Scoops

Is the media benefiting the conversation of mental health or actually creating more problems? If social media didn’t exist, do you think the world of mental health would be better or worse compared to now? Social media has been an incredible platform in generating the discussion on mental health; however, there are downsides to the powerful influence of the media in our lives. In this episode, the hosts discuss the effects of social media in mental health education, from the benefits and opportunities to the misconceptions and comparisons that may arise. In addressing this topic from various points of view and examples, the hosts hope to spread awareness on the importance of mental health education as well as ways to safely navigate the media.

Why are people boycotting Starbucks? Why did Columbia University cancel its commencement ceremony? In this episode, the hosts come back for a sequel episode to talk about the Israel-Palestine conflict and everything that has happened since October 7th. Specifically, this time, the hosts hone in on the social and educational responses to this conflict. As the hosts talk through the most prominent and recent boycotts and encampments against the conflict, they weigh in their thoughts on how society has responded, as well as the steps we should take to educate ourselves.

In this episode, the hosts take a deep dive into the often misunderstood world of acne. They first explore the struggles and stereotypes people face while dealing with acne and share personal experiences. Later on, the hosts discuss about the various treatments they've tried such as Clindamycin, Lactic Acid (AHA), Birth Control, and more. From the fluctuating nature of acne to the hurtful misconceptions surrounding it, the hosts hope to share some advice and suggestions to those that are dealing with acne through conversation and break the overall social stigma.

For most people, the Covid-19 pandemic was something they hope to never go through again. However, in this episode, the host interviews the Director of Kids International Ministries in the Philippines, and it is revealed that Covid-19 actually catalyzed the ministry’s expansion and outreach and allowed for deeper community engagement that had not existed before— enabling the ministry to forge connections with thousands of pastors across Manila and become connected with even more families and communities than pre-Covid. That is, from delving into the origins of the ministry to elaborating on what the ministry does today, he explains that 2020, though was a year fraught with challenges, in actuality transformed the ministry in the best way possible. With them starting from feeding 6000 meals/week to those in need in March 2020 to feeding a quarter of a million meals/week months later, this episode unveils the various programs and initiatives that the ministry has and is currently working on.

It is undeniable that one of the most popular yet controversial topics among high schoolers is love and relationships. At the same time, however, the topic itself is rather enigmatic. As such, whether it's deciphering the truth behind “what the purpose of dating in high school is” or understanding the importance of maturity in relationships, the hosts discuss how to make informed choices amidst the whirlwind of emotions that come with adolescent love. Ultimately, the hosts hope to create an open-ended conversation and bring forth differing perspectives that various high school students may have.

In this episode, the host invites the founder and a member from Little Miracles, a high school service group that works to serve underprivileged children in Taiwan, to share their personal experiences and insights. Elaborating on what they’ve observed to be distinct aspects of orphanages in Taiwan versus others, the host and guests talk about whether visiting orphanages actually make a difference and what are some important lessons they’ve gained from their interactions.

Despite the rescission of affirmative action in the US not being considered “recent news” anymore, the hosts recognized that the court process was rather insightful in providing varying perspectives to the topic and our everyday lives. Hence, in this episode, the hosts take on a more storytelling approach in defining what affirmative action is and discussing why it has caused so much controversy, especially in the field of college admissions. It is undeniable that the topic of racial equality and race consciousness is a point of contention, as it involves cultural aspects that various people hold close to their hearts. As such, it is with hope that disagreements over such matters only further prompt us to root our hearts in acceptance. 

In this episode, the hosts explore the the dark side of Hollywood under all the glitz and glamour: an unsolved murder case of an aspiring actress Elizabeth Short, popularly known as the Black Dahlia. As the hosts give an extensive account of Short's life as well as the events leading up to her horrific murder, they also discuss the location of the body's discovery and why the murder could have wanted it to be found. Considered as one of the oldest unsolved murder cases in Los Angeles history, for more than 75 years later, the case still remains unsolved despite an overwhelming number of suspects and ideas.

For over a month now, the Israeli-Palestinian conflict has remained to be a focal point in the media— and rightfully so. However, as the world appears to be most keen on urging individuals to take a stance and condemn one side or the other, the hosts recognized that there's a critical lack of understanding and awareness of the conflict's history and the basis of the arguments emerging from both sides. Consequently, in this episode, the hosts invited a special guest to provide background information on this decades-long conflict and to define the political terms frequently being used today. In efforts to encourage listeners to independently discern such a complex topic, the hosts also brought forth questions and explored the reasonings used by both sides to understand the nuances of this situation.

In this episode, the hosts examine the topic of modern day housewives and the controversies that follow it. By incorporating what they’ve learned in their AP US History classes and various real-life examples, they go on to discuss the multilayered question of “Is it wrong for girls to want to be housewives in today’s world”? Through highlighting that the fight for gender equality also means that women are fighting for the right to choose and not just for intellectuals, the hosts conclude that all professions, including being a housewife, should be respected and perceived comparable to each other.

Ever since we were little, we’ve always heard the phrase, “Don’t just stand there, do something”. But in today’s episode, the hosts present a new twist to it and discuss how we can better connect the “power in the pause” to answering the stereotypical-highschooler-question: What do you want to do in the future?