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What’s a fishwife, anyway? A history of words about women
2023/09/15
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Words we use in the English language to describe women have changed through the centuries – sometimes for good and sometime, not so much. Jenni Nuttall teaches medieval literature at the University of Oxford. She joins host Krys Boyd to discuss transformations in the English language that take on femininity and how words have influenced how we view female roles in society. Her book is “Mother Tongue: The Surprising History of Women’s Words .”
Treating anxiety has become a cottage industry
2023/09/14
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There’s a big market for products that promise to reduce anxiety – but maybe consuming our way to happiness isn’t the most efficient strategy. Julie Wernau writes about health and medicine across the U.S. for The Wall Street Journal’s health and science bureau. She joins host Krys Boyd to discuss why strategies to combat stressors are popular—but sometimes clinically untested. Her article is “The Booming Business of American Anxiety .”
Racial justice starts in your community
2023/09/13
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In the fight for racial justice, it’s important to highlight success stories when they happen. Ruha Benjamin is professor of African American Studies at Princeton University and founding director of the school’s Ida B. Wells Just Data Lab. She joins host Krys Boyd to talk about emerging racial justice programs and policies making a difference and the inspiration we can take from that work to do better in our own lives. Her book is “Viral Justice: How We Grow the World We Want .”
They’re not stereotypes about Black people — they’re lies
2023/09/12
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Confronting racism means reckoning with harmful stereotypes. Omékongo Dibinga is a poet and senior professorial lecturer of intercultural communication at American University. He joins host Krys Boyd to discuss the road to anti-racism by taking on the lies that persist today that undermine Black lives, and to offer ways to reset our thinking toward a future of equality. His book is “Lies about Black People: How to Combat Racist Stereotypes and Why It Matters .”
Meet the women who helped win WWII
2023/09/11
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In World War II, 350,000 American women served in uniform. Lena S. Andrews is a military analyst for the Central Intelligence Agency. She joins host Krys Boyd to discuss the women who filled many roles — from codebreakers to parachute riggers — who fought and died for this country and whose stories are not often told. Her book is “Valiant Women: The Extraordinary American Servicewomen Who Helped Win World War II .”
How climate change affects the human body
2023/09/08
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We regularly hear about how climate change affects the ecosystem, but we rarely hear about how it affects human bodies. Jeff Goodell is an author and senior fellow at Atlantic Council, and he joins host Krys Boyd to discuss why increasing heatwaves kill the most vulnerable and how they will affect food supplies and water resources – even disease outbreaks. His book is “The Heat Will Kill You First: Life and Death on a Scorched Planet .”
Why we love celebrities more than heroes
2023/09/07
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Celebrity has changed significantly from the days of Charles Lindbergh to today’s social media influencers. Landon Y. Jones is a former managing editor for People Magazine, and he joins host Krys Boyd to discuss the underbelly of fame — including its corrosive effects on culture. And we’ll also hear about stars using their platforms for good. His book is “Celebrity Nation: How America Evolved into a Culture of Fans and Followers .”
You know someone who has had an abortion
2023/09/06
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Statistically, we will all know someone who will have an abortion in their lifetime — we just don’t talk about it. Hannah Matthews is an abortion doula, activist, clinic worker and journalist, and she joins host Krys Boyd to discuss what she feels is left out of the typical abortion narratives and her experience working with patients during the procedure. Her book is “You or Someone You Love: Reflections from an Abortion Doula .”
Why we need forests that have never been touched by humans
2023/09/05
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When it comes to forest management, who’s the better steward: foresters or Mother Nature herself? Joan Maloof is the founder and director of the Old-Growth Forest Network and she joins host Krys Boyd to discuss the role old-growth forests play in the ecosystem and the different approaches that are being taken to saving them. Her book is “Nature’s Temples: A Natural History of Old-Growth Forests .”
How well do you know your dogs and cats?
2023/09/01
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If you could talk to your pets, what would you want to know? This hour, host Krys Boyd won’t be interviewing any animals, but she will talk with some folks who know them very well. We’ll start with a conversation about puppies with Alexandra Horowitz, head of the Dog Cognition Lab at Barnard College. Then we’ll hear from Jonathan B. Losos, an evolutionary biologist and cat expert at Washington University in St. Louis. We’ll then wrap up the show by hearing Courtney Collins’s conversation with veterinarian Karen Fine about how her job requires her to care for the well-being of people, too.
In Oregon, an experiment in drug laws
2023/08/31
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It’s been one year since Oregon decriminalized drug possession as part of a new approach to treating drug abuse. Jack Holmes is a freelance writer who most recently spent eight years at Esquire magazine, and he joins guest host Courtney Collins to discuss why heroin and fentanyl are now easily-accessible street drugs, and if this radical way of confronting addiction as a behavioral-health issue is doing more harm than good. His article in Esquire is “The Land Beyond the Drug War .”
In math, there are no dumb questions
2023/08/30
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If you loathe math, it might be because of the way it was taught to you, not math itself. Eugenia Cheng is scientist in residence at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago and honorary visiting fellow at City University of London. She joins guest host Courtney Collins to discuss why we should approach math education as a journey of imagination, and why there are no dumb questions in the search for answers. Her book is called “Is Math Real?: How Simple Questions Lead Us to Mathematics’ Deepest Truths .”
In a YA novel, a Black girl navigates Jim Crow
2023/08/29
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YA novels often focus on school and dating – but they are increasingly trusting readers to engage with heavier topics. That’s the case with “For Lamb,” which follows a lynching and encourages young adult readers to dive deep into the darker side of American history. Lesa Cline-Ransome is the book’s author, and she joins guest host Courtney Collins to talk about the story, which follows a girl named Lamb navigating the friendships and dangers of the Jim Crow South for a young Black girl.
When science silences debate
2023/08/28
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During the pandemic, the worlds of science and politics became entwined. Jason Blakely is a Harper’s Magazine contributor and associate professor of political science at Pepperdine. He joins host Krys Boyd to discuss what he calls “scientism,” when scientific authority silences political debate, and why relying on data might not always be the best approach to problem solving in a crisis. His essay is “Doctor’s Orders .”
How big state schools spend all of that tuition
2023/08/25
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State universities used to be bargains – these days, not so much. So where are those big schools spending students’ skyrocketing tuition? Wall Street Journal higher education reporter Melissa Korn joins host Krys Boyd to discuss a look into 50 flagship state universities and how inflows of cash are not necessarily benefiting students – and how those schools justify their decisions. Her article is “Colleges spend like there’s no tomorrow .”
Why you love your favorite song
2023/08/24
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There’s neuroscience behind why you love that Taylor Swift banger. Susan Rogers is a cognitive neuroscientist and professor at Berklee College of Music, as well as a multiplatinum record producer. She joins host Krys Boyd to discuss why our brains respond to certain music, our music personality types, and how music can shape identity. Her book, written with co-author Ogi Ogas, is “This is What it Sounds Like: What the Music You Love Says About You .”
It’s hard to trust others, but you should try anyway
2023/08/23
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When you feel like you can’t trust someone, the rest of the relationship pretty much breaks down from there. Peter Kim, professor of management and organization at the Marshall School of Business at the University of Southern California, joins host Krys Boyd to discuss how trust is created and, maybe more importantly, how it can be restored. His book is “How Trust Works: The Science of How Relationships Are Built, Broken, and Repaired .”
The Hidden Harms of CPR
2023/08/22
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On TV it looks so easy: CPR done right saves lives. But that’s not the whole story. Dr. Sunita Puri is program director of the Hospice and Palliative Medicine Fellowship at the University of Massachusetts Chan School of Medicine, where she is an associate professor of clinical medicine. She joins host Krys Boyd to discuss why the aftermath of CPR is rarely talked about – usually because it involves a life that has been saved but not fully restored. Her article in The New Yorker is “The Hidden Harms of CPR .”
Listen up! Good hearing could fight off dementia
2023/08/21
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One way to help ward off dementia is to make sure your hearing is as good as possible. Frank R. Lin is director of the Cochlear Center for Hearing and Public Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health and professor of otolaryngology, head and neck surgery. He joins Krys Boyd to discuss why we shouldn’t brush off hearing loss as a symptom of old age and the connection between good hearing and cognitive health. His study “Hearing intervention versus health education control to reduce cognitive decline in older adults with hearing loss in the USA” was published in The Lancet .
For old-school conspiracy theorists, QAnon crossed a line
2023/08/18
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For conspiracy theorists dedicated to the moon landing, Bigfoot and UFOs, the development of QAnon, crisis actors and government false flags have introduced unwanted political and financial elements to their favorite pastime. Annie Kelly is a postdoctoral researcher working on conspiracy theories and a correspondent for the podcast “QAnon Anonymous.” She joins host Krys Boyd to talk about how these old-school skeptics raised on late-night call-in radio fear modern day conspiracy theorists are giving their passion a bad name. Her recent New York Times essay is headlined “Even Conspiracy Theorists are Alarmed by What They’ve Seen .”
Do animals talk to each other?
2023/08/17
Animals make a cacophony of sounds – from bird chirps to dog barks to whale songs. Ever wonder what they’re saying to each other? Nicholas Mathevon is a professor specializing in bioacoustics, and he joins host Krys Boyd to talk about how animals use sound to intimidate, mate, emote and more. His book is “The Voices of Nature: How and Why Animals Communicate .”
Marijuana and psychedelics: New thinking about old substances
2023/08/16
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As drug laws loosen up nationwide, users and those who care for them are evolving the way they think about some illicit substances. This hour, we’ll talk specifically about two categories with growing user bases: cannabis and psychedelics. We’ll start with a conversation with Washington Post reporter David Ovalle, who reported recently on people who develop dependencies and even addictions to marijuana – and how their conditions are often not taken all that seriously. And then we’ll speak with Wired contributor Chris Colin, who wrote about the growing community of facilitators who guide users through a psychedelic experience – and about how our societal views of psychedelics have evolved since these drugs were introduced.
Bogus medical research is everywhere
2023/08/15
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Insights derived from clinical trials is what pushes medicine forward. And when a trial is conducted in error – or sometimes even fraudulently – the repercussions can reach far and wide. Richard Van Noorden is an editor for the journal Nature, and he joins Krys Boyd to talk about how bias, error and, yes, even fraud, infect clinical trials – and what can be done to clean them up. His recent article is headlined “Medicine is plagued by untrustworthy clinical trials. How many studies are faked or flawed? ”
Attention is a skill you need to practice
2023/08/14
The world offers a lot to stimulate our senses – so much, in fact, that it’s hard to pay attention these days on any one thing. Christian Madsbjerg joins us to talk about how we can recapture our ability to focus on things that matter and reestablish our connection to the people around us. His book is called “Look: How to Pay Attention in a Distracted World .”
Elon Musk basically owns space
2023/08/11
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Elon Musk’s Space X has 4,500 satellites circling the globe, worrying military and political leaders. Cade Metz is a technology reporter for The New York Times. He joins host Krys Boyd to discuss Starlink, the satellite internet company Musk runs that accounts for more than 50 percent of all active satellites, and the issues it’s raising for global security. His article is “Elon Musk’s Unmatched Power in the Stars .”
A lesson on trans-friendly schools
2023/08/10
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Being a trans student in school means navigating political and administrative landmines. Aidan Key is a speaker, author and educator on issues related to gender inclusion, is the founder of GenderDiversity.org and TransFamilies.org. He joins host Krys Boyd to discuss practical tips for parents and school staff to approach trans students with a sense of welcoming, creating a safe space for them to learn. His book is “Trans Children in Today’s Schools .”
The world’s full of scams – here’s how they get you
2023/08/09
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Hindsight is 20/20 after falling for a scam; the trick is avoiding one in the first place. Daniel Simons is professor in the department of psychology at the University of Illinois, where he directs the Visual Cognition Laboratory. He joins host Krys Boyd to discuss the many ways we get taken for a ride and the faulty thinking that got us there so we can be aware next time. His book, written with co-author Christopher Chabris, is “Nobody’s Fool: Why We Get Taken In and What We Can Do about It .”
Stop trying to be perfect
2023/08/08
Social media pressures to look and be the best can be crushing — but it doesn’t have to be this way. Thomas Curran, professor of psychology at the London School of Economics, joins host Krys Boyd to discuss how freeing ourselves of the drive to be perfect can actually make us better at our jobs and in life. His book is “The Perfection Trap: Embracing the Power of Good Enough .”
How the Supreme Court grabbed power from the president
2023/08/07
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With the latest ruling knocking down student loan debt relief, the Supreme Court showed its power over the executive branch. Ian Millhiser is a senior correspondent at Vox, and he joins host Krys Boyd to discuss the “major questions doctrine,” which allows the court to veto actions by a federal agency for economic or political reasons, and why its use picked up when President Biden took office. His article is “How the Supreme Court put itself in charge of the executive branch .”
The maestro of mystery
2023/08/04
When a scholar is offered the chance to authenticate a lost masterwork, a mystery unfolds. Best-selling author Brenden Slocum joins guest host Courtney Collins to discuss themes of authorship, authenticity and art from his novel about uncovering the truth about a composer’s legacy. His book is “Symphony of Secrets .”
Global sperm counts are down. Is it time to worry?
2023/08/03
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Across the globe, studies show that men are less fertile, which has created quite the business opportunity. Simon van Zuylen-Wood is a features writer at New York magazine, and he joins host Krys Boyd to discuss a burgeoning industry of at-home sperm testing and whether or not amping up reproduction should be a priority for our warming, resource-strapped planet. His article is “Sperm Fever .”
When unloading a house, it’s seller beware
2023/08/02
We’ve all seen the signs for “We Buy Ugly Houses” – what’s really going on with this business practice? ProPublica reporter Anjeanette Damon joins host Krys Boyd to discuss their long look into how HomeVestors of America acquires homes, and the way the business model is set up to reward franchisees. The article is “The Ugly Truth Behind “We Buy Ugly Houses .’”
At anti-porn camps, echoes of conversion therapy
2023/08/01
Is deprogramming teens from porn addiction as cruel as harmful conversion therapies for LGBTQ populations? Historian and journalist Hallie Lieberman joins host Krys Boyd to discuss wilderness programs that purport to treat porn addiction with questionable methods and, critics say, promote abuse. Her article “Inside an Abusive Anti-Porn Camp for Teens ” was published in Reason Magazine.
In Nigeria, DNA testing is a part of courtship
2023/07/31
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Nigeria has the highest global concentration of sickle cell disease in its population. Harper’s contributor Krithika Varagur joins host Krys Boyd to discuss Nigeria’s approach to “genetic responsibility,” and what couples are up against when they meet a mate whose genes when combined with their own could produce a child with the painful disease. Her article is “Love in the Time of Sickle Cell Disease .”
How TV learned to take teenagers seriously
2023/07/28
Shows like “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air” and “My So-Called Life” were pioneers of prestige TV in that they took the experiences of teenagers seriously. Entertainment journalist Thea Glassman joins host Krys Boyd to make the case that teen shows of yesterday paved the way for today’s diverse, complex and compelling teen storylines. Her book is “Freaks, Gleeks, and Dawson’s Creek .”
Beyond Beyond Burgers: The future of ‘meat’
2023/07/27
Lab-grown meat is here. Who’s going to eat it? Annie Lowrey, staff writer at The Atlantic, joins host Krys Boyd to discuss the new world of “cultivated meat” – animal proteins combined with other chemicals to produce the texture and flavor of meats – and how manufacturers are hoping to make them taste even better than the real thing. Her article is “Open Your Mind to Unicorn Meat .”
You should really spend more time with people
2023/07/26
The pandemic kept us apart; it’s time to rediscover the beauty of being together. Andy Field is an artist, writer and curator, and he joins host Krys Boyd to discuss the magic of life in cities surrounded by strangers, and the ways we can interact with people to spark creativity. His book is “Encounterism: The Neglected Joys of Being In Person .”
In movies and TV, Asian American stories are claiming the spotlight
2023/07/25
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For much of Hollywood history, the myth of the model minority has limited the roles available to Asian-American actors. Matt Stevens is an arts and culture reporter for The New York Times. He joins host Krys Boyd to discuss the new wave of angry, messy and action-oriented roles for Asian-American actors – from “Beef” to “Everything Everywhere All at Once” – and how this evolution has chipped away at harmful stereotypes. His article is “For Asian American Actors, Playing a Hot Mess Is Liberating .”
Your favorite movies would not be the same without John Williams
2023/07/24
What would the Star Wars or Indiana Jones movies be without their memorable musical scores? Frank Lehman, associate professor of music at Tufts University, joins host Krys Boyd to discuss the brilliance of composer John Williams, whose oeuvre augments the action and adventure of the modern classics we love. His article in the New York Times is “How to Write Music for Rolling Boulders .”
Hollywood’s big bet on Barbie
2023/07/21
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The upcoming “Barbie” movie will introduce the beloved doll to a new generation. At the same time, older generations are pondering why she’s even still around? Kelly Gilblom, global business editor for Bloomberg News, joins host Krys Boyd to talk about the gamble Warner Bros. is taking on Barbie – and the attempted modernization of Mattel behind the scenes. The article, written with Thomas Buckley, is “Barbie Goes to the Movies .”
Hollywood’s shut down. Now what?
2023/07/20
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TV and movie actors have joined Hollywood writers for the biggest strike in four decades. Dominic Patten, senior editor for Deadline , joins host Krys Boyd to discuss the move, which has effectively shut down the industry as negotiations with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers broke down. Plus, we’ll hear how streaming and A.I. have brought new complications into discussions of fair wages, royalties and studio profits.
Meet the humans who power A.I.
2023/07/19
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Behind ChatGPT or Bard, there’s a programmer who cataloged every single item in play. Josh Dzieza, an investigations editor covering tech, business and climate change for The Verge, joins host Krys Boyd to discuss the tedious work it takes to create the artificial intelligence that seems so quick and breezy – and his own crack at the job that confounded him. His article is “AI Is a Lot of Work .”
The eternal allure of old books
2023/07/18
Behind the comfort of an old book is the wild story of how it got to your home. Oliver Darkshire is an antiquarian bookseller at Henry Sotheran Ltd., and he joins host Krys Boyd to discuss one of the world’s oldest bookshops and a profession that makes more memories than it does money. His new book is “Once Upon a Tome: The Misadventures of a Rare Bookseller .”
Why does a potato chip have 20 ingredients?
2023/07/17
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Next time you reach for that bag of chips, you might be surprised by the very long list of ingredients on the bag. Chris van Tulleken, associate professor at University College London and a practicing infectious diseases doctor, joins host Krys Boyd to discuss ultra-processed foods and how their manufacturers create products designed for profit over people. His book is “Ultra-Processed People: The Science Behind the Food That Isn’t Food .”
The many different lives of Latinos
2023/07/14
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The term “Latino” covers a vast array of experiences – new immigrants from Guatemala, third-generation Mexican-Americans and many, many others. Héctor Tobar, Pulitzer Prize–winning journalist and novelist, joins host Krys Boyd to discuss his conversations with a multitude of voices identifying as Latino in the U.S. and the many ways they contribute history and culture to the American landscape. His book is “Our Migrant Souls: A Meditation on Race and the Meanings and Myths of ‘Latino .'”
The right questions for better health
2023/07/13
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Who makes the best doctor? When is the best time of year to have a baby? Answers to questions like these are in medical data. Dr. Anupam B. Jena is an economist, physician, the Joseph P. Newhouse Professor of Health Care Policy at Harvard and host of the Freakonomics, MD podcast. He joins host Krys Boyd to discuss questions you can consider in advance of a health event to be better prepared to make solid decisions when the time comes to see a doctor. His book, co-authored with Dr. Christopher M Worsham, is “Random Acts of Medicine: The Hidden Forces That Sway Doctors, Impact Patients, and Shape Our Health .”
What we could learn from Vienna’s public housing
2023/07/12
For a great example of public housing practices, look to Vienna, Austria. Francesca Mari, contributing writer for The New York Times Magazine, joins host Krys Boyd to discuss the way housing is set up in Vienna and why it’s become a model for building wealth and security for even low-income renters. Her article is “Imagine a Renters’ Utopia. It Might Look Like Vienna .”
What our quest for alien life says about humanity
2023/07/11
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The search for life in the universe helps reaffirm what it means to be human. Jaime Green is a science writer and series editor of The Best American Science and Nature Writing. She joins host Krys Boyd to discuss the science, even science fiction, that inspires astronomers to look for life in the cosmos and what it means for those of us living back on Earth. Her book is “The Possibility of Life: Science, Imagination, and Our Quest for Kinship in the Cosmos .”
Are we deluding ourselves about the value of travel?
2023/07/10
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If you need a souvenir from a great trip, was it all that memorable to begin with? Agnes Callard, associate professor in philosophy at the University of Chicago, joins host Krys Boyd to discuss why our wanderlust might be just a panacea for staving off the hands of time and how we may need to rethink our global adventures. Her essay “The Case Against Travel ” was published in The New Yorker.
The real beneficiaries of affirmative action
2023/07/07
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Affirmative action had been in place for decades, now schools must fine-tune the process. Bertrand Cooper joins host Krys Boyd to make the case that race-conscious admissions by universities frequently benefit students who are already from elite backgrounds and that it’s time to also consider socioeconomic status if we’re ever going to actually level the playing field. His article in The Atlantic is “The Failure of Affirmative Action .”
How to keep going when it feels like you’re getting nowhere
2023/07/06
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Feeling stuck in life is common, but good news: There are tried and true strategies for greasing the wheels. Adam Alter is professor of marketing and the Stansky Teaching Excellence Faculty Fellow at New York University’s Stern School of Business. He also holds an affiliated professorship in social psychology at NYU’s psychology department. He joins host Krys Boyd to discuss the emotions, thoughts and behaviors that hold us back — and tricks for flourishing amid our anxiety. His book is “Anatomy of a Breakthrough: How to Get Unstuck When It Matters Most .”
How criminals do their banking
2023/07/05
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Billions of dollars are being stolen from individuals, businesses and governments … and banks are turning a blind eye. Kurt Eichenwald, senior investigative editor at The Conversation, joins host Krys Boyd to discuss his reporting into sham bank accounts being opened by crime rings with real and fake identities and the large profits they make for financial institutions. His article written with David Maimon is called “Heists Worth Billions .”
How South Korea became the beauty capital of the world
2023/06/30
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Whether you realize it or not, your beauty routine is very likely imported from South Korea. Elise Hu is a correspondent and host-at-large for NPR and host of TED Talks Daily. She joined host Krys Boyd to discuss K-beauty – which prioritizes perfection – its reach across the globe, and the consumerism that has crept into our very skin. Her book is “Flawless: Lessons in Looks and Culture from the K-Beauty Capital .”
Translating trauma for asylum seekers
2023/06/29
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Translating the credible fear interviews of asylum seekers means finding the language to accurately relay trauma. Alejandra Oliva is an essayist, translator and immigrant justice advocate, and she joins host Krys Boyd to discuss her work as a translator on the border, how it relates to her life as a Mexican-American woman, and what it takes to actually become a U.S. citizen. Her book is “Rivermouth: A Chronicle of Language, Faith, and Migration .”
Fixing what the Fair Housing Act didn’t
2023/06/28
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The Fair Housing Act recognized more than half a century ago that with redlining and racist policies, neighborhoods were never segregated by choice. Leah Rothstein is a consultant to affordable housing developers and local governments, and she joins host Krys Boyd to discuss solutions to alleviate inequalities that remain in communities to this day. Her book, written with her co-author and father Richard Rothstein, is called “Just Action: How to Challenge Segregation Enacted Under the Color of Law .”
Loathe small talk? You’re not alone
2023/06/27
If you dread small talk and squirm in the corner at parties, the return to in-person get-togethers has probably been unwelcome. Julie Beck, senior editor at The Atlantic, joins host Krys Boyd to discuss how we can regain that pre-pandemic confidence in social situations. Her podcast is “How to Talk to People .”
How a plan for hemp riches went up in smoke
2023/06/26
Finn Murphy discusses his attempt at a Colorado hemp farm, battling the elements and a disappearing bank account, and his pivot to middleman as he pursued his American Dream.
How old is too old to be president?
2023/06/23
President Joe Biden is 80-years old, and he’s soon to ask the American people for four more years in office. Vanity Fair contributing editor Chris Smith joins host Krys Boyd to discuss the ways both Republican and Democratic strategists view President Biden’s age and how voters might assess his abilities. His article is “The Question of Joe Biden’s Age: ‘It’s a Legitimate Concern .'”
The science of figuring out if ice cream is good for you
2023/06/22
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Good news: A bowl of ice cream might be good for you. And researchers are now trying to figure out why. David Merritt Johns is a journalist and public health historian, and he joins host Krys Boyd to discuss the surprising results of studies about food that’s traditionally been considered off-limits, and what it says about scientific experimentation and unconscious bias baked into the system. His article published in The Atlantic is “Nutrition science’s most preposterous result .”
Imagine growing up in the Ice Age
2023/06/21
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Finding fossils from the Ice Age is difficult; finding fossils of children in the Ice Age is next to impossible. April Nowell, Paleolithic archaeologist and professor of anthropology at the University of Victoria in Canada, joins host Krys Boyd to discuss the efforts to uncover the mysteries of childhood in the Ice Age, what raising children meant for evolution and society, and how archeologists attempt to find traces of the past. Her article in Aeon is “Children of the Ice Age .”
Meet the eco-warriors fending off invasive plants
2023/06/20
A lesser-discussed threat of climate change is the loss of biodiversity due to the encroachment of invasive species. Wired contributor Sonya Bennett-Brandt joins host Krys Boyd to discuss the plants that kill native flora and choke ecosystems – and the people who are dispatched to quell the spread. Her article is “The Secret Life of Plant Killers .”
How to talk to your kid about weight
2023/06/16
Even with cultural messaging about body positivity, talking to children about weight is still tricky. Journalist Virginia Sole-Smith joins guest host Courtney Collins to discuss the ways we talk about bigger bodies, dieting and inclusion with kids – and about the pressures parents feel to get it right. Her book is “Fat Talk: Parenting in the Age of Diet Culture .”
We all hate open-space offices, so why are they still around?
2023/06/15
You know who thinks open-office designs are a good idea? People with offices. Scientific American contributing editor George Musser joins host Krys Boyd to discuss how the open-office plan took off, the downsides its designers didn’t anticipate, and what a better office layout might look like. His article is “Fixing the Hated Open-Design Office .”
Joy is made sweeter because we know pain
2023/06/14
Sometimes joy can be found in moments of relief from life’s burdens. Ross Gay is an author and poet who teaches at Indiana University, and he joins host Krys Boyd to discuss his essay collection about finding meaning in bleak times to create compassion, hope, and to better connect to our shared humanity. His book is “Inciting Joy: Essays .”
What makes big projects fail?
2023/06/13
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Some megaprojects, like the Empire State Building, are success stories while others, like Boston’s Big Dig, flop on a massive scale. Bent Flyvbjerg, First BT Professor at Oxford and VKR Professor at ITU, Copenhagen, joins host Krys Boyd to discuss grand-scale projects and why some become famous, while others become infamous. His book, co-written with journalist Dan Gardner, is “How Big Things Get Done: The Surprising Factors That Determine the Fate of Every Project, from Home Renovations to Space Exploration and Everything In Between .”
The beauty of beetles
2023/06/12
Insects can give us the creepy-crawlies, but they can also fascinate and spark innovation in the human world. Entomologist Arthur V. Evans joins host Krys Boyd for a primer on the world of beetles – some 400,000 species strong – their ability to survive, and their importance to ecosystems. His book is “The Lives of Beetles: A Natural History of Coleoptera .”
It’s time to check in with your senses
2023/06/09
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Our eyes and ears do a lot of the heavy lifting to guide us through the world – what if we attempted to engage with all of our senses equally? Author Gretchen Rubin joins guest host Courtney Collins to discuss her awaking to relearn how to see, taste, touch, smell, and hear, and why she found life richer and more fulfilling when she slowed down. Her book is “Life in Five Senses: How Exploring the Senses Got Me Out of My Head and Into the World .”
You don’t need the best of everything
2023/06/08
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We’re awash in a world of rankings – but is acquiring the best hair dryer or washing machine always worth the effort? Writer and critic Rachel Connolly joins host Krys Boyd to discuss the best-of lists we consume to make sense of our lives and how we use them to gain a false sense of control over a world with limitless choice. Her piece in The New York Times Opinion section is “The Tyranny of ‘the Best .”
When bad people make great art
2023/06/07
When great artists do very bad things, do we discard their work wholesale? Claire Dederer joins host Krys Boyd to discuss the lens #metoo has put on work created by flawed men, and how we balance our sense of morality and ethics with a love of what are widely considered masterpieces. Her book is “Monsters: A Fan’s Dilemma .”
Your watery eyes don’t deceive you: Allergies are on the rise
2023/06/06
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With all the TV commercials for treatments for hay fever to eczema it’s clear that many people suffer from allergies. Theresa MacPhail is a medical anthropologist and associate professor of science and technology studies who researches and writes about global health, biomedicine and disease. She joins host Krys Boyd to discuss why allergies are getting worse and what the world’s best allergy clinicians are doing to combat them. Her book is “Allergic: Our Irritated Bodies in a Changing World.”
You should schedule more time to do nothing with your friends
2023/06/05
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We are all scheduled to the gills, but actually setting aside time dedicated to nothing in particular is key to both maintaining relationships and your health. Sheila Liming teaches at Champlain College, and she joins host Krys Boyd to discuss why we need to ditch the calendars and find time to just sit with friends and strangers – and how that strategy is a potential solution to our epidemic of loneliness. Her book is “Hanging Out: The Radical Power of Killing Time .”
The alliances and rivalries of Cold War-era journalists
2023/06/02
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During the early years of the Cold War, the Washington press corps was quick to deliver the U.S. company line without much public skepticism. Kathryn J. McGarr is an assistant professor in the School of Journalism and Mass Communication at the University of Wisconsin–Madison and she joins host Krys Boyd to discuss why the media after WWII often presented a monolithic view of the world while keeping their readers and listeners in the dark about the truth. Her book is “City of Newsmen: Public Lies and Professional Secrets in Cold War Washington .”
How toxic masculinity reads to a gay man
2023/06/01
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Models of macho masculinity are everywhere —but for young, gay men, are they meant to be how-to manuals or merely thirst traps? Manuel Betancourt is a queer culture writer and film critic, and he joins host Krys Boyd to discuss his upbringing in Colombia and how that shaped his views on being a man and his deconstruction of modern male toxicity. His book is “The Male Gazed: On Hunks, Heartthrobs, and What Pop Culture Taught Me About (Desiring) Men. ”
Deception is a part of our nature (and nature itself)
2023/05/31
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Nature is full of imposters – from animals that impersonate other animals down to genes and even individual cells that get by through dishonest means. Lixing Sun is a distinguished research professor in the Department of Biological Sciences at Central Washington University, and he joins host Krys Boyd to talk about the role of deceit in the lives of plants and animals. His book is called “The Liars of Nature and the Nature of Liars: Cheating and Deception in the Living World .”
The many identities of Gen Z
2023/05/30
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Gen Z-ers are more likely to identify as gender fluid, trans or nonbinary than older generations. The question is: Why? Jean M. Twenge, professor of psychology at San Diego State University, joins host Krys Boyd to discuss the various theories as to why this generation seems more comfortable with an array of identities. Her book is “Generations: The Real Difference Between Gen Z, Millenials, Gen X, Boomers and the Silent Generation .”
Our dark moods have a lot to teach us
2023/05/26
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We all go through dark periods – it’s an experience that connects us as humans. Mariana Alessandri is associate professor of philosophy at the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, and she joins host Krys Boyd to talk about reorienting out mindsets so that we don’t feel bad about feeling bad and instead interpret our suffering as a sign that we’re sensitive and in touch to the world around us. Her book is “Night Vision: Seeing Ourselves through Dark Moods .”
You’ve only got one life – here’s how to make the most of it
2023/05/26
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Some of the simplest questions have the most complex answers. Among them: What makes a good life? Ryan McAnnally-Linz is associate director of the Yale Center for Faith & Culture, and he joins host Krys Boyd to talk about how we can assess our daily lives to discern if we’re making the most of the time we have – and about how we can right the ship if we’ve strayed off course. His book, written with Miroslav Volf and Matthew Croasmun, is “Life Worth Living: A Guide to What Matters Most .”
Workplace bullies and how you can stop them
2023/05/24
Bullying, unfortunately, doesn’t end when we leave the playground. Megan Carle is founder of Carle Consulting LLC, where she gives workshops on handling workplace bullying. She joins host Krys Boyd to talk about why bullies act the way they do and how we can keep them from derailing our careers. Her book is “Walk Away to Win: A Playbook to Combat Workplace Bullying .”
Facing an ethical dilemma? Here’s some help
2023/05/23
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Our daily lives are filled with ethical dilemmas – from what we eat to where we shop and how we move about the world. As the Ira W. DeCamp Professor of Bioethics at Princeton University’s Center for Human Values, Peter Singer thinks about these conundrums for a living. He joins host Krys Boyd to talk about how we can make choices that lead to what he calls “maximum good.” Singer is the author of numerous books, including “Animal Liberation Now: The Definitive Classic Renewed ” and “Ethics in the Real World: 90 Essays on Things That Matter. ”
If you can’t tell if a purse is a knockoff, does it matter?
2023/05/22
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As the prices for luxury goods rise, so does the shadow industry happy to fill the demand for cheaper knockoffs. Amy X. Wang is assistant managing editor of The New York Times Magazine, and she joins host Krys Boyd to talk about the market for imitation purses, shoes and other hot items – and about how it’s increasingly tough to tell the difference between the fakes and the genuine article. Her story “Inside the Delirious Rise of ‘Superfake’ Handbags ” appears in The New York Times Magazine.
What happens if we don’t raise the debt ceiling
2023/05/19
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The nation faces a default of its debts as soon as June 1. Robert Hockett is a professor of law at Cornell University, an adjunct professor of finance at Georgetown University’s McDonough School of Business and a senior counsel at Westwood Capital. He joins host Krys Boyd to discuss the repercussions of a debt default and the political and legal maneuvers available to avoid it. His New York Times Opinion piece is “This Is What Would Happen if Biden Ignores the Debt Ceiling and Calls McCarthy’s Bluff .”
Does it matter how long we work if it all gets done?
2023/05/18
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There’s a reason a Slack notification can trigger anxiety — these days WFH means not a moment off. Fred Turner is Harry and Norman Chandler Professor of Communication at Stanford University and a 2022 Guggenheim fellow. He joins host Krys Boyd to discuss the established workday patterns that the pandemic upended – and how workers can wrestle back control of the clock from their employers. His article in the New York Times is “You Call This ‘Flexible Work’? ”
What’s up with inflation? Check tire prices
2023/05/17
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A nail in your tire isn’t just a pain to repair but a potentially devastating financial hit when the bill comes due. Michael Grabell is a senior editor with ProPublica. He joins host Krys Boyd to discuss the rise in tire prices — 21.4 percent over the last two years — and how tires offer a window into stubborn inflation and supply-chain issues that continue to hamper the global economy. His article is “Overinflated: The Journey of a Humble Tire Reveals Why Prices Are Still So High .”
Gun sellers peddle more than just weapons
2023/05/16
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Defending the 2nd Amendment is one of the bedrocks of conservative politics – to the point that gun culture and conservative culture are nearly one and the same. Jennifer Carlson is associate professor of sociology and of government and public policy at the University of Arizona. She joins host Krys Boyd to discuss her in-depth interviews with gun sellers to better understand how they market a certain brand of American individualism – and we’ll hear about the rise in gun ownership among liberals. Her book is “Merchants of the Right: Gun Sellers and the Crisis of American Democracy .”
The superpowers of sensitive people
2023/05/15
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Like introversion, being highly sensitive offers extraordinary and under-appreciated traits. Jenn Granneman, author and founder of online communities Sensitive Refuge and Introvert, Dear, joins host Krys Boyd to discuss the joys of sensitivity, from creativity to intelligence, and offers ways for the sensitive to navigate through a harsh world. Her book, written with co-author Andre Sólo, is “Sensitive: The Hidden Power of the Highly Sensitive Person in a Loud, Fast, Too-Much World .”
Why do we still judge women who don’t have kids?
2023/05/12
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Women who choose not to have children are not abnormal. Peggy O’Donnell Heffington is an instructional professor of history at the University of Chicago, and she joins host Krys Boyd to discuss the many reasons women live childless – from infertility to lack of social support to a desire to live a different life than society prescribes. Her book is “Without Children: The Long History of Not Being a Mother .”
It’s giving linguistics: How young people slay English
2023/05/11
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For some people, using slang is, like, not the vibe. But for others, it’s hella easy to embrace in everyday life. Valerie Fridland is a professor of linguistics in the English department at the University of Nevada, Reno. She joins host Krys Boyd to discuss why she thinks we should embrace our changing language — slang, vocal fry, and all — and celebrate its ingenuity. Her book is “Like, Literally, Dude: Arguing for the Good in Bad English .”
We need more research on women athletes
2023/05/10
To be an elite athlete, you need to follow the latest science and training routines — which, unfortunately, are built for men. Journalist Christine Yu joins host Krys Boyd to discuss the gender gap in sports science and how the rise in women’s athletics is finally changing the game. Her book is “Up to Speed: The Groundbreaking Science of Women Athletes .”
The myth of American self-reliance
2023/05/10
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There’s an American myth that with enough self-determination we can pull ourselves up by our bootstraps in hard times. Alissa Quart, executive director of the Economic Hardship Reporting Project, joins host Krys Boyd to discuss why we’ve put so much effort into the ethos of DIY independence, and the need for a larger social safety net to address poverty. Her book is “Bootstrapped: Liberating Ourselves from the American Dream .”
What Holocaust education misses
2023/05/08
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Holocaust education was brought about to battle antisemitism, but perhaps there’s more that could be done. Dara Horn joins host Krys Boyd to discuss why focusing on the atrocities of WWII hasn’t stopped growing antisemitism today – and to offer ways we need to expand education about Jewish life to combat it. Her article published in The Atlantic is called “Is Holocaust Education Making Anti-Semitism Worse ?”
Pregnant people deserve better
2023/05/05
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The U.S. has the highest maternal mortality rate compared to the world’s wealthy nations. Host Krys Boyd and guest host Courtney Collins talk with journalists about how pregnant women in the U.S. are facing a health crisis. They’ll discuss the complications of navigating pregnancy as an immigrant or without health insurance, and how Covid-19 has caused even more challenges to maternal health care.
The tech that could change babymaking
2023/05/04
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In Japan, scientists created baby mice from a mouse’s tail cells — and they were perfectly healthy. New Yorker staff writer Emily Witt joins host Krys Boyd to discuss the quest to move beyond IVF to IVG – a process that involves using nonreproductive cells to produce offspring – and the potential for same-sex couples to each be biologically related to their child. Her article is “Fertile Ground .”
Are we over Twitter?
2023/05/03
Twitter revolutionized how we communicate; it also might’ve broken human interaction. Willy Staley is story editor for The New York Times Magazine, and he joins host Krys Boyd to discuss Twitter beyond Elon Musk’s takeover, how it’s changed how we talk with one another over the last 15 years, and if it’s all been worth it. His article is “What Was Twitter, Anyway? ”
The purr-plexing evolution of cats
2023/05/02
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House cats are more akin to wild animals than dogs are (something cat owners already know). Jonathan B. Losos, evolutionary biologist at Washington University and the founding director of the Living Earth Collaborative, joins host Krys Boyd to discuss the evolution of our feline friends and explore the relationship we humans have with Felis catus. His book is “The Cat’s Meow: How Cats Evolved from the Savanna to Your Sofa. ”
The case for letting children vote
2023/05/01
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Ending child labor at the beginning of the last century allowed children more room to grow – but there’s still work to be done. Drexel University law professor Adam Benforado joins host Krys Boyd to discuss why cracks in public education and juvenile justice have left children vulnerable, and why making kids a policy priority bodes well for all our futures. His book is “A Minor Revolution: How Prioritizing Kids Benefits Us All .”
The science, culture, and history of periods
2023/04/28
Half the world has a menstrual cycle, and yet it’s still greatly misunderstood. Kate Clancy, professor of anthropology at the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, joins host Krys Boyd to discuss the science of periods, reproductive health, and the ways we hide this simple fact of nature from daily life. Her book is “Period: The Real Story of Menstruation .”
There have always been trans people in Texas
2023/04/26
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Texas lawmakers have filed 30 bills targeting trans rights this legislative session. April Ortiz is a writer, artist and professor, and she joins host Krys Boyd to discuss coming out as transgender in the face of discrimination and the hate she feels in her home state, and why living in Uvalde strengthened her resolve to tell her story. Her essay, “I am a trans Texan ,” was published by the Texas Observer.
Untangling the true story of a scandalous shipwreck
2023/04/25
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In the 1740s, a shipwreck produced stories of heroes and mutineers — but who was telling the truth? New Yorker staff writer David Grann joins host Krys Boyd to discuss a British warship called the Wager, which wrecked in Patagonia, and the conflicting stories of its surviving castaways. And that was just the beginning of the chaos! Grann’s new book is “The Wager: A Tale of Shipwreck, Mutiny, and Murder.”
Studying the universe before there was light
2023/04/25
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No matter how many galaxies astrophysicists can see, when it comes to understanding the early days of the universe they are still in the dark. Emma Chapman is a Royal Society research fellow at the University of Nottingham. She joins host Krys Boyd to discuss the 100 million years missing from the timeline of the universe, and efforts to uncover the secrets of the stars. Her book is “First Light: Switching on Stars at the Dawn of Time .”
You know your rights, what about your obligations?
2023/04/24
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In these politically divided times, it can be hard to come to a consensus on what makes a good citizen. Richard Haas, president of the nonpartisan Council on Foreign Relations, joins host Krys Boyd to discuss why rights alone will not guide the country into a unified future, and why we must ask what democracy requires of us to make it work. His new book is “The Bill of Obligations: The Ten Habits of Good Citizens .”
KERA's Think
http://www.kera.org/think
Think is a daily, topic-driven interview and call-in program hosted by Krys Boyd covering a wide variety of topics ranging from history, politics, current events, science, technology and emerging trends to food and wine, travel, adventure, and entertainment.
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