Climate change is a global problem, and the solution lies in the choices of every individual. In this episode, Dr. Bjorn Mercer talks to professor Dr. Kristin Drexler about the power of personal choice, taking more personal responsibility, and changing your mindset to be more resourceful and less wasteful.

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What is health literacy and why does it matter? In this episode, Dr. Bjorn Mercer talks to Assistant Dean and nurse Dr. Stacey Malinowski about how strong health literacy skills helps people make well-informed decisions about their health. Learn why healthcare providers must work to assess their patients’ health literacy, ensure they’re presenting information simply and clearly, and making sure patients feel comfortable asking questions. Learn tips to improve your own health literacy by writing down questions ahead of your appointment, repeating back information to your doctor, bringing along a reliable family member or friend, keeping a medical binder, and more.

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Now is an exciting time to study space, thanks to the development of powerful instruments and technologies. In this episode, Dr. Bjorn Mercer talks to APU Space Studies professor Dr. Kristen Miller about the skills needed in the space field including mathematics, physics and team-based research experience. Learn about APU’s powerful 24-inch, high-caliber telescope that provides students with the experience of using real-time telescope data in their research. Also learn about the university’s many communities aimed at helping students connect with each other and other professionals in the space field.

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People in different countries have varying perspectives on climate change. In this episode, Dr. Bjorn Mercer talks to APU professor Dr. Mary Ellen Cooper about her experience living in China and the startling questions she got from students asking if stars were real because the pollution was so bad, they had never seen a clear night sky. Learn more about geographical and generational differences related to climate change and environmental issues.

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There are more than 100 different specialties in nursing, providing nurses with a variety of career options to pursue. In this episode, APU’s Dr. Bjorn Mercer talks to Assistant Dean and nurse Dr. Stacey Malinowski about her career path and the numerous ways students can pursue a nursing education. Learn about what questions to ask when pursuing a nursing education including acceptance of transfer credits, accreditation, online course options, and more.

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Are there habitable planets or moons that could sustain human life? In this episode, Dr. Bjorn Mercer talks to professor Dr. Gary Deel about space exploration and the effort to find celestial bodies where humans could potentially live. Learn about overcoming challenges like differences in gravity, temperature, atmosphere as well as some of the possibilities like Mars, Venus and various moons.

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Heart disease remains one of the top causes of deaths in the United States. For Heart Health Month, APU’s Stacey Malinowski provides many great ways to improve your overall health starting with knowing your risk factors by measuring you BMI, waist circumference, blood pressure and cholesterol. She offers ways to improve your health through increased activity and portion control, but also learning to be more mindful of what you’re eating, how you’re eating, what’s causing you stress, and what your body is telling you.

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Emergencies can come in many different forms and strike at any time. In this episode, Dr. Bjorn Mercer talks to APU health science professor Dr. Jameelah Powell about emergency preparedness. Whether it’s an earthquake, pandemic, hurricane, snowstorm, house fire, or just a broken-down vehicle, it’s important to be prepared so you can get through any emergency situation. Learn what to include in an emergency kit, the importance of developing an emergency contact plan, suggestions for talking to children about emergencies, and more.

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COVID-19 has taken a huge toll on the healthcare system and has led to high levels of nursing burnout and staffing shortages. In this episode, Dr. Bjorn Mercer talks to APU nursing professor Dr. Stacey Malinowski about the current state of the healthcare system and how to address major nursing shortages across the country. Learn about healthcare challenges like compassion fatigue, moral distress, the aging nursing population, the lack of nurse educators, and insufficient clinical sites as well as some positive outcomes of COVID like the increased availability of telehealth options for medical care.

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Climate change is a global crisis that requires local and national-level solutions. In this episode, Dr. Bjorn Mercer talks to APU science professor Dr. Kristin Drexler about various ways to address climate change. Learn about international efforts like the UN Climate Conference, COP26, which encourages nations to implement measures to reduce pollution and other contributing factors to climate change. Also learn the ways that individuals can reduce their consumption and waste to help better care for the environment.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.