Infotrak

How you parent your teen can have more of an impact than you realize. Cullin Howard, doctoral candidate in the University of Georgia’s College of Family and Consumer Sciences, shares the results of his study that examined how parenting styles directly impact teens' social confidence and anxiety.

Car insurance premiums have jumped by a nationwide average of 15% so far in 2025 alone. But your car insurance premiums don't have to break the bank. Consumer expert Herb Weisbaum explains why rates have been rising fast, and reveals insider strategies for slashing your costs.

After 120 years, mentorship isn't just nice to have—it's delivering a 7:1 social return on investment while transforming lives. Artis Stevens, President and CEO of Big Brothers Big Sisters of America, reveals why mentorship has never been more critical, and how you can get involved.

Making the transition from military service to civilian life is a major challenge. The armed forces offer assistance, but nearly half of military spouses don't even know reintegration programs exist in their communities. Leanne Knobloch, PhD, Professor and Associate Head in the Department of Communication at the University of Illinois, shares her research, and offers clear recommendations to improve the problem. ,

The biggest barrier facing blind people isn't their vision loss. Chris Danielsen from the National Federation of the Blind explains how his organization combats society's low expectations. He also addresses common misconceptions and offers advice for interacting with blind individuals.

Today’s teens who vape have a shocking 1-in-3 chance of eventually smoking cigarettes—a dramatic reversal of decades of tobacco control progress, as e-cigarettes are creating a dangerous new pathway to traditional smoking. Jessica Mongilio, PhD, Postdoctoral Research Fellow in the Center for the Study of Drugs, Alcohol, Smoking, and Health in the School of Nursing at the University of Michigan, shares what policymakers must do to protect the next generation.

Paula Almgren, attorney specializing in estate planning, elder law and life care, author of “Eldercare the Rules: Navigating the Legal, Financial, Medical, Housing, and Care Maze,” breaks down the critical mistakes families make when planning for aging. She reveals why people avoid eldercare planning and shares a practical roadmap. She also explain why honest family conversations are crucial before crisis hits.

School connectedness could be the key to protecting bullied teens from depression, according to groundbreaking research that followed over 2,000 children from age 9 to 15. Nia Heard-Garris, MD, MBA, MSc, pediatrician and researcher at Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago and Assistant Professor of Pediatrics at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, explains how feeling engaged, included, and safe at school acts as a protective buffer against depression for bullied adolescents—though surprisingly, it doesn't help with anxiety.

Would your next financial advisor be powered by AI? Andrew W. Lo, PhD, Professor of Finance at the MIT Sloan School of Management, explores this fascinating frontier where artificial intelligence meets personal finance. While AI chatbots are revolutionizing access to financial planning, they're not quite ready to fly solo – he likens them to very bright teaching assistants at universities who are occasionally stoned and offer wrong answers.

A groundbreaking smartphone app is transforming suicide prevention, offering hope to those at their most vulnerable. Michael Allen, MD, Professor of Psychiatry-Adult Psychiatry in the School of Medicine at the University of Colorado, explains how digital therapy is becoming a game-changer in mental health support, particularly during the critical period following hospital discharge.

Dafna Krouk-Gordon, President and Founder of Toward Independent Living and Learning, co-author of "Moving Out," shares vital insights on planning residential arrangements for adults with disabilities. She emphasizes the importance of starting this process during adolescence, when families should educate themselves about available options, like group homes or shared living situations.

When humans hit the trails, wildlife plays a complex game of hide and seek! In this fascinating episode, zoologist Kaitlyn Gaynor, PhD, Assistant Professor in the Departments of Zoology and Botany at the University of British Columbia, reveals surprising insights about how wildlife responds to human presence in U.S. national parks. She says by respecting the natural habitats and giving animals the space they need, people can coexist harmoniously with wildlife.

Did you know African-American households often pay a significantly higher percentage of their income on energy bills? George Homsy, PhD, Director of Environmental Studies and Associate Professor in the Environmental Studies Program at Binghamton University State University of New York, unveils groundbreaking research showing how historical housing discrimination continues to impact energy costs today, even for even middle-class black families.

Did you know that Medicare wastes billions annually on low-value healthcare services that offer little to no benefit and sometimes even cause harm? A. Mark Fendrick, MD, Professor of Internal Medicine in the School of Medicine, Professor of Health Management and Policy in the School of Public Health at the University of Michigan, reveals how common but unnecessary procedures, like certain prostate cancer screenings in older men, contribute to this wasteful spending. He offers his prescription for money-saving reforms.

Discover why legendary investment consultant Charles D. Ellis, author of “Rethinking Investing: A Very Short Guide to Very Long-Term Investing,” believes thinking in decades, not months, could transform your financial future. He notes that staggering 85-90% of actively managed mutual funds underperform their benchmarks, making a compelling case for index investing.

First, we dive into a critical conversation with Andrew Yockey, PhD, Assistant Professor of Public Health at the University of Mississippi, as he reveals the devastating impact of nitrous oxide misuse in America. This eye-opening episode exposes how a substance commonly known for its medical use has become a silent killer, with deaths skyrocketing by 500% between 2010 and 2023. He attributes this rise to increased accessibility, and misconceptions about the substance's safety outside of medical settings

Could your sleepless nights be a warning sign of something more serious? We'll dive into a crucial conversation with sleep scientist Bryce Mander, PhD, Associate Professor of Psychiatry & Human Behavior in the School of Medicine at the University of California, Irvine about the hidden dangers of sleep apnea and its profound impact on your health.

Could your genes be driving your teenage drinking habits? Contrary to popular belief, peer pressure isn't the primary culprit behind teenage alcohol consumption. Sarah Brislin, PhD, assistant professor of psychiatry at Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, a member of the Rutgers Addiction Research Center, explains a fascinating interplay between genetics, family environment, and personality traits like sensation-seeking in shaping teenage drinking patterns.

Shocking new research reveals disposable e-cigarettes contain up to 500 times more toxic metals than traditional cigarettes. Brett Poulin, PhD, Assistant Professor in the Department of Environmental Toxicology at the University of California, Davis, discusses this critical public health concern, particularly for young users who face risks of neurological damage and respiratory problems.

What if the key to finding joy in parenting a child with autism lies in shifting our perspective?  Kate Swenson, co-author of “Autism Out Loud: Life with a Child on the Spectrum, from Diagnosis to Young Adulthood―Moving Stories and Parenting Lessons Learned from Three Mothers of Children with Autism,” shares her transformative journey raising her 14-year-old son Cooper, who has severe autism. She offers practical advice for parents feeling overwhelmed, encouraging them to pause and accept their children as they are, while also seeking community support.