People’s favorite hangout spots and comfort spaces are fading away right in front of our eyes. While these physical spaces are leaving, a new way to connect with others and have fun is now in the spotlight: video games. This episode talks about how video games can emulate the benefits of these social spaces and could be the face of a new revolutionary way of socializing.

CRISPR-Cas9 is a revolutionary tool for genetic engineering that allows scientists to precisely alter DNA within living organisms. Sickle cell disease is a terrifying problem prevalent in Mississippi. CRISPR-Cas9 can be used to correct the genetic mutation that causes sickle cell disease by editing the patient's stem cells to produce healthy red blood cells. Trial runs using this solution have been performed in Mississippi, and CRISPR has been proven to have the potential to change the medical world.

Throughout the United States, women’s reproductive issues have been significantly controversial since the early 20th century. Mississippi has continuously displayed its complex feelings through deep-rooted restrictions and legal battles. For many years, Mississippi has implemented some of the most restrictive abortion laws in the country, including limited medical care, mandatory waiting periods, and temporary abortion bans. Leading to the overturning of Roe v. Wade through the passing of Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization rooted in Mississippi, longstanding efforts to limit reproductive freedom shaped the nation’s abortion access setting back years of progress. Produced by Annaliese Coughlin and Anna Anderson.

This episode of Real Mississippi follows a conversation between Noah Maksi and Raymond Yang as they explore the true essence of blues music. They take a deep dive into the genre’s history, uncovering the raw emotion and cultural significance behind the music. The discussion traces the blues’ role in the Civil Rights Movement through artists like B.B. King, as well as important places like Clarksdale, Mississippi—a city rich in blues history and a hub for musical tourism. 

Brain Drain — or the migration of college-educated individuals out of an area or state — harms Mississippi’s economy and future growth. To what extent does this phenomenon damage Mississippi? Why does it happen, and more importantly, what can we do to stop it?

Performance art has been in steep decline, leaving our schools without vital outlets for students to express themselves. From choral performances to drama and recitals, learn what we stand to lose if we allow these programs to disappear from our education system 

Divorce affects many children of America, and often the children get pushed to the side as parents argue in court. When divorce strikes a family, it affects all members not just the parents. But many times children get forgotten, and their mental health starts to decline as a result. In Mississippi this problem is made worse by the limited mental healthcare options and availability. So what happens to the children of our state? 

This episode of Real Mississippi is centered on the immigrant population in Mississippi. It touches on the effect on immigrants from Mississippi’s support of Trump’s policies on immigration. Mississippians, through personal accounts on topics ranging from everyday life to the labor force, give their unfiltered perspective on the direction Mississippi is headed. This episode brings current immigration policies, including the involvement of ICE and its effects on families and communities, into the light. 

Dyslexia is a learning disability with far-reaching effects, and it should be taken seriously. Dyslexia can be characterized as having difficulty reading and comprehending text. Being dyslexic often times makes children feel embarrassed, especially when the differences between them and the rest of their peers are made obvious. Private dyslexia therapy can give children their confidence back and improve their self-esteem, except private dyslexia therapy is not accessible in eastern Mississippi, with only one non-profit dyslexia therapy organization having licensed dyslexia therapists. 

This episode of Real Mississippi explores how physical spaces shape our memories, identities, and collective history. Through personal stories and local examples, it shows how spaces can act as vital links to the past. It argues that when we neglect or erase these spaces, we risk losing the history and lessons they represent. Preserving them keeps history honest and memories alive.