There was a lot of discussion surrounding the United States’ recent July 4th celebrations. There were festivities, like New York's parade of tall ships, and controversies, such as when musicians like Martina McBride and The Commodores canceled concert appearances due to an organizing group's affiliation with the president.

With so much being said— and felt— about these celebrations, it’s important to take a deeper look into what national anniversaries represent and the broader history behind them.

Joining us for the conversation is professor and political commentator Eddie Glaude Jr. His latest book is America, U.S.A.: How Race Shadows the Nation’s Anniversaries.

GUEST:

• Eddie S. Glaude Jr.: James S. McDonnell Distinguished University Professor of African American Studies at Princeton University and a frequent contributor to MS NOW. He is also the bestselling author of Begin Again. His latest book is America, U.S.A.: How Race Shadows the Nation’s Anniversaries.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In 2018, the Supreme Court Case Murphy v. National Collegiate Athletic Association reshaped gambling in the U.S. The ruling ended a ban on sports gambling— it had previously been illegal in every state except Nevada. Today, 39 states and Washington, D.C. have at least some form of legalized sports betting. Sports betting became legal in Connecticut in 2021.

This hour, we’re taking a look at how gambling has changed since then. We'll talk about how sports betting companies think about the work that they do and the way people are impacted by gambling addiction. We'll also discuss the the effect gambling is having on college students.

GUESTS:

• Danny Funt: Reporter who’s covered the sports betting boom for publications like The Washington Post and The New Yorker. His new book is Everybody Loses: The Tumultuous Rise of American Sports Gambling.

• Brian Hatch: Community Engagement Manager for the Connecticut Council on Problem Gambling. He’s also the host of All in: The Addicted Gambler’s Podcast.

If you or someone you know is being adversely affected by gambling, there is help available. You can reach out to the Connecticut Council on Problem Gambling’s helpline at 888-789-7777. You can go to their website at ccpg.org. You can also reach the National Problem Gambling Helpline at 1-800-MY RESET (1-800-697-3738).

Here are some of the other resources mentioned in the episode:

• To find treatment programs in Connecticut, you can contact a Bettor Choice Program.

• You can find a local or virtual Gamblers Anonymous meeting through their website

• You can also listen to Brian's podcast, All in: The Addicted Gambler’s Podcast

This episode originally aired on April 10, 2026.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Great documentary films can teach people about the world. But the strength of the medium is that it doesn’t just explain facts, it can also reveal emotional truths.

One recent documentary film that does so is called The Librarians. It takes a look at book bans in U.S. public schools and shows how librarians have reacted to them.

Another is Missing In Brooks County. It explores what happens when people go missing after they cross the U.S.-Mexico border.

This hour, we talk to some of the people who made those films possible.

GUESTS:

• Kim. A Snyder: Oscar-nominated film director and producer. Her documentary Newtown won a Peabody Award. Her new film is The Librarians.

• Martha Hickson: Retired New Jersey librarian. She’s featured in the film The Librarians as one of the librarians fighting to prevent books from being banned. In 2022, Martha received the Lemony Snicket Prize for Noble Librarians Faced with Adversity.

• Jeff Bemiss: Peabody Award-winning filmmaker who co-directed and co-produced Missing in Brooks County. He is also Professor of the Practice in Film Studies at Trinity College.

• Lisa Molomot: Peabody Award-winning filmmaker who co-directed and co-produced Missing in Brooks County.

Photo Source: Engel Entertainment

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.