Podcast appearances and mentions of Matt Richtel

Welcome to the Thrive with Cate Stillman podcast! In this episode, Cate Stillman—wellness expert, author, and founder of Wellness Pro Academy—shares actionable insights on guiding a gut health reset. Dive into the fascinating science of the microbiome, discover how communal habits impact gut health, and learn practical strategies for creating lasting transformation for yourself and your clients. What You'll Get Out of Tuning In The Science of the Microbiome (00:03:08) – Learn why your gut microbiome is “contagious” and how it thrives on diversity. Autophagy Explained (00:05:38) – Understand the powerful self-cleaning process your body undergoes during fasting and its effects on health. Holistic Reset Strategies (00:10:25) – Explore practical approaches like fasting mimicking diets and seasonal resets for sustainable gut health. The Importance of Community (00:25:17) – Discover why group dynamics make challenging habits like fasting easier to implement and maintain. Actionable Steps for Coaches and Practitioners (00:52:00) – Get tips for structuring your resets, marketing them effectively, and building a thriving wellness community. Highlights Microbiome Diversity and Contagion: Cate discusses the communal nature of microbiomes and why microbial diversity is essential for health. (00:11:42) Autophagy as a Healing Tool: Cate explains how fasting triggers cellular clean-up processes, eliminating harmful pathogens and boosting immunity. (00:05:42) Seasonal Resets: A quarterly approach to gut health resets aligns with natural rhythms and ensures consistent results. (00:04:26) Group Momentum: The ultra-social nature of humans makes resets easier and more effective when done together. (00:14:09) Notable Quotes “Humans are an ultra-social species; even our gut microbiomes are meant to be shared.” – Cate Stillman (00:11:42) “Autophagy happens when we fast. It's your body's natural way of cleaning house—no product can sell you that.” – Cate Stillman (00:05:42) “Resetting your gut health isn't just about the food; it's about planning and being inspired together.” – Cate Stillman (00:03:25) “Information doesn't equal transformation. It's what we do together that creates lasting change.” – Cate Stillman (00:32:05) Links and Resources Cate Stillman's Website: Wellness Pro Academy Recommended Reading: An Elegant Defense by Matt Richtel (00:12:41) Guided Programs: Learn about Cate's Detox Certification and Club Thrive here Thank you for joining us in learning about the transformative power of gut health resets and the communal habits that make lasting change possible. Whether you're a wellness professional or looking to elevate your health journey, Cate's insights provide a roadmap for success. If you enjoyed this episode, subscribe, leave a reply, and share it with someone who might benefit. Join us next week for more inspiring conversations - until then, keep thriving!

Matt Richtel is an award-winning writer and journalist for the New York Times. He is the author of several books including, Dead on Arrival and Doomsday Equation, and in 2010 Matt was awarded the Pulitzer Prize for a series on distracted driving. Matt earned a bachelor's degree from Cal Berkeley and an MS from the Columbia School of Journalism. In this episode we discuss the following: Matt was happy in San Francisco, and when the New York Times told him he needed to relocate to New York City or be fired, Matt decided that he didn't want to mess with happiness, so he stayed in San Francisco. He then waited for the Times to fire him, but the call never came. And eventually Matt went on to win the Pulitzer Prize. “Happiness can be fragile. Don't mess with happiness.”   Connect on Social Media: X: https://twitter.com/nate_meikle LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/natemeikle/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nate_meikle/ Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@nate.meikle

From the archives: Matt Richtel, author of "An Elegant Defense: The Extraordinary New Science of the Immune System- A Tale in Four Lives."

Matt Richtel is a Pulitzer Prize winning  New York Times  writer and journalist from San Francisco, USA. He's also the author of ten books, including New York Times best selling  A Deadly Wandering and Inspire: Understanding Creativity. A Journey Through Art, Science, and the Soul which addresses  the science of creativity. Matt  obtained his bachelor's degree from the University of California at Berkeley and an MS from the Columbia School of Journalism.  He co-created and formerly wrote the syndicated comic strip,  Rudy Park under the pen name Theron Heir.Topics Richard and  Matt discuss:• Matt's recent visit to the Galápagos Islands• Matt asks Richard about his interest in creativity and inspiration• Charles Shultz and Peanuts• Matt's struggles through his twenties and finding his inspiration• How to be creative• Give permission• The "4th Grade Slump"• Audacity• Creativity through parenting• Be imperfect• Take a nap• Authenticity• Take a nap• Creativity versus commercial sucesss• Song timeAnd much more.Notable LinksMatt Richtel 's WebsiteMatt Richtel's New York Times pageInspire: Understanding Creativity. A Journey Through Art, Science, and the SoulHow to Be Creative*****This episode is brought to you by Kase Filters. I travel the world with my camera, and I can use any photography filters I like, and I've tried all of them, but in recent years I've landed on Kase Filters.Kase filters are made with premium materials, HD optical glass, shockproof, with zero color cast, round and square filter designs, magnetic systems, filter holders, adapters, step-up rings, and everything I need so I never miss a moment.And now, my listeners can get 10% off the Kase Filters Amazon page when they visit.beyondthelens.fm/kase and use coupon code BERNABE10Kase Filters, Capture with Confidence.

From 2020- Matt Richtel, author of "An Elegant Defense: The Extraordinary New Science of the Immune System- A Tale in Four Lives."

Ever wondered how you can become more creative? What is creativity, anyway? And why are some of us more creative than others? Those are the questions we'll be exploring with our guest on this episode. Joining us is bestselling author and Pulitzer Prize winning New York Times reporter Matt Richtel, author of, "INSPIRED: Understanding Creativity--A Journey Through Art, Science, and the Soul".  His website is https://www.mattrichtel.com/about-matt 

Join us as we revisit the first live taping in eTown Hall for over two years after the shutdown! This show features local hero Daniel Rodriguez, of Elephant Revival fame, as well as Sarah Voss and Daniel Wolff of the band Dead Horses. Nick also sits down with Matt Richtel, author of An Elegant Defense: The Extraordinary Science of the Immunity System, for a short chat.   That's all this week!   Visit our Youtube Channel to see artist interviews, live recordings, studio sessions, and more!   Be a part of the audience at our next recording: https://www.etown.org/etown-hall/all-events/

AMSE Science Report with Matt Richtel

This week, Emily Bazelon, John Dickerson, and David Plotz are live and on stage with Maryland Governor Wes Moore and also discuss the Supreme Court's legitimacy problem and the not-Trump Republican candidates' struggle.    Here are some notes and references from this week's show: C-SPAN: “Maryland State of the State Address” Jeffrey M. Jones for Gallup: “Trust in Federal Government Branches Continues to Falter” and “Confidence in U.S. Supreme Court Sinks to Historic Low  John Dickerson and Anthony Salvanto for Face The Nation: “CBS News poll: GOP primary voters are more concerned Trump's indictment is political” Rich Lowry for Politico: “The Trump Divide that Should Have Republicans Terrified”   Here are this week's chatters: John: Donald H. Kent for Pennsylvania History: “The Erie War of the Gauges" Emily: Adam Liptak for The New York Times: “Supreme Court Puts First Amendment Limits on Laws Banning Online Threats” David: Elliot C. Williams for WAMU's The DCist: “Fans Revel In The Atlantis As Foo Fighters Open Venue With ‘Long, Hot, Loud' Performance”; Matt Richtel for The New York Times: “The Refries That Bind: A Cavernous Cantina Returns, Cliff Divers and All”; and Amazon Prime's movie “Air: A Story of Greatness”  For this week's Slate Plus bonus segment, David, Emily, and John answer audience questions and talk about “Gabfest Reads: The Case for Treating Animals With Dignity”.  In the next edition of Gabfest Reads, Emily talks with Monica Potts @MonicaBPotts about her book, The Forgotten Girls: A Memoir of Friendship and Lost Promise in Rural America.    Email your chatters, questions, and comments to gabfest@slate.com or Tweet us @SlateGabfest. (Messages may be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.)   Podcast production by Cheyna Roth and Patrick Fort Research by Julie Huygen Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, Emily Bazelon, John Dickerson, and David Plotz are live and on stage with Maryland Governor Wes Moore and also discuss the Supreme Court's legitimacy problem and the not-Trump Republican candidates' struggle.    Here are some notes and references from this week's show: C-SPAN: “Maryland State of the State Address” Jeffrey M. Jones for Gallup: “Trust in Federal Government Branches Continues to Falter” and “Confidence in U.S. Supreme Court Sinks to Historic Low  John Dickerson and Anthony Salvanto for Face The Nation: “CBS News poll: GOP primary voters are more concerned Trump's indictment is political” Rich Lowry for Politico: “The Trump Divide that Should Have Republicans Terrified”   Here are this week's chatters: John: Donald H. Kent for Pennsylvania History: “The Erie War of the Gauges" Emily: Adam Liptak for The New York Times: “Supreme Court Puts First Amendment Limits on Laws Banning Online Threats” David: Elliot C. Williams for WAMU's The DCist: “Fans Revel In The Atlantis As Foo Fighters Open Venue With ‘Long, Hot, Loud' Performance”; Matt Richtel for The New York Times: “The Refries That Bind: A Cavernous Cantina Returns, Cliff Divers and All”; and Amazon Prime's movie “Air: A Story of Greatness”  For this week's Slate Plus bonus segment, David, Emily, and John answer audience questions and talk about “Gabfest Reads: The Case for Treating Animals With Dignity”.  In the next edition of Gabfest Reads, Emily talks with Monica Potts @MonicaBPotts about her book, The Forgotten Girls: A Memoir of Friendship and Lost Promise in Rural America.    Email your chatters, questions, and comments to gabfest@slate.com or Tweet us @SlateGabfest. (Messages may be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.)   Podcast production by Cheyna Roth and Patrick Fort Research by Julie Huygen Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, Emily Bazelon, John Dickerson, and David Plotz are live and on stage with Maryland Governor Wes Moore and also discuss the Supreme Court's legitimacy problem and the not-Trump Republican candidates' struggle.    Here are some notes and references from this week's show: C-SPAN: “Maryland State of the State Address” Jeffrey M. Jones for Gallup: “Trust in Federal Government Branches Continues to Falter” and “Confidence in U.S. Supreme Court Sinks to Historic Low  John Dickerson and Anthony Salvanto for Face The Nation: “CBS News poll: GOP primary voters are more concerned Trump's indictment is political” Rich Lowry for Politico: “The Trump Divide that Should Have Republicans Terrified”   Here are this week's chatters: John: Donald H. Kent for Pennsylvania History: “The Erie War of the Gauges" Emily: Adam Liptak for The New York Times: “Supreme Court Puts First Amendment Limits on Laws Banning Online Threats” David: Elliot C. Williams for WAMU's The DCist: “Fans Revel In The Atlantis As Foo Fighters Open Venue With ‘Long, Hot, Loud' Performance”; Matt Richtel for The New York Times: “The Refries That Bind: A Cavernous Cantina Returns, Cliff Divers and All”; and Amazon Prime's movie “Air: A Story of Greatness”  For this week's Slate Plus bonus segment, David, Emily, and John answer audience questions and talk about “Gabfest Reads: The Case for Treating Animals With Dignity”.  In the next edition of Gabfest Reads, Emily talks with Monica Potts @MonicaBPotts about her book, The Forgotten Girls: A Memoir of Friendship and Lost Promise in Rural America.    Email your chatters, questions, and comments to gabfest@slate.com or Tweet us @SlateGabfest. (Messages may be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.)   Podcast production by Cheyna Roth and Patrick Fort Research by Julie Huygen Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Stanford's Evelyn Douek and Alex Stamos weigh in on the latest online trust and safety news and developments:Stanford Internet Observatory research discovered serious failings with Twitter's detection and removal systems for child abuse content. - Alexa Corse/ The Wall Street Journal, @stanfordioTwitter CornerIn another welcome gift on Twitter CEO Linda Yaccarino's first day, leaked documents show Twitter's ad revenue is down nearly 60% from last year. - Ryan Mac, Tiffany Hsu/ The New York TimesFour Democratic senators sent a letter to Elon Musk and Yaccarino inquiring if there are still enough people at Twitter to comply with the company's FTC data privacy agreements. - Brian Fung/ CNNTwitter's head of trust and safety, Ella Irwin, and head of brand safety and ad quality, A.J. Brown, resigned after Musk reversed their decision to limit the reach of a Daily Wire documentary. - Kylie Robison/ Fortune, Sheila Dang/ Reuters, Alexa Corse/ The Wall Street Journal, Suzanne Vranica, Patience Haggin, Alexa Corse/ The Wall Street JournalTwitter planned to limit the visibility of the documentary for misgendering, but Elon Musk overturned the decision and issued an apology to Daily Wire CEO Jeremy Boreing saying the content is allowed and blaming his staff for a “mistake.” - Todd Spangler/ Variety, @elonmuskTwitter is demanding researchers delete data acquired through academic data access agreements within 30 days after the contracts expire unless they pay a new rate of at least $42,000 per month — a near exponential increase — for an enterprise API that provides less access. - Chris Stokel-Walker/ i newspaperLet's hope Linda is feeling good about DSA compliance which will start in August for Twitter.Twitter dropped out of the EU Code of Practice on Disinformation. - Kelvin Chan/ Associated Press, Ewa Krukowska/ Bloomberg News, Justin Hendrix/ Tech Policy Press, Natasha Lomas/ TechCrunch, @GlobalAffairsThe European Commission will conduct a voluntary content moderation compliance test with Twitter for the forthcoming Digital Services Act regulations during a visit to Twitter headquarters in San Francisco later this month. - Sam Schechner/ The Wall Street JournalMeanwhile, YouTube announced it will stop enforcing its 2020 election misinformation policy. Good thing there's no big events coming up in the next year where the amount and importance of such claims is likely to increase! - Sara Fischer/ Axios, YouTubeInstagram lifted its account suspension for Robert F. Kennedy Jr. on Sunday, saying it was a mistake not to reinstate him after he launched a presidential campaign in April. - Cristiano Lima/ The Washington PostKennedy's account was previously suspended for repeatedly sharing debunked claims about vaccines and COVID-19. His nonprofit, the Children's Health Defense, is still suspended from the platform.  TikTok has been sharing user data on an internal messaging tool that is accessible to ByteDance employees in China. - Sapna Maheshwari and Ryan Mac/ The New York TimesThe surgeon general released a report on the effect social media has on young people, noting benefits, but warning about specific harms and calling for action by social media companies, policymakers, researchers, children, and parents and guardians. - Casey Newton/ Platformer, Taylor Hatmaker/ TechCrunch, Matt Richtel, Catherine Pearson, Michael Levenson/ The New York Times, Department of Health and Human Services, Vivek Murthy/ The Washington Post (commentary)Conservative groups are hoping to take advantage of a legislative response to child safety concerns to remove pro-LGBTQ and similar content on social issues and sexual health and identity. - Mike Masnick/ TechdirtJoin the conversation and connect with Evelyn and Alex on Twitter at @evelyndouek and @alexstamos.Moderated Content is produced in partnership by Stanford Law School and the Cyber Policy Center. Special thanks to John Perrino for research and editorial assistance.Like what you heard? Don't forget to subscribe and share the podcast with friends!

What makes an emergency? This month, Jack and Shobita talk to Elizabeth Ellcessor, Associate Professor in the Department of Media Studies at University of Virginia, who studies how emergency alert systems shape our understanding of crisis, how this has changed with the rise of new consumer technologies, and the implications especially for communities who are marginalized. They also wrestle with the politics of science in US court decisions about abortion drugs, and recent calls for a moratorium on certain types of artificial intelligence.- Future of Life Institute (2023). Policymaking in the Pause: What can Policymakers Do Now to Combat Risks from Advanced AI Systems?- Future of Life Institute et al. (2023). Pause Giant AI Experiments: An Open Letter. - (2023). "In Support of FDA's Authority to Regulate Vaccines."- Alliance for Hippocratic Medicine v. U.S. Food and Drug Administration (April 7, 2023).- Elizabeth Ellcessor (2022). In Case of Emergency: How Technologies Mediate Crisis and Automate Inequality. NYU Press.- Elizabeth Ellcessor (2021). “COVID messages make emergency alerts just another text in the crowd on your home screen.” The Conversation. June 9.- Elizabeth Ellcessor (2018). "Academic Accessibility, a Flashback." April 16.- Matt Richtel (2023). "My Watch Thinks I'm Dead." The New York Times. February 3.Transcript and study questions available at thereceivedwisdom.org.

Wouldn't you love to be more creative! But, how can you do that? What is creativity, anyway? And why are some of us more creative than others. Those are the questions we'll be exploring with our guest on this episode.   Joining us is bestselling author and Pulitzer Prize winning New York Times reporter Matt Richtel, whose latest book is called, "INSPIRED: Understanding Creativity--A Journey Through Art, Science, and the Soul".  His website is https://www.mattrichtel.com/   We're excited to tell you about another great product from our sponsor, Ritual.  It's called Synbiotic+ and it's a daily 3-in-1 clinically-studied prebiotic, probiotic, and postbiotic designed to help support a balanced gut microbiome.  Ritual's Synbiotic+ provides two of the world's most clinically studied probiotic strains to support the relief of mild and occasional digestive discomforts, like bloating, gas, and diarrhea.  Synbiotic+ and Ritual are here to celebrate, not hide, your insides. It's time to listen to your gut!  Ritual is offering our Nobody Told Me! listeners 10% off during your first 3 months.  Visit ritual.com/NTM to start Ritual or add Synbiotic+ to your subscription today.

Creativity in its many guises is the topic of our conversation with Pulitzer- Prize winning journalist and author, Matt Richtel.

New York Times reporter Matt Richtel talks with Ashley and Tyler about why there's a teen mental health crisis and the benefit of putting experiences into words (...which is what we do at On Our Minds!). This episode was produced by Student Reporting Labs Youth Media producer Briget Ganske. Follow us: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/StudentReportingLabs/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/reportinglabs Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/studentreportinglabs/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@reportinglabs

Rates of depression, anxiety, self-harm and suicide among adolescents have risen sharply in recent years. We'll speak with the New York Times' Matt Richtel, who spent nearly two years reporting on the crisis — speaking with troubled teens and their parents, psychiatrists, primary care physicians, therapists and researchers. His series of articles on the issue is titled The Inner Pandemic.

Rates of depression, anxiety, self-harm and suicide among adolescents have risen sharply in recent years. We'll speak with the New York Times' Matt Richtel, who spent nearly two years reporting on the crisis — speaking with troubled teens and their parents, psychiatrists, primary care physicians, therapists and researchers. His series of articles on the issue is titled The Inner Pandemic.

Ukraine awoke to another round of strikes this morning, putting its power and water supplies under even more pressure just as winter plunges the country into sub-zero temperatures. The worsening infrastructure crisis prompted the International Rescue Committee to add Ukraine to its Top 10 watchlist for 2023. Joining the show to discuss is IRC President David Miliband.  Also on today's show: CNN reporter Donie O'Sullivan, who's among the journalists whose Twitter accounts were just suspended by Elon Musk; Pulitzer Prize-winning reporter Matt Richtel; Cher (interview from December 2020).To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy

When it rains it pours- Anna and Alexandra had to get through tech difficulties which have apparently led to Anna now having a cold. But she made it through in time to avoid a coughing fit! This week, the ladies discuss people wanting to connect with each other and the transition as kids go from wanting to be social to being antisocial. Is it something we, as adults, put on the kids or is it something that happens developmentally? Anna and Alexandra also get into the idea of perceptions being reality...or not and how restorative justice practices can teach kids good skills for understanding a variety of perspectives. We seem to want to be kind as individuals but when faced with unkind people, we, as society, find it appropriate to be mean. Alexandra brings up Matt Richtel and his book, Inspired: Understanding Creativity- A Journey through Art, Science, and the Soul, which discusses how by 4th grade, kids start to lose their creativity and freedom of exploration. Kids start to be more inhibited and cautious. Because laughter is the best medicine for Anna and her cold, the Russian Sisters did not forget to add a STW joke of the day. Links: Matt Richtel's book: https://www.amazon.com/Inspired-Understanding-Creativity-Journey-Through/dp/00630255[…]=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9052218&hvtargid=pla-1584389601030&psc=1 Reach out to Anna and Alexandra at therussiansisters@gmail.com. Check out their website at therussiansisters.com. Like them, leave a review and subscribe! Also feel free to DM Alexandra on Instagram @forwardtojoy. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Teen mental health has never been this bad.   As New York Times journalists Michael Barbaro and Matt Richtel discussed last week on The Daily podcast, we're facing an unprecedented crisis in teen mental health. Mere decades ago, the major threats to the health and well-being of young people in the West were nearly all external, such as illness, car accidents, risky sexual behavior, alcohol, or smoking. Today, the greatest threats to the health and well-being of young people are internal. As Richtel reported, in 2019, 13% of all adolescents reported having a major depressive episode, a 60% increase from 2007. Teen suicide rates, which had been stable for nearly a decade prior to 2007, “leapt nearly 60% by 2018.” In 2019, the American Academy of Pediatrics announced,  “Mental health disorders have surpassed physical conditions as the most common reasons children have impairments and limitations.”   The factors behind this tsunami of depression, anxiety, and self-harm are many, one of which is the internet. In 2017, Dr. Jean Twenge of San Diego State University noted that the spike in adolescent mental health problems reached a crescendo in 2012. That year, the percentage of Americans who owned smartphones surpassed 50%. Exposing developing brains to an overwhelming amount of social information, she argued, was contributing to a massive, unprecedented uptick in mental health issues.   On one hand, social media has brought the near constant experience of social comparison to the developing minds of 8-, 9-, and 10-year-olds.  On the other hand, the sheer amount of panicked, hyperbolized, and truly frightening headlines a student must navigate is unprecedented in human history. We might forgive students who are convinced the world is completely out of control.  Richtel and Barbaro also noted other factors in the podcast. For example, the average age for the onset of puberty has become earlier and earlier since the 1980s, especially for girls. Experts are unsure as to exactly why this is the case, but there are plenty of correlations having to do with early exposure to sexually explicit material, fatherlessness, and family breakdown. Whatever the cause, the impact is real.   In the face of this exploding mental health crisis among young people, the demand for care is outpacing the number of trained counselors and psychologists. Pediatricians and emergency rooms have become first responders. As Richtel observed, “Every night, in emergency rooms across the country, there are at least 1,000 young people spending the night waiting in a room to get to the next level of care where they can be helped.”   More and more frequently, medication is seen as the only answer. While an important tool, Ritchie notes why that is far from adequate. “We are prescribing medications in the absence of dealing with… fundamental structural changes that we have not addressed as a society.”  In every generation, followers of Christ have seen protecting and caring for vulnerable children as a crucial part of their calling. Today, children are vulnerable to radically changing social conditions, harmful ideas about their minds and bodies, the loss of institutions crucial to their health and well-being, and a barrage of bad news.    The first step in fulfilling our calling is, in the words of my friend Dr. Matthew Sleeth, to Hope Always. Children need the truth about life and the world, about themselves and God, and we can give it to them. Of course, parents must limit and help guide children in their digital interactions, as nearly all experts recognize. But this is not merely a crisis of media: It's a crisis of meaninglessness. That's one reason a Harvard psychologist writing in Scientific American argued that “Psychiatry needs to get right with God.”   To that end, we've developed a new Colson Center Educators course taught by Dr. Matthew Sleeth to equip parents, pastors, and educators, with the tools to meet the current crisis.   Also, tonight, is the latest in our Lighthouse Voices series. “Despair, Mental Health, and the Crisis of Meaning: How Christians Can Speak Life to a Lost Culture” is a live event featuring Dr. Ryan Burkhart of Colorado Christian University. To register for the live event in Holland, Michigan, or the livestream, visit Colsoncenter.org.  Christians have an obligation to care. When we see the brokenness of the world around us, we are to imitate the work of Christ. In His name, we can be a force for good in our lifetimes, and, God willing, reverse the tide.  

Episode Description: In this episode Neil, along with his co-host Robin, discuss a New York Times article by Matt Richtel. It's titled 10 Psychiatric Drugs While in High School, And She Was Far From Alone. The discussion looks at the medicalization of emotional issues and mental health, and explores ways to create a mentally healthier society for our youth. Have a question for Neil? Submit it now for discussion on a future episode of The Healthy Family Connections Podcast: http://neildbrown.com/submit

This week the California legislature passed a bill to create a government panel that would set wages for fast food workers in the state.  They would be able to set hourly wages of up to $22/hour.  Fast food operators are mobilizing against the bill saying it will drive up operating and labor costs and lead to price increases for consumers.  Unions on the other hand are praising the decision and other states are keeping an eye on the developments with a possibility of adopting similar legislation.  Heather Haddon, restaurants reporter at the WSJ, joins us for what to know.   Next, we are increasingly seeing anxious and depressed teenagers use multiple psychiatric drugs, a practice called polypharmacy.  The problem is that many of the medications might not be tested in adolescents or tested for use together.  Often this path starts with drugs used to treat ADHD and other medication gets added on to treat side effects or dull the effects of some drugs.  A study from 2020, found that over 40% of people ages 2 to 24 who were prescribed ADHD drugs were also prescribed at least one other medication for mood and behavioral disorders.  Matt Richtel, reporter at the NY Times, joins us for more.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mental health as a phrase is so broad and far-reaching as to drift into cliché, or elude meaning altogether. The many facets and complexities that “mental health” encompasses each merit their own conversation: the role of diagnosis and medication; our approaches to care; addiction and substance abuse; the apparent increase in struggles among our youth; the impacts of the Covid pandemic; the changing workplace; the effect of technology; the role of economic inequality, systemic racism, homophobia and transphobia, and other forms of discrimination; mass incarceration, and the list goes on. But there is no question that the theme of mental health, the wellbeing of our mind and spirit, our sense of belonging in the world, is an urgent one, which, it seems to me, has been garnering ever-greater degrees of attention in public discourse. I've wanted to figure out how to approach this vast topic and pick out avenues for further reflection and examination. That's why I jumped at the opportunity to speak to my next guest, someone who's been immersed in mental health work for over twenty years, and has approached it from several angles. Benjamin F. Miller is the former president of Well Being Trust and chair of the advisory board of Inseparable, two mental health organizations. Over the last two decades, he has worked to promote and prioritize mental health in policies, programs, and investments in his native United States. Trained in clinical psychology at Spalding University, the University of Colorado and the University of Massachusetts, Ben started his career as a clinician and then spent 8 years as an Associate Professor in the Department of Family Medicine at the University of Colorado School of Medicine where he was the founding Director of the Eugene S. Farley, Jr. Health Policy Center. He subsequently joined Well Being Trust, a nonprofit dedicated to mental health, as Chief Strategy Officer and then, until recently, as President.Ben has testified before state and federal government committees in the United States, is active as a keynote speaker, and has been featured in a wide range of major media outlets, including the New York Times, USA Today, CNN and NPR. He is also the author of “Mental,” a substack newsletter on topics related to mental health. I'll confess speaking to Ben left me with more questions than answers, given the enormity of the topic, but our exchange allowed me to focus my thoughts and his insights provided material for further contemplation. I hope it does something similar for you. Just a warning that we do discuss topics of suicide, addiction, and other forms of distress during the episode. If you're in need of help, please reach out to someone you trust or a healthcare provider. If you're a healthcare worker, your employer or professional association may also provide support.  And you can always call Talk Suicide Canada, 988 in the United States, or a suicide prevention or crisis hotline wherever you are. ***Links:Ben's newsletter"The Mystifying Rise of Child Suicide," by Andrew Solomon, The New Yorker"'It's Life or Death': The Mental Health Crisis Among US Teens," by Matt Richtel, The New York Times***Recorded August 1, 2022Music: Mr Smith  Art: Jeff Landman

In our random thoughts, we talk about dogs crying, empathy, tribalism and social media. Those aren't fully transcribed here. Pharrell Williams says in a Masterclass that his imagination helped him survive, but as he grew up he realized that he was only seeing the world in one way, which was from his experience. The day that you stop being curious, you stop learning, he thinks. “The universe doesn't stop,” he says, “so why should my curiosity?” Empathy helps people be more creative. Empathy towards other helps you realize that you know that they exist. When you're in partnerships, he said, empathy is the role call, it's where you show that everyone exists and it allows you to be open and create bigger projects and relationships. So, let's think about that in the bigger picture about our society and kids, okay? In a New York Times article by Matt Richtel, he focuses on U.S. teens and their depression, anxiety, suicide and self-harm. He chronicles one ten-year-old's journey on an iPod Touch that their grandparents gave them. The kid posted selfies. Some people (men) sent photos of their penises and asked for the kid to send naked photos back and also solicited them for sex. The kid, C, tried to ignore it. “That plan did not work out. The internet seeped into C's psyche; severely depressed, they found kinship online with other struggling adolescents and learned ways to self-harm,” Richtel writes. For teens in the U.S. the risks are no longer drugs, drinking, and getting pregnant. Now they are anxiety, self-harm, suicide, depression. “What science increasingly shows is that virtual interactions can have a powerful impact, positive or negative, depending on a person's underlying emotional state,” Richtel writes. He adds that “The ability of youth to cope has been further eroded by declines in sleep, exercise and in-person connection, which all have fallen as screen time has gone up. Young people, despite vast virtual connections, or maybe because of them, report being lonelier than any other generation. And many studies have found that adolescents who spend more time online are less happy.” The data? It's grim. And it effects happiness and empathy. Richtel writes, “From 2007 to 2016, emergency room visits for people aged 5 to 17 rose 117 percent for anxiety disorders, 44 percent for mood disorders and 40 percent for attention disorders, while overall pediatric visits were stable. The same study, published in Pediatrics in 2020, found that visits for deliberate self-harm rose 329 percent. But visits for alcohol-related problems dropped 39 percent, reflecting the change in the kind of public health risks posed to teenagers.” He quoted how a doctor who talks about how a lot of kids try to find community online, adopting even the tic disorders of Tik-Tokers. They want, desperately, to belong. We see tribalism all the time, that need for cliques, for belonging, especially in political parties, but it's not just there. It's everywhere—that need to fit in, to belong, to be part of a pack even if you never actually meet the other pack members. Dogs show it beautifully when they are full of joy greeting you at the door. Why aren't we all like that? Maybe we're meant to be—about our family and our friends—joyous to see them again, excited to hear about their days and adventures. Robert Reffkin, who launched a real estate technology company, Compass, realized people wanted community and culture and people who give you energy rather than take it away in relationships and in workplaces. He said that most employees feel that their businesses and organizations need more empathy. “Leaders need to really honor and respect the diversity of challenges in people's lives,” Reffkin says. It can be as simple as not expecting everyone to be an extrovert and talk over each other at a meeting, understanding communication styles are different, or that sometimes someone needs a day off because they have a life beyond the office. That kindness, that understanding, gives your employees more support and makes them feel a part of something. That goes for your kids, too. Robin Arzón, an ultramarathon runner, says when you feel a part of something, then you feel like you have agency. During her career, Arzón was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes and had to readjust to the changes and challenges to her body. Other runners supported her as she supported them. They empowered each other and empathized with each other during training and races. “I believe empowerment is contagious. I believe joy is contagious,” she says. A study in Japan looked at 823 college students and learned that the students with high or moderate physical activity self-reported more cognitive empathy than the students with low physical activity (The Journal of Physical Fitness and Sports Therapy, 2021). That doesn't happen when we're all on social media, stuck inside, joining a TikTok group. Or if we're scrolling through Twitter looking for a hashtag to focus us on hating other people. “Empathy is everything,” Arzón says. “It extinguishes assumptions and limitations.” Empathy helps you to empower other people because when you see where they are at, you are able to help pull them along to their goal. “Empathy's greatest potential is equality for all mankind,” Williams said. Empathy is the best tool for equality, he says. But it's also the best tool for belonging. When we realize others' pains; when we work toward connections? We move out of our tribes, our bubbles, and become something much healthier and bigger. DOG TIP FOR LIFE Cry when your people come home, because holy god, they made it back! SOME COOL LINKS TO LEARN MORE https://www.masterclass.com/classes/the-power-of-empathy-with-pharrell-williams-and-noted-co-instructors/chapters/do-something https://www.theledger.com/story/news/state/2022/04/26/florida-school-book-bans-these-library-titles-being-reviewed-school-boards/9542938002/ https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/world-news/dogs-cry-happy-tears-owners-27803328 SHOUT OUT! The music we've clipped and shortened in this podcast is awesome and is made available through the Creative Commons License. Here's a link to that and the artist's website. Who is this artist and what is this song? It's “Summer Spliff” by Broke For Free. WE HAVE EXTRA CONTENT ALL ABOUT LIVING HAPPY OVER HERE! It's pretty awesome. AND we have a writing tips podcast called WRITE BETTER NOW! We have a podcast, LOVING THE STRANGE, which we stream live on Carrie's Facebook and Twitter and YouTube on Fridays. Her Facebook and Twitter handles are all carriejonesbooks or carriejonesbook. But she also has extra cool content focused on writing tips here. Carrie is reading one of her poems every week on CARRIE DOES POEMS. And there you go! Whew! That's a lot!

Matt Richtel is an author and reporter at The New York Times, who's been pretty busy of late. “The Inner Pandemic,” an examination of American teens' mental health spread across a series of articles reported with pathos and a stunning depth, has been rolling out during the past few months at the Times. It covers a range of social and physical changes this generation's currently dealing with. But Richtel's also recently published a book called “Inspired: Understanding Creativity (A Journey Through Art, Science, and the Soul” where he interrogates the spark of creation. Additional reading on teens' mental health The numbers cited in “Hundreds of Suicidal Teens Sleep in Emergency Rooms. Every Night.” do a lot of work in explaining how unprepared doctors and professionals have been in navigating changes to teen mental health during the past decade.The story of a town in Kentucky's detailed in a piece by Richtel called “Teens in Distress Are Swamping Pediatricians.” It's a snapshot of a doctor's life who has shifted their focus to better serve children in their area. As a supplement to “The Inner Pandemic” series, Richtel put together “How to Help Teens Struggling With Mental Health,” which details resources around finding help, care and how to talk to teens who might need assistance. If you or someone you know is or could be contemplating suicide, contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at (800) 273-8255; for Spanish speakers, call (888) 628-9454; and for people who are deaf or hard of hearing, call (800) 799-4889. The Crisis Text Line can be reached by texting "HOME" to 741741. End notes Follow the show on Twitter at @TBOOKnowledge and let us know what you think about our interviews by sending an email to knolwedge@wamc.org.Our theme music, this and every week, is a track called “Musical Chairs” by Los Angeles producer Omid. Follow his latest work on Soundcloud.

Erica Chidi is joined by Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Matt Richtel, author of Inspired: Understanding Creativity—A Journey through Art, Science, and the Soul. They talk about where creativity comes from, how to harness it, and why the creative process is often embedded with fear. Richtel explains that the fear begins early—around the fourth grade—when kids start internalizing what society deems as right and wrong. They close by discussing the value of mind-wandering and why creativity matters. “It is nature's way of encouraging us to break through the status quo,” says Richtel. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In his new book "Inspired," Matt Richtel gets to the heart of why so much of the future seems to happen in California. In this week's podcast, he discusses where creativity comes from and why it gives the state a competitive advantage. Like opposable thumbs, the ability to imagine the future is what makes us human. It is the source of our creativity, our anxiety, and our fulfillment.

Это аудио-дневник, где каждую неделю мы обсуждаем жизнь стартапа Pinemelon.com, который мы привезли из Казахстана в США. Мы это - Лариса Пак, Арман Сулейменов и Алексей Ли. ⠀ ✔️Какого мы цвета: настроения последнего эпизода месяца ✔️Три способа управления компанией ✔️Зачем Леша залез на коня ✔️Конкурс на эссе с призом (подписка на Нетфликс на год) ✔️Отвечаем на ваши вопросы ⠀ Упомянутые книги ✔️Secret Life of Groceries, Benjamin MORR ✔️The Upstarts: How Uber, Airbnb, and the Killer Companies of the New Silicon Valley Are Changing the World, Brad STONES ✔️Troublemakers: Silicon Valley's Coming of Age, Leslie Berlin ⠀ ✔️The Power Law: Venture Capital and the Making of the New Future, Sebastian Mallaby ⠀ ✔️The Cold Start Problem: How to Start and Scale Network Effects, Andrew Chen ⠀ ✔️A Man for All Markets: From Las Vegas to Wall Street, How I Beat the Dealer and the Market, Edward O. Thorp ✔️An Elegant Defense: The Extraordinary New Science of the Immune System: A Tale in Four Lives, Matt Richtel ⠀ ✔️The Intel Trinity: How Robert Noyce, Gordon Moore, and Andy Grove Built the World's Most Important Company, Micheal S. Malone ⠀ Присылайте нам свои вопросы, отзывы и предложения тем на обсуждение на адрес: larissa@pinemelon.com и мы постараемся их включить в следующие выпуски. И, чтобы получать обновления, подпишитесь на подкаст в вашем приложении. Кстати, подкаст можно слушать не только на Soundcloud, но и в Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Yandex.Music, Castbox, etc.

This week on our nationally syndicated radio show, we talk with Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Matt Richtel. His latest series for The New York Times takes a long look at the mental health crisis affecting American teenagers. This is not a tale of COVID disruption, although COVID has made it worse. This is a story of […]

Maria and Julio are joined by Reema Amin, reporter for Chalkbeat New York, and Antonia Hylton, correspondent for NBC News and co-host of the Southlake podcast, for a conversation about how the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted students. They also get into the conservative-led movement to ban books and bar classroom discussions around what they perceive as critical race theory.  ITT Staff Picks: “The decline in mental health among teenagers was intensified by the Covid pandemic but predated it, spanning racial and ethnic groups, urban and rural areas and the socioeconomic divide,” writes Matt Richtel for The New York Times. This report for Five Thirty Eight gets into how anti-critical race theory bills are impacting teachers across the country, including reprimands and firings.  For NBC News, Matt Lavietes and Elliott Ramos report on the record number of anti-LGBTQ bills that have been proposed at state legislatures just this year.  Photo credit: AP Photo/Cedar Attanasio, File

Pulitzer Prize winning writer Matt Richtel (a science reporter for the New York Times) talks about his newest book "Inspired: Understanding Creativity: a Journey Through Art, Science, and the Soul."

Apple pulls up roots in China, Facebook gives researchers access to some treasured data, and the SPAC market falters. Also, the S&P moves Tesla from the Nice to the Naughty list. Scott and Kara are joined by Pulitzer prize-winning author Matt Richtel for a conversation on creativity and a not-so-prize-winning song about sex. Matt Richtel's INSPIRED: Understanding Creativity: a Journey Through Art, Science, and the Soul is on sale now. Send us your Listener Mail questions by calling us at 855-51-PIVOT, or via Yappa, at nymag.com/pivot. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

5/24/22 - Author Matt Richtel by The Lisa Wexler Show

The rigor of scientific research might have unlocked the mystery of the creative spark. Pulitzer-Prize winning New York Times science reporter Matt Richtel joins host Krys Boyd to talk about creativity and what awakens it, the conditions where it thrives and what happens when it's blocked. His book is “Inspired: Understanding Creativity: A Journey Through Art, Science, and the Soul.”

Matt Richtel - Pulitzer-Prize winning New York Times science reporter and bestselling author. He won the 2010 Pulitzer Prize for National Reporting for a series that exposed the pervasive risks of distracted driving and its root causes, prompting widespread reform. He joins Tavis to discuss his latest book “INSPIRED: Understanding Creativity: A Journey Through Art, Science and the Soul” where he offers a pathbreaking and timely investigation into the mysteries of human creativity (Hour 3)

Inspired is a book about the science of creativity, distilling an explosion of exciting new research from across the world. Through narrative storytelling, Matt Richtel marries these findings with timeless insight from some of the world's great creators as he deconstructs the authentic nature of creativity, its biological and evolutionary origins, its deep connection to religion and spirituality, the way it bubbles in each of us, urgent and essential, waiting to be tapped. Join us when Matt Richtel examines the traits of successful creators, which conditions allows creativity to thrive, and how can we move past creative blocks on this installment of Leonard Lopate at Large on WBAI 99.5FM.

T.G.I.F., but the "F" stands for Frank. Since it's Friday, Frank is bombarded by callers' questions in this week's edition of Ask Frank Anything. As if having people sleep in your house wasn't enough, there are now "pool-sharing" apps circuiting the market, and you know Frank has a thought or two on them. To children these days, the coveted "iPod" is a relic as ancient as sliced bread, but after 20 years of production, Apple is ironically pulling the plug on the wireless MP3. Is your taste in food as polarizing as your taste in radio programs? If so, Frank's got just the segment to satisfy your taste buds. As always, Friday features Frank's least favorite stories from the past 7 days in this week's edition of Denunciations. The Other Side of Midnight is joined by a financial expertise panel is joined by Wall Street entrepreneur John Tobacco and author of the book, “The WSJ Guide to the 50 Economic Indicators That Really Matter” Simon Constable to discuss the nosediving state of cryptocurrency and whether or not it's a farce. Frank is joined by veteran New York Times reporter and a Pulitzer prize winning author, whose latest book is “Inspired: Understanding Creativity: A Journey Through Art, Science, and the Soul,” Matt Richtel to discuss the mental health crisis among children and teens, as well as cracking down on what creative people have in common. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Frank is joined by veteran New York Times reporter and a Pulitzer prize winning author, whose latest book is “Inspired: Understanding Creativity: A Journey Through Art, Science, and the Soul,” Matt Richtel to discuss the mental health crisis among children and teens, as well as cracking down on what creative people have in common. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

New York Times Pulitzer Prize-winning reporter Matt Richtel joins the show to discuss the meteoric rise in anxiety and depression in young people, the shortage in psychiatrists, and how families are trying to navigate the maze of services.

Want to be more creative? NYT journalist Matt Richtel, author of the new book, "Inspired," explains creativity is in our DNA --- and the best ways to nurture it.

On today's The Mountain Life, Pete and Lynn's guests include: (01:10) Pulitzer Prize winner Matt Richtel who brings some new discoveries about what it takes to be creative. His new book is INSPIRED: Understanding Creativity: A Journey Through Art, Science, and the Soul. Then, (27:12) Sarah Fay, an award-winning writer and journalist on the faculty at Northwestern. Her book, PATHOLOGICAL: The True Story of Six Misdiagnoses --is a cautionary tale about blindly accepting a psychiatric diagnosis.

Creativity is an elusive feature of the human mind that many would like to harness. How does it arise and how can we cultivate it? On this episode, Matt Richtel discussed his new book, Inspired.

How do you feel fear and be creative anyway? How is letting your mind wander key to coming up with, and following through on, creative ideas? Returning to the show this week is journalist Matt Richtel, winner of the 2010 Pulitzer Prize for National Reporting for a series on distracted driving, and author of numerous books. His latest book, Inspired: Understanding Creativity: A Journey Through Art, Science, and the Soul, is devoted to a deeper understanding of creativity and he joins us this week to talk about it. Support the show: https://www.patreon.com/inquiringminds See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, Matt Richtel joins the pod to explain the concept of creativity: what it is, why we have it, and how we use it. Matt knows a thing or two about this topic. He is a Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist for The New York Times, a novelist, and a songwriter. His latest book is Inspired: Understanding Creativity: A Journey Through Art, Science, and the Soul Creativity.  In this episode, Matt details what science and research tell us about the mysterious creative spark—and why creativity may not always be a good thing. He shares what several studies have taught us about creativity, and talks about the way our creativity is stifled by our environment. Matt also shares his personal journey to unlocking creativity, and how a new mindset towards thinking has allowed him to fully explore any and all ideas that pop into his head.

Michael welcomes Pulitzer Prize winning reporter Matt Richtel from the New York Times, for a conversation on mental health and his piece "“‘It's Life or Death': The Mental Health Crisis Among US Teens” which is part of a series he's publishing at the NYT. Original air date 26 April 2022.

How many hours of sleep do you need? Some people claim they can do just fine with 4 or 5 hours. Can they really? This episode begins with a look at what happens when people don't get a full 8 hours of sleep. https://lifehacker.com/how-many-hours-of-sleep-do-you-really-need-5802650 While most people would agree that creativity is a wonderful human attribute, the fact is creativity isn't always good. It is sometimes evil and destructive - in fact it often is. Still, humans are born to create. Joining me for a fascinating discussion on this topic is Matt Richtel, a New York Times Pulitzer Prize-winning reporter and author of the book Inspired: Understanding Creativity: A Journey Through Art, Science, and the Soul (https://amzn.to/3OdHUrA). You'll discover what makes someone creative and the personal and societal benefits of creativity -and how it can also be a destructive force. Remember in your high school chemistry class, there was that big Periodic Table of Elements hanging up somewhere? You probably haven't thought much about that chart since then but you should. It turns out to be really fascinating. For one thing there are probably more elements on it now than there were then. So where did they come from? Why are the elements in the order they are in? Joining me to tell the story of that chart and why it is important to you today is chemist Kathryn Harkup author of The Secret Lives of the Elements (https://amzn.to/3MhCpX7) Less is more. You have certainly heard that expression before. And it is that idea that led Jerry Seinfeld to turn down millions of dollars to do another season of his TV sitcom. Well, that and the Beatles also played in to his decision. Oh, so did guitarist Mark Knopfler. Just listen and it will all make sense. http://legacy.gibson.com/news-lifestyle/news/en-us/seinfeld-0509-2011.aspx PLEASE SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS! We really like The Jordan Harbinger Show! Check out https://jordanharbinger.com/start OR search for it on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you listen!  Helix Sleep is offering up to $200 off all mattress orders AND two free pillows for our listeners at https://helixsleep.com/sysk.  Go to https://Indeed.com/Something to claim your $75 credit through April 30th! Go to https://Shopify.com/sysk, for a FREE fourteen-day trial and get full access to Shopify's entire suite of features! With Avast One, https://avast.com you can confidently take control of your online world without worrying about viruses, phishing attacks, ransomware, hacking attempts, & other cybercrimes! With prices soaring at the pump, Discover has your back with cash back! Use the Discover Card & earn 5% cash back at Gas Stations and Target, now through June, when you activate. Get up to $75 cash back this quarter with Discover it® card. Learn more at https:discover.com/rewards. Download Best Fiends FREE today on the App Store or Google Play! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

If you're like us, you would love to be more creative! But, how can you do that? What is creativity, anyway? And why are some of us more creative than others. Those are the questions we'll be exploring with our guest on this episode. Joining us is bestselling author and Pulitzer Prize winning New York Times reporter Matt Richtel, whose latest book is called, INSPIRED: Understanding Creativity: A Journey Through Art, Science, and the Soul. Thanks to our sponsors of this episode! --> Athletic Greens: Athletic Green's AG One is a special blend of ingredients that supports your gut health, nervous system, immune system, energy recovery, focus and aging. In just one delicious scoop of Athletic Greens mixed with a glass of water, you're absorbing 75 high-quality vitamins, minerals, whole-food sourced superfoods, probiotics, and adaptogens. Athletic Greens uses the best products based on the latest science with constant product iterations. Right now, it's time to reclaim your health and arm your immune system with convenient daily nutrition, especially in the flu and cold season. Athletic greens is going to give you a free one year supply of immune supporting vitamin D and five free travel packs with your first purchase. All you have to do is visit athleticgreens.com/ntm. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Hosted by Andrew Keen, Keen On features conversations with some of the world's leading thinkers and writers about the economic, political, and technological issues being discussed in the news, right now. In this episode, Andrew is joined by Matt Richtel, author of Inspired: Understanding Creativity: A Journey Through Art, Science, and the Soul. Matt Richtel is a Pulitzer Prize-winning New York Times reporter and bestselling nonfiction and mystery author. He lives in San Francisco with his wife, Meredith, a neurologist, and their two children. In his spare time, he plays tennis and piano and writes (not very good) songs. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The human immune system is nothing short of remarkable: it helps our bodies ward off bacteria and viruses, heals wounds, and maintains the balance needed to keep us alive. The good news? Our immune systems are no longer threatened by the plagues and common diseases of the past. The bad news? Our bodies face an array of distinctively modern challenges; threats like fatigue, stress, and exposure to toxins, which place undue pressure on a system that typically keeps us healthy. Could the results of such stressors be weakened immunity and an explosion of autoimmune disorders? In his new book, An Elegant Defense, bestselling author Matt Richtel explored this very question through the stories of four people — a cancer patient, an HIV patient, and two women with autoimmune diseases. Combining these human accounts with anecdotes, insight from leading researchers, and the latest scientific findings, Richtel described how the body's forces unite to ward off bacteria, parasites, and tumors. And on the flip side, he explained how sometimes the body's defenses can become a threat and attack organs and other systems. Richtel investigated why: Is there a close connection between mental health and the immune system? What roles do diet and nutrition play in immunity? What might be weakening our immune systems? (Think antibacterial soaps, immune boosters, and other products marketed to “protect” us.) With discussion about health and the immune system remaining in the spotlight as the COVID-19 pandemic rages onward, Richtel offered a particularly relevant look into the deepest riddles of human survival and suggests potential keys to improving wellness. Matt Richtel is a Pulitzer Prize-winning New York Times reporter and bestselling nonfiction and mystery author. He lives in San Francisco with his wife, Meredith, a neurologist, and their two children. In his spare time, he plays tennis and piano and writes (not very good) songs. Buy the Book: An Elegant Defense: The Extraordinary New Science of the Immune System: A Tale in Four Lives (Paperback) from Elliott Bay Books Presented by Town Hall Seattle and the Institute for Systems Biology.