Lowkey Confused? HSS Explains!

Why does NATO exist? Why are some political leaders questioning its value? And what happens if the United States changes its relationship with its closest allies? In this episode, we break down the history, politics, and competing visions of America's role in the world, while exploring how events in Europe, Russia, and the Middle East continue to shape global affairs today.

Dr. Siobhan Brooks unpacks the intersections of race, power, consent, and accountability through a deeper look at the Epstein files and the realities many women, especially Black women, have faced for decades. A powerful conversation on who is protected, who is ignored, and how systems continue to shape both.

Long before conversations around burnout and work-life balance, Henry David Thoreau asked a simple but powerful question: are we living deliberately? His time at Walden Pond offers a lens to rethink how we define success, productivity, and meaning in our daily lives. #thoreau #henrydavidthoreau #meaningoflife #touchgrass

Punch the Monkey’s viral story opens a deeper conversation about maternal bonds, survival, and primate behavior. Dr. Nga Nguyen from the Department of Anthropology at Cal State Fullerton explains how important maternal bonds really are for primates and humans alike.

Layoffs affect thousands at once, yet the burden is placed on individuals. Dr. Carrie Lane from the Department of American Studies at CSUF explains that as traditional work erodes, self-employment becomes a survival strategy, not a dream... and real freedom requires collective change.

Dr. Allison Varzally from the Department of History joins Dean Jessica Stern to bring nuance in how we define immigration, and why the word “voluntary” doesn’t always tell the full story. #immigration #immigrantrights

The Gulf States may look small on a map, but their influence is massive. Dr. Zia Salim explains the countries, connections, and tensions shaping the region today.#straitofhormuz #irannews #calstatefullerton

What’s the difference between Shia and Sunni Muslims? Dr. Zaki Ibrahim, chair of Religious Studies, explains how the divide began after the death of the Prophet Muhammad and why it centers on leadership rather than the core beliefs of Islam. He also shares why, despite historical differences, both groups share the same fundamental pillars of faith.

What actually guides police use of force in the United States? Experts from California State University, Fullerton discuss the legal standards, training requirements, and evolving philosophies that shape how officers make split-second decisions in high-pressure situations. From the landmark Supreme Court case Graham v. Connor to differences in federal, state, and local training, the conversation helps unpack a complex and often misunderstood topic.

We kicked off Pubfest 2025 with Igor Acacio from Political Science, who shared insights from his book, "Presidentialism and Civil-Military Relations, Brazil in Comparative Perspective". Drawing on a decade of research and a deep dive into Brazil, Dr. Acacio explored the rising role of the military in democratic politics and what it means for presidential power today.#Bazil #Brazilliandemocracy #calstatefullerton

With 56.3% of our students identifying as Latina/o/x, Cal State Fullerton’s HSI designation reflects who we are and who we serve.As Dr. Alexandro Gradilla, of the Department of Chicana and Chicano studies, shares that being a Hispanic Serving Institution is about meeting the needs of our students through stronger research, curriculum, and support systems that benefit everyone.

The Supreme Court interprets federal law, clarifies what laws actually mean, and provides a neutral federal forum for disputes between parties from different states to ensure fairness. Dr. Rob Robinson from the Division of Politics, Administration and Justice explains further or this Lowkey Confused episode.

There are only about 10 trans athletes among more than 500,000 collegiate athletes, yet the question of their participation has become a central political issue. As the Supreme Court weighs cases that could shape policy across the country, Dr. Elizabeth Pillsworth joins us to explain how sex, gender, and human diversity are understood through an anthropological lens and why these distinctions matter far beyond the courtroom.

Greenland isn’t just a frozen island... it’s a crossroads of climate change, sovereignty, and global ambition. We sat down with geographer Mark Drayse to make sense of why this land matters so much right now.

Social media lets us find our people and express ourselves, but the filters, streaks, and endless scrolling can still leave us feeling lonely. It’s all connection and chaos at the same time. Dr. Carter Rakovski from the Department of Sociology at CSUF explains the benefit and risks that come with Social Media

On October 7, 2025, the Supreme Court heard oral arguments in Chiles v. Salazar, a case challenging the constitutionality of a Colorado law that bans licensed mental health professionals from practicing conversion therapy on minors. On October 10th Dean Stern sat down with Dr. Kris Beals from the Department of Psychology to talk about what conversion therapy is and what could be at stake.

Dr. Nicole Seymour, co-author of Satirical Liberals and Superior Conservatives in the 2025 Oxford Handbook of Screen Comedy, explained the differences between liberal and conservative comedy, why conservative humor is understudied, and how trolling, satire, and visual humor shape U.S. politics.

The U.S. isn’t just casually watching Venezuela, it’s deeply invested. From controlling the world’s largest oil reserves to fighting drug trafficking and confronting mass migration, there are layered reasons behind the push for regime change. In this episode, Dr. Igor Acácio from the Division of Politics, Administration, and Justice breaks down how energy, geopolitics, and humanitarian concerns all collide, and why this matters more than most people realize

We dove into Silicon Valley’s origin story with Brian Chung: where post Cold War tech money, Chinese American engineers, and brand-new suburban dreams collided. He revealed the hidden histories behind mini-mansions, social clubs, and the fight to belong in a rapidly transforming region. Interview is from CSUF HSS Pub Fest 2025!

Immersion programs sound empowering… but Dr. Watson asks: empowering for whom? 👀 When new resources arrive and longtime communities get sidelined, we’re witnessing school gentrification in real time.

Health is more than biology. Culture shapes beliefs about illness, healing, and even what counts as “healthy.” Dr. James Garcia from the Department of Psychology at Cal State Fullerton breaks down why studying health within specific communities isn’t just helpful, it’s necessary.Bellow is the link to an additional episode on LGBTQ+ Communities of Color and Health Disparities where James is also a guest speaker: https://paloaltou.edu/resources/the-thoughtful-counselor-podcast/lgbtq-communities-of-color-and-health-disparities

The June 12 strike on Iran surprised many, but did the strike come out of nowhere? Dr. Jasamin Rostam-Kolayi helps unpack what led up to it, including a timeline of escalating tensions and ongoing negotiations.

Breaking: It’s October 1, 2025 and the federal government is officially closed due to its funding running out. Dr. Shelly Arsenault breaks down when shutdowns happen, why they occur, and what the political standoff means for programs like healthcare and Medicaid.

Dr. Sam Stone breaks down what tariffs are, why governments use them, and the risks they pose—from higher consumer prices to retaliatory trade wars. He also explores smarter alternatives for supporting U.S. industries

On May 6, Dean Stern spoke with Dr. Margie Brown-Coronel about the Executive Order Restoring Truth and Sanity to American History 📝 They discussed what it means when institutions like the Smithsonian are directed to rewrite America’s story 🎥Now that the Smithsonian is back in the news, we want to revisit this important question: Who decides what version of history gets told?🔍

Ever wonder how your weather app actually works? 📲☁️ Dr. Trevis Matheus from Geography & Environment explains how federal climate policy, NOAA, and weather balloons (yes, really 🎈) all connect to your daily forecast, and the future of our planet. When it comes to climate action, we can’t fix what we can’t track. Watch now to learn why layoffs in federal agencies could impact everything from hurricanes to heatwaves.

Is AI making life easier, or just disconnecting us from each other? Dr. Dustin Abnet from the Department of American Studies at CSUF breaks down the illusion of “free” intelligence, the loss of human skill + connection, and what we’re NOT seeing when we rely on AI. AI might be efficient, but at what cost to community and creativity?

Stories shape how we understand history, identity, and even the future. In this episode of Lowkey Confused: HSS Explains, Dr. Ella Ben Hagai from the Department of Psychology at CSUF and Dean Jessica Stern unpack the narratives revolving Palestine and Israel.

Militarized borders, featuring walls, drones, and armed forces, subjects border towns to constant surveillance, impacting the daily lives of the local communities. Dr. Galaviz-Ceballos from the Division of Anthropology at CSUF helps us make it make sense 🗣️🗣️

Authoritarianism is when leaders do whatever they want, ignore the rules, and use fear to stay in control… kind of like a parent who punishes you for calling them out. Dr. Saul Tobias from Liberal Studies at Cal State Fullerton explains that even democracies can slide into authoritarianism if people in power stop defending the courts, elections, and the Constitution. To spot the warning signs, check out these books: On Tyranny by Timothy Snyder and Twilight of Democracy by Anne Applebaum.

In 2024, the National Park Service welcomed a record 330 million visits, but its future is not guaranteed. Funding cuts threaten both the landscapes and the initiatives that make parks more inclusive. Dr. Sara Fingal from American Studies at CSUF explains what funding loss could mean to National Parks 🏞️

This interview was recoded on March 3rd, since then, a Supreme Court ruling has allowed the current administration to begin dismantling the Dept. of Ed. We’re bringing this important convo back to the forefront. Dr. Malagón (Sociology) dives into: Federal funding & civil rights enforcement, Pell Grants, research, & DEI support, and what shutdowns could mean for CSUF students & staff Watch now to understand what’s at stake 🎓

From executive orders to cabinet power, presidential authority can look huge—but there are serious limits. Dr. Spitzer explains how U.S. presidents rely on persuasion, collaboration, and legal authority to act. Congress passes laws, courts can strike them down, and executive orders? They can be undone with the stroke of a pen by the next president. Presidential power is real—but it’s not absolute.

Many assume tariffs make foreign countries pay—but in reality, the cost falls on U.S. businesses and consumers. Dr. Fry breaks down how tariffs on goods like steel or corn can lead to rising prices throughout the economy.While they’re often used as political tools, economists caution against their long-term effects—pointing to historical examples like the Great Depression for context.

Dr. Elaine Lewinnek, American Studies professor at Cal State Fullerton, unpacks the complexities of "patriotic education" and challenges the myth of a unified America. From federal expansion in the 1930s to today’s deepening political divide, she argues that true patriotism embraces free inquiry, self-correction, and diversity of thought—not forced consensus. Dive deeper through her Substack https://notesfromahistorian.substack.com/ or explore American Studies at the College of Humanities and Social Sciences.

From waving the Mexican flag as a symbol of heritage to facing rising ICE raids and shifting political tides, Dr. Gradilla unpacks the deep complexities of Latinx identity, labor, and voting in today’s America.