{"id":13081,"date":"2020-02-19T17:54:39","date_gmt":"2020-02-19T23:54:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/barbadamslive.com\/?p=13081"},"modified":"2020-02-20T22:03:45","modified_gmt":"2020-02-21T04:03:45","slug":"february-22-2020-john-j-higgins-and-barb-adams-american-democracy-in-crisis-dr-paul-napper-and-dr-anthony-rao-the-power-of-agency-ken-goldstein-the-science-of-conformity","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/barbadamslive.com\/?p=13081","title":{"rendered":"February 22, 2020 – John J. Higgins and Barb Adams, American Democracy in Crisis | Dr. Paul Napper and Dr. Anthony Rao, The Power of Agency | Ken Goldstein, The Science of Conformity"},"content":{"rendered":"

Hour 1 – John J. Higgins and Barb Adams, American Democracy in Crisis<\/em><\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

\"\"
Credit: newamerica.org<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Dark money, an unchecked president, the Republican Party’s seeming sole interest in consolidation of power, the U.S. Attorney General acting more like the president’s personal attorney than representing this nation, and a politicized Supreme Court…all red flags that American democracy is in crisis.<\/p>\n

This November’s election may be the most consequential in modern history, defining whether or not the U.S. continues down an increasingly authoritarian path.<\/p>\n

Free and fair elections are the cornerstone of our democracy, but the Senate GOP continues to block election security bills even as intelligence sources warn of Russian meddling in 2020. And after Trump’s acquittal in the impeachment trial by Senate Republicans, Trump has only become more emboldened in his efforts to enlist foreign governments in his reelection campaign.<\/p>\n

Our American way of life is endangered. Trump’s maverick behavior and rogue presidency, enabled and embellished by the “Republican” Party, are rapidly undermining American decency and democracy.<\/p>\n

So what can be done? First and foremost, recognize what’s happening. Call it out, and continue to do so. Decades of complacency have left our democracy vulnerable to subversion both from within and without. Secondly, there’s an urgent need for inclusive political reform, and there needs to be a national conversation revisiting our basic democratic principles. Finally, we must hold all our elected officials accountable…no exceptions! Congress must pass a law stating its intent that the DOJ can indict a president while also amending obstruction of justice statutes to allow for indictment when a president abuses the powers of the office. And if the Attorney General of the U.S. isn’t protecting the rule of law of this land, then he needs to be removed–immediately. We must rebuild our government as quickly as possible to not only safeguard our Republic but also so it works for the American people.<\/p>\n

Trump and his cronies have brought us to this moment in history with a campaign in which he complains how the “system is rigged.” Senate Republicans joined Trump in demonstrating just how rigged the system is with their acquittal in the impeachment trial.<\/p>\n

Donald Trump is not a king, and our American democracy only works if everyone <\/em>is held accountable.<\/p>\n

Now it’s up to us, as voters, to stave off this attack on our democracy and show the world that our shining city upon a hill still remains.<\/p>\n

Hour 2 – Dr. Paul Napper and Dr. Anthony Rao, The Power of Agency<\/em><\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

\"\"\"\"Joining the show during the second hour are Drs. Paul Napper and Anthony Rao. Drs. Napper and Rao will be discussing their new book, The Power of Agency: The 7 Principles to Conquer Obstacles, Make Effective Decisions, and Create a Life on Your Own Terms.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

There\u2019s a silent epidemic that\u2019s ravaging America, one that\u2019s lurking below the headlines: our near-constant state of anxiety. According to the World Health Organization, the United States is the most anxious nation on Earth, with at least one in five people\u2014a full forty million Americans\u2014currently diagnosed with an anxiety disorder. A new APA poll reveals<\/a>\u00a0that for the second year in a row, two in every three Americans say they are extremely or somewhat anxious. Even our children aren\u2019t spared, with\u00a0reported rates of anxiety<\/a>\u00a0steadily increasing year after year.<\/p>\n

Feeling anxious and overwhelmed is our body\u2019s warning sign. And when we choose to ignore it, that\u2019s when the trouble starts. Anxiety can paralyze our thinking, decision-making, and actions\u2014and it can even damage our long-term physical health.<\/p>\n

Our accelerated lifestyles, always-on technology, and ever-increasing job demands have created a tsunami of overwhelm and anxiety, warn renowned psychology experts Paul Napper and Anthony Rao. As individuals,\u00a0we\u2019ve lost our<\/strong>\u00a0agency<\/strong>:\u00a0the ability to deal with stress and act as an effective agent for ourselves\u2014thinking, reflecting, and acting in ways that direct us toward the lives we want.\u00a0Agency is what humans use to\u00a0feel in control of their lives<\/em><\/strong>. And right now, it\u2019s gone.<\/p>\n

\"\"In The Power of Agency, <\/em>Napper and Rao distill 50 years of clinical fieldwork, cutting-edge research, and more than 100 in-depth interviews into accessible techniques and tools that will create agency and build your confidence. They’ll discuss<\/p>\n