Episode 190: The Painted Walkway

“Designed to evoke emotion and to spark conversation. It embraces the community and marries both sides of the bridge gracefully by creating a new urban texture. The mural layout and color palette masterfully softens and generates a new energy with ever step.”
— Introductory text on the website describing the mural on the Franklin Bridge in Allston, MA.

Though we all share public spaces and avenues, we navigate and perceive it in distinct ways. Some notice the ground, some rarely use the sidewalk and others could tell you about every safe place to lock a bike. This week, we’re discussing a particular circumstance tied to Allston, Massachusetts and a footbridge which, previously covered in striking graffiti, has now been painted over with a mural. How do spaces like this designate ownership or artistic intent for a public? How does graffiti draw our attention where it may previously have been absent?

Episode 189: Voids for the Networkers

At every stage of life, our communities provide us with shelter, guidance, support and friendship. For millennials in particular, communities, their definitions and boundaries appear to be shifting. Young professionals away from their hometowns and looking to establish connections might resort to recreational sports leagues, book clubs or similar means of creating communities in contrast to "natural" communities. This week, we welcome Callum Melrose to discuss the phenomenon and its implications. How might millennials be more territorial about activities or relationships meant to be more stress-free and enjoyable because of a need for community?

Episode 188: Talent or Hard Work

In the pursuit of success, safety, fulfillment and various other achievements besides, people make use of their particular advantages, circumstances and tools at their disposal. Whether they are born with certain talents or seek to improve their lives through sheer effort and will, self-advancement is a relevant topic for all of us. This week, we want to examine the distinctions between talent and hard work as two, oft-compared means of achieving a goal. Does society prefer one over the other? Do we associate either with a certain class or economic background? Does one provide a more compelling story or narrative?

Episode 187: Don't Sweat the Small Stuff IV

This week, we return to the tradition of reacting to a book of insights entitled "Don't Sweat the Small Stuff". In particular, we look at chapters encouraging us to let others be right most of the time, to imagine those around us as infants and as hundred-year-olds and to tell someone everyday something we like, appreciate or admire about them. How do these perspectives encourage empathy, thoughtfulness and creative approaches to social interaction? How to they define kindness in new ways?

Episode 186: In a World of Ego Threats

Difficulties and obstacles come from all sides and throughout life. We might envision circumstances surrounding work, survival and relationships as some of the most common. But what about our internal battles with doubt? This week, Ron Levine joins us to discuss the "ego threats" we face as a result of evolutionary selection for negative thinking and anticipation. How might we learn to listen to these thoughts without obeying them? What wisdom or perspective can our doubts and negative thoughts reveal?