Simple Questions Podcast

Episode 65: What Happened To Black Wall Street? – features Hannibal B. Johnson, who traces the rise of Tulsa's Greenwood District, the 1921 massacre that destroyed it, and the forces that shaped how the event was named, remembered, and rebuilt.

Episode Summary: Hannibal B. Johnson is the curator of Greenwood Rising, the author of Black Wall Street: From Riot to Renaissance in Tulsa's Historic Greenwood District, and an Oklahoma Hall of Fame inductee. He has spent decades researching and speaking about Tulsa's historically Black business district and the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre. This conversation covers the origins of Black Wall Street, the events leading up to and following the massacre, and how the district later declined and why its history was so long overlooked.

Listen as Johnson explains why the term "race riot" was used and why "massacre" may be a more accurate description, how insurance clauses and media framing shaped the public story, and how urban renewal and integration contributed to the district's decline.

In this episode we discuss:

• 00:00 - Introduction and the central question of what happened to Black Wall Street
• 01:41 - Johnson's arrival in Tulsa and how his research into Greenwood began
• 04:29 - What "Black Wall Street" actually refers to: the 100 block of Greenwood Avenue
• 06:24 - National context after World War I and the Red Summer of 1919
• 09:09 - Segregation, the "economic detour," and how Black Wall Street emerged
• 10:06 - The language of "race riot" and who controls how events are named
• 16:12 - The founding of Greenwood around 1906 and the role of O.W. Gurley
• 18:20 - Relations between Black and white Tulsans before 1921
• 22:01 - Causes versus catalyst: the five foundational factors behind the massacre
• 23:41 - The Drexel Building incident and the events of May 30, 1921
• 24:49 - The armed confrontation and the mob's destruction of the district
• 26:18 - The internment of Black residents by the National Guard
• 28:13 - Rebuilding amid hostility, the rezoning challenge, and the "It Must Not Be Again" editorial
• 31:32 - Prosecutions of Black men and the absence of convictions of white perpetrators
• 33:10 - Race relations under Jim Crow and why the massacre was buried
• 35:53 - Greenwood's renaissance and its peak in the 1940s
• 36:49 - Decline through urban renewal, interstate construction, and integration
• 39:14 - Shared humanity and the mission of the Greenwood Rising museum
• 41:21 - Where listeners can learn more, including the commission report
• 44:26 - Closing remarks and wrap-up

Resources:

• hannibalbjohnson.com
• Oklahoma Historical Society website (free access to the Oklahoma Commission to Study the Tulsa Race Riot of 1921 report)

• Greenwood Rising museum (virtual tour available through hannibalbjohnson.com)
• Black Wall Street: From Riot to Renaissance in Tulsa's Historic Greenwood District by Hannibal B. Johnson
• 10 Ways We Can Advance Social Justice Without Destroying Each Other by Hannibal B. Johnson

This episode includes the track 'RSPN' by Blank & Kytt. The song is used under the Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported License. You can find more of Blank & Kytt's music ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here.⁠

Episode 64: What is a Common Mycorrhizal Network? – features Dr. Jason Hoeksema, a conversation that explores what common mycorrhizal networks are, how large they can grow, and whether they truly benefit the plants they connect.

Episode Summary: Dr. Jason Hoeksema is a plant ecologist and professor at the University of Mississippi who has studied mycorrhizal fungi and tree interactions since the early 1990s. He is co-author of a major 2023 review on mycorrhizal networks, has led international research collaborations in Europe, and has mentored graduate students while publishing findings on rare ectomycorrhizal plant discoveries. In this episode, he explains what common mycorrhizal networks actually are, how scientists study their size and structure, and why determining whether they benefit connected plants is far more complicated than it first appears.

Listen as Dr. Hoeksema distinguishes common mycorrhizal networks from general fungal networks, describes the confounding factors that complicate experiments testing whether these networks benefit plants, and shares the surprising discovery of an unexpected ectomycorrhizal relationship in a rare European wildflower.

In this episode we discuss:

• 01:36 – How Dr. Hoeksema first became fascinated with common mycorrhizal networks during graduate school
• 04:28 – His path into plant ecology, starting from an early interest in birds
• 06:38 – What distinguishes a "common mycorrhizal network" from general fungal networks or ecological interaction networks
• 09:08 – How large common mycorrhizal networks can grow, and the uncertainty around their continuity over space and time
• 11:25 – What resources and signals (phosphorus, nitrogen, carbon, water, and potential hormone signals) move through these networks
• 12:32 – Open questions about whether resource movement is meaningful or simply random diffusion
• 14:07 – Why testing whether common mycorrhizal networks benefit plants is experimentally difficult, including confounding effects from fungal community composition and soil volume restrictions
• 20:51 – Findings from the meta-analysis showing highly variable outcomes—from strongly positive to strongly negative effects on plants
• 22:22 – The personal and intellectual experience of re-examining his own past research for these confounding factors
• 25:34 – How common mycorrhizal networks may vary across different biomes, tree species, and mycorrhizal types (ectomycorrhizal vs. arbuscular)
• 25:41 – The research bias toward temperate Northern Hemisphere conifer forests and the need for more global studies
• 28:24 – A surprising discovery of ectomycorrhizal fungi on Pulsatilla patens (pasque flower), a plant not expected to form this type of symbiosis
• 32:30 – Advice for young researchers interested in mycorrhizal ecology and remaining open questions in the field
• 35:35 – Where listeners can learn more about Dr. Hoeksema's work

Resources:

• Dr. Jason Hoeksema's research website

This episode includes the track 'RSPN' by Blank & Kytt. The song is used under the Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported License. You can find more of Blank & Kytt's music ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here.⁠

Episode 63: How Are High Performers Made? – features Dr. Alex Auerbach, exploring the science of how high performers optimize stress, environment, and psychology to deliver consistent results under pressure.

Episode Summary: This episode features a conversation with Dr. Alex Auerbach, a performance psychologist who has worked with the Toronto Raptors and now the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Listen as Dr. Auerbach breaks down what it really takes to become a high performer, how performance psychology principles apply well beyond professional sports, and why self-regulation and pressure management matter as much as raw talent.

In this episode we discuss:

• 00:52 – Introducing Dr. Alex Auerbach

• 01:42 – How Dr. Auerbach became interested in performance psychology
• 04:45 – Earning a PhD in sport and performance psychology
• 06:34 – Choosing the Toronto Raptors and building out a team mental performance program
• 07:36 – The move from the Raptors to the Jacksonville Jaguars
• 08:19 – Common challenges athletes bring to a performance psychologist
• 09:19 – Navigating hierarchy and relationship issues between athletes and coaches
• 12:02 – Understanding and managing performance anxiety
• 14:44 – Concepts that carry over from athletes to high performers in any field
• 17:04 – How high performers are made, using Steph Curry as an example
• 18:09 – Why discipline looks different for every performer, from Jay-Z to Eminem
• 19:47 – Finding and doubling down on your natural strengths
• 22:37 – Solving the "transfer problem" between practice and real performance
• 25:39 – Guidance for parents supporting a young athlete
• 29:13 – The most surprising and humbling parts of the work
• 30:51 – What to say to someone skeptical of performance psychology
• 32:11 – Practical performance strategies anyone can use
• 34:12 – The right and wrong ways to use visualization
• 36:03 – Building better self-talk habits
• 38:26 – Reframing rest and recovery as part of performance
• 41:14 – Where to learn more from Dr. Auerbach and other resources
• 42:09 – Conclusion

Resources:

• ⁠⁠Professional Website
• ⁠⁠Called to Greatness Book

This episode includes the track 'RSPN' by Blank & Kytt. The song is used under the Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported License. You can find more of Blank & Kytt's music ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here.⁠

Episode 62: What Is Prosopagnosia? – features Dr. Brad Duchaine, Professor of Psychological and Brain Sciences at Dartmouth College, exploring the science, social impact, and neural mechanisms of face blindness.

Episode Summary: This episode features a conversation with Dr. Brad Duchaine, a researcher with over two decades of experience studying face perception.

Listen as Dr. Duchaine breaks down what prosopagnosia is, how the brain calculates facial measurements, the distinction between perception and memory deficits, the visual distortion condition known as PMO, and how face blindness impacts everyday social interactions.

In this episode we discuss:

• ​00:00 – Introduction to Dr. Brad Duchaine and the question of prosopagnosia
• ​01:17 – Pronunciation of prosopagnosia and Dr. Duchaine's early interest in the condition
• ​02:31 – Specialized psychological mechanisms and entering face recognition research
• ​03:27 – How the brain processes person recognition and measures facial characteristics
• ​04:57 – Perceptual precision deficits vs. memory/indexing impairments in prosopagnosia
• ​07:39 – Prosopometamorphopsia (PMO) and active facial feature distortions
• ​10:48 – Causes of face blindness: Acquired prosopagnosia vs. developmental prosopagnosia
• ​12:53 – How the internet expanded research access and public awareness
• ​14:12 – Coping strategies, non-facial identity cues, and contextual recognition
• ​16:03 – Testing for face blindness online (Cambridge Face Memory Test and famous face tests)
• ​17:42 – Diagnostic thresholds and normal distribution of face recognition ability
• ​19:03 – Current gaps in understanding neural computations and information processing
• ​20:33 – Prevalence of developmental prosopagnosia and findings from public reach-out
• ​22:03 – The "prosopagnosia epiphany" and validating past social experiences
• ​23:51 – Social implications, interpersonal misunderstandings, and emotional costs
• ​25:21 – Practical advice for navigating face recognition challenges with others
• ​26:24 – Resources for learning more and participating in research
• ​27:35 – Conclusion

Resources:

• ​⁠⁠Face Blind Research

This episode includes the track 'RSPN' by Blank & Kytt. The song is used under the Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported License. You can find more of Blank & Kytt's music ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here.⁠

Episode 61: What Is Morse Code? – features James Wades, President of the Morse Telegraph Club and Advisor on Steven Spielberg's Lincoln, exploring the language of dots and dashes.

Episode Summary: This episode features a conversation with James, an expert in telegraphy and historical communication infrastructure.

Listen as James breaks down what Morse code really is, how telegraphy shows up in early commercial and hidden industrial systems, why efficiency and rhythm patterns matter, how the technology evolved into the internet, and what separates American Morse code from International Morse code.

In this episode we discuss:

• 00:36 – Introducing James Wades
• 01:30 – How James Wades became interested in Morse code
• 01:57 – Distinguishing American Morse code from International Morse code
• 02:57 – The common myth of telegraph obsolescence and overlapping infrastructure technologies
• 03:36 – The ubiquity and scale of early telegraphy infrastructure
• 05:12 – The evolution of the technology, commercial advantages, and automatic switching
• 09:36 – How automatic telegraph routing and switching evolved into the Internet
• 11:24 – Public interactions with the telegraph and its invisible commercial industry users
• 15:54 – Walter P. Phillips and the development of Phillips code shorthand
• 17:05 – Using Phillips Code for rapid baseball play-by-play and news reporting
• 21:23 – How Morse code characters are structured as rhythm patterns rather than manual translations
• 24:54 – Efficiency in telegraphy through the disciplined elimination of unnecessary language
• 28:48 – The economics of word-based charging systems
• 30:19 – Understanding telegraphy as a holistic, practiced art form
• 33:36 – Historical myths surrounding telegraph efficiency and the concept of the Victorian Internet
• 36:36 – The distinct design elements and historical adoption of American and International Morse codes
• 42:54 – Resources for learning more: The Morse Telegraph Club and the Long Island CW Club
• 45:54 – Conclusion

Resources:

• ⁠The Morse Telegraph Club
• ⁠Long Island CW Club

This episode includes the track 'RSPN' by Blank & Kytt. The song is used under the Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported License. You can find more of Blank & Kytt's music ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here.⁠

Episode 60: What Is Mind-Wandering? – features Dr. Jonathan Schooler, exploring how the wandering mind shapes creativity, consciousness, and the way we understand attention.

Episode Summary: This episode of The Simple Questions Podcast features a conversation between Dylan Carnahan and Dr. Jonathan Schooler, a pioneer in the scientific study of consciousness and mental drift. Schooler draws back the curtain on the internal workings of the human brain, sharing firsthand insights from a career dedicated to mapping the default mode network and meta-awareness.

Listen as Jonathan shares his transition from a preoccupied first-grader to a leading global authority on psychological and brain sciences. He provides a candid look at the daily realities of human productivity, the complexities of creative incubation, and his mission to help people optimize mental performance with tools like the "Finding Focus" app.

In this episode, we discuss:

• 00:46 – Introducing Dr. Jonathan Schooler.

• 01:55 – Jonathan’s childhood proclivity for mind wandering and his first-grade report card.

• 02:53 – A teenage gift from his father that opened his lifelong interest in consciousness.

• 03:50 – Realizing the brain can read text while the mind is completely elsewhere.

• 04:47 – Defining meta-awareness as the intermittent taking stock of your own mind.

• 06:06 – Grounding the alternative: How mindfulness operates as the opposite of mental drift.

• 07:27 – The biological purpose of the default mode network in planning and creative incubation.

• 09:17 – Quantifying creative breakthroughs in daily routines among writers and physicists.

• 11:50 – Why complete idleness causes severe boredom, driving people to give themselves electric shocks.

• 12:51 – Defining "mind wondering" as the playful, curious exploration of thoughts.

• 14:51 – Catching negative rumination early using targeted meta-awareness.

• 15:23 – Utilizing intentional thought suppression techniques to actively curb unwanted ideas.

• 18:51 – Distinguishing between intentional, strategic drift and accidental, costly lapses.

• 20:59 – How meditation acts as a practical training ground for noticing lost focus.

• 22:40 – Moving past the societal guilt and negative stigmas tied to attention lapses.

• 24:18 – The real-world dangers of mind wandering during test-taking, reading, and driving.

• 25:37 – Tracking eye movements and gaze duration to identify exactly when a reader tunes out.

• 27:22 – Catching unaware episodes of mental drift through periodic experimental probes.

• 28:27 – The double punch of alcohol: Increasing cognitive lapses while destroying the awareness to notice them.

• 29:45 – Evaluating visual versus verbal mental imagery and its specific impact on memory.

• 31:22 – How creative individuals routinely mind-wander using highly bizarre imagery.

• 32:15 – Introspecting on the absolute limits of free will through the lens of meditation.

• 35:04 – The sailboat metaphor: Steering the rudder of free will through unpredictable internal currents.

• 37:30 – Nuancing attention deficit disorders as cognitive styles that feed specific creative niches.

• 39:47 – Introducing the Finding Focus app to build cognitive control in high schools nationwide.

• 41:50 – Why modern organizations must respect playful flights of fancy to fuel institutional innovation.

• 42:15 – Managing your front-row seat to the mind to observe and steer your thoughts.

• 44:24 – Final reflections on mildly engaging tasks, stopping rumination, and the cognitive toll of alcohol.

Resources:

• ⁠⁠⁠Finding Focus App
• META Lab

This episode includes the track 'RSPN' by Blank & Kytt. The song is used under the Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported License. You can find more of Blank & Kytt's music ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here.⁠

Episode 59: How Do Jails Work? – features David Thaxton, who explores the differences between jails and prisons, the reality of daily operations, and how the justice system can better serve society.

Episode Summary: This episode of The Simple Questions Podcast features a conversation between Dylan Carnahan and David Thaxton, the retired Warden of the Wyandotte County Detention Center. Thaxton draws back the curtain on the internal workings of the jail system, sharing firsthand insights from a career that spanned over two decades in law enforcement and corrections.

Listen as David shares his transition from the Army National Guard to the Wyandotte County Sheriff’s Office, eventually rising to the rank of Major of Support Services. He provides a candid look at the daily realities of managing a detention facility, the complexities of the justice system, and his post-retirement mission with "Beyond the Cell".

In this episode, we discuss:

• 00:46 – Introducing David Thaxton

• 01:49 – David’s journey: From a GED at 20 to seeking a life of service.

• 02:40 – Joining the Kansas Army National Guard and his transition from construction work.

• 05:25 – The path to law enforcement: Why being a police officer felt similar to being a soldier.

• 06:40 – Starting at the Wyandotte County Sheriff’s Office and the reality of being a "pod officer".

• 11:52 – Defining the difference: Jails vs. detention centers vs. prisons.

• 14:54 – Why jails are the "triage centers" of the justice system.

• 17:33 – The lack of rehabilitation resources in municipal jails.

• 20:33 – Why detention officers should be trained and viewed as law enforcement.

• 25:14 – The "Six Factors" of jail operation: Health, welfare, custody, control, safety, and security.

• 28:06 – Managing mental health and medical needs within a 500-person population.

• 31:12 – Evolution of training: Moving from a 5-day orientation to a 16-week program.

• 36:22 – The dangers of complacency and the importance of leadership in the pods.

• 44:33 – What can the system do better? Addressing trauma and the "people problem".

• 47:33 – Implementing Jail Intelligence Officers to break criminal cycles.

• 51:00 – The concept of a "Cognitive Deputy" and planting seeds for change.

• 59:15 – Shifting from punitive measures to mandatory positive engagement.

• 01:02:15 – Conclusion: The personal toll of service and final reflections.

Resources:

• ⁠⁠Beyond the Cell

This episode includes the track 'RSPN' by Blank & Kytt. The song is used under the Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported License. You can find more of Blank & Kytt's music ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here.⁠

Episode 58: What Are Omega-3s? – features Dr. Clemens von Schacky, a leading expert in fatty acids and creator of the Omega-3 Index, who shares his insights into omega-3s and how they impact human health.

Episode Summary: This episode of The Simple Questions Podcast features a conversation between Dylan Carnahan and Dr. Clemens von Schacky, a physician and researcher specializing in omega-3 fatty acids. Dr. von Schacky breaks down the science of omega-3s, explains their role in the body, and clarifies common misconceptions around supplementation and diet.

Listen as Dr. von Schacky shares his journey into fatty acid research, the development of the Omega-3 Index, and practical guidance on how individuals can measure and optimize their omega-3 levels for better health.

In this episode we discuss:

• 00:45 – Introducing Dr. Clemens von Schacky
• 01:30 – How did you get into fatty acid research?
• 04:39 – What are fatty acids, simply defined?
• 07:12 – What are DHA and EPA, and why do they matter?
• 09:00 – How do omega-3s impact cardiovascular health?
• 13:21 – What is the Omega-3 Index?
• 15:07 – Why has omega-3 research been inconsistent?
• 18:00 – What are researchers studying now about omega-3s?
• 20:33 – What is most misunderstood about omega-3s?
• 21:54 – How do you effectively improve omega-3 levels?
• 23:23 – Do you need to take omega-3s consistently?
• 24:58 – Why athletes and certain populations are often deficient
• 26:42 – The real-world impact of omega-3 levels on health
• 28:27 – How to choose quality omega-3 supplements and testing
• 30:27 – What advice do you have for the average person?
• 32:06 – How can people learn more about your work?
• 32:57 – Conclusion

Resources:

• ⁠Omegametrix
• ⁠Dr. Clemens von Shacky's Research

This episode includes the track 'RSPN' by Blank & Kytt. The song is used under the Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported License. You can find more of Blank & Kytt's music ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here.⁠

Episode 57: How Do Cats Behave? – features Dr. Mikel Delgado, a leading cat behavior expert and researcher who shares her insights into the feline mind and how we can better understand our feline companions.

Episode Summary: This episode of The Simple Questions Podcast features a conversation between Dylan Carnahan and Dr. Mikel Delgado, a Certified Applied Animal Behaviorist (CAAB) and author. Dr. Delgado breaks down the science of cat behavior, debunks common myths, and provides practical advice for improving the lives of indoor cats.

Listen as Dr. Delgado shares her journey into animal science, the psychological needs of cats, and the leading research on how to build a better relationship with your pet.

In this episode we discuss:

• 00:30 – Introducing Dr. Mikel Delgado
• 01:34 – How did you become interested in Cats?
• 03:47 – What common behavioral issues do cats have?
• 07:13 – What is commonly misunderstood about cats?
• 19:23 – Do different cat breeds have different temperaments?
• 23:29 – What do we still not understand about cats?
• 33:13 – What advice do you have for the average cat owner?
• 42:49 – The importance of environmental enrichment
• 59:24 – The science of play and feline predatory instincts
• 1:07:07 – Neonatal kitten research and development
• 1:18:58 – Building a career in animal behavior science
• 1:31:10 – Conclusion

Resources:

• Dr. Delgado's Website
• Play With Your Cat!

This episode includes the track 'RSPN' by Blank & Kytt. The song is used under the Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported License. You can find more of Blank & Kytt's music ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here.⁠

Episode 56: How Do You Survive Solitary Confinement? – features Leon Benson, who shares his journey from wrongful conviction and 10 consecutive years in solitary confinement to eventual exoneration.

Episode Summary: This episode of The Simple Questions Podcast features a conversation between Dylan Carnahan and Leon Benson, the Director of the Solitary Justice Project, who was wrongfully convicted and spent 12 years in solitary confinement.

Listen as Leon shares his story of being wrongfully incarcerated, what it was like surviving years inside for a crime he did not commit, and the psychological toll of losing time, freedom, and identity.

In this episode we discuss:

• 00:30 – Introducing Leon Benson
• 01:34 – Wrongful arrest and murder conviction
• 03:47 – Eyewitness misidentification and flawed evidence
• 07:13 – 60-year sentence, entering prison young
• 19:23 – False accusation, sent to solitary
• 20:53 – Solitary confinement conditions and isolation
• 23:29 – Personal loss, appeals denied, breaking point
• 33:13 – Indefinite isolation, “existential purgatory”
• 37:21 – Finding meaning through philosophy, mindset
• 42:49 – Turning isolation into mental survival
• 59:24 – Advocacy, growth, release from solitary
• 1:07:07 – Mentorship, leadership, prison programs
• 1:18:58 – Clemency effort leads to legal help
• 1:22:00 – Conviction Integrity Unit takes case
• 1:23:10 – Exoneration and release in 2023
• 1:23:45 – Reentry advice and mental wellness
• 1:31:10 – Conclusion

Resources:

• ⁠Exoneration Registry
• Leon's Writing

This episode includes the track 'RSPN' by Blank & Kytt. The song is used under the Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported License. You can find more of Blank & Kytt's music ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here.⁠