By now you've seen the hilarious account of how Oklahoma resident Sweet Brown escaped an apartment building fire. Since going viral last year, Sweet Brown has not just become an internet sensation, but has appeared on various television outlets and celebrity endorsements. Hear Shantell's hilarious conversation with Sweet Brown.

Sweet Brown has time for Vocalo

"I'm pretty proud of my last name, and I don't think I would take hers... At the same time, I don't mind if she keeps her name." Luis and Shantell discuss the gender norms that revolve around last names in marriages. In a new age and society where each person's family backgrounds and histories are valued more than ever, should it be acceptable to take on two last names, or perhaps a combination of both last names to create a new one?

image by maryhodder: www.flickr.com/photos/maryhodder

Why should women take their husbands' last names?

Luis and Shantell discuss the importance of skin-tone in dolls. Girls typically choose their dolls based on their own appearance. While it is normal for kids to prefer familiarity, there can be a case made for the importance of introducing children to various physical features at an early age. Luis and Shantell are also joined by Theo over the phone.

image by Salvidor LA: www.flickr.com/photos/salvadordeluniverso/

Why Black Dolls Are Important

A federal judge in New York has instructed the FDA to lift the age restriction on emergency contraception, to allow over the counter sale to minors below the age of 17. Luis and Shantell have a discussion about what this could mean, both realistically and morally. Many people will argue that allowing emergency contraception to minors effectively permits teen sex. Others however, argue that contraception should be provided as an effort to reduce teen pregnancy.

Changes In Emergency Contraception Laws

The grisly details from Kermit Gosnell's media-dubbed "house of horrors" abortion clinic have come to light recently, but despite reports of cruel, unsanitary and illegal practices, it hasn't been widely covered. So why hasn't the media been paying attention? Luis and Shantell discuss the case and what it means for media today.

Image provided by M C Morgan.
www.flickr.com/photos/mcmorgan/

Kermit Gosnell's House of Horrors

Supermax prison inmates and Shakespeare usually aren't two things that occupy the same sentence. But for Dr. Laura Bates, professor of English at Indiana State University, they go hand in hand. She goes into prisons and teaches Shakespeare to prisoners who are in solitary confinement. She found that introducing Shakespeare actually helps these prisoners understand their own character and why they may have committed crimes in the first place.

Luis and Shantell talk with Bates about her experience and why Shakespeare works in this setting. Interested in more? Read her book "Shakespeare Saved My Life: Ten Years In Solitary with the Bard."

Image provided by WikiMedia Commons.
commons.wikimedia.org/

Professor Combines Shakespeare and Solitary Confinement

Shantell & Luis have a conversation about a pilot program that is being executed at select universities in the nation. Coursesmart allows professors to keep track of the studying habits, (page views, time spent, notes taken, etc.) of students via their digital textbooks.

Photo: classroom-aid.com

Digital Textbooks: An Invasion of Privacy?

"I did some really stupid stuff though and I have to redeem that bad karma and make it good karma. It's one of the reasons why I'm so focused on giving back in community.."

Marisol Vélez isn't one to pretend that she's always walked on the right side of the tracks. Her life wasn't always full of great decisions, but she is a woman worth knowing. As this week's wise woman, the writer, mentor, teacher and lyricist lets us into her world of redemption. She talks about where she's been and where she's headed as she strives to make a positive mark on the lives of youth and the world.

Wise Woman of the Week: Marisol Vélez

Culinary historian and author of the book “Man Eats Dog: Hot Dog Culture in America” Bruce Kraig joined Shantell & Luis in studio. He, along with photographer and professor Patty Carroll, talk about their book which tells a history of not just the hot dog in Chicago, but in America.

Man Bites Dog: Hot Dog Culture in America

It's relationship talk time on The Overdrive. Author and relationships expert JL Kirkwood joined Luis and Shantell to talk about the "baggage" we have to deal with in our relationships.

JL Kirkwood on relationships with baggage

"What Are You?" That is a question often asked of anyone who looks or sounds different from the people around them. Reactions can range from ignored, to annoyed, to insulted for people being asked. Luis and guest-host Carly Oishi share thoughts on a video depicting these awkward "what are you?" encounters called "What Kind of Asian Are You?"

photo via Carolina Coffe Roasting Color Wheel
carolinacoffeeroasting.net/coffee_fun_facts

Where are you FROM??

“There is a huge body of workers in the United States who aren’t protected by the labor laws you and I know about.”
Shannon Heffernan of WBEZ’s Front and Center shared the first report of her "Exceptions to the Rule" series, which introduces us to people not protected by these laws and how they work without these labor law protections. The first report highlights disabled workers who are paid below minimum wage, including one worker who was barely paid a dollar an hour.
Luis, Shantell, and Shannon discuss the effects of this practice, and whether or not this is discriminatory.

Exceptions to the Rule - Unprotected by Labor Laws

“Never put ketchup on your Chicago-style hot dog.” 
“Do not talk on your phone or listen to music full-blast while taking public transit. Everyone will hate you.”
“Pick a team. You can’t root for the White Sox and the Cubs. You must choose.”
These are three things from Leah Pickett’s “Chicago’s Unwritten Rules” list. 
The blogger, freelancer, and WBEZ on-air correspondent joins Shantell in studio to debate these three rules, as well as other “unwritten rules” that every Chicagoan should follow.

Unwritten Rules Chicagoans Should Follow

Is it appropriate for comics to have jokes about rape? How does that play into a culture of violence? Alicia Sowisdral, from PopGoesAlicia.com and Phaydra Babinchok, Director of SlutWalk, have a discussion with Luis about "Rape Culture" and its relation to comedy.

This passionate discussion explores the many facets of feminism and whether comedy is perpetuating a culture of violence against women. Both Sowisdral and Babinchok are self-labeled feminists who bring their own experiences with misogyny to the discussion.

Feminism, Rape and Comedy - Can Rape Jokes Be Funny?

The best afternoon call-in talk program around Lake Michigan! Hosts Luis Perez and Shantell Jamison discuss current events and social justice issues, talk with local who's whos, and share stories. Luis and Shantell's 'real talk' and enthusiastic style coupled with a focus on personal narratives lead to engaging and frank conversations with callers and guests. Airs Mon-Fri 4-6pm Central on Vocalo 89.5 FM and Vocalo.org. 

Vocalo's Overdrive

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