Two Podcasters in Conversation with a Health Psychologist

Simon Fistrich and Sebastian Göttling, hosts of the podcast Trek am Dienstag, took Cornelia Betsch, Director of the Institute for Planetary Health Behaviour at the University of Erfurt, and all participants on an intergalactic journey. Together with an audience from both fandom and academia, they explored utopias and the ability to envision them, identifying the unique characteristics of Star Trek societies and characters that could help us develop constructive solutions for a better future.

This journey led through various Star Trek films and series, where empathy, respect, and reason—alongside science, technology, and diplomacy—play key roles in solving major challenges. Now, behavioral research must take the next step in understanding how individuals and societies can co-create empathy-driven utopias that empower us to take action in protecting both our health and the climate.

The recording of both talks, including the discussion, is now available on YouTube and on our website.