What Discipline is the Coolest? 10 Professors Explain Why Their Field Rules the School

This episode is proof that every subject can be the "cool one" … if it's taught with purpose, passion, and the right demo (hello, exploding gummy bears). We asked 10 professors to explain what makes their field unforgettable. The result is a joy-filled look at classroom strategies, student engagement, and the surprising connections between psychology, economics, biology, chemistry, and more. Whether you're looking for teaching inspiration or just some subject-area pride, this one's for you.

Brought to you by Macmillan Learning

Episode Breakdown + Timestamps

1:23 Chemistry Blows It Up, Then Breaks It Down

3:32 Storytelling Is Our Superpower

5:27 Psychology Is Everywhere (Yes, Even There)

8:43 Math Makes You Prove What You Know

10:35 Developmental Psychology Explains Your Roommate.

12:22 Psychology is Immediately Relevant

13: 57 Anatomy Lets You Look Under the Hood.

15:38 Psychology Sticks to Everything.

17:31 Economics is Essentially Dessert

19:08 Economics Explains the World (and Your Paycheck).

Featured Educators

Dr. Christin Monroe is an Educational Research Associate at the Center for Innovation in Teaching and Learning at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. She previously taught Chemistry at Landmark College with a focus on supporting neurodivergent learners through inclusive and innovative teaching practices.

Jennifer Duncan is Associate Professor of English at Georgia State University's Perimeter College. Jennifer has been teaching English literature and composition for twenty-five years and specializing in online teaching for fifteen.

Dr. Star Sinclair is an Assistant Professor of Psychology at Florida Gulf Coast University. For 18 years, she has taught general psychology, lifespan development, behavioral statistics, and research methods in psychology to students of all backgrounds and preparation levels.

Dr. Dan Look is the Charles A. Dana Professor of Mathematics at St. Lawrence University. He's spent over 25 years trying to convince students that math is not only useful, but occasionally fun. He authored Math Cats: Scratching the Surface of Mathematics, an illustrated exploration of mathematical ideas through the lens of cats.

Dr. Kendra Thomas is an Associate Professor of Psychology at Hope College. She has been teaching human development courses for 12 years. She is a mother of two and researches adolescents' perceptions of justice and how hope changes over time.

Betsy Langness is the Psychology Department Head at Jefferson Community and Technical College, where she has worked for more than 20 years. She teaches general and developmental psychology courses in a virtual, asynchronous environment.

Dr. Derek Harmon is an Associate Professor - Clinical in the Department of Biomedical Education and Anatomy at The Ohio State University College of Medicine. For over a decade, he has taught anatomy to students, medical residents, and practicing clinicians.

Dr. Eric Chiang is currently a Professor-in-Residence in Economics at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. He's the author of Economics: Principles for a Changing World (6th ed.), published by Macmillan Learning and is known for integrating technology into active learning environments.

Dr. Erika Martinez is a Professor of Instruction at the University of South Florida, where she has taught economics for 14 years. She's passionate about making economics accessible and engaging for all students and also teaches at UNC-Kenan Flagler Business School's MBA@UNC online program and Santa Barbara City College.

If this episode made you feel a little more pride in your discipline, or made you want to call your parents who still think you should have been a "real" doctor, follow the show, leave a rating, or share it with a colleague who insists their class is the coolest.

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