Top Of Mind With Julie Rose

When war breaks out, we tend to focus on whether the war is justified. Is it right to fight? Under international law, it's not that hard to justify going to war. But if we really want to understand why wars happen, asking only if the war is justified can muddy the water. In this second episode about war, we're focused on understanding how the decision to fight gets made. What leads a leader or society to look at the inevitable devastation that war causes, and say, "We're doing it anyway"? The answer to that question could provide the path to peace. (AP Photo/John Minchillo, FGile) Guests: Kael Weston, former US State Department diplomat, author of “The Mirror Test: America at War in Iraq and Afghanistan” Wes Bryant, retired US Air Force Master Sergeant, co-author of “Hunting the Caliphate: America’s War on ISIS and the Dawn of the Strike Cell” Chris Blattman, professor of global conflict studies, University of Chicago Harris School of Public Policy, author of “Why We Fight: The Roots of War and the Paths

This week only on the Top of Mind podcast, a special Halloween treat. It’s an old-fashioned, family-friendly audio drama from storytelling podcast The Apple Seed about a family facing off against an evil robot maid. And there’s a voice you might recognize. Top of Mind host Julie Rose masquerades as the mom of the family. And stay tuned after the story for the inside scoop on Julie’s short-lived theater career. Subscribe to The Apple Seed podcast from BYUradio for a regular dose of stories for the whole family – folk tales, fairy tales, personal tales, historical tales and, of course, original radio dramas like the one you’re about to hear.

Most Americans have never fought in a war, or even had our lives disrupted by one. Does being so far removed from the loss and trauma make us more willing to send our military into battle? This is the first of two episodes we’re dedicating to thinking more deeply about the consequences of war. Rarely is going to war clearly the right or wrong choice. When is war justified? We're hoping that, by really embracing the nuance here, we'll be more clear-eyed as citizens and voters the next time America has the choice to fight. (AP Photo/Balint Szlanko, File) Guests: Sonny Le, former refugee from Vietnam, Bay Area Regional Program Manager of Vaccinate ALL 58 Yalda Royan, refugee from Afghanistan, founding member of the Afghan Women’s Advocacy Group Frank “Gus” Biggio, US Marine Corps (retired), author of “The Wolves of Helmand: A View from Inside the Den of Modern War” Eric Jensen, US Army (retired), former special counsel to the US Department of Defense General Counsel, professor at Brigham Young University la

If the whole point of a democracy is to represent the voice of the people, then why do more than half of Americans say the two major political parties are doing a poor job representing the people? Would a third major party solve the problem? What could drive the Democrats and Republicans to embrace more moderate views? In this episode we look at why American politics have become so polarized and we explore how to stay engaged in democracy when neither party feels like a good fit. Thanks to listeners Jeff, Cydne, Alex, Troy and Noah for sharing their stories in this episode. Guests: Robert Saldin, Professor of Political Science, University of Montana Jon Schaff, Professor of Political Science, Northern State University Richard Davis, co-founder of the United Utah Party, author of "Beyond Donkeys and Elephants: Minor Political Parties in Contemporary American Politics." Pastor Fred Garry, Senior Pastor of the First Presbyterian Church of Metuchen, NJ Evan Malbrough, fellow at the ACLU of Georgia, board

When you encounter a perspective that contradicts your own, the natural instinct is to either shut down or push back. But staying with that discomfort can pay off. Maybe it deepens a relationship or leads to some fresh insight. Top of Mind is launching a new series called “Stick With It” where we talk with people about a time they encountered a perspective that felt challenging, chose to stick with that discomfort, and they’re glad they did. In this episode, we speak with a couple of friends – one is Black, one is white – about embracing tough conversations as they wrote a book together about race. And host Julie Rose shares a “Stick With It” story of her own. Email your story to topofmind@byu.edu. Guests: Shanterra McBride, author, preacher, speaker, founder of Marvelous University Rosalind Wiseman, co-founder of Cultures of Dignity, author of “Queen Bees and Wannabes” and co-author with McBride of “Courageous Discomfort: How to Have Important, Life-Changing Conversations About Race and Racism.

The freedom to believe—and express those religious beliefs—is embedded in America’s founding documents. But being obviously religious—like wearing a hijab, turban or yarmulke—doesn’t always bring a friendly response. If everyone knew, just by looking at you, that you are a person of faith, would you act differently? In this episode, we’re thinking more deeply about how much we—as individuals and as a society—really value religious diversity and public expressions of faith. Guests: Simran Jeet Singh, Executive Director for the Aspen Institute’s Religion & Society Program and author of The Light We Give: How Sikh Wisdom Can Transform Your Life. Justin McClain, Catholic educator and author of Called to Teach, Alleluia to Amen, and Called to Pray. Asma Uddin, attorney, visiting law professor at Catholic University of America, author of “When Islam Is Not a Religion: Inside America’s Fight for Religious Freedom” Diana Eck, founder of The Pluralism Project at Harvard University (photo credit: Simran Jeet Singh

The word “activist” tends to scare off a lot of people. But working for change is more than protests and marches. In this episode we look to the example of Rosa Parks who did so much more than refuse to give up her seat on a segregated bus. And we consider why viral hashtags on social media rarely lead to big, lasting change. Plus, a new definition of activism that could motivate more of us to work on making the world a better place. Guests: HH Leonards, founder of The O Street Museum and Mansion in Washington, DC and author of “Rosa Parks Beyond the Bus: Life, Lessons and Leadership” Gal Beckerman, senior editor for books at The Atlantic, author of “The Quiet Before: On the Unexpected Origins of Radical Ideals.” Emma Petty Adams and Jennifer Walker Thomas, co-executive directors of MWEG (Mormon Women for Ethical Government) Karen Walrond, author of "The Lightmaker's Manifesto: How to Work for Change Without Losing Your Joy"

A major side effect of being such a grief-averse culture is the sheer panic many of us feel when confronted with someone who’s suffered a devastating loss. What can you possibly say or do that will help? In this bonus episode you’ll hear Julie’s full conversation with grief specialist Lisa Athan. It’s packed full of practical tips and uplifting insight. Guest: Lisa Athan, founder of Grief Speaks

What is it about grief that makes us so uncomfortable? American rituals are designed to keep mourning quiet and private. We mutter clichés that offer little comfort and expect grieving to be like getting the flu – you feel really bad and then you get better. We make even less space for grieving pets, or pregnancy loss. In today’s episode we consider what might be different if we allowed for grief to be bigger, longer and more public? Guests: Jaqueline Dooley, writer, essayist - https://jacquelinedooley.medium.com/ Brandy Schillace, author of “Death's Summer Coat: Our Strange, Unsettled History of Mourning” E.B. Bartels, author of "Good Grief: On Loving Pets Here and Hereafter" Katie C. Reilly, writer, attorney Lisa Athan, founder of Grief Speaks

What if you sent a hand-written, two-page letter to every single one of your Facebook friends? What if you struck up conversations with strangers more often? What if you mended a fracture in your family? In this episode, we explore how widening our circles and tending to relationships more mindfully could be good for us - and society. Guests: Amy Weinland Daughters, sports columnist and author of “Dear Dana: That Time I Went Crazy and Wrote All 580 of My Facebook Friends a Handwritten Letter” Joe Keohane, journalist and author of “The Power of Strangers: The Benefits of Connecting in a Suspicious World” Karl Pillemer, professor of human development and geriatrics at Cornell University, author of “Fault Lines: Fractured Families and How to Mend Them.”

Genealogy is compelling to so many, but why do we want to learn about people we don’t know? Simple answer, the stories we find by tracing our roots can inspire us and become family legends. But what happens when we discover something dark in our family history? How do we reconcile our heroes with their frailties, or even evil deeds? Is it worth it to keep digging? In this episode, we explore how family history can open new doors, build resiliency within families, and why you should look to dig a little deeper. Guests: Christopher Jones, BYU History Professor Libby Copeland, author of “The Lost Family: How DNA Testing Is Upending Who We Are” Edward Di Gangi, author of “The Gift Best Given: A Memoir” Gaynell Brady, owner of Our Mammy’s

People with synesthesia perceive the world very differently from the rest of us. Their senses merge so that sounds might also have tastes. The days of the week may be different colors. Numbers and letters might correspond to musical notes. This final installment in our summer series of archive interviews is especially meaningful to Julie because it drives home how two people can look at the same thing and see it very differently. What can the science of synesthesia teach us about navigating divisive issues we feel strongly about? Guest: Richard Cytowic, Clinical Professor of Neurology at George Washington University, author of "Wednesday is Indigo Blue" and "The Man Who Tasted Shapes"

Caregiving for a loved one can be difficult and confusing. Julie and her siblings are among the more than 20 million Americans who currently care for an aging parent- so this week's pick from the Top of Mind live radio archive hits close to home. In 2020, Julie spoke with Zachary White and Donna Thomson who combine their personal and professional experience into a "how to" handbook for the rest of us called “The Unexpected Journey of Caring." Guests: Donna Thomson, author, caregiver, activist, author of "The Four Walls of My Freedom: Lessons I've Learned from a Life of Caregiving" Zachary White, professor of communication, Queens University of Charlotte, co-author (with Thomson) of "The Unexpected Journey of Caring: The Transformation from Loved One to Caregiver"

Sarah Valentine grew up believing she was the white daughter of her white parents. As an adult she learned her parents had been lying to her. She’s actually half Black. That truth completely unraveled Valentine’s sense of identity, which she writes about in her memoir “When I Was White.” Top of Mind host Julie Rose says she thinks often about this interview from our daily radio show archive because it really led her question her assumptions about race and racism. Top of Mind is a BYUradio podcast. Guest: Sarah Valentine, author of "When I Was White: A Memoir"

Netflix star Samin Nosrat shares the one amazing meal that inspired her to become a professional chef. Her cookbook “Salt, Fat, Acid, Heat” is a guide to the essential elements of successful cooking. In another of Julie’s favorite conversations from the Top of Mind live radio show archives, Nosrat explains how to make delicious food whether you’re a conscientious recipe-follower or a free-wheeling experimenter (like Julie). Top of Mind is a BYUradio podcast. Guest: Samin Nosrat, chef and author of "Salt, Fat, Acid Heat" (which is also a Netflix documentary series)

This week, Julie shares a conversation from Top of Mind’s live radio show archive that changed her life. In 2017 she spoke with Dan Brule, who is one of the world’s leading experts on breathwork. He recommends taking time daily to practice breathing. The techniques he shared have become Julie’s best tool for coping with stress and anxiety. Guest: Dan Brule, author of “Just Breathe: Mastering Breathwork for Success in Life, Love, Business and Beyond"

The humanitarian needs in the world right now are enormous. Helping out seems straightforward – you just send money or show up. But if you’re not careful, your time and money may do no good. Worse, it might end up hurting those you’re hoping to help. In this episode, we consider how best to respond in a humanitarian crisis, why doing a “service trip” to a distant village isn’t necessarily helpful and ways to boost the impact of your charitable gifts. Guests: Svitlana Miller, founder, ToUkraineWithLove.org Meg Sattler, director, Ground Truth Solutions Bocchit Edmond, Haiti’s Ambassador to the United States Pippa Biddle, author of “Ours to Explore: Privilege, Power and the Paradox of Voluntourism” Kat Rosqueta, founding executive director, Center for High Impact Philanthropy (impact.upenn.edu) at the University of Pennsylvania

The question of going to college - and where - is on the minds of most American families and young adults. We want college to be a character-building, mind-expanding experience, but we also want it to help graduates get good jobs. In this episode, we explore the ways that our conflicting expectations of American higher education play out—and how to make the best decisions for your family. Guests: Alexis Ayala, Business Development Representative at Okta Anthony Carnevale, Director of the Georgetown Center for Education and the Workforce Ron Lieber, New York Times Finance Columnist, Author of “The Price You Pay for College: An Entirely New Road Map for the Biggest Financial Decision Your Family Will Ever Make” Ken Rusk, Entrepreneur, Author of “Blue Collar Cash: Love Your Work, Secure Your Future, and Find Happiness for Life”

Aging brings inevitable changes to our bodies, abilities and lifestyle. But it’s not all bad. Surveys show time and again that people in their 80s are happier than young adults and people in middle age. Yet we all dread the prospect of growing older. In today’s episode, we explore what aging is really like in America right now and how the experience might be better if we stopped fearing it. Guests: Katherine Esty, therapist and author of Eighty somethings: A Practical Guide to Letting Go, Aging Well, and Finding Unexpected Happiness Bill Rodgers, decorated marathon runner and Olympian Marc Agronin, geriatric psychiatrist at Miami Jewish Health and author of The End of Old Age: Living a Longer, More Purposeful Life Ashton Applewhite, activist and author of The Chair Rocks: A Manifesto Against Ageism Donna Butts, Executive Director of Generations United

In this bonus episode from the Top of Mind archive: "The Other Talk." Most kids of color in America grow up talking about racism at home, but most white children don't. They should, though, says author Brendan Kiely. His new book is a guide for starting the conversation about race at home. Then, a short, inspiring chat with a doctor who collects flower arrangements and delivers them to patients in the hospital where she works.