JEREMI SURI ON NATION-BUILDING

Guest: Jeremi Suri, Mack Brown Distinguished Chair for Global Leadership, History, and Public Policy at the University of Texas at Austin; former E. Gordon Fox Professor of History at the University of Wisconsin-Madison

"Nation-building is in America's DNA." states Jeremi Suri in his latest book, Liberty's Surest Guardian: AMERICAN NATION-BUILDING FROM THE FOUNDERS TO OBAMA. On this program, Professor Suri explains nation-building as not conquering other countries but helping local citizens build stable, self-governed societies that they "own" and do not feel are forced upon them. He then walks us through specific successes and failures that have marked America's history. From the examples that Jeremi Suri describes, key people emerge who had the experience and skills to take George Washington's revolutionary vision of a Union of politically-empowered citizens and apply it to Reconstruction after the Civil War, the Philippines, and Western Europe. Our subsequent failure in Vietnam is an equally strong lesson in what doesn't work.

We now have an opportunity to have a dramatic impact on international stability in the Middle East says Jeremi Suri. He asserts that the lessons from history can provide guidance for America's leaders as we define our role in helping to build stable, representative societies in an increasingly complex world. Named one of Smithsonian magazine's "Top Young Innovators," Jeremi Suri blogs on global affairs at globalbrief.ca. His professional webpage is: jeremisuri.net.

THE CHAZEN MUSEUM OF ART EXPANDS

Guests: Russell Panczenko, Director, Chazen Museum of Art
Petie Rudy, Docent, Chazen Museum of Art

In 2005, Simona and Jerome A. Chazen stepped forward with a visionary gift of $25 million toward the expansion of the Chazen Museum of Art. More than 140 additional donors, all private sources, then completed the $43 million needed to make the vision a reality. Groundbreaking for the expansion began in 2009, and the new building, considered a work of art in its own right, provides much-needed space to showcase the growing permanent collection, dedicated galleries for temporary exhibitions, an auditorium for film and lectures, and a grand lobby. Tours, talks and other educational programs will also be standard fare.

Russell Panczenko and Petie Rudy walk us through the complex process of turning a vision into a reality and what the public can expect to see when the Chazen Museum of Art celebrates the grand opening of its expansion on Saturday and Sunday, October 22 and 23. The Chazen is an educational resource, part of the University of Wisconsin-Madison's mission of education, research and public service, and it is a community treasure - free and open to the public to enjoy.

For more information about the Chazen Museum of Art and the Grand Opening Celebration, go to www.chazen.wisc.edu.

CONQUER CYBEROVERLOAD

Guest: Joanne Cantor, Ph.D., Professor Emerita, UW-Madison;
Author of Conquer CyberOverload: Get More Done, Boost Your Creativity, and Reduce Stress

Many people think they can multitask. The truth is, tasks that involve language processing or decision making need your full attention. So when you try to do two such tasks at the same time, you end up switching your attention back and forth. To make matters worse, both tasks take longer, and there are typically more errors. So why do we do it?

On this program, Dr. Joanne Cantor answers that question and more. She explains how the digital revolution has changed everything and what a powerful hold it has on each of us. "The design of our brains is suited for a more low-tech environment," says Dr. Cantor. "Information overload can block creativity and create significant stress." But the good news is, we can take charge of our digital devices and dependence on technology and actually enhance our productivity, creativity, and sanity.

On this program and in her book, Cyber OverLoad, Joanne Cantor explains the relevant research and provides practical steps for balancing our access to limitless information with time for thoughtful reflection and relaxation.


More information is on the website: www.yourmindonmedia.com. You can also sign up for Joanne Cantor's e-newsletter.

HEALTH CARE REFORM: AN INSIDER'S PERSPECTIVE

Guest: Allan Wearing, Sales and Marketing Director, Group Health Cooperative of South Central Wisconsin

Allan Wearing has had a long and extensive career in the Wisconsin health insurance industry spending 30 years with Blue Cross & Blue Shield United of Wisconsin before joining Group Health Cooperative. On this radio program, Al Wearing uses his trained eye and on-the-job experience to give us a consumer-friendly overview of the health care reform legislation, the Affordable Care Act.

You'll hear about both Phase 1, the basic changes to health care that have already occurred, and phase 2 which begins in 2014 and will include the new health care exchanges (an online "insurance shopping center") opening in every state. There will be other changes, too. With a new emphasis on prevention, health insurance plans will be required to pay 100% of the cost of preventive care such as screenings and vaccinations. Tune into this program for further details on this all-encompassing legislation.

"While the legislation is not perfect, it does provide a foundation to simply make it better to obtain health care in this country," says Al Wearing.

Recommended sources for accurate information on health care reform are:

www.healthcare.gov

www.whitehouse.gov/healthreform

www.healthreform.kff.org

http://www.thedailybeast.com/newsweek/2009/12/28/what-health-care-reform-will-mean-for-you.html