WCBS 880 In Depth

Has thrifting become a version of fast fashion?

America has a ton of clothing waste. It’s part of the reason many eco-conscious shoppers prefer thrifting. There’s one problem: even when thrifting, many still buy a ton of clothes and toss barely used garments. Social media is fueling this via massive thrift hauls, a.k.a showing off your shopping sprees. Thrifting and environmental experts help us to explore whether or not shopping secondhand has lost its environmental focus. We’re also looking at how are low-income communities — who’ve historically relied on thrifting for its affordable prices — are affected.  Host/Producer: Jill Webb Audio Engineer: Anddy Egan-Thorpe Additional Production Assistance: Dempsey Pillot Managing Producer of Podcasts: Femi Redwood

Are midwives and doulas the key to preventing deaths during childbirth?

In New York City, Black women are nine times more likely than their white counterparts to die during childbirth. This is why maternal health advocates are pushing the city to connect Black mothers-to-be with Black midwives and doulas for better pregnancy outcomes. In this episode, we hear from birth-givers, advocates, and lawmakers about how to give Black New Yorkers better birthing experiences. Host/Producer: Jill Webb Audio Engineer: Anddy Egan-Thorpe Additional Production Assistance: Dempsey Pillot Managing Producer of Podcasts: Femi Redwood

A change for New York’s juvenile justice system

New York will no longer prosecute or arrest children under age 12 in 2023 for pretty much all crimes except homicide. Advocates are hopeful this will interrupt the school to prison pipeline — especially for Black and Latinx kids. On the In Depth podcast, we hear how trauma-informed practices could provide better outcomes for at-risk kids. Host/Producer: Jill Webb Audio Engineer: Anddy Egan-Thorpe Additional Production Assistance: Dempsey Pillot Managing Producer of Podcasts: Femi Redwood

The mental health crisis in NYC's high school students

In 2021, more than a third of high schoolers reported experiencing poor mental health during the covid-19 pandemic, according to the CDC. • Forty-four percent of high schoolers persistently felt sad or hopeless. • One in five teens considered suicide during the pandemic. Experts are saying there is a shortage on mental health resources that kids need, including guidance counselors. On this episode of In Depth, we speak to recent graduates of New York's Staten Island Technical High School about the mental health challenges they faced during the pandemic. We also speak with Psychologist Dr. Allison Holman, a specialist in collective trauma, and Dawn Yuster, the director of the School Justice Project. Hosted by Jill Webb Produced by Femi Redwood, Anddy Egan-Thorpe, and Dempsey Pillot.

Digging through NYC's trash to uncover food waste

New York City has a trash problem. But a lot of that garbage on the sidewalk is food waste. Experts say a lot of it is good to eat. Zero waste advocates are trying to lessen New York City’s waste footprint. Anna Sacks, known online as "Trash Walker" on social media, is showing her fellow residents exactly what’s being tossed everyday. Think Zero’s Ushma Pandya shares tips on how New Yorkers can decrease the city’s food waste footprint – especially during the holiday season when waste increases. Host/Producer: Jill Webb Audio Engineer: Anddy Egan-Thorpe Additional Production Assistance: Dempsey Pillot Managing Producer of Podcasts: Femi Redwood