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In today’s episode, Furman University professor Ken Kolb joins us to discuss his new book Moral Wages: The Emotional Dilemmas of Victim Advocacy and Counseling. Ken explains a rich case study, in which he finds workers motivated by emotional rewards rather than money or status. We discuss the strengths and drawbacks of a public service sector that relies heavily on moral reinforcement.

Download Office Hours #98

Syed Ali talks with Jon about his Spring 2010 Contexts feature about Dubai, Permanent Impermanence. (Which you can read online for free, by the way.) What’s it like in a country where over 90% of the population are expatriates? What’s it like to do research in such a place? Listen in and find out!

Also Sarah shares a discovery: Morality and Health: News Media Constructions of Overweight and Eating Disorders

Download episode #36 now!

This episode features not one, but two special guests. First, Sarah visits with Vincent J. Roscigno about his Winter 2010 feature Ageism in the American Workplace. Second, Sarah talks with John Rowe, chair of the MacArthur Research Network on Aging. The MacArthur Network has authored two recent articles in Contexts: Facts and Fictions about an Aging America and the followup, Policy and Politics for an Aging America.

Be sure to check out both of these features in Aging in Contexts, a collection of Contexts features on aging. From now until March 15, the full collection will be available for free to read online and to download as a free ebook. Check it out & spread the word!

Also in this episode: Arturo shares an article about cities and self-efficacy.

Download episode #31 now!

This week’s guest is Stephen Scanlan, author of the Winter 2010 Contexts feature, The Scarcity Fallacy. We discuss the problems with existing food aid practices, the root causes of world hunger and what can be done to eliminate it.

Also, Jon shares a discovery on the downsides of flexible work, at least in some occupations.

Download episode #30 now!