A emerging theory suggests that clusters of creative talent might be the determining factor between regions whose economies flourish and those that fall behind. We explore how these ideas, brought to the fore by Richard Florida's book "The Rise of the Creative Class," are playing out across the country. We'll also find out how mid-Missouri fares as a creative place.  Panelists: Kelsey Meyer, vice president for Digital Talent Agents. She’s also involved with the League of Innovators, a group that works to connect mid-Missouri entrepreneurs. Chris Stevens, manager of the City of Columbia’s Office of Cultural Affairs Steven Pedigo, director of research for Creative Class Group, a consulting firm that advises communities on how to attract creative workers. (Joining the program by phone) Add Comment Religion and the brain 12/19/2011
A growing body of research is looking into the connections between spirituality and the functioning of the human brain. Our panelists take us on a journey into the deep recesses of the religious mind in hopes of answering some key questions: Is there a part of the brain that’s responsible for making people religious? Or is it the other way around, with spirituality affecting the way the brain operates?  Panelists: John Baker, executive director of the Community Foundation of Central Missouri and former pastor at First Baptist Church in Columbia Daniel Cohen, teaching assistant professor in the MU Department of Religious Studies Brick Johnstone, professor of health psychology in the MU School of Health Professions Andrew Newberg, neuroscientist and author of the book "Principles of Neurotheology" (joining the program by phone) With the fourth installment of the "Twilight" film series currently in theaters, we take another critical look at the teen vampire phenomenon. Does this latest film deliberately promote a socially conservative agenda, as some critics argue? Or, are the story line and fan frenzy simply the lifeblood of a Gothic literary tradition that will not die after hundreds of years?  Panelists: Elizabeth Behm-Morawitz, assistant professor of communication at the University of Missouri and one of three co-editors of the book “Bitten by Twilight: Youth Culture, Media and the Vampire Franchise.” Elizabeth Chang, associate professor of English at the University of Missouri Expressing gratitude 11/21/2011
With the holidays at hand, many of us will take time to appreciate and reflect on what we have. But what does it mean to be truly grateful in the modern world? How can parents instill a sense of gratitude in their children? And how do expressions of gratitude affect each of us as an individual and as a community?  Panelists: John Battaglia, pastor of the Christian Chapel Church Robert Johnson, professor of philosophy at the University of Missouri Sharon Dunski Vermont, pediatrician and author of "The Gratitude Experiment" Thomas Hart Benton and art during wartime 10/24/2011
What does war look like through the eyes of an artist like Thomas Hart Benton? An exhibit at the National Churchill Museum in Fulton showcases work Benton did for the Navy during World War II. With that exhibit open -- and with America currently involved in two wars overseas -- we take a look at the symbolism and imagery of art during wartime. We'll also learn more about the life and work of one of Missouri's most important artists.  Panelists: Liz Murphy, archivist-curator at the National Churchill Museum Joan Stack, curator of art collections at the State Historical Society of Missouri  In the early 1950s, cancerous cells were taken from a tumor that killed a young black woman and became the first human cells to be successfully kept alive and replicated outside the human body. That cell line, known as HeLa, went on to become one of the most important ingredients in medical research, leading to several important breakthroughs -- and generating large profits for biomedical companies. But the woman and her descendants had no idea any of this was happening. The details of this true story are chronicled in this year's One Read book, "The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks." Our discussion focuses on the medical issues raised in the story, in particular how race, medicine, civil rights history and bioethics all come together in the book and in our world today. For more information about this year's One Read events, click here.  Panelists: Doyne McKenzie, collections manager, Daniel Boone Regional Library Traci Wilson-Kleekamp, director of diversity and outreach initiatives, MU School of Medicine Harry Potter and religion 08/08/2011
The Harry Potter books and movies have captivated audiences around the world for more than a decade. With the final installment of the Harry Potter films out this summer, panelists discuss how all that witchcraft fits into the context of more mainstream religious traditions.  Panelists: Signe Cohen, associate professor and director of graduate studies, MU Department of Religious Studies Rick Cotner, member of Calvary Episcopal Church who led the church’s adult forums on Harry Potter and religion Summer and the symphony 06/27/2011
The Hot Summer Nights Music Festival has returned to Columbia this year. We explore some of the music on offer and also find out what this means for the ongoing saga of the troubled Missouri Theatre.  Panelists: Carole Sue DeLaite, co-president, Missouri Symphony Society board of directors Carlann Evans, violinist Kirk Trevor, music director, Missouri Symphony Orchestra The future of public media 05/09/2011
With Juan Williams-gate, the controversial resignation of NPR’s president, and legislators threatening to pull funding from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, the heat has been on for public media. The question is: Can public media survive? We tackle the question head on, with help from our panelists and input from the live audience, including representatives from Columbia's other public media outlets, KOPN/89.5 FM and CAT-TV.  Panelists: Barbara Cochran, Curtis B. Hurley Chair in Public Affairs Journalism at the MU School of Journalism Tim Eby, General Manager, St. Louis Public Radio Frank Morris, News Director, KCUR Kansas City and Harvest Public Media Ethics and the brain 03/14/2011
How much of what we do is by choice, what philosophers and theologians call “free will”? And how much can be attributed to the unconscious workings of our brains? Can brain scans, such as functional MRIs, show what is happening in the brain? Can they predict violent criminal behavior - and if so, should they be admissible in legal proceedings? In advance of a symposium on the topic next weekend at MU, we invited a few experts to help explain how advanced study of the brain intersects with our humanity.  Panelists: Phil Robbins, University of Missouri associate professor of philosophy and co-chair of the Life Sciences and Society Symposium planning committee Ines Segert, University of Missouri professor of psychology Jim Fallon, professor of anatomy and neurobiology, University of California-Irvine (joining by phone) Related links: Life Sciences and Society Symposium website NPR story about Jim Fallon’s discovery of his own psychopathic potential Overview brain imaging and purposes, as explained by the University of Pennsylvania CNN article about research by Adrian Raine (mentioned multiple times during the Intersection conversation) | PodcastsClick here to browse
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