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Since OpenAI’s debut of ChatGPT in 2022, the use of generative AI platforms has skyrocketed. It’s being used to enhance productivity and streamline processes, for research and writing, or even to create funny images or videos. From the average user to Fortune 500 companies, the possibilities — and applications — seem endless. And in the mental health industry, the possibility of AI’s ability to move the needle in addressing accessibility gaps to therapy, provider shortages, or even reducing documentation time are notable. But these systems aren’t perfect. This past September, CBS and NPR News reported on testimony to Congress from parents who expressed concern about the dangers of AI technology after their teenagers took their own lives following interactions with artificial intelligence chatbots. So what are the risks for the average person using AI for mental-health advice or support? Should there be rules to safeguard how these models function within the mental health landscape, or when being utilized by someone showing signs of mental health crises? And what role can clinicians, educators, and professional organizations play in guiding safe use of AI for mental health?

From the cars we drive to the pre-packaged food we eat, the use of plastics in consumer's lives only continues to grow. It's showing up on our beaches and in our parks, but what about the plastics we can't see or can barely touch? According to a recent article from the New York Times, scientists say it could be years before we have a full understanding of how microplastics and nanoplastics are affecting human health. These tiny particles are turning up everywhere — from the deepest parts of the ocean to the food on our plates, and even inside our bodies. The scale of micro and nanoplastic pollution has sparked serious questions about our health, our environment, and our future. So, what are these particles and where are they coming from? And what are the real-world consequences of their widespread presence on the environment and our health?

Wildfires seem to be everywhere. Earlier this year, the fires in Los Angeles caused billions of dollars in property damage and displaced over 100,000 people. In June, according to the National Interagency Fire Center, there were active fires in 11 U.S. states and in virtually every province in Canada. Minnesota had three wildfires which burned nearly 20,000 acres of northeastern Minnesota in May, according to MPR. So, what factors are contributing to the frequency and intensity of wildfires that we are seeing? How can wildfires be better prevented or controlled, and what are the long term impacts on communities and ecosystems?

With the passing of Pope Francis at the end of April, and popular films like "The Two Popes" and "Conclave" bringing new perspectives on the Vatican, the process of selecting a new pope is once again a topic of public interest. Pope Francis' successor will be responsible for carrying on a tradition that has shaped the course of history over two millennia. But what happens when a pope dies versus resigns, and how do the Cardinals select a new leader of the Catholic faith? And what can we expect to see from Pope Leo XIV in leading the Catholic Church in the future?

As social media platforms increasingly shape how we consume news, we’re asking: what impact do these changes have on public trust in the news? Dean Beckman, associate professor and chair of the Business and Communication Department at Saint Mary’s, shares some of the history of news and journalism, discusses what responsibility these social media giants should take in moderating content on their platforms, and how we as users can be more ethical in our engagement with social media and news online.

Opioids have been the cause of nearly 727 thousand overdose deaths in the United States. In fact, the number of deaths in 2022 was 10 times what it was in the late 90s. This September, however, NPR reported that for the first time in decades, public health data is showing an unprecedented drop in drug overdose deaths across the United States of over 10% — and around 8% here in Minnesota. So what happens when drugs that are designed to heal, contribute to a crisis? How have prescription opioids changed the drug landscape in the past 30 years? And what's different now?

Data breaches are becoming increasingly common across the United States, leaving both individuals and organizations vulnerable. In February, the Minnetonka-based UnitedHealth Group breach was so significant that, according to the Minnesota Attorney General’s office, it resulted in millions of Minnesotan’s “health and personal data being leaked onto the dark web.” With the volume of information being stolen, Saint Mary's University professor and program director, John Ebert, Ed.D., acknowledges that it can be difficult to understand how to feel or what to do if your information is compromised. So, how do data breaches occur? What is the impact on businesses and people, and what can we do to protect our information?

In 2022, 47 former employees of Feeding our Future were indicted by Department of Justice, alleging that the nonprofit had defrauded a USDA food nutrition program during the COVID-19 pandemic. Being called the "largest case of pandemic fraud in United States history," Derek Jackson, associate professor of Business and Communication at Saint Mary's University of Minnesota, says the Feeding our Future saga is not as uncommon as people think.So, what drives people to commit financial fraud, why was it so prevalent during the COVID-19 pandemic, and what sort of steps can be taken to combat it?

This past season, college basketball phenom Caitlin Clark shattered records, showcasing the undeniable impact of what's been coined the “Caitlin Clark Effect.” This phenomenon isn't just boosting ticket sales and revenue; it's also sparking significant conversations about the role of women in sports. In this episode, we sat down with Amber Zitzow, head coach of Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota’s women’s volleyball team to talk about  Clark’s success, athletics at Saint Mary’s, and the future of women's sports. We also spoke with Izzy Goettelman about her experiences playing basketball for Saint Mary’s and how the "Clark effect" has influenced her journey.

The rise of special education students along with a shortage of special education teachers is a concern for schools in Minnesota and across the nation. This month Ben Rodgers speaks with Kate Nelson, program director for the M.A. in Special Education program at Saint Mary's University of Minnesota, to understand what has led to this current situation and what can be done to combat it.

The recent closure of the labor and delivery unit at Fosston Hospital in northern Minnesota has raised numerous concerns about the healthcare crisis across rural Minnesota and the U.S.  With reports that more than half of the hospitals in the nation are no longer offering maternity care, and with the 2022 Minnesota Department of Health findings showing a severe shortage of health practitioners of all types in our state, we turn to one of our experts at Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota to share her perspective on this alarming issue. In this episode of Saint Mary’s Currents, we sit down with Julie Gauderman, DNAP, associate director of the nurse anesthesia program, and discuss the healthcare crisis's impact on practitioners, patients, and communities.

In our first episode of season three, Ben Rodgers and Michael Ratajczyk, associate professor of business and program director for the B.S. and M.A. in Business Intelligence and Data Analytics programs, discuss artificial intelligence and it’s impact on the workforce and workforce development.

On Jan. 19, 2023, the United States hit its debt limit, sparking economic and political concerns. But what does it mean when the debt limit is hit and what steps can be taken to correct the issue? Andrew Scott, an assistant professor of business, joins Saint Mary’s Currents host to discuss what national debt is, what policy prescriptions politicians might use to combat the issue, and how those policies might affect the average American.

In this episode of Saint Mary’s Currents, podcast host Ben Rodgers is joined by Tricia Klosky, Ph.D., associate professor of criminal justice, to discuss the psychology of serial killers and why, at a time when true crime entertainment is on the rise, society has such an interest in these individuals.

After many heavy topics were discussed in the first season of Saint Mary’s Currents, Paul Kotz, Ph.D., a core professor in the Ed.D. in Leadership program at Saint Mary’s, joins podcast host Ben Rodgers to discuss positivity and tell several stories that have impacted his outlook on life. We hope our listeners enjoy this entertaining episode as we begin the second season of Saint Mary's Currents.