Alle afleveringen
234 afleveringen, van nieuw naar oud
-
Are Americans Getting Ruder?
23 oktober 2026 · 17 min
Do you roll your eyes at dogs invading the grocery store? Cringe at music blasting during your morning commute? Or recoil at the smell of cigarette smoke wafting down the street? For many, behaviors like these are part of the perception that the way we treat each other in public has become less polite. In fact, almost half of U.S adults say the way people behave in public today is ruder than it was before the COVID-19 pandemic. Lees meer
In this episode, we speak to John Gramlich, associate director of short reads at Pew Research Center, to hear about the latest data on how Americans perceive rudeness in their daily lives. We'll also explore how the conversation around rudeness fits into broader challenges in the United States, such as political polarization and declining trust in the nation's institutions and with each other.
-
The Invisible System Keeping Us Healthy
9 oktober 2026 · 17 min
This past summer, at least 20,000 people throughout the United States became sick from cyclospora, a parasite linked to contaminated produce that can cause severe gastrointestinal illness. But how did public health officials go from hearing about a single case to sounding the alarm on a much larger outbreak? Lettuce explain. Lees meer
In this episode, we speak to Margaret Arnesen, who works on Pew's public health data improvement project, to learn how officials use public health data to detect and respond to outbreaks. We also discuss how effective policies, such as improving electronic reporting and data sharing between states, can make the system faster and more efficient to help keep our communities healthy.
-
10 Minutes That Can Save a Life
25 september 2026 · 20 min
This year, suicide reentered the top 10 leading causes of death in the United States. And although it can be a difficult topic to discuss, speaking openly about suicide risk can be the first step toward reducing stigma and connecting people to the help they need. Lees meer
In this episode, we'll hear about who may be most at risk, including student athletes, and how tailored prevention programs can offer hope and support. And we'll learn about how mental health resources at the University of Washington helped members of the women's soccer team support each other through grief and loss.
If you or someone you know needs help, please call or text the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988, or visit 988lifeline.org and click on the chat button.
-
From Lab to Life: Algae, Red Tide, and What's on Your Plate
11 september 2026 · 20 min
How can what's happening in the ocean directly affect the environment, the food we eat, and our health? Lees meer
In this episode, the "After the Fact" team travels to San Francisco to hear about harmful algal blooms (or "red tides"), which occur when certain algae grow out of control and create dangerous toxins. The effects of these blooms can harm the health of humans and marine life and affect the livelihoods of people living in coastal communities.
Matthew Gribble — an environmental health scientist at the University of California, San Francisco — dives into the research behind these harmful algal blooms and shares ways that the health of people, wildlife, and the ocean are all interconnected. We also hear from a fisher about how the red tides can shorten or delay the fishing season, as well as people who rescue marine mammals that have been poisoned by these toxins.
-
Faith in America Today
28 augustus 2026 · 22 min
Americans' views of religion have been changing for decades. And in 2026, the share of people who identify as "religious nones" (people who say they have no religious affiliation) is holding steady at 28%. This episode, originally released in 2019, focuses on the shifts in perspectives across generations and the nation's changing religious landscape. Lees meer
-
The American Family: Postponing Parenthood
14 augustus 2026 · 19 min
The fertility rate in the U.S. hit another record low in 2025, with 20% fewer babies born that year compared to 20 years ago, indicating that women are continuing to wait longer to have children. This was a growing trend when this episode originally aired in 2019, where a Pew researcher explains the data behind this change in the American family and two mothers share why they waited to have children. Lees meer
-
Scientists at Work: Studying Volcanic Eruptions—When, How Big, and How Fast?
31 juli 2026 · 16 min
Nearly 800 million people around the world live within 62 miles of a volcano. But what if scientists could better predict a volcanic eruption before it begins? In this re-release from our "Scientists at Work" series, originally published in 2020, we go behind the scenes at the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History to talk with geologist and volcanologist Ben Andrews. His job is to answer three key questions about volcanoes around the world: When will an eruption happen, how big could the eruption be, and how fast? Lees meer
-
From Lab to Life: What AI Tells Us About 'Long Covid'
17 juli 2026 · 20 min
This summer, we're revisiting the ways that scientists are using artificial intelligence in their health research. Keyla Sá, a researcher at Yale University School of Medicine, discusses her work tracking how long COVID develops and an AI tool that can identify its wide variety of symptoms and patterns. Since this episode originally aired in 2024, researchers are still learning about the ways long COVID continues to affect millions of people. Lees meer
-
What's Next for America at 250?
2 juli 2026 · 22 min
America has a milestone birthday coming up: This July, the nation will turn 250. As many pause to reflect on the past 250 years, there's also an opportunity to think about our shared future. While political polarization remains one of the greatest challenges to our democracy, with 65% of Americans saying that they feel exhausted when thinking about politics because of deep partisan divisions, we have more in common than current politics suggest. According to a 2025 Gallup poll, 8 in 10 Americans support compromise between political leaders, and two-thirds agree that democracy—despite its flaws—remains the best form of government. Lees meer
In this episode of "After the Fact," we speak to Pew's CEO, Susan K. Urahn, and curiosity expert Scott Shigeoka, fresh from the TED Democracy Philadelphia: Founding Futures event, about how the American "experiment" is going, the state of democracy today, and how we can collectively strengthen the foundation of our nation for the next 250 years.
-
The Butterfly Effect of Apartment Vacancies
18 juni 2026 · 16 min
The U.S. housing shortage has rapidly increased rents in lower-income neighborhoods—making secure housing hard to find. But how does building high-end apartments address availability across income brackets? Lees meer
This episode of "After the Fact" explores new housing's ripple effects and its impact on affordability. The podcast team traces a chain of vacancies, starting with a new luxury apartment unit in Washington, D.C. Its opening spurred the availability of middle-income units and ultimately led to an available unit for a single mother who was able to move out of a shelter and build a new life with her son.
-
The Next Generation of Lawmakers: Young, Scrappy, and… Bipartisan?
5 juni 2026 · 18 min
With the upcoming 250th anniversary of the United States, the youngest generation of lawmakers is demonstrating how they're working together more effectively and rebuilding trust in U.S. democracy. Lees meer
Layla Zaidane, who leads Future Caucus, shares how the organization supports millennial and Gen Z elected leaders in Congress and state legislatures who are collaborating on bipartisan policy solutions.
Amid declining trust in U.S. democracy, she tells us why its model is working and why it's a reason for hope—with data indicating that these young lawmakers are 24% more effective than their peers.
-
What Does a Barbie Pig Have to Do With Seabed Mining?
22 mei 2026 · 22 min
Meet the "barbie pig," "gummy squirrel," and "headless chicken monster": These fantastical-sounding nicknames belong to real creatures living in the deep sea—one of the most extreme environments on Earth. And taxonomists, the scientists who discover and name new species, are finding new life in the ocean with every expedition to its depths. In fact, the deep sea makes up 90% of the marine environment, yet recent science suggests we've seen less than 1% of it. Lees meer
But in the same place where a creature such as the barbie pig can survive, there's growing interest in deep-sea mining. Mineral-rich nodules that grow on the seafloor could one day help manufacture products such as cell phones and electric vehicle batteries. But scientists warn that mining could damage critical ecosystems before we fully understand them.
In this episode of "After the Fact," Pew expert Julian Jackson explains what seabed mining is and what its consequences could be. We also hear from filmmakers Eleanor Mortimer and Jacob Thomas, whose documentary "How Deep Is Your Love" follows taxonomists as they discover and name new species living at the bottom of the ocean.
Disclaimer: Last year, a private mining company sought U.S. approval to commercially recover deep-sea minerals in areas of the deep ocean cited in this episode. The mining application was submitted to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), outside the framework of the International Seabed Authority—the entity responsible for overseeing future deep-sea mining in areas beyond national jurisdiction. The application continues to advance under NOAA's application and review process. Also, the documentary, "How Deep Is Your Love," is fully independent and did not receive funding or support from Pew.
-
When the Electric Grid Goes Down, One Campus Stays Powered
8 mei 2026 · 9 min
At Gallaudet University, one of the world's only universities designed to serve deaf and hard of hearing students, a groundbreaking project is underway: a campus-wide microgrid designed to power the entire school with sustainable energy. Gallaudet's microgrid can generate about 1.7 megawatts of electricity, putting its system on par with what it takes to power hundreds of homes in the United States. Lees meer
In this episode of "After the Fact," join us as we visit Gallaudet University in Washington, D.C., to discover how the university is combining clean energy innovation with inclusive design. We hear from technical and policy experts, and one student intern on the project team, who explain how microgrids can make communities more self-sufficient, especially in the face of increasing electric grid failures and extreme weather events.
-
You're Probably Wrong About Seagrass
24 april 2026 · 20 min
One of the most powerful natural tools we have to protect our environment lives out of sight, just beneath the ocean surface: seagrass. It exists on every continent except Antarctica, serves as an essential habitat for fish, and defends coastlines from erosion while sequestering carbon that would otherwise contribute to a warming climate. In fact, scientists estimate that seagrass meadows are responsible for 10% of the carbon stored in the ocean each year. Lees meer
But nations can't benefit from this natural resource without first knowing how much they have. In this episode, Pew expert Stacy Baez discusses the importance of seagrass mapping around the world. And Annike Faure of the Seychelles Conservation and Climate Adaptation Trust explains how she helped get her country excited about seagrass. She also highlights why raising public awareness for seagrass—and clearing up misconceptions—is just as important as mapping it.
-
What Happens When You Invest Money in Nature
10 april 2026 · 39 min
How much does it cost to protect a forest, an ocean, or an entire ecosystem? And where does that money come from? Lees meer
This special crossover episode between "After the Fact" and the World Wildlife Fund's (WWF's) "Nature Breaking" podcast dives into the topic of nature finance. And with an estimated $1.2 trillion needed annually by 2030 to halt biodiversity loss, this funding needs to be secured quickly and on a large scale.
Experts from Pew and WWF share how this funding is raised to support innovative, local conservation projects around the world, from not only traditional philanthropic sources but private sector and investor funding as well.
-
Message Received: A Solution for Missed Court Hearings
27 maart 2026 · 12 min
Text message reminders help many of us manage our busy, day-to-day lives—especially for important appointments. But what happens when that appointment is a court date? These systems are often not digital and not set up to help people who forget or are missing information about their hearing. And the consequences for people missing their court date, even by accident, can escalate quickly. Lees meer
Pew's Michelle Russell tells us about the research behind why there can be a lot of no-shows in court. She shares how text reminders could address the main reason half of people missed their court hearings as well as could help people to better engage with courts and help courts to operate more effectively.
-
How Civil Discourse Can Help the U.S. Find Common Ground
13 maart 2026 · 27 min
As the United States approaches its 250th anniversary, Americans are growing more concerned about the state of the nation's democracy. According to Pew Research Center, 80% of U.S. adults say that when it comes to major issues facing the country, Republican and Democratic voters don't just disagree on policies—they can't even agree on basic facts. Lees meer
So, what does it take to bridge divides during a time of deep polarization? In this special rebroadcast of The Pew Charitable Trusts and Disagree Better's "America at 250 Forum," Governors Spencer Cox (UT), Wes Moore (MD), and Kevin Stitt (OK) join NPR's Steve Inskeep for a cross-party conversation about civil discourse, public trust, and where we can find common ground on our nation's most pressing policy issues.
-
How Parental Stress Fuels Doomscrolling
27 februari 2026 · 23 min
Getting a first smartphone has become a modern rite of passage for many children and teens. And with the rise of social media and the constant need to stay connected, today's kids are spending more time online than any other generation. Lees meer
But parents are often just as glued to screens as their children, and many are concerned that their own tech habits are straining family relationships and affecting their mental health. In fact, a 2024 report from the U.S. surgeon general found that 48% of parents say their stress is completely overwhelming on most days.
In this episode of "After the Fact," Pew expert Jessica Roark discusses why screens and social media can have a negative impact on mental health. And Andrea Davis, founder and CEO of Better Screen Time, shares strategies to help families build and maintain healthy tech habits.
-
From Lab to Life: Making Cancer Treatment Less Toxic
13 februari 2026 · 15 min
A cancer diagnosis can be devastating. And the chemotherapy that often follows can be particularly rigorous. The American Cancer Society projects that 2.1 million people in the United States will be diagnosed with cancer in 2026—but researchers are making major advances in cancer treatment and patient survival. Lees meer
Ziyang Zhang is a chemist and 2023 Pew-Stewart Scholar for Cancer Research who leads cutting-edge studies on reducing the negative effects of chemotherapy on cancer patients. In his lab at the University of California, Berkeley, he and his team are producing new tools at the chemical level that will help to develop more effective therapies to target cancer mutations and avoid damage to healthy cells.
-
Do Fewer Homes Mean More Fire Risk?
30 januari 2026 · 19 min
Last year, a devastating and deadly fire in Milwaukee forced residents to confront a painful reality: The places where many people can afford to live are often the least safe. As the United States faces a shortage of millions of homes, new research shows that the path to safer, more affordable housing may lie in modern multifamily buildings that are constructed with fire-resistant materials like sprinkler systems and stronger building codes. In fact, the rate of fire death in modern apartments is one-sixth the rate of single-family houses and older apartment buildings. Lees meer
In this episode of "After the Fact," Pew housing expert Alex Horowitz explains how modern housing design can save lives, and why public misconceptions about density and safety can limit progress. We also travel to Milwaukee to learn from firefighters on the ground about why better policy and smarter construction can help shape safer homes for the future.
-
What's the Deal With State Budgets This Year?
16 januari 2026 · 12 min
Each January brings legislators back to their statehouses, where budget decisions once again take center stage. In the past few years, state budgets have been bolstered by leftover pandemic-era federal aid. In fact, in 2023, federal dollars made up about 36% of state revenue. Lees meer
But in 2026, new federal policy changes are in play that will leave lawmakers with tough choices about how to balance their budgets and still fund the programs that serve their constituents.
In this episode of "After the Fact," Pew expert Liz Farmer shares the key financial issues states will face this year and how they could affect your community.
-
The Treaty That Could Save the Ocean
12 december 2025 · 10 min
For the first time in history, the world has formally agreed to protect nearly half the planet. In September 2025, the United Nations ratified the high seas treaty, officially known as the Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) Agreement—a landmark global pact to safeguard the parts of the ocean that lie beyond any one country's national jurisdiction. Lees meer
These vast waters—the high seas—cover nearly half of Earth's surface and sustain much of the life on our planet. Yet until now, they've been largely ungoverned, leaving marine ecosystems vulnerable to overfishing, pollution, and the growing impacts of climate change. In this episode of "After the Fact," Pew's director of ocean governance, Liz Karan, explains why this moment represents one of the most significant conservation milestones in decades—and what comes next.
-
Protecting the Pantanal and Gran Chaco
26 november 2025 · 15 min
In the heart of South America, the Chaco-Pantanal region holds the planet's largest tropical wetland. It's a place that's teeming with colorful birds, capybaras, anteaters, and even jaguars. Unlike the Amazon, this region has largely resisted deforestation, so conservation here is about preservation, not restoration. Take a trip with us in this episode of "After the Fact," in which Amelia Moura and Natalia Araujo, who work on Pew's conserving the Pantanal and Gran Chaco of South America project, describe what it's like to visit the Chaco-Pantanal; how Pew works alongside local communities to further conservation efforts; and why it's important to safeguard this region for the future. Lees meer
-
In Conversation With Ken Burns: America's Story of Revolution, Liberty, and Democracy
14 november 2025 · 19 min
As America approaches the 250th anniversary of its founding, Ken Burns offers the nation his latest documentary, "The American Revolution." In a conversation with "After the Fact," the acclaimed documentarian discusses the making of the six-part film, which premieres on PBS on Nov. 16. Lees meer
He explains that the Revolution required the bringing together of people of all stripes, from farmers and shopkeepers to wealthy landowners, who, in rebelling against the British crown, not only were seeking redress of their grievances but also were becoming citizens, not subjects, for the first time in world history.
Burns invites us to reflect on what it means to be American and how the lessons of our revolutionary past can guide us toward a united future.
-
Gen Z Vibes on Retirement
31 oktober 2025 · 20 min
Millions of Americans are behind on their retirement savings goals, and nearly 70% of those already retired wish they had started saving earlier. But Gen Z, the latest generation to enter the workforce, is an outlier, with the data showing that they are saving more than millennials and putting new emphasis on planning for the future. What gives? Lees meer
In this episode of "After the Fact," John Scott, who directs Pew's retirement savings project, explains new ways people can save more and earlier. And Taylor Price, a financial educator, influencer, and entrepreneur known online as Priceless Tay, discusses how she's trying to help close the financial literacy gap for Gen Zers.
-
America's Most Problematic Drug Is Alcohol
17 oktober 2025 · 23 min
While opioid use disorder dominates headlines, alcohol quietly remains America's most problematic—and overlooked—drug. Nearly 30 million people are estimated to have alcohol use disorder. In this episode of "After the Fact," Dr. Elizabeth Salisbury-Afshar, an addiction medicine specialist, and Pew's Frances McGaffey discuss the latest trends related to alcohol use, its normalization in American culture, and the evolving science behind its risks. Lees meer
-
From Lab to Life: How to Heat-Proof Coral Reefs
3 oktober 2025 · 13 min
The ocean's coral reefs support an estimated 25% of all known marine life yet are threatened by rising ocean temperatures and bleaching. In this "After the Fact" episode from our recurring "From Lab to Life" series, we look at ways scientists are pioneering efforts to save corals. Lees meer
Phillip Cleves is a marine scientist who researches ways to restore and protect these important ecosystems. From his lab at the Carnegie Institution for Science at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, he describes how studying coral genetics can help uncover solutions to protect marine health—and how this research can advance human health too.
-
The Case for Manufactured Housing
19 september 2025 · 13 min
As home prices continue to climb, many Americans are seeking more affordable options. And manufactured homes could be the solution. A new manufactured home installed on a foundation costs 35% to 73% as much as a similar site-built home. In this episode, Rachel Siegel from Pew's housing policy initiative explains the advantages of buying a manufactured home and debunks old stereotypes that inform the outdated zoning and titling laws that limit access to these types of houses. Lees meer
-
From Headlines to Hashtags: How Americans Are Consuming News Today
5 september 2025 · 19 min
The way Americans consume information is evolving fast, and younger Americans are increasingly turning to nontraditional sources for their news. According to Pew Research Center, 39% of adults under 30 regularly get their news from influencers rather than traditional outlets. Lees meer
In this episode of "After the Fact," we explore what this shift means for trust in journalism, the role of social media in shaping public opinion, and how news organizations are responding to this changing landscape. Drawing on analysis from the Center and the Pew-Knight Initiative, we hear from a news researcher, Michael Lipka, and a content creator, Mosheh Oinounou, on how the lines between entertainment, opinion, and information are blurring, and what it means for the future of an informed public.
-
The Grand Canyon National Park Turns 100
15 augustus 2025 · 15 min
Take a road trip with us this summer as we revisit one of America's most iconic landscapes: the Grand Canyon. This episode originally aired in 2019 to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Grand Canyon's designation as a national park. In this episode, host Dan LeDuc explores the beauty and geological history of this natural wonder with Wayne Ranney, a geologist who has spent his career studying the canyon. Lees meer
-
Ken Burns: 'America's Storyteller' on His Creative Process
1 augustus 2025 · 27 min
In this episode, acclaimed documentarian Ken Burns offers us a look into his dynamic creative process and shares what inspires him to create powerful, enduring narratives of iconic historical figures and periods. Lees meer
Since this episode originally aired in 2020, Burns has captivated audiences with documentaries on Ernest Hemingway, Muhammad Ali, Benjamin Franklin, the U.S. and the Holocaust, and the American buffalo as well as Burns' first non-American figure and topic: Leonardo da Vinci. This fall, he will release a new series on PBS about the American Revolution and how the nation's founding turned the world upside down.
-
Scientists at Work: Why Do Mosquitoes Bite You?
18 juli 2025 · 15 min
This summer, we're taking another look at one of the peskiest and deadliest insects on the planet: the mosquito. Millions of people are infected each year by diseases transmitted through mosquito bites, such as dengue fever, yellow fever, and malaria. In this episode, which originally aired in 2019, mosquito expert Carolyn "Lindy" McBride, a 2015 Pew biomedical scholar, shares the science behind why you may be more susceptible than other people to their bites. Lees meer
-
Keeping the Lights on in the Age of AI
11 juli 2025 · 26 min
As artificial intelligence grows in popularity, new data centers must accommodate the systems' enormous need for energy. At the same time, household energy usage is rising throughout the United States. These increasing demands for electricity are stressing our nation's aging electric grid. Lees meer
In this episode of "After the Fact," we travel to Houston—the epicenter of the U.S. power industry—to talk with experts, journalists, and electricity providers about why investments in modernizing the grid are necessary for preventing higher energy bills for consumers, or worse, blackouts that leave communities in the dark. We also explore how innovative solutions such as tapping into battery storage and "microgrids" could connect nearly 2,600 gigawatts of alternative energy capacity to the grid, which would double the nation's available power supply.
-
Scientists at Work: The Wonder of Blue Whales
20 juni 2025 · 20 min
Because of their massive size, blue whales are known as the ocean's "gentle giants." They are vital to the ocean ecosystem, but their numbers are declining. In this episode, 2016 Pew marine fellow Dr. Asha de Vos unpacks the significance of blue whales to our ocean's health and how effects from human activity, such as increased shipping and the whale-watching industry, influence the blue whale's population and migratory pattern. Lees meer
Since this episode first aired in 2019, de Vos has continued conservation efforts through her organization, Oceanswell, and has advanced research on the effects of plastic pollution in Sri Lanka.
-
From Lab to Life: We Need to Talk About Fish
6 juni 2025 · 21 min
Have you tried to figure out whether the fish you eat is sustainably sourced? At least 1 in 5 fish caught in the global ocean is a product of illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing—one of the main threats to the health of the ocean. Lees meer
In this episode, part of our "From Lab to Life" series, we hear from Grantly Galland, who supports The Pew Charitable Trusts' work on fisheries around the world. Grant tells us about his previous career as a fish biologist and researcher and how he traded in his wetsuit for a business suit to support policies leading to more sustainable fish stocks and to protect the marine environment from overfishing.
-
What Philadelphia Can Teach Us About Homeownership
22 mei 2025 · 11 min
Each year, The Pew Charitable Trusts releases the "State of the City" report, which offers a data-rich snapshot of Pew's hometown, Philadelphia. In this episode, Katie Martin, who leads Pew's Philadelphia research and policy initiative, breaks down the highlights from the 2025 edition. She discusses the city's successes, such as the decrease in poverty—at 20.3%, it's the lowest it's been in more than two decades—and its ongoing challenges, including the decline in homeownership, and how this troubling trend impacts Philadelphia's ranking as a city of homeowners. Lees meer
-
Are the Kids All Right?
9 mei 2025 · 19 min
According to Pew Research Center, 55% of U.S. parents report being extremely or very concerned about the mental health of teens today. And several factors are driving that concern: increased influence of technology and social media, lingering effects of the pandemic, and social pressures like extracurricular activities and academic performance. Substance use is also linked with mental health and is occurring at younger ages with a rise in youth overdoses. Lees meer
Mental health wellness and prevention programs from previous generations, some of which are still used today, have been ineffective or even counterproductive. So, what strategies actually work? In this episode of "After the Fact," psychologists Obari Adéye Cartman and Sharon Hoover, as well as Pew's Jessica Roark, discuss how to improve youth mental health programs and address substance use.
If you or someone you know needs help with substance use, visit www.findtreatment.gov.
-
Why Didn't the Elk Cross the Road?
25 april 2025 · 18 min
-
Can State Budgets Withstand Natural Disasters?
11 april 2025 · 20 min
Story: Wildfires have once again made headlines, highlighting the growing intensity and frequency of natural disasters across the United States. And these disasters leave more than destruction in their wake; they have lasting effects on communities, including expensive recovery bills. In fact, 2024 was the fourth-costliest year on record with 27 natural disasters that resulted in at least $1 billion in damage each. Lees meer
In this episode of "After the Fact," we speak to Pew's Colin Foard and Caitlyn Wan Smith about how states can prepare better financially for natural disasters rather than reacting to emergencies. And Kimiko Barrett, a research and policy analysist with Headwaters Economics, discusses why wildfires pose a particularly difficult challenge to state budgets and local communities.
-
From Lab to Life: The Forgotten Organ That Built You
28 maart 2025 · 14 min
Stat: 1/3: Placental-related disorders, such as miscarriage and pre-eclampsia, affect around a third of human pregnancies. Lees meer
Story: The placenta is a temporary yet vital organ that can have long-term effects on the lives of babies and mothers. But it's often discarded and remains an understudied part of pregnancy.
In this episode of our "From Lab to Life" series, Geetu Tuteja describes how her lab at Iowa State University is working to better understand the placenta's functions and why placental disorders start. She also discusses how her background in genomics and computational biology informs the way she conducts her research.
-
Turning Surplus Food into Millions of Meals
14 maart 2025 · 19 min
Stat: 40%: Up to 40% of the food supply in the United States is wasted each year, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Lees meer
Story: When you see the perfect displays of produce in grocery stores, do you ever wonder whether it's all sold before it spoils? It isn't, and stores often pay to send unpurchased produce to landfills. In this episode of "After the Fact," Evan Ehlers, founder of Sharing Excess, shares how his organization is working to solve what he calls "the world's dumbest problem."
As a college student in Philadelphia, Ehlers saw how this problem of food waste could be prevented and hunger could be addressed in the United States, where millions of people. lack access to three healthy meals per day. In just a few years, Sharing Excess—which receives support from the Pew Fund for Health and Human Services in Philadelphia—has evolved from a group of college volunteers to a growing organization that redistributes millions of pounds of food across the country to people in need.
Pew's Kristin Romens discusses the factors that contribute to food insecurity for individuals and families—and how funding organizations that support economic mobility projects can improve community outcomes.
-
How Student Loans Shape Financial Futures
28 februari 2025 · 20 min
Stat: $1.6 trillion: The amount that Americans collectively owe in student loan debt. Lees meer
Story: In the United States, getting a college degree is often seen as a pathway to a prosperous future. But since the 1980s, the price of college has skyrocketed, leaving millions of students to rely on federal loans to help cover the cost. Now, many borrowers face high monthly payments that are difficult to afford while balancing necessities like food, housing, and health care.
In this episode of "After the Fact," we speak with Brian Denten from Pew's student loan initiative about potential solutions to make repayment more manageable. And Washington Post reporter Danielle Douglas-Gabriel talks about the history of student loans and the impact they have on individuals and communities.
-
Living Longer: Our 100-Year Life
31 januari 2025 · 20 min
More people are living longer. According to Pew Research Center, within the next 30 years, the population of Americans age 100 and over is expected to increase more than fourfold. With an aging population, how will the stages of our lives shift and expand? Lees meer
In this episode from 2019, Andrew Scott, longevity expert and economics professor at the London Business School, discusses what individuals and society can consider about the challenges and opportunities of living longer for. One upside, Scott says, is "this gift of time" means that people will be younger for longer
-
A Conversation With Hank Green
17 januari 2025 · 23 min
Stat: 45%: The share of U.S. adults who describe research scientists as good communicators. Lees meer
Story: How does good communication help build trust in science? In this episode of "After the Fact," we sit down with Hank Green—a science communicator and "internet guy" with over 30 million subscribers across his YouTube channels—to help answer this question.
Green reflects on how his 2023 Hodgkin lymphoma diagnosis inspired him to better connect with his audience and educate them about the science behind his treatment journey. He also speaks about the challenges of combating misinformation in today's world, and why empathy, transparency, and clarity are key to fostering greater understanding.
-
The Long Journey for Reasonable Opioid Care
13 december 2024 · 21 min
Stat: 1 in 4: More than 2 million Americans suffer from opioid use disorder, but only about 1 in 4 receive any care. Lees meer
Story: Opioid use has become a major public health problem in the United States, but there are many obstacles to treatment, including stigma. In this episode, members of Pew's substance use prevention and treatment team explain how to overcome barriers to care—and how new rules from the quarantine days of the pandemic can help show the way.
We also hear from Jordan Scott, an advocate for people with substance use disorders in Pennsylvania, who shares her own long journey with addiction and the obstacles she faced.
Please note that this episode references addiction and self-harm.
If you or someone you know needs help, please call or text the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988 or visit 988lifeline.org and click on the chat button.
-
The Pursuit of Homeownership on Tribal Lands
29 november 2024 · 10 min
Stat: 4 million to 7 million: The United States has a shortage of 4 million to 7 million homes. Lees meer
Story: For many Indigenous communities, the concept of land or home ownership can stand in opposition to their cultures—which often place more emphasis on land stewardship. But just like communities across the country, on and off the reservation, housing availability and affordability is a growing problem. In this episode, Jody Cahoon Perez, now the executive director of the Salish and Kootenai Housing Authority, shares how she became a homeowner on the Flathead Reservation in Montana. And the "After the Fact" team dissects some creative solutions that could help cities address housing disparities, like restrictive zoning and inventory near city centers.
-
Untangling Consumer and Medical Debt in the Courts
15 november 2024 · 18 min
Stat: 41%: The share of U.S. adults who have some form of health care debt. Lees meer
Story: Millions of Americans are struggling with debt, from credit card bills to unexpected medical expenses. And many face a tough choice between paying off debt or covering basic needs such as rent, food, and health care. But what happens when these debts go unpaid?
In this episode, Lester Bird of The Pew Charitable Trusts explains how it's possible for consumers with debt to end up in civil court, facing a lawsuit, or experience serious consequences such as wage garnishment. He discusses how these cases make up a large portion of court dockets. Noam Levey of KFF Health News shares how medical debt cases can worsen the economic conditions of individuals and communities.
And Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison discusses how policymakers in his state are helping to ease the burden of medical debt on his constituents through landmark reforms.
-
Keeping Indigenous Culture on Maryland's Shores
1 november 2024 · 18 min
Stat: 1 foot: the amount the sea level rose in the Chesapeake Bay in the last century, twice as fast as the global average. Lees meer
Story: Climate change is driving sea-level rise and worsening coastal flooding across the globe. And in many coastal communities, the rising waters are changing local environments and the places people call home. For generations, the Nause-Waiwash people have raised families, worked, and practiced traditions like muskrat trapping in the marshlands of Maryland's Eastern Shore. In this episode, Nause-Waiwash Chief Donna "Wolf Mother" Abbott takes us through her ancestral lands and guides us through muskrat hunting in the marsh. She discusses how her Tribe's lands are disappearing and what she's doing to protect her community's histories and traditions.
-
Looks Can Be Deceiving: Deepfakes
18 oktober 2024 · 21 min
The rise of deepfakes—realistic fake videos made with artificial intelligence software—is making it even more difficult to sort fact from fiction. Lees meer
When this episode originally aired in 2019, 57% of social media news consumers said they expected what they see there to be largely inaccurate. And the public continues to be wary about changes in the digital landscape. In 2023, Pew Research Center found that 52% of U.S. adults said they are more concerned than excited about AI in their everyday lives.
In this episode, digital forensics expert Hany Farid—then at Dartmouth University, and now at the University of California, Berkeley—shares how he advises governments and the media on how to meet this growing threat. And he considers the implications for people and societies when we can't necessarily believe what we see.
-
Meeting Crisis With Care: Transforming Mental Health and Justice
4 oktober 2024 · 22 min
Stat: 2 million: The number of times people with mental health conditions in the United States are jailed annually. Lees meer
Story: In the United States, law enforcement officers and emergency room physicians are often the only service providers on call to respond to people in a mental or behavioral health crisis—but they don't always have adequate training or capacity to handle these calls. As communities throughout the country grapple with increasing demand for mental health resources, new solutions such as crisis response teams are making a positive impact.
In this episode, we travel to Abilene, Texas, to learn how its interdisciplinary response team is meeting the needs of its residents, keeping people out of jail, and strengthening access to care.
Additional guests featured in this episode: William Claxton, officer, Abilene Police Department, and former community response team member; Andrea Reyes, mental health crisis specialist, Betty Hardwick Center; Brad McGary, lieutenant, Abilene Police Department; and Josh Horelica, firefighter/paramedic, Abilene Fire Department, and former community response team member.