Motocross has become an increasingly competitive and technical sport in the last 10 years. In this episode, APU’s Dr. Gary Deel talks to professional supercross racer AJ Catanzaro about turning pro when he was just 16 years old and how the sport has changed during his 10-year career. Learn about the evolution of course layouts with increasingly dangerous elements, technological changes to motorcycles and protective gear, and why he hopes electric motorcycles will soon be an option in professional racing.

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What are the psychological principles contributing to today’s divisive political and social environments? In this episode, Dr. Gary Deel talks to Joe Reish, who has spent more than 40 years teaching psychology, about some of the cognitive processing systems that affect the way people form belief systems. Learn about confirmation bias, dichotomous thinking, and simplistic bias that can prevent people from understanding opposing viewpoints, being empathetic, and being critical thinkers.

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The 2020 election displayed divisiveness among the American public. In this episode, Dr. Gary Deel talks to APU Political Science Program Director Dr. Tom Kelly about Trump’s presidency and the current state of American politics. Learn about the need for government transparency, the benefits of instituting Congressional term limits, and where the nation goes from here.

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 Is a degree still necessary for today’s working professional? In this episode, Dr. Gary Deel talks to Dr. Marie Gould Harper, Dean of the School of Business at American Public University, about what institutions of higher learning can do to ensure their degree programs are successfully preparing students with the skills and knowledge necessary to help businesses adapt to the new economy. Learn about the importance of colleges and universities developing partnerships with organizations in order to keep a pulse on industry changes and to use that information to update curriculum that focuses on upskilling and reskilling.

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Cruise lines across the world stopped sailing during the pandemic. In this episode, Dr. Gary Deel talks to APU business professor Dr. Robert Gordon about the safety measures cruise lines are implementing to keep passengers and crews healthy as well as the short- and long-term impacts COVID-19 will have on the industry. Learn about the experience of European cruise lines that have returned to service and when US cruises may start sailing again.

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Why did the Founding Fathers choose to create the Electoral College? In this episode, Dr. Gary Deel talks to APU political science professor Dr. Rob Mellen about the history of the election process. Learn the origin of the Electoral College, its original intention as a check on the popular vote, and whether or not the Electoral College works successfully in modern times.

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What brings people together and what pushes them apart? In this episode, Dr. Gary Deel talks to APU professor Dr. Bjorn Mercer about the “narcissism of small differences,” the idea that minor and often insignificant differences often lead to major conflicts and even warfare. Learn how today’s charged and divisive political climate originates from minor differences in opinions and beliefs and what can be done to find common ground and repair the growing divisiveness. 

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The COVID-19 pandemic has greatly accelerated the development and application of automation throughout the supply chain. In this episode, Dr. Gary Deel talks to Dr. Larry D. Parker Jr., APU's Program Director of Transportation and Logistics Management and Supply Chain Management, about technological advancements like driverless semi-trucks and robotics. Learn how organizations are prioritizing automation deployment to lessen person-to-person contact during the pandemic and discussion about the pros and cons of such a fast deployment.

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One of the biggest challenges for veterans is transitioning from the military to the civilian workforce. In this episode, Dr. Gary Deel talks to Joel Beam about his career as a Navy SEAL and the challenges he faced when applying his unique skillset to the corporate world. Learn about the challenges he faced adapting his military experience to match his new corporate environment; how he coped with the shocking differences in leadership style; and how he had to change his own mindset from taking orders in the military to now having open conversations with leadership to share his ideas and recommendations.

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Casinos, like all industries reliant on tourism and travel, have been hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic. In this episode, Dr. Gary Deel talks to Dr. Bo Bernhard, Executive Director at the International Gaming Institute for the University of Nevada Las Vegas, about the current state of the gaming industry. Learn about some of the changes happening in casinos including a shift towards automation and other technological advancements. Also hear about the rampant growth of online betting and other mobile gambling platforms.

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