Big World

Big World
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Big World

Big World shines a spotlight on complex ideas and issues that matter. Each episode features an expert from the School of International Service at American University in Washington, DC, breaking down a big, important topic into small bite sizes.

  1. The Power of the Dining Table

    3 DAYS AGO

    The Power of the Dining Table

    In this new episode, School of International Service professor Johanna Mendelson Forman and University of Milan professor Andrea Borghini join Big World to discuss the power of the dining table. Mendelson Forman, who teaches and researches culinary diplomacy and social gastronomy, and Borghini, an expert in food philosophy, begin our conversation by discussing the symbolism of the dining table and its role in trust building (1:58). Mendelson Forman and Borghini also examine how issues like social justice and identity intersect at the dining table (9:45). How does the dining table function as a proxy for different types of behavior (19:42)? In a world of conflict, what does it mean to gather around the dining table (26:29)? Forman and Borghini answer these questions and evaluate the dynamics of power and peace at play around the dining table (26:51).

    31 min
  2. Lessons in Climate Resilience

    11/01/2024

    Lessons in Climate Resilience

    In this new episode, School of International Service professor Ken Conca joins Big World to discuss climate resiliency in the face of natural disasters. Conca, a professor in the Department of Environment, Development, and Health, begins our conversation by explaining why he wrote his new book, After the Floods: The Search for Resilience in Ellicott City (2:19). Conca also discusses the issues that communities face following natural disasters (6:28) and analyzes why prevention and recovery efforts tend to become politicized (7:50). Do climate havens still exist (10:40)? How do we approach living in such a climate-impacted world (13:07)? Conca answers these questions and discusses the importance of prioritizing the community’s needs when finding solutions for climate change impacts (15:58). Conca concludes our conversation by discussing how communities can learn from previous natural disasters to better prepare for the future (17:08).

    20 min
  3. What's Ahead for Mexico's Democracy?

    10/09/2024

    What's Ahead for Mexico's Democracy?

    In this new episode, School of International Service Distinguished Diplomat in Residence and former US Ambassador to Mexico Earl Anthony Wayne joins Big World to discuss Mexico’s recent election and US-Mexico relations. Wayne, a professor in the Department of Foreign Policy & Global Security, begins our conversation by explaining why Mexico is important to the United States (1:55). Wayne also provides background on Claudia Sheinbaum, Mexico’s first female president (2:37), and discusses what her presidency may mean for Mexico (4:08). What is at stake for Mexico’s democracy under Sheinbaum’s administration (7:12)? What legacy is President Andrés Manuel López Obrador, “AMLO,” leaving as he exits office (11:08)? Wayne answers these questions and discusses the impact of a controversial judicial overhaul bill supported by AMLO’s party that was passed in September (12:51). Wayne concludes our conversation by discussing the implications of the upcoming US Presidential election on US-Mexico relations (15:47).

    22 min
  4. How to Get a Job in International Affairs

    09/03/2024

    How to Get a Job in International Affairs

    Sara Jones, the director of the SIS Office of Career Development joins Big World to discuss the topic at the forefront of many international affairs students’ minds: how to get a job. Jones oversees career development support for SIS undergraduates, graduate students, and alumni, including events, advising, and employer relations. Jones begins our conversation by sharing the best kinds of internships for international affairs students (1:35). She also explains how international experiences and foreign language skills can help prepare students for the job search (4:21). How has the job search process changed in recent years (8:42)? What are some common mistakes that students make on application materials (14:02)? Jones answers these questions and ends our discussion by offering practical advice for students who don’t know where to start their job search (19:22). In the “Take 5” segment (12:01) of this episode, Jones answers this question: What are the top five job sites for students to utilize in their job searches?

    25 min
  5. Sports Diplomacy and the Olympic Games

    08/01/2024

    Sports Diplomacy and the Olympic Games

    Cue the fanfare: in this new episode, School of International Service professor Robert Kelley joins Big World to talk about sports diplomacy and the soft power of the Olympic Games. Kelley, an expert in new diplomacy studies who researches at the intersection of politics and culture, begins our conversation by defining and explaining the objections of both sports and public diplomacy (1:45). Kelley, an Olympics enthusiast, also discusses this year’s Opening Ceremonies in Paris (3:54) and explains how Olympic athletes serve as diplomats during the Games (6:18). When have the Olympics served as an important diplomatic bridge (13:16)? When have the Games spotlighted simmering political disputes and conflicts (17:29)? Kelley answers these questions and discusses the history of human rights abuses surrounding the Olympics (25:10), and he considers how the Games have served as a platform for protest in years past (28:54). In the Take 5 segment (20:32) of this episode, Kelley answers the question: what are five examples of Olympic Games that have been diplomatically successful, and why?

    34 min
  6. Abortion Access in a Post-Roe World

    07/01/2024

    Abortion Access in a Post-Roe World

    *Note: This episode was recorded before the US Supreme Court in Food and Drug Administration v. Alliance for Hippocratic Medicine unanimously rejected a lawsuit challenging the FDA's rules for prescribing and dispensing the abortion medication mifepristone on the issue of standing. American University School of Public Affairs professor, lawyer, and reproductive rights and policy expert Jessica Waters joins Big World to discuss the status of abortion access and bodily autonomy in the US. The discussion takes places two years after the Supreme Court overturned the nearly 50-year precedent established in Roe v. Wade with the Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization decision, authored by Justice Samuel Alito. Waters begins our conversation by discussing global abortion access (1:57) and explaining the impact of “heartbeat bills” that several states have implemented (3:26). She also describes the importance of protecting access to abortion medications such as mifepristone and misoprostol (5:41). What is fetal personhood and how does it affect other reproductive healthcare like IVF (8:45)? What is the rationale for restricting abortion medications (18:53)? Waters answers these questions and ends our discussion by highlighting the impact that limited abortion access and the need to travel—often long distances—for reproductive care has on women across the country (22:24). In the “Take 5” segment (14:33) of this episode, Waters answers this question: What are five policies the government can enact to protect reproductive health?

    25 min
  7. Intercultural Communication in the Global Workforce

    05/30/2024

    Intercultural Communication in the Global Workforce

    SIS online programs professor and intercultural consultant Melissa Hahn joins Big World to discuss the importance of fostering strong interpersonal relationships in the global workforce. Hahn is the author of a recent book titled, Forging Bonds in a Global Workforce: Build Rapport, Camaraderie, and Optimal Performance No Matter the Time Zone. Hahn, who teaches intercultural communication, begins our conversation by sharing her inspiration for writing this book with her colleague, Brandeis University professor Andy Molinsky (1:47). She also describes, in broad strokes, the approach her book lays out for building more authentic cross-cultural relationships in the workplace (2:37). Why is it important to build cross-cultural relationships in business settings (6:46)? Does the United States’ approach and framework for diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives translate to a global context (12:00)? Hahn answers these questions and ends our discussion by offering practical advice for anyone wanting to form more authentic intercultural relationships (14:44). In the “Take 5” segment (9:54) of this episode, Hahn answers this question: What are five tools to help build cross-cultural relationships?

    17 min
  8. Star Wars, Imperialism, and Post-Conflict Societies

    05/01/2024

    Star Wars, Imperialism, and Post-Conflict Societies

    School of International Service professor Patrick Thaddeus Jackson joins Big World to discuss imperialism, post-conflict societies, and the parallels between the Star Wars universe and our own. Jackson, the chair of the SIS Department of Global Inquiry, begins the discussion by describing how the original movie trilogy depicts the struggles of organizing a resistance movement (5:26). He also discusses how Star Wars shows such as Andor explore the lived experiences of everyday citizens under autocratic rule (7:22) and explains how the show depicts bureaucratic corruption within regimes (9:31). How do Star Wars shows like Ahsoka and The Mandalorian portray post-conflict societies? (18:09) How do the power struggles we see after the fall of the Empire mirror those in our world? (26:20) Jackson answers these questions and discusses how rebuilding the galaxy has mirrored real-world state-building after the fall of a regime (29:46). To close out the discussion, Jackson discusses how Ahsoka and The Mandalorian explore the impact of imperialism and post-conflict society on individuals and how conflict and trauma shape one’s journey (32:26). In the “Take 5” segment (21:49) of this episode, Jackson ranks his top five lightsaber combat sequences from the Star Wars shows and movies.

    38 min
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About

Big World shines a spotlight on complex ideas and issues that matter. Each episode features an expert from the School of International Service at American University in Washington, DC, breaking down a big, important topic into small bite sizes.

Information

  • Creator
    Big World
  • Years Active
    2018 - 2025
  • Episodes
    82
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © All rights reserved
  • Show Website
    Big World

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