Since 2020 — when George Floyd's murder was seen around the world and protests for racial justice swept the country — many Americans with white skin have begun to think explicitly about race and its consequences. What does it mean to be white in America? What’s it like to be not-white-enough? Or to not have your racial identity reflected on official government forms? How did white become the default against which all other skin colors are measured? In this podcast episode, we explore the nuance of what it means to be white in America with guests who fall along the spectrum of whiteness. We’ll hear one woman’s story of waking up to her whiteness and understanding how skin color matters in America. A leading historian of race in America explains how – and why – whiteness was invented. We’ll consider the complicated relationship people who identify as Hispanic or Latin American have long had with whiteness. And a multiracial mother will share insights on how to help children be thoughtful, informed and brave about race. Podcast Guests: Debby Irving, racial justice educator, author of “Waking Up White (and finding myself in the story of race)” (https://www.debbyirving.com/) Nell Irvin Painter, professor emerita of American History at Princeton, author of “The History of White People” and “I Just Keep Talking” (http://www.nellpainter.com/) Julie Dowling, professor of Sociology and Latin American/Latino Studies, University of Illinois, Chicago, author of “Mexican Americans and the Question of Race” Melissa Giraud, founder and co-director of Embrace Race (https://www.embracerace.org/)

We’re in between episodes this week on Top of Mind. In the meantime, we’ve got a story for you from a podcast we think you’re really going to like. It’s called When the People Decide, a podcast from the McCourtney Institute for Democracy at Penn State. The podcast traces the stories of Americans who are getting their hands dirty doing the hard work of democracy. In this episode, host Jenna Spinelle dives deep into an innovative budgeting practice where citizens decide how to spend a portion of their city’s budget. Imagine if you could be more directly involved in deciding how your city spends its money. Would having that kind of influence change how you feel about your city? Or how much you trust local officials? Find When the People Decide on your favorite podcast app. Or here: https://thepeopledecide.show/

In this podcast episode, Julie and the other members of the Top of Mind team reflect on moments from previous episodes that challenged them to stay curious and stick with uncomfortable perspectives instead of dismissing them or putting up defenses. As we put podcast episodes together, we have these “Stick With It” moments all the time – and we hope you do, too, because they’ve led us to new empathy, deeper relationships, and clarity about our own views. One of our producers grapples with the grading system she grew up with. Another reconsiders her thinking on the impact of social media use on teen mental health. We'll also explore a complicated relationship with unions, find empathy in the medication for mental health debate, and reassess the language we use when talking about homelessness. We’d love to hear your “Stick With It” moments. Email your story to [email protected]. We’re also on social media @topofmindpod. Podcast Guests: Top of Mind producers Alayna Beck, Vanessa Goodman, Amber Mortensen, Samuel Benson, and James Hoopes. Find links below to all of the Top of Mind episodes referenced in this episode. Many Students Lack Motivation to Learn. What Can We do?: https://www.byuradio.org/top-of-mind-many-students-lack-motivation-to-learn-what-can-we-do Teen Mental Health in America is Getting Worse. What Can We Do About It?: https://www.byuradio.org/top-of-mind-teen-mental-health-in-america-is-getting-worse-what-can-we-do An Explosion of Union Activity in the US and What it Means: https://www.byuradio.org/top-of-mind-an-explosion-of-union-activity-in-the-us-and-what-it-means Ending Homelessness in America Feels Impossible. Is It?: https://www.byuradio.org/top-of-mind-ending-homelessness-in-america-feels-impossible-is-it

Our “Stick With It” series on the Top of Mind podcast continues with a story from David Beckemeyer, host of the podcast “Outrage Overload.” Beckemeyer used to spend his time engaging in social media fights. When his son, who also often indulged in heated online discussions, decided to step away from social media, Beckemeyer was prompted to closely examine his own behavior, leading him to make a significant change and delve into why so many of us fall into the outrage trap. The Top of Mind podcast would love to hear your Stick With It story. Can you think of a time when you felt your perspective or worldview challenged and, instead of getting defensive, you chose to lean into the discomfort – and you’re glad you did? Email your story to [email protected]. Podcast Guest: David Beckemeyer, host of the Outrage Overload podcast

Floods are the most common of all weather-related disasters in America. They cause more damage and kill more people than any other type of severe weather. Flood risk is rising all over the country—rainstorms are more intense and flash floods are happening more frequently. The communities facing the greatest risk in the coming decades are disproportionately poor and Black. But here’s the thing: damage from flooding is the most preventable of all natural disasters: moving to higher ground is a proven solution to flood damage. But a lot of factors, like money, history and human nature, make relocation complicated. On this podcast episode, we explore why flooding is such a challenging problem and how cities are adapting. A climate scientist explains how warmer temperatures increase extreme flood risk (it’s the atmospheric sponge effect!) We’ll learn why America’s approach to preventing flooding has backfired and how Tulsa, Oklahoma has bucked the trend – going from one of the most flood prone cities in the country to one of the most flood resistant. And the mayor of an historic town settled by recently freed Black people will explain why relocating out of the flood zone isn’t a simple choice. Podcast Guests: Daniel Swain, climate scientist at UCLA and the National Center for Atmospheric Research, WeatherWest on YouTube Tim Palmer, author of “Seek Higher Ground: The Natural Solution to our Urgent Flooding Crisis” Joseph Kralicek, executive director, Tulsa Area Emergency Management Agency Bobbie Jones, mayor of Princeville, North Carolina

There are more people homeless in America today than at any other time in the last 17 years. Those numbers might have gotten a lot worse during the pandemic were it not for millions of dollars in federal funds for emergency housing. That money’s all dried up now. In the early 2000s, many of these cities adopted “10-year plans to end homelessness,” buoyed by a push from the White House. But that hasn’t happened. Ending homelessness in America feels impossible. Is It? In this podcast episode, we talk to someone who experienced homelessness in Denver and now works to solve it. We also talk to the man leading successful efforts to solve homelessness in Houston, a researcher who's studied why we aren't building more housing, and a tech philanthropist in San Francisco with an innovative approach to the problem. Podcast Guests: Cuica Montoya, senior director of homelessness programs at the Colorado Village Collaborative Marc Eichenbaum, special assistant to the mayor for homelessness initiative in Houston Katherine Levine Einstein, professor of political science at Boston University Elizabeth Funk, founder and CEO of DignityMoves

Nearly a dozen states have active campaigns to move away from partisan or closed primaries, motivated by a frustration among many voters that the way parties choose nominees in high-stakes elections is broken. By the time most of us cast a ballot in a Presidential Primary, it feels like a pointless exercise: earlier states have already winnowed the field to a clear front-runner. No wonder turnout for primary elections is so low! But here’s the thing: In 2020, the majority of Congressional and state legislative seats in the US were decided in the primary; because voting districts have been gerrymandered to favor one party so heavily, whoever wins that party's primary sails to victory in the general. Why don't more of us vote in primaries? Does weakening the power of political parties to control who runs and who votes in a primary election improve turnout and engagement? In this episode of the Top of Mind podcast, we explore the origins of primary elections and variation between states. We speak with an incumbent politician who got “primaried” by a more extreme challenger; and a moderate candidate who’s struggled to win in a closed primary system. Then we talk to an activist for open primaries and ranked-choice voting to learn the limits of primary elections reform. Podcast Guests: Doug Goodman, founder of Nevadans for Election Reform Rob Boatright, professor of political science at Clark University Nick Bain, former member of the Mississippi State House of Representative Becky Edwards, former Utah state legislator and founder of Governing Group PAC

Overall mental health among Americans - young and old - took a nose-dive during the pandemic. But the trend among teens has been worrisome for at least a decade now. Starting around 2012, suicide overtook homicide as a leading cause of death among 15-19 year-olds. In the most recent big survey of high schoolers the CDC does every few years, a quarter of students said they'd seriously considered suicide. Nearly half reported feeling persistently sad or hopeless. One thing is clear: Teen mental health in America is getting worse. What can we do about it? Let's look at three areas for possible intervention for teens in crisis. A lot of doctors and families recognize that medication is often an effective part of mental health treatment. But others worry that we're too quick to jump to prescription medications - particularly for teens. We'll tackle the role of sleep: two-thirds of American teens are chronically sleep-deprived. We'll look at the effects of social media, which seems like an obvious culprit - but outright banning it could actually make things worse for some teens. Podcast Guests: Brooke Siem, author of “May Cause Side Effects” Dr. Khadijah Booth Watkins, child and adolescent psychiatrist and associate director of the Clay Center for Young Health Minds at Massachusetts General Hospital Lisa L. Lewis, author of “The Sleep-Deprived Teen: Why Our Teenagers Are So Tired, and How Parents and Schools Can Help Them Thrive” Sarah Coyne, professor of human development at Brigham Young University

Our “Stick With It” series on the Top of Mind podcast continues with Karin Freeland, host of the podcast “Rock Your Reinvention” and author of the book “Grab Life By the Dreams.” Before Freeland was a life reinvention coach, she was a successful sales executive climbing the corporate ladder, buying designer bags and driving a Benz. And she was miserable. But she couldn’t bring herself to look at the real reasons why, until a series of deaths in the family. While in mourning, she was finally willing to openly and humbly consider why she was so unhappy with a life that included all the hallmarks of the American Dream – marriage, children, work and wealth. In this episode, Karin Freeland shares what she learned from that Stick With It moment and how it led to her new career as a life reinvention coach, author and podcaster. The Top of Mind podcast would love to hear your Stick With It story. Can you think of a time when you felt your perspective or worldview challenged and, instead of getting defensive, you chose to lean into the discomfort – and you’re glad you did? Email your story to [email protected]. Podcast Guest: Karin Freeland, life reinvention coach, host of the podcast “Rock Your Reinvention,” author of “Grab Life By the Dreams”

Our “Stick With It” series on the Top of Mind podcast continues with a story from health coach Carolyn Cohen, host of the podcast “Wellness While Walking.” Cohen grew up with strict dietary rules that she eagerly rejected when she left home. In time, she and her children experienced health problems that caused Cohen to reconsider her approach to food and wellness. She embraced a healthier lifestyle and became a certified health coach to help others make small choices to improve their wellness. After all her hard work and careful attention to wellness, Cohen was shocked and demoralized to get a diagnosis of pre-diabetes. In this Stick With It episode of the podcast, Cohen shares how – after a period of heavy denial – she mustered the humility and curiosity to learn what changes she needed to make for her health. By leaning into the discomfort of that moment, she gained new insights that improved her wellness and inspired her to create her own podcast called “Wellness While Walking.” The Top of Mind podcast would love to hear your Stick With It story. Can you think of a time when you felt your perspective or worldview challenged and, instead of getting defensive, you chose to lean into the discomfort – and you’re glad you did? Email your story to [email protected]. Podcast Guest: Carolyn Cohen, health coach and host of the Wellness While Walking podcast

We’re being asked to tip more – and in more places – than ever before in America. And surveys show we’re annoyed and confused by “tipflation” and “tipcreep.” What are the rules in this new tipping culture? How much is expected when you’re ordering food at the counter and that screen pops up asking for a tip? What’s that money for? And is it okay not to tip in those cases? In this episode of Top of Mind, we’ll explain why tipping culture is changing in America and what it suggests about us, as a society. Because it’s not just about the money. It’s about how we value the people doing really personal things for us; people who are often strangers of a different social status. We’ll hear from both sides of the counter – a confused customer and a food service worker who’s spent her entire career working for tips. We’ll meet the owner of a pizza restaurant in Brooklyn who tried to eliminate tips and failed. And the researcher known as “America’s tipping expert” will explain the perfect storm that led to this tipping point and what to do next time you’re asked to tip. Podcast Guests: Matt Johnson, Top of Mind listener from Texas Jaime Wilson, behind-the-counter worker, food blogger and self-employed baker Mike Fadem, owner and founder of Ops and Leo, pizzerias in Brooklyn, New York and drummer for The Jealous Girlfriends Michael Lynn, professor of consumer behavior and services marketing at the Cornell University School of Hotel Administration