The average person's attention span lasts about 30 seconds. That means first and immediate impressions count, and big. In this modern-day update of Dale Carnegie's classic Hot to Win Friends and Influence People, former fashion photographer Nicholas Boothman instructs you in how to mold those 30 seconds to your greatest advantage and connect with others at business and social functions. He stopped by to talk with Beth and Chet about his new book How to Make People Like You in 90 Seconds or Less.

Thong panties, padded bras, and risqué Halloween costumes for young girls. T-shirts that boast “Chick Magnet” for toddler boys. Sexy content on almost every television channel, as well as in books, movies, video games, and even cartoons. Hot young female pop stars wearing provocative clothing and dancing suggestively while singing songs with sexual and sometimes violent lyrics. These products are marketed aggressively to our children; these stars are held up for our young daughters to emulate–and for our sons to see as objects of desire. Jean Kilbourne talked with Beth and Chet about this topic in her new book So Sexy So Soon: The New Sexualized Childhood and What Parents Can Do to Protect Their Kids.

Beth and Chet played an interview with Jenn Stuczynski from The John DiTullio Show from yesterday. Jenn will be bringing home a silver medal for her efforts in the pole vaulting competition at the Olympics in Beijing. Also, some people are taking aim at her coach, Rick Suhr, after his comments to Jenn at the conclusion of her event. The video is featured in the above article.

We always hear about these new super foods or health foods...the only problem is that they tend to be something nobody could stand eating. Health and medical reporter Liz Bonis puts our fears to rest though, revealing that the latest good for you food is in fact popcorn!

Rhythmic Gymnastics may not seem like the toughest Olympic sport, but it is a very serious and competitive event. Al Roker and Matt Lauer took some time out of their schedules to train with the only competitor from North America...so they could perform in the new Men's Tandem Rhythmic Gymnastics event. See this hilarious video now on What's Hot On The Web!

Beth and Chet are joined by Dick Meyer to discuss his new book Why We Hate Us: American Discontent in the New Millenium. In this study of American social self-loathing Meyer addresses why Americans have come to hate themselves (and each other) at a time of national prosperity and relative peace.

During the 1990s, the United States underwent a dramatic transformation: investing in stocks, once the province of a privileged elite, became a mass activity involving more than half of Americans. Author Brooke Harrington talks about this topic in her new book Pop Finance: Investment Clubs and the New Investor Populism.

If you enjoy going out to dinner and having an appetizer, you might not like the news health and medical reporter Liz Bonis had this morning. She talked with Beth and Chet about all the details on our favorite pre-dinner foods...you know we're in trouble when the BEST thing you could eat is mozzarella sticks!

Michael Phelps broke all the records this past weekend, winning his 8th gold medal of these Olympic games, his 14th overall. Fans in his home of Baltimore were invited to watch his final race after the Ravens pre-season game concluded. To see this great footage check out What's Hot On The Web!

The subprime financial crisis is the decade's #1 financial story. What happened? How did it occur? And how can we prevent similar crises from happening again? Dr. Mark Zandi answers all these critical questions - systematically, carefully, and in plain English with his new book Financial Shock: A 360º Look at the Subprime Mortgage Implosion, and How to Avoid the Next Financial Crisis.
 
Beth and Chet were joined by Beth's husband, Scott Pitoniak, who is in China covering the Olympics.

Health and medical reporter Liz Bonis talked with Beth and Chet about a vitamin you need but probably aren't getting...how you can get this vital suppliment and how it can benefit your body and health.

Ever heard of Zorbs? A Zorb is a giant clear ball which you can climb inside and ride down hills. One reporter gets a little too up close and personal with one...looks like it hurt, but she says she is okay. To see this video and more check out What's Hot On The Web!