A generation of Americans with autism say that acceptance and support are what they need and not cures. Then, an immigrant who built a multi-million-dollar company out of her basement shares her story. Also, on today's show: a virtual reality theater makes it possible for performers and audiences to connect even when they are far apart; Southern diets get an unfairly bad rap for being unhealthy.

Top of Mind with Julie Rose

Autism Self-Advocates, Immigrant Entrepreneur, Future Stages

The tug of war between consumption and economic recession. Then, what’s happening to the outdoorsy towns that are being flooded by young people working remotely by day and recreating outdoors after hours? And, a classic game becomes the favorite of a whole new generation. Also, on today’s show: what people who spent 40 days underground learned about the passage of time; the answers to why women haven’t evolved larger pelvic bones so that babies could be born more easily.

Stop Shopping, Zoom Towns, The Oregon Trail

Smart, informative, unflinching conversations that go beyond mere headlines and soundbites. Weekdays at 4pm ET/1pm PT.

FDA Vaping Rules, Ocean Worlds, Digital Birds

First on Top of Mind, what journalism has to do with democracy and peace. Then, how zombie story origins have evolved from black magic to viruses. And, for some people, audiobooks are more than just entertaining; they’re life-changing. Next, how smartwatches could help prevent the next pandemic. Also, why people who are anxious about or tend to avoid relationships often end up more attached to fictional TV characters instead. Finally, the number of kids experiencing serious depression and anxiety has been increasing. We’ll meet a therapist who’s designed a card game to teach coping techniques.

Press Freedom, Zombies, Audiobook Narrator

A woman who survived the Bosnian genocide shares her story. Lots of us love bees, but we should love wasps too! Compared to democratically elected leaders, dictators have a certain “look” that’s easy to pick up on. Also, on today’s show: the strange, darkly colored fish that live at the bottom of the sea; the modern benefits of the ancient practice of fish farming; the awkwardness inherent to conversations.

Surviving Genocide, Love the Wasp, Dictator Faces

Why Facebook is having, what some are calling, a “Big Tobacco” moment. Then, a 3D printer that prints food and cooks it with lasers as it prints. And, an astronaut shares the lessons she learned while up in space. Also, on today’s show: some potential reasons why over four million Americans quit their jobs in August; animals are evolving rapidly to keep up with the demands of climate change.

Congress and Facebook, Printed Food, Earthrise

Is China on the verge of war with Taiwan? Then, what happens when you let anyone – be that people living on the street or with a serious addiction – create and record music for free. And, a cartoon book that tries to demystify the US healthcare system. Also, on today's show: a social studies course for 9th graders that boosted their school success for the rest of high school; a walking path that traces the “origin story” of the Middle East; why so many species have been declared extinct. (Military News Agency via AP)

China & Taiwan, Musical Intervention, Healthcare Cartoon

What you need to know about the new pill for treating COVID-19. Then, how conservatives seem to be finding their voice in late-night TV and political satire comedy. And, a voice actress pranks scam callers with impressive impersonations. Also, on today's show: Pop It! toys are suddenly popping up everywhere; why product placement is exploding on streaming shows, and whether it works; why men are at higher risk for suicide than are women.

COVID-19 Pill, Conservative Comedy, Scambaiting

Europe and Asia are facing a critical shortage of natural gas—why isn’t the US? Then, restaurants are so desperate for workers that some are making a radical change in how they pay their workers. And, a Nobel Peace Prize winner talks about how Facebook threatens democracy. Also, on today's show: the little helicopter-seedpods we played with as kids inspired engineers to create a microchip that floats in the same way; climate change and social media are making things worse for cheetahs; the pandemic has got a lot of people falling out of love with their job.

Natural Gas, Staffing Restaurants, Nobel Prize Winner

Why are the rich and powerful of the world stashing their money in South Dakota? Then, people who witness sexual harassment don’t often report it. And, celebrating babies born on planes. Also, on today’s show: humans live twice as long as they did just 100 years ago; why the lautenwerck, a once-popular instrument, faded out of use and memory.

South Dakota Trusts, Workplace Harassment, Airplane Babies

The US Supreme Court is tackling some of the most divisive issues in American politics right now. Then, TikTok is speeding up trendy slang words. And, many Americans stand firm in the belief that they have the right to choose their medical treatment—but the Constitution doesn’t guarantee that right. Also, on today’s show: pretty, white, young women who go missing tend to attract more attention from the media; how something mundane ends up unused in the closet for months and months while you wait for just the right moment to use it. (Erin Schaff/The New York Times via AP, Pool, File)

Supreme Court, TikTok Speak, Medical Choice

How did the US military mistake an Afghan aid worker for a terrorist in a deadly drone strike? Then, meet the chef who helped cook up the world’s most expensive French fries—they’ll set you back $200. And, why Facebook is in such hot water right now with Congress. Also, on today's show: why China might want to build a spaceship that’s half-mile long; mythological stories about the change of seasons; a 96-year old woman German woman faces murder charges in regards to a Nazi concentration camp.

Bad Drone Strike, $200 Fries, Facebook

President Biden says America’s mistake in Afghanistan was trying to “nation-build - what does that mean? Then, the pipeline that brings stuff from Asia into US stores is seriously clogged. And, why menopause is so poorly understood and hardly ever discussed openly. Also, on today’s show: large-scale kelp farms could address the carbon problem in the atmosphere; climate change in Alaska transforms native Alaskan communities; why schools are a top target for ransomware hackers. (AP Photo/Bernat Armangue)

Nation Building, Supply Chain Problems, Perimenopause

A woman shares her progression from poverty to the presidency of a major university. Then, why privacy advocates are so worried about Apple’s plan to look for child pornography in the photos on people’s iPhones. And, it’s become more common in America for people to cut off ties with a family member. Also, on today’s show: zoos and art are vital to making people care about wildlife conservation; everyone needs a hug; most people understand certain sounds, even if they speak different languages or whether they can read or write.

Power of Education, Photo Scanning, Familial Estrangement

Depression and anxiety are increasing among us, and a large percentage of people get no lasting relief from standard treatment, either medication or therapy. What if the answer is in our brains? Psychologist Lisa Miller has come to believe that spirituality is the brain’s natural shield against depression and anxiety, and she’s got the scientific evidence to back that up. Miller is a professor of clinical psychology at Columbia University and director of the Spirituality Mind Body Institute at Columbia Teachers College. Her new book is “The Awakened Brain: The New Science of Spirituality and Our Quest for an Inspired Life.”

Science of Spirituality

Smart, informative, unflinching conversations that go beyond mere headlines and sound bites. Weekdays at 4p eastern/1p Pacific.

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Top of Mind with Julie Rose

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