Stories of Interest

This week on Whatever Happens, Happens, we investigate the U.S. government’s shocking proposal to build a high-speed rail line from Texas to El Salvador—exclusively for so-called “enemies of the state.” Former President Trump calls it the “most efficient deportation system ever,” using modified cattle cars to transport alleged criminals, agitators, and political opponents to a one-way fate. But what happens when they arrive? We trace the historical roots of forced relocation, examine El Sal...

For most of history, people lived in small cultural silos—tribes, villages, religious communities—each with their own language, customs, and beliefs. But in the 20th century, something changed. Mass media, economic prosperity, and a rising middle class created a shared American identity, a monoculture where everyone watched the same TV shows, believed in the same national myths, and followed the same rules. Then it all fell apart. This podcast explores how the rise of the middle class...

Martin Luther Sock Day originated as a humorous suggestion in Chicago in 2011, evolving into an annual tradition of replacing worn-out socks and underwear while donating old items to charity. The event's popularity grew through social media and local participation, expanding beyond Chicago to other cities. It's now a community-driven initiative combining practical self-care with charitable giving, reflecting Chicago's spirit and honoring Martin Luther King Jr.'s legacy of service. The traditi...

This text explores the interplay of nature and nurture in shaping human personality, focusing on how diverse personality types contributed to early human group survival. It argues that traits like leadership, protection, caregiving, and social harmony were crucial, with "people pleasers" playing a vital role in maintaining group cohesion. The text posits that these personality types were reinforced through both biological mechanisms (dopamine release) and social interactions, becoming ingrain...