The Measure of Everyday Life

Each of us has a sense of our own identity. Sometimes, though, people make judgements about what another person's racial or ethnic identity is. How do people make those appraisals? On this episode, we talk with Raj Ghoshal of Elon University about his nationwide survey research.

What happens to children who have been adopted from foster care as they become adults? On this episode, we talk with Rose Domanico and Heather Ringeisen of RTI International and Nancy Rolock of Case Western Reserve University about the National Survey of Child and Adolescent Well-Being Adoption Follow-Up Study and additional analysis funded by RTI International.

Although the threat of gun violence is common for some Americans, how exactly court officials, law enforcement professionals, and survivors each tend to talk about weapons is not something we often read about in news headlines. On this episode, we talk with two researchers who study how domestic violence survivors and law professionals talk about weapons and conflict: Allyson Corbo of RTI International and Beth Moracco of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Dr. Carl Ohman, an author and academic from Uppsala University, delves into the fascinating world of digital data after death. He discusses the ethical challenges of managing digital legacies, prompting listeners to consider their own online footprints. Ohman also explores how our understanding of mortality has evolved with technology, connecting ancient burial practices to modern memorialization. The conversation highlights the implications of preserving digital content on social media and the potential impact of deceased individuals' data on future technology and research.

Generating electrical power is vital for our current way of life and yet the process can have direct effects on human health. On this episode, we talk with Sarah Komisarow of Duke University and Emily Pakhtigian of Penn State University about their innovative research to assess the effects of power plants on human health.

How can we improve our mental wellbeing by supporting our caregivers and healers? Dr. Kay Redfield Jamison of Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine has many ideas which have come to her in part from her own remarkable life. Time magazine has called her a "Hero of Medicine." She's also an award-winning author. On this episode, we talk with her about her New Yorker Book of the Year, Fires in the Dark: Healing the Unquiet Mind.

William Chopik, a psychology researcher at Michigan State University, sheds light on the significant yet underexplored role of friendship in our health. He discusses how friendships evolve in later life, often shifting from quantity to quality. The conversation highlights how strong social ties can enhance happiness and longevity, yet also presents surprising negative behaviors that can emerge. Chopik emphasizes the importance of fostering meaningful connections, particularly for older adults facing challenges in building and maintaining friendships.

The COVID-19 pandemic has posed challenges for many different people, but one of those groups whose story hasn't been sufficiently told yet is teachers. On this episode, we talk with Erin Thomsen and Erin Dunlop Velez of RTI International about their work to tell that story.

Communities sometimes emerge into the public spotlight at moments of crisis, such as when there is a dangerous train derailment or catastrophic damage to a water system. When we try to help those communities, though, how can we do that in a respectful and useful way that reflects history. On this episode, we talk about doing community-engaged research with Vicki Johnson-Lawrence of RTI International, co-author of a new RTI Press report on trauma-informed approaches to improve public health.

If you are hoping for a vacation this summer, it might reflect your frustrations with co-workers. Conflict in the workplace can be an important source of stress and can undermine team functioning. On this episode, we talk about how to cope with conflict with Jessica Jameson of North Carolina State University, author of Communication for Constructive Workplace Conflict.