Law And Culture

The studies are now public, and the results are concerning. The so-called "protectiveness" of synthetic braided hairstyles is more risky than protective. Recent research reveals that synthetic hair is not only harmful to the environment (as it ends up in landfills), but it may also be harmful to both the braider and the wearer.

In this week's episode, we explore the intersection of culture and law in the beauty industry and how it is causing potential harm. From unsuspecting clients wearing synthetic braids to stylists exposed to braiding hair daily, the risks are real. In this week's episode, we explore the intersection of culture and law in the beauty industry, and how it is causing potential harm. From unsuspecting clients wearing synthetic braids to stylists exposed to braiding hair daily, the risks are real.

In today's episode, we revisit the reverse discrimination case of Ames v. Ohio Youth Services by listening to excerpts from the oral arguments presented before the U.S. Supreme Court. Hearing the attorneys' advocacy firsthand offers a more human and nuanced perspective on the legal analysis.

This episode originally aired December of 2024. Join us this week on Law and Culture for a look back and Christel's own journey and it's broader impact on how we view citizenship!

In today's episode, I address questions I often get about being born in Germany, being an American citizen, and then becoming a citizen of Barbados during the pandemic. I also share why I chose to become a citizen of Barbados. I hope this episode will help you explore your own citizenship questions.

This is a Re-Air of a Law and Culture classic!

Today's podcast will feature five new and different human resources legal questions and how I might answer them. If you have a quirky, funny, or otherwise interesting HR/legal question you want to ask, please submit it to [email protected].

In this episode, my friend Sandy Forster and I discuss the "French Paradox." How is it possible that many French people enjoy delectable sweets, rich, savory, creamy sauces, satisfying cheeses, and good wine, yet maintain relatively low rates of high blood pressure, elevated glucose, and high cholesterol? Join the conversation.

This week, I read an excerpt from the memoir of Melba Pattillo Beals, the Congressional Gold Medal recipient who chronicled her experience as one of the "Little Rock Nine" integrating Central High School in 1957. The passage comes from her powerful book, Warriors Don't Cry, which offers a firsthand account of the courage and resilience she and her peers demonstrated. Their story serves as a poignant reminder of the young activists who boldly challenged the nation to uphold the Brown v. Board of Education Supreme Court ruling declaring that "separate but equal" is inherently unequal.

In Mahmoud v. Taylor, the U.S. Supreme Court recently heard oral arguments on whether students can opt out of classes that include books with LGBTQ+ themes. In this week's episode, I walk through the facts of the Mahmoud case and analyze them in light of past Supreme Court rulings on public school education and constitutional protections.

In this episode, I'm joined by Sandy Foster as we dive into the Netflix documentary Bad Influence: The Dark Side of Kidfluencing. Together, we explore what would drive a mother to transform her pre-teen daughter into a YouTube sensation—and the disturbing consequences that followed. From cruel pranks to criminal investigations and civil lawsuits, the film raises urgent questions about exploitation in the digital age. Most importantly, it forces us to confront how we might better protect children in an era where "child YouTube stars" have become the new norm.

In this episode, we meet the five winners of the 2025 Anisfield-Wolf Book Awards, the nation's only juried prize focused on books that contribute to our understanding of race and diversity. What sets their works apart? Tune in and decide for yourself.

AI is everywhere! The latest social media trend is to create your own action-adventure hero using ChatGPT. Intrigued, I decided to hop on the AI bandwagon. In today's episode, I take you through my journey of creating a toy-like version of myself. Will you be inspired to do the same? Or does AI feel distant or even threatening?