Saint Mary's Currents

Opioids have been the cause of nearly 727 thousand overdose deaths in the United States. In fact, the number of deaths in 2022 was 10 times what it was in the late 90s. This September, however, NPR reported that for the...

Data breaches are becoming increasingly common across the United States, leaving both individuals and organizations vulnerable. In February, the Minnetonka-based UnitedHealth Group breach was so significant that...

In 2022, 47 former employees of Feeding our Future were indicted by Department of Justice, alleging that the nonprofit had defrauded a USDA food nutrition program during the COVID-19 pandemic. Being called the "largest...

This past season, college basketball phenom Caitlin Clark shattered records, showcasing the undeniable impact of what's been coined the “Caitlin Clark Effect.” This phenomenon isn't just boosting ticket sales and...

The rise of special education students along with a shortage of special education teachers is a concern for schools in Minnesota and across the nation. This month Ben Rodgers speaks with Kate Nelson, program director...

The recent closure of the labor and delivery unit at Fosston Hospital in northern Minnesota has raised numerous concerns about the healthcare crisis across rural Minnesota and the U.S. With reports that more than half...

In our first episode of season three, Ben Rodgers and Michael Ratajczyk, associate professor of business and program director for the B.S. and M.A. in Business Intelligence and Data Analytics programs, discuss...

On Jan. 19, 2023, the United States hit its debt limit, sparking economic and political concerns. But what does it mean when the debt limit is hit and what steps can be taken to correct the issue? Andrew Scott, an...

In this episode of Saint Mary’s Currents, podcast host Ben Rodgers is joined by Tricia Klosky, Ph.D., associate professor of criminal justice, to discuss the psychology of serial killers and why, at a time when true...

After many heavy topics were discussed in the first season of Saint Mary’s Currents, Paul Kotz, Ph.D., a core professor in the Ed.D. in Leadership program at Saint Mary’s, joins podcast host Ben Rodgers to discuss...

Saint Mary's Currents is the official podcast of Saint Mary's University of Minnesota. We address issues that are trending, relevant, and yes, sometimes divisive or controversial. Just as current is a flow of positive...

Saint Mary's University of Minnesota assistant professor of business Andrew Scott discusses inflation. With prices increasing at the fastest rate in 40 years, Scott outlines considerations people may need to make in...

In this episode of Saint Mary’s Currents, Saint Mary’s business and data analytics professor Michael Ratajczyk and philosophy Professor Joe Tadie discuss the Metaverse, its potential uses, and the ethics that apply to...

As Russia’s attack on Ukraine continues, Saint Mary’s Currents host Ben Rodgers is joined by history professor Erich Lippman, Saint Mary’s resident Russia expert, to discuss the historical context behind the invasion.

In this episode of the podcast, Saint Mary’s Currents host Ben Rodgers is joined by Andy Robertson, executive director of GeoSpatial Services, to discuss the topic of climate change. Working in the field of natural...