Gas Prices, Voluntourism, Doppelgängers, Memory and Eating Habits

Guest: David Blackmon, Independent Energy Consultant and editor of Shale Magazine In some states right now you can get a gallon of unleaded for less than two bucks a gallon. The price dropped off at the end of December and now seems to be ticking back up again. Did you know the US gets a lot of its oil from Venezuela? This week, America sanctioned Venezuela’s state-owned oil company as part of a push to oust President Maduro. What might that mean for drivers at the pump?

Guest: Andrea Freidus, Assistant Professor of Anthropology, University of North Carolina Charlotte In the dead of winter, it’s pretty common to start planning a summer vacation. There are lots of nonprofits and church groups that would love to have you make that trip a volunteer opportunity. You can visit some far off country and experience a new culture while also “doing some good” in the form of digging a well or distributing medicine or doing repairs at an orphanage.

Guest: Niamh Geaney, Spokesperson, TwinStrangers.com Did you ever wish you had a twin when you were a kid? For companionship, maybe. Or just because it’d be cool to have a lookalike? The chances are good that somewhere in the world, there is someone who looks just like you. There’s even a website to help you find your doppelganger –it’s called TwinStrangers.com.

Guest: Marise Parent, Professor of Neuroscience and Psychology and Associate Director of the Neuroscience Institute, Georgia State University Do you remember everything you ate for breakfast or lunch? I am a notoriously distracted eater. I’m either eating on the go or while watching TV or scrolling on my phone or reading a book or engrossed in conversation. Quite often I’ll be craving something sweet after dinner and think, “Hey, I haven’t had a treat all day, so I’m fine to have this cookie.” When in fact, I had a candy bar earlier in the day, but was doing something else while I ate it and just completely forgot.

Guest: Lauren Wright, Lecturer in Politics and Public Affairs, Princeton University President Trump was to deliver his annual State of the Union Address tonight, but House Speaker Nancy Pelosi rescinded the invitation because of the partial government shutdown. Now they’ve agreed the ceremonial speech will happen next Tuesday. The State of the Union Address usually isn’t the subject of so much intrigue. It’s mostly just a really long speech punctuated by seemingly endless applause after ever sentence. The press covers it breathlessly and then we all forget about it for another year. What’s the point, really?

Guest: Alan Abitbol, Assistant Professor of Communication, University of Dayton By now, you’ve probably seen or at least heard of the controversial Gillette ad. Gillette is just latest company that has become a social and political activist—and it won’t be the last. We’re seeing more and more companies taking bold stances on issues, but it doesn’t always land.