Society & Sociology

Hospital Chaplains

Posted on June 11, 2025 by Liz Dederich

The hospital chaplain brings comfort to patients and their families in ways medical staff is not equipped to do. How impactful can hospital chaplains be and what do they need to bring to this role to be effective? Dick’s guest, Chaplain and Minister Andy Karlson is Manager of Spiritual Services for UW Health Hospital and […]

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Talking to Political Opposites

Posted on May 28, 2025 by Liz Dederich

In our highly polarized country, most of us might avoid conversations with people who have opposing political views. How can you have a civil dialogue when these conversations might sometimes be unavoidable? Is there a way these conversations can even be productive? Dick’s guest, Jacob Winkler is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Group Psychotherapist […]

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Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI)

Posted on May 14, 2025 by Liz Dederich

What can be so objectionable about diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI)? It is a framework used in schools and organizations to create environments in which all individuals feel valued, respected and supported regardless of race, age, gender, disability or sexual orientation. Can it actually be discriminatory as described by President Trump and the Supreme Court? […]

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Reducing Accidents & Fatalities in Your Community

Posted on April 16, 2025 by Liz Dederich

Every community has its share of accidents, tragedies and suffering. Imagine an agency that is tasked with looking after a whole community and all the responding agencies to help facilitate a reduction in accidents, hospitalizations and overdoses. Dick’s guest, Cheryl Wittke has spent the last 25 years as the Executive Director of Safe Communities.

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Fatherless Kids

Posted on April 2, 2025 by Liz Dederich

There are far too many children in the U.S. who are raised without a father in their lives. This could lead to dropping out of school, struggling with mental health issues or getting caught up in the criminal justice system. Dick’s guest, Bruce Carter, has dedicated his life to helping this population. He was awarded […]

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Gender Differences in Investing

Posted on February 12, 2025 by Liz Dederich

There is a stereotype most people accept that men are smarter and more skilled at managing and investing money than women. Is this true? Dick’s guest, Grace Trewartha is a graduate of Stanford and Harvard Business School who worked in corporate finance for 25 years followed by a successful stint as a financial planner. Grace […]

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Psychological Effects of the Internet

Posted on January 15, 2025 by Liz Dederich

The internet is an integral part of our everyday lives. Yet the key question is how has the internet affected us psychologically both in positive and negative ways. Dick’s guest, Morton Ann Gernsbacher is Vilas Research Professor and the Sir Frederic C. Bartlett Professor of Psychology in the Department of Psychology at the University of […]

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The School Shooter (Encore)

Posted on December 18, 2024 by Liz Dederich

Is there a specific profile for a school shooter? Why do they do it? What can be done to diminish the likelihood of these school shooting massacres in the future? Dick’s guest, forensic psychologist, prolific author on predators and sex offenders and consultant to the Wisconsin Department of Corrections Dr. Anna Salter, shares thoughts from […]

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Sexual Violence Reporting After #MeToo

Posted on October 23, 2024 by Liz Dederich

The #MeToo movement took off after the investigation and prosecution of Harvey Weinstein and with it the reaction to sexual violence and harassment changed dramatically. Dick’s guest, Dana Pellebon is the Director of RCC Sexual Violence Resource Center of Dane County in Madison, Wisconsin.  

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Hiring The Previously Incarcerated

Posted on September 11, 2024 by Liz Dederich

Should you hire previously incarcerated people? Employers may be missing out on valued staff as there are over 2 million previously incarcerated Americans. Yet, there are reasons to be careful and cautious. Dick’s guest, Linda Ketcham is the Executive Director of Just Dane which helps individuals and families involved in the criminal justice system.

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Intimacy Coordinator

Posted on July 31, 2024 by Liz Dederich

The newer career of intimacy coordinator was created to help ensure the well being of actors during sex scenes in theater, films and television. What does coordinating intimacy actually mean? How is it done? Dick’s guest, Simone LaPierre has a background in choreography, acting, directing and producing. She has recently become an intimacy coordinator on […]

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Men’s Mental Health

Posted on July 17, 2024 by Liz Dederich

Is American men’s mental health worse than American women’s? Men commit suicide 3 1/2 times more frequently. Men are less likely to seek treatment for addiction or mental health disorders like depression. Do these things relate to the fact that life expectancy of men is 5.8 years less than women? Dick’s guest, Dr. Jim Hollis […]

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Mass Shootings

Posted on May 8, 2024 by Liz Dederich

Since 2006, there have been over 600 mass shootings in the United States, resulting in more than 3,000 murders. Why these large numbers? Who are these mass shooters? How can we intelligently address this issue? Dick’s guest, Dr. Richard LaBrie is a Clinical Psychologist who specializes in mass and individual trauma.

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The Youth Mental Health Crisis

Posted on April 24, 2024 by Liz Dederich

In 2019, 13% of adolescents reported having a major depressive episode. That was an increase of 60% in just over a decade. For people 10 to 24, suicide rates increased that same percentage in the same period of time. What is going on with our youth? Is it easily explained by social media and smart […]

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The Major Economic & Social Changes Coming in the Next Decade

Posted on February 14, 2024 by Liz Dederich

Dick’s guest, Stephen P. Jarchow, co-author with Paul Zane Pilzer of the book The New Roaring Twenties: Prosper in Volatile Times discusses the six economic and six social changes that will affect our lives in the next ten years.

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Helping Black Men Succeed

Posted on December 6, 2023 by Liz Dederich

26% of Black men live in poverty. 1 in 5 will be incarcerated at some point in their lives. Black men also experience twice the unemployment rate as white men. Dick’s guest, Corey Marrioneaux is Founder and President of Black Men Coalition of Dane County an agency in Madison, Wisconsin that helps primarily Black men […]

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The Effects of Incarceration

Posted on November 22, 2023 by Liz Dederich

There are nearly 2 million people behind bars in the United States. There are also over 6 million family members of the incarcerated additionally affected, creating a huge impact that needs to be addressed. Dick’s guest, Dr. Nneka Jones Tapia is a clinical psychologist and the former warden of the Cook County Jail in Chicago, […]

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Public Defenders Today (Encore)

Posted on October 18, 2023 by Liz Dederich

Can low income defendants get a proper defense today using a public defender? What are the challenges public defenders face? Dick’s guest is State Public Defender Kelli Thompson for the State of Wisconsin.

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The Broken Criminal Justice System and How to Fix It

Posted on October 4, 2023 by Liz Dederich

Dick’s guest, Ed Wall was a long-serving police officer and former Director of the State of Wisconsin’s Department of Corrections. He shares his insights concerning the problems with our criminal justice system and what changes need to be made to fix them.

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911: A New Approach When Calls Involve a Mentally Disturbed Person

Posted on September 20, 2023 by Liz Dederich

Nearly 20% of all 911 calls involve a mentally disturbed person. In the past, all of these calls were responded to by police with little to no mental health training, sometimes ending in tragedy. Recently, there has been a push to create mental health emergency response teams to provide proper support for those in crisis. […]

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211: The National Non-Emergency Helpline

Posted on September 8, 2023 by Liz Dederich

Everyone knows to call 911 in an emergency but if help is needed in any other situation you can call 211 from anywhere 24/7. Dick’s guest, Ed Wall is Director of 211 for United Way Dane County in Madison, Wisconsin.    

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Lessons About Dementia

Posted on August 23, 2023 by Liz Dederich

Dr. Lee Hansen, Professor Emeritus of Economics at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and Author of Forgetting and Forgotten: Dementia and the Right to Die, shares with Dick his experiences and all he learned about dementia while taking care of his wife during her ten year battle with this all too common disease.  

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The Case for Junior College

Posted on June 14, 2023 by Liz Dederich

Other than price, what are the advantages for some of choosing junior college rather than a traditional four year college? Dick’s guest, Turina Bakken, is the provost at Madison College. She has served as vice provost, associate vice president, dean, associate dean, program director and faculty member.

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21st Century Policing

Posted on January 18, 2023 by Liz Dederich

Dane County Sheriff Kalvin Barrett joins Dick to discuss what needs to change for effective policing in the 21st Century.

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The Internet and Loneliness

Posted on December 20, 2022 by Liz Dederich

Nearly 40% of Americans say they are lonely. Some blame the rise of the internet and social media yet is there a way to use this strategically to help lessen loneliness? Dick’s guest, Dr. Michael Nuccitelli is a licensed psychologist who has volunteered his time and services to help victims of cyberbullying.

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Future of Jails

Posted on December 6, 2022 by Liz Dederich

Jails are in transformation from holding pens to more humanitarian rehabilitative facilities. As Dane County in Wisconsin embarks on building a new jail, Sheriff Kalvin Barrett discusses with Dick what he sees as wrong with jails today and what they need to do to release safer and more productive inmates back into society.

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Felons & The Right to Vote

Posted on November 9, 2022 by Liz Dederich

6.1 million felons are currently denied the right to vote. Some incarcerated, some on parole and others who have served their sentence. What are the pros and cons for granting felons the right to vote? Dick’s guest, Ramiah Whiteside was incarcerated for 25 years. He is now Associate Director and Prison Relational Voter Program Inreach […]

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The Internet and Mass Shooters

Posted on September 14, 2022 by Liz Dederich

Last year, there were nearly 700 mass shootings in the U.S. How might the internet contribute to encouraging this kind of behavior? Dick’s guest, Dr. Michael Nuccitelli is a licensed psychologist who has volunteered his time and services to help victims of cyberbullying.

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How Americans Handle Death

Posted on August 31, 2022 by Liz Dederich

Dick’s guest, Dr. Janet McCord, Director of the Master of Science in Thanatology program at Edgewood College, shares healthier ways to deal with death and how other cultures do it better.  

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Adult ADHD

Posted on March 30, 2022 by Liz Dederich

Between 5 to 7% of American adults live with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). A surprising effect is their life expectancy is up to 8 1/2 years shorter. Learn the reasons behind this health risk and how to best manage this disorder. Dick’s guest, Mindy Perry LCSW, is the ADHD program director for the SW […]

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