Census Lawsuit, Nebraska Tourism, Disasters and Mental Health, Paralyzed and Walking

Guest: Richard Alba, PhD, Distinguished Professor of Sociology, Graduate Center, City University of New York The trial in New York over the new citizenship question on the 2020 census started Monday, after the Supreme Court rejected President Trump’s request to delay. Multiple states and organizations have sued the Department of Justice over the proposed census question, “Is this person a citizen of the United States?”

Guest: John Ricks, Executive Director of the Nebraska Tourism Commission When we say, “Nebraska,” what comes to mind? Probably some cornfields. And… that’s about it. Well the state is now wholeheartedly embracing its reputation for being a little boring. Its new tourism campaign slogan is “Nebraska: Honestly, it’s not for everyone.”

Guest: Dr. Charles R. Cantor, Professor of Clinical Neurology and Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Medical Director, Penn Sleep Centers You’re lying in bed - You’re not asleep but you can’t move and you can’t speak. Maybe you see shadowy figures in the room. You try to scream, but nothing comes out. It’s the stuff of nightmares, and it’s not the latest horror film. It’s called “sleep paralysis,” and millions of people have experienced its terror over the centuries.

Guest: Brian Houston, Associate Professor of Communication and Director of the Disaster and Community Crisis Center, University of Missouri Relief efforts are still underway after Hurricane Michael, but the disaster doesn’t make the headlines anymore. The immediate effects of large disasters like Florence are obvious from photos and news reels. But what happens after the reporters, cameras and clean-up crews all go home? What we don’t see are the long-term psychological effects on survivors, which can sometimes be just as devastating as the physical effects.

Guest: Dr. Megan Gill, Clinical Lead Physical Therapist at the Mayo Clinic Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation’s Spinal Cord Injury Program Jered Chinnock was only 24 when he was in a tragic snowmobile accident that left him paralyzed from the waist down. But now, five years later, he’s walking. This remarkable accomplishment came after two years of working with a team of scientists, physical therapists and an implanted electrical device. Hopes are high that this technology will eventually help other paralyzed patients get back on their feet.

Guest: Mark Sarzynski, Assistant Professor of Exercise Science, University of South Carolina Hand over some saliva and genetics companies can tell you all about your heritage and even if you are susceptible to certain diseases. But have you thought about asking one for a personalized diet and exercise plan? A handful of companies say they can do just that, and promise to help you build muscle, lose weight, and improve endurance, all based on your DNA. But many experts are skeptical. Are personlized genetic diet and exercise programs a passing fad, or the emerging future of wellness?