Beyond the Blue Podcasts

These faculty podcasts are examples of the innovative spirit that exists in many fields at Boise State University. Just as the Broncos are known for inventive, well-executed football, our campus community is recognized for creative new ideas and exciting partnerships that enhance the experiences of our students every day.

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There’s No Debate: The Importance of Forensics in Everyday Life

Manda Hicks

There is more to debate than just talking fast and loud, or bashing your opponents–à la televised political debates. In this podcast, Dr. Manda Hicks offers a different perspective on the art of debate and public speaking. She addresses popular conceptions of debate and argues that the activity is more productive and invitational than it appears. The podcast provides a brief explanation of the origins of debate and features strategies for improving everyday public communication. Dr. Hicks identifies key concepts from speech and debate that help individuals become more effective and satisfied communicators.
Get a Move On

Tyler Johnson

The health benefits associated with regular physical activity are well documented. Unfortunately, most people do not meet physical activity guidelines. In this podcast, Dr. Johnson discusses ideas for getting more people to move more often. Helping people develop movement playgrounds seems to hold more legitimate promise for getting and keeping people moving than telling people to exercise solely for health benefits. Dr. Johnson provides explanation and analysis of the movement playground concept.
The WTO: Made by the World, for the World

Meredith Taylor Black

What is the World Trade Organization (WTO) and why should you care about it? In this podcast, Dr. Black delves into this fascinating intergovernmental organization and its effects on our lives as citizens of an ever-increasingly, interconnected world. She takes us on a tour of Centre William Rappard – home to the WTO- as she explains the history, structure, operations and significance of its latest houseguest. Dr. Black also explains how the WTO functions to encourage global economic growth through greater trade liberalization and reductions in trade barriers, promote cooperation and dispute resolution among nations, and set and enforce “ground rules” for international commercial activity.
Carbon Culprits: Construction and Transportation

Susan Mason

Energy consumption is the largest producer of greenhouse gases and transportation is often considered the biggest culprit in greenhouse gas production. In this podcast, Dr. Mason examines the theory that commercial and residential buildings are greater greenhouse gas producers than transportation. She discusses how cities, as opposed to individuals, are in a unique position to contribute to the reduction in greenhouse gases in our communities. Dr. Mason makes the case that there are fundamental differences between cities that have LEED certified green buildings and those that do not. She finds that cities with green buildings make different use of the non-financial incentives within their arsenal of tools than cities that do not have green buildings.
STEM Pipeline: Inspiration to Occupation

Louis Nadelson

STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) has entered the public realm as a major topic of conversation and a strategic initiative. Yet, there is ongoing debate about how to define STEM and what STEM means in terms of learning and instruction. In this podcast, Dr. Nadelson discusses his model that defines STEM on a continuum and looks at the range of methodologies for teaching STEM. This framework has led to the development and/or adoption of a number of programs that prepare pre-service and in-service teachers to teach STEM. He also outlines some key STEM education initiatives, including IDoTeach, a UTeach replication effort, and i-STEM, a teacher professional development program.
Knowledge + Skills = A Valuable College Experience

R. Eric Landrum

Do today’s bachelor’s degree recipients graduate with the requisite skills and abilities, coupled with their content knowledge, to be successful in the workplace? In this podcast, Dr. Landrum explores this knowledge vs. skills debate. He focuses on the key role that assessment plays in advancing both the quality of an undergraduate education and the preparation of future graduates. The goal of a broad-based liberal arts education is not job training, but a great deal of financial investment and human capital could be wasted if newly minted graduates do not have both the knowledge and skills to be employable.
Music, Machines, & Meditation

Nicole Molumby

Music has been taught virtually the same way for generations. In this podcast, Dr. Molumby explores a new world of possibilities, discussing her diverse teaching and creative activities that bridge the timeless art of music with ancient meditation techniques and modern technology. She shares how Boise State flute students are using the guided meditation practice of iRest to reduce stress and performance anxiety. Complementing the Zen atmosphere in the practice room and on stage, students in Dr. Molumby’s ear training class are plugged in to mobile devices, helping them navigate their busy lives by developing innovative learning strategies using iPads.
What is Genius?

Jim Stockton and Riley Caldwell-O’Keefe

Why does the recognition of genius matter? Are there patterns to the people and moments where genius is most evident? In this podcast, as well as in their upcoming Foundational Studies Program course, Jim Stockton and Riley Caldwell-O’Keefe tackle these questions and others like them. Challenging students to investigate genius and formulate opinions about what they find intellectually compelling can provide key building blocks for the entire learning process. Listen to the podcast and learn more about the Rationalist viewpoint of genius as a non-physical, supernatural entity, as well as the opposing philosophy espoused by the Empiricists, who look at genius as a heightened manifestation of the human physical senses.
The Human Situation

Stewart Gardner

Is there a right way to be a person? Does the quality of our community somehow depend on whether people live that way? In this podcast, Dr. Gardner invites you to join in the exercise of cracking open such questions. This examination also represents the core of the Foundational Studies Program course that he will teach with Scott Yenor this fall. Socrates taught a science that gave life meaning through intense questioning, including self-questioning. Athens killed Socrates for his science. That old philosophy has been replaced by a modern science that puts the forces of nature to work for society. Among other things, this has radically changed the relationship between each individual and the community. One belief is that if individuals focus on their private lives and pursuits, the community will prosper and thrive. But others questions whether this philosophy can really replace searching together for the meaning of life?
The Rise of the West and Asia’s Resurgence

Rick Moore

In the 18th and 19th centuries, something rather fascinating occurred. The part of the world we typically call “the West” suddenly showed tremendous growth in population, change in technology, and production of wealth. In this podcast, Dr. Moore discusses this phenomenon, which is the focus of a Foundational Studies course he will teach this fall with Dr. Shelton Woods from the Department of History. The tremendous leap that the West took into what we think of as “modernity” is very puzzling. Why did the West achieve this amazing level of change so quickly, when the East did not? What factors might be considered as the most important causes of this phenomenon? And now the pendulum is swinging the other way. In recent years, a handful of countries in Asia have seen tremendous vitality. Some observers believe that these countries soon will surpass the West in regard to economic and political power. What are the causes of this subsequent occurrence? The examination of these questions undertaken in this podcast (and in the Foundational Studies Program course) will be intriguing to those who enjoy the study of history, geography, technology, political science, communication, and other disciplines.
What Good is a College Education?

Stephanie Cox and Jennifer Black

People have been pursuing higher education and advanced degrees for centuries, but why and to what end? In this podcast, Dr. Cox and Dr. Black investigate the history of higher education, from Socrates to the present day. They look at what has changed and how the educational process has evolved over the years. Using the fundamentals from their upcoming Foundational Studies Program course, they look at the balance between preparation for a specific career and the value of a broad-based curriculum. Also included—the role that technology plays in the changing face of higher education, and how to focus on what you can get out of a college education at least as much as the process of getting into a college environment.
The Work/Life Equation: A Moving Target

Vicki Stieha and Rebecca Robideaux

How do we balance our careers with other aspects of our lives? Is there an ideal balance, or is the equation mostly subjective? In this podcast, Dr. Stieha examines the evolution of the “work-life balance” dynamic, which entered our national dialog in the mid-1980s as people began to consider the implications for work encroaching on the time that had previously been dedicated to family and leisure. More recently, the idea of “balance” seems to have been abandoned in favor of exploring the variables that go into creating a personal work-life equation. This is a particularly compelling question to explore with students as they prepare for a career (or to re-career) in an increasingly global economy. This presentation offers a sample of the instructors’ Foundational Studies course as they look back a few decades and trace the factors that play into a work-life equation for the three generations currently in the workforce: Baby Boomers, Generation Xers, and Millennials. The podcast also features a discussion of how media reflects the ways we look at the work-life equation.
The Power of Story

Clay Morgan

We all love a good story. But what is Story? In this podcast, Foundational Studies professor Clay Morgan answers that question and explores the background, evolution, and context of Story.
Are we born with Story instincts, in the way we have instincts for language? Is Story necessary for us to be truly human? Morgan proposes that Story simulates human life, inside the human mind, by engaging the senses, triggering emotions and creating awareness of consequence and meaning. Story is shared, experiential, chronological thinking. It is the most primal, the most powerful, and the most subtle system of logic, persuasion and communication. Story is how humans inhabit Time, how cultures and individuals remember, and how we plan and dream. Morgan shares his experience and insight in this podcast — by telling stories.
Highlight on the Foundational Studies Program

Martin E. Schimpf

Listen to Dr. Martin E. Schimpf, Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs, introduce Boise State's new general education program that focuses on essential learning and shared experiences
Invention and Discovery: How and Why They Happen

Peter Müllner

Every great invention has a story. In this podcast, Dr. Müllner looks at the evolution of invention and discovery—much like he will in his Foundational Studies course at Boise State this fall. As a case study, Dr. Müllner looks at the development of steel, which had various driving forces including politics, economy, architecture, music, agriculture, war, and even religion. In turn, the availability of steel shaped buildings, landscapes, musical tones, and the courses of wars and economy. This podcast also highlights some historical figures who played significant and sometimes surprising roles. Dr. Müllner puts invention and discovery in context, discussing science and technology as they relate to history and our present day society.
New Essentials in Higher Ed: Core Reform 101

Tony Roark

There is a growing consensus that universities in the U.S. must adapt their fundamental approach to education in order to preserve the nation’s status as a world leader in discovery and creativity. In this podcast, Dr. Roark examines the current and future state of general education curricula in light of the medieval origins of the university and the evolving structures of human knowledge. He argues that the dramatic growth of human knowledge and increasing intellectual specialization witnessed in the 20th century provide unprecedented opportunities to confront shared challenges, but they also introduce new challenges of their own. Roark claims that, in order to meet their public charge, universities must integrate specialized training with a broad array of multi-disciplinary experiences for students and support for developing non-cognitive competencies.
Risk vs. Reward?: The Truth About Vaccines

Juliette Tinker

Vaccines have had a profoundly positive impact on human health, but the practice of vaccination also has its detractors. In this podcast, Dr. Tinker explores the causes of the current loss of confidence in vaccine safety, and the impacts this loss has had on the incidence of disease. She also presents rationale regarding why vaccine research is needed and analyzes the pipeline for continued development of new and improved methods of immunization. Dr. Tinker examines the historical benefits of vaccines that have been used to fight smallpox, polio, rubella, and many other infectious diseases. Her current research regarding the search for a vaccine to fight staph infections is also chronicled.
Immigration: Fact, Myth, and Emotion

Greg Hill

Immigration is a super-charged, emotional issue that is not going away. In this podcast, Dr. Hill discusses what immigration policy is and its place in the American political landscape. He presents a brief history of immigration in the United States, followed by some ideas on thinking about immigration policy in a more systematic way. Dr. Hill also introduces the Optimal Immigration Framework, and discusses its features and utility. Also included is a look at his most recent work on undocumented students and educational performance, which seeks to address some of these issues using social scientific techniques.
Look Who’s Turning 65: Aging in America

Sarah Toevs

Are you aware that 10,000 people will turn 65 years of age in the United States every day for the next 19 years? In this podcast, Dr. Toevs discusses the impact of this demographic shift on our American way of life. She examines how changes in the ratio of workers to retirees will impact the sustainability of Social Security and create a drain on resources critical to elder care. Dr. Toevs also discusses the opportunities created by emphasizing prevention, health promotion, and personal responsibility. The findings from her work on intergenerational learning and community-based support are also discussed, as well as an analysis of population demographics.
Living in a Materials World: The Science Behind Stuff

Amy Moll

Materials matter to all of us. In this podcast, Dr. Moll explains how everyday objects are made of materials designed to have specific properties and perform in certain ways. From the mundane (shower curtains, cooking pans, roof shingles) to the extraordinary (aircraft engines, artificial organs), materials impact all aspects of our life. She examines how this direct link to the everyday world makes materials science and engineering topics so fascinating. In particular, Dr. Moll reveals the secrets of how materials science and engineering have made your smartphone possible.
Let Them Read Trash: The Power of Marginalized Texts

Jeffrey Wilhelm

Are books such as vampire novels, mysteries, and fantasy “real” literature? Do they have a place in the education of today’s children? In this podcast, Dr. Wilhelm reviews some highlights from a current study about how passionate adolescent readers of non-traditional texts (such as graphic novels, manga, series books, video game novels, narrative video games, dystopian, vampire, horror, and fantasy narratives) engage with such texts. He explores the deep psychological needs, satisfactions and uses these readers have for such texts, and the implications for psychological development, reading, and learning inside and outside of school. He also examines the implications for parenting, instruction, reading programs, libraries and the like. The findings of this study will be published in a forthcoming book from Scholastic Publishers tentatively entitled Let Them Read Trash.
Researching Snow: More Than Just Hitting the Slopes

Hans-Peter Marshall

Everyone has heard that no two snowflakes are alike. In this podcast, Dr. Marshall describes snow as one of the most dynamic and variable materials on earth. Snow changes from the moment it forms in the sky, as it is blown across the landscape, and as it begins to settle and compact, until it melts and eventually ends up in our water supply. The pattern of snow distribution at the hillslope scale is often highly variable, in terms of both the total amount of water stored in solid form as well as the mechanical properties, and this variability leads to complicated and interesting problems for snow avalanche and hydrologic science. Dr. Marshall takes you inside this important research, and discusses its relevance in straightforward terms.
Effective Use of Creativity and Innovation

Nancy Napier

How can organizations use creativity and innovation to boost performance? In this podcast, Dr. Napier shares insight gained from her research into that question. Her book, The Creative Discipline (2008) examines diverse organizations – from theater to software to football – to identify common creativity characteristics, while Insight (2010) shows how to encourage aha moments, which help speed learning and problem solving. The high performing, highly creative organizations studied in this research are called “The Gang.” Members range from the Boise State football program, to Trey McIntyre dance group, to health information provider Healthwise, and the Ada County Sheriff’s office. This podcast covers six important “Gang Rules”, which are crucial elements for organizations looking to incorporate creativity and innovation in their operations. The rules will also appear in a book that Dr. Napier is currently writing in conjunction with the other members of the gang.
Marriage and the Limits of Modern Political Thought

Scott Yenor

What is a family? In this podcast, Dr. Yenor discusses how family and marriage are viewed through the prism of political and cultural beliefs. Many modern thinkers see marriage and family life as defined by the principle of consent and are not averse to reforming the family as part of their larger efforts to reform society. Others feel that these modern principles tend to be imperial and to cloud our vision to the detriment of marriage and family life. Consent is not adequate to explain most of the reality of marriage and family life, and there are important limits (including the nature of love and the importance of the body) on our ability to reform this central human institution.
The Meaning of Attraction in Male-Female Friendship

Heidi Reeder

According to the storyline of many films and TV shows, men and women can never be friends because they will always end up romantically involved. Dr. Reeder set out to research whether this is true, based on the experience of actual friends. In this podcast, Dr. Reeder discusses the four types of attraction that can occur in various friendships- friendship attraction, romantic attraction, subjective physical/sexual attraction and objective physical/sexual attraction- as well as how those forms of attraction can change over time. She makes the case that for many male-female friends the primary form of attraction is a friendship bond, but that other types of attraction can offer some interesting variation in some friendships.