Viewpoints

Americans are struggling to bear the extremely large price tag of early childhood care. In some big cities, parents are paying upwards of $30,000 per year, per child, for this service. We speak with mother, Christina Kuhn, who lives in Michigan about how high childcare costs are impacting her day-to-day and talk to childcare policy expert, Patricia Cole, about what needs to change to better support families and create an environment that encourages raising healthy children. Learn More: https://viewpointsradio.org/13000-per-toddler-for-annual-childcare-why-america-is-failing-its-parents Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We cover some of our favorite scary movies from big blockbusters to lesser-known indie films. Learn More: https://viewpointsradio.org/culture-crash-boo-our-top-horror-film-recommendations-now-available-to-stream Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The American Academy of Pediatrics has an updated set of guidelines urging pediatricians to take a more proactive and stringent approach on young patients struggling with obesity. We highlight some of these updated policies and the lasting effects of early childhood obesity. Learn More: https://viewpointsradio.org/viewpoints-explained-tackling-childhood-obesity Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Is there a right or wrong way to grieve the loss of someone you love? We speak with two adults who’ve dealt with the loss of a spouse to get a better sense of the grieving process and what people do & don’t need to hear during this difficult this time. Learn More: https://viewpointsradio.org/how-do-you-deal-with-loss-speaking-with-two-people-whove-lost-spouses Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Even before the pandemic hit, more than half of U.S. adults responded that they struggle with feelings of loneliness and isolation. Fast forward four years and this problem has only grown worse. Millions of children, teens and adults feel completely disconnected from their neighbors, towns, and local organizations. We talk about what’s fueled this decline in recent decades and how listeners can take steps to start forming new connections where they live. Learn More: https://viewpointsradio.org/a-mounting-loneliness-epidemic-where-have-our-communities-gone Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Over the last year, hundreds of thousands of migrants seeking asylum have made their way into the U.S. and have been bussed to sanctuary cities across the country. We cover how this large influx is leading to chaos and mass frustration among residents and leaders. Over the last year, hundreds of thousands of migrants seeking asylum have made their way into the U.S. and have been bussed to sanctuary cities across the country. We cover how this large influx is leading to chaos and mass frustration among residents and leaders. Learn More: https://viewpointsradio.org/viewpoints-explained-an-influx-of-southern-migrants-whats-going-on Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Why does it seem like every person on a reality TV show is just trying to become an influencer these days? We talk about what’s wrong with reality TV in 2023 and why we’re fed up with these stale narratives. Learn More: https://viewpointsradio.org/culture-crash-whats-going-on-with-reality-tv Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Have you seen an advertisement or commercial for the group, FIRE? The acronym stands for the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression, but even after watching an ad, it can still be confusing to grasp what exactly this organization truly stands for. As the presidential cycle heats up, this kind of messaging is only going to grow more common over the next year, so we wanted to uncover what exactly FIRE stands for and why some people have mixed feelings on the nonpartisan nonprofit. Learn More: https://viewpointsradio.org/the-story-behind-the-free-speech-organization-advertising-everywhere Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Spiders and bats are some of the most common symbols of Halloween spookiness. We speak with two experts to get the truth behind these traditionally scary creatures and hear why neither of them are nearly as scary as we think. Learn More: https://viewpointsradio.org/breaking-down-the-hidden-misconceptions-of-two-classic-halloween-icons Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We rewind back in time and talk about the power of nostalgia when it comes to the music, movies and shows we prefer. Learn More: https://viewpointsradio.org/culture-crash-why-we-always-go-back-to-what-we-loved-in-high-school Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Consumers are spending more on Halloween recently. Part of it stems from the holiday becoming more popular and people shelling out more on décor, costumes, treats and activities. However, another factor is that prices are also generally rising. We look at how candy prices have significantly jumped over the last few years. Learn More: https://viewpointsradio.org/viewpoints-explained-why-are-halloween-candy-prices-so-scary-right-now Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In 2006, Filipino immigrant Elizabeth Keathley mistakenly registered to vote while at the Illinois Department of Motor Vehicles. Keathley and her former lawyer, Richard Hanus, join us this week to share the stressful, years-long legal battle that almost led to her being deported back to the Philippines. Learn More: https://viewpointsradio.org/30-years-of-the-motor-voter-law-why-this-act-has-trapped-countless-immigrants Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Deborah Kasdan’s sister, Rachel, had a bright future ahead of her. She was a natural creative, a talented student and loved to travel and meet new people. However, this future dimmed when Rachel was diagnosed with schizophrenia during her mid-twenties. The diagnosis forever impacted both Rachel and the family. She sadly passed away at age 59, but Deborah Kasdan joins us this week to share her sister’s story and the wide-ranging toll of mental illness. Learn More: https://viewpointsradio.org/a-family-forever-changed-rachels-struggle-with-schizophrenia Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We highlight how it’s all too easy for prominent directors to fall into a rabbit hole of producing a series of not-that-good movies after their first is a blockbuster hit. Learn More: https://viewpointsradio.org/culture-crash-stepping-into-a-film-directors-shoes Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

If we spend effort recycling items, it’s logical to assume that most of these bottles, cartons and boxes will be recycled and reused. However, for plastic, this is rarely the case. We talk about the plastic crisis and why it’s important to cut down on the plastic you use in your daily life. Learn More: https://viewpointsradio.org/viewpoints-explained-less-than-10-percent-of-all-plastic-is-recycled/ (opens in a new tab) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Millions of kids are failing to meet reading comprehension standards. With so many young people falling through the cracks, we look at what’s broken within the current curriculum and how new research on reading education can lead to some improvements. Education expert Natalie Wexler joins us to share important insights and what parents can also do at home to bolster these skills. Learn More: https://viewpointsradio.org/2-3-of-students-are-testing-below-proficiency-in-reading-why-are-literacy-rates-so-low Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Each year, we throw away the equivalent of 130 billion meals. This wasted food could feed hundreds of millions of people and negatively impacts the environment both from its production and then the methane it releases once in a landfill. We cover the ongoing food waste crisis in America and hear from one tech platform that’s helping to connect hungry people to food that would otherwise be tossed into a trash bin. Lean More: https://viewpointsradio.org/35-percent-of-all-food-ends-up-in-the-trash-why-is-food-waste-still-so-high Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Aging infrastructure, fewer correctional officers, and a large inmate population. These are just some of the factors feeding into why prison breaks, and then large-scale manhunts, seem to be popping up more these days. Learn More: https://viewpointsradio.org/viewpoints-explained-why-are-prison-breaks-becoming-more-common Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We highlight some of our favorite, small-production movie picks as we head into fall film festival season. Learn More: https://viewpointsradio.org/culture-crash-our-fall-indie-film-picks Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The reality: Human-induced climate change is leading to more frequent and powerful extreme weather events. In the U.S. and around the world, millions struggle to get back on their feet following the damage and destruction these disasters bring. As bystanders, how can we pitch in and help? We cover the physical and mental toll these hardships cause and why it’s important to step up and give back in any way you can. Learn More: https://viewpointsradio.org/one-after-another-helping-people-recover-in-a-world-where-natural-disasters-are-all Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices