Advertise on podcast: When Experts Attack!

Political scientist Don Haider-Markel discusses the rise of Christian nationalism in the United States and tensions between this powerful political movement, traditional Christianity and the principles of American democracy.

Music professor Colin Roust discusses the complete works of Francis Johnson, an internationally famous African American composer who reshaped the origins of American music.

Imogen Herrick says schools can serve as "estuaries of learning" — a metaphor that connects science to larger culture and society.

International trade expert Raj Bhala assesses the greatest disruption in trade since the end of World War II and asks whether manufacturing will really return to the U.S.

Maybe the least-known specialty in any music school is music therapy — the clinical and evidence-based use of music to improve health and well-being. In this episode, associate professors of music CharCarol Fisher and William Matney outline what the latest research shows are the musical skills that make a good therapist.

James Yékú sees social media empowering people to respond to corrupt political leaders in his home country of Nigeria — yet, social media also shuts down debate on important social and literary topics.

Jack Zhang researches the sometimes-hidden complexities of tariffs and says innovation, competition, small business and the pocketbooks of working-class Americans might suffer under the new wave of American taxes on foreign imports.

Why do university graduates wear caps and gowns? Steve Wolgast gets medieval explaining how European scholars centuries ago, wearing gowns for warmth in chilly libraries, led to an Ohio academic suggesting American universities standardize academic dress.

Researcher and gambler Justin Balthrop explains pitfalls of legalized online sports betting, including more credit card debt and fewer sound financial investments.

Author and scholar Mary Banwart discusses her new book chronicling the history of women in U.S. politics, with a newly penned forward following Kamala Harris' rise to Democratic presidential nominee.

Stephen Jackson, an education professor who prepares future teachers on instructing students in history, discusses how controversies in teaching history have become part of the culture wars, how teachers are scared and why some have said this era is worse than McCarthyism.

A year ago, police officers executed a search warrant on a small-town Kansas newspaper, triggering worldwide outrage over the seizing of newspaper equipment. The stress of the raid is said to have helped lead to the death of the publisher's mother. Journalist and professor Steve Wolgast discusses why the raid happened and just why it's so problematic for government to obstruct freedom of the press.

Brian Donovan is teaching a university course on the artistic and sociological influence of Taylor Swift. He outlines how the semester's lessons mirror the performer's career from a breakout country music star to the gazillion-selling icon of her recent Eras tour.

Mahbub Rashid says his book is the first to examine how spatial qualities impact health issues for people living in areas that aren't strictly rural or metropolitan.

Sara Reed, an expert in transportation logistics, has extensively researched autonomous vehicle delivery. She discusses the technology's benefits for businesses and whether they'll outweigh potential drawbacks for customers and human employees — as well as other considerations for society's driverless future.