“Motivated reasoning” is deciding what evidence to believe based on a conclusion that one prefers. Is that why some people wear masks and others don’t? Adrian Bardon, professor of philosophy at Wake Forest University, joins host Krys Boyd to talk about how identity, political affiliation, culture and rationalization have led to science denial. He’s the author of “The Truth About Denial: Bias and Self-Deception in Science, Politics, and Religion.”

The Supreme Court narrowly rejected the Trump administration’s attempt to end the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program – meaning life for its nearly 700,000 participants remains in limbo. In this collaboration between Think and The Texas Newsroom, host Krys Boyd explores why Congress has been unwilling to create legislation that addresses DACA, shares the stories of DACA recipients as they go about their lives unable to plan for their futures, and talks to Janet Napolitano, who initiated the program as President Obama’s Homeland Security secretary.

New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo said of COVID-19, “If you reduce the density you can reduce the spread.” As we look to a new world laden with pandemic worries, the message might as well be, “get out of town.” Ian Bogost, contributing writer at The Atlantic and the Ivan Allen College Distinguished Chair in Media Studies at the Georgia Institute of Technology, joins host Krys Boyd to talk about ditching the urban core for peace — and distance. His article his headlined “Revenge of the Suburbs.”

If your country’s two dominant political parties faced more competition, they might have to reach beyond their bases to stay competitive. Katherine M. Gehl, founder of the Institute for Political Innovation, joins host Krys Boyd to talk about lessons from the business world that could fix our political system. Her new book, co-written with Harvard Business School professor Michael E. Porter, is called “The Politics Industry: How Political Innovation Can Break Partisan Gridlock and Save Our Democracy.” 

Forget “live, laugh, love” – scriptwriter and producer Kari Lizer wants three dogs and more sleep. The creator of “The New Adventures of Old Christine” and an Emmy-nominated co-executive producer of “Will & Grace” joins host Krys Boyd to talk about life after the kids have left, a new disdain for high heels, and finally finding her voice. Her new book is “Aren’t You Forgetting Someone?: Essays from My Mid-Life Revenge.”

Patients in hospice care tend to sleep a lot – and those periods of blissful rest can lead to a new way of dreaming. Dr. Christopher Kerr, CEO and chief medical officer at Hospice Buffalo, joins host Krys Boyd to talk about observing end-of-life patients and how their dreams and visions provide moments of beauty and affirmation. His new book is called “Death is But a Dream: Finding Hope and Meaning at Life’s End.”

Five-thousand Texas ranches keep at least one exotic animal species. That means everything from antelopes to zebras. Asher Elbein joins host Krys Boyd to talk about what happens when a nilgai meets the cow – and how these nonnative animals are affecting the landscape. His article published in The Texas Observer is “The Texotics.”

Asian and Asian-American women often find themselves in a battle against colorism – even from within their own families. Nikki Khanna, associate professor in the department of sociology at the University of Vermont, joins host Krys Boyd to talk about how these women internalize feelings of being less than. Her new book is called “Whiter: Asian American Women on Skin Color and Colorism.”

Reproductive rights make headlines during presidential campaigns and out of the Supreme Court. It’s less common, however, to hear from women with firsthand experience. Diana Greene Foster is a professor in the University of California, San Francisco’s Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Services and director of research at Advancing New Standards in Reproductive Health (ANSIRH). She joins host Krys Boyd to talk about her longitudinal study focused on individual experiences, the subject of her book “The Turnaway Study: Ten Years, a Thousand Women, and the Consequences of Having – or Being Denied – an Abortion.”

In August 1920, American women were granted the right to vote. And the reality is, they fought hard to take it. Writer, director and producer Michelle Ferrari joins host Krys Boyd to talk about the passage of the 19th Amendment and the brave women who pushed that movement to success. Her two-part American Experience documentary, “The Vote,” debuts tonight on PBS stations.