KERA's Think
1,499 episodes - English - Latest episode: 9 days ago - ★★★★★ - 799 ratingsThink 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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Episodes
Is there a cure for medical racism?
April 17, 2024 21:41 - 45 minutes - 63.1 MBOnly 2-percent of Black women are physicians, which leaves millions without doctors that look like them. Uché Blackstock MD is the founder and CEO of Advancing Health Equity. She joins host Krys Boyd to discuss her family, her mother who was also a Harvard-trained doctor, as well as her sister, and how she’s devoted her career to understanding and addressing health inequities of different races. Her book is “Legacy: A Black Physician Reckons with Racism in Medicine.”
How the science of dying can help us live longer
April 16, 2024 19:00 - 48 minutes - 66.1 MBScientists are using the secrets of biology to unlock living well past current human life spans. Venki Ramakrishnan shared the 2009 Nobel Prize in Chemistry for uncovering the structure of the ribosome. A member of the National Academy of Sciences, Venki runs a research group at the MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology in Cambridge, England. He joins host Krys Boyd to discuss the quest to live forever, if that’s even ethical, and what it looks like to alter our physiology. His book i...
Why no third party candidate has won the White House
April 15, 2024 19:00 - 46 minutes - 63.6 MBAs the 2024 election approaches, plenty of voters are asking why isn’t there a third option? Jeffrey Engle, Director of the Center for Presidential History at Southern Methodist University, joins host Krys Boyd to discuss the history of third-party candidates, from Teddy Roosevelt to Ross Perot, and how they’ve impacted – or not – presidential elections.
How probation and parole feed mass incarceration
April 12, 2024 19:00 - 45 minutes - 62.3 MBVincent Schiraldi, founder of the Center on Juvenile and Criminal Justice and the Justice Policy Institute, joins host Krys Boyd to discuss parole and probation, which he calls a “recidivism trap,” and make the case that these practices should be abolished.
Kids aren’t weak unless we make them that way
April 11, 2024 19:00 - 46 minutes - 64 MBIn our quest to head off childhood mental illness at its source, are the means outweighing the good? Author and journalist Abigail Shrier joins host Krys Boyd to discuss why, even as more adolescents are receiving mental health care than ever before, the numbers for those suffering continues to rise, and why our contemporary parenting styles and approaches to therapy might be part of the problem. Her book is “Bad Therapy: Why the Kids Aren’t Growing Up.”
Medical science is still catching up on women’s health
April 10, 2024 19:00 - 45 minutes - 62 MBModern medicine has a problem: the idea that men have bigger, and therefore better, bodies persists, even today. Dr. Elizabeth Comen is a medical oncologist specializing in breast cancer at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center and assistant professor of medicine at Weill Cornell Medical College. She joins host Krys Boyd to discuss the history of sexism in medicine and why lingering stereotypes still affect women’s medical care – even as women make up the majority of medical studen...
From foster care to fostering hope
April 09, 2024 19:00 - 46 minutes - 64.3 MBAfter a childhood of homelessness and foster care, a vision for how to advocate for those in poverty emerged. David Ambroz, Head of Community Engagement (West) for Amazon, joins host Krys Boyd to discuss the challenges of his upbringing from hunger to abuse, and why he’s made it his life’s work to fight for child welfare. His book is “A Place Called Home: A Memoir.”
The bizarre history of Space Science
April 08, 2024 19:00 - 46 minutes - 64 MBOn the day of the total solar eclipse, we’ll explore the mysteries of the universe. Harry Cliff is a particle physicist based at the University of Cambridge and conducts research with CERN’s Large Hadron Collider. He joins host Krys Boyd to discuss the anomalies that cannot be explained by current scientific theories, and the reasons we only understand about five percent of what makes up the vast reaches of outer space. His book is “Space Oddities: The Mysterious Anomalies Challengi...
Between the Earth and the Sun: A guide to the Eclipse
April 05, 2024 19:00 - 52 minutes - 72.7 MBOn April 8, a total solar eclipse will stretch across the United States from south Texas to the northern tip of Maine, blotting out the sun for about four minutes within its 115-mile-wide path. In this special edition of Think, host Krys Boyd will prime listeners to have their best viewing experience and talk through the science of what’s actually happening 223,000 miles above our heads. To hear even more ways to navigate viewing the eclipse read: 8 things to know about the April 8...
Are you really retired if you’re still working?
April 04, 2024 19:00 - 45 minutes - 63 MBThe dream to retire and live comfortably at age 65 is becoming more of a fantasy to millions of Americans. Teresa Ghilarducci is professor of economics and policy analysis at the New School for Social Research in New York City where she serves as the director of the Schwartz Center for Economic Policy Analysis and the New School’s Retirement Equity Lab (ReLab). She joins host Krys Boyd to discuss why our golden years only look rosy for the wealthiest among us, why social security ca...
Who has the right to choose their sex?
April 03, 2024 19:00 - 44 minutes - 61.5 MBThe argument for allowing children to change their sex goes far beyond avoiding the harms of body dysmorphia. Andrea Long Chu, book critic for New York magazine, joins host Krys Boyd to discuss why she believes it is an inalienable right to choose one’s sex, why children need to have agency in their own lives, and why the political left and right have their arguments for and against it wrong. Her article is “Why Trans Kids Have the Right to Change Their Biological Sex.”
Why the best Presidents were the best Presidents
April 02, 2024 19:08 - 44 minutes - 61.4 MBNot every POTUS is a leader for the ages, but the handful that are offer illuminating lessons on life for the rest of us. Historian Talmage Boston joins host Krys Boyd to discuss his dive into the lives and leadership styles of eight presidents, from Washington to Reagan, and the ways they shaped American society. His book is “How the Best Did It: Leadership Lessons From Our Top Presidents.”
Small-town America is doing just fine, thanks
April 01, 2024 19:00 - 45 minutes - 62.9 MBThere’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 Town...
Wild fun: How animals play
March 29, 2024 19:00 - 30 minutes - 41.5 MBYouTube 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 Mu...
Why Evan Gershkovich remains in Russian jail
March 28, 2024 19:00 - 45 minutes - 62.6 MBOne 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.
Could Ozempic some day treat addiction, too?
March 27, 2024 19:00 - 46 minutes - 63.4 MBIn 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?“
How to have one-on-one meetings like a boss
March 26, 2024 19:00 - 45 minutes - 62.2 MBTo 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.”
The psychology of the American voter
March 25, 2024 19:00 - 46 minutes - 64.1 MBGoing 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.”
Leaving the white evangelical church
March 22, 2024 19:00 - 39 minutes - 54.1 MBBelonging 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.”
What drives young people to vote
March 21, 2024 19:00 - 45 minutes - 62.9 MBThe 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.
How to speak up for yourself
March 20, 2024 19:00 - 45 minutes - 63 MBSituations 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.”
When your life partner is not your lover
March 19, 2024 19:00 - 45 minutes - 62.2 MBNot 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.”
Why America won’t tax the rich
March 18, 2024 19:00 - 48 minutes - 66.1 MBThe current antitax movement can trace its origins to a seemingly innocuous property tax cap in California. Michael J. Graetz is professor emeritus at Columbia Law School and Yale Law School and a leading authority on tax politics and policy. He joins host Krys Boyd to discuss the history of how we got to the enormous partisan divide we see today about taxation, and how race and class play into it. His book is “The Power to Destroy: How the Antitax Movement Hijacked America.”
Inside the siege of Mariupol
March 15, 2024 19:31 - 46 minutes - 63.7 MBUkrainian video journalist Mstyslav Chernov, who was trapped in Mariupol during the onset of the war, documented the events for the Associated Press. On Sunday, he and his team won an Oscar for their documentary on this story. Frontline producer and editor Michelle Mizner joins host Krys Boyd to discuss Chernov’s first-person account of life under siege, the horrors of a bombed maternity hospital and, ultimately, the power of the press. The documentary “20 Days in Mariupol” is avai...
What counts as sober today?
March 14, 2024 19:00 - 45 minutes - 62.1 MBTo be “California sober” means you don’t have to follow complete abstinence to consider yourself on the wagon. Ernesto Londoño is a New York Times reporter covering drug use and counternarcotics policy. He joins host Krys Boyd to discuss the changing views of sobriety, why some in the medical community feel like total abstinence is unrealistic, and how this is changing addiction treatment. His article is “What Does Being Sober Mean Today? For Many, Not Full Abstinence.”
The economy is working despite what you think
March 13, 2024 19:00 - 46 minutes - 64.3 MBInflation is going down, unemployment remains at historic lows and we’ve avoided a devastating recession. But grocery prices have consumers rattled. Rogé Karma, staff writer at The Atlantic, joins host Krys Boyd to discuss why food and fuel prices don’t factor into core inflation numbers but do influence how Americans feel about the economy – plus we’ll hear how this perception might shape the coming election. His article is “What Would It Take to Convince Americans That the Economy...
The balancing act of a healthy brain
March 12, 2024 19:00 - 45 minutes - 63.1 MBOur mental health is the result of a balancing act of chemical reactions and genetics. Camilla Nord leads the Mental Health Neuroscience Lab at the University of Cambridge. She joins host Krys Boyd to discuss the latest science of brain health – what works to return to equilibrium and why it sometimes doesn’t – and how everyday encounters can change our brain chemistry to make us feel better. The book is “The Balanced Brain: The Science of Mental Health.”
Femme Fatale: Why women kill
March 11, 2024 19:00 - 45 minutes - 62.7 MBWhen women commit acts of violence, they’re seen more as monsters than flawed human beings. Anna Motz is a consultant clinical and forensic psychologist and member of the Advisory Board for Female Offenders under the U.K. Ministry of Justice. She joins host Krys Boyd to discuss the traumas that lead to unspeakable crimes committed by women, her work inside the prison system, and why denying female violence is denying female agency. Her book is “If Love Could Kill: The Myths and Trut...
The best communicators don’t talk much
March 08, 2024 20:00 - 46 minutes - 64.1 MBThe best communicators aren’t always the ones who talk the most in meetings. Pulitzer Prize–winning investigative journalist Charles Duhigg joins host Krys Boyd to discuss what makes certain people so adept at facilitating the exchange of ideas, how we can make ourselves heard, and how we can better navigate tough conversations. His book is “Supercommunicators: How to Unlock the Secret Language of Connection.”
A.I. is coming for knowledge workers
March 07, 2024 21:10 - 46 minutes - 63.3 MBRelying on a dictionary or a library of materials to create something new is really just a centuries-old version of what A.I. does today. Dennis Yi Tenen, associate professor of English and comparative literature at Columbia University, joins host Krys Boyd to discuss why we shouldn’t be afraid that A.I. is coming for jobs, how we’ve always turned to outside sources to help generate original works, and how the real conversation should be about who’s labor is valuable. His book is “L...
How Ashli Babbitt became a martyr for the right
March 06, 2024 23:07 - 45 minutes - 62.2 MBThe line between political discourse and religious fervor is getting thinner all the time. Jeff Sharlet is Frederick Sessions Beebe ’35 Professor in the Art of Writing at Dartmouth College, and he joins host Krys Boyd to discuss how American political leanings are taking the form of religious devotion – and how Ashli Babbitt, who was killed during the January 6 insurrection, has become a martyr for many on the far right. His book is “The Undertow: Scenes from a Slow Civil War.”
Would Trump really go to prison?
March 05, 2024 20:00 - 37 minutes - 52 MBFormer president Donald Trump is facing a litany of legal troubles that are putting the legal system to the test. Ankush Khardori, senior writer for Politico Magazine, joins host Krys Boyd to discuss the Supreme Court’s decision to weigh in on Trump’s immunity claims and the upheaval the justice system would see if a Trump conviction actually resulted in jail time. His article “What Happens, Exactly, If Trump Is Sentenced to Prison?” was published by New York Magazine.
Copyrights are out of control
March 04, 2024 20:00 - 45 minutes - 63 MBAll around us is intellectual property covered by copyright laws. David Bellos, Meredith Howland Pyne Professor of French and Comparative Literature at Princeton University, joins host Krys Boyd for a history lesson on how copyrights came to be, and what happens now that generative A.I. has entered the picture. His book is “Who Owns this Sentence? A History of Copyrights and Wrongs.”
You can learn to be more confident
March 02, 2024 03:27 - 52 minutes - 72.8 MBWalking into a room confidently can affect not only your performance in a meeting or presentation but also your overall brain health. Ian Robertson is co-director of the Global Brain Health Institute and T. Boone Pickens Distinguished Professor at the Center for BrainHealth at the University of Texas at Dallas. He joins host Krys Boyd to discuss the science of confidence, how it positively influences both the mind and body, and how it can make us both more innovative and happier. Hi...
Guaranteeing your right to vote
February 29, 2024 18:27 - 45 minutes - 62.7 MBAs the Supreme Court has chipped away at the Voting Rights Act, renewed calls have been made for ways to protect all Americans’ right to vote. Richard L. Hasen is professor of law and political science at UCLA and director of UCLA Law’s Safeguarding Democracy Project. He joins host Krys Boyd to discuss why he feels we need a Constitutional amendment guaranteeing the right to vote, and why leaving it to the courts to decide who can vote is a bad idea. His book is “A Real Right to Vot...
You won’t believe how much plastic you eat
February 28, 2024 20:00 - 46 minutes - 63.3 MBIf you’re able to bend a durable food container easily, it’s got plasticizer in it — and that means some of that container is ending up inside of you. Lauren F. Friedman leads the health and food content team at Consumer Reports. She joins host Krys Boyd to discuss CR’s rigorous testing of fast foods and supermarket products to find the harmful chemicals that enter our bodies, and how we can reduce exposure to them. Her article is “The Plastic Chemicals Hiding in Your Food.”
Breaking up with romance
February 27, 2024 23:33 - 31 minutes - 42.9 MBThe ideal woman to swipe right on is rooted in ideals of whiteness. Sabrina Strings, professor and North Hall Chair of Black Studies at the University of California, Santa Barbara, joins host Krys Boyd to discuss why she believes the relatively low numbers of Black women in relationships and marriages is a backlash to the Civil Rights movement and feminism, and why it’s time for a reworking of what modern love looks like now. Her book is “The End of Love: Racism, Sexism, and the Dea...
Why gay people deserve an apology
February 26, 2024 20:00 - 46 minutes - 63.3 MBJonathan Rauch, contributing writer to The Atlantic, joins host Krys Boyd to discuss the lasting harms had on not only career diplomats but the broader LGBTQ community across the country – and why he says it’s time for a reckoning.
Who gets to make art and who gets to own it
February 23, 2024 19:00 - 31 minutes - 42.8 MBIn the elite art world, status is key to success—and not everyone can obtain it. Bianca Bosker is a contributing writer at The Atlantic, and she joins host Krys Boyd to discuss how the art world operates, the role of gatekeeping in who gets shown and who can buy art, and how anyone can become a more discerning patron of the arts. Her book is “Get the Picture: A Mind-Bending Journey among the Inspired Artists and Obsessive Art Fiends Who Taught Me How to See.”
The mysteries of the moon
February 22, 2024 20:00 - 43 minutes - 59.2 MBWith all the attention spent on learning more about the far reaches of space, the moon can be a forgotten wonder of our sky. Rebecca Boyle, science journalist and columnist at Atlas Obscura, joins host Krys Boyd to discuss why the partnership between the Earth and the Moon is so critical for life on our planet, and why there are still so many mysteries to uncover about our celestial sister. Her book is “Our Moon: How Earth’s Celestial Companion Transformed the Planet, Guided Evoluti...
A just world starts with imagination
February 21, 2024 20:05 - 36 minutes - 50.2 MBReal progress on racism and other social issues requires the imagination to think beyond our current approach. Ruha Benjamin is a professor of African American Studies at Princeton University, where she is the founding director of the Ida B. Wells Just Data Lab. She joins host Krys Boyd to discuss why we are failing at imagining a better world and how thinking big is the path to unlocking good. Her book is “Imagination: A Manifesto.”
If you think driving is getting worse, you’re right
February 20, 2024 20:00 - 38 minutes - 53.4 MBAfter years of improving safety numbers, American streets are becoming more dangerous. Matthew Shaer is contributing writer for The New York Times Magazine and an Emerson Collective fellow at New America. He joins host Krys Boyd to discuss how distracted and angry drivers are causing more crashes and automobile fatalities, why larger SUVs and trucks are part of the problem, and what can be done to reverse the trend. His article is “Why Are American Drivers So Deadly?”
Xi Jinping is in trouble
February 20, 2024 17:19 - 30 minutes - 41.9 MBChina’s economy is struggling, and that impacts Xi Jinping’s next moves. Simone Gao is a journalist and host of Zooming In with Simone Gao. She joins host Krys Boyd to discuss how China’s economic woes affect the larger global economy, and why the Chinese populace might be losing patience with its leader. Her article “Xi Jinping’s once-unquestioned authority is showing cracks” was published by The Hill.
The extraordinary influence of HBCUs
February 16, 2024 19:24 - 46 minutes - 63.7 MBHistorically Black Colleges and Universities have a proven track record of producing exceptional graduates. Ayesha Rascoe is the host of NPR’s Weekend Edition Sunday, and she joins host Krys Boyd to discuss the many reasons why Black students turned to these institutions – a decision the Howard University graduate once made herself. Rascoe is a contributor to and editor of the book “HBCU Made: A Celebration of the Black College Experience.”
How big a deal is the Vatican’s decision to bless same-sex couples?
February 15, 2024 20:00 - 46 minutes - 63.3 MBPope Francis has formally approved priests blessing same-sex relationships. Host Krys Boyd talks with Francis X. Rocca, Vatican and global religion correspondent for The Wall Street Journal, about how the new ruling is being put into practice worldwide. We’ll also talk with Eder Díaz Santillan, creator and producer of the podcast “De Pueblo, Católico y Gay,” and lecturer at California State University, specifically about how gay Catholics are receiving the news.
Fighting unjust policing from the inside
February 14, 2024 20:20 - 36 minutes - 50 MBMaking a lot of arrests and fighting crime isn’t necessarily the same thing. Edwin Raymond is a 15-year veteran of the New York Police Department and one of the nation’s leading voices on criminal justice reform. He joins host Krys Boyd to discuss practices inside police departments that contribute to unequal patterns of enforcement, and his ideas on how these can change. His book is “An Inconvenient Cop: My Fight to Change Policing in America.”
Why are we so polarized? Science has the answer
February 13, 2024 20:00 - 36 minutes - 50.5 MBIs there a scientific explanation for our national polarization? Joel Achenbach is a reporter covering science and politics for The Washington Post. He joins host Krys Boyd to discuss why our emotions are getting the better of us when it comes to discussing politics, and why that means policy preferences will likely not lead to a meeting in the middle. His article is “Science is revealing why American politics are so intensely polarized.”
The history of Gospel music
February 12, 2024 20:00 - 47 minutes - 65.1 MBFor generations of Black Americans, when times were tough – or when it was time to celebrate – gospel music provided the soundtrack. Shayla Harris is director and producer of a new PBS documentary series called “Gospel,” and she joins host Krys Boyd to discuss the legacy of this American art form, from its birth in churches to its rise to the mainstream.
The decision to have kids feels more complicated than ever
February 09, 2024 20:00 - 48 minutes - 66.6 MBBirth rates in the U.S. are on the decline – so why is that? Host Krys Boyd talks about why millennials are having fewer children than previous generations with Washington Post columnist Andrew Van Dam; population projections with Bryan Walsh, editor of Vox’s Future Perfect; and we’ll hear from philosophy professor William MacAskill on why the welfare of future generations should matter to everyone.
The anxiety of going off Ozempic
February 08, 2024 19:14 - 35 minutes - 48.2 MBSemaglutide drugs are all the rage for losing weight fast – and patients pay a lot to use them. Brad Olson is a news editor in The Wall Street Journal’s San Francisco bureau, and he joins host Krys Boyd to discuss the ways one of these drugs transformed his life and – now that he’s facing a future without it – his anxiety over gaining the weight back. His article is “A Weight-Loss Drug Changed My Life. Will It Solve My Problem?”