This week, Leah and Jamie discuss a short article that summarizes a longer article from the Proceedings of the National Academies of Science (PNAS). Both articles are found in the citations listed below, but the longer article is behind a paywall. Jamie gives a pretty good review of both articles, and they both discuss how white matter can be affected by the stability of the environment in which children live. A sobering and crucial discussion that has significant impact on children of color and those who live in struggling family environments.

Citations:

1. Black, R. (2025, April 14). Is this really a dire wolf? Here’s how the ‘de-extinct’ pups compare to the real thing. Science. https://www.nationalgeographic.com/science/article/dire-wolf-deextinction-colossal-paleontology
2. Early experiences shape the brain’s ‘communication superhighways’ to affect cognition. (2025, April 7). American Academy of Applied Science. Retrieved April 29, 2025, from https://www.science.org/content/article/early-experiences-shape-brain-s-communication-superhighways-affect-cognition
3. Ghosh, P. (2025, April 17). Scientists find promising hints of life on distant planet K2-18b. https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c39jj9vkr34o
4. Wikipedia contributors. (2025, February 16). Timeline of the James Webb Space Telescope. Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_James_Webb_Space_Telescope

Hi there! Jamie and Leah took the week off last week to get some personal things done. Hope you didn't miss us too much. This week, we re-recorded an episode that didn't work out because of bad audio. We focused on an article of the 50 things women couldn't do before 1970. It's quite a list. Hope you enjoy!

Citations:

1. 40 basic rights women did not have until the 1970s - History collection. (n.d.). History Collection. https://historycollection.com/40-basic-rights-women-did-not-have-until-the-1970s/
2. Erber, E. (2025, March 26). The real Story - Kathrine Switzer - Marathon Woman. Kathrine Switzer - Marathon Woman. https://kathrineswitzer.com/1967-boston-marathon-the-real-story/

It's getting trickier than ever to be a skeptical thinker. This week's episode wades into the turbid waters of genetics and the views coming from the fringe that there are real genetic differences between races - in particular the idea that white genetics are superior to any other race. While this is preposterous, there appears to be groups who are feeling more emboldened to push these false narratives using pseudoscience. Leah and Jamie try to debunk without giving voice to the platform. Check out our show citations below. Also, like us on any of the platforms. We don't do this for any monetary gain, but it would be great to hear if you are out there listening. you can email us at this link: email. You can also like us on our Facebook Page.

Citations:

1. Smart, A. (2025, March 26). In genetics, a tense coexistence of mainstream and fringe views. Undark Magazine. https://undark.org/2025/03/26/unleashed-genetics-intelligence/?et_cid=5575266
2. Smithsonian Natural Museum of American History. (n.d.). Homepage The Bias inside Us. https://biasinsideus.si.edu/
3. Staff, H. B. (2025, April 2). The Moments that Change Us | Hidden Brain Media. Hidden Brain Media. https://hiddenbrain.org/podcast/the-moments-that-change-us/
4. Wikipedia contributors. (2025a, March 14). Human Genome Project - Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Human_Genome_Project
5. Wikipedia contributors. (2025b, March 22). Mankind quarterly. Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mankind_Quarterly