Why Gratitude Matters

Gratitude is a quality people know is important, but sometimes struggle to define, cultivate, and practice consistently. In this episode of Baylor Connections, Jo-Ann Tsang, a Baylor social psychologist and leading gratitude researcher, explores what gratitude is, what it isn't, and why it plays such a powerful role in well-being, relationships, and human flourishing. Drawing from years of research, Tsang shares practical ways to cultivate gratitude and explains how even small expressions of thanks can have lasting effects.

For more than a century, Baylor Homecoming has brought generations of Bears back to Waco. The bonfire, the parade, Pigskin, the football game, and countless other traditions are all part of the nation's oldest and best Homecoming celebration. If you ask Baylor alumni what keeps them coming back, however, the answer is usually much simpler: the people.  View Homecoming through the eyes of Jordan Hannah from Baylor Alumni and Dannielle Perez, a member of the Class of 2016 celebrating her 10-year reunion. Through stories of lifelong friendships, late-night float building, reunion weekends, family traditions, and favorite Baylor memories, they explore why Homecoming is more than an event. It's a chance to reconnect with people who helped shape who you are and to pass those memories on to the next generation of Baylor Bears.

Why would Baylor University build an Arctic research lab in the heart of Texas? At Baylor's ARKTOS Research Center, researchers uncover new insights into how people think, perform, and make decisions in some of the world's most demanding environments. Dr. Cory Smith, director of ARKTOS, takes listeners inside this one-of-a-kind research center, which includes an environmental chamber where temperatures can be sustained at 30 degrees below zero Celsius and altitudes can be simulated up to 30,000 feet. Smith shares how Baylor researchers are helping military personnel, first responders, medical professionals, and others prepare for extreme conditions where performance matters most. From military readiness and emergency medicine to natural resources, transportation, and emerging technologies, the conversation explores how research taking place in Waco helps people survive and thrive in conditions far different from our own.

Baylor University and Texas have grown together for 181 years. Chartered while Texas was still a republic, Baylor has served the state for generations through education, leadership, and discovery. Today, that commitment continues through research addressing some of Texas' biggest challenges and opportunities. Kevin Chambliss, Baylor's Vice Provost for Research, shares how the University's Christian R1 mission, collaborative approach, and location in the heart of the Texas Triangle position Baylor to help shape the state's future, today. From water and energy to defense innovations, aerospace, semiconductors, and quantum materials, the conversation highlights how Baylor researchers are developing solutions for Texas while making an impact far beyond its borders.

For many Baylor fans, some of the best moments of game day happen long before kickoff. Friends and family reconnect, tailgate, cheer and celebrate a shared love for the Bears. And, of course, there's plenty of food. Les Hixson and Tim Twaddell have been attending Baylor games for as long as they can remember and now help run The Corner Tailgate in Baylor's Backyard Tailgating section, a gathering place for old and new friends alike. As members of multi-generational Baylor families, they've seen it all, from Floyd Casey Stadium to McLane Stadium, and share memories of favorite moments, tailgating traditions and the friendships that keep them coming back to Waco year after year. From Baylor victories to voodoo tater tots, they discuss why fans gather on the Brazos long before kickoff and how game day creates the sense of community that defines the Baylor experience from pregame to postgame and everything in between.

A new academic year brings new opportunities, new students, and renewed momentum across Baylor University. In the Season 10 premiere of Baylor Connections, President Livingstone shares a wide-ranging conversation about the year ahead. From record-breaking philanthropy and student support to research growth, campus improvements, and the excitement of a new athletics season, President Livingstone shares what she's anticipating in the 2026-27 school year. Along the way, she reflects on the enduring strength of Baylor's Christian mission, the importance of a caring community, and the experiences that make a Baylor education distinctive for students and families. 

Concert season is almost here at Baylor and across Waco, with nationally known artists and rising stars taking the stage at venues like Foster Pavilion. Go inside the concert scene with Jason Cook, Baylor Vice President for Marketing and Communications, in a conversation at the historic Texas Music Cafe. Cook examines how the community has become a destination for artists and fans alike, the partnerships helping grow Waco's music ecosystem, and the work that goes into creating memorable experiences both on stage and behind the scenes. From family-friendly concerts and football weekend performances to major touring acts and emerging artists, discover how live music is helping shape the cultural life on campus and in Central Texas.

How does the undergraduate research experience impact students at Baylor? Go inside a research lab with a student and his faculty mentor, a nationally renowned cancer researcher. Dr. Kevin Pinney, professor of chemistry and biochemistry, and Devin Guedry, a rising junior from Frisco, Texas, together explore the collaborative culture that defines undergraduate research at Baylor. From developing potential cancer therapies to navigating the challenges and rewards of scientific discovery, Pinney and Guedry share how faculty mentorship, student curiosity, and hands-on learning create opportunities for growth both inside and outside the laboratory.

What happens when a Baylor geologist makes a career pivot to build an apparel and lifestyle brand? Hunter Harlow, a 2010 Baylor graduate did just that, shaping Sendero into a brand rooted in the culture, landscapes and stories of the American West.  Harlow shares how his Baylor experience shaped his approach to creativity, problem-solving, and leadership, and why Waco proved to be the ideal place to launch and grow Sendero. From its early days as a passion project to its emergence as a nationally recognized brand, the conversation explores how a love for the outdoors, authentic storytelling, and a strong sense of place helped turn an idea into a thriving business. Along the way, Harlow reflects on the unique culture of Baylor and Waco, and how both continue to influence the company's identity and success.

Each summer, Baylor Line Camp welcomes hundreds of incoming students to campus and introduces them to the traditions, friendships and experiences that shape life at Baylor. From small-group connections and campus immersion to the historic Independence experience, Line Camp helps students discover what it means to be part of the Baylor family. On this Baylor Connections, Baylor Line Camp student leaders Olivia Knapp and Matthew Peterson share how Line Camp helped them feel at home as out-of-state students, why they chose to serve future Baylor Bears and how Baylor's culture of hospitality and belonging comes to life through one of the University's most cherished traditions.