Today on AirTalk, we discuss the latest on a Justice Department investigation into a college admissions bribery scheme by celebrities, CEOs and wealthy parents. We also take a look into the science and psychology behind picky eaters; and more.
USC, UCLA and Hollywood celebs charged in college admissions bribery scheme
Celebrities, CEOs and wealthy parents have been charged for allegedly scheming students into elite colleges and universities including Yale, Georgetown, USC and UCLA.
The Justice Department said Tuesday that the crimes, which date back to 2011, involved cheating on entrance exams and bribing administrators and athletic coaches. Felicity Huffman and Lori Loughlin are two of the actresses facing charges.
We get the latest.
We reached out to USC, which provided this statement:
“We are aware of the ongoing wide-ranging criminal investigation involving universities nationwide, including USC. USC has not been accused of any wrongdoing and will continue to cooperate fully with the government’s investigation.
We understand that the government believes that illegal activity was carried out by individuals who went to great lengths to conceal their actions from the university. USC is conducting an internal investigation and will take employment actions as appropriate.
USC is in the process of identifying any funds received by the university in connection with this alleged scheme. Additionally, the university is reviewing its admissions processes broadly to ensure that such actions do not occur going forward.”
Guests:
Laurie Levenson, professor of law at Loyola Law School and former federal prosecutor
Matt Zapotosky, national security reporter covering the Justice Department at the Washington Post; he tweets
Eric Hoover, senior writer at the Chronicle of Higher Education; he tweets
Picky eater or genetic predisposition?: A look into the science and psychology behind food aversion
Is there a certain food that, no matter how many times you’ve tried to like, makes your stomach churn? Or maybe you just hate the taste for no apparent reason?
There may be a reason behind that distaste. Although it’s difficult to pinpoint one specific cause, food aversion may be the result of a variety of components. Research has shown that humans often dislike bitter and spicy foods. Beyond that, psychological factors also play a role in food aversion. For example, a traumatic or negative experience with a certain food can lead someone to develop an aversion.
So is there a way to get past the distaste and learn to love again? It depends. Frequency of consumption can help, but if a traumatic experience is linked to the food, it may be harder.
Is there a specific food you cannot stand? Is it completely arbitrary or can you think of a reason behind it? Call in and share your experience at 866-893-5722.
Guests:
Soo-Yeun Lee, professor of food science and human nutrition at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Catherine Forestell, associate professor of psychological sciences at the College of William & Mary; her research focuses on the development and maintenance of food preferences and eating habits from infancy to adulthood
Britain’s Parliament votes, again, on Brexit blueprint. Would the outcome be any different this time?
After a crushing defeat of British Prime Minister Theresa May’s Brexit exit deal, lawmakers are set to vote a second time later today.
The House of Commons overwhelmingly rejected the deal in January, primarily because of concerns over arrangements for the Irish border. "Technical" talks aimed at securing concessions from the EU failed to secure a breakthrough over the weekend.
May flew to Strasbourg, France, late Monday for talks with European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker. At a news conference, they announced changes designed to overcome lawmakers' concerns about provisions designed to ensure the border between EU member Ireland and Britain's Northern Ireland remains open after Brexit.
With files from the Associated Press
Guest:
Gary O'Donoghue, Washington correspondent and former chief political correspondent in London for the BBC; he tweets
Is Orange County truly blue? This political runoff race could help provide the answer.
The special election on March 12th could mean a lot more than filling a seat on the Orange County Board of Supervisors.
Orange County is solidly blue after last year’s midterm elections. Six Republicans and one Democrat are racing to fill Former Supervisor Todd Spitzer’s seat. The last two runoff elections were decided by fewer than 50 votes. So whichever way it swings, the race could be close.
Was the blue wave in 2018 a fluke, or a sign of the times? How could the anticipated low voter turnout influence who wins? Will the midterm elections inspire or discourage people from voting?
Guests:
Jill Replogle, Orange County reporter for KPCC. She tweets
Norberto Santana, Publisher with Voice of OC, a nonprofit online newsroom. He tweets
Why your dad cracks bad jokes
We’ve all experienced them. And yes, some of us are known to crack a few of them.
Dad jokes, as Urban Dictionary defines it, are incredibly cheesy and dumb jokes generated by dads for the kids.
But according to writer Heidi Mitchell, whose latest piece for the Wall Street Journal examines this subgenre of humor, these jokes aren’t just characterized by bad puns and eyerolls. They actually serve a function in bringing fathers and children closer together.
So are you yourself a perpetrator of dad jokes? Or does your own dad fit that bill? Call us at 866 893 5722 to talk about how humor works in your family.
Guest:
John D Rich, Jr., associate professor of Psychology at Delaware State University who frequently writes about parenting and education on his site, www.drjohnrich.com; author of the book, “Positive Parenting” (Lasting Impact Press; 2019)