Think from KERA

Animals make a cacophony of sounds – from bird chirps to dog barks to whale songs. Ever wonder what they’re saying to each other? Nicholas Mathevon is a professor specializing in bioacoustics, and he joins host Krys Boyd to talk about how animals use sound to intimidate, mate, emote and more. His book is “ The Voices of Nature: How and Why Animals Communicate .”  Learn about your ad choices: dovet...

As drug laws loosen up nationwide, users and those who care for them are evolving the way they think about some illicit substances. This hour, we’ll talk specifically about two categories with growing user bases: cannabis and psychedelics. We’ll start with a conversation with Washington Post reporter David Ovalle, who reported recently on people who develop dependencies and even addictions to mari...

Insights derived from clinical trials is what pushes medicine forward. And when a trial is conducted in error – or sometimes even fraudulently – the repercussions can reach far and wide. Richard Van Noorden is an editor for the journal Nature, and he joins Krys Boyd to talk about how bias, error and, yes, even fraud, infect clinical trials – and what can be done to clean them up. His recent articl...

The world offers a lot to stimulate our senses – so much, in fact, that it’s hard to pay attention these days on any one thing. Christian Madsbjerg joins us to talk about how we can recapture our ability to focus on things that matter and reestablish our connection to the people around us. His book is called “ Look: How to Pay Attention in a Distracted World .”  Learn about your ad choices: doveta...

Elon Musk’s Space X has 4,500 satellites circling the globe, worrying military and political leaders. Cade Metz is a technology reporter for The New York Times. He joins host Krys Boyd to discuss Starlink, the satellite internet company Musk runs that accounts for more than 50 percent of all active satellites, and the issues it’s raising for global security. His article is “ Elon Musk’s Unmatched...

Being a trans student in school means navigating political and administrative landmines. Aidan Key is a speaker, author and educator on issues related to gender inclusion, is the founder of GenderDiversity.org and TransFamilies.org. He joins host Krys Boyd to discuss practical tips for parents and school staff to approach trans students with a sense of welcoming, creating a safe space for them to...

Hindsight is 20/20 after falling for a scam; the trick is avoiding one in the first place. Daniel Simons is professor in the department of psychology at the University of Illinois, where he directs the Visual Cognition Laboratory. He joins host Krys Boyd to discuss the many ways we get taken for a ride and the faulty thinking that got us there so we can be aware next time. His book, written with c...

Social media pressures to look and be the best can be crushing — but it doesn’t have to be this way. Thomas Curran, professor of psychology at the London School of Economics, joins host Krys Boyd to discuss how freeing ourselves of the drive to be perfect can actually make us better at our jobs and in life. His book is “ The Perfection Trap: Embracing the Power of Good Enough .”  Learn about your...

With the latest ruling knocking down student loan debt relief, the Supreme Court showed its power over the executive branch. Ian Millhiser is a senior correspondent at Vox, and he joins host Krys Boyd to discuss the “major questions doctrine,” which allows the court to veto actions by a federal agency for economic or political reasons, and why its use picked up when President Biden took office. Hi...

When a scholar is offered the chance to authenticate a lost masterwork, a mystery unfolds. Best-selling author Brenden Slocum joins guest host Courtney Collins to discuss themes of authorship, authenticity and art from his novel about uncovering the truth about a composer’s legacy. His book is “ Symphony of Secrets .”  Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

Across the globe, studies show that men are less fertile, which has created quite the business opportunity. Simon van Zuylen-Wood is a features writer at New York magazine, and he joins host Krys Boyd to discuss a burgeoning industry of at-home sperm testing and whether or not amping up reproduction should be a priority for our warming, resource-strapped planet. His article is “ Sperm Fever .” Lea...

We’ve all seen the signs for “We Buy Ugly Houses” – what’s really going on with this business practice? ProPublica reporter Anjeanette Damon joins host Krys Boyd to discuss their long look into how HomeVestors of America acquires homes, and the way the business model is set up to reward franchisees. The article is “ The Ugly Truth Behind “We Buy Ugly Houses .’”  Learn about your ad choices: doveta...

Is deprogramming teens from porn addiction as cruel as harmful conversion therapies for LGBTQ populations? Historian and journalist Hallie Lieberman joins host Krys Boyd to discuss wilderness programs that purport to treat porn addiction with questionable methods and, critics say, promote abuse. Her article “ Inside an Abusive Anti-Porn Camp for Teens ” was published in Reason Magazine. Learn abou...

Nigeria has the highest global concentration of sickle cell disease in its population. Harper’s contributor Krithika Varagur joins host Krys Boyd to discuss Nigeria’s approach to “genetic responsibility,” and what couples are up against when they meet a mate whose genes when combined with their own could produce a child with the painful disease. Her article is “ Love in the Time of Sickle Cell Dis...

Shows like “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air” and “My So-Called Life” were pioneers of prestige TV in that they took the experiences of teenagers seriously. Entertainment journalist Thea Glassman joins host Krys Boyd to make the case that teen shows of yesterday paved the way for today’s diverse, complex and compelling teen storylines. Her book is “ Freaks, Gleeks, and Dawson’s Creek .” Learn about you...

Lab-grown meat is here. Who’s going to eat it? Annie Lowrey, staff writer at The Atlantic, joins host Krys Boyd to discuss the new world of “cultivated meat” – animal proteins combined with other chemicals to produce the texture and flavor of meats – and how manufacturers are hoping to make them taste even better than the real thing. Her article is “ Open Your Mind to Unicorn Meat .” Learn about y...

The pandemic kept us apart; it’s time to rediscover the beauty of being together. Andy Field is an artist, writer and curator, and he joins host Krys Boyd to discuss the magic of life in cities surrounded by strangers, and the ways we can interact with people to spark creativity. His book is “ Encounterism: The Neglected Joys of Being In Person .” Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-c...

For much of Hollywood history, the myth of the model minority has limited the roles available to Asian-American actors. Matt Stevens is an arts and culture reporter for The New York Times. He joins host Krys Boyd to discuss the new wave of angry, messy and action-oriented roles for Asian-American actors – from “Beef” to “Everything Everywhere All at Once” – and how this evolution has chipped away...

What would the Star Wars or Indiana Jones movies be without their memorable musical scores? Frank Lehman, associate professor of music at Tufts University, joins host Krys Boyd to discuss the brilliance of composer John Williams, whose oeuvre augments the action and adventure of the modern classics we love. His article in the New York Times is “ How to Write Music for Rolling Boulders .” Learn abo...

The upcoming “Barbie” movie will introduce the beloved doll to a new generation. At the same time, older generations are pondering why she’s even still around? Kelly Gilblom, global business editor for Bloomberg News, joins host Krys Boyd to talk about the gamble Warner Bros. is taking on Barbie – and the attempted modernization of Mattel behind the scenes. The article, written with Thomas Buckley...

TV and movie actors have joined Hollywood writers for the biggest strike in four decades. Dominic Patten, senior editor for Deadline , joins host Krys Boyd to discuss the move, which has effectively shut down the industry as negotiations with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers broke down. Plus, we’ll hear how streaming and A.I. have brought new complications into discussions o...

Behind ChatGPT or Bard, there’s a programmer who cataloged every single item in play. Josh Dzieza, an investigations editor covering tech, business and climate change for The Verge, joins host Krys Boyd to discuss the tedious work it takes to create the artificial intelligence that seems so quick and breezy – and his own crack at the job that confounded him. His article is “ AI Is a Lot of Work .”...

Behind the comfort of an old book is the wild story of how it got to your home. Oliver Darkshire is an antiquarian bookseller at Henry Sotheran Ltd., and he joins host Krys Boyd to discuss one of the world’s oldest bookshops and a profession that makes more memories than it does money. His new book is “ Once Upon a Tome: The Misadventures of a Rare Bookseller .” Learn about your ad choices: doveta...

Next time you reach for that bag of chips, you might be surprised by the very long list of ingredients on the bag. Chris van Tulleken, associate professor at University College London and a practicing infectious diseases doctor, joins host Krys Boyd to discuss ultra-processed foods and how their manufacturers create products designed for profit over people. His book is “ Ultra-Processed People: Th...

The term “Latino” covers a vast array of experiences – new immigrants from Guatemala, third-generation Mexican-Americans and many, many others. Héctor Tobar, Pulitzer Prize–winning journalist and novelist, joins host Krys Boyd to discuss his conversations with a multitude of voices identifying as Latino in the U.S. and the many ways they contribute history and culture to the American landscape. Hi...