Episodes

148
Nov. 13, 2024

The Gathering Trump Storm: A Crossroads for the American Experiment

Text us your thoughts on the podcast With Donald Trump coming back, the United States stands at the edge, a moment of reckoning that would determine the very course of its future, even its existence. supporting links 1. How Trump pulled off an incredible comeback [BBC] 2. Donald Trump wins election in historic comeback after 2020 loss [CBS News] 3. U.S. House seats mainly won by the incumbent party [Pew Research] Contact That's Life, I Swear Tweet us at @RedPhantom Listen to audios...
147
Nov. 12, 2024

Pharmacy Meltdown: Fewer Stores, Bigger Hassles

Text us your thoughts on the podcast The economic challenges facing pharmacies impact everyone. As more locations close, those that remain are overwhelmed with an increasing patient load, often with the same or fewer staff and resources. 1. Pharmacy Deserts [CNN] 2. Pharmacy benefit management [Wikipedia] 3. Rite Aid Bankruptcy Explained [Newsweek] 4. Pharmaceutical industry [Wikipedia] 5. Pharmaceutical Industry Overview [YouTube] Buzzsprout Tags: pharmacy, drug store, medicat...
146
Nov. 6, 2024

Book Review From Rick’s Library: The Afterlife of Data

Text us your thoughts on the podcast What happens to your digital life after you die? How does society unravel the ethical dilemmas with the afterlife of data? supporting links 1. What happens to your social media presence after you die? [WIRED] 2. Digital Ghosts: Can AI help us commune with the dead? [The Economist] 3. Growing up online: Digital Ghosts [Medium] 4. Dr. Carl Ɩhman interview & new book release interview [Dexit] 5. Digital Privacy [Wikipedia] Contact That's Life,...
145
Oct. 30, 2024

It's The Little Things: Sipping Plastics - Micro Threats in Every Drop

Text us your thoughts on the podcast A new scientific study shows when you’re drinking bottled water, you’re swallowing microscopic pieces of plastic or what’s called nanoplastics. supporting links 1. Visualizing the Relative Size of Particles [Visual Capitalist] 2. Thousands of nanoplastic bits in bottles of drinking water [LA Times] 3. Nanoplastics and Human Health [NIH] 4. Bottled water contains thousands of nanoplastics [CNN/Health] 5. Nanoplastics at the North and South Po...
144
Oct. 29, 2024

Interview #8 Julie Jacobs - The Joy of Elevated Comfort Food!

Text us your thoughts on the podcast In this episode, host Rick Barron interviews culinary innovator Julie Jacobs, who shares her inspiring journey from a rural upbringing to becoming a successful entrepreneur in the food industry. Julie discusses her passion for cooking, the challenges she faced during the COVID-19 pandemic, and her evolution from Single Serve Co to Hickory Lane Catering. She emphasizes the importance of resilience, creativity, and the comforting nature of food in bringing p...
143
Oct. 23, 2024

Electric Revolution: Static on AM Radio Fallout

Text us your thoughts on the podcast Show notes AM radio fights to keep its spot-on US car dashboards supporting links 1. The Real Reason AM Radio is Being Removed from New Cars [Motorist Org] 2. Automakers Are Starting to Drop AM Radio in New Cars. Here’s Why [The Drive] 3. Is AM Radio Walking ā€œThe Last Mile?ā€ [Jacobs Media] 4. Industry gives Congress static as they press AM radio mandate [Courthouse News Service] 5. Will EVs—Or Just Plain Progress—Kill the Broadcast Radio Star? ...
142
Oct. 16, 2024

Hungry Children: GOP Rejects Federal Funds Out of Spite

Text us your thoughts on the podcast Fifteen governors have decided to thumb their nose at President Biden out of spite, and at the same time allowing over 8 million children to starve. supporting links 1. Why are GOP governors taking food out of the mouths of poor kids? [The Fern Org] 2. Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders [website] 3. Nebraska Governor Jim Pillen [website] 4. 2023 Kids Count Data Book [AEC Foundation] Contact That's Life, I Swear Tweet us at @RedPhantom Listen to aud...
141
Oct. 15, 2024

Interview #7 Pamela Kerman - The Power of Self-Advocacy in Autism

Text us your thoughts on the podcast In this episode, Rick Baron speaks with Pamela Kerman about her journey as a mother raising a son with autism. Pamela shares her experiences navigating the complexities of autism diagnosis, advocating for her son's needs, and the challenges faced in the education system. She emphasizes the importance of resilience, community support, and self-advocacy for both parents and children. The conversation highlights Nolan's growth, independence, and the significance...
140
Oct. 9, 2024

Trees Are Stressed Out, We Need To Talk With Them

Text us your thoughts on the podcast TreeTag sensors, developed by startup ePlant, can give homeowners, farmers and forestry managers early warning when trees are water stressed or in danger. supporting links 1. ePlant: How it Works [ePlant website] 2. This ā€˜Fitbit’ for tree health [MarketWatch] 3. Liquid Robotics [Website] 4. Growing Crops with Less Groundwater [College of Agricultural & Environmental Sciences] 5. Sun World International [LinkedIn] Contact That's Life, I Swea...
139
Oct. 2, 2024

Navigating Drought: Panama Canal’s Reservoir Proposal

Text us your thoughts on the podcast Welcome to a discussion about a journey where water meets ambition and innovation bridges continents. We dive into the heart of one of the world's engineering marvels—the Panama Canal. supporting links 1. What the data says about Americans’ views of climate change [Pew Research Center] 2. TOP 15 navigable canals important for shipping and maritime logistics [Marine Digital] 3. Ship Canal [Wikipedia] 4. Ayman Omar [LinkedIn] 5. Oystein Kalleklev...
138
Sept. 26, 2024

Exempting Tips from Taxes: The Risks and Realities

Text us your thoughts on the podcast Today we’re tackling a topic that hits close to home for millions of workers — tipping. Has tipping reached its limit, or are we just getting started? supporting links 1. How Americans Feel About the Basics of Tipping [Wikipedia] 2. Trump proposing tips be tax free. What would that mean for you? [AP] 3. What is the new etiquette for tipping? [NPR] 4. Tipping Is Out of Control. It’s Also a Serious Labor Issue [TIME] 5. Tipflation: What is it and...
137
Sept. 25, 2024

Click, Watch, Unsubscribe: Streaming TV New Normal

Text us your thoughts on the podcast As more people cancel subscriptions, streaming video companies must work harder to sign up new users to expand their overall customer base. supporting links 1. Antenna [website] 2. The Future of Streaming: How to Cut Costs & Save Money [Cloudwards] 3. Streaming services keep getting more expensive [The Verge] 4. Price Storm: Why Major Streaming Services Have Hiked Rates [Variety] 5. Americans’ New TV Habit: Subscribe. Watch. Cancel. Repeat [Mot...
136
Sept. 18, 2024

Meet Larry the Cat, Britain's Unofficial Political Mascot

Text us your thoughts on the podcast New prime minister or not, meet Larry, the cat. The chief mouser to the Cabinet Office who lives at 10 Downing Street. 1. Larry (cat) [Wikipedia] 2. Feline pushed out? [BBC] 3. Larry the Cat’s 12 Years as Chief Mouser [The Atlantic] 4. Larry the Cat [Twitter] 5. Justin Ng [Twitter] 6. Number 10 Downing Street [BBC] Contact That's Life, I Swear Tweet us at @RedPhantom Listen to audios: -Apple https://apple.co/3MAFxhb -Spotify https://spo...
135
Sept. 17, 2024

Digital Ad Business Faces $600B Challenge from Google’s Cookie Change

Text us your thoughts on the podcast While privacy advocates had celebrated Google’s cookie-crushing plan, advertisers railed against it, saying it would only give the search giant even more of an ad-vantage. supporting links 1. First-party vs. third-party cookies: What's the difference? [TechTarget] 2. Google Chrome [Wikipedia] 3. If an app asks to track your activity [Apple Support] 4. The End of The Third-Party Cookie | All You Need to Know [Cookie Information] 5. What is digit...
134
Sept. 11, 2024

MIT's 2028 Class Diversity: Post-Affirmative Action Enrollment Shifts

Text us your thoughts on the podcast We’re diving into a seismic shift at one of the world’s top universities. MIT’s class of 2028 has shattered expectations — and not in a way many hoped. Supporting links 1. Supreme Court strikes down affirmative action programs in college admissions [SCOTUS Blog] 2. How the public sees the consideration of race in college admissions, hiring {Pew Research] 3. US College Enrollment Decline – 2024 Facts & Figures [College Transitions] 4. Sally Kornblu...
133
Sept. 4, 2024

Mpox Outbreak in Sweden Raises Concerns of Wider Spread in Europe

Text us your thoughts on the podcast Just when Europe thought it was clear from its nightmare with COVID, a single case of Mpox in Sweden reignited fears of a potential outbreak across the continent. supporting links 1. Virulence differences of Mpox [PNAS] 2. Mpox (monkeypox) [World Health Organization] 3. Deadlier strain of mpox spreads to multiple African countries [Science] 4. The Swedish Government’s efforts to fight Mpox [Government Offices of Sweden] Contact That's Life, I ...
132
Sept. 3, 2024

Interview #6 Allan Reyes & Kris Steinwender - Navigating the Digital Minefield: Scams and Spam

Text us your thoughts on the podcast Shownotes The conversation explores the topics of scams and spam in the digital world, providing guidance on how to navigate and protect oneself. The guests discuss the difference between spam and scams, how scammers obtain personal information, and the importance of strong passwords and password management. They also touch on the role of antivirus software in protecting against malicious activities and the need to stay updated with the latest security measu...
131
Aug. 28, 2024

Resetting Limits: Transformative USA Border Immigration Strategies

Text us your thoughts on the podcast When we bring up the narrative of immigration at the Mexican border, it hits a raw nerve with the public. How and when do we fix this mess? Let’s explore some alternative recommendations. supporting links 1. Democrats vote with GOP on resolution denouncing Biden’s ā€˜open-border policies’ [The Hill] 2. Democratic Mayors need Federal Help Over Migrant Crisis [VOA News] 3. Senate Republicans block Ukraine/Israel aid demanding border policy changes [PBS] ...
130
Aug. 21, 2024

Biden's 2024 Exit: Why He Chose Country Over a Second Term

Text us your thoughts on the podcast President Joe Biden made a decision that shocked the political world; despite believing he could win a second term. There are those things in life that are greater than ourselves. For President Biden, it was his party, but more importantly, the country. supporting links 1. President Joe Biden [Wikipedia] 2. Democratic Party [Wikipedia] 3. Inside Biden’s unprecedented exit from the presidential race [CNN] Kamala Harris [Wikipedia] Contact That'...
129
Aug. 20, 2024

Kamala Harris: The Truth Behind 'DEI’ Candidate

Text us your thoughts on the podcast We all bear the responsibility to counter the growing anti-DEI sentiment in our workplaces. After all, diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives aim to create fair and equitable environments where everyone can reach their full potential. supporting links 1. Kamala Harris [Wikipedia] 2. Karine Jean-Pierre [Wikipedia] 3. These 4 phrases are sabotaging your DEI efforts [Fast Company] 4. How JD Vance’s Shocking Inexperience Turned into an Asset [PO...
128
Aug. 14, 2024

A Stranger in My Own Skin: Unrecognized Sociopathy

Text us your thoughts on the podcast Patric Gagne realized she made others uncomfortable before she started kindergarten. Something about her caused people to react in a way she didn’t understand. Patric finally confirmed what she’d long suspected, she was a sociopath. supporting links 1. Patric Gagne, PhD [website] 2. Patric Gagne, PhD [Instagram] 3. Psychopathy Is [website] 4. Sociopath: A Memoir/author’s book [Amazon] 5. Antisocial personality disorder [Wikipedia] 6. Sociopa...
127
Aug. 7, 2024

Seeds of Survival: The Arctic's Global Mission

Text us your thoughts on the podcast The Seed Vault safeguards duplicates of 1,214,827 seed samples from almost every country in the world, with room for millions more. Its purpose is to backup gene bank collections to secure the foundation of our future food supply. supporting links 1. Global Seed Vault becomes more important as climate change [PBS] 2. Artic World Archive [Wikipedia] 3. Gene Bank [Wikipedia] 4. Genesys [website] 5. Lack Of Funding, Seed Banks Face a World of Chal...
126
Aug. 6, 2024

Book Review From Rick’s Library: What This Comedian Said, Will Shock You

Text us your thoughts on the podcast Bill Maher is often a controversial figure in the world of politics and culture. Maher is taking stock of his decades of commentary in his new book, ā€œWhat This Comedian Said Will Shock You.ā€ supporting links 1. Bill Maher on his new book [PBS] 2. Bill Maher [Official Site] 3. Real Time with Bill Maher [Wikipedia] 4. Bill Maher [Facebook] Contact That's Life, I Swear Tweet us at @RedPhantom Listen to audios: -Apple https://apple.co/3MAFxhb -Sp...
125
July 31, 2024

Echoes of Disillusion: Gen Z's Political Landscape

Text us your thoughts on the podcast Generation Z are still recovering from the pandemic, and now dealing with a political awakening that has left them with a pessimistic look towards their future. supporting links 1. Generation Z [Wikipedia] 2. Dr. Jean Twenge [website] 3. What we know about Gen Z so far [Pew Research Center] 4. What is Gen Z? [McKinsey & Company] 5. Understanding Generation Z in the workplace [Deloitte] 6. Generation Z (Gen Z): Definition, Birth Years, and De...