Kera's Think

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 University of California, Irvine. She joins host Krys Boyd to discuss the history of the wealth gap, why she believes politics keeps that gap alive for Black Americans and solutions that could alleviate the disparity. Her book is “The Racial Wealth Gap: A Brief History.” Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

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 Society and the host of the podcast The Michael Shermer Show. He joins host Krys Boyd to discuss misinformation and how to spot it, why we’re vulnerable to believing falsehoods and why it’s essential we reject the idea that nothing can be verified as truth. His book is “Truth: What It Is, How to Find It, and Why It Still Matters.” Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

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 the same thing as you are. Ben Fritz, entertainment industry reporter for The Wall Street Journal, joins host Krys Boyd to discuss the end of an era in which Americans tuned into the same TV, movies and music and why hyper-individualized content is coming at the expense of culture. His article is “The Rise and Fall of the American Monoculture.” Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

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 joins host Krys Boyd to discuss why his mother, adoring but complicated, thought public school would kill his creativity, how his daily curriculum was left up to him as a small boy to craft, and how he thinks of homeschooling today. His book is “Homeschooled: A Memoir.” Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

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 School, and he joins host Krys Boyd to discuss how the Supreme Court is stripping Congress of its influence, what we lose when we allow unelected judges to be the sole interpreters of the Constitution, and which branch is most powerful now. His article “How the Supreme Court Broke Congress” was published in The Atlantic. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

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 Strategy at the Brookings Institution, joins guest host John McCaa to discuss the evolution of how the nation approaches defense – from fledgling republic to global superpower. His book is “To Dare Mighty Things: U.S. Defense Strategy Since the Revolution.” Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

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 Rutenberg, writer at large for The New York Times Magazine, joins host Krys Boyd to discuss the role of the FCC during President Trump’s time in office, the degree to which the agency is able to regulate programming it deems too partisan, and why local stations face the brunt of the punishment. His article is “The MAGA Plan to Take Over TV Is Just Beginning.” Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

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 nonresident scholar at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace and the president-elect of the American Society of International Law. She joins host Krys Boyd to discuss why a golden age of treaties seems to be tarnishing, how the legal basis for entering conflicts is being conflated and reinterpreted, and how aggressive U.S. tactics are upsetting the world order – even among allies. Her op-ed in The New York Times is “The Great Unraveling Has Begun.” Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

As the federal government deploys thousands of ICE agents across the country, activists are finding ways to push back. Molly Hennessy-Fiske, national reporter for The Washington Post, joins host Krys Boyd to discuss how the killing of Renée Good has put new focus on the tactics protestors use, how tactics like tailing unmarked cars used by agents has put activists in murky legal territory, and what legal experts say about charges that could be brought against protestors. Her article is “They say they’re monitoring ICE arrests. Feds say they’re breaking the law.” Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

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 joins host Krys Boyd to discuss how A.I. is changing the traditional dictionary, why dictionaries are more complicated and controversial than you might think, and how you might be able to get a word added to the record. His book is “Unabridged: The Thrill of (and Threat to) the Modern Dictionary.” Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

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 fostered creativity, why this generation is (finally) having an influence, and why it’s significant that Gen Xers had the last fully analog childhood. Her article “Is Gen X Actually the Greatest Generation?” was published in T Magazine. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

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 host Krys Boyd to discuss Newsom’s positioning as a leading candidate to run for president in 2028, his track record as governor of California and if Democrats are excited about his prospects. Her article is “The Front-Runner.” Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

First there was the Monroe Doctrine, now President Trump’s foreign policy approach is being dubbed the “Donroe Doctrine.” Joshua Keating is a senior correspondent at Vox covering foreign policy and world news with a focus on the future of international conflict. He joins host Krys Boyd to discuss why Trump believes the U.S. has a right to intervene in global affairs across the Western hemisphere, how that differs from his campaign promises, and what this strategy looks like for the remainder of his term. His article is “What actually is the ‘Donroe Doctrine’?” Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

 Our complicated relationship with alcohol goes far beyond Dry January. Dr. Charles Knowles is professor of surgery at Queen Mary University of London, chief academic officer at the Cleveland Clinic London and a consultant colorectal surgeon. He joins host Krys Boyd to discuss his own problem drinking and the steps he took to finally stop, what science says about addiction, and how we can reset our own relationships with alcohol. His book is “Why We Drink Too Much: The Impact of Alcohol on Our Bodies and Culture.”   Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

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 football – from the fervor of a Friday night high school game to a fan’s complicity in violence and injury – plus a look at what would happen if the sport faded away. His book is called “Football.” Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

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. Vessey Senior Fellow for Conflict Prevention and director of the Center for Preventive Action, Council on Foreign Relations (CFR). He joins host Krys Boyd to discuss CFR’s annual conflict risk assessment survey, which looks at U.S. national security threats and potential areas for international instability in 2026. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

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 Foreign Relations. He joins host Krys Boyd to discuss Nicolás Maduro’s removal and the United States’ new bid for dominance in Latin America, what oil means for regional economies, and how Colombia, Cuba and other countries might meet this moment. His article in Foreign Affairs is “The Shock Waves of Venezuela.” Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

 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 professor of immunology at Imperial College London. He joins host Krys Boyd to discuss the facts vs. myths of keeping your immune system healthy, why too strong an immune system might be detrimental, and the surprising remedies that actually work. His book is “Self-Defense: A Myth-Busting Guide to Immune Health.”  Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

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 Human,” and he joins host Krys Boyd to discuss the link between humor and innovation, how social bonds are formed over jokes and chuckles, and why humor is a key to a happy, healthy life. His book is “Humor Me: How Laughing More Can Make You Present, Creative, Connected, and Happy.” Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

A.I. is changing the way business is done in every industry — including the business of sex. Avantika Chilkoti, Global Business Correspondent for The Economist, joins host Krys Boyd to discuss how A.I. is affecting the pornography industry, which brings in billions of dollars annually, and to ponder whether computer-generated content will put human sex workers out of a job. Her article is “A.I. is upending the porn industry.” Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices