Perspectives

Wester Wuori's road trip detours into the site of a national tragedy.

Ashley Sadat deals us in on a little secret about games.

Edison Miller needs a teacher and a deadline.

Rachel Cormier considers nature vs. nurture when it comes to walking in her mom's footsteps.

NIU student Jonathan Dumois explains how an unconventional game led to an conventional career.

NIU journalism instructor Jason Akst took his JRN 401 students on an adventure this semester — writing and recording their own Perspectives at WNIJ.

Deborah Booth sings the praises of the library book sale.

Christine Lagattolla looks at how everything in nature — and community — is connected.

Good or bad, you can always depend on your elders for advice, says Rosie Klepper.

Dan Kenney says more and more counties are subscribing to the "non-sanctuary county" movement.

Rick Brooks experiences his own Ubuntu revelation regarding his alma mater: "I am because we are."

Dan Klefstad says there are a lot of reasons to get to your local bookstore this Saturday and beyond.

Suzanne Degges-White doesn't fall into the simple Introvert/Extrovert categories. Do you?

Voting by mail has its plusses, but Katie Andraski says there are things she would miss on election day.

Bob Evans takes a look at what could be the biggest problem for Democrats this election season.

Tom McBride is not a fan of the moon. But the sun is another matter.

Kyle White says DeKalb County has at least 20 food pantries — and that inspired him to get to know his neighbors and clients.

Marnie O. Mamminga loves her yard, especially watching spring unfold there.

Paula Garrett explores her own home in an expedition that's both real and imaginary.

Lonny Cain wonders how many people could use a good cheering on right now.

Nia Springer Norris is afraid that her life-long love affair with the magazine is over.

It's time to give, says Lynnea Erickson Laskowski.

Francisco Solaris-Larrave says it's not just what you eat.

Chris Fink reluctantly waves goodbye to winter and hello to the delights of spring.

Things in America always turn out for the best, right? Andrew Nelson shares his thoughts.

Is it David Gunkel or AI David Gunkel? Deepfake technology is getting dangerously good...and easy to use.

Joe Mitchell says a former president's recent venture is a lesson in capitalism, not Christianity.

Beth Ganion says this month is a great time to remind people that if you or someone you know needs help, there are resources nearby.

Wester Wuori shares shares a major milestones with Perspectives listeners.

It's National Poetry Month and Connie Seraphine shares the words of one of her favorite poets, Mary Oliver.

Anna Evans meets a brilliant woman and learns a humble lesson.

Frances Jaeger has figured out why we are ALL so tired.

Sure, you can get your recipes online, from YouTube, or even an old-fashioned cookbook. But Deborah Booth finds those methods lacking.

Rosie Klepper finds that her old friends are no longer waiting for her in the waiting room.

It's a message that's been around for thousands of years, but Dan Kenney says it's as important as ever for all of us.

Kittens are adorable, but then Lou Ness learns about the dreaded four-letter H word. They're still adorable.

Suzanne Degges-White has a secret — and she feels pretty good about it!

Why do we spend so much energy and, well, money, launching ourselves into space? Joseph Flynn shares some good reasons.

Katie Andraski remembers a caregiver who brought light to her family.

This primary election eve, Bob Evans takes a look at the huge chasm between America's two major parties.

Tom McBride wonders why nature can't seem to make up its mind.

Lonny Cain encourages us to "think small."

Francisco Solares-Larrave has a new appreciation for skilled cashiers...also, the unskilled ones.

Elizabeth Stearns finds some simple advice in difficult times.

It's no "bucket list," but Paula Garrett checks in on another of life's measures.

Nia Springer-Norris says to remember the power of people in an AI world.

Lynnea Erickson Laskowski looks at who's braver, Noah or Abraham?

Places of worship tried to help the homeless. And then, as Scott Summers learned, the Zoning Police got in the way

Anna Evans scoops and bags her way to being a better citizen.

From personal experience, Rick Brooks supports Illinois legislation that legalizes euthanasia in some cases.

David Gunkel says Artificial Intelligence has a water problem.

Frances Jaeger says a Libertarian billionaire really misses the point of Tolkien's classic trilogy.

March Madness is about more than basketball, says Connie Seraphine.

Kelli McGee Yugsi found a way to make her travel hobby a life-changer: language.

Francisco Solares-Larrave has some thoughts about the things that things do to you.

Tom McBride knows his world would be a little better with a lot more Taylor Swift in it. So he says.

Deborah Booth asks, "Who would have thought we’d still be talking about a law passed during the Grant administration?"

David Castro and Mario Gomez teamed up to suggest ways everyone can get more connected to their communities.

A walk in the woods leads to an otherworldly encounter for Marnie O. Mamminga.

Dan Kenney passes along a request from a local woman who is unhoused.

G.K. Wuori spent twenty years in college admissions: He says it's time for universities to give admissions officers back a valuable tool that was recently taken away.

Suzanne Degges-White does not enjoy shopping. But there was something about this past weekend...

Steve Vaughan says heroes like Harriet Jacobs and Jeremiah Durham belong in all of our history books.

Katie Andraski muses about the convergence this year of Ash Wednesday and Valentine's Day.

Bob Evans compares the actions — and inactions — of Congressional Republicans to a biblical figure.

There's no memory-prompt quite like a smell. And Lonny Cain follows his nose down a delicious rabbit hole of memories.

This Perspective addresses sexual abuse and may not be suitable for all listeners. Lou Ness says she finally understands the chain of abuse that afflicted her family.

It's Black History Month. And the inevitable protestations give Joseph Flynn an idea...

Some very bad luck leads Paula Garrett to new opportunities.

Valentine's Day is right around the corner, and Melissa Sloatman has found a meaningful new way to celebrate.

Have you heard the one about the non-musician who joined a band? Chris Fink is living the dream.

No matter what you are facing, says Nia Springer-Norris, there's someone who knows what you are going through.

Morrissey, Dahl, Bukowski, Rowling: Dan Libman has some ideas about what to do with artists who disappoint.

Andrew Nelson remembers an Iowa principal and ponders the new roles of students and educators.

Rosie Klepper has an alternative to an Insinkerator — and it's much cuter.

David Gunkel's feeling nostalgic for the snow days of his childhood. But he knows the sledding hills and lazy TV watching were a privilege.

Joe Mitchell wonders why the two leading candidates for the U.S. presidency are so...well, old.

From the most exotic creatures to your backyard buddies, Connie Seraphine basks in the mysteries of nature.

Given up on that fitness resolution already? Wester Wuori says "find your why."

Elsa Glover has a revelation about acceptance.

Maintenance isn't just for cars and teeth. Francisco Solares-Larrave explains the art of maintenance for our society.

Deborah Booth says there's a primary election coming soon. And before that, a chance to learn more about candidates in the 76th IL House District.

Frances Jaeger looks at a 19th century tragedy as an example of what can happen when budget cuts are made without enough thought to consequences.

Tom McBride explores music in film

On this MLK Day, Dan Kenney looks at the speech that changed his life.

Linh Nguyen wonders why marginalized communities have to compete against each for for resources? She saw this demonstrated again in debates about DeKalb's migrant bus ordinance.

Suzanne Degges-White says suicide statistics paint a mixed picture.

Rosie Klepper has advice on a way to cut back on those heating bills this winter — all while gaining a best friend.

Katie Andraski remembers Brad Belanger, who taught her all about activism.

Economic stagnation generates economic insecurity. Bob Evans wonders if we'll respond in time.

American university students are taking fewer language courses than ever. Francisco Solares-Larrave says that's not good.

Nia Springer-Norris weighs the sides in the recent lawsuit against ChatGPT and other generative AI products.

Why do we cry when celebrities die? Ask Lonny Cain.

Paula Garrett finds inspiration in a few classics lines from a comedian.

An annual ritual has been stymied by the weather — and the ice fishermen of Wisconsin are quietly mourning.

Did you get the annual holiday letter? Rick Brooks says, "Here you go. It's a good one!"

Lynnea Erickson Laskowski says we grieve constantly. So why hasn't it become more natural?

Andrew Nelson wonders if the world is wandering down the same path it did in 1940.

There was always one present left under the tree when Susan Goldberg was growing up. It became a lesson in compassion.