30 Years After Tiananmen Massacre

Guest: Stanley Rosen, Professor of Political Science, Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences, University of Southern California

Thirty years ago–June 4, 1989 -the Chinese government used tanks and guns to end a six-week-long protest for democracy in Beijing’s Tiananmen Square. Hundreds –maybe thousands –of people were killed. Chinese politics and culture expert Stanley Rosen says the bloody crackdown continues to influence the thinking of President Xi Jinping and the Chinese Communist Party.

 

The Historical Importance of Bikes

Guest: David Ortiz, Professor of History, University of Arizona

100 years ago, today, Congress approved a constitutional amendment giving women the right to vote. It would be another year before the amendment would be ratified by a majority of states. In their campaigning for the vote, the women’s suffrage movement found a surprising tool –and powerful symbol –in the bicycle.

 

The Evolution of Motherhood in Political Campaigns

Guest: Kelly Dittmar, Assistant Professor of Political Science, Rutgers University, Camden and Scholar at the Center for American Women and Politics, Eagleton Institute of Politics, Author of “Navigating Gendered Terrain: Stereotypes and Strategy in Political Campaigns”

100 years after Congress agreed to give women the vote, there are now a record number of women running for a major party’s presidential nomination. What’s more, many of these Democrats–including Elizabeth Warren, Amy Klobuchar and Kirsten Gillibrand –are talking openly on the campaign trail about their experiences birthing and raising children. Motherhood used to be considered a liability in politics, but these women are highlighting the ways that being a mother qualifies them to lead. 

 

The Teacher Shortage—More than Just Shortcomings with Pay

Guest: Emma Garcia, Economist, Economic Policy Institute

Classrooms are dark for the summer and families are focused on vacation. But school districts around the country are in hiring mode for Fall. Reports over the years have warned of a looming teacher shortage in the US, but some have questioned whether the problem is really that big. Certain states and certain subjects –such as special education and math –do consistently struggle to find qualified teachers. But economists at the Economic Policy Institute–which has close ties to labor unions -say the problem is very real and worse than we thought 

 

Professional Domino Artist

Guest: Lily Hevesh, Professional Domino Artist

There is something so satisfying about knocking down a line of dominos. Now imagine setting up thousands of dominos and watching them topple for minutes. Huge domino spectacles are what Lily Hevesh does for a living. She’s the top domino artist on YouTube and has set up dominos for movies, TV, and commercials. 

 

There Haven’t Always Been Beach Lifeguards Ready to Save You

Guest: Chris Brewster, Americas Region President of the International Life Saving Federation, Former San Diego Lifeguard Chief

From the TV show Baywatch, many of us learned and bought into the stereotype that a beach lifeguard is attractive, untouchable, stoic, and usually not working all that hard. But I was just at the beach last week, and the lifeguard there was good-looking, but extremely intense. He was prowling up and down the beach and giving people orders. I thought it was a little excessive, that is, until he saved a couple of girls from the riptide. Twice. We often take beach lifeguards for granted–I know I did–but they’ve only been around for the last 100 years. 

 

Pokémon: Childhood Fad or Enduring Adult Franchise?

Guest: Nicholas Bowman, Professor of Communication Studies, Texas Tech University

Why is this new Pokémon movie such a hit? To make 400-million dollars at the box-office (and counting) there are obviously a lot of adults seeing this film. I admit I don’t see the appeal. I once had an 8-year-old try to explain the Pokémon cards and I was completely lost. How is this game still popular 20 years after it debuted?