Viewpoints – Page 9

Culture Crash: Finally – A Superman Worth Believing In

Welcome to Culture Crash, where we examine American culture – what’s new and old in entertainment… In 2013, Warner Brothers reset their DC Comics film universe with a Superman movie from director Zack Snyder called Man of Steel. Chasing the high highs of Christopher Nolan’s The Dark Knight Batman trilogy, Man of Steel opted for a dark and gritty tone, and… it never really worked. The Superman of Man of Steel was almost unrecognizable from the ultra-heroic Superman of the […]

July 30, 2025

Viewpoints

Viewpoints Explained: Is Society Ready For Fewer Babies?

This is Viewpoints Explained… For much of the 20th century, governments around the world were worried about people having too many kids. Now, countries are grappling with the opposite issue. In the U.S. And other developed nations, birth rates are falling fast. Last year, the U.S. Hit a record low fertility rate of 1.6 children per woman on average. Go back to 2007 and this same statistical measure was 2.1 children per woman, according to the Centers For Disease Control […]

July 30, 2025

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Private Equity 101: How Takeovers Are Reshaping America

Private equity sounds like distant Wall Street jargon, but it’s reshaping the very fabric of daily American life from hospitals and pharmacies to brands that play a vital role in communities. This week – we cover how exactly a private equity firm works and the hidden drivers behind these corporate takeovers. Guest Information: Megan Greenwell, author, Bad Company, Private Equity and the Death of the American Dream Richard Coffin, certified financial analyst, certified financial planner, YouTube creator, The Plain Bagel. […]

July 27, 2025

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The Wellness Boom: Hope, Hype And Hard Truths

The wellness industry is booming, but how much is genuine, and how much is simply clever marketing? Journalist Hayley Krischer joins us to unpack the murky world of viral wellness trends and how millions have gotten sucked into this cycle of continuous buying. Guest Information: Hayley Krischer, journalist, author, You Belong to Me. Links for more info: The Atlantic: How Did Healing Ourselves Get So Exhausting? Instagram: @hayleykrischer Penguin Random House: You Belong to Me. NIH: The dark side of […]

July 27, 2025

Viewpoints

Viewpoints Explained: Closing The Digital Divide One Classroom At A Time

This is Viewpoints Explained… I recently traveled to Birmingham, Alabama to attend the future of learning summit, which was held by ed farm – a Birmingham-based nonprofit that’s helping students build their digital skills. This covers a wide net of activities, from learning the basics of coding or 3-d printing to how to edit a podcast or short video. Across many parts of the U.S., Especially in low-income areas with high poverty rates, entire communities don’t have access to reliable […]

July 23, 2025 2

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Culture Crash: Enjoy A Good Scare? Our Take On “28 Years Later”

Welcome to Culture Crash, where we examine American culture – what’s new and old in entertainment… In 2002, writer Alex Garland and director Danny Boyle teamed up to make 28 Days Later, which has become one of the most famous and beloved zombie movies of all time. This year, Garland and Boyle have themselves returned to the universe with the film 28 Years Later, which serves as something of a sequel to 28 Days Later but also works as a […]

July 23, 2025 1

Viewpoints

Where Killers Lurked: The Pacific Northwest’s Deadly History

In the 1970s and 80s, the serene beauty of the Pacific Northwest became the unlikely backdrop for some of America’s most notorious serial killers. Pulitzer Prize-winning author Caroline Fraser, who grew up near Ted Bundy’s hunting grounds, revisits this dark chapter to dig deeper into why this region became a hotspot for violent crime. Guest Information: Caroline Fraser, author, Murderland: Crime and Bloodlust in the Time of Serial Killers. Links for more info: Amazon: Murderland: Crime and Bloodlust in the […]

July 20, 2025

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From Sunrise To Last Call: The Women Behind The Counter

Diners are an American staple. It’s where you stop for a piece of pie and a cup of coffee from coast to coast. But small, mom and pop diners are slowly disappearing to larger chains. We uncover how old-school waitresses at these are key to communities and what it’s like being in this industry for 40, 50 or 60+ years. Guest Information: Candacy Taylor, author, Counter Culture: The American Coffee Shop Waitress. Links for more info: Amazon: Counter Culture: The […]

July 20, 2025

Viewpoints

Culture Crash: Yes, “The Bear” Is Still That Good

Welcome to Culture Crash, where we examine American culture – what’s new and old in entertainment… The Bear is back for season 4 on Hulu, and in it, our favorite chaotic kitchen has mellowed out a bit. With a clock counting down how long the restaurant can continue to exist without something major improving its financials, the stress from seasons one through three still exists, but season 4 shows how even the most anxious chefs in Chicago are learning to […]

July 16, 2025