Enlighten Me

Trading cards have been around for more than a century. They were first used as inserts in cigarette packs, like the famous Honus Wagner baseball card. There are various reasons why people collect trading cards, including collecting the ones they like as a hobby, holding sealed boxes as investments, and buying and selling cards when the value is right. In this episode, Dr. Jesse Backstrom, assistant professor in the Department of Agricultural Sciences, discusses using the trading card market as field experiments for economic questions, how the trading card hobby became so popular, how the hobby has changed over the last few years, what economic factors are driving the current market, and more. Listen to new episodes of Enlighten Me every month on the TXST Podcast Network. Other podcasts on the network include Try @ TXST, Office Hours, The Current, and States Up. For questions or inquiries about the TXST Podcast Network, email [email protected].

Dr. Shannon Herrin’s, Asst. Professor of Physical Therapy, teaches and researches “Interprofessional education and collaborative practice.” It’s a way of getting health care providers out of their silos and giving patients more effective, more connected care across specialties and gaining a better understanding of patient needs. 

Trigger Warning: This episode contains mentions of gun violence, death, self-harm, and domestic abuse. Since 2013, the Advanced Law Enforcement Rapid Response Training (ALERRT) Center has been recognized as the national standard for active shooter response training by the FBI.  In this episode of Enlighten Me, Hunter Martindale, Research Director for ALERRT, discusses how their practical research efforts help train first responders and civilians across the United States. Social Work professor Dr. Rael Morley also explores some of the latest research into what motivates people to commit acts of violence.

The news industry and the world of journalism has changed drastically since the creation of the newspaper. From the rise of the internet to the decline of ad sales that keep traditional newspapers in business, journalists have adapted to news ways of getting their stories to the masses. This episode brings together Dr. Gwynne Ellen Ash and Eraldo “Dino” Chiecchi whose vast work and teaching experience explores literacy assessment, critical media literacy, the journalism business, how newspapers have changed over the years, and how Texas State University is preparing the next generation of journalists. Listen to new episodes of Enlighten Me every month on the TXST Podcast Network. Other podcasts on the network include Try @ TXST, Office Hours, The Current, and States Up.

In this episode, hosts Rodney Crouther and Jeremy Thomas take Enlighten Me out of the studio and onto the Quad for a special edition. Listen as we hand the mic to our Bobcats who share stories of joy, gratitude, and connection. From favorite professors to lessons of friendship and community, this episode focuses on what makes TXST so special — our students. 

In a world increasingly shaped by stress, disconnection, and trauma, traditional talk therapy isn't the only path to healing. This episode brings together experts Dr. Christine Norton, Dr. Mais Aljunaidy, and Dr. Nadim Adi whose work explores how creative engagement with nature and interior design can facilitate transformation. Together, they offer a deeper understanding of therapeutic practices that go beyond the clinical setting, offering healing that’s embodied, expressive, and culturally connected. Listen to new episodes of Enlighten Me every month on the TXST Podcast Network. Other podcasts on the network include Try @ TXST, Office Hours, The Current, and States Up. 

Enlighten Me will be back next month with a new episode. But for now, we introduce you to Try @ TXST. This series dives into the experiences of the students, faculty, and staff who are behind the different organizations and programs featured in our Try @ video series on Instagram. In this episode, Giselle chats with David Coleman, director of The Witliff Collections on the seventh floor of Alkek Library.Learn more about the series from the TXST Podcast Network: https://www.txst.edu/podcast-network.html

The globe has long been obsessed with post-apocalyptic media and depictions of the end of the normal world as we know it. From Fallout, 28 Days Later, and The Road, to The Last of Us, Contagion and Station Eleven, there are countless examples of the end of the world and the reasons behind it — fungi, disease, monsters, man-made disasters, and zombies. In this episode of Enlighten Me, we discuss the reasons why people are so obsessed with the apocalypse and what the end of the world could look like. We also discuss the history of disease, what could actually pose a threat to humanity, cordyceps, and the benefits of fungi. Listen to new episodes of Enlighten Me every month on the TXST Podcast Network. Other podcasts on the network include Try @ TXST, Office Hours, The Current, and States Up. 

In this powerful episode, we dive into the topic of men's health. Exploring men's physical and mental health, and the importance of creating space for them to find support, this conversation shows how we can all make a difference. Whether you're navigating your own mental health journey or supporting someone else's, this episode is a reminder that being a man doesn't mean being silent.

From 2000 to 2022, Texas gained more than 9 million new residents. This population boom is reshaping nearly every aspect of life in the state—from housing and the economy to infrastructure and transportation. In this episode, we talk with TXST's Dr. Haiyong Liu and Dr. Billy Fields about how to navigate this rapid growth and what it means for Texas’ future.