Shows / Think from KERA
Think from KERA
Think is a daily, topic-driven interview and call-in program hosted by Krys Boyd covering a wide variety of topics ranging from history, politics, current events, science, technology and emerging trends to food and wine, travel, adventure, and entertainment.
Episodes
Think from KERAHow to interpret political polls
Every day it seems there’s a headline about which candidate is surging in the polls — but how accurate are those assessments? Philip Elliott, senior…
Think from KERANobody wants to be vice president
The current vice president is making news as she runs for the top job, but past VPs have often been relegated to the sidelines. Michelle Ferrari, writer…
Think from KERAIt might be possible to delay menopause
Scientists are still trying to figure out why human ovaries have a shelf life — and how they can extend it. Celia Ford, Future Perfect Fellow at Vox, joins…
Think from KERAThe foods that keep your brain young
We often think of how our diets contribute to our physical fitness, but we shouldn’t discount how they impact our brain health, too. Dr. Annie Fenn is the…
Think from KERAWill the far-right extend white privilege to Latinos?
Democrats have traditionally relied on Latino voters, but voting patterns show many Latinos shifting to the right. Paola Ramos is a contributor for Telemundo…
Think from KERAWhy body positivity can be toxic
The Body Neutrality movement is about focusing on more than the physical shape we hold in the world. Bethany C. Meyers is the founder and CEO of the be.come…
Think from KERAFoods you love are disappearing — here’s how to save them
Apple pie is an American staple…but apples themselves are going extinct. Sarah Lohman works with institutions around the country to create public programs…
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It’s not easy being No. 2: The Presidency of John Adams
George Washington may have set the standard for American presidents, but those precedents wouldn’t have mattered if John Adams hadn’t followed through on them…
Think from KERAA summer camp for trans men
At one summer camp, canoeing and camaraderie take on new meaning as a gathering place for trans men. Journalist Sandy Ernest Allen joins host Krys Boyd to…
Think from KERAIs race a risk factor in medicine?
Race has long been a factor in how doctors approach diagnoses— removing it has proved a challenge. Katie Palmer, Health Tech Correspondent for Stat News, joins…
Think from KERAInside the brain of a dinosaur
With new technologies, paleontologists are starting to learn more about how dinosaurs lived by connecting them to animals alive today. Amy M. Balanoff…
Think from KERAWhere to find the wonder that gives meaning to life
Of all the human emotions to explore, wonder may be low on the list – but it’s essential to our survival as a species. Helen De Cruz, Danforth Chair in the…
Think from KERAThere’s no vaccine for the loneliness epidemic
We know that loneliness takes a toll on mental and physical health, but solutions for the problem are hard to come by. Matthew Shaer is contributing writer for…
Think from KERAWill we love A.I too much?
As artificial intelligence becomes more sophisticated, are we in danger of creating a world in which people turn to computers for companionship instead of…
Think from KERAHow shame is used as a weapon
Shame might work as a deterrent, but it also affects self-esteem deeply and can backfire as a tool. Journalist Melissa Petro joins host Krys Boyd to discuss…
Think from KERAHow free money helps low-income households
For three years, a thousand people receiving an extra $1,000 a month were tracked — and now we know how that income changed their lives. Chabeli Carrazana…
Think from KERAThe curse of the ‘gifted’ label
Being labeled “gifted” in school can come with perks — but research is showing those don’t always carry over into adulthood. Constance Grady, senior…
Think from KERAIs it time to rewrite the Constitution?
With all the disagreement about how to interpret the Constitution, maybe we need to consider that the problem is the Constitution itself. Erwin Chemerinsky…
Think from KERACynicism won’t protect you from getting hurt
If you’re someone who always thinks the sky is falling, chances are you’re not very happy. Jamil Zaki, professor of psychology at Stanford University and the…
Think from KERACan cheapskates and big spenders coexist?
If one partner in a relationship holds the purse strings tightly, and the other wants to spend freely, can they co-exist? Scott Rick, marketing professor at…
Think from KERAMusic as medicine
Our favorite songs may move us deeply, but do they also benefit us in other ways? Daniel Levitin is a neuroscientist, musician and visiting professor at UCLA…
Think from KERAHow campaigns define themselves
From Donald Trump’s “Make America Great Again” to Kamala Harris’ walkout song “Freedom” by Beyoncé, both presidential campaigns are trying to solidify their…
Think from KERAWhat makes a job worth doing?
In pursuit of a distinguished career, are we missing out on a good life? Christopher Wong Michaelson is Opus Distinguished Professor and academic director of…
Think from KERAWhat the heck is a trad wife?
From hand-churned butter for the children to a full face of makeup in the kitchen, the role of the traditional wife is taking off online. Megan Agnew, senior…
Think from KERADecoding the secret language of animals
Dolphins call each other by name, wolves have accents — researchers are discovering all sorts of fascinating facts about animal communication. Arik Kershenbaum…
Think from KERAThe cartels are dealing eels now
Eel smuggling is one of the most lucrative wildlife crimes — so what makes these slimy creatures so coveted? Ellen Ruppel Shell, professor emeritus of science…
Think from KERAHow U.S policy drives immigrants to dangerous decisions
One of the most dangerous parts of a migrant’s journey to the U.S. border is a dense jungle region known as the Darién Gap. Caitlin Dickerson, staff writer at…
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When loving your pet means letting them go
We love our pets so much it can be tempting to keep them alive with harsh treatments even as they’re deathly ill. Madeline Leung Coleman, a features writer for…
Think from KERAIs A.I. music worth a listen?
Type in a couple of prompts and A.I. programs can spit out an original song based on your parameters. So should composers quit their jobs? Matteo Wong, staff…
Think from KERAWhat successful risk takers have in common
To win a high-stakes poker game, the ability to calculate risk is essential – and it’s a skill that can carry over to everyday life. Nate Silver is a…
Think from KERAThe charm of politicians is a double-edged sword
Some people can get others to do what they want through the sheer strength of their charm – a quality many candidates running for office try to use to their…
Think from KERAWhat's a ransomware negotiator?
If your company’s data is hacked, there’s a person to have on speed dial — a ransomware negotiator. Journalist Amanda Chicago Lewis joins host Krys Boyd to…
Think from KERAHow to actually motivate young people
Kids may never think you’re cool – but it is possible to at least earn their respect. David Yeager is a professor of psychology at the University of Texas at…
Think from KERAIs war with China inevitable?
Regional tensions in the South China Sea are in danger of spilling over into a global conflict between the U.S. and China. Craig Singleton is a senior China…
Think from KERAWhy so much political violence now?
America has endured eras of political violence before. But after the assassination attempt on former president Donald Trump, is political violence now part of…
Think from KERAFirst generation students need more than money
For an underprivileged student to succeed in college, it takes much more than financial aid. Anthony Jack is inaugural faculty director of the Boston…
Think from KERAWill money win the 2024 election?
When Kamala Harris announced her presidential bid after President Biden dropped out, a record $81million poured in in 24 hours. So what role will cash play in…
Think from KERAMost Americans are moderates
In these politically divisive times, it’s a challenge to remember we have so much in common. Diana McLain Smith joins host Krys Boyd to discuss building…
Think from KERACan you really ‘prep’ for the breakdown of society?
For anywhere from $100 to $3,000 or more, you can get ready for doomsday with a prepper kit. Michael Mills, lecturer in criminology at the University of Kent…
Think from KERAHow dictators prop each other up
Autocrats are rising across the globe — is democracy to blame? Anne Applebaum, staff writer at The Atlantic, joins host Krys Boyd to discuss dictators from…
Think from KERAGun violence as a feminist issue
Roxane Gay has written extensively about everything from Black feminism to office culture – and now she tackles a new topic: gun ownership. The author and…
Think from KERAWhat your BMI doesn’t tell you about your health
One underreported fact about obesity: you could have it and still be considered healthy. Christie Aschwanden is host and producer of “Uncertain,” a podcast…
Think from KERAThis gender moment didn’t happen overnight
As our understanding of gender evolves, it’s important for caretakers of young people to understand this new reality. Diane Ehrensaft is a developmental and…
Think from KERAWhat Project 2025 really says
The Heritage Foundation’s policy document “Project 2025” has gotten a lot of press, but what exactly is included in this 922-page document — and is it even…
Think from KERAThere’s no such thing as revenge porn
Terms like “revenge porn” have a way of pasting over what’s really happening – a crime. First, Jasmine Mithani of The 19th News joins host Krys Boyd to discuss…
Think from KERAHow a school shooter’s parents were convicted of homicide
When Jennifer and James Crumbley were found guilty of involuntary manslaughter this spring, it was the first time parents were convicted for a role in a school…
Think from KERAThere’s no shame in self-publishing
More than 7,000 new books are released every day — but most of those writers won’t make a living off their work. Author Michael Castleman joins host Krys Boyd…
Think from KERAWhy the Supreme Court doesn’t represent America
Supreme Court justices are selected by presidents and confirmed by senators – but does that mean they necessarily represent the will of the people? Kevin J…
Think from KERAWhy everyone is demanding an NDA
Non-disclosure agreements were once primarily used for guarding corporate secrets. These days, though, you might have to sign an NDA for a first date. New York…
Think from KERAAstronaut Cady Coleman on making space for everyone
Space is the final frontier — and not too long ago, to explore it you had to be a man. Cady Coleman is a former NASA astronaut, retired U.S. Air Force colonel…
Think from KERAHow to survive your grief
We’ve all heard of “the five stages of grief;” problem is, they’re not based on solid science. Lucy Hone, director of the New Zealand Institute of Wellbeing &…
Think from KERAThis is your brain on aging
With President Joe Biden in the White House at 81 and Donald Trump at 78 running to replace him, plenty of Americans are wondering how people at advanced ages…
Think from KERAThe global supply chain is so messed up
The pandemic exposed plenty of systematic flaws – including in the patchwork structure that is the global supply chain. Peter S. Goodman, global economics…
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Meet the million-year-old microbes living deep underground
Science has a mystery on its hands: Did life begin on the surface of the earth, or far, far below it? Ferris Jabr is the author of “Becoming Earth: How Our…
Think from KERAReality shows are much older than you think
Reality TV is known for its shock value and guilty pleasures, but it’s also become an art form in and of itself. Emily Nussbaum, staff writer at The New…
Think from KERAWhy neither party gets Latino voters
Courting the Latino vote means remembering Latinos are not a monolith. Mike Madrid is a political consultant and a cofounder of The Lincoln Project, and he…
Think from KERAThe deadly civil war the west is ignoring
The wars in Gaza and Ukraine have captured the world’s attention – but the civil war in Sudan has been just as devastating. Comfort Ero is president and CEO of…
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You can clone your dog for $50k. Should you?
If you had $50,000, would you clone your best friend? Some dog owners are saying yes. Alexandra Horowitz is senior research fellow and head of the Dog…
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Did the 1860s make the Civil War inevitable?
As our nation teetered on the brink of the Civil War, the certification of the election of Abraham Lincoln wasn’t a certainty. Author Erik Larson joins guest…
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Who pays the price of America’s climate damage?
The U.S. is one of the biggest carbon emitters in the world, but it’s the smaller countries that suffer the most. Vann Newkirk, senior editor at The Atlantic…