Preventive medicine means a lot of things, like getting vaccine shots and going to your doctor regularly. It's incredibly important, and that has been crystalized by the COVID-19 pandemic in a couple of key ways. We asked Dr. M. Tonette Krousel-Wood, President of the American College of Preventive Medicine to come on the podcast to talk about the challenges the pandemic brought to the field of preventive medicine and what we've learned over the last two very tough years.

Among the flurry of significant decisions made by the Supreme Court in the final days of its term was a 6-3 ruling in favor of a former Washington state public high school football coach who led his players in prayer. Was this case simply a matter of free speech, or does it signal a potentially deeper shift? Kermit Roosevelt, Professor for the Administration of Justice at the University of Pennsylvania Carey Law School, examines the implications of the Supreme Court's verdict, and how it could make the separation of church and state more muddled. Roosevelt recently published his latest book, The Nation That Never Was.

Amidst a wave of cabinet resignations, Boris Johnson decided to step down himself, bringing to an end his increasingly turbulent second term as Britain's Prime Minister. Dr. Joshua Weikert, an Associate Professor of Politics and Chair of the Department of Civic Engagement at Immaculata University, takes a look at the circumstances that led to Johnson's fall from power. He also explains the differences between the British and American political systems, and how Brexit remains a pervasive factor in U.K. politics.

Despite a recent act of vandalism, Shofuso Japanese House and Garden continues to remain open for discovery and exploration. With its distinct design and many gardens, the Fairmount Park landmark is both a site and experience to behold. It also boasts a compelling origin story. But for as rich as the history is at Shofuso, Associate Director of Organizational Culture Rob Buscher also believes it holds particular relevance in today’s world, serving as symbol of unity among various members of the West Philadelphia community. If you would like to help Shofuso recover from that recent vandalism, click here: https://givebutter.com/e87EVr

Ticket prices are through the roof. Flights are getting cancelled in waves last-minute. Crews seem short-staffed. What the heck is going on in the airline industry, and is there any relief in sight? Dr. Benjamin Altschuler is an Associate Professor at the School of Sport, Tourism and Hospitality Management at Temple University, and takes a look at the factors fueling the current crunch on airline companies, including a concept called "revenge tourism." While his long-term view about the logistics surrounding air travel are optimistic, he wants people to heed his short-term warning: if you're preparing to fly, pack your bags and plenty of patience.

Not only did Cassidy Hutchinson's appearance before the January 6th Select Committee provide compelling theater, it also shed new light on the ways that former President Donald Trump could have helped fuel the attack on the United States Capitol. Ben Berger, Associate Professor of Political Science and Executive Director of the Lang Center for Civic & Social Responsibility at Swarthmore College, gives his take on Hutchinson's credibility as a witness, and the implications of her testimony. He also examines possible charges that Trump might face, and whether the January 6th hearings could ultimately damage his bid for the presidency in 2024.

We're getting hints about GDP numbers from the second quarter, and so far estimates have us looking at the textbook definition of a recession... but is there a silver lining? Are some recessions not like the others? It's the beginning of July -- what can we say about the first half of 2022, good and bad alike? Philadelphia economist David Fiorenza is on the podcast to break down the economic news of the week and what it means for you and me. 

Throughout the country, families and communities are being torn apart by guns. Mass shootings here, a random bullet there.  The violence is so rampant and pervasive, it's hard not to feel numb to the crisis. What responsibility does the media bear to make sure we understand just how devastating the effects of guns are on American life? Dr. Jason Gravel, Assistant Professor of Criminal Justice at Temple University, believes gun violence coverage has improved since mass shootings like Columbine and Sandy Hook, but a lot more progress needs to be made. 

Since monkeypox first appeared in the headlines several weeks ago, the number of people infected has grown. Now, we're seeing a lot of stories that bring back memories of the early days of the COVID pandemic, like problems with testing, tests not getting where they are needed, vaccines being nearly impossible to find.  The virus is also showing up in higher numbers in men who have sex with other men -- why is this? We had a lot of questions and got a ton of really valuable information from Dr. Perry Halkitis, Dean & Hunterdon Professor of Public Health & Health Equity at Rutgers School of Public Health.

The greatest gift of the American political system? Look no further than elections, says Dr. Bill Rosenberg, Professor of Political Science at Drexel University. But what happens when the officials we elect start sowing seeds of doubt about the validity of voting outcomes? Rosenberg believes the consequences could be immense, and as a recent string of debunked election fraud accusations have shown, we might not even be close to the tip of the iceberg...