MPR News with Angela Davis
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Conversations about life in Minnesota and how the state is changing, weekdays from MPR News.
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3 days ago
Minnesota's former education leader aims to give kids a healthier planet
Minnesota’s Brenda Cassellius grew up in public housing in Minneapolis and she considers that her greatest asset.
“I grew up in poverty but there was never a poverty of love,” she said, stressing that it’s possible to get out of poverty and chart your own path. “It instilled in me to give back.”
Cassellius has given back to communities by spending decades working in education.
She was the first African American woman in Minnesota history to serve as the commissioner of education, under Gov. Mark Dayton.
She was later the superintendent of Boston Public Schools, including throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, and was a leader in bringing a climate plan that makes schools in the district more energy-efficient and environmentally friendly.
Now Cassellius is back in Minnesota and she recently started her position as the executive director of Fresh Energy, a nonprofit aimed at transitioning our state to clean energy.
She also mentors women of color who are school district superintendents and leaders of large organizations.
Also, hear from our listeners who called in to talk about their personal stories of growing up from humble beginnings and later overcoming a path of obstacles.
Guests:
Brenda Cassellius is the new executive director of Fresh Energy, a non-profit aimed at transitioning Minnesota to clean energy. She formerly worked for three decades in public education, including as Minnesota’s education commissioner and as superintendent for Boston Public Schools.
Subscribe to the MPR News with Angela Davis podcast on: Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify or RSS.
Use the audio player above to listen to the full conversation.
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3 days ago
Addressing rising alcohol use among women
Alcohol use and misuse among women is on the rise and it’s causing severe health problems for some women.
Women who drink have a higher risk than men for certain health problems, including liver disease, heart disease and cancer.
And research suggests that the stress of the COVID-19 pandemic was associated with more drinking among women but not among men.
MPR News host Angela Davis talks with a researcher who studies sex differences in alcohol use, and a drug and alcohol counselor who specializes in women’s addiction.
Guests:
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MacKenzie Peltier is an assistant professor in the Department of Psychiatry at the Yale School of Medicine. She researches sex differences in alcohol use disorders.
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Jasmin Boelter is a licensed drug and alcohol counselor and the clinical director at Wellcome Manor Family Services in Garden City, Minn.
Subscribe to the MPR News with Angela Davis podcast on: Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify or RSS.
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4 days ago
J.D. Steele: Spreading joy and soul through song
J.D. Steele doesn’t just walk onto a stage. He bursts on with a mic, full of energy and ready to belt into song. Usually he gets his audience to sing along or at least clap and sway in their seat.
Steele is the oldest sibling in the Minnesota gospel group The Steeles. And he’s been making music and spreading soul and joy for 40 years in Minnesota.
Steele toured with “The Gospel at Colonus” with actor Morgan Freeman and when it landed on Broadway in 1988. He collaborated with Prince during the 90s. He’s produced, performed and recorded multiple Steeles albums and worked with artists like George Clinton, Mavis Staples, Kim Carnes, Fine Young Cannibals and The Sounds of Blackness.
MPR News host Angela Davis talks with J.D. Steele about his life work making music his and current projects, directing community choirs and inspiring the next generation to sing with soul. Useful resources
Want to sing with one of the community choirs directed by J.D. Steele? They are free to participate in, don’t require auditions and rehearse together once a week for 90 minutes during the fall, winter and spring. Click to find more information about:
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The Mill City Singers.
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The MacPhail Community Youth Choir.
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The Capri Glee! Adult Community Choir.
Guest:
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J.D. Steele is a singer, songwriter, arranger, producer and choir director known for his work with Prince, as part of the J.D. Steele Singers in “The Gospel at Colonus,” in musical theatre and as a member of the Twin Cities-based vocal group The Steeles.
Subscribe to the MPR News with Angela Davis podcast on: Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify or RSS.
Use the audio player above to listen to the full conversation.
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May 25, 2023
George Floyd's family on the 3rd anniversary of his murder
“I get anxious every anniversary,” says George Floyd’s cousin, Paris Stevens. “How am I going to feel this year? But the community and support is just amazing.”
All eyes were on Minneapolis on May 25, 2020, as the world erupted with calls for meaningful racial justice after George Floyd was murdered.
* 2020 Floyd protests: How did we get here?
* In Focus George Floyd's legacy and impact
* 2021 Continuing the conversation: How George Floyd changed us
* Special report Host Angela Davis explores how George Floyd changed us
* 2022 Coping with prolonged grief over George Floyd, mass shootings and the pandemic
MPR News guest host Twila Dang speaks with two of Floyd’s family members and a community member.
All of them were called to action after Floyd’s death and poured their efforts into starting the George Floyd Global Memorial (GFGM), a nonprofit organization that conserves stories of resistance to racial injustice and creates spaces for people to grieve and raise their voice for racial justice.
“And today, after three years, we literally created something out of the basement,” says Angela Harrelson, George Floyd’s aunt and the organization’s co-founder.
The organization is running its third annual Rise & Remember event series May 25-27 at locations around Minnesota. Events include a vigil, conference, gala and festival.
Guests:
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Jeanelle Austin is the executive director and co-founder of the George Floyd Global Memorial, and founder of the Racial Agency Initiative.
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Angela Harrelson is the aunt of George Floyd and co-chair of the George Floyd Global Memorial. Last year she released her book, “Lift Your Voice: How My Nephew George Floyd’s Murder Changed The World.” She’s a mental health ICU nurse and served in the military.
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Paris Stevens is the cousin of George Floyd and co-chair of the George Floyd Global Memorial. She has worked in the mortgage industry for more than a decade.
Subscribe to the MPR News with Angela Davis podcast on: Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify or RSS.
Use the audio player above to listen to the full conversation.
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May 24, 2023
How to take action on youth mental health
How worried are you about the mental health of a young person in your life?
Young people were already struggling with their mental health before the pandemic and now depression, anxiety and thoughts of suicide have surged.
In 2022, an all-time high number of Minnesota students reported mental health problems, according to the Minnesota Department of Health.
Girls are faring even worse. Nearly three out of five teenage girls felt persistent sadness in 2021, which is double the rate of boys, according to a recent report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
There’s a growing need for trained mental health professionals but those are hard to come by, especially in rural Minnesota.
We listen back to a conversation MPR News host Angela Davis had with two Minnesota professionals, one who runs youth organizations and another who runs a center that works to increase access to behavioral health services in greater Minnesota.
They talk about how to recognize signs of mental health challenges and what to do and say to help that young person in your life.
If you or a loved one is experiencing a crisis, call or text 988, Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, or text MN to 741741. Talk to trained counselors who care, 24/7/365.
If you or a loved one is at imminent risk, please contact 911 and ask for a Crisis Intervention Team officer.
Guests:
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Verna Cornelia Price is CEO of The Power of People Consulting Group, a leadership and management consulting firm. She’s also co-founder of Girls Taking Action and Boys of Hope. Those organizations address increased violence and decreased academic engagement in girls and boys grades 6 to 12.
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Thad Shunkwiler is an associate professor at Minnesota State University, Mankato and the director of the Center for Rural Behavioral Health. His passion and expertise is in researching trends of mental health in rural areas.
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May 23, 2023
Lake Superior: Honoring and protecting Minnesota’s natural wonder
Lake Superior is the largest freshwater lake in the world in terms of surface area and it’s not immune to climate change — it’s also one of the fastest-warming lakes in the world.
MPR News guest host Dan Kraker speaks with a scientist who studies Lake Superior about the allure and science of this deep, clear and cold lake and how it’s threatened by climate change.
Plus, we hear from two artists — a photographer and a writer — about the lake’s significance and healing presence.
Guests:
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Bob Sterner is a biology professor and director of the Large Lakes Observatory at the University of Minnesota Duluth which studies Lake Superior and other big lakes around the world. He’s also president of the Northeastern Association of Marine and Great Lakes Laboratories.
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Halee Kirkwood is a writer, teaching artist and a bookseller at Birchbark Books & Native Arts in Minneapolis who will be retracing the Ojibwe migration around Lake Superior and writing about it through a Jerome Hill Artist Fellowship. They grew up in Superior, Wis. and are a direct descendent of the Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa.
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Christian Dalbec is a photographer based in Two Harbors, Minn. known for his photographs of Lake Superior waves and other scenes, taken while wearing a wetsuit and photographing from within the lake.
Subscribe to the MPR News with Angela Davis podcast on: Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify or RSS.
Use the audio player above to listen to the full conversation.
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May 19, 2023
Feeling burned out? Here’s how a Minnesota doctor sang about it
Has going to work felt like an Olympic sport? If so, we regret to inform you that we can’t prescribe you anything.
But, we can offer profound insight and comedic relief from Dr. Stuart Bloom.
Bloom created and performs in the musical “How to Avoid Burnout in 73 Minutes,” which recently played a sold out run at the Southern Theater in Minneapolis. He’s also an oncologist.
Bloom has an insightful, personal and sometimes hilarious take on burnout that he shares with guest host Chris Farrell, who’s filling in for Angela Davis.
Guest:
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Dr. Stuart Bloom is an oncologist and an associate professor at the University of Minnesota Medical School, where he sees patients and teaches. He spent his 20s as an actor and musical comedian in New York City and went to medical school in his 30s after his father was diagnosed with stomach cancer. He wrote and performs in the musical How to Avoid Burnout in 73 Minutes, which recently played a sold-out run at the Southern Theater in Minneapolis.
Subscribe to the MPR News with Angela Davis podcast on: Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify or RSS.
Use the audio player above to listen to the full conversation.
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May 18, 2023
Pimento Jamaican Kitchen’s secret sauce: Community spirit
There’s a little Jamaica right here in Minnesota and it’s called Pimento Jamaican Kitchen.
Tomme Beevas started his restaurant 11 years ago with a $99 tent and a backyard grill.
Now he’s an award-winning chef and entrepreneur who’s opening two new locations this summer — one at 354 Wabasha St. in St. Paul and a second Minneapolis location at the new Bde Maka Ska pavilion.
Beevas has found a way to make his restaurants more than a place for food.
Pimento Kitchen’s secret sauce is community spirit.
MPR News guest host Nina Moini speaks with Beevas about how his grandmother inspired his cooking and the vision for his business.
Guests:
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Tomme Beevas is an award-winning chef and entrepreneur. He’s the owner of Pimento Jamaican Kitchen and the founder of Pimento Relief Services, an organization that aims to support and uplift communities of color in the Twin Cities.
Subscribe to the MPR News with Angela Davis podcast on: Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify or RSS.
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May 17, 2023
Call to Mind: Queer Youth Resilience & Mental Health
Every day, queer teens and young adults are challenged by the politicization of gender identity and sexual orientation and the rise in anti-LGBTQ+ discrimination.
And the mental health consequences are alarming.
A staggering 45 percent of LGBTQ+ youth 13 through 24 report to have seriously considered suicide, and 14 percent have tried to hurt themselves, according to a 2022 report from The Trevor Project.
Given that LGBTQ+ youth face continued fights around their identity, what are mental health concerns specific to queer youth? And what support is necessary for LGBTQ+ teens and young adults to take care of their well-being amid a national political climate that’s working against them?
MPR News shares a special broadcast from Call to Mind, American Public Media’s initiative to foster conversations about mental health. The special “Queer Youth Resilience & Mental Health” is hosted by Kimberly Adams.
Guests:
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Brian Coleman is a licensed clinical professional counselor at Jones College Prep High School in Chicago Public School District.
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Laura Holt is a licensed psychologist with Mental Health Services-Habif Health and Wellness Center at Washington University in St. Louis.
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Jordyn Pruitt is a student at Georgia College & State University.
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Danielle Ramo is a licensed psychologist and the Chief Clinical Officer at BeMe Health. She’s also an adjunct associate professor at the University of California San Francisco.
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Steven Rocha is the policy director at PRISM Florida, an organization that aims to expand access to LGBT-inclusive education and sexual health resources for youth in South Florida.
Use the audio player above to listen to the full conversation.
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May 16, 2023
World-class conductor now making beer for a cause
William Eddins is a Minnesotan who makes music … and beer.
How does a world-class orchestra conductor end up co-owner of a brewery?
It started during the COVID-19 pandemic when orchestras abruptly canceled live performances and Eddins found himself out of work with time on his hands. He and a friend turned their beer-making hobby into MetroNOME brewery in downtown St. Paul, with the goal of raising money to pay for music instruments and instruction for Twin Cities children and teens.
The brewery’s music venue only seats 50 people, but Eddins is pulling in some big names. Jazz trumpet legend Wynton Marsalis played an impromptu gig at MetroNOME last fall. And, Eddins is preparing for a piano recital on June 3 when the taproom celebrates the first anniversary of its grand opening.
MPR News guest host Euan Kerr talks with Eddins about his international music career, beer and the brewery’s mission.
Guests:
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Bill Eddins is music director emeritus of the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra in Alberta, Canada and a frequent guest conductor of major orchestras throughout the world. He was an associate conductor of the Minnesota Orchestra in the '90s. He’s also co-owner of MetroNOME Brewery in downtown St. Paul.
Subscribe to the MPR News with Angela Davis podcast on: Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify or RSS.
Use the audio player above to listen to the full conversation.
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May 15, 2023
Almost all Minnesota workers may get paid time off for family and medical leave
Paid family and medical leave is poised to become law in Minnesota.
Most working Americans have access to unpaid time off for the arrival of a child or to handle their own or a family member’s illness. But three in four American civilian workers have no access to paid family leave and one in five has no access to paid sick leave.
Under a proposal working its way through the final legislative stages, paid leave would expand to nearly all working Minnesotans.
MPR News guest host Chris Farrell talks about how the proposed state-run insurance program would work, how it would be funded and how it could affect small businesses.
Guests:
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Dana Ferguson is a politics reporter with MPR News.
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John Reynolds is the Minnesota state director for the National Federation of Independent Businesses. The organization represents small businesses in Minnesota.
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Rep. Ruth Richardson (DFL-Mendota Heights) is chief sponsor of HF2, the House version of the paid family and medical leave bill.…
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May 11, 2023
14 events and ideas to have summer fun in Minnesota
A lot of us have already started thinking about our summer vacation, or maybe you’ve even planned one out.
But have you thought about the shorter bursts of fun you want to have this summer?
MPR News host Angela Davis speaks with her guests about upcoming live music events, art festivals, craft fairs and other events across Minnesota this summer.
Plus, she talks to a St. Paul mother whose family is once again deliberately setting aside their phones, laptops, tablets and TV screens to spend more time outside. They did it last year successfully. Tune in to find out how.
Guests:
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Lauren Bennett McGinty is the executive director of Explore Minnesota.
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Anne Lottie is the mother of 7-year-old twins and a 9-year-old son in St. Paul. She and her family are doing a digital media-free spring and summer.
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Jade Tittle is a host of and the music director at The Current on MPR.
Subscribe to the MPR News with Angela Davis podcast on: Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify or RSS.…
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May 10, 2023
Highlights from Wellness Wednesday: Looking at hearing loss, tackling addictions
Every Wednesday on MPR News with Angela Davis, you can listen to in depth conversations on wellness topics.
This week, Angela shares highlights from two favorite Wellness Wednesday shows.
Nearly 30 million Americans suffer from hearing loss but only about one-fifth use hearing aids, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. In the first Wellness Wednesday segment, listen to how the FDA approving over-the-counter hearing aids could improve people’s access to the medical devices.
In the second segment, an alcohol and addiction treatment specialist talks about his recovery and another expert talks about how our brains create addiction patterns. In 2021, 1,162 Minnesotans died of alcohol-related deaths, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. That’s a record number that doesn’t include deaths from drunk driving. That’s also more than the number of homicides and suicides combined for that year.
Guests:
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Peggy Nelson is a professor in the Depar…
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May 10, 2023
How an APM podcast became part of a national movement to reform reading instruction
One in three Minnesota fourth graders cannot read at a “basic” level for their grade, according to 2022 reading test results from the National Assessment of Educational Progress.
The question is, why do so many children struggle?
American Public Media senior producer Emily Hanford found answers in her podcast, “Sold a Story: How Teaching Kids to Read Went So Wrong.” The podcast was released last fall and quickly became a must-listen for people involved in the national movement to reform reading instruction.
The podcast digs into a key belief about how children learn to read that has held sway in schools for more than a generation, even though it was proven wrong by cognitive scientists decades ago. And, it shows how common teaching methods used by schools across the country can actually make it harder for children to learn how to read.
MPR News host Angela Davis talks with Emily Hanford about the reaction to her exposé and new bonus episodes.
* Related Can Minnesota s…
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May 9, 2023
Advocating for sexual assault survivors
One in six American women has been the victim of a rape or attempted rape in their lifetime, but most survivors of sexual violence never report the assault to law enforcement.
Although the public conversations of the “Me too” movement raised awareness of sexual harassment and rape, advocates in Minnesota say communities still downplay the harm caused by sexual assault, law enforcement can be too slow to respond and victims aren’t given enough support.
MPR News host Angela Davis talks about preventing sexual violence, improving services for survivors and why Black women and girls are especially vulnerable to sexual violence. The conversation includes an excerpt from an April 27 conversation with author and sexual assault survivor Roxane Gay.
Guests:
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Artika Roller is the executive director of the Minnesota Coalition Against Sexual Assault, a statewide network of organizations working to end sexual violence.
Subscribe to the MPR News with Angela Davis podcast on: Apple Pod…
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May 8, 2023
Farming on the frontlines of the climate crisis
Minnesota farmers have identified climate resiliency as their most pressing issue right now, according to the Minnesota Farmers Union.
That’s why the union is launching its first of a series of agriculture and climate conversations on Tuesday.
MPR News host Angela Davis finds out how our state’s agriculture industry is adapting to extreme weather, such as droughts, floods and abundant snowfalls.
Guests:
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Heidi Roop is the director of the University of Minnesota Climate Adaptation Partnership. She’s also an assistant professor of climate science and an extension specialist for climate science and adaptation at the U of M. She’s the author of the recently released book, “The Climate Action Handbook: A Visual Guide to 100 Climate Solutions for Everyone.”
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Ariel Kagan is the Climate and Working Lands Program Director with the Minnesota Farmers Union. She has worked across sectors to support farmers, climate resilience and policy development.
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Hannah Bernhardt an…
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May 4, 2023
Opportunities and hope behind bars
When people who are incarcerated have access to education and other resources, they’re more likely to be successful when they come home to their communities.
More than 8,000 people are incarcerated in Minnesota correctional facilities and thousands more are in county jails and federal prisons in the state.
Coming up at 9 a.m. on Thursday, MPR News host Angela Davis talks with the leaders and alumni of three programs that provide opportunity — and hope — to people behind bars.
Guests:
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Jennifer Bowen is founder and artistic director of the Minnesota Prison Writing Workshop, which teaches creative writing and offers one-on-one mentorships in all the adult correctional facilities in Minnesota.
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Antonio Williams is an alum of the Minnesota Prison Writing Workshop and founder of Tone Up, an organization that helps formerly incarcerated people find a place back into their communities.
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Sgt. Adam Hernke is program director at the Hennepin County Adult Detention Center w…
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May 3, 2023
The healing benefits of getting outdoors
Minnesota has a lot of grassroots groups getting into the grass and into the roots.
MPR News host Angela Davis speaks with two Minnesotans who are helping others experience the joys of the outdoors and the health benefits.
Spending time in nature can improve mood, emotional health, mental health, attention and memory.
Getting outside doesn’t have to look like a week-long portaging trip, either.
A simple walk, sitting in your yard or even just looking outside can potentially have health benefits.
Guests:
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Asha Shoffner is the environmental and outdoor education coordinator for Saint Paul Parks and Recreation. She’s the founder of Fiwygin Outdoors, an acronym for fit in where you get in (pronounced “fusion.”) The group is for people who are underrepresented in outdoor spaces. She’s also the founder of BIPOC Outdoors Twin Cities, a Facebook group of around 2,000 people who host outdoor experiences and workshops for BIPOC people in Minnesota.
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Lynnea Atlas Ingebret…
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May 1, 2023
Breaking the cycle: How to stop violence before it starts
When violence erupts, it creates a shock wave that impacts entire communities. The trauma embeds itself in both victims and perpetrators, and like a virus, often spreads and multiplies. How do we break the cycle?
Last week, MPR News host Angela Davis sat down with community leaders for a live In Focus conversation. How does violent crime wound us, and how can we allow those wounds to heal? What are some new and creative strategies to inoculate communities from the contagion of violence.
Listen to the discussion at 9 a.m on Tuesday.
Guests:
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Lynnaia Jacobsen works as the Neighborhood Safety Community Council manager in St. Paul’s Office of Neighborhood Safety, which was created in 2022.
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Isaac Russell is the chair of St. Paul’s newly launched Neighborhood Safety Community Council. He also serves as director of public policy at the Center for Economic Inclusion.
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Darlene Fry is the executive director of Irreducible Grace Foundation, a St. Paul nonprofit focused on cre…
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May 1, 2023
The legacies of Keefer Court, Khyber Pass and immigrant-owned restaurants
Do you have a particular food that reminds you of home? Maybe it’s your grandma’s spaghetti recipe, the lumpia your family used to make or the pozole from the Mexican restaurant down the street.
Food has the power to comfort us and connect us with our families and cultures. And when we find a restaurant that serves those familiar foods, it can make us feel more at home.
Listen back to a conversation from earlier this year, as MPR News host Angela Davis talks about two restaurants that did just that for many Minnesotans — Khyber Pass in St. Paul and Keefer Court in Minneapolis.
Both restaurants closed in late 2022. And they’re not the only ones: A handful of other longtime Asian-owned restaurants in the Twin Cities closed in 2022 — like Asia Chow Mein in Columbia Heights and David Fong’s in Bloomington.
The New York Times reported in 2019 the share of Chinese-owned restaurants in major metropolitan areas is on the decline.
Guests:
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Michelle Kwan is the former owner…
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Apr 27, 2023
It takes a village to raise a thriving family
Parents, you’ve got a lot on your shoulders.
Many adults are worried about the mental health of kids and teenagers, the price of basic needs like food, and how to solve big problems like racial disparities and climate change.
All of these factors play a part in the well-being of our communities and families.
MPR News host Angela Davis speaks with two Minnesotans who support families and play a role in teaching communities how to create healthy, thriving families. The guests share different parenting strategies.
Guests:
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Mi Yang is a district program facilitator with Minneapolis Early Childhood Family Education in Minneapolis Public Schools. She coaches and supports parent educators and early childhood teachers. She has taught parents and young children across various cultural and social-economic backgrounds since 2000.
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Ann Gaasch has worked with children and families for more than 25 years. She’s currently the chief executive officer of FamilyWise, an agency that runs…
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Apr 26, 2023
Sneezing and sniffling? Spring allergies are intensifying with climate change
Spring allergies can sneak up on people. If you’ve been rubbing your eyes, sniffling and sneezing, you could be suffering from allergies.
When spring comes to Minnesota, trees pop with pollen and melting snow releases mold spores into the air. Both of these are common allergens that can trigger an overactive immune system response.
One in every four adults and one in five children have seasonal allergies, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. For people with allergies, symptoms can also include a sore throat, coughing, fatigue and even wheezing for people who have allergy-triggered asthma.
The good news is that there are plenty of ways to get allergies under control. And, that will only become more important as climate change lengthens the pollen season and makes some plants produce more pollen.
MPR News host Angela Davis talks about what’s happening with allergies and how to manage symptoms.
Guests:
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Dr. Pramod Kelkar is an allergy and asthma speci…
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Apr 25, 2023
‘It’s simply life-saving,’ says Minnesotan who uses gender-affirming care
The Minnesota legislature has passed a bill that protects people who come to the state for gender-affirming care. Gov. Tim Walz is expected to sign that bill into law later this week.
Minnesota joins Colorado, Illinois, Maryland and New Mexico, which have passed similar bills this year.
Meanwhile, Minnesota’s neighbors — Iowa, North Dakota and South Dakota — have banned gender-affirming care for minors, claiming that this kind of care causes irreparable harm.
MPR News host Angela Davis speaks with one of the authors of Minnesota’s bill and a physician who provides gender-affirming care to children and teenagers. Plus, we hear from teenage transgender Minnesotans about why the gender-affirming bill matters to them.
Guests:
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Dana Ferguson is a politics reporter with MPR News.
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Rep. Leigh Finke is a DFL lawmaker in the Minnesota House of Representatives, representing St. Paul. She is also the author of the trans refuge bill in the House of Representatives.
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Dr. An…
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Apr 24, 2023
Working teenagers see new opportunities and higher wages
If you’re a high school or college student looking for a job, now is a good time to apply for one.
The pandemic has had lasting effects on jobs for pretty much everyone, and in some ways that has opened up opportunities for teenagers and young adults.
The unemployment rate for teenagers ages 16 to 19 was under 10 percent last summer, the lowest it has been since Nov. 1953.
MPR News host Angela Davis spoke with guests who help teenagers and young adults find work. We talked about the job market for this age group and tips for how they can land jobs.
Job resources:
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CareerForce MN
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218 Trades jobs
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ARCHS MN
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Elevate Futures
Guests:
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Elena Foshay is the director of workforce development for the City of Duluth. Her agency is the lead partner at CareerForce in Duluth, which is part of a statewide career development and matching resource that works with employers and individuals, including teens and college students.
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Amanda Justen is the Minneapolis Public…
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Apr 20, 2023
Can new rules for Minneapolis police improve interactions with community?
The Minnesota Department of Human Rights and the city of Minneapolis last month reached an agreement on how to overhaul the Minneapolis Police Department. A lot of hope is riding on the new legally-binding settlement. It marks the first time in Minnesota that a court will enforce specific changes in police operations.
The agreement aims to reset the culture of the department after the murder of George Floyd. It follows a state investigation into the Minneapolis police that found a pattern of illegal and racist behavior in officers’ behavior.
It covers a wide range of procedures from traffic stops to how officers use force. For example, officers will no longer be allowed to pull over a driver only for a broken taillight, stop and frisk someone just because they smell of marijuana. And there are new restrictions on when officers can use tear gas or another chemical irritant to control a crowd.
But will these new requirements be enough to improve the way Minneapolis police officers i…
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Apr 19, 2023
How to beat the trend of dying young in America
A recent report by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that American life expectancy is the lowest it’s been in two decades at 76.4 years.
And Americans live shorter lives than people in other wealthy nations like Germany, Japan and the United Kingdom. That’s across all demographic groups, meaning even the richest Americans live shorter lives than their counterparts in other countries.
There are a lot of reasons for this, including poor diets, lack of access to health care, gun violence, car crashes and deaths from COVID-19. But there are also many potential solutions, some the United States could borrow from other countries.
Guests:
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Jeremy Ney is the author of American Inequality, a newsletter that uses data visualization to cover inequality in the United States. He was previously a macro policy strategist at the Federal Reserve.
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Colin Planalp is a senior research fellow at State Health Access Data Assistance Center, which is a state health policy re…
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Apr 18, 2023
What the future could hold if marijuana is legalized in Minnesota
Minnesota lawmakers could soon take a vote on whether to legalize adult-use recreational marijuana in the state.
MPR News host Angela Davis talks about the future of legalized marijuana in Minnesota, how it would work and what we can learn from other states that have already legalized cannabis.
MPR News politics reporter Brian Bakst gives us the latest updates on the bill in the state legislature to legalize recreational marijuana and we hear from concerned Minnesotans who oppose the bill.
Guests:
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Ricardo Baca is a journalist and the founder of Grasslands, a cannabis-centric marketing and public relations agency. He was previously the cannabis editor at The Denver Post.
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Jason Tarasek is an attorney and the founder of the Minnesota Cannabis Law firm.
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Brian Bakst is a politics reporter for MPR News. He’s covering bills in the state legislature to legalize recreational marijuana.
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Apr 17, 2023
How to keep online information safe after Minnesota schools hacked
Students and teachers in Rochester Public Schools finished last week without Internet because suspicious activity on the district’s technology network forced them offline.
This incident comes after a hacker group called Medusa stole the personal information of students and employees from Minneapolis Public Schools.
In March, Medusa demanded $1 million from the district and then posted the personal information to the dark web, a part of the Internet where users are untraceable.
Minnesota schools aren’t the only ones vulnerable to cyberattacks.
There have been 1,619 cybersecurity-related incidents in K-12 public schools in the U.S. between 2016 and 2022, according to the K12 Security Information eXchange, a national nonprofit that helps schools protect themselves from cybersecurity threats.
MPR News host Angela Davis speaks with two cybersecurity experts about why schools are so vulnerable to cybersecurity attacks, why and how hackers steal personal information, and how people c…
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Apr 13, 2023
Reimagining education: How leaders are upping equity and support
Many students are still struggling in school after the big disruptions of the COVID-19 pandemic, especially students of color. Stubborn achievement gaps persist.
It’s going to take a broad community effort to support both students and teachers going forward.
MPR News host Angela Davis talks with leaders at the Minneapolis Foundation and Teach for America Twin Cities about the work they do to reimagine education, especially in the area of equity.
Teach for America - Twin Cities and the Minneapolis Foundation are hosting a talk by New York Times best-selling author, Isabel Wilkerson “Exposing America’s Invisible Scaffolding” at 7 p.m. on Friday, April 28 at the University of Minnesota’s Northrup Auditorium. Tickets are available here.
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Chanda Smith Baker is the senior vice president of impact at the Minneapolis Foundation.
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Mikisha Nation is the executive director for Teach for America - Twin Cities.
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Apr 12, 2023
'You're not alone': Minnesotans find mental health help through peer groups
We all need other people to help us through tough times and there’s power in feeling like someone understands you and your experience. Supporters of peer-to-peer groups for mental health say that’s exactly their power.
MPR News host Angela Davis speaks with two Minnesotans who have been to support groups themselves about how the groups helped them and what new members can expect.
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Chelsey Shoup is a NAMI Connection Recovery Support Group state trainer and co-leads facilitator training for NAMI Minnesota. She started attending NAMI Minnesota Connections peer-to-peer groups in 2012 while she was a college student. In May 2016, she was trained to facilitate Connections groups and has been facilitating in some capacity ever since.
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Bill Dobbs facilitates the Addiction Busters peer-to-peer support group at the Twin Cities Men’s Center. He started attending a men’s support group in about 1984 and became a facilitator in 2014. He’s a former TCMC board member and h…
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Apr 11, 2023
'They bring unconditional love': U of M veterinarian on how animals open our hearts
For many people, pets are a part of the family. Sometimes they drive us wild, but overall, they can fill a house with joy. They give comfort and a cuddle when we’re feeling down and don't judge us for anything.
Dr. Jody Lulich knows about the deep bonds people form with animals. He’s a professor of veterinary medicine at the University of Minnesota and he’s just out with a new book called, “In the Company of Grace: A Veterinarian's Memoir of Trauma and Healing.”
Lulich lost his mother when he was nine years old to suicide, sending him on a path to care for voiceless and helpless animals. His memoir relates how he makes his way from the South Side of Chicago to the Tuskegee School of Veterinary Medicine in Alabama, where he forms a deep friendship with an older black woman named Grace.
MPR News host Angela Davis talks with Dr. Lulich about his life and work and about our relationships with animals.
Dr. Lulich will read and sign his memoir at 7 p.m. on Monday, April 24 at S…
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Apr 10, 2023
Let's go thrifting! Exploring the past, present and future of buying secondhand
Minnesota has thousands of secondhand stores, from for-profit businesses to those tied to charities — all possible treasure troves for the determined thrifter.
Thrifting can be a bonding experience across generations or part of self care, but the history of this popular pastime is more complicated than you might think.
Listen back to a conversation MPR News host Angela Davis had with a historian who wrote a book about thrifting and a thrift store marketing manager about thrifting’s past, present and future.
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Jennifer Le Zotte is an assistant professor of history at the University of North Carolina Wilmington and the author of the book, “From Goodwill to Grunge: A History of Secondhand Styles and Alternative Economies.”
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Molly King is the marketing manager for Arc’s Value Village thrift stores in the Twin Cities.
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Apr 6, 2023
Women are moving into sports leadership jobs
When the Minnesota Twins walk onto Target Field for their home opener this Friday, the starting lineup will be all men. But a lot of women working in top positions off the field make a Twins season possible.
It wasn’t long ago that women were a rare sight among the male-dominated front office staff of professional sports teams. That’s been slowly changing.
The number of women working on the business side of sports in Minnesota and nationally is steadily increasing. Women are moving into top positions, heading up everything from human resources and legal departments to marketing and accounting.
In 2020, the Miami Marlins announced they were hiring Kim Ng as the general manager, the first woman to work as a general manager in Major League Baseball. Last year, more than 40 percent of the NFL league office were women, according to the Institute for Diversity and Ethics in Sport.
MPR News host Angela Davis talks with three women who work in high-level positions for Minnesota sports…
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Apr 5, 2023
How much social media is too much?
School districts across the country have sued social media companies claiming they contribute to the decline of youth’s mental health.
The legal action started in January with Seattle Public Schools arguing that social media companies make their platforms addictive and that youth have uncontrollable anxiety, feelings of hopelessness and thoughts of suicide.
Then school districts in Washington, California, Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Florida also took legal action.
But it’s not all bad — social media does have some upsides, such as connecting people to specific communities and taking down geographic barriers.
So, how much social media is too much? When does it become a problem?
Join MPR News host Angela Davis for a conversation about digital well-being and what the research says about the good and bad of our screens.
Guests:
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Jude Mikal is a research scientist at the University of Minnesota School of Public Health in the division of health policy and management. He has…
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Apr 4, 2023
Everything you need to know about houseplants from two Minnesota experts
It may be brown and snowy, but that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy some greenery inside your home. You can bring the great outdoors inside with houseplants.
Houseplants saw a boom in popularity in 2020 when many people were stuck indoors because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
In 2021, Americans spent more than $2 billion on indoor plants and accessories, up from $1.3 billion in 2019, according to the National Gardening Association.
MPR News host Angela Davis talks with two houseplant experts about why plants bring us joy and how to keep yours healthy heading into spring.
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Jenn Hovland is a horticulturist, florist and owner of Studio Louise Flowers on Main Street in downtown Stillwater.
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Maria Failla is the author of “Growing Joy: The Plant Lover's Guide to Cultivating Happiness (and Plants),” published last June.
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Apr 3, 2023
The impact of diversity, equity and inclusion pledges in the workplace
Last week, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz announced that the state hired its first chief equity officer, who will create a new state office of equity and opportunity.
Offices and positions like this have become more common in the past few years.
After George Floyd was murdered in 2020, corporations made pledges to address systemic discrimination both within their organizations and in the community.
As of October 2022, companies had pledged nearly $340 billion to support racial justice, according to McKinsey & Company.
But, what has actually changed? MPR News host Angela Davis talks with two diversity, equity and inclusion leaders in the Twin Cities about what DEI looks like in practice and how to create meaningful change.
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Courtney Schroeder is the head of diversity, inclusion and belonging at General Mills. He was previously director of global inclusion at General Mills.
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Angela Spranger is the senior diversity officer and director for the Center for Inclusive Excellenc…
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Mar 30, 2023
Hennepin County Sheriff Dawanna Witt brings empathy to policing
Hennepin County Sheriff Dawanna Witt grew up in south Minneapolis, just a block from where George Floyd was murdered. She took an unusual — and inspiring — path to her election this past November as the first Black woman to become a sheriff in Minnesota.
Witt was a teen mother and in the social work field before deciding on a whim to apply for a deputy job at the Hennepin County Jail. Her childhood hardship and early mistrust of police shape her approach to policing at a time when trust is strained between law enforcement and communities of color.
MPR News host Angela Davis talks with Sheriff Witt about her background and how law enforcement can repair relationships with the communities they serve.
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Dawanna Witt was sworn in as Hennepin County Sheriff in January, 2023. She has worked for more than 23 years in law enforcement. She’s also an adjunct professor at Inver Groves Community College.
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Mar 29, 2023
'Face It': A safe space for men and boys to talk openly about mental health
Men are less likely to seek out and receive treatment for mental health concerns, according to the National Institute of Mental Health.
And that can have horrible consequences. Though men are less likely to attempt suicide than women, they are much more likely to die when they do.
Experts say that many men and boys don’t talk openly about their struggles, and that makes it hard for them to seek help.
MPR News host Angela Davis talks with two mental health professionals who work closely with men and boys.
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Brandon Jones is the executive director of the Minnesota Association for Children's Mental Health. He is also a therapist and the owner of the business Jegna Consulting.
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Bill Dehkes is the co-founder and chief operating officer of Face it Foundation, a non-profit that offers free, peer-support groups for men struggling with depression, anxiety, thoughts of suicide and general challenges.
Subscribe to the MPR News with Angela Davis podcast on: Apple Podcasts, G…
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Mar 28, 2023
Rebroadcast: Tutoring boosts students after the pandemic 'teaching loss'
Students across the board in Minnesota fell behind in math, reading and other school subjects during distance learning in the COVID-19 pandemic.
Only about 51 percent of Minnesota children hit reading benchmarks in 2022, a drop of eight percentage points since just prior to the pandemic in 2019. Fewer than 46 percent of students met or exceeded math standards, a drop of 10 percentage points. Students of color and students from low-income families fell even farther behind.
Educators are grappling with how to address this “learning loss,” or as some call it, “teaching loss.” One promising approach might be intensive tutoring, either in small groups or one-on-one.
A tutor can give a steady dose of encouragement for kids who are disheartened. Tutors who are trained or who use a proven curriculum can also meet students where they are and focus on exactly the skills that need improvement — whether that’s phonics or fractions.
Listen to a rebroadcast of a conversation that air…
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Mar 27, 2023
How Minnesota's lack of technology education contributes to tech job gap
Tech giants like Amazon, Google, Microsoft, Netflix and Meta have laid off a total of more than 100,000 employees in 2023.
Yet, Minnesota alone had 8,460 tech job postings in the month of February but not enough skilled workers to fill them, according to reports from the Minnesota Technology Association.
Also, for the third year in a row, Minnesota is dead last in the country when it comes to teaching K-12 students computer science in public schools.
MPR News host Angela Davis speaks with local tech experts about why giant companies are laying off so many workers, and what’s being done to address the gap between open tech jobs and a lack of skilled workers in our state.
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Sharon Kennedy Vickers is the CEO of Software For Good, a company that makes apps and platforms that liberate and empower. In the past she was the chief information officer for the City of Saint Paul, overseeing cybersecurity, infrastructure and operations, digital solutions, technology business mana…
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Mar 22, 2023
Planning your next vacation? Try these 18 Minnesota day trips
Have you been dreaming about your next vacation? It’s spring break season, and summer is approaching. And that may have you thinking about your next trip, whether it’s a trip with friends, family or yourself.
You don’t have to go far to have a great time.
Luckily, there are plenty of day trips and staycations you can take right here in Minnesota.
MPR News host Angela Davis talks with two journalists about their favorite hidden gems for travel within the state, and how to plan a short getaway.
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Em Cassel is a co-founder and co-editor of Racket, a Twin Cities publication for news, arts and culture, founded by a group of former City Pages editors.
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Stephanie March is the executive editor of new media and food at Mpls.St.Paul Magazine
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Mar 22, 2023
How to recognize and help someone in a mental health crisis
Just like with our physical health, mental health emergencies can pop up unexpectedly and it can be scary if you’re suddenly called to help.
And just like you can learn CPR, there are skills you can learn to recognize and support someone in need.
There are courses for mental health first aid and they’re offered in person and virtually.
MPR News host Angela Davis speaks with mental health professionals about the first actions to take and the words to use in an emergency.
And we want to hear from you. Have you helped other people in a mental health crisis? What did you learn? Have you been through a mental health crisis yourself? What do you wish other people had known?
If you’re in crisis right now, please call, text, or chat 988 to connect with a trained counselor who can help you.
Mental health first aid courses are available through the following organizations:
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Mental Health First Aid
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Minneapolis Technical and Community College
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American Red Cross
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Minn…
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Mar 21, 2023
Rebroadcast: A DNA test might reveal a life-changing family secret
Discovering your roots can start with a home DNA testing kit.
The results, for many, can tell someone about their family history. But for a small percentage of people, the test results can give them a sudden reveal of an unknown relative.
In this rebroadcast, MPR News host Angela Davis speaks with a writer who discovered her previously unknown biological father through a home DNA test and a family therapist about how to process big family secrets that may change your life.
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Leeanne R. Hay is a freelance writer in north Texas and is the author of “NPE* A Story Guide For Unexpected DNA Discoveries.” NPE stands for non-paternity event.
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Kirsten Lind Seal is a licensed marriage and family therapist practicing in Minneapolis.
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Mar 20, 2023
Minnesota has a wider wage gap than most states. How can we close it?
Minnesota is a national leader for women’s participation in the workplace. And yet, we also have a wider gender wage gap than most other states. That means that women in Minnesota are consistently paid less than men. And over the past decade, we’ve made little progress in closing the wage gap.
That has huge financial implications for women. The average Minnesota woman loses close to $448,000 during her lifetime due to the wage gap alone.
MPR News host Angela Davis talks about the latest research about the wage gap in Minnesota, and what we can do to begin to close that gap.
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Christina Ewig is the faculty director of the Center on Women, Gender and Public Policy at the University of Minnesota and a public affairs professor.
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Youngmin Chu is a PhD student at the University of Minnesota Humphrey School of Public Affairs focusing on gender discrimination, economic inequality and labor market policy.
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Cynthia Bauerly is the vice president of strategic initiatives…
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Mar 16, 2023
How winter storms and other extreme weather are connected to climate change
Parts of Minnesota are once again bracing for a winter storm watch starting on Thursday and it’s been a year of unusual and extreme winter weather.
This winter is already the 8th snowiest winter on record in the Twin Cities and it’s only March.
We’re not the only ones dealing with extreme weather — there’s been snow and flooding in California, blizzards in the Midwest and huge storms in the East.
MPR News host Angela Davis talks with three experts about the impact of the changing climate, how it’s related to extreme weather and possible solutions.
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Kenneth Blumenfeld is the senior climatologist at the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources.
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Amudalat Ajasa is a weather and climate reporter for The Washington Post who covers extreme weather and its effects on communities.
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Heidi Roop is the director of the Minnesota Climate Adaptation Partnership and an assistant professor of climate science at the University of Minnesota. She also serves as a the…
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Mar 15, 2023
Two Minnesota children's book authors on getting and giving a sense of belonging
It’s so important for kids to feel like they fit in, whether that’s at home, at school or in their communities.
Ideally they’d feel like they belong in all these spaces, but that can be tough if you don’t fully understand yourself or your family history.
Two children’s book authors living in Minnesota went through that and they join MPR News host Angela Davis to talk about their paths to learning and loving themselves.
Now they’re adults and helping kids feel like they have a voice through their children’s books.
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Thuba Nguyen has been an early childhood educator for more than a decade. Her expertise is in anti-bias and anti-racist pedagogy. They’re the author of the children’s book, “My Daddy Tells Me.” She’s now working as the communications specialist for the Minnesota House of Representatives People of Color and Indigenous Caucus and Queer Caucus.
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Anthony Walsh is the author of the “Hockey Is for Everybody” children's book series.…
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Mar 14, 2023
‘This is an emergency’: Public transit riders talk sustainability, social issues
Public transit has had a challenging last few years.
When riders slowed to a trickle during the COVID-19 pandemic, troubling behavior slipped in the door.
Metro Transit in the Twin Cities has become a haven for those with nowhere else to go — people without homes, or with addictions or mental illness.
People are sleeping and living on transit. Floors are often littered with food containers, syringes and empty liquor bottles. Reported crimes were up 54% in 2022 from 2021, driven largely by an increase narcotic and weapons complaints and it’s not uncommon to see people openly using drugs on the light rail trains.
Most disturbingly, are the recent assaults. A transgender woman was attacked in February by three men at a light rail station in Minneapolis. In December, two people were shot and killed at a station in downtown St. Paul. Bus drivers have reported being punched and threatened with a gun.
The spiral of problems follows the huge drop in number of riders during the COVID-1…
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Mar 13, 2023
The promise and possibility of a four-day workweek
A five-day, 40-hour workweek is the norm for many American workers. But why? What if instead of five work days, we had four?
The idea of a four-day work week is gaining more and more traction. A recent pilot program in the U.K. tested four-day workweeks with fewer hours than the standard 40. The study showed positive results across the board for both employees and employers.
MPR News host Angela Davis talks with three experts about the possibility and promise of a shorter workweek.
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Chris Farrell is senior economics contributor at Marketplace, American Public Media's nationally syndicated public radio business and economic programs. He’s also a senior economics contributor at MPR News.
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William P. Jones is a professor of history at the University of Minnesota who studies and writes about organized labor, unions, racial inequality and the history of the Civil Rights movement.
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Krista Lynn Minnotte is a professor of sociology at University of North Dakota and t…
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Mar 9, 2023
Rebroadcast: The history of tipping, and how it’s changing
Tipping after meals at restaurants is almost second nature for many Americans. But the practice is changing as more people begin to question why we tip.
In many states, employers are allowed to pay a tipped staff a lower minimum wage. Minnesota is one of the few states in the nation that requires employers to pay tipped employees full state minimum wage before factoring in tips.
Tipping also has a dark history in the United States. Tipping has been linked to the end of slavery when employers wanted an excuse to pay recently freed Black Americans less.
More restaurants are beginning to eliminate tipping, opting instead to charge a service or hospitality fee.
In this rebroadcast, MPR News host Angela Davis talks about the history of tipping in the United States, how it’s changing and the push for higher wages for service workers.
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Saru Jayaraman is the president of One Fair Wage and Director of the Food Labor Research Center at University of California, Berkeley. She…
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Mar 8, 2023
Call To Mind: Seeking Connection
For people of all ages, social connections are critical to health and wellbeing. Experts say we are inherently social creatures — hardwired to engage and depend on others for support throughout a lifecycle.
Doctors and health researchers have signaled concerns about loneliness for decades — forced isolation during the COVID-19 pandemic introduced many more people to daily struggles with loneliness.
How important are social connections? How does loneliness impact a person’s mental and physical health? And are people looking for social connections in the right places?
MPR News shares “Seeking Connection,” a special broadcast from Call to Mind, American Public Media’s initiative to foster conversations about mental health. The special explores the relationship between loneliness, mental health, and the power of social connections.
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Elias Aboujaoude, chief of anxiety disorders section at the Stanford University School of Medicine
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Julianne Holt-Lunstad, pro…
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Mar 7, 2023
How does the Minnesota Legislature work? Two nonpartisan experts explain
Voters have elected lawmakers at the Minnesota Legislature that more accurately reflect the people in our state.
At least 35 out of 201 legislators identify as people of color and 11 of the local lawmakers identify as LGBTQ and that’s the most representation we’ve seen yet.
Three Black women were elected to the Minnesota Senate, the first in the 164 years it has been around.
These lawmakers are meeting over the next few months to talk about important policies that will impact communities around the state.
Two non-partisan administrators who work at the Minnesota State Capitol join MPR News host Angela Davis to share what goes on how to follow and influence the decisions that will directly impact people around the state.
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Tom Bottern is the secretary of the Minnesota Senate. In that nonpartisan role, he helps the members of the Senate with legislative procedure and during Senate floor sessions. He also serves as the chief operating officer for the Senate.
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Eliza…
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Mar 6, 2023
Exploring race, justice and the economy with Alan Page and Neel Kashkari
Former Minnesota Supreme Court Justice Alan Page and Minneapolis Federal Reserve president and CEO Neel Kashkari spoke with MPR News host Angela Davis about the relationship between race, justice and the economy.
The discussion is one of several events tied to the exhibit TESTIFY: Americana Slavery to Today on display at the Minneapolis Central Library through March 29. The collection of historical artifacts tells the story of segregation and racism in America. The items belong to the family of former Minnesota Supreme Court Justice Alan Page.
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Alan Page served 22 years as a justice of the Minnesota Supreme Court.
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Neel Kashkari is president and CEO of the Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis.
Subscribe to the MPR News with Angela Davis podcast on: Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify or RSS.
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Mar 2, 2023
How young leaders are learning to address 'wicked problems' like the climate crisis
Have you lost sleep worrying about the climate crisis? Or maybe you’re anxious about the surging cost of housing and health care. Or you’ve gotten discouraged about the growing gap between rich and poor in Minnesota.
Among people who work on policy, these big, complicated problems with no simple solutions are sometimes called “wicked problems.”
MPR News host Angela Davis talks about how the state’s top policy school is training young leaders learning to address some of these “wicked problems,” and how all of us can learn from their fresh ideas and optimism.
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Nisha Botchwey is the dean of the Hubert H. Humphrey School of Public Affairs at the University of Minnesota. She started in 2022. She holds master’s degrees in public health and urban planning and a Ph.D. in urban planning.
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Nathan Jeide-Detweiler will graduate this spring from the Humphrey School’s Master of Development Practice program. He is also president of the Public Affairs Student Asso…
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Mar 1, 2023
How to help kids and teens with their mental health, students weigh in
Kids may be back in the classroom, but it is not back to normal.
Last year, nearly a third of Minnesota students reported they struggle with long-term mental health problems. Girls, in particular, say they are feeling persistent sadness. Rates of depression and anxiety have sky rocketed. And there aren't enough mental health professionals to help.
Schools are on the front line of this fight, and many say this crisis could usher in a new way of looking at education.
Wednesday, on a special In Focus, we’ll continue our conversation about how to help students deal with the mental health crisis by talking with counselors who work daily with children and teenagers. How can K-12 schools increase mental wellness in kids and their communities?
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Dr. Benita Amedee is a licensed professional clinical counselor with a doctorate in counseling psychology. She currently works as the clinical manager of school-based mental health for the Wilder Foundation.
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Cedric Weatherspoon h…
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Feb 28, 2023
The legacies of Keefer Court, Khyber Pass and immigrant-owned restaurants
Do you have a particular food that reminds you of home? Maybe it’s your grandma’s spaghetti recipe, the lumpia your family used to make or the pozole from the Mexican restaurant down the street.
Whatever the dish may be, food has the power to comfort us and to connect us to our families and our cultures. And when we find a restaurant that serves those familiar foods, it can make us feel more at home.
MPR News host Angela Davis talks about two restaurants that did just that for many Minnesotans — Khyber Pass in St. Paul and Keefer Court in Minneapolis.
Both restaurants closed in late 2022. And they’re not the only ones. A handful of other longtime Asian-owned restaurants in the Twin Cities closed in 2022 — like Asia Chow Mein in Columbia Heights and David Fong’s in Bloomington.
And the New York Times reported in 2019 the share of Chinese-owned restaurants in major metropolitan areas is on the decline.
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Michelle Kwan is the former owner of Chinese bakery Kee…
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Feb 27, 2023
MPR News podcast Untangled Roots celebrates Minnesotans of color
Untangled Roots is celebrates the history and culture of communities of color across Minnesota, with a focus on Black experiences.
The first season pf the MPR News podcast explores what the Rondo neighborhood in St. Paul meant and still means to Black Minnesotans and what ethnic enclaves like “Little Mekong” on University Avenue in St. Paul contribute to the state.
Co-hosts Brandt Williams and Jonathan Rabb also have frank conversations about Black cultural spaces and what it’s like for new Black Minnesotans to find community and connection.
MPR News host Angela Davis talks with the people behind the podcast in the North Star Journey project.
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Brandt Williams is an editor for MPR News and co-host of the Untangled Roots podcast.
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Twila Dang is an MPR News producer and the producer on the Untangled Roots podcast.
North Star Journey was made possible in part with funds from the Legacy Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund.
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Feb 23, 2023
A roundup of storm conditions around the state
Heavy snow has blanketed much of southern and eastern Minnesota this week.
Though the storm was not quite as historic as predicted by some early forecasts, it has posed challenges for travel and parking across the region.
MPR News host Angela Davis checked in with MPR News reporters and drivers about the storm conditions around the state. She also talked with Kevin Reed, Interim director of Minnesota Homeland Security and Emergency Management, a division of the Minnesota Department of Public Safety, and Lt. Gordon Shank, public information officer with the Minnesota State Patrol. They gave advice what to do if someone is involved in an accident.
Here are some highlights of the conversation.
The following transcript has been edited for length and clarity. Click the audio player above to listen to the full conversation. What to do if you get stranded or in a crash
Kevin Reed: The first thing is to call 911. Secondly, stay within your vehicle because that's going to be the safest pla…
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Feb 22, 2023
Kids in crisis: How to take action on youth mental health
How worried are you about the mental health of a young person in your life?
Young people were already struggling with their mental health before the pandemic and now depression, anxiety and thoughts of suicide have surged.
In 2022, an all-time high number of Minnesota students reported mental health problems, according to the Minnesota Department of Health.
Girls are faring even worse. Nearly three out of five teenage girls felt persistent sadness in 2021, which is double the rate of boys, according to a recent report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
There’s a growing need for trained mental health professionals but those are hard to come by, especially in rural Minnesota.
MPR News host Angela Davis talks with two Minnesota professionals, one who runs youth organizations and another who runs a center that works to increase access to behavioral health services in greater Minnesota.
They talk about how to recognize signs of mental health challenges and what to…
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Feb 21, 2023
Journalist Charlayne Hunter-Gault on 50 years covering Black lives
Charlayne Hunter-Gault is a longtime journalist who worked as a reporter for The New York Times, PBS, NPR and CNN. She was one of the first Black journalists to hold high-profile positions in major newsrooms, paving the way for the next generation of journalists of color.
And before she even started her journalism career, she was already in the history books. She was one of two Black students who desegregated the University of Georgia in 1961.
MPR News host Angela Davis talks to Hunter-Gault about her latest book, “My People: Five Decades of Writing About Black Lives.”
Here are five key moments from the conversation.
The following transcript has been edited for length and clarity. Click the audio player above to listen to the full conversation.
Sixty years ago, you were one of two Black students to enroll at the University of Georgia in its history. Tell us about your experience.
There was a group of aggressive Black men who felt that Georgia waited too long to get the Brown…
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Feb 17, 2023
Rebroadcast: 10 years of Climate Cast
When MPR News’ Climate Cast debuted in January 2013, it was one of the few regular programs to address how a warming planet could change life as we know it.
That urgency has only grown. In 2023, climate change is one of the leading issues driving political, economical and societal change.
To celebrate Climate Cast’s 10th anniversary, MPR’s chief meteorologist Paul Huttner talked to an elite panel of experts about how climate change has evolved since Climate Cast began.
What does the latest science say about how fast the planet is warming now? What are the biggest climate change impacts here in Minnesota and around the world? How is public opinion adjusting? And how far have climate solutions advanced in the past 10 years?
This is a rebroadcast of the 10th anniversary Climate Cast.
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Katharine Hayhoe is widely recognized as one of the world’s leading climate scientists. Among other things, she is a professor at Texas Tech University and the chief scientist for T…
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Feb 15, 2023
Meet MPR News reporters Alex Cipolle, Sam Stroozas and Feven Gerezgiher
Part of what we hope to do at MPR News is give you a new perspective about your community. There are so many people behind the scenes here at MPR News who care about getting you quality content that you want to hear and read.
MPR News host Angela Davis introduces you to three of our new reporters who take you into their world of publishing arts stories, Instagram posts and topics that matter to our 18 to 35-year-old audience.
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Alex V. Cipolle is senior arts reporter and critic at MPR News. She joined the MPR newsroom in November 2022.
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Sam Stroozas is an associate digital producer at MPR News. She joined the MPR newsroom in April 2022.
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Feven Gerezgiher is a reporter and producer for MPR News as part of a new effort to report on young people. She joined the MPR newsroom in October 2022.
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Feb 14, 2023
Meet MPR newscasters Perry Finelli, John Wanamaker and Phil Picardi
MPR News broadcasts 24 local newscasts every weekday. If you’re a regular listener to MPR News you probably recognize the voices of the newscasters. The news service broadcasts local newscasts every weekday, live at the top and the bottom of most hours.
MPR News host Angela Davis goes behind the scenes with several of MPR’s longest serving newscasters.
Hear how they got into radio, what they enjoy doing when they’re not behind the mic, and what it was like to be on the air live during some of the biggest stories of the past few decades.
Guests:
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Phil Picardi is a newscaster with MPR News. He’s been in broadcasting for 25-plus years, doing public radio news in Missouri, Virginia, Wisconsin, and for the past decade, Minnesota.
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John Wanamaker has been a newscaster with MPR News since 2009. He previously worked as a reporter and newscaster with WCCO/CBS and Wisconsin Public Radio.
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Perry Finelli has been a newscaster at MPR News for 37 years. He has also hosted all…
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Feb 13, 2023
How to love yourself tenderly and fiercely
It doesn’t matter if you’re married or single, the most influential relationship that lasts a lifetime is the one you have with yourself.
Self-love can influence how we comfort ourselves, motivate ourselves and fight for injustice. That’s why MPR News with Angela Davis is turning inward.
She’s talking with two self-love experts about what self-compassion is, what it isn’t and what stands in the way of loving ourselves.
Guests:
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Porsche Peak Gordin is a licensed marriage and family therapist and co-owner of Peak Behavioral Health, which is a mental health clinic in Little Canada, MN.
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Kristin Neff is an associate professor of educational psychology at the University of Texas at Austin. She’s a pioneer in the field of self-compassion research and created a scale to measure self-compassion nearly 20 years ago. She’s the author of the books Self-Compassion: The Proven Power of Being Kind to Yourself, and Fierce Self-Compassion: How Women Can Harness Kindness to Sp…
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Feb 13, 2023
What's your salary? Pay transparency could help close the wage gap
For years, many of us were taught that it’s rude to share how much you make with your colleagues.
But in recent years, employees are pushing for more transparency when it comes to pay. Advocates for pay transparency say it can help address discrimination in pay and help to close the wage gap. And in some states and cities, new laws require that companies post job salary ranges for open positions.
MPR News host Angela Davis talks about the pros and cons of putting your paycheck in the spotlight.
Guest:
Maggie Tomas is the executive director of the Carlson Business Career Center at the University of Minnesota.
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Feb 8, 2023
North Star Journey points to local Black history
North Star Journey is a project by MPR News that tells little-known stories of people from the diverse communities in Minnesota. The stories move beyond tropes about the traumas that the state’s communities of color have faced and cover the people trying to make their communities better.
MPR News editor Brandt Williams brings Angela Davis stories about Black champions in Minnesota.
They include a Minneapolis man seeking reparations from a church for enslaving his ancestors, the first Black man to get a liquor license in the city of Minneapolis in order to create safe spaces for people of color and the longtime director of the musical group Sounds of Blackness.
Guest:
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Brandt Williams is the editor of the race, class and communities team at MPR News.
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Feb 7, 2023
A wholesome approach to heart health for American Heart Month
How’s your heart, physically and emotionally?
February is American Heart Month and this year the focus is on empowering Black adults to reduce their risks of heart problems.
That’s because the CDC says Black Americans ages 35 to 54 are two times more likely to die from heart disease than white adults.
MPR News host Angela Davis digs into why that is and what you can do about it, beyond eating healthy and exercising.
Listen back to some of our Wednesday wellness shows that cover how to sleep better and how to forgive someone and ease that emotional and physical agony.
Hear from two Black cardiologists who will tell us how to improve the heart health of Black Minnesotans.
Guests:
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Mary Hayes Grieco is the author of the book: “Unconditional Forgiveness: A Simple and Proven Method to Forgive Everyone and Everything.” She’s also the director of The Midwest Institute for Forgiveness Training in Minneapolis.
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Dr. Michael Howell is a neurologist who specializes in slee…
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Feb 7, 2023
Two Black Minnesota police chiefs on what went wrong with policing in Memphis
Mourners gathered last week in Memphis, Tenn. to remember Tyre Nichols, a 29-year-old Black man who was fiercely beaten by police officers.
His death has renewed calls for police reform nationally and in Minnesota, at a time when public confidence in police continues to drop and some police departments struggle to retain officers.
MPR News host Angela Davis talks with two Black Minnesota police chiefs about what went wrong in Memphis and the future of policing.
Guests:
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Roger New is the Eagan police chief. He was appointed in 2018 and has served 29 years in the department.
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Booker Hodges was appointed police chief in Bloomington last year and previously served as assistant commissioner at the Minnesota Department of Public Safety.
Here are five key moments from the conversation.
The following transcript has been edited for length and clarity. Click the audio player above to listen to the full conversation. What are your thoughts after you learned about what happened to Ty…
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Feb 6, 2023
Economic update: New jobs, tech layoffs and European strikes
Despite the tech sector being hit hard with layoffs, there’s no recession in sight in the U.S., thanks to a few key industries that have been furiously hiring. With a strong job market and inflation easing, the Federal Reserve should feel more comfortable ending its campaign of rate hikes sooner rather than later. MPR News’ senior economics contributor Chris Farrell joins Angela Davis to explain these trends and what’s behind the strikes in Britain and France.
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Feb 3, 2023
Angela Davis reflects on South Africa trip
MPR News host Angela Davis spent a week and a half touring South Africa with a group of public radio listeners from around the United States.
Their group visited historic sites in Johannesburg, Soweto and Cape Town, and went on safari. They met people who had lived through apartheid, a long period of South Africa’s history during which white people and people of color were separated.
The group also toured Robben Island, the prison where Nelson Mandela served 18 years of his 27 years of imprisonment.
Angela Davis reflects on what she saw during her trip to South Africa, and shares some of the conversations she had with South Africans she met. Davis debriefs her trip with her guest, Elise Brunelle, who lived in South Africa for 16 years and was also struck by the legacy of Nelson Mandela, the resilience of the people and the country’s economic disparities.
Guest:
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Elise Brunelle is a native of Minnesota who lived in South Africa for 16 years. She worked for the Cape Town Ope…
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Feb 2, 2023
Winter Play: Embracing the cold across Minnesota
Setting foot outside your home in the middle of a Minnesota winter might make you want to run back indoors and hibernate until it warms up.
But there’s a group of people who don’t hide from the wind — instead, they look for it. They wait for a fresh blanket of snow or hard freeze to thicken the ice on a lake so they can safely venture on to it.
There are people who enjoy winter, and Minnesota has a lot to offer them. MPR News guest host Dan Kraker talks about why you might want to plan an outdoor excursion during the coldest months of the year.
We’ll learn about the outdoor activities that have a short window of opportunity, limited to just six weeks out the year for winter conditions to be just right.
MPR News reporters share their stories from Winter Play — a series exploring how Minnesotans play outside during winter.
* Winter Play! Ice climbing, dogsledding and fat tire biking
Guests:
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Randy Carlson is a snow kiting co-coordinator at the University of Minne…
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Feb 1, 2023
MPR News' Cube Critics on which movies to see and which to skip this awards season
Movie awards season is in full swing. MPR News’ Cube Critics have suggestions for the movies you need to see and the ones they think you can skip.
Plus, they share their thoughts about the politics behind awards shows, why some of the best movies get snubbed and whether awards shows still matter.
Guests:
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Aron Woldeslassie is an associate producer for the American Public Media podcast Smash Boom Best. He’s also the co-host of Cube Critics.
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Samantha Matsumoto is an associate producer for MPR News with Angela Davis, and a co-host of Cube Critics.
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Euan Kerr is an editor at MPR News. He’s a former Cube Critics co-host, and now he produces and edits the show.
Here is a list of the movies both our guests and our callers talked about in the show.
The following transcript has been edited for length and clarity. Click the audio player above to listen to the full conversation.
Films that stood out
‘Everything Everywhere All At Once’
Samantha Matsumoto: This movie…
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Jan 31, 2023
Local arts leaders give voice to underrepresented communities
Art is a wide-ranging world from food to community spaces and paintings on a wall.
MPR arts reporter Jacob Aloi visited the studios of local arts leaders whose work is centered around diverse experiences and voices that more accurately reflect the people who live in the Twin Cities.
Guests:
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Bayou Bay is an installation artist and muralist with Creatives After Curfew, a group of BIPOC and queer artists and allies who create murals to soothe, remember, build and imagine a future rooted in justice and liberation. Their installation called Affirmation Space at the Northrup King Building in Public Functionary opens Feb. 4. @creativesaftercurfew
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Leslie Barlow is an oil painter and muralist with Creatives After Curfew. She leads Public Functionary, an artist-led space in the Northrup King Building. The group runs PF Studios, a program that supports BIPOC and marginalized artists. @pfunctionary @pfstudios.mpls
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Alec Fischer is a documentary filmmaker and runs Fischr Media. His…
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Jan 31, 2023
How to manage your relationship with money
Spending money can stem from an emotional place, and even just one month of overspending can put you in financial trouble.
While it’s good to develop conscious, healthy spending habits, the notion of saving money and frugality is dependent on your relationship with money — and how you value where your income goes.
MPR News guest host Chris Farrell talks about emotional spending, and how to build a healthy relationship between you and your money.
Guests:
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Sharon Powell is an educator with the University of Minnesota Extension. She’s part of the Family Resiliency Team based at the Urban Research and Outreach-Engagement Center and specializes in financial capability and family relationships.
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Shannon Doyle is the financial education program manager in LSS Financial Counseling for the Lutheran Social Service of Minnesota.
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Ross Levin is the founder of Accredited Investors Wealth Management, a comprehensive, fee-only, wealth management firm in Edina. His Gains and Loss…
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Jan 27, 2023
How to navigate estrangement and toxic relationships
Do you have a family member who you are just not speaking to right now?
You’re not alone. About 27 percent of American adults say they have cut off contact with a family member, according to one study from Cornell University.
So how do you decide when to cut someone off or to try to repair the relationship? And what about if you are the one who someone has stopped speaking to?
Guest host and MPR News reporter Catharine Richert talks with two psychologists about estrangement and how we can navigate our most complicated relationships with family and friends.
Guests:
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Joshua Coleman is a psychologist and a senior fellow with the Council on Contemporary Families, a non-partisan organization that focuses on research about American families. He is also the author of “The Rules of Estrangement.”
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Lindsay C. Gibson is a clinical psychologist and the author of “Adult Children of Emotionally Immature Parents.”
Both guests agree that estrangement is a complete or almost co…
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Jan 26, 2023
Are the risks of sports gambling worth the reward?
It’s been four years since the Supreme Court of the United States legalized sports gambling in 2018. Since then, 35 states and Washington D.C. have made sports betting legal for their residents and all who visit.
Betting online has also evolved. If you live in a state where sports betting is legal, you can download a variety of betting apps to get in the game.
If you don’t know how or where to start, it’s likely an advertisement will tell you: Sports gambling ads are rampant in states where it’s legalized. The ads are often celebrity endorsed, make betting look easy and entice people with the possibility of winning a large amount of money.
Sports gambling is not legal in Minnesota, but that might change with a bill in the Minnesota Legislature aimed at legalizing sports betting. A Minnesota poll last year also found that 48 percent of Minnesotans are in favor of legalized sports gambling.
As support for Minnesotans to wager on sports grows, so does the normalization of gamb…
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Jan 25, 2023
10 climate lessons we’ve learned in 10 years of Climate Cast
When MPR News’ Climate Cast debuted in January 2013, it was one of the few regular programs to address how a warming planet could change life as we know it.
That urgency has only grown. In 2023, climate change is one of the leading issues driving political, economical and societal change.
To celebrate Climate Cast’s 10th anniversary, MPR’s chief meteorologist Paul Huttner talked to an elite panel of experts about how climate change has evolved since Climate Cast began.
What does the latest science say about how fast the planet is warming now? What are the biggest climate change impacts here in Minnesota and around the world? How is public opinion adjusting? And how far have climate solutions advanced in the past 10 years?
Guests:
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Katharine Hayhoe is widely recognized as one of the world’s leading climate scientists. Among other things, she is a professor at Texas Tech University and the chief scientist for The Nature Conservancy.
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Bernadette Woods Placky is an Emm…
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Jan 23, 2023
Special: Exploring the 'Future of Us'
How have the past three years changed us?
That is the question that the MPR News series “The Future of Us” aims to answer. The project asks how a pandemic, a police murder and a city on fire have changed us and our path forward. We’ve posed the question to a pastor, a former mayor, a theater director and more.
MPR News host Tom Crann shares the series. He asks former Minnesota Teacher of the Year Qorsho Hassan to reflect on the future of education. And we'll chat with MPR News education reporter Elizabeth Shockman.
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Jan 19, 2023
Nelson Mandela's great-grandson on healing racial divides
MPR News host Angela Davis is heading to South Africa for an 11-day tour of the country. She will travel with a small group of public radio listeners from Minnesota and eight other states.
They’ll visit historic sites in Johannesburg and Cape Town, and they’ll meet people who lived through apartheid, white people and non-white people were separated and lived very different lives. Apartheid ended in 1994.
Before the trip, Angela Davis spoke with Siyabulela Mandela, the great-grandson of former South African president Nelson Mandela.
Siyabulela Mandela was in Minnesota in the spring of 2022 for a month-long residency at the College of Saint Benedict and Saint John’s University.
Angela Davis and Siyabulela Mandela talked about South African and American history, Mandela’s experience in Minnesota and healing racial division.
Guest:
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Siyabulela Mandela is the regional project manager for East and Southern Africa at Journalists for Human Rights. He holds a Ph.D. in Internat…
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Jan 18, 2023
How to avoid and cope with falls and other winter injuries
Winter activities can bring a lot of joy, but getting around this winter has been challenging.
Minnesotans have seen an above average snowfall this month, but above-average temperatures have also left parts of the state covered in ice from freezing rain and a “January Thaw.”
Minnesotans might expect to deal with the slips and falls associated with the ice and snow, but some injuries can have profound consequences on your health.
MPR News with Angela Davis talks about winter injuries with an orthopedic surgeon and a physical therapist. We’ll learn about the different ways you can hurt yourself this time of year, the negative cycle that can follow your winter injury and what you can do to keep yourself from damaging your body when you venture outside.
Guests:
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Dr. Joel Boyd is a TRIA orthopedic surgeon, the head team physician for the Minnesota Wild, the team physician for the University of Minnesota Golden Gophers football team and an adjunct assistant professor in the De…
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Jan 16, 2023
Alan Page brings back 'Testify' exhibit to spark conversations on race
When Alan Page was a justice on the Minnesota Supreme Court he didn’t decorate his chamber with Vikings memorabilia.
Instead, there was an old railroad sign on the wall that said “Colored Waiting Room.” It was a constant and jarring reminder of Jim Crow era segregation.
That sign is in the private collection of the Page family, along with thousands of other pieces of art and artifacts of slavery and segregation. Together, the objects tell the story of Black history — the ugly and the beautiful.
Justice Page and his late wife Diane Sims Page collected pieces for decades. Many pieces are hateful, including an iron collar that locked slaves in bondage and a branding iron that marked human beings as someone’s property. Other items are inspiring, like the painting of a jazz trio and a poster of Black runners competing in the 1972 Olympics.
In 2018, part of the collection was shared with the public in the exhibition “Testify: Americana from Slavery to Today.” Now the exhibi…
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Jan 16, 2023
'We were living through the opposite of grace'. Obama’s former speechwriter reflects on time White House.
A truly great speech can change the world. We all know Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I Have A Dream.”
As we reflect on King’s legacy, MPR News is revisiting a conversation about a memorable speech from 2015.
In June 2015, President Barack Obama sang Amazing Grace during a eulogy for a Black reverend killed in a horrific hate crime. Last fall, MPR News host Angela Davis spoke with President Obama’s chief speechwriter Cody Keenan about that moment.
Guest:
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Cody Keenan was the Senior Advisor and Director of Speechwriting for former President Barack Obama. He is the author of the new book “Grace: President Obama and Ten Days in the Battle for America”
Here are five key moments from the conversation.
The following transcript has been edited for length and clarity. Click the audio player above to listen to the full conversation. Why write about those memories now?
Cody Keenan: There are two answers to that. The first is I was still working for President Obama until…
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Jan 12, 2023
Automakers are charged up, but are you ready to buy an EV?
Several of the biggest automakers are gearing up to release a fleet of new, sleek-looking and high-tech electric vehicles.
Ford, GM and Honda (in conjunction with Sony) plan to make non-combustion cars more available, both in price and inventory, to a larger part of the market. While this might give future buyers options, there is also an incentive from the U.S. government.
President Joe Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law plans to spend $7.5 billion to build half a million electric vehicle chargers across the country, helping ease range anxiety for EV drivers. The president has a goal for half of all new vehicles sold to produce zero-emissions by 2030. Also, there’s now a tax credit up to $7,500 for those who plan to buy new clean vehicles starting in 2023.
So, will this be the year that transforms car-buying habits and puts more EVs on the roadways?
MPR News host Angela Davis talks about electric cars and how the inventory in the auto market is set to change. We’ll look a…
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Jan 11, 2023
In Focus: COVID learning loss in Minnesota schools
Interested in the transcript and key takeaways?
* In Focus COVID learning loss in Minnesota schools: Five things you should know
The pandemic had a devastating effect on everyone involved in Minnesota education. Teachers are burned out, staff shortages abound, and students are years behind where they should be in crucial subjects. How do we support the education system and catch kids up?
Test scores are dismal, but educators, families and communities are working to fill in the gaps.
As part of the ongoing In Focus conversation series, a group of education professionals shared what they are seeing at school with MPR News host Angela Davis. In a rebroadcast of their December discussion, they explore what to do to confront the challenges.
Guests:
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Josh Crosson is the executive director of Ed Allies, an organization that works to ensure that all Minnesota students, especially those most underserved, have access to a great education.
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Rachel Pearson is a parent advocate an…
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Jan 10, 2023
'Losing is learning': Life lessons from an iconic Minneapolis basketball coach
If you played high school sports growing up, you know how being a student-athlete can change your life. It teaches you teamwork, responsibility, perseverance and so much more.
MPR News host Angela Davis talked with longtime high school boys basketball coach Larry McKenzie. He was the first coach in Minnesota history to win four consecutive basketball state titles.
“I don't think I was a greatest X and O guy or any of that kind of stuff. The reason that I won was because I gave my kids unconditional love,” he told Davis.
He retired in July, but he is still mentoring. Now, instead of leading high school athletes, he is coaching other coaches.
Guest:
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Larry McKenzie is a longtime high school boys’ basketball coach. He retired from coaching at Minneapolis North High School in July.
Here are five key moments from the conversation.
The following transcript has been edited for length and clarity. Click the audio player above to listen to the full conversation. You are now coa…
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Jan 9, 2023
How to spot modern scam techniques, from fake remote jobs to check fraud
Scamming is an industry that seeks to trick and prey on the vulnerable through a variety of platforms.
Older people have been known to fall victim to fraud, but now younger adults are the targets and they’re losing money to online shopping scams, phishing emails and fake jobs. Even phone scams continue to hit millions of Americans each year, costing nearly $40 billion in 2022.
MPR News host Angela Davis talks about scams and how to be a smarter consumer. We also look at how scam artists have gotten smarter and why their tricks are getting harder to identify.
Guests:
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Marti DeLiema is an assistant professor at the University of Minnesota School of Social Work.
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Susan Adams Loyd is the president and CEO of the Better Business Bureau serving Minnesota and North Dakota
Here are four key moments from the conversation.
The following transcript has been edited for length and clarity. Click the audio player above to listen to the full conversation.
What are some types of scam…
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Jan 5, 2023
What do you want to change about your life in 2023?
What kind of changes do you want to make in your life in 2023? Maybe you want to exercise more? Save money? Spend more time with friends who lift your spirits? Or find more joy in your work?
We all have broad ideas of how life could be better, but it’s hard to change old habits and stick with new goals.
MPR News host Angela Davis talks with a behavioral researcher and a health and wellness coach about how to make change easier by shifting our mindset, picking realistic and inspiring goals and using tips from psychology to stay motivated.
Guests:
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Ayelet Fishbach is a professor of behavioral science and marketing at the University of Chicago Booth School of Business. She’s an expert on motivation and the author of “Get it Done: Surprising Lessons from the Science of Motivation.”
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Cherie Kroh is a wellness coach and director of the Integrative Health & Wellbeing Coaching Program at the University of Minnesota’s Earl E. Bakken Center for Spirituality & Healing. She a…
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Jan 4, 2023
Treating the rise of substance abuse, addiction in Minnesota
Addiction is at an all-time high in the United States. During the COVID-19 pandemic, binge drinking increased by 21 percent and drug overdoses claimed more than 100,000 lives in a 12-month period.
Yesterday, MPR News shared “Substance Use & New Paths to Recovery,” a special broadcast from Call to Mind, American Public Media’s initiative to foster conversations about mental health.
In today’s follow-up episode, MPR News host Angela Davis talks with members of a Minnesota peer support network specifically for nurses struggling with substance use. And we’ll also hear from a group that is working to expand access to treatment using telehealth.
Guests:
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Carrie Kappel is co-chair of the board of Minnesota Nursing Peer Support Network. She is also the manager of operations and addiction services at Allina Health.
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Peyton Pollard is a local ICU nurse and a convener for Minnesota Nursing Peer Support Network.
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Chris McCalla is the CEO of Partners Behavioral Healthcare.…
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Jan 3, 2023
Call To Mind: Substance Use & New Paths to Recovery
Addiction is at an all-time high in the United States and the results are deadly. During the COVID-19 pandemic, binge drinking increased by 21 percent and drug overdoses claimed more than 100,000 lives in just a 12-month period.
But what causes a person to develop an addiction? Why are substance use disorders so complicated to treat? And what new treatments are giving people hope that recovery is possible?
MPR News shares “Substance Use & New Paths to Recovery,” a special broadcast from Call to Mind, American Public Media’s initiative to foster conversations about mental health.
Through in-depth interviews and reported stories, we hear firsthand from individuals who have recovered from substance use disorders, clinicians leading research to transform the treatment field, and experts who work to decriminalize substance use disorders.
Call to Mind specials are hosted by Kimberly Adams, senior correspondent for APM’s Marketplace who covers mental health, politics, business and…
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Jan 2, 2023
Three Black women make Minnesota Senate history
In 164 years of Minnesota statehood, no Black woman had ever served in the Minnesota Senate. That changes in a big way starting Tuesday, Jan. 3.
In November, Minnesota voters elected three Black women to the state Senate. All three are DFLers. One is the youngest woman ever elected to the state senate.
Ahead of Tuesday’s start of the new legislative session, we listen back to MPR News host Angela Davis’s conversation with the three new state senators. They talk about what drew them to politics, their goals for the upcoming term and the perspective they’ll bring to the chamber.
Guests:
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Zaynab Mohamed, 25, is senator-elect for Minnesota Senate District 63, which includes parts of south Minneapolis.
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Erin Maye Quade, 36, is senator-elect for Minnesota Senate District 56, which includes Apple Valley and parts of Rosemount and Eagan.
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Clare Oumou Verbeten, 27, is senator-elect for Minnesota Senate District 66, which includes Roseville, Lauderdale, Falcon Heights and p…
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Dec 29, 2022
MPR News host Angela Davis shares some of her favorite shows from 2022
All this week, we’re listening back to some conversations we’ve had on this show over the past year. On Friday, MPR News host Angela Davis shared some of her favorite shows.
As we embark on the New Year and look back on this past year, did you find plenty to smile and laugh about during the sometimes challenging year?
One of the shows Angela ranks as most memorable was on Election Day, when people were emotionally drained from politics and attack ads. That day we explored the power of humor and how laughter can be like medicine.
We brought three Twin Cities comedians into the studio to talk about how they keep finding ways to make people laugh, even in stressful times. And we laughed.
Another favorite show to revisit is Angela’s conversation with two Twin Cities dance artists who use the language of dance to communicate deep emotions and build bridges between people and communities. We loved learning about the joy of movement and expression.
Happy New Year!
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Dec 29, 2022
Best of 2022 with producer Matthew Alvarez
All this week, we’re listening back to some of the conversations we’ve had on this show over the past year. Associate producer Matthew Alvarez shared some of his selections.
First, we’ll learn about the benefits of movement and physical activity. Our guests explain how exercising for just 20 minutes a day can improve your health, body and your mind.
We’ll revisit our conversation on the evolution of homework. How much is too much, and how much is not enough? We’ll look at the value of homework, how effective it is and how it’s changed over the years.
Finally, we’ll plug in to the past and talk about retro tech. Our guests explain why vintage video games, film cameras and VHS cassettes still spark a lot of joy for many people.
Tune in at 9 a.m. on Friday to hear host Angela Davis’s best of 2022.
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Dec 28, 2022
The best of 2022 with producer Maja Beckstrom
This week, we’re looking back at some of the conversations host Angela Davis had in 2022 that resonated with us here at MPR News, and with you, our listeners. Producer Maja Beckstrom shares some of her favorites on Wednesday.
We’ll hear from two cardiologists about the high rates of heart attack, stroke and other heart diseases among Black Minnesotans and what’s being done to improve heart health.
We’ll revisit our conversation on “news fatigue.” It’s been a year of distressing headlines. Even journalists are tempted to tune out sometimes. So, is there a way to stay informed that doesn’t leave us worn down and depressed?
And we’ll share an inspiring conversation about education. Children lost ground during the pandemic. Volunteer tutors might be one way to help kids catch up.
Producer Matt Alvarez will share some of his favorite shows on Thursday. And tune in at 9 a.m. on Friday to hear host Angela Davis’s best of 2022.
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Dec 27, 2022
The best of 2022 with producer Samantha Matsumoto
All this week, we’re listening back to some of the conversations we’ve had on this show over the past year. Associate producer Samantha Matsumoto joined MPR News host Angela Davis to share some of the shows that have stood out to her.
We’ll take you behind the scenes of our show on student loan forgiveness and college debt. We asked you what you would do if you did not have loans — and heard from a lot of people!
We’ll explore the history of tipping, and how it’s changing now.
And we’ll revisit a major story of the year — the 2022 election, and the issues that mattered to you!
Producer Maja Beckstrom will share some of her favorite shows tomorrow (Wednesday). Tune in the rest of the week to hear the rest of the 9 a.m. team’s picks for the 2022 shows that stood out to them.
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Dec 22, 2022
Can Minnesota schools do better at teaching kids to read?
Being able to read well is the foundation for so many things.
If you can’t read well, you can’t do well in school, read a medical prescription or even manage a Google search.
But one in three fourth graders in the United States and in Minnesota cannot read at grade level.
A new investigative podcast from American Public Media explores how a common way of teaching reading fails students.
Earlier this month, MPR News with Angela Davis talked with Emily Hanford, lead producer of “Sold a Story: How Teaching Kids to Read Went So Wrong.”
Listen to our follow-up conversation with Minnesota educators.
Guests:
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Katie Pekel is executive director of educational leadership at the University of Minnesota where she heads up the Minnesota Principals Academy and other programs to train and inform school system leaders. She’s a former teacher and elementary and middle school principal.
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Athena Goff is a WINN literacy teacher at Phalen Lake Hmong Studies Magnet School in St. Pau…
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Dec 21, 2022
Share your winter holiday traditions with us
No matter where you’re from or what holidays you celebrate, you probably have a tradition that you keep each winter. Maybe you make mochi with your friends and family for New Year's Day. Or maybe you watch movies in your pajamas with your family on Christmas Eve.
Regardless of what they are, these traditions bring us comfort, joy and togetherness during the darkest days of the year.
MPR News host Angela Davis talks with three guests about the many unique holiday traditions in our state, where they came from and why they are important to us.
Guests:
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Mee Vang is the president of The United Hmong Family Inc.
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Anton Treuer is a professor of Ojibwe at Bemidji State University. He specializes in tribal sovereignty and history and Ojibwe language and culture.
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Alex Weston is the program associate at the Minnesota Historical Society.
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Dec 20, 2022
Gifting a DNA test? You might reveal a life-changing family secret
Discovering your roots can start with a home DNA testing kit.
The results, for many, can tell someone about their family history. But for a small percentage of people, the test results can give them a sudden reveal of an unknown relative.
MPR News host Angela Davis spoke with a writer who discovered her previously unknown biological father through a home DNA test and a family therapist on how to process big family secrets that may change your life.
Guests:
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Leeanne R. Hay is a freelance writer in north Texas and is the author of “NPE* A Story Guide For Unexpected DNA Discoveries.” NPE stands for non-paternity event.
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Kirsten Lind Seal is a licensed marriage and family therapist practicing in Minneapolis.
Here are four key moments from the conversation.
The following transcript has been edited for length and clarity. Click the audio player above to listen to the full conversation. How did you make the shocking discovery about your biological father?
Leeanne R. Hay: Ab…
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Dec 16, 2022
Housing Commissioner Jennifer Ho has big plans to get more Minnesotans into homes
It’s been getting harder for many people to afford and keep a home in Minnesota.
Rents were rising even before inflation hit. And for some people, the cost of an apartment is out of reach entirely. After protections during the pandemic were phased out, Minnesota saw a surge in evictions, averaging more than 700 evictions during one week in July.
Meanwhile, many potential homebuyers are getting priced out of the market by higher interest rates that add hundreds of dollars to monthly mortgage payments.
MPR News host Angela Davis talks with Jennifer Ho, Commissioner of the Minnesota Housing Finance Agency about what’s driving higher housing costs and why she thinks its time for government to “go big” to help more people into homes.
Plus, MPR News senior economics contributor Chris Farrell brings us the latest financial news.
Guests:
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Jennifer Ho is the commissioner of Minnesota Housing Finance Agency, which provides the state’s housing finance agency.
Subscribe to the…
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Dec 15, 2022
COVID learning loss in Minnesota schools: Five things you should know
The pandemic had a devastating effect on everyone involved in Minnesota education. Teachers are burned out, staff shortages abound, and students are years behind where they should be in crucial subjects. How do we support the education system and catch kids up?
Test scores are dismal, but educators, families and communities are working to fill in the gaps.
A group of education professionals shared what they are seeing at school with MPR News host Angela Davis. Together they explored what to do to confront the challenges.
Guests:
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Josh Crosson is the executive director of Ed Allies, an organization that works to ensure that all Minnesota students, especially those most underserved, have access to a great education.
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Rachel Pearson is a parent advocate and trainer at the PACER Center, a nonprofit that champions youth with disabilities and their families.
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Brenda Cassellius has spent three decades as an educator – most recently as the superintendent of Boston Public Scho…
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Dec 14, 2022
Embracing solitude
Loneliness can have a negative effect on your mental and physical health.
But choosing to spend time alone with yourself has its benefits. Solitude is a way for you to carve out a little time for yourself, away from the company of others, to rest and recharge your brain.
MPR News host Angela Davis talks with two guests about how and why we should make short moments of solitude and longer retreats alone a regular part of our routine.
Guests:
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Thuy-vy Nguyen is an assistant professor in the Department of Psychology at Durham University in the United Kingdom. Thuy-vy is co-authoring “Solitude: The Science and Power of Going At It Alone” with Netta Weinstein and Heather Hansen. the book will be published in 2023.
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Tim Drake is the executive director of Pacem in Terris, A Minnesota Hermitage Retreat Center.
Subscribe to the MPR News with Angela Davis podcast on: Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify or RSS.
Use the audio player above to listen to the full conversation.
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Dec 13, 2022
Three perspectives on the 'high tide of American antisemitism'
Last year, reports of violence, harassment and vandalism targeting Jewish people reached an all-time high. That is according to the Anti-Defamation League, which has tracked hate incidents since 1979. And they say they expect to see similar numbers this year.
On Monday, the White House announced that President Joe Biden will create a task force to address antisemitism and other forms of religious bigotry. White House Tweet https://twitter.com/WhiteHouse/status/1602445696271110144?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1602445696271110144%7Ctwgr%5Ed19dded266d6b595b31a08fea7886bbe47eae0d2%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Ftweetdeck.twitter.com%2F
This comes after several celebrities, politicians and other public figures have spread anti-Jewish rhetoric.
The rapper Ye, formerly known as Kanye West, praised Adolf Hitler on the podcast InfoWars earlier this year. And he was recently banned from Twitter for inciting violence after he posted an image of the swastika over th…
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Dec 12, 2022
'It's a human rights issue': The year of Minnesota strikes and union organizing
Nurses in the Twin Cities and Duluth this past week used the threat of an end-of-year strike to get a new contract with more pay and changes in their workplace. Railway workers also almost went on strike this fall. And, earlier this year, Minnesota teachers walked off the job.
It’s been a year of strike headlines. And also a year for new unions. Petitions to form a union were up 53 percent in 2022 compared to last year. In 2022, workers organized a union at the first Amazon warehouse, the first Apple store, at more than 250 Starbucks stores across the country and here at the Minnesota Historical Society.
So, what’s behind all the union activity?
MPR News host Angela Davis talks to a labor journalist and a labor historian about how more workers are turning to collective bargaining in our tight labor market to deal with inflation, low staffing and growing discontent with workplace demands and income inequality.
Guests:
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William Jones is a professor of history at the Universi…
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Dec 8, 2022
The best books to give kids this holiday season, from a bookseller and librarian
The holiday season is here. Why not give a book to the child in your life?
Whether your child is interested in fantasy or soccer, art or activism, there’s a book out there to interest everyone.
MPR News host Angela Davis talked to a bookseller and a librarian about some of the best books for kids and teens this holiday season.
Guests:
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Holly Weinkauf is the owner of the Red Balloon Bookshop in St. Paul.
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Lisa Von Drasek is a librarian and curator of the Children’s Research Collection, home of the Kerlan Collection, at the University of Minnesota Libraries.
Here are some of the titles they suggested:
“Enzo Isn't There” by Thomas Ellis
“After Enzo dies, his sibling is left with a lot of complicated feelings. While sorting through them, a beautiful love story emerges, showing how memories and supportive friends can help kids cope and create new understandings during the difficult process of grieving.” — Beaver's Pond Press
“Where We Come From” by Diane…
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Dec 6, 2022
What it means to practice forgiveness and why it should be a part of your routine
Holiday traditions and festive gatherings are an opportunity to see family and old friends. While this time of year can be filled with joy, it might not be wonderful for everyone.
Along with the people who love and support you, there may also be someone who caused you pain and that person could be sitting at the table.
You might not have forgiven this person because of the anger, resentment, and bitterness their actions have caused you. But holding on to that pain can eat away at you and could be harmful to your health.
MPR News host Angela Davis talks with Mary Hayes Grieco about forgiveness and why forgiving the people who hurt you the most is beneficial to your health.
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Mary Hayes Grieco is the author of “Unconditional Forgiveness: A Simple and Proven Method to Forgive Everyone and Everything” and the director of The Midwest Institute for Forgiveness Training in Minneapolis.
Subscribe to the MPR News with Angela Davis podcast on: Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts,…
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Dec 6, 2022
Why Minnesotan kids lag in their reading level and what can be done to help
One in three Minnesota fourth graders cannot read at a “basic” level for their grade, according to 2022 reading test results from the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP).
Reading scores dropped during the disrupted learning of the COVID-19 pandemic, but the number of kids who cannot read or read well has been growing for years.
The question is, why do so many children struggle?
In a new podcast, “Sold a Story: How Teaching Kids to Read Went So Wrong,” American Public Media reporter and producer Emily Hanford looks for answers. She digs into the idea about how children learn to read that is held sway in schools for more than a generation — even though it was proven wrong by cognitive scientists decades ago.
MPR News host Angela Davis spoke with Emily Hanford about how children are taught to read nowadays, why is the popular “balanced literacy” method failing students, how racial and income inequality impact kids learning abilities, and what are parents…
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Dec 5, 2022
Stay interviews, office perks: How employers are trying to get workers to stay
You know that feeling when someone you care about asks you to “stay?”
Well, what if that person was your boss at work expressing their appreciation for the quality of the work you do?
After many people left their jobs during the “Great Resignation,” employers are trying to come up with strategies to keep their valued workers. Now, some employers are not only conducting exit interviews as workers leave for better opportunities, but some managers are also scheduling stay interviews.
These are conversations focused on worker retention and finding out what employees say they need to be happier, more creative and more fulfilled at work.
MPR News host Angela Davis talks with two guests about what’s happening to improve worker retention.
Guests:
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Mary Zellmer-Bruhn is the chair of the Work and Organizations Department at the University of Minnesota’s Carlson School of Management.
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Chris Farrell is MPR News’ senior economics contributor.
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Nov 30, 2022
Adair Mosley’s vision for racial equity in Minnesota
Adair Mosley has bold ideas for how to bring about racial equity in Minnesota.
Mosley is now the CEO at the African American Leadership Forum, a Black-led group formed in 2006 to close the gaps of racial disparities in Minnesota. He previously served as president and CEO at Pillsbury United Communities.
MPR News host Angela Davis talked with Adair Mosley about his work in the community, why humility is central to leadership and what he hopes to do in his new job.
Guest:
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Adair Mosley is CEO of the African American Leadership Forum.
This program originally aired on September 22, 2022.
Subscribe to the MPR News with Angela Davis podcast on: Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify or RSS.
Use the audio player above to listen to the full conversation.
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Nov 30, 2022
New approaches to managing type 2 diabetes
One in ten Americans have diabetes. But most people who are at high risk for developing the disease — and some people who already have diabetes — don’t even know it. And, there’s a lot of misunderstanding around what it is, what causes it and how best to treat it.
Left unmanaged, all types of diabetes can take a huge toll on a person’s health and lead to serious complications with heart disease, stroke, blindness and kidney failure.
Recent research into treating type 2 diabetes suggests it’s caused by a complex relationship between genetics, our environment, our increasingly sedentary lives and diets high in sugars and carbs and low in nutrition. Being overweight is a major risk factor for type 2, but not always.
MPR News host Angela Davis talks with two doctors about new developments in lifestyle interventions, medicines and how to better manage type 2 diabetes.
Guests:
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Dr. Iesha A. Galloway-Gilliam is an internal medicine physician and obesity medicine director…
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Nov 29, 2022
3 questions for the 3 Black women about to make Minnesota Senate history
In 164 years of Minnesota statehood, no Black woman had ever served in the Minnesota Senate. That changes in a big way starting Jan. 3.
Minnesota voters earlier this month elected three Black women to the state Senate. All three are DFLers. One is the youngest woman ever elected to the state senate.
MPR News host Angela Davis brought all three women together for a candid conversation about what drew them to politics, their goals for the upcoming term and the perspective they’ll bring to the chamber.
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Zaynab Mohamed, 25, is senator-elect for Minnesota Senate District 63, which includes parts of south Minneapolis.
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Erin Maye Quade, 36, is senator-elect for Minnesota Senate District 56, which includes Apple Valley and parts of Rosemount and Eagan.
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Clare Oumou Verbeten, 27, is senator-elect for Minnesota Senate District 66, which includes Roseville, Lauderdale, Falcon Heights and parts of St. Paul.
The following transcript has been edited for length and clarity.…
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Nov 28, 2022
Stressed about money this holiday season? It doesn't have to be so expensive
The holiday season is here! And it can be an expensive time of year. There are presents to buy, loved ones to visit, big meals to prepare and holiday events to attend.
And this year, holiday travel prices are up. Meanwhile, the cost of just about everything else is high due to inflation.
But the holidays don’t have to be so expensive. MPR News host Angela Davis talks with two financial experts about the importance of frugality and how to practice mindful spending.
Guests:
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Chris Farrell is the senior economics contributor for MPR News.
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Jennifer Garbow is an educator with the University of Minnesota Extension Center for Family Development in Duluth.
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Nov 23, 2022
Why hunger is rising in Minnesota and what can be done to help
More people in Minnesota are struggling to put food on the table.
Food shelves across the state are seeing more people than last year and compared to the months before the COVID-19 pandemic. Schools also are reporting more students running up school lunch debt.
Many families are having trouble making ends meet, some for the first time and even when adults are working. Inflation has pushed up the cost of groceries by 12 percent compared to a year ago. And, the extra money flowing to households from financial support programs that were in place during the COVID-19 pandemic has now dried up, including the child tax credit, universal free school meals and expanded SNAP benefits.
Allison O’Toole, is the CEO of Second Harvest Heartland, a food bank that distributes food to about 400 food shelves in Minnesota and Wisconsin. Deisy De Leon Esqueda, is the manager of the ECHO Food Shelf in Mankato. Rob Williams is the founder and president of Every Meal, a nonprofit organization based in Ro…
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Nov 21, 2022
Life after layoff: Surviving job loss and picking up the pieces
The number of tech layoffs continues to grow as several U.S. tech companies plan to let go of thousands of workers.
A website tracking job loss in the tech industry, layoffs.fyi, estimates more than 130,000 jobs in the tech sector have been lost so far this year. This includes big familiar tech companies like Amazon, Twitter and Meta, the parent company of Facebook.
For workers, losing your job can trigger shock, anger, sadness and shame. It can impact your identity and sense of self, in addition to your money. So how do you recover from the devastating loss of a job, or a career built over time? MPR News host Angela Davis talks about life after getting laid off.
Assistance for workers who have been laid off in Minnesota is available through the Dislocated Worker Program. People displaced from their work without cause can access support in returning to, or reentering, the workforce.
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Avery Bardell is a workforce development manager with Goodwill-Easter Seals Minnesota.…
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Nov 17, 2022
How Bill and Penny George became a power couple in Minnesota philanthropy
Bill George is a former Medtronic CEO known for a leadership style that puts compassion above the bottom line.
His wife Penny George is a breast cancer survivor who became an advocate for holistic healthcare for everyone.
Together, they’ve been a powerful force for local philanthropy. Since 1994, the George Family Foundation has given away $75 million, mostly in the areas of health and wellbeing and leadership development.
MPR News host Angela Davis talks with this Twin Cities power couple about the struggles and losses that shaped their values and how their values are shaping their philanthropy.
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Bill George is the former CEO of Medtronic and the author of several bestselling business books, including “True North: Discover Your Authentic Leadership.” He’s a senior fellow at the Harvard Business School, where he teaches classes on leadership. He is also the co-chair of the George Family Foundation.
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Penny George is a retired psychologist, an advocate for ho…
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Nov 15, 2022
What to know when you’re going through a 'quarterlife crisis'
Many adults in their 20s and 30s are feeling anxious and lost. They find themselves experiencing what is being called a “quarterlife crisis.”
After living through a multiyear pandemic, financial hardship and years of polarizing politics, this generation is struggling to gain independence. The setbacks have left many “quarterlifers” scrambling to jumpstart their lives.
MPR News host Angela Davis talks about how people in their 20s and 30s can get through this pivotal time in life, and what going through a quarterlife crisis can teach us about ourselves through this period of intense soul searching.
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Satya Doyle Byock is a psychotherapist and the author of “Quarterlife: The Search for Self in Early Adulthood,” which was published July 2022.
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Sierra Grandy is a volunteer with National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Minnesota.
Subscribe to the MPR News with Angela Davis podcast on: Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify or RSS. Use the audio player abo…
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Nov 15, 2022
Obama’s former speechwriter reflects on time White House.
Imagine being the speechwriter for the most powerful person in the world. That was Cody Keenan’s job. He was the chief speech writer for former President Barack Obama during some of the most pivotal times in modern American history.
Keenan looks back on those days in his new book, “Grace: President Obama and Ten Days in the Battle for America.” It takes readers behind the scenes of the Obama administration for ten days in June 2015, after a horrific shooting at a Black church in Charleston, South Carolina.
MPR News host Angela Davis talks with Keenan about his new book.
Guest:
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Cody Keenan was the Senior Advisor and Director of Speechwriting for former President Barack Obama. He is the author of the new book “Grace: President Obama and Ten Days in the Battle for America”
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Nov 14, 2022
Dance performance that bridges communities
Martha Graham, the great American modern dancer, once said dance is “the hidden language of the soul.” Dance communicates emotions without words and is a form of artistic expression that spans all cultures.
We’re lucky here in the Twin Cities to have a vibrant professional dance scene. Heading into the holiday season many families will go see a production of the Nutcracker and be dazzled by the soaring leaps and twirls of ballet.
But ballet is only one of the diverse styles you can see on local stages: There’s modern, contemporary, tap, jazz, hip hop, and even professional ballroom; there are exciting new choreographers pulling from the traditions of Latin, Irish and Indian dance.
MPR News host Angela Davis talks with two Twin Cities dance artists who use the language of dance to communicate deep emotions and build bridges between people and communities.
Guests:
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Aparna Ramaswamy is executive artistic director, choreographer and principal dancer with Ragamala Dance Com…
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Nov 10, 2022
Are you feeling sleepy? Here’s how to get a better night’s rest
Have you had trouble sleeping this week?
On Sunday, we reset our clocks from Daylight Saving Time, messing with our sleep schedules. And on Tuesday, you may have been up late watching election results. Or maybe you are just someone who has trouble with sleep in general!
Sleep is linked to both your physical and mental health. But a recent Ball State University study found that about 35 percent of working Americans report that they don’t get adequate sleep — we need at least seven hours.
MPR News host Angela Davis talks with two sleep experts about why rest is so important for your body and your mind, and how to deal with common sleep problems.
Guests:
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Dr. Michael Howell is a neurologist who specializes in sleep disorders. He is the program director of the Clinical Sleep Medicine Fellowship at Hennepin Healthcare and the University of Minnesota, as well as the medical director of the Fairview Sleep Center-Edina.
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Dr. Virend Somers is a Mayo Clinic cardiologist with exp…
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Nov 9, 2022
Having fearless and curious conversations in politically divided times
The weeks leading up to Election Day have been full of campaign attack ads and an onslaught of divisive political messages. Many people have been left feeling anxious and increasingly mistrustful of people who hold different political views.
So, how do we talk to each other now that the voting is over? How do we begin to heal from polarization?
MPR News host Angela Davis talks about how divisive and contested elections stress communities and how we can reconnect through fearless and curious conversations with people with different political views.
Guests:
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Joi Lewis is a coach, consultant and community healer. “Dr. Joi,” as she’s known to many, is founder of The Healing Justice Foundation and CEO of Joi Unlimited. She’s also the author of the book “Healing: The Act of Radical Self-Care.”
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Mónica Guzmán is a senior fellow for public practice at Braver Angels, a nonprofit working to depolarize America. She’s also author of the book “I Never Thought of It Tha…
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Nov 8, 2022
Twin Cities comedians on finding humor in stressful times
Editors Note: The original broadcast of this show incorrectly stated Arizona’s deadline to vote. The reference has been removed from the podcast.
Are you in need of a laugh right now?
The last few years, it might feel like there is not a lot to joke about. The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, inflation, and partisan politics are just a few of the many stressors in our lives.
But Minnesota comedians are finding humor and making audiences laugh even in the most difficult times.
The Twin Cities are known for a vibrant comedy scene. MPR News host Angela Davis talks with three local comedians about how they keep finding ways to make people laugh.
Plus, we talk with MPR News digital editor Kaila White about what you need to know as you get ready to vote on Election Day. You can find more of MPR’s election coverage here.
Guests:
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Maggie Faris is a stand-up comedian.
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Ali Sultan is a stand-up comedian.
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Shyloh Blake is a stand-up comedian.
To listen to the full discussion you…
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Nov 4, 2022
The future of work: Is a 4-day workweek achievable?
Working 40 hours a week is a staple in American work culture.
It’s been this way since 1940 when the Fair Labor Standards Act was amended, establishing a 40-hour workweek. This was a win for the labor movement in the United States, which had fought for years against long hours and exploitation after the start of the Industrial Revolution.
It’s been over 80 years since workers have seen a reduction in the mandatory hours they contribute to their workplace, and not much progress has been made in shaving down the 9-to-5 work schedule.
Still, the pandemic forced us to rethink our work-life balance, and a handful of companies are experimenting with a four-day, 32-hour workweek. Research looking at more than 70 companies in the U.K. found no loss in productivity with employees working 20 percent fewer hours.
Would a shorter workweek improve workers’ quality of life? Could companies cut employee’s hours without changing wages? MPR News host Angela Davis talks about work-life balan…
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Nov 1, 2022
Just 20 minutes a day: The benefits of movement and physical activity
It’s no secret that exercise is good for you.
Daily physical activity can fight depression, boost immunity, and might even improve the effectiveness of vaccines.
Despite the benefits, a recent study found that only a quarter of Americans get the exercise they need to stay healthy. The Centers for Disease Control recommends a total of 150 minutes of exercise per week, the equivalent of about 20 minutes a day or a half-hour workout five days a week.
MPR News host Angela Davis talks about the research into how regular physical activity benefits your body and mental wellness, why so many of us don’t exercise and tips to help you start.
Guests:
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Gretchen Reynolds is a health columnist who writes about exercise science and fitness for The Washington Post. She is the author of “The First 20 Minutes: Surprising Science Reveals How We Can Exercise Better, Train Smarter, Live Longer.”
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Jennifer Holbein is an assistant professor of kinesiology at St. Olaf College.
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Steve…
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Nov 1, 2022
Penumbra Theatre takes on new role as center for racial healing
Penumbra Theatre has explored and uplifted the experiences of Black America on its stage for almost half a century.
The small theater was founded in 1976 by Lou Bellamy in the heart of St. Paul’s historic Black neighborhood, but its reach is national. It nurtured the careers of Black artists, including playwright August Wilson, whose play “Fences” was turned into a movie starring Denzel Washington and Viola Davis.
Now, Penumbra’s president Sarah Bellamy is expanding on her father’s legacy. Last year the theater received a $5-million grant from MacKenzie Scott to build on its work promoting racial equality.
MPR News host Angela Davis talks with members of Penumbra’s leadership team about what it means to become a center for racial healing and what racial healing looks like for themselves and the community.
Guests:
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Sarah Bellamy is president of Penumbra Theatre
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Camille Cyprian is director of wellness at Penumbra Theatre
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Christine Smith is equity director a…
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Oct 31, 2022
What can horror movies teach us about ourselves and our society?
Halloween is here! For some of us, that means fun costumes and cute children trick-or-treating. For others, it means leaning into the scary side of the season with our favorite horror movies and scary stories.
People have been telling stories about monsters, ghosts and the supernatural for centuries. But why does horror appeal to us? What do we get out of scary stories? And what can they teach us about ourselves and our society?
To answer those questions, MPR News host Angela Davis talks with a folklore professor.
Guests:
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Jeffrey Tolbert is an assistant Professor of American Studies and Folklore at Penn State Harrisburg. He teaches courses on American horror movies and monsters, aliens and the supernatural.
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Oct 27, 2022
Your Vote: What's the future of recreational marijuana legalization in Minnesota?
Earlier this year, Minnesota legalized beverages, candy and other edibles that contain small amounts of hemp-derived THC, the chemical that causes the “high” associated with smoking marijuana. That prompted many to wonder what the future of legalized marijuana is in Minnesota.
A September poll by MPR News, The Star Tribune and KARE11 found that a narrow majority of Minnesotans support legalizing recreational marijuana. And DFL Gov. Tim Walz, who is running for reelection, has said he supports legalization.
Nineteen states and the District of Columbia have legalized recreational use of marijuana. And last month, President Joe Biden pardoned thousands of people with federal convictions for simple marijuana possession, signaling a shift in federal response to cannabis.
MPR News host Angela Davis talks about the future of marijuana legalization in Minnesota, what Minnesota can learn from other states and how the issue of marijuana legalization is influencing politics.
Guests:
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Oct 25, 2022
Your Vote: Crime is a top concern in the midterm election
In the two years since George Floyd’s murder and the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, Minnesota has seen a rise in both violent crime and renewed calls for police reform.
Last year, violent crimes such like aggravated assault and murder were up 22 percent in Minnesota compared to 2020, according to the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension.
Voters are carrying their public safety concerns to the ballot box.
Public safety is ranked the second-most-important issue for Minnesota voters as the November election approaches, after the economy and jobs. In the election for governor, public safety is the top issue for one in four Minnesotans, according to a September poll by MPR News, the Star Tribune and KARE 11.
MPR News host Angela Davis talks about public safety and the role it might play as Minnesotans cast their ballots on Election Day.
Guests:
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James Densley is a professor and chair of the department of criminal justice at the Brooklyn Park campus of Metropolitan State Un…
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Oct 24, 2022
Your Vote: Abortion is top of mind for many voters heading into the election
For almost half a century, abortion access was considered a right guaranteed under the U.S. Constitution.
That changed this summer when the U.S. Supreme Court issued its decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization. Suddenly the right to an abortion was no longer nationally protected, and the question of whether and how abortion would be legal became something for individual states to determine.
Now, abortion is illegal in some states and legal in others, including in Minnesota where abortion is protected by the state constitution.
MPR News host Angela Davis talks with a legal historian and a political scientist about how abortion has emerged as one of the top issues for many voters and how it might influence the midterm election.
Guests:
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Mary Ziegler is a professor of law at the University of California, Davis and the author of several books about social movements surrounding reproduction and abortion rights, including “Dollars for Life: The Anti-Abortion Movem…
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Oct 24, 2022
Your Vote: Economic worries are on voters’ minds as Election Day nears
As Election Day approaches, the economy is a leading concern for voters across the nation.
Recent polls show that inflation, an unstable stock market and a looming recession are now playing a role in the direction voters are leaning, giving Republicans an edge among independent voters.
But can politicians on the 2022 ballot actually impact the economy if elected? Can they bring down prices at the grocery store or the gas pump? MPR News host Angela Davis talks about how the economic conditions historically influence elections, how inflation might influence votes this year and what impact politicians actually have on prices, jobs, wages and more.
Guests:
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Jessica Washington is a senior reporter for The Root covering race and gender justice.
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David Schultz is a professor of political science, legal studies and environmental studies at Hamline University and a law professor at the University of Minnesota.
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Chris Farrell is senior economics contributor at Marketplace, Americ…
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Oct 20, 2022
Ballot Box 101: How to get first-time voters to the polls
Getting people who’ve never voted presents a special kind of challenge.
Young people who recently reached voting age don’t have the habit and may not understand the system or their potential impact. Marginalized communities may feel disenfranchised. Whatever the obstacles, it’s important to know how to overcome them.
Angela Davis hosts a special In Focus discussion that took place live at MPR News on Wednesday, Oct. 19, with a panel of voting experts.
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Oct 19, 2022
Searching for Mental Health Providers of Color
The mental health treatment field is disproportionately white. What barriers do people of color face while trying to find care? And how important is it to find a provider that can identify with a person’s race, culture and experiences?
MPR News shares “Searching for Providers of Color,” a broadcast special from Call to Mind, American Public Media’s initiative to foster conversations about mental health.
Through in-depth interviews and reported stories, this hour-long program examines the barriers to diversify the mental health treatment field and how communities of color are getting the care they need.
Call to Mind specials are hosted by Kimberly Adams, senior correspondent for APM’s Marketplace who covers mental health, politics, business and the economy from Washington, D.C.
Guests:
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Christine Catipon is vice president of the Asian American Psychological Association and a psychologist at Stanford University Counseling and Psychological Services.
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James Rodrigue…
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Oct 18, 2022
Therapist Corey Yeager wants you to ask “How Am I Doing?”
Have you asked yourself recently “How Am I Doing?”
That’s the question Minneapolis therapist Corey Yeager wants you to ask. It’s the title of his new book, which is structured as a series of 40 questions to ask yourself. It’s meant to get readers thinking about their life, the way they cope with stress and anxiety and how to better take care of themselves during difficult times.
MPR News host Angela Davis talks with Yeager about his new book, working with athletes as a sports psychotherapist and the current state of mental health.
Guest:
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Corey Yeager is a licensed marriage and family therapist. He is currently a psychotherapist for the Detroit Pistons. He previously worked as a therapist in Minneapolis Public Schools. He has a PhD in family social science.
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Oct 13, 2022
Social Security recipients will see the biggest cost-of-living boost in 40 years
The country is still struggling with stubbornly high inflation. Among the groups most affected are older and retired Americans who rely on fixed incomes, including Social Security.
But relief is on the way. Americans who receive Social Security payments are slated to receive an 8.7 percent cost-of-living adjustment starting January 2023, the biggest increase in benefits since 1981. The boost is tied to inflation and will average about $140 per month. MPR News host Angela Davis talks about the payment increase and the history and future of Social Security.
For a better understanding of Social Security, Medicare and other benefits you can contact Minnesota’s Senior LinkAge Line at (800) 333-2433. If you’re nearing retirement or want to see what your payment benefits will look like, AARP can assist in helping you calculate your estimated Social Security benefits. “Get What’s Yours: The Secrets to Maxing Out Your Social Security” by Laurence J. Kotlikoff, Philip Moeller and Pau…
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Oct 12, 2022
Listen: Angela Davis goes behind the scenes with MPR News journalists
Meet some of the people who bring you the news at Minnesota Public Radio. Behind the coverage at MPR News is a whole staff of newscasters, hosts, producers, reporters and photojournalists. They bring stories to life on the radio and on MPR’s website and social media pages.
MPR News host Angela Davis talks with four new faces in the MPR News newsroom about their paths into journalism, how they do their work and details behind some of their recent stories.
Guests:
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Michelle Wiley is a senior reporter covering health at MPR News. She was previously a reporter and senior editor at KQED in San Francisco.
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Kerem Yücel is a senior visual journalist at MPR News. He’s been featured in Time magazine, The New York Times, Wall Street Journal, The Guardian, The Washington Post, BBC.com, CNN.com and Agence France-Presse.
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Ben Hovland is a visual journalist for MPR News. His photo and video reporting has appeared in The Washington Post, Agence France-Presse, BBC and Sahan Journal.…
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Oct 11, 2022
In an competitive streaming era, how do you decide what TV shows to watch?
Just in time for settling into your couch this fall, streaming services are rolling out new shows and resurrecting old favorites.
The hard part about your endless options is deciding what to watch.
You can start with the biggest winners out of this year’s Emmys — “Succession” and “Ted Lasso” dominated drama and comedy. Or try something less known, like “Abbott Elementary,” an ABC mockumentary sitcom TV series written by Quinta Brunson about the lives of teachers working in a predominantly Black elementary school in Philadelphia. The show won three Emmys for its first season.
MPR News host Angela Davis talked with the Star Tribune columnist Neal Justin about a competitive streaming world and what shows are worth a weekend binge.
Are you ready to stream? Here’s a list of popular shows, movies and documentaries the two think are worth your time.
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“Ramy” on Hulu.
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“Reservation Dogs” on Hulu.
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“Let the Right One In” on Showtime.
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“Intervi…
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Oct 11, 2022
Three rising music stars talk Minnesota music, concerts and what's next
Minnesota has produced many music legends, from Prince to The Replacements to Bob Dylan. Who's next?
MPR News host Angela Davis talks with three rising stars on the Twin Cities music scene: hip-hop artist Nur-D; singer, songwriter and dancer XINA; and indie-pop musician Miloe.
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Nur-D is a Minneapolis-based hip-hop artist.
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XINA is a Minneapolis-based musician, songwriter and dancer.
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Miloe is an indie-pop musician based in Minneapolis.
Subscribe to the MPR News with Angela Davis podcast on: Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify or RSS.
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Oct 10, 2022
Managing your money during inflation, rising interest rates and uncertainty
The job market is slowing, inflation is still with us and interest rates are going up on credit cards, car loans and home mortgages. And now, we’re about to get slammed with colder weather and high home heating bills.
There’s a lot of discouraging financial news that we can’t control. But we can take steps to minimize the impact on our household budgets.
MPR News host Angela Davis talks with two financial experts about how to manage inflation, debt and more in the months to come.
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Oct 6, 2022
White House correspondent April Ryan on her new book 'Black Women Will Save The World'
April Ryan is the longest-serving Black female White House correspondent. She has a 25-year tenure spanning five presidential administrations. She regularly appears on CNN as a political analyst, and is the Washington D.C Bureau Chief on TheGrio.
For many Americans, though, April Ryan became a household name after former President Donald Trump singled her out and verbally harassed her while she covered his administration.
This month, Ryan has a new book out, called "Black Women Will Save The World: An Anthem." In the book, Ryan details the many ways Black women have shaped American history, and the profound price they often pay for their leadership.
Ryan will be in St. Paul Oct. 9 to emcee the annual Opus & Olives Gala, a fundraiser for the Friends of the Saint Paul Public Library.
MPR News host Angela Davis speaks with April Ryan about her new book, and her unique perspective on American politics from the White House.
Guest:
April Ryan is a White House correspondent, CNN analys…
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Oct 5, 2022
Are you worried about excessive drinking? Here's what to do
Last year, a record number of Minnesotans died from alcohol-related causes. That means deaths from alcohol overdose and poisoning, liver disease and other organ damage caused by alcohol. The numbers don’t even include deaths from drunk driving.
In total, 1,162 Minnesotans died alcohol-related deaths in 2021. That is more than the number of homicides and suicides combined.
Many states have seen an increase in deaths connected to alcohol use, and alcohol-related deaths have actually been on the rise all across the country from the past two decades.
MPR News host Angela Davis talks with two longtime alcohol and addiction treatment specialists about addressing excessive alcohol use and how to reduce drinking. If you or someone you know are struggling with excessive drinking, here are some resources:
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Turning Point, (612) 520-4004
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Hazelden Betty Ford, (866) 628-0549
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SAMHSA National Helpline, (800) 662-4357
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Behavioral Health Treatment Services Locator
Guests:
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Oct 4, 2022
Tutoring boosts students after the pandemic 'teaching loss'
Students across the board in Minnesota fell behind in math, reading and other school subjects during distance learning in the COVID-19 pandemic.
Only about 51 percent of Minnesota children hit reading benchmarks in 2022, a drop of eight percentage points since just prior to the pandemic in 2019. Fewer than 46 percent of students met or exceeded math standards, a drop of 10 percentage points. Students of color and students from low-income families fell even farther behind.
Educators are grappling with how to address this “learning loss,” or as some call it, “teaching loss.” One promising approach might be intensive tutoring, either in small groups or one-on-one.
A tutor can give a steady dose of encouragement for kids who are disheartened. Tutors who are trained or who use a proven curriculum can also meet students where they are and focus on exactly the skills that need improvement — whether that’s phonics or fractions.
MPR News host Angela Davis talks with the director…
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Sep 30, 2022
The return of dream vacations and bucket list travel
Many people scaled back vacations over the last couple years and now they’re making up for lost opportunities. With COVID-19 travel restrictions down, people are seizing this moment to take their dream vacations.
Even with inflation in the mix, vacation spending over the summer was expected to be up about 90 percent over the pre-pandemic summer of 2019. On average, Americans were projected to spend over $2,600 per person on summer trips. And, the trips weren’t all domestic. Travel to Europe was up 600 percent over last year, according to insurance company Allianz Partners.
Taking a big trip takes time, money and thorough planning. While everyone has their own idea of what a dream vacation looks like, there are many reasons why now might be the time to take that trip you’ve been thinking about for years.
MPR News host Angela Davis talks with a travel writer and a travel consultant about what it means to take that dream vacation. They talk about ways to plan an excursion across…
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Sep 29, 2022
Minnesota chef Justin Sutherland has 'Northern Soul'
Chef and restaurateur Justin Sutherland has been taking the cooking world by storm.
Maybe you’ve tried the ribs at Handsome Hog, his pork-centric restaurant in St. Paul. He also operates Obachan Noodles and Chicken, Chickpea Hummus Bar, The Gnome, Woodfire Cantina and Gray Duck Tavern.
This fall, he came out with a new cookbook that returns to his roots, “Northern Soul: Southern-Inspired Home Cooking from a Northern Kitchen.”
And, he’s been making a splash on television. He won an “Iron Chef America” battle, was in the top six chefs on Bravo’s “Top Chef” season 16 and currently hosts “Fast Foodies” on TruTV.
MPR News host Angela Davis talks with Sutherland about learning to cook from his grandmother, his restaurants and projects and his recovery from a boating accident this summer.
Guest:
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Justin Sutherland is a chef, restaurant group owner and TV cooking star.
Subscribe to the MPR News with Angela Davis podcast on: Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spot…
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Sep 28, 2022
More options for people with hearing loss
Do you miss out on conversations because you’re hard of hearing? Or maybe a friend or a family member is asking you to repeat what you say a lot more often.
Hearing loss affects millions of people, especially as we age. And, the vast majority of people who are hard of hearing don’t seek help or ever try a hearing aid.
Last month, the Food and Drug Administration decided to allow hearing aids to be sold over the counter without an exam or prescription.
MPR News host Angela Davis talked with an audiologist and a researcher about how the ruling could make hearing aids less expensive and more accessible. Plus, changes in hearing aid technology and how to make the most of them.
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Peggy Nelson is a professor in the Department of Speech-Language-Hearing Sciences at the University of Minnesota. She teaches audiology courses and has researched how to make hearing aids more effective in daily settings.
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Rachel Allgor is an audiologist with Audiology Concepts, a clinic in…
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Sep 27, 2022
How can we make Minnesota's roads safer?
Fatal crashes were on the decline in Minnesota for years before the 2020 pandemic. But over the past few years, they’ve spiked as more people are speeding and driving recklessly. In 2021, Minnesota had 361 deaths in traffic crashes statewide. That’s the most since 2007.
And Minnesota is not unique. Since 2020, fatal crashes have been on the rise around the nation.
MPR News host Angela Davis talks about what is causing this increase in fatal crashes, and what we can do to make our roads safer.
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Brian Sorenson is the state traffic engineer for the Minnesota Department of Transportation, and director of MnDOT’s Office of Traffic Engineering. He is also the co-chair of Minnesota Toward Zero Deaths.
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Colonel Matt Langer is the chief of the Minnesota State Patrol.
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David Hurwitz is a professor at Oregon State University in Corvallis. He is also the Director of the Kiewit Center for Infrastructure and Transportation Research.
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Sep 23, 2022
Nursing on the frontlines
When 15,000 Minnesota nurses went on strike for three days earlier this month, it spotlighted a growing national problem: nurses feel overworked, burned out, and underpaid.
Nurses are exhausted from working on the front lines during the pandemic. But even before COVID, nurses were grappling with sicker patients, new technologies and increasing workplace demands.
Recent data from the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development shows nursing vacancies doubled from 2,450 in 2019 to 5,587 in 2021. That left eight percent of jobs unfilled.
MPR News host Angela Davis talks with two nurses about the stress their colleagues have been feeling on the job, why some nurses are retiring early or quitting and what needs to change to bring new nurses into the profession.
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Laura Fero is the dean of nursing at St. Catherine University.
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Kelley Annas is a registered nurse in the Twin Cities.
Subscribe to the MPR News with Angela Davis podcast on: Apple Podcasts, Goo…
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Sep 22, 2022
Adair Mosley’s vision for racial equity in Minnesota
Adair Mosley has bold ideas for how to bring about racial equity in Minnesota.
As president and CEO of Pillsbury United Communities he raised $1 million last spring to give a $10,000 scholarship for college or post-secondary training to each graduating senior at North Community High School.
During his years at the Minneapolis community nonprofit he also helped open a grocery store and wellness hub in a food desert and launched an economic development effort to support rebuilding businesses in North Minneapolis after George Floyd’s murder.
Now Mosley has been tapped to bring his broad vision and economic innovations to a bigger stage. He’ll step into a new role in October as CEO at the African American Leadership Forum, a Black-led group formed in 2006 to close the gaps of racial disparities in Minnesota.
MPR News host Angela Davis talked with Adair Mosley about his work in the community, why humility is central to leadership and what he hopes to do in his new job.
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Sep 21, 2022
Lowering heart disease risk for Black Minnesotans
Heart attack, stroke and other kinds of heart disease are the leading cause of death for men and women in the United States.
The risk of heart disease is even higher among Black Americans, who are two to three times as likely as whites to die from cardiovascular diseases. The reasons for the vast disparity are complicated and include the toll of generational trauma and chronic stress. The good news is that most heart disease is preventable.
MPR News host Angela Davis talks with two cardiologists about addressing disparities and improving heart health in Black communities in Minnesota.
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Dr. LaPrincess Brewer is a cardiologist and assistant professor at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester. Her research focuses on heart disease prevention and testing new public health approaches to eliminating the racial disparities in cardiovascular disease.
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Dr. Courtney Jordan Baechler is a cardiologist and medical director of health equity and health promotion at Minneapolis Heart Institu…
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Sep 20, 2022
Is homework actually necessary?
The start of the school year means the return of daily homework for many students. But is all that homework really necessary?
Some educators and parents say that there isn’t much evidence that some types of homework actually help students learn. Too much homework might have the opposite effect on young students and can negatively impact their lives outside the classroom.
But the momentum to get rid of homework is being met by others who say it’s a tool to instill responsibility, time management, practice, and eliminating it would be wrong. MPR News host Angela Davis talks with educators about the evolution of homework and the value it holds in today’s curriculum.
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Miranda Featherstone is a writer and a school social worker who has worked with children and families from preschool to high school. She is based in Rhode Island.
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David Heistad spent 25 years as head of research, evaluation and assessment for the public school districts in Minneapolis and Bloomingto…
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Sep 19, 2022
The rise of multi-generational households
During the pandemic, it became more common for adults to live with other adult members of their family. Adult children returned to live with their parents and elderly parents moved in with their adult kids.
But even before COVID-19 hit, more people were choosing to live with relatives.
Sharing a home has practical benefits. It saves money and helps people through unemployment, divorce and other life changes. It makes it easier to care for young children and elderly adults.
And it can be emotionally rewarding. More than half of adults who live with adult family members say it’s a positive experience most or all the time, according to a survey last year by Pew Research Center.
MPR News host Angela Davis talks about the rise in multigenerational living, benefits and challenges and why it’s here to stay.
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Chris Farrell is senior economics contributor at Minnesota Public Radio and at Marketplace, American Public Media's nationally syndicated public radio business and e…
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Sep 15, 2022
The rollout of the 988 mental health crisis hotline in Minnesota
On July 16, the federal government transitioned the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline to a three-digit number. 988 is a resource that anyone can call, text or chat for mental health support. Crisis counselors are trained to address mental health emergencies like depression, anxiety, suicide ideation and substance use disorders.
Last week, MPR News brought you an in-depth look at the launch of 988 from MPR’s mental initiative Call to Mind.
MPR News host Angela Davis is continuing that conversation by checking in on the rollout of 988 in Minnesota and hearing from some people who are working within mental health services to find out more about how the new hotline is helping.
Guests:
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Sue Abderholden is the executive director of NAMI Minnesota.
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Leah Kaiser is the director of behavioral health programs at Hennepin County.
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Tony Martin is the director of emergency communications at the Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office
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Sep 14, 2022
What you need to know about the COVID-19 vaccine boosters
Updated vaccine boosters for COVID-19 became available last week in Minnesota.
The new versions of the vaccine from Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna protect against two of the most common versions of the virus, Omicron subvariants BA. 4 and BA. 5.
White House COVID-19 advisors say the public should plan to get a new COVID-19 shot every year to protect against new versions, much like an annual flu shot.
MPR News host Angela Davis talks with two infectious disease doctors about what you need to know about the new COVID-19 vaccine boosters and how to navigate the fall virus season.
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Dr. Jill Foster is a pediatric infectious disease physician with M Health Fairview and director of the Division of Pediatric Infectious Diseases at the University of Minnesota Medical School.
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Dr. Abinash Virk is an infectious disease physician with the Mayo Clinic and a professor at the Medical School in the Division of Infectious Diseases.
Subscribe to the MPR News with Angela Davis podcast…
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Sep 14, 2022
In Focus: How to make outdoor recreation welcoming for all
Minnesota is a state blessed with abundant outdoor spaces. Pristine lakes, rocky shores, towering pines, dancing prairies, there is a never-ending, always-changing kaleidoscope of nature that beckons us to explore.
But not everyone feels welcome.
Historically, outdoor recreation has been a white, wealthy, able-bodied and male-dominated realm. Here in Minnesota, about 20 percent of Minnesotans identify as people of color. But according to a Department of Natural Resources study, people of color make up only five percent of state park visitors.
What can be done to encourage all Minnesotans to enjoy our rich landscape? Is there a way to make communities of color feel safe and welcome in traditionally white outdoor spaces? What kind of innovative programs are already addressing this disparity?
* Outside in MN Duluth groups push to make outdoor sports more diverse
* Angela Davis Minnesota looks to address disparities in outdoor recreation
* APM Research Lab How Minnesotans…
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Sep 13, 2022
What’s next with student debt and loan forgiveness?
In late August, President Joe Biden announced a plan to forgive student loans for millions of people. Borrowers who earn less than $125,000 can have $10,000 in loans forgiven, and those who received federal Pell Grants in college can have $20,000 in loans forgiven.
The U.S. Department of Education estimates that the plan will wipe out student debt for about 20 million people. But some critics say that the plan does nothing to help low-income people who never attended college, is unfair to people who paid off their loans and does nothing to address college affordability. Others say that even more loans should have been forgiven.
MPR News host Angela Davis talks about what’s next for student loans and the future of college affordability.
Guests:
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Nicholas Hillman is a professor in the School of Education at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. His research examines how finance, policy, and geography shape educational opportunities in the United States.
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Marshall Steinbaum i…
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Sep 12, 2022
What it means to be a 'quiet quitter'
In search of balance between work and life, about half of U.S. workers say they are “quiet quitting,” according to a recent Gallup survey.
The term “quiet quitting” has gone viral over the past year to describe a worker who doesn’t go above and beyond the assigned job description. Pandemic-related burnout seems to have made more workers disengage with the goal of climbing the corporate ladder and more likely to question if doing extra, unpaid work outside of their assignments actually leads to better pay, promotions or happiness.
So does “quiet quitting” take advantage of employers? Or is it a healthy way for workers to say no to “hustle culture” and set boundaries at work to avoid stress and anxiety?
MPR News host Angela Davis talks to two Minnesotans who have been looking into “quiet quitting” about the state of current work culture and if “quiet quitting” is a problem for employers.
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Elizabeth Campbell is an associate professor of work and…
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Sep 8, 2022
How remote work is changing office culture
The COVID-19 pandemic launched a great experiment in the way we work, at least for office workers. Remote work became routine early in the pandemic. Two and a half years later many people are still working part-time from home.
And, with low unemployment and workers who demand flexibility, it looks increasingly likely that some combination of remote and on-site work is here to stay.
MPR News guest host Chris Farrell talks about what this dramatic change in how we work and interact with colleagues in the office means for workplace culture, employee collaboration and even office design.
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Alexandra Samuel works from her home in Vancouver, Canada as a tech writer and journalist whose work appears in the Wall Street Journal and Harvard Business Review. She is co-author of “Remote, Inc.: How To Thrive at Work….Wherever You Are” published in 2021.
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Gustavo Razzetti is founder and CEO of Fearless Culture, a business management consulting company based in Chicago. He’…
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Sep 7, 2022
The health benefits of friends
Studies have shown that friendships can affect your cardiovascular health, your immune system, your cognitive health and even the rate at which your cells age.
Yet Americans increasingly report that they have fewer close friends. According to a Gallup poll, three percent of Americans in 1990 said they had no close friends. In 2021, that number rose to 12 percent — a fourfold increase.
Guest host Chris Farrell talks with two experts about why friendship is so important and how we can form and strengthen the ties of friendship in our lives.
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Rebecca Adams is a professor and the gerontology undergraduate coordinator in the Department of Social Work at the University of North Carolina Greensboro. She studies older adult friendship.
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Craig Sawchuk is a psychologist and co-chair of Clinical Practice and the Division of Integrated Behavioral Health at Mayo Clinic.
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Sep 6, 2022
988: A Call for Crisis Care
On July 16, the federal government transitioned the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline to an easy-to-remember three-digit number. 988 is a resource that anyone can call, text or chat for mental health support. Crisis counselors are trained to address a range of mental health emergencies from depression and anxiety, to suicide ideation and substance use disorders.
What actually happens when someone dials 988? How is the Lifeline serving as a tool to improve mental health emergency response? And is there a path between mental health emergencies and recovery?
MPR News shares “988: A Call for Crisis Care,” a broadcast special from Call to Mind that explores the state of mental health crisis response, and asks how crisis care can be improved.
It’s hosted by Kimberly Adams, a host and senior correspondent for APM’s Marketplace who covers mental health, politics, business and the economy for American Public Media from Washington DC.
Also, Join MPR News with Angela Davis the week…
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Aug 30, 2022
Plugging into the past with nostalgia tech
Have you dug out that old gaming console from childhood? You know, the one you begged your parents for as you showed them the printed advertisement in the Sunday newspaper ads. What about dusting off a vinyl record, processing film, or downgrading your smartphone to something that’s a little underwhelming?
MPR News guest host Catharine Richert talks about the appeal of retro tech and the history of technology that paved the way for the world we have now — everything from your old phone to polaroid cameras and vintage video games.
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Voula Saridakis is a curator at the Museum of Science and Industry in Chicago and helps care for more than 30,000 artifacts in the collection.
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LeAnn Crowe is a photographer and lab manager for West Photo in Minneapolis.
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Jay McDonald is a retro gaming enthusiast based in Dallas. He designs and builds corporate websites and runs RetroGame Start.
Subscribe to the MPR News with Angela Davis podcast on: Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts…
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Aug 29, 2022
Managing your finances as debt and prices soar
If prices at the grocery store and gas pump have you struggling to stay on top of your finances, you are not alone. Credit card debt in the United States increased from April through June this year according to an August report by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York. The report found that inflation was the main driver of the increase in debt.
Guest host Chris Farrell spoke with two personal finance experts about managing money, and answers your questions about how to budget, reduce debt and save.
Guests:
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Nneka Constantino hosts the weekly Financial Fitness radio show on KMOJ radio. She runs Elsa’s House of Sleep, a family business in St. Paul, which was featured in Small Business Revolution on Amazon Prime and Hulu. She is also a vice president and senior financial advisor with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management.
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Sharon Powell is an educator with the University of Minnesota Extension. She specializes in financial capability and family relationships.
Subscribe to the MPR N…
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Aug 25, 2022
Life on the Mississippi
Barges heading down the Mississippi River carry most of the United State’s soy beans, corn and other crop exports to a global market. But, the river’s role as a trade superhighway goes back hundreds if not thousand of years.
In his new book “Life on the Mississippi” best-selling author Rinker Buck writes about floating from Pittsburgh to New Orleans in a wooden flat boat, following the same water routes taken by thousands of flatboats that carried goods downstream in the 19th century.
MPR News guest host Chris Farrell talks with Rinker and a local river historian about the forgotten history of the flatboat era, modern river communities and why so many of us love the Mighty Mississippi.
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Rinker Buck is the author of “Life on the Mississippi: An Epic American Adventure” and is the New York Times bestselling author of “The Oregon Trail.” He lives in Tennessee.
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John Anfinson retired in 2021 as the superintendent of the Mississippi National River and Recreation A…
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Aug 23, 2022
Can downtowns come back from COVID-19 better and more inclusive?
Many downtowns are a lot quieter than they were before the COVID-19 pandemic.
With more people working from home, businesses that depended on a downtown workforce struggled and some closed for good. Habits also have changed over the last couple years and some people are now less likely to head downtown to shop or find entertainment.
Town centers are always reinventing themselves, but the waves of recent change pose new challenges for traditional downtowns.
MPR News guest host Catharine Richert talked about how cities in Greater Minnesota are trying to reimagine their downtowns and create that vibrant mix of shops, restaurants, public spaces, businesses and — most importantly — people.
Guests:
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Wafa Elkhalifa is the equitable development coordinator at Destination Medical Center, a public-private economic initiative in Rochester focused on the downtown area.
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Kristi Stokes is the president of Downtown Duluth.
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Donella Westphal is the owner of Jules Bistro in downtow…
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Aug 23, 2022
What happens in our brains when we hear our favorite songs
What’s your favorite song of the summer? Whether it’s by Harry Styles, Beyoncé or Kate Bush, your song of the summer sets the vibe for the season, puts you in a great mood and gets you ready for whatever the day has in store.
But what is happening in our brains when we hear our favorite songs? Why do certain songs help us focus, get us energized, or make us calm and relaxed? And how can music be a tool for improving our wellness and mental health?
Guest host Catharine Richert talked with a neuroscientist and a music therapist about the link between music and wellness, and how our favorite songs affect our brains and our mental health. And we heard from The Current’s music director Jade about her picks for the song of the summer.
Guests:
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Annie Heiderscheit is a licensed marriage and family therapist, and the director of the music therapy programs at Augsburg University. She has a PhD in music therapy.
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Kevin Woods is the director of science for Brain FM, which makes…
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Aug 22, 2022
How employee-owned companies address inequities and help workers build wealth
Imagine if you were an owner of the company you work at. Would you feel more invested in your work? Would it change your relationship with your job?
Some companies are allowing their employees to become owners in the company, through models like co-ops or employee stock ownership plans.
Corey Rosen has studied employee ownership for years. And in his new book, “Ownership: Reinventing Companies, Capitalism, and Who Owns What,” Rosen argues that employee ownership could reshape our economy. He says that it can address wealth inequities, increase employee retention and build stronger companies.
Guest host Chris Farrell talks with three experts about employee ownership, and what it looks like in Minnesota.
Guests:
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Corey Rosen is the founder and senior staff member of the National Center for Employee Ownership. He is the author of the new book “Ownership: Reinventing Companies, Capitalism, and Who Owns What.”
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Heather Braimbridge-Cox is the CEO and President of Winding…
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Aug 18, 2022
Are you avoiding the news? Why news fatigue and avoiding the news matters
Does the news ever overwhelm you? Does it leave you feeling depressed and powerless?
These days, more of us seem to feel that way. About a third of people, especially young adults, say the news lowers their mood. And more than a third now say they sometimes or often avoid the news, according to a report from Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism.
Headlines over the last few years have been distressing: A war across the ocean in Ukraine. Political polarization in the U.S. Police shootings. Climate change.
When asked why they don’t take in the news, people say it leaves them demoralized, that stories seem disconnected from their lives or that the news is repetitive.
MPR News host Angela Davis talks about news fatigue and news avoidance. Why does it matter? And can we change the way news is delivered to make the public more hopeful?
Guests:
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Amanda Ripley is a journalist, book author and host of the Slate podcast “How To!” Her recent piece in the The Washington Pos…
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Aug 17, 2022
What our teeth say about class, beauty standards and health care in the U.S.
When you look in the mirror at your smile, what do you see? Do you see straight, white teeth, perfected by years of braces and retainers? Are your teeth a little crooked? Do you have gaps or maybe a few missing?
What our teeth look like can say a lot about class, wealth and beauty standards in the United States. About 60 million Americans live in areas with a shortage of dental care, and access to oral health care largely depends on economic status.
MPR News host Angela Davis discussed who can and cannot access oral health care in our country, and why Americans are so obsessed with perfect pearly whites.
Guests:
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Mary Otto is a health journalist and the author of the book “Teeth: The Story of Beauty, Inequality, and the Struggle for Oral Health in America.”
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Dr. Karl Self is an associate professor at the University of Minnesota School of Dentistry, where he is the director of the Division of Dental Therapy and interim Associate Dean of Academic Affairs.
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Dr. Prasida…
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Aug 16, 2022
How social media has changed us
Facebook and Twitter launched to the public in 2006, ushering in an era of constant communication and virtual communities unimaginable a generation ago.
Social media has changed how we communicate and influences everything from how we engage in political life to young people’s social, emotional and civic development.
MPR News host Angela Davis spoke with two researchers who study the ways that social media is shaping our lives.
Guests:
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Jaime Settle is an associate professor of government and data science at William and Mary University in Williamsburg, Virginia. She is also the author of the book “Frenemies: How Social Media Polarizes America.”
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Emily Weinstein is a lecturer at the Harvard Graduate School of Education, and a principal investigator at Project Zero, which conducts education research. She is the co-author of the new book “Behind Their Screens: What Teens Are Facing (And Adults Are Missing).”
Subscribe to the MPR News with Angela Davis podcast on: A…
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Aug 15, 2022
No Excuses: Race and reckoning at a Chicago charter school
Producer DJ Cashmere spent seven years teaching Black and brown students at a Noble Street charter high school in Chicago. At the time, Noble followed a popular model called "no excuses." Its schools required strict discipline but promised low-income students a better shot at college.
After DJ left the classroom to become a journalist, Noble disavowed its own policies — calling them "assimilationist, patriarchal, white supremacist and anti-black."
Coming up at 9 a.m. on Monday, MPR News with Angela Davis shares a new documentary from American Public Media, “No Excuses: Race and Reckoning at a Chicago Charter School.” DJ, who is white, revisits his old school as it tries to reinvent itself as an anti-racist institution. And he seeks out his former students to ask them how they felt about being on the receiving end of all that education reform, and what they think now about the time they spent in his classroom.
Host and Producer:
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DJ Cashmere is a journalist whose print wor…
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Aug 11, 2022
How Minnesota shaped mall culture
Minnesota is a big shaper of mall culture.
Southdale was the first indoor mall in the country when it opened in Edina in 1956. Over the next decades, malls spread across suburbia, pulling crowds of shoppers from downtowns.
Then, 30 years ago the Mall of America set the stage for malls as entertainment complexes when it opened on Aug. 11, 1992, with an amusement park surrounded by hundreds of stores.
Now the COVID-19 pandemic and the rush to online shopping is changing malls yet again.
MPR News host Angela Davis talks with a Mall of America vice president and a design critic about the evolution of mall culture.
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Alexandra Lange is a design critic and author of the new book “Meet me by the Fountain: An Inside History of the Mall.” Her previous book was ”The Design of Childhood: How the Material World Shapes Independent Kids.”
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Jill Renslow is executive vice president of business development and marketing at the Mall of America. She started working at the mal…
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Aug 10, 2022
Demystifying migraines and headaches
Many of us get a skull-pounding headache now and then, maybe from stress or after getting dehydrated on a hot day.
But some people get recurring headaches that are serious enough to keep them from school or work. About 1 in 5 people get migraines, a type of headache often accompanied by nausea and extreme sensitivity to light and sound. Cluster and tension headaches can also interfere with daily life. And, for some people lingering headaches may be part of long-haul COVID-19.
MPR News host Angela Davis spoke with two neurologists about what causes migraines and other headaches and new research into how to treat them.
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Dr. Narayan Kissoon is a neurologist at Mayo Clinic in Rochester and an assistant professor of neurology at the Mayo Clinic College of Medicine. He specializes in treating headaches and facial pain.
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Dr. Yoon-hee Cha is a neurologist with M Health Fairview and an associate professor at the University of Minnesota Medical School. She specializes in treat…
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Aug 8, 2022
Standing in Two Worlds: Native American College Diaries
Native American students are just a tiny fraction of all the college students in the United States. And each student comes with different histories, confronting an education system once used to erase their languages and cultures.
MPR News with Angela Davis is sharing a new documentary from American Public Media, “Standing in Two Worlds: Native American College Diaries.” Meet three Indigenous college students with Minnesota ties. They are using a college education to support their communities, and themselves, without losing sight of who they are.
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Archie Yellow: Archie is a member of the Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa and studies Ojibwe at Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College.
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Nevaeh Nez: Nevaeh is a Hopi and Navajo student at the University of Minnesota-Rochester who's planning to go to medical school.
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Reuben Kitto Stately: Reuben is Dakhóta from the Santee Sioux Nation and a tribal member of Red Lake Nation who majored in American Indian Studies at…
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Aug 4, 2022
Historian Carol Anderson on the assault to undermine voting rights
Fifty-seven years ago this week, on Aug. 6, 1965, President Lyndon Johnson signed the landmark Voting Rights Act, with Martin Luther King and other civil rights leaders looking on. It was a turning point in American history. At the time, Pres. Johnson called it “a victory of freedom for the nation.”
Thursday morning, in a special edition of Big Books and Bold Ideas, host Kerri Miller examined whether the commitment of that milestone legislation still holds all these years later, particularly as the Supreme Court takes on one case that could upend state election laws and another that challenges a key section of the Voting Rights Act. Her guide was Professor Carol Anderson, one of the nation’s foremost scholars on equity and voting and the author of “One Person, No Vote.”
Guest:
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Carol Anderson is a professor of African-American studies at Emory University and an accomplished author.
To listen to the full conversation you can use the audio player above.
Subscribe to th…
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Aug 3, 2022
Monkeypox is here. What questions do you have?
Monkeypox is in Minnesota. There are 38 confirmed cases in the state as of Tuesday.
Earlier this month, the World Health Organization declared that monkeypox is a global public health emergency. And this week, California and Illinois joined New York state to call the virus a public health emergency.
The virus is spread through close contact, and can cause fever, headaches and a rash.
“People getting sick so far have mainly been men who have sex with men, though health officials note that the virus can infect anyone,” according to the Associated Press.
About 5,800 cases of monkeypox have been reported nationwide, including 1,400 in New York, 800 in California and 500 in Illinois.
MPR News host Angela Davis talks with two infectious disease doctors about monkeypox, how it’s spread, who is most at risk and how to prevent it.
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Dr. Nick Lehnertz is the medical adviser for the Minnesota Department of Health infectious disease division.
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Dr. Rebecca Wurtz is an as…
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Aug 2, 2022
Bicycling and bike routes surging ahead in Minnesota
Bicycling is growing in more ways than one in Minnesota. During the COVID-19 pandemic bike sales shot up and more people started biking recreationally.
City and regional planners are also encouraging bicycling with the expansion of protected bike lanes and trail networks that let you get from point A to point B without riding on the road. But, today’s cyclists are a diverse pack, including fast racers, slow beginners, kids, commuters and electric bike riders. How can everyone share the paths?
MPR News host Angela Davis spoke with two avid bicyclists about how to get into bicycling and tips on using trails and bike lanes.
Guests:
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DeWayne Combs is a physical education teacher at Murray Middle School in St. Paul. He’s worked for St. Paul Public Schools for 31 years and was a finalist for Minnesota Teacher of the Year in 2020 for his work introducing hundreds of students to bicycling. He’s also raced mountain bikes and commutes from Stillwater to St. Paul by bike.
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Eliss…
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Aug 1, 2022
The history of tipping, and how it’s changing
Tipping after meals at restaurants is almost second-nature for many Americans. But the practice is changing as more people begin to question why we tip.
In many states, employers are allowed to pay a tipped staff a lower minimum wage. Minnesota is one of the few states in the nation that requires employers to pay tipped employees full state minimum wage before factoring in tips.
Tipping also has a dark history in the United States. Tipping has been linked to the end of slavery, when employers wanted an excuse to pay recently freed Black Americans less.
More restaurants are beginning to eliminate tipping, opting instead to charge a service or hospitality fee.
MPR News host Angela Davis talks about the history of tipping in the United States, how it’s changing and the push for higher wages for service workers.
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Saru Jayaraman is the President of One Fair Wage and Director of the Food Labor Research Center at University of California, Berkeley. She is also the co-found…
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Jul 28, 2022
Extreme heat is becoming more common. What are cities doing about it?
A heatwave is coming to the Midwest next week. Highs are expected to hit near 100 degrees in Minnesota as August starts.
And we aren’t the only ones struggling with extreme heat. This has been happening all over the world.
Last week, the U.K. had its hottest day on record. Blistering temperatures in the Northeast United States left more than 85 million Americans under excessive heat advisories on Sunday. And wildfires are raging in California right now.
This is becoming the norm as climate change creates more extreme weather and more frequent heatwaves.
MPR News host Angela Davis spoke with three experts about how cities are responding to and trying to mitigate extreme heat caused by climate change.
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Emily Ziring is the sustainability manager for the City of St. Louis Park.
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Ladd Keith is an assistant professor of Planning and Sustainable Built Environments at the University of Arizona in Tucson.
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Ludovica Martella is the climate heat health program coordina…
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Jul 27, 2022
Finding focus in a scattered time
Even in normal times, our minds wander. Research finds we’re thinking about something other than what’s right in front of us about half the time. Now, the COVID-19 pandemic has created whole new levels of stress and dramatic shifts in our routines. New concerns pull our attention in a hundred directions and make it even harder to stay focused.
Not all mind wandering is bad. Some drifting thoughts can lead to creative ideas and make us happier. But circling back to regrets and worries leave us feeling rotten and all of us have times when we need to keep our mind on what we’re doing.
MPR News host Angela Davis talks with two cognitive psychologists about mind wandering and how to reclaim our focus when we need it.
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Amishi P. Jha is a professor of psychology and director of contemplative neuroscience at the University of Miami and author of “Peak Mind: Find Your Focus, Own Your Attention, Invest 12 Minutes a Day.”
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Caitlin Mills is an assistant professor in t…
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Jul 26, 2022
The power of Black male educators
Do you remember a teacher who really made a difference in your life as a child? A teacher who really saw you and encouraged you?
Minnesota schools have a persistent opportunity gap, with Native American children, Black children and other children of color less likely to graduate high school than their white peers.
Research has shown that having teachers and school staff of color can help students of color succeed. But nationally only seven percent of teachers are Black, and only two percent are Black men.
American Public Media special correspondent Lee Hawkins spoke about identity, curriculum, recruitment and more with four Black men who are educators.
Guests:
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Michael Walker, the Director of Black student achievement for Minneapolis Public Schools
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Michael Thomas, superintendent of Prior Lake-Savage Area Schools
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Eric Robinson, a retired teacher
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Derek Francis, Executive Director of Equity and School Climate for Minneapolis Public Schools. He previously managed th…
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Jul 25, 2022
Tackling medical debt
Many people are just one medical emergency away from a financial crisis.
A hundred million Americans live with medical debt, or about 41 percent of adults, according to a survey by Kaiser Family Foundation.
To pay off medical bills, many people have taken on other debt, including credit cards, personal bank loans, or loans from family and friends. Medical debt creates stress and prevents people from renting homes and buying cars. It makes people less likely to seek the medical care they need. It contributes to bankruptcy.
The number of Minnesotans with medical debt is low compared to other parts of the country, mostly due to state health insurance programs for people with low incomes. About two percent of Minnesota households have medical debt in collections compared to a national average of 13 percent. But that rate is double in communities of color.
MPR News host Angela Davis spoke about tackling medical debt with a financial counselor, an elder law attorney and the leader of a n…
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Jul 21, 2022
Great books for summer reading
Reading a good book is a way to step into another world, if only for a couple chapters.
We read to escape daily routines and stress, to explore other people’s experiences and to better understand our own.
Many of us found more time to read during the pandemic. Sales of print books in 2021 were up almost nine percent.
MPR News Host Angela Davis spoke to booksellers and listeners about what we’re reading for pleasure as we hit the middle of summer.
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Pamela Klinger Horn is the event coordinator for Valley Booksellers in Stillwater and founder of Literature Lovers Night Out, a series that brings local and national authors to independent bookstores in Minnesota.
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Anthony Ceballos is a bookseller and events coordinator at Birchbark Books & Native Arts in Minneapolis. He is also a writer and performance poet.
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Mary Taris is the founder of Strive Publishing and the new Strive Bookstore in Minneapolis, which focus on Black authors in Minnesota.
Book recommendations…
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Jul 19, 2022
Cool dishes for hot weather
Summertime can be one of the most creative seasons for home cooks, with fresh local produce spilling out of backyard gardens and farmers’ markets.
But the hot summer months pose their own challenges. Schedules are thrown off with kids out of school for summer break. No one wants to spend a lot of time in a sweltering kitchen and some of us are just plain tired of cooking. This year, families are also dealing with the skyrocketing prices of food in the grocery store.
MPR News Host Angela Davis talks with two food writers about finding inspiration for summer cooking at home.
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Melissa Clark is a staff reporter for the New York Times Food section, where she writes the popular column “A Good Appetite” and appears in a weekly cooking video series. She's also the author of several cookbooks.
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Amalia Moreno-Damgaard is a chef and entrepreneur in the Twin Cities. She is author of “Amalia’s Mesoamerican Table” and “Amalia’s Guatemalan Kitchen.” She is also p…
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Jul 18, 2022
How to stretch your money when things cost more
Inflation hit a new high last month of over nine percent.
Grocery bills are 12 percent higher than a year ago. Gas prices dropped a bit last month, but Minnesotans are still paying about $4.50 per gallon, about $1.50 more per gallon than last summer. New car prices are also up 11 percent over 2021.
The Federal Reserve has stepped in to slow inflation by raising interest rates, but some experts worry that may lead to higher unemployment and a recession.
MPR News host Angela Davis spoke with three financial experts about the uncertain economy and how to stretch your dollars so you can be ready for what may come next.
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Henry Rucker is the financial coaching and homeownership manager at Project for Pride in Living in Minneapolis, which helps people with lower incomes prepare for better paying jobs and qualify to buy a home.
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Chris Farrell is senior economics contributor at Minnesota Public Radio and APM’s Marketplace. He's also co-host of the podcast, small change: M…
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Jul 14, 2022
In our third pandemic summer, blockbusters are back
After two years of pandemic uncertainty, movie goers have returned to theaters. Blockbusters like “Top Gun: Maverick” and “Jurassic World Dominion” have done well at the box office, and raked in millions.
MPR News host Angela Davis spoke with two movie critics about their favorite summer movies, the state of movie theaters and their recommendations on what to watch. Plus, she talked with MPR Cube Critics Aron Woldeslassie and Samantha Matsumoto.
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Ruth Maramis is a film critic for the blog FlixChatter. She is based in the Twin Cities.
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Alissa Wilkinson is a film critic and senior culture reporter at Vox.
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Aron Woldeslassie is an associate producer at MPR News, and co-host of the MPR Cube Critics.
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Samantha Matsumoto is an associate producer at MPR News, and co-host of the MPR Cube Critics.
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Jul 12, 2022
Ask us anything about Minnesota's new THC edibles law
As of July 1, 2022, edibles containing small amounts of hemp-derived THC are legal in Minnesota.
Under the law, Minnesotans can buy food and beverages that contain up to 5 milligrams of THC per serving, with a limit of 50 milligrams per package. THC is the psychoactive compound that delivers the “high” associated with marijuana. This is the biggest step Minnesota has taken towards legalizing recreational marijuana.
MPR News host Angela Davis spoke with two lawyers who specialize in cannabis law about Minnesota’s new law, how it compares to cannabis laws in other states and what all this means for Minnesotans.
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Jay Wexler is a professor of law at Boston University. He is the author of the forthcoming book, “Weed Rules: Blazing the Way to a Just and Joyous Marijuana Policy.”
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Jason Tarasek is an attorney, the founder of the Minnesota Cannabis Law firm and a board member of the Minnesota Cannabis Association.
Below are highlights from the discussion. Quotes…
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Jul 11, 2022
The successes and challenges of rebuilding on Minneapolis’ Lake Street
Two years ago, important business corridors in the Twin Cities were damaged by civil unrest that followed the police killing of George Floyd — most notably, Lake Street in Minneapolis.
Many of these businesses were owned by immigrants and people of color. Some of them were completely burned to the ground.
Today, many businesses have reopened, and Lake Street is on its way to recovery from the damage and the setbacks from the COVID-19 pandemic.
MPR News host Angela Davis spoke with nonprofit leaders and business owners about the efforts to rebuild and revitalize businesses on Lake Street.
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Allison Sharkey is the executive director of Lake Street Council.
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David Nicholson is the Vibrant and Equitable Communities program director at the McKnight Foundation.
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Jul 7, 2022
Summer is a great time for birdwatching in Minnesota
Many people got into birdwatching during the COVID-19 lockdown. For some, it was a way to spend time outdoors in nature. For others, it was simply a way to slow down and notice what was happening outside the window.
And, once people started paying attention to birds, many never stopped.
Here in Minnesota, summer is a great time to keep an eye out for nests and baby birds. This week also is the start of the fall migration. That’s right, some shorebirds are already starting their flight south.
MPR News host Angela Davis spoke with Sharon Stiteler, also known as the “Birdchick," about what the birds are up, where to spot them and small things everyone can do to protect them.
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Sharon Stiteler, also known as the “Birdchick," fell in love with birds at age 7 when someone gave her a Peterson Field Guide to Birds. She’s now an avid bird watcher and author of several books, including “North American Bird Watching for Beginners: Field Notes on 150 Species to Start Your…
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Jul 6, 2022
Dealing with the 'decide for yourself' phase of the pandemic
When it comes to guidance on the COVID-19 pandemic, you may feel like you are on your own.
Mask mandates have been lifted. There’s little guidance from our elected leaders and public officials. And it’s hard to even get an idea of the spread of the virus, because states are reporting infection data less frequently.
MPR News host Angela Davis spoke with The Atlantic magazine’s science writer Ed Yong about what he describes as the “figure it out for yourself” phase of the pandemic. We also heard from a community group in Minneapolis that is working to fill the gaps in information and aid.
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Ed Yong is a staff writer at The Atlantic where he covers science and the pandemic.
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Elizabeth Wrigley-Field is an assistant professor of sociology at the University of Minnesota. She is also a member of Seward Vaccine Equity Project.
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Inari Mohammed is an epidemiology doctoral student at the University of Minnesota. She is also a member of Seward Vaccine Equity Projec…
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Jul 1, 2022
Soccer star Briana Scurry’s 'greatest save' was herself
There are many Minnesotans who have left home and gone on to become famous. And when we think about the athletes on that list, one name definitely comes to mind.
Briana Scurry is considered one the best women’s soccer players to ever play the game. She is a two-time Olympic gold medalist who graduated from Anoka High School. She has broken barriers as a Black woman and as an openly gay athlete.
And now she has written a book, “My Greatest Save,” that tells her story.
Briana Scurry joined MPR News host Angela Davis to share stories about growing up in Minnesota, rising to the top as a professional soccer player, and then watching her life fall apart after a head injury ended her soccer career.
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Briana Scurry is a women’s soccer player and a two-time Olympic gold medalist who graduated from Anoka High School.
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Jun 30, 2022
In Focus: How housing can shrink the racial wealth gap
Income inequality is deepening in America. Economic gains in recent decades have been unevenly dispersed, with the vast majority of the wealth going to those already on top. Part of that discrepancy is rooted in the inability to buy property.
Owning your own home is a key part of building wealth in the U.S., thanks to federal tax policy. But for many people of color, the door to home ownership has long been closed. In fact, Minnesota has one of the largest racial homeownership gaps in the country. Why is this, and what can be done to narrow the gap and set families of color on the road to solid housing and wealth creation?
Listen to this recorded In Focus event as MPR News host Angela Davis leads a discussion about the racial wealth gap in Minnesota with panelists from across the state.
Guests:
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Kim Smith-Moore is the senior director of homeownership programs at MN Homeownership Center.
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LeAnn Littlewolf is the co-executive director of the American Indian Community Housing…
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Jun 29, 2022
Activist Robin Marty on her 'Handbook for a Post-Roe America'
Now that the right to an abortion has been overturned, America enters a new phase. Some states, like Minnesota, will continue to offer abortion care. Many others will prevent all access. Some will even criminalize anyone who helps a pregnant person get an abortion in a state that makes it legal.
Writer and activist Robin Marty saw this day coming — but she admits she didn’t think it would happen so quickly. In 2019, she wrote “Handbook for a Post-Roe America,” as she watched laws severely restricting abortion sweep many regions of the country. This spring, she released an updated version. And now, with the Supreme Court overturning Roe, it’s become a handbook for women reeling from the decision and wondering what to do next.
Wednesday, on a special edition of Big Books and Bold Ideas, host Kerri Miller spoke with Marty, who recently moved from Minnesota to Alabama to become the operations director for the West Alabama’s Women’s Center. They discussed her book, what she…
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Jun 28, 2022
Chef Gavin Kaysen on his new restaurant and fine dining in the Twin Cities
One of the most hotly anticipated new restaurants in Minneapolis opened earlier this month. Mara, a posh Mediterranean eatery, is the latest creation from chef Gavin Kaysen.
Kaysen, who is also the owner and chef at Spoon and Stable and Demi, grew up in Minnesota. He has won James Beard awards, cooked at restaurants around the world, and competed on cooking shows like “Iron Chef.”
MPR News host Angela Davis talks with Kaysen about why he still believes in downtown Minneapolis, the importance of hospitality, his role with the new Iron Chef season and balancing family and work.
Guest:
Gavin Kaysen is an award-winning chef. He is the owner and chef of the Minneapolis restaurants Mara, Spoon and Stable and Demi.
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Jun 27, 2022
The future of abortion access in Minnesota
Roe v. Wade is one of the very few U.S. Supreme Court cases that many ordinary people know by name. The landmark 1973 decision made abortion legal in America. Now, a majority of the current court says that ruling was “egregiously wrong,” opening the way for states to restrict abortion or ban it entirely.
Abortion is still legal under current Minnesota law. Could that change? And what does the decision mean for other states and the country as a whole?
MPR News host Angela Davis talks with two law professors about abortion rights and access in a post-Roe world and other implication’s of last week’s ruling on Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization.
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Laura Hermer is a law professor at Mitchell Hamline School of Law in St. Paul and the author of the article, “Covid-19, Abortion, and Public Health in the Culture Wars.”
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Jill Hasday is a professor of constitutional law, family law and legal history at the University of Minnesota Law School and the author…
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Jun 24, 2022
Staycations in Minnesota
Everyone needs a break from their routines and daily stress. But for many people, a big summer vacation away isn’t affordable or even desirable.
The idea of a “staycation” became popular during the Great Recession of 2008. It returned during the COVID pandemic as people reluctant or unable to travel rediscovered their neighborhoods and nearby tourist attractions. As we head into summer, inflation and lingering COVID concerns are making nearby vacations appealing again.
MPR News host Angela Davis talks with two travel writers about finding Minnesota’s hidden vacation spots and low-cost ways to find rest and renewal close to home.
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Lisa Meyers McClintick is a travel writer and photographer based in St. Cloud and author of the guidebook “Day Trips from the Twin Cities.”
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Lizanne Dooner is a travel writer and blogger and creator of the blog Lizanne Lately.
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Jun 23, 2022
Gary Hines looks back at five decades with Sounds of Blackness
It’s not an exaggeration to call Minneapolis musician Gary Hines legendary.
Hines is the music director and producer for the three-time Grammy Award-winning musical group Sounds of Blackness. He has been a fixture in the Twin Cities music scene for more than 50 years.
He’s performed with Sounds of Blackness in cities across the world. He’s worked with artists ranging from Aretha Franklin to Dolly Parton. And he teaches across the country and internationally about the history, impact and evolution of African-American music and culture.
MPR News host Angela Davis spoke with Hines about his career, Sounds of Blackness and what he is working on now.
Guest:
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Gary Hines is the music director and producer of the Grammy Award-Winning Sounds of Blackness.
Subscribe to the MPR News with Angela Davis podcast on: Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify or RSS.
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Jun 22, 2022
Skin care and skin protection in summer
Summertime means sunshine. But all that sun isn’t necessarily good for our skin.
Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer and case rates are rising. The American Cancer Society estimates that almost 100,000 new melanoma cases, the most serious and third most common type of skin cancer, will be diagnosed this year. Minnesota has one of the highest rates of melanoma in the country.
But skin cancer is usually preventable. Protecting skin from the sun and avoiding the cell damage caused by tanning and sunburn can mean a much lower risk of cancer decades later.
MPR News host Angela Davis spoke with two dermatologists about skin cancer rates, who is most at risk, common ways we misuse sunscreen and how to keep your skin healthy.
Guests
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Dr. Ingrid Polcari is a pediatrician and dermatologist and an associate professor at the University of Minnesota Medical School.
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Dr. Dawn Davis is a pediatrician and dermatologist and a professor at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester.
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Jun 21, 2022
More women of color are starting businesses
The number of businesses started by women of color is on the rise, despite deeply entrenched barriers to success.
MPR News with Angela Davis shares the stories of several women of color entrepreneurs in a special broadcast of the podcast “small change: Money Stories from the Neighborhood.” Podcast co-hosts Chris Farrell and Twila Dang talk with the founders of four Minnesota small businesses about solving problems, leaving a legacy, building wealth and the importance of their businesses to their communities.
“small change” highlights smart, practical, and collaborative money skills developed by people living with lower and unstable incomes.
Guests:
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Sabrina Jones is the founder of SJC Body Love Products in the Twin Cities.
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Esperanza Lopez and her daughter Stephanie Lopez are the founders of Spurs Bar & Grill in Willmar.
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Denise Paradas, sister Tracey Dagen and daughters Dani Pieratos and Nikki Pieratos are members of the Bois Forte Band of Chippewa and founders…
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Jun 17, 2022
Meet the team behind The Current's Carbon Sound
Is there a song that you just love? Do you have a favorite jam? Or are you a fan of a certain genre of music and will listen to anything that falls in line with it?
MPR News host Angela Davis introduced us to the team at The Current behind Carbon Sound, the new music stream available online and via mobile app dedicated to celebrating Black musical expression from hip-hop and R&B to Afrobeats, funk and electronica.
Carbon Sound launched on Thursday and is a collaboration between The Current and KMOJ/The Ice. The project is funded by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. Other stations launching as part of CPB’s initiative include Radio Milwaukee and WJSU-FM in Jackson, Mississippi.
Guests:
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Julian Green is the content director of Carbon Sound. He previously served as program director at Radio K at the University of Minnesota and founded their online hip-hop stream The Vanguard.
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Sanni Brown is the host of Carbon Sound. She also hosts The Message, The Current’s hip-hop…
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Jun 14, 2022
How have your fathers and father figures shaped you?
As Father’s Day approaches, you may be reflecting on your relationship with your father or father figure.
MPR News host Angela Davis talks with a St. Paul poet and author who has written about fatherhood, and a Twin Cities performer who has served as a mentor and father figure to young artists.
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Michael Kleber-Diggs is a poet, essayist and literary critic in St. Paul. He is the author of the poetry collection “Worldly Things.”
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T. Mychael Rambo is an actor, vocalist, educator and community organizer based in the Twin Cities.
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Jun 9, 2022
Past and current Bush fellows reflect on changes needed to foster care in Minnesota
Minnesotans who have experience with the child welfare system understand the unique challenges children and families face. They also know that the system designed to help isn’t perfect.
Take foster care. While it sometimes leads to better outcomes for at-risk children, we also know it has a disproportionate impact on some communities. Native American children, Black children and multi-racial children in Minnesota were significantly more likely to be in foster care than white children.
MPR News host Angela Davis talks with two Bush fellows who have dedicated their careers to addressing problems within Minnesota’s child welfare and foster care systems. With more than 13,000 children in Minnesota placed in foster care in 2020, these two leaders are working toward a world that no longer needs foster care.
Guests:
Hoang Murphy is the founder and executive director of Foster Advocates. He is a 2022 Bush Fellow.
Amelia Franck Meyer is the founder and CEO of the national non-profit Al…
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Jun 8, 2022
Chronic stress is burning out more parents
The pandemic stretched many parents to their limits. Two-thirds of working parents are showing signs of exhaustion and chronic stress, according to a report released in May from researchers at Ohio State University.
In fact, most parents are so stressed juggling demands of work and home that they meet the criteria of burnout, a term usually reserved for people experiencing unrelenting stress in the workplace.
The loss of regular schooling and support systems over the last two years took a toll. Many parents are still feeling overwhelmed and isolated. It can show up as increased irritability, emotional detachment or simply feeling like you have nothing more to give.
MPR News host Angela Davis talks with two mental health providers who work with parents about burnout and how to cope.
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Jenny Britton is licensed independent clinical social worker and director of children and family services at Washburn Center for Children where she works with parents and caregivers.
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K…
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