American actor
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Nicolas Framont est sociologue engagé et auteur du percutant Saint Luigi, un ouvrage aussi provocateur que nécessaire.Dans cet épisode, nous discutons ensemble d'un fait divers que vous avez forcément vu passer : Luigi Mangione, accusé d'avoir assassiné de sang-froid le CEO de United Healthcare, est pourtant célébré comme un héros sur les réseaux sociaux. Pourquoi une telle admiration pour un homme soupçonné de meurtre ? Que cela dit-il de notre société en particulier aux U.S. ? Pourquoi, dans un monde où l'on vénère la réussite financière, un tel renversement des rôles suscite-t-il autant d'adhésion populaire ?Avec Nicolas, nous avons décortiqué cette affaire pour aller bien au-delà du fait divers. Dans la lignée des épisodes avec Antoine Foucher sur l'impossibité structurelle de s'enrichir. par son travail en France mais aussi celui avec Caroline Miguel Aguirre sur le scandale de l'argent public, nous avons abordé les dysfonctionnements profonds du neo liberallsme, le sentiment d'injustice sociale, le rôle des grandes entreprises, mais aussi la manière dont le système politique et médiatique amplifie ces déséquilibres.J'ai aussi voulu comprendre avec lui la place des classes sociales aujourd'hui, ce qu'il appelle la "sous-bourgeoisie", et pourquoi tant de décisions prises "en col blanc" peuvent générer une violence invisible, mais bien réelle.Cet échange va, je pense, profondément vous questionner sur notre monde, sur le rôle des élites, sur les logiques économiques dans lesquelles nous sommes pris… et sur ce qu'on peut, ou doit, en faire.Cinq citations marquantes :« Il y a des gens qui donnent la mort par PowerPoint. »« Ce n'est pas une critique morale, c'est une critique systémique. »« On a basculé d'un État-providence pour les gens à un État-providence pour les riches. »« Le capitalisme ne fait plus rêver. »« On célèbre des assassins parce qu'ils symbolisent une révolte contre l'ordre établi. »10 questions structurées posées :Pourquoi avoir choisi d'écrire sur Luigi Mangione et d'en faire une icône ?Que dit la popularité de cet homme accusé de meurtre sur notre société ?Le problème est-il l'individu (Brian Thompson) ou le système dans lequel il évolue ?Peut-on encore parler de responsabilité individuelle dans un système si hiérarchisé ?Comment expliques-tu qu'on célèbre un assassin et qu'on continue de voter pour Trump ?La France est-elle réellement un pays aussi "social" qu'on le prétend ?Peut-on vraiment imaginer une société sans classe dominante ?Est-ce que toi aussi, à leur place, tu aurais agi pareil ?Quelles sont les alternatives concrètes au capitalisme ?Comment rendre les rapports de pouvoir plus éphémères ou égalitaires ? Timestamps clés00:00 - Introduction au podcast et au cas Luigi Mangione02:00 - Pourquoi Nicolas Framont parle de "Saint Luigi"04:00 - Que dit cette affaire du capitalisme américain ?08:00 - Décisions "de bureau" et conséquences humaines12:00 - La hiérarchie invisible dans le système capitaliste16:00 - Classe dominante vs classe d'exécutants21:00 - Peut-on vraiment supprimer les dominations ?26:00 - Vote, contradictions et réalités politiques33:00 - Le vote, entre affect et déconnexion idéologique38:00 - La France est-elle encore un pays social ?44:00 - Le capitalisme coûte-t-il plus qu'il ne rapporte ?47:00 - Quelles alternatives concrètes au capitalisme ? Suggestion d'autres épisodes à écouter : #281 Comprendre l'effondrement des classes moyennes et populaires avec Esther Duflo (https://audmns.com/WthucwC) #351 Pourquoi ne peut-on plus s'en sortir en travaillant? (partie 1) avec Antoine Foucher (https://audmns.com/chQnSYy) #364 Qui profite vraiment de l'argent public? Partie 1 - avec Caroline Michel-Aguirre (https://audmns.com/TgCnWkc)Hébergé par Audiomeans. Visitez audiomeans.fr/politique-de-confidentialite pour plus d'informations.
In this episode of Business First, host Sonia Alleyne sits down with Brian Thompson, founder of Brian Thompson Financial LLC, for a powerful conversation on authenticity, alignment, and the entrepreneurial journey—especially for LGBTQ+ business owners. Brian opens up about his transition from tax attorney to financial planner, sharing how embracing his true self reshaped his life and business. Together, they explore the role of personal values in driving meaningful work, the courage it takes to build a purpose-led business, and the transformative breakthroughs clients experience when they align money with identity. Brian also reflects on the importance of gratitude, community, and support systems for entrepreneurs navigating uncertainty and growth. This inspiring conversation offers a deeply human look at what it means to build a business—and a life—that reflects who you truly are. Find more shows like this on the Mean Ole Lion app. Follow, rate, comment, and share.
To kick off our next series (24th!) -- we are looking into an overlooked sci-fi action film from one of the 90's genre favorites, Roland Emmerich. Set upon a 44th Moon Mining Colony and starring that guy from Fright Night, this film has so many prop helicopters and packs of cigarettes it would make your father proud. DISCLAIMER: LANGUAGE AND SPOILERS!CW/TW: MOVIE CONTAINS SAMOON 44dir. Roland Emmerichstarring: Michael Pare; Dean Devlin, Malcolm McDowell
Brian Thompson chats with Rachel Bernier-Green, founder and CEO of the Economic Justice Consortium, a Chicago-based firm that helps mission-driven businesses sustain and amplify their impact through financial and operational excellence. A recovering public accountant turned social entrepreneur, Rachel has dedicated her career to closing the racial wealth gap and redefining what it means to lead with purpose and profit. In this episode, Rachel shares her journey from climbing the corporate ladder in public accounting, to running a social enterprise bakery that partnered with Whole Foods and Starbucks, and now guiding other entrepreneurs in building sustainable, values-driven businesses. She opens up about burnout, courage, and the lessons learned from failure, as well as how she helps clients reject hustle culture and build wealth for their communities. Episode Highlights Mission-driven businesses focus on impact and income. Rachel defines a mission-driven business as one that "has a focus other than profit maximization." Whether seeking to improve the environment, society, or treatment of employees, mission-driven businesses aim to make a positive net impact. "People think if they have a greater purpose, they also don't need to focus on profit," Rachel said. "If you lose that focus on profit, your mission ceases to exist." Turn loss into leadership. Rachel's first entrepreneurial endeavor came when she left a toxic corporate environment and turned to baking as a stress outlet. Her bakery partnered with regenerative farms and hired previously incarcerated individuals, creating jobs that reduced recidivism in her Chicago community. Nine years after starting her first company, a combination of a tragic ceiling collapse and the COVID-19 pandemic ultimately led to the business's closure. While it felt like a failure at the time, the experience led her to a bigger purpose — founding the Economic Justice Consortium to help other mission-driven businesses build sustainable success. "There are some things you can only learn by going through a business that ends," she said. "I do think that business needed to come to an end for me to do the work that I'm doing now, which will have a much more significant impact on the world." Track your Objectives and Key Results (OKRs). Economic Justice Consortium offers fractional CFO services and consulting services for operational systems and big-picture strategy. The firm also relies heavily on the Objectives and Key Results (OKRs) strategic framework, which breaks down specific objectives based on the larger company mission and vision. "We actually utilize our task management tool to track those objectives," she said. "It incorporates a level of accountability. There's an internal dashboard that the entire team has access to in real time, and they can see whether we're on track or not on track with any of our OKRs." Rebuke hustle culture. Rachel recommended the book "Laziness Does Not Exist" by Chicago professor Devin Price, which challenges the culture of overwork and redefines productivity. The book explores how the American work culture is misaligned with data science on productivity and has transformed how Rachel approaches her work and her expectations for her team. "Hustle culture is very damaging on so many levels," she said. "The book challenged me so much I had to sit down and come back to it because I had always prided myself on my work ethic and putting in the hours." Resources + Links Xero accounting software "Profit First: Transform Your Business from a Cash-Eating Monster to a Money-Making Machine" by Mike Michalowicz "The Great Game of Business, Expanded and Updated: The Only Sensible Way to Run a Company" by Jack Stack and Bo Burlingham "Laziness Does Not Exist" by Devon Price Ph.D. Rachel Bernier-Green: LinkedIn Economic Justice Consortium: Website, Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, X, TikTok The Purpose Profit Shift Podcast: Apple Podcasts, Spotify, RSS Feed Brian Thompson Financial: Website, Newsletter, Podcast Follow Brian Thompson Online: Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, X, Forbes About Brian and the Mission Driven Business Podcast Brian Thompson, JD/CFP, is a tax attorney and Certified Financial Planner® who specializes in providing comprehensive financial planning to LGBTQ+ entrepreneurs who run mission-driven businesses. The Mission Driven Business podcast was born out of his passion for helping social entrepreneurs create businesses with purpose and profit. On the podcast, Brian talks with diverse entrepreneurs and the people who support them. Listeners hear stories of experiences, strength, and hope and get practical advice to help them build businesses that might just change the world, too.
Everything is looking up for one of the biggest days on Christchurch's social calendar. New Zealand's Cup Day is kicking off, with around 13 thousand punters expected to watch horse racing, fashion shows, and live music at Addington Raceway. Despite the early morning rain, Addington Raceway Chief Executive Brian Thompson told Mike Hosking he's confident about how the day will turn out. He says once the gates open, it never rains on Cup Day. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
World Health Organisation figures say one in six people are affected by infertility. Fertility Matters at Work, who provide training for fertility support in the workplace, have published a cost analysis. They have explored the economic impact of not providing time off for fertility treatment - not only on those people directly involved in seeking help, but on businesses and the economy more widely. To discuss further, Nuala McGovern is joined by Alice Macdonald, MP for Norwich North, who will be asking MPs if they agree that a legal right should be given to people to take paid time off work to attend medical appointments for fertility treatment, and Natalie Silverman, co-founder of Fertility Matters at Work.Bella Culley was freed by the Tbilisi City Court today. The 19-year-old, who is eight months pregnant, is from Billingham in Teesside. She was arrested at Tbilisi airport after police found drugs in her luggage and had been held in Georgia on drug trafficking charges since May. Before news of her release, Nuala spoke to Rayhan Demytrie, BBC News Caucasus correspondent, outside the court.The case of Luigi Mangione, the man accused of killing US health insurance CEO Brian Thompson, is one of the most closely followed legal cases of recent years. The 26-year old-was arrested in December and accused of shooting Mr Thompson, a father of two, outside a Manhattan hotel. He faces the charges of murder and stalking, charges which Mangione denies. While the case continues, something else has been happening. Mangione has attracted an intense, mostly female online following: people sharing pictures of him, writing letters, posting fan edits and memes, and debating his appearance and behaviour in forensic detail. So why does a man accused of violence become the object of fascination and even desire to some women? And what does that say about the digital age we're living in? Nuala talks to Professor David Wilson, criminologist and former prison governor, and Faye Curran, journalist at The New Statesman, who has immersed herself in Mangione's online fandom.Anyone watching Celebrity Traitors at the moment, or indeed the previous Traitors series, has probably noted Claudia Winkleman's iconic looks that seem to sum up both chilly Scottish castle chic and punk power dressing with a smidge of sinister gothic Victorian melodrama thrown into the mix. Claudia's stylist, Sinead McKeefry, has a huge following online by people keen to pick up tips. The power of social media is such that when items are worn by Claudia and flagged online, it can have quite an impact, as small-business owner Lauren Aston found when one of her designs appeared on the show. She joins Nuala to explain what has happened, as does Alison Lynch, head of content at Good Housekeeping Magazine, who has not only written about the Claudia fashion phenomenon, but has even dressed as Claudia in the Traitors herself for a week.Presenter: Nuala McGovern Producer: Andrea Kidd
Keith Reza Unpacks Hollywood with Actor Brian Thompson In this episode, Keith Reza interviews character actor Brian Thompson (Mortal Kombat, Three Amigos). They share untold stories from the set, discuss working with Mel Brooks and Oliver Reed, and the art of comedy. Brian also opens up about his charity work and gives heartfelt advice to his younger self. Brian's Socials IG: @brianearlthompson ... https://www.instagram.com/brianearlthompson/ FB: https://www.facebook.com/brian.thompson.50702769/ X: @brianethompson ... https://twitter.com/BrianEThompson Chapters 00:00Introduction and Golf Tournament Highlights 03:01The Journey to Mortal Kombat 05:53Behind the Scenes of Fight Scenes 08:57Charity Auctions and Personal Connections 12:00Memorable Experiences in Three Amigos 17:57The Challenges of Leading Roles 24:08Reflections on Acting and Collaboration 28:53Oliver Reed's Wild On-Set Antics 33:15The Joy of Stand-Up Comedy 37:14Experiences with Mel Brooks 40:33The Art of Casting in Comedy 41:40The Hopeful Characters of 9-1-1 42:40Nostalgia for Dragonheart 48:41Reflections on Life Choices 52:09Advice to a Younger Self Support the show on https://patreon.com/rezarifts61 Follow Keith on all social media platforms: FB: https://www.facebook.com/realkeithreza IG:https://www.instagram.com/keithreza ALT IG:https://www.instagram.com/duhkeithreza X:https://www.twitter.com/keithreza TT:https://www.tiktok.com/keithreza Book Keith on cameo at www.cameo.com/keithreza Check out my website for dates at https://www.keithreza.com/ Subscribe - Rate & Review on Apple Podcasts - Tell a friend :) Be a Rifter! #mortalkombat #terminator #buffythevampireslayer
The National Security Hour with Brandon Weichert – Brian Thompson, CEO of UnitedHealthcare, is murdered in broad daylight, and the government blames Luigi Mangione. But investigator Brian O'Shea uncovers contradictions, missing evidence, and a timeline that doesn't add up. As political narratives collide, deeper corruption and cover-ups emerge—raising the chilling question: is the real killer still free, protected by power...
The National Security Hour with Brandon Weichert – Brian Thompson, CEO of UnitedHealthcare, is murdered in broad daylight, and the government blames Luigi Mangione. But investigator Brian O'Shea uncovers contradictions, missing evidence, and a timeline that doesn't add up. As political narratives collide, deeper corruption and cover-ups emerge—raising the chilling question: is the real killer still free, protected by power...
Brian Thompson takes a deep dive into one of the most important tenets for mission-driven business owners: clarity. Clarity may sound simple, but it's not easy. If done well, clarity can be the foundation for building a business that truly supports your mission and your life. Once you find clarity, everything else becomes easier, and this episode gives you tips on how to do just that. Episode Highlights Clarity enables mission-driven entrepreneurs to build their business around their life. Building a business — particularly a mission-driven one — is filled with ambiguity. There's no single blueprint or one-size-fits-all formula. Without clarity, decisions feel overwhelming. But with clarity, decisions become faster and more intentional. You build a business that fits your life, instead of trying to fit your life around your business. The Discovery process cultivates clarity. In Brian's financial planning business, the first phase is the Discovery process, which includes three key meetings: the Get Organized meeting, the Vision meeting, and the Knowledge meeting. Rather than creating a rigid five-year plan, entrepreneurs design a framework that allows for flexibility, growth, and evolution. Clarity isn't a luxury. It's a necessity. Without clarity, you're stuck in reactive mode, chasing whatever opportunity lands in your inbox and making decisions based on fear. Intentional planning brings clarity, and clarity empowers action. If you're feeling pulled in too many directions, ask yourself: Do I know what I want? Do I have a plan that aligns with my values? Am I building a business that supports your life, or one that consumes it. Resources + Links Identifying Your Values exercise Kinder Three Questions For Business Owners Brian Thompson Financial: Website, Newsletter, Podcast Follow Brian Thompson Online: Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, X, Forbes About Brian and the Mission Driven Business Podcast Brian Thompson, JD/CFP, is a tax attorney and Certified Financial Planner® who specializes in providing comprehensive financial planning to LGBTQ+ entrepreneurs who run mission-driven businesses. The Mission Driven Business podcast was born out of his passion for helping social entrepreneurs create businesses with purpose and profit. On the podcast, Brian talks with diverse entrepreneurs and the people who support them. Listeners hear stories of experiences, strength, and hope and get practical advice to help them build businesses that might just change the world, too.
Brian Thompson chats with Carl Richards — Certified Financial Planner™, creator of The New York Times “Sketch Guy” column, and bestselling author of “The Behavior Gap” and “The One-Page Financial Plan.” Carl's simple Sharpie sketches have transformed how millions of people think and talk about money. In his latest book, “Your Money: Reimagining Wealth in Simple Sketches”, he shares 101 drawings and essays designed to spark deeper conversations about money, values, and what matters most. In this conversation, Brian and Carl dive into the emotional side of money and debate whether money actually can buy happiness. Episode Highlights A good sketch can start a conversation. Carl said the impetus behind his new book is simple: we're not talking about money in the right way. Instead of focusing on financial “noise” like markets and TV pundits, he wanted to give people tools to have conversations that align money with their values. “Really good financial decisions happen when we make a little bit of meaning out of money,” Carl said. “We're getting clear about our purpose.” Money = feelings. Carl's first sketch in the book, and arguably the most powerful, is simply, “Money = Feelings.” He emphasized that money evokes an emotional response, whether that's anxiety, freedom, or joy. “We're not talking about spreadsheets and calculators,” Carl said. Order can be powerful. Bringing order to chaos can provide a sense of control when life feels overwhelming. Whether it's finally sorting through a pile of unopened mail or cleaning the garage, creating a sense of order can help ease anxiety and overwhelm. “There are so many global things going on that are out of our control,” Carl said. “If you feel nervous or scared, go clean the garage, do the dishes, do something that gives you a sense of control and order.” Money can buy happiness — if you spend it right. Can money buy happiness? Carl believes the answer is yes — if you know how to spend it. Money spent on meaningful experiences with loved ones or exerting more freedom over your time is money well spent. “Nobody wants more money,” he said. “They want what they think money will give them, and if you don't do the work to figure out the difference, then more money won't buy you happiness.” Resources + Links Carl's newest book: “Your Money: Reimagining Wealth in Simple Sketches” Bulk order “Your Money: Reimagining Wealth in Simple Sketches” and save an additional 5% by using the code YourMoney5 at checkout Carl's other books: The Behavior Gap and The One-Page Financial Plan Episode 40: Making Complex Ideas Simple with Carl Richards Carl's podcast: Behavior Gap Radio The Society of Advice online community of financial planners Carl's New York Times column Follow Carl Richards Online: Website, Instagram, X, LinkedIn Brian Thompson Financial: Website, Newsletter, Podcast Follow Brian Thompson Online: Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, X, Forbes About Brian and the Mission Driven Business Podcast Brian Thompson, JD/CFP, is a tax attorney and Certified Financial Planner® who specializes in providing comprehensive financial planning to LGBTQ+ entrepreneurs who run mission-driven businesses. The Mission Driven Business podcast was born out of his passion for helping social entrepreneurs create businesses with purpose and profit. On the podcast, Brian talks with diverse entrepreneurs and the people who support them. Listeners hear stories of experiences, strength, and hope and get practical advice to help them build businesses that might just change the world, too.
The is week on Myopia Movies, we went to the Jason Voorhees-esque horror movie that started it all, we watched The Terminator. Are you Sarah Connor? How will The Terminator hold up? Host: Nic Panel: Alex, Matt, Keiko. Directed by James Cameron Starring: Arnold Schwarzenegger, Linda Hamilton, Michael Biehn, Paul Winfield, Lance Henriksen, Rick Rossovich, Earl Boen, Dick Miller, Bill Paxton, Brian Thompson
The is week on Myopia Movies, we went to the Jason Voorhees-esque horror movie that started it all, we watched The Terminator. Are you Sarah Connor? How will The Terminator hold up? Host: Nic Panel: Alex, Matt, Keiko. Directed by James Cameron Starring: Arnold Schwarzenegger, Linda Hamilton, Michael Biehn, Paul Winfield, Lance Henriksen, Rick Rossovich, Earl Boen, Dick Miller, Bill Paxton, Brian Thompson
What happens when you fall into a black hole? Neil deGrasse Tyson and Chuck Nice give us the step-by-step on spaghettification, explain Schrodinger's cat, and explore quantum tunnelling… Or do they? NOTE: StarTalk+ Patrons can listen to this entire episode commercial-free here: https://startalkmedia.com/show/things-you-thought-you-knew-quantum-cat/Thanks to our Patrons Peter Nguyen, Noah Narh, Oliver Anderson, Oleksandr, TULAKAR JHA, Marziee, Carmen, Erica Trebesch, Joan Cotkin, Steve, Kevin, renee porter, Knatrueall Phliights, Jacque Walker, ThatOofcaGuy, Ian Ulsh, Robert Vest, Oslo Johnson, Colin T, Patricia Brennan, Mac Lamken, Josh, Derek Holiday, ShieldsGaming18, Adam Gotch, Mike Starnes, Ryan, AnJ, William Rosati, Chris Ose, Becker the Brewer, Jennings.Bass, LAZU, Alissa Wilson, Logical Haus, Dave Blair, Brad, Kaleo Hubert, soogun shongwe, Caleb Pelletier, Toby Murray, McGrumps the Curmudgeon, Joshua, Knutte Söderberg, Albert Dávid, Jim Prescott, John Wooters, Chris Raines, neoghaleon, Roy Roddey, PJ, TC, Micheal Bartmess, Arwa, Hasemano, Brian Thompson, Stetson, Goerc Goerc, Dennis Shields, Spike, Ian Hebert, Kasheia Williams, Tess, Aren Moy, Robert, LittleBoBliue, Paul, Rick Hanes, Donivan Porterfield, Tony Smith, Penny B, Brett R, Nicholas Falvey, and Stymie Sulik for supporting us this week. Subscribe to SiriusXM Podcasts+ to listen to new episodes of StarTalk Radio ad-free and a whole week early.Start a free trial now on Apple Podcasts or by visiting siriusxm.com/podcastsplus. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
A surprising trend in the job market is worrying economists. College-educated people are making up a larger subset of people who are unemployed for six months or longer. Automation, shrinking industries and federal cuts play a role. In the Loop digs into the issue with New York Times reporter Noam Scheiber and DePaul University professor of economics Brian Thompson. For a full archive of In The Loop interviews, head over to wbez.org/intheloop.
Send us a textColin and Russ provide updates regarding the case against alleged killer Luigi Mangione after a New York Judge dismissed the prosecution's top counts. The attorneys break down the judge's decision and how it will impact the case going forward. Later, they discuss the charges facing Tyler Robinson, the man arrested for the assassination of Charlie Kirk. Plus a new Is This Legal and a DCOTW from Georgia. Check it out!
This Day in Legal History: Treaty of Fort PittOn September 17, 1778, the Treaty of Fort Pitt—also known as the Treaty of Fort Pitt or the Delaware Treaty—was signed between the newly independent United States and the Lenape (Delaware) Nation. It was the first formal treaty between the United States and a Native American tribe, signaling an alliance during the Revolutionary War against British forces. The treaty, negotiated at Fort Pitt (present-day Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania), promised military collaboration, mutual defense, and provisions for supplies and protection for the Lenape people. In a striking and largely symbolic provision, the treaty even entertained the idea of creating a 14th state within the Union to be governed by Native Americans.Though the treaty framed the Lenape as equal partners, its promises were quickly eroded by reality. The United States failed to deliver many of the resources it pledged, and the idea of a Native-governed state was abandoned almost as soon as it was proposed. Lenape leaders had agreed to the treaty in part out of necessity, caught between colonial and British expansion and hoping to safeguard their people's survival. Instead, they faced encroachment, displacement, and repeated betrayals.Within a few years, American militias and settlers would violate the treaty's terms, seizing land and disregarding Lenape sovereignty. The alliance never materialized in the way it was envisioned. The treaty, once a beacon of potential cooperation, became an early example of the fragility of Native-American treaties with the United States. It set a precedent for broken agreements that would recur throughout American expansion.A Senate report released by Democrats on September 17, 2025, criticized KPMG LLP for failing to act on warning signs at Silicon Valley Bank, Signature Bank, and First Republic Bank prior to their 2023 collapses. The auditors issued clean reports just weeks before the banks failed due to rising interest rates and liquidity issues, yet they allegedly ignored key red flags such as massive asset devaluations, governance concerns, and internal risk assessments. Lawmakers said KPMG adopted an overly narrow view of its responsibilities and maintained close, long-term relationships with the banks, raising questions about its objectivity. The report highlighted a revolving door between KPMG and the banks, with executives and audit staff frequently moving between roles. KPMG defended its audits, saying it followed U.S. standards and criticized the report as out of step with other investigations, which have not blamed auditors for the failures.Senator Richard Blumenthal called for substantial reform to the audit industry, citing “willful blindness” by KPMG and a failure to protect the public. Though the Senate subcommittee's report is unlikely to spur immediate regulatory changes—especially given the political instability at the PCAOB—it proposed new oversight tools, including mandatory auditor rotation and a whistleblower office. The report also recommended making audit enforcement investigations public sooner, arguing that long delays leave investors unaware of potential problems. KPMG, meanwhile, noted it had improved its audit practices and achieved its best regulatory inspection in 15 years.KPMG Dismissed Red Flags at Regional Banks, Senate Review FindsA New York state judge dismissed two terrorism-related charges against Luigi Mangione, who remains accused of second-degree murder in the killing of health insurance executive Brian Thompson. Justice Gregory Carro ruled that prosecutors failed to provide sufficient evidence that Mangione acted with the intent to intimidate health workers or influence government policy—criteria necessary for charges under the state's terrorism statute. While the judge acknowledged the seriousness of the crime, he clarified that not all non-traditional crimes qualify as terrorism.Mangione, 27, still faces nine other charges in the state case, including multiple counts of criminal possession of a weapon and a charge for possessing false identification. He has also been indicted federally, where the U.S. Justice Department is seeking the death penalty. The state court's decision does not impact the federal terrorism case, which remains active. Thompson, a former CEO at UnitedHealthcare, was shot outside a Midtown Manhattan hotel in December 2024 during a company event.The case has drawn national attention, particularly as concerns grow over politically motivated violence following the recent killing of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. Public reaction to Mangione has been sharply divided, with some viewing him as a vigilante figure amid frustration with rising healthcare costs. Supporters even rallied outside the courthouse, holding signs and wearing themed attire. Mangione has pleaded not guilty to all charges, and no trial dates have been scheduled.Luigi Mangione wins dismissal of terrorism counts in US insurance executive's killing | ReutersSeveral major U.S. law firms that reached agreements with President Donald Trump earlier this year are now representing clients in lawsuits against his administration, despite concerns that the deals would deter such actions. At least four of the nine firms that made arrangements with the White House—Latham & Watkins, Willkie Farr & Gallagher, Skadden Arps, and Milbank—have since taken on cases involving challenges to Trump-era policies on immigration, transgender rights, tariffs, and environmental regulations.The firms' deals with the Trump administration, reached in March and April, came in response to executive orders targeting firms seen as opposing the president's agenda or promoting diversity policies he opposed. As part of the agreements, the firms pledged nearly $1 billion in pro bono legal work for causes aligned with the administration. Critics feared the arrangements would chill dissent and limit the firms' independence, but court records show several firms continued to litigate against the government.Legal experts suggest these firms are balancing risk with professional obligations, especially in high-profile cases involving long-standing clients or influential attorneys. For example, Latham represents Danish energy company Orsted in a lawsuit over a halted wind project, and Willkie is defending Virginia school districts in a transgender rights dispute. Milbank is involved in litigation over Trump's tariff powers and sanctuary city policies, led by prominent attorneys Neal Katyal and Gurbir Grewal. Skadden has partnered with a nonprofit to represent an immigrant woman denied a special visa.Four firms successfully challenged the legality of Trump's executive orders in court, with rulings finding they violated First Amendment protections. The administration has appealed. Meanwhile, Reuters has reported that other top firms have reduced pro bono and diversity initiatives, cautious of possible political retaliation.Some law firms that cut deals with Trump take cases opposing his administration | ReutersTesla has reached a confidential settlement with the family of Jovani Maldonado, a teenager killed in a 2019 crash involving a Tesla Model 3 operating on Autopilot. The case, which was set to go to trial next month in Alameda County, adds to a string of fatal crash lawsuits the company has quietly resolved to avoid jury trials. The Maldonados alleged that Tesla's driver-assistance system failed to detect slowing traffic and that the car struck their Ford Explorer at 70 mph, ejecting and killing 15-year-old Jovani. According to the lawsuit, the Tesla driver had no hands on the wheel at the time of impact, and the family claimed Tesla misled the public about the safety and capabilities of its Autopilot technology.Although Tesla argued the technology worked as designed and blamed the driver, it continues to settle similar cases even after Elon Musk publicly stated in 2019 that he opposed settling “unjust” lawsuits. The company has also recently settled other high-profile fatal crash suits, including ones involving distracted drivers and cases with alcohol-related elements.These legal battles come as Tesla faces mounting scrutiny over Autopilot and its marketing practices. The California DMV is pursuing an administrative complaint accusing Tesla of exaggerating its software's capabilities, with a ruling still pending. Tesla has three more fatal Autopilot crash trials scheduled in the next six months, including one in Houston involving injured police officers.Tesla Settles Another Fatal Crash Suit Ahead of Jury Trial (1) This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.minimumcomp.com/subscribe
Israel launches a ground incursion overnight into Gaza City. Also, suspect Tyler Robinson is expected to be charged in the fatal shooting of Charlie Kirk, while FBI Director Kash Patel will testify before a Senate Judiciary Committee. Plus, Luigi Mangione returns to court on state charges in the murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson. And, retailers are already gearing up for holiday shopping with Christmas 100 days away. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
Brian Thompson marks a major milestone with Episode 100 of the Mission Driven Business podcast! In this special retrospective, Brian reflects on 10 standout episodes that made a lasting impact and continue to resonate in his business and life. Whether you're new to the podcast or a long-term listener, Episode 100 captures the heart of the conversations that Mission Driven Business is all about. Episode Highlights 1. Mike Michalowicz put profit first In Episode 7, Mike Michalowicz flipped the traditional profit formula, redefining how business owners can approach cash flow. Mike's episode gave language and structure for something many business owners struggle with. 2. Brian Thompson opened up on the mic In Episode 8, Brian got personal about how and why he started his own firm, Brian Thompson Financial. It was the first time he allowed himself to really be open on the mic, talking about fear, imposter system, and the drive to create something meaningful. 3. George Kinder asked the right questions In Episode 14, George Kinder's thoughtful and grounded presence shone through as he advocated for life planning, which connects a financial plan to an individual's most meaningful goals. His three Kinder Questions have helped many people get clear about what they want their lives to look like. 4. River Nice led with empathy In Episode 20, River spoke so clearly about how marginalized communities -- especially the LGBTQ+ community -- experience guilt or shame around money. The episode is a powerful reminder that empathy can be a superpower. 5. Anjali Jariwala wrote a new entrepreneurial story In Episode 42, Anjali Jariwala shared how she built a thriving financial planning firm, only to turn around and write a children's book that broke sales records. It's a powerful reminder you can build whatever business you want -- and that your business can evolve with your creativity. 6. Krish Himmatramka proposed using profit for good In Episode 57, Shark Tank alum Krish Himmatramka proved you can build a business for-profit and for-impact. His ethical engagement ring company commits to its values every step of the way. 7. LaSean Smith talked to 100 customers In Episode 69, LaSean Smith advised new entrepreneurs to have 100 conversations in order to build a business that people actually want to use. If you're early in your business, LaSean's advice is clear, tactical, and values-based. 8. Hugo E. Gomez looked before he leaped In Episode 79, Hugo E. Gomez tested his business idea and built a proof of concept before making the leap to full-time entrepreneurship.Now his business is thriving by serving a market overlooked by mainstream brands. 9. Channyn Lynne Parker taught philosophy In Episode 83, Channyn Lynne Parker got poetic, talking about purpose, letting your path unfold, and trusting yourself even when it's hard. But Channyn really stands out for turning the children's song “Row, row, row your boat,” into a life philosophy. 10. Masami Sato showed that small actions make a big impact In Episode 93, Masami Sato shared how she started her company with a toddler in her kitchen and built it into a global force for good. Her company, B1G1, is built on the idea that small actions, done consistently, can change the world. Resources + Links Episode 7: Being Profit First with Mike Michalowicz Episode 8: Why I Started My Mission-Driven Business Episode 14: Living Your Passion with George Kinder Episode 20: Defining Your Niche with River Nice Episode 42: Creating The Products You Want with Anjali Jariwala Episode 57: Going from Startup to Shark Tank with Krish Himmatramka Episode 69: Building A Business For Financial Independence with LaSean Smith Episode 79: Niching Down with Hugo E. Gomez Episode 83: Braving Discomfort to Live Your Purpose with Channyn Lynne Parker Episode 93: Harnessing The Power Of Small To Create Global Impact With Masami Sato Brian Thompson Financial: Website, Newsletter, Podcast Follow Brian Thompson Online: Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, X, Forbes About Brian and the Mission Driven Business Podcast Brian Thompson, JD/CFP, is a tax attorney and Certified Financial Planner® who specializes in providing comprehensive financial planning to LGBTQ+ entrepreneurs who run mission-driven businesses. The Mission Driven Business podcast was born out of his passion for helping social entrepreneurs create businesses with purpose and profit. On the podcast, Brian talks with diverse entrepreneurs and the people who support them. Listeners hear stories of experiences, strength, and hope and get practical advice to help them build businesses that might just change the world, too.
After many, many questions on just how Australia's word-first social media ban for under-16s will work, the Albanese Government has released new guidelines for how tech companies will need to comply. Plus, from birth charts to Etsy witches for hire, have we all gone a little woo woo? Or is this how we're now dealing with everything 2025 has to throw at us? And in headlines today, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese says the defence treaty with Papua New Guinea will bring the relationship with Australia's closest neighbour even closer; US President Donald Trump has indicated he is set to meet Prime Minister Anthony Albanese while scolding an Australian journalist at the White House; Former Australian radio host Alan Jones has been charged with nine more counts of indecent assault bringing the total number of charges the 84 year old now faces to 44; A New York judge has dismissed terrorism charges against Luigi Mangione over the December 2024 killing of health insurance executive Brian Thompson; Legendary Hollywood actor and director Robert Redford has died at his home in Utah aged 89THE END BITS Support independent women's media Check out The Quicky Instagram here Listen to Morning Tea celebrity headlines here GET IN TOUCHShare your story, feedback, or dilemma! Send us a voice note or email us at thequicky@mamamia.com.au CREDITS Hosts: Taylah Strano & Claire Murphy Guest: Micah Goldwater, Associate Professor University of Sydney Audio Producer: Lu HillBecome a Mamamia subscriber: https://www.mamamia.com.au/subscribeSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
En la edición de hoy de Radar Empresarial, analizamos un reporte reciente del Wall Street Journal que revela que UnitedHealth ha intentado sin éxito establecer contacto directo con Donald Trump. La compañía busca discutir el programa Medicare, que en los últimos meses le ha generado importantes desafíos. Según el medio, el CEO de UnitedHealth, Stephen Hemsley, sostuvo una reunión con Susie Wiles, jefa de campaña del expresidente, con el objetivo de abordar cuestiones clave relacionadas con dicho programa gubernamental de salud. La situación se ha complicado por una investigación del Departamento de Justicia que examina posibles irregularidades en la facturación de Medicare por parte de la aseguradora. Aunque en julio la empresa accedió a colaborar con las autoridades, las indagaciones apuntan a prácticas engañosas, incluyendo cobros inflados y pagos encubiertos a residencias geriátricas para minimizar ingresos hospitalarios. Esta incertidumbre ha afectado directamente el rendimiento financiero de la empresa. A pesar de haber registrado ingresos por 111.620 millones de dólares en el segundo trimestre, su beneficio por acción fue de 4,08 dólares, quedando por debajo de las expectativas de los analistas. No obstante, hay señales de recuperación. La aseguradora anunció recientemente que estima que el 78% de sus usuarios en el plan Medicare Advantage estarán inscritos en opciones calificadas con cuatro estrellas o más el próximo año. Este logro le permitiría recibir bonificaciones adicionales del Gobierno, lo que se traduciría en mayores ingresos y un alivio para sus cuentas. Esta mejora llega en un momento clave, ya que las reformas en Medicare y Medicaid se han convertido en una de las prioridades del secretario de Salud, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Kennedy ha sido crítico del sistema actual, señalando en febrero que Medicaid no está ofreciendo buenos resultados para los beneficiarios. Además, la reciente aprobación de la ley conocida como Big Beautiful Bill ha provocado controversia, ya que la Oficina Presupuestaria del Congreso advirtió que podría implicar recortes automáticos de hasta 490.000 millones de dólares en Medicare entre 2027 y 2034, pese a las promesas de Trump de no afectar estos programas. Cabe recordar que Medicare fue creado en 1965 bajo la presidencia de Lyndon Johnson y siempre ha generado debate. La situación de UnitedHealth se volvió aún más compleja tras el trágico asesinato de su anterior CEO, Brian Thompson, a manos de Luigi Mangione.
The Context of White Supremacy hosts the weekly Compensatory Call-In 09/13/25. We encourage non-white listeners to dial in with their codified concepts, new terms, observations, research findings, workplace problems or triumphs, and/or suggestions on how best to Replace White Supremacy With Justice ASAP. This weekly broadcast examines current events from across the globe to learn what's happening in all areas of people activity. We cultivate Counter-Racist Media Literacy by scrutinizing journalists' word choices and using logic to deconstruct what is reported as "news." We'll use these sessions to hone our use of terms as tools to reveal truth, neutralize Racists/White people. #ANTIBLACKNESS White gun violence continued this week in the US, with presidential ally and Suspected Race Soldier Charlie Kirk being fatally gunned down in the Racially Restricted Region of Utah. The suspected killer, a 22-year-old White Man, was apprehended on Friday #WhiteOnWhiteCrime Kirk, who was Suspected of being Racist as a result of his public comments about non-white people, was gunned down during a public speech in front of a large crowd of White people. President Trump immediately condemned the murder as an act of "radical left political violence." The president linked Kirk's murder with Luigi Mangione's 2024 slaughter of insurance CEO Brian Thompson. Speaking of White Terrorist Violence, 16-year-old Desmond Holly opened fire at Evergreen High School in Jefferson County, Colorado. Yes. That's the same Jefferson County as the 1999 Columbine slaughter. Holly is reported to have been "radicalized" - possibly by walking to some the numerous neighborhood shrines to Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold. Maybe Desmond been kicking it with Sue Klebold? #EndStageWhiteSupremacy INVEST in The COWS - http://paypal.me/TheCOWS Cash App: http://cash.app/$TheCOWS Call: 720.716.7300 Code: 564943#
El pasado jueves Charlie Kirk, una figura prominente del conservadurismo estadounidense, fue asesinado de un disparo en el cuello durante un acto en la Universidad del Valle de Utah. Kirk, muy conocido en EEUU y en el Reino Unido, fundó en 2012, con solo 18 años, Turning Point USA, una organización que promueve ideas conservadoras en los campus universitarios. Este proyecto, inspirado por Bill Montgomery, un activista del Tea Party, ha seguido creciendo y hoy emplea a 500 personas y genera más de 80 millones de dólares anuales en ingresos. Turning Point está presente en unos 800 campus, donde organiza distintas actividades, pero los protagonizados por Kirk eran los más esperados y los que mayor audiencia concitaban. Con un cartel que decía “prove me wrong” (demuestra que estoy equivocado), Kirk desafiaba a estudiantes a debatir temas polémicos como el aborto o los derechos trans. Eso propulsó su fama y, especialmente en redes sociales, era una celebridad absoluta. Su programa de radio online The Charlie Kirk Show lo seguían millones de personas y su presencia era muy demandada. Nació en Prospect Heights, cerca de Chicago, en una familia de clase media. Nada más empezar la carrera abandonó sus estudios universitarios para dedicarse al activismo impulsado por donantes como Foster Friess, lo que le llevó a mudarse a Phoenix, en Arizona. Allí se casó con Erika, antigua reina de la belleza del Estado, con quien ha tenido dos hijos. Su estilo de debate, educado pero firme, le permitió destacar tanto frente a estudiantes como en discusiones con oponentes más preparados. Sus posturas, alineadas con el republicanismo actual, incidían en la oposición al aborto, al matrimonio gay, a la inmigración y al “transgenerismo”. En temas internacionales, se inclinaba por Israel y era más prorruso que proucraniano, aunque esto no le preocupaban tanto como los asuntos de índole social. Turning Point UK, una filial británica creada junto a la activista conservadora Candace Owens, consolidó su fama en el Reino Unido. Este año Kirk se había preparado para continuar con su gira American Comeback que comenzó el año pasado y que consistía en debatir con estudiantes en varias universidades. La primera de ellas era la del Valle de Utah el 10 de septiembre, pero fue asesinado por Tyler Robinson, un joven de 22 años de una familia mormona que se radicalizó a lo largo del último año. El asesinato de Kirk no es un evento excepcional. La violencia política en EEUU ha resurgido con fuerza. Tenemos ejemplos recientes como el asesinato de la representante de Minnesota Melissa Hortman, el intento de asesinato del gobernador de Pensilvania, Josh Shapiro, el homicidio del ejecutivo Brian Thompson y dos atentados contra Donald Trump. El asalto al Capitolio en 2021 forma parte de esta ola de violencia. La polarización, alimentada por figuras divisivas y extremistas, ha creado un clima donde los oponentes políticos son vistos como enemigos a eliminar. Kirk, aunque polémico por sus opiniones, nunca promovió la violencia, y su muerte plantea preguntas sobre la libertad de expresión y la escalada de la radicalización. La democracia, un buen mecanismo para gestionar conflictos, se ve amenazada cuando se recurre a la mentira o la exageración, como, por ejemplo, acusar de fascismo a cualquiera, a la difusión de teorías conspirativas o a alentar a la violencia contra el adversario. Su asesinato podría ser un punto de inflexión, pero no sabemos hacia donde. Podría marcar una radicalización todavía mayor que normalice la violencia como herramienta política o, por el contrario, que su muerte sirva de catalizador para que la situación se calme y regrese el entendimiento. En La ContraRéplica: 0:00 Introducción 4:19 ¿Se extraerá la lección adecuada? 32:00 Contra el pesimismo - https://amzn.to/4m1RX2R 33:48 Polarización en EEUU 44:31 Charlie Kirk como activista 48:43 Las ausencias de Sánchez · Canal de Telegram: https://t.me/lacontracronica · “Contra el pesimismo”… https://amzn.to/4m1RX2R · “Hispanos. Breve historia de los pueblos de habla hispana”… https://amzn.to/428js1G · “La ContraHistoria del comunismo”… https://amzn.to/39QP2KE · “La ContraHistoria de España. 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In the past few years, we have witnessed a frightening spiral of political violence. We've seen the killing of Charlie Kirk; the killing of Brian Thompson, the health insurance executive; the assassination of a Minnesota House Speaker and her husband; the shooting of a Minnesota state senator and his wife; several attempted assassinations of Donald Trump; an attack on Nancy Pelosi's home and husband; a plot to kidnap the governor of Michigan, Gretchen Whitmer; and calls to lynch Vice President Mike Pence on January 6. As The Atlantic's Adrienne LaFrance writes, this is looking to be "an age of assassinations." LaFrance, the executive editor of The Atlantic, has written tens of thousands of words, including cover stories for the magazine, on the history of political violence in the U.S. Today, we talk about media coverage of political violence before getting to the hardest question: How can America survive a period of mass delusion, deep division, and political violence without seeing the permanent dissolution of the ties that bind us? If you have questions, observations, or ideas for future episodes, email us at PlainEnglish@Spotify.com. Host: Derek Thompson Guest: Adrienne LaFrance Producer: Devon Baroldi Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Gay men often live for the fun of today but forget to plan for tomorrow. Enter Brian Thompson, queer financial advisor and founder of Brian Thompson Financial LLC. With a background as a tax attorney and host of the Mission Driven Business podcast, Brian helps LGBTQ+ and mission-driven entrepreneurs build profitable businesses rooted in purpose. I In this episode you'll discover Learn how to align money with meaning How to grow with confidence in your financial life When and how to flex your financial future even in uncertain times. About Brian Brian Thompson is the Founder and Financial Planner of Brian Thompson Financial LLC, where he helps LGBTQ+ and mission-driven entrepreneurs build profitable businesses that reflect who they are and support the impact they want to make. As a financial advisor and business strategist, Brian works with service-based founders who are building more than just a business. They're building movements, communities, and legacies. Brian helps them bring clarity and structure to their business finances, so they can grow with confidence while staying rooted in purpose. Before launching his firm, Brian spent nearly a decade as a tax attorney. That experience, combined with his own entrepreneurial journey, informs his holistic approach to planning. He understands the challenges faced by underrepresented founders, especially those navigating traditional financial systems that don't reflect their identities or values. His work dismantles the myth that profit and purpose are mutually exclusive. He is the host of the Mission Driven Business podcast, where he features the stories and strategies of diverse entrepreneurs. He was also recently featured on the Making Good podcast, sharing insights on how to build a business that serves your values and your life. Through personalized financial planning, strategic advisory, and real-talk podcast conversations, Brian helps entrepreneurs lead businesses that work for their founders—energetically, ideologically, and economically. As a Black, queer financial advisor, Brian is especially passionate about creating space for diverse voices in financial and entrepreneurial conversations. Connect With Ricky Website Facebook Hey Guys, Check This Out! Are you a guy who keeps struggling to do that thing? You know the thing you keep telling yourself and others you're going to do, but never do? Then it's time to get real and figure out why. Join the 40 Plus: Gay Men Gay Talk, monthly chats. They happen the third Monday of each month at 5:00 pm Pacific - Learn More! Also, join our Facebook Community - 40 Plus: Gay Men, Gay Talk Community Break free of fears. Make bold moves. Live life without apologies
This Day in Legal History: Ford Grants Nixon PardonOn September 8, 1974, President Gerald R. Ford granted a full and unconditional pardon to former President Richard M. Nixon for any crimes he may have committed while in office, specifically those related to the Watergate scandal. The announcement came just one month after Nixon resigned in disgrace, becoming the first U.S. president to do so. Ford, who had only recently assumed the presidency, delivered the pardon via a televised address, explaining that he hoped to heal the nation's wounds and end the "long national nightmare." The decision was met with swift and widespread controversy.Critics accused Ford of striking a backroom deal with Nixon—trading the presidency for a guarantee of legal immunity. The move damaged Ford's credibility and likely contributed to his loss in the 1976 presidential election. Supporters, however, argued that the pardon was necessary to move the country forward and prevent a divisive, prolonged legal spectacle. Legally, the pardon was grounded in Article II, Section 2 of the U.S. Constitution, which grants the president broad clemency powers for federal offenses. Importantly, Nixon had not been formally charged at the time of the pardon, making it a preemptive act.The pardon set a precedent for the scope of presidential pardon powers, later cited in legal arguments involving other controversial figures. It also fueled lasting debates about executive accountability and the limits of legal immunity for high-ranking officials. Public opinion at the time was largely against the decision, but historical reassessment has yielded more nuanced views. Ford later received the Profile in Courage Award in 2001 for the pardon, which some historians came to see as a politically costly but morally principled decision. The moment remains a defining one in the legal and political legacy of both Nixon and Ford.Luigi Mangione, accused of murdering UnitedHealth Group executive Brian Thompson, argued in a court filing that federal prosecutors unfairly prejudiced potential jurors by linking him to a separate mass shooting. Prosecutors had previously claimed Mangione inspired Shane Tamura, who killed four people and himself at the offices of Blackstone and the NFL. Mangione's attorneys countered that there is no evidence Tamura was influenced by either Mangione or his anti-health-insurance-industry writings. They accused the government of deliberately trying to bias jurors and undermine Mangione's right to a fair trial.The government cited Tamura in response to Mangione's request for more details on what prosecutors might argue during a potential capital sentencing phase. Prosecutors claimed that Mangione's alleged ability to inspire vigilante violence demonstrates his dangerousness and supports their pursuit of the death penalty. However, Mangione rejected any link to Tamura and called the connection politically motivated. His legal team reiterated its demand for more information on the government's death penalty theory. U.S. District Judge Margaret Garnett will determine whether the prosecution must share additional details at this stage.Luigi Mangione Says Linking Him to Blackstone Killer Biases JuryThe Trump administration has announced plans to deport Kilmar Abrego, a Salvadoran migrant at the center of a high-profile immigration case, to Eswatini, a country in southern Africa with which he has no ties. Abrego is currently detained in Virginia and previously faced deportation to Uganda, but the destination was changed after he claimed fear of persecution there. A Department of Homeland Security official dismissed his claims, citing that he has alleged fear of persecution in over 20 countries.Abrego was initially deported to El Salvador in March despite a court order blocking the move, prompting criticism of the administration's handling of his case. He was later returned to the U.S. in June to face federal charges of transporting undocumented migrants, to which he has pleaded not guilty. His attorneys argue that the prosecution is retaliatory and aimed at coercing a guilty plea. They also revealed that the government offered to send him to Costa Rica if he accepted a plea deal, or to Uganda if he refused.Abrego, who had been living in Maryland with his American wife and children, has become a symbol in the broader debate over immigration enforcement. The administration previously used deportation flights to Eswatini for people labeled too dangerous for their home countries to accept, raising further concerns about Abrego's treatment.Trump administration says migrant Abrego could be deported to Eswatini | ReutersThe Trump administration has officially ended its legal defense of a rule, created under President Biden, that banned employee noncompete agreements. These agreements prevent workers from joining competing businesses or starting their own in the same industry. On Friday, the Justice Department moved to dismiss two appeals in federal courts that challenged rulings striking down the 2024 Federal Trade Commission (FTC) rule. The decision was widely expected after Trump-appointed FTC Chair Andrew Ferguson, a critic of the rule, indicated earlier this year that the agency was reviewing its legality.The dropped appeals mean courts will not rule on whether the FTC has the authority to implement broad nationwide bans under its antitrust mandate. The original FTC rule had cited evidence that over 20% of U.S. workers are bound by noncompete clauses, which it argued restrict worker mobility and depress wages. However, Ferguson and other Republicans maintain that the FTC lacks the rulemaking power to impose such sweeping bans.The legal challenges were brought by a marketing firm, a real estate developer, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, and other business groups. During Trump's first term, his administration held that although some noncompete clauses might be illegal, the agreements as a whole were not. Meanwhile, the FTC announced a new enforcement action against a major pet cremation company, accusing it of using unlawful noncompetes, including for low-wage workers.Trump administration drops defense of ban on employee 'noncompete' agreements | ReutersThe Trump administration is preparing backup plans to continue imposing tariffs if the Supreme Court rejects its current legal basis for doing so. After losing in lower courts, Trump is asking the Supreme Court to uphold his use of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA), a 1970s national security law that appellate judges ruled does not authorize tariffs. In the meantime, White House officials have been quietly exploring other legal tools for months, anticipating potential judicial pushback.Two key alternatives under consideration are Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962 and Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974. Section 232 allows the president to raise tariffs if certain imports are found to threaten national security—many of Trump's existing tariffs fall under this provision and wouldn't be directly affected by the IEEPA ruling. Section 301 permits the U.S. trade representative, under presidential direction, to take action in response to unfair trade practices. However, neither law offers the speed and flexibility that IEEPA provided, and each comes with legal and logistical hurdles.Trump's legal team and advisers remain confident that the Supreme Court, with a conservative majority that includes three of his appointees, might still side with him. But regardless of the legal outcome, the administration is determined to maintain a public and political case for Trump's tariff powers, framing them as essential to national security and foreign policy goals. These legal uncertainties are complicating U.S. trade negotiations, as foreign governments remain cautious and unconvinced that the court case will significantly shift the U.S. position.The White House is exploring how to keep Trump's tariffs if the Supreme Court strikes them down This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.minimumcomp.com/subscribe
“Crime apologist” is not a strong enough term to describe the hysteria and vitriol that's infected the modern-day Left. For the sake of ideology, left-wing leaders and activists are willing to sacrifice public safety and justice—from sanctuary cities releasing violent offenders to outrage over federal intervention that actually reduced crime in Washington, D.C. Victor Davis Hanson warns of the dire consequences of this mindset if left unchecked on today's episode of “Victor Davis Hanson: In His Own Words.” “ Do you remember the UnitedHealthcare CEO, Brian Thompson? He was a person from the middle class, was born without status or advantages or money, and he worked himself up to the leadership position of one of the largest health care concerns in the United States. And Luigi Mangione—a 25- or 26-year-old wealthy, well-educated kid, high status, privileged—decided that he was an enemy of the people because health care was not universal and UnitedHealthcare may have refused coverage to certain people in need. So, he decided he was going to kill him. And he did kill him. He murdered him. It's on tape. And what was the reaction of the Left? Some on the left canonized him.
Brian Thompson returns for a solo episode packed with practical advice to help entrepreneurs take charge of their numbers. In this mini masterclass, you'll learn how to use your profit and loss, balance sheet, and reconciliation reports more effectively. Whether you love or loathe spreadsheets, this episode gives you the tools to pause, reflect, and make strategic financial decisions to set yourself up for success in the second half of the year. How To Conduct A Mid-Year Financial Review 1. Reconcile and clean up your books First, set aside at least 90 minutes to focus without distractions. Before analyzing anything, make sure your books are clean: Start with reconciliation: Check that your accounting software matches your actual bank transactions and credit card balances. Review your categories: Go through your chart of accounts to ensure expenses are correctly categorized. Review your balance sheet: Ensure your cash balances, accounts receivable, accounts payable, and other liabilities align with what you expect. If not, dig deeper to understand why. 2. Analyze your profit and loss statement Run a profit and loss (P&L) report for the period from January through June and analyze the data: Analyze your revenue: Compare your actual revenue to your goals and prior years. If you offer multiple types of service, break down which ones are driving your revenue and which ones may be underperforming. Analyze your expenses: Look for surprises, categories that you are over budget in, and for subscriptions or tools you no longer use. Calculate your gross and net profit: Ensure you are maintaining healthy margins, and if margins are shrinking, find out why. Look for trends: When looking at the big picture, make sure all the pieces fit together. For instance, if you're spending more on marketing as an expense, you'd expect to have a corresponding higher revenue. 3. Examine your cash flow Cash flow is not just about what you earn -- it's also about what you keep. Use the following steps to make sure cash is flowing into and out of your business strategically: Check your bucket allocations: If you use the bucket system, ensure you are still transferring funds consistently to your various business accounts and that your percentages are still realistic based on current revenue. Review your operating cash flow: Ensure cash is coming in faster than it's going out and that you aren't relying too heavily on credit to cover gaps. Check your accounts receivable: This step is one of the easiest ways to increase your cash flow quickly by following up on outstanding invoices and consistently enforcing your payment terms. Evaluate large expenses: Consider whether you should delay or accelerate spending based on your cash position. 4. Use your mid-year review to propel your business forward Once you understand your numbers in detail, it's time to turn your insights into action: Set or reset financial goals: Use your findings to update your targets for the second half of the year. Make sure your goals are specific, measurable, and tied to your broader vision. Identify quick wins: Look for easy adjustments that make a big difference. Small changes now can have a significant impact on your year-end results. Improve your systems: Make a plan to fix systems that aren't working. Good systems reduce mental load and improve accuracy. Communicate with stakeholders: Share your findings with your team, financial advisor, or coach. Reflect and celebrate: Take a moment to reflect on what is working, and celebrate the fact that you're engaging in this process. Resources + Links Brian Thompson Financial: Website, Newsletter, Podcast Follow Brian Thompson Online: Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, X, Forbes About Brian and the Mission Driven Business Podcast Brian Thompson, JD/CFP, is a tax attorney and Certified Financial Planner® who specializes in providing comprehensive financial planning to LGBTQ+ entrepreneurs who run mission-driven businesses. The Mission Driven Business podcast was born out of his passion for helping social entrepreneurs create businesses with purpose and profit. On the podcast, Brian talks with diverse entrepreneurs and the people who support them. Listeners hear stories of experiences, strength, and hope and get practical advice to help them build businesses that might just change the world, too.
Grab your prescription refills (if you can still afford them) leave the gun and take the cannoli, because today we're joined by author, screenwriter, producer, publisher extraordinaire Luke Goebel, as we try and gain a broader understanding of the December 4th, 2024 assassination of healthcare CEO Brian Thompson… and the man accused of killing him, Luigi Mangione. We'll also be talking about Luke's upcoming novel, Kill Dick (which I read in one sitting-it's seriously one of the best books I've read in a very long time) it has everything from NYU dropouts, culty LA rehabs, the lingering opioid epidemic, a mysterious string of overdoses that might be murders, and the ever-looming shadow of the evil Richard Sickler, or Dick, respectively. CW for drugs, violence, and the ever-lingering question—when bad men die is it justice, or just more violence? You can find Luke online at-http://lukelikesglue.substack.comhttps://www.instagram.com/lukelikesgluePre-order his book here: https://redhen.org/book_author/luke-goebel/ Follow @broadsnextdoor and @danielascrima on all the things Shop BroadsNextStore.com for merch Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/broads-next-door--5803223/support.
MSNBC is rebranding. “Involuntary commitment got a bad rap. The streets got more dangerous.” from The Washington Post. The story of Luigi Mangione, alleged murderer of UnitedHealthcare chief executive Brian Thompson, is now the inspiration of a satirical musical comedy stage show. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Mercenaries posing as fashion models? Well, hell yeah! This week, Film Seizure discusses the 1990 schlocktacular Hired to Kill starring Oliver Reed, Brian Thompson, and George Kennedy. https://www.teepublic.com/t-shirt/23950911-checking-my-files Episodes release on Wednesday at www.filmseizure.com "Beyond My Years" by Matt LaBarber LaBarber The Album Available at https://mattlabarber.bandcamp.com/album/labarber-the-album Copyright 2020 Like what we do? Buy us a coffee! www.ko-fi.com/filmseizure Follow us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/filmseizure/ Follow us on BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/filmseizure.bsky.social Follow us on Mastodon: https://universeodon.com/@filmseizure Follow us on Instagram: www.instagram.com/filmseizure/ You can now find us on YouTube as well! The Film Seizure Channel can be found here: https://www.youtube.com/c/FilmSeizure
We were very fortunate to have Connor Freer and Brian Thompson from Frame and Mantle on the podcast to talk about their new album, "Well of Light". Enjoy! Frame and Mantle Socials: Twitter: https://x.com/frameandmantle/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/frameandmantle/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/frameandmantle/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@frameandmantle YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJPju0A2XKK0BOpH2ExS6gQ Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/us/artist/frame-and-mantle/1100438073 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/5SBSFYsdVn1K9GMUNJEMyG Bandcamp: https://frameandmantle.bandcamp.com/album/well-of-light Grab some GNP Merch!: https://goodnoisepodcast.creator-spring.com/ Check out the recording gear we use: https://www.amazon.com/shop/goodnoisepodcast Support the show on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/goodnoisepodcast Good Noise Podcast Socials: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/goodnoisepodcast/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/goodnoisepod TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@goodnoisepodcast Discord: https://discord.gg/nDAQKwT YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCFHKPdUxxe1MaGNWoFtjoJA Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/04IMtdIrCIvbIr7g6ttZHi All other streaming platforms: https://linktr.ee/goodnoisepodcast Bandcamp: https://goodnoiserecords.bandcamp.com/
Angel Studios https://Angel.com/ToddJoin the Angel Guild today and stream Testament, a powerful new series featuring the retelling of the book of Acts. Alan's Soaps https://www.AlansArtisanSoaps.comUse coupon code TODD to save an additional 10% off the bundle price.Bizable https://GoBizable.comUntie your business exposure from your personal exposure with BiZABLE. Schedule your FREE consultation at GoBizAble.com today. Bonefrog https://BonefrogCoffee.com/toddThe new GOLDEN AGE is here! Use code TODD at checkout to receive 10% off your first purchase and 15% on subscriptions.Bulwark Capital https://KnowYourRiskPodcast.comBe confident in your portfolio with Bulwark! Schedule your free Know Your Risk Portfolio review. Go to KnowYourRiskPodcast.com today. Renue Healthcare https://Renue.Healthcare/ToddYour journey to a better life starts at Renue Healthcare. Visit https://Renue.Healthcare/ToddLISTEN and SUBSCRIBE at:The Todd Herman Show - Podcast - Apple PodcastsThe Todd Herman Show | Podcast on SpotifyWATCH and SUBSCRIBE at: Todd Herman - The Todd Herman Show - YouTubeIt Was Illegal To Report Crime in the Soviet Union was D.C. Far Behind?; The CDC Shooting and The Left's Selective Celebration of Revenge; It's Binary: The Bible is The Word of God or Jibberish.Episode Links:BREAKING: In Washington DC, President Trump's orders will now result in federal officers in marked units patrolling high-traffic tourist areas and other "hotspots." Order is being restored. DC is being federalized. "DC TAKEOVER"A Blackstone executive was shot and killed by a deranged gunman yesterday in NYC. So leftists do what they do best: Laugh, celebrate, and call for MORE violence. The Left is an evil, violent death cultNBC's Law & Order Portrays 'Folk Hero' Based on Luigi Mangione'Luigi The Musical' Praises United Healthcare CEO's Killer As 'Folk Hero'You know who would disagree with the absurd assertion from Taylor Lorenz that Luigi Mangione is a "morally good man"? Brian Thompson's wife and two kids“Remember Remember. Luigi Mangione, who gave up his freedom to strike against evil and tyranny…” Pastor of Vinings lake is explicit "There are lots of things in the bible that are wrong."
Brian Thompson chats with Amy Cosper, former Editor-in-Chief of Entrepreneur Magazine, award-winning journalist, and author of the new book, “The Ultimate Guide to Startup Success.” In this episode, Amy brings fierce honesty, contagious energy, and deep wisdom about what it really takes to build a mission-driven business in uncertain times. You'll also hear some of the biggest legal and financial mistakes founders make and be reminded why entrepreneurship can be a radical act of hope and defiance. Episode Highlights Mission-driven businesses don't have to be altruistic. Amy describes a mission-driven business as one fueled by a higher purpose, but she's careful to clarify that purpose doesn't have to be altruistic. “Having a mission-driven or purpose-driven company is what you stand for,” she said. “It doesn't have to be altruistic, but it is what you believe in.” The mission should be the company's soul that emanates out to the branding, business plan, and revenue streams. As a consultant to startup founders, Amy routinely sees that entrepreneurs struggle with finding clarity. “If you don't have clarity in what your company does, it's going to be really hard to find your purpose,” she said. Avoid common legal and accounting mistakes. Because entrepreneurs are visionary, they often overlook important, practical needs. Amy shared four, common mistakes she hopes future founders will avoid: Not maintaining accurate books from the start: While you may not want to think about the numbers, it's important to do accurate accounting as a business owner. Not getting an IRS Employer Identification Number (EIN): Your EIN is like a Social Security number for your business and should be tied to your entity. Giving your business short-sighted name: Naming your business after a fleeting trend or something specific to a geographic region becomes problematic when you want to grow. Not understanding how to structure partnership and operating agreements: If you don't plan for how a business will get split up or choose an appropriate business structure, you're setting yourself up for headaches when it's time to pivot. “My hope for the book is that entrepreneurs and founders don't make the same mistakes that I made,” Amy said. ”When you're creating something new, or you're disrupting a known way of thinking, you're not thinking about how to structure an operating agreement or whether it's better as an LLC or S Corp. My advice is to take a pause and do a little bit of research.” Just start. Amy knows people who have been about to launch their business for 20 years. While it's scary to take the first step, she encouraged want-to-be entrepreneurs to just start. “You get to make your own destiny,” she said. “You're in charge.” Resources + Links “The Ultimate Guide to Startup Success” Amy Cosper: LinkedIn Brian Thompson Financial: Website, Newsletter, Podcast Follow Brian Thompson Online: Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, X, Forbes About Brian and the Mission Driven Business Podcast Brian Thompson, JD/CFP, is a tax attorney and Certified Financial Planner® who specializes in providing comprehensive financial planning to LGBTQ+ entrepreneurs who run mission-driven businesses. The Mission Driven Business podcast was born out of his passion for helping social entrepreneurs create businesses with purpose and profit. On the podcast, Brian talks with diverse entrepreneurs and the people who support them. Listeners hear stories of experiences, strength, and hope and get practical advice to help them build businesses that might just change the world, too.
Wild Police Chase & Shocking Courtroom Twist in CEO Shooting Case! Retired NYPD Sergeant Bill Cannon brings the latest news regarding the Luigi Mangione trial, who is accused in the shooting of Brian Thompson. Get the facts and explore the latest news with a seasoned expert, as we discuss court testimony. Stay tuned for more updates!
In this episode of EGB Brian with a B and Amferny talk about the 1990 action movie, Lionheart. Enjoy the story of a French Legion deserter, Lyon, who flees to America to see his brother has been badly burned in a drug deal. He finds a new profession in high priced street fighting. This movie is directed by Sheldon Lettich and stars Jean-Claude Van Damme, Harrison Page, Deborah Rennard, Lisa Pelikan, Ashley Johnson and Brian Thompson. This movie is available on Prime Video, Fubo TV, Peacock, Pluto TV, Tubi, Crackle, Google Play and YouTube. Instagram Links: Follow Jean-Claude Van Damme @jcvd Follow Deborah Rennard @dkrennard Follow Lisa Pelikan @pelikan.lisa Follow Ashley Johnson @ashleythejohnson Follow Brian Thompson @brianearlthompson The podcast art is by @delasernaxtattoos on Instagram and has been revised by rodrick_booker on Fiverr. If you like what you're hearing subscribe and comment on our Instagram @berated_b_rated_movies, Facebook @Berated B RatedMovies and Tik Tok @berated_b_rated_movies. Check out our website at Beratedbratedmovies.com. If you have any comments or movie suggestions please send them to beratedbratedmovies@gmail.com RATED G®, RATED PG®, RATED PG-13®, RATED NC-17®, and RATED R® are certification marks owned by the Motion Picture Association, Inc. This podcast has not been rated or certified pursuant to the Motion Picture Association, Inc.'s film rating system nor is this podcast authorized by, endorsed by, or affiliated with the Motion Picture Association, Inc.
Matthew Remski, Host of Conspirituality and author of the forthcoming Antifascist Dad, helps us find a new kind of resistance to the atmosphere of violence in which we're living – the sweet spot for a new movement of mutual support.AboutMatthew Remski writes on spiritual delusion and possibility in the shadows of capitalism and climate change. Remski has bylines in The Walrus, GEN, Globe and Mail, Boston Globe, and TIME. He's published nine books of poetry, fiction, and non-fiction, including (with Derek Beres and Julian Walker) Conspirituality: How New Age Conspiracy Theories Became a Health Threat, and, his latest book, Surviving Modern Yoga: Cult Dynamics, Charismatic Leaders, and What Survivors Can Teach Us. His new book, Antifascist Dad, is scheduled to be released in April 2026.He co-hosts Conspirituality Podcast, investigating the intersections of conspiracy theories and spiritual influence, to uncover cults, pseudoscience, and authoritarian extremism.Names citedRachel Maddow, Derek Beres, Julian Walker, Sam Bankman Fried, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., William Thetford, Marianne Williamson, Donald Trump, Joe Rogan, Audre Lorde, Brian Thompson, Kwame Tore, Angela Davis, and Rosa Parks.Team Human is proudly sponsored by Everyone's Earth.Learn more about Everyone's Earth: https://everyonesearth.com/Change Diapers: https://changediapers.com/Cobi Dryer Sheets: https://cobidryersheets.com/Use the code “rush10” to receive 10% off of Cobi Dryer sheets: https://cobidryersheets.com/ Support Team Human on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/teamhumanFollow Team Human with Douglas Rushkoff:Instagram: https:/www.instagram.com/douglasrushkoffBluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/rushkoff.comGet bonus content on Patreon: patreon.com/teamhuman Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
In this special and timely episode, Brian Thompson calls on fellow mission-driven business owners to embrace their identities and own their values. Highlighting real messages from clients, Brian explores the challenges and uncertainties facing entrepreneurs, especially those from LGBTQ+ backgrounds and other marginalized groups. He challenges the myth that being neutral is the safest option in the current political environment and shares practical steps to get clear and bold about who you are and what you bring to the table. Episode Highlights Your identity is an asset -- not a liability. Mission-driven businesses are facing very real and sometimes existential threats: the sudden loss of federal funding, the risk of becoming political targets, and being asked to remove terms like LGBTQ and racial equity from mission statements. When under pressure, it may feel like the safest option is to remain neutral, but neutrality actually erodes trust. “When someone sees themselves in your language, branding, or leadership, it builds a bridge faster than any marketing funnel ever could.” Your core community should never have to wonder where you stand. In a time of rising government hostility toward civil rights protections, customers, donors, and employees are noticing which companies are scaling back their offerings and which CEOs are saying less, not more. When companies backpedal from their commitment to equity and inclusion, they often lose the very people they claim to support. “When we talk about staying visible, it's not about being provocative -- it's about staying anchored. It's about making sure your core community never has to wonder where you stand.” 4 strategies to stay true and stay standing To navigate this moment with courage and conviction, consider these four steps to practically and proactively affirm your values without jeopardizing your sustainability: Conduct a visibility audit: Review every touchpoint of your business and ask whether you have gone quiet out of fear and if your language needs to be updated for clarity or protection. Update compliance protocols: Work with legal counsel to audit your DEI and HR policies, review whistleblower protocols, and ensure you're accurately documenting civil rights compliance. Strengthen your financial resilience: Prepare for the next financial crisis now by revisiting your income allocations, building an emergency reserve, and mapping out income diversification. Communicate your values internally and externally: Create talking points that affirm your mission and explain any language shifts to reassure your community you still serve their needs. Write your mission-rooted business affirmation. When fear is loud, clarity must be louder. Open your notes app or a journal, write down the following sentence, and fill in the blanks with your truth. I started this business to serve __________. I believe in __________. Even in this moment, I choose to stay rooted in values by __________. I will lead with clarity and courage. You don't have to disappear to survive. It's exhausting to defend your humanity while running payroll, applying for grants, and trying to build a thriving business. But this moment isn't just about defense, it's about creating a legacy. “Let your business be one of the lights that didn't go out. Let your clarity be the thing that gives someone else permission to speak up. Let your strategy be what helps you survive and thrive without compromise.” Resources + Links Brian Thompson Financial: Website, Newsletter, Podcast Follow Brian Thompson Online: Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, X, Forbes About Brian and the Mission Driven Business Podcast Brian Thompson, JD/CFP, is a tax attorney and Certified Financial Planner® who specializes in providing comprehensive financial planning to LGBTQ+ entrepreneurs who run mission-driven businesses. The Mission Driven Business podcast was born out of his passion for helping social entrepreneurs create businesses with purpose and profit. On the podcast, Brian talks with diverse entrepreneurs and the people who support them. Listeners hear stories of experiences, strength, and hope and get practical advice to help them build businesses that might just change the world, too.
Trey Herweck, pastor at Refuge Church in St. Charles, MO, joins me to talk about living in Interesting Times. We are using the most recent article from The Embassy as our jumping off point. Here is an excerpt:ViewAlthough it is often mislabeled as a Chinese curse, “May you live in interesting times” is of English origin. It appears in British diplomatic circles during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. While there is no equivalent Chinese saying, they (at least according to Wikipedia) do have this: “Better to be a dog in times of tranquility than a human in times of chaos”, which is a bit more, well, interesting. At any rate, we live in interesting times, and we understand the impulse to call that a curse. Our times are in turns unpredictable (except when they are all too predictable), anxiety provoking, polarizing, angry, fearful, dark, and at times, violent. It is the last one that is catching us, or most of us, by surprise. This violence seems increasingly to be cast as a moral response to this broken state of affairs.The murder of Brian Thompson, CEO of United Healthcare, on December 4th of last year is perhaps the most prominent recent example of an act of violence which was justified by some as a moral act. After his arrest for the murder, Luigi Mangione's manifesto was discovered whichindicated that he saw the killing as a direct challenge to the health care industry's “corruption” and “power games.”“Frankly, these parasites simply had it coming,” the document read.NYT - December 20, 2024Based on the reaction to his arrest, many people, many of these being younger people, agreed - this was, to them, a moral act, an attempt to change the world for the better, ending the corruption of the health care industry.Ending the corruption in government was the stated motivation for the man who beat the husband of former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi with a hammer after breaking into their San Francisco home in 2022. He intended to hold the Speaker hostage to extract government changes. A similar motivation was behind the group that plotted to kidnap Governor Gretchen Whitmer of Michigan. Authorities claimed they hoped to start a civil war to bring down a corrupt government. While no motive has been identified after shots were fired into the Democratic National Committee office in Arizona last fall, a fire set in the New Mexico Republican Party headquarters in March of this year was in response to immigration enforcement.Shortly after a dinner with dozens of friends celebrating the beginning of Passover, Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro and family narrowly escaped the fire destroying their home. The man who has admitted setting the fire cited the treatment of Palestinians in Gaza.A similar motivation was at the heart of the killings of two members of the Israeli Embassy staff in Washington D.C in May and of the man who used fire to injure and kill at a Boulder, Colorado march in support of the Israeli hostages in Gaza.On a different note, Ziz LaSota believes that the threat of artificial intelligence is sufficient to justify violence.She wrote favorably of violence, said she was willing to sacrifice everything to achieve her goals and considered A.I.'s threat to humanity “the most important problem in the world,” she once wrote. Now six people are dead, landing her and several friends and allies, known as the “Zizians,” in jail, awaiting trial.New York Times - July 6, 2025And, of course, two different people on two separate occasions, citing the danger to democracy, attempted to assassinate President Trump.Certainly, there is corruption in health care and government. Many of us are troubled by the at turns absent, then uneven, capricious, and perhaps lawless enforcement of immigration laws. The plight of the Palestinians in Gaza is grievous. It may be true that artificial intelligence poses a threat to humanity. Much of our world is broken. Does this justify violence, specifically lawless violence, in response? And what positive impact does any of this violence have? Far from being a moral statement, lawless violence lacks moral standing, and therefore undermines the cause in the eyes of almost everyone who is not already a true believer. I can't think of any case where violence caused positive change in any democratic society in my lifetime. It tends to alienate those not already onboard, and shows itself to be part of a statement about the person committing violence more than it is about the injustice of the world. I have mentioned before there were more than 2500 anti-war, anti-government bombings in our country during an 18-month period spanning 1971 and 1972. That is about five per day. Those who are old enough to remember it were not surprised that Richard Nixon was re-elected as President in 1972, winning over 60% of the popular vote and 49 states. This violence for a purpose just does not get you to the purpose. It also identifies the brokenness of the world we live in as something unique to our age instead of something common to all ages. This common brokenness is something we are called to engage and redeem, and that won't happen by way of violence. We live in a society of political freedom and, therefore, political responsibility. Far from fulfilling this responsibility, these acts of violence are an abdication from it.Bad times, hard times - this is what people keep saying; but let us live well, and times shall be good. We are the times: such as we are, such are the times.Augustine of Hippo, ~ 400 A.D.Read the whole article here.The Embassy is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. Get full access to The Embassy at theembassy.substack.com/subscribe
Violence is in the air after Luigi Mangione assassinated CEO Brian Thompson and became a hero of the Left. It's in the air by politicians who now want protesters to get messy, to get bloody. All for a necessary photo op, they believe will finally, at long last, turn the public against Donald Trump.Mangione, as it turns out, was a useful weapon in this war. Back in December, novelist and co-host of America This Week, Walter Kirn, foresaw the connection and predicted the rise of a young, charismatic populist. Sound familiar?Kirn saw something much bigger. He could see the connection between what Mangioni represented to the Left and the gathering storm that would ultimately find its way toward Zohran Mamdani and the current wave of populist revolutionaries.From the New York Post:The NCRI study traces the cultural shift back to the assassination of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, allegedly by Luigi Mangione, in December 2024. What followed, researchers say, was a viral wave of memes that turned Mangione into a folk hero.With Karen Bass and Gavin Newsom in California, and Mamdani in New York vowing to obstruct ICE, we can see a culture already defined by political violence rising to new heights either to get a photo op that depicts Trump as an authoritarian fascist, or to start a stand-off with the military, one that could go down in the history books.But as with all of the pet causes by the Democrats, this one goes against public opinion, just as their support of biological men playing against women in sports goes against it. Most Americans are in favor of deporting illegal immigrants.The question now isn't whether there will be violence as ICE continues to find and deport as many illegal immigrants as possible, but how bad the violence will be. What is a cause worth fighting and dying for? From Ben Shapiro:What they hope the violence will do is shift public opinion back in their favor. But they've never learned the lessons of the past, why Trump won in 2016, and why he just won again. For the “resistance,” there is no third option where they realize they're the problem and reverse course. Instead, they double down on everything they've already been doing for the last ten years, which has only resulted in Trump becoming more powerful. The Power of StoryThe more people believe in a shared story, the stronger the movement. Our story? We'd solved America's problems—maybe the world's. Racism, along with every other "ism" and "phobe," was the enemy. Eradicate it, craft a language that welcomes everyone, and we'd be healed.Healed from what? The scars of our 1970s childhoods were shaped by the reckless "Me Generation." We emerged into the self-help era as victims or abusers, our lives battered by addiction and trauma. Entire industries sprang up to mend our wounds.We sought salvation in the self-help aisles of bookstores, therapy sessions, medications, and Oprah's group chat every day at 3pm. Relationships crumbled—too many men were toxic or narcissistic. We studied attachment theory, embraced cognitive therapy, and chased perfection: the perfect parenting, car, words, diet, causes, schools. Our children became extensions of our quest, expected to embody that same flawless ideal.When they fell short, we fed them into the self-help machine to mold them into better versions of ourselves, even medicating them to make them more perfect - a practice that would lead us all too easily into “gender affirming care,” the greatest medical scandal in recent history. What we really needed was a higher purpose, a unifying movement. That arrived with Barack Obama, whose Hope and Change brought us together. To us, he was perfect, and even more than that, he was a perfect reflection of the America we wished we had. By then, thanks to the rise of the internet, social media, and smartphones, we had control and influence over nearly every aspect of American society. Why not use the new frontier of the internet to remake the America we wanted? Why not build our Shining Woketopia on the Hill? And so it was written, and so it was done. We closed ourselves off from the part of America that didn't share our beliefs, and over time, we forgot it even existed. Trump's shocking win marked the moment the dream was punctured and reality flooded in. A revolution by “we the normal.”Trump represented everything we believed was wrong with our country - he epitomized all of the bad things we complained about - racism, misogyny, sexual harassment, sexual assault. It wasn't just that he offended our god and our King when he challenged Obama's birthplace. It was that he said whatever he wanted to say, and in our Woketopia, then and now, that is strictly forbidden.Language must be curated, softened, and made more polite — a form of Newspeak for the modern age. But the flip side of that was people who were too fragile to accept the truth—truth in words, truth in politics, truth in comedy, truth in art, truth in science, truth in elections.And if words are violence, if words cause staffers at the New York Times to feel unsafe, if movies like Gone with the Wind need trigger warnings, there would be no surviving Trump and the rise of free speech in a culture that no longer believed in it.But violence turns out to be, for the Left, the answer to the fear inside them they can't control, like dogs or bears or snakes who lash out when they feel cornered and threatened.A History of ViolenceWhat drove the early violence by the Left was the commonly held belief that Trump was a racist and his border policies were rooted in the Right's desire to rid this country of Black and Brown people. Thus, when mobs acted out, like they did in 2015 and throughout Trump's first term, it was justified. Racism was the ultimate sin, like being an accused witch in Salem or a Communist in 1950s America.Prominent Democrats pushed out the idea, which was then echoed and amplified by what Trump would eventually and correctly call “fake news.” The Democrats loved the violence, as it turns out, because they thought that the people would show the rest of America that Trump was bad. They also began to believe that their uprising against Trump was a fusion of both the Civil War and the Civil Rights movements of the 1960s.By the Summer of 2020, they funded and encouraged violence while also downplaying it. Buildings set on fire, businesses destroyed, and an angry mob banging on the fence of the White House were all excused as “mostly peaceful protests.”However, what I was seeing unfolding, which alarmed me enough to start speaking out, was that something was very wrong with the Left. It wasn't until the Evergreen stories started coming out that I realized we'd built a fanatical army of not just woke scolds but a Red Guard-like generation who did not believe in limits on imposing their will upon the people.Diners were compelled to raise their fists in support of Black Lives Matter. The statues were coming down. Writers, editors, and celebrities were all being canceled and fired. Movies, literature, TV, comedy, architecture, science, even knitting, cooking, and exercise had to be transformed. It was tolerated because of what our culture had become after eight years of Obama and four years of Trump. The powerful, mostly white elites who run everything felt guilty. So they let it go on. I watched Hollywood devour itself. When the film Green Book won Best Picture, the Left exploded. It was a harmless movie about a friendship between a bigot and a gay Black man, and THAT was racist? Yes, because one of the screenwriters was a Trump supporter.The center could not hold. Though Joe Biden was dragged over the finish line in a corrupt election that would finally cause me to leave the Democratic Party, there was no coming back from what the Left had become. It was only a matter of time before the empire collapsed. I tried to warn them. Here is a DM exchange between me and Neera Tanden back in August of 2020:And then I predicted the future:The GOP did, in fact, take all three branches in 2024. But the message was never getting through. They didn't want to hear it then, and do not want to hear it now, so what other option do they have but to try to persuade by force?Vive La ResistanceI cringe looking back on being a “resistance fighter.” To think we'd convinced ourselves that we were like the French singer in Casablanca who sings loud enough to drown out the Nazis.It's that self-righteousness we felt, that entitlement, that moral superiority that would ultimately be our undoing, that Trump happened to us, rather than the people who voted for him. The fantasies by the wealthiest and most famous among us to viciously attack Trump, pull him from limb to limb, seemed to know no bounds. Somehow, violence has filled in the empty spaces. It's what Walter Kirn could see in the reaction to the Mangione assassination: this idea that violence was another way to build clout, even to virtue signal, in a narcissistic utopia. We believed ourselves to be the chosen people. But because the people didn't want us, didn't love us, didn't want our America - our shining Woketopia on the hill - we blamed them. We blamed their votes. We smeared them. That casual dehumanization did lead to violence. And it's likely to get much worse.The Party of HateI've lost so many friends, people I've known for years, ex-boyfriends, and colleagues. It was surreal to watch them pull away, to block, to unfriend, or attack me so relentlessly that I had to block them. They don't know who I am anymore, and I don't know who they are anymore.They have become defined by that collective hatred, that poisonous intolerance that has driven so many people like me away from the party. The worse they get, the more violent they become, the less Americans will want them in power. When I start to think about whether there will be a blue wave in 2026, I think about 1972. In 1970, four students were shot at Kent State for protesting the war. It did nothing to change public opinion, but it did put Nixon on a path toward a record landslide victory. It was just one of a series of violent events that scared the public away from the Democrats, with the Manson murders in 1969 being another.Those students believed in a cause worth dying for. History has mostly vindicated them. The Left of today believes they're fighting Hitler and “concentration camps.” Some believe it is a cause worth dying for. There's just one tiny problem: it isn't true. The reason I keep telling my story is that I know so much of what we lived through will disappear down the memory hole. But we should never forget how crazy it all became and how hard it was for all of us to find our way back to a united America. // This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit sashastone.substack.com/subscribe
Brian Thompson chats with Faye Zeigeweid, founder and CEO of Queen Fayzel, a greeting card company for people who want to send messages that are unique, sassy, and sincere. Faye built her values-aligned greeting card company after realizing she couldn't be her authentic self in her old career as a public health project manager. In this episode, Faye gets real about the personal side of entrepreneurship, including how self-discovery and personal growth are necessities for sustainable growth. She also shares how articulating your values clearly can attract the right clients and create a culture of accountability. Episode Highlights Mission-driven businesses lead with their “why.” To Faye, mission-driven businesses infuse their “why” into everything the company does. From product design to customer communications, mission-driven businesses focus less on what they do and more on why they're doing it. “It's less about what the business is providing and more about why it's providing that thing,” she said. “Sometimes we're afraid to stay what we stand for or are worried about alienating customers.” State your values -- and show how you live them. Queen Fayzel's website is unique because it not only states the company's values but also shares how it puts those values into practice. For instance, the company lives its value to “Make Connections” by donating 3% of profits to organizations making an impact. “I want people to know what this business is about, but I also want people to understand how I'm putting those values into practice in my business,” Faye said. Personal growth is part of the process. When Faye left her job in public health project management to start Queen Fayzel, she not only changed careers but also started on a journey of personal growth. Founding a company forced her to learn essential business skills and how to navigate moving forward without the illusion of certainty. “I thought I had a lot of things to learn about the business, but then I realized I had a lot to learn about myself and how I function,” she said. Accountability makes the journey less lonely. Faye emphasized the importance of connecting with fellow entrepreneurs for community and accountability. Whether it's checking in with a business owner friend or joining a more formal business group, it's paramount to find ongoing support from people who understand exactly what you're going through. “Especially if you're a solopreneur, it is so lonely sometimes, and it's really hard to be your own motivator,” she said. “When you're in a lower spot, having a group of people to be there is so important.” Resources + Links Queen Fayzel: Website, Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest Faye Ziegeweid: LinkedIn Brian Thompson Financial: Website, Newsletter, Podcast Follow Brian Thompson Online: Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, X, Forbes About Brian and the Mission Driven Business Podcast Brian Thompson, JD/CFP, is a tax attorney and Certified Financial Planner® who specializes in providing comprehensive financial planning to LGBTQ+ entrepreneurs who run mission-driven businesses. The Mission Driven Business podcast was born out of his passion for helping social entrepreneurs create businesses with purpose and profit. On the podcast, Brian talks with diverse entrepreneurs and the people who support them. Listeners hear stories of experiences, strength, and hope and get practical advice to help them build businesses that might just change the world, too.
Brian Thompson chats with Sean Ebony Coleman, founder and CEO of Destination Tomorrow, a grassroots agency and LGBTQ+ center in the Bronx borough of New York City. Destination Tomorrow empowers the most vulnerable LGBTQ+ community members through educational, financial, support-based, housing, and health programs. On the episode, Sean details how he and his organization are addressing some of the real challenges facing the LGBTQ+ community. He also shares how he starts his mornings to stay focused and touts the value of lived experience for organizations. Episode Highlights Mission-driven businesses solve real problems. Sean defines a mission-driven business as one that aligns every decision to its core purpose to solve real problems. For him, that means creating a safe, affirming space for the Black and brown LGBTQ+ community through Destination Tomorrow and his consulting company. “It's about solving real problems, especially for marginalized people, and making a tangible impact,” he said. “I'm trying to meet the need where we find it.” Let lived experience lead. Sean believes in breaking down gatekeeping and elevating community voices that are often overlooked. His nonprofit prioritizes hiring people with lived experience and offering holistic services -- from workforce development to financial literacy -- to build long-term self-sufficiency. “Lived experience should count just as much as academic accomplishments,” he said. Bet on yourself and don't give up. Sean's advice for entrepreneurs who are just getting started is to bet on yourself and don't give up. To start Destination Tomorrow, he cashed out a 401(k). He then had to see the “nos” he encountered as opportunities for growth. “Too many people give up on their dreams before they get to a yes,” he said. “A ‘no' is just a ‘not right now.'” Self-care is just as important as hustling. Black and brown communities, particularly in LGBTQ+ spaces, often don't have a safety net. When you're grinding to build your business, you also need to prioritize time to rest and recenter. For Sean, that means starting his morning with prayer and meditation and keeping a weekly therapy appointment on his calendar. “Starting a business is stressful, so how are you managing that stress?” he asked. “Go in with a plan to make sure you're prioritizing your self care.” Resources + Links Sean Ebony Coleman: Website, Instagram, Facebook, X Destination Tomorrow: Website, Instagram, Facebook, X Trans N Action: Website Brian Thompson Financial: Website, Newsletter, Podcast Follow Brian Thompson Online: Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, X, Forbes About Brian and the Mission Driven Business Podcast Brian Thompson, JD/CFP, is a tax attorney and Certified Financial Planner® who specializes in providing comprehensive financial planning to LGBTQ+ entrepreneurs who run mission-driven businesses. The Mission Driven Business podcast was born out of his passion for helping social entrepreneurs create businesses with purpose and profit. On the podcast, Brian talks with diverse entrepreneurs and the people who support them. Listeners hear stories of experiences, strength, and hope and get practical advice to help them build businesses that might just change the world, too.
Eden Prairie-based UnitedHealth Group is suing the international news organization, The Guardian, for defamation. The Guardian article in question explores how UnitedHealth engaged in cost-cutting tactics by paying off nurses to cut down on hospital transfers. The Guardian cited internal emails, documents and interviews with more than 20 current and former staffers.But the health insurance company claims the paper ran information it knew to be incorrect to capitalize on the killing of CEO Brian Thompson. Jane Kirtley, a professor of media law and ethics at the University of Minnesota, broke down the lawsuit on Minnesota Now.
Did the Manhattan DA Just Reveal a Big Clue? #luigimangione #Masscasulty #brianthompson The Manhattan District attorney's office released documens that indicate Luigi Mangione confessed to killing Brian Thompson. They also said that Luigi Mangione may have planned a mass casualty event. Listen to this episode for the details of this interestong case.
Shocking New Evidence in the Luigi Mangione Case! #luigimangione #brianthompson #manhattanDA'soffice Manhattan prosecutors believe that they have evidence against Luigi Mangione in the murder of Brian Thompson. The new evidence was relased in response to mangione's defense attorney's requesting that the state case be dismissed. Mangione also faces a death penalty case by the Federal government prosecuted by the Souther District US attorney's office.
Republican divisions over changes to Medicaid — the federal health care program for poor, elderly and disabled Americans — are becoming the chief hurdle to getting President Trump's major tax, immigration and energy agenda through Congress. GOP lawmakers who represent swing districts insist they will not vote for any proposal that strips benefits. But conservatives are demanding deep cuts in spending and say restructuring Medicaid is one of the clearest ways to achieve that goal. Jimmy and Americans' Comedian Kurt Metzger discuss whether Republicans will be able to pass the bill despite the hits MAGA supporters on Medicait will take as a result. Plus segments on President Donald Trump dismantling corrupt ex-FBI head James Comey and the Justice Department's recent announcement of an investigation into fraud committed by UnitedHealth, the company formerly headed by slain CEO Brian Thompson. Also featuring Stef Zamorano and Mike MacRae. Plus a phone call from Gavin Newsom!
Former healthcare executive Wendell Potter reveals how insurance giants sacrifice patient care for profits and deploy deceptive tactics to fight reform.Full show notes and resources can be found here: jordanharbinger.com/1151What We Discuss with Wendell Potter:Wendell Potter was a healthcare insurance executive at Cigna and Humana, and became a whistleblower after witnessing Americans seeking healthcare at a fairground in animal stalls, revealing how profit motives override patient care.Insurance companies prioritize shareholder value over patient needs, with executives compensated primarily in stock, directly incentivizing them to deny claims and care to maximize profits.Companies create "front groups" with misleading names like "Healthcare America" to manipulate public opinion against healthcare reform, using fear tactics to protect industry profits.When denied coverage, patients should appeal decisions, enlist their doctors' help, and consider becoming a "squeaky wheel" through media attention, as companies often reverse denials when facing public scrutiny.There is growing bipartisan support for healthcare reform and breaking up massive healthcare conglomerates. By understanding your rights, documenting communications, and persistently appealing denials, you can better navigate the system while supporting meaningful change.And much more...And if you're still game to support us, please leave a review here — even one sentence helps! Sign up for Six-Minute Networking — our free networking and relationship development mini course — at jordanharbinger.com/course!Subscribe to our once-a-week Wee Bit Wiser newsletter today and start filling your Wednesdays with wisdom!Do you even Reddit, bro? Join us at r/JordanHarbinger!This Episode Is Brought To You By Our Fine Sponsors:The Cybersecurity Tapes: thecybersecuritytapes.comDesign.com: Free trial: design.com/jordanBetterHelp: 10% off first month: betterhelp.com/jordanShopify: 3 months @ $1/month (select plans): shopify.com/jordanHomes.com: Find your home: homes.comWant to hear a conversation with an ex-royal/ex-SEAL who fights to end human trafficking and illegal organ harvesting? Check out episode 868 with Remi Adeleke!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
The murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson revealed two horrific aspects of American life: A healthcare executive was shot dead, and because he was a healthcare executive, people cheered. Why? Because many feel our health system is broken. Tonight, Dr. Phil explores how a fractured health care system has affected American lives. Angela says after her husband was diagnosed with Stage 4 stomach cancer, their health insurance company refused to cover a necessary procedure to save his life. Kay was diagnosed with breast cancer at age 35, and she never imagined she'd spend 10 years trying to get health insurance to approve needed treatments. Brigham Buhler worked a pharmacy rep for Ely Lilly, but left the industry when he could see how companies prioritized profits over patient access to life savings medications. He now has his own healthcare company, Ways2Well, focusing on prevention. Dr. Bill Hennessey worked as a physical medicine and rehabilitation physician for years, dealing with frustrated patients who were given delays and denials from health insurance companies. He left to create his own company, Careguide, to help others navigate the healthcare system. Thank you to our sponsors: Jase Medical: Get emergency antibiotics at https://Jase.com/ & use code PHIL for a discount Beam: Visit https://ShopBeam.com/DrPhil/ and use code DRPHIL for up to 40% off. Preserve Gold: Visit: https://drphilgold.com/ Get a FREE precious metals guide that contains essential information on how to help protect your accounts. Text “DRPHIL” to 50505 to claim this exclusive offer from Preserve Gold today.
There's a conspiracy theory on Reddit right now suggesting that Reddit is using aggressive tools to hide posts praising or supporting Luigi Mangione's alleged execution-style killing of the CEO of United Healthcare, Brian Thompson. Endless Thread looks at what is going on with Luigi memes on this platform: the Nintendo character memes… and the other ones. Show notes: A Reddit moderation tool is flagging ‘Luigi' as potentially violent content (The Verge) Reddit will warn users who repeatedly upvote banned content (The Verge) What's the deal with all of these Luigi themed posts saying "nothing violent going on here"? (r/OutOfTheLoop) Credits: This episode was produced by Grace Tatter and Ben Brock Johnson. It was edited by Meg Cramer, and hosted by Amory Sivertson and Ben Brock Johnson. Mix and sound design by Paul Vaitkus.