Political scientist Marc Hetherington returns to the podcast to discuss his ongoing research on people’s views on the pandemic and the ways in which their political views are tied. Hetherington is the Raymond Dawson Distinguished Bicentennial

Race, COVID and the Fine Arts

Sep 15th, 2020 53m 30s

World-renowned opera singer Karen Slack talks about the intersection of performing arts, the coronavirus and race. Slack also talks about the importance of using her own voice as a Black woman. Slack, a soprano, has recently performed in Verd

Black Communities and Pandemics

Sep 1st, 2020 42m 22s

Anthropologist Karla Slocum joins hosts Jonathan Weiler and Matthew Andrews to discuss the impact of the coronavirus on Black communities. With her research in Black towns and communities, Slocum notes the intersections of these communities, st

Infectious Diseases from AIDS to COVID-19

Aug 13th, 2020 47m 49s

Infectious disease expert Dr. Myron Cohen discusses the beginnings of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes the COVID-19 disease with hosts Jonathan Weiler and Matthew Andrews. Cohen has studied infectious diseases, including AIDS, for 40 years, an

When Does Social Distancing Become Social Isolation?

Jun 10th, 2020 49m 36s

Psychology and neuroscience professor Mitch Prinstein discusses the impact of the pandemic and social distancing efforts on mental health.“COVID Conversations: Society, Politics and Economics amid the COVID-19 Pandemic” is a new podcast by the

Youth Caregivers and the Hidden Defenders of Vulnerable Families

Jun 3rd, 2020 56m 8s

Geography professor Elizabeth Olson discusses the challenges that youth caregivers face in the United States and around the world, and how their situations may be more exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic.“COVID Conversations: Society, Politic

Italian Plague Stories and the Meaning of Pandemics

May 27th, 2020 54m 33s

Maggie Fritz-Morkin, assistant professor of Romance studies, discusses the themes of Giovanni Boccaccio’s The Decameron, which is set in Italy during the bubonic plague. Fritz-Morkin studies 13th-14th century Italian literature, with research i

Essential and Exposed: Gig workers in the lockdown economy

May 20th, 2020 49m 19s

This week, hosts Jonathan Weiler and Matthew Andrews discuss gig workers with sociology assistant professor Alexandrea Ravenelle. Ravenelle is an expert on the gig and sharing economy, which is made up of independent contract workers such as Ub

Your Season is Canceled: Will sports lose their relevance on campus in the wake of COVID-19?

May 6th, 2020 50m 17s

Matthew Andrews, whose work looks at the links between sports and American history and culture, talks with Jonathan Weiler about the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on sports.“COVID Conversations: Society, Politics and Economics amid the CO

Politics, Polarization and the Pandemic: How a crisis tests beliefs

Apr 30th, 2020 45m 2s

Marc Hetherington, Raymond Dawson Distinguished Bicentennial Professor of Political Science at UNC-Chapel Hill, is an expert in polarization in American politics. With hosts Jonathan Weiler and Matthew Andrews, Hetherington talks about a recent

Urban Pandemic: Why have cities had such different experiences?

Apr 22nd, 2020 42m 5s

Hosts Jonathan Weiler and Matthew Andrews welcome Yan Song, professor of city and regional planning and director of UNC’s Program on Chinese Cities; and Noreen McDonald, Department Chair, Thomas Willis Lambeth Distinguished Professor, Director

Herd Immunity: What does it take for a vaccine to protect a population?

Apr 15th, 2020 36m 39s

Medical geographer Paul Delamater discusses his research with hosts Jonathan Weiler and Matthew Andrews. Delamater is an assistant professor in the department of geography and a fellow at the Carolina Population Center.“COVID Conversations: So

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