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Fascism as a concept has existed since there have been humans. The word was applied more specifically with the advent of fascism in the 20th century, but the roots go back thousands of years. In this episode, Dr. Bjorn Mercer talks to APU’s Dr. Terrence Threadwell about the legacy of Plato’s “The Republic” and fascism throughout history. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
In this episode, Dr. Jackie Fowler talks to APU English professor and author L.K. Silva about Maya Angelou’s poem, “Phenomenal Woman.” Learn how this poem applies to the challenges women face today, the importance of self-confidence among everyone, women and men alike, and why it’s so important to build a world of inclusivity to lift all. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
On this episode, Dr. Bjorn Mercer talks to Dr. Jaclyn Fowler, Department Chair of APU’s English Department, about the Russo-Ukrainian War and how it compares to the way the Soviet Union was run during the Cold War. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Why did Putin invade Ukraine now? What is his goal and motivation? No one really knows, despite endless speculation in the media. In this episode, Dr. Bjorn Mercer talks to APU political science professor Dr. Thomas Kelly about how the invasion of Ukraine has been influenced by the media. Listen to this engaging discussion about who’s more trustworthy, the American media or Russian media? Why do American politicians think the U.S. has to be involved in everything that goes on around the world an...
Earning a college degree can be expensive, but there are ways to reduce the cost. In this episode, APU’s Dr. Aikyna Finch talks to author Dr. Ouida McAfee about unique and easy ways to minimize the cost of a degree. Hear tips such as creating an academic plan by studying the academic catalog, testing out of courses, maximizing transfer credits, and taking advantage of university services. Also hear strategies for military students, transfer students, and students with disabilities. Hosted on Aca...
What is the best process for writing a scholarly paper for a college class? In this episode, Dr. Oliver Hedgepeth talks with Susan Hoffman, the University’s Quality Assurance Editor, about how to write research papers. Learn some useful tips about how to write a research paper and the resources available to University students. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Recent controversy has highlighted the importance of proper representation for Native American and indigenous peoples. In this episode, Dr. Bjorn Mercer talks to Nicole Nesberg, APU history faculty and a member of the Sault tribe. Learn about name changes of two major sporting teams and the need for open conversation about representation as well as the appointment of Native Americans like Deb Haaland and Chuck Sams. Also learn about ongoing challenges for Native American and indigenous peoples t...
Black History Month is a time to explore the many contributions of Black people to American culture. But do people tend to focus on all the extraordinary accomplishments and leave out the struggles and ongoing inequities? In this episode, Dr. Bjorn Mercer talks to APU professor Dr. Jennifer Fisch-Ferguson about the value of learning about Black history in a holistic way that includes talking about racism, exclusion, inequity and the struggles alongside the incredible accomplishments and contribu...
Every person has the capacity, experience and perspective to create good art. Those who pursue art often feel that they must create, and the art comes from somewhere beyond themselves. In this episode, Dr. Bjorn Mercer talks to author and APU professor, Dr. Jackie Fowler, about being compelled to write, how it brings happiness along with frustration. Also learn how she teaches writing, the difference between critique and criticism, her creative process, and the importance of artists and their wo...
Religion doesn’t often cause war, but it tends to emerge as a divisive tool used to identify differences between warring parties in support of the conflict. War is a universal human problem, and it may be surprising that Buddhist societies are no exception and have a long history of war, says religious scholar Dr. Christina Kilby. In this episode, APU’s Dr. Bjorn Mercer talks to her about her work and research understanding the Buddhism approach to war and what non-Buddhists can learn about the ...
Why is strength still associated with masculinity? In this episode, APU’s Dr. Bjorn Mercer talks to professor Dr. Larry D. Parker, Jr. about his 24-year career in the Marine Corps and the connection between strength and masculinity. Learn how cultural changes are changing the perception that strength, power, and strength are masculine traits and why it’s so important to emphasize that masculinity and maleness are two different things. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....
Where does your news come from? Who’s reporting it and what are their biases? Applying critical thought to media is imperative in today’s world, says APU communication professor Haytham Al-Rabeah. In this episode, he talks to Dr. Bjorn Mercer about why everyone must improve their media literacy, how to identify and address blind spots, and how algorithms essentially create echo chambers that limits and tailors information that people receive. Learn how to balance your media sources while also us...
Are there truly any absolute and universal morals? In this episode, Dr. Bjorn Mercer talks to philosophy professor James Lendvay about moral relativism, the view that what people consider to be right and wrong depends on their own perspective or their cultural influences. If people just believe what they want to believe, how does that contribute to today’s divisive social environment? Can progress be made to find common ground? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....
The goals, ideals, and principles of Batman changes during the different cinematic depictions of the character. What do these movies tell us about our own moral compass and how ethics and justice have changed over time? In this episode, Dr. Bjorn Mercer talks to APU philosophy professor Trey Jackson about how Batman's conflict with villains represents real-life philosophical conflicts about the pursuit of justice. What lessons does Batman teach us about apathy, corruption, anonymity, and how to ...
Writing a fantasy book series requires the author to spend endless hours developing the world in which unique and complex characters live and interact with one another. In this episode, Dr. Bjorn Mercer talks to APU professor and author Dr. Jennifer Fisch-Ferguson, who has published 10 books, about her writing process and tips for aspiring writers. Learn about her brainstorming process and where she finds sources of inspiration for her themes, characters, and urban fantasy settings. Also learn w...
Before 2020, many leaders thought working from home wasn’t a feasible business model, but the COVID-19 pandemic proved otherwise. In this episode, Dr. Bjorn Mercer talks to Dr. Marie Gould Harper, Dean of APU’s School of Business, about how leaders and employees responded to this forced change. Learn why managers were often the ones resisting the most, how working from home highlighted a generational divide, and why success depends on everyone knowing their own strengths and weaknesses as a remo...
The transition from one level of leadership to the next can bring a lot of uncertainty and insecurities. In this episode, APU’s Dr. Bjorn Mercer talks to Alexa Chilcutt about her experience teaching executive leadership education at Johns Hopkins Carey Business School. Learn about three basic communication competencies for executive leaders to help them convey their authentic selves that inspire those they manage and oversee. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....
Political and social issues have seemingly created a polarizing divide among people who adamantly profess their beliefs and often adamantly protest against anyone who disagrees. But are our divisions really so wide? In this episode, Dr. Bjorn Mercer talks to APU philosophy professor Steven Schultz about the fact that people rarely examine why they believe what they believe. Learn the difference between having an informed position versus a personal opinion and why it’s so important for people to ...
Institutions of higher education are often compared and judged based on their graduation rates, but it often provides an incomplete picture of institutional success. In this episode, Dr. Bjorn Mercer talks to Dr. Wally Boston, President Emeritus of American Public University System, about various metrics used to compare institutions and the many variables that affect those metrics. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Presenting data and putting it into local context is the most effective way to get the public to understand issues, but it’s also one of the greatest challenges for journalists. In this episode, AMU’s Dr. Bjorn Mercer talks to journalist and professor Dr. Amber Narro about the challenges of teaching journalists how to understand and effectively use data in their reporting. Learn why it’s so important for journalists to start with data and let it drive the direction of the story, rather than tryi...
Equipping students with the knowledge, skills, and work ethic needed to succeed in the workforce is one of the most critical tasks of universities and colleges. But is there a gap in preparedness between what employers want and what students are learning? In this episode, APU’s Dr. Bjorn Mercer talks to Dr. Ashley Finley, Vice President of Research at the Association of American Colleges & Universities, about an annual report that aims to illuminate what employers want from graduates. Learn ...
What key points from “The Communist Manifesto” can be applied to modern society? In this episode, APU’s Dr. Bjorn Mercer talks to religion and philosophy professor Dr. Terrence Threadwell about how some of the issues that Marx discusses are often misunderstood or taken out of context. Learn why this document is often used by politicians to illicit fear, but many of the issues around social disparities, poverty, and power are still very relevant in today’s world. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/pr...
Once a month, 26 Black women get together to discuss how they’re going to invest their money. In this episode, Dr. Bjorn Mercer talks to Dr. Andre Rawls about her role in forming numerous investment clubs that help educate women about financial investment strategies and wealth accumulation. Learn how an investment group works, how it changes the mindset of how members spend money, the importance of financial literacy in minority populations, and why it’s necessary to correct people’s beliefs abo...
The Constitution was setup to ensure that all states, regardless of size, would have a say in the direction of the federal government. While that democratic system has worked remarkably well post-Civil War, in recent decades the fabric of the United States has started to fray as people view the federal government as the body governing the 50 states instead of the other way around. In this episode, Dr. Bjorn Mercer talks to APU Political Science Program Director, Dr. Tom Kelly, about the rise of ...
The way individuals and organizations communicate has changed dramatically with the widespread adoption of social media. In this episode, Dr. Bjorn Mercer talks to Communication professors Dr. Alison Slade and Dr. Amanda McClain about their interest in the communication field and how quickly things have changed from traditional journalism to the rise of YouTubers and influencers. Learn the skillsets obtained from a degree in communication as well as discussion about the constantly evolving caree...
It's easy to blame social media for recent social problems like cyber bullying and a decline in mental health, but the reality is that social media is powered by people. Social media isn’t bad and it can actually present an incredible opportunity for users. In this episode, Dr. Bjorn Mercer talks to APU Communication professor Nicole Rothenay about improving awareness about social media and using it to find communities, connect with people, and even find jobs. Learn why it’s important for people...
Public discourse has become increasingly divisive, making it extremely difficult to have productive conversations about politics, religion, and social issues. In this episode, Dr. Bjorn Mercer talks to Business professor and lawyer, Dr. Gary Deel, about the causes of this contentious rhetoric including the role of the news media, social media, political leaders, and more. Learn strategies about how to approach talking to people with differing viewpoints, how to reach people who may believe in co...
What is it like to conduct historical research and read original documents from the Civil War time period? In this episode, Dr. Bjorn Mercer talks to Program Director Dr. Richard Hines about being a trained historian and conducting in-depth research about the history of Illinois and the role of Abraham Lincoln during the most complex period of United States history. Learn about his efforts to understand why Illinois changed from being Democrat to Republican so quickly during this time period, tu...
Teaching ethics is an integral part of higher education, but thinking about ethics—and applying it in a meaningful way—is a life-long endeavor. In this episode, Dr. Bjorn Mercer talks to Dr. Vernon C. Smith, Provost of American Public University System, about how ethics affect all areas of society. Learn about the role of ethics when making career decisions, the need for ethics to guide technological advancement, and much more. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....
Many people feel uncomfortable with public speaking, but realize it’s something they’ll have to do in their professional life. In this episode, Dr. Bjorn Mercer talks to APU communications professor Myeisha Grady about strategies to improve public speaking skills, even for someone who is an introvert. Learn about stepping out of your comfort zone, shifting to a positive mindset, seeking out trusted mentors to help you, organizing a speech so it’s effective, and improving with each public speakin...
