KERA's Think

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Think 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.

KERA


    • Oct 9, 2025 LATEST EPISODE
    • weekdays NEW EPISODES
    • 40m AVG DURATION
    • 1,849 EPISODES

    4.7 from 777 ratings Listeners of KERA's Think that love the show mention: kera, diane rehm, main reason, donors, mitchell, well prepared, dallas, public radio, programming, npr, insightful questions, producers, gross, callers, mainstream, smartest, near, unfortunately, interviewer, authors.


    Ivy Insights

    The KERA's Think podcast is a truly exceptional show that offers insightful discussions on a wide range of topics. Hosted by Krys Boyd, this podcast brings together thought-provoking guests and delves into important issues with depth and intelligence. Whether it's exploring current events, literature, science, or culture, Think provides listeners with engaging conversations that leave them informed and inspired.

    One of the best aspects of Think is Krys Boyd herself. She is a skilled interviewer who knows how to bring out the best in her guests. Her thoughtful questions and genuine curiosity create an atmosphere where guests feel comfortable sharing their expertise and experiences. Boyd's preparation for each interview is evident as she navigates complex subjects with ease and guides the conversation in a way that truly illuminates the topic at hand.

    Furthermore, Think consistently covers relevant and timely topics that are of interest to a wide range of listeners. From social issues to scientific breakthroughs, there is always something fascinating to learn from this podcast. The variety of subjects covered keeps the content fresh and engaging, ensuring that there is something for everyone.

    On the downside, some listeners have expressed concerns about the audio quality of Think when listening at work. The volume levels can be lower than desired, making it difficult to hear over background noise. This can be frustrating for those who want to tune in during work hours but are unable to fully enjoy the show due to these technical issues.

    In conclusion, The KERA's Think podcast is a standout program that consistently delivers intelligent and thought-provoking content. With its diverse range of topics and excellent host in Krys Boyd, this podcast offers an enlightening listening experience for anyone seeking stimulating conversations and new insights. While there may be occasional audio issues for some listeners, overall, Think remains an exceptional podcast worth tuning into regularly.



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    Latest episodes from KERA's Think

    Why is Trump defunding federal cancer research?

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 9, 2025 45:44


    In the 1970s, President Richard Nixon declared a “war on cancer.” Today, President Trump seems to be winding it down. Jonathan Mahler, staff writer for The New York Times Magazine, joins host Krys Boyd to discuss how Trump administration efforts to target suspected waste and abuse have shut down vital cancer research, how government funding helped make enormous strides in cancer survival rates, and what happens to patients who find themselves sick with a diagnosis now. His article is “Trump Is Shutting Down the War On Cancer.” Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

    How to build a better city

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 8, 2025 45:41


     What we prioritize in our cities impacts how we work, live and play. In this episode, host Krys Boyd talks to three experts about creating a walkable city, how zoning codes are quietly shaping your daily life, and the ways that urban green spaces can promote biodiverse wildlife.  Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

    The Texas roots of America's far right

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 7, 2025 45:56


     To find the most reliably conservative area of the United States, look no further than West Texas. Jeff Roche, professor of American history at the College of Wooster in Ohio, joins host Krys Boyd to discuss how “cowboy conservativism” spread across the nation, its origins in Christian settlers to the region, and how the towns located in the rural plains influence the rest of the nation. His book is “The Conservative Frontier: Texas and the Origins of the New Right.”  Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

    The bumps in the road facing self-driving cars

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 6, 2025 46:11


     Self-driving cars are coming for American roadways, and cities better get prepared. David Zipper is a senior fellow at the MIT Mobility Initiative, where he examines the interplay between transportation policy and technology. He joins host Krys Boyd to discuss the benefits and drawbacks of autonomous vehicles, why we might not need those colossal parking lots and ways cities can recoup some of the costs these driverless cars incur. His article for Vox is “A self-driving car traffic jam is coming for U.S. cities.” Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

    Jane Goodall in her own words

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 3, 2025 44:50


    Jane Goodall, the renowned primatologist and conservationist who deepened our understanding of chimpanzees, died this week at the age of 91. In 2016, she spoke with host Krys Boyd about her life's work, her secret to achieving a global reach, and her “Damascus moment” that changed her career trajectory forever.  Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

    The four day fix to the housing crunch

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 2, 2025 46:29


     One solution to a dearth of housing units is to build them more efficiently. Henry Grabar is a staff writer at Slate, and he joins host Krys Boyd to discuss new, pre-fabricated housing options. That includes not only mobile homes, but also single-family units and even apartment buildings. Plus, we'll hear how builders are hoping to streamline construction to have homes up in not months, but days. His article is “The Solution to America's Housing Crisis Might Be Built in a Factory.”  Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

    Will A.I kill imagination?

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 1, 2025 46:25


    If A.I. can write a song with just you in mind, will you still be able to share that musical experience with others? Joshua Rothman, a staff writer for The New Yorker, joins host Krys Boyd to discuss what happens to culture when we rely on A.I. to generate visual art or music, what it means for engaging in difficult subjects, and what machine-generated art means for our very human desires. His article is “A.I. Is Coming for Culture.”  Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

    Gen X isn't slacking on parenting

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 30, 2025 46:02


    Gen X kids were left to their own devices as latchkey kids. Now they're raising Gen Z, and it's definitely not as freewheeling. David French is an opinion columnist at The New York Times, and he joins host Krys Boyd to discuss the over-parenting of Gen X – including constant monitoring and check-ins with teachers – and the anxiety showing up in Gens Z and Alpha. His essay in The Times is “How Did the Latchkey Kids of Gen X Become the Helicopter Parents of Gen Z?”  Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

    The lost history of ‘Black girl magic'

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 29, 2025 45:03


    The phrase “Black girl magic” has deep roots in enslaved women's lives. Lindsey Stewart is associate professor of philosophy at the University of Memphis, and she joins host Krys Boyd to discuss the medicine that stemmed from African traditions that was often more trusted than white doctors' advice, how this magic was passed down through generations, and how it endures today. Her book is “The Conjuring of America: Mojos, Mermaids, Medicine, and 400 Years of Black Women's Magic.” Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

    In this true crime story, the victim survived

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 26, 2025 46:43


    When her abusive husband kidnapped her child for nine days, Karen Palmer knew it was time to run. The writer and Pushcart Prize-winner joins guest host Courtney Collins to discuss the early teenage trauma that drove her into a dangerous relationship with her ex-husband, why she fled into “D.I.Y witness protection” and changed her identity, and how she finally found the courage to write about her experiences. Her book is “She's Under Here: A Memoir.”  Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

    Why young women are going off the pill

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 25, 2025 45:55


    After decades of use, hormonal birth control is suddenly under the microscope. Emma Goldberg, business features writer for The New York Times, joins host Krys Boyd to discuss why birth control has become a political issue, why a growing number of women are pushing back on taking it, and how social media influencers are driving the conversation. Her article is “‘Who Am I Without Birth Control?'” Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

    Would you date a chatbot?

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 24, 2025 45:18


    It's hard out there for singles trying to date, especially now that A.I. has entered the chat. Patricia Marx, staff writer for The New Yorker, joins host Krys Boyd to discuss her experiment into “dating” A.I. models that promised companionship, whether they could actually make the perfect partner, and if we need flesh and blood to make our hearts sing. Her article is “Playing the Field with My A.I. Boyfriends.”  Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

    I know what you know – why that's good for both of us

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 23, 2025 46:18


    It's common knowledge, say, that every driver stops for a stop sign – and we shouldn't take that shared understanding for granted. Steven Pinker is the Johnstone Professor of Psychology at Harvard University. He joins host Krys Boyd to discuss the rules of society we all know and follow and the ways our world would fall apart if people disregarded this social contract. His book is “When Everyone Knows That Everyone Knows . . .: Common Knowledge and the Mysteries of Money, Power, and Everyday Life.” Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

    Why the world can't easily quit the U.S. economy

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 22, 2025 45:40


    Inflation in the U.S. has been rising since the spring, and the job market is softening. Will these trends extend beyond our borders? Mohamed A. El-Erian is president of Queens' College, University of Cambridge and Renee Kerns Professor of Practice at the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. He joins host Krys Boyd to discuss how American economic trends spread globally, why even a devalued dollar is still the currency preferred internationally and if Federal Reserve President Jerome Powell should resign. His article “Is America Breaking the Global Economy?” was published by Foreign Affairs. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

    Why we're addicted to revenge

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 19, 2025 46:09


    An overarching desire to seek revenge can be just as potent as a drug addiction. James Kimmel Jr. is a lecturer in psychiatry at the Yale School of Medicine, a lawyer and the founder and co-director of the Yale Collaborative for Motive Control Studies. He joins host Krys Boyd to discuss parts of the brain that light up when a revenge scenario is talked about, why Americans equate justice with revenge, and what happens when we focus on forgiveness instead. His book is “The Science of Revenge: Understanding the World's Deadliest Addiction – and How to Overcome It.”  Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

    The end of peanut allergies

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 18, 2025 45:33


    One in 20 children is allergic to peanuts — but a cure may be on the horizon. Maryn McKenna is a journalist specializing in public health, global health and food policy and is a contributing editor at Scientific American. She joins host Krys Boyd to discuss why peanut allergies jumped astronomically since the 1990s, what makes the allergy so deadly, and how researchers are zeroing in on cures for a hypervigilant population of allergy sufferers. Her article is “Can Peanut Allergies Be Cured?” Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

    Can MAHA kill vaccines?

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 17, 2025 140:21


    When bad journalism and moneyed interests collide, science suffers. Peter J. Hotez is dean of the National School of Tropical Medicine and professor of pediatrics and molecular virology and microbiology at Baylor College of Medicine – and he played a key role in developing the Covid-19 vaccine. He joins host Krys Boyd to discuss how anti-science factions have hijacked the conversation and his many failed attempts to HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. onboard with vaccines. His book, written with Michael E. Mann, is “Science Under Siege: How to Fight the Five Most Powerful Forces that Threaten Our World.” Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

    Why maggot farming may be the next big thing

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 16, 2025 140:03


    Maggots may be unappetizing, but they may play a key role in the future of what ends up on your plate. Nicolás Rivero, climate solutions reporter at The Washington Post, joins host Krys Boyd to discuss an operation in France using billions of maggots to process food waste and feed cattle, and what this novel approach to industrial farm waste says about the future of the industry. His article is “At the world's biggest bug farm, 10 billion maggots recycle food waste.”   Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

    As Texas goes, so goes the nation

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 15, 2025 139:45


    President Trump's request that Texas redraw its congressional districts has created a domino effect around the country. Robert T. Garrett is the former Austin bureau chief for The Dallas Morning News, and he joins host Krys Boyd to discuss redistricting and other challenges to the status quo Trump hopes start in Texas and spread from there. His article for ProPublica and The Texas Tribune is “The Texas Redistricting Fight Has Been the Testing Ground for the Trump Administration's Latest Legal Strategy.” Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

    Who wants a Guinness World Record?

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 12, 2025 46:16


    To set some world records, you need buy-in from a lot of people – and it's harder than you might think to get thousands together just to play a kazoo. Lauren Larson, senior staff writer at Texas Monthly magazine, joins host Krys Boyd to discuss the difficulty of setting wacky world records today, when lackadaisical participants prefer to stay at home post-lockdown and Guiness Book of World Records rules are stringent. Her article is “They Want You to Get Off Your Couch, and Go Set a World Record” was published in The New York Times Magazine.  Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

    Why too many people die too young

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 11, 2025 43:05


    Former CDC director and now CEO of Resolve to Save Lives Dr. Tom Frieden joins host Krys Boyd to discuss why we need the political will to transform an ailing system. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

    Surprise! Your dad is not your father

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 10, 2025 45:43


    An at home DNA test might be a fun window into the past, but they can go sideways — so much so that a cottage industry has sprung up to deal with the fallout. Jennifer Wilson is a staff writer at The New Yorker, and she joins host Krys Boyd to discuss when home DNA kits like 23andMe reveal paternity secrets, children who feel like this new information has led to a “re-birth” and why anger is fueling a call for paternity testing at birth. Her article is “The Family Fallout of DNA Surprises.” Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

    Wear this not that – if you care about the planet

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 9, 2025 46:07


    Did you know that the outfit you are wearing right now is a leading cause of greenhouse gas emissions? Laila Petrie, director general of the charity Future Earth Lab, joins host Krys Boyd to discuss what counts as sustainable in the fashion industry – where greenwashing is rampant – and how fast fashion contributes to climate change. Her article in Scientific American is “How to Be a Smarter Fashion Consumer in a World of Overstated Sustainability.” Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

    What the left and the right misunderstand about gun violence

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 8, 2025 45:52


    Both the left and right have failed to craft policies that end gun violence — so what might work? Jens Ludwig is a professor of public policy at the University of Chicago, where he also directs the school's crime lab. He joins host Krys Boyd to discuss how behavioral economics offers insight into what works to curb gun homicides. His new book is “Unforgiving Places: The Unexpected Origins of American Gun Violence.”  Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

    Here's what to do if you're lonely

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 5, 2025 46:44


     Our current loneliness epidemic may seem insurmountable, but solutions to overcome the problem are out there. This episode, host Krys Boyd talks with three experts who take on loneliness head on, from why it's so hard to address, to ways to use our creativity to connect with others, to a guide for making and keeping friends.  Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

    The reboot of Silicon Valley

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 4, 2025 46:09


    Today's Silicon Valley is far from the tech utopia many of us may still have in our minds. Mike Isaac, Silicon Valley and technology reporter for The New York Times, joins host Krys Boyd to discuss the transformation of the cushy Silicon Valley work style to a more serious tone where A.I. dominates the conversation, how the pandemic changed the work vibes there, and why it might be a harbinger for how we will all work in the near future. His article is “Silicon Valley Is in Its ‘Hard Tech' Era.” Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

    Ozempic doesn't work for everybody

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 3, 2025 45:59


    For people seeking to lose weight, Ozempic can seem like a dream drug — but it doesn't work for everyone. Andrea Javor is a freelance writer, and she joins host Krys Boyd to discuss her journey using Ozempic, the disappointment that came when the scale didn't budge for her, and why doctors think GLP-1s can regulate diabetes without the weight loss. Her article “Ozempic didn't work for me. I was furious – and ashamed” was published by The Guardian. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

    Like — literally the most misunderstood word

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 2, 2025 46:31


    Grammar hounds might despise it, but “like” is both ubiquitous and necessary in our everyday speech. Megan C. Reynolds, editor at Dwell magazine, joins host Krys Boyd to discuss one little word that defines so much of modern speech: like – from approval on social media to, like, the way we all casually talk today – and why we should all give it a second look. Her book is “Like: A History of the World's Most Hated (and Misunderstood) Word.” Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

    Why it's hard to make stuff in the U.S.

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 1, 2025 37:25


    President Trump is determined to shift manufacturing jobs back to American soil — but that's a monumentally difficult task. Rachel Slade joins host Krys Boyd to discuss challenges small businesses face when they want to source American-made products, how regulation gets in the way, and why labor unions might help bring jobs back. Her book is “Making It in America: The Almost Impossible Quest to Manufacture in the U.S.A. (And How It Got That Way).”This episode originally aired June, 6th 2025. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

    Stuff you can do to be happier

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 29, 2025 46:38


    Happiness may feel elusive, but there are some proven strategies to get you there. Arthur C. Brooks is Parker Gilbert Montgomery Professor at the Harvard Kennedy School and a professor of management practice at Harvard Business School. He is also a columnist at The Atlantic, where he writes the weekly “How to Build a Life” column. He joins host Krys Boyd to discuss a compendium of his columns about the pursuit of happiness, how we can conquer our worries, and when it's time to stop pursuing perfection. His book is “The Happiness Files: Insights on Work and Life.” Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

    The scientific brain drain out of the U.S

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 28, 2025 45:55


    For the first time in decades, the U.S. is facing a brain drain of the nation's top researchers and scientists. Ross Anderson, staff writer at The Atlantic, joins host Krys Boyd to discuss how Trump administration funding cuts, ideological stances and immigration crackdowns are opening up opportunities for foreign countries to offer well-equipped labs and academic havens for top researchers – and what that means for the future of science in the U.S. His article is “Every Scientific Empire Comes to an End.” Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

    5% of Canadians now choose euthanasia

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 27, 2025 46:34


    One in 20 deaths in Canada are the result of Medical Assistance in Dying, the country's legalized euthanasia. Elaina Plott Calabro, staff writer at The Atlantic, joins host Krys Boyd to discuss why the MAID law has made medically assisted death more common than Alzheimer's and diabetes deaths combined, why that's taken advocates by surprise, and why patients say they prefer to die in this manner. Her article is “Canada Is Killing Itself.” Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

    Why immigration lawyers have it so hard

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 26, 2025 37:08


    Attorneys who practice immigration law have been busy with the Trump administration's policies. Tekendra Parmar joins host Krys Boyd to discuss how immigration attorneys are approaching their workload now that stricter regulations and procedures are in place, the types of immigration practices that have sprung up to help confused clients, and why it's so hard to gain legal status in the U.S. His article “The Tricky Business of Being an Immigration Attorney in 2025” was published by Inc. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

    How to have a career that matters

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 25, 2025 46:01


     If the 9-to-5 grind gets you down, maybe it's time to do more with your life. Rutger Bregman, historian and co-founder of The School for Moral Ambition, joins host Krys Boyd to discuss why so many people feel like their jobs don't make a difference in the world and how we can instead use our talent and education to focus on the world's biggest problems. His book is “Moral Ambition: Stop Wasting Your Talent and Start Making a Difference.”  Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

    Do the muscles make the man?

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 22, 2025 46:03


     The modern notion of the ideal man involves a lot of lean muscle mass — but why does our culture demand so much bulk from men whose lives for the most part no longer revolve around manual labor? Washington Post classical music critic Michael Andor Brodeur is a lifelong lifter, and he joins host Krys Boyd to discuss his examination of modern masculinity, why the gym took over after the Industrial Revolution, and what building muscle means for healthy — or unhealthy — identities. His book is “Swole: The Making of Men and the Meaning of Muscle.”This episode originally aired June 21st, 2024.  Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

    Do narcissists deserve compassion?

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 21, 2025 45:53


    There's a cottage industry of self-help books for dealing with a narcissist. But what if you are the narcissist? Nick Keppler joins host Krys Boyd to discuss how narcissistic personality disorder is diagnosed, the people who genuinely want to change and why we find it so hard to offer compassion to this subset of mental illness. His article “Narcissists Aren't Really So Bad. Just Ask These Narcissists” was published in Slate.  Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

    Why businesses love it when you tip their workers

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 20, 2025 46:41


    The “Big, Beautiful Bill” promised no tax on tips, but that might actually keep service-industry wages lower. Eyal Press is a contributing writer for The New Yorker, and he joins host Krys Boyd to discuss why restaurant owners will benefit most from eliminating income taxes on tips, why the minimum wage for restaurant workers is so incredibly low and the powerful lobby that is pushing this issue. His article is “Check Your Bill.” Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

    A.I. is writing obits now

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 19, 2025 46:33


    When a loved one passes away, it can be difficult to find the right words. Enter A.I. Drew Harwell is a technology reporter for The Washington Post, and he joins host Krys Boyd to discuss the rise of obituary-writing artificial intelligence, how funeral homes are eager to embrace it – and if a computer can find the right words to truly capture a human life. His article is “The rise of AI tools that write about you when you die.”  Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

    Why would-be air traffic controllers quit

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 18, 2025 46:08


     More than 44,000 flights take off and land daily in the U.S., which means we need air traffic controllers more than ever. Washington Post transportation reporter Ian Duncan joins host Krys Boyd to discuss why the rates of completion for federally funded FAA training programs are so low, the toxic culture in air traffic controller apprenticeships, and what needs to be done to retain more people in these critical positions. His article is “‘College hazing' or training? Amid shortage, air traffic recruits wash out.”  Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

    The winners and losers of gerrymandering

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 15, 2025 45:48


    At the request of President Trump, Texas Republicans are considering redistricting the state to pick up five congressional seats, which could trigger a chain reaction around the country. Samuel Wang, professor of neuroscience and leader of Princeton's The Gerrymandering Project, joins host Krys Boyd to discuss gerrymandering efforts in Texas and beyond, how some governors are vowing to “fight fire with fire” and what this means for voter voices moving forward.  Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

    Is your greatest strength stalling your career?

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 14, 2025 46:23


    Very few job candidates will be candid about their greatest weakness, but it's actually their greatest strengths that could leave them hamstrung. Martin Dubin, clinical psychologist, entrepreneur and business coach, joins host Krys Boyd to discuss the skills business school can't teach you – from interpersonal workplace relationships to goal setting that doesn't leave out the overall mission – and all the ways we lose track of our professional identity. His book is “Blindspotting: How to See What's Holding You Back as a Leader.”  Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

    What elitists and populists have in common

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 13, 2025 46:43


     How often do political parties actually trust voters to know what's best for them?  Curtis Bram, a political scientist at The University of Texas at Dallas, joins host Krys Boyd to discuss the two sides of modern governing: elitism and populism, and questions whose job it is to actually protect democracy —voters or politicians? His book is “Elitism versus Populism: Experiments on the Dual Threat to American Democracy.”  Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

    Don't worry if you can't sleep

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 12, 2025 46:41


     Sleep tracking technology can tell you how long you slumbered, but it can't get you there. Jennifer Senior, staff writer at The Atlantic, joins host Krys Boyd to discuss sleep anxiety, why we find it so hard to get a good night's rest, and why hunting for the best how-to articles on the topic might be making things worse. Her article is “Why Can't Americans Sleep?”  Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

    Life after mental illness

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 11, 2025 46:36


     A diagnosis of schizophrenia is devastating — but what if the doctor got it wrong? New Yorker staff writer Rachel Aviv joins host Krys Boyd to discuss a woman diagnosed with severe mental illness for years before doctors realized it was an autoimmune response, her hard road back to health and the difficult process of repairing relationships once she was well. Her article is “Mary Had Schizophrenia — Then Suddenly She Didn't.” Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

    How to fix hybrid work

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 8, 2025 44:50


     Workers are reluctant to go back into the office five days a week, but hybrid arrangements still need mastering. Peter Cappelli is the George W. Taylor Professor of Management at the Wharton School and the director of its Center for Human Resources. He joins host Krys Boyd to discuss why hybrid work holds workers back in terms of promotions, employee management and collaboration – and to offer suggestions for maintaining flexibility for employees while also maximizing their productivity. His article, written with Ranya Nehmeh, is “Hybrid Still Isn't Working” was published in the Harvard Business Review.  Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

    Is the U.S. in charge of the Americas?

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 7, 2025 46:54


    The violence in El Salvador has come to American attention with the deportation of accused gang members to a notorious prison there. Viet Thanh Nguyen, professor of literature at the University of Southern California, joins host Krys Boyd to discuss his trip to El Salvador, which coincided with Secretary of State Marco Rubio's trip, and how their versions of American greatness differ immensely as they look to immigration and violence in the region. His article “Greater America Has Been Exporting Disunion for Decades” was published in The Nation.  Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

    Why are Gazans starving?

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 6, 2025 46:13


    The U.N. says people in Gaza are under “famine-like conditions.” Ciarán Donnelly, SVP for International Programs with the International Rescue Committee (IRC), joins host Krys Boyd to discuss starvation in the Gaza strip, how it's especially impacting children and what's keeping food aid groups from helping. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

    The joy of being a word nerd

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 5, 2025 45:39


     The English language is full of words that both communicate and confound. Martha Barnette, co-host of the popular radio show and podcast “A Way with Words,” joins host Krys Boyd to discuss her love of language and all the myriad ways words bring us joy, how words can surprise and delight us, and why the meaning of some words can often be tricky to determine. Her book is “Friends with Words: Adventures in Languageland.”  Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

    When organ donations go wrong… for the donor

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 4, 2025 46:45


    Organ transplants save lives, but rushing into them could harm donors nearing the end of their own lives. Brian M. Rosenthal, investigative reporter at The New York Times, joins host Krys Boyd to discuss how some donors, thought to be deceased, have shown signs of life just before vital organ harvesting, why one particular harvesting method could be part of the problem, and how government regulation might up the risks. His article is “A Push for More Organ Transplants Is Putting Donors at Risk.” Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

    How dogs are helping cure cancer

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 1, 2025 46:42


    Dogs suffer from cancer similarly to how humans do – and they may hold the keys to curing us. Bob Holmes, contributor for Knowable Magazine, joins host Krys Boyd to discuss the biomedical bond between dogs and people, why dogs develop cancer more quickly and how that can help researchers test treatments without lengthy clinical trials. His article is “How Cancer Research for Dogs Is Helping Improve Treatment for Pets and Humans Alike.” Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

    Are your podcasts changing your personality?

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 31, 2025 46:28


    There's a podcast for everything these days — and maybe that's the problem. Liel Leibovitz is editor-at-large for Tablet. He joins host Krys Boyd to discuss how the very saturated podcast market is making us silo ourselves even further from one another, how the onset of the Covid pandemic made us lean into podcasts as a means of connection, and why comparing podcasting to more traditional legacy media is a problem. His article is “Are Podcasts Ruining Our Lives?” Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

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