A Cup of Tea

Welcome to Off the Kettle, a spin-off series of A Cup of Tea focused on shorter and more reactive content! In this "inaugural" episode, Jared is joined by Tal to discuss the potential implications of new policies in the United States post-Inauguration Day. They express some optimism amidst a barrage of challenges and the need to embrace the values of Martin Luther King Jr. (MLK) to create a more equitable society.

Cognitive dissonance is a normal psychological phenomenon that every human being struggles with in distinct ways. These are the moments in life where cognition comes into direct conflict with reality in unique ways. In this episode, co-hosts Antasia, Tal, and Jared explore the psychology and science underpinning cognitive dissonance as well as the theory which attempts to explain it. Ultimately, it is up to the individual on how to best address this state of dissonance. Photo by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Bhautik Patel⁠ on ⁠⁠Unsplash ⁠Tal's "The Descent Into Illumination" on Spotify⁠ References 18:18 - A Review of Cognitive Dissonance Theory and Its Relevance to Current Social Issues

How do you go from picking up a pair of drumsticks for the first time to becoming the drummer of a local band on the rise? Hear from Chris, drummer of the band 3iDragon, on how his childhood curiosity paved the way for him to perform in front of countless live audiences. As part of the interview, Chris and Jared discuss the challenges and perks of being a live musician. With new singles soon on the way, Chris and his band are making airwaves! Where to Find 3iDragon (@see3id) TikTok Instagram Facebook Spotify Apple Music Amazon Music References 35:57 - For A Lie (Sample) 1:02:37 - Marmalade (Sample) 1:05:02 - Invasion (Sample)

Finding the truth in a sea of uncertainty is not a simple task. However, there is a philosophical tool trusted by many (including scientists) which can help guide your thinking—Occam's Razor. What is it about this concept that makes it so appealing to truth seekers? Jared uncovers the value of this abstract razor by applying some research and thought experiments on the topic. Photo by Jakub Żerdzicki⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Unsplash⁠ References 3:15 - Occam's Razor 10:11 - Principle of Parsimony 15:51 - Razor sharp: The role of Occam's razor in science

Employee-employer relations commonly revolve around the negotiation of wages whether centralized or decentralized. In this episode, host Jared closely examines the benefits, and potential drawbacks, that collective bargaining or unions can offer a workforce. How important and relevant are the tangible or intangible benefits they provide? And how much has society suffered possibly as a result of unionization decline over the years? Photo by ⁠Kelly Sikkema⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Unsplash⁠ References 8:45 - Facts and Fantasies about Wage Setting and Collective Bargaining 31:31 - Collective bargaining and power: Wage premium of collective agreements in Europe 2002–2018 38:19 - The Enormous Impact of Eroded Collective Bargaining on Wages

The Pacific Coast Highway, otherwise known as the PCH, has a reputation for being a beautiful, yet lengthy, scenic route along the shore of the Pacific Ocean in the United States. Listen as co-hosts Antasia and Jared recount their week-long journey from sunny Monterey, California all the way up to rainy Seattle, Washington. They comment on both the bright spots and bumps in the road along the way! How were they able to plan this endeavor and what moments paid off? 1,000 miles of driving later, they can tell. Photo by Ethan Dow⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Unsplash⁠

To celebrate Pride month, co-hosts Antasia and Jared evaluate the state of inclusion with respect to gender identity in the United States as of late. They examine survey data collected by the Pew Research Center which unveils some encouraging statistics along with other deeply concerning trends. While there is still a long way to go in terms of solving the challenges that come with long-term societal acceptance and LGBTQIA+ resources, the hope is to uncover the human biases along the way which continue to hold us back from respecting each other. Photo by ⁠⁠Aiden Craver⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Unsplash⁠ References 6:54 - Americans' Complex Views on Gender Identity and Transgender Issues 53:23 - About 5% of young adults in the U.S. say their gender is different from their sex assigned at birth

The relationship between the military, government, and society is complex at best. While each body can function independently in a nation, the three can often achieve great heights when working collaboratively together. Co-hosts Avery and Jared review the statistics and scientific literature examining the phenomenon known as the Military-Industrial Complex. Is it a good thing for society to build off of the nation's military forces or is it eventually too great of a burden for society to carry in the long run? Photo by ⁠Michael Afonso⁠⁠⁠⁠ on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Unsplash⁠ References 8:03 - President Dwight D. Eisenhower's Farewell Address (1961) 18:15 - U.S. Defense Spending Compared to Other Countries 29:39 - Emerging Military Technologies: Background and Issues for Congress 40:59 - The Impact of Military Spending on Economic Growth: Evidence from the US Economy 54:41 - Effect of military expenditure on economic growth: evidences from India Pakistan and China using cointegration and causality analysis 1:01:56 - Technology transfer of the military-industrial complex as a factor in increasing the science intensity of the civilian industry

Why does it seem like history continues to rewrite itself right before our eyes? Something that we remember from our past is not how we observe it today. This is a more recent phenomena coined "The Mandela Effect". Co-hosts Antasia and Jared dive into this mysterious effect highlighting some of the most prominent and widely-shared examples of it today. Is this effect a mere illusion caused by a variety of psychological factors? Or is there another unexplained phenomena driving these changes? Photo by Fredy Jacob⁠⁠⁠ on ⁠⁠⁠⁠Unsplash⁠ References 47:13 - Mandela Effect Examples, Origins, and Explanations

It is the 21st century, and humankind has officially created a new epoch in Earth's long history—the Anthropocene. This new epoch has been ushered in as a result of human-induced climate change which has persisted since the industrial age first began. In this episode, co-hosts Tal and Jared discuss the implications of the Anthropocene on society and what needs to be done by humanity to prevent impending ecological disasters across the globe. Photo by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Patrick Hendry⁠⁠ on ⁠⁠⁠Unsplash⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠Tal's "The Descent Into Illumination" on Spotify⁠ References 9:41 - The closed carbon cycle in a managed, stable Anthropocene 25:10 - Climate Change: Atmospheric Carbon Dioxide

To celebrate Earth Month 2024 and embrace the political discourse within the United States in an election year, host Jared asks the question “What really is The Green New Deal?”. Regardless of what biased take you have heard on this proposed piece of legislation, this episode seeks to review the text of the idea itself and evaluate it objectively along with it's implications. While the proposal has exciting potential for the future of sustainable development and is much-needed, what it clearly apparent is that there is an immense gap between where we are today and where we need to be tomorrow as a society. Photo by Jason Blackeye⁠ on ⁠⁠⁠Unsplash⁠⁠⁠⁠ References 12:19 - ⁠H.Res.109 - Recognizing the duty of the Federal Government to create a Green New Deal

How do you define the causes and conditions of something as abstract and personal as consciousness? This is the exact question that many neuroscientists are racking their brains around today. While the keys to consciousness still have not been unlocked, co-hosts Tal and Jared review the latest scientific literature on consciousness to determine if any of the prevailing theories actually hold water. Regardless of the outcome with ongoing research, can there be insights gleaned from seeking to understand conscious experience? Photo by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Sage Friedman⁠ on ⁠⁠Unsplash ⁠⁠Tal's "The Descent Into Illumination" on Spotify References 4:24 - The Status and Future of Consciousness Research 53:55 - Consciousness explained or described?

How is toxic masculinity poisoning the mental health of cisgender males in modern society? What other impacts has the patriarchy had on all people including men themselves? On today's Iced Tea episode, co-hosts Antasia, Jared, and Tal convene to share their thoughts on what makes the 'ideal' form of masculinity 'toxic' in reality. Whether it's a lack of inclusion, accountability, or empathy, the end result is the same. All members of society can benefit from the dismissal of restrictive ideals that prevent people like cisgender men from being their true selves. Photo by ⁠⁠Mitchell Hollander on ⁠Unsplash

What exactly are "Love Languages" and how can they speak to sexual and romantic relationships? This is what husband and wife co-hosts Antasia and Jared dive into on this Iced Tea episode to celebrate the season of love! What they ultimately uncover is a toolkit which can help people learn how they need to be loved while understanding how their significant others need to be loved as well. Photo by Tyler Nix on Unsplash References 2:02 - The 5 Love Languages® 7:46 - The Love Language® Quiz 20:26 - Is There Science Behind the Five Love Languages?

What's it like to set up a chair and ask random strangers to take a seat to tell their story? The special guest on the first episode of this new interview series is Mykhal Polite who does exactly this with his new video-based podcast "Podding in Public"! Listen as host Jared interviews Mykhal about his journey from high school to now and how his creative talents led him to doing stand-up comedy and so much more in the City of Angels. ⁠Mykhal's "Podding in Public" @poddinginpublic (Instagram) @mykhalpolite (Instagram)

Welcome to the fifth dimension. Here a hypothesized spacetime framework may be lurking in the shadows of reality which could unify all four fundamental forces of nature—electromagnetism, gravity, and the strong and weak nuclear forces. No one knows for sure if hyperspace, space greater than the three dimensions we observe, truly exists or how many dimensions exist. On this episode, co-hosts Tal and Jared embark on a journey into the fabric of spacetime in an attempt to uncover the truth or at least find the breadcrumbs which could one day lead us to it. ⁠Tal's "The Descent Into Illumination" on Spotify References 33:46 - Thorne, K. S. (2014). The Science of Interstellar. 36:53 - “Quantum Foam” Scrubs Away Gigantic Cosmic Energy 51:52 - A note on the Kaluza–Klein theory 1:01:25 - Epistemological Dualism between Einstein's Relativity and Quantum Mechanics in the Five-Dimensional Continuum for Universe 1:11:02 - What is string theory? 1:25:45 - Progress eras of the universe with spacetime dimensions

What are positive behaviors or traits that you look for in a relationship with another human being? These are green flags! In this companion episode to "Red Flags", listen to co-hosts Antasia and Jared as they describe their green flags while encouraging people to think of their own green flags. The importance of modeling these behaviors while looking for them in others is emphasized throughout this episode.

Happy New Year, steeps! In a celebration of the 60th A Cup of Tea episode, co-hosts Tal and Jared have a thought-provoking discussion involving the ancient base sixty (sexagesimal) numeral system created by the Sumerians. Despite being an antiquated counting system, base sixty has various modern-day applications which may surprise you. Aside from the banter around mathematical culture and natural phenomena, they each toast to the new Season 5 of the show while reflecting on what has led to this moment. References 4:11 - Why is a minute divided into 60 seconds, an hour into 60 minutes, yet there are only 24 hours in a day? 28:19 - Ancient Babylonian Number System Had No Zero 41:47 - The Joy of Sexagesimal Floating-Point Arithmetic

Scientific research contributions help advance humankind's understanding of our species and the universe around us. In the healthcare industry, qualitative research is instrumental to determining the efficacy of treatment options and any adverse side effects to watch for. Co-host Antasia recounts her participation in a study focused on pregnant women who received a COVID-19 vaccine and booster shot. Jared interviews her on this unique experience and emphasizes the importance of qualitative research in science. References 28:29 - Qualitative Research in Healthcare: Necessity and Characteristics

When interacting with other people, there are particular "red flags" to look out for which can signal a possibly toxic relationship which needs to be re-evaluated. The concept of a "red flag" should be familiar to everyone. While most of us may share some of them, there are unique red flags to each individual. Antasia and Jared talk through some of their red flags and highlight key examples of these off putting behaviors. Hopefully this iced tea will give you the perspective that you need to identify potentially harmful red flags in your life.

Self-affirmations, specifically positive ones, are a powerful mental tool which can be wielded by people to reconcile immediate threats that are physical or abstract in nature. By studying brain activity, this fact has been scientifically corroborated. Co-hosts Tal and Jared take time to unpack this highly-regarded study and examine the consequences of this revelation. It turns out that believing in yourself allows you to be the most impactful to those around you. References 15:50 - Self-affirmation activates brain systems associated with self-related processing and reward and is reinforced by future orientation

There are many ways to interpret the meaning of the word "average" from statistics to semantics. Host Jared leads off with the formal definitions of the word and then explores concepts of Central Tendency to illustrate how unique averages can be perceived. He also applies these concepts to various societal constructs, physical or not, to help convey the idea that being average isn't always "average". References 14:56 - Reebok Survey: Humans Spend Less Than One Percent Of Life On Physical Fitness 21:54 - Law of Large Numbers: What It Is, How It's Used, Examples 32:51 - Regression to the Mean | Definition & Examples

Recent advances in technology have allowed Artificial Intelligence (AI) to create surreal images from its vast repository of online data. As impressive as these images are, there are valid reasons to be skeptical. Co-hosts Tal and Jared depict why AI art in it's current form is not like human creativity and can be used in harmful or manipulative ways. They stress the importance of taking a methodical and empathetic approach with empowering this technology. Tal's "The Descent Into Illumination" on Spotify⁠ References 9:31 - ⁠Artificial intelligence in fine arts: A systematic review of empirical research⁠ 44:37 - ⁠AI can only produce artificial creativity⁠ 57:21 - ⁠Defending humankind: Anthropocentric bias in the appreciation of AI art

What is causing so many people to feel like imposters nowadays? Is the increased prevalence of this phenomena related to the stressors of the modern world or has modern technology enabled greater awareness of this "syndrome"? Host Jared answers these questions and more in this latest episode to get to the bottom of what drives high-achieving individuals to discredit their own contributions in society. Reference 8:46 - Imposter Phenomenon

What comes before life or after death? There is a lot of unknown regarding one's consciousness outside of their physical body. Is there truly such a thing as a "spirit"? Co-hosts Antasia and Jared take the opportunity to divulge their thoughts on the idea of reincarnation while speculating what it would be like if it did exist. Could there be more unknowns in the universe waiting to be discovered or is this all there is? Regardless, it's always important to live your life to the fullest.

What defines an "alternate reality"? Is it a different outcome of history, parallel universe, or fictional realm? Or is it a takeover of 'A Cup of Tea' by Tal? All of these are accurate interpretations of the phrase. However, in this episode co-hosts Tal and Jared stress the importance of being grounded or inspired by alternate realities while remaining present within the one we know to make a positive impact. Tal's "The Descent Into Illumination" on Spotify

In this Iced Tea episode, host Jared reflects on his own ability to be self-aware and how it has evolved over time. He also offers a perspective on different aspects of self-awareness such as physical, social, and intellectual which humankind can consider. The end goal of self-awareness is to become the best person that you can possibly be while owning your flaws and mistakes that make you uniquely you.

19 consecutive days of high temperatures over 110 degrees Fahrenheit (43° C) in Phoenix, AZ has sent shockwaves that stretch far beyond the boundaries of the dusty American Southwest. However, this news is only one of various storylines brought about as a result of ongoing climate change. While the whole world is suffering from the consequences of an ever-changing climate, Jared focuses on what is causing his city to climb to new extreme highs. Ultimately, it is the "perfect storm" for the driest of heat. References 7:57 - Extreme Heat: Phoenix Breaks Record With 19 Consecutive Days 110 Degrees or Higher 14:44 - National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 22:15 - First and Last Dates for selected Temperatures Thresholds in Phoenix, Yuma, and El Centro⁠ 32:49 - Climate Prediction Center 37:59 - Stat News

Gender-affirming care is a concept which profoundly impacts all people in society. Despite this, it's still incredibly misunderstood as Transgender and Gender-Diverse (TGD) people are in general. Tal and Jared highlight the struggles impacting people of gender identities that are not widely accepted in society. They also shed light on how the concept of gender-affirming care affects people of all genders including the binary male and female genders. References 17:51 - Terminology 29:29 - Association Between Gender-Affirming Surgeries and Mental Health Outcomes 51:35 - Debate: Why should gender-affirming health care be included in health science curricula? 1:00:41 - Does masculinity moderate the relationship of height with height dissatisfaction? Findings from an Internet forum for short statured men 1:01:56 - Makeup and Its Application Simulation Affect Women's Self-Perceptions

Why is "dressing to impress" the key to successful social interactions for humankind? The path to a meaningful friendship, romantic partnership, and career begins with an impactful first impression. Co-hosts Avery and Jared detail the value of dressing to impress while uncovering the psychological biases at play that negatively affect marginalized groups in society. References 21:05 - Dress for Success 45:39 - Clothes make the leader! How leaders can use attire to impact followers' perceptions of charisma and approval 57:30 - Black women's hair 2.5x more likely to be seen as 'unprofessional', study finds

Co-hosts Antasia and Jared play a game of Would You Rather? in the context of thought-provoking topics like disgust, morality, and humanity. For each answer they chose, regardless of whether they agreed or not, both co-hosts offered an explanation behind their reasoning. The back and forth nature of the game led to a conversation between husband and wife that was both fun and at least somewhat inspiring.

What factors contributed to one of the most notable superblooms in the history of the Southwestern United States? In this episode, host Jared depicts the journey of warm tropical moisture from the Hawaiian Islands which ultimately makes landfall over the Western United States. This journey has a number of literal downstream impacts both positive and negative. Will the plentiful winter rains of the 2022-23 season be enough to erase the region's longstanding drought conditions and water deficit? Nonetheless, there is beauty to be found in the wildflowers that arose as a result of the superbloom. References 6:06 - What Is an Atmospheric River? 18:04 - California's Snowpack Is High Above Average—but Its Drought Is Far From Over 25:58 - Climate Station Precipitation Summary 29:31 - Comparison Slider 34:35 - Watershed Connection

Setting sail at sea can be an adventure that requires courage, dedication, and precision to follow through with. Luckily, host Jared is joined by special guest host Avery who is an expert at navigating the tumultuous waters of the Earth's oceans as a Naval Officer. Throughout this iced tea episode, Avery shares his experiences from his time while serving in the Navy and the two discuss the impact that his service to his country has had on him and his point of view on life.

A color wheel of relationships exist in reality with two of the most prominent "shades" being monogamy and nonmonogamy. However, even in modern culture and society, monogamy casts a prominent shadow over other romantic relationship types. Tal and Jared each answer ten thought-provoking questions to shed light into their unique perspectives on intimate relationships. Regardless of how, who, or why you love, love for others who fill your heart is what matters most. Tal's "The Descent Into Illumination" on Spotify

Can love be truly unconditional? And if so, then should it be? Why or why not? As a married couple who has been together for years, co-hosts Antasia and Jared share their answers to these questions and contextualize them within the confines of their relationship built on communication and trust. Relationships, romantic or not, come in all shapes and sizes. What truly matters is protecting yourself through necessary boundaries while respecting other's boundaries.

It's been three years since the infamous COVID-19 lockdowns first began in the United States and much of the globe. A lot has changed since then, but the scars of the pandemic still remain. A phenomena which continues to perplex and frustrate the public and medical professionals alike is Long COVID. Jared examines this condition through various lenses in order to gain perspective on how we can best address the needs of a society in the process of healing. References 10:23 - Epidemiological and clinical perspectives of long COVID syndrome 39:05 - Long covid and medical gaslighting: Dismissal, delayed diagnosis, and deferred treatment 49:47 - Protective effect of COVID-19 vaccination against long COVID syndrome: A systematic review and meta-analysis 53:56 - Long-COVID and comorbid depression and anxiety two years into the COVID-19 pandemic

What is a side hustle? And how does modern society create the necessary pressures and opportunities that lead to people embracing side hustles? Co-hosts Antasia and Jared explore the concept of side hustles and infer explanations of human behavior from the statistics at hand. With various niches to uncover and clear trends that define "hustle culture" as we know it, the possibilities are endless. References 7:20 - Side hustle statistics: Everything to know about side hustles

How far has Artificial Intelligence or AI come in recent years? Far enough to where now the latest and most popular chatbots as of 2023 (ChatGPT) are able to craft entire fantastical stories and build convincingly credible research papers in minutes. Listen as co-hosts Tal and Jared chat with AI while discussing the philosophical implications of this new technology and the controls necessary to prevent a potential self-imposed extinction of the entire human race. Tal's "The Descent Into Illumination" on Anchor References 30:57 - ChatGPT

Why are some employers considering a return to the office as a "return to work"? In this episode, Jared analyzes the gap between leadership and employees in some organizations when perceiving the model of work best suited for remote-capable jobs. The models of choice are in-person, remote, and hybrid which blends the first two models to a varying degree. What is the optimal path forward for these employees and employers? How can workplaces balance the needs and wants of their workforces against the nature of work being done to create a model that is efficient, effective, and robust for the future of work? References 3:49 - Returning to the Office: The Current, Preferred and Future State of Remote Work 16:40 - We're Fumbling the Return to Physical Offices 36:09 - How to attract employees back to the office? A stated choice study on hybrid working preferences

Every human being has basic needs that need to be fulfilled to survive. What should people be entitled to for simply existing on planet Earth? Without a definitive answer, co-hosts Tal and Jared think through this problem with a thought experiment mentality. They offer their unique ideas that outline how individuals everywhere could possibly have their basic needs met while empowering society to build a more sustainable and equitable future in the process. Tal's "The Descent Into Illumination" on Anchor References 8:57 - GDP Growth (Annual %) 33:02 - The Sustainable Development Goals Report 2022 46:15 - Nature-dependent people: Mapping human direct use of nature for basic needs across the tropics 59:27 - Internet poverty: The next frontier in development

How different can two individual perspectives be with a mixed bag of topics? Everyone is as unique as their own opinions after all! Find out what husband and wife co-hosts Antasia and Jared disagree about and see the world from their unique points of view for reference. Whether you agree with one of them, both of them, or neither of them, the casual banter is undoubtedly thought-provoking.

To close out 2022, co-hosts Antasia and Jared take some time out of their busy holiday season to shed light on the controversial topic of white privilege. Together they make an argument in support of the existence of white privilege that is supported by both perception and observation. It's clear at least in the United States of America that opportunities are more difficult to come by and take advantage of the less "white" that someone is. What are some methods that minorities can leverage to combat subconscious discrimination by their peers? Can true equality be obtained in a demographic as diverse as the U.S.? References: Majorities of Americans see at least some discrimination against Black, Hispanic and Asian people in the U.S. Whitened Resumes: Race and Self-Presentation in the Labor Market

Knowing a little about something can't be a bad thing or cause harm, right? Actually, having only limited knowledge can be more dangerous than having no knowledge or the most knowledge relative to others. This is the foundation of what is known as the Dunning-Kruger Effect. Host Jared discusses this effect at length by putting forth evidence that could either falsify or support the existence of this psychological phenomena. He also provides the context for which this effect can be observed in the real world as well as the very real consequences that falling in line with this well-known pattern can have on vulnerable people. References: Overconfidence Among Beginners: Is a Little Learning a Dangerous Thing? Dunning-Kruger Effect: A Simple System-Based Explanation A rational model of the Dunning–Kruger effect supports insensitivity to evidence in low performers

Nathaniel and Jared go on a journey to uncover the reality of body image perception in the context of social media within the Information Age. The co-hosts demonstrate that while social media can be used as a tool to receive the necessary validation on one's own body image that it can be incredibly toxic if the individual is seeking validation to conform with a body ideal that does not fit them. This is a narrative, supported by real science in the field of Psychology, that seeks to provide the right perspective on how to embrace your own body image while surrounding yourself with positive validation sources that reinforce you. References: Body Image and Social Media Questionnaire Engagement with social media content results in lower appearance satisfaction: An experience sampling study using a wrist-worn wearable and a physical analogue scale “Selfie” harm: Effects on mood and body image in young women A moderated mediation model for body-positive online content and body image among adolescents

Jared recounts his personal journey with grief after losing his late grandfather, Bill. The experience of suddenly losing a beloved family member sent shockwaves that rippled through all aspects of his life at the time. After taking some time to reconcile the death itself, Jared and his family found the appropriate time and space to honor his grandfather while moving towards the final stage of grief—acceptance.

Co-hosts Nathaniel and Jared embark on their own personal journeys interpreting both the concept of spirituality and the state of the universe at this moment. They find themselves at the crossroads of the known and the unknown. While bringing distinct points of view to the conversation, together they shed light on the possibilities that could be out there for humankind to become enlightened in our equally beautiful and chaotic reality.

The COVID-19 pandemic has led to a lot of upheaval in society including the swift adoption of contactless solutions to problems that were traditionally face-to-face in nature. Contactless technology has been on the rise for some time; however, the pandemic caused a shift in society psychologically that led to the beginning of a truly contactless era. When considering the intrinsic value of contactless technologies like contactless payments and telehealth in addition to the risk of COVID-19 infection, it is clear to see why things have become so contactless. References Explaining an Adoption and Continuance Intention to Use Contactless Payment Technologies: During the COVID-19 Pandemic Opportunities and challenges for contactless healthcare services in the post-COVID-19 Era

Since recording the Iced Tea episode "Uprooting" over a year ago, co-hosts Antasia and Jared provide an update on the growth of their family in the time between now and then with an emphasis on the newest addition to their family—a baby boy. They reflect on how they reached this milestone and discuss the exciting possibilities as a family of four to follow in both the near and distant future. ACOT Twitter Handle: @ACOTPodcast ACOT Email: podcastacot@gmail.com

In the midst of the North American Monsoon, Jared embarks on a narrative in which he describes his journey to fatherhood and what the role of dad has meant to him since he first became a father. With another baby on the way, he is able to put his personal growth from becoming a dad in perspective.

American healthcare and human rights is at a crossroads. Roe V. Wade, the landmark U.S. Supreme Court decision from 1973 regarding a woman's right to abortion and privacy, is at risk of being overturned. Co-hosts Antasia and Jared review what the likely consequences and impacts would be if Roe V. Wade was indeed overturned. They also shed light on the reality of abortion through verifiable statistics and provide commentary on the ethical concerns of preventing a woman's right to choose and choose in private. References What happens after Roe v. Wade? Roe v Wade and American fertility. What the data says about abortion in the U.S.

Will humankind ever encounter intelligent life somewhere else in the universe? Is there a reason why we've not been contacted by extraterrestrials in recorded history despite listening for signals? The Fermi Paradox poses these questions and some researchers have proposed answers to them. In this episode, co-hosts Nathaniel and Jared dive into the hypothetical solutions to this paradox. They also provide their own ideas on why intelligent life may be currently out of reach when the math suggests that it should be abundant in the universe. Reference Asymptotic burnout and homeostatic awakening: a possible solution to the Fermi paradox?