KERA's Think

Nick Keppler, a freelance writer known for his article on narcissism, explores the complexities of narcissistic personality disorder. He discusses the challenges narcissists face in seeking change and why society struggles to offer them compassion. The conversation touches on the nuances of self-awareness, love bombing, and the dynamics of relationships with narcissists. Keppler also highlights the experiences of self-identified narcissists in therapy and how humor and social media play into modern perceptions of narcissism.

Eyal Press, a contributing writer for The New Yorker and author of 'Dirty Work,' discusses the hidden impacts of the 'Big, Beautiful Bill' on tipped workers. He reveals that eliminating tip taxes may actually lower service wages, benefitting restaurant owners more than employees. The conversation explores the complexities of the restaurant industry's minimum wage, the powerful lobby influencing these dynamics, and the challenging path towards fair wages for tipped workers. Press also highlights the ongoing debate around the One Fair Wage Movement and systemic inequalities in tipping.

Drew Harwell, a technology reporter for The Washington Post, dives into the intersection of AI and obituary writing. He discusses how AI tools are transforming this intimate practice, adopted eagerly by funeral homes. The conversation reveals the challenges of finding the right emotional words through automated means. Ethical concerns also come to light, questioning if a machine can genuinely honor a human life. As personal narratives evolve, Harwell emphasizes the enduring need for human touch in memorializing our loved ones.

Transportation reporter Ian Duncan from The Washington Post dives into the alarming shortage of air traffic controllers and the dismal completion rates of FAA training programs. He reveals the intense pressures trainees face and discusses the toxic culture within the training environment, including biases that affect women and minorities. Ian highlights the urgent need for reform to retain new recruits and shares insights on what makes the training process so challenging and stressful, impacting both the future of air travel and safety.

Samuel Wang, a neuroscience professor and leader of Princeton's Gerrymandering Project, discusses the intricate dance of gerrymandering in Texas and nationwide. He explores how redistricting efforts, spurred by political pressures, potentially stifle voter representation. Wang analyzes strategies like 'cracking' and 'packing' that manipulate district shapes, and highlights innovative solutions like ranked choice voting to combat these issues. The conversation delves into the implications for democracy and the role of primary elections in shaping politicians.

Martin Dubin, a clinical psychologist, entrepreneur, and business coach, dives into the paradox of strengths that can hinder career growth. He discusses how traits like conscientiousness might restrict leadership flexibility. The conversation emphasizes the power of self-awareness in emotional regulation and its impact on team dynamics. Dubin also explores the importance of diverse intelligence types and the significance of engaging with team perspectives to boost effective leadership.

Curtis Bram, a political scientist at The University of Texas at Dallas and author of "Elitism versus Populism," delves into the intricate dance between elitism and populism in modern politics. He explores whether politicians truly trust voters to make informed choices and discusses the implications of political polarization and gerrymandering. Bram challenges the notion that political elites are the true guardians of democracy, while also addressing how fear influences voter behavior and engagement. The conversation raises critical questions about representation and accountability in today's political landscape.

Jennifer Senior, a staff writer at The Atlantic specializing in social issues and mental health, shares her insights on sleep anxiety and the challenges of achieving restful sleep. She discusses the paradox of sleep tracking technology, which may heighten anxiety instead of helping. Highlighting personal experiences, Senior delves into insomnia's emotional toll and the stigma around sleep aids. She also critiques societal expectations of sleep duration and advocates for a compassionate approach to those struggling with sleeplessness.

 A diagnosis of schizophrenia is devastating — but what if the doctor got it wrong? New Yorker staff writer Rachel Aviv joins host Krys Boyd to discuss a woman diagnosed with severe mental illness for years before doctors realized it was an autoimmune response, her hard road back to health and the difficult process of repairing relationships once she was well. Her article is “Mary Had Schizophrenia — Then Suddenly She Didn’t.” Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

 Workers are reluctant to go back into the office five days a week, but hybrid arrangements still need mastering. Peter Cappelli is the George W. Taylor Professor of Management at the Wharton School and the director of its Center for Human Resources. He joins host Krys Boyd to discuss why hybrid work holds workers back in terms of promotions, employee management and collaboration – and to offer suggestions for maintaining flexibility for employees while also maximizing their productivity. His article, written with Ranya Nehmeh, is “Hybrid Still Isn't Working” was published in the Harvard Business Review.  Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices