Playlist: Business Matters's Portfolio
Past broadcasts of Business Matters, a weekly look at how business is impacting all areas of our lives and freedoms.
Featured
The Business of Consumerism
From Business Matters | Part of the Business Matters series | 59:00
We explore the history and future of consumerism in our society. Find out how the psychology of consumer behavior and marketing to children has shaped our culture.
- Playing
- The Business of Consumerism
- From
- Business Matters
As the holiday shopping frenzy kicked off after Thanksgiving, 3 people died in shopping-related deaths. What is it that turns people into consumers? And how are businesses working to turn our children into the next generation of consumers? Is it a disease, or is it a lifestyle? We'll explore these questions and more on the next Business Matters.
The Business of Shock
From Business Matters | Part of the Business Matters series | 59:00
This week, Business Matters will explore how the lame-duck Bush Administration and the Federal Reserve are applying a kind shock therapy to the economy, and we’ll spend the hour with the best-selling author of The Shock Doctrine, Naomi Klein.
- Playing
- The Business of Shock
- From
- Business Matters
In her book, The Shock Doctrine: The Rise of Disaster Capitalism, Naomi Klein delves into the secret history of capitalism, and explains how the “free-market” has expanded by exploiting periods of shock and crisis. She spent years traveling to disaster zones to see how the policies forced through in crisis impact people on the ground, and her insight is particularly valuable in this time of crisis in the US and world economy.
Today, we are in such a time of political upheaval and economic crisis. Just as outlined by Naomi Klein, in this time of shock, large banks and financial interests are trying to push through corporate-friendly policies. Can we somehow break the cycle of shocks with a new administration?
David and Goliath in Business
From Business Matters | 59:00
This week on Business Matters, we bring you two stories of how individuals have fought legal struggles against massive corporate opponents who have been determined to avoid accountability for their business practices. It may seem like common sense that you have some rights when your livelihood or even your life is threatened by the actions of a major company. But for our guests today, getting a corporate Goliath to admit responsibility is a constant struggle.
- Playing
- David and Goliath in Business
- From
- Business Matters
Guests:
Percy Schmeiser v Monsanto
Percy Schmeiser is a Canadian farmer whose fields were contaminated by Monsanto’s genetically modified crops, beginning a decade-long legal struggle that went all the way to the Supreme Court of Canada. His fight for farmer’s rights to the crops that they’ve spent years creating has made him a hero to farmers and opponents of GMOs around the world.
The DeGroh Family vs Medtronic
After three-year old Avery DeGroh was shocked 9 times by her implanted defibrillator, Medtronic refused to compensate her family for their medical bills. We spoke to the Avery’s father Alex while the family was visiting Washington DC to lobby members of congress to pass the Medical Device Safety Act to restore their rights. First, we asked Sue Steinman from the American Association for Justice to explain what created a need for the law.
Raw Milk Controversy
From Thomas White | 59:00
Business Matters program that explores the controversy of consuming raw milk and the aggressive efforts by the FDA and state regulators to stop farmers from providing consumers want
- Playing
- Raw Milk Controversy
- From
- Thomas White
The power of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has been focused on a national effort to ban the consumption of raw milk. This tireless effort has not been entirely successful. Today raw milk can be purchased at either the farm or retail in 28 states. Wisconsin has a bill currently winding its way through the legislature to legalize farm sales of raw milk.
Those who are on the front line of this issue clearly see that the fight is about more than raw milk. It s about the consumers' right to decide what they eat. This concern has risen with the recent approval by the by the US House of Representatives, known as Food Safety Enhancement Act of 2009. This legislation is making its way through the US Senate. This will give the FDA much broader authority particularly in the area of food safety. This wasn't motivated by the raw milk controversy, it came out of other food borne disease issues. The FDA stance on raw milk gives many consumer advocates concern about the impact this legislation will have.
Food, Giving and Gratitude
From Business Matters | Part of the Business Matters series | 59:00
Thanksgiving episode featuring interviews with organic farmer Sharon Astyk, vegetarian author Jonathan Safron Foer, gratitude theorist Lewis Hyde, and Craig Cuccia of Cafe Reconcile in New Orleans.
- Playing
- Food, Giving and Gratitude
- From
- Business Matters
Well, it’s hard to believe that it’s that time of year again. Thanksgiving is less than a week away and although it can be a time of stress, travel, and visiting relatives we might rather forget we’re related to, it’s also a time to eat, a time to give and share with the people we love, and a time to remember everything we have to be thankful for. That’s why this week on Business Matters, we’ll be talking about the business of food; the economy of giving; and the value of gratitude.
Inspirational Leadership and the President
From Business Matters | Part of the Business Matters series | 58:56
We bring you the views of someone who has personal contact with the President and someone who is one of the world’s best leadership teachers to help us see what we can expect over the next two years and beyond.
Guests:
-Catherine Austin Fitts
-Richard Wolffe
-Lance Secretan