Insights Into Teens: Episode 70 “School Refusal”

Anxiety, stress and fear in a teenager can lead to an unwillingness or inability to attend school. This week we discuss what School Refusal is. We’ll look at the symptoms and warning signs to look for. We’ll investigate some of the common causes of School Refusal. And we will look at some of the ways that parents and guardians can help their children overcome some of these issues.

Teenage years are stressful in nature. Add to that the social awkwardness associated with school, the expectations of performance in school and the random variables of bullies, peer rejection, family conflict and underlying anxiety disorder and you have a perfect storm. Supporting our children and ensuring they have an outlet to work through these issues is key. We’ll talk about this and much more in this week’s episode.

Insights Into Teens: Episode 69 “Q&A Series: School, Interests and Activities”

In another of our question and answer series we talk about school, interests and activities. We’ll explore what aspects of school Madison enjoys the most, what classes she’s learning the most in, her favorite part of school and much more.

We’ll also talk about her hobbies, what video games she’s playing, her collecting hobbies, the music she likes to listen to and much more. We were joined this week by a viewer from Estonia who took advantage of the opportunity to pose some of their own questions in a unique two way conversation.

Insights Into Entertainment: Episode 69 “The Happiest Place in the NBA”

It’s official, Disney saves the NBA season. Or at least some form of an NBA season that will be played out at Disney’s Wide World of Sports in Florida. We also have an update on when Disneyland in California will reopen and the rules surrounding that reopening. And finally in Disney Detective we take a look at an update on our much anticipated Marvel shows WandaVision and Falcon and Winter Soldier.

Star Wars Insights take a walk down memory lane with a peak at how the original triology could have looked much different had different casting calls been made. Can you picture Al Pacino at Han Solo? Or William Katt as Luke Skywalker. It would certainly have been a very different movie. Then Jon Favreau gives us an update on Season 2 of the Mandalorian to get us through these dark times.

In Entertainment News we’ll take a look at Don Henley and his appeal to Congrats to change copyright law. As innocent as this may seem there could be far reaching consequences affecting every aspect of the internet, especially independent podcasters like us. We’ll watch the development of this story with great interest.

We’ll finish up with a couple of great Insightful Picks of the Week as we always do for another great show.

Insights Into Tomorrow: Episode 6 “Artificial Intelligence”

Is Artificial Intelligence the future of human development or the potential downfall of human civilization?

What is the state of Artificial Intelligence today?

What are the pro’s and con’s of artificial intelligence?

We address these and many other questions in this episode of Insights Into Tomorrow. We’ll take a look at the four different levels of Artificial Intelligence and where today’s rudimentary AI has the potential of going.

Then we’ll ask the tough questions about AI. Should we allow AI to develop self awareness? Should AI be able to make life and death decisions? Will AI rob humans of jobs and safety.

There are a lot of questions and a lot of concerns about AI that need to be asked and answered before we get too far down the rabbit hole and reach a point of no return.

Insights Into Teens: Episode 68 “Making the Grade during COVID-19”

The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic stretches well beyond the devastating impact of the illness itself. The circumstances of quarantine and isolation have far reaching impacts on every facet of life as we know it.

This week we explore the impact on teens and their ability to excel academically. Madison had a few surprisingly low grades that left her concerned and a bit shaken. Blaming herself for failure she was pretty hard on herself for the grades.

We explore the impact that our current conditions play in our teens academic experiences. We look at how our school systems were ill prepared for a massive home schooling push and how our teachers and administrators have done the best under very difficult circumstances.

We’ll also look at just what the impact is to our teens. How having their entire daily routine upset and the stability and focus they derive from a regular schedule can quickly fade away in the less disciplined home schooling situation they’ve found themselves in.

We will also take a look at how teens can get help under these circumstances and explore options to help keep the grades up and to help keep the learning and knowledge flow moving. Everyone understands these are difficult and unusual times, but we will get through this.

Insights Into Entertainment: Episode 68 “Star Wars…Nothing But Star Wars”

Disney Detective uncovers plans for the phased Reopening of Walt Disney World Resort Theme Parks, Resort Hotels and Disney Stores and we’ve finally got official dates for the staggered reopening along with service restrictions and other precautionary measures being taken.

Star Wars Insights takes a look at how Stormtroopers are helping to encourage social distancing at Disney Springs. Ahmed Best, known for the iconic role of Jar Jar Binks returns to the Star Wars universe with a new game show. We’ll also look at the expected delays to the next phase of the Star Wars Universe Star Wars: The High Republic.

In Entertainment News the awards shows are at it again with more ridiculously restrictive rules and their selective interpretation of those rules. Apparently the Gold Globes takes issue with Pedro Pascal wearing a helmet for his role in The Mandalorian and is under threat of being declared just a voice actor and ineligible for any Globe awards for acting. We’ll bash the Golden Globes a bit for this idiotic move.

Then we’ll move on to our Insightful Picks of the Week with a couple of good ones including a new satirical role for Steve Carell.