On this episode, we were joined by Dr. Sara Gorman, author of the book Denying to the Grave: Why We Ignore the Facts That Will Save Us and Co-Founder of Critica, a community committed to making rational decisions about health and security. The team at Ology sought to understand why, despite evidence and the progress the field of medicine has made over the last few centuries, many people still have distrust in medicine and science.

In May of 1796, an English doctor named Edward Jenner administered the world’s first vaccination, which was given as a way of preventing smallpox, a disease which according to the World Health Organization of the United Nations, took over 300 million lives in the 20th century. Following the introduction of vaccinations to the world, a movement arose against the practice - a movement which we still have today, nearly 220 years later. On today’s episode, we discuss the different perspectives towards vaccinations, and justifications for, and against the practice.

Since the 1930s, the 12-step treatment approach to overcoming alcohol addiction has been a standard for recovery, and has also been incorporated by many other groups that help people overcome certain additions. Some of the other addictions where the 12-step treatment approach have been applied to includes: narcotics anonymous, gamblers anonymous, sex addicts anonymous and self-mutilators anonymous. On today’s episode, we discuss our opinions on the efficacy of these and similar programs, along with challenges that have made it a little difficult to study the program’s effectiveness in treating these and other addictions.

According to an article found on Inc.com, being consistent brings many benefits, including facilitating measurement, creating accountability, establishing your reputation, making you relevant, and maintaining your message. On today’s episode, we discuss why consistency (in both your personal and professional life) matters!

Source: https://www.inc.com/eric-v-holtzclaw/consistency-power-success-rules.html

According to Equifax, in 2011, a few researchers from Carnegie Mellon University demonstrated that facial recognition technology could increase our risk for identity theft. Some of the risks cited by Equifax include lack of consent (having photo & data collected without your knowledge), predatory marketing, being at a disadvantage when applying for jobs, stalking, and identity theft. Six years later, we now have mobile devices that can collect and store our credit card information, passport information, and some that can even unlock your cell phone via facial recognition. On today’s episode, we discuss why, despite the risks, people are willing to trust their mobile devices, our experiences using some of these, and what you can do to protect your identity...well, as much as you can these days!

According to a 2014 blog entry published on Psychology Today, Dr. Jefferson Fish defines tolerance as a fair, objective, and permissive attitude toward those whose opinions, practices, race, religion, nationality, etc., differ from one's own; while acceptance is defined as a person's assent to the reality of a situation, recognizing a process or condition without attempting to change it, protest, or exit. In light of November 16th being UNESCO’s International Day of Tolerance, on today’s episode, we discuss our experiences with tolerance and acceptance, as we seek to answer: which do we have in our society today and which should we strive for?

Source: https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/looking-in-the-cultural-mirror/201402/tolerance-acceptance-understanding

According to an article posted on WebMD, hiking, while beautiful and picturesque, also has many benefits when it comes to health. These benefits include: lowering risk of heart disease, improving your blood pressure, and even boosting your mood. On today’s episode, we discuss our experiences enjoying the sights, hiking, why we do it, and how it’s helped!

Over the past few months, we’ve had a chance to read a few books here and there! On today’s episode, we come together to talk about some life lessons learned, from the pages we’ve read to your ears!

On today’s episode as part of our community voices segment, we are joined by Pat Butler. Pat is currently in pursuit of his doctorate in Policy, Planning and Development from USC. He is an Assistant Chief with the Los Angeles Fire Department, where he has worked for 27-years. He has been assigned to both administrative and operational commands within the LAFD. He is also involved with child literacy and mental health services in our communities and serves on the boards of Vision to Learn as well as the San Fernando Valley Mental Health Center.

Hurricane Maria slammed Puerto Rico and devastated the island. Over the last few weeks, we have seen relief efforts unfolding, although, not as expeditiously and politics-free as we would hope for. On today’s episode, we discuss disaster response, Puerto Rico, and concerns regarding the future of the U.S. territory.