Shows / Perspectives
Perspectives
Perspectives are commentaries produced by and for WNIJ listeners, from a panel of regular contributors and guests.
Episodes
PerspectivesPerspective: Why is this midterm election so important?
Carol Bailey wants people to vote.
- Perspectives
Perspective: An emerging continent
Joseph Flynn says many African governments are stepping up to challenge colonial legacies.
PerspectivesPerspective: What we need most from a friend
Suzanne Degges-White was surprised by a survey of women about friendship.
PerspectivesPerspective: Remembering Annie Dillard
Katie Andraski was inspired by the author who once offered advice.
- Perspectives
Perspective: The best Halloween costume this year
Remember being a kid choosing your Halloween costume? Kyle White does after laying eyes on the most perfectly simple homemade statement.
- Perspectives
Perspective: When enforcing the law is problematic
Bob Evans take a look at two incidents within the Trump administration.
- Perspectives
Perspective: Harmony
Paula Garrett wants to get you thinking about your favorite duos and trios.
- Perspectives
Perspective: Why didn't we ask?
Dan Kenney has some important questions he'd like to ask political candidates.
- Perspectives
Perspective: Why isn't Grant on Mt. Rushmore? The consequences of 'fictional truths'
There's truth and there's fiction. And Anissa Kuhar says in the wrong hands, it can change history.
- Perspectives
Perspective: Halloween haunting
Give me pumpkins and haybales this spooky season, says Rosie Klepper.
PerspectivesPerspective: When the children play 'Intruder'
A children's game is a wake-up call for Beth Schewe.
- Perspectives
Perspective: We didn't vote for data centers
Susan Goldberg urges people to speak out against data centers.
PerspectivesPerspective: I am Jane Doe
October 8 is a day of action against violence against women, according to Women's March Rockford
PerspectivesPerspective: What employers want
Employers want professionals. Anissa Kuhar teaches students how to be just that in this difficult job market.
- Perspectives
Perspective: Bringing Illinois prairies back to life
Finding intact native prairie in Illinois is a rare and special thing. Amy Doll says to check your local cemetery.
PerspectivesPerspective: Get your financial house in order
Wester Wuori has some tips on getting your financial life together, for your family's sake.
PerspectivesPerspective: Show up for Domestic Violence Awareness Month
October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month, says Beth Ganion of DeKalb's Safe Passage.
PerspectivesPerspective: In praise of old tech
For Francisco Solares-Larrave, sometimes a watch is more than a watch.
PerspectivesPerspective: Finding fun in a world of 'famas'
Frances Jaeger encourages your inner cronopio. Don't worry, she'll explain.
PerspectivesPerspective: What does it matter who is speaking?
David Gunkel tries a different way of thinking about AI-generated content.
PerspectivesPerspective: I'm having cake for dinner
Could it be the best birthday ever for Rosie Klepper? The Constitution comes to her defense.
- Perspectives
Perspective: The power of sports (even when you're not great at them)
Beth Schewe shares the joy of participating in sports, even if you're in the DFL Club.
- Perspectives
Perspective: Mother Nature decides
It's a summer of robins, rabbits, pansies and milkweed for Lynn Hill.
PerspectivesPerspective: Seeing yourself through the eyes of others
Suzanne Degges-White says you might be surprised by what people are saying about you.
- Perspectives
Perspective: Listen to your neighbors
Katie Andraski says a story of dog-hoarding could be a lesson for us all.
- Perspectives
Perspective: An appreciation of the filibuster
Bob Evans points out that the filibuster plays an important role in our democracy.
PerspectivesPerspective: Evacuated
Chris Fink's annual writing class in the Boundary Waters took a terrifying turn this year.
- Perspectives
Perspective: Is college worth it?
Joseph Flynn takes a look at the value of expertise in a world where anti-intellectualism is growing.
- Perspectives
Perspective: My own Odyssey
Paula Garrett shares more about her journey to find her muse in Greece.
PerspectivesPerspective: Know what you know
Lonny Cain talks about the things we know ... or think we know.
PerspectivesPerspective: Perhaps we aren't too big
Andrew Nelson circles back in history and it's not pretty.
- Perspectives
Perspective: A Trojan horse
On today's Perspective, David Gunkel says the Odyssey is a Trojan horse of it's own kind.
- Perspectives
Perspective: Healthcare is a right
Dr. John Maynard says there is a better way when it comes to healthcare for Americans.
- Perspectives
Perspective: Can't we do this any better?
It's time for Wester Wuori to flare off some methane, er, gaseous political build-up, again.
- Perspectives
Perspective: Ending the photo moratorium
Marnie O. Mamminga resisted taking photos for a month — but then the biggest temptation stepped back in front of her camera.
- Perspectives
Perspective: Oppenheimer and Odysseus
Tom McBride wonders which tortured male hero director Christopher Nolan will take on next.
PerspectivesPerspective 250: Singing 'America the Beautiful,' far, far away
It's a beautiful moonlit night in Sri Lanka and it's your turn to entertain your new friends around the bonfire. Rick Brooks surprised himself.
- Perspectives
Perspective: Oz from a different angle
Deborah Booth finds magic in watching the Wizard of Oz with her grandchild — but she can't forget the dark side of the rainbow.
- Perspectives
Perspective: Snack time
In honor of National Junk Food Day, Rosie Klepper shares her new favorite snack with us.
PerspectivesPerspective: Pay attention to what you pay attention to
Dan Kenney says your attention is worth protecting.
PerspectivesPerspective: The wisdom of the crowd
The reaction to a DeKalb City Council vote about unhoused people has Emily McKee feeling hopeful.
- Perspectives
Perspectives 250: Grateful for this country's gifts
Katie Andraski remembers digging up our nation's past.
- Perspectives
Perspective 250: What about jazz?
Joseph Flynn noticed that an American original was missing from the nation's celebrations for the 250th anniversary.
- Perspectives
Perspective: Memories of Kalymnos
Paula Garrett takes us where rock climbers meet sponge divers.
PerspectivesPerspective 250: We are worth celebrating
What makes America great? Nia Norris is Clueless.
- Perspectives
Perspective: Outdoor education isn't extra — it's essential
Julie Bassett wants to give kids the opportunity to explore nature.
- Perspectives
Perspective 250: A perspective on perspective
Andrew Nelson reflects on our country of contradictions.
PerspectivesPerspective: The gift of music, without crushing the joy
Laura Eakmen wants her son to love music, so needed another approach.
- Perspectives
Perspective: Always tip the street musicians
Perspective author Marnie O. Mamminga wants to keep the music flowing.
PerspectivesPerspective: Obama Presidential Center
Deborah Booth is planning to visit the newest Presidential Center, which is much more than a museum.