Think from KERA

 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

Rivka Galchen, New Yorker staff writer who reported on geothermal technology, history, and policy. She traces geothermal from ancient baths to Iceland’s overhaul and explains how wells and district systems produce steady heat and power. She explores the financing hurdles, tech links to oil and fracking, and why geothermal could scale where politics and funding align.

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 Change a Memory: One Neuroscientist’s Quest to Alter the Past.“ Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

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

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, Mermaids, Medicine, and 400 Years of Black Women’s Magic.” Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

“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 article “The Brain Science of Elusive ‘Aha! Moments’” was published in Scientific American. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

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

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 Genius Myth: A Curious History of a Dangerous Idea.” Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

Camilla Nord, a neuroscientist at Cambridge, explores the connection between inflammation and mood, sharing insights on how mental health is an adaptive response to challenges. Romy Mushtaq, a physician, introduces her 'Busy Brain' concept, detailing the effects of chronic stress on focus and sleep, and provides practical protocols for resetting circadian rhythms. Daniel Levitin, a neuroscientist and musician, discusses music as medicine, revealing how it reawakens identity in dementia patients and supports healing through rhythmic stimulation.

Join Ruby Tandoh, food journalist and Great British Bake Off finalist, as she dives into today's foodie culture. She discusses how the internet has transformed recipe access, blending everyday meals with aspirational dining. Explore the rise of food media, the intriguing dynamic between casual and fancy dining, and the influence of social media on food trends. Ruby also touches on the historical shifts in British food reputation and how grassroots critics like Keith Lee are changing culinary conversations. A feast for the mind!