Town Square with Ernie Manouse airs at 3 p.m. CT. Tune in on 88.7FM, listen online or subscribe to the podcast. Join the discussion at 888-486-9677, [email protected] or @townsquaretalk.

According to the CDC, Black communities have made great progress in reducing HIV.

Yet racism, discrimination, and mistrust in the health care system may affect whether these communities seek or receive care and services.

Today is National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day.

National experts are here to discuss the latest in testing, prevention, and treatments, as well as and how far we’ve come since the early days of the disease.

We also pivot to talk about the future – the future of the COVID-19 pandemic, that is.

What will be the impact of variants, new vaccines, vaccine hesitancy, natural immunity, and the relaxing of restrictions?

We discuss the changing face of the pandemic with a local epidemiologist, and we field listeners' COVID questions.

Guests:

Dr. Laura W. Cheever

Chrissy Abrahms Woodland

Dr. Catherine Troisi

HIV/AIDS Hotline (HRSA)

Town Square with Ernie Manouse airs at 3 p.m. CT. Tune in on 88.7FM, listen online or subscribe to the podcast. Join the discussion at 888-486-9677, [email protected] or @townsquaretalk.

Town Square with Ernie Manouse airs at 3 p.m. CT. Tune in on 88.7FM, listen online or subscribe to the podcast. Join the discussion at 888-486-9677, [email protected] or @townsquaretalk.

The Solar System. Dinosaurs. Donkey Kong.

What do they have in common?

Meteorites!

Meteorites have helped build our planet and impacted the evolution of life and human culture.

But how?

Today, we find out from Greg Brennecka, scientist and author of Impact: How Rocks from Space Led to Life, Culture, and Donkey Kong.

We have some fun exploring the connections between space rocks and pop culture and asking burning questions like – has anyone ever been struck by a meteor? Or could a meteorite ever wipe out Earth?

Guest:

Greg Brennecka

Town Square with Ernie Manouse airs at 3 p.m. CT. Tune in on 88.7FM, listen online or subscribe to the podcast. Join the discussion at 888-486-9677, [email protected] or @townsquaretalk.

Town Square with Ernie Manouse airs at 3 p.m. CT. Tune in on 88.7FM, listen online or subscribe to the podcast. Join the discussion at 888-486-9677, [email protected] or @townsquaretalk.

As athletes prepared for the opening of the 2022 Winter Olympic Games in Beijing, China, Belgian Olympian Kim Maeylemans was forced into isolation after she tested positive for COVID-19 upon arrival in the Chinese capital  and it was unclear if she would actually get to compete. It’s the fear of every athlete who’s set their sights on winning a medal at these Olympics.

But China remains confident it can ‘weather the storm’ with its COVID policy and feels it has gone to great lengths to keep the virus out, or at least manage the situation successfully when anyone working, attending, or competing at the games tests positive.

However, this level of confidence can be seemingly a little hard to hold on to with all the new vaccines and variants constantly changing.

On another medical front, there’s been a launch of the Moderna trial for the HIV/AIDS vaccine. What does that mean for the fight against that disease?

Today, we hear from a specialized COVID-19 medical expert who breaks down how China can continue to keep their COVID numbers down, and we learn about the medical advancements used in developing COVID vaccines.

Plus, in the second half of the show, we discuss Houston's anticipation of an icy, artic blast -- bringing back memories of the devastating freeze of 2021.

We get guidance from our local emergency weather departments and Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo on how to successfully prepare and make it through this year's winter storm.

Are you prepared to take care of your three P’s – plants, pets, and pipes?

For medical weather-related emergencies only, dial 211.

GUESTS:

Dr. William Haseltine

Eric Berger

Brian Murray

Town Square with Ernie Manouse airs at 3 p.m. CT. Tune in on 88.7FM, listen online or subscribe to the podcast. Join the discussion at 888-486-9677, [email protected] or @townsquaretalk.

Town Square with Ernie Manouse airs at 3 p.m. CT. Tune in on 88.7FM, listen online or subscribe to the podcast. Join the discussion at 888-486-9677, [email protected] or @townsquaretalk.

With an increase in the need for mental health services since the pandemic began, we’ve discovered that many people are waiting throughout our community, in hospitals, and even in jails for mental health services.

The new John S. Dunn Behavioral Sciences Center will open its doors in March, adding hundreds of new beds for mental health patients and creating the UTHealth Houston Behavioral Sciences Campus. The campus, which includes the adjacent UTHealth Harris County Psychiatric Center, becomes the largest academic psychiatric hospital in the country.

But why is it that when it comes to individuals from the Black and Latino communities, these groups seem to look to their church pastors for their mental health needs?

Have you struggled with mental health and well-being during the pandemic?

Do you turn to a medical professional, or do you look toward your faith leader for support instead?

Today, we talk with a psychiatric expert and a sociologist, listen to callers share their stories, and find out what you can do to make yourself feel better as you push through the pandemic or at any other time in life.

We also talk about how medical and religious organizations can come together to serve mental health patients better.

If you find yourself in need of resources for yourself or someone else, contact the Harris County COVID-19 Mental Health Support Line at 833-251-7544 (available 24 hours) or the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-8255 (available 24 hours).

GUESTS:

Dr. Lokesh Shahani

 Dan Bolger

Town Square with Ernie Manouse airs at 3 p.m. CT. Tune in on 88.7FM, listen online or subscribe to the podcast. Join the discussion at 888-486-9677, [email protected] or @townsquaretalk.

Town Square with Ernie Manouse airs at 3 p.m. CT. Tune in on 88.7FM, listen online or subscribe to the podcast. Join the discussion at 888-486-9677, [email protected] or @townsquaretalk.

COVID-19 has prompted many people to search for somewhat unconventional sources of income.  

New businesses have been created at a record-breaking pace. And hobbies have turned into money-making opportunities.

During the past two years, have you taken additional side jobs, or turned a passion into a small business?

Did you do it because you needed the money?

Or was it because the pandemic made you reevaluate your life and realize that you needed to chase your dreams?

Today, local business experts discuss pandemic side-hustles and their impact on the economy, the workforce, and personal fulfillment.

Plus, listeners call in to share their personal stories of launching new businesses and following their passions during the pandemic.

Guests:

Carol Guess

Timothy Jeffcoat

Houston Public Media does not condone or endorse any of the businesses mentioned on this episode of Town Square.

Town Square with Ernie Manouse airs at 3 p.m. CT. Tune in on 88.7FM, listen online or subscribe to the podcast. Join the discussion at 888-486-9677, [email protected] or @townsquaretalk.

Town Square with Ernie Manouse airs at 3 p.m. CT. Tune in on 88.7FM, listen online or subscribe to the podcast. Join the discussion at 888-486-9677, [email protected] or @townsquaretalk.

Although the one-year anniversary of the Capitol Riots has come and gone, some wonder if enough time has passed to accept forgiveness, repair, or even to understand the events that happened that day on Jan. 6, 2021.

Maybe it’s possible to look at 9/11 to see if there are parallels that can be drawn between these two events.

And when it comes to the role of National Security, “It’s really stunning to me that we haven’t looked more closely at what the role of the federal agencies were, what the intelligence was and what the intelligence agencies knew,” says Newsweek National Security writer William M. Arkin.

In this episode, we’ll go in-depth with Mr. Arkin on his research about the Capitol Riots – how its impact will continue to be felt, as well as the current tensions between Russia and Ukraine, and what it all could mean. Plus, we hear from one of our local reporters on what happened at last weekend’s Trump rally in Conroe.

GUESTS:

Lucio Vasquez

William M. Arkin

Town Square with Ernie Manouse airs at 3 p.m. CT. Tune in on 88.7FM, listen online or subscribe to the podcast. Join the discussion at 888-486-9677, [email protected] or @townsquaretalk.

Town Square with Ernie Manouse airs at 3 p.m. CT. Tune in on 88.7FM, listen online or subscribe to the podcast. Join the discussion at 888-486-9677, [email protected] or @townsquaretalk.

Theater Under the Stars will produce the 1949 Broadway classic South Pacific, Feb. 8 – 20 at the Hobby Center.

This Rodgers and Hammerstein landmark musical is considered radical in its exposure of racial issues on the American stage, where it uses Broadway theatre to make a courageous statement against racial bigotry. But there are also problematic stereotypes for the Asian community.

Some feel that these American classics should be presented as originally intended and not edited. Others may feel they need to be reinterpreted, or simply be put to rest.

Today, we discuss the changing attitudes about casting and presentation from local and national theater experts.

GUESTS:

Melody Butiu

Eileen Morris

Warren Hoffman

Town Square with Ernie Manouse airs at 3 p.m. CT. Tune in on 88.7FM, listen online or subscribe to the podcast. Join the discussion at 888-486-9677, [email protected] or @townsquaretalk.

Town Square with Ernie Manouse airs at 3 p.m. CT. Tune in on 88.7FM, listen online or subscribe to the podcast. Join the discussion at 888-486-9677, [email protected] or @townsquaretalk.

According to research, remdesivir improves clinical outcomes in patients hospitalized with moderate-to-severe COVID-19 symptoms. It's uncertain if the use of remdesivir prevents hospitalization in symptomatic, non-hospitalized patients, who are at high risk for disease progression.

Many believe it’s time to start clearing up the confusion and misinformation campaigns.

How do you know if you just have the flu, or if you have COVID?

Which COVID developments you should be paying attention to?

Today, our medical experts help separate fact from fiction when it comes to the latest COVID headlines – whether it’s with remdesivir, or any other issue you’ve heard in the news.

GUESTS:

Dr. Matthew Dacso

Dr. Jill Weatherhead

Town Square with Ernie Manouse airs at 3 p.m. CT. Tune in on 88.7FM, listen online or subscribe to the podcast. Join the discussion at 888-486-9677, [email protected] or @townsquaretalk.

Town Square with Ernie Manouse airs at 3 p.m. CT. Tune in on 88.7FM, listen online or subscribe to the podcast. Join the discussion at 888-486-9677, [email protected] or @townsquaretalk.

There are many reasons marriages come to an end. Some reasons can be because there’s a reoccurring conflict, an affair, financial issues, or even addiction. However, some divorces can end amicably, where there is less emotion involved.

What can be understood is that sometimes a couple simply decides they don’t love each other, but they want to spend the rest of their life happy, so the only best way to do that is to divorce.

How does divorce affect children?

What is the first, healthy, productive step toward decoupling?

Today’s experts and panelists from The Good Guide to Divorce Seminar give advice on pre-marriage counseling, how to work on maintaining a good relationship throughout the divorce process, and how to find your way through the complicated legal process of divorce.

GUESTS:

Trey Yates, Houston-based Family Law Attorney

Coleen Owens, Marriage and Family Therapist

Full disclosure: The Guide to Good Divorce seminars is an underwriting sponsor of Houston Public Media.

Town Square with Ernie Manouse airs at 3 p.m. CT. Tune in on 88.7FM, listen online or subscribe to the podcast. Join the discussion at 888-486-9677, [email protected] or @townsquaretalk.

Town Square with Ernie Manouse airs at 3 p.m. CT. Tune in on 88.7FM, listen online or subscribe to the podcast. Join the discussion at 888-486-9677, [email protected] or @townsquaretalk.

Many of us have been there. We’ve thought about going back to school to get a college degree or thought about simply learning a new skill. But then doubt comes into your mind, and you find yourself asking:

What if I’m too old?

What if I fail?

Do I have the dedication and commitment to balance this new learning experience with everything else that’s going on in my adult life?

It can also seem that most people have hit a certain point in their lives where they feel as though their brain has already done enough learning, and now they just want to focus on living.

New York Times best-selling author Tom Vanderbilt says, “The reason most brains don’t work as we get older is because we stop learning.”

In this episode, we talk in-depth with Vanderbilt about the process and mindset of transitioning from a new learner to an older learner, and we get information from Houston Community College about their continuing education classes. We also hear from a caller who, at 74 years old, has attained five college degrees.

GUESTS:

Tom Vanderbilt

 Melanie Costechareyre

Town Square with Ernie Manouse airs at 3 p.m. CT. Tune in on 88.7FM, listen online or subscribe to the podcast. Join the discussion at 888-486-9677, [email protected] or @townsquaretalk.