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Most retreat leaders believe the answer to growing their business is another strategy. Another funnel. Another marketing tactic. Another social media platform. But what if the greatest opportunity isn't changing what you do...it's changing the energy you bring to everything you do? In this episode of The Retreat Leaders Podcast, Shannon Jamail sits down with Michelle Villalobos, business strategist, retreat leader, and creator of the Business Breakthrough Program, to discuss why energy precedes outcomes and how your internal alignment directly impacts your retreat business. Michelle has facilitated more than 150 retreats and helped thousands of entrepreneurs create businesses built around freedom, recurring revenue, and meaningful impact. Together, Shannon and Michelle explore why retreat leaders often focus on external strategies while overlooking the beliefs, stories, and mindset quietly shaping every decision they make. They also discuss what it means to become Energy Rich, why guests can feel the difference between confidence and scarcity, and how limiting beliefs influence everything from pricing to marketing to enrollment. If you've been working harder but not seeing the results you expected, this conversation may completely change how you think about building a profitable retreat business. In This Episode You'll Learn Why energy always comes before strategy What it means to become Energy Rich How limiting beliefs affect retreat pricing Why guests feel your confidence before they hear your pitch How alignment creates stronger leadership and better retreats The connection between authentic leadership and profitable retreats How to build a retreat business rooted in purpose instead of fear Whether you're planning your first retreat or you've been leading transformational experiences for years, this episode will help you lead from a place of greater confidence, clarity, and authenticity. What You'll Learn How to build a profitable retreat business How to create recurring revenue with retreats Why mindset impacts retreat marketing and sales How authentic leadership attracts ideal retreat guests Why energy influences retreat enrollment How to overcome limiting beliefs around pricing What it means to become an Energy Rich entrepreneur Key Takeaways Strategy Can't Outperform MisalignmentThe best marketing strategy in the world won't compensate for fear, doubt, or scarcity. Guests feel your energy before they ever buy your retreat. Energy Rich Doesn't Mean High Energy Michelle explains that true leadership comes from alignment, not constant hustle. Being calm, grounded, and authentic creates far more influence than trying to do more. Your Beliefs Shape Your Business The stories you tell yourself about money, worth, pricing, and success quietly influence every business decision you make. Retreat Leaders Sell More Than Retreats People invest in the person leading the experience. Confidence, authenticity, and clarity create trust long before someone clicks "Book Now." Freedom Is Built Intentionally Retreats can become a powerful recurring revenue stream when they're built from alignment rather than obligation. About Michelle Villalobos Michelle Villalobos, MBA, CSP®, is a business strategist, retreat leader, and transformational leadership expert who has spent nearly two decades helping coaches, consultants, speakers, and thought leaders build scalable businesses through transformational experiences. She has designed and facilitated more than 150 multi-day retreats, consulted on hundreds more, and is the creator of Business Breakthrough, an incubator that helps entrepreneurs build aligned business models with recurring revenue and greater freedom. Through her Retreats to Riches training and more than 800 YouTube videos, Michelle teaches entrepreneurs how to design, market, fill, and lead retreats that create unforgettable experiences while generating sustainable income. Learn more: https://superstaractivator.com Free Gift for Listeners: The Retreats to Riches Roadmap & Quick Start Guide and Big Back End Revenue Projections Calculator www.superstargifts.com The Retreat Leaders Podcast Resources and Links: Join our Mastermind in Austin! Learn to Host Retreats Join our private Facebook Group Get your legal docs for retreats Join our LinkedIn Group Apply to be a guest on our show Grab the AI + SEO Mini Course Grab the Pitch to Profit Mini Course My two favorite social media tools: Metricool and ManyChat Thanks for tuning into the Retreat Leaders Podcast. Remember to subscribe for more insightful episodes, and visit our website for additional resources. Let's create a vibrant retreat community together! Subscribe: Apple Podcast | Google Podcast | Spotify ------------ TIMESTAMPS Podcast Introduction (00:00:02) Host Shannon Jamaal introduces the podcast and welcomes guest Michelle Villalobos, a business strategist and experienced retreat leader. A Special Gift (00:01:25) Michelle presents Shannon with a beautifully illustrated book she created, titled "But I Want to Fly," an adventure book for dreamers. Who Are You at Your Core? (00:03:02) Michelle discusses her identity beyond professional roles, defining herself as a creator, contributor, teacher, and philosopher at her core. Energy Precedes Outcome (00:04:14) Michelle explains her core concept: aligning what you do with who you are naturally elevates your energy and leads to better outcomes. Becoming Energy Rich (00:04:44) The concept of being "energy rich" is explored, involving alignment with your purpose and cultivating the feelings you want to experience. Authenticity in Leadership (00:08:26) Shannon shares a personal story about finding her authentic voice while teaching, emphasizing the importance of being genuine as a leader. The Power of "Both, And" (00:10:45) The discussion shifts to embracing duality, recognizing that two opposing ideas, like holding healing space and making money, can coexist. Reframing Your Past (00:12:09) Michelle shares a personal story of betrayal, illustrating how reframing a painful past can be an empowering catalyst for awakening and growth. Can You Lead from an Open Wound? (00:15:52) The speakers discuss whether you can lead a successful retreat without having done the inner work, concluding you must embody your teachings. The Danger of Masking (00:18:18) The conversation covers the problem of pretending to be healed, which energetically teaches others to mask their own pain instead of healing. Congruency and Trust (00:19:24) Using horses as an example, Shannon explains that congruency—showing up as you are, even if not okay—is key to building trust. The Power of Community (00:21:51) Michelle explains that while she works one-on-one with clients, the biggest transformations happen in community and being witnessed by others. From Strategy to Energy (00:23:14) Michelle describes how her business retreats evolved from focusing on strategy to incorporating inner work, breathwork, and other healing modalities. Belief Over Strategy (00:24:32) Shannon emphasizes that no marketing strategy can overcome a leader's lack of belief in their own retreat; energy comes first. Detaching from the Outcome (00:25:42) The importance of surrendering the outcome while remaining fully committed to the process is discussed as a key to success. Limiting Beliefs and Pricing (00:30:07) The conversation explores how limiting beliefs, especially for women, impact pricing, with most leaders tending to undercharge for their services. The Retreat Business Model (00:30:43) Michelle shares her model of using a retreat as a breakthrough experience that opens the door to long-term, recurring revenue programs. Standing in Your Price (00:33:23) The concept of "standing in your price" is explored, highlighting the need for congruence and genuine belief in the value offered. The Promise of Your Retreat (00:38:14) A retreat's promise elevates it from a generic getaway, allowing for a higher price point and attracting the right participants. Michelle's Upcoming Work (00:39:08) Michelle shares details about her Business Breakthrough Intensive, which helps thought leaders build community-based programs with recurring revenue. A Gift for Listeners (00:40:13) Michelle offers a free retreat projections spreadsheet to help leaders plan their numbers, from pricing and attendance to conversion rates. The Story Behind the Book (00:40:54) Michelle shares the inspiring story of how her book, "But I Want to Fly," came to her in a dream.
What do you do on the morning when there are no good moves left?In March 2001, Ben Horowitz took Loudcloud public in the middle of the dot-com collapse. The bankers cut the price from ten dollars a share to six in the week of the offering. The day before the deal, Yahoo announced its chief executive was stepping down. Neither of the two banks that took the company public offered the traditional closing dinner. On the plane home, Horowitz turned to his director of finance and said they had done it. The reply was that the company was still in very serious trouble.He was right. What followed was a share price of thirty-five cents, three rounds of layoffs, four hundred people gone, and business magazines running cover stories on the collapse.Six years later the same company sold to Hewlett-Packard for 1.6 billion dollars.The distance between those two moments is The Hard Thing About Hard Things, and it is the rare book about building companies written from inside repeated near-death rather than reconstructed afterwards from the winner's chair.[AFFILIATE LINK TO THE BOOK]Horowitz opens by attacking the genre he is writing in. Most management books offer a recipe. He argues that the situations which decide a company have no recipe, and that hunting for one is itself the failure. He then organises the book around that claim, putting the endgame material first, and explains the choice by quoting the first principle of the Bushido: keep death in mind at all times.Part one of this review covers the three lessons that belong together.The Struggle. Horowitz names the psychological state every founder recognises and almost nobody describes out loud, and then refuses to sell a way out of it. What he offers instead is a set of survival habits and one instruction: find the move.CEOs should tell it like it is. Shielding a team from bad news feels like leadership and works like sabotage. Trust is communication bandwidth. A brain cannot solve a problem it does not know about. And a healthy culture is one where bad news travels faster than good news.Lay people off yourself. The hardest act in the book, executed as a written procedure rather than improvised on the day. Why the manager has to do it rather than HR, why a layoff and a performance firing are two different acts that companies constantly blur, and why the message is always for the people who stay.Along the way: what Jensen Huang at Nvidia and Roland Busch at Siemens have in common, why Dale Carnegie's most famous principle has aged into something he never intended, and where Reed Hastings and Ben Horowitz disagree about what you owe the person you are letting go.This is a practical review for founders, CEOs, board members, investors and senior executives who build or finance hard companies, particularly in deep tech and life sciences, where the conditions Horowitz calls wartime are the default rather than the exception.Part two covers the remaining four lessons: wartime and peacetime leadership, the two halves of the chief executive's job and the half where founders reliably come apart, why the impressive executive you hire out of a large company so often produces nothing, and the rule about raising money that changes what a rejection means.Chapters(00:00) Introduction: The Least Celebratory IPO in History (02:26) The Big Idea: Keep Death in Mind at All Times (04:16) Who Is Ben Horowitz, and Why Trust Him (08:55) Lesson 1: The Struggle, and Why No Formula Exists (20:37) Lesson 2: CEOs Should Tell It Like It Is, and Why Trust Is Bandwidth (32:26) Lesson 3: Lay People Off Yourself, Because the Message Is for the People Who Stay (45:21) What Comes in Part TwoSend us Fan Mail Join Christian Soschner for expert coaching. 50% Off - With 35+ years in deep tech, startups/scaleups, and public companies, Christian offers power video sessions. Elevate strategy, execution, and leadership. Book Now.Support the showJoin the Podcast Newsletter: Link
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Our Portion in Torah Returns us to our True Selves - The Elul Shofar awakens our real Victory - Learning weekly Pri Tzaddick by Rav Tzaddok Hakohen at Shirat David Efrat...Cover
What happens when the moment a company finally succeeds is the moment it becomes most likely to be destroyed? Most founders assume the market rewards the better product and protects what they built. The legal reality runs the other way. The dominant theory of the corporation treats a company as a financial instrument designed to enrich its shareholders, and treats everything else as optional.That theory has a name, shareholder primacy, and nobody voted for it. It hardened in courtrooms and boardrooms about forty years ago. Founders sign it into their own charter on day one without reading the line, and by the time the gap between the mission statement and the legal purpose becomes visible, the exit has been engineered.Eric Ries, founder of the Long-Term Stock Exchange and author of The Lean Startup, explains how corporate purpose disappeared out of the legal documents and what can be put back in its place. He shows why protection alone makes an extractive company worse, why independent directors are not neutral, and why a mission guardian belongs above the board rather than inside it.Beginning with the pattern he watched destroy company after company, the conversation becomes a practical guide to governance: the three-legged stool of 19th century corporate law, what actually killed Sears, why Novo Nordisk, Patagonia, IKEA and Grundfos outlive their competitors, and how the Public Benefit Corporation restores something far older than it looks. It ends on the question neither of us could fully answer. If a guardian protects the mission, who guards the guardian?WHAT LISTENERS CAN EXPECT TO LEARNWhy shareholder primacy is a recent legal theory rather than a permanent feature of capitalismHow the phrase "any lawful act or activity" removed purpose from corporate charters, and what quietly replaced itWhy structure protects an ethos but cannot create one, and what has to be real before the protection is addedHow industrial foundations, purpose trusts and public benefit corporations keep a mission alive across generationsWhy independent directors have incentives of their own, and what to look for in a board insteadBEST QUOTES(00:04:10) "A company is just a financial instrument, designed to enrich itself and its shareholders." — Eric Ries(00:14:12) "If you go to your local park, you'll find trees older than shareholder primacy." — Eric Ries(00:25:28) "Somebody took over Sears and managed to extract for himself $1.5 billion, at a time when the company lost $11 billion." — Eric Ries(00:40:09) "Who would you rather die than betray?" — Eric Ries(00:48:12) "Being a leader is much more like being a mother than a slave owner. We birth these things. We do not own them." — Eric RiesTIMESTAMPS (00:00:00) Why Good Companies Go Bad After Success (00:02:43) What Made Eric Ries Write Incorruptible (00:04:10) A Company Is Just a Financial Instrument (00:07:03) The Pill You Swallow and the Shareholder Calculation (00:15:48) The Three-Legged Stool of Corporate Law (00:19:31) How "Any Lawful Act or Activity" Erased Purpose (00:25:28) What Actually Happened to Sears (00:30:38) Stainless Steel for Organizations That Last (00:34:39) Why Foundation-Owned Companies Outlive the Rest (00:37:59) The Public Benefit Corporation Explained (00:44:40) Why Every Company Needs a Mission Guardian(00:50:22) Why Independent Directors Are Not Neutral (00:53:11) Who Guards the Mission Guardian (00:56:18) What AI Changes for Governance (00:59:58) Closing ThoughtsEric's book, Incorruptible: https://amzn.to/3S4n4BNIf you'd like to keep talking about these topics, you're welcome to join Eric's free Incorruptible community here: https://community.incorruptible.co/Follow Beginner's Mind for long-form conversations on leadership, capital, technology, and the people shaping what comes next. Ranked in the global top 10% of all podcasts, named #1 Deep Tech Podcast in 2025, and #8 Deep Tech Podcast in 2026Send us Fan Mail Join Christian Soschner for expert coaching. 50% Off - With 35+ years in deep tech, startups/scaleups, and public companies, Christian offers power video sessions. Elevate strategy, execution, and leadership. Book Now.Support the showJoin the Podcast Newsletter: Link
Something on your mind about your business?Grab 15 minutes with Duayne Pearce, founder of Live Life Build. No pitch, no script… just a straight-up chat about where things are at and where they could go next.Book Now: https://www.livelifebuild.com/haveachat/Check out our partner, Hazard Co!https://www.hazardco.com/au/Check out our tools partner!Bretts: https://bretts.com.au/ Checkout our the best timber out there!https://highwood.com.au/Follow me on my Socials!(https://www.instagram.com/duaynepearce/)(https://www.facebook.com/DuaynePearceBuild)(https://www.tiktok.com/@duaynepearcebuilder)Check out Sharpe & Co. Pty Ltd:
What happens when the instinct to help a struggling company is exactly what prevents the strongest companies from succeeding? Venture capital forces investors to make decisions that can feel deeply uncomfortable: stop rescuing the weakest, concentrate scarce capital behind the most promising, and accept that most investments will fail.Deep tech intensifies this conflict. Investors must commit capital while the technology remains unproven, customers are still uncertain and the eventual exit may be more than a decade away. The wrong team, an inflated valuation or a fund timeline that does not fit the technology can destroy an otherwise promising company.Joško Bobanović, Partner at Sofinnova, explains how experienced investors make these decisions without ever receiving complete information. He reveals why people matter more than patents, why founders must start selling before they have a product and why investors should support management from the back seat—without trying to drive the company themselves.Beginning with a destructive storm Joško predicted but could not prevent, the conversation develops into a practical guide to risk, patience and capital allocation. It also confronts Europe's central deep-tech challenge: the continent produces exceptional science, but without sufficient scale-up capital, specialist investors and corporate buyers, much of the value will be created elsewhere.WHAT LISTENERS CAN EXPECT TO LEARNWhy successful venture investing requires resisting the instinct to rescue struggling portfolio companiesHow investors make consequential decisions with partial information—and recognize when it is time to stop researchingWhy the team, storytelling and customer conversations can matter more than exceptional technology aloneHow inflated valuations, ten-year fund structures and limited exit opportunities affect deep-tech companiesWhat Europe must change to scale its best companies instead of watching them industrialize elsewhereBEST QUOTES(00:20:04) “The nature of venture capital decisions is very counter to human instincts.” — Joško Bobanović(00:41:05) “Investment in a startup is like a marriage that is predetermined with a divorce at some point in time in the future.” — Joško Bobanović(00:54:25) “Nothing validates what you're doing better than cash.” — Joško Bobanović(00:57:35) “A B team will probably destroy exceptional technology, but an A team will make a success even of average technology.” — Joško Bobanović(01:56:22) “Otherwise we become a museum. And I don't think we want to be a museum.” — Joško BobanovićTIMESTAMPS(00:00:00) Why Venture Capital Fights Human Instinct(00:03:08) The Storm Joško Predicted but Could Not Stop(00:09:11) How the Early Internet Changed Access to Opportunity(00:16:49) If You Do Not Play, You Cannot Win(00:20:04) Why Investors Must Resist the Rescue Instinct(00:29:33) Scientists Must Learn to Decide with Partial Information(00:35:58) Can Founders Make Themselves Replaceable?(00:41:05) A Marriage with a Predetermined Divorce(00:47:45) Why Storytelling Is a Critical Deep-Tech Skill(00:52:03) Start Selling from Day One(00:57:03) Why Venture Capital Is a People Business(01:00:11) Investors Belong in the Back Seat(01:10:50) Better Decisions Require Broader Comparisons(01:18:00) When a Higher Valuation Becomes Dangerous(01:27:15) Why Every Venture Investment Needs 10× Potential(01:37:29) Deep Tech's Missing Exit Opportunities(01:45:05) Why VCs See IPOs as a Necessary Evil(01:52:49) Europe's Scientific Strength and Scale-Up Weakness(02:05:01) What Europe Gets Wrong About Failure(02:13:13) Get Involved Instead of Complaining from the SidelinesFollow Beginner's Mind for long-form conversations on leadership, capital, technology, and the people shaping what comes next. Ranked in the global top 10% of all podcasts, named #1 Deep Tech Podcast in 2025, and #8 Deep Tech Podcast in 2026Send us Fan Mail Join Christian Soschner for expert coaching. 50% Off - With 35+ years in deep tech, startups/scaleups, and public companies, Christian offers power video sessions. Elevate strategy, execution, and leadership. Book Now.Support the showJoin the Podcast Newsletter: Link
Naren Arulrajah, Founder and CEO of Ekwa Marketing, joins host Don Adeesha to argue that most dental practices don't have a traffic problem; they have a conversion problem. From the real cost of an unbooked new patient call to why the popular "Book Now" button is quietly losing practice patients, this episode breaks down the exact benchmarks of a 70% booking rate and a 95% call answer rate that determine whether marketing dollars are actually turning into non-insurance patients. Book a complimentary Practice Growth Audit with Ekwa. Most dental practices are losing patients online without knowing it. You walk away with a comprehensive online analysis report tailored to your practice, market, and competition. Claim Your Complimentary Practice Growth Audit If you want to improve how your team presents treatment and communicates value to patients, book a complimentary Practice Breakthrough Session with Gary Takacs, one conversation, and a personalized action plan. One conversation with Gary has helped practices recover thousands of dollars in unscheduled treatment costs. Book Your Complimentary Practice Breakthrough Session
Something on your mind about your business?Grab 15 minutes with Duayne Pearce, founder of Live Life Build. No pitch, no script… just a straight-up chat about where things are at and where they could go next.Book Now: https://www.livelifebuild.com/haveachat/Check out our partner, Hazard Co!https://www.hazardco.com/au/Check out our tools partner!Bretts: https://bretts.com.au/ Checkout our the best timber out there!https://highwood.com.au/Most people don't fail because they tried and it didn't work out.They fail because they never even started.In this solo episode I talk about one of the things I'm most passionate about, why so many builders, tradies and business owners give up on their dreams before they've even given themselves a real shot.Because of one negative comment. One person who told them it was too hard. One family member who said it wouldn't work.I've been there. I was told I'd never make it as a builder. I ignored it. And I'm glad I did.If you've got a dream you've been sitting on, this one is for you.Send us Fan MailSupport the show Follow me on my Socials! (https://www.instagram.com/duaynepearce/) (https://www.facebook.com/DuaynePearceBuild) (https://www.tiktok.com/@duaynepearcebuilder) Check out Duayne's other projects:
How can a company have the right numbers and still reach the wrong strategic conclusion?In 2017, Volkswagen's chief executive mocked Tesla as one of the “world champions of big announcements.” At the time, Volkswagen sold roughly eleven million cars a year, while Tesla sold fewer than eighty thousand. The facts supported the criticism, but the conclusion missed the change already underway.That moment explains why Elon Musk remains worth studying.Most public discussion focuses on his personality, political views, wealth, or communication style. This episode takes a different approach and examines the methods that allowed him to enter industries dominated by governments and large corporations, pursue ideas that initially appeared uneconomic, and force entire markets to reconsider what could be built.The starting point is Eric Jorgenson's The Book of Elon, which brings together more than two decades of Musk's interviews, speeches, podcasts, and public writing. Jorgenson has already done the first stage of the work by reducing a vast archive to the statements that best explain how Musk thinks about purpose, engineering, talent, production, and company building.Because the book is itself a quote summary, I treated it as raw material rather than as a conventional biography.I selected seven recurring principles and tested them against more than 25 years of my own company-building experience. That includes six years in public-market M&A and two decades building biopharma and medtech companies from Series A toward IPO across more than seven company journeys. I also draw on several Musk biographies, years of long-form podcast interviews, and his public writing on X.The result is not another biography, and it is not an argument that every founder should copy Elon Musk.It is a practical framework for founders, CEOs, board members, investors, scientists, and senior executives who build or finance hard companies.The central question is straightforward:What can you copy from Elon Musk without copying the personality?The episode examines why utility matters more than glory, why important companies often have to build before market permission arrives, and how first-principles thinking exposes opportunities that remain hidden when an industry accepts precedent as fact. It also explains why strong teams delete complexity before they automate it, why positive-sum founders enlarge markets instead of fighting over a fixed share, and why talent density matters more than headcount.The final principle brings everything together. A prototype may attract attention and capital, but the company only creates lasting value when it can produce, learn, improve, and scale faster than its competitors.This distinction matters in life sciences and deep tech, where strong science can still fail during translation. A molecule may work while manufacturing, clinical execution, reimbursement, financing, or commercialization remain underdeveloped. The same problem appears in industrial technology, energy, AI, and robotics, where an impressive demonstration can conceal a production system that will never support scale.Three statements from the book frame the discussion:“How many people you helped, and how much. That's the total utility.”“The most common mistake of smart engineers is to optimize a thing that should not exist.”“What really matters is the machine that builds the machines, the factory.”Taken together, the seven principles form a founder test.For investors, they provide a structured way to assess mission, judgment, cost discipline, team quality, and the ability to scale. For company builders, they offer practical questions that belong in financing discussions, board meetings, and leadership offsites.Are you building something useful enough to change customer behavior?Does the team reason from fundamental constraints, or does it repeat the industry's assumptions?Are you simplifying the company, or automating bureaucracy?Can the organization turn promising technology into a repeatable system that produces real customer value?Whatever your opinion of Elon Musk, dismissing the method because you dislike the man can become an expensive mistake. The personality remains optional, while the principles deserve serious examination.Choose one of the seven and bring it into your next board meeting.Chapters(00:00) Introduction: Why the market keeps underestimating Elon Musk(03:31) The Big Idea(08:13) Eric Jorgenson and why he is the right author(10:47) Lesson 1: Build for Utility, Not Glory(16:39) Lesson 2: Missionary Courage Beats Market Permission(21:28) Lesson 3: First Principles Reveal Hidden Upside(25:59) Lesson 4: The Algorithm: Delete Before You Optimize(31:09) Lesson 5: Grow the Pie: Reject Zero-Sum Thinking(35:57) Lesson 6: Talent Density Is the Company(40:54) Lesson 7: Production and Speed Are the Real Moat(45:46) The Seven Practical Takeaways(51:55) Personal Reflection, Critique, and ClosingSend us Fan Mail Join Christian Soschner for expert coaching. 50% Off - With 35+ years in deep tech, startups/scaleups, and public companies, Christian offers power video sessions. Elevate strategy, execution, and leadership. Book Now.Support the showJoin the Podcast Newsletter: Link
To Truly be Heard Even During the 3 Weeks of hidden Good to Revelation - Rav Tzaddock HaCohen aka Pri Tzaddick on Parshat Pinchas @ Shirat David Efrat!Cover pic
Private companies are staying private longer, and that changes who gets liquidity, when, and why.Founders, employees, and early investors can wait a decade or more for an IPO or acquisition. Meanwhile, venture funds face growing pressure to return capital, and many of Europe's best companies struggle to access the growth capital needed to scale.In this conversation, Christian Soschner speaks with Alberto Chalon, Co-Founder of Giano Capital, about the rise of single-asset secondary investments and why they have become an important part of the European innovation ecosystem.Topics include:• What secondary transactions are and why they matter• Why many companies now stay private far longer than before• How founders, employees, and early investors can access liquidity before an exit• The differences between venture capital, private equity, and late-stage secondary investing• Europe's challenge with risk capital, fragmentation, and scaling companies• Lessons from investments such as Revolut, GetYourGuide, and Deliveroo• The role of resilience, sport, and long-term thinking in business and investingAlberto also shares his personal journey from entrepreneurship and building businesses with his brother to launching Giano Capital and creating a new asset class focused on late-stage technology investments.5 OUTSTANDING QUOTES / LESSONS1. "Failure in America is part of the learning process. In Europe, failure is a disaster."Lesson: Europe's challenge may be cultural as much as financial.2. "The due diligence is the beginning of the journey, not the end."Lesson: Great investors keep working after the deal closes.3. "Everything has to be already tested before we invest."Lesson: Giano seeks to eliminate execution risk before investing.4. "The loneliness of the entrepreneur is real. I lived that."Lesson: The best investors bring empathy, not only capital.5. "You need to reach the top, and then you have the descent."Lesson: Investing and endurance sports both reward patience and resilience.TIMESTAMPS(00:00:00) Intro(00:03:00) Why secondaries suddenly matter(00:07:19) Why IPOs are no longer enough(00:12:44) Where Giano fits between VC and PE(00:17:06) Why private information changes returns(00:21:41) How Giano helps founders beyond capital(00:26:19) Not pre IPO but three years earlier(00:31:23) Europe must think beyond countries(00:37:56) Alberto Chalon on loss and entrepreneurship(00:42:12) From search engines to professional investing(00:46:21) How fashion arbitrage shaped his investing(00:53:47) Building a privacy search engine in Europe(01:00:51) Ruthless focus without forcing others(01:07:38) What late-stage governance requires(01:11:50) Why Giano chose late-stage secondaries(01:15:32) Inside Giano Capital's deal funnel(01:19:07) Why community matters in secondaries(01:24:29) GetYourGuide and Revolut as examples(01:27:29) How long a secondary deal takes(01:29:11) Cycling as leadership training(01:36:23) Giano Capital's ten-year ambitionSend us Fan Mail Join Christian Soschner for expert coaching. 50% Off - With 35+ years in deep tech, startups/scaleups, and public companies, Christian offers power video sessions. Elevate strategy, execution, and leadership. Book Now.Support the showJoin the Podcast Newsletter: Link
Embrace your weird! Literary tastemaker and Debutiful founder Adam Vitcavage talks about championing debut authors and working to demystify the cloak and daggers publishing ecosystem. Listen in as we juggle topics like dealing with the pressures of early pitching cycles, the importance of independent booksellers, and the rise of influencer culture. As we hustle for connection in an attention-fractured culture competing with streaming, games, and AI, reading remains a vital art form for making people feel seen. Debutiful Website: https://debutiful.net/ Adam's Website: https://vitcavage.com/ Social: @debutiful Good Story Company: If you have a story in your head, we're here to help you get it out into the world. We help writers of all skill sets, all genres, and all categories, at all stages of the writing process. Need a hand with brainstorming? Want to find a critique partner? Looking for an editor to help polish up your pitch, your idea, or your entire manuscript? We have all of it and more in our community. If you're ready to take the next step (or the first step) on your writing journey, we're here to help you. Website: https://www.goodstorycompany.com Membership: https://www.goodstorycompany.com/membership Writing Workshop: https://www.storymastermind.com Mary Kole: Former literary agent Mary Kole founded Good Story Company as an educational, editorial, and community resource for writers. She provides consulting and developmental editing services to writers of all categories and genres, working on children's book projects from picture book to young adult, and all kinds of trade market literature, including fantasy, sci-fi, romance, and memoir. She holds an MFA in Creative Writing and has worked at Chronicle Books, the Andrea Brown Literary Agency, and Movable Type Management. She has been blogging at Kidlit.com since 2009. Her book, Writing Irresistible Kidlit, a writing reference guide for middle grade and young adult writers, is available from Writer's Digest Books. Manuscript Submission Blueprint: https://bit.ly/kolesubWriting Irresistible Kidlit: http://bit.ly/kolekidlitIrresistible Query Letters: https://amzn.to/3yg511KWriting Irresistible Picture Books: https://amzn.to/3SrApRUHow to Write a Book Now: https://BookHip.com/ZHXAAKQWriting Interiority: Crafting Irresistible Characters: https://amzn.to/4evsX0BWriting Irresistible First Pages: https://amzn.to/4gxgslqNEW! Show and Tell: https://amzn.to/4kCc4no Follow us on social: YouTube: https://youtube.com/c/goodstory Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/goodstory.bsky.social Instagram: https://instagram.com/goodstorycompany TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@goodstoryco Facebook: https://facebook.com/goodstoryco Substack: https://goodstoryco.substack.com/
Planning a vacation is exciting… but the fine print? Not so much. Unfortunately, those hidden details can be the difference between a smooth trip and a stressful travel disaster.In this episode of All Things Travel, Ryan and Julie break down the travel policies, rules, and booking details that travelers often overlook—and explain why understanding them can save you money, stress, and disappointment later on.From hotel cancellation policies and resort fees to airline baggage rules, airport transfers, and cruise contracts, this episode is packed with practical advice to help you become a more informed and confident traveler. Ryan and Julie also share real-world examples from their own travels and client experiences, including non-refundable hotel surprises, changing cruise itineraries, and common travel insurance misunderstandings.You'll also hear important tips about: Refundable vs. non-refundable travel rates Hidden hotel and parking fees Airport and cruise port transfer logistics Airline baggage and layover considerations Passport expiration rules Travel protection coverage and limitations Cruise line fine print and onboard policies International travel requirements, visas, and entry forms Plus, Julie highlights a growing trend she's seeing right now: multigenerational trips to Walt Disney World and why these vacations create unforgettable shared memories for families.Whether you book your own travel or work with a travel advisor, this episode will help you ask smarter questions before hitting that “Book Now” button.Ready to plan your next adventure with less stress and more confidence? Ryan and Julie would love to help.Support the showLove the podcast? Help us continue to create great travel content by supporting the show. You can do that here: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1197029/supporters/newReady to plan your vacation? Most families are confused and overwhelmed when planning a vacation. We work with you to plan a trip perfect for your family. Saving you time, money, and stress! Visit our website www.allthingstravelpodcast.com and click on "Plan Your Next Vacation"Join the travel conversations and the fun in our Facebook Page and Instagram Page!Please share the show with your travel buddies!! Click this link and share the show!Never miss an episode and help us take you to the top with us by following and leaving a 5-Star review on your favorite podcasting app!
Only one in three eligible lung cancer patients receives the targeted therapy they should get.That is not a failure of science.It is a failure of delivery.After more than two decades of precision oncology, biopharma has never had better tools: cell and gene therapy, in vivo CAR-T, antibody-drug conjugates, AI-enabled diagnostics, organoids, multi-omics, and global clinical data.Yet too many breakthroughs still fail to reach the bedside.Patients fall through fragmented systems.Data does not move cleanly.Community oncologists are overloaded.Tests are missed, delayed, or misread.Promising assets die in quarterly portfolio reviews.And healthcare systems built for pills, tablets, and chronic disease management are now being asked to deliver personalized medicine at scale.In this SPARK20 highlight episode, Alasdair Milton, PhD, Principal at KPMG and leader of the firm's Precision & Advanced Therapies practice, explains why the future of biopharma will not be decided by science alone.It will be decided by translation.From lab bench to boardroom.From data to decisions.From treatment to prevention.Alasdair brings more than 20 years of experience across life sciences strategy, commercial due diligence, precision medicine, advanced therapies, cell and gene therapy, biopharma M&A, diagnostics, and global healthcare transformation.This conversation moves from the precision medicine delivery crisis to China's biotech acceleration, from AI and organoids to trapped pharma assets, from lifelong wellness to the one skill every future biotech leader needs:The ability to translate complex science into business strategy, capital allocation, and patient impact.What You'll Learn in 22 MinutesWhy only one third of eligible lung cancer patients receive targeted therapy(00:01:53)And why precision medicine still breaks in everyday clinical practice.Why science keeps compounding even when systems fail(00:04:33)Including in vivo CAR-T, functional cures, gene therapy, and antibody-drug conjugates.Why innovation does not move in a straight line(00:05:20)How technologies can look dead for years before suddenly changing the market.Why China's biotech speed matters(00:07:36)How AI, organoids, scale, and execution are changing the global innovation map.Why great science dies inside Big Pharma(00:09:20)And how deprioritized assets can become billion-dollar companies when externalized properly.Why the industry must move from sickness to lifelong wellness(00:10:03)Alasdair's vision for a more proactive, preventive, data-driven healthcare system.Why pharma needs better ways to rescue shelved assets(00:13:06)Including examples such as SpringWorks, Cerevel, and new models for unlocking trapped value.How a 400-person Scottish island shaped Alasdair's worldview(00:15:07)The personal story behind his resilience, discipline, and leadership style.Why careers and companies are never linear(00:17:19)What Alasdair learned after moving to Boston and losing his role within weeks.Why the future belongs to translators(00:20:06)The most valuable skill in biotech: explaining complex science to business leaders, investors, and boards.How to connect with Alasdair Milton and the KPMG Precision & Advanced Therapies team(00:21:47)Quotes to Carry With You
Most dental practices lose new patients the moment a call goes unanswered - and most don't know it's happening. In this episode of The Thriving Dentist Show, Gary Takacs and Naren Arulrajah break down the after-hours and missed-call response system every dental practice needs in 2026. Inside: why 95% of new patients won't leave a voicemail, the 60-second response standard, when Book Now buttons help (and when they kill new patient numbers), and the simple audit every practice should run on its own phone system. Plus the wake-up call: a $15M multi-location practice that was missing 1,400 calls a month with no idea it was happening. Bonus guest segment from Dr. Jeff Buske on the work-to-home transition no one in dentistry talks about. Want to find out how many calls YOUR practice is missing? Book a free Marketing Strategy Meeting with Ekwa - we'll pull your actual call data: ekwa.com/td Want help building the after-hours response protocol? Book a free Coaching Strategy Meeting with Gary Takacs: thrivingdentist.com/csm
Some books explain how the world works.Influence explains why people move.Why someone takes the meeting.Why an investor leans in.Why a customer trusts.Why a team follows.Why a board stays stuck.Why a founder keeps defending a decision that stopped making sense months ago.Robert Cialdini's Influence: The Psychology of Persuasion is one of those books that becomes more valuable the longer you build, invest, sell, negotiate, hire, and lead.Because at some point, you realize something uncomfortable:Most decisions are not made after perfect analysis.They are made under pressure.With incomplete information.With too many options.Too little time.And a nervous system looking for shortcuts.That is where Cialdini's work becomes powerful.He shows that human beings rely on recurring decision triggers: reciprocation, liking, social proof, authority, scarcity, commitment and consistency, and unity.These are not tricks.They are part of the operating system of human behavior.And if you build or invest in companies from Series A to IPO and beyond, these forces are everywhere.They show up in fundraising.In sales.In hiring.In pricing.In board meetings.In investor updates.In partnerships.In leadership.And in the quiet signals people read before they ever say yes or no.A founder can have the better product and still lose because nobody trusts the signal.A CEO can have the right strategy and still fail because the team never feels real unity.An investor can see the data and still follow the crowd because social proof feels safer than independent judgment.A service provider can have rare expertise and destroy their own value by being too available.A board can keep supporting a flawed decision because everyone wants to stay consistent with what they already said.That is why this book matters.Not because it teaches manipulation.But because it teaches respect for human nature.The best builders do not work against psychology.They work with it.They understand that a small act of generosity can open a door.That people need to like you before they seriously negotiate with you.That visible proof often matters before deep proof gets examined.That authority begins before you speak.That scarcity protects value.That commitment can create momentum — or trap you.And that the strongest companies often feel less like transactions and more like “we.”In this episode, I translate Cialdini's seven principles into practical lessons for founders, CEOs, investors, and operators building companies in the real world.Not as abstract psychology.As boardroom practice.As fundraising practice.As sales practice.As leadership practice.As reputation practice.And as a defense system against being influenced by people who understand these principles better than you do.What We CoverReciprocation Why small, right-sized generosity works better than aggressive asking.Liking Why manners, presence, and positive repeated contact still matter more than most people admit.Social Proof Why people judge you by the company you keep — and why markets often follow visible signals before they examine fundamentals.Authority Why titles, suits, posture, calmness, and credibility shape decisions before logic enters the room.Scarcity Why unlimited availability destroys value — and why thoughtful limits can increase demand.Commitment and Consistency Why small yeses become large decisions, and why founders must learn to ask: “Knowing what I know now, would I still choose this?”Unity Why the deepest form of influence is not persuasion, but the feeling that “we are in this together.”Timestamps(00:00) Introduction(02:05) Big Idea – Instant Influence: Primitive Consent for an Automatic Age(05:35) Author's Background(07:38) Reciprocation – The Old Give and Take… and Take(13:34) Liking – The Friendly Thief(18:55) Social Proof – Truths Are Us(24:41) Authority(32:10) Scarcity – The Rule of the Few(38:00) Commitment and Consistency – Hobgoblins of the Mind(45:00) Unity – We-Ness and the Power of Shared Identity(51:19) Key Takeaways(53:53) Personal Reflection(56:18) Final WordsWhy This Episode MattersIf you raise capital, this episode helps you understand why investors lean in before they fully understand the deck.If you sell, it helps you see why trust is often built before the formal pitch begins.If you lead, it helps you design cultures where people commit because they identify with the mission, not because they were told to comply.If you invest, it helps you protect yourself against false signals: fake authority, fake scarcity, fake social proof, and beautifully packaged nonsense.And if you build companies, it reminds you of something simple:Human nature is not a side issue.It is the terrain.The best founders, investors, and leaders learn to read it.Because capital does not move only toward logic.People do.Send us Fan Mail Join Christian Soschner for expert coaching. 50% Off - With 35+ years in deep tech, startups/scaleups, and public companies, Christian offers power video sessions. Elevate strategy, execution, and leadership. Book Now.Support the showJoin the Podcast Newsletter: Link
Most leaders think negotiation begins when both sides sit down to talk numbers. By then, trust, incentives, timing, internal alignment, and first impressions have already shaped the outcome. That is why smart founders, executives, investors, and board members can have the right facts and still walk away with the wrong result.In this episode of Beginner's Mind, Stefanie Schubert explains why negotiation is not a last-minute performance at the table. It is a leadership capability that starts much earlier, in the way people prepare, build trust, frame value, listen, manage emotions, and understand what the other side truly needs.Stefanie is a Professor of Economics at SRH University Heidelberg, a Negotiation Advisor, Keynote Speaker, and ICF-certified Executive Coach. Her work combines behavioral economics, game theory, negotiation, executive coaching, and real-world business practice, with experience in complex business environments, alliance management, and biopharma. This conversation moves from the practical to the profound: why intelligent people still make weak decisions, why preparation often matters more than persuasion, why pushing people creates resistance, how ballroom dancing explains negotiation better than many textbooks, and why investors, scientists, founders, and corporate leaders often speak past each other without realizing it.We also explore John Nash, A Beautiful Mind, first offers, anchoring, emotional decision-making, AI-driven profiling, trust in virtual environments, and why rejection in fundraising is not necessarily the end of the negotiation.As Stefanie puts it:(01:50:33) “You bring in something. It's not that you beg for money with the investor.”That may be the core lesson of the episode.Good negotiation is not domination. It is not theatre. It is not a bag of tricks. It is the discipline of understanding value, shaping the game, and entering the room with enough clarity to build something useful with another person.Selected moments(00:00:00) Why smart people lose negotiations early(00:04:24) Negotiation starts before the table(00:07:57) Why smart people still decide poorly(00:13:25) Influence creates value not manipulation(00:18:21) Human shortcuts quietly kill opportunities(00:25:08) Ballroom dancing reveals negotiation resistance(00:28:44) Active listening creates leadership leverage(00:34:06) Authenticity beats dominance in leadership(00:37:05) How to de-escalate emotional negotiations(00:45:05) Game theory without mathematical intimidation(00:52:57) A Beautiful Mind and collaboration traps(01:00:47) First offers and anchoring pressure(01:06:37) Internal alignment before external negotiation(01:12:25) Why emotions can be rational(01:17:20) Fast thinking versus sustainable judgment(01:32:25) AI profiling can poison first impressions(01:40:59) Trust building before formal deals(01:45:04) Why investor rejection is not final(01:47:24) Designing negotiations from first contact(01:48:11) Create value before dividing value(01:50:28) Confidence before asking for Send us Fan Mail Join Christian Soschner for expert coaching. 50% Off - With 35+ years in deep tech, startups/scaleups, and public companies, Christian offers power video sessions. Elevate strategy, execution, and leadership. Book Now.Support the showJoin the Podcast Newsletter: Link
Learning Rav Tzaddock HaCohen from Sefer Pri Tzaddick about the role of Baalei Teshuva inspired during Chodesh Iyar, Acharei Mos to Yom Kippur & Kedoshim entering holiness into the ❤️! Weekly after Mincha 1st Mariv @ Shirat David Efrat
Juliet is joined by Jared Freid to discuss his way to save 'The Bachelor.' Before that, they discuss living in Florida and line culture, and most importantly, the state of bagels in America. Finally, Jared shares why he thinks ‘Age of Attraction' and ‘Temptation Island' don't work. (00:00) Intro (06:41) New York's line problem (10:05) The state of bagels in America (26:20) Where does 'The Bachelorette' go from here? (35:30) Jared's pitch for a new ‘Bachelorette' (57:26) ‘Age of Attraction' (64:18) ‘Temptation Island' Pre-Order Jared's Book Now: https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Walking-Red-Flag/Jared-Freid/9781668061800 Host: Juliet Litman Guest: Jared Freid Producer: Olivia Crerie Theme Song: Devon Renaldo Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
This episode is for chiropractors who may be feeling discouraged by the increasingly competitive world of chiropractic SEO and AI search. While the gap between established clinics and newer offices is widening, your chiropractor website remains your most critical marketing asset—regardless of whether you ever rank #1 on Google. A common mistake is viewing a website only as a tool for search engines; however, its primary job is building trust with human beings. Whether a lead comes from a referral, networking, social media, or local signage, your website is the final destination where they decide to trust you with their health. This conversation moves away from generic templates and focuses on how to develop a digital presence that clearly communicates value and converts visitors into patients. Core Principles & Decision Lenses The Conversion Factor: Understanding that being "found" is only half the battle; your website must answer "What do people see when they find me?". Communicating Value Quickly: Why you only have 15–45 seconds to prove you are the right chiropractic business for a visitor's needs. Design for New Patients: Shifting the focus of your chiropractor website design from existing patients to the specific needs and fears of new leads. The "New Patient Page" Model: Why a dedicated hub for frequently asked questions and scheduling is more effective than a simple "Book Now" button. Pushing Away Bad Fits: Using your marketing to filter out patients who aren't a good fit for your clinical strengths, reducing practice friction. Next Step Ask yourself: "Would I choose me based on what I see online?". If your current site feels generic or inaccurate, it's time to build a foundation that actually represents you. Request a free website and SEO review at RocketChiro.com. Resources Mentioned • Rocket Chiro chiropractic websites and local SEO: https://rocketchiro.com/best-chiropractic-websites/ • Website and SEO review requests at RocketChiro.com: https://rocketchiro.com/contact/chiropractic-practice-assessment/ • NEXT Step chiropractic business coaching: https://rocketchiro.com/chiropractic-coaching/
Most people still treat climate solutions as a cost.Wanwipa Siriwatwechakul argues that this is exactly why so many leaders miss the real opportunity.The next industrial era will not be built by patching old systems, but by redesigning them from the ground up.In this episode of Beginner's Mind, Wanwipa explains why industrial decarbonization is not mainly about sacrifice, compliance, or adding expensive fixes to yesterday's infrastructure. It is about building better systems, stronger companies, and entirely new categories of value creation.A chemical engineer trained at MIT and Princeton, former professor, and Partner at Vectors Capital, Wanwipa works at the intersection of climate tech, synthetic biology, industrial innovation, and early-stage venture capital. Her perspective is grounded in both science and scale: what matters is not only whether a breakthrough works in the lab, but whether it can survive the journey from one gram to one ton, from prototype to product, from curiosity to adoption.We talk about why the strongest climate companies redesign industries instead of decorating old ones, why synthetic biology is emerging as a new industrial toolkit, how startups like Huue Bio, Ingrediome, and Solidec reveal very different scale-up strategies, and why the best founders treat breakthroughs as hypotheses to test rather than theories to defend.As Wanwipa puts it:(01:57:02) “See climate solutions not as cost, but as funding the next industrial era.” What you'll hear in this episodeWhy decarbonization becomes far more powerful when industries are redesigned, not merely optimized How synthetic biology can replace toxic, waste-heavy industrial chemistry with cleaner production models Why great science is only the starting point, and why scale is where most companies really live or die What founders can learn about resilience, coachability, timing, and relentless customer discovery How climate tech can create competitive advantage, new revenue streams, and distributed industrial resilience Why Southeast Asia may become a powerful region for the next wave of climate and bioindustrial growth Selected moments(00:00:56) From Professor to Climate Tech Venture Capital(00:09:27) Why Climate Change Became Personal in Thailand(00:14:11) From Pure Discovery to Real Market Impact(00:23:00) Decarbonization by Redesigning Industry(00:30:06) The Climate Tech Mistake Costing Investors Money(00:34:17) Solidec and the Future of Distributed Manufacturing(00:38:50) Why Big Companies Resist Industrial Reinvention(00:46:21) How Great Founders Turn Pivots Into New Markets(00:50:50) Customer Discovery in Deep Tech and Climate Startups(00:53:08) Great Science Must Become Products People Use(01:00:39) Synthetic Biology as the New Industrial Toolkit(01:10:15) How Climate Startups Find Early Adopters(01:13:19) Founder Resilience and the Stomach of Steel(01:21:15) Venture Capital and the Crucial Why Now(01:57:02) Climate Solutions as Funding the Next Industrial Era Follow the show for more long-form conversations on technologySend us Fan Mail Join Christian Soschner for expert coaching. 50% Off - With 35+ years in deep tech, startups/scaleups, and public companies, Christian offers power video sessions. Elevate strategy, execution, and leadership. Book Now.Support the showJoin the Podcast Newsletter: Link
The Best Dental Marketing Podcast, powered by Dentainment, delivers cutting-edge strategies to help dental practices attract new patients, grow revenue, and thrive in today's competitive digital landscape.
Power demand is rising faster than the systems meant to support it.AI, electrification, and industry all need stable energy, but the dominant story sold to the public was far simpler than reality. In this episode, Bret Kugelmass explains why the real bottleneck was never just climate ambition, but how the West misunderstood energy itself.For years, nuclear was framed as too dangerous, too slow, too expensive, and politically untouchable. Meanwhile, electricity demand kept rising, industrial resilience became strategic again, and the gap between energy ambition and physical reality widened.This conversation gets underneath the narrative. (Recorded November 2023)Bret Kugelmass, Founder and CEO of Last Energy, argues that the nuclear debate was never only about science or safety. It was also about incentives, regulation, public perception, delivery models, and the failure to distinguish what is inherent to the technology from what is imposed by the system around it.Drawing on his path from Silicon Valley entrepreneurship into deep energy infrastructure, Bret explains why he believes the West solved for the wrong variables, why wind and solar alone cannot carry modern industrial societies in many regions, and why the real breakthrough in nuclear may not come from reinventing the reactor, but from reinventing how power plants are built, sold, and deployed.As he puts it: (00:33:11) “Solve the wrong problem brilliantly and you'll be the only one who cares.”This episode is not just about nuclear energy. It is about first-principles thinking, product-market fit in deep tech, and the kind of contrarian founder logic required to build where politics, infrastructure, and capital collide.What You'll Learn in This Episode 1️⃣ Why Bret says the West misunderstood the real energy bottleneck 2️⃣ Why net zero may be the wrong framing for climate ambition 3️⃣ What most people still get wrong about nuclear waste, safety, and Fukushima 4️⃣ Why nuclear's real challenge is cost and construction, not physics 5️⃣ How Last Energy reframed the business by selling electricity, not reactors 6️⃣ What founders can learn from solving the right problem before scalingSelected Timestamps (00:04:29) Introduction (00:04:29) Defining climate goals beyond net zero (00:13:46) Bret discovers nuclear mission and truth (00:19:44) Chernobyl versus Fukushima what truly matters (00:21:39) Nuclear's unmatched physics for abundant energy (00:30:08) Ideal world nuclear plants in 18 months (00:36:02) Solving the right problem before building (00:42:58) First principles simplicity as Last Energy's edge (00:51:16) Securing 30 billion through true product market fit (00:54:05) Last Energy vision for tens of thousands of gigawatts (00:56:12) Taking ultimate responsibility to drive massive global progress
On this episode of SPIN Presents Lipps Service with Scott Lipps, Scott sits down with alternative rock icon Melissa Auf der Maur. Best known for her time in Hole during the Live Through This era and later with The Smashing Pumpkins alongside Billy Corgan, Melissa takes us inside one of the most defining moments in music history — the 1990s alternative explosion. Melissa opens up about playing on Courtney Love's new record, the possibility of a Hole reunion, her decision to step away from music, and her life today in upstate New York. She reflects on growing up in Montreal, her first musical memories, and how she discovered her voice through bass and photography. The conversation dives deep into her relationships with Courtney Love, Billy Corgan, Dave Grohl, and Jeff Buckley, along with firsthand stories from the Nirvana era, the feminist movement in rock, and the raw energy of Hole's early shows. Melissa also discusses her new memoir Even the Good Girls Will Cry, featuring never-before-seen photos and personal stories from inside the 90s alternative scene. Plus — Top 5 Hole songs, Smashing Pumpkins songs, and bass players. #hole #alternative #smashingpumpkins #courtneylove #90s #bass #melissaaufdermaur 0:00 Intro 1:17 Courtney Love's New Record 3:39 Why the Book Now? 6:15 Hole Reunion? 7:24 Life Upstate / Stepping Away from Music 11:10 Growing Up in Montreal 13:52 First Musical Memory / First Record 15:00 Family Background 18:00 Finding the Bass 22:05 Billy Corgan & Courtney Love as Constants 23:00 Smashing Pumpkins Era 24:30 Joining Hole 26:57 First Hole Shows 28:00 Nirvana, Pumpkins & Feminism 34:34 Inside Hole's Dynamic 36:45 Celebrity Skin / Patty Schemel 39:58 Joining The Smashing Pumpkins 42:49 Dave Grohl 45:03 Jeff Buckley 47:00 Hole Reunion (Again) 48:13 Top 5 Hole Songs 51:55 Top 5 Smashing Pumpkins Songs 53:20 Top 5 Bass Players 54:00 The Photo Book Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Claire Linney shares how a book about Black British history sparked the idea for her series Time Tub Travellers! Our fun conversation covers topics from self-publishing challenges to marketing strategies on social media. Plus, get tips on how to write children's books aimed to educate and entertain. Claire Linney Website: https://www.clairelinney.com/ Social: @claire_linney Good Story Company: If you have a story in your head, we're here to help you get it out into the world. We help writers of all skill sets, all genres, and all categories, at all stages of the writing process. Need a hand with brainstorming? Want to find a critique partner? Looking for an editor to help polish up your pitch, your idea, or your entire manuscript? We have all of it and more in our community. If you're ready to take the next step (or the first step) on your writing journey, we're here to help you. Website: https://www.goodstorycompany.com Membership: https://www.goodstorycompany.com/membership Writing Workshop: https://www.storymastermind.com Mary Kole: Former literary agent Mary Kole founded Good Story Company as an educational, editorial, and community resource for writers. She provides consulting and developmental editing services to writers of all categories and genres, working on children's book projects from picture book to young adult, and all kinds of trade market literature, including fantasy, sci-fi, romance, and memoir. She holds an MFA in Creative Writing and has worked at Chronicle Books, the Andrea Brown Literary Agency, and Movable Type Management. She has been blogging at Kidlit.com since 2009. Her book, Writing Irresistible Kidlit, a writing reference guide for middle grade and young adult writers, is available from Writer's Digest Books. Manuscript Submission Blueprint: https://bit.ly/kolesubWriting Irresistible Kidlit: http://bit.ly/kolekidlitIrresistible Query Letters: https://amzn.to/3yg511KWriting Irresistible Picture Books: https://amzn.to/3SrApRUHow to Write a Book Now: https://BookHip.com/ZHXAAKQWriting Interiority: Crafting Irresistible Characters: https://amzn.to/4evsX0BWriting Irresistible First Pages: https://amzn.to/4gxgslqNEW! Show and Tell: https://amzn.to/4kCc4no Follow us on social: YouTube: https://youtube.com/c/goodstory Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/goodstory.bsky.social Instagram: https://instagram.com/goodstorycompany TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@goodstoryco Facebook: https://facebook.com/goodstoryco Substack: https://goodstoryco.substack.com/
What if your “ideal guest avatar” is the very thing keeping your best guests from ever booking with you? Most hosts treat an avatar like a worksheet to fill out, giving them a name, an age, and a salary, but they never actually reach the person behind the booking button.In this episode, I'm pulling back the curtain on my "Iceberg Method" to combat this very problem. We're moving beyond demographics and diving into the silent pressures, anxieties, and hopes that drive your guests to hit "Book Now."Inside the episode, I dive into:A framework to stop marketing to surface-level actions and start speaking to the deep emotional layers underneath.Understanding the silent fear your guests carryWhy a calm, confident, and predictable listing will beat a "salesy" one every single time.How to use your reviews and description to prove you are the solution to their stress, not another problem to manage.Shifting your focus from who your guest is to what they are feeling when they find your listing.This isn't just a marketing lesson. It's about strategic empathy. I'm challenging you to look at your guest journey, from your first photo to your checkout instructions, through a new lens. You'll learn why your guest isn't really choosing between three bedrooms and four; they are choosing between regret and confidence.If you're ready to stop talking at your guests and start speaking to their real needs, this episode will show you exactly how to find the "hidden" copy that's already waiting in your guests' fears. It's time to evolve from a property owner into a strategic filter for the guest experience.HIGHLIGHTS AND KEY POINTS:[00:00] Introducing a more powerful, results-driven way to define your ideal guest avatar so it truly impacts your business[01:48] Why bookings are driven by emotion, not demographics, and how most hosts are marketing to the wrong layer[03:41] Why real ideal guest avatars live below the surface, and why most hosts are stuck marketing above it[05:08] The Iceberg Method – how actions, thoughts, and emotions shape every booking decision[06:58] How understanding hidden fears like letting family down, wasting money, or creating stress, is key to attracting the ideal guest[12:57] The difference between shallow and deep avatar thinking when defining your ideal guest[14:13] What are the five strategic questions to uncover the emotional drivers of your ideal guest[15:24] How truly understanding your guest transforms your listing copy, photos, communication, and even pricing confidenceGolden Nuggets:“When you understand the psychographics of your ideal guest avatar, that's where you start to create a booking engine with your listing.”“You are not selling excitement. You are not selling an amazing stay. What you are selling is confidence.”“Predictability beats promises. So your listing must be written so that it feels predictable.”“Your best listing copy is already hiding in your guests' fears not your amenities.”Let's Connect:Website : https://staceystjohn.com/Enjoyed the show? Subscribe, Rate, Review, Like, and Share!
✨ Welcome to your #cosmicweatherreport for the week ahead.
Spring Break bookings are chaos season—and in this episode, Cody and Meagan break down why. This isn't normal travel behavior. It's emotional, urgent, and often stressful. Guests aren't just booking a room… they're booking relief.With an energetic, observational, and practical tone, this episode helps operators understand the psychology behind Spring Break bookings and what actually pushes guests to click “Book Now.”
✨ Welcome to your #cosmicweatherreport for the week ahead.
Big Speeches and 16 Postcodes with Jessica Regan The Guilty Feminist. Big Speeches and 16 Postcodes Presented by Deborah Frances-White with special guest with Jessica Regan Recorded 30 January 2026 in London. Released 4 February. The Guilty Feminist theme composed by Mark Hodge. BOOK NOW for 16 Postcodes: https://kingsheadtheatre.com/whats-on/16-postcodes-jhby Get Deborah's new book with 30% off using the code SIXCONVERSATIONSPOD https://store.virago.co.uk/products/six-conversations-were-scared-to-have More about Deborah Frances-White https://deborahfrances-white.com https://www.instagram.com/dfdubz https://www.virago.co.uk/titles/deborah-frances-white/six-conversations-were-scared-to-have/9780349015811 https://www.virago.co.uk/titles/deborah-frances-white/the-guilty-feminist/9780349010120 More about Jessica Regan https://jessicaregan.com https://www.instagram.com/j.reegs For more information about this and other episodes… visit https://www.guiltyfeminist.com tweet us https://www.twitter.com/guiltfempod like our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/guiltyfeminist check out our Instagram https://www.instagram.com/theguiltyfeminist or join our mailing list http://www.eepurl.com/bRfSPT More Big Speeches workshops now available https://guiltyfeminist.com/big-speeches/ Come to a live show Museum of Comedy, 13 February, 20 February. https://www.museumofcomedy.com/the-guilty-feminist Zack Polanski and Juno Dawson at The Union Chapel, 5 March. https://www.gigantic.com/the-guilty-feminist-tickets/london-union-chapel/2026-03-05-18-30 On sale soon, 11 March at King's Place, 31 March Bloomsbury Theatre. Thank you to our amazing Patreon supporters. To support the podcast yourself, go to https://www.patreon.com/guiltyfeminist You can also get an ad-free version of the podcast via Apple Podcasts. The Guilty Feminist is part of the AudioPlus Network. If you'd like to work with us, please get in touch at hello@weareaudioplus.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Jennie Nash started Author Accelerator when she realized there was a need for more personalized, ongoing coaching to assist through the often isolating writing process. In this episode, get answers to common queries: What do writers need to excel? Is my story idea good enough? How can I better position my book in the market? Can AI help me write a book? Learn her keys to effective book coaching, giving and getting writing feedback, and the benefit of catering to your creative impulses.Jennie NashWebsite: https://jennienash.com/Social: @jennienashbookcoachGood Story Company: If you have a story in your head, we're here to help you get it out into the world. We help writers of all skill sets, all genres, and all categories, at all stages of the writing process. Need a hand with brainstorming? Want to find a critique partner? Looking for an editor to help polish up your pitch, your idea, or your entire manuscript? We have all of it and more in our community. If you're ready to take the next step (or the first step) on your writing journey, we're here to help you.Website: https://www.goodstorycompany.comMembership: https://www.goodstorycompany.com/membershipWriting Workshop: https://www.storymastermind.comMary Kole: Former literary agent Mary Kole founded Good Story Company as an educational, editorial, and community resource for writers. She provides consulting and developmental editing services to writers of all categories and genres, working on children's book projects from picture book to young adult, and all kinds of trade market literature, including fantasy, sci-fi, romance, and memoir. She holds an MFA in Creative Writing and has worked at Chronicle Books, the Andrea Brown Literary Agency, and Movable Type Management. She has been blogging at Kidlit.com since 2009. Her book, Writing Irresistible Kidlit, a writing reference guide for middle grade and young adult writers, is available from Writer's Digest Books.Manuscript Submission Blueprint: https://bit.ly/kolesubWriting Irresistible Kidlit: http://bit.ly/kolekidlitIrresistible Query Letters: https://amzn.to/3yg511KWriting Irresistible Picture Books: https://amzn.to/3SrApRUHow to Write a Book Now: https://BookHip.com/ZHXAAKQWriting Interiority: Crafting Irresistible Characters: https://amzn.to/4evsX0BWriting Irresistible First Pages: https://amzn.to/4gxgslqNEW! Show and Tell: https://amzn.to/4kCc4noFollow us on social:YouTube: https://youtube.com/c/goodstoryBluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/goodstory.bsky.socialInstagram: https://instagram.com/goodstorycompanyTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@goodstorycoFacebook: https://facebook.com/goodstorycoSubstack: https://goodstoryco.substack.com/
R. C. Sproul answers questions dealing with suffering. NOTE—If you wish to listen to previous podcasts that cover different parts of this book, go to podbean and look at the five choices listed right above the podcasts (Home, Subscribe, Profile, Connect, and the search icon). Click on the search icon and type in the name of the book. Book: Now, That's a Good Question by R. C. Sproul purchase book here I'm Gary Zacharias, a professor of English, avid reader, and passionate follower of Jesus Christ. This podcast is for anyone curious about the intellectual foundation of the Christian faith. Each episode, I feature a key book on topics like the existence of God, the historical evidence for Jesus, science and Christianity, or the reliability of the Bible. These are the books that have earned a permanent place on my apologetics bookshelf—and I want to share them with you. contact me: theapologistsbookshelf@gmail.com
The Transportation Department has a new theory on why air travel is a nightmare: It's not the delays, the shrinking seats, or the TSA... it's your sweatpants. Austin breaks down the insane new "Civility Campaign" that wants you to dress like it's 1955 to "fix" air rage. Plus, the "MAHA" movement forces Big Food to bend the knee on seed oils, and new data exposes the college degree as a "$100,000 receipt." Is the US the sole superpower again? Remso Martinez to discuss. Plus is a college degree a scam?
2026 Tax Revolt: Millions Refusing to Pay Government Taxes – Here's Why The Growing Tax Strike Nobody Wants To Talk About. America's Breaking Point? Americans are fed up. High taxes. Higher prices. Endless wars. Government waste. And now something new is bubbling beneath the surface: not protest, not riots… resignation. People quietly opting out. Some are talking about a “tax strike.” Is this dangerous? Is it justified? Does it unite the country… or blow it apart? Let's talk about it honestly. This isn't left or right. This is ordinary Americans reaching a breaking point. Stay Dangerous. Watch this video at- https://youtu.be/Qi8ipxFvB68?si=7F1mqyPmUAT-H_TA Tim Black TV 210K subscribers 8,019 views Jan 2, 2026 The Most Dangerous Night Show in America | Tim Black Live #TaxStrike #Tax #incomeinequality 00:00 — People Are Reaching Their Breaking Point 00:18 — Protest vs Resignation: A More Dangerous Shift 00:36 — “I'm Done Paying Taxes” Sentiment Grows 01:00 — 30 Years Working… And Nothing To Show For It 01:17 — Why A Tax Strike Terrifies Government 01:40 — We're Taxed Everywhere…On Everything 02:00 — People Feel Cheated By The System 02:09 — Tax Strike 2026 Calls Begin 02:23 — Could This Unite America? 02:41 — Wasteful Spending And Corruption Anger Americans 03:02 — Minnesota COVID Fraud Example 03:44 — When People Stop Believing In The System 04:05 — Major Voices Now Calling For A Tax Strike 04:10 — The Big Question… Then What? 04:14 — What Happens If People Quietly Opt Out? 04:30 — Power Only Exists If People Obey 04:44 — Reform Or Retaliation? 04:59 — “This Is What It Feels Like To Be A Slave” Anger And Pain 05:49 — Taxation Without Representation 06:06 — Does This Unite Or Divide America? 06:16 — Nobody Knows How This Ends 06:18 — Higher Taxes, Worse Services, Growing Anger 06:27 — Americans Are Waking Up Together 06:47 — This is Becoming A Movement 07:10 — Income Inequality + Oligarch Tax Structure 07:45 — Trump: “We May Eliminate Income Tax” 08:08 — America May Finally Be United… Against This 08:22 — Trust In Media Is Gone… And So Is Trust In Government Spending 09:05 — Americans Are Tired Of Being Scammed 09:34 — Can We Finally Come Together As A Country? 09:59 — Forget Parties… Do You Care About America Or Not? 10:23 — It Doesn't Matter Who You Are… Everyone Feels This 10:40 — The Country May Have Accidentally United Itself 10:48 — Was All The Distraction On Purpose? 11:18 — Watch The Most Dangerous Show In America "I'm not a news channel. I'm a commentator. - Tim Black"
In this powerful first Wednesday episode of 2026, Dr. Tomi Omo-Oba welcomes listeners into the FIRE
Ever scroll past a vacation rental photo and feel like you had to stay there—like, yesterday? That's not an accident. That's story-driven strategy at work.In this episode, I'm joined by the incredible Nicole Alexander—a woman who's mastered the art of making STRs look so inviting, guests can't help but click “Book Now.”We talk about:How Nicole went from wedding photography to capturing the soul of spacesHer three-month adventure across Europe, camera in hand, documenting dreamy cabinsWhy cozy corners, golden light, and personal touches matter more than you thinkBut this isn't just about pretty pictures. It's about creating an emotional connection.Nicole walks us through her process—how she uncovers what makes a property special and translates it into visuals that spark curiosity, desire, and trust. You'll hear why professional photography isn't just a “nice to have.” It's a brand builder. A booking booster. A guest experience enhancer.If you've ever wondered whether great photos really move the needle in your STR business... this conversation will open your eyes.Get ready to rethink how you show up online—and how guests see your property through the lens of story.HIGHLIGHTS AND KEY POINTS:[01:03] A short introduction about our guest Nicole Alexander, and how she got started in the short-term rental industry[03:01] Nicole's shift from wedding photography to cabin photography, and her approach to translating storytelling and vision into impactful property photography[07:46] Why it's so important for hosts to invest in high quality story driven images, instead of just hiring a real estate photographer, or snapping their own pictures with their iPhone[12:22] Nicole's emphasis on atmospheric moments as the emotional bridge that turns a property into an experience guests can already feel themselves living[14:51] Nicole's commitment to honest, accurate photography as a trust-building tool rather than a marketing illusion[18:15] What are some of the biggest mistakes that Nicole sees when hosts rely on subpar or non-experiential photography[20:34] Nicole emphasizes that while professional photography is essential for listings, candid and non-professional shots play a crucial role in storytelling, particularly on social media[22:42] Nicole talks about the common styling mistakes and preparing a property for photography[25:32] Nicole's advice on finding a creative photographer beyond traditional real estate specialists[28:06] Nicole's insights on vetting photographers to ensure they can deliver on your vision [29:56] Nicole breaks down realistic photography investment ranges and what hosts should expect in return[35:18] How investing in professional, story-driven photography directly drives stronger cash flow, higher nightly rates, and better guest alignment[37:39] Nicole's guidance on prioritizing hero images that quickly communicate space, amenities, and setting to drive booking decisions[39:18] The lightning round Golden Nuggets:
THE BALANCED MOMTALITY- Pelvic Floor/Core Rehab For The Pregnant and Postpartum Mom
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I joined the team at History Dispatches for a fun Christmas special. Together, we explore the Revolution's fraught relationship with the Catholic Church, and how festive cheer was targeted during the dechristianisation campaign of 1793. Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! Revolutionary France Tour - Join Me In Paris in May 2026! Book Now. Places are filling fast! The Grey History Community Help keep Grey History on the air! Every revolution needs its supporters, and we need you! With an ad-free feed, a community discord, a reading club, and tonnes of exclusive bonus content, you're missing out! Do your part for as little as half a cup of coffee per episode! It's the best value on the internet, with the best people too! Join Now And Support the Show Make a one-off donation Contact Me Send your questions, praise, and scorn here Newsletter Sign Up for Free Bonus Episode Follow on Social Media: Facebook Instagram X Advertising Please contact sales@advertisecast.com if you would like to advertise on Grey History: The French Revolution and Napoleon. All members of the Grey History Community have an ad-free version of the show. Support the show here. About Grey History: The French Revolution and Napoleon is a podcast dedicated to exploring the complexities of our history. By examining both the experiences of contemporaries and the conclusions of historians, Grey History seeks to unpack the ambiguities and nuances of the past. Understanding the French Revolution and the age of Napoleon Bonaparte is critical to understanding the history of the world, so join us on a journey through a series of events that would be almost unbelievable if it weren't for the fact that it's true! If you're looking for a binge-worthy history podcast on the Revolution and Napoleon, you're in the right place! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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https://bit.ly/APP-Website☎️ Your words matter — but your tone matters even more! In this Ridiculously Amazing Insurance Agent Podcast episode, Kelly Donahue-Piro dives deep into the power of tone vs. words in customer service and how it can make or break your client relationships. Discover why the way you say something is often more impactful than what you say — especially when serving your insurance clients.
If you're really great at figuring out what people need, maybe it's because you HAD to get good at it. A lot of us who come from environments where people didn't directly communicate their feelings grew into adults who prioritize the comfort of others. Don't be afraid to speak up. Your needs are just as important as anyone else's!–Please rate, review, and share the show with your friends!Follow the show on Instagram @SituationshitPodFollow me @SoireesInTherapyIf you want to work with me, visit SoireesInTherapy.com/Book-Now to book a free 15 minute consultation.Tired of situationships? Take the quiz to find out how to get unstuck at Dontea.co/QuizTo enroll in the Worth Everything program visit Dontea.co
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