Real Mississippi

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. 

In the "Real Mississippi" podcast, Kyle Lin and Sam Smith dive into whether sugar-free products are healthier or not. They discuss how studies show that artificial sweeteners can raise the risk of heart problems and strokes, especially when people overdo it. They further mention that sugar-free products cost more and that big companies have used marketing and social media to make them seem healthier than they are. In the end, Kyle and Sam remind listeners that, just like with regular sugar, moderation is the real key to staying healthy. 

 The Canton Public School District has, in the past, received low accountability ratings from the Mississippi Department of Education. However, within the past few years, the district has been seeing improvements within its accountability ratings. Canton High School finally achieved a "B" accountability rating. Other schools in the district have seen similar improvements in their ratings within the past decade. This podcast explores opinions on what is aiding the district's academic rise. 

As one of the lowest ranked states in America, Mississippi is having a generational struggle with a “brain drain”, a phenomenon in which the state’s homegrown educated students leave to find better opportunities elsewhere. In “Plugging the Drain”, MSMS-student Ashton Spence focuses on what is causing this brain drain in Mississippi, what the brain drain is doing to the state, and how its citizens can help reverse the crisis with inputs and interviews from various Mississippi residents and entrepreneurs. By the end, listeners get a better sense of the brain drain issue in Mississippi and its possible solutions.

High school football is deeply rooted in Mississippi culture, which puts immense pressure on coaches and players to succeed. This pressure sometimes leads to dangerous training conditions, especially in extreme heat, where athletes are pushed beyond safe limits. The culture of toughness discourages players from speaking up about exhaustion or illness, increasing the risk of heat-related injuries and fatalities. This podcast emphasizes the need for better safety measures, such as more hydration breaks, adjusting practice times, and ensuring coaches are properly trained to prevent unnecessary harm to young athletes.