Shows / Perspectives
Perspectives
Perspectives are commentaries produced by and for WNIJ listeners, from a panel of regular contributors and guests.
Episodes
- Perspectives
Perspective: The slow worm
In honor of St. Patrick's Day, Tom McBride spins a poem about the slow worm.
PerspectivesPerspective: Wordsworth's Wisdom
Suzanne Degges-White applies early 19th-century wisdom to our present situation.
- Perspectives
Perspective: What is merit?
Joseph Flynn asks what merit is when General CQ Brown can lose his job as Joint Chiefs of Staff to an unqualified candidate.
- Perspectives
Perspective: The New Sheriff
Bob Evans looks at the policies being pushed by America's "New Sheriff."
PerspectivesPerspective: Spring migration -- Which way to go?
The birds are back and Marnie O. Mamminga chooses some much-needed hope.
PerspectivesPerspective: Get informed, then vote!
Deborah Booth says local elections are important, too.
PerspectivesPerspective: We will welcome every baby
Emily Klonicki has good news for newborns in Winnebago County.
- Perspectives
Perspective: Rockford welcomes all people
Janie Wilson-Cook points out Rockford's long history of immigrants, after a controversial action at city hall.
- Perspectives
Perspective: Your country needs your superpower
Lonny Cain realizes he has a "Boomer Superpower" and he's about to become a superhero.
- Perspectives
Perspective: Being bad at something is good for you
Dan Libman says to challenge yourself, no matter how bad it feels at first.
- Perspectives
Perspective: Impoundment and Crusader
John Frana remembers a time when the Nixon administration threatened a clinic's funding...and how locals pulled together to save it.
- Perspectives
Perspective: A hundred robins
It's a normal late winter day for Chris Fink...until he sees THEM.
- Perspectives
Perspective: What's science worth to you?
Holly Jones says cuts at the National Science Foundation will hurt us all.
- Perspectives
Perspective: Eighteen minutes
Andrew Nelson is thinking about the speed of the loss of something big, powerful, and respected — the Lusitania.
- Perspectives
Perspective: Sunday school
Who remembers Sunday school? Rosie Klepper does, although it was more Timmy than Moses.
- Perspectives
Perspective: It's time to put our pants on and show up
Nia Norris checks her facts and faces down her fears.
PerspectivesPerspective: Stay calm, breathe deeply
Connie Seraphine urges us to close our eyes and take a few deep breaths.
PerspectivesPerspective: The poetry of country music
If it's Plath vs. Strait, who's Tom McBride going to root for?
- Perspectives
Perspective: Thanks, Mr. Schulz
It has been a quarter-century since cartoonist Charles Schulz died. Rosie Klepper wants to thank him for helping her through childhood.
- Perspectives
Perspective: Our cruel government
The people voted for change, but did they vote for cruelty? asks Deborah Booth.
- Perspectives
Perspective: Never mind the conspiracies. I believe in you.
Wester Wuori reports from the intersection of conspiracy theories and religion.
PerspectivesPerspective: I beg your pardon?
Scott Summers says it's time to start talking about a constitutional amendment regarding pardons.
- Perspectives
Perspective: Let's focus on the children
Dan Kenney says while the barrage of actions coming out of Washington D.C. is overwhelming, you can gain clarity by focusing on the children.
- Perspectives
Perspective: Afoot on highway
Beth Schewe urges empathy as she uncovers her own grandmother's journey as a migrant.
- Perspectives
Perspective: Slow down stress-related aging
All this stress got you feeling your age? Or older? Suzanne Degges-White has some tips for you.
- Perspectives
Perspective: There is method to this madness
President Trump is seizing control of the bureaucracy. Bob Evans says it's a novel approach to a "problem" all presidents have faced.
PerspectivesPerspective: Don't walk alone
Barney knew when to ask for help. Do you? Lori Drummond-Cherniwchan says you can learn a lot from a cat.
- Perspectives
Perspective: E pluribus unum, right?
Joseph Flynn says we need to understand the many if we hope our nation can become one.
PerspectivesPerspective: Eulogies
Lonny Cain takes a lesson from President Carter's funeral: Why wait to say how you feel?
- Perspectives
Perspective: Workers deserve more
Dave Rathke remembers a friend and what he did for workers.
- Perspectives
Perspective: Summer insects and a bishop's sermon
Memories of an Argentine film are stirred when Frances Jaeger watches Bishop Budde's speech this week.
- Perspectives
Perspective: What do we do now?
Lynnea Erickson says it's time for change from the bottom up.
- Perspectives
Perspective: The Cat-Lecturer
Tom McBride likes cats. And they seem pretty cool with him, too.
- Perspectives
Perspective: GenAI On Trial
David Gunkel says the most important trials of our time will affect the future of the arts.
- Perspectives
Perspective: Perplexed
Frances Jaeger wonders how people can enjoy football, and has some alternative entertainment ideas.
- Perspectives
Perspective: The two January 20ths
Two days loaded with ceremony and symbolism happen to land on the same Monday. Joe Mitchell knows where he will be on the 20th.
- Perspectives
Perspective: America's gun
Wester Wuori fires off some thoughts — safely — about the AR-15.
- Perspectives
Perspective: Back to normal, for now
Connie Seraphine had a magical holiday with grandkids from the sunshine states.
- Perspectives
Perspective: Blue collar arrogance
Sure, white collar arrogance is a thing. But Taylor Atkins has experienced the blue collar kind... in an awkward place.
- Perspectives
Perspective: In praise of white lies
Francisco Solares-Larrave says sincerity is overrated.
- Perspectives
Perspective: In-between times
Deborah Booth says our short break from politics is coming to an end. Are you ready?
PerspectivesPerspective: Resolutions for the new year
Break that resolution yet? Suzanne Degges-White says not to worry.
- Perspectives
Perspective: The winter heron
Chris Fink's trip to the creek sets up a dangerous encounter.
- Perspectives
Perspective: Check your perspective
Tom McBride puts our place in the universe in Perspective.