UVA Speaks

This UVA Speaks podcast features Naomi Cahn, the Justice Anthony M. Kennedy Professor of Law and Armistead M. Dobie Professor of Law at the School of Law at the University of Virginia. Cahn and two co-authors have written a book entitled, Hot Flash: How the Law Ignores Menopause and What We Can Do About It. The book explores the topic of menopause, which is often still considered a taboo subject, yet is a stage of life that half of the population will inevitably experience. She shares some of the cultural stereotypes that surround menopause and how it is treated in the law and medical field. Cahn calls for more medical research, better education, and legal reforms to support menopausal women, especially in the workplace. Transcripts of the audio broadcast can be found here. Naomi Cahn, the Justice Anthony M. Kennedy Distinguished Professor of Law, the Armistead M. Dobie Professor of Law, and Co-Director of the Family Law Center at the School of Law at the University of Virginia. Cahn is an expert in family law, trusts and estates, feminist jurisprudence, reproductive technology, and aging and the law. She is a co-author of casebooks in both family law and trusts and estates, and she has written numerous articles that have been featured in the New York Times, Washington Post, Wall Street Journal and the New Yorker.

This UVA Speaks podcast features Kelley Anderson, Associate Professor of Nursing at the School of Nursing at the University of Virginia. Anderson explains that heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States, causing more deaths than all cancers combined. She shares how lifestyle and food choices can significantly reduce the risk and progression of heart disease, as recommended by the American Heart Association's Life's Essential Eight. A collaborative, grant-funded initiative between the University of Virginia, Blue Ridge Medical Center, and the Blue Ridge Area Food Bank offers crucial heart disease prevention services to rural communities in Central Virginia. Through a food pharmacy, clients receive fresh fruits and vegetables and sessions with nutritionists who educate them on sustainable lifestyle changes to prevent and manage heart disease. Transcripts of the audio broadcast can be found here. https://www.rev.com/transcript-editor/shared/f605CPAuJqp6KTDQh_bmteSZ0xsKzZR0mu_gSgNox3DwCOdjLjhc0gNqy6-mdkhtvNz9PXRRrqrAw4OhDvrf5sScqKw?loadFrom=SharedLink Kelley Anderson is an Associate Professor at the University of Virginia's School of Nursing. As a nurse-scientist, her research centers on heart failure, cardiovascular health, assistive technology for heart failure patients, and innovative approaches to teaching and mentoring. As a family nurse practitioner, Anderson also studies nursing in global and under-resourced contexts and earned a Fulbright Program Scholarship to the Czech Republic.

This UVA Speaks podcast features Kelsey Johnson, Professor of Astronomy and Associate Dean of Undergraduate Education at the College and Graduate School of Arts & Sciences at the University of Virginia. Earlier this year, Johnson captivated audiences at a popular Lifetime Learning virtual event entitled "Mysteries of the Cosmos: Science, Philosophy, and the Big Questions," where she delved into some of life's most profound mysteries. Due to the large number of questions posed by participants, Johnson agreed to address additional inquiries in this podcast. Here, she tackles deep questions about the origins of the universe, the nature of time, and the possibility of other dimensions. Johnson underscores the importance of curiosity and humility when confronting such vast and potentially unanswerable questions, and she champions interdisciplinary thinking as essential for fostering innovation and breakthroughs. Transcripts of the audio broadcast can be found here. Kelsey Johnson is a professor of astronomy at the University of Virginia, an affiliate faculty member in the Department of Religious Studies, and she currently serves as the associate dean of undergraduate education at the College of Arts & Sciences. She is the past president of the American Astronomical Society and the Astronomical Society of the Pacific and the founding director of the award-winning Dark Skies Bright Kids program. Johnson has won numerous awards for her research, teaching, and promotion of science literacy. Her TED talk on the importance of dark skies has more than 2 million views, and her writing has appeared in nationwide publications, including the New York Times, Scientific American, and the Washington Post.

This UVA Speaks podcast features Philip Potter, Professor of Politics in the Department of Politics, founding Director of the Frank Batten School of Leadership and Public Policy’s National Security Policy Center, and founding Director of the National Security Data and Policy Institute at the University of Virginia. Potter explains that the National Security Data and Policy Institute, a collaboration between the University of Virginia and the Office of the Director of National Intelligence, seeks to bridge the gap between government and academia to address the country’s most pressing national security issues. The Institute researches the challenges of data proliferation and emerging technologies like Artificial Intelligence and biotechnology. Transcripts of the audio broadcast can be found here. Philip Potter is a Professor of Politics from the Department of Politics at the College and Graduate School of Arts & Sciences and the founding Director of the National Security Policy Center at the Frank Batten School of Leadership and Public Policy and the National Security Data Policy Institute at the University of Virginia. Professor Potter’s research focuses on US foreign policy, military affairs, and international security. He has published dozens of articles, policy papers, and government reports on these topics as well as two books. He also serves as a university expert for the Intelligence Community and a senior advisor in the Department of Defense.

This UVA Speaks podcast features Abby Fines, Assistant Professor of Education in the Department of Kinesiology and Director of the Lifetime Physical Activity Program at the School of Education and Human Development at the University of Virginia. Fines specializes in adaptive physical activity, focusing on tailoring exercise and sports programs to meet the unique needs of individuals with disabilities. She highlights that in kinesiology, exercise is regarded as medicine and advocates for equal access to sports and recreational activities. This involves breaking down barriers and advancing opportunities in adaptive sports. Transcripts of the audio broadcast can be found here. Abby Fines is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Kinesiology and the Director of the Kinesiology Lifetime Physical Activity (KLPA) program at the School of Education and Human Development at the University of Virginia. She oversees more than 35 academic courses designed to equip students with the knowledge and skills needed to lead physically active lives. With a specialization in adaptive physical activity, Fines focuses on sports development for individuals with intellectual, physical, and sensory disabilities across various levels of play and competition. Her research is dedicated to creating equitable opportunities for participation, particularly for para-athletes, in both school and community athletic settings.

This UVA Speaks podcast features David Corlett, Assistant Professor and Senior Program Director of Undergraduate Degrees at the School of Continuing and Professional Studies at the University of Virginia. Corlett discusses the Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies (BIS) and the Bachelor of Professional Studies in Health Sciences Management (BPHM). These degree completion programs have transitioned from in-person to primarily online formats, broadening UVA's reach to non-traditional students both nationwide and internationally. He emphasizes the importance of a liberal arts education in fostering critical thinking, ethics, and adaptability, and shares how these programs have profoundly impacted students' careers and personal lives.   Transcripts of the audio broadcast can be found here.   David Corlett is an Assistant Professor and Senior Program Director of Undergraduate Degrees at the School of Continuing and Professional Studies at the University of Virginia. Corlett is a historian whose research and teaching interests focus on the Atlantic World, comparative colonialism, and early New England. Before joining UVA full-time, he taught with the Bachelor of Interdisciplinary program at UVA since 2005, served as an Assistant Teaching Professor at Arizona State University (2019-2023), and as the Interim Director of the National Institute of American History & Democracy at the College of William & Mary.

This UVA Speaks podcast features Adelaide Wilcox King, Associate Professor of Commerce at the McIntire School of Commerce at the University of Virginia. King’s research focuses on the complex and evolving landscape of psychedelics and psychedelic-assisted therapy through her academic insights as a strategy scholar. She examines an industry transitioning from the underground to the mainstream, and the cultural and social history of these powerful substances. She shares that she is part of an interdisciplinary group of scholars and clinicians at the university who are exploring the potential and pitfalls of psychedelics in addressing mental health issues and the broader implications for society. Transcripts of the audio broadcast can be found here. Adelaide Wilcox King is an Associate Professor of Commerce at the McIntire School of Commerce at the University of Virginia. She specializes in strategic management and decision-making, with a particular interest in positive organization studies and the influence of executive psychology on how strategic resources and human capital are valued and allocated in organizations. Her current interests center on the burgeoning psychedelic healing industry, and the systemic and organizational possibilities and constraints associated with efforts to alleviate suffering at scale.

This UVA Speaks podcast features Melanie Prengler, Assistant Professor of Business Administration at the Darden School of Business at the University of Virginia. Prengler researches the increasing number of remote workers and digital nomads, exploring how these individuals are redefining the workplace. She highlights the challenges and adaptations organizations face when employees are not co-located and discusses how digital nomads and remote workers can create a consistent work environment, balancing freedom with familiarity. Transcripts of the audio broadcast can be found here. Melanie Prengler is an Assistant Professor of Business Administration at the University of Virginia’s Darden School of Business. At Darden, she teaches the “Contemporary Issues in Human Resources” class in the Leadership and Organizations Area. She studies how employees in remote work arrangements create a sense of workplace out of nonwork spaces_._

This UVA Speaks podcast features Nicole Long, an Assistant Professor of Psychology in the Department of Psychology at the College and Graduate School of Arts & Sciences at the University of Virginia. A cognitive neuroscientist, Long and her colleagues at the Long Term Memory Lab study brain functions to explore the complexities of memory processing. Researchers use non-invasive techniques like MRIs and controlled laboratory tasks to discover how different brain regions are involved in various memory encoding and retrieval stages. Transcripts of the audio broadcast can be found here. Nicole Long is an Assistant Professor of Psychology in the Department of Psychology at the College and Graduate School of Arts & Sciences at the University of Virginia. She is a professor and researcher at the Virginia Alzheimer’s Disease Center and a Principal Investigator in the Long Term Memory Lab. Through her research, Long and her colleagues aim to understand how we use strategic, goal-directed processes to form and retrieve memories.

This UVA Speaks podcast features Kristen Roorbach, a psychotherapist, educational psychologist, and Lecturer at the Frank Batten School of Leadership and Public Policy at the University of Virginia. She teaches a course entitled “Trauma and the U.S. Public School System” where she brings her clinical and research expertise to explore early childhood behavior and the impact of stress of trauma on learning. In her UVA classroom, Roorbach seeks to create an inclusive space for discussing public policy and addressing the complex interplay between mental health and education. Transcripts of the audio broadcast can be found here. Kristen Roorbach is a psychotherapist, educational psychologist, and Lecturer at the Frank Batten School of Leadership and Public Policy at the University of Virginia. As a clinician, Roorbach works with children ages 3 – 18, families, and individuals using brain-based and solution-focused methods to support them through issues related to anxiety, stress, trauma, depression, and challenging behavior.

This UVA Speaks podcast features Scott Heysell, the Thomas H. Hunter, Associate Professor of International Medicine and Director of the Center for Global Health Equity at the University of Virginia. Dr. Heysell is an active clinician and researcher who supports partners worldwide in reducing tuberculosis-related deaths. He describes the work of UVA’s Center for Global Health Equity, which offers interdisciplinary research and clinical training opportunities across various global locations like Rwanda, South Africa, India, Nicaragua, and Southwest Virginia. In collaboration with their international partners, Heysell and the Center’s clinicians and researchers seek to dismantle structures of inequity and marginalization, respond to community needs, and build more equitable and effective global healthcare systems. Transcripts of the audio broadcast can be found here. Scott Heysell, MD, MPH, is the Thomas H. Hunter Associate Professor of International Medicine and Director of the Center for Global Health Equity at UVA Health at the University of Virginia. Dr. Heysell is an active researcher and supports partners worldwide to reduce tuberculosis-related deaths and correct factors that contribute to tuberculosis, including poverty, health system management, and chronic medical conditions such as HIV and diabetes. His research group also studies maximizing drug efficacy to improve treatment outcomes.

This UVA Speaks podcast features Kody Grant, the University of Virginia’s Tribal Liaison in the Division for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. In this new position, Grant connects tribal communities and UVA’s faculty, staff, and students to promote interdisciplinary collaboration and understanding. With eleven tribal nations in Virginia, including seven federally recognized and four state-recognized tribes, Grant assists in navigating and translating each community's unique protocols and expectations. In this episode, he shares his vision for creating a welcoming environment at UVA for tribal citizens and his hopes for the future of Indigenous partnerships in higher education. For further information: https://dei.virginia.edu/tribal-relations. Transcripts of the audio broadcast can be found here. Kody Grant is the Tribal Liaison in the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Division at the University of Virginia. Before coming to UVA, he supervised the American Indian Initiative at the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation. He helped spearhead full-time American Indian programming throughout the museum, facilitated interpretation and training for historical and modern Indigenous perspectives for guests and coworkers, and reestablished outreach efforts for the organization. Mr. Grant is a member of the Pueblo of Isleta and the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indian tribes.

This UVA Speaks podcast features Andrew Mondschein, Associate Professor of Urban and Environmental Planning and Associate Dean of Research at the School of Architecture at the University of Virginia. Mondshein provides an overview of the U.S. transportation system, which relies heavily on cars and often leads to traffic congestion and rising traffic fatalities. He highlights the importance of exploring multimodal transportation options to create more walkable, bikeable, and transit-friendly cities and municipalities. When making infrastructure decisions, Mondshein emphasizes that transit choices cannot be made in isolation; broader equity and affordability considerations must also be considered. Transcripts of the audio broadcast can be found here. Andrew Mondschein is an Associate Professor of Urban and Environmental Planning and Associate Dean of Research at the School of Architecture at the University of Virginia. He studies transportation systems and travel behavior to foster equitable and sustainable accessibility in cities and regions. Mondschein’s research addresses the rapidly changing terrain of transportation and information technologies.

This UVA Speaks podcast features Crystal Shin, a Professor of Law and Director of the University of Virginia School of Law's Holistic Youth Defense Clinic. Shin explains that the clinic’s faculty and students represent their young clients in court proceedings, particularly those facing felony and misdemeanor charges. The clinic’s primary objective is to advocate for their young clients to keep them out of the system and in their homes, schools, and communities. Given the challenges and biases inherent in the criminal justice system, Shin highlights programs, such as the Restorative Justice program, that offer an alternative to traditional prosecution and incarceration. Transcripts of the audio broadcast can be found here.  Crystal Shin is a Professor of Law at the University of Virginia’s School of Law and Director of the Holistic Youth Defense Clinic. She joined the Law School in 2017 and served as the first full-time faculty director of the Program in Law and Public Service until 2020. Before entering academia, Shin was an attorney for the JustChildren Program of the Legal Aid Justice Center, where she provided legal representation to children and families in special education, school discipline, juvenile justice, and immigration.

This UVA Speaks podcast features Melissa Lubin, Dean of the School of Continuing and Professional Studies (SCPS) at the University of Virginia. Lubin discusses the school's mission to provide affordable, accessible, and achievable education that expands the University's reach to non-traditional learners and working adults. SCPS offers an essential pathway to degree completion, certificate programs, and lifelong learning opportunities for students to pursue personal and professional growth. Transcripts of the audio broadcast can be found here. Melissa Lubin is Dean of the School of Continuing and Professional Studies (SCPS) at the University of Virginia. Since joining SCPS in 2022, Dean Lubin has launched a strategic plan that links to UVA's 2030 Plan, expanded scholarship opportunities for students in need, and launched UVA Enlighten, a program to build a pathway to undergraduate degrees. Before joining UVA, Lubin served as Dean of the School of Professional & Continuing Education and Chief Economic Engagement Officer at James Madison University, where she was the university’s champion for community engagement and economic development. She also directed Virginia Tech’s Commonwealth Campus Centers in Richmond, Newport News, and Virginia Beach.

This UVA Speaks podcast features John M. Owen, IV, Ambassador Henry J. and Mrs. Marion R. Taylor, Professor of Politics in the Department of Politics and a Senior Fellow at the Miller Center for Public Affairs at the University of Virginia. Owen explores NATO's 75-year history, from its Cold War origins to its pivotal role in global security and stability. He discusses how NATO’s mission has adapted, how Artificial Intelligence and quantum computing impact global affairs, and how the war in Ukraine has reshaped the alliance. Transcripts of the audio broadcast can be found here. John Owen is the Ambassador Henry J. and Mrs. Marion R. Taylor, Professor of Politics in the Department of Politics at the College and Graduate School of Arts & Sciences at the University of Virginia. He is also a Senior Fellow at the Institute for Advanced Studies in Culture and the Miller Center for Public Affairs at the University of Virginia. From January to June 2024, Owen served as an Academic Visitor at Nuffield College at the University of Oxford in England. His latest book is The Ecology of Nations: American Democracy in a Fragile World Order (Yale University Press, 2023).

This UVA Speaks podcast features Craig Konnoth, the Martha Lubin Karsh and Bruce A. Karsh Bicentennial Professor of Law at the University of Virginia’s School of Law. Konnoth explains that over the past decade, the LGBTQ movement has shifted its focus from marriage equality and employment discrimination to other critical issues. These include exemption claims like those upheld by the U.S. Supreme Court in the 303 Creative case that allows individuals to deny services to LGBTQ individuals based on their speech or religious rights. Konnoth emphasizes the need to form alliances with other minority groups to safeguard their hard-won progress. Transcripts of the audio broadcast can be found here. Craig Konnoth is the Martha Lubin Karsh and Bruce A. Karsh Bicentennial Professor of Law at the University of Virginia School of Law. Professor Konnoth writes about health, civil rights, and health data regulation. He is also active in LGBTQ rights litigation and has filed briefs on LGBTQ rights issues in the U.S. Supreme Court and the Tenth Circuit. His publications have appeared or will appear in the Yale Law Journal, the Stanford Law Review, the Hastings Law Journal, the University of Pennsylvania Law Review, the Iowa Law Review, the online companions to the Penn Law Review, and the Washington & Lee Law Review, and as chapters in edited volumes.

On this UVA Speaks podcast, Leora Friedberg, Associate Professor in the Department of Economics and the Frank Batten School of Leadership and Public Policy, shares with us the history of Social Security and concerns for the solvency of the Social Security Trust Fund. Friedberg explains that the U.S. government has known about the future shortfalls for decades and describes proposed reforms. Her research details inequalities inherent in the system that could inform policy revisions. Transcripts of the audio broadcast can be found here. Leora Friedberg, Associate Professor and Vice Chair in the Department of Economics in the College and Graduate School of Arts & Sciences and Associate Professor of Economics and Public Policy in the Frank Batten School of Leadership and Public Policy. Her research interests include public and labor economics and domestic policy. Friedberg is the Co-Director of the Retirement Research Institute and a Faculty Affiliate at the Virginia Center for Tax Law.

On this UVA Speaks podcast, Shawn Pelletier, MD, Professor and Chief of the Division of Transplant Surgery at the University of Virginia Health System, shares with us. He explains the different aspects of organ donation from living donors who donate their kidneys or part of their liver and those who arrange to donate their organs after death. Dr. Pelletier shares medical advances that have enabled surgeons and transplant teams to provide life-saving care to more patients. The need for transplanted organs outpaces the available supply. In 2023, there were 46,000 transplants performed; however, over 103,000 patients are currently on the transplant waiting list. Transcripts of the audio broadcast can be found here. Shawn Pelletier, MD, is a Professor, Chief of the Division of Transplant Surgery, Director of the Transplant Service Line, and Surgical Director of the Liver Transplant Program at UVA Health Systems. He has been on the faculty at UVA for 12 years, is a leader in several professional organizations, and has contributed to more than 100 articles in peer-reviewed journals.

On this UVA Speaks podcast, Bonnie Hagerman, Associate Professor in Women, Gender, & Sexuality and Director of Undergraduate Programs at the College and Graduate School of Arts & Sciences at the University of Virginia, describes the history of participation of American women in the Olympics and sports. She discusses athletes like Margaret Abbott, the first American woman to win an Olympic medal, and Althea Gibson, who broke the color barrier in women’s tennis and golf. Hagerman also highlights the importance of athletes like Venus Williams, who advocated for pay equity for women in her sport, and gymnast Simone Biles, whose withdrawal from the 2020 Olympics led her to become a mental health advocate. Transcripts of the audio broadcast can be found here. Bonnie Hagerman is an Associate Professor in the Department of Women, Gender, & Sexuality and Director of Undergraduate Programs at the College and Graduate School of Arts & Sciences at the University of Virginia. Her research focuses on women, gender, sport, and 20th Century American social history. She is the author of the book “Skimpy Coverage: Sports Illustrated and the Shaping of the Female Athlete.” This Spring, Professor Hagerman is teaching a course entitled “Gender & the Olympic Games.”