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The Week in Philly from KYW Newsradio

The Week in Philly from KYW Newsradio

1,337 episodes — Page 6 of 27

We’re back in the office - so how much has work changed?

When the pandemic disrupted the workforce, showing that lots of jobs can be done remotely and making workers rethink the values they want from their jobs, many people thought it would change the way we work forever. In 2023, a lot of those workers are back in the office and feeling high levels of burnout. So how much really changed? Morning Consult puts out an annual report on the state of workers. We invited Amy He, their Industry Analyst Team Lead, to explain what this year’s results reveal about how work has or hasn’t shifted over the past year, how satisfied different types of workers are, and what workers really want from their jobs now. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Apr 27, 202316 min

Is AI taking over? How artificial intelligence is being used in the workplace

Artificial intelligence is showing up everywhere. It’s the customer service chat box on websites. It’s the facial recognition feature in security cameras and phones. It’s even in filters on social media, and now, the workplace. But, 38 percent of Americans are cautious about how much AI is present in our everyday lives. Should we be worried about the expansion of AI? And, will increasing its usage affect job security? James Barlow is the founder of Triumph Technology Solutions, a Philadelphia-based data company. He tells us about how companies are using artificial intelligence and what investing in this technology means for workers. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Apr 25, 202312 min

How much progress have we made against cancer?

We’ve heard a ton about medical advancements that happened really quickly in response to COVID - meanwhile, scientists and doctors have been working on a cure and treatments for cancer for decades. Where does that research stand today? Are we any closer to finding a cure…or is that the wrong thing to look at? Dr. Jonathan Chernoff, Cancer Center Director at the Fox Chase Cancer Center, talks us through the progress that we have made, and why it might be slower than we’d like. He also explains what’s on the horizon and how new technologies, like mRNA, could help. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Apr 20, 202331 min

What will change when the COVID public health emergency ends?

On May 11, the Biden administration is ending the public health emergency that gave everyone, insured or not, access to free testing and vaccines for COVID-19. They said it’s because cases have decreased by 80 percent, but the United States has reported the highest death toll of any country at 1.1 million. Are we really in the clear? And, what does it mean now that we’re no longer in a public health emergency? Dr. Esther Chernak is the Director of the Center for Public Health Readiness and Communication at Drexel University. She tells us why she believes this decision will negatively impact public perception of the pandemic, and what it tells us about health care in the United States. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Apr 18, 202323 min

As if a viral pandemic wasn’t enough... Have you seen “The Last of Us?”

We are all way too familiar with the impact of a pandemic from the past three years dealing with the COVID-19 virus. But there is another kind of pandemic that's at the center of the hit video game and now TV show “The Last of Us”...a pandemic driven by a fungus that leads to zombies and the collapse of society. So this got us wondering - how much should we be worried about a fungal pandemic? How realistic is it? To get some answers, we spoke with Dr. Richard Bortnick, Associate Professor of Biology at Delaware Valley University in Doylestown. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Apr 13, 202321 min

To drink or not to drink? What Philly’s water crisis can tell us about emergency communication

After more than 8,000 gallons of an acrylic polymer solution leaked into a tributary of the Delaware River, the city of Philadelphia panicked. But even after the all clear was given, many residents were still wary. This is just one example of a growing mistrust of government messaging. What could officials on the city, state, and national level be doing better in times of crisis? Dr. Mike Smith is an associate professor of communications at La Salle University. He tells us how he thinks the government and institutions should communicate with people and how to regain public trust once it’s gone. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Apr 11, 202321 min

"America and the Taliban" examines the 20-year war in Afghanistan

It was August 2021 when the U.S. closed the door on its 20-year war in Afghanistan with a scattershot exit from the country as the Taliban took over. A new three-part documentary from PBS’s Frontline looks at the war from all angles and examines how things went so wrong. The first episode was released this week, with the other two coming later in April. Martin Smith is a long-time Frontline correspondent who covered the war in Afghanistan and is one of the producers of “America and the Taliban.” We talked with Smith about the documentary and the mistakes that were made over two decades in Afghanistan. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Apr 6, 202317 min

How do we screen for autism?

In recent years, autism rates have tripled due to advances in diagnostic capabilities and a greater understanding of autism. But how do you test for it? What goes into developing these tools? Dr. Diana Robins is the director of the AJ Drexel Autism Institute, and she developed the M-CHAT, or Modified Checklist for Autism in Toddlers. She tells us about the process of building this tool, how effective it can be when used properly, and how these screening tools can be improved over time. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Apr 4, 202326 min

Is democracy dismantling in Israel? Understanding the months-long protests.

Protests in Israel have continued since January, when Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his party proposed judicial reforms. They say they want to reign in the Supreme Court, but many citizens think these reforms will remove checks and balances and dismantle the country’s democracy. There’s a lot to unpack to understand the situation, so we called on Rabbi Josh Weinberg, VP for Israel and Reform Zionism at the Union for Reform Judaism and Executive Director of the Association of Reform Zionists of America. He explains what these protests are about and what’s at stake, both in Israel and internationally. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Mar 30, 202333 min

Tiny kids, big influence: how Gen Alpha is shaping our future

The global data intelligence company Morning Consult has a new report out called “A Brand’s Guide to Gen Alpha.” It’s a look at the next generation of consumers, a generation that is still taking shape. Joanna Piacenza, head of industry intelligence for Morning Consult, talks about the report and the fascinating trends it reveals. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Mar 28, 202318 min

All the Presidents’ mistakes: examining presidential legacies without political bias

Is it possible to examine the legacy of president without letting political beliefs get in the way? Ronald Gruner is the author of “We the Presidents”, a book that examines the presidencies over the last century, starting with Warren Harding. Gruner tells us how he uses the economy to examine presidential effectiveness, and how past policies shape the future of the United States. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Mar 23, 202324 min

Could Silicon Valley Bank’s failure push us toward a bigger financial collapse?

Silicon Valley Bank, the nation’s 16th largest bank and a financial center for many tech startups, collapsed in mid-March. Startups across the country - including here in the Philadelphia region - are feeling the effects. But outside of the tech world, how big of a deal is this for everyone? Could this bank’s failure lead people to panic and push other banks to a tipping point? Dr. Samuel Rosen, Assistant Professor of Finance at Temple University's Fox School of Business, explains what led up to the collapse, what happens now for companies who used Silicon Valley Bank, and what this could mean for the future. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Mar 21, 202333 min

Virtual nursing: how a struggling industry can adapt

We’ve seen all kinds of jobs go virtual since the pandemic, but nursing? Actually, nursing started to go virtual in the acute care setting even before the pandemic. Now that remote work is increasing in popularity, some hospitals are looking to expand virtual nursing to different departments. Dr. Terri Hinkley, the CEO of the Medical Surgical Nursing Certificate Board and the Academy of Medical Surgical Nurses, discusses how virtual nursing can alleviate the nursing shortage, improve patient care, and provide a better work life balance. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Mar 16, 202321 min

A cure for education culture wars?

School board meetings across the country are increasingly becoming battle grounds in the American culture war. Do well-intentioned parents who want to shield their children from sensitive subject matter have legitimate concerns? And about those “sensitive” topics, how do we define what they are and what to do about them? When it comes to banning books and other forms of expression in schools, Cabrini University Chairperson and Associate Professor of Teacher Education Dr. Thomas Conway examines where the lines start to get blurred, plus potential consequences. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Mar 14, 202324 min

Get the lead out! A fresh approach to a longtime water pipe problem

One of the worst nightmares for a homeowner? Finding out you've got lead water pipes. Not only is replacing them expensive, but lead in water poses a serious health risk, especially for young children. Identifying and removing lead water pipes is a decades-old problem, but Dr. Charles Haas, the LD Betz Professor of Environmental Engineering at Drexel University, has been working with a team to find fresh solutions. With the Biden-Harris administration prioritizing clean water, the timing seems optimal. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Mar 9, 202316 min

Beached whales, disappearing crabs - what’s happening to our oceans?

Over the past few months, we’ve seen a lot of reports of weird things happening in the oceans - dead whales and dolphins washing ashore in New Jersey, crabs disappearing off the coast of Alaska, “red tides” filled with toxic algae in Florida. These things sound pretty worrying - are they a sign of serious damage to our climate? We discuss these concerns with Dr. Lisa Rodrigues, Associate Professor of Environmental Science, and Dr. Samantha Chapman, Professor of Biology, both from Villanova University. They tell us not to be too alarmist, and give us a realistic look at the state of our oceans and how we can help. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Mar 7, 202336 min

The GOP's Pennsylvania problem: can Republicans reverse course?

With Governor and a U.S. Senate seat up for grabs in Pennsylvania during the 2022 midterm election cycle, plenty of political eyes were fixed on the Keystone State. What everyone ended up witnessing was a one-sided performance in favor of Democrats, who not only claimed the gubernatorial and senate races, but tipped the Pennsylvania House of Representatives in their favor as well. What lessons and cues should Republicans take from these losses? KYW Newsradio's Jim Melwert spoke to three political strategists, including two affiliated with the GOP, about how - and if - Republicans can regain their footing in Pennsylvania. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Mar 2, 202326 min

A not so shining moment? The NCAA faces a wake-up call

The implementation of name, image, and likeness sponsorships for student-athletes has been messy, while the power of member institutions continues to be consolidated to the few rather than the many. As a result, the NCAA's identity is shifting, and its influence could be on the decline. What's stopping schools from leaving and going off on their own? Dr. Karen Weaver, Graduate Faculty at the University of Pennsylvania, answers this question, and explores other key issues facing a rapidly-changing NCAA. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Feb 28, 202320 min

Politicians and mental health: a complicated history

That politicians grapple with mental health issues should come as no surprise. Think of the pressures and demands of the gig. What is alarming to one expert, however, is that too few elected officials seem willing to share their struggles. That's why Dr. Ann Rosen Spector believes there could be power in United States Senator John Fetterman's recent decision to buck past precedent, and go public about his clinical depression diagnosis. Spector, a Philadelphia-based psychologist, also discusses the signs of clinical depression, and why diagnosing it can be tricky. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Feb 23, 202324 min

The real problem with the alleged Chinese spy balloon

Are you keeping an eye on the sky now more than ever? If your answer is yes, we get it. In recent weeks, the United States has shot down four unidentified flying objects, calling into question who (or what) is watching us. But here's the thing: so far, only one of the four objects shot down is said to have been a foreign spy instrument, and according to one expert, this ambiguity poses a problem that's potentially big. La Salle University Assistant Professor of Political Science Dr. Mark Thomas served as a special advisor to the Assistant Secretary of the U.S. Army in the early 2000s, and has experience working on national security issues. He weighs in on how much information a spy balloon can actually collect, and where the leak about the balloon might have come from. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Feb 21, 202324 min

How to save for retirement in 2023

Money is a major source of concern for a lot of working Americans - 87%, according to a recent survey by the National Association of Personal Financial Advisors (NAPFA). And retirement isn’t what it used to be - systems like social security haven’t adapted to today’s economy and lifespans. How can workers manage their finances and make sure they’re saving enough - and early enough? Jeff Jones is the Board Chair for NAPFA. He gives us some advice on how to assess your financial situation, and how employers can help. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Feb 16, 202320 min

The rotation of the Earth's core is slowing: what does it mean for us?

Much like the plot of the 2003 disaster film, The Core, the rotation of Earth’s inner core is changing. But unlike the movie, this change is very subtle. What exactly makes up the Earth’s core? And how significant is its rotation change? Swarthmore College Professor of Astronomy Dr. Eric Jensen explains how scientists made this new discovery and what it could mean for the future. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Feb 14, 202316 min

Classified documents found: just how much trouble could Biden, Trump, and Pence be in?

It seems like every few weeks, we hear about another high-ranking U.S. government leader who, knowingly or not, left office with classified documents. Joe Biden, Donald Trump, Mike Pence - all three are currently under investigation. But is this really that big of a deal? Or, is it just something else for politicians to make noise about? Villanova University Professor of Political Science Dr. David Barrett takes a look at past precedent in similar situations, and whether Biden, Trump, or Pence could ultimately face charges. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Feb 9, 202323 min

Is the Supreme Court preparing to gut workers' rights?

A union went on strike. Its company sued for damages. Now, with the case having made its way across the country from Washington state to the Supreme Court, power dynamics hang in the balance. But is the court really ready to break with nearly 65 years of precedent and upend federal labor laws? Dr. Susan Liebell and Dr. Laura Bucci, Professor and Assistant Professor of Political Science at Saint Joseph's University, respectively, think not only is it likely, but will probably happen. And that would be bad news for the rights of individual workers and their ability to unionize and participate in collective action. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Feb 7, 202331 min

One year of war between Russia and Ukraine - where are we now?

In February 2022, after years of threats, Russia invaded Ukraine. A war that some people never thought would happen is still going on a year later. What has changed? Is there an end to this in sight, or could things escalate even further? Where does Ukraine stand in terms of international support? We bring back two experts from St. Joseph’s University who have helped us understand this crisis throughout the past year - Dr. Lisa Baglione, Professor of Political Science and member of the International Relations Program, and Dr. Melissa Chakars, Associate Professor and Chair of the Department of History. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Feb 2, 202342 min

The FTC wants to ban non-compete clauses. How much power do they really have?

It’s fairly common for a contract or work agreement to include a non-compete clause, saying the worker can’t go to a competing company for a certain amount of time after leaving their job. But that might not be the case for long - the Federal Trade Commission has put forth a proposal that would ban non-compete agreements. What would that mean for workers and for businesses? The FTC makes rules to prevent unfair competition, but they’re not laws - do they really have the power to make a ban this big? Natalie Pedersen, Associate Professor of Legal Studies at Drexel's LeBow College of Business, helps us explain what’s at stake here and how it could play out. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jan 31, 202325 min

Why ‘Dry January’ might not do as much good as you think.

The holidays have come and gone. You’re feeling bloated. You need a cleanse. Enter ‘Dry January.’ Over the last couple years, this initiative has really caught on, to the point where restaurants and bars even design special menus for the month. But does it work? Is going cold turkey, only to resume indulgent behaviors a month later, the best way to lead a healthy life? Dr. Mariana Lazo, Associate Research Professor at Drexel University's Dornsife School of Public Health, looks at the pros and cons of ‘Dry January.’ To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jan 26, 202315 min

To tip or not to tip, and other questions about subsidizing the service industry

Tipping at a restaurant. Rounding up at the grocery store for a charitable donation. Using the self-checkout line without getting a break on the final bill. The more you think about it, the more you realize just how much consumers are asked to subsidize certain parts of the service industry. Is this ok? What are we actually getting in return? Temple University Associate Professor of Travel and Tourism Dr. Benjamin Altschuler examines these questions, and discusses whether traditional expectations in the service industry are overdue for a change. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jan 24, 202321 min

Is there any hope for a broken immigration system?

Everyone likes to say America is a nation of immigrants, right? But here’s the thing: the country’s history also reveals that the United States has contributed to its own immigration problem. With immigration such a hot button political issue these days, Sarah Paoletti, the Director of the Transnational Legal Clinic and Practice Professor of Law at the University of Pennsylvania’s Carey Law School, cuts through the noise and explains what’s really happening, while also analyzing the factors that got the country to this point. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jan 19, 202325 min

Problems in the teaching pipeline: how to change recruitment & retention trends

Lots of factors are working against teachers these days. Among the biggest? Pay, politicization of their profession, and the ripple effects of the pandemic. But recruiting new educators to enter the field is only part of the problem. Keeping the ones who have been around the longest is an issue, too. LaTanya Pattillo is the Director of Policy and Advocacy at the non-profit group NWEA, which supports students and educators. She shares her thoughts on some possible solutions. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jan 17, 202323 min

Meta, Crocs, and cream cheese - the fastest growing brands of 2022

Every year, Morning Consult releases a report on the fastest growing brands based on consumer polls. In 2022, Crocs made a comeback, Major League Baseball was big (in a year when the Phillies played in the World Series…coincidence?), and for some reason, people were really into Great Value cream cheese. Joanna Piacenza, Head of Industry Intelligence for Morning Consult, joins us to take a deeper look at this list and what it says about certain brands and the economy overall. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jan 12, 202321 min

Recession or revival? Predictions for the 2023 economy.

In 2022, inflation was the big economic buzzword. Interest rates kept going up, as did gas prices, but the job market started to turn around. Where do we stand now to kick off 2023? We check in with our go-to economist, David Fiorenza, to talk about the economic new year - where do we stand now and what does he think is ahead? To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jan 10, 202319 min

“Big Brother really is watching today” - New uses of facial recognition technology

Facial recognition technology has been used for security purposes for decades. But today, businesses are using it to track and identify consumers and employees in ways that many people aren’t aware of - even at grocery stores and convenience stores. Many people are understandably concerned about their privacy, so we asked Samuel Hodge Jr., professor of Legal Studies at Temple University, to explain how this technology works, how it’s being used, and what laws exist around it. We also get into the margin of error in this technology, especially for people of color, women, and older people. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jan 5, 202326 min

What broke Southwest Airlines?

At one point last week, 84% of Southwest Airlines flights through Philadelphia were canceled, and nationally, they were canceling two to three thousand flights a day - right in the middle of the holidays. The airline is back to normal operation now, but what happened? What pushed Southwest to this breaking point, and what can they and other airlines learn from this? Dr. Benjamin Altschuler, Associate Professor of Travel and Tourism at Temple University, helps us explain this travel fiasco. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jan 3, 202323 min

"I don't think I'll be remembered long": Angelo Cataldi reflects, looks ahead

Angelo Cataldi expects the next phase of his life to be tough, at least the transitional part. For the last 30-plus years, he’s dominated Philadelphia sports talk radio as the morning show host on Audacy’s WIP, setting the agenda every day for what fans talk about around the water cooler. But within a matter of weeks, his legendary run will be over. He’s retiring the week after the Eagles’ season ends. In a heartfelt, honest, and revealing conversation, Cataldi chats with one of his former interns, KYW Newsradio’s Dave Uram, about the ups and downs of an impactful yet imperfect career, and what he thinks he might do next. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Dec 29, 202225 min

“I’m here to finish the job”: Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney reflects on a(nother) tough year

Does Jim Kenney really want his job? Philadelphia’s mayor brought this question upon himself on July 4th, when he said during a media briefing, “I’ll be happy when I’m not Mayor and I can enjoy some stuff.” The comments came in response to a non-fatal shooting incident during the city’s Fourth of July celebration, but those words have dogged Kenney ever since. So, how much truth was there to what he said? KYW Newsradio City Hall Bureau Chief Pat Loeb asks Kenney about that night and more in her annual year-end sit down with the Mayor, who was eager to defend his record despite gun violence continuing to roil the city. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Dec 27, 202221 min

Democrats consider shifting primary schedule: will it matter?

Back in 2020, the South Carolina primary altered the trajectory of Joe Biden's presidential hopes. Now, halfway through his first term, the Palmetto State is on Biden's mind again, as he pushes fellow Democrats to make South Carolina the first stop on their 2024 primary tour. Would the shuffle make sense? What advantage would it give Democrats? Dr. David Barrett, Professor of Political Science at Villanova University, takes a look at this idea by diving into the history of presidential primaries, while forecasting why a potential change in the party's traditional primary itinerary could pose some complications. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Dec 22, 202225 min

Diamond, gold, and lasers: the makings of a nuclear fusion breakthrough

Given the way things have gone the past year, fuel independence sounds pretty good right about now, doesn’t it? That’s just one of several major implications behind a recent nuclear fusion breakthrough at the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory in California. But for all the promise this discovery brings, there could be some pitfalls, too, according to Dr. Christopher Peters, a teaching professor in the Electrical and Computer Engineering Department at Drexel University. And for anyone out there who thinks we'll be able to start implementing this technology soon, you might want to temper your expectations. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Dec 20, 202214 min

Is ChatGPT really the end of education?

ChatGPT is the latest demonstration that AI can impersonate a human extremely closely. The chatbot can have text conversations and even write letters and poems - or term papers. Some people are concerned that this could be an easy way for students to get around doing their own work, but there are a lot of potential benefits to this type of language modeling technology - like helping businesses and voice transcription. Dr. Jake Williams, Associate Professor of Information Science at Drexel University, explains the technology behind ChatGPT, its pros and cons, and how else it could be used in the future. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Dec 15, 202222 min

Is it cheating or creativity? Examining the history of cheating in baseball.

Every sport has its cheating scandals, but it seems to be a regular thing in baseball. The rules keep evolving to prevent cheating - but that begs the question, is it really cheating if there wasn’t a written rule against it when it happened? Some types of cheating can ruin a baseball career, but others are overlooked or even glorified. Dan Levitt is the co-author, along with Mark Armour, of a new book about the history of cheating in baseball called “Intentional Balk”. Dan talks with us about how cheating has changed over the years, how baseball fans view different types of cheating, and what cheating could look like in the future with developing technology. Find out more about “Intentional Balk”, including where to buy it, at intentionalbalkbook.com. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Dec 13, 202230 min

“We’re losing the battle:” how to combat the decline of life expectancy in the U.S.

New data on life expectancy in the United States is out, and the trend isn’t good. Since 2014, when life expectancy in the country reached its peak of 78.9 years, Americans have experienced the most dramatic decline in life expectancy - down 2.8 years to 76.1 years - in over a century. What are the causes behind this alarming dip? Which demographics are affected the most? Is there anything we can do to make up the gains in healthy living that have now been lost? Dr. Joshua Sharfstein is the Director of the Bloomberg American Health Initiative at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, and helped author a new report of recommendations to improve life expectancy in America. He shares some of the key findings in the report, which you can read here: https://americanhealth.jhu.edu/ To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Dec 8, 202215 min

Fear, anger, and revenge: why youth voters were motivated for the 2022 midterms

Just how strong was youth turnout in the 2022 midterm elections? About 27% of voters 18-30 years old hit the polls, marking the second-best showing for that age group in more than three decades. While the issues influencing the youth vote were clear, less obvious is whether or not the next election cycle will yield a similar dynamic. Ben Berger, Associate Professor of Political Science at Swarthmore College, helped mobilize students on Swarthmore’s campus through a non-partisan initiative. He looks at why this specific demographic was so motivated, and what both political parties might be able to do to influence youth voters in 2024, 2026, and beyond. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Dec 6, 202229 min

What’s behind the protests in China?

We have seen significant public protests in China over the last couple weeks on a scale that’s almost unheard of in the country. These were sparked by China’s draconian measures to adhere to a “zero COVID” policy, but tension has been building in the country for years. We wanted to break down everything that built up to these protests and what they could mean for the Chinese Communist Party led by President Xi Jinping. For this discussion, we called Dr. Roselyn Hsueh, Associate Professor of Political Science and Global Studies at Temple University. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Dec 1, 202228 min

Where does the FTX disaster leave the cryptocurrency industry?

Is it the 2020s, or the 1920s? Given how fast and hard FTX fell in a manner reminiscent of the bank panics in the early 20th century, we had to do a double-take. But if you know your history, the comparison isn't a stretch. How did FTX, at one point perceived to be a cryptocurrency juggernaut, lose everything in a matter of days? What headwinds does the collapse signal for the rest of the industry? Villanova University Associate Professor of Finance John Sedunov shares his analysis. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Nov 29, 202226 min

Do margins matter? What a Republican House of Representatives could look like.

In this year’s midterm elections, Republicans took control of the House of Representatives - but it will be a very slim margin. It doesn’t leave much room for absences, vacated seats, or disagreement if they want to get legislation passed. How could such a tight margin play out, especially with a Democratic president and Democrats still controlling the Senate? We talk with Dr. Benjamin Dworkin, Director of the Rowan Institute for Public Policy and Citizenship at Rowan University, about what Republicans could accomplish in the House and how precarious their majority is. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Nov 22, 202223 min

Dyslexia unpacked: what the common learning disorder actually means for kids

Dyslexia has been studied for nearly 150 years, but to this day, we’re still trying to fully understand the disorder and how it impacts reading ability, learning, and mental health. Elizabeth Barker is the Accessibility Research Manager in the Collaborative for Student Growth at a non-profit called NWEA (the Northwest Evaluation Association). She joins us to explain the early signs of dyslexia, some misconceptions about the disorder, and how parents and educators can help students navigate it. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Nov 17, 202226 min

Do we still need affirmative action?

The Supreme Court recently heard arguments in two cases challenging affirmative action policies at Harvard University and the University of North Carolina. In both cases, the Students for Fair Admissions say that colleges shouldn’t consider race as a factor on applications in any way, while the schools say that race is just one of many factors they look at and that intentionally fostering a diverse student body will make their graduates better leaders. The conservative majority in the Supreme Court is poised to overturn another major precedent here. What would that mean for colleges and the country’s perception of the Supreme Court? Dr. Susan Liebell, Professor of Political Science at Saint Joseph's University, breaks down the background of these two cases, the arguments we heard, and where she thinks they’re headed. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Nov 15, 202229 min

Something better than "thank you for your service": rethinking how we appreciate veterans

How many times have you either said or thought about saying, "Thank you for your service" to an American military veteran? Despite our best intentions, we might be missing the mark. According to Dr. Robert Kodosky, a professor at West Chester University with an expertise in military history, it's time for us to not only rethink how we talk to and communicate with our veterans, but also how we portray them in films, TV shows, books, and other forms of media. If you catch this interview in time, you can also hear Dr. Kodosky speak about this topic on Veterans Day - Friday, November 11th - at the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia at 12:45 PM. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Nov 10, 202223 min

Where is the planet losing most of its wildlife?

Over the last 60 years, Earth has experienced an average 69% decline in the relative abundance of monitored wildlife populations. This is one of the key findings in the World Wildlife Fund's Living Planet Report 2022. But despite calling the trend "pretty grim," WWF Chief Global Scientist Rebecca Shaw doesn't believe all the data is doom and gloom. With a key global climate summit set for Montreal in a few weeks, she thinks now is the time for countries to make sure they're doing everything they can to ensure future wildlife survival. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Nov 8, 202223 min

Making sense of Brazil's tense general election and how Lula regained power

For the past month, Brazil has been on edge. Would President Jair Bolsonaro accept the results of the general election? While he still has yet to formally concede, Bolsonaro has started to publicly acknowledge his defeat to challenger Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, who won by a margin of two million votes. What effect did Bolsonaro's stalling have on Brazil, the largest democracy in South America, and how did Lula, a former President previously jailed on corruption charges, make his comeback? Diego Armus, a history professor at Swarthmore College with a specialty in Latin America, examines the fallout from the election and looks ahead to what the outcome means. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Nov 3, 202222 min