Water Cooler Talk Podcast

Joined by guest host, Cole Williams (28:36), multitalented musician and dedicated community organizer, Adam and Cole explore alternate histories where Alicia Keys isn't human and doesn't make mistakes, the significance of recognizing both the strengths and weakness within one's community, and music's ability to tap into something deeper within all of us, even offering temporary relief from conditions like dementia. First, Adam and Cole review the NFL/Apple's controversial decision to post an edited version of Alicia Keys Super Bowl performance, acknowledging the challenges and effort needed to pull off a live show, while also questioning how such edits can subtly alter history despite being witnessed by millions (09:17). Then, they converse on the profound impact of music, particularly it's ability to provide relief to those with dementia, as it can act as a trigger for memories stored deep within the cerebral cortex, lending credence to the idea of music transcending mere entertainment, but instead resonating on a deeply emotional level (50:13). Tune in now and enjoy the type of conversations you wish you had around the workplace water cooler!   [Episode Stories] If Alicia Key's Voice Cracks At The Super Bowl, But It's Edited Out, Did It Even Happen? Music Rejuvenates The Culture, History And Memories Of Dementia Patients   [Episode Links] Cole Williams (Website) Greater New Orleans Citizen's Relief Team (Website) Instagram (@WaterCoolerTalkPod) Artwork (www.Kohney.com) Editor (Amber Amortegui)   Water Cooler Talk Podcast | Episode 096

Joined by guest host, Dr. Elaine Schattner (29:35), cancer survivor, former oncologist, and author of “From Whispers To Shouts: The Way We Talk About Cancer”, Adam and Elaine discuss how Hollywood distorts patients' fears surrounding diagnoses, the profound influence of advocacy groups for early cancer treatments, and the potential for AI in aiding doctors as they navigate potential treatment avenues. First, Adam and Elaine dive into the distortion of patients' fears surrounding cancer diagnoses created by Hollywood portrayals in movies such as 50/50 and The Fault In Our Stars, exploring the impact movies and TV shows have on the perception of medical diagnoses, treatments, and mortality (06:21). Then, they touch upon the increasing use of AI in everyday medical practice, its potential in aiding doctors in navigating treatment options, contrasted to the enduring significance of doctor-patient relationships in delivering compassionate care and fostering successful treatment journeys (47:52). Tune in now and enjoy the type of conversations you wish you had around the workplace water cooler!   [Episode Stories] Films Featuring Cancer Stories Can Scare Patients Google's New AI Is Learning To Diagnose Patients   [Episode Links] Dr. Elaine Schattner (Website) EveryTown For Gun Safety (Website) Instagram (@WaterCoolerTalkPod) Artwork (www.Kohney.com) Editor (Amber Amortegui)   Water Cooler Talk Podcast | Episode 095

Joined by guest host Adam L. Spencer (36:30), sports agent and consultant at Spencer Group International, the Adam's discuss reasons behind the waning appeal of hosting major international event like the Olympics and World Cup, the transformative impact of NIL deals on sports markets, and the importance of equal representation in the sports journalism industry. First, the Adam's explore the ascent of autocratic regimes shouldering the duties of hosting international events uncontested, and poor infrastructure planning creating economic pitfalls for communities that lay in the shadows of unusable mega stadiums (07:12). Then, they revisit narratives surrounding iconic athletes such as Allen Iverson, shedding light on the importance of representation and depth in sports journalism, and the importance of journalists having a layered connected to the subjects they cover (56:07). Tune in now and enjoy the type of conversations you wish you had around the workplace water cooler!   [Episode Stories] Why The Race To Host World Sporting Events Has Slowed To A Halt Sports Media Needs More Athlete Apologists   [Episode Links] Adam L. Spencer (Website) The Black Veterans Project (Website) Instagram (@WaterCoolerTalkPod) Artwork (www.Kohney.com) Editor (Amber Amortegui)   Water Cooler Talk Podcast | Episode 094

Original Air Date: November 17th, 2020 Joined by special guest host Mika Pollack, executive director at Safest Drug (24:45), Adam and Mika discuss how illegal prescription drugs are being found in brain boosting supplements (02:40) and if medical tourism is the answer to rising prescription drug prices in the US (34:01). Corrections (60:02). Enjoy!   [Episode Stories] Study Finds Russian Prescription Drugs Hiding In “Brain Boosting” Supplements To Fight High Drug Prices, Utah Will Pay Public Employees To Go Fill Prescriptions In Mexico   [Episode Links] Original Episode (PodBean) Safest Drug (Website) Instagram (@WaterCoolerTalkPod) Artwork (www.Kohney.com)   Water Cooler Talk Podcast | Rehydrate Episode 053

Original Air Date: August 25th, 2020 Joined by special guest host Felipe De Brigard (19:56), Adam and Felipe discuss nostalgia and why we enjoy the same things over and over again (05:54) and how Little Red Riding Hood packing heat is allowing our government to re-write history (29:34). Corrections (66:23). Enjoy!   [Episode Stories] On Repeat: Why People Watch Movies And Shows Over And Over The N.R.A. Reimagines Classic Fairy Tales, With Guns   [Episode Links] Original Episode (PodBean) El Centro Hispano (Website) Instagram (@WaterCoolerTalkPod) Artwork (www.Kohney.com)   Water Cooler Talk Podcast | Rehydrate Episode 045

An update for February 6th!   [Episode Links] Instagram (@WaterCoolerTalkPod) Artwork (www.Kohney.com)

Joined by guest host Matt Alt (30:46), author of “Pure Invention: How Japan Made The Modern World”, Adam and Matt explore the dynamics that have propelled anime and other Japanese-inspired content to the forefront in the Western hemisphere, how innovations like the Walkman and Game Boy reshaped the technological landscape, and the importance of nurturing your inner child to live a fulfilling life. First, Adam and Matt discuss the surging popularity of anime among mainstream audiences and how Japan's focus on uniqueness, and being “cool”, puts them ahead in the cultural dominance race (04:24). Then, they explore the advantages of embracing your inner child to live a happier life, and the great regression associated with being forced to “grow up”, when sometimes we just need comfort (48:06). Tune in now and enjoy the type of conversations you wish you had around the workplace water cooler!   [Episode Stories] How Anime Culture Is Taking Over The Internet A Path To Well-Being: Recognize Your Inner Child   [Episode Links] Matt Alt (Blog) Second Harvest Japan (Website) Instagram (@WaterCoolerTalkPod) Artwork (www.Kohney.com)   Water Cooler Talk Podcast | Episode 093

Joined by guest host Mark Reiff (42:38), a political philosopher at UC Davis, Adam and Mark ponder the potential of Taylor Swift fans to thwart the rise of anti-establishment politicians, particular those fond of leather jackets and chainsaws, explore within the domain of political perfectionism, and address the growing belief that political violence is increasingly seen as the answer to the woes faced by the US. First, Adam and Mark dissect the reactions of Javier Milei election as Argentina president and how viral campaigns by Swifties and BTS Army to stop his ascent, could foster unique cultural connection (06:31). Then, they respond to the release of startling poll numbers indicating a growing willingness among US citizens to embrace political violence, and why anger is frequently becoming an initial resort (59:46). Tune in now and enjoy the type of conversations you wish you had around the workplace water cooler!   [Episode Stories] Taylor Swift And BTS Superfans Are Rallying Against Argentina's Far-Right Startling New Poll Finds Political Violence Gaining A Mainstream Foothold   [Episode Links] Mark Reiff (Website) Sacramento SPCA (Website) Instagram (@WaterCoolerTalkPod) Artwork (www.Kohney.com)   Water Cooler Talk Podcast | Episode 092

Before we officially head into 2024, we revisit our five favorite stories from 2023. Enjoy!   [Episode Stories] Ed Sheeran Threatens To Quit Music If Found Guilty In Copyright Infringement Case Asia's ‘Influencer Farms' Are Dystopian, But American Isn't Much Better Black Student Suspended Twice For Hairstyle, School Says It Isn't Discrimination Mexico's President Blames US Fentanyl Crisis On “...lack of love, of brotherhood, of hugs” Plans For A More Walkable, Bikeable Oxford Anger Conspiracy Theorists   [Episode Links] Instagram (@WaterCoolerTalkPod) Artwork (www.Kohney.com)   Water Cooler Talk Podcast | Episode 091

Joined by guest host Lizzie Wade (33:51), contributing correspondent for Science magazine, Adam and Lizzie engage in a conversation about the significance of native languages when writing their history, the aftermath of living through a catastrophe, and blaming the British Empire for climate change concerns. First, Adam and Lizzie dig a bit deeper in the discovery of a new, old language, in Turkiye, and how it's discovery, and words like “rizz”, give context to the history of an almost forgotten people (02:24). Then, they contemplate blaming climate change on the British, but instead discuss colonialism, and its track record of impeding the development of smaller nations through resource exploitation (49:06). Tune in now and enjoy the type of conversations you wish you had around the workplace water cooler!   [Episode Stories] Archaeologists Found An Entirely New Language Among The Ruins Of An Ancient Empire British Empire's Past Emissions ‘Double UK's Climate Responsibility'   [Episode Links] Lizzie Wade (Website) Indigenous Journalists Association (Website) Instagram (@WaterCoolerTalkPod) Artwork (www.Kohney.com)   Water Cooler Talk Podcast | Episode 090

Joined by guest host Dr. Nicole Cooke (38:22), current holder of the Augusta Baker Endowed Chair and professor at the University of South Carolina, Adam and Nicole discuss the implications of banning books in prisons, the importance of free libraries, and illuminate the need to keep teachers happy. First, Adam and Nicole contextualize the absurd reasons why prisons in the US have been banning certain “controversial” books from their prison, including ramen cookbooks and romance novels (06:37). Then, they explore the obstacles faced by teachers, as school boards address the increasing shortage of educators by recruiting beyond their borders, essentially brain draining developing countries (49:14). Tune in now and enjoy the type of conversations you wish you had around the workplace water cooler!   [Episode Stories] New Report Finds ‘Staggering Number' Of Books Banned In U.S. Prisons Jamaica Fears Brain Drain As Teachers Leave For U.S. Schools   [Episode Links] Dr. Nicole Cooke (Baker Chair Website) AAPF (Website) Instagram (@WaterCoolerTalkPod) Artwork (www.Kohney.com)   Water Cooler Talk Podcast | Episode 089

November 7th Update   [Episode Links] Instagram (@WaterCoolerTalkPod) Artwork (www.Kohney.com)

Joined by guest host Hajar Yazdiha, Assistant Professor of Sociology and author of “The Struggle For The People's King” (27:44), Adam and Hajar converse over inclusive language, and its impact on space-themed RPGs, the misremembered legacy of Martin Luther King Jr, and self-expression through natural hair. First, Adam and Hajar blast off into “wokeness” as a loud gaming minority critique Starfield's character pronoun options, emphasizing the importance of language evolving in sync with social change (04:56). Then, they discuss a high schooler's suspension over wearing his natural hair, shedding light on how systems, such as dress codes, perpetuate subtle mechanisms of racial and economic control (50:09). Tune in now and enjoy the type of conversations you wish you had around the workplace water cooler!   [Episode Stories] Nexus Mods Boots Starfield Mod That Removed Pronoun Options Black Student Suspended Twice For Hairstyle, School Says It Isn't Discrimination   [Episode Links] Hajar Yazdiha (www.HajarYazdiha.com) Zinn Education Project (Website) Instagram (@WaterCoolerTalkPod) Artwork (www.Kohney.com)   Water Cooler Talk Podcast | Episode 088

Joined by guest host Lucey Dwyer of Learning Tings (28:07), Adam and Lucey dive into the depths of what is and isn't true on the internet; how Barbie, Shrek, and meme marketing have ironically reshaped the advertisement industry, and why para-social relationships may not be as detrimental as once believed. First, Adam and Lucey partake in Barbenheimer fever, aiming to convey the importance that was the cultural moment of the summer and if we truly understand if we're always being marketed to or not (04:56). Then, they traverse the realm of content creation, discussing the dystopian nature of influencer farms, the complexities of para-social relationships, and how long is too long to hold on to childhood crushes (42:34). Learning Tings Teaser (95:24) Tune in now and enjoy the type of conversations you wish you had around the workplace water cooler!   [Episode Stories] Woman Named ‘Barbie Oppenheimer' Says She's Having Trouble Checking Into Hotels Asia's ‘Influencer Farms' Are Dystopian, But American Isn't Much Better   [Episode Links] Lucey Dwyer (YouTube.com/Lucey) MS Australia (Website) Instagram (@WaterCoolerTalkPod) Artwork (www.Kohney.com)   Water Cooler Talk Podcast | Episode 087

Joined by guest host Maya Ford, cultural communications expert behind Ford Momentum (35:04), Adam and Maya explore strained relationships between municipalities and their residents, as well as the rather unconventional links that demonstrate how activities such as pickleball and discussing Avatar can unexpectedly contribute to the development of a stronger, healthier community. First, Adam and Maya serve themselves into the world of tennis to discuss how increased court fees are placing limits on residents' aspirations to follow in the footsteps of local hero, Chris Eubanks (07:11). Then, they scrutinize the illogical rationale to continue “poverty tows” in the city of San Diego, despite a recent audit exposing the practice as a loss-loss for the city, and its car-dependent residents (53:13). Tune in now and enjoy the type of conversations you wish you had around the workplace water cooler!   [Episode Stories] Families Say They're Priced Out Of Youth Tennis California Cities Lose Money And Harm Citizens With ‘Poverty Tows'   [Episode Links] Maya Ford (Ford Momentum) Documented NY (Website) Instagram (@WaterCoolerTalkPod) Artwork (www.Kohney.com)   Water Cooler Talk Podcast | Episode 086

Joined by guest host Dr. Mark Williams, esteemed neuroscience educator and author behind the bestseller “The Connected Species” (28:15), Adam and Mark discuss the profound significance of personal connection in nurturing healthy brains, exploring the effects of phone use during conversations, and how companionship, feathered or not, has a remarkable ability to add years to your life. First, Adam and Mark unpack the relatively new term “phubbing”, shedding light on how our fixation on smartphones and online friendships can inadvertently contribute to making us feel more alone (03:21). Then, they ponder a Turkish man's decision to rescue an injured swan to further illuminate the essential role of building and maintaining healthy friendship in shaping the human brain's well-being (48:27). Tune in now and enjoy the type of conversations you wish you had around the workplace water cooler!   *AUGUST ONLY, use code RLAUGHOT23 at checkout for 30% off "The Connect Species" (Link)*   [Episode Stories] You Probably Don't Know What ‘Phubbing' Is, But You Do It Constantly Turkish Man Strikes Up 37-Year Friendship With Swan   [Episode Links] Dr. Mark Williams (www.DrMarkWilliams) The Kokoda Challenge (Website) Instagram (@WaterCoolerTalkPod) Artwork (www.Kohney.com)   Water Cooler Talk Podcast | Episode 085

Joined by guest host Dr. Marie Nicolini, Assistant Professor of Psychiatry, Neurosurgery and Neurosciences at UT Southwestern (30:11), Adam and Marie dive into the world of end of life care, expanding upon the intricacies of treatments, processes, and stigma that surrounds these crucial conversations. First, Adam and Marie explore how societal attitudes towards ending one's life has evolved over time and why acknowledging and addressing mental health struggles can lead to more inclusive treatment (05:16). Then, they build a conversation around assisted death, how we distinguish between patients with conditions that are curable and non-curable, and the power of language in shaping discourse (39:44). Tune in now and enjoy the type of conversations you wish you had around the workplace water cooler!   [Episode Stories] People At Risk of Suicide Facing Deportation To Rwanda Told To Try Sudoku Some Dutch People Seeking Euthanasia Cite Autism Or Intellectual Disabilities   [Episode Links] Dr. Marie Nicolini (www.MarieNicolini.com) The Trevor Project (Website) Instagram (@WaterCoolerTalkPod) Artwork (www.Kohney.com)   Water Cooler Talk Podcast | Episode 084

Joined by guest host Antonia Malchik, essayist and author of the book “A Walking Life” (42:47), Adam and Antonia discuss the profound impact the pioneers of the auto industry had on our walking world and how short-sighted decisions from modern day politicians mirror the historical exploitation of public lands. First, Adam and Antonia work through conspiracy and navigate the odd relationship between the anti-bike brigade and QAnon, unraveling their protests against the concept of a 15-minute neighborhood (06:33).  Then, the conversation shifts to the short-sightedness of Utah politicians', as they point fingers at trees for using too much water, highlighting the crucial need to redefine our understanding of water rights to help shape effective policy (01:21:11). Tune in now and enjoy the type of conversations you wish you had around the workplace water cooler!   [Episode Stories] Plans For A More Walkable, Bikeable Oxford Anger Conspiracy Theorists Are Trees ‘The Enemy?' Some Utah Lawmakers Claim Overgrown Forests Suck Too Much Water   [Episode Links] Antonia Malchik (Antonia.Substack.com) The Flathead Warming Center (Website) Instagram (@WaterCoolerTalkPod) Artwork (www.Kohney.com)   Water Cooler Talk Podcast | Episode 083

Joined by guest host Terry Tucker, founder of Motivational Check and author of “Sustainable Excellence” (29:37), Adam and Terry converse over the importance of challenging your beliefs through uncomfortable conversations and why yelling at Little League players may not contribute to healthy communication. First, Adam and Terry discuss the repercussions of a college group's decision to disinvite a controversial speaker from their uncomfortable conversation series and the dangers of unchallenged viewpoints (07:10). Then, they criticize the behavior of unruly parents who resort to yelling at Little League players and umpires, emphasizing the harmful consequences it has on how we communicate with one another (40:02). Tune in now and enjoy the type of conversations you wish you had around the workplace water cooler!   [Episode Stories] Speaker Disinvited From ‘Uncomfortable Learning' Series For Making Students Uncomfortable Town Forces Argumentative Parents To Be Umpires At Little League Games   [Episode Links] Terry Tucker (www.MotivationalCheck.com) Marist High School in Chicago (Website) Instagram (@WaterCoolerTalkPod) Artwork (www.Kohney.com)   Water Cooler Talk Podcast | Episode 082

Update For June 20th   [Podcast Links] Website (www.WaterCoolerTalkPod.com) Instagram (@WaterCoolerTalkPod) Artwork (www.Kohney.com)

Joined by guest host Roger Mathew Grant, Professor of Music, and Dean of Arts and Humanities at Wesleyan University (23:07), Adam and Roger explore the evolution of music since the “reality show ready” era of the composers of the 18th century and how classical vibrations may dissuade Wrexham youngsters. First, Adam and Roger scrutinize a McDonald's attempt to use classical music to deter unruly youngsters, and it's weird connection to how the language of music has evolved and changed throughout history (04:25). Then, they tightrope through the Ed Sheeran, Marvin Gaye lawsuit and offer insight into the world of musical borrowing and how 18th century composers, especially Bach, set the tone for artistic theft (40:59). Tune in now and enjoy the type of conversations you wish you had around the workplace water cooler!   [Episode Stories] Wrexham McDonald's Plays Classical Music To Deter Bad Behaviour Ed Sheeran Threatens To Quit Music If Found Guilty In Copyright Infringement Case   [Episode Links] Roger Mathew Grant (University Website) Carnegie Hall Lullaby Project (Website) Instagram (@WaterCoolerTalkPod) Artwork (www.Kohney.com)   Water Cooler Talk Podcast | Episode 081

Joined by John Basl, Associate Professor of Philosophy at Northeastern University (29:09), Adam and John embark on a captivating conversation around the ever-evolving and shifting landscape of technology due to the meteoric rise of AI and language model tools such as OpenAI's ChatGPT and Google's Bard. First, Adam and John ponder the disruptive impact of ChatGPT on the “contract cheating” market in Kenya and how the WGA strike is, in a way, fighting for the future of humans to have emotions (03:54). Then, they lock down the HTTPS padlock and discuss the vital role of education and technological literacy in empowering individuals to promote an ethical ecosystem for the future of AI (44:20). Tune in now and enjoy the type of conversations you wish you had around the workplace water cooler!   [Episode Stories] AI Is Taking The Jobs Of Kenyans Who Write Essays For US College Students Google Will Retire Chrome's HTTPS Padlock Icon Because No One Knows What It Means   [Episode Links] John Basl (www.JohnBasl.net) NRDC (www.NRDC.org) Instagram (@WaterCoolerTalkPod) Artwork (www.Kohney.com)   Water Cooler Talk Podcast | Episode 080

New episode May 23rd!   [Episode Links] Website (www.WaterCoolerTalkPod.com) Instagram (@WaterCoolerTalkPod) Artwork (www.Kohney.com)

Full Episode: Sensitive Cabbage w/ Lya Badgley

Full Episode: Sensitive Cabbage w/ Lya Badgley

Joined by guest Lya Badgley, author of “The Foreigner's Confession” (33:50), Adam and Lya offer insights into the impact of climate on sensitive vegetables as well as the rise of AI and its implications for creativity. First, Adam and Lya delve into the effects of climate change on kimchi by exploring how increasingly extreme weather occurrences are transforming iconic and beloved cultural dishes across the globe (08:01). Then, through a real-life art heist, they explore the rapid rise of AI in the art world, particularly ChatGPT, as it pushes the boundaries of our understanding of genuine and authentic creative works (51:14). Tune in now and enjoy the type of conversations you wish you had around the workplace water cooler!   [Episode Stories] Crisis Fermenting As Cabbage Shortage Hits South Korea's Kimchi Culture Art Swindlers Selling Fake Goya Get Paid In Photocopied Bills   [Episode Links] Lya Badgley (www.LyaBadgley.com) Nature Conservancy In Washington State (www.WashingtonNature.org) Our Instagram (www.Instagram.com/WaterCoolerTalkPod) Artwork (www.Kohney.com)

Joined by Frank Forencich, founder and advocate behind Exuberant Animal (31:09), Adam and Frank dive into though-provoking stories that shed light on the interconnectedness of food, health, and society. First, Adam and Frank explore the surprisingly true revelation that the salmon on our plate may be half-deaf, sparking questions about the impact of stress on our environment and our own health (03:23). Then, they examine the bold remarks of Mexico's president, Andrés Manuel López Obrador, who suggests that a lack of love and brotherhood is partly to blame for the fentanyl crisis in the US (43:33). Can this devastating problem really be addressed by simply hugging one another more? Tune in now and enjoy the type of conversations you wish you had around the workplace water cooler!   [Episode Stories] The Salmon You're Eating Is Probably Half-Deaf Mexico's President Blames US Fentanyl Crisis On “...lack of love, of brotherhood, of hugs”   [Episode Links] Frank Forencich (www.ExuberantAnimal.com) Doctors Without Borders (www.DoctorsWithoutBorders.org) Our Instagram (@WaterCoolerTalkPod) Artwork (www.Kohney.com)   *Re-Uploaded April 20, 2023 w/ Listener Correction*

Website: www.WaterCoolerTalkPod.com   Email: watercoolertalkpod@gmail.com   Instagram: @WaterCoolerTalkPod

Joined by guest host Taly Matiteyahu, co-founder and CEO of Blink Date (27:09), Adam and Taly discuss the influx of niche dating apps that have fundamentally changed modern dating (01:46) and how you can better charm a potential partner with your personality while stuck in COVID lockdown together for an extended period of time (42:44). Enjoy!   Learn more about Taly's charity of choice, the New York City Shiba Rescue. “NYC Shiba Rescue is an all volunteer group dedicated to contributing to the quality of life of Shiba Inu in and around the New York City metropolitan area.”   [News Story]   Greensboro Man Creates Dating App Where He's The Only Guy Allowed   Chinese Couple Trapped On Lockdown Date Get Engaged   [Episode Links]   Taly Matiteyahu (www.TheBlinkDate.com)   Our Website (www.WaterCoolerTalkPod.com)   Artwork (www.Kohney.com)

Joined by guest host Katya Lovejoy (24:02), Adam and Katya discuss the importance of pardons being granted to European women who were accused of witchcraft 300 years ago (01:40) and how the term “hysteria” has kept women, such as Britney Spears, from being actively listened to in the medical field for thousands of years (37:58). Enjoy!   Learn more about Katya's charity of choice, Rainforest Foundation. “Protecting rainforests in partnership with indigenous peoples since 1989.”   [News Story]   Women Executed 300 Years Ago As Witches In Scotland Set To Receive Pardons   Britney Spears And The Age-Old History Of Men Policing Women's Trauma   [Episode Links]   Katya Lovejoy (www.KatyaLovejoy.com)   Our Website (www.WaterCoolerTalkPod.com)   Artwork (www.Kohney.com)

Before we officially head into 2022, we revisit our five favorite stories from 2021.   Stories include: the implications of Canada's Bill C-10 on regulating internet cat videos (03:43), how critical race theory is re-washing America's past (24:05), the importance of understanding how animals comprehend morality separate from humans (59:42), what the latest patent approval by Spotify could mean for the future of playlist recommendations (85:18) and how the prestigious man is slowly starting to overtake the alpha male (101:58).   Enjoy!   [News Story]   Better Conversations w/ Daniel Proussalidis Justin Trudeau And The CRTC Are Coming For Your Cat Videos   Critical Location Theory w/ Natasha Sohni Critical Race Theory Bans Leads Oklahoma College To Cancel Class That Taught “White Privilege”   Elephant Fight Club w/ Susana Monsó These Worms Produce Milk, But Only When They Kick The Bucket   Privacy Paradox w/ Jake Teeny Spotify Patents Tech To Monitor Your Speech, Infer Emotion   The Prestigious Man w/ Avik Das The Myth Of The Alpha Male   [Episode Links]   Our Website (www.WaterCoolerTalkPod.com)   Artwork (www.Kohney.com)

Joined by guest host Professor Beth Fossen (20:31), Adam and Beth discuss the pros and cons of Facebook's influence on our world  (02:50) and how the adoption of technology in our everyday life has changed the way companies market to consumers (33:20). Enjoy!   Learn more about Beth's charity of choice, Middle Way House. “Middle Way House works to support all survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault and human trafficking; and to educate the community through outreach and prevention programs.”   [News Story]   Facebook “...Has A Negative Impact On Society”, Says Snapchat Founder   Nightmare Scenario: Alarm As Advertisers Seek To Plug Into Our Dreams   [Episode Links]   Beth Fossen (www.Twitter.com/Beth_Fossen)   Our Website (www.WaterCoolerTalkPod.com)   Artwork (www.Kohney.com)

Joined by guest host Susana Monsó (15:43), Adam and Susana discuss the issue of how human exceptionalism impacts our relationships with animals (04:03) and the importance of understanding how animals comprehend morality separate from humans (22:43). Enjoy!   Learn more about Susana's charity of choice, “Equalia”. “We work to improve the living conditions of animals destined for consumption with the lowest standards of animal welfare.”   [News Story]   8% Of Americans Think They Could Beat An Elephant In A Fight   These Worms Produce Milk, But Only When They Kick The Bucket   [Episode Links]   Susana Monsó (www.SusanaMonso.com)   Our Website (www.WaterCoolerTalkPod.com)   Artwork (www.Kohney.com)

From "Ocean Deserts w/ Xubin Zeng"   How Dubai Is Using Laser Drones To Shock Rainwater Out Of The Sky Forbes Energy Written By Ariel Cohen | July 28th, 2021   - Full Episode - Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3F2gVtA Apple: https://apple.co/3mYTQSv PodBean: https://bit.ly/3C1PbUf

From "Ocean Deserts w/ Xubin Zeng"   “Doomsday Vault” Town Warming Faster Than Any Other On Earth CNN World Europe Written By Sarah Lazarus | March 27th, 2019   - Full Episode - Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3F2gVtA Apple: https://apple.co/3mYTQSv PodBean: https://bit.ly/3C1PbUf

Joined by guest host Professor Xubin Zeng (18:37), Adam and Professor Zeng discuss the science behind zapping rain clouds with laser beams to make rain (02:42) and how attribution science is being used to study how climate change is impacting extreme weather events (35:01). Enjoy!   Learn more about Professor Zeng's charity of choice, the American Meteorological Society. “The AMS is a global community committed to advancing weather, water and climate science and service.”   [News Story]   How Dubai Is Using Laser Drones To Shock Rainwater Out Of The Sky   “Doomsday Vault” Town Warming Faster Than Any Other On Earth   [Episode Links]   Xubin Zeng (XZeng.faculty.arizona.edu)   Our Website (www.WaterCoolerTalkPod.com)   Artwork (www.Kohney.com)

From "Replication Crisis w/ Joe Gough"   A Cephalopod Has Passed A Cognitive Test Designed For Human Children ScienceAlert Nature Written By Michelle Starr | March 3rd, 2021   - Full Episode - Spotify: https://spoti.fi/2Zrc2Ln Apple: https://apple.co/3mhCJel PodBean: https://bit.ly/3GmRe8L

From "Replication Crisis w/ Joe Gough"   Neuroscientists Make A Case Against Solitary Confinement Scientific American Neuroscience Written By Dana Smith | November 9th, 2018   - Full Episode - Spotify: https://spoti.fi/2Zrc2Ln Apple: https://apple.co/3mhCJel PodBean: https://bit.ly/3GmRe8L

Joined by guest host Joe Gough (32:20), Adam and Joe discuss if the marshmallow test is still legitimate and if it can assess animal intelligence (10:12) and how the long-term impact of solitary confinement on the brain is finally being discussed on the global stage (45:46). Enjoy!   Learn more about Joe's charity of choice, “Samaritans.org”. “Samaritans works to make sure there's always someone there who anyone who needs someone (*UK Service*).”   [News Story]   A Cephalopod Has Passed A Cognitive Test Designed For Human Children   Neuroscientists Make A Case Against Solitary Confinement   [Episode Links]   Joe Gough (www.JoeFGough.com)   Our Website (www.WaterCoolerTalkPod.com)   Artwork (www.Kohney.com)

From "Forest Bathing w/ Hiking Thru Life"   "Forest Service Recommends Hugging Trees While You Can't Hug Others" Iceland Review Nature Written by Larissa Kyzer | April 10th, 2020   - Full Episode - Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3FFWeVD Apple: https://apple.co/3AAsOVb PodBean: https://bit.ly/3lHceyR

From "Forest Bathing w/ Hiking Thru Life"   "Message In A Bottle Leads To Rescue Of California Family Stranded On 40ft Waterfall" CBS News | September 11th, 2019   - Full Episode - Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3FFWeVD Apple: https://apple.co/3AAsOVb PodBean: https://bit.ly/3lHceyR

Joined by guest host Sarah Kermode of Hiking Thru Life Podcast (15:12), Adam and Sarah discuss the benefits of the Icelandic Forest Service giving out advice to take 5 minutes to hug a tree (02:54) and why trusting a rope you saw on a hiking trail 7 years ago might not be a wise decision (27:59). Enjoy!   Learn more about Sarah's charity of choice, “HIKE For Mental Health”. “HIKE For Mental Health organizes fundraising hikes to promote healthy outdoor activity, alleviate suffering from mental illness and conserve wilderness trails.”   [News Story]   Forest Service Recommends Hugging Trees While You Can't Hug Others   Message In A Bottle Leads To Rescue Of California Family Stranded On 40ft Waterfall   [Episode Links]   Hiking Thru Life (www.HikingThruLife.net)   Our Website (www.WaterCoolerTalkPod.com)   Artwork (www.Kohney.com)

From "Pay Me w/ John Holden"   Tech Billionaire Puts Money On Eagles Winning Super Bowl LVI In First Sports Bet From Space   If you have money to spend on private space travel, you certainly have money to bet on the incredibly long odds that the Philadelphia Eagles will win Super Bowl LVI next February. And if you put those two things together, you can make a little history. In early September, the first-ever sports bet was placed from outer space aboard SpaceX's Inspiration4, the first all-private orbital mission around Earth. The three-day trek, led by four American crew members, was part of a charitable effort to reach a fundraising goal of $200 million dollars for St Judes Children Research Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee. The commander of Inspiration4, Jared Isaacman, is the billionaire founder of payment processor Shift4 Payments and has made a habit of pursuing world records and world firsts. From space, Jared approached BetMGM about placing two NFL bets, each in the amount of $4,000; with the first bet being an over/under on the score of the New York Giants/Washington Football Team Thursday Night Football game and the second being the long odds on the Eagles. All proceeds from both bets, plus an additional $100 million dollar personal donation from Jared, and a few items taken into space for auction; will go towards St Judes $200 million dollar goal. As for why Jared chose the Eagles to win the Super Bowl? It's not entirely sure, he's a North Jersey guy, but Shift4 Payments headquarters is based in Allentown, Pennsylvania. Or maybe Jared just thinks the Eagles are that good and will shock the NFL…   "Pay Me" Full Episode Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3zI7FYI Apple: https://apple.co/39M8VzA PodBean: https://bit.ly/3kPn0lO

From "Pay Me w/ John Holden"   Should Top College Athletes Earn $800,000 A Year? Some Believe So   For Martin Jenkins and other members of the 2014 Clemson Tigers football team, it was a simple rallying cry, but others saw a financial opportunity. The three-word phrase, “We Too Deep”, began as an internal mantra, chanted by players in the locker room and on the sidelines, but it took on a life of its own when Martin transformed it into a song and coaxed his teammates to help produce a music video. The song became an anthem for the team and the video went viral. It didn't take long for retailers to cash in on the popularity and soon “We Too Deep” shirts flooded the Clemson campus. After trying to sell his own line of shirts, Martin was quickly shut down by Clemson's compliance officers, who told him that the sales would be a violation of NCAA rules, which prohibit college athletes from earning money during their playing careers. For more than a century the NCAA has served as the chief governing body of college sports in the United States. Comprised of three divisions, the organization regulates more than 1,000 institutions nationwide and has swelled into a multibillion dollar outfit, as media companies have paid ever-increasing sums for the broadcast rights to marquee competitions like the College Football Playoffs and the NCAA basketball tournament (better known as March Madness). In 2014, while still a junior at Clemson, Martin turned his newfound interest into advocacy, signing on as a plaintiff in what was described by ESPN as “the most direct challenge yet to the NCAA's long standing economic model”. The antitrust claim pushed for student athletes to be paid according to their value on the open market, asserting that the NCAA has illegally limited a player's compensation to their athletic scholarship. It was consolidated with a separate, narrower lawsuit filed around the same time on behalf of former West Virginia running back Shawne Alston, whose lawsuit focused on targeting the NCAA for it's caps on education-related benefits. Martin Jenkins and Alston's battle culminated in June, when the Supreme Court ruled unanimously in favor of the former athletes. A week after the decision, the NCAA bowed to mounting pressure by announcing rules that would allow student athletes to make money off their name, image and likeness (commonly known by the abbreviation “NIL”); a policy that would have enabled Martin to capitalize off of the success of his music video and the phrase “We Too Deep”. Even with these watershed developments, which upended the NCAA's stringent rules against compensating student athletes; the model has not been completely dismantled. Student athletes won't start collecting salaries from their universities and the NCAA remains adamant that they should not be considered employees. That change, should it ever arrive, is certainly years away. Richard Borghesi, a business professor at the University of South Florida, modeled a scenario in 2016 wherein players in college football, by far the most lucrative sport in the NCAA (from 2003 to 2014 college football brought in $2.28 billion per year), would receive a cut of NCAA revenue similar to the cut, 47%, received by NFL players. His ultimate goal was to estimate how much money players would earn if the NCAA allowed them to be paid. He calculates the very best players would be due around $800,000 a year due to the staggering amounts of money they generate for their schools and smaller school players would be due around $21,000 a year. Borghesi wrote a similar scenario within college basketball and estimated that the best players would earn about $613,000 while the least heralded recruits would earn about $50,000. During oral arguments in March about the case, supreme court justices were unimpressed by the NCAA's attorneys insistence that student athletes retain their “amateur” status. While the revenues generated by big time programs are used to subsidize the often-enormous salaries of coaches (Clemson coach Dabo Swinney has a $8.3 million annual salary) and the world-class training facilities on campus, supreme court justice Samuel Alito stated: “...the athletes themselves have a pretty hard life”. For his part, Martin Jenkins said that although he came from an upper-middle class family, many of his teammates struggled financially during their time at Clemson. Martin stated: “They face training requirements that leave little time or energy for study, constant pressure to put sports above study, pressure to drop out of hard majors and hard classes, really shockingly low graduation rates. Only a tiny percentage ever go on to make any money in professional sports (fewer than 2% go on to play professionally). So the argument is they are recruited, they're used up and then they're cast aside without even a college degree...how can this be defended in the name of amateurism?”   "Pay Me" Full Episode Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3zI7FYI Apple: https://apple.co/39M8VzA PodBean: https://bit.ly/3kPn0lO

Joined by guest host John Holden (21:37), Adam and John discuss if the relative ease of sports betting in the US will impact the future of ethical competition (02:15) and how new laws surrounding paying student-athletes can allow players to capitalize on their best earning years (28:38). Enjoy!   Learn more about John's charity of choice, the ASPCA. “The ASPCA works to rescue animals from abuse, pass humane laws and share resources with shelters nationwide”.   [News Story]   Tech Billionaire Puts Money On Eagles Winning Super Bowl LVI In First Sports Bet From Space   Should Top College Athletes Earn $800,000 A Year? Some Believe So   [Episode Links]   John Holden (www.Twitter.com/JohnSportsLaw)   Our Website (www.WaterCoolerTalkPod.com)   Artwork (www.Kohney.com)

From "Slippery Slope w/ Macy Ramos"   Who's Really In Charge Of OnlyFans?   OnlyFans pitch has always been about intimacy. Not because most of the content is erotic (though it is), but because the interaction between creator and consumer is so direct. People subscribe not to OnlyFans as a whole, but to the feed of particular performers. Those performers often develop relationships of a sort with their fans; exchanging messages and personalizing content for particular quirks and kinks. It was a connection that a socially distanced world proved particularly hungry for. However, the platform's decision to ban: and then abruptly unban; explicit content highlights the other parties that were always lurking in the middle of the relationship. The company says the original decision was necessitated by concerns from OnlyFans banks and payment processing companies. That came after Mastercard announced stricter requirements for processing payments for porn sites to try to ensure that performers on the sites were of age and willing participants (OnlyFans does make their creators register with a legal government ID). It's a reminder that the ability to instantly pay someone many miles away with whom you've never met; and whose real name you probably don't know; doesn't just come into being. Someone created that infrastructure, maintains it, and your ability to use it depends on their approval. It's similar to a lesson that has been learned elsewhere. Small e-commerce merchants, reliant on Amazon to reach their customers, find their survival dictated by the internet giant's terms of service. Social media platforms such as Parler and Gab, seen as overly indulgent of racism and misogyny, lose their contracts with web hosters, forcing them to go dark. And in a world where single people increasingly find each other through their phones, those who are booted off of dating apps, for reasons that are sometimes unclear, can be essentially edited out of the dating pool. It is not excusing toxic online trolls or unscrupulous retailers or creepy daters to say that the rules we now rely on to deal with them are opaque, arbitrary and undemocratic. For the sex workers and performers who make their living on OnlyFans, there was always a sense that is was too good to last. Not that the deal for them was all that amazing. OnlyFans provides precious little for the 20% cut it takes of subscription fees: performers get almost no help promoting themselves, and often, have to track down and deal with content piracy on their own. The fact that OnlyFans has become a household name undoubtedly brought attention to what the company probably hoped would pass as a quiet course correction on the way to the initial public offering it is rumored to be planning. In the tweet announcing the reversal of their original decision to ban pornographic content, the company said it had “secured assurances necessary to support our diverse creator community”; assurances presumably secured from payment processors. It was a victory for content creators in an economy where, in general, they have few points of leverage, but it also made it very very very VERY clear who is still in charge.   "Slippery Slope" Full Episode Spotify: https://spoti.fi/398bcEL Apple: https://apple.co/3AeM9Mh PodBean: https://bit.ly/3nxDFfG

From "Slippery Slope w/ Macy Ramos"   Why The Baby On Nirvana's ‘Nevermind' Album Is Suing Now   Spencer Elden was 4 months-old when he was photographed by family friend, and photographer Kirk Weedle, in 1991 drifting naked in a pool. The now iconic photo would be used for the cover of ‘Nevermind'; Nirvana's seminal second album that helped define Generation X and rocketed the Seattle band to international fame. In the decades that followed, Spencer appeared to celebrate his part in the classic cover, recreating the moment, non-nude, for the albums 10th, 17th, 20th and 25th anniversaries. In a 2016 interview Spencer stated: “It's cool but weird to be a part of something so important that I don't even remember.” Now, 30-years-old, Spencer has filed a federal lawsuit against the estate of Kurt Cobain, the musician's former bandmates, David Grohl and Krist Novoselic, and Cobain's widow, Courtney Love, among other parties. He claimed they, along with Geffen Records, which released ‘Nevermind', profited from his naked image. According to the lawsuit: “Defendants knowling produced, possessed and advertised commercial child pornography depicting Spencer and they knowingly received valued in exchange for doing so. Mr. Elden, Spencer, suffered permanent harm because of his association with the album, including emotional distress and a lifelong loss of income-earning capacity.” Spencer's lawyer, Maggie Mabie, stated: “He hasn't met anyone who hasn't seen his genitalia. It's a constant reminder that he has no privacy. His privacy is worthless to the world. They were trying to create controversy because controversy sells. The point was not just to create a menacing image, but to cross the line and they did so in a way that exposed Spencer...” Mabie said her client agreed when the band, media outlets and fans asked him to recreate the photo as an adult, but he eventually realized that this only resulted in the image being further exploited. Even though Spencer said in a 2015 documentary that the album cover “opened doors” for him; over the years he has expressed ambivalence about the cover. Spencer sated: “It's be nice to have a quarter for every person that has seen my baby penis.” Spencer said his feelings about the cover began to change when he tried reaching out to the former band about being a part of his art show and was turned away by managers and lawyers. Mabie, Spencer's lawyer, said his parents never authorized consent for how the images would be used and noted that Cobain, former lead singer of Nirvana, once suggested putting a sticker over the baby's genitals after there was pushback to the covers idea. Mary Graw Leary, a professor at the Columbus School of Law at the Catholic University of America, stated that this lawsuit was not a typical child pornography case: “Nudity of a child alone is not the definition of pornography. The typical child pornography that is being seen in law enforcement and pursued in the courts can be violent. The children are young and it is very graphic. But there are factors under federal law that allow a judge or a jury to determine whether a photo of a minor constitutes a lascivious exhibition of the genitals, including if they were the focal point of a photo. That part of the law gives a bit more discretion to the court. It's not a case with easy answers.” Spencer's past comments about the cover should not undermine his current claim that he was a victim of child pornography. The law does not pick between children who immediately denounce their abusers and children who initially were dismissive about what happened to them. Professor Graw Leary continued: “We don't want to be in a position where we're only going to consider one case criminal because in the other, the child didn't think it was a big deal at the time. We don't only protect certain kids.”   "Slippery Slope" Full Episode Spotify: https://spoti.fi/398bcEL Apple: https://apple.co/3AeM9Mh PodBean: https://bit.ly/3nxDFfG

Joined by guest host Macy Ramos (23:48), Adam and Macy discuss the legal lawsuit taken by the naked baby on the cover of Nirvana's ‘Nevermind' album (03:24) and how OnlyFans' sexually explicit content “flip-flop” mostly hurt the creators who allowed OnlyFans to have its platform (39:01). Enjoy!   Learn more about Macy's charity of choice, New Horizons Shelter And Outreach Centers. “...a shelter for individuals and families who have experienced domestic violence, was organized in 1978 through the cooperative efforts of an informal group of citizens in the La Crosse area who recognized the need for services to victims of domestic abuse.”   [News Story]   Why The Baby On Nirvana's ‘Nevermind' Album Is Suing Now   Who's Really In Charge Of OnlyFans?   [Episode Links]   Macy Ramos (www.LinkedIn.com/Macy-Ramos-14a109104)   Our Website (www.WaterCoolerTalkPod.com)   Artwork (www.Kohney.com)

"China Promotes Education Drive To Make Boys More “Manly”"   A notice from China's education ministry has caused quite a stir after it suggested young Chinese men had become too “feminine” and some say China's male celebrities are partly to blame. For a while China's government has signalled concern that the country's most popular male role models are no longer strong, athletic figures like “army heroes”. Even President Xi Jinping, a well-known soccer enthusiast, has long been seeking to cultivate better sports stars. A recent proposal by the education ministry, titled “To Prevent The Feminization Of Male Adolescents”, called on schools to fully reform their physical education programs and strengthen their recruitment of those teachers. The text specifically advised recruiting retired athletes and people from sporting backgrounds - and “vigorously developing” particular sports like soccer. Si Zefu, a delegate of China's top advisory body, said earlier in the year that many of China's young males had become “weak, timid and self-abasing'. He made the claim that the home environment was partly to blame, with most Chinese boys being raised by their mothers or grandmothers. He also noted that the growing appeal of certain celebrities, mainly boy bands throughout Asia, meant that many children “did not want to be army heroes” anymore. The overwhelming majority of reactions to the proposal have been negative. Hundreds of thousands of Chinese individuals have taken to social media to voice their anger and concern. “Is feminization now a derogatory term?” one social media user asked. Another said “Boys are also humans...being emotional, timid or gentle, these are human characteristics.” On China's social media platform Weibo, supportive comments pointed towards China's male celebrities being to blame; largely those who are know as “little fresh meats” which is a common buzzword that refers to young, Chinese males who are seen as squeaky-clean, well-groomed and with delicate features. Boyband TF Boys and Chinese singer Lu Han fall into this category. The “little fresh meats” phenomenon continues to be a proven success for expanding Chinese culture outside of mainland China, but young Chinese male celebrities come under increased scrutiny and find it difficult to be anything that departs from their squeaky-clean mold. In recent years, the media has struggled to allow young male stars to appear on Chinese screens with tattoos or piercings. And in 2019, one of China's top pop stars from the boyband TF Boys, came under fierce criticism when he was pictured illegally smoking in a Beijing restaurant. As President Xi hopes to turn China into a “world soccer superpower” by 2050, some wonder if HE is even man enough to turn around the impossible task of China's national soccer team.   "Different Strokes w/ Jeff Abraham" Full Episode Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3taaDn5 Apple: https://apple.co/38u7gxQ PodBean: https://bit.ly/3Bv5Yza