Viewpoints

We talk to three best-selling authors of historical fiction about how they write their books and why. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We talk to two recess specialists about the benefits of recess, and learn about some recess activities that help a child be more social and physically active. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Our guests discuss upcoming astronomical events and how you can watch them with the naked eye or with inexpensive binoculars and telescopes. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We talk to a specialist on interrogation and lying about how to get to the truth and find out if someone might be lying. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We talk to two educators about how some schools are teaching students how to debate correctly and the benefits for students who engage in thoughtful, civil, debate. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A.O. Scott talks about why it’s good to be a discerning viewer of the arts, how to be a better critic and how criticism makes us see things in a different light. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We all get stressed now and then, but did you ever consider that this “stress” is actually fear? Our guests discuss why that is, how it can sabotage our lives and work, how to handle fear when it comes along, and how to do a better job on the job of recognizing fear and learning to handle it. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Character in a person is something we admire, and something we all would like to think that our kids grow up to achieve. But how do you teach them character? What are some of the virtues that go hand-in-hand with character and how can we instill them in our kids? We talk to two people who work with character education efforts to find out how two very different organizations are teaching kids teamwork, responsibility, fairness, friendship and other character traits in some very trying environments. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

People tell us all the time to “have a good day,” but what does that really mean? How do you work on having a really good day? Our guest has researched the topic and has come up with some very interesting and helpful information from neuroscience and psychology that anyone can use to make their day more productive, less anxiety-provoking and just more pleasant. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

David Axelrod offers insight into President Obama's terms in office, the candidates on the stump now, and the parties’ strategies in this campaign season. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We speak with a wildlife expert and a wildlife photographer about why it’s important to protect cheetahs for future generations. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We talk with two young adult authors about how kids work out issues through the genre and learn valuable lessons about hope, trust, friendship, good and evil. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sex and labor trafficking are big business in the U.S. and around the world. Often it’s young people and immigrants who are forced to work in the sex industry or in sweatshops, restaurants and hotels with little pay, horrible hours and horrible living conditions. We talk to an author who’s experienced dealing with young people caught in this web, and a university lecturer who’s an advocate for trafficked victims, about the extent of the problem, how desperate people become ensnared in the trafficker’s trap, and how law enforcement and communities can help the victims escape from a life of slavery and abuse. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

About this time of year, New Year’s resolutions begin to wane -- and most die. How do you keep them going? And how can you make better ones that you’re more likely to keep in the future? Our guests give advice on crafting a goal and setting up a process that will help you attain it. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What is the gap? When did it begin to develop and why? And what can we do to narrow it? Our guests offer their opinions on the subject and some solutions. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Do humans have more than five senses? Our guest wanted to know, so she spoke to scientists and biohackers about our five senses and perhaps even finding a 6th sense. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices