Do you know the history behind the holidays that you celebrate? Would you be surprised to find out that some of the most popular American holidays have shameful beginnings?

Fortune 500 Corporations are considered both financial powerhouses and leaders in social change. Yet corporate leadership is undeniably white and male. Today, there are only 4 African American (all male) CEOs. And most corporations have few--most have none!--African Americans on the Boards of Directors or in other executive roles. Following the killing of George Floyd in May 2020, many corporations pledged to work for racial and social justice and equity. Yet most of these white male-led businesses have yet to make meaningful changes in the advancement of people of color.

The 2020 General Election in the United States is destined to be a historic moment in American history. Yes, the election is likely to be the most hotly contested electoral competition since the Bush-Gore election in 2000. The election process will be the defining feature and possibly affect the outcome. Because of the continuing COVID-19 pandemic, mail-in (or no-excuse absentee) voting will be the most popular method of voting in the 2020 election. However, voting by mail is not new in the United States.

Folktales are an ancient method of entertainment and teaching lessons. They are also a way of promoting and preserving cultural traditions. The Espresso Talk Today team loves this ancient art of storytelling and education to add a special flavor to its show.

The fastest-growing demographic worldwide is the senior population. People are living longer and more are staying healthy as they age. Yet age-related illnesses like dementia, stroke, heart disease, and diabetes are realities for some senior citizens and their families. With this growing population has arisen an area of law that is dedicated to protecting and empowering older adults. This is Elder Law. Through advanced planning, older adults can prepare for these illnesses, which can leave them both physically and mentally incapacitated. Elder law provides tools that can allow older adults and their families to make financial decisions, prepare for incapacity, make medical decisions, and protect their home and other assets. In this important episode, Doug (yeah, he's back!) and Robin discuss the needs of older adults and how to protect their interests.

The Covid-19 pandemic has a new star on the scene: the mask. In the midst of fear and isolation during the lockdown as well as people wondering who the virus will target next, scientists, policymakers, and ordinary people are looking for solutions to the COVID pandemic. The mask is being touted by many as an easy way to stop the spread of the illness. Many countries have made wearing the mask mandatory in stores, restaurants, and other indoor venues. For this reason, some people believe that the requirement to wear a mask infringes on their individual rights. Americans and Europeans share many ideas and values but they sharply diverge on the government's power to mandate masks.

COVID-19 has been called the "Great Equalizer." This statement has certainly been proven untrue between individuals and among the different economic, racial, and ethnic segments of society. But it is also untrue on a global scale. Different countries have approached and handled the coronavirus in different ways, with very differing results. In this dynamic episode, the Espresso Talk Today team compares the development of the coronavirus in European countries and the United States.

The Covid-19 pandemic. Police Violence. White supremacy and terror. Dehumanizing behavior. Systemic racism. Everywhere. Every day. African Americans and other people of color face constant threats not only to their physical safety but also to their mental health. This leads to high levels of stress, anxiety, depression, and other mental illnesses that also make African Americans vulnerable to chronic disorders like heart disease, obesity, asthma, and diabetes. And it reduces the life expectancy and quality of life for many African Americans. Add poverty, lack of health care, inadequate housing, and reduced access to good nutrition and clean water to this deadly cocktail and there is another "pandemic" rooted in racism.

May is Mental Health Awareness Month--and the timing is perfect. Stress levels are running very high as the nation deals with the Covid-19 lockdown as well as the easing of lockdown restrictions. But other factors also contribute to high stress and anxiety levels in the African American community. Structural racism, dehumanizing events, police violence, economic uncertainty, poverty, and bias in health care, education, and housing are factors that affect African Americans on the mental, physical, and even spiritual levels.

Pulitzer Prize winner, Bob Dylan once said, "The world is never the same once a good poem has been added to it." The same can apply to people after reading a good poem; they are forever changed. In this unique episode, Robin and Ben read and discuss two of their favorite poems.

People read different kinds of modern or classic fiction. Others read modern or historical nonfiction, essays, or articles. However, there is one type of fiction that is often overlooked yet has been on the literary scene for more than a thousand years: Folktales. Often relegated to simple children's stories, folktales are an ancient form of entertainment. Most folktales are written with human characters. Others are part of the oral tradition with animals taking the lead as human protagonists.

Is COVID-19 the "Great Equalizer"? A more accurate description is that COVID-19 is the "Great Revealer." This lethal virus is revealing inequality and injustice at every level of American society. African Americans are hugely and disproportionately affected by the coronavirus, causing more illness and more death than in any other community.

COVID-19 has been called "the Great Equalizer" because of its lethal attacks on people of all races, genders, and economic backgrounds. Yet African Americans are disproportionately affected by the coronavirus, causing more illness and more death. This "great equalizer" characterization is not only inaccurate but is, in fact, increasing the danger to African Americans. Doug and Robin discuss an article, "What the COVID-19 Pandemic Means for Black Americans," by Dr. Uche Blackstock.

Do environmental issues have unique consequences for African American and Indigenous communities? What special issues do Black vegans encounter? Will universal health care solve the racial bias problems in medical treatment? There are many issues that appear as race-neutral but that actually present special challenges for African Americans as well as Native and Indigenous communities.

The United States is the only high-income country that does not provide health care to its citizens and residents as a human right. As a result, more than 30 million people remain uninsured. Of course, this has tragic consequences for individuals and families. Recent attempts to correct this problem have been less than successful and more than disappointing.

In this first episode about universal health care, Doug and Robin introduce the problems of health care in the United States. What are some of the major problems that Americans face regarding their health care? Is universal health care a real solution?

There are holidays focused on African American history and culture that are exclusively celebrated in the United States. Many people are unfamiliar with these special events. This podcast discusses some of the more famous days and a few lesser-known days.

Introducing Espresso Talk Today--an exciting place for an uncommon conversation! The sibling team of Doug and Robin Lofton--both historians, writers, and activists--discuss political, economic, social, and cultural issues in a quick and unique conversation. Then they examine the impact of these issues on African Americans.