The Measure of Everyday Life
WNCU public radio
Interested in human behavior and how people think? The Measure of Everyday Life explores ideas about how we live and why people act as they do. Independent Weekly has called the show "unexpected" and "diverse" and says the show "brings big questions to radio." Join host Dr. Brian Southwell (@BrianSouthwell) as he explores the human condition.
Episodes air each Sunday night at 6:30 PM in the Raleigh-Durham broadcast market and a podcast of each show is available online the Wednesday following. The show is made possible by RTI International.
Episodes air each Sunday night at 6:30 PM in the Raleigh-Durham broadcast market and a podcast of each show is available online the Wednesday following. The show is made possible by RTI International.
Episodes
Mentioned books
Oct 4, 2023 • 30min
Coping with Trauma
Dr. Amelia Kelley, a professional counselor and author, discusses the science of healing from trauma and the impact of gaslighting. Topics covered include the effects of trauma on self-esteem, the risks of medical gaslighting, and the importance of addressing denial and overlooking symptoms. Also explored is the role of Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) in trauma recovery and the historical context of gaslighting. The podcast concludes with information on evidence-based coping methods and finding support for trauma.
Sep 20, 2023 • 30min
Partnering with People with Intellectual and Developmental Challenges
People who face challenges from intellectual and developmental disabilities comprise important audiences for many public health communication efforts. What are the best ways to support and work with people in those audiences? On this episode, we talk with communication researchers Molly Lynch, Linda Squiers, and Sidney Holt of RTI International about their work with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and CommunicateHealth to improve the ways we engage with people in a range of situations.
Sep 13, 2023 • 30min
Friendships and High School Dropout
As another school year starts in the United States, we have opportunities to support students who are considering dropping out of school. On this episode, we talk with Marie-Hélène Véronneau of the University of Quebec at Montreal about interpersonal factors which seem to help reduce high school dropout.
Sep 6, 2023 • 30min
Dogs, People, and Science
Chances are that you or someone you know has a dog in the house. What do we know about the relationships between people and dogs? On this episode, we talk with authors of The Purest Bond: Understanding the Human-Canine Connection, Jen Goldbeck of the University of Maryland and science writer Stacey Colino.
Aug 30, 2023 • 30min
Loneliness and Social Media
Social media may play a role in our collective loneliness but researchers now also are attempting to use social media tools to reduce loneliness. On this episode, we talk with two University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill professors, Barbara Frederickson and Allison Lazard, about their new work to improve mental health using new communication tools.
Aug 16, 2023 • 30min
Artificial Intelligence and People
A new generation of artificial intelligence applications have flooded many workplaces and smartphones. What types of relationships will people have with artificial intelligence technologies? On this episode, we talk about the human dimension of human-computer interaction with Dr. Roshni Raveendhran of the University of Virginia.
Aug 9, 2023 • 30min
Equity, Education, and Childcare
Daycare and early childhood education sites are more than vibrant places with children laughing and eating snacks. Such places also offer important opportunities to promote equity and justice. On this episode, we talk with Dr. Iheoma Iruka of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Along with three co-authors, she’s written a new book called We Are the Change We Seek: Advancing Racial Justice in Early Care and Education.
Aug 2, 2023 • 30min
How to Talk about Public Safety Reform
In recent years, protests and dialog have emerged regarding the roles police units should play in responding to public safety needs. On this episode, we talk with two people involved with producing a new documentary on public safety reform in Durham, NC: Dilsey Davis of RTI International’s Transformative Research Unit for Equity and Ryan Smith, Director of the Community Safety Department for the City of Durham.
Jul 5, 2023 • 30min
Evaluating with Equity
Phrases such as “racial equity” and "social equity" have been prominent in recent years. How to evaluate social interventions with equity in mind has received less attention, though. On this episode, we talk with RTI International researchers Daniela Pineda and Brittany Wood about new guidance from the W. K. Kellogg Foundation.
Jun 7, 2023 • 29min
Social Norms and Corruption
We know that social norms can influence many types of behavior. Can social norms predict corruption? On this episode, we talk with Lisa McGregor of RTI International, Richard Nash of the International Foundation for Electoral Systems, and Cheyanne Scharbatke-Church of Besa Global about their work to understand patterns of corruption around the world.
