Infotrak

Whether it’s a drunken airline passenger having a violent meltdown, a student disrupting a classroom, or abusive tweets aimed at someone with different political beliefs, signs of a meaner, angrier, and more violent America are everywhere. Bonnie J. Kaplan, PhD, co-author of ”The Better Brain: How to Overcome Anxiety, Combat Depression, and Reduce ADHD and Stress with Nutrition,” says part of the answer lies in today’s typical American diet. She says more than half of Americans’ food intake consists of ultra-processed ‘products’ with virtually no micronutrient content, creating a lack of nourishment in our brains.

Fewer than 1 in 5 Americans have created an online "my SocialSecurity" account to get a personalized estimate of their future retirement benefits. We'll talk with Lila Rabinovich, qualitative social science analyst, Director of Policy and Development at Center for Economic and Social Research at the University of Southern California, to learn why working Americans of all ages should care.

In the wake of the pandemic, poison control centers across the country have been flooded with calls relating to children ingesting cleaning products and hand sanitizers. Cassandra Herring, Technical Advisor at Safe Kids Worldwide, shares three tips to help parents keep kids safe from these products.

Then, you already know that walking is good for your health. But you may not know the latest research on how to maximize the physical and psychological benefits of walking. Annabel Streets, author of “52 Ways To Walk: The Surprising Science of Walking for Wellness and Joy” discusses the latest research.

Today's technology has dramatically altered how young women think of themselves, learn about the world, develop social skills and communicate with others. Licensed clinical psychologist Roni Cohen-Sandler, PhD, , author of "Anything But My Phone, Mom! Raising Emotionally Resilient Daughters in the Digital Age," says it's up to parents to help their young daughters navigate the brave new world of digital media.

According to the U.S. Census, 1 in 4 men who are becoming a parent didn't have a father figure themselves growing up. Kendall Smith, wrote "Rookie Father: A Playbook for Men Experiencing Fatherhood for the First Time" to help men entering the often intimidating new “Dad” stage of their lives.

When most Americans ponder retirement planning, they typically think of accumulating money. But retirement planner Gary Sirak, author of "How to Retire and Not Die: The Three Ps That Will Keep You Young," says that wise planning about what to do with one's time after retirement is equally important.

We've all heard the sales pitches: "buy now and pay later," sometimes with zero interest. While these types of deals may seem attractive, Chuck Bell from Consumer Reports explains why these loans can turn into spending traps.

Prof. Wendy M. Troxel, PhD, from the University of Pittsburgh led a state-by-state analysis of the economic implications of a shift in school start times in the US. She'll explain why her study found that a nationwide move to 8.30 a.m. could contribute $83 billion to the U.S. economy within a decade.

America has a major long-term shortage of truck drivers, but women make up only ten percent of the trucking industry. Ellen Voie, CEO & President of a non-profit organization called Women in Trucking, says women are better suited to be truck drivers than men!

Ever dream of starting your own business? There are lessons to learn from small business owners who have faced obstacles. We'll hear from Sarah Y. Tse, author of "7 Years on the Front Line: True Stories and Tough Lessons about a Small Business that You Won't Learn in a Classroom." She's an Asian-American immigrant who overcame her initial struggles to achieve success.

And, at the end of the day, is your to-do list mostly not done? We'll talk with Madeleine Dore, author of "I Didn't Do the Thing Today: Letting Go of Productivity Guilt," who explained how to not feel guilty or disappointed.

Then, it's estimated that 20 million Americans with substance abuse problems are going without treatment, in a crisis that claimed more than 100,000 American lives last year. Carl Erik Fisher, MD, addiction physician, bioethicist, and Assistant Professor of Clinical Psychiatry in the Division of Law, Ethics, and Psychiatry at Columbia University, and author of "The Urge: Our History of Addiction,” says it often doesn't help to refer to addiction as a disease.

Recent research supports the concept of a brain body connection. Negative thinking about getting older can have a measurable impact on your health, and how you respond to stress. Dakota Witzel, doctoral candidate in Oregon State University’s College of Public Health and Human Sciences, will outline about ways to reduce stress about aging.

Disasters can happen anytime, anywhere. How prepared are you and your family should the worst suddenly happen? Creek Stewart, preparedness expert, Weather Channel host, author of " The Disaster-Ready Home: A Step-by-Step Emergency Preparedness Manual for Sheltering in Place" outlines simple steps to set up an emergency food and water supply, and to prepare for the loss of power and heat.

Aaron Packman, PhD, Professor, Civil and Environmental Engineering, Northwestern University is sounding the alarm about microplastics in rivers, and the impact this form of pollution may be having on wildlife and humans.

Do pre-kindergarten programs for America's youngsters work? Dale Clark Farran, PhD, Emerita Professor, Research Professor in Early Childhood Education at Vanderbilt University’s Peabody College of Education and Human Development, discusses the first statewide randomized controlled research of pre-K outcomes. She was stunned at the findings and you will be, too.

Modern technology such as DNA tests and online genealogy databases can change lives in dramatic ways. Many adoptees now have the means to locate long-lost parents and siblings. Sometimes the reunions are joyful; other times not so much. We'll talk with Julia Brewer Daily, author of “No Names to Be Given,” a novel based on her real-life story of adoption, to learn about the emotional landmines that sometimes accompany attempted reunions.

Then, growing up today as a teenage girl is fraught with challenges, including more stress and pressure than ever before. We'll talk with Lisa Hinkelman, PhD, counselor, founder and CEO of Ruling Our eXperiences, Inc., author of “Girls Without Limits: Helping Girls Succeed in Relationships, Academics, Careers and Life”, who says eight hours per day of social media exposure has had a profound effect on girls, one that parents can scarcely relate to.

And, the American Red Cross has declared a national blood crisis for the first time in its history. David C. Mair, MD, Medical Director of the American Red Cross outlines the reasons behind this urgent problem, and how you can help.