Podcasts

 Whether you love the Beatles or don’t, the first thought that probably pops from your mind when you hear this group’s name is a famous band and one where you know all the members – Paul, John, George, and Ringo. I’m assuming you never think of the terms economics, entrepreneurship, human capital, innovation, venture capital, and management. In this episode, we hear from Sam Staley as he talks about the big ideas from his book, The Beatles and Economics. 

Sam Staley talks about getting into his passion for alpine skiing, shifting over to teaching, and how his skills in skiing apply to his career!

Episode Highlights
• Getting into alpine skiing
• How moving to teaching helped him realize his skiing skills were relevant to his career
• Embracing the “What’s Your And” message in the classroom

 The Beatles are considered the most influential popular music act of the twentieth century, widely recognized for their influence on popular culture. The inability of other bands and artists to imitate their fame has prompted questions such as: How did the Beatles become so successful? What factors contributed to their success? Why did they break up? Ron and Ed explored these questions and more in their interview with Professor Samuel R. Staley, author of The Beatles and Economics. 

 Sam Staley was the featured guest on Episode 73 of the Agents of Innovation podcast. He joined us to talk about his perspective on entrepreneurship and innovation. He engages in it and teaches these concepts full-time at Florida State University and as a speaker at conferences, workshops, and other events across the country. 

The Beatles will go down in history as one of the most prolific music acts of all time. Their music is still played in our homes and around the world and has influenced pop culture on a global scale.

In this episode, Eric Kohn, Acton's Director of Communications, sits down with Samuel Staley to discuss his new book The Beatles and Economics: Entrepreneurship, Innovation, and the Making of a Cultural Revolution. 

 Social entrepreneurs still face a bottom line. Sam Staley of Florida State University discusses what is required to engage in charity and business simultaneously. 

In the Pirate of Panther Bay, Isabella is an escaped slave from Santo Domingue who, through force of will and skill, works her way up to commanding a large pirate ship.

How does Isabella overcome being a woman on a pirate ship?  Let alone captain?  And how does she deal with the Spanish?  It’s in the books and we discuss it in the interview.

Lots of good pirate stuff in this interview including some of the economics of piracy and how they compare to today’s street gangs.  Plus lots of talk on the craft of writing.  How to use a fight scene to advance the plot.  And Sam’s workflow that allows his to crank out a book per year.

How the DEA stole Christmas. Award-winning author Tracy Lawson interviews me on my award-winning novel St. Nic, Inc. We discuss how the idea of reimagining the Santa Claus myth as an international crime thriller came about and the writing process.