Imagine a future where the key to unlocking your potential lies not just in hard work or effective study habits, but within the very strands of your DNA. What if science could unravel the secrets behind our intellectual abilities and illuminate pathways to academic success? As we stand on the brink of groundbreaking advancements in genetics, researchers are beginning to explore how our genetic makeup could predict intelligence and learning capabilities.

The Hungry Mind Lab, based at the University of York and directed by Professor Sophie von Stumm, conducts research that uses big data and novel methods to explore the causes and consequences of people’s individual differences in behavioural and cognitive development, asking “why are people so different?". The lab runs studies investigating how people’s personality traits, early life environments, and genetic tendencies influence and predict their intelligence, language learning, and educational attainment.

Our guests:

Florence Oxley is a researcher in early years cognitive, communicative and motor development, working at the University of York. She previously worked with the Hungry Mind Lab, on a project about how genes and the environment work together in shaping us cognitively. Florence now works at the York BabyLab on a project using ultrasound of the tongue to explore how sensorimotor feedback from babies' own movements contributes to speech and language development.

Kirsty Wilding is in her final year of her PhD at the Department of Education at the University of York. Kirsty’s PhD studies focus on the association between family background differences and children’s educational and language development. So far Kirsty has focused on how polygenic scores, which index children’s genetic tendencies for education, predict their school performance. She now focuses on disentangling genetic factors from environmental influences that inform together children’s family background differences.

Resources:

https://www.hungrymindlab.com/projects/genetics/

https://senfm.york.ac.uk/

https://babylab.york.ac.uk/

In an age where podcasts and streaming platforms are saturated with stories of real-life horrors, the fascination with true crime has transformed from mere morbid curiosity into a cultural phenomenon. But what is it about the sinister lives of serial killers that captivates us so deeply? Is it the thrill of danger from a safe distance or perhaps the psychological intrigue that lies beneath their heinous acts? Join us as we delve into this darkly fascinating world, exploring why we can’t help but be drawn to these tales of terror—and what they reveal about our own humanity.

Our Guest: Dr. Scott Bonn is a criminologist, producer, TV analyst, public speaker, and author of the best-selling popular culture book Why We Love Serial Killers: The Curious Appeal of the World’s Most Savage Murderers. He has provided expert commentary and analysis for several high-profile true crime TV shows and documentaries on A&E, Discovery Network, Oxygen, Investigation Discovery, and Travel Channel.

Dr. Scott Bonn has also authored the critically acclaimed sociology book Mass Deception: Moral Panic and the U.S. War on Iraq. His fact-based crime thriller novel, Evil Guardian, was inspired by his correspondence with notorious, real-life serial killers David Berkowitz (Son of Sam) and Dennis Rader (Bind, Torture, Kill).

Dr. Scott Bonn is an expert on criminal behavior and is highly respected for answering the puzzling question of “why the perpetrator did it” in complex murder cases. He makes the seemingly incomprehensible both understandable and highly entertaining for his audience. He examines many types of criminal activity in his Psychology Today blog, “Wicked Deeds,” which has been visited nearly 9 million times and has more than 15,000 social media followers.

Dr. Scott Bonn holds a Ph.D. in Sociology (Criminology) and an M.S. in Criminal Justice.

Website: https://www.docbonn.com/

Dr. Scott Bonn’s live presentation on March 22, 2025

Venue: District Music Hall, 71 Wall Street, Norwalk, CT 06850

Link to purchase tickets - https://www.eventbrite.com/e/serial-killers-with-dr-scott-bonn-tickets-1107514929969?utm-campaign=social&utm-content=attendeeshare&utm-medium=discovery&utm-term=listing&utm-source=wsa&aff=ebdsshwebmobile

Relational trauma, borne from disrupted attachments or significant interpersonal conflicts, can leave lasting scars that affect our ability to connect meaningfully with others. If you've ever felt overwhelmed by feelings of anxiety in relationships or struggled to trust those around you, you're not alone. But what if there were a path to healing that could help you break free from the trauma chains of the past? Enter Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy. Join us as we explore how this powerful treatment is designed to rewire the brain's response to trauma.

Our Guest: Liz Modugno is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) and Licensed Alcohol and Addiction Counselor (LADC). She is the owner of Aspire Counseling of CT and the Center for Healing Trauma. She has been in the field for over 15 years and during that time has also been the Clinical Director of two local mental health and substance abuse Intensive Outpatient Programs. Liz specializes in addiction, mental health, traumatic experiences, and life changes. She is trained in and practices Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing (EMDR), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Cognitive Processing therapy (CPT), and Mindfulness. Liz is a Certified EMDR Clinician, EMDRIA Approved Consultant, and EMDR Basic Training Facilitator.

Websites: https://aspirecounselingct.com/ and https://healingtraumaemdr.com/

EMDR International Association: https://www.emdria.org/