When VPs Run for America’s Top Office (0:35)

Guest: Joel K. Goldstein, Professor of Law, Saint Louis University, Author of “The Modern American Vice Presidency: The Transformation of a Political Institution” and “The White House Vice Presidency: The Path to Significance, Mondale to Biden” 

Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders is still in the 2020 presidential race, but former Vice President Joe Biden is winning in the primaries and looks likely to be the Democratic nominee. It’s not unusual for vice presidents to run for the top job. It is unusual for them to do it after being out of office for a while. In fact, only one other former vice president has successfully run for president after taking a break from office.

The Science Behind Tuvan Throat Singing (22:02)

Guest: Brad Story, Professor of Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences, University of Arizona

The throat singers of Tuva and Mongolia have long puzzled scientists. But some clever scientists solved the puzzle by putting a Tuvan throat singer into an MRI and recording a video of what’s going on inside his mouth and throat as he sings.

The Uncensored Library Lets Journalists Escape Censorship In…Minecraft? (34:30)

Guest: Guest: Kristin Bässe, Media and Public Relations Officer, Reporters Without Borders (RSF)

The video game Minecraft is proving popular – and useful – during the pandemic. Poland launched a public server so kids can hang out and build things with their friends in a virtual space – while keep at a safe social distance. Some Japanese elementary students missing out on their graduation, held one for themselves in Minecraft. The company that makes Minecraft is extending its educational options for teachers and students to use during the pandemic, too. On a very serious note, the international nonprofit Reporters Without Borders has just launched a public library inside Minecraft where people can go to read the work of journalists who’ve been censored, persecuted and, and in the case of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi, killed for speaking against repressive regimes.

Thinking Funny Can Help You Be More Creative at Work. But Don’t Try to BE Funny. (50:41)

Guest: Peter McGraw, Professor of Marketing and Behavioral Econ, University of Colorado Boulder, Director of the HuRL (Humor Research Lab)

We’re all looking for a bit of relief in these confusing and chaotic times. But humor is tricky because it can come off as tone deaf. Somebody’s bound to be offended by whatever light you try to make of a tough situation. Word of advice – do not be that person in your office right now cracking wise. In fact, trying to be funny is a terrible business strategy, says Peter McGraw.

Teachers Experiencing Trauma Through Their Students (1:14:26)

Guest: Steve Hydon, Clinical Professor in Field Education, University of Southern California

More than half of American kids have experienced some kind of trauma. Teachers have to deal with the repercussions of that every day with many anxious, depressed, and withdrawn students. It’s exhausting some teachers to the point that they’re start showing the same symptoms. It’s like second-hand smoking, but for trauma.

Helping Kids With Emotional Self-Regulation (1:30:08)

Guest:   Rachel Wadham, Host, Worlds Awaiting on BYUradio, Education and Juvenile Collections Librarian, BYU