• April 13

ONLINE: Is Truth Really Dead in America?

Alternative facts, fake news, post-truth—these phrases have flooded the American conversation over the past several years. But how bad is it really, and what can we, as a society and as individuals, do to be better informed? WSU professor Steven Stehr investigates the roots and consequences of the erosion of truth, with a focus on […]

• April 13

ONLINE: Civil Conversation in an Angry Age

At what point does a conversation become a battle? Why do some opinions inflame our emotions, leading to anger, fights, and even the end of relationships with family and friends? Philosopher David E. Smith takes a deep look at those moments when civility breaks down. By mapping the structure of how we converse, and digging […]

• April 10

ONLINE: The Poetic Apothecary: Poems for Healing and Comfort

Just as a cup of tea can settle and sooth us, the right poem at the right time can be a powerful sustaining remedy. Poet and performer Judith Adams explores poetry’s restorative powers by reciting and exploring poems that help us understand grief, fear, sadness, loss, and much more. By sharing her love of poetry, […]

• April 7

ONLINE: What’s Age Got to Do with It?

“You look good for your age.” “You’re too young to understand.” In employment decisions, family discussions, medical care, and even in birthday cards, assumptions about being “over the hill” or “a lazy kid” are common. What do you wish society would stop saying about your generation? How can we talk about age and aging in […]

• April 7

ONLINE: Civil Conversation in an Angry Age

At what point does a conversation become a battle? Why do some opinions inflame our emotions, leading to anger, fights, and even the end of relationships with family and friends? Philosopher David E. Smith takes a deep look at those moments when civility breaks down. By mapping the structure of how we converse, and digging […]

• April 7

ONLINE: From Crime to the Classroom: How Education Changes Lives

According to statistics, Omari Amili’s story should have turned out much differently. His parents suffered from addiction which led to him growing up in poverty and struggling in school. Eventually, he ended up serving prison time—which was no surprise considering the combination of life factors that would suggest a lifetime of struggles with the criminal […]

• April 6

ONLINE: From Crime to the Classroom: How Education Changes Lives

According to statistics, Omari Amili’s story should have turned out much differently. His parents suffered from addiction which led to him growing up in poverty and struggling in school. Eventually, he ended up serving prison time—which was no surprise considering the combination of life factors that would suggest a lifetime of struggles with the criminal […]

• April 5

ONLINE: Sometimes Heroes: America’s Changing Relationship with Its Veterans

“Support our troops” is a common phrase, seen on lawn signs and bumper stickers across America. Veterans are welcomed home by enthusiastic crowds, and thousands of service organizations help veterans find jobs, secure housing, and heal from the experience of war. But it wasn’t always this way. Veterans returning from Vietnam were often greeted by […]

• April 1

ONLINE: What Your Home Says about the World

Whether it’s teacups or televisions, what you decide to keep—and not keep—in your home provides deep insights about you, your family, and society itself. Join sociologist and writer Michelle Janning to discover how home spaces and objects tell the story of what’s happening in contemporary families. From stuffed animals to smartphones to love letters, the […]

• March 30

ONLINE: Let It Not Happen Again: Lessons of the Japanese American Exclusion

In March of 1942, 227 Japanese Americans were forcibly removed from their homes on Bainbridge Island by the US Army. Starting with this small community, a national strategy began, with more than 120,000 Japanese American men, women, and children forcibly removed and incarcerated during World War II. Clarence Moriwaki shares the story of Bainbridge Island—the […]