Terrorism in Niger, Narcissistic Bosses, Preserving Gaelic

Guest: John Macfarlane, Adjunct Professor of Political Science, Utah Valley University Pentagon officials say four American soldiers were on a reconnaissance mission with a unit of Nigerien soldiers when they were ambushed and killed by group linked to ISIS. While few in the US public may realize it, Africa is an important battleground in America’s global war on terror. The deaths in Niger shine a spotlight on that, just as major gains are being made against ISIS in the Middle East.

Guest: Christopher Reina, Assistant Professor of Management, School of Business, Virginia Commonwealth University It takes a healthy ego to be the CEO of a successful company, wouldn’t you agree? Enough confidence and charisma to take risks and make others believe you’ve got the answers…but don’t be narcissistic. We all know narcissists are bad for business, right? Maybe not.

Guest: Julie Fowlis, Scottish Folk Musician The Gaelic language is only spoken by about 1 percent of people in Scotland today. But Julie Fowlis sings almost exclusively in Gaelic and proudly tours the world sharing the musical tradition she learned as a child. When Disney Pixar needed someone to sing on the soundtrack for the animated movie “Brave,” about a headstrong Scottish princess, they turned to her. Her new album “Alterum” is out on October 27, 2017.

Guest: Donald Hoffman, PhD, Professor of Cognitive Sciences at the University of California, Irvine  Almost 40 years ago, NASA launched a message into space aboard the Voyager spacecraft for any extraterrestrial beings who may happen upon it. Called the Golden Record, it’s a gold-plated phonograph record that carries pictures, music, and greetings from earth in 55 different languages. Ever since then, groups like the Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence Institute have been listening closely to satellite wavelengths for a sign that our message had been received, but so far there’s no word back from space. But, even if extraterrestrials found the Golden Record, could they make out the messages on it?

Guest: Sarah Cooper, Stand-Up Comedian, Author of “100 Tricks to Appear Smart in Meetings” Meetings are workplace kryptonite for a lot of us. Ten minutes in, professionalism evaporates – we grimace, fidget, roll our eyes involuntarily anytime someone says, “Let’s take a step back here.” Or “Go back a slide.” Or when the meeting comes to a standstill so two people can check their schedules for the best time to set up another meeting. Each of these pet peeves appears in the book, “100 Tricks to Appear Smart in Meetings.” It’s the satirical work of stand-up comedian Sarah Cooper.