To win a high-stakes poker game, the ability to calculate risk is essential – and it’s a skill that can carry over to everyday life. Nate Silver is a statistician and founder of The New York Times political blog FiveThirtyEight.com and writer of the Substack “Silver Bulletin.” He joins host Krys Boyd to discuss how risk-takers win big, how to calculate pros and cons of major decisions, and to weigh in on what to expect in this year’s presidential election. His book is “On the Edge: The Art of Risking Everything.”

Some people can get others to do what they want through the sheer strength of their charm – a quality many candidates running for office try to use to their advantage. Julia Sonnevend, associate professor of sociology and communications at The New School for Social Research, joins host Krys Boyd to discuss how politicians tap into their own personal magnetism to earn your vote – and sometimes lead nations down the wrong path. Her book is “Charm: How Magnetic Personalities Shape Global Politics.”

If your company’s data is hacked, there’s a person to have on speed dial — a ransomware negotiator. Journalist Amanda Chicago Lewis joins host Krys Boyd to discuss this brand-new profession that is both an art and a science, how they negotiate with hackers and how to avoid falling victim to your own data being breached. Her article “Secrets of a ransomware negotiator” was published in The Economist.

Kids may never think you’re cool – but it is possible to at least earn their respect. David Yeager is a professor of psychology at the University of Texas at Austin and the cofounder of the Texas Behavioral Science and Policy Institute. He joins host Krys Boyd to discuss how to be a supportive mentor for youth age 10-25 – when their brains are still taking shape. His book is “10 to 25: The Science of Motivating Young People: A Groundbreaking Approach to Leading the Next Generation―And Making Your Own Life Easier.”

Regional tensions in the South China Sea are in danger of spilling over into a global conflict between the U.S. and China. Craig Singleton is a senior China fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies and a former U.S. diplomat. He joins guest host John McCaa to discuss the ways China has made end runs around the policies of the Biden, Trump and Obama presidencies and the troubling clashes we’re now seeing around Taiwan and the Philippines. His article “China and the U.S. Are Careening Toward a South China Sea Crisis” was published in Foreign Policy.

America has endured eras of political violence before. But after the assassination attempt on former president Donald Trump, is political violence now part of our current reality? Adrienne LaFrance, executive editor of The Atlantic, joins host Krys Boyd to discuss why feelings of powerlessness can lead to violence and the disturbing historical patterns that seem to be repeating today. Her article is “American Fury.”

For an underprivileged student to succeed in college, it takes much more than financial aid. Anthony Jack is inaugural faculty director of the Boston University Newbury Center and associate professor of higher education leadership at the Boston University Wheelock College of Education & Human Development. He joins host Krys Boyd to discuss why, even as colleges and universities have moved to make their campuses more diverse, they are leaving economically disadvantaged students behind. His book is “Class Dismissed: When Colleges Ignore Inequality and Students Pay the Price.”

When Kamala Harris announced her presidential bid after President Biden dropped out, a record $81million poured in in 24 hours. So what role will cash play in her race against Donald Trump? Theodore Schleifer covers campaign finance for The New York Times. He joins host Krys Boyd to give us an overview of the immense amount of money the campaigns are raising, a refresher on how PACs work, and how all this money from mega donors to average Joes will affect the race to the White House.

In these politically divisive times, it’s a challenge to remember we have so much in common. Diana McLain Smith joins host Krys Boyd to discuss building bridges to connect with people with whom we disagree and how most people can resolve to meet in the middle on even the most challenging political issues. Her book is “Remaking the Space Between Us: How Citizens Can Work Together to Build a Better Future for All.”

For anywhere from $100 to $3,000 or more, you can get ready for doomsday with a prepper kit. Michael Mills, lecturer in criminology at the University of Kent, joins host Krys Boyd to discuss the phenomenon of preparing for disaster, if this is unique to America or to a political party affiliation, and if stockpiling food and supplies actually does anything to relieve anxiety.