Episode 279: Clearing Up Vaccine Confusion
Scholars Strategy Network's No Jargon
Release Date: 07/01/2025
Episode 293: Haiti and the Weight of Uncertainty
Scholars Strategy Network's No Jargon
Haitians living in the U.S. under Temporary Protected Status (TPS) are once again facing uncertainty. Though a federal judge intervened just a day before the Trump administration was set to end TPS for Haiti, thousands of families are still left not knowing what happens next. Professor Evan Auguste explains the emotional strain of living with the constant fear of losing legal status, and how history, trauma, and racism have shaped the mental health of Haitian immigrants. He also shares his work to help create a culturally rooted healing initiative that brings Haitian traditions into mental...
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Episode 292: When Tariffs Hit Home
Scholars Strategy Network's No Jargon
A year into President Trump’s second term, tariffs and trade disputes have once again become central to U.S. economic policy. Professor Menzie Chinn looks back at the biggest economic trends of the past year and explains how rising tariffs are shaping prices, business decisions, and household budgets. Drawing on his research and public writing, he breaks down what these changes mean for everyday affordability and long-term economic stability. For more on this topic: Check out Chinn’s blog, , about current economic conditions and policy Read his analysis in EconoFact,
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Episode 291: The Ripple Effects of Attacks on Higher Education
Scholars Strategy Network's No Jargon
The Trump administration has made changes to how the federal government approaches diversity, equity, and inclusion programs, using executive actions, funding rules, and legal challenges that are reshaping how colleges operate. In response, campuses across the country are reassessing these programs — some ending them, others renaming offices or pausing services as they navigate new legal and funding realities. Professor Anthony Hernandez shares what he learned from a listening tour across New Mexico, California, Texas, and Wisconsin, where he spoke with students and educators experiencing...
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Episode 290: When Nonprofits Can’t Count on Washington
Scholars Strategy Network's No Jargon
As we head into the holiday season, many nonprofits are entering their busiest time of year while uncertainty around government funding continues to loom. Professor Dyana Mason explains how President Trump’s executive actions and funding freezes have disrupted essential services — from food programs to international aid — and what that means for the people who rely on them. She breaks down why so many nonprofits depend on federal dollars, what happens when that money suddenly disappears, and how political pressures are putting new strain on these organizations. For more on this topic:...
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Episode 289: The Rising Costs of Healthcare
Scholars Strategy Network's No Jargon
In the wake of the longest government shutdown in U.S. history, millions of Americans are left wondering what comes next for their healthcare. Professor breaks down what fueled the shutdown, why the Affordable Care Act is once again under strain, and what rising healthcare costs will mean for families, healthcare providers, and entire communities. She also previewed her forthcoming book, Coverage Denied, which examines the impact of coverage denials to patient health. For more on this topic: Read Yaver’s op-ed in MSNBC: Read her SSN brief: Check out her...
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Episode 288: Recognizing Defendants’ Disabilities
Scholars Strategy Network's No Jargon
The criminal legal system often misunderstands—and mishandles—people with intellectual disabilities. Law professor Katie Kronick explains how and why these individuals so often fall through the cracks in a system built around efficiency and rigid rules. She breaks down the stakes with real examples, including a high-profile death penalty case now before the Supreme Court, and shares ideas for building a criminal justice system that recognizes and respects the needs of defendants with intellectual disabilities. For more on this topic: Read Kronick’s for the Supreme Court case...
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Episode 287: Why Local Elections Matter
Scholars Strategy Network's No Jargon
This Election Day is the perfect moment to look beyond the national headlines and focus on what’s happening closer to home. As Americans head to the polls, Professor breaks down why state and local elections matter—from the mayors, town councils, and school boards shaping daily life to the policies that affect housing and public safety. He explains how voters make decisions with limited information in these races, the growing partisanship in local politics, and new initiatives aimed at reducing the influence of money in local elections. For more on this topic: Read Adams’s...
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Episode 286: The Past, Present, and Future of Reproductive Care
Scholars Strategy Network's No Jargon
As access to abortion and contraception are curtailed across much of the U.S., Professor explains that today’s reproductive rights debates are part of a much longer story. Her research in the U.S.-Mexico borderlands show how race and power have always influenced who can get care and who cannot. She connects how earlier attempts to control women’s bodies still shape current laws and discussions, and she shares what history can teach us about defending reproductive freedom now. For more on this topic: Check out Murillo’s book, Read her perspective in the Washington Post: ...
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Episode 285: The Big Business of Immigration Detention
Scholars Strategy Network's No Jargon
The number of people held in immigration detention centers in the U.S. has exploded in recent years, reaching record highs under multiple administrations. And thanks to the Republican-led budget bill that became law in July, the Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency has seen a major influx of federal funding, further fueling the expansion of detentions. Professor explains how detention became a multi-billion-dollar industry, breaking down who profits, who pays, and how communities across the country, not just along the border, have become tied to detention economies. For more on...
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Episode 284: The New Reality of College Debt
Scholars Strategy Network's No Jargon
Student loans are shaping the college experience more than ever. As tuition rises and financial aid rules keep changing, more students are taking on college debt. Professor explains what’s happening with student loans, Pell Grants, and repayment plans, and how these choices affect students long after graduation. She discusses the real impact of debt on college affordability, career decisions, and family life—and what solutions could make paying for college less stressful. For more on this topic Listen to Chan speak about proposed federal student aid regulations: Read...
info_outlineWhen Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. dismissed the entire federal vaccine advisory committee and installed new members, it raised alarms across the public health world. At the same time, measles is making a comeback as more Americans are hesitant about getting vaccines. Professor Lindsey Haynes-Maslow explains how we got here and what it will take to rebuild public trust. Drawing on her work in community-based health outreach, she shares why clear, consistent communication is critical for vaccine education and how local leaders and trusted messengers can help cut through the noise.
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Watch Haynes-Maslow’s video, “A Journey through Public Health: Health Policy,” produced by UNC’s Department of Health Policy and Management.
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Check out her work on immunization education and vaccine hesitancy at EXCITE.