Shows / Lowkey Confused? HSS Explains!
Lowkey Confused? HSS Explains!
Faculty experts at Cal State Fullerton explain hot topics surrounding the news and culture.
Episodes
- Lowkey Confused? HSS Explains!
Super El Niño: What could it mean for SoCal?
Warmer oceans, heat waves and winter rain. What’s next? Dr. Trevis Matheus from the Department of Geography & the Environment share what we could expect to see…
- Lowkey Confused? HSS Explains!
Is Fairness Enough for Democracy? Rethinking the American Political System with Dr. Brian Lovato
What does socialism mean in America, and how could it reshape our political future? Dr. Brian Lovato from the Division of Politics, Administration, and Justice…
- Lowkey Confused? HSS Explains!
How Should AI Be Regulated? With Dr. David Adams
AI is changing how governments operate, but who decides the rules? In this episode, Dr. David Adams from Cal State Fullerton’s Division of Politics…
- Lowkey Confused? HSS Explains!
Flock Cameras: Security, Surveillance & Your Right to Privacy
We’re surrounded by technology that can track where we go, what we do, and even recognize us. But who has access to all that data? Dr. Christie Gardner…
- Lowkey Confused? HSS Explains!
From Reggaeton to Political Resistance: How Bad Bunny Became a Global Phenomenon
Bad Bunny’s influence goes far beyond music. Dr. Gabriela Nuñez from the Department of Chicana and Chicano Studies at Cal State Fullerton explains how Bad…
- Lowkey Confused? HSS Explains!
Understanding Autism Beyond the Headlines with Dr. Adam Roberts
Autism diagnoses are rising, but why? Dr. Adam Roberts from the Department of Psychology at CSUF breaks down what scientists know, what they're still…
- Lowkey Confused? HSS Explains!
The Psychology of Happiness
Happiness is something we have to actively practice. Biologically, our brains are wired to focus on threats because that's what helped humans survive. But…
- Lowkey Confused? HSS Explains!
The Friendship Formula for a Happier Life
What if happiness isn't something you achieve alone? Dr. David Donely from the Department of American Studies at Cal State Fullerton explains why friendship…
- Lowkey Confused? HSS Explains!
From isolationism to global leadership: what happens when the U.S.A. rethinks its role in the world?
Why does NATO exist? Why are some political leaders questioning its value? And what happens if the United States changes its relationship with its closest…
- Lowkey Confused? HSS Explains!
The Hidden Dimensions of the Epstein Case with Dr. Siobhan Brooks
Dr. Siobhan Brooks unpacks the intersections of race, power, consent, and accountability through a deeper look at the Epstein files and the realities many…
- Lowkey Confused? HSS Explains!
Henry David Thoreau: A 19th-Century Take on Work-Life Balance
Long before conversations around burnout and work-life balance, Henry David Thoreau asked a simple but powerful question: are we living deliberately? His time…
- Lowkey Confused? HSS Explains!
Punch the Monkey Explained 🐒
Punch the Monkey’s viral story opens a deeper conversation about maternal bonds, survival, and primate behavior. Dr. Nga Nguyen from the Department of…
- Lowkey Confused? HSS Explains!
Workers' Reality: Corporate Demands, Layoffs, and the Double-Edged Sword of Self-Employment
Layoffs affect thousands at once, yet the burden is placed on individuals. Dr. Carrie Lane from the Department of American Studies at CSUF explains that as…
- Lowkey Confused? HSS Explains!
Across borders towards hope in search of work, freedom, and safety.
Dr. Allison Varzally from the Department of History joins Dean Jessica Stern to bring nuance in how we define immigration, and why the word “voluntary” doesn’t…
- Lowkey Confused? HSS Explains!
Inside the Gulf: The Region at the Center of a Global Crisis
The Gulf States may look small on a map, but their influence is massive. Dr. Zia Salim explains the countries, connections, and tensions shaping the region…
- Lowkey Confused? HSS Explains!
Shia and Sunni Muslims: What’s the Difference?
What’s the difference between Shia and Sunni Muslims? Dr. Zaki Ibrahim, chair of Religious Studies, explains how the divide began after the death of the…
- Lowkey Confused? HSS Explains!
Understanding Police Use of Force
What actually guides police use of force in the United States? Experts from California State University, Fullerton discuss the legal standards, training…
- Lowkey Confused? HSS Explains!
Dr. Acacio on "Presidentialism and Civil-Military Relations, Brazil in Comparative Perspective"
We kicked off Pubfest 2025 with Igor Acacio from Political Science, who shared insights from his book, "Presidentialism and Civil-Military Relations, Brazil in…
- Lowkey Confused? HSS Explains!
Serving with Purpose: What HSI Means for CSUF’s Future
With 56.3% of our students identifying as Latina/o/x, Cal State Fullerton’s HSI designation reflects who we are and who we serve.As Dr. Alexandro Gradilla, of…
- Lowkey Confused? HSS Explains!
The Role of the Supreme Court of the United States
The Supreme Court interprets federal law, clarifies what laws actually mean, and provides a neutral federal forum for disputes between parties from different…
- Lowkey Confused? HSS Explains!
Trans Athletes: A Small Number, a Huge Debate
There are only about 10 trans athletes among more than 500,000 collegiate athletes, yet the question of their participation has become a central political…
- Lowkey Confused? HSS Explains!
U.S. Arctic Ambitions
Greenland isn’t just a frozen island... it’s a crossroads of climate change, sovereignty, and global ambition. We sat down with geographer Mark Drayse to make…
- Lowkey Confused? HSS Explains!
Risks, Rewards, and the Reality of Social Media
Social media lets us find our people and express ourselves, but the filters, streaks, and endless scrolling can still leave us feeling lonely. It’s all…
- Lowkey Confused? HSS Explains!
Conversion Therapy Goes to the Supreme Court: What is it?
On October 7, 2025, the Supreme Court heard oral arguments in Chiles v. Salazar, a case challenging the constitutionality of a Colorado law that bans licensed…
- Lowkey Confused? HSS Explains!
Satirical Liberals and Superior Conservatives with Dr. Seymour
Dr. Nicole Seymour, co-author of Satirical Liberals and Superior Conservatives in the 2025 Oxford Handbook of Screen Comedy, explained the differences between…
- Lowkey Confused? HSS Explains!
Energy, Narcotics, Democracy: Why Venezuela Still Matters to the U.S.
The U.S. isn’t just casually watching Venezuela, it’s deeply invested. From controlling the world’s largest oil reserves to fighting drug trafficking and…
- Lowkey Confused? HSS Explains!
Making of Chinese Scientists and Engineers: Leisure and Cold War Suburbanization in Silicon Valley, California with Dr. Brian Chung
We dove into Silicon Valley’s origin story with Brian Chung: where post Cold War tech money, Chinese American engineers, and brand-new suburban dreams…
- Lowkey Confused? HSS Explains!
Diversity or Gentrification, Middle Class Parents at Working Class Schools with Dr. Watson
Immersion programs sound empowering… but Dr. Watson asks: empowering for whom? 👀 When new resources arrive and longtime communities get sidelined, we’re…
- Lowkey Confused? HSS Explains!
Why Culture in Health Matters
Health is more than biology. Culture shapes beliefs about illness, healing, and even what counts as “healthy.” Dr. James Garcia from the Department of…
- Lowkey Confused? HSS Explains!
Iran-US Relationships
The June 12 strike on Iran surprised many, but did the strike come out of nowhere? Dr. Jasamin Rostam-Kolayi helps unpack what led up to it, including a…
- Lowkey Confused? HSS Explains!
What to Expect From the Government Shutdown.
Breaking: It’s October 1, 2025 and the federal government is officially closed due to its funding running out. Dr. Shelly Arsenault breaks down when shutdowns…
- Lowkey Confused? HSS Explains!
Tariffs Explained: Taxes, Trade, and Unintended Consequences
Dr. Sam Stone breaks down what tariffs are, why governments use them, and the risks they pose—from higher consumer prices to retaliatory trade wars. He also…
- Lowkey Confused? HSS Explains!
The Smithsonians: Who controls the story?
On May 6, Dean Stern spoke with Dr. Margie Brown-Coronel about the Executive Order Restoring Truth and Sanity to American History 📝 They discussed what it…
- Lowkey Confused? HSS Explains!
Why Weather Apps Rely on Climate Policy
Ever wonder how your weather app actually works? 📲☁️ Dr. Trevis Matheus from Geography & Environment explains how federal climate policy, NOAA, and weather…
- Lowkey Confused? HSS Explains!
The cost of "free" artificial intelligence.
Is AI making life easier, or just disconnecting us from each other? Dr. Dustin Abnet from the Department of American Studies at CSUF breaks down the illusion…
- Lowkey Confused? HSS Explains!
Palestine and Israel: Two Narratives. One Land.
Stories shape how we understand history, identity, and even the future. In this episode of Lowkey Confused: HSS Explains, Dr. Ella Ben Hagai from the…
- Lowkey Confused? HSS Explains!
The Militarization of the U.S. - Mexico Border
Militarized borders, featuring walls, drones, and armed forces, subjects border towns to constant surveillance, impacting the daily lives of the local…
- Lowkey Confused? HSS Explains!
From Democracy to Dictatorship? How Authoritarianism Can Creep In
Authoritarianism is when leaders do whatever they want, ignore the rules, and use fear to stay in control… kind of like a parent who punishes you for calling…
- Lowkey Confused? HSS Explains!
The Future of National Parks and Why It Matters
In 2024, the National Park Service welcomed a record 330 million visits, but its future is not guaranteed. Funding cuts threaten both the landscapes and the…
- Lowkey Confused? HSS Explains!
Lowkey Confused: The Dept. of Education’s Real Power (Explained)
This interview was recoded on March 3rd, since then, a Supreme Court ruling has allowed the current administration to begin dismantling the Dept. of Ed. We’re…
- Lowkey Confused? HSS Explains!
Presidents Aren’t Kings—Here’s Why
From executive orders to cabinet power, presidential authority can look huge—but there are serious limits. Dr. Spitzer explains how U.S. presidents rely on…
- Lowkey Confused? HSS Explains!
Tariffs: The Tax You Didn’t Know You’re Paying
Many assume tariffs make foreign countries pay—but in reality, the cost falls on U.S. businesses and consumers. Dr. Elaine Frey from the Division of Politics…
- Lowkey Confused? HSS Explains!
Rethinking Patriotism: A Historian’s Take on the American Dream and Division
Dr. Elaine Lewinnek, American Studies professor at Cal State Fullerton, unpacks the complexities of "patriotic education" and challenges the myth of a unified…
- Lowkey Confused? HSS Explains!
Heritage, Fear, and Politics: The Story Behind Latinx Protests and Votes
From waving the Mexican flag as a symbol of heritage to facing rising ICE raids and shifting political tides, Dr. Gradilla unpacks the deep complexities of…