In this episode of UNT POD, we sit down with counseling doctoral student Damien McClintock to breakdown the five stages of grief and how each is portrayed by Black Widow, Hawkeye, Hulk, Thor, Captain America and Iron Man in Avengers: Endgame.

In this episode, we discuss:
Denial
Anger
Bargaining
Depression
Acceptance
Superheroes

Featured in this episode:

Damien McClintock, doctoral student in the counseling program at the University of North Texas

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Tell us about your favorite moments from Endgame and the rest of the MCU by connecting with us on Twitter @UNTSocialor on Instagram @UNT.

In this episode of UNT POD, acclaimed journalist and co-director of the Mayborn Literary Nonfiction Conference Michael Mooney — who also happens to be a UNT alum — speaks with Monique Bird, discussing everything from the Mayborn conference and the state of journalism to his simultaneous love of, and aversion to, Twitter.

In this episode, we discuss:

● Highlights from the Mayborn conference over the years

● Its benefits for up-and-coming and established journalists

● The state of the journalism industry

● The benefits and drawbacks of Twitter, particularly for writers

Featured in this episode is:

● Michael Mooney, a UNT journalism alum and co-director of the conference. The theme of this year’s Mayborn event, which took place in late July, was “Justice in America,” a topic Mooney knows well — he’s covered crime and social justice for magazines ranging from Texas Monthly to D Magazine to GQ, and has been featured in the anthology of the Best American Crime Reporting. He’s the author of Texas Monthly’s August cover story, and also writes sports and culture articles for publications such as ESPN the Magazine, Rolling Stone, and Popular Mechanics.

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● Tell us about your favorite moments from the Mayborn conference by connecting with us on Twitter @UNTSocial or on Instagram @UNT.

In this episode of UNT POD, our University of North Texas faculty experts and alums discuss the important milestones from the summer of 1969, along with their continued reverberations. Ann McCutchan, a UNT alum and former professor of creative writing who penned a memoir in 2016 about growing up on the space coast in Titusville, Florida, perhaps sums it up best: “That was some summer.”

In this episode, we discuss:

● The moon landing and its effects on American ingenuity and technology

● The Stonewall Riots as some of the first, and most important, milestones in the early gay rights movement

● Woodstock and its celebration of music and the American spirit

Featured in this episode are:

● Ann McCutchan, a UNT alumna and former professor of creative writing who witnessed the launch as a teenager growing up in Titusville, Florida

● Ron DiIulio, better known as Starman, a UNT professor of physics and astronomy and the director of UNT’s astronomy lab

● Suzanne Enck, a UNT associate professor in Communication Studies and an allied professor for Women’s and Gender Studies who serves on the Women’s and Gender Studies executive committee

● Clark Pomerleau, a UNT associate professor in the Department of History who teaches History of Sexuality and Gender History

● Sara Outhier, a UNT alumna and UNT music librarian for digital and audio services

● Hosts Erin Cristales, Melisa Brown and Kris Muller

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● Tell us about your own personal stories from the summer of ’69 by connecting with us on Twitter @UNTSocial or on Instagram @UNT and using #UNTSummerof69

In this episode of UNT POD, our University of North Texas student and faculty experts discuss their mission to document and preserve endangered and indigenous languages, including South Asian languages such as Lamkang, Mankiyali, Kashmiri and Burushaski. They also discuss events such as UNT’s Year of Indigenous Languages series and Indigenous Peoples’ Day.

In this episode, we discuss:

• What “endangered language” really means
• How languages lose vitality
• UNT’s efforts in documenting and preserving endangered and indigenous languages
• Important language archival tools such as CORSAL (Computational Resources for South Asian Languages)
• Indigenous language events
• Students who have come to UNT to help save their own languages

Featured in this episode are:

• Shobhana Chelliah, associate dean and professor in UNT’s department of linguistics
• Sadaf Munshi, chair and professor in UNT’s department of linguistics
• Sumshot Khular, a Ph.D. student in UNT’s department of linguistics and a native Lamkang speaker
• Javid Iqbal, a graduate student in UNT’s department of linguistics and a native speaker of Burushaski
• Midhat Shah, a graduate student in UNT’s department of linguistics and a native speaker of Kashmiri
• Christina Wasson, professor in UNT’s department of anthropology and the organizer of UNT’s Year of Indigenous Languages series

In this episode of UNT POD, our University of North Texas experts discuss the making of Queen Elizabeth II’s wedding dress and the impact Meghan Markle, Duchess of Sussex, has had on the fashion industry as the third season of The Crown is set to air.

In this episode, we discuss:

• The making of Queen Elizabeth II’s wedding dress
• The Texas Fashion Collection features a dress designed by Norman Hartnell that shares similar features with Queen Elizabeth’s wedding dress
• Queen Elizabeth II’s dress made a statement, showcasing her country’s creativity as it was recovering from World War II
• The newest royal, Meghan Markle, can cause fashion brands’ sales to increase when she wears their ready-to-wear brands
• Markle makes a statement with her fashion choices by wearing clothes that promote sustainability and accessibility

Featured in this episode are:

• Annette Becker, director of the Texas Fashion Collection
• Iva Jestratijevic, assistant professor, College of Merchandising, Hospitality and Tourism

In this episode of UNT POD, our University of North Texas faculty experts discuss recent events that reflect the shifting power dynamic in newsrooms, including the mass exodus of Deadspin’s editorial staff and the Salt Lake Tribune being granted non-profit status, as well as the rise of #fakenews accusations ahead of the 2020 election.

In this episode, we discuss:

• The death of Deadspin
• Newsroom unionization
• The Salt Lake Tribune’s non-profit status
• How to find trustworthy media coverage of the 2020 election

Featured in this episode are:

• Neil Foote, principal lecturer in UNT’s Mayborn School of Journalism
• Randy Loftis, lecturer in UNT’s Mayborn School of Journalism
• Jacqueline Fellows, lecturer in UNT’s Mayborn School of Journalism

In this episode of UNT POD, University of North Texas students and staff discuss their personal fandom, their first Star Wars memories and expectations for Episode IX, and industry experts discuss the staying power and cultural impact of the franchise over the last 40-plus years.

In this episode, we discuss:

● Star Wars fandom

● Star Wars memories

● The staying power of the franchise

● The cultural impact of Star Wars

● Expectations for Episode IX

Featured in this episode are:

● Dr. Stephen Mandiberg, media arts lecturer

● Dr. Jennifer Porst, media arts assistant professor

● Mark Lanier, mechanical technician

● Kevin Yanowski, catalog management librarian

● Julian Mondress, sophomore and UNT Star Wars Club president

● Jaena Ice, freshman and UNT Star Wars Club social media manager

● Wesley Belisch, sophomore and UNT Star Wars Club member

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In this episode of UNT POD, our University of North Texas staff and alumni experts discuss their own experiences with mental health, as well as how to identify if and where one should seek out mental health resources for themselves or others.

In this episode, we discuss:

● The stigma that sometimes surrounds mental health and how to dispel it

● Common chronic mental health symptoms

● Preventative mental health treatment, including positive psychology

● Campus and online mental health resources

Featured in this episode are:

● Madison “Rudi” Clary-Wortham (’16, ’18 M.S.), a communications studies alum who battled anxiety and depression as a teenager and college student

● Rebecca Werts (’13, '19 M.S.), an advisor in the College of Science and a recent master’s graduate in counseling

● Rachita Sharma, Ph.D., LPC-S, CRC, a senior lecturer in UNT’s College of Health and Public Service and the clinical coordinator for UNT’s Well Clinic

● Tamara Knapp-Grosz, Ph.D., senior director of UNT’s Counseling and Testing Center

Click here for UNT’s mental health and wellbeing resources, made available through UNT’s Speak Out program

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In this episode of UNT POD, University of North Texas community members discuss their personal experiences on the topic of love. We'll also hear from experts in neuroscience and social science, as well as from several couples as they tell their stories of how they met and what keeps their relationships strong. We'll also explore the science behind love as an emotion.

Featured in this episode are:

● Dr. Nicoladie Tam, Associate Professor, Dept. of Biological Science

● Dr. Julie Leventhal, Sr. Lecturer, Educational Psychology

● Judith Sanchez and Tanner Dritschler, UNT alumni and couple

● Chuck Gatlin and William Jackson, UNT alumni and married couple

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Joanna Davis-McElligatt, an assistant professor in UNT’s Department of English who is an expert on diversity in higher education and comics, discusses a recent uptick in inclusion — and the challenges that still lie ahead.

In this episode, we discuss:

● The importance of diversity and inclusion in higher education

● The recent uptick of diversity and inclusion in comics, and its importance to the industry

● Some of Davis-McElligatt’s favorite comics

● Recent entries in the genre such as Black Panther and HBO’s Watchmen relaunch.

Featured in this episode is:

● Joanna Davis McElligatt, assistant professor in UNT’s Department of English

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In this episode of UNT POD, UNT professor of psychology Patricia Kaminski discusses parent-child relationships, child abuse and eating disorders related to COVID-19.

In this episode, we discuss:

● How to cope with stress to build healthier parent-child relationships

● How to identify and prevent child abuse

● The pressures COVID-19 places on those with eating disorders and how to best cope

Featured in this episode is:

● Patricia Kaminski, professor in UNT’s Department of Psychology

Helpful links:

● Healthy parent-child relationships

○ www.hhs.gov/ash/oah/adolescent-development/healthy-relationships/parents-child/index.html

○ www.psychologytoday.com/us/basics/parenting

● Child abuse prevention and reporting

○ www.acf.hhs.gov/cb/focus-areas/child-abuse-neglect

○ www.childwelfare.gov/topics/responding/reporting/how/

● Coping with eating disorders

○ nationaleatingdisorders.org/help-support/contact-helpline

● Help at UNT

○ psychology.unt.edu/clinics-and-centers/psychology-clinic

○ studentaffairs.unt.edu/counseling-and-testing-services

○ untwell.unt.edu/services-offered

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● Connect with us on Twitter @UNTSocial or on Instagram @UNT.

From 300-year-old murder cases to unidentified bodies on the Texas border, Dr. Harrell Gill-King has investigated it all. As a forensic anthropology professor and founding director of UNT’s Laboratory of Forensic Anthropology, Gill-King has developed what he calls a “junkyard mind” — he knows a lot about a little bit of everything. His knack for digging deeper to find the truth has led to his sterling reputation, and he was recently awarded the American Academy of Forensic Science’s T. Dale Stewart Award for outstanding contributions to the forensic anthropology field.

In this episode, we discuss:

● The evolution of forensic anthropology

● The “CSI Effect”

● The emotional aspects of scientific work

● The importance of science

Featured in this episode is:

● Dr. Harrell Gill-King, a forensic anthropology professor, founding director of UNT’s Laboratory of Forensic Anthropology and co-founder of UNT’s Center for Human Identification

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In celebration of UNT’s 130th anniversary, we take a deep dive into UNT’s Special Collections with archivist Rachael Zipperer, exploring some of the most unusual pieces of history contained within — and to see how the university is always working to preserve its exceedingly unique spirit.

In this episode, we discuss:

● Eppy subreddits

● The miniature books collection and the reemergence of The Hobbit first edition

● UNT’s digital Memory Collection

● Other unique items found in Special Collections, including a hamster skull and KXAS footage of chickens clucking to Glenn Miller’s “In the Mood.”

Featured in this episode is:

● Rachael Zipperer, UNT archivist

Helpful links:

● library.unt.edu

● Memory Collection

● Keeper app

● KXAS collection

● Chicken clip

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Back in April, three words burst through a news cycle otherwise laser-focused on COVID-19: “I can’t breathe.” George Floyd’s brutal death broke through the greater American consciousness, particularly that of white Americans, in a way the other questionable fatalities that have occurred over the years did not — and out of that horrific incident, deeper conversations about the lack of equity in modern society have risen to the surface. This episode of UNT Pod explores where we are, how we got here, and how we all can — and should — move forward together to build a stronger, more equitable world.

In this episode, we discuss:

● The modern Black Lives Matter movement and the classical period of civil rights

● How the transatlantic slave trade marked African Americans as existing outside of the social compact, and the effects of those biases on modern race relations

● How popular media shapes impressions of the African American community

● Equity and diversity in higher education

● How Americans from all backgrounds can help build a more equitable society

Featured in this episode are:

● Dr. J. Anthony Guillory, lecturer and advisor to the African American Studies minor in UNT’s Department of History

● Dr. Todd Moye, professor in UNT’s Department of History

● Dr. Christopher Todd, assistant professor in UNT’s Department of History

Helpful links:

● Read the UNT History Department’s anti-racism syllabus

● Check out UNT’s new diversity and inclusion initiatives

● Listen to more interviews from the Civil Rights in Black and Brown project

● Dr. J. Anthony Guillory discusses his favorite works of African American literature

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In advance of National Novel Writing Month, we talk to UNT associate professor of creative writing Bonnie Friedman about envy, fear, and distraction, the benefits of writing, and how persistence is the key to growing one’s writing abilities. Friedman is the author of Writing Past Dark, which the Center for Fiction has called one of the essential books for writing, and Poets & Writers literary magazine called one of the best books for writers.

In this episode, we discuss:

● Dilemmas in the writing experience such as envy, fear and distraction

● Tips for how to dive into the writing process

● The benefits of writing

● Friedman’s favorite works

Featured in this episode is:

● Bonnie Friedman, associate professor of creative writing

Helpful links:

● Check out the OLLI at UNT podcast: olli.unt.edu/podcast

● Learn more about National Novel Writing Month and the NaNoWriMo organization: nanowrimo.org

● Read more about Bonnie Friedman: bonniefriedman.com

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There are plenty of highs and lows when it comes to diabetes, which is exactly what National Diabetes Awareness Month aims to spotlight. Each November, communities across the country team up to bring attention to the chronic illness through events and resources. With 1.5 million Americans diagnosed with Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes each year, that need for increased awareness is becoming more and more urgent. This episode of UNT Pod focuses on students, alums and faculty who are helping to create that awareness through research and outreach – and who are potentially creating a brighter future for nearly 35 million Americans in the process.

In this episode, we discuss:

● The increasing prevalence of diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) at the onset of Type 1 diagnosis

● The challenges and needs inherent in dealing with Type 1

● The Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation’s research and advocacy initiatives

● The research happening in the lab of Dr. Pamela Padilla, associate vice president of research and innovation, who is using a genetic model system to study the effects of hyperglycemia, a leading indicator of Type 2 diabetes.

Featured in this episode are:

● Bri Zaeske, a senior in UNT’s department of psychology who has Type 1 diabetes

● Courtney Garvey, Community Outreach Manager for JDRF of Fort Worth and a Type 1 diabetic

● Pamela Padilla, UNT associate vice president of research and innovation

● Saifun “Ripa” Nahar, Jose Robledo and Manuel Ruiz, Ph.D. students in Padilla’s lab

Helpful links:

● Learn more about Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes: https://www.diabetes.org/

● Learn more about JDRF, including ways to volunteer: https://www.jdrf.org/

● Learn more about the research students are conducting in Padilla’s lab: https://biology.unt.edu/dr-pamela-padilla/lab-members

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The 2018 Campus Inclusion Climate Survey was UNT’s first, with Shani Barrax Moore — the director of diversity and inclusion in UNT’s Division of Institutional Equity and Diversity — leading the effort, and master’s student Zahra Khalaf analyzing and providing context to the data and determining the best way to use it to facilitate intentional inclusion. An overview of the results was presented via webinar on Oct. 12, in which Moore and Vice President of Institutional Equity and Diversity Joanne Woodard delved into some of the key takeaways. As a result of the survey, which will likely be administered again in another three years, divisions and colleges across UNT have formed diversity and inclusion councils to create action plans based on the data specific to their unit. Moore also is working with divisions and organizations across the university to create focus groups to better understand what led to the responses.

In this episode, we discuss:

● The results of the survey, including the biggest surprises and how the data compares to that of other institutions.

● How UNT is working to meet the vast array of experiences and expectations of students and faculty/staff on campus in areas including race, gender, sexuality, religion, disability and military status.

● How the results of the survey will inform initiatives moving forward.

Featured in this episode are:

● Shani Barrax Moore, director of diversity and inclusion in UNT’s Division of Institutional Equity and Diversity

● Zahra Khalaf, who has a Ph.D. in psychology and is earning a master’s in women’s and gender studies at UNT, and works as a graduate student assistant in the Division of Institutional Equity and Diversity

Helpful links:

● Check out the survey results and watch the webinar: https://ied.unt.edu/climate-survey-results

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● Connect with us on Twitter @UNTSocial or on Instagram @UNT.

Michael Wise, an associate professor in UNT’s Department of History whose expertise includes the histories of food, agriculture and animal-human relationships, has long studied Native American food traditions, especially that of the Blackfeet tribe of Montana. On this episode of UNT Pod, Dr. Wise discusses the mythology surrounding Thanksgiving, the history of Native American hunting and farming, and how the Anglo-American approach to meat distribution affected tribes like the Blackfeet, as well as the larger cultural attitude toward food production.

In this episode, we discuss:

● Thanksgiving myths

● The Blackfeet tradition of hunting and farming

● How restricted access to meat was used as a tool for assimilation and forced labor

● The evolution of slaughterhouses and their effect on attitudes about meat preparation and consumption

● Native American food staples

Featured in this episode is:

● Michael Wise, associate professor of history

Helpful links:

● More about Dr. Wise and his research: history.unt.edu/people/michael-wise

● Native American and indigenous charities:

o americanindianservices.org/top-native-american-associations-and-organizations-to-support/

o www.firstnations.org/ways-to-give/

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Who made Santa a superstar? Yes, Virginia, it was advertisers. On this episode of UNT Pod, Bill Ford — a lecturer in UNT’s Mayborn School of Journalism and director of UNT’s student-led advertising and PR agency SWOOP — discusses how modern advertising has affected the way the public sees and celebrates Christmas.

In this episode, we discuss:

● Santa’s role in advertising

● The most influential (and emotional) Christmas ads

● How Christmas advertising has evolved over time

● Christmas advertising during a pandemic

Featured in this episode is:

● Bill Ford, lecturer in UNT’s Mayborn School of Journalism and director of UNT’s student-led advertising and PR agency SWOOP

Helpful links:

● Links to the commercials mentioned in this episode:

o Coca Cola polar bears

o M&Ms

o Hershey’s bells

o Apple iPhone

o Coca Cola “I’d Like to Teach the World to Sing”

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● Connect with us on Twitter @UNTSocial or on Instagram @UNT.

UNT students, staff, faculty and alumni come from every walk of life, but they have one thing in common: They frequently step into the role of hero in their own communities and beyond. That’s why, to close out an exceedingly difficult year, we wanted to highlight those in our community who invariably show us the path to a better future. On this episode of UNT Pod, join us as we discuss the Eagles, past and present, who assume the mantle of hero each and every day.

In this episode, we discuss:

● A variety of UNT heroes, from everyday heroes to real-deal lifesavers

● Our unique history of military heroes

● Our gratitude to our alumni in the medical community who have sacrificed so much during the COVID-19 pandemic

Featured in this episode are:

● UNT Spider-Man (version 2.0)

● Travis Monk, an alum and Collin County deputy sheriff who saved a family of six on Lake Lavon

● Brian Richardson, former chair of UNT’s Department of Communication Studies who has implemented programs to help students and alumni achieve the careers of their dreams

● Lauren Taylor, a current grad student, Miss Wheelchair Texas 2019 and volunteer with the Dallas-based nonprofit To Be Like Me, which uses interactive experiences to build awareness and compassion in children when it comes to differences and disabilities

● Steven Pettit, a kinesiology alum and Mean Green super fan, who at age 39 was diagnosed with stage IV esophageal cancer and given only a year to live

● Lehi Tollestrup, a grad student in rehabilitation counseling and Army veteran, who after surviving his own battle with PTSD and addiction strives to help support active-duty military and veterans struggling with mental health issues

● Mentions of our historic military heroes, our healthcare heroes, and other heroes including alums Lilyan Prado Carrillo, Given Kachepa, Kia Davis, Jackie Davis and Krystal Hamilton.

Helpful links:

● Read our previous stories about many of the heroes featured in this episode:

o Ask the Expert: Brian Richardson

o Lauren Taylor

o Tenacity Takes Root: Steven Pettit, Lehi Tollestrup and Lilyan Prado Carrillo

o Beyond the Green featuring Steven Pettit

o Given Kachepa

o Brenda Sweeten, Jackie Davis and Krystal Hamilton (PUSH)

o Kia Davis

o Heroes of COVID-19

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UNT’s annual Equity and Diversity Conference is one of the university’s most popular events, bringing together hundreds of students, educators and professionals who are committed to equity, access and inclusion in higher education, as well as corporations and community members interested in diversity and inclusion topics. The theme of this year’s conference is “Facing the Future Together: Allies, Accomplices and Action,” and will feature keynote speaker Jeff Chang, who has written extensively on the intersection of race, art and civil rights, and the socio-political forces that guided the hip-hop generation.

In this episode, we discuss:

● How the conference has evolved over the years

● This year’s academic and corporate track topics

● Past speakers and this year’s speaker Jeff Chang

● What attendees can expect in the virtual environment

Featured in this episode are:

● Shani Barrax Moore, director of diversity and inclusion in UNT’s Division of Institutional Equity and Diversity

● James Jackson, communications strategist in UNT’s Division of Institutional Equity and Diversity

Helpful links:

● Register for the conference

● Explore past conferences

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With January comes the dreaded New Year’s resolution — but what if we all focused on more realistic, attainable goal setting instead? On this episode of UNT Pod, Dr. Michael Savoie — a clinical professor of operations, logistics and supply chain management in UNT’s G. Brint Ryan College of Business who also has served as a certified trainer in the 7 Habits of Highly Effective People and Brian Tracy’s Phoenix Seminar on the Psychology of Achievement for more than three decades — walks us through the best approaches to goal setting.

In this episode, we discuss:

● The difference between resolutions and goals

● The best ways to track and measure your goals

● The importance of setting goals based on the present, not the past

● How to develop SMART (specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, time-bound) goals

Featured in this episode is:

● Dr. Michael Savoie, clinical professor of operations, logistics and supply chain management in UNT’s G. Brint Ryan College of Business and a certified trainer in the 7 Habits of Highly Effective People and Brian Tracy’s Phoenix Seminar on the Psychology of Achievement

Helpful links:

● View a goal-setting slideshow created by Dr. Savoie

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● Connect with us on Twitter @UNTSocial or on Instagram @UNT

When it comes to love, there are plenty of things to fear: commitment, rejection, not purchasing the perfect Valentine’s gift. For centuries, love and fear have been increasingly intermingled when it comes to literature and pop culture, as the public has become more and more enamored by stories of ghosts, vampires, zombies and other undead creatures. On this episode of UNT Pod, UNT Associate Professor of English Stephanie Hawkins discusses how that fascination has manifested — and some of the best works of literature for those looking for a good scare.

In this episode, we discuss:

● The public’s fascination with ghost stories

● Hawkins’ class “Undead: Ghosts, Vampires and Zombies in American Literature”

● The origins of ghost stories

● The best ghost stories to read

Featured in this episode is:

● Dr. Stephanie Hawkins, associate professor in UNT’s Department of English

Helpful links:

● Learn more about the Ghost Stories of Henry James and The Turn of the Screw

● Learn more about Beloved

● Learn more about the most famous American horror stories

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2020 was unprecedented for a lot of reasons, including the number of climate-related events that marred an already challenging year. So, considering that, how do we even begin addressing the intersection of society and climate change? That’s where experts like Courtney Cecale come in. An environmental anthropologist and UNT assistant professor, she specializes in areas including the Peruvian Andes and California, and along with climate change, studies science and technology and how the two converge. On this episode, Dr. Cecale discusses what her research has revealed about the effects of climate change on people and societies – and the best ways to come together to salvage the future.

In this episode, we discuss:

● The environmental effects of climate change

● How climate change affects culture

● How anthropology can help guide climate science in various regions

● The policies that could help slow climate change moving forward

Featured in this episode is:

● Dr. Courtney Cecale, an assistant professor in UNT’s Department of Anthropology

Helpful links:

● Learn more about Dr. Cecale and her research

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● Connect with us on Twitter @UNTSocial or on Instagram @UNT

Conspiracy theories aren’t new, but they've never been more consequential than in 2021. We spoke to communication studies assistant professor Joseph McGlynn and psychology professor Rex Wright to learn more about how conspiracy theories take root, the role social media plays in their spread, and how to identify and avoid misinformation. We also discussed how to approach conversations in a constructive way with loved ones who believe in conspiracy theories to keep them from falling further down the rabbit hole.

In this episode, we discuss:

● The appeal of conspiracy theories

● How conspiracy theories have evolved due to the internet and social media

● Ways to identify misinformation

● How to approach loved ones who believe in conspiracy theories

Featured in this episode is:

● Dr. Joseph McGlynn, an assistant professor in UNT’s Department of Communication Studies

● Dr. Rex Wright, a professor in UNT’s Department of Psychology

Helpful links:

● The subreddit r/QAnonCasualties is a gathering place where friends and loved ones of conspiracy theorists share stories, support and resources: https://www.reddit.com/r/QAnonCasualties/

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For decades, the data on health inequity has been startling — and the COVID-19 pandemic has only made those disparities more evident. That’s where UNT’s new Center for Racial and Ethnic Equity in Health and Society — initiated by Dr. Chandra Carey, associate dean in UNT’s College of Health and Public Service and associate professor in the Department of Rehabilitation and Health Services, and Dr. Tony Carey, associate chair and associate professor in UNT’s Department of Political Science — comes in. Through their research, more than 40 UNT faculty members are addressing inequities in how people in Texas live, work, learn and interact socially — factors that the Centers for Disease Control cite as contributions to overall health considerations and outcomes.

In this episode, we discuss:

● The health disparities that exist

● The contributing factors to health inequity

● UNT’s interdisciplinary approach to addressing health inequity

● How COVID-19 has further highlighted inequities at the state and national levels, and the policies that could potentially ameliorate the inequities that exist

● The historical reasons behind vaccine hesitancy

● The goals of CREEHS in addressing health inequity

Featured in this episode are:

● Dr. Chandra Carey, associate dean in UNT’s College of Health and Public Service and associate professor in the Department of Rehabilitation and Health Services

● Dr. Tony Carey, associate chair and associate professor in UNT’s Department of Political Science

Helpful links:

● Learn more about the Center for Racial and Ethnic Equity in Health and Society: creehs.unt.edu

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● @UNTPod

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In flipping the pages of a book, you can be transported anywhere and introduced to people and cultures you’ve never experienced before. For kids, the content in books can be especially impactful, encouraging a sense of wonder and curiosity as well as nurturing their development and understanding of the world. On this episode of UNT Pod, we talk with UNT History Associate Professor Kathryne Beebe and Assistant Professor of Bilingual Education Dan Heiman about the origins of children’s literature, the role books can play in meaningful conversations with our kids inside and outside the classroom and the efforts to bring more diversity and inclusion to the genre. We’ll also learn about how they are applying their academic expertise to their own children’s book projects.

In this episode, we discuss:

● Origins of children’s literature and how the genre has evolved

● The role books can play in meaningful conversations with our kids both inside and outside the classroom

● The efforts to bring more diversity and inclusion to the genre

● Dr. Seuss Enterprises’ decision to stop printing some of the famed children’s author’s books that contain racist and insensitive imagery

● Children’s books in the Gustine Courson Weaver Collection in UNT Special Collections

● Dr. Beebe’s children’s books including Brother Hugo and the Bear; Nile Crossing; Thunder Trucks; Good Morning, Harry, Good Night, Daddy and her forthcoming books, The Pilgrimage of Friar Felix and The Very Nosy Babies

● Behind My Mask: Detras de mi cubrebocas, a book Dr. Heiman developed with his wife and an art education graduate student Martha Samaniego Calderón to talk with kids about mask wearing, identity and the emotions brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic

A few children’s book recommendations from Drs. Beebe and Heiman:

● A Different Pondby Bao Phi

● Black is a Rainbow of Color by Angela Joy

● Fry Bread by Kevin Noble Maillard

● Legendborn by Tracy Deonn

● We are Water Protectors by Carole Lindstrom

● When Aidan Became a Brother by Kyle Lukoff

● When We Love Someone, We Sing to Them by Ernesto Javier Martínez

● Under My Hijab by Hena Khan

Featured in this episode are:

● Dr. Kathryne Beebe, associate professor in the Department of History in UNT’s College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences

● Dr. Dan Heiman, assistant professor of bilingual education in UNT’s College of Education

Helpful links:

Learn more about the Gustine Courson Weaver Collectionin UNT Special Collections

See digitized images of early German children’s book, Struwwelpeter

Learn more about Dr. Beebe’s children’s books

Learn more about Behind My Mask: Detras de mi cubrebocas

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