Podcast appearances and mentions of Andrew Adams

Welcome back to the podcast for cover band musicians and bandleaders who don't know when to quit, even when they're soldering guitar guts 48 hours before a gig.Adam kicks things off with a PSA: don't get sushi on a Monday. Unless your idea of a good time involves food poisoning and a spiritual cleanse via your bathroom floor.###

(PLEASE NOTE: Andrew's audio is slightly compromised in this episode.) SUMMARY In this episode of Whistlekick Martial Arts Radio, Andrew Adams and Tashi Mark engage in a free-flowing conversation about various aspects of martial arts training. They discuss the importance of training environments, temperature preferences, outdoor training experiences, and the value of traveling for martial arts. The conversation also touches on the significance of dojo field trips, building relationships between schools, the role of demo teams, and the importance of weapon training in martial arts. Throughout the discussion, they emphasize the need for martial artists to be adaptable and open to learning from different experiences.    TAKEAWAYS • The format of the show allows for spontaneous conversation. • Training in different environments can enhance martial arts skills. • Temperature can significantly affect training performance. • Outdoor training offers unique challenges and benefits. • Traveling for martial arts training can broaden perspectives. • Dojo field trips foster community and learning between schools. • Demo teams provide a supportive environment for students to grow. • Weapon training helps develop fundamental skills in martial arts. • Building relationships with other schools enriches the martial arts experience. • Comfort with discomfort is essential for martial artists.

Cade Ryan hosts as DJ Payne and Andrew Adams talk about a buzzer beater finish and more in this Week 2 MA postgame show. This episode is presented by 110 Grill - The Official Restaurant of the Legacy Leagues

SUMMARY In this episode, hosts Jeremy Lesniak and Andrew Adams explore the connections between martial arts and everyday tasks, particularly mowing the lawn. They discuss the discipline required for both activities, the importance of mindfulness and awareness, and how these practices can lead to personal growth and reflection. The conversation emphasizes the value of good hard work and the joy found in completing tasks, drawing parallels between martial arts training and maintaining a well-kept lawn. TAKEAWAYS Mowing the lawn requires discipline and commitment. Mindfulness can be achieved through routine tasks. Awareness is crucial in both martial arts and lawn care. Good hard work is a principle that applies to many areas of life. Training in martial arts can enhance everyday experiences. The act of mowing can be meditative and reflective. Making choices in training mirrors decisions in lawn care. Enjoying the process is as important as the outcome. Every task can be approached with a martial arts mindset.     This episode is sponsored by Martialytics. Spend less time running your martial arts business and more time doing the martial arts parts of your business! Martialytics provides easy to use and versatile tools for well-established school as well as ones just starting out. If you sign up through us, they will DOUBLE your free trial to 60 days!   Check out more at www.whistlekickmartialartsradio.com/partners

SUMMARY In this episode of Whistlekick Martial Arts Radio, host Andrew Adams engages in a conversation with Seb Ferris, head of LudoSport Britannia (UK). They discuss the unique aspects of LudoSport, a combat sport centered around lightsaber combat, and explore Seb's personal journey from a young fencer to a key player in the growth of this international sport. The conversation delves into the structure of LudoSport academies, the challenges of balancing life and training, and the exciting expansion of LudoSport across various countries.   Seb also discusses the growth and community engagement of LudoSport, a unique martial arts sport centered around sword fighting. He elaborates on the structure of competitions, the diverse backgrounds of participants, and the rising standards in tournaments. Ferris shares insights into the future aspirations of LudoSport, including expanding globally and increasing awareness. He also explains how individuals can get involved, the various weapon forms and training methods, and the core principles that guide the community's ethos. TAKEAWAYS LudoSport is a modern combat sport inspired by lightsaber combat. Seb Ferris has been involved in LudoSport for 10 years. The sport offers a unique movement pattern compared to traditional fencing. LudoSport has a growing international community. The sport is still in a phase of rapid growth. LudoSport has expanded to over 10 countries worldwide. Academies are licensed by the international LudoSport organization. LudoSport has eight locations in England and is expanding globally. Competitions are structured at local, national, and international levels. The community is diverse, attracting people from various backgrounds. Competitions are becoming more competitive with rising standards. Future goals include expanding LudoSport to every continent. Individuals can get involved by searching for local classes or contacting LudoSport International. Training includes various weapon forms and emphasizes personal growth. The community ethos focuses on mutual support and respect among participants.   To connect with Seb Ferris: https://www.ludosport.co.uk/

SUMMARY In this episode, Andrew Adams and Nick Taber discuss the evolution of martial arts, focusing on the impact of technology on teaching and accessibility. They explore how technology has transformed the learning experience, making martial arts more accessible to students. The conversation also touches on the importance of small moments in teaching and the influence of iconic martial artists like Bruce Lee and Chuck Norris, discussing their unparalleled fame and recognition. They emphasize the importance of small moments in martial arts training, highlighting how these can create lasting impacts on students. The discussion also delves into the role of nervousness in training, suggesting that it can empower students rather than hinder them. Additionally, they examine the use of music in training environments, sharing personal experiences and preferences regarding music during martial arts practice. TAKEAWAYS Technology has significantly improved martial arts teaching. Accessibility has increased due to online resources. The role of the instructor has evolved with technology. Communication with martial arts icons is easier than ever. Martial arts training is more available to everyone today. The mystique of the instructor has diminished over time. Technology allows for better self-assessment in training. The martial arts community is more connected through technology.  We will never have another martial artist with the fame of Chuck Norris or Bruce Lee. Nervousness in students can be a sign of care and focus. Empowering students by acknowledging their feelings can enhance their experience. Music can serve as a distraction or a tool for focus in training. Understanding the emotional state of students can improve their training.

Successful healthcare investment involves finding companies that reduce costs, improve quality, and enhance the patient experience, especially for underserved populations. In this episode, Andrew Adams, co-founder and managing partner of OAK HC/FT, discusses his firm's investment philosophy, focusing on backing the best entrepreneurs who can execute at scale. His company supports its portfolio companies by providing guidance on team building, customer introductions, technology decisions, and exit strategies. Andrew highlights Reveleer as an example, showcasing how OAK assists in acquisitions and growth. He also shares that they believe in the transformative power of technology, especially AI and SaaS, to improve administrative efficiency and drive better clinical outcomes, emphasizing the importance of measuring ROI through tangible impacts, such as time savings for clinicians.  Tune in and learn how a blend of technology and personalized services is key to reaching patients and driving real value within the healthcare system! Resources: Connect with and follow Andrew Adams on LinkedIn. Discover more about OAK HC/FT on LinkedIn and their website.

The man who survived a and grizzly bear attack in Montana and lived to talk about it after a complete jaw rebuild, is sharing his recovery story a year and a half later. Dave and Debbie listen to coverage by KSL 5 TV's Andrew Adams and Lois Collins with the Deseret News shares more of the story behind the jaw rebuild by doctors at the University of Utah.

SUMMARY In this conversation, Andrew Adams and Sifu Stephen Watson explore the themes of breaks in martial arts training, the importance of maintaining engagement, and the human connections that underpin martial arts practice. They discuss the reasons students may take breaks, the challenges of returning, and the significance of staying connected through various means. The conversation emphasizes the need for understanding and support within the martial arts community, particularly during times of personal challenges or plateaus in training. They explore the challenges faced by martial artists, particularly the phenomenon of plateauing at the brown belt level. They discuss how this can lead to students seeking new directions in their training. Lastly, they also delve into the intriguing connection between martial arts and music, examining how music can enhance learning and memory in martial arts education. They reflect on the importance of creativity in teaching and the role of music in evoking emotions and fostering connections among students. TAKEAWAYS Taking breaks can be essential for recovery and personal growth. Engagement can be maintained through alternative methods during breaks. Understanding student perspectives is crucial for retention. Communication and connection are key in martial arts teaching. Plateaus in training can lead to disengagement. It's important to own the choices made regarding training. Digital communication can help maintain relationships with students. Encouraging small commitments can ease the return to training. Many students plateau just before black belt and stop training. Music can enhance the learning experience in martial arts classes. There is a notable correlation between musicians and martial artists. Teaching martial arts through music can create deeper connections with students. Music evokes emotions that can transcend language barriers. Learning through music can aid in memory retention.

Welcome to your new episode of Real Talk with Sensei Nick. More episodes out soon, please take a look at the website:Taberfitness.comContact:Email:nicktaberfitness@gmail.comIG senseinicktaber

In this episode we're joined by Andrew Adams and Jeremy Lesniak of Whistlekick Martial Arts Radio. If you don't know of Whistlekick then where have you been?! Whistlekick is the largest martial arts podcast out there and has recently surpassed 1000 episodes. They've featured over 500 guests (including the two of us) so check them out in the links below. We had a blast having them on and we hope you enjoy listening. https://www.instagram.com/whistlekick/https://www.tiktok.com/@whistlekickhttps://www.facebook.com/whistlekickwww.whistlekick.comwww.whistlekickmartialartsradio.com Socials and Merchhttps://www.instagram.com/glynham1990https://www.instagram.com/conversations_on_karatehttps://twitter.com/convokarate?s=21https://www.facebook.com/conversationsonkaratewww.conversationsonkarate.comOur training notebook! https://amzn.to/3zTtAwuOur Merch! https://www.teepublic.com/user/conversationsonkarateBuy us a coffee! https://www.buymeacoffee.com/KarateConvoMusic courtesy of https://www.purple-planet.com

What do fitness, franchising, and Super Bowl champions have to do with mattresses? Brad Taylor explains it all.Join Mark Kinsley as he welcomes Brad Taylor, VP of Franchise Development at Snooze Mattress Company. With a background in fitness and franchising, Brad brings a fresh perspective to the sleep industry. In this episode, you'll hear how he's helping Snooze scale nationally, why wellness is the future of sleep retail, and how NFL champions Kevin Minter and Andrew Adams became brand ambassadors.What You'll Learn: Brad shares his playbook for awarding franchises (not selling them), why choosing the right location is crucial, and how Snooze is going beyond beds to promote holistic sleep health—including CPAP awareness, partner disturbance, and light exposure. Plus, get insider stories from Super Bowl events and tips for living a healthier life starting today.Timestamps: 00:00 – Meet Brad Taylor, former Snap Fitness exec turned mattress mogul 01:30 – How Matt Smith recruited Brad into Snooze 04:15 – NFL brand ambassadors: The story behind Kevin Minter & Andrew Adams 06:00 – Snooze at the Super Bowl: VIP access and brand awareness 11:50 – What does franchise disruption really mean? 14:20 – The FORM method Brad uses to vet new franchisees 16:00 – Why real estate is the make-or-break factor in store launches 18:10 – Miniature Herefords, farm life, and writing the next chapter 22:00 – Brad's journey: from TaylorMade Bodies to Anytime Fitness to Snooze 24:30 – How Snooze brings wellness into the mattress store experience 28:30 – CPAP machines, sleep apnea awareness, and HSA potential 32:00 – What most people overlook in their health journey 36:15 – Sleep as the missing link in wellness

This week on the show, we are celebrating the 500 episode mark with a story!  I alluded to some of this in the past few weeks and was inspired by the scene in the 1988 film, Big, where both the young and adult Josh play a CGA text parser style game with a wizard and a cavern. You will be hearing from the following guests in this episode that I am happy to call friends:Shawn Wells and Colin Stewart, hosts of the podcast, I Used to Like This One, who recently hit a milestone of themselves, discussing rewatching Back to the Future, a few months ago on their episode 200.Paul Korman - one of the hosts of the Classic Gamers Guild podcast as well as the game designer of the adventure game, The Phantom Fellows. Andrew Adams - drummer, martial artist, and podcaster of the martial arts lifestyle company, Whistlekick (they recently hit a major milestone of their own, episode 1000).Gad Krooder - a fellow martial artist I also know from Whistlekick who has his own Chinese Youtube channel - go and learn some Chinese!Ryan Armstrong - BIblical scholar, professor, and bboy (Dynamic Rockers) - check out his Youtube channel for a combination of the 80s, the Old Testament, and Hebrew.Doug Bernon - one of my long standing trusted mentors who is also an adventurer and bread maker. Jeremy Blum - writer, TTRPG DM and developer, and most importantly, my brother, who is in the process of launching an ecology and exploration rpg, Mappa Mundi.EzDean Fassassi - bboy and Tibetan medicine practitioner and authorRaphael Xavier - bboy and Princeton University dance professor  who recently released an indie film, Swerve, based on his experiences with Philly BMX culture.Adam Crohn - podcaster, 80s enthusiast, custom action figure and toy designerThanks for listening!∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞ Signup for the mailing list for a free special edition podcast, a demo copy of The Thirteenth Hour, and access to retro 80s soundtrack!Like what you see or hear? Consider supporting the show over at Thirteenth Hour Arts on Patreon or adding to my virtual tip jar over at Ko-fi. Join the Thirteenth Hour Arts Group over on Facebook, a growing community of creative people.Have this podcast conveniently delivered to you each week on Spotify,  iTunes, Stitcher, Player FM, Tunein, and Googleplay Music.Follow The Thirteenth Hour's Instagram pages: @the13thhr for your random postings on ninjas, martial arts, archery, flips, breakdancing, fantasy art and and @the13thhr.ost for more 80s music, movies, and songs from The Thirteenth Hour books and soundtrack.Listen to Long Ago Not So Far Away, the Thirteenth Hour soundtrack online at: https://joshuablum.bandcamp.com/ or Spotify.  Join the mailing list for a digital free copy.  You can also get it on CD or tape.Website: https://13thhr.wordpress.comBook trailer: http://bit.ly/1VhJhXYInterested in reading and reviewing The Thirteenth Hour for a free book?  Just email me at writejoshuablum@gmail.com for more details!https://13thhr.wordpress.com/2025/03/10/the-thirteenth-hour-podcast-500-celebration-in-the-cavern-of-the-ice-wizard/

In life, it is said that the only constant is change. In this episode, Andrew Adams and i explore this and we discuss change in the martial arts, what it is like to change styles and schools. I hope you enjoy this, and let me know how you feel Want to submit a question or topic??https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/QLY37CFwant to be a guest?Contact information:Email:nicktaberfitness@gmail.comReal Talk with Sensei Nick will be posting on Monday mornings as of now, subscribe and share everywhere as you can

Chefs Wally Joe and Andrew Adams are the guests on Sound Bites, to talk food, travel James Beard awards and their recent Lunar New Year dinner.

SUMMARY In this episode of Whistlekick Martial Arts Radio, host Andrew Adams interviews Chris Rickard, who shares his journey into martial arts, his experiences with different schools, and his involvement with Whistlekick. The conversation covers reflections on the impact of martial arts in Chris's life. In this conversation, Chris Rickard shares his journey through martial arts, discussing the challenges he faced, the importance of teaching, and how his experiences have shaped him both as a martial artist and a teacher. He reflects on the role of curriculum in martial arts training, the transition to teaching, and the impact of family on his martial arts journey. Chris also emphasizes the significance of community engagement through tournaments and the motivation that keeps him training. He concludes with thoughts on future aspirations and encourages others to find their path in martial arts. TAKEAWAYS The importance of finding the right fit in martial arts schools. Chris's journey into martial arts began in the mid-90s. He started listening to podcasts to connect with his interests. Chris's daughter inspired him to explore martial arts again. The significance of community in martial arts training. Chris's experiences in different martial arts styles shaped his journey. He emphasizes the value of personal growth through martial arts. College presented new challenges for Chris's training. Finding a new dojo felt like coming home for Chris. Teaching martial arts requires a different skill set than practicing it. Having a clear curriculum can enhance the learning experience for students. Patience and self-awareness are crucial in both teaching and martial arts. Community engagement through tournaments can foster a sense of belonging. Motivation to train often comes from personal growth and helping others. Transitioning to teaching martial arts can be a rewarding experience. Family involvement in martial arts can create lasting bonds. Exploring different styles can lead to finding the right fit for individuals. Continuous learning and adaptation are key to long-term success in martial arts.

About Andrew Adams:Andrew Adams is the co-founder of Oak HC/FT, established in 2014 to focus exclusively on investing in healthcare and fintech startups. In 2023, the firm was ranked among the top ten venture capital firms globally. With over 25 years of experience, Andrew has been a key investor in numerous high-profile healthcare companies, including One Medical (acquired by Amazon), iHealth Technologies (merged with Connolly), Therapy Brands (acquired by KKR), and PharMEDium Healthcare (acquired by CD&R), among others. He serves on the boards of several healthcare organizations, including August Bioservices, DispatchHealth, and Unified Women's Healthcare. Andrew has been recognized as one of the Top 25 Healthcare Investors of 2024 by GrowthCap. Prior to co-founding Oak HC/FT, he began his career at Alex. Brown & Sons and holds a BA from Princeton University. His extensive track record highlights his deep expertise in healthcare investment and innovation.Things You'll Learn:Identifying and backing the best entrepreneurs with a strong track record is crucial for achieving impactful scale in healthcare.A blend of technology and personalized services is necessary to effectively engage patients and meet their diverse needs.Effective patient engagement involves an omnichannel approach, meeting patients where they are, whether virtually, in person, or at home.Companies should target specific patient populations with tailored tools, services, and a deep understanding of their needs.The future of healthcare investment lies in companies that deliver real value by addressing cost, quality, and the consumer experience across the healthcare continuum.Resources:Connect with and follow Andrew Adams on LinkedIn.Discover more about OAK HC/FT on LinkedIn and their website.

Send us a textkeywordsFantasy Football, Team Analysis, League Standings, Player Performance, FixturessummaryIn this episode of River of Blue, Andrew Adams provides a detailed analysis of his and his friends' fantasy football teams, discussing player selections, strategies, and upcoming fixtures. He emphasizes his confidence in Liverpool players, particularly Mo Salah, and shares insights on league standings and performance metrics.takeawaysAndrew believes he is the best fantasy football player among his peers.He is heavily investing in Liverpool players for the upcoming fixtures.Salah is a key player for his team, especially with a triple captaincy.He expresses doubts about some of his friends' team selections.Andrew predicts a win for Forest against Brighton.He is confident in Newcastle players for their match against Fulham.He thinks Tottenham is currently performing poorly.Andrew anticipates a strong performance from Liverpool against Everton.He is leading in both fantasy leagues he participates in.Andrew encourages listeners to stay tuned for future episodes.

Send us a textsummaryIn this episode of Red Red Blue, hosts Dan and Andrew Adams delve into the upcoming Premier League matches, analyzing team performances, player selections, and strategies for fantasy football. They discuss Nottingham Forest's impressive run, Bournemouth's unexpected success, and the implications of Liverpool's double game week. The conversation also covers Newcastle's fixtures, Arsenal's injury woes, and Manchester City's current form, providing insights and predictions for each match. In this episode, Dan and Andrew delve into the intricacies of fantasy football, analyzing player performances, discussing match predictions, and sharing insights on their fantasy league standings. They explore key players from various teams, including Chelsea, Crystal Palace, Brentford, Spurs, Aston Villa, and Fulham, while also debating the merits of different fantasy picks. The conversation culminates in a review of their league standings and strategies moving forward, emphasizing the importance of player form and upcoming fixtures.takeawaysNottingham Forest has shown a strong performance with multiple wins.Bournemouth is performing better than expected, but player selection is tricky.Liverpool's double game week requires strategic player choices.Newcastle's fixtures look favorable, making them a team to watch.Arsenal's injury issues may impact their performance against Wolves.Manchester City players, especially Phil Ford, are crucial for fantasy teams.Player rotation in Liverpool could affect point totals during double game weeks.Bournemouth's upcoming matches present opportunities for fantasy managers.Isaac and Gordon are solid picks despite Newcastle's tough fixtures.GACPO's popularity may not be justified given Liverpool's player rotation. Phil Ford is a big differential with less than 10% ownership.Chelsea players, apart from Palmer, are not worth considering.Crystal Palace's Eze and Brentford's Ibuemo are standout players.Mateta's recent form is misleading; he relies on deflections.Aston Villa's upcoming fixtures present good opportunities for points.Fulham vs United could be a challenging match for United.Triple Captain Salah is a common strategy for the upcoming gameweek.The importance of player form in fantasy football cannot be overstated.League standings can shift quickly based on player performance.Strategizing transfers is crucial for maintaining league position.Sound Bites"Genuinely exciting one.""He's a shit Darwin Nunes.""It's a stupid idea.""I think everyone's doing that."Chapters00:00Introduction and Match Previews03:07Analyzing Nottingham Forest's Performance06:00Bournemouth's Sneaky Success09:00Liverpool's Double Game Week Strategy12:01Newcastle's Fixture Outlook14:55Arsenal vs Wolves Predictions17:59Manchester City vs Chelsea Insights18:06Crystal Palace vs Brentford: Key Players20:54Spurs vs Leicester: Team Dynamics and Predictions24:17Aston Villa vs West Ham: Player Insights25:10Fulham vs United: Match Predictions27:34Fantasy League Standings and Strategies

Peter Hancock talks to the reporters Ben Szalinski and Andrew Adams about the lame duck session, and with Public Affairs Reporting interns Jade Aubrey and Bridgette Fox about the 104th General Assembly's inauguration.

After many weeks of reading the hypotheses on fornication and the pursuit of purity of heart, what finally comes into focus is the fruit of the fathers' experience in the struggle. What they discovered is that discipline, fasting, vigils, etc. are absolutely necessary. Yet these practices are not ends in themselves. They are to be a reflection of our desire for God and our seeking in love our soul's Beloved.  Desire is what gives us the capacity to love and give ourselves in love. In it we sense a lack that only God can satisfy. Ascetic practice is not meant to be an act of contempt for our human nature, but rather an acknowledgment of the strength and the power of our natural desires. What is good can become disordered whenever there is an imbalance or lack of measure. Our natural desire, Eros, can only be transformed by Divine Eros. Therefore, it is only by grace that the passions can be overcome.  Our hearts must be filled with an urgent longing for God.  Outside of the acknowledgment of the necessity of Grace, we become the most pitiable of all creatures. So long as we hold onto the illusion of overcoming the passions by raw grit, we will find ourselves returning to our sin or sinking into a much darker place of anger and pride. St. John Cassian tells us we must “base our courage not on our own power or on our asceticism, but in the aid of God, our Master”. When this takes place, even the deepest recesses of the unconscious can be healed and transformed. Likewise, the  countenance of the pure of heart begins to change; we begin to see the inner beauty that rest in the heart of one who loves and desires God wholly. --- Text of chat during the group: 00:04:03 Lori Hatala: reboot 00:12:17 Una: Problem with sound? 00:12:25 Una: Yes 00:13:01 Una: It's good now 00:13:08 Una: . Can hear you humming 00:16:33 Lilly: Do you know Fr Teodosy? 00:16:34 ANDREW ADAMS: My copy came today! 00:21:09 Una: What page? I'm lost 00:21:23 ANDREW ADAMS: 190 00:21:50 Una: Thanks 00:32:34 Lilly: Asking this question respectfully, if a Priest can't cure his passion, would it be appropriate to take medicine to help ? 00:33:37 Lilly: Generally speaking, no specific medicatiob 00:33:42 Lilly: n* 00:37:28 Suzanne Romano: My experience has been that the grace of continence is given to those who use the means God gives, and is diligent in avoiding the occasions of sin. 00:48:38 Anthony: Life is like art. Each of us is a unique material: canvas, copper foil, paper, wood. Part of Christian life is learning what material we are and what techniques best bring out the beatific vision in the material we are.  The same image can be brought out uniquely in each different art. 00:52:24 Suzanne Romano: Father, may I ask a question that relates to the previous Hypotheses on gluttony?  00:52:37 Forrest Cavalier: Elias in the earlier story did not mutilate, emasculate, or injure himself. By avoiding injury, keeping his masculinity intact, and building on nature, he returned to serve the convent in a very masculine and fatherly way for a long time. It would have been tragic if he deformed the gifts God had given him. 00:52:52 Myles Davidson: Is using caffeine during a night vigil cheating? 00:54:22 Una: It can mess with your sleep when you do get to bed 00:54:59 Una: I used to write until 3 a.m. during my last novel. 00:56:09 Suzanne Romano: Father, may I ask a question that relates to the previous Hypotheses on gluttony?  00:56:59 Suzanne Romano: Thank you. I can distill three principles from the readings: Eat once per day; stop eating before you are completely full; and never eat for the sheer sake of pleasure or comfort. If one takes up these three principles as a regular discipline, are there ever times when it is permissible to take something just for pleasure or comfort - say on Sundays or on Holidays - say, a dessert or a hot cocoa, etc? 00:59:25 Anthony: Haha 00:59:34 Carol Roper: Reacted to "Haha" with

SUMMARY In this episode of Whistlekick Martial Arts Radio, host Andrew Adams is joined by Sensei Brett Mayfield and Tommy Given to discuss the influential film 'Billy Jack.' They explore the film's impact on the martial arts community, personal connections to the movie, and its cultural significance, particularly in representing Native American heritage. The conversation also delves into Tom Laughlin's journey as a filmmaker and martial artist, the sequels to 'Billy Jack,' and the lasting legacy of the film in cinema and martial arts history. TAKEAWAYS 'Billy Jack' had a significant impact on the martial arts community. The film resonated with audiences due to its cultural representation. Tommy Given's personal connection to the film stems from his Native American heritage. The portrayal of Native Americans in 'Billy Jack' was groundbreaking for its time. The sequels to 'Billy Jack' expanded on the martial arts themes introduced in the original. The film was not just an action movie but a statement on social injustices. The humor in 'Billy Jack' added depth to its serious themes. The film's marketing changed how independent films were promoted. 'Billy Jack' influenced future filmmakers and actors in the martial arts genre.

Illinois lawmakers are returning for a short lame duck session starting Saturday and a new legislative session begins Wednesday. Capitol News Illinois reporters Peter Hancock, Andrew Adams and Ben Szalinski discuss some of the issues that could be addressed.

Andrew Adams, co-founder and CEO of Headway, is making access to therapy easier. Headway is a mental health care marketplace that matches patients with providers who accept insurance. Earlier this year, Headway was named a LinkedIn top 50 startup. On this week's episode of Everyday Better, Andrew joins Leah to discuss the barriers to accessing mental health care. He shares his experience with finding a therapist and going to therapy, as well as his personal motivation for building a national network of mental health care providers. Andrew also reflects on how his mental health hygiene routine has changed as his company and responsibilities as a CEO have grown.  Follow Leah Smart on LinkedIn. Follow Andrew Adams on LinkedIn. To learn more about Headway, check out their website.

The Illinois State Board of Elections has certified the final results of the 2024 election. And the corruption trial of former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan continues in Chicago following testimony this week from former city Alderman Danny Solis. Peter Hancock discusses those stories with CNI reporters Andrew Adams, Ben Szalinski and Hannah Meisel.

Capitol News Illinois' Peter Hancock talks to reporters Andrew Adams and Hannah Meisel about two of our top stories this week: A look at 2024 ballot questions and jury selection in the trial of ex-House Speaker Michael Madigan.

It may seem surprising that the fathers spend so much time speaking about food and how we approach eating. Yet the needs of the flesh are very much a part of who we are as human beings. So how we eat and what we eat can affect what goes on internally. We can be subject to disorder or extremes in one fashion or another.  What we see in the desert fathers and mothers is a love of fasting because they saw it as the insurer and foundation of the other virtues. In other words, when one can order an appetite and a desire towards what is good and specifically as tied to our hunger for God, then we are able to do so with other aspects of our humanity and our other appetites. Eating, being one of the most basic needs can lead us in one of two directions; either it is the gateway vice that opens us up to be more vulnerable to disordered appetites, or our restriction of our diet can turn us toward God who satisfies the deepest longings of the human heart. The fathers examine the practice of eating from multiple perspectives. They had an acute sense of the subtlety with which the mind approaches such a practice. We can be hyper-focused upon the body and its needs. We can use illness as an excuse for slothfulness or to eat beyond our needs or what health demands. Likewise, we can become overly focused upon the quality of food and only want what is pleasing to the pallet or perfectly fresh. We lose sight of the fact that what we prize so much passes into the latrine. It may satisfy the pallet but it does not give rest to the soul. The fathers also understood that we must give ourselves over to this practice without over-analyzing its value. Our tendency to pamper the body can make us and our consciences become callous and lead us down the path to hedonism. We lose sight of the fact that this appetite is incited by everything in the culture around us that has made food an idol. It has also made it a medicine in the sense that we turned to it to find solace and comfort. In a subtle way we are being taught to avoid affliction at any cost and to question the redeeming nature of the cross. --- Text of chat during the group: 00:10:54 Nick Bodmer: I had a question about the next work for the Wednesday group.  What is after the Ladder, and is there a recommend translation?   00:12:17 Bob Cihak, AZ: P. 159, #B   00:12:40 Nick Bodmer:

SUMMARY In this episode, Andrew Adams, Mark Warner, and Craig Wharem discuss the ins and outs of cross training in martial arts. They highlight the benefits of cross training, such as expanding knowledge and skills, making connections with other martial artists, and gaining a fresh perspective on one's own art. They also mention the importance of having an open mind, setting goals, and communicating with instructors. The downsides of cross training are also discussed, including potential financial costs and the need for beginners to establish a solid foundation before exploring other arts. TAKEAWAYS * Cross training in martial arts can expand knowledge and skills, provide fresh perspectives, and make connections with other martial artists. * Having an open mind and being willing to learn from different styles is crucial for successful cross training. * Setting clear goals and communicating with instructors can help guide the cross training process. * Financial costs and the need for beginners to establish a solid foundation before exploring other arts are potential downsides of cross training.

SUMMARY In this conversation, Andrew Adams, Nick Taber, and Gregory Williams discuss the process of opening a new martial arts school. They share their personal experiences and motivations for starting their own schools, as well as the challenges they faced. In this conversation, Andrew, Greg, and Nick discuss the challenges of starting a martial arts school and share their experiences and insights. They cover topics such as insurance and liability, marketing and getting students, finding a location and the importance of community engagement. The hosts also mention the importance of teaching and how it can enhance their own martial arts journey. They also mention the Whistlekick Alliance program as a resource for martial arts school owners. Overall, they emphasize the need for careful planning, active promotion, and a strong connection with the local community.   TAKEAWAYS Opening a martial arts school requires careful consideration of factors such as location, insurance, and financial arrangements. Finding the right space for the school can be challenging, with factors like cost, availability, and suitability playing a role. Insurance is an important aspect to consider, as it can significantly impact the financial viability of the school. Deciding between a brick-and-mortar space and renting a facility depends on factors such as financial resources, long-term goals, and the local market. Teaching martial arts not only benefits students but also enhances the instructor's own martial arts journey. Consider insurance and liability protection for your martial arts school Word of mouth and social media can be effective marketing strategies Engage with the local community to promote your school Joining programs like Whistlekick Alliance can provide support and resources Maintain open communication and availability for your students

In the weeks following the death of Sonya Massey, many are still questioning how it happened. In this episode of Capitol Cast, we'll hear from CNI's Beth Hundsdorfer and Andrew Adams about the latest news, events and information uncovered during the ongoing investigation into now-former deputy Sean Grayson - who is accused of killing Massey.

The Capitol News Illinois team was on the ground in Milwaukee for the Republican National Convention. Reporters Hannah Meisel, Peter Hancock and Andrew Adams recap the week's events and look ahead to next month's Democratic National Convention in Chicago.

SUMMARY In this episode, Andrew Adams and Craig Wharem discuss the importance of developing a leadership team in martial arts schools. They emphasize the need for school owners to identify potential leaders early on and provide them with opportunities to grow and contribute. They also stress the importance of clear communication and setting expectations for the leadership team. Regular private meetings and outside training can help improve teaching skills and enhance the team's effectiveness. For students who want to become leaders, they recommend expressing their interest to the instructor and taking initiative to help out in various ways. TAKEAWAYS * Identify potential leaders early on and provide them with opportunities to grow and contribute * Clear communication and setting expectations are crucial for a successful leadership team * Regular private meetings and outside training can help improve teaching skills * Students who want to become leaders should express their interest to the instructor and take initiative to help out * Developing a leadership team is essential for the long-term success of martial arts schools

Andrew Adams is the author behind the captivating horror anthology series "Symposium of the Reaper." Transitioning from filmmaking to writing, Andrew brings a unique blend of dark humor, murder, and paranormal activities to his stories, creating a true rollercoaster experience for his readers. He joins Vince on the show to discuss his latest novel, "Infernal Moon." They discuss nightmares vs. night terrors, the psychology of a dysfunctional family, parasomnia, the love of indie bookstores, his writing process, upcoming projects, and the mixed reality of coming of age.Website:https://www.symposiumofthereaper.com/productsInstagram:https://www.instagram.com/andrew_adams_author/Threads:https://www.threads.net/@andrew_adams_authorAmazon:https://www.amazon.com/stores/Andrew-Adams/author/B0BYD1LQXY?ref=ap_rdr&isDramIntegrated=true&shoppingPortalEnabled=trueFacebook:https://www.facebook.com/people/Andrew-Adams/pfbid026P54WiKZsniRk871HYVk1YSBViAjEVzFA2jTjoz8CR12GR2tYwoND4JC3eJuwMhql/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We had a fun time last season discussing Martial Arts lessons in Harry Potter, this time I am joined by my amazing friend Andrew Adams from Whistlekick Martial Arts Radio podcast to talk about M*A*S*H*. What lessons can you find from M*A*S*H*? Andrew and I explore this awesome show! _______________________________________________________________________ Please support my friend Stephe if you can on this gofundme link: https://www.gofundme.com/f/support-stephes-cancer-fund-save-someday-farm This season we discuss Perseverance and how to be the best we can be in our life. In life, we need to get through challenges and climb up mountains. With the martial arts mindset we can do it! Want to submit a question or topic?? https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/QLY37CF want to be a guest? Contact information: Email: nicktaberfitness@gmail.com IG: Senseinicktaber Real Talk with Sensei Nick will be posting on Monday mornings as of now, subscribe and share everywhere as you can --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/nick-taber/support

Who doesn't like Evil Dead? That was rhetorical. We don't tolerate any Evil Dead slander.....not this week, anyway. Not with our special guest, Andrew Adams, in the room. Author of Black Widow Blues, Symposium of the Reaper, Infernal Moon, and a plethora of short stories and novels, Andrew stopped by the podcast to talk about how the Evil Dead franchise influenced his writing projects. Listen as we find the humor in Ash Williams slowly loses his mind.

In this episode, we speak with Andrew Adams, Co-Founder and Managing Partner of Oak HC/FT, one of the leading growth investment firms with $5.3 billion in assets under management. Founded in 2014, the firm invests in companies driving transformation in healthcare and fintech, two uniquely complementary and high-growth sectors. With deep domain expertise and strategic resources, the firm partners with leading entrepreneurs at every stage, from seed to growth, to build businesses that make a measurable, lasting impact on these industries. Before founding Oak HC/FT, Andrew spent 15 years, primarily at Oak Investment Partners, investing in early and growth stage companies.  During the over 25 years Andrew has spent investing in leading healthcare companies, he has had 35 exits, including 6 IPOs. I am your host RJ Lumba.  We hope you enjoy the show.  If you like the episode, click to follow.

The Biden administration has been aggressively pursuing antitrust cases against Silicon Valley giants like Amazon, Google, and Facebook. This week it was Apple's turn. The Justice Department (joined by several state AGs)  filed a gracefully written complaint accusing Apple of improperly monopolizing the market for “performance smartphones.” The market definition will be a weakness for the government throughout the case, but the complaint does a good job of identifying ways in which Apple has built a moat around its business without an obvious benefit for its customers.  The complaint focuses on Apple's discouraging of multipurpose apps and cloud streaming games, its lack of message interoperability, the tying of Apple watches to the iPhone to make switching to Android expensive, and its insistence on restricting digital wallets on its platform.  This lawsuit will continue well into the next presidential administration, so much depends on the outcome of the election this fall.   Volt Typhoon is still in the news, Andrew Adams tells us, as the government continues to sound the alarm about Chinese intent to ravage American critical infrastructure in the event of a conflict.  Water systems are getting most of the attention this week.  I can't help wondering how we expect the understaffed and underresourced water and sewage companies in this country to defeat sophisticated state-sponsored attackers. This leads Cristin and i to a discussion of how the SEC's pursuit of CISO Tim Brown and demands for more security disclosures will improve the country's cybersecurity.  Short answer: It won't.   Cristin covers the legislative effort to force a divestiture of Tiktok. The bill has gone to the Senate, where it is moving slowly, if at all. Speaking as a parent of teenagers and voters, Cristin is not surprised. Meanwhile, the House has sent a second bill to the Senate by a unanimous vote. This one would block data brokers from selling American's data to foreign adversaries. Andrew notes that the House bill covers data brokers.  Other data holders, like Google and Apple, would face a similar restriction, under executive order, so the Senate will have plenty of opportunity to deal with Chinese access to American personal data.   In the wake of the Murthy argument over administration jawboning in favor of censorship of mostly right-wing posts,  Andrew reports that the FBI has resumed outreach to social media companies, at least where it identifies foreign influence campaigns. And the FDA, which piled on to criticize ivermectin advocates, has withdrawn its dubious and condescending tweets.    Cristin reports on the spyware agreement sponsored by the United States. It has collected several new supporters. Whether this will reduce spyware installations or simply change the countries that supply the spyware remains to be seen.

The Biden administration has been aggressively pursuing antitrust cases against Silicon Valley giants like Amazon, Google, and Facebook. This week it was Apple's turn. The Justice Department (joined by several state AGs)  filed a gracefully written complaint accusing Apple of improperly monopolizing the market for “performance smartphones.” The market definition will be a weakness for the government throughout the case, but the complaint does a good job of identifying ways in which Apple has built a moat around its business without an obvious benefit for its customers.  The complaint focuses on Apple's discouraging of multipurpose apps and cloud streaming games, its lack of message interoperability, the tying of Apple watches to the iPhone to make switching to Android expensive, and its insistence on restricting digital wallets on its platform.  This lawsuit will continue well into the next presidential administration, so much depends on the outcome of the election this fall.   Volt Typhoon is still in the news, Andrew Adams tells us, as the government continues to sound the alarm about Chinese intent to ravage American critical infrastructure in the event of a conflict.  Water systems are getting most of the attention this week.  I can't help wondering how we expect the understaffed and underresourced water and sewage companies in this country to defeat sophisticated state-sponsored attackers. This leads Cristin and i to a discussion of how the SEC's pursuit of CISO Tim Brown and demands for more security disclosures will improve the country's cybersecurity.  Short answer: It won't.   Cristin covers the legislative effort to force a divestiture of Tiktok. The bill has gone to the Senate, where it is moving slowly, if at all. Speaking as a parent of teenagers and voters, Cristin is not surprised. Meanwhile, the House has sent a second bill to the Senate by a unanimous vote. This one would block data brokers from selling American's data to foreign adversaries. Andrew notes that the House bill covers data brokers.  Other data holders, like Google and Apple, would face a similar restriction, under executive order, so the Senate will have plenty of opportunity to deal with Chinese access to American personal data.   In the wake of the Murthy argument over administration jawboning in favor of censorship of mostly right-wing posts,  Andrew reports that the FBI has resumed outreach to social media companies, at least where it identifies foreign influence campaigns. And the FDA, which piled on to criticize ivermectin advocates, has withdrawn its dubious and condescending tweets.    Cristin reports on the spyware agreement sponsored by the United States. It has collected several new supporters. Whether this will reduce spyware installations or simply change the countries that supply the spyware remains to be seen.

The Heartland POD for Friday, February 23, 2024A flyover from this weeks top heartland stories including:Primary voting is underway in Texas | Kansas Medicaid expansion update | Illinois Gov J.B. Pritzker lays out priorities as a progressive pragmatist | Missouri Democrats filibuster ballot candy | KS Gov Laura Kelly's veto will stand Primary voting is underway in Texashttps://www.texastribune.org/2024/02/21/julie-johnson-brian-williams-congressional-district-32-colin-allred/BY SEJAL GOVINDARAOFEB. 21, 2024WASHINGTON — In 2018, Rep. Colin Allred flipped Texas' 32nd Congressional District, turning the Dallas-based district into a blue stronghold. Now, as the Democrat vies to unseat U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz, a crowded field of 10 Democrats is lining up to replace him.Dr. Brian Williams, a trauma surgeon, and State Rep. Julie Johnson, of Farmers Branch, are leading the field in the Democratic primary with their fundraising efforts, each amassing about a million dollars in campaign donations since their campaigns were registered at the beginning of last summer.Ideologically, Williams and Johnson are aligned. They both rank health care a top priority if elected, and have touted their ability to work across the aisle.Johnson, a trial lawyer in her third term in the state House rode the 2019 blue wave to unseat hardline conservative incumbent Matt Rinaldi, by 13 points. Rinaldi now chairs the state GOP. In her three terms, at least 40 of the bills Johnson has co-authored or joint-authored have been signed into law.As a Democrat in the Republican-dominated state Legislature, Johnson has played a lot of defense trying to kill bills she and other progressives deem harmful. Johnson, who is gay, said she and other members of the House's LGBTQ caucus have had success in killing anti-LGBTQ bills by mastering the rules of procedure and “being better at the rules than the other side.” In 2019, she took down a House version of the so-called “Save Chick-fil-A bill” on a rule technicality. The bill was a response to a San Antonio airport kicking out the fast food restaurant over criticism of its religiously affiliated donations to anti-LGBTQ groups. It was revived in another bill and passed into law.If elected, Johnson would be the first openly LGBTQ member of Congress from a Southern state. She's drawn notable endorsements from Beto O'Rourke, Rep. Lloyd Doggett, D-Austin, EMILY's List, Equality PAC, and several labor unions.Matt Angle, director of Lone Star Project, a Texas group that works to boost Democrats, said Johnson is the frontrunner in the race, but Williams is a formidable challenger.“Make no mistake about it though,” Angle said. “Julie Johnson has a voter base within the district not only from her old district, but also just from years of being an active Democratic activist and a donor and really a couple of just outstanding terms in the legislature.”While he may be new to the Texas political arena, Williams is no stranger to the halls of Congress.Williams was a health policy adviser to U.S. Sen. Chris Murphy — who endorsed him — to help pass the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act in 2022 – the farthest reaching gun safety legislation in decades. The legislation, crafted in the aftermath of the shootings in Uvalde and Buffalo New York, allocated millions of dollars to expand mental health resources, strengthens background checks and tightens the boyfriend loophole. U.S. Sen. John Cornyn was a lead negotiator on the bill with Murphy, and Williams worked closely with Cornyn's office. In his role as a health policy advisor for Murphy, he worked across the aisle with Republican Sen. Bill Cassidy of Louisiana on mental health legislation.Williams also worked with former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi of California to pass federal health care legislation related to pandemic preparedness and reducing health care costs.Williams said his experience as a trauma surgeon — operating on victims of gun violence and women experiencing reproductive health emergencies — has fueled his priorities to fight for gun restrictions and increase access to abortions and other womens' health. Williams added his perspective as a Black doctor seeing racial disparities in health care will resonate with the district's diverse constituency, given that the district is now a majority-minority district with a 37% Hispanic or Latino population, 22% Black population and 8% Asian population.“They're excited that there's someone that looks like them that can represent them in Congress,” Williams said in an interview.As Allred opted to stay neutral in the race to succeed him – Williams said he had pursued his endorsement while Johnson said she had not – the tension between Johnson and Williams has been heating up.Williams has publicly criticized Johnson for a vote she took that would have made some changes and tweaks to the state's Alternatives to Abortions program, which provides information about resources to women seeking the procedure.“I draw contrast between myself and Representative Johnson about how I am the better candidate,” Williams said.Johnson, who is endorsed by Planned Parenthood, said Williams misrepresented the vote, which she said she cast to bring the already-funded program under the scope of the Health and Human Services Commission so it could be subject to public transparency. Her campaign published a fact-check on her website, likening Williams' misrepresentation of her record to “Trumpian-style, false attacks.”Planned Parenthood was critical of the legislation.Johnson said women's health is also a priority for her, and she stands by her record.“Texas leads the nation of uninsured folks, and in maternal mortality, and in infant mortality. Obviously, we're leading the nation in an attack on women's freedom for women's reproductive health, and I've been a champion of a lot of these issues,” she said.Other candidates vying for the open seat in the March 5 primary include businessman Raja Chaudhry, tech entrepreneur Alex Cornwallis, former Dallas City Councilman and real estate broker Kevin Felder and attorney Callie Butcher, who would be the first openly transgender member of Congress if elected.If no candidate gets a majority of the vote, there will be a runoff in May. The winner of the Democratic primary will face off against the winner of the Republican primary in November but is likely to win given that the district is solidly blue.And, from Dallas we go to Houston whereAfter bruising loss in Houston mayoral race, U.S. Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee faces her toughest reelection yetJackson Lee faces off against Amanda Edwards, her most formidable congressional opponent in three decades.https://www.texastribune.org/2024/02/19/sheila-jackson-lee-amanda-edwards-democratic-primary-houston/BY SEJAL GOVINDARAOFEB. 19, 2024In 1994, Sheila Jackson Lee, then a 44-year-old Houston city councilwoman, unseated four-term U.S. Rep. Craig Washington in the Democratic primary, securing a seat she'd come to hold for the next 30 years.This March, former Houston City Councilwoman Amanda Edwards, 42, is hoping to replicate that political upset as she faces off against Jackson Lee in the Democratic primary for Congressional District 18.Jackson Lee, who did not respond to requests for an interview, has only drawn four primary challengers over her 14-term career, all of whom she defeated by landslide margins.She's a household name in her Houston-based district, known for her frequent visibility at constituent graduations, funerals and baby showers.But last year she ran for Houston mayor against then-state Sen. John Whitmire. It was a bruising primary — unfamiliar territory for Jackson Lee — and her campaign was roiled with negative media after audio of her berating her congressional staffers was leaked. She ended up losing the race by 30 points and then immediately announced she was running for reelection to the U.S. House.Amanda Edwards, a former intern in Jackson Lee's office, initially announced she was running for Houston mayor until the congresswoman threw her hat in the ring. At that point, Edwards pivoted — endorsing Jackson Lee as mayor and beginning her own bid for Congress.By the time Jackson Lee announced she was running for her House seat again, Edwards had already gained momentum. In the fourth quarter of last year, Edwards outraised the congresswoman 10 to 1 — $272,000 to Jackson Lee's $23,000.Mark Jones, Baker Institute fellow in political science at Rice University said, “This could be the year that Congresswoman Jackson Lee loses. And given that as a safe, Democratic, seat whoever wins the primary will be headed to Washington in January of 2025”Jackson Lee holds a narrow lead in primary polls, while 16% of voters remain undecided. Edwards, a native Houstonian, said her commitment to public service is propelled by her father's battle with cancer when she was a teenager, where she learned firsthand about the cracks in the health care system and how “policy could be a matter of life and death.” She served as an at-large Houston City Council member from 2016 to 2020, where she represented a constituency of more than 2 million people.In her race to beat Jackson Lee, Edwards has garnered some notable endorsements including the Harris County Young Democrats, and the Harris County chapter of the Texas Coalition of Black Democrats – both of which endorsed Jackson Lee in past races.The Harris County Young Democrats rescinded its endorsement of Jackson Lee in the mayoral race — citing a “zero tolerance policy” for staff abuse.Lenard Polk, Harris County chapter president of the Texas Coalition of Black Democrats, said Jackson Lee's leaked audio tape controversy also factored into the committee's decision to not endorse her. On the recording Jackson Lee berates a staffer for not having a document she was looking for and calls two of her staffers “Goddamn big-ass children, fuckin' idiots who serve no Goddamn purpose.”He said endorsement committee members were still “quite upset” over the tape and it “wasn't a good look” for Jackson Lee. The leaked tape fueled discourse about Jackson Lee's reputation as an unkind boss on Capitol Hill – she regularly makes Washingtonian Magazine's worst of Congress list and her office has high turnover rates.Polk added that voters felt abandoned by Jackson Lee, who jumped into the mayor's race without endorsing someone to take her place, only to file for reelection a day after losing.Jackson Lee's battle to retain her seat is made tougher by 2021 redistricting, because the 18th district now includes more young white professionals who do not have the same level of loyalty to her as longtime district residents.But despite any damage she may have incurred from her mayoral run, Jackson Lee remains a powerful political force in her district.County Commissioner Rodney Ellis, who is backing Jackson Lee, said he doesn't know anyone in local politics with her “energy level,” and that Jackson Lee has secured meaningful federal grants for her district – most recently $20.5 million to Harris County Public Health Department's Uplift Harris Guaranteed Income Pilot project. He also said she has a reputation for being a reliably progressive voice in Congress.Jackson Lee has a long list of powerful endorsements from House Democratic leaders like House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries and Minority Whip Katherine Clarke. She's backed by Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo and former Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner and other members of Texas' Washington delegation including Democratic Reps. Lizzie Fletcher of Houston, Lloyd Doggett of Austin, Henry Cuellar of Laredo and Joaquin Castro of San Antonio.Ellis said Jackson Lee may not be a strong fundraiser but she will benefit from her incumbency advantage.Linda Bell-Robinson, a Houston Democratic precinct chair, said she is fighting for Jackson Lee to retain her seat because seniority in Congress is important and Edwards would be learning the ropes as a freshman if elected.“We need fighters,” she said. “We don't need people trying to learn how to fight on the battlefield. We need people who are already fighting and know how to fight their fight.SEAN: Super interesting race. For my part, I don't have any problem with members of Congress being extremely tough to work for. I have problems with lying, fraud, criminal activity, and squishy voting records. Congresswoman Jackson Lee has 100% ratings from Planned Parenthood, the ACLU, and AFL-CIO. She has a 95% rating from League of Conservation VotersNew estimate predicts Medicaid expansion would serve 152K at no cost to stateA $509M federal incentive would help offset state cost for first eight yearsBY: SHERMAN SMITH - FEBRUARY 22, 2024 4:22 PMhttps://kansasreflector.com/2024/02/22/new-estimate-predicts-medicaid-expansion-would-serve-152k-at-no-cost-to-state/TOPEKA — The Kansas Health Institute on Thursday unveiled its analysis of Gov. Laura Kelly's proposal to expand Medicaid, predicting 152,000 Kansans would enroll in the first year with no additional cost to the state government.The Democratic governor has made passage of Medicaid expansion a top legislative priority this year, following her statewide campaign to promote the policy last fall. But Republican leadership in the Legislature opposes the policy and has blocked hearings on Medicaid expansion for four years.Kansas is one of just 10 states that still haven't expanded Medicaid since President Barack Obama signed the Affordable Care Act in 2010.The state-run version of Medicaid, called KanCare, provides health care services to low-income families, seniors and people with disabilities. Currently, those who earn less than 38% of the federal poverty level are eligible. For a family of four, the annual income limit is $11,400.Under the ACA, also known as Obamacare, the federal government offers to cover 90% of the cost of Medicaid services in exchange for expanding eligibility to 138% of the federal poverty rate. The annual income threshold for a family of four would be $41,400.Kelly's proposal includes a work requirement with exceptions for full-time students, veterans, caregivers, people with partial disabilities, and former foster kids. Her plan also would add a new surcharge for hospitals.KHI predicts the change in income eligibility would result in 151,898 people enrolling in KanCare — 106,450 adults and 45,448 children. Those numbers include 68,236 adults and 16,377 children who are currently uninsured.About 68.9% of the adults are already working at least part-time, according to the KHI analysis. Of the remaining 31.1% KHI determined 19.1% of the unemployed adults have a disability, 16.1% are students and 3.8% are veterans.KHI calculated the cost to the state for expanding Medicaid over the first eight years would be fully offset — mostly because of a $509 million incentive included in the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021. Other savings would come from the federal government picking up more of the tab on existing services, as well as the new surcharge on hospitals. The Kansas Sunflower Foundation on Thursday released findings from surveys that found 68% of Kansas voters, including 51% of Republicans and 83% of small business owners support Medicaid expansion.Steve Baccus, an Ottawa County farmer and former president of Kansas Farm Bureau, said in a news release that expanding Medicaid was about “investing in the well-being of our communities.”Baccus said “Our rural communities are often struggling to keep Main Street open and to continue to offer the necessary services to the surrounding agricultural enterprises. A community that can offer a total health care package has an advantage in maintaining a viable town.”The findings are consistent with a Fort Hays State University poll that was released in October.With budget proposal and fiery address, Pritzker paints himself as progressive pragmatistThursday, February 22, 2024Governor's spending plan advances progressive-backed policies in tight fiscal landscapeBy HANNAH MEISELCapitol News Illinoishmeisel@capitolnewsillinois.comhttps://capitolnewsillinois.com/NEWS/with-budget-proposal-and-fiery-address-pritzker-paints-himself-as-progressive-pragmatistSPRINGFIELD – In delivering his annual State of the State and budget address on Wednesday, Gov. JB Pritzker cast his administration as both progressive and pragmatic – a balance he's worked to strike as his national profile has grown.Some elements of the governor's proposed spending plan, like using $10 million in state funds to eliminate $1 billion worth of Illinoisans' medical debt, are hardline progressive ideas. Others, including a goal to achieve “universal preschool” by 2027, fit in with a more traditional liberal platform.But Pritzker has also defined his success in traditional economic terms, putting particular stock into how New York City-based credit ratings agencies view Illinois' finances, while also positioning Illinois as a hub for emerging technologies like electric vehicles and quantum computing. As Illinois faces an influx of migrants from the southern U.S. border Pritzker has leaned into a leadership style that prioritizes progressive ideals while projecting an image of fiscal responsibility.As he outlined a proposal to add $182 Million toward the state's migrant response, Gov. Pritzker said, “We didn't ask for this manufactured crisis, But we must deal with it all the same.”“Children, pregnant women, and the elderly have been sent here in the dead of night, left far from our designated welcome centers, in freezing temperatures, wearing flip flops and T-shirts,” Pritzker said. “Think about that the next time a politician from Texas wants to lecture you about being a good Christian.”The governor was met with big applause from Democrats in laying out his proposed “Healthcare Consumer Access and Protection Act,” which would, in part, ban “prior authorization” requirements for mental health treatment.Pritzker characterized the practice of prior authorization as a way for insurance companies to deny the care that doctors have prescribed.Pritzker is also proposing spending $10 million in state funds to buy Illinoisans' past-due medical debt that's been sent to collections. Partnering with national nonprofit RIP Medical Debt, which buys debt for pennies on the dollar on the same market that collections agencies purchase the rights to the debts, the governor said Illinois could “relieve nearly $1 billion in medical debt for the first cohort of 340,000 Illinoisans.”The governor spent time noting two key places he said Illinois fails its Black citizens:  maternal mortality and disproportionate rates of homelessness. To combat Black maternal mortality rates, Pritzker proposed helping more community-based reproductive health centers to open, citing Illinois' first freestanding nonprofit birthing center in Berwyn as a model.He said, “Black women in our state are three times more likely to die from pregnancy-related causes than white women.” Pritzker proposed spending an additional $50 million on the state's “Home Illinois” program launched in 2021, in part to “attack the root causes of housing insecurity for Black Illinoisans.” He cited a statistic that Black people make up 61 percent of Illinois' homeless population despite only being 14 percent of the state's general population.Additionally, the governor proposed a $1 million pilot program for free diapers for low-income families, as well as a $5 million increased investment in an existing home visit program “for our most vulnerable families” with babies in their first year.His budget also includes $12 million to create a child tax credit for families with children under three with incomes below a certain threshold. Among the successes Pritzker pointed to, perhaps the most salient is his claim that Illinois' new “Smart Start” early childhood program – proposed last year in the governor's second inaugural address – had exceeded its first-year goals.The program aimed to create 5,000 new preschool seats last year, but ended up creating 5,823, Pritzker said – a 15 percent overperformance. “As a result, right now we have over 82,000 publicly-funded preschool classroom seats – the highest number in our state's history. Staying on the Smart Start plan, we will achieve universal preschool by 2027.”Echoing his 2022 election-year call for a temporary pause on the state's 1 percent tax on groceries, Pritzker on Wednesday proposed nixing the grocery tax altogether.He said “It's one more regressive tax we just don't need. If it reduces inflation for families from 4 percent to 3 percent, even if it only puts a few hundred bucks back in families' pockets, it's the right thing to do.”Even while proposing a series of progressive expenditures, the governor also sought to cast himself as a pragmatist when it comes to state finances. The state has seen strong revenue performances in the past few years, But in November, the governor's own economic forecasting office predicted a nearly $900 million deficit in the fiscal year that begins July 1.“Our FY25 budget proposal makes some hard choices,” Pritzker said Wednesday. “I wish we had big surpluses to work with this year to take on every one of the very real challenges we face.”Illinois' once-paltry “rainy day” fund now has $2 billion socked away, the governor noted, and the state has paid off high-interest debt during his five years in office.To mitigate Illinois' previously projected deficit, Pritzker is proposing to more than double the tax rate paid by sportsbooks on profits – a change that would bring in an estimated $200 million annually. He also proposed extending an existing cap on operating losses that businesses can claim on taxes, which could help generate more than $500 million, the governor's office claims.Another revenue generator proposed by the governor: raising $101 million by capping a sales tax credit retailers are allowed to claim. But business groups on Wednesday signaled they'd put up a fight. In his first few months in office in 2019, Pritzker used his fresh political capital to muscle a $15 minimum wage ramp through the legislature – a long-fought-for progressive policy goal – followed closely by a trip to New York City to meet with executives at the influential big three credit ratings agencies.When Pritzker took office, Illinois' credit ratings were hovering around “junk” status after a two-year budget impasse under his predecessor, Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner. And though Illinois suffered a final credit downgrade in the early months of COVID, the state has since received nine upgrades.The governor on Wednesday held those upgrades in high regard, saying“My one line in the sand is that I will only sign a budget that is responsibly balanced and that does not diminish or derail the improving credit standing we have achieved for the last five years,”Andrew Adams contributed.Missouri Senate Dems Hold The Line In Ballot Fighthttps://missouriindependent.com/2024/02/20/democrat-filibuster-forces-removal-of-ballot-candy-from-senate-initiative-petition-bill/BY: RUDI KELLER - FEBRUARY 20, 2024 5:15 PM     A Democratic filibuster that stretched more than 20 hours ended this week when Senate Republicans stripped provisions critics derided as “ballot candy” from a proposal to make it harder to pass constitutional amendments proposed by initiative petitions.Ballot candy refers to language designed to trick voters - into thinking the initiative is about ensuring only citizens vote, for instance - when that's totally irrelevant to the question voters are deciding.By an 18-12 vote, with nine Republicans and nine Democrats forming the majority, language that stated non-citizens could not vote on constitutional amendments was removed, as were sections barring foreign governments and political parties from taking sides in Missouri ballot measures.The Senate then, by a voice vote, gave first-round approval to the bill that would require both a statewide majority and a majority vote in five of the state's eight congressional districts to pass future constitutional amendments.The proposal would alter the way Missourians have approved constitutional changes since the first statewide vote on a constitution in 1846.Senate Minority Leader John Rizzo of Independence, a Democrat, said, “All we're asking for is a fair fight. And the Republicans know if it's a fair fight, they lose, which is why they have to pump it full of ballot candy and mislead voters.”Meanwhile, the House spent much of Tuesday morning debating legislation that would make changes to the signature gathering process for initiative petition campaigns.Among numerous provisions, the bill would require signatures be recorded using black or dark ink and that signature gatherers be citizens of the United States, residents of Missouri or physically present in Missouri for at least 30 consecutive days prior to the collection of signatures.Its most sweeping provision grants new authority to the secretary of state and attorney general to review initiative and referendum petitions for compliance with the Missouri Constitution.The effort to make it harder to get on the ballot and harder to pass a constitutional amendment has been a GOP priority for several years. In the past two election cycles, voters have expanded Medicaid coverage and legalized recreational marijuana, circumventing the GOP majority that opposed both. The push to raise the threshold on amendments proposed by initiative has taken on a new urgency for Republicans as abortion-rights supporters move ahead with a signature campaign to make this year's ballot.The results on abortion amendments in other states has Missouri abortion foes anxious about whether they can defend the state's almost total ban in a statewide election. Voters in Ohio last year rejected an effort to increase the majority needed to pass constitutional amendments before voting 57% in favor of abortion rights. And in 2022, Kansas voters defeated an attempt to restrict abortion rights by a landslide vote.Gov. Kelly Keep Kansas GOP In Linehttps://kansasreflector.com/2024/02/20/kansas-house-republicans-fail-to-override-governors-veto-on-massive-tax-reform-bill/Kansas House Republicans fail to override governor's veto on massive tax reform billBY: TIM CARPENTER - FEBRUARY 20, 2024 12:41 PM     TOPEKA — The Republican-led Kansas House failed Tuesday to override Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly ‘s veto of a tax reform bill anchored by implementation of a single, flat state income tax rate of 5.25% in addition to elimination of the state sales tax on groceries and creation of a tax exemption for all Social Security income.The GOP holds supermajorities in the House and Senate, but there was skepticism that both chambers could muster two-thirds majorities necessary to rebuke Kelly given opposition among conservative and moderate Republicans to parts of the three-year, $1.6 billion tax cut favoring the state's most wealthy. Kelly said the decision of House members to sustain her veto was a win for working-class Kansans who would have seen “little relief under this irresponsible flat tax experiment.” The Legislature should move ahead with her proposal for reducing $1 billion in taxes over three years.The governor said “I urge legislators to work together to cut taxes in a way that continues our economic growth and maintains our solid fiscal foundation while benefitting all Kansans, not just those at the top,”.Rep. Tom Sawyer, D-Wichita, said the cost of the tax reform bill could reach $600 million annually when fully implemented, and the plan didn't do enough for the middle class in Kansas. He said a married couple earning $42,000 to $75,000 per year would only see an income tax reduction of about 75 cents.Rep. Trevor Jacobs of Fort Scott was among Republicans who opposed overriding Kelly's veto. He said the flat tax would force the state's working class to carry a larger burden of the state tax load. And the 2024 Legislature had sufficient time to develop an alternative that provided tax relief to all Kansans rather than just a select few.Good thinking! See it's not just Democrats who think KS Gov Laura Kelly knows what she's doing. Welp, that's it for me! From Denver I'm Sean Diller. Stories in today's show appeared first in the Missouri Independent, Kansas Reflector, Texas Tribune, and Capitol News Illinois. Thanks for listening, see you next time.  @TheHeartlandPOD on Twitter and ThreadsCo-HostsAdam Sommer @Adam_Sommer85 (Twitter) @adam_sommer85 (Post)Rachel Parker @msraitchetp (Post) Sean Diller (no social)The Heartland Collective - Sign Up Today!JOIN PATREON FOR MORE - AND JOIN OUR SOCIAL NETWORK!“Change The Conversation”Outro Song: “The World Is On Fire” by American Aquarium http://www.americanaquarium.com/

The Heartland POD for Friday, February 23, 2024A flyover from this weeks top heartland stories including:Primary voting is underway in Texas | Kansas Medicaid expansion update | Illinois Gov J.B. Pritzker lays out priorities as a progressive pragmatist | Missouri Democrats filibuster ballot candy | KS Gov Laura Kelly's veto will stand Primary voting is underway in Texashttps://www.texastribune.org/2024/02/21/julie-johnson-brian-williams-congressional-district-32-colin-allred/BY SEJAL GOVINDARAOFEB. 21, 2024WASHINGTON — In 2018, Rep. Colin Allred flipped Texas' 32nd Congressional District, turning the Dallas-based district into a blue stronghold. Now, as the Democrat vies to unseat U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz, a crowded field of 10 Democrats is lining up to replace him.Dr. Brian Williams, a trauma surgeon, and State Rep. Julie Johnson, of Farmers Branch, are leading the field in the Democratic primary with their fundraising efforts, each amassing about a million dollars in campaign donations since their campaigns were registered at the beginning of last summer.Ideologically, Williams and Johnson are aligned. They both rank health care a top priority if elected, and have touted their ability to work across the aisle.Johnson, a trial lawyer in her third term in the state House rode the 2019 blue wave to unseat hardline conservative incumbent Matt Rinaldi, by 13 points. Rinaldi now chairs the state GOP. In her three terms, at least 40 of the bills Johnson has co-authored or joint-authored have been signed into law.As a Democrat in the Republican-dominated state Legislature, Johnson has played a lot of defense trying to kill bills she and other progressives deem harmful. Johnson, who is gay, said she and other members of the House's LGBTQ caucus have had success in killing anti-LGBTQ bills by mastering the rules of procedure and “being better at the rules than the other side.” In 2019, she took down a House version of the so-called “Save Chick-fil-A bill” on a rule technicality. The bill was a response to a San Antonio airport kicking out the fast food restaurant over criticism of its religiously affiliated donations to anti-LGBTQ groups. It was revived in another bill and passed into law.If elected, Johnson would be the first openly LGBTQ member of Congress from a Southern state. She's drawn notable endorsements from Beto O'Rourke, Rep. Lloyd Doggett, D-Austin, EMILY's List, Equality PAC, and several labor unions.Matt Angle, director of Lone Star Project, a Texas group that works to boost Democrats, said Johnson is the frontrunner in the race, but Williams is a formidable challenger.“Make no mistake about it though,” Angle said. “Julie Johnson has a voter base within the district not only from her old district, but also just from years of being an active Democratic activist and a donor and really a couple of just outstanding terms in the legislature.”While he may be new to the Texas political arena, Williams is no stranger to the halls of Congress.Williams was a health policy adviser to U.S. Sen. Chris Murphy — who endorsed him — to help pass the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act in 2022 – the farthest reaching gun safety legislation in decades. The legislation, crafted in the aftermath of the shootings in Uvalde and Buffalo New York, allocated millions of dollars to expand mental health resources, strengthens background checks and tightens the boyfriend loophole. U.S. Sen. John Cornyn was a lead negotiator on the bill with Murphy, and Williams worked closely with Cornyn's office. In his role as a health policy advisor for Murphy, he worked across the aisle with Republican Sen. Bill Cassidy of Louisiana on mental health legislation.Williams also worked with former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi of California to pass federal health care legislation related to pandemic preparedness and reducing health care costs.Williams said his experience as a trauma surgeon — operating on victims of gun violence and women experiencing reproductive health emergencies — has fueled his priorities to fight for gun restrictions and increase access to abortions and other womens' health. Williams added his perspective as a Black doctor seeing racial disparities in health care will resonate with the district's diverse constituency, given that the district is now a majority-minority district with a 37% Hispanic or Latino population, 22% Black population and 8% Asian population.“They're excited that there's someone that looks like them that can represent them in Congress,” Williams said in an interview.As Allred opted to stay neutral in the race to succeed him – Williams said he had pursued his endorsement while Johnson said she had not – the tension between Johnson and Williams has been heating up.Williams has publicly criticized Johnson for a vote she took that would have made some changes and tweaks to the state's Alternatives to Abortions program, which provides information about resources to women seeking the procedure.“I draw contrast between myself and Representative Johnson about how I am the better candidate,” Williams said.Johnson, who is endorsed by Planned Parenthood, said Williams misrepresented the vote, which she said she cast to bring the already-funded program under the scope of the Health and Human Services Commission so it could be subject to public transparency. Her campaign published a fact-check on her website, likening Williams' misrepresentation of her record to “Trumpian-style, false attacks.”Planned Parenthood was critical of the legislation.Johnson said women's health is also a priority for her, and she stands by her record.“Texas leads the nation of uninsured folks, and in maternal mortality, and in infant mortality. Obviously, we're leading the nation in an attack on women's freedom for women's reproductive health, and I've been a champion of a lot of these issues,” she said.Other candidates vying for the open seat in the March 5 primary include businessman Raja Chaudhry, tech entrepreneur Alex Cornwallis, former Dallas City Councilman and real estate broker Kevin Felder and attorney Callie Butcher, who would be the first openly transgender member of Congress if elected.If no candidate gets a majority of the vote, there will be a runoff in May. The winner of the Democratic primary will face off against the winner of the Republican primary in November but is likely to win given that the district is solidly blue.And, from Dallas we go to Houston whereAfter bruising loss in Houston mayoral race, U.S. Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee faces her toughest reelection yetJackson Lee faces off against Amanda Edwards, her most formidable congressional opponent in three decades.https://www.texastribune.org/2024/02/19/sheila-jackson-lee-amanda-edwards-democratic-primary-houston/BY SEJAL GOVINDARAOFEB. 19, 2024In 1994, Sheila Jackson Lee, then a 44-year-old Houston city councilwoman, unseated four-term U.S. Rep. Craig Washington in the Democratic primary, securing a seat she'd come to hold for the next 30 years.This March, former Houston City Councilwoman Amanda Edwards, 42, is hoping to replicate that political upset as she faces off against Jackson Lee in the Democratic primary for Congressional District 18.Jackson Lee, who did not respond to requests for an interview, has only drawn four primary challengers over her 14-term career, all of whom she defeated by landslide margins.She's a household name in her Houston-based district, known for her frequent visibility at constituent graduations, funerals and baby showers.But last year she ran for Houston mayor against then-state Sen. John Whitmire. It was a bruising primary — unfamiliar territory for Jackson Lee — and her campaign was roiled with negative media after audio of her berating her congressional staffers was leaked. She ended up losing the race by 30 points and then immediately announced she was running for reelection to the U.S. House.Amanda Edwards, a former intern in Jackson Lee's office, initially announced she was running for Houston mayor until the congresswoman threw her hat in the ring. At that point, Edwards pivoted — endorsing Jackson Lee as mayor and beginning her own bid for Congress.By the time Jackson Lee announced she was running for her House seat again, Edwards had already gained momentum. In the fourth quarter of last year, Edwards outraised the congresswoman 10 to 1 — $272,000 to Jackson Lee's $23,000.Mark Jones, Baker Institute fellow in political science at Rice University said, “This could be the year that Congresswoman Jackson Lee loses. And given that as a safe, Democratic, seat whoever wins the primary will be headed to Washington in January of 2025”Jackson Lee holds a narrow lead in primary polls, while 16% of voters remain undecided. Edwards, a native Houstonian, said her commitment to public service is propelled by her father's battle with cancer when she was a teenager, where she learned firsthand about the cracks in the health care system and how “policy could be a matter of life and death.” She served as an at-large Houston City Council member from 2016 to 2020, where she represented a constituency of more than 2 million people.In her race to beat Jackson Lee, Edwards has garnered some notable endorsements including the Harris County Young Democrats, and the Harris County chapter of the Texas Coalition of Black Democrats – both of which endorsed Jackson Lee in past races.The Harris County Young Democrats rescinded its endorsement of Jackson Lee in the mayoral race — citing a “zero tolerance policy” for staff abuse.Lenard Polk, Harris County chapter president of the Texas Coalition of Black Democrats, said Jackson Lee's leaked audio tape controversy also factored into the committee's decision to not endorse her. On the recording Jackson Lee berates a staffer for not having a document she was looking for and calls two of her staffers “Goddamn big-ass children, fuckin' idiots who serve no Goddamn purpose.”He said endorsement committee members were still “quite upset” over the tape and it “wasn't a good look” for Jackson Lee. The leaked tape fueled discourse about Jackson Lee's reputation as an unkind boss on Capitol Hill – she regularly makes Washingtonian Magazine's worst of Congress list and her office has high turnover rates.Polk added that voters felt abandoned by Jackson Lee, who jumped into the mayor's race without endorsing someone to take her place, only to file for reelection a day after losing.Jackson Lee's battle to retain her seat is made tougher by 2021 redistricting, because the 18th district now includes more young white professionals who do not have the same level of loyalty to her as longtime district residents.But despite any damage she may have incurred from her mayoral run, Jackson Lee remains a powerful political force in her district.County Commissioner Rodney Ellis, who is backing Jackson Lee, said he doesn't know anyone in local politics with her “energy level,” and that Jackson Lee has secured meaningful federal grants for her district – most recently $20.5 million to Harris County Public Health Department's Uplift Harris Guaranteed Income Pilot project. He also said she has a reputation for being a reliably progressive voice in Congress.Jackson Lee has a long list of powerful endorsements from House Democratic leaders like House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries and Minority Whip Katherine Clarke. She's backed by Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo and former Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner and other members of Texas' Washington delegation including Democratic Reps. Lizzie Fletcher of Houston, Lloyd Doggett of Austin, Henry Cuellar of Laredo and Joaquin Castro of San Antonio.Ellis said Jackson Lee may not be a strong fundraiser but she will benefit from her incumbency advantage.Linda Bell-Robinson, a Houston Democratic precinct chair, said she is fighting for Jackson Lee to retain her seat because seniority in Congress is important and Edwards would be learning the ropes as a freshman if elected.“We need fighters,” she said. “We don't need people trying to learn how to fight on the battlefield. We need people who are already fighting and know how to fight their fight.SEAN: Super interesting race. For my part, I don't have any problem with members of Congress being extremely tough to work for. I have problems with lying, fraud, criminal activity, and squishy voting records. Congresswoman Jackson Lee has 100% ratings from Planned Parenthood, the ACLU, and AFL-CIO. She has a 95% rating from League of Conservation VotersNew estimate predicts Medicaid expansion would serve 152K at no cost to stateA $509M federal incentive would help offset state cost for first eight yearsBY: SHERMAN SMITH - FEBRUARY 22, 2024 4:22 PMhttps://kansasreflector.com/2024/02/22/new-estimate-predicts-medicaid-expansion-would-serve-152k-at-no-cost-to-state/TOPEKA — The Kansas Health Institute on Thursday unveiled its analysis of Gov. Laura Kelly's proposal to expand Medicaid, predicting 152,000 Kansans would enroll in the first year with no additional cost to the state government.The Democratic governor has made passage of Medicaid expansion a top legislative priority this year, following her statewide campaign to promote the policy last fall. But Republican leadership in the Legislature opposes the policy and has blocked hearings on Medicaid expansion for four years.Kansas is one of just 10 states that still haven't expanded Medicaid since President Barack Obama signed the Affordable Care Act in 2010.The state-run version of Medicaid, called KanCare, provides health care services to low-income families, seniors and people with disabilities. Currently, those who earn less than 38% of the federal poverty level are eligible. For a family of four, the annual income limit is $11,400.Under the ACA, also known as Obamacare, the federal government offers to cover 90% of the cost of Medicaid services in exchange for expanding eligibility to 138% of the federal poverty rate. The annual income threshold for a family of four would be $41,400.Kelly's proposal includes a work requirement with exceptions for full-time students, veterans, caregivers, people with partial disabilities, and former foster kids. Her plan also would add a new surcharge for hospitals.KHI predicts the change in income eligibility would result in 151,898 people enrolling in KanCare — 106,450 adults and 45,448 children. Those numbers include 68,236 adults and 16,377 children who are currently uninsured.About 68.9% of the adults are already working at least part-time, according to the KHI analysis. Of the remaining 31.1% KHI determined 19.1% of the unemployed adults have a disability, 16.1% are students and 3.8% are veterans.KHI calculated the cost to the state for expanding Medicaid over the first eight years would be fully offset — mostly because of a $509 million incentive included in the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021. Other savings would come from the federal government picking up more of the tab on existing services, as well as the new surcharge on hospitals. The Kansas Sunflower Foundation on Thursday released findings from surveys that found 68% of Kansas voters, including 51% of Republicans and 83% of small business owners support Medicaid expansion.Steve Baccus, an Ottawa County farmer and former president of Kansas Farm Bureau, said in a news release that expanding Medicaid was about “investing in the well-being of our communities.”Baccus said “Our rural communities are often struggling to keep Main Street open and to continue to offer the necessary services to the surrounding agricultural enterprises. A community that can offer a total health care package has an advantage in maintaining a viable town.”The findings are consistent with a Fort Hays State University poll that was released in October.With budget proposal and fiery address, Pritzker paints himself as progressive pragmatistThursday, February 22, 2024Governor's spending plan advances progressive-backed policies in tight fiscal landscapeBy HANNAH MEISELCapitol News Illinoishmeisel@capitolnewsillinois.comhttps://capitolnewsillinois.com/NEWS/with-budget-proposal-and-fiery-address-pritzker-paints-himself-as-progressive-pragmatistSPRINGFIELD – In delivering his annual State of the State and budget address on Wednesday, Gov. JB Pritzker cast his administration as both progressive and pragmatic – a balance he's worked to strike as his national profile has grown.Some elements of the governor's proposed spending plan, like using $10 million in state funds to eliminate $1 billion worth of Illinoisans' medical debt, are hardline progressive ideas. Others, including a goal to achieve “universal preschool” by 2027, fit in with a more traditional liberal platform.But Pritzker has also defined his success in traditional economic terms, putting particular stock into how New York City-based credit ratings agencies view Illinois' finances, while also positioning Illinois as a hub for emerging technologies like electric vehicles and quantum computing. As Illinois faces an influx of migrants from the southern U.S. border Pritzker has leaned into a leadership style that prioritizes progressive ideals while projecting an image of fiscal responsibility.As he outlined a proposal to add $182 Million toward the state's migrant response, Gov. Pritzker said, “We didn't ask for this manufactured crisis, But we must deal with it all the same.”“Children, pregnant women, and the elderly have been sent here in the dead of night, left far from our designated welcome centers, in freezing temperatures, wearing flip flops and T-shirts,” Pritzker said. “Think about that the next time a politician from Texas wants to lecture you about being a good Christian.”The governor was met with big applause from Democrats in laying out his proposed “Healthcare Consumer Access and Protection Act,” which would, in part, ban “prior authorization” requirements for mental health treatment.Pritzker characterized the practice of prior authorization as a way for insurance companies to deny the care that doctors have prescribed.Pritzker is also proposing spending $10 million in state funds to buy Illinoisans' past-due medical debt that's been sent to collections. Partnering with national nonprofit RIP Medical Debt, which buys debt for pennies on the dollar on the same market that collections agencies purchase the rights to the debts, the governor said Illinois could “relieve nearly $1 billion in medical debt for the first cohort of 340,000 Illinoisans.”The governor spent time noting two key places he said Illinois fails its Black citizens:  maternal mortality and disproportionate rates of homelessness. To combat Black maternal mortality rates, Pritzker proposed helping more community-based reproductive health centers to open, citing Illinois' first freestanding nonprofit birthing center in Berwyn as a model.He said, “Black women in our state are three times more likely to die from pregnancy-related causes than white women.” Pritzker proposed spending an additional $50 million on the state's “Home Illinois” program launched in 2021, in part to “attack the root causes of housing insecurity for Black Illinoisans.” He cited a statistic that Black people make up 61 percent of Illinois' homeless population despite only being 14 percent of the state's general population.Additionally, the governor proposed a $1 million pilot program for free diapers for low-income families, as well as a $5 million increased investment in an existing home visit program “for our most vulnerable families” with babies in their first year.His budget also includes $12 million to create a child tax credit for families with children under three with incomes below a certain threshold. Among the successes Pritzker pointed to, perhaps the most salient is his claim that Illinois' new “Smart Start” early childhood program – proposed last year in the governor's second inaugural address – had exceeded its first-year goals.The program aimed to create 5,000 new preschool seats last year, but ended up creating 5,823, Pritzker said – a 15 percent overperformance. “As a result, right now we have over 82,000 publicly-funded preschool classroom seats – the highest number in our state's history. Staying on the Smart Start plan, we will achieve universal preschool by 2027.”Echoing his 2022 election-year call for a temporary pause on the state's 1 percent tax on groceries, Pritzker on Wednesday proposed nixing the grocery tax altogether.He said “It's one more regressive tax we just don't need. If it reduces inflation for families from 4 percent to 3 percent, even if it only puts a few hundred bucks back in families' pockets, it's the right thing to do.”Even while proposing a series of progressive expenditures, the governor also sought to cast himself as a pragmatist when it comes to state finances. The state has seen strong revenue performances in the past few years, But in November, the governor's own economic forecasting office predicted a nearly $900 million deficit in the fiscal year that begins July 1.“Our FY25 budget proposal makes some hard choices,” Pritzker said Wednesday. “I wish we had big surpluses to work with this year to take on every one of the very real challenges we face.”Illinois' once-paltry “rainy day” fund now has $2 billion socked away, the governor noted, and the state has paid off high-interest debt during his five years in office.To mitigate Illinois' previously projected deficit, Pritzker is proposing to more than double the tax rate paid by sportsbooks on profits – a change that would bring in an estimated $200 million annually. He also proposed extending an existing cap on operating losses that businesses can claim on taxes, which could help generate more than $500 million, the governor's office claims.Another revenue generator proposed by the governor: raising $101 million by capping a sales tax credit retailers are allowed to claim. But business groups on Wednesday signaled they'd put up a fight. In his first few months in office in 2019, Pritzker used his fresh political capital to muscle a $15 minimum wage ramp through the legislature – a long-fought-for progressive policy goal – followed closely by a trip to New York City to meet with executives at the influential big three credit ratings agencies.When Pritzker took office, Illinois' credit ratings were hovering around “junk” status after a two-year budget impasse under his predecessor, Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner. And though Illinois suffered a final credit downgrade in the early months of COVID, the state has since received nine upgrades.The governor on Wednesday held those upgrades in high regard, saying“My one line in the sand is that I will only sign a budget that is responsibly balanced and that does not diminish or derail the improving credit standing we have achieved for the last five years,”Andrew Adams contributed.Missouri Senate Dems Hold The Line In Ballot Fighthttps://missouriindependent.com/2024/02/20/democrat-filibuster-forces-removal-of-ballot-candy-from-senate-initiative-petition-bill/BY: RUDI KELLER - FEBRUARY 20, 2024 5:15 PM     A Democratic filibuster that stretched more than 20 hours ended this week when Senate Republicans stripped provisions critics derided as “ballot candy” from a proposal to make it harder to pass constitutional amendments proposed by initiative petitions.Ballot candy refers to language designed to trick voters - into thinking the initiative is about ensuring only citizens vote, for instance - when that's totally irrelevant to the question voters are deciding.By an 18-12 vote, with nine Republicans and nine Democrats forming the majority, language that stated non-citizens could not vote on constitutional amendments was removed, as were sections barring foreign governments and political parties from taking sides in Missouri ballot measures.The Senate then, by a voice vote, gave first-round approval to the bill that would require both a statewide majority and a majority vote in five of the state's eight congressional districts to pass future constitutional amendments.The proposal would alter the way Missourians have approved constitutional changes since the first statewide vote on a constitution in 1846.Senate Minority Leader John Rizzo of Independence, a Democrat, said, “All we're asking for is a fair fight. And the Republicans know if it's a fair fight, they lose, which is why they have to pump it full of ballot candy and mislead voters.”Meanwhile, the House spent much of Tuesday morning debating legislation that would make changes to the signature gathering process for initiative petition campaigns.Among numerous provisions, the bill would require signatures be recorded using black or dark ink and that signature gatherers be citizens of the United States, residents of Missouri or physically present in Missouri for at least 30 consecutive days prior to the collection of signatures.Its most sweeping provision grants new authority to the secretary of state and attorney general to review initiative and referendum petitions for compliance with the Missouri Constitution.The effort to make it harder to get on the ballot and harder to pass a constitutional amendment has been a GOP priority for several years. In the past two election cycles, voters have expanded Medicaid coverage and legalized recreational marijuana, circumventing the GOP majority that opposed both. The push to raise the threshold on amendments proposed by initiative has taken on a new urgency for Republicans as abortion-rights supporters move ahead with a signature campaign to make this year's ballot.The results on abortion amendments in other states has Missouri abortion foes anxious about whether they can defend the state's almost total ban in a statewide election. Voters in Ohio last year rejected an effort to increase the majority needed to pass constitutional amendments before voting 57% in favor of abortion rights. And in 2022, Kansas voters defeated an attempt to restrict abortion rights by a landslide vote.Gov. Kelly Keep Kansas GOP In Linehttps://kansasreflector.com/2024/02/20/kansas-house-republicans-fail-to-override-governors-veto-on-massive-tax-reform-bill/Kansas House Republicans fail to override governor's veto on massive tax reform billBY: TIM CARPENTER - FEBRUARY 20, 2024 12:41 PM     TOPEKA — The Republican-led Kansas House failed Tuesday to override Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly ‘s veto of a tax reform bill anchored by implementation of a single, flat state income tax rate of 5.25% in addition to elimination of the state sales tax on groceries and creation of a tax exemption for all Social Security income.The GOP holds supermajorities in the House and Senate, but there was skepticism that both chambers could muster two-thirds majorities necessary to rebuke Kelly given opposition among conservative and moderate Republicans to parts of the three-year, $1.6 billion tax cut favoring the state's most wealthy. Kelly said the decision of House members to sustain her veto was a win for working-class Kansans who would have seen “little relief under this irresponsible flat tax experiment.” The Legislature should move ahead with her proposal for reducing $1 billion in taxes over three years.The governor said “I urge legislators to work together to cut taxes in a way that continues our economic growth and maintains our solid fiscal foundation while benefitting all Kansans, not just those at the top,”.Rep. Tom Sawyer, D-Wichita, said the cost of the tax reform bill could reach $600 million annually when fully implemented, and the plan didn't do enough for the middle class in Kansas. He said a married couple earning $42,000 to $75,000 per year would only see an income tax reduction of about 75 cents.Rep. Trevor Jacobs of Fort Scott was among Republicans who opposed overriding Kelly's veto. He said the flat tax would force the state's working class to carry a larger burden of the state tax load. And the 2024 Legislature had sufficient time to develop an alternative that provided tax relief to all Kansans rather than just a select few.Good thinking! See it's not just Democrats who think KS Gov Laura Kelly knows what she's doing. Welp, that's it for me! From Denver I'm Sean Diller. Stories in today's show appeared first in the Missouri Independent, Kansas Reflector, Texas Tribune, and Capitol News Illinois. Thanks for listening, see you next time.  @TheHeartlandPOD on Twitter and ThreadsCo-HostsAdam Sommer @Adam_Sommer85 (Twitter) @adam_sommer85 (Post)Rachel Parker @msraitchetp (Post) Sean Diller (no social)The Heartland Collective - Sign Up Today!JOIN PATREON FOR MORE - AND JOIN OUR SOCIAL NETWORK!“Change The Conversation”Outro Song: “The World Is On Fire” by American Aquarium http://www.americanaquarium.com/

Welcome back to another episode of Content Amplified. In this episode, we interview Andrew Adams, a seasoned marketing expert from Salt Lake City, Utah, currently making waves at Scorpion. Andrew brings a unique perspective to marketing, grounded in a journalism background, and shares invaluable insights into creating compelling content strategies. What you'll learn in this episode: The Importance of Relevance and Timeliness in Content Creation: Understand why it's crucial for content to resonate with your target audience and support your business goals. Strategies for Effective Content Distribution: Discover how to maximize the reach of your content across various platforms and ensure it connects with the intended audience. Turning a Single Piece of Content into a Comprehensive Campaign: Learn how to repurpose a piece of content into multiple formats to cater to different consumer preferences and enhance engagement. Analyzing and Adapting Strategies Based on Performance: Gain insights into the importance of post-campaign analysis to refine future marketing efforts and improve overall effectiveness. Join us as Andrew shares his journey from journalism to marketing, revealing the tactical lessons he's learned along the way and how they can be applied to elevate your content strategy.

It was a week of serious cybersecurity incidents paired with unimpressive responses. As Melanie Teplinsky reminds us, the U.S. government has been agitated for months about China's apparent strategic decision to hold U.S. infrastructure hostage to cyberattack in a crisis. Now the government has struck back at Volt Typhoon, the Chinese threat actor pursuing that strategy. It claimed recently to have disrupted a Volt Typhoon botnet by taking over a batch of compromised routers. Andrew Adams explains how the takeover was managed through the court system. It was a lot of work, and there is reason to doubt the effectiveness of the effort. The compromised routers can be re-compromised if they are turned off and on again. And the only ones that were fixed by the U.S. seizure are within U.S. jurisdiction, leaving open the possibility of DDOS attacks from abroad. And, really, how vulnerable is our critical infrastructure to DDOS attack? I argue that there's a serious disconnect between the government's hair-on-fire talk about Volt Typhoon and its business-as-usual response. Speaking of cyberstuff we could be overestimating, Taiwan just had an election that China cared a lot about. According to one detailed report, China threw a lot of cyber at Taiwanese voters without making much of an impression. Richard Stiennon and I mix it up over whether China would do better in trying to influence the 2024 outcome here.   While we're covering humdrum responses to cyberattacks, Melanie explains U.S. sanctions on Iranian military hackers for their hack of U.S. water systems.  For comic relief, Richard lays out the latest drama around the EU AI Act, now being amended in a series of backroom deals and informal promises. I predict that the effort to pile incoherent provisions on top of anti-American protectionism will not end in a GDPR-style triumph for Europe, whose market is now small enough for AI companies to ignore if the regulatory heat is turned up arbitrarily.  The U.S. is not the only player whose response to cyberintrusions is looking inadequate this week. Richard explains Microsoft's recent disclosure of a Midnight Blizzard attack on the company and a number of its customers. The company's obscure explanation of how its technology contributed to the attack and, worse, its effort to turn the disaster into an upsell opportunity earned Microsoft a patented Alex Stamos spanking.  Andrew explains the recent Justice Department charges against three people who facilitated the big $400m FTX hack that coincided with the exchange's collapse. Does that mean it wasn't an inside job? Not so fast, Andrew cautions. The government didn't recover the $400m, and it isn't claiming the three SIM-swappers it has charged are the only conspirators. Melanie explains why we've seen a sudden surge in state privacy legislation. It turns out that industry has stopped fighting the idea of state privacy laws and is now selling a light-touch model law that skips things like private rights of action. I give a lick and a promise to a “privacy” regulation now being pursued by CFPB for consumer financial information. I put privacy in quotes, because it's really an opportunity to create a whole new market for data that will assure better data management while breaking up the advantage of incumbents' big data holdings. Bruce Schneier likes the idea. So do I, in principle, except that it sounds like a massive re-engineering of a big industry by technocrats who may not be quite as smart as they think they are. Bruce, if you want to come on the podcast to explain the whole thing, send me an email! Spies are notoriously nasty, and often petty, but surely the nastiest and pettiest of American spies, Joshua Schulte, was sentenced to 40 years in prison last week. Andrew has the details. There may be some good news on the ransomware front. More victims are refusing to pay. Melanie, Richard, and I explore ways to keep that trend going. I continue to agitate for consideration of a tax on ransom payments. I also flag a few new tech regulatory measures likely to come down the pike in the next few months. I predict that the FCC will use the TCPA to declare the use of AI-generated voices in robocalls illegal. And Amazon is likely to find itself held liable for the safety of products sold by third parties on the Amazon platform.  Finally, a few quick hits: Amazon has abandoned its iRobot acquisition, thanks to EU “competition” regulators, with the likely result that iRobot will cease competing David Kahn, who taught us all the romance of cryptology, has died at 93  Air Force Lt. Gen. Timothy Haugh is taking over Cyber Command and NSA from Gen. Nakasone  And for those suffering from Silicon Valley Envy (lookin' at you, Brussels), 23andMe offers a small corrective. The company is now a rare “reverse unicorn” – having fallen in value from $6 Billion to practically nothing Download 490th Episode (mp3) You can subscribe to The Cyberlaw Podcast using iTunes, Google Play, Spotify, Pocket Casts, or our RSS feed. As always, The Cyberlaw Podcast is open to feedback. Be sure to engage with @stewartbaker on Twitter. Send your questions, comments, and suggestions for topics or interviewees to CyberlawPodcast@gmail.com. Remember: If your suggested guest appears on the show, we will send you a highly coveted Cyberlaw Podcast mug! The views expressed in this podcast are those of the speakers and do not reflect the opinions of their institutions, clients, friends, families, or pets.

It was a week of serious cybersecurity incidents paired with unimpressive responses. As Melanie Teplinsky reminds us, the U.S. government has been agitated for months about China's apparent strategic decision to hold U.S. infrastructure hostage to cyberattack in a crisis. Now the government has struck back at Volt Typhoon, the Chinese threat actor pursuing that strategy. It claimed recently to have disrupted a Volt Typhoon botnet by taking over a batch of compromised routers. Andrew Adams explains how the takeover was managed through the court system. It was a lot of work, and there is reason to doubt the effectiveness of the effort. The compromised routers can be re-compromised if they are turned off and on again. And the only ones that were fixed by the U.S. seizure are within U.S. jurisdiction, leaving open the possibility of DDOS attacks from abroad. And, really, how vulnerable is our critical infrastructure to DDOS attack? I argue that there's a serious disconnect between the government's hair-on-fire talk about Volt Typhoon and its business-as-usual response. Speaking of cyberstuff we could be overestimating, Taiwan just had an election that China cared a lot about. According to one detailed report, China threw a lot of cyber at Taiwanese voters without making much of an impression. Richard Stiennon and I mix it up over whether China would do better in trying to influence the 2024 outcome here.   While we're covering humdrum responses to cyberattacks, Melanie explains U.S. sanctions on Iranian military hackers for their hack of U.S. water systems.  For comic relief, Richard lays out the latest drama around the EU AI Act, now being amended in a series of backroom deals and informal promises. I predict that the effort to pile incoherent provisions on top of anti-American protectionism will not end in a GDPR-style triumph for Europe, whose market is now small enough for AI companies to ignore if the regulatory heat is turned up arbitrarily.  The U.S. is not the only player whose response to cyberintrusions is looking inadequate this week. Richard explains Microsoft's recent disclosure of a Midnight Blizzard attack on the company and a number of its customers. The company's obscure explanation of how its technology contributed to the attack and, worse, its effort to turn the disaster into an upsell opportunity earned Microsoft a patented Alex Stamos spanking.  Andrew explains the recent Justice Department charges against three people who facilitated the big $400m FTX hack that coincided with the exchange's collapse. Does that mean it wasn't an inside job? Not so fast, Andrew cautions. The government didn't recover the $400m, and it isn't claiming the three SIM-swappers it has charged are the only conspirators. Melanie explains why we've seen a sudden surge in state privacy legislation. It turns out that industry has stopped fighting the idea of state privacy laws and is now selling a light-touch model law that skips things like private rights of action. I give a lick and a promise to a “privacy” regulation now being pursued by CFPB for consumer financial information. I put privacy in quotes, because it's really an opportunity to create a whole new market for data that will assure better data management while breaking up the advantage of incumbents' big data holdings. Bruce Schneier likes the idea. So do I, in principle, except that it sounds like a massive re-engineering of a big industry by technocrats who may not be quite as smart as they think they are. Bruce, if you want to come on the podcast to explain the whole thing, send me an email! Spies are notoriously nasty, and often petty, but surely the nastiest and pettiest of American spies, Joshua Schulte, was sentenced to 40 years in prison last week. Andrew has the details. There may be some good news on the ransomware front. More victims are refusing to pay. Melanie, Richard, and I explore ways to keep that trend going. I continue to agitate for consideration of a tax on ransom payments. I also flag a few new tech regulatory measures likely to come down the pike in the next few months. I predict that the FCC will use the TCPA to declare the use of AI-generated voices in robocalls illegal. And Amazon is likely to find itself held liable for the safety of products sold by third parties on the Amazon platform.  Finally, a few quick hits: Amazon has abandoned its iRobot acquisition, thanks to EU “competition” regulators, with the likely result that iRobot will cease competing David Kahn, who taught us all the romance of cryptology, has died at 93  Air Force Lt. Gen. Timothy Haugh is taking over Cyber Command and NSA from Gen. Nakasone  And for those suffering from Silicon Valley Envy (lookin' at you, Brussels), 23andMe offers a small corrective. The company is now a rare “reverse unicorn” – having fallen in value from $6 Billion to practically nothing Download 490th Episode (mp3) You can subscribe to The Cyberlaw Podcast using iTunes, Google Play, Spotify, Pocket Casts, or our RSS feed. As always, The Cyberlaw Podcast is open to feedback. Be sure to engage with @stewartbaker on Twitter. Send your questions, comments, and suggestions for topics or interviewees to CyberlawPodcast@gmail.com. Remember: If your suggested guest appears on the show, we will send you a highly coveted Cyberlaw Podcast mug! The views expressed in this podcast are those of the speakers and do not reflect the opinions of their institutions, clients, friends, families, or pets.

Jeremy and co-host Andrew Adams tackle a series of questions, comments, and reviews from you, the listeners, and some guests in the form of a Rapid Fire Q&A. Here are some of the questions they tried to answer: What non martial artist would you want to teach martial arts to? How do you handle a fellow student who is the incessant over-corrector? Listen to the episode for more questions! After listening to the questions and answers, it would be exciting for us to know your thoughts about it. 

Welcome to Day 02 of the FilmQuest Film Festival Series! Mike and Lance are in full swing, and it's a blast – there are in-depth filmmaker interviews, movie screenings, some cheeky beers (we won't tell), and heaps of laughter. Get ready for a deep dive into the wild world of pulling off low-budget films, and we've got two awesome stories coming your way. Today, we're joined by director David Lumsden, along with producers Remo Catani and Toby Trueman, the dynamic trio behind the spine-tingling horror short, "LURE." They're here to spill the beans on how they work their movie-making magic in Glasgow and how they assemble the dream team that pulls off cinematic wonders in record time. But wait, there's more! We've got director Andrew Adams, the genius behind the feature film "American Meltdown." He's got a unique perspective, having tackled his very first feature film, and he's sharing the scoop on how that game-changer opened doors to some incredible actors and talent. Buckle up, it's a rollercoaster of a story! We're also diving deep into the art of preparation when you've got a mere 15 days to shoot a full-length feature film. This super-sized episode is packed with laughs, heartwarming stories, and a whole lot of fun and inspiration. It's like you're hanging out with your best buddies at a podcast, creating bonds that'll last a lifetime. So, grab your favorite drink (whether it's soda or a sneaky beer), and join us on the brand new episode of "IN LOVE WITH THE PROCESS." It's where you meet amazing people, make friends for life, and share stories that'll keep you smiling for days!

Davis Griffin was a professional wakeboarder from the great state of Texas. Davis got his start like most, waterskiing, then discovering wakeboarding behind the boat. He shortly met Chris Abadie and Andrew Adams, and the three began riding together frequently. As their riding progressed, so did their creativity. The Shredtown crew was created, and the video projects began to come one after another. Shredtown took the wakeboard world by storm, producing high quality park and winch content. Davis had his hand in inspiring a generation of park riders with his unique take on wakeboarding. The formation of Shredtown, video projects, world travels, Drop The Gun, Shredtown Jamboree, gnarly slams, and the eventual end of the Shredtown era. Hear about all that and much more in Episode 24 of the Grab Matters Podcast. Find more at grabmatters.com

In this episode, Jeremy and co-host Andrew Adams take on the next edition of Rapid Fire Question and Answers.   Rapid Fire Q&A #25 - Episode 849 Jeremy and co-host Adrew Adams tackle a series of questions, comments, and reviews from you, the listeners, and some guests in the form of a Rapid Fire Q&A. Here are some of the questions they tried to answer: What's the relevance of Enter the Dragon to today's White Belts? How many villains from Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles can you name in 5 minutes? Listen to the episode for more questions! After listening to the questions and answers, it would be exciting for us to know your thoughts about it. Don't forget to drop them in the comment section below!  

In this episode Jeremy Lesniak and co-host Andrew Adams are joined by Victor Guarino to talk about how things went with our first sponsor, Kataaro. They discuss everything from why they were looking for sponsors, how the decided whom to contact, and how things went overall. After listening to the episode it would be excited for us to know your thoughts about it. Comment down below! ✅Subscribe to whistlekick Martial Arts Radio on the following platforms:

In this episode, co-host Andrew Adams is joined by Victor Guarino and Craig Wharem to talk about whether styles have relevance in martial arts any more. When we talk martial arts, we often go to words like Karate, Jiu Jitsu, Aikido, Tae Kwon Do, Kung Fu, etc. And even within these words, we often break them down into smaller groups like Shotokan, Goju Ryu, Shorin Ryu, etc. At one point these differences really made a difference, but do they now? Listen and hear their thoughts and comment your thoughts below!

In this episode, co-host Andrew Adams is joined by Victor Guarino and Craig Wharem and they talk about Martial Arts for Non Martial Artists. When someone thinks about martial arts, they often focus on the physical aspects of training, such as self-defense or building strength. However, martial arts offer numerous benefits, which extend beyond the dojo. In this episode, co-host Andrew Adams is joined by Victor Guarino and Craig Wharem and they talk about Martial Arts for Non Martial Artists.  Andrew, Victor, and Craig explore the various benefits that martial arts training can offer individuals who are not involved in the martial arts world. These benefits include the sense of community and camaraderie that martial arts provide, the physical and mental skills that can be developed through training, and the versatility of martial arts as a hobby that can be enjoyed at any age. After listening to the episode it would be exciting for us to know your thoughts about it. Comment down below!