A look back at what we learned in 2018

For our 2018 in review, we revisited some of our listeners’ – and our own – favorite and most hard-hitting moment from the past year.

(skip to: 1:06) – Unearthing the effects of climate change on human health, with Dr. Jay Lemery, CU Anschutz
The rise of health related climate issues — what are we seeing in Colorado, wildfire, extreme precipitation events, drought always at the risk of depleted snowpack; patterns playing out all over American west. Awareness – how health issues linked to climate are making the problem real to families.

(skip to: 3:00) – Denver’s rooftops are going green: What does it mean? Professor Leila Tolderlund, CU Denver
Professor Tolderlund updates us on the green roofs, plants that work in Colorado widely fluctuation climate. Denver’s unique climate extremes – freeze-thaw and hail – and how the right plants can create a buffer.

(skip to: 5:23) – Ten years in, CU president talks of what’s been done, what’s to come, President Bruce D. Benson
President Benson discusses students, the importance of the best faculty, working with every kind of constituency, fundraising, legislature and efficiencies. State funding cuts to higher education and its impact on the students. As an update, Benson announced his retirement a couple months after this podcast.

(skip to: 8:41) – Rockin’ litigation in the entertainment industry, Professor Stan Soocher, CU Denver
Professor Soocher discusses the extensive web of entertainment law. Artists in early years had little information, and were not that sophisticated, bringing unequally bargaining power. Things have changed. We also discuss the #MeToo movement and it’s role in the lives of musicians.

(skip to: 13:12) – CU President George Norlin: Champion of civil rights and an unwavering rebel with a cause, Professor Paul Chinowsky, CU Boulder
Professor Chinowsky chats about George Norlin’s storied life and how he chose to fight the KKK amid threats – which were realized – by the Colorado governor and legislature to suspend funding for the university. His quiet demeanor and warning about the upcoming dangers of Nazi Germany.

(skip to: 18:18) – Exploring and learning from coexistence in Medieval Spain, Professor Roger Martinez, CU Colorado Springs
Professor Martinez brings medieval Spain to the world by working with students across the world to decipher secrets of the manuscripts hidden away in cathedrals, some of which are more than 1,000 years old. He discusses how co-existence is different than what we expect it to be and why engagement of all cultures is imperative to a successful community.

(skip to: 21:41) – Mental illness: Using innovation to recognize and reach those in need, Director Matt Vogl, CU Anschutz
Matt Vogl discusses how virtual reality is saving the lives of those who are struggling with mental illness with techniques that assist with exposure therapy to mitigate phobias, PTSD and trauma. The prevalence of mental health issues is on the rise, and Vogl talks about how he worked his way through his own bipolar disorder to help others across the nation.

(skip to: 26:07) – The opioid epidemic: How we got here, how we stop it, Dr. Robert Valuck, CU Anschutz
Dr. Valuck discusses the opioid epidemic started in the 80s and has grown into the crisis it is today. He stresses the importance of understanding that opioids don’t necessarily give better pain relief, they’re controlled because they can kill you. The best way to curb the epidemic? Toss the unused opioids from the medicine cabinet through takemedsback.org.

(skip to: 31:00) – From superheroes to Hogwarts, Bell’s research on children’s identity, race and inclusivity rings true, Professor Christopher Bell, CU Colorado Springs
Professor Bell, realizing there were no female superhero merchandise and creating a TED talk that was viewed by millions, now consults for Pixar to ensure equality for genders, ethnic minorities and other underrepresented people. Bell discusses how, now, female superheroes – from Princess leiah to Gamora to Black Widow – are all over the shelves in toy and costume stores.

(skip to: 35:07) The horror! Why we watch it, write it, and love to dread it, Professor Stephen Graham Jones, CU Boulder
Professor Jones chats about writing horror, how to scare yourselves and to go one step further into the darkness. He explains how using dread as a tool can have more impact than terror, zombies, werewolves as an excuse for murder in the olden days, and it’s the way those monsters have evolved down the centuries.