The truly walkable city seems like something only small European cities can obtain, but urban planners have grand plans. Natalie Whittle is a contributor to the Financial Times, and she joins host Krys Boyd to discuss the idea of the 15-minute city, where cars aren’t necessary, bikes abound, and all amenities are a short walk away. Her book is “Shrink the City: The 15-Minute Urban Experiment and the Cities of the Future.”

Dr. Annie Fenn, a board-certified OB-GYN and founder of the Brain Health Kitchen, dives into how our diets impact cognitive health. She reveals the brain benefits of coffee and tea, highlighting their antioxidant properties. Listeners learn about the MIND diet and its role in reducing Alzheimer's risk, alongside the vital benefits of mushrooms and fish. Fenn discusses the downside of sugar and ultra-processed foods and challenges myths around moderate drinking. Practical cooking tips are shared, emphasizing gentle techniques to retain nutrients.

Hank Cardello, a portion size expert and executive director at Georgetown University, joins the conversation about our evolving relationship with food portions. He reveals how restaurant meals have doubled since the 1970s and the negative impact on obesity and the planet. The discussion covers the psychological factors behind our consumption habits and examines the effectiveness of food labels. Cardello also emphasizes the need for smaller, healthier portions in response to consumer trends, especially in the wake of rising weight-loss medication use.

The election might have been won or lost on the price of eggs, but beyond inflation, there are other reasons your grocery bill is so high. Jesse Newman is a reporter for The Wall Street Journal, and she joins host Krys Boyd to discuss the middleman between producers and supermarket shelves – grocery distribution companies – the razor-thin margins the industry operates on even as prices rise for the consumer, and how everything we eat is brokered by these distributors. Her article is “The Mysterious Fees Inflating Your Grocery Bill.”

Carrie Lowry Schuettpelz, an enrolled member of the Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina and author of "The Indian Card," delves into the complexities of Native identity in America. She discusses the heartbreaking challenges of achieving official tribal membership, the rise in Americans identifying as Native, and the emotional struggles tied to blood quantum requirements. Carrie also highlights the Lumbee tribe's fight for federal recognition and the historical injustices faced by Native peoples, shedding light on the importance of acknowledging and embracing one's heritage.

Tracy Chevalier, a New York Times bestselling author known for her historical fiction, discusses her novel 'The Glassmaker' set in the enchanting world of Murano's glass trade. She reveals the inspiration behind the Rosso family's saga, intertwining themes of gender roles and resilience. Chevalier delves into the allure of characters like Casanova, the transformative art of bead making, and how historical plagues mirror modern lives. The conversation emphasizes the beauty in creativity and meaningful work throughout the centuries.

 You’ve got to get your 10,000 steps in today, right? Except that’s not based on any real science. Courtney Rubin writes about medicine, health, fitness, and wellness and she joins host Krys Boyd to discuss how the myth of the 10,000 steps came to be, why science is complicating that number and what you should know when you hit the pavement for that daily walk. Plus, we’ll consider the joys of walking. The article, “The accidental step-count scam,” was published in Women’s Health. 

 The NFL knows that concussions are a risk for its players – and it’s largely the players who carry the burden of protecting themselves. New York magazine features writer Reeves Wiedeman joins host Krys Boyd to discuss how the league’s approach to concussions has affected high-profile players like Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, why CTE is still a major concern, and why the NFL is changing its positioning on the matter. His article is “The End of the NFL’s Concussion Crisis.” 

One surprising trend that’s come out of the higher education demographics: white college-age Americans are ditching school. Katherine Mangan, senior writer for The Chronicle of Higher Education, joins host Krys Boyd to discuss why white student enrollment has been declining for years, why administrators are just now catching on to this fact, and the delicate balance of recruiting underrepresented groups while maintaining a baseline of traditional students. Her article is “Where Are the White Students?”  

As the world goes electric, drilling for fossil fuels will increasingly be replaced by digging for metals. Journalist and author Vince Beiser joins host Krys Boyd to discuss the increased demand for cobalt, nickel, copper and other metals to fuel everything from batteries to the wires that transfer energy – and how access to those resources feeds geopolitical relationships. His book is “Power Metal: The Race for the Resources That Will Shape the Future.”