How Local Governments Reinforce Segregation in Favor of White Homeowners (0:39)

Guest: Jessica Trounstine, PhD, Professor of Political Science, University of California–Merced, Author of “Segregation by Design”

Is the neighbor who lives next door the same race as you? How about the people living on the next block? Or a mile away, in your same town? Chances are pretty good that you live in a community where most everyone is your same race. Despite decades of anti-discrimination laws and policies, America remains deeply segregated. Is it that deep down, we’re all impossibly racist? No, political scientist Jessica Trounstine says our city and county governments have played an important role in shaping these patterns. (Originally aired October 15, 2019). 

Are More Choices Better... Or Worse? (20:39)

Guest: Thomas Saltsman, Senior Lab Director, Social Psychophysiology Laboratory, University at Buffalo, The State University of New York

You’re studying the menu at a new restaurant you’ve heard great things about. The menu is long. But everything looks really good. So your mouth is watering and you keep telling the server to give you a few more minutes to decide. And now you’re starting to feel a little anxious because the rest of your group is ready to order but you can’t decide. So you just pick something. And you’ve got high hopes for what you’ve ordered. But the moment it arrives, you’re regretting your choice. This happens to me every time I go to a new restaurant. And apparently it’s common enough psychologists have a name for it: ““choice overload.” It also happens when people are faced with an endless array of options on streaming TV sites or dating apps. (Originally aired October 15, 2019). 

Can Perfectionism Be Toxic? (34:49)

Guest: Thomas Curran, Professor of Psychology at the London School of Economics and Political Science

A common job interview question is “What’s your greatest weakness?” A common, clever answer is perfectionism. It may seem like the perfect response to twist the question in your favor, but psychologist Thomas Curran says that this characteristic is dangerous and not something to be proud of. He’s found that it’s on the rise in young people, and that could be why cases of depression and anxiety are also going up. (Originally aired October 15, 2019). 

Measles Erases the Immune System’s Memory (50:41)

Guest: Michael Mina,MD, PhD an Assistant Professor of Epidemiology at Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health

This has been a record year for measles outbreaks in the US. Public health officials say most of the people who got sick had not been vaccinated. But also, nobody has died from the measles this year –out of more than 1,000cases. So, there’s this thread of thought among vaccine-hesitant parents that measles really isn’t that serious. What if the trouble for your kid isn’t just the measles itself, though? After the rash and fever are gone, the body is more prone to other infections.

Why Paid Family Leave Doesn’t Increase Gender Equality in the Workplace (1:07:25)

Guest: Elena Patel, Professor of Finance at the University of Utah 

Many mothers in California can get partial pay from the government to take off work when they have a baby. Some lawmakers and activists argue that paid family leave is a way to fix gender inequality in the work place because working mothers are able to spend time with their child and keep their job. However, a new study found that the opposite may be true. Paid Family Leave may actually increase the gender wage gap.

Mental Illness Is Not the Only Risk Factor for Suicide (1:21:54)

Guest: Tyler Black, MD, FRCPC, a Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist, Medical Director CAPE Unit at BC Children's Hospital

There is a growing problem of suicide in the world and access to mental health treatment is an important part of the solution. But psychiatrist Tyler Black says we also need to change how we think about suicide and its causes. If you or anyone you know is struggling, please reach out. The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is always available at 1-800-273-8255.