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Studio 2 Everything you need to know about what's happening in the Delaware Valley – from news and politics to science and the arts– delivered with a fresh perspective, all in an hour. Listeners learn something new and add their voice to energizing live conversations with co-hosts Avi Wolfman-Arent and Cherri Gregg.
Studio 2

Podcast Directory
Studio 2

Studio 2

From WHYY

Everything you need to know about what's happening in the Delaware Valley – from news and politics to science and the arts– delivered with a fresh perspective, all in an hour. Listeners learn something new and add their voice to energizing live conversations with co-hosts Avi Wolfman-Arent and Cherri Gregg.

Most Recent Episodes

Chef Lidia Bastianich, Pa. Forever Chemicals, Amazon Antitrust Allegations

Italian chef and PBS cooking show host Lidia Bastianich stops by to share recipes from her new cookbook, Lidia's From Our Family Table to Yours. The dishes pull from her childhood memories and include new family favorites – spicy crispy roasted cauliflower, rigatoni with sausage and cabbage, eggplant rollatini, a simple roast chicken and much more. We'll talk with Bastianich about the connection between family and food, and get tips on Italian cooking. A recent study detected PFAS in 76% of Pennsylvania's rivers and creeks. WHYY's watershed reporter Zoe Read tells us about new plans by Pennsylvania's Department of Environmental Protection to increase monitoring of the so-called forever chemicals in our waterways. The Federal Trade Commission and 17 states including PA, NJ and DE, are suing Amazon for antitrust violations. The sweeping lawsuit accuses the tech giant of anti-competitive practices and harming third party vendors and consumers. We'll talk with Washington Post technology reporter Will Oremus about the case and what it could mean for Amazon's future.

Chef Lidia Bastianich, Pa. Forever Chemicals, Amazon Antitrust Allegations

Earth's 'Fragile Moment' with Michael Mann, Latest on Irizarry Police Shooting

This summer was the Earth's hottest on record. University of Pennsylvania climate scientist Michael Mann joins us to talk about our warming planet and why, despite the doomsday projections, he is remains hopeful. His new book, Our Fragile Moment: How Lessons from Earth's Past Can Help Us Survive the Climate Crisis, looks at past climate shifts on Earth and the lessons we can draw for today. We'll talk with him about our warming planet, what can be done to slow it, the politics that get in the way, and much more. A municipal judge has dismissed charges against Officer Mark Dial, the Philadelphia police officer who fatally shot Eddie Irizarry while he was sitting in his car last month. In agreement with the defense, the court ruled that prosecutors did not present enough evidence of a crimes including first-degree murder and voluntary manslaughter. We'll get the latest from Philadelphia Inquirer criminal justice reporter Chris Palmer.

Earth's 'Fragile Moment' with Michael Mann, Latest on Irizarry Police Shooting

The True Story of the AR-15 Rifle, NJ Sen. Bob Menendez Bribery Charges

Senator Bob Menendez defended himself against allegations of corruption in a Monday press conference. The New Jersey democrat was charged last week with accepting hundreds of thousands of dollars in bribes from three businessmen and the Egyptian government. Piles of cash, gold bars and a luxury car make up some of the evidence in the indictment. Menendez has so far refused to step down, despite growing pressure from fellow democrats. We'll get the latest on the case from WNYC reporter Nancy Solomon (@NancySolomon2), who covers New Jersey politics. There are more than 20 million AR-15-style weapons in the United States today — and they're at the center of our country's gun safety debate. These rifles, capable of evil and destruction, are owned legally by many average citizens and hunters, but have also become a symbol of 21st century mass shootings — a far cry from the original intention of aiding U.S. soldiers during the Cold War. We'll talk with Wall Street Journal reporters Cameron McWhirter (@cammcwhirter) and Zusha Elinson (@ZushaElinson) about the true story of the AR-15, its transformation over the decades and the political power it holds. Their new book is American Gun.

The True Story of the AR-15 Rifle, NJ Sen. Bob Menendez Bribery Charges

Big Tobacco's Addictive Snacks, Medical Aid in Dying, Opera Philadelphia

Wilmington's Judy Govatos has fought off Stage 4 lymphoma twice but knows the cancer is likely to return. In recent years, she has taken up the fight for the right to medical aid in dying, but legislation in Delaware has repeatedly failed to pass. Now she's joined a lawsuit to open New Jersey, which allows the right-to-die, to non-residents. She'll join us to talk about why she believes people should be able to die with dignity and choose their own end. You may be surprised to learn that many of the ultra-processed, packaged foods available today were brought to you by Big Tobacco companies like Philip Morris. A recent study showed that cigarette giants used their knowledge of flavor and addiction to hook consumers, including kids, on a magic combination of salt, carbohydrates and fat. We'll talk with Anahad O'Connor, health columnist at The Washington Post's Well+Being desk. Opera Philadelphia is hosting its fifth annual Festival O23 which kicks off Thursday. General director and president David Devan joins us with a behind the scenes look and to share his thoughts on the future of the opera before he departs the organization.

Big Tobacco's Addictive Snacks, Medical Aid in Dying, Opera Philadelphia

Should you post your kids online? Plus, testing your civics knowledge & the host of 'On Point'

This year's Annenberg civics survey found about one in six people could not name a single branch of government, and when it comes to the First Amendment, we recall our right to free speech, but not the other protections it extends. We'll talk about Americans' knowledge of the U.S. constitution with Annenberg Public Policy Center Director Kathleen Hall Jamieson and what the findings tell us about civic engagement. Proud parents and grandparents love sharing images and stories of their adorable kids on social media, but when does it cross the line? We'll talk about over-sharing by parents and the rights of children to privacy and informed consent with Leah Plunkett, author of Sharenthood: Why We Should Think Before We Talk about Our Kids Online. Meghna Chakrabarti planned on a career in engineering but rose to fame as the host of WBUR's On Point. She joins us to talk about finding ways to bring opposing viewpoints together and the power of local journalism.

Should you post your kids online? Plus, testing your civics knowledge & the host of 'On Point'

Mütter Museum Controversy, the History of Pockets, the First Emoticon

Emoticons are a popular way to express emotions in digital communication, consisting of combinations of keyboard characters to form facial expressions. Scott Fahlman, Professor Emeritus in Carnegie Mellon's School of Computer Science, is credited with sending the first emoticon in 1982. His suggestion of using : – ) to indicate a joke or lightheartedness has since become a widely recognized symbol. Today, emoticons have evolved into a vast array of expressive symbols, enhancing our online interactions and adding a touch of personality to our messages. The Mütter Museum of Philadelphia attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors each year who come to see the frank and macabre displays of human skeletons, preserved body parts and antiquated medical instruments. But now the medical museum is wrestling with ethical questions about how it displays human remains and the fear of big changes to the Mütter has caused an uproar among fans and some former employees. Executive Director Kate Quinn joins us to talk about the thorny questions the museum faces, its history, the concerns of its loyal fans, and balancing museum's character and mission with the respect and honor owed to the individuals displayed in its halls. We shouldn't take pockets for granted, argues historian Hannah Carlson in her new book, Pockets: An Intimate History of How We Keep Things Close. These pouches in our clothing are full of meaning and carry a lot more than just keys, change, wallets and phones. Carlson shares the fascinating story of pockets and what they tells us about gender, power, and privacy.

Mütter Museum Controversy, the History of Pockets, the First Emoticon

Shabbat Recipes with Solomonov & Sussman, Temple University in Turmoil

Before the start of Rosh Hashanah, we'll talk with Chef Michael Solomonov, five-time James Beard Award winner known for Center City restaurants including Zahav, and Adeena Sussman, author of a brand-new cookbook, Shabbat: Recipes and Rituals from My Table to Yours. Turmoil at Temple University as the search begins for a new president. We'll talk with Philadelphia Magazine contributing writer David Murrell about public safety concerns, leadership changes, and a big dip in enrollment at the school.

Shabbat Recipes with Solomonov & Sussman, Temple University in Turmoil

New COVID-19 Boosters, Earworms, Women's Rights in Afghanistan

New COVID-19 vaccine recommendations come out Tuesday. We hear from Dr. Paul Offit, Director of the Vaccine Education Center at CHOP and member of the FDA advisory panel about the latest guidelines released by the CDC. Are you walking on sunshine or do you always look on the bright side of life? And, did we plant an earworm with the mention of these two songs? On this episode, we're finding out why we can't get certain tunes out of our heads and why there's so much repetition in music with guest Elizabeth Margulis, music professor at Princeton University. Two years since the Taliban regained control over Afghanistan, women's rights look dramatically different. We are joined by Adela Raz, former and last ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan to the United States.

New COVID-19 Boosters, Earworms, Women's Rights in Afghanistan

Cavalcante Update, The Immigration Crisis, Why is Everybody Using Subtitles?

Danelo Cavalcante escaped Chester County Prison on August 31st. In the almost two weeks since, law enforcement officers have followed leads without success. Philadelphia Inquirer reporter Vinny Vella (@Vellastrations) joins us to provide the latest update, with search efforts shifting to northern Chester County. The immigration crisis is heating up again, this time in democratic controlled states. New York City Mayor Eric Adams is calling on President Biden to do something about the large migrant influx, and last week, New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy rejected a proposal to house asylum seekers in the Atlantic City Airport. We'll discuss the national immigration crisis and political ramifications for the 2024 election cycle with NPR national correspondent Joel Rose (@NPRJoel). Are you watching TV with subtitles on, even if you don't need them? Captions aren't just for accessibility anymore, and a record number of Americans of all ages are relying on them to keep up with their favorite shows. We'll talk with Devin Gordon (@DevinGordonX), contributing writer to The Atlantic.

Cavalcante Update, The Immigration Crisis, Why is Everybody Using Subtitles?

Pet Ethics, 12-Foot Puppet Little Amal, Trivia & Things to Do

Pets add so much joy to our lives, but there can also be difficult and painful decisions to make at the end of theirs. More Americans than ever have at least one animal companion at home, and some spend thousands of dollars a year on their health and happiness. We'll talk about our relationships with our four-legged friends with James Serpell, Professor of Ethics and Animal Welfare Emeritus at the University of Pennsylvania, and veterinarian Emily Tincher. A 12 foot puppet of a 10 year old Syrian refugee child, Little Amal, has travelled over 6,000 miles to 15 countries. She starts her 'walk' in the United States on Thursday and will soon come to Philly. We'll talk with Khadijat Oseni, artistic associate of the touring team, about the puppet's journey and mission. Amal in Lewisham 0331 (c) The Walk Productions (c) David Levene WHYY's Tonya Pendleton has rounded up a list of things to do this weekend in our region, and more Studio 2 trivia.

Pet Ethics, 12-Foot Puppet Little Amal, Trivia & Things to Do

Studio 2

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