Protests Play Out Worldwide (0:30)

Guest: Quinn Mecham, Professor of Political Science, BYU

There’s more going on in the world than the impeachment of President Trump. So let’s shift our attention beyond US borders for a few minutes.

How Families Can Help Grandmothers Step into their Role (21:14)

Guest: Kathleen Stassen Berger, Senior Professor of Psychology, Bronx Community College, City College of New York, Author of “Grandmothering: Building Strong Ties with Every Generation”

The holidays are peak grandmother season if you’re lucky enough to have one or be one. Mine weren’t the traditional cookie-baking type. But my Grandma Jan always sent a crisp $20 in the mail for each of us grandkids at Christmas and boy did we look forward to that! My Grandma Lola would send me a book from her personal collection that she thought I’d like. She was always right. We need grandmas today more than ever, says developmental psychologist Kathleen Stassen Berger. But society keeps trying to sideline them.

All-Terrain Wheelchair Fit for Hiking (37:59)

Guest: Adam Beesley, Founder of Extreme Motus, and Christine Durst, Mother Whose Son Uses an Off-Terrain Wheelchair 

Outdoor lovers from all over the world descend on Utah every year to view the natural wonder known as Delicate Arch in Arches National Park.  But to see it, you have to hike in. No motorized vehicles are allowed on the trails. Up until now, that’s meant Sam Durst, who is 36 and has cerebral palsy, had to wait in the parking lot when his outdoor-loving family made the hike. But recently, they discovered a wheelchair that made the hike possible and for the first time, were all able to enjoy the spectacular arch, up close, together.

The Enduring Appeal of Mister Rogers (50:37)

Guest: Aisha White, PhD, Director of the Positive Racial Identity Development in Early Education, Office of Child Development, University of Pittsburgh

Mr. Rogers –and any movie about him –feels like a soothing balm in these turbulent times, doesn’t it?I loved the documentary about him last year. There’s a lot of Mr. Rogers warm-fuzziness going on in Pittsburgh right now with this latest film. That’s where Fred Rogers lived. He filmed all 30-plus years of his show lived at WQED Studio just blocks from the University of Pittsburgh where one of his main mentors in child development was a professor. Over the years, lots of Pitt students and faculty worked with Mr. Rogers on his program, including Aisha White. 

2019’s Hottest Toys with The Toy Guy (1:06:33)

Guest: Chris Byrne, toy industry consultant and creator of The Toy Guy

Just in case Santa needs a little help, we’ve got Chris Byrne, aka The Toy Guy, on the line with some hints. Byrne has been marketing toys and analyzing the industry for decades. He was part of the original team that made Pictionary a hit.

Mister Rogers and Movies About Kindness (1:20:24)

Guest: Kirsten Hawkes, ParentPreviews.com

This is Top of Mind and it’s a beautiful day in the neighborhood. Tom Hanks plays Fred Rogers in the new film “A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood.” Kirsten Hawkes of Parent Previews.com is on the line with some thoughts about this and other movies about kindness.