You’re probably more of a doomsday prepper than you realize — and the roots of the practice in America run much deeper than emergency kits and fallout shelters.

Political scientist Robert Kirsch, co-author of Be Prepared: Doomsday Prepping in the United States, joins the show to explore how American history shaped our individualistic approach to preparedness. He explains “bunkerization,” why preparing for disaster has become a personal responsibility, and what that means for government policy, our connections to our neighbors and how we envision tomorrow.

Further reading:

• Be Prepared: Doomsday Prepping in the United States by Robert Kirsch and Emily Ray
• Shopping Our Way to Safety by Andrew Szasz
• We Are All Preppers Now by Tom Doig
• Hot Mess by Sarah Wiebe
• Bunker by Jenny Perlin

Learn more about the College of Integrative Sciences and Arts at ASU and the Käte Hamburger Centre for Apocalyptic and Post-Apocalyptic Studies at Heidelberg University.

Lab Coat Optional is a production of the Strategic Marketing and Communications team at Arizona State University’s Knowledge Enterprise. Learn more about research and discovery at ASU on Instagram and LinkedIn or visit us at research.asu.edu.

Love the show? Give us a five star review on the podcast app of your choice!

Get in touch with us at ke.podcast@asu.edu.

Episode credits

Special thanks to Rick Pretzman and the Central Plant staff

Executive produced by Kate Howells

Produced by Alexander Chapin and Pete Zrioka

Hosted and reported by Pete Zrioka

Shot by Alexander Chapin

Edited by Christian Van Bebber

Original music from Patrick Cheung

Motion graphics by Andy Ramos

Art by Andy Keena and Sophia Franz

Editorial support from Diane Boudreau

Social media management by Lauren Hebing and Kyler Litson

Disclosure:

Opinions expressed on this show reflect the views of the individuals only, not the policy or opinion of Arizona State University.

American elections are secure, extensively scrutinized and protected by layers of safeguards. So why is public trust in them declining? Bill Gates, director of Arizona State University’s Mechanics of Democracy Laboratory and former Maricopa County Supervisor, explains how elections actually work, what makes them secure and why understanding the process may be key to rebuilding trust.

Learn more about:

• Mechanics of Democracy Laboratory at ASU
• MIT Election Data and Science Lab

Become a poll worker in Maricopa County… or elsewhere in Arizona… or somewhere else in the U.S.!

Lab Coat Optional is a production of the Strategic Marketing and Communications team at Arizona State University’s Knowledge Enterprise. Learn more about research and discovery at ASU on Instagram and LinkedIn or visit us at research.asu.edu.

Love the show? Give us a five star review on the podcast app of your choice!

Get in touch with us at ke.podcast@asu.edu.

Episode credits

Special thanks to Alejandra Espinoza at the Maricopa County Elections Department

Executive produced by Kate Howells

Produced by Alexander Chapin and Pete Zrioka

Hosted and reported by Pete Zrioka

Shot by Alexander Chapin

Edited by Quinton Kendall

Original music from Patrick Cheung

Motion graphics by Andy Ramos

Art by Andy Keena and Sophia Franz

Editorial support from Diane Boudreau

Social media management by Lauren Hebing and Kyler Litson

Disclosure:

Opinions expressed on this show reflect the views of the individuals only, not the policy or opinion of Arizona State University.

Teen AI use goes far beyond homework. Young people are increasingly turning to chatbots with deeply personal questions about love, relationships and body image. So what happens when teenagers start turning to machines for the advice they once sought from other people?

Arizona State University developmental psychologist Thao Ha explains why adolescence is such an important period for learning healthy relationship skills and explores the potential dangers of replacing messy human interactions with artificial ones.

Learn more about Thao's work:

• Check out the HEART Lab on Instagram
• Participate in the CIELO Study

Learn more about the Department of Psychology and the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences at ASU.

Lab Coat Optional is a production of the Strategic Marketing and Communications team at Arizona State University’s Knowledge Enterprise. Learn more about research and discovery at ASU on Instagram and LinkedIn or visit us at research.asu.edu.

Love the show? Give us a five star review on the podcast app of your choice!

Get in touch with us at ke.podcast@asu.edu.

Episode credits

Executive produced by Kate Howells

Produced by Alexander Chapin and Pete Zrioka

Hosted and reported by Pete Zrioka

Shot and edited by Alexander Chapin

Original music from Patrick Cheung

Motion graphics by Andy Ramos

Art by Andy Keena and Sophia Franz

Editorial support from Diane Boudreau

Social media management by Lauren Hebing and Kyler Litson

Disclosure:

Lab Coat Optional is intended for general knowledge and informational purposes only, and does not constitute medical advice. This show does not create a doctor-patient relationship, and the information provided is not a substitute for professional medical diagnosis or treatment. Consult with a qualified healthcare professional for any health concerns or before making any decisions related to your health. In case of a medical emergency, please call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room.

Opinions expressed on this show reflect the views of the individuals only, not the policy or opinion of Arizona State University.