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Kiera talks with Chief Operations Manager Jeff and Dr. Andrew Sugg of Green Park Dentistry about identifying your dreams as dental leaders, and finding the path to get there. Episode resources: Subscribe to The Dental A-Team podcast Schedule a Practice Assessment Leave us a review Transcript: Kiera Dent (00:00) Hello, Dental A Team listeners. This is Kiera and today is such a special magical day on the podcast. I have two of my absolute favorite human beings. We have known each other for so many years. They are incredible, incredible dentists, practice owners, managers, like you name it. These two men are some of the most brilliant people I've watched in dentistry and I've watched them grow from beginning, very basics.   to this masterpiece of their life, of their community, of this practice that I truly think is such an example in this world. So Jeff and Andrew, welcome to the show. How are you today?   Jeff & Andrew (00:33) Great, thank you for having us. Doing well, thank you for having us.   Kiera Dent (00:37) You're so welcome. And I know it'll get a little weird, because when there's three of us here, it's always like, who's supposed to talk? So I'll try really hard to just call someone out. But honestly, guys, how does it feel to be, and I'll ask Jeff first. So again, I'll just riff through this. How does it feel from when we first met to where you are today? How does it feel? What would you even say? What's a word? Or what's the expression of where you started to where you are today? How was that experience for you, Jeff?   Jeff & Andrew (00:42) Yeah.   ⁓ if I had to sum it up in a word, looking back at myself in this experience, I think my younger self would look at today and be astonished that one, this is the career path I'm in that I didn't set out to. ⁓ you know, two, I started in this dental industry with zero experience other than knowing Andrew and listening to what he talks about when he comes home, to today.   that we have gone from a team of seven in this tiny building with five ops we started with to now a team of 20, 17 ops in a 16,000 square foot building. I literally cannot, I have to pinch myself being like, we did this, take a minute, let's reflect. I'm still kind of coming down from all of the renovation and the moving and calibration. ⁓   So every now and then I have to remind myself like, wait, this is our place, we did this. So take a minute and reflect. And I'm still kind of battling with that because I'm used to going full force. So I'm astonished.   Kiera Dent (02:16) It's amazing.   And Jeff, I'm so glad you said that. we've known each other. Jeff and Andrew have been clients of ours for years. This is like a client spotlight where we bring on people to just, I think, share their journey, share their experience. And for me to have like a proud mama moment of just being so freaking proud of where you are. And I agree, I'm astonished. It's not something when I met you too that I thought, would it be capable? But I do think it's all for all of us, like a pinch me moment. And for me,   What I love is seeing my favorite humans just flourish. And I feel like you guys give back to your team, you give back to your community. You're the good guys that I always want to win. And so I'm your biggest raving fan over here. Yes, have the life, have the experiences, do the things because you're just amazing humans that are contributing so much to this world. So I love that. Andrew, want to hear, and also Jeff, always you should just love Andrew so much and the fact that he brought you into dentistry. Welcome to the best profession ever. So kudos on that, Andrew.   Jeff & Andrew (03:07) ⁓ huh. Yes.   Thank you.   Kiera Dent (03:12) What about for you? How's this journey been from where you started? You and Jeff, think it's like adorable. Jeff literally had no clue. I remember Jeff, you're like, I don't even know what these things.   Jeff & Andrew (03:20) That's exactly what I was going to say. Like Andrew brought me and I was like, Hi, Kiera, I'm Jeff. And I don't know what I'm doing and I think I need your help. So I do have to throw in a kudos, a super thank you for guiding me and helping me get to this place. So yeah, you guys really helped kind of us.   Kiera Dent (03:32) my gosh, I   can't take the huge credit. Tiffany has been like the mass superstar for you guys. I've been able to be the proud mom on the side that's just freaking rooting for you all day long. But yes, I do remember definitely like, hi, your adorable glasses. Like you guys were just like dressed in white I think the night I met you and hi guys, super nice to meet you. So, Andrew, didn't mean to cut you off, go ahead.   Jeff & Andrew (03:47) No, it's okay.   I think that's it though, is you guys have really helped bridge that like my clinical side and love of dentistry and what I've always really enjoyed and still geek out over all the time. And you helped pull Jeff in and help him understand how he can kind of make this what he wanted to be. And I think that was something that kind of stuck with us ever since we first met y'all was that was on that weekend that we heard was   Like if you're not happy in your office, there's one person to blame and it's you, right? So it's like, you have the power, you have the energy, the time to put into that and kind of make it what you want. And I guess that's where like, my word would be excited. Cause I do feel like the more that we lean in and kind of just trust our gut and do the things that we kind of really want to do, it becomes more fun. We kind of are instilling in our team what you've instilled in us to kind of take that leadership and   work towards their goals and find their secret secrets that kind of stand out and really make them shine. And I think it's just, it's been really fulfilling and really exciting for us.   Kiera Dent (04:57) That's amazing. And I think for both of you, I remember, I feel like there was a pivotal moment. I don't know what year it was, but I feel like there was a moment where you both just hunkered down of what do want our life to look like? What do we want our practice to be? What do we this to look like? And I feel like that was your, I call them lightning bolt moments. And I feel like it was just like, from there, I feel like that's where momentum just skyrocketed for you. And I don't know if you guys remember that from persons on the outside looking in.   That's something that I really watched, but I'm just curious, like, did you feel that way? I'll start with Andrew first on this one. Did you feel that way? And if you did, like, okay, give me the thumbs up or like, yes, did you feel that way? That's question one. Let me be a better host here. Andrew, did you feel that that was something that changed for you guys in your practice?   Jeff & Andrew (05:37) Yes, no, I definitely did. it is hard though for me to put pinpoint. I think I had to lean into trusting having Jeff here and having you guys help him. It just allowed me to really focus and be that dreamer that I am. I'm definitely the dreamer. He's the implementer. So I think you helped us to find roles and understand kind of where we really can help each other, you know, kind of reach those goals together. So.   Yeah, I don't know the day or time, but I definitely felt like it was soon after meeting you guys and we just really felt like, okay, we can do this. it just, yeah, it's just magical. ⁓   Kiera Dent (06:14) It's truly magical. Thank you. Jeff, what about for you?   Jeff & Andrew (06:18) Yeah, ⁓ I remember several moments and I think a lot of ⁓ it was like a light bulb. I remember it was, you know, the career change and all that. It was hard for me, you know, going from the scientific, you know, yeah, marine geology, marine geophysics, so like offshore to now dealing with people.   Kiera Dent (06:22) you   Is it geology? Am I like making that up?   Jeff & Andrew (06:43) you patients, the public, it was crazy. I don't know what world I was in. But then I realized, you know, I was coming into the office. I am not enjoying coming into the office. I'm not enjoying this. And I started to see, you know, you know, at the time we called it staff or employees. And it was like that. Why are we doing what we're doing? Right. So you guys helped me realize that I'm the catalyst to change. We are. ⁓ And   Kiera Dent (06:43) Yeah.   It's real!   Jeff & Andrew (07:11) We had past experience of being treated poorly or maybe unfairly or just feeling unfulfilled. And I started to realize we're in this industry that I'm not enjoying going to work, so nobody else is enjoying going to work. Who can change it? That's me. And then I started to notice that it felt like people in their roles and their careers within the office felt unfulfilled or underappreciated. And it's like a dental assistant isn't just a dental assistant.   do the work that the dentist to allow the dentist to do his job. So without that, it's essential. So why don't we treat them like essential? So there was that moment that I walked into that door and I had you and Tiffany in my ear like, come in with a different energy, present differently. And I did, and I remember that moment. And I remember seeing people be like, whoa, this is a little different. Like, this could be a fun day. And I'm like, this is going to be a fun.   career. And then that started, okay, how can I make people's roles more fulfilling? How can we create growth opportunity? How can we show them that there's opportunity in our practice and they have the power to grasp that, to have a fulfilling life? We go to work every day for eight hours or longer, you know, so if they're not fulfilled there, how are we serving the people that are serving us?   Kiera Dent (08:38) That's incredible. And I think Jeff, this just highlights a lot of your leadership and like the growth I've seen in you. I remember Cranky Jeff, who did not enjoy going to the wards. Like, what is it? Yeah.   Jeff & Andrew (08:45) They call him Gilbert, that's my middle name. So that's   the ⁓ alias for Cranky Jeff.   Kiera Dent (08:53) like it. Yeah, I do remember those days and you were not happy in this and I don't think Andrew was super happy. Andrew, you've always been like one of the most passionate dentists I've ever met, which is so fun to see you like light up when you talk about dentistry and do all the pieces. Jeff, on the other hand, I think you kind of like drug him into this like, Hey, I need you in here. Gilbert, it sounds like was the one that and then Jeff came to the scene realizing like the the space for you and Jeff, that's something I really love to highlight is I think so many leaders don't realize it's within them.   Jeff & Andrew (09:01) you   Yeah.   Kiera Dent (09:21) because it doesn't look the way that they thought it was going to be. I just I'm excited to get into that. And I'm just curious. So you briefly mentioned you guys had this small practice in my mind. It's like purple or pink walls. Is that really true? Like inside?   Jeff & Andrew (09:33) It started   that way. It was like very dark green, brown, had purple. Yes, there was some magenta. Yeah. Yes. Very dark brown. Popcorn ceiling too. ⁓   Kiera Dent (09:39) knew it. It was like a dollhouse in my mind. Like it was like this like little like very short like ceilings. ⁓   Yes, not that great.   I remember being like, Tiff, this is where they work. Like, okay, looks like this. Like, I mean, how could you not have fun, Jeff? There's like colors of every rainbow on all the walls for you. Like, okay. ⁓ but you guys went from this small building to now this massive practice. You've got all these team members. but something I, I'm probably going to like butcher your vision just a little bit. but I remember hearing it when you said it and it stuck with me again. I think I'll get like the gist of it, but I remember you saying like, we are going to be like,   Jeff & Andrew (09:51) Yeah.   Yeah, yeah.   Kiera Dent (10:17) the dentist that the community chooses. Something like that. don't know how, I feel like I'm close to it, but I really loved that it was like, okay, we're gonna impact our community really largely. We want to be the place that our community chooses. And you did this whole expansion and I'm just curious, like, okay, what worked well? What didn't work well? What were like, let's just kind of go on like a fun road. I'm not gonna pick who like you guys can tag team over there, but I'm just curious of.   You went from Gilbert Jeff, who's angry to this like weird house that you're in to now this like amazing business building community. Like the impact you guys have in your community is amazing. You have all these team members. Like what were the highlights? were the like walk me through? I need to know what did you do right? What did you wish you would have done? What advice do you have for other people looking to go down this journey? That's something I think you've done so well.   but I think like it didn't come without a lot of learning and a lot of growth that I'd love you guys to just highlight. But also you did some things really freaking well too, so highlight that too. So ⁓ it's over to both of you, whomever wants to pick up the ball and run with it, it's yours. And tag team, because I'm sure both of you have very different perspectives on how that took place.   Jeff & Andrew (11:23) Well,   I can start because I think one thing for me that's been really amazing is like, really, you guys helped be our cheerleaders to say like, hey, if you stick with these things, you stick with these systems, it's really allowed us to kind of be ourselves. And in a way, that's what feels unreal. Like it feels really magical that like we get to be ourselves every day. We get to stick to like what our core values are. And it feels lucky that people appreciate that. And that shouldn't be like.   rare in the world today, but it really does feel that way. So I feel really lucky to come to work. I feel lucky. get to be honest and authentic with the people around me. And I think ⁓ that's been like the biggest, coolest thing to me, like through all of this is I think having you all as cheerleaders, I was really like the biggest thing because you move into this building and increase in our team size is kind of like, that happening? And then I'm like, I'm going to go do the dentistry. You, you guys figure it out and you're like, yeah, we're to hire some people.   Kiera Dent (12:17) Andrew's always pushing it off like, Jeff, I'm gonna   go do this, like good luck on all the fires. No wonder you a good one. I'll put it.   Jeff & Andrew (12:19) Yeah. Yeah. I'm like, can you stop being   the dreamer for like a year? need a break. Stop dreaming. Come down for second. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. would say so, you know, kind of piggybacking off what we touched on earlier with elevating the team and that sort of thing. So when we did that, was kind of like positivity just keeps.   Kiera Dent (12:26) He just can't stop. That's amazing.   Jeff & Andrew (12:46) building, right? It's contagious. People want to be around it. People like it. They want to feel that way. So we did some work internally with the team and then we realized the team likes it. You know, this is real, you know? So then that immediately transfers to the patients and then to the community. So there's kind of like the little trickle effect there. So when patients start to come in and they're like, this is kind of fun. Everybody enjoys their job. I enjoy coming here. ⁓   or when I walk in, I feel happy, you know? It's like, that's the vibe we wanted and that Andrew and Dr. Parks, their dental work is exceptional. So pair it with that. And then the word gets out and it just continues to snowball. So as that's happening, we're like, maybe we should expand. Okay, so I think we can take on somebody else. Then we were, the plans kind of evolved and there was the first plan was to ⁓ double the size of the building that we were in.   Um, but then COVID hit. pre COVID we're like, we're going to do this. Let's plan it. We've got enough land to double the building. Let's get all this done. We actually used our waiting room as an extra spare room because we are kind of outgrowing our space. So business was getting bigger, but the project was not moving along at all. So we cut into the waiting room and we made six rooms and we're like, can we sustain this? Yes. We sustained it immediately. So, um,   Kiera Dent (14:04) Yeah.   Clever.   Jeff & Andrew (14:14) After COVID hit, said, shoot, what are we going to do? Like, we can't afford this expansion anymore. And then what does the timeline look like that just went out the window? we're like, let's pivot. If we were going to spend X amount of dollars here for this, it ended up being ⁓ about 2000 workable square feet that we would add to the practice. ⁓ So we started looking at, there buildings for sale around? And we kind of had a vision a long time ago.   Kiera Dent (14:37) Mm-hmm.   Jeff & Andrew (14:45) even before considering moving the practice itself, like there's some cool buildings in our community that could look beautiful. ⁓ So maybe we look into some of those ugly ones and that's what we end up doing. So we identified a building that was way bigger than what we needed. ⁓ However, the thing that we identified was the plumbing was around the exterior between the levels. So we thought that's super expensive.   Kiera Dent (14:58) Hahaha   art.   Jeff & Andrew (15:13) you know, ground up. So let's utilize some of this plumbing. We interviewed ⁓ several contractors. We chose one to do the original project expanding that building, but we chose another for this project because of our interview. So it took ⁓ a lot of back and forth to figure out who's going to work best with us and who's really going to build in some cost savings. Like with the building that we did buy,   We made sure that the contractor that we hired was going to retain as much material as they could. We had solid doors. like, save the doors. We'll paint them or reuse them. I don't want to buy a ton of new doors. we were able, the relationship started well. It ended well also, but that was the building blocks. Like, are you going to work with me or are you going to be like, let's tear it down and start fresh to make a buck? ⁓   Kiera Dent (15:53) Yeah.   Mm-hmm.   Jeff & Andrew (16:07) So that was a huge win. So we made a really good relationship with the contractor there. And then ⁓ he guided us through. And I think, you know, in the planning stage, architecture and engineering took a lot. And those were, ⁓ those were really the holdup, pretty much the engineer. So I would say stress on the engineering part first, because it's hard to make changes later, just because they don't typically work as fast, I guess.   Kiera Dent (16:33) for sure.   That's true. ⁓   Jeff & Andrew (16:36) takes longer, or in our case it was.   But ⁓ I mean, it might seem like you're being redundant about layout and switches and these sort of things. ⁓ It's not. Visit the practice as many times as you can while it's in construction. Talk to everybody on a day-to-day basis. I popped in here so many times and was like, I don't like where that light is, or people don't always listen. it...   stinks to be like, hey, I prepared all this stuff and this is what I want done. This is where I want everything and nobody looks at it. So it's like, you got to be there in person and kind of guide them. ⁓   Yeah, well, I also kind of I think you kind of point out like to make is ⁓ we really stuck to like our our goals and just ambition and just knowing that like, hey, we're just doing good things. And we're just trying to do good for the community. And like, how can we expand? And it was scary at times expansion. It was always very scary till we got here. Like we say, jokingly, when we were at the old building and we come over here, even bringing the staff, you could tell everybody's like, what the heck, this place is really big. We're going to lose each other like   Kiera Dent (17:36) As always.   Jeff & Andrew (17:46) We're not going to hear in our old office, I could hear our front desk and I could actually like tell them like, actually don't do that. You know, like I can correct people from like the room, you know, down the hallway and here it is a lot more space, but it's like, once we got here, we're like, how the heck did we all fit there? And then you just quickly fill the space and it's really, it's exciting. Cause yeah, I don't know. ⁓ you just gotta really like trust in, ⁓ your, process and your values and what you're working towards. And I do feel like it has been.   Kiera Dent (17:46) Hmm?   Jeff & Andrew (18:15) building up, like we're going to celebrate our 10th year in practice next year. And I think that's what feels unreal. Oh my God, it's this year. next year. Yeah. Next year. Sorry. Oh, year. Yeah. Oh, see? Don't even know. We need a break. But it just flies by, right? Like it's just... Yeah, we celebrate every year. For sure. And I think that is like, it is just kind of in a way, you just kind of stick to like little goals, kind of just keep it moving those like, hey, how can we make this better? What can we do? Oh, we need space. How do we solve that problem?   Kiera Dent (18:26) I don't know, it's just not dirty. Pop this celebration all the years. ⁓   Jeff & Andrew (18:43) and necessity just helped kind of push us along. And yeah, I think if we would have done the building before COVID, we probably would still be in our old office and kind of wishing we had more space. But in a weird way, I'm really happy that things worked out the way they did. ⁓ yeah, we've ended up here. So it's been amazing. I'd say on a team perspective too, like the team was really scared to be honest, like moving over here. There were concerns. ⁓ But... ⁓   Kiera Dent (18:58) always.   Jeff & Andrew (19:10) You know, when we said it first, were like, we're do, we're, we're going to do this instead. And they were like, Oh, so I think keeping them regularly informed and kind of showing them the things that we're doing. like, we made them a part of the process so they could be excited about it. We took them to visit when milestones were done. We'd like, Hey, meet over there. We'll, we'll talk about it. Um, we kept them involved in the process. And I mean, we we weren't like financially open about all of the things, but it was nice to be able to like, listen, we've got to buy.   cabinets and cabinets cost this much money. You know what I mean? So ⁓ we could do it, but we have to do this. So we want to take care of it too. So it instilled value and it's still excitement. And then helping, you know, getting votes on like color choices or that sort of thing involved them. And then before the move, they were really nervous about what it was going to be like in a space as large bringing on new team members. So with the help from y'all Tiffany, we   Kiera Dent (19:42) Yeah, yeah. huh.   Jeff & Andrew (20:08) We were like, okay, everybody write down what the specific concerns are. And then we're going to talk about how we're going to combat that. ⁓ So we're going to prep you with like the solution before a problem even occurs. And that was, that was helpful. And then we did move in one weekend, long weekend ourselves with some movers. It was crazy. And everybody pitched in and everybody just had fun doing it. And it was Labor Day weekend, so we had an extra day. Yeah.   Kiera Dent (20:20) So smart.   Amazing.   You're like, okay, we'll do it. I mean, Labor Day seems very fitting. It's labor, it's very intensive.   Jeff & Andrew (20:41) I know, right?   Yeah. But we didn't require anybody. like, hey, we're doing this. Like nobody's required to, but if you want to, we would love it and we'll make it fun. And it was good. then like, what, less than a month after we got slammed at the hurricane in North Carolina, the mountain. So that was a hurdle. We had a generator that was took the longest to get in the last thing installed. One the expensive things we bought and they didn't hook it up. Because the gas inspection.   Kiera Dent (20:49) and   Shoot. Uh-huh.   Thank   Jeff & Andrew (21:11) So double check your inspections, make sure the gas inspection is ⁓ like.   Kiera Dent (21:14) Yes.   Yeah, make sure   it's actually all prepped for in case of hurricane. But like, kudos to you guys. Like, I'm so proud of you and to hear, I love the two different perspectives. And I think something I hear is you are true to yourselves. want like, knowing that you want to be, like I said, I probably like butchered your vision just a little bit. Sorry on that. Like being the dentist that the community chooses and being the place that we can serve them. Well, you can only serve so many patients in six ops, which is like a makeshift six op. We were like five, realistically five and a half. So,   Jeff & Andrew (21:21) Yeah.   Kiera Dent (21:48) It's like, it's not like, if you build them, they will come. You guys already knew you had made this footprint. You knew what you wanted to do. I feel like you guys really hunkered in. You're like, we're going to be a part of this community. This is where we want to be. We want to change the lives of our employees. And I feel like in doing so, I think that almost gave you the, the steam. It's not like something I really love about both of you is on paper, you guys have really sexy numbers that I'm always like, love having them as clients. Like great job over there.   Jeff & Andrew (22:14) Yeah.   Kiera Dent (22:15) But as   human beings, mean, right? As a consultant, you're like, all right, like, look at my perfect, like, model students over here. Well, you guys are one of them. And I'm really proud of the numbers you put up, and I'm proud of the dentistry you do. But the piece is you grew because you wanted to for the impact. You didn't grow for the ego associated with it. And I think that that's so paramount because I think that that's why you guys still are happy. I think that's why you love coming to work.   going through that mayhem, if it's not your passion project, if it's not something you really want to do to serve and to give back and to have a bigger vision beyond the dollar signs, I think the dollar signs for you were secondary and the community and the impact was number one. And I think that's why, like, of course you got to pay for it. I mean, there's no doubt about that. I mean, maybe you guys are truly children of like the billionaires and who knows what world and I didn't know that about you. I'm pretty confident you're not yourself made of where you are over there, but like.   Jeff & Andrew (23:01) No. ⁓   Kiera Dent (23:06) Looking at that, feel like that's a huge probably differentiator of your success because it was built from passion, love, and a desire to give back while also being incredibly good. Like Andrew, you're an amazing clinician. And I think that having, like you said, Jeff, top-notch dentistry, Jeff, you're amazing at building this culture and this community of people that love and serve. I think combine that together, then want to give it back to your community. I feel like your success was inevitable and I'm just really proud of you. And Jeff, to hear about going to the inspections, I'm like, yeah, good for you because   How annoying is it when you walk in, like my husband and when we were building our house, they were gonna put our huge AC unit on the one side of our house that I could actually put like planter boxes and have stairs. And I was like, why don't we just move this over here? My husband tells me all the time, like, Kiera, that was one of your best moves. And I'm like, yes, because the function and the flow, like it would have been all of our neighbors. Where do you think their AC unit is? Right in the middle of the only usable space on the side of the house and they all put it. And I'm like, you're welcome. Or like little things like, like all of it.   Jeff & Andrew (23:56) Yeah, everything. Yeah. Yeah.   Kiera Dent (24:03) And so   just like making it a space that you wanna be in that you're proud of, I just really love and like hearing, I mean, you had an obstacle right after you started and I think some people could have gotten really down, but it's like, no, we built something bigger. It's not like a burn and churn. You guys wanna be there for the long haul. You want this to be a place you're proud of and I think that that just bleeds through. So I'm really proud of you and thanks for sharing that journey. And I wanna pivot to highlight both of you just a smidge because Andrew, I think you do something really special.   and you're able to mentor doctors really well. And I think that this is something that not all dentists are able to do. And Jeff, you're more than welcome to chime in on anything. Like at this point, guys, you should compliment one another. mean, hello, let me just make your life even better for you. But Andrew, can you walk us through, what do you feel are some of the things you do so superior? Like, I want you to brag a little bit. This is a moment where Kiera Dent is so freaking proud of you. Tiff is proud of you. Our company is proud of you. ⁓   because I think other people want to know how to do this. So I almost want to peel back the curtain just a little bit on what are some of the things you do really well in assembly? Like I said, Jeff, chime in too. Then we're going to reverse. We're going to talk about Jeff and Andrew, you can chime in on him. So like both of you can just schmooze each other tonight as well. You guys are going to have an amazing night post podcast. You're welcome. All right. But truly, Andrew, what are some of the things you feel set in part?   Jeff & Andrew (25:11) Yeah, thank you.   Well,   that leads into a great, was going to say, like, I feel really lucky to have Jeff, obviously. And I know not everybody has a Jeff or can trust someone as much as I trust Jeff. But I think obviously it can be very hard on our marriage. So that's one side note. And I know like a lot of couples that that happens. But I think I have to always. Right? know. Two years ago, I was worried. And in gay years, that's like 40 years.   Kiera Dent (25:38) I'm so proud of you. 10 years in and you still, I think, love each other, which is amazing. I think   everybody is. You're like, okay. But it's one of those things also though, I will say, like throwing it out to couples, when couples go through what you have gone through and you're able to like be through the thick and the thin of it, I will also give advice. Like when I watched people go through dental school, and Andrew, I'm sure you saw this, I was so angry at so many of our like friends that went through.   Jeff & Andrew (25:52) you   Kiera Dent (26:05) Like they went through the residencies, they got to the end and I'm like, you freaking made it. And that's when they get divorced. And I'm like, Oh, if you're to get divorced, get divorced during the hard times, but like you have made it. You've made it. And now it's like, it's a matter of like, we bonded together, we grew together. And I think like making sure that stays a priority in your marriage. You guys remember I was a marriage and finally therapist prior to this. Like that was my thing. I like, Oh, don't give up on what you like. You went through the freaking hardest years together. Now it's like, enjoy this amazing life we built together.   Jeff & Andrew (26:10) Yeah.   Right, yeah. All right.   Yeah.   Yeah   Kiera Dent (26:35) and don't lose sight of how grateful we are for one another. anyway, like off my   I hope all of you see the potential within yourselves and ⁓ I'd love to be a part of your story and your journey. So reach out, Hello@TheDentalATeam.com. And as always, thanks for listening and I'll catch you next time on The Dental Team A Podcast.  

After Covid, #remotework has been the ideal work situation. Implementing this to long-term investing, in this episode, let's talk about investment properties best suited for remote work buyers***DON'T KNOW WHERE TO START WITH FRANCHISING? Grab Bob Bernotas' free course for a limited time only at edu.franchisewithbob.com/idealAny questions?*** Grab my 10k/month passive income strategy and weekly newsletters at https://tinyurl.com/iwg-strategy BOOK IS OUT! Grab Your Copy and learn how to get your feet wet in real estate investing

In this episode of Building Texas Business, I speak with Brian Birdy, the CEO of PMI Birdy Properties and a regional developer for Dill Dinkers. Brian shares insights about managing his family business, which his father started in 1979. He discusses the complexities of succession planning and how involving family members can strengthen the business for future generations. Brian's latest venture, an indoor pickleball facility, highlights his ability to identify emerging trends and foster a unique business culture. We explore effective strategies for business growth as Brian emphasizes the importance of a solid foundation. He talks about the need for a strong team, comprehensive training, and well-documented processes to navigate unexpected challenges. Additionally, we discuss the hiring landscape post-COVID, where Brian advocates for a proactive approach to recruitment and the importance of adapting to new employment trends. As we move into the topic of franchising, Brian shares his experiences with Dill Dinkers and the potential of using repurposed industrial spaces for pickleball courts. He reflects on the benefits and challenges of setting up a franchise in this fast-growing market. His connection to San Antonio adds a personal touch, as he expresses his passion for the local community and its cultural vibrancy. SHOW HIGHLIGHTS I discussed with Brian Birdy, CEO of PMI Birdy Properties, about managing a family business founded by his father in 1979 and his strategies for succession planning and family involvement. Brian shared insights on the importance of building a resilient business foundation through strategic planning, comprehensive training, and process documentation, emphasizing adaptability to technological advancements. We explored the post-COVID hiring landscape, where Brian highlighted the significance of a proactive hiring approach, prioritizing candidates with a positive attitude and aligning with changing employment trends. The conversation delved into the burgeoning pickleball market, with Brian expressing enthusiasm for his new venture in opening an indoor pickleball facility and the potential of franchising with Dill Dinkers. Brian revealed the challenges and opportunities in the residential property management industry, particularly in differentiating oneself in a competitive market and adapting to shifts in housing demand. We examined the process of opening a pickleball franchise, discussing the benefits of franchising for newcomers, the importance of choosing the right franchise, and the potential for repurposing industrial spaces for pickleball courts. Brian emphasized the value of surrounding oneself with capable people, investing in staff, and being open to new ideas and changes to drive business success, while reflecting on his connection to San Antonio and the local community. LINKSShow Notes Previous Episodes About BoyarMiller About PMI Birdy Properties GUESTS Brian BirdyAbout Brian TRANSCRIPT (AI transcript provided as supporting material and may contain errors) Chris: Brian, welcome to Building Texas Business. Thanks for taking the time to come on the podcast hey thanks for having me. So you know, let's dive right in and talk about some of the things that you're doing as an entrepreneur and business owner and just introduce your companies to the audience. Brian: Sure. So I'm the broker and owner of Birdie Properties, which is a real estate company that specializes in residential property management. It has been in business for over 46 years. My dad actually started that business back in 1979. I've been running it and working at it and eventually running it since about 97 and have grown it to one of the largest residential property managers in South Texas, learned a lot of lessons in growing that business and the newest adventure is Dilldinker's Indoor Pickleball, which I'm sitting in, and I'm very excited that we will be opening our first location here in about a week and a half. Chris: Well, that's great. So two full-time jobs, it sounds like. Brian: Yeah, Well, the other one's a family-owned legacy business. It's three generations deep. Like I said, my dad started it. My brother and I both worked in it. I've owned it and run it for 20, 28 years and currently all of my three adult children and my daughter-in-law all work there and do the heavy lifting. With a little bit of guidance from me, that gave me the ability that could run effectively without my daily requirement, gave me the ability to actually continue that entrepreneurial spirit and try something completely different, which is indoor pickleball. I saw a true need in my city for this. There wasn't anybody delivering it. I saw it as an up and growing and when I actually started on it, less people knew what pickleball was. In the last 18 months it has really come to the forefront and so I got on. I started riding the wave at the right time and I hope it just keeps rolling, yeah well, it's certainly taken the last couple of years. Chris: It's taken on like a life of its own, it seems like. So let's go back to, I guess, Birdy Properties and maybe the unique part of what it's like in a family business to do the succession from your dad, who was the founder, to you and your brother then taking over that business. What were some of the maybe the pain points and lessons learned about doing that and what maybe advice you might give to someone that's in the process or thinking about it, of what to do or not do? Brian: Yeah, running a family business it's wonderful and it's tough, both hand in hand. The wonderful part about it is their name is on that business. Their future is tied into that business. Their commitment generally if they really care about it is they're a lot more committed than just an individual employee. But at the same time it's problematic in that you can't separate yourself from business. Family meals are filled with business. Taking an entire family vacation becomes almost an impossibility. And then succession is an issue. I bought the business from my father and it was clearly me. I own it. So my brother continued to work there but was not in ownership of it. That has its own problems. We found a way for him to actually build a business out of this and he's actually gone out on his own, is specializing in short-term management and is running his own business now, and so that was a way to kind of figure out how that could work. So he is the owner, sole owner, of Birdy Vacation Rentals. But I've got three kids that work for me. Each of them have unique qualities. They own all own a very important part of the business and they really can't survive without them working together, which works great now, but it's going to be. I'm going to wonder, I keep wondering and trying to figure out how, what is the best way to pass this on? And I don't have the right answer for it, but continuing to work at it, you know, giving them all individual pieces that they could own and be the masters of, and then by doing that, everyone needs each other kind of helps with that whole process. You can't no one of them can survive without the others. Chris: Well, it seems, if that's the case, right then you've set it up well for success because that fosters that team environment and team mentality. And you know we love talking about culture. So obviously you have the unique relationship with your children. How have you tried to take that beyond the family relationship with the other employees so that they feel the same engagement with the organization and tied to the organization's success? Brian: So we've gone through lots of that and growing and basically anybody who works for us can see that. I mean their last name isn't Birdy, they're not in the succession plan but we treat everyone within our business as if it was a big family. We believe in family. We believe in quality time. Individuals who work for us recognize we want them to do a great job for us but when they need time, when they need something they know they can ask for it, they can get it and just building that kind of culture has allowed us to have. Number of people who have worked for us for 15, 13, 12, I think is my current people that are out there have been here for a very long time. They're part of the family even though they're not. You know, their last name doesn't say birdie on it, but we work really hard in building a core that can. You know, property management is a tough business. I've said all along one of our core values is that we're going to have fun, and so one of the things we've always built is if we can have fun doing the worst part of that business, then we got it made. So we have a lot of fun when we're doing the fun parts of the business and when we go out of our way to make sure people are going to have fun. But we also find ways just to have fun and to really own that. There are tough parts of that business also. Chris: Sure, well, true for any business, right. There's always, yeah, the piece that you don't enjoy doing. But you know you have to right, it's a necessary piece but it may not be the most fun. I think you're right. If you can bring joy and fun into that, then the rest should be easy. Brian: right, because it's the stuff you like to do and want to do and, as I think about, I've been doing that for 28 years and I love going to work there. I love people that I work with and even though it's in a very tough and stressful because I mean, at times I have to evict people from their homes, I mean that isn't something that's fun, you know. But it has encouraged me that I'm waiting to see how much fun is running a pickleball facility going to be, where we have a core value of bringing joy to everyone through the sport of pickleball. And I'm like, if I can have fun doing property management, I think I should find it a little easier to have fun running a pickleball facility. But I don't know yet. We haven't opened our doors yet, we're going to find out, but it's. I mean, I'm just it feels like it's going to be fun, but you know, I don't know what, I don't know yet. Chris: So going back to Birdy and property management is anything innovative? Or you know how? Has technology or innovation kind of helped you be more efficient in what you do and maybe more profitable? Brian: Yeah, so we've. We have challenged ourselves to chase technology. You know, if you go all the way back to probably, I mean, and we've done this for a long time and we've had a website since 1998 when it didn't do anything and most people didn't have it, I mean we have a five letter URL. I mean we are www.birdy.com, you know, and people have wanted to pay a lot of money to buy that name, but it's just something. Fortunately, my dad said I think this might be something someday, let me just get our name now. He was lucky, he did that. But from that we've continued to chase the changes. Every business has had major changes. I will tell you that, coming out of the 07, 08 mortgage industry collapse and all the problems that happened, property management got brought way up into the forefront and technology, of course, coming on strong at that time saw this as an open lane that nobody was in and they have been chasing after us like crazy. And we have said all along if we want to continue to be relevant, if we want to be a hundred-year-old business, the only way we're ever going to get there is we have to embrace technology, embrace change, figure out the ways to do that, race to it, understand it and apply it. You know however that is, and so we've dramatically changed our business from where we first I mean when we first started, you know everything was on paper. It was all in a folder. The folder was in a cabinet. You know, you met people face to face. I mean, everything has changed and you know, at our last national event, the big thing that was there was all AI driven. Not only have we used technology and we use computers and we've automated some things, but now we're having the computer starting to figure out what can they really do for us in the industry, and I see that being big changes coming forward as to what can it really do for us. Coming out of COVID, we learned we can do a lot and we don't really need an office to do it anymore. We can have remote team members. We can do a lot on Zoom. We can do everything with computers. I think AI is just going to push that, and that even runs into this business. Bill Dinkers has changed a lot and it's only a couple of years old, but it's incorporated on court cameras that film the sessions for the players, and now that company is building AI, so it's going to be able to tell them automatically. You know some statistics from their match, you know counting things for them and I'm like, and so again, very early stages open landscape that technology and AI development is just stepping into, and I'm just curious and excited to see what can that take us to. I mean, because that's the future of our business, all of our businesses. Chris: Oh for sure, I mean, technology is not going anywhere. I think I had someone tell me one time never bet against technology. Technology always wins right Eventually it continues to evolve and you may not be an early adopter, but you better pay attention and learn how to integrate it sooner rather than later, or you're going to get left behind. Brian: Well, right, and it'll show you ways that you can like. We can manage more properties with less people. Because of technology, we can have individuals working for us now all over the world and we have been embraced that for a long time and we're about a 50-50 business. Half of our employees are here in town. The other half are all remote team members and primarily in Mexico, because I'm in South Texas, so I need people that can speak Spanish, and what greater way to have somebody work for me whose primary language is Spanish? So that part has been a significant change in the property management side of it. And that comes with technology. Right, because they have a computer. They can do everything. They have a phone line, so you call my office and you hit the phone. It's calling them Because phone is now what? A computer? Everything is a computer. If you can learn how to adapt the changes in your business to automation, you find ways to grow and to make money when you're doing it right. Chris: So you mentioned the 08 kind of market crash. What were some of the lessons you learned? I think that's a pretty important or severe impact on your business business and we always learn, kind of through some of those crises. So what were some of the things that you learned, maybe about your company or, more importantly, about yourself that kind of helped pull the company through to continue on a path of success? Brian: Well, if you think about it, most people saw that as a crash, as a problem. In my world it was actually a good thing. Besides the fact that people were losing their houses to foreclosure, that was certainly a negative. That didn't help me at all. But what came behind that was investors, and investors were buying those properties and turning them in to single family rentals and they needed management behind it. People who wanted to hold onto their house but had to leave them could not sell them Again. Another thing we were ready for growth. We were prepared for growth and we were not scared to grow as fast as we possibly could In those years. We doubled in size in both 07 and 08. And I think a lot of that was we were preparing for growth and then something happened that we didn't expect. But we were ready and I don't think anybody else was, so we benefited from that. We exploded over about a two or three year visit and really skyrocketed us up that. We've never lost that position since. Chris: That's amazing. So you talked about you were preparing for growth before those events happened. What was it you were doing to be preparing yourself for that growth? Brian: Making sure I have the right staff, all my training, all my processes, systems, policies and procedures. You know, you, when you first start and you're an entrepreneur, you have this great idea. You know how to do it all in your head, you make sure it can work right. What a lot of entrepreneurs aren't great at is writing it all down, systematizing it all and teaching people how to do it. And so, as you're growing, you're just throwing things trying to fill in these holes and you have to learn there's got to be a better process to your business and growing your business, and an individual who is forward thinking and really crazy ideas and just really interested to go do all these wonderful things can come up with some great stuff, but they're not the person that's going to carry it the long-term, step-by-step and so, understanding what you're good at, learning who you need around you to fill in those pieces where you're not and luckily for me, you know I have children who are from me but not really like me and so and they're not really like each other and so, collectively, the four of us and others that we've built into that start to create more of a complete package, and we learned and we're continuing to learn. We are forever changing and we are forever growing. It never stops, and that's, I think, it. I think at that time, what we wanted was I wanted to grow. We were talking about growing and I was trying everything to be visible because, remember, technology hadn't taken over. You know, people weren't finding you online. You had to. You know, I was still paying for ads and newspapers and the yellow pages because I wanted people to find me. But I found technology earlier than anybody else. I found a program called allpropertymanagementcom when it first opened and it was the first marketplace for property managers on the internet and I raced to it. I was the only one there in 2007. And that's when everyone started freaking out what am I going to do with my property? They looked and they found me, and that was a big part of so just the little steps like that was like not, I mean, that was an investment, I was paying money to do that, but I thought there would be a payoff. I didn't expect the tremendous payoff I got, but it really was a lot about just making sure you know what you have around you and a lot of times, what happens is we don't hire for growth, right, we want growth, then growth happens and then we get squished by the work. Everyone gets overworked, everyone gets stressed, nobody's happy, culture starts to get hurt and you can't sometimes, can never hire fast enough to catch up to train them all. So, knowing your business, watching closely, investing in growth by investing in your people, those are some of the lessons I learned because I did all that wrong at first and I suffered because of it and I've learned to do it differently because of that. Chris: Yeah, that's a beautiful point. I mean to your point about if you start to grow you haven't, excuse me, hired for it then you start making hiring decisions out of desperation and that's a recipe for disaster, as opposed to being able to follow that process. As you mentioned, that process is in place, that you stick to that. You follow that. You're always looking to evolve and change and tweak as times change. But if you're behind the curve, if you will, then it's hard to catch up. Brian: You also have to change with times. I mean when you can be hiring, when you don't need to hire someone, you're not in a hurry. During your interview process you don't settle for okay, this person's good enough, right? You're like, if none of them are good enough, well then they're none. Keep looking right. But if you're in a hurry, if you're in a need, then anyone close you're going to take and it may not be a good fit for you. And I would tell you, before COVID you had people in large numbers applying for jobs, but after COVID that changed dramatically and it became a point. I mean I used to say if I could get 10 people to interview, five of them would show up, or maybe six, and one or two or three potentially could be good opportunities there and you'd be able to windle it down to possibly one good quality candidate. After COVID you were lucky if one person showed up, and I don't think that's really changed dramatically even yet today. Chris: That was my question. It feels, like in the last, say, 12 months or so, there's starting to be a little bit of a maybe it's slow, but a swing back towards people realizing. You know you hear the bigger companies saying five days back in the office and you know that you know where we had the quiet quitting going on in 21, 22. It seems to me there's a little less of that and it's coming back. There are maybe more people out there and you hear that you know new college graduates are having, you know, really difficult times finding jobs because it seems like it's tightening a little bit Well. Brian: Luckily I'm in a season in which I've not needed to hire and I've got everything placed out right, and so I hope when I start hiring again in that space I do see that change, because I've noticed a big difference there and even had to change my whole process of what's really important when I interview people I mean I have put you know the number there are two things that are at the top of the list, and that is an overwhelmingly positive attitude and an undeniable desire to work. And if people come in with those two things, I can take them from there with anything else, because I can't give them either one of those. I can't culture that to anyone, I can't teach that to anybody. They have to have those two things If they have those, if they have those two things clearly, and you can find figure that out pretty quick. Chris: So I have a chance to identify with that, because the words I use are we look for effort and attitude Right. And I like your desire to work. You would think that would come natural, but you and I both know it doesn't. You're interviewing people. They just want a job sometimes or a paycheck, and they don't really have a desire to work or work hard. So I agree, you have to have an interview process that can kind of figure that out. Brian: That's true and we've, and that's something you have to learn and experience and get through and continue to tweak because, as you think you have the best experience, your market of applicants change and then you have to change and adapt with them. BTXBAdvert Hello friends, this is Chris Hanslick, your Building Texas business host. Did you know that Boyer Miller, the producer of this podcast, is a business law firm that works with entrepreneurs, corporations and business leaders? Our team of attorneys serve as strategic partners to businesses by providing legal guidance to organizations of all sizes. Get to know the firm at boyermillercom. And thanks for listening to the show. Chris:So we kind of look at the landscape out there. What are some of the headwinds that you either are dealing with now or that you think may be coming around the corner, that you're trying to prepare for to kind of not let them slow you down? Brian: I think that in the residential property management space, when times are good we do well, when times are bad, we do even better. So generally making sure that we're running the best business that we can, that we're providing what people need, figuring out a way to be being better Everyone wants to say they're better, but being better doesn't really necessarily draw anyone's attention anymore because it's like are you really better? You're just saying you're better. But when you're different and you can show someone why you are different, that's what really changes it, and I and so we focus on how are we different, why are we different, how can we be different and what differences are going to be important in the next five years that may not have been important in the last five years. Chris: That's really good. Yeah, I could see where and I would think even the lots have been written about it how difficult it is for people to purchase a home. Now, right, the interest rates, one thing, maybe the lack of accumulated wealth or down payments because of the lending markets. I can see where that would boost your business. Brian: I would tell you that in 2024, nationwide the market said that rental markets should have been skyrocketing and doing well, but for a variety of reasons it was not the best year. 2025 has started out as a much better year. Last year was a rough year on most residential property managers and when we look at that it came back to a tremendous amount of apartment complexes that were built coming out of COVID that opened and it drew a lot of the market space away People not buying, not moving, families coming together in one location, which reduces right. But we've seen a big change this year at probably one of our busiest first quarters in a while, so we're hoping that just continues. Chris: Very good. So, shifting gears a little bit Sounds like a company that you love. You said you love to have fun doing it. I guess we're in it for most of your life, bought it from your dad. All things going well, Kids are in it, Kids are thriving and against that backdrop you decide to step out and take on the pickleball business, which there's certainly some competition there. Maybe San Antonio's market was a little lacking. There's certainly some competition there. Maybe San Antonio's market was a little lacking, but there's all kinds of people doing pickleball courts now. So what was it that inspired you or drove you to make that decision and take on that risk? Brian: Well, so I started playing pickleball for the first time coming out of COVID in 2020, when our mayor said, okay, you can go and gather, but it has to be outside. And so there was a tennis place that had converted on a tennis court. Still, they converted and made these makeshift pickleball and I went out and said, hey, this is a lot of fun. Eventually, chicken and Pickle opened in San Antonio. I went inside to that and I thought, hey, I really like this, and started playing there. Quite regularly. My wife and a non pickleball related injury broke her ankle and we were out for about a year. When I came back one year later, everything had changed. It was almost impossible to book a court. The age of the players had dropped 20 years in a year. It used to be forties and fifties and I walk in and now it's twenties and thirties and I was like, okay, something has really happened here. So I did a lot of research, looked at all the numbers and then I started saying, okay, we don't have enough courts and we don't have any indoor courts, and I was like I think we could do a good job at this. I was first trying to find a place to go play, and what it led me to is there's a need. Maybe I can solve that need. And then, in researching it in the state of Texas, san Antonio was lacking in indoor courts In the country. We're doing awful. Houston was the only city in Texas even on the radar for the number of pickleball courts, and the number of indoor pickleball courts they have more than anyone in Texas. They have more than almost any other city in the country. So that city had figured it out and I'm like we hadn't yet. And I'm like we hadn't yet and I'm like, hey, if you're going to do something and you're going to be different, one of the greatest ways of being different is be first, because if you're first, you're different. There's nobody else, right? And so so I dove in, found a great Dill. Dinkins is a national franchise and I believed in what they put together and and so I'm one of their first franchisees. I'm going to be opening up my first club here in about 10 days here in San Antonio, and I'm a regional developer, so I have the right to develop up to 20 clubs. Whether I open them or help somebody else who wants to run their own pickleball location here, I will be supporting them and getting them open, and I can open all of my clubs. Other entities can open all theirs. There will not be enough pickleball, because if I fill all my clubs up all 20 clubs open and they're all completely full that would only represent a fraction of 1% of the Bexar County population, and so there's room for everybody and there's room for growth. And that's kind of one of the reasons why I got into this is that I'm like hey plus, I love it. I have so much fun, and I'm going to tell you what running a property management business has been a lot of fun, but I really hope that running a pickleball business is going to be even a lot easier to have fun. We'll see. I don't know yet. Chris: Yeah Well, in 10 days you'll start to figure it out. Brian: Well, that's free, that's free week, everyone's coming for free, so they're going to love me for at least a week, for sure. We'll see what happens after that. Chris: Good strategy there. Yeah, I know. Look, we've worked with some entrepreneurs and developers here in the Houston area doing this right, developing pickleball venues with the bars and the food service, and that's where they did the market research. And even in Houston it's interesting to hear your numbers on the covered courts in Houston, kind of leading all cities but there is a lack of courts in light of the demand especially, you're certainly private clubs have taken converted tennis courts or extra space where they put in pickleball courts, but if you're not a member of that club you don't have access. And so for the general public to have access, things like what you're doing and chicken, chicken pickle, et cetera, and some of the maybe non-national brands just worn off local things there's still a ton of demand for that. Brian: Yeah, if you look at it, lifetime Gyms and LA Fitness have both decided they're going away from basketball and they're going all in on pickleball. And I talked to their national developer and I said why are you making this change? And they said well, basketball has led to altercations and fights and problems and pickleball equals new membership and so they're all in and you can see, most of them are converting them. I have a couple of Gold's Gyms in San Antonio that have converted into pickleball in their courts. It's just there's such a need, there's such a desire. A lot of people say they find a way to play, they'll play anywhere. A lot of people haven't played because they say it's too hard to find a place to play. So we're hoping we can be part of the solution to that and start giving lots and lots of options for people to come out and play and see how easy it is, how fun it is. The community that's built around this is unlike other sports is the community that's built around this is unlike other sports? It is. It is a unique game in which it is the most gender equal and age equal. I can go out on any given day and lose to an eight-year-old or an 80-year-old, and both of them could be a male or a female. It doesn't matter, because this is. It is the equal sport amongst all sports. Chris: Yeah, well, I'll say you know, given the timing when you're opening and the fact that you know we're in Texas, being covered courts is going to be a nice added bonus, because I don't think you want to be in the middle of summer outside on a pickleball court for too long. Brian: Well, they've been doing it for years. What I have to do is get them in here so they can see, and that's the thing about being different. So some things that are different with us is we have pro cushion courts. They're all individually fenced. We have special LAD court lighting that's designed specifically for pickleball. Of course, it's not windy in here. There's no rain, there's no heat, there's no humidity and, as you can see behind me, all the walls are black in the playing surface, and that's so. When you're standing on your court and your opponent hits the ball pops, you know it's coming outside. You don't see that. You got wind, you got heat, you got sweat, you got movement, you got craziness, and so that's where we've dove into being different and we're hoping it'll pay off. Chris: No, all true. I mean having played myself. You're right, if you're outside and depending on where the sun is, you may, it's sometimes hard to see the ball. Brian: Yeah, true, not in here. Perfect lighting, perfect temperature, perfect courts. And the one thing I get annoyed I'm a spoiled. I'm a pickleball snob. Now. I cannot stand playing on a court where the court right next door is not separated and their ball keeps coming into mine. I'm like I can't even play that way anymore. I'm, I've become a. I've become a pickleball snob. I expect to be able to get on my court and play my game and not be disrupted by anybody else. Chris: There you go, as every man and woman should have a right to right. That's right. So so you kind of bit this off as a franchisee. Let's talk a little bit about that. What are some of the things that you learned about that process that maybe you weren't expecting that you could share with some listeners, and maybe a lot of people look at franchise opportunities. Brian: So I tell people all the time. So I've been involved in franchising in a couple of other ways. I went for about a four-year period and worked for a nationwide property management franchising company called Property Management Incorporated and I was up at the corporate level seeing. So I learned about franchising itself and people go why are you doing this, why should I do this? And I would give them reasons why. If you're already running your business, you already know what you're doing. You don't need a franchise when you're starting out from brand new and you have no idea what you're doing and you're not really sure how you're going to do it. You have to consider that Anyone can do the business on their own right. Even me, I could have opened this on my own. But do you know how much stuff I didn't know about pickleball that I learned from my franchise organization and the attention that it has drawn me? You have to figure out when that might be right for you. I think that there's been a lot of benefit of doing that. But you got to examine them all. I went and looked at every existing franchise when I started to do this Now. Since then, there are five new Pickleball franchises available and I'm sure there'll be five more in the next six months. So there are a lot of choices. I looked at them all, I checked into their history, I interviewed, expect what they need to do, and then I went and did a discovery day in Columbia, maryland, to find out what was Dill Dinkers all about, and a big part of it is who is the leadership? Who's going to be guiding you? Who are you going to be working with? And I absolutely loved the people that were involved, and that's a big part of this. You're going to be in business with them at the same time, and so this made a lot of sense for me. They were structuring in a very smart way of doing it, and they're the fastest growing Pickleball franchise that's out there, and they've sold 27 regions across the country. They've made great strides at improving everything that we do the play site cameras that we talked about earlier, with the AI involved that's something that's new. The pro cushion courts that's new from when we first started, and now all of our pro shops are powered by Pickleball Central, which, again, is also something new. So when you look at a franchise, it's like, yeah, they exist, but what are they doing to evolve? What are they doing to be different, because you're going to rely on that and work with them to show them how else they can be different. I decided this was the way for me to go and by being a regional developer here in town, I have my first one opening, I have my second one already under construction and I've got 18 more to go, but I'm probably not going to open all 18 of those. So there are opportunities right now and the way Jill Dinkers is, they have your corporate staff, but I'm the local representative. I'm here to help develop anyone locally. So anyone who wants to open one here has me helping them, and I've already gone through all the pain and suffering of what does it take to open a place. I know all. I know what you need to do to have it happen. They taught me what they knew. Now I've experienced here locally in San Antonio. I know what's going to happen here. Those are some of the advantages when you start looking at franchising and say, hey, I want to do a business, I don't want to do it alone, I don't want to start and it's tough. There's things you've got to know to be successful right out of the gun and you may not know everything on your own, it makes sense. Chris: And I said there's the franchisors got to show that value right. The why you're going to be making payments and getting the benefit of some of their things. It occurs to me too, one of the advantages, at least to what you're doing with these indoor courts and just kind of looking behind you is that you could take advantage of some of the big box locations that have been abandoned right that there's every city has those where there was some store that has either now gone to a bigger complex but left that space behind it looks like that's what you can kind of take advantage of from a real estate perspective. Brian: Right and I figured, with my real estate background, that this was going to be a piece of cake. But let me just tell you, san Antonio is a healthy city. We don't have big boxes just sitting around empty. Finding the location was the biggest challenge for me, and that isn't true everywhere else. That's why I'm franchise number one, but I'm not the first franchisee to open, because there are people who found it much quicker. The gentleman up in Pennsylvania went on his very first visit and found two locations and has opened both of them. One of them has 17 courts inside with 75 foot ceilings and no columns. Wow, I think it was like an aircraft hangar at some point. It was an indoor soccer facility for a while and it is like the perfect layout for indoor pickleball. But he found it in one visit, found one landlord, signed two leases and opened them both up. I have been to hundreds of places because I have to have the right hype, I have to have space between columns. I got to have air conditioning, I got to have bathrooms and I got to figure out, you know what's it going to cost to convert the place? And in San Antonio we don't have a lot of space just sitting around empty. Well, that's a good problem, it's good, it's good for the city. I mean, I found this one and I found my second one and I'm continually looking and there will be more opportunities and there will be more opportunities and there will be. Yeah, I think the strange thing in my city is we have probably the most vacant space in our city is industrial space. There's industrial warehousing all over and it's all empty and they don't want to talk to me yet. But they're going to one day they're going to say you know what I'm tired of being empty. Maybe we should talk to these pickleball guys, because it's the perfect layout giant empty buildings just sitting around empty. One day, when I can start turning them into pickleball, then the life's going to be real good. Chris: For sure. So just real quick, though, I want to ask about you kind of just as a leader right, your leadership style and how you think that's evolved over time, and kind of what you've learned maybe about yourself and about leadership in the process, in that journey. Brian: You know I learned leadership pretty young. I mean I go back and think about it and say you know, my dad was in the military. I was a military brat. We were all part of scouting. That was you start learning leadership and scouts right. I joined the Air Force myself, I served time in that and that the leadership is pretty well defined there. I mean, you know you can grow into being a good leader through that process. But in the military leaders comes with rank. Sometimes you don't really you haven't earned it, but you get it because you wear the rank and there's a difference in just knowing and understanding. And in that I learned I'm like if I want to be a leader, I've got to earn the right to be the leader of other people. As I started growing my own business, the challenge was I know how I want everything done. I like it done. A certain way. Most entrepreneurs are type A personalities we got an idea, we're going to run with it, we want to do it and no one could do it as good as we can. Well, you're going to be awful lonely and awful small if you think you can grow business all by yourself. So lesson you have to learn is how do I surround myself with people who make me better, who fill in the gaps of the things I'm not, and how do I let go and let them lead? So I've learned to invest in my staff and invest in them being leaders and letting it go. And remember, if you get from point A to point B and it doesn't cost any more money and it isn't illegal, does it really? And it doesn't use up any more time, does it really matter if they got there different than I would have? And honestly, it doesn't. But that's a lesson I had to learn. I was not very good at it, so my wife and my kids pulled things out of my gripped hands because they were like you got to let this go or we're never going to grow. And then you look back later and go wow, I'm so glad I did that. I mean, they're doing a better job at it than I ever did. And then you just have to make sure you're continually watching over what you're doing right, building good systems, checking on what you're doing, investing in your people, which means spending money on them, spending money to educate them, spending money for them to go out and try things, and also, don't be scared to try something. It's probably one of the biggest lessons I've learned Don't be scared to try something new that no one else has tried, because they're not all going to work, and I can tell you some of mine that were absolute failures. You figure it out, you go eh, switch back, we're done. But the ones that didn't work grew the business, made me money right, made us more efficient, and not being fearful to just change, adapt and be different is a big part, and when your staff sees that you're willing to do that and you're encouraging them and you're investing in them and you're giving them the ability to lead, you'll be surprised what they can do for you. Chris: Right. Well, so first, thank you for your service and second, yes, I think part of that for me is you can't be scared to fail, nervous. And second, yes, I think you know part of that for me is you can't be scared to fail. Uh. So if you don't take any chances, you won't learn, you won't grow. So you've got to be willing to do that and be observant of is it going well, is it not? Do I need to pivot, do I not? For your business and for yourself? Right? Brian: and you have to listen to your staff around you, because at certain point when you grow a business effectively, you start to get out of the day to day, and so you've got to check on it, you've got to hear from them, you've got to build on it and you've got to give them the ability to tell you maybe it is time to pivot, maybe we need to do something different, maybe there is a need out there, even though you didn't recognize it. They need to know. They can bring it to you and you'll listen Doesn't mean everything is going to change, but you give them a chance to speak it up and then it's out there and then you talk about it, and we do that regularly and it really changes the business when people have the freedom to bring up ideas and not be afraid of it. Chris: So let's move from the business side of things to just personal. Tell me what's your favorite part about San Antonio and why you decided to call it home. Brian: I moved here with my dad. He got stationed here when I was 13 years old and this has been my hometown almost ever since I joined the Air Force and I did leave here and I missed it all while I was gone. There's something about the community here in San Antonio the people, the events, the city that I missed. I've lived in other places. I don't think I ever missed not being there as much as I missed being here, and so this is truly my hometown. I love the city, all that we have going on, the fact we continue to grow and get big but we still feel like a small town Never and there's something for everyone. There's everything you possibly can want to do. You can do it here. I mean, we're in the middle of Fiesta. It's been going on forever, but there's still something in Fiesta that I still probably haven't even done. As many times I've gone out and done things and it's exciting just to be involved in that. I've been a Spurs fan since I moved here. I actually saw the Spurs as soon as I came back. We were coming back from Italy, moving to San Antonio, and the Spurs. I was 13 years old. The Spurs were in the Eastern Conference Finals against the Washington Bullets and they were up three games to one and I watched them lose the next three games and then not, and then I followed them and we didn't make it back to a conference championship for 20 years in 99. And then the next 20 years was a good payoff. We had a lot of fun and won a lot of games. Chris: So this is my town. Brian: I love my city. I love all that we do here. Chris: Yeah well, it's definitely spent enough time there to get a feel a very unique and welcoming culture and vibe. You mentioned Fiesta, but I don't see any badges on you. Brian: They're on sale at the front counter. Gotcha yeah, I actually was we made one, we've made one, we've traded some. A few people have bought them and it's a fun part to be part of that when you run a business in San Antonio. Chris: For sure. I've had the benefit of being there for a week on business during Fiesta and learned the whole thing about the badges and the trading and still have them with me. That's a lot of fun. Brian: Yeah, last weekend one of my managers took them all, went down and was down there handing out badges and also handing out flyers about our business Just getting the word out and getting connections to both people and other businesses. It's a unique time when everyone's just willing to talk to you and get face-to-face and everyone wants everyone else's medals. The Fiesta medals are kind of a cool thing, yeah for sure. Chris: Okay, last question Do you prefer Tex-Mex or barbecue? Brian: Tex-Mex for sure. I'll tell you this in traveling the country. There are other places where you can get barbecue. Maybe not quite the same, but there's some good barbecue out there. There is no good Tex-Mex anywhere except here. Chris: Yeah, yeah, I think it's a pretty accurate statement. Well, brian, I really appreciate you taking the time to kind of share your story, both on the property management side and Pickleball. Good luck with the grand opening coming up and look forward to seeing you guys succeed in that industry as well. Brian: All right, well, hey, great Thanks for having me on Great conversation. All right, take care. All right, bye, and there we have it. Special Guest: Brian Birdy.

Join us for a discussion about breaking down challenges into small, manageable steps — a lesson that shaped his systems-driven approach to business. After COVID-19 devastated his marketing agency, Tony pivoted to software development, creating Guestify and an AI marketplace. He introduces his "Results Loop" framework for business growth, focusing on internal factors like market definition and external factors like customer loyalty. Tony also highlights how he uses AI tools collaboratively to streamline software development and reflects on how his mother's resilience inspired his entrepreneurial mindset. You can get the Magnetic Systems Method (and other systems guides) to find issues before they become expensive problems. Highlights from the interview: 1. Overcoming challenges through systems Tony shares how he learned the importance of breaking down complex tasks into small, manageable steps from his musical training and his mother's experience overcoming polio. This foundational lesson of "small steps, big results" has shaped his approach to building successful systems and businesses. Watch the 5-minute System Segment on YouTube. 2. Pivoting from agency to software When Tony's marketing agency was severely impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, he made the strategic decision to pivot his focus to developing scalable software. This transition led him to create Guestify, a podcast guest booking system that leverages AI, as well as an AI marketplace - aligning with his passion for systems and automation. 3. The "Results Loop" system for business growth Tony explains his "Results Loop" system, which outlines the key internal and external factors for exponentially growing a business. The internal factors include defining the target market, offerings, and value proposition, while the external factors focus on increasing the number of buyers, size of transactions, and customer loyalty. 4. Leveraging AI for software development Tony discusses his process for utilizing AI tools like ChatGPT, Claude, and Anthropic Gemini to streamline his software development. He describes how he combines the strengths of different AI models to conceptualize designs, generate code, and debug issues - an iterative, modular approach that allows him to efficiently build and refine his products. 5. Gratitude for his mother's resilience Tony expresses deep gratitude for his mother, who overcame polio and served as a role model for resilience and determination. Her example of breaking down challenges into small, achievable steps has been a profound influence on Tony's own entrepreneurial journey and systems-focused mindset. Check out his marketing manifesto: https://smallstepsbigprofits.com/manifesto-confirmation/ Learn more about Tony Guarnaccia over at his website. You can also connect with him on LinkedIn. You can also check out his marketing manifesto to learn more about his system of growing a business. You can get the Magnetic Systems Method (and other systems guides) to find issues before they become expensive problems. As always, if you have any questions or want to submit an amazing guest for the podcast, just reach out to me on the Systematic Leader website, and I'll do my best to get them on. If you enjoy the interview, please take 30 seconds to rate the Systematic Leader podcast on your favorite platform. Thanks!

Interview by Kris PetersWednesday 13 is arguably one of the hardest-working musicians out there. From his solo project to celebration tours featuring Murderdolls songs, Wednesday not only lives the excesses of rock and roll debauchery; he sets the bar as well.Each of his musical undertakings, including Frankenstein Drag Queens From Planet 13 as well as Murderdolls and Wednesday 13, have the same menacing undertones of gore, horror and theatrics, but despite the obvious similarities, Wednesday 13 is much more than a one-trick pony.Blending the above elements with punk, humour and a ghostly sense of the macabre, Wednesday 13 has his roots deeply embedded in hard rock but transcends the barriers of a plethora of styles and genres that combine to make his music a necessary evil in a world growing increasingly sterile.2022's Horrifier was met with widespread media and public adulation, but these two things have never mattered when it comes to Wednesday's musical output. It is more about the sense of ambivalence and the irresistible thread that binds everything together that keeps the fire in Wednesday's cauldron burning.Such is his contribution to music that Wednesday could easily be forgiven for playing it safe with each new album cycle, but in true Wednesday 13 style, safe was the furthest thing on his mind with his new album Mid Death Crisis, which will be unleashed on April 25.More a step back into the things and a time that gave birth to Wednesday's musical psyche, Mid Death Crisis benefits from production by Alex Kane (Life, Sex & Death, Enuff Z'Nuff, Antiproduct) and a mix courtesy of Steve Evetts (The Dillinger Escape Plan, Prong, DevilDriver) that devilishly encapsulates the musical strengths of both while remaining quintessentially the afterbirth of Wednesday 13.Wednesday spent some time with HEAVY to discuss the album in greater detail. We started by asking if he is confident heading into the album release date."Very confident," he replied without hesitation. "With my last few albums I put out, I didn't know if the audience was going to like it as much as I did. And when I was experimenting from albums like  Condolences and Necrophaze and all those records, I look back now and those are the experimental records because I did some different things with them. And those were ones I took some chances with, and I wasn't sure if the audience would like them. But they did. This is the one record where I feel pretty confident that they're going to like it. I know it's hit all the bases with what I was trying to go for."The album is widely touted as a return to Wednesday 13's musical roots, an opinion we put to the man himself."I think so," he measured. "After COVID and everything, I had a little time to look back on my career and 20 years of doing Wednesday 13. And I just kind of looked at the whole career and went, well, what do you like best of all this? I started looking at it all, and I went, well, where I started was the most honest and real place for me. And that seemed natural. And I kind of went back to that look, and I went back to that sound, and it was easy to do. It just felt right, and this is more of a hard rock record than it is a metal record, but it's not just like I tried to imitate my first record or anything. It's just in the same spirit, and I feel good about it, like I did on that first record."In the full interview, Wednesday 13 described Mid Death Crisis as an energetic experience, carefully structured to reflect a live performance, and emphasized that sonically it encapsulates his career and aligns with fan expectations.He highlighted the song When the Devil Commands as the lead single, crafted to appeal to both existing fans and new listeners, with lyrics inspired by his childhood experiences during the Satanic Panic. He discussed his songwriting philosophy, focusing on natural inspiration from classic horror and pop culture. Additionally, he spoke about his collaboration with Taime Downe, noting its significance due to his admiration for Faster Pussycat. We spoke about his song titles and where they come from, coming up with fresh sounding material the more you write, future and current tours and more.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/heavy-music-interviews--2687660/support.

Attila Molnar Originally from Budapest, Hungary with a degree in IT 30 years ago and classic vehicle restoration recently. Started his career in global, multinational leadership roles working for IBM and Shell. After 15 years a turnaround brought him to leading a non-profit helping families impacted by childhood cancer, then he participated in starting the school of the 21st century in Budapest to modernise the outdated educational system. After Covid started a 2 year family trip in an RV across North America which lead him to settle in Vernon. Here he launched a business to electrify leisure vehicles of the Okanagan.In this episode we ‘get into' it with Attila bout -Travel in a RV on Sabatical-Leadership and team dynamics -Building a career-The corporate vs. non profit sector and more. Follow him on Linked In 

Guest:  Bruce Winder, retail analyst and author of RETAIL Before, During & After COVID-19.

Guest: Bruce Winder, retail analyst and author of RETAIL Before, During & After COVID-19.

In Episode 3 of The Untold Stories of Pharmacy Students, we meet third-year student, Hikmat Kazeem, who's rewriting what success looks like in pharmacy education. Like many pharmacy students, Hikmat's path wasn't straightforward. After COVID-era predicted grades affected her medical school applications, she reluctantly considered pharmacy - despite a less-than-inspiring work experience placement that involved nothing but shelf cleaning. Today, she's BPSA's Western Area Coordinator and proving that sometimes the most challenging beginnings lead to the most inspiring journeys.This episode dives deep into the realities of pharmacy student life. Hikmat openly shares her experience with first-year exam failure, describing the raw emotions of staying in bed for three days and questioning her place in pharmacy. But it's what she did next that makes her story powerful - transforming that setback into motivation to ace her remaining seven exams.Beyond academics, Hikmat's story is a masterclass in building a balanced student life. As the only hijabi player on her university netball team, she's breaking barriers and showing how sports can be crucial for mental health during intense study periods. Her adventures extend globally - from a marketing internship in Hong Kong to upcoming medical volunteering in India - proving that pharmacy education can be a launch pad for diverse experiences.What sets this episode apart is Hikmat's refreshing perspective on the future. While many students feel pressured to have their entire career mapped out, she advocates for living in the present and exploring widely - whether that's earning a British Sign Language qualification or seeking international opportunities. Her message is clear: your pharmacy journey doesn't need to fit a traditional mould.JOIN MY NEWSLETTER COMMUNITY:This isn't your typical pharmacy newsletter - it's a weekly mentoring session delivered straight to your inbox, packed with actionable insights for ambitious pharmacy students. Each week, I share:Building multiple income streams while maintaining clinical practiceTime management secrets and productivity hacks I swear by ⚡Systems and strategies that keep it all running smoothly ⚙️Personal reflections on growth, failure, and resilienceBehind-the-scenes looks at podcast production and brand buildingIf you are ready to think differently about your future in pharmacy, sign up

Americans have lost their trust in the institution of science. After COVID, it has gotten even worse. We take a look at why this is happening and what is being done about it.

Guest: Bruce Winder, retail analyst and author of RETAIL Before, During & After COVID-19

Guest: Bruce Winder is a retail analyst, advisor and speaker serving a variety of clients in the retail, services and manufacturing industries.  He is the author of RETAIL Before, During & After COVID-19 published in 2020, available on Amazon. He was named a 2024 & 2025 Top Retail Expert (Analyst Category) from Rethink Retail's global ranking. https://brucewinder.com/ For more of the Shaye Ganam Show, subscribe to the podcast. https://globalnews.ca/calgary/program/shaye-ganam/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, Brian Davis, owner of One Stop CPA, discusses how technology has transformed the way his CPA firm operates and interacts with clients. Brian highlights the importance of using technology to provide a top-notch, virtual client experience. He shares insights on tools that have enhanced client engagement and streamlined his firms' operations. What you'll learn from this episode: Examples of ways to use technology to enhance a client's experience How remote work and serving clients virtually has worked for his firm The benefits of offering subscription model billing The importance of investing in client education as you introduce new tools and processes AICPA resources Tech stack wars in 2024 | Reimagining Your Tax Practice — With the amount of technology products out in the market, how do they perform in reality? Hear from Jason Staats on the latest products available for practice management and more on this archived Reimagining Your Tax Practice session. Transitioning to a tax-focused CPA financial planner | Reimagining Your Tax Practice — Tax return compliance is continuing to become more of a commodity. Your clients see you as their trusted adviser and ask about a range of topics that affect their financial well-being. In this Reimagining Your Tax Practice archived session, learn more about practitioners who offer financial planning services and how that has impacted their practices. Transforming Your Business Model…Technology — The Private Companies Practice Section (PCPS) is developing tools around technology designed to help firms not only identify elements of their current business model that may be holding them back but also offering solutions to help them adapt in this changing environment. Transcript April Walker: Hello, everyone, and welcome to the AICPA Tax Section Odyssey podcast, where we offer thought leadership on all things tax, facing the profession. I'm April Walker, Lead Manager for the Tax section, and I'm today with Brian Davis. Brian is the CEO of One Stop CPA, which is a firm that focuses on tax, tax planning, and advisory. We're going to hear more about that. Brian, let's start off with telling me a little bit about your firm and how you got started and what you think, are your distinguishing characteristics. Brian Davis: Definitely. Well, excited to be here. Thanks for having me. Definitely, so my firm is One Stop CPA. It's a traditional small firm. We do compliance. I'm a CPA. We do tax compliance, tax planning, we do accounting services. It's a team of five, including myself, some onshore, some offshore. And the thing that I think distinguishes our product in our service that we deliver to our clients is how we deliver it. We use technology and pair it with insights. We pair it with traditional advisory things that we're giving the clients, and we try to give them that feel as if they're getting in person, top-notch experience because all of the clients that we work with are all virtual. So that gives us the ability to work with a remote team. It gives us the ability to deliver the clients nationwide. I think it's a little, I think it's definitely helped me grow business, get me a little bit more work-life balance, all the above. April Walker: All positive things. So for those who are listening, I mean, I think COVID taught us a lot of things - that we don't always have to be in person, although it's lovely to be in person. I love being next to people. But we don't have to be in person with our staff, with our clients. Maybe talk a little bit about that, how you still get that really great relationship with your clients and your staff, even being remote. Brian Davis: Sure, yeah. Definitely. COVID changed a lot within my firm. I went out on my own in 2017. This was pre-COVID. I went out for a lot of the reasons that are popular now, but back then it was not as popular as it's becoming. The commute to work, having to meet in person just to get a tax return signed, mailing off things. All these different things, I saw them as, these are not the values that customers appreciate. They're looking for me to help them do so many other things, save them, strategize on how to lower their tax bill, how to help them grow their business, how to go for an exit one day. I want to sell this, we can have that on a phone call. I could actually deliver even better results to you. I just started to think, before COVID, it was a little bit tougher to sell clients on this service. It was a lot of teaching. You have to tell your client, hey, well, you have to e-sign your returns, so go to your email. And it's like, I'm not used to this. This is not how we do things with our last accountant. After COVID, of course, that exploded. A lot of clients would reach out to us and say, yeah, if you could get this done for us remotely, that'd be great. So from there, I also switched over to the subscription model around  March 2020. When we made that switch because it's hey, well, we want to serve you guys, and we want to give you all the things that you now need to do remotely. So technology is a big part of that. The way you educate your clients, the way they feel. Because you're losing a little bit of the touch when they're not in person. I can't offer you a drink when you come to the office, but there's even things now where you could send a client a gift card. Here's a five dollar Starbucks gift card, so we could out grab a coffee. There's all these cool little ways where you can just make that customer feel so good, even though we're doing it all the time. April Walker: We're going to talk a little bit about while we're here together, talk about technology. So maybe talk a little bit about where you see those biggest friction points with your clients and how you think technology or how you've explored technology helping some of those friction points. Brian Davis: Definitely. I made all the mistakes when I started my firm. I would do compliance-only work. I would do tax prep only, and I would have different segments of clients that I would deal with in different ways. Well, this person likes to sign in person. This person likes to drop off a package in the mail. When you look into this technology, when we look at things as a firm, it's always well, these clients wouldn't adopt it. These clients wouldn't like it. I wouldn't be able to attract these style of clients. But when you meet a client, and you say, hey, this is our portal. This is how we do business. Take a good look at it, give them a free trial, maybe if you're seriously considering them, and then try to do a test. Did you see this message that I just sent you there? Here's a template. Did you get it? Cool. So that's how we communicate. Believe it or not, nowadays, more and more people, no matter their level of skill and technology, if you could simplify it for them, they appreciate that. Whenever I'm looking at new technology, I'm looking for, I love the new features and how I could make all this money using it and save time. But it's also, will the client feel a disconnect or will they feel like I'm throwing them into the tech dark hole? You could lose a good client because they don't feel that personal touch. Even though we're investing in different technologies and moving to greater things that help us on the back end, we also want to at the same time, if not even more important, when you're making sales, when you're delivering, you want to make them feel comfortable with your tools. If your tool is so hard for them to navigate, it's going to create that for them. April Walker: That's right. What are some exciting things that you have implemented lately around technology? Brian Davis: Definitely. Well, I'll highlight two of my favorites. They know that they're my favorites. TaxDome is my client portal that I use. Before TaxDome, I was doing the spreadsheet and notepad method of workflow management, which is not the right way. April Walker: Maybe in Excel spreadsheets. Brian Davis: Excel spreadsheets. Before that and then implementing TaxDome, it helped me map out how I want to grow the team, how I see myself. Like, which task within this job that we're doing, do I want to, one day off load to somebody, so that I could free up more time for myself to do sales, do client services, help people do like advisory one on one because that's where the value is to the client. They don't care if you're in the back turning out bookkeeping and entering in numbers on your 10 key. They want to know the results, and it's the client experience. So TaxDome is great because when I started it, I was slow to implement. I would pick a few clients, test out on myself. I'm a client, too. I would test out my firm's tax return process and say, Hey, what went smoothly? What can we tweak and make better before we go live with this with everyone? But the feedback I would get from clients is this is so great. I love how easy that was. It's on the app. I can download an app. Everybody knows how to download an app. April Walker: Most everybody, yeah. Brian Davis: Most people. If you're going to work with us, you got to be able to e-sign your return. That's one of the things TaxDome makes. I was getting the feedback that clients really like the experience, and I like the back office side of it, which there are other options out there. I just know that doing TaxDome, clients loved it. Another one is spotlight reporting. A lot of clients are used to seeing their QuickBooks reports black and white, ledger. What's more fun than watching that with the client and just going through a list of fixed assets? Here's your security department. They don't want to see that. You got to make these numbers kind of come alive for the clients have a discussion. Spotlight Reporting connects directly to your QuickBooks file, your Zero files, and you can create your own advisory dashboards. A lot of clients I have will ask, well, how I'm I on pace compared to last year? I would say, well, let me run that report on QuickBooks. Let me do the prior year comparison. Now, I have a custom bar chart, and it shows month by month, how you're doing this year, how you're doing versus last year. Another one that I made was a EBITA monitor. It looks like an EKG machine. When I'm showing doctors, hey, this is your EBITA monitor, I say, this is like a heart rate monitor. When you're having these conversations, it's better to have a nice report that you can get them to collaborate with you because there's nothing more boring than reading a report and everybody's just staring at you, and that comes across. Spotlight's another one. When I show people the reports, it's like, this is great. It really answers my questions, and now we could move forward to the future planning conversation where I could make the big bucks with advisory. April Walker: Sure. I want to talk about advisory. Let's lean into advisory. Did you start doing advisory right away, or how did you implement that and what have you seen, the changes and maybe the client satisfaction? I don't want to lead the witness. Brian Davis: Like I said, I made all the mistakes when I started our firm. I was doing advisory, but I wasn't charging for it. I was doing tax compliance. I was charging by the form. This is your form. You need some bookkeeping write-up work. But clients would reach out. Hey, we have some questions surrounding the tax, not necessarily doing the tax return. We have some year-round support questions. We want to go buy a car. What's the best way to do it. I got to come up with a way where I could not just be quick with them in five seconds, get them off the phone. No, I want to actually help you walk through this process. Clients would rely on us for those things. It's not just for the compliance. That's part of why I branded my company one stop, because I want them to feel like it's not just that we're coming to do your tax return and bill you by the form. We're adding that other piece, the advisory, to take advantage of different things. That's under the umbrella of your subscription. Now taking on clients, that's part of the package. You have to sign up for some piece of the advisory and the taxes will come along with it, but you can't do this tax prep. The advisory journey, it's been a journey for me, for sure. It's still, always working on ways to make it better. But things like TaxDome puts them at ease with the compliance part. All your stuff's there. You get audited. You have your forms and your backup. We saved it in a portal. If you want to look at some reporting, we can, support an advisory conversation with these nice cool. People like pretty colors. It's the colors and the pictures. April Walker: Hundred percent that's what I like, too. On that, with this subscription advisory and learning how to charge for that, how has that evolved? Where are you now now with that? Because I feel like that a lot of firms that I talked to just cannot figure it out- cannot figure out value pricing, cannot get away from time and billing, you know, everyone has a different answer, and there's not one right thing. Brian Davis: I mean, the subscription model, of course, it has its little pieces where you, it has to make sense for what you're offering. Just because you subscribe doesn't mean I'm going to go back and do your five years of catch up filings and year to date books. There's also those one time services. Usually when we meet a new client, there's going to be some advisory diagnostic assessment fee. That's just we try to be as upfront about the pricing that we're going to charge them going forward, so we can see do even want to take this client on for this one time service. It's been a journey to get there. As you get more revenue, you can make these decisions. April Walker: A little more picky. Brian Davis: You could be a little bit more picky, but that's been the journey. The price I advertise and go for now is probably 10X what I was thinking in the beginning. Because I was going off of what I think the customers are ready to pay. But if I explain it to them, so you can't just go straight into the pricing conversation. I heard it from the conference before one of the speakers, it's malpractice to just price without a diagnosis. That's one of the medical rules, the medical oaths. We have to diagnose what you're looking for, to put you in the right package. But I do the three tiers of package thing, but the way I do it is I show the big package, the good one. First all the cool features. Sounds great, right? Well, these are the other options, but once I've showed you this one, you're sold. I showed you all the tech that comes with it, and now I start to piece away some of the reporting. Hey, you can't get those cool pretty colors, you want to have that. April Walker: You get the simple quickbooks report. Brian Davis: How can I give you support for those big questions? If you're going through, when I got my start, I got lucky. I got a couple of clients that were in the medical profession that were doing deals where they were getting ready to sell their practices. I got a first hand experience of what a private equity investor would come in and say, Here's our due diligence questions. I said, "Well, you know, half of these are financial statements." I could pull those out. But there's some other things they're asking you that the customer wasn't even tracking. It's these cool reports bring that alive. It shows them, okay? We can support you in more than just getting your taxes and having the financials for the bank and the IRS. We have it so that you can make better decisions and if you're going to add or remove shareholders, this supports that, as well. That's part of the part of the pricing well, as far as pricing, it's all based on what we're including so you got to have your packages premade and a lot goes into that. But one thing I would do is try to not my prices and packages have one name. The name explains  what [it is]. Advanced, starter and small. And there's limited seats on small. We're probably already booked. That's how you propose it to the clients. So you are either going to get one of the two. I'm not going to give them all the options. I'm going to recommend one and if they decide they want the smaller one, well, hey, we'll take them on maybe, and you could grow into the big package. But a lot of times, what I'm seeing, is sometimes I meet with good clients and go through this process, the intake proposal, the discovery assessment, and they realize, no, you don't get this advanced. You're not going to get the results you're asking me for. April Walker: What they really need. Brian Davis: Because it's not a solution that everybody explains and a lot of times when I meet clients, they don't have this. All virtual -  nobody's using the same tech stack as me. It's a little bit of training and education that you're doing. So what I do like about some of these software vendors now, they're working with us accountants to help us sell in. Here's how you can grow your advisory practice and just the idea of it. Well, being that we're talking to just smaller firms, smaller firm practitioners and owners, we undervalue how agile we are. We can implement something, and that could be the start of something great. It's just, you got to do it one software tool at a time, one employee at a time, one customer. April Walker: That brings up another thought I had is, is there a magic time to add a new software or do you not limit that? Brian Davis: I mean, you got to keep an open mind so you're definitely not going to you don't want to keep moving your clients from portal to portal software to software that's a big no no because then they'll look at you like, am I an on the job training client or you know what you're doing. You know, would you move me from this one to this one? Definitely demoing the like I said, if you're doing your own taxes, test your firm out. You could do your own and say, Hey, how do I feel as a customer, or pick a couple of friends or those friend clients and say, Hey, I'm going to send you down this pipeline. How did you feel about the experience? Then I mean, we're small firms. We can implement. Like that spotlight reporting is something I implemented. Immediately, I started to see that customers were reacting well to it, so I put it in my offer in a way. Hey, well, my new customers get this. My old customers, well, I'm trying to tell them hey, this is where we're going. Maybe we'll keep you for this year, but we'll have this conversation and revisit. Hopefully your business grows and you need this. You can't you're not a one even though I have the name one stop CPA, we're not one size fits all. That's the thing you have to educate. It's a lot of proposals and presentations. That's why I like to use YouTube and Loom. They help with I don't have to do a presentation to everyone and lose my voice. I could make a nice intro. Give you the presentation that applies to yours, what I'm trying to talk to you about. Then I jump in on the back end of I mean, big companies do it. April Walker: Absolutely. I'm sure we're going to talk about it a decent amount. We're just getting started at this conference today, but AI. What's your take on it? How are you using it? How has it made your life better or your firm's life better? Brian Davis: Oh, it's made my life better, everything. I mean, we learn how to do recipes on there, everything. You could almost use it for anything outside of that. April Walker: Absolutely. Brian Davis: But AI, I mean, it's great and you have to know it's just like another tool. You have to know how it applies to your firm and how you're using it. Of course, we have to be careful with security and making sure you're not uploading personal data. What I talked about in the session is think about who the customer is. If you're on a free version of ChatGPT, you're the customer. They're using your input to build the model. But if you pay for the workspace, the app it costs a little bit more money, you can control those settings, and now you can get even more advanced with, endless opportunities. I mean, I have when I'm doing video deliveries that, now sometimes I'll do a tax return and I'll send you a Loom video that will kind of answer the questions I know you're going to have so that that way, when you look at it, you're not hey, I got questions, and I'm busy because I'm at digital CPA. Let me show the video, send it to you. I have a script writer that will help me write the script. There's so much different ways you can play around. I mean, I feel like AI is just getting better and better, so I can't say that I'm an expert on it because it's who it is. It's it's such an early stage but it's great. I'm definitely impressed with it. I try to do as much improvement as I can because it's kind of an assistant. We used to go to Google, research different articles, different people's opinions on tax. Now, you could kind of use it as a research assistant. April Walker: To get you started, at least. Brian Davis: Hey, I'm researching these tax things and I have these questions. This is the idea that I want to present to the client. How would you approach that? Of course, I'm not going to just forward that, but it's definitely better to have that with you kind of just to help you out. I see it as another team member. It's like another team member. April Walker: Yeah, we use Copilot. Brian Davis: Well, one way that I'll be using it now, and I got to give a shout out to Automation Town, it's a community that I'm part of with Chad Davis. One thing I even expressed him, I said, well, the Zoom AI summary after I have my discovery call, Zoom gives a pretty decent, recap of the meeting. But I can't just forward that to the client because there's sometimes there's little, I want to put all that. It's kind of look at it before you send anything to a client. Before I start running off tasks to people, I want to put a little bit of, that would be me, something I would go and manually do. I said, well, he kind of laid out a way where you can combine Zoom's AI summary that comes to you by email with a zappier integration that can create a new Google document with action plan, potential action task for the team, a potential agenda recap that you can send to the client. Then pair that with you tell it stuff about your firm. Well, hey, we talked about this, we want offer this afterwards, and now it already knows what you mean. It can get very customized. You just got to play around with it. It's so cool. There's so many different ways people are using it, and you don't have to be any kind of super tech-forward. You can play around with it. April Walker: I think that's right. I mean, just keep in mind the security aspects, and don't put personal information in there, and then just have fun. Brian Davis: Yeah, get those settings right where you're not uploading your life to the cloud. You know, it's analyzing everything, but, once you're in there, I mean, it's helped me design chat messages that I send to clients just enhancing, hey, I want to come across this way because when we're accounting, you wouldn't even want to see some of the emails I used to send to people just to summarize our meeting. April Walker: Oh my gosh I know. Brian Davis: You got to be an accountant to read this but you know, you could say, hey, read this so it's easier to digest. It's great that you could do those. It's pairing it with our knowledge. As accountants, we got so much that we're good at. Now there's these tools that help us out. April Walker: Brian, we've had a great conversation today. I love it. I don't know if you have listened to our podcast before. It's called Tax Section Odyssey. On it, I like to think about taking an Odyssey together, journey together towards a better profession. We'll pip it a little bit to do you have any dreams outside of the world of tax that you have a bucket list or any travel you've got planned that's still there. Brian Davis: No, well, I definitely want to start traveling in the future. Again, before COVID, that was the one thing when I went out on my own, I got to start traveling. That's why I was hooked on, okay, I got to make this firm work because then I could keep doing these trips. My son, he's 11 months now, so when he's starting to walk, he's starting to stumble so when he starts walking, we want to  spend the summer in a different country and those things. I'd love to do that. April Walker: My daughter had a passport before she was two, so do it. Brian Davis: Right. Exactly. Definitely looking forward to some travel, and just building the firm that can run smooth. I don't plan on selling my firm anytime. I do enjoy being an accountant. I kind of lost that love when I was at the firms and having trouble breaking through to the partners - hey, we should do this, there's some tools that we could use to save me time. We have to document every 15 minutes that we're doing. Now that I got out on my own, I saw that there's a better way that you could actually run an amazing firm. I know that there's a shortage of accountants that are trying that are getting into it because it's  seen as this heavy, burdensome job and there's definitely ways you could break through. In the future, you know, just being a part of that, whether it means helping accountants that are kind of coming up in my shoes. I talked to a lot of my friends and fellow CPAs that just  may have met me on a Zoom or something or met me on a community chat or something, and they're just, you know, looking for these tips to help them get out on their own. What is the tech stack you use? What should I maybe start off with?. Maybe some kind of coaching thing where I'm just helping out profession a little bit. That's something like an Odyssey. April Walker: I love that. That's great. On an Odyssey. Brian, thank you so much for joining me today. I enjoyed it. Brian Davis: This is great. Thanks for having me. April Walker: Of course. Again, this is April Walker from the AICPA Tax section. This community is your go to source for technical guidance and resources design, especially for CPA tax practitioners like you in mind. This is a podcast from AICPA and CIMA together as the Association of International certified Professional Accountants. You can find us wherever you listen to your podcasts, and we encourage you to follow us so you don't miss an episode. If you already follow us, thank you so much, and please feel free to share with a like-minded friend. Thanks again for listening. Keep your finger on the pulse of the dynamic and evolving tax landscape with insights from tax thought leaders in the AICPA Tax Section. The Tax Section Odyssey podcast includes a digest of tax developments, trending issues and practice management tips that you need to be aware of to elevate your professional development and your firm practices. This resource is part of the robust tax resource library available from the AICPA Tax Section. The Tax Section is your go-to home base for staying up to date on the latest tax developments and providing the edge you need for upskilling your professional development. If you're not already a member, consider joining this prestigious community of your tax peers. You'll get free CPE, access to rich technical content such as our Annual Tax Compliance Kit, a weekly member newsletter and a digital subscription to The Tax Adviser.

Max Emma initially worked in corporate accounting and finance, but found it deeply unfulfilling. He celebrated his “”Freedom Day”” from corporate America on July 3rd, 2002, when he shifted to a family-run landscape maintenance business. Despite initially growing the business to an impressive $4 million, a lack of financial oversight and the 2008 recession led to bankruptcy. “It was the greatest lesson in accounting, finance and business ownership I could have ever received,” said Max. “Although it felt like the end of the world at the time, I knew I had to keep going and learn from my mistakes.” Max persevered, restarting with a smaller landscape maintenance business, this time outsourcing his bookkeeping to another company. Right away, he noticed a significant discrepancy in the way the bookkeeping industry operated. A lightbulb went off in his head. “For the same scope of work, I was seeing quotes from as low as $200 to as high as $2,000 — anyone in finance knows that means there is a big opportunity to dominate a fragmented market,” said Max. “So, we started the BooXkeeping business in our garage part-time while we ran our landscaping company to pay the bills.” Gradually, BooXkeeping became the Emmas' full-time job and they sold their landscaping company. Although the couple divorced a few years later, they continued to work together to grow the brand, driven by their passion to redefine an outdated industry and put the client first above all else. Today, BooXkeeping is the preferred bookkeeping vendor for over 95 franchise brands in the U.S., including companies like FastSigns, Gameday Men's Health, Sport Clips and more. “Hanging out with franchisors gave me the idea that I could become one of them myself,” said Max. “So, last year, I decided to franchise the BooXkeeping concept.” Now, with six franchise locations, one corporate location and a fast-growing bookkeeping industry, BooXkeeping is ushering in a whole new era of expansion. “Everybody needs bookkeeping services right now,” said Max. “After COVID-19, our brand became even more popular because people realized that taking care of these services themselves was a huge operation, especially with the economic slowdown. Many are questioning the need for a full-time bookkeeper when much of the work can be done more efficiently outsourced. That is where we come in.”” Connect with Jon Dwoskin: Twitter: @jdwoskin Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jonathan.dwoskin Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thejondwoskinexperience/ Website: https://jondwoskin.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jondwoskin/ Email: jon@jondwoskin.com Get Jon's Book: The Think Big Movement: Grow your business big. Very Big!   Connect with Max Emma: Website: www.booxkeepingfranchise.com X: https://twitter.com/BooXkeeping LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/booxkeepingfranchise/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BooXkeeping *E – explicit language may be used in this podcast.

Show Notes:  https://wetflyswing.com/705B In this episode, host Dave talks with Glade Gunther, a member of Team USA and the person in charge of organizing a major event in Fly Fishing, to share what's planned and how people can join in the fun. Dave and Glade will tell you all about the famous rivers in Idaho, how the event works, and even give some helpful fishing tips. Whether you want to watch the competition, volunteer, or just become a better fisher, this episode has everything you need to know! 1:09 - From casting simple spinners as a child to learning the art of fly fishing as a teenager, Glade Gunther's journey reflects the timeless appeal of fishing as both a personal pastime and a shared experience. 5:15 - Glade shares how today Fly Fishing Team USA continues to grow, selecting top anglers every two years based on a points system. Glade explains how recent changes have made it easier for people to participate, and how the team is now made up of the best 15 anglers in the country. 7:28 - After COVID paused competitions, Fly Fishing Team USA revamped its selection process by creating a regional system, dividing the U.S. into four sections. This made it easier for anglers to compete locally without extensive travel. 15:12 -Glade then proceed in sharing how Fly Fishing Team USA's selection process allows anglers to compete in up to three regional events, counting their best two scores to account for luck and variability in conditions. Rankings from regional events are combined with points from interregional competitions to determine the top anglers. 30:52 - Glade emphasizes how the U.S. aims to minimize disruption and avoid conflicts with local anglers. With careful planning and support from state and federal agencies, the event will promote conservation, safe fishing practices, and a fun, competitive environment for participants. 36:33 - Glade describes their success in securing bids for organizing a fly fishing event and the subsequent planning efforts involved. They mention having a cabin in Island Park, Idaho, which lies within the renowned "golden triangle" of fly fishing, spanning Montana, Wyoming, and Idaho. 43:03 - The youth fly fishing team recently achieved remarkable success at the World Championships in the Czech Republic, sweeping the podium with 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place finishes and securing the team gold medal. Show Notes:  https://wetflyswing.com/705B

This episode of Petworking features Caroline Artiss, founder of Holistic Dog Chef, who made a career pivot to pet nutrition after an award-winning, 25-year career in the culinary industry. In this conversation, Artiss discussed her journey from award-winning restaurant chef (The Gorgeous Kitchen was voted #1 Airport Restaurant in the World) and TV personality (BBC's America's Chef Race, "Simply Caroline") to personal dog chef. After COVID-19 impacted her culinary businesses, including The Great American Fries Co. in Santa Monica, she found her way to pet nutrition through a fresh dog food company in the Santa Monica Mountains. Working with veterinary nutritionists to ensure complete and balanced nutrition, Artiss now provides bespoke meal services starting at $500 monthly for small dogs. The episode covers practical tips for incorporating fresh foods into pet diets, including safe preparation of Thanksgiving leftovers. Artiss also discusses her upcoming cooking show "Little Paw Kitchen," which aims to make fresh pet food more accessible to a broader audience. This conversation offers unique insights into the intersection of culinary expertise and pet nutrition science, while highlighting the growing trend toward personalized pet nutrition services. Listen to learn more about: - Transitioning from human to pet culinary arts - The role of veterinary nutritionists in fresh pet food - Tips for incorporating fresh ingredients into pet diets- - The future of personalized pet nutrition

I recently hosted this webinar for those of you who have been displaced by a direct sales company closing their doors or anyone else looking for a new opportunity. In my years of being a household manager, a profitable direct sales team leader, and now running Organize 365®, I realized how similar running a house and running a business are when it comes to the significance of systems. I know recently some direct sales companies have closed their doors or have announced they will soon. There are three ways I shop and I'm sure you do, too ... Amazon, an ad on social media recommends something, or a friend mentions a product and you order it. After Covid, we never really went back to shopping at the in-home parties. People seem to purchase directly from the company and it's collapsing the direct sales model. Revenue  I started in Mary Kay and then tried my hand, successfully I might add, in many other direct sales companies; twenty three to be exact! In talking to my teams, it became clear they weren't making much money and some weren't making any. You see, you are the direct sales company customer and your customers are your customers. They market to you the consultant with all the latest and greatest products. You stock up in hopes of sales that lots of times never happen. Then you are left with last season's products. I started teaching my teams how to be profitable. Profitability gets your spouse's “buy-in” and you get to keep doing the thing. I've explained a lot of Lisa Math or Economics to my teams, which I did in this episode too. Too much to fit in here; definitely give this a listen. You have to be profitable to call it work or a business. Not how much have you sold or what work activities you have completed. In whatever company has recently made announcements about closing their doors, were you profitable? This coffee chat is for the consultant that is displaced and wondering what's next? I want to say from the bottom of my heart, you are amazing. This is happening for you not to you! Second, get all the emails you can from your current clients. Get the last orders you can and continue to grow those relationships and your unique personal brand. We buy from people we like. Yes, they like the product, but they are buying from you because they like you. After the final days, just enjoy the holidays. Enjoy your family. You are going to be ok! I wanted to get this information out to help you understand the market shifts and how to make an informed decision on your next move. I'd love for you to consider gaining certification to be an organizer through Organize 365®.  What do you want?  End of the year may be the perfect time to attend a planning day and get a plan in action for 2025. If you were making money in the previous company, what were those funds going to? What are you willing to do to replace that income? Clean houses? Tutor? Think of what services you could offer for $40/hour. Once you know how much you need weekly or monthly, you can figure out how many hours or services you need to complete. And then you can start to focus on what you are uniquely created to do which may not be the products you were previously selling. You can explore all of that in Planning Day. Community  People feel lonely and isolated. We all want community and connection. This is something Organize 365® can readily provide. If you know you were uniquely created to help others get organized, please consider getting certified. This is not direct sales or multi-level marketing. It's a license you receive with affiliate commissions. We offer community through the app, others who are certified and our retreats. I loved the retreats and the women I was doing business alongside and I want that for people in Organize 365®, too.  In my opinion, hands down, community is the most difficult to grow or replace. Like minded people who resonate around one product and where you can authentically be yourself. You can grow your community in groups of people with the same interest as yourself, church, or maybe the parents of the kids on your child's sports team. I can't wait to hear what everyone does who is facing a new opportunity! EPISODE RESOURCES: Organize 365® Home Planning Day The Paper Solution® Certification CustomerService@organize365.com Sign Up for the Organize 365® Newsletter Did you enjoy this episode? Please leave a rating and review in your favorite podcast app. Share this episode with a friend and be sure to tag Organize 365® when you share on social media.

Parenthood is often described as a roller coaster ride, filled with ups, downs, and unexpected turns. For many fathers, this journey involves a continual process of learning, growth, and adaptation. In this week's Dads with Daughters podcast, we spoke with Thomas Batchelor, an operations and maintenance electrician for Shell Energy Australia and the father of two sons. The conversation touched on various aspects of fatherhood, from the initial challenges to the changing gender roles and the importance of self-care and support. The Long Marathon: Early Challenges in Fatherhood When Thomas Batchelor first discovered he was going to be a father, he approached the situation with confidence. However, reality quickly set in. "I thought I'd have it all under control," Batchelor reflected. "But it was far from the truth." Like many new parents, Thomas faced significant hurdles, including a newborn who had difficulty sleeping. The initial months were a humbling experience that forced him to adjust his expectations and learn on the go. "I learned pretty quickly that it's not a sprint. It's going to be a marathon-type process," Batchelor said. "Settle in because the life that you knew before has changed, and you have to adjust to the new life that you've got now." This early period was characterized by significant personal growth, teaching Batchelor to look inward and adopt a more grounded approach in both his personal life and in fatherhood. Shifting Gender Roles and the Importance of Teamwork Batchelor highlighted how traditional gender roles have shifted in contemporary parenting. He took a year off work to stay at home and support his wife's career aspirations, showcasing the importance of teamwork in managing family responsibilities. Initially, he struggled to comprehend the "mental load" that his wife carried daily. This refers to the myriad of small, yet significant, tasks that ensure a household runs smoothly. "About 2 or 3 months in, I thought I was doing a great job, but my wife said I needed to start thinking for myself now," Batchelor explained. It was a steep learning curve that took almost a year to fully grasp. Understanding and acknowledging these unseen aspects of parental responsibility not only strengthened his relationship with his wife but also allowed him to contribute more effectively at home. Building a Support Network One of Batchelor's key points was the importance of seeking and having a support network. Fatherhood can be a lonely journey, often described as the "lone wolf syndrome." He strongly believes that vulnerability and asking for help are crucial for personal well-being. Batchelor participated in a retreat called the Good Blokes Society, which acted as an "adult rite of passage" and enabled him to share his struggles with like-minded men.  "Without that, that was the start of my journey. And then I sat with it, and it was really raw and tough for me to do, but I left there and continued to gain momentum."  His experience illustrates that community and mutual support are essential in navigating the complexities of fatherhood. Self-Care and Sustainable Fatherhood Adopting an effective self-care routine emerged as another critical piece of Batchelor's journey. From regular exercise and a balanced diet to seeking professional psychological help, Batchelor emphasizes that self-care enables him to be a better father. "I've got to make sure that I'm getting to bed at a decent time, eating a pretty good diet, exercising regularly, and speaking to a psychologist," he said. "If I do that, then I feel like I'm in the place where I need to be." By managing his well-being, Batchelor ensures that he can fully engage with and support his family. Thomas Batchelor's story is a resonant example of modern fatherhood's challenges and triumphs. His journey offers essential insights into the importance of adaptability, shifting gender roles, and self-care. Batchelor underscores that vulnerability and a strong support network are indispensable elements for any father striving to be the best they can be. As society continues to evolve, his experiences will undoubtedly inspire other dads to navigate their unique journeys with resilience and empathy. For more on Thomas Batchelor's journey and other inspiring stories, tune into the Dads with Daughters podcast. Fathers seeking support can also explore resources offered by Fathering Together.   TRANSCRIPT Christopher Lewis [00:00:05]: Welcome to dads with daughters. In this show, we spotlight dads, resources, and more to help you be the best dad you can be. Christopher Lewis [00:00:16]: Welcome back to the Dads with Daughters podcast, where we bring you guests to be active participants in your daughter's lives, raising them to be strong, independent women. Every week. I love being able to talk to you, to walk with you, to be here in solidarity, together, talking about fatherhood, working through the journey that we're both on in raising our kids. And I say it's a journey because it truly is a journey. It is a journey that each of us goes on every day and we are going to be learning something every day, learning something about ourselves, learning something about the, the person that we are, the person that we're becoming, but also learning about our kids, what they're becoming. And we then have to pivot. We have to adjust. We have to learn to be able to be the best dads that we wanna be. Christopher Lewis [00:01:06]: And that's important. And that's why this podcast exists. This podcast exists to be able to be that resource for you, to help you along that journey. And I'll be honest, as I've gone through this with you, I've learned so much from all of you, but I've also learned so much from all the guests that we've had on the show. And that's why every week I love being able to bring you different guests, different dads that have had different experiences, that can share those experiences with you so that you can learn, you can grow, and you can be able to take things from their own experience, put it into your own toolbox, and help you along the way. This week, we've got another great guest with us. Thomas Batchelor is with us. And Thomas is a operations and maintenance electrician for Shell Energy Australia, but he's also, more importantly, a father of 2. Christopher Lewis [00:01:55]: We're going to be talking about his own journey in being a father to his sons, but also some of the things that he went through in this journey to be able to be present, be engaged, and be there for his sons as they were growing and also some of the things that he learned along the way. So I'm really excited to have him here and for him to share his journey with you. Thomas, thanks so much for being here today. Thomas Batchelor [00:02:20]: Thanks, Chris. Thanks for having me. Christopher Lewis [00:02:21]: It is my pleasure. I love being able to talk to different dads with different experiences. And first 1st and foremost, one of the things that I love being able to do in our conversations is turn the clock back in time and you've got 2 sons. So I want to go all the way back. Go back to that first moment when you found out that you were going to be a father to a son. What was going through your head? Thomas Batchelor [00:02:40]: I thought I'd have it all under control. I thought, yeah, I've got my head around this and my kid will fit into my life, but it was far from the truth. And I learned pretty quickly that it's not a sprint. It's going to be a marathon type process and settle in because the life that you knew before has changed and you have to adjust to the new life that you've got now. And I think I did struggle with that. Christopher Lewis [00:03:04]: So talk to me a little bit about that because as you said, it's not a sprint, it's a marathon and you have to kind of learn along the way. And you've got 2 sons now, so there's definite learning that goes on there from child 1 to child 2. So So what were some of the first things that you really had to learn for yourself that really helped you to start that journey, but also to be able to transcend those first moments of being, let's say, a little bit trepidatious, a little bit concerned, and be able to get into the groove of fatherhood for yourself. Thomas Batchelor [00:03:37]: Yeah. I think going into it, I probably thought I had a sense of arrogance that I was I was across it all, and I wasn't gonna be any different to any of the other parents who were, you know, I'm gonna do it on my terms. And that didn't happen. We had a child who didn't wanna sleep. He was a challenging baby. Didn't wanna sleep. It was a real challenge, and it's been very humbling. And I'd say that the man I've become today and continue to keep growing is because of the challenges of having, I think, a difficult child. I think it's really helped me to just become more grounded and look more inwardly. And I've had such growth because of the challenges. I'm happy for that. Christopher Lewis [00:04:14]: You know, all of us go through challenges in different ways. Some of it goes into the type of child that you have and the the things that they push you into, but then there are challenges at times when internally you have to fight your own demons of the way that you were raised into figuring out the way that you wanna raise your own children. So each of us fights those pressures and that connection and that dichotomy that happens when you become a parent. So talk to me about that challenge for yourself and what you had to do to to be able to transcend and move beyond the initial challenge. And let's say it is the nonsleeping. I remember that. I had a child just like that. You, especially after, you know, 6 months, a year of that happening, you're walking around like a zombie and you you don't know which end is up and it impacts your relationships. Christopher Lewis [00:05:03]: It impacts everything. So talk to me about going through that, but also transcending that to be able to push through it, but to be able to also learn from it to help you to be the dad that you wanted to be now. Thomas Batchelor [00:05:16]: So I sort of just got my head down really. I thought to myself, if I can try and do as much as I can so I would try and do as much as I could to try and support my wife with the wake ups so she could have a better day. I had Oscar at home as my oldest boy. And I just continued to keep putting my head down. But then I was also trying to mesh in this social life as well. So I thought I could still go out with my mates. I thought I could still go and do all these things that I wanted to do, but still be able to be this supportive husband and the father that I wanted to be and I couldn't do it all. And that became quite an overwhelming thing and I had to really I'm a people pleaser and I had to really make sure that I now I probably only just got to the grips in the last couple of years that, you know, you have to say no to things and you have to make sacrifices because you have to get your priorities straight. Thomas Batchelor [00:06:06]: And I did bottom out, I'd say about 3 years ago. So I just ran out of steam really and the kids would have never have known. I was just doing what I had to do to get through but I wasn't enjoying the process. I wasn't present. I was making sure that I was doing the things I had to do as a father, but I wasn't enjoying it. It just wasn't an enjoyable experience. And I bottomed out, and I started becoming involved in groups of of particularly men who I would who I went away with. It was almost like an adult rite of passage. Thomas Batchelor [00:06:36]: I would go away and I'll speak about some of the challenges, obviously, throughout the course of my life and then obviously how it's impacting me as a father now and just really unpacking that. Just having more people to talk to, you know, more people to speak to who are also going through different struggles and just getting it out there. And that really helped me to put things into perspective and and know that I'm not alone. I don't know if you've heard the term the lone wolf syndrome. So that was something I idea. I just got my head down and I would go to the beach at 5 AM in the morning in winter and and run on the beach. I really hammered exercise to a point where it was unhealthy. And just to try and feel something, to try and, you know, get up before the kids got up. Thomas Batchelor [00:07:16]: I just burnt out. I just couldn't do anymore. And I feel like there's just been different phases of my life where I've had to lean into certain things by slowing things down and then speeding things up at time to try and get to where I need to be. And I feel like I'm really there now. I'm in a really good spot now. I'm actually starting to enjoy my time with my boys. And I'm really grateful for that because, I mean, I don't know how long I could have gone on for. I mean, I didn't wanna get to when the kids were 10, 11, 12 and go far out the whole time. Thomas Batchelor [00:07:44]: I've just been a servant, you know, and I haven't enjoyed the process. This is more it's about being a parent. So I'm grateful for where I am now. And it's it's a lot of hard work, but grateful for where I am now. So Christopher Lewis [00:07:55]: let's rewind a little bit because this process that you went through and this journey that you were on, it sounds like a roller coaster in regards to the highs and the lows and what you were pushing yourself to try to accomplish, but you weren't accomplishing. So you've gotten to a point now where you feel like you're in a good spot, but you had to have gone through some healing in some aspect. You had to have gone through some aspect to challenge yourself, to push you in a different direction. What did you have to do to be able to get off of that roller coaster? What did you have to do to be able to get on this new path that you were on? Because there are going to be dads that are listening right now that are on that roller coaster. They hear they heard what you just said and said, I feel that way right now, but I don't know how to get off. I don't know how to start on this different journey. Thomas Batchelor [00:08:47]: I think just submitting to where you're at and then asking for help. I think asking for help is the biggest thing. So getting the right people around you who can support you. And if that's not your close circle of friends because you're not there yet, I wasn't there yet. So you think about the people that you went to school with, the people that you work with, your family, you might not feel comfortable going to these people. And I do think that comes back to an upbringing thing and I raise my kids now to speak about their emotions and if they're feeling a certain way we really unpack it. I don't feel that was ever there for me as a child. So I feel like my child's emotional intelligence was actually better or as good as mine as a person who was in their mid thirties. Thomas Batchelor [00:09:30]: My boy at the time was 5, and his emotional intelligence is is really good. He can tell me how he's he's feeling, and, I mean, I couldn't do that as an adult. So I think you have to put your ego aside. You have to really be vulnerable. Vulnerable is probably the biggest word. And then you have to lean into there's plenty of support groups out there. So I went on a retreat with a guy called Mike Dyson, and he ran a retreat called the Good Blokes Retreat. So it was a bunch of like minded men, and we went away for a weekend. Thomas Batchelor [00:09:58]: It was all facilitated, catered for. It was in a beautiful part of Western Australia down the south region, and it was winter, and we just had real conversations. So I just get tingles running through my body now speaking about it because without that, that was the start of my journey. And then I sat with it, and it was really raw and it was tough for me to do, but I left there and I'm like, you know what? It just continued to gain momentum. And from that point on then I leant into other circles. So I spoke to my work colleagues. I spoke to my family. I spoke to the guys I went to school with and played sport with. Thomas Batchelor [00:10:35]: And then from that point on it was all out there and I basically said I can't and don't want to do this all on my own. You know, I want to be able to have the support of my friends and family to enjoy this process as much as possible. And the more that I lean into vulnerability, the more I look at my wife and my kids and feel that connection and that love because it works. It simply works. Yes. I don't know really what more to add to that, but it's been a journey and I'm happy that I'm here now. Christopher Lewis [00:11:03]: Now you and I were connected through Sarah McConachay, who Sarah wrote a book that you were a part of, that you contributed a chapter to. And in that chapter, you talk about a number of the things that you've already talked about already. And I think one of the things that I found really interesting was you talked a little bit about the fact that you mentioned in what you wrote that following instructions and helping out wasn't enough to handle the mental load at home. Can you elaborate on what you meant by the mental load and how you came to understand its impact on you and on your family dynamics? Thomas Batchelor [00:11:42]: Yeah. So I'd probably just take it back a little bit. During probably my lowest time, it was sort of when COVID hit. My wife was really busy at work and she's always thinking 2 steps ahead. You know, what's for dinner tonight? What's for dinner tomorrow night? Putting on washing. Just constantly thinking, kids' birthday parties. There's constantly things that I feel like in my relationship that the mom and the working mom has to think about so many more things. I don't know whether it's a male default setting because evolution has brought us to this point. Thomas Batchelor [00:12:11]: I do think that men are probably having to do more outside of their comfort zone now than ever, and maybe that's an to sit with our evolution for a little bit so our kids can see it, and then we can then take on some of that more of that mental load of all the things that the women talk about. So COVID came along. It was really tough for me, but my wife obviously continued to work and continued to do the home stuff. And I would do the home stuff. Don't get me wrong. I would I would help out and do as much as I could. After COVID, we said, right. We need we need to sort of slow things down here. Thomas Batchelor [00:12:41]: So my wife took a year off of study break. She went back and and studied her master's. And then she said, look, I'm going to start applying for jobs. And if I land a job as a in an executive position, then, you know, maybe I'll wind back at work and I'll have the year off to adjust. And then from that point on, we'll assess it. And I felt like I was a lot more comfortable being at home with the pace of home than sort of going to work and then having to adjust back to the pace of home. So I said, alright. So my wife ended up landing this position at at a at her work or she she applied for this position and got it. Thomas Batchelor [00:13:18]: And then I asked my work if I could have 12 months off work, and and they said yes, which was which was amazing. And then it was a steep learning curve. So this is where the mental load comes in. So the 1st 2 or 3 months, I remember thinking I was going along okay. And I went out for dinner with my wife about 2 or 3 months in. I said, look, how am I going? And she sort of looked at me and she was a bit reluctant to give me an answer. And I sort of said, what do you mean? She said, look, I just need you to start thinking for yourself now. You need to start thinking about what needs to be done versus what I tell you that needs to be done. Thomas Batchelor [00:13:51]: And so obviously it was a bit of a shock, but looking back now, she was correct. And it really took the full year, I think by about the 9 month mark, where I was like really gaining some steam then. I was thinking about, again, it was not for dinner tonight but for the next night, putting a load of washing on, making sure that things are away, just small things. So that's when I think I really became a benefit at home is when I could actually start to remove some of the mental load that my wife had. And I do think there's a lot of other women out there who have similar experiences. But it's I don't think it's a I didn't do it on purpose, but I'm a base now compared to where I was a year ago in regards to how I go about things at home. Christopher Lewis [00:14:36]: So as you think back to that and you think at the future, so you were talking about gender roles and how those changed in that period of time for you and your family. So how have gender roles and expectations evolved for you in your parenting? And how did you and your wife navigate them beyond that period? And how do you navigate them now? And what advice would you give to other families that are trying to find that balance? Thomas Batchelor [00:15:01]: I've always been a big supporter of my wife. So I've been with my partner since I was 16. We were both going to school together, and I've always been a big supporter of her. And she's very smart, and I've always thought that some of my life's work would be really supporting her in in being the best that she can be. I mean, I really thrive in seeing people that I love around me do well in life. I celebrate other people's victories, and my wife's one of them. So I think going into it, I was probably going into it with a bit of, I'll just I'm going to support my wife, but I really didn't think about all of the things that had to be done at at home and it was a challenge. And I'd say you just have to keep communicating with your partner and just gotta keep communicating and making sure that you're on the same page and you're both pulling in the same direction. Thomas Batchelor [00:15:48]: And the more, like anything with any job or any type of task, the more that you do it, the better that you become at it. And then the more that you can then focus on other things that you want to in life. Christopher Lewis [00:15:58]: In raising 2 sons, especially now in what you've learned yourself about gender roles, about the changing gender roles in family dynamics right now, how does that adjust the way that you think as a father? How does that adjust the way that you parent your sons as they grow into a world that will be even more different as they get into adulthood? Thomas Batchelor [00:16:24]: I've never really thought about the stereotypes as such that man does this, woman does that. I've never been that type of person. I think it'll be great to see in the future my boys of how they probably view it. It will be interesting. I think we're probably at this biggest change in a gender equality or gender stereotype roles more than ever. I do think that it will become the norm, I think, over the next 10, 20, 30 years. I think the numbers are still low. I think the numbers are still very low of men that stay stay home, but it is gaining traction. Thomas Batchelor [00:16:57]: But it's a hard job at home. It is a challenging job, but I think it's going to be great to see that, yeah, mom and dad are both capable of doing whatever they want in life. Christopher Lewis [00:17:05]: Now you mentioned the fact that you had an employer that was supportive of this journey that you went on to be able to be engaged at home and also support your partner in the new endeavors that she was endeavoring on. And not every business has done that or will do that. How important do you think it is for workplace policies and support systems to be put into place for families, for fathers, for parents in general to allow for them to have that work life balance that you talked about? Thomas Batchelor [00:17:42]: Very important. That year off really helped me to adjust. I think if I did it in a part time capacity, I think it would have been a real struggle for me. I think I need that year off to be able to, fully commit to the role, and then now I've adjusted back to 2 days a week. But, I mean, I was there for 12 years before I went on that year. So I've got a a wealth of knowledge, at the power station where I work, and I think it would be not wise to let a lot of that knowledge go. I mean, I feel like I fit really well in with my team and I'm a good team player. I'll help as much as I can where I can, but I do feel like leading into that year, I was having quite a lot of personal leave in regards to this appointment, that appointment. Thomas Batchelor [00:18:24]: And so now I'm back 2 days a week, work Monday Tuesday, and then a lot of those appointments are scheduled for Wednesday, Thursday, Friday. So I think for the employer, I think it's actually a really good idea because now I'm not impacting the business as much with some of the commitments that I have to with my kids. And I do feel like women probably get a roar end of the deal when it comes to this part time type scenario. My wife tried to work a part time, but it's it's full time work. I mean, they're having to jam a full time job into a part time capacity. I think we've got a long way to go there in regards to the working mum. And I still feel like there's probably with the men, it seems more attractive that a man would stay home and and have the time off, whether I think the women probably get held back a little bit more. I I do think it's we have to do more to support, I think, working mums in the workplace who work in a part time capacity. Thomas Batchelor [00:19:16]: So I feel like a lot of the stories out there out here is that the moms are having to do a full time load in a part time case, which is I don't think is fair. Christopher Lewis [00:19:24]: Now a number of the things that you talked about really revolve around that you've gotten to a point where you've identified for yourself the things that you need to be able to do to take care of yourself, but also your family. So I saw this in the piece that you wrote, but also in what you've said that there is a importance that you've placed on self care and communication that seems to be following you now and into the future. Could you share an example for me of how you've incorporated the self care now for yourself in this next phase of your journey of fatherhood and how you hope that that will help you to be able to be an even better father in the future? Thomas Batchelor [00:20:05]: Again, just getting my priorities straight. So making sure that I'm not saying yes to things that aren't serving me. I don't go out as much as I like to go out for a beer now and again, but I don't push it. So I'm not the guy who who comes home. I haven't got anything against people who want to come home late or they can do these things. If they can fit it all in, they can do it. I just can't do it. So I've got to make sure that I'm getting to bed at a decent time. Thomas Batchelor [00:20:28]: I'm eating a pretty good diet. I'm exercising regularly. I'm speaking to a psychologist. Just reaching out. I mean, just doing things. I mean, I'm helping in my community. I'll say no to certain things, but I'll say yes to other things, you know, other things that align with my values. And I mean, my priority is my family. Thomas Batchelor [00:20:47]: And if anything outside of that impact my role as a dad at home, then I have to say, I still struggle to say no. I'm a person that does like to please and does like to say yes. So I've got to keep working at that. And if I do that, then I feel like I'm in the place where I need to be. Christopher Lewis [00:21:03]: Now I always finish our interviews with what I like to call our fatherhood 5, where I ask you 5 more questions to delve deeper into you as a dad. Are you ready? Thomas Batchelor [00:21:10]: Yep. Ready. Christopher Lewis [00:21:10]: In one word, what is fatherhood? Thomas Batchelor [00:21:12]: Growth. Christopher Lewis [00:21:13]: Now when was the time that you felt like you finally succeeded at being a father? Thomas Batchelor [00:21:18]: When I started getting full night sleeps. Christopher Lewis [00:21:21]: I remember those times. Now, if I was to talk to your boys, how would they describe you as a dad? Thomas Batchelor [00:21:26]: I would like to say that they think I'm funny, that I'm active, that I'm very supportive of their journey, that they feel safe. I do feel the love and affection from my boys. So I'd like to think that they would think I'm doing a okay job. Christopher Lewis [00:21:41]: 10 years from now, what do you want them to say? Thomas Batchelor [00:21:43]: I want them to be able to come to me if they have something going on in their life and say, dad, I need help. And if it's not from me, it has to be from another good man. I do feel like my role as a father is to shepherd them through life and to try and open up as many doors as I can. And if some of those doors they don't want to explore, that's fine. But I really do want to feel like that they can, when they have those bumps along their journey, that they can either speak to me or men like me. Christopher Lewis [00:22:12]: Now who inspires you to be a better dad? Thomas Batchelor [00:22:14]: Other dads. I say just other dads. Other dads who are going through the same things that I'm going through. I walk through the school grounds and I see the way that dads interact with their kids and that inspires me. I really like seeing that. Christopher Lewis [00:22:26]: Now you've given a lot of pieces of advice today, things for people to definitely consider and think about and see how they can incorporate that into their lives. As we finish up today, what's one piece of advice you'd want to give to every dad? Thomas Batchelor [00:22:38]: Just be vulnerable. Speak about the challenges. Just try and be vulnerable. And that's all I can really say. Just be vulnerable. If you can be vulnerable and open and honest about where you're at, then I think most things will flow there. Christopher Lewis [00:22:51]: Now, Thomas, I mentioned that you are a part of Sarah McConachie's book. We'll put a link in the notes today so people can read your story and check that out. If people want to find out any more about you, is there a best place for them to go? Thomas Batchelor [00:23:02]: I suppose you could go to LinkedIn or I have got a Facebook account. I'm quite new to all this, so I've enjoyed it. So I don't really have anything else. I'd say probably just reach out to me, and if you want any more of my journey or any of the support groups or just to chat, then I'm always welcome to have a chat with someone who's struggling or just needs a ear to listen. Christopher Lewis [00:23:24]: Well, Thomas, I just want to say thank you. Thank you for sharing your journey, the highs and the lows, and I truly wish you all the best. Thomas Batchelor [00:23:31]: Thanks, Chris. I appreciate it. Christopher Lewis [00:23:32]: If you've enjoyed today's episode of the dads with daughters podcast, we invite you to check out the fatherhood insider. The fatherhood insider is the essential source for any dad that wants to be the best dad that he can be. We know that no child comes with an instruction manual and most dads are figuring it out as they go along, and the fatherhood insider is full of resources and information that will up your game on fatherhood. Through our extensive course library, interactive forum, step by step roadmaps, and more, you will engage and learn with experts, but more importantly, dads like you. So check it out at fatheringtogether.org. If you are a father of a daughter and have not yet joined the dads with daughters Facebook community, there's a link in the notes today. Dads with daughters is a program of fathering together. We look forward to having you back for another great guest next week. All geared to helping you raise strong and powered daughters and be the best dad that you can be. Christopher Lewis [00:24:31]: We're all in the same boat, and it's full of tiny screaming passengers. We spend the time, We give the lessons. We make the meals. We buy them presents and bring your a game. Because those kids are growing fast. The time goes by just like a dynamite blast. The world. Choose them. Be the best dad you can be. You're the best dad you can be.

*not Dr. Lance Timmerman joins Kevin and Zach again, this time to talk about what he's changed his mind about business. It turns out that Lance isn't fond of a giant, hygiene-centric practice. After COVID he found that dental hygiene barely covered its own overhead and he definitely didn't enjoy it. Some links from the show: EMS Airflow Become a member of the Very Clinical Facebook group!  Join the Very Dental Facebook group using the password "Timmerman," Hornbrook," McWethy," "Papa Randy" or "Lipscomb." The Very Dental Podcast network is and will remain free to download. If you'd like to support the shows you love at Very Dental then show a little love to the people that support us! -- Crazy Dental has everything you need from cotton rolls to equipment and everything in between and the best prices you'll find anywhere! If you head over to verydentalpodcast.com/crazy and use coupon code “verydental10” you'll get another 10% off your order! Go save yourself some money and support the show all at the same time! -- The Wonderist Agency is basically a one stop shop for marketing your practice and your brand. From logo redesign to a full service marketing plan, the folks at Wonderist have you covered! Go check them out at verydentalpodcast.com/wonderist! -- Enova Illumination makes the very best in loupes and headlights, including their new ergonomic angled prism loupes! They also distribute loupe mounted cameras and even the amazing line of Zumax microscopes! If you want to help out the podcast while upping your magnification and headlight game, you need to head over to verydentalpodcast.com/enova to see their whole line of products! -- CAD-Ray offers the best service on a wide variety of digital scanners, printers, mills and even  their very own browser based design software, Clinux! CAD-Ray has been a huge supporter of the Very Dental Podcast Network and I can tell you that you'll get no better service on everything digital dentistry than the folks from CAD-Ray. Go check them out at verydentalpodcast.com/CADRay!      

In today's episode: There's unprecedented wage deflation across America; job-seekers are taking jobs for tens of thousands less than just a few months ago. Hiring managers are taking advantage of a tight job market to post jobs for lower wages. After COVID, companies overspent on labor; now, employees are getting fired as a cost-cutting measure. The market now likes seeing layoffs; they're considered a sign of profit-taking instead of weakness. This episode discusses a new piece in The Wall Street Journal: Bosses Want to Reset Worker Pay. They're Quietly Finding Ways to Do It. - WSJ Culture Leaders Daily is a daily, five-minute podcast for CEOs where we dissect the week's biggest news, unpack hot-button workplace trends, and bring you exclusive interviews with leaders who leverage culture to drive real business results. John Frehse, Global Head of Labor Strategies at Ankura, joins Jessica every week to discuss the latest news in labor, employment, and workplace culture by asking each other the question: 'What Are You Paying Attention To Now?' John Frehse: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnfrehse/ Bio at Ankura: https://ankura.com/experts-and-advisors/john-frehse Jessica Kriegel: Website: https://www.jessicakriegel.com/ LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessicakriegel Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jess_kriegel/ Culture Partners: Website: https://culturepartners.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/culturepartners/

Today, we're diving into how to prioritize wellbeing while building your personal brand. Burnout and wellbeing are significant concerns in the workplace today. After COVID-19, it's reported that 7 out of 10 people were not thriving. Extensive research by Gallup highlights that wellbeing is a multifaceted concept encompassing five crucial areas: career wellbeing, social wellbeing, financial wellbeing, physical wellbeing, and community wellbeing. Let's look at author Vivian Tu for an example of the impact that focusing on these key areas of wellbeing can have on your life and career. After a significant career transition, Vivian authored the book Rich AF, which reflects her financial acumen and underscores the importance of financial wellbeing. By managing her economic life effectively, she reduced stress and enhanced her sense of security. To find out more about my work, please visit Dana Williams Consulting. LinkedIn. Instagram. Email: hello@danawilliamsco.com No more leaving your CliftonStrengths Assessment in your desk drawer. Now you can use The Strengths Journal™ to channel your unique strengths and dominate your every day! Get your copy of The Strengths Journal™.

One of the biggest regrets I often hear people have after their elopement day is that they didn't hire a videographer. Imagine being able to relive those moments for years and years. Elizabeth Kurpanek, a Colorado-based elopement videographer and owner of Embr Films and Ruff and Roam understands this sentiment firsthand.   Elizabeth started out as a photographer back in high school but switched over to video in 2015. After Covid hit, her couples began switching to elopements, and that's when she decided to dive deep into that niche.   Elizabeth not only shares her journey into videography, but she also talks about why she feels every couple should have a videographer on their elopement day, emphasizing the emotional value videos bring that photos can't provide. She also stresses the importance of collaboration between photographers and videographers. Having clear communication with one another can make the day run as smoothly as possible.   In this episode, we chat about: How she got into elopement videography Her favorite elopement so far Why should couples have a videographer on their elopement day? How can photographers serve their couples by recommending a videographer What Elizabeth would tell photographers who are nervous about recommending videographers to their couples ‌ Connect with Elizabeth: Elopement Videography Instagram: @‌embrfilmco Elopement Videography Website: embrfilms.com Pet Photography and Videography IG: @‌ruff.and.roam ‌ Connect with Megan:

After COVID-19 led students across the country to remote learning, parents were given new insight into what, and how, kids were being taught in the classroom. And as months went by when lesson plans seemed questionable and kids started falling behind, many parents began advocating for programs to ensure their children were getting the education they deserved. Since then, the school choice movement has taken off — with 12 states passing universal school choice laws.   National Director of Research at the American Federation for Children, Executive Director at Educational Freedom Institute, and author of 'The Parent Revolution,' Corey DeAngelis discusses how he's educating people about what school choice programs have to offer, busting the myth that the system predominantly helps wealthy families, and sharing what he believes the future of school choice looks like.   Follow Sean & Rachel on X: @SeanDuffyWI & @RCamposDuffy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Paris Olympic games are here! After COVID and “twisties” were the talk of the last summer games in Tokyo, it feels good to have a normal olympic event again. CBS Sports HQ host Madelyn Burke (@madelynburke) joins us to chat Simon Biles' return and Team USA's chances for gold in basketball, swimming and much more. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It's been a wild few weeks in US news... but remember the Olympics? After COVID-19 threw a curveball in Tokyo, the Olympic Games are back. Since the Olympics as we know them started in 1896, they have only been canceled for drastic events like World Wars and a pandemic. The 2020 Tokyo games were postponed a year due to lockdown restrictions, and global viewership suffered. So will the 2024 Paris games rekindle our love for the Games? The Athletic sports writer, Richard Deitsch, joins Ray Suarez to talk about whether the Olympics can rebound. Guests: Richard Deitsch, sports writer and host, Sports Media with Richard Deitsch Host: Ray Suarez If you appreciate this episode and want to support the work we do, please consider making a donation to Commonwealth Club World Affairs. We cannot do this work without your help. Thank you.

After COVID-19 relief money runs out, Chicago Public Schools and the Regional Transit Authority, which oversees CTA, Metra, and Pace, are two of the agencies with the biggest projected shortfalls. Reset sits down with education and transportation reporters to learn more. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.

Have you ever woken up one day wanting just to pack a bag and go to see the world? What is stopping you from doing it?After listening to today's episode, chances are you'll blow the dust from your bags, check if your passport is still valid, and whisper to yourself in a sigh, why not? Meet Heather Wick, Mom of three, the wife of a super cool husband, a Life Coach, and a world traveler. After COVID was over, and while Heather and her family planned a move from Arizona to Ohio, extraordinary circumstances conspired to create a one-year hiatus while waiting to relocate to their new house. What did they decide to do with that time? Travel.Throughout this episode, you'll hear everything about the Wicks' 13-month journey around the world and their experiences visiting 4 continents and 22 countries. Heather shares details of how they dealt with their kids' education, their budgeting strategies, how they picked where to stay and for how long, and many other juicy details about their trip.Tune in to Episode 160 of the Joy Found Here and get inspired by Heather's story to turn your wildest dreams into unforgettable moments for you and your family.In This Episode, You Will Learn:About Heather, anywhere she'd like to start (3:10)If you had a year and didn't have to be anywhere. What would you do? (7:10)Where to stay and for how long when traveling? (14:00)Heather shares tips for traveling with small kids (24:20)How many bags is too many bags for a long trip? (30:50)What did coming back home look like? (40:30)Connect with Heather Hicks:WebsiteInstagramEmail: Hello@heatherwick.coachWicks in the Wild's websiteWicks in the Wild's InstagramLet's Connect:WebsiteInstagram Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week Tom & Zeus discuss the 2017 "Gene Simmons Vault" When Gene Simmons announced he was releasing a $2,000.00 career retrospective called the Gene Simmons Vault, it made news. The Vault contains 11 discs of unreleased material from Gene Simmons from 1966 - 2016. There is over 150 unreleased songs in the Vault. The music comes on CDs in a safe like container with a Gene Simmons business man doll, a medallion, a gold plated label and an enormous gorgeous fact-filled book containing all the CDs. The original Vault came with the "Vault experience" in a city near you. Where you could bring a friend and meet Gene and mingle and he would sign your Vault. It also had a couple mystery items inside the Vault for each purchaser. After Covid and the End Of The Road Tour, the Vault Experience was not feasible and discontinued. The Vault itself can still be bought directly from Rhino records without the experience for $499.98. The Vault CDs alone was being sold for $79.98 and The Vault CDs with the doll and coin was being sold for $89.98 but those were both sold out quickly. Tom & Zeus both recently purchased the Vault and break down and discuss the Gene Simmons Vault. Tune in to hear about someone's foot problems as well. For all things Shout It Out Loudcast check out our amazing website by clicking below:   www.ShoutItOutLoudcast.com   Interested in more Shout It Out Loudcast content? Care to help us out? Come join us on Patreon by clicking below:   SIOL Patreon   Get all your Shout It Out Loudcast Merchandise by clicking below:   Shout It Out Loudcast Merchandise at AMAZON   Shop At Our Amazon Store by clicking below: Shout It Out Loudcast Amazon Store   Please Email us comments or suggestions by clicking below: ShoutItOutLoudcast@Gmail.com   Please subscribe to us and give us a 5 Star (Child) review on the following places below: iTunes Podchaser Stitcher iHeart Radio Spotify   Please follow us and like our social media pages clicking below: Twitter Facebook Page Facebook Group Page Shout It Out Loudcasters Instagram YouTube   Proud Member of the Pantheon Podcast click below to see the website: Pantheon Podcast Network Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Have you ever woken up one day wanting just to pack a bag and go to see the world? What is stopping you from doing it?After listening to today's episode, chances are you'll blow the dust from your bags, check if your passport is still valid, and whisper to yourself in a sigh, why not? Meet Heather Wick, Mom of three, the wife of a super cool husband, a Life Coach, and a world traveler. After COVID was over, and while Heather and her family planned a move from Arizona to Ohio, extraordinary circumstances conspired to create a one-year hiatus while waiting to relocate to their new house. What did they decide to do with that time? Travel.Throughout this episode, you'll hear everything about the Wicks' 13-month journey around the world and their experiences visiting 4 continents and 22 countries. Heather shares details of how they dealt with their kids' education, their budgeting strategies, how they picked where to stay and for how long, and many other juicy details about their trip.Tune in to Episode 160 of the Joy Found Here and get inspired by Heather's story to turn your wildest dreams into unforgettable moments for you and your family.In This Episode, You Will Learn:About Heather, anywhere she'd like to start (3:10)If you had a year and didn't have to be anywhere. What would you do? (7:10)Where to stay and for how long when traveling? (14:00)Heather shares tips for traveling with small kids (24:20)How many bags is too many bags for a long trip? (30:50)What did the coming back home look like? (40:30)Connect with Heather Wick:WebsiteWicks in the Wild's websiteWicks in the Wild's InstagramLet's Connect:WebsiteInstagram Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week Tom & Zeus discuss the 2018 "Gene Simmons Vault" When Gene Simmons announced he was releasing a $2,000.00 career retrospective called the Gene Simmons Vault, it made news. The Vault contains 11 discs of unreleased material from Gene Simmons from 1966 - 2016. There is over 150 unreleased songs in the Vault. The music comes on CDs in a safe like container with a Gene Simmons business man doll, a medallion, a gold plated label and an enormous gorgeous fact-filled book containing all the CDs. The original Vault came with the "Vault experience" in a city near you. Where you could bring a friend and meet Gene and mingle and he would sign your Vault. It also had a couple mystery items inside the Vault for each purchaser. After Covid and the End Of The Road Tour, the Vault Experience was not feasible and discontinued. The Vault itself can still be bought directly from Rhino records without the experience for $499.98. The Vault CDs alone was being sold for $79.98 and The Vault CDs with the doll and coin was being sold for $89.98 but those were both sold out quickly. Tom & Zeus both recently purchased the Vault and break down and discuss the Gene Simmons Vault. Tune in to hear about someone's foot problems as well. For all things Shout It Out Loudcast check out our amazing website by clicking below:   www.ShoutItOutLoudcast.com   Interested in more Shout It Out Loudcast content? Care to help us out? Come join us on Patreon by clicking below:   SIOL Patreon   Get all your Shout It Out Loudcast Merchandise by clicking below:   Shout It Out Loudcast Merchandise at AMAZON   Shop At Our Amazon Store by clicking below: Shout It Out Loudcast Amazon Store   Please Email us comments or suggestions by clicking below: ShoutItOutLoudcast@Gmail.com   Please subscribe to us and give us a 5 Star (Child) review on the following places below: iTunes Podchaser Stitcher iHeart Radio Spotify   Please follow us and like our social media pages clicking below: Twitter Facebook Page Facebook Group Page Shout It Out Loudcasters Instagram YouTube   Proud Member of the Pantheon Podcast click below to see the website: Pantheon Podcast Network Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On today's episode I had the pleasure of talking to Alexia Antoniadis about overcoming addiction and mental health to build a successful cleaning business. Alexia is the founder of Earth Cleaning, one of Melbourne Australia's most trusted eco-safe cleaning companies. About Alexia After struggling with addiction and mental health issues throughout my time at university, I started working as a domestic cleaner so that I wouldn't need to speak or interact with anyone. I found cleaning to be therapeutic and something I could manage to do to generate income that was tolerable, but never viewed it as a long term opportunity. After COVID-19 I was out of work, and on Centrelink benefits, studying became even more difficult as I was remote learning, had to sit in front of a screen and could not ask questions. After becoming desperate for money I tried many ways of generating quick income until eventually arriving at the conclusion that each income generation would be difficult in it's own way and it was up to me to "choose my hard". So I had the idea to start cleaning again, except this time I would be working independently, and keeping 100% my profits. I spent the last of my savings on an eco-safe cleaning kit and a professional vacuum cleaner, and went to my local office supply store to start printing flyers to drop in letterboxes as this was the only method of advertising I could afford at the time. When I was just 20 years old, I realised the overwhelming demand for good cleaners. this was when I realised I had tapped into something that I could grow until I no longer needed to work. Once I saw this vision in my future, I promised myself I would do whatever it took to get there. I have since grown Earth Cleaning into one of Melbourne's most trusted eco-safe cleaning companies and do not plan on stopping any time soon. We are a registered NDIS (National Disability Insurance Scheme) provider and have expended into industrial and commercial cleaning as well as domestic. Since having been fortunate enough to step away from physical cleaning and focus on management in 2024, my goal is to run Earth Cleaning with integrity and inclusivity, and to transform the service industry and the planet by eliminating the use of one use plastics and harsh chemicals wherever possible. Earth Cleaning engage in charity fundraising to maximise the impact we have on the planets conservation. Based on the philosophy that organisations can spark change on a greater scale than individuals can, she holds the wellbeing of her cleaners physical health and wellbeing as her top priority as the organisation grows and evolves. In an era of young people who are always looking for a quick fix, falling into this experience has taught me that everything is hard in one way or another, and this shouldn't intimidate you into doing what everyone else is doing. There is still something to be said about sticking with something and seeing it through. It is difficult to keep an attention span, maintain faith in yourself and your cause and not compare yourself to others; and even more difficult to be taken seriously as a woman or young person in business, but young people understand the future better than anyone else and have the power to achieve greatness! Alexia Antoniadis https://linktr.ee/Earthcleaning American gypC Podcast http://americangypc.com https://www.instagram.com/americangypcpodcast/ https://www.tiktok.com/@UCtt0HzXgvNADAOyRarKZFkQ https://www.linkedin.com/in/american-gypc-1940a2231?trk=public_profile_browsemap https://open.spotify.com/show/2stCfDEs5xOY7xMldvZjXo http://luamlee.com --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/american-gypc/support

Check Out the Deep Dive On FiresideTattoo.com: https://www.firesidetattoo.com/tattoo-library/side-hustle-gone-wild-thom-bulman-ep-279~29247 After COVID and the world had shut down Thom, a 17 year tattooer, was struggling to figure out where he was in tattooing. Between making custom shoes and not not knowing when tattooing might freeze up again he felt like he had to make some real decisions. In this interview he shares his journey of transitioning from tatt slanger to full time sneaker smuggler, reflecting a trend of artists exploring new career paths.  From hobby to business, Thom navigates challenges in scaling up, including outsourcing production to China and tackling legal issues like licensing and cease and desist orders.  He also emphasizes the importance of delegating and hiring the right team to support business growth, envisioning a recognized brand in the custom shoe market. Thom also discusses the creative process, challenges faced by major brands like Nike, and his vision for the future of his company We hope you enjoy this exceptionally wide ranging conversation.

“Great things are done by a series of small things done together.” – Vincent van Gogh.  After COVID, I was forced to pivot and create an entire digital library of training and new business outreach. Understanding this new world of online automation, branding, and client outreach required a huge learning curve.    So what did I do?  I buckled down, took many online classes, hired several coaches who had played in this space for over a decade, and hired people to help me create emailing sequences.     Fast-forward: The value of being digitized was life-changing for me and my business, from growing my client base to creating tremendous flexibility to working and teaching from wherever I wished.   About Adam Rosen:  Adam is a world-traveling entrepreneur who sold his first tech startup in 2019. He now leads eocworks.com, which helps startups get sales through cold email, and thenomadcloud.com, which supports entrepreneurs who want to explore the world.    This episode gives a peek into how to grow a business and live an adventurous life simultaneously.   How to Get in Touch With Adam Rosen:  Instantly Link: https://instantly.ai/?via=eoc  Email:  adam@eocworks.com Website:  http://eocworks.com/ Free Gift:  https://chat.openai.com/g/g-wNYbsSrkf-cold-email-writer-2-0   Stalk me online! LinkTree: https://linktr.ee/conniewhitman Subscribe to the Changing the Sales Game Podcast on your favorite podcast streaming service or YouTube.  New episodes post every week - listen to Connie dive into new sales and business topics or problems you may have in your business.

On episode 228 of the AwardsWatch podcast, it's a full house as Editor-In-Chief Erik Anderson and Associate Editor Sophia Ciminello are joined by AwardsWatch contributors Jay Ledbetter, Josh Parham, Dan Bayer, Kevin Lee and new to the AW team, Karen Peterson, on her first pod with us. Executive Editor Ryan McQuade was unable to join today. This episode we're tackling the 2024 Summer Box Office Draft and we noticed something right away. Not only is there nothing close to resembling a 'Barbenheimer' like last year, it feels like a soft summer for most of us. After COVID decimated theaters and theater attendance in 2020 and 2021, it started to bounce back in 2022, if slightly. Then double industry strikes - first writers then actors - over the summer of 2023 sent scrambling studios moving some of their high profile films around (like Amazon MGM's Challengers and Warner Bros' Dune) to spring and beyond. But even without clear box office behemoths like Barbie and Oppenheimer, there still look to be a few juggernauts that could spell a win for either Team Ryan (with Sophia, Josh and Karen) or last summer's winner, Team Erik (with Kevin, Jay and Dan). Shuffling through sequels, prequels, franchises and a handful of original films, the teams built their drafts with Team Ryan going first, followed by Team Erik, picking five films we think will get us across the finish line and one bomb we think will ding the other team's chances. Animated films like Despicable Me 4, Inside Out 2 and The Garfield Movie making the list, as did the long-awaited teaming up of Deadpool & Wolverine. But smaller films found their way in to, with Trap and MaXXXine showing up. We close talking about some major titles that just the missed the cut, how this year's horror films have shaken out and more. You can listen to The AwardsWatch Podcast wherever you stream podcasts, from iTunes, iHeartRadio, Soundcloud, Stitcher, Spotify, Audible, Amazon Music and more. This podcast runs 1h56m. On our next episode, we will reviewing Luca Guadagnino's hot, love triangle tennis drama Challengers, starring Zendaya, Mike Faist and Josh O'Connor. Music: “Modern Fashion” from AShamaleuvmusic (intro), “B-3” from BoxCat Games Nameless: The Hackers RPG Soundtrack (outro).

In this episode, 12Kyle reflects on the impact of COVID-19 and the global pandemic, acknowledging the personal losses and the ways in which it affected individuals mentally, physically, and psychologically. The conversation explores the transition to remote work and the adjustments made in various aspects of life, including entertainment and virtual events. The lack of leadership and conflicting information from authorities is discussed, along with the debates surrounding masks and vaccines. The host emphasizes the importance of not blaming the victims and cherishing the moments and lessons learned during this time. The conversation concludes with a call to appreciate the present and work towards a better future. Chapters 00:00 - Introduction and Reflection on COVID-19 02:04 - Personal Loss and Impact of COVID-19 06:24 - Transition to Remote Work and Adjustments 10:17 - Impact on Entertainment and Virtual Events 12:44 - Sports Shutdown and Lack of Leadership 21:46 - Blaming the Victims and Loss of Life 23:24 - Life Before and After COVID-19 26:20 - Lessons Learned and Moving Forward 30:30 - Conclusion and Call to Action AUDIO https://linktr.ee/12kyle MERCH https://www.teepublic.com/user/the-12kyle-podcast YOUTUBE https://youtu.be/NSqGjOboYrM

COVID-19 interrupted life on multiple levels for many people regardless of race, economic class, or citizenship. For Latina mothers who either lacked legal status or were part of a mixed-status household, the pandemic intensified the challenges they faced even before this health and economic crisis. In their paper, “No Calm Before the Storm: Low-Income Latina Immigrant and Citizen Mothers Before and After COVID-19,” Dr. Marci Ybarra and Francia Mendoza Lua share insights gained through interviews with Latina moms in Chicago before and during the pandemic. Dr. Ybarra is an Associate Professor in the Sandra Rosenbaum School of Social Work at the University of Wisconsin–Madison and is an IRP Affiliate. Her research interests include welfare reform, paid family leave, the children of immigrants, and the socioeconomic well-being of low-income families.

Mark Jones is back on the podcast today, chatting with Carl and Todd about his latest book, The Pilgrim's Regress: Guarding against Backsliding and Apostasy in the Christian Life. Vowing not to write another book for a long time because of the toll it takes on his life expectancy, Mark explains why he chose to address the uncomfortable topic of backsliding believers—and, to a lesser extent, apostasy—in his latest work.  After Covid and all that it did to the church, there's a very serious need to confront what is an obvious pastoral issue for many pastors, and that is a lot of people have fallen away or become extremely lazy in their Christian living. - Mark Jones An important topic infrequently discussed in many Reformed churches, Mark addresses backsliding in this serious, hopeful, and pastoral work informed by wise theologians of the past and present.  P&R Publishing has provided a few giveaway copies of The Pilgrim's Regress: Guarding against Backsliding and Apostasy in the Christian Life for our listeners. Register here for the opportunity to win. Show Notes: For a copy of The Pilgrim's Regress: https://reformedresources.org/the-pilgrims-regress-guarding-against-backsliding-and-apostasy-in-the-christian-life-paperback/ Antinomianism and other books by Mark Jones: https://reformedresources.org/books/authors/mark-jones/ Mark recommends the following titles: Personal Declension and Revival of the Soul by Octavius Winslow: https://reformedresources.org/personal-declension-and-revival-of-religion-in-the-soul-paperback/ Holiness by JC Ryle:  https://reformedresources.org/holiness-its-nature-hindrances-difficulties-and-roots-hardcover/

Renowned nutritionist Oz Garcia joins host Paul F. Austin to share his journey from artistry to expertise, diving into the transformative power of fasting for health and longevity. Find episode links, summary, and transcript here: https://thethirdwave.co/podcast/episode-240-oz-garcia/ Oz shares insights on cultivating the right mindset and humility for a fulfilling life, drawing from personal experiences including ketamine therapy for PTSD and long COVID recovery. Oz and Paul delve into the profound intersections of nutrition, spirituality, and healing, exploring topics from sleep and trauma to the evolutionary advantages of altered consciousness. This conversation is a deep dive into holistic well-being and the integration of ancient wisdom with modern practices. Oz Garcia is recognized as an authority on healthy aging, age reversal, and fortifying the immune system. His client list includes A-List celebrities, Fortune 100 CEOs, and more recently, those dealing with Covid and Post-Covid health issues. Oz Garcia's unique and customized approach to nutrition, functional health, and self-optimization, combined with more than forty years of experience, have made him one of the most recognizable names in the industry. Oz Garcia has lectured worldwide and is known as a trailblazer in the study of nutrition, ensuring quality of life as we age, and learning to survive Covid by creating a strong immune system. Oz is the best selling author of five books: The Food Cure for Kids, The Balance, Look and Feel Fabulous Forever, Redesigning 50, and After Covid. He was twice voted best nutritionist by New York Magazine and is frequently called upon by some of the most respected names in medicine and media for his up -to-the-minute views on nutrition and its role in aging and longevity. Oz has served as a Nutritional Advisor for Equinox Fitness as well as a Wellness Partner at Fairmont Hotel Spa in Century City. Oz has been featured in Vogue, Elle, Travel and Leisure, W Magazine, Forbes and The New York Times. He has also made numerous television appearances, including on NBC's Today Show, CBS's This Morning, ABC's Good Morning America, 20/20, 48 Hours, Fox News and The View.   Highlights: Experiences at Mindvalley and A-Fest Exploring the Human Potential Movement From artist to nutritionist Running as a spiritual practice The evolutionary basis of intermittent fasting Oz's journey into fasting and nutrition Understanding fasting types and protocols Mindset is everything The humility of being alive Healing trauma with ketamine and meditation The evolutionary benefits of altered consciousness The transformative power of illness   Episode Sponsors: Neurohacker Collective: Use code THIRDWAVE for an additional 15% off Qualia Mind. The Coaching Certification Program by Third Wave's Psychedelic Coaching Institute.

After Covid delays, the trial is finally held and Ellie Williams is in the dock. Liz and Jason were among the reporters at court when the extent of her claims were revealed for the first time, shocking the media and public alike. She's accused of perverting the course of justice against 5 men, including 4 who are white – of lying to police and falsifying evidence to back up her claims, including causing the horrific injuries to herself. Liz and Jason share some of the shocking twists and revelations of the 11-week trial and what Ellie has to say in her defence.   Warning: This series discusses issues of sexual abuse, self-harm, violence and suicide.  From Sky News Storycast, Unreliable Witness is presented by Jason Farrell and Liz Lane   Series Producer: Anne-Marie Bullock Executive Producer: Louise Cotton Sound Design: Matt Wareham Additional Journalism: Sarah O'Connell Sky Podcasts Editor: Paul Stanworth 

Alex Pierson speaks with Bruce Winder, Retail Analyst and author ‘RETAIL Before, During & After COVID-19', about the Body Shop Canada closing 33 of its stores and halting its e-commerce operations as it seeks to restructure under the Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

My worlds are colliding! Today's real sober mom, Jessica, and I go way back. We met in college, became good friends as adults, and now she's one year sober and in The Sober Mom Life Cafe!  Jessica's relationship with drinking always centered around her social life. Alcohol felt like a natural part of the social equation, so much so that she didn't even think about it. After Covid, her home became a social hub for family and friends, and drinks became ever present.  Slowly, Jessica started to pay attention to her drinking. And when she did she found herself asking ‘What am I doing?'. Jessica's Dry January in 2023 turned into a full commitment to sobriety, and she is now one year sober!  Jessica shares how her sobriety has (and hasn't!) impacted her social life. She tells us about the physical and mental benefits she's experienced from dropping alcohol. Then, she leaves you with some advice: You will get comfortable with your sobriety. It might feel awkward or scary in the beginning, but there is so much ease on the other side.  My mocktail recipe book, ‘No Ethanol Needed' is finally here! Grab your copy here:  https://mykindofsweet.com/2024/01/the-no-ethanol-needed-mocktail-ebook-is-here/ You now have two ways to connect with other sober moms in the sober mom life world!  The Sober Mom Life Cafe: For just $25/month, you get access to 8 weekly peer support meetings, the exclusive Cafe social feed (like Facebook, but better!), our monthly book club, the monthly Q+A, the chance to share your story on The Real Sober Moms, and merch discounts!  The Sober Mom Life Community: for just $5.95/month! In the Community, you'll receive access to the exclusive Community social feed (like Facebook, but better!), the exclusive community chat, and one free weekly meeting.  If you're looking for a community of wonderful sober moms to support you while you build your own sober life, join us inside The Sober Mom Life Facebook group!  https://www.facebook.com/groups/1542852942745657 We have merch!!!!  Check it out here! Click here to follow The Sober Mom Life on Instagram Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Hello everyone, and a warm welcome to the first episode of our brand-new season!  We are your hosts, Julie Sabatino and Dee Mercado, and we can't wait to tell you about all the fun things we have in store for you this season. By the end of this episode, you will have learned what it means to be your own bridal muse and understand why that is so important. Meet Dee, Our Senior Stylist  Dee is our Senior Stylist at Stylish Bride and will be our co-host for this podcast season. Dee brings a unique perspective to the team. She was born and raised in a small city in Puerto Rico and now lives in New York City with her husband, Jeff. Proud of her college days as a volleyball player, Dee enjoys an active lifestyle, engaging in activities like Zumba and swimming. She loves returning to Puerto Rico to visit her family as often as possible. Dee's Stylish Journey  Dee's career path initially evolved from styling custom suits for men to freelance styling and then shifted to red-carpet styling. After COVID turned the world upside down, she found a new home at Stylish Bride, where she has been an invaluable part of the team for the past two and a half years. Fortunately, she found her experience with red carpet styling similar to that of bridal styling, making her transition easy and seamless. What to Expect This Season  We have exciting plans for this podcast season. We will dive deeply into bridal styling, sharing our insights and exploring the concept of being your own muse.  Be Your Own Muse Becoming your own muse is all about finding your inner inspiration and steering away from external pressures and social media. We are committed to empowering brides and providing the tools they need for a confident and profoundly personal bridal journey. Our New Ventures  We will be launching some fantastic initiatives in 2024. Our website now hosts a free wedding fashion resource library, offering quizzes, downloads, and blogs to guide brides through the emotional and challenging wedding planning journey. Julie is also delighted to announce the upcoming launch of her book, Dressed, Styled, and Down the Aisle, which Dee describes as a beautiful and inspiring journey through the world of bridal fashion. Why Julie Wrote the Book  Julie wanted to share all the bridal knowledge she has gained over many years. Her wedding struggles in 2001 inspired her to start the Stylish Bride podcast and write Dressed, Styled, and Down the Aisle as comprehensive guides for brides. She hopes her book will become a valuable resource to spare other brides the crises of confidence she faced as a young bride. We are super excited about our upcoming season and can't wait to share more insights!  Tune in next Tuesday to find out what to do after becoming engaged. Links and Resources: The Stylish Bride The Stylish Bride Resource Library The Stylish Bride on Instagram

Want to add strategic pricing to your marketing tool box? Go to InteliChek  or call 877-827-7273 and ask about our InteliShare Series!   InteliShare contains all of our promotional tools that you can use to promote your favorable prices, including our InteliAds, the printable flyers that you can show off in easel displays, InteliMedia, for your Digital Media Boards AND InteliWidgets, so you can show off price comparisons on your website and even let your customers schedule from the widget.   After 2020, it became apparent to many that more emphasis needed to be placed on the fixed-ops side of dealerships.   After Covid-19, supply chain issues and astronomical automobile prices helped shine a light on what is now fully accepted as the backbone of the dealership--the service department. And seemingly overnight, a booming industry was born with fixed operations at its center. The back of the store had become the belle of the ball, with podcasts, marketing and AI all wanting a turn on the dance floor.   But a select few had been screaming this from the mountain tops long before COVID-19 became part of the vernacular.   And April was ringing the marketing bell for fixed ops as far back as 2016.   April Simmons is the Corporate Internet and Marketing Director for Horne Auto Group.   What We Talk About: 2016 April Starts Focusing On Marketing For Service What April Sees For Fixed Ops in 2024 Preparing For EVs How Dealerships Need To Work Together For The Best ROI w/EVs Direct To Consumer InteliChek/Fixed Ops Digital Hyundai Dare To Compare Other Profit Centers/Being Proactive In Service     Music   Wayfair-Horizon   Sam Barsh-Lambs Farm   Divisioner-In The Bag

Dating different is not just for Singles! Dating different is doing relationships different!!  

This is our fourth episode from our HITS K9 conference series. Speaking of HITS, they will be returning August 26-29, 2024 at the HYATT REGENCY in New Orleans, LA. Get your tickets to this conference early!⁣ hitsk9.net⁣ ⁣ Darren DJ Holmes wants to know the “What am I doing”. That he could be doing better, the why, and the how when it comes to detection based training. ⁣ ⁣ Holmes cut his teeth with hunting dogs. He was an amateur competitor in hunting and retrieving, and then got into defense contracting. ⁣ ⁣ Eric talks about how bird dog hunters are light years ahead of the rest of the dog world when it comes to training. ⁣ ⁣ The gents talk about Holmes' operational training for his defense contracting, and off leash safe stand off distance with Marines and IEDS. Holmes talks about how they had 70 days to certify once procured and shaping this program. After his IED contract, Holmes stayed in defense contracting for a few more years, then made the switch back to training dogs full time. After Covid hit, he threw his hat in the law enforcement arena working in the jail, then special assignment moving prisoners and high risk transports. From there, they got a grant approval to start a K9 program in the detention center. He started from the ground up creating the dog program with the center. The guys talk about the fentanyl problem and the “do we / don't we” problem. The guys then get into the science piece.  They talk about how more teachers have Dr. in front of their names, how it has gotten more science based, and how they feel like the science should back up what they are saying. When science and art mix, it gets a little funky at times. This is an important conversation for everyone to listen to and see how science fits into what you are doing as a handler. Join us on our member platform through our youtube channel to get access to perks: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC8D9WOH6ny8eoiTCxFNpBtQ/join

Are you someone who finds confidence and purpose in learning new things? Do you enjoy feeling personally empowered in your home and garden? Are you always looking to have more control over the supply chains impacting your daily life? If so, this episode is for you. Arielle Crawford spent the beginning of her professional life as a sustainable fashion designer in New York City. Committed to wearing exclusively natural fibers, she wanted to expand that discipline into other areas of her life. After COVID, she knew it was time to take her skillset and burgeoning confidence to a homestead in rural Texas, and learn how to live off the land. Today, Arielle walks Corinne through her journey learning about natural building methods and materials. They discuss diving into new projects before being “ready”, gaining confidence from learning new skills, the authenticity of living your life one day at a time, and how pregnancy is a superpower. Arielle is warm and generous with her information and experiences— we know this episode will inspire you to get out there and build something new! Corinne and Arielle discuss: How Arielle chose to leave fashion and New York City, to move to a  career in natural building in rural Texas Arielle's principle of “scaling out your values” The importance of learning new skillsHer transition from Brooklyn to central TexasHow skills from the fashion industry prepared her for the transition to off-grid livingThe special qualities of cob building The Hand Sculpted HouseMagical lime plastering The personal empowerment from natural building methods MOLD and what exacerbates it How traditional paint is similar to wearing polyester Arielle's journey to living plastic-freeGetting to know a bag of flour Arielle's mantra of “Convenience is not my King”Basic life skills as a balm for anxiety, depression, imposter syndromeThe stoic idea that your day is your lifeArielle's experience of being pregnant as a superpower Living life in a pregnancy biorhythm Infusing leadership with femininity Find Arielle's non-profit on instagram @therealnesspreserve, as well as her natural building company @texas_cob. Stay tuned for all their offerings in spring of 2024, teaching others about natural building and homesteading skills. And as always, we'd love to hear from you. Did you love this episode? Did it make you think? Let us know. Reach out via email hello@latebloomerranch.com or on Instagram @latebloomerranch Please subscribe, rate and review the show. See you next time.

Host Alex Pierson speaks with Bruce Winder, retail analyst and author of RETAIL Before, During & After COVID-19. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today on the podcast, I'm talking with one of my closest friends, Ryan Casey. Once a leading figure at Cutco with an impressive 22-year tenure and $40 million in sales, Ryan has since transitioned to the COO of The Lifestyle Investor business.On top of that, he has also carved out a niche as a multi-gym franchise owner with Orangetheory Fitness. His studios consistently rank in the top 10% for performance, even amidst a crowded field of 1500+ Orangetheory locations.After COVID-19 hit, many other Franchise owners expressed needing help training their sales staff. Ryan has since started sharing his methods to help small business owners prepare their salespeople and managers. In this episode, you'll learn: ✅ Ryan's scaling strategies that propelled his Orangetheory gyms to the top, even in the face of Covid.✅ A deep dive into the real-world financial gains and personal growth opportunities that come from active participation in a mastermind group.✅ The crucial role that top-tier talent plays in the success and sustainability of any organization.Free GiftGet the 1st module of the Real Sales Training Course. Visit LifestyleInvestor.com/158Show Notes: LifestyleInvestor.com/158Free Strategy Session For a limited time, my team is hosting free, personalized consultation calls to learn more about your goals and determine which of our courses or masterminds will get you to the next level. To book your free session, visit LifestyleInvestor.com/consultationThe Lifestyle Investor InsiderJoin The Lifestyle Investor Insider, our brand new AI - curated newsletter - FREE for all podcast listeners for a limited time: www.lifestyleinvestor.com/insiderRate & ReviewIf you enjoyed today's episode of The Lifestyle Investor, hit the subscribe button on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen, so future episodes are automatically downloaded directly to your device. You can also help by providing an honest rating & review.Connect with Justin DonaldFacebookYouTubeInstagramLinkedInTwitterSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

After COVID restrictions proved detrimental to our children, the interest in education choice has surged among parents and families. Robert Enlow, CEO of EdChoice, discusses the voucher system, why we should fund students and not systems, and the role of the American Federation of Teachers during COVID.

In this episode, Jason welcomes bestselling author Harry Dent as a returning guest. Harry Dent, known for his bearish outlook on the economy, has appeared on the show multiple times over the years. The discussion revolves around whether Harry's long-held economic predictions are finally coming true. Jason highlights Harry's approach of studying demographics and predictable spending patterns, which he finds reliable. However, the complexity of the economy is acknowledged, with a humorous reference to economics being invented to make astrologers seem credible. The episode also promotes an upcoming cruise event and delves into an article from The Atlantic about the inaccuracy of recession predictions. The article explores factors like positive economic indicators, the role of the Federal Reserve, and the psychology of public perception. Ultimately, the episode concludes that economic forecasting is not a precise science, leaving the future of the US economy uncertain. #EconomicOutlook #HarryDent #Demographics #RecessionPredictions #Demographics #FederalReserve #EconomicForecasting Stay tuned for details regarding our upcoming 5 day Cruise on April 2024. Then renowned economist Harry Dent discusses the current state of the economy and his predictions for the near future. He highlights the impact of massive stimulus injections, printing money, and raising interest rates. Dent explains that the combination of the 5.2 trillion dollar stimulus and tightening monetary policy will likely lead to a significant weakening of the economy over the next year. He emphasizes the importance of understanding the lags in economic responses and suggests that by the summer or fall of 2024, the economy could be facing a deep recession or even a depression. Learn more about Dent's insights into economic cycles and technology trends.     Key Takeaways: Jason's editorial 1:28 About Harry Dent 2:46 Upcoming LIVE Cruise on April 2024 3:25 Article: How the recession doomers got the US economy so wrong Harry Dent interview part 1 10:59 Welcome Harry "The Bear" Dent 12:31 2007 Baby boomer peak spending 16:01 Immigration adjusted birth index and peak spending years for each generation 23:12 Chart: FED printed 44% more money in 2 years AFTER COVID than 2008 to2014 28:12 Is the future still deflationary?   Follow Jason on TWITTER, INSTAGRAM & LINKEDIN Twitter.com/JasonHartmanROI Instagram.com/jasonhartman1/ Linkedin.com/in/jasonhartmaninvestor/ Call our Investment Counselors at: 1-800-HARTMAN (US) or visit: https://www.jasonhartman.com/ Free Class:  Easily get up to $250,000 in funding for real estate, business or anything else: http://JasonHartman.com/Fund CYA Protect Your Assets, Save Taxes & Estate Planning: http://JasonHartman.com/Protect Get wholesale real estate deals for investment or build a great business – Free Course: https://www.jasonhartman.com/deals Special Offer from Ron LeGrand: https://JasonHartman.com/Ron Free Mini-Book on Pandemic Investing: https://www.PandemicInvesting.com