What’s The Longest You Can Possibly Live?

May 25, 2021 Culture, Global Issues, Health, History, Science and Technology

Steven Johnson is host of the PBS/BBC series “How We Got to Now,” and the “American Innovations” podcast. He joins us to talk about societal change that has pushed us to live older, fuller lives and why that’s dependent on the greater good.

For Historians, The Past Is Written In Pencil

May 25, 2021 Culture, Current Events, History, Politics

James M. Banner, Jr. is founder of the National History Center of the American Historical Association, and he joins us to talk about why history is never really set in stone.

National Geographic Reckons With Its Racist Past

May 19, 2021 Culture, Current Events, History, Race/Identity

Vox senior reporter Anna North joins us to talk about the exoticized images and articles once published in the magazine – and to analyze if a recent overhaul has improved the magazine’s approach.

Food Companies Don’t Care About Your Health

May 18, 2021 Culture, Health, History, Science and Technology

Pulitzer Prize-winning investigative reporter Michael Moss joins us to talk about how food manufacturers have created unhealthy foods we crave and why even the diet options are rarely any better.

In Texas Politics, It’s No Holds Barred

May 18, 2021 Culture, Current Events, History, Politics, Race/Identity

Journalist Bill Minutaglio joins us to talk about the state’s long history of conflict, violence, backroom deals, and bravado that’s created its political framework.

When Your New Family Member Is A Robot

May 14, 2021 Culture, History, Science and Technology

Kate Darling joins us to talk about how our relationship with animals might serve as a guide to our dealings with robots.

The Fight Over Female Virginity

May 13, 2021 Culture, Education, Health, History, Mental Health, Politics

Lisabeth During joins us to talk about the history and ideas surrounding female virginity and why it is associated with both honor and rebellion.

‘Bridgerton’ Is On To Something

May 12, 2021 Culture, Current Events, History, Race/Identity

Journalist Zeahaa Rehman joins us to talk about audiences now clamoring for new, diverse characters in the romance genre spurred by the hit Netflix show “Bridgerton.”

The Suffering Of The It Dogs Of Instagram

May 12, 2021 Culture, Economics, Global Issues, History

Journalist Tove K. Danovich joins us to discuss dogs bred for aesthetics, not purpose, and why that’s harming the health of man’s best friend.

Baseball’s Imperfect Reckoning With Its Racist Past

May 11, 2021 Culture, History, Politics, Race/Identity

Rowan Ricardo Phillips joins us to talk about why integrating batting averages and home runs into the record books is only a small step forward in grappling with the sport’s racist past.

Not All Geniuses Were Child Prodigies

May 10, 2021 Culture, Education, History, Science and Technology

Claudia Kalb joins us to discuss the science of off-the-charts intelligence, and the events that trigger greatness.

The Draw Of Death-Defying Adventures

May 10, 2021 Culture, Economics, Environment, History, Mental Health, Sports

Stockton University professor Kristin J. Jacobson joins us to talk about the rise of a male-dominated, adventure-seeking culture and how it impacts the way we view — and treat — the planet.