The Everyday Scholar

Taking an objective approach to learning about different religions can lead to a greater connection with other humans. In this episode, Dr. Bjorn Mercer talks to Religion and Philosophy professor Dr. Achilles Gacis about the unique diversity of religion in Hawaii. He also talks about the educational benefits of religious studies, how a deeper knowledge of religions can lead to greater understandin...

Many different things can contribute to a person's sense of identity including culture, location, ethnicity, religion, and more. In this episode, Dr. Bjorn Mercer talks to APU English professor Jennifer Fisch-Ferguson about the concept of intersectionality, which allows people to understand how their own identity can change based on differing circumstances and why it's so important to be open-mind...

Why do nations still wage war against each other? Is it important or beneficial for politicians to have military experience? In this episode, APU professor Dr. Bjorn Mercer talks to Dr. Larry Parker, who spent 24 years in the Marine Corps, about the national security strategy to protect the homeland. Also learn what issues lead to war and armed conflict, why it’s so important to understand other c...

Were labor unions successful in improving the quality of life for working-class people? In this episode, Dr. Bjorn Mercer talks to history professor Dr. Jeffrey Leatherwood about the history of labor unions in the Carolinas. Hear about the turbulent and often violent efforts to form unions including the infamous Charlotte   massacre of August 25, 1919 and how such efforts relate to present-da...

Social media has become a powerful communication tool that influences how people think about social, political, and cultural issues. In this episode, Dr. Bjorn Mercer talks to AMU communications professor Dr. Allison Slade about the rise of popular social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok, and how people are increasingly relying on these sites for news and information....

In many European countries, it’s acceptable to stare, touch other people, and stand close. But in the U.S., staring is considered rude, touching is generally frowned upon, and people highly value their personal space. In this episode, APU professor Stefania Malacrida discusses these cultural norms after living in Italy, Germany and the U.S. Learn how these cultural norms lead to differences in mor...

There are more than 30 million "selfies" uploaded to social media every week. While this may seem like a modern-day phenomenon, there's a significant connection between "selfies" and self-portraits used by artists throughout history. In this episode, APU's Dr. Bjorn Mercer talks to Art Professor Mina Majstorovic about art history and selfies. Learn why artists historically composed self-portraits...

Type 2 diabetes disproportionately affects African Americans. In this episode, APU Business professor Dr. Kandis Boyd Wyatt interviews Dr. Maurice Fluitt about his work in epigenetics, which is research into how the expression of genes can be changed without changing DNA. Learn how genetic imprinting helps understand complex diseases like diabetes and why it?s so important to educate the public ab...

Political conventions have changed dramatically over the years. In this episode, Dr. Bjorn Mercer talks to APU program director Dr. Tom Kelly about the history of each major party’s political convention to nominate a presidential candidate. Also learn why there’s unlikely to ever be a viable third-party candidate, how Democrats and Republicans are trying to target voters outside their traditional...

Do law enforcement agencies incorporate too many military tactics and equipment in their policing efforts? In this episode, Dr. Bjorn Mercer talks to AMU Criminal Justice program director, Dr. Chuck Russo about the origins of the military and domestic law enforcement as well as the benefits and downfalls of ongoing collaboration. Learn about the influence of traditional media and social media on p...

Building and sharpening your skillset is critical for professional success. In this episode, APU business professor Dr. Kandis Wyatt talks to Tamera Wells-Lee about the most important skills she learned in her academic and professional career that contributed the most to her leadership development. While it’s important to develop hard skills, learn why it’s also critical to develop soft skills lik...

What are the primary factors driving the decision about how to reopen schools in the fall? In this episode, Dr. Bjorn Mercer talks to Dr. Wally Boston, President Emeritus at American Public University System, about the health risks to students, faculty and staff as well as the economic impact on institutions of higher learning. Learn why so many colleges and universities are at great risk of closi...

Understanding ethics and the logic people use to guide them in ethical decision-making is extremely complicated. In this episode, Dr. Bjorn Mercer investigates ethics with Dr. Gary Deel to better understand the circumstances and challenges that surround ethics. Listen to learn more about how ethical standards have changed over time, how ethical standards may differ in a person’s professional and p...

COVID-19 has highlighted the major healthcare disparities present in minority communities.   In this episode, Dr. Bjorn Mercer talks to Dr. Ginger Raya about her experience as a Hispanic woman living in El Paso, Texas. Learn about issues of diversity in healthcare, how COVID-19 has complicated access to healthcare, prohibitive cost issues to receiving healthcare, and more. Dr. Raya also talks...

What can people do to educate themselves and their children to better understand how people of color feel and experience living in the United States? In this episode, Dr. Bjorn Mercer talks to Dr. Kristin Washington about how to have tough conversations with children and what historic events should be taught in schools. Also learn how economic disparities have contributed to inequality and what mo...

On this episode of  The Everyday Scholar , Dr. Bjorn Mercer talks to APU professor Nicole Nesberg about her indigenous upbringing as an American Indian woman. Learn about how her tribal lineage connects her to other people of color in protesting racial oppression in the United States and her perspective on what can be done to rectify racial injustices in order to bring positive change to the...

Thinking about death and dying can actually help people live a more meaningful life. In this episode of  The Everyday Scholar , Dr. Bjorn Mercer talks with Dr. Kasia Polanska about her experience working with dying patients as a hospice volunteer. This work inspired Dr. Polanksa to investigate the sociology of death and dying, which eventually led to her to develop a class on the topic. Learn...

Innovation within Arts and Humanities requires collaboration across disciplines in order to create new ways of thinking, learning, and teaching. In this episode of  The Everyday Scholar , hear from Dr. Grace Glass, Dean of the School of Arts and Humanities at American Public University (APU), about how her department is collaborating with faculty in other disciplines like STEM to create new a...

Picking up and moving to the Middle East to teach would likely be far beyond most people’s comfort zone. Dr. Jaclyn Fowler thought it was beyond hers too until her children encouraged her to take the chance. Together they moved to Dubai where she spent four years teaching. Listen to this episode of  The Everyday Scholar  to learn more about her experience learning Arabic, teaching a dive...

Balancing multiple professional careers can be incredibly difficult, but also very rewarding. In this episode of  The Everyday Scholar , Dr. Bjorn Mercer talks with Dr. Trevor Reed about finding balance while pursuing two very different and demanding professional passions: lawyer and musician.   Listen to this podcast to learn how Dr. Reed, a law professor at Arizona State University, dr...

Will religion always remain an important part in the life of humans? As secularization continues around the world, could it actually replace religious belief and practice? In this episode of  The Everyday Scholar , Dr. Bjorn Mercer talks with Dr. Chris Myers, a religion and philosophy professor, about the evolving role of religion, the decline of certain religions, the conflict between religi...

During the coronavirus outbreak, many colleges and universities are transitioning from traditional classroom environments to teaching primarily online. In this episode of The Everyday Scholar, Dr. Bjorn Mercer talks with American Public University President Dr. Wally Boston about the impact of coronavirus on higher education. Listen to learn more about the short- and long-term impact on academic i...

American Public University, School of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math Associate Dean Dr. Danny Welsch and Dr. Bjorn Mercer discuss science for good, science for evil. How good discoveries go evil, and how evil discoveries turn good. Dr. Danny Welsch talks about inventions that started out benefiting society and ended up changing warfare, discoveries that originated with warfare and ende...

American Public University faculty member Tiffany Orcesi, Dr. Michael Pittaro from the School of Security and Global Studies and Dr. Bjorn Mercer discuss teaching in the prison. Tiffany Orcesi and Dr. Michael Pittaro discuss their experiences teaching in the prison system, the challenges of prisoner educational programs, and the difficulties of prisoner reintegration. Hosted on Acast. See acast.co...

American Public University faculty member Jonathan Hill and Dr. Bjorn Mercer discuss North American Indigenous music. Jonathan Hill discusses what is Indigenous music, what are popular expectations associated with the music, and how Indigenous music and musicians have shaped mainstream pop. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.