NPR’s Hidden Brain Dives Deep into Human Behavior

Trained emergency medical professional Kitty Doupe graduated cum laude from Syracuse University before working for emergency response service providers in Upstate New York. In addition to her work in the medical field, Kitty Doupe is an avid reader of historical fiction and a longtime supporter of the nonprofit media organization, National Public Radio (NPR). 

Hosted by NPR radio host, science journalist Shankar Vedantam, the Hidden Brain podcast is devoted to investigating the impact of the social sciences on everyday life. The series originated as a segment on the NPR Morning Edition show and was launched as an independent podcast in 2015. Hidden Brain has also aired as an hour-long radio show since 2017. 

Each episode lasts approximately 20 minutes and covers diverse topics including education, relationships, language, and culture. Hidden Brain's engaging and accessible reporting has received several accolades, including a Kavli Science Journalism Award and a Science and Education Webby from The International Academy of Digital Arts and Sciences.

Tips For Transitioning to a Vegan Diet

A cardiopulmonary resuscitation instructor and experienced emergency medical technician, Kitty Doupe is a devoted member of the Grace Point Church and the Veterans of Foreign Wars. Kitty Doupe also has a strong interest in vegan cooking and is in the process of transitioning to a vegan diet. 

Safely switching to a plant-based vegan diet requires thoughtful meal planning and research. Otherwise, people may rely on an unbalanced diet which can lead to deficiencies in essential vitamins and minerals. For example, vegans are prone to having low levels of vitamin B12, which can cause fatigue and dizziness. 

To combat this, new vegans should collect and try out new plant-based recipes to ease the transition and ensure that each meal contains a variety of vegetables and fruits. To replace the animal proteins that the body needs, vegans should also consume high-protein foods, such as legumes and nuts. In some cases, nutritional supplements can help boost low vitamin levels.