Think from KERA

Latest Episodes:

When eulogies are complicated Oct 09, 2023

Show notes

When asked to deliver his father’s eulogy, Rev. Esau McCaulley realized he needed to figure out how to understand the relationship between his dad’s many shortcomings and the obstacles he faced during his lifetime. McCaulley is associate professor of New Testament at Wheaton College and theologian in residence at Progressive Baptist Church, a historically Black congregation in Chicago. He joins host Krys Boyd to discuss the deep work that led him to seeing his father in a new light and how his father’s struggles are echoed in the experiences of many Black Americans. His book is “How Far to the Promised Land: One Black Family’s Story of Hope and Survival in the American South.”

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We don’t talk enough about phosphorous Oct 06, 2023

Show notes

After billions of years of Earth’s development, it’s still the same five elements that shape so much of human evolution. Stephen Porder is associate provost for sustainability and professor of ecology, evolution and organismal biology at Brown University. He is also a fellow in the Institute at Brown for Environment and Society, and he joins host Krys Boyd to discuss hydrogen, oxygen, carbon, nitrogen and phosphorus and how these building blocks of life affect the climate. His book is “Elemental: How Five Elements Changed Earth’s Past and Will Shape Our Future.”

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Lessons from Lincoln on effective politics Oct 04, 2023

Show notes

Even in the face of the Civil War, Abraham Lincoln engaged constructively with his political adversaries. Steve Inskeep, cohost of NPR’s Morning Edition, joins host Krys Boyd to discuss Lincoln as the politician, deftly negotiating encounters with his critics as he sought to build a social revolution and hold the nation together. His book is “Differ We Must: How Lincoln Succeeded in a Divided America.”

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Earth has warmed and cooled before. So what’s different now? Oct 03, 2023

Show notes

The temperature range that can sustain human life on Earth is incredibly narrow. Michael Mann is Presidential Distinguished Professor and Director of the Center for Science, Sustainability and the Media at the University of Pennsylvania. He joins host Krys Boyd to discuss the precarity of human evolution and how previous changes in temperatures have affected life on the planet. His book is “Our Fragile Moment: How Lessons from Earth’s Past Can Help Us Survive the Climate Crisis.”

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Abortion may soon be legal in some unexpected states Oct 02, 2023

Show notes

When the Supreme Court knocked down Roe v Wade, it seemed like the question of where someone could seek an abortion was settled. Emily Bazelon is a staff writer at The New York Times Magazine and the Truman Capote Fellow for Creative Writing and Law at Yale Law School. She joins host Krys Boyd to discuss efforts to get abortion rights on the ballot in several states, and how those pushes are resulting in popular wins. Her article is “The Surprising Places Where Abortion Rights Are on the Ballot and Winning.”

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Why some people can’t stop lying Sep 29, 2023

Show notes

We’ve all told the occasional white lie, but what makes someone a true liar? Christian L. Hart is professor of psychology at Texas Woman’s University, where he is director of the Psychological Science program and director of the Human Deception Laboratory. He joins host Krys Boyd to discuss the psychology of people who lie all the time and how we can make sure we don’t become their next victim. His book, written with Drew A. Curtis, is “Big Liars: What Psychological Science Tells Us About Lying and How You Can Avoid Being Duped.”

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How to sharpen your five senses Sep 28, 2023

Show notes

Is it possible to take our five senses to new, heightened levels? Maureen Seaberg is a columnist for Psychology Today, and she joins host Krys Boyd to discuss the science of the senses; understanding how we see, hear and touch at the molecular level; and what it means for human potential. Her book is “Fearfully and Wonderfully Made: The Astonishing New Science of the Senses.”

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When college is a waste of money Sep 27, 2023

Show notes

A decade ago, a large majority of Americans believed in the value of a college education. More recently, that sentiment has fallen off a cliff. Paul Tough is a contributing writer for The New York Times Magazine, and he joins host Krys Boyd to discuss why only a third of Americans now say they have a lot of confidence in higher education and why the U.S. is an outlier globally when it comes to college popularity. His article is “Americans Are Losing Faith in the Value of College. Whose Fault Is That?”

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We don’t make it easy to get sober Sep 26, 2023

Show notes

Nationally, about 43 million people are believed to need treatment for substance abuse – and if they actually seek it out, many will hit real barriers to finding care. Wilson M. Sims is a writer and behavioral health worker, and he joins host Krys Boyd to discuss his own journey from addict to working for a behavioral health company helping fellow addicts navigate the roadblocks to becoming sober. His essay, “Unknown Costs,” was published by Longreads.

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The many ways we monitor undocumented immigrants Sep 25, 2023

Show notes

Undocumented immigrants face daily worries about government surveillance. Asad L. Asad is assistant professor of sociology at Stanford University, where he is a faculty affiliate of the Center for Comparative Studies in Race and Ethnicity. He joins host Krys Boyd to discuss his research into the ways immigrants take part in U.S. systems – like registering with the IRS – while also fearing they will be deported for taking part. His book is “Engage and Evade: How Latino Immigrant Families Manage Surveillance in Everyday Life.”

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