Americans are having fewer babies than ever before. The fertility rate in the United States has dropped to an all-time low of 1.6 births per woman. In response, the Trump Administration has urged Americans to have more children and proposed a range of pronatalist policies including baby bonuses, an expanded Child Tax Credit and making IVF treatment more affordable. Critics of the Trump Administration worry the underlying intent is to restrict access to contraception and return women to primarily domestic roles.

In this episode of Top of Mind, host Julie Rose explores the complex choices American women face when deciding how many children to have. We’ll dive into the history of fertility trends in the U.S. and take a look at how France managed to sustain a higher fertility rate than most European countries. We’ll also unpack the cultural and political tensions driving the pronatalism debate to discover a bit of common ground in the concept of “reproductive justice.”

GUESTS

Mother and daughter Melody (12 kids), Jaynee (3 kids)

Karen Benjamin Guzzo, professor of sociology, director of the Carolina Population Center at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill(https://www.cpc.unc.edu/)

Laurent Toulemon, population researcher at the French Institute for Demographic Studies in Paris (https://www.ined.fr/en/)

Mara Gordon, mother of 1, family physician in Camden, NJ, author of “Your Doctor Friend” on Substack (https://maragordonmd.substack.com/)

Lyman Stone, director of The Pronatalism Initiative at the Institute for Family Studies (https://ifstudies.org/pronatalism-initiative)

Extreme heat kills more Americans most years than hurricanes, floods and tornadoes combined, but we don’t give it the same emergency treatment. The government doesn’t name heatwaves like it does storms. And extreme heat doesn’t qualify for federal disaster funding. But record-breaking temperatures are now a yearly reality across the U.S. Cities are scrambling for solutions—from planting trees to setting up cooling centers—but experts say quick fixes aren’t enough.

In this episode of Top of Mind, host Julie Rose speaks with heat researchers about how policy, planning, and public awareness must evolve to confront rising temperatures. From deadly heatwaves to heightened risks for vulnerable communities, the danger isn’t just about how hot it gets—it’s about how prepared we are to respond.

GUESTS

Larissa Larsen, Professor of Urban and Regional Planning at the University of Michigan (https://taubmancollege.umich.edu/faculty/directory/larissa-larsen/)

Rob Meade, Research Fellow for the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health (https://hsph.harvard.edu/profile/robert-meade/)

Michelle Litwin, Heat Response Program Manager for the Phoenix Office of Heat Response and Mitigation (https://www.phoenix.gov/administration/departments/heat.html)

TIKTOK ACCOUNTS HIGHLIGHTED IN THIS EPISODE:

@Junifrec, @Ascocool, @Mitchellfranxman, @Jenwhite, @Ashley_simone1108, @Hardline_daily, @Jordanjchart, @Stefanies.lifestyle, @Damarypaz, @abbymcduck

CHAPTERS

00:00 Introduction

00:43 The Growing Threat of Heat Waves

02:27 Heat as an Emergency

04:43 Historical Heatwave Impact

06:07 Urban Planning and Heat Resilience

17:42 The Human Body's Response to Extreme Heat

23:55 Behavioral & Physiological Responses to Heat

26:11 Cooling Strategies

28:25 Phoenix's Heat Response Initiatives

31:02 Challenges & Solutions in Phoenix

39:08 Data-Driven Heat Mitigation

40:25 Conclusion

How is the balance of power supposed to work when a U.S. President aggressively pushes for more? In his first 100 days of his second term, President Donald Trump issued more executive orders than any president in history, and the Supreme Court has largely let them stand while legal challenges play out. Whether that troubles you depends largely on how you feel about the President and his policies. But within four years, someone else will hold that office and may wield the same power toward different priorities.

In this episode of Top of Mind, host Julie Rose explores the origins of “checks and balances” in American government, including the surprising history of how the Supreme Court became “supreme.” We hear from a conservative legal scholar who worked for the George W. Bush Administration and thinks America benefits when Presidents push the limits of their power and Congress pushes back. Then we’ll explore why some Americans believe their local “Constitutional Sheriff”—not federal officials—is the ultimate authority in their community.

GUESTS

Timothy Johnson, Professor of Political Science and Law, University of Minnesota (https://www.trjumn.com/)

John Yoo, Professor of Law, UC Berkeley; Distinguished Fellow, Civitas Institute at the University of Texas at Austin (https://www.law.berkeley.edu/our-faculty/faculty-profiles/john-yoo/)

Richard Mack, Former Sheriff of Graham County, Arizona; Founder of the Constitutional Sheriffs and Peace Officers Association (https://cspoa.org/)

CHAPTERS

0:00 Introduction

3:00 Chapter 1 — Who Made the Supreme Court Supreme? (Timothy Johnson)

18:00 Chapter 2 — How Strong is Too Strong? (John Yoo)

36:00 Chapter 3 — "The Constitution is King" (Richard Mack)

53:00 Conclusion

Is Housing First a viable solution or just repeating the past? What actually works to end homelessness? Communities across the U.S. have debated and tested solutions, from housing first to human first, permanent supportive housing, transitional housing, and emergency shelters. But Housing First has gained national traction, a strategy that prioritizes permanent housing without conditions, followed up by supportive services.

In this episode of Top of Mind, Julie Rose dives deep into Salt Lake City’s commitment to the Housing First approach, which launched two decades ago, making it one of the first cities in the country to fully embrace this model. Nearly two decades later, Salt Lake City serves as a revealing case study for the successes, challenges, and evolving nature of efforts to solve homelessness in America.

GUESTS

Tyler Clancy, Utah State Representative

Michelle Flynn, Executive Director of The Road Home since 2020 (https://theroadhome.org/).

Dave Durocher, Executive Director of The Other Side Academy (https://www.theothersideacademy.com/).

Amy Daeschel, Director of Outreach, Clinical Intake & SSP at the Odyssey House of Utah (https://www.odysseyhouse.org/).

Robbie Myrick, Director of Human First Culture at The Other Side Village (https://theothersidevillage.com/about-the-village/)

CHAPTERS

00:00 Introduction

00:42 Utah's Housing First Success Story

01:37 Challenges and Criticisms of Housing First

02:14 Permanent Supportive Housing

07:21 The Magnolia Apartments: A New Approach

19:21 Policy Shifts and Legislative Actions

28:19 Personal Stories and Impact

30:52 A Turning Point: Accepting Treatment

31:18 The Journey to Recovery

32:15 The Other Side Academy: A Unique Approach

33:36 Jared Campbell's Story

34:50 Life at The Other Side Academy

42:22 The Other Side Village: A New Beginning

50:36 Reflections and Conclusion

It’s easier than ever to connect with our representatives in Congress, so why doesn’t it feel like they’re listening?

The 1st Amendment guarantees the right to “petition the government for a redress of grievances.” Given how frustrated Americans are with the job Congress is doing, how secure is that right in 2025?

In this episode, we talk with two members of Congress (a Republican and a Democrat) about how they are handling angry town hall meetings and increasing volume of calls and emails from constituents. What’s the best way to influence their positions on issues? We also unpack the history of our right to petition the government and why members of Congress added constituent services to their duties in the 1970s. A former Congressional staffer offers advice on how to influence elected officials, and an Iowa mom explains how she’s become an effective advocate for issues she cares about.

Guests:

John Curtis, US Senate (R-Utah)

Chrissy Houlahan, US House (D-Pennsylvania 6th District)

Ben Schneer, professor of public policy at the Harvard Kennedy School

Bradford Fitch, former CEO of the Congressional Management Foundation (https://www.congressfoundation.org/), author of “Citizens Handbook to Influencing Elected Officials”

Tiffany Welch, volunteer advocate with Save the Children Action Network in Iowa (https://savethechildrenactionnetwork.org/)

CHAPTERS

00:00 Introduction

00:43 Challenges of Town Hall Meetings

03:21 Senator Curtis's New Approach to Town Halls

06:50 Balancing Diverse Constituencies

08:23 Impact of Constituent Feedback on Policy

11:56 Representative Chrissy Houlahan's Approach

16:26 Petitioning the Government

20:06 The Role of Petitions in History

22:52 The Decline of Traditional Petitioning

23:40 Modern Ways to Air Grievances

25:40 Constituent Services: A New Avenue

27:24 The Evolution of Congressional Staff

28:33 Influencing Congress

31:13 A Personal Journey in Advocacy

Smartphones have become an essential part of daily life, but should they have a place in the classroom? Half of U.S. states have recently passed laws restricting or banning phones in schools, igniting a passionate national debate.

Some parents say phones are vital for student safety and emotional regulation. Others argue they’re fueling a mental health crisis and stifling face-to-face connection. Students are caught in the middle, and teachers are left to enforce policies that vary widely from school to school. How do we balance safety, learning, and connection for students in a world where phones are always within reach?

Guests:

Sabine Polak, co-founder of the Phone Free Schools Movement (https://phonefreeschoolsmovement.org/)

Keri Rodrigues, president of the National Parents Union (https://nationalparentsunion.org/)

Richard Culatta, CEO of the International Society for Technology and Education and author of Digital for Good: Raising Kids to Thrive in an Online World (https://iste.org/)

Anna Clayton, high school student in Utah (https://www.sltrib.com/opinion/commentary/2025/02/14/voices-i-want-my-fellow-young/)

Doug Welton, Utah Republican State Representative

Nina, high school teacher

CHAPTERS

00:00 Introduction

01:51 Student Perspective

04:56 Utah's Phone Ban Bill

07:23 Parental Concerns

09:33 The Phone Free Schools Movement

15:16 The National Parents Union's Stance

22:58 Teacher's Perspective

26:29 Challenges and Concerns with Phone Bans

29:12 Positive Approaches to Technology Use in Schools

30:46 Implementing Effective Technology Norms

37:48 Promoting Safe and Positive Device Use

40:08 Final Thoughts

For over 150 years, the U.S. has granted automatic citizenship to babies born on American soil, a principle rooted in the 14th Amendment and seen by many as key to equality and opportunity. But most countries don’t follow jus soli (“right of soil”), granting citizenship instead by bloodline. Critics, including President Donald Trump, argue birthright citizenship encourages illegal immigration and birth tourism, cheapening the value of citizenship.

In this episode, legal scholars and policy experts weigh in on what the 14th Amendment guarantees and what remains open to interpretation. We also meet people whose lives have been shaped by birthright citizenship: a newly naturalized citizen, an undocumented mother, and someone born a U.S. citizen who no longer wants that status.

Guests

Rogers Smith, political scientist and author of Citizenship Without Consent (www.live-sas-www-polisci.pantheon.sas.upenn.edu/people/standing-faculty/rogers-smith)

Abdi Soltani, Executive Director, ACLU of Northern California (www.aclunc.org/staff/abdi-soltani-hehim)

Lora Ries, Director, Border Security & Immigration Center, The Heritage Foundation (www.heritage.org/staff/lora-ries)

Christian, writer and undocumented mother of five U.S.-citizen children (www.lacuenta.substack.com/)

Daniel Burciaga, recently naturalized U.S. citizen

Jessica Burciaga, U.S. citizen by birthright

Kate Panova, journalist, founder of UAWelcome (www.uawelcome.org/)

Fabien Lehagre, founder of L'Association des Américains Accidentels (www.americains-accidentels.fr/)

Credit: Audio of Sen. Lindsey Graham from NBC’s Meet the Press, Jan. 26, 2025

Chapters

00:00 Intro

00:58 Naturalization

03:37 History

05:09 Trump’s EO

06:33 Critics’ Views

09:32 Real Impacts

18:43 Birth Tourism

27:51 Accidental American

32:17 14th Amendment

41:24 Modern Takes

51:58 Final Thoughts

Alcohol is a deeply embedded part of American life—woven into celebrations, identity, and social norms. But from health warnings to sober-curious trends, new questions are surfacing about what we drink, how much, and why.

In this episode of Top of Mind, we explore how cultural attitudes toward alcohol have evolved and why more people today are rethinking what it means to drink responsibly. We also look at the science behind alcohol’s health impacts and the history of how it became so normalized in the first place.

What do these shifting perspectives mean for the future of drinking in America?

Guests:

Sarah Levy, author of Drinking Games (https://www.sarahllevy.com/)

Lisa Jacobson, history professor at UC Santa Barbara and author of Intoxicating Pleasures: The Reinvention of Wine, Beer, and Whiskey after Prohibition (https://www.ucpress.edu/books/intoxicating-pleasures/paper)

Dr. Tim Naimi, physician and director of the University of Victoria’s Canadian Institute for Substance Use Research (https://www.uvic.ca/research/centres/cisur/about/scientists/profiles/naimi-tim.php)

CHAPTERS

00:00 Introduction

00:56 Sarah Levy's Alcohol Story

02:38 The Cultural Shift in Alcohol Consumption

08:54 The Decision to Quit and Finding Support

14:42 Prohibition and Its Aftermath

27:14 Distilled Spirits During Wartime

28:42 Whiskey's Cultural Transformation Post-WWII

31:36 The Rise of Responsible Drinking Campaigns

33:58 Modern Perspectives on Alcohol and Health

36:01 The Science Behind Alcohol Consumption

School integration in America is widely viewed as a civil rights milestone— but decades later, U.S. schools are as segregated as they were in the 1970s. So, in this episode of Top of Mind, we look at the complicated legacy of school integration in America: who it helped, who it hurt, and what struggling schools need to thrive.

Dr. Noliwe Rooks shares her family’s four-generation story with integration, highlighting both its benefits and its lasting harms. We also visit schools in Oakland and Florida that show how communities can support student success—even in segregated settings. What does real educational equity look like? And what lessons have we missed about integration’s impact?

Guests:

Noliwe Rooks, L. Herbert Balou Professor of Africana Studies at Brown University and author of Integrated: How American Schools Failed Black Children (https://www.noliwerooks.org/)

Roma Groves-Waters, principal of MLK Jr. Elementary in Oakland, California

(https://mlk.ousd.org/)

Kamryn Young, Evans High alum and development director for Children’s Home Society of Florida (https://chsfl.org/)

Andry Sweet, CEO of Children’s Home Society of Florida (https://chsfl.org/leadership-blog/andry-sweet-president-ceo/)

Audio excerpted with permission of Penguin Random House Audio from INTEGRATED by Noliwe Rooks, read by the author. © Noliwe Rooks ℗ 2025 Penguin Random House, LLC. All rights reserved.

Get the audio book here: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/721962/integrated-by-noliwe-rooks/audio/

CHAPTERS

00:00 Introduction

00:42 The Untold Story of School Integration

03:02 Integration & Black Educators

04:08 Segregation in Schools Now

08:49 Rooks' Journey & Family History

18:15 Challenges of Integration for Black Students

22:09 The War on Poverty

26:11 Life as an Integrator

30:09 Jelani's Middle School Experience

33:59 Navigating Racial Dynamics in Education

35:43 Community Schools as a Solution

45:43 Evans High School Transformation

52:22 Conclusion

In this special bonus episode of Top of Mind, Julie Rose revisits the challenge of credit card debt - a topic that hits home for many of us – by sitting down with Thomas Nitzsche, a financial educator at Money Management International (MMI) and Susan, who shares her personal journey of paying off $80,000 in debt over four and a half years with help from MMI.

While some feel skeptical of credit counseling agencies, this conversation digs into how these credit counseling agencies work, how to find a reputable one, and the real benefits they offer.

If you’re looking for practical insights on how structured debt management can offer both financial relief and peace of mind, this conversation is for you.

Original episode on credit card debt - https://www.byuradio.org/making-sense-of-americas-credit-card-debt

CHAPTERS

00:00 Introduction

00:43 Interview with Thomas Nichi from MMI

01:14 Susan's Debt Story

04:19 How Credit Counseling Agencies Work

11:46 Debt Management vs. Debt Settlement

18:19 Finding Reputable Credit Counseling Agencies

19:42 Final Thoughts and Advice

20:58 Conclusion and Outro