There are lots of different types of friends. Best friends, work friends. Facebook friends, even frenemies. Each has an important role in our lives that has been shown to impact our mental and physical health.

Now the American Friendship Project, a program co-led by Colorado State University communication studies researcher Natalie Pennington, provides one of the most complete looks at this highly critical — but rarely studied — relationship. In the face of the so-called "loneliness epidemic," Pennington talks about the reality of our relationships, how we view friendship and how we can stay better connected.

Despite its landlocked location, Colorado State University is well known all along the Atlantic coast for its seasonal hurricane forecasts. Each spring, these forecasts predict the total amount and potential strength of storms for the upcoming hurricane season.
The forecasts were first developed and shared by pioneering atmospheric science researcher William Gray, and are frequently used by media, officials and community leaders to inform the public and make planning decisions. Today, Gray’s former grad student Phil Klotzbach leads the effort to inform communities up and down the East Coast of the dangers the upcoming season presents. 

In this encore episode, Klotzbach talks about the increase in hurricane activity and destructiveness over the years, what we can expect in terms of size and scale for future hurricane seasons, and just exactly how CSU came to be a hurricane hub.

Comedians have been joking about politics for probably as long as there have been politicians. But in the past few years, there's been a noticeable shift in political comedy. 

No longer just a spotlight for the Democrats, more and more conservatives are getting in on the act, too, from the rise of comic and podcaster Joe Rogan to Fox's answer to “The Daily Show,” "Gutfeld," right-wing conservative comedy is on the rise. Colorado State University Associate Professor Nick Marx researches media industries and American politics and culture and is the coauthor of the book "That's Not Funny How the Right Makes Comedy Work for Them." Marx recently sat down with The Audit to talk about this cultural shift and what it could mean for comedy and for politics.

The increased awareness of the potential dangers of an undetected concussion means that, from the NFL to Little League, the conversation has shifted from “shake it off” to following a clear diagnostic criterion before returning an athlete to play following a potential concussion. But there are still a lot of unknowns when it comes to traumatic brain injuries, particularly around the long-term effects. CSU BRAINSTORM Lab Director Jaclyn Stephens talks about the short and long-term impacts of concussions, what we’re learning about the recovery process, and the surprising exercise that might play a key role in rewiring the brain.

Entomologist and CSU Bug Zoo Director Maia Holmes discusses that age-old question: Why did the tarantula cross the road?

We talk with Michael Bartolo, senior research scientist emeritus at CSU's Arkansas Valley Research Center and the man behind one of Pueblo's hottest crops. 

Researchers with CSU’s Department of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture Lori Catalano and Scott Curry talk about why now is the time to leave your lawn in favor of beige-er pastures that are anything but boring.

In this encore episode, CSU researcher and former wildland firefighter Camille Stevens-Rumann talks about why forests aren't bouncing back after wildfires like they used to, as well as one unique (and slightly controversial) solution.

CSU atmospheric chemist Delphine Farmer talks about how air pollutants such as wildfire smoke, cleaning products and stoves make their way into your home, and how you can strike a balance between refreshing your indoor air and protecting your health. 

Every summer, the news features stories of tourists being injured – or narrowly escaping injury – during wildlife encounters. More often than not, experts say these run-ins could have easily been avoided. In this encore episode, Katie Abrams talks about her research into social marketing and communications strategies that aim to protect tourists AND wildlife.