Preconceived

Since the October 7th massacre and the ensuing war and humanitarian crisis in Gaza, much world attention has been given to the Israeli/Palestinian conflict.  In this episode, we take a look back at the origins of this conflict, the concept of Zionism, and the events leading up to the 1948 war, known as the War of Independence in Israel, and referred to as The Nakba ('the catastrophe) by Palestinians. This episode explores two perspectives - a Jewish perspective shared by Harvard Professor Derek Penslar, and a Palestinian perspective shared by Brown Professor Beshara Doumani.Professor Derek Penslar - https://history.fas.harvard.edu/people/derek-penslarProfessor Beshara Doumani - https://vivo.brown.edu/display/bdoumani

The relationship between humans and non-human animals is a fascinating one. In particular, the pet-owner relationship begs many questions. The preconception is that it is totally normal that we cohabitate with other animals in our homes. People love their pets, and for the most part, we assume that our pets love us. But how normal really is the concept of having pets? And even if pets do add much value to humans' lives, is it really moral to keep pets, especially in the ways that we do? Professor Hal Herzog, expert in human-animal relationships, joins the podcast.

There is often an expectation that when parents die, their children will be left with some form of inheritance. But what does the research show about what actually happens to inheritance? What do the recipients tend to do with their inheritance? Is the money put to good use, is it spent right way, is it saved, or is it sometimes totally squandered? Jay Zagorsky, from the Questrom School of Business, joins the podcast.

When we go through elementary school, high school, and college, we are tasked with learning and memorizing mounds of information. But how much emphasis is actually put on how we learn? What are the most effect memory strategies that can help us excel on exams? Are the strategies for short-term memory the same as the techniques for long-term retention? And how does an understanding of one's own 'learning style' factor into the way one studies, if at all? Roddy Roediger, co-author of 'Make It Stick', joins the podcast.

What if you knew from the beginning of your life that you would die at age 30?  How would you choose to live those 30 years?  Needless to say, your path would completely deviate from many elements of the preconceived status quo of a typical life.  And what if, just as you were reaching the end of your predicted life expectancy, you found out that you would not indeed die at age 30, but that you would have a normal life expectancy?  Would you be happy for the extra years, or would you be rattled by such an upheaval in your expectations? Jeremie Saunders was diagnosed with Cystic Fibrosis at age one and was given a life expectancy of age thirty. But just after turning thirty, a life-saving medication became available which changed the trajectory of his life, extending his life expectancy by fifty odd years. He joins the podcast to share his story.

On April 13th, Iran launched over 300 missiles and drones over Israel.  While Israel’s missile defensive system was able to mitigate most damage, the attack itself was unprecedented and a frightening development to the international community.  When most of us think of modern-day Iran, we think of an oppressive authoritarian regime that suppresses the rights of its people and also deeply hates the West.  But how did this situation come to be?  Why does Iran hate the West so fiercely?  What does Iran want?  And how seriously must the Iran problem be taken?  There have been concerns over their nuclear weapons program for many years, and now that Iran has launched an attack, how is the world, and Israel, supposed to respond? Mark Dubowitz, a leading world expert on the Iranian threat, joins the podcast. Mark Dubowitz - https://www.fdd.org/team/mark-dubowitz/