The Kathryn Zox Show

Marcia Chatelain shines a spotlight on thirteen extraordinary Black women artists and activists whose contributions to the 1963 March on Washington have long been overlooked. While history remembers the powerful speeches, iconic figures, and Martin Luther King Jr.'s dream of equality, the women who helped organize the March, performed on its grand stage, and were honored for their courageous fight for freedom remain largely invisible. She brings their compelling stories to life, revealing the voices, untold struggles, and bold strategies that shaped the Civil Rights Movement and continue to resonate in today's culture wars. As America celebrates its 250th anniversary, her work offers a timely, thought-provoking perspective on the women behind a defining moment in history. A professor of African Studies at the University of Pennsylvania, Chatelain challenges us to rethink whose stories are told—and whose legacies deserve recognition.

Overdose deaths fell nearly 21% last year, and October marks National Substance Abuse Prevention Month but award-winning author and licensed psychotherapist Lynne Hugo says the numbers don't capture what's actually happening inside families still living with addiction. Her new novel follows 4 women whose lives fracture around a young couple's slide into opioid addiction. As warning signs are ignored and truths obscured, quiet unease escalates into tragedy. When one death is ruled an accident — and another follows — those left behind must confront not only what happened, but what they failed to see, and decide whether they can trust one another enough to rebuild. Hugo holds degrees in English and Psychology from Connecticut College and a graduate degree in Clinical Counseling from Miami University.

Should you tip for takeout? Should you let someone cut in line? And if you're worried a politician you dislike will win, should you bet on them—and profit if they do? Ward Farnsworth and Saul Levmore explore these everyday dilemmas with humor, curiosity, and a healthy dose of logic. Their point isn't necessarily to give you the "right" answer, but to show that how you think through a problem matters just as much as the conclusion.Drawing on economics, law, philosophy, and sports, they introduce ideas like Bayesian analysis, optimal stopping, and zero-sum games in surprisingly relatable ways.It's a fascinating look at the hidden logic behind ordinary decisions—and a reminder that everyday life gets much more interesting when you stop taking things for granted. Farnsworth is Professor and W. Page Keeton Chair at the University of Texas School of Law.

AI can offer career advice in seconds, but should technology have a say in decisions that can shape an entire life? Charisse Lillie explores where AI-assisted guidance ends and human judgment begins—and why trusted mentors, meaningful relationships, and experienced advisors still matter. Drawing on her new book, Upon a Turning Stage, Lillie shares lessons from a remarkable five-decade career spanning civil rights law, government, corporate leadership, philanthropy, the Federal Reserve, and major corporate boards. Her journey—from growing up in segregated Houston to becoming Philadelphia City Solicitor, a senior Comcast executive, and Chair of the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia—offers a unique perspective on how careers and leaders are built.

After her mother's death, theater director Gwen Rivlin is determined to keep the large, shabby turreted house where they grew up. But the cost, suburban setting, single-family zoning laws, and skeptical neighbors all seem determined to drive her out. Seeking both a way forward for the changing community and an escape from her grief, Gwen stages Chekhov's The Cherry Orchard inside her home—a play about a family fighting to save its own estate. She casts friends, coffee-shop coworkers, and local residents, transforming the house into a temporary theater and gathering place. As the production unfolds, Gwen begins repairing old relationships, confronting her complicated feelings about her mother, and discovering a new sense of belonging. Through art, community, and loss, she ultimately creates an unconventional family of her own. Rachel Pastan is the author of the acclaimed novels Alena, a NY Times Book Review "Editors' Choice" and has taught at Bennington, Swarthmore, Temple and Drexel Universities.

Empathy is facing a growing public backlash. Elon Musk has called it "the fundamental weakness of Western civilization," while evangelical bestsellers such as Toxic Empathy and The Sin of Empathy portray compassion as a liability. In the manosphere, empathy is often dismissed as weakness. Conflict mediator Doug Noll acknowledges that empathy without boundaries can be harmful: "Drowning in 'bleeding-heart, 'feel-everything' empathy is a liability." But he argues the answer isn't to harden our hearts. Instead, empathy should be treated as a disciplined, trainable skill that respects everyone's boundaries and dignity. Affect labeling—recognizing and naming another person's emotion—can help calm the nervous system in about 90 seconds. Noll is a Distinguished Fellow of the International Academy of Mediators, co-founder of Prison of Peace, and adjunct professor at Pepperdine University's Strauss Institute for Dispute Resolution.

Blending personal experience, research, and practical guidance, Katie Rose Pryal PhD shares her journey as a neurodivergent mother raising neurodivergent children. Her work offers an empathetic and empowering perspective on parenting in a world that often overlooks the needs of neurodivergent families. She explores the unique challenges these families face while celebrating the strengths, resilience, and individuality of both neurodivergent children and their parents. She also provides thoughtful guidance on medication, addressing societal stigma and encouraging informed, personalized decisions. She helps parents navigate educational systems and advocate for their children's rights, including accessing accommodations through IEPs and 504 plans. Her writing combines advocacy, compassion, and practical strategies to help families feel understood and supported. Her work has appeared in Catapult, Psychology Today, Slate, NPR, and many other publications.

On the eve of his 60th birthday, small-town mechanic Rusty Wilson takes a bullet while saving patrons in a Colorado diner, only to awaken in a mysterious realm between life and death. There, he discovers that his story is not over. Reflecting on a life shaped by disappointment, grief, and painful family estrangements, Rusty is given the chance to explore the paths he never took. Guided by people from his past and present, he experiences an alternate reality, including what might have happened if he had pursued the woman he secretly loved. He also uncovers a family secret that changed everything. Now Rusty must decide whether to accept the imperfect life he lived or embrace the possibilities of what might have been. Melissa Payne is a bestselling author of six novels and holds a BA in Political Science and an MPA from Ohio University.

Most people have heard how artificial intelligence is transforming the way we work, shop, and communicate. But could AI also help families navigate complicated legal challenges following a serious injury or medical tragedy? David Roddenberry, co-founder of Mama Bear Law, explores this question and introduces "Mama," an AI-powered legal assistant designed to help families find information and guidance more quickly during difficult times. He brings an impressive academic and legal background to this work. He graduated summa cum laude from Harvard College with a degree in cognitive neuroscience before earning his law degree from Harvard Law School. Through Mama Bear Law, he is exploring how emerging technology can make legal resources more accessible and help families better understand their options when they are facing some of life's most challenging circumstances.

Parents often worry about the messages children receive from classmates, social media, and the world around them. However, physician and author Dr. Tiffanie Tate believes one of the most powerful voices children will ever hear is the voice they develop within themselves. Her children's picture book, Perfectly Perfect, gives parents, caregivers, and educators a meaningful way to start important conversations through an age-appropriate story about friendship, bullying, apologies, self-image, and the lasting impact of words. The book encourages children to understand the power of choosing words that heal rather than hurt. Originally from Compton, California, Dr. Tate is a retired OB/GYN and an active community volunteer. She also served as a medical officer in the U.S. Navy during the Global War on Terror.