Shows / Studio 2
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.
Episodes
- Studio 2
Tips for the best weekend in Philly
What belongs in the perfect Philly weekend? From coffee and cheesesteaks to museums and murals, we’re crowdsourcing the city’s ultimate must-do…
- Studio 2
Is nicotine back?
American smoking rates have reached historic lows, but cigarettes are all over pop culture, as are nicotine products like vapes and pouches.
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Watershed moment for soccer in America?
Our home team is officially out of the running for the 2026 FIFA World Cup… so why do some people say Americans are still winning?
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Can democratic socialists go mainstream?
Democratic socialists are on a winning streak in Pennsylvania, New York and Colorado but will the movement help or hurt Democrats chances in November?
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250th Celebration: Battlefields, Foods and Communities of the American Revolution
In celebration of America’s big birthday, we’re spotlighting revolutionary people, places and events across our region.
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Pros and cons of the e-mobility boom
E-bikes, e-scooters, and e-motos are all over our streets (and sometimes sidewalks). How are the rules of the road changing accordingly?
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Supreme Court decision analysis
We unpack the final weeks of court rulings with two constitutional law scholars: birthright citizenship, transgender athlete bans, presidential firing power…
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The Big Fix: Philadelphia at 2076
What could the city become over the next half-century? How could we redesign the city for the future?
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Shifting attitudes towards LGBTQ+ rights
After decades of growing acceptance, American support for LGBTQ+ rights has declined in the last few years. What’s driving the shift and what does will it mean?
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The case for a throwback summer
Remember when “going outside” was the only summer plan? From the snacks, to hangouts, to one-hit wonders that defined summer, we’re throwing…
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What does it mean to be patriotic?
Is patriotism about upholding the ideals of America’s founders? Is it blind allegiance to the country? Can you be deeply critical of the U.S and still be…
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Was the war with Iran worth it?
As negotiators from the U.S. and Iran begin to hammer out a deal, what exactly is on the table? Who stands to win and lose?
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Supreme Court decision time
The Supreme Court will soon hand down decisions on major cases like birthright citizenship, mail-in ballots, and transgender sports bans. What should we expect?
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The founding of Pennsylvania and the legacy of the Pa. Constitution
What made Pennsylvania’s first ever constitution so radical that it only lasted 14 years? And how did such a short lived document have such a long…
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The case for a throwback summer
On this episode of Studio 2, it’s the ultimate throwback summer: we’re bringing back some of our favorite memories from decades past. We’ll talk about the…
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America’s love-hate relationship with tipping
Why American consumers are tired of tipping and why many workers can’t get by without it.
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The changing way we work
Microshifting, polyworking, hybrid, RTO mandates and AI…disruptions to modern work continue.
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LIVE From FIFA Fan Fest at Lemon Hill
It’s the most-watched sporting event on the planet, and once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for Philadelphians. For the first time ever, the city will host…
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Where’s the line in comedy?
How do controversies in comedy reflect the broader cultural and political moment? And has the threshold for socially acceptable speech shifted?
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Documenting corruption in the Trump White House
New York Times investigative reporter Eric Lipton on the unprecedented ways in which President Trump is profiting from the presidency.
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Should personal scandals matter at the ballot box?
How much do democrats really care about questions of character for potential political leaders? And in an era of hyper-polarization… has the calculus changed?
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Is Philly ready for USA 250?
With the nation’s birthday just around the corner, will the city’s infrastructure will hold up as well as the Declaration of Independence?
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How constraints make us happier and more productive
In a world with seemingly infinite competition for our time and attention, how do we decide what to prioritize?
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The state of ICE detention and deportation
Protests at Newark’s Delaney Hall are drawing public attention to conditions in ICE detention facilities.
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Should billionaires pay more taxes?
As America’s billionaire class grows, some states and some in Congress are proposing a wealth tax. Polls show most Americans think the rich aren’t paying…
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Kurt Vile: Philadelphia’s Been Good to Me
Kurt Vile’s latest album, an ode to his Philly roots, drops May 29. He joins Avi Wolfman-Arent to talk about his signature lo-fi, DIY, rock and roll…
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Becoming American: Philadelphia’s Story
The filmmakers behind a new PBS documentary share the stories of indigenous people, enslaved Africans, and other diverse communities that helped shape our…
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The Big Fix: getting kids off screens
Can we make technology safer and healthier for kids and teens? Do social media and phone bans actually work? And who should be responsible for setting the…
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National politics roundup
We’re hosting two political reporters to dig into fault lines in the GOP, debates over the future of the Democratic party, and rapidly evolving tensions…
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Where our accents come from; 90s Black sitcom history
A linguistics expert on the history and complexity of accents and subtle social cues that underpin them. Plus, a fascinating look at 90s TV hits like Martin…
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Studio 2 Extra: Bestselling author Celeste Ng
In Our Missing Hearts, writer Celeste Ng meticulously crafts a near-future American dystopia, not far removed from the real world. It’s the ‘One…
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What makes a great commencement speech?
It’s commencement speech season, when politicians, CEOs and celebrities impart words of wisdom to new graduates. What makes a speech resonate? How did…
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What to make of the primary election results
What do yesterday’s primary results signal about the current political landscape? We’re unpacking local and national results and looking ahead at the key races…
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Online health trends: fact versus fiction
Why are so many Americans turning to influencers for medical advice? And which online health trends are truly backed by science?
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The rise of independent voters
According to a recent Gallup poll, 45% of Americans now consider themselves independent. What’s behind the rise?
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Hacking your budget in an uncertain economy
In an uncertain economy with rising inflation, Americans are finding creative, even unorthodox ways to save money. Our experts share budgeting tips and tricks.
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Inside America’s emergency room crisis
Why are patients stuck in the emergency department for days waiting on a hospital bed? We’re talking about the chronic overcrowding that is ailing…
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Inflation, redistricting war, Pa.’s role in control of U.S. House
Inflation hit its highest level in three years — driven by surging costs for energy, food and housing, according to a Bureau of Labor Statistics report…
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How mega-mergers are reshaping media
Who are the billionaires redrawing the maps of our media ecosystem? What will change if some of the biggest names in entertainment and news fall under the the…
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The best living American songwriters
The New York Times Magazine released a list of the top 30 living American songwriters, from Taylor Swift, to Stevie Wonder, to Jay-Z. Who made the cut and who…
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Dying on the Inside: What happens to aging women in prison?
Soon, 1 in 3 incarcerated people will be over 50. But prisons are not equipped to handle the aging population. A new podcast by Studio 2’s Cherri Gregg…
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City roundup: school closures, Uber tax, ICE bills
We’re diving into the top local news stories impacting Philadelphians.
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Fallout after SCOTUS guts Voting Rights Act
A recent Supreme Court decision is shaking the American political landscape. What does it mean for the midterms and for the future of democracy?
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Tavern Revolution 250: The Hessians
We’re talking about the role of Hessian soldiers in the American Revolution. Plus, an astonishing recent discovery at the site of a 1777 battle.
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3rd Congressional District Democratic primary debate
State Rep. Chris Rabb and State Sen. Sharif Street debated the issues and made their case for why Philly voters should send them to Congress.
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The wild cost of weddings
The average wedding now costs around $35,000, a figure that can rival a down payment on a first home or years of student loan payments. In response to rising…
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The Big Fix: How to power our future
America’s power grid is buckling as energy demand soars. Fuel shocks from the war in Iran are only exacerbating concerns. So how do we keep the lights on?
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Studio 2 Extra: Philly author Emma Copley Eisenberg
A collection of short stories called “Fat Swim” by Philly author Emma Copley Eisenberg is slated for release on April 28th. In it, Eisenberg…
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Why We Talk Funny: The Real Story Behind Our Accents
Linguist Valerie Fridland guides us through the history of accents and why certain ones stick while others disappear, and what they reveal about power…
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Fact, fiction and future for U.S. scientific and medical research
Billions in potential cuts to the National Institutes of Health could dramatically reshape the future of American science. The Trump administration’s latest…
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Economic check-in: Stocks surge, consumers wary, Fed Chair pick
Consumer sentiment reached an all time low last week, according to a long-running University of Michigan survey. Are Americans right to be glum about the…
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How to have a greener thumb
As temperatures rise and flowers bloom, we’re talking all things gardening.
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Age gaps in romance
May/December romances are back in the spotlight thanks to a reality TV series pairing singles decades apart in age. With an average age gap of 4 years between…
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Political roundtable: Iran, Pope Leo, the Hungary election and the midterms
We dig into the week’s big headlines — US blockade in the Strait of Hormuz, Trump’s attacks on Pope Leo, Orbán’s defeat in Hungary and…
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LIVE from Penn Law: How the U.S. Supreme Court evolved through history
LIVE from Penn Carey Law School at the University of Pennsylvania, Avi and Cherri take a closer look at SCOTUS and its most famous rulings in history. As The…
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Why making friends feels hard – and what Philadelphians do about it
Making friends as an adult can be awkward. Even if you get an introduction, busy schedules often get in the way of nurturing a new connection. Here is what you…
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Demystifying dementia
One in three older Americans will get some form of dementia – and the toll doesn’t stop with the patient. Tens of millions of family members and friends become…
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American couture: freedom of style or fashion decline?
Have we gotten too casual with our clothing? A restaurant chain encourages business casual and the transportation secretary wants to return “courtesy and…
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Artemis II and the new space race
NASA’s Artemis II mission will surpass the record for the farthest distance traveled from Earth by humans. Next up, NASA wants to build a moon base…but…