The five fastest growing counties by population in Texas last year; we’ll talk with the state demographer about shifts in population during a pandemic year. And, President Biden has a new spending plan, and on his wish list: millions for Corpus Christi. Also, Camilla Alves McConaughey on her new book aimed at getting little ones to try ‘just one bite’. Those stories and more today on the Texas Standard:
Addiction
Texas Standard: November 25, 2021
Amid an ongoing pandemic, partisan divides and more, what’s there to be thankful for? Quite a lot actually. In the run up to this national holiday we asked our producers to reflect on some of the stories we’ve shared with you that they’re thankful for. From a telehealth program tackling opioid addiction to wildlife along the coastal plains, a Texas musical treasure, and life after prison and the redemptive power of family love. There’s much to be thankful for this year, and we’re grateful you can join us for this special edition of the Texas Standard:
Sugar and The Brain
Why is it hard to have just one of those delicious slices of pound cake over the holidays? Well, it turns out it has less to do with the creamy butter and more to do with the way our brains react to those sweet white grains of sugar.
In this edition of Two Guys on Your Head, Dr. Art Markman and Dr. Bob Duke discuss the ways our brains respond to sugar by releasing dopamine. While we may think this dopamine is supposed to make us feel good, what the chemicals in our brains are trying to do is to teach us that this sugar is a good thing and that we want more of it for our survival. This might have been beneficial to us 150,000 years ago, but with sweets in every candy dish, gas station, and coffee shop, craving sugar has its consequences.
Texas Standard: July 23, 2021
After the winter outages, Texans have been demanding a rethink of the Texas electricity market. Is it finally coming? Weathering criticism for its handling of winter outages, The Electric Reliability Council of Texas, or ERCOT, announces a redesign of the electricity market. We’ll explore the planned changes and what they add up to. Also, is Mexico breaking the free trade agreement with its Mexico-first oil policy? A bipartisan group of Texans asks President Biden to intervene. And endangered sea turtles on the Texas coast, now facing a new threat. Those stories and a whole lot more today on the Texas Standard:
The What The Hell Effect (Rebroadcast)
There is an observation in psychology that looks at how people behave when they have not lived up to the expectations they set for themselves; the “What The Hell Effect.” In this episode of Two Guys on Your Head, Dr. Art Markman, and Dr. Bob Duke talk about, not only what it is, but why it is.
Texas Standard: March 30, 2020
Texas officials preparing for a scenario similar to New York and New Orleans, as the search for hospital beds kicks into high gear, we’ll have the latest. Senator John Cornyn announces Texas is set to get 237 million in additional emergency relief. He still faces pushback over comments about the origins of the Coronavirus. Also, oil prices. How low can they go? Plus you’ve heard everybody’s working from home? Don’t bet on it. What the numbers say about who is and who isn’t. Those stories and so much more today on the Texas Standard:
The What The Hell Effect
There is an observation in psychology that looks at how people behave when they have not lived up to the expectations they set for themselves; the “What The Hell Effect.” In this episode of Two Guys on Your Head, Dr. Art Markman, and Dr. Bob Duke talk about, not only what it is, but why it is.
Texas Standard: October 24, 2019
A former Texas governor makes his first public comments on his role in the issue at the center of the impeachment investigation. We’ll have more of Rick Perry and the growing scandal surrpundo9ng President Trump. Plus, more fallout from the so-called Bonnen tape: what’s behind the animus between state GOP lawmakers and local government in Texas? And is it really possible to be addicted to video games? The World Health Organization weighs in, and so does our tech expert Omar Gallaga. Those stories and much more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: August 28, 2019
As fall approaches the political season heats up: and a shift in the role of Texas in one of the most consequential election seasons in modern memory. Coming up a conversation with Gromer Jeffers, political writer for the Dallas Morning News, on why the Texas factor in the 2020 election year goes way beyond the presidential race. Also the homeless crisis in San Francisco: most of those homeless are Texans, says California’s governor. Politifact takes a closer look. And an especially wooly war for survival in the Trans Pecos. Those stories and a whole lot more today on the Texas Standard:
Mal Waldron
Arranger, composer and pianist Malcolm “Mal” Waldron played in a number of big bands and fronted his own before a drug overdose left him unable to play or remember music. As he regained his technique through listening to his own records, Waldron began a second leg of his career with a decidedly different sound than the first. In this edition of Liner Notes, jazz historian and Rabbi Neil Blumofe recalls Mal Waldron, his struggle with addiction, and how he interpolated his former style.
Addiction Recovery
This Typewriter Rodeo poem came about as a request by Texas Standard listener Vicki.
Mushrooms (Ep. 33)
“We just assume our everyday normal consciousness is the one and the most accurate…there are unseen worlds, there are unseen forces, and you can look them in a religious sense, but you don’t have to.” –Michael Pollan
On the latest Secret Ingredient Podcast Raj Patel and Tom Philpott talk with Michael Pollan about his new book How to Change Your Mind: What the New Science of Psychedelics Teaches Us About Consciousness, Dying, Addiction, Depression, and Transcendence.
Texas Standard: June 7, 2018
A new tactic by US border agents to stop would be asylum seekers: physically getting in the way before they can make their claim, we’ll explore. Also after the Santa Fe high school shooting governor Abbot came up with a list of plans to cut back on gun violence, one plan will give a million dollars to a gun safety group backed by the gun industry, we’ll hear about it. Also, is smartphone addiction a thing? Apple seems to think so, Omar Gallaga of 512 Tech breaks down what the company plans to do about it. And a secret Pentagon plan revealed: using artificial intelligence to find hidden nuclear weapons. Those stories and a whole lot more today on the Texas Standard:
What If Phones, But Too Much?
When’s the last time you were without your phone? It seems they’re always with us. In fact, maybe you’re reading Typewriter Rodeo on your phone…right now.
Texas Standard: May 17, 2016
The Texas Foster Care System is broken. We’ll explore one state representative’s plan to work towards fixing it. Also high lead levels causing health concerns and we’re not talking about Flint but right here in Texas, at state-run facilities in fact. We’ll have the details. Plus how a lack of phone service is causing a life-or-death situation in rural Texas. And we’ll look why its more challenging for women to get help with addiction recovery. And an East Texas man sees for the first time in decades thanks to a bionic eye. Those stories and lots more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: March 14, 2016
Condemning his rhetoric but sticking to his pledge of support. A closer look at Ted Cruz’s talk on GOP frontrunner Donald Trump — today on the Texas Standard.
Austin is supposed to be a great place for tech startups… but is there money to back that up?
Plus… Women pay more for clothes than men… a look at the economics behind the gender bias.
Seeking help for addiction. How some programs in Texas use faith to make a difference.
And we’ll take you to Colombia… where violence and the hope of peace talks have ripple effects in Texas.
Texas Standard: December 22, 2015
A grand jury decision in the Sandra Bland case: will the trooper involved face charges? It’s one of many stories we’re following today on the Texas Standard. Thanks for joining us…coming up, what are the top stories of 2015? The editor of the Mcallen Monitor nominates a story from the front pages of today’s paper…we’ll talk with him, in the meantime, we’re taking your suggestions on Twitter at Texas Standard. Also: in God We trust–so say license plates; but if license plates are state speech, as the supreme court now says, do those plates violate the first amendment? Also Bill Moyers on addiction and much more…coming up today on the Standard:
V&B – Bill Evans & The Art of Space
In this episode of Views & Brews, KUT’s Rebecca McInroy joins Rabbi and Jazz Historian Neil Blumofe and musicians Carter Arrington (guitar), David Sierra (drums), Roscoe Beck (bass), Red Young (piano) in a discussion about Bill Evans, addiction, and his understanding of space in his life and music.
Texas Standard: June 26, 2015
A huge moment in US history as the Supreme Court rules the constitution requires states to issue same sex marriage licenses. In a landmark 5-4 decision, same sex marriage becomes the law of the land- but what are the immediate implications in Texas? We’ll be talking with Texans immediately affected by the ruling…and with reporters and analysts who’ve been covering this issue as it relates to the Lone Star State…as well as opponents of gay marriage, some of whom have called for civil disobedience…The big story—and much more just ahead…on the Texas Standard.
Green Room: Moyers on Family and Addiction
When PBS journalist Bill Moyers suffered a relapse of a heart condition, everyone wished him a speedy recovery. When his son suffered an addiction relapse, people weren’t so generous–to put it mildly. In this candid conversation with the Moyers’ family, we hear a stirring account of how the disease of addiction affects loved ones, and what we all can do to help overcome obstacles to treatment.