
It's All In Your Head
Erik Vance
"Whether it takes the form of a touch of the Holy Spirit at a Florida revival meeting or a dip in the water of the Ganges, the healing power of belief is all around us," writes grantee Erik Vance. In his cover story for National Geographic, Erik looks at the science behind the placebo effect and the way in which what we expect—and what we believe—can actually influence how we heal. "Studies suggest that regular religious services may improve the immune system, decrease blood pressure, add years to our lives."
The Wall
Zach Fannin and Nick Schifrin
For better or worse, the US and Mexico will remain neighbors. In the first of two stories for the PBS NewsHour, grantees Nick Schifrin and Zach Fannin report from the border on how Donald Trump's promise to build a wall is impacting ordinary lives on both sides.
The Appeal of Jihad
Elisabeth Zerofsky
Grantee Elisabeth Zerofsky looks at the recent epidemic of jihadist radicalization among young French citizens. "Islamist ideologies are seducing not only disaffected young men but also teen-age girls," she writes, noting that nearly a third of new recruits are women.