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.

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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 assess their own biases and worldviews so they can critically examine the evidence and reasoning behind their beliefs. Also learn how to find common ground with people who have different beliefs in order to have a constructive, intellectually honest, and open conversation. 

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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.

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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 trying to find data that supports a preconceived story angle. Also learn about the value of localizing data so readers understand how information applies to their lives as well as the challenges aspiring journalists face entering the competitive media landscape.

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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 the key takeaways and new revelations from this 15-year report, including what employers say they want regarding student skills, aptitudes and mindsets like work ethic, empathy, resilience, persistence and more.

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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. 

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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 about money and wealth accumulation.

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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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