Sanford Elberg, Ph.D. – Microbiology and What It Does for Us

Microbiology, what it is and how it benefits society is the topic of this edition of Radio Curious. Our guest is Dr. Sanford Elberg, a retired professor of microbiology and bacteriology and later the Dean of the Graduate School at the University of California at Berkeley. One of his scientific successes was the development of a vaccine for brucellosis, a disease in farm animals causing the female to abort early in pregnancy. This interview with Professor Elberg, who received a Ph.D. in microbiology from the University of California at Berkeley in 1930, was recorded at his home in Mendocino County, California in March 1998. Dr. Elberg begins with a definition of microbiology and bacteriology.

Sanford Elberg recommends, “The Plague Tales,” by Ann Benson.

Originally Broadcast: March 30, 2006

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Temple Grandin, Ph.D. – What Autism Can Tell Us About Animals

Animals in Translation: Using the Mysteries of Autism to Decode Animal Behavior

Do animals think? The book, “Animals in Translation: Using the Mysteries of Autism to Decode Animal Behavior,” by Professor Temple Grandin, gives us some clues. Temple Grandin is a person with autism who teaches animal science at Colorado State University in Ft. Collins, Colorado. Autistic people can often think the way animals think, putting autistic people in the perfect position to translate, “animal talk.” Grandin explores the world of animals – their pain, fear, aggression, relationships and communication. When I spoke with Professor Grandin from her office in Ft. Collins, Colorado, we began with her definition of autism.

Temple Grandin recommends, “Our Inner Ape,” by Frans De Waal.

Recorded March 21, 2006

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David Wexler, Ph.D. – Depression in Men

Is He Depressed or What? What to Do When the Man You Love is Irritable, Moody, and Withdrawn

Depression often sets off different behaviors, sometimes recognized by others and not by the depressed person.  Depression in men is the topic of this edition of Radio Curious, as we talk with David B. Wexler, Ph.D, author of, “Is He Depressed or What?  What to Do When the Man you Love is Irritable, Moody and Withdrawn.”  Dr. Wexler, a clinical psychologist, discusses how to recognize when you or someone you love is depressed, how to talk about it in respectful and successful ways, while taking care of yourself. When I spoke with Dr. Wexler from his home in San Diego, California, we began by discussing different categories of depression and how the symptoms of depression in men are different from depression in women.

David Wexler, Ph.D. recommends, “Dharma Punx,” by Noah Levine.

Originally Broadcast: March 14, 2006

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Suzanne Braun Levine – What Will She Do Next?

Inventing the Rest of Our Lives: Women in Second Adulthood

Recent research of how the human brain works seems to indicate that at midlife women start to see the world differently. Approximately 37 million American women now entering their fifties and sixties , may have fulfilled the prescribed roles of daughter, wife, mother, employee, but are not ready to retire. They want to experience more. Suzanne Braun Levine, our guest in this edition of Radio Curious, reports on the lives of women like herself and is the author of,  “Inventing the Rest of Our Lives: Women in Second Adulthood.”  She begins by discussing recent brain research and anthropological findings relative to women in their fifties and sixties.

Suzanne Braun Levine recommends, “Never Have Your Dog Stuffed: And Other Things I’ve Learned,” by Alan Alda.

Originally Broadcast: March 7, 2006

www.suzannebraunlevine.com

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