Podcasts about Agency

See the full interview here: https://youtu.be/OUdsZYYd3bo~~~~~~~~~Conversation about the advances in AI and their political and social consequences. Jacob Ward is an American journalist and author who has spent over 20 years covering science, technology, and their social consequences. He's been technology or science correspondent for Al Jazeera, NBC News, PBS, CNN and others, and former editor-in-chief of Popular Science magazine. Jacob Ward was a Berggruen Fellow at Stanford's Center for Advanced Study in the Behavioral Sciences (CASBS) in 2018–19, where he began writing The Loop: How AI Is Creating a World Without Choices and How to Fight Back (Hachette, 2022). He also lectures at the Stanford school. He's now reporter-in-residence at the Omidyar Network, running long-form investigations into “unforeseen effects of breakthrough innovations” and writing about a “philosophy of restraint.” He also hosts the newsletter and podcast The Rip Current, on technology, politics, and “big hidden forces” such as Big Tech and venture capital. Ward co-wrote and hosted PBS's four-hour series “Hacking Your Mind” on decision science, bias, and political manipulation, and has written for The New Yorker, The New York Times Magazine, Wired, etc.~~~~~~~~~Links:https://substack.com/@byjacobwardhttps://theripcurrent.substack.com/https://www.jacobward.com/abouthttps://x.com/byjacobwardhttps://www.amazon.co.uk/Loop-Technology-Creating-Without-Choices/dp/0316487201~~~~~~~~~The Impact and Risks of AI: A Conversation with Jacob WardIn this engaging conversation, American journalist and author Jacob Ward discusses the profound effects of artificial intelligence on society, the risks of AI-driven decision making, and the dangers of losing human agency. As a science and technology correspondent with 20 years of experience and former editor-in-chief of Popular Science Magazine, Ward brings deep insights into how AI has the potential to both benefit and harm society. The discussion explores the philosophical and practical implications of AI, its role in digital propaganda, and the ethical responsibilities of AI developers.~~~~~~~~~Welcome to Future Perfect, a new Podcast that spans topics as diverse as history, architecture, archaeology, and culture, arts and sciences, technology, and futurology – and seeks to find connections between the past and present as well as all the potential futures. Please like, subscribe, and share links to the channel, and ‘Buy me a Coffee', if you like these videos and want to see more. ~~~~~~~~~

Veronika Kryuchkova, Global Head of Capability Building for the Reckitt Marketing Academy, joins Rishad to explore how we can thrive in a world that's becoming more human and more machine.She reveals why high-agency professionals, those who combine belief, action, and ownership, will dominate the future of work. Veronika reframes career growth for the new era: it's no longer about climbing the ladder but designing your own Capability Stack, the intentional blend of core, human, and future capabilities that compounds like an investment portfolio. And she makes a bold case for continuous micro-reinventions as the growth engines of fulfilling careers. Her message is clear and timely: in a human-machine age, those who thrive will treat their careers as investments to grow, not contracts to protect.#FutureOfWork #Advertising #Business

Grab your centaurs and hold them tight, because Seth is back in the pod loft and things are about to get serious with a side of silly.    In Part 2 of our conversation, Seth is detailing the life lessons and AuDHD skills he's gained through martial arts and the importance of recognizing the role violence plays in our society. Then to round things out, he gets some parenting shame off his chest with a traumatizing yet character-building Pizza Secret. Resources  Visit our website: weirdsofafeather.com  Follow us on TikTok: @weirdsofafeather Watch full-length episodes on Youtube: youtube.com/@weirdsofafeather Join our Reddit community: reddit.com/r/WeirdsofaFeather/ Find us on Instagram: @weirdsofafeather  Become a Patreon member for bonus content: patreon.com/weirdsofafeather

In this week's episode of Chocolate Cake Bytes, Ken welcomes back fan-favorite guest Kammi for a soulful and thought-provoking conversation on fear—what it is, why it matters, and how it shows up in our everyday lives. Can you really “fear not” when scripture and biology seem to be at odds? Together, they dig into the language and interpretation of “fear not” in the Bible, exploring how translation and context shape our spiritual understanding.As they unpack the difference between fear as anxiety and fear as respect, Ken and Kammi share real-life experiences, from missed flights to parenting pitfalls, where fear plays backseat driver to faith. Is fear always the enemy, or can it be one of God's gifts—designed for your protection, yet gently nudged aside in moments of trust and personal growth? They dive into agency, trust, prayer, and the messy reality of spiritual life, reminding us that God's promises persist even when our best-laid plans go sideways.Join the discussion as they consider whether fear is meant to motivate or simply signal when it's time to choose faith over anxiety. Listen in for insightful stories, practical takeaways, and a few laughs—plus a touching testimony from Kammi about finding hope and wholeness in the hardest moments. This episode might just help you rethink your relationship with fear and discover a more lasting, empowering path forward.Please share this episode with someone who needs to hear it. You can email me at ken@chocolatecakebytes.com and follow me at https://www.facebook.com/ChocolateCakeByteshttps://www.instagram.com/chocolatecakebytes/Check out my new podcast: The Unstuck Career podcast athttps://kenwilliamscoaching.com/listen

In The PenRick Graham (@IAmRickGraham) and Jake Crumpler (@jakecrumpler) break down the 2025-26 free agent relief pitcher market. Join Our Discord & Support The Show: PL+ | PL Pro - Get 15% off Yearly with code PODCASTProud member of the Pitcher List Fantasy Baseball Podcast Network Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In the latest episode of the Getting Smart Podcast, Nate McClennen and Mason Pashia dive into a dynamic mix of topics shaping the future of learning and beyond. From exploring early reading development and its ties to brain pathways, to addressing the ethical concerns around AI and student surveillance, this episode balances critical education insights with thought-provoking discussions. The hosts also delve into the concept of "cognitive luxury," emphasizing the importance of creating space for deep, free, and slow thinking in today's fast-paced world. Wrapping up with the awe-inspiring migration of monarch butterflies and their remarkable precision, this episode offers a unique blend of education, innovation, and human connection. Tune in to explore how these themes intersect and inspire a brighter future for learners everywhere. Outline (00:00) Youth Perspectives on AI and Surveillance (05:17) Early Reading Development and Brain Pathways (10:24) Gifted and Talented Programs: Rethinking Early Testing (16:06) Cognitive Luxury: Spaciousness, Agency, and Depth (24:55) YouTube as an Educational Ecosystem (36:15) Monarch Butterflies and Human Connection (42:08) The Art of Touch: Tearing Your Food Links Watch the full video here Read the full blog here Hechinger Report  More in Common  Builders Movement  Arthur Brooks - Love Your Enemies   

Episode 206: Street Medicine and Harm Reduction.  Mohammed Wase (medical student) and Dr. Singh describe what it is like to provide health care on the streets. They share their personal experiences working in a street medicine team. They describe the practice of harm reduction and emphasize the importance of respecting autonomy and being adaptable in street medicine. Written by Mohamed Wase, MSIV, American University of the Caribbean. Editing by Hector Arreaza, MD. Hosted by Harnek Singh, MD.You are listening to Rio Bravo qWeek Podcast, your weekly dose of knowledge brought to you by the Rio Bravo Family Medicine Residency Program from Bakersfield, California, a UCLA-affiliated program sponsored by Clinica Sierra Vista, Let Us Be Your Healthcare Home. This podcast was created for educational purposes only. Visit your primary care provider for additional medical advice.Introduction Dr. Singh: Welcome to another episode of our podcast, my name is Dr. Harnek Singh, faculty in the Rio Bravo Family Medicine Residency Program. Today we have prepared a great episode about street medicine, a field that has grown a lot during the last decade and continues to grow now. We are joined by a guest who is passionate about this topic. Wase, please introduce yourself.Wase: Hello everyone, my name is Mohammed, many know me as Wasé, I am a 4th year medical student from the American University of the Caribbean. Today we're diving into a topic that sits at the intersection of medicine, compassion, and public health — Street Medicine and Harm Reduction. We're going to step outside with this episode, literally, away from the clinic and hospital, to explore more about what care looks like in the streets. Historic background: How did street medicine start?Wase: The roots of Street Medicine in the United States go back to Dr. Jim Withers in Pittsburgh in the 1990s, who literally began by dressing as a homeless person and providing care on the streets to build trust. His efforts have shaped street medicine to what it is today. It combines primary care, mental health, and social support. Dr. Singh: For family physicians, this model aligns perfectly with our holistic approach. We don't just treat diseases; we treat people in context — their environment, their challenges, their stories. What is the main population seen by a street medicine team?Wase: This patient population includes those struggling with homelessness, housing insecurity, food insecurity, substance use disorders; with patients being preoccupied on where they will sleep that night or when their next meal comes, they do not have the luxury of prioritizing their health. Street Medicine is a powerful outreach program to bring care to them in order to provide equitable care within our community. Dr. Singh: How is street medicine different than caring for patients in the clinic?Wase: Working on the street means we have to think differently about what healthcare looks like — and that's whereharm reductioncomes in.What is Harm Reduction?Wase: Harm reduction is a public health philosophy that focuses on reducing the negative consequences of high-risk behaviors, rather than demanding complete abstinence.Dr. Singh: Preventive care is the backbone of family medicine. For example, we keep up with the USPSTF guidelines and make sure our patients are up to date with their screenings. But what does that look like in the street medicine setting? Wase: In practice, that might mean:-needle exchange program: Offering clean syringes to prevent HIV transmission and removing used needles-distributing naloxone to prevent overdose deaths-offering fentanyl test-strips to prevent use of substances that are unknowingly laced with fentanylDr. Singh: Also:-providing condoms to prevent sexually transmitted infections-providing wound care to prevent further spread of infectionWase: Yes, the idea is: people are going to engage in risky behaviors whether or not we approve of it, so let's meet them with compassion, tools, and trust instead of judgment. Harm reduction also applies beyond substance use; think about safer sex education, or even diabetic foot care among people who can't refrigerate insulin or change shoes daily. It's all about meeting people where they areandkeeping them alive and engaged in care. Planning in Street Medicine: Wase: It takes careful disposition planning and aftercare for this population. Instead of the traditional outpatient setting where we can place referrals and expect our patients to follow through with them. On street medicine, for follow up visits it requires arranging transportation, finding a pharmacy close in proximity, educating and counseling on medication adherence and how to make it, and making sure they have some sort of shelter to get by. Dr. Singh: Let's describe a typical street med encounter.Wase: A typical Street Medicine encounter might look like this: a small team — usually a physician, nurse, social worker, and sometimes a peer advocate — goes out with backpacks of supplies. They might start with wound care, blood pressure checks, or even medication refills. But what's just as important is the relationship-building. Sometimes, the first visit isn't about medicine at all — it's about showing up consistently.Over time, that trust opens the door for conversations about addiction treatment, mental health, and preventive care. For example, in some California Street Medicine programs, teams are treating chronic conditions like hypertension, diabetes, and hepatitis C, right where patients live with the same evidence-based care we'd give in a clinic. One of my favorite quotes from Street Medicine teams is: “We're not bringing people to healthcare; we're bringing healthcare to people.”Challenges in Street Medicine:Wase: The populations that you will encounter include many people who will often downplay their own health concerns and prior diagnoses. Unfortunately, this is usually from countless months or years of feeling neglected by our healthcare system. Some may even express distrust in our healthcare system and healthcare providers. Patient will, at times, be apprehensive to receive care or trust you enough to tell their story. Dr. Singh: Interviewing patients is a critical aspect of providing equitable care on the streets. It is always important to offer support and medical care, even if the patient denies it, always reassure that your street medicine clinic will be around every week and ready for them when they would like to seek care. Wase: Respecting patient autonomy is an utmost concern as well. Another element of interviewing to consider is to invite new ideas and information; instead of lecturing patients about taking medications on time or telling them they need to stop doing drugs—simply asking a patient “would you like to know more about how we can help you stop using opioids?” respects their choice but can also spark new ideas for them to consider. Singh: Adaptability is another key component to exceling patient care in street medicine. Like, performing physical exams on park benches or in the back of a minivan. Always doing good with our care but also respecting their autonomy is crucial in building a trust that these patients once lost with our system. Wase: Each patient has their own timeline, but we as providers should always assure them that our door is always open for them when they are ready to seek care. Conclusion.Wase: So, to wrap up — Street Medicine and harm reduction remind us that healthcare isn't just about hospitals and clinics. It's about relationships, trust, and dignity.Every patient deserves care, no matter where they sleep at night.If you're a resident or student listening, I encourage you to seek out these experiences — volunteer with Street Medicine teams, learn from harm reduction workers, and let it shape how you practice medicine. Thank you for listening to this episode of the Rio Bravo qWeek podcast. I'm Mohammed — and I hope this conversation inspires you to meet patients where they are and walk with them on their journey to health.Dr. Singh: If you liked this episode, share it with a friend or a colleague. This is Dr. Singh, signing off.Even without trying, every night you go to bed a little wiser. Thanks for listening to Rio Bravo qWeek Podcast. We want to hear from you, send us an email at RioBravoqWeek@clinicasierravista.org, or visit our website riobravofmrp.org/qweek. See you next week! _____________________References:Doohan, N.C. “Street Medicine: Creating a ‘Classroom Without Walls' for People Experiencing Homelessness.” PMC – National Library of Medicine, 2019.Hawk, M., et al. “Harm Reduction Principles for Healthcare Settings.” Harm Reduction Journal, vol. 14, no. 1, 2017.Withers, J.S. “Bringing Health Professions Education to Patients on the Streets.” Journal of Ethics, AMA, vol. 23, no. 11, Nov. 2021.“Our Story.” Street Medicine Institute, 2025, www.streetmedicine.org/our-story.“Principles of Harm Reduction.” National Harm Reduction Coalition, 2024, https://harmreduction.org/about-us/principles-of-harm-reduction/.Salisbury-Afshar, Elizabeth, Bryan Gale, and Sarah Mossburg. “Harm Reduction Strategies to Improve Safety for People Who Use Substances.” PSNet, Agency for Healthcare Research & Quality, 30 Oct. 2024.Douglass, A.R. “Exploring the Harm Reduction Paradigm: The Role of Boards in Drug Policy and Practice.” PMC – National Library of Medicine, 2024.Theme song, Works All The Time by Dominik Schwarzer, YouTube ID: CUBDNERZU8HXUHBS, purchased from https://www.premiumbeat.com/.

The Time Riders: Part 13 Ancient Roman Appreciation For Led Zeppelin. Based on a post by BiscuitHammer, in 16 parts. Listen to the Podcast at Explicit Novels. Becky brought several pairs back to the bed and laid them out for Nanu to look at. "This is just a small sample of my collection, but you'll get the idea and what's available." Nanu peered at them before looking up at Becky. "Your collection? Do you take them from other girls after you beat them up? Like a prize or a trophy?" Becky paused but then snickered. Count on Nanu to think in terms of panties as gory battle trophies. "No, sweetie, I just meant that I like panties and buying them in different styles and colors. That way, when I fuck a boy, I know exactly what to wear for him to arouse him." "Ah, I see," Nanu said, instantly understanding now. She picked up the various types, examining them. There were French cuts, boy cuts, hipster, tanga, bikini, g-string; not surprisingly, it was the last type that held her attention the longest. "Are these panties always necessary, Mistress? Can't a girl just walk around without them?" "You could," Becky allowed, nodding. "Usually when I am wearing a skirt, but there's lots of times I don't wear panties." "Do you wear them when you are teaching?" Nanu asked, looking at her mistress. "I; usually, yes," Becky replied, blushing. "It's a good idea to wear them when you're working." "Because students could look up your skirt and see your cunt and then they wouldn't be paying attention to what you were trying to teach them, yes?" Nanu concluded. "That's one way of thinking about it," Becky sighed. The girl wasn't wrong, but Becky didn't want to give her a civics lesson right now either. "Here's a good rule, my love; wear underwear when you're doing something important that has nothing to do with sex, okay?" Nanu frowned. "What could be more important than fucking?" Becky just sighed and stripped off her tee and her panties, now as naked as her charge. She sat down on the bed and pulled Nanu into her lap. Nanu readily straddled Becky, their tits squashed together and her hands around her mistress' shoulders. Becky smiled, her hands resting on Nanu's hips. "Tonight, we'll eat and have all sorts of fun, and I'll show you how some things work," Becky said. "Tomorrow, we go shopping for clothes and some other things." Nanu nodded, her hazel eyes shining brightly. She was looking forward to learning everything. Dinnertime. Becky came up the stairs, peering into her bedroom and noticing that Nanu wasn't there. She looked in the bathroom, thinking the little scamp might be fucking around with the lights again, but she wasn't there, either. She then noticed that the door to the spare room was open. She went inside and found Nanu kneeling at the window, her chin resting on her hands as she gazed outside, watching the street. She seemed fascinated, and the more Becky thought about it, the more she realized this made complete sense. Of course, Nanu could actually see all that much, because of the trees that lined the street, but what was happening just below had her rapt attention. "Like what you see?" she asked, coming up behind Nanu and stroking her fingers through the girl's long black hair. "I don't have the words, mistress," Nanu sighed, still watching. "Everyone is so tall. And the metal monsters are everywhere, but they stay on the black road." Becky giggled. "They are driven by people, Nanu, just like chariots were in your day. The people are inside them, that's all. And yes, they can be dangerous if the people driving them are not careful, or if people on foot walk in front of them;” Nanu blushed slightly at that. "But don't worry, I'll teach you how to be safe," Becky promised. "I have one of those metal things myself, you know." Nanu turned and looked at her with wide eyes. "You own a monster?" Becky smirked. "Yes, most adults do, darling. They are not monsters, they are just machines. They get us from one place to another." Nanu seemed hesitant. "What; what are the machines called in your En-gush?" Becky smiled. "Well, we commonly call them 'cars', but the actual word is 'automobile', I believe." "It would scare me to be in one," the smaller girl said. "You're sure it will not eat me?" Becky laughed. "I've been driving my monster for almost ten years now, darling, and it hasn't eaten me. I promise, we'll take it slow. However, I came up to tell you that it's time to make dinner, and I wanted to know if you'd care to watch." Nanu nodded and let Becky take her by the hand and lead her back downstairs. "I was thinking I would let you decide what we eat, darling. I'll put out some things, and you can choose a couple that I'll make a meal from." Nanu nodded and Becky put an apron on over her nude body, just in case she ended up cooking more bacon. The smaller girl watched as she pulled various things out of the fridge, some of which were obviously fruits and vegetables, others being meats in various forms. "Wassa?" she asked, pointing at something that looked like thin, round slices of a vaguely pinkish-brown color. "What, that?" Becky said somewhat distractedly, looking at what Nanu was pointing to for a quick second before returning her attention to the fridge. She remembered to revert to Latin. "That's just bologna, it's nothing to worry about." "Ba-lo;” Nanu repeated, picking up some slices and popping them in her mouth when Becky wasn't looking. "Let's see here," Becky mumbled, bent over and inside the fridge, which was very nice, but way too big for her personal needs. "I've clearly gotta go shopping soon. Here's some salad mix, and then we have some' "Umm!" The unexpected (and rather disconcerting) sound compelled Becky to rear back out of the fridge and whirl around, wondering what wild animal had somehow made its way into her home. She paused when she saw Nanu standing there, her eyes wide in shock and her cheeks bulging like a chipmunk's while she tried to masticate on all the bologna she had stuffed in her mouth. Her lips couldn't even quite shut. "Nanu," Becky said in quiet disbelief, blinking and shaking her head for a moment, and forgetting to speak in Latin. "Did you just snarf all my bologna?" "Ba; lo;” Nanu mumbled, trying to force it down her gullet. She looked like an ostrich trying to swallow a doorknob. Becky just watched as Nanu performed some peristaltic wizardry with her throat until, against all odds, the bologna was gone from her mouth. The Egyptian girl was touching her lips with her fingers and then looking at her fingers in wonder. She even licked them at one point before looking up at Becky, her eyes flooded with wonder. "Mistress," she said quietly. "I want more ba-lo." "Wait, what?" Becky blurted, shaking her head again, as if she couldn't believe what she'd just heard. "Did you just say you want more bologna?" "Yes," Nanu replied earnestly, nodding. "It is the best thing I have ever eaten. I never want to eat anything else ever again." "Nanu, you can't just eat bologna for the rest of your life," Becky pointed out. "But, mistress, I will die if I don't have more!" Nanu whined rather dramatically. "I don't want to die!" "Dying is exactly what you'll do if you try to eat nothing but ba-lo," Becky pressed, failing to notice she was now using Nanu's word for the damnable stuff. "It's full of nitrates and all those things that gave you the raging shits this morning. Remember that?" "But it's the best thing I've ever eaten, mistress," Nanu continued to whine. "People who don't love ba-lo are stupid!" "Nanu, it's full of those nitrates and preservatives, crazy amounts of the stuff," Becky iterated firmly. "You'll shit yourself to death, woman." The Egyptian girl looked positively heartbroken. "I'm not saying you can never have ba-lo, all I'm saying is that you can't eat just ba-lo or you will die on my toilet, and I am not explaining that to the vigiles." Nanu sighed loudly and looked put out. "Fine." "As your body adapts, you'll be able to eat more and more things," the blonde woman assured her. "But it will take time, and you will never be able to survive on ba-lo alone. It's not very good for you, even if it tastes good." "Then why does your society have it at all?" Nanu asked, frowning. "We like things that are bad for us too, sometimes," Becky said, feeling the need to defend her era from this sort of punitive accusation. Frankly, she'd never seen herself having to answer for her world to people from bygone ages who were observing how they did things in modern times. "Indulgences, I guess." "Will we be eating anything nearly as good as ba-lo for dinner?" Nanu asked, looking to change the subject now that she had been thwarted from true happiness. "Just you watch," Becky said, accepting the challenge. To Nanu's surprise, they ended up eating vegetables and cooked fish, things she was familiar with, and they tasted good. To her delight, she was even allowed to have dessert, a bowl of something her mistress called 'ice cream'. It was cold, sweet, and delicious. It was three different colors, and they all tasted great. She was positively giddy by the time she'd finished her bowl. Becky suspected that Nanu was also on an incredible sugar high. "So what do you want to do before bed, my love?" Becky asked as she did the dishes. "I know it's been a long day." Nanu thought about that. "Well, we need to bathe again, and to fuck, but before then, Mistress, can you show me more of your world using the magic boxes?" "Of course we can," Becky said cheerfully. "And it's not only my world anymore, Nanu, it's your world too now. It's our world." Nanu thought about that for some time and then nodded. "Please show me my new world, Mistress. There must be so much to see." Some minutes later, they were in Becky's little office, surrounded by her file cabinets and sitting at her desk where she kept her computer. Nanu watched in fascination as Re-be-kah used a small device in her hand to control the glowing black box sitting on the short table. "Would you like to see Egypt, sweetheart?" Becky asked. Nanu nodded eagerly. Even if her land had been taken over by the sandy-assed Arab nomads, she still wanted to see her homeland. Becky called up some pictures that she thought Nanu might recognize. She Googled pictures of the Sphynx, the pyramids of Giza, the Nile river. "What are all the endless ugly buildings, Mistress?" Nanu asked, frowning. "Those are homes, mostly," Becky said, realizing she might have opened a can of worms. "Egypt is a very populous country these days." "Is it mighty?" the younger girl predictably asked. "Well; no," Becky admitted. "At least, not compared to the great countries of the world." "Stupid Arabs," Nanu muttered, folding her arms and scowling. "At least they didn't fuck up the great monuments of our gods and kings. What about you, Mistress? What of your ancestors?" Becky considered. "My ancestors are from Britain, mostly. Do you remember who the Britons were? We talked about them earlier, the musicians." Nanu nodded. "Savages. Their stinky warriors were captured in war by the Romans and paraded through the streets of Rome. They were tall, wild-eyed, and they stank. They painted themselves blue. You don't win wars by painting yourself blue. Your ancestors were stupid, Mistress." Becky started calling up pictures of England, intent on showing Nanu the beautiful countryside. She excitedly clicked on a picture of Stonehenge. "This is a religious site my ancestors erected," she explained, making sure the picture filled the frame of the screen. "It was made about the same time as your Sphynx and your pyramids, around four-thousand and five-hundred years ago." Nanu looked at the stone monument and frowned. "That's it? My ancestors gifted the Horemakhet and the meri to the world and your ancestors stacked rocks in a circle? No wonder the Romans conquered them, Mistress. Your ancestors were small and weak!" "They're very big rocks," Becky mumbled, blushing and feeling silly now that Nanu had given her some perspective. Nanu's people were the rulers of a great and sophisticated empire at the same time that Becky's were smearing themselves with woad and probably stuffing berries up their noses. "More like giant slabs, really. What else do you want to see?" Nanu thought about it. "Can the magic box show us people fucking?" Becky should have seen that coming. "I; yes, it could, but I try to not use my computer for that," she lied. She'd recently come to enjoy watching student and teacher-themed porn, after all. "I try to use it for my schooling and for research." "Why would you use it for boring stuff like that when you could use it to watch people fuck?" Nanu asked, confused. Sometimes her Mistress didn't make sense. "I know," Becky said, brightening up. "You like to dance, right? Why don't I play music for you and we can dance to it? You can hear music from this time now." Nanu nodded eagerly again. Becky thought about what to play, trying to make an emotional connection with Nanu. Well, she says she likes the flaming cock-sack shirt. Seconds later, YouTube was open and an electric guitar began playing. The drums and the bass thumping in made Nanu jump for a second, but then she began listening. Becky was nodding her head and beginning to dance, which Nanu began to do as well, imitating her Mistress. Soon enough, the iconic voice began singing. "Let me take you to the movie Can I take you to the show? Let me be yours ever truly Can I make your garden grow?" Nanu began to jump and prance around with the music once she'd found the rhythm, instinctively moving her body and enjoying what Jimmy Page was making her do with it. Still naked, she danced for sheer enjoyment, but also showing off for Becky. The voice continued on now. "From the houses of the holy We can watch the white doves go From the door comes Satan's daughter And it only goes to show You know!" The two girls laughed and danced together, Nanu enthralled by the sounds of the music and also the singing. She'd never heard anything like it before and knew she'd never get enough of it. They finally collapsed on the floor together, back to back, still laughing. Nanu's hand found Becky's and squeezed it. "Mistress, that music is wonderful," Nanu breathed, still exhilarated. "It was so happy and lively! Please, who sang it?" "It's the group that uses the flaming cock symbol on the shirt you like," Becky said. "Their name is Led Zeppelin. Try and say it with me. Led;” "Let;” "Zep-elin." "Thzhep-li;” "Buzz your teeth, like a bee, Nanu," Becky instructed. "Zzz;” "Zzz;” "Zep." "Zep." "Zeppelin." "Zepli." "Very close, I'm so proud of you!" Becky gushed, turning and hugging Nanu now. "And there's so much more music for you to listen to and dance to!" "May I listen to more, Mistress?" Nanu asked, her eyes bright. "What else is there?" Becky played more music, watching Nanu figure out how to dance to it all. In short order, Nanu could dance and shimmy like Elvis, go-go dance, do the Hustle, and twerk. "These dances are so much fun, Mistress!" Nanu gushed, shaking her ass in Becky's face. The blonde woman laughed and smacked one of her lover's ass cheeks, making Nanu squeak, but keep dancing. "Just wait until I teach you the Charleston, then," Becky said, not at all surprised that Nanu learned the moves so quickly. She was an accomplished little dancer, after all. "Looks like you've built up a sweat, babe, you ready for another bath or a shower?" "Can you teach me how to control the water, Mistress?" Nanu asked hopefully. "I promise to be careful." "Okay, as long as you remember that it costs money to run the water," Becky said, holding up a finger. "And I don't want you flooding the place, either." Nanu nodded her assent and Becky led the way back to the bathroom. She showed Nanu how to work the sink first, explaining that it was just a smaller version of the bathtub, so easier to manage. Once Nanu understood how to regulate the hot and cold water, Becky allowed her to try and use the shower function in the tub. Nanu found the temperature she liked and then pulled on the knob that controlled the showerhead, squealing in delight when the water jetted out. "This is so much fun!" she exclaimed, bouncing and clapping. "You're forgetting the most fun part of a shower," Becky purred as they stepped in. The two women sank to their knees and immediately began making out under the deluge. Before things got too hot and heavy, Becky broke off the kiss, making Nanu whine as she stood up. She pulled the showerhead out of its holder. "Get ready, Nanu," she whispered as she held the showerhead pointing down, a sly smile on her face as she switched the water from the spray setting to the jets. "Remember this? You're about to scream your head right off;” Nanu was still looking at her Mistress' face, bracing herself, but her eyes snapped open suddenly and she get out a strangled cry as Becky turned the showerhead over, placing it right under Nanu's cunt and letting the water batter her nether lips and clit unannounced. Nanu shuddered violently, Becky's arm wrapping around her small body to hold her in place. The Egyptian girl's eyes rolled up into her head and she came in mere seconds, wailing like she was possessed, and her body going through a warp-spasm of ecstasy. She sagged in Becky's arm, her body now limp but trembling. Becky smiled and simply held the girl until she stirred and came to. Nanu looked up at her through heavily lidded eyes. "You broke my cunt, Mistress;” she managed to say in a tiny voice. Becky giggled and rested her against the back of the tub, before smiling wickedly. "Want to see me use it on myself and watch me cum? I'm an old hand at this." Nanu nodded tiredly, but watched intently. Becky began teasing herself with the showerhead, moving it around her cunt and inner thighs, never keeping it in one place for long, and keeping the spray light. She made sighing and cooing noises, shivering deliciously. Nanu seemed to have recovered and was watching in fascination, her own legs spread while she gently massaged her cuntlips. Becky moaned and pinched at her nipples while she played the water directly over her snatch, squirming and gyrating as the spray pleasured her. Nanu watched her Mistress' skin turn rather pink, Re-be-kah's breaths starting to shorten and come in gasps. Her tiny hand played with her cunt faster, her earlier fatigue seemingly forgotten. Becky moved the little key below the spouts to the other size of the nozzle, the gentle rain effect once again becoming three concentrated jets that battered her cunt and clit from right below, like she had done to Nanu. Her breath caught in her throat and she shuddered, holding on for as long as she could before surrendering to the orgasm. She normally had more control than this, but maybe the thrill of masturbating in front of Nanu had made her more excited and sensitive than normal. No matter what the reason, the climax was one of the hardest Becky had ever given herself, and better than what some lovers had given her. She screeched through clenched teeth, almost doubling over as her cunt turned itself inside out from the intense waves of ecstasy that tore at her. A full thirty seconds passed before she tumbled backwards, lying on her back in the tub and staring at the ceiling, gulping air like a fish out of water. Nanu got on her hands and knees and crept forward, removing the showerhead from Becky's hand and looking at her Mistress' body. Her cunt was still twitching from the orgasm. That had been great fun to watch. "Mistress, you're pissing yourself," she remarked, even if she didn't blame Becky. She'd done it, after all. "Yeah, that; happens to me sometimes;” Becky said breathlessly, still staring up at nothing. "It happens to me too," Nanu said affectionately, crawling over her Mistress and then settling down to snuggle into her, their pussies kissing gently. Becky shivered before making a quizzical face. "Nanu, are you pissing on my cunt?" "Maybe a little," the raven-haired girl sighed, still snuggling. "I wanted to share the moment with you." "That's fair," Becky allowed, too tired to actually care. They were in a shower after all, so they could get clean. "Did you enjoy that?" "Hmm, yes," Nanu purred, nodding a little, her head resting on Becky's large boobs. "It will be one of my new favorite things to do while you are gone." "Just remember the rules," Becky iterated before sitting up wearily and dislodging Nanu from her cleavage. "We should get a good night's sleep, my love. Tomorrow is a big day in setting up the rest of your new life." "Can we fuck again?" Nanu asked somewhat predictably. "Tell you what," Becky giggled, turning off the water and leading Nanu out of the shower. "If I fall asleep, you can just do what you want with me until you cum, but then you have to sleep. We'll have a good fuck in the morning and shower again to get ready. Deal?" "Yes, Mistress." An hour later. They were lying wrapped up in one another, and Becky hoped that she'd tired Nanu out to the place that the insatiable little brat would go to sleep. Becky must have made her cum at least eight times, and hopefully all the ba-lo would not wake her up in the middle of the night. "Thank you, Mistress," Nanu said dreamily, holding herself against Becky. It was the most comforting and secure thing she had ever felt or could imagine, even more than hugging her beloved sister, Kiya. "I love you so much." "I love you too, Nanu," Becky whispered back, caressing Nanu's damp, dark hair lovingly. "You'll always keep me safe, right?" the tiny girl asked. "You and M-ark." Becky nodded. "In saecula saeculorum." The two women kissed lovingly before drifting off into a deep sleep, wrapped in each other's arms. Monday morning. After waking up with vigorous girl-fucking and licking one another's pussies, followed by a shower, they were now eating breakfast. Becky decided to wait until after they'd finished the meal before getting dressed, just in case Nanu proved sloppy in the morning. "I love this dish, Mistress," Nanu said as she powered her way through the bowl in front of her. It was full of sweet berries and a type of crunchy cereal she didn't know, all mixed into a goopy white paste that looked like thick cum. In her own time, it was called 'oxygala'. "Do you remember what I told you it's called?" Becky asked, pausing in eating. Nanu closed her eyes for a minute. "Par-fay." "That's right," Becky said, nodding and very pleased. "The white stuff is called yogurt. If you put berries and other things in it, it's called a parfait. They're fun and even good for you." "Can ba-lo go in the parfait?" Nanu asked hopefully. "No, Nanu," Becky snickered. "Even you couldn't possibly like that horror, and I'd probably get put in jail for creating it." "Your big free society doesn't sound very free to me," Nanu mumbled under her breath as she shoveled more parfait in her mouth. Back upstairs they went, after Nanu got a lesson in how to wash the dishes and put them in the dishwasher, even if she wasn't allowed to operate it yet. They cleaned up at the bathroom sink, Nanu being told that they were not having another shower, and went into the bedroom to get dressed. Becky tried to teach Nanu about coordinating her clothes so that she didn't look like a complete lunatic, and was mostly successful. Nanu couldn't decide which socks she liked best and asked to wear one of each. If Becky could keep the madness down to that level, she'd call it a win. Nanu might not have been terribly impressed with the color or shape of the track suit she was now wearing, but she had to admit that it kept her warm. Becky had fitted her into a plain white tee shirt beneath, and some underwear. Last on were the shoes, and these were proving difficult for Nanu. "They are squeezing my feet, Mistress," the girl said, frowning down at the offending footwear. Becky knelt and adjusted the Velcro straps after loosening the shoes a little. She wasn't about to get into the drama of shoelaces with Nanu, that was for damned sure. "They might be uncomfortable for a bit, sweetie, but new shoes are like that for everyone. Once you walk in them for a little bit, they'll feel just fine, I promise." She stepped aside and gestured to the hallway. "Go ahead and walk, Nanu." It was strange, because Nanu seemed suddenly unsure of how to walk. As she put her feet forward, she was almost wobbly. It occurred to Becky that Nanu wasn't used to not being able to feel the floor or the ground beneath her, but with over an inch of rubber in the way, she was having trouble trusting her balance. Holding her arms out to the sides as if she were walking a tightrope, Nanu wobbled down the hallway and back, a little more sure of herself on the return. Becky smiled and hugged her when she got back to the bedroom. "You'll be running in no time." They headed downstairs (slowly), and Becky made sure everything was turned off. She slipped on a light windbreaker and then opened the front door. Nanu waited on the porch while Becky locked the door behind them. "You need to lock your door, Mistress?" the Egyptian girl asked, rather puzzled. "Are there still criminals in your time?" "My era isn't perfect, Nanu," Becky admitted, feeling strangely silly for coming from a time where criminals still existed. "It still has problems, but you'll learn about them in due course. Some of the problems will be ones you're familiar with, others will be new to you. I'll teach you." "Good enough," Nanu said with a nod as they headed down the steps. "Now where are we going?" "We need to go downtown," Becky replied, thinking that issue through. Not only had she promised to buy new clothes for Nanu, but the chroniques merchant she'd been dealing with was located squarely downtown. There was no way in Hell anyone from her own era could forge the sort of documentation that Nanu would need to rely on to be safe, so someone from the time-travelling community was Becky's only hope. In a city of six million people, there had to be more than one temporal merchant, but damned if Becky knew where (or how) to find them yet. So this one guy was her go-to. She also pondered how to get downtown. Nanu was already afraid of cars, so maybe taking her old junker wasn't the best idea. A taxi? Still a car. The subway station that went directly downtown wasn't far away, and while Nanu wouldn't have any clue what a train was, maybe seeing other people on it with her would calm her down. That, and the walk to the subway station would help break in her shoes. "We're taking a little walk to a place that has a special chariot that will bring us where we need to go," she said, beginning to walk down the street, holding Nanu's hand. She got the feeling the other girl was only partially paying attention, since she was once again looking around and Uhking at the sights of Becky's street. "It's not far." Becky's street was a nice one, lined with endless trees, and the houses had gardens. The noise of downtown and the city in general was remote. If it bothered Nanu, it wasn't showing yet, because she was still in awe of her surroundings. People walked by them, smiling and waving. Becky greeted them and Nanu smiled and waved back as well. She even figured out how to say 'Hello!' from listening to Re-be-kah and the strangers. After about fifteen minutes of walking, with minimal complaints from Nanu about her shoes, they finally arrived at the entrance to the subway station. Set on the edge of the residential area, it was simply some stairs down into the station below. Nanu paused at the top of the stairs, looking confused and wary. It occurred to Becky that it was entirely possible that Nanu had never been underground before. "I promise it is safe, darling," she said in a soothing tone, squeezing Nanu's hand. "The chariot we are going to use runs underground from one place to another, so that it is not noisy up here. I use it all the time." Nanu swallowed. "Okay. I trust you, Mistress." Side by side, they walked down into the subway station, Nanu wrinkling her nose as the gusts of stale air hit her. There were people coming and going, wearing different types of clothing, and Nanu was fascinated. She watched her Mistress pay the fare to enter, then nearly got knocked on the back of her head when she paused halfway through the turnstile. Becky took her hand again and led her down some more stairs. Nanu was frowning, because the noises were getting louder and beginning to echo. Then they were on a platform, one that held people before dropping off down into some dark path that entered tunnels on either side of this long room they were in. Nanu held herself close to Becky, getting nervous. The noises made no sense to her, and it wasn't as if Rome had been quiet. Becky looked down at her now. "Here comes our chariot, Nanu. Don't be frightened." Nanu clutched Becky harder as she felt wind pressing against her, and heard a noise that grew louder until it was an almost deafening roar. She saw strange lights in one side of the tunnel, growing closer. Finally, a giant metal; thing; rolled toward them swiftly, making all the noise. Nanu let go of Becky and clapped her hands over her ears, her eyes squeezed shut. She willed herself to not scream. And then it was quieter. There was still noise, but not nearly as loud. Nanu opened her eyes and saw the long, metal contraption in front of them, with strange doors that opened to the sides, by themselves. People walked out of the interior of the beast, seemingly unscathed. Becky looked down at her and smiled. "This is us, let's go." Trusting her Mistress, Nanu took Becky's hand again and allowed herself to be led into the thing called a 'subway train'. She looked around, wide-eyed as they found some seats and sat down. There were miniature suns everywhere overhead. An endless line of seats on either side of the narrow metal tube stretched far in each direction. People were sitting or standing, seemingly unconcerned and paying no attention. Nanu started as some awful sound chimed, and then the magic doors slid closed again, locking them inside this foul beast. There was a lurch and then it began moving forward, slowly picking up speed. Nanu looked at Becky in panic. "We're fine," Becky said, squeezing her hand again. "It's taking us where we want to go." "How does it know?" Nanu asked, forgetting her fear for a moment. She hadn't seen Re-be-kah tell the monster anything. Did it speak En-gush? She continued watching all around in fascination as the beast charged down a long, dark tunnel, eventually entering another place, different from the one they had started out. A loud woman's voice blared through the tube, no doubt in En-gush. It was a loud and unpleasant voice to Nanu, but she hadn't expected the beast to sound like that. She'd expected a horrifying roar. The process repeated several times, with Becky and Nanu ending up in a different place each time. People got on and off, but nobody got eaten. Maybe the beast didn't eat people? The unpleasant woman's voice blared over head, and Nanu scowled at the ceiling, wishing the beast would just shut the fuck up. "Here we go, darling," Becky said, standing up. "This is our stop." They waited until the beast stopped and the magic doors opened for them. People standing on the platform respectfully waited for those within to escape before entering. Becky walked with Nanu along the increasingly crowded platform until they reached some strange stairs. She helped Nanu get onto them and the smaller girl's eyes widened in shock. The metal stairs were moving! They were taking her up! What sorcery was this? Becky made sure Nanu didn't trip at the top of the escalator, and also didn't make a nuisance of herself by turning and gaping at the magic stairs while people were trying to get off it. She pulled her along through the growing crowds. At least those didn't bother Nanu. Rome had apparently had a population of around a million when Nanu had lived there. Throngs of people were nothing new to the former slave-girl. "So now we just go up that flight of stairs over there, and we'll be downtown, in the middle of the city," Becky said, pleased with how well Nanu had handled the subway. "Soon enough, we'll have everything you need." At least the hard part was over. Becky had been wrong. Becky had brought Nanu up the stairs and out onto the street, and Nanu had immediately collapsed to her knees, holding herself and shaking in fright as she stared at the ground, refusing to look up. People parted around them while Becky tried to figure out what was wrong. Nanu was almost pale, her eyes wide, and wet with tears. And then she understood. Nanu was absolutely terrified because of the skyscrapers surrounding them. Nothing like these could possibly have existed in her imagination. Some buildings in Rome might have seen tall to her, like the Colosseum, or maybe some of the other edifices, but nothing like this, where a structure soared hundreds of meters into the sky. And they were everywhere, surrounding them. There were so many that the sun wasn't even touching them. "Nanu," Becky said, kneeling down and stroking the younger girl's back. "I'm sorry, I didn't think to tell you about how tall buildings could get. I promise, you're fine." "Is she okay?" someone asked as they paused to see what was happening. "Do you need help?" "We're fine, thank you, though," Becky said, giving the person an assuring smile. "She's from a remote region in Africa and she's never seen skyscrapers before, she just got spooked." The person shrugged and wandered off. "Nanu, honey," Becky said gently, still holding her. "I know you're frightened and that you feel like you can't move, but we can't stay right here, blocking everyone. We're going to stand up and walk just out of the way, and then you can talk all the time you need, okay?" Nanu somehow nodded and Becky held her close as she helped her stand and then shuffled her out of the way of the churning crowds of the business district, standing in a clear space beneath an overhang. Nanu didn't seem to notice they were beneath one of the skyscrapers, because she was still looking at the concrete beneath her. "They'll fall," she whispered. "They'll fall on us and crush us." Becky smiled. "I promise you, my love, they won't fall on us. I have been in these buildings many, many times, since I was a little girl. They don't fall, they were erected by master builders. In my day and age, we were just able to build taller things than people in your day were. Just as you built taller things than your ancestors, right?" Nanu squeezed her eyes shut, clenching her teeth. Becky realized that all the honking of horns, the screech of hydraulic brakes, and various other sounds of modern technology were getting to Nanu. She'd never heard anything remotely like them, of course. "Nanu," Becky cooed, taking the lovely Egyptian girl's face in her hands and smiling at her. "Remember how I said that Rome stunk like shit and I'd never get used to it?" Nanu nodded slowly. Her eyes were still wide and haunted. "And do you remember laughing and telling me that I would get used to it if I made up my mind about it?" Another nod. "Sometimes my world is loud, Nanu," she continued. "In ways you cannot anticipate. Far, far louder than you can imagine. And lots of things will seem impossibly big to you. But if I can get used to the stink of Rome, I promise you that you can stop being afraid of all this stuff in my world, okay?" At that very moment, of course, a huge cement truck blared its horn, and Nanu shrieked in fright and threw herself against Becky, shaking like a leaf. Becky held her close, whispering to her and reassuring her. Nanu had never heard anything remotely that loud, even in this time. This was going to be a slow process, clearly. Nanu just had to trust Becky, and Becky had to be infinitely patient. "Mistress," Nanu said in a tiny voice, her face still pressed into Becky's shoulder. "We might need to find one of your washrooms, I think I pissed myself." Becky sighed and nodded. There was a food court in the building just behind them, and washrooms no doubt would be at hand. She only wished she'd thought of bringing spare clothes in case this happened. Was looking after someone from the distant past really supposed to be this hard? A small, out-of-the-way bookshop just off Yonge Street. The more Becky thought about it, the more she realized that this forgotten nook away from all the crowds was the perfect place for the chroniques dealer to have his business. After all, he wasn't looking for revenue from the people of the 21st century, was he? Becky and Mark were notable exceptions to that rule. Being off the beaten path made it easier for his time-travelling customers to find him and go about their business without interference. Still downtown and accessible, but a few doors down from the country's busiest avenue, on an obscure side street. Perfect for this sort of enterprise. They had walked north from the business district with its endless skyscrapers, Nanu steadfastly refusing to look back at them. There were still tall buildings, like the Eaton Centre towers, or the Aura Tower, but they were more spaced out, not completely surrounding them on all sides. Most of the buildings were of a height Nanu seemed to be able to handle, even if the street traffic was still scaring her with its noise. She would stop occasionally to look in store windows, seemingly fascinated by whatever they were selling. At one point, Becky laughed and had to pull Nanu's face off a window, because she was Uhking at the people just inside, trying to eat their food. Nanu didn't know what a restaurant was. They reached their destination and the store was blissfully quiet as they slipped inside, with Eighties music playing over the tinny old speakers. "Get off the car Kick his chain Kick his pride Get him soaked hit run Lift up your toes In my mouth And we can make love And we can go And we can go And we can go We're covered by the sacred fire When you come to me You come to me broke;” "Miss Fischer, it's good to see you again," the old man behind the desk said, smiling at her from beneath a face full of grey whiskers that any Who in Whoville would envy. He looked at her companion. "And this must be Nanu." "Oh, uh, yes," Becky said, caught off-guard that he seemed to know. "This is Nanu. Pardon me for asking, Walter, but why did you know that?" His smile was kindly. "The Agency came by, was advising dealers that a rare event had occurred, an Egyptian girl from the distant past coming forward, a distinctive girl named Nanu. She only speaks Latin and Coptic, right?" Becky nodded while Nanu just looked on, knowing they were talking about her. She trusted her Mistress, however. "I was actually coming by for that reason. If she's going to stay, not only will she need some foolproof documentation of various sorts, but I was hoping we could speed up her English by chipping her, you know? Like we did with Mark for Latin and Greek." "No harm in trying, right?" the old man named Walter reasoned. "After all, it didn't harm Mark." "Who can tell with that boy sometimes," Becky sighed, shaking her head. "In any event, Mark and that Holmes Field Device aren't available to us for the next three months, since I am trying to catch up with him, so we're sort of on our own. I'm not looking for any temporal thingies, just ways to make Nanu's life manageable, since she's stuck here with me." "We should be able to do this one mostly gratis," Walter said. "The news of your girl is already around the time stream, and it's giving me business, since people know I helped her out." Becky thought about that. "Meaning you know you already helped her out." "You're getting the hang of it," Walter said. "When you're predestined to do something because you have found out it's supposed to happen, we in the community call it 'fating'. Whatever it is you've found out you're supposed to do, it happens, even if you try to make it not happen." "So you couldn't refuse to help us right now?" Becky asked, a wry expression on her face. "Literally, what's stopping you from refusing to help us?" Walter chuckled. "Could be anything. It might turn out that there's a clone of me somewhere that helps you when my back is turned. Or maybe the clone refused to help, and I did. All I can tell you is that today, Nanu gets helped by me, no matter what anyone wants, myself included." "That sounds inconvenient." "Nobody likes feeling helpless," Walter reasoned. "It's why we try to avoid knowing things and being fated. If I could prove to you tomorrow that you'd be swept away by a white knight and taken off to a fairy tale wedding and happily ever after, nothing whatsoever you do would stop it. You're stuck having your happy ending and you had no choice in the matter." Becky nodded. "The less I know about the future, especially my own, the better off I am, because my choices are, in theory, still my own." "Excellent," Walter said, pleased. "Now, let's get this girl some ID, shall we?" A small, isolated room, an hour later. Nanu yawned and rubbed her temple, feeling a slight headache. Had she fallen asleep? She blinked her eyes and saw Re-be-kah smiling at her, sitting in a chair beside. "Mistress?" she said rather groggily, yawning again. "You're fine, darling," Becky said gently, squeezing her hand. "We tried to do something to help you, but we don't think it worked. I'm going to try speaking in my language and then see if you understand me, okay?" Nanu nodded. "Can you understand me?" Becky asked in concise English. Nanu blinked at her and then shook her head. "Well, damn," Becky sighed. "Can you try to say anything in my language, Nanu?" Nanu thought for a moment. "Fuck; purick in cunat." Becky giggled. "You could already say those things, you little tramp!" Nanu smiled and blushed. "We tried to help you speak my language by putting a little thing inside your head, but it didn't work." Nanu pressed her fingers to her temple, where the localized discomfort was. "Did I do something wrong, Mistress, to make it not work?" Becky shook her head. "No, it has nothing to do with you, really. One day, it might work, so we'll keep it where it is, I guess. No harm in waiting it out." She dug around in her purse she was carrying. "Meanwhile;” The blonde was smiling brightly as she presented Nanu with a handful of items. "We managed to create an identity for you in this world. It's a good start." Nanu examined the things curiously. She opened a small, greenish shell with a stylized bird on it, her eyes widening when she saw her own image looking back at her. Her own lovely face. There was some flowing script she did not recognize at all along with it. "It is called a 'passport'," Becky explained. "It tells officials who you are and where you are from. This says you are from Egypt." "Well, I am," the Egyptian girl reasoned with a small shrug. "Just not your Egypt." "Correct, but they won't know that, and that's safer for you," Becky agreed. "Your name is now Nanu Tehemet." The girl's eyes went wide. "My name is Queen Nanu?" Becky laughed. "Nobody anywhere will know what Tehemet means, sweetie, it's just your surname now for convenience. Also, we made some medical records for you, including your blood type. And I still need to put in a call and have a doctor lined up who will look after you." Becky knew that part might be tricky, since any doctor from her own era would be confused by Nanu's physiology, genetic code, and dental records. She was completely unique that way. Could any modern doctor be trusted? Did she need to find a doctor who was a member of the temporal community to look after Nanu? Questions, always more questions. "A doctor?" Nanu almost groused, wrinkling her nose. "Roman doctors were smelly and evil. I hope your doctors are better." "I like to think so," Becky agreed, nodding. "But with all this information I just gave you, you'll be safer than without it. Remember how if a slave was freed in Rome, they made sure he had documents of manumission? These documents, like my own, record you as a sovereign citizen and a visitor here in Canada." "Wouldn't it make more sense to just claim I was from Ka-na-da?" Nanu reasoned. Becky smiled and caressed Nanu's cheek. "No one would believe you are from Canada, my love, you don't speak any of our languages. One day, I promise, we'll get you made a citizen. For now, this is just to ensure your safety." As always, Nanu took Becky's word for it and just nodded. "Now then," Becky said, taking the items back and then standing up, smiling brightly. "Let's go eat and get you some clothes, shall we?" Half an hour later. They were sitting in the food court of the Eaton Centre, and Nanu was devouring everything Becky had put in front of her. Becky dreaded the effects this might have on her lover's intestinal tract later, but for now, Nanu was happy. There was no food she wasn't sampling and putting away; pizza, falafel, burgers, fries, poutine, spaghetti, Chinese food. My poor bank account, she despaired slightly as she watched the tiny girl wolf down all the food with a frightening eagerness. She really likes salty things, I'll bet living on a slave's diet means she has an iodine deficiency. I'll have to see to that. Becky thought Nanu might bite her hand off when she tried to reach for one of the siu mai dumplings. Eventually, though, the Egyptian girl relented and let her Mistress have one. Becky also made the mistake of letting Nanu try some pop, and soon the girl was wired. She'd have to explain the dangers of sugar and rotting the teeth out of your head. Nanu annihilated the Timbits she had for dessert. Her little belly was swollen when she stood up from the table. She almost looked pregnant, but she was beaming with delight. Suddenly, she burped so long and loudly that everyone in the food court paused and looked at the pair. "Sorry," Becky said apologetically to the nearby tables. "It's her first day with North American fast food." "Mistress, that was all so good!" Nanu gushed, oblivious of her faux pas. "I loved it all, even the stupid cow meat!" "I think you tried just about everything except the Jamaican food," Becky said, gathering up the debris at their table to put at the disposal station. "Where?" Nanu asked, looking around hurriedly. Had they missed one? "May I try it?" "Another time, you greedy little pill," Becky laughed as she disposed of their waste. "Don't worry, we'll be back." "And you said we're underground?" Nanu asked, looking around in wonder again. The space was huge and so open, like a forum surrounded by endless shops, but there was no sky above her, just a distant white ceiling. Becky nodded. "And there are more shops above us. That's where we're going, to find clothes and so on for you." They took more of the magic moving stairs, carrying Nanu up to another level. She watched over the railing in awe, feeling so very superior to the people who were still below, like puny ants. The sights and the smells and the throngs of people enthralled her. "Mistress, I am so excited that I think I need to pee," she said, feeling a twinge in her cunt. "Just over here," Becky said, diverting them down a small hallway. "I happen to know these washrooms are pretty clean because they're seldom used." "You are so smart, Mistress," Nanu said proudly as Becky led her into the little room with all the weird stalls. Becky led her over to one of the stalls and gestured for her to enter. "Go inside, pulls down your pants, do your business, and then use the tissue like we do back at home," Becky instructed. "I'll wait out here." "You won't come in with me, Mistress?" Nanu asked. "How will you watch me pee?" "No, sweetie," Becky replied, smiling. "That's not how we customarily do things in public places in my time. I'll be right out here, though." Nanu shrugged and sighed, heading into the little stall and Becky closed it behind her. She heard the Egyptian girl shuffling around, and then Nanu let out a groan, peeing very loudly. Becky wasn't surprised, given all the pop Nanu had inhaled. The sugar crash was going to be awesome. Some other unladylike sounds followed, but at least Nanu didn't seem to be turning herself inside out like she had the previous day. Baby steps. There was a pause and Nanu seemed to be finished, so Becky began talking. "Okay, sweetie, remember what I told you. Go ahead and clean up, but just be aware of' There was a sudden flushing sound, followed by a yelp of shock and fear. A split second later, the stall door burst open and Nanu raced out, her track pants still around her ankles as she hobbled as quickly as she could toward the exit, her eyes wide in panic and once again peeing herself. "Just watch out for the automatic flush mechanism;” Becky grumbled as she loped off after Nanu before s

Vienna is known for its classical beauty, but behind the historic façades, a new creative economy is reshaping the city. In this episode of the Culture Shifts Podcast, I'm joined by Elisabeth Noever-Ginthör, Director of Creative Industries at the Vienna Business Agency, to talk about how creativity has become one of Vienna's most powerful economic forces.We explore how the agency bridges business, design, and culture through funding, consultation, and collaboration — supporting industries from architecture and fashion to tech and sustainability. Elisabeth shares how projects like Biofabrique Vienna and Creative Days Vienna demonstrate the city's commitment to circular design, innovation, and cross-sector dialogue.Together, we discuss what makes Vienna one of the world's most liveable cities, how creativity fuels resilience and growth, and why the future of urban development depends on collaboration across disciplines.The Vienna Business Agency offers funding, consultations and events for creatives and creative companies in Vienna – more information here.Subscribe to the Culture Shifts Podcast on your favorite platform, and follow us on Instagram, LinkedIn, Substack, or visit cultureshifts.net to stay connected.

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Lesley and Brad recap key insights from physical therapist Dr. Jen Fraboni (@docjenfit), co-host of The Optimal Body Podcast. Known for helping people move with less pain and more confidence, Dr. Jen redefines pain as an “alarm,” not a stop sign—your body's way of asking for better care and awareness. Lesley and Brad unpack her practical strategies for building stability before flexibility, tuning in before you train, and aging with strength and ease.If you have any questions about this episode or want to get some of the resources we mentioned, head over to LesleyLogan.co/podcast https://lesleylogan.co/podcast/. If you have any comments or questions about the Be It pod shoot us a message at beit@lesleylogan.co mailto:beit@lesleylogan.co. And as always, if you're enjoying the show please share it with someone who you think would enjoy it as well. It is your continued support that will help us continue to help others. Thank you so much! Never miss another show by subscribing at LesleyLogan.co/subscribe https://lesleylogan.co/podcast/#follow-subscribe-free.In this episode you will learn about:How Lesley's pain-as-alarm concept to daily self-check habits.Brad overcomes foot pain by staying active instead of stopping.How Lesley's yoga experience illustrated “stability before flexibility” The importance of reflection and consistency when pain shows up unexpectedly.How building strength supports graceful aging and confidence in movement.Episode References/Links:OPC Winter Tour - https://opc.me/tour0Pilates Journal Expo - https://xxll.co/pilatesjournalCambodia Retreat Waitlist - https://crowsnestretreats.com/waitlistAgency Mini - https://prfit.biz/miniContrology Pilates Conference in Poland - https://xxll.co/polandContrology Pilates Conference in Brussels - https://xxll.co/brusselsSubmit your wins or questions - https://beitpod.com/questionsDr. Jen Fraboni's Website - https://jen.healthThe Optimal Body Podcast - https://www.docjenfit.com/podcastDr. Jen Fraboni's Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/docjenfitEpisode 589: Brad Bizjack - https://beitpod.com/ep589 If you enjoyed this episode, make sure and give us a five star rating and leave us a review on iTunes, Podcast Addict, Podchaser or Castbox. https://lovethepodcast.com/BITYSIDEALS! DEALS! DEALS! DEALS! https://onlinepilatesclasses.com/memberships/perks/#equipmentCheck out all our Preferred Vendors & Special Deals from Clair Sparrow, Sensate, Lyfefuel BeeKeeper's Naturals, Sauna Space, HigherDose, AG1 and ToeSox https://onlinepilatesclasses.com/memberships/perks/#equipmentBe in the know with all the workshops at OPC https://workshops.onlinepilatesclasses.com/lp-workshop-waitlistBe It Till You See It Podcast Survey https://pod.lesleylogan.co/be-it-podcasts-surveyBe a part of Lesley's Pilates Mentorship https://lesleylogan.co/elevate/FREE Ditching Busy Webinar https://ditchingbusy.com/Resources:Watch the Be It Till You See It podcast on YouTube! https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCq08HES7xLMvVa3Fy5DR8-gLesley Logan website https://lesleylogan.co/Be It Till You See It Podcast https://lesleylogan.co/podcast/Online Pilates Classes by Lesley Logan https://onlinepilatesclasses.com/Online Pilates Classes by Lesley Logan on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCjogqXLnfyhS5VlU4rdzlnQProfitable Pilates https://profitablepilates.com/about/Follow Us on Social Media:Instagram https://www.instagram.com/lesley.logan/The Be It Till You See It Podcast YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCq08HES7xLMvVa3Fy5DR8-gFacebook https://www.facebook.com/llogan.pilatesLinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/lesley-logan/The OPC YouTube Channel https://www.youtube.com/@OnlinePilatesClasses Episode Transcript:Lesley Logan 0:00  When we feel pain, really doing some sort of, creating some sort of, like, okay, hold on, what's my sleep like, what's my intake like, what's my fuel like, have I been consistent? You know, just do some reflection. Lesley Logan 0:12  Welcome to the Be It Till You See It podcast where we talk about taking messy action, knowing that perfect is boring. I'm Lesley Logan, Pilates instructor and fitness business coach. I've trained thousands of people around the world and the number one thing I see stopping people from achieving anything is self-doubt. My friends, action brings clarity and it's the antidote to fear. Each week, my guest will bring bold, executable, intrinsic and targeted steps that you can use to put yourself first and Be It Till You See It. It's a practice, not a perfect. Let's get started. Lesley Logan 0:51  Welcome back to the Be It Till You See It interview recap where my co-host in life, Brad, and I are going to dig into the empowering convo I had with Jen Fraboni in our last episode. If you haven't yet listened to that interview, you've missed out on an incredible interview with DocJenFit. That's her Instagram handle or her handle everywhere. So many of you love her, know her, and this was a really cool, I thought, very vulnerable convo as well. She shared a lot about going on her life, how she handles things. I love when people are like, just a human and so it's gonna be really good. So I can't wait to recap it, but before we do that, today is November 20th 2025, and we have two days to celebrate. And to be honest, there was like seven, so we could have chosen. There was a few that I was like, well, I don't use less, so we can't use use less day, because I'm so not participating. But there's a couple others, but we're going to focus on two of them. One is the Great American Smokeout. The American Cancer Society sponsors a Great American Smokeout on the third Thursday of November annually, challenging smokers to give up cigarettes for 24 hours. If you or a loved one smoke cigarettes, consider joining the movement and take the first step towards quitting cigarettes forever. How? Let's both try to do something tough for a day. I'll give up either coffee, sugar, social media. Brad Crowell 2:10  You're you are allowed to pitch this to them. Lesley Logan 2:13  Oh, this is how you're gonna pitch it. Brad Crowell 2:14  Yeah. This is how you're gonna pitch this to them. Lesley Logan 2:15  This is how you're gonna pitch it. So you're gonna, you, if you're a non-smoker, if you're a smoker, then you can tell another smoker, you guys could do it together. But if you're a non-smoker, asking a smoker, then you're gonna say, I'm gonna give up something they know. You're gonna have a hard time giving up for 24 hours. Brad Crowell 2:30  Like, maybe it's Instagram, maybe it's chocolate, could be sugar.Lesley Logan 2:35  Coffee, you know something like that and you give up smoking, think of it as a reset, not a rule. So.Brad Crowell 2:43  And that's what you can also tell them, It's a reset, not a rule. Lesley Logan 2:45  Well, Brad, can we, like, let's how hard, can we talk about it? Brad Crowell 2:50  We can certainly talk about it. Lesley Logan 2:51  Okay, you quit smoking. Brad Crowell 2:53  I did quit smoking. Lesley Logan 2:54  If he had been a smoker when we met, it would have not we would not be married 10 years. Brad Crowell 2:58  It's true. Lesley Logan 2:59  Because we would not have gone on a date. Brad Crowell 3:00  Yeah. I mean, it's. Lesley Logan 3:02  My grandfather was a smoker. Brad Crowell 3:04  It doesn't smell good. Lesley Logan 3:05  Yeah. So I have had two grandfathers who are massive smokers, one who lost a lung to smoking, and another one who had multiple heart problems, and the heart doctor refused to operate on him unless he quit smoking. So I, like, this is a big like, personal thing, because I lost family members to smoking. But I know it's not easy. So Brad.Brad Crowell 3:26  Yeah, I mean, I've told this story before, so it was the decision to smoke or to quit smoking was, for me, it was made emotionally, which is what made it easy. The decision to stop, to stay with that initial decision was actually quite challenging, you know, because of the addiction, because of nicotine, but because I wanted to sing more than I wanted to smoke, that was the emotional decision. It was like, oh my god, this is a very I just have to stop, like, I can't, I can't be on stage and not be able to sing. So that I think that was hard, because I had to hit a wall in order for that decision to become emotional and then for it to actually happen in my life. But okay, great. That's step one. Then step two is consistently not smoking when I used to smoke. So in the car with the window down, or I don't remember, you know, walking out of my apartment complex, there was a there was, like, part of my routine, you know, and doing those things, like continuing to do life, you're going to run back into those instances where you used to do the habit and would always make me think, this is what I would normally pull out a cigarette. And so that was, that was a constant battle for, honestly, for just a few weeks. Lesley Logan 4:56  Well, it's interesting, because so in a couple of weeks, we have a habit series starting and in one of the episodes, I talked about how to unravel a habit. And for smoking, like all we can be completely honest, there is an addictive element to it, in that they made it addictive. So you have a habit, you smoke when you're in traffic. My old roommate, she would she when she quit smoking was the hardest thing, because she's like, Lesley, I'm in traffic for 45 minutes, and I used to just sit there and smoke, and now I am not. So she had lollipops and teas and coffees because she needed something to do in the car. She actually had, like, the patches like, well, that helps you quit. So she's like, I don't even have the craving to smoke. I have the habit. So I will talk about how to unravel a habit in that series in December, so make sure you're paying attention. Okay, the other day, this is really important to Brad and I that we wanted to bring it up. (inaudible)Brad Crowell 5:47  Second thing we wanted to remember today. Lesley Logan 5:50  Yes. So it's Transgender Day of Remembrance. For generations, the transgender population has suffered various forms of abuse and even death for or murder, so we'll call it that, for challenging the views, notions and stereotypes around male and female identity. Every year, we set aside today as Transgender Day of Remembrance. This holiday is meant to honor, commemorate and memorialize those who face discrimination and stigma on a daily basis across this nation. This holiday is also meant to advocate for transgenders people's rights, as well as focus on the persistent struggles they face in their everyday lives and how others can share their love, support and hope. If you listen to this podcast and you have a fucking problem with transgenders, I am just going to be on, I need you to explore why. These are just people. They're just people, and they've been around forever. And I bring it, I bring it up in one of the FYF is coming up about like, how in the indigenous cultures, they actually have people, they already had words for this. This is something. It's actually a fucking cool thing. Like you have the ability to see the world the way they see it through both lenses. It's a powerful thing. And I fucking clearly I'm pissed about it, but I get so annoyed. We flew on a plane the other day, and no one has a problem using a toilet on a plane, but all of a sudden they have a fucking problem of sharing a bathroom with another person of a different gender, and it's like, what are we talking about here? You just shared a bathroom. So I don't understand when they make neutral bathrooms, how people get pissed about that. I also just listened to this one thing. If I could find the reel I'll send it to the team to link it. If you don't see the link below, it's because I couldn't find it. But this person is is explaining how it's sort of the safety of women to in the bathrooms, of why they want people using the bathrooms of their own, like birth certificate, right? And this one person is a trans man. He goes, so what you're actually saying is that men are a danger to women and you don't want them in their bathrooms. So that's the problem. We should solve that problem. We shouldn't be policing genitals. So I just get really upset because it's just bothersome to me. Why do we why do we care so much we have healthcare issues in this country. We have poverty issue. We have children who don't have enough food. Brad Crowell 8:06  We have food issues, yeah. Lesley Logan 8:07  The higher percentage of people. Brad Crowell 8:09  We have water issues. Did you know, I don't remember what the number is, but like, (inaudible) I think, I think it was Jackson, Mississippi, like, they don't have running water in in, like, many parts of the city. I don't know what the the numbers are, but like, that was a thing in a couple years ago. Lesley Logan 8:24  Yes, no, there's a higher percentage of people who are listening to this show that know someone who's homeless, who is a pover in poverty, who has food. What do you call it? Like a food uncertainty? Then then know of someone who's transgendered and so why? Like, what are we doing? So I'm just pissed about it. I'm just over it. I'm over people being so uptight and like that they're a threat to who you are. You know, it goes to that whole thing where it's like, if you don't like abortions, don't get one. If you don't like gay marriage, if somebody of your same sex asks you to marry them, don't say yes. Like, you don't have to do any of these things. You don't have to be trans like this is I just get annoyed. I'm pissed. Anyways, so today is the day to remember the people who have been fighting to exist as they feel like they should exist, and we should do what we can to honor those people. And if you don't know anyone, maybe consider looking at a community service organization in your area that you could donate to if you are listening from Las Vegas, when you buy food from the Bronze Cafe, their proceeds, part of their proceeds go to the LGBTQ community for mental health. So it's really, really cool. We use their restaurant for all of our retreats here in Las Vegas. We can help support that.Brad Crowell 9:37  And they have a second location at the.Lesley Logan 9:43  Oh Brad's so excited. Brad Crowell 9:45  The conservation preserve, the Springs Preserve here, which has has a massive cactus garden. So go to the cactus garden. Go eat lunch, and you'll be also helping support (inaudible) the transgender community here.Lesley Logan 9:58  Yeah, when you come visit Las Vegas, you should go to Springs Preserves, and then you can go to Bronze Cafe. Okay, cool stuff coming up now. So here we go. Brad Crowell 10:06  All right, so here's what we got coming up on the docket, actually, next week, or Yyeah, literally, in a few days, is the Black Friday Cyber Monday coming up for you've probably already been inundated with everything that's been crazy, but for us, we're going to do it actually, during the old school Black Friday Cyber, Cyber Monday is even new. Black Friday, so it's the 26th to the first of December for OPC only, y'all so check your email for more details, starting yesterday. So just go check your emails if you haven't already, we've got an offer for you with OPC.Lesley Logan 10:37  If you didn't get an email, it's because you have not signed up for our emails, or you unsubscribed from us, and we don't take that personally. You could just resubscribe. But yeah, the dates will be November 26th December 1st. Brad Crowell 10:47  If you're wondering what it is and you didn't get the email, just DM us and we can send you the right place.Lesley Logan 10:52  We're really excited about this sale, and it's the one time of the year we do it, so take advantage. Don't ask us on December 2nd for it. It's not how it works. It's actually a lot of work. Brad Crowell 11:01  Speaking of December, we're gonna be on the road again for our winter tour for OPC, and the actual dates we're gonna get, it's like starting on the seventh or sixth.Lesley Logan 11:11  No, it's like the fifth, I think it's the fifth in Colorado Springs, and it ends on. Brad Crowell 11:15  Oh, yeah, we gotta drive there, though, so we leave.Lesley Logan 11:18  We leave earlier than it starts. We come home the day that it ends so but it's like, it's like, December 5th through the January 6th or January 7th. Brad Crowell 11:28  And we do come home the day that ends. Lesley Logan 11:30  I, yeah, I know that we sound like when it comes to this tour that we're like, not organized. The last time we recorded, we had no idea where we're going. And now we do, and it's huge. The whole tour is listed, 23 cities. Brad Crowell 11:42  Yeah, 23. Lesley Logan 11:43  Colorado Springs. Brad Crowell 11:45  23 public events. Lesley Logan 11:46  St Louis.Brad Crowell 11:47  Yeah, the fifth, the first the first event is on December 5 in Colorado Springs, then we go to Fayetteville.Lesley Logan 11:54  Oh, Fayetteville. Oh, I'm so sorry. How could I skip Arkansas. Brad Crowell 11:57  Then St Louis on the 7th. Lesley Logan 11:58  Then St Louis, then Detroit, then Columbus. Brad Crowell 12:01  No, then Lexington. Lesley Logan 12:03  I'm going to Lexington. Brad Crowell 12:04  You're going to Lexington.Lesley Logan 12:04  Oh, I am going to Lexington, but I'm going in that order.Brad Crowell 12:06  Then you're going to Columbus, then you're going to Detroit.Lesley Logan 12:09  What? How does the map work? Am I going like zigzag?Brad Crowell 12:14  Believe it or not, they're almost in line. Yeah, they're, they are.Brad Crowell 12:18  I don't understand the middle. I'm so sorry. Okay, then we go to Pittsburgh. Lesley Logan 12:22  Okay, Pittsburgh. Then we go to. Brad Crowell 12:25  Rochester Lesley Logan 12:26  RochesterBrad Crowell 12:27  New York Lesley Logan 12:27  Oh, yeah, we're going to, do you say Rochester or you go Rochester. How do you say it? Brad Crowell 12:31  RochesterLesley Logan 12:32  RochesterBrad Crowell 12:33  Rochester, New York. And then we go to Boston, Cape Cod, Hartford, Connecticut. That's a new one for us. Hershey, Pennsylvania. We're coming back Rehoboth Beach. Lesley Logan 12:42  That's a new one for us. Brad Crowell 12:43  That's new, to Delaware, that'll be just after Christmas, and then we have Washington, DC, Virginia Beach, Charlotte, North Carolina. That's new for us. We've got Delray. This is Florida. We're gonna be hoofing it from North Carolina all the way down to Delray, Florida. This is new.Lesley Logan 12:59  Christmas Eve, Del Rey. Brad Crowell 13:01  Nope, New Year's Eve Del Rey. On a roll, here.Lesley Logan 13:07  You guys Del Rey is near Fort Lauderdale, Hollywood, Florida, correct? Brad Crowell 13:11  Yeah. It's just north of Fort Lauderdale, I think. Lesley Logan 13:14  So our Miami stop has moved up a little bit because most of you are driving from that area anyway, so you're welcome. And then we do New Year's Day with our Pilates crew that's in Tampa.Brad Crowell 13:26  Yes. Lesley Logan 13:26  And then we go to Pensacola. Brad Crowell 13:28  Yes. Then New Orleans. Lesley Logan 13:30  New Orleans, and then Houston. Brad Crowell 13:31  Then, Houston. Lesley Logan 13:32  Houston. We haven't been to Houston in years.Brad Crowell 13:34  Yeah, it's been quite a few years for us to be in Houston. That'll be on January 4th and then fifth in Austin, and then Phoenix, we're coming to you on the seventh.Lesley Logan 13:42  Yeah. So get your tickets at opc.me/events, by the way. Brad Crowell 13:46  Nope, opc.me/tour, opc.me/tour. Lesley Logan 13:50  There's two links. Okay, sorry, opc.me/tour is where you get your tickets. And at the time we're recording this, we're over 57% sold out. By the time you're hearing this, it's going to be way closer to sold out, because literally, nine events only have one spot right now in them. So go to opc.me/tour. Bring your friends. Also in December, we didn't do a Profitable Pilates Black Friday, Cyber Monday this year, because we want you to focus on, so save the date, December 26th or the 31st that will be on the Profitable Pilates newsletter list. So you have to be on that one. So for the Pilates instructors studio owners who want business flights, we're gonna have some special deal on Agency. We've never done it before. So make sure you're watching your inbox for that if you don't get those emails, just DM us and the team will help you out. Brad Crowell 14:36  By the way, we're 55% sold out. Lesley Logan 14:39  Oh, I know, but we're. Brad Crowell 14:40  I just checked. Lesley Logan 14:41  I know, but it hasn't been updated in 48 hours, so.Brad Crowell 14:44  Maybe even more, so it might be closer to 60. Good stuff.Lesley Logan 14:48  Yeah, I think so. And then after our tour, we come home for one day, kick off, eLevate, get our roots done, get our nails done by (inaudible), and then we go to Huntington Beach. Teach for the Pilates Journal Expo. This is a really cool two-day event, huge lineup of teachers. I don't I it's like a fucking party. So you should just go to xxll.co/pilatesjournal. So just two Xs guys, xxll.co/pilatesjournal. And then if you aren't already on the waitlist, you'll want to be on the waitlist because also, in January, we're going to open up the early bird registration for our Pilates retreat in Cambodia. This we just came back from. Brad Crowell 15:28  Y'all it is going to be amazing. Lesley Logan 15:30  I'm making so many mistakes, because we just got back and it was the coolest retreat of life. No offense to the people we've been on retreats with before, you were amazing.Brad Crowell 15:37  Incredible retreat. Lesley Logan 15:38  But like, if you have ever thought, oh, my god, they must get bored of this. We don't. We had the best fucking time. It was like we I just loved it. So I can't wait to take you,Brad Crowell 15:48  Yeah, and I think, I think this year is going to be sorry, next year, So 2026, is going to be even better. And I know we've had a lot of interest already, but one of the things we're going to do differently, in January, we're going to have a call for everyone who's curious about this, the retreat, all the questions. We're going to have a couple of our past retreaters join us live, and we're going to have them just answer those questions. You can ask them directly. They can share with you their experience, you know, the process of getting there, like, did they feel safe? What kind of food was it? What kind of activities did they enjoy? All the things that you might be curious about. And I'm telling you, it is gonna next year, is gonna sell quickly. So, get yourself on the waitlist. Go to crowsnestretreats.com and we can't wait to see it all there.Lesley Logan 16:34  Every group is got its own, different vibe. This group, we were like, rapping in the in the bus on the way to like, no one took a nap. Usually people are napping. We were like, half a native. So anyways, crowsnestretreats.com, crowsnestretreats.com/waitlist get you on the waitlist. Okay, in February, that is when our Agency Mini is happening. That is our three day event. I don't know if we're doing a second one next year. We're going to try, but you know, we'll see. So you're going back to Agency Mini, you want to get on the waitlist for that if you want to make sure you don't miss the early bird discount, prfit.biz/mini holy fucking molly, there's a lot of events coming up. So Poland and Brussels, that is in March, you guys. And I mean, a lot of questions about, are you doing anything in Europe? Anything? This is it. We're going, we're like, literally not getting on a plane until March, and I don't have plans to get on a plane after March until Cambodia. So if you want to see me, you need to check out the Poland Controlology Pilates conference. xxll.co/poland and or Brussels, xxll.co/brussels, two events, different workshops to both events, you can you're welcome to come to both. Karen Frischmann is actually collabing on that with me and the host studios, so you get two amazing teachers for the price of a weekend. And it's pretty kind of it's pretty awesome. So different workshops, plus there's a day of privates and semi private classes. So you can also jump in and enjoy some workouts with us. You don't want to miss it, because I don't know when we're coming back. Okay? And then we're gonna leave that. Brad and I are gonna do a vacation. Brad Crowell 18:08  What? Weird. Lesley Logan 18:09  About nine, 10 days vacation in Europe, and then April after our vacation, we wrap up in April at P.O.T. London, and now it's official. Now if you've been hearing me say, I'm not allowed to tell you, I don't know if we're allowed to tell you, we can tell you I signed a contract. I don't I don't I don't know if there's a link out yet, but I'm sure there is. So just look at like, P.O.T. London from Balanced Body, and you'll find it. All right, oh my gosh, okay, should we let's get to this audience question, and we got to get to this amazing recap episode.Brad Crowell 18:34  All right, so the audience question this week was from @audreyphipps1726, on YouTube. She, this is for the Pilates equipment for beginners video. She said, hey, what size is that Try Me Stability Ball. I would love to find one. Lesley Logan 18:50  Yeah, so the triad ball that's.Brad Crowell 18:53  I was wondering. Lesley Logan 18:54  Audrey, it took me a second. I was like, try me. I'd have to Google this, because sometimes people go, hey, what do you think of this item? And I'm like, I don't know what you're talking about, but I realize it's my accent. It's the triad ball, and I don't actually know the dimensions. It's a purple ball that you don't want to fill all the way up. It's smaller than a I guess it'd be like, volleyball size when it's filled up, but you want it to be a little squishy. And where did I get it. I think I went on Balanced Body. Let's see.Brad Crowell 19:24  The OPTP triad ball nine and a half inches. Lesley Logan 19:27  Is it purple? Brad Crowell 19:28  Um, yeah, it's purple. Lesley Logan 19:30  Yeah, the OPTP. Brad Crowell 19:32  Yeah. OPTP triad ball nine and a half inches. Lesley Logan 19:35  You can get it at like, Target. Brad Crowell 19:37  Yeah, even at Walmart. Lesley Logan 19:38  I'm not shopping at Target these days, but you can get on OPTP's website, they have a bunch. They have a huge website, lots of amazing stuff on TP actually, you'll kind of like, it's good products, good stuff. So if you have a question, you can text us at +13109055534, or submit it to beitpod.com/questions. You can also leave a win. And I love getting your wins, because I love helping people see like there's a celebration in everything. You know there's a reason to celebrate the whole every if you just watch the news and open up your phone, it fucking sucks. So you got to have a place where you know it's going to be some good news, and you might hear your win on a day you need to remind yourself that you had a fucking win.Brad Crowell 20:17  Yeah, that's true. Yeah, you are 100% right. Well, stick around. We'll be right back. Brad Crowell 20:23  Okay, welcome back. Let's talk about Dr. Jen Fraboni. Dr. Jen Fraboni, also known as Doc Jen Fit, is a physical therapist passionate about helping people move more with less pain and more confidence. She is the founder of Jen.Health, a platform and app designed to make strength, mobility and recovery accessible for everyone. Alongside her husband, she cohosts The Optimal Body Podcast. Her work has also been featured nationally, including on Good Morning America and NBC, where she shared simple strategies to ease back pain during the pandemic. So we well, it was just a great conversation, by the way, nobody knows this, but I get to watch the the full interview call, right? And. Lesley Logan 21:06  You watch it? Brad Crowell 21:07  Yeah, watch every single one of them. That's how I do prep. Oh, I thought you just listened, nope, 100% of the time watching the interview. So the beginning of it was really fun because you were saying that, basically you were like, oh my gosh, this is how my day is gonna go today. I'm so excited to start today with this interview.Lesley Logan 21:26  Well, because, because it was a Zoom call with Jen Fraboni. And I was like, it's Jen Fraboni. And then it was then she showed up, like, Oh my God. Like, I was like, I mean, I guess I could have looked up.Brad Crowell 21:39  Doc Jen Fit. Lesley Logan 21:40  I mean, I knew I was interviewing her at some point, but I just my brain didn't like keep her, keep her last name associated with her Instagram handle, but yeah, how fun is that? I don't know, maybe the team left in the outtakes. Yeah, it was so good. Brad Crowell 21:53  Yeah. So you know what, what the two of you were digging into. I thought it was just really great talking about paying because I I related a lot to that, especially this past year, I've actually had a lot of pain with my my foot. So anyway, you know. Lesley Logan 22:08  But well, that goes into, like, something like, what I liked that she addressed about pain was that, like, most of the time it's just an alarm. Especially if you didn't get an accident, like, and sometimes your pain is like, you're just sitting there, and all of a sudden something hurts in your body, and you're like, ah, this hurts. And I'm like, just sitting there, like, what are you talking about? So in that case, if it wasn't, like, you know, you fell down the stairs, you tripped across the street, you were in a car accident, if you have pain, it is your body going, Hey, hi. You're not taking good care of me, right? It's like, just trying to get your attention. And I just like, if we think of that as what it is, as opposed to, I have to stop doing everything that was associated with that, because this is what happens, right? People come to Pilates once a week. The goal is three to four times. Week four is better. That's the goal, right? But I have someone who'll come once a week, and they go, they'll see me the next week. Oh, last last week. My back hurt, so we need to be conscious of that. And it's like so there are six other days, plus the 23 hours of the day. I didn't see you. What did you do? How are you taking care of yourself? I'm not saying the Pilates doesn't didn't hurt you. What I am saying is more likely than not, it wasn't the Pilates, but the Pilates is the unique thing about your day, right? So it's, it's similar to, I have some stomach digestive issues, and I would go, Oh, I think I got gluten, or I must have had some dairy. When I found out that I'm also allergic to oats. And every fucking day I was having oat milk, right?. And I wasn't associating, like, any of the other boring food I was having all of the time, I was coming up with, like, this unique thing that could have happened, so I really like that.Brad Crowell 23:53  We were just with our friend, and the next day he was like, I think I got glutened yesterday. It must have been that meal that we ate, you know? And I said, you know, I'm I'm also not feeling 100% and then I thought about the restaurant, which is we've eaten at 100 times. And I was like, what did we do differently? And he had the spiciest Margarita I think I've ever tasted, and I was loading on the hot sauce. I was like, You know what, man, I wonder. I mean, look, it's possible that you got glutened but they were, they specifically came out and told us that they made this gluten free. So I'd be surprised. Maybe there was some leftover, something (inadible) but also, like, the two of us ate something that was pretty off the path. I like to eat spicy stuff, but, like, we ate a lot of it.Lesley Logan 24:39  His his his Margarita was almost undrinkable. Lesley Logan 24:42  It was crazy. You diluted it twice.Lesley Logan 24:44  And you know, I like a spicy mar I was like, I I think that was gonna provide a colonic, to be completely honest, anyways. But I just think, like, she gave some really great stuff, like she talked about her own personal experience, like she's got some back pain, and she's like, Oh, I've been sleeping less, I'm breastfeeding, I'm sitting more, and I'm not moving my body. So what can I do to be more conscious about the things that I need to give myself?Brad Crowell 25:06  Yeah, I think, I think, with the, with the the idea that people coming into class and saying, Oh, well, last week, I was in pain afterwards, you know, the what she mentioned, which I thought was really obvious but needed to be heard. She said, you know, if you're in the gym lifting and you like, tweak your back, obviously you're going to say, well, I shouldn't do that again. No, no problem, of course. But that was probably not that was the moment that things were stressed to the point of ouch. But that wasn't the only moment. There are definitely other things leading up to that exact moment of when, when your body is, like, we're done trying to hold it together here, now you're in pain. And she said, so, so there's other movements that you're probably doing in your life that are, it's cumulative, right? It's, it's, it's adding up over time, and then bam, maybe the moment that it happened was in a class when you're probably doing something particular that you wouldn't be normally doing, like doing a headstand, or whatever it might be, you know, being on one leg, you know, the, the, but, that's probably not where it started. Lesley Logan 26:16  I think we could all agree in this moment where we're not in pain, right? I hurt my knee doing a deadlift. When I hired my trainer, I said, Yeah, I've been dead lifting a lot lighter because it doesn't bother my knee. But the actual thing that's bothering my knee is the fact that I had weak inner thighs and hamstrings compared to my quads, and then the way my gait is on that leg, that's why my knee hurt. It just so happened that I felt the pain doing the deadlift. The deadlift is actually not the problem my form and my deadlift is not the problem. It is an in-balance and muscles on that leg. And so what can we be doing to make sure that we're taking, like, consistent care of ourselves, and then when we hear, when we feel pain, really doing some sort of creating, some sort of like, okay, hold on, what's my sleep like, what's my intake like, what's my fuel like, have I been consistent? So if you are someone who, like, doesn't work out for a week, and then goes and works out hard, like, I got to get in it, just so, you know, you're going to be in some pain afterwards because you didn't have consistency going into it. So, you know, just do some reflection before you go, oh, that's a problem.Brad Crowell 27:20  Speak about reflection, which, which is, this is pretty funny for, for if you have people coming in and saying, well, last time I did this, I hurt. Lesley Logan 27:29  Or if you are that person. Brad Crowell 27:30  Yeah or if you are that person, do you wake up and hurt like, should this? Does that mean you shouldn't sleep like? You know what I mean, the logic doesn't apply here. I just heard like. Lesley Logan 27:43  So this has nothing to do with that, but it's just my brain thing. Okay?. So this person goes, like, this, like, thing I saw. This person goes, I need to go on a vacation. And this other person goes, did you just come back from a vacation? And then it's like, you should just say, Did you have lunch yesterday? And they're like, yeah, that does that mean you need lunch today? Right? Like, yeah, like, you're if you're.Brad Crowell 28:06  Like, obviously, you're not gonna say, Well, I guess I shouldn't sleep because, because maybe you just slept on your shoulder, weird, or whatever. And also, too, it doesn't (inaudible) it also doesn't mean that your shoulder is broken or jacked up. It means you stressed it improperly for an extended period of time. Maybe you were sleeping on it weird, right? And how, like, you know, you know how that is, you know how that that feeling is. It could be your ankle or something where it takes a couple of hours for it to work itself out. And what's happening there, which I which I thought was interesting. She talks about how pain. It's a signal from the brain saying something is not 100% correct here. Something is not 100% correct here. Just a reminder. A reminder, a reminder.Lesley Logan 28:50  It's like, when you hit the button and the community goes, er, and you're like, let me hit that again, it goes, er, and you're like, I don't know why I'm expecting something different. Brad Crowell 28:58  Yeah, well, and here's how this, here's how this relates to what I loved. She said. She said, the more we don't use it, we lose it, right? You use it or lose it. You've heard that phrase a million times. But she said the thing that was that frustrates her the most is when she her clients come to her and say, the doctor told me I'm not allowed to do this anymore, right? The thing, whatever the thing is, and this is what related to me because, you know, a couple months, Well, geez, in February of this year, it's now, you know, November, I started to feel pain in my foot, in the top of my foot, it was like this pulling pain. It felt like fascia or nerves. I couldn't decide. I still can't decide. And for a long, long time, I just stopped things. I just stopped doing, you know, like, the pointing of my toe, stopped it. All the stuff that you do in yoga class, stopped it. I was like, I need some time off. Well, I gave up the time off, and it didn't fix it, right? So, then what? Then what it was the next thing we do? Started going to the chiropractor. Chiropractor couldn't figure out what's going on, right there. She's like, Hey, you're you're aligned. What are you talking about, right? So, you know, then I was like, must be these other things. So I'm starting to massage myself. I'm doing all this stuff. And then a couple, like, two months ago, I just decided, You know what, I'm just gonna get warm and I'm gonna keep using my foot. I'm just gonna keep using it. Because, you know, one of the things that she said is especially being pregnant a second time, she leaned into, you know, doing her workouts, when her body was was starting to, like, freak out, but her body was going through a major change, and she said, you know, maybe she modified the exercise, but she always felt better after doing her workout, despite being told, you know, you know, her body, you know, sending a signal. And I think, I think that we have to be careful with this. You know, same for me, I have to actually be careful with this. It's not no pain, no gain, yeah, it's not real. I don't agree with that. It's also, you know, there are, there are moments where your body is is trying to warn you on something, but you need to be able to decide for what that is and and understand, right? Is it like pain to the point of like damage, or are we talking that, that signal of warning, you know, that's like, Oh, you have to be cautious, right? Lesley Logan 31:12  Yeah. Well, it makes it so this morning, I was doing my first Pilates practice on the Reformer in three weeks. And I did not I was like, man, I got my Spine Corrector, and I was like, this not feel awesome. It didn't hurt. It just was like, right? And then I got in the Reformer, and the first overhead kind of was like, but then the second one felt better and the third one felt better. So it's not, it is no no pain, no gain. But is you, if you have a consistent practice of any kind of movement. When you start going, you know, if your body is telling you, this is not a good day or, Oh, hold on, this is opening up. I'm warming up to it. And so when I was doing tendon stretch on the Reformer, normally, I do a single leg tendon stretch. And I did tendon stretch. I did three, and I was like, I in no way feel safe, to lift a leg off. I'm gonna do four more and get off. I got to headstand. I did all the things but the actual headstand, because I have a consistent enough practice in my body, I could tell that I'm going to feel better when it's over, but I'm not pushing myself to do something it shouldn't do. And that just comes with time. It just comes with listening to your body. So, you gotta do that.Brad Crowell 32:20  Yeah, I mean, you know, she said something that I also thought was interesting, that we never, that I never thought about before. She said, clearly, the outside of our bodies change, our faces sag, or we get wrinkles, things, lalala, why would we never, why would we expect that there are no internal changes as well, right? And she was talking about, you know, joint degeneration, and, you know, all those kinds of things which are natural and they happen, you know, discs in your back, compression, all that kind of stuff. But the only way to age gracefully, despite your body deteriorating is strength. Is strong muscles, right? And so we still should be we need to be prioritizing that in our lives now so that we can be moving with ease as we age.Lesley Logan 33:11  Yeah, no, it's so and that's just it, you guys, you will never stop having to sleep enough drink, enough water and strengthen your muscles like that you're, so sorry, guaranteed in life until we no longer get to live on this beautiful planet. So, there you go.Brad Crowell 33:28  Yeah, yeah. All right. Well, stick around. We'll be right back. We're gonna dig into those Be It Action Items that we got from Dr. Jen Fit. Brad Crowell 33:35  All right, welcome back. Let's dig into these Be It Action Items. What bold, executable, intrinsic or targeted action items. Can we take away from your conversation with Dr. Jen Fraboni? She explicitly advised against relying on passive stretching as a primary solution for pain, even though it can feel good and relaxing, she said it's better to create stability, that is the fundamental requirement for the body to feel safe. So you were talking about the off balance muscles that you had, which is why your lifting was feeling pain, because you were unstable. Your one muscles, your one set of muscles, were stronger than the other set of muscles. She said, when you create stability, it creates a sense of safety. And she recommends focusing on active stretching, isometric holds and strengthening exercises. She highlighted Pilates as a modality that is great at creating stability and teaching the body safety, especially in the initial phases of pain recovery. So yay for Pilates. That's fantastic. What about you? Go ahead, go ahead.Lesley Logan 34:37  I was gonna say, like today, we were in yoga, and my left hamstring just would not open up. And the reality is my left hip just feeling unstable. That's why we're headed to the chiropractor after this. And it's like, I cannot open up this hamstring when my pelvis is out. And so I just really like, that was such a that's such a takeaway for me. I love that Be It Action Item. So be mindful of the passive stretching, my loves. Just be mindful. I love, this is great, t only way that we start to know how to move forward is if we tune in first. So it's really, this is this kind of goes back to, like a Brad BizJack's episode, actually, and that and that, maybe he didn't say it in this episode, but he has said it in something that I've heard of him before, which is, but go listen to that episode anyways, he's like, you would never, you would never just like, go get in the car and drive somewhere without having, like, a destination in mind. Unlike most people, don't check in with how they feel before they like move their body. They just start moving their body like they're not tuning in. So before you set a goal, before you do things, you have to kind of go inward first, so that you know where you're putting your compass, where you're putting your directions, where you're moving forward to. So otherwise you're like, oh, maybe I should do if you don't tune in first, you're gonna be the person who's like, oh, the hot new thing is Jiu Jitsu, and I'm doing Jiu Jitsu, and then that new hot thing is this box thing on a trampoline, like you're not going to actually be able to look at a movement modality and go, oh, that's what my body needs. You'll just be like, going hopping from one thing to the next expecting a quick fix. So I did love that one. And then she really, she advised onto every day to take five deep, long, slow breaths, mouth closed, and focus on taking breath into the sides of your rib cage. OPC members know this. Brad Crowell 36:24  Diaphragmatic breathing. Lesley Logan 36:26  And avoid breathing into your shoulders, neck or chest. Otherwise you're gonna feel stressed. But if you take these deep breaths, you often will see that the pain starts to diminish. I'm Lesley Logan. Brad Crowell 36:35  And I'm Brad Crowell. Lesley Logan 36:36  I really hope this was helpful, especially if pain is part of your daily life, it is really hard to be it till you see it in that kind of state. And so hopefully this gave you some tips, gave you some ideas, gave you some permission and share it with a friend who needs to hear it, especially one who's like this topic is like, what they're needing right now. It's, I don't know, there's just so much permission in this episode. Until next time, Be It Till You see it. Brad Crowell 36:55  Bye for now. Lesley Logan 36:57  That's all I got for this episode of the Be It Till You See It Podcast. One thing that would help both myself and future listeners is for you to rate the show and leave a review and follow or subscribe for free wherever you listen to your podcast. Also, make sure to introduce yourself over at the Be It Pod on Instagram. I would love to know more about you. Share this episode with whoever you think needs to hear it. Help us and others Be It Till You See It. Have an awesome day. Be It Till You See It is a production of The Bloom Podcast Network. If you want to leave us a message or a question that we might read on another episode, you can text us at +1-310-905-5534 or send a DM on Instagram @BeItPod.Brad Crowell 37:39  It's written, filmed, and recorded by your host, Lesley Logan, and me, Brad Crowell.Lesley Logan 37:44  It is transcribed, produced and edited by the epic team at Disenyo.co.Brad Crowell 37:49  Our theme music is by Ali at Apex Production Music and our branding by designer and artist, Gianfranco Cioffi.Lesley Logan 37:56  Special thanks to Melissa Solomon for creating our visuals.Brad Crowell 37:59  Also to Angelina Herico for adding all of our content to our website. And finally to Meridith Root for keeping us all on point and on time.Lesley Logan 38:11  I don't know if we're doing a second one next year. We're gonna try, but you know, we'll see. Brad Crowell 38:16  You are just making up the URLs here. Lesley Logan 38:19  I'm not. Lesley Logan 38:19  Yeah, crowsnestretreats.com. Just go to crowsnestretreats.com. Lesley Logan 38:23  You gave me the waitlist one. Brad Crowell 38:25  No. Lesley Logan 38:25  Yeah, not on this sheet, but in life.Brad Crowell 38:28  Okay, because of 404. So I'll have the team fix that right now. Lesley Logan 38:31  Fix that, please, because I gave it to somebody else last week on Instagram, because you gave that to me. Okay.Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/be-it-till-you-see-it/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Most agencies treat client work like a machine… and their own marketing like an afterthought.In this episode, Phil Kiel breaks down why that mindset slows growth, and what actually happens when you flip the switch and start treating agency marketing like reps in the gym.From publishing imperfect lead magnets, to building a creative production line that doesn't bottleneck, to navigating the balance between reactive and proactive media buying… Phil shares the systems, habits, and mindset shifts that keep an agency moving forward.We also dive into the power of consistency on social, why “lurkers” secretly drive revenue, and how to build a personal brand that compounds for years.If your agency is stuck waiting for “perfect,” this conversation is your sign to ship the next thing.Follow Colby on LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/colby-flood/⁠Follow Colby on Twitter: ⁠https://twitter.com/Colby__Flood⁠Visit our Agency website: ⁠www.brighterclick.com⁠Learn more about our creative strategy software: ⁠https://www.dataally.ai/

This week I had the pleasure of speaking with Ryan N. Schmit, Of Counsel with B&C, and Senior Regulatory Consultant with The Acta Group (Acta®). Ryan joined us a few weeks ago and we wanted to show off our newest Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) superstar. We discuss Ryan's illustrious career with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) over the past 15 years. As you will hear, Ryan has been at the forefront of TSCA policy development, Frank R. Lautenberg Chemical Safety for the 21st Century Act (Lautenberg) legislative developments and Agency implementation, new chemical determinations under TSCA, and the Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention's (OCSPP) evolving approach to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) strategy, among many other responsibilities. ALL MATERIALS IN THIS PODCAST ARE PROVIDED SOLELY FOR INFORMATIONAL  AND ENTERTAINMENT PURPOSES. THE MATERIALS ARE NOT INTENDED TO CONSTITUTE LEGAL ADVICE OR THE PROVISION OF LEGAL SERVICES. ALL LEGAL QUESTIONS SHOULD BE ANSWERED DIRECTLY BY A LICENSED ATTORNEY PRACTICING IN THE APPLICABLE AREA OF LAW. ©2025 Bergeson & Campbell, P.C.  All Rights Reserved

Linda J. Young is Chief Mathematical Statistician and Director of Research and Development of USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service . She oversees efforts to continually improve the methodology underpinning the Agency's collection and dissemination of data on every facet of U.S. agriculture. She works on the surveys designed to characterize agricultural activity in the US.

AP correspondent Karen Chammas reports on a U.N. nuclear watchdog resolution demanding Iran disclose all its nuclear stockpile information.

Leverage = Online SuccessBuilding Businesses With WordsTim Stoddart didn't grow up dreaming about entrepreneurship. He didn't have a flashy origin story. But over the years, he's quietly built a portfolio of successful online businesses with writing and SEO at the core of it all. In this episode of Just Keep Learning, we dig into how Tim went from addiction recovery to leading companies like Copyblogger, and why being boring might just be your secret weapon.We talk about how the creator economy often sells hype over substance, and why slow, consistent action beats viral growth every time.From Recovery To ResilienceTim's path started in a rehab facility. But it wasn't just sobriety he was after. It was purpose. He began writing online, sharing his thoughts and lessons. That simple act of self-expression turned into a habit, then a skill, then a career.By focusing on value and mastering search, Tim grew a loyal audience and turned his writing into multiple income streams, including SaaS, courses, and content businesses.Copyblogger, SEO, and Sustainable GrowthTim now runs Copyblogger, one of the most iconic platforms in content marketing. But his approach isn't built on trends or shortcuts. It's about timeless principles: show up, write well, and optimize for discovery.He shares the real difference between content creators and business owners, and why you need to understand distribution, especially SEO, if you want to build long-term leverage.Punching Through The NoiseTim doesn't buy into the shiny tactics of the influencer world. He believes in staying focused, practicing jiu-jitsu (literally and metaphorically), and building systems that work even when you're not “on.”He also shares insights on managing energy (not just time) and why discipline is a more reliable path than motivation.Lessons For Aspiring CreatorsMaster one platform before jumping to another Writing is the highest-leverage skill online Focus on service, not status SEO isn't dead. It's just underutilized by creatives Stay consistent when no one's watching You can't fail if you don't quit Memorable Quotes“Be willing to be boring. That's where the growth happens.”“People chase followers, but I chase freedom.”“Writing is thinking. And thinking clearly is a competitive advantage.”“Being in the top 1% is easy, most people quit way too early.”Final Advice For CreatorsForget going viral. Build value. Learn SEO. Own your platform. And above all, just keep showing up. The only way to lose is to stop.Connect With Tim StoddartWebsite: timstodz.comCopyblogger: copyblogger.comGuest BioTim Stoddart is a writer, entrepreneur, and digital strategist who helps people grow their audience and income through content. He's the CEO of Copyblogger and founder of multiple online businesses, including SEO companies, SaaS tools, and media platforms. With a background in recovery and self-discipline, Tim teaches a practical, sustainable path to success, one built on writing, service, and consistency. CHECK OUT THE JKL STORE FOR HELP MAKING YOUR BOOK, PODCAST AND BUSINESS DREAMS COME TRUE!FOLLOW JustinInstagram – @JustKeepLearning.CaYouTube –@justkeeplearningpodcastTwitter – @JustinNolan_JKLTiktok – @justkeeplearning.caPinterest – JustKeepLearningcaFacebook – JustKeepLearningLinkedIn – Justin I'm so happy you found this podcast. I am here to serve you, the creative solopreneur & aspiring content creator to get clarity on building your publishing business. Write a book, create a podcast, share content, and build a business, design the life of your dreams.Let's make it happen. You got this! See how we can work together. https://stan.store/justkeeplearning

Bob Pulver, host of the Elevate Your AIQ podcast and a 25-year enterprise tech and innovation veteran, joins us this week to unpack the urgent need to move past "AI" as a buzzword and define what "Responsible AI" truly means for organizations. He shares his insights on why we are all responsible for AI, how to balance playing "defense" (risk mitigation) and "offense" (innovation), and why we must never outsource our critical thinking and human agency to these new tools. [0:00] Introduction Welcome, Bob! Today's Topic: Defining Responsible AI and Responsible Innovation [12:25] What Does “Responsible AI” Mean? Why elements (like fairness in decision-making, data provenance, and privacy) must be built-in "by design," not bolted on later. In an era where everyone is a "builder," we are all responsible for the tools we use and create. [25:48] The Two Sides of Responsible Innovation The "responsibility" side involves mitigating risk, ensuring fairness, and staying human-centric—it's like playing defense. The "innovation" side involves driving growth, entering new markets, and reinvesting efficiency gains—it's like playing offense. [41:58] Why don't we use AI to give us a 4-day work week? The critical need for leaders to separate their personal biases from data-driven facts. AI's role in recent layoffs. [50:27] Closing Thanks for listening! Quick Quote “We're all responsible for Responsible AI, whatever your role is. You're either using it or abusing it . . . or you're building it or you're testing it.”

Evergreen Shipping Agency (America) Corp. v. FMC

Join the Leaving Egypt community on Substack: leavingegyptpodcast.substack.comIn this episode, Al Roxburgh and Jenny Sinclair talk with Tim Dickau about the ways he has lived out his work as a Christian leader in the city. Tim is one of those thoroughly urbanized people whose roots are in rural Alberta, Canada. Shaped by the rhythms of farming and the practice of hospitality, Tim's unique blend of prairie populism shows up in his theology of place. Rather than starting with a plan or a project, he begins by asking, “What could grow here?” Deeply attentive to how God is already at work in people's lives, he tills the ground in faith, trusting that something will emerge. His journey wasn't straightforward. After leading a large church for many years, a season of burnout revealed for him a new way of being a leader. Sharing life across socio-economic divides reshaped his understanding of justice. This brought forth acts of resistance—addressing food insecurity and homelessness—and expressions of hope, such as repurposing church buildings for affordable housing. In the midst of all this, Tim is that detective of divinity, listening to what it is the Spirit wants to weave in the city, creating spaces where others can join with God in the restoration of the whole of life.Tim Dickau is the Director of City Gate Vancouver, a charity that works with churches and social organizations across the city addressing social problems like displacement of refugees, food insecurity, poverty, and in particular affordable housing and the use of church buildings. He's also a trainer in the Certificate in Missional Leadership, a one-year congregational cohort based program, at St Andrew's Hall, the Presbyterian Church college at the University of British Columbia. For more than twenty years, Tim was the pastor of Grandview Calvary Baptist Church in the downtown east side of Vancouver. He lives in community as part of an extended family. For Tim Dickauhttps://citygatevancouver.org/our-work/https://www.standrews.edu/cml/certificate-in-missional-leadership/https://williamtemplefoundation.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/The-Promise-of-New-Monasticism-in-a-Secular-Age-Tim-Dickau.pdfhttps://reimagineclc.ca/BooksForming Christian Communities in a Secular Age: Recovering Humility and Hope - A Guide to Success in Adult Faith Today Plunging into the Kingdom Way: Practicing the Shared Strokes of Community, Hospitality, Justice, and ConfessionAlso referred to in this episode:Patrick Condon Broken City: Land Speculation, Inequality, and Urban CrisisMark Elsdon Gone for Good?: Negotiating the Coming Wave of Church Property TransitionFor Alan J Roxburgh:http://alanroxburgh.com/aboutFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/alan.roxburgh.127/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thecommonsnetworkBooksForming Communities of Hope in the Great Unraveling: Leadership in a Changing World (with Roy Searle)Practices for the Refounding of God's People: The Missional Challenge of the West (with Martin Robinson)Joining God in the Great UnravelingLeadership, God's Agency and DisruptionsJoining God, Remaking Church, Changing the World: The New Shape of the Church in Our TimeFor Jenny Sinclair:Website: https://togetherforthecommongood.co.uk/from-jenny-sinclairLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenny-sinclair-0589783b/Twitter: https://twitter.com/T4CGFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/TogetherForTheCommonGoodUKInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/t4cg_insta/ Get full access to Leaving Egypt at leavingegyptpodcast.substack.com/subscribe

When a powerful man says, “She's not my type,” and a jury (actually, multiple juries) finds that man liable for sexual abuse and defamation, that's not just a headline — that's a masterclass in what it takes for a woman to be believed in America. In this episode, writer, journalist, and Not My Type: One Woman vs. a President author E. Jean Carroll joins Nicole to talk about truth, power, paperclips, and what actually happens when you drag a president into court and win. Twice. We talk about the facts, the stories we build around those facts, and why so many people will twist themselves into a pretzel to excuse powerful men while shredding women who speak up. We get into: What actually happened in court — beyond the headlines, hot takes, and Twitter warriors How clothes became her armor and why what she wore in court mattered more than you'd think The “not my type” moment, the infamous deposition photo, and how Trump accidentally proved his own lie Why her sexual history was dragged into the trial — and how she took back that narrative with joy Trauma responses, laughter in the dressing room, and why “if you didn't scream it doesn't count” is garbage How mock juries forced her legal team to reckon with ageism, beauty standards, and who we think is “believable” What she plans to do with the tens of millions awarded in damages — and why giving it away is part of her resistance strategy The big questions this case raises: What does a woman have to do to be believed? And what does a powerful man have to do to be held accountable?  Because this isn't just E. Jean Carroll's story. It's a mirror held up to how we treat women, power, and truth — and a reminder that one 80-something woman can still change the story for all of us. Thank you to our sponsors! Get 20% off your first order at curehydration.com/WOMANSWORK with code WOMANSWORK — and if you get a post-purchase survey, mention you heard about Cure here to help support the show!  Visit beducate.me/womanswork69 and use code womanswork69 for 65% off the annual pass.  Black Friday has come early at Cozy Earth! Right now, you can stack my code WOMANSWORK on top of their sitewide sale — giving you up to 40% off in savings. Connect with E Jean: Book: https://static.macmillan.com/static/smp/not-my-type-9781250381682/ Substack: https://ejeancarroll.substack.com/ IG: https://www.instagram.com/ejeancarroll1/  X: https://x.com/ejeancarroll?lang=en Related Podcast Episodes: The Fourth Trauma Response You've Never Heard Of (And How It's Running Your Life) with Dr. Ingrid Clayton | 342 Access, Agency & The Abortion Underground with Rebecca Grant | 358 The Biology Of Trauma - And How To Heal It with Dr. Aimie Apigian | 346 Share the Love: If you found this episode insightful, please share it with a friend, tag us on social media, and leave a review on your favorite podcast platform!

Would you like access to our advanced agency training for FREE? https://www.agencymastery360.com/training Is your agency growing fast but still running without the right structure or leadership team to sustain that growth? If too many people are reporting directly to you, it's a clear sign you've outgrown your current setup. But building that next layer of leadership isn't as simple as promoting your top performers. Without a clear strategy, those well-intentioned promotions can backfire, causing confusion, turnover, and setbacks that stall your agency's momentum. Today's featured guest learned that lesson firsthand. After experiencing a year of costly turnover caused by the wrong management moves, he came away with a better understanding of what real leadership development looks like. In this episode, he'll share what it takes to scale beyond seven figures, the mistakes that nearly derailed his agency's growth, and the key shifts that helped him build a stronger, more sustainable business. Brandon Rost is the founder and CEO of be Marketing, a Pennsylvania-based advertising agency that helps brands grow through creative, digital, and media strategies. Over the past decade and a half, Brandon has built his agency from a solo operation into a multi-million-dollar powerhouse by focusing on relationships, resourcefulness, and relentless problem-solving. He's proof that you don't need to have all the answers when you start, just the willingness to figure it out along the way. In this episode, we'll discuss: How to reinvest profits strategically to scale your agency sustainably. Why promoting top performers doesn't already create effective leaders. The KPI's and systems that improved profit and cash flow. The mindset shift that turns fast growth into longterm success. Subscribe Apple | Spotify | iHeart Radio Sponsors and Resources E2M Solutions: Today's episode of the Smart Agency Masterclass is sponsored by E2M Solutions, a web design, and development agency that has provided white-label services for the past 10 years to agencies all over the world. Check out e2msolutions.com/smartagency and get 10% off for the first three months of service. Why Being Resourceful Is the Key to Building an Agency Brandon didn't plan on running an agency. At the time, he was managing social media for a corporate job and bartending on the side when a PR firm owner offered him a shot at managing her clients' social accounts. What started as ten small accounts quickly snowballed into a full-time business. Like most early-stage entrepreneurs, he had no idea what he was doing at first. He sent invoices in Word documents, figured out HR and finance on the fly, and said "yes" to every opportunity—then learned how to deliver later. It wasn't glamorous, but it worked. That resourcefulness became his superpower. As anyone who has grown a business can tell you, success comes from resourcefulness - not knowing everything. You don't have to know everything right now. Just figure it out and make it work. Scaling Up: Investing Every Dollar Back In the Agency For the first few years, Brandon kept bartending to cover his bills and put every dollar the agency made back into growth. That discipline gave him the runway to build a real company without debt or short-term panic. He hired his first part-time employee within a year, went full-time around year two, and hit seven figures by year four in 2014. However, crossing the million-dollar mark didn't come with confetti and fireworks. It came with more responsibility, more moving parts, and a steeper learning curve. "Everyone thinks hitting a million feels different," Brandon said. "It doesn't. It just brings on more work." Instead of waiting for that milestone to magically change things, focus on building the right foundation so the business can continue to grow without you doing everything. Make it a point to continue to delegate part of that workload every quarter, and after a couple of years, you'll find you've gotten your freedom back. Learning to Lead and Let Go: Building a Leadership Team Brandon learned the hard way that leading people requires a completely different skill set than landing clients. As the agency grew, he at one point had seventeen people reporting to him and eventually realized it just wasn't sustainable. It was the right moment to create different positions that would oversee different departments. However, his strategy was flawed at first; "We elevated people just to elevate them," he said. "And it set us back a year." He never stopped to ask whether or not those employees were ready or even suited for management roles. As a result, they dealt with a year of turnover followed by slowly getting back on track. The lesson for Brandon was: put the right people in the right seats, and don't assume your best technician wants to—or should—manage others. Leadership isn't a promotion; it's a whole new role. Knowing Your Numbers and Turning Chaos Into Profitability Once the business hit its stride, Brandon turned his focus to profitability. He shared how the agency once got caught in a dangerous cash flow loop of collecting Google ad payments for clients and effectively becoming a bank instead of a marketing firm. After untangling that, his team started tracking key KPIs more closely: AGI (Agency Gross Income) in the 55–60% range Net profit around 10–12% Payroll around 33% of AGI By simplifying operations and separating client media costs from agency revenue, they stabilized cash flow and built a healthier margin. Simply put, what you measure improves and, for Brandon, that meant finally treating the numbers as a steering wheel instead of a rearview mirror. Sales: The Last Most Agency Owners Are Ready to Hang Up Even after 15 years, Brandon still handles most of the sales himself. It's something he admits he should've delegated earlier, but building a sales team isn't as easy as hiring a "radio guy" and hoping they sell. After two failed attempts, Brandon realized the problem wasn't the salespeople but rather the lack of systems. Now, the new plan is to support the team with brand marketing, create a "sales tackle box" full of proven client stories, and build repeatable processes for outreach, follow-up, and closing. You'll always be the best salesperson until you document what's in your head. With the right structure and stories in place, a sales team can finally scale what made the founder successful in the first place. What Scaling Fast Taught Him About Patience and Culture Looking back, Brandon said the biggest surprise was how much patience real growth takes—and how easy it is to lose sight of culture while scaling fast. Whether it was figuring out HR policies, managing team dynamics, or setting boundaries for office events, every new level came with a new layer of learning. He now focuses on balance: growing deliberately, empowering leaders, and making sure the culture that got them here doesn't get lost along the way. "We've learned to grow smarter, not faster," he said. Do You Want to Transform Your Agency from a Liability to an Asset? Looking to dig deeper into your agency's potential? Check out our Agency Blueprint. Designed for agency owners like you, our Agency Blueprint helps you uncover growth opportunities, tackle obstacles, and craft a customized blueprint for your agency's success.

What if learning felt more like play?In this episode of Agency for Change, Lyn visits the Lincoln Children's Museum to chat with Tara Knuth, the museum's CEO, about creating spaces where curiosity leads the way. From a brand-new “sock rink” winter wonderland to the soon-to-open LNKLab for older kids, Tara and her team are proving that fun and learning go hand in hand.Together, Lyn and Tara explore why play is essential to building confidence, creativity, and resilience, and how the museum helps families connect, grow, and learn through experiences of pure joy. Tara also shares her personal journey from early childhood education to leading one of Lincoln's most beloved institutions and her inspiring reminder that falling isn't failing.Whether you're a parent, educator, or lifelong learner, this episode will leave you smiling and inspired to say “yes” to play.Welcome to the Agency for Change podcast.Connect with Tara and Lincoln Children's Museum at: ·       Website – https://lincolnchildrensmuseum.org/·       Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/LincolnChildrensMuseum·       Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/lincolnchildrensmuseum/

In this episode, Nina Olding, Staff Product Manager at Weights & Biases and formerly at Google DeepMind, working on trust and compliance for AI, joins Randy to explore the UX challenges of AI‑driven features. As AI becomes increasingly woven into digital products, the traditional UX cues and trust‑signals that users rely on are changing. Nina introduces her framework of the three “A's” for AI UX: Awareness, Agency, and Assurance, and explains how product teams can build this into their AI‑enabled products without launching a massive transformation programme.Key Takeaways— As AI features proliferate, the UX challenge is less about the technology and more about how users perceive, understand and trust the interactions.— Trust is based on three foundational dimensions for AI‑enabled products: Awareness, Agency, Assurance.— Awareness: Make it clear when AI is involved (and when it isn't). Invisible AI = risk of misunderstanding. Magical AI without context = disorientation.— Agency: Give users control, or at least the option to opt‑out, define boundaries, choose defaults vs advanced settings.— Assurance: Because AI can be non‑deterministic, you must design for confidence—indicators of reliability, transparency about limitations, ability to question or override outputs.Chapters00:00 – Intro: Why AI products are failing on trust00:47 – Nina Old's journey from Google DeepMind to Weights & Biases03:20 – The UX of AI: It's not just a chat window04:08 – Introducing the Three A's framework: Awareness, Agency, Assurance08:30 – Designing for Awareness: Visibility and user signals14:40 – Agency: Giving users control and escape hatches21:30 – Assurance: Transparency, confidence indicators, and humility28:05 – Three key questions to assess AI UX30:50 – The product case for trust: Compliance, loyalty, and retention33:00 – Final thoughts: Building the trust muscleFeatured Links: Follow Nina on LinkedIn | Weights & Biases | Check out Nina's 'The hidden UX of AI' slides from Industry Conference Cleveland 2025We're taking Community Questions for The Product Experience podcast.Got a burning product question for Lily, Randy, or an upcoming guest? Submit it here. Our HostsLily Smith enjoys working as a consultant product manager with early-stage and growing startups and as a mentor to other product managers. She's currently Chief Product Officer at BBC Maestro, and has spent 13 years in the tech industry working with startups in the SaaS and mobile space. She's worked on a diverse range of products – leading the product teams through discovery, prototyping, testing and delivery. Lily also founded ProductTank Bristol and runs ProductCamp in Bristol and Bath. Randy Silver is a Leadership & Product Coach and Consultant. He gets teams unstuck, helping you to supercharge your results. Randy's held interim CPO and Leadership roles at scale-ups and SMEs, advised start-ups, and been Head of Product at HSBC and Sainsbury's. He participated in Silicon Valley Product Group's Coaching the Coaches forum, and speaks frequently at conferences and events. You can join one of communities he runs for CPOs (CPO Circles), Product Managers (Product In the {A}ether) and Product Coaches. He's the author of What Do We Do Now? A...

Agency exec Jay Friedman stops by the pod after extensive research on AI in advertising to update Eric Franchi and Joe Zappa on what really matters. Jay covers the different parts of the AI city, the questions CMOs should be asking agencies and adtech companies, and how overtechnical programmatic nerds tend to get about their products. Plus, Eric stunts on not one but two bald, bespectacled counterparts.

What if the scariest threat we face isn't some monster outside—but the quiet, invisible loss of our own power to act?In a world wired to exploit our fear, reclaiming our agency has never been more urgent—or more human. This episode dives deep into how fear hijacks our brains, and how imagination and creativity can reconnect us to each other and to our own capacity for action. If you're feeling overwhelmed, this is the grounding message you need.Discover why making things—from pots to poems—can literally rewire your brain and restore hope.Learn how shared creativity offers an ancient antidote to the MAGA Fear Machine.Hear why artists and makers are uniquely positioned to help shift us from panic to possibility.Join us as we explore how reclaiming your creative spark can tip the balance from fear to agency—one act of making at a time.Notable Mentions Events / Concepts Fight–Flight–Freeze Response – The brain's survival-based reaction to fear, narrowing our thinking and heightening stress responses.The Deep State – Used here as a metaphor for politically charged fear narratives in American culture.Zombie Apocalypse – A metaphor representing panic-driven narratives that fuel division and fear.Neuroplasticity – The brain's ability to rewire itself in response to experiences like storytelling and making art.2. Organizations· The Center for the Study of Art & Community – Producer of Art is Change, the center supports artists and cultural workers in community transformation.Art is Change (Podcast) – A series focused on how arts and imagination intersect with democracy, agency, and resistance.Freesound.org – A collaborative sound library providing many of the podcast's creative sound effects.3. Publications / Knowledge Resources· Neuroscience of Creativity & Agency – Explains how artistic practice stimulates brain function and fosters resilience.The Amygdala – The brain's emotional alarm center, highlighted as central to how fear takes hold in the episode.The Prefrontal Cortex – The reasoning part of the brain that gets suppressed under fear-based conditions.Evolutionary Cooperation & Collective Creativity – Scientific support for the idea that group...

What does MLOps look like when you are deploying 22,000 models a month? Maddie Daianu, Head of Data and AI at Intuit Credit Karma, joins the Data Bros to pull back the curtain on one of the most high-volume data environments in FinTech. With a 100-person team serving 140 million members, standard data practices break down. Maddie shares how her team manages terabytes of daily data on Google Cloud and explains the massive strategic pivot they are undertaking right now: The move from "Information" to "Agency."

In this episode, we take a step back from our typical interview format to reflect on something many creative leaders are feeling right now: a subtle but persistent sense of drift amidst uncertainty. Drawing from recent conversations with leaders worldwide, Todd Henry digs into the changing dynamics of organizations, shifting marketplaces, and the unique challenges and numbness that come with these times.Instead of providing easy answers, Todd shares five uncomfortable—but essential—questions designed to provoke deep reflection for anyone with influence, whether you lead a team, guide clients, or simply shape decisions in your organization. He explores how apparent success can mask underlying misalignment, the dangers of leading from within an echo chamber, the paralyzing fear of looking foolish, the temptation of ego-driven systems, and the fine line between creating stability and fostering complacency in teams.This episode is an invitation to wrestle with the deeper work of leadership, sense-check our motives, and create environments where honest conversations and breakthrough ideas can flourish.Five Key Learnings:Success Can Be a Trap: Achieving goals and hitting metrics doesn't always equate to true progress if we lose sight of our original purpose. We must vigilantly check what we're really optimizing for.Truth-Telling is Essential: Leadership naturally creates distance. If we don't intentionally invite honest feedback (even if it stings), we risk operating in a false sense of alignment.Risking Embarrassment Fosters Innovation: Many great ideas die because we're afraid to look foolish. Innovation demands courage, and that courage is strengthened by sharing bold ideas in safe, trusted circles.Ego vs. Mission: It's easy to unconsciously build systems that feed our ego under the guise of excellence or mission. The real test: Would we do the work if nobody noticed?Stability Isn't Safety: Teams crave both challenge and stability, but protecting them too much can lead to complacency. The goal is to create security so that bold, meaningful risks—and growth—are possible.Get full interviews and bonus content for free! Just join the list at DailyCreativePlus.com.Mentioned in this episode:The Brave Habit is available nowMy new book will help you make bravery a habit in your life, your leadership, and your work. Discover how to develop the two qualities that lead to brave action: Optimistic Vision and Agency. Buy The Brave Habit wherever books are sold, or learn more at TheBraveHabit.com.Apply for Creative Leader Roundtable Leading creative people is rewarding, but it can also feel isolating. That's why I've started Creative Leader Roundtable, a private community where leaders like you connect monthly to get practical insights, honest feedback, and real encouragement. You'll leave every round table with fresh perspective and tactical ideas. You can apply right away. So if you lead a team of talented people, go check us out at CreativeLeader.net, because creative work deserves brave leadership.

The Triangle agents prepare for thier next mall based mission. The post Triangle Agency: Making Dough part 1 appeared first on Fandible Actual Play Podcast.

Top Stories for November 18th Publish Date: November 18th PRE-ROLL: BUFORD HOLIDAY FESTIVAL From the BG AD Group Studio Welcome to the Gwinnett Daily Post Podcast. Today is Tuesday, November 18th and Happy Birthday to astronaut Allan Shepard I’m Peyton Spurlock and here are your top stories presented by KIA Mall of Georgia. The Sandwich Project celebrates milestones and welcomes new executive director Norcross receives international award for branding efforts Elementary and middle school cellphone bans proving popular, as debate moves to high schools All of this and more is coming up on the Gwinnett Daily Post podcast, and if you are looking for community news, we encourage you to listen daily and subscribe! Break 1: Kia Mall of Georgia STORY 1: The Sandwich Project celebrates milestones and welcomes new executive director Before the latest government shutdown even hit, the Sandwich Project was already out there—quietly, relentlessly—feeding Atlanta’s hungry. This grassroots nonprofit, born in the chaos of 2020, has now delivered over 2.2 million sandwiches across metro Atlanta. Two million sandwiches. Let that sink in. And now, they’ve got their first executive director: Christine Cooper Nowicki, a longtime volunteer with a heart for service. “This wasn’t something I saw coming,” she admits, “but food insecurity has always been personal for me.” Every week, volunteers—families, Girl Scouts, Rotary Clubs—make 8,000 sandwiches. It’s messy, beautiful, and life-changing work. Learn more at thesandwichproject.org. STORY 2: Norcross receives international award for branding efforts Norcross just snagged a Silver Davey Award—pretty impressive, right? Out of 2,000+ global entries, this small-but-mighty city was recognized for its killer branding and communication efforts in the Government and Municipal category. The secret sauce? A partnership with Lawrenceville’s Accent Creative Group, the creative minds behind Norcross’ ads, event logos, social media, and more. “Our brand isn’t just a look,” said Mayor Craig Newton. “It’s how we tell our story.” The Davey Awards celebrate big ideas on small budgets, and Norcross nailed it—showcasing a community alive with culture, creativity, and connection. Not bad for a little city with big heart. STORY 3: Elementary and middle school cellphone bans proving popular, as debate moves to high schools Georgia high schools might soon say goodbye to cellphones, following the success of bans already in place at some schools. Starting next fall, a new law will require elementary and middle schools to lock up phones during the day. High schools aren’t included—yet. But with 92% of teachers supporting the idea, according to a Georgia Southern University survey, the push is gaining momentum. At Lakeside High in DeKalb, Principal Susan Stoddard said banning phones was a game-changer: “You heard kids talking again—actual conversations in the hallways.” Still, some parents worry about emergencies. Lawmakers? Divided. But this debate isn’t over. Not even close. We have opportunities for sponsors to get great engagement on these shows. Call 770.874.3200 for more info. We’ll be right back Break 2: Ingles Markets 7- Sugar Hill Holiday STORY 4: Agency seeks more power to enforce campaign finance law Georgia’s election finance watchdog wants sharper teeth, and lawmakers might just hand them over. The State Ethics Commission says it needs more power to investigate campaign finance violations—like the $300,000 fine it slapped on Stacey Abrams’ nonprofit earlier this year for failing to disclose millions in donations and spending. Sen. Bill Cowsert, who’s running for attorney general, is leading the charge. “We need transparency,” he said. “Big money shouldn’t dominate politics.” But critics call it political theater, especially with Fulton DA Fani Willis now in the committee’s crosshairs. Meanwhile, the Ethics Commission says it’s hamstrung without stronger subpoena powers. The fight’s far from over. STORY 5: Corps of Engineers says below normal rainfall could make Lake Lanier hazardous Lake Lanier’s water level is holding steady—for now. As of last week, it sat at 1,065.51 feet, just a hair above the historic median of 1,065.39 feet for this time of year. But here’s the catch: rainfall’s been scarce lately, and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is keeping a close watch. “The dry spell could mean lower levels ahead,” said Dustin Gautney from the Corps. And with Lanier’s hidden hazards—tree stumps, old roadbeds, even remnants of submerged towns—boaters and swimmers need to stay sharp. The advice? Wear your life jacket, watch for obstacles, and stay safe out there. We’ll be right back. Break 3: Sugar Hill Ice Skating Rink Final STORY 6: Loganville shooting suspect arrested in Lawrenceville A chaotic Friday afternoon unfolded as a shooting at a Loganville CVS ended with an arrest in downtown Lawrenceville. Loganville police issued a BOLO alert around 4 p.m. for a vehicle tied to a “serious incident” at the CVS on Atlanta Highway, where a woman had been shot in the head. Critical condition. No name released. Lawrenceville’s FLOCK cameras flagged the car near the Square. Officers swarmed West Crogan Street, shields up, and arrested the driver without a fight. The suspect’s name? Still under wraps. The victim? Airlifted to Grady. It’s a mess, and the investigation is ongoing. STORY 7: State raises red flags in Gwinnett Schools' CCRPI report Gwinnett County Public Schools is celebrating some wins in college and career readiness—but the state’s latest report card tells a more complicated story. Sure, GCPS outperformed Georgia in seven areas, mostly in elementary and middle schools. But high schools? They’re lagging. The only bright spot there is content mastery. And across all levels, the district is struggling to close gaps, especially in English Language Arts. Red flags? Plenty. Targets missed for multiple demographics—African-American, Hispanic, economically disadvantaged, and more. Progress scores for high schools dropped by over 10 points. The takeaway? There’s work to do. Wins are great, but gaps can’t be ignored. We’ll have closing comments after this Break 4: STRAND THEATRE Signoff – Thanks again for hanging out with us on today’s Gwinnett Daily Post Podcast. If you enjoy these shows, we encourage you to check out our other offerings, like the Cherokee Tribune Ledger podcast, the Marietta Daily Journal, or the Community Podcast for Rockdale Newton and Morgan Counties. Read more about all our stories and get other great content at www.gwinnettdailypost.com Did you know over 50% of Americans listen to podcasts weekly? Giving you important news about our community and telling great stories are what we do. Make sure you join us for our next episode and be sure to share this podcast on social media with your friends and family. Add us to your Alexa Flash Briefing or your Google Home Briefing and be sure to like, follow, and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. 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#126: On today's episode, founder of Indie Lee Skincare, Indie Lee, jumps on the podcast to share her story. She get's into how a tumor not only forced her to take the wheel of her life, but inspired her to start a skincare beauty line. The girls get into:what it looks like to take the steering wheel of our lifewhat it looks like to pursue inner healingthe reality of the healing journeywhat it takes to reject past patterns, and step into our authentic desireswhat it looks like to reject people's limiting beliefshow Indie chose new life over deathwhat it looks like to build a company rooted in missionhow to let go of control and people pleasinghow we can embody positivity and cultivate a positive outlook on lifeways we can step into our powerthe importance of understanding the ingredients in our skincarethe birth of Indie Lee & MORE!CONNECT BELOW:follow Indie Lee herefollow Indie Lee Skincare hereshop Indie Lee hereCONNECT with HAN:follow Han ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠follow HOW I SEE IT ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠shop the podcast merch ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠work with Han: howhanseesit@gmail.com

Show SummaryNatalie Elliott Handy, a caregiver for her husband and mother and co-host of the Confessions of a Reluctant Caregiver Podcast. During our conversation, we share the commitment that she and her sister have to highlighting and supporting military connected caregivers. Provide FeedbackAs a dedicated member of the audience, we would like to hear from you about the show. Please take a few minutes to share your thoughts about the show in this short feedback survey. By doing so, you will be entered to receive a signed copy of one of our host's three books on military and veteran mental health. About Today's GuestNatalie is someone who genuinely loves people. She has a natural passion for meeting new faces, staying closely connected with family, friends, and colleagues, and, most of all, helping others. Anyone who knows her will readily say, “Natalie doesn't know a stranger.” It's simply who she has always been.Raised in her family's hardware store, Natalie learned early how to engage customers — and how to count change — by talking to everyone who walked through the door. At church, she was the first to volunteer to sing, recite Bible verses in “big church,” and attend every youth activity, especially lock-ins. In school, her teachers often placed her in the front row to help minimize “distractions,” because she was, without a doubt, a social butterfly.Those gifts — her ability to connect, her quick wit, and her desire to support others — naturally led her into leadership roles throughout her career in the mental health field. She married young at 21 and, many years later, again at 39. She often describes her first marriage as a light-hearted “practice run” with someone kind, but not Jason, the partner she shares her life with today.From the outside, Natalie's life looked picture-perfect: a fulfilling job, a loving husband, a close-knit support system, and of course, her beloved dogs. But behind the scenes, she was burning the candle at both ends — working 12-hour days, six days a week, answering every request with, “No problem. Happy to help.”Everything shifted when Jason was diagnosed with cancer in March 2022. In the midst of that crisis, Natalie confronted the truth that she couldn't keep living at that pace. During those darkest moments, she reconnected with her faith and, through that, rediscovered her true self. She learned to acknowledge her imperfections and, more importantly, to love herself fully — flaws and all.Today, Natalie has reordered her life with clear priorities: God, herself, Jason, family and friends, and then work. She says “no” far more often, seeks silver linings in difficult moments, and is grateful for the journey that led her to live God's plan instead of her own. She embraces the mantra of being “perfectly imperfect.”Her mission is simple: to share stories and experiences that inspire, uplift, and — whenever possible — spark a little laughter. She strives to encourage others to be true to themselves while supporting the people they love. And along the way, she fully intends to keep making new friends.Links Mentioned During the EpisodeConfessions of a Reluctant Caregiver Website2024 Heroes Caring for Heroes series2023 Heroes Caring for Heroes seriesPsychArmor Resource of the WeekThis week's PsychArmor Resource of the Week is the PsychArmor course course Understanding the VA for Caregivers. This course helps caregivers navigate and better utilize the services of the VA – the largest integrated healthcare system in the country. The content for this course was developed collaboratively with a working group of various VA Departments. You can find the resource here:  https://learn.psycharmor.org/courses/understanding-the-va-for-caregivers-2 Episode Partner: Are you an organization that engages with or supports the military affiliated community? Would you like to partner with an engaged and dynamic audience of like-minded professionals? Reach out to Inquire about Partnership Opportunities Contact Us and Join Us on Social Media Email PsychArmorPsychArmor on XPsychArmor on FacebookPsychArmor on YouTubePsychArmor on LinkedInPsychArmor on InstagramTheme MusicOur theme music Don't Kill the Messenger was written and performed by Navy Veteran Jerry Maniscalco, in cooperation with Operation Encore, a non profit committed to supporting singer/songwriter and musicians across the military and Veteran communities.Producer and Host Duane France is a retired Army Noncommissioned Officer, combat veteran, and clinical mental health counselor for service members, veterans, and their families.  You can find more about the work that he is doing at www.veteranmentalhealth.com  

Dr. Kylie Peppler of UC Irvine joins the podcast to discuss the deep connections between art, technology, and learning. She explores how playful learning—from toys to AI—can foster creativity and student agency. Dr. Peppler also offers educators a framework for embracing AI as a creative tool rather than something to fear.Connected Arts Learning: Peppler, K., Dahn, M., & Ito, M. (2023). The Connected Arts Learning Framework: An expanded view of the purposes and possibilities for arts 99learning. The Wallace Foundation.Recrafting Computer Science: Speer, S., Huang, J., Yankova, N., Rose, C., Peppler, K., Orta-Martinez, M. (2023) RoboLoom: An Open-Source Loom Kit for Interdisciplinary Engagement in Math, Engineering, and Textiles. The ACM Symposium on User Interface Software and Technology (UIST) 2023. San Francisco, CA.StoryAI: Han, A., Zhou, X., Cai, Z., Han, S., Ko, R., Corrigan, S., & Peppler, K. 2024. Teachers, Parents, and Students' Perspectives on Integrating Generative AI into Elementary Literacy Education.STEAM: Peppler, K., & Thompson, N. (2024). Tools and materials as non-neutral actors in STEAM education. Journal of the Learning Sciences, 1-38E-textiles: Peppler, K. & Bender, S. (2013). Maker movement spreads innovation one project at a time. Phi Delta Kappan, 95(3), pp. 22-27.Scratch (scratch.mit.edu): Peppler, K. (2010). Media arts: Arts education for a digital age. Teachers College Record, 112(8), 2118–2153.Connected Learning Lab - UC Irvine, research institute bringing together researchers across social, cultural, and technical fields, currently focused on: Digital Wellbeing, Research-Practice Partnerships, Neurodiversity and Learning, and Growing Up with AI.Build Lab, program at St Christopher's School combining the best of STEM/STEAM approaches with a broad, skills-based, project-centered focusATLIS AI resourcesChristina's husband Richard's grandfather, Verne Lewellen, Green Bay Packer | Photo of Richard with cousins

For two decades, we typically looked past Agency mortgage-backed securities (MBS) to find better relative value opportunities in the non-government sponsored credit markets. But something fundamental changed, and over the past three years these securities have claimed an increasingly significant allocation in our total return strategies. What sparked this pivot? Portfolio Manager Adam Bloch and Louis Pacilio from our Structured Credit team unpack the mechanics of the Agency MBS market, explain what shifted in the risk-reward equation, discuss the future of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, and explore the opportunity going forward.Related Content:Fourth Quarter 2025 Fixed-Income Sector ViewsRelative value across the fixed-income market.Read Fixed-Income Sector ViewsThe ABCs of Asset-Backed Finance Finding value in complexity: The structure, risks, and investor-friendly features of asset-backed finance.Read The ABCs of Asset-Backed FinanceMacro Markets Podcast Episode 76: Why and Where (and How) to Invest in Asset-Backed Finance Relative value opportunities in ABS, CLOs, and residential and commercial MBS, as well as insights into the process for managing these complex investments.Listen to Macro MarketsInvesting involves risk, including the possible loss of principal. In general, the value of a fixed-income security falls when interest rates rise and rises when interest rates fall. Longer term bonds are more sensitive to interest rate changes and subject to greater volatility than those with shorter maturities. High yield and unrated debt securities are at a greater risk of default than investment grade bonds and may be less liquid, which may increase volatility. Private debt investments are generally considered illiquid and not quoted on any exchange; thus they are difficult to value. The process of valuing investments for which reliable market quotations are not available is based on inherent uncertainties and may not be accurate. Further, the level of discretion used by an investment manager to value private debt securities could lead to conflicts of interest.This material is distributed for informational or educational purposes only and should not be considered a recommendation of any particular security, strategy, or investment product, or as investing advice of any kind. This material is not provided in a fiduciary capacity, may not be relied upon for or in connection with the making of investment decisions, and does not constitute a solicitation of an offer to buy or sell securities. The content contained herein is not intended to be and should not be construed as legal or tax advice and/or a legal opinion. Always consult a financial, tax and/or legal professional regarding your specific situation.This material contains opinions of the author but not necessarily those of Guggenheim Partners or its subsidiaries. The author's opinions are subject to change without notice. Forward-looking statements, estimates, and certain information contained herein are based upon proprietary and non-proprietary research and other sources. Information contained herein has been obtained from sources believed to be reliable, but are not assured as to accuracy. No part of this article may be reproduced in any form, or referred to in any other

This inspiring episode reveals how intentional planning, aligned identity, and consistent daily action helped Justin Konikow transform his life and business, offering listeners a clear roadmap for personal growth, confidence, and long-term success.See full article: https://www.unitedstatesrealestateinvestor.com/rise-into-your-absolute-highest-success-potential-with-justin-konikow/(00:00) - Welcome and Guest Introduction with Justin Konikow(00:24) - Justin Explains His Role and Unique Brokerage Structure(01:34) - How Justin Entered Real Estate and Built a Company Model(03:56) - From Licensing to Building Momentum in a Tough Market(06:47) - Why Their Brokerage Operates as a Company Instead of an Agency(08:32) - Organizational Structure, Roles, and the Vision Behind the Business(10:06) - Using Business Planning to Support Team Growth and Personal Goals(12:49) - Justin's Personal Philosophy on Faith, Family, Fitness, Fun, and Finances(15:10) - Journaling, Self Reflection, and Language Shifts that Transform Identity(17:09) - Understanding Yourself to Create Systems That Actually Work(19:17) - Using Structure as a Tool Without Becoming Dependent on It(21:06) - Letting Go of Old Versions of Yourself to Grow Forward(21:53) - Turning Addictive Tendencies into Healthy High Performance(23:19) - Why Tough Markets Build Better Foundations for Long Term Success(24:34) - The State of the Market Across Asset Classes and Areas(26:37) - The Simple Daily System That Works in Every Market(28:24) - Company Marketing Versus Personal Branding(30:00) - The Power of Social Media Conversations and Community Intelligence(31:40) - Using Social Platforms for Follow Up and Algorithm Advantage(32:16) - Justin's Big Golden Nugget for Listeners(33:02) - Flow States, Deep Work, and Avoiding Modern Distractions(33:46) - The Value of Nature and Pause in Strategic Thinking(34:08) - Planning for 2026 and Breaking Down Long Term Visions(35:10) - Why Planning Should Not Feel Restricting or Identity Based(36:04) - Mattias on Living in the Future Versus Managing the Day to Day(36:29) - Books Justin Recommends and How His Faith Influences Business(36:59) - Where to Follow Justin and Closing Remarks(37:10) - Outro and Show Closing(37:17) - Final DisclaimerContact Justin Konikowhttps://www.justinkonikow.com/https://www.facebook.com/jkonihttps://www.instagram.com/justin.konikow/https://www.linkedin.com/in/justin-konikow-20aa6127/https://youtube.com/@JustinKonikowhttps://x.com/Justin_KonikowIf Justin's journey lit a fire in you, let this be the moment you step toward your own higher potential. Stay intentional, stay aligned, and stay bold as you build the life you want. To keep growing with us, visit https://reiagent.com

Ops Quickies – snackable episodes on tech, tools, and systems.

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-good-morning-portugal-podcast-with-carl-munson--2903992/support.Let us help you find YOUR home in Portugal...Whether you are looking to BUY, RENT or SCOUT, reach out to Carl Munson and connect with the biggest and best network of professionals that have come together through Good Morning Portugal! over the last five years that have seen Portugal's meteoric rise in popularity.Simply contact Carl by phone/WhatsApp on (00 351) 913 590 303, email carl@carlmunson.com or enter your details at www.goodmorningportugal.com And join The Portugal Club FREE here - www.theportugalclub.com

Drew McLellan, CEO of the Agency Management Institute, and author of the latest Agency Edge Research Report: Leading through the AI Revolution: The New Competitive Edge for Agencies, reveals the impact AI is having on clients and agencies and why agency principals and marketing consultants should be AI leaders to create a timely competitive edge. Craft your brilliant brand story strategy in minutes, not months, and instantly create compelling content that converts customers with the StoryCycle Genie™ #StoryOn! ≈Park

Most agency owners feel pressure to stand out in a crowded market.They try ads, funnels, content marathons… yet still struggle to be seen as the clear expert in their niche. But there's one move that instantly boosts your authority, attracts higher-value clients, and makes prospects come to you pre-positioned to buy:

In this inspiring episode, marketing strategist and storyteller Stephen Seidel shares how authentic human connection and empathy remain the ultimate advantage in an AI-driven world. From founding The Seidel Agency to creating Gents Journey, Stephen reveals how stories shape brands, communities, and the very way we connect.00:37- About Stephen SeidelSteven is the founder and owner of the Seidel Agency.He's a speaker, a storyteller and a strategist.

Michele sits down with real-estate and social-media powerhouse Michelle Knutson for a juicy deep-dive into her journey — from working at GOOP with Ms. Gwyneth Paltrow herself, to making big moves at The Agency alongside Mauricio. They get into what it really takes to show up authentically online, plus plenty of Bravo chatter (because obviously).Follow Michelle:Instagram: @michelleknutsonTikTok : @michelleknutsonFollow Bravo Breakdowns:Instagram: @bravo_breakdownsTikTok : @bravo_breakdownsYouTube: bravobreakdownsContact: bravobreakdowns@gmail.com

Solar System's Surprising Speed: A groundbreaking study reveals that our solar system is moving through space much faster than current cosmological models predict. Observations of distant radio galaxies show a lopsided distribution, suggesting we are rushing towards them, leading to questions about the validity of the cosmological principle itself.Amazon's Project Kuiper Rebranded: Amazon has officially rebranded its satellite internet initiative from Project Kuiper to simply "LEO," signaling a strategic shift towards larger commercial contracts rather than individual home connections. This move positions Amazon to compete directly with SpaceX's Starlink in the lucrative satellite data market.Drama at Tiangong Space Station: Tensions rise aboard China's Tiangong Space Station as the Shenzhou 20 crew returns home in a replacement spacecraft after their original ship was damaged by orbital debris. The new crew now faces a precarious situation, lacking an emergency escape vehicle while awaiting the launch of Shenzhou 22.European Space Agency's New Spacesuit: The ESA is set to unveil a new intra-vehicular activity spacesuit designed for quick use during critical mission phases. This suit aims to enhance European independence in human space exploration by reducing reliance on existing technologies from NASA and Roscosmos.Milky Way Simulation Breakthrough: Scientists have achieved a monumental feat by simulating the entire Milky Way galaxy, tracking the evolution of over 100 billion stars. Utilizing AI and the powerful Fugaku supercomputer, this simulation will revolutionize our understanding of galactic dynamics and the formation of stars.For more cosmic updates, visit our website at astronomydaily.io. Join our community on social media by searching for #AstroDailyPod on Facebook, X, YouTubeMusic, TikTok, and our new Instagram account! Don't forget to subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts.Thank you for tuning in. This is Anna and Avery signing off. Until next time, keep looking up and exploring the wonders of our universe.✍️ Episode ReferencesSolar System Speed Study[Astrophysical Journal](https://iopscience.iop.org/journal/1538-3881)Amazon's LEO Rebranding[Amazon News](https://www.amazon.com/news)Tiangong Space Station Update[CMSA](http://www.cmse.gov.cn)ESA Spacesuit Development[European Space Agency](https://www.esa.int)Milky Way Simulation Insights[Science Advances](https://www.science.org/journal/sciadv)Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/astronomy-daily-space-news-updates--5648921/support.Sponsor Details:Ensure your online privacy by using NordVPN. To get our special listener deal and save a lot of money, visit www.bitesz.com/nordvpn. You'll be glad you did!Sponsor Details:Ensure your online privacy by using NordVPN. To get our special listener deal and save a lot of money, visit www.bitesz.com/nordvpn. You'll be glad you did!Become a supporter of Astronomy Daily by joining our Supporters Club. Commercial free episodes daily are only a click way... Click HereThis episode includes AI-generated content.

Welcome to another thought-provoking episode of Build a Better Agency! Host Drew McLellan sits down with Robin Bonn, agency veteran and founder of Codefinery, for a candid conversation that tackles one of the agency world's biggest challenges: true differentiation. Drawing on over two decades of industry experience and insights from his new book, Market of One, Robin unpacks why even the most creative agencies struggle to set themselves apart and how owners can reimagine their businesses for lasting competitive advantage. Drew and Robin delve deep into the heart of agency positioning, debunking the myths and tired tropes that so many firms rely on to claim they're "different." From generic claims about people and creativity to the pitfalls of "category norms," Robin shares why most agencies' attempts at standing out fall flat—and what it really means to create a business model that's as unique as a fingerprint. Listeners will hear practical advice for moving beyond superficial branding tactics and start building what Robin calls a "market of one"—where your agency's true value is clear, tangible, and uncopyable. The episode also explores the often-overlooked role of pricing as a key differentiator, the pervasive fear and herd mentality that keep agencies stuck, and the transformative impact of AI on agency business models. Robin challenges listeners to rethink everything from service offerings to client fit—encouraging leaders to embrace strategy, redefine success beyond just growth, and make bold choices that align with both financial health and personal fulfillment.   Tune in if you're ready to move past the sea of sameness and face the future with optimism and intention. By the end of the episode, you'll walk away with actionable questions, a fresh strategic lens, and the inspiration to reshape not just what your agency does, but how—and why—you do it.   A big thank you to our podcast's presenting sponsor, White Label IQ. They're an amazing resource for agencies who want to outsource their design, dev, or PPC work at wholesale prices. Check out their special offer (10 free hours!) for podcast listeners here. What You Will Learn in This Episode: Why true agency differentiation is so difficult—and why most agencies still struggle with it   Common pitfalls that lead agencies into the "sea of sameness" Distinguishing between superficial distinctiveness and authentic, business-model-driven differentiation The critical role of clear positioning and deep strategy in agency growth How fear, herd mentality, and legacy habits hold agencies back from standing out The power of pricing as an underutilized differentiator Embracing change, enjoying the business, and defining what success means for your agency  

Would you like access to our advanced agency training for FREE? https://www.agencymastery360.com/training How do you ensure the highest possible retention levels at your agency? What reasons do you give employees to stay and develop their careers at your agency? Today's featured guest hires fresh talent right out of college. People his team can train into the sort of workers who grow with the agency. However, young talent tends to be ambitious and likely to move on quickly to the next opportunity. To boost retention, he has created a growth path for employees that are a right fit with the agency. He'll break down how he's learned to hire intentionally and build a culture that grows people as fast as profits. McKay Salisbury is the founder and CEO of FiveStar Commerce, an eCommerce agency based in Orem, Utah. His team manages Amazon, Walmart, and Target Plus accounts for over 450 brands annually. What started as a freelancing side hustle on Upwork has grown into a full-service agency focused on team development, in-person collaboration, and steady internal promotion. In this episode, we'll discuss: How to hire and retain young talent in a competitive market. Why in-person culture drives faster growth and better retention. The career path strategy that turns entry-level hires into future leaders. How to build systems that grow people as fast as profits. Subscribe Apple | Spotify | iHeart Radio Sponsors and Resources This episode is brought to you by Wix Studio: If you're leveling up your team and your client experience, your site builder should keep up too. That's why successful agencies use Wix Studio — built to adapt the way your agency does: AI-powered site mapping, responsive design, flexible workflows, and scalable CMS tools so you spend less on plugins and more on growth. Ready to design faster and smarter? Go to wix.com/studio to get started. Growing his Freelancer Gigs to a Thriving Amazon Agency McKay's journey began while working at a small Amazon marketing firm, when he started freelancing on Upwork to make a little extra money. Within six months, his freelance income reached half of his salary, and he decided to go all in. Moving into his sister's basement, McKay began full-time freelancing, which quickly evolved into his own agency. Within the first month after quitting his job, he was already matching his old salary. McKay's early days were lean, but the momentum from focusing entirely on client work set the foundation for future growth. Hiring Early and Building Support Systems McKay's first hire came just a month into freelancing full-time. It was a part-time assistant he had previously worked with. That decision to delegate quickly accelerated FiveStar Commerce's capacity. Within five months, he added his first full-time project manager and opened a physical office. Unlike many agency owners who chase remote freedom, McKay found that in-person collaboration gave him structure, focus, and culture. For him, separation between work and home drives productivity. Just like he had learned in college, where studying at the library helped him focus, McKay found it much easier to create great work and culture working in-person. The physical office became the heartbeat of FiveStar Commerce's growth, helping employees feel part of something bigger and creating accountability that can be hard to replicate remotely. Why In-Person Work Still Wins for Training and Culture When it came time to really build his team beyond just a few employees, McKay found it was either difficult or expensive to find the right talent with experience in his particular niche. It wasn't an option for an agency just starting out, so he leaned on investing time on training young talent. It made sense cost wise, and location wise, given they are near two large universities, which provided a supply of fresh talent eager to learn. To make this approach work, the agency had to adapt its environment to support constant learning. A central part of this is their in-person operations, since McKay noticed that even the smallest physical arrangements, like which direction desks faced, could impact how quickly new hires learned and that having trainers nearby reduced hesitation and built confidence. He also observed that remote employees tended to "float away" after 6–12 months. While remote setups can work for certain roles, McKay found that building culture, energy, and loyalty thrive best face-to-face. This philosophy shaped his agency's identity and helped retain young, ambitious team members eager for mentorship. Designing Career Paths that Retain Talent Beyond intentional training, this strategy worked because he paired it with a clear path for career progression. Every employee starts as a generalist learning all aspects of Amazon management, from ads to design to optimization. After 6–12 months, they move into project management roles, and the top performers advance to senior project manager positions. Each promotion comes with a pay increases - typically around $10,000 per year - which keeps employees motivated and invested in long-term growth. This proved to be a great way to increase retention, which is one of the biggest challenges for growing agencies. As McKay puts it, "If you're not giving people a reason to grow, LinkedIn will." Personality Over Experience: Hiring for Potential When hiring fresh graduates, how can you gauge whether or not they'll be a good fit in the long run? McKay looks for personality traits that predict leadership potential—confidence, communication skills, and curiosity. The interview process focuses on how candidates carry themselves, not just what's on their resume. Those who communicate clearly and think proactively tend to rise fastest. This approach ensures that every new hire is a potential project manager within a year or two. McKay views entry-level roles not as long-term positions but as training grounds for leadership. By prioritizing culture fit and growth mindset, he's been able to maintain consistent quality while scaling quickly. Do You Want to Transform Your Agency from a Liability to an Asset? Looking to dig deeper into your agency's potential? Check out our Agency Blueprint. Designed for agency owners like you, our Agency Blueprint helps you uncover growth opportunities, tackle obstacles, and craft a customized blueprint for your agency's success.

Rabbi Jonathan Sacks believed that, out of the science of positive psychology, and in conversation with cognitive behavioral therapy, a new Musar movement could be established. In this episode of the Tradition Podcast, Tamra Wright and Mordechai Schiffman begin to unpack what this might mean in light of their co-authored essay “Radical Resilience: Hope, Agency and Community,” from TRADITION's recent special issue on the intellectual legacy of Rabbi Jonathan Sacks. They are joined for the conversation by that volume's co-editor, Samuel Lebens. Together, our three guests explore the relationship between hope, agency, and community; they consider whether Rabbi Sacks was unduly harsh on optimists; and discuss why he placed more faith upon philosophically inspired psychology than upon the main contemporary schools of academic philosophy. What does it mean for Torah to be in conversation with a science like psychology? What does it mean for students of a rabbi to turn their critical gaze towards their late teacher, who now becomes an object of their ongoing research? Watch a video recording of this conversation. See details of the special double-issue of TRADITION and order your copy. Rabbi Dr. Mordechai Schiffman is an assistant professor at Yeshiva University's Azrieli Graduate School and the associate rabbi at Kingsway Jewish Center. Dr. Tamra Wright is a Senior Research Fellow at the London School of Jewish Studies. Rabbi Dr. Samuel Lebens is an associate professor of philosophy at the University of Haifa. The post Radical Resilience: Hope, Agency and Community first appeared on Tradition Online.

Ever get feedback that your main character feels flat, reactive, or like things just happen to them? That's because they lack agency, one of the main ingredients in narrative drive — the force that makes readers keep turning the pages and engage with the story. In this episode of the Write It Scared podcast, we're digging into what real agency looks like on the page and how to give your characters the power to act, choose, and change their fate. I'll walk you through the three key ingredients every active protagonist needs—motive, means, and opportunity—and show you how to use them to turn a passive story into a page-turner.Timestamps 00:00 – Why Some Characters Feel Passive (and How to Fix It) 00:19 – Welcome to Write It Scared 01:15 – What Is Character Agency, Really? 01:55 – Why Agency Is the Beating Heart of Story 05:10 – The Three Ingredients: Motive, Means, and Opportunity 07:54 – Creating Moments of Choice That Matter 09:27 – How to Spot When Your Character's Lost Control 11:08 – Final Takeaways Links mentioned in this episode:Episode 76: Narrative Drive: The Secret to Story Momentum and Reader EngagementWire For Story by Lisa Cron. Have a comment or idea about the show? Send me a direct text! Love to hear from you.Support the show To become a supporter of the show, click here!To get in touch with Stacy: Email: Stacy@writeitscared.co https://www.writeitscared.co/wis https://www.instagram.com/writeitscared/ Take advantage of these Free Resources From Write It Scared: Download Your Free Novel Planning and Drafting Quick Start Guide Download Your Free Guide to Remove Creative Blocks and Work Through Fears

Goldman Sachs bought a VC and a sports talent agency… because they take a tiny % of huge $$$.Burberry's stock is up 50% on their British pivot…. They're leaning into England's bad weather.Sonder abruptly shut down, leaving thousands without hotels… It's WeWork 2.0.And RIP to the American Penny… (so we wrote a coin obituary)$ABNB $GS $BRBYNEWSLETTER:https://tboypod.com/newsletter OUR 2ND SHOW:Want more business storytelling from us? Check our weekly deepdive show, The Best Idea Yet: The untold origin story of the products you're obsessed with. Listen for free to The Best Idea Yet: https://wondery.com/links/the-best-idea-yet/NEW LISTENERSFill out our 2 minute survey: https://qualtricsxm88y5r986q.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_dp1FDYiJgt6lHy6GET ON THE POD: Submit a shoutout or fact: https://tboypod.com/shoutouts SOCIALS:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tboypod TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@tboypodYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@tboypod Linkedin (Nick): https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicolas-martell/Linkedin (Jack): https://www.linkedin.com/in/jack-crivici-kramer/Anything else: https://tboypod.com/ About Us: The daily pop-biz news show making today's top stories your business. Formerly known as Robinhood Snacks, The Best One Yet is hosted by Jack Crivici-Kramer & Nick Martell.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Chris Perkins is the President of Model B, an independent growth marketing agency that leverages a unique blend of internal and external talent to deliver innovative solutions for clients. Under Chris' leadership, Model B has built a network of over 60 vetted agency partners worldwide and achieved significant momentum, helping brands achieve superior marketing results through a flexible, collaborative model. Chris brings decades of experience from top agencies like Ogilvy, Hal Riney, and Publicis, and was the first CMO of Brand USA, where he led a $200 million global tourism campaign delivering a 20:1 ROI. In this episode… The traditional agency model is crumbling under the weight of modern work. With teams scattered across time zones and top talent opting for freelance freedom, agencies are being forced to rethink what it means to deliver value. How do you build world-class campaigns when your best people might never meet in person? According to Chris Perkins, the answer lies in embracing flexibility instead of fighting it. Drawing from decades of experience at global agencies like Ogilvy, Hal Riney, and Publicis, Chris believes the future of marketing depends on blending small, highly focused internal teams with curated networks of external experts. His Partner Collective approach allows agencies to scale up or down instantly while maintaining top-tier quality — something that traditional hierarchies struggle to achieve. By pairing management consulting principles with this cloud-based collaboration model, Chris argues that agencies can finally align talent, technology, and client needs in a way that works for the modern era. Tune in to this episode of the Smart Business Revolution Podcast as John Corcoran interviews Chris Perkins, President of Model B, to discuss how agencies can evolve for a world of remote work and on-demand talent. They talk about what Chris learned from the heyday of big ad firms, how Model B's Partner Collective bridges global expertise, and why smaller, focused teams often outperform large ones. Chris also shares insights on designing agency systems that thrive in the post-office world.

George Mack joins James Smith for an unfiltered conversation that will change how you think about ambition, success, and the hidden traps of productivity. They dive deep into the concept of agency (why some people take control of their lives while others stay stuck) and how it shows up across business, relationships, happiness, and identity. From the “busy trap” to the myth of hustle culture, George unpacks the subtle ways we self-sabotage under the illusion of progress. He questions whether high agency is even healthy… or just a sophisticated form of burnout. James and George explore the psychology of success, the role of genetics, language and culture in shaping mindset, and how becoming a parent can snap you out of your grind obsession. He explains: ◼️ Why high agency can be a hidden mental illness ◼️ The real reason some people stay stuck (and how to escape) ◼️ How productivity becomes a trap disguised as progress ◼️ Why writing things down on a whiteboard might change your life ◼️ What jiu-jitsu teaches us about fear, ego, and self-awareness Timestamps: 00:00 The Problem With Low Agency 02:04 The Jail Cell Test 05:16 Can You Train Agency? 09:05 Context-Dependent Agency 15:15 Life in Austin, Texas 18:04 UK Cynicism vs American Naivety 24:06 The Happiness Paradox 30:02 Language Shapes Thinking 36:07 Hater or Inspired? The Choice Is Yours 42:07 The Busy Trap 46:03 The $1,500 Chicken Sandwich Story 51:34 Parenthood: The Ultimate Agency Hack 59:58 Jiu-Jitsu and Personal Growth 1:03:02 The Gap and The Gain 1:07:26 Warren Buffett's Investment Exercise 1:12:25 Practical Agency Hacks 1:17:20 The A1 Paper That Changed Everything 1:29:11 Eat Frogs, Lick Toads 1:32:35 Why Jiu-Jitsu Hits All Four Brain Chemicals 1:35:31 Closing Advice Welcome to "The Problem With" where each week we look into a problem to get a better understanding of it. This podcast has no sponsors, only my businesses and investments, please check out the links below. I'm on a mission to help men check their levels of Testosterone, more info here: https://www.manual.co/smith Please check out and try Neutonic here: https://www.neutonic.com/jamessmith  For a free trial of my online personal training app go here: https://www.affordableonlinecoaching.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices