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 communities grow
The benefits of maintaining a neighborhood garden go well beyond the dinner plate. Kate Brown is distinguished professor in the history of science at MIT, and…
Think from KERAWhy America isn’t walkable
A plan to end pedestrian deaths worked in Europe – why has it failed here? Rachel Weiner, local transportation reporter for The Washington Post, joins host…
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The historic sentence that still defines America
Walter Isaacson joins host Krys Boyd to discuss how one sentence in the Declaration of Independence set out a promise of America. Learn about your ad choices…
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You might be paying Amazon’s power bill
Big tech pretty much runs our lives; will these companies one day own power grids, too? Karen Weise, technology correspondent for The New York Times, joins…
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Would you go to an A.I. doctor?
Your doctor might take weeks to diagnose a complicated set of symptoms when A.I. can do it in seconds. Dhruv Khullar is a physician and contributing writer at…
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A.I. is writing obits now
When a loved one passes away, it can be difficult to find the right words. Enter A.I. Drew Harwell is a technology reporter for The Washington Post, and he…
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How A.I. is getting in the way of real learning
College students sometimes get in trouble for using A.I. to complete assignments, but is there a way to use it as a teaching tool? Clay Shirky, vice provost…
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When will A.I. want to kill us?
A.I. is becoming smarter without much help from humans, and that should worry us all. Nate Soares, president of Machine Intelligence Research Institute (MIRI)…
Think from KERAWhy we haven’t fixed the racial wealth gap
Much of America’s racial wealth gap can be traced to economic policies dating back decades and even centuries. Mehrsa Baradaran is professor of law at the…
Think from KERAResisting the post-truth society
We may live in a post-truth society, but facts can still be verified. Michael Shermer is publisher of Skeptic magazine, the executive director of the Skeptics…
Think from KERAOne more reason we can’t talk to strangers
There was a time when people gathered around the watercooler to gab about the hottest show, but these days it might be tough to find a coworker who’s watching…
Think from KERAThe mother who needed homeschooling
For some kids, homeschooling provides them with the one-on-one attention they need. For others, though, it can feel isolating. Author Stefan Merrill Block…
Think from KERAIs the supreme court more powerful than congress now?
The balance of powers among the three branches of government is fading away, facilitated by the judicial branch. Duncan Hosie is a fellow at Stanford Law…
Think from KERAU.S. defense strategy from Washington to Trump
The U.S. has always told the world it is a protector of peace — even if that meant through violence. Michael O’Hanlon, Philip H. Knight Chair in Defense and…
Think from KERAWill Trump make television great again?
The suspension of Jimmy Kimmel sent shockwaves across the TV landscape — but there are many other ways the FCC is using pressure to shape the media. Jim…
Think from KERAThe U.N. Charter used to prevent war
For decades, treaties meant war could be avoided if everyone just followed the law. Oona A. Hathaway teaches law and political science at Yale and is a…
Think from KERACivilians v. ICE
As the federal government deploys thousands of ICE agents across the country, activists are finding ways to push back. Molly Hennessy-Fiske, national reporter…
Think from KERADictionaries are not what they used to be
When was the last time you actually opened a dictionary and flipped through the pages to find the definition of a word? Journalist and author Stefan Fatsis…
Think from KERAGen X has finally arrived
Members of Gen X are famously overlooked – maybe we’re sleeping on them? Writer Amanda Fortini joins host Krys Boyd to discuss how being a latch-key generation…
Think from KERAWho is Gavin Newsom, really?
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…
Think from KERAUnpacking the Donroe Doctrine
First there was the Monroe Doctrine, now President Trump’s foreign policy approach is being dubbed the “Donroe Doctrine.” Joshua Keating is a senior…
Think from KERAWhy do only some drinkers become drunks?
Our complicated relationship with alcohol goes far beyond Dry January. Dr. Charles Knowles is professor of surgery at Queen Mary University of London, chief…
Think from KERAIs football forever?
America’s pastime used to be baseball, but these days football is clearly king. Author Chuck Klosterman joins guest host Paige Phelps to discuss all things…
Think from KERAWhat global experts worry about in 2026
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…
Think from KERAWhat about the rest of Latin America?
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…
Think from KERAWill vitamin c cure your cold?
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…
Think from KERAYou’re funnier than you think
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…
Think from KERAA.I. is changing the business of sex
A.I. is changing the way business is done in every industry — including the business of sex. Avantika Chilkoti, Global Business Correspondent for The…
Think from KERADavid Greene’s obsession with obsessives
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…
Think from KERABye bye binary, welcome to the poly era
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…
Think from KERAFish have feelings too
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…
Think from KERAGeothermal energy is the next hot thing
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…
Think from KERAYour memories are subject to change
Neuroscientists have successfully altered memories in a lab, and yours could be next. Steve Ramirez, neuroscientist and associate professor of psychological…
Think from KERABest of Think '25: How to have a career that matters
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…
Think from KERABest of Think '25: The lost history of ‘Black girl magic’
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…
Think from KERABest of Think '25: Eureka! How your brain figures it out
“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…
Think from KERABest of Think '25: The joy of being a word nerd
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,”…
Think from KERABest of Think '25: What makes a genius
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…
Think from KERABest of Think '25: A scientific guide to a better brain
The brain operates all of our thoughts, feelings and movements — and it also helps us adjust to a rapidly changing environment. This hour, host Krys Boyd is…
Think from KERABest of Think '25: Why everybody is a foodie now
For many, “The Great British Bakeoff” is must-see TV – and watching it has taught us a lot about food. Ruby Tandoh is a journalist who was also a finalist on…
Think from KERABest of Think '25: Stuff you can do to be happier
Happiness may feel elusive, but there are some proven strategies to get you there. Arthur C. Brooks is Parker Gilbert Montgomery Professor at the Harvard…
Think from KERABest of Think '25: The secrets of super healthy old people
Our genes don’t really determine how well we’ll age in later life — and that’s good news. Dr. Eric Topol is executive vice president and a professor of…
Think from KERABest of Think '25: Don’t worry if you can’t sleep
Sleep tracking technology can tell you how long you slumbered, but it can’t get you there. Jennifer Senior, staff writer at The Atlantic, joins host Krys Boyd…
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The sexualization of girl power
The early 2000s preached “girl power” to the masses — but that often looked like sex and plastic surgery. Sophie Gilbert, staff writer at The Atlantic, joins…
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How to get better at self-improvement
The difference between top performers and the rest of us can often be traced back to an ability to maximize potential. Adam Grant is an organizational…
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Will A.I kill imagination?
If A.I. can write a song with just you in mind, will you still be able to share that musical experience with others? Joshua Rothman, a staff writer for The New…
Think from KERAMisogyny drives all types of violence – not just against women
One thread, often barely acknowledged, always present in violent extremist attacks: misogyny. Cynthia Miller-Idriss is a sociologist and professor in the…
Think from KERAThe best books of 2025
A great book transports and educates—and the New York Times has the best ones from 2025. Gilbert Cruz, NYT Book Review editor, joins host Krys Boyd to talk…
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Why some people can’t picture stuff in their heads
For some people, the ability to visualize a treasured memory or even a loved one’s face just isn’t possible. New Yorker staff writer Larissa MacFarquhar joins…
Think from KERAHow to control your dreams
“Sweet dreams,” we say at bedtime. But why do we dream at all? And what happens when we’re plagued by nightmares? Michelle Carr is director of the Dream…
Think from KERAThe U.S. state that could have been a Black utopia
After the promises of Reconstruction began to wither, Black Americans searched for freedom in radically different locales. Caleb Gayle is a journalist, author…
Think from KERAThe countries the U.S. and China can't write off
The U.S. and China may be the world’s current superpowers – but that doesn’t mean they can ignore other countries. Emma Ashford is a senior fellow at the…
Think from KERAThe body parts you can (and can’t yet) replace
Advancements in science give hope to those who need life-saving skin grafts, replacements for failing organs – and even for those dreaming of a new head of…
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The surprising reason people name their cars
From our little fur babies to “Herbie” the car, we imbue the world around us with wonderous human-like qualities. Justin Gregg is senior research associate…
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Does anyone still work a 9-5?
When we clock in on Monday morning, most of us are looking at a 40-hour work week. But what’s so special about 40 hours? Andrew Blackman joins host Krys Boyd…
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The historic sentence that still defines America
“Life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness” was a radical concept for the Founding Fathers. How did they get there? Walter Isaacson joins host Krys Boyd to…
Think from KERAHow rewards programs trick their most loyal costumers
All those loyalty points you’re racking up at the grocery store, hotels and airlines benefit those companies way more than you. Samuel A.A. Levine is a senior…
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What we miss when an app translates for us
Newly designed earbuds promise real-time translations right to your ear. But is something lost when we don’t engage with other languages? Ross Benjamin is an…
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Wear this not that – if you care about the planet
Did you know that the outfit you are wearing right now is a leading cause of greenhouse gas emissions? Laila Petrie, director general of the charity Future…
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Why you fight about the dishwasher
Every relationship has a person who loads the dishwasher like an architect, and one who throws plates in like a tornado. Ellen Cushing, staff writer for The…