Leading Forward: Recent Episodes
American Public University
The business landscape is forever changed by the COVID-19 pandemic. American Public University brings you Leading Forward, a podcast featuring business experts discussing innovative ways businesses are adapting to the new normal including strategies for managing a remote workforce, entrepreneurship, strengthening workplace diversity, encouraging a strong work-life balance, and much more. To learn more, visit StudyatAPU.com.
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Business owners should seek professional legal help. In this episode, APU’s Dr. Aikyna Finch talks to lawyer Alan Hall who explains why it’s not the best idea to get all your legal advice from the internet.
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Low-income citizens face an uphill battle to create a better life. In this episode, Dr. Aikyna Finch talks to Will Acuff about his non-profit and how he’s helping to launch Black entrepreneurs.
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Today’s workforce is disparate, distributed, and disconnected. In this episode, APU’s Dr. Marie Gould Harper talks to workforce expert Mitch Zenger about the role that teamwork will play and solutions to drive positive change.
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Higher education is undergoing many changes, especially in the aftermath of the recent COVID-19 pandemic. In this episode, APU’s Dr. Marie Gould Harper talks to Dr. Katy Launius about the innovations disrupting higher education.
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Allyship in the workplace can be a powerful tool to promote inclusion and diversity among underserved groups. In this episode, Dr. Aikyna Finch discusses the positive impact an ally can have for someone who is disadvantaged and the opportunities that connection can generate.
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Corporate America can offer professionals a great arena to build a career, but it can just as quickly derail that career through downsizing and reassignments. In this episode, Demishia Samuels discusses the ways in which professionals can monetize the skills learned in the corporate realm.
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Many organizations aren’t aware of the pay inequity for people of color. In this episode, Chief Human Resources Officer, Bridgette Wilder, talks about her work conducting pay equity audits to objectively show leaders the data and educating them about such issues. She also provides recommendations for employees to advance in their careers by learning negotiation skills, tracking accomplishments, participating in mentoring programs, identifying professional development opportunities, and much more.
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Are you considering returning to school, but nervous about writing academic papers? Are you a relatively new teacher, but unsure the best way to guide students in writing? In this episode, APU's Dr. Oliver Hedgepeth talks to author and professor Dr. Robert Gordon about helping students overcome their fear of writing and the best ways for teachers to offer encouragement and feedback.
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Writing is one of the most important skills both in school and the workforce. In this episode, three School of Business faculty members share tips on constructing a well-written paper using key sentences to develop strong paragraphs and clearly convey information. Hear discussion on building an outline, the importance of editing and reviewing, and how writing skills and the ability to communicate through writing translates to the workforce.
Legal firms, like many corporations, are working to be more inclusive and diverse. In this episode, APU’s Dr. Aikyna Finch talks to Donna Izzard about her 35-year career and her involvement helping to build successful DEI initiatives. Learn about giving everyone a seat at the table including business staff and attorneys, allotting budget to offer specialized training, and fostering an environment that allows for real, relevant and raw conversations about diversity, equity and inclusion in the law profession.
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Hear from graduates and faculty members as they celebrate the classes of 2020, 2021, 2022!
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Despite equal pay laws, considerable inequity remains between how much men and women earn for the same job. In this episode, APU’s Cynthia Gentile talks to professor and attorney Ivy Kempf about the gender pay gap and the laws aimed at helping balance the inequity. Listen to learn about legally mandated equal pay, precedent-setting cases and more.
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The therapeutic power of music cannot be overstated. In this episode, APU’s Professor Linda Ashar talks to Dr. Ronald Johnson about the healing and restorative power of music therapy. Learn more about musical therapy intervention and how music can be integrated into the workplace to help creativity, increase productivity, improve mental health, reduce stress and anxiety, and much more.
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Women, especially women of color, are among the fastest group of entrepreneurs. In this episode, APU’s Dr. Aikyna Finch talks to business coach and author Marsha Guerrier about her work helping women entrepreneurs succeed. Learn about her four pillars to help women advance in their careers.
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When conducting a research project involving human subjects, certain standards must be in place to protect test subjects and the integrity of the research. In this episode, Dr. Linda Ashar talks to Dr. Jennifer Douglas about American Public University’s IRB process, the historic events that led to these mandates, the review process, and more.
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Artificial intelligence, or AI, has developed rapidly in the last decade. Are laws and regulations keeping up? In this episode, Dr. Wanda Curlee talks to APU professor Dr. Oliver Hedgepeth about compliance issues, safety concerns, and why it’s so important to talk about the potential risks involved with using artificial intelligence systems.
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Chatbots can help companies answer common customer questions any hour of the day. Using chatbots can help build customer relationships while gathering data and insight into customer needs. But chatbots can also be a source of frustration for customers. In this episode, Dr. Wanda Curlee talks to Dr. Aikyna Finch about her experience using and building chatbot programs. Learn why more companies should be adopting chatbots while being mindful of the limitations of this technology.
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Many people fill their lives so full that it can be difficult to step back and find calmness. In this last episode of a five-part series, APU’s Dr. Marie Gould Harper talks to yoga teacher Christine Shaw about simple present moment practices that can bring calmness and awareness. Try a visualization technique to help calm the mind and relax the body. Also learn why self-care practices like these are so important to ensure that you’re not “pouring out” more than you’re “pouring in.”
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Organizations can have the best intentions to focus on diversity and inclusion, but if that change isn’t exemplified and championed by leadership, it likely won’t change the culture. In this episode, APU’s Dr. Aikyna Finch talks to attorney and EEO diversity director Dr. Nicole S. Mason about her 30-year career in diversity, equity and inclusion, specifically in the STEM field. Learn steps that organizations should take to assess their diversity, evaluate policies and procedures for systematic discrimination, create committees that includes various levels of employees across an organization, and more.
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Everyone feels stress, some greater than others. In the fourth part of this podcast series, Dr. Marie Gould Harper talks to yoga instructor Christine Shaw about techniques to help bring calm to your life. Learn a practice called Progressive Muscle Relaxation (PMF) that can help bring immediate calm and relaxation to every part of your body. Also learn the importance of affirmations and positive self-talk to change your mindset and help you stay calm and move on.
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Corporations across the country have started diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) initiatives. While they want to make big impacts, it’s important to take time to collect data about employees and the community to understand demographics and what is important to them. In this episode, APU’s Dr. Aikyna Finch talks to Joe Matthews, Vice President of DEI at Gentex, about his experience starting a DEI program. Learn how he’s worked to “create a movement, not a moment” by starting small and building out initiatives while making sure to get buy-in from the C-Suite down to hourly employees.
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Many people are struggling with emotional and mental health challenges. In this episode, APU’s Dr. Marie Gould Harper talks to yoga instructor and yoga therapist Christine Shaw about how simple techniques, like breathing and heart-opening stretches, can improve our mental and emotional state. Learn more about the connections between physical and emotional health and ways we can bring greater joy and peace to our lives even during stressful times.
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Not all MBA programs are created equal. In this episode, learn about the value of a master’s in business administration and some of the exciting concentrations available for students to specialize their skills. APU Dean of Business Dr. Marie Gould Harper talks to Department Chair Dr. Wanda Curlee about recent business administration program updates including courses on artificial intelligence (AI) and project management. Learn how these concentrations developed out of discussions with corporate leaders about what skills they’re looking for in employees.
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Fostering a positive work culture requires effort and collaboration among all levels of management. In this episode, Dr. Marie Gould Harper talks to APU’s Dr. Bjorn Mercer about the components needed for a positive work culture including focusing on employee wellness, fostering social connections, providing meaning, listening and more. Learn about ways to change an organization’s culture and the invaluable role of middle management to be in tune with employees to help them along their career path.
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The pandemic led to millions of people changing jobs. In this episode, APU’s Dr. Marie Gould Harper talks to Management Department Chair Dr. Stacey Little about what caused employees to reevaluate their careers. Learn why it’s so important for company leaders and human resource managers to create a strong organizational culture that includes trust, communication, transparency so they can adeptly manage the change caused by the pandemic. Also learning the increasing importance of employee growth and development to aid in recruitment and retention.
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Many people feel they just don’t have enough time to get everything done. In this episode, APU’s Dr. Aikyna Finch talks to author and business coach Dr. Ali Griffith about ways to be more strategic with your time to increase productivity. Learn why it’s so important to evaluate what system you currently use to manage time and consider other tools and strategies to help boost productivity. Also learn tips like attaching feelings and rewards to tasks to increase motivation and generate a sense of completion that drives greater productivity.
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People have so many responsibilities that their day is often spent trying to check things off a list rather than living in or enjoying the moment or the activity. In the second part of this wellness series, APU’s Dr. Marie Gould Harper talks to Christine Shaw about ways to bring harmony to our lives, learning to be present, and how to move towards a place of acceptance. Learn tips to quiet your mind, take care of your body, nurture your spirit, and acknowledge all the things you accomplish in your life and work.
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Many organizations are saying the right thing when it comes to diversity, equity and inclusion, but are they actually making a true commitment? In this episode, APU’s Dr. Aikyna Finch talks to diversity professional and scholar Dr. Darrell Burrell about the steps organizations need to take in order to have true diversity within their organization. Learn about the importance of addressing biases, evaluating the “whole person” during the search and hiring process, and understanding the concept of privilege. Also learn what job seekers can do to make themselves valuable and valued by employers, increasing expertise, skills and knowledge, pursuing education, and building a strong community and network of supporters to help them along their path.
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Bullying and toxic behavior can create a negative and aggressive work environment. In this episode, APU’s Dr. Marie Gould Harper talks to author and executive coach Catherine Mattice about how leaders can address toxic behavior and create a positive organizational culture. Also hear how the shift to remote and hybrid work has affected corporate culture and what steps leaders can take to retain employees and ensure strong work-life balance.
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Before 1964, it was essentially legal to discriminate against women. And even decades after the passage of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, women continue to face obstacles. In this episode, Cynthia Gentile talks to APU professor CJ Sherman about sexual discrimination, unequal pay, and social constructs that hinder women’s careers. Learn how the COVID-19 pandemic has disproportionately affected women who have left the workforce to care for children. Also hear about four women who have broken through barriers to pursue careers in the legal field and law enforcement and paving the way for future generations of women.
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The supply chain has been heavily disrupted during the last few years, leading many businesses and supply chain professionals to rethink supply and logistics strategies and processes. In this podcast, Dr. Marie Gould Harper talks to APU’s supply chain department chair, Dr. Larry D. Parker, Jr., about what industry changes can be expected and the costs associated with it. Learn how transportation companies will likely start using smaller cargo ships and smaller ports, changes to distribution centers, and new appreciate for key labor positions like warehouse employees and truck drivers. Also learn about the rise of automation, artificial intelligence, and robotics among other exciting opportunities in the supply chain management field.
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Keeping up with work and life responsibilities can be stressful and overwhelming. In this episode, APU’s Dr. Marie Gould Harper talks to Christine Shaw with YES, Yoga for Emotional Support, about self-care practices including yoga and meditation that can improve your mental, physical and spiritual wellbeing. Learn how managers can be more mindful of the stress and mental health issues of employees. Also learn some of the effective practices anyone can do to have and maintain a positive mindset, express more gratitude, and be happier and less stressed in their lives.
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Developing a focus on equity, diversity and inclusion has become a priority for many organizations. But what’s the best organizational structure to implement such an initiative? In this episode, Dr. Aikyna Finch talks to APU’s Caroline Simpson and Dr. Marie Gould Harper about why the university chose to develop an EDI task force versus creating an EDI office. Learn why a task force structure currently works best for the university and the benefits of having a volunteer-based group of faculty, staff, students and alumni as part of its EDI task force.
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The esports industry just passed a billion dollars in revenue, confirming the growing popularity of competitive gaming. In this episode, Dr. Marie Gould Harper talks to Dr. Brian Freeland and Dr. Jim Reese about their work developing an esports academic degree program focused on esports management, including coaching and team management, which will launch in February 2022. Learn about the growing success of APU’s esports club team, and how its 500+ members are helping develop the direction of the academic program to align with the changes and growth happening in the esports industry.
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What are the things in your life that take your time, resources, attention and energy? Are they positively contributing to your priorities in life or are they draining you and keeping you from actually achieving your goals? In this episode, Dr. Aikyna Finch talks to APU professor Dr. Larry Parker, Jr. about how to manage your circle of influences. Learn how to assess and take stock of all the things and people that influence you and take steps to manage those influences to align with your life goals.
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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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Are you ready for a new job, but your past positions don’t reflect the job you want? Do you have talents that you’ve been unable to nurture in previous jobs? In this episode, APU’s Dr. Marie Gould Harper talks to career services expert Christine Muncy about how to pursue a skills-based job search. Learn how to adjust your resume to reflect your skillset, talents, gifts and areas of interest to potential employers. Also learn how to conduct a self-assessment to understand your strengths and weaknesses.
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Are you thinking about leaving your traditional job and entering the gig economy? Is your employer requiring you to return to the office, but you want to continue working remotely? In this episode, APU’s Dr. Marie Gould Harper talks to career services expert Christine Muncy about the “great resignation” and why so many people are leaving the traditional workforce. She also provides tips about becoming a gig worker, which includes evaluating yourself, your time commitment, your skills and then conducting research to assess the demand and pay rate for those skills. Also learn what to do if the job you’re pursuing is advertised as remote, but turns out not to be.
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Everybody wants to feel like they belong, so it’s imperative that organizations create a workplace culture that provides employees with a strong sense of belonging. In this episode, APU professor Linda Ashar talks to Provost and author, Dr. Terrell Strayhorn, about his research on belonging and how he’s applying his findings to drive employee and student success. Learn about the responsibility of leaders to foster a sense of belonging in the workplace, ways for leaders to show students and employees that they’re valued and they matter, and how such efforts can improve employee retention, satisfaction and productivity.
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During the pandemic, many people experienced the benefits of working from home. Will organizations maintain that flexibility and continue to allow people to work remotely? In this episode, APU’s Dr. Marie Gould Harper talks to HR professional Dr. August Mebane about how organizations can handle this transition and the policies, procedures, and supervision guidelines they should consider. Learn how organizations can support their operations while also being supportive of the life-work balance desired by their employees.
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Can employers require employees to get the COVID-19 vaccine? In this episode, APU professor Cynthia Gentile talks to attorney Neil Goldsmith about legal issues surrounding workplace vaccine mandates. Learn the legal grounds employers have for mandating vaccination as well as considerations involving the ADA and Title VII. Also hear details of a recent ruling from a Texas court that upheld an employers’ right to mandate vaccination and terminate employees who did not comply with the vaccination requirements.
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How is the U.S. doing in terms of educating people about financial literacy? Not great, reveals Mack Moyer who has spent the majority of his adult life traveling and living around the world. In this episode, APU’s Dr. Marie Gould Harper talks to Mack about his work to educate students about financial literacy to better prepare them for college and adulthood.
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The shift to remote learning was a massive transition for many educators and faculty members. What are some of the lessons learned? In this episode, APU Dean Dr. Marie Gould Harper talks to Dr. Karen Vignare about the challenges and opportunities for institutions of higher learning to embrace technology and innovative teaching practices. Learn about the role of open education resources (OER) and why it’s critical to embrace a collaborative approach among faculty, instructional designers, and even publishers to ensure high-quality materials and assessments are being implemented. Also learn about embracing a change management strategy to ensure educational institutions are fulfilling their vision for the new digital learning landscape.
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The pandemic caused dramatic changes to business operations like shifting employees to remote work, which also affected organizations’ recruitment and hiring practices. In this episode, APU Dean Dr. Marie Gould Harper talks to career services expert Christine Muncy about how job seekers must adopt new job-search strategies like shifting their mindset from looking for specific job titles to marketing their transferable skills and experience. Also learn about the importance of conveying your resiliency to change, developing an “elevator pitch” that is flexible and creative, seeking out new skills and opportunities, and more.
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Taking the leap into entrepreneurship can be challenging and scary. Women entrepreneurs often benefit from support resources that help build their confidence, give them the courage to take the leap, and give them the marketing and business knowledge to be successful. In this episode, APU business professor Dr. Kandis Boyd Wyatt talks to coach and entrepreneur Tiffany Lewis about her work to help women become entrepreneurs. Learn about mindset coaching, which helps women build confidence and get comfortable with the uncomfortable. Also learn how women can prepare to become entrepreneurs by learning more about business and marketing strategies and why it’s so important to build a tribe of support.
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Are institutions of higher learning providing students with the knowledge and skills that corporations are seeking in employees? In this episode, APU Dean of the School of Business, Dr. Marie Gould Harper, talks to Elena Agaragimova about solutions to build stronger connections between higher education and corporations. Learn how the pandemic has accelerated the need for these partnerships, steps needed to support professional training and development discussions, and the role of technology.
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Are your goals big enough? The bigger the goal, the greater the passion, says entrepreneur and experienced marathon runner, Karen Murray. In this episode, APU Business professor Dr. Kandis Boyd Wyatt talks with her about how running has given her the discipline and confidence needed to start her own business. Learn how she has used affirmations and positive self-talk to help her complete more than 200 marathons and how that positive mindset has helped her fight off any self-doubt or fear about her entrepreneurial goals.
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The economy and job opportunities are changing rapidly, forcing institutions of higher learning to adapt by providing innovative and flexible educational offerings. In the second episode in this series, APU Dean Dr. Marie Gould Harper talks to President Emeritus Dr. Wallace Boston about the importance of universities and colleges offering customized, flexible credentials including ones that are “stackable.” Learn how stackables can be tailored to fit the needs of working professionals and provide the educational foundation required for career advancement in specific organizations. Learn why it’s so important for educational institutions to partner with industry organizations to understand their needs as well as some of the challenges institutions face in trying to develop a more flexible and customized approach to education.
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The fight for diversity, equity and inclusion affects to all professions, including the legal field. In this episode, APU Dean Dr. Marie Gould Harper talks to Dru Levasseur, Esq. about his own experience coming out as a transgender man during his time in law school. Learn how he has centered his law career on fighting for LGBTQ+ rights including advocating for better diversity in the legal profession. Also, learn why it’s more important than ever to hear stories about other transgender people to create a human connection and build empathy to counter many of the negative and discriminatory actions happening around the country and also let other LGBTQ+ people know they’re not alone.
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Women often underestimate their value and contributions. In this episode, APU Business professor Dr. Kandis Boyd Wyatt talks to author and business coach Christie Ruffino about her work to empower women to recognize their passions and strengths and pursue their dreams. Learn about finding purpose, overcoming the fear of leaving your comfort zone, and taking steps towards overcoming mediocrity and achieving great things.
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How have career opportunities changed during the pandemic? Are fewer employers hiring? In this episode, APU Dean of the School of Business Dr. Marie Gould Harper talks to longtime academic career services advisor and human resources expert Audrey Cooper about the changes in hiring and recruitment in today’s economy. Learn about the current disconnect, where students believe there aren’t as many job opportunities, but employers say they’re not getting enough applicants. Also learn tips for how students can highlight their transferable skills, interview remotely, and be a competitive candidate in a global recruitment effort.
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Entrepreneurs starting a new business must often face the reality that they don’t know what they don’t know. In this episode, APU business professor Dr. Kandis Boyd Wyatt talks to Megan Schwan about starting an accounting services company to help small business owners overcome this fear and gain a better understanding of their financial operations. Learn why it’s so important for business owners to understand financial principles like breakeven amounts, as well as tax liabilities, so they can set accurate goals to help the business succeed.
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The business world is rapidly changing, what are institutions of higher education doing to keep pace with the change? In the first of three episodes on this topic, APU Business Dean Dr. Marie Gould Harper talks to President Emeritus Dr. Wallace E. Boston about where he sees the need for innovation in education. Learn about shifts in the need and perception of MBAs, how work experience can contribute to earning educational credit, the concept of stackable credentials, and more.
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Are you interested in writing a book, but not sure where to start? In this episode, APU business professor Dr. Kandis Boyd Wyatt talks to author Tyechia White about her journey to self-publish a children’s book. Learn about the challenges she faced, the business skills needed to produce and market a self-published book, and the advice she has for other potential authors.
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In this episode, APU Management professor Cynthia Gentile talks to Lucy Beard about her time as the Executive Director of the Alice Paul Institute, which is dedicated to honoring the legacy of the influential suffragist by preparing young women for leadership roles. Learn how the small nonprofit fared during the pandemic and how being forced to provide virtual-only programming actually helped the organization reach and connect more girls than its in-person sessions.
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Pursuing your passion can be stressful, time-consuming, and bring waves of self-doubt, but the outcome can be endlessly rewarding and inspiring. In this episode, APU Business professor Dr. Kandis Boyd Wyatt talks to Elle Forte about her journey to become an accomplished and successful professional photographer. Learn about her decision to leave her career as a financial analyst and how she applied those business skills to build a sustainable business model. Also learn how she is using her photography skills to build the confidence of other women and support their business ambitions by creating strong visual representations of their work and personal brands.
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Project management is a growing field needed in all industries. In this episode, APU Dean Dr. Marie Gould Harper talks to Tia Jackson about her long career in project management and how she sees the profession evolving. Learn about the challenges she faced during the pandemic and having to adapt to remotely managing projects with a fully virtual team. Also learn about pursuing a career in project management, including the difference between project administrators, project managers, and program managers. Also learn the significant differences between project management in the private sector compared to project management in the federal government.
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What prevents people from pursuing meaningful careers? In this episode, APU business professor Dr. Kandis Boyd Wyatt talks to career and personal brand strategist Dr. Carol Parker Walsh. Learn how to tune into your inner voice to identify your passion and strengths and actively start preparing to pursue career-life alignment with purpose and meaning. Learn how to shift your mindset away from following a linear career path, overcome the fear that keeps you from taking action, and give yourself the time and space for the self-reflection needed to hear your inner voice.
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What does it mean to self-brand? In this episode, APU business professor Dr. Kandis Boyd Wyatt talks to Tiffany Lewis about how to build your business by strategically merging your personal and professional brand. In this episode, learn about authentic self-branding, attraction marketing, and other strategies to help market yourself and your business.
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More than ever, business leaders must be agile, flexible, innovative, and focused on building authentic relationships with employees. In this episode, APU business professor Cynthia Gentile talks to Dr. Charlene Glenn about how she applied these critical soft skills to her own life as she undertook to complete a Fulbright scholarship in the midst of a pandemic. Also hear about the challenges and benefits of working remotely, how the pandemic has changed how she teaches soft skills, and why she thinks success is so dependent on innovation and developing an innovative mindset.
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The world is changing quickly and institutions of higher learning must learn to be agile and innovative in order to meet the changing demands of students and businesses. In this episode, APU’s Dean of the School of Business, Dr. Marie Gould Harper, talks to Elena Agaragimova about her work providing workforce training, career coaching, and the inevitable changes happening in education. Learn about the concept of microlearning and the development of shorter learning journeys, customization of education, the role of technology, and why educational institutions must partner with industry to ensure students have the skills needed in the workforce.
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Why is it so important to establish yourself as a brand and work on your own self-imaging? In this episode, APU business professor Dr. Kandis Wyatt talks to Regina Young, a model and CEO about the value of self-branding. Learn about establishing your own power and harnessing your motivation in order to convey who you are and connect strongly with others.
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Many women are struggling during the pandemic to balance the responsibilities of their jobs and families, which has made it difficult to focus on career advancement. However, now, more than ever, women must think about skill-building, reskilling, and upskilling to navigate changing trends in the new economy. In this episode, APU Dean of Business, Dr. Marie Gould Harper, talks to Dr. Charlene Glenn, about her work in higher education, leadership development, and training. Learn why women must first honestly assess their current skills and then be willing to learn something new like improving their technical skills.
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In January 2020, Dr. Nicole Gillespie began her appointment as mayor of a mid-size town in New Jersey. Anticipating the learning curve that comes with a new position, she quickly found herself drawing from years of business leadership experience in order to lead her town through a pandemic and civil unrest. In this episode, APU business professor Cynthia Gentile talks to her about the skillsets she found most important during this turbulent time, the innovative steps she took to get information to constituents, and how this whole experience has changed the way she measures success.
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In 1983, Andy Williamson and his business partner took a leap and started a small business teaching people how to use the newly emerging personal computer. In this episode, APU Dean Dr. Marie Gould Harper talks to him about the decisions that helped successfully grow ONLC Training Centers into a leading national IT training company. Also learn how he has had to quickly pivot and evolve the business model in the wake of the pandemic by finding ways to reduce costs, cross-train employees, and other strategies to modify the business infrastructure and ensure the company can weather this storm.
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Starting a new business is never easy, but it is especially challenging to build during a pandemic. In this episode, APU business professor Dr. Ashley Taylor talks to Tiffany Murphy, owner of Art & Soul Gallery and Boutique in Philadelphia, about challenges she faced during the pandemic and times of civil unrest. Learn more about what drove her passion to open an African-inspired art gallery and boutique in an underserved Black community and how she’s weathered the storms by having a strong business plan, vision, and mission.
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One of the common denominators of some of the world’s most successful people is that they have a clear vision that reflects who they are at their core. In this episode, APU business professor Dr. Kandis Boyd Wyatt talks to Qiana Cressman, a global speaker and 20-year executive leader with experience in marketing, business development, and media relations. Learn why it’s so important to create a personal vision, the benefit of seeking out a mentor or coach to help you cultivate a vision, how surrounding yourself with the right people can help you realize that vision.
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What’s the most important strategy for pivoting your business during an unprecedented crisis? In this episode, APU business professor Dr. Cynthia Gentile talks to Dr. Kate Watson, a prominent speaker, trainer, and consultant who specializes in change management about how she “practiced what she preached” in order to initiate fundamental changes to her own business during the COVID-19 pandemic. Hear about her focus on relationship building, how she measures her own success, and what she says is the most important step leaders must take before they can pivot their business model.
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How do you reinvent yourself during these trying times? In this episode, APU business professor Dr. Kandis Wyatt talks to Lindsay Watson, a career coach and business recruiter, about how to translate your skills and interests to advance your career. Learn why it’s critical for professionals to assess, understand, and quantify your value and accomplishments so you can properly market yourself to potential employers. Also learn the difference between a mentor and a career coach and why both are so important, how to pursue training and skill-building to ensure you’re prepared for the next step, and much more about how to reinvent yourself during this time of change.
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Few industries have suffered as much as the hospitality industry during the COVID-19 pandemic. In this episode, Dr. Marie Gould Harper talks to Cara Dipietro, area General Manager of the Fairfield Inn & Suites in White Marsh, Maryland. Learn about the impacts to the hotel industry during 2020 and creative ways that hotels are attracting customers through packages like day use rates where families can get away for short periods of time. Also learn how important it is for hospitality leaders to motivate and engage employees during this extremely challenging time.
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More than ever, business leaders must adapt to rapid changes in the marketplace while continuing to inspire others to follow them. In this episode, Dr. Kandis Boyd Wyatt talks to entrepreneur and global strategic advisor, Dr. Jeannice Fairrer Samani about her years of business experience including research she’s conducted on transformational leadership training. Specifically, listen to learn about four critical areas of skill building for transformative leaders including IQ, EQ, AQ and UQ as well as other resources to develop transformational leadership skills.
Healthcare providers have faced unprecedented challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic. In this episode, APU business professor Cynthia Gentile talks to psychologist and business owner, Dr. Marla Deibler about how her practice has adapted to providing telehealth services. Learn about issues with licensure laws, which have caused disruptions to care for college students, for example, who are now learning remotely and located in a state where clinicians aren’t licensed. Also learn how she’s created and expanded business policies to help employees manage all the changes to their jobs and personal life, and why everyone needs to be especially mindful of their own mental health during this crisis.
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Taking the leap to leave a traditional 9-to-5 job and its steady paychecks can be scary. In this episode, APU business professor Dr. Ashley Taylor talks to entrepreneur and model Charisse Nelson about her decision to start her own skincare and wellness business. Learn about the challenges she faced during the COVID-19 pandemic when salons and spas closed and how she pivoted her strategy to focus on increasing her online business and social media presence to connect with customers and clients.
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Do you have dreams of starting your own business? In this episode, APU business professor Dr. Ashley Taylor talks to Dr. Wanda Presley about how she took the leap from being a social worker to starting her own consulting company. Learn how she turned fear, self-doubt, and naysayers into motivation to make her business successful. She also shares lessons she learned about finding experts in areas where she had little experience, like finance and marketing, to support important business functions as well as refining her management skills to oversee remote employees in a virtual business setting.
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What’s the difference between having a dream and having a vision? In this episode, Dr. Kandis Wyatt talks to Bill Brown about how he built a successful career in the music industry, real estate, and other fields. Hear why he believes that people must learn as much as they possibly can about what they want to do and how important it is to be able to pivot when unforeseen things happen or new opportunities arise.
How has COVID-19 highlighted mental health issues? In this episode, APU professor Dr. Kandis Wyatt talks to clinician and educator Dr. Kelechi Fluitt about the work she’s done to educate students and the public about the mental health challenges that have arisen during the pandemic. Learn about the importance of normalizing the conversation around mental health, addressing apprehension and the myths people have about seeking counseling services, and the importance of providing education about the interconnectedness between mental and physical health.
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Venturing out on your own and starting a new business can be scary. In this episode, APU business professor Dr. Kandis Boyd Wyatt talks to R. Denise Everson about how she faced her own fears and started not one, but two businesses. Learn about the important skills she learned during her education including business planning, networking, addressing inherent biases, and the value of applying her ?whole self? to her business. Also learn about the critical soft skills that she relies on every day including time management, effective communication, and, most importantly, kindness, which can go a long way in getting business and sustaining a healthy and successful business.
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Are you pushing yourself to be the best you can be? How do you motivate yourself to learn more and build new skills so you can advance in your life and career? In this episode, APU Business professor Dr. Kandis Boyd Wyatt talks to Dr. Jeannice Samani about her six recommendations to become a high performer. Learn why it?s important to get certifications and training, specifically in digital information and design thinking. Also learn how to enhance your own performance by conducting a personal SWOT analysis to identify your weak attributes and turn them into strengths, how to establish a clear vision for your life, and why it?s so important to always be curious about the world around you.
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