Sunday morning news specials and documentaries

Tune in for a new special on Sundays at 5 a.m. on 91.5 FM.

March 15, 2026: 'Think Twice About War, Tech, & Dirty Supply Chains: The Elements of Power with Nicolas Niarchos'

Your smartphone feels sleek and futuristic—but the supply chain behind it is anything but. In this conversation with moderator-in-chief John Donvan, journalist and “The Elements of Power” author Nicolas Niarchos showcases how lithium-ion batteries rely on cobalt mined under dangerous, exploitative conditions. Tracing a line from colonialism to today’s U.S.–China power struggle, he asks us to Think Twice on this question: what human and environmental costs are hidden inside the technology that powers modern life?

March 8, 2026: Greater Good Science Center: 'The Science of Love'

Science shows us that love is expansive — a biological, cultural and social phenomena that shapes our lives, and is fundamental for our survival.

The Science of Love is a 53-minute radio special examining emerging research on why we love, how love develops, and how it sustains us across many forms of connection. Hosted by award-winning actress, author and activist Geena Davis, and produced by The Science of Happiness podcast at UC Berkeley’s Greater Good Science Center, the program features leading researchers in psychology, neuroscience and anthropology and explores a broad spectrum of love, including romantic partnership, family bonds, friendship, our love for our pets and the natural world and our sense of collective belonging.

From the families we’re born into, to the relationships we choose, The Science of Love uncovers what happens inside us when love shows up.

March 1, 2026: Open to Debate: 'Could dating an AI be better than dating a human?'

Love in the time of AI? Some people seeking romance or friendship are turning to AI chatbots to fulfill those desires, but could they surpass traditional human relationships? Those who say they can argue that AI can offer empathy and safety, and it’s a solution for those left out of traditional dating. Those saying they can’t argue that intimacy is complicated and cannot be replicated in code.

Feb. 22, 2026: Open to Debate: 'Is U.S. Control of Limited Territory in Greenland A Strategic Necessity?'

Greenland has become a geopolitical flashpoint. President Trump wants control of it, or at least sovereignty over some areas for military purposes, arguing that the United States gaining some territorial rights in Greenland is a necessity for U.S. security. But some leaders worry that a power grab could pit NATO against the U.S. and weaken an already fragile world order. Now we debate: Is U.S. Control of Limited Territory In Greenland a Strategic Necessity?

Feb. 15, 2026: Marketplace, This Old House Radio Hour: 'Building Tomorrow'

Marketplace and This Old House Radio Hour are collaborating on Building Tomorrow, a special that explores how American homes are being reimagined for the next century.  Building Tomorrow blends personal narrative, design reporting, and economic insight into a sweeping look at what the next hundred years of American housing might hold.

Feb. 8, 2026: APM Presents: International Women's Media Foundation'Storytellers: Muslims, Community and Culture in America'

There has been considerable attention paid to American Muslims in the 25 years since 9/11. But largely missing are people from the community telling stories about their history and their own lived experiences. Comedian and host Sabeen Sadiq introduces us to engaging Muslim American storytellers, starting with Sadiq’s own story about growing up a sort of “secret Muslim” in Chicago. The stories reveal the complexity and deep roots of vibrant Muslim communities in America.

Feb. 1, 2026: Open to Debate: 'Innovation or Intrusion: The Big Data Debate'

Every click, search, and online purchase feeds the data economy, driving AI, global business, and even political campaigns. But with risks growing in the private and public spheres, is Big Data advancing society or undermining its foundations? Supporters argue Big Data powers innovation by fueling breakthroughs in medicine, public health, and everyday efficiency. Yet critics warn that it erodes privacy, concentrates power, and threatens democracy. In the age of algorithms and analytics, is Big Data a necessary innovation or a dangerous intrusion?

Jan. 25, 2026: Open to Debate: 'Has Feminism Hurt Women?'

From the 19th Amendment to the #MeToo movement, the feminist movement has profoundly reshaped society. But have its good intentions backfired? Those arguing it hasn’t note that it’s allowed women the choice of living on their own terms. But critics argue that its culture glorifying full-time careerism and independence can make women feel inadequate if they prefer traditional roles like having a family. Now we debate: Has Feminism Hurt Women?

Jan. 18, 2026: Open to Debate: 'Does AA work?'

Dry January has become increasingly popular, practiced by a quarter of Americans last year, and provides individuals a collegial and open path for reconsidering their alcohol consumption. For almost two million people worldwide who have committed to staying sober for a lifetime, the group known as Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) and its 12-step plan has been a prominent lifeline. But is it the best approach for curbing alcoholism, and does it address its root causes?

Jan. 11, 2026: CBC's Laughing Matters: 'The Mystery of Laughter Revealed'

What role does laughter play in the evolution of humanity? What does our laughter have in common with the way primates and even rats laugh? Ideas contributor Peter Brown takes us on a joyride throughout our evolutionary history, and shows us why laughing matters.

Jan. 4, 2026: Open to Debate (formerly Intelligence Squared): 'Can religion cure the loneliness epidemic?'

America is suffering from a loneliness epidemic. Some groups have suggested religious communities may be key to solving it. Could it help? Those arguing “yes” say it gives people regular social contact, support systems, and a sense of purpose that could combat isolation. Those arguing “no” say that secular options would provide better, broad-based solutions.

Dec. 28, 2025: PRX: No Small Endeavor: Holiday Special 2025: Practices of Hope

When the headlines numb and the culture wars grind us down, what if hope isn’t a mood at all—but a practice you can do with your body, your friends, and your city? In this holiday special, Lee finds practices of hope: meditation teacher Tara Brach on healing the “trance of unworthiness,” songwriter Tom Paxton on the folk community that fueled social change, marine biologist Ayana Elizabeth Johnson on climate imagination, and educator Sharon McMahon on everyday civic action. Together they offer three grounded practices—for self, for community, and for the common good.

Dec. 21, 2025: CBC: As It Happens: 'The Shepherd'

The year is 1957. A Royal Air Force pilot is heading home from Germany for Christmas. Fog sets in and all radio communication is lost. Continuing the tradition since 1979, As It Happens presents a Christmas Eve reading of Frederick Forsyth's "The Shepherd" by the late CBC host "Fireside" Al Maitland.

Dec. 14, 2025: Open to Debate (formerly Intelligence Squared): 'Should the U.S. Militarize the War on Drugs?'

The Trump administration is taking the War on Drugs in a bold direction, using aircraft carriers, intelligence networks, and direct military strikes to target alleged smuggling vessels in the Caribbean and eastern Pacific. Supporters of militarization argue that previous strategies to stop cartels have failed, and only aggressive deterrence will stop the crisis. Others warn that militarization usually fails to stop drug flows, risking civilian casualties, and rarely achieves lasting results. Now we debate: Should the U.S. Militarize the War on Drugs?

Dec. 7, 2025: Foreign Policy: The Threshold'Working to eliminate HIV, TB and Malaria'

More than two million people die from these diseases every year but with funding cuts and shifting priorities, they might actually surge. Global health is facing a tipping point. Scientific advancements have changed how we respond to epidemics like HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria—and the pipeline of breakthrough innovations has never been stronger. But funding is down and priorities are shifting. Will the science come to scale so these diseases can finally be ended? Or will they surge instead?

Nov. 30, 2025: Possible: 'MacKenzie Price on AI-Powered K-12 Schools'

Gains in the quality of America’s K-12 education in the late 20th and early 21st century have largely plateaued — and , in several instances, reversed — in the last few decades. This week, Alpha School co-founder MacKenzie Price joins the show to discuss her fast-expanding network of AI-powered private schools, which she says represent the reform the system so badly needs. She explains why Alpha students learn core academics in two hours a day via a personalized learning platform — not human teachers — and then devote the rest of the school day to passion projects, life skills, and real-world learning. Plus, we hear from Alex, a high school senior at Alpha’s Austin, TX location, about his experience.

Nov. 23, 2025: Open to Debate (formerly Intelligence Squared)"
'Is Europe Too Late to Compete in the Chip War?'

The U.S. and China are the two largest competitors in the race for semiconductors and in creating the most powerful AI chips. Europe could become a major stakeholder thanks to its demand for tech sovereignty and lithography near-monopoly, while others see the continent as too hampered by regulation, labor, and limited venture capital to get ahead. Now, in partnership with Bloomberg, we debate: Is Europe too late to compete in the Chip Wars?

Nov. 16, 2025: Open to Debate (formerly Intelligence Squared): 'Think Twice: The Seven Rules of Trust with Jimmy Wales'

A lot goes into trust: it can be earned, broken, and rebuilt in times of deep division. In this episode, geopolitical strategist and moderator Xenia Wickett sits down with Wikipedia founder Jimmy Wales to discuss his new book, "The Seven Rules of Trust,” how Wikipedia leveraged trust to help it become a global authority while trust in other institutions is fading, and the seven rules anyone can use to build ideas that last for a lifetime.

Nov. 9, 2025: Ron Duffy: 'The Sinking of the USS Indianapolis and the Atomic Bomb: The Price Paid for Liberty'

Late July, 1945. The USS Indianapolis had just completed its top secret mission delivering the atomic bomb to Tinian Island. On the Indy's return trip to the Philippines, she was hit by two torpedoes from a Japanese submarine and sunk in 12 minutes. Of the 1,195 men aboard ship, 879 crew members would die in the water. Only 316 would survive. The sinking of the Indianapolis is considered the worst sea disaster in U. S. Naval history. Four survivors of the Indianapolis share unforgettable and heartbreaking memories about the tragic sinking of their battle tested ship and their struggle to survive against nearly impossible odds. We hear their story of tragedy, survival, heroism and redemption — all part of the enormous cost of liberty.

Nov. 2, 2025: Open to Debate (formerly Intelligence Squared):
'Should America End Birthright Citizenship?'

Birthright citizenship guarantees citizenship to anyone born within the United States’ territory, regardless of a parent’s nationality. But should this legal principle be removed from the Constitution? Those arguing it shouldn’t say that it prevents children from being punished for their parents’ status, while encouraging long-term economic and civic contributions. But those calling to end the practice argue it fuels illegal immigration and strains the overburdened immigration system.

Oct. 26, 2025: Open to Debate (formerly Intelligence Squared): 'Is War Inevitable?'

From ancient battles to modern proxy wars, conflicts have been a constant in human history. But does that mean we are destined to continue treating it as an option? Those saying war is inevitable argue that our global system is anarchic and no overarching authority exists to stop war, so states prioritize survival and power. But others argue that conflict is not the only form of dispute resolution; trade, diplomacy, international law, mediation, and peace treaties can avert war

Oct. 19, 2025: Remembering Susan Stamberg

Susan Stamberg died Thursday at the age of 87. She had a long and storied career. She was first a producer for NPR, then one of the earliest hosts of the flagship newsmagazine All Things Considered in 1972. She was the first woman to host a nightly news program. She later hosted Weekend Edition Sunday and went on to become Special Correspondent. Her name is memorialized with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Stamberg officially retired from NPR just this year. Read NPR’s full obituary of Susan here.

Oct. 12, 2025: Open to Debate (formerly Intelligence Squared): 'Wartime Kill Switch: Human or AI?'

As modern warfare becomes increasingly automated and AI-reliant, questions arise about the use of a “kill switch” overriding autonomous weapons in conflict zones. Should the ultimate decision be in humans’ or AI’s hands? Those arguing for human oversight say moral reasoning, empathy, and legal accountability are essential, especially in wartime. Supporters of AI integration argue that machines can make faster, more precise, and less emotional decisions, which could prove more humane than past approaches. Now we debate: Wartime Kill Switch: Human or AI?

Oct. 5, 2025: Open to Debate (formerly Intelligence Squared): 'Debating the Legacy of the COVID-19 Pandemic'

It’s been five years since the pandemic began, but was our public health system or society to blame for our country’s failures to stop the spread? Some argue that public health leaders were unprepared, mismanaged the crisis, and provided inconsistent guidance. Others argue the failures were societal, citing widespread mistrust, misinformation, and other guidance, which undermined compliance and effectiveness.

Sept. 28, 2025: Big Picture Science: 'Some Chemicals are Forever'

As their name suggests, “forever chemicals” have extraordinary staying power. When these nearly indestructible compounds find their way into our soil and water, they don’t break down for hundreds or thousands of years.

PFAS – the name for these synthetic chemicals – isn’t just in our natural environment. Scientists have found it everywhere, including in the blood of nearly every living being.

In this episode, we talk to the reporter who broke open the story about a decades-long corporate coverup regarding forever chemicals, look at what we know about their health effects, and consider how a kneecapping of the EPA’s regulatory power may weaken the best tool we have for protecting ourselves from PFAS contamination.

Sept. 21, 2025: Open to Debate: 'Should the U.S. Be Ruled by a CEO Dictator?'

In some policy circles, the idea of the U.S. electing a CEO-style dictator running the country like a company is gaining momentum. But should the idea be embraced? Those proposing the Dictator CEO, like Curtis Yarvin, argue it would challenge existing institutions and deliver cutthroat efficiency. But democracy advocates, like E. Glen Weyl, argue that consolidating power under one leader undermines the core values fundamental to America’s political system. Now we debate: Should the U.S. Be Ruled by a CEO Dictator?

Sept. 14, 2025: Open to Debate: TikTok in the Classroom: Enhancing or Eroding Teaching?

It’s Back to School season, and TikTok has been taking a larger role in helping students learn — but should it? Some teachers argue that using TikTok can help make whatever subjects they study more digestible and adaptable to different types of learners. Others call the app distracting and capable of undermining classroom authority and prioritizing entertainment and short attention spans over education.

Sept. 7, 2025: Open to Debate: Fast Fashion: Shop or Stop?

Is that new $12 dress you saw trending on TikTok worth it? Brands like Shein, H&M, Zara, and Primark have made it easy to stay on-trend, thanks to the fast fashion industry. These inexpensive, truly-of-the-moment clothes let shoppers update their wardrobes with a click, but at what cost? Critics who say it’s time to stop supporting it argue that fast fashion is among the most polluting industries, rife with labor violations, and responsible for massive clothing waste. The environmental damage and unfair working conditions in countries with weak regulations have fueled a growing backlash. On the other hand, those who argue it’s still fine to shop say it makes all kinds of fashion available to everyone who might otherwise be priced out, provides livelihoods for millions of workers, and boosts local economies.

Aug. 30, 2025: Open to Debate: Is It Time for the Catholic Church to Ordain Women as Deacons?

Pope Leo XIV’s accession could mean a new opportunity to reform the Catholic Church by allowing women as ordained deacons. Those advocating for this change argue that allowing women would represent a return to early Church tradition and showcase an evolving Church ready for modernity. Those against this argue that it would blur theological lines and that women already play substantial leadership roles within the Church.

Aug. 25, 2025: Marketplace: Real Costs

How we measure the economy influences every decision made by individuals, companies and institutions. Marketplace host Kai Ryssdal has a special hour of coverage about what’s at stake with the scale and speed of changing economic policy.

Aug. 17, 2025: Health Wanted: Gambling

Gambling is no longer limited to Vegas casinos. Today, it is as easy as a few taps on a mobile device. This week on Health Wanted, host Laurel Bristow and guest Rachel Volberg, Ph.D., discuss the rise in problem gambling and why it is a public health issue.

Aug. 10, 2025: Open to Debate: Free Speech in the Trump 2.0 Era

The new Trump presidency has led to pressure on the First Amendment, and the lines between free expression and political enforcement are blurring. Those who say speech is now freer argue that his actions are restoring viewpoint diversity. Those who argue it’s more restricted argue it’s a crackdown on speech that doesn’t align with the administration’s views, especially in Harvard’s case.

Aug. 3, 2025: Open to Debate: Could dating an AI be better than dating a human?

July 27, 2025: Open to Debate: Two Conservatives Debate: Is the Big, Beautiful Bill a Disaster?

President Trump has officially signed the One Big, Beautiful Bill Act into law. There is debate among conservatives about whether it will end up driving economic growth or increasing our debt. One side argues that ordinary Americans will pay the price and the long-term fiscal outcome is terrible.

July 20, 2025: Terrestrials: Water from WNYC studios

This episode explores how water holds clues to both defying death and navigating grief. First, we meet the Greenland shark, a centuries-old creature breaking the limits of life with its astonishing longevity. Then, writer and illustrator AJ Dungo takes us to the shores of Hawaii to uncover the legacy of Duke Kahanamoku, the father of modern surfing, who harnessed gravity to offer people all over the world a new way to escape..

July 13, 2025: Open to Debate: Think Twice: Reading the Constitution with Justice Stephen Breyer

As an Associate Justice on the Supreme Court for almost three decades, Stephen Breyer is no stranger to hearing arguments for different sides in major cases. We talk with Justice Breyer and discuss his book “Reading the Constitution: Why I Chose Pragmatism, not Textualism.” He reflects on how he used this philosophy to guide his decisions and why he thinks jurists should choose this approach.

June 22, 2025: WNYC special: Terrestrials: Land.

We tromp through mud and muck to uncover surprising secrets hidden inside the land’s most humble lifeforms. First, we meet a mule who performs the seemingly impossible–gives birth! We peer inside her chromosomes to understand how she seems to have broken one of nature’s most sacred rules and learn from biologists why hybridization is a deeper part of nature than we thought. Then, Scottish writer Amanda Thomson takes us into the fascinating world of tree stumps — once dismissed as lifeless but now revealed as vital ecosystems brimming with biodiversity and ancient history.

June 15, 2025: Open to Debate, Trump's Russia Policies: Return to Normalcy or Defeat for America?

As he did in this first presidential term, President Donald Trump has continued to signal closer alignment with Vladimir Putin. This included a tense February Oval Office meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, where he claimed Ukraine was responsible for the war. The U.S. also joined Russia in voting against a UN resolution condemning Russia’s action in Ukraine and Vice President JD Vance has called for a re-evaluation of the U.S.’s relationship with NATO. Could these actions, and others, help chart a return to a state of improved U.S.-Russia diplomatic relations or lead America toward defeat in the region and beyond? Those who argue that Trump’s actions signal a return to normalcy say that European security should be Europe’s responsibility, which could lead to a stronger, more self-sufficient NATO, and that recent years of antagonism have failed to alter Russian behavior. The Trump administration could help bring U.S.-Russia relations into constructive focus at a high-stakes moment. However, those who declare this a defeat for America argue that Trump warming up to Putin will only encourage Russian aggression, hurt Ukraine, and erode our allies’ trust.

June 8, 2025: APM, Call to Mind, 'Beyond the Mirror: The Challenge of Eating Disorders'

An estimated 29 million Americans will suffer from an eating disorder in their lifetime. These mental illnesses can be profoundly disruptive to a person’s life and psychological well being. And eating disorders can be deadly. Anorexia nervosa has one of the highest mortality rates of any psychiatric condition. Eating disorders strike a wide range of people, but deep-rooted assumptions about who suffers from these diseases often complicate the road to recovery. This special looks at eating disorders and the challenges of treatment. We’ll hear firsthand from people who have experienced these illnesses and experts who treat them.

June 1, 2025: APM, Call to Mind, 'Promise & Peril: Technology and Mental Health'

Technology is ever-present in modern life, from remote work to communities on social media, from dating apps to telemedicine. We live with an ever-expanding array of online options and an ever-growing list of new questions about how healthy it is to spend so much time online with our devices. Hear from experts about how online communities, AI, influencers, and social media compromise one’s mental health. We also meet people whose wellbeing has been improved by new technologies.

May 24, 2025: APM, Call to Mind, 'Silent Battles: Mental Health & Military Service'

Mental illness is the leading cause of hospitalization for America’s military service members. Anxiety conditions and post-traumatic stress disorders lead the list of diagnoses. This special explores the mental health needs of people serving in the military, and of veterans. We hear about how combat and non-combat military duty can impact mental health. And we explore the unique resources and support available to service members and veterans.  

May 18, 2025: APM, Call to Mind, 'The Aging Mind'

Studies show that one in four older adults live with a mental illness, such as depression, anxiety, and substance use disorders. But many older people don’t get the help they need. And America’s aging population is expected to double by 2050. This program explores the unique mental health challenges of older adults, and the models in place to care for them. We’ll hear from mental health providers, direct care workers, and older Americans living with mental health issues. The program explores therapeutic solutions and improved treatment systems to help older adults and their wellbeing.

May 11, 2025: Radiolab Kids, WNYC, 'Terrestrials: Going Deep'

We explore the depths of ocean and outer space to uncover new intelligences that are helping us to better understand our world. First, we meet a captive octopus who manages to escape from its tank, slide down a pipe, and return to the ocean. Yes, this is a true story! Beloved author Sy Montgomery explains how this octopus jailbreak is anything but rare to the species and instead may be an example of a convergently evolved intelligence. Then, we journey to space with an astrophysicist who is blind, Wanda Díaz-Merced. She is revolutionizing the field by using sound to unlock cosmic mysteries and hear the crash of invisible gravitational waves. Join us on this wondrous romp through the depths to discover the people and creatures pushing us past the edge of what we think we know.

May 4, 2025: Radiolab Kids WNYC, 'Terrestrials: Air'

In this episode we look to some of the air’s most fearsome creatures to discover softer sides that reframe our understanding of what it takes to survive. The first story centers on a trio of bald eagles—two males and one female—nesting and raising chicks together, defying the species' aggressive territorial reputation and reshaping notions of what a "natural" family looks like. Through insights from wildlife biologist Ed Britton and Indigenous artist Nataanii Means, the episode highlights the more collaborative side to our national symbol. The second story dives into the world of tsetse flies, as entomologist Dr. Sammy Ramsey and Kenyan scientist Dr. Paul Mireji reveal why these reviled creatures are some of the best mothers in the animal kingdom and also “guardians” of African savannah.

April 27, 2025: Open to Debate (formerly Intelligence Squared), 'Was Trump Right to Be Hard on Soft Power in the Middle East?'

The U.S. has long balanced military strength with soft power in the Middle East through agencies like USAID. With the Trump administration reversing these policies, is this a necessary realignment — or a costly retreat? Those against these changes argue this will boost rivals like Iran and China and harm America’s image. Those hailing them argue it’s a necessary correction, favoring clear, transactional geopolitical goals over costly diplomacy. Now we debate: Was Trump Right to Be Hard on Soft Power in the Middle East?

April 20, 2025: APM Presents' Americans Reconnect, 'Talking Across the Political Divide'

The U.S. is facing a crisis of polarization, where Americans often act with outrage and disdain towards people whose politics don’t match theirs. But that’s not the full picture. Our groundbreaking program Americans Reconnect: Talking Across the Political Divide features stories rarely heard about people from opposite political viewpoints finding understanding and common ground under seemingly impossible circumstances. We weave together these emotionally riveting stories with expert interviews that not only document this polarized moment in American history but also show how we can transcend it.

April 13, 2025: Open to Debate (formerly Intelligence Squared), 'Is Objectivity Essential to Journalism?'

For decades, objectivity has been cited as journalism's gold standard, promising that journalists would stick “to the facts" and deliver both sides of the story, excluding their personal views. Those in support say it builds trust and gives newsreaders the information they need to form their own opinions. Those against say it suppresses certain valuable viewpoints and that some issues don’t merit the "both sides" treatment. Now, we debate: "Is Objectivity Essential in Journalism?”

April 6, 2025: Monumental, 'Whispers in Wilmington'

We’re used to recognizing someone powerful with a statue. But what happens when there’s no statue or memorial to a traumatic event? Whoever lives with the impact of that painful history has to confront the kind of power it takes to keep it hidden for so long. In this episode, we uncover the story of the only successful coup d’etat ever to happen on American soil. This act of racial violence was designed to eliminate all memory of a highly successful Black community in Wilmington, North Carolina, back in 1898. That suppression involved racist mobs as well as historians, city planners, journalists and countless others. They conspired for decades to make a Black community’s onetime prosperity and strength unimaginable. Almost unimaginable.

March 30, 2025: Open to Debate (formerly Intelligence Squared): 'Should We Address the Gender Wage Gap?'

American women are, on average, paid 84 cents for every dollar men make, according to the Department of Labor. Those in favor of closing the gap see it as a point of fairness and equity that would bring economic benefits and say that interventions are needed to foster a more equitable workforce. Those not in favor argue wage disparities reflect individual choices regarding career paths, work-life balance and tenure, rather than systemic discrimination. Now we debate: Should We Address the Gender Wage Gap?

March 23, 2025: Open to Debate (formerly Intelligence Squared), 'UN Efforts in the Middle East: Helping or Hurting?'

UNRWA and other peacekeeping forces in the Middle East play an important role in the Israel-Palestine conflict, but do they do enough? Those saying they help argue that they act as buffers between warring factions, preventing wider regional escalation. Those saying they hurt argue they fail to maintain neutrality. Now we debate: UN Efforts in the Middle East: Helping or Hurting?

March 16, 2025: Monumental, 'The Suffragist in the Basement'

When it comes to women and monuments in the U.S., we seem to prefer mythical or allegorical women — think a lady in robes holding the scales of justice in front of a courthouse. It’s rare to see real women being honored for their actual accomplishments. But for decades, there was one statue in Wyoming that was an exception. Wyoming is known as the “equality state” because it was the first in the nation to pass women’s suffrage. And it recognized that history with a statue of Wyoming’s first Justice of the Peace and suffragist, Esther Hobart Morris, which stood outside the state Capitol building for 60 years. But today, that statue of Morris now lives underground in the Capitol basement. In this episode, we look at what the story of this one monument reveals about how women are mythologized and erased.

March 9, 2025: Open to Debate, 'Is Musk’s DOGE Dodging the Law?'

Elon Musk and the Department of Government Efficiency, known as DOGE, have taken on a contentious role in the new Trump administration, which has affected federal agencies and thousands of workers. But are DOGE’s actions legal? Those arguing they aren’t worry it is overstepping and violating the Constitution. Those supporting DOGE’s actions say it is operating under strict oversight while fulfilling its mandate.

March 2, 2025: WABE, Health Wanted" 'Public Health and the Black Community'

Historically, health and medical systems have mistreated and exploited Black communities, and the impact of these injustices continues to affect Black health today. On Health Wanted we’re taking the opportunity to acknowledge both the failures of health equity and the triumphs of Black and African American researchers and community members who propel health forward.

Feb. 23, 2025: Open to Debate, 'UNRESOLVED: The Future of the Supreme Court'

In recent years, multiple proposals have been made to change how the U.S. Supreme Court operates in its current form. Would these reforms help – or hurt? What is the future of the highest court in the land? In partnership with Johns Hopkins University as part of our inaugural “Hopkins Forum”, our featured guests will discuss term limits, expanding the Supreme Court, and whether external ethics codes should be applied.

Feb. 15, 2025: Open to Debate, 'Has Legalizing Sports Gambling Become a Bad Bet?'

Sports fans can place bets on their favorite teams and athletes faster and easier than before, thanks to legalized sports gambling. But was it the wrong bet to make? Advocates say it’s been good for fans, the economy and the sports industry. Those who say that what’s happened since legalization is a bad thing, say it has driven a rise in gambling addiction and created a public health crisis. Now we debate: Has Legalizing Sports Gambling Become a Bad Bet?

Feb. 9, 2025: WABE, 'Health Wanted: Screen Time and Mental Health'

Screens! We love looking at them. At work, at home, on the bus, on the toilet. There’s no time we don’t like looking at a screen, unless of course, that screen is populated with a notification about exactly how much time we’ve spent looking at it, and then suddenly the phone is face down. On today’s show, we confront our screen obsession head on, to try and get a handle on the impact they have on our lives, and if it might be time to unplug.

Feb. 2, 2025: Open to Debate, 'Prescription Weight Loss Drugs For All?'

GLP-1 drugs like Ozempic, Wegovy, and Mounjaro have opened doors for people to lose weight. Should everyone have the option to take it? Those arguing “yes” say obesity needs to be treated using every available tool, especially for people for whom diet, lifestyle changes, and exercise aren’t enough. Those arguing “no” are concerned about its side effects and the risks if people don’t take them as directed. Now we debate: should prescription weight loss drugs be available for all?