Social Distance

Latest Episodes:

Sometimes, Things Can Change May 29, 2020

Show notes

The federal government has passed big reforms in response to economic crises before. Could it now? Harvard historian Lizabeth Cohen shares lessons—and warnings—from the New Deal.

Read her piece for The Atlantic.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Is America Going to Make It? May 28, 2020

Show notes

If you watch the news, the country sounds deeply divided about the coronavirus. But polls show an uncommon unity among Americans. Staff writer James Fallows joins to share some historical perspective and answer the question he’s found himself grappling with across his decades-long career: Is America going to make it?

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Is Anyone Else Not Showering? May 26, 2020

Show notes

Jim spent years writing a book on hygiene beliefs and the new science of the skin microbiome. In it, he suggests that some people overuse cleansers and soaps, and may benefit from doing less. But now, there’s a pandemic, and he also really wants to remind people to wash their hands. Jim tries to explain the nuances of good cleaning and bad cleaning—and why he does not shower in the traditional sense.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

It’s a Small World Health Organization May 22, 2020

Show notes

The president wants to pull the United States out of the WHO. Public health professor Kelley Lee explains what it does and why defunding the world’s main public health body during a pandemic is not a great idea. Plus, Jim shows off his math skills.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Is There a Vaccine Shortcut? May 20, 2020

Show notes

There’s promising news around a vaccine, but what does it mean? And should we speed up its development with ‘challenge trials’ by letting vaccinated people be exposed to the virus?

Infectious disease expert Dr. Stephen Thomas returns to the show to discuss the medical and ethical issues. Also, Katherine faces a minor challenge of her own.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Am I Depressed? May 18, 2020

Show notes

Many of our isolated lives fit the normal criteria for depression, but of course these aren't normal times. So, when the world is this depressing, how do you tell when you're actually depressed? Clinical psychologist Dr. Jennifer Rapke explains how to think through mental health questions in the time of COVID-19.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Comforting Appeal of Conspiracy Theories May 15, 2020

Show notes

A video making outlandish and obviously false claims about the coronavirus is making the rounds on the internet. Adrienne LaFrance joins to talk about the psychology of abandoning the factual realm.

Check out "Shadowland" from The Atlantic here.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Have the Uncomfortable Conversation May 13, 2020

Show notes

It’s hard to talk about end-of-life care. You should do it anyway. Edo Banach, the President & CEO of the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization, explains how to create an advance directive — and the best ways to approach the conversation with loved ones.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Racial Contract May 11, 2020

Show notes

The pandemic has made the terms of the “racial contract” visible — but it is a structure that existed long before. Adam Serwer joins to discuss the connection between coronavirus policy and the shooting of Ahmaud Arbery in Georgia. Read his recent piece in The Atlantic.

Note: this week, the show will be publishing on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Have You Seen 'The Wretched'? May 08, 2020

Show notes

With most movie theaters closed across the country and no certain timeline for the next big releases, staff writer David Sims gives us recommendations on what to watch.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices