With Good Reason

As more cities close down streets to traffic, new riders are hopping on bikes every day. Evan Friss (James Madison University), author of On Bicycles: A 200-Year History of Cycling in New York City, talks about the rise in pandemic pedaling and why New York’s bike share program is so successful. And: With so few cars on the road, CO2 emissions have dropped dramatically. But if every silver lining has a touch of grey, it’s the rise in single-use plastic pollution. Matt Eick (Virginia Tech) is a soil scientist who digs deep into our natural environment during this pandemic. Later in the show: Would you be willing to pay an extra few cents for compostable take out containers? Mary Beth Manjerovic (Virginia Military Institute) is asking and restaurants are willing as our trash piles up. Plus: Edward Maibach (George Mason University) suggests we start conversations about climate change in unexpected places: Facebook, the doctor’s office, and the TV weather report.

After the police killing of George Floyd, protests around the country have erupted, calling for an end to police brutality against Black Americans. Sociology professor Alex Vitale (Brooklyn College) says it’s not enough to reform the police. Instead, we must actually defund police and essentially end policing. And: Justin Hansford (Howard University School of Law) explains why one popular reform known as community policing is a wolf in sheep’s clothing. Later in the show: Junauda Petrus-Nasah is an activist, writer, and performance artist. She reads her poem “Could We Please Give The Police Departments To The Grandmothers?” which aired at a press conference on June 3rd, hosted by Black Visions Collective and Reclaim the Block. Plus: Connie Hassett-Walker (Norwich University) studies the history of police in America. Going all the way back to the 18th century, she traces the racist roots of American police and reflects on how this legacy still echoes today.

Southwest Virginia has seen a decline in coal and tobacco—two industries that once boomed in the region. Could hemp be a way to boost the local economy? Ryan Huish (University of Virginia’s College at Wise) and Michael Timko (University of Virginia) are collaborating on an Industrial Hemp project to explore hemp’s potential for repairing lands damaged by coal mining. Plus: When the Food and Drug Administration approved the production and sale of genetically modified salmon in 2015, some consumers were alarmed by the prospect of consuming “Frankenfish.” But are all genetically modified foods dangerous? Eric Hallerman (Virginia Tech) makes the case for accepting some of them. Also: When a person’s time is taken up by the needs of daily subsistence due to poverty, environmental concerns can recede as a priority. When we talked to Camellia Moses Okpodu for this interview, she was at Norfolk State University (Xavier University) investigating ways to get more disenfranchised minorities and people who are economically at risk interested in environmental activism. Later in the show: In July of 1975, news spread that workers at a factory in Hopewell, Virginia had been poisoned by an insecticide called Kepone. Greg Wilson (The University of Akron) was a Virginia Humanities Fellow and historian who traces the environmental crisis that followed with the discovery that the James River and marine life were saturated with the chemical. And: What if there was an app that worked like GoogleMaps, but for marine animals? Sara Maxwell (University of Washington - Bothwell) is using satellite tracking to help fisheries avoid catching animals like whales, turtles, and sharks while they’re hunting for other fish.

“Take Me Out To The Ball Game” is the most popular song in American sports, but did you know that the woman who inspired its creation was a feminist Vaudeville actress of the 1920's? And: Before the pandemic struck, Nick Heath was a rugby announcer in England. Now that rugby games are shut down, his hilarious play-by-play videos of everyday activities have gone viral. Plus: 80% of new referees don’t make it past their second year. A new survey explains the problem.

People across the nation are starting gardens. From six feet away, of course. Lilia Fuquen (Virginia Humanities Food and Community Program)is collaborating with organizations to bring people “immunity gardens.” Plus: Jinny Turman (University of Virginia College at Wise) tells us about the 70s back-to-the-land movement, and how the fallout of COVID-19 could lead to another movement. Later in the show: The 2008 recession transformed work life for Americans. Susan Coombes (Virginia Commonwealth University) studies its impact on the gig economy, and is watching closely as many gig workers are now essential. Hear why the 40-hour work week may never be the same. And: During this unsettling time, Victor Tan Chen (Virginia Commonwealth University) discusses joblessness after the last economic downturn, finding lessons for today.

With coronavirus cases multiplying, COVID-19 test kits were scarce and hospitals were frantic. Two doctors, Dr. Amy Mathers (University of Virginia) and Dr. Melinda Poulter (University of Virginia) decided to make their own tests and shared thousands of them with medical centers across the nation. And: Like most users, Jeanine Guidry (Virginia Commonwealth University) clicked through Pinterest for gardening tips or decorating ideas. But she also found a surprising abundance of vaccine conspiracy theories. Guidry studied the social media platform’s role in the anti-vaccination movement. Now she’s teaching about the spread of COVID-19 misinformation online. Later in the show: Fifteen years ago, if you complained of a new meat allergy, the doctor might not have taken you seriously. Thanks in large part to the work of Thomas Platts-Mills (University of Virginia), we now know a sudden meat allergy is real and it’s caused by tick bites. And there may be a link between the allergy and heart disease. And: CRISPR gene-editing technology might inspire fears of bioengineering superhumans, but realistically it can do a lot more with non-human animals. Philosopher Jesse Kirkpatrick (George Mason University) is less worried about human gene editing and more interested in how CRISPR technology can be used to enhance—or harm—the environment around us.

he Fall of Saigon marked the bitter end of the American War in Vietnam and the loss of a homeland for hundreds of thousands of Vietnamese people. We share stories of the chaotic withdrawal of U.S. troops, along with heroic rescues and harrowing escapes of Vietnamese citizens. Then we take a glimpse into post-war life under communist rule in Vietnam. Later in the show: Some of the Vietnam War’s most enduring legacies are the Vietnamese communities of America, made up of refugees who arrived en masse after the Fall of Saigon. In our final episode, we explore how these communities became a key to economic success for refugees, and how many still grappled with the complexities of gratitude, guilt, and silence. Members of the next generation share the delicate balance of growing up as both Vietnamese and American, and discuss immigration in the U.S. today.

As a visual effects artist for movies like Star Wars, Watchmen, and Jurassic Park, Matt Wallin (Virginia Commonwealth University) has built his career on melding art with science. At the prestigious MARS conference, hosted by Jeff Bezos, he spoke about how the arts inspire science and drive innovation. And: In the blockbuster hit, The Martian, Matt Damon escapes Mars by using a spacecraft based on real-life technology created years ago by Bob Ash (Old Dominion University). Now a smaller version of that same design, called MOXIE, is going to Mars in 2020. Later in the show: In his book Exoplanets: Diamond Worlds, Super Earths, Pulsar Planets, and the New Search for Life Beyond Our Solar System, astronomy professor and NASA scientist Michael Summers shares the latest research on planets beyond this solar system. Plus: What happens when science is brought to the stage? Denise Gillman directs plays that explore science themes and has created an online catalogue of science plays which includes: The Five Hysterical Girls Theorem, The Flue Ball, The Einstein Project, and Radiance: The Passion of Marie Curie.

Newbery Medal-winning children’s author Meg Medina talks about the power of writing in Spanglish, and relates her own childhood to her 2019 book Merci Suárez Changes Gears. And: Nishaun Battle (Virginia State University) talks about the historic “adultification” of young black girls. Her book is Black Girlhood, Punishment and Resistance: Reimagining Justice for Black Girls in Virginia. Later in the show: Studies show that women professors are often relegated to lower-ranked positions while their male counterparts ascend to the top. Khadijah Miller (Norfolk State University) helped form the Sistah Colleague Circle to give women encouragement and a collaborative work environment. Also featured: Despite her background in psychology, Winx Lawrence (University of Virginia) was shocked when her daughters lost confidence upon entering middle school. She co-founded the Young Women’s Leaders Program, where college women pair with middle school girls to help them reach their potential academically, socially and emotionally.

This week we’re sharing a new podcast series called Overcoming Extremism, supported by the Anti-Defamation League. The series is hosted by former Charlottesville Mayor Mike Signer and produced by Elliot Majerczyk. Episode 4: Amy Spitalnick fights to bankrupt the white supremacist movement. Later in the show: What would it take to induce compassion for your most sworn enemy? That’s exactly what Daniel Rothbart is trying to find out. He’s one of the directors of the “laboratory for peace” program in Rondine, Italy, which brings together students from conflict zones all over the world. Plus: When Howard Sanborn arrived in Hong Kong to teach Democracy in the West, his students were already engaged in fierce street protests for their own democracy.

We all know that teenagers would rather die than hang out with their parents, right? Not so, says Jon Lohman. The Old Fiddlers Convention in Galax, Virginia, brings young and old together to share traditions and songs. But how are musicians faring now, during the coronavirus crisis? Plus: The studio comes alive with song when Steve Rockenbach and Gregg Kimball bring their banjos in to share the instrument’s storied history in America. They reflect on how the banjo’s transformation has affected song styles to this day. Later in the show: When the first settlers came to America from England and Scotland they brought with them a rich tradition of ballad-singing. Cece Conway traces the singing families and their songs from the UK to the Appalachian Mountains of North Carolina, where they influenced modern performers from Joan Baez to the Carolina Chocolate Drops.

This is a good time to reflect on the role of poetry in the face of tragedy. A poet laureate shares how poetry can heal in the wake of loss. And: In college, Laura Bylenok was fascinated with genetic engineering. Now, she manipulates language, not DNA. Her poetry turns familiar forms into poetic laboratory experiments. Later in the show: To some, poetry and medicine seem like opposites. But pediatrician and poet Irène Mathieu says both science and poetry use language to understand deeper truths about the human condition. Mathieu’s latest collection, Grande Marronage, examines the lives of Creole women of color in New Orleans.

From start to finish, the Appalachian Trail covers a whopping 2,181 miles. Rodney Bragdon dishes on the toughest challenges he experienced while through-hiking the entire trail. And: Camping, hiking, and enjoying the great outdoors are American pastimes. But for African Americans, gathering in public spaces has long been fraught. Erin Devlin discusses the racism that was built into America’s national parks. Later in the show: From its Native American roots to hiking fashion trends, Mills Kelly traces the often overlooked history of the Appalachian Trail. Also: Jeff Marion studies visitor impact on the Appalachian Trail and worries we might be loving it to death.

Think you don’t get your news from the paper anymore? Think again. Betsy Edwards, Executive Director of the Virginia Press Association, says that just about every big thing that’s ever happened in this country was unearthed by a newspaper reporter. And: Lewis Raven Wallace was fired from his job as a reporter at American Public Media’s Marketplace. Ever since, he’s been questioning the role of objectivity in journalism. Plus: With newspapers shuttering, investigative journalism is endangered. Non-profit centers for investigative Journalism are trying to pick up some of the slack.

Frank Newsome is a former coal miner in Appalachia. He's also an Old Regular Baptist preacher and singer of lined-out hymnody who influenced Ralph Stanley and many others. Newsome’s new CD "Gone Away With A Friend" reveals the influence of this musical tradition on bluegrass, gospel, and old-time music. Listen to this remarkable singer and his congregation as they worship at the Little David Church in Haysi, Virginia. Also: Travelers to the Carpathian Mountains in Romania are surprised to find a striking resemblance to America's Appalachian mountains and culture.