Let's Think On It

This is a re-release of a 2016 podcast on race relations that is very pertinent for 2020's Black Lives Movement. We think this is a foundational podcast episode for those beginning to tackle this topic. In this segment we discuss the TED talk by Verna Myers, and learn about her perspective on our natural racial biases as exemplified by the Implicit Association Test. You can take the test online and join the thought process for yourself.

With degrees in literature and biology, Steven Austad relays scientific information in a manner that all can follow. He is the Biology Department Chair at UAB and a regular on the Oh Brother Radio Show. He is joined by Let's Think On It host, psychiatrist Mark Westfall, for a broad conversation about aspects of the Novel Coronavirus and its effects on society.

This is a recording of an interview taken from an Oh Brother Radio segment on Birmingham Mountain Radio. It is being released as a podcast on Let's Think On It as a public service to provide factual accounts of what the governmental responses to the Coronavirus are as of March 19th 2020.

Host Mark Westfall MD interviews Virus researcher Landon Westfall PhD about the novel coronavirus. Landon is a researcher at Southern Research in Birmingham AL and is charged with trying to create a vaccine for this novel coronavirus among other viruses he studies. Landon has a wealth of knowledge and is an entertaining educator. Listen in to expand your understanding and lower your anxiety about this new virus.

Psychiatrist and host Mark Westfall MD interviews Infectious Disease specialist Stephen Threlkeld MD about the novel coronavirus that is causing such public chaos. Dr. Threlkeld is a clinical infectious disease expert in Memphis TN and diagnosed the first case of Novel coronavirus in Memphis. As usual, you will hear an educational and entertaining episode without all the sensationalistic hype. Listen in and get your knowledge expanded, your questions answered, and your anxiety calmed.

Homelessness takes many forms. We catch up with Anne Rygiel, Director of the Firehouse Ministries Shelter in Birmingham AL, to hear her take on the problem.  Listen in on what they are doing to improve the plight of the homeless in Birmingham. The problem is more complex than it sounds, join us as we begin to unravel the underlying causes and look for solutions. This is a primer for a topic that deserves its' own series of podcast episodes.

Guns, human behavior and mental illness are explored in this conversation with Psychiatrist Mark Westfall and The Lochamy Brothers. An FBI study of "Active Shooters" is the springboard for discussion. At LTOI, we hope to leave you in a more knowledgeable, less-inflamed state via thoughtful discussion about topics that matter. Leave behind the angry media rhetoric. Join us and pass it on by sharing our series with others, followed by your own group discussion. Thanks for listening.

Addiction is seen through a new scientific lens. The behavior of "Liking" and "Wanting" is explored. This theory will relate to everyone. It explains how a basic animal behavior can be the basis of addiction. Listen in as The Lochamy Brothers host Dr. Westfall for an entertaining discussion of basic animal research and the light it sheds on human behavior. Dr. Westfall states that when he first heard this theory, he felt he finally understood what patients had been describing to him for 30 years about their addiction.

Mass media constantly bombards us with the latest "killer virus". But what is really going on when there is a viral scare? We have a microbiologist with us on the show to lend a better understanding to the process of infectious disease. We cover the biggest epidemics ever and the most common virus of them all, influenza. Join Dr. Westfall and the Lochamy Brothers with special guest Landon Westfall as we delve a little deeper into the science of Infectious Disease.

Manipulation of DNA and what it can mean for society is discussed with expert Heather Tinsley PhD. As a molecular biologist at the University of Montevallo, Dr. Tinsley enlightens us about the advances in DNA exploration. The Lochamy Brothers and Dr. Westfall broaden the discussion to the non-scientific listener with some analogies and banter. Keep on learning throughout life with LTOI.