_With the holidays at hand, many of us will take time to appreciate and reflect on what we have. But what does it mean to be truly grateful in the modern world? How can parents instill a sense of gratitude in their children? And how do expressions of gratitude affect each of us as an individual and as a community?

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Panelists:
John Battaglia, pastor of the Christian Chapel Church
Robert Johnson, professor of philosophy at the University of Missouri
Sharon Dunski Vermont, pediatrician and author of "The Gratitude Experiment"
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__Local journalism is in a state of crisis, according to an in-depth report released by the Federal Communications Commission this summer. With newspaper resources in decline and online media struggling to to fill the void in accountability reporting, where can people turn to get quality coverage of civic affairs? And what could be done to make sure citizens are able to get the local news they need?

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_Panelists:
Barbara Cochran, Curtis B. Hurley chair in public affairs journalism at the Missouri School of Journalism and former president of the Radio Television Digital News Association
Renee Graham, public communications officer for the City of Columbia
Amy McCombs, Lee Hills chair in free press studies at the Missouri School of Journalism
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For many adults, navigating the murky waters of child-rearing can be among the most challenging parts of life. How do you balance freedom with discipline? How much responsibility is too much? And, importantly, how do you know when you're on the right track and doing a good job of it? In this discussion, which coincides with Columbia's "Week of the Parenting Journey," our panel of experts take your questions and discuss a six-part approach to effective parenting.

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Panelists:
H. Wallace Goddard, professor of family life at the University of Arkansas Cooperative Extension
Jack Jensen, executive director, First Chance for Children
Darin Preis, executive director, Central Missouri Community Action
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