Dr. James Rice, Professor of Environmental Sociology at New Mexico State University, walks us through a multi-dimensional exploration of meaningful developments in today's college classrooms. Traditional expectations that students will develop nuanced critical thinking skills, deepen their wisdom and understanding of themselves and the world, and strengthen the muscles of intellectual and emotional resilience are fading. He addresses how contemporary culture wars, news media, social media, and artificial intelligence encourage the drift away from the original intention of higher education. He points directly to the effects of dominant cultural models of engagement that further tribalism, divisiveness, outrage, conspiracy theories, logical fallacies, confirmation bias, and "othering". His nuanced and thought provoking observations remind us that how we think shapes our reality. He urges epistemic humility - reminding us - "Never believe everything you think."
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Welcome to a delightful, insightful conversation about "Hope" with Keith Whelpley.
Drawing on historical and current sources, we explore differing ideas about what hope is, and perhaps is not. Central to this conversation are the concepts of "muscular hope" and hope as an intentional commitment joined with action. These practices sometimes require disciplined hard work, internally and externally, and are certainly miles away from hope as wishful thinking. It seems relevant in our world today, to think about why hope is so important and how best to practice it. Today's guest Cindy Smith helps us explore the relevance of gratitude in our lives and our culture. The conversation touches on some of the many ways gratitude can be acknowldged, recognized, and expressed as a fundamental attitude towards life. Without encouraging denial of the troubles we face, it serves as a counter balance to some of today's worries, fears and concerns. It serves us mentally, emotionally and physically. It reminds us of the good fortune, the wonder, the beauty, and the awe in our lives. Reflecting on and expressing gratitude can infill us and those we encounter in our daily lives, with optimism and hope. It's simple. It's effective. It's free. Anyone can do it. Seems like a worthwhile practice.
Our guest today, Mick Harris, engages in a conversation about the importance of how (as exemplified in The Starfish Story) we can make a big difference by doing even small things. The exploration of this topic poses considerations about managing stress regarding the current social and political situation in our country, and in so doing, make a profound difference in our lives and the lives of those around us. Highlighted is the value of kindess, compassion, and expressions of gratitude, appreciation, and acknowledgment of others.
This program with Bob Hearn covers a lot of ground. The conversation touches on choice, freewill, AI, debt, propaganda, marketing, consumer society, social constructs, neurology, separateness/connectedness, thinking, feeling, soul/body, The Dalai Lama's book Beyond Religion and much more.
As always, exploratory thinking with Bob Hearn is thoughtful, insightful, and reveals much to consider. Today we conclude a two part conversation with Bill McCamley about his study and upcoming book regarding the situation for men and boys in our country today. Our focus is on the kinds of feedback he's receiving and how our thinking, our feelings, and our language shape our realities and drives our culture.
This program features Bill McCamley in the first of two episodes discussing his research on the challenges faced by men and boys in contemporary society. While acknowledging that historical inequities faced by women must continue to be addressed, he shows that young men today are encountering new and significant obstacles - and often lacking crucial support structures. He cites studies of gender comparative enrollment and dropout rates, employment, loneliness, isolation, suicide, cultural norms, expectations, relationship skills, mental health and more.
Our guest Kay Lilley, is a Workforce Training Specialist. With her long history of working with underrepresented populations across the social spectrum, she's currently developing courses that include and support the "New Majority Learners".
The "Personal and Career Discovery" courses are offered through Doña Ana Community College Workforce and Community Engagement. This course focuses first on how we as individuals think and feel about ourselves and the world around us and builds out from that foundation. As within, so without. If we want to change the world around us, perhaps it's best to start within - to consider how our thoughts, our feelings and the language we use shape our internal and external realities. Fascinating and much welcomed.  Today our guest is Annie Ersinghaus, independent documentary filmmaker. Her recent documentary, The Land of Sacrifice: The Burden of New Mexico's Oil and Gas Extraction, is an environmental documentary that explores the oil and gas crisis unfolding in the state of New Mexico. As oil and gas production rapidly expands in NM, the film explores the severe and disproportionate impacts on marginalized, low income, and Indigenous communities in rural Northwestern and Southeastern parts of the state. The conversation also explores how we think in terms of the benefits of short term gain while pushing off the long term costs. We touch on the recent "Jupiter Project" - a plan to build a giant data center in Santa Teresa, NM. We talked about how she and her peers think and feel about what's happening in this state, our country, and our world.
Joseph Somoza leads us on a delightful, insightful exploration of poetry, and it's influence upon our perceptions of internal and external reality.
Long-time resident of Las Cruces, Joe taught writing and literature for over 20 years at NMSU, and today reads some of his writings from as recently as yesterday. One experiences a welcome shift of consciousness when hearing Joe read his work in his own voice. In the conversation he describes his writing process, his relationship with words and language, and their impact on the lives of us all. |
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