Podcasts about Blevins

After helping lead creative and innovation efforts for global brands including Starbucks and Hydro Flask, Dena Blevins found herself asking a different question: What happens when you stop building for some of the world's most recognized brands and start building something that feels deeply personal? In this episode of Design Of, Dena shares her journey from corporate leadership to entrepreneurship and the launch of Frank, a company inspired by the messy, funny, difficult, and beautiful realities of everyday life. At Frank, the mission is simple: create products inspired by what life throws at us and what's happening in the world around us. Sometimes that means diving into difficult topics. Sometimes it means finding humor in uncomfortable moments. And sometimes it means offering a proud middle finger and an undeniably frank point of view. Through a growing collection of bandanas, scarves, cocktail napkins, and thoughtful products, Frank gives people a way to wear, share, celebrate, mourn, laugh, support, and express what they're feeling. Or not. The choice is theirs. What makes this conversation compelling isn't the products. It's the story behind them. "I love that I can put something out there that hopefully resonates with others as well." — Dena Blevins After years helping shape stories for global brands, Dena found herself building a company rooted in that belief. We explore how leadership evolves over time, how personal experiences often become the foundation for meaningful businesses, and why some of the most impactful ideas begin not with a market opportunity but with a human one. Along the way, we talk about entrepreneurship, reinvention, grief, humor, purpose, storytelling, and what it means to create work that reflects who you are, not just what you do. And perhaps the biggest takeaway is this: The most meaningful businesses don't just create products. They create connection. In This Episode, We Explore • Dena's journey from global creative leadership at Starbucks and Hydro Flask to entrepreneurship • The story behind Frank and why she started it • Building a business rooted in honesty, humor, and humanity • How personal experiences can become meaningful products and opportunities • Why storytelling remains one of the most powerful business tools • The relationship between purpose, creativity, and entrepreneurship • What it means to redefine success in a new chapter of life Key Takeaways • Experience often reveals what matters most • Great businesses begin with real human needs • Stories create connection when they are relatable, honest, and human • Humor can help people navigate difficult conversations • Purpose and business can strengthen one another • New chapters require courage, curiosity, and conviction About Dena Dena Blevins is an entrepreneur, storyteller, and former global creative leader whose career includes leadership roles with Starbucks and Hydro Flask. She is the founder of Frank, a brand that creates bold, honest products inspired by real life and the world around us. Through bandanas, scarves, cocktail napkins, and storytelling, Frank helps people express themselves with humor, humanity, and an unapologetically frank point of view.

Having finished All the Pretty Horses, I keep returning to John Grady Cole's conversation with Dueña Alfonsa as one of the keys to the whole novel. Alfonsa is not just the woman standing between John Grady and Alejandra. She is history speaking to youth, the old world speaking to the dreamer.In this episode, I explore Alfonsa's vision of hidden strings, blood, sacrifice, freedom, honor, and love — and how John Grady's journey teaches him that nothing beautiful in McCarthy's world stays untouched. Alejandra, Blevins, the prison violence, and John Grady himself all become part of this larger tragic pattern where the world demands blood before it believes.This is an episode about innocence after it has been broken, love after it has failed to save us, and the possibility of carrying the wound without making blood your god.

Value: Differentiating phonics instruction can feel overwhelming, especially when students have a wide range of needs. In this episode, Wiley Blevins shares practical guidance for using small-group instruction to provide targeted support while maintaining access to grade-level learning. Listeners will gain research-informed insights and classroom-ready ideas for making phonics instruction more responsive and effective.Promise: By the end of this episode, you'll have a clearer understanding of how to organize and use small groups to maximize student growth, support diverse learners, and strengthen phonics instruction without adding unnecessary complexity to your teaching day.Send us Fan MailPartner With The Literacy View-Contact-FaithandJudy@theliteracyview.com Sponsor-The Literacy View-Contact FaithandJudy@theliteracyview.comSupport the showDonate to support the show so it stays real, research-aligned, and independent.

In this episode, I explore All the Pretty Horses through the image of “a boy is a gun,” drawing on Lacan to think about masculinity, lack, fantasy, and the desperate need to be recognized.John Grady Cole, Rawlins, and Blevins are boys trying to enter the symbolic world of men, but McCarthy shows how dangerous that passage becomes when masculinity is tied to humiliation, violence, and the need to prove oneself. Blevins becomes the clearest tragedy of this, while John Grady reveals something more complicated: a masculinity that is beautiful, tender, courageous, and still deeply marked by blood.This episode is about boys, guns, horses, desire, shame, and the question underneath so much male suffering: do I have to become dangerous in order to be seen?

In this episode, I'm reflecting on one of the darkest sections of All the Pretty Horses, where John Grady, Rawlins, and Blevins are taken to Saltillo and the romantic dream of Mexico collapses into violence, corruption, and prison.I spend time with Pérez's chilling claim that evil is not merely something inside a person, but “a true thing” that goes about on its own legs. From there, I explore McCarthy's dark philosophy of evil: evil as visitation, as atmosphere, as something personal and impersonal at the same time.This is an episode about innocence, violence, adulthood, and what it means to keep carrying some wounded form of goodness through a world where evil is real.

In today's LIVE-TALK podcast, we chat about our recently published series of books.  We highlight Dr. Blevins' prolific writing output in the PWN self-published book series, with five titles on pituitary adenomas, diabetes insipidus, Cushing's, hypopituitarism, and pituitary disorders; a TSH-producing tumor book (in editing); a prolactinoma volume heading to the publisher; and an acromegaly book planned.

This summer, the #KingChasing Podcast will focus on student-athletes at NCCAA member institutions who are serving on different mission trips at home and abroad. The summer series begins with the seventh episode of its fifth season of the #KingChasing Podcast, as NCCAA Communications Coordinator Richard Martin interviews Carlie Blevins, a junior at Faith Baptist Bible College (FBBC) and member of the cross country team who just finished a mission trip traveling the Camino de Santiago in Portugal and Spain. During their time on the Camino de Santiago trail, Blevins and her team traversed over 130 miles, talking to people who were also making the hike to Santiago, Spain, sharing the Gospel with those around them. In this episode, Blevins discusses the long journey she and the FBBC team took over two weeks, how she grew in her faith and as a team during the trip, and how she has been convicted to be bolder in sharing the Gospel. For those wanting to learn more about Seth Grotzke, his work in Spain and on the Camino de Santiago, or how to support his family during their time as missionaries, head to scquest.org for more information.    The #KingChasing Podcast is available wherever you listen to podcasts, at thenccaa.org/podcasts, and on YouTube.     

Our live talk sessions of the pituitary and adrenal podcasts continue with this extremely informational conversation on hypothalamic obesity.  If you are interested in learning more about his devastating disorder, please listen to Dr. Blevins as he shares his insights and extensive expertise on its causes, new treatments, and latest developments.   He explains the underlying biology: fat cells produce leptin, which signals the hypothalamus to regulate appetite, metabolic rate, and activity level. When the hypothalamus is damaged, that signal fails, and patients feel constantly starving, their metabolism slows, activity drops, and severe weight gain follows.

In today's podcast, Dr. Blevins and I discuss the health insurance landscape as it relates to medication, tests, and procedure approvals and denials. Dr. Blevins gives us an unfiltered look at what it is like to deal with these challenges and their effects on the practice of medicine and medical decision-making. Don't miss this segment and stay tuned for more of these insightful, genuine, and unguarded discussions from one of the most prolific and experienced teams in a leading neuroendocrine practice in the world.  If you'd like to send your thoughts and comments please click on this link  

Will you be found ready when Christ returns?

The storm is coming, but you are God's plan.

"Instead of being so put together, these songs say, 'I'm human. I can be insecure.' That's real freedom." In this episode of Jrodconcerts: The Podcast, Jamie Rodriguez sits down with acclaimed singer-songwriter Leah Blevins. Fresh off her national television debut on The Kelly Clarkson Show, Leah joins us to discuss her sophomore album, All Dressed Up—a masterclass in torch-pop country and soulful Americana produced by Dan Auerbach at Easy Eye Sound. Leah's journey from the small town of Sandy Hook, Kentucky, to the global stage is a testament to the power of staying true to one's own frequency. We explore the spiritual and philosophical foundations of her work, discussing how life's hardest challenges can eventually transform into creative gifts. In this episode, we explore: The Vulnerability Paradox: Navigating the balance of confidence and transparency as a solo artist. Creative Autonomy: The decision to pursue a solo career at 14 and refusing to fit into traditional genre boxes. The Kentucky Influence: How her upbringing and family history informed her unwavering work ethic and resilience. The Weight of Expectations: Understanding that expectations are often the source of pain and how to pivot toward contribution. Life on the Road: The unique dynamics of being married to a fellow touring musician and preparing to open for Garth Brooks at London's Hyde Park this summer. Leah Blevins is an artist defined not by perfection, but by an unshakable authenticity. Join us for a conversation about healing, faith, and the ongoing process of discovering who you truly are. Connect with Leah Blevins: Website: leahblevinsmusic.com Instagram: @leahblevinsmusic Connect with Jrodconcerts Media: Instagram: @jrodconcertsmedia Newsletter: https://jrodconcertsmedia.com If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a high-fidelity review and subscribe for more deep-dive conversations with the architects of modern music. __ Support the show: DoorDash: When life happens, get a little order delivered with DoorDash. Visit ⁠https://doordash.com⁠ today Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

All rules don't apply to everyone 100% of the time.

In this episode of The Bourbon Life Podcast, Mark and the Matt sit down with Bennett Clark, President, and Royce Blevins, Lead Founder, of Burnt Tavern Bourbon from William Berkele Distillery, for a great conversation centered around some amazing Kentucky history and a new brand bringing that history back to life. Across three segments, the guys dive into Bennett and Royce's respective and unique backgrounds and how that led them both to the Bourbon world, the incredible history and story of the William Berkele Distillery and the Burnt Tavern of Garrard County, as well as what the future looks like for the brand and Distillery. The conversation blends industry insight with plenty of laughs, behind-the-scenes perspective, and the kind of easygoing camaraderie that makes these episodes feel like you're right there at the table. They also taste and review the initial release from William Berkele Distillery, their flagship Burnt Tavern 7-Year Old Bourbon. From thoughtful discussion about the history of the brand to honest reviews of what's in the glass, this episode delivers a great mix of information and entertainment for bourbon fans of all levels. Pull up a chair, pour yourself something good, and enjoy this episode with Bennett Clark and Royce Blevins. This episode of The Bourbon Life Podcast is sponsored by District 7 Social and The Kitchen Table at The James B. Beam Distilling Co.

“If you give attention to the right behaviors, they will multiply. If they sing well and supported and you encourage that, that is going to multiply. If you give attention to the bad behaviors – and that doesn't just mean behavior things like talking out of turn – even though it's being criticized, because it gets attention it will multiply . This is true in life. Whatever you think is positive and you want to multiply, give it attention, give it love, nurture it, and it will multiply."Sherry Blevins is a sought-after artist, award-winning composer, lyricist, as well as an award-winning music educator and conductor. She has over 40 published choral works with 7 different publishing houses including her own series with Hinshaw Music and has been honored to compose for and work with a variety of ensembles around the world including Vancouver, Canada, Lucca, Italy, Bejing, China, Western Alaska, and across the continental United States. She premiered her work “Awaken” at Carnegie Hall with National Concerts in 2024 and conducted her own choral suite, “Tipping Point” at Carnegie Hall in 2025. She was recently honored to be included in GIA's 2025 book, Choral Repertoire by Women Composers. She is also Founder and Artistic Director of the International Choral Composers Institute which hosted 40 composers and lyricists in its inaugural year.According to Hinshaw Music, “Sherry Blevins, a luminary in the world of choral composition and education, orchestrates harmonies that resonate with the soul. Her musical expertise is surpassed only by her dedication to nurturing the next generation of voices, making her a revered figure in both composition and education.”Ms. Blevins has a bachelor's degree in music education with a principal in voice from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro and a master's degree in choral conducting from Appalachian State University. Her hope is that whether through composing or teaching, that the music she shares will bring hope, life, and light to others.You can find Sherry Blevins' work wherever music is sold and you may contact her at sherryblevinsmusic.com.To get in touch with Sherry, you can email her at sherryblevinsmusic@gmail.com, find her on Facebook (@sherry.blevins.18), or visit her website.Email choirfampodcast@gmail.com to contact our hosts.Podcast music from Podcast.coPhoto in episode artwork by Trace Hudson

On this edition of The Mark White Show, I'm joined by Central High School (Florence, Alabama) track coach Jessica Blevins and her athlete, Braxton Davis, as they share a powerful story of resilience, faith, and determination. After a serious car accident and spinal injury left Braxton facing the possibility of never walking again, he fought through surgeries and intensive rehab at Shepherd Center in Atlanta. Today, he's back on the track competing in para-ambulatory events. Coach Blevins shares what it's been like to walk alongside Braxton through his recovery and return to competition, while Braxton opens up about the mindset that's helped him keep moving forward. Together, they offer a perspective that goes far beyond sports. Real stories. Real people. Real impact. News That Unites!™️

On this Make A Difference Minute, I'm sharing a conversation with Central High School track coach Jessica Blevins and her student athlete, Braxton Davis, from the Florence, Alabama area. Coach Blevins talks about the fear and uncertainty after learning Braxton had been in a serious accident, and how she and the coaching staff stayed connected with his family while he fought his way through those early days and into rehab at Shepherd Center. Braxton shares how his perspective on competition has changed. While he's still competitive, he says it's bigger than winning now. It's about becoming the best version of himself and encouraging others to believe they can keep getting better too. Together, their voices highlight what resilience really looks like. This MADM is brought to you by Green's Dependable Hardware, proudly supporting stories and the people who make our communities strong. Real stories. Real people. Real impact. News That Unites!™️

Are you expecting Jesus in your life?

Country singer-songwriter Leah Blevins joins Bar Conversations to talk about her new album All Dressed Up, out March 20, 2026, and the path that led her from Sandy Hook to Nashville. Leah reflects on growing up in a musical, faith-driven family in Eastern Kentucky, the early influences that shaped her sound, and the journey of embracing her natural voice after being told she was “too country.”She also dives into the making of All Dressed Up, working with Dan Auerbach at Easy Eye Sound to create a more honest and fully realized record. Leah shares insight into the emotion behind songs like Lonely and Diggin' in the Coal, her growth as a songwriter, and what's next in 2026.Jonathan's Drinking: Kentucky Senator Bourbon Release 6

  Daniel Blevins is the founder and president of Stand In Pride, a nonprofit and mobile app connecting LGBTQ+ people with chosen family for emotional support or to physically stand in at events such as weddings or graduations.      Connect with Daniel (he/him) Stand in Pride/Facebook Stand in Pride Website

On this episode of Growing Kentucky's Leaders, Mr. Matthew Price, agriculture teacher at Lynn Camp High School, and his student, Chance Blevins discuss the profound impact of community support and the Kentucky FFA Foundation on chapters across Kentucky.Mark your calendars for Give FFA Day on February 26th to help provide more students with the resources they need to lead and grow.Links:Lynn Camp FFA

A candid after-show conversation with George Jack, Patrick Wraight and instructor Heather Blevins explore how AI is transforming insurance claims, why human oversight and ethical guardrails still matter, … Read More » The post Navigating AI, Ethics, and Accountability | IJA Aftershow: Heather Blevins appeared first on Insurance Journal TV.

Melissa Blevins learned early on that the best way through a crisis is to just have faith and keep moving forward. In this episode, Melissa shares how growing up with very little taught her resilience and compassion, how a career in manufacturing built the foundation for leading a food bank, and how the Chattanooga Area Food Bank became more than a career… it became home. Melissa Blevins is the President & CEO of the Chattanooga Area Food Bank. You can connect with her on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/melissa-blevins-21258063).  Subscribe to the weekly newsletter and be the first to know who upcoming guests are: http://eepurl.com/iGJzII  If you liked this episode, we think you'll also like: Bob Culkeen's Morning Cup (E116) Brian Hunt's Morning Cup (E138) April Cameron's Morning Cup (E146) My Morning Cup is hosted by Mike Costa of Costa Media Advisors and produced by SpeakEasy Productions.

Compensation is one of the most sensitive and misunderstood topics in the workplace, and one of the most consequential. In this episode, host Brandon Laws sits down with Nicole Blevins to unpack what compensation structure really means, why informal pay decisions stop working as organizations grow, and how leaders can approach pay with more clarity, fairness, and confidence. Nicole explains how a well-designed compensation structure creates consistency without limiting flexibility, helps leaders navigate difficult pay conversations, and reduces risk tied to pay equity and compliance. The conversation also explores pay transparency laws, common signals that it is time to revisit compensation practices, and why avoiding pay equity analysis often creates bigger problems down the road. This episode offers practical insight for leaders, HR professionals, and business owners who want to scale responsibly, build trust, and make pay decisions that stand up to scrutiny. Key Timestamps 00:00 – Why compensation conversations matter more than ever 02:00 – What compensation structure actually means in practice 04:00 – The misconception that structure limits flexibility 06:00 – What breaks when organizations grow without guardrails 08:30 – Pay transparency, employee conversations, and trust 10:30 – The hidden risk of retention raises and pay compression 12:30 – Why pay equity analysis is no longer optional 14:30 – Oregon pay equity laws and the importance of proactive action 16:00 – The real pros and cons of pay transparency laws 18:00 – Addressing the fear of uncovering pay inequities 20:30 – How compensation structure changes manager conversations 23:30 – Why compensation is not a one-time exercise 25:30 – How often organizations should revisit pay structures 26:30 – Signals that it is time to review compensation practices 28:30 – How leaders can approach compensation work without overwhelm A QUICK GLIMPSE INTO OUR PODCAST Podcast: Transform Your Workplace, sponsored by Xenium HR Host: Brandon Laws In Brandon's own words: "The Transform Your Workplace podcast is your go-to source for the latest workplace trends, big ideas, and time-tested methods straight from the mouths of industry experts and respected thought leaders." About Xenium HR Xenium HR is on a mission to transform workplaces by providing expert outsourced HR and payroll services for small and medium-sized businesses. With a people-first approach, Xenium helps organizations create thriving work environments where employees feel valued and supported. From navigating compliance to enhancing workplace culture, Xenium offers tailored solutions that empower growth and simplify HR. Whether managing employee relations, payroll processing, or implementing impactful training programs, Xenium is the trusted partner businesses rely on to elevate their workplace experience. Discover how Xenium can transform your workplace: Learn more: https://www.xeniumhr.com/ Connect with Brandon Laws LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lawsbrandon Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lawsbrandon About Brandon: https://xeniumhr.com/about-xenium/meet-the-team/brandon-laws Connect with Xenium HR Website: https://xeniumhr.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/xenium-hr Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/XeniumHR Twitter: https://twitter.com/XeniumHR Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/xeniumhr YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/XeniumHR

Shane is the last Road Angel we get to see. That's enough of a hint.Shane tells us how this Road Angel station evolved and the joy it gives and receives.

On December 27, 2025, the Telluride Ski Patrol went on strike. Chuck Horning, the owner of Telluride Ski Resort, then closed the ski area indefinitely. So what is going on in Telluride? What does it mean for the town and residents of Telluride? And what does this strike — and others — say about the current state of mountain towns and the ski-resort industry? To discuss all of these things and more, we are talking with ski-industry reporter, Jason Blevins, the co-founder of the Colorado Sun, and the man behind Blevins' Corner on our ‘Reviewing the News' series.Note: We Want to Hear From You!We'd love for you to share with us the stories or topics you'd like us to cover next month on Reviewing the News; ask your most pressing mountain town advice questions, or offer your hot takes for us to rate. You can email those to us here.RELATED LINKS: GetCARV.comBLISTER+ Get Yourself CoveredBLISTER+ Questions: contact@blisterplus.comGet Our 25/26 Winter Buyer's GuideDiscounted Summit Registration for BLISTER+ MembersNon-Member Registration: Blister Summit 2026Get Our Newsletter & Weekly Gear GiveawaysCHECK OUT OUR YOUTUBE CHANNELS:Blister Studios (our new channel)Blister Review (our original channel)TOPICS & TIMES:BLISTER+ Changes starting January 1st (1:30)Get CARV (1:56)What's Going On in Telluride? (3:00)How Did We Get Here? (5:19)What is Telluride Ski Patrol Asking For? (7:10)Who is Being Unreasonable? (8:46)The Numbers Behind the Request (11:58)Other Potential Costs (18:16)Is Crazy still Better than Corporate? (21:39)Why Won't Chuck Just Sell the Ski Area? (23:19)What is the Community Saying? (26:17)Will We See more Strikes in the Industry? (32:10)Billionaires & Ski Towns (33:34)Blevins' Prediction for Telluride (39:29)CHECK OUT OUR OTHER PODCASTS:Blister CinematicCRAFTEDBikes & Big IdeasGEAR:30 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hello friends! First off, I hope you all have a very merry Christmas, a happy holiday, or that whatever you celebrate is filled with love and peace. After such a long dark year, I thought it would be nice to ring in the holidays with an inspiring and uplifting conversation with guitar playing singer-songwriter, Roger Blevins Jr. who was recovering and rehabilitating from a three year bout with tongue cancer that ended with him having 80% of his tongue removed in the summer of 2024. By the time he was on the show in April he had been writing and recording new material and was about to go out and play his first full show. It's a truly inspiring conversation. Below are my original notes.   Guitar playing singer-songwriter, Roger Blevins Jr. is my guest for episode 1477! You might know Roger from his long time band Mingo Fishtrap, or his Blevins Guitar Company. Roger is currently recovering and rehabilitating from a three-year bout with tongue cancer that ended with him having to get 80% of his tongue removed last summer. It's been a long road back to the stage, but Roger played some songs a couple of weeks ago at the 11:59 Songwriter Group show at Saxon Pub and he's playing a songwriter-in-the-round with Ray Prim, Tom Meny, and Dan Dyer on June 11th at The '04 Center. Go to rogerblevinsmusic.com for show info, music, and more. We have an incredibly inspiring conversation about Roger's journey, having an amazing and supportive partner in his wife, his gratitude, building guitars, relearning to speak and sing and much more. I had a great time getting to know Roger. I'm sure you will too. Let's get down!   Follow us on Instagram, X, Facebook, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or anywhere you pod.   If you feel so inclined. Venmo: venmo.com/John-Goudie-1  Paypal: paypal.me/johnnygoudie

On the Morning News Express, Bob Miller welcomed JB Blevins, Major with The Salvation Army, to celebrate the huge success of Christmas Cash for Kids. Major Blevins shared how the funds raised turned into thousands of toys now being distributed to needy families across our area, and just how massive the operation is behind the scenes. They also highlighted the incredible role of dedicated volunteers, whose time and heart make it all possible. It’s a powerful reminder of what this community can do when it comes together.

This week on the Roach Koach Podcast it's about a gift. That gift is a new album from My Ticket Home, called Pure To A Fault! The boys are back! To celebrate, Lorin and Matt welcome back My Ticket Home rhythm guitarist and vocalist Derek Blevins to discuss all things MTH. Topics this episode include:-Response to the album-Being Puke Rock to a fault-Producing yourself-Album covers-The video for “Nothing Lost”-Sequencing-More new My Ticket Home music?-Merch!-A game of This or That: Nu Metal Singers-And of course we close it out with Rippers for Roaches 2.Take a listen!A big thank you to Derek and My Ticket Home! Make sure to stream the album from your streamer of choice. The Crack, the Butt Rock Bracket is here on the Roach Koach Patreon! Subscribe today! Rate, review, and follow Roach Koach on Apple Podcasts and Spotify! We'd appreciate it! Questions about the show? Have album recommendations? Just want to say hi? We'd love to hear from you! Contact the show @RoachKoach on Twitter, Roach Koach on Facebook , Roach Koach on Instagram, or send an email to RoachKoachPodcast at Gmail. Follow the show on Youtube and TikTok! Find every episode of Roach Koach and order your Roach Koach T-shirt at Roach Koach dot com.

Cody and Jonathan discuss our national parks' new passes; why president Trump pardoned a trail runner; the Most Canadian News; they rate your takes; and share what they've been reading & watching.Note: We Want to Hear From You!We'd love for you to share with us the stories or topics you'd like us to cover next month on Reviewing the News; ask your most pressing mountain town advice questions, or offer your hot takes for us to rate. You can email those to us here.RELATED LINKS: BLISTER+ Get Yourself CoveredGet Our 25/26 Winter Buyer's GuideDiscounted Summit Registration for BLISTER+ MembersNon-Member Registration: Blister Summit 2026Get Our Newsletter & Weekly Gear GiveawaysCHECK OUT OUR YOUTUBE CHANNELS:Blister Studios (our new channel)Blister Review (our original channel)TOPICS & TIMES:Why JE Froze While Skiing Yesterday (00:49)New BLISTER+ Members (2:38)Cody's Travel Updates (3:45)FIFTY+ Talk & A Near Fatal Rappel!! (8:26)New National Park Passes (17:38)Trump Pardons Trail Runner?? (28:45)Most Canadian News (41:44)Rate My Take: Backcountry Licenses (44:59)Blevins' Corner: Keep Colorado Wild Pass (51:45) Mountain Town Advice? (55:49)What We're Reading & Watching (56:28)NFL Talk (1:10:32)CHECK OUT OUR OTHER PODCASTS:Blister CinematicCRAFTEDBikes & Big IdeasGEAR:30 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of BRAVE COMMERCE, hosts Rachel Tipograph and Sarah Hofstetter speak with Matt Blevins, Chief Marketing Officer at Heaven Hill Brands.Matt shares why long-term brand building remains essential in the spirits category and how disciplined measurement guides smarter decision-making. He explains how digital discovery, from YouTube mixology to Reddit communities, shapes in-store behavior, and why premiumization, moderation, and innovation are the real forces reshaping today's beverage alcohol landscape.Additionally, he also breaks down how Heaven Hill decides when to modernize a brand, why nuance is missing from industry headlines, and what it takes to stay grounded in consumer truth while the marketing world chases real-time optimization.Key takeawaysLong-term brand building and strategic patience remain essential in spiritsDigital discovery now heavily shapes in-store purchase decisionsPremiumization, moderation, and innovation continue to drive category trendsBrand modernization works best when rooted in product truth and distinctiveness Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

If you've ever wondered whether it's too late to start ultrarunning — or whether you can build elite durability while juggling a full-time job, a family, and life responsibilities — this episode is going to light you up.In this conversation, I sit down with Everyday Ultra coach, ultrarunner, dad, and leader — Kirk Blevins — to unpack his incredible journey from powerlifter… to OCR athlete… to 50 miler… to 100 miler… and ultimately his first 200-mile finish at the Across Florida 200.Kirk started endurance sports later in life — but through mindset, structure, and smart training, he's built a level of durability most runners never reach.Inside this episode, you'll learn:• How Kirk went from watching a Spartan Race on TV to signing up within minutes• The brutal first 50-miler that nearly broke him — and why he doubled the distance anyway• Why starting later in life isn't a disadvantage… and might actually be a superpower• The mindset shift that helped him handle ankle-deep mud, freezing rain, and adversity• The training changes that allowed him to run a 200-miler with zero soreness• How he balanced training, career, and family without burning out• The role of strength training, mobility, and footwork in staying injury-free• What he learned about recovery that transformed his performance• Why finding your “apex” of volume and recovery is the real secret to ultra success• How to build belief after a bad race — and why it's never too late to startThis episode is packed with practical training insights, mindset shifts, and real-world lessons from someone who has built an unbreakable foundation while living a full life.Whether you're training for your first ultra or leveling up to the next distance, Kirk's story will show you exactly what's possible.SHOW LINKS:Want to work with Kirk as your coach to help you crush your ultramarathon goals? Book a call with him here on a free consultation call to see if we're a good fit!Want to be coached by me and my team to crush your next ultramarathon in our 1:1 coaching program?⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ We have a Black Friday Sale NOW for 30% off your first month! ⁠Book a free call with one of our coaches to see if we are a good fit at ⁠⁠⁠theeverydayultra.com⁠⁠⁠Register for our race, The Desert Peak Ultra 100K + 50K at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠desertpeakultra.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Want to work with me to crush your next ultramarathon in our group coaching program? Sign up for our group coaching program here:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠https://www.theeverydayultra.com/group-coaching⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow Joe on IG:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/joecorcione/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Everyday Ultra YouTube Channel:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCUelKGeptWZivD6yRIDiupg⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Get 25% off TrainingPeaks Premium to track and plan your training better by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠signing up here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and use code CYBER2025Try CurraNZ to boost recovery and performance and get 15% off your first order with code EVERYDAYULTRAPOD at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.curranzusa.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Try PlayOn Pain Relief Spray at⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠playonrelief.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Try Bear Butt Wipes and get 10% off your order with code EVERYDAYULTRA at bearbuttwipes.comTry Janji apparel and get 10% off your order with code EVERYDAYULTRA at Janji.com

Nicole Blevins discusses HR burnout with Brandon Laws, describing HR professionals as the "emotional sponge" of organizations. She explains how HR workers struggle to recognize burnout in themselves despite helping others with similar issues, particularly solo practitioners lacking peer support. Nicole shares practical strategies including setting boundaries, scheduling breaks, using music for decompression, and building professional networks. The key message: HR professionals must proactively prioritize their own mental health and apply the same self-care they advocate for employees. A QUICK GLIMPSE INTO OUR PODCAST Podcast: Transform Your Workplace, sponsored by Xenium HR Host: Brandon Laws In Brandon's own words: "The Transform Your Workplace podcast is your go-to source for the latest workplace trends, big ideas, and time-tested methods straight from the mouths of industry experts and respected thought-leaders." About Xenium HR Xenium HR is on a mission to transform workplaces by providing expert outsourced HR and payroll services for small and medium-sized businesses. With a people-first approach, Xenium helps organizations create thriving work environments where employees feel valued and supported. From navigating compliance to enhancing workplace culture, Xenium offers tailored solutions that empower growth and simplify HR. Whether managing employee relations, payroll processing, or implementing impactful training programs, Xenium is the trusted partner businesses rely on to elevate their workplace experience. Learn more: https://www.xeniumhr.com/ Connect with Brandon Laws LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lawsbrandon Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lawsbrandon About: https://xeniumhr.com/about-xenium/meet-the-team/brandon-laws Connect with Xenium HR Website: https://xeniumhr.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/xenium-hr Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/XeniumHR Twitter: https://twitter.com/XeniumHR Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/xeniumhr YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/XeniumHR

We sit down with Christopher Blevins in Bentonville to unpack The 2025 racing season, which finished with Christopher at the top of the sport claiming both overall titles (XCC & XCO) in the World Cup MTB. If you're curious about sustainable high performance, athlete creativity, and the community that keeps joy in the grind, this conversation delivers.A New American Town is here to help you plan your trip to Bentonville, Arkansas. From guides, events, and restaurant highlights. Find all this and more at visitbentonville.com and subscribe to our newsletter. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, X, and LinkedIn. You can listen to this podcast on Apple Podcasts, Overcast, Spotify, CastBox, Podcast Casts, Google Podcasts, iHeartRadio, and Podcast Addict.

The United States is racing toward nuclear annihilation while its empire crumbles from within. In this explosive interview, independent journalist Rachel Blevins exposes how Washington's imperial ambitions have backfired catastrophically: as the New START treaty expires in 2026, Trump threatens to resume nuclear testing while Russia deploys unstoppable weapons like the Oreshnik and Burevestnik.Meanwhile, Zelensky begs for Tomahawk missiles that could trigger World War III, and in a shocking betrayal of reality, former Al-Qaeda leader Ahmad al-Sharaa, once with a $10 million bounty on his head, is now Syria's US-backed president, playing basketball with the very commanders who hunted him.From rare earth mineral dominance to the Nord Stream bombing cover-up, Blevins reveals how US aggression has forged an unbreakable Russia-China-Iran alliance, accelerating the collapse of American unipolar power while ordinary Americans pay the price at grocery stores and gas pumps.Donate to Support Independent Journalism: https://www.MintPressNews.com/donationsMintPress News YouTube: https://youtube.com/MintPressNewsFollow Rachel Blevins: https://twitter.com/RachelBlevinsFollow Mnar Adley: https://twitter.com/MnarMuhSupport the showMintPress News is a fiercely independent. You can support us by becoming a member on Patreon, bookmarking and whitelisting us, and by subscribing to our social media channels, including Twitch, YouTube, Twitter and Instagram. Subscribe to MintCast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and SoundCloud. Also, be sure to check out the new Behind the Headlines channel on YouTube and subscribe to rapper Lowkey's new video interview/podcast series, The Watchdog.

In 2025, Christopher Blevins won 9 UCI World Cup races and was the first American Male to earn the UCI Men's World Cup Overall Championship in 34 years. He raced for Team USA at the 2020 (held in 2021) and 2024 Olympic Games and won the inaugural UCI Short Track MTB World Championship in 2021. Before any of those accomplishments, in the summer of 2021, Blevins was an early guest on this podcast. We're revisiting that conversation in Episode 278 of "The Time-Crunched Cyclist Podcast" to showcase the wisdom, work ethic, and authenticity he exhibited as a young athlete on the precipice of becoming one of the best athletes in the world.Episode Highlights:How BMX training translated to racing MTB and on the roadThe influence of Durango Devo and mentors at Hagens Berman AxeonMaking the transition from Junior to U23 to ProStarting to work with Coach Jim Miller in 2019Seeking balance off the bike with poetry and musicGuest Bio – Christopher Blevins:With a background in BMX, Cyclocross, and Road Racing, Christopher Blevins developed into a MTB World Champion, World Cup Champion, and 2-time Olympian. In 2021, he made history by winning the inaugural XCC World Championship. Riding for Specialized Factory Racing, Blevins is known for his technical brilliance, tactical intelligence, and clutch sprint finishes. In 2025, he won 9 UCI World Cup races and was the first American Male to earn the UCI Men's World Cup Overall Championship in 34 years. Off the bike, he's a poet, advocate, and inspiration to many, using his platform to grow the sport and empower the next generation of cyclists.Read More About Christopher Blevins:Website: https://usacycling.org/athlete/christopher-blevinsInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/christopherblevsSpotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/19o8lsgMX0NLiGHPfbgOudASK A QUESTION FOR A FUTURE PODCASTHOSTAdam Pulford has been a CTS Coach for nearly two decades and holds a B.S. in Exercise Physiology. He's participated in and coached hundreds of athletes for endurance events all around the world.Listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, Google Podcasts, or on your favorite podcast platformGET FREE TRAINING CONTENTJoin our weekly newsletterCONNECT WITH CTSWebsite: trainright.comInstagram: @cts_trainrightTwitter: @trainrightFacebook: @CTSAthlete

HR consultant Nicole Blevins discusses building effective partnerships between internal HR teams and external consultants. She emphasizes starting with clear role definitions, addressing concerns through curiosity rather than defensiveness, and positioning consultants as supportive extensions rather than threats. Success requires open communication, regular check-ins, and customizing support based on each team's unique needs. TAKEAWAYS Start relationships with clear expectations by mapping roles and responsibilities to avoid conflicts over unmet assumptions Address resistance through curiosity—ask questions to understand concerns rather than listing credentials defensively Customize support based on team needs, whether handling administrative tasks to free up strategic work or providing strategic guidance to developing teams A QUICK GLIMPSE INTO OUR PODCAST Podcast: Transform Your Workplace, sponsored by Xenium HR Host: Brandon Laws In Brandon's own words: “The Transform Your Workplace podcast is your go-to source for the latest workplace trends, big ideas, and time-tested methods straight from the mouths of industry experts and respected thought-leaders. About Xenium HR Xenium HR is on a mission to transform workplaces by providing expert outsourced HR and payroll services for small and medium-sized businesses. With a people-first approach, Xenium helps organizations create thriving work environments where employees feel valued and supported. From navigating compliance to enhancing workplace culture, Xenium offers tailored solutions that empower growth and simplify HR. Whether managing employee relations, payroll processing, or implementing impactful training programs, Xenium is the trusted partner businesses rely on to elevate their workplace experience. Discover how Xenium can transform your workplace: Learn more [https://www.xeniumhr.com/] Connect with Brandon Laws: LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/lawsbrandon] Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/lawsbrandon] About [https://xeniumhr.com/about-xenium/meet-the-team/brandon-laws] Connect with Xenium HR: Website [https://xeniumhr.com/] LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/company/xenium-hr] Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/XeniumHR] Twitter [https://twitter.com/XeniumHR] Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/xeniumhr] YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/user/XeniumHR    

Monday, October 20, 2025 The Dominant Duo – Total Dominance Hour -NCAAF weekend recap, Blaylock and Sooners win, Joe Mussatto for Dean Blevins, Thunder vs. Rockets tomorrow and more. Follow the Sports Animal on Facebook, Instagram and X PLUS Jim Traber on Instagram, Berry Tramel on X and Dean Blevins on X Follow Tony Z on Instagram and Facebook Listen to past episodes HERE! Follow Total Dominance Podcasts on Apple, Google and SpotifySee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Karen Naumann Blevins, APR, PMP, is a multifaceted, seasoned practitioner with more than 25 years of communication experience. She is an educator, global program manager, industry leader, and published author. She is an adjunct instructor and course developer in Crisis Communications at West Virginia University, where she instructs active military, earning a graduate degree. Recently, she spearheaded the Environmental Protection Agency's Environmental and Climate Justice program's contractual Communications team for which she developed the national outreach strategy supporting multi-billions of funds that Congress authorized in the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA). The allocation supported climate-improving projects in communities historically excluded from energy infrastructure decisions and on the front lines of climate change. Follow her career: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karennaumann/ ***********Susanne Mueller / www.susannemueller.biz TEDX Talk, May 2022: Running and Life: 5KM Formula for YOUR Successhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oT_5Er1cLvY 700+ weekly blogs / 500 podcasts / 1 Ironman Triathlon / 5 half ironman races / 26 marathon races / 4 books / 1 Mt. Kilimanjaro / 1 TEDx Talk

Wednesday, October 01, 2025 The Dominant Duo – Total Dominance Hour -Greatest living athlete, Texas State - coach GJ Kinne, Mateer vs Texas?, NCAAF with Dean Blevins and more. Follow the Sports Animal on Facebook, Instagram and X PLUS Jim Traber on Instagram, Berry Tramel on X and Dean Blevins on X Follow Tony Z on Instagram and Facebook Listen to past episodes HERE! Follow Total Dominance Podcasts on Apple, Google and SpotifySee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How the owner of Lunazul tequila, Deep Eddy vodka and a high-end bourbon and whiskey portfolio is tapping into fast moving social media and food trends without losing sight of its roots. Blevins also discusses new agency relationships with Mono and Assembly.

Transform Your Workplace host Brandon Laws and HR business partner Nicole Blevins discuss a viral workplace scandal involving a CEO and Chief People Officer caught on a kiss cam, allegedly having an affair. They explore the HR implications including power dynamics, conflicts of interest, and challenges employees face reporting inappropriate leadership behavior. Key topics include the importance of third-party investigators for executive issues, the value of external HR consultants for objectivity, and rebuilding psychological safety in toxic cultures. Nicole's main takeaway: "If you see something, say something" - employees must find courage to speak up when witnessing behavior that compromises workplace integrity. A QUICK GLIMPSE INTO OUR PODCAST Podcast: Transform Your Workplace, sponsored by Xenium HR Host: Brandon Laws In Brandon's own words: “The Transform Your Workplace podcast is your go-to source for the latest workplace trends, big ideas, and time-tested methods straight from the mouths of industry experts and respected thought-leaders.” About Xenium HR Xenium HR is on a mission to transform workplaces by providing expert outsourced HR and payroll services for small and medium-sized businesses. With a people-first approach, Xenium helps organizations create thriving work environments where employees feel valued and supported. From navigating compliance to enhancing workplace culture, Xenium offers tailored solutions that empower growth and simplify HR.

On September 10th, 2025, in front of over 3,000 students on the campus of Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah, a lone gunman took the life of Christian and political activist Charlie Kirk. Why would God allow such a tragedy to happen? Watchman staff recently traveled to Utah and visited the campus of UVU. On this special episode of Apologetics Profile, Watchman Fellowship senior apologist Dr. Brady Blevins helps us make sense of the tragedy. © 2025 Watchman Fellowship, Inc. Apologetics Profile is a production of Watchman Fellowship, Inc., Arlington, Texas (Watchman.org).

The Oklahoma Sooners were the team to beat heading into the 1975 season and the question was… could anyone do it? Barry Switzer's squad had split the National Championship the year prior with the Trojans of USC, but with most of that team returning, the Sooners were stacked on both sides of the ball and looking to defend their title. On the cover of Sports Illustrated September 8, 1975, was their fearless quarterback, Steve Davis, who in three years at the helm lost one time in 34 games. Switzer was also on the cover, having not lost a game in his first two seasons as the Head Coach at OU… and on the cover, he was giving Heisman hopeful Joe Washington a big hug as the pre-season ranked #1 Sooners looked to have a 3rd straight season without a loss. For much of the year, it looked like they were destined to do just that… 8-0 after a win at Oklahoma State, they had outscored their opponents 264-88… and then, out of nowhere, a home loss to Kansas ended their perfect season, and probably a chance at a 2nd straight National Championship. The backup to QB Steve Davis was a two sport star by the name of Dean Blevins who grew up in Norman, Oklahoma. He started 6 games in his 4 years at OU, and won all 6, but he was a throwing quarterback on a team… that didn't throw. He got hurt, and was replaced by Thomas Lott who ran the wishbone the way Coach Switzer liked to run it. 50 years later, Blevins might have taken his talents to another school, but he stayed at Oklahoma, and after his playing days were over, he stayed in Oklahoma, becoming both a local and national broadcaster for the next 5+ decades. Blevins joins us on the Past Our Prime podcast to tell us about his friend and roommate Davis who wasn't the most talented player except for one thing… he was very good at winning…. 32-1-1 was the Sooners QB. Dean tells us about the special bond he and Davis had and about that horrible night in 2013, when his friend died suddenly in a plane crash in South Bend, Indiana. Dean also talks about how Coach Switzer recruited him 50+ years ago on a golf course and would end up caddying for the young Blevins a few times in the course of trying too get him to commit to OU. Blevins committed to Oklahoma, and Switzer committed to Blevins… the way he committed to all his players then… and now. Dean gives an inside look to Barry Switzer that many may not be aware of but as the Coach gets close to turning 88, Blevins makes it clear that the relationship formed between Switzer and his players is one that will never be broken.  And Dean gives an inside look to the complicated relationship between Troy Aikman and Coach Switzer… one that started with Troy coming to Oklahoma before Barry called UCLA's Terry Donahue and told him he had a QB for him that was destined for the Hall of Fame… When Donahue didn't call back, Switzer called a 2nd time, and soon Aikman was playing in Westwood. The two would reunite to win a Super Bowl in Dallas before a falling out took place that was displayed in the recent Netflix series, but Blevins has an update on their situation that is 30 years in the making. And how about that '75 team with Washington, the Selmon Brothers, Davis and Washington, and a freshman running back named Billy Sims? Did they recover from that loss to Kansas? You bet they did… a win over Michigan in the Orange Bowl secured a 2nd straight National Championship for Switzers Sooners… and Dean Blevins who retired from TV just two months ago after 41 years in the business, is here on the Past Our Prime podcast to tell us all about one of the greatest college football teams of all-time: Switzers Sooners. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Adam Blevins is a former Virginia state trooper who transitioned into mental health and now serves as the operations director of the Virginia Law Enforcement Assistance Program (VALEAP). After experiencing firsthand the toll of trauma, he transitioned into mental health, becoming an EMDR provider, ICISF instructor, and PhD student in trauma-informed care. Drawing from his unique perspective as both a first responder and a mental health provider, Adam wrote Welcome to the S.H.I.F.T. Show™: How to Love Yourself in a World That Won't, a raw, unfiltered guide to self-discovery and resilience in an unforgiving world. In This EpisodeVLEAP websiteAdam on FacebookAdam's book: Welcome to The S.H.I.F.T ShowAdam on YoutubeAdam on LinkedInThe Trauma Therapist PodcastJoin my email list and receive podcast updates and other news: https://bit.ly/3LuAG2iListen to all Trauma Therapist Podcast episodes here: https://bit.ly/3VRNy8zBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-trauma-therapist--5739761/support.

The Storm does not cover athletes or gear or hot tubs or whisky bars or helicopters or bros jumping off things. I'm focused on the lift-served skiing world that 99 percent of skiers actually inhabit, and I'm covering it year-round. To support this mission of independent ski journalism, please subscribe to the free or paid versions of the email newsletter.WhoGreg Pack, President and General Manager of Mt. Hood Meadows, OregonRecorded onApril 28, 2025About Mt. Hood MeadowsClick here for a mountain stats overviewOwned by: The Drake Family (and other minority shareholders)Located in: Mt. Hood, OregonYear founded: 1968Pass affiliations:* Indy Pass – 2 days, select blackouts* Indy+ Pass – 2 days, no blackoutsClosest neighboring U.S. ski areas: Summit (:17), Mt. Hood Skibowl (:19), Cooper Spur (:23), Timberline (:26)Base elevation: 4,528 feetSummit elevation: 7,305 feet at top of Cascade Express; 9,000 feet at top of hike-to permit area; 11,249 feet at summit of Mount HoodVertical drop: 2,777 feet lift-served; 4,472 hike-to inbounds; 6,721 feet from Mount Hood summitSkiable acres: 2,150Average annual snowfall: 430 inchesTrail count: 87 (15% beginner, 40% intermediate, 15% advanced, 30% expert)Lift count: 11 (1 six-pack, 5 high-speed quads, 1 fixed-grip quad, 3 doubles, 1 carpet – view Lift Blog's inventory of Mount Hood Meadows' lift fleet)About Cooper SpurClick here for a mountain stats overviewOwned by: The Drake FamilyLocated in: Mt. Hood, OregonYear founded: 1927Pass affiliations: Indy Pass, Indy+ Pass – 2 days, no blackoutsClosest neighboring U.S. ski areas: Mt. Hood Meadows (:22), Summit (:29), Mt. Hood Skibowl (:30), Timberline (:37)Base elevation: 3,969 feetSummit elevation: 4,400 feetVertical drop: 431 feetSkiable acres: 50Average annual snowfall: 250 inchesTrail count: 9 (1 most difficult, 7 more difficult, 1 easier)Lift count: 2 (1 double, 1 ropetow – view Lift Blog's inventory of Cooper Spur's lift fleet)Why I interviewed himVolcanoes are weird. Oh look, an exploding mountain. Because that seems reasonable. Volcanoes sound like something imagined, like dragons or teleportation or dinosaurs*. “So let me get this straight,” I imagine some puzzled Appalachian miner, circa 1852, responding to the fellow across the fire as he tells of his adventures in the Oregon Territory, “you expect me to believe that out thataways they got themselves mountains that just blow their roofs off whenever they feel like it, and shoot off fire and rocks and gas for 50 mile or more, and no one never knows when it's a'comin'? You must think I'm dumber'n that there tree stump.”Turns out volcanoes are real. How humanity survived past day one I have no idea. But here we are, skiing on volcanoes instead of tossing our virgins from the rim as a way of asking the nice mountain to please not explode (seriously how did anyone make it out of the past alive?).And one of the volcanoes we can ski on is Mount Hood. This actually seems more unbelievable to me than the concept of a vengeful nuclear mountain. PNW Nature Bros shield every blade of grass like they're guarding Fort Knox. When, in 2014, federal scientists proposed installing four monitoring stations on Hood, which the U.S. Geological Survey ranks as the sixth-highest threat to erupt out of America's 161 active volcanoes, these morons stalled the process for six years. “I think it is so important to have places like that where we can just step back, out of respect and humility, and appreciate nature for what it is,” a Wilderness Watch official told The New York Times. Personally I think it's so important to install basic monitoring infrastructure so that thousands of people are not incinerated in a predictable volcanic eruption. While “Japan, Iceland and Chile smother their high-threat volcanoes in scientific instruments,” The Times wrote, American Granola Bros say things like, “This is more proof that the Forest Service has abandoned any pretense of administering wilderness as per the letter or spirit of the Wilderness Act.” And Hood and the nation's other volcanoes cackle madly. “These idiots are dumber than the human-sacrifice people,” they say just before belching up an ash cloud that could take down a 747. When officials finally installed these instrument clusters on Hood in 2020, they occupied three boxes that look to be approximately the size of a convenience-store ice freezer, which feels like an acceptable trade-off to mass death and airplanes falling out of the sky.I know that as an outdoor writer I'm supposed to be all pissed off if anyone anywhere suggests any use of even a centimeter of undeveloped land other than giving it back to the deer in a treaty printed on recycled Styrofoam and signed with human blood to symbolize the life we've looted from nature by commandeering 108 square feet to potentially protect millions of lives from volcanic eruption, but this sort of trivial protectionism and willful denial that humans ought to have rights too is the kind of brainless uncompromising overreach that I fear will one day lead to a massive over-correction at the other extreme, in which a federal government exhausted with never being able to do anything strips away or massively dilutes land protections that allow anyone to do anything they can afford. And that's when we get Monster Pete's Arctic Dune Buggies setting up a casino/coal mine/rhinoceros-hunting ranch on the Eliot Glacier and it's like thanks Bros I hope that was worth it to stall the placement of gardenshed-sized public safety infrastructure for six years.Anyway, given the trouble U.S. officials have with installing necessary things on Mount Hood, it's incredible how many unnecessary ones our ancestors were able to build. But in 1927 the good old boys hacked their way into the wilderness and said, “by gum what a spot for snoskiing” and built a bunch of ski areas. And today 31 lifts serve four Mt. Hood ski areas covering a combined 4,845 acres:Which I'm just like, do these Wilderness Watch people not know about this? Perhaps if this and similar groups truly cared about the environmental integrity of Mount Hood they would invest their time, energy, and attention into a long-term regional infrastructure plan that identified parcels for concentrated mixed-use development and non-personal-car-based transit options to mitigate the impact of thousands of skiers traveling up the mountain daily from Portland, rather than in delaying the installation of basic monitoring equipment that notifies humanity of a civilization-shattering volcanic eruption before it happens. But then again I am probably not considering how this would impact the integrity of squirrel poop decomposition below 6,000 feet and the concomitant impacts on pinestand soil erosion which of course would basically end life as we know it on planet Earth.OK this went sideways let me try to salvage it.*Whoops I know dinosaurs were real; I meant to write “the moon landing.” How embarrassing.What we talked aboutA strong 2024-25; recruiting employees in mountains with little nearby housing; why Meadows doesn't compete with Timberline for summer skiing; bye-bye Blue double, Meadows' last standing opening-year chairlift; what it takes to keep an old Riblet operating; the reliability of old versus new chairlifts; Blue's slow-motion demolition and which relics might remain long term; the logic of getting a free anytime buddy lift ticket with your season pass; thoughts on ski area software providers that take a percentage of all sales; why Meadows and Cooper Spur have no pass reciprocity; the ongoing Cooper Spur land exchange; the value of Cooper Spur and Summit on a volcano with three large ski areas; why Meadows hasn't backed away from reciprocal agreements; why Meadows chose Indy over Epic, Ikon, or Mountain Collective; becoming a ski kid when you're not from a ski family; landing at Mountain Creek, New Jersey after a Colorado ski career; how Moonlight Basin started as an independent ski area and eventually became part of Big Sky; the tension underlying Telluride; how the Drake Family, who has managed the ski area since inception, makes decisions; a board that reinvests 100 percent of earnings back into the mountain; why we need large independents in a consolidating world; being independent is “our badge of honor”; whether ownership wants to remain independent long term; potential next lift upgrades; a potential all-new lift line and small expansion; thoughts on a better Heather lift; wild Hood weather and the upper limits of lift service; considering surface lifts on the upper mountain; the challenges of running Cascade Express; the future of the Daisy and Easy Rider doubles; more potential future expansion; and whether we could ever see a ski connection with Timberline Lodge.Why now was a good time for this interviewIt's kind of dumb that 210 episodes into this podcast I've only recorded one Oregon ep: Timberline Lodge President Jeff Kohnstamm, more than three years ago. While Oregon only has 11 active ski areas, and the state ranks 11th-ish in skier visits, it's an important ski state. PNW skiers treat skiing like the Northeast treats baseball or the Midwest treats football or D.C. treats politics: rabid beyond reason. That explains the eight Idaho pods and half dozen each in Washington and B.C. These episodes hit like a hash stand at a Dead show. So why so few Oregon eps?Eh, no reason in particular. There isn't a ski area in North America that I don't want to feature on the podcast, but I can't just order them online like a pizza. Relationships, more than anything, drive the podcast, and The Storm's schedule is primarily opportunity driven. I invite folks on as I meet them or when they do something cool. And sometimes we can connect right away and sometimes it takes months or even years, even if they want to do it. Sometimes we're waiting on contracts or approvals so we can discuss some big project in depth. It can take time to build trust, or to convince a non-podcast person that they have a great story to tell.So we finally get to Meadows. Not to be It-Must-Be-Nice Bro about benefits that arise from clear deliberate life choices, but It must be nice to live in the PNW, where every city sits within 90 minutes of a ripping, open-until-Memorial-Day skyscraper that gets carpet bombed with 400 annual inches but receives between one and four out-of-state visitors per winter. Yeah the ski areas are busy anyway because they don't have enough of them, but busy with Subaru-driving Granola Bros is different than busy with Subaru-driving Granola Bros + Texas Bro whose cowboy boots aren't clicking in right + Florida Bro who bought a Trans Am for his boa constrictor + Midwest Bro rocking Olin 210s he found in Gramp's garage + Hella Rad Cali Bro + New Yorker Bro asking what time they groom Corbet's + Aussie Bro touring the Rockies on a seven-week long weekend + Euro Bro rocking 65 cm underfoot on a two-foot powder day. I have no issue with tourists mind you because I am one but there is something amazing about a ski area that is gigantic and snowy and covered in modern infrastructure while simultaneously being unknown outside of its area code.Yes this is hyperbole. But while everyone in Portland knows that Meadows has the best parking lot views in America and a statistical profile that matches up with Beaver Creek and as many detachable chairlifts as Snowbasin or Snowbird and more snow than Steamboat or Jackson or Palisades or Pow Mow, most of the rest of the world doesn't, and I think they should.Why you should ski Mt. Hood Meadows and Cooper SpurIt's interesting that the 4,845 combined skiable acres of Hood's four ski areas are just a touch larger than the 4,323 acres at Mt. Bachelor, which as far as I know has operated as a single interconnected facility since its 1958 founding. Both are volcanoes whose ski areas operate on U.S. Forest Service land a commutable distance from demographically similar markets, providing a case study in distributed versus centralized management.Bachelor in many ways delivers a better experience. Bachelor's snow is almost always drier and better, an outlier in the kingdom of Cascade Concrete. Skiers can move contiguously across its full acreage, an impossible mission on Balkanized Hood. The mountain runs an efficient, mostly modern 15 lifts to Hood's wild 31, which includes a dozen detachables but also a half dozen vintage Riblet doubles with no safety bars. Bachelor's lifts scale the summit, rather than stopping thousands of feet short as they do on Hood. While neither are Colorado-grade destination ski areas, metro Portland is stuffed with 25 times more people than Bend, and Hood ski areas have an everbusy feel that skiers can often outrun at Bachelor. Bachelor is closer to its mothership – just 26 minutes from Bend to Portland's hour-to-two-hour commutes up to the ski areas. And Bachelor, accessible on all versions of the Ikon Pass and not hamstrung by the confusing counter-branding of multiple ski areas with similar names occupying the same mountain, presents a more clearcut target for the mainstream skier.But Mount Hood's quirky scatterplot ski centers reward skiers in other ways. Four distinct ski areas means four distinct ski cultures, each with its own pace, purpose, customs, traditions, and orientation to the outside world. Timberline Lodge is a funky mix of summertime Bro parks, Government Camp greens, St. Bernards, and its upscale landmark namesake hotel. Cooper Spur is tucked-away, low-key, low-vert family resort skiing. Meadows sprawls, big and steep, with Hood's most interesting terrain. And low-altitude, closest-to-the-city Skibowl is night-lit slowpoke with a vintage all-Riblet lift fleet. Your Epic and Ikon passes are no good here, though Indy gets you Meadows and Cooper Spur. Walk-up lift tickets (still the only way to buy them at Skibowl), are more tier-varied and affordable than those at Bachelor, which can exceed $200 on peak days (though Bachelor heavily discounts access to its beginner lifts, with free access to select novice areas). Bachelor's $1,299 season pass is 30 percent more expensive than Meadows'.This dynamic, of course, showcases single-entity efficiency and market capture versus the messy choice of competition. Yes Free Market Bro you are right sometimes. Hood's ski areas have more inherent motivators to fight on price, forge allegiances like the Timberline-Skibowl joint season pass, invest in risks like night and summer skiing, and run wonky low-tide lift ticket deals. Empowering this flexibility: all four Hood ski areas remain locally owned – Meadows and T-Line by their founding families. Bachelor, of course, is a fiefdom of Park City, Utah-based Powdr, which owns a half-dozen other ski areas across the West.I don't think that Hood is better than Bachelor or that Bachelor is better than Hood. They're different, and you should ski both. But however you dissect the niceties of these not-really-competing-but-close-enough-that-a-comarison-makes-sense ski centers, the on-the-ground reality adds up to this: Hood locals, in general, are a far more contented gang than Bachelor Bros. I don't have any way to quantify this, and Bachelor has its partisans. But I talk to skiers all over the country, all the time. Skiers will complain about anything, and online guttings of even the most beloved mountains exist. But talk to enough people and strong enough patterns emerge to understand that, in general, locals are happy with Mammoth and Alpine Meadows and Sierra-at-Tahoe and A-Basin and Copper and Bridger Bowl and Nub's Nob and Perfect North and Elk and Plattekill and Berkshire East and Smuggs and Loon and Saddleback and, mostly, the Hood ski areas. And locals are generally less happy with Camelback and Seven Springs and Park City and Sunrise and Shasta and Stratton and, lately, former locals' faves Sugarbush and Wildcat. And, as far as I can tell, Bachelor.Potential explanations for Hood happiness versus Bachelor blues abound, all of them partial, none completely satisfactory, all asterisked with the vagaries of skiing and skiers and weather and luck. But my sense is this: Meadows, Timberline, and Skibowl locals are generally content not because they have better skiing than everyplace else or because their ski areas are some grand bargain or because they're not crowded or because they have the best lift systems or terrain parks or grooming or snow conditions, but because Hood, in its haphazard and confounding-to-outsiders borders and layout, has forced its varied operators to hyper-adapt to niche needs in the local market while liberating them from the all-things-to-everyone imperative thrust on isolated operations like Bachelor. They have to decide what they're good at and be good at that all the time, because they have no other option. Hood operators can't be Vail-owned Paoli Peaks, turning in 25-day ski seasons and saying well it's Indiana what do you expect? They have to be independent Perfect North, striving always for triple-digit operating days and saying it's Indiana and we're doing this anyway because if we don't you'll stop coming and we'll all be broke.In this way Hood is a snapshot of old skiing, pre-consolidation, pre-national pass, pre-social media platforms that flung open global windows onto local mountains. Other than Timberline summer parks no one is asking these places to be anything other than very good local ski areas serving rabid local skiers. And they're doing a damn good job.Podcast NotesOn Meadows and Timberline Lodge opening and closing datesOne of the most baffling set of basic facts to get straight in American skiing is the number of ski areas on Mount Hood and the distinction between them. Part of the reason for this is the volcano's famous summer skiing, which takes place not at either of the eponymous ski areas – Mt. Hood Meadows or Mt. Hood Skibowl – but at the awkwardly named Timberline Lodge, which sounds more like a hipster cocktail lounge with a 19th-century fur-trapper aesthetic than the name of a ski resort (which is why no one actually calls it “Timberline Lodge”; I do so only to avoid confusion with the ski area in West Virginia, because people are constantly getting Appalachian ski areas mixed up with those in the Cascades). I couldn't find a comprehensive list of historic closing dates for Meadows and Timberline, but the basic distinction is this: Meadows tends to wrap winter sometime between late April and late May. Timberline goes into August and beyond when it can. Why doesn't Meadows push its season when it is right next door and probably could? We discuss in the pod.On Riblet clipsFun fact about defunct-as-a-company-even-though-a-couple-hundred-of-their-machines-are-still-spinning Riblet chairlifts: rather than clamping on like a vice grip, the end of each chair is woven into the rope via something called an “insert clip.” I wrote about this in my Wildcat pod last year:On Alpental Chair 2A small but vocal segment of Broseph McBros with nothing better to do always reflexively oppose the demolition of legacy fixed-grip lifts to make way for modern machines. Pack does a great job laying out why it's harder to maintain older chairlifts than many skiers may think. I wrote about this here:On Blue's breakover towers and unload rampWe also dropped photos of this into the video version of the pod:On the Cooper Spur land exchangeHere's a somewhat-dated and very biased-against-the-ski-area infographic summarizing the proposed land swap between Meadows and the U.S. Forest Service, from the Cooper Spur Wild & Free Coalition, an organization that “first came together in 2002 to fight Mt. Hood Meadows' plans to develop a sprawling destination resort on the slopes of Mt. Hood near Cooper Spur”:While I find the sanctimonious language in this timeline off-putting, I'm more sympathetic to Enviro Bro here than I was with the eruption-detection controversy discussed up top. Opposing small-footprint, high-impact catastrophe-monitoring equipment on an active volcano to save five bushes but potentially endanger millions of human lives is foolish. But checking sprawling wilderness development by identifying smaller parcels adjacent to already-disturbed lands as alternative sites for denser, hopefully walkable, hopefully mixed-use projects is exactly the sort of thing that every mountain community ought to prioritize.On the combination of Summit and Timberline LodgeThe small Summit Pass ski area in Government Camp operated as an independent entity from its 1927 founding until Timberline Lodge purchased the ski area in 2018. In 2021, the owners connected the two – at least in one direction. Skiers can move 4,540 vertical feet from the top of Timberline's Palmer chair to the base of Summit. While Palmer tends to open late in the season and Summit tends to close early, and while skiers will have to ride shuttles back up to the Timberline lifts until the resort builds a much anticipated gondola connecting the full height, this is technically America's largest lift-served vertical drop.On Meadows' reciprocalsMeadows only has three season pass reciprocal partners, but they're all aspirational spots that passholders would actually travel for: Baker, Schweitzer, and Whitefish. I ask Pack why he continues to offer these exchanges even as larger ski areas such as Brundage and Tamarack move away from them. One bit of context I neglected to include, however, is that neighboring Timberline Lodge and Mount Hood Skibowl not only offer a joint pass, but are longtime members of Powder Alliance, which is an incredible regional reciprocal pass that's free for passholders at any of these mountains:On Ski Broadmoor, ColoradoColorado Springs is less convenient to skiing than the name implies – skiers are driving a couple of hours, minimum, to access Monarch or the Summit County ski areas. So I was surprised, when I looked up Pack's original home mountain of Ski Broadmoor, to see that it sat on the city's outskirts:This was never a big ski area, with 600 vertical feet served by an “America The Beautiful Lift” that sounds as though it was named by Donald Trump:The “famous” Broadmoor Hotel built and operated the ski area, according to Colorado Ski History. They sold the hotel in 1986 to the city, which promptly sold it to Vail Associates (now Vail Resorts), in 1988. Vail closed the ski area in 1991 – the only mountain they ever surrendered on. I'll update all my charts and such to reflect this soon.On pre-high-speed KeystoneIt's kind of amazing that Keystone, which now spins seven high-speed chairlifts, didn't install its first detachable until 1990, nearly a decade after neighboring Breckenridge installed the world's first, in 1981. As with many resorts that have aggressively modernized, this means that Keystone once ran more chairlifts than it does today. When Pack started his ski career at the mountain in 1989, Keystone ran 10 frontside aerial lifts (8 doubles, 1 triple, 1 gondola) compared to just six today (2 doubles, 2 sixers, a high-speed quad, and a higher-capacity gondy).On Mountain CreekI've talked about the bananas-ness of Mountain Creek many times. I love this unhinged New Jersey bump in the same way I loved my crazy late uncle who would get wasted at the Bay City fireworks and yell at people driving Toyotas to “Buy American!” (This was the ‘80s in Michigan, dudes. I don't know what to tell you. The auto industry was falling apart and everybody was tripping, especially dudes who worked in – or, in my uncle's case, adjacent to (steel) – the auto industry.)On IntrawestOne of the reasons I did this insane timeline project was so that I would no longer have to sink 30 minutes into Google every time someone said the word “Intrawest.” The timeline was a pain in the ass, but worth it, because now whenever I think “wait exactly what did Intrawest own and when?” I can just say “oh yeah I already did that here you go”:On Moonlight Basin and merging with Big SkyIt's kind of weird how many now-united ski areas started out as separate operations: Beaver Creek and Arrowhead (merged 1997), Canyons and Park City (2014), Whistler and Blackcomb (1997), Alpine Meadows and Squaw Valley (connected via gondola in 2022), Carinthia and Mount Snow (1986), Sugarbush and Mount Ellen (connected via chairlift in 1995). Sometimes – Beaver Creek, Mount Snow – the terrain and culture mergers are seamless. Other times – Alpine and the Palisades side of what is now Palisades Tahoe – the connection feels like opening a store that sells four-wheelers and 74-piece high-end dinnerware sets. Like, these things don't go together, Man. But when Big Sky absorbed Moonlight Basin and Spanish Peaks in 2013, everyone immediately forgot that it was ever any different. This suggests that Big Sky's 2032 Yellowstone Club acquisition will be seamless.**Kidding, Brah. Maybe.On Lehman BrothersNearly two decades later, it's still astonishing how quickly Lehman Brothers, in business for 158 years, collapsed in 2008.On the “mutiny” at TellurideEvery now and then, a reader will ask the very reasonable question about why I never pay any attention to Telluride, one of America's great ski resorts, and one that Pack once led. Mostly it's because management is unstable, making long-term skier experience stories of the sort I mostly focus on hard to tell. And management is mostly unstable because the resort's owner is, by all accounts, willful and boorish and sort of unhinged. Blevins, in The Colorado Sun's “Outsider” newsletter earlier this week:A few months ago, locals in Telluride and Mountain Village began publicly blasting the resort's owner, a rare revolt by a community that has grown weary of the erratic Chuck Horning.For years, residents around the resort had quietly lamented the antics and decisions of the temperamental Horning, the 81-year-old California real estate investor who acquired Telluride Ski & Golf Resort in 2004. It's the only resort Horning has ever owned and over the last 21 years, he has fired several veteran ski area executives — including, earlier this year, his son, Chad.Now, unnamed locals have launched a website, publicly detailing the resort owner's messy management of the Telluride ski area and other businesses across the country.“For years, Chuck Horning has caused harm to us all, both individually and collectively,” reads the opening paragraph of ChuckChuck.ski — which originated when a Telluride councilman in March said that it was “time to chuck Chuck.” “The community deserves something better. For years, we've whispered about the stories, the incidents, the poor decisions we've witnessed. Those stories should no longer be kept secret from everyone that relies on our ski resort for our wellbeing.”The chuckchuck.ski site drags skeletons out of Horning's closet. There are a lot of skeletons in there. The website details a long history of lawsuits across the country accusing Horning and the Newport Federal Financial investment firm he founded in 1970 of fraud.It's a pretty amazing site.On Bogus BasinI was surprised that ostensibly for-profit Meadows regularly re-invests 100 percent of profits into the ski area. Such a model is more typical for explicitly nonprofit outfits such as Bogus Basin, Idaho. Longtime GM Brad Wilson outlined how that ski area functions a few years back:The Storm explores the world of lift-served skiing year-round. Join us. Get full access to The Storm Skiing Journal and Podcast at www.stormskiing.com/subscribe

HR expert Nicole Blevins discusses navigating layoffs with humanity and professionalism. She emphasizes exploring alternatives first, creating fair selection processes, having managers lead termination conversations rather than HR, providing resources and support to departing employees, and maintaining transparency with remaining staff to address survivor guilt and preserve organizational culture. Key Timestamps [00:45] - Nicole explains HR's role in layoffs and the importance of handling them with compliance and empathy [02:54] - Discussion of who initiates layoff conversations and exploring alternatives first [05:25] - How to address employee rumors and maintain transparency during budget challenges [08:17] - Nicole's coaching process for clients facing layoffs, including fair selection criteria [10:28] - Best practices for layoff conversations - why managers should lead, not HR consultants [13:35] - Approaches for conducting terminations with humanity and respect [15:33] - Providing resources and support tools beyond the final day [18:36] - Managing cultural impact and survivor guilt among remaining employees [22:56] - Final advice for organizations facing their first layoff situation A QUICK GLIMPSE INTO OUR PODCAST Podcast: Transform Your Workplace, sponsored by Xenium HR Host: Brandon Laws In Brandon's own words: “The Transform Your Workplace podcast is your go-to source for the latest workplace trends, big ideas, and time-tested methods straight from the mouths of industry experts and respected thought-leaders.” About Xenium HR Xenium HR is on a mission to transform workplaces by providing expert outsourced HR and payroll services for small and medium-sized businesses. With a people-first approach, Xenium helps organizations create thriving work environments where employees feel valued and supported. From navigating compliance to enhancing workplace culture, Xenium offers tailored solutions that empower growth and simplify HR.

Rachel Blevins returns to The Free Thought Project Podcast this week for a hard-hitting, unfiltered conversation about the state of U.S. foreign policy, media manipulation, and what we can do to push back. A former editor and journalist for TFTP, Rachel has since built a powerhouse independent journalism career, reporting on war, corruption, and censorship with the precision of an entire news agency.  In this episode, Matt, Jason, and Don dive right into the war in Ukraine, where Donald Trump has once again flipped the script. After campaigning on his ability to “end the war in 24 hours,” he's now promising to send more weapons—breaking yet another key promise and reigniting questions about where he truly stands. From there, we shift to the 12-day war between Israel and Iran and the very real potential for regional—or even global—escalation. Rachel breaks down how the U.S. quietly inserted itself into the conflict and points out something few are willing to say: while many people think Israel controls U.S. foreign policy, it's often the U.S. that has long-term war plans in motion. Iran, as Rachel reminds us, has been on the Pentagon's hit list for decades. The conversation then moves to another major betrayal—Trump's broken promise to release the Epstein files. With the new narrative that “the files don't exist” and that it's time to move on, we examine the timing and motives behind this abrupt reversal. Rachel offers nuanced insight into the intelligence ties behind the Epstein operation and how this story may be far from over. As always, we close with a white pill—and Rachel delivers. Her final thoughts are a powerful reminder that even in the face of censorship, propaganda, and geopolitical chaos, there are still things we can do to make a difference. Support TFTP: https://tftpsubdomain.wpengine.com/tftp-membership/ Jason's New 'Know Your Rights' Seminar: https://www.jasonbassler.com/service-page/know-your-rights?referral=service_list_widget  Rachel on Twitter: https://x.com/RachBlevins Rachel's Substack: https://rachelblevins.substack.com/ Follow Rachel on Telegram: https://t.me/rachblevins Follow Rachel on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rachblevins/?hl=en

What is a worldview, and how does it shape everything you believe and do? This week, Dr. Brady Blevins, Senior Apologist at Watchman Fellowship, joins Frank to talk about his brand new course, 'Conversations with the Faiths: Worldviews', which explores the four major groups of worldviews and equips Christians to evangelize those caught in false ideologies and protect Christian churches against modern heresy. In this episode, Frank and Brady will tackle questions like:What are the four major worldviews and why is understanding their differences so important?What's the best approach when someone in your life adopts a worldview that isn't true?Which worldview is taking the lead in our culture today?How do cults and movements like Word of Faith, NAR (the New Apostolic Reformation), and Progressive Christianity subtly twist Scripture and infiltrate the Church?What are the main characteristics of a cult and how do the four functions of math help us spot cults and other false worldviews?What is a great parenting tool that can help kids become more discerning without sounding preachy?Frank and Brady also examine how some of today's most popular teachings deviate from biblical Christianity and you'll hear real-world examples of false teachers and movements that are shaping minds inside and outside the Church. If you want to be equipped to defend truth and help others find it, be sure to check out Brady's new course: 'Conversations with the Faiths: Worldviews'!Resources mentioned during the episode:Brady's website: https://www.watchman.org/Brady's course: https://bit.ly/42It8kWBrave Books: https://bravebooks.us/