Viewpoints

A new movie year is taking shape and expectations are already high. We cover some of what we're most looking forward to this year.  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Viewpoints Explained: Why Nuclear Power Is Making A ComebackOnce seen as too risky and politically fraught, nuclear power is being reexamined as energy demand rises and supply chains grow less reliable. We explain why more countries, including the U.S., are warming back up to an option they once tried to leave behind.  Host: Ebony McMorrisProducer: Amirah Zaveri    Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

 Part 1: Venezuela's Oil: How It Powered The World & What Went WrongOnce one of the world's richest oil producers, Venezuela's rise seemed unstoppable. We look at how politics, power struggles and global pressure led to the complete breakdown of this South American country. As the consequences still unfold, will Venezuela and its oil industry make a comeback in this globally unstable environment?Guest: Skip York, nonresident fellow for global oil, The Baker Institute for Public Policy, Rice University.Host: Gary PriceProducer: Amirah Zaveri What Children Already Know - And How Parents Can RespondKids today are absorbing far more than many adults realize - often before anyone has explained what it all means. We look at how parents can meet these moments with clarity, honesty, and care, even when the right words don't come easily.Guest: Dr. Elena Lister, child, adolescent & adult psychiatrist, faculty, Columbia University and Cornell University, author of Giving Hope.Host: Marty PetersonProducer: Amirah Zaveri Viewpoints Explained: Why Nuclear Power Is Making A ComebackOnce seen as too risky and politically fraught, nuclear power is being reexamined as energy demand rises and supply chains grow less reliable. We explain why more countries, including the U.S., are warming back up to an option they once tried to leave behind.  Host: Ebony McMorrisProducer: Amirah Zaveri   Culture Crash: The Movies We're Waiting To See In 2026A new movie year is taking shape and expectations are already high. We cover some of what we're most looking forward to this year.  Host:  Evan RookProducer: Evan Rook Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

What Children Already Know - And How Parents Can RespondKids today are absorbing far more than many adults realize - often before anyone has explained what it all means. We look at how parents can meet these moments with clarity, honesty, and care, even when the right words don't come easily.Guest: Dr. Elena Lister, child, adolescent & adult psychiatrist, faculty, Columbia University and Cornell University, author of Giving Hope.Host: Marty PetersonProducer: Amirah Zaveri Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Part 1: Venezuela's Oil: How It Powered The World & What Went WrongOnce one of the world's richest oil producers, Venezuela's rise seemed unstoppable. We look at how politics, power struggles and global pressure led to the complete breakdown of this South American country. As the consequences still unfold, will Venezuela and its oil industry make a comeback in this globally unstable environment?Guest: Skip York, nonresident fellow for global oil, The Baker Institute for Public Policy, Rice University.Host: Gary PriceProducer: Amirah Zaveri Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Viewpoints Explained: How Nuuly Cracked The Clothing Rental BusinessFor years, clothing rental was billed as the future of fashion, but few companies could make the numbers work. We cover what sets Nuuly apart and if this model is sustainable in the long-term.  Host: Ebony McMorris.  Producer: Amirah Zaveri Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Culture Crash: Why Actor Ethan Hawke Isn't Slowing DownActor Ethan Hawke continues to surprise decades into his career, with a standout turn in this new crime comedy drama series that was one of our favorite shows of 2025.  Host:  Evan Rook.  Producer: Evan Rook                                          Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Logging Off: Inside Australia's Landmark Social Media BanAustralia has become the first country to ban children under sixteen from social media, forcing platforms to block millions of young users overnight. Supporters say the move draws a long-overdue line around online harm while critics feel that it could push teens into riskier digital spaces with less oversight. As legal challenges mount and other countries watch closely, we cover what drove the country to implement this hardline policy on social media.  Guests: Susan Grantham, researcher, lecturer, communication, Griffith University; Terry Flew, professor, digital communication and culture, University of SydneyHost: Gary Price.  Producer: Grace Galante and Amirah Zaveri.   Inside The Strain On America's Animal Rescue SystemMore than six million companion animals enter U.S. shelters each year and a little over four million are adopted. Sadly, shelters still rely on euthanizing when facilities are overcrowded and an animal has been there for a while. Author Laurie Zaleski has made it her life's work to rescue hundreds of these unwanted pets and care for them on her farm. We speak with Zaleski as well Dr. Joshua Fisher, an animal expert, about the importance of approaching any pet adoption with the mentality that it's a lifelong commitment.  Guests: Laurie Zaleski, author, Funny Farm: My Unexpected Life with 600 Rescue Animals; Dr. Joshua Fisher, Director of Animal Services, Charlotte, Mecklenburg County, North Carolina.Marty Peterson.  Producer: Polly Hansen.   Viewpoints Explained: How Nuuly Cracked The Clothing Rental BusinessFor years, clothing rental was billed as the future of fashion, but few companies could make the numbers work. We cover what sets Nuuly apart and if this model is sustainable in the long-term.  Host: Ebony McMorris.  Producer: Amirah Zaveri Culture Crash: Why Actor Ethan Hawke Isn't Slowing DownActor Ethan Hawke continues to surprise decades into his career, with a standout turn in this new crime comedy drama series that was one of our favorite shows of 2025.  Host:  Evan Rook.  Producer: Evan Rook Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Inside The Strain On America's Animal Rescue SystemMore than six million companion animals enter U.S. shelters each year and a little over four million are adopted. Sadly, shelters still rely on euthanizing when facilities are overcrowded and an animal has been there for a while. Author Laurie Zaleski has made it her life's work to rescue hundreds of these unwanted pets and care for them on her farm. We speak with Zaleski as well Dr. Joshua Fisher, an animal expert, about the importance of approaching any pet adoption with the mentality that it's a lifelong commitment.  Guests: Laurie Zaleski, author, Funny Farm: My Unexpected Life with 600 Rescue Animals; Dr. Joshua Fisher, Director of Animal Services, Charlotte, Mecklenburg County, North Carolina.Host: Marty Peterson  Producer: Polly Hansen Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Logging Off: Inside Australia's Landmark Social Media BanAustralia has become the first country to ban children under sixteen from social media, forcing platforms to block millions of young users overnight. Supporters say the move draws a long-overdue line around online harm while critics feel that it could push teens into riskier digital spaces with less oversight. As legal challenges mount and other countries watch closely, we cover what drove the country to implement this hardline policy on social media.  Guests: Susan Grantham, researcher, lecturer, communication, Griffith University; Terry Flew, professor, digital communication and culture, University of SydneyHost: Gary Price Producer: Grace Galante and Amirah Zaveri Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

We remember late director, screenwriter and Hollywood legend Rob Reiner – the brains behind some of the most iconic and award-winning films of our time such as The Princess Bride, A Few Good Men and When Harry Met Sally.Host:  Evan Rook.  Producer: Evan Rook Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Why does everything you look up seem to have a five-star rating these days? We discuss the widespread use of fake or paid reviews on the internet and what the government is doing to try and crack down on this misinformation.  Host: Ebony McMorris.  Producer: Amirah Zaveri  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

After The Fire: Tulsa's Untold Reckoning**In 1921, a prosperous Black neighborhood was destroyed almost overnight - and then quietly written out of the historical record. We examine how violence, silence, and selective memory shaped what generations of Americans were never taught. Host: Gary Price. Producer: Amirah Zaveri. Guest: Scott Ellsworth, lecturer, Department of Afro-American and African Studies at the University of Michigan – Ann Arbor, author, Death in a Promised Land: The Tulsa Race Riot of 1921 and The Groundbreaking: An American City and Its Search for Justice. The Decision Most American's Don't Make Until It's Too LateAbout 60 percent of Americans don't yet have a written will in place. People spend a lifetime working hard, saving money, building assets, but often never think about what would happen in case they suddenly passed away. We speak with life planning expert Abby Schneiderman about the importance of organizing your life both on paper and online.Host: Marty Peterson. Producer: Amirah Zaveri. Guests: Abby Schneiderman, co-CEO, Everplans, co-author, In Case You Get Hit by a Bus: How to Organize Your Life Now for When You're Not Around LaterViewpoints Explained: How Much Do You Trust Online Reviews?Why does everything you look up seem to have a five-star rating these days? We discuss the widespread use of fake or paid reviews on the internet and what the government is doing to try and crack down on this misinformation. Host: Ebony McMorris.Producer: Amirah Zaveri  Culture Crash: Our Tribute To The Acclaimed Filmmaker Rob ReinerWe remember late director, screenwriter and Hollywood legend Rob Reiner – the brains behind some of the most iconic and award-winning films of our time such as The Princess Bride, A Few Good Men and When Harry Met Sally.Host: Evan Rook. Producer: Evan Rook Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In 1921, a prosperous Black neighborhood was destroyed almost overnight - and then quietly written out of the historical record. This week, we examine how violence, silence, and selective memory shaped what generations of Americans were never taught.  Guest:  Scott Ellsworth, lecturer, Department of Afro-American and African Studies at the University of Michigan – Ann Arbor, author, Death in a Promised Land: The Tulsa Race Riot of 1921 and The Groundbreaking: An American City and Its Search for Justice.Host: Gary Price. Producer: Amirah Zaveri. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

About 60 percent of Americans don't yet have a written will in place. People spend a lifetime working hard, saving money, building assets, but often never think about what would happen in case they suddenly passed away. We speak with life planning expert Abby Schneiderman about the importance of organizing your life both on paper and online.Guests: Abby Schneiderman, co-CEO, Everplans, co-author, In Case You Get Hit by a Bus: How to Organize Your Life Now for When You're Not Around LaterHost: Marty Peterson.  Producer: Amirah Zaveri. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

A look at why the 1990s still loom so large in our collective memory and what our fixation on that decade reveals about the draw of nostalgia. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Host: Ebony McMorris.Producer: Amirah Zaveri Compliancy Issues Covered: Food Trends, Diet, Marketing, Advertising, Food Culture, Youth Trends, Social Me Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Too Much Plastic, Too Little (Actual) RecyclingHow often do you buy an item from the store that's packaged in a plastic container or wrapped in plastic? Daily decisions like these add up and are feeding into the global plastic crisis. Scientists estimate that there's anywhere between 9 to 16 million tons of plastic on the sea floor, polluting the environment, harming species and releasing harmful microplastics into every corner of the planet and into our bodies. Two experts on plastic join us this week to shed some light on the problem and how we can each make a difference by changing our consumption habits and demanding improved policies that crack down on single-use plastics.Relearning How To Be Friends As An AdultMaking friends as an adult is harder than it looks, with so many of us trying to juggle busy, demanding schedules, living in new places and dealing with a culture that discourages vulnerability. We unpack why so many people feel disconnected and how you can put yourself out there and foster new and genuine friendships.Viewpoints Explained: The Dessert Trend That Refuses To FadeOnce a sweet treat mainly found at grocery stores, this dessert has quietly moved into the mainstream, showing as stand-alone chains across the country. We look at why it's stuck around longer than past food fads.Culture Crash: Why We Can't Let Go Of The '90SA look at why the 1990s still loom so large in our collective memory and what our fixation on that decade reveals about the draw of nostalgia.  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Host: Gary Price.Producer: Amirah Zaveri.Guests: Jennie Romer, attorney, author, Can I Recycle This? A Guide to Better Recycling and How to Reduce Single-Use Plastics; Kate Melges, plastics project leader, Greenpeace USA Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Acclaimed Mexican filmmaker and director Guillermo del Toro's long-awaited “Frankenstein” arrives at last. We review the new film now streaming on Netflix. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Viewpoints Explained: A Global Threat That's Slowly FadingWe focus on highlighting more positive news, we cover how one global problem is moving in the right direction and how this positive change didn't happen by accident but required global cooperation.  Host: Ebony McMorris.  Producer: Amirah Zaveri  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The Hidden Labor Gap In Modern FamiliesEven as dual-income households become more of the norm across America, women often still shoulder more of the work at home. We explore why this imbalance persists and what real equity moving forward could look like.Host: Gary Price Producer: Amirah Zaveri Guest: Kate Mangino, gender expert, author of Equal Partners: Improving Gender Equality at Home. Locked Out Of Work: Women, Criminal Records & The Will To RebuildA criminal record can follow someone for years, or even decades, by chronically limiting job options and career paths at every turn. As Illinois moves forward with a new Clean Slate law, we examine how these barriers shape lives nationwide, disproportionately affect formerly incarcerated women and what record-clearing policies could change for the tens of millions of Americans stuck in limbo.  Host: Marty PetersonProducer: Amirah Zaveri Guests: Chanell Burnette, writer, advocate, former prisoner; Marlon Chamberlain, founder, executive director, Illinois Coalition to End Permanent Punishments, former prisoner; Colette Payne, director, Reclamation Project, Women's Justice Institute, former prisoner.   Viewpoints Explained: A Global Threat That's Slowly FadingWe focus on highlighting more positive news, we cover how one global problem is moving in the right direction and how this positive change didn't happen by accident but required global cooperation.  Host: Ebony McMorris.  Producer: Amirah Zaveri   Culture Crash: Guillermo Del Toro Finally Meets “Frankenstein”Acclaimed Mexican filmmaker and director Guillermo del Toro's long-awaited “Frankenstein” arrives at last. We review the new film now streaming on Netflix.  Host:  Evan RookProducer: Evan Rook Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Locked Out Of Work: Women, Criminal Records & The Will To RebuildA criminal record can follow someone for years, or even decades, by chronically limiting job options and career paths at every turn. As Illinois moves forward with a new Clean Slate law, we examine how these barriers shape lives nationwide, disproportionately affect formerly incarcerated women and what record-clearing policies could change for the tens of millions of Americans stuck in limbo.  Host: Marty Peterson.  Producer: Amirah Zaveri.  Guests: Chanell Burnette, writer, advocate, former prisoner; Marlon Chamberlain, founder, executive director, Illinois Coalition to End Permanent Punishments, former prisoner; Colette Payne, director, Reclamation Project, Women's Justice Institute, former prisoner.  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

 The Hidden Labor Gap In Modern FamiliesEven as dual-income households become more of the norm across America, women often still shoulder more of the work at home. We explore why this imbalance persists and what real equity moving forward could look like.Host: Gary PriceProducer: Amirah ZaveriGuest: Kate Mangino, gender expert, author of Equal Partners: Improving Gender Equality at Home. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The One-Hunded Year Anniversary Of Mount Rushmore It's one of the most photographed landmarks in America, but behind the four stone faces lies a story of abandoned visions, a sculptor with a controversial legacy and a mountain long sacred to Native Americans. A century after the project was approved, we have a conversation about the landmark's lesser-known history and who gets to shape the story of America. The Human Cost Of Inflation: One Mother's View From The Financial Edge Christina Kuhn's life is a daily race against rising prices, stagnant wages and the constant fear that one unexpected expense could cause her family to lose everything. In this intimate portrait of a Michigan family stretched to their limit, we explore what it really feels like to live without a safety net in today's economy. Viewpoints Explained: The Holiday Leftover Mistakes Many Of Us Make Holiday food safety can feel like a guessing game. Everyone has an opinion, and most of us are just hoping we're making the right call. We break down the simple rules that can keep your fridge (and your family) out of the danger zone during this busy time of year. Culture Crash: Is King Sorrow Worth Reading? Inside Joe Hill's Newest Novel With King Sorrow, Joe Hill turns a simple mistake into a decades-long nightmare. Here's why his newest horror title might be his most gripping yet. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Christina Kuhn's life is a daily race against rising prices, stagnant wages and the constant fear that one unexpected expense could cause her family to lose everything. In this intimate portrait of a Michigan family stretched to their limit, we explore what it really feels like to live without a safety net in today's economy. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It's one of the most photographed landmarks in America, but behind the four stone faces lies a story of abandoned visions, a sculptor with a controversial legacy and a mountain long sacred to Native Americans. A century after the project was approved, we have a conversation about the landmark's lesser-known history and who gets to shape the story of America. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The 2025 drama brings stunning videography and emotional storytelling to streaming giant, Netflix. We review what you'll love about this film and why Netflix may not be the best option for the optimal viewing experience. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mount Rushmore is a national staple, but do you know how these iconic faces came to be forever memorialized in granite? We dive into the 14-year project – from early concepts to the symbolism represented in the finished product. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Saving Coral Reefs: Why These Animals Matter More Than We Think Coral reefs are home to 25 percent of all marine life – approximately 800,000 species. But these vibrant, colorful landscapes are more than just a home for aquatic life. Coral reefs are animals themselves. Two ocean experts join us to share some interesting facts about these unique creatures and why people should care about their declining existence. Libraries On The Line: How Funding Cuts Are Affecting Local Libraries There are more than 125,000 library branches across the country. For many smaller, rural towns, these locations aren't just a place to get books but are a lifeline for countless other resources. Following an executive order that would reduce funding – which has since been overturned – libraries need support now more than ever. Our experts explain how these funds are used to enhance local communities and civil participation.  Viewpoints Explained: Everything You Never Knew About Mount Rushmore Mount Rushmore is a national staple, but do you know how these iconic faces came to be forever memorialized in granite? We dive into the 14-year project – from early concepts to the symbolism represented in the finished product.  Culture Crash: Train Dreams Is Netflix's Newest Cinematic Masterpiece The 2025 drama brings stunning videography and emotional storytelling to streaming giant, Netflix. We review what you'll love about this film and why Netflix may not be the best option for the optimal viewing experience.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

There are more than 125,000 library branches across the country. For many smaller, rural towns, these locations aren't just a place to get books but are a lifeline for countless other resources. Following an executive order that would reduce funding – which has since been overturned – libraries need support now more than ever. Our experts explain how these funds are used to enhance local communities and civil participation. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Coral reefs are home to 25 percent of all marine life – approximately 800,000 species. But these vibrant, colorful landscapes are more than just a home for aquatic life. Coral reefs are animals themselves. Two ocean experts join us to share some interesting facts about these unique creatures and why people should care about their declining existence. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

AI-generated videos now look startlingly real, but small inconsistencies in movement, lighting and context can still give them away. We cover how to spot these details and the importance of questioning what you're really watching online. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Two Succession standouts, Sarah Snook and Matthew Macfadyen, return in new streaming thrillers. We cover if the new releases are worth your time this holiday season. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Nine Years Old & Online: The New Reality Of Tech Use Kids are stepping into the online world earlier than ever, often before parents have mapped out the rules. We look at what changes when the average nine-year-old gets a smartphone, and the small, practical choices that can keep the experience safe without every day turning into a power struggle for parents. The Hidden Forces Behind Modern Breakups Breakups now unfold in a world where politics, feeds, and public opinion quietly shape how couples drift apart. And with so much of life happening online, those moments don't stay private for long. Often, friends, followers and even strangers can influence how people interpret what happened and how they should feel about it. We cover how these subtle pressures make break up's feel even harder these days. Viewpoints Explained: The Tiny Clues That Expose Artificial Intelligence Footage AI-generated videos now look startlingly real, but small inconsistencies in movement, lighting and context can still give them away. We cover how to spot these details and the importance of questioning what you're really watching online. Culture Crash: Two “Succession” Co-Stars, Two New Thrillers Two Succession standouts, Sarah Snook and Matthew Macfadyen, return in new streaming thrillers. We cover if the new releases are worth your time this holiday season. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Kids are stepping into the online world earlier than ever, often before parents have mapped out the rules. We look at what changes when the average nine-year-old gets a smartphone, and the small, practical choices that can keep the experience safe without every day turning into a power struggle for parents. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Breakups now unfold in a world where politics, feeds, and public opinion quietly shape how couples drift apart. And with so much of life happening online, those moments don't stay private for long. Often, friends, followers and even strangers can influence how people interpret what happened and how they should feel about it. We cover how these subtle pressures make break up's feel even harder these days. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We review the new drama film “Die My Love” which has received mixed reviews from critics and audiences. The movie stars Jennifer Lawrence and Robert Pattinson. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Thrifting is often seen as an eco-friendly alternative to fast fashion, but the reality is more complicated. As donations surge and low-quality clothing floods secondhand shops, even resale stores are struggling to keep pace with the waste cycle. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Shutdown Fallout: The Families Left Waiting For Help When the government shut down for 43 days this past October and November, tens of millions of Americans suddenly found the support they rely on slipping out of reach. The disruption revealed just how vulnerable SNAP recipients are when politics stalls and the system falters. We delve into how the SNAP system really works and break some of the misconceptions behind this government service. The Pet Boom That Never Really Ended America's love for pets has grown into a cultural shift that reshapes how we live and spend. What began as companionship has transformed into a deep, generational attachment that fuels a massive industry and redefines who we view as core family members. Viewpoints Explained: The Hidden Cost Of Thrifting Today Thrifting is often seen as an eco-friendly alternative to fast fashion, but the reality is more complicated. As donations surge and low-quality clothing floods secondhand shops, even resale stores are struggling to keep pace with the waste cycle. Culture Crash: Jennifer Lawrence And Robert Pattinson Like You've Never Seen Them We review the new drama film “Die My Love” which has received mixed reviews from critics and audiences. The movie stars Jennifer Lawrence and Robert Pattinson. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

When the government shut down for 43 days this past October and November, tens of millions of Americans suddenly found the support they rely on slipping out of reach. The disruption revealed just how vulnerable SNAP recipients are when politics stalls and the system falters. We delve into how the SNAP system really works and break some of the misconceptions behind this government service. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

America's love for pets has grown into a cultural shift that reshapes how we live and spend. What began as companionship has transformed into a deep, generational attachment that fuels a massive industry and redefines who we view as core family members. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

New polling shows Americans are buying fewer extras at the grocery store, signaling a growing caution that retailers and the economy can't ignore. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

American screenwriter Vince Gilligan is back with a new mystery series. We give our review this week on Culture Crash. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

I Spy Delicious Pie Pie has come a long way from medieval savory fare to a global dessert favorite. Pie expert Ken Haedrich dishes out simple baking tips, his pick for Thanksgiving (creamy Southern buttermilk pie), and a reminder that the crust matters but perfection doesn't. Bottom line: all pie is good pie. America's Quiet Addiction: One Man's Recovery, One Doctor's Warning Behind the drinks we celebrate lies a nationwide addiction crisis. A recovering alcoholic and an emergency room doctor join us this week to share how easily alcohol dependence takes hold, the long-term damaging effects of this addiction and some of the newest treatments available on the frontlines. Viewpoints Explained: Inside The New Grocery Budget Squeeze New polling shows Americans are buying fewer extras at the grocery store, signaling a growing caution that retailers and the economy can't ignore. Culture Crash: Inside The Twisty New Thriller From The “Breaking Bad” Creator American screenwriter Vince Gilligan is back with a new mystery series. We give our review this week on Culture Crash. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Pie has come a long way from medieval savory fare to a global dessert favorite. Pie expert Ken Haedrich dishes out simple baking tips, his pick for Thanksgiving (creamy Southern buttermilk pie), and a reminder that the crust matters but perfection doesn't. Bottom line: all pie is good pie. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Behind the drinks we celebrate lies a nationwide addiction crisis. A recovering alcoholic and an emergency room doctor join us this week to share how easily alcohol dependence takes hold, the long-term damaging effects of this addiction and some of the newest treatments available on the frontlines. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In New York, a new kind of leader is stepping in. Zohran Mamdani is younger, bolder, and has a vision that's shaking up the status quo. What his victory reveals goes far beyond this recent mayoral election. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Some movies like never lose their spark. We cover why we'll never get tired of rewatching this mysterious drama. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

From Neck To Nerves: What Everyday Pain Is Trying To Tell Us A sore neck, stiff shoulders, or dull backache might seem small until they're not. Orthopaedic spine surgeon Dr. Rahul Shah joins us to explain how these everyday aches are signals from a body that's out of sync, often due to tech habits, posture, and lack of movement. By understanding the body's chain reaction, we can prevent years of chronic pain before it starts. Sleep Like A Baby? How Our Early Sleep Habits Shape Us We often think of sleep as a nightly reset, but what if our lifelong rest patterns are set much earlier in life? This week – we cover how researchers are uncovering how disrupted infant sleep may alter brain development and emotional regulation well into adulthood. Viewpoints Explained: From Queens To City Hall: Zohran Mamdani's Unlikely Path In New York, a new kind of leader is stepping in. Zohran Mamdani is younger, bolder, and has a vision that's shaking up the status quo. What his victory reveals goes far beyond this recent mayoral election. Culture Crash: Why Rewatching Our Favorite Films Never Get Old Some movies like never lose their spark. We cover why we'll never get tired of rewatching this mysterious drama. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices