Think from KERA

Latest Episodes:

Small-town America is doing just fine, thanks Apr 01, 2024

Show notes

There’s a myth that rural America is dying when, in fact, that couldn’t be further from the truth. Elizabeth Currid-Halkett is the James Irvine Chair in Urban and Regional Planning and professor of public policy at the University of Southern California. She joins host Krys Boyd to discuss the small towns in the middle of the country that are thriving and, by many metrics, outperforming much larger urban centers. Her book is “The Overlooked Americans: The Resilience of Our Rural Towns and What It Means for Our Country.”

Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

Wild fun: How animals play Mar 29, 2024

Show notes

YouTube is filled with adorable videos of animals at play, and studying that play is helping uncover mysteries of evolutionary behavior. University of Massachusetts, Amherst professor David Toomey joins host Krys Boyd to discuss why piglets flop, dogs slide and octopuses play, and what that tells us about animal cognition and biology. Plus, we’ll dive deeper into the world of cephalopods. Toomey’s book is “Kingdom of Play: What Ball-bouncing Octopuses, Belly-flopping Monkeys, and Mud-sliding Elephants Reveal about Life Itself.”

Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

Why Evan Gershkovich remains in Russian jail Mar 28, 2024

Show notes

One year ago, Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich was imprisoned by Russian authorities and charged with espionage. Wall Street Journal assistant editor Paul Beckett joins host Krys Boyd to discuss what is known about Gershkovich’s condition in prison, the efforts to free him, and what journalism looks like in Putin’s Russia now.

Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

Could Ozempic some day treat addiction, too? Mar 27, 2024

Show notes

In this new Ozempic era, food cravings are going away, and scientists are searching for the reasons why. Brian Resnick is science correspondent at Vox and co-creator of the podcast “Unexplainable.” He joins host Krys Boyd to discuss why new GLP-1 drugs such as Ozempic and Wegovy seem to target appetite but actually work with brain chemistry, and what effect this might have on people struggling with addictions. His article is “Can you change what you crave?“

Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

How to have one-on-one meetings like a boss Mar 26, 2024

Show notes

To be a better manager, maybe it’s time to schedule more Zoom meetings? Steven Rogelberg is an organizational psychologist who holds the title of Chancellor’s Professor at UNC Charlotte for distinguished national, international, and interdisciplinary contributions. He joins host Krys Boyd to discuss why one-on-one check-ins with employees are proven to increase job performance – and why we avoid them anyway. His book is “Glad We Met: The Art & Science of 1:1 Meetings.”

Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

The psychology of the American voter Mar 25, 2024

Show notes

Going to the ballot box is good for democracy—and good for us. Michael Bruter, professor of political science at the London School of Economics and director of the Electoral Psychology Observatory (EPO), joins host Krys Boyd to discuss the psychology of voting, why it helps us feel connected to a larger purpose in life, and how voters make their choices. His book, with co-author Sarah Harrison, is “Inside the Mind of a Voter: A New Approach to Electoral Psychology.”

Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

Leaving the white evangelical church Mar 22, 2024

Show notes

Belonging to a church can offer a feeling of community, and leaving a church can feel like you’re leaving part of yourself behind. Sarah McCammon is national political correspondent for NPR and co-host of the NPR Politics Podcast. She joins host Krys Boyd to discuss when politics get in the way of religious beliefs in evangelical churches, and how that’s driving some members away. Her book is “The Exvangelicals: Loving, Living, and Leaving the White Evangelical Church.”

Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

What drives young people to vote Mar 21, 2024

Show notes

The election is set: President Joe Biden vs. Donald Trump Part II. Now eyes are on if two senior citizens can get young voters to even turn out. Sara Suzuki is a senior researcher at CIRCLE, a non-partisan, independent research organization focused on youth civic engagement in the United States at Tufts University. She joins host Krys Boyd to discuss the issues that are most important to young voters and how candidates can best reach them.

Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

How to speak up for yourself Mar 20, 2024

Show notes

Situations arise when we need to speak up, but doing so can feel out of character for some of us. Elaine Lin Hering joins host Krys Boyd to discuss how to voice an opinion, even when it’s uncomfortable, and how you can advocate for yourself and others. Her book is “Unlearning Silence: How to Speak Your Mind, Unleash Talent, and Live More Fully.”

Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

When your life partner is not your lover Mar 19, 2024

Show notes

Not every binding relationship is tied to an “I do.” Rhaina Cohen is a producer and editor for NPR’s documentary podcast Embedded. She joins host Krys Boyd to discuss when friends become non-romantic partners, teaming up to weather finances and aging, and why we should work to protect these significant bonds. Her book is “The Other Significant Others: Reimagining Life with Friendship at the Center.”

Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices