A New York City architect is charged with murder in the Long Island Serial Killer (LISK) case. Sarah Silverman joins a class action lawsuit against OpenAI and Meta over their AI programs. And V hangs out with podcast host and creator Nikki Boyer, who wants you to feel more comfortable and empowered to have the tough conversations with your friends and family about “making a date with death.” Follow Nikki @nikkiboyer on Twitter and @nikkiboyer on Instagram. Keep up with V on TikTok at @underthede...
Jul 21, 2023•1 hr 6 min
This bonus episode was made possible by the Marguerite Casey Foundation. V chats with Jared Ball, professor of communication studies at Morgan State University, about the importance of scrutinizing the media we consume, why he doesn’t feign objectivity in the classroom, and why he describes the term “Black buying power” as both a myth and propaganda. Plus, his thoughts on how performers like Snoop Dogg and Jay-Z have evolved – or not – as they've reached middle age. Follow Jared at @imixwhatilik...
Jul 18, 2023•50 min
We celebrate a major win for women’s reproductive health in the form of a new blood test. If you didn’t keep track of who got canceled this week, don’t worry – we kept a list. And V chats with University of Texas-Austin media researcher Samuel Woolley about how social media bots, artificial intelligence, and algorithms can manipulate public opinion and what that means for the future of democracies. Follow Sam @samuelwoolley on Twitter and @woolleysam on Instagram. Keep up with V on TikTok at @un...
Jul 14, 2023•1 hr 4 min
We're off this week, but we wanted to share a new series we think you'll love! Who should you root for at the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup? Get to know soccer’s most inspiring players and the causes they champion on My New Favorite Futbolista. Team USA defender Becky Sauerbrunn describes herself as an “introvert,” but she proudly steps out of her comfort zone to advocate for causes she finds important, from trans inclusion to gender equity. To hear more of My New Favorite Futbolista, head to http...
Jul 07, 2023•28 min
The extreme travel industry is leading more and more billionaires to die on dangerous adventures. Chicken grown in a lab may be hitting your plate soon – how should we feel about that? And V chats with Grammy award-winning country music artist Ashley McBryde about her new album, “ Light On In The Kitchen ,” sharing stages with country legends, and making country music a space for everyone. Plus, you’ll hear about the time Ashley almost burned down Dolly Parton’s lake house. Follow Ashley on Twit...
Jun 30, 2023•1 hr 4 min
This bonus episode was made possible by the Marguerite Casey Foundation. V speaks with Trinity College professor and urbanist Davarian Baldwin about how universities extract wealth from their host communities and drive inequitable growth in cities. Davarian, who analyzes this behavior in his book, “ In the Shadow of the Ivory Tower: How Universities are Plundering Our Cities ,” explains why schools act more like hedge funds than places of learning and what to do about it. Follow Davarian on Twit...
Jun 27, 2023•51 min
So-called “renovictions” are gaining in popularity, displacing renters and erasing affordable units in tight housing markets. What can whales teach us about fighting cancer? And V chats with Schuyler Bailar, the first transgender athlete to compete in a NCAA Division 1 men’s sport, about gender justice and his upcoming book “ He/She/They: How We Talk about Gender And Why It Matters .” Follow Schuyler on Instagram @pinkmantaray and TikTok @pinkmantaray . Keep up with V on TikTok @underthedesknews...
Jun 23, 2023•1 hr 12 min
Two performers made history this week when they became the first openly nonbinary actors to win Tony Awards. AI-generated images and videos are infiltrating politics, causing concern over the dangerous potential of deepfake technology in the 2024 presidential election. And V chats with “American Hysteria” podcaster Chelsey Weber-Smith about the phenomena of moral panics, urban legends, and the legacy of “Jackass.” Follow Chelsey Weber-Smith on Instagram @chelseywebersmith and @americanhysteriapo...
Jun 16, 2023•1 hr 4 min
It seems the NYPD unknowingly painted a questionable acronym on the side of their cop cars for Pride Month. A new docu-series shows what happens when you disguise Christian extremism as a wholesome TLC reality show. And V chats with award-winning journalist Tre’vell Anderson about Tina Turner’s legacy, “possibility models,” and their new book “ We See Each Other: A Black, Trans Journey Through TV and Film .” Follow Tre’vell Anderson online @TrevellAnderson on Twitter and @rayzhon on Instagram . ...
Jun 09, 2023•1 hr 7 min
V shines a spotlight on four of their favorite nonprofits, from a comedy troupe of abortion activists to a theologian holding community naps as a form of resistance. Then, V chats with Montana State Representative Zooey Zephyr and journalist Erin Reed about their recent engagement and ongoing quest to protect trans rights. Follow Zooey @zoandbehold on Twitter and TikTok and Erin @erininthemorn on Twitter and @ErinInTheMorning on TikTok . Keep up with V on TikTok and Instagram at @underthedesknew...
Jun 02, 2023•50 min
A deluge of money is streaming into the southwest to incentivize people to save the Colorado River. The long-awaited video game “Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom” has gamers talking about their carbon footprint. Then, what are we to do with art we love made by people we don’t? V chats with author and critic Claire Dederer, whose latest book, Monsters: A Fan’s Dilemma , explores our relationship with music, films, and other art in the wake of #MeToo. Can we, and should we, separate the art f...
May 26, 2023•57 min
It’s true! The Food and Drug Administration has moved to allow gay and bisexual men to once again donate blood, and V explains exactly what’s changed. Plus, how one congressman is schooling us on what it means to outsmart AI. Then, adults rejoice! We’re talking through a more effective and less stressful parenting strategy that everyone can learn from. V chats with “whole parenting” expert Jon Fogel about relinquishing control of kids’ every move and embracing the idea that they are whole people...
May 19, 2023•59 min
In just the past two days, Florida governor Ron DeSantis signed a huge package of anti-immigration legislation for the state, and we entered a world where COVID-19 is no longer an official public health emergency. V breaks down all the big changes these decisions will bring. Then, they talk to a champion of change, courage, and civic engagement: former Miss Tennessee Tally Bevis. Tally pulls back the curtain on what it was like to represent her state on a national stage, and all the ways she fou...
May 12, 2023•1 hr 3 min
When most people think of home economics, they imagine women baking muffins and caring for practice babies. But this week, we’re learning that the field was much more than just “stitching and stirring.” It was an empowering way for women to gain respect and recognition. Journalist and author Danielle Dreilinger joins V for a look back at the history of home economics and how it shaped American culture. We’ll hear about the personal lives of home economics women who decided to either stay at home...
May 05, 2023•51 min
In light of big media personalities getting booted from their platforms and other outlets shutting their doors, V discusses the phenomenon of news deserts and where to find good information in spite of this. Plus, they run through the pros and cons of broadcasting one’s relationship status to the world. V then sits down with MTV trailblazer and veteran journalist SuChin Pak to discuss the value of connecting with curious audiences, especially before social media. SuChin, who now co-hosts Lemonad...
Apr 28, 2023•1 hr 3 min
As conservative officials continue to restrict abortion access, Republican constituents are starting to put their foot down. V explains why, for many people, bans on the mifepristone pill have crossed a line and are making them question their party’s judgment. Also, V highlights new research showing that the financial health of millennials is looking… better than we thought? Then, a peek into V’s favorite sport and how it’s slated to change after a massive merger. Pro wrestler, journalist, and b...
Apr 21, 2023•1 hr 3 min
This bonus episode was made possible by Flourish Ventures. Today, V learns hard money lessons in an easy way with “zillennial” financial expert Haley Sacks — or, as her droves of followers know her, Mrs. Dow Jones . As it turns out, it can be fun to learn about finances, especially when your teacher wields compassion, pop culture references, and financial advice especially geared toward women. Haley and V talk through which kind of bank account best matches your needs and help you learn how to a...
Apr 18, 2023•44 min
Justice Clarence Thomas has been living the high life and not telling a soul… except all the people who dimed on him for a new ProPublica report. V breaks down what exactly this top judge did — and didn’t do — wrong in his role as a public servant. V also talks about the lengths that researchers have to go to for people to care about the environment. Fortunately, V is then joined by investigative journalist Amy Westervelt for the ultimate climate conversation. Amy outlines the real cost of fossi...
Apr 14, 2023•1 hr 5 min
The news within the news of Donald Trump’s criminal indictment is that anti-Semitic conspiracy theories unfortunately still prevail. V debunks the thin threads that theorists try to spin between money, power, and religion, and what all this has to do with politics. Plus, elsewhere in the government, it’s coming out that unmanned, remote-controlled trains are far less regulated than they should be. To ease all this stress, V takes a trip down memory lane with 2000s icon Christy Carlson Romano, kn...
Apr 07, 2023•1 hr 2 min
Legislation is wildin’ these days. Fresh off their trip to Congress, V breaks down the who, what, and why behind the recent grilling of TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew. They also outline which states are introducing bills to get more teenagers into manufacturing plants and construction sites. Then, some penne for your thoughts: just in time for the announcement of this year’s James Beard Award finalists, V chats with past recipient Dan Pashman, host of The Sporkful podcast. From exploring the problemati...
Mar 31, 2023•1 hr 1 min
This bonus episode was made possible by CARE and P&G. V chats with Emily Janoch from CARE International about what it looks like to compassionately serve and connect with more than 100 countries around the world. While most organizations have good intentions when traveling to help overseas, Emily shares how CARE’s “Do No Harm” approach sets it apart. From centering women and girls in all of their work, to knowing when to step back and leave space for others, CARE is giving power back to the ...
Mar 28, 2023•45 min
A UN committee just released its newest report on climate change, and it’s dire. V explains the stakes, the goals, and the action we need to hold our governments accountable for in order to get on the right track. Plus, V details how a Catholic organization in Colorado abused mobile data to uncover private information about clergy members — and how it’s not the apps that we use, but the purchasers of our data, that are to fear. Then, to reset our spiritual palate, V welcomes Kevin Garcia, a spir...
Mar 24, 2023•1 hr 1 min
Did this week seriously just turn from 2008-style panic to status quo? In a way, yes. And V explains all the other ways Silicon Valley Bank’s collapse differs from the bank bailouts of the aughts. They also break down why TikTok is on the chopping block of federal regulators, plus the reasons it really ought to not be. Then, let’s take a breather! V is joined by Dr. Pooja Lakshmin to talk about authentic self-care practices, plus their faux counterparts and why they’re so alluring. Dr. Lakshmin ...
Mar 17, 2023•1 hr 3 min
It’s the six-month mark of the revolution in Iran — what might the future look like? V checks in with Moj Mahdara, co-founder of the Iranian Diaspora Collective, to understand more about what the Iranian people are fighting for. And together, they explain how an Iran Nuclear Deal could actually give more power to the current regime. V also digs into all the hullabaloo that went down after Utah officials encouraged residents to eat invasive frogs. Then, with the help of Dr. Orisanmi Burton, socia...
Mar 10, 2023•1 hr 1 min
The 2022 midterms broke up partisan gridlock across the country, turning four state governments fully blue. V walks us through what these states have already been up to. Plus, who knew you could track the influence that air pollution had on famous artwork? Scientists, that’s who! V breaks it down. Then, they bring on another science-minded individual: the no-BS therapist Dr. Courtney Tracy. But don’t forget — Dr. Tracy is a human first, and she and V explore all the ways that bringing your full ...
Mar 03, 2023•1 hr 4 min
In this episode, we go full fangirl over the incredible life of former President Jimmy Carter. V also zooms in on how one Broadway production is shaking up a classic story on stages across the U.S. Then, they dive into the big changes slated to hit the SNAP food assistance program on March 1. And to explore all the ways this program helps our communities, V brings on Gina Plata-Nino, the deputy director of SNAP for the Food Research and Action Center. Gina debunks the “welfare queen” stereotype,...
Feb 24, 2023•1 hr
We're sharing an episode from a podcast we love called Pop Culture Happy Hour. In this episode, Aisha Harris talks to Brittany Luse and Odie Henderson about the three-decade run of the Maury Povich show and the end of an era as he retires. Listen to Pop Culture Happy Hour wherever you get your podcasts. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices...
Feb 20, 2023•20 min
Several weeks out from the train derailment in Ohio, there’s reason to be concerned about long-term contamination in the area. V boosts the advice of citizen scientists to help people protect themselves and keep records of the damage. There’s also been a ton of buzz about UFOs in recent weeks, so V breaks down what’s actually flying around our atmosphere. Then, they’re joined by professional maintenance technician Mercury Stardust, who empowers people to fix pesky problems in their homes. Mercur...
Feb 17, 2023•1 hr 6 min
The state of this union is that V is back from D.C., bringing stories from the White House and quotes from the politicians who serve us. V gets them talking about the role of government and community resources, then highlights some of the work that’s already been done this year. Later, V is joined by longtime pal Jordan Harbinger, an expert in social dynamics and host of The Jordan Harbinger Show. They talk about creating a space for men that isn’t based on bro culture, plus how therapy and chal...
Feb 10, 2023•1 hr 6 min
In places beyond Memphis, deadly police squads remain in operation. In Hobbs, New Mexico, abortion clinics have been banned. In Ohio, thousands of homeschooling parents have been teaching white supremacy. How is all this happening? V explains what's going on in all these states, then gets joined by “America’s Government Teacher” to fill in the rest. V sits down with Sharon McMahon, host of the podcast Here’s Where It Gets Interesting, to talk congressional committees, impeachment, and the histor...
Feb 03, 2023•1 hr 9 min
