Shows / Perspectives
Perspectives
Perspectives are commentaries produced by and for WNIJ listeners, from a panel of regular contributors and guests.
Episodes
- Perspectives
Perspective: Jesus and War
DeKalb pastor Joe Mitchell condemns the intersection of war and Christian faith, following the bombing of Iran.
PerspectivesPerspective: Protect your mail-in vote
Primary election day is March 17, but Carol Bailey with the League of Women Voters suggests mailing your ballot a week early.
- Perspectives
Perspective: COVID amnesia
On today's Perspective, Deborah Booth says we need to do a better job remembering what we learned during the pandemic.
- Perspectives
Perspective: Sisters by choice inspire just as well
On today's Perspective, Anissa Kuhar shares a poem inspired by her Warriors.
- Perspectives
Perspective: The dismal science
Tom McBride finds the Shakespeare in economics. And the economics in Shakespeare.
PerspectivesPerspective: The power of song
Singing is a special kind of magic, says Marnie O. Mamminga.
PerspectivesPerspective: Friendships and haircuts
Suzanne Degges-White says some things need regular care and upkeep.
- Perspectives
Perspective: American values
On today's Perspective, Reed Scherer hopes to inspire you to fight for American values.
PerspectivesPerspective: Facebook and a walk
On today's Perspective, Katie Andraski lets her mind wander while she walks.
- Perspectives
Perspective: The courage and compassion of Rev. Jesse Jackson, Sr.
Litesa Wallace remembers Rev. Jackson, from icon to collaborator.
- Perspectives
Perspective: Magic Words
On today's Perspective, Francisco Solares-Larrave, PhD, admits he doesn't know everything.
- Perspectives
The joy of doing something new -- badly
On today's Perspective, Beth Schewe says there's joy in trying something new.
PerspectivesPerspective: Welcome the fire horse!
Paula Garrett says the Year of the Fire Horse is right on time. Happy New Year!
- Perspectives
Perspective: My parents danced
Lonny Cain shares his memories of the joy he felt when his parents danced.
- Perspectives
Perspective: Experience the arts
Nia Springer-Norris says you can experience the arts anywhere.
- Perspectives
Perspective: Presidential museums
Anissa Kuhar remembers American history through presidential museums.
- Perspectives
Perspective: Meditations on crossing the Potsdamer Bridge
Frances Jaeger meditates on crossing a bridge in Berlin.
- Perspectives
Perspective: Social Darwinism at Work
Are you a big believer in "survival of the fittest?" Taylor Atkins says "good luck with that."
- Perspectives
Perspective: Why can't we have chickens in DeKalb?
It has been a few years since DeKalb was squawking about backyard chickens. Jennifer Corbin wonders why we haven't heard a peep since.
PerspectivesPerspective: The smartest animal in the world
Connie Seraphine salutes our eight-armed friends.
- Perspectives
Perspective: What I learned from 'The Wire'
Joseph Flynn shares the wisdom of Slim Charles.
- Perspectives
Perspective: Is anyone concerned about the nation's business being handled on social media?
Mary Gardner has a question about the evolution of the fireside chat.
PerspectivesPerspective: We didn’t start the fire, but we can choose our response
Anissa Kuhar encourages you to find your peace in difficult times.
- Perspectives
Perspective: 'Mural dyslexia' and the pursuit of affordable health care
Dr. Arnold Rosen agrees with his state senator: It's time to do something about the high cost of health care. But what to do is another matter.
- Perspectives
Perspective: Lessons learned from the Cubs Convention 2026
Marnie O. Mamminga says her annual trip to celebrate her Cubbies transcends all politics. Go, Cubs, go!
PerspectivesPerspective: The extraordinary Steve Cropper
Paula Garrett remembers one of the greats who epitomized the Memphis sound.
- Perspectives
Perspective: The kids are alright
Taylor Atkins says his students get it. Their parents? Not so much.
- Perspectives
Perspective: On dreams and secret anxiety
Tom McBride's dreams take him back to grade school. Let the diagramming of sentences begin!
- Perspectives
Perspective: What does your brand promise?
Anissa Kuhar says you should think about yourself like toothpaste.
- Perspectives
Perspective: Making the most of January
Connie Seraphine challenges herself — and you — to see winter in some life-giving ways.
PerspectivesPerspective: Upgrade your geriatric experience
Rosie Klepper faces down the pains of aging with a hot new ally.
- Perspectives
Perspective: The children of Nagasaki were singing
Scott Summers found redemption in a surprising way during a visit to Japan
- Perspectives
Perspective: I'm thankful for my right to vote
Connie Seraphine looks back at the long road that led to voting rights for women.
- Perspectives
Perspective: ICE raids in our cities
Deborah Booth says immigration raids could normalize the appearance of armed agents in our streets — and that could affect future elections.
PerspectivesPerspective: Giving thanks for the crabapple tree
It's a fitting end for some of Marnie O. Mamminga's family friends.
- Perspectives
Perspective: The Wendigo in America
Dan Kenney says an ancient monster is afoot in the U.S. government leadership.
- Perspectives
Perspective: Problems, not symptoms
Anissa Kuhar says curiosity may be the key to identifying the real problems.
- Perspectives
Perspective: We need to slow our roll
Suzanne Degges-White says we need to cool our nation's temperature before it destroys us.
- Perspectives
Perspective: That's the way I like it
Lori Drummond-Cherniwchan discovers some things get even better with age — including a disco anthem.
- Perspectives
Perspective: As safe as Little Red Riding Hood...
Katie Andraski wonders what it's like to feel safe at home.
- Perspectives
Perspective: Observe Veterans Day with gratitude
Bob Evans urges us to remember Veterans Day in this encore Perspective.
- Perspectives
Perspective: No free lunch
As any state employee knows, accepting gifts on the job is unethical. Suzanne Degges-White looks at the bigger picture.
PerspectivesPerspective: How to be cool after you retire
Tom McBride thought he finally had time to become the rebel he always dreamed he'd be. But something was missing.
- Perspectives
Perspective: The secret to surviving retirement
So you think retirement is all palm trees, naps, and low-impact sports? Lonny Cain says it's complicated.
- Perspectives
Perspective: Are you listening?
Paula Garrett values her hearing...and the ability to listen.
PerspectivesPerspective: Estrangement
Taylor Atkins says there's an epidemic of estrangement and wonders if it's an overused solution.
PerspectivesPerspective: Welcoming quieter friends
Anissa Kuhar is an extrovert who learned how to work better with introverts.
- Perspectives
Perspective: What's scarier than Halloween?
Nia Springer Norris gets spooky with AI doomsday theories.