Our understanding of coral's benefits grows every day—and so do the threats to this vital ecosystem. How are we affecting some of the critical relationships that let coral do so much for us? Chico State professor Cawa Tran explains how her research on sea anemones, coral, algae, and the symbiotic relationships that tie us all together can help us learn not only how to preserve the reefs, but how to examine our own relationships. The intro song is "Look Up" by Aaron Sprinkle. The outro is "Turning Point" by Hawksilver. Read a transcript of the episode here: https://today.csuchico.edu/coral-relationships-and-us

We dread political conversations with family because of how tense they can be. But what if we could get through them and actually find some common ground? That's the goal in this episode, in which Chico State professor Kate McCarthy turns to her experience studying interreligious communications to provide some productive concepts for political dialogue. It might finally be safe to talk politics at the dinner table again. The intro song is "Look Up" by Aaron Sprinkle. The outro is "Happy Together" by Caleb Etheridge. Read a transcript of the episode here: https://today.csuchico.edu/talking-politics-at-the-dinner-table

Chico State physics professor Nick Nelson explains the chaotic business of weather prediction on planet Earth. "A butterfly flaps its wings in China, and we get a tornado in Texas." That's the thought behind the butterfly effect, and, interestingly enough, it's why our weather forecasts for tomorrow are excellent, and why the same ones for 10 days are essentially guesses.  The intro song is "Look Up" by Aaron Sprinkle. The outro is "Emerging Flame" by Adrian Walther. Read a transcript of the episode here: https://today.csuchico.edu/predicting-the-weather-is-chaos

If you got lost with no access to GPS, would you be able to figure out where to go to get home? For hundreds of years, navigators used celestial bodies to guide their paths. Your phone can do that for you now, sure—but in a pinch, using the sun, moon, and stars as your map is a pretty cool skill to have. Chico State professor Nick Nelson tells us how it's done. The intro song is "Look Up" by Aaron Sprinkle. The outro is "Celestial" by Adrian Walther. Read the transcript here: https://today.csuchico.edu/making-the-stars-your-map

Dirt is all around us—literally, in Earth's case. Maybe we don't give it its proper due, though: Civilizations have crashed because of misunderstandings about soil's importance. Chico State professor Garrett Liles explains why soil is such a vital part of our world.The intro song is "Look Up" by Aaron Sprinkle. The outro is "Emerging Flame" by Adrian Walther.Read a full transcript of the episode here: https://today.csuchico.edu/what-can-we-learn-from-the-dirt?

Does your dread of a tough conversation stop you from having it altogether? Do you get worried about how an interview might go? Do you procrastinate? All are natural forms of anxiety, but anxiety shouldn't prevent us from living our best lives.Chico State psychology professor Joel Minden explains a few tactics and reminders to help keep anxiety from taking over. Thanks to our student sound editor, Hayden Duncan, and to Professor Minden.The intro song is "Look Up" by Aaron Sprinkle. The outro is "Metropolis Daybreak" by Cody Martin.Read a transcript of the episode here: https://today.csuchico.edu/take-action-demand-satisfaction-managing-anxiety/

How do we discuss the topic of race with people of another race? Chico State sociology professor and department chair Nandi Crosby-Jordan joins the show to break down challenges in these discussions, including the problem with color-blindness, the concept of white fragility, and why nobody owes anyone a history lesson on their race.Thanks to our student sound editor, Hayden Duncan, and to Professor Crosby-Jordan.The intro song is "Look Up" by Aaron Sprinkle. The outro is "Let Me Down Easy" by PALA.Read a transcript of the episode here: https://today.csuchico.edu/how-do-we-talk-to-each-other-about-race/