Doogie Howser, M.D.

Only listeners of a certain age will remember the medical sitcom from the late 80s/early 90s where Dr. Howser was a teenage physician. (You read that right; a child prodigy turned surgeon.) If it was hard for you to process the thought of someone so young seeing patients, you may be showing signs of ageism -- as we all have.

Word of the Week [1:45]: Ageism: We've probably seen this in action all around us, but never thought deeply how ageism may be hurtful (and inaccurate!) for both ends of the age spectrum. Dr. Lisa discusses age, ageism, and the Age Discrimination Employment Act of 1967. 

Phase 1 [6:55]: Kidulting: If you've ever seen an adult's behavior and thought, "They should grow up!" you might not be wrong. Dr. Shaunna guides the discussion on how Western culture may be enabling people to "opt out" of adulting for as long as possible.

Phase 2 [21:20]: Not So Lovely Admissions: Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson's new memoir "Lovely One" is the newest title on Dr. Lisa's reading list. Her dissent from the high court’s 2023 majority opinion striking down affirmative action programs in college admissions is not far from our memories. Its short-term effect has a few data points already, but we may not see the harmful effects anytime soon, if ever.

Phase 3 [35.10]: Eco-Chaplains: Dr. Shaunna has spent quite a few years in ministry, but "eco-chaplains" are new to her. Given the slow death of the earth -- at least how we currently know it -- has evoked climate anxiety for people of all generations, those in the fight for climate justice have begun to seek support for their grief of what is lost and what we are actively losing.

Resources and articles referenced in the show:

Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967

Is Western Culture Stopping People from Growing Up - The Economist

Freshman classes provide glimpse of affirmative action ruling’s impact on colleges - AP News

Black enrollment dips at some top colleges after Supreme Court affirmative action ruling - NBC News

SCOTUS Affirmative Action decision, including Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson’s dissent: 20-1199 Students for Fair Admissions, Inc. v. President and Fellows of Harvard College (06/29/2023) (supremecourt.gov)

Addressing climate change concerns in practice - American Psychological Association

A new kind of chaplain is helping people deal with 'climate grief' - NPR