InfoTrak

Each INFOTRAK show explores topics of interest to people everywhere, with expert guests and interviews.

How School Connection Protects Teens from Depression and the ABCs of Elder Care Planning-Vaping to Smoking: Teens' 1‑in‑3 Risk and Policy Solutions

Today’s teens who vape have a shocking 1-in-3 chance of eventually smoking cigarettes—a dramatic reversal of decades of tobacco control progress, as e-cigarettes are creating a dangerous new pathway to traditional smoking. Jessica Mongilio, PhD, Postdoctoral Research Fellow in the Center for the Study of Drugs, Alcohol, Smoking, and Health in the School of Nursing at the University of Michigan, shares what policymakers must do to protect the next generation.

09-25
08:21

How School Connection Protects Teens from Depression and the ABCs of Elder Care Planning-Elder Care Planning: Why Starting Early Could Save Your Family Thousands

Paula Almgren, attorney specializing in estate planning, elder law and life care, author of “Eldercare the Rules: Navigating the Legal, Financial, Medical, Housing, and Care Maze,” breaks down the critical mistakes families make when planning for aging. She reveals why people avoid eldercare planning and shares a practical roadmap. She also explain why honest family conversations are crucial before crisis hits.

09-25
10:29

How School Connection Protects Teens from Depression and the ABCs of Elder Care Planning-Belonging vs. Bullying: How School Connection Protects Teens from Depression

School connectedness could be the key to protecting bullied teens from depression, according to groundbreaking research that followed over 2,000 children from age 9 to 15. Nia Heard-Garris, MD, MBA, MSc, pediatrician and researcher at Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago and Assistant Professor of Pediatrics at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, explains how feeling engaged, included, and safe at school acts as a protective buffer against depression for bullied adolescents—though surprisingly, it doesn't help with anxiety.

09-25
10:04

Housing Advice for Adults with Disabilities and An App Cuts Suicide Attempts by 58%-AI in Financial Advice: Promise Meets Prudence

Would your next financial advisor be powered by AI? Andrew W. Lo, PhD, Professor of Finance at the MIT Sloan School of Management, explores this fascinating frontier where artificial intelligence meets personal finance. While AI chatbots are revolutionizing access to financial planning, they're not quite ready to fly solo – he likens them to very bright teaching assistants at universities who are occasionally stoned and offer wrong answers.

09-25
12:44

Housing Advice for Adults with Disabilities and An App Cuts Suicide Attempts by 58%-Revolutionary Digital Therapy Cuts Suicide Attempts by 58%

A groundbreaking smartphone app is transforming suicide prevention, offering hope to those at their most vulnerable. Michael Allen, MD, Professor of Psychiatry-Adult Psychiatry in the School of Medicine at the University of Colorado, explains how digital therapy is becoming a game-changer in mental health support, particularly during the critical period following hospital discharge.

09-25
10:41

Housing Advice for Adults with Disabilities and An App Cuts Suicide Attempts by 58%-Empowering Families: Navigating Residential Planning for Adults with Disabilities

Dafna Krouk-Gordon, President and Founder of Toward Independent Living and Learning, co-author of "Moving Out," shares vital insights on planning residential arrangements for adults with disabilities. She emphasizes the importance of starting this process during adolescence, when families should educate themselves about available options, like group homes or shared living situations.

09-25
11:02

Rethinking Medicare and Race, Housing, and Utility Bills-Balancing Act: Wildlife and Human Presence in National Parks

When humans hit the trails, wildlife plays a complex game of hide and seek! In this fascinating episode, zoologist Kaitlyn Gaynor, PhD, Assistant Professor in the Departments of Zoology and Botany at the University of British Columbia, reveals surprising insights about how wildlife responds to human presence in U.S. national parks. She says by respecting the natural habitats and giving animals the space they need, people can coexist harmoniously with wildlife.

09-25
08:53

Rethinking Medicare and Race, Housing, and Utility Bills-The Hidden Cost of Energy: Race, Housing, and Utility Bills

Did you know African-American households often pay a significantly higher percentage of their income on energy bills? George Homsy, PhD, Director of Environmental Studies and Associate Professor in the Environmental Studies Program at Binghamton University State University of New York, unveils groundbreaking research showing how historical housing discrimination continues to impact energy costs today, even for even middle-class black families.

09-25
10:17

Rethinking Medicare and Race, Housing, and Utility Bills-Billions in Medicare Waste: The Hidden Cost of Unnecessary Healthcare

Did you know that Medicare wastes billions annually on low-value healthcare services that offer little to no benefit and sometimes even cause harm? A. Mark Fendrick, MD, Professor of Internal Medicine in the School of Medicine, Professor of Health Management and Policy in the School of Public Health at the University of Michigan, reveals how common but unnecessary procedures, like certain prostate cancer screenings in older men, contribute to this wasteful spending. He offers his prescription for money-saving reforms.

09-25
10:47

Nitrous Oxide: A Silent Epidemic and The Magic of Compound Interest-The Magic of Compound Interest: A Game-Changer for Long-Term Wealth

Discover why legendary investment consultant Charles D. Ellis, author of “Rethinking Investing: A Very Short Guide to Very Long-Term Investing,” believes thinking in decades, not months, could transform your financial future. He notes that staggering 85-90% of actively managed mutual funds underperform their benchmarks, making a compelling case for index investing.

09-25
14:52

Nitrous Oxide: A Silent Epidemic and The Magic of Compound Interest-A Hidden Epidemic: The Shocking 500% Rise in Nitrous Oxide Deaths

First, we dive into a critical conversation with Andrew Yockey, PhD, Assistant Professor of Public Health at the University of Mississippi, as he reveals the devastating impact of nitrous oxide misuse in America. This eye-opening episode exposes how a substance commonly known for its medical use has become a silent killer, with deaths skyrocketing by 500% between 2010 and 2023. He attributes this rise to increased accessibility, and misconceptions about the substance's safety outside of medical settings

09-25
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Decoding Teen Drinking and Unmasking Sleep Apnea-Unmasking Sleep Apnea: Health Risks and Treatment Insights

Could your sleepless nights be a warning sign of something more serious? We'll dive into a crucial conversation with sleep scientist Bryce Mander, PhD, Associate Professor of Psychiatry & Human Behavior in the School of Medicine at the University of California, Irvine about the hidden dangers of sleep apnea and its profound impact on your health.

09-25
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Decoding Teen Drinking and Unmasking Sleep Apnea-Decoding Teen Drinking: The Role of Family, Genes, and Personality

Could your genes be driving your teenage drinking habits? Contrary to popular belief, peer pressure isn't the primary culprit behind teenage alcohol consumption. Sarah Brislin, PhD, assistant professor of psychiatry at Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, a member of the Rutgers Addiction Research Center, explains a fascinating interplay between genetics, family environment, and personality traits like sensation-seeking in shaping teenage drinking patterns.

09-25
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Embracing Autism and Community and Unveiling the Toxic Truth About E-Cigarettes-Toxic Truth: E-Cigarettes More Dangerous Than We Thought

Shocking new research reveals disposable e-cigarettes contain up to 500 times more toxic metals than traditional cigarettes. Brett Poulin, PhD, Assistant Professor in the Department of Environmental Toxicology at the University of California, Davis, discusses this critical public health concern, particularly for young users who face risks of neurological damage and respiratory problems.

08-13
09:58

Embracing Autism and Community and Unveiling the Toxic Truth About E-Cigarettes-Finding Joy in the Journey: Embracing Autism and Community

What if the key to finding joy in parenting a child with autism lies in shifting our perspective?  Kate Swenson, co-author of “Autism Out Loud: Life with a Child on the Spectrum, from Diagnosis to Young Adulthood―Moving Stories and Parenting Lessons Learned from Three Mothers of Children with Autism,” shares her transformative journey raising her 14-year-old son Cooper, who has severe autism. She offers practical advice for parents feeling overwhelmed, encouraging them to pause and accept their children as they are, while also seeking community support.

08-13
09:54

Women's Path to Economic Empowerment and The First 30 Seconds in Active Shooter Scenarios-Rising Insurance Costs: What You Need to Know

Ever wondered why your insurance premiums keep climbing? David A. Sampson, President and CEO of the American Property Casualty Insurance Association, breaks down the perfect storm of factors driving up insurance costs, and shares practical strategies to help manage your premiums.

08-13
08:42

Women's Path to Economic Empowerment and The First 30 Seconds in Active Shooter Scenarios-The First 30 Seconds in Active Shooter Scenarios

Could the first 30 seconds determine survival in an active shooter situation? Ed Monk, former law enforcement officer with extensive experience in active shooter response and firearms training, and author of “First 30 Seconds: The Active Shooter Problem” shares compelling data and real-world examples to demonstrates how immediate action within the crucial first half-minute can dramatically reduce casualties.

08-13
13:45

Women's Path to Economic Empowerment and The First 30 Seconds in Active Shooter Scenarios-Women's Path to Economic Empowerment

We'll explore how women can overcome the hidden financial hurdles that often go unspoken in corporate America. From wage gaps to the "motherhood penalty," Katie Gatti Tassin, personal finance blogger and podcaster, and author of “Rich Girl Nation” unveils the truth about women's unique monetary challenges and offers useful advice.

08-13
10:56

Beyond Thrift: The Salvation Army’s Mission and Recovering Your Lost 401k-Balancing Humanity and AI

re we becoming too dependent on AI? 3. Pascal Bornet, author of “Irreplaceable: The Art of Standing Out in the Age of Artificial Intelligence.” warns about the dangers of "AI obesity"==our growing addiction to shallow, AI-generated content that threatens genuine human creativity. He also offers tips for parents to prepare children for a future with AI.

07-23
08:28

Beyond Thrift: The Salvation Army’s Mission and Recovering Your Lost 401k-Recovering Your Lost 401k: Steps to a Secure Retirement

Did you know that billions of dollars in retirement savings are currently unclaimed? Kate Ashford, certified senior advisor, retirement expert at NerdWallet, reveals the surprising truth about lost 401(k) accounts and how easily they can slip through the cracks during career transitions. She explains where to check for your forgotten accounts.

07-23
09:41

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