KERA's Think

Colin Woodard, an author and historian, explores the complexities of American identity as director of Nationhood Lab. He argues that the U.S. is more a federation of regional cultures than a melting pot, with distinct definitions of liberty influencing civic narratives. Woodard discusses how historical settlement patterns shape regional identities and attitudes towards issues like gun rights and health outcomes. He emphasizes the importance of reclaiming the Declaration of Independence as a unifying story to bridge divides and foster constructive policy discussions.

Qian Julie Wang, managing partner at Gottlieb & Wang LLP and civil rights advocate, delves into the ongoing relevance of the Alien Enemies Act. She uncovers how this 18th-century law allowed for the internment of Japanese Americans during WWII and is now being invoked for deportations today. Wang highlights the case of Fred Korematsu and discusses alarming trends in racial profiling and wrongful deportations. She emphasizes the need for vigilance in protecting civil liberties, reminding us that what happens to one group can impact all.

In this discussion, Matthew Purdy, editor-at-large at The New York Times Magazine, sheds light on the dangers of vague laws in consolidating executive power. He reveals how the Trump administration used ambiguous regulations around tariffs and DEI to create confusion and foster preemptive compliance among institutions. Purdy critiques the inefficiency of the legislative process for clearer laws and discusses the troubling historical precedent for vague legislation as a tool for political oppression seen globally.

Debbie Cenziper, an investigative journalist from ProPublica, dives into the hidden dangers of generic drugs. She reveals how many generics are produced in overseas factories that may not meet U.S. safety standards. Cenziper discusses the lack of transparency from the FDA and the challenges of tracing where medications come from. She highlights the risks of manufacturing problems leading to ineffective drugs and emphasizes the importance of public reporting and post-market oversight. Cenziper also urges patients to advocate for greater transparency in drug origins.

Varsha Bansal, a tech reporter for The Guardian focused on AI and labor, reveals the surprising reality behind AI systems. She discusses the critical, yet often unseen, role of human raters who train these systems under intense pressure and low pay. Listeners will learn about the emotional toll of moderating content, the complexities of AI guidelines, and the ethical dilemmas faced by those in the field. Varsha also highlights the urgent need for better working conditions and mental health support for these essential contributors.

 Muscle-bound bodybuilders may line up for testosterone replacement therapy – and increasingly, so do menopausal women. Susan Dominus, staff writer at The New York Times Magazine, joins host Krys Boyd to discuss why middle-aged women are raving about its benefits — despite possible side effects — and why the FDA hasn’t approved any use of the hormone for women. Her article is “‘I’m on Fire’: Testosterone Is Giving Women Back Their Sex Drive — and Then Some.”  Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

 From flavored yogurt to a package of Ding Dongs, Americans love ultraprocessed food. Alice Callahan is a New York Times reporter with a Ph.D. in nutrition, and she joins host Krys Boyd to discuss why our diets became so reliant on foods made in a factory, why farm subsidies and advertising are partially to blame, and why we can’t seem to put these foods down. Her article is “How Ultraprocessed Food Took Over America.”  Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

For many of us, reading involves mostly scrolling through content on our phones rather than picking up a book. James Marriott writes for The Times of London, and he joins host Krys Boyd to discuss how high literacy rates have ushered in human rights and leaps in scientific understanding – and what happens to a society that stops thinking deeply and focuses on the doomscroll. His essay “The dawn of the post-literate society” was published in his Cultural Capital Substack. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

 We adore them when their cherubic faces light up the big screen, but when child actors grow up, they’re yesterday’s news. New Yorker staff writer Adam Gopnik joins host Krys Boyd to discuss the life cycle of the child star from public adoration to fleeting fame, why we won’t allow them to age, and the demands the industry makes of them at such a tender age. His article is “What Do We Want from Our Child Stars?” Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

On the eve of our country’s 250th birthday, would the Founding Fathers recognize the America we live in today? Irish Times columnist Fintan O’Toole joins host Krys Boyd to discuss the seismic legal and moral shifts that have happened since the Declaration of Independence was penned and how they have shaped the political left and right – and we’ll talk about why we might be surprised if we could talk to Washington, Franklin and Jefferson today. His article “What the Founders Would Say Now” was published in The Atlantic. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices