_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)

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

The Missouri River was once the lifeblood of this region, bringing goods and prosperity through towns across the state. But like the muddy water itself, the river's ideal use and flow is not as clear as it may have been years ago. Dams and levees have altered its course and threatened aquatic life; and over the past decade outdoor and nature enthusiasts have led a growing effort to clean up trash littered along the river and turn the waterway into a central point for recreation. We look at statewide conservation efforts and what lies in store for the Big Muddy.

Panelists:
Jeff Barrow, director, Missouri River Relief
Steve Johnson, executive director, Missouri River Communities Network
Ken Midkiff, director, Sierra Club Clean Water Campaign
Scott Mansker, host of PBS show "River Miles" (joining the program by phone)