The Everyday Scholar

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 revenge politics, extreme partisan politics, and the rise of authoritarianism. Also learn about the changes needed to rebalance governing power including instituting term limits on legislators and adding the right to privacy to the Bill of Rights.

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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 career opportunities for those studying digital media or strategic communications.

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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 to reframe their relationship with social media to become a creator instead of just a consumer, understanding social currency to maintain a healthy awareness about how social media affects your mental health, and discovering how social media can help individuals find their own curated “normal.”

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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 conspiracy theories, and how to maintain civility with those you disagree with. 

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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, turmoil between slave states and free states, and the complexities of understanding the true history during this time.

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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.

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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 speaking opportunity.

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The television and film industries have changed dramatically in recent years, largely due to the growth of streaming services. In this episode, APU professor Dr. Bjorn Mercer talks to Dr. Amanda McClain about the influence of streaming platforms like Netflix, Hulu, Amazon, Disney Plus and others. Learn how these platforms have allowed for the innovative creation of content by focusing on niche audiences, caused major changes to advertising, and had significant long-term implications on traditional cable companies.

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How do you study religion objectively and without bias? In this episode, Dr. Bjorn Mercer talks to APU religion professor Robert King about applying the lens of academic disciplines like sociology, anthropology, and philosophy to better understand the ideologies, beliefs and practices of different religions. Learn about the study of new religious movements, the problems with using words like “cult” and “paganism,” and how religious studies can help students think critically in a fair and objective way. 

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For many, the Capitol riot was the predictable outcome of years of growing anger among people who felt marginalized and dismissed. In this episode, Dr. Bjorn Mercer talks to APU Political Science Program Director Dr. Tom Kelly about what fueled this incident including the role of the mainstream news media and the power—and limitations—of social media. Learn how it has become increasingly difficult to discuss opposing political viewpoints in public forums as well as in the classroom, and what that means for the future of the country’s democracy.

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