Culture Crash: “Barbarian” Film Director Zach Cregger Does It Again With “Weapons”

Welcome to Culture Crash, where we examine American culture – what’s new and old in entertainment… In 2022, former internet sketch comic Zach Cregger took the horror world by storm with his $4 million dollar film Barbarian. Hinging on a millennial meet-cute at a double-booked home rental, Barbarian surprised audiences with its casting misdirections and mid-film rugpull to drum up an incredibly positive word of mouth that led to a $45 million domestic return in theaters and helped the film […]

August 27, 2025 7

Viewpoints

Viewpoints Explained: The Race To Improve Cancer Screening And Detection

This is Viewpoints Explained… As medical researchers continue to find ways to improve cancer diagnoses and patient outcomes, experts say artificial intelligence may play an important role. According to the latest annual report from the American Association for Cancer Research, cancer death rates in the U.S. Have dropped by about 33 percent. But, the disease is also becoming more common, and increasingly affecting young people. It is estimated that more than 2 million people in the U.S. will be diagnosed […]

August 27, 2025 2

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Pop’s Power Shift: From Madonna To Taylor Swift, Chappell Roan And Olivia Rodrigo

Earlier this month, the online announcement of Taylor Swift’s twelfth studio album, “The Life of a Showgirl” almost crashed YouTube because millions of Swifties flooded the platform. This week – we cover how female pop stardom has reached record new heights and how early female pop stars like Madonna paved the way for future musicians in this genre. Guest Information: Jennifer Keishin Armstrong, historian, pop culture expert, author, Pop Star Goddesses. Links for more info: Amazon: Pop Star Goddesses: And […]

August 24, 2025 1

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Part 1: Beyond Lesson Plans: How Teachers Navigate Tech, Bullying & A Lack Of Connection In The Classroom

A new school year is underway, and teachers aren’t just juggling lesson plans, but are navigating a maze of social media drama, tech distractions, and the emotional needs of their many students. This week, in part one of this two-part story, two educators join us to share how they’re navigating the often-invisible challenges that follow kids into the classroom. Guest Information: Lindsay, fourth grade elementary school teacher, Chicago suburbs. Kathleen Corley, principal, Red Cedar Elementary, Bluffton, South Carolina. Links for […]

August 24, 2025 1

Viewpoints

Culture Crash: Paramore’s Hayley Williams Is Back With New Music

Welcome to Culture Crash, where we examine American culture – what’s new and old in entertainment… Paramore frontwoman Hayley Williams has released solo music before, but never quite the way she released her latest album, which doesn’t seem to have an official name but that the internet had dubbed “Ego.” The album is something of a choose-your-own-adventure collection, as Williams released all 17 songs as singles and encouraged her fans to put the tracks in whatever order they prefer. Beyond […]

August 20, 2025

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Viewpoints Explained: The Lifesaving Tip That Could Save You In This Emergency

This is Viewpoints Explained… Summer’s not over yet, and if you plan to sneak in a few more beach trips and ocean swims, there’s one hazard you should be aware of: rip currents. These powerful flows of water happen mostly along ocean shorelines, and in some cases, the great lakes, where waves consistently break on shore. Rip currents form when water gets funneled back out to sea through a narrow channel. This creates a fast-moving current that can sweep swimmers […]

August 20, 2025

Viewpoints

The Foolproof Way To Find Joy In Cooking Again

Most people would agree that eating out and staying in are two very different experiences. Chef and cookbook author Alison Roman explains that being able to have people over and cooking for people you love provides a different way to spend your time and money. We speak with Roman this week about how to simplify this process, choose recipes that lead you to success and don’t leave you confused and overwhelmed. Guest Information: Alison Roman, chef, American food writer, author, […]

August 18, 2025

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Lonelier By Design: The Quiet Decline Of Community Spaces

Are you familiar with the term, ‘third place’? These are the local cafes, diners, public parks, park district centers and other places that foster connection and feel accessible and welcoming. Many of us take these areas, and the benefit they bring, for granted. Yet, for many, especially senior citizens and low-income individuals, these spots are a lifeline. Sadly, these places are disappearing across the country as prices rise and people shift their habits. We cover the importance of these hubs […]

August 18, 2025

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Culture Crash: From Kurosawa Remakes To Stephen King Revivals: The Fall Film Lineup

Welcome to Culture Crash, where we examine American culture – what’s new and old in entertainment… Now that we’re into the dog days of summer, the fall movie slate is taking shape. The blockbusters or would-be blockbusters are largely behind us, and fall film festival season is taking over the movie landscape. And there’s great news on that front: the rest of 2025 is loaded with exciting movies from talented filmmakers. For example, on August 22, film lovers can see […]

August 13, 2025