The Psychology Behind the Best Sports Plays and Underdog Stories

Insight on the World Cup Matches from USD's Soccer Head Coach

After spending decades playing soccer, including on the U.S. National Team, and coaching for the MLS and collegiately, Brian Quinn has a keen eye for what we're seeing on soccer's big stage at the FIFA World Cup games. Quinn, the head coach of USD's men's soccer team, joined the "At the Edge of it All" team to share what he looks for when watching the FIFA World Cup matches and what country he thinks could take home the trophy. Quinn also talked about the upcoming soccer season at USD and how he is building an all-star team.

The Psychology Behind the Best Sports Plays and Underdog Stories

Why do people root for the underdogs? And, what leads basketball players to throw a three-point shot with seconds left in a game? Nadav Goldschmied, professor of psychological sciences, sat down with the "At the Edge of it All" team to share why he decided to pursue a niche career in sports psychology and what he hopes people can gain from his research in underdogs and taking risks in a high-stakes game.

What it's Like Being a Watchdog Over Some of California's Consumer Agencies

From the California Medical Board to the Department of Insurance, the Consumer Protection Policy Center (CPPC) has been serving as a watchdog for decades on about a dozen California consumer agencies-- making sure the decisions they make have the consumer's best interests in mind. Marcus Friedman, administrative director of the CPPC, joined the "At the Edge of it All" podcast to share what legal rights consumers have and also how consumers can have a seat at the table for future decisions made by these agencies.

Missing Data: The Impact of Pregnancy on Women and Female Athletes

When biology professor Nicole Danos became pregnant, she quickly realized there wasn't much research on how pregnancy changes women's bodies. As a curious scientist, she decided to begin her own research on the topic and learn how women's muscles change during pregnancy and lactation. Danos joined the "At the Edge of it All" podcast to share her findings and also share how she's advocating for more research surrounding female athletes who are looking to get back into sports post-pregnancy. Danos also discussed why it is important to her to ensure her labs are more inclusive for aspiring female scientists.

The Power of Nonprofits in a Thriving Community

David Carter, senior director of Strategy and Innovation at The Nonprofit Institute, joined the "At the Edge of it All" podcast to share how his personal experience benefitting from nonprofit support when he was a kid inspired him to work with nonprofits today. Carter also shared how people can get more involved in nonprofits, monetarily or by volunteering, and how that extra support can help our communities thrive.