Why is dating so difficult?
MPR News host Angela Davis talked with a dating coach and a therapist to break down the challenges of modern dating — and provide advice for what you can do to make it easier.
Mar 19, 2025•46 min
MPR News with Angela Davis
Conversations about life in Minnesota and how the state is changing, weekdays from MPR News.
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Episodes
Investing in women and girls to ensure their safety, health and success
MPR News host Angela Davis talks with the president and CEO of the Women’s Foundation of Minnesota about investing in women and girls to ensure their safety, health and economic success.
Mar 18, 2025•46 min
Sports betting is growing, along with problem gambling
March Madness is underway and millions of Americans will be watching the games and placing bets on college basketball. MPR News host Angela Davis talks about the appeal and potential addiction of sports betting.
Mar 17, 2025•47 min
How the Trump administration’s policies are affecting farmers
From tariffs to funding cuts and inflation to climate change, Minnesota farmers are dealing with a lot. Recent directives from the Trump administration have paused federal funding on some programs that support farmers. Meanwhile, tariffs could lower prices farmers get for their crops while increasing prices they pay to produce them. MPR News host Angela Davis and her guests talk about how recent changes from the White House could affect Minnesota farmers....
Mar 13, 2025•47 min
Five years later, how did COVID-19 change Minnesota?
Five years ago, our world was turned upside down. Schools shut their doors, businesses closed, and our daily routines were completely upended by COVID-19. We learned new terms like “social distancing” and faced uncertainty in ways we could have never imagined. The COVID-19 pandemic was a global crisis, but it was deeply personal. It changed the way we work, the way we connected with one another, and even the way we think about our own health and well-being. Now, five years later, we’re taking a ...
Mar 12, 2025•48 min
Getting to Green: Can Minnesota get to carbon-free energy?
To slow a warming climate, Minnesota is changing where it gets electricity — shrinking the state’s reliance on fossil fuels and expanding the use of renewable energy. Today, more than half of Minnesota’s electricity comes from solar, wind and hydropower. But challenges remain. For the state to reach its ambitious goal of being carbon neutral by 2050, Minnesotans would need to embrace new ways of heating homes, traveling, powering the state’s factories and much more. And now there are questions a...
Mar 11, 2025•48 min
Trump’s tariffs: Understanding how they could affect Minnesotans
Just two days after President Trump imposed tariffs on most products from Canada and Mexico, he suspended many of them. The president has said tariffs can help stop fentanyl smuggling, support U.S. factories and increase revenue for the government. But his tariff threats have angered key U.S. trading partners, shaken the stock market and alarmed consumers. MPR News host Angela Davis talks about how President Trump’s approach to tariffs could affect Minnesota businesses and consumers. Guest: Chri...
Mar 10, 2025•47 min
Nervous about flying? What you need to know about aviation safety
Flight anxiety has increased after a series of crashes and close calls. In January, 67 people were killed in a midair collision between an American Airlines jet and a U.S. Army Blackhawk helicopter at the Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport in Washington D.C. In February, a commuter plane crashed in Alaska , killing all 10 people on board. Then a Delta Airlines plane took off from Minneapolis and flipped while landing in Toronto , leaving passengers dangling upside down in their seats unti...
Mar 06, 2025•46 min
Running for health and community
Running for fitness took off with the jogging craze of the 1970s. Then during the pandemic, more people discovered running as a way to find community, get a cardiovascular workout and add a bit of structure to their upended lives. MPR News host Angela Davis talks with two runners about the strong running culture in Minnesota, the physical and mental benefits of running and the groups that can help beginners take their first strides. Guests: Dr. Kenneth Poole is an internal medicine physician and...
Mar 05, 2025•52 min
How the Trump administration is affecting the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program
During President Donald Trump’s first week of his second term, he signed an executive order that paused the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program. Later, the White House froze all federal funding that goes to organizations who welcome and support refugees coming into the U.S. But last week, a federal judge in Seattle blocked Trump’s efforts to suspend the system for resettling refugees. The judge ruled that while the president has broad authority over who comes into the country, he cannot cancel the l...
Mar 04, 2025•47 min
Aging in place: What it really takes to live at home as you get older
Many people want to age in place — to stay in their own homes and maintain their independence as they get older. But it takes planning, tough conversations, and sometimes, a complete shift in expectations. What happens when a parent’s needs change? How do families navigate decisions about safety, finances and caregiving while still honoring their loved one’s independence? And when multiple family members are involved, how do you share responsibilities without creating tension? MPR News guest hos...
Mar 03, 2025•48 min
My family's immigration story — and yours
How did your family end up in Minnesota? Do you know the story of your ancestors’ journey? In the 1800s, immigrants to our region primarily came from Scandinavia and Germany. More recently, major populations have come to Minnesota from Laos, Somalia, Mexico, Liberia, Ecuador, Afghanistan and India. In fact, almost 500,000 people who live in Minnesota today were born outside of the United States. But behind the where is also a why . And over time, those narratives can get lost if not recorded. No...
Feb 27, 2025•1 hr 18 min
High blood pressure and your health
High blood pressure is one of the most common health risks in the U.S. — and most people don’t even know that they have it. It’s called the “silent killer” because people with high blood pressure often have no symptoms. And yet, over time, it can lead to serious problems like heart disease, strokes and kidney failure. New data shows that high blood pressure also is becoming more common among young people. Fourteen percent of children and teens in the country either have high blood pressure or ar...
Feb 26, 2025•47 min
Power Pair: The rabbi and the politician
Some say religion and politics don’t mix. But they do in the lives of couple Marcia Zimmerman and Frank Hornstein. Rabbi Marcia Zimmerman is the senior rabbi at Temple Israel in Minneapolis. Frank Hornstein served for 22 years in the Minnesota House of Representatives representing neighborhoods near downtown Minneapolis and Lake of the Isles. He decided not to seek reelection last year. They have raised three children together and supported each other in their individual callings over 42 years o...
Feb 25, 2025•47 min
Managing your money in uncertain economic times
It's been hard to keep up with the whirlwind of economic policies during the first month of President Donald Trump’s second administration. The news is full of reports of layoffs, firings, funding cuts and tariffs. And inflation is persistent. MPR News host Angela Davis talks about how to manage your money in an uncertain economy with Chris Farrell , senior economics contributor for MPR News and Marketplace. Guest: Chris Farrell is senior economics contributor for MPR News and Marketplace....
Feb 24, 2025•48 min
The power of poetry: Junauda Petrus, the new Poet Laureate of Minneapolis
MPR News host Angela Davis talks about the power of poetry with Junauda Petrus , the newly appointed Poet Laureate for the city of Minneapolis. She says poetry is “soul medicine” that can unite us in our shared humanity. Guest: Junauda Petrus is the recently appointed Poet Laureate for the city of Minneapolis. She is an author, playwright, filmmaker and co-founder of the experimental artist collective, Free Black Dirt . She is the author of the Coretta Scott King Award- winning young adult novel...
Feb 20, 2025•47 min
What you need to know about bird flu
If you’ve shopped for eggs at the grocery store recently, you probably noticed the low inventory and high prices. Bird flu is largely to blame. The virus that causes bird flu has been spreading widely among wild birds, poultry, cows and other animals . It’s infected nearly 70 people in the U.S. since April of 2024 and killed one person . MPR News host Angela Davis and her guest discuss how avian influenza affects our food supply and human health and how to prevent its spread. Guest: Carol Cardon...
Feb 19, 2025•47 min
How President Trump is reshaping transgender people’s rights
In recent weeks, President Donald Trump has enacted a series of executive orders that significantly reshape transgender rights in the United States, sparking debate among lawmakers and advocates across the country. From restrictions on gender-affirming care for minors to moving to ban transgender military workers — what do these changes mean for civil rights, health care, and the LGBTQ+ community? MPR News host Angela Davis and her guests will break down the policies and talk about their legal a...
Feb 18, 2025•47 min
How President Trump is expanding the powers of the presidency
Just a few weeks into his new administration, President Donald Trump has issued a blizzard of executive actions. Sweeping orders from the White House have included a federal spending freeze , massive federal layoffs , gutting the United States Agency for International Development and ending birthright citizenship . A question many people are asking is — can he do that? The courts have been pushing back on Trump’s agenda. As of Friday, judges across the country have paused at least 18 executive o...
Feb 17, 2025•46 min
The power of film music in storytelling
Can you think of music that turned a good movie into a great one? Music composed for a film helps the script tell its story. It can reflect the pacing of a scene, emphasize a moment in the plot or build tension within the characters and their dialogue. When done right, it can strike a chord with the audience — making emotions stronger, deeper and scenes more impactful. MPR News host Angela Davis talks about the power of orchestral music written for films with Your Classical Minnesota Public Radi...
Feb 13, 2025•32 min
Wellness Wednesday mental health highlights
Talking about mental health can be difficult but it can help us understand some of the challenges and possible treatments. MPR News host Angela Davis shares some of her memorable conversations about mental health.
Feb 12, 2025•36 min
Sold a Story is changing how schools teach kids to read
The podcast Sold a Story explores how a generation of children has been taught to read based on a flawed idea. The consequences can be seen in the lives of millions of struggling students across the country. Over a third of Minnesota fourth graders cannot read at a basic level, according to scores released last month by the National Assessment of Education Progress. The Sold a Story series was one of the most-shared shows on Apple Podcasts when it came out in 2023 and one of Time magazine’s top ...
Feb 11, 2025•35 min
Savoring the Twin Cities: Inside tips on where to eat, drink and discover hidden gems
If you consider yourself a foodie, you’re in the right place. The restaurant scene in the Twin Cities feels like it’s always evolving, with new spots popping up, old favorites holding strong and hidden gems waiting to be discovered. MPR News host Angela Davis talks with a food reporter from The Minnesota Star Tribune who has been on the front lines of the Twin Cities’ dining scene for the last decade. She’s explored everything from trendy new openings to the best mom-and-pop joints. And she’ll b...
Feb 10, 2025•34 min
Minneapolis to Montgomery: The Police and Black Men Project
MPR News host Angela Davis and her guests continue the conversation about the Minneapolis Police Department and an ambitious effort led by the Police and Black Men Project.
Feb 06, 2025•47 min
Minneapolis police, Black men find common ground in Alabama’s past
The Minneapolis Police Department has spent a lot of time in the national spotlight for all the wrong reasons. It’s operating under a court-ordered agreement with the Minnesota Department of Human Rights after investigators in 2022 found a pattern of racism in Minneapolis policing that violated the Minnesota Human Rights Act. In late December, MPD and the U.S. Justice Department reached an agreement on a federal consent decree that would mandate additional changes. It still needs the approval of...
Feb 05, 2025•54 min
David Brancaccio on rebuilding after the Los Angeles fires
Last month, wildfires swept down from the hills around Los Angeles and blazed through entire city neighborhoods. Neary 17,000 buildings were destroyed, including the home of David Brancaccio. Brancaccio, the host of Marketplace Morning Report , is one of tens of thousands of people affected, who now face the uncertainty of recovery. What will insurance cover? Who will help clean up debris? Will they ever recover financially? Will their communities ever be the same? MPR News host Angela Davis tal...
Feb 04, 2025•46 min
How sports can empower youth
MPR News host Angela Davis talks with retired professional soccer player, Tony Sanneh, about the programs his foundation has developed to empower young people to become the best version of themselves. Guest: Tony Sanneh is a retired professional soccer player and the founder and CEO of The Sanneh Foundation , a nonprofit organization based in St. Paul that aims to create positive social change through soccer, education and health. Subscribe to the MPR News with Angela Davis podcast on: Apple Pod...
Feb 03, 2025•47 min
The effects of the Trump administration’s efforts to roll back DEI initiatives
Diversity. Equity. Inclusion. Why is DEI getting ditched? MPR News host Angela Davis and her guests talk about the moves President Donald Trump has taken to dismantle the federal government’s diversity and inclusion programs , what these programs do and how some private companies have responded. Guests: James Burroughs is the senior vice president of government and community relations and the chief equity and inclusion officer at Children’s Minnesota , Minnesota’s largest pediatric hospital. See...
Jan 30, 2025•47 min
Can microplastics harm us?
Plastic is everywhere, from synthetic clothing to take-out food containers. Now we know it’s also in our bodies. MPR News guest host Euan Kerr talks with a doctor and a researcher about microplastics and human health.
Jan 29, 2025•48 min
How the Trump administration is altering U.S. immigration policy
In a wave of orders issued during the first week of his presidency, President Donald Trump started fulfilling his campaign promise to reshape how the U.S. approaches immigration. MPR News host Catharine Richert and her guests talk about the immigration directives and their impacts.
Jan 28, 2025•48 min
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