Think from KERA

Latest Episodes:

The science, culture, and history of periods Apr 28, 2023

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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.”

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There have always been trans people in Texas Apr 26, 2023

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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.

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Untangling the true story of a scandalous shipwreck Apr 25, 2023

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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.”

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Studying the universe before there was light Apr 25, 2023

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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.”

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You know your rights, what about your obligations? Apr 24, 2023

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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.”

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From the archives: Why you don’t know that people of color were some of the first environmentalists Apr 21, 2023

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Marginalized communities often feel the impact of climate change the most. Leah Thomas, founder of The Intersectional Environmentalist climate justice collective, joins host Krys Boyd to discuss the links between racism, environmentalism and privilege and to offer ways to have underrepresented voices heard in climate policy discussions. Her book is “The Intersectional Environmentalist: How to Dismantle Systems of Oppression to Protect People + Planet.”

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Why so many adults feel traumatized by their adoption Apr 20, 2023

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The prevailing narrative is that adult adoptees should be grateful, which ignores the deep trauma that adoption can create. New Yorker staff writer Larissa MacFarquhar joins host Krys Boyd to tell the stories of adult adoptees grappling with their feelings of transracial adoption, international placement and even adoptions that on the outside look like a perfect fit. Her article is called “The Fog.”

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It won’t be easy getting Evan Gershkovich back from the Russians Apr 19, 2023

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Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich was detained by Russia last month and accused of espionage – further eroding U.S.-Russian relations. Warren P. Strobel covers intelligence and security in the Journal’s Washington bureau, and he joins host Krys Boyd to discuss the very tricky road ahead to secure Gershkovich’s release. His article is “Evan Gershkovich’s Arrest Marks a New Era of Hostage Diplomacy.”

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Why fictional villains are often portrayed as disabled Apr 18, 2023

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From disabilities to disfigurements, fictionalized villains are reflections of an ableist worldview. Jan Grue, a professor at the University of Oslo and himself disabled, joins host Krys Boyd to discuss villains from Disney to 007 – and how these portrayals of people with disabilities spread harmful ideas. His article, “The disabled villain: why sensitivity reading can’t kill off this ugly trope,” was published by The Guardian.

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Is your intelligence about nature or nurture? Apr 17, 2023

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Intelligence is better measured across a spectrum, rather than with a simple IQ test. Rina Bliss, associate professor of sociology at Rutgers University, joins host Krys Boyd to discuss her work in epigenetics, working to understand how human intelligence grows and changes in response to our surroundings. Her book is “Rethinking Intelligence: A Radical New Understanding of Our Human Potential.”

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