Vocalo's Morning AMp

How Young Hopefuls Suffer during this Downward Mobile Millennial Crisis

podcasts@chicagopublicmedia.org (Chicago Public Media) — Mon, 20 May 2013 20:56:14 +0000

“Downwardly mobile doesn’t necessarily mean that your parents are paying your rent. But it does come with a certain set of expectations. Most of these people are educated - most of these people thought that they were going to get an awesome job out of college and now all of a sudden they’re either living with their parents, or they’re living with five roommates and they’re still 30 [ years old], or they’re just not making very much money: they don’t have health insurance, they don’t have a 401K, they don’t have any of these markers of adulthood. When you hear people obsess about Millennials they’re usually talking about downwardly mobile Millennials they’re not talking about the permanent poor. […] The word ‘broke’ kind of connotates not that you’ve been in a family that is in generations worth of poverty. It means that you’re cash poor but you have a certain set of expectations.” -Nonna Willis-Aronowitz on her latest work concerning the struggle towards employment for the Millennials. Writers April Scissors and Nona Willis-Aronowitz (a Founding Member of the Council) joined the AMp hosts Brian Babylon and Molly Adams this morning to discuss Nonna’s latest research on how the economy—especially employment rates—has yet to turn up for young people. If you’re interested in knowing more about the downwardly mobile Millennials, check out Nonna’s article published on the Atlantic Cities.

A 15 dollar an hour question

podcasts@chicagopublicmedia.org (Chicago Public Media) — Mon, 13 May 2013 22:48:08 +0000

Recently, fast-food workers from 30 establishments came out in the Loop to march for better wages. Their demand being a $15 minimum per hour. This might seem like a lot on paper, but what other factors go into decisions about fair wages in an expensive city? Hosts Brian Babylon and Molly Adams discuss with our legal expert and host of Vocalo's Practically Speaking, Audra Wilson.

Women in the WikiMedia

podcasts@chicagopublicmedia.org (Chicago Public Media) — Mon, 06 May 2013 18:52:22 +0000

Recently, there's been outrage over what was perceived as sexism on Wikipedia when an author noticed that the site was excluding women from its "American Novelist" section and making a separate list for only female writers. To make matters worse, women make up only 10% of Wikipedia editors. Two organizers of Chicago’s chapter of WAM (Women, Action, & the Media), Phaydra Babinchok and Twanna Hines, join hosts Molly Adams and Brian Babylon in the studio to break down the Wikipedia controversy and discuss how getting more women hired as writers in all fields will shift the paradigm. Phaydra and Twanna also talk about WAM's upcoming networking happy-hour event.

Why Do We Force-Feed?

podcasts@chicagopublicmedia.org (Chicago Public Media) — Mon, 29 Apr 2013 22:24:06 +0000

"Torture is torture, however frequent or common it is in a location." -Journalist Ann Neumann On Monday, an op-ed in the New York Times, Gitmo Is Killing Me, went viral. Dictated to his lawyers through a translator, Samir Naji al Hasan Moqbel, described the rampant hunger strike at the Guantanamo Bay military prison in Cuba and the violent ways that prisoners are force-fed to keep them alive. Force-feeding is considered torture by World Medical Association, but still happens regularly in US prisons. Journalist Ann Neumann, who edits The Revealer, a publication of NYU, and teaches at Drew University, has covered many hunger strikes and joins hosts Molly Adams and Brian Babylon from New York to talk about the ethics of force-feeding. From domestic prisoners, to medical cases like Terry Schiavo to off-shore US prisons, to political prisoners in Ireland in the early 1980s, force-feeding has a long, much-contested history.

The Gray Areas of Gun Control

podcasts@chicagopublicmedia.org (Chicago Public Media) — Mon, 22 Apr 2013 20:37:28 +0000

In 2011, of the 30,867 gun deaths in the U.S., 19,766 were suicides. As part of Front and Center's exploration of how guns and gun regulations affect our lives, WBEZ reporter Shannon Heffernan joined AMp hosts Brian Babylon and Molly Adams to talk about how suicide complicates the issues of mental health and firearm ownership.

Britt Julious on Mental Health in the Black Community

podcasts@chicagopublicmedia.org (Chicago Public Media) — Tue, 16 Apr 2013 21:02:30 +0000

According to the 1999 U.S. Surgeon General’s Report on Mental Health, 54 percent of the general population believes that depression is a personal weakness; 63 percent of African Americans believe this to be true. WBEZ blogger Britt Julious compiled some thoughts, stats and observations about race and mental health in her latest post. Britt joins hosts Molly Adams and Brian Babylon along with Saturday show host Audra Wilson to discuss the perceptions of mental health problems in the Black community and among other minority groups.

Yo Soy Ella: Latina Women and Mental Health

podcasts@chicagopublicmedia.org (Chicago Public Media) — Mon, 08 Apr 2013 21:06:05 +0000

Multiple studies of Americans and mental health have found that Latinas are at a greater risk for depression and suicide than their counterparts, yet they are less likely seek out services due to non-diagnosis or cultural stigmas. What are the specific causes of mental stress for Latinas and how can they be better served? A group of mental health care workers have banded together to form Yo Soy Ella to address these specific needs. Founder Sarah Allen joins hosts Molly Adams and Brian Babylon in studio to talk about what they're doing.

Comedienne Judy Gold talks women in comedy and crazy cabbies

podcasts@chicagopublicmedia.org (Chicago Public Media) — Tue, 26 Mar 2013 21:02:15 +0000

This legendary comedienne, writer, performer, and lesbian Jewish mom always has an opinion, a biting comment, or a heartwarming tale for her audiences. And boy, did she have a time getting to our Vocalo studios! Judy recounts her nightmare morning and talks about what it was like being a woman working in NYC clubs when she first started out.

Sticks and Stones: Slate's Emily Bazelon on Cyberbullying

podcasts@chicagopublicmedia.org (Chicago Public Media) — Mon, 18 Mar 2013 19:31:27 +0000

Journalist Emily Bazelon's new book Sticks and Stones is about bullying in the digital age. Emily joins hosts Molly Adams and Brian Babylon to talk about cyberbullying and the media's sensational take on the 'bullying epidemic' and its connections to teen suicide. Emily Bazelon is a senior editor at Slate, a contributing writer at the New York Times Magazine, and the Truman Capote Fellow for Creative Writing and Law at Yale Law School.

Yes, You're Racist!

podcasts@chicagopublicmedia.org (Chicago Public Media) — Tue, 12 Mar 2013 19:43:29 +0000

Logan James is a young man with a singular purpose on Twitter: he finds people saying “I’m not racist but…” and retweets them so they can see his handle. Hosts Brian Babylon and Molly Adams spoke with Logan on the phone and found out what drove his mission and how many hours of his day he wastes or whether that time is being valuably spent.

SNL Legend Joe Piscopo talks with Brian Babylon

podcasts@chicagopublicmedia.org (Chicago Public Media) — Mon, 04 Mar 2013 21:29:46 +0000

SNL legend Joe Piscopo stopped by the studio and joined MorningAMp's Brian Babylon and WBEZ's Justin Koffmann. They talked about show biz and how the entertainers of the past worked so hard. Joe recalled doing his Frank Sinatra bit for Frank at the Friars' Club roast for Dean Martin, hanging out with Sammy Davis Jr., working with Eddie Murphy, and starting out in comedy with Larry David and Jerry Seinfeld.

Indiana Women on Gun Control

podcasts@chicagopublicmedia.org (Chicago Public Media) — Mon, 25 Feb 2013 23:15:18 +0000

The reasons people own guns can vary as much as the opinions over what to do about gun violence. We hear a clip from WBEZ's "Our Guns" series that looks at women who own guns for protection. Hosts Molly Adams and Brian Babylon also hear from two listeners who share their thoughts on the gun control debate.

Portrayal of Muslims in Western Media

podcasts@chicagopublicmedia.org (Chicago Public Media) — Mon, 18 Feb 2013 21:32:51 +0000

Shows like 'Homeland' and '24', or movies like 'Zero Dark Thirty' might make us think "this must be how it really goes down"- but how do you separate truth from fiction in media? Aymen Abdel Halim, the Communications Coordinator at CAIR-Chicago, and Media and Islam professor at DePaul says the state of media portrayals of Muslims has worsened in recent years. He talks terrorism, religion and Abu Nazir with hosts Molly Adams and Brian Babylon.

Think Like Facebook

podcasts@chicagopublicmedia.org (Chicago Public Media) — Mon, 11 Feb 2013 23:59:56 +0000

From a Cambridge dorm to a Palo Alto complex, Facebook has changed the way the world communicates in just five short years--and it has made a lot of money in the process. Business writer and Intel social media innovator Ekaterina Walter has a new book, "Think Like Zuck," that looks at the five principles (passion, purpose, people, product and partnership) that drive Facebook and its creator, Mark Zuckerberg.

Peak Blackness - archiving the best Black moments of all time

podcasts@chicagopublicmedia.org (Chicago Public Media) — Mon, 04 Feb 2013 21:15:45 +0000

The RedEye's Ernest Wilkins and some other young, Black writers have a group blog where they're parsing out the historical record of awesome Black people hanging out together. Ernest joined AMp host Molly Adams,and Maham Khan (filling in for the vacationing Brian Babylon) to talk about the concepts of "Blackness" in American pop culture.

Lessons in Comedy with Dana Gould

podcasts@chicagopublicmedia.org (Chicago Public Media) — Mon, 28 Jan 2013 22:25:12 +0000

Dana Gould knows comedy. He started doing stand-up when he was just 17 years old, was a writer and performer on The Ben Stiller Show, and spent 7 years writing on The Simpsons. He joined hosts Brian Babylon and Molly Adams to talk about his career, comedy, and pop culture.

Family Inc.: How to Run Your Family Like a Business

podcasts@chicagopublicmedia.org (Chicago Public Media) — Tue, 22 Jan 2013 23:54:42 +0000

Author Caitlin Friedman found that with her busy home life with twins, she was more at peace and comfortable at work. So she sat down with her husband Andrew, who was also stressed by their household, and figured out how to run their family like a small business. She joins hosts Molly Adams and Brian Babylon by phone to talk about the ways office management in the kitchen and living room has freed up time for fun with her family.

Millionaire Fancy Rich Guy Club: The Simple Joys of Gold encrusted Shirts and Diamond Tea Bags

podcasts@chicagopublicmedia.org (Chicago Public Media) — Tue, 15 Jan 2013 21:22:25 +0000

Why do some of the affluent wealthy seem so out of touch with the world? During this special segment - Millionaire Fancy Rich Guy Club, the AMp's Brian Babylon and Molly Adams visit the world of quotidian opulence by trying on a $22,000 gold thread Swarovski crystal shirt, dipping a $15,000 diamond encrusted tea bag into our mugs, and discuss the everyday "elegance" of picking up our children's clothes.

Proposing to Men

podcasts@chicagopublicmedia.org (Chicago Public Media) — Mon, 24 Dec 2012 20:32:41 +0000

A student project at the University of California Santa Cruz studied the cultural acceptance of women proposing to men. Molly, Brian and caller Regina weighed in on the fact that out of 270 students asked, not one of them was okay with the woman being the one in the relationship to propose.

How To Prevent Fraud

podcasts@chicagopublicmedia.org (Chicago Public Media) — Tue, 18 Dec 2012 20:29:47 +0000

Dr. Fraud gives useful tips on how to keep money save in your pocket (as online) on The MorningAmp with Brain And Molly.

Unraveling the Struggles of Domestic Workers

podcasts@chicagopublicmedia.org (Chicago Public Media) — Mon, 10 Dec 2012 22:21:30 +0000

A recent national survey by the National Domestic Workers Alliance and the University of Illinois - Chicago found that 67% of live-in domestic workers make less than their state's mandated minimum wage and 65% are lacking any sort of health insurance. This is a largely unorganized, unregulated industry that many Americans rely on for vital help. Myrla Baldonado, a former domestic caregiver and a leader with the Chicago Coalition of Household Workers and Elisa Ringholm, development director with Latino Union, join Molly and Brian on The MorningAMp.

The Women of The Walking Dead

podcasts@chicagopublicmedia.org (Chicago Public Media) — Mon, 03 Dec 2012 21:36:17 +0000

Vocalo's Molly and Brian have gathered a Council of Feminist Thought, including Audra Wilson and Veronica Arreola, to discuss the sexism in the popular TV series The Walking Dead. WARNING: Spoilers ahead...

Probing into the History of Minstrelsy and the Exploitation of Blackness

podcasts@chicagopublicmedia.org (Chicago Public Media) — Sat, 17 Nov 2012 02:15:29 +0000

Blackface is an American art form with a solidly racist core, but what happens to the symbolic makeup when donned by Black folk? Author Jake Austen examines the history of the subject in his book Darkest America: Black Minstrelsy from Slavery to Hip-Hop and joins us to discuss the way performers of a stereotypical blackness subvert—and get exploited by—the history minstrelsy.

Gaycism - The New Normal and the Fine Line Between Irony and Hate

podcasts@chicagopublicmedia.org (Chicago Public Media) — Mon, 12 Nov 2012 21:03:19 +0000

With the premiere of The New Normal, a sitcom by the creator of Glee, Ryan Murphy, a trend of on-screen racism seems to have emerged: white, gay characters, who are themselves marginalized, play casual racism for laughs and are excused by audiences because of their status. Nico Lang, founder of the online queer salon, In Our Words, talks with AMp intern Nick Passarelli about his take on the line between irony and hate.

Zoe Saldana Playing Nina Simone Causes Controversy

podcasts@chicagopublicmedia.org (Chicago Public Media) — Mon, 05 Nov 2012 23:01:15 +0000

Actress Zoe Saldana is slated to play Nina Simone in an upcoming biopic. Molly wonders if Hollywood has an issue supporting and casting dark-skinned black actresses. Brian thinks that Zoe Saldana, a black actress, reserves the right to accept the role as offered to her.

Creepshots and Predditors

podcasts@chicagopublicmedia.org (Chicago Public Media) — Mon, 29 Oct 2012 23:01:46 +0000

Gawker Media's Adrien Chen tracked down and revealed the real name of one of Reddit's "biggest trolls," a man who went by "Violentacrez" and who populates the Internet's largest message board with threads titled "Jailbait" and "Creepshots." These boards showcase photos taken of unsuspecting women and girls in public who look sexy or alluring to the photographers. They then post the photos online for leering, masturbatory, or harassment fodder, unbeknownst to the subjects. And then a female Redditor struck back by tracking down all the public info she could find on the Redditors who fill these pages with content. It led to an Internet war between Gawker, Reddit, and Tumblr, with the latter two censoring the "Predditors" blog from their sites. Who do we as a society grant privacy rights to? Where can the slippery slope of leering lead to? The Morning AMp's Feminist Wednesday got into it, featuring panelist Kimbriell Kelly and caller Nick.