Ways & Means

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Ways and Means is a small radio show featuring bright ideas for how to improve human society. The show is produced by the Sanford School of Public Policy at Duke University.

Sanford School of Public Policy, Duke University


    • Sep 20, 2023 LATEST EPISODE
    • infrequent NEW EPISODES
    • 18m AVG DURATION
    • 64 EPISODES

    4.9 from 58 ratings Listeners of Ways & Means that love the show mention: public policy, educate, well produced, variety, interesting, insightful, think, good, life, great, love.



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    Latest episodes from Ways & Means

    S8 Episode 6: The Tiny Packaging Tweak That Could Help The Planet

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 20, 2023 20:10


    In this episode: kicking America's multi-billion-dollar food waste habit. How tons of wasted food contribute to climate change, and how one simple change – better food date labels – just might help make a dent in the problem. This is the sixth episode in our “Climate Change Solutions” series, where we look at research-based ideas to help cool a rapidly heating planet. Guests: Norbert Wilson, Director, Duke World Food Policy Center Roni Neff, Associate Professor, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health Congresswoman Chellie Pingree (D-Maine) Season 8 of Ways & Means is made possible thanks to support from the Office of the Provost at Duke University. Find out more about the Duke Climate Commitment.

    S8 Episode 5: Bringing Water to Thirsty Fields With Help From the Sun

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 30, 2023 20:13


    In this episode of Ways & Means – New research into how solar mini-grids could change lives for farmers in Ethiopia, and why that matters for the climate as a whole. This is the fifth episode in our Climate Change Solutions series, where we look at surprising answers to the question of what we can do to help cool a rapidly heating planet. Guests: Jonathan Phillips, Director, James E. Rogers Energy Access Project at Duke University Rahel Bekele, Postdoctoral Associate at Duke University's Sanford School of Public Policy, DREAM Project Team Member Marc Jeuland, faculty member at Duke Sanford School of Public Policy and Duke Global Health Institute, Principal investigator DREAM Project Resources, Credits, Transcript  Season 8 of Ways & Means is made possible thanks to support from the Office of the Provost at Duke University. Find out more about the Duke Climate Commitment.

    S8 Episode 4: How Cleaner Cookstoves Can Help Build a Healthier Planet

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 8, 2023 18:31


    Upgrading stoves for people in the developing world could bring about a double win: improving people's lives while making a big contribution to fighting climate change. We follow along with Duke Professor Subhrendu Pattanayak on a research trip to rural Kenya, and are invited into people's homes to see how they cook, and what might make them change their methods. This is the fourth in our series Climate Change Solutions, a look at surprising answers to the question of what we can do to help cool a rapidly heating planet. Guest:  Subhrendu Pattanayak, Oak Foundation Distinguished Professor of Environmental and Energy Policy, Duke Sanford School of Public Policy Season 8 of Ways & Means is made possible thanks to support from the Office of the Provost at Duke University. Find out more about the Duke Climate Commitment.

    Welcome Lauren Rosenthal

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 8, 2023 1:43


    We are thrilled to welcome Lauren Rosenthal to the Ways & Means host chair! Lauren is an award-winning reporter and audio producer. Recently she's been focused on climate stories. (Check out her work on Season 2 of "In Deep," a podcast from APM Reports + American Public Media which explored "one city's year of climate chaos.") Lauren will start by hosting the next episodes of our Climate Change Solutions series.

    S8 Episode 3: Greener Pastures: The search for climate-friendly ways to raise animals.

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 17, 2022 22:17


    In this episode of Ways & Means, we explore the impacts of meat production. Can we find a better way to raise animals as food and help the planet at the same time? This is the third in our series Climate Change Solutions, a look at surprising answers to the question of what we can do to help cool a rapidly heating planet. Guests:  Cameron Oglesby, journalist and Duke Sanford School of Public Policy Master of Public Policy student North Carolina farmer Johnny Rogers Jennifer Curtis, Firsthand Foods Lee Miller and Michelle Nowlin, Duke's Environmental Law and Policy Clinic A-dae Romero-Briones, Native Agriculture and Food Systems program at First Nations Development Institute Season 8 of Ways & Means is made possible thanks to support from the Office of the Provost at Duke University. Find out more about the Duke Climate Commitment.

    S8E2 Getting Strategic with Solar

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 12, 2022 18:08


    Location, location, location. Place matters a lot when it comes to the impact solar panels can have on the environment. The biggest environmental benefit comes from regions powered by coal. If your local electric utility runs on coal and you install solar panels on your home, it means that the power plant doesn't have to burn as much coal to power your home, and that is really good for the climate. In this episode of Ways & Means: getting strategic when it comes to solar subsidies. This is the second episode in our series, Climate Change Solutions. Guests: Joe Opyoke, retired coal miner Elizabeth Opyoke Cruikshank, Solar Holler in West Virginia Bobby Harris, PhD Environmental Economics and Policy, Duke, '22 Steven Sexton, professor, Sanford School of Public Policy, Duke University Season 8 of Ways & Means is made possible thanks to support from the Office of the Provost at Duke University. Find out more about the Duke Climate Commitment.

    S8 Episode 1: Paying for a Healthy Planet

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 14, 2022 22:43


    The Amazon has been called the lungs of the planet. Its dense jungles play a key role in absorbing the Earth's greenhouse gases, but the forest is disappearing quickly. In this episode: research from Colombia, Africa and China illustrates how economics can help slow deforestation and combat the climate crisis. Guests: Lina Moros, Universidad de los Andes, Bogota, Colombia Wumeng He, Wuhan University, China; Duke Kunshan University Alex Pfaff, Duke University This is the first in our series Climate Solutions. Find out more about the film Sonic Forest, including the song Let Me Breathe and the group Stand for Trees. Season 8 of Ways & Means is made possible thanks to support from the Office of the Provost at Duke University.

    S7 Episode 3: Begged and Borrowed

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 16, 2022 54:58


    Large technology companies are so powerful they now threaten democracy. They are too big to sue, and current regulations are not holding them responsible for their actions or outcomes. What can be done when a large tech company is doing something that is harmful to society? How can the technology companies that want to differentiate themselves demonstrate they are behaving responsibly? Well – this isn't the first time the U.S. has been faced with a large, runaway industry that needed effective government oversight. We'll look closely at the governance frameworks that are used for big banks, environmental polluters, drug companies to allow them to demonstrate responsible decision making. This episode is the third of a three-part series, Defending Democracy (and Us!) from Big Tech, a collaboration between Ways & Means and the Debugger podcast. The series is produced with support from the Cyber Policy Program at Duke University's Sanford School of Public Policy, and Duke's Kenan Institute for Ethics.

    S7 Episode 2: What Hasn't Worked

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 9, 2022 48:12


    Very large tech companies fit into a special tech category called “platforms.” Companies like Facebook, Google, Twitter, and Amazon are so big – it's like they are on a raised on a platform at a country fair, and can be heard all over the fairgrounds. The platform gives them an advantage; because they can be heard by more people, their technology can have a more impactful reach. These companies have a lot of money, and power. But what if society becomes convinced one of these tools is hurting kids, or failing democracy, or polluting the environment, or stealing? Since they are so big that even fines don't seem to scare them, what now? In this episode: we'll explore what's been tried to hold tech companies accountable. This episode is the second of a three-part series, Defending Democracy (and Us!) from Big Tech, a collaboration between Ways & Means and the Debugger podcast. The series is produced with support from the Cyber Policy Program at Duke University's Sanford School of Public Policy, and Duke's Kenan Institute for Ethics.

    S7 Episode 1: Too Big to Sue

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 2, 2022 42:54


    It's critical to understand just how hard it is to tell big tech companies what to do. The United States' legal system is set up for a fair fight, but in practice tech firms are often able to act as their own judge and jury. They control everything from what apps we see, to what data they collect about us to whether or not misinformation and hate speech circulate widely online. This episode is the first of a three-part series, Defending Democracy (and Us!) from Big Tech, a collaboration between Ways & Means and the Debugger podcast. The series is produced with support from the Cyber Policy Program at Duke University's Sanford School of Public Policy, and Duke's Kenan Institute for Ethics.

    Season 7 is coming

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 28, 2022 1:53


    Season 7 launches Wednesday March 2 with a series: "Defending Democracy (And Us!) From Big Tech." The three-part series explores how powerful big tech companies are, and what governments can do to keep them accountable. The series is hosted by journalist Bob Sullivan, and is a collaboration with the Debugger podcast. Thanks to the Cyber Policy program at Duke University's Sanford School of Public Policy, and Duke's Kenan Institute for Ethics. Promo music: Footsteps on Alden and the Corner Office. Blue Dot Sessions, Creative Commons license.

    S6 Episode 6: A Conversation About Reparations

    Play Episode Listen Later May 14, 2021 61:18


    Throughout history, the U.S. and other countries have paid reparations to a wide range of people and groups, for a variety of wrongs. But reparations to African Americans have not been paid to date. In the final episode of the  series The ARC of Justice – From Here to Equality, listen in on a live conversation about reparations. How would the debt be calculated? Who would qualify? What methods might work? This episode was recorded in front of a live virtual audience on Thursday, April 15, 2021. This is the fifth installment of the series "The ARC of Justice - From Here to Equality." Get show notes, credits and transcript.

    S6 Episode 5: White Brutality

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 7, 2021 42:37


    Throughout the nation’s history, time and again, promising signs of African American progress have been shattered by acts of violence serving the interests of white supremacy. The extent of that violence is widespread and ongoing. This is the fifth installment of the series "The ARC of Justice - From Here to Equality." Get show notes, credits, transcript and discussion guide. Join us for the live season finale, Thursday April 15 at noon.

    Upcoming Episodes

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 31, 2021 1:46


    Episode 5 premieres April 7. It will explore white violence against Black people through the decades. Episode 6 premieres April 15 (Live!) Join us for a discussion with William A. "Sandy" Darity Jr. and A. Kirsten Mullen as well as other reparations experts. Don't forget to register for the live event. (Music in this teaser by Solomon Fox.)

    S6 Episode 4: Whitening the Middle Class

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 24, 2021 32:46


    In this episode: The GI Bill was a conveyor belt into the middle class for millions of white WWII veterans, but many African American veterans were excluded. Subsequent generations continue to feel the effects.  This is the fourth installment of the series "The ARC of Justice - From Here to Equality." Get show notes, credits, transcript and discussion guide. Produced with North Carolina Public Radio WUNC. Made possible by the Duke Office for Faculty Advancement thanks to funding from the Duke Endowment.

    S6 Episode 3: A Tale of Two Cities

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 17, 2021 30:00


    In this episode: how the federal government promoted housing segregation and thwarted African American home ownership. This is the second installment of the series “The ARC of Justice – From Here to Equality." Get show notes, credits and transcript. Produced with North Carolina Public Radio WUNC. Made possible by the Duke Office for Faculty Advancement thanks to funding from The Duke Endowment.

    S6 Episode 2: This Land is My Land

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 10, 2021 26:32


    A tale of two promises made by the government – one kept, one broken. What happened, and what does this have to do with the existing wealth gap between African Americans and white Americans? This is the second installment of the series “The ARC of Justice – From Here to Equality." Get show notes, credits and transcript. Produced with North Carolina Public Radio WUNC. Made possible by the Duke Office for Faculty Advancement thanks to funding from The Duke Endowment.

    Not So Long Ago

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 3, 2021 27:18


    We’re dedicating the entire season of the podcast to this topic: what could have been done, and what could still be done, to start to close the wealth gap between white and Black Americans? The series “The Arc of Justice – From Here to Equality” is inspired by the research of professor William “Sandy” Darity Jr. He has co-written an award-winning book with the folklorist and arts consultant A. Kirsten Mullen, From Here to Equality: Reparations for Black Americans in the 21st Century. Get show notes, credits and transcript. Produced with North Carolina Public Radio WUNC. Made possible by the Duke Office for Faculty Advancement.

    Live: Climate Whistleblowers

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 14, 2020 29:26


    Live event for Duke Energy Week 2020. Guests: Hilton Kelley, Goldman Environmental Prize winner. A former Hollywood stuntman, Kelley returned home to Port Arthur, Texas to battle for environmental justice. Karen Torrent of The National Whistleblower Center and Duke Prof. Tim Profeta discuss the new Climate Risk Disclosure Lab initiative. Co-hosts: Journalist Lindsay Foster Thomas; Prof. Deondra Rose of Polis: Duke Center for Politics; Duke Master of Public Policy student Raffi Wineburg.

    Short Takes: Bruce Jentleson

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 29, 2020 11:51


    In this “Short Takes” episode, host Deondra Rose talks with Bruce Jentleson about his research into great political leaders, specifically Nelson Mandela, in his book, The Peacemakers: Leadership Lessons from 20th Century Statesmanship. Jentleson's work was the topic of the Ways & Means Podcast episode: Secrets of Great Political Leadership. 

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    S5 Episode 5 Secrets of Great Political Leadership

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 15, 2020 16:12


    What makes a great political leader in a deeply divided time, and what can we learn from one of the most striking examples in history? Listen to the story of Nelson Mandela and learn about the surprising strategies that made his leadership work. This season of Ways & Means is supported by Polis, the Center for Politics at Duke University’s Sanford School of Public Policy. Find out more at polis.duke.edu

    Welcome to Our New Host, Lindsay Foster Thomas

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 14, 2020 1:32


    Today, we're announcing a new chapter in Ways and Means - we have a new host! Lindsay Foster Thomas is a content director at WUNC and has worked at NPR's Marketplace, On Second Thought at Georgia Public Broadcasting with host Celeste Headlee, and was also part of the national production team at WAMU that launched NPR's 1A with founding host Joshua Johnson. We're beyond excited to have her with us. Welcome, Lindsay!

    Short Takes: Kristin Goss

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 28, 2020 7:44


    Today: a post-Ways & Means episode conversation with professor Kristin Goss about the rise of the gun control movement in America.  Goss's work was the topic of last week's Ways & Means episode: The Battle Over Guns in America: What's Changed. The host of Short Takes is Deondra Rose, Director of Research for Polis, the Center for Politics at Duke University. Music: Blue Dot Sessions, CC Attribution, Non-Commercial License

    S5E3 The Battle over Guns in America - What's Changed

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 17, 2020 23:00


    On this episode we ask – how did the gun control movement become a force in American politics after being overshadowed for so long by the NRA? In a word: money.  This season of Ways & Means is supported by Polis: the Center for Politics at Duke University’s Sanford School of Public Policy

    Short Takes: John Holbein

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 10, 2020 9:45


    Today: a post-Ways & Means episode conversation with John Holbein of the University of Virginia about how to get more young people to vote. Holbein's work, along with Duke faculty member Sunshine Hillygus, was the topic of last week's Ways & Means episode: Why Young People Don't Vote - And How to Change That Deondra Rose is Director of Research for Polis, the Center for Politics at Duke University. Music: Georgia Overdrive by Blue Dot Sessions, CC Attribution, Non-Commercial License

    Why Young People Don’t Vote – And How to Change That

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 3, 2020 24:13


    For some reason there's a big gap between young Americans' intention to vote and the chance that they will actually do it. In this episode: why so few young people in the United States vote. This season of Ways & Means is supported by Polis: the Center for Politics at Duke University’s Sanford School of Public Policy

    Season 5 Relaunch

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 19, 2020 1:19


    Season 5 of Ways & Means relaunches Thursday, August 20, 2020. The season is dedicated to issues in U.S. politics and civic life and hot topics in the 2020 elections. The season originally premiered in the spring of 2020, but was put on hold due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The season is a co-production of the Sanford School of Public Policy at Duke University and Duke's Polis: Center for Politics. https://polis.duke.edu/   Music: "Pinky" by Blue Dot Sessions

    Season 5 Postponed

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 15, 2020 0:35


    We’ve decided to pause in releasing new Ways & Means episodes for now. With the COVID-19 pandemic, everyone’s attention is on the coronavirus and that’s as it should be.  So we’ve decided to take a break. We will be back this fall with the complete series of stories on ideas for sealing the cracks in our democracy. That series is in partnership with Polis, Duke’s Center for Politics. Until then, stay safe, stay apart and please wash your hands.

    Short Takes: Carolyn Barnes

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 7, 2020 12:10


    In this "Short Takes" episode, host Deondra Rose talks with Carolyn Barnes about her research into how government-funded programs can help parents become politically engaged rather than leaving them feeling as if their voices don't matter. Barnes' work was the topic of the Ways & Means Podcast episode: How Afterschool Programs Can Empower Parents.

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    S5 Episode 3: How Afterschool Programs Can Empower Parents

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 25, 2020 22:00


    We explore research into how government-funded afterschool programs for poor families are empowering politically motivated parents. Hear from staff and parents about how these programs have inspired change in their community and learn what elements build effective programs. This season of Ways & Means is supported by Polis: the Center for Politics at Duke University’s Sanford School of Public Policy

    Short Takes: Phil Napoli

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 11, 2020 11:27


    This is a bonus conversation with Professor Phil Napoli. Phil's work was featured in last week's episode, "When Local News Dries Up." He talks with Deondra Rose, Research Director for Polis, Duke University's Center for Politics. Among other things, they talk about what is hopeful in today's journalism environment.

    S5 Episode 2: When Local News Dries Up

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 4, 2020 24:11


    A look at why local news is struggling -- and what can be done about it. This season of Ways & Means is supported by Polis, the Center for Politics at Duke University’s Sanford School of Public Policy. Find out more at polis.duke.edu

    Short Takes: Sandy Darity

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 27, 2020 5:55


    New to Ways and Means in Season 5: Short Takes. Short-form bonus interview content featuring the subjects of this season's episodes. Deondra Rose, Research Director for Polis, Duke University's Center for Politics, sits down with Prof. Sandy Darity for a continued discussion of reparations. Topics include the Reparations Planning Committee, the role of educational institutions in reparations policy, and arguments that make it hard for Sandy to stay professional.  This season of Ways & Means is supported by Polis, the Center for Politics at Duke University. 

    S4 Episode 1: Reparations: How it Could Happen

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 19, 2020 21:37


    The question of whether and how to compensate descendants of people formerly enslaved in the United States has hung over the country since the end of the Civil War. It’s getting new traction in the 2020 election. Duke Professor William "Sandy" Darity has created a Reparations Planning Committee to flesh out the details of how a reparations program would work. This season of Ways & Means is supported by Polis: the Center for Politics at Duke University's Sanford School of Public Policy. Read the transcript. 

    united states politics civil war public policy reparations polis ways means duke university's sanford school
    Season 5 Preview

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 5, 2020 1:25


    Season 5 of Ways & Means returns Wednesday February 19, 2020. This season we are partnering with Polis, the Center for Politics at Duke University's Sanford School of Public Policy to look at big ideas related to the 2020 election.

    politics public policy polis ways means duke university's sanford school
    S4 Episode 6: Beyond Elmo: How Puppets Teach Preschoolers Self-Control

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 13, 2019 12:16


    Four-year-olds are expected to be able to behave in the classroom, but more and more preschools are kicking children out for bad behavior. In this episode: new research into how to best help children control themselves in the classroom. Read a transcript of this episode. Music: Theme music by David Schulman. "Rate Sheet," "Lina My Queen," "Tiny Putty," "Rose Ornamental," by Blue Dot Sessions. Music licensed under Creative Commons attribution.

    S4 Episode 5: Answering New Parents’ Cries for Help

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 12, 2019 16:20


    On this episode we go inside an innovative, free public program that helps new moms and dads adjust to life with a newborn. In each location where the Family Connects program is offered, all families, rich and poor, are eligible to have a visiting nurse come right to the home after the birth of a child. The program has been shown to improve parenting behavior and reduce emergency medical care for infants. Read the episode transcript Music: Theme music by David Schulman. “Calm and Collected,” “Tendon,” “Stuffed Monster,” “Dance of Felt,” “Heather,” “Gale,”  by Blue Dot Sessions. Music licensed under Creative Commons attribution.  

    S4 Episode 4: Adding Up the Bill for Climate Change

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 29, 2019 17:58


    Climate change is affecting both nature and the economy. Who will take the hardest hit financially as the world heats up, and can anything be done about it? We meet a commercial clammer in Maine who is figuring out how to deal with the effect climate change is having on his industry. And environmental economist Billy Pizer has been calculating the future costs of climate change. Pizer is Senior Associate Dean for Faculty and Research in the Sanford School of Public Policy at Duke University. Subscribe to Ways & Means. Music: Theme music by David Schulman. “Softly Villainous", "Lakeside Path", "The Nocturne", "Fresno Alley", "Crumbling Dock", "An Oddly Formal Dance" by Blue Dot Sessions.  Music licensed under Creative Commons attribution.  Also "Khreshchatyk" and "Gaia in Fog" by Dan Bodan and "Fresno Alley" by Josh Lippi & The Overtimers, No Copyright Music/YouTube Free Music Library. Read the episode transcript. Special thanks to the Duke Sanford World Food Policy Center for their support. Their podcast is called The Leading Voices in Food.

    S4 Episode 3: A Small Green Idea to Power Rural Nepal

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 20, 2019 18:55


    A research team from Duke University treks into the Himalayas to investigate why a promising way to deliver electricity to those who need it, the micro-hydro minigrid, sometimes works and sometimes doesn't. This is the third of a four-part series on understanding and dealing with a changing climate. Music: Theme music by David Schulman. “Heather,” “Ultima Thule,” “Sylvestor,” “Slate Tracker,” “One Quiet Conversation,” “A Certain Lightness,” and “Greyleaf Willow,” by Blue Dot Sessions.  Music licensed under Creative Commons attribution.  Read a transcript of this episode.  

    S4 Episode 2: A Greener Commute: One City's Story

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 6, 2019 16:09


    What motivates commuters to leave their cars behind, and take the bus or a bike to work instead? A government innovation team in Durham, North Carolina recently tested several ideas with real commuters. The best one was so effective, it landed a million-dollar prize from Bloomberg Philanthropies. Guests include Durham mayor Steve Schewel and Joey Sherlock of the Duke University Center for Advanced Hindsight. Sherlock teaches the Behavioral Economics for Municipal Policy Class at the Sanford School of Public Policy at Duke University. This is the second of a four-part series looking at policy ideas for understanding and dealing with a changing climate. Music: Theme music by David Schuman. Additional music by Blue Dot Sessions. Licensed under Creative Commons attribution.

    S4 Episode 1: How Parenthood Affects Climate Change Skeptics

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 20, 2019 21:18


    There is about a 40-percentage point gap between Democrats and Republicans in their concern for climate change. New research suggests a solution for working around this deep-seated partisanship. PhD candidate Emily Pechar has found that when parents think about  parental identity rather than partisan identity, they are more likely to be concerned about climate change. Guests include Megan Mullin, an associate professor of environmental politics at the Nicholas School of the Environment at Duke University and former Republican Congressman Bob Inglis. This is the first of a four-part series on understanding and dealing with a changing climate.

    Season 4 Preview

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 16, 2019 1:11


    Season 4 of Ways & Means returns Wednesday, February 20, 2019. We’re kicking off with a miniseries on climate change. We'll look at new research into what it takes to turn climate change skeptics into climate change believers. Also, how can cities can nudge commuters into doing the right thing for the climate? And we'll head to Nepal for a look at how to bring power to places in the developing world where the electric grid simply can’t go. It’s the Ways & Means miniseries featuring policy ideas to help in the fight against a changing climate.

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    Season 4 is coming

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 22, 2018 0:28


    Season 4 of Ways & Means will be available in January.   (Music: Blue Dot Sessions)

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    S3 Episode 6: Life After Loss for Orphans in Africa

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 6, 2018 23:56


    For more than a decade, a multinational team of researchers has been exploring ways get mental healthcare to nearly 50 million orphans in Africa. With a new, five-year $3.4 million grant from the National Institute of Mental Health, a team led by professors Kathryn Whetten at Duke and Shannon Dorsey at the University of Washington is testing a novel approach. They are training local people with no mental health background to provide Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy in schools and community health centers, under the supervision of lay supervisors. And the idea is working.

    S3 Episode 5: Childbirth, Babies & Bonuses

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 28, 2018 17:00


    More than 800 women die in childbirth every day in the developing world - often because doctors know what to do, they just don't do it. (There's even a name for this: the know-do gap.) In this episode, testing different types of incentives for getting doctors to do the right thing during the birth of a child. Sponsor: Josiah Charles Trent Memorial Foundation Endowment Fund. Original Music by David Schulman. Additional Music by Blue Dot Sessions.

    S3 Episode 4: How Sputnik Sent Women to College

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 25, 2018 20:54


    Before the 1960s, colleges routinely used gender quotas to suppress the number of women on campus. Some colleges excluded women entirely. There's a curious backstory to how more women ended up in college, and it starts with the Soviet’s launch of the satellite Sputnik in 1957. In this episode: turning politics of crisis into a law that eventually opened the door to college to millions of American women.

    S3 Episode 3: How Do Criminals Get Their Guns?

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 31, 2018 20:54


    Duke professor Philip J. Cook has been tracking the underground gun market in the U.S. for the last 15 years. For one project, his team went to one of the largest jails in the country and asked the inmates a simple question: "Where do you get your guns?" Also, former Chicago gang member "Samuel" talks candidly about his experiences with guns. Before his 15th birthday, Samuel had shot someone, and been shot himself.

    From the Archives: Bootstraps and Silver Spoons

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 15, 2017 20:18


    We will be back next month with a new episode. In the meantime, take a listen to the most popular episode we've produced so far. If you're black with a college degree, your household will likely have $10,000 less in net worth than your white neighbor who didn't finish high school. A look at the racial wealth gap.

    S3 Episode 2: Robots, WikiLeaks & the Fight Against Human Trafficking

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 15, 2017 23:29


    How diplomacy and public shaming are helping shine a light on a problem that depends on secrecy to survive. This episode is the second of a three-part series, New Ideas for Policy in the Developing World. 

    S3 Episode 1: Slum Detectives

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 18, 2017 19:16


    Today, for our Season 3 premiere, we begin a three-part series, New Ideas for Policy in the Developing World. In this episode, high-tech meets high-need. How researchers are using Google Earth to find the undocumented slums of India. Series supported by the Josiah Charles Trent Memorial Foundation Endowment Fund.

    Season 3 is coming

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 29, 2017 1:31


    Season 3 will launch in October with a three part series - New Ideas for Policy in the Developing World. In the season premiere, we'll hear about how researchers are using Google Earth to find hidden slums in India.

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