An epic Amicus this week, with a thorough analysis of Masterpiece Cakeshop v Colorado Civil Rights Commission with Slate’s Mark Joseph Stern. What does is tell us about Justice Anthony Kennedy’s plans, and can it tell us anything about the travel ban case?
Then Dahlia Lithwick speaks with one of her heroes, the Rev. William Barber, about how progressives ceded the language of faith, morality, and the Constitution—and how they are reclaiming it.
Please let us know what you think of Amicus. Join the discussion of this episode on Facebook. Our email is amicus@slate.com.
On The Gist, president Trump raised the bar on what’s considered a gaffe, and EPA head Scott Pruitt is taking advantage of that.
Very few comedians have never been to therapy. Jerry Seinfeld is one. Tom Papa is another. Papa tells us about cracking jokes at Minnesota Public Radio’s Live From Here and his new book, Your Dad Stole My Rake: And Other Family Dilemmas.
In the Spiel, ’tis time for a Lobstar of the Antentwig (right after a response to some sexist tweets).
Hypnosis has a long and controversial history, with its roots in animal magnetism or mesmerism, the theory developed by 18th Century German doctor Franz Mesmer. He believed he had discovered an invisible natural force possessed by all living things, and that he could channel this force for healing purposes.
Popularity of hypnosis has since waxed and waned, but was largely denounced as quackery until the 20th Century, when it began to be studied scientifically. However it is only in the last twenty years or so that is has become incorporated into mainstream science and medicine.
But is it a real phenomenon, asks listener Gratian from Poland; and Anton from Ireland wants to know how it works and what happens to people’s brains and bodies under hypnosis?
CrowdScience speaks to Dr Quinton Deeley, consultant psychiatrist and senior lecturer at the Institute of Psychiatry, who has used it in practice for many years, and Dr Amir Raz, a magician-turned-neuroscientist who is shedding light on how hypnosis works. To see how hypnosis is being used clinically, CrowdScience visits the Berkeley Clinic in Glasgow, Scotland, to witness a hypnotised patient having a tooth extracted with very little anaesthesia.
Meanwhile, presenter and self-confessed arachnophobe Nastaran Tavakoli-Far takes part in the Friendly Spider programme at London Zoo, an afternoon event that uses hypnotherapy and group therapy to ease or eliminate the fear of spiders.
Presenter: Nastaran Tavakoli-Far
Producer: Helena Selby
(Image: A silver pocket watch swinging on a chain on a black background to hypnotize. Credit: Getty Images)
Warren Buffett and Jamie Dimon make the case for ending earnings guidance. Howard Schultz steps down from Starbucks. Twitter joins the S&P 500. Five Below soars above expectations. And Smucker tries to get out of a jam. Ron Gross, Jason Moser, and Matt Argersinger analyze those stories and share a few stocks on their radar. Plus, entrepreneur, best-selling author, and Facebook Live creator Randi Zuckerberg talks Facebook, work-life balance, and investing. Thanks to LinkedIn for supporting The Motley Fool. Go to https://www.linkedin.com/fool and get a $50 credit toward your first job post.
(0.24) Infant mortality is on the rise in England and Wales ? but is this change down to social issues such as obesity and deprivation, as claimed, or the way doctors count very premature babies?
(9.45) A self-confessed lazy student wrote in to ask how he can minimise exam revision, while still ensuring a high chance of passing ? we do the sums.
(15.44) Do a billion birds really die each year by flying into buildings? We explain another zombie statistic which refuses to die.
(18.40) It was reported earlier this year that London?s murder rate was higher than New York City?s ? but how do the two cities compare now, and is there any value in these snapshot comparisons?
It's a common trope in film and TV -- a police department at their wits' end calls in a favor and makes contact with a genuine psychic, someone in tune with the greater mysteries of life, death and the universe. In works of fiction these individuals often do possess some spark of extraordinary ability, but what about in real life? Join the guys as they delve into the world of true crime and allegations of ESP to discover whether any real-life psychics have solved actual crimes.
Today, we're talking about President Trump's preps ahead of the historic meeting with North Korea next week, a controversial billion dollar fine and a discovery on Mars.
Plus: Facebook's mistake, the Stanley Cup champs and the Tony Awards.
All that and much more in less than 10 minutes.
Award-winning broadcast journalist and former TV news reporter Erica Mandy breaks it all down for you.
On The Gist, comparing Bill Clinton to basketball great Michael Jordan.
Bikram Choudhury’s status as a star yoga guru gave him license to be odd (spiritual but with a soft spot for luxury cars, and always wearing a Speedo). But there was more to it than quirkiness, as sexual assault allegations beginning in 2013 basically expelled Choudhury from the United States. ESPN’s Julia Henderson practiced Bikram Yoga, before capturing the rise and fall of its founder in a five-part podcast: Bikram.
In the Spiel, punning on some of the weirder names in the news these days.
Is the Quetzalcoatl sculpture in San Jose the best tribute to the city's Mexican heritage? It's a matter of debate.
Reported by Rachael Myrow. Bay Curious is made by Olivia Allen-Price, Jessica Placzek, Ryan Levi, Paul Lancour, Suzie Racho, Erika Kelly, Amanda Font, and Julia McEvoy. Holly Kernan is Vice President for News. Theme music by Pat Mesiti-Miller. Ask us a question at BayCurious.org. Follow Olivia Allen-Price on Twitter @oallenprice.
