Perspectives Matter... A McCuistion Program

Perspectives Matter #2925 - The Power of Forgiveness

Ever have an issue forgiving someone who “did you wrong.” Did you hold a grudge or try to get even?
We’re often told to forgive and forget when harm is done to us, yet that’s easier said than done.
 
Joining Host Jim Falk to talk about the art and science of forgiveness are,
Dr. Frederic Luskin, the founder and director of the Stanford University Forgiveness Projects and a professor at the Institute for Transpersonal Psychology. He is the author of Forgive for Good and Forgive for Love.
 
Also, with us is Molly Biehl whose older sister, Amy, a Stanford University student, and Fulbright Scholar, was dragged out of her car and brutally killed in a township outside of Cape Town, South Africa in August of 1993. Amy was 26.
 
Molly is the author of You’ve Got This, where she shares her path to forgiveness.
 
What is forgiveness?
 
Why do we find forgiveness so challenging?
 
How does harboring anger and resentment affect one’s health?
And what are the benefits of forgiveness?
 
Our guests say, there is a way to move forward through forgiveness, however difficult that may be. Join us to learn more.

Perspectives Matter #2923 - Technology and the Global Struggle for Power

The U.S. relationship with China is both problematic and puzzling. It’s neither “hot” nor “cold,” and seems more like two rivals arm-wrestling -- with neither side able to gain a clear advantage.
Joining Host Jim Falk to talk about which rival has a competitive advantage is Dr. Jonathan Ward, the founder and president of the Atlas Organization, a consultancy focusing on American Grand Strategy for Triumph Over China.
There’s no doubt the U.S. and China are committed to having a military advantage over one another. While the risk of armed conflict, perhaps over Taiwan exists, the real battle for technological supremacy is where the struggle for global power is taking place.
Join us to hear more about where we stand with China today and the direction we may be taking in the future.

Perspectives Matter #3005 - Voter Choice: Is It Time for a Third Party?

A Harris X poll taken earlier this summer found that 69% of Democratic-leaning voters wanted someone other than President Biden to head the ticket. The same held true for former President Trump, with 62% of those polled saying they, too, wanted another candidate.
With over a year to go, the 2024 presidential contest promises to have many twists and turns. Given these high unfavorable ratings, the political organization, No Labels, has raised the possibility of launching a “unity” ticket, composed of a Republican and Democrat to run against the presumptive major party nominees.
Joining Jim Falk as host, stating the case of why the 2024 election might just be the exception, actually favoring a “unity” ticket is, David Walker, the co-founder of No Labels, former U.S. Comptroller General from 1998 to 2008.
Giving us the history and background on why, to date, “third “parties have failed, is Professor Jeffrey A. Engel, Ph.D., who is the founding Director of the Center for Presidential History at Southern Methodist University.
Each of our guests makes strong cases on the probability of a “unity” ticket succeeding in our next Presidential election.
This is a program you don’t want to miss.

Perspectives Matter#2926 - Global Power in the Age of AI

The geopolitical landscape is undergoing rapid change brought about by what not too long ago might have been considered inconceivable technological advancements.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is an area where China is especially determined to be the global leader by the end of this decade.
This raises critical strategic questions for the United States and our allies. And, if China does surpass the United States, what are the implications for democracy, and our economy?
Joining Host Jim Falk to discuss these implications is:Dr. Paul Scharre, Executive Vice President and Director of Studies at the Center for a New American Security and the author of Four Battlegrounds: Power in the Age of Artificial Intelligence.
The U.S’ short-term thinking often puts us at a competitive disadvantage, and this is especially true with China where its leaders tend to think ahead not just in years but decades.
Can international regulations organizations address the fact that the United States along with its liberal democratic allies might have a very different goal than that of China, Russia, and the growing number of authoritarian states who see AI as a means to gain and maintain power?
Join us to sort through these questions and concerns.

Perspectives Matter #3001 - The DEA Message: One Pill Can Kill

“One Pill Can Kill.” That’s the message of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency.
Two milligrams (2mg); that’s less than five grains of salt of illicit fentanyl are considered a lethal dose, about what you could put on a tip of a sharp pencil.
Joining Host Jim Falk is Special Agent in Charge Eduardo A. Chávez, Drug Enforcement Agency, Dallas Field Division (DEA), who talks about the challenges of Fentanyl and how the DEA combats it.
Fentanyl is a potent synthetic opioid drug approved by the Food and Drug Administration for use as an analgesic (pain relief) and anesthetic. It is approximately 100 times more potent than morphine and 50 times more potent than heroin as an analgesic
In 2021, 107,000 Americans died of drug poisoning and 2/3 of these deaths involved synthetic opioids, usually fentanyl-laced prescription pills. Most health experts believe that these numbers are understated.
Opioid-related deaths involving synthetic opioids like fentanyl have tripled in the last decade and account for 67% of all opioid overdose deaths in the United States.
Join us to learn more about the dangers of Fentanyl so you can protect yourself and your community.

Perspectives Matter #3002 - The Fentanyl Crisis: The Silent Killer (Part two in a three part series on Fentanyl)

Joining Host Jim Falk to continue the conversation about the Fentanyl crisis are:
Officer Chris Bianez, Plano Police Department, Crime Prevention Unit andJohn-Mark Meulman, LPC, LCDC, Program Administrator, Collin County Substance Abuse
One pill can kill is the message that our U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency is sending- very loudly.
Over 150 people die every day from overdose/ poisoning related to synthetic opioids like fentanyl.
Many of them young people.
The numbers are growing, despite the best efforts of school counselors, law enforcement officials, parents and other health professionals.
The battle against the cartels and drug traffickers is far from being won; in fact, they are winning.
Join us this Sunday to learn more about this growing crisis and how you can help educate and inform others about this crisis.
And very special thanks to Officer Chris Bianez for assisting us with this program.
Perspectives Matter is a McCuistion Program and as part of a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization does not receive any pledge dollars, PBS funds, or government grants. The funding which has kept us on the air for 33-plus years comes from our grantors and loyal viewers. Your donation allows us to continue to hold engaging programs that provide different perspectives. To be a catalyst for change, support our TV programs. Thank you for your support and for watching. Niki McCuistion

Perspectives Matter #3003 - What You Need to Know About Fentanyl

“One Pill Can Kill.” That’s the message of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency.
 
This program is the first in a series about the dangers of Fentanyl poisoning.
 
You’ll hear from a medical doctor, law enforcement, the Drug Enforcement Administration and will meet parents whose lives forever changed when their children were poisoned by fentanyl.
 
We will also leave you with recommendations on how you can communicate more effectively with your loved ones about this deadly issue.
 
Fentanyl is involved in more deaths of Americans under 50 years of age than any other cause of death. It is the leading cause of U.S. overdose deaths, which have roughly quadrupled over the last ten years.
 
Two milligrams of illicit fentanyl is considered a lethal dose; about what you could put on a tip of a sharp pencil.
 
Through the first half of this year, the DEA has seized the equivalent of 204 million deadly doses of fentanyl. The DEA Laboratory has found that, of the fentanyl-laced fake prescription pills analyzed in 2022, six out of ten now contain a potentially lethal dose of fentanyl( https://www.dea.gov/onepill).
 
The bottom line, do not trust any medication not prescribed " by a trusted medical professional and dispensed by a licensed pharmacist".
 
Join us and our Host, Jim Falk, this Sunday to meet:
 
Dr. Mark Gamber, EMS Medical Director, Plano Fire-Rescue & Emergency Physician; who gives us insights in what fentanyl is and how alert we need to be about medications, and the parents of children who overdosed or were poisoned by Fentanyl:
Jeri Horton - Angel Mom Family,
Ryan Vaughn - Angel Mom Family,
Stephanie Vaughn - Angel Mom Family.

Perspectives Matter #2915 - Can We End Homelessness?

In the United States, the richest country in the world, we estimate 580,000 individuals are homeless. In Dallas and Collin County alone, the number of homeless individuals has hit its lowest count in five years, with 4,224 individuals accounted for, which is still too high a count.
Homelessness is an extremely complicated topic that brings forth strong feelings whether it is citizens concerned about visible homelessness in their neighborhood, park, or urban center or the person who finds themselves without the security of shelter.
Joining Host Jim Falk are: Joli Angel Robinson, President & CEO of @HousingForwardNTX, a non-profit founded in 2002 to serve as a collective voice for homelessness in Dallas and Collin Counties; and Carol Lucky, CEO of North Texas Behavioral Health Authority, who has worked in the mental health and substance use field for over 40 years.
Housing Forward announced new data related to homelessness during its annual State of Homelessness address, April 13. The count is meant to provide a snapshot of trends rather than a comprehensive number.
Join us to discuss solutions and the bigger question: can we actually eliminate homelessness?
We'd like to thank Molly Van Ort for her generosity in underwriting this program.

Perspectives Matter #2916- Rough Sleepers: Bringing Healing to the Homeless

Joining Host Jim Falk are Pulitzer Prize-winning author Tracy Kidder, author of Rough Sleepers, and Jim O’Connell, M.D., President of the @TheBHCHP.
When Dr. O’Connell graduated from Harvard Medical School the chief of medicine made him a proposal, that of deferring a prestigious fellowship and instead spend a year helping to create an organization to bring health care to homeless citizens. He took on that offer and has spent the last 40 years in Boston, Massachusetts delivering front-line medical care, friendship, and even socks to the unhoused, including those who sleep on the streets—called the “rough sleepers.”
Tracy Kidder spent five years documenting and following Dr. O’Connell and his colleagues as they served thousands of homeless patients on the streets of Boston.
The discussion focuses on Dr. O’Connell’s story and the challenges of the homeless and “Rough Sleepers” he attends.

Perspectives Matter #2920 - The Economics of Travel and Happiness

Research shows that those who travel were 7% happier than those who stay at home (Washington State University).
Joining Host Jim Falk to talk about happiness, productivity and his new travel venture, Bliss Tours is , Eric Weiner. Eric is the author of several captivating books. Including The Geography of Bliss. He is a former NPR reporter/ journalist and a philosophical traveler who’s explored the world.
He shares his discoveries on happiness and how it may increase productivity and overall satisfaction with life.
For many of us, travel and happiness go together. The pandemic not only prevented many of us from seeing our families and friends, but it also collapsed the travel industry.
The good news is the rebound is here and it is expected. that international tourist travels will be back at pre-Covid levels in 2024.
The overwhelming majority of travelers say that their travel memories are among the happiest ones of their lives; and, as Eric tells us, even delays and other snafus can over time be recalled as blissful.
Join us to learn how you can increase your own happiness and productivity through travel.
Perspectives Matter is a McCuistion Program, and as part of a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization does not receive any pledge dollars, PBS funds, or government grants. The funding which has kept us on the air for 33-plus years comes from our grantors and loyal viewers. Your donation allows us to continue to hold engaging programs that provide different perspectives.
 
To be a catalyst for change, support our TV programs.
 
You can also watch Perspectives Matter episodes on our website, https://mccuistiontv.com/, or on our YouTube channel, https://youtube.com/c/mccuistiontv.