Saint Mary's Currents

Since OpenAI’s debut of ChatGPT in 2022, the use of generative AI platforms has skyrocketed. It’s being used to enhance productivity and streamline processes, for research and writing, or even to create funny images or videos. From the average user to Fortune 500 companies, the possibilities — and applications — seem endless. And in the mental health industry, the possibility of AI’s ability to mo...

From the cars we drive to the pre-packaged food we eat, the use of plastics in consumer's lives only continues to grow. It's showing up on our beaches and in our parks, but what about the plastics we can't see or can barely touch? According to a recent article from the New York Times, scientists say it could be years before we have a full understanding of how microplastics and nanoplastics are aff...

Wildfires seem to be everywhere. Earlier this year, the fires in Los Angeles caused billions of dollars in property damage and displaced over 100,000 people. In June, according to the National Interagency Fire Center, there were active fires in 11 U.S. states and in virtually every province in Canada. Minnesota had three wildfires which burned nearly 20,000 acres of northeastern Minnesota in May,...

With the passing of Pope Francis at the end of April, and popular films like "The Two Popes" and "Conclave" bringing new perspectives on the Vatican, the process of selecting a new pope is once again a topic of public interest. Pope Francis' successor will be responsible for carrying on a tradition that has shaped the course of history over two millennia. But what happens when a pope dies versus r...

As social media platforms increasingly shape how we consume news, we’re asking: what impact do these changes have on public trust in the news? Dean Beckman, associate professor and chair of the Business and Communication Department at Saint Mary’s, shares some of the history of news and journalism, discusses what responsibility these social media giants should take in moderating content on their p...

Opioids have been the cause of nearly 727 thousand overdose deaths in the United States. In fact, the number of deaths in 2022 was 10 times what it was in the late 90s. This September, however, NPR reported that for the first time in decades, public health data is showing an unprecedented drop in drug overdose deaths across the United States of over 10% — and around 8% here in Minnesota. So what h...

Data breaches are becoming increasingly common across the United States, leaving both individuals and organizations vulnerable. In February, the Minnetonka-based UnitedHealth Group breach was so significant that, according to the Minnesota Attorney General’s office, it resulted in millions of Minnesotan’s “health and personal data being leaked onto the dark web.” With the volume of information bei...

In 2022, 47 former employees of Feeding our Future were indicted by Department of Justice, alleging that the nonprofit had defrauded a USDA food nutrition program during the COVID-19 pandemic. Being called the "largest case of pandemic fraud in United States history," Derek Jackson, associate professor of Business and Communication at Saint Mary's University of Minnesota, says the Feeding our Futu...

This past season, college basketball phenom Caitlin Clark shattered records, showcasing the undeniable impact of what's been coined the “Caitlin Clark Effect.” This phenomenon isn't just boosting ticket sales and revenue; it's also sparking significant conversations about the role of women in sports.  In this episode, we sat down with Amber Zitzow, head coach of Saint Mary’s University of Minnesot...

The rise of special education students along with a shortage of special education teachers is a concern for schools in Minnesota and across the nation. This month Ben Rodgers speaks with Kate Nelson, program director for the M.A. in Special Education program at Saint Mary's University of Minnesota, to understand what has led to this current situation and what can be done to combat it.

The recent closure of the labor and delivery unit at Fosston Hospital in northern Minnesota has raised numerous concerns about the healthcare crisis across rural Minnesota and the U.S.   With reports that more than half of the hospitals in the nation are no longer offering maternity care, and with the 2022 Minnesota Department of Health findings showing a severe shortage of health practitioners of...

In our first episode of season three, Ben Rodgers and Michael Ratajczyk, associate professor of business and program director for the B.S. and M.A. in Business Intelligence and Data Analytics programs, discuss artificial intelligence and it’s impact on the workforce and workforce development.

On Jan. 19, 2023, the United States hit its debt limit, sparking economic and political concerns. But what does it mean when the debt limit is hit and what steps can be taken to correct the issue? Andrew Scott, an assistant professor of business, joins Saint Mary’s Currents host to discuss what national debt is, what policy prescriptions politicians might use to combat the issue, and how those pol...

In this episode of Saint Mary’s Currents, podcast host Ben Rodgers is joined by Tricia Klosky, Ph. D., associate professor of criminal justice, to discuss the psychology of serial killers and why, at a time when true crime entertainment is on the rise, society has such an interest in these individuals.

After many heavy topics were discussed in the first season of Saint Mary’s Currents, Paul Kotz, Ph. D., a core professor in the Ed. D. in Leadership program at Saint Mary’s, joins podcast host Ben Rodgers to discuss positivity and tell several stories that have impacted his outlook on life. We hope our listeners enjoy this entertaining episode as we begin the second season of Saint Mary's Currents...

Saint Mary's Currents is the official podcast of Saint Mary's University of Minnesota. We address issues that are trending, relevant, and yes, sometimes divisive or controversial. Just as current is a flow of positive electric charge, the goal of Saint Mary's Currents is to find a positive path forward.

Saint Mary's University of Minnesota assistant professor of business Andrew Scott discusses inflation. With prices increasing at the fastest rate in 40 years, Scott outlines considerations people may need to make in their everyday lives while navigating these times of rapidly changing high prices.

In this episode of Saint Mary’s Currents, Saint Mary’s business and data analytics professor Michael Ratajczyk and philosophy Professor Joe Tadie discuss the Metaverse, its potential uses, and the ethics that apply to the technology.

As Russia’s attack on Ukraine continues, Saint Mary’s Currents host Ben Rodgers is joined by history professor Erich Lippman, Saint Mary’s resident Russia expert, to discuss the historical context behind the invasion.

In this episode of the podcast, Saint Mary’s Currents host Ben Rodgers is joined by Andy Robertson, executive director of GeoSpatial Services, to discuss the topic of climate change. Working in the field of natural resource management and digital mapping, Robertson has seen the impacts of climate change up close. During their conversation, Ben and Andy discuss a variety of topics, including what c...

With news of the tragic suicide of former Miss USA and correspondent for 'Extra,' Cheslie Kryst, our focus has again turned to Mental Health in the United States. According to the CDC, suicide was responsible for more than 47,500 deaths in 2019, and is on the rise in almost every state. In this episode of Saint Mary's Currents, core assistant professor Ann Schissel, Ph. D. joins us to discuss depr...

Most experts tend to agree that America is experiencing one of the most polarizing moments in politics in the country’s history. But was it always this way? What factors are leading to this division? How might we be able to pull ourselves out of this divide? In this episode of Saint Mary’s Currents, political science professor David Lynch, Ph. D. joins host Ben Rodgers to discuss the timely and ur...

Mallory Knipe, DSW, joins Saint Mary’s Currents host Ben Rodgers to discuss the recent research she presented at a … “Star Trek” convention. Over the course of the pandemic, Knipe, the program director for the MSW program and chair of social work at Saint Mary’s, conducted research  that looked at the interactions of people participating in the digital community Sid City Social Club. The onli...

In recent years, the topic of teacher burnout has been a concern among educators. Now with the COVID-19 pandemic, new stresses are being heaped on educators, leading to faster burnout and shortages in community schools. In this episode, Tracy Lysne and Sarah Haugen, program directors for the M.Ed. in Teaching and Learning program, join Saint Mary's Currents host Ben Rodgers to discuss what led to...

Over the last few months, research by Michelle Wieser, Ph. D., dean of Saint Mary’s University’s School of Business and Technology, has been making headlines in national and international press. The research findings reveal inequities in the experience and outcomes of female and minority MBA students and graduates at top-tier business schools. Wieser’s research looked at an array of topics, includ...