US Presidents Weren’t Supposed to Have Cabinets, But They All Do. Here’s Why. (0:33)

Guest: Lindsay M. Chervinsky, Historian, White House Historical Association, Author of “The Cabinet: George Washington and the Creation of an American Institution”

President-elect Joe Biden will have a lot to deal with when he becomes president–tackling the pandemic and restoring the economy. Presidents need advisers they can trust in a crisis. So, perhaps it will surprise you to learn that the US Constitution doesn’t actually provide for a Presidential cabinet. In fact, the idea that a president would consult with a small group of advisers was really upsetting to many of the founding fathers. And yet, every US president since Washington has had one. (Originally aired April 2, 2020).

 

Carl Butz Saves Local Newspaper (36:56)

Carl Butz, retired computer programmer, owner of The Mountain Messenger

Publishing a local newspaper is always a challenge, but for The Mountain Messenger, it’s basically a miracle. It’s the oldest weekly newspaper in California, but in mid-January, the paper was set to fold. Then retired computer programmer Carl Butz decided he couldn’t let that happen, so he stepped in with money he’d been saving to go on vacation and is now the proud owner of a small-town paper in an industry that’s dying nationwide.  (Originally aired February 20, 2020).

 

Nonprofit Teaches Kids to Write and Produce Music in Exchange for Good Grades (52:21)

Guest: Brandon Steppe, Founder and Executive Director at The David’s Harp Foundation

There was a point about 15 years ago when Brandon Steppe set out to become a rapper and music producer. He even built a recording studio in his garage. And then a visit from a neighbor kid, changed everything. Today, Steppe runs a nonprofit called the David’s Harp Foundation in San Diego. He mentors disadvantaged young people and gives them free access to his recording studio. But to earn studio time, kids have to get good grades. (Originally aired November 26, 2019).

 

How Ageism is Defining the Work Experience for All Generations (1:09:31)

Guest: Robert McCann, Professor of Management Communications, Anderson School of Management, University of California Los Angeles

Look around the typical office in America and you’re likely to see a wide range of ages. The oldest Gen Z-ers are now starting out in the workplace. The oldest Millennials are about to turn 40. Gen-Xers are filling out a lot of the management and executive suites alongside Baby Boomers who are delaying retirement in significant numbers. It’s a situation ripe for miscommunication and age-discrimination. (Originally aired December 10, 2019).

 

Learn to Make Sourdough From a Starter and Help Solve a Scientific Mystery (1:26:50)

Guest: Rob Dunn, Professor of Ecology and Evolution, Director, The Public Science Lab, North Carolina State University, Founder, Wild Sourdough Project

The pandemic has spawned a new fascination with bread making. But many would-be-bakers found themselves in a bind–yeast sold out in stores right along with toilet paper and hand sanitizer. So that spawned a sourdough craze that’s still bubbling in some homes. See, you don’t need yeast to make bread rise. You just need flour, water and patience. The Public Science Lab at North Carolina State University is hoping this new excitement for sourdough will help them finally solve the mystery of just how it works. They’re asking people to document their sourdough starters and submit the data to the Wild Sourdough project.(Originally aired April 21, 2020).