Episode NotesToday we’re exploring the foster care system. Now, this system does have noble intentions and the goal is to protect children from abuse, provide temporary homes, and keep kids with their families when possible (and that last poin

Phonics and Youth Literacy

Sep 13th, 2022

Episode NotesWhy are only 34% of fourth-grade public school students performing at a proficient level in reading? This week we're talking with Kareem Weaver, the Co-Founder of FULCRUM - an organization whose goal is to ensure that every child

Life and Politics in Venezuela

May 4th, 2021 1h 28m

Episode NotesThis week, we talked with Gonzalo Veloz about what it was like to grow up in Venezuela, and what he thinks about the state of affairs in the country. Gonzalo came to the US in 2015 as a political asylum seeker, and since there hav

Why are Americans Leaving the Church? (w. Michael Gungor of The Liturgists)

Apr 26th, 2021 1h 9m

Episode NotesIn this Episode Ray and Caitlin talked with Michael Gungor - a Grammy nominated Christian musician and founder of The Liturgists podcast who left the Christian church a few years ago. Recently, U.S. church membership fell below th

Journalism Is Broken (The Fall of the Fourth Estate)

Apr 19th, 2021 1h 16m

Episode NotesThis week, Ray gives a monologue on why journalism is broken and how we're witnessing the fall of the fourth estate. Then, Gretchen joins in to talk about what it means to 'research the news' and why everyone should be digging dee

Transgender Athletes

Apr 12th, 2021 1h 28m

Episode NotesThis week we talked with Jessica Scott about transgender athletes. Jessica is Associate Professor of Gender Studies at West Virginia Wesleyan College. Dr. Scott holds degrees from the University of Illinois and from the University

Disagreeing Without Hate

Apr 10th, 2021 1h 15m

Episode NotesThis week, Ray and Gretchen will talk with Hannah Broadway (Licensed Professional Counselor) about how people can disagree without hating each other. This seems like a lost art sometimes, but we hope to give some perspective on ho

Asian Race Relations

Mar 29th, 2021 1h 24m

Episode NotesThis week we'll be talking with Andrew about some of the issues he's faced as an Asian American, and how he feels about the media coverage regarding the issues.

Prison Reform

Mar 22nd, 2021 1h 10m

Episode NotesIn this episode, we will be talking with Caitlin Werth about prison reform. Caitlin was the director of the HOPE Pre-Release Program at Allegheny County Jail in Pittsburgh, PA. HOPE is an inter-faith, rehabilitative, re-entry prog

Bad Decisions and Repercussions (Andrew Cuomo)

Mar 15th, 2021 1h 19m

Episode NotesThis week, we're talking about how we judge political candidates and public figures. We'll also take a look at how much weight apologies hold, and what forgiveness looks like.

Cancel Culture and Virtue Signaling

Mar 8th, 2021 1h 17m

Episode NotesThis week, we talked with Peace Ike about cancel culture and virtue signaling. (And yes, we do talk very briefly about Mr. Potato Head and Dr. Seuss)

Critical Race Theory

Mar 1st, 2021 1h 13m

Episode NotesWelcome to the relaunch of Research the News! We recorded a discussion with Sidni Standard about what's been happening with Critical Race Theory in colleges, and a few other topics. Ray Abel is hosting, and Gretchen Hurd has come

Identity Politics and Stormy Daniels Reflections

May 28th, 2018 18m 47s

Episode NotesToday we talk about identity politics and how it relates to Gina Haspel / A little about Stormy Daniels / And we end with a dad joke (and of course, a TuPac quote)

The Evolution of Ridiculous News and This Is America

May 10th, 2018 12m 16s

Episode NotesWe talk about how ridiculous news gets passed around and how it begins / A little about Childish Gambino's This is America / Some good news, and a TuPac quote