Podcasts about assistant directors

In part two of this conversation on GLP-1 receptor agonists, Dr. Mike Chupp is joined by Dr. Kymberli Cook, a systematic theologian, Assistant Director of the Hendricks Center, and adjunct professor at Dallas Theological Seminary, to explore the deeper theological and ethical dimensions of these medications. Dr. Cook specializes in theological anthropology, the study of what it means to be human in relation to God, and brings that lens to bear on some of medicine’s most pressing questions: Are our creaturely limits something to overcome or embrace? Where does therapy end and enhancement begin? And how should Christian healthcare professionals faithfully navigate the medical and technological advancements that increasingly shape our bodies, our limitations, and our health? This episode invites you to move beyond the clinical conversation and consider what it means to be a faithful steward of the bodies God has given us.

The story of William Tyndale and Cardinal Wolsey is a fascinating tale of spies and espionage. Tyndale was a wanted man – working in exile to complete his translation of the New Testament. In order to supress his work, Henry VIII and Cardinal Wolsey dispatched a diplomat-spy to make sure Tyndale's writings were never imported to England. Yet Tyndale and his contacts found ways to smuggle his New Testament into England anyway, all whilst Wolsey's man was on their trail. Charlotte Gauthier unravels this daring cat-and-mouse game, which culminates in Tyndale's betrayal and death in 1536. Dr Charlotte Gauthier is an historian of religious conflict and diplomacy with a PhD from Royal Holloway, University of London. She is Assistant Director of Discipleship for Southwark Diocese and a Visiting Tutor at St Augustine's College of Theology and City St George's, University of London. Charlotte has written numerous articles on history and ideas for leading publications, and has appeared on television, radio, and podcasts.

Beyond the Gun – Creative Partnerships There's a distinct difference between being cast as an actor in a theatre production and working as a creative collaborator and developing your own work. This session examines how actors can step into producing and move into the developmental life of a project—contributing ideas, shaping the script, and influencing the work as it develops. Actors such as Ngoc Phan, Nicholas Brown, Julia Robertson, Amy Ingram, and Cameron Hurry have expanded their work into producing, writing and directing. This conversation explores how actors can evolve their practice, build a reputation for meaningful creative input, and become initiators and collaborators whose contributions extend beyond performance into the heart of the work itself. Amy is a multi-award-winning actor and theatre-maker based in Brisbane, later this year she will appear in the return season of Pride And Prejudice at QTC and the World Premiere of Suzie Miller's Strong Is The New Pretty touring Nationally. Ngọc is an award-winning actor, director and playwright. Her diverse theatre work includes Vietgone, Boy Swallows Universe and Good Grief (Queensland Theatre), Laurinda (MT), Love Stories (Brisbane Festival/QPAC), Horizon (Playlab Theatre), Medea (Shock Therapy Productions), We're All Gonna Die, Away, A Streetcar Named Desire and Stunt Double (The Farm). Julia Robertson is a multidisciplinary theatre maker, director and actor living and working on Gadigal land. She is the Artistic Director of the award-winning devising group Little Eggs Collective, a recipient of the Ensemble Theatre's Sandra Bates Award for Directing, and a Young Artists Program finalist with Opera Australia. Julia was recently nominated for Best Direction of a Musical at the Sydney Theatre Awards for The Producers (Hayes Theatre Co. / Riverside Parramatta). In 2026, Julia will direct the premiere production of STELLA, The Musical in Melbourne, as well as The Addams Family for Hayes Theatre Co. She will also work as Movement Director on 84 Charing Cross Road for the Ensemble Theatre, and as Assistant Director on Suzie Miller's new work Strong Is the New Pretty for Sydney Theatre Company, Queensland Theatre and Brisbane Festival. Nicholas Brown is a NIDA graduate who has forged an impressive international career across film, television and theatre as an actor, writer, singer, songwriter and leading man with major roles in Bollywood films, Australian drama and as a much-loved ABC Play School presenter. He plays a lead role in upcoming Alex Proyas science fiction musical film R.U.R. As a playwright, Nicholas won the prestigious Nick Enright Prize for Playwriting in the 2024 NSW Premier's Literary Awards for his play Sex Magick which was performed in the 2023 Griffin Theatre season. It was also nominated for a 2025 AWGIE and a 2024 Sydney Theatre Award. Cameron Hurry is a Brisbane based actor and writer. He completed his actor training at the University of Southern Queensland. Cameron's theatre credits include: Pride and Prejudice (Queensland Theatre Company), Unconditional (Playlab Theatre), Three Little Words (Ad Astra), Twelfth Night (4MBS Brisbane Shakespeare Festival), Dance Nation (THAT Production Company), Grand Horizons (PIP Theatre), Frankenstein (Fractal Theatre), Macbeth (JUTE Theatre), Picnic at Hanging Rock (Brisbane Arts Theatre), and Aladdin and the Mysterious Magical Lamp, Jane Eyre, Little Women, Shadowlands (Harvest Rain Theatre Company). His film and television credits include: Spit, Boy Swallows Universe, The Bureau of Magical Things, Young Rock, and Wanted. Cameron has received the Matilda Award for Best Performance in a Supporting Role – Independent Production (Grand Horizons) and has a proud member of MEAA for 20 years.

Kristina Novak and John Cianfrone sit down with Mona Cairncross for an inside look at global transfer pricing negotiations and lessons from her time as Assistant Director of the IRS APMA Program.Support the show

While there is substantial debate over the appropriate role of generative AI in higher education, one area of agreement is that AI cannot be ignored. In this episode, Annette Vee, Marc Watkins, and Derek Bruff join us to discuss what faculty need to know to be AI-aware in their teaching. Annette is an Associate Professor of English at the University of Pittsburgh where she has been actively involved with AI initiatives. She is the author of Coding Literacy: How Computer Programming is Changing Writing and is co-editor of TextGenEd: Teaching with Text Generation Technologies. Marc is a Lecturer in Writing and Rhetoric and an Assistant Director of Academic Innovation at the University of Mississippi, where he directs the AI Institute for Teachers. Derek Bruff is an Associate Director at the University of Virginia's Center for Teaching Excellence, where he supports faculty in integrating generative AI in their teaching. He is the author of Intentional Tech: Principles to Guide the Use of Educational Technology in College Teaching and Teaching with Classroom Response Systems: Creating Active Learning Environments. He is the host and producer of the Intentional Teaching podcast. Annette, Marc, and Derek frequently serve as keynote speakers at academic conferences and write frequently about AI and higher education on their blogs. Annette, Marc, and Derek are the co-authors of The Norton Guide to AI-Aware Teaching. A transcript of this episode and show notes may be found at http://teaforteaching.com.

In August 2024, a ransomware attack shut down baggage systems, flight displays, and Wi-Fi at Sea-Tac Airport. What did it reveal about how executives think about cyber investment? And why is “how much more security do we need?” the wrong question to ask after a major incident? Let's find out with our guest Stephanie Warren, Assistant Director of Information Security at the Port of Seattle, who lived through that attack and came out the other side with hard-won lessons about executive decision-making under pressure. Your hosts are Kip Boyle, CISO with Cyber Risk Opportunities, and Jake Bernstein, Partner with K&L Gates. LinkedIn profile – https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephanie-warren-0746343/

Jefferson Parks and Recreation Department Director Lyndsey Wathen talks to us about the June and July programs.

After her first strike of a singing bowl in 2019, Monica Mullen has been driven by a “magnetic pull” in her soul to Follow the Sound. She has devoted her life to learning, practicing, and teaching, studying under many prominent sound luminaries. Her practice integrates aspects of Vibrational Radiesthesia and Spirit Science, allowing her to use sound as a tool for spiritual growth and finding inner harmony. A full-time practitioner since 2021, she also serves as Assistant Director and Senior Adjunct Instructor at the Soundwise School of Harmonic Therapy in Lancaster, PA, alongside founder Lana Ryder. Monica has completed numerous trainings with skilled teachers such as Alexandre Tannous, David Shemesh, Mitch Nur, Guy Beider, Mike Tamburo, Michael Bettine, and Thomas Orr Anderson, additionally assisting with trainings and events for some of those mentioned. She teaches Sound and Practitioner Energetics locally and regionally, while also offering private and group therapeutic sound sessions and hosting retreats and weekend workshops. Ever evolving, Monica is formulating Sound Mentorship programs. Beyond studying sound, she has expanded her studies into the realms of Vibrational Radiesthesia, BioGeometry, and Spirit Science with the late Dr. Robert Gilbert. She considers herself a Disciple of Vibration. Her mission includes teaching the contextual and skillful use of instruments, which starts with tuning oneself as the Instrument of Consciousness through heart centered practices, deep listening skills, attention honing, and the development of virtue. Using Sound as the Call to gather others to connect, reflect, and align with the Divine, she encourages others to harness and direct their creative power as Vibrational Architects to Further the Kingdom of Love. Monica's own creative nature explores making mallets and instruments when she cannot find the sound she is looking for. She smells flowers in her spare time and loves eating fruit, cloud watching, and delving deep into mysteries. https://www.monicajmullen.com/ https://www.instagram.com/monica.j.mullen/ https://www.facebook.com/monica.joan Natalie Brown, host of Sounds Heal Podcast, founder of Sounds Heal Studio, Sound Healing Academy Lead Teacher for North America: http://www.soundshealstudio.com http://www.facebook.com/soundshealstudio http://www.instagram.com/nataliebrownsoundsheal http://www.youtube.com/soundshealstudio Email: soundshealstudio@gmail.com Music by Natalie Brown, Hope & Heart http://www.youtu.be/hZPx6zJX6yA

Send us Fan MailThis episode features Tracee Keough, the Assistant Director of Coaching Programs at Forward Edge, discussing the evolution of the Certified Coach Program. The conversation highlights the program's structure, its focus on systemic change, and the integration of AI to optimize coaching workflows.1

In Episode 341, Kestrel welcomes Dr. Joanne Brasch, the Assistant Director at the California Product Stewardship Council (CPSC), to the show. A network of local governments, non-government organizations, businesses, and individuals supporting policies and projects where producers share in the responsibility for managing problem products at their end of life, CPSC is California's thought leader and expert on Product Stewardship and the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) movement. "We're most proud of our textile EPR program because we achieved a lot in SB 707 that set a new level, a new generation of EPR programs that take a higher priority and implement a lot more reuse and repair throughout the program." -Joanne THEME — EXTENDED PRODUCER RESPONSIBILITY & TEXTILE WASTE DIVERSION This episode is the second in our two-part series dedicated to exploring some of the layers around Extended Producer Responsibility, or EPR, and Textile Waste Diversion.  In line with this conversation, I want to share about an upcoming event I'm collaborating on that's taking place in Los Angeles on June 10th. The Recovered Textile Exhibit is hosted by the City and County of Los Angeles, the California Product Stewardship Council, and the LA Cleantech Incubator. It's funded by CalRecycle, LA Sanitation, and others, and is in collaboration with Afflare.co and Fashion Is Outrageous.  There will be keynote speakers, discussions, and interactive activities that my cofounder Gabi and I helped develop, all with a focus on textile circularity and diverting textiles from the landfill. Additionally, the PRO (Producer Responsibility Organization), Landbell, will be present at the event. If you're interested in attending, you can RSVP here. If you're able to join, I hope to see you there! On the last show, we touched on some of the big picture ideas around EPR, and many of the questions around how we can make these circular systems practical.  On this week's episode, we're diving deep into the first-ever textile EPR bill in the U.S., SB 707: The Responsible Textile Recovery Act of 2024. While this isn't the first EPR policy to hit California or the nation, it is the first to cover TEXTILES.  I chat with someone who played an integral role in the legislative process for the bill – we dive into more on their open-collaborative approach and the importance of community-informed programs, we explore what the "most diverse board requirements" means within the context of SB 707, we learn about how feedback played a distinct role in the legislative process including some from the Or Foundation, and we discuss some of the definitions within the bill like REUSE and RECYCLE, with a focus on unpacking the definition of REPAIR, which is the first global definition that includes upcycling. You will hear words and phrases like PRO, Needs Assessment, dynamic, legislative and regulatory process, and more. We do our best to help contextualize these definitions along the way, but if you have questions, let me know. I don't want this to feel like another policy conversation that leaves you in the dark – I want it to feel like you can feel welcomed into it, as this is a monumental bill for California and the sustainability and fashion industry as a whole. One of my favorite things about this bill is that it's DYNAMIC, meaning it will change over time, and be rewritten every 5 years, based on key findings and learnings. So remember – your voice can play an important role in how this bill continues to evolve moving forward.  Also, to note – when this episode was recorded, our guest's new title had not yet been released publicly. Congrats to her, as she is now the Assistant Director – you'll actually hear her reveal it to us later on in the episode.   Quotes and links from our conversation: "If we're shopping in a different way 20 years from now, this program can adapt to that because the plan is rewritten every five years and has evidence-based decision-making provisions within the program." -Joanne on why SB 707 being a dynamic bill matters "I think the open collaborative approach has really been making sure everyone is using the same language and understands the same process so we can get the best engagement now." -Joanne on CPSC's approach to developing community-informed programs "We know repair costs more. We know that it's labor intensive, but we also know, you know, it's a greater GHG reduction and opportunity to again create new products from existing materials." -Joanne on the importance of incentivizing repair in the bill Recovered Textile Exhibit, June 10th (2026) in Los Angeles, CA California Product Stewardship Website CPSC Instagram

Assistant Director of Community Partnerships for PAWS Chicago Jill Siar joins the Lisa Dent Show to discuss PAWS’ partnership with the Chicago Cubs for their adoption event at Gallagher Way on May 23rd.

In Clare, LauraLynn Children's Hospice is currently supporting 16 families through its community team, providing care in the home as well as access to its hospice services in Dublin, often over many years, not just in a child's final days. Colm Naughton, from a Clare family, joined Derrick Lynch on Tuesday's Morning Focus to share his family's lived experience. Marie Lynch, Assistant Director of Nursing for Community, also joined the programme to discuss the importance of early access to hospice care and how that support helps families make the most of every moment. Image (c) LauraLynn.ie

New Episode Alert!   On this episode of Talkin' Parks, Michael Linn White talks to Assistant Director of Parks & Recreation, Rachel Singer about all wonderful hiking trails that can be found at Barfield Crescent Park. A combination of paved and dirt trails offers something for everyone from walkers and joggers, to hikers seeking more of a challenge. For more information about the trails at Barfield Crescent Park including trail guides, visit www.murfreesboroparks.com.

This week on The Gill Connections Podcast, Mike Cunningham is joined by TJ Lawson, Assistant Director of Track & Field at IMG Academy.TJ shares his journey from growing up around Hayward Field, competing as a near–8,000 point decathlete, and ultimately finding his calling in coaching and program leadership after injuries reshaped his athletic path.The episode pulls back the curtain on IMG Academy—what it is, what it isn't, and how culture, academics, and athlete-first thinking drive everything they do.⚙️ Episode highlights:

This week on the Science for Sport Podcast, Richard Graves is joined by Heather Farmer, Assistant Athletics Director, Sports Science at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. Heather has been part of the UNLV athletics staff since 2016, first joining as Assistant Director of Strength and Conditioning before moving into sport science and later being promoted to Assistant Athletics Director for Sports Science in 2024. In this episode, Heather shares how UNLV has built a sport science model from the ground up, why data should inform rather than dictate decisions, and how practitioners can create real buy-in across coaches, athletes, strength and conditioning, sports medicine, nutrition and psychology. The conversation explores the realities of working in collegiate sport, from the impact of the transfer portal to the challenge of supporting athletes when timeframes are shorter and rosters are constantly changing. Heather also discusses the importance of female athlete data, the risks of over-relying on wearable technology, and why return-to-play decisions must go beyond timelines and basic fitness markers. Throughout the episode, Heather brings the conversation back to one core principle: sport science is still about people. Data matters, technology matters, and AI may help practitioners work more efficiently, but the human side of performance remains central to everything. In this episode you will learn How Heather transitioned from collegiate soccer player to strength and conditioning coach, and then into sport science Why UNLV built its sport science model around being “human first” How to use data as an input rather than treating it as the final answer Why coach buy-in is easier when practitioners build trust and show value over time The challenges of applying male-dominated performance data to female athletes How the transfer portal has changed long-term athlete development in collegiate sport Why wearable technology can support performance but also create “analysis paralysis” How UNLV approaches return to play using performance outputs, not just timelines Why AI can support information gathering and efficiency, but cannot replace human judgement The importance of speaking the language of other disciplines in a high-performance team About Heather Farmer Heather Farmer is the Assistant Athletics Director, Sports Science at UNLV. She has been with UNLV since 2016, initially working in strength and conditioning before moving into sport science leadership. Her work focuses on integrating data-informed approaches across the high-performance team while keeping the individual athlete at the centre of the process. Before her career in performance, Heather played soccer at the University of North Alabama, where time spent rehabbing from injury and working in the weight room helped shape her interest in high-performance sport. She later worked across multiple sports as a graduate assistant at Lindenwood University before joining UNLV. At UNLV, Heather has helped grow sport science into a foundational part of the athletics department, working closely with coaches, athletes and interdisciplinary support staff to create a model that fits the needs of the university, rather than copying what works elsewhere. FREE 7d SCIENCE FOR SPORT ACADEMY TRIAL SIGN UP NOW: https://bit.ly/SFSepisode241 ​ Learn Quicker & More Effectively ​ Optimise Your Athletes' Recovery ​ Position Yourself As An Expert To Your Athletes And Naturally Improve Buy-In ​ Reduce Your Athletes' Injury Ratese ​ Save 100's Of Dollars A Year That Would Otherwise Be Spent On Books, Courses And More ​ Improve Your Athletes' Performance ​ Advance Forward In Your Career, Allowing You To Earn More Money And Work With Elite-Level Athletes ​ Save Yourself The Stress & Worry Of Constantly Trying To Stay Up-To-Date With Sports Science Research

erticals, Hustle, and the Future of Filmmaking (Get Reelisms Ep. 186) On Get Reelisms podcast episode 186, filmmakers Adam Chase Rani and Christine Chen discuss being exhausted but grateful for steady work while others in Austin and Texas struggle despite talk of bigger film tax incentives. They say vertical short-form productions are “single handedly saving Hollywood,” with money coming from markets including China, and Christine notes speaking Mandarin helps her communicate with clients as an AD and director. They describe overlapping AD prep across productions, constant schedule demands on rare days off, and how vertical work favors indie-style problem solvers over union workflows. They explain vertical monetization as “Farmville”-style gamification with addictive cliffhangers and paywalls per short episode, shaping soapy storytelling tropes, while also noting vertical framing can be visually strong. They mention Darren Aronofsky's AI film "On This Day, 1776" and briefly debate AI as a tool versus making full films with it, then preview an upcoming guest, Oscar-nominated short filmmaker Sam Davis ("The Singers" on Netflix).   Hosts: Adam Rani (@adamthechase)  & Christine Chen (@cchenmtf)  About Christine W Chen: Christine W. Chen is a Taiwanese American filmmaker, Academy member (Short Films Branch), and versatile producer, director, and writer known for bold, character-driven storytelling. Through her production company, Moth to Flame, she has created award-winning short films, features, and branded content—including Erzulie, a feminist swamp thriller that had a limited theatrical run and now streams on major platforms. In addition to her directorial work, Christine is a seasoned DGA 1st Assistant Director and co-author of Get Reelisms and ABCs of Filmmaking, as well as the co-host of the Get Reelisms Podcast. For more information about Christine Chen: christinewchen.com About Adam Rani: Adam Chase Rani is a production designer and set dresser working in the Austin film market, bringing a sharp eye for visual storytelling and practical creativity to every project. During the pandemic, he co-founded the Get Reelisms Podcast with Christine Chen to foster community within the film industry. Together, they've built a platform that blends education, candid conversations, and industry insights to help filmmakers connect, learn, and grow. WEBISODE version of the Podcast 00:00 Verticals Save Hollywood 01:01 Podcast Intro and Hosts 02:08 Lunar New Year Banter 04:11 Work Drought and Incentives 05:19 Mandarin as a Career Edge 06:37 How We Met on Set 12:13 Overlapping AD Chaos 16:04 Forgot to Go Live 18:29 No Days Off Reality 20:44 Becoming the Vertical Queen 22:58 Who Excels at Verticals 24:24 Will Stories Go Vertical 25:04 David Lynch Phone Rant 26:57 Farmville Paywall Model 31:00 Soap Opera Hook Writing 33:16 Shooting Vertical Beautifully 35:53 New Tech Becomes Cinema 37:59 AI Films and Unease 41:38 Trump Impressions Detour 43:09 Housekeeping and Next Guest   Official Get Reelisms PageGet Reelisms Amazon StoreInstagram

With new school board members joining districts across Michigan this election year, now is the time to take a proactive approach to board development. In this episode, MASB's Assistant Director of Leadership Development, Debbie Stair, M.N.M.L., shares practical strategies for identifying and encouraging civic-minded individuals to step forward—those who are truly passionate about strengthening education and supporting every student's success.

SEASON 2 - EPISODE 192 Chris Carroll - Assistant Director In this episode of the Team Deakins Podcast, we speak with assistant director Chris Carroll (THE MASTERMIND, YELLOWSTONE, NIGHT MOVES). Throughout the episode, Chris shares how he juggles the many duties of the role, and we learn how an early-career run-in with assistant director Michael Lerman (Season 1, Episode 85) set him on the path to becoming one himself. Chris also frequently collaborates with director Kelly Reichardt and cinematographer Christopher Blauvelt (Season 2, Episode 179), and he reflects on making films such as MEEK'S CUTOFF and NIGHT MOVES on limited budgets in remote locations. We later discuss the challenges of building out the schedule for production, and Chris shares how he tries to balance the needs of every department with the realities of the shoot. We also learn how Chris monitors and manages the crew's mood, and we discuss where he physically is on the day. We also learn how Chris works with extras, and he reveals how different his job can be on a television series like YELLOWSTONE. - This episode is sponsored by Aputure 

Wise Woman Ministries Jeanine Michaels, director of Wise Woman Ministries for Springs Lighthouse, and Dianne Godwin, her Assistant Director, join your host, Pastor Brian Michaels, to discuss the need for, and the blessing of, ministry to women.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

May 6, 2026 ~ Nicki Bailey, Assistant Director of Hotel Operations- The Mill at Zehnder's Park - Zehnder's of Frankenmuth joins Paul W. Smith. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

This week on Respect Life Radio, Emma and Jennifer welcome Kat Talalas, Assistant Director for Pro-Life Communications, and Chelsy Gomez, Program Associate for the Secretariat of Pro-Life Activities at the USCCB. Kat and Chelsy share how their journeys into pro-life work were shaped by a deepening faith and a growing understanding of Church teaching—ultimately calling them to live out the Gospel of Life. Together, they reflect on the importance of pastoral care, emphasizing a spirit of love and service when communicating the Church's teaching on life issues. They highlight the need for a compassionate disposition in encountering men, women, and families who are seeking accompaniment and support. The conversation also centers on Walking with Moms in Need, a nationwide initiative to ensure that every pregnant and parenting mother has access to support within her local community. Listeners will hear how parishes can become places of encounter, offering real and tangible help to women facing unexpected pregnancies. Through personal stories, practical insights, and a clear call to action, this episode invites all to help build a culture of life by walking alongside moms with compassion, dignity and love. To learn more about Walking with Moms in Need, visit: https://www.walkingwithmoms.com/

Welcome to PsychEd, the psychiatry podcast for medical learners, by medical learners.This episode covers interventional psychiatry with Dr. Sean Nestor, an interventional psychiatrist and clinician-scientist at the University of Toronto, where he serves as Assistant Director of the Psychiatry Program and oversees the Clinician Researcher Track (CResT) residency within the Department of Psychiatry. His research program at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre focuses on advancing the clinical application of neuromodulation therapies to improve outcomes across a wide range of psychiatric disorders.The learning objectives for this episode are as followsDefine interventional psychiatry and distinguish it from traditional pharmacologic and psychotherapy-based approachesDescribe the role of interventional psychiatry in clinical practice, including identifying patient populations most likely to benefit from neuromodulation treatmentIdentify pathways to become involved in research and scholarly work within the field of interventional psychiatryGuest: Dr. Sean NestorHosts: Dr. Pooja Sankar (PGY1), Michael Wang (MS4), Dr. Kate BraithwaiteAudio editing: Dr. Kate BraithwaiteTime Stamps:(2:25) - Defining Interventional Psychiatry (IP) and its role in Psychiatric practice(4:20) - Evolution of Interventional Psychiatry (IP)(8:40) - Patients who will benefit from IP modalities(12:35) - Other factors to consider when assessing a patient for IP (15:30) - rTMS(19:15) - Description of a typical rTMS session(23:50) - ECT(26:45) - Ketamine(29:05) - Other Investigational Modalities(30:45) - Maintenance treatment(35:30) - Medication and IP(37:55) - Addressing stigma of ECT(43:15) - Discussion on place of IP in Depression management decision tree(47:00) - How to get involved in IP(50:10) - Rewarding aspects of working in IP(52:25) - Challenges of working in IP(53:40) - Future of the field Resources:⁠Stanford Accelerated Intelligent Neuromodulation Therapy (SAINT) | Stanford Health Care⁠⁠CTMSS | International medical society dedicated to optimizing clinical practice, supporting research, and increasing access to high quality, evidence-based Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation⁠The Interventional Psychiatry Consortium⁠References:Andrade, J. & Brito, M.. (2023). When the SAINT goes marching in – A novel transcranial magnetic stimulation protocol shows miraculous promise. European Psychiatry. 66. S835-S835. 10.1192/j.eurpsy.2023.1768. ⁠Canadian Network for Mood and Anxiety Treatments (CANMAT) 2023 Update on Clinical Guidelines for Management of Major Depressive Disorder in Adults | CANMAT⁠Conway, C. R., & Sackeim, H. A. (2022). Interventional Psychiatry: The revolution has arrived. Brazilian Journal of Psychiatry. ⁠https://doi.org/10.47626/1516-4446-2022-0046⁠ Rakesh, G., Cordero, P., Khanal, R., Himelhoch, S. S., & Rush, C. R. (2024). Optimally combining transcranial magnetic stimulation with antidepressants in major depressive disorder: A systematic review and Meta-analysis. Journal of affective disorders, 358, 432–439. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jad.2024.05.037Yavi, M., Lee, H., Henter, I. D., Park, L. T., & Zarate, C. A., Jr (2022). Ketamine treatment for depression: a review. Discover mental health, 2(1), 9. ⁠https://doi.org/10.1007/s44192-022-00012-3⁠Zaidi, A., Shami, R., Sewell, I. J., Cao, X., Giacobbe, P., Rabin, J. S., Goubran, M., Hamani, C., Swardfager, W., Davidson, B., Lipsman, N., & Nestor, S. M. (2024). Antidepressant class and concurrent rTMS outcomes in major depressive disorder: a systematic review and meta-analysis. EClinicalMedicine, 75, 102760. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eclinm.2024.102760 For more PsychEd, follow us on Instagram (⁠⁠⁠@psyched.podcast⁠⁠⁠), Facebook (⁠⁠⁠PsychEd Podcast⁠⁠⁠), X (⁠⁠⁠@psychedpodcast⁠⁠⁠), and Bluesky (⁠⁠⁠@psychedpodcast.bsky.social⁠⁠⁠). You can email us at ⁠⁠⁠psychedpodcast@gmail.com⁠⁠⁠ and visit our website at⁠⁠⁠ psychedpodcast.org⁠⁠⁠

Recent research from Pearson shows that nearly $165B is lost each year when students can't find work after graduation. The transition from education to the workforce can be challenging to navigate. How can you help close the gap?  We sat down with three powerhouse educators to get their thoughts.  First, Matt Dombrowski. Matt is a Professor, Assistant Director, and Art Director for the nonprofit Limbitless Solutions, whose mission is providing cost free, accessible solutions to underserved communities. He leads an interdisciplinary student team in the creation of 3D printed, visually expressive bionic arms and video game training for children with limb difference. His work has been featured by Adobe, TEDx Youth, Huffington Post, Gamasutra, Fast Company, the Smithsonian American Art Museum, GDC, SXSWEDU, and the Gates Foundation. Matt is an Adobe Education Leader and an Adobe Partner By Design. Second, Dr. Kimberly Forbes. Dr. Forbes is the Director of Career and Technical Education (CTE) for Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools and a first-generation high school and college graduate. After a successful tenure in the banking industry managing startup operations, she transitioned to education, eventually earning her Doctorate in Curriculum and Instruction in 2024. A recognized leader in workforce readiness, Dr. Forbes has served on the national "Launch" committee and was named the NCDPI Piedmont Triad Region's Administrator of the Year. She is deeply committed to administrative innovation and expanding industry credentialing to ensure all students, including special populations, are prepared for the modern economy. Third, Cynthia Krebs. Cynthia is the Program Director of Business Technologies and Education and a professor in the Information Systems and Technology Department at Utah Valley University. Since joining UVU in 1988, she has held multiple roles including Assistant Dean of the School of Business and Department Chair of the Digital Media Department and the Office Technology/Administration Department.  In this episode, these three experts discuss strategies that prepare your students for real-world success. We hit a little bit of everything:  Challenges students currently face Key skills your students need to prepare them for the workforce How to teach and empower students with AI expertise  The role of certification and work-based learning experiences Creating a feedback loop between K12, higher education, and industry  Ready to help your students confidently bridge the gap between education and the workforce? This episode is for you.  Connect with educators like Matt, Kim, and Cynthia in our CERTIFIED Educator Community here.     Don't miss your chance to register for our annual CERTIFIED Educator's Conference here.      

Fr. Gregory Pine, O.P., is an Assistant Professor of Dogmatic and Moral Theology at the Dominican House of Studies and the Assistant Director of the Thomistic Institute. He was ordained a priest in 2016 and holds a doctorate from the University of Fribourg (Switzerland). He is the author of several books, including Prudence, Your Eucharistic Identity, and Training the Tongue. He is a regular contributor to several podcasts, including Godsplaining and Catholic Classics. https://dominicanfriars.org/fr-gregory-maria-pine/ His latest book is called Taming the Tongue. https://stpaulcenter.com/store/training-the-tongue-and-growing-beyond-sins-of-speech  @StPaulCenter  Catholic Feedback is a production of Down to Earth Ministry, which exists to provide encouragement and resources to those considering, converting, and growing in Catholicism.

Join us this week as we welcome to the podcast the legendary Producer, Tommy Harper. You know his films and TV shows from Star Trek to Mission Impossible to Top Gun: Maverick. You have seen his work on your screen for many years.He chats to us about coming up in the industry from being a PA to an Assistant Director to Producing some of the largest box office hits we have seen. He recently launched his vertical platform, VU and we dive into the vertical space and he is elevating it as we speak. This was an incredible and thoughtful chat and we hope you take as much from it as we did! Grab your favorite cocktail and join us for an amazing episode!Make sure to subscribe to our YOU TUBE channel for more fun video content!Resources:Tommy Harper IMDBTommy Harper Instagram──────────────────────────⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Stay Tuned with Tipsy Casting on IG⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Watch the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Tipsy Casting YouTube Channel⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow Jessica ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ & ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow Jenn ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Learn More About ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Jess ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠& ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Jenn's⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Casting Journeys 

In this final installment of the Encouragement for the Way series, I'm excited to share my conversation with Hadley Mussler. Hadley serves as the Assistant Director of Family Life Ministry at Rock Harbor. Friends, we were never meant to walk with Jesus solo. For this reason I was so thankful when Hadley agreed to sit down with me and talk about the importance of walking in Christian community.In this heartfelt interview, Hadley shares her journey of faith, relationships, and community building, emphasizing the importance of living authentically and intentionally in Christ. Discover practical insights on how walking closely with Jesus transforms relationships and nurtures a supportive faith community.Get all the Scripture references mentioned in this episode: https://jennyzentz.com/podcast137Please don't forget to subscribe, share, rate, and review. Together we can help more women discover practical ways to apply the power of God's Word to our everyday stuff!Resources mentioned in this episode:“Gentle and Lowly: The Heart of Christ for Sinners and Sufferers” by Dane OrtlundRecovering from Emotionally Immature Parents: Practical Tools to Establish Boundaries and Reclaim Your Emotional Autonomy  by Lindsay C. Gibson PsyD 

In this episode, we discuss what rest looks like when you have a busy life with special guest Christy Wyatt. Christy is a a wife, mom of 6, and works as the Assistant Director of the Pearl Project NW Florida. We discuss rest in different seasons of the soul, practical boundaries and principles, and lessons learned along the way.

Star Flare: Reclaiming Agency, Building a Fun Set, and the Pain of Crowdfunding (Get Reelisms Ep. 185) On Get Reelisms Podcast episode 185, hosts Adam Chase Rani and Christine Chen interview actor-writer-producer Laura Ricci about making her fantasy romance short film Star Flare. Laura describes feeling powerless as an actor and deciding to create her own work after living in Los Angeles for nearly three years, with wildfires raging and Trump newly inaugurated, leading her to write the script in a week and produce her first “real” film. They discuss designing the project around practical constraints (woods location, small cast, one day, limited costume changes) while still aiming big for the genre, and Laura's priority of creating a safe, fun set that strengthens relationships and took care of the team. Laura calls crowdfunding the hardest part, recounting constant posting, emotional strain, and mixed results despite support and a stranger's $1,000 pledge. Christine directed and is editing; they talk about post-production, sound design's importance, and meeting through a TikTok call for a director.   Hosts: Adam Rani (@adamthechase)  & Christine Chen (@cchenmtf)  About Christine W Chen: Christine W. Chen is a Taiwanese American filmmaker, Academy member (Short Films Branch), and versatile producer, director, and writer known for bold, character-driven storytelling. Through her production company, Moth to Flame, she has created award-winning short films, features, and branded content—including Erzulie, a feminist swamp thriller that had a limited theatrical run and now streams on major platforms. In addition to her directorial work, Christine is a seasoned DGA 1st Assistant Director and co-author of Get Reelisms and ABCs of Filmmaking, as well as the co-host of the Get Reelisms Podcast. For more information about Christine Chen: christinewchen.com About Adam Rani: Adam Chase Rani is a production designer and set dresser working in the Austin film market, bringing a sharp eye for visual storytelling and practical creativity to every project. During the pandemic, he co-founded the Get Reelisms Podcast with Christine Chen to foster community within the film industry. Together, they've built a platform that blends education, candid conversations, and industry insights to help filmmakers connect, learn, and grow. Guest:  Laura Ricci is a Los Angeles-based SAG-AFTRA actress known for roles in Hostess (2018), The Wraith (2021), and the upcoming Cupcakes (2025). She has also appeared in I Was There (2022) and Siren Salon (2023), often portraying characters with wit and depth. She is active on Instagram as @the.laura.ricci.   WEBISODE version of the Podcast 00:00 Feeling Powerless 00:51 Podcast Intro 01:12 Meet Laura Ricci 02:00 Audio Setup Talk 03:41 Why Make a Short 05:44 Star Flare Logline 07:43 Writing With Constraints 10:26 Making Set Fun 18:24 Collaboration Magic 22:54 Crowdfunding Struggles 26:25 Crowdfunding Reality Check 27:16 Letting Go of Perfection 28:14 Where the Film Is Now 28:48 Finding a Director on TikTok 31:50 Why Laura Didn't Direct 34:34 Paying People Fairly 36:20 Editing Notes and Post Workflow 37:41 Sound Design Makes the Genre 38:11 Dune and Movie Theater Nerd Talk 42:23 Weapons Guy and Armor Shop Stories 44:23 Wrap Up and Housekeeping   Official Get Reelisms Page Get Reelisms Amazon Store Instagram   Official Get Reelisms PageGet Reelisms Amazon StoreInstagram

In this episode, Dan is joined by Victor Hoffman to discuss sports science and GPS load monitoring insights. Victor Hoffmann returns to University of Florida Athletics in spring 2026 as Gators soccer's Director of Applied Performance.In this role, Hoffmann will lead all training data analytics for Florida Soccer and support performance planning, player monitoring, and return-to-play processes. He will collaborate closely with the coaching staff, sport health & performance team and medical personnel to ensure the program's physical development strategies align seamlessly with its tactical objectives.Hoffmann arrives from Mississippi State, where over the past three seasons he shaped the daily strength and conditioning programs for the Bulldogs' soccer and golf teams. He was elevated to Assistant Director of Olympic Strength and Conditioning in June of 2025. His leadership helped elevate student-athlete development across both programs and further cemented his reputation as a detail-driven, athlete-centered coach.Before his time in Starkville, Hoffmann spent four impactful seasons at Memphis, starting as a graduate assistant before moving into a full-time assistant strength and conditioning role. At Memphis, he directed performance training for several Olympic sports—including women's soccer, women's golf, men's tennis, and cross country. His work played a key role in the women's soccer program's run of success, highlighted by two straight American Athletic Conference tournament titles and three consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances.This new role also marks a homecoming. Hoffmann previously served as an intern strength and conditioning coach at Florida from 2018–19, assisting with the nationally recognized track and field, lacrosse, volleyball, soccer and swimming and diving programs.A Louisville alum, Hoffmann earned his bachelor's degree in exercise science in 2018 and later completed his master's in sports commerce at Memphis in 2021. He holds multiple industry-leading certifications, including NSCA CSCS, USA Weightlifting Level 1, and NASM CES.For more on Victor be sure to check out _vhoffmann on IGSeason 7 of the Braun Performance & Rehab Podcast is proudly supported by Pura Health, bringing ultrasound into every clinician's hands. Learn more at purahealth.net and @pura.health_ultrasound.Additional support provided by Firefly Recovery, the official recovery partner of Braun Performance & Rehab (recoveryfirefly.com), and Dr. Ray Gorman of Engage Movement. Learn how to grow your income beyond sessions—follow @raygormandpt on Instagram and DM “Dan” for a free breakdown of the blended practice model.Episode Affiliates: Airbands BFR (Coupon Code: DANIELBRAUN for 10% off), MoboBoard (BRAWNBODY10), AliRx (DBraunRx), MedBridge (BRAWN)If you enjoyed this episode, share it with someone who would benefit and leave a 5-star review.Explore more from Dan at linktr.ee/braun_pr.

It started with mispronunciations-- saying "Regina" wrong, or saying "Atlanta" instead of "Alberta"-- but it spiraled into so much more. With their interest piqued, the Media Ecosystem Observatory began looking into a network of dozens of YouTube channels claiming to be covering Canadian politics from an Albertan perspective, and they found faceless, Dutch content creators to be behind the videos instead. Host Caryn Ceolin speaks to Chris Ross, Senior Analyst at the Media Ecosystem Observatory, who led the team looking into these channels, about what exactly they found. After the break, Caryn speaks with Chris Tenove, Assistant Director of the Centre for the study of Democratic Institutions at the University of British Columbia about the reliability of online platforms, and how lack of regulation could threaten Canadian democracy. We love feedback at The Big Story, as well as suggestions for future episodes. You can find us:Through email at hello@thebigstorypodcast.ca Or @thebigstory.bsky.social on Bluesky

In a situation where every second counts, who's in charge of answering the call? Host Ben Rodgers sits down with Josh Womack, Assistant Director and Public Information Officer for Putnam County 911, to pull back the curtain on emergency response. From communication towers and rapid response times to the reality of power outages and limited funding, Womack shares what it takes to keep the system running smoothly. With over 82,000 calls answered in 2025 and an average pickup time of just 3.4 seconds, this episode highlights the training, teamwork, and pressure behind every call. Listen To The Local Matters Podcast Today! The UC Now · News Talk 94.1

Laura Manion is the President & CEO of the Chester County Chamber of Business and Industry, the region's premier business advocacy organization representing a diverse membership of 600 businesses — from small enterprises to multinational corporations — across 155 zip codes in Southeastern Pennsylvania. As the voice of the business community, Laura advocates for pro-business policies at the local, state, and federal levels through a range of initiatives including hosting elected officials, convening roundtable policy discussions with community partners, and authoring sign-on letters and letters of support for members seeking government funding. She drives strategic efforts focused on economic growth, workforce development, and public policy engagement, while leading the Chamber's work to attract and retain member businesses through value-driven engagement and impactful networking opportunities. Laura oversees the Chamber's $800,000+ budget, revenue streams, and day-to-day operations with a focus on long-term sustainability and organizational excellence. Under her leadership, the Chamber produces 50+ annual events spanning high-profile convenings, leadership programs, and economic initiatives that support business leaders and advance workforce development. Her impact is reflected in the numbers: from 2022 to 2023, event attendance grew 105% and new membership increased 106% — momentum that carried into 2024 with 150 new members welcomed to the organization. Manion most recently served as a Manager for the Great Lakes Regional Office for the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. In this role, she cultivated legislative, political, media, and grassroots resources throughout Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, and Pennsylvania to further the chamber's public policy goals. She also helped lead the chamber's efforts to strengthen its relationships with members of Congress through member businesses, associations, and local and state chambers of commerce across the region. Her policy portfolio at the U.S. Chamber focused on small business, workforce, and education.   Prior to joining the U.S. Chamber, Manion was the Assistant Director of Government Affairs and Community Relations at Villanova University. She handled all local matters pertaining to the university, working closely with county and township officials and business associations and chambers, as well as the university's neighbors.  Manion hopes that she can take experience from the different roles in her career to strengthen her connections within the community and further the mission of the chamber. “The pandemic showed the vital role that chambers of commerce play in their community,” she said. “We are a resource, rich with information and connections to benefit our member businesses. I look forward to working with the chamber's board, volunteers, staff, and members to continue to grow and expand the organization. As a lifelong Chester County resident, it's humbling and exciting to be tapped for this position.”  Manion graduated from Franklin & Marshall College in 2013 with a degree in Government and holds an MPA from West Chester University. In 2018, City & State PA presented her with its Above and Beyond Award, which recognizes 25 exceptional women from Pennsylvania for their accomplishments across various sectors, including politics, healthcare, education, and nonprofits.  

Recapping the week which included an incredible near-historic start for Parker Messick. We'll talk to the rookie pitcher, along with outfielder Steven Kwan. Plus, Rajai Davis stops by the broadcast booth to talk about his legendary World Series home run against the Cubs ten years ago. Also, the weekly Farm Report with Assistant Director of Player Development Will Huntington talking Lake County Captains.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ahh, yes - the old debate about how leadership and a title can be disconnected. We couldn't think of a better group of people to talk to about this than some rising stars in the profession. We sought out people who are recognized leaders in their NACAC affiliates or on their campus to talk through the challenges, opportunities, and pathways to leadership - without the title.Joining us as our first Practitioner Guest is Gabby McCoy, Admission Representative at Cornell College in Mount Vernon, Iowa.Our second Practitioner Guest is Ryan Brinkman, Assistant Director and Regional Recruitment Coordinator at Saint Mary's College of California in Moraga, California.

Texas Film Industry Thrives: Incentives, Expendables, and Community StoriesIn this episode of the Get Reelisms podcast, hosts Adam Chase Rani and Christine Chen welcome special guest Chris Bigbie, owner of Dependable Expendables. They discuss Texas's booming film industry, driven by recent tax incentives, and the role of local companies like Dependable Expendables in supporting productions. Chris shares the impact of high-profile projects like Taylor Sheridan's Yellowstone and Lioness shooting in Texas, and explains how his company meets the unique needs of film sets with specialized products like silent paper bags. The conversation highlights the significance of the Texas Production Expo and the mutual support within the filmmaking community, showcasing how local initiatives bolster industry growth.Hosts: Adam Rani (@adamthechase)  & Christine Chen (@cchenmtf) About Christine W Chen:Christine W. Chen is a Taiwanese American filmmaker, Academy member (Short Films Branch), and versatile producer, director, and writer known for bold, character-driven storytelling. Through her production company, Moth to Flame, she has created award-winning short films, features, and branded content—including Erzulie, a feminist swamp thriller that had a limited theatrical run and now streams on major platforms. In addition to her directorial work, Christine is a seasoned DGA 1st Assistant Director and co-author of Get Reelisms and ABCs of Filmmaking, as well as the co-host of the Get Reelisms Podcast.For more information about Christine Chen: christinewchen.comAbout Adam Rani:Adam Chase Rani is a production designer and set dresser working in the Austin film market, bringing a sharp eye for visual storytelling and practical creativity to every project. During the pandemic, he co-founded the Get Reelisms Podcast with Christine Chen to foster community within the film industry. Together, they've built a platform that blends education, candid conversations, and industry insights to help filmmakers connect, learn, and grow.Guest: Christopher Bigbie is a Director and Creative Director with a lifelong passion for storytelling through cinema. Bringing a strong narrative sensibility and visual precision to commercials and digital content, he is known for building mood, capturing natural beauty, and shooting dynamic action with elegance and versatility. His work spans advertising and corporate campaigns for major global brands, where his ability to translate abstract ideas into compelling visual stories has become a defining strength. WEBISODE version of the Podcast00:00 Introduction to Taylor Sheridan's Impact00:45 Welcome to Get Reelisms Podcast01:24 Meet Christopher Bigbie01:49 Texas Production Expo and Local Incentives03:53 The Importance of Local Purchases for Incentives11:19 Silent Bags and Solving On-Set Problems12:07 Christopher Bigbie's Journey in Film16:07 Dependable Expendables and Future Goals16:42 The Birth of a Business Idea17:41 Mentorship and Creative Education18:43 Challenges in Early Filmmaking19:27 Creating Get Reelisms20:57 The Magic of Filmmaking23:59 Texas Film Community and Incentives28:19 Upcoming Texas Production Expo29:03 Final Thoughts and Farewell Official Get Reelisms PageGet Reelisms Amazon StoreInstagram

From Gangster to Child of God with Brian Butler (Episode 290)   Disclaimer: This episode contains thematic material. Listener discretion advised.   2 Corinthians 1:4 NLT “He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us.”   *Transcription Below*   Brian Butler married his wife Pam in 2011. They have four children and eight grandchildren. Brian received his Bachelor of Science degree from Indiana State University in 2009. Arriving in Peoria, Illinois in 2009 Brian began his career working with the impoverished in his community as a Safety Net Monitor at The Salvation Army. He was afforded the opportunity to work with individuals in the community for four years providing case management assisting people to learn the value of work through work therapy and securing income and eventually housing. Brian was called to Peoria Rescue Ministries in 2014 and began his career there as the Assistant Director of the Rescue Mission. In 2018 Brian became the Program Director and in 2021 became the Director of Residential Ministries. In 2024 Peoria Rescue Ministries became Pathway Ministries. Coming from a former lifestyle of drug and alcohol addiction Brian has been able to transform programs at Pathway Ministries that address the needs of the impoverished community he serves to create pathways out of poverty through Jesus with his neighbors in need. Pathway Ministries provides emergency shelter, residential programs, and community services with a focus on counseling, education, and work to help the men and women they serve make transformative changes in their lives. Pathway Ministries is a social enterprise organization and has a partnership with Caterpillar – they reclaim discarded wood and turn it into pallets, mulch for industrial and commercial use, and home décor. Their residents are employed in these businesses while participating in their program.    Pathway Ministries Website   Thank you to our sponsor for today's episode: Midwest Food Bank   Topics We Cover: Growing up in an abusive home Lifestyle choices leading to prison God's miraculous redemption and restoration   Related Savvy Sauce Episode: 143 Prodigal Story: Sexuality, Drugs, and Scripture with Dr. Christopher Yuan   Connect with The Savvy Sauce on Facebook or Instagram or Our Website   Gospel Scripture: (all NIV) Romans 3:23 “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,”   Romans 3:24 “and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.”   Romans 3:25 (a) “God presented him as a sacrifice of atonement, through faith in his blood.”    Hebrews 9:22 (b) “without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.”    Romans 5:8 “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”    Romans 5:11 “Not only is this so, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.”    John 3:16 “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”   Romans 10:9 “That if you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.”    Luke 15:10 says “In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”   Romans 8:1 “Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus”   Ephesians 1:13–14 “And you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God's possession- to the praise of his glory.”   Ephesians 1:15–23 “For this reason, ever since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints, I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers. I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is like the working of his mighty strength, which he exerted in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every title that can be given, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way.”   Ephesians 2:8–10 “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith – and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God – not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God‘s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.“   Ephesians 2:13 “But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near through the blood of Christ.“   Philippians 1:6 “being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.”   *Transcription*   Music: (0:00 – 0:08)   Laura Dugger: (0:09 - 3:30) Hey friends! Thank you so much for joining us today. If you're watching this, you may notice that there's a unique screen that's going to pop up periodically.   So, here's the backstory. We delight in getting to do this work, and we do believe it's what God has called our team to do. And yet, we have a very present and active enemy.   And Satan has tried to thwart the progress of these podcast episodes in so many ways.  It's almost uncanny what will happen before a podcast recording. There's almost always something, yet it's different every time.   So, the way it showed up with this episode, first of all, when Brian and I tried to connect, somebody was working in our yard, and they accidentally cut our line for internet.  And so, we had to cancel that and reschedule. And then, when we got the episode rescheduled, Brian and I were chatting, and we haven't recorded.   We were just talking for a little while before the official interview began, and everything was great. And then, as soon as I said, “Welcome to The Savvy Sauce.” The screen went a little wavy, and something happened, and my audio quality was completely distorted. So, sorry for the lengthy explanation, but I wanted you to know how much work has gone into this episode.   So, if you ever have somebody that you want to thank, it should be Natalie, our editor, who had to go back and replace everything that I said to cover up the very convoluted form that was originally recorded. So, I hope it doesn't interrupt this episode or make it difficult for you to listen to, because Brian's story is so powerful, and I believe God has you here listening to this right now for a reason. So, please continue.   Welcome to The Savvy Sauce, where we have practical chats for intentional living.  I'm your host, Laura Dugger, and I'm so glad you're here.   Today's episode includes some thematic material. I want you to be aware before you listen in the presence of little ears.   Thank you to an anonymous donor to Midwest Food Bank who paid the sponsorship fee in hopes of spreading awareness. Learn more about this non-profit organization at MidwestFoodBank.org.   Brian Butler is my outstanding guest for today, and he's going to take us on a very real journey with him from an extremely abusive childhood to a life of addictions and eventually to redemption and restoration all because of Jesus Christ. Brian's humility is so Christ-like, and I think that you're going to leave this conversation as a changed person. Here's our chat.   Welcome to The Savvy Sauce, Brian.   Brian Butler: (3:31 - 3:33) Thank you so much for having me here. I appreciate it.   Laura Dugger: (3:34 - 3:42) Well, I would just love to start backwards. Where did you grow up, and what was childhood like for you?   Brian Butler: (3:43 - 9:46) I grew up all over the place, really. I'd spent several years in Danville as a child, Hartsburg, Illinois, eventually settled down in southern Illinois in a little town called Bridgeport. My dad was a professor at a local college, and he ended up being a high school teacher.   Where I went to school, my mom and dad were continually in chaos with their marriage.  My dad had some severe mental health issues. He was a pretty rough guy to be around.    He was a chronic alcoholic. He was abusive, and I'll just say for this podcast, in every kind of way you can imagine how a little boy might be abused by his daddy, that was my dad. Yet, that was just our normal.   I didn't know if it was bad, if it was wrong, whatever. He was very verbally abusive to the whole family, him and my mom. I think my mother, the whole time growing up, was just trying to salvage her marriage and to save face with her family, so on and so forth.   It was a pretty rough childhood, but I want to say that in those moments, it was just the way it was.  We didn't know good from bad. That was still my dad.   I believe that in some weird way that he loved us and cared for us, but there were so many mental health and substance abuse issues with him and the perversion that he had in his life that just leaked over to my little brother and me.  It was a different relationship with my little brother. He was very abusive to my little brother.   My little brother had a lot of behavioral issues and rebellion issues.  I was more of the compliant, the good kid in school. I made the good grades.    I wanted to please my dad, and yet I hated him from the inside. I just couldn't stand him. I rebelled against him.    There were a lot of drugs and alcohol my parents were. My mother was not an abuser by any means. My mother was not an alcoholic by any means, but my mother went along with my dad.   My whole childhood evolved around parties. My dad was a pretty social guy. He was into politics and those kinds of things.   I was exposed to a lot of stuff at an early age. I can remember being seven, eight years old, going around in parties and just sipping whatever it was out of unknown glasses and enjoying the effect that it had on me as a little kid. I was a big fan of Billy Bear.   I didn't even know what Billy Bear was, but I was drinking Billy Bear. That's a Jimmy Carter beer, so that takes you back in the day. All the music that we listened to back in those days all evolved around afternoon delight and getting high in some kind of form or fashion.   That was just what I clung to as a little boy and as a young man.  I was a full-fledged blackout alcoholic by the time I was a sophomore in high school. I was drinking regularly.   I was able to fly under the radar pretty good because mom and dad were always in the middle of crisis. As long as I wasn't in a lot of trouble, that was easily hidden, even though it was really out in the light, if that makes any kind of sense. It was pretty rough.    Looking back on it, it was rough. In today's standards, we would have been taken away from our homes, and those kinds of things would have been exposed. We just didn't know.   That's just kind of the way it was, but it did lead me into a lifestyle.  I don't want to say they led me into it. I really chose to and clung to a lifestyle.   When I was a little boy, Laura, I grew up Catholic.  We went to parochial schools until I was in fourth grade. I can remember even now.    I loved God. I loved God. He was my refuge.    I didn't know what a refuge meant. I can just say it by language now. I can remember having my crucifix above my bed and I would pray.    I wanted to be a priest. I really did. By the time I got to about 10, 11, 12 years old, the things that had happened and the things that had occurred in my life and my behavior as well just led me to believe that if God was even real because I cried out to him a lot and it didn't seem like he was there.   If he was real, then he really didn't want anything to do with me anyway.  I became kind of anti-God, anti-rebellious. I was just a very rebellious young man.    I went to high school. I mean, I'm getting pretty good grades in high school. My dad was a high school teacher in the same high school I went to.    It was very tumultuous. You can imagine our house. There were split-ups and break-ups, this and that. My dad was a party guy. All the students loved him. I hated him for that.    He was separated from my mom. He was a cheater and a liar. There were a lot of things that bothered me.   After I graduated high school, I had a partial scholarship to go to Eastern Illinois University, but I showed my dad. I got in my little car and drove to Wyoming. That just became my lifestyle, drinking, drugging, roaming all around the country as a young man.    Then I eventually got married to a gal I met down in Kentucky. We had three children really fast. I would say that we got along about three times. That was Emily, Amy, and Mark. We were divorced after five years. Then I was just as a young man and a young adult, just wild and crazy.   Laura Dugger: (9:48 - 10:05) Wow. Brian, thank you for sharing a glimpse of your childhood and even into adulthood. Just for clarification then, when you did get divorced, did you stay in the same state or how did all of that work with your children?   Brian Butler: (10:08 - 16:52) Yeah. No. Like I said, when I was 18, I was out in California for a while.  I was in Wyoming for a while. I landed in Kentucky and met my first wife. We had three kids really fast, divorced after five years.   Then I always wanted to be in a relationship with my children. I don't know if there's anybody out there listening, but I was really stuck in an addictive lifestyle. I was alcohol and drugs, just crazy in it.    I still loved my kids. Now, people on the outside looking in would say, oh, he doesn't love his kids by his lifestyle, but I still love my kids. I paid child support, crying out loud.   I really did. My relationship with my ex-wife was so volatile that she would prevent me from seeing the kids. After several years, I just gave up.   I just didn't give up on the visits and so on and so forth.  I was in Tennessee for a few years. I was all around the country.   Eventually, in the late 90s, I did actually get temporary custody of my kids because my ex-wife had went off the rails bad.  I had my kids for about a year that they lived with me. That was a sweet time.   Once again, my alcoholism and drug addiction and the mom came back into play.  There were just so many issues there. That's when I really got into it.   After the kids went back to their mom, I got into hard drugs, really hard drugs.  I started manufacturing methamphetamine, so on and so forth. There was a time, I'll back this up.   With my childhood and everything that happened there with my dad, before I got divorced from my ex-wife, one of the pivotal moments, I believe, looking back on my life and what led me into just this trajectory of anger and malice and hating God and anything that was good was the moment that my dad called us all together for a family meeting because him and my mom were officially going to get divorced. I was like 21 years old, something like that.   My dad came to tell us that he was a homosexual and that he had been living a homosexual lie for his whole life and that this was the lifestyle that he was choosing. For me, at that age, everything prior to that moment in my life just became a lie. I can't begin to even put into words what that did to me inside because of the perversion that I've experienced with my dad.   My father had made several comments along the way that I was gay, that I was going to be a little queer, a little this and that. I wasn't, but the things that he had done, then you've wrestled with all that stuff. I just became so angry and so fueled with resentment that I really started on this trajectory with my drug and alcohol use that even though I still liked it, I don't want to remove that from it.    I liked being high. I liked being drunk. I enjoyed all the aspects of that lifestyle at the time.   I went at it in a much different way because I didn't really care anymore.  That's just from a looking back perspective. In the moment, I think I cared a lot about everything, but I just had really taken this perspective on in my personal life that nothing matters as much as it did.    It just really didn't matter. I was just going to keep moving forward and doing the things that I to the extreme. I was very extreme on everything.   If it was drinking, I'm going to drink more than you are. If it was smoking something, I'm going to smoke more than you are. If it was snorting, look at the schmoz.    That's just the way I lived my lifestyle. It really took on that trajectory in my adult life until the law started becoming an issue when I was in my 30s. After I'd had the kids for all my life, I tell folks, in those times, I was like a functioning zombie.   I was still getting high, still drinking, but golly, I was the dad that got up and had breakfast for the kids.  I was a strict disciplinarian. I was over the top on so many things.   I was abusive in some ways like my dad was, the way that I spoke to the kids, the way that I treated my children. I didn't certainly know sexual abuse or anything like that with my own children, but I was a really strict disciplinarian. I regret that now.   It's one of my biggest regrets ever, the way that I treated those kids. I tried to make a good life for about a year. Then when they went back to their mom, it just really, really flew apart my life.   It was me doing it. I was flying it apart. I just destroyed everything around me.   If you've cared about me, then that would make me hate you even more. Anyone that cared about me, I would get you to care about me, and then I would hate you for caring about me. It's crazy making stuff, but that's the way that I live my life.    I eventually was introduced to a fellow that knew how to manufacture methamphetamine. He taught me the method. Of course, being the extreme person that I am, I went all in.   I became a methamphetamine manufacturer and dealer and lived that lifestyle for quite some time. It's not like it is now where you're driving around in cornfields with a five-gallon bucket making methamphetamine or Mexican methamphetamine. I had a lab down in Southern Illinois, and I sold a lot of methamphetamines, which is disastrous to me now, but I really became an in-my-own-mind gangster kind of person.    It was a very violent lifestyle. It was very awful, certainly nothing that you would want to glorify, but that's just who I became. And I lived my life for a number of years, and it was disastrous.   Laura Dugger: (16:53 - 19:27) And now a brief message from our sponsor.   Midwest Food Bank exists to provide industry-leading food relief to those in need while feeding them spiritually. They are a food charity with a desire to demonstrate God's love by providing help to those in need.   Unlike other parts of the world where there's not enough food, in America, the resources actually do exist. That's why food pantries and food banks like Midwest Food Bank are so important. The goods that they deliver to their agency partners help to supplement the food supply for families and individuals across our country, aiding those whose resources are beyond stretched.   Midwest Food Bank also supports people globally through their locations in Haiti and East Africa, which are some of the areas hardest hit by hunger arising from poverty. This ministry reaches millions of people every year, and thanks to the Lord's provision, 99% of every donation goes directly toward providing food to people in need. The remaining 1% of income is used for fundraising, costs of leadership, oversight, and other administrative expenses.   Donations, volunteers, and prayers are always appreciated for Midwest Food Bank. To learn more, visit midwestfoodbank.org or listen to episode 83 of The Savvy Sauce, where the founder, David Kieser, shares miracles of God that he's witnessed through this nonprofit organization. I hope you check them out today.   Well, I'm hearing all of this for the first time, and it's unimaginable what you were endured growing up, and my heart just aches to hear what happened and then hear the choices that were produced out of that and see where that lifestyle was leading you. But Brian, I just appreciate you for so many reasons, and one of those is for being transparent and vulnerable but also sharing the truth that there was some pleasure in it. You were enjoying it for a while, and the Bible does talk about pleasures of sin for a season, but we all know that that trajectory leads to death, even if it's death of relationships.   So, looking at your relationships at that time, were you still in contact with your mom or your brother or your dad throughout all of this?   Brian Butler: (19:28 - 21:37) No, not really. My brother, it's an interesting story. My brother had married a gal right out of high school.    He got born again. He became a Christian. So poor guy, I just tortured him my whole adult life.   I just made fun of him, and I called him weak, and he was a crutch, and we got in even physical fights over it a couple times, but we didn't have much of a relationship as you can imagine. I think that there were several times that we tried to reach out and be in contact, but it just didn't work due to my addictions and my alcoholism and his pride and all those other kinds of things. My mom held on to me for years.   I put my mother through, I tortured her. I was arrested seven times for driving under the influence. I had five DUI convictions.   I was in and out of trouble. I was always in the forefront of her mind, and I've experienced this with my own children after I came to Christ, continually worried that she wouldn't get the phone call that her son was dead, basically. The last two or three years of my being out there, I had no contact with my mom because she finally said, you're dead to me.   I'm done. You're not my son. I don't want to hear from you, and I was like, cool.   I don't care. You've been dead to me for 40 years, right? I blamed her for allowing things to happen.   It just wasn't true, right? I mean, it wasn't her fault at all of any of my childhood, and she was just trying to be a good mom and save her marriage, and she was being abused mentally and stuff that whole time. But you know how we are as sinful creatures.   I didn't want to take the blame on me because it wasn't my fault, so I was blaming everybody else around me. So, I didn't really have any solid relationships as far as family, anything like that goes while I was out there in my addiction. It all changed when I was arrested in 2003.   So that's a story.   Laura Dugger: (21:38 - 21:43) Are you willing to take us back to 2003 and share that story?   Brian Butler: (21:45 - 38:08) Yeah, yeah. So I was, like I said, I had become, you know, I was living a gangster life, so I was in the drug world, and I don't know if anybody knows anything about the drug world, but it's not like the movies. It's worse.    It's worse than they depict in movies. So, I was living that lifestyle for several years. I had a lot of money. I had a lot of guns. I had a lot of property. I had all the methamphetamine I could possibly use because I was manufacturing it.    I was selling more than I could possibly imagine. I was using more than that. I was king of the world is what I thought while everything around me was burning.    I was the king, if that makes any sense. And so that was the lifestyle that had led up to 2003. I'll never forget one time I had married another gal after my first wife and I had divorced several years later, and that was just a relationship based on lies and substance abuse.   So, it really wasn't a marriage at all, but I had been arrested in Vincennes, Indiana for dealing narcotics, and I had some other arrests down in Kentucky for dealing narcotics, and I made bail and all this. And so, what happened was in 2002, I went on the run. I still had my meth lab, and I was still selling lots of methamphetamine, but I had these warrants, and I was king of the world in my mind, and nobody was going to catch me, and I was going out like a gangster.    They were never going to take me alive, this fact. So, she went with me, which is great. She was crazy.    And we went on the run, and we just lived from casino to casino. I would make methamphetamine. I would sell $20,000 worth, and then we just kind of traveled around and lived that kind of lifestyle.    And I'll never forget one time down at the Casino Queen in St. Louis, Missouri. There's a casino down there. I just done a pretty big dope deal, and the casino was hot, and the air conditioning was down, and it was like 5 o'clock in the morning, and I just had to get out of there.   I just had to get away, and I got in my van and took a spin down in Belleville, Illinois, and I ended up in a cemetery on top of this cemetery, and it was looking down this great big hill. And I haven't been there since, but people from that area are like, yeah, I know that cemetery. I'm like, yeah, well, that's where I really had my Lieutenant Dan moment with God almost.    I sat on top of that. I was so, I can't explain it. I had lived my life in that addiction, loving that addiction, and loving getting high, loving drinking.   At that point in my life, I was still doing it. I hated myself, and I wanted to die, and I didn't like it so much anymore. I just wanted it to be over, and I kind of had it out with God.   I was drinking a fifth of whiskey, and I'm smoking methamphetamine. I'm a nine-millimeter pistol, and I'm putting it in my mouth. I was too much of a coward to pull the trigger, so that made me even more angry, and I thought for a moment that God might be real, and that there might be something worth living, but it was just a moment, and I kind of gathered myself together, and I went back to the casino, and just like as if nothing had happened, and just a few weeks later, I was arrested in Washington, Indiana.    I had made arrangements to see my kids. I had my kids for the weekend, which is crazy to think that I was in any kind of shape to be around my kids, but I was. I was always a functioning guy, and I was a gangster, so we had the kids for a weekend, and when the kids left the location I was at, my ex-wife called the police and told them where I was, and so that led into a great big chase, and there was all kinds of SWAT teams and all kinds of things.   I was holed up in a house at one point, and police were banging on the windows and trying to get in the house, and eventually they called on the telephone, and it just kept ringing and kept ringing and kept ringing.  I'm stuck in this house. I didn't have my guns.    I didn't have any drugs. I didn't have a cigarette, right, and the crazy thing about that whole thing is, I'll just back to the subject, so I'm in this chase, right, on foot from the police. I tried to pull a guy out of his pickup truck.   Of all things, God put this guy in the pickup truck. He was an off-duty police officer, and so I'm trying to carjack an off-duty police officer. He's having none of it.    I get away from him. I get in this. I'm running through a residential neighborhood trying to get any door open that I possibly could to get away from the police who were chasing me, and I made it to an open door, and I opened up that door, and it was an insurance company, and there were a bunch of little ladies sitting around computers in this room, and I was just like, hey, can I get a glass of water, and out there I am sweating profusely just in 10 o'clock in the morning with Harley Davidson boots, Hawaiian t-shirt, obviously in distress, and I scared these ladies to death, and I'm hearing them call the police anyway, and I just grabbed a glass of water and went out on that front porch, and some fella drove up in a pickup truck and got out of the truck to come in to do business with the insurance company, and I went and stole his truck, and I was able to get away and get to a safe spot.   I think it's safe because I'm only there for about three or four minutes, and the police show up all the way around that house, and so they're calling.  They're banging on the windows. We know it's you in there.   You need to come out, and eventually after about an hour or so of that, I did answer the phone, and the police officer said, I had a fake ID, and they were like, we know you're not Bill Berkshire.  We know that you're Brian Butler. You need to come out of that house.   You need to come out of there now, or we're going to come and get you, and I said, well, try it, because I'll kill the first three of you through the door. Now, they had already confiscated my fan and guns and all that kind of stuff, but they didn't know what I had. I didn't have anything.   There was a six-foot decorative simmer I swore on the wall that couldn't cut butter that I was arming myself with, and it took about another hour or two, and the SWAT team showed up, and they eventually got me out of that house. I was arrested and facing 120 years in the 20th century. I had multiple carjacking, dealing, manufacturing, every possible imaginable that you could possibly imagine of illegal substances.   I had those on me in my van and the property, and so there was the chase and all that happened, so they were unwilling to run any of those charges concurrent. They took four major charges and said, we're going to run a consecutive, and I was facing 120 years in prison. Honestly, when I was in jail, it was kind of like a relief in a way.    I was so angry. I was delusional. I really thought that the people who owed me money were going to break me out.    That's how delusional I was. They didn't, but that's where I had a moment, and I come back to my mom. I'd been in jail about a month, and what had happened was my mom came to the jail, and she didn't come there for a visit.   She came on a Saturday morning, and the police let her in, and she wanted to know if I would sign papers because I still had temporary custody of my children on paper and if my brother could have legal custody over my kids while all this was going on. Because my children, I'll back that up, my children were in Kentucky with their mom, my youngest daughter at that time. I was 14 years old, and she was using methamphetamine.    She was into alcohol. She wasn't being supervised. She was in abusive relationships with her mother's friends.   She was cutting herself because her daddy was going away forever. That was my daughter, and I loved her, and I was just taken aback that my brother would go down and rescue her. The whole story of how I came to Christ is all involved in this.   I'm kind of all over the place, but the Friday night prior to my mom showing up at the jail, back in those days in jail, there was no overcrowding in Indiana, and there were 16 of us in a six-man cell, and I had been in that jail for, like I said, three or four weeks, and on Friday nights, they would have the Gideons come in. Now, the only thing I knew about a Gideon was those Bibles that they put in hotels, and I was none too interested in any God talk. I didn't believe in that.   I just didn't want anything to do with that. As a matter of fact, I was mad about it, but after three or four weeks of being in there smelling nothing but feet and urine, I was willing to do anything for 15 minutes to get out of that cell, and so I agreed to go, and me and two other guys went up to a visitation booth, and there was a little fella in there, and he was very nice, but I couldn't tell you anything he said for the 15 minutes, nothing.    I wasn't paying attention. I was just sitting there looking around, just glad to be out of that cell, but at the end of that 15 minutes, he knocked on the window, and he pointed at me. He said, can I pray for you, and I said, hell no, you can't pray for me.   I don't want your prayers. I'm not here for your prayer, and whatever language it was, I was very vile. I said, but if you want to pray for something, you think that God of yours is listening, you pray for my daughter, and I kind of told her a little bit about what's going on with my kid.   I said, and so you pray for her, and he did, and I can't tell you what he prayed because I really wasn't listening, but it was nice, and I remember that night going back to my cell, and with my Catholic upbringing and everything that had happened, I think I probably said a little prayer myself that night to this God that I didn't believe in, and then a week later, my mom shows up telling me that my brother in Cleveland, Ohio, born again Christian, that the very night that this guy was praying, my brother and his wife decided to come down to Vincent's, Indiana, and they got my mom, and they drove to Owensburg, Kentucky, and literally kidnapped my daughter and took her back to live with them, and I wasn't, I was just kind of in a haze.   I wasn't putting all that together in the moment, and like I said, mom wasn't there for a visit, and I was just like Mark, would you do that for me?  He went and got Amy. I just couldn't believe it, and she's like, yes, I just need you to sign the paper so I can get out of here, and so I did, and that night, I was back in that jail cell, and all those lights were off, and man, the Holy Spirit of God fell on me, and he told me he was real, and to the best of my ability, I confessed my sins.    I repented for my sins. I was just, I just spent the whole night as a 40-year-old gangster, blubber, and idiot in a jail cell just crying about everything, just about my dad, about my lifestyle. I missed my kids.   It just came crashing down on me, and I believe that that was the night that I was truly born again. I believe that God had his hand on me before the foundation of the world. He knew me, and that he loved me, and he chose me, and that I loved him as a little boy, and for whatever happened in my life that I chose to ignore him and run away from him and hate him, but through his mercy and grace and through even facing 120 years in the penitentiary that he saved me, and I believe that night that I got saved, and I just told him, I know we're not supposed to make a deal with God, but it was just kind of like, man, I believe you're real. I don't know anything about you.   I don't know what, you know, my Catholic brother, I don't know if Mary has anything to do with this. I don't know nothing about you, but I believe you're real, and I'll do anything you tell me for the rest of my life if you just take this taste out of my mouth. I just don't want this addiction. I don't want all this crap anymore, and in that moment, he did.   I really believe that he took that away from me, and I've been following him kind of ever since. The next morning when they opened up the cell, we went out to the day room.  I'll never forget. There was a Bible there. Now, that Bible's been there the whole time, but it's the first time I see the Bible, and I kind of, you know, I'm still struggling.   I've been up all night, and I'm kind of wiped out anyway, drinking instant coffee and, you know, having a God experience, and there's a Bible, and I pick up this Bible, and it was in Romans chapter five. I'll never get it, and I'll just paraphrase, but I remember reading the verses that having been justified by faith, and it just kind of hit me that I wish I really believed God was real, and I don't know what that means, and I don't know anything about it, but I went on to read that I was no longer his enemy and that I could have peace with him and that he was going to give me good character and that I could persevere. It didn't matter what I had in front of me, so it was just God speaking to me in those moments that I'm going to be with you through all this, and it was just a wonderful, life-changing experience. It didn't, you know, sanctification takes a long time.   I still was sentenced to 15 years in prison, which was a miracle, right? I was facing 120, and there it was nothing that I had done prior to my conversion. I had been in front of a judge, and I had a $1 million full cash bond.   I was in front of the judge, and I'm like, I want a bond reduction. The judge is like; you're telling me you're going to pay $100,000 to get out of jail. I said, angrily, you could reduce my bond, and he said, denied.   We're not going to do that, and that was the last time I really talked to a judge or an attorney, and I sat in jail for six or seven months, and this attorney that was appointed to me after the one that I fired, he came to me one time and said, hey, they're willing to give you a 15-year sentence in prison if that's what you want to do, and I said, okay.  I wasn't concerned about prison. I wasn't concerned.   I just wanted to do what the Lord wanted me to, and that's been my whole life since.  People will ask me about prison. It was horrible, as you can imagine.    I was in the state of Indiana. There were no separation of offenders at that time. I was in a medium-max facility, so I was doing time with guys who were doing life, which were the best guys to do it with because they were just doing life, and then little gangbangers from Indianapolis.   It was a terrible affair. Every kind of drug possible, every kind of perversion possible was there, but it's where I met Jesus, and it's where I learned to follow Christ, and I had a godly man come alongside of me in the prison, Pastor Woodcocks, who just assigned my guy, and he helped me to work through so many things and to be a man of truth and integrity and all the different things that he taught me, so while I look back at that, and I say, yeah, prison sucked.   It was awful, and I never want to go back again in that capacity, but it's where I learned to follow Christ, and I wouldn't trade it for anything.  I wouldn't trade that time for anything. I needed every ounce of that time to become closer to him and to be less about me, and then I got out of prison in 2009.   It was a shock probation here to Peoria, Illinois, where my oldest daughter was at that time, and I moved in with her.  She's been following Jesus ever since. It's not been an easy road, right?   It's not been being a convicted felon and having all those things, but God does, if he is for us, who can be against us, right?  He has really, really, really been by my side. There's been so many things that have happened.   I could go on for hours and hours and hours, but that's how I came to Jesus and where I got to know Jesus and where I really solidified my relationship with, I believe, and he's saved.   Laura Dugger: (38:10 - 38:55) What an incredible journey he took you on.   Did you know you could receive a free email with monthly encouragement, practical tips, and plenty of questions to ask to take your conversation a level deeper, whether that's in parenting or on date nights? Make sure you access all of this at thesavvysauce.com by clicking the button that says join our email list so that you can follow the prompts and begin receiving these emails at the beginning of each month.  Enjoy.   So, then Brian, as a freed man at that point, once you were out of prison, how did you eventually find your way to what is now Pathway Ministries?   Brian Butler: (38:57 - 45:56) It's been a wild ride. I got out of prison thinking I was going to be a prison minister and there was going to be all kinds of things that were going to happen. You kind of buy into that prosperity stuff while I was locked up.   I really thought that there were big things in store. After I was out of prison for about three months, it was 2009, and so the economy in Peoria was really bad. The cap shut down.    Places weren't hiring. I couldn't find a job anywhere. I remember going to Kroger in Madison Park.   If anybody remembers Madison Park Kroger in Peoria, it was a really rough part of town.  They were banging out in the parking lot. I'm here.   I called the manager and he said set up a time for an interview.  I went to the interview, and I took him my resume. They taught us in the penitentiary and in classes.   I got a bachelor's degree in prison, by the way. I filled out my resume, and I filled the time up in my resume with the prison ministry I was involved in. Just so you don't have that slack of time.   The manager said, oh, I see that you were in a prison ministry. Man, that's amazing. Did they let you in there every day?    Well, I lived there. I was in prison at that time. This is what I was doing while I was in prison.   His words to me shook me to the core because he handed me back that resume and he said, “We don't hire your kind here.” I'm telling you, after all the disappointment I have for two or three months of not being able to find a job and rejection after rejection, I walked out in the parking lot. My daughter took me back to her house and I remember sitting on the end of her bed.   I'm not a crier, really, but at that time I think I might have been crying a little bit. She was bawling and I was just like, “Just take me down to the shelter. I don't want to be any more of a burden to this family. Please, I got to go.”   She's like, “Don't give up, dad, don't give up.” I'm like, “I'll give it up, oh God, I just don't want to be a burden.”    She said, “Just wait, just wait, just give it a little more time.” I agreed to do that. That week, through the grapevine, one of the friends of a guy that she went to church with, John McCormick, at McCormick Auto Place in Belleville, Illinois, called and said, “Hey, I heard through the grapevine you're having a hard time getting a job. I need somebody washing cars.”   That was a far cry from, you know, I'm a 46-year-old man and I'd walk around with briefcases full of money. It was a humbling experience, but I went to work for John, and he ended up, you know, as a Christian, he was just a Christ follower.    He accepted me into his family. I went from 10 hours a week to part-time. I eventually got a part-time job at the Salvation Army.    They called me. It was one of the first places I put in a resume. Paul Cousin called me from the Salvation Army.   He's like, “Hey, I don't know why we never saw your resume before, but we need help. Would you like to come to work at the safety net working with homeless guys?” I'm thinking, well, you know, I've been homeless, so sure.   And I went down there and I started working there.  And so eventually that turned into a full-time job at the Salvation Army. And I stayed working washing cars.    I washed cars for 12 years with John. He's just so great. He's one of the greatest Christian dudes you ever met.    He just, he was so vital in my Christian walk in my life. But I was at the Salvation Army. I was running, believe it or not, the lead case manager of Drop-In Center for the Homeless.    And I had conversations with Peoria Rescue Mission at that time, Peoria Rescue Ministries. Now, I'd never been there. I thought they were religious zealots.    You know, it was everything. It was so religious that the guys couldn't be there. But I did know that they did not allow drugs or alcohol.   And so, when I would meet a man that was struggling with addiction and they wanted to get out of them, I would call and talk to Lee and say, “Hey, listen, I got a guy I think would be good for your fit. Can I send him down there?” And so, we kind of built this bond.    Lee and I had this relationship over the phone. I'd never met the guy ever. Back in those days, Lee was really into sending those funny little emails.   You know, they always have a little cartoon or a little message. You know, the email knows that when you're really busy at work, you kind of start deleting after a while. And one day he sent me an email, and it said, “Are you interested?”    And for some reason, I opened it. And I know the reason is God. And he said that they had a position as the assistant director of the rescue mission, but I'd be interested in coming down and applying for the job.    And I went down and met with Lee. And one thing led to another. My wife, Pam, who I'm married to now, I consider my wife.   I can't believe that I'm married to somebody who loves God. Now, I know we're supposed to stay the way that we are, biblically a single and all these things scripturally as we come to Christ to stay that way. But this is my first marriage.    This is my marriage. In Christ, we're in marriage. She is the most wonderful. She's my gift that God just kind of gave me to care for and to nurture and to love her the way that I should.  But she really encouraged me. At the time of the Salvation Army, we were HUD funded.    I couldn't openly share my faith. I always had to take back doors to it. And she's like, this is what you've always prayed for.    They'll let you do that there, take the job. And so, I did. And that's how I came on at Peoria Rescue Ministries.    Eventually it became Pathway Ministries. I just kind of worked as Mr. Rokey, came on board in 2016. And then in 2018, we're really trying to do some things back there.   And from the way we used to do them, meeting people in crisis, I had a lot of good ideas.  And John had a lot of great ideas. And we're on the same page.    And he asked me to be program director. And I'm like, well, I'd love to, if I can write a program. And so, he just gave me free reign.   And then now I'm the director of residential ministries at Pathway Ministries. Just being able to allow God to blow that whole thing up. And he has to meet people just like me, just like so many other sons and daughters out there that need to have a God block put in front of them while they're in their crisis.    And so, it's just been a beautiful thing. And I just praise God for all the leadership and just what we've been able to do. And that's how I came to Pathway Ministries.    Just being able to do God's work there. It's incredible. It's crazy.   Putting it in a nutshell is really hard because there's been so many things that the Lord has done personally and through the ministry. It has just been incredible, the path that he's had me.   Laura Dugger: (45:57 - 46:35) You do such an amazing work there, and it is a worthy ministry to support. We'll definitely put links in the show notes for today's episode for Pathway Ministries. And that's a whole other conversation to talk about the miracles witnessed there.   But just to go back and close a few loops, I'm sorry, I'm going to throw a few things at you.  So, when did Pam come into the picture? And what's a current snapshot of your life with your children now?   And what did forgiveness look like with your family of origin?   Brian Butler: (46:37 - 52:04) Yeah, so my father passed away while I was in prison. It was an amazing story with my dad. He met me in prison and wanted to meet with me.   And I hadn't seen my father in years, and he came to the prison lot. I had worked through the forgiveness of my dad, I think, before we met, but he came to ask my forgiveness. And I'll never forget, he said, Brian, I made the wrong choice.    My whole life, I've made the wrong choices. And I'm just really sorry. And so, it was a sweet moment with me and him.   I'm not saying that we had a, you know, it wasn't like we're father, son kind of stuff.  But when he passed away, there's no false guilt. There's no guilt.    There's nothing I'm trusting. He even actually became a minister of the Catholic Church in the place that he lived. And I believe that he came to faith in Christ and Christ alone.   So, it was really something to see that transformation in my dad, even though he was, you know, he saw a lot of stuff. But I truly believe that the father entered his heart. My mom, shortly after I was incarcerated, after that experience at the jail, started to come around a little bit and supported me.   You know, and I think the biggest thing that helped me in or helped our relationship in the prison was I didn't ask for things. When I was able to talk to my mother, I was able to say, how are you? And just kind of relieve her of the burden.   It was bad enough that her son was in prison. It was bad enough that she had to see her son on the evening news and everything that I put her through. I just wanted to mend that and just to comfort my mom and just love my mom the best possible.    So, our relationship really grew through those days. And it's so amazing. So, here's a woman that said, you're dead to me, and I don't want around anymore.    In 2019, my mom and stepdad have been since Indiana, and they're aging now. They're in their early 80s. But in 2019, we had a family conversation, and she wanted to move to Peoria, Illinois, so that my wife and I could take care of her and him in their old age.    So, they lived two miles away from us, and we were able to meet my mom. It's crazy. And just to be able to be in a relationship with her and to be able to care for her, getting ready to take a trip down to Kentucky to see her sister, and all that entails.   So, it's just been a wonderful blessing for a relationship. My mom knows God's real because he's changed me and my children. While I didn't beat them over the head with the Bible, they know that God is real because they've seen him work in me.   They've all struggled with addiction and all those kinds of things. But I'm happy to say that all three of them are clean and sober. Right now, my son followed in my footsteps.    Unfortunately, he grew up, even though I wasn't there. I was divorced from his mother when he was two years old. But he always looked to me, and he always saw the tough guy and the gangster.   And I think that's what he really wanted to be. He ended up getting a prison sentence, and he spent 13 years in prison. And he is getting out in February.    So that's encouraging. But all three of them are clean and sober, and those relationships have been restored. Pam and I, you can imagine, Pam had no idea about addiction or lifestyle or gangsters.   So I am completely off the rails, foreign to her.  But she tells me all the time, she doesn't know that old guy. All she knows is me.   And she can hear stories, and she can hear testimonies. And of course, my mom is very open to share anything at a family dinner about Brian, which I'm like, please, mom, don't talk. But she hears those stories, and she just says, I don't know that man.    I don't know who that was. This is the man I'm married to. And so, it's just, we have a wonderful relationship.    She's my biggest supporter, my biggest fan. We pray together. We love the Lord together.  It's really something. I'm not saying that we haven't had a lot of hurt because my kids have been in addiction. I'm saying it hasn't been really, really hard.   But through those sufferings, that's how Jesus makes it more like him, through those sufferings and through those hard times.  And he's given me an avenue personally to be able to help others. So, I love that scripture.    It gives us this comfort. We needed the comfort so that one day you can comfort others with that same kind of comfort. So, he's enabled me to be in a position where I can comfort other folks in addiction and build great teams here at Pathway that are ministering to the folks that we serve in a meaningful way for the Lord.    And then I've been able to serve my wife. I've been able to serve her and that's what I want to do.   Laura Dugger: (52:05 - 52:31) Oh, it is evident to see you two at church and see you two holding hands and just your gentle way of interacting with each other is even a testimony. So how incredible that God has restored so much that was broken. And even going back to your brother Mark, was he rejoicing to hear you were now walking with Jesus as your Lord and Savior?   Brian Butler: (52:32 - 54:07) Yeah, well, at first it was kind of like the prodigal son story, and he was the big brother rather than me. I think at first there was a lot of, and rightfully so, I was no good. And so, I had the hearing officer tell me one time in Springfield Illinois when I was trying to get my driver's license back, which was another God story.    And I have a driver's license after five DUIs. I had that hearing officer tell me, even though I had been clean and sober for seven years, he said, you know, talk is cheap. He said, walking it is different.   So, you come back and see me in a year and when you've walked it, then we'll have a talk about giving you a driver's license. And I've always kind of stored that in my heart with my relationship with my brother. And now after my brother has seen me walk it, we have a pretty good relationship.    We're in cahoots because I'm taking care of mom. And so, we have a pretty good relationship there. Yeah, so it's been really a miracle.    Miracles of what has happened in relationships. Now some relationships that I've had, even with family members, you know, hey, that Brian Butler is still nothing but a no-good dope dealing maniac. And we're, you know, we're done.    And that's okay. That's God's job. My job is to keep walking the walk and talking the talk and sticking close to him and not letting anything get in the way of that and doing whatever I can to restore relationships and then let God do the rest.    And so, it's been, it's hard, but good. Yeah.   Laura Dugger: (54:08 - 54:22) You are a new creation. And Brian, I know you could continue teaching us so many things. Is there any encouragement you want to share before our conversation comes to a close?   Brian Butler: (54:23 - 56:46) Yeah, I would just say if you're, I had some, when I was going through it with my daughter, I had a lot of good counselors around me.  And then I got some advice that I didn't follow. And I'm so glad that I didn't.   I certainly think that if when we meet people that are in living destructive lifestyles, or you have a child in addiction and alcoholism, and they are just burning everything down around you, absolutely to set up boundaries and to limit communication to where they're draining you to death.  But if they're still breathing, then there's still hope. And we should never forget that there's hope and that God is so much bigger, and we can trust him with them more than what we can do with them.   I struggled for years with my daughter in addiction and being up in the middle of the night, just waiting on a phone call and praying and pleading and even thinking, Lord, it would be better if she was just gone.  If you just took her, would you? It's so harrowing.   But I never cut off communication completely because when she came out of the pig pen, I'm going to run. Now there were several runs that I made that, you know, she wasn't really out of the pig pen, but I don't regret that. And my daughter will say to a lot of folks, even though inside I kind of gave up in certain times, but I didn't make the life to end.    And she'll say, my dad never gave up on me. My dad was always there for me. And so, I just want to encourage people, if they're breathing, there's still hope and you can still put up boundaries and be strong and not give in and not give money and not do all those things, but there's still hope and our hope was in Christ.   And then we can hope that he does that work and that he'll do that work in us as we're hoping him to do it in others. So that's what I would just leave with folks that are really going through it because I've been through it. I've put people through it.   It's a tangled web and there's a whole lot, but you need to be around people that are going to love you and care for you and come around to you. You need to tell the truth to other people so that you don't hide it because it will destroy you.   Laura Dugger: (56:47 - 57:22) That's so good, Brian. How special to have her daddy never give up on her. And it reflects that greater truth that our heavenly father never gives up on any of us.  And he died for us even while we were still sinners. Thank you for sharing that.   And you may be familiar that we are called The Savvy Sauce because savvy is synonymous with practical knowledge. And so, as my final question for you today, Brian, what is your savvy sauce?   Brian Butler: (57:24 - 58:36) I would say my savvy sauce is living in a daytight compartment, living this life one moment at a time, one day at a time, certainly making plans for the future, certainly living that life out. But I'm going to do what the Lord wants me to do right now. And then what he wants me to do next and what he wants me to do after that.    But just really staying in that daytight compartment. You know, I teach our students all the time at Pathway Ministries, really when we come to faith, this is really simplistic, but after we come to faith in the Lord Jesus, it really is about doing the next little right thing. And then the next little right thing after that, and the next little right thing after that.   And no one does the next little right thing all the time. But when you don't do the next little right thing, you get up and do the next little right thing. Understanding that sometimes doing the next little right thing might be the hardest thing you've ever done in your life.   And so, if we stay in that daytime compartment with Jesus, he'll help us through that next little right thing.  And so that's my savvy. So, I was just staying in the moment and doing the next little right thing.   Laura Dugger: (58:37 - 59:08) Oh, I love that so much. Ryan, you are an admirable man who walks the walk, and God has gifted you with such passion and such a compelling story. So, thank you for continuing to faithfully obey him.   You are certainly shining in our community and faithfully serving our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. So, thank you for being my guest.   Brian Butler: (59:09 - 59:11) Thank you so much, Laura Dugger. We love you.   Laura Dugger: (59:11 - 1:02:28) We love you, too.   One more thing before you go, have you heard the term gospel before? It simply means good news. And I want to share the best news with you, but it starts with the bad news.    Every single one of us were born sinners, but Christ desires to rescue us from our sin, which is something we cannot do for ourselves. This means there's absolutely no chance we can make it to heaven on our own. So, for you and for me, it means we deserve death, and we can never pay back the sacrifice we owe to be saved.    We need a savior, but God loved us so much. He made a way for his only son to willingly die in our place as the perfect substitute. This gives us hope of life forever in right relationship with him.    That is good news. Jesus lived the perfect life. We could never live and died in our place for our sin.    This was God's plan to make a way to reconcile with us so that God can look at us and see Jesus. We can be covered and justified through the work Jesus finished. If we choose to receive what he has done for us, Romans 10:9 says, “that if you confess with your mouth, Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.”    So, you pray with me now. Heavenly father, thank you for sending Jesus to take our place. I pray someone today right now is touched and chooses to turn their life over to you.    Will you clearly guide them and help them take their next step in faith to declare you as Lord of their life? We trust you to work and change lives now for eternity. In Jesus name we pray.   Amen. If you prayed that prayer, you are declaring him for me. So, me for him, you get the opportunity to live your life for him.    And at this podcast, we're called The Savvy Sauce for a reason. We want to give you practical tools to implement the knowledge you have learned. So, you're ready to get started.    First, tell someone, say it out loud, get a Bible. The first day I made this decision, my parents took me to Barnes and Noble and let me choose my own Bible. I selected the Quest NIV Bible and I love it.    You can start by reading the book of John. Also get connected locally, which just means tell someone who's a part of a church in your community that you made a decision to follow Christ. I'm assuming they will be thrilled to talk with you about further steps such as going to church and getting connected to other believers to encourage you.    We want to celebrate with you too. So, feel free to leave a comment for us here. If you did make a decision to follow Christ, we also have show notes included where you can read scripture that describes this process.    And finally, be encouraged. Luke 15:10 says, “in the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.” The heavens are praising with you for your decision today.    And if you've already received this good news, I pray you have someone to share it with. You are loved and I look forward to meeting you here next time.

Max Barrows is an award-winning disability rights leader and advocate based in Vermont. As the Outreach Director for Green Mountain Self-Advocates, Max mentors people with developmental disabilities to speak up for themselves and become leaders. Max is also the Assistant Director of Technical Assistance and Outreach for the Self-Advocacy Resource and Technical Assistance Center (SARTAC), where he works to strengthen local and state self-advocacy organizations across the United States. During this episode, you will hear Max talk about: What life was like growing up as an autistic person How he became involved in disability advocacy   Why self-advocacy and peer-to-peer connections are essential for people with disabilities How he grew more comfortable with public speaking as part of his advocacy work His role in helping to educate law enforcement about autism The harmful impact of negative rhetoric about autism Learn more about Green Mountain Self-Advocates and the Self-Advocacy Resource and Technical Assistance Center (SARTAC) where Max works. Contribute to Carolyn's tip jar to support the Beyond 6 Seconds podcast's disability advocacy. Watch the video of this interview on YouTube. Read the episode transcript. Follow the Beyond 6 Seconds podcast in your favorite podcast player. Subscribe to the FREE Beyond 6 Seconds newsletter for early access to new episodes. *Disclaimer: The views, guidance, opinions, and thoughts expressed in Beyond 6 Seconds episodes are solely mine and/or those of my guests, and do not necessarily represent those of my employer or other organizations. These episodes are for informational purposes only and do not substitute for professional medical advice. Consult a medical professional or healthcare provider if you are seeking medical advice, diagnoses, or treatment.*

In this episode, Dan is joined by Jordan Bar to discuss the "soft skill" side of coaching in performance.Jordan “J-Bar” Bar is the Assistant Director of Sports Performance at Duke University, working with women's tennis, men's and women's golf, and cross country. Since joining Duke in 2016, he has built a reputation for athlete-centered coaching rooted in integrity, effort, and respect. Bar has worked across public and private sectors with elite youth, collegiate, and professional athletes, including PGA, NBA, and professional baseball and softball. A CSCS, TPI Level 2, FMS, and USAW-certified coach, he brings a diverse background in performance. A former collegiate and semi-pro soccer player, Bar now resides in Durham with his family.Instagram: @jbar_411Season 7 of the Braun Performance & Rehab Podcast is proudly supported by Pura Health, bringing ultrasound into every clinician's hands. Learn more at purahealth.net and @pura.health_ultrasound.Additional support provided by Firefly Recovery, the official recovery partner of Braun Performance & Rehab (recoveryfirefly.com), and Dr. Ray Gorman of Engage Movement. Learn how to grow your income beyond sessions—follow @raygormandpt on Instagram and DM “Dan” for a free breakdown of the blended practice model.Episode Affiliates: Airbands BFR (Coupon Code: DANIELBRAUN for 10% off), MoboBoard (BRAWNBODY10), AliRx (DBraunRx), MedBridge (BRAWN)If you enjoyed this episode, share it with someone who would benefit and leave a 5-star review.Explore more from Dan at linktr.ee/braun_pr.

Send us Fan MailIt's never too early to start planning a summer your children will remember! In this episode, we dive into how the Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning (DECAL) is making it easier for families to find safe, affordable, and high-quality summer camps. Whether you're seeking guidance from knowledgeable call center specialists, using a handy checklist, or exploring online resources, DECAL equips parents with the tools and support needed to make confident choices for summer care.Joining us are Sonja Steptoe, Assistant Director of Business Supports and Operations, and Katrina Bernard, Manager of the Quality Rated Family Support Call Center. Together, they share expert advice and helpful tips on how to navigate your search for the perfect summer camp in Georgia this year. Support the show

In this episode of URMIA Matters, guest host Caitlin Cai from the University of Tennessee is joined by Lavern Miles and Kathy Peeling from the University of Maryland, College Park, and Melanie Bennett from United Educators for a focused, practical conversation on Enterprise Risk Management for those just starting out. The episode presents ERM as a shared, ongoing process for identifying, prioritizing, and managing institution‑wide risks, with strong emphasis on leadership support, clear communication, and campus engagement. Using real‑world experience from the higher‑ed community, our guests discuss how ERM can move beyond compliance to support better decision‑making by connecting risk to strategy, using data and monitoring to guide action, and leveraging peer networks and professional resources to build programs that grow and adapt over time. Whether you are brand new to ERM or looking to strengthen an existing approach, this episode offers clear insights and relatable examples to help you get started with confidence. Show Notes Join URMIA's Higher Ed ERM Roundtable Community URMIA's Risk Inventory UE - Enterprise Risk Management Resource Collection ISO 31000 Guests  Lavern Miles, Director of Enterprise Risk Management - University of Maryland, College Park Kathy Peeling, Assistant Director for Risk Management - University of Maryland, College Park Melanie Bennett, Senior Risk Management Counsel - United Educators Guest Host Caitlin Cai, Risk and Insurance Program Manager - University of Tennessee System  Connect with URMIA & URMIA with your network-Share /Tag in Social Media @urmianetwork-Not a member? Join ->www.urmia.org/join-Email | contactus@urmia.org Give URMIA Matters a boost:-Give the podcast a 5 star rating-Share the podcast - click that button!-Follow on your podcast platform - don't miss an episode!Thanks for listening to URMIA Matters!

Sometimes the life you're living doesn't feel like your own. Before becoming a leader in youth substance use prevention, Eric Mazzeo was stuck in a cycle he couldn't break: addiction, jail, loss, and a constant battle with himself. On the outside, he came from a good home and had real opportunities. On the inside, he was overwhelmed with fear, anxiety, and a deep sense of not feeling like he belonged. What changed wasn't one single moment. It was a decision to try something different when everything else had failed. In this conversation, Eric shares what it really looks like to live through addiction, the internal fight most people never see, and the turning point that led him into recovery. Today, he's using that same experience to connect with young people in a way few others can — meeting them where they are, without judgment, and showing them what's possible when someone finally believes they're worth saving. Guest Bio Eric Mazzeo grew up in Everett, Massachusetts, where he developed into a talented football player with opportunities to play at the collegiate level. Despite his potential, he struggled internally with anxiety, fear, and a need for approval that led him down a path of substance use, legal trouble, and repeated attempts to get sober. After years of cycling through detox, jail, and relapse, Eric made the decision in 2018 to fully commit to recovery through a 12-step program. Since then, he has rebuilt his life and now serves as the Assistant Director of Youth Substance Use Prevention for the City of Everett. Today, Eric works directly with young people in schools and the community, using his lived experience to educate, mentor, and support the next generation. His mission is simple,  to help others avoid the path he once walked and to remind them that change is always possible. You'll hear About What addiction actually feels like from the inside How fear, anxiety, and self-doubt drive destructive behavior The moment Eric decided to fully commit to recovery Why vulnerability and connection are key to healing How lived experience creates real impact with today's youth Chapters 00:00 Welcome and Episode Introduction 02:00 The Decision to Finally Get Sober 05:00 Growing Up in Everett and Early Struggles 09:00 High School, Football, and Internal Pressure 12:30 Addiction as Escape and Emotional Relief 16:00 When Substance Use Starts Taking Control 20:00 Jail, Loss, and Hitting Repeated Bottoms 24:00 The Turning Point Toward Recovery 27:30 Vulnerability, Connection, and 12-Step Work 31:00 Letting Go of the Past and Finding Purpose 34:30 Working With Youth and Giving Back 38:00 Why Lived Experience Matters in Prevention 41:00 Eric's Message to Anyone Struggling Chuck's Challenge This week, pay attention to how you respond when someone is struggling. Instead of reacting with judgment or frustration, choose empathy. Reach out, listen, and remind them they're not alone. Sometimes the smallest act of understanding can open the door to real change. Connect with Eric Instagram: @emazz86 Work Instagram: eric_mazzeo_youth Connect with Chuck Check out the website: https://www.thecompassionateconnection.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chuck-thuss-a9aa044/ Follow on Instagram: @warriorsunmasked Join the Warriors Unmasked community by subscribing to the show. Together, we're breaking stigmas and shining a light on mental health, one story at a time.

Will admissions ever be able to stop talking about burnout? We are used to discussing this topic from the perspective of those of us who have been around a long time, thinking about how things used to be.For this week's episode, we take a twist - zeroing in on burnout prevention from the perspective of rising stars in the college admissions profession.Joining us as our first Practitioner Guest is Emily Hannon, Director of First Year Admissions at St. Ambrose University in Davenport, Iowa.Our second Practitioner Guest is Chris Hoffman, Assistant Director of National Recruitment at the University of Minnesota Twin Cities in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Susan Jacob, PharmD, MBA, Assistant Director of Clinical Pharmacy Services at NYC Health + Hospitals, shares insights on advancing pharmacy's role in patient education, health equity, and system-wide care improvement. She also discusses leadership, serving vulnerable populations, and building strong, empowered teams.

Richard Graves is joined by Jackson Polk, Director of Sports Science at the University of Southern California (USC), for a conversation that covers the full spectrum of what it actually means to do this job well, from wrangling a thousand Catapult metrics down to the handful that matter, to the perhaps surprising conclusion that conversation might be your most powerful tool. Jackson's path into sports science isn't the conventional one. He started as a student videographer with Oklahoma football, found himself drawn to the patterns hiding in data, and taught himself enough statistics and analytics to make coaches stop and listen. That curiosity eventually took him from Norman, Oklahoma, to Los Angeles, where he's spent the past four years building USC football's sports science programme from the ground up. What makes this episode stand out is Jackson's willingness to be honest about uncertainty, about AI, about his own mistakes, and about the limits of any single metric or method. He's equally at home referencing Principal Component Analysis and the TV show Veep, and that breadth of thinking is what makes him worth listening to. Whether you work in elite sport, study sports science, or just want to understand what goes into keeping a college football roster performing at its best, there's plenty here to take away. In This Episode You Will Learn Why reducing Catapult's thousand-plus metrics down to a focused few, Player Load, sprint volume, and repeat sprint exposures, actually produces better decisions than trying to monitor everything How Jackson uses principal component analysis to build confidence in the data he's presenting to coaches and athletes The "iceberg" model of athlete monitoring: what data can tell you, and what only a direct conversation will uncover Why practice periodisation and load management have been one of USC's biggest organisational wins, and how PlayerLoad underpins that planning How force plates (via VALD/ForceDecks) and velocity-based training tools like Perch complement GPS data to reveal readiness on any given day The case for teaching college athletes sound recovery habits early, so they're not spending their rookie contracts figuring out what works How Jackson thinks about AI in sports science: where it's useful, where to be cautious, and why it's only as good as the data it's trained on Why communication, not technology, is the cornerstone of an effective sports science operation, and how to make data digestible for coaches under pressure The value of building a culture where experimentation and failure are treated as learning, not liability Lessons from Thinking in Bets by Annie Duke on separating process from outcome, applied directly to sports science decision-making About Jackson Polk Jackson Polk is the Director of Sports Science for USC Trojans football, a role he was elevated to in 2024 after serving as Assistant Director from 2022–23. He joined the USC support staff in March 2022, bringing with him an unconventional background that blends mathematics, data science, and a deep passion for American football. His journey began at the University of Oklahoma, where he spent four seasons as a student videographer before becoming a volunteer performance analyst. While at OU, he co-founded the Oklahoma Sports and Data Analytics Club, which went on to win the Pro Football Focus Analytics Blitz contest. He completed his bachelor's degree in mathematics at Oklahoma in 2021 and subsequently pursued a master's in data science and analytics. At USC, Jackson has been responsible for building the football programme's sports science infrastructure, integrating GPS monitoring, force plate testing, and load management into daily practice planning. He holds an MBA alongside his analytical credentials, and his work sits at the intersection of data science and high-performance sport. FREE 7d SCIENCE FOR SPORT ACADEMY TRIAL SIGN UP NOW: https://bit.ly/SFSepisode241 ​ Learn Quicker & More Effectively ​ Optimise Your Athletes' Recovery ​ Position Yourself As An Expert To Your Athletes And Naturally Improve Buy-In ​ Reduce Your Athletes' Injury Ratese ​ Save 100's Of Dollars A Year That Would Otherwise Be Spent On Books, Courses And More ​ Improve Your Athletes' Performance ​ Advance Forward In Your Career, Allowing You To Earn More Money And Work With Elite-Level Athletes ​ Save Yourself The Stress & Worry Of Constantly Trying To Stay Up-To-Date With Sports Science Research

Lynda Quirino has been in the paranormal field for over 40 years, and has experienced unexplained phenomena all of her life. At 18 yrs. of age, she began to investigate the paranormal while in college in her hometown of Montreal, and continued to research and investigate on her own until relocating to the Toronto area in 1986. In 1997 she became the Assistant Director of the Toronto Ghosts and Hauntings Research Society until 2003. Once again working freelance until she founded The Georgina Paranormal Society in 2012 in the town of Georgina, where she now resides. Lynda appears on the tv show Paranormal Survivor as one of its paranormal experts. She's also appeared on many paranormal podcasts, radio, and local tv shows, and gives presentations for various organizations throughout Canada.Georgina Paranormal Website: https://georginaparanormalsociety.weebly.com/meet-the-group.htmlLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lynda-quirino-45b8a75/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lynda.kostovchikquirino

Today our guests are Rebekah de Peo-Christner, Assistant Director of Counseling, and Amy Lawrence, Director of Counseling and Social Work, both at Denton ISD in Texas. We discuss how their district created WRAP — the Wilson Restorative Action Plan — a family-centered alternative to exclusionary discipline that wraps support around students and families rather than cycling them through punitive consequences. Rebecca and Amy share how WRAP helps schools address the underlying reasons behind student behavior by building communication, conflict resolution skills, and real partnership with families. They also explain how their district's SHIFT program helped administrators change the way they see and respond to student behavior, and why building systems around this work is what allows it to actually take hold across a district. In this conversation, Rebecca and Amy offer important reminders for educators and leaders working to reduce exclusionary discipline and strengthen family partnerships: Behavior is a form of communication, getting curious about the reason behind it leads to better outcomes than responding with punishment alone. Families come in feeling defensive, and leading with vulnerability and empathy is what breaks down those walls and builds real partnership. Exclusionary discipline without skill-building just cycles students back to the same place, schools need systems that address root causes, not just remove students. You are only as strong as your community, lasting change happens when families, schools, and community partners are all working together. Learn More About CharacterStrong:  Access FREE MTSS Curriculum Samples Request a Quote Today! Learn more about CharacterStrong Implementation Support Visit the CharacterStrong Website   About Rebekah de Peo-Christner & Amy Lawrence: Amy Lawrence is a passionate advocate for student and family well-being with 35 years in education, including 13 as Director of Counseling and Social Work in Denton ISD. She leads a robust team of counselors and social workers and was instrumental in launching two Family Centers that provide free counseling services. A graduate of Texas State University and the University of North Texas, Amy actively serves on the Denton County Behavioral Health Leadership Team. Her heart for service and commitment to trauma-informed care continue to shape safe, supportive systems across one of Texas's fastest-growing school districts. Rebekah de Peo-Christner brings over 27 years of experience in education and counseling, with a focus on student mental health and trauma-informed care. She currently serves as Assistant Director of Counseling for Denton ISD and helped establish the district's Family Center, offering free counseling to students, families, and staff. Rebekah holds degrees in psychology and marriage and family therapy, is a TBRI® Practitioner, LPC Supervisor, and adjunct faculty at Texas Woman's University. She also maintains a private practice and previously served as a Mobile Assessor for psychiatric crisis response.

Listen in on our lively chat with Anna Galvez, Assistant Director of Education at the Organic Seed Alliance, and Katie Jagger, a Field Research Assistant who also co-manages Saltwater Seeds. Anna supports organic farmers in building practical data skills for organic seed production, helping strengthen knowledge and decision-making in the field. Katie shares about her research work at OSA and how it connects to running a small seed company, while also reflecting on her experience as a beginning farmer balancing learning, research, and seed stewardship. Together, they discuss the intersection of farmer education, research, and the next generation of organic seed growers.This episode of the Farm Walks podcast was funded by the United States Department of Agriculture Transition to Organic Partnership ProgramThe Farm Walks Podcast is collaboratively organized by Tilth Alliance and WSU Food Systems. Visit farmwalks.org to learn more.