Think from KERA

One Democrat already seems to be priming himself for a presidential run against all things MAGA: Gavin Newsom. Helen Lewis, staff writer at The Atlantic, joins host Krys Boyd to discuss Newsom’s positioning as a leading candidate to run for president in 2028, his track record as governor of California and if Democrats are excited about his prospects. Her article is “The Front-Runner.”

First there was the Monroe Doctrine, now President Trump’s foreign policy approach is being dubbed the “Donroe Doctrine.” Joshua Keating is a senior correspondent at Vox covering foreign policy and world news with a focus on the future of international conflict. He joins host Krys Boyd to discuss why Trump believes the U.S. has a right to intervene in global affairs across the Western hemisphere, how that differs from his ...

 Our complicated relationship with alcohol goes far beyond Dry January. Dr. Charles Knowles is professor of surgery at Queen Mary University of London, chief academic officer at the Cleveland Clinic London and a consultant colorectal surgeon. He joins host Krys Boyd to discuss his own problem drinking and the steps he took to finally stop, what science says about addiction, and how we can reset our own relationships with a...

The military action in Venezuela sent shockwaves around the world, but that is not the only hotspot with potential for war. Paul Stares is General John W. Vessey Senior Fellow for Conflict Prevention and director of the Center for Preventive Action, Council on Foreign Relations (CFR). He joins host Krys Boyd to discuss CFR’s annual conflict risk assessment survey, which looks at U.S. national security threats and potential...

Venezuela’s future looks uncertain, and the entire region is bracing for what comes next. Will Freeman is a fellow for Latin America studies at the Council on Foreign Relations. He joins host Krys Boyd to discuss Nicolás Maduro’s removal and the United States’ new bid for dominance in Latin America, what oil means for regional economies, and how Colombia, Cuba and other countries might meet this moment. His article in Fore...

 If you’re chugging orange juice or sipping chicken soup to battle colds, you might’ve been sold a bill of goods. Daniel M. Davis is head of life sciences and professor of immunology at Imperial College London. He joins host Krys Boyd to discuss the facts vs. myths of keeping your immune system healthy, why too strong an immune system might be detrimental, and the surprising remedies that actually work. His book is “Self-D...

In an angry, polarized world, it’s good to remember the many benefits of a good laugh. Chris Duffy is a comedian and host of TED’s podcast “How to Be a Better Human,” and he joins host Krys Boyd to discuss the link between humor and innovation, how social bonds are formed over jokes and chuckles, and why humor is a key to a happy, healthy life. His book is “Humor Me: How Laughing More Can Make You Present, Creative, Connec...

A.I. is changing the way business is done in every industry — including the business of sex. Avantika Chilkoti, Global Business Correspondent for The Economist, joins host Krys Boyd to discuss how A.I. is affecting the pornography industry, which brings in billions of dollars annually, and to ponder whether computer-generated content will put human sex workers out of a job. Her article is “A.I. is upending the porn industr...

 There’s a fine line between a voracious hobby and an out-and-out obsession. David Greene, journalist, author and former host of NPR's Morning Edition, joins host Krys Boyd to discuss his dive into people’s personal obsessions, what drives us to latch on and grow certain fascinations and why so often these have nothing to do with the ways we make a living. His podcast is “David Greene is Obsessed” from Campside Media. 

 One way to understand the intelligence of a species is if they can feel pain. Marina Bolotnikova, Deputy Editor for Vox’s Future Perfect, joins host Krys Boyd to discuss how scientists are coming to the conclusion that fish feel pain, why it’s so difficult to observe them in their natural environment and compare their nervous systems to that of a human’s, and why this study new information has deep ethical implications. H...

Of all the renewable energy sources, the one most overlooked might be the one to save us all. New Yorker staff writer Rivka Galchen joins host Krys Boyd to discuss geothermal energy, which pulls energy from the ground. And while it’s been used successfully in volcanic hotspots, we’ll consider why, as of yet, the U.S. has declined to invest or even encourage its development. Her article is “Why the Time Has Finally Come for...

Neuroscientists have successfully altered memories in a lab, and yours could be next. Steve Ramirez, neuroscientist and associate professor of psychological and brain sciences at Boston University, joins host Krys Boyd to discuss how certain memories might be edited with pulses of light, what this means for people dealing with life-altering trauma, and how we figured out how to manipulate the mind. His book is “How to Chan...

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

The phrase “Black girl magic” has deep roots in enslaved women’s lives. Lindsey Stewart is associate professor of philosophy at the University of Memphis, and she joins host Krys Boyd to discuss the medicine that stemmed from African traditions that was often more trusted than white doctors’ advice, how this magic was passed down through generations, and how it endures today. Her book is “The Conjuring of America: Mojos, M...

“By Jove, I think I’ve got it!” A-ha moments can feel electrifying, but where do these bursts of insight come from? John Kounios is professor in the Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences and director of the Creativity Research Lab at Drexel University. He joins host Krys Boyd to discuss what scientists understand about how the brain solves problems – and how we might tap into this phenomenon more often. His articl...

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

Acing that Mensa test might not be the definite sign of genius you think it is. Helen Lewis is a staff writer at The Atlantic and host of the BBC podcast series “The New Gurus” and “Helen Lewis Has Left the Chat”. She joins host Krys Boyd to discuss why the very idea of “genius” is a social construct, why the label excludes as much as it includes, and why it’s time to look at creativity in a new way. Her book is “The Geniu...