Discover the ideas and work coming from UW Madison… in print! See how faculty are shaping conversations in Wisconsin and beyond. Every reader is part of the Wisconsin Idea.
It’s Human Nature
October Badger Talks Presents Series
How to Listen: An Ancient Guide to Learning from Others
By Jeff Beneker
Long before podcasts, ancient Greek and Roman thinkers were already figuring out the art of hearing what people have to say and using it to get smarter. Jeff breaks down timeless wisdom from his latest translations that proves 2,000-year-old advice is surprisingly handy today.
Assembled Audience: “What does it mean to gather together?”
By Erika Meitner
How does a poet move through the world? Professor and Author Erika Meitner explores the art of attention. Sharing a reading from her new collection Assembled Audience, Erika reflects on language, landscape, and how poetry invites us to look a little closer at the world around us.
To be released October 20.
All the Books She Never Wrote
By Doug Bradley
Bradley reflects on the seven weeks he spent at his mother’s bedside during her final days, returning to a story they had begun writing together years earlier. Doug is joined by end-of-life doula Elizabeth Humphries for a compassionate conversation on navigating caregiving, honoring legacy, and the stories we leave behind.
To be released October 13.
Burn the Haystack
By Jennie Young
Young shares her dating methodology and how her experience studying language helped shape it. From decoding dating app language to spotting red flags to rule out the duds, Jennie explores how paying attention to what people say can change the way we navigate relationships and everyday life.
To be released October 27.
Wisconsin’s Living Systems: Caring for our Shared Environment
November Badger Talks Presents Series
Grassland 2.0: Agroecosystems that Care for Us Today & How We Ensure Their Future
By Randy Jackson
Discover how reimagining Wisconsin’s farming practices can transform agriculture into one of our greatest environmental solutions. Randy Jackson explores the changes already underway and those still needed to help Wisconsin reach its net zero goals.
To be released November 3.
Saving our Sturgeon
By Rebecca Wojhan
Explore a prehistoric giant that nearly vanished from Wisconsin, the Sturgeon. Wojhan shares the biology of these ancient fish and the inspiring story of how scientists, conservationists, and everyday citizens joined forces to save them.
To be released November 17.
The Potential Implications of Fungicide Fludioxonil for Human Health
By Warren Porter
What happens when sunlight transforms a common pesticide into a potential forever chemical? Warren Porter shares new research on fludioxonil, exploring how exposure may cause cell damage and pose risks to human health. Learn why this research deserves our attention.
To be released November 10.
The Hard Facts on Wolf Removal
By Adrian Treves
Does killing wolves actually protect farmer’s livestock? Five studies suggest that wolf removal rarely reduces domestic animal losses and can sometimes backfire. Professor Adrian Treves breaks down these findings and discusses their direct relevance to current debates within the U.S. Senate.
To be released November 24.