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The world’s second largest economy is showing danger signs. The Shanghai Composite index has fallen by a third in one month’s time. The declines come despite desperate measures by the Chinese government to prop up stock prices. More than 1,300 companies — representing about 40 percent of the value of companies on the mainland — have halted trading in an effort to stop the slide. Between June 2014 and June 2015, the Shanghai Composite index rose by 150 percent. A big reason for the stock market rally was that a lot more people started buying stocks with borrowed money. This practice, known as "trading on margin." Margin trading used to be strictly regulated by the Chinese government, but Chinese authorities have gradually relaxed these requirements over the last five years. What does this plunge in the Chinese stock market mean for the Chinese and the world economies? Dr. Lei Mao explains the significance and predicts little contagion to other world economies. The post Dr. Lei Mao Explains The Chinese Stock M

Economists view the world differently than you and I, and their perspective often challenges our beliefs. Some know economics as the “dismal science”. Stephen Dubner is anything but dismal, however. He’s co-written the Freakonomics series of books that make economics fun. We tackle some of life’s perplexing problems from an economist’s point of view to provoke your thinking. The post What Most People Get Wrong About Economics From Freakonomics Co-Author Stephen Dubner first appeared on Brainstormin' with Bill Frank.

Did you know there’s a trait common to all creative people? Whether it’s Steve Jobs, Pablo Picasso, George Lucas, Thomas Edison or Henry Ford, they all share one thing—they’re highly emotional about what they create. Barnet Bain explores the connection between creativity and emotion and provides different ways to help others re-establish—or reconnect—with their inner creativity. We discuss the implications of what this means for the individual and society, in general, from his book titled, The Book Of Doing And Being. The post Barnet Bain Explains The Connection Between Creativity And Emotion first appeared on Brainstormin' with Bill Frank.

When you think of high-speed, high-impact businesses, you might think of Google, Facebook, Apple or Amazon. These four businesses, however, are the tip of the iceberg. Jason Jennings believes businesses—including legacy, low-tech ones—can create urgency and growth in a nanosecond culture. We discuss the implications business, the economy and society in general from his book, The High-Speed Company. The post Jason Jennings Has The Secret To Creating Urgency In Companies From His Book The High-Speed Company first appeared on Brainstormin' with Bill Frank.

Oil and gas prices continue to fall to the some of the lowest levels in decades. The availability of shale oil and gas available in the United States has lowered our overall dependence on foreign oil and driven prices downwards. What impact will the falling gasoline prices have on the future of electric cars? Joining me to discuss this issue is Michael Farkas, CEO of Car Charging Group, Inc. The post Michael Farkas Makes The Case For Electric Cars & Electric Car Charging first appeared on Brainstormin' with Bill Frank.

At the outbreak of World War II, the United States was in no way prepared for war. And, to defeat Nazi Germany, the Allies had to crush the vaunted Luftwaffe—the most powerful and battle-hardened air force in the world. No invasion of Europe could be fought without air superiority. The United States was faced with the challenge of turning “amateurs” into an air force to take down the Luftwaffe. Jay Stout has written the first in-depth examination of America’s most distinguished bomber group—the 303rd Bomb Group flying from Molesworth, England. His book, Hell’s Angels: The True story Of the 303rd Bomb Group in World War II, chronicles America’s efforts to destroy Nazi Germany’s ability to wage war. The post Jay Stout Chronicles The 303rd Bomb Group In World War II From His Book Hell’s Angels first appeared on Brainstormin' with Bill Frank.

When you think of transformational businesses, you might think of Google, Facebook, Apple or Amazon. These four businesses, however, may be the tip of the iceberg. John Sculley believes now is the best time ever to build a transformational business. Four digital technologies make launching a revolutionary business possible. We discuss the implications to entrepreneurs, the economy, the Middle Class and to society in general from his book, Moonshot: Game-Changing Strategies to Build Billion-Dollar Businesses. The post John Sculley Explains Today’s Business Opportunities From His Book Moonshot! first appeared on Brainstormin' with Bill Frank.

Nuclear power is the redheaded stepchild in the US Energy puzzle. An abundance of inexpensive oil and gas has put nuclear power on the back burner. What is nuclear energy’s fate in the US? Is it the missing piece of the clean energy revolution? Dr. Michaele Brady Raap believes nuclear energy deserves a better fate. She’s the president of the American Nuclear Society. The post Nuclear Energy’s Future In The US According To Dr. Michaele Brady Raap first appeared on Brainstormin' with Bill Frank.

China is, by far, the single biggest emitter of the mainstay greenhouse gas carbon dioxide in human history. How it earned that dubious distinction is clear. China made the decision to become the world’s manufacturer. Every minute of every day during the mid-2000s Americans purchased about $460,000 dollars worth of Chinese goods. Growing reports of labor and environmental malpractice surfaced during that same period of time, but American consumers shrugged off these reported violations in favor of cheaper good. But is society better off because of this? Chip Jacobs argues, No.” He looks at the environmental catastrophe happening in China and worries we’re rapidly reaching a point of no return in environmental damage. The post Chip Jacobs Warns Of The Impending Environmental Catastrophe In China From His Book The People’s Republic of Chemicals first appeared on Brainstormin' with Bill Frank.

In this constantly-connected, 24/7, three-screen world in which we live, there’s incredible pressure being put on traditional brands and brand marketers. We’re seeing decades-old brands—like Radio Shack, Nokia and Pontiac—disappear. How will brands survive? And, which ones are more likely to survive? Owen Shapiro is a futurist, market researcher and strategist for some of the world’s biggest brands. We examine the future of brands and marketing from his latest book Brand Shift. The post Owen Shapiro Explains The Future Of Brands And Marketing From His Book Brand Shift first appeared on Brainstormin' with Bill Frank.

The US Economy is emerging from the Great Recession of 2008-2009 after five years of moribund GDP and job growth. Thousands of US families were devastated by the economic downturn—many of them still recovering their losses. While it’s impossible to predict these economic disasters, one can be better prepared to weather the consequences with proper financial planning and management. Bob Dickie runs a company that specializes in training people in sound financial practices according to “God’s financial principles.” The 35-year old company proselytizes both its financial and spiritual message using the Internet. We examine how a ministry can take advantage of the Internet to reach a wider audience. The post Bob Dickie Explains Proselytizing A Financial And Spiritual Message Using The Internet first appeared on Brainstormin' with Bill Frank.

You may not know it, but there’s an association of personal historians whose profession is to help others write their family history and personal journey. Libby Atwater is a member of that society. After years of helping others investigate and write their stories, she’s learned that everyone has a tale to tell and an interesting background. Often times, it simply takes a skilled person, such as herself, to ferret out the good stuff. Now, she’s turned the microscope on her own life and written Part One of her memoir, What Lies Within. The post Libby Atwater Examines Perseverance In Her Memoir What Lies Within first appeared on Brainstormin' with Bill Frank.

Here’s a riddle for you. What do you get when you put three economic academics in a car with a GPS system and a mission to interview small business owners? You get a book—in this case, Roadside MBA: Back Road Lessons For Entrepreneurs, Executive and Small Business Owners. Co-author Paul Oyer and I explore some of these lessons to see if academics can apply economic theory to small business realities. The post Paul Oyer Is Schooled On Economic Theory Practiced In Small Businesses From His Book Roadside MBA first appeared on Brainstormin' with Bill Frank.

In an age of growing entitlement, you’re going to meet an author who believes we should “suck it up. Do our jobs. Do it right. Nobody is coming to save is. If it’s to be, it’s up to me.” His name is Ryan Holiday. He’s drawn on the ancient philosophers of Stoicism and applied their principles to modern life in an attempt to show the universal truths of how to overcome obstacles. We discuss his philosophy and show how you can use it to improve your daily life. The post Ryan Holiday Reveals His Philosophy For Turning Trials Into Triumphs In The Obstacle Is The Way first appeared on Brainstormin' with Bill Frank.

As the world shifts to more of a knowledge economy, companies that can attract and retain the best and brightest employees will be the winners. The most highly sought-after executives will be those that can create an environment where employees can grow, contribute, and feel rewarded. Adam Bryant draws on interviews with more than 200 CEOs to offer business leaders the wisdom and guidance to move their organizations faster, quicker and more nimbly. The book, Quick and Nimble: Lessons from Leading CEOs on How to Create a Culture of Innovation, taps into the collective wisdom of CEOs like Jeff Weiner of LinkedIn, Tony Hsieh of Zappos, Angie Hicks of Angie’s List and Steve Case formerly of AOL. Adam uses his unprecedented access to the CEOs to map out best practices that other business managers can put into effect. The post Adam Bryant Queries 200 CEOs To Discover How To Be Quick And Nimble first appeared on Brainstormin' with Bill Frank.

Those of us watching the evening news on television expect our reporters to be objective, professional and truthful when it comes to the stories they report. But few of us stop to consider what goes on inside the head of these reporters we invite into our homes. Melissa McCarty takes behind the facade that news reporters project on the camera. She brings humanity to the otherwise sterile persona most news people project from her book, News Girls Don't Cry The post Melissa McCarty Reveals Her Past And Her Career Path In News Girls Don’t Cry first appeared on Brainstormin' with Bill Frank.

There’s a new meaning to the slogan, “Mile High City.” In January 2014, Colorado made history to became the first US state to allow the legal sale of marijuana for recreational use—beginning what many believe will be the next great rush for Colorado’s economy. CNBC is airing a special titled Marijuana In America: Colorado Pot Rush that will examine all sides of this groundbreaking new law. Joining me to discuss the opportunities and challenges of the legalized marijuana roll out in Colorado is veteran journalist, Harry Smith. The post Harry Smith Explores Marijuana In America: Colorado Pot Rush For CNBC first appeared on Brainstormin' with Bill Frank.

Documentary director, Kasey Kirby, visited Santa Barbara, CA for the Santa Barbara International Film Festival where he debuted his latest movie, Dog Days. The documentary examines whether free market capitalism is the best path to prosperity through the lens of two food truck street vendors in Washington, D.C. The post Kasey Kirby Explores Free Market Capitalism Through Food Trucks In His Movie, Dog Days first appeared on Brainstormin' with Bill Frank.

A recent Oxford University study argues that jobs are at risk of being automated in 47% of all occupational categories over the next 20 years. Couple that with the fact that the proportion of American adults participating in the labor force recently hit its lowest level since 1978, and you can see there is an unemployment crisis looming. How are governments and schools prepared to deal with this looming crisis? Joining me today to discuss this is Joyce Gioia, one of this country’s most sought-after experts in human relations and employment trends. The post Joyce Gioia Comments On The Oxford University Study That Predicts 47% Of Job Categories Will Disappear In 20 Years first appeared on Brainstormin' with Bill Frank.

Twitter is set to launch its Initial Public Offering later this week and it’s expected to raise $1 billion—depending on the IPO price. Twitter’s estimated market capitalization is between $17 billion and $20 billion. Yet, like so many Internet companies before, Twitter makes no money. It generated a $69 million loss on revenue of $254 million for the first 6 months of 2013. Why, then, is Twitter’s IPO so highly anticipated by Wall Street investors? Julia Boorstin, CNBC's crack journalist covering media and entertainment is with me to discuss this. The post Julia Boorstin Explains Why Twitter’s IPO Is So Highly Anticipated By Wall Street Investors first appeared on Brainstormin' with Bill Frank.