Water Cooler Talk Podcast

Joined by guest host Dr. Nicole Cooke (38:22), current holder of the Augusta Baker Endowed Chair and professor at the University of South Carolina, Adam and Nicole discuss the implications of banning books in prisons, the importance of free libraries, and illuminate the need to keep teachers happy.

First, Adam and Nicole contextualize the absurd reasons why prisons in the US have been banning certain “controversial” books from their prison, including ramen cookbooks and romance novels (06:37).

Then, they explore the obstacles faced by teachers, as school boards address the increasing shortage of educators by recruiting beyond their borders, essentially brain draining developing countries (49:14).

Tune in now and enjoy the type of conversations you wish you had around the workplace water cooler!

[Episode Stories]

New Report Finds ‘Staggering Number’ Of Books Banned In U.S. Prisons

Jamaica Fears Brain Drain As Teachers Leave For U.S. Schools

[Episode Links]

Dr. Nicole Cooke (Baker Chair Website)

AAPF (Website)

Instagram (@WaterCoolerTalkPod)

Artwork (www.Kohney.com)

Water Cooler Talk Podcast | Episode 089

Joined by guest host Hajar Yazdiha, Assistant Professor of Sociology and author of “The Struggle For The People’s King” (27:44), Adam and Hajar converse over inclusive language, and its impact on space-themed RPGs, the misremembered legacy of Martin Luther King Jr, and self-expression through natural hair.

First, Adam and Hajar blast off into “wokeness” as a loud gaming minority critique Starfield’s character pronoun options, emphasizing the importance of language evolving in sync with social change (04:56).

Then, they discuss a high schooler’s suspension over wearing his natural hair, shedding light on how systems, such as dress codes, perpetuate subtle mechanisms of racial and economic control (50:09).

Tune in now and enjoy the type of conversations you wish you had around the workplace water cooler!

[Episode Stories]

Nexus Mods Boots Starfield Mod That Removed Pronoun Options

Black Student Suspended Twice For Hairstyle, School Says It Isn’t Discrimination

[Episode Links]

Hajar Yazdiha (www.HajarYazdiha.com)

Zinn Education Project (Website)

Instagram (@WaterCoolerTalkPod)

Artwork (www.Kohney.com)

Water Cooler Talk Podcast | Episode 088

Joined by guest host Lucey Dwyer of Learning Tings (28:07), Adam and Lucey dive into the depths of what is and isn’t true on the internet; how Barbie, Shrek, and meme marketing have ironically reshaped the advertisement industry, and why para-social relationships may not be as detrimental as once believed.

First, Adam and Lucey partake in Barbenheimer fever, aiming to convey the importance that was the cultural moment of the summer and if we truly understand if we’re always being marketed to or not (04:56).

Then, they traverse the realm of content creation, discussing the dystopian nature of influencer farms, the complexities of para-social relationships, and how long is too long to hold on to childhood crushes (42:34).

Learning Tings Teaser (95:24)

Tune in now and enjoy the type of conversations you wish you had around the workplace water cooler!

[Episode Stories]

Woman Named ‘Barbie Oppenheimer’ Says She’s Having Trouble Checking Into Hotels

Asia’s ‘Influencer Farms’ Are Dystopian, But American Isn’t Much Better

[Episode Links]

Lucey Dwyer (YouTube.com/Lucey)

MS Australia (Website)

Instagram (@WaterCoolerTalkPod)

Artwork (www.Kohney.com)

Water Cooler Talk Podcast | Episode 087

Joined by guest host Maya Ford, cultural communications expert behind Ford Momentum (35:04), Adam and Maya explore strained relationships between municipalities and their residents, as well as the rather unconventional links that demonstrate how activities such as pickleball and discussing Avatar can unexpectedly contribute to the development of a stronger, healthier community.

First, Adam and Maya serve themselves into the world of tennis to discuss how increased court fees are placing limits on residents' aspirations to follow in the footsteps of local hero, Chris Eubanks (07:11).

Then, they scrutinize the illogical rationale to continue “poverty tows” in the city of San Diego, despite a recent audit exposing the practice as a loss-loss for the city, and its car-dependent residents (53:13).

Tune in now and enjoy the type of conversations you wish you had around the workplace water cooler!

[Episode Stories]

Families Say They’re Priced Out Of Youth Tennis

California Cities Lose Money And Harm Citizens With ‘Poverty Tows’

[Episode Links]

Maya Ford (Ford Momentum)

Documented NY (Website)

Instagram (@WaterCoolerTalkPod)

Artwork (www.Kohney.com)

Water Cooler Talk Podcast | Episode 086

Joined by guest host Dr. Mark Williams, esteemed neuroscience educator and author behind the bestseller “The Connected Species” (28:15), Adam and Mark discuss the profound significance of personal connection in nurturing healthy brains, exploring the effects of phone use during conversations, and how companionship, feathered or not, has a remarkable ability to add years to your life.

First, Adam and Mark unpack the relatively new term “phubbing”, shedding light on how our fixation on smartphones and online friendships can inadvertently contribute to making us feel more alone (03:21).

Then, they ponder a Turkish man’s decision to rescue an injured swan to further illuminate the essential role of building and maintaining healthy friendship in shaping the human brain’s well-being (48:27).

Tune in now and enjoy the type of conversations you wish you had around the workplace water cooler!

*AUGUST ONLY, use code RLAUGHOT23 at checkout for 30% off "The Connect Species" (Link)*

[Episode Stories]

You Probably Don’t Know What ‘Phubbing’ Is, But You Do It Constantly

Turkish Man Strikes Up 37-Year Friendship With Swan

[Episode Links]

Dr. Mark Williams (www.DrMarkWilliams)

The Kokoda Challenge (Website)

Instagram (@WaterCoolerTalkPod)

Artwork (www.Kohney.com)

Water Cooler Talk Podcast | Episode 085

Joined by guest host Dr. Marie Nicolini, Assistant Professor of Psychiatry, Neurosurgery and Neurosciences at UT Southwestern (30:11), Adam and Marie dive into the world of end of life care, expanding upon the intricacies of treatments, processes, and stigma that surrounds these crucial conversations.

First, Adam and Marie explore how societal attitudes towards ending one’s life has evolved over time and why acknowledging and addressing mental health struggles can lead to more inclusive treatment (05:16).

Then, they build a conversation around assisted death, how we distinguish between patients with conditions that are curable and non-curable, and the power of language in shaping discourse (39:44).

Tune in now and enjoy the type of conversations you wish you had around the workplace water cooler!

*This episode contains discussions about suicide and euthanasia*

[Episode Stories]

People At Risk of Suicide Facing Deportation To Rwanda Told To Try Sudoku

Some Dutch People Seeking Euthanasia Cite Autism Or Intellectual Disabilities

[Episode Links]

Dr. Marie Nicolini (www.MarieNicolini.com)

The Trevor Project (Website)

Instagram (@WaterCoolerTalkPod)

Artwork (www.Kohney.com)

Water Cooler Talk Podcast | Episode 084

Joined by guest host Antonia Malchik, essayist and author of the book “A Walking Life” (42:47), Adam and Antonia discuss the profound impact the pioneers of the auto industry had on our walking world and how short-sighted decisions from modern day politicians mirror the historical exploitation of public lands.

First, Adam and Antonia work through conspiracy and navigate the odd relationship between the anti-bike brigade and QAnon, unraveling their protests against the concept of a 15-minute neighborhood (06:33). 

Then, the conversation shifts to the short-sightedness of Utah politicians’, as they point fingers at trees for using too much water, highlighting the crucial need to redefine our understanding of water rights to help shape effective policy (01:21:11).

Tune in now and enjoy the type of conversations you wish you had around the workplace water cooler!

[Episode Stories]

Plans For A More Walkable, Bikeable Oxford Anger Conspiracy Theorists

Are Trees ‘The Enemy?’ Some Utah Lawmakers Claim Overgrown Forests Suck Too Much Water

[Episode Links]

Antonia Malchik (Antonia.Substack.com)

The Flathead Warming Center (Website)

Instagram (@WaterCoolerTalkPod)

Artwork (www.Kohney.com)

Water Cooler Talk Podcast | Episode 083

Joined by guest host Terry Tucker, founder of Motivational Check and author of “Sustainable Excellence” (29:37), Adam and Terry converse over the importance of challenging your beliefs through uncomfortable conversations and why yelling at Little League players may not contribute to healthy communication.

First, Adam and Terry discuss the repercussions of a college group’s decision to disinvite a controversial speaker from their uncomfortable conversation series and the dangers of unchallenged viewpoints (07:10).

Then, they criticize the behavior of unruly parents who resort to yelling at Little League players and umpires, emphasizing the harmful consequences it has on how we communicate with one another (40:02).

Tune in now and enjoy the type of conversations you wish you had around the workplace water cooler!

[Episode Stories]

Speaker Disinvited From ‘Uncomfortable Learning’ Series For Making Students Uncomfortable

Town Forces Argumentative Parents To Be Umpires At Little League Games

[Episode Links]

Terry Tucker (www.MotivationalCheck.com)

Marist High School in Chicago (Website)

Instagram (@WaterCoolerTalkPod)

Artwork (www.Kohney.com)

Water Cooler Talk Podcast | Episode 082