. https://viewpointsradio.org/the-surprising-science-of-what-we-regret-most Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

For several decades, Native families passed down quiet, painful stories about children taken, languages lost and lives upended. Journalist and citizen of the Red Cliff Ojibwe Tribe Mary Annette Pember heard them too, but it wasn't until she went digging through church archives that these and countless other stories were brought to the surface. This week, we trace the dark hidden history of Native American boarding schools in a post-Civil War America. Learn More: https://viewpointsradio.org/erased-the-untold-story-of-native-children-in-u-s-boarding-schools Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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

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

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

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

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

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