Wednesdays with IAS

Let's be honest: I don't know about you, but I'm still feeling '22. Nonetheless, '23 has come, and with the new year are new hopes and aspirations. Join Sarina in a solo episode discussing her goals and resolutions for 2023!

Categorizing things can be pretty fun, especially when you debate about them with your friends. We thought we should rank fruits, since they're quite universal, and invite others to listen to our conversation. Join Ida, Amy, and Sarina as they tier-rank 50 fruits into our own categories!

Being stuck online sucks. It's hard to stay engaged during school or work Zoom calls, and it's even harder to stay connected with friends and family members. As we've transitioned back to operating fully in person, we've taken some time to reflect on how we kept in contact during quarantine. Join Ida, Amy, and Sarina as they discuss how they stayed connected during the pandemic and what they learned! Source: The 90% economy that lockdowns will leave behind (The Economist) Disclaimer: This is just our opinion! We're always trying to learn and grow; email us if you have any problems with what we said! Questions, comments, concerns? Email us at ias.the.podcast@gmail.com!

After nearly three months of radio silence, Wednesdays with IAS is back! We've taken some time to reflect on the podcast and talk about our favorite memories and future goals. Join Ida, Amy, and Sarina as they discuss their first year in podcasting — the highs, the lows, and everything in between! Disclaimer: This is just our opinion! We're always trying to learn and grow; email us if you have any problems with what we said! Questions, comments, concerns? Email us at ias.the.podcast@gmail.com!

As midterms roll around, we wanted to unwind a bit. So this week we're presenting another "Chill with IAS" segment! In this episode, Ida, Amy, and Sarina ask each other, "Who's most likely to —?" and discuss the proposed answers. Join our lighthearted game and learn a little more about the three of us! Disclaimer: This is just our opinion! We're always trying to learn and grow; email us if you have any problems with what we said! Questions, comments, concerns? Email us at ias.the.podcast@gmail.com!

Bias. Inequity. Scandal. Recently, news has uncovered all three in multiple colleges, and the Ivy Leagues are no exception. Across the board, these issues are present in the American college system. But why? What are its effects? Join the three of us as we dive into the strings attached to college in our second installment of post-high school career paths! Sources: Student Loan Debt: 2020 Statistics and Outlook (Investopedia) BIPOC students attending Ivy Leagues still grapple with racism, elitism, and oppression (Mic) Affirmative Action - Overview, Advantages, and Disadvantages (Corporate Finance Institute) Lori Loughlin Appeared in Court as Admissions Scandal Looms Over New School Year (New York Times) The legal way the rich get their kids into elite colleges: Huge donations for years (LA Times) Disclaimer: This is just our opinion! We're always trying to learn and grow; email us if you have any problems with what we said! Questions, comments, concerns? Email us at ias.the.podcast@gmail.com!

Making choices is hard – especially when it's a big one, like whether or not to quit your job or to break up with your partner. Life-altering decisions are nerve-wracking for many, but why? Professor Steven Levitt published an interesting article, and we were particularly fascinated by choices and the happiness they may (or may not) bring. In another addition to our segment "Chill with IAS," join Amy in a solo episode discussing what to do with hard choices! Sources: Warum große Veränderungen uns glücklicher machen (Welt.de) [Note: this webpage is in German.] Heads or Tails: The Impact of a Coin Toss on Major Life Decisions and Subsequent Happiness (Steven D. Levitt) Disclaimer: This is just our opinion! We're always trying to learn and grow; email us if you have any problems with what we said! Questions, comments, concerns? Email us at ias.the.podcast@gmail.com!

With social media on the rise, it's becoming more and more uncommon to come across teens that do not use it. Ida has been off of social media for most of her life, only recently getting Snapchat. So, is it best to stay off of social media as long as possible? What sacrifices come with that choice? In this solo episode, Ida gets some insights from her friends as to what she has (or has not) missed by being off of social media. Disclaimer: This is just our opinion! We're always trying to learn and grow; email us if you have any problems with what we said! Questions, comments, concerns? Email us at ias.the.podcast@gmail.com!

After high school, many Americans go straight to university without considering other paths. Why is this? What can one do besides attending university after high school? Join the three of us as we dive into post-high school plans and provide our own opinions! Sources: Life After High School: Top 10 Alternatives to College (Family Education) What is a Community College? | Study in the USA (International Student) America Spends More On College Than Virtually Any Other Country (Forbes) Why Germany Is So Much Better at Training Its Workers (The Atlantic) Dixie D'Amelio Vogue Video: Fans Mad Over 'Tone-Deaf' College Comments (Insider) Disclaimer: This is just our opinion! We're always trying to learn and grow; email us if you have any problems with what we said! Questions, comments, concerns? Email us at ias.the.podcast@gmail.com!

Feminism is a loaded word. Some staunchly support the concept, while others vehemently oppose it. But what actually is feminism? And what does it mean for society? How will it shape the future? Join the three of us as we dive into feminism and provide our own opinions! Sources: What Is Feminism, And Why Do So Many Women And Men Hate It? (Forbes) The Etymology Of "Feminism" (Medium) A Brief History Of The Word "Feminism" (Bustle) Feminism (History) Men's Rights vs Feminism: Is Toxic Masculinity Real? | Middle Ground (Jubilee) Emma Watson on that topless photo: "feminism is not a stick with which to beat other women" (Vogue Australia) you're not s3xually liberated, you're 16 (Madisyn Brown) Intersectional feminism: what it means and why it matters right now (UN Women) Episode disclaimer: Ida said intersectionality was founded in 1898. This is incorrect. The actual date is 1989. Disclaimer: This is just our opinion! We're always trying to learn and grow; email us if you have any problems with what we said! Questions, comments, concerns? Email us at ias.the.podcast@gmail.com!

As the world transitions to greater reliance on technology, socializing has also moved online. Our ability to connect and converse with others is one defining trait of being human, but has social media suppressed our capacity to create true, meaningful interactions? Or has technology actually improved communication. . . Join the three of us as we provide our own opinions and dive into the topic of communicating via social media! Sources: How social media Effects communication? (The Education Magazine) How social media makes us unsocial | Allison Graham | TEDxSMU (YouTube) Influence of Social Media in Interpersonal Communication (Dr. K.R. Subramanian) Disclaimer: This is just our opinion! We're always trying to learn and grow; email us if you have any problems with what we said! Questions, comments, concerns? Email us at ias.the.podcast@gmail.com!

Whether you love or hate them, romantic comedies have remained widely popular since the rise of Hollywood. But why do people have such strong opinions about this movie genre? In another addition to our new segment, "Chill With IAS," join Sarina in a solo episode discussing the praise and critique of romantic comedies! Sources: Why Are Romantic Comedies So Bad? (The Atlantic) From 'Hitch' to 'Say Anything,' How Rom-Coms Distort Romance (The Atlantic) Why Do We Love Teen Rom-Coms So Much? (Elle) Disclaimer: This is just our opinion! We're always trying to learn and grow; email us if you have any problems with what we said! Questions, comments, concerns? Email us at ias.the.podcast@gmail.com!

Pot. Weed. Marijuana. Whatever you call it, cannabis has become a hot topic. Recently, states have begun allowing its recreational use, with ample benefits and drawbacks. So, what does legalizing marijuana mean for the individual? What are its effects on the economy and broader society? Join the three of us as we dive into the legalization of recreational marijuana! Episode disclaimer: The Sha'carri Richardson situation is still changing, opinions are still shifting, and what we say in the episode may not include the most recent updates. Sources: How does marijuana produce its effects? (National Institute on Drug Abuse) Marijuana in the United States: How Attitudes Have Changed (Time Magazine) Cannabis Overview (NCSL) The Country's Evolving Marijuana Debate (The New York Times) Race and the Drug War (The Drug Policy Alliance) Sha'Carri Richardson, a Track Sensation, Tests Positive for Marijuana (The New York Times) Olympics swimming star Michael Phelps suspended after being pictured smoking drugs pipe as Kellogg's cancel contract (Daily Mail UK) Undecided on the cannabis referendum: 10 pros and cons of legalising the drug (The Conversation) Helping Drug Users Survive, Not Abstain: ‘Harm Reduction' Gains Federal Support (The New York Times) Government & Policy The Economic Benefits of Legalizing Weed (Investopedia) Disclaimer: This is just our opinion! We're always trying to learn and grow; email us if you have any problems with what we said! Questions, comments, concerns? Email us at ias.the.podcast@gmail.com!

June is just ending, but are you already feeling burnt out? Have no idea what you're doing for the next two months of your life? Well, Ida, Amy, and Sarina have got you covered. In the debut episode of our new series, "Chill with IAS," we'll give you 50 fun summer ideas! Souces: How Many Books Did The Average American Read In The Last Year? This New Study May Surprise You (Bustle) 100 fun activities to do in summer with or without kids (CNN) http://www.sarinazhao.com (Sarina's blog) Disclaimer: This is just our opinion! We're always trying to learn and grow; email us if you have any problems with what we said! Questions, comments, concerns? Email us at ias.the.podcast@gmail.com!

School uniforms and dress codes have been around for a while, and so has the debate surrounding them. What are the pros and cons of school uniforms and dress codes? Do the benefits outweigh the drawbacks? Join the three of us as we dive into school uniforms and dress codes and provide our own opinions! Sources: Is Your Body Appropriate to Wear to School? (NYT) The Movement Against Sexist and Discriminatory School Dress Codes (The Atlantic) Uniforms: The Pros and Cons | PublicSchoolReview.com (Public School Review) The School Uniforms Debate – Global Academic Commons (Global Academic Commons) Disclaimer: This is just our opinion! We're always trying to learn and grow; email us if you have any problems with what we said! Questions, comments, concerns? Email us at ias.the.podcast@gmail.com!

Brandy Melville, a popular clothing brand, has stirred up some controversy for its "one size fits all/most" mentality. To what extent should Brandy Melville cater to all and is it okay to have niche businesses? Join the three of us as we dive into Brandy Melville and provide our own opinions! Sources: Brandy Melville faces allegations of racism and body-shaming by former employees (Today) Why I Quit Working at Brandy Melville *THE TRUTH* (YouTube) I Applied to Work at Brandy Melville and This is what Happened! (YouTube) I SPENT $1000 AT BRANDY MELVILLE.. a try on haul full of regret (YouTube) Disclaimer: This is just our opinion! We're always trying to learn and grow; email us if you have any problems with what we said! Questions, comments, concerns? Email us at ias.the.podcast@gmail.com!

The COVID-19 pandemic hit the world hard, not just physically, but mentally and socially too. Maturing teenagers are some of the most affected, so we collected experiences from teens around the world. Listen to their take on quarantine and the pandemic! Disclaimer: This is just our opinion! We're always trying to learn and grow; email us if you have any problems with what we said! Questions, comments, concerns? Email us at ias.the.podcast@gmail.com!

Kpop groups such as BTS have explosively risen to international fame. But there's a lot working behind the scenes to support Kpop idols and groups – much more than what meets the eye – and the influence of these celebrities is widespread. Join the three of us as we dive into the Kpop industry and provide our own opinions! Sources: The biggest K-pop records of 2020 (Guinness World Records) BLACKPINK: Light Up the Sky (Netflix) Rethinking the K-pop industry's silence during the Black Lives Matter movement (The Conversation) The VMAs' new K-pop category spawns backlash from BTS fans (Vox) When Anti-Asian Parody Targeted BTS, the Boy Band's Fan Army Mobilized (The New York Times) K-pop stars BTS share experience with racism, condemn anti-Asian violence (Today) How K-Pop Fans Actually Work as a Force for Political Activism in 2020 (Time Magazine)

It seems in recent years that opposing political parties have grown further and further apart. But is that really what's happening? What are the causes and consequences of political polarization, and how can we bridge the gap? Join the three of us as we dive into this issue and provide our own opinions! Sources: What political polarization means for the 2020 election (The Observer) Opinion | Is Media Driving Americans Apart? (The New York Times) Are Social Media Driving Political Polarization? (Greater Good Berkeley) Historian Niall Ferguson on the roots of today's political polarization (YouTube) Emotion shapes the diffusion of moralized content in social network (Proceedings of the National Acadamy of Sciences of the United States of America) Why Social Media Is So Good at Polarizing Us (The Wall Street Journal) Democrats and Republicans are divided over coronavirus risks. That could kill people. (The Washington Post) Polarization and the Pandemic: American Political Discourse (Berkman Klein Center) Why America's Political Divisions Will Only Get Worse (The New York Times) What is the MMP voting system? (New Zealand Parliament) Disclaimer: This is just our opinion! We're always trying to learn and grow; email us if you have any problems with what we said! Questions, comments, concerns? Email us at ias.the.podcast@gmail.com!

TikTok exploded onto the global scene recently, and with its rise came questions about the responsibilities of TikTokers, their fame, and their wealth. Join the three of us as we dive into some of these issues and provide our own opinions! Sources: TikTok drama: Psychologists say fame may harm child star influencers (Insider) How TikTok Is Addictive. Psychological Impacts of TikTok's… | by - | DataSeries (Medium) TikTok's 7 Highest-Earning Stars: New Forbes List Led By Teen Queens Addison Rae And Charli D'Amelio (Forbes) Meet the Original Renegade Dance Creator: Jalaiah Harmon (The New York Times) Further reading: Digital Crack Cocaine: The Science Behind TikTok's Success (Forbes) Top 10 Most Followed TikTok accounts in 2021 Disclaimer: This is just our opinion! We're always trying to learn and grow; email us if you have any problems with what we said! Questions, comments, concerns? Email us at ias.the.podcast@gmail.com!

Our school is looking to transition to hybrid learning! In this episode, we dive into the pros and cons of doing so with three of our peers. NOTE: While we were recording, we were under the impression that students would be split alphabetically by last name. However, we were later told that students would be split by grade level instead, with each grade (9-12) attending in-person school for two consecutive weekdays over a rotational period of 14 days. Sources: https://www.nytimes.com/2021/01/26/world/cdc-schools-reopening.html https://www.nytimes.com/2021/01/24/us/politics/student-suicides-nevada-coronavirus.html Our school survey and three of our peers were also referenced in the making of this episode. Disclaimer: This is just our opinion! We're always trying to learn and grow; email us if you have any problems with what we said! Questions, comments, concerns? Email us at ias.the.podcast@gmail.com!

With the rise of the internet, a new form of social ostracism and punishment has emerged: cancel culture. Join the three of us (Ida, Amy, and Sarina) as we take a look into the benefits and drawbacks of canceling and provide our own opinions! Sources: https://www.msn.com/en-us/entertainment/news/these-people-got-e2-80-98canceled-e2-80-99-in-2020-what-happened-to-their-careers/ar-BB1bZM1h https://www.nytimes.com/2020/12/26/us/mimi-groves-jimmy-galligan-racial-slurs.html Inspired by: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V5ePvuDm5Is Disclaimer: This is just our opinion! We're always trying to learn and grow; email us if you have any problems with what we said! Questions, comments, concerns? Email us at ias.the.podcast@gmail.com! Check out some other opinions on cancel culture: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c12h51jBTS4 Organizations that we stand by: https://colorofchange.org https://www.unwomen.org/en https://www.worldwildlife.org