Top of Mind with Julie Rose

Confidence in America’s higher education system is slipping, even as the government spends nearly half a trillion dollars a year on it. The average US taxpayer invests $1,700 a year in higher education – whether you went to college or not. And frustration with the system runs across the political spectrum – from anger over high tuition and student loan debt to concerns that universities are too liberal. In this episode of Top of Mind, host Julie Rose explores what it would take for more of us to feel like we’re getting our money’s worth from our tax investment in higher education. We’ll look at new ways of defining success for universities, trace the history of government funding for higher education, unpack some of today’s biggest criticisms, and highlight a little-known college that tops the list of “Best Schools for Your Tuition and Tax Dollars GUESTS Paul Glastris,  editor-in-chief of Washington Monthly Magazine, publisher of alternative college rankings (https://washingtonmonthly.com/) Christopher Loss,  professor of education and history at Vanderbilt University (https://press.princeton.edu/books/paperback/9780691163345/between-citizens-and-the-state?srsltid=AfmBOoqHJIpoSu23FIEujBxu66SPPNrRJM1oh1uValB1A8y6aZGu3jk-) Renu Mukherjee, fellow at the Manhattan Institute (https://manhattan.institute/) Cullum Clark, director of the George W. Bush Institute-SMU Economic Growth Initiative (https://www.bushcenter.org/) Cheryl Nixon, president of Berea College (https://www.berea.edu/) Jordan Shands, Berea College alum and administrator of Ultimate Test Prep in Lexington, Kentucky (https://ultimatetestprep.com/lexington/jordans-schedule/) CHAPTERS 00:00 Introduction 04:06 Historical Funding of Colleges 05:44 WWII, The GI Bill & Post-War Education Boom 09:56 Modern Criticisms & Political Pressures 13:15 DEI Policies in Universities 22:13 Return on Taxpayer Investment 30:35 Advice for University Research Priorities 32:54 Alternative College Rankings 40:18 Berea College: A Unique Educational Model 41:17

From a small town in Wasatch County, Utah, comes the remarkable true story of the Karren family — a journey through illness, unlikely connections, and the quiet evidence of God in the details. On Memorial Day weekend 2020, Brady Karren suddenly became gravely ill and was diagnosed with liver failure. Around the same time, his wife, Meranie, had been searching for information about her birth parents, hoping to uncover the story behind her adoption. With the help of a distant relative passionate about family history, she finally learned her biological parents’ names—but hadn’t yet planned how to contact them. Unexpectedly, Brady’s illness set in motion a series of miraculous connections that helped Meranie uncover the truths she had waited a lifetime to find. In this special episode of Top of Mind, host Julie Rose and guest host Amber Borowski Johnson of KPCW radio share the stories of the people whose faith, service and love brought light into the Karren family’s darkest season. In a world that can feel divided, their story is a reminder of the shared humanity that quietly connects people through small acts of kindness. The episode highlights Light the World, an initiative by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints that encourages bringing light to others this holiday season. Visit www.lighttheworld.org GUESTS Brady Karren, husband and father from Daniel, Utah diagnosed with liver failure in 2020. Meranie Karren, wife and mother from Daniel, Utah. Tammy Felt, distant relative of Meranie, passionate about family history research. Curt Clyde, local farmer and neighbor of the Karren’s from Daniel, Utah. Kenneth Kimber, military pilot in the military for 21 years and husband of Meranie’s cousin. Brock Beebe, biological half-brother of Meranie. Cynthia Blades, neighbor and friend of the Karren’s from local congregation in Daniel, Utah. Featuring: Amber Borowski Johnson of KPCW in Park City, Utah.

Why are we so uncomfortable with grief? In this episode of Top of Mind, we explore America’s fear of grief and mourning and what we lose when we rush people to “move on.” Writer Jacqueline Dooley shares how she keeps her daughter’s memory alive years after her death. Historian Brandy Schillace takes us back to Victorian mourning rituals when grief was public, visible and communal. And grief expert Lisa Athan offers clear, compassionate advice on what to say (and not say) to someone who’s lost a loved one. We’ll also hear stories of miscarriage, pet loss, and the unexpected ways people find healing when they finally let grief in. GUESTS Jaqueline Dooley, writer and essayist (https://jacquelinedooley.medium.com/) Brandy Schillace, author of “Death's Summer Coat: Our Strange, Unsettled History of Mourning” (https://brandyschillace.com/deaths-summer-coat/) E.B. Bartels, author of "Good Grief: On Loving Pets Here and Hereafter" (http://www.ebbartels.com/good-grief/) Katie C. Reilly, writer and attorney (https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2020/jul/09/pregnant-after-miscarriage-emotional-pain) Lisa Athan, founder of Grief Speaks (http://griefspeaks.com/index.html) CHAPTERS 00:00 Introduction 03:25 Cultural Perspectives on Grief 11:42 The Victorian Era: Mourning Rituals and Practices 17:00 Modern Grieving 21:11 Disenfranchised Grief 22:50 Pet Grief: A Missed Opportunity for Learning 31:36 Katie Riley: A Skilled Griever 32:13 Katie's Journey with Miscarriage 35:09 Why We Should Talk About Miscarriage 38:20 How to Support Grievers 46:35 Encouraging Healthy Grieving 47:40 Self-Care During Grief 51:19 Conclusion (This episode was originally released in September 2022)

American patriotism is at a historic low. Gallup polls show fewer and fewer Americans say they feel “extremely” – or even “very” proud to be American. When you dig into the polling data on patriotism, you find significant differences depending on political party, racial identity and age. Why are some groups of Americans much less likely to tell posters they’re proud to be American? And does it really even matter to the nation’s health? On the one hand, national pride seems to have a worrisome way of sliding into nationalism and protecting our own interests at the expense of others. At the same time, research clearly shows that people who feel pride in their country are more likely to vote, write their members of Congress, and volunteer in their communities. Meanwhile, expressions of patriotism—flying the flag, standing for the anthem—have become divisive flashpoints that leave many Americans unsure what even means to be patriotic. In this episode of Top of Mind, host Julie Rose explores how Americans are redefining patriotism in the 21st century. From disillusionment and division to new forms of civic engagement, the meaning of pride in America is shifting in ways that will shape the country’s future. GUESTS Susan (not real name), Top of Mind listener Karlyn Bowman, senior fellow emeritus at the American Enterprise Institute (https://www.aei.org/profile/karlyn-bowman/) Michelle Duster, author and public historian (https://mldwrites.com/) Douglas Satterfield, retired Brigadier General of the U.S. Army and blogger (https://www.theleadermaker.com/) Steven Smith, professor at Yale University and author of Reclaiming Patriotism in an Age of Extremes (https://politicalscience.yale.edu/people/steven-smith) CHAPTERS 00:00 Introduction 00:53 Decline in American Patriotism 02:05 Struggling with Patriotism 04:28 Historical Context and Public Opinion 10:49 Patriotism Among Different Demographics 20:28 A Veteran's Perspective 28:53 Reclaiming Patriotism in Modern America 42:14 Conclusion

What happens when the justice system convicts an innocent person? Anthony Graves spent 18 years in prison—12 of them on Texas death row—for a crime he didn’t commit. His story is one of unthinkable injustice, unbroken faith, and a determination to reform the system that failed him. Criminal defense attorney David Rudolf reveals the patterns of human error and bias that lead to wrongful convictions. And Sheriff Walt McNeil and former public defender Emily Galvin-Almanza share how policing and defense work can evolve to keep innocent people out of prison. Can we ever make the system truly just? GUESTS Anthony Graves, exoneree, author “Infinite Hope: How Wrongful Conviction, Solitary Confinement, and 12 Years on Death Row Failed to Kill My Soul.” (https://www.beacon.org/Infinite-Hope-P1347.aspx) David Rudolf- author, “American Injustice: Inside Stories from the Underbelly of the Criminal Justice System” (https://davidsrudolf.com/) Emily Galvin-Almanza, co-founder of Partners for Justice (https://www.partnersforjustice.org/) Walter McNeil, sheriff of Leon County, Florida (https://www.leoncountyso.com/about-us/meet-the-sheriff) (This episode has been updated from its original release in May 2022.)