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God Empowers the Weak (1)  (audio) David Eells, 9/6/26 To all those who have struggled to please the Lord and do His Will, I want to share with you some good news. It will be a rest and refreshing, a casting down of the burden of salvation, in all its many facets, by self-works. It is not in ourselves to do these things but in Him. Personal strength and determination will not be enough. As a matter of fact, it will get in our way and His. He will wait until we give up so that He may give the free gift through faith that He also supplies. So, ask for faith. Gideon was faced with an army that was “like locusts for multitude.” He gathered together all the manpower at his disposal. All of this human strength stood in the Lord's way of doing a miracle for His glory. Man would certainly take the credit, and then others would not see the true source of our physical and spiritual salvation. (Jdg.7:2) And the Lord said unto Gideon, The people that are with thee are too many for me to give the Midianites into their hand, lest Israel vaunt themselves against me, saying, Mine own hand hath saved me. At this point, the Lord proceeded to choose only 300 men and then gave them trumpets for weapons. In the natural, there was none weaker than this army. Now the Lord could show that His “power is made perfect in weakness.” And what of David, who was naturally the youngest, smallest and weakest of Jesse's sons? When Samuel anointed him with the power of the Spirit, he went on to slay Goliath with a sling in the very next chapter. How often is this scenario repeated through the Scriptures so that we might know that weakness is a true strength when it qualifies us for the Lord's power. We should refuse to size up the opposition, knowing that when the “odds” are against us, they are in our favor. Our victory is assured by the fact that it was accomplished already at the cross. Each of us needs to become as a child because we can walk with the Lord if we become as a child. The thing about grownups is they're self-confident, self-sufficient, and self-dependent. The world thinks of those traits as being positive, but in the Kingdom, God does not consider it that way. The Lord says the only way you can enter into the Kingdom is to be a child. Jesus said, “suffer the little children to come unto me; forbid them not: for to such belongeth the kingdom of God (Mar.10:14). Forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God, is what it said in the original. Of such is the kingdom of God. (15) Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, he shall in no wise enter therein. (16) And he took them in his arms, and blessed them, laying his hands upon them.” Now we tend to think of the Kingdom as someplace that we're going to so that we can enter into it, but actually we're entering into the Kingdom here on Earth. In reality, the Kingdom is to be every place in your life. The kingdom of God is within you (Luk.17:21), Jesus said. The Kingdom is every place in your life where God is able to rule, where He is King. God is not able to rule until you're in agreement with Him. To be a child is to be confident in your Father, not self-confident. It's to be dependent upon your Father, not self-dependent. This is valuable to God. As He said, “my righteous one shall live by (“from” in the Numeric) faith: And if he shrink back, my soul hath no pleasure in him” (Heb.10:38). What pleases God is that we live from faith, that we do not live from our self-confidence, or our self-sufficiency, or our own ability, or the strength of the arm of the flesh, but that we put our trust in God and walk with Him like a little child walks with his father. In other words, there's no other way to enter into the Kingdom. We must give up being grownups. We must become as children. In order for God to be able to rule everywhere in our lives, we have to become as children.  (Mat.18:1) In that hour came the disciples unto Jesus, saying, Who then is greatest in the kingdom of heaven? (2) And he called to him a little child, and set him in the midst of them, (3) and said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye turn and become as little children, ye shall in no wise enter into the kingdom of heaven. And these were His disciples that He was speaking to. These were not the lost Pharisees; these were the disciples of Jesus, those who were learning and following Him. He said you will not enter in unless you turn and become as little children. The process of the Christian life is this process of turning and becoming as little children and becoming God-dependent, God-sufficient and God-confident. (Mat.18:4) Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. (5) And whoso shall receive one such little child in my name receiveth me.  You see, Jesus was a little child. That's Who He was. He says, if you receive one of these little children, you receive Me. That's somebody who's in My likeness; you receive Me. He was a child. He really was. He wasn't a grown-up in the ways of the world, in the ways of confidence in the world, the strength of the world. Grown-ups are known for making their own way, making their own living, being self-sufficient, being great providers, but the Lord wants to wash all that out of us. He wants us to put all of our confidence and our trust in Him and become as little children. If you receive one such little child, you receive Jesus. That's the way He was. He was confident in His Lord. I'll tell you, the best way we can help ourselves is by walking by faith in God's Word. You've probably heard the old saying that “God helps those who help themselves,” but that's not found in the Bible. That saying is credited to Benjamin Franklin in his Poor Richard's Almanack. No, the best way to help yourself is walking in faith in God's Word.  (Rom.14:22) The faith which thou hast, have thou to thyself before God. That's what the Bible says. You can help yourself. You can help yourself to everything that God has for you through faith in His Word. (Luk.10:21) In that same hour he rejoiced in the Holy Spirit, and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that thou didst hide these things from the wise and understanding, and didst reveal them unto babes: yea, Father; for so it was well-pleasing in thy sight. What was He talking about? Reveal what things to the babes? Well, the disciples had just come back from being sent out by the Lord to take authority over the works of the devil. They came back rejoicing that God had given them authority over the power of the devil and that they had done the works of Jesus, and they saw that the spirits were subject unto them. But why did Jesus call them babes? Well, it was babes who received this revelation of the authority of Jesus, and it was babes who received this revelation of how to use the authority of Jesus. Let's back up a little in this chapter. (Luk.10:3) Go your ways; behold, I send you forth as lambs in the midst of wolves. (4) Carry no purse, no wallet, no shoes; and salute no man on the way. So we see they were babes because Jesus sent them out totally dependent upon the Lord.  (5) And into whatsoever house ye shall enter, first say, Peace [be] to this house. (6) And if a son of peace be there, your peace shall rest upon him: but if not, it shall turn to you again. And so he said, “salute no man on the way,” because you really don't know people, but you find out later who people are. We're going to find out before the end of the tribulation who people really are and who His children are.  God sent these disciples out as children, as totally dependent upon the Lord, not self-sufficient, not able to take care of themselves. He deliberately took away their ability to take care of themselves when He sent them by not letting them take any kind of insurance with them. The only thing they took was His assurance because He said, “the laborer is worthy of his hire” (Luk.10:7), meaning that if you just go, God will always pay His workers. You don't have to worry about it. God is that way. He wants us to go without our own sufficiency or our own insurance so that we can see His provision on the way. I really, truthfully believe that Jesus never changed this way of sending out people. Many times, if God says, “Go,” you may go. It doesn't matter if you have the wherewithal to do this. If God says, “Go,” you may go. He will never fail you. He will meet you on the way. He's done it many, many times with me when He said, “Go,” and I've noticed, “But, God, I don't have this” or “I don't have gas” or “I don't have money.” But God doesn't take “no” for an answer. If He says, “Go,” you can go because He will be there. He'll put gas in your car. He's done it to me several times. Or He'll make it run without gas. He's done that, too. Or He'll put money in your pocket somehow or another. He'll do it. Or He'll make your money stretch. He can surely multiply it. He can do all things. He'll have you meet up with people whom He has put there specifically to supply your needs, if you go by faith and be obedient to Him. If you go as a child, just trusting in your Father.  In America, there are far too few children. Everybody in America seems grown-up. Everybody in America wants to insulate themselves against anything that could happen, as though they don't believe in a sovereign God. The Bible says, “A man can receive nothing, except it have been given him from heaven” (Joh.3:27). God, Who is Sovereign, will make sure that He blesses you if you go by faith in Him. Believe me, the time is coming when everybody will have to go by faith in God because He's going to take away all the things that people have insured and insulated themselves with from the things that might happen in the world. But God is God. He never goes to sleep. He's never fallen off the throne. He's there always. He is going to make sure that His Word comes true. And we can be just like little children. We can cast ourselves on His mercy.  Children never even think about where the next meal is going to come from. Little children don't worry about those things; they just know that it's Momma and Daddy's responsibility; they'll take care of that. And you know, that's the way God is with us. He wants that kind of relationship with us. God's not happy with anything less. (Heb.10:38) My righteous one shall live from faith: And if he shrink back, my soul hath no pleasure in him. God doesn't have pleasure in self-sufficient people. He has pleasure in people who walk by faith, talk by faith, live by faith. And it is a pleasure to live by faith. I don't yet know all of what living by faith is; God's only shown me the little parts that He's shown me, but I would love to live by faith in every direction. Some directions I've never even thought about, and other people will come and say, “Oh, did you try this?” For example, a sister in the Lord once told me that she and some other people just picked up some instruments and started playing them by faith, and pretty soon they got better and better at it. They were surprised at how God blessed them. Well, that led us to pray over our children, Nathan and Jennifer, by faith, and God answered that prayer. I tell you, it was just the very next week after that when they started playing music, picking it up quite naturally, by ear. So there isn't anything God won't do for those who put their trust in Him.  There is nothing that God can't do and won't do for those who put their trust in Him. I believe this is the reason that He said He revealed these things unto babes. God reveals the authority of God and God reveals the power of His name to people who will become children, people who will cast care to the wind and put themselves in His Hands, just trusting in Him, believing in Him. (Eph.3:20) God is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think. God loves it when we are weak, but we don't see it that way. We like to be strong, and we do our best to make sure that we're strong in every situation that we can get in. As I said, we do our best to insulate ourselves from any possible mishap, but that doesn't please God. It doesn't please God that we put our trust in the gods of this world, the saviors of this world. The apostle Paul learned that lesson. He was caught up to paradise and he said, “On behalf of such a one (the man who was caught up to paradise) will I glory: but on mine own behalf I will not glory, save in my weaknesses” (2Co.12:5). The King James Version translates that word “weaknesses” there as “infirmities” because they had the idea that the apostle Paul had some kind of sickness or infirmities, but a closer look at this reveals that's not the case at all. Those translators believed the apostle Paul had an eye disease or something like that and that God said, “my grace is sufficient for thee” (2Co.12:9), meaning, “You just keep that because you need that; you need that to be an overcomer; you need that to humble you.” But obviously that would be contrary to a lot of the rest of the Word. The Bible says, “by whose stripes ye were healed” (1Pe.2:24). It doesn't say that we're healed only when we really need it, and it doesn't say that we're healed only sometimes. You were healed all the time. Let's read on. (2Co.12:6) For if I should desire to glory, I shall not be foolish; for I shall speak the truth: but I forebear, lest any man should account of me above that which he seeth me [to be,] or heareth from me. (7) And by reason of the exceeding greatness of the revelations, that I should not be exalted overmuch, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to buffet me, that I should not be exalted overmuch. So we see that he said what the “thorn in the flesh” was. He said it was a messenger of Satan, an angelos. The word there is angelos, which is translated 181 times in the New Testament as “angel” and the other few times as “messenger,” but it means the same thing. It's the same Greek word, angelos. Here was an angel of Satan that was sent to buffet Paul so that he wouldn't be proud. Paul didn't say it was a sickness that was sent to buffet him. And, by the way, to “buffet” is not just one blow, like a sickness. It's to beat over and over and over. It's many blows. That's what buffet means. But a thorn in the flesh, in this case, was an angel of Satan that was sent to buffet Paul. In the Old Testament, for every verse that talks about a thorn in the flesh, never, not once, is it ever a sickness. It was always referring to the enemies of God's people that came against them, and in this case it's the same thing. An angel of Satan was sent to buffet Paul so he wouldn't “be exalted overmuch.” (2Co.12:8) Concerning this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. (9) And he hath said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for [my] power is made perfect in weakness. The King James here has that this word is “weakness,” but this word and the word up in verse five are the same Greek word, so one of them can't be “infirmity” and the other one “weakness.” Both of them have to be the same thing, and the truth is they are, because using the same Greek word in talking about Jesus, the Bible says, “for he was crucified through weakness” (2Co.13:4).  Now, nobody would have put “infirmity” there. Jesus wasn't crucified through infirmity, so they had to put the truth there and the King James did use “weakness” in that case. (4) For he was crucified through weakness, yet he liveth through the power of God. For we also are weak in him, but we shall live with him through the power of God toward you. See, when you are weak in Christ, you're going to live through the power of God. It's when you are not able. It's being weak in ability to save yourself, being weak in ability to deliver yourself, being weak in ability to heal yourself. He says when you're in that condition, then God's power is going to be with you. This is the same thing Paul said back in 2 Corinthians 12:9. I'm pointing out this verse because in the King James they used the word “weakness” here and it could not possibly be put in as “infirmity” because we can't read anywhere in the Scriptures that Jesus was infirm, nor was He crucified because He was infirm. Now, that's the same word that's being used over here and over in 2 Corinthians 12:9. He said, “My grace is sufficient for thee: for [my] power is made perfect in weakness.” You know, if we will be weak as a little child, God's power will be there. Most often, God's power is not there because we refuse to be weak. We want to be strong in a circumstance. We see what we think needs to be done and we run to do it, and we are not ceasing from our works. We are not entering into the Sabbath (Hebrews 4:11). We're not refusing to be strong. If we will refuse to be strong and we will put our trust in God, we will see His power there every time.  This reminds me of a vision I had years ago, in which Mary and I were sitting in some lawn chairs in front of our house in Louisiana. While we were sitting there, we saw this power line hanging from pole to pole. The strange thing about it, as we were looking at this and studying it, was that the power line was almost touching the ground in the middle because it was sagging so badly. And while we were watching that, a tornado came over that power line and sucked us up out of our chairs. Then the vision changed, and I feel like we were over in Florida, and the Lord was showing us something about our ministry over there. But what He showed me about that always stuck with me. As we were sitting there, ceasing from our works and resting in lawn chairs, watching the power of man come to an end (that's the power lines), as we watched the power of man come to an end, then the power of God took over. Man's extremity is God's opportunity. God's not ready to move until we cease from our works because we have faith. Every time you have faith, you can stop; you can cease from your work, you can cease from your struggling; you can cease from trying to save yourself because the Bible says you are saved. It doesn't say He will save you. If it said that, you'd wonder what method He wanted to use, but since His method is past tense and you believe it, you have to stop; you have to cease. And so God's power is made perfect in our weakness.  Paul said, “most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my weaknesses (not “infirmities” because it's the exact same Greek word), that the power of Christ may rest upon me” (2Co.12:9). Glory in our weaknesses so that the power of Christ may rest upon us. That's the way a child is. They have all the power of Daddy because he is the provider, he is the deliverer, he is the savior. He takes care of it all, and they don't think it should be any other way, and we should be that way, too. We've been trained up to think otherwise, to be grownups, but you know, we shouldn't be thinking in any other terms than what a child thinks. This is the way God wants it.  Well, I think that we can see by now that the ‘verse,' “God helps those who help themselves,” is not Godly at all; it's antichrist. It will never allow you to enter into the power of God. It will never allow the Spirit and the power of Christ to rest upon you. So Paul says he glories in his weaknesses so that the power of Christ may rest upon him. (2Co.12:10) … I take pleasure in weaknesses…. King James says “infirmities.” Nobody takes pleasure in infirmities. That's ridiculous. The word here is the same Greek word again; it's “weakness.” Yes, we take pleasure in weaknesses. It's great to be weak. It's great to not have the ability to deliver yourself because then you get to see the miracle of God. And he went on to say, in “injuries,” or actually the word there is “insults,” according to the ancient manuscripts and the Received Text and several others; it's “insults,” not necessarily “injuries.” You don't take pleasure in injuries, but “in insults, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong” (2Co.12:10). Now, what was this buffeting that this angel sent his way, this angel of Satan? Some people say there are no such things as angels of Satan. You know that the demons are angels. Some people say the demons are not angels, but no, that's not what the Bible says. The demons are the angels of Satan, so just forget about that theology. Don't believe that and don't go down that road because it's wrong. Michael and his angels fought with Satan and his angels (Revelation 12:7), the Bible says. Demons are all fallen angels. That's where they came from. They are the fallen angels, the non-elect angels. So what is this buffeting? What are these many different blows that the angel of Satan brought Paul's way in order to make him weak, and bring him into a position of weakness? Well, Paul gives a list of them. (2Co.11:21) I speak by way of disparagement, as though we had been weak. Yet whereinsoever any is bold (I speak in foolishness), I am bold also. (22) Are they Hebrews? so am I. Are they Israelites? so am I. Are they the seed of Abraham? so am I. (23) Are they ministers of Christ? (I speak as one beside himself) I more; in labors more abundantly, in prisons more abundantly, in stripes above measure, in deaths oft. He's talking about the places where he was weak to save himself. You know, when we get into places where we don't see any possibility of saving ourselves, that's wonderful because we get to see the power of God. If we walk by faith in those places, then we get to see the miracles of God. That's what God wants to teach us. He brings us into those places. Remember, God was the One Who sent this angel of Satan to humble Paul.  Why do we need humbling? We need humbling because we're grown-ups and we need to become children. We need to not be self-sufficient; we need to be God-sufficient. We need to be trusting in our Lord because His promises are there to save us in all these situations. So God brings us into these places, and Satan's angel brings us into these places where we're weak, where we need the power of God. If we will be weak, we will see the power of God. Many times we want to look for man's help, man's way, man's wisdom.  Let's continue reading Paul's list. (2Co.11:24) Of the Jews five times received I forty [stripes] save one. (25) Thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day have I been in the deep; (26) [in] journeyings often, [in] perils of rivers, [in] perils of robbers, [in] perils from [my] countrymen, [in] perils from the Gentiles, [in] perils in the city, [in] perils in the wilderness, [in] perils in the sea, [in] perils among false brethren; (27) [in] labor and travail, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness. He was in all these places in order to be weak so he could see the power of God. God put him in those places, like He brought the Israelites into those places in the wilderness so that they could see the power of God. Being weak is not a time to be anxious or worried; it's a time when you should expect to see the power of God. It's God's purpose to bring us to weakness so we can see His power. This is His plan. Don't ever be cast down because of what you see, because what you see is these places that make you weak. It's God's plan for you when you get into these places that you put your trust in Him and that you see His power. This is the place where God's power rests upon you. This place of weakness, the place of your own inability to save yourself or deliver yourself, is the place you can look for the promise of God and trust in God.  Paul went on, “besides those things that are without, there is that which presseth upon me daily, anxiety for all the churches (2Co.11:28). (29) Who is weak (that's the word “weak”), and I am not weak? who is caused to stumble, and I burn not? (30) If I must needs glory, I will glory of the things that concern my weakness.” That's another place that the King James calls it “infirmity.” It's the same word! In the same text, if a word is translated one way in one part of the text and another way in another part of the text, that is dishonest. That is deceiving; it's wrong. It either has to be one or the other. If you look at this word in other parts of the Bible, the conclusion is that it's talking about weakness, not infirmity. Thank God for the places that He brings us to where we're weak! That's the only place we ever see miracles. Do you realize that? It's the only place we ever see miracles, and yet that is the place we're most tempted to throw up our hands and be anxious or worried or troubled. That is the place where all miracles are given, right there, in a place of weakness, the place where you're unable. Now, if you have the mind of a child and you get in that place, you just expect Father to take over from then on. This is something that He normally does. God normally supplies your need, like in the teaching Jesus gave about the birds and the flowers. He said they don't labor and they don't toil to clothe and to feed themselves (Matthew 6:26,28). You mean, the Lord is saying you don't have to work to bring about this clothing and feeding? You don't have to toil? That's exactly what He said. Go back and read it. It's so clear. That's exactly what He said. He knew that you'd get yourself in a situation, and He even ordained these situations to come, where you wouldn't be able to provide for yourself. And He said, “are not two sparrows sold for a penny? and not one of them shall fall on the ground without your Father (Mat.10:29). (30) But the very hairs on your head are all numbered. (31) Fear not therefore: ye are of more value than many sparrows.” Look, not even a hair falls out of your head; can you imagine that God doesn't know it?! He knows us so intimately that not one hair can fall out of your head without Him knowing it. I mean, your hairs are always falling out and growing back. How can He number the hairs of your head? That is an intimate God Who can number the hairs of your head. He knows a lot, so how could we possibly get into a situation that He doesn't know about and hasn't planned for? He is our Jehovah-Jireh, the Lord our Provider. (Php.4:19) And my God shall supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. You can't get so far out that God can't reach you. You can't get in so impossible a situation that He can't take care of it. He can pay your taxes out of a fish's mouth (Matthew 17:27). He can do anything. Think about some of the things that God has done in the Scriptures, and He really did do them. He stopped the solar system for a day so Joshua could defeat his enemies. God can do anything. And, you know what? The great thing about it is He's “the same yesterday, and to-day, [yea] and for ever” (Heb.13:8). He is the same. He will still do anything to meet your needs if you will be weak and have faith. Be weak and have faith. Now, the time when you ought to have faith is when you're weak, because God doesn't need to meet your needs when you don't have any. You don't need a miracle until you need a miracle. Don't think that you can avoid a trial of your faith by receiving the miracle before you need it. No. God tries your faith. The miracle doesn't come till the miracle's needed. Trust in Him between here and there because He will be there. He will do what you need. Be confident in Him. Be children in Him. This is what we need to learn, and it's not an easy lesson. It demands the death of self, but religion has trained us up with the mind of the beast because religion has taught that God helps those who help themselves and it trains us to take care of these situations. Religion trains us to trust in the arm of the flesh. They even changed God into a god which He has never been so that they can trust in the arm of the flesh. “Now God does it this way,” they say, as if Jesus doesn't heal the same way He always healed, by laying hands on the sick or by speaking the word of faith. He's always healed that way and He still does. But you see, they've changed God so that you can trust in the arm of the flesh, so that you can be strong. You can run out and get the strength of the world, make your alliances with the world, get your insurance from the world. They'll change God and go to any extent to let the flesh live. But we have to become as a child; otherwise, Jesus says, you're not entering into the Kingdom of Heaven (Luke 18:17). The Kingdom of Heaven is where God rules, God reigns, God saves, God delivers. He hasn't changed. Man has attempted to change Him.  God put us here in this weak position. He planned for us always to be in a weak position, so that He could be our Savior. (2Co.4:7) But we have this treasure (the treasure Paul is talking about is the light of the knowledge of the glory of God) in earthen vessels, that the exceeding greatness of the power may be of God, and not from ourselves. God put this treasure, this knowledge of God, in such a weak vessel so that when anything happened, it would have to bring glory to Him and not to us. He could have put us in a strong vessel. He could have put us in a very knowledgeable, very wise, very strong, very healthy vessel, and we wouldn't have needed His help. He wouldn't have needed to be God, would He? We would have been our own gods.  If we watch all the children's superhero shows, we'll notice the thing that's super about them is they're their own gods. They do what they want. They are able. That's not what God ever wanted. God didn't choose us because we are able. He chose us because we're not able. He wanted to give us His ability freely through grace, and that's unmerited. You can't earn it; you can't pay for it. He wanted to give it to us freely. When you get yourself in an impossible situation, think about it. God put you there and He put you there so that you could see how great He is. So God put this wonderful treasure in a very weak earthen vessel. (2Co.4:8) We are pressed on every side, yet not straitened; perplexed, yet not unto despair; (9) pursued, yet not forsaken; smitten down, yet not destroyed; (10) always bearing about in the body the dying of Jesus (which is the death of self), so that the life also of Jesus may be manifested in our body. God wants Jesus to live through us, but we have to be weak for Him to do that. The power of Christ will rest upon those who are weak. We're powerful only because we have faith in God. We can do all things through Christ who strengthens us (Philippians 4:13) but He doesn't strengthen until you're weak, you see. We have to cease before He will start. We have to keep the Sabbath and cease from our works and enter into His works through faith. God not only put us in a world that's bigger than us and with an enemy that was a lot bigger than us; He put us in a vessel that was weak to begin with, so that when the salvation came, we would also know it was from Him and not from ourselves. We think we're so great and we've been trained to be self-sufficient. Mommas and daddies train up their children to be self-sufficient. That's not what God wants. He wants a child. He's always chosen the weak (1 Corinthians 26-29). He's never chosen the strong and this gives you hope. This gives you hope that when you get in impossible situations, God planned for you to be there so that He could show you His power, His deliverance, and His salvation. This is God's plan. It's been His plan from the beginning and He's done it over and over. (Deu.7:6) For thou art a holy people unto the Lord thy God: the Lord thy God hath chosen thee to be a people for his own possession, above all peoples that are upon the face of the earth. And did you know that God still does that? God has still chosen you above all the peoples upon the face of the earth. Did you know that? If He chose you, He chose you above someone else, but He didn't choose you because you're wiser or smarter or more able or mighty, because “not many mighty, not many noble, [are called]” (1Co.1:26). God chose the weak. God called the weak “above all peoples that are upon the face of the earth.” (Deu.7:7) The Lord did not set his love upon you, nor choose you, because ye were more in number than any people; for ye were the fewest of all peoples. And it's still that way, isn't it? God chose “the fewest of all peoples.” Why did He do that? Certainly, if He was fighting battles with all the Canaanites, He would want the greatest number, wouldn't He? No, because when the battle was won, He didn't want anybody to say, “Look what we did!” And when the battle is won in our lives, He doesn't want anybody to be able to say, “Look what we did!” “Look how powerful we are!” “Look how wise we are!” Or “Oh, we were smart enough to follow God.” You know, all these things that people could say. No. God said He didn't choose us because we were the mightiest but because we were the fewest. It's still that way today. The true Christians are few. Don't think that the Christians in this country are the many. What do they call them? The “moral majority.” That is just totally ridiculous! For proof of that, look at the people we have in elected office. If there was a moral majority, believe me, you would always have a government that was moral and good because that's the way democracy works. There's no moral majority. Never was.  God chose us because we were the fewest of all peoples. (Deu.7:8) But because the Lord loveth you, and because he would keep the oath which he swear unto your fathers, hath the Lord brought you out with a mighty hand, and redeemed you out of the house of bondage, and from the hand of Pharaoh king of Egypt. (17) If thou shalt say in thy heart, These nations are more than I; how can I dispossess them? (18) thou shalt not be afraid of them: thou shalt well remember what the Lord thy God did unto Pharaoh, and unto all Egypt; (19) the great trials which thine eyes saw, and the signs, and the wonders, and the mighty hand, and the outstretched arm, whereby the Lord thy God brought thee out: so shall the Lord thy God do unto all the peoples of whom thou art afraid. And so shall the Lord thy God do to all of the curse that you come against, and to all of the flesh that you have to conquer, and to all the principalities and powers that you have to conquer. They are made strong, and you are made weak for a purpose, so that you can see the power of God move against them.  We never need to count on our own strength. David did that and brought a curse on Israel (2 Samuel 24; 1 Chronicles 21). He counted the people of Israel and brought a curse on them because God sent a pestilence that killed 70,000 men, just so David couldn't count on his own strength (2 Samuel 24:15; 1 Chronicles 21:14). When you count on your strength, look out because you have trouble coming. God's going to humble you. God's in the humbling process with us. He wants to deliver us from trusting in the arm of the flesh. You know, in almost every battle that Israel won, they were outnumbered. Isn't it amazing that God demanded that they be outnumbered before He would give them the victory? For example, in Judges we're told that the Israelites had an army coming against them that the Bible says were as the sands of the sea for multitude (Judges 7:12). The Midianites, the Amalekites and the children of the east were coming against them, and all the men of Israel who could be gathered together weren't enough to do the job and they knew it. At first they were counting on their own ability and the numbers they had, but they were ridiculously outnumbered. (Jdg.7:2) And the Lord said unto Gideon, The people that are with thee are too many for me to give the Midianites into their hand, lest Israel vaunt themselves against me, saying, Mine own hand hath saved me. Now therefore proclaim in the ears of the people, saying, Whosoever is fearful and trembling, let him return and depart from mount Gilead. And there returned of the people twenty and two thousand; and there remained ten thousand. Well, that was just the beginning of God whittling down the people and those people who are fearful will not be the ones who have the victory over the enemy. Being weak is one thing, but being fearful is quite another. Being fearful is not trusting in the power that God has given us to come against our enemy. Being fearful is judging by your own ability. It's looking at your own ability or your own inability, but that's where God is putting us on purpose. This is God's plan to put us in a position of weakness, to make our enemy look big. He sent the Israelites into a promised land where the enemies were giants, and they were vastly outnumbered. It was God's plan for it to look like an unfair contest. In every trial that we go into, it's going to look that way so that when we get the victory, we know it's God's power, not our own.  If you're thinking, “Yeah, but God chose Gideon, a great man of valor, to bring this about.” Well, let's go back and look at Gideon. (Jdg.6:12) The angel of the Lord appeared unto him, and said unto him, The Lord is with thee, thou mighty man of valor. The Lord tells you the same thing. He's with you. His authority is behind you whenever you walk for Him. Whatever we do, we do in the Name, representing Him. His power and His authority are behind us when we act on the Word. (Jdg.6:13) And Gideon said unto him, Oh, my lord, if the Lord is with us, why then is all this befallen us? and where are all his wondrous works which our fathers told us of, saying, Did not the Lord bring us up from Egypt? but now the Lord hath cast us off, and delivered us into the hand of Midian.  Have you ever thought, “Where are the mighty works of God?” Well, I'll tell you where they are. They're waiting on people to be weak. If people won't be weak, they won't see them. As long as we're strong to save ourselves, we don't need God. There's no faith involved in that. So now Israel had just gotten itself into a position of weakness, and do you know what? God chose just as weak a man to lead them. (Jdg.6:14) The Lord looked upon him, and said, Go in this thy might, and save Israel from the hand of Midian: have not I sent thee? “This thy might”? What is the Lord talking about? What does He mean here? It's because God sent Gideon. This kind of reminds you of Peter. “Lord, you just bid me to come to You on the water.” And when the Lord said, “Come,” Peter stepped out of the boat. The Lord said he could do it, and just on the word of the Lord, Peter did it (Matthew 14:28,29). He stepped out of the boat by faith. Nobody else stepped out of the boat, but he did. You know, if the Lord told you in the Word, that's all you need. “In this thy might.” God's always going to be behind His Word. If you step out on His Word, exercising faith in His Word, then His might is going to be there. You're always going to be weak, but His might will be there. “Have not I sent thee?” It's the same thing the Lord did to Moses when he protested, “O Lord, I'm not an eloquent speaker” (Exodus 4:10) and God answered him with, “Who hath made man's mouth?” (Exodus 4:11) God chose Moses not because he was great; God chose him because he was weak. (Jdg.6:15) And he said unto him, Oh, Lord, wherewith shall I save Israel? behold, my family is the poorest in Manasseh, and I am the least in my father's house. Gideon wasn't listening, was he? “My family is the poorest in Manasseh, and I am the least of my father's house.” There it is. God chose the weakest and the least. Don't expect God to send Superman. That's not what He's looking for. This will not accomplish the purpose that He has. God is going to send someone who's weak, someone who is like a child. That qualifies some of us. You know, we can be as a child; we are unable in so many things. Sometimes we're forced into a position of being unable. But I tell you that what Jesus wants for us is not that we be forced into a position of weakness, but that we walk in that position of our own free will, refusing to be strong. This is the great thing. If we will learn to refuse to be strong, we will see the miracles of God now. And when we get forced into that position later, it won't be a big thing. It was no big thing for Moses to go through the wilderness with the children of Israel. They were being tried. He wasn't being tried. He'd already gone out into that wilderness and lived in that wilderness by faith in God. And God sent him because he had been there. He sent him back to bring the rest of the Israelites through that wilderness. And if you've been there, it won't be a big trial for you, but you'll be able to show others. This is very important for the times that are coming. People who are weak are going to be strong in the times that are coming, and others are going to be fearful. This wilderness experience that's coming is going to weed out the strong from the weak. The ones who are strong, who've always trusted in their own strength and who refuse to do anything else, they're going to fall by the wayside. It's going to be the babes who are going to go through the wilderness and make it to the other side. And God's always planned it that way. God will not permit salvation to come any other way but by grace. Some people look around and they say, “Look what God did here,” and “Look what God did there,” but if you look carefully, it's what a man did. They're giving credit to a man. (Exo.7:3) And I will harden Pharaoh's heart, and multiply my signs and my wonders in the land of Egypt. It's funny, but you see God on both sides of this thing. It was God who hardened Pharaoh's heart, as it says here, so that the miracles that came would be mighty miracles. God gave the Israelites a strong enemy who would not let them go. (Psa.105:25) He turned their heart to hate his people, To deal subtly with his servants. The Egyptians brought the people of God into bondage because they hated them. And in Psalm 106, God made them set His people free.  First God hardened the Egyptians, then He made them set the Israelites free. It was God's plan to put them in an impossible situation so that they would know how great God's salvation was. “I hardened Pharaoh's heart and multiplied my signs and my wonders in the land of Egypt.” (Exo.7:4) But Pharaoh will not hearken unto you, and I will lay my hand upon Egypt, and bring forth my hosts, my people the children of Israel, out of the land of Egypt by great judgments. (5) And the Egyptians shall know that I am the Lord, when I stretch forth my hand upon Egypt, and bring out the children of Israel from among them. It is God's plan to put us in an impossible situation. We think it's the devil's plan and the devil fighting against us. No, it's God's plan for us to be in impossible situations. A man can receive nothing, except it have been given him from heaven (Joh.3:27), the Bible says, so God puts us in these impossible situations full-well planning to do a miracle for us. When we get in these situations, we shouldn't look at the impossibility of the situation and then look at our strength and say, “Woe is me!” because we can see from history this has been God's plan all along. When we get in that kind of situation, we should figure that the odds are in our favor, if you figure odds. See, when a situation is impossible, that's when the odds are in your favor. It's just the opposite for the world because they count on their strength and not God's strength, but when you look with your eyes and you see the situation is impossible and you see the promise of God, that's when you should be confident in God. He put us in this situation so we could see what a great Savior He is. He hardened Pharaoh's heart; He turned the Egyptians' hearts to hate His people, to bring them into bondage so that He could do mighty miracles to deliver them. It was His plan all along to do mighty miracles to deliver them. Instead, people want to be strong. The Egyptians wanted to be strong. Pharaoh called for their wise men and sorcerers and magicians to see if they couldn't do the same curses that Moses was bringing. (Exo.7:11) Then Pharaoh also called for the wise men and the sorcerers: and they also, the magicians of Egypt, did in like manner with their enchantments. (12) For they cast down every man his rod, and they became serpents: but Aaron's rod swallowed up their rods.  So the curse is sent by God upon the earth. The whole chapter in Deuteronomy 28 is about the curse, and it came by the Hand of God. I know that we've been talking about the hand of the devil, but that's not what the Scripture says. God said He sent the curse. But men, in whom we put our trust, they also propagate the curse. In this instance, Moses brought this curse, but also the magicians brought this curse. And the magicians, the sorcerers, never took away a curse, not one time. (Note that the word in the New Testament for “sorcery” or “witchcraft” is the word pharmakia.) According to this, they can't take away a curse. They can bring a curse, but they can't take one away. Moses was the one who always took the curse away, both the one that he brought (from the Lord) and the one that the magicians brought. Moses was always the one who took away both curses (Exodus 7:12; 8:13). And it wasn't until the sorcerers came to the end of their ability that God made a division between Goshen and Egypt. The sorcerers couldn't duplicate any of the curses from the plague of lice onward (Exodus 8:19). That's when God made a division, right there. When they failed to duplicate the plague of lice, when they came to the end of themselves, their ability, then God made this differentiation. By the way, we are called to walk in health. For instance, God said, “I will put none of the diseases upon thee, which I have put upon the Egyptians: for I am the Lord that healeth thee” (Exo.15:26). When did He do that? God did it right here. When the sorcery came to an end, when the witchcraft came to an end, then God made a division. From then on, the curses always fell upon the Egyptians and not on the Israelites. So what are we here for? We are here to be weak in the ways of the world. The carnal church is not weak in the ways of the world. They have absorbed and taken hold of the ways of the world; that's why they're called the “harlot.” And we're called to step out by faith, to put our trust wholly in God, not just in the area of healing, but in deliverance in circumstances. The Lord came to deliver us from everything that involves the curse of sin and of death. In fact, in Ephesians, where he says, “by grace are you saved (sozo) through faith,” the word “saved” there is used in the Scriptures for salvation of the soul, for salvation regarding healing, for salvation in circumstances (when they were in the boat that was filling with water, for instance), and for deliverance from demons. The same word is used in all of those instances. Sometimes it's translated “made whole.” (Eph.2:8) For by grace have ye been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, [it is] the gift of God; (9) not of works, that no man should glory. God will not permit us to have His salvation where we can earn it or where we are strong enough for it. He doesn't permit it. He puts us in situations where we're not strong or wise enough. But the world and the worldly Christian will try to convince you that you can be wise enough, you can gain enough strength to take care of this thing and they will give you all their worldly wisdom so that you'll come against it but, ultimately, because God loves you, He will see to it that you fail. In all of your efforts to save yourself, because He loves you, He will see to it that you fail. Men can't take one curse off, although they can sure shove it around. Only God can take a curse off because these curses come to try us, to get us in the position of being saved by God. Therefore, if you fail in this point, then you're going to go around the mountain again and you're going to come into the same trial again. This is why men can't ever deliver you because, if you do it man's way, well, you're just going to bump into it again down the road. You're going to go around that mountain, and the same trial again and again; and you'll just keep going around until you get it right. All man can do is put more curses upon you, you see. You'll keep going around and come back to the same trial until you get it right, until you do it God's way. How many times did God run the Israelites around out in that wilderness? And they cried, and they moaned, and they groaned, and they wanted to go back to Egypt (Exodus 14:11-12; 16:3). That's what the worldly church leadership is teaching people. “Go back to Egypt. Go ahead. There's nothing wrong with that. That's the way God does it now. Go on back to Egypt. Go back to the ways of the flesh. Go back to the strength of man, the arm of the flesh,” and so on and so forth, you know. They want you to put your trust in the arm of the flesh, but no, don't do it because there's a curse in that. (Jer.17:5 Thus saith Jehovah: Cursed is the man that trusteth in man, and maketh flesh his arm, and whose heart departeth from Jehovah.) The curse is here, if nowhere else. You see, we've been given a certain amount of time to run this race and to bear fruit, and if all you do is run in circles, you're never going to finish the race. You never finish the race running in circles. We're running a race against time and at the finish line, we have to have the fruit. And God puts these trials in our way so that we go through them His way and overcome them His way. He puts them in our way because they're much bigger than we are. We can cry about going back to getting the strength of Egypt, or we can walk by faith in Jesus to overcome and have that strength for the next trial. Every time you overcome, you have that strength from Him. You can look back and remember what God did, and that's His plan. It was God Who brought the Israelites out into that wilderness, into some impossible situations.  When they first came out of Egypt and were going south, they were free; they were delivered; it was nothing but open country in front of them. (Exo.14:1) And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying, (2) Speak unto the children of Israel, that they turn back and encamp before Pi-hahiroth, between Migdol and the sea, before Baal-zephon: over against it shall ye encamp by the sea. (3) And Pharaoh will say of the children of Israel, They are entangled in the land, the wilderness hath shut them in. (4) And I will harden Pharaoh's heart, and he shall follow after them; and I will get me honor upon Pharaoh….  Who do you think Pharaoh might be? He was the ruler over the Egyptians, but I'll tell you another thing that can be seen here. If you remember, Paul likened the Israelites going through the Red Sea to them being baptized (1 Corinthians 10:1,2) and, of course, going through the Red Sea, the old man dies, but the new man is given life. So the old man was the Egyptian and the new man was the Israelite. When they went through the Red Sea, they were baptized in the Red Sea, in the water and in the cloud, and the old man, the Egyptian, died. Well, Pharaoh was the Lord, the god of the Egyptians. In fact, that was what his name meant – “The God.” Now, who is the god of the flesh? Satan. The devil is the god of the flesh and has been given power and authority to do what he does. Jesus said, “all authority hath been given unto me in heaven and on earth” (Mat.28:18). “All of it. All of it's been given unto Me.” Therefore, what the devil has, God gives him. And what the devil has, we give him. You can make “Pharaoh” bigger or you can make him smaller. You can take away his authority and power by agreeing with the Word, or you can give him authority and power by believing in him, believing in his strength and believing in his might. You can do that. Well, God made Pharaoh strong. He hardened Pharaoh's heart, and He made him strong. He made Pharaoh's people strong so that the salvation would be from God.  God gave us an enemy to conquer that appears to be so much stronger than we are, and that's the flesh. You look at your flesh. You look at the old man, the Egyptian, and you say, “Oh, Lord!” You get worried. The more you look at him, the more worried you get. “How am I ever going to beat this giant?” But God puts you in those positions on purpose. He has you there with enemies that appear much bigger than you are, but in actuality they're just bread for you. I like what Joshua and Caleb said about the people of Canaan: “they are bread for us” (Num.14:9). They're just something that is made for you to eat up and get bigger and stronger. God put them there so that His power would totally conquer them. He wasn't counting on your power. The Israelites had no power against the Egyptians. The Egyptians were a mighty, well-armed army, and God put the Israelites in that position so their salvation had to come from God. Back where we left off, Pharaoh wanted them to serve God in Egypt and God told Moses what to say to Pharaoh. (Exo.7:16) And thou shalt say unto him, the Lord, the God of the Hebrews, hath sent me unto thee, saying, Let my people go, that they may serve me in the wilderness: and, behold, hitherto thou hast not hearkened. And then later, when Pharaoh was starting to give in a little bit, he called for Moses and said, Go ye, sacrifice to your God in the land (Exo.8:25); in other words, in Egypt. You know, that's right where a lot of Christians are. They're sacrificing to God in Egypt. That is, they think they're doing it God's way, but they're doing it in Egypt. (Exo.8:26) And Moses said, It is not meet so to do; for we shall sacrifice the abomination of the Egyptians to the Lord our God. See, we can't serve God in Egypt. We can't do it the Egyptians' way. If you're copying the world in any way in your salvation, then you're missing God because that's not the way God does it. Pharaoh's going to tell you, “It's okay. You can serve your god but just do it in Egypt, don't do it in the wilderness.” In Egypt they trusted in the strength that they received from Egypt and lived off the flesh-pots (Exodus 16:3); in other words, they lived off the flesh. But God wanted them in the wilderness where they couldn't have any help from anything else but Him. The power came from God, His ability. And the devil's going to tempt you the same way. He does it all the time. “It's okay, serve God, but do it this way. Just do it the way the Egyptians do it.” But God is doing it in such a way that we'll never be able to put our trust in the arm of the flesh again. It'll be a total victory over the flesh.  So God brought the Israelites out there into that wilderness, and He put them in this neat little trap between Migdol and the Red Sea to see what they would do. They didn't handle it well. They cried out, “Whoa! We wish you would have left us in Egypt to serve the Egyptians!” (Exodus 14:10-12) But God brought them there to part the Red Sea and do the greatest miracle of deliverance for them. He brought them to that situation, and we ought to see our situations that way too. We are in a wilderness experience going through this world. God is bringing us to all these impossible situations so that He can prove how big a God He is. His whole purpose is to prove how big a God He is. And the more impossible the situation, the bigger He becomes, in our mind anyway. That's what He wants. He wants us to glorify Him for what a great salvation He brings us to. And so God brought the Israelites from this trap to other traps. He brought them to the bitter waters (Exodus 15:23) and He had Moses throw in a tree that made the bitter waters sweet (Exodus 15:25). And I personally believe that the “bitter waters” symbolize our tongue because James talks about the sweet and the bitter waters that come from the same well, and he says it shouldn't be this way (James 3:10,11). (For a deeper understanding of this, read our book titled “The Tongue Conquers the Curse.”) God delivered us at the cross. That was the tree that was cast in that made the bitter waters sweet. God delivered us from the bitter waters of our own tongue because “death and life are in the power of the tongue; And they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof” (Pro.18:21). “Death and life are in the power of the tongue.” We have the ability to change things in this wilderness that we're in with our tongue. God gave us that ability at the cross. He made the bitter waters sweet at the cross. The very next thing God did was make an ordinance. (Exo.15:26) If thou wilt diligently hearken to the voice of the Lord thy God, and wilt do that which is right in his eyes, and wilt give ear to his commandments, and keep all his statutes, I will put none of the diseases upon thee, which I have put upon the Egyptians: for I am the Lord that healeth thee (Hebrew: Jehovah-Rophe). And God brought them to the place in the wilderness where there was no food (Exodus 16:3) and He gave them the food. He met their need for food. And He brought them to the place where there was no water (Exodus 17:1) and He brought water out of the rock (Exodus 17:6). God brought the Israelites to impossible situations, one after another, and He brought them against enemies who were much bigger than them. It was one impossible situation after another and, in every case, God planned a great deliverance for them, if they would just put their trust in Him. We see over and over in the Scriptures that God did this. Look at what God did with Gideon's army. The Lord whittled them down from 32,000 men to 10,000 and then from 10,000 down to 300 (Judges 7:7) to come against an army that was as many as the sands of the sea (Judges 7:12), so that Gideon's army couldn't say, “mine own hand hath saved me” (Jdg.7:2). There were too many Israelites for God to give the Midianites and Amalekites and children of the east into their hand, and He would have to whittle them down so that they would know that this was a mighty miracle from God. And how did He do it? He sent those 300 men out there with pitchers and torches, and when they broke the pitchers, the torches shone forth (Judges 7:20) and put the enemy in a fright (Judges 7:21). I believe those torches are likened to our spirit and that those pitchers are likened to our carnal vessel, our earthly vessel. The torch is like the spirit-man, so that when we're broken, the spirit-man is able to shine forth and the enemy is put to flight. What a simple thing! No swords, no cannons, no nothing! God made it ridiculous. He put a fright in those Midianites and Amalekites so that they feared and they ran, and they killed each other because of 300 torches. God's plan will work when reason just never will. You wouldn't think that would reasonably work. Nobody would make a plan like that except God, Who has the ability to put fear- total, devastating fear- in your enemy. I've seen Him do that. It's so wondrous how He can do that, make them turn and run. Praise God!

Welcome to the Med Spa Success Strategies Podcast, presented by Ricky Shockley of Med Spa Magic Marketing. If you're ready to implement more efficient & effective marketing strategies for your practice, book your FREE strategy session & marketing plan: https://go.medspamagicmarketing.com/scheduleIn this episode, Ricky sits down with Benjamin Stover, Co-Founder and Chief Commercial Officer of AI Med Consult (https://www.aimedconsult.com/ ), to discuss how med spas can improve lead conversion, patient communication, and sales using AI and better systems.Ben explains why speed to lead is critical, but fast responses alone aren't enough. They discuss how better conversations, thoughtful follow-up, transparent pricing, and fewer friction points can help practices turn more inquiries into booked patients. Ben also shares where AI can handle high-volume, repeatable work while preserving the human touch where it matters most.In this episode, we cover:✅ Why speed to lead matters for med spa conversion✅ What great lead communication looks like beyond response time✅ How to reduce friction from initial inquiry to booking✅ Why marketing and sales should be measured separately✅ How better data helps identify lead quality and conversion problems✅ How to discuss pricing without making the conversation transactional✅ Why asking questions first can build trust and uncover patient goals✅ How to follow up consistently without becoming annoying✅ Where AI fits into lead qualification, consultations, booking, and patient communication✅ Why purpose-built AI and EMR integration matter in aesthetic medicine✅ How to balance AI efficiency with authentic human connectionBooks mentioned:

What does it actually take to move from capable professional to recognised authority? And what happens when someone with a serious corporate track record steps back, strips things down, and builds something far more deliberate?That's what this conversation is about.Ben Robbins spent over a decade at the sharp end of e-commerce and consulting - leading EMEA for a global consultancy, growing a team to 20+ people across Europe, and working with household names like Google, Meta, P&G and Unilever. He didn't leave because it wasn't working. He left because something else was pulling harder.This is a conversation about motivation, subtraction, and what it really means to build a business around the life you want - not the one you assumed you should want.✳️ The presenting problem is rarely the real problem - Ben works by digging beneath the surface to find what's actually driving the challenge. A founder who wanted more sales hires turned out to need a compelling reason for people to join - not a bigger recruiting budget.✳️ More is not always the answer - one of the most consistent patterns Ben sees is people adding when they should be removing. Identifying what's in the way tends to unlock more than piling on new strategies ever could.✳️ True motivation changes everything - asking what someone really wants - not just the revenue target, but what it would actually do for their life - is what turns vague goals into something worth working hard for.Ben's Amplifiers✳️ Start with subtraction - before adding anything new, ask what you could remove that would get you closer to your goal. Strip back what's blocking you before you reach for another tactic.✳️ Design your ideal ordinary Tuesday - not a fantasy week, not your peak day. Just a good, average Tuesday. What does it look like? Who's in it? What work are you doing? That answer tends to reveal far more about what you actually want than any big goal-setting exercise.✳️ Set a notional hourly rate - Ben recommends The Almanack of Naval Ravikant as a read that provokes this kind of thinking. The idea of setting a high hourly rate - not as a billing figure but as a filter - helps you get ruthless about what deserves your time and what doesn't.If you found this useful, please take a second to subscribe or follow the show. It really does help, and it means you won't miss conversations like this one.Ben's website: https://www.ben-robins.com/---Timestamps00:00 - Introduction00:32 - Welcome and context01:32 - Ben joins the conversation02:29 - Ben's background - from Amazon consultancy to global e-commerce leadership05:02 - Why leave a successful corporate career for coaching?06:22 - What was really driving the decision08:07 - The patterns Ben sees repeatedly with founders and leaders09:51 - The presenting problem vs the real problem - a real example11:59 - Why motivation matters more than targets13:55 - Pivoting for joy, not accumulation15:05 - Clayton Christensen and How Will You Measure Your Life?18:10 - Vision, fulfilment, and letting the picture emerge20:00 - Michelangelo, subtraction, and remembering what made it brilliant22:23 - Where business actually comes from - networks, content, and referrals25:17 - How Ben nurtures relationships deliberately28:05 - Authenticity, recall, and making content about the other person31:09 - Social media, face-to-camera content, and genuine connection36:30 - What's next for Ben - group coaching, webinars, and Cambridge38:54 - Amplifier 1 - Subtraction before addition40:10 - Amplifier 2 - Design your ideal ordinary Tuesday41:15 - Amplifier 3 - The Almanack of Naval Ravikant46:28 - How to connect with Ben46:54 - Owner's Trap podcast----Get your copy of my Personal Brand Business BlueprintIt's the FREE roadmap to starting, scaling or just fixing your expert business.www.amplifyme.agency/roadmap----Subscribe to my Youtube!! Follow on Instagram and Twitter @bobgentleJoin the Amplify Insiders Facebook Community : www.amplifyme.agency/insidersPlease take a second to rate this show in Apple Podcasts. ❤ It will mean a lot to me.Mentioned in this episode:Signature StudioGet started today - signtaturestudio.me

The Mark on the Wall by Virginia Woolf — A Calming Bedtime Story for Sleep & Insomnia | Books at Bedtime A calming bedtime story to help you fall asleep — the complete short story The Mark on the Wall by Virginia Woolf, read slowly and softly for anyone lying awake in the small hours. A woman sits by the fire on a January afternoon, looks up, and notices a small dark mark on the wall above the mantelpiece. That is the whole of it. She never gets up to look. Instead the mind does what a tired mind does at three in the morning — it wanders off. Shakespeare in an armchair. The people who lived in the house before. All the small things lost in one lifetime. Whitaker's Almanack. A tree standing in an empty field on a winter night. And every so often it drifts back to the mark, the way you keep returning to one thought without ever resolving it. You can listen offline, any time you wake in the night, in the Anchored app —

I sat down with Eric Jorgensen, CEO of Scribe Media and author of The Book of Elon. Here are 3 things that stuck with me: What you think is your best is a fraction of what you're capable of. Elon isn't just working harder, he's cut through the noise to focus on what matters. First principles thinking breaks you free from conventional limits. Stop reasoning by analogy, asking what everyone else does. Start asking what's actually possible. The gap between those two questions is where innovation lives. Your uniqueness is your advantage. The world rewards people who are singular, -- Eric Jorgenson is the CEO of Scribe Media. He published two books with Scribe prior to becoming CEO. The Almanack of Naval Ravikant has sold over 1,000,000 copies, been translated into 30+ languages, and seen over 4,000,000 digital copies given away for free. He runs an early stage technology investment firm called Rolling Fun, and was previously in Growth & Product roles at Zaarly. Watch our previous interview Connect with Jon Dwoskin: Twitter: @jdwoskin Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jonathan.dwoskin Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thejondwoskinexperience/ Website: https://jondwoskin.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jondwoskin/ Email: jon@jondwoskin.com Get Jon's Book: The Think Big Movement: Grow your business big. Very Big! Connect with Eric Jorgensen: Eric Jorgensen Books: https://www.ejorgenson.com/books-1  Website: https://scribemedia.com  X: https://twitter.com/scribemediaco  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/scribe-media  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/scribemediaco  Facebook: https://facebook.com/scribemediaco  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCen_O0dVTbVAK-XF9IjPitQ      *E - explicit language may be used in this podcast.

FOREWORDThe intricate interplay between culture and individual legacy forms a critical site of scholarly inquiry in the humanities and social sciences. The volume entitled The Right Excellent Sir Garfield St. Aubrun Sobers, NH, AO, OCC (1936–2026): An Interdisciplinary Investigation of Authorship, Media Representation, and Theological Vision via the Scholarly Perspective of Dr. William Anderson Gittens, Doctor of Divinity offers a seminal contribution to this discourse by foregrounding how cultural frameworks shape the interpretation of one of the Caribbean's preeminent figures. This work situates Sir Garfield Sobers not solely as an unparalleled athlete but as a profound cultural icon whose multifaceted legacy encapsulates the sociohistorical, theological, and media dimensions of Caribbean identity and postcolonial subjectivity.Culture, as theorized by Hall (1997), functions beyond mere customs or traditions; it constitutes a dynamic, interpretive process through which societies negotiate meaning, continuity, and historical memory. This conceptualization undergirds Dr. Gittens' interdisciplinary approach, which deftly integrates anthropology, sociology, media studies, cultural theory, and theology to illuminate Sir Garfield Sobers' enduring impact. Drawing from the rich vein of Caribbean scholarship—intersecting with postcolonial theorists such as Bhabha (1994) and cultural anthropologists like Geertz (1973)—the author articulates how Sobers' narrative transcends athletic achievement to embody broader questions of national identity, ethical leadership, and spiritual vision.Dr. Gittens advances a compelling thesis that authorship serves as cultural stewardship, whereby biography is more than historical recounting; it becomes a vital vehicle for preserving collective memory and fostering intellectual reflection. This aligns with Nichols' (2017) insights into narrative ethics and Sontag's (1977) explorations of representation, especially as mediated through contemporary platforms. The volume's rigorous analysis of media representations underscores the formative role of newspapers, broadcasting, and digital media in constructing public memory and shaping societal ideals surrounding excellence and humility, echoing Couldry's (2012) argument regarding media as constitutive of social reality.Perhaps most distinctive is the integration of theological reflection as an interpretive lens, situating moral virtue, vocation, and gratitude at the center of Sobers' public legacy. This theological dimension, informed by Dr. Gittens' own expertise in divinity, enriches the interdisciplinary dialogue and expands the contours of cultural inquiry. It invites readers to consider the ethical and spiritual dimensions that underpin leadership and cultural resilience, thus harmonizing with Wright's (2006) discourse on spirituality in postcolonial contexts.In sum, this volume stands as a testament to the power of interdisciplinary scholarship to deepen our understanding of culture as an active force shaping identity, memory, and historical consciousness. By elucidating Sir Garfield Sobers' multifarious legacy, Dr. Gittens contributes significantly to Caribbean studies while offering broader methodological insights relevant to scholars of biography, media, and theology. This work invites ongoing engagement with the ways in which extraordinary individuals become enduring cultural symbols—an engagement that is essential for sustaining the intellectual and cultural vitality of societies worldwide.It is with great scholarly admiration that I commend this volume to readers who seek to explore the intricate nexus of culture, history, and spirituality through the exemplary life of Sir Garfield Sobers.Dr. William Anderson Gittens, Doctor of Divinity ReferencesBeckles, H. (1998). The Development of West Indies Cricket. Pluto Press.Beckles, H. (2010). The development of West Indies cricket. Ian Randle Publishers.Beckles, H. (2010). The first black slave society: Britain's "barbarity time" in Barbados, 1636–1876. The University of the West Indies Press.Bhabha, H. K. (1994). The location of culture. Routledge.Brathwaite, E. K. (2022). Constitutional Developments in Barbados. Caribbean Journal of Political Studies, 14(2), 45-60.Couldry, N. (2012). Media, society, world: Social theory and digital media practice. Polity Press.Couldry, N. (2012). Media, society, world: Social theory and digital media practice. Polity Press.Geertz, C. (1973). The interpretation of cultures. Basic Books.Gittens, W. A. (2024). A Memoir of Dr. William Anderson Gittens, D.D. Academia.edu. https://www.academia.edu/123754463/A_MEMOIR_OF_Dr_William_Anderson_Gittens_D_D_2024_ISBN978_976_97385_0_8Gittens, W. A. (2026). The Right Excellent Sir Garfield St. Aubrun Sobers NH, AO, OCC (1936–2026): An interdisciplinary investigation of authorship, media representation, and theological vision. Devgro Media Arts Services Publishing®. ISBN 978-976-97997-5-2.Hall, S. (1997). Representation: Cultural representations and signifying practices. Sage Publications.Hall, S. (1997). Representation: Cultural representations and signifying practices. Sage.James, C. L. R. (1963). Beyond a boundary. Hutchinson.James, C. L. R. (1963). Beyond a boundary. Stanley Paul.Jenkins, H. (2006). Convergence culture: Where old and new media collide. New York University Press.Jenkins, H. (2006). Convergence culture: Where old and new media collide. New York University Press.New International Version Bible. (2011). Zondervan. (Original work published 1973)Nichols, B. (2017). Introduction to documentary (3rd ed.). Indiana University Press.Nichols, B. (2017). Introduction to documentary (3rd ed.). Indiana University Press.Sontag, S. (1977). On photography. Farrar, Straus and Giroux.The Holy Bible, New International Version. (2011). Zondervan.Tylor, E. B. (1871). Primitive culture. John Murray.Tylor, E. B. (1871). Primitive culture. John Murray.Wikipedia contributors. (2026). Garfield Sobers. Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Garfield_SobersWilliams, R. (1981). Culture. Fontana Press.Wisden. (2000). Wisden Cricketers of the Century. Wisden Cricketers' Almanack.Wright, M. (2006). Spirituality and postcolonial literature. Palgrave Macmillan.Wright, N. T. (2006). Simply Christian: Why Christianity makes sense. HarperOne.Support the showCultural Factors Influence Academic Achievements© 2024 ISBN978-976-97385-7-7 A_MEMOIR_OF_Dr_William_Anderson_Gittens_D_D_2024_ISBNISBN978_976_97385_0_8Academic.edu. Chief of Audio Visual Aids Officer Mr. Michael Owen Chief of Audio Visual Aids Officer Mr. Selwyn Belle Commissioner of Police Mr. Orville Durant Dr. William Anderson Gittens, D.D En.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lifelong_learning Hackett Philip Media Resource Development Officer Holder, B,Anthony Episcopal Priest,https://brainly.com/question/36353773https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lifelong_learning#cite_note-19https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lifelong_learning#cite_note-:2-18https://independent.academia.edu/WilliamGittens/Bookshttps://scholar.google.com/scholar?hl=en&as_sdt=0%2C5&q=william+anderson+gittens+barbados&oq=william+anderson+gittenshttps://www.academia.edu/123754463/https://www.buzzsprout.com/429292/episodes. https://www.youtube.com/@williamandersongittens1714. Mr.Greene, Rupert

Culture is not what we inherit . It's what we decide © 2026 ISBN 978-976-97997-7-6.mp3AbstractThis paper examines the proposition that culture is not passively inherited but actively maintained through conscious stewardship. Drawing upon anthropological theory, cultural studies, postcolonial scholarship, and theological perspectives, the study compares the public contributions of The Right Excellent Sir Garfield St. Aubrun Sobers NH AO OCC (1936–2026) and Dr. William Anderson Gittens, Doctor of Divinity (born July 17, 1958). The analysis explores how both individuals have contributed to Barbadian cultural identity through different forms of public engagement. The Right Excellent Sir Garfield St. Aubrun Sobers NH AO OCC (1936–2026) represents cultural stewardship through athletic excellence and national representation, whereas Gittens has sought to preserve Barbadian heritage through publishing, photography, broadcasting, podcasting, and documentary media. The paper argues that culture is sustained through intentional acts of preservation rather than biological inheritance alone.Dr. William Anderson Gittens, Doctor of DivinityPodcast 308 Three Presentations, One Stewardship: A Comparative Analysis of The Right Excellent Sir Garfield St. Aubrun Sobers, NH, AO, OCC (1936–2026) and Dr. William Anderson Gittens, Doctor of Divinity (born July 17, 1958)© 2026 ISBN: 978-976-97997-7-6Devgro Media Arts Services Publishing®2015 In collaboration with iMovie present Podcast 308 Three Presentations, One Stewardship: A Comparative Analysis of The Right Excellent Sir Garfield St. Aubrun Sobers, NH, AO, OCC (1936–2026) and Dr. William Anderson Gittens, Doctor of Divinity (born July 17, 1958)© 2026 ISBN: 978-976-97997-7-6RECOGNITIONSAs I take a moment to reflect on my journey, I am filled with profound gratitude for the Creator's guiding hand that has led me every step of the way. Life has brought me countless blessings, and at the forefront of these blessings is the immeasurable debt of thanks I owe to my late parents, Charles and Ira Gittens. They bestowed upon me their wisdom and creative spirit, which have been a consistent source of inspiration throughout my life. Their counsel and encouragement continue to resonate within me, shaping my path and purpose. To my beloved wife, Magnola Gittens, your unwavering support has been my anchor in turbulent seas. Your love and understanding provide the strength necessary to navigate life's complexities. I am eternally grateful for your presence, which comforts and uplifts me. To my brothers—Shurland, Charles, Ricardo, and my late brothers Arnott and Stephen—as well as my sisters, Emerald, Marcella, and Cheryl, thank you for being my steadfast companions along this journey. Each of you has contributed uniquely to my narrative, reminding me of the importance of family ties in shaping who I am today. I extend my heartfelt appreciation to my cousins: Joy Mayers, Kevin and Ernest Mayers, Donna Archer, Avis Dyer, and Jackie Clarke. Your love and camaraderie have enriched my life beyond measure. To my uncles, Clifford, Leonard Mayers, David Bruce, and Collin Rock, your support has been invaluable, strengthening the bonds of our family. To my children, Laron and Lisa, grandson Elijah you are my pride and joy, the motivation behind my work, fuelling my desire to create and inspire.Moreover, I am equally grateful to all who have believed in me and wanted nothing but the best for my growth. Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Platizky, Mr. Matthew Sutton, Mr. Juan Arroyo, Mr. and Mrs. David Lavine, and many others have played pivotal roles in my development, encouraging me to pursue my passions relentlessly. During my time at New Jersey City University (NJCU), I had the privilege of receiving guidance from exceptional mentors, including the late Dr. Joseph Drew, Merline Mayers, Mrs. Ellen Gordon, Dr. Nicholas Gordon, Rev. Dr. Scofield Eversley BSS, and many others. Conversations about enhancing my writing skills after graduating were integral to my growth, providing the foundation for my future endeavours. Over the past three decades, my experiences in the leisure activities industry have significantly shaped my journey. From 1995 to 2026, I have devoted myself to writing, resulting in 481 E-Publications and 308 podcasts that resonate within the community. In recognition of the profound impact Dr. Joseph Drew had on my academic and personal development, I dedicated my 66th publication, "A Tribute to Culture" Vol. 1, to him—a small token of gratitude for his enormous influence on my life.As I look forward to what lies ahead, I remain thankful to all who have contributed to my story and to the Creator for the endless possibilities this journey holds. Each person's presence has left an indelible mark on my life, guiding me toward a future filled with hope and potential.Dr. William Anderson Gittens, D.D. ReferencesBeckles, H. (1998). The Development of West Indies Cricket. Pluto Press.Brathwaite, E. K. (2022). Constitutional Developments in Barbados. Caribbean Journal of Political Studies, 14(2), 45-60.Geertz, C. (1973). The Interpretation of Cultures. Basic Books.Gittens, W. A. (2024). A Memoir of Dr. William Anderson Gittens, D.D. Academia.edu. https://www.academia.edu/123754463/A_MEMOIR_OF_Dr_William_Anderson_Gittens_D_D_2024_ISBN978_976_97385_0_8Hall, S. (1997). Representation: Cultural Representations and Signifying Practices. Sage Publications.James, C. L. R. (1963). Beyond a Boundary. Stanley Paul.Tylor, E. B. (1871). Primitive Culture. John Murray.Wikipedia contributors. (2026). Garfield Sobers. Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Garfield_SobersWisden. (2000). Wisden Cricketers of the Century. Wisden Cricketers' Almanack.The Holy Bible, New International Version. (2011). Zondervan.Support the showCultural Factors Influence Academic Achievements© 2024 ISBN978-976-97385-7-7 A_MEMOIR_OF_Dr_William_Anderson_Gittens_D_D_2024_ISBNISBN978_976_97385_0_8Academic.edu. Chief of Audio Visual Aids Officer Mr. Michael Owen Chief of Audio Visual Aids Officer Mr. Selwyn Belle Commissioner of Police Mr. Orville Durant Dr. William Anderson Gittens, D.D En.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lifelong_learning Hackett Philip Media Resource Development Officer Holder, B,Anthony Episcopal Priest,https://brainly.com/question/36353773https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lifelong_learning#cite_note-19https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lifelong_learning#cite_note-:2-18https://independent.academia.edu/WilliamGittens/Bookshttps://scholar.google.com/scholar?hl=en&as_sdt=0%2C5&q=william+anderson+gittens+barbados&oq=william+anderson+gittenshttps://www.academia.edu/123754463/https://www.buzzsprout.com/429292/episodes. https://www.youtube.com/@williamandersongittens1714. Mr.Greene, Rupert

A new week means new questions! Hope you have fun with these!In 1964, what folk rock duo's debut album was titled Wednesday Morning, 3 A.M.?A stone residence for priests was likely the first permanent structure for which building we will never forget?What sovereign country is the only one to have a flag that does not use the colors red, white or blue?Who was the mysterious author of Poor Richard's Almanack?Which Roman soldier pierced the crucified Christ in His Side with his not-so-short lance?In 1990s TV commercials for the beverage Sunny Delight, thirsty teens would always bypass a jug of what color "stuff"?What is the theme song to the Disney World attraction "Carousel of Progress?"In 1989's romantic comedy "Look Who's Talking" which actor provides the voice of baby Mikey's?The portugese man-o-war has nematocysts in its tentacles filled with what?What natural materials do xylologist study?Blankety Blank was based on which American panel game show that involved filling in blanks in questions?What US state in the CONTIGUOUS 48 states has an island referred to as Monkey Island that is home to over 3500 rhesus macaques?Which currency of Costa Rica takes its name for Christopher Columbus' spanish name?Johan and Peewit is a Belgian comic book series created by Peyo that is notable for introducing what characters that became an 80s cartoon staple?The ninth month of the Islamic calendar and a holy period of fasting, introspection and prayer is called what?The white powder that coats sticks of chewing gum is often finely-ground calcium carbonate made from grinding what?MusicHot Swing, Fast Talkin, Bass Walker, Dances and Dames, Ambush by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/Don't forget to follow us on social media:Patreon – patreon.com/quizbang – Please consider supporting us on Patreon. Check out our fun extras for patrons and help us keep this podcast going. We appreciate any level of support!Website – quizbangpod.com Check out our website, it will have all the links for social media that you need and while you're there, why not go to the contact us page and submit a question!Facebook – @quizbangpodcast – we post episode links and silly lego pictures to go with our trivia questions. Enjoy the silly picture and give your best guess, we will respond to your answer the next day to give everyone a chance to guess.Instagram – Quiz Quiz Bang Bang (quizquizbangbang), we post silly lego pictures to go with our trivia questions. Enjoy the silly picture and give your best guess, we will respond to your answer the next day to give everyone a chance to guess.Twitter – @quizbangpod We want to start a fun community for our fellow trivia lovers. If you hear/think of a fun or challenging trivia question, post it to our twitter feed and we will repost it so everyone can take a stab it. Come for the trivia – stay for the trivia.Ko-Fi – ko-fi.com/quizbangpod – Keep that sweet caffeine running through our body with a Ko-Fi, power us through a late night of fact checking and editing!

As we take a mid-summer-post-4th-of-July break, we are bringing you some of our favorite episodes from the archives about the Revolutionary era. We'll be back with new "50 Weeks That Shaped America" episodes soon!It's December 19th. This day in 1732, Benjamin Franklin first published “Poor Richard's Almanack” — his book of weather forecast, practical advice, and all sorts of aphorisms about living your best life.Jody, NIki, and Kellie discuss why the Almanack became such a sensation in Colonial America, and why his advice still feels like it could find an audience today.Join our America250 newsletter community! Subscribe for free to get the latest news and analysis of how America250 is playing out. Paying subscribers get access to early, ad-free versions of the show. Plus bonus features throughout the year. To support our work and get access to everything, subscribe now.This Day is a proud member of Radiotopia from PRX.Your support helps foster independent, artist-owned podcasts and award-winning stories.If you want to support the show directly, you can do so on our website: ThisDayPod.comGet in touch if you have any ideas for future topics, or just want to say hello. Follow us on social @thisdaypodOur team: Jacob Feldman, Researcher/Producer; Khawla Nakua, Transcripts; music by Teen Daze and Blue Dot Sessions; Audrey Mardavich is our Executive Producer at Radiotopia. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

Diese Folge wird remote aufgenommen: Isabel am Wörthersee, Lukas in Wien – und das Türkis des Sees ist, so viel sei verraten, bereits im ersten Satz zu spüren. Lukas kommt frisch aus einer vollgepackten Woche zurück: Fireside Chat in München mit dem Wiener Gesundheits-Startup NYRA HEALTH, Gespräche mit Gründerinnen, Unternehmerinnen, Family Offices und eine Erkenntnis, die hängen, die von der darauffolgenden Uni-Vorlesung bleibt – nämlich warum das amerikanische Rechtssystem auf Einzelfallentscheidungen basiert, während wir in Europa Gesetzestexte haben. Und dann noch ein Zitat, das die ganze Woche zusammenfasst: Take your work seriously, but not yourself. Der eigentliche Kern der Folge ist das Thema Stundenwert – wie bepreist man sich als Selbstständige/r, wenn die Leistung längst nicht alles ist, was zählt? Netzwerk, Marke, gelebte Erfahrung: das sind Dinge, die man schwer in eine Rechnung packt, die aber den Unterschied machen. Ein Studienkollege brachte es auf den Punkt: Es dauert so lange, wie man alt ist. 42 Jahre bedeutet, es hat 42 Jahre gedauert, um zu wissen, was man jetzt weiß. Die gesamte Lebenserfahrung steckt in der Stunde — und genau das ist ihr Preis. Wer das früher versteht, verliert weniger. Lukas erlebt im ÖBB Railjet Business Class – seinem klaren Favorit für österreichische Strecken – eine äußerst amüsante und sagen wir individuelle Bestellsituation. Buchempfehlung der Folge: Poor Charlie's Almanack von Charlie Munger. Isabel will Lukas' “Love Language” herausfinden, aber das gelingt ihr nicht ganz…

If you've been saying you want to buy a business for years, your next move is HERE. Get your ticket to Main Street Millionaire Live and learn how to find deals, evaluate them, finance them, and own the upside: http://info.contrarianthinking.co/msmlbig-deal Already a business owner? Growth Boardroom is where established owners tap in to a real board of advisors to find profit levers to find hidden cash their businesses. Check it out: https://contrarianthinking.biz/bdbr What if everything you think you know about success is wrong? What if the biggest risks aren't reckless, they're required? And what if the person everyone loves to hate is actually the one we should all be studying? Eric Jorgenson spent five years studying Elon Musk and distilled everything into his new book, The Book of Elon. He's the bestselling author of The Almanack of Naval Ravikant and has built a career decoding how the world's most effective people think, operate, and win. In this episode, we break down the exact frameworks Elon uses to build companies that rewrite entire industries, why he takes insane risks that would bankrupt most people, and how his relentless focus on speed, truth, and deletion makes him the most leveraged human alive. In this episode, you'll learn: Why Elon split his last $30 million between SpaceX and Tesla when everyone told him to pick one, and how that decision proved he's mission driven, not money driven The five step algorithm: question requirements, delete, simplify, accelerate, automate, and why doing them out of order wastes millions The idiot index: how to identify parts or processes where you're paying 100x more than the raw materials cost and why aerospace was a thousand to one before SpaceX Why Elon fires fast, moves into factories during production hell, and demands hourly updates on bottlenecks, and how that hardcore culture filters for missionaries Why demos beat PowerPoints every time and how showing physical progress collapses communication gaps and accelerates decisions ___________ (00:00:00) Introduction: The Risk-Seeking Mission-Driven Mindset of Elon Musk (00:01:42) The 2008 Story: When Elon Split His Last 30 Million Between Two Dying Companies (00:05:40) Feel the Fear and Do It Anyway: How Elon Pushes Through Obstacles (00:06:57) Why Elon Is Polarizing: Politics, Billionaires, and the Nerd Who Became Controversial (00:08:33) The Bottleneck Formula: Working on the Right Thing at the Right Time Right Now (00:09:31) Production Hell and Sauron Focus: The Model 3 Story (00:19:11) Hardcore Purpose: The Rage Demon, Torture, and Being Wired for War (00:31:25) The Path to Billionaire Icon: Focus Intensely on What Nobody Else Can Do (00:33:31) Never Burn Bridges: The PayPal Mafia and Founders Fund Investment (00:36:51) The Idiot Index: Why Your Parts Cost 100 Times More Than They Should (00:42:37) Speed Is the Ultimate Advantage: Rejecting the Fast-Cheap-Good Trilema (00:47:57) Empathy at the Mission Level, Not the Individual: The Firing Philosophy (00:53:29) Show Don't Tell: Demos Over Decks and the Power of Physical Progress (01:01:06) The Algorithm: Question, Delete, Simplify, Accelerate, Automate (01:06:44) The One Sentence Onboarding: Be So Good They Talk About You at Dinner (01:11:21) Is Elon Happy? The Storm in His Head and What We Can Learn ___________ MORE FROM BIGDEAL

After dedicating his career to understanding and sharing the power of transformative ideas, entrepreneur and author Eric Jorgenson has seen how the right book can inspire action and drive personal growth. Best known for “The Almanack of Naval Ravikant,” Eric shares how reading sharpens decision-making and unlocks new opportunities. In this episode, he discusses his latest work, “The Anthology of Balaji: A Guide to Technology, Truth, and Building the Future,” featuring insights from visionary entrepreneur Balaji Srinivasan, and offers a sneak peek into an exciting project on Elon Musk's groundbreaking innovations. In this episode, Darius and Eric will discuss: (00:00) Introduction and Guest Introduction (03:08) The Impact of Books on Personal Growth (05:49) Eric's Journey to Writing “The Almanack of Naval Ravikant” (08:54) The Process of Writing and Publishing (12:00) The Influence of Naval Ravikant (14:53) Exploring Wealth and Its Definitions (17:53) The Role of Leverage in Success (21:01) The Importance of Knowledge and Skills (24:11) Elon Musk: A New Book Project (27:01) The Future of Network States (29:59) Final Thoughts and Greatness Question Eric Jorgenson is an author, investor, and creator known for distilling complex ideas into accessible wisdom. His bestselling book, “The Almanack of Naval Ravikant,” guides readers to wealth and happiness through Naval's most impactful insights. Following its success, Eric published “The Anthology of Balaji,” showcasing the visionary ideas of engineer and futurist Balaji Srinivasan. As the founder of Rolling Fun, Eric invests in early-stage tech startups, writes at ejorgenson.com, and hosts the Smart Friends podcast. His blog has engaged over a million readers since 2014. When not working, he's on a mission to craft the perfect sandwich. Connect with Eric: Website: https://www.ejorgenson.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/erjorgenson  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/erjorgenson/  Books: https://www.ejorgenson.com/books-1  Twitter: https://twitter.com/EricJorgenson  Connect with Darius: Website: https://therealdarius.com/ Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dariusmirshahzadeh/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/imthedarius/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Thegreatnessmachine  Book: The Core Value Equation https://www.amazon.com/Core-Value-Equation-Framework-Limitless/dp/1544506708 Write a review for The Greatness Machine using this link: https://ratethispodcast.com/spreadinggreatness.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Why do most people miss obvious opportunities? This book summary reveals the counterintuitive thinking framework that unlocks hidden value.

หนังสือ Poor Charlie's Almanack: The Essential Wit and Wisdom of Charles T. Munger ของ Charles T. Munger - เมื่อการลงทุนคือการลงมือกระทำ ปรัญชาการลงทุนจึงเป็นกลยุทธ์เพื่อสิ่งนั้นทั้งหมด - จงเรียนรู้สิ่งที่ควรเรียนรู้ ไม่มีอะไรที่เราไม่ควรเรียนรู้เลย โจทย์ใหญ่ก็คือมีอะไรบ้างที่เราควรเรียนรู้ - สติปัญญาของมนุษย์ สามารถสร้างทุกสิ่งมาได้ แต่ก็ย่อมทำลายทุกสิ่งลงไปได้เช่นกัน - ค่อย ๆ เป็น ค่อย ๆ ไป มันคือหลักการลงทุนที่เราจะไม่สามารถทำอะไรได้มากในช่วงเริ่มต้น แต่ในระยะยาวเราจะชนะ - ปรัชญาในการลงทุนสามารถนำมาปรับใช้กับชีวิตประจำวันของเราได้ทั้งหมด มันอยู่ที่เราเลือกเดินว่าเราควรเดินอย่างไร

Mental Models for Exceptional Capital Allocation by Mohnish Pabrai at Heilbrunn Center for Graham and Dodd Investing on April 21, 2026. (00:00:00) - Introduction (00:02:03) - Charlie Munger's mental models (00:03:54) - Model 1: The Bedrock model: Take a simple idea and take it seriously (00:04:51) - Model 2: Ben Graham's three ideas on markets (00:05:28) - Model 3: Do not overdose on Ben Graham; Poor Charlie's Almanack, Philip Fisher, and Pulak Prasad (00:06:27) - Model 4: Buffett's lifetime 20-punch card (00:07:15) - Model 5: Stay in the epicentre of your circle of competence; John Arrillaga (00:09:09) - Model 6: A high error rate is guaranteed in investing (00:09:26) - Model 7: Circle the wagons: the 4% rule (00:10:36) - Berkshire's 12 best decisions in 60 years (00:12:02) - Mistakes in investing: Ferrari, Progressive Insurance & Goldman Sachs (00:12:55) - Model 8: Do not cut flowers and water weeds; The Nifty 50 crash in the 1970s & Walmart (00:15:34) - Model 9: Be a shameless cloner; VIC & Dataroma; Gimat Gross (00:16:43) - Model 10: History does not repeat itself; Investing in Turkey & Reysas (00:19:50) - Model 11: Explain your investment thesis in 3-4 sentences to a 10-year old (00:19:58) - Model 12: You always need a rope to get out of the deepest well (00:23:14) - Model 13: Nick Sleep; Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance (00:26:52) - Model 14: Thou shall not use Excel (00:27:17) - Model 15: Use a pre-investment checklist (00:28:06) - Model 16: Be singularly focused like Arjuna (00:29:27) - Read the footnotes; Turn every page: Robert Caro (00:31:16) - Model 17: Enjoy hunting for needles in haystacks; Buffett's childhood entrepreneurial adventures (00:33:40) - Japanese Company Handbook; My introduction to Charlie Munger & Debbie Bozanek (00:37:27) - Model 18: Your deepest desire is your destiny (00:38:53) - Model 19: You should always have someone to discuss your investment ideas with; Li Lu (00:40:45) - Model 20: The mistress is always hotter than the wife!  (00:41:12) - Model 21: Neither a short-term borrower nor a long-term lender be (00:41:33) - Model 22: Introduce randomness into your life; Peter Lynch's One up on Wall Street (00:43:11) - Model 23: Be a Swiss Army knife (00:43:24) - Model 24-26: Focus on spin-offs, uber cannibals & spawners; Alpha-Metallurgical Resources (00:44:02) - Model 27: Arbitrage is wonderful; Transocean vs. Valaris (00:44:17) - Model 28: Heads I win, Tails I don't lose much!; IPSCO and CONSOL Energy (00:46:10) - Model 29: Focus on low-risk; high uncertainty bets (00:46:45) - Model 30: Do not skim off the top (00:47:23) - Book recommendations: Poor Charlie's Almanack, Influence & Excellent advice for living (00:47:41) - Investing in Turkish vs. Indian markets (00:50:17) - Follow your passion  The contents of this website are for educational and entertainment purposes only, and do not purport to be, and are not intended to be, financial, legal, accounting, tax or investment advice. Investments or strategies that are discussed may not be suitable for you, do not take into account your particular investment objectives, financial situation or needs and are not intended to provide investment advice or recommendations appropriate for you. Before making any investment or trade, consider whether it is suitable for you and consider seeking advice from your own financial or investment adviser. Views expressed on Chai with Pabrai are exclusively those of Mohnish Pabrai and not of any affiliated firm or organization.

Mental Models for Exceptional Capital Allocation by Mohnish Pabrai at The University of Nebraska, Omaha on May 1, 2026. (00:00:00) - Introduction (00:02:11) - Charlie Munger's mental models (00:03:43) - Model 1: The Bedrock: Take a simple idea and take it seriously (00:04:06) - Model 2: Ben Graham's Fundamentals (00:04:59) - Model 3: Do not overdose on Ben Graham; Poor Charlie's Almanack, Philip Fisher, and Pulak Prasad (00:05:16) - Model 4: Buffett's lifetime 20-punch card (00:06:05) - Model 5: Stay in the epicentre of your circle of competence; John Arrillaga (00:07:52) - Model 6: A high error rate is guaranteed in investing (00:08:06) - Model 7: Circle the wagons: the 4% rule (00:08:44) - Berkshire's 12 best decisions in 60 years (00:09:41) - Mistakes in investing: Ferrari, Progressive Insurance & Goldman Sachs (00:12:10) - Model 8: Do not cut flowers and water weeds (00:13:02) - Model 9: Be a shameless cloner; VIC; Dataroma & SumZero (00:15:11) - Model 10: History does not repeat itself - but it does rhyme (00:16:16) - Model 11: Explain your investment thesis to a 10-year old in 3-4 sentences (00:16:41) - Model 12: You always need a rope to get out of the deepest well (00:20:50) - Model 13: Pursue quality intensely; Nick Sleep, Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance (00:25:31) - Model 14: Thou shall not use Excel (00:25:52) - Model 15: Develop and use a pre-investment checklist (00:27:54) - Model 16: Be singularly focused like Arjuna (00:29:31) - Read the footnotes; Turn every page: Robert Caro (00:31:44) - Model 17: Enjoy hunting for needles in haystacks; Buffett's childhood entrepreneurial adventures (00:33:41) - Japanese Company Handbook; My introduction to Charlie Munger & Debbie Bozanek (00:38:02) - Model 18: Your deepest desire is your destiny (00:41:15) - Model 19: You should always have someone to discuss your investment ideas with; Li Lu (00:42:53) - Model 20: The mistress always looks hotter than the wife!  (00:43:30) - Model 21: Neither a short-term borrower nor a long-term lender be (00:43:54) - Model 22: Introduce randomness into your life; Peter Lynch's One up on Wall Street (00:46:28) - Model 23: Be a Swiss Army knife (00:46:36) - Model 24-26: Focus on spin-offs, uber cannibals & spawners (00:47:18) - Model 27: Arbitrage is wonderful; Rupert Murdoch (00:48:26) - Model 28: Heads I win, Tails I don't lose much!; IPSCO and CONSOL Energy (00:51:43) - Model 29: Focus on low-risk; high uncertainty bets (00:52:56) - Model 30: Do not skim off the top (00:53:37) - Book recommendations: Poor Charlie's Almanack, Influence & Excellent advice for living (00:54:48) - Importance of the Bedrock model (00:55:30) - Finding great businesses (00:58:11) - Focusing on my deepest desire (00:59:23) - Berkshire Hathaway A-shares (01:00:35) - Intrinsic value of a company (01:02:17) - The Founders Podcast & Value Investors Club (01:05:34) - Pursue your passion (01:07:49) - Making of a Great American Capitalist by Lowenstein (01:09:05) - Family-run businesses; Walmart (01:10:24) - The Dakshana Foundation & Giving back (01:12:45) - Micron (01:13:43) - Warren's Too Hard pile & Charlie's pie-counter trips The contents of this website are for educational and entertainment purposes only, and do not purport to be, and are not intended to be, financial, legal, accounting, tax or investment advice. Investments or strategies that are discussed may not be suitable for you, do not take into account your particular investment objectives, financial situation or needs and are not intended to provide investment advice or recommendations appropriate for you. Before making any investment or trade, consider whether it is suitable for you and consider seeking advice from your own financial or investment adviser.

(Note: we had a technical issue that affected the first 12 minutes of Eric's camera feed, so you'll see a bit more wide cam than usual in the beginning. Our apologies!) Why is it that people with half your talent and twice your luck seem to be winning all the time? Because they understand leverage. And you're still trading hours for dollars. Eric Jorgenson spent a decade studying Naval Ravikant, one of the most influential entrepreneurs and thinkers in Silicon Valley, and distilled his wisdom into his classic book “The Almanack of Naval Ravikant”. In this episode, we break down the exact frameworks Naval used to build wealth, happiness, and freedom without getting crushed by the game everyone else is playing. In this episode, you'll learn: Why leverage is the only game that matters now and how code, media, and capital separate the rich from everyone else "Productize yourself” — the two word formula that unlocks specific knowledge and makes competition irrelevant Why hard work is overrated and judgment is the real multiplier that creates 100X outcomes The four types of luck, from blind to built, and how to engineer serendipity into your destiny Why rising above status is the ultimate form of freedom If this conversation about leverage and ownership resonates with you, come to Mainstreet Millionaire Live, where we're breaking down how to source, negotiate, finance, and buy a business. If you're ready to own your upside, grab your tickets here: http://info.contrarianthinking.co/msmlbig-deal ___________ [FLIGHTCAST_CHAPTERS] ___________ MORE FROM BIGDEAL

Eric Jorgenson is the CEO of Scribe Media, the industry's largest professional publishing service, dedicated to helping entrepreneurs, executives, and experts write, publish, and market their books. Eric is also the bestselling author of The Almanack of Naval Ravikant and The Anthology of Balaji, with over a million copies sold. Beyond his publishing expertise, Eric is an investor in deep tech startups and an influential blogger and podcaster. His unique journey from author and curator to CEO-especially after helping revive Scribe Media from bankruptcy-makes him a fascinating guest with deep insights into the evolving world of book publishing, authorship, and leveraging books for business growth. On this episode we talk about: – The origin story behind The Almanack of Naval Ravikant and why Eric created it – The rise, fall, and rebirth of Scribe Media-and Eric's path to CEO – Key differences between traditional publishing, hybrid, and self-publishing models – How books can serve as powerful business assets beyond just royalties – The critical importance of quality and professionalism in publishing – Navigating advances, control, and intellectual property as an author – Why marketing and personal networks now drive book sales more than ever – The realities of bookstore placement, bestseller lists, and the modern publishing landscape Top 3 Takeaways 1. A book is more than a business card-it's a credential. A well-written, high-quality book can serve as a lifelong asset, building trust, authority, and opening doors for speaking, consulting, and business opportunities. 2. Control and flexibility matter. Traditional publishing can offer credibility and advances, but often at the cost of creative and financial control. Many authors now succeed by self-publishing or using hybrid models, retaining rights and maximizing ROI. 3. Marketing trumps distribution. In today's landscape, personal networks, podcasts, and word-of-mouth drive more book sales than traditional media or bookstore placement. Demonstrated demand online is what gets books into stores-not the publisher's logo. Notable Quotes “A good book is much more like a PhD. It's a credential you should be proud to put in front of whoever the most important person in your network is.” “Half-professional is unprofessional. If you're not proud to put your book in front of someone, you didn't invest enough time and effort.” “What really matters most is a great book. Your readers don't care who published it-they care about the value inside.” Connect with Eric Jorgenson: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/erjorgenson Website: ejorgenson.com Scribe Media: scribemedia.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mental Models for Running Startups and Businesses, SXSW 2026 on March 16, 2026. (00:00:00) - Introduction  (00:00:28) - Charlie Munger's mental models  (00:01:52) - Model 1: The Bedrock model: Take a simple idea and take it seriously  (00:02:31) - Model 2: Truth vs. Trust; David Hawkins: Power vs. Force  (00:05:43) - Costco  (00:07:56) - Model 3: Your deepest desire is your destiny  (00:09:40) - Model 4: Heads I win; Tails I don't lose much; Jeff Bezos  (00:10:36) - How to start a business without capital  (00:12:44) - Model 5: Be a shameless cloner; Sam Walton & Walmart and Bill Gates & Microsoft  (00:14:49) - Model 6: Use hacks to improve yourself; Be a harsh grader  (00:16:02) - Model 7: Hire slow fire fast  (00:16:53) - Model 8: Incentives are more powerful than you think  (00:17:51) - Model 10: Pursue quality intensely; Zen and the art of motorcycle maintenance by Robert Pirsig  (00:18:50) - Model 11: Focus on durable moats  (00:19:16) - Model 12: The purpose of business is not to make money  (00:19:45) - Model 13: Outsourcing smaller tasks  (00:20:39) - The latticework of mental models; Listen to your customer  (00:24:07) - Focus on taking larger market share  (00:25:19) - Model 14: Go all-in on no-brainers; Founders Podcast, Business Breakdowns & Acquired podcasts  (00:28:54) - Book recommendations: Poor Charlie's Almanack, Influence & Excellent Advice for Living  (00:29:27) - Duan Yongping: Fast is slow  (00:30:56) - Lifetime ban at a casino in Vegas; Blackjack  (00:33:09) - Exponential effect of implementing the models together  (00:34:24) - Benefit of mental models to non-venture backed businesses  (00:35:12) - El Cortez casino in Las Vegas; Blackjack (00:41:49) - Mental models for creative professionals; Seinfeld's Is This Anything? The contents of this website are for educational and entertainment purposes only, and do not purport to be, and are not intended to be, financial, legal, accounting, tax or investment advice. Investments or strategies that are discussed may not be suitable for you, do not take into account your particular investment objectives, financial situation or needs and are not intended to provide investment advice or recommendations appropriate for you. Before making any investment or trade, consider whether it is suitable for you and consider seeking advice from your own financial or investment adviser. Thumbnail Photo credit: Nick Piacente

You achieved it. You got there. And then you stood at the top and thought — is this it? Why does success feel empty? And, whose fault it actually is?What you will take away: — Why success feels empty and whose definition you are actually chasing — What Viktor Frankl, Naval Ravikant and George Leonard all agree on — Three practical steps to redefine success on your own terms — Why the emptiness is not a failure — it is informationTIMESTAMPS:00:00 — The "thing" nobody warned you about 00:09 — Who is Igor and what is this series?00:29 — The problem — borrowed definitions of success 02:44 — Visual: The truth about empty achievement 03:12 — The solution — What do you actually do?04:47 — Visual: The three steps 05:14 — Igor's story — losing everything and discovering The Question 07:07 — Your next step 07:45 — CloseThis isn't about achieving more. It's about achieving yours.#personaldevelopment #growthmindset #successmindset #purposeandmeaning #selfdiscovery

Will England's big three ever make up for the 25/26 Ashes debacle? Will Indian cricket ever be free of political interference? Why is the 150th anniversary pink ball Test a 'stinker' of a decision? And was day four and five at The Oval in 2025 a perfect showcase for the very best cricket can offer?Instagram: @talkSPORT_cricketTwitter: @cricket_ts @fulhamjonYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@talkSPORTCricketEmail: cricket@talksport.co.ukHost: Jon NormanExec Producer: Jon Norman Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The latest edition of the Wisden Almanack, cricket's long-running annual record of statistics and analysis, has been released, with editor Lawrence Booth joining Emile Donovan to discuss the state of the game.

This episode of Cricket Unfiltered dives into one of the biggest issues in Australian cricket right now — the future of the Big Bash League — as Cricket NSW takes a firm stand against privatisation. The guys unpack what this means for the competition, the risks of external ownership, and whether the league can grow through a self-funded model instead. They also cover the latest from the Wisden Cricketers' Almanack, including Mitchell Starc's recognition, debate the quirks of Wisden's selection rules, and take a global look at Aussie performances across the IPL, PSL, and county cricket. Plus, there's discussion around Cameron Green's struggles, David Warner's off-field controversy, and what it all means for leadership and accountability in Australian cricket. (6:22) – NSW rejects BBL privatisation: what it means (10:00) – Risks of selling BBL clubs & fan identity concerns (12:47) – Alternative “self-funding” model explained (21:59) – Potential BBL expansion ideas (India/Chennai discussion) (26:49) – Mitchell Starc named Wisden Cricketer of the Year (44:47) – IPL update: Aussie performances & Cameron Green struggles Cricket Unfiltered Merchandise is Here! We've launched our official Cricket Unfiltered merch store thanks to a brilliant partnership with Exactamundo, a longtime supporter of the show.

On Wisden week Yas speaks to Lawrence Booth about all things Almanack as the 2026 edition is released on Thursday, before speaking to rival podcast host Tom Holland about his favourite cricketers & relationship with the game itself. 0:00 Intro & Wisden's award winners / 6:57 Other snapshots from the Almanack / 15:52 Tom Holland preamble & Ashes chat / 19:44 Relationship with English cricket / 26:46 Top three favourite cricketers / 31:29 Quickfire questions

"Therefore must I descend into the deep:as thou doest in the evening, when thou goest behind the sea, and gives light also to the nether-world, thou exuberant star!"-ZarathustraBook Reference:Thus Spoke Zarathustra-Author:Friedrich NietzschePoor Richard's Almanack, 1758-Author:Benjamin FranklinPurpose Served Social Media:Instagram- https://www.instagram.com/purpose_servedTwitter-https://twitter.comFacebook:https://www.facebook.com/purpose.serv...Become a Memberhttps://www.purposeserved.com/forumPurpose Served Website:https://www.purposeserved.comEmail:servedpurpose@gmail.comEmail UsSupport the show

Welcome to the free audiobook of The Book of Elon: A Guide to Purpose and Success. This is Part 1 of 4. I've made all of my books available for free. This is the third book I've published, and like the others, it's available in all formats—PDF, EPUB, and audio—and in dozens of languages. More than 5 million people have read the free version of The Almanack of Naval, and I wanted to do the same here. You can find the full book and bonus content on my website. I do this because I believe that if you can't comfortably afford the Kindle version or an Audible credit, then you should have access to this information even more. I want to personally gift it to you. I believe the ideas in this book can benefit anyone—and the more people who have good ideas in their heads, the better the future will be for all of us. If you're enjoying the free version, here are a few no-cost ways to support me and this project: Leave a review on Amazon, Goodreads, or Audible—these make a huge difference and help new readers discover the book Subscribe to my podcast Smart Friends, and follow along on YouTube, X, LinkedIn, or Instagram Join the email list at ejorgenson.com And most importantly, if this resonates with you, share it directly with a friend. A quick text or email recommendation is how most people decide what to read—and it means a lot. I appreciate you listening, reading, and helping spread the word.

Welcome to the free audiobook of The Book of Elon: A Guide to Purpose and Success. This is Part 3 of 4. I've made all of my books available for free. This is the third book I've published, and like the others, it's available in all formats—PDF, EPUB, and audio—and in dozens of languages. More than 5 million people have read the free version of The Almanack of Naval, and I wanted to do the same here. You can find the full book and bonus content on my website. I do this because I believe that if you can't comfortably afford the Kindle version or an Audible credit, then you should have access to this information even more. I want to personally gift it to you. I believe the ideas in this book can benefit anyone—and the more people who have good ideas in their heads, the better the future will be for all of us. If you're enjoying the free version, here are a few no-cost ways to support me and this project: Leave a review on Amazon, Goodreads, or Audible—these make a huge difference and help new readers discover the book Subscribe to my podcast Smart Friends, and follow along on YouTube, X, LinkedIn, or Instagram Join the email list at ejorgenson.com And most importantly, if this resonates with you, share it directly with a friend. A quick text or email recommendation is how most people decide what to read—and it means a lot. I appreciate you listening, reading, and helping spread the word.

Welcome to the free audiobook of The Book of Elon: A Guide to Purpose and Success. This is Part 2 of 4. I've made all of my books available for free. This is the third book I've published, and like the others, it's available in all formats—PDF, EPUB, and audio—and in dozens of languages. More than 5 million people have read the free version of The Almanack of Naval, and I wanted to do the same here. You can find the full book and bonus content on my website. I do this because I believe that if you can't comfortably afford the Kindle version or an Audible credit, then you should have access to this information even more. I want to personally gift it to you. I believe the ideas in this book can benefit anyone—and the more people who have good ideas in their heads, the better the future will be for all of us. If you're enjoying the free version, here are a few no-cost ways to support me and this project: Leave a review on Amazon, Goodreads, or Audible—these make a huge difference and help new readers discover the book Subscribe to my podcast Smart Friends, and follow along on YouTube, X, LinkedIn, or Instagram Join the email list at ejorgenson.com And most importantly, if this resonates with you, share it directly with a friend. A quick text or email recommendation is how most people decide what to read—and it means a lot. I appreciate you listening, reading, and helping spread the word.

Welcome to the free audiobook of The Book of Elon: A Guide to Purpose and Success. This is Part 1 of 4. I've made all of my books available for free. This is the third book I've published, and like the others, it's available in all formats—PDF, EPUB, and audio—and in dozens of languages. More than 5 million people have read the free version of The Almanack of Naval, and I wanted to do the same here. You can find the full book and bonus content on my website. I do this because I believe that if you can't comfortably afford the Kindle version or an Audible credit, then you should have access to this information even more. I want to personally gift it to you. I believe the ideas in this book can benefit anyone—and the more people who have good ideas in their heads, the better the future will be for all of us. If you're enjoying the free version, here are a few no-cost ways to support me and this project: Leave a review on Amazon, Goodreads, or Audible—these make a huge difference and help new readers discover the book Subscribe to my podcast Smart Friends, and follow along on YouTube, X, LinkedIn, or Instagram Join the email list at ejorgenson.com And most importantly, if this resonates with you, share it directly with a friend. A quick text or email recommendation is how most people decide what to read—and it means a lot. I appreciate you listening, reading, and helping spread the word.

How can you get a free t-shirt and a copy of Poor Charlie's Almanack? Find out on this week's PlayingFTSE Show!It's that time of the year where we reflect on how badly Q1 has gone. And it hasn't gone well – but it's better than some have managed.Steve W's lost 6% this quarter. But he's made two big moves out of cyclical stocks that have done well and into tech. The timing hasn't been perfect, but if it hasn't been terrible. The question, though, is what his plans for the new ISA season are.Steve D is down 6.6% in Q1. But he's been using some weakness in share prices to add to existing names in a pretty big way.Adyen dropping has been the big story and the dip has been well and truly bought. More surprising, though, is the name he's been selling…The Eurobox has had a terrible three months. You can count the stocks that are up on the fingers of one hand (and the ones Steve W chose using your thumb).Things would have been even worse if we'd stuck with the names we cut at the start of the year. So is it time to cut bait with some more losers? The Britbox is largely flat, despite the FTSE 100 being up significantly. And this time the winners and losers are spread across the board. We're looking at one change each this quarter, both coming from names that we've talked about before. But what's getting sold to make way?Only on this week's PlayingFTSE Podcast!► Get a free fractional share!This show is sponsored by Trading 212! To get free fractional shares worth up to 100 EUR / GBP, you can open an account with Trading 212 through this link https://www.trading212.com/Jdsfj/FTSE. Terms apply.When investing, your capital is at risk and you may get back less than invested.Past performance doesn't guarantee future results.► Get 15% OFF Fiscal.ai:Huge thanks to our sponsor, Fiscal.ai, the best investing toolkit we've discovered! Get 15% off your subscription with code below and unlock powerful tools to analyze stocks, discover hidden gems, and build income streams. Check them out at Fiscal.ai!https://fiscal.ai/?via=steve► Follow Us On Substack:Sign up for our Substack and get light-hearted, info-packed discussions on everything from market trends and investing psychology to deep dives into different asset classes. We'll analyse what makes the best investors tick and share insights that challenge your thinking while keeping things engaging.You'll also find our new 10-week investing and research course available right now. It's completely free, with no sign-up required, no payment, and none of the usual BS. Don't miss out. Join us today and get stuck in.https://playingftse.substack.com/► Support the show:Appreciate the show and want to offer your support? You could always buy us a coffee at: https://ko-fi.com/playingftse(All proceeds reinvested into the show and not to coffee!)► Timestamps:0:00 INTRO & OUR WEEKS4:13 COMPETITION5:48 STEVE W'S PORTFOLIO24:26 STEVE D'S PORTFOLIO44:37 EUROBOX53:07 BRITBOX► Show Notes:What's been going on in the financial world and why should anyone care? Find out as we dive into the latest news and try to figure out what any of it means. We talk about stocks, markets, politics, and loads of other things in a way that's accessible, light-hearted and (we hope) entertaining. For the people who know nothing, by the people who know even less. Enjoy► Wanna get in contact?Got a question for us? Drop it in the comments below or reach out to us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/playing_ftse/► Enquiries: Please email - playingftsepodcast@gmail(dot)com► Disclaimer: This information is for entertainment purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. Always consult with a qualified financial professional before making any investment decisions.

From swinging hammers on a six-unit deal during the Great Recession to building a vertically integrated real estate firm, Erik Strom and Erik Nordstrom share how discipline, operational excellence, and patience have driven consistent returns in multifamily investing. They break down today's market cycle, why underwriting conservatively matters more than ever, and how true wealth in real estate is built through execution, not hype.   Key Takeaways To Listen For Why going through tough market cycles builds well-rounded operators The power of lender relationships in unlocking off-market and distressed deals One market focus vs. chasing multiple "hot" locations Main advantage of mastering every part of the business How conservative underwriting protects downside and drives long-term wealth   Resources/Links Mentioned In This Episode AppFolio  Poor Charlie's Almanack by Peter D. Kaufman | Hardcover  Meditations by Marcus Aurelius | Kindle and Paperback The One Minute Manager by Kenneth Blanchard Ph.D. and Spencer Johnson M.D. | Paperback and Hardcover   About Erik Strom and Erik Nordstrom Erik Strom is a principal at Ironridge Capital with over 18 years of experience in syndication, property management, asset management, and commercial investment brokerage. He previously brokered more than $175 million in multifamily and land development transactions and founded Ironridge Investments in 2010, building a $53 million portfolio in the Seattle area before transitioning to Ironridge Capital in 2018. With a business administration degree from the University of Washington and a hands-on background in construction, Erik combines practical experience with financial expertise to lead acquisitions, fundraising, and strategic portfolio growth.   Erik Nordstrom is the president of Ironridge Capital with over 18 years of experience in project management, operations, and team leadership. His background includes real estate lending, small business investments, and managing teams of over 200 employees in the health and fitness industry, where he was also a founding partner in a fitness franchise. A University of Florida attendee and licensed real estate professional since 2011, Erik oversees daily operations, property management teams, and capital improvement projects, emphasizing strong communication, teamwork, and operational excellence.   Connect with Erik and Erik Website: Ironridge Capital's  LinkedIn: Erik Strom | Erik Nordstrom Phone: Erik Strom (425) 466-5681 | Erik Nordstrom (352) 278-0415   Connect With Us If you're looking to invest your hard-earned money into cash-flowing, value-add assets, reach out to us at https://bobocapitalventures.com/.   Follow Keith's social media pages LinkedIn: Keith Borie Investor Club: Secret Passive Cashflow Investors Club Facebook: Keith Borie X: @BoboLlc80554  

David Senra: Read the notes at at podcastnotes.org. Don't forget to subscribe for free to our newsletter, the top 10 ideas of the week, every Monday --------- Eric Jorgenson is an investor, author, and the CEO of Scribe Media — best known for his mission to distill the ideas of the world's most consequential thinkers into books anyone can read. Obsessed with the idea that the best way to understand a great mind was to read everything they'd ever said, Jorgenson spent years compiling Naval Ravikant's writing, podcasts, and interviews into a single coherent volume. The result — The Almanack of Naval Ravikant — was released for free, spread virally, and has been read by millions of people around the world. He never charged a dollar for it. That project established a model. Rather than waiting for great thinkers to write their own books, Jorgenson would do it for them — hunting down every interview, essay, and conversation, finding the signal in the noise, and shaping it into something permanent. The Book of Elon followed. Drawing on decades of interviews, Jorgenson assembled the most complete portrait of Musk's thinking ever put in one place — how he reasons, how he recruits, how he sets goals that seem insane until they aren't. His work sits at a rare intersection: rigorous enough for serious students of business, accessible enough to hand to anyone. In an era of content overload, Jorgenson's instinct runs the opposite direction — that the most valuable thing you can do is take a lifetime of wisdom and make it impossible to ignore. Show notes: https://www.davidsenra.com/episode/eric-jorgenson The Book of Elon giveaway: https://elonbookgiveaway.com Made possible by Ramp: ⁠https://ramp.com⁠ Deel: https://deel.com Axon by AppLovin: https://axon.ai HubSpot: https://hubspot.com Chapters (00:00:00) Book Reveal (00:00:39) Build Useful Things (00:02:19) Engineering Talent Edge (00:04:26) Wired for War (00:06:47) Tip of the Spear (00:08:47) Burn the Boats (00:13:13) Facing Fear (00:15:16) Origin Story Myths (00:18:19) Know Business A to Z (00:22:17) Simplify and Fail Fast (00:25:35) Reality and Physics (00:28:18) The Algorithm Begins (00:30:34) Delete and Simplify (00:34:25) Starlink War Room (00:36:52) Repetition as OS (00:38:18) Step Three Simplify Optimize (00:38:43) Question Every Requirement (00:39:13) Tesla Battery Pack Delete (00:40:43) Repetition Installs Ideas (00:42:02) Step Four Accelerate (00:43:26) Design Org for Speed (00:46:06) Step Five Automate (00:46:29) Control and Clean Sheet (00:48:54) Vertical Integration and Costs (00:50:47) SpaceX Incentives and Mars (00:57:11) Frontier Unlocks Starlink (01:00:26) Time as True Currency (01:03:58) Speed Triage and Bottlenecks (01:10:11) Internalized Responsibility (01:12:56) Avoid Serialized Dependencies (01:14:31) Aligning the Team (01:15:07) Time Is the Constraint (01:16:00) One Metric Focus (01:18:03) Directional Predictions (01:19:06) We Must Make Stuff (01:25:39) Manufacturing as Moat (01:26:23) Speed and Direct to Customer (01:28:41) SpaceX Feasibility Study (01:33:07) Edge of Sanity Leadership (01:37:10) Bottlenecks and Integration (01:40:01) Design and Simplify (01:45:15) Catch the Rocket (01:48:14) Capitalism and Closing Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

RSAC spotlights public-private partnership gaps. DarkSword leaks to GitHub. The FCC blocks new foreign-made routers. Citrix patches a critical NetScaler flaw. DOE rolls out an energy-sector cyber strategy. CanisterWorm spreads through npm. Researchers flag suspected KACE SMA exploitation. QualDerm reports a 3.1-million-record breach. A Russian access broker gets 81 months. Intern Kevin checks in from RSAC. Maria Varmazis speaks with Jake Braun, longtime DEF CON organizer and former White House official about the DEF CON 33 Hackers' Almanack. Slow down, you vibe too fast.  Remember to leave us a 5-star rating and review in your favorite podcast app. Miss an episode? Sign-up for our daily intelligence roundup, Daily Briefing, and you'll never miss a beat. And be sure to follow CyberWire Daily on LinkedIn. CyberWire Guest Maria Varmazis speaks with today's guest Jake Braun, longtime DEF CON organizer, former White House official, and lead on DEF CON Franklin, about the DEF CON 33 Hackers' Almanack. You can read more about it here. Selected Reading Public-private partnerships vital in disrupting China's Typhoons, says RSA panel with no government speakers (The Register) Someone has publicly leaked an exploit kit that can hack millions of iPhones (TechCrunch) US bans any new consumer-grade routers not made in America (The Register) Critical Citrix NetScaler Vulnerability Poised for Exploitation, Security Firms Warn (SecurityWeek) DOE Sets 5-Year Plan to Harden US Grid Against Cyberattacks (GovInfo Security) New CanisterWorm Targets Kubernetes Clusters, Deploys “Kamikaze” Wiper (Hackread) CVE-2025-32975 (Arctic Wolf) 3.1 Million Impacted by QualDerm Data Breach (SecurityWeek) Russian hacker who helped Yanluowang ransomware gang gets nearly 7-year prison sentence (The Record) This Web Tool Sabotages AI Chatbots By Making Them Really, Really Slow (404 Media) Share your feedback. What do you think about CyberWire Daily? Please take a few minutes to share your thoughts with us by completing our brief listener survey. Thank you for helping us continue to improve our show. Want to hear your company in the show? N2K CyberWire helps you reach the industry's most influential leaders and operators, while building visibility, authority, and connectivity across the cybersecurity community. Learn more at sponsor.thecyberwire.com. The CyberWire is a production of N2K Networks, your source for strategic workforce intelligence. © N2K Networks, Inc. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In today's episode, we have the pleasure to interview Eric Jorgenson, author of The Book of Elon.Eric is an author, entrepreneur, and curator of ideas who has dedicated his career to preserving the most useful insights from some of the world's greatest thinkers and builders. He's the author of The Almanack of Naval Ravikant, which has sold more than two million copies worldwide and has become one of the most influential modern books on wealth, happiness, and decision-making.Today, Eric is also the CEO of Scribe Media, where he's helping build the next generation of publishing—one where authors retain full financial and creative control of their books.In this episode, you'll learn why Eric believes Elon Musk may be the greatest entrepreneur of all time, what separates insane work ethic from truly effective prioritization, and how Elon's philosophy of “maniacal urgency” can dramatically increase your productivity and impact.We also talk about why first-principles thinking matters, what Elon's mindset can teach entrepreneurs today, and why Eric's bigger mission is to inspire one million future innovators by spreading the mindset behind extraordinary innovation.Enjoy this incredible conversation with Eric JorgensonTo Learn More about Eric and buy his book visit: The Book:https://a.co/d/00mHqPwwWebsite/Socials:https://www.ejorgenson.com/https://www.linkedin.com/in/erjorgensonhttps://twitter.com/EricJorgenson

It's been five years since the Almanack of Naval Ravikant was published. I spent the day with Naval expanding on key ideas from the book. We recorded hours of that conversation to share with you. You can purchase the new expanded edition with nearly 4 hours of new material on Audible here: https://www.audible.com/pd/The-Almanack-of-Naval-Ravikant-Audiobook/B0FBCP1JWJ Chapters: 00:00 - Building Wealth 37:49 - Building Judgement 01:12:30 - Learning Happiness 02:15:17 - Saving Yourself 02:50:17 - Philosophy To support the costs of producing this podcast:  >> Buy a copy of the Navalmanack: www.navalmanack.com/  >> Buy a copy of The Anthology of Balaji: https://balajianthology.com/ >> Sign up for my online course and community about building your Personal Leverage: https://www.ejorgenson.com/leverage  >> Invest in early-stage companies alongside Eric and his partners at Rolling Fun: https://angel.co/v/back/rolling-fun >> Join the free weekly email list at ejorgenson.com/newsletter >> Text the podcast to a friend

Peter D. Kaufman is the Chairman and CEO of GlenAir, the editor of Poor Charlie's Almanack, and was a decades-long friend of Charlie Munger. In a talk that was never meant to be made public, one of the world's greatest business minds reveals the secrets to multidisciplinary thinking. Peter allowed the complete talk to be transcribed and posted on FS. ----- Approximate Timestamps: (00:00) Introduction (01:49)  Why is Multidisciplinary Thinking Important? (07:27) How The World Works (18:39) The Biggest Blind Spots in Business (22:05) You Only Get One Life ----- Upgrade: Get a hand edited transcripts and ad free experiences along with my thoughts and reflections at the end of every conversation. Learn more @ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠fs.blog/membership ------ Newsletter: The Brain Food newsletter delivers actionable insights and thoughtful ideas every Sunday. It takes 5 minutes to read, and it's completely free. Learn more and sign up at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠fs.blog/newsletter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ------ Follow Shane Parrish: X: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://x.com/shaneparrish⁠ Insta: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/farnamstreet/⁠ LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/shane-parrish-050a2183/⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

How Eric Jorgenson Thinks 30 Years Ahead to Build Companies That Matter in the Age of AIEric Jorgenson, CEO of Scribe Media and venture investor, reveals how thinking on a 20-30 year timeline fundamentally changes investment decisions, company building, and personal leverage in an AI-accelerated world. From investing in asteroid mining startups to understanding why most people get the AI revolution wrong, Eric breaks down how to build leverage, develop judgment, and position yourself for the civilization-level changes ahead.The conversation explores why short-term thinking creates mediocrity while long-term vision enables breakthrough innovation. Eric shares his framework for evaluating startups, explains why energy and consciousness are the real currencies of the future, and demonstrates how AI tools amplify leverage for those who understand fundamental skills. The discussion challenges conventional wisdom about education, productivity, and what it means to contribute meaningfully to human progress.Key Topics Covered:The 20-30 year investment framework and why most opportunities fail this filterWhy Eric invested in an asteroid mining startup when others called it crazyHow AI accelerates discovery in physics, biology, and material science beyond information workThe widening gap between AI adopters and non-adopters in every industryWhy judgment and taste matter more than technical skills in the AI eraHow to train the next generation when AI can do the execution workThe difference between learning fundamental skills versus using AI as a crutchApplying leverage principles through delegation, automation, and recorded processesWhy equal opportunity matters more than equal outcomes for civilizationViewing consciousness as humanity's core responsibility in the universeEpisode Timestamps:00:00 - Introduction and Eric's 2025 operating lens01:41 - The 20-30 year timeframe for investing and life decisions03:30 - Asteroid mining investment thesis and long-term vision06:26 - How Eric cultivated the long-term thinking mindset10:22 - AI as a force multiplier across all technologies13:54 - How the smartest people are adopting AI differently17:06 - The thought experiment: training an intern for maximum impact25:46 - The crisis in education and what students are missing31:32 - How leverage has evolved and become more accessible42:11 - Eric's highest leverage activities and what he should be doing more46:23 - The divergent paths of resourceful versus passive people50:36 - Why Eric does what he does and his view on consciousnessAbout Eric Jorgenson:Eric Jorgenson is the CEO of Scribe Media, a publishing company that helps entrepreneurs and thought leaders write, publish, and market their books. He also runs a pre-seed and seed venture fund investing in long-term technology companies. Eric is best known as the author of The Almanack of Naval Ravikant, a curated collection of Naval's wisdom on wealth and happiness that has reached millions of readers worldwide and been translated into dozens of languages. The book distills years of Naval's tweets, podcast appearances, and essays into a comprehensive guide on building wealth, finding happiness, and living a meaningful life. Eric's deep understanding of leverage and long-term thinking stems directly from his work synthesizing Naval's philosophy.About Scribe Media:Scribe Media is a publisher specializing in helping entrepreneurs, executives, and experts transform their knowledge into professionally published books. The company handles the complete book creation process from writing to publishing to marketing, enabling busy professionals to share their ideas without the traditional barriers of book publishing.

Want Sam's top 7 books for entrepreneurs (& his reading strategy)? Get it here: https://clickhubspot.com/bvp Episode 781: Sam Parr ( ⁠https://x.com/theSamParr⁠ ) and Shaan Puri ( ⁠https://x.com/ShaanVP⁠ ) break down the best things they've seen over the last 12 months.  Show Notes: (0:00) Intro (11:18) die with zero (20:24) selling out (37:06) 48 Laws of Power (41:28) The Terminal List (46:17) The Navalmanak (49:13) Working smarter, not harder (51:52) The $510M boom box (54:08) Sam's richer, better looking twin — Links: • Die With Zero - https://www.diewithzerobook.com/  • The Almanack of Naval Ravikant - https://www.navalmanack.com/  • Poor Charlie's Almanack - https://www.poorcharliesalmanack.com/  • The Will of the Many - https://www.amazon.com/Will-Many-1-Hierarchy/dp/1982141174  • The Terminal List - https://www.officialjackcarr.com/books/the-terminal-list/  • The 48 Laws of Power - https://powerseductionandwar.com/48-laws-of-power/  • Selling Out - https://www.oaktreecapital.com/insights/memo/selling-out  — Check Out Shaan's Stuff: • Shaan's weekly email - https://www.shaanpuri.com  • Visit https://www.somewhere.com/mfm to hire worldwide talent like Shaan and get $500 off for being an MFM listener. Hire developers, assistants, marketing pros, sales teams and more for 80% less than US equivalents. • Mercury - Need a bank for your company? Go check out Mercury (mercury.com). Shaan uses it for all of his companies! Mercury is a financial technology company, not an FDIC-insured bank. Banking services provided by Choice Financial Group, Column, N.A., and Evolve Bank & Trust, Members FDIC — Check Out Sam's Stuff: • Hampton - https://www.joinhampton.com/ • Ideation Bootcamp - https://www.ideationbootcamp.co/ • Copy That - https://copythat.com • Hampton Wealth Survey - https://joinhampton.com/wealth • Sam's List - http://samslist.co/ My First Million is a HubSpot Original Podcast // Brought to you by HubSpot Media // Production by Arie Desormeaux // Editing by Ezra Bakker Trupiano //

У цьому епізоді Flow я підсумовую 2025 рік у простому та (надіюсь) практичному форматі: книга, стаття, рішення, думка, девайс і AI use caseіs, які я використовував і які для мене були найважливішими та найкориснішими протягом року.Лінки з епізоду:Flow — епізод №16: як планувати наступний рік «8760 годин. Підбиваємо підсумки року і складаємо плани на новий. Епізод #16 | Flow - https://youtu.be/kJA4ltP5fSk?si=zZt1XGmvTswgK1O4

On today's episode, Clay is joined by Stig Brodersen to discuss the changes he's made to his portfolio, why he sold out of Evolution AB, and why he's bullish on Uber. Clay and Stig also discuss the mental models that Stig has picked up this year, and how our listeners can join us at our live events in Omaha during the Berkshire Hathaway shareholders' weekend. IN THIS EPISODE YOU'LL LEARN: 00:00:00 - Intro 00:05:08 - The mental models that Stig has picked up this year 00:08:47 - Why Stig sold his position in Evolution AB 00:15:50 - Why Stig has continued to add to his new position in Uber 00:43:29 - The bear case for Uber, and what would break his investment thesis 01:04:52 - Stig's take on the AI race, and where Alphabet fits into the bigger picture 01:25:19 - How our listeners can join us in Omaha during the Berkshire Hathaway shareholders' weekend Disclaimer: Slight discrepancies in the timestamps may occur due to podcast platform differences. BOOKS AND RESOURCES Join the exclusive ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TIP Mastermind Community⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to engage in meaningful stock investing discussions with Stig, Clay, Kyle, and the other community members. Learn how to join us in Omaha for the Berkshire meeting here. Read Stig's letters to We Study Billionaires about his track record. Mentioned Episode: TIP618: Stig's Portfolio Performance since 2014. Mentioned Episode: TIP684: Current Market Conditions & Poor Charlie's Almanack. Follow Clay on LinkedIn & X. Follow Stig on LinkedIn. Related ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠books⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ mentioned in the podcast. Ad-free episodes on our ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Premium Feed⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. NEW TO THE SHOW? Get smarter about valuing businesses in just a few minutes each week through our newsletter, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Intrinsic Value Newsletter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Check out our ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠We Study Billionaires Starter Packs⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Follow our official social media accounts: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠X (Twitter)⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Browse through all our episodes (complete with transcripts) ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Try our tool for picking stock winners and managing our portfolios: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TIP Finance Tool⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Enjoy exclusive perks from our ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠favorite Apps and Services⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Learn how to better start, manage, and grow your business with the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠best business podcasts⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. SPONSORS Support our free podcast by supporting our ⁠⁠⁠⁠sponsors⁠⁠⁠⁠: Simple Mining⁠ ⁠Human Rights Foundation⁠ ⁠Unchained⁠ ⁠HardBlock⁠ ⁠Linkedin Talent Solutions⁠ ⁠Public.com⁠ - see the full disclaimer ⁠here⁠. ⁠Amazon Ads⁠ ⁠Alexa+⁠ ⁠Shopify⁠ ⁠Vanta⁠ ⁠Onramp⁠ ⁠Abundant Mines⁠ ⁠Horizon⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://theinvestorspodcastnetwork.supportingcast.fm

Eric Jorgenson is the CEO of Scribe Media. He published two books with Scribe prior to becoming CEO. The Almanack of Naval Ravikant has sold over 1,000,000 copies, been translated into 30+ languages, and seen over 4,000,000 digital copies given away for free. He runs an early stage technology investment firm called Rolling Fun, and was previously in Growth & Product roles at Zaarly. Guest host Craig Zucker is an attorney and shareholder at Maddin, Hauser, Roth & Heller, P.C. He's a member of the firm's Executive Committee and co-chair of its Bankruptcy, Restructuring and Debtor-Creditor Rights group. Craig concentrates his practice in bankruptcy and complex insolvency-related matters, serving clients throughout the United States including in New York, Ohio, and Florida. He has a broad range of experience representing debtors and creditors in federal, bankruptcy, and state court proceedings and through out-of-court workouts, mediations, and facilitations. Connect with Jon Dwoskin: Twitter: @jdwoskin Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jonathan.dwoskin Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thejondwoskinexperience/ Website: https://jondwoskin.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jondwoskin/ Email: jon@jondwoskin.com Get Jon's Book: The Think Big Movement: Grow your business big. Very Big!   Connect with Eric Jorgenson:Website: https://scribemedia.com/ X: https://twitter.com/scribemediaco LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/scribe-media Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/scribemediaco/ Facebook: https://facebook.com/scribemediaco YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCen_O0dVTbVAK-XF9IjPitQ Connect with Craig Zucker: Website: https://maddinhauser.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MaddinHauser X: https://twitter.com/MaddinHauserPC LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/maddin-hauser-roth-and-heller-pc/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@maddinhauserlaw                                                                                     *E – explicit language may be used in this podcast.

In this final episode of the series inspired by Poor Charlie's Almanack, Dr. Killeen shifts the focus to you. He unpacks the three core ideas that fuel real personal growth—how your daily habits shape your results, why protecting the first hour of your day matters, and how your inputs determine your outputs. It's a relaxed, practical conversation about becoming a better leader by first becoming a better version of yourself. Simple shifts. Big impact.

In Episode 6 of the series inspired by Poor Charlie's Almanack, Dr. Killeen breaks down leadership into the three principles that really move the needle. From why your vision needs constant repeating, to how culture is shaped by what you tolerate, to the power of reinforcing the right behaviors, this episode offers a relaxed, practical look at what great leadership actually looks like in a dental practice. Simple, grounded, and refreshingly doable.

Travis is joined by his producer Eric for a rapid‑fire, no‑guest episode built around funny, candid questions about purchases, regrets, and money habits. Eric keeps Travis on his toes, pushing him to “bring the receipts” on everything from embarrassing Amazon orders to the masterminds and franchises he has invested in.​ On this episode we talk about: The most embarrassing Amazon purchases Travis would hate to see leaked. Under‑$50 buys (like “The Almanack of Naval Ravikant”) that genuinely improved his life.​ The pricey Vegas group dinner he barely ate at and instantly regretted. Subscriptions and trials (sports, streaming, live TV) that keep renewing long after they're useful.​ “Boring” purchases like chargers, docks, and phone accessories that quietly deliver value every day. Early‑20s mistakes like buying a brand‑new car versus a lightly used one. How much money Travis has ultimately spent with past podcast guests through masterminds, investments, and franchises.​ Top 3 Takeaways Paying for experiences or group status you do not actually enjoy (like a late‑night Vegas dinner you barely touch) is one of the fastest ways to waste money and energy. The best purchases are often unsexy: books that change how you think, tech that reduces daily friction, and used cars that avoid the steepest depreciation curve.​ Recurring subscriptions and “free trials” can quietly drain thousands over time, so using reminders, assistants, or apps to cancel aggressively is a simple but powerful money move.​ Notable Quotes "It felt like I paid $100 a bite for that dinner—and I still left hungry." "I used to think eating out was a splurge; now the real flex is not wasting cash on stuff that doesn't move the needle." "Money only solves your money problems, but it is a lot easier to solve everything else when you actually have some in the bank."​ ✖️✖️✖️✖️

Discover all of the podcasts in our network, search for specific episodes, get the Optimal Living Daily workbook, and learn more at: OLDPodcast.com. Episode 1863: Isaac Morehouse challenges the traditional college narrative by reframing education as a personal branding story, encouraging individuals to craft a more compelling, authentic alternative that reflects initiative, skills, and real-world results. By exposing the crumbling value of degrees and the rise of self-driven learning, he empowers readers to take control of their trajectory and differentiate themselves in a noisy, competitive world. Read along with the original article(s) here: https://isaacmorehouse.com/2022/01/17/college-is-a-story-tell-a-better-one/ & https://isaacmorehouse.com/2022/02/11/no-degree-is-the-new-degree/ Quotes to ponder: "It's not that college is a lie. It's that it's a small and boring truth." "No degree is the new degree." "If you can't tell a better story than the degree, you probably won't beat it." Episode references: The End of College by Kevin Carey: https://www.amazon.com/End-College-Creating-Future-Learning/dp/1594632057 Thiel Fellowship: https://thielfellowship.org The Almanack of Naval Ravikant: https://www.amazon.com/Almanack-Naval-Ravikant-Wealth-Happiness/dp/1544514212    

On today's episode, Kyle Grieve discusses Charlie Munger's legendary speech, The Psychology of Human Misjudgment, and unpacks all 25 of his cognitive biases that often lead even the most intelligent people to make poor decisions. Drawing from Poor Charlie's Almanack, Kyle explores how these psychological tendencies—like incentive-caused bias, social proof, and inconsistency avoidance—can distort our thinking in business, investing, and everyday life. He blends Munger's timeless wisdom with real-world investing examples, personal experiences, and practical strategies to help listeners make better, more rational decisions. IN THIS EPISODE YOU'LL LEARN: 00:00 - Intro 03:02 - Why incentives quietly override moral behavior. 06:32 - Why liking and disliking an investing thesis can distort reality. 09:54 - Why doubt avoidance cause investors to take significant risks in things like IPOs. 12:07 - How inconsistency avoidance causes a lazy creep into our thinking processes. 24:38 - How to avoid the destructive effects of reciprocation. 32:49 - The dangers of overestimating our abilities. 37:44 - Why jumping off a sinking ship beats trying to patch it up. 45:58 - Why contrasting stock prices in exuberant markets evaporates margins of safety. 59:41 - Why investors should choose simplicity > complexity. 01:01:43 - Why you should search for Lollapalooza effects in business. And so much more! Disclaimer: Slight discrepancies in the timestamps may occur due to podcast platform differences. BOOKS AND RESOURCES Join Clay and a select group of passionate value investors for a retreat in Big Sky, Montana. Learn more ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Join the exclusive ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TIP Mastermind Community⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to engage in meaningful stock investing discussions with Stig, Clay, Kyle, and the other community members. Buy a copy of Poor Charlie's Almanack here. Read about Charlie's Psychology of Human Misjudgement here. Watch Charlie's presentation on The Psychology of Human Misjudgement here. Follow Kyle on X and LinkedIn. Check out all the books mentioned and discussed in our podcast episodes ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Enjoy ad-free episodes when you subscribe to our ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Premium Feed⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. NEW TO THE SHOW? Get smarter about valuing businesses in just a few minutes each week through our newsletter, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Intrinsic Value Newsletter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Check out our ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠We Study Billionaires Starter Packs⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Follow our official social media accounts: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠X (Twitter)⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Browse through all our episodes (complete with transcripts) ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Try our tool for picking stock winners and managing our portfolios: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TIP Finance Tool⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Enjoy exclusive perks from our ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠favorite Apps and Services⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Learn how to better start, manage, and grow your business with the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠best business podcasts⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. SPONSORS Support our free podcast by supporting our ⁠⁠sponsors⁠⁠: ⁠SimpleMining⁠ ⁠Hardblock⁠ ⁠AnchorWatch⁠ ⁠Onramp⁠ ⁠Human Rights Foundation⁠ ⁠Unchained⁠ ⁠Intuit⁠ ⁠Shopify⁠ ⁠Vanta⁠ ⁠reMarkable HELP US OUT! Help us reach new listeners by leaving us a ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠rating and review⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Spotify⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠! It takes less than 30 seconds, and really helps our show grow, which allows us to bring on even better guests for you all! Thank you – we really appreciate it!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Support our show by becoming a premium member! ⁠⁠https://theinvestorspodcastnetwork.supportingcast.fm Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://theinvestorspodcastnetwork.supportingcast.fm

➡️ Join 321,000 people who read my free weekly newsletter: https://newsletter.scottdclary.com➡️ Like The Podcast? Leave A Rating: https://ratethispodcast.com/successstoryEric Jorgenson is a bestselling author, entrepreneur, and investor known for distilling the ideas of modern visionaries into powerful, accessible frameworks. He wrote The Almanack of Naval Ravikant and The Anthology of Balaji, two cult-classic books that have shaped how millions think about wealth, leverage, and the future. As CEO of Scribe Media, he's reinventing publishing to give creators full ownership of their work. Eric also hosts the “Smart Friends” podcast, where he explores life's biggest ideas with the world's most interesting minds. His mission is simple but profound: help people build leverage, think independently, and live richer, freer lives.➡️ Show Linkshttps://www.instagram.com/erjorgenson/https://twitter.com/ericjorgenson/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/erjorgenson/ ➡️ Podcast SponsorsHubspot - https://hubspot.com/ Vanta - https://www.vanta.com/scott Cornbread Hemp - https://cornbreadhemp.com/success (Code: Success)FreshBooks - https://www.freshbooks.com/pricing-offer/ Prolon - https://prolonlife.com/clary NetSuite — https://netsuite.com/scottclary/ Indeed - https://indeed.com/clary➡️ Talking Points00:00 – Intro01:27 – Eric's Turning Point03:06 – Discovering Writing06:34 – Enter Scribe15:00 – Writing for Impact & Sales20:57 – Self-Publishing Playbook24:34 – Sponsor Break27:44 – Surprised by Success31:55 – The Trap of Overplanning39:37 – Reviving a Dying Business41:26 – Rebuilding Trust46:13 – Sponsor Break48:24 – Should You Write a Book?53:58 – No Finish Line in Creativity1:01:00 – Turning Passion into Career1:02:57 – Betting on the Future1:19:42 – Eric's Final WisdomSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.