Podcasts about bookstores

Running errands with my mom turned into a journey of dreams, imagination, and memories. Sometimes a bookstore can bring back an entire season of your life.Stay connected:* YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@shannoncasonstoryteller* Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/shannoncason/* Twitter - https://twitter.com/shannoncason* Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/ShannonCasonTalks* TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@shannoncasonSupport the stories:* Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/shannoncason* CashApp - https://cash.app/$ShannonCason* PayPal - https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/homemadestories1* Merch & more - https://www.shannoncason.com/Supporters get a mention on the next Homemade Stories Podcast! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week's Book Picks comes from Lily Bartels from the Open-Door Bookstore in Schenectady, NY.

With this episode, I'm prepared to ruffle some feathers. I hope you have thick skin, but this conversation is absolutely necessary, and I am incredibly passionate about it. Lately, everywhere I look on social media, I see small business owners posting Reels, TikToks, and memes making fun of how frustrating, exhausting, or annoying their customers are. They complain about customers asking too many questions, taking up too much time, or interrupting their day. This completely blows my mind. On one hand, I hear entrepreneurs constantly talking about how slow sales are and how desperately they need customers. But on the other hand, they are publicly mocking the very people keeping their doors open. We cannot say we want growth while simultaneously acting irritated that customers even exist. Even if you aren't posting this online, I want you to look deeper: How do you talk about your customers behind the scenes with your team? How do you think about them when you get home at night? I'm not throwing blame without looking in the mirror. When I ran my retail store, I had days where I got frustrated and, to my regret, complained to my team. But we have to change our mindset. Customers are not an inconvenience to your business; they are your business. Without them, you don't have a business—you just have inventory and bills. Key Takeaways from the Episode Your Customers are Watching Your Social Media: That "relatable" video mocking customer behavior might get laughs and likes from other business owners, but your actual customers are seeing it, too. When they see that content, they hear: You are a burden, and we don't want to help you. Why would anyone spend money where they feel unwanted? You Don't Sell a Unicorn Product: Whether you sell shoes, jewelry, candles, or clothing, customers can buy it somewhere else—Target, Amazon, or the boutique down the street. They choose your business because they want connection, experience, and service. Customer Service is the Business: Answering questions, helping people make decisions, and building trust isn't an interruption to your task list. It is the task. 5 Ways to Train Your Team to Appreciate Customers If we want better customer relationships, it has to start internally with our leadership and trickle down to our teams. Here are five practical ways to recalibrate your internal culture: Remember Who Writes the Paycheck: I don't write my team's paychecks; the customers do. Employees need to understand the direct connection between the customer experience and business survival. Stop Celebrating Sarcasm and Complaining: If leadership complains about customers behind the scenes, employees absorb that rotten mindset. Instead, actively celebrate positive customer stories and wins. Train Emotional Intelligence, Not Just Sales Skills: Teach your team how to actively listen, remain patient, read a customer's energy, and make people feel seen. View Questions as Buying Signals: Do not get annoyed when a customer asks a million questions. Questions mean interest and curiosity. An inquisitive customer is a massive opportunity, and they are far more valuable than a silent customer who walks right out. Build a Culture of Hospitality over Customer Service: Customer service asks, "How do we complete this transaction?" Hospitality asks, "How do I make this person feel?" Final Thoughts Setting healthy boundaries, having closing times, and protecting your peace is perfectly okay. You don't have to answer DMs 24/7 or let people mistreat you. But we must communicate our boundaries with kindness. People will remember how your business made them feel far longer than they will remember what they bought. The businesses that win long-term aren't always the cheapest or the trendiest; they are the ones that make their customers feel deeply valued. How are you going to shift your mindset around your customers this week? Work with Me - https://www.ciarastockeland.com/work-with-meVisit the Bookstore - https://www.ciarastockeland.com/bookstoreSign Up for Free Weekly Tips and Trainings - https://www.ciarastockeland.com/subscribe

With this episode, I'm prepared to ruffle some feathers. I hope you have thick skin, but this conversation is absolutely necessary, and I am incredibly passionate about it. Lately, everywhere I look on social media, I see small business owners posting Reels, TikToks, and memes making fun of how frustrating, exhausting, or annoying their customers are. They complain about customers asking too many questions, taking up too much time, or interrupting their day. This completely blows my mind. On one hand, I hear entrepreneurs constantly talking about how slow sales are and how desperately they need customers. But on the other hand, they are publicly mocking the very people keeping their doors open. We cannot say we want growth while simultaneously acting irritated that customers even exist. Even if you aren't posting this online, I want you to look deeper: How do you talk about your customers behind the scenes with your team? How do you think about them when you get home at night? I'm not throwing blame without looking in the mirror. When I ran my retail store, I had days where I got frustrated and, to my regret, complained to my team. But we have to change our mindset. Customers are not an inconvenience to your business; they are your business. Without them, you don't have a business—you just have inventory and bills. Key Takeaways from the Episode Your Customers are Watching Your Social Media: That "relatable" video mocking customer behavior might get laughs and likes from other business owners, but your actual customers are seeing it, too. When they see that content, they hear: You are a burden, and we don't want to help you. Why would anyone spend money where they feel unwanted? You Don't Sell a Unicorn Product: Whether you sell shoes, jewelry, candles, or clothing, customers can buy it somewhere else—Target, Amazon, or the boutique down the street. They choose your business because they want connection, experience, and service. Customer Service is the Business: Answering questions, helping people make decisions, and building trust isn't an interruption to your task list. It is the task. 5 Ways to Train Your Team to Appreciate Customers If we want better customer relationships, it has to start internally with our leadership and trickle down to our teams. Here are five practical ways to recalibrate your internal culture: Remember Who Writes the Paycheck: I don't write my team's paychecks; the customers do. Employees need to understand the direct connection between the customer experience and business survival. Stop Celebrating Sarcasm and Complaining: If leadership complains about customers behind the scenes, employees absorb that rotten mindset. Instead, actively celebrate positive customer stories and wins. Train Emotional Intelligence, Not Just Sales Skills: Teach your team how to actively listen, remain patient, read a customer's energy, and make people feel seen. View Questions as Buying Signals: Do not get annoyed when a customer asks a million questions. Questions mean interest and curiosity. An inquisitive customer is a massive opportunity, and they are far more valuable than a silent customer who walks right out. Build a Culture of Hospitality over Customer Service: Customer service asks, "How do we complete this transaction?" Hospitality asks, "How do I make this person feel?" Final Thoughts Setting healthy boundaries, having closing times, and protecting your peace is perfectly okay. You don't have to answer DMs 24/7 or let people mistreat you. But we must communicate our boundaries with kindness. People will remember how your business made them feel far longer than they will remember what they bought. The businesses that win long-term aren't always the cheapest or the trendiest; they are the ones that make their customers feel deeply valued. How are you going to shift your mindset around your customers this week? Work with Me - https://www.ciarastockeland.com/work-with-meVisit the Bookstore - https://www.ciarastockeland.com/bookstoreSign Up for Free Weekly Tips and Trainings - https://www.ciarastockeland.com/subscribe

Lee Kaplan and host Paris Chong discuss the realities of running a long-term business, with Lee candidly describing the transition from the thrill of the hunt for rare books to the daily "grind" of operations. The conversation shifts to the history of Arcana Books' home within the iconic Helms Bakery complex, which Lee reveals was built for the 1932 Los Angeles Olympics. They explore the building's previous life as a high-end mattress showroom and share a mutual understanding of how challenging it can be for business owners to find the time and energy to engage with the art and culture scene outside of their own daily work environments.Show Clip from The Paris Chong Show with Lee Kaplanhttps://youtu.be/lHTJIxcMj44https://www.theparischongshow.com

The end times timeline does not terminate with man building a better world, repairing the damage of sin, or finally learning how to govern himself. It ends with the present heaven and earth fleeing away from the face of the One seated on the Great White Throne. Revelation 20 shows the final collapse of Adam's ruined world system, followed by the judgment of every lost soul who rejected the light God gave them. From that fearful scene, the prophetic timeline begins to unfold in reverse: the Great White Throne requires the end of the Millennium, the Millennium requires the Second Coming of Jesus Christ, the Second Coming requires the completion of the time of Jacob's trouble, and the Tribulation requires the removal of the blood-bought Church before the wrath of God is poured out.“And as he sat upon the mount of Olives, the disciples came unto him privately, saying, Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world?” Matthew 24:3 (KJB)That is why the Bible believer is not waiting for the end of the world; we are waiting for the Lord from heaven. The next event for the body of Christ is not the mark of the beast, the rise of Antichrist, or the opening of the seals in Revelation 6, but the blessed hope of Titus 2:13 and the catching away of the Church in 1 Thessalonians 4. When you start at the end and work backward, the rightly divided timeline becomes clear. God will judge this world, restore Israel, reign from Jerusalem, destroy the final rebellion, judge the lost dead, dissolve the first creation, and make all things new. But before that final chain of events begins in earnest, the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, and the Church will be gone. Today we look at the end times prophetic timeline in reverse!YOU ARE INVITED: Come and be a part of our live and in-person Sunday Service starting at 11:00AM at the Bible Believers Church at the Bookstore in Palatka, Florida.

Love is in the air, in the Capital at least. Saturday is opening day for a bookstore focused on selling romance novels. The owner of XO Book Co in Willis Street says she wants to change people's ideas about the genre. Reporter Anya Fielding has a sneak preview and finds there's much more than Mills and Boon on the shelves.

This week I talk to Designers, Authors and Storytellers Paul van Ravestein and Monique Mulder about their book The Pickled CIty   Availible in Bookstores now!We dive into the history, culture and importance of place of pickles.  I also learn a few things about why pickles are that way.  So listen in to this extra long bonus episode on Pickles, Salt and HistoryMusic Credit: Fingerlympics by Doctor TurtleShow Notes: https://thehistoryofamericanfood.blogspot.com/Email: TheHistoryofAmericanFood at gmail dot comThreads: @THoAFoodInstagram: @THoAFood& some other socials... @THoAFood

From the Sepetember/October 2023 edition of The Scottish Rite Journal.  Any accompanying photographs or citations for this article can be found in the corresponding print edition.Make sure to like and subscribe to the channel!  Freemasons, make sure you shout out your Lodge, Valley, Chapter or Shrine below!OES, Job's Daughter's, Rainbow, DeMolay?  Drop us a comment too!To learn how to find a lodge near you, visit www.beafreemason.comTo learn more about the Scottish Rite, visit www.scottishrite.orgVisit our YouTube Page: Youtube.com/ScottishRiteMasonsJoin our Lost Media Archive for only $1.99 a month!https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCv-F13FNBaW-buecl7p8cJg/joinVisit our new stores: Bookstore: https://www.srbookstore.myshopify.com/Merch Store: http://www.shopsrgifts.com/Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/scottish-rite-journal-podcast--3134571/support.

The Blasters & Blades PodcastWhat happens when a standard investigation uncovers the exact kind of secrets you can never “un-know?” This week, we are sitting down with urban fantasy author Chloe Garner to talk all about her hit book series, Tell, The Detective. We dive into the inspiration behind Tina's gripping journey; from discovering the truth about her parents to navigating a world filled with shady private eyes and hidden magic. Chloe shares her secrets to balancing fast-paced mystery with supernatural worldbuilding, what it's like writing such an expansive universe, and what lies ahead for the series. Grab your magnifying glass and your warding charms for this fantastic interview! This was a fun interview, so go check out this episode. Lend us your eyes and ears, you won't be sorry!! Join us for a fun show! We're just a couple of nerdy Army veterans geeking out on things that go "abracadabra," "pew," "zoom," "boop-beep" and rhyme with Science Fiction & Fantasy. Co-Hosts: JR Handley (Author) (Grunt)Nick Garber (Comic Book Artist) (Super Grunt)Madam Stabby Stab (Uber Fan) (Horror Nerd)Jana S Brown (Author) (Chief Shenanigator)We work for free, so if you wanna throw a few pennies our way there is a linked Buy Me A Coffee site where you can do so. Just mention the podcast in the comments when you donate, and I'll keep the sacred bean water boiling!Support the Show: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/AuthorJRHandley Our LinkTree: https://linktr.ee/blastersandbladespodcast Today's SponsorTell Me A Secret: A Paranormal Detective Series: https://a.co/d/006XSHivFollow Chloe Garner on social mediaChloe's Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Chloe-Garner/e/B00MD4GGLS/ Chloe's Website: https://blenderfiction.wordpress.com/ Chloe's Twitter: https://twitter.com/BlenderFiction Chloe's Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/chloe.garner.79 Chloe's Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/435117423514398 Chloe's Bookstore: https://blenderfiction.wordpress.com/verida-signed-copies/ Chloe's Newsletter: https://blenderfiction.wordpress.com/mailing-lists/ Chloe's LinkTree: https://linktr.ee/ChloeGarner #scifishenanigans #scifishenaniganspodcast #bbp #blastersandblades #blastersandbladespodcast #podcast #scifipodcast #fantasypodcast #scifi #fantasy #books #rpg #comics #fandom #literature #comedy #veteran #army #armyranger #ranger #scififan #redshirts #scifiworld #sciencefiction #scifidaily #scificoncept #podcastersofinstagram #scificons #podcastlife #podcastsofinstagram #scifibooks #awardwinningscifi #newepisode #podcastersofinstagram #podcastaddict #podcast #scifigeek #scifibook #sfv #scifivisionaries #firesidechat #chat #panel #fireside #religionquestion #coffee #tea #coffeeortea #CoffeeBrandCoffee #JRHandley #NickGarber #MadamStabby #JenaRey #JanaSBrown #OpalKingdomPress #ChloeGarner #vampire #thriller #PI #PrivateInvestigator #Mysteries #Mystery #TellTheDetective #TellMeASecret #TellItToTheHand #TinaTheDetective #ChloeGarnerBooks #UrbanFantasy #ParanormalMystery #FantasyDetective #SupernaturalSleuth #UrbanFantasyBooks #FantasyMystery #MagicalRealism #BookTok #Bookstagram #IndieAuthor #AuthorInterview #PodcastEpisode #BookishPodcast #FantasyReaders #MustReadSeries #AHorseCalledAlpha #Ghostbusters #Constantine #TheFrighteners #LostGirl #Wynonna #TheMagicians #TheOrder #SleepyHollow #BeingHuman #90sAreBack #camel #Llama #Raptor #shifter #wereshifter #werewolves #werewolf #werecreature

In this episode, Gunter Swoboda explores the profound impact of the mentor wound—the absence of fathers, mentors, elders, and meaningful initiation—and how this hidden wound continues to shape men's identities, relationships, and emotional lives.Drawing on attachment theory, developmental psychology, and the role of rites of passage throughout history, Gunter examines how the decline of mentorship and eldering has left many men navigating adulthood without guidance or support. The episode explores the grief that accompanies what was missed, the importance of acknowledging the wound, and how healing begins by becoming the mentor the next generation needs.Topics• Understanding the mentor wound and its impact on men• Attachment theory and emotional development• The decline of traditional rites of passage• The importance of mentorship, guidance, and eldering• Grieving the absence of fathers and mentors• Reconstructing masculinity through conscious effort and connectionTakeaways• The mentor wound is a structural vulnerability, not simply personal sadness• Father absence creates deep psychological and relational gaps• Traditional rites of passage once played a vital role in initiating young men into adulthood• The decline of elders and mentorship leaves many men vulnerable and disconnected• Healing begins by grieving what was missed and becoming a mentor for othersSound Bites“Forgiveness and grief are not the same.”“Rebuilt by hand, one boy at a time.”“The next generation's right to be shown the way.”Inside This Episode• Understanding the mentor wound• How father absence affects development• Attachment theory and emotional formation• The role of rites of passage in manhood• Cultural shifts and modern masculinity• Grieving the absence of mentorship• Becoming the mentor you needed• Rebuilding masculinity through guidance, connection, and purposeGratitudeWe want to extend a huge thank you to our listeners in Charlotte for bringing North Carolina to #10 on the Top 10 USA listeners list. And to our Global Listeners, we extend our gratitude to our listeners in Instanbul (i-stan-bull) for bringing Turkey to #16 on our global listeners list! CONGRATULATIONS!! you made the Top Listeners List.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/inspire-change-with-gunter--3633478/support.PatreonIf this episode resonates with you and you'd like to go deeper into practical exercises and guided reflection, Gunter offers extended self-development resources and exercises through our Patreon community: www.patreon.com/inspirechangeSponsorDistil UnionThis episode of Inspire Change with Gunter is brought to you by Distil Union, creators of beautifully designed, functional everyday carry accessories that help bring organization, simplicity, and intention into your daily life.Distil Union blends craftsmanship with thoughtful design to help you carry what matters most — without the clutter.

This week's Book Picks comes from welcome Laure Colodner and Ana Guimil of the Odyssey Bookshop in South Hadley, MA and we also welcome Matt Tannenbaum from The Bookstore in Lenox, MA.

Welcome back to part two of our Money Mindset Conversation! Today, I'm sitting down once again with endurance and mindset coach Jennifer Vollmann to dive deep into a topic that so many of us try to avoid: our relationship with debt. Debt can feel like a heavy, nasty word that gets instantly tangled up with our personal identity and self-worth. In this episode, Jennifer breaks down why numbers on a computer screen feel so personal, how shame can completely freeze our business progress, and how we can systematically rewrite the stories we tell ourselves about what we owe. We also discuss a powerful concept that got Jennifer to the Ironman World Championships: borrowing belief from a coach or mentor until you can build your own evidence. Key Takeaways Numbers are Neutral: A figure like $50,000 is just data on a screen. It doesn't have power until your brain attaches a narrative to it. The Danger of Shame: Shame is the ultimate stalling emotion. When we internalize debt as a personal failure, we freeze, avoid the numbers, and stop taking action. The Micro-Action Formula: Overcoming financial overwhelm starts with taking one small action within 24 hours to give your brain immediate feedback and build proof. Borrowing Belief: When you can't see a path to financial freedom yourself, it is entirely okay to borrow the unwavering belief of your coach or mentor while you take the initial steps. Episode Highlights What Are You Making the Numbers Mean? Jennifer explains how quickly our brains assign meaning to a number. Seeing a credit card balance or loan statement triggers an immediate thought (e.g., "This is too big"), which creates an emotion (overwhelm), drives a behavior (stalling/avoidance), and reinforces the original negative result. Unraveling Your Debt Patterns Are you prone to freezing, over-delivering to overcompensate, or falling into the compare and despair trap? We look at how our internal debt stories sabotage other parts of our businesses—like stopping us from pricing our services at what we are actually worth. The 24-Hour Micro-Action I share a powerful exercise I use with my own coaching clients: writing down every single piece of debt with absolute honesty. No hiding, no lying to yourself. Putting a name and a number to everything on a single piece of paper stops the energy suck of the numbers swirling endlessly in your head. Can You Borrow Belief From Someone Else? Jennifer and I discuss how she used borrowed belief from her athletic coach to train for Kona before she ever believed it was possible herself. We talk about how to apply this to your finances—using the proof of a system or a coach's belief in you as a stepping stone to take action. Insights From Jennifer "Somebody with $50,000 in debt might feel it's not a problem at all, while somebody with $5,000 in debt is completely crushed by it every single day. The debt is just a neutral circumstance. It is just a monetary figure. You get to decide what the story is." "If you find yourself in deep shame with debt, the first thing to do is see if you can get to a slightly better thought. Even reminding yourself, 'Good people also have debt,' helps disconnect your intrinsic self-worth from your ability to run a business." Work with Me - https://www.ciarastockeland.com/work-with-meVisit the Bookstore - https://www.ciarastockeland.com/bookstoreSign Up for Free Weekly Tips and Trainings - https://www.ciarastockeland.com/subscribe More About the Episode Sponsor:T&O Strategic Advisory (http://www.tostrategicadvisory.com/) - Offering a wide range of tax and accounting services, including entity election and S-Corp advisory.

Welcome back to part two of our Money Mindset Conversation! Today, I'm sitting down once again with endurance and mindset coach Jennifer Vollmann to dive deep into a topic that so many of us try to avoid: our relationship with debt. Debt can feel like a heavy, nasty word that gets instantly tangled up with our personal identity and self-worth. In this episode, Jennifer breaks down why numbers on a computer screen feel so personal, how shame can completely freeze our business progress, and how we can systematically rewrite the stories we tell ourselves about what we owe. We also discuss a powerful concept that got Jennifer to the Ironman World Championships: borrowing belief from a coach or mentor until you can build your own evidence. Key Takeaways Numbers are Neutral: A figure like $50,000 is just data on a screen. It doesn't have power until your brain attaches a narrative to it. The Danger of Shame: Shame is the ultimate stalling emotion. When we internalize debt as a personal failure, we freeze, avoid the numbers, and stop taking action. The Micro-Action Formula: Overcoming financial overwhelm starts with taking one small action within 24 hours to give your brain immediate feedback and build proof. Borrowing Belief: When you can't see a path to financial freedom yourself, it is entirely okay to borrow the unwavering belief of your coach or mentor while you take the initial steps. Episode Highlights What Are You Making the Numbers Mean? Jennifer explains how quickly our brains assign meaning to a number. Seeing a credit card balance or loan statement triggers an immediate thought (e.g., "This is too big"), which creates an emotion (overwhelm), drives a behavior (stalling/avoidance), and reinforces the original negative result. Unraveling Your Debt Patterns Are you prone to freezing, over-delivering to overcompensate, or falling into the compare and despair trap? We look at how our internal debt stories sabotage other parts of our businesses—like stopping us from pricing our services at what we are actually worth. The 24-Hour Micro-Action I share a powerful exercise I use with my own coaching clients: writing down every single piece of debt with absolute honesty. No hiding, no lying to yourself. Putting a name and a number to everything on a single piece of paper stops the energy suck of the numbers swirling endlessly in your head. Can You Borrow Belief From Someone Else? Jennifer and I discuss how she used borrowed belief from her athletic coach to train for Kona before she ever believed it was possible herself. We talk about how to apply this to your finances—using the proof of a system or a coach's belief in you as a stepping stone to take action. Insights From Jennifer "Somebody with $50,000 in debt might feel it's not a problem at all, while somebody with $5,000 in debt is completely crushed by it every single day. The debt is just a neutral circumstance. It is just a monetary figure. You get to decide what the story is." "If you find yourself in deep shame with debt, the first thing to do is see if you can get to a slightly better thought. Even reminding yourself, 'Good people also have debt,' helps disconnect your intrinsic self-worth from your ability to run a business." Work with Me - https://www.ciarastockeland.com/work-with-meVisit the Bookstore - https://www.ciarastockeland.com/bookstoreSign Up for Free Weekly Tips and Trainings - https://www.ciarastockeland.com/subscribe More About the Episode Sponsor:T&O Strategic Advisory (http://www.tostrategicadvisory.com/) - Offering a wide range of tax and accounting services, including entity election and S-Corp advisory.

Road trip time baby! Hunting for some white rhino JFK books, hop in the passenger seat and let's go!For the visual version of this podcast, please visit - https://youtu.be/9pZX6C3HC0wBBBBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-lone-gunman-podcast-jfk-assassination--1181353/support.

Neph to America: Insane Time-Travel Dreams, Aliens = Demons, Hunter Biden Laptop, James Franco Video & Biblical Prophecy w/ Matt Heppner (Straight Bible)The Raven (David Lee Corbo), Top Lobster, and special guest Matt Heppner (Straight Bible host & Standard Coffee Shop owner) deliver another raw, unfiltered episode of Nephilim Death Squad-style cultural commentary and end-times conspiracy.From wild personal dreams (including the legendary “Fat Black Carter” time-travel nightmare and spiritual pee dream interpretations) to roasting polyamory children's books, Pride Month chaos, and James Franco's bizarre viral video (Monsters Inc. promo or something darker?), this episode covers it all.They break down the Hunter Biden laptop scandals, why people defend him, invasive 2030 Census questions, Ford's creepy new truck surveillance patents, Trump body double rumors, and the explosive biblical case that aliens are actually demons — locusts, frogs, reptilians, and Nordics from Revelation and beyond. Flat earth, rapture deception, and pure chaos included.Pure biblical lens. Zero filters. Stay dangerous.Support the show & get early access:Patreon → patreon.com/NephilimDeathSquad (ad-free episodes, Discord, bonus content)Guest Matt Heppner / Straight Bible links:YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@StraightBibleFLInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/straightbible/Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/cw/StraightBibleSpotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1rAgp1gB32gBCjFKkJSh7YWebsite: https://www.thestandardclcl.com/Email: straightbiblefl@gmail.comNephilim Death Squad:YouTube • X @NephilimDSquad • Instagram @nephilimdeathsquad • Merch TopLobsta.com0:00 – Intro, Patreon plug, banter about the intro & “perform”3:45 – Dream talk begins: Raven's “Fat Black Carter” time-travel dream12:20 – Dream interpretation (Matt breaks it down spiritually)18:40 – Second dream: The pee dream / pissing on your past24:10 – Children's books discussion (ABCs of Polyamory & fake woke books)32:50 – Bookstores, libraries, D&D books & gay propaganda41:30 – Gay pride rally video (guy gets chased while filming)49:15 – School Pride Month announcement with sequins55:40 – James Franco bizarre video (2319 / Monsters Inc. theory)1:03:10 – Second James Franco video + analysis1:09:45 – Hunter Biden laptop, corruption & why people defend him1:18:20 – Trump rally story with Bella (Hunter Biden mention in speech)1:24:50 – Census 2030 test questions (mom's warning + invasive questions)1:32:10 – “Messages for Mom” video: Aliens = Demons (locusts, frogs, etc.)1:39:30 – Biblical breakdown: Revelation locusts, frogs, reptilians & Nordics1:48:00 – Old trucks vs new cars (Ford surveillance patents)1:55:40 – Bodies, cremation & population conspiracy talk2:02:10 – Final banter, Jacob Israel shade & closing thoughtsBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/nephilim-death-squad--6389018/support.☠️ Nephilim Death Squad — New episodes 5x/week.Join our Patreon for early access, bonus shows & the private Telegram hive.Subscribe on YouTube & Rumble, follow @NephilimDSquad on X/Instagram, grab merch at toplobsta.com. Questions/bookings: chroniclesnds@gmail.com — Stay dangerous.

On this episode of We Booked It, Rose and Nichols complete a mad lib purchased during Indie Bookstore day.

Right now, debates are raging all across the professing Church as to what is, and is not, the role of women in the Church of Jesus Christ. Many of these heated discussions are really just people responding primarily from their feelings and prejudices rather than from the revealed word of God. Let the church honour faithful women without altering church office. Let men stop hiding from responsibility and qualify themselves for leadership. Let deacons be what Paul said they must be. Let women serve where God has placed them with joy, strength, and reward. And let the whole church bow to the final authority of the written word of God. Amen? My Sunday Servuce message is entitled “Women In The Ministry”, the first in a new series we will explore Sunday mornings and in the Sunday night Radio Bible Study as well.“And I intreat thee also, true yokefellow, help those women which laboured with me in the gospel, with Clement also, and with other my fellowlabourers, whose names are in the book of life.” Philippians 4:3 (KJB)YOU ARE INVITED: Come and be a part of our live and in-person Sunday Service starting at 11:00AM at the Bible Believers Church at the Bookstore in Palatka, Florida.

On this episode of Self-Publishing with ALLi, Dan Holloway reports on a week dominated by good news for readers and indie authors alike. He covers new social reading partnerships — Kobo with StoryGraph, and Everand with Fable — that let readers track, share, and experience books together. He reports on the American Booksellers Association's announcement that indie bookstore membership has hit its highest level since the 1990s, driven largely by single-genre stores focused on romance, fantasy, and romantasy. And he ends with a personal highlight: a new romantasy bookstore called Bad Girl Books is opening in Oxford — in the former Albion Beatnik space — with a specific welcome for self-published authors. Sponsor Self-Publishing News is proudly sponsored by PublishMe—helping indie authors succeed globally with expert translation, tailored marketing, and publishing support. From first draft to international launch, PublishMe ensures your book reaches readers everywhere. Visit publishme.me. Find more author advice, tips, and tools at our Self-publishing Author Advice Center, with a huge archive of nearly 2,000 blog posts and a handy search box to find key info on the topic you need. About the Host Dan Holloway is a novelist, poet, and spoken word artist. He is the MC of the performance arts show The New Libertines, He competed at the National Poetry Slam final at the Royal Albert Hall. His latest collection, The Transparency of Sutures, is  available on Kindle.

Banana theft, Bookstore optimism, Mute Marx, Flatulent performers, Manhole mystery, Outer space spreadsheets. Jennifer, Angie, and Bradley discuss the curated links for the week of 6/12/2026. Please consider supporting this ad-free content on Patreon.

From the January/February 2026 edition of The Scottish Rite Journal.  Any accompanying photographs or citations for this article can be found in the corresponding print edition.Make sure to like and subscribe to the channel!  Freemasons, make sure you shout out your Lodge, Valley, Chapter or Shrine below!OES, Job's Daughter's, Rainbow, DeMolay?  Drop us a comment too!To learn how to find a lodge near you, visit www.beafreemason.comTo learn more about the Scottish Rite, visit www.scottishrite.orgVisit our YouTube Page: Youtube.com/ScottishRiteMasonsJoin our Lost Media Archive for only $1.99 a month!https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCv-F13FNBaW-buecl7p8cJg/joinVisit our new stores:Bookstore: https://www.srbookstore.myshopify.com/Merch Store: http://www.shopsrgifts.com/

This episode explores the deep connection between men's identity and their work, highlighting the psychological risks of defining oneself solely through occupational achievement.Gunter Swoboda examines how many men internalize a model of self-worth based on productivity, status, and achievement, leaving them vulnerable to crisis when retirement, redundancy, injury, or life transitions disrupt that identity. The episode explores the concept of the “work trap,” the difference between generativity and stagnation, and practical ways men can build a more resilient and authentic sense of self beyond their careers.Key Topics• The relationship between men's health and occupational loss• The internalized masculine template of productivity and achievement• Understanding the psychological impact of the work trap• Generativity versus stagnation in midlife development• Building identity beyond status, work, and achievement• Strategies for reconstructing a resilient sense of selfSound Bites“Who are you beyond your job?”“Your work has become your identity.”“Identity based on status is fragile.”Inside This Episode• Why work becomes identity for many men• Research on men's health and occupational loss• The psychological impact of retirement and redundancy• Productivity, achievement, and masculine self-worth• Acquisition and hierarchy as measures of identity• The Masculine Introject and its demands• Why status-based identity is fragile• Crisis points: injury, redundancy, retirement, and success• Reconstructing a more authentic sense of self• Building depth, purpose, and meaningful relationshipsResourcesEric Erikson's Developmental Frameworkhttps://www.amazon.com/s?k=Eric+Erikson+Developmental+FrameworkMatthew Crawford's Shop Class as Soulcrafthttps://www.amazon.com/Shop-Class-Soulcraft-Rediscovering-Work/dp/1592407364The Movember Foundationhttps://au.movember.com/Jesuit Social Services – Man Box Researchhttps://www.jss.org.au/Books & More: www.gunterswoboda.com/the-bookstore Want a signed copy?  Patreon members ($5-15) receive exclusive discounts & personalized perks: www.Patreon.com/7162747/joinGratitudeWe want to extend a huge thank you to our listeners in St. Louis for bringing Missouri to #10 on the Top 10 USA listeners list.And to our Global Listeners, we extend our gratitude to our listeners in Hungary for reaching #13 on our global listeners list!CONGRATULATIONS!! you made the Top Listeners List.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/inspire-change-with-gunter--3633478/support.PatreonIf this episode resonates with you and you'd like to go deeper into practical exercises and guided reflection, Gunter offers extended self-development resources and exercises through our Patreon community: www.patreon.com/inspirechangeSponsorDistil UnionThis episode of Inspire Change with Gunter is brought to you by Distil Union, creators of beautifully designed, functional everyday carry accessories that help bring organization, simplicity, and intention into your daily life.Distil Union blends craftsmanship with thoughtful design to help you carry what matters most — without the clutter.

Share this program with a friend or family member at www.joniradio.org!  --------Thank you for listening! Your support of Joni and Friends helps make this show possible. Joni and Friends envisions a world where every person with a disability finds hope, dignity, and their place in the body of Christ. Become part of the global movement today at www.joniandfriends.org. Find more encouragement on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, and YouTube.

What does it really take to open a bookstore, survive a pandemic in your first year, and then expand twice in six years? In this episode of The Localist, Carrie Rollwagen sits down with Kristen Iskandrian, co-owner of Thank You Books in Birmingham's Crestwood neighborhood. Thank You Books opened in December 2019, just months before COVID closed everything down. Six years later, they are expanding for the second time and doubling their footprint. Kristen talks about why retail leases matter more than most people realize, how Thank You Books learned what worked by listening to their customers, and why the book business is one of the hardest small businesses to run. They get into sideline items, signed first edition subscriptions, why bookstore margins are so thin, how to host author events that actually pull a crowd, and what it really means to build community around a store. Carrie spent years in bookselling before The Localist. She was co-founder of Church Street Coffee and Books and managed Jonathan Benton Bookseller. This conversation goes deep into the business, the dream and the reality of running an independent bookstore. Watch the full episode on YouTube ____________________________________________________________________________________ Mentioned in This Episode  Thank You Books Shop Thank You Books merch at MAKE Birmingham Thank You Books First Edition Subscription Thank You Books on Libro.fm Thank You Books on Bookshop.org MAKE Birmingham (local goods sold at Thank You Books) Hannah Mills (local maker featured at Thank You Books) Crestwood Pharmacy Red Bike Coffee Urban Suburban (Crestwood) Total Joint (Jimmy from Crestwood) Church Street Coffee and Books (Carrie's old shop) Parnassus Books (Nashville) Ingram (book distributor) Paz & Associates Bookselling Bootcamp Co.Starters small business class (Birmingham) Alabama Booksmith Little Professor Book Center Bookmarked Birmingham American Booksellers Association Indie Bookstore Day Winter Institute Birmingham Mountain Radio Square Books (Oxford) Bookshop.org Libro.fm _______________________________________________________________________________ Thanks to Our Sponsor, Infomedia The Localist is sponsored by Infomedia, a Birmingham-based web and digital marketing company that helps small businesses get big results online. Contact Infomedia: https://infomedia.com/contact ________________________________________________________________________________ Join Us at Localist Lab Localist Lab is our free live marketing event series for small business owners, held on the third Thursday of most months at Saturn in Avondale. Each session features practical strategies you can use right away, plus free tacos and coffee. See upcoming events and register https://infomedia.com/events ________________________________________________________________________________ Subscribe to Carrie's Newsletter Get more small business insights, resources and behind-the-scenes updates from Carrie delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for the newsletter: https://gmail.us20.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=9c59a060684d71f12f6e495fc&id=98cd3122b9

Are your thoughts setting a ceiling on your business's financial success? In this special session, I'm sitting down with resident mindset coach Jennifer Vollmann to unpack the psychology of money. Whether you find yourself stalling on financial tracking, overspending, or avoiding your numbers entirely, the root cause usually isn't a lack of business skill—it's your money identity. Jennifer breaks down how to identify inherited limiting beliefs, shift into a factual mindset, and take massive action to build long-term profitability. Key Takeaways Your Money Identity Runs on Autopilot: You didn't develop your view of money when you started your business. Your money identity is the sum of all the stories you've heard, witnessed, or been told since childhood by parents, culture, gender expectations, and society. The Proof Trap: When you hold a belief like "I'm bad with money," your brain actively drives behaviors (like avoiding your bank account or over-discounting) that generate chaos. Your brain then points to that chaos and says, "See? I told you so," locking you into a toxic loop. Neutralize Numbers with Facts: Money on a screen is just data. When you look at financial figures stripped of emotional stories, your brain stops panicking, allowing you to make strategic decisions. The 20% Rule: You don't need to 100% believe a massive, positive new affirmation overnight. Upgrading your mindset by just 20% with a believable, factual step (e.g., changing "I can't save" to "I saved money for that one specific thing once, so I know how to do it") is enough to start shifting your actions. Action Creates Evidence: Thought work is fun, but it stays in your head without a physical shift. True empowerment comes when you move from feeling disempowered to taking control through clear, daily actions. Quotes to Remember "An identity is just a thought you've had over and over again about yourself. You now believe it to be true, but it doesn't actually make it true." – Jennifer Vollmann "Numbers are just numbers on a screen. When we look at them as neutral data, the brain can't argue feelings, and it's a much easier place to act from." – Jennifer Vollmann "The framework doesn't change based on your personality or product. The business owners who see the results they're looking for are simply the action takers." – Ciara Stockeland Work with Me - https://www.ciarastockeland.com/work-with-meVisit the Bookstore - https://www.ciarastockeland.com/bookstoreSign Up for Free Weekly Tips and Trainings - https://www.ciarastockeland.com/subscribe More About the Episode Sponsor:Get $300 off your first month of Pie, and start attracting more high-intent customers through Google Ads and AI search. Claim the offer here: https://getpie.com/contact?utm_source=Ciara+Stockeland&utm_medium=Podcast&utm_campaign=300+offer

Send us Fan MailHannah and Laura are THRILLED to have romance author Mazey Eddings on the pod to talk about her newest release, You Won't Forget Me! Mazey talks about she sees books as a "snapshot in time," reflects on sharing her purpose with the world, and how she navigates writing mental illnesses in joyful stories. Hannah and Laura geek out over all of Mazey's books/characters, get some good advice related to waffles and dentistry, and decide to make Mazey their new best friend.*CW for the episode: discussions of familial trauma, depression, mental illness, abusive relationships*Be sure to follow Mazey at:Mazey Eddings -- websiteInstagram: @mazeyeddingsFrom the Messy Desk of Mazey Eddings | SubstackMedia Mentions:You Won't Forget Me by Mazey EddingsTilly in Technicolor by Mazey EddingsLate Bloomer by Mazey EddingsWell, Actually by Mazey EddingsA Brush with Love by Mazey EddingsLizzie Blake's Best Mistake by Mazey EddingsThe Plus One by Mazey EddingsBeverly Jenkins worksTessa Dare's worksChristina Lauren's worksTalia Hibbert's worksHelen Hoang's worksGothic: An Illustrated History by Roger LuckhurstFormula 1: Drive to Survive---NetflixDateline---HuluSupport the showBe sure to follow OWWR Pod!www.owwrpod.com YouTube: @owwrpodBlueSky: @OwwrPodTikTok: @OwwrPodInstagram: @owwrpodThreads: @OwwrPodSend us an email at: owwrpod@gmail.comCheck out OWWR Patreon: patreon.com/owwrpodOr join OWWR Discord! We'd love to chat with you!You can follow Hannah at:Instagram: @brews.and.booksThreads: @brews.and.booksTikTok: @brews.and.booksYou can follow Laura at:Instagram: @goodbooksgreatgoatsBlueSky: @myyypod

Are your thoughts setting a ceiling on your business's financial success? In this special session, I'm sitting down with resident mindset coach Jennifer Vollmann to unpack the psychology of money. Whether you find yourself stalling on financial tracking, overspending, or avoiding your numbers entirely, the root cause usually isn't a lack of business skill—it's your money identity. Jennifer breaks down how to identify inherited limiting beliefs, shift into a factual mindset, and take massive action to build long-term profitability. Key Takeaways Your Money Identity Runs on Autopilot: You didn't develop your view of money when you started your business. Your money identity is the sum of all the stories you've heard, witnessed, or been told since childhood by parents, culture, gender expectations, and society. The Proof Trap: When you hold a belief like "I'm bad with money," your brain actively drives behaviors (like avoiding your bank account or over-discounting) that generate chaos. Your brain then points to that chaos and says, "See? I told you so," locking you into a toxic loop. Neutralize Numbers with Facts: Money on a screen is just data. When you look at financial figures stripped of emotional stories, your brain stops panicking, allowing you to make strategic decisions. The 20% Rule: You don't need to 100% believe a massive, positive new affirmation overnight. Upgrading your mindset by just 20% with a believable, factual step (e.g., changing "I can't save" to "I saved money for that one specific thing once, so I know how to do it") is enough to start shifting your actions. Action Creates Evidence: Thought work is fun, but it stays in your head without a physical shift. True empowerment comes when you move from feeling disempowered to taking control through clear, daily actions. Quotes to Remember "An identity is just a thought you've had over and over again about yourself. You now believe it to be true, but it doesn't actually make it true." – Jennifer Vollmann "Numbers are just numbers on a screen. When we look at them as neutral data, the brain can't argue feelings, and it's a much easier place to act from." – Jennifer Vollmann "The framework doesn't change based on your personality or product. The business owners who see the results they're looking for are simply the action takers." – Ciara Stockeland Work with Me - https://www.ciarastockeland.com/work-with-meVisit the Bookstore - https://www.ciarastockeland.com/bookstoreSign Up for Free Weekly Tips and Trainings - https://www.ciarastockeland.com/subscribe More About the Episode Sponsor:Get $300 off your first month of Pie, and start attracting more high-intent customers through Google Ads and AI search. Claim the offer here: https://getpie.com/contact?utm_source=Ciara+Stockeland&utm_medium=Podcast&utm_campaign=300+offer

This episode examines the Aboudi Bookstore and its role in Egyptology, the scientific and academic study of ancient Egypt. Established in 1909 in Luxor by Egyptologist and tour guide Professor Mohamed El Aboudi and his cousin, businessman Hamed El Aboudi, the Aboudi Bookstore is now run by third-generation family owners Taher Aboudi and his siblings. For more than 100 years, it has remained central to Luxor's cultural life, promoted the scientific study of ancient Egypt, and housed the largest collection of literature on Egyptology. Its collection encompasses materials on archaeology, language, religion, art, and Egyptian history.We interview Taher Aboudi about the bookstore's development and its role in Egyptian history, tradition, and culture.  

Welcome back, WIFs.This week, Lauren and Michelle are tackling a question that feels surprisingly relevant in today's world:Is reading becoming a luxury?Not financially.Mentally.Between endless notifications, social media feeds, short-form videos, and the constant temptation to check our phones, uninterrupted focus feels harder to come by. Getting lost in a book for hours? These days, it almost feels like a superpower.In this episode, the sisters take a nostalgic trip back to Scholastic Book Fairs, library visits, summer reading challenges, and the days when an afternoon could disappear inside a great story. They reflect on how reading shaped their childhoods and why spotting someone reading an actual book in public now feels oddly inspiring.Along the way, Lauren and Michelle discuss attention spans, doomscrolling, and the modern struggle to stay present. They also ask a simple question: When was the last time you got completely lost in something?A book. A movie. A hobby. A conversation. A walk.The sisters also dream up their ideal cozy bookstore and coffee shop, share what's helping them slow down lately, and explain why creating spaces for readers—and the "I swear I'm going to read more" crowd—feels more important than ever.Plus, they're sharing what they're currently reading and watching, along with a simple joy bringing a little extra peace to the week.Press play, get cozy, and join the conversation about books, focus, nostalgia, and finding your way back to the things that deserve your full attention.Because sometimes the most rebellious thing you can do is put your phone down and read a damn book.ResourcesSpeakpipe! Leave a message on our house phone. Get your ticket now!Shop our seasonal candles. Check out our website.Thank you to our sponsors ⁠Let It Be Us⁠ and ⁠Chicago Private Wealth Group.⁠

 For the third year in a row, the Cascade Booksellers Association has thrown a kind of huge book party for book lovers in the Portland metro area. The idea is to highlight the huge variety of book shops and get people out to visit as many of them as they can. More than 80 bookstores are participating in Portland Book Week this year, including the White Rabbit Book Cafe in Oregon City, Maggie Mae’s Bookshop in Gresham and Lost & Bound Books, a mobile bookshop based in Portland. We sit down with owners Danielle Walsh, Sho Roberts and Desirai Vuylsteke to hear more about what led them to start their independent shops, how they see their role in their communities and their fondest hopes for the week.

Fluent Fiction - Dutch: Chasing Kepler: A Tale of Bookstore Bonds and Dreams Find the full episode transcript, vocabulary words, and more:fluentfiction.com/nl/episode/2026-06-04-22-34-01-nl Story Transcript:Nl: Het was een typische lentedag in Amsterdam.En: It was a typical spring day in Amsterdam.Nl: De zon scheen helder door de ramen van de sfeervolle boekwinkel, gelegen in een kleine hoek van de stad.En: The sun shone brightly through the windows of the cozy bookstore, located in a small corner of the city.Nl: De winkel was gevuld met het warme aroma van oude boeken en het zachte geluid van omgeslagen pagina's.En: The store was filled with the warm aroma of old books and the soft sound of turning pages.Nl: Binnen stond Sven, een gepassioneerde verzamelaar van zeldzame boeken.En: Inside stood Sven, a passionate collector of rare books.Nl: Zijn ogen glinsterden van verwachting.En: His eyes glistened with anticipation.Nl: Marijke, de winkelmedewerker, stond achter de toonbank.En: Marijke, the store employee, stood behind the counter.Nl: Haar liefde voor boeken deed haar altijd dromen van een eigen boekwinkel.En: Her love for books always made her dream of owning her own bookstore.Nl: Ze kende iedere boekrug in de winkel als haar broekzak.En: She knew every book spine in the shop like the back of her hand.Nl: Sven, een vaste klant, liep direct naar haar toe.En: Sven, a regular customer, walked straight over to her.Nl: "Goedemorgen, Marijke," groette hij vriendelijk.En: "Good morning, Marijke," he greeted her kindly.Nl: "Ik ben weer op zoek naar dat ene boek, Astronomia Nova van Kepler.En: "I'm looking for that one book again, Astronomia Nova by Kepler.Nl: Heb je misschien iets gehoord?"En: Have you heard anything?"Nl: Marijke glimlachte begrijpend.En: Marijke smiled understandingly.Nl: "Het is lastig te vinden, Sven.En: "It's difficult to find, Sven.Nl: Maar ik heb een paar contacten gebeld.En: But I have called a few contacts.Nl: Het kan nog even duren."En: It might take a while."Nl: Sven zuchtte, wikkelde zijn jas strakker om zich heen.En: Sven sighed, wrapping his coat tighter around himself.Nl: Hij wist dat geduld een deugd was, maar dit boek was zijn witte walvis.En: He knew that patience was a virtue, but this book was his white whale.Nl: "Ik heb gehoord dat een andere verzamelaar interesse heeft.En: "I've heard that another collector is interested.Nl: Dat maakt me ongerust."En: That makes me uneasy."Nl: Een paar klanten liepen langs, op zoek naar hun eigen schatten.En: A few customers walked by, searching for their own treasures.Nl: Maar Sven had alleen oog voor Marijke en haar mogelijke hulp.En: But Sven only had eyes for Marijke and her potential help.Nl: "Ik hoorde," begon Marijke enigszins aarzelend, "dat we misschien een exemplaar binnenkrijgen.En: "I heard," began Marijke somewhat hesitantly, "that we might get a copy in.Nl: Maar de prijs is behoorlijk hoog."En: But the price is rather high."Nl: Sven fronste.En: Sven frowned.Nl: Zijn spaarpot was niet onbeperkt.En: His savings piggy bank wasn't unlimited.Nl: "Hoe hoog praten we?"En: "How high are we talking?"Nl: Marijke noemde een getal dat Sven deed slikken.En: Marijke mentioned a number that made Sven swallow hard.Nl: "Wow, dat is meer dan ik had verwacht," gaf hij toe.En: "Wow, that's more than I expected," he admitted.Nl: Marijke keek even om zich heen en boog zich toen dichter naar hem toe.En: Marijke glanced around and then leaned in closer to him.Nl: "Misschien kunnen we een ruilovereenkomst bedenken.En: "Maybe we can come up with a trade agreement.Nl: Je hebt zelf toch ook een indrukwekkende collectie?"En: You have an impressive collection yourself, don't you?"Nl: Sven dacht na.En: Sven thought about it.Nl: Hij had boeken die zeldzaam waren, maar dit werk van Kepler was zijn droom.En: He had books that were rare, but this work by Kepler was his dream.Nl: "Je bedoelt ruilen in plaats van kopen?"En: "You mean trading instead of buying?"Nl: "Ja," knikte Marijke enthousiast.En: "Yes," Marijke nodded enthusiastically.Nl: "Ik kan je helpen contact te leggen met iemand die geïnteresseerd kan zijn in jouw boeken.En: "I can help you make contact with someone who might be interested in your books.Nl: Zo kunnen we de prijs wat drukken."En: That way, we can lower the price a bit."Nl: Het was een slimme oplossing.En: It was a smart solution.Nl: Sven glimlachte dankbaar.En: Sven smiled gratefully.Nl: "Dat klinkt als een plan.En: "That sounds like a plan.Nl: Ik waardeer je hulp, Marijke."En: I appreciate your help, Marijke."Nl: Ze knikte tevreden, blij dat ze Sven een stap dichter bij zijn droom kon brengen.En: She nodded contentedly, happy that she could bring Sven one step closer to his dream.Nl: "Laten we het regelen.En: "Let's make it happen.Nl: Samen komen we er wel."En: Together we'll manage."Nl: En zo leerde Sven dat de wereld van zeldzame boeken niet alleen om geld draaide, maar ook om vriendschap en samenwerking.En: And so Sven learned that the world of rare books wasn't just about money, but also about friendship and collaboration.Nl: Met Marijke aan zijn zijde, voelde hij zich vol vertrouwen dat het boek spoedig van hem zou zijn.En: With Marijke by his side, he felt confident that the book would soon be his.Nl: En misschien kreeg Marijke op een dag ook haar droomwinkel, zodat deze verhalen nog jarenlang konden doorgaan.En: And maybe Marijke would one day get her dream store, so these stories could continue for many years to come. Vocabulary Words:typical: typischespring: lentewindows: ramencozy: sfeervollecollector: verzamelaarrare: zeldzameanticipation: verwachtingemployee: winkelmedewerkercounter: toonbankspine: boekrugunderstandingly: begrijpendcontacts: contactenvirtue: deugduneasy: ongerusthesitantly: aarzelendsavings: spaarpotswallow hard: slikkenimpressive: indrukwekkendetrading: ruilenenthusiastically: enthousiastlower: drukkensolution: oplossingcontentedly: tevredencollaboration: samenwerkingconfident: vol vertrouwendream: droomsigh: zuchttepotential: mogelijkeappreciate: waardeerown: eigen

Sales reps are crucial pieces of the book industry puzzle. They are the the ones who help stores find the titles that would be good fits, give feedback to publishers about their title lists, and so much more!This week on the pod, we're back chatting with sales rep extraordinaire Maureen Karb to talk about the process of selling books to bookstores, and what makes a great rep.************Thank you for catching the People's Guide to Publishing vlogcast!  We post new episodes every Thursday about publishing, authors, and the book industry. You can also listen via your preferred podcast app, or by visiting linktree.com/microcosmGet the book: https://microcosmpublishing.com/catalog/books/3663Get the workbook: https://microcosmpublishing.com/catalog/zines/10031More from Microcosm: http://microcosmpublishing.comMore by Joe Biel: http://joebiel.netMore by Elly Blue: http://takingthelane.comSubscribe to our monthly email newsletter: http://eepurl.com/gIXT6vFind us on social media:Facebook: http://facebook.com/microcosmpublishingBlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/microcosm.bsky.socialInstagram: http://instagram.com/microcosm_pub************

From the May/June 2026 edition of The Scottish Rite Journal.  Any accompanying photographs or citations for this article can be found in the corresponding print edition.Make sure to like and subscribe to the channel!  Freemasons, make sure you shout out your Lodge, Valley, Chapter or Shrine below!OES, Job's Daughter's, Rainbow, DeMolay?  Drop us a comment too!To learn how to find a lodge near you, visit www.beafreemason.comTo learn more about the Scottish Rite, visit www.scottishrite.orgVisit our YouTube Page: Youtube.com/ScottishRiteMasonsJoin our Lost Media Archive for only $1.99 a month!https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCv-F13FNBaW-buecl7p8cJg/joinVisit our new stores:Bookstore: https://www.srbookstore.myshopify.com/Merch Store: http://www.shopsrgifts.com/

Austin nonprofit Put It In A Book and Black Pearl Books recently launched a new program to support community storytelling. Diverse Voices Book Review host Hopeton Hay interviewed Katrina Brooks, founder of Put It In A Book and owner of Black Pearl Books, Eric Brooks, Put It In A Book board treasurer and owner of Black Pearl Books, and Put It In A Book executive director Charley Rejsek. The new initiative, Put Your Story In A Book: A Community Writing Project, is a three-month community writing journey that will culminate with a published anthology. In the interview they also discussed the journey of Black Pearl Books, the other programs of Put It In A Book, and why Katrina created Put It In A Book.Follow Diverse Voices Book Review on Social Media:Facebook - @diversevoicesbookreviewInstagram - @diverse_voices_book_review Bluesky - @diversevoicesbooks.bsky.social

In this episode of the Inventory Genius Podcast, I'm serving up a major wake-up call for product-based business owners: revenue does not equal profit. If you've ever had a record-breaking sales month but still feel completely broke, or if you're making major business decisions based on a gut feeling rather than actual data, this episode is for you. I break down the massive misconception that growing your top-line revenue automatically means scaling your business. In fact, without a clear picture of your numbers, a product business can easily sell itself right out of business due to skyrocketing fulfillment costs and hidden inventory drains. I share the exact four-bucket framework I use with my clients to strip the emotion out of finances, stop the reactive discounting, and give you the ultimate roadmap to smart cash flow. Key Takeaways Feelings Are Not a Financial Strategy: Making reactive decisions based on emotion leads to overstocking, undercharging, and unnecessary discounting. Data gives you the confidence to say yes or no to hires, ad spend, and wholesale inquiries. The Revenue Trap: Product businesses can easily grow themselves out of business if their cost of goods sold (COGS) is too high or if inventory is mismanaged. Your Secret Weapon: Gross margin is the single most overlooked and underutilized number in a product business, but it serves as the absolute backbone of a sustainable brand. The 4 Buckets of Numbers To make your data easy to digest, I break down your business metrics into four distinct categories: Revenue & Sales: Total sales, sales by revenue stream (e-commerce, wholesale, brick-and-mortar), average order value (AOV), and units per transaction (UPT). Profitability: Gross margin per product, total COGS (materials, packaging, labor), and net profit/loss. This is where vanity metrics end and true scaling begins. Inventory & Cash Flow: The value of inventory on hand, inventory turn (what's moving vs. sitting), and cash in versus cash out. Customer Metrics: New vs. returning customer ratios, email list growth, and store/website conversion rates. These allow you to accurately predict future revenue trends. Your Financial Hygiene Rhythm Different numbers require a different review process. I recommend establishing a dedicated routine—like our signature Money Mondays—to check in on your business health. The Weekly Checklist - Total revenue (this week vs. last week)- Units sold by product category or brand- Average order value (AOV)- New email subscribers or customer acquisition numbers- Cash balance in your dedicated inventory checking account- Outstanding invoices or bills due- Top-selling products- Ad spend vs. revenue generated from ads The Monthly Checklist - Total revenue vs. the prior month and the same month last year- Breakdown of revenue by specific revenue stream- Gross margin by your top 5 products or brands (be ruthless here!)- Total cost of goods sold (COGS) for the month- Full financial review (Profit & Loss statement and Balance Sheet)- New vs. returning customer ratios- Total marketing spend vs. total revenue generated Work with Me - https://www.ciarastockeland.com/work-with-meVisit the Bookstore - https://www.ciarastockeland.com/bookstoreSign Up for Free Weekly Tips and Trainings - https://www.ciarastockeland.com/subscribe More About the Episode Sponsor:Simply Lynn's Creative (https://simplylynnscreative.com/) - With real retail roots and 225+ brands served since 2018, Simply Lynn's Creative partners with retailers and product-based businesses on branding, Shopify website design, and Klaviyo email marketing. They build the strategy, the systems, and the confidence to help you grow a brand that looks the part and sells to match! Use code CS15 at checkout, and save 15% off anything in the Resources Shop!

In this episode of the Inventory Genius Podcast, I'm serving up a major wake-up call for product-based business owners: revenue does not equal profit. If you've ever had a record-breaking sales month but still feel completely broke, or if you're making major business decisions based on a gut feeling rather than actual data, this episode is for you. I break down the massive misconception that growing your top-line revenue automatically means scaling your business. In fact, without a clear picture of your numbers, a product business can easily sell itself right out of business due to skyrocketing fulfillment costs and hidden inventory drains. I share the exact four-bucket framework I use with my clients to strip the emotion out of finances, stop the reactive discounting, and give you the ultimate roadmap to smart cash flow. Key Takeaways Feelings Are Not a Financial Strategy: Making reactive decisions based on emotion leads to overstocking, undercharging, and unnecessary discounting. Data gives you the confidence to say yes or no to hires, ad spend, and wholesale inquiries. The Revenue Trap: Product businesses can easily grow themselves out of business if their cost of goods sold (COGS) is too high or if inventory is mismanaged. Your Secret Weapon: Gross margin is the single most overlooked and underutilized number in a product business, but it serves as the absolute backbone of a sustainable brand. The 4 Buckets of Numbers To make your data easy to digest, I break down your business metrics into four distinct categories: Revenue & Sales: Total sales, sales by revenue stream (e-commerce, wholesale, brick-and-mortar), average order value (AOV), and units per transaction (UPT). Profitability: Gross margin per product, total COGS (materials, packaging, labor), and net profit/loss. This is where vanity metrics end and true scaling begins. Inventory & Cash Flow: The value of inventory on hand, inventory turn (what's moving vs. sitting), and cash in versus cash out. Customer Metrics: New vs. returning customer ratios, email list growth, and store/website conversion rates. These allow you to accurately predict future revenue trends. Your Financial Hygiene Rhythm Different numbers require a different review process. I recommend establishing a dedicated routine—like our signature Money Mondays—to check in on your business health. The Weekly Checklist - Total revenue (this week vs. last week)- Units sold by product category or brand- Average order value (AOV)- New email subscribers or customer acquisition numbers- Cash balance in your dedicated inventory checking account- Outstanding invoices or bills due- Top-selling products- Ad spend vs. revenue generated from ads The Monthly Checklist - Total revenue vs. the prior month and the same month last year- Breakdown of revenue by specific revenue stream- Gross margin by your top 5 products or brands (be ruthless here!)- Total cost of goods sold (COGS) for the month- Full financial review (Profit & Loss statement and Balance Sheet)- New vs. returning customer ratios- Total marketing spend vs. total revenue generated Work with Me - https://www.ciarastockeland.com/work-with-meVisit the Bookstore - https://www.ciarastockeland.com/bookstoreSign Up for Free Weekly Tips and Trainings - https://www.ciarastockeland.com/subscribe More About the Episode Sponsor:Simply Lynn's Creative (https://simplylynnscreative.com/) - With real retail roots and 225+ brands served since 2018, Simply Lynn's Creative partners with retailers and product-based businesses on branding, Shopify website design, and Klaviyo email marketing. They build the strategy, the systems, and the confidence to help you grow a brand that looks the part and sells to match! Use code CS15 at checkout, and save 15% off anything in the Resources Shop!

Plenty of people love to browse a bookstore but what if all the books in the store were about love? The capital's getting a new bookstore, that will focus on romance and romance alone, with reads spanning the ages. Juliet Gengenbach, the owner of Owner of XO Book Co spoke to Lisa Owen.

On this episode of Currently Reading, Meredith and Elizabeth are discussing: Bookish Moments: overseas bookstores and book resources Current Reads: all the great, interesting, and/or terrible stuff we've been reading lately Deep Dive: Meredith and Elizabeth imagine books in their own bookstore Before We Go: our new segment featuring a bookish friend post and Elizabeth updates us on her grandbabies Show notes are time-stamped below for your convenience. Read the transcript of the episode (this link only works on the main site). . . .   1:53 - Ad For Ourselves 2:12 - Currently Reading Patreon 3:20 - Bookish Moments of the Week 4:19 - Waterstones 4:22 - Barter Books 4:37 - Foyles 4:38 - Notting Hill Bookshop 5:10 - Goldsboro Books 6:10 - Booklist magazine 8:27 - Current Reads 9:42 - The Calamity Club by Kathryn Stockett (Elizabath) 14:19 - Where are the Children by Mary Higgins Clark (Meredith) 18:54 - Loves Music, Loves to Dance by Mary Higgins Clark 19:43 - The Burning Side by Sarah Damoff (Elizabeth) 19:47 - The Bright Years by Sarah Damoff 21:51 - Sarah's Bookshelves Live 23:12 - Reliquary by Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child (Meredith) 24:23 - Relic by Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child 29:39 - Everything Was Beautiful and Nothing Hurt by Ben Reeves (Elizabeth, pre-order releases July 7, 2026) 30:00 - The Correspondent by Virginia Evans 32:35 - Theo of Golden by Allen Levi 32:37 - Life, and Death, and Giants by Ron Rindo 32:50 - Fresh Water for Flowers by Valerie Perrin 32:57 - Page & Palette 34:30 - The Astral Library by Kate Quinn (Meredith) 37:29 - Nevermoor by Jessica Townsend 37:30 - The Book Wanderers by Anna James 40:21 - The Rose Code by Kate Quinn 40:22 - The Alice Network by Kate Quinn 40:59 - A River Enchanted by Rebecca Ross 43:36 - Deep Dive: Books We'd Stock In Our Own Bookstores 44:37 - God of the Woods by Liz Moore 44:38 - Fabled Bookshop 44:49 - Roots by Alex Haley 45:56 - Scythe by Neal Shusterman 47:48 - The Iron House by John Hart 49:03 - I Am Pilgrim by Terry Hayes 49:53 - Those Who Save Us by Jenna Blum 51:06 - The War That Saved My Life by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley 52:12 - Red Notice by Bill Browder 52:42 - Castle of Water by Dane Huckelbridge 54:40 - The Winter Sea by Susanna Kearsley 54:49 - Outlander by Diana Gabaldon 54:50 - The Painted Veil by W. Somerset Maugham 55:22 - The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas 55:23 - A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles 56:13 - The Thirteenth Tale by Diane Setterfield 57:26 - Piranesi by Susanna Clarke 58:03 - Running with Sherman by Christopher McDougall 59:06 - Born To Run by Christopher McDougall  1:00:02 - The Red Tent by Anita Diamant 1:00:52 - Burial Rites by Hannah Kent 1:01:17 - Keeper of Lost Causes by Jussi Adler-Olsen 1:01:19 - Death in the Family by Tessa Wegert 1:01:30 - The Woman on the Ledge by Ruth Mancini 1:03:00 - Before We Go Meredith highlights a bookish friend post Elizabeth brings an update and bookish support   Support Us: Become a Bookish Friend | Grab Some Merch Shop Bookshop dot org | Shop Amazon Bookish Friends Receive: The Indie Press List with a curated list of five books hand sold by the indie of the month. June's IPL is brought to you by one of our beloved repeat stores, Schuler Books in Grand Rapids, MI. Love and Chili Peppers with Kaytee and Rebekah - romance lovers get their due with this special episode focused entirely on the best selling genre fiction in the business All Things Murderful with Meredith and Elizabeth - special content for the scary-lovers, brought to you with the behind-the-scenes insights of an independent bookseller From the Editor's Desk with Kaytee and Bunmi Ishola - a quarterly peek behind the curtain at the publishing industry The Bookish Friends Facebook Group - where you can build community with bookish friends from around the globe as well as our hosts Connect With Us: The Show: Instagram | Website | Email | Threads | Substack | Youtube The Hosts and Regulars: Meredith | Kaytee | Mary | Roxanna Production and Editing: Megan Phouthavong Evans Affiliate Disclosure: All affiliate links go to Bookshop unless otherwise noted. Shopping here helps keep the lights on and benefits indie bookstores. Thanks for your support!

If there ever was a bookstore that lived up to its name, it's Joie de Livres in Montréal. From its shelves of romance and fantasy, to its cocktails, coffee and nacho selection, it's a store dedicated to the joy of reading and of life. Program director Mathieu Lauzon-Dicso talks about what to expect when you walk through its doors. Plus, writer and translator Jinwoo Park recommends two book picks for Asian Heritage Month.Books discussed on this week's show include:Even Though I Knew the End by C.L. PolkRestaurant Kid by Rachel PhanCelestina's House by Clarissa Trinidad GonzalezCheck us out on Instagram @cbcbooks and TikTok @cbcbooks

Joshua Gruft (DJ Mercy) is a pillar of the Troy community. As the owner of the indie bookstore, Paper Moon, and a musician with 20+ years of experience curating local events, Joshua joined Arbor Mae in the Hudson Mohawk Magazine studio to talk about what it's like to balance both worlds under one roof.

Fluent Fiction - French: Discovering Love's True Pages in Parisian Bookstore Find the full episode transcript, vocabulary words, and more:fluentfiction.com/fr/episode/2026-06-01-07-38-19-fr Story Transcript:Fr: Le soleil de printemps illuminait les rues de Paris.En: The spring sun illuminated the streets of Paris.Fr: Élise marchait lentement, les pensées tourbillonnant dans sa tête.En: Élise walked slowly, thoughts swirling in her head.Fr: Son compagnon, Julien, partait bientôt pour un emploi à l'étranger.En: Her companion, Julien, would soon be leaving for a job abroad.Fr: Son cœur était lourd, mais elle savait qu'elle devait lui offrir un cadeau d'adieu spécial.En: Her heart was heavy, but she knew she had to give him a special farewell gift.Fr: Elle a appelé son ami Luc pour l'accompagner dans cette quête.En: She called her friend Luc to accompany her on this quest.Fr: Ils entraient tous les deux dans la librairie "Les Pages d'Or", située à deux pas de la Seine.En: They both entered the bookstore "Les Pages d'Or," located just a short walk from the Seine.Fr: La petite boutique était cosy, remplie de l'odeur douce des vieux livres.En: The little shop was cozy, filled with the sweet smell of old books.Fr: Les clients flânaient, feuilletant les ouvrages sous les lumières tamisées.En: Customers strolled, leafing through the books under the dim lights.Fr: C'était l'endroit préféré d'Élise et Julien.En: It was Élise and Julien's favorite place.Fr: Ils y passaient des heures ensemble à discuter de leur amour pour la littérature.En: They spent hours there together discussing their love for literature.Fr: "Élise, tu trouveras sûrement quelque chose ici," dit Luc, avec un sourire encourageant.En: "Élise, you'll surely find something here," said Luc, with an encouraging smile.Fr: Élise hochait la tête, bien qu'elle se sentît toujours indécise.En: Élise nodded, although she still felt undecided.Fr: Les étagères débordaient de livres, et le murmure des pages tournées était apaisant.En: The shelves overflowed with books, and the murmur of pages turning was soothing.Fr: Élise parcourait les rayonnages, cherchant un livre qui serait digne de leurs souvenirs partagés.En: Élise perused the shelves, searching for a book that would be worthy of their shared memories.Fr: Chaque livre évoquait des moments passés ensemble, mais rien ne semblait parfait.En: Each book evoked past moments together, but nothing seemed perfect.Fr: Puis, ses yeux s'arrêtèrent sur un livre rare, que Julien avait mentionné lors d'une de leurs premières rencontres.En: Then, her eyes stopped on a rare book that Julien had mentioned during one of their first meetings.Fr: Ses pages étaient usées, témoignage de son histoire.En: Its pages were worn, a testament to its history.Fr: Pour Élise, c'était comme si le livre l'appelait.En: For Élise, it was as if the book was calling out to her.Fr: Elle savait à cet instant qu'elle avait trouvé le cadeau idéal.En: She knew at that moment that she had found the ideal gift.Fr: "Regarde, Luc," dit-elle, ses yeux brillant d'une nouvelle détermination.En: "Look, Luc," she said, her eyes shining with newfound determination.Fr: "C'est celui-là.En: "This is the one.Fr: C'est parfait."En: It's perfect."Fr: Le jour du départ de Julien arriva.En: The day of Julien's departure arrived.Fr: À l'aéroport, Élise tenait fermement le livre emballé dans du papier bleu.En: At the airport, Élise held the book wrapped in blue paper tightly.Fr: Ses doigts tremblaient légèrement, mais elle se sentait plus assurée.En: Her fingers trembled slightly, but she felt more assured.Fr: Quand elle remit le livre à Julien, elle vit ses yeux s'illuminer de reconnaissance et d'amour.En: When she handed the book to Julien, she saw his eyes light up with gratitude and love.Fr: "Merci, Élise," murmura Julien, touché.En: "Thank you, Élise," murmured Julien, touched.Fr: "Je penserai à toi chaque fois que je l'ouvrirai."En: "I will think of you every time I open it."Fr: Ils se prirent dans les bras, le monde autour d'eux disparaissant pendant un moment.En: They embraced, the world around them disappearing for a moment.Fr: "Nous allons réussir," chuchota Élise contre son épaule, sa voix pleine de confiance retrouvée.En: "We will make it," Élise whispered against his shoulder, her voice full of regained confidence.Fr: Alors que Julien s'éloignait, Élise se sentit apaisée.En: As Julien walked away, Élise felt at peace.Fr: Elle savait, malgré la distance, que leur amour résisterait.En: She knew, despite the distance, that their love would endure.Fr: Le printemps continuait d'éveiller Paris, et avec chaque bourgeon, Élise sentait son espoir refleurir.En: The spring continued to awaken Paris, and with each bud, Élise felt her hope bloom anew. Vocabulary Words:the spring: le printempsthe streets: les ruesto swirl: tourbillonnerthe heart: le cœurto depart: partirthe companion: le compagnonthe gift: le cadeauthe quest: la quêtethe bookstore: la librairiethe shop: la boutiqueto stroll: flânerthe murmur: le murmurethe shelf: l'étagèreto peruse: parcourirthe bud: le bourgeonto endure: résisterto bloom: refleurirthe determination: la déterminationthe encounter: la rencontrethe airport: l'aéroportthe fingers: les doigtswrapped: emballéto embrace: se prendre dans les brasthe hope: l'espoirthe goodbye: l'adieuto whisper: chuchoterthe shoulder: l'épauleassured: assuréto illuminate: illuminerthe light: la lumière

Bestselling author Ann Patchett joins David M. Rubenstein to discuss her novels, children's books, nonfiction work, and what it's like to own her own bookstore. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What if the problems in public school weren't accidents? What if low literacy rates, changing math standards, social emotional learning, and ideological curriculum were all part of a plan that started over a hundred years ago?This week Cheryl sits down with Nicki Truesdell — a second generation homeschooler who has been in the homeschool world since 1983 and has been homeschooling her own five kids since the year 2000. Nicki is the author of Anyone Can Homeschool and Home Sweet Homeschool, and runs Knowledge Keeper's Bookstore where she reprints rare out-of-print American history books to get the real story back into people's hands.In this episode they break down three books every parent needs to read:The Underground History of American Education by John Taylor GattoCrimes of the Educators by Alex Newman and Sam BlumenfeldThe Marxification of Education by James LindsayYou'll learn how the American education system was deliberately redesigned in the early 1900s by the Rockefellers, Carnegie, and the Education Trust to produce workers instead of thinkers — and how that agenda is still playing out in classrooms today through critical pedagogy, SEL, Common Core, and lowered test standards.Nicki also shares how she homeschooled as a single mom, why she believes homeschooling is the capitalist form of education, and how homeschool parents are learning the real version of American history right alongside their kids.If you've ever wondered whether pulling your kids out of school was the right call — this episode will remove any doubt.Connect with Nicki -- ⁠YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@nickitruesdell1 Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-nicki-truesdell-podcast/id1798330030Homeschool 101⁠ https://nickitruesdell.com/homeschool-101/ ⁠Homeschool Consultations⁠ https://nickitruesdell.com/homeschool-consulting/ ⁠  Get her books:⁠Anyone Can Homeschool⁠ on Amazon, Kindle, and Audible! https://amzn.to/4fnSWs8Home Sweet Homeschool on Amazon and Kindle https://amzn.to/4qY4zMbKnowledge Keepers Bookstore: https://knowledgekeepersbookstore.com/ FARM FOOD FREEDOM Event: https://maxkane.com/eventsResources from Cheryl:

From the May/June 2026 edition of The Scottish Rite Journal.  Any accompanying photographs or citations for this article can be found in the corresponding print edition.Make sure to like and subscribe to the channel!  Freemasons, make sure you shout out your Lodge, Valley, Chapter or Shrine below!OES, Job's Daughter's, Rainbow, DeMolay?  Drop us a comment too!To learn how to find a lodge near you, visit www.beafreemason.comTo learn more about the Scottish Rite, visit www.scottishrite.orgVisit our YouTube Page: Youtube.com/ScottishRiteMasonsJoin our Lost Media Archive for only $1.99 a month!https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCv-F13FNBaW-buecl7p8cJg/joinVisit our new stores:Bookstore: https://www.srbookstore.myshopify.com/Merch Store: http://www.shopsrgifts.com/

Send us Fan MailIn Episode 253 of Book Talk Etc., Tina and Hannah are joined by Phoebe Wright from @readandwright on bookstagram, and bookseller at Alice, Ever After in Buffalo, New York. We talk all things romance, pop culture, and of course, books! We hope you enjoy our lively, casual conversation and that your TBR stack grows taller for your summer reading.If you enjoy this commercial-free podcast, consider supporting us on Patreon! Your membership includes access to bonus episodes like What's in the Mailbag, Bookstore Browse: The Handsell, and Book Talk After Dark, invites to monthly community events like Mood Reader Happy Hour, and entry into our private Facebook group and Discord server- all for just $5 a month.Loving LatelyNeck Cream (T)Susan Lee Skin Care Recs (Phoebe)Real Housewives of Rhode IslandJamie Attenberg 1000 words of summerLatest Read & Books MentionedThe Echo Wife | Sarah Gailey (T)Tropesick | Lauren Okie (H)Nesting | Roisin O'Donnell (H)Other Books Mentioned - (Please make sure you're supporting Alice Ever After on Bookshop.org if you decide to purchase any of the following books!)Devney Perry BooksThis Story Might Save Your Life | Tiffany CrumThe Magic Treehouse BooksOur Guncle | Stephen RowleyDory Fantasmagory | Abby Hanlon (2nd-4th Grade)Dogman & Captain UnderpantsDragon Master Series | Tracy WestThe Princess in Black | Shannon HaleMail Duck | Erica SirotichBuffalo Fluffalo | Bess KalbSandwich and Wreck | Catherine NewmanNobody Tells You This But Me | Bess Kalb The Correspondent | Virginia EvansYesteryear | Caro Claire BurkeProject Hail Mary | Andy WierLegendborn | Tracy DionGood Girls Guide to Murder | Holly JacksonThe Guncle | Stephen RowleySamantha, the Next Chapter | Fiona DavisIf Not You | Ellen O'CloverSunflower Season | Danica NavaWhistler | Ann PatchetHollywood Ending | John GreenShelf AdditionsMarion: A Novel | Leah Rowen (T)If Not You | Ellen O'Clover (P)Flashlight | Susan Choi (H)@Aliceeverafterbooks on socialAliceeverafter.com@readandwright on socialThank you for listening and supporting the show!Support the showLet's Connect... Email us at booktalketc@gmailBTE on YoutubeTina's TikTok , IG @tbretc YT @tbretcHannah's TikTok , IG @hanpickedbooksJonathan IG @infiltrate_jayPodcast IG @booktalketcRenee's Substack Newsletter , IG@Itsbooktalk

We've all heard the classic business cliché: "You have to spend money to make money." But honestly? I've never really loved that phrase. It leaves out the most crucial part of the equation. What if we rephrased it to: You have to spend money to make money, but you also need to know if the money you're spending is actually working. In this episode, I'm challenging product-based business owners to stop looking at Return on Investment (ROI) purely through the lens of digital ad spend. The truth is, every single dollar that leaves your business is an investment, and every investment deserves a return. From hiring team members to investing in photography, copywriters, and coaching programs, I break down how you might be flying blind with your capital and how to start tracking profit metrics instead of vanity metrics. I also share a simple, three-question audit you can start using today to ensure every dollar has a job and is doing it well. Key Takeaways The ROI Reframe: ROI isn't just a marketing metric. If cash is flowing out of your business in a dozen different directions, you need to measure what is coming back in return for every single one of those streams. The Danger of Raw Ad Metrics: Generating $3,000 in sales from a $1,000 ad spend sounds great on paper (a 3x ROAS). But when you factor in a 50% cost of goods ($1,500), agency fees, fulfillment labor, and shipping, you might actually be paying to run yourself out of business. Measuring the Unmeasurable (Employees): Hiring feels like growth, but without tracking output, it's just added overhead. Employees don't always generate direct revenue, but they must generate a measurable return—whether that's freeing up your time to bring in new accounts or increasing production speed. Learning vs. Implementation: Buying a coaching program, course, or mastermind and only implementing 20% of it means you are losing money. Learning is not a return on investment; implementation is the return. The Secret of Profitable Businesses: The most profitable product-based businesses aren't necessarily the ones with the highest revenue. They are the ones with the fewest dollars going out the door that don't serve a clear purpose. The 3-Question ROI Audit To keep yourself from flying blind, I want you to perform this quick audit this month on any expense—whether it's a software subscription, a new piece of equipment, an employee, or a mastermind: What did it cost me? (Be sure to include your time, not just your money). What specific outcome was I expecting from it? (Name a tangible, concrete result). Did I get that outcome? (Yes, partially, or not at all). My Advice: Once you have your answers, act on them immediately. Double down on what's working, fix or re-engineer what is underperforming, and ruthlessly cut what isn't producing. Work with Me - https://www.ciarastockeland.com/work-with-meVisit the Bookstore - https://www.ciarastockeland.com/bookstoreSign Up for Free Weekly Tips and Trainings - https://www.ciarastockeland.com/subscribe

We've all heard the classic business cliché: "You have to spend money to make money." But honestly? I've never really loved that phrase. It leaves out the most crucial part of the equation. What if we rephrased it to: You have to spend money to make money, but you also need to know if the money you're spending is actually working. In this episode, I'm challenging product-based business owners to stop looking at Return on Investment (ROI) purely through the lens of digital ad spend. The truth is, every single dollar that leaves your business is an investment, and every investment deserves a return. From hiring team members to investing in photography, copywriters, and coaching programs, I break down how you might be flying blind with your capital and how to start tracking profit metrics instead of vanity metrics. I also share a simple, three-question audit you can start using today to ensure every dollar has a job and is doing it well. Key Takeaways The ROI Reframe: ROI isn't just a marketing metric. If cash is flowing out of your business in a dozen different directions, you need to measure what is coming back in return for every single one of those streams. The Danger of Raw Ad Metrics: Generating $3,000 in sales from a $1,000 ad spend sounds great on paper (a 3x ROAS). But when you factor in a 50% cost of goods ($1,500), agency fees, fulfillment labor, and shipping, you might actually be paying to run yourself out of business. Measuring the Unmeasurable (Employees): Hiring feels like growth, but without tracking output, it's just added overhead. Employees don't always generate direct revenue, but they must generate a measurable return—whether that's freeing up your time to bring in new accounts or increasing production speed. Learning vs. Implementation: Buying a coaching program, course, or mastermind and only implementing 20% of it means you are losing money. Learning is not a return on investment; implementation is the return. The Secret of Profitable Businesses: The most profitable product-based businesses aren't necessarily the ones with the highest revenue. They are the ones with the fewest dollars going out the door that don't serve a clear purpose. The 3-Question ROI Audit To keep yourself from flying blind, I want you to perform this quick audit this month on any expense—whether it's a software subscription, a new piece of equipment, an employee, or a mastermind: What did it cost me? (Be sure to include your time, not just your money). What specific outcome was I expecting from it? (Name a tangible, concrete result). Did I get that outcome? (Yes, partially, or not at all). My Advice: Once you have your answers, act on them immediately. Double down on what's working, fix or re-engineer what is underperforming, and ruthlessly cut what isn't producing. Work with Me - https://www.ciarastockeland.com/work-with-meVisit the Bookstore - https://www.ciarastockeland.com/bookstoreSign Up for Free Weekly Tips and Trainings - https://www.ciarastockeland.com/subscribe

In this episode, Adam and Eric interview Kevin Ruf. Kevin played the security guard in the classic season 9 episode “The Bookstore.” If you have any questions or comments, feel free to email us at theplacetobeseinfeld@gmail.com. You can also follow us on Facebook at The Place to Be: A Seinfeld Podcast, Twitter @tptbseinfeld, and Instagram @theplacetobe.podcast.

This is a live recording between Nima and Adam at the Word is Change Bookstore May 7, 2026. In this conversation, we discuss key findings that can be found in Adam's new book, How to Sell a Genocide: The Media's Complicity in the Destruction of Gaza.

A strange bookstore appears where only an alley should be, and inside Travis finds a red book that seems to contain the story of his own death. But when the thing behind the pages follows him home, he realizes the book isn't predicting his fate—it's trying to force him into one. Huge thanks to our sponsors: BetterHelp: Sign up now and get 10% off at ⁠betterhelp.com/dns⁠. Quince: Go to quince.com/dns for free shipping and 365-day returns. Shopify: Sign up for your $1 per month trial today at shopify.com/dns. Author: Jeremy Harrison * * * CONTENT DISCLAIMER: This episode contains explicit content not limited to intense themes, strong language, and depictions of violence intended for adults. Parental guidance is strongly advised for children under the age of 18. Listener discretion is advised.  #drnosleep #scarystories #horrorstories #doctornosleep #horrorpodcast #horror Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices