Episodes Archive - WHYY

Schools are spending billions on technology in hopes of preparing students for the workforce. But are they investing in the right tools? This episode of Schooled explores what the future of education might look like and asks whether more technology always leads to better learning.

While some Pennsylvania schools invest in cutting-edge technology, others are struggling to keep aging laptops running. In this episode, WHYY News travels to schools across the state — from rural Pennsylvania to the suburbs — to explore whether unequal access to technology is creating a new education gap.

Artificial intelligence is rapidly transforming Pennsylvania’s classrooms. As school districts embrace AI, WHYY News examines how educators are grappling with preparing students for a future where the technology is impossible to ignore.

Pennsylvania lawmakers are pushing for a statewide bell-to-bell cellphone ban, arguing that phones have become one of the biggest hindrances to learning. WHYY News visits schools that have already made the change to find out whether putting phones away is helping students reconnect with their classmates and their schoolwork.

This week: why the need for intimacy is vital for our wellbeing and has helped us survive as a species.

What happens when the people living closest to us become strangers? And what can we do about it?

The case for and against age maximum limits for our political leaders. And should we also have health transparency rules?

The second episode of The Source explores how the city of Philadelphia prepares for heat waves, the impact of the MOVE bombing amid its 40th anniversary, why creative learning and musical instruction can yield positive future outcomes for New Jersey students and how a senior help line has made a profound impact in Delaware. WHYY Reporters Sophia Schmidt, Tom MacDonald, Cris Barrish and P. Kenneth Burns contributed to this episode.

For most of human history–before mirrors and cameras–we had no idea what we looked like. So how did the face become so central to our identity?

The Source podcast’s first episode features stories by WHYY News reporters Cris Barrish, Tom MacDonald and Nicole Leonard. Barrish reports on Sarah McBride, Delaware’s newest Congresswoman, MacDonald chronicles millions in overtime pay accrued by city workers and Leonard explores the growth of artificial intelligence within Pennsylvania health systems. The Source is a podcast produced by WHYY News and Billy Penn. Each episode includes a Billy Penn-ism, a bit of wit and wisdom from Pennsylvania’s founder, William Penn.

Why going to a concert or museum, taking up painting or dancing, joining a book group, or going to the movies is a big boost to your health.

What belongs in the perfect Philly weekend? From coffee and cheesesteaks to museums and murals, we’re crowdsourcing the city’s ultimate must-do itinerary. Guests: Tonya Pendleton, Things to Do curator for WHYY Stephanie Farr, Philadelphia Inquirer features columnist who writes about what makes Philly weird, wild, and wonderfully unique Alisha Miranda, freelance hospitality reporter and owner of a creative agency

What could the city become over the next half-century? How could we redesign the city for the future?

After decades of growing acceptance, American support for LGBTQ+ rights has declined in the last few years. What’s driving the shift and what does will it mean?

What made Pennsylvania’s first ever constitution so radical that it only lasted 14 years? And how did such a short lived document have such a long lasting impact?

After another abysmal outing against the Marlins on Wednesday, Andrew Painter was sent down to AAA. Host John Stolnis of The Good Phight analyzes the decision, what Painter needs to work on and what the Phils will do to fill his slot in the rotation. Also, the Phillies took two out of three from Miami, an update on how Phillies players are faring in the All Star Game fan vote, and changes coming to the Home Run Derby.

On this episode of Studio 2, it’s the ultimate throwback summer: we’re bringing back some of our favorite memories from decades past. We’ll talk about the songs, snacks and hangouts that defined generations, the fun that stuck with us, and how to bring that carefree nostalgia into the 21st century. Guests: Marc Faletti, Owner of Latchkey in South Philly Stephanie Humphrey, Host of Life & Tech with Tech Life Steph on WURD Christopher Wink, Publisher of Technical.ly

Microshifting, polyworking, hybrid, RTO mandates and AI…disruptions to modern work continue.

In her new book, For Better and Worse, historian Stephanie Coontz digs into thousands of years of marital history to help explain how the tradition has evolved.

It’s the most-watched sporting event on the planet, and once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for Philadelphians. For the first time ever, the city will host men’s teams from around the world for the FIFA World Cup, airing six games at Lincoln Financial Field. It’s a dream come true for many soccer fans in the region and the culmination of years of planning and lobbying by local business and political leaders.  On this special edition of Studio 2, we look at the social, cultural and economic impact of the World Cup on the Philadelphia region. Guests:  Meg Kane, Host City Executive and CEO of Philadelphia Soccer 2026 Kae Lani Palmisano, Host of WHYY’S Check, Please! Philly and food editor at Philadelphia Magazine Mark Franek, teacher at YSC Academy and author of American Soccer Nation

In a new book, Waiting for Dawn:Living with Uncertainty, author Marisa Renee Lee grapples with navigating life’s unstable and overwhelming moments. She writes about her own experience with grief throughout her life and her chronic illness of long Covid. Instead of forcing positivity and control, Lee says we should lean into the unknown, the stress and the loneliness during unforeseen dark times.

The average wedding now costs around $35,000, a figure that can rival a down payment on a first home or years of student loan payments. In response to rising prices, many couples are rethinking tradition altogether, opting instead for backyard ceremonies, courthouse weddings or cool, casual parties in place of formal receptions (think: food trucks and DIYs). Guests have been spending crazy money, too. Between travel, attire, gifts and pre-wedding events like showers and bachelorette parties, attending a wedding can cost hundreds or even thousands of dollars. Are weddings today worth the cost? Guests: Esther Lee, Editorial Director at The Knot Lauren Ladouceur, wedding content creator @WeddingsWithLaur

America’s power grid is buckling as energy demand soars. Fuel shocks from the war in Iran are only exacerbating concerns. So how do we keep the lights on?

A collection of short stories called “Fat Swim” by Philly author Emma Copley Eisenberg is slated for release on April 28th. In it, Eisenberg explores queer relationships, Philadelphia’s social landscape, and bodies – how they shape us, why some authors avoid talking about them, and why they should start.  

Harry Levant was once addicted to gambling. He’s now a therapist who helps others struggling with problem-gambling. He talks about the growing public health crisis.

Linguist Valerie Fridland guides us through the history of accents and why certain ones stick while others disappear, and what they reveal about power, identity and belonging.