The State of Us

Counterintuitively, the wage gap widens as women attain higher levels of education. Justin, Lance, and Olivia discuss the probable reasons for this gap, as well as detail the experience of women seeking higher education. Tags: Justin T. Weller, Lance Jackson, Olivia Jackson, TSOU, wage gap, pay gap, women, college, higher education, equality, men, graduation, money, power, politics, economy

The price companies will pay for recyclables has plummeted in the fast few years. What can states do and what opportunities exist for the future? Justin, Lance, and Bradley discuss recycling. tags: economy, china, business, global warming, climate change, recycle, clothes, fashion, future, justin weller, tsou, truechat, lance jackson, bradley butsch

About 90% of workers say that they feel it is at least moderately important that their organization is involved in social change according to a recent report from The Conference Board. Justin and Lance are joined by Dr. Robin Erickson and Amanda Popiela, the two authors of the report. tags: social, issues, change, politics, rights, workers, economy, business, leadership, life, truechat, tsou, the...

Nearly one out of every two Americans used at least one prescription drug in the last 30 days. The United States has some of the highest prescription costs worldwide and the QALY method might be able to lower prices. Justin and Lance explore the pros and cons. tags: health care, medicine, prescription, doctor, economy, politics, politician, republican, democrat, tsou, truechat, insurance, justin w...

Today, the U.S. is facing slowing population growth and struggling rural economies. What does history tell us about how immigrants might be part of the solution? Justin and Lance are joined by A.K. Sandoval-Strauz, author of the new book, Barrio America. tags: immigration, politics, history, culture, racism, race, mexican, american, black, white, racial, tension, economy, tsou, truechat, justin we...

A recent Pew Research Survey shows that 85% of Americans are in favor of policy to restrict automation. Should we be concerned about automation and what does history tell us? tags: politics, jobs, economy, worker, pay, wages, robot, automation, technology, news, careers, tsou, truechat, justin weller, lance jackson

With the largest deviation in gas prices nationwide since 2005 and Tesla delivering a record number of electric cars, a lot is happening in the auto industry. What's on the horizon and what can we do to repair our infrastructure? Justin and Lance discuss. tags: economy, gas, prices, infrastructure, roads, streets, repair, cars, trucks, highway, travel, united states, tsou, justin weller, lance jac...

Since 2010, New York City has seen a net loss of 900,000 citizens according to the Census Bureau. Justin and Lance analyze why this is happening and the effects of this trend. tags: economy, politics, money, lifestyle, work, life, balance, kids, millennials, gen x, city, country, urbana, rural, tsou, truechat, justin weller, lance jackson

Based on economic trends over the last decade, it would seem America is becoming more divided. However, a recent gathering in Texas speaks to the contrary. Justin and Lance discuss our nation's divide and talk about the path forward. tags: politics, news, divide, republican, democrat, poll, debate, conversation, media, government, donald trump, tsou, president, truechat, justin weller, lance jacks...

With an average balance of more than $8,000 per credit card per American household, how credit ratings work effects most U.S. citizens. Justin and Lance review six myths and some of the things that can be done to positively influence your score. tags: economy, money, credit, cards, lending, mortgage, score, borrow, congress, politics, financial, how to, tsou, student loans, truechat, justin weller...

With nearly 50 million kids in American public schools and more than 3 million teachers, school saftey affects a large percentage of the population. Some states have passed legislation allowing districts to arm teachers. Justin, Lance, and Caleb discuss the scenario. tags: education, school, news, population, politics, government, gun, safety, debate, security, kids, children, shootings, mass, tso...

By 2060 nearly one in four Americans will be 65 or older. Originally designed for people who were mostly independent, assisted living facilities have nearly tripled in number in the past 20 years to about 30,000 today. Justin and Lance discuss if the notion of assisted living is a lie. tags: health, politics, society, debate, discussion, old age, seniors, government, japan, united states, family,...

The group known as Unit 29155 is one of many components that make up President Vladimir Putin's hybrid warfare efforts to undermine Western democracies. Justin and Lance take you inside the story and explain its importance. tags: politics, news, current events, russia, united states, america, putin, trump, president, foreign, war, relations, tsou, peace, truechat, justin weller, lance jackson

According to a survey conducted by the Food and Drug Administration, there was a 78% increase in e-cigarette use by high school students and a 48% increase in use by middle school students. Dr. Soumya Neravetla, a cardiothoracic surgeon at Mercy Health, joins Justin and Lance to breakdown the problem. tags: politics, laws, government, issues, news, vaping, vape, e-cigarettes, youth, school, educat...

Numerous presidential campaigns are spending heavily on Facebook to spread their message. Some are spending hundreds of dollars to secure small donations due to the DNC's requirements to make the debates. What's the purpose of these requirements and do they work? tags: politics, news, dnc, rnc, democrat, republican, facebook, social media, spending, fundraising, president, trump, tsou, race, 2020,...

According to a recent survey by The Conference Board, 54% of U.S. employees feel satisfied with their jobs. Justin and Lance are joined by two of the researchers who worked on the survey to explain why this is a significant increase. tags: economy, news, politics, government, work, workplace, survey, poll, staisfaction, career, advice, business, tsou, truechat, justin weller, lance jackson, the co...

Nearly 7 in 10 registered voters in the United States support the general idea of allowing anyone to buy into Medicare. Despite that, there is a lack of consensus amongst current Democratic candidates on what to do. Justin and Lance share a house metaphor to explain the various plans. tags: politics, democrat, republican, president, election, medicare, health care, insurance, government, tsou, tru...

The U.S. may block a new undersea cable that is supported by Facebook, Google, and their partners in China due to 'security concerns.' This issue goes beyond this cable and includes things like subway cars and cellular networks. tags: politics, news, privacy, technology, security, national, untied states, government, president, donald trump, tsou, truechat, truechat, justin weller, lance jackson

Are nationalism and socialism new ideas and where do they come from? With President Trump and Senator Bernie Sanders discussing these topics, it is critical to understand the history of these issues. tags: politics, economy, history, donald trump, bernie sanders, president, senator, congress, policy, socialism, nationalism, tsou, truechat, justin weller, lance jackson

Student debt is increasing at an exponential rate. Recent findings indicate that those who borrow more default less, contrary to typical thinking. Should we be pushing for more financial aid or student debt? Justin and Lance breakdown the issue. tags: politics, education, college, tuition, spending, business, economy, university, scholarship, financial aid, future, trend, study, tsou, truechat, ju...

A new benefit provided by some large organizations: payroll advances. About 40% of adults say they do not have enough cash to cover a $400 expense. Some employers see access to cash as a way to improve retention. Justin and Lance breakdown the situation. tags: politics, news, discussion, current events, minimum wage, poverty, payroll, business, workers, economy, tsou, truechat, justin weller, lanc...

The police used editing software to remove tattoos from a picture of Tyrone Allen - a suspect in a bank robbery - when presenting his picture to witness for identification. This isn't the only time police have edited photos for a picture lineup. There's more than two sides to this story. Justin, Lance, and Caleb examine the nuances. tags: politics, issues, news, police, violence, investigation, ed...

Since 2008, the number of "A" ratings the NRA has assigned to Democrats in Congress has dropped from 63 to just three in 2018. What has caused this shift and how should America move forward with gun laws? tags: politics, congress, guns, news, democrat, republican, weapons, nra, national rifle association, debate, mass shootings, tsou, truechat, justin weller, lance jackson

According to The Wall Street Journal, the values that Americans say define the national character are changing, as younger generations rate patriotism, religion, and having children as less important to them than did young people two decades ago. tags: politics, values, issues, news, polls, gen x, gen z, millennials, boomers, religion, community, democrat, republican, president, tsou, truechat, ju...

An opinion piece in The Wall Street Journal suggests that Trump may win in 2020 if liberals don't change some of their current habits. Justin and Lance examine the authors five suggestions for Democrats. tags: politics, government, republican, democrat, party, politics, election, 2020, donald trump, ideas, third party, tsou, truechat, justin weller, lance jackson