Podcasts about bffs

The BFFs are back to share their thoughts on the 2025 Grammy Nominations. They discuss Sydney Sweeneys new movie, Kim Kardashian failing the bar, and so much more. They also end up getting in a bit of a fight... Subscribe to the podcast now: https://barstool.link/3m4Q0Fq Support Our Sponsors: Download the Gametime app and use code BFF for $20 off your first purchase. Sign up to save on Uber and Uber Eats. Eligibility and member terms apply. Hydrate Hard with BODYARMOR FLASH I.V. and grab yours today at your local 7-Eleven convenience store Download the Experian® app and share it with the fam—because everyone could use a Big Financial Friend. Check out the BFFs Social Media Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bffspod/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/BFFsPod TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@bffspod Follow Josh Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/joshrichards/ Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@joshrichards?lang=en Twitter: https://twitter.com/JoshRichards Follow Brianna Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/briannalapaglia/?hl=en TikTiok: https://www.tiktok.com/@briannachickenfry?lang=en Twitter: https://twitter.com/bchickenfry?lang=en Check out Barstool Sports for more: http://www.barstoolsports.comYou can find every episode of this show on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or YouTube. Prime Members can listen ad-free on Amazon Music. For more, visit barstool.link/bffspod

Welcome to our BICENTENNIAL (??) EPISODE!In this famous Text Me Back episode you will experience the feeling of aging two years in just 75 minutes! We start off strong with a We Done Done It Again (Dept. of Corrections) where we humbly correct the record to share that Jeff Merkley (of Senatorial fame) stood BY HIS OWN POWER NONSTOP for 22 hours. We got it twisted, and we generally advise against that! And since Text Me Back is your go-to political podcast, Lindy quizzes herself LIVE! How many US Senators can YOU name? Sporcle, SPONSOR US we are driving dozens of people to your hyperspecific quizzes!!!! (Clue: Jerry Seinfeld and Julia Louis-Dreyfus are NOT currently US Senators). Since it's our two-year anniversary, we bring you a Normal News/Meagan's TikTok digest, AND Lindy's surprise Microsegment (btw if you are CEO of Ruffles…what did you do to that chip and WHY?). Plus, Lindy coins a new tag for the show, begging the question: What's YOUR favorite bit and/or shit from Text Me Back Podcast? Write in at deartextmeback@gmail.com or give us a call at (703) 829-0003.And finally, in a rare moment of sincerity, we conclude by setting aside our Tom and Jerry dynamic momentarily and getting earnest. BFFs being nice to each other?? Is that even legal???? BIG THANK YOU to all of our Patrons and supporters who have allowed us to remain a sovereign podcast. We love our people on the discord, we love our Jingleheimers and Kingleheimers, and everyone who has helped us start and maintain this show. If you believe in independent media and women being absolutely sick in the head for your entertainment, consider becoming a Patron or subscribing to our free newsletter, Newsletter Me Back.NEVER LISTENED TO THE POD BEFORE? HERE IS YOUR STARTER KIT TO BEING BFFS WITH US!Lindy and Meagan Become the Joe Rogan of the Left with Jeff MerkleyLindy and Meagan are Breast Friends with Kelsey McKinneyRevisit the first appearance of Dr. Freek Vonk and Freekaconda in Lindy and Meagan have Died of DysenteryMeet Kevin in: Lindy and Meagan Need to Talk About KevinLearn why they keep saying BBW in Lindy and Meagan Are Officially BBWsDiscover the Kayak Dad Lore in: It's Our First Episode!WE NEED OUR ACCOLADES! It helps people find the show.⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5 stars only please) on Spotify⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5 stars only please) on Apple PodcastsGive us Rave Reviews and Accolades on Apple Podcasts! REAL LIFE EXAMPLE:“The best - My favorite podcast, I love these two!”GIR|57495739 WE 2 LOVE U STUFF TO CHECK OUT:How many U.S. Senators can you name?? Pre-Order Lindy's book!!!! Adult BracesCheck out our MERCH so we can make MORE merch!! (Patrons get a discount, so check u s out at patreon.com/textmebackpod)NEWSLETTER ME BACK (A FREE WAY TO SUPPORT THE SHOW!)Listen Ad-Free by joining our $12 Patreon tier Freakaconda!Check out the Text Me Back Venmo!!!Check out Meagan's latest installment of SWAMP PERSONSubscribe to Lindy's newsletter butt news!Join our Discord! We're obsessed with these people.⋆｡°✩⋆｡°✩⋆｡°✩⋆｡°If you like this episode and want us to keep making the show forever, please subscribe to our Patreon. This podcast will always be free, but we need your help to produce it -- and if you support our Patreon, you'll get all kinds of goodies in addition to the show itself! Learn more about the different tiers and rewards here: https://www.patreon.com/TextMeBackPodAlso! Please keep in touch with us! You can text OR CALL us at the Best Friend Party Phone: (703) 829-0003.We're on Instagram at @textmebackpod!You can email us at deartextmeback@gmail.com!WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU SO BAD!⋆｡°✩⋆｡°✩⋆｡°✩⋆｡°TEXT ME BACK is a production of Lindy West and Meagan Hatcher-Mays, proud members of the BFF Network. Our senior producer is Meagan Hatcher-Mays. Our other senior producer is Lindy West. Our show is produced by Alli Slice.Our music is by Chief Ahamefule J. Oluo. Diana Bowen is our video and creative advisor. Our digital strategist is Chance Nichols.You can also follow the podcast on Instagram and TikTok @textmebackpod. And for even more bestie content, follow Lindy and Meagan on Instagram at @thelindywest and @importantmeagan!⋆｡°✩⋆｡°✩⋆｡°✩⋆｡°See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

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Paige Parsons Roache and Sherri Johnson are two health-focused, powerhouse self-starters, raising their individual families plant-based, all the while maintaining their BFF status with one another. What started as two people who just happened to go to the same gym turned into two women on a mission to educate and inspire through their show Plant-Based in the Burbs. In this oh-so-good episode, Paige and Sherri share how they maintain their friendship and uplift one another, how going vegan has both empowered and educated them along with their families, and most importantly, how important laughter has been through it all. Go ahead and share this one with your own BFF. Let's celebrate friendship together, yes? _________________________ Steve's third book in his cozy mystery series, THE DOG WALKING DETECTIVES is finally here: SEASON'S SLAYINGS lights up the holidays! Get your copy on Amazon: https://bit.ly/3WYTPiR or Barnes & Noble: https://bit.ly/4hOjILR Grab the first two: Book 1: DROWN TOWN Amazon: https://amzn.to/478W8mp Barnes & Noble: https://bit.ly/3Mv7cCk & Book 2: MURDER UNMASKED Amazon: https://shorturl.at/fDR47 Barnes & Noble: https://shorturl.at/3ccTy

11/02/25 Abbot Ankido Sipo - 1st Sunday of the Church (English) by St. Peter's Chaldean Catholic Diocese

The BFFs are back this week to discuss Heidi Klum's Halloween party, dissect the World Series (that Brianna had no idea happened), and so much more. 00:00 BASEBALL 9:30 HEIDI HALLOWEEN 21:23 WHITE LOTUS 24:38 JUSTIN BALDONI & BLAKE LIVELY 30:26 NINA DOBREV 33:25 JULIA FOX'S COSTUME 37:00 ALIX EARLE DWTS DRAMA 42:00 KAT STICKLER & JOHN MAYER 42:30 DEMI LOVATO AS POOT 45:03 MTV'S RIDICULOUSNESS 46:40 JACOB ELORDI & OLIVIA JADE 48:55 WORD OF THE YEAR: 67 50:50 BARSTOOL INTERNET INVITATIONAL Support Our Sponsors: Download the Gametime app and use code BFF for $20 off your first purchase. Sign up to save on Uber and Uber Eats. Eligibility and member terms apply. Hydrate Hard with BODYARMOR FLASH I.V. and grab yours today at your local 7-Eleven convenience store Download the Experian® app and share it with the fam—because everyone could use a Big Financial Friend. Subscribe to the podcast now: https://barstool.link/3m4Q0Fq Check out the BFFs Social Media Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bffspod/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/BFFsPod TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@bffspod Follow Josh Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/joshrichards/ Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@joshrichards?lang=en Twitter: https://twitter.com/JoshRichards Follow Brianna Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/briannalapaglia/?hl=en TikTiok: https://www.tiktok.com/@briannachickenfry?lang=en Twitter: https://twitter.com/bchickenfry?lang=en Check out Barstool Sports for more: http://www.barstoolsports.comYou can find every episode of this show on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or YouTube. Prime Members can listen ad-free on Amazon Music. For more, visit barstool.link/bffspod

Almost two decades after 50 Cent reportedly made around $100 million from the Coca-Cola and Vitaminwater M&A transaction, his “equity instead of traditional endorsement fees” deal structure has become commonplace within today's influencer partnerships involving emerging CPG brands. But one of the greatest success stories in recent years involves the popular influencer Alix Earle and modern soda brand Poppi. And though Alix Earle declined to share the size of her stake, her father/manager confirmed that his daughter chose to work with Poppi on an equity basis (along with investing some of her own capital). Moreover, that equity was converted “at a pretty significant gain” in March 2025 when PepsiCo announced its agreement to acquire Poppi for $1.95 billion. However, and maybe providing an even more lucrative “woulda coulda shoulda” example…that same M&A transaction included Josh Richards, another popular internet personality who stated a handful of years ago that he wanted to be the “first influencer billionaire.” Josh Richards participated in the Poppi August 2021 fundraising round (a few years before Alix Earle) but also signed a “marketing services for equity” type contract in 2020. Though, Josh Richards didn't get paid out from it…and he's reportedly suing Poppi for an alleged breach of contract involving that unpaid portion of vested equity. All I know is Poppi better hope Dave Portnoy doesn't go all scorched earth on them…as he appears to be extremely protective of his former co-hosts on the BFFs podcast.

The BFFs are live together this week in NYC! Bri and Josh discuss the biggest headlines from this past week including: the Lourve Heist, the Sombr Drama, Selena vs Hailey, and the sexiest men alive! Subscribe to the podcast now: https://barstool.link/3m4Q0Fq Support Our Sponsors: Download the Gametime app and use code BFF for $20 off your first purchase. Stream Chad Powers only on Hulu. https://www.hulu.com/ Sign up to save on Uber and Uber Eats. Eligibility and member terms apply. Download the Experian® app and share it with the fam—because everyone could use a Big Financial Friend. Check out the BFFs Social Media Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bffspod/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/BFFsPod TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@bffspod Follow Josh Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/joshrichards/ Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@joshrichards?lang=en Twitter: https://twitter.com/JoshRichards Follow Brianna Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/briannalapaglia/?hl=en TikTiok: https://www.tiktok.com/@briannachickenfry?lang=en Twitter: https://twitter.com/bchickenfry?lang=en Check out Barstool Sports for more: http://www.barstoolsports.comYou can find every episode of this show on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or YouTube. Prime Members can listen ad-free on Amazon Music. For more, visit barstool.link/bffspod

China and India have a long, complicated history. Just a few years ago, there was a spate of armed skirmishes between the two nations. And yet, there are signs of warming relations amidst President Trump's ongoing trade war. Today on the show, is that trade war pushing India toward China? And what could happen if two of the world's largest economies come together? Related episodes: China's trade war perspective What might save China's economy Is the US pushing countries towards China?  For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org. Fact-checking by Sierra Juarez. Music by Drop Electric. Find us: TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Newsletter.  Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Christian College Sex Comedy: Part 19 It Doesn t Matter, and I Don t Understand. In 30 parts, By FinalStand. Listen to the podcast at Explicit Novels.             Being dead is wonderful; you never get tired and you have all the time in the world to regret how you ended up this way      "You are so good to me, Zane, and I appreciate it," Barbie Lynn murmured. "You never give me less than 100% and I've never felt like you take me for granted." "It is you and only you, Sarah, Cindy, Eve, umm, help me out here," I grinned. Barbie Lynn lilted in the voice of an angel while she pressed off the glass with her upper body and leveraged down onto my cock. I shifted one hand off an ass cheek to move it to the back of her neck and pull her face in and up to mine. She also constricted her anal muscles around my shaft, concentrating on my cockhead. "Does this make my body more familiar to you?" she panted, our lips only inches away. "Not as much as these eyes, these eyes of my own beautiful seraph," I whispered. Barbie Lynn completed the kiss. Her hips rotated up slightly and mine shifted lower and under so that my penetration reached deep inside. For thirty seconds we kept the tender kiss going before she had to break free. "Oh, Jesus, Zane, this feels so good, I can't, oh, Lord Jesus," she gasped out as I shifted out, then back in rhythmically. "More time, I want more time with you, Zane," Barbie Lynn panted with a heavy breath. "We have tests this afternoon and Vivian is waiting," I shook my head in disappointment. Fierce passion engulfed both of us. Clearly, I got my money's worth from the contractor who had installed the shower because the glass wall didn't give way despite our enthusiasm. "Lord Jesus loves, ," Barbie Lynn screamed across campus. Her arms locked my head and shoulders in place, her face grinding into my chest. Her torso desperately tried to impale her hole deeper onto my rod. Her scream degenerated to an uncontrolled growling against me while I kept her back to the glass and up against my body. "Zane, I know I've been really needy today but you've been so kind and understanding, and I appreciate you putting up with me the kind way you have," Barbie Lynn snuggled into me. "You are the best." That's what I wanted to talk to Barbie Lynn about, taking me for granted and using me like a sex toy. Boy, I just saved myself from acting like a total ass! "Babe, you are better than I deserve." I kissed her neck as I lowered her legs down to the tiled floor. "If I ever take you for granted, promise me you'll kiss me, rub your body against me front and back, and then walk away. I guarantee you I'll fall on my knees and beg for forgiveness." "I like it when you beg," she said with a glimmer in her eye. "Why am I being nice to you again?" I teased. Barbie Lynn simply let her eyes go wide and innocent with a cute little smile on her face. "Oh, yeah," I whistled, "you give me hope, happiness, and warmth in good times and bad." "My body has nothing to do with it?" she questioned in a coquettish fashion. "It's passable," I shrugged as I cut the water off, "but I hope you will fill out one day, you know, quit the training bra and become a little more womanly." Mind you, Barbie Lynn hadn't seen a training bra in ten years. Hourglasses went to Barbie for lessons on how they should be shaped and her ass was the perfect balance between fantasy cheerleader and soccer girl. "Thank you for spending time with someone as poorly endowed as me," she purred. "I admit that I'm holding out for Doctor Burns. He's got it going on," I struggled to say convincingly. Barbie Lynn fought valiantly to hold back her reaction to the thought of seeing our over-70-year-old male Biology teacher in any sexual manner. "Burns without his clothes on is an image I could have forever gone without," she shuddered. "Gosh, I value you more than my own personal desires so I guess I'm stuck with you, Barbie Lynn," I sighed playfully. "Would you two get out of the shower!" barked Vivian. She was sitting in a chair in the main room. We stepped out of the shower, grabbed the waiting towels, and began drying each other off. Vivian surprised me by keeping a somewhat detached eye on the two of us. Maybe she wanted to make sure Barbie Lynn and I didn't turn drying into fondling, thus ending up with us rolling on the tiled floor. The floor would be uncomfortable but having hot, sweaty Barbie Lynn flesh pressing into me, I put this on my 'to do' list. We quickly got dressed and moved to where Vivian was standing and waiting. It wasn't until we were making our way to the elevator that Vivian spoke. "Barbie Lynn, would you take the elevator? Zane and I need to take the stairs," she said. "Sure thing, Vivian," Barbie Lynn smiled. She stepped up to me and kissed me on the lips. "I'll see ya Sunday night, slugger." "I kinda, sorta have a standing date with Heaven," I cautioned her, "so if you come by, be careful." I didn't miss Vivian rolling her eyes in exasperation. The elevator came and took Barbie Lynn away. I waved Vivian to the stairwell, held the door for her, and together we went down. "What are we going to do?" I broke the insufferable silence. "What do you mean?" Vivian evaded. "Damn it!" I snapped. Since I stopped moving, Vivian decided to stop too. "Yes?" she looked to me with what I was learning to read was a disarming friendliness. "I want to make you happy but I don't want to change, Vivian," I grumbled. "So, what are we going to do?" "How much of your time and energy are you willing to devote to Christ?" she countered. I had to think that over. Monday was no good; it was Recovery night. Tuesday was 'make it up to the girls' night. Wednesday was Specialty Night, Thursday, that was no good; it was Orgy Night. Friday was first date night, Saturday was SYFY/Party night and Sunday was second-date night. "I am on a committee at Church on Wednesday nights and I go to both Sunday school and Church service on Sundays," I offered. "Isn't that enough religious stuff?" "Zane, do you have sex at Church?" Vivian pierced me with her eyes. I was so boned because while I was preparing some sort of verbal obfuscation, Vivian sighed and looked down at the stairs. "Why do I even bother?" she moaned with despair. She looked up at me, clearly in pain, "It is a Church, Zane. Doesn't that mean anything to you? Because it definitely means something to me." "Vivian, it is a building, made of stained glass, brick, stone, and lumber," I responded heatedly, "and I don't need any of those to be in God's presence." "It was sex in a church," Vivian nearly screamed. "Come on, now, do you respect anything at all?" "You are right, I don't respect a building simply because someone declares it to be holy. I don't recall my vote being consulted. I don't respect people who bully with scripture but won't study the original Greek and Latin texts it was written in to learn what was really said. I don't respect anyone who refuses to think for themselves and listens to some two-bit liar like Pastor William." "He is your pastor," Vivian growled back. "He deserves, " "Nothing," I snapped. "He's an adulterer, and I've seen it with my own two eyes so don't you dare lecture me on him. If you defend him, it is only because you don't know shit about him." Vivian glared at me but I could see she was trying to see if I was making stuff up. "I respect you, Vivian, and that's no lie," I continued. "Since our fight I haven't a clue what to do with you but I have respected you. You believe in give and take; you believe in consequences and redemption. The only other person I've met like you is Iona. I trust Iona with more than my life; I trust her with Rio's." "Right now you are pissing the hell out of me, but that doesn't change the fact that I trust you and respect you," I added. "I don't need someone with spiritual authority to tell me what to do; my heart does that for me." "Zane, it is the constant sex," Vivian groaned. "I thought I could take it but it never seems to slow down with you." I had to think that over. "Vivian, you can't confuse love and sex," I insisted. "You are in love with your boyfriend and you two have been through some rough patches and survived. Sex without passion is masturbation, Vivian. If you are ever tempted, fall back on your love for that man because when you love something, there is nothing you will let stand in your way." I could see the turn in the argument defused some of Vivian's wrath and sent her mind down different pathways. "Okay, then why is it okay for you to have sex without love?" Vivian said as we resumed our progress downstairs. "I love in different ways, Vivian. I love Iona and Rio as best friends, there is nothing I wouldn't do for them. I love Heaven and Paige because they do for me things that make me want to do for them right back. I love Brandi and Opal because they are fun and they give me the space to be me. I love Barbie Lynn, well, just because it feels natural and right. Christina, Christina, I will always love without cause or reason. I love her," I related. "If Christina asked you to stop seeing all those other women, would you?" Vivian asked with a glimmer of hope. "I don't know. Our pseudo-agreement lets me have my college years to go wild before I give it all up to be a good husband and father," I replied. "Are you thinking of going to Christina and asking for her help with me?" "Yes. Yes, I am," Vivian told me. "The only problem with that plan is that it requires Christina to declare her feelings toward me and make a commitment about what she wants to do with me," I pointed out. "Good luck with that." We hit the bottom of the stairs at a run and raced through the halls and doors on our way to the Dining Hall. We found Christina and company waiting outside for us when we got there. Christian handed a thick envelope over, my bribe to Deacon of the Warlord's motorcycle gang. "Heaven, date night Sunday? I've found a theater playing Hugo," I asked my fox-faced girl. "What? You think you can ask me out on Friday for a date on Sunday? What kind of girl do you think I am?" she growled. "Heaven, you weren't here for most of the week, and you have to admit the world had gone crazy. Come on, Babe," I pleaded. "I'll have to think about it," Heaven grumbled. Behind her back all her other friends were stifling their grins. All those grins fell behind impassive masks when Heaven turned around facing them and stomped back and forth. "What's the problem, Heaven?" Hope asked. "Barbie Lynn comes skipping across the yard from her dorm with a smile that outshines the Sun, Heaven began. "She said she's been doing intensive physical therapy," Christina interrupted. Yay! I've graduated to being considered exercise equipment. "Harrumph," Heaven grunted. "How come his hair is wet? Besides, he's taking another girl home for the weekend." "It's Iona," Chastity explained. "Think about how wound up he's going to be by Sunday evening, because you know he's not going to do anything Iona's uncomfortable with." "Yes," added Faith, "he'll be ready to knock 'em out of the ballpark after a whole weekend of physical denial. Maybe you shouldn't go out with him; he's probably going to be pretty fierce." Heaven glared at all her friends before turning on me. "Fine, I'll go out with you, but if I can still walk by curfew, you had better know I'm going to make next week hell for you. Are we clear?" Heaven threatened. "Is that all Zane is to you, a sexual release valve?" Vivian gasped before I could answer Heaven. "You are making light of a serious moral struggle for him." "Vivian, Zane was the first man to tell me he loved me and I've believed," Christina said. "He saved me from a fight and academic troubles by putting his body on the line," Chastity added. "Me too," continued Hope. "He pretty much saved my life," Faith chimed in, which oddly twisted back to ruining her life with Christina and company when I exposed her as the Chancellor's spy. Maybe the girls had made up somehow. "He's put up with more of my crap than I care to get into. He loves me for who I am, and he's my lover and boyfriend," Heaven clarified. "If you spent one night with Zane making love, you would know I'm more of an addict than anything else. It is just that I get, grumpy when he's not around every minute of every day." Everyone's eyes sort of gravitated toward me. "You are all great women but I have to go to class," I grinned, then took off. Vivian raced to catch up with me. "Do you have commitment issues?" she panted beside me. "No. I was getting hard. All that feminine compassion directed my way was getting me sexually aroused and they were all staring at my crotch," I explained. "I figured running away was the best resolution for what was coming down the pipeline." "Have you ever considered chemical castration?" Vivian asked. WHAT? The last quarter of the school day went rather well, considering I had to juggle balls once between classs. (Apparently I resemble a dancing bear or something.) My second chore required me to bounce a soccer ball on my knees for a trip to the soccer field. Considering some of the crap I've had to do here, I almost volunteered to do it walking backwards. Karate started out so surprisingly normal (not my normal, but normal-normal), I should have known better. We had barely finished warming up and stretching when Gabrielle Black walked into the room. She stood against the far wall poised for our dispersal into teams. When first team knelt and waited for Coach Gorman's instructions for today, Gabrielle made her approach. "Coach Gorman, we seem to have had some difficulty connecting so I decided this would be the best place to meet," Gabrielle said in a deceptively upbeat manner. "I'm teaching a class," Gorman replied deadpan. "I teach several classes. I guess that makes me a teacher. In fact, I'm teaching right now, get lost." "I'd rather not." Gabrielle gave her deadliest smile. "Care to make me?" They really need to start psychological testing of the staff at FFU, or at least stop giving them daily doses of testosterone. "Since reason and rationality have clearly avoided you like the plague," Gorman growled, "why don't you tell me what you have in mind?" "A little sparing match," Gabrielle suggested. "So you really need to see if you can kick my ass, or is it just that you have to be Alpha bitch?" Gorman countered. Several of the more religious-minded students gasped, but they didn't realize this wasn't a game. Someone needed to do something, and of course it had to be me. I didn't very well have the time to overdose Rio with caffeine and throw her at Gabrielle. Besides, I am sure that's a war crime. "Me first!" I declared as I broke free of my second-team circle and walked toward the two adults. This was the point where I expected one or both of the women to tell me to ass out, mind my own business, I'm stupid, or something. Gabrielle stepped back and stripped off her jacket and slipped off each boot. I figured that since I was about to die, I'd best get rid of my gi; that way they'd have something to drape over my lifeless eyes. "Zane, what are you doing?" Cappadocia belatedly hissed at me. "Eh, you know, sometimes a woman has to be put in her place," I joked. It wasn't like Gabrielle was going to take it easy on me in the first place. Several girls laughed at what they were sure was levity on my part. You see, I was about to become a legend. Unfortunately, it was the legend of Don Quixote, damn fucking windmills dressed in tight black form-fitting outfits. To the credit of my limited intellect, I approached this fight with a totally different philosophy than any I'd faced before. I discarded every tenet of Thai kick-boxing (except the one that says never do anything that will make the lady-boys mock you). I went completely defensive, abandoning any hope of striking Gabrielle. I figured if such an opportunity presented itself, it would only be a trap. It took Gabrielle about two seconds to unravel my master plan, then she was on me like a fart in an airplane bathroom, choking the life out of you with nowhere to run. Because I am such a badass, it took Gabrielle eight more seconds to land a telling blow. I staggered back but instead of coming at me, she shifted to my side. Since I had my arms up to defend my head, she was slipping out of my field of vision. There was an added bonus; I discovered I couldn't hear her move over the mats. I somersaulted in the other direction which bought me a few more seconds, but I never regained my feet. Once more she opted to shift to my flank than come head-on. A man on his knees cannot out-turn a woman on her feet. I caught her knee in my shoulder, propelling me face-first into the mat. I tried to turn with the blow so I could keep eyes on her. Gabrielle slammed into my shoulder blade and I slapped the mat hard. I pressed up with my arms but Gabrielle was on my back so fast I might as well have been standing still. For a second our legs struggled as she tried to put me into a leg lock. Then her body rolled over on me and drove three fingers into my spine right above the coccyx. Blinding pain exploded over my body and I screamed. I wasn't paralyzed but I didn't need to be; I was in too much God-damn pain. Gabrielle's body was tight against my back. One hand cupped my chin and the other was placed on the back of my skull. She gave my head a quarter-twist. "You are dead," she whispered. Technically, she would have merely snapped my spine at the base of my skull. My cells would have struggled on for a few more minutes but that hardly seemed to be the point. Gabrielle stood up within inches of me and gave me an emotionless, pitiless stare. "Did you get what you wanted?" she asked softly. "We'll see," I grunted, then rolled onto my back. "Did you put me in my place?" she queried next. I had to chuckle, then I had to choke back on the pain. "Oh, yeah, we are perfectly placed." Seeing her brows crowd together in displeasure, I added with a pained gasp, "You've clearly never stood on a mirror and looked up at your cleavage the way I am now." Gabrielle reached down and touched my wrist before letting her fingers work up to my elbow. She pulled me up quite rapidly and gave me a soulless, piercing gaze. "You are insane," Gabrielle noted. That wasn't said as a joke or a condemnation. She said it as if she was recognizing a kindred spirit. When you are ten years old, being best friends with an assassin sounds pretty cool. Most of us grow out of that. After all, being buddies with a person who has a casual disregard for human life might come back to haunt you if they ever decide you are an encumbrance they can do without. "When I beat you, can I draw a smiley face on your forehead?" I blurted out. Why did I say those things? Maybe it was a brain tumor, or maybe Gabrielle was right and I am insane. Maybe my buddy Don Quixote was telling me the windmill is still standing. "What do I get when I beat you, again?" she inquired. "I've developed an inside track on some authentic saltwater taffy," I shrugged. Gabrielle didn't seem very impressed. "I could feel honor-bound to jump on the next grenade thrown your way?" "I'll think of something when the time comes," Gabrielle informed me. Turning to Gorman, she said, "Are you ready?" "I'd like a, Wilhelmina started to say as she stood. Dana put a hand on Willy's shoulder and shook her head. "I've got this," Coach said. She stood up and discarded her gi, depending on your point of view, she was fortunately/unfortunately wearing a white sports bra. Wait! Am I in chest-to-chest proximity with Gabrielle while scoping out Dana? Was I dropped on my head repeatedly as a child? Maybe I should hunt down my former nanny and ask her. "Let's make Zane's idiocy, Dana continued telling Captain Willy, ", worth more than the beating he took." Gorman stripped off her pants, revealing white biker shorts. It was very cinematic; Gorman in white and Black in black. Sadly, I believed White needed some serious Divine intervention to win this showdown. "Zane," Gabrielle requested my attention with that deathly quiet voice of hers. I must have looked pretty scared because she almost smiled at me. "You can let go of my hand now." Jumping back felt like a surefire way to test her killer instinct so I let go of her hand and backed away slowly and carefully. Only after I gave us some space did I contemplate the trust she'd put in me, allowing anyone to be that close outside of combat. I was walking past Dana when she grabbed my shoulder, stopping my progress. She pointed me to the spot on the floor she had just vacated. Wow, I had my ass kicked and still made First Team. I moved over to my new place in the hierarchy and thanked Dana in the only way I knew how. "Does this mean you are going to sit on my lap when you get back?" I said with a voice as sincere as I was serious. "Zane," Coach Gorman said over her shoulder. She was keeping her eyes on Gabrielle, "when I get back, I am giving grave consideration to having a general melee, and I'm placing a bounty on your head if we do. You will have all weekend to recover." A general melee sounded a whole lot like a 'beat up the new guy' kind of thing, and I had planned on devoting my weekend to Iona. Further banter was ended by Black and Gorman facing off. Willie gave the 'Go' and things went John Wu-crazy. My bright shining moment was delivered right off the bat. Gorman went fullout, denying Gabrielle the ability to control the maneuvering in the fight the way she'd controlled me. My beating hadn't been in vain; Gabrielle undoubtedly knew Gorman's fighting style but Dana knew nothing of hers. My body had bought Dana what little insight Gabrielle had been willing to give up. After all, Gabrielle knew my game from the moment I'd thrown out my challenge. Still, she had to beat me up to get at Dana. I could take on most members of the first team and, as Dana constantly reminds the world, I can take a beating, which meant I was the body for the job. I've fought Gorman on several occasions and she's damn impressive. Gabrielle was doing crap I'd never seen before and I wasn't even sure was humanly possible. I swear, if she'd turned into a Terminator, I couldn't have been more surprised. Dana's fighting prowess only went up in my estimation because she wasn't impaled on Gabrielle's fist in the first thirty seconds. It wasn't a misstep that screwed up Dana's game plan; her mistake was predictability. One second she was pushing Gabrielle back and the next she was on the floor, struggling to keep Gabrielle from establishing a chokehold. For a second I contemplated grabbing up Cappy and Willy, then rushing Gabrielle. After all, it would have been a shame for Dana to die alone. It would also seriously curtail my desire for an open-casket funeral but hey, Dana is almost a friend. Dana wasn't finished yet. Unknown to me, she has the ability to dislocate and relocate her shoulder. No one in the class wanted to consider how painful that had to be. The loud popping noise was enough to make us decide to miss dinner. Dana got an elbow and fist in before they separated. They went at it again, but this time, it was harder on Dana. I could feel that her confidence was shaken now that she had a clearer measure of Gabrielle's strengths and weaknesses. Gabrielle remained a steadfast cypher. If Dana was turning out to be a tougher opponent to crack than she'd expected, Gabrielle wasn't showing it. What she was doing was exhibiting the iron stamina of a triathlete. Dana wasn't fighting for air but I didn't see Gabrielle even breaking a sweat yet. Had I been Dana, this would have been the time I started crying out to a vengeful God for forgiveness. Dana didn't do that. Instead, digging down to her dogged determination and fighting on, her game, her gamble, was for Gabrielle to screw up somehow and take advantage of it. She had to hope that something came up before her endurance failed. And in the fourth minute of the fight, it happened. Of course it was a trap. I couldn't blame Dana for risking it because fighting hard, non-stop, for over four minutes is its own form of torture. Gabrielle caught Dana's leg, swept the other one out from under our Coach, then finished up with driving an elbow into her hip as they hit the mat. There is fast, unbelievably fast, a weasel on speed, and then Gabrielle, and if you gave a weasel enough speed to keep up with Gabby, the weasel would explode first. Dana is fast, but I'm faster and I know I didn't have a prayer of blocking Gabrielle at this point in their fight. The blow to Gorman's hip seemed to have temporarily paralyzed that leg. Without the leg, her torso below the ribcage was fatally exposed. Getting repeatedly punched in the stomach sucked. Sadly, Dana thought the same thing and totally missed Gabrielle flipping her over onto her stomach. Gabrielle came down with a palm to the center of Dana's spine. It had to hurt, but I had little doubt that if Gabby had used her fist, the spine would have been broken. "We are done here," Gabrielle announced calmly as she rose to her feet. No one said a word until Dana stirred on the ground. With varying degrees of speed, the first team swarmed over Dana. I alone approached Gabrielle. After she finished dressing and stood, she acknowledged my presence. "Did you learn what you wanted to know?" I asked. "Yes," she stated, once more into her emotionless mode. "Then you asked the wrong question." I drilled her with a combination of bravery and anger. Gabrielle walked away without acknowledging my statement. She got to the door and stopped before exiting through the door. "What do you think I should have asked?" she said with a vapor of condescension. "You should have asked us if we can help," I told her. Maybe I'm na ve, but I'm sure she's facing her past alone. Purity is a paradox; we are awed by it yet we are repulsed by it as well. Vivian was terribly subdued as she walked me back to the dorm. It was the two of us because my Handmaiden mistress was Erica, a second-team Karate classmate. She'd given me a rain check due to the trauma we had all just been through during class. "You can use my room this weekend if you like," I broached the silence. "I'll ask Rio and Mercy to be somewhere else and Barbie Lynn can stay with you." "I don't want to sleep with Barbie Lynn, Zane," Vivian replied. "I want to sleep in my own bed." "That's bull- , I decided saying "shit", while a minor infraction, wouldn't do my argument any good. "You know Barbie Lynn to be kind-hearted and decent. She's not going to molest you. You two will be totally platonic." "I don't know what to think," she replied. "I never thought Barbie Lynn would be the one to have sex outside of marriage." "I knew she was flirty but that was it," she continued. "Now, now she's moved into your room and is having sex with you as if you were a married couple." She sighed. "Fine, not like a 'normal' married couple so we don't need to go there." Ah, no mention of anal sex I see. "Vivian, I don't like to talk about my relationships with other women but I think Barbie Lynn would understand," I tried to explain. "There was no seduction between us, we collided. I showed up at FFU pretty depressed. I'd spent a long month with my Aunt trying to adjust to America and a place and lifestyle I didn't know." "My Aunt and I fought a lot and that Sunday Pastor Bill and his buddies tried to shake me down for my inheritance. I had the feeling that is why they wanted Aunt Jill in their church, and after all the crap Jill had been through, I felt that sucked," I said. "I'm in my room, sad and pissed off, then Barbie Lynn Masters comes soaring into my life." "She thought I was 'Glenda's' brother, I told her my name was Zane, and next thing I knew we were all over one another. She gave me a blowjob and I gave her multiple orgasms and we parted ways. She thought she might see me once a month and I had no idea this was a girl's college. You are aware of the humiliation that followed," I concluded. "Zane, that explains nothing," Vivian observed. "Okay, I could have been clearer," I admitted. "What I was trying to say is that Barbie Lynn didn't change. I allowed her to do what she wanted to do with a guy all along. She is still the same woman who goes after life full of enthusiasm, who likes to work with kids, teaching Sunday school and going to church." "And you want me to sleep with her when I've avoided the pleasure for the past three years?" Vivian refused to give in. "I'd want you to sleep with Iona if she wasn't already heading out with me. I have a few others I could ask but that would be awkward. I like Opal and Brandi but I also know they'd hit on you if given half a chance," I outlined. "I can sleep alone, Zane," Vivian stated. "I know that, but do you want to?" I asked. Vivian didn't immediately reply. "You climbed into bed with me and some of the ladies, Vivian. There is a certain quality provided by a sleeping companion that you enjoy. You wanted it enough to put some faith in me and Barbie Lynn last night," I added. "Zane, why are you making a big deal about this?" Vivian inquired. "Your happiness matters to me," I answered. Vivian and I walked into the dorm and into the elevator before she spoke. "Coach Gorman warned me about this," Vivian groaned. "Do you realize how much easier my life would be if you grabbed my breast or something like that?" "Is that an invitation?" I perked up. "No," she stated decisively. Her glare emphasized the point. "I mean my job keeping the Devil in line would be easier if he wasn't constantly giving me my favorite cupcakes." "What's your favorite cupcake?" I grinned. "Behave yourself," she sighed, somewhat amused and somewhat exasperated. "Yes, ma'am," I nodded. "That's a good boy," Vivian acknowledged. "When I'm a good boy Heaven gives me a ginger cookie," I prodded. "We are Not going to go there," Vivian declared authoritatively, and that was that. I thought I would have to stop by and pick up Iona Beckett on my way out. I was obviously forgetting I was dealing with the most organized person I'd ever met. I know Iona looks after all her own affairs and most of mine, plus I suspect she keeps an eye out for Rio as well. She was waiting in the main area of my 'room' when Vivian and I arrived, her overnight bag beside her. I gave her a kiss and hurried to my room, where someone had already packed a weekend worth of stuff for me. I do not deserve one tenth of the affection aimed my way. Being hung by my toes from a ceiling fan is a small price to pay for what I receive. Still, I make a note to avoid girls with bizarre foot fetishes while in close proximity to ceiling fans, my life is pretty freaking weird enough already. I gathered my stuff, gathered up Iona, and made my good-byes. Brandi was kind enough to snuggle up to my back, reach around and pinch my nipples. It was playful, not painful, so I didn't mind too much. Besides, I had bigger fish to fry. When I told Rio that she'd need to share another bed with Mercy for the weekend she nodded. "No problem, Bro," Rio told me. She then stepped up under the guise of hugging me good-bye and tried to nut me. She's a dangerous friend to have but since I can count her public displays of affection for me on one hand, I was ready for her. "Damn it," Rio snarled, "you can't give my room to that Jesus-freak!" By 'my room' she really meant my (Zane's) room and 'Jesus-freak' was Vivian, who was eight feet away looking at her. "It isn't going to kill you two to behave for two days, Rio," I stated. Mercy, standing right behind Rio, remained unfortunately silent on the subject. "Rio, if you two would agree to abstain until I got back, I'd be willing to let you stay, but you are the King Kong of bedroom antics and Vivian needs the space," I explained. "Fine, we'll crash at Aunt Jill's," Rio smirked. "I'm sure she can't shut the door before I get a foot in. She's far too nice to break it or kick me out." Oh yeah, I cannot begin to describe what Jill's reaction to a Mercy-Rio lesbian love-fest at 2:00 in the morning would be like. It would probably involve paramedics and a defibrillator. "Okay," I shrugged. I fished out my keys and tossed them to Rio. "Sweet!" Rio trumpeted. "We'll meet you at the car." "We are not going," I corrected Rio. "Iona and I will stay here, camp out on a sleeper-sofa, and take in some Pay-per-View. Come by and pick us up for the party around nine tomorrow night." "Your loss, Princess," Rio mocked me and walked away. Mercy loyally padded along. "I'm sorry, Iona," I said to my petite friend. "I promise I'll make it up to you." "I'm not looking for any particular place but a particular man," she smiled serenely. "Sadly, I still have a piece of business to attend to and I see the person I need to see," I said as I spotted Valerie playing a competitive game of pool versus Raven of all people. When Valerie had taken her shot I stepped up to her side. "Can I catch a ride to the Dixie Roadhouse in the next few minutes?" I whispered. "Sure. Wait,  are you expecting me to hang around when you go inside?" Val smirked. "I've already gone a round with Gabrielle Black today so I don't feel I deserve a second ass-whooping. I'd appreciate you sticking around at least until the gunfire starts," I chuckled. "Fine, I'll stay, but you'll owe me one," Valerie smiled. "By the way, how tough is Gabrielle?" "I'll let you know when my concussion fades," I responded. "That good, huh?" Valerie persisted. "In less than thirty seconds she snapped my neck. It took her less than five minutes to break Dana's back after that, and right there at the end I swore I saw a lone bead of sweat on Gabrielle's brow," I related. "Just so we are clear; if I ever see her chasing your ass down like Gorman did that day, you are on your own," Valerie snorted. "I thought you were a bad-ass," I taunted her. I really didn't want her fighting Ms. Black on my behalf. "Granddad is a bad-ass; I'm a teenage girl who is good with bikes and can handle myself in a brawl but I'm not a true bad-ass. What I am is smart enough to not attempt the craziness that is your life," she huffed. "Being smarter than me is hardly an accomplishment to be proud of," I jibbed back. Raven, who had been pretending to not be eavesdropping, made this choking sound at that comment. "Let me finish Raven off and I'll take you there," Valerie said. "Valerie, she's killing you," I noted. "I like a challenge," Valerie countered. She must because Raven only had one ball left to sink while Valerie had four. Less than a minute later Raven sent Valerie and I heading for the stairs. Iona gave me a slight nod and grin. Rio came storming up at us half-way down. "You motherfucker," she snarled. "Problems?" I replied cautiously. "Mercy said she wasn't going with me," Rio growled. "What did you do?" I asked. "I slapped the bitch," Rio retorted. I could tell that pissed Valerie off; I wasn't too happy either. "You put her up to this, didn't you?" "I certainly did. I told her that she was going to have to step up instead of taking advantage of you all the time," I explained. "Did it hurt?" Rio knew I wasn't talking about Mercy's pain. "Yes," she rumbled. "If I can't trust her, I can't use her." "Whatever you decide to do, I'll live with," I shrugged. "I hope you know how hard it was for her to do what she did." Thankfully, Valerie was far more controlled than Rio and judged the conversation to be too delicate for her input. "Mercy is my deal, Zane. She's my responsibility and I'll take care of her without your interference," Rio stated aggressively. "It doesn't work that way. People aren't one dimensional and you can't expect to help people and not have them change," I countered. "You changed Mercy, for the better, and that includes her desire to take up some of the responsibility you've borne onto her shoulders. And the only reason for her to do that is, you annoy her so much." "Yeah," Rio finally deflated, "she was looking pretty miserable." "Buddies take your pizza; friends take your pain, Rio. Get used to the fact that there are three of us standing beside you when you need us," I reminded her. "I wasn't asking for anyone's help," Rio insisted. "In that case, get in Zane's car and take a trip. When the cops finally pull you over you will have three years friend-free in prison," Valerie now interjected. "Ha!" Rio snorted. "That's no good. Zane already promised to break me out if I get sent away." "Zane," groaned Valerie, "do you have even a passing acquaintance with common sense?" "I get a lot of that," I answered. "What now, Rio?" "I go back to my room," she sighed, "apologize to Mercy, then come back upstairs and work out a deal with Vivian for use of your room." "No tying them up and gagging Vivian and Barbie Lynn in their sleep," I cautioned Rio. "Fuck you," Rio muttered darkly. "Fuck you and your mind-reading ability. Fine, I'll be good, okay, I'll be as good as I can be." With that, Rio tossed me back my keys and then bounded downstairs and out the door. "I swear to God I would have tossed her out a window by now, if I were you," Valerie snorted. "Umm, she grows on you, kind of like a tapeworm," I chuckled. "I think my invitation to catch a bullet has been voided now that you have your keys back," Valerie noted. "I'll catch you tomorrow night." "Sure thing, but I may need you for that 'thing' if I can set up a meeting," I replied. That thing was meeting up with a possible undercover officer which held the possibility of being a real disaster. Valerie was being kind enough to ignore her instincts, and her advice to me, by helping me out. Valerie shook her head in skeptical amusement at my poor decision-making before we walked back upstairs. That bit of drama over, I swooped in, picked up Iona (figuratively) and escaped my room before anyone else could intervene. I thought we were doing quite well until I spotted someone sitting on the hood of my car, with a suitcase. "Hey, Paige, what's up?" I inquired with a good deal of exasperation. It was kind of stupid, actually. I knew exactly what she was doing here; I hadn't invited her and I didn't want her coming along on Iona's weekend. "I thought I'd let you spend the weekend with me," Paige smiled smugly. A light breeze tossed her alabaster hair across her translucent albino features. "You are late, by the way." "No, Paige, this is Iona's, I started to say. "It would be wonderful spending the weekend with you, Paige," Iona stepped up and hugged her. "It will be so great; their house is huge, Aunt Jill is so kind, and there is the sorority right next door." "Okay, Paige, you can come along, but this is a no sex weekend. Are we clear?" I warned her. "We'll see," Paige smirked. "I plan to sleep both nights in his bed, completely naked and rubbing against him," Iona beamed. "He'll crack," Paige wagered. "No, he won't. I trust him," Iona pledged. Paige appraised me for a second. "Okay, I'm game. We'll see if we can break him," Paige allowed. I once joked with some Kappa Sigmas about joining a monastery. I'm being driven to reconsider that option. After that exchange I was happy enough to make it to my home in one piece. I'd have been happier if there wasn't a police car in the driveway. I was walking onto the porch when my ladies spoke up. "Zane, why would the police be here?" Iona worried. "Zane, if they arrest you and I then attack them, will they let us share a cell?" Paige mused. "Iona, I have a few ideas and none of them are good," I responded. "Paige, they don't house men and women together, but I can probably smuggle a message to your side and tell all the lesbians what a screamer you are." Iona didn't get to question and Paige didn't get pick on me before I opened the door and went inside. "Hey, Aunt Jill," I called out, "I'm home and I've brought Iona Beckett and Paige Zeller with me." We had already talked over Iona's stay with Jill; Paige would be a whole new series of complicated hurdles. "Zane," Aunt Jill greeted me heartily. She was coming off her lounger while Officer Danica Campbell rose from the sofa and gave me a measured look. "This is Officer Campbell of the Lancaster Police and she has an official criminal matter to discuss with you," Jill finished in a worried tone. "Mr. Braxton, if I could have a word with you on the porch," Danica put forth the question that wasn't really a request. "Of course, officer," I responded. "Ladies, could you please hang out here with Aunt Jill for a few minutes and I should be back as soon as possible." I walked back to the porch. When Danica passed me, I shut the door and we turned to face one another. "Zane," Danica smiled. "Hey, it is good to see you, Officer Danica Campbell, but I have a feeling this isn't a social call," I sighed. "You are correct. There was an incident at the Dixie Roadhouse last night and your name came up during the inquiry. The Sheriff's Department contacted the PD and I decided that it would be more discrete that I meet you at your home as opposed to on campus," Danica related. "What can you tell me about the Dixie Roadhouse?" "I went there with a few buddies, got into a fight, and beat a Warlord named Big Ted into unconsciousness," I informed Danica. "What do you know about a guy named Peter 'Deacon' Baker?" Danica asked. "He's like a big deal with the local chapter but I don't actually know the guy," I replied. She studied me for a moment then appeared to accept me at my word. "This is a different crop of girls," she said with smirk. "Yes, they are friends of mine. Iona is a best bud and Paige is, Paige. She's very smart but very hard to get along with at times too," I explained. "How is your other friend?" She tried to sound casual. "I was curious if she'd be here tonight." "I'll tell her that," I grinned. "It will make her week when she hears you've asked about her. She still thinks you are very special." "She's quite a handful," she grinned back. "Not that I'm complaining. I can hardly get over the sensation of her nipples on my back as she drove into me." Heaven was going to love that, I was sure. Her eyes wandered northward to the adjoining property. "More girls?" I followed her gaze to see three Kappa Sigmas coming through the tree-line. "Those are some Kappa Sigma sorority sisters, friends of mine. They are cool," I told her. "Uh-huh," she sounded skeptical. "There has to be a story behind that that statement, I'm willing to bet." She pulled out a business card from her breast pocket. "Here's my card, in case something regarding the case occurs to you, or whatever." The girls were almost on us so I had to whisper. "You aren't, like, married, or divorced from somebody with violent tendencies, are you?" I inquired softly. "No," she chuckled, "and cause for you asking that question has to be yet another interesting story, I'll bet. Maybe you can tell me about it if we get together." "Mr. Braxton," she said a bit louder as she took a half-step back from me, "have a good weekend and try to stay out of trouble." "I'll do my best, Officer Campbell," I responded. "Ladies," she made a passing recognition of the Kappa Sigs as she left the porch and headed for the car. Only when Danica's cruiser pulled onto the road did the Kappas speak. "Hey, Zane," Leigh spoke up first, "isn't that the speed trap lady?" "Yeah, she's nailed me before," I admitted, and immediately regretted my choice of words. "Really?" Paris prodded me. "Isn't she a bit old for you?" "No, speed trap, she pulled me over but I got off with a warning ticket," I back-pedaled. "So, she got you off," Ferrara skewered me. "Which of her orifices was required for that?" "Aarrrggh," I cried heavenward. "Fine, Iona and Paige Keller are inside. Together with Jill, they will be making dinner for those of us who care to share our table. I have to go a bar and pay off a biker gang chieftain before he hunts me down and kills me." "Can we come along?" Leigh smiled. "We don't want to fight or anything like that, but I'd like to get some video of it, in case something fun happens." "That's right," Ferrara joked. "Something like him being beaten up, shot, stabbed, or killed. Leigh, Zane has sustained two beatings on our behalf. Let's not go for a third time before the month's out." "He didn't take a beating in the second fight," Paris corrected her sister. She was right; in the fight at the mall my opponents hadn't landed a blow. "I heard he was pretty roughly abused when he went to jail over that," Ferrara gave me a knowing smile. "All that conjecture is fascinating, ladies, but I do have a guy to pay off so go inside, make yourself at home, and I'll be back soon," I announced. I kissed each sister; Ferrara on the cheek, Paris on the lips, and Leigh with a tonsillectomy. I double-timed it to my car and didn't look back. The Fading Light And The Lord Mafia. I made it to the Dixie Roadhouse five minutes late. There were only fifteen bikes parked out front so I figured that if something went wrong I'd only be kinda dead, as opposed to the totally dead, killed in five or more fashions. There were three biker babes outside the door, drinking beers and talking; one was thankfully Willa. I made sure I had the money before disembarking from my car and heading in. "Hi there, Zane," Willa greeted me. I recalled that Belle would be working at the bar near UV campus tonight and tomorrow. "Hey, Willa, Katt, and Janet," I grinned. "Willa, if I get out of this, can I have a moment of your time when I get back?" "Sure," Willa seemed curious. "I would like to talk to you too." That was a bit odd but okay. When I entered the Dixie Roadhouse it took me a moment for my eyes to adjust but I knew where Deacon's table was from my last visit. Deacon was there with two of his associates, all in similar states of disrepair. My first thought was: What in the hell happened to them? The second was: Wow, they let someone in a half-body cast out of the hospital rather quickly these days. It looked like a herd of water buffalo had worked out the dance routine from that prison scene in the play Chicago, he had it coming, all over their bodies. None of his infirmities kept Deacon from glaring with horrible malevolence at me as I approached. "Here is your five thousand dollars," I stated as I lay the envelope on the table. None of them made a move on the money and I began to worry. Then I took in the full effects of their injuries and I figured out that not one of the three could reach over and get it. I opted to push the money across the table to the closest cripple. One of the guys managed, with some pain, to pick up the envelope and count the money. "It is all here," the guy mumbled to Deacon. I could see in Deacon's eyes that his hate for me was far from quenched but I didn't know why. It wasn't like I came back and kicked his ass, oh fuck, maybe I had. "I'll be going, then," I said as I backed up four steps. "I hope you feel better next time we meet." With that, I rapidly evacuated myself from the building. I found myself de-stressing next to Willa outside. "So, who in the hell fucked up Deacon and his buddies that bad?" I inquired. "Some people were hoping you could tell us," Willa prodded. "It wasn't me if that is what you are worried about," I assured her. "Tell me what happened." "From what little we've been told or been able to figure out, Deacon and his two senior officers stepped out to their rides around 11:30 last night when they got jumped," Willa related. "Then it gets weird, weirder," Katt continued. "Their attackers dragged them thirty yards over to the electrical shed," she pointed. That way no one could see them from the bar. "Then they proceeded to beat the ever-living hell out of them," Janet concluded, then took a swig of beer. I had to think about that for a moment. "Didn't they see who did it?" I questioned. "Blackbeard and Booth (who I assumed were the other two broken bikers) were knocked out before they saw anything and Deacon hasn't related what he saw, his jaw is wired shut because it's been broken in four places," Willa tried and failed to hide her grin. I had to think about that for a second; Deacon's jaw looked like it was carved out of granite. "Ladies (an affectation they found amusing), if Deacon and his two buddies had gotten into a fight outside the Roadhouse, wouldn't the rest of you come running, and wouldn't they have called out if they saw a gang of guys they didn't know coming toward them?" I ruminated. "That makes sense," Katt confirmed, "but what does that mean?" "One person," I muttered; "one really, really skilled person." "No way," Janet shook her head. "I can and have one-punched a person and I'm only so good," I countered. "I would have figured out which bike was Deacon's, picked the third one closer to the door to hide behind. After that, when he passed by me, I would come around the bike at a crouch-run and kick the closest target where the ear and jaw meet. If I do it right his brain beats around inside his skull a few times and it's lights out," I explained. "It looks like you've given this some thought," Willa observed. "No; the move is standard kick-boxing and the tactics are the usual for ambushing a dangerous animal. If you come at it head-on, you might still win but the price is much higher. Deacon and the other two talking in a place they felt safe was the 'distraction' for the ambush," I explained. "Oh," Willa contemplated the scenario. I could see her eyes walk over the parking lot as she considered the events playing out. "Of course, that still leaves you facing two opponents, right around six feet and 220 to 240 who are adept at violence," I pointed out. "If you could hit the second guy the same way fast enough and somehow render the last one incapable of speech, Willa concluded. "You would have to be insanely fast and if someone was that good, what would they be doing at a biker bar in Lancaster, Virginia?" "Don't you know? This is the destination of choice for all international assassins on the run?" I joked. "Willa, can I have that moment now?" She shrugged, grinned, and walked with me to my car. It was refreshing to be side-by-side with a woman not interested in jumping my bones. If she'd been a lesbian instead of what she was, it would have been perfect. "You are too young for me, Zane," Willa headed me off. "Cool," I answered, which was not what she expected. "I need to talk with you a bit but not here. I don't want to risk anyone else listening in." Now Willa appeared to be curious. "Okay. The abandoned roadside motel on Chandler Road, 2:00 pm tomorrow," she responded. "Thanks, Willa. And also, do you know where I can get some fake ID's?" I asked as I got into my car. "I'll see what I can dig up," Willa smirked. She rejoined her buddies on the porch and was chatting away as I took off for home. I knew that my ordeal for this evening was far from over. There still was the hurdle of finding a place for Paige to sleep and making sure she stayed in the room Jill and I agreed on. The struggle with Jill over Rio had been epic enough; I certainly didn't expect the sounds of women's laughter and modern music to be the first thing I heard when I stepped out of my ride. Mind you, Jill thought Rio still had moral fiber. If I told Rio she had even a single moral fiber left she'd span Heaven and Earth hunting the mythical beast down a la King Pellinore. On the plus side, Aunt Jill knew nothing of Paige so I could play up that angle. I walked indoors to a chorus of 'hey' and 'Zane' coming from the kitchen. I strode into a flurry of dinner-prep activity. Apparently we were attempting Italian sausage ravioli, broccoli & carrots, mashed potatoes, salad, and gazpacho. Okay, I was pretty sure Jill thought ravioli was the invention of Chef Boyardee and

In this episode, Saranne shares her personal experience with pets and cancer. She discusses the benefits of pet therapy during treatment, including improved physical and mental health. Saranne also emphasizes the importance of having a backup plan for pet care when you are feeling unwell. Join her as she explores the positive impact that pets can have on our well-being and shares heartwarming stories of her own furry companions.2025 People's Choice Podcast Awards Finalist Ranked the Top 5 Best Cancer Podcasts by CancerCare News in 2024 & 2025, and #1 Rated Cancer Survivor Podcast by FeedSpot in 2024 Beating Cancer Daily is listened to in over 130 countries across 7 continents and features over 390 original daily episodes hosted by Stage IV survivor  Saranne Rothberg.   To learn more about Host Saranne Rothberg and The ComedyCures Foundation:https://www.comedycures.org/ To write to Saranne or a guest:https://www.comedycures.org/contact-8 To record a message to Saranne or a guest:https://www.speakpipe.com/BCD_Comments_Suggestions To sign up for the free Health Builder Series live on Zoom with Saranne and Jacqui, go to The ComedyCures Foundation's homepage:https://www.comedycures.org/ Please support the creation of more original episodes of Beating Cancer Daily and other free ComedyCures Foundation programs with a tax-deductible contribution:http://bit.ly/ComedyCuresDonate THANK YOU! Please tell a friend whom we may help, and please support us with a beautiful review. Have a blessed day! Saranne 

THE BFFS ARE JOINED BY VICTORIA'S SECRET MODEL, GABI MOURA!! Gabi joins today's show to tell us everything about her journey with Victoria's Secret & PINK and share the behind the scenes of the 2025 Fashion Show! 00:00 INTRO 1:47 VICTORIA'S SECRET FASHION SHOW 36:35 HEADLINES 1:06:23 OUTRO Subscribe to the podcast now: https://barstool.link/3m4Q0Fq Support Our Sponsors: Stream Chad Powers only on Hulu. https://www.hulu.com/ Sign up to save on Uber and Uber Eats. Eligibility and member terms apply. Download the Experian® app and share it with the fam—because everyone could use a Big Financial Friend. Use code “BFF” on Rhoback.com for a generous 20% off your first order Check out the BFFs Social Media Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bffspod/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/BFFsPod TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@bffspod Follow Josh Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/joshrichards/ Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@joshrichards?lang=en Twitter: https://twitter.com/JoshRichards Follow Brianna Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/briannalapaglia/?hl=en TikTiok: https://www.tiktok.com/@briannachickenfry?lang=en Twitter: https://twitter.com/bchickenfry?lang=en Check out Barstool Sports for more: http://www.barstoolsports.comYou can find every episode of this show on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or YouTube. Prime Members can listen ad-free on Amazon Music. For more, visit barstool.link/bffspod

Brianna and Josh are back this week to dive into the biggest headlines from this past week. Josh finds out about the King Kylie era and shares his thoughts on the new Skims Bush Underwear. The BFFs discuss the end of the podcast and share what's coming up for them individually. Support Our Sponsors: Download the Gametime app and use code BFF for $20 off your first purchase. Download the Experian® app and share it with the fam—because everyone could use a Big Financial Friend. Sign up to save on Uber and Uber Eats. Eligibility and member terms apply. Stream Chad Powers only on Hulu. https://www.hulu.com/ Subscribe to the podcast now: https://barstool.link/3m4Q0Fq Check out the BFFs Social Media Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bffspod/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/BFFsPod TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@bffspod Follow Josh Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/joshrichards/ Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@joshrichards?lang=en Twitter: https://twitter.com/JoshRichards Follow Brianna Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/briannalapaglia/?hl=en TikTiok: https://www.tiktok.com/@briannachickenfry?lang=en Twitter: https://twitter.com/bchickenfry?lang=en Check out Barstool Sports for more: http://www.barstoolsports.comYou can find every episode of this show on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or YouTube. Prime Members can listen ad-free on Amazon Music. For more, visit barstool.link/bffspod

Money talk can make anyone want to hide under a blanket (or a naked sweater

The BFFs are live from Chicago. We are absolutely exhausted and delirious. We run through the biggest headlines from the week, have silly talk, and race around the Chicago office. Subscribe to the podcast now: https://barstool.link/3m4Q0Fq Support Our Sponsors: Download the Gametime app and use code BFF for $20 off your first purchase. Stream Chad Powers only on Hulu. https://www.hulu.com/ Sign up to save on Uber and Uber Eats. Eligibility and member terms apply. Check out the BFFs Social Media Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bffspod/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/BFFsPod TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@bffspod Follow Josh Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/joshrichards/ Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@joshrichards?lang=en Twitter: https://twitter.com/JoshRichards Follow Brianna Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/briannalapaglia/?hl=en TikTiok: https://www.tiktok.com/@briannachickenfry?lang=en Twitter: https://twitter.com/bchickenfry?lang=enYou can find every episode of this show on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or YouTube. Prime Members can listen ad-free on Amazon Music. For more, visit barstool.link/bffspod

Today's show is three quarters Isle of Wight, as we welcome Matt Hitt and Laura Reid, aka The Ventnor Darlings, who also happen to be BFFs with our very own Hannah George!As is always the way when you introduce a bestie to a new group, you make them tell the story that always has you in stitches, so Hannah gets Matt to do just that, and you won't be disappointed, it involves a lightning strike AND TV legend Carol Vorderman ... I KNOW!We then hear about the time our guests were all at sea with the local council and how being named and shamed backfired big time for the authorities, before the crew delve into a case very fitting for the current 'spooky season'. Finally, this week's listener crime is enough to put Taylor and Laura off their grub!See Taylor and Hannah LIVE in Autumn / Winter '25...Thurs 16th October: Museum of Comedy London Sat 15th November: Watford Palace Theatre Mon 15th December: Komedia, Brighton Don't forget DWSC now drops TWICE weekly! Episodes will be on general release every Wednesday AND Friday.BUT you can get both shows in one hit, by going to our Patreon where you can sign up for early access and get both episodes every Tuesday.As well as this, you'll get ad free eps, invites to watch our live zoom records, video of all our studio eps, bespoke shout outs and MORE! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Bob admits he likes several people more than Chris. Chris doesn't have a best friend. We've got topics coming at you faster than a Corvette on the 75 thruway.

The BFFs are live from Columbus, Ohio in front of an actual studio audience! Brianna and Josh are joined by special guest, Sketch! He breaks down his experience competing on Netflix's Inside: USA. 00:00 INTRO 8:40 SKETCH INTERVIEW 43:00 Q&A Subscribe to the podcast now: https://barstool.link/3m4Q0Fq SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS: Download the Gametime app and use code BFF for $20 off your first purchase. Sign up to save on Uber and Uber Eats. Eligibility and member terms apply. Hydrate Hard with BODYARMOR FLASH I.V. and grab yours today at your local 7-Eleven convenience store Don't miss the all-new Hulu Originals Series, Chad Powers is now streaming on Hulu and Hulu on Disney+ for bundle subscribers. Terms apply. Check out the BFFs Social Media Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bffspod/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/BFFsPod TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@bffspod Follow Josh Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/joshrichards/ Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@joshrichards?lang=en Twitter: https://twitter.com/JoshRichards Follow Brianna Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/briannalapaglia/?hl=en TikTiok: https://www.tiktok.com/@briannachickenfry?lang=en Twitter: https://twitter.com/bchickenfry?lang=en Check out Barstool Sports for more: http://www.barstoolsports.comYou can find every episode of this show on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or YouTube. Prime Members can listen ad-free on Amazon Music. For more, visit barstool.link/bffspod

Y'all…you are sick and we hope you never get well.This week we wanted to highlight some of our favorite moments from people's princess and Emmy award winning writer Guy Branum, people's princess and star of stage and Twitch stream Alice Wetterlund, and people's menace and certified snack Ronald Young, Jr. Honorable mention and pre-emptive RIP to Meagan's Emo-Meter

Host Shanera Williamson talks about how to help children develop friendships that are reciprocal and healthy. In her relaxed style, this mom of 3 daughters shares some of her own story of helping her kids recognize positive friendship traits.  In her no-nonsense approach, Shanera also helps you notice red flags that can signal toxic relationships may be brewing.  Listen in and consider how you can help your kids navigate the world of friendships.   Mentioned: Mean Girls movie   Connect with Shanera and Brown Mama Bear: Facebook, Instagram, Website   Make sure you share Brown Mama Bear with at least 3 friends so you have someone to talk with about these things.  

Brianna is back from her travels and Josh is live from Canada! The BFFs discuss the biggest headlines from this past week including: all the celebrity couple breakups, the Coachella lineup, D4vd, and much more! Subscribe to the podcast now: https://barstool.link/3m4Q0Fq Support our Sponsors: Download the Gametime app and use code BFF for $20 off your first purchase. Sign up to save on Uber and Uber Eats. Eligibility and member terms apply. Hydrate Hard with BODYARMOR FLASH I.V. and grab yours today at your local 7-Eleven convenience store Check out the BFFs Social Media Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bffspod/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/BFFsPod TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@bffspod Follow Josh Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/joshrichards/ Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@joshrichards?lang=en Twitter: https://twitter.com/JoshRichards Follow Brianna Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/briannalapaglia/?hl=en TikTiok: https://www.tiktok.com/@briannachickenfry?lang=en Twitter: https://twitter.com/bchickenfry?lang=en Check out Barstool Sports for more: http://www.barstoolsports.comYou can find every episode of this show on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or YouTube. Prime Members can listen ad-free on Amazon Music. For more, visit barstool.link/bffspod

This week on The Friend Request, Chloe Maddren welcomes back Ben Lee for his second appearance and guess what? They're BFFs now (According to Chloe). The two cover music, fame and some very questionable life advice. Topics include: The politics of Instagram’s Close Friends list Navigating jealousy in comedy and music, from hecklers to industry rivalries Taylor Swift whether or not she's a supervillain, or just the smartest CEO alive Chloe asks Ben if it was completely insane when she sung a parody song about him when they had just met and by the end of the episode, she evens the playing field Listen to more of Ben Lee on Weirder Together or see him live!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Silver Fox alert! Tori finally meets Kerr Smith — and it’s instant chemistry. They talk clamming, Creek days and cult horror. They laugh about fishing fails, fan conventions and Kerr’s upcoming Dawson’s Creek class reunion and book. Tune in to hear their thoughts on whether Donna and Jack would have been BFFs. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Silver Fox alert! Tori finally meets Kerr Smith — and it’s instant chemistry. They talk clamming, Creek days and cult horror. They laugh about fishing fails, fan conventions and Kerr’s upcoming Dawson’s Creek class reunion and book. Tune in to hear their thoughts on whether Donna and Jack would have been BFFs. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Silver Fox alert! Tori finally meets Kerr Smith — and it’s instant chemistry. They talk clamming, Creek days and cult horror. They laugh about fishing fails, fan conventions and Kerr’s upcoming Dawson’s Creek class reunion and book. Tune in to hear their thoughts on whether Donna and Jack would have been BFFs. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Silver Fox alert! Tori finally meets Kerr Smith — and it’s instant chemistry. They talk clamming, Creek days and cult horror. They laugh about fishing fails, fan conventions and Kerr’s upcoming Dawson’s Creek class reunion and book. Tune in to hear their thoughts on whether Donna and Jack would have been BFFs. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Silver Fox alert! Tori finally meets Kerr Smith — and it’s instant chemistry. They talk clamming, Creek days and cult horror. They laugh about fishing fails, fan conventions and Kerr’s upcoming Dawson’s Creek class reunion and book. Tune in to hear their thoughts on whether Donna and Jack would have been BFFs. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Atlassian has dropped a lazy $1 billion USD to acquire US startup DX…which makes it Atlassian’s biggest acquisition yet. Nvidia is investing $5 billion USD into its long-time rival Intel that flips a decades-long rivalry into a collaboration. Chocaholics may be finally catching a break as cocoa prices have started to fall after all-time highs in late 2024. _ Download the free app (App Store): http://bit.ly/FluxAppStore Download the free app (Google Play): http://bit.ly/FluxappGooglePlay Daily newsletter: https://bit.ly/fluxnewsletter Flux on Instagram: http://bit.ly/fluxinsta Flux on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@flux.finance —- The content in this podcast reflects the views and opinions of the hosts, and is intended for personal and not commercial use. We do not represent or endorse the accuracy or reliability of any opinion, statement or other information provided or distributed in these episodes.__See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Savannah and Jenna are back together for an action-packed Friday morning. The duo sits down to discuss Leonardo DiCaprio and Teyana Taylor's new film, "One Battle After Another," forging new friendships as you age, and proper Venmo etiquette. Also, dating expert Devyn Simone gives her advice on making honest in-person connections. Plus, "Girls" actress Zosia Mamet opens up about her comedic (and touchingly honest) new book of personal essays, "Does This Make Me Funny?," chronicling the highs and lows of her life and career. And Savannah and Jenna welcome best friends Tara and Rachel to launch a brand-new series, "Fit with Friends" – because boosting your metabolism, finding a proper diet, and staying healthy is better with a buddy!

Join Hannah Campbell, program manager for AORN's Surgical Safety Award Programs, in this episode of Periop Talk. Hannah interviews Marci Kling, a perioperative nurse educator at Emerson Health, who spearheaded the hospital's successful initiative to earn the Go Clear Award for smoke evacuation. Discover how Emerson Health transitioned to a smoke-free environment through grassroots efforts, leadership support, and staff education, leading to significant improvements in patient and staff safety. Learn More about how you can leverage AORN's Center of Excellence in Surgical Safety: Smoke Evacuation in your facility: https://www.aorn.org/education/education-for-facilities/surgical-safety-center-of-excellence/go-clear-awardsThis evidence-based program is made possible by Medtronic through the AORN Foundation.Support the showWelcome to the Periop Talk—your go-to podcast series where we examine the world of perioperative nursing.Episode after episode, we're bringing you professional tips, clinical wisdom, and personal stories that'll make you feel like you're chatting with your work BFFs. Curious about the latest surgical techniques? We got you. Wondering how to navigate the challenges of the periop journey? We're here for that too.Our podcast series isn't just about sharing information; it's about building a community. Meet the people behind the masks, hear their journeys, and join the rotation of periop professionals making a difference. From students and new nurses to seasoned pros, we've got content for every stage of your perioperative practice.Periop Talk is your peek behind the red line to the world of perioperative nursing. It's not just about the OR – it's about the heart and soul of healthcare. Let's scrub in and start making surgery safer, one podcast at a time.Want us at: (1) Periop Talk vlog - YouTube

The BFFs are back to discuss the biggest headlines from this past week! 00:00 INTRO 00:15 BUFFALO BILLS & WINGS 3:30 VMA's RECAP 22:22 TAYLOR SWIFT & TRAVIS KELCE 23:50 HARRY STYLES & ZOE KRAVITZ 24:10 EVERYONE IS MOVING TO NYC 26:00 JUSTIN BIEBER'S SWAG II 26:48 WUTHERING HEIGHTS TRAILER 29:28 MEG THEE STALLION & AIDEN ROSS 31:08 GLEN POWELL & OLIVIA JADE 33:57 NEW SNL CAST 35:47 DANCING WITH THE STARS 36:44 WHITE LOTUS 38:15 JONAS BROTHERS CHRISTMAS MOVIE 39:08 SHEIN x LUIGI MANGIONE 40:18 DAVE CATCHING STRAYS 41:17 BFFS CORNER GET TOUR TICKETS HERS: https://www.barstoolsports.com/events/BFFsTour?utm_source=barstoolsports_bios&utm_medium=134&utm_campaign=linkLargeImage&utm_content=TIX+FOR+THE+BEST+FRIENDS+FOR+NOW+TOUR WUTHERING HEIGHTS TRAILER: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ID0rqEWrN44 --------- Support Our Sponsors: Download the Gametime app and use code BFF for $20 off your first purchase. Sign up to save on Uber and Uber Eats. Eligibility and member terms apply. Hydrate Hard with BODYARMOR FLASH I.V. and grab yours today at your local 7-Eleven convenience store ++++++++++++ Subscribe to the podcast now: https://barstool.link/3m4Q0Fq Check out the BFFs Social Media Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bffspod/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/BFFsPod TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@bffspod Follow Josh Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/joshrichards/ Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@joshrichards?lang=en Twitter: https://twitter.com/JoshRichards Follow Brianna Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/briannalapaglia/?hl=en TikTiok: https://www.tiktok.com/@briannachickenfry?lang=en Twitter: https://twitter.com/bchickenfry?lang=en Check out Barstool Sports for more: http://www.barstoolsports.comYou can find every episode of this show on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or YouTube. Prime Members can listen ad-free on Amazon Music. For more, visit barstool.link/bffspod

Kevin Nealon (Saturday Night Live, Happy Gilmore, The Larry Sanders Show, Weeds, Hiking with Kevin) takes his shoes off and becomes BFFs with Rick Glassman.

ARTIST REVEAL Build-Up: "She’s been in the spotlight since she was young." "She’s a CMT Award winner. An ACM Award winner. BFFs with Kane Brown..." "And now, a proud new mama to a beautiful baby girl named Benny." Reveal: "From Rossville, GA — the one and only, Lauren Alaina!" INTERVIEW SEGMENT Part 1: Life Update & Motherhood Lauren talks about: Becoming a mom to baby Beni The meaning behind her daughter’s name Feeding struggles and food allergies Cutting out major food groups — "basically living on veggies and meat" Her perspective on how tough (and beautiful) new motherhood really is Part 2: Love & Laughter Hosts talk about Lauren’s joyful energy on social media Lauren shares about her goofy relationship with her husband Cameron A moment of humor: "I always wanted someone funny… and sometimes he’s too funny!" Part 3: Looking Ahead — Guitar Pull Lauren reveals: She’ll be performing Nov 9 (right after her birthday!) Might bring baby Beni and hubby along Surprise: Chase Matthew is performing too FIRST TIME performing her new single live with Chase — exclusive! PROMO "You heard it here first — Lauren Alaina is bringing it to the QYK Guitar Pull on November 9th!" "And yes, that new single with Chase? You’ll see it live, for the FIRST time." Ticket Reminder: "Want to win your way in? We’re testing you on this conversation — so know your facts!" "Listen tomorrow for artist #4 AND #5 — double reveal coming up!" Follow us on socials @99.5QYK for exclusive content, behind-the-scenes, and giveaways

Brace yourselves, Scott has returned! He and Kara discuss the rumors about President Trump's health, China's push to form a new world order, and the latest plans for National Guard deployment. Plus, Google's antitrust win, and Newsmax files a lawsuit against Fox. Watch this episode on the ⁠⁠Pivot YouTube channel⁠⁠. Follow us on Instagram and Threads at ⁠⁠@pivotpodcastofficial⁠⁠. Follow us on Bluesky at ⁠⁠@pivotpod.bsky.social⁠⁠. Follow us on TikTok at ⁠⁠@pivotpodcast⁠⁠. Send us your questions by calling us at 855-51-PIVOT, or at ⁠⁠nymag.com/pivot⁠⁠. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The BFFs are back this week to discuss headlines, hot takes, and recap their weekends. Brianna and Josh discuss Sydney Sweeney & Scooter Braun, Amaya & Bryan, and so much more. Subscribe to the podcast now: https://barstool.link/3m4Q0Fq --------- SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS: Download the Gametime app and use code BFF for $20 off your first purchase. Sign up to save on Uber and Uber Eats. Eligibility and member terms apply. Go to https://thrivecausemetics.com/BFFS for an exclusive offer of 20% off your first order. GAMBLING PROBLEM? CALL 1-800-GAMBLER, (800) 327-5050 or visit gamblinghelplinema.org (MA). Call 877-8-HOPENY/text HOPENY (467369) (NY). Please Gamble Responsibly. 888-789-7777/visit ccpg.org (CT), or visit www.mdgamblinghelp.org (MD). 21+ and present in most states. (18+ DC/KY/NH/WY). Void in ONT/OR/NH. Eligibility restrictions apply. On behalf of Boot Hill Casino & Resort (KS). 1 per new DraftKings customer. $5+ first-time bet req. Get 1 promo code to redeem discounted NFL Sunday Ticket subscription and max. $300 issued as non-withdrawable Bonus Bets that expire in 7 days (168 hours). Stake removed from payout. Terms: sportsbook.draftkings.com/promos. NFL Sunday Ticket: YouTube TV base plan (not included in this offer) required to watch NFL Sunday Ticket on YouTube TV. Subscription autorenews yearly at then-current price (currently $378 for YouTube TV subscribers, or $480 for YouTube subscribers); cancel anytime. Terms, restrictions, embargoes and eligibility requirements apply. No refunds. Digital only games excluded. Commercial use excluded. Addt'l terms: https://tv.youtube.com/learn/nflsundayticket/draftkings/. Offer ends 9/7/25 at 11:59 PM ET. Sponsored by DK. Subscribe to the podcast now: https://barstool.link/3m4Q0Fq Check out the BFFs Social Media Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bffspod/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/BFFsPod TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@bffspod Follow Josh Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/joshrichards/ Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@joshrichards?lang=en Twitter: https://twitter.com/JoshRichards Follow Brianna Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/briannalapaglia/?hl=en TikTiok: https://www.tiktok.com/@briannachickenfry?lang=en Twitter: https://twitter.com/bchickenfry?lang=en Check out Barstool Sports for more: http://www.barstoolsports.comYou can find every episode of this show on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or YouTube. Prime Members can listen ad-free on Amazon Music. For more, visit barstool.link/bffspod

In this inspiring episode, we speak with Jill O'Connor, Nurse Manager for L&D and Mother-Baby at AHN Saint Vincent Hospital, and Tracey Young, Perioperative Clinical Nurse Specialist at UPMC, about how they leveraged AORN's Center of Excellence in Surgical Safety: RSI Prevention award program to transform surgical safety in their organizations. Through the program's structured framework, they implemented targeted education, new technologies, strengthened interdisciplinary collaboration, and embedded best practices into daily workflows. Their journey showcases how their passion for safety combined with COE designation can be a catalyst for culture change, empowering teams to reduce risks of RSIs and elevate patient care. Learn More about how you can leverage AORN's Center of Excellence in Surgical Safety: RSI Prevention in your facility:  https://www.aorn.org/education/education-for-facilities/surgical-safety-center-of-excellence/retained-surgical-items-rsiThis evidence-based program is made possible by Stryker through the AORN Foundation.Support the showWelcome to the Periop Talk—your go-to vlog and podcast series where we examine the world of perioperative nursing.Episode after episode, we're bringing you professional tips, clinical wisdom, and personal stories that'll make you feel like you're chatting with your work BFFs. Curious about the latest surgical techniques? We got you. Wondering how to navigate the challenges of the periop journey? We're here for that too.Our vlog and podcast series isn't just about sharing information; it's about building a community. Meet the people behind the masks, hear their journeys, and join the rotation of periop professionals making a difference. From students and new nurses to seasoned pros, we've got content for every stage of your perioperative practice.Periop Talk is your peek behind the red line to the world of perioperative nursing. It's not just about the OR – it's about the heart and soul of healthcare. Let's scrub in and share the periop love!Watch us at: (1) Periop Talk vlog - YouTube

The BFFs are back to discuss the biggest headlines from the past week. Brianna finds out live that Taylor Swift got engaged! Brianna and Josh discuss Bobbi Althoff podcast relaunch and cannot believe Christian girl autumn is cancelled. SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS: Download the Gametime app and use code BFF for $20 off your first purchase. Sign up to save on Uber and Uber Eats. Eligibility and member terms apply. Subscribe to the podcast now: https://barstool.link/3m4Q0Fq Check out the BFFs Social Media Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bffspod/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/BFFsPod TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@bffspod Follow Josh Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/joshrichards/ Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@joshrichards?lang=en Twitter: https://twitter.com/JoshRichards Follow Brianna Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/briannalapaglia/?hl=en TikTiok: https://www.tiktok.com/@briannachickenfry?lang=en Twitter: https://twitter.com/bchickenfry?lang=en Check out Barstool Sports for more: http://www.barstoolsports.comYou can find every episode of this show on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or YouTube. Prime Members can listen ad-free on Amazon Music. For more, visit barstool.link/bffspod

Catch up on The Summer I Turned Pretty plus Brittany and Fairborne's relationship drama, and then play Over/Under with some BFFs of the show!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Sadie and her mom, Korie Robertson, are spilling all their current obsessions: from books to binge-worthy TV shows to movies they can't stop talking about. When they recorded this, Sadie was gearing up for maternity leave and reminiscing about the last two newborn seasons — a.k.a. nonstop baby snuggles mixed with binge-watch marathons. So … what's on her list this time around?  Korie, the ultimate bookworm, kicks things off by reading a favorite passage from one of her go-to fiction picks. Then, she and Sadie rewind to the shows they were obsessed with before "Duck Dynasty" ever hit TV and chat about how being in the entertainment world has totally reshaped what they're cool watching — and what's a hard pass. This episode is real, funny, a little emotional, and basically like getting recs from your BFFs. Let us know any of your favorites in the comments too!  This Episode of WHOA That's Good is Sponsored By: https://covenanteyes.com/sadie — Visit the website to learn more and start your journey toward a healthier, stronger marriage today. https://drinklmnt.com/whoa — Get a free LMNT Sample Pack with any purchase! https://sadiepens.com — Get 10% off my favorite supplies and journaling Bible when you use the code SADIE10 when checking out! Chapters:  00:00 Korie's favorite book passage 05:00 Favorite books 13:00 What's impacted us from the Bible 15:22 Sadie's three favorite books 21:33 Currently reading 29:10 Favorite TV shows 40:45 Favorite movies - Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The BFFs are back to discuss the biggest headlines from the week including, Taylor Swift on New Heights, the Hazel Boutique Drama, and address their "beef" with Trisha Paytas and Oscar. 00:00 Intro 00:50 Barstool Beach House 4:10 Taylor Swift on New Heights 7:20 Geoguessr Guy 9:40 Internet Invitational 10:37 Beach House Face-timing Josh 12:13 Proposals 20:21 Kendall Jenner & Justin Bieber 23:00 Hazel Boutique Controversy 27:58 J-Lo x Grasshopper 29:30 Christiano Ronaldo's Engagement Ring 34:40 Nicolandria 37:30 E.L.F x Matt Rife Controversy 42:20 Sean Kingston 44:04 Influencer gives baby a vape??? 46:52 Hot Takes 50:07 Addressing the Trisha Paytas & Oscar Beef 50:31 More Hot Takes 55:16 Outro Subscribe to the podcast now: https://barstool.link/3m4Q0Fq Support Our Sponsors: Download the Gametime app today and use code BFF for $20 off your first purchase Sign up to save on Uber and Uber Eats. Eligibility and member terms apply. Check out the BFFs Social Media Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bffspod/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/BFFsPod TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@bffspod Follow Josh Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/joshrichards/ Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@joshrichards?lang=en Twitter: https://twitter.com/JoshRichards Follow Brianna Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/briannalapaglia/?hl=en TikTiok: https://www.tiktok.com/@briannachickenfry?lang=en Twitter: https://twitter.com/bchickenfry?lang=en Check out Barstool Sports for more: http://www.barstoolsports.comYou can find every episode of this show on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or YouTube. Prime Members can listen ad-free on Amazon Music. For more, visit barstool.link/bffspod

Kiera is joined by Zaneta Hamlin, owner and founder of Cusp Dental Boutique. Zaneta, who built her practice from the ground up, shares with Kiera her journey, reflecting on what got her to this point and what she would've changed and focused more on if she were to start over again. Plus, Zaneta talks about how she's turned even the smallest items and exchanges into branding opportunities for her practice. Episode resources: Subscribe to The Dental A-Team podcast Schedule a Practice Assessment Leave us a review Transcript: Kiera Dent (00:00) Hello, Dental A Team listeners. This is Kiera and today I am so giddy. I have one of my favorite humans in the entire world. Like that is not an exaggeration. She's got a million dollar smile. She's one of the funniest people I've ever met. She makes me laugh all the time. She really does. Like Zaneta when you smile, is the world just makes like it's just a happier place. Zaneta Hamlin, one of my favorite doctors. This woman can brand like nobody's business. Surprise fact, I even have her all of her branding sitting here. I have her stickers.   I love the business card. That was my favorite thing that you added in for me was a business card for me. But Zaneta Hamlin, one of our clients, one of my faves, welcome to the podcast today. How's your day today?   Zaneta Hamlin (00:39) Great, how are you? I'm happy to be here in the chat.   Kiera Dent (00:43) I'm so happy to have you. My day has been amazing. It's been podcast day and by far my favorite podcast is you today. So I'm really, really excited because I have wanted this podcast to come out for so long. So Zaneta I don't want to like do you a disservice. I just said a few things as to why I wanted you to come on the podcast. Like I said, being a part of our community, I just watch you and something I've noticed about you since literally the day one is you dress incredibly well and you're always branded. Like you're a walking   machine of branding every event I've seen you at you have Cusp Dental I know where you are I know your colors you have everything branded you think so intentionally but you're just an amazing human so Zaneta kind of tell us and honestly I want to go with you and do ⁓ dentistry in other countries that's something that you and I are gonna do outside of that so to fill our listeners in a little bit Zaneta kind of walk them through who is Zaneta Hamlin how did you get to be into Cusp Dental just kind of give us a little background on who you are the dentistry you do   Zaneta Hamlin (01:29) Absolutely.   Kiera Dent (01:40) Whatever you feel like sharing, this is Zaneta's time. And I want everybody to get to know you because you're just an amazing human. So walk us through, how did you get from where you were to where you are today?   Zaneta Hamlin (01:46) Bye.   So am   a second generation dentist. ⁓ I started off as an associate. I went to my dad's alma mater, went to Howard University College of Dentistry around this area in the Virginia Beach Hampton Roads area. I would say Howard is the real HU, so that's going to probably offend some people great. Yes, yes.   Kiera Dent (02:01) Amazing.   That's okay. She's here for it. There's no shame. Zenita, this is your podcast. You get to say whatever you want   today. No filtered.   Zaneta Hamlin (02:19) yeah. So second gen dentist, ⁓ I started off as an associate. So I associated for about nine years, ⁓ until I, ⁓ birthed the idea for Cusp Dental Boutique. It was initially going to be an acquisition. That was the plan I was with, ⁓ coaching prior, but it was more, it was geared more towards, ⁓ acquisitions and   That didn't work out for me. ⁓ just, everything just didn't work out. And the type of practice that I was looking to create ⁓ just didn't fit in the other practices. So ⁓ my husband actually found the space that we are in ⁓ and we just built it from scratch. It was a shell. ⁓ And then we have Cusp Dental Boutique. Now, ⁓ yeah, I do like to brand. So.   Kiera Dent (03:12) That's amazing.   Zaneta Hamlin (03:17) you   Kiera Dent (03:17) Please do, I want you   to, because I also hope people hear, like I said, I brought you on for a reason, Zaneta. This is where I want you to brag. I want you to share about who you are, because I think so often we don't, and so many times dentists feel they're doing it all alone. So trying to bring different dentists, different perspectives. So brag, Zaneta, I'm gonna brag about you too. So this is your show, brag as you should.   Zaneta Hamlin (03:38) I do love my practice. I love how we do things differently. There's a lot of technology. mean, lately I've had a few temps in my office. And so just having the temps has shown me how much my office does that others don't. And so, the expectations are bit higher with what they should do. ⁓ But everyone comes in and like, my gosh, this doesn't feel like a dental office. doesn't smell like a dental office.   ⁓ even the swag they get is different. Now, yeah, I'll give the Cusp Dental Boutique chapstick or things like that, but the koozies, the ⁓ wine tumblers, because you can have wine. ⁓ I think one of the things that you might be referring to is ⁓ my luggage ⁓ cover.   Kiera Dent (04:18) Why not? Why not?   Yes. Yes.   Zaneta Hamlin (04:30) I   do have that because look, your bags, when you check a bag, even if you are rolling, like it's carry on, people see it as you're dragging it wherever. So it's advertising, you know, they might be in a different state. You might come visit Virginia Beach. You what? I was on a flight to Detroit and I saw, you know, this Cusp Dental Boutique. I want to see where that is. Maybe they have an emergency. Top of mind.   Kiera Dent (04:37) Mm-hmm.   don't   disagree with you. This is why I brought you on the podcast because the way you think about branding and advertising, like I remember meeting you first at this conference and like you're repping it. Like you've got your Cusp Dental Boutique and it makes me so happy because that's also, think why you do so well in your practice. Like you love what you've built. You can see the love and the passion and the pieces. Yeah. The luggage. just wrote it down. Dental A Team needs to freaking put those on because we travel everywhere. Think of how many dentists are traveling to conferences and we are not branding. So   Zaneta Hamlin (05:22) All the time, yes.   Kiera Dent (05:27) Dental A Team, if you're listening, which most of them do, ⁓ surprise, maybe it'll be your holiday present. Shelbi, we need to get these. So, you know, there we go. Yeah, it's brilliant.   Zaneta Hamlin (05:33) There we go.   They are great.   Nobody's gonna rep your brand better than you. So if you aren't proud of it, you know, so you gotta rep it. And yeah, I put it on anything. We went, ⁓ our family went on a Disney cruise, our first ever Disney cruise. And I just randomly saw, cause ⁓ a sorority sister of mine told me we need those ⁓ clips for your beach chair to put your towel on so it doesn't fly away.   Kiera Dent (05:45) Mm-hmm. I love it.   ⁓   right. Of course. Of course you can.   Zaneta Hamlin (06:03) Well, I happen to find there are stretchy versions, like ⁓ elastic versions, and you can customize them. So of course, mine, one side says   Cusp Dental Boutique, the other side says Cusp Untethered. So either way, you're getting something. And it went on. So on the Disney Cruise, you could see four chairs. Cusp Dental Boutique, Cusp Untethered. You know.   Kiera Dent (06:19) Something.   Amazing.   It's incredible. So, okay. So I think Zaneta, something that you do so well is you built this practice. And I mean, even, I think people seeing the clips of this online, I mean, you doesn't even look like you're sitting in a dental practice. Like you're in this very different vibe, different feel. So walk me through how has it been being an owner? And then I want to go through like what have been the struggles, what have been the good things? Like you have this amazing space, people you've got raving fans.   Like you have built this boutique dental practice, which I think is so great to stand out when I think dentistry has been a little bit tricky. And I think you're doing a great job of that. And then we're going to pivot to like some of your favorite brand. I mean, she's already listed her luggage covers. can like literally Zaneta. feel like if there's something she can put a logo on, she will like, it is like, Oh, I could put this here. I could have a bracelet. I mean, your jacket, I guarantee you there's a Cusp Dental pin. I guarantee. Yep.   Zaneta Hamlin (07:15) Really.   yeah,   I mean the back of my jean jacket says untethered on it.   Kiera Dent (07:26) It's all there. She's constantly, it's constant. Like Zaneta, I think you are one of the few people that thinks in their branding so much that it is a part of you. It's what you do. It's who you are. It's not like I'm Zaneta and here's work and here's Zaneta. It's I am these pieces. So walk me through, you started this scratch start. How's it been going?   Zaneta Hamlin (07:27) The symbol is right there.   you   Kiera Dent (07:50) The wins, the stresses, the struggles, like where are you at on the business ownership path?   Zaneta Hamlin (07:56) I mean, there have been ups and downs. I will be very honest and frank about that. I've never been a business owner. So this is my first kick at it. ⁓ But I'm very frank with my team, like, hey, guys, I'm learning too. And I rely on them to also give me their feedback. Now, I always take it into consideration. It doesn't always mean like, hey, we're going to do what you recommended this time around. But I do like to listen to them and see what they think, because they have great ideas. But you won't know unless you actually listen to them.   It's been up and down. Like when people opt to leave the practice to go somewhere for whatever reason, ⁓ I've taken it personally in the past. Now, ⁓ my gosh, I mean, hopefully Dana has seen how much I've grown in that department.   Kiera Dent (08:38) I was,   I would agree. Dana's been coaching you for quite a while and Zenita, I will even say not being in the day to day with you all the time, you have grown exponentially. It used to be this, I remember being in the Dr. Masterminds, different places. It was just this like complete stress. And I feel like you have definitely grown as a business owner, as a leader, and I'm really proud of you. And you seem happier, but you still haven't lost your flair of like loving your practice. Like it didn't jade you even though it stressed you out. And agree, Dana, Dana will for sure be watching this and she will be so proud of you.   She already is, but you have definitely grown in the time that we have known you. And I'm really proud of you because I don't think everybody does grow. Some people just stay stagnant, but you have wanted to grow. You've wanted to evolve. You listen to what people say. You've made friends in our community. You and Christie have become BFFs. Christie Moore, she's been on the podcast too. Super excited to hang out in person, but you do a good job of executing and implementing Zenita. You're very humble. You're very coachable. And you're also just a ton of fun. Like you keep the Zenita piece of you while also growing and evolving too.   Zaneta Hamlin (09:38) Thank you. Yeah, I mean, it's there's no way you can't change stuff if you don't accept it. Because if it was working the way you were doing it, then why are you coaching? So no, it's it's been up and down. I've learned to delegate. I wasn't doing that before. And I'm still learning to ⁓ give deadlines because sometimes I will suggest that something needs to be done and not say when I need it done by and in my mind, that means you've done it already.   Kiera Dent (09:45) Right.   Zaneta Hamlin (10:04) ⁓ so working on that, but I am doing better with letting others, ⁓ do things for me and that I don't have to do all of it. And I have a great team that understands that I will do it all if not, if they don't step in and they will be like, no, no, no, I got it. You go do something else or maybe go eat. about that? so, ⁓ I think it's who you surround yourself with that. ⁓   Kiera Dent (10:18) Mm-hmm.   Yeah. Yeah. Good.   Zaneta Hamlin (10:33) helps and like you mentioned like Christie, for example, I was talking to another doctor when I went to a master class a couple of weeks ago for the AGD and he was telling me like, hey, when you are looking to move your practice into different levels, like moving up, like for example, me, you know, trying to add an associate and grow, he was like, talk to people who have done it or people who ⁓   Kiera Dent (10:54) Mm-hmm.   Zaneta Hamlin (11:02) have been in that seat before, or coaches that can help you. And I was like, well, definitely my coach can help me with that. And to like, you know, talking to somebody like Kristy, who's been there, done that, probably even read a book about it, you know. So ⁓ it's who you surround yourself with too, that can help you.   Kiera Dent (11:20) Yeah, no, I think you've done an amazing job and it's just fun. It's fun to watch you evolve as a leader. It's fun to watch you. I mean, I remember some of our first emails were I'm staying here so late. Everything's on my plate. I don't know how to do this to now hearing you of I delegate and I built this culture of a team that knows who I am. They give it had to change yourself as Anita. That's something I love about you is I don't feel you. There's been a huge change of Anita. I think there's been like Zenita 2.0 is Anita 3.0.   where you just keep like, keep the core of who you are, but you evolve as your business evolves and like letting the team know, yes, this is who I am and this is what I'm expecting. And I'm very honest and very frank. I think it's really helped you tremendously. And like, let's give some snaps. You are bringing in an associate. You are evolving your practice. You are growing into these things. And so if you were talking to somebody, say in your shoes, they just found this space, they found the shell. They're super excited. There's Anita, who you were at the beginning.   Zenita today, what would you maybe tell that practice owner of some things of like, hey, as the wiser version of me, this is what I would maybe do or I would execute on XYZ or I would do this again of something that I did. What would you say are some of those tips you would give maybe a Zenita coming in doing a similar path?   Zaneta Hamlin (12:36) probably would have learned to delegate earlier. I think, yeah. Yeah.   Kiera Dent (12:40) I agree.   Yeah, I remember   some long emails and some hard nights on NotDelegate and a lot of hours at the practice unnecessarily.   Zaneta Hamlin (12:48) Yeah   I was quick focusing it. Don't do quick,   you can, but why? know, like, I can't believe I did that and how much time I put, but it's interesting though, like some, the things that I have delegated, I'm still busy. I still have to do things. it's like, now I'm like, how did I have time to do that? Like, no wonder why I was stressed. No wonder why I wasn't sleeping, you know, like, so I would have definitely, ⁓   Kiera Dent (12:57) I agree. I agree.   Yes.   Zaneta Hamlin (13:20) delegated sooner. I would have gotten an aura ring earlier. That's something she knows talking to her about. I would have gotten that earlier. ⁓ But I also would have trusted my intuition more a earlier. I mean, I did, but not at the level in which I do now. Like, for example, if I extend an offer or like,   Kiera Dent (13:24) Right? ⁓ It works great. Yes, agreed. Okay.   Zaneta Hamlin (13:49) you know, I make a decision, because I like to make decisions pretty quickly. Like it's this and we're going with it, right? I don't go back and like ponder it like, oh, did I really make this mistake? Like, was this a mistake? Should I have done this? Should I have done that? I've had those thoughts before, but then I quickly am like, no, no, no, it's, this is the way we should go if an offer was made and it wasn't accepted.   Kiera Dent (13:53) Mm-hmm.   Zaneta Hamlin (14:17) It's because that wasn't for me and it probably would have been a headache. You know, I've gone down that route with like negotiations and stuff like that. And I thought to myself, hey, had that actually worked, it would have been a disaster. So I'm glad it didn't. So definitely ⁓ intuition, like leaning into that and just going with the flow.   Kiera Dent (14:35) Yeah.   Mm hmm. No, and I do. I do think that there's so many times that we feel like there's all these other experts, which I do agree like great job. Kudos to you. You you jumped into consulting and you hired coaches and you talk to mentors and talking about Sheena and Christie like you use your doctor community around you and you work with other mentors. But I do believe that there's an internal knowing that I think we often lose by thinking I've never done this before. So how am I supposed to know? But I do think that there's a core knowing that   I really love that you brought that up, that people really do need to trust themselves. They need to execute on that more. ⁓ So many people are like, well, someone told me I shouldn't do this. And I'm like, but you know, like you know what you need to do and you're gonna, you'll figure it out and it will work. So, okay, I love your story and I love what you've done. And I'm so happy that you're sharing with other people. And now I wanna pivot to, let's talk about your branding. Talk me through, you said everything is branding opportunities. Every single possible thing that you do.   Zaneta Hamlin (15:18) It doesn't feel right.   Kiera Dent (15:36) Like has this always been a part of you? Did it just come with buying the practice? And then I want you to walk through some of the specifics that you do of branding intentionally, maybe even like who you use or where you get these things. Like, I don't think people realize like marketing is a lot easier than they think it is. You did a scratch start. So you have had to figure out how to market yourself with no money. So kind of walk us through like, how have you done this? How has the marketing been for you? How has it been finding more new patients like?   Zaneta Hamlin (15:54) Mm-hmm.   Kiera Dent (16:02) I don't know, whatever you want to take on this branding, because honestly, you are one of my queens of branding that I've met as a dentist. You do it so well. So walk me through just whatever, however you want to take this branding, marketing side of the business.   Zaneta Hamlin (16:15) No judgment. Okay. Ready? Okay. One of the cheapest things you can get and y'all don't, well, let's just go through it. So ⁓ pens. Okay. So I would go to Pens.com. They always run promos and stuff like that. Get some pens, get your favorite pen. ⁓ they send you, they'll send you something. See exactly. Yeah.   Kiera Dent (16:17) No judgment. I'm ready.   No judgment, we already put it there.   You do.   I have it. It's literally right there.   Zaneta Hamlin (16:42) What I, how I started was, mean, of course, Studio 88 did my logo, my colors and all that stuff. That was a process to get to what it is now, right? Because there were different versions of it, right? And then I started putting it on pens. So here's what I would do. would, when I go to a restaurant, family, friends, myself, whatever, you know, they give you a pen, a Bic pen or some whatever pen.   Kiera Dent (17:08) Mm-hmm.   Zaneta Hamlin (17:10) I will sign with my pen and I will leave that pen.   Kiera Dent (17:13) You're so clever. Okay, keep going.   I want to hear all these ideas. I'm writing them down by the way. They're brilliant.   Zaneta Hamlin (17:20) So   I always have a bajillion pens on me in my purse or in my pocket. wear scrubs, so I have them in my pockets and stuff. Like even where, like my car, where I take my car to get it serviced or I'll change whatever. They've got my pens floating around too. The wine shop that I go to with, that I have membership at, they've got my pens. They always ask me, what color is coming out next? You know, like, cause I do different colors based on different seasons, as long as it's within brand.   Kiera Dent (17:45) Smart.   Zaneta Hamlin (17:48) So I can tell when that pen was from because we've only been orange orders. And black was the last order we had. We have a teal one now. That was a mistake, but still I have 500 of them. So we're gonna work through that. Yeah. And then I also did a partnership with a restaurant that's not too far from my office, half a mile away. They're out by the water. They gave me gift cards that I can give to new patients.   Kiera Dent (17:54) That's incredible.   So we're giving them out. Yeah.   Zaneta Hamlin (18:17) I gave them a boatload of pens. So when they are having people sign their checks or whatever, you know, they finished their eating and all that stuff, they've got a Cusp Dental Boutique pen that people usually jack, they steal those. And so they've got 200 to sort through, whatever. So that's how I really started getting the brand out. I would wear what I had, if know, if I had t-shirts or something, I would wear those. Now I have sweatshirts and stuff too.   Kiera Dent (18:24) Mm-hmm.   Mm-hmm   Zaneta Hamlin (18:48) But it was just really wherever I can show folks. When I go with my kids to their games or their school or whatever, I might have something. And people ask, ⁓ are you the one that owns? Yeah, hi, you should come to this. You know, just really, so it could be anything. mean, again, pen is a simple and easy thing to do to carry, not a huge investment.   Kiera Dent (19:03) Yeah.   Zaneta Hamlin (19:16) you know, do that. And then when Stanley does promotions and they customize them, you do that too. Yep. Yeah. And koozies are cheap. ⁓ I use ⁓ Citi Paper. They are in Alabama. A friend of mine, another business owner, she's a pediatric dentist. Quinn, sent them or referred them to me and ⁓   Kiera Dent (19:23) On brand, on color. Excellent.   Zaneta Hamlin (19:44) They do all of my koozies, whether it's the regular size koozie or the tall ones, which we did one season for a beach, because we're right by the water. ⁓ And then even like our goodie bags, we don't do the traditional goodie bags at the office. They're cotton, because also check out the environment. I have to come up with something for my patients who bring theirs back to reuse them. Like, hey, maybe if you bring your bag back, so we can just refill it with your supplies if you need it.   Kiera Dent (20:02) Yeah.   Cute.   Zaneta Hamlin (20:14) ⁓ But things like that have been great and people love it because it's different. Now I use mine for like when I travel for makeup, like my makeup brushes. It's, you know, I've had patients that will use it for their sunglasses. We have Cusp sunglasses, which patients use when they're sitting in the chair anyway to protect their eyes and 90 % of the time they want to walk out with it anyway. So again, take it. has my logo.   Kiera Dent (20:25) Mm-hmm.   Take   it, please.   Zaneta Hamlin (20:44) Yeah,   take it. Yeah, by all means. So yeah, and sunglasses can be pretty cheap too.   Kiera Dent (20:47) ⁓   Mm-hmm. So what do you feel? Okay pens koozies sunglasses shirts sweatshirts reusable bags What do you feel are if I'm like on a budget? Pens obviously what else you feel has been I mean and also I'm hearing you you know your population You're by the beach. So you're thinking in beach like they're gonna want drinks. They don't want sand on those So koozies are gonna be great. Keep them cold. They're there   Zaneta Hamlin (21:02) Mm-hmm. Yes.   Kiera Dent (21:14) the towel thing at the beginning of the podcast. Well, yeah, that makes sense because you're at the beach. People need those are going to use those are going to see them. ⁓ I like what things would you say if I'm on a budget are going to be the best bang for my buck? I love the Stanleys. I didn't even think about like you're watching promotions on every single thing that your patients would use like sunglasses, clever. Again, you're a beach community. So what has been your best ROI?   Zaneta Hamlin (21:33) Yeah.   Yeah.   Kiera Dent (21:39) because branding is like awareness, but then there's also like, I need patients to come back with that. So what do you feel has been your best ROI that you could say these patients came from this if I could only choose like one or two of these items?   Zaneta Hamlin (21:53) If we, my team probably would have to help me with this, but if it's based on what people have asked for, I would say it's chapstick.   Kiera Dent (22:04) Interesting.   Zaneta Hamlin (22:05) Yeah, because you don't have to be at the beach to use chapstick like chaps you should keep these puppies moist like drink your water and Moisturize your lips ⁓ SPF all the things the chapstick folks have asked for like hey Do you guys still do the chapsticks because I think and I don't know I know there are different types, but the one we do is like the big daddy one I have one in my ⁓ pocket somewhere, but ⁓   Kiera Dent (22:14) Yeah.   You   Zaneta Hamlin (22:34) Um, people really like that. You know, someone once someone said to me, Oh yeah, a friend of mine was using it and I just liked how it went on. And, you know, she said she got at her dental appointment. I was like, Oh yeah. Okay. I'm glad you came because would you like one today after your appointment? can give you one.   Kiera Dent (22:52) because we've got   some and you can share them with all your friends.   Zaneta Hamlin (22:56) Yeah, so I think that has been great.   And then the koozies are the second ones because people ask for that again. You could be anywhere. I mean, my neighbors use the koozies when we're out in the neighborhood, you know, hanging out with the kids and stuff like that. So yeah. ⁓ look at that.   Kiera Dent (23:16) Mm-hmm.   Look at that. She has it. I'm telling you, this woman walks in her logo. I would not be shocked if you told me you had pajamas in it.   Zaneta Hamlin (23:28) That's it.   That's a good idea.   Kiera Dent (23:32) There you   go. Pajamas. know our team has been asking me for workout clothes, like tank tops. Um, and then also they want the branded shoes of Dental A Team shoes. So that way they're like, we do a different one every single year. Cause that way, like your team is always wearing stuff also. So like if it's stuff that they do, yes. Um, you can do that. We also found out you can make a custom Nikes. Uh, you can make other customs that.   Zaneta Hamlin (23:47) Yeah Chuck says it converse   Can you put lingo on   it?   Kiera Dent (24:01) So those are things, again, I haven't done it yet, but write down the, get your notebook. ⁓ But honestly, I think Zaneta, some of these things, even post podcast, if you can send me and we'll include it in the show notes, some of the suppliers that you use and some of the ideas that you have. like we've listed off, she's got the Stanleys that she brands, there's the ChapStick. But if you looked and if you saw on the video and if you miss it, it's not the cheap ChapStick. Like this is not a cheap ChapStick. There's some dental offices that give.   Zaneta Hamlin (24:29) They have...   Kiera Dent (24:30) Gross chapstick.   Zaneta Hamlin (24:31) yeah, the minis. I know!   Kiera Dent (24:33) The minis or the ones that just like get in your mouth and they taste disgusting or they like don't actually moisturize. They almost like dry it out worse. So you're like putting it on. ⁓ You know what I'm talking about. Excellent. Do you hear this? She's coming to our doctor in-person mastermind, which is in September and we're super excited about it. It's a doctor in leadership one and Zaneta is already thinking I'm bringing it for everybody. And that's not because these dentists.   Zaneta Hamlin (24:40) Yeah.   Yes. you're getting one. I think I'm bringing some for everybody when I come to the meeting.   and you get a chance to.   Kiera Dent (25:00) These dentists are not her client. We don't even live by her, but yet all of us are going to be wearing it. She never knows where one of us is going to be. I'm going to be on the airplane sitting there flying out to the East coast. Someone's going to see it. They're going to look it up cause they're going to love her logo. And lo and behold, they'll be like, ⁓ I saw some girl putting this chapstick on, on a plane. You never know where people are going to be. And that's very easy. I thought your restaurant idea was so clever and like pens. I did not even think about signing with your own and just leaving it there constantly.   the luggage, our team's getting luggage carriers. Like that's going to be part of their standard onboarding. Cause we fly all the time and dentists are on planes all the time. So Zenita.   Zaneta Hamlin (25:32) Thank you.   Dentists,   their assistants, their office managers, their spouses, somebody, it's fun. And I saw this cute lady walking by with this and took a picture of it and sent it to their spouse or whoever, best friend. Have you been in this company? Or why aren't you doing that?   Kiera Dent (25:43) Mm-hmm.   Uh-huh. Uh-huh. Uh-huh. It's a very, it's   so clever, Zenita. I think, okay, so what's your most random favorite thing that maybe wasn't the best ROI, but you just loved it. It was one of your favorite like things that you created that's been branded. I mean, you got a jean jacket that's unbranded. You've got your shirt, which is a super darling shirt. Like what have you loved that was like, yeah. And then you also said you got sweatshirts.   Zaneta Hamlin (26:16) Thank you, you really sound interesting.   Kiera Dent (26:20) What else do you have? Like, what was your favorite?   Zaneta Hamlin (26:23) well, I really like our, wine, ⁓ tumblers. I have a Yeti that has, ⁓ Cusp Dental Boutique on it, but we have tumblers or two versions again, depending on which one you break out. know when you got it because we only rotate certain things and we've, we've done some promos where like our Cusp Circle folks get, which we have to get better about it. But when people do our in office, ⁓   membership, yep, they get those things. So like the t-shirt, I'm not going to just give to like our regular PPO patient. Like it's going to be, you know, our membership folks that get those, like the nicer branded items. But I really like the ⁓ koozies or not koozies, the tumblers. ⁓ I use it often enough. ⁓   Kiera Dent (27:01) Mm-hmm.   Mm-hmm.   often enough, all the favorite things and you can have it as   a business write-off because you want them. They're branded. You pull them out for parties. You can put them on social media. Obviously, it's a complete business write-off. I agree. Yeah.   Zaneta Hamlin (27:24) Excellent. Yeah. I had   my previous coach, she would put when she would go to the beach or wherever she would go, she would take pictures with her wine tumbler in different places. I did like a, I think it's in my ⁓ Cusp merch on my Instagram, where it just shows people with Cusp Dental Boutique things in different places. ⁓ And sometimes I'll still do that. Like I'll set it somewhere or whatever.   Kiera Dent (27:40) Ha ha ha!   Zaneta Hamlin (27:54) I've had patients who will send me pictures of themselves out in the wild with random Cusp Dental Boutique things. yeah, but the wine tumbler has been great because no one else has that. no dental offices, you know, like it's something you wouldn't think of for a dental office. So yeah.   Kiera Dent (28:09) Yeah.   Mm-hmm.   Totally. Well, and as you're   saying, I hope people picked up on, I wrote down some notes that I think you maybe don't even realize you're doing, but you don't call it a membership plan. It's called Cusp Dental Boutique Circle. So it's your, and as soon as you said it, I was like, that's her membership plan. But notice the way you say it, Zaneta, is you want your people to be part of your group. It's a community, it's a group, it's not, and like they're getting the special stuff. They're getting something that's different than everybody else. So you're setting it apart for people that are a part of your inner circle.   Zaneta Hamlin (28:27) Yes.   Kiera Dent (28:46) Then it said Cusp merch and I was like, probably gonna start selling your merch like honestly, but right now it's just on social media, which then helps patients realize they go, they tag you, you're gonna be putting it on there. People will see it. ⁓ You also are very clever. You said two versions and I was like, that's so smart because then people are going to want things at different times. They're gonna see other people getting it, which then creates retention of people wanting to come back because they saw the merchandise. They saw different things.   Zaneta Hamlin (28:51) Mm-hmm.   Kiera Dent (29:15) but also you strategically know like when were, when did I see them? Where were these pieces based on what they're, they're having? So it's a very like thought out process that I don't even think people, I don't even know if you realize like the depths of the pieces you're doing that are just very fun. And it seems like you just have a ton of fun doing it too.   Zaneta Hamlin (29:22) there.   I do. mean, it's, I don't know. It's, I, now I will say if you are wearing your brand, you can't be outside acting crazy. So you can be fun.   Kiera Dent (29:41) I would agree. I was going to say, do you ever get sick of like having people be   like, hi, who are you? Like, I'm like, no, sometimes I want to go incognito on a plane. Like I don't want anybody to know me. So.   Zaneta Hamlin (29:48) Yes, right. I   do have those times. Like tomorrow, I'm supposed to be going to Cape Charles with my husband. It's our wedding anniversary. I have gone back and forth because we're going to be visiting an artillery. I'm like, do I go? Because I will wear my Cusp baseball cap. I have it in three colors. My team, some of my team members have them.   Kiera Dent (30:01) No.   Thank   Zaneta Hamlin (30:15) I think one   of our videos, were wearing it for like, it's our like new patient welcome video we have for wearing the hats. But my husband wears his often. But I've thought, do I go to this place wearing my Cusp Dental Boutique hat? Because it has the symbol in the front ⁓ and the name of the practice in the back. ⁓ Or do I go incognito? Nobody should know who I am. But the Eastern Shore,   Kiera Dent (30:42) Mm-hmm.   Zaneta Hamlin (30:43) is close enough and we do have patients that have come from there. So just from talking to you, I'm thinking that I'm probably going.   Kiera Dent (30:50) at least have   like, there'll be a little Cusp Dental Boutique cameo if not the full show. So yeah, of course she's taking pens.   Zaneta Hamlin (30:55) I'm also taking pens. So I'm going to be leaving them at the   distillery strategically and the restaurant. ⁓   Kiera Dent (31:02) The pen, the pen.   And I will say, Zaneta, I mean, you shipped this to me at Summit, because this is where it came from. We were at Summit and I was like, I need a notebook. And you messaged in the chat, I saw it come through, Zaneta said, I'm sending you a notebook. And lo and behold, this shows up in like the super cute notebook. I still have it. It's got a beautiful, I mean, it's a real nice pen, Zaneta. She did, that's something else I'm noticing with you. You're not scrimping. Like this is a very heavyweight pen. It's a nice feel pen.   Zaneta Hamlin (31:14) It did.   Kiera Dent (31:32) which also is on brand with a Cusp Dental Boutique office. You're not going for this like hot, like you're not going for the burn and churn, which is fine. If you were, it'd be a different type of pen. Your stickers are very high end stickers. Your business card is high end. It's on brand. There's the untethered. There's the Cusp Dental Boutique. Like just, I mean, you guys, I still have these. They're very nice. They're cute. They are not, I feel like I'm selling Cusp Dental Boutique. Like I feel like we're on an infomercial. Like here, here we are.   Zaneta Hamlin (31:59) Please keep going.   Kiera Dent (32:02) But I think something like this pen is compared to some of these crummy ones, like, you know, Pens.com, they do send you some really junky ones. They also send you some really nice ones. But I've been in offices writing with pens, like from the Pens.com, like they ship them to me. I'll have a rose gold one. I'll have a white one. And in offices, the dental assistant's like, I love your pen. And I'm like, well, you can have it. Here you go. Like take it, write it, share it with everybody. But I do think there's something to be said. You do nice things.   Zaneta Hamlin (32:10) Thank you. Yeah.   Yeah.   Kiera Dent (32:31) rather than doing just cheap things to slap a brand, but your brand is higher end. Your brand is a nicer brand. So you're making sure it's very intentional with your brand.   Zaneta Hamlin (32:42) think when you are going to brand your items, and I get it, it depends on which season you're in in your practice, right? But when you are going to put your name on something, you want it to represent you well. And so yes, the things that I have done are probably, you know, I will always say they're top tier. But some of these things you can also get when they go on sale. Like they'll send me stuff like, it's now 85 cents.   Kiera Dent (32:48) Mm-hmm.   Mm-hmm.   Zaneta Hamlin (33:11) you know, to get this pen or 50 cents for that pen. I'm like, oh shoot, get it, get it now. We're gonna get this color. This is gonna be this season or 2024. This is the color, you know. So it's just, and it's something I think it's probably my mother, cause she's always like, like if I'm gonna go out with her, like sometimes I wanna just dress down and wear sweatpants, right? She's like, where are you going? You're not following me like that. You know, and so it's like, okay, all right, I get it. Like I gotta represent you and myself well.   Kiera Dent (33:20) Mm-hmm.   Mm-hmm.   You   Mm-hmm.   Zaneta Hamlin (33:41) So yeah, for things you're gonna put your logo on, you do wanna make sure it's something that people are gonna want, that it looks good and it represents you. So if you can't, maybe hold out till you can get the one that you really want. Because if it's crappy and you don't even like it and you're not gonna use it, why get it? Save your money, invest it in something else. Get AI.   Kiera Dent (33:55) Mm-hmm.   Yeah.   Get AI.   was a mastermind conversation we had this week. There is a podcast inspo'd by Zaneta. I will not say exactly which one. She knows, you guys can all guess on the podcast coming out. I recorded it right before this one, but Zaneta, I think it was just so fun. I really wanted to hear just about the different ideas. So anything you have of like, like you said, Pens.com or where you get your koozies or any of those. Cause I think that's also the hard part of there. So much out there, like who are the good brands? So even if you can send some of those that you like.   Zaneta Hamlin (34:06) You   Kiera Dent (34:30) I'd be happy to share those along. But I think if nothing else, I hope listeners today start thinking of differently of how can you brand your stuff? How can you do simple things? Where are your patients hanging out all the time that are the ideal patients you want? Not just patients, because we don't want all patients. We want your ideal patient. So like you said, they're going to be at the distillery. So you're going to a certain place. Like I picked up on that. You're not like I'm handing these out at, we won't say certain names.   Zaneta Hamlin (34:32) Yeah.   you   Kiera Dent (34:56) but I know you would not be dropping pens at certain places. You will be dropping them up. They don't go to all locations. They go to intentional locations where you know, it's like you said, there's a restaurant on the water. Well, I can already tell what type of a clientele is at that one based on where this restaurant is. So without Zaneta even telling you who her ICP is or ideal customer profile or avatar of patient, she's intentionally putting all of her brand in the places she wants people to be at her ideal patient base.   Zaneta Hamlin (35:10) You   Kiera Dent (35:25) to grow and Zaneta, mean, without even sharing any of your numbers, the fact that you've taken a scratch, start shell of a practice, built it with your own branding, your own pieces to now you're going to be bringing on an associate. think people can attest that some of the things you're doing clearly have been working really, really well. So thank you for sharing. I got excited. I I wrote a ton of notes over here and I hope other people did. And these are the type of conversations that come out at the mastermind.   Zaneta is talking about all of her problems, but then she's branding her Cuspware everywhere and all of us want it. So it goes like, you know, it's a good, it's a good thing. And honestly, Sheena needs to talk to you. She needs help on her branding. So and Sheena shout out to you. Just like, you know, you need like these are the things.   Zaneta Hamlin (35:57) Ha ha!   I would love to, but I do think   though, just, I probably picked this up from Studio 88, just because you're a dental practice, a dental office, you do not have to do everything dental. Like my logo doesn't have a tooth anywhere, right? It can, and that's great, but it doesn't have to. So just because it's a dental practice, like my logo or the things that I brand aren't specific to dental things. So my recommendation is,   Kiera Dent (36:20) Mm-hmm. Mm-hmm.   Zaneta Hamlin (36:33) Put your logo on something that you like and you would use outside of work. That is the best way to market your practice is on things that you would even want to use. It doesn't have to be like things you would expect from a dental office. You know what I mean? Like, hence the rumblers and yeah, the wine stuff.   Kiera Dent (36:52) right? The wine. Yep, yep. It's   stuff that you like, but also what I think is important is we often attract the people that are like us and as patients. And so Zaneta is doing things that make her happy, that make her want to do it, that are going to attract people that are very similar to her. Not everyone's going to love this pen. There will be some of you that will be like, that's too thick, that's too fat. Like I don't like how that one writes. And you would prefer another style of pen.   but people that like this high end vibe feel where it's this gel. mean, I already know Tiffany would love this pen and in the other colors. I also love that you do different colors. It's so clever, like so many fun things and you just have fun, but you do it. I'm really proud of you on an overhead budget. Good job. Like when it's on sale, when these things like, not just buying the Stanleys, you're literally being an intentional business owner too, which I think shows that you can do branding and marketing on like within an overhead budget.   and still have a ton of fun and make beautiful, high quality things. I mean, your logo just stands out even in this video. It's strong. It's, it's Anita. It's beautiful. And it just definitely represents who you are as a person too.   Zaneta Hamlin (38:00) And the final thing I'll mention about that is not every, like right now I'm the only one with the Stanley, but I will say my, if I make more of these, cause I wanted to try it out. I wanted to see how it would do. And my team members were like, I love that. You there are certain things that only squad members have. So like, right. So you want to get it. Like there's certain jackets or sweatshirts that we have.   Kiera Dent (38:14) Mm-hmm.   Zaneta Hamlin (38:28) You only get that if you're on my team. So ⁓ there are certain things you and like this t-shirt patients don't get this, you know, and it has our ⁓ humble hearts, skilled hands at the back. If they're wearing it out, they're like, well, where'd you get that shirt? Even if a patient from Cusp Circle wants a shirt, theirs is a little bit different, right? So again, strategically, you know, no, how'd you that? Cause only team members have that or whatever. So.   Kiera Dent (38:41) I love it.   Mm-hmm.   ⁓ Mm-hmm.   Zaneta Hamlin (38:56) If it's a little bit more expensive, yeah, maybe do that for your team during the holidays or their anniversary ⁓ or their birthday or something like that ⁓ that you're not just giving to anybody else.   Kiera Dent (39:05) Mm-hmm.   It's really clever. So for birthdays and anniversaries, do you have swag or gifts? I'm guessing it's all Cusp Dental Boutique. So tell us kind of about that. I mean, I didn't mean to go down this path, but I'm just very curious.   Zaneta Hamlin (39:20) So, not always, so give me some credit there, not always. our first, so for my office, the first anniversary, you get a Marc Jacobs tope.   Kiera Dent (39:24) Yeah, yeah. Okay.   I love it. I love it. No, there is no judgments   they needed. These are the things that make offices stand out. I love it.   Zaneta Hamlin (39:37) It's the mini though. So they get,   it's the maybe, I guess it's the small. So ⁓ far I've given four of those out. But anyway, you get that in whatever color. I order them, get them in bulk during the holidays. So I have them hidden somewhere in my office. So whenever someone's anniversary is, I can get in, I know what color they want, I can ask, and then they get that for their first anniversary. Second anniversary, what I've done is, ⁓   Kiera Dent (39:51) Mm-hmm.   Zaneta Hamlin (40:06) I have, we did like the, I think it's like the Turkish towels, because again, beach, and then ⁓ city paper put my logo on it. It's in like leather or something like that on the side. ⁓ So they have that, and you know, the Turkish towels have like, it's like tied at the bottom or whatever, like the things hanging off of it. So we did that in a wine. So the wine shop that I go to, they custom made a, they, brought the towel.   Kiera Dent (40:11) Mm-hmm. Mm-hmm. Mm-hmm.   Mm-hmm. Yep. Mm-hmm. Mm-hmm.   No.   Zaneta Hamlin (40:35) They put that in there with, so my team members that have gotten to their second year anniversary, they fill out a questionnaire from the wine shop that tells, ask them specifically what kind of wines they like. We put that in the box with other goodies from the wine shop. So it might be like truffle almonds or whatever that will pair well and little things based on what they like. And then that goes with it. And so that was year two.   ⁓ I'm still thinking what's gonna happen for those that make it to year three, ⁓ but it's always gonna be something different. They'll get at least something that has Cusp on it. It's just the first anniversary has the Marc Jacobs tote. And that started from like a joke that we had in the office, because people would walk around with these Marc Jacobs. And my admin at the time, Rachel, she was great before she moved. She had, and it's on social media somewhere where,   Kiera Dent (41:05) Mm-hmm.   Yeah, I love it.   Yeah   Zaneta Hamlin (41:32) She wrote on a brown paper bag, the tote, and she would walk around the office with it. And I was like, I get the hint. I get it. So that's when I bought it and I just made it a rule. Our first anniversary, that's what you get. So it's the same.   Kiera Dent (41:36) Mm-hmm.   You   It's amazing. And I love that you   think about like buying it on sale, there's different things. And then it's part of the Cusp. I love that it's called the Cusp squad. And you've got the Cusp Dental sort of like Boutique circle. So it's like you've got different names also for your groups that people want to be, which is so amazing. I have a friend and she does this in her dermatology and I didn't think about it. But she has it so exclusive that people like fly in from other places to go to her dermatology and be like, how did you get into joyful?   And she's just done a great job of branding it, of making things special, of making it to where this is only for, and I mean, I wrote so many notes because this is not my specialty. That's why I wanted you on the podcast, Anita, because I think hearing what other people do really can help us out. And like you are literally thinking in branding all day, every day, what can I do? But also doing it in such a beautiful aesthetic way as well that people want it. I mean, who doesn't want to Mark Jacobs bag that, yeah, I'm okay with it saying Cusp on it. Like I'll take that, right? ⁓   It's a beautiful thing that people do want, which is amazing. I love it. Well, Zaneta, I adore you. Any last thoughts you have, anything on branding or business ownership or anything that you feel leaving our listeners today would put a nice pretty bow on this for you today, because I've loved it. I've enjoyed all the tactical pieces, so many different fun things, like something so far from what I normally talk about that just makes me excited and psyched ready to do this. So any last things you want to add, any advice, any pieces?   to put a on our podcast today.   Zaneta Hamlin (43:19) Just make it fun, get stuff that you would use, doesn't have to be dental related. mean, ⁓ yeah, you can check in with your team too. They might have some great ideas that you can use, but yeah, just have fun with it and be obnoxious as you want to with it. Yeah.   Kiera Dent (43:40) I love it.   Amazing. Well, Zaneta, thank you. Thank you for coming on. Thank you for sharing. And I think this is just something really special about our dentist community of like people like you and Christie and Sheena and like, Jamin and all Kevin like so many cool amazing doctors that we get to hang out together. I didn't know how that community was going to shake. had visions of it becoming what it's been where you pop on your hair is always wrapped up because you're coming from patients on your computer hanging out.   Zaneta Hamlin (44:07) Yes.   Kiera Dent (44:09) And then all of a sudden I see the like eyes flash to the screen like what? And I'm supposed to do what? You guys want the what? But just like a fun community and having doctors like yourself that just bring special different ways. I think it's just amazing. So thank you for being on the Dental A Team's family. Thank you for being a part of our crew. It's just like, and thank you for sharing on the podcast today. I really appreciate you.   Zaneta Hamlin (44:30) Thank you for having me. Like, yeah, I'm glad Brandy got us to this point because, I'll definitely, I won't disappoint next month. I'll have some new ideas for you because my pin is going to be on, so you'll see that too, on my blazer.   Kiera Dent (44:41) I know you won't. Zaneta, I guarantee you. I can't wait.   I cannot wait. Yeah, you walk around with this pin. I'm telling you Zaneta dresses herself to the hilt with her brand and it's amazing. I love it every time and I never know what you're going to show up in and it's always different. You're always thinking but I also love that you highlighted because some people can go crazy and not be smart strategic business owners and you're able to do both and that's really what I wanted to highlight. So   Thank you and thank everyone. ⁓ And as always, thanks for listening and I'll catch you next time on the Dental A Team Podcast.  

The BFFs are back to discuss the biggest headlines from the week. Tommy Smokes joins the pod to recap weekend 1 of Barstool Beach House! Support Our Sponsors: Download the Gametime app today and use code BFF for $20 off your first purchase Sign up to save on Uber and Uber Eats. Eligibility and member terms apply. Own your moment with the perfect summer styles available only at Sunglass Hut Subscribe to the podcast now: https://barstool.link/3m4Q0Fq Check out the BFFs Social Media Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bffspod/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/BFFsPod TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@bffspod Follow Josh Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/joshrichards/ Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@joshrichards?lang=en Twitter: https://twitter.com/JoshRichards Follow Brianna Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/briannalapaglia/?hl=en TikTiok: https://www.tiktok.com/@briannachickenfry?lang=en Twitter: https://twitter.com/bchickenfry?lang=en Check out Barstool Sports for more: http://www.barstoolsports.comYou can find every episode of this show on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or YouTube. Prime Members can listen ad-free on Amazon Music. For more, visit barstool.link/bffspod

Jordan Younger and Jenna Zoe are no strangers to the podcast—they're Krista's BFFs! As spiritual seekers, thoughtful leaders and curious souls themselves, the threesome talk about what it means to be in (and cultivate) authentic friendship.Friends give us life, rejuvenating our essence. They're there to celebrate one another's success, question life's mysteries and offer support when times are tough. In this episode, Jordan, Jenna and Krista chat about the natural evolution of friendships, as seasons and people change. Plus, how to be a good friend—even if that means working through uncomfortable moments or feelings.Morning Microdose is a podcast curated by Krista Williams and Lindsey Simcik, the hosts and founders of Almost 30, a global community, brand, and top rated podcast.With curated clips from the Almost 30 podcast, Morning Mircodose will set the tone for your day, so you can feel inspired through thought provoking conversations…all in digestible episodes that are less than 10 minutes.Wake up with Krista and Lindsey, both literally and spiritually, Monday-Friday.If you enjoyed this conversation, listen to the full episode on Spotify here and on Apple here.

The BFFs are joined this week by the queen, Hallie Batchelder. The three discuss this weeks biggest headlines including: Sydney Sweeney, Jana and Kenny, and all the new celebrity romances. 00:00 JOSH GIVES A GOLF LESSON 2:18 SMALLEST MAN BURNED BARSTOOL FLAG 8:05 KATY PERRY UPDATES 14:12 MATT RIFE x ANNABELLE DOLL 19:55 JANE AND KENNY BREAKUP 27:30 HUDA 30:30 LYME DISEASE CONSPIRACY 35:18 SYDNEY SWEENEY 44:15 KIM K FACE WRAP 45:55 "PERFECT" NIGHT OUT DRAFT 51:25 OSCAR FROM JUST TRISH BEEF 54:50 LOLLAPALOOZA 1:03:30 MANGO THE CAT 1:05:10 ALIX EARLE VS ALEX COOPER 1:07:05 OUTRO SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS: Download the Gametime app today and use code BFF for $20 off your first purchase Use the code BFF on https://rhoback.com for a generous 20% off your first order Hydrate Hard with BODYARMOR FLASH I.V. and grab yours today at your local 7-Eleven convenience store. Own your moment with the perfect summer styles available only at Sunglass Hut Subscribe to the podcast now: https://barstool.link/3m4Q0Fq Check out the BFFs Social Media Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bffspod/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/BFFsPod TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@bffspod Follow Josh Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/joshrichards/ Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@joshrichards?lang=en Twitter: https://twitter.com/JoshRichards Follow Brianna Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/briannalapaglia/?hl=en TikTiok: https://www.tiktok.com/@briannachickenfry?lang=en Twitter: https://twitter.com/bchickenfry?lang=en Check out Barstool Sports for more: http://www.barstoolsports.comYou can find every episode of this show on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or YouTube. Prime Members can listen ad-free on Amazon Music. For more, visit barstool.link/bffspod

The BFFs are back to discuss this week's biggest headlines. 00:00 INTRO 00:25 JOSH'S WEEKEND WITH ROB & KENDALL 8:05 JANA & KENNY 14:20 CIERRA FROM LOVE ISLAND 17:10 HULK HOGAN 20:10 TRAVIS KELCE'S IG POST 22:20 TAYLOR SWIFT 32:25 HARRY STYLES 35:40 PEDRO PASCAL 39:05 E NEWS IS CANCELLED? 39:30 MALE BIRTH CONTROL 40:15 KID LAROI & TATE MCRAE BREAKUP 41:30 HANNAH MONTANA ANNIVERSARY 43:30 HOT TAKES 50:27 BFFS CORNER SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS: Download the Gametime app today and use code BFF for $20 off your first purchase Go to https://thrivecausemetics.com/BFFS for an exclusive offer of 20% off your first order. Hydrate Hard with BODYARMOR FLASH I.V. and grab yours today at your local 7-Eleven convenience store. Own your moment with the perfect summer styles available only at Sunglass Hut ---------- Subscribe to the podcast now: https://barstool.link/3m4Q0Fq Check out the BFFs Social Media Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bffspod/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/BFFsPod TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@bffspod Follow Josh Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/joshrichards/ Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@joshrichards?lang=en Twitter: https://twitter.com/JoshRichards Follow Brianna Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/briannalapaglia/?hl=en TikTiok: https://www.tiktok.com/@briannachickenfry?lang=en Twitter: https://twitter.com/bchickenfry?lang=en Check out Barstool Sports for more: http://www.barstoolsports.comYou can find every episode of this show on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or YouTube. Prime Members can listen ad-free on Amazon Music. For more, visit barstool.link/bffspod

The BFFs are back to discuss the biggest headlines of the week including-- The Coldplay affair, Nicki Minaj vs SZA, and the haunted Annabelle doll. Brianna also shares a spooky story and Josh shares all the details about his weekend hanging out with David Dobrik in Vegas. ------------ Support Our Sponsors: Download the Gametime app today and use code BFF for $20 off your first purchase See Oh, Hi! starring Molly Gordon & Logan Lerman, only in theaters on July 25! Tickets are on sale now at https://ohhimovie.com Own your moment with the perfect summer styles available only at Sunglass Hut Go to your Happy Place on July 25 with Happy Gilmore 2, only on Netflix Subscribe to the podcast now: https://barstool.link/3m4Q0Fq Check out the BFFs Social Media Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bffspod/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/BFFsPod TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@bffspod Follow Josh Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/joshrichards/ Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@joshrichards?lang=en Twitter: https://twitter.com/JoshRichards Follow Brianna Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/briannalapaglia/?hl=en TikTiok: https://www.tiktok.com/@briannachickenfry?lang=en Twitter: https://twitter.com/bchickenfry?lang=en Check out Barstool Sports for more: http://www.barstoolsports.comYou can find every episode of this show on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or YouTube. Prime Members can listen ad-free on Amazon Music. For more, visit barstool.link/bffspod

We’re back, BA Fam! After surviving a morning of tech chaos (and some truly humbling camera angles), your favorite financial BFFs are back at the brown table— and we’ve got a lot to say. Chris gets vulnerable about his childhood kidney surgery, Mandi shares how motherhood keeps her grounded (and off the doomscroll), and Yaneli drops gems on supporting immigrant parents while building wealth. Plus, we get into that National Urban League report (spoiler: it’s giving dumpster fire), break down the dangers of digital misinformation, and talk about the future of DEI. In This Episode: The tech struggle bus is real Chris opens up about being a “kidney kid” and what that taught him Mandi talks about parenting through anxiety and the power of staying present We dissect the State of Black America report (yes, literally a flaming trash can was involved) Why same-day voter registration and digital literacy matter Yaneli shares how her family went from cash-only to investment-ready

The BFFs are back together IN PERSON to discuss this weeks biggest headlines. Brianna addresses drama with ex boyfriend and shares all her thoughts about the situation. The two recap Love Island USA Season 7, reveal their opinions on Justin Bieber's new album, and Brianna explains the teenage murderer from Georgia. 00:00 BRIANNA ADDRESSES THE DRAMA 11:25 LOVE ISLAND USA THOUGHTS 38:09 UNO IS COMING TO VEGAS? 40:10 CHRIS HUGHES AND JOJO SIWA (AGAIN) 42:15 JUSTIN BIEBER'S NEW ALBUM 45:38 THE TEENAGE MURDERER 49:23 ADAM SANDLER, JULIE BOWEN, AND CHRIS MCDONALD 52:30 OUTRO Support Our Sponsors: Download the Gametime app today and use code BFF for $20 off your first purchase Go to your Happy Place on July 25 with Happy Gilmore 2, only on Netflix Visit Sunglass Hut today and make every moment truly yours. See Oh, Hi! starring Molly Gordon & Logan Lerman, only in theaters on July 25! Tickets are on sale now at https://ohhimovie.com Subscribe to the podcast now: https://barstool.link/3m4Q0Fq Check out the BFFs Social Media Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bffspod/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/BFFsPod TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@bffspod Follow Josh Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/joshrichards/ Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@joshrichards?lang=en Twitter: https://twitter.com/JoshRichards Follow Brianna Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/briannalapaglia/?hl=en TikTiok: https://www.tiktok.com/@briannachickenfry?lang=en Twitter: https://twitter.com/bchickenfry?lang=en Check out Barstool Sports for more: http://www.barstoolsports.comYou can find every episode of this show on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or YouTube. Prime Members can listen ad-free on Amazon Music. For more, visit barstool.link/bffspod

The BFFs are joined by recently dumped Love Island USA contestants TJ and Jaden. TJ offers his candid thoughts on Iris and Pepe's budding relationship and weighs in on who he believes should take home the win. Meanwhile, Jaden opens up about the current status of her relationship with Austin and spills the tea on the most frequently asked fan questions. 00:00 TJ Interview 24:55 Jaden Interview Subscribe to the podcast now: https://barstool.link/3m4Q0Fq Follow TJ on Socials: IG: https://www.instagram.com/tjpalmaa/?hl=en TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@tjpalmaa?_t=8XwJn2BFO0J&_r=1 Follow Jaden on Socials: IG: https://www.instagram.com/jadenashleyd/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jadenashleyd Check out the BFFs Social Media Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bffspod/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/BFFsPod TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@bffspod Follow Josh Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/joshrichards/ Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@joshrichards?lang=en Twitter: https://twitter.com/JoshRichards Follow Brianna Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/briannalapaglia/?hl=en TikTiok: https://www.tiktok.com/@briannachickenfry?lang=en Twitter: https://twitter.com/bchickenfry?lang=en Check out Barstool Sports for more: http://www.barstoolsports.comYou can find every episode of this show on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or YouTube. Prime Members can listen ad-free on Amazon Music. For more, visit barstool.link/bffspod

The BFFs are back this week to discuss the week's biggest headlines. Brianna live from Martha's Vineyard and Josh in studio. The two debrief the chaotic week we had with Love Island USA and the Cierra drama and Josh can't even believe what Kylie Jenner wore to Jeff Bezos' wedding. ---------- Support Our Sponsors: Download the Gametime app today and use code BFF for $20 off your first purchase Available for a limited time - grab your BODYARMOR Chill at 7-Eleven or a store near you. Visit Sunglass Hut today and make every moment truly yours. Use the code BFF on https://rhoback.com for a generous 20% off your first order Subscribe to the podcast now: https://barstool.link/3m4Q0Fq Check out the BFFs Social Media Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bffspod/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/BFFsPod TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@bffspod Follow Josh Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/joshrichards/ Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@joshrichards?lang=en Twitter: https://twitter.com/JoshRichards Follow Brianna Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/briannalapaglia/?hl=en TikTiok: https://www.tiktok.com/@briannachickenfry?lang=en Twitter: https://twitter.com/bchickenfry?lang=en Check out Barstool Sports for more: http://www.barstoolsports.comYou can find every episode of this show on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or YouTube. Prime Members can listen ad-free on Amazon Music. For more, visit barstool.link/bffspod