Podcasts about Agency

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...

Find me, Granger Forson, at www.bizsmart-gloucestershire.co.uk or connect with me on LinkedIn.   This episode of ScaleUp Radio features Michael Colling-Tuck, founder of Agency Bristol, a specialist marketing agency helping medical and technology innovators reach both patients and healthcare professionals. With over twenty years in healthcare, Michael has seen how even the most brilliant inventions can fail if no one knows they exist. His agency bridges that critical gap, giving groundbreaking products a fighting chance to reach the people whose lives they can transform.   What makes Michael's story stand out is the combination of deep industry experience, genuine humility, and the relentless curiosity of a founder who has seen the highs and lows of scaling. From watching masterclass marketing moments in China to almost getting it wrong twice with his own cash flow, Michael's honesty about resilience, learning, and leadership gives listeners a real and relatable founder story.   He shares how Agency Bristol crafts campaigns that empower advocates, surgeons, clinicians, and patients, to become the best storytellers for new technologies. It's a blend of creativity, structure, and empathy that transforms technical ideas into powerful messages that resonate with real people.   Whether you're a startup founder or a seasoned business leader, this conversation is a lesson in balancing vision with reality. Michael shows that success doesn't just come from clever campaigns, but from finding joy in the grind, trusting your team, and always learning from the journey.   To ensure you don't miss any inspirational future episodes do subscribe to ScaleUp Radio wherever you like to listen to your podcasts.   So, let's now dive into the inspiring journey of innovation, resilience and purpose with Michael Colling-Tuck.   Scaling up your business isn't easy, and can be a little daunting. Let ScaleUp Radio make it a little easier for you. With guests who have been where you are now, and can offer their thoughts and advice on several aspects of business. ScaleUp Radio is the business podcast you've been waiting for. If you would like to be a guest on ScaleUp Radio, please click here: https://bizsmarts.co.uk/scaleupradio/kevin   Book a call with Granger - 30 minutes value add conversation for Business owners with Staff. https://api.goexela.com/widget/bookings/catchupgrangerugx7zl   You can get in touch with Kevin & Granger here: kevin@biz-smart.co.uk grangerf@biz-smart.co.uk   Kevin's Latest Book Is Available! Drawing on BizSmart's own research and experiences of working with hundreds of owner-managers, Kevin Brent explores the key reasons why most organisations do not scale and how the challenges change as they reach different milestones on the ScaleUp Journey. He then details a practical step by step guide to successfully navigate between the milestones in the form of ESUS - a proven system for entrepreneurs to scale up. More on the Book HERE - https://www.esusgroup.co.uk/   Michael can be found here: https://www.agencybristol.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-colling-tuck-48529020/   Resources: Why People Don't Buy Things by Harry Washburn - https://uk.bookshop.org/p/books/why-people-don-t-buy-things-five-proven-steps-to-connect-with-your-customers-and-dramatically-improve-your-sales-harry-washburn/43f9c7d071d7ddbc?ean=9780738201573&next=t Black Box Thinking by Matthew Syed - https://uk.bookshop.org/p/books/black-box-thinking-growth-mindset-and-the-secrets-of-high-performance-matthew-syed/2e1b2c9c68295eb5?ean=9781399830379&next=t Oversubscribed by Daniel Priestley - https://uk.bookshop.org/p/books/oversubscribed-how-to-get-people-lining-up-to-do-business-with-you-daniel-priestley/3262406?ean=9780857088253&next=t Shogun by James Clavell - https://uk.bookshop.org/p/books/shogun-book-one-of-the-asian-saga-the-book-that-inspired-the-emmy-bafta-and-golden-globe-award-winning-tv-show-james-clavell/17dcf2869a8b1584?ean=9780340766163&next=t Crystal Palace Podcast - https://www.cpfc.co.uk/palace-tv/palace-podcast/ Diary of a CEO podcast - https://stevenbartlett.com/doac/ Totally Football podcast - https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/podcast/200-the-totally-football-show/ Michael Colling-Tuck podcast - https://open.spotify.com/embed/episode/5OvrvVSySrhTXBJ6EalzY4?utm_source=generator&t=0 Spark app - https://sparkmailapp.com/ WhatsApp - https://www.whatsapp.com/?lang=en Shazam - https://www.shazam.com/    

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

Small shifts. Big wins. This week we pull five practical, no-fluff tips from standout guests across the season - the habits that stick, the models that scale, the posture that sells, and the creative courage that sets brands apart.About the EpisodeA highlights reel of our most actionable moments featuring perspectives from:Dr Jon Finn - habits, brain-state management, AI readiness.John Readman - SaaS mindset and recurring value.Sabrina Chevannes - agency leadership and sustainable growth.Blair Enns - expert-led selling.Nils Leonard - creativity, culture, and brand bravery.This Episode CoversStart smaller than you think - Micro habits beat grand plans. Build simple, daily behaviours that create focus, recharge, and long-term momentum. (Clip: Dr Jon Finn)Think like SaaS, not just services - Solve real problems, validate the value, and productise what works - unlocking recurring revenue and predictable growth. (Clip: John Readman)Slow down to scale well - Growth without process creates chaos. Rebuild the basics: roles, workflow, communication, and the pace of your scaling. (Clip: Sabrina Chevannes)Sell like an expert, not a salesperson - Lead with diagnosis and clarity. Drop the pitch persona and show up as the trusted advisor you already are. (Clip: Blair Enns)Stand for something real - Tools are abundant, originality is scarce. Root your brand in cultural truth and choose courage over convention. (Clip: Nils Leonard)YouTube LinksDr Jon Finn - https://youtu.be/Kctj3Y-iVQE?si=RTEUTAIF9KmYGV0TJohn Readman - https://youtu.be/5Yh7Zmv_EE4?si=1pf50UnkR7U-LdpkSabrina Chevannes - https://youtu.be/nnaLBIOh8-0?si=R_jgBBzRu_sD02NcBlair Enns - https://youtu.be/KXLOJmmUvdo?si=QIY5rnlAl7KtCNWnNils Leonard - https://youtu.be/3vLFLcx9Now?si=C_wQdwIBEID715iuIf you've enjoyed Season 3 so far, don't forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share your favourite moments with us - we'd love to hear from you.

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.

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.

I work for a secret government agency, we hunt monstersBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/darkest-mysteries-online-the-strange-and-unusual-podcast-2025--5684156/support.Darkest Mysteries Online

I work for a secret government agency, we hunt monstersBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/darkest-mysteries-online-the-strange-and-unusual-podcast-2025--5684156/support.Darkest Mysteries Online

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

Travis from DividendCollectionAgency.com ranks in the top 1% of financial experts (#197 out of 31,973) with an average return of 12.70% since 2023. In this interview, he shares two dividend stocks the Agency is buying right now, plus his take on REITs like Realty Income versus competitors, VICI Properties' timing, and advice for new investors. Former Navy Chief turned dividend investor breaks down what's working in today's market. Watch the ⁠⁠YouTube video⁠⁠!Follow Dividend Collection Agency:SeekingAlpha.comInstagramWarren Buffett's 2025 Thanksgiving LetterCheck out my current portfolio on

Jess Baron, founder of Guitars And Ukes In The Classroom, along with colleagues Annie Lee, Manager of Training and Development at MAAC, and Jeannine Venegas, Early Childhood Educator at Southwestern College Child Development Center, discuss how Guitars and Ukes in the Classroom integrates music into education to promote social-emotional learning and academic growth. They offer free training to educators and provide instruments to students, particularly those from economically disadvantaged backgrounds. The program has expanded to include early childhood education, high school after-school clubs, and partnerships with public libraries for early literacy. They also collaborate with industry professionals for workforce development, offering internships and training in guitar maintenance. The initiative emphasizes the transformative power of music in education and community development.About Spotlight and Cloudcast Media  "Spotlight On The Community" is the longest running community podcast in the country, continuously hosted by Drew Schlosberg for 20 years.  "Spotlight" is part of Cloudcast Media's line-up of powerful local podcasts, telling the stories, highlighting the people, and celebrating the gravitational power of local.   For more information on Cloudcast and its shows and cities served, please visit www.cloudcastmedia.us. Cloudcast Media | the national leader in local podcasting.   About Mission Fed Credit Union  A community champion for over 60 years, Mission Fed Credit Union with over $6 billion in member assets, is the Sponsor of Spotlight On The Community, helping to curate connectivity, collaboration, and catalytic conversations.  For more information on the many services for San Diego residents, be sure to visit them at https://www.missionfed.com/

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.

We’ve recently lost the iconic Diane Keaton, and the Agency wanted to do a special mission to honour her work. We chose The First Wives Club with Goldie Hawn, Bette Midler and some amazing power suits. Join us for a celebration of women, friendship, and a good dance scene. Annette Wierstra with Heather Berberet, Shelly Brisbin and Micheline Maynard.

Agency leaders make a fatal assumption: that their million-dollar producers are self-sufficient. The reality is, these all-stars drive 80% of your revenue, and they're often the most neglected. They're a massive flight risk, not because they're unhappy, but because they're stuck.The strategies that got your top producers to their first million won't get them to the next level—they've hit a new plateau and need a new set of tools. In this episode, I'm giving you the new framework for supporting your best people. We get into why building their personal brand is the only strategy that matters for scaling, how to use platforms like LinkedIn to build their credibility, and why the agencies that "rent the brands of their producers" are the only ones who will win the future.▶▶ Sign Up For Your Free Discovery Callhttps://calendly.com/aneary/strategy-sessionKEY MOMENTS(00:00:00) Why Your Top Producer Is About to Quit (00:00:47) The Fatal Flaw: Neglecting Your Top Producers (00:04:44) The 80/20 Problem: Your Revenue Is at Risk (00:05:31) The Scaling Solution: Building Their Personal Brand (00:14:09) The New Agency Model: Rent Their Brand, Not YoursCONNECT WITH ANDY NEARY

What if the work you do every day could help 15-25 families consider adoption with just a $1,500 Christmas card budget? In this episode, Graeme Watt, co-founder and leader of Anthem Creative, shares his remarkable journey from outdoor adventure guide to nonprofit founder to running a thriving creative agency that serves organizations pursuing human flourishing. Through pivotal relationships with two mentors - Tom Ko, his "fundraising Yoda," and Michael Gibney, his business mentor of 15 years - Graeme discovered how to build businesses that amplify good in the world. From Googling "how to start a nonprofit" at age 26 to celebrating 10 years running a full-service agency with his brother, Graeme reveals how the right relationships at the right time, combined with unwavering optimism and clear vision, can transform not just your business trajectory but your entire life's work. His agency operates with a simple filter: "Will this amplify human flourishing?" This principle guides everything from client selection to team building, creating a business that treats every project as an opportunity to make the world better. Graeme reflects on how mentorship shaped his leadership, why passion is the single greatest competitive advantage in hiring, and how one adoption agency campaign proved that creative work can genuinely change lives - one family at a time.   [00:04:00] What Graeme Does: Amplifying Good Through Creative Services Co-founder of Anthem Creative with his brother Mark Mission: Partner with organizations pursuing human flourishing to amplify their impact online Portfolio company structure with main operating company as creative agency Core filter for all decisions: "Will this amplify human flourishing?" Specializes in branding, custom web experiences, and film/documentary work [00:06:00] The Journey: From Outdoor Guide to Entrepreneur Studied ecotourism and outdoor leadership (not business) Worked as river guide and rock climbing guide early in career Married and moved to Edmonton, Alberta where outdoor industry didn't exist Started working with youth and students, creating experiments for young people At 26, Googled "how to start a nonprofit organization" and launched one from his living room [00:10:00] The Haiti Moment: Brothers Unite Graeme worked at World Vision Canada (large global NGO) Submitted innovation grant proposals that kept getting funded Hired his brother's agency for these innovation projects Graeme quit his nonprofit job and joined his brother full-time Just celebrated 10 years in business together [00:11:25] Most Impactful Result: The Adoption Agency Campaign Early in agency life, partnered with local adoption agency Handled complete rebrand: new name, website, video content, and collateral Agency wanted to run year-end digital ad campaign but had no budget Got creative: repurposed $1,500 Christmas card budget for digital ads Launched December 20th using brand hero video they'd already created [00:17:00] How They Met: Through a Designer's Introduction Met when Graeme was 26, starting nonprofit from scratch Introduced by Ian, a freelance designer working with Graeme Graeme was building a board and asked if anyone knew potential board members Tom had 30 years in nonprofit space, running successful consulting firm Graeme thought: "He's not gonna want anything to do with a guy like me" [00:18:07] Tom's Investment: Chairing the Board Tom was captivated by Graeme's passion and vision Immediately offered: "I would love to chair your board if you would have me" Became board chair when organization "wasn't even really an organization" Taught Graeme everything about fundraising, board leadership, governance, and agency agreements [00:24:00] How They Met: Through an Intern's Introduction Michael's daughter was Graeme's intern at World Vision Canada Graeme was running a coffee company on the side (social enterprise sourcing from Africa) Michael also involved in coffee and sourcing products from developing world [00:25:20] The Mentorship Terms: 30 Minutes of $900/Hour Time Graeme was looking for business-side mentor (had Tom for nonprofit side) Asked Michael directly: "Would you consider mentoring me?" Michael's conditions: "My time is really valuable—I charge $900/hour" Michael's offer: "I'll give you 30 minutes whenever you need it, but:" 15 years later, relationship still going strong [00:27:37] Michael's Lasting Impact: Believing Before Graeme Did Every major business decision has had Michael's voice in it In 15 years, has never steered Graeme wrong Saw things in Graeme that he didn't believe were there Believed in Graeme when he didn't believe in himself [00:29:00] Real-Time Impact: The 3D Printing Product Launch Operating partner designed proprietary product for global market 3D printed product with penny manufacturing costs and high margins Required expertise in international patent law and licensing agreements Called Michael 40 minutes before podcast recording [00:33:40] Philosophy: The Power of Pursuing Human Flourishing Commitment to human flourishing attracts incredible relationships and opportunities Right people show up at right times with needed expertise Until recently, never posted job openings—always went to network   KEY QUOTES "The ability to clearly communicate a future vision with conviction and passion—there are a few skills that are more valuable than that." - Graeme Watt "The glass is always half full with me. It's always optimistic. We're always gonna figure it out." - Graeme Watt "If you can constantly see the forest, then you don't get bogged down by the trees." - Graeme Watt "Whoever tells the best story wins." - Graeme Watt "If you give 51% and you give more than you expect in return, then that's a winning formula." - Graeme Watt (referencing Gary Vaynerchuk) CONNECT WITH GRAEME WATT

ABOUT THE EPISODE:Your 3am Google search spiral feels beyond frustrating when you're usually the one with answers. In this week's solo episode I acknowledge the unique exhaustion of spinning your wheels while your child struggles, and offer a concrete 8-step menu of ways to move from wishing into actionable planning and hope. If your existing parenting toolkit isn't working to create positive change in your family this episode will offer ways to rethink and recharge. The best news is, when you change yourself, the rest of the family system cannot not change. And that's why we start with you.What you'll learn:The distinction between wishing vs. having real hope Hope Theory: agency + pathways = real hopeWhy even highly capable parents get stuckThe paralysis that comes from information overload without implementationThe paradox of excelling everywhere except with being able to help your childUsing research as sophisticated avoidanceEPISODE RESOURCES:8-Step downloadable template for creating your planHelping Families Help - Provider Directory for CRAFT-Trained Coaches and TherapistsParent Like a Hostage Negotiator Hopestream episode 295Apply for a scholarship for The Stream Community (for moms and female caregivers)This podcast is part of a nonprofit called Hopestream CommunityLearn about The Stream, our private online community for momsFind us on Instagram hereFind us on YouTube hereDownload a free e-book, Worried Sick: A Compassionate Guide For Parents When Your Teen or Young Adult Child Misuses Drugs and AlcoholHopestream Community is a registered 501(c)3 nonprofit organization and an Amazon Associate. We may make a small commission if you purchase from our links.

What if beauty wasn't vanity but a radical form of self-respect? In this recap, Lesley Logan and Brad Crowell revisit their inspiring conversation with aesthetic nurse and rejuvenation expert Rachel Varga, exploring what it truly means to age with confidence. From skincare and collagen to breathwork and mindset, they unpack how honoring your appearance can deepen—not diminish—your self-worth. Tune in to learn why self-care is never selfish and how real confidence shines from the inside out.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 reframing skincare as self-care redefines beauty and confidence.Why genuine confidence changes how you show up in life.How rejuvenation aligns how you feel with how you look.The role of protein, creatine, and collagen in healthy aging.How breathwork lowers cortisol and slows signs of aging.Episode References/Links:World Kindness Movement - https://www.theworldkindnessmovement.orgOPC Winter Tour - https://opc.me/tourPilates Journal Expo - https://xxll.co/pilatesjournalCambodia Retreat Waitlist - https://crowsnestretreats.comAgency Mini - https://prfit.biz/miniContrology Pilates Conference in Poland - https://xxll.co/polandXContrology Pilates Conference in Brussels - https://xxll.co/brusselsXFlash Cards - https://opc.me/flashcardsSubmit your wins or questions - https://beitpod.com/questionsLL on School of Radiance - https://beitpod.com/lesleyonachelsodSchool of Radiance Website - https://www.theschoolofradiance.com (Code: LesleyLogan15 for 15% off one-on-one sessions, tutorial, and membership)Amy Cuddy's TED Talk - https://youtu.be/Ks-_Mh1QhMc100 Acts of Love by Kim Hamer - https://a.co/d/0HLOjhO 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  You figuring out what rejuvenation as a form of self-care that works for you, which is very different than works for me, very different than anyone else, that is like staying in the power stance. It's an action. It's something that you're doing so that you can show up as your whole self and give the world the version of you that will make an impact. That cannot be bad. Lesley Logan 0:24  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 1:09  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 rejuvenating convo I have with Rachel Varga in our last episode. If you haven't yet listened to that episode, you need to do it, because she's amazing, and we've been using her tips, and some of them are extremely effective. I other ones I just haven't tried yet. I'm really impressed. But today, before we get into Rachel's amazing tips for your rejuvenating means, like skin all that kind of stuff, today is November 13th and it is World Kindness Day. Brad Crowell 1:40  Yes, it is. Lesley Logan 1:07  Damn it. That's what my papa Jake would say, celebrating like, meaning like we're gonna do it like that kind of damn it, okay. Celebrated internationally, this holiday was formed in 1998 to promote kindness throughout the world, and it's observed annually on November 13th as part of World Kindness Movement. It's observed in many countries, including the United States, Canada, Japan, Australia and the UAE. World Kindness Day presents us with the opportunity to reflect upon one of the most important unifying human principles. Oh, just period. On a day devoted to the positive potential of both large and small, acts of kindness try to promote and diffuse this crucial quality that brings people of every kind together.Brad Crowell 2:17  Yeah, so the World Kindness Movement. Lesley Logan 2:25  Tell us more. Brad, Brad Crowell 2:26  the world Kindness Movement is an organization, and they so well the world kindness movement.org if you're interested in reading more. I found it really intriguing that this is even a day, but I like the idea. I just think it's important that we are being conscious of this sharing kindness generally, because I think that in our extreme split political environment and belief in science and reality versus non science and non reality, it actually creates a lot of frustration. It really creates a lot of frustration for me, and this is a good reminder to that we still have to treat people who, you know, we definitely disagree with. We still have to treat them as humans, as people, even if we don't think what they're doing or thinking or saying makes sense, they're still humans, and we still have to treat them with kindness, regardless.Lesley Logan 3:18  You know, what's interesting about this is like we used to when we lived in LA, many of our neighbors were homeless, right? Like where we lived, and it's so easy. I watch people like they turn their head away from homeless people like they just don't even look at them, but then they wonder why they're not treating the area like with respect. It's like we don't feel like we're human. You know, you're not looking them in the eye. There are simple acts of kindness you can do every day. In fact, Kim Scott wrote a book, 100 Acts of Love, which you can put kindness in there. There are things you can do for people. Obviously, that book was written for people going through a loss, but there are things you can do. And it's really funny, art, art. My dad is like, he like acts like he hates talking to people. But then we go to the gym, which is through a casino, and he talks to everybody. He knows the name of every security guard. He knows every he knows the name of every parking attendant, right? He we now know the names of several dealers at the casino. And you know what I think makes them their day is that we just like, say hi. They're not they're staying there, waiting for someone to come to their booth or whatever, and we're like, morning, good morning. It just makes people feel seen. Like even just acknowledging people with an eye contact and a wave makes people feel seen. And I think that if we did more of that, the world will be a better place. So I think. Maslow hierarchy of needs is really real. Maslow's hierarchy, hierarchy of needs. It's a hard word for me tonight. And we judge people based on like, Oh my God. I can't believe they did that. But if they don't know where their food or meal or health care is coming from, of course they did that. You are in the Enlightened level because. You have some privileges to your life, and I'm not saying that to make you feel bad about yourself, but it is, we have to stop judging people who have less than us. We have to have more kindness. I I'm in. Okay, you take us through the first half of this list. It's long. Brad Crowell 5:13  All right, we're gonna move real quick through our upcoming events and travel y'all so come join us, if you, if we're gonna be near you. Okay, in November this no, this month we are going to do.Lesley Logan 5:22  Right now the month we're in. Brad Crowell 5:24  Thanks. This month we're gonna go, we're gonna have a Black Friday, Cyber Monday sale for OPC only. Okay, for OPC only. It's gonna be the 26th through December 1st. So check your email for more information. We're gonna send you an email on the 19th. Lesley Logan 5:35  We're not gonna tell you what it is, you just have to find out. Brad Crowell 5:37  So that's six days from now. Then next is winter tour. We are actually going to be on the road in December, and we've already made the announcements go to opc.me/tour for tickets, all the things.Lesley Logan 5:50  Days are already sold out, so you got to get in there quick. Brad Crowell 5:53  Yep. Okay. So next is while we're not doing a Black Friday, Cyber Monday sale in for Profitable Pilates at the end of December, we are going to have a sneak peek option offer for you to join Agency. We haven't really made this announcement anywhere except for the pod, so you are the enlightened ones. As we were talking about, we're giving you a heads up if you've ever considered joining Agency, but you weren't quite sure if it was for you. We got we're going to do just a short month where you can, like, figure it out, see if it's your jam, and join us. Lesley Logan 6:24  Well, it's a full month, but it's a short commitment.Brad Crowell 6:27  Short commitment. I mean, it'll be a month. So anyway, it'll be the end of December, December 26th through the 31st and then in January, Les?Lesley Logan 6:35  I'll be the Pilates journal Expo in Huntington Beach. It's the first one that they're doing in the US. And I've got a world premiere of a workshop that they were like, we love that people really want to, just like, ask you questions. And don't worry, there's an actual workshop to it, but it's a space where you can ask me questions. And so you want to go to xxll.co/pilatesjournal to get your tickets to that. Then also, in January, we're going to open up the early bird discount for our retreat for 2026 and many of you asked about it, you need to be on the waitlist if you want the discount. If you want to pay full price, don't get on the waitlist. It's fine. Go to crowsnestretreats.com and February, Agency Mini is happening. It is you want to get on the waitlist for that as well. Different waitlist link. It's prfit.biz/mini. What is Agency Mini? It's like three days of us digging into your business and on like a problem. So you can see what it's like to coach with us. That's for Pilates instructors and studio owners and anyone who's like in that service-based industry. And then in March, we are going to Poland, and we're going to Brussels with Karen Frischmann. There are different workshops at each they are on different days, because we cannot be in two places at once. So if you are interested in Poland, it's gonna be the one that happens before Brussels. And I can't remember the dates of it, but it's xxll.co/poland it's like the third weekend in March, and then the last weekend of March is Brussels. Not only we there with Karen Frischmann, we're gonna be there with Ignacio, whose last name I can't remember at this moment, but he's amazing, and the most beautiful eyes and the most incredible kind instructor. xxll.co/brussels and then in April, P.O.T London will be there with Claire Sparrow and some amazing other people. You're not gonna want to miss it. So there's your links they're in the show notes. Brad Crowell 8:20  Ignacio Rodriguez. Lesley Logan 8:22  Oh, Ignacio Rodriguez, yes, well, anyways, he is a special soul. I mean. Brad Crowell 8:26  He's from Spain, yeah. Lesley Logan 8:27  I know he's like, a Pilates Buddha. Brad Crowell 8:29  Yes, he's awesome. Lesley Logan 8:31  That's what I like. Whenever I was around him, I just was like, oh my God, he's the calmest person. Like his energy is so calm you cannot be anything but that around him, he doesn't listen to this podcast. So he wouldn't hear the compliment. Okay, before we get into Rachel's episode, who, what is our question this week?Brad Crowell 8:50  Okay this week, with a question on YouTube from @BodyFlexZone, all about the OPC Flashcard Deck series, they asked, Hey, could you possibly include the exo chair and the springboard in your flashcards?Lesley Logan 9:07  So BodyFlexZone, I'm sorry to tell you the news, but this is exciting too, so don't turn it off. We're not going to do that.Brad Crowell 9:15  No. Lesley Logan 9:16  No. Brad Crowell 9:17  Here's why. Lesley Logan 9:18  Here's why. They're included already. How do I explain this? The I write the cards as a classically trained instructor with classical equipment. They are edited by a contemporary trained instructor who has contemporary equipment, including she is has an exo chair and was trained on a springboard, and the measurements for how to use the hooks on your springboard exist in the Cadillac deck now.Brad Crowell 9:46  So, so while we are not creating a special deck for the exo chair or a special deck for the springboard, if you get the Chairs Deck, the exo chair information would be applicable. It's applicable. You know the information of the Chairs Deck is applicable to the exo chair. And in the same vein, the Cadillac Tower Deck is applicable. It includes information about springboard informationLesley Logan 10:09  Correct, because some springboards have pushed through bars, some springboards don't. There are cards that will say it's pro like they're marked that they might not be available on a tower, which means they're definitely not available on a springboard and so. But also, there's a card in each deck on how to use the deck, and it explains, if you have an Exo chair, like how to it doesn't say exo chair specifically. It's like, if your chair has four hooks, here's how to think about it. So both decks are very useful. And if you get those decks, if you ever have access to a full Cadillac or tower, you have a bunch of cards you get to use. You don't have to take a special training for it, because you've already been trained. So you can get our flash cards at opc.me/flashcards. All six decks are out. Oh, you might want to go to the website during the Black Friday, Cyber Monday. Brad Crowell 10:56  For those of you who were unable to hear what she said, you might want to go to the website during the Black Friday, Cyber Monday sale. Just a heads up.Lesley Logan 11:03  Don't miss it, because if you ask us later, no, we're not the we're only doing it for five days.Brad Crowell 11:09  Hey, send in your questions to the pod. Go to beitpod.com/questions where you can leave a win or a question, or you can also text us at 310-905-5534. Stick around. We'll be right back. We're going to dig into this really interesting conversation we have with Rachel Varga, all about rejuvenation. Brad Crowell 11:27  Welcome back. Let's talk about Rachel Varga. Okay. Rachel is a registered nurse and an aesthetic specialist who's been in the field of non surgical rejuvenation since 2011. She's published research on eye and jawline rejuvenation, teaches doctors and nurses internationally, and now blends her expertise with biohacking to help people age well. Rachel is the founder of the School of Radiance, and also hosts the School of Radiance podcast, where she shares how skincare, lifestyle and self-care can create lasting beauty from the inside out.Lesley Logan 12:01  Yeah, I've been on her pod. You should go listen to our episodes together there, and if you like it, then you have another podcast to listen to. She's, it's, I really enjoy this because, okay, I have been wanting to have someone, an expert like this, on for a while, but I didn't want it to be a vanity, like, I didn't want people to be like, Oh, it's so vain, you know, like so many people are like, I don't know, raw milking it. So they're not going to want to talk about Botox or things like that. And I well, you know, some people get granola and they're like, I gotta not do anything to my body. But also, if something's really, like she said, if something is really bothering you, like specific lines or scars or jowls, addressing it is beneficial, because oftentimes if you feel you look better, you feel better, and if you feel better, you actually just look better, like if you actually feel good about yourself, you walk around taller, you engage with people in a different way. And so it's kind of like a chicken or the egg thing, and I appreciate her approach. If you listen to the episode, it's not like, everyone needs Botox. There's always something wrong with you. No, it's like, okay, what are some of the things you can do that are non surgical, that actually do work? I, I have, I will say you're going to want to listen to her second episode, which we're not going to talk about today, but we talk about a lot of things that are like, a waste of your money and waste your time. She's very, very intelligent and doesn't waste her time. But I do think that what she talked about is people are not viewing rejuvenation as being vain anymore. They're actually seen as a form of self-care. And I do think there's a balance of what can we do as part of our self-care routine that makes us feel better about how we look, so we feel better about how we look.Brad Crowell 13:46  Yeah. That's what I was gonna say, hardcore.Lesley Logan 13:51  Well, I don't know, like, here's the thing, I really appreciate, I forget which actress it was, what's that beautiful woman? Not Diane Lane is beautiful, but she also did one of the Fast and the Furious. She's like a dame, gray hair actress.Brad Crowell 14:06  There were 10 or 11 Fast and the Furious movies. Lesley Logan 14:09  I know the more of the recent of them, and she is like, she also was in like a beautiful bathing suit in the tabloids. And I was like, I want to look like her when I'm when I'm 80. I can't think of it. Everyone's yelling at her in their car right now, but you know who I'm talking about. She talked about how, like, she said, don't like, she's letting wrinkles happen. And I also would like to let those things happen. And there are some things that just bother me, and I don't want them to, and they become a distraction for me, being it till I see it. So I do think that if like how you look is affecting how you're operating your day. It is, there is a point where you do need to actually address, like, what is going on here, because it's becoming an obstacle. I'll look it up while you say what you loved. Brad Crowell 14:52  Yeah. So one thing I thought was important was this conversation of. Lesley Logan 14:58  Helen Mirren. Brad Crowell 14:59  That was really fast. And I'm very impressed. Brad Crowell 15:01  Do you know what I looked up? I said, older actress, stunning, fast and the furious. She's on top of the searches.Brad Crowell 15:12  I went to IMDb and I started with Fast and the Furious. I was like, there's so many actors. Lesley Logan 15:17  You gotta go with my, my way.Brad Crowell 15:23  Yeah, I just, I just thought I wanted to comment about what you had said about what your topic was, that we beat ourselves up over this idea that we're gonna like focusing on how we look is somehow wrong, and I, and I think that.Lesley Logan 15:39  But then also, everything your entire life is based on how you look. You know, like we're told not to focus on how we look. However, especially if you were raised as a woman in the church, how you look could make your brother stumble, so you better figure that out. But then also, you better be sexy for your husband, or he's gonna wander. And then, oh, if you look too old, you're not going to get the job, because they don't want an older woman, like, like, so there's all this stuff about how we're not supposed to care how we look, but actually, everything is about how we look. And if you're a dude, you just get fucking hotter as you get older. And it's really annoying.Brad Crowell 16:14  Well, I love that you took all the words right out of my mouth. So here's what I was going to say, is that I think it's important to that it when we are holding ourselves to this idea that feeling like we want to care about how we look is wrong, somehow. What she mentioned was confidence, and I liked that because I thought, Hey, why do we buy a nice shirt or buy some, you know, dress shoes, you know, for the office, because we like the way that we look in those and it gives us this idea that we got it together. And I don't know why we would think that it's okay to buy a nice blouse or blazer or shoes but not do the same thing for our face or our skincare or our weight or our working out, or whatever.Lesley Logan 17:14  The food we eat or the yeah, yeah, yeah, the things that we do to make ourselves feel good. I agree. I think that makes a lot of sense.Brad Crowell 17:22  Yeah. So, you know, anyway, my point is that it is I think it's okay. I think it's okay. Lesley Logan 17:31  I, here's the thing, I really have come to a place where it's like, if the thing that you do for yourself doesn't affect anyone else negatively, it's none of my fucking business.Brad Crowell 17:43  Okay, here's, here's, let's actually start with, because I'm logical, let's actually start with the definition of vanity. Lesley Logan 17:50  Okay, let's do that. Brad Crowell 17:52  Excessive pride. Well, excessive pride in or admiration of one's own appearance or achievements. Excessive pride, right?Lesley Logan 18:01  So walking around telling everyone I'm so fucking stunning.Brad Crowell 18:02  I'm so amazing. Look how awesome I am. Look how beautiful I am, right? That is vanity, but giving a shit about how you look is not vanity, right? That we've conflated this idea and we beat ourselves up. Lesley Logan 18:17  Brad, you're fucking brilliant. It's like the word selfish, like, how self-care has become selfish care, like the fact that you'd spend any extra amount of time thinking about yourself instead of your children, the people you work for, the people you do things for the people you love. Like, that's selfish. This is amazing. And I do love this because, okay, Amy Cuddy, whose TED Talk is where the title of this podcast came from, and if anyone knows her, I would love that interview. But she talked about how she does study about the power stance, the Wonder Woman stance, when you do it for five minutes, you actually appear and feel more confident in an interview. They did a literal scientific study, and they had people not stand in a power stance and sit slumped for five minutes, bad posture. And then go in, and then they ask them, how confident you feel. They ask the interviewers, how confident did they seem? Did they appear? You figuring out what rejuvenation and as a form of self-care that works for you, which is very different, that works for me, very different than anyone else, that is like staying in the power stance. It's an action. It's something that you're doing so that you can show up as your whole self and give the world like the version of you that that will make an impact. Yeah, that cannot be bad. I'm in. Brad Crowell 18:37  Yeah. And I think that, you know, when we have confidence, obviously it allows us to deliver our, you know, purpose in life better. It makes us enjoy what we're doing more. It definitely just changes the way we show up in our community and the way that we see ourselves. Right? So, you know, and the world sees that too. You know, when we put effort into ourselves, we show the world that we are valuable because we value ourselves. And I think that is also important, is that we that that belief in yourself, right, the knowledge that you are worthy, even though it seems internal, it is very visible to other people. When you know that you belong there to do the thing you know, or you believe you belong there, to do the thing other people perceive that they pick up on that. Lesley Logan 20:25  Well, yeah, and also, like, and just, I'm gonna tell you one of your points, she we're talking about this. We're talking about rejuvenation, way that looks natural and feels good, that builds confidence. We're not talking about like, go overdo it. We know the people who look like they're overdone, you know, like, you know, we're not talking about getting a new face like the Kardashian mom. We're talking about like, just like, and it's we're not talking about doing Botox or or surgery. It can be as simple as, like, massaging your face, or the type that money you spend on the moisturizer that makes you feel good, like, these are, we're talking non surgical approaches.Brad Crowell 21:03  Yeah, yeah. So, you know, I think when you are that, because we think that self-care equals vanity, that's where we're going wrong. But when we, when we can separate the two and understand that vanity is excessive. You know, celebration of your beauty or your achievements, that is obtuse, that is annoying, that is like, you don't want to listen, you don't want to be around somebody like that. We all know people like that. (inaudible)Lesley Logan 21:31  There's the song you're so vain, you probably think the song is about you. That is a definition.Brad Crowell 21:43  But when you care about yourself, you know it's okay to to put yourself first and make that part of your self-care routine and you know. Lesley Logan 21:53  Well, I also think you're I'm not (inaudible) you up. I'm so sorry. This is our ADHD problem. I think if something is keeping you from showing up and making the impact in your world, and it has to do with your looks. It is not vain or selfish to do something about it, if it's if, if that thing is keeping you from actually showing up as your whole self to make the impact you so desire to make, the world is missing out. Brad Crowell 22:18  Yeah. Actually, a great example would be braces, or Invisalign, or, you know, even, like surgical, surgery, surgery on your teeth. Like it comes across as, like a crazy expense sometimes, but, you know, night and day difference we, we've had, I've had a really close friend of mine growing up who had surgery in his 20s, and he smiles now, you know. And I remember seeing the difference in him because he never he was no longer judging himself, you know, (inaudible).Lesley Logan 22:19  I watched something where this girl, every time she'd smile, she or laugh out loud, put her hand in front of her mouth, because she doesn't want people to see her teeth and and then, through this one organization, they fixed them. And no one would say that she's being fucking vain. No one would. And because we're now.Brad Crowell 23:12  I mean that was surgery, that was surgery. This subject, we're not necessarily talking about it, but like Invisalign, or braces (inaudible).Lesley Logan 23:18  If it's going to make you smile a little brighter, going back to World Kindness Day and making people feel seen, I would hate for someone to not get the joy from your smile. When people smile at me, I'm like, Oh, hi. Like it just brightens your day, like it snaps you out of the whirlwind that's in your mind. And I just, I was really excited to have her on because I thought it was a really honest conversation about about inner beauty and what we what would make us feel good. And I just don't think there's anything wrong. And I think it's really important you hear this, there is nothing wrong with doing things for yourself that make you feel beautiful. And if you were ever told that focusing on what makes you feel beautiful is wrong. There's some deconstruction and some, I really, when we took my eyelashes, my fake eyelashes off, it was really hard for me. It was extremely hard. I didn't look the same anymore. I had to do a lot of self-talk, but I went to Sephora, literally the next day, I was like, you have to help me. I look like a molten like a mole rat. And that is an actual thing that exists. And yes, I did look like a mole rat, if you look it up, but I she taught me, okay, the best makeup starts with the best skincare for you, she said to me, and that's what Rachel's also talked about, the non surgical approaches. And then the second thing is, by that girl teaching me a couple tricks with makeup, I could show up and do my tour as my whole self in a non-distracted way. Because I was like, Oh, my God, people are gonna be staring at me. Talk about the braces and the weird things. I have no eyelashes. That is not what people are used to seeing. Okay? So, so I just think that, like, I if it's okay, I believe it, because I felt it. I've been there. I've been there when you're like, Oh my God, my face is numb from the dentist. Like, I don't even want to see me. If things like that are keeping you from showing up on a daily basis, you owe it to yourself and the people that you can impact on this world to find some way to fill that natural confidence by taking care of yourself. So that's what I think.Brad Crowell 25:24  All right, awesome. Well, I think we've, we've talked through that pretty exhaustively. Lesley Logan 25:28  I feel good about it. Brad Crowell 25:29  Yeah, stick around. We'll be right back. We have some more tips from Rachel and the Be It Action Items. We'll be right back. Brad Crowell 25:36  Welcome back. Finally, let's talk about those Be It Action Items. What bold, executable, intrinsic or targeted action items can we take away from your convo with Rachel Varga? She said, Hey, high protein and creatine, right? High protein intake, one gram to one and a half grams of protein per pound of body weight. Now, you probably heard Lesley mention this a lot. She definitely is on board with this. She said. Lesley Logan 26:00  It's so hard. Just be kind to yourself. Brad Crowell 26:02  It's hard, but, but, you know, there's, there are ways, and actually, a lot of it had to do with changing the food that we're eating. For example, I had a high protein bagel today, you know. And you know, it was, I don't even know what it was, a lot of protein for a bagel. And so they're, you know, eggs, and all those extra beans.Lesley Logan 26:18  I, we're not sponsored by them. But hi, Owyn, they have a 32 gram protein shake, and it's only what you need. There's nothing weird about it, I'm sure. Like, look, the biohackers would not like that we're talking about processed food, but it takes time to switch your diet around. And if you're trying to do this, it does take time. So pick a meal a day and kind of work your way towards her. But I wanted to say, I fucking love that her, Be It Action Items have nothing to do with like, going to a med spa. Brad Crowell 26:45  Right, to do beauty stuff or whatever. Yeah, I mean, because it's just like your your your Sephora experience, she said the best way to fix your eyelashes is your skincare, right? So the in this case, she's Rachel's talking about high protein and creatine, because when you she started lifting heavy and focusing on high protein, it gave her more inner power activation, and that was great for her skin, right, So that's, that's, that's.Lesley Logan 27:14  And there's tons, ladies who are listening, we have a lot of perimenopausal women. There's a ton of research on doubling up on that creatine.Brad Crowell 27:20  Yeah. And she also talked about collagen, because collagen will also help your skin. If you're watching YouTube, you can laugh along with me.Lesley Logan 27:31  I've been doing collagen since, like, religiously, since 2016 because in 2015 I did a test, and the guy's like, you have no collagen. And then a year later I did the test, he's like, okay, so you you're off the charts in collagen. And I was like, is that a bad thing? Should I, like, slow it down? And he's like, I think you could be okay. And I have not slowed it down.Brad Crowell 27:48  So we've got a call to action for you here if you want to go to theschoolofradiance.com theschoolofradiance.com, you can use a promo code, LesleyLogan15, L-E-S-L-E-Y Logan15 for 15% off one of her membership. She said there's also a free 30-minute biohacking lesson you can get on there that has a checklist, her skincare checklist, and it's available on her site. Lesley Logan 28:11  And also, like, depending on where you live, the seasons change your skincare routine has to as well. Brad Crowell 28:16  Yeah. What about you? Lesley Logan 28:18  Okay, another interesting non-meds related, Be It Action Item, which is just why I love her, right? Like you don't like, it doesn't have to always be like, get this moisturizer. She recommended breath work, specifically during exercise, to keep cortisol down and remain in a parasympathetic rest and digest state, which helps slow aging and collagen loss. So this is what I love, because in the like, people are gonna try to sell you stuff all the time, and this is fucking free. So breathe in for four seconds, hold it for four seconds, exhale for four seconds, and do that four to five times, by the way, it's called Box breathing as well. And she explains that elevated cortisol results in a drop in estrogen. When estrogen falls, collagen, elastin fall too. So you want to breathe, because it's going to help slow your aging down, and that costs $0.Brad Crowell 29:14  Yeah, she said, you two were specifically talking about lifting in the gym. And she said the guys will try to spike their cortisol. And she said, I don't want to do that. Lesley Logan 29:23  Yeah, also, and I know there's and I being a woman today, it's like, what are we listening to? Look, keeping your cortisol down is always going to be a good thing, especially if you're in perimenopause or post it'll help your sleep, which is going to help you age better. But also, when you're doing Pilates, this is something that people struggle with. You got to breathe in and out through your nose, because that keeps you cool. It keeps you calm, it keeps you grounded, keeps that cortisol down, which helps you age slower. I love this. She's coming back because I was like, Oh my God, I didn't even get to all the tools. Like, do I need to buy this? Do you buy this? Do I need to buy this? And she is going to change her life with that. I'll let you know when the episode's coming out, of course, but until next time, I'm Lesley Logan. Brad Crowell 30:08  And I'm Brad Crowell. Lesley Logan 30:08  Share this with a friend who needs to hear it, leave us a review. Tell Rachel Varga how these tips and tools helped you. And until next time, Be It Till You See It. Brad Crowell 30:13  Bye for now. Lesley Logan 30:13  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 30:57  It's written, filmed, and recorded by your host, Lesley Logan, and me, Brad Crowell.Lesley Logan 31:02  It is transcribed, produced and edited by the epic team at Disenyo.co.Brad Crowell 31:06  Our theme music is by Ali at Apex Production Music and our branding by designer and artist, Gianfranco Cioffi.Lesley Logan 31:13  Special thanks to Melissa Solomon for creating our visuals.Brad Crowell 31:16  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.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

in this weeks episode I sat down with my good friend Poppy Danker and have a blast talking about this small down agency and how she has just exploded in growth using social media. Yes you heard that right. Its wild to see!! Ive been watching this agency since the beginning from 500 followers to now over 25k followers and viral videos and the whole thing. its so fun. You just gotta hear this one ...sponsored by :Smart Choice Canopy Connect MAV

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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

In this episode, Keval Shah shares how he scaled his SEO agency, Inbound Pursuit, to over $200K/month using organic content, no ads, no cold outreach. He explains the tactics that helped him grow a 55K+ following on X and how he turns that audience into high-paying e-commerce clients. We also unpack what's working in SEO right now, why top-of-funnel content is dying, how to rank in AI-generated results, and how his team landed $24K in sales directly from ChatGPT. If you want real-world, revenue-focused SEO and marketing strategies, you'll take away a ton of actionable insights from this conversation. Sponsor: 201 Creative Get your FREE GEO Snapshot today! - https://201creative.com/geo-snapshot/?utm_source=niche_pursuits_podcast&utm_medium=audio&utm_campaign=geo_snapshot_launch&utm_content=show_notes Links & ResourcesLearn more about Inbound Pursuit: https://www.inboundpursuit.com/ Keval's X account: https://x.com/seokeval His LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/keval-shah-518089297 Ready to join a niche publishing mastermind, and hear from industry experts each week? Join the Niche Pursuits Community here: https://community.nichepursuits.com Be sure to get more content like this in the Niche Pursuits Newsletter Right Here: https://www.nichepursuits.com/newsletter Want a Faster and Easier Way to Build Internal Links?  Get $15 off Link Whisper with Discount Code "Podcast" on the Checkout Screen: https://www.nichepursuits.com/linkwhisper Get SEO Consulting from the Niche Pursuits Podcast Host, Jared Bauman: https://www.nichepursuits.com/201creative

In Aurora Stewart de Peña's debut novel, Julius Julius, ads are inescapable … which isn't far off from real life. If you ever feel unsettled by the way that marketing influences us, you'll probably resonate with Julius Julius. It's a satirical look at the advertising industry and a finalist for this year's Atwood Gibson Writers' Trust Fiction Prize. Aurora herself is a veteran of the advertising world, so her novel is an insider's point of view through an inventive fictional gaze. This week, Aurora joins Mattea to talk about her own career, finding the absurd in advertising and what blonde sausage dogs have to do with it all.Liked this conversation? Keep listening:Helen Phillips: In a world run by AI, what makes us human? Pasha Malla: Parodying a wellness resort with horror and humour

Sara breaks down the 10 essential questions every small business should ask before hiring a marketing agency, consultant, or fractional CMO. From who owns your marketing assets to how results are measured, Sara shares hard-won lessons from 16+ years helping businesses avoid costly mistakes. Learn how to spot red flags, demand transparency, and build a partnership based on strategy—not secrecy. Perfect for anyone ready to own their marketing and stop getting trapped in bad contracts. Today we discussed: 00:00:00 Introduction 00:02:50 Why Marketing Is Hard 00:04:26 10 Questions Overview 00:05:14 Question 1: Asset Ownership 00:07:20 Question 2: Measuring Success 00:09:11 Question 3: Strategy Alignment 00:11:09 Question 4: Contract Terms 00:12:11 Question 6: Reporting Standards 00:12:23 Question 5: Team Interaction 00:13:04 Question 7: AI Integration 00:15:12 Question 8: Keep Your Team Involved 00:17:48 Question 10: What You'll Learn Rate, Review, & Follow If you liked this episode, please rate and review the show. Let us know what you loved most about the episode. Struggling with strategy? Unlock your free AI-powered prompts now and start building a winning strategy today!

Another engaging riff with David Storey, Boston College philosophy professor and Spartan Race athlete. This time I take center stage. We explore why Americans are collectively depressed, why Democrats ignore power politics, why turning off phones and turning toward each other feels great, and how all of this is related. I make a case for phone-free schools. Dave helps me see even bigger benefits.We get political. We get personal. We refuse to give advice or answer the question, "What should the average person do?" **Key takeaways**11:00 Feeling bottled up? Recapture the oomph and lock arms with others15:00 The Tit-for-Tat strategy from the Prisoner's Dilemma21:00 Reclaiming power. "Don't step on me."23:00 Two reasons Democrats get complacent about power politics28:00 Want advice on what to do? Instead, ask yourself these four questions32:00 Conscious phone use through PSAs and intentional points of friction35:00 It's time to make public spaces public again38:00 Stricter phone policies in schools free teachers to teach, not police41:00 Adults exerting their agency. "Trust your moral compass."45:00 Moving beyond the hyper-individualistic story of America47:00 Laughter is something we create together**Resources**David's web site, including his podcast, Wisdom@Work**Subscribe to the podcast**To hear the origin stories of more big ideas, subscribe to How My View Grew on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts.**Share the love**Leave me a rating or review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts.

Databox is an easy-to-use Analytics Platform for growing businesses. We make it easy to centralize and view your entire company's marketing, sales, revenue, and product data in one place, so you always know how you're performing. Learn More About DataboxSubscribe to our newsletter for episode summaries, benchmark data, and moreWhat if the secret to hitting your sales targets isn't hiring more reps – but adjusting just three levers?In this episode, we sit down with Dougie Loan, Chief Revenue Officer at SourceWhale, to break down the simple but powerful sales planning formula that's reshaped how his team forecasts growth. Spoiler: It has nothing to do with throwing more headcount at the problem.Dougie walks through how his team shifted from boardroom wishful thinking to a data-driven forecasting model built on three core metrics: Qualified Held Meetings, Close Rate, and Average Deal Value. You'll hear how they use this model to build annual plans, set realistic targets, coach reps, align marketing and sales, and even decide where to invest R&D dollars.Watch the full interview to learn how Dougie:- Replaced headcount-based forecasting with a repeatable, lever-driven model- Redefined what actually counts as a qualified opportunity- Aligns marketing and sales teams around shared revenue metrics- Profiles churned vs. retained customers to refine their ICP- Uses CS adoption scoring to drive renewals and upsell strategy

Today I'm joined by Neil K. Carroll, founder of vidwheel, who took the long way out of corporate: video agency → higher-ed job → rebuilding as a lean solo business.Neil shares how a simple testimonial project for a startup turned into something much bigger—a repeatable, productized service that helps founders uncover the stories and insights hidden inside their customer relationships.If you're stuck in corporate and wondering what you would even sell, this episode will help you see the path: start with what you already know, listen for the real problem, and bet on yourself.What You'll LearnNeil's escape path: agency burnout → COVID pivots → higher-ed → soloThe “Root Thread” deep testimonial approach and why it delivers strategic customer insightHow to productize what you already do without boxing yourself inWhy referrals and local networks are enough for a one-person businessHow Neil priced his offer and why undercharging early is part of the processThe 4 levers every offer should hit: save time, save money, make money, reduce riskWhy betting on yourself beats betting on corporate stabilityKey TakeawaysYour corporate title doesn't matter—your ability to solve problems doesProductized services make selling and delivery easierCustomer conversations reveal the real value you offerSolopreneurs don't need 100 clients—you need a few right-fit onesYou can always go back to corporate… but very few people want to once they leaveAbout Neil K. CarrollNeil is the founder of vidwheel, helping startups and small businesses capture deep customer stories through Root Thread testimonial interviews and his hardware-enabled Mini Studio (VidKit 3).He combines interviewing skill, remote production, and AI-assisted analysis to help companies extract messaging, proof, and product insight directly from their customers.Connect with Neil:LinkedIn: Neil K. CarrollWebsite: vidwheel.com

On this episode of America at Night with Rich Valdés, former U.S. Capitol Police Chief Steven Sund breaks down new revelations in the January 6th pipe bomber investigation, raising questions about whether it could have been an inside job. Then, retired Air Force Brigadier General Blaine Holt joins to discuss Kazakhstan joining the Abraham Accords, the latest developments in Ukraine, and share a heartfelt Veterans Day message honoring America's heroes. Finally, filmmaker Michael Pack, director of The Last 600 Meters and former CEO of the U.S. Agency for Global Media, reflects on lessons from past wars and the enduring courage of veterans as new conflicts emerge across the Middle East. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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The Alan Cox Show

Double Tap Episode 435 This episode of Double Tap is brought to you by: Night Fision, Blue Alpha, Die Free Co., Second Call Defense, Mitchell Defense, and Swampfox Optics   Welcome to Double Tap, episode 435! Your hosts tonight are Jeremy Pozderac, Aaron Krieger, Nick Lynch, and me Shawn Herrin, welcome to the show! Agency 171 Jeremy - Future operatives, tonight, We speak to you from the hidden vaults of a legacy long whispered but never fully revealed. For years, our loyal listeners have stood with us in what we called "the cult," a bond forged in fire and fun. But the time has come to shed that skin and ascend to something deeper, something etched in the crimson ink of history. Nick - Welcome to Agency 171, a clandestine brotherhood born in the aftermath of our nation's founding, dedicated to the unyielding defense of liberty against those who seek to divide and disarm. No more mere cultists; you are now Operatives, rising through the ranks from Recruit to Director in the Covert Conclave. Your pledge isn't just support—it's an oath, unlocking exclusive intel, relics like the Loyalty Coin, and the power to strike back at tyranny. Savage - The old cult is nullified. Agency 171 is the future, step into the shadows. The Mandate watches, but we endure. Isn't it interesting how much the number 171 comes up in daily life? You'll see it everywhere—a sign, a call, your destiny. Lock and load, Operatives. The Agency awaits. Shawn - This is our new listener support program. Everyone who is a cult member will be migrated automatically tomorrow morning. You don't need to do anything except check your email (check spam). You'll get an email with details and you can take a look at the rewards and upgrade if you'd like. Way more rewards, way more fun and has so much more coming. There is even a game with all the cast and YOU as the main character. There will be missions (describe missions) with prizes as well. I have big plans for this and can't wait for what's to come.  After this week, after giving everyone a chance to upgrade, I'm giving away a gun to a random operative. I have many to get rid of and the Agency is where it'll be happening.   Agency 171 is a fictional secret society created as a fun rebrand for the "We Like Shooting" podcast's listener support model. In the lore, it's a clandestine organization founded in the early 1800s (post-1789) to defend absolute 2A rights against the Mandate for Divisive Action (MDA), a made-up deep-state cabal that promotes gun control. Listeners "join" as Operatives through monthly pledges (from Recruit at $5 to Director at $60+), unlocking exclusive perks like bonus content, merch (e.g., stickers, coins), and community access in the Vault. It's all for entertainment—support the show, get in on the mystery, and fight "tyranny" with humor and gear.   Dear WLS Spenser F - Looking to get a century arms mp5sd. Wondering what can you guys would recommend that would fit under the 1.5" handguard and still be super quiet? I was going to go with the bowers vers 9 but it's diameter is 1.7. Thanks Lenny W - You guys ever think about doing a section about what's new in 3D prints in the gun world every week? Alex W - Hey y'all. I've heard a lot of stories about fish and game cops trying to jail people over defensive wildlife shootings. I was wondering if that was something 2nd call defense would help with or if they only deal with cases involving human assailants? NightWasher513 Tx - Let me first say that finding this page without manually typing in the words “dashboard “. And if you look at the transcript to get the right link on Double Tap 425 it says the link is wedelikeshooting.comdashboard. Yeah that doesn't exactly work. But anyway, my two part question is. If you 3rd print a MAC 11 and design your own pistol brace, could the ATF say that's a stock not a brace? And could you even SBR your own custom built rifle? Last question,