Midday

This hour, we continue our coverage of gun control and mental health policy following the December gun massacre at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Conn.

Just in time for the new year and New Year's resolutions, author Jeremy Dean discusses his book "Making Habits, Breaking Habits: Why We Do Things, Why We Don't, and How To Make Change Stick."

Midday on American culture commentator Sheri Parks discusses the status of conservative media following President Obama's re-election.

Part 2 of our two-hour special on the Newtown tragedy.

The holidays are an emotional time, with expectations running high for many and low for others, bringing on feelings of anxiety, disappointment, even depression. Beyond the holidays, human expectations often present hazards. If too high, they can be overwhelming or oppressive. Keeping expectations low, commonly advised, can be problematic, too. Columbia-based psychologist Brad Sachs has some advice on establishing realistic expectations for ourselves and others, and responding well when we, or they, fail to meet them. Original airdate 12/6/12

Need advice on a smart phone, tablet, a new game device or computer? Mario Armstrong, WYPR tech commentator, joins Jim Barry of the Consumer Electronics Association to answer listener questions about the latest and greatest gadgetry on the market this holiday season. Original airdate 12/4/12

She died eight years ago, but Julia Child's influence on American food and appetites lives on. French chef, public television pioneer, author and cult icon, Julia Child is the subject of a new, 500-page biography by Bob Spitz, our guest. Spitz is the author of “Dearie: The Remarkable Life of Julia Child.” Original airdate 12/4/12

Redefining what masculinity looks like in the 21st century, with Carlos Andres Gomez, author of “Man Up: Cracking the Code of Modern Manhood. Original airdate 10/10/12

Maryland made history on Election Day by becoming, with Maine and Washington, the first states to make same-sex marriage legal by ballot. Nine states and the District of Columbia now allow gay and lesbian couples to be married. But there’s still a very different story in the South. Author Bernadette Barton says the Bible Belt is full of gays and lesbians trying to live ordinary, spiritual lives, but the conventions of small town life, Southern attitudes and the political power of Christian institutions smother them with both passive and active homophobia.

Midday on Health contributor Dr. John Cmar gives an insider’s tour of how a hospital works. Original airdate 12/3/12