Arkansas:Abroad Podcast

It's not often you have the chance to sit down with a former Secretary of State/National Security Advisor. Dr. Condoleezza Rice took some time to sit down and talk about teaching diplomacy, her career and some insight on current events the world over.

With the Obama Administration's new focus on Pacific affairs, many are wondering if the golden years of transatlantic relations are behind us. There are those that are arguing that we cannot view Europe as anything less than absolutely crucial. Ambassador John Kornblum takes some time to talk about transatlanticism, the shared legacy between Europe and America, what he sees the future to hold as well as his own experience working across the continent

Mike Chinoy has seen a lot in his life. From China's opening to the west to Pakistani political instability to the seemingly regular nuclear crises on the Korean peninsula, he has covered it all as CNN's Senior Asia Correspondent. Mr. Chinoy is currently working on a documentary series with USC's US-China institute. After showing a part of this documentary at the University of Denver, Mr. Chinoy took some time to take some questions on press, foreign affairs and even share a few anecdotes.

Fair trade is one of the best ways for a country to find new markets for its goods and services. Recently, the United States has signed agreements with Panama, Columbia and South Korea that could provide a major boom to the US economy. Joining us to talk about these agreements is Congressman Mike Ross (D - AR4). We also take time to talk about China's ownership of US debt, its unfair manipulation of the renminbi and what he is doing to ensure Arkansas jobs are safe.

As voters, we are responsible for being educating ourselves when it comes to issues, whether it be the economy or school vouchers. Recently, there has been a disturbing lack of discussion in the public arena concerning foreign affairs. We take time to talk with Phil French, Executive Director of the American Committees on Foreign Relations, on how ACFR is helping to foster awareness and how Americans can become more aware of issues in the world around them.

Veteran reintegration is an issue we should all be aware of. As the United States winds down its involvement in Iraq, we talk with Dr. Psych about how soldiers have historically been handled in post-war scenarios. Looking at the historical precedence of post-war integration, we ask what role PTSD may have played in the explosion of armed gangs and vigilantes composed of Civil War veterans during Reconstruction and Wild West era.

Talking about China is unavoidable. From human rights to the environment to international security, China is starting to take center stage. While many cast fearful eyes towards this ascendant power, the fact of the matter is that China is merely assuming its traditional place as the most powerful state in the world. Dr. Roger Pauly takes time to talk with us today about the historical role of China, how it fell and how it returned. Be sure to attend his lecture at the University of Central Arkansas on Tuesday, 11 October 2011!

For 10 years, the mountain nation of Nepal was wracked by civil war as a group of Maoist insurgents fought to oust the monarchy and reform the caste system in Nepal. Throughout this conflict, Heifer Nepal continued to aid villages and families throughout the country despite great risk and danger. Listen in as Puja Singh takes some time to talk with us about Heifer in the Nepali Civil War.

Students are finding that to be more competitive in the job market they need to go beyond a good GPA and test scores. Internships that offer real-world experiences are a fantastic way to become competitive and gain a leg up on the competition in today's job markets. For those interested in foreign affairs, there is no better opportunity than an internship with the State Department. We take some time to talk with Rick Roberts, Diplomat in Residence for Arkansas, about this fantastic program.

Following Irene, we talk with Cory Ellis in Washington, DC. Cory talks with us about how Irene is effecting the national capital, a city much closer to the open sea than most realize and a city far more horizontal than many realize. Flooding, evacuations, national emergencies and the guards at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier are all hit on in this edition of the A:A podcast

We in Arkansas are used to the yearly pilgrimage of people from southern Louisiana to the hotels lining the Arkansas-Louisiana border as they evacuate during hurricane season. What about those that cannot evacuate? What do they do? Alison Lowe takes some to talk to us from Nassau in the Bahamas in the aftermath of Irene.

In one of the world's highest countries one of the world's best NGO is hard at work to alleviate food insecurity and working to overcome gender inequality. Listen in as Puja Singh from Heifer Nepal takes some time to talk with us about how Little Rock's own Heifer International is helping in Nepal.

Do you know who Union Jack is? Sabra? Alpha Flight? Omega Red? Crimson Dynamo? They're just a few of Marvel Comics international characters. In light of Cap'n America being released this month, Daniel Green and F. John Rickert sits down to talk about some of Marvel's worldwide pantheon.

Father Nicholas Verdaris joins us once again to talk about the history of the Orthodox faith and how it has created a drastically different faith than the one we are used to in the West. We talk about the rise of the Ottomans and Communism, the spread of Orthodoxy and the open nature of the faith.

Things are never simple, but it seems that things are getting ever more complicated for the average American and Arkansan. Today, we talk with Senator John Boozman on how the US debt can impact the world, what lessons the federal government can draw from the Natural State, our need for energy and the ongoing strikes in Libya.

We take time to talk with Dr. Donna Bowman, Associate Dean of the Honors College at the University of Central Arkansas on recruiting international and American minority students. We address quotas, why these students are needed in higher education and the differences between these two demographics.

Blood and treasure are always on the forefront of debate any time armed confrontation is considered. But there is another, more intangible aspect to conflict - The damage to minds of the men and women in the armed forces. Today, we talk with our anonymous contributor, Capt. Psych, on the mental scars veterans bring home after deployment, and what can be done to help them.

Eurovision is a transnational pop phenomenon with virtually no equal in the world. We take some time to sit down with F. John Rickert to talk about the nature of Eurovision, what it embodies and focus on the burning question: Who would America have sent?

Tonight, we take time to talk with Frank Huang on religion in the People's Republic of China as part of our ongoing focus on religion. Frank talks with us about his personal views on religion in China, its cosmopolitan aspects and its deeply personal nature. In addition, we compare and contrast his time in Changchun, China with his views on religion in the United States.

Despite laryngitis and pollen allergies, Father Nicholas Verdaris takes some time to talk with A:A about the history of the Orthodox church in the Little Rock area. After a few initial technical hiccups, Daniel and Fr. Nicholas hit on immigration, the history of the Orthodox Church and how keenly aware of religious freedom Orthodox Christians are. In addition, the yearly Greek Food Fest is hit on. Listen in!