During this miniseries on race and racism in science and religion, we are taking the opportunity to share some of our favorite podcasts with you. This episode comes to you from The Ologies Podcast and (like all of her episodes) is worth a listen. Check out the description below...

https://www.alieward.com/ologies/blackafinstem

"The most ologists in one Ologies! And maybe my favorite episode ever. #BlackBirdersWeek was such a force that we wanted to keep the energy going by spotlighting not one, but 30 ologists. You’re about to meet 30 new science heroes who are @BlackAFinSTEM and chatting about electric fish snouts, urban birds, falcons, lizards, crocodiles, economics, carnivores, sea turtles, porcupine noses, butt breathing, Ivory Towers, microaggressions, and how being an ally is a learning process we can all get better at. Walk side by side through life as a Black academic and hear their tips to best support them as well as guidance to Black students. Follow and fawn over your 30 glorious new nerd friends."

Episode 47

The Bible is a dangerous collection of writings, written mostly by people who lived under the oppressive thumb of empire. Ironically, especially in the West, it has been co-opted to support the very same kinds of oppression that the writers were fighting against! In this episode, we explore the ways that we have tried to "tame" the Bible, the stubborn power of the prophets, and how the Black Church in the US has helped us all to rediscover the true power and intent of the "Good Book". 

https://www.facebook.com/groups/downthewormhole

Sign up to nominate us in the People's Choice Podcast Awards 

(we're in the religion and spirituality category)

https://www.podcastawards.com/app/signup/

Support this podcast on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/DowntheWormholepodcast

More information at https://www.downthewormhole.com/

produced by Zack Jackson
music by Zack Jackson and Barton Willis 

Show Notes

::coming soon::

Episode 46(ish)

A major part of this miniseries on race and racism is our desire to elevate the work of others that we have found particularly helpful. Two weeks ago, Zack introduced us to the Color Correction podcast, and this week, Ian has picked an episode of the Ten Percent Happier Podcast entitled, "White People, Drop the Shame and Get Curious with Shelly Graf". Listen to Ian's explanation of why it had such a profound impact on him, and then click the link below to be magically transported to the episode. 

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/256-white-people-drop-the-shame-and-get-curious-shelly-graf/id1087147821?i=1000477990075

Next week, we are going Biblical as we get into the ways that scripture has been used to prop up injustice as well as to overcome it. We’re talking about Moses’ black wife, Paul’s passive aggressive letter to a slaveowner, Jesus’ casual racism, and why white folks love misquoting MLK. It should be fun! And challenging… and a little dangerous… riiiiiight in that sweet spot. 

Episode 45

As we begin our miniseries on race and racism in science and religion, we have to start with where we are as individuals and where we have been. It's so easy for us to teach this stuff academically while keeping our own shame and discomfort hidden away, but we're just going to lay it out there. The good, the bad, the painfully misguided, and the beautifully naive. It all weaves together into an open and honest dialogue about the world we inherited and the world we want to bestow. Join us on our Facebook group and tell us your story as well. 

https://www.facebook.com/groups/downthewormhole

Support this podcast on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/DowntheWormholepodcast

More information at https://www.downthewormhole.com/

produced by Zack Jackson
music by Zack Jackson and Barton Willis 

Scientists in Synagogues application due July 23 - https://sinaiandsynapses.org/scientists-in-synagogues/

Show Notes

What exactly are lederhosen? Wiki page and amazon costume

As compared to a dirndl? Wiki page and amazon costume [but let me just say that I also found many costumes with women wearing lederhosen too]

Bavaria is a region in now-Germany …. Here’s the wiki page and we should all go once pandemic is over, here’s an article for 10 reasons why.

A tiny touch of Ashkenazi Jewish mitochondrial dna, a genetics field still being tested; see this article

Are American Jews white? Two books, here (from 1998) and here (from 2008)

2020 US Census question on race/origin/nationality…

“Science” basis of race terms from 19th century, as explained by National Geographic article

“Social construct” dictionary definition and “race as” article from The Atlantic back in 2013

Bajau free deep dives and their spleen size article

Nepalese natives (aka Sherpas) and oxygen processing ability article

Definition of “whitewash” dictionary and application in history and K-12 curriculum

Implicit association quizzes, list found here

Ibram X Kendi, how to be anti-racist website (and press release of joining BU)

Find out more about the Color Correction Podcast at https://circlemobilizing.wordpress.com/podcast/ and be sure to subscribe to them wherever you get your podcasts!

While you're there, make sure you check out their "resources" tab for recommended reading/watching/organizing/supporting. 

Join us next week as we begin our own honest, in-depth, and humble miniseries on racial justice in science and religion. 

Episode 43

We've all done it, right? Especially during the pandemic. Our children are bored or unruly so we reach for the tablet, the gaming system, or the phone to give them something to do in the meantime. We talk about screens the way we talk about sugary cereal, but what does the research actually say? Are screens destroying our children or can they help create more empathetic, creative, and curious people than ever before? How can we use modern technology to enhance their (and our) lives? This episode is 100% judgement free and chock full of stories, studies, and suggestions to help us all be better stewards of the time we have. 

Support this podcast on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/DowntheWormholepodcast

More information at https://www.downthewormhole.com/

produced by Zack Jackson
music by Zack Jackson and Barton Willis 

Scientists in Synagogues application due July 23 - https://sinaiandsynapses.org/scientists-in-synagogues/

Show Notes

• Tetris comeback: world championship here
• An example of USB microscope, but there are many examples, here’s just one from Amazon
• What is a crane fly? Learn here; or watch a video here; 
• What’s the geology of Central Park? Design influence; scholarly article here; short article with some pics;
• What are the generations? Here’s a great article from 2014 showing that there is no definitive date for any generation except Baby Boomers (but it makes Rachael feel better that she really is Gen X).
• How people consume “TV” broken down by age, article here;
• Apps
  • Peakfinder: Identify hills and mountains through AR: website
  • Rockd: Know what you’re looking at, like mountains: website
  • Star Chart Infinite, here is link to android and to apple
  • Sky Guide, website

Some articles on screen time (most address kid usage)

• https://www.aacap.org/AACAP/Families_and_Youth/Facts_for_Families/FFF-Guide/Children-And-Watching-TV-054.aspx
• https://www.nytimes.com/2020/04/13/parenting/manage-screen-time-coronavirus.html 
  • [this one has good links for changing perspectives during pandemic]
• https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/education/2019/10/06/screen-time-kids-limit-how-much-tv-video-games-phone/3781282002/ 
  • [focusing on slightly older kids]
• https://goop.com/wellness/parenthood/why-kids-dont-need-a-digital-detox/ 
  • [different view of kids need it]
• https://www.technologyreview.com/2019/10/23/132487/screen-time-is-good-for-youmaybe/ 
  • [moderation is good]
• https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamapediatrics/article-abstract/2751330 
  • Meta analysis and review of Screen Media Use and Academic performance

Episode 42

We are thrilled to welcome Dr Scott Sampson to the DtW podcast! Those of you with small children probably know him best as Dr Scott the Paleontologist from Dinosaur Train, but there is so much more to him than time traveling cartoon dinosaurs! In his book, "How to Raise a Wild Child", he explains how he left his dream job in academia and devoted his life to spreading the love of science and nature to the next generation, because unless we become a people who love and understand our world, we're doomed. We get into some of the teaching strategies that he has developed to help all of you parents who suddenly became home-school teachers, as well as practical ways to grow emotionally, mentally, and spiritually. He casts a vision in which humankind rediscovers their love of the natural world, develops technology in tandem with it, and becomes a force for good for the sake of all living things. All that to say, it's no accident that the answers to life, the universe, and everything are contained within episode 42. 

Support this podcast on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/DowntheWormholepodcast

More information at https://www.downthewormhole.com/

produced by Zack Jackson
music by Zack Jackson and Barton Willis 

Scientists in Synagogues application due July 23 - https://sinaiandsynapses.org/scientists-in-synagogues/

Show Notes

App: iNaturalist, use your phone to figure out the world around you and be in community with scientists and other people in nature. Download on your phone app store, or go to the website: https://www.inaturalist.org/

App: Seek, also put on by the iNaturalist group. https://www.inaturalist.org/pages/seek_app 

Books by Dr. Sampson:

Dinosaur Odyssey [2009]

How to raise a wild child [2015]

You can be a paleontologist [for kids, 2017]

Dinosaur Train on PBS: https://pbskids.org/dinosaurtrain/ and for parents: https://www.pbs.org/parents/shows/dinosaur-train 

Parasaurolophus, wiki page

Gaia hypothesis: Wiki page, who is James Lovelock; a plethora of articles on Gaia hypothesis

Thomas Berry, a geologian; his books here

Bron Taylor book, Dark Green Religion; his wiki page

Richard Louv,author “the more high tech our world becomes the more nature we need” found in The Nature Principle; his book list here

Episode 41

If you've been around YouTube long enough, you've probably bumped into the phenomenon that is ASMR. If you are unfamiliar with it, do yourself a favor and watch one of the videos in the description first. Trust us. It will help make sense of everything. 

OK, now that you're back. Let's talk about those weird brain tingles. What causes them? Have we been accidentally triggering this response in religious circles for millennia? Does getting a spiritual feeling from someone going tippity tap on their desk with acrylic nails, threaten the very foundation of our faith!? Since this is such a new subculture, it is not very well studied, but luckily for you, our very own Kendra Holt-Moore is on top of it! So buckle up and get ready for some brain tingles as we whisper our way to new expressions of ancient truths. 

Support this podcast on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/DowntheWormholepodcast

More information at https://www.downthewormhole.com/

produced by Zack Jackson
music by Zack Jackson and Barton Willis 

Scientists in Synagogues application due July 23 - https://sinaiandsynapses.org/scientists-in-synagogues/

Show Notes

Articles

• ASMR, explained: https://www.vox.com/2015/7/15/8965393/asmr-video-youtube-autonomous-sensory-meridian-response
• Comfort of ASRM in the coronavirus pandemic:  https://www.vox.com/2020/5/19/21258977/coronavirus-asmr-anxiety-tingting-trigger-tingles
• ASMR University: https://asmruniversity.com/
• Four types of intimacy: https://www.wellandgood.com/good-advice/types-of-intimacy/

Youtube videos

• https://www.youtube.com/user/GentleWhispering/featured
• 2019 Michelob Ultra Super Bowl Commercial with Zoe Kravitz: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zqU8ar4gSyI
• Christian ASMR example: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC1FOGqbXL9Uy2y6tjMzqNyA
• Binaural beats example: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mDX8QrcDI_o
• ASMR and binaural beats!: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ghS43VE64wE

Books

• When God Talks Back by Tanya Luhrmann 

Episode 40

In part 3 of our miniseries, we are taking a look at the past, present, and future of education. Teachers are being forced online due to the pandemic, but will this fundamentally change how we educate children and adults? Are we educators too focused on our cherished memories of school that we are missing the new possibilities that technology offers us? Why are Zoom meetings so creepy and exhausting? Peeping Toms, prison structures, mispronouncing Descartes, and so much more with our special guest the Rev Dr Ruth Shaver!

Support this podcast on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/DowntheWormholepodcast

More information at https://www.downthewormhole.com/

produced by Zack Jackson
music by Zack Jackson and Barton Willis 

Scientists in Synagogues application due July 23 - https://sinaiandsynapses.org/scientists-in-synagogues/

Show Notes

PATHWAYS Theological Education, Inc - https://www.pathwaystheological.org/

Wiki page for "panopticon" - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Panopticon

A comic to help explain Jean Paul Sartre on "The Look" - https://existentialcomics.com/comic/235