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In their lively and entertaining weekly discussion of issues related to higher education, KUT’s Jennifer Stayton and Southwestern University President Dr. Ed Burger explore the topics of higher education, lifelong learning, and exercising the brain. Ed and Jennifer practice what they preach, too, by introducing math puzzlers and brain teasers to keep listeners on their toes.

Higher Ed: Conquering Math 'Phobia'

Credit Dawn Endico/flickr

"I was told there would be no math!"

It's a line people sometimes say in mock frustration when faced with a situation involving arithmetic.  For some people, the thought of doing addition or subtraction causes their hearts to race and their palms to sweat.

Why is that? Why do so many of us fear numbers? In this week's episode of KUT's podcast Higher Ed, KUT's Jennifer Stayton and Southwestern University President Dr. Ed Burger confront the concept of math phobia and explore ways to conquer it.

This week, Ed and Jennifer delve into the reasons why some people are math averse and discuss if it's really math, or arithmetic, that people don't like. Whether you love it or can leave it, listen on to hear a celebration of the "nerdiness" of math and to hear Ed issue a heartfelt apology. What for? You'll only know by checking out this episode.

This episode was recorded May 20, 2015.

Jennifer Stayton is the local host for NPR's "Morning Edition" on KUT. Got a tip? Email her at jstayton@kut.org. Follow her on X @jenstayton.