Random Acts of Knowledge

Globally, 1 in 5 people is neurodivergent. Yet many workplaces aren't accommodating for those whose brains simply work differently than others.

Heartland Community College staff Kristi Glesne and Christina Schulz discuss how managers and employers can create an inclusive workspace that helps neurodivergent employees feel welcome and be productive.

View the transcript here.

Fundamental first aid and CPR courses are widely available for those willing to help in a crisis situation. But mental health concerns aren’t part of that training.

Just like with a physical health crisis there are ways anyone can help to respond to a mental health crisis.

Megan Moser with McLean County Center for Human Services discusses how mental health first aid training is important for educators, businesses, and public safety professionals.

View the transcript here.

Nursing is one of the most in-demand professions in the U.S. today.  But how do healthcare providers and educators inspire more people to go into nursing... and deal with a training logjam with the influx of students?   

Solutions might be found in grammar schools and even in cyberspace.

Nurse educator Dameron Beverly discusses the importance of reaching out to inspire more young people to become health care workers, and also how VR technology has helped make a dent in the high demand for hands-on clinical experiences.

View the transcript here.

What does it mean to work on the railroad in the 21st century?

Transportation industry jobs remain one of the in-demand of workers.  But they also can be demanding.

A representative from a major rail company provides some insight into the modern day life of a railroader.

View the transcript here.

With everything from online instruction to digital textbooks, technology is playing a larger role in the modern classroom.

With the emergence of accessible Virtual Reality (VR) technology, instructors can now offer learning experiences to students that had previously not been available.

Dr. Anna Catterson, Executive Director of Online Learning and Instructional Technologies at Heartland Community College discusses the ways VR tech is being used in the classroom.

View the transcript here.

2022 has been an eventful and violent time in Iran. As mass protests have erupted in Iran many of those who have fled the country are joining together to spread the word about how women have suffered under the current regime.

Two Iranian siblings hope to spread the word about the events in Iran via a traveling art exhibit with features work from women who are in and outside of the country.

View the transcript here.

Most of us don’t know what happens to the bottles, paper, and cans we throw into a recycling bin.  

Unsurprisingly, not all recyclable materials are created equally.  Some are only recyclable under certain circumstances.  Many items are only partially recyclable.

A recycling industry insider discusses the path of those materials we put on the curb, and how individuals can make choices that keep items out of the landfill.

View the transcript here.

Dogs evolved along with humans to be helpers.  As a result, they are often "looking for a job," even if the job is just getting treats.

Dog trainer Sam Stocking discusses training dogs as service animals to help humans with issues such as diabetes and developmental disabilities.

View the transcript here.

How much material are you putting in the landfill?

Tossing items in the recycling bin is a step toward cutting down on permanent waste, but most people still generate a lot of garbage.

Zero waste lifestyle advocate Linda Stroh gives tips on cutting down on non-recyclable waste and discusses her personal journey to eliminate plastic, as much as possible, from her life.

View the transcript here.

Toying with beer recipes at home, Chad Bevers founded the Lil' Beaver brand before opening his own commercial brewery.

After getting a positive response from friends and acquaintances with some experiments with new flavors including mango habanero and coconut, Bevers took his brews to festivals and was a finalist in a nationwide contest hosted by the Samuel Adams brand.

Bevers discusses his journey from homebrewer to business owner, the brewing process and gives a few tips on brewing.

View the transcript here.