Viewpoints Radio

Scarlett Cochran became pregnant at 19. As a single mom, she had to quickly find work but soon found herself in a dead-end job that paid about $25,000 a year. She knew she needed to make a change, so started with small steps in the right direction. Growing up, Cochran came from a family where finances were always a tension point. It drove a wedge between her parents, so learning about money or having open conversations as a family never happened. She joins us today to share her journey and how she was able to reinvent herself by going back to school and sticking to a strict budget. Learn More: https://viewpointsradio.org/why-2025-is-your-money-management-year Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

For many Americans, the assumption is that female genital mutilation – the process of partially or fully cutting female external genitalia – is an outdated, old-world tradition that is no longer practiced. Sadly, this isn’t the case, and more than 200 million girls and women today have undergone the traumatic and life-altering practice. The U.S. isn’t immune either to this practice, with surgeries usually occurring under the radar in smaller, private practices. We speak with Jaha Dukureh, a victim of FGM and global advocate, to get a better understanding on why FGM persists and what’s being done to curb these numbers. Learn More: https://viewpointsradio.org/between-2016-and-2024-30-million-women-were-subjected-to-female-genital-mutilation Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We cover the escalating price tag of coffee beans as climate change impacts the supply of some of the world’s most popular varieties. Learn More: https://viewpointsradio.org/viewpoints-explained-from-starbucks-to-k-cups-the-rising-cost-of-coffee Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We explain the genre of prestige TV, some of our favorite shows within the category and others that fall outside of this box. Learn More: https://viewpointsradio.org/culture-crash-prestige-vs-easy-tv-the-best-of-both-worlds Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Most Americans are well acquainted with the story of Amelia Earhart, but few have heard the name Bessie Coleman. This fearless legend earned her pilot’s license two years before Earhart became certified. This week, as we celebrate Black History Month, we cover the story of Coleman and the countless barriers she faced as an African American woman in the early 1900’s set on making a name for herself as a pilot. Learn More: https://viewpointsradio.org/bessie-coleman-the-stunt-pilot-sensation-of-the-early-1900s Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As of January 2025, there are about 170 million Americans on Tik Tok. Last month, the app’s brief shutdown made headlines as many users mourned the end of Tik Tok and questioned if it would ever be back. Well, after about 12 hours it was back online thanks to an extension granted by President Trump. While it’s back for now, we speak with two experts about the platform’s long-term future in the U.S. and if users should really be worried about Tik Tok’s ties to China. Learn More: https://viewpointsradio.org/whats-next-for-tiktok Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Last month, the Chinese startup DeepSeek shook up the tech sector and the stock market. We explain why this new artificial intelligence platform is pushing companies and public officials to rethink future AI strategy. Learn More: https://viewpointsradio.org/viewpoints-explained-why-deepseek-is-shaking-up-artificial-intelligence Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The movie “Nickel Boys” which is directed by RaMell Ross received two Oscar nominations this year for Best Picture and Best Adapted Screenplay. We offer our take on why this film is worthy of the win. Learn More: https://viewpointsradio.org/culture-crash-why-were-rooting-for-this-film-to-win-best-picture Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It’s not just you – food recalls did rise last year as tens of thousands of items – from frozen meals to vegetable packets – were deemed unsafe for consumption. Just last week, the Food and Drug Administration upgraded the severity of a Lays potato chips recall, which impacted thousands of bags sold in Oregon and Washington State. We speak with two experts in the food industry about why you shouldn’t be so worried about the growing number of recalls and how you can reduce your personal risk through some simple practices. Learn More: https://viewpointsradio.org/is-our-food-supply-becoming-less-safe Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Financial scams and data breaches are a common reality when so much of our lives are uploaded onto tech like our phones. In 2023, about 21 percent of Americans, or 56.2 million people, reported falling for telephone-based scams according to a report released by Truecaller – a leading caller ID and spam blocking app. We speak with cybersecurity expert Eva Galperin about some of the creative tactics behind scams and data breaches and how to better protect yourself and your info. Learn More: https://viewpointsradio.org/outsmarting-hackers-protecting-the-personal-data-on-your-smartphone Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We cover the legacy of director David Lynch who passed away last month at age 78. Learn More: https://viewpointsradio.org/culture-crash-remembering-director-david-lynch Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

There are several new identification policies taking effect this year, whether you’re traveling domestically or internationally. We cover what you need to know if you’re planning to hop on a flight. Learn More: https://viewpointsradio.org/viewpoints-explained-traveling-this-year-new-entry-policies-you-should-know Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today, almost half of the population has high-interest credit card debt, according to Federal Reserve data. On top of this, two-thirds of Americans are living paycheck to paycheck. For so many, feeling financially lost and unable to dig out of this hole is all too common because managing money and making smart financial decisions was never part of the conversation. Today, more schools are covering financial literacy, but students are still falling through the cracks. Learn More: https://viewpointsradio.org/investing-in-their-future-learning-finance-early-in-life Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Alcohol use disorder can range from a mild dependence to a severe addiction. For author Annie Grace, it took decades to find a way forward without drinking daily. Grace joins us to share her story, the pressures of drinking today and what finally helped her break this self-destructive cycle. Learn More: https://viewpointsradio.org/an-invisible-pull-hitting-rock-bottom Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

MJ Lenderman is making waves in the indie rock genre. His unique music and style are drawing new and old audiences back to the genre. We cover some of our favorite tracks on his recent albums. Learn More: https://viewpointsradio.org/culture-crash-a-musical-ascent-for-this-indie-rock-star Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Federal Trade Commission is cracking down on junk fees – those predatory, last-minute charges businesses include during a transaction. We cover the move to clamp down on these tactics in 2025. Learn More: https://viewpointsradio.org/viewpoints-explained-tired-of-surprise-fees-so-is-the-ftc Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

There are an estimated three million shipwrecks lying under the ocean and underground. We speak with author Daniel Stone about these fascinating structures that reveal a hidden past. Learn More: https://viewpointsradio.org/the-lost-world-of-shipwrecks-2 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Taylor Swift's Eras Tour grossed more than two billion dollars in ticket sales, making it the highest-grossing concert tour in history. Furthermore, it generated billions more in consumer spending for travels, hotels, merchandise and more. We highlight the global reverberating impact of the Eras Tour – an experience unlike anything before. Learn More: https://viewpointsradio.org/the-economic-impact-of-taylor-swifts-world-tour Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Timothée Chalamet shines as Bob Dylan in A Complete Unknown, bringing the iconic musician’s early years and transition to “electric” to the big screen. Learn More: https://viewpointsradio.org/culture-crash-reviewing-the-new-bob-dylan-biopic-a-complete-unknown Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A recent U.S. Surgeon General report linking alcohol to cancer could make Dry January even more appealing. Learn More: https://viewpointsradio.org/viewpoints-explained-how-alcohol-causes-cancer-surgeon-general-issues-new-warning Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices