Book Talk Today with Aun Abdi

On Episode #23 of the Book Talk Today podcast, we are joined by Dr Chris Dalton. Chris is Associate Professor of Management Learning and module convener for Personal Development (PD) at Henley Business School. Chris has over 28 years of experience in management education and training, and today we will be discussing his book, 'MBA Day By Day: Turn World Class Thinking Into Everyday Business Brilliance.'   

Timestamps:  0:00 - Intro 

1:19 - The Importance Of Self-Awareness. 

6:26 - How do MBA students, whether prospective or current, know whether they should do it? 

9:12 - How has the MBA program changed over time? 

11:40 - 'Imposter Syndrome' at the start of an Executive MBA. 

13:17 - What do MBA students do after finishing the program? 

15:27 - Which industries do MBA students come from? 

18:57 - What are the ideal characteristics of an MBA student? 

20:06 - How do you deal with student's expectations? 

22:00 - Do most people incorrectly define what an MBA is and who it is for? 

25:41 - When should someone start an MBA program? 

28:18 - What's the difference between a leader and a manager? 

31:47 - Do we care to much about definitions, rather than intentions? 

33:06 - Asking the 'right' questions vs. asking 'better' questions. 

35:42 - The difference between 'solving' and 'dissolving'.  

39:09 - How do managers/leaders navigate a dynamic environment? 

41:56 - How do we make leadership practices sustainable into the future? 

47:04 - What are some of the difficulties that MBA students face? 

48:27 - Time management vs. prioritisation.  

52:07 - The difficulty of defining terms.  

53:41 - The importance of note-taking. 

55:20 - Chris's book recommendations. 

59:07 - Outro   

Visit our website - https://www.booktalktoday.com

On Episode #22 of the Book Talk Today podcast, we are joined by Matt Burgess.

Matt Burgess is the deputy digital editor at WIRED, covering cybersecurity, big tech, and everything in-between.

We discussed his book, 'Artificial Intelligence: How machine learning will shape the next decade.' 

Timestamps: 

0:00 - Introduction 

1:50 - What is Artificial Intelligence (AI)? 

3:39 - AI vs AGI (Artificial General Intelligence) 

4:55 - How far away is AGI? 

6:31 - Is AI and AG comparable? 

10:22 - Can we replicate the brain? 

12:59 - The impact of Natural Language Processing (NLP) 

16:15 - How do regulators stop further discrimination of minorities? 

22:44 - The ethics of surveillance.  

25:49 - AI and questions of what makes us human. 

27:54 - The major concerns of AI.  

29:30 - Job displacement and AI.  

33:47 - How quickly will AI develop? 

36:40 - Is it human nature to avoid a new technology? 

39:41 - The sustainability of new technologies. 

42:34 - Is the aim of AI to improve our lives? 

45:11 - Outro 

Visit our website - https://www.booktalktoday.com

Contact - [email protected]

On Episode #21 of the Book Talk Today podcast, we are joined by Bianca Nogrady.

Bianca Nogrady is a freelance science journalist and author. She has written for outlets including Nature, The Atlantic, Wired UK and The Guardian, to name a few. She is also founding president of the Science Journalists Association of Australia.

We discussed her book, 'Climate Change: How We Can Get To Carbon Zero.'

On Episode #20 of the Book Talk Today podcast, we are joined by James Temperton.

James is the digital editor at WIRED UK. As well as leading the title's digital strategy, he also reports regularly on the gig economy and the scourge of online disinformation.

We discussed his book, 'The Future of Medicine: How We Will Enjoy Longer, Healthier Lives.'

Timestamps:  

0:00 - Introduction 

2:25 - What drew James to write this book? 

3:17 - Covid-19's impact on the writing of the book. 

5:22 - The incredible work of scientists during Covid-19. 

8:27 - Precision Medicine: the key theme of the book. 

11:34 - Wearable technologies and personal data.  

17:26 - The US vs. UK medical industries. 

19:52 - Mila and Battons Disease - Example from the book 

25:22 - The future of home dispensing medication. 

27:08 - The Kahn Family and ageing - example from the book.  

33:25 - Silicon Valley and chasing the fountain of youth.  

38:40 - The ethical implications of the future of medicine. 

45:54 - Conspiracy theories and the medical industry. 

50:02 - Wired series with Penguin RandomHouse. 

53:32 - Outro  

Visit our website - https://www.booktalktoday.com

On Episode #19 of the Book Talk Today podcast, we are joined by Kehinde Andrews.

Kehinde is the UK's first Professor of Black Studies, at Birmingham City University, where he led the establishment of the first Black Studies programme in Europe.

We discussed his book, 'The New Age of Empire: How Racism and Colonialism Still Rule the World.'

0:00 - Introduction. 

1:02 - What is 'The New Age of Empire?' 

3:00 - Kant and moral geography. 

7:23 - The 'European Enlightenment'. 

12:05 - What is the foundation of society? 

13:59 - How do you define 'White Supremacy'? 

15:35 - The Transatlantic Slavery System 

22:59 - What does the system of reparations look like? 

25:58 - Should we overthrow the system? 

28:15 - The issue with defining yourself as part of the problem. 

30:20 - The best books on race. 

32:45 - The BLM Movement. 

34:28 - Minority integration into society. 

35:39 - What's the solution? 

39:13 - Liberal Imperialism.  

42:51 - The responsibility of political leaders. 

45:02 - Individual responsibility.  

47:03 - How possible is a new system? 

48:21 - China's political and economic system. 

51:07 - Book recommendations on the topic. 

52:56 - Outro

Thank you for listening to this podcast. Don’t forget to like and subscribe for more content. Also, visit our website www.booktalktoday.com to subscribe and download the latest edition of our magazine. Join our mailing list to receive the first Issue for free to get a taste for the value packed content that we’re offering. Book Talk Today. For Readers. By Readers.

On Episode #18 of the Book Talk Today podcast, we are joined by Clive Lewis.

Clive is a business psychologist specialising in individual, team and organisation behaviour. He is one of the UK's most sought-after mediators, and is the founder and Chief Executive of Globis Mediation Group.

We discussed his book, 'Toxic: A guide to rebuilding respect and tolerance in a hostile workplace.'

Timestamps:  

0:00 - Introduction. 

1:15 - Main features of Toxic environment at work. 

4:57 - How non-confrontational environments can be created. 

6:14 - How do leaders create that system? 

6:51 - Obstacles for leaders for not adopting this. 

9:14 - Culture eats strategy for breakfast. 

11:30 - Aun's experiences. 

12:12 - Capitalism and Toxic work environments.  

15:48 - Bullying in public vs. private sector.  

20:40 - The power of forgiveness.  

25:51 - The role of a mediator. 

28:43 - The power of self-awareness.  

33:03 - Peoples reactions to their test scores.  

35:48 - Characteristics of a good employee.  

37:54 - How to be a good team player.  

41:38 - Building culture.  

43:52 - The importance of sleep.  

46:30 - 3-5 books that have had an impact on Clive.  

49:14 - Outro

Visit our website - www.booktalktoday.com

On Episode #17 of the Book Talk Today podcast, we are joined by Phil Bowne.

Phil is a writer for the 'The Wombles', a children's entertainment brand.

We discussed his book, 'Cows Can't Jump'.

0:00 - Introduction 

1:19 - Promo for the book 

2:08 - Throwback 

3:21 - Creative inspiration behind 'Cows Can't Jump' 

5:04 - How the expanded on the story  

6:56 - Political references in the book 

12:46 - Horse track story 

14:40 - How does Phil approach story? 

16:30 - Aun's writing experience in accounting college 

18:25 - The power of historical fiction 

20:54 - Fiction vs Non-Fiction storytelling 

22:07 - Phil's approach to writing 

24:33 - Processes and systems of writing 

26:51 - Benefits of hand writing 

29:31 - Reading on a Kindle vs iPad vs Paperback 

31:28 - Benefits of listening and reading at the same time 

36:22 - Different approaches of learning 

36:59 - Approach to reading widely 

38:20 - Phil's favourite era in history and mudlarking 

40:38 - Phil and Aun's fascination with historical fiction 

43:33 - Education systems (nearly a rant) 

44:02 - Back to Non-Fiction 

46:44 - Journaling and uncovering past experiences 

52:23 - The importance of a routine 

53:53 - The power of walking 

56:16 - Having structure in your day 

56:58 - Treat yourself as if you're someone responsible for looking after 

1:00:13 - Finding a bridge between Fiction and Non-Fiction 

1:01:28 - Journalists and writing 

1:03:25 - Defining book genres 

1:05:05 - 3 tips for new writers 

1:08:16 - Difficulties of getting published 

1:12:05 - Time blocking  

1:16:00 - Life coach/Guru/Influencer 

1:17:13 - Outro

Visit our website - www.booktalktoday.com

On Episode #16 of the Book Talk Today podcast, we are joined by Veronica O’Keane

Veronica is a professor of psychiatry and practising consultant psychiatrist at Trinity College Dublin.

We discussed his book, 'The Rag and Bone Shop: How We Make Memories and Memories Make Us'.

On Episode #15 of the Book Talk Today podcast, we are joined by Niall Kishtainy.

Niall is an analyst, researcher and writer of economics and economic history.

We discussed his book, ‘A Little History of Economics’.