Think from KERA

Dr. Charles Knowles, a colorectal surgeon and chief academic officer at Cleveland Clinic London, dives deep into our complex relationship with alcohol. He shares his own struggles with drinking and how societal and biological factors influence alcohol use. The discussion covers the science of addiction, how early drinking can lead to dependence, and the importance of understanding our habits. Charles emphasizes the need for sustainable change, the risks of relapse, and the significance of personal reflection in recovery.

Chuck Klosterman, a cultural critic and author known for exploring pop culture's nuances, dives into the complex world of football. He reflects on how a single game can transform a fan's relationship with the sport. Klosterman discusses football's gritty realism versus basketball's improvisational style, the unforeseen impacts of television, and the cultural significance of the game in America. He also tackles the sport's inherent violence and risks, and ponders its potential decline amid social changes.

Paul Stares, a Senior Fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations specializing in conflict prevention, dives into rising global tensions and U.S. national security threats. He highlights Venezuela as a key risk, discusses the implications of U.S. military actions, and examines the complexity of U.S. relationships in the Middle East. Stares also addresses the rising risk of domestic violence in the U.S. and the potential for cyber threats to critical infrastructure, exploring the delicate balance between support for Ukraine and maintaining ties with Russia.

In this discussion, Will Freeman, a Latin America expert, delves into the recent U.S. raid on Nicolás Maduro, unveiling potential insider help in Caracas. He explores the legality of such interventions and the motivations behind U.S. actions, including drug trafficking and oil interests. Freeman contrasts Venezuela's unique brand of socialism with other Latin American models and shares insights on the region's political dynamics, risks of civil unrest, and the growing ties with China amidst U.S. pressures.

 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-Defense: A Myth-Busting Guide to Immune Health.”  Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

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, Connected, and Happy.” Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

Avantika Chilkoti, Global Business Correspondent for The Economist, explores how AI is reshaping the pornography industry. She discusses the historical context of porn as a tech pioneer and how generative AI revolutionizes content creation. Avantika questions whether AI could replace human performers, tackles the risks of extreme content normalization, and delves into the effects on user expectations and emotional relationships. The conversation also highlights regulatory challenges and the evolving landscape of digital content.

 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.  Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

Binary thinking is black or white, on or off, good or bad – and our modern world requires a more nuanced approach. New York Times opinion columnist Thomas L. Friedman joins host Krys Boyd to discuss our modern age of global multipolarity and how we can start thinking in terms of “poly.” His article is “Welcome to Our New Era. What Do We Call It?”  Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

 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. Her article is “The surprisingly profound debate over whether fish feel pain.”  Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices