Podcasts about Chirp

Did you know Milwaukee is a city for the birds? It's actually one of 82 official Bird Cities in Wisconsin. Bird City is a conservation program that brings folks together to create healthier communities for birds and people.  Bryan Lenz is the Bird City Network Director for the American Bird Conservancy. He says Bird City first started in Wisconsin and has expanded across the country and internationally. Lake Effect's Xcaret Nuñez spoke with Lenz for this month's Chirp Chat to learn more about the program. 

The owner of Milwaukee's American Science & Surplus store talks about their efforts to stay afloat. A young Milwaukeean embarks on environmental work. What a Bird City is — and how your town can become one. A peek into the world of animal law.

In the much-delayed final episode of our series on mindset for writers, we take a look at when writers should change course, and talk about the importance of mental flexibility. This coupon code will get you 25% off the ebooks in the Frostborn series at my Payhip store: AUGUSTFROST The coupon code is valid through September 8, 2025. So if you need a new ebook this summer, we've got you covered! TRANSCRIPT 00:00:00 Introduction and Writing Updates Hello, everyone. Welcome to Episode 265 of The Pulp Writer Show. My name is Jonathan Moeller. Today is August 22nd, 2025, and today we are considering when a writer should change course. This is a new episode. It's the third and final one in the mindset series that I had hoped to finish in June, but it was a very busy summer, and so I ran quite a few reruns of old episodes over the summer, but today I have time to record a full length episode, so we're going to do that and wrap up this series on mindset that we've been doing this summer. We will also do Coupon of the Week and an update on my current writing and audiobook projects. First up is Coupon of the Week and this week's coupon will get you 25% off ebooks in the Frostborn series at my Payhip store, and that code is AUGUSTFROST. As always, the coupon code and the store links will be available in the show notes for this episode, and this coupon code will be valid through September 8th, 2025. So if you need a new ebook to read as we wrap up summer and head into fall, we have got you covered. Now let's do an update on my current writing projects. I'm pleased to report to that Ghost in the Siege, the sixth and final book of the Ghost Armor series, is out. You can get it at Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Kobo, Apple Books, Google Play, Smashwords, and my Payhip store. And with that, my Super Summer of Finishing Things is finally complete because I have finished the Shield War series, the Stealth and Spells trilogy, and now the Ghost Armor series. So now that those three series are done, what is next? Right now my main project is Blade of Flames, the first book in a new epic fantasy series that will be set in the Kingdom of Owyllain from my Sevenfold Sword series and I am 29,000 words into that. My secondary project right now is Cloak of Worlds, the 13th book in the Cloak Mage series, and I am 1,000 words into that. So hopefully we will have Blade of Flames come out towards the end of September and Cloak of Worlds come out towards the end of October, if all goes well. So my plan now that I have only three unfinished series is that the Blades of Ruin series (of which Blade Flames is the first one) will be my flagship series, and I'll do one of those every other month and then the month in between I will alternate between writing a Cloak Mage book and a Half-Elven Thief book. I will continue that schedule until one of those series is completed and then I will start a new one because what I learned through 2024 and the first two thirds here of 2025 is that having five unfinished series at the same time is too many. It's hard to keep up in my head and it makes for a really long wait for the readers between the individual entries in the series. So I'm going to stick to just three from now on and as I said, I'll have a flagship series and then two that I will alternate back and forth between in the months between the releases for the flagship series. So that is probably what I'll be doing for the rest of 2025 and hopefully most of 2026, if all goes well. In audiobook news, recording is underway for Shield of Power, which will be excellently narrated by Brad Wills. I've been listening to some chapters from that. Work has just started by Hollis McCarthy on recording Ghost in the Siege, so that will hopefully be an audiobook before too much longer. So that's where I'm at with my current writing and publishing and audiobook projects. 00:03:29 Main Topic: Mindset Series: Changing Course And now to our main topic, the final episode in our mindset series and we talk about changing course. In previous episodes on this topic, I've talked about some of the practical ways to help with distractions, procrastinating, and managing time wasters. In this episode, I'm going to focus on things that derail writers from a mindset perspective. Today we're going to wrap up this series by talking about mental flexibility, knowing when to change course, and how to make those types of decisions without spiraling out. First, we'll discuss a few reasons why mental flexibility is an important attribute to possess and then provide you with five examples of times it has been important for me in my writing career. First, why is having mental flexibility and the ability to change course important? With how fast things change in publishing, you have to be willing to change strategies or discard a strategy that's not working for you. An example is that many people who are familiar with Amazon ads swear by using Amazon keyword ads. After much experimentation, I concluded they weren't very helpful for fiction. The reason for that is I found that for most books that are sold off Amazon, people will sit down and type, for example, “Brandon Sanderson latest book” or “J.D. Robb latest book” or “Stephen King latest book” and so on. If you bid high enough, you can get top of search for those where if you pay $2 a click or $2 for the bid and someone types in “Stephen King latest book”, you can get your book to appear at the top of the page with the ad. However, in practice, what actually happens is the person who sat down to look for “Stephen King latest book” isn't looking for your book, he's looking for Stephen King's latest book. So he or she will simply scroll past the ad result with your book and then click on Stephen King's book. The only way I found that keyword advertising works for fiction is if you write towards very specific tropes and are willing to pay a lot of money for those clicks. For example, you write a romance that's a “slow burn, no spice, enemies to lovers romance”, and there are people who search for exactly those tropes, and if you use keyword ads to bid for that, you could get it, but it's very expensive and it's very difficult to turn a profit. Because of my experiments with this, I saw that although many people say keyword ads are essential, I didn't cling to that piece of advice and switched my Amazon ad focus to having a few more category ads and Audible ads for each title, and that has been pretty nearly profitable most of the time, certainly more profitable than just relying on keyword ads would be. I should note the one exception for that would be that keywords ads do work very well for nonfiction where, for example, my Linux Command Line book, I can pretty easily run ads to it for search terms like “Linux Command Line” or “Linux Command Prompt.” And because people are looking for a nonfiction book on that topic without looking for a specific author, that can work. In keyword ads, I found that for fiction, people are looking for a specific author and want that specific author, whereas for nonfiction, they're looking for the topic and don't care so much about the author, so long as the book has good reviews and looks like the author knows what he or she is talking about. Another reason to be mentally flexible is that something new might actually make things easier for you. I used to work in IT support, and so I fairly often encountered someone who stubbornly clings to the way they learn something. I knew numerous people who memorized a specific way to do a task on their computer and then just stuck to that and avoided doing anything easier, such as, for example, not learning to use keyboard shortcuts. And as you know, if you do a lot of office work, learning keyboard shortcuts like Control + C for copy, Control + V for paste, or Control + Z to undo can save you a whole lot of time over compared to very laboriously clicking through the menus with your mouse. People like that very frequently resist a learning curve in favor of a slower approach because it's working for them, but then they lose out on a faster and easier way to do something. Change is not always good, but sometimes change can be good. And the thing about indie publishing is that change is constant. In a field where change is constant like indie publishing, you can't cling to something that first worked when you started out. Trying new software, learning new skills, and keeping up with changes in ebook platforms is something self-published writers must do. Another reason to retain mental flexibility is you might be missing out on a source of revenue. If you're not willing to change sales strategies when the market changes, you might be missing out on potential readers. For example, as people are tightening their budgets in these times of economic uncertainty, they might be less likely to buy individual books and focus their book spending on a subscription like Kindle Unlimited or Kobo Plus. If you don't have content on those platforms for readers, you're missing out on readers who have shifted their spending. For myself, I only have some of my books on Kindle Unlimited because of the exclusivity requirement, but everything I have on Kobo should be available through Kobo Plus, and typically on any given month on Kobo, at least 60% of my revenue tends to come from Kobo Plus instead of Kobo direct book sales. So that was a place where it was necessary to have the mental flexibility to make a pivot. Another good reason to be mentally flexible is that you might be missing out on something important that the data is showing you. One of the big advantages of being self-published is having access to complex and real-time data instead of having to wait for biannual royalty statements that don't provide information. There are some criticisms that can be leveled at Amazon for how much data they show authors. However, this is light years ahead of the kind of sales data that comes out of traditional publishing for writers where royalty statements were often quite arcane and difficult to understand by design, so the publishers could get away with paying the authors as little as possible. And because you have access to this data, you have basis for solid information, solid decision-making. For example, if one of my series is starting very strong in the UK in its first week of release, I can shift some of my ad spending to UK specific ads. Looking at sales and ad data gives you an opportunity to respond and change your approach. And sales data, even more than reviews, tells you if a book, series, or genre is working for you or if it's time to try something new. It's important not to fall prey to what's called the sunk cost fallacy, where you throw even more time and money on something that isn't profitable in hope of recouping the money that you've already spent. Sometimes it's wise to know when to cut your losses and run. It's probably a better use of your time to focus on the next book or series. Data can tell you which book or series that readers are most excited to see from you. Now that we've talked about the various good reasons that mental flexibility is important, I thought it'd be helpful to show you five times that I've had to use mental flexibility and change course over the course of my career as a writer. #1: Self-publishing. For all that I've been a proponent of self-publishing for the last 14 years, that wasn't always the case. I started out with the goal in the late ‘90s and early ‘00s of being traditionally published. Demonsouled actually was traditionally published along with some short stories. However, for a variety of reasons that I've talked about before, this turned out to be a dead end. Traditional publishing at that time was not interested in fantasy series like mine. I felt like traditional publishing was a dead end, and then I changed my efforts to blogging on computer-based topics. I'm still quite proud of the fact that in 2010, I made a good bit of money from Google Ad Sense off my tech blog, a feat which was difficult then and would probably be impossible now. Then I started to hear about self-publishing through Amazon, which at the time was a very new phenomenon. I started hearing about that in 2009/2010, thereabouts, and I initially wasn't very impressed and I wasn't very impressed with the idea of ebooks altogether. At the time, I had a huge collection of paper books and well, I don't have as many now. I still do have a fair bit of paper books, but at the time, I didn't think that ebooks could be a substitute for traditional paper books. Then at the end of 2010, in fact, the week after Thanksgiving, I bought my first Kindle, a third generation Kindle that was famously called the Kindle Keyboard because they had that little keyboard at the bottom, and I was very impressed with the device. I thought there has got to be a way to make money off this. As I started reading various writers groups, I came across Kindle Direct Publishing, and finally in April of 2011, I decided to give it a go and republished Demonsouled through it, and that's where it all began for me. #2: Learning new skills and adapting. I think one of the biggest parts of why I've been fortunate enough to be able to do this for as long as I have is the willingness to take the time and effort to learn or try something new. I've had to teach myself how to format ebooks in several different programs, how to start first the LLC and then a S Corp, which finally involved realizing I couldn't do it myself and hiring people familiar with the appropriate documentation to do it for me, how to hire narrators and proof audio, how to file 1099s for narrators (that was a whole experience, lemme tell you), how to create a direct sales platform on Payhip, how to create my own book covers in Photoshop, how to make various 3D images myself for those book covers, how to maintain and update my website, how to do Amazon ads, how to do BookBub ads, how to do Facebook ads. So in the past 14 years I've been doing this, I think it's fair to say I've acquired quite a few new skills along the way. Each time I weighed out if not having this skill was holding me back. For example, creating my own covers became an absolute necessity for me after a while because even the most experienced cover designers could not create covers at the pace I published. Well, they could, but it's more accurate to say that the cover designers, the really good cover designers, the ones I wanted to hire, worked so far out in advance that you had to book them nine months to maybe a year in advance. And I eventually came to find that very rigid and constraining to my writing process. A couple of my books have titles that are totally unrelated to what the book is about, just because I had to pick the title like nine months, twelve months out in advance. And while they were very good covers, I did find it a little bit constraining that I had to try and keep the book at least close to what the cover was. If I hadn't changed course and learned how to do it myself, it would've limited how many books I could publish in a year, and likely it would've cost me many thousands a year in lost revenue. Therefore, having the mental flexibility to learn new things is a major skill in self-publishing. And the thing I'm contemplating learning right now is something with video, because short form video seems to be a good way that many authors are connecting with their readers and their audience. It's just that I don't personally use short form video a lot, so I'm wondering if it'd be worth the effort to learn. I think it'd probably be worth the effort to learn, but I haven't decided on how to do that and need to do some more reading, which is another aspect of mental flexibility. #3: Changing pricing strategies. Permafree pricing book for free on ebook platforms was not as common of a strategy when I first started self-publishing in 2011. I mean, people were doing it, but not as many as now. At the time (and to this day, in fact), many people were outraged that thought of giving out an ebook for free and opine that it would devalue their work. The argument was that if you take a year to write a book and then people should at least be willing to pay as much as they would for, for example, a fancy Starbucks coffee. However, this overlooks the reality of economics where that something is only as valuable as people are willing to pay for it. And that in fact is, a good way to get people to pay for your remaining books is if they read the first one for free and then they like it enough that suddenly the remainder of the books in the series will have value for them and hopefully they will buy it. But back in 2011, I decided to give permafree a try because I had series instead of standalones, and it has been one of the most significant ways that people have found my work. If I listened to the sort of old school traditional thinking about pricing ebooks, I would've missed out on this opportunity. #4: Doubling down on audio. At one point, towards the end of, actually towards the middle of 2023, I was considering and had almost decided to give up on producing my own audiobooks due to the significant expense and how much time having to proof them was taking away from my writing. Instead, I thought about ways to make the workload easier. I hired someone to proof the audiobooks for me and then found ways to promote them through deals on platforms like BookBub and Chirp. I started to create more Amazon ads for them and focus on making audiobook anthologies because these are very attractive to people trying to get the most out of their Audible credit each month. Although it's still mainly a tax deduction for me at this point in terms of business value, I would've lost out on a growing revenue source and a big piece of the publishing market if I had given up on audiobooks. #5: And fifth and finally, as I've talked about before, the Stealth and Spells series. This series really challenged me because I had a very specific plan for a multi-book series (I was thinking like seven or eight books originally) and enjoyed writing the first one. However, there were a few problems with it that forced me to take a hard look at the series and change my original plans quite drastically. The series was originally called Sevenfold Sword Online, which confused fans of the original Sevenfold Sword series. I made the choice to change the title to Stealth and Spells Online to make the separation clearer, even though it's a pain to change titles, and that came with some confusion of its own. I also changed the covers to resemble some of the other LitRPG books because it was originally closer in look to some of my epic fantasy covers. These changes did help, but I had to take a cold hard look at the data. Sales and ad data clearly showed that it was time to cut my losses and focus on more profitable series. So I changed my series plans to wrap everything up in the third and final book rather than a multi-book series as I had originally planned and based on reader reception to the third book, I think it went pretty well. Ultimately, you can only plan so much as a writer, and you have to accept that those plans might need to change. One of the best gifts you can give yourself as a writer is the ability to be mentally flexible and not stick with plans, books, or attitudes that aren't working for you. Well, I hope you have enjoyed this mindset series and found it useful to your own situation. So that is it for this week. Thank you for listening to the Pul Writer Show. I hope you found the show useful. A reminder that you can listen to all the back episodes athttps://thepulpwritershow.com. If you enjoyed the podcast, please leave your review on your podcasting platform of choice. Stay safe and stay healthy and see you all next week.      

Coach Christine shares how she tackled Sydney Marathon training during a chaotic summer filled with caregiving responsibilities, relocation, and constant travel, discovering that romance novels became her unexpected training partner and source of resilience.• Trading structured training schedules for flexibility and adaptability• Finding companionship in audiobooks during solo runs in unfamiliar places• How to pair different types of runs with the right audiobook experiences• Reviews of Abby Jimenez's books including The Friend Zone, Happy Ever After Playlist, Life's Too Short, Part of Your World, and Say You'll Remember Me• Learning that training success doesn't require perfect circumstances• Using library apps, Spotify Premium, Chirp, and other platforms to access audiobooks• Finding community and support when training feels overwhelmingWould you be interested in a book club that combines running and reading? Imagine listening to the same audiobook during training and connecting with fellow runners afterward to discuss. If that sounds like your vibe, let me know - drop me a message or join the Stride Collective and say you'd love to participate!Have questions or want to chat? Send me a text!Support the showJoin the newsletter list for updates, special offers, and exclusive behind-the-scenes content.Join fellow pod and running enthusiasts at The Stride Collective community on Facebook or follow us on Instagram.

Step inside Portsmouth International Port with Ben McInnis, the Harbor Master leading one of the UK's most innovative maritime hubs. Hosted by Julia Gosling, this episode explores how Portsmouth is balancing maritime safety, commercial growth, and green technology. ⚓ What you'll learn: - How Portsmouth manages complex port traffic - The challenges of integrating shore power and LNG - Cutting-edge solar initiatives and sustainable fuel storage - The port's focus on seafarer welfare - How commercial and leisure operations coexist at one of the UK's busiest ports Whether you're in shipping, yacht operations, or marine sustainability, this episode delivers valuable insight into a future-focused port transforming the industry.

Join Brynne Tillman, Stan Robinson Jr., and Bob Woods on the Making Sales Social podcast as they explore the shift from the traditional BANT framework to the more customer-focused CHIRP framework, which emphasizes challenges, history, impact, risk, and priority. Discover why this new approach fosters trust-based conversations and aligns better with buyer needs. The hosts discuss using AI to enhance sales relationships and share insights on how to naturally uncover key selling points. This episode is a must-listen for sales professionals aiming to build genuine connections and elevate their selling strategies. Subscribe for more insights!

In this episode of Sea Views, hosts Julia Gosling and Adam Parnell are joined by Alan McCullough, Coordinator of the International Fund for Fishing Safety (IFS), for a follow-up conversation on global fishing safety. Since its launch at I Fish 6 in Rome earlier this year, IFS has begun delivering targeted grants that are already making a difference — with life-saving initiatives now underway in Ghana, Kenya, Thailand, South Africa, Vietnam, and Fiji. Alan shares early results, the strategy behind the fund's deployment, and the broader ripple effects for fisher welfare, sustainability, and the future of small-scale fisheries. This is a vital episode for anyone working in, funding, or regulating the fishing sector — and a strong reminder that small investments in safety can yield enormous global impact.

In this episode of Sea Views, hosts Julia Gosling and Adam Parnell are joined by Captain Aseem Hashmi, master of the legendary Queen Mary 2. With decades of experience at sea, Captain Hashmi shares his extraordinary journey from aspiring pilot to helming one of the most iconic ships in the world. From leadership philosophies to the evolving landscape of safety training, this conversation offers an insider's perspective on what it takes to command a vessel that carries thousands of passengers across oceans. The episode dives deep into safety protocols, the importance of crew welfare, and how the cruise industry is adapting to meet new challenges — all while maintaining the luxury and legacy of Cunard.

In this episode of Sea Views, hosts Julia Gosling and Adam Parnell are joined by Chirag Bahri from the International Seafarers Welfare and Assistance Network (ISWAN) and Ian Grainger from The Shipowners' Club to discuss the real-world impact of decarbonization on those working at sea. Based on ISWAN's latest report, the conversation explores how the industry's push for rapid environmental change — while crucial — is taking a toll on seafarers. From psychological stress to safety concerns, the shift to low-carbon operations brings significant human challenges that demand urgent attention. The guests emphasize the need for inclusive transition strategies that put seafarers at the center of future policy and technology rollouts. This is a powerful episode that brings the voice of the workforce into the climate conversation — and makes the case for a just, informed, and human-led path to decarbonization.

After transatlantic and transcontinental travel earlier, Andy and Brendan are ready for a true whiparound Friday episode to round out a chaotic week. Brendan! is back stateside and shares that he did not watch a movie on his flight back from Ireland, disappointing Andy as they chat about the big premiere of Happy Gilmore 2. Scottie Scheffler made it to New York with his "Open Championship trophy" in hand, just 24 hours after winning his fourth major, and was joined by Collin Morikawa, John Daly, and golf influencer Bryson DeChambeau, among other celebrities. Speaking of Bryson, he's had a big few days of quotes regarding the Ryder Cup and a potential matchup with Rory at Bethpage. Andy and Brendan then run through the Schedule for the Week, including the Sticky Note Open at TPC Sod Farm, Zinger calling the Senior Open with some friends from across the pond, and the U.S. Junior, where one participant was disqualified for a peculiar reason. There's a little bit of news regarding LIV as their flagship London event kicks off on Friday before this episode wraps with some Best Day Brewing Golf Advice.

In this episode of Sea Views, hosts Julia Gosling and Adam Parnell are joined by Captain Andrew Parker, Director of Ankar Maritime Safety, to explore the critical issue of bridge safety in modern shipping. With a career spanning decades at sea and now ashore as a safety consultant, Captain Parker offers deep insight into the bridge environment — where leadership, communication, and situational awareness can mean the difference between routine passage and disaster. He unpacks the impact of human factors, discusses the limitations of current training systems, and advocates for the accreditation of virtual reality as a transformative tool in maritime education. This is a candid conversation about what it really takes to run a safe and effective bridge — and why the future of safety lies in both people and innovation.

The Moms Mental Health Initiative connects new parents with help. Milwaukee County set to vote on a funding plan for Mitchell Park Domes improvements. A new album all about Wisconsin birds.

From today, robust age verification checks must be strictly enforced on video-sharing platforms based in Ireland and the rest of Europe.The age verification requirements are part of a broader effort to create a safer online environment for children and address harmful content such as cyberbullying and the unwanted promotion of self-harm and eating disorders.So, how will they be enforced?Joining Kieran to discuss is Rena Maycock, Founder of Child Cybersafety company CHIRP and Rachel O'Connell, Technical Author of the soon-to-be International Age Verification Standards, and former Chief Security Officer at Bebo.

In this episode of Sea Views, hosts Julia Gosling and Adam Parnell are joined by Guy Platten, Secretary General of the International Chamber of Shipping (ICS), to explore the complex landscape of global maritime affairs. From representing over 80% of the world's merchant fleet to advocating for seafarer welfare, ICS plays a pivotal role in shaping shipping's future. Guy shares his insights on how the industry is navigating geopolitical instability, seafarer shortages, and the pressure to decarbonize — all while advancing safety and innovation. They also delve into the growing role of automation and AI, and the challenges women face in seafaring careers. It's a candid look at the people, policies, and power shifts shaping the seas.

In this episode of Sea Views, hosts Julia Gosling and Adam Parnell dive into the complex world of port safety with Debbie Cavaldoro, CEO of Port Skills & Safety. Together, they unpack the current risks facing UK ports, from automation to decarbonization, and how collaboration, data sharing, and cutting-edge technology are shaping safer operations. Debbie shares insights on how anonymized data and AI are transforming incident reporting and safety culture, the role of gamification in training, and the impact of electric vehicles and alternative fuels on port infrastructure. From frontline workers to policymakers, this episode sheds light on how the port sector is navigating the next wave of innovation and regulation with safety at its core.

Chirp AI aterriza en el Apple Watch con un reconocimiento de voz impecable, respuestas estilo ChatGPT y búsquedas web con fuentes —todo sin sacar el iPhone. ¿Por qué un indie puede ofrecer lo que Siri aún promete? Exploramos a fondo Chirp, sus ventajas, sus límites y el plan de Apple con Apple Intelligence y su mezcla de IA local + nube privada. Spoiler: Siri no recibirá su gran lavado de cara generativo hasta 2026. Ponte el Watch, dale play y descubre si ha llegado la hora de decir «Bye Siri, hello Chirp».https://apps.apple.com/es/app/chirp-ai-for-watch/id6739791292Conviértete en un seguidor de este podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/el-garaje-de-cupertino--3153796/support.

A quarter of the cases of child sex-abuse material last year was self-generated, according to an annual report carried out by the Irish Internet Hotline.There was a 116% increase in intimate photographs, videos and pictures being taken and shared by children online. How can we protect them?Joining Kieran to discuss is Eoin Dolan, Principal of Mother of Divine Grace National School in Finglas, and later Rena Maycock, Founder of the Child Cyber safety company Chirp and Stella O' Mally, Child Psychologist and Author of cotton wool kids.

Discover the brand-new Wouxun KG-UV9PX Plus, the ultimate dual-band handheld HAM radio, now available at BetterSafeRadio.com! This YouTube video showcases the enhanced features, pre-programmed channels, and powerful 7W performance of this SHTF-ready transceiver. Perfect for HAM enthusiasts, preppers, and EmComm groups, the KG-UV9PX Plus offers true dual receive, USB-C charging, and compatibility with CHIRP and RT Systems software. Watch now to explore its advanced capabilities and see why it's the top choice for reliable emergency communications!Save 7% with coupon HR2all7Link - https://bettersaferadio.com/wouxun-kg-uv9px-plus-ham-radio-shtf-scanner/?pro=10658 Affiliate links can earn commissionsBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/ham-radio-2-0--2042782/support.

In this episode of Sea Views, host Julia Gosling is joined by Becky Newdick, Chief Executive of Safer Waves, and Paula Edwards, Head of Salute Her UK, to confront the widespread but often unspoken issue of sexual harassment and violence at sea. Together, they unpack the realities faced by seafarers of all genders—from isolation and stigma to the systemic failures in reporting and response. Drawing from years of frontline experience, Becky and Paula reveal how their organizations are working to support survivors, raise awareness, and influence industry-wide reforms. The conversation cuts through the silence, emphasizing the need for better safeguarding, trauma-informed training, and policy changes that put people first. Whether you're in maritime leadership, crewing, regulation, or advocacy, this episode delivers urgent insight into the challenges—and solutions—around safety and dignity at sea.

In this episode of Sea Views, hosts Julia Gosling and Adam Parnell navigate the essential yet often misunderstood world of P&I (Protection and Indemnity) clubs. Joining them are Bill Moore, Senior Vice President and Global Head of Loss Prevention at The American Club, and Yves Vandenborn, Head of Loss Prevention for the Asia Pacific Region at North Standard. Together, they take listeners behind the scenes of how P&I clubs work to prevent losses, promote safety, and support the global maritime workforce. From mental health and manning issues to green fuels and shipping in war zones, this conversation explores the real-world impact of loss prevention strategies and the evolving risks in today's maritime landscape. Whether you're an insurer, policymaker, shipowner, or crew member, this episode delivers a vital understanding of how P&I clubs contribute to a safer, more resilient industry.

Portable fish finders transform kayak fishing by revealing underwater structure and fish locations in real-time. With lightweight designs, simple mounting options, and features like CHIRP sonar and GPS mapping, these versatile devices help anglers catch more fish across multiple fishing scenarios. Fishing Zenith City: Casper Address: 312 West 2nd Street #1975 Website: https://fishingzenith.com

In this episode of Sea Views, hosts Julia Gosling and Adam Parnell shine a light on a critically overlooked sector of the maritime world—fishing safety. Joining them is Cor Blonk, founding member of the FISH Platform, to discuss real-world challenges and game-changing solutions facing millions of fishers across the globe. Together, they explore the launch of the new International Fund for Fishing Safety, and how it aims to drive change for a community that remains underrepresented in international safety standards. Cor shares firsthand insights into the cultural, financial, and logistical barriers that hinder safety progress in fisheries, and why amplifying fisher voices is essential to driving lasting impact. From on-the-ground safety realities to the policy-level shifts required, this conversation is a rallying call to recognize and protect those who feed the world from the sea.

Happy Independence Day WeekThis Friday, our nation marks its 249th birthday—a moment to reflect, remember, and give thanks. The 4th of July is more than fireworks, parades, cookouts, and an extra day off. It's a time to honor the courage of those who dreamed of freedom and built a nation on the ideals of liberty, equality, and self-determination.It's a chance to pause and appreciate the sacrifices made, the freedoms we enjoy, and the ongoing journey toward a more perfect union. Amid the celebration, may we carry with us the true spirit of Independence Day—gratitude, unity, and hope for all Americans.To commemorate our Independence Day, staff poet Tammy Spears joins us one more time to share some beautiful Independence Day poetry. BUY RIK A COFFEETammy's Twitter linkTammy's Instagram linkTammy's LinkedIn linkTammy's Etsy linkTammy's Alignable linkAmazon link to purchase "Flutter of an Eye"Etsy link to purchase "Flutter of an Eye"Barnes & Nobel link to purchase "Flutter of an Eye"Walmart link to purchase "Flutter of an Eye"IUniverse link to purchase "Flutter of an Eye"The audiobook for "Flutter of an Eye" is now available on the following platforms: Storytel, Libro.fm, Chirp, Spotify, Google Play, Barnes and Noble, Rakuten, Kobo, Tune In, Audiobooks.com, Everand.com, and Audible.com.Feedback: Send us a text.How to Contact Us:Official Website: https://Someoneyoushouldknowpodcast.comGmail: Someoneyoushouldknowpodcast@gmail.comTwitter: @RIKANTHONY1Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rikanthonyInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/someoneyoushouldknowpodcast/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rik-anthony2019/TikTok: @SomeoneYouShouldKnow2023YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@someoneyoushouldknowpodcastThank you for listening!Theme music "Welcome to the Show" by Kevin MacLeod was used per the standard license agreement.

In this episode of Sea Views, hosts Julia Gosling and Adam Parnell tackle one of the maritime industry's most uncomfortable truths—toxic leadership. Joined by Brendan O'Shaughnessy, a commercially qualified superyacht captain and author, and Tom Sharpe, retired naval commander and commentator, the conversation explores how harmful leadership manifests at sea—and what can be done about it. From real-world examples to the long-term consequences of command gone wrong, Brendan and Tom offer a candid, solutions-driven look at leadership dynamics onboard. Key strategies discussed include empathy-based command, 360-degree evaluations, and how evolving training protocols can build better leaders for the future.

Holding a meeting is more than logistics, it's about how you prepare. There is much to consider, whether you are having a town hall to discuss a significant capital project or a planning session with a half-dozen stakeholders. How have you prepared yourself and your team mentally and emotionally? What are your goals? What are the needs and goals of your community? On this episode of The Chirp, we speak with Davenport Institute Executive Director Maureen Tobin about how to prepare yourself and your team, set clear agendas with defined goals, and encourage participation. 

Join Ian, Jules, and Puckguy as we discuss, but not limited to: - Panthers win the cup and celebrating hard! - Brad Marchand chirps the NHL while eating DQ Blizzards - Hall Calls for Team Teal - Frondell at 2?! Draft Hype or Wait? and more! Teal Town USA - A San Jose Sharks' post-game podcast, for the fans, by the fans! Subscribe to catch us after every Sharks game and our weekly wrap-up show, The Pucknologists!
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Milwaukee's place in Juneteenth history. Then, we learn about Wisconsin's state bird – the robin. Next, we learn the science behind the summer solstice, which is this Friday. Plus, we tell you about the Madison musical tradition of Concerts on the Square.

In this episode of Basic Bogeys, TJ and Gary sit down with the energetic duo behind Birdies in the Outfield—the B.I.T.O. Boys—for a lively and hilarious conversation. The episode dives into the lifelong friendship between the two, who met playing travel baseball at age nine and eventually played together under legendary coach Tony Gwynn at San Diego State. They share stories of their baseball careers, including playing with Stephen Strasburg, and how their transition from baseball to content creation was sparked during COVID. The B.I.T.O. Boys explain how their love for golf evolved organically and how their comedic skits—often inspired by childhood memories and spontaneous ideas—blend golf, baseball, and humor in a totally unique way. They also discuss their "Chip & Chirp" scramble events, aimed at growing the game and spotlighting local San Diego creatives, entrepreneurs, and first-time golfers. With support from brands like Sunday Golf and BombTech, they're building an inclusive and fun golf culture. The episode closes with conversations about affordability in golf apparel, shoutouts to Acorn Hills, The Bumbling Golfer, and Content Caddie, and reflections on how authenticity and relatability are key in today's golf content space.https://www.instagram.com/birdiesintheoutfield/?hl=enSend us a message and let us know what you thought about this episode! Acorn Hills Clothing Co.BASIC15 for 15% off. Look Good, Feel Good, Do Good!BagBoy - Dynamic BrandsTJ15 at checkout for $15 off a BagBoy Push Cart!The Putter SopBasicBogeys15 for 15% off your order!Smackin' Sunflower Seeds10% off of your order! Thanks for listening. Tune in next Thursday for our next episode! Support the showFollow Basic Bogeys here:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/basicbogeysTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@basicbogeysYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@basicbogeys?sub_confirmation=1

In this powerful episode of Sea Views, host Julia Gosling speaks with Adam Parnell, Director of CHIRP Maritime, about the vital work being done to protect lives at sea. From tackling the shocking rates of fatalities and serious accidents to encouraging a stronger safety culture, Adam shares how CHIRP Maritime's confidential incident reporting system is making a global impact. Learn about their international ambassador network, the challenges of changing attitudes toward risk, and how seafarers everywhere can play a role in creating safer seas. If you've witnessed or experienced a safety issue at sea, report it confidentially to CHIRP Maritime:  

Rena Maycock of Chirp joins Jess to discuss the company's solution for keeping our children safe online. Chirp was the winner of the Technology category at the Newstalk Changemaker awards, in association with FBD Insurance.

SURPRISEEEEEEEEEEE! Jeff and Joey are BACK and boy oh boy do they have a lot to discuss. The fellas quickly catch up on what the hell has been going on before diving into this week's Kraken Reaction which features everything from Dan Bylsma being outed as Head Coach of the Seattle Kraken right when Joey was able to pronounce his name, what the Lane Lambert era in Seattle could look like as well as takeaways, the upcoming free agency market, offseason moves, and much more. In NHL News, the boys talk the Florida Panthers versus the Edmonton Oilers and Joey reveals a sick sports wish he has for McJesus. Three Stars of the Week has everything from Joey's Japan and South Korea recap to Jeff gutting his entire home, a hockey movement brewing in New Orleans, summer vacations, and more. Ending, as always, with the Chirp of the Week. 04:29 Kraken Reaction 43:03 BLEAV ADs Subscribe: -On All podcasting apps. Rate & review on iTunes, Apple Podcasts, and Spotify! -Follow us on Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram at @KrakenPod! This Episode is Brought to you by DraftKings! New episodes every week on The Hockey Podcast Network. Release the Kraken! #SeaKraken

Andy Friedman is a CHIRP DJ whose show airs Monday afternoons from 3-6 PM, and is a longtime broadcaster and marketer. Andy's roots are in radio. He worked as a news reporter and anchor for stations on the west coast in the 90s. Andy covered earthquakes, fires, riots, and court cases including the O.J. Simpson murder trial. Since moving to Chicago in 1999, Andy has worked for CBS Radio, iHeartMedia, and the Tribune among others. Today, Andy lives in North Center with his wife Jen and, when not volunteering for CHIRP, spends time on random marketing projects. The First Time is a live lit and music series recorded at Martyrs in Chicago's North Center neighborhood. Each reader tells a true first tale, followed by any cover of the storyteller's choosing, performed by our house band, The First Time Three. The First Time is hosted by Jenn Sodini. Production by Andy Vasoyan and Executive Producer Bobby Evers. Podcast produced by Andy Vasoyan. Recorded by Tony Baker.

Hollywood and Dan Day kick things off with a look at the Stanley Cup Finals rematch between the Edmonton Oilers and our Florida Panthers. We revisit yesterday's heated exchange between Omar Kelly and YouTuber Reason, dive into some trading card and signature talk, and wrap up the hour with the latest on Jonnu Smith as trade rumors swirl around the Dolphins tight end.

How proposed federal funding changes could affect job seekers in Milwaukee County. Books and Beyond explores the Wisconsin Talking Book and Braille Library. What people can learn from birds.

Ireland's startup ecosystem is setting the pace for AI adoption in Europe, according to a new AWS report titled "Unlocking Ireland's AI Potential 2025". The report, based on survey data of 1,000 Irish businesses, highlights how agile Irish startups are rapidly integrating artificial intelligence (AI) into their core operations, with 36% of Irish startups embedding AI at the core of their business model, higher than the 29% European average. Irish startups are also seeing measurable gains from this adoption, with 94% of Irish businesses reporting a significant increase in revenue thanks to adopting AI, with an average 36% revenue increase directly linked to their use of AI. "The data in this report aligns closely with our observations in the field - Irish startups are demonstrating a strong commitment to integrating emerging technologies," said Niamh Gallagher, AWS Country Lead for Ireland. "Many of these companies clearly recognise that AI is becoming increasingly important for maintaining competitiveness, attracting investment, and pursuing global expansion opportunities." During the AWS Gen AI Loft Dublin tour, Niamh Gallagher met with Niamh Smyth, Minister for the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment with special responsibility for Trade Promotion, Artificial Intelligence and Digital Transformation. The Minister was presented the "Unlocking Ireland's AI Potential 2025" report and taken through the key findings. During the event, leading Irish startup founders shared how AI is already transforming their industries. Minister Smyth, praising the role of startups in Ireland's AI leadership, said "These findings make it clear that startups are central to Ireland's digital future," she said. "They're leveraging AI not only to grow, but to lead the transformation of entire industries - from safety tech to genomics and climate solutions." "This report validates our approach to keeping children safe online," said Rena Maycock, founder of Chirp, a safety-focused tech company. "Using GenAI to enhance our datasets has enabled us to detect and block harmful communications and offer real-time protection for children and families - something that simply wouldn't be possible with conventional tech alone." "At Jentic, we're building AI-native infrastructure for the agent era, enabling AI agents to dynamically discover, load, and execute the exact tools they need, precisely when they need them," said Dorothy Creaven, Chief Operating Officer of Jentic. "This report reinforces what we're seeing every day: Ireland's startups are not just adopting AI, they're pushing the boundaries of how AI is applied at scale." "The report reflects what we're seeing on the ground," added Sean Mullaney, Founder & CEO of Seapoint. "AI isn't just enhancing finance tools - it's fundamentally changing how startups manage money, make strategic decisions, and scale. It's enabling us to build the intelligent financial home we always wished we had." Across Ireland, businesses are integrating AI at an accelerating pace, with 45% now using AI, marking a 32% growth in just one year, up from 34% last year. This growth is outpacing the European average, where, overall, 42% of businesses are now consistently using AI at a growth rate of 27%. The report also found that Irish businesses reported a 25% year-on-year increase in AI investment, exceeding the European average of 22%. Wide, but shallow adoption: The two-tier economy Many businesses, particularly large enterprises, are not leveraging the most advanced uses of AI. This risks a two-tier AI economy between startups and large enterprises. The research identifies three distinct stages of AI adoption in Ireland, outlining the gap between businesses that are merely experimenting with AI and those that are fully embedding it into their operations for transformative impact. Stage 1: First steps Two thirds (66%) of Irish businesses are in the early stages of AI adoption, primarily using publicly available chatbots...

In this week's episode, we take a look at four different ebook formatting tools for indie authors. We also discuss the phenomenon of Star Wars day. This coupon code will get you 25% off the ebook of Malison: The Complete Series at my Payhip store: MALISON25 The coupon code is valid through June 3, 2025. So if you need a new book for spring, we've got you covered! TRANSCRIPT 00:00 Introduction and Writing Updates   Hello, everyone. Welcome to Episode 251 of The Pulp Writer Show. My name is Jonathan Moeller. Today is May 9, 2025, and today we are looking at ebook formatting tools. Before we get into our main topic, we'll have Coupon of the Week, a progress update at my current writing and audiobook projects, and then Question of the Week. We'll also close out the show with a preview of my new audiobook Ghost in the Assembly (as excellently narrated by Hollis McCarthy).   This week's coupon code will get you 25% off the ebook of Malison: The Complete Series at my Payhip store, and that is MALISON25. As always, we'll have the coupon code and the links in the show notes for this episode. This coupon code is valid through June the 3, 2025. So if you need a new ebook for spring, we have got you covered. Now here's where I'm at with my current writing projects. I am 87,000 words into Ghost in the Corruption and I'm hoping to hit 90,000 words by the end of today. So if all goes well, I will finish it up later this week and then begin editing. I am also 9,000 words into what my next project will be, which is Shield of Power, the final book in The Shield War series. I'm also 91,000 words into Stealth and Spells Online: Final Quest, and that will be my main project after Shield of Power is finished. So my writing goals for the next couple months will be Ghost in the Corruption, Shield of Power, Stealth and Spells Online: Final Quest, and then the final book in The Ghost Armor series (the title of which I should really decide since I'm getting close to being finished with the fifth book).   In audiobook news, recording of Ghost in the Assembly (as excellently narrated by Hollis McCarthy) is finished. That should be turning up on all the various audiobook stores before too much longer. Shield of Deception (as excellently narrated by Brad Wills) is finished and available at all the audio stores: Audible, Apple, Google Play, Spotify, Chirp, and all the others. You can get that right now. Brad should be starting a recording of Shield of Battle sometime in the second half of May, if all goes well. So that is where I'm at with my current writing projects.   00:02:09 Question of the Week   And now let's move on to Question of the Week. Question of the Week is intended to inspire enjoyable discussions of interesting topics. This week's question: what is your favorite Star Wars? The inspiration for this question is the fact that May the Fourth has become Star Wars Day (in a very tongue in cheek manner). And as you might expect, we had a variety of responses to this question. Justin says: I have not seen any Star Wars TV series, but your other choices are mine as well. I have the Trawn Trilogy in the box set and got a PC joystick just for playing TIE Fighter again. Jonathan D. says: Empire Strikes Back is still the best film. I cannot get into the Disney canon after they destroyed the Expanded Universe. I watched The Force Awakens and that killed any interest in watching Disney Star Wars for me. Books is either Heir to the Empire Trilogy or the Darth Bain trilogy. A well done film adaptation of the Darth Bain books would be the only thing that would make me want to watch any new films. Video games would have to be Knight of the Old Republic 1 or 2, with Jedi Academy coming in third. The original Battlefront games were also great.   John Paul says: Loved the Mandalorian and the Book of Boba Fett, especially when they had the characters from each other's show guest starring in them. I saw somewhere they aren't making another series, but [there] was talk about a TV movie to finish it off, but [they are] now showing Series 4 on IBMD with no date. I grew up with the original trilogy though some of the later films are good, especially the special effects, though Jar Jar Binks spoiled the first three movies. Maybe they should reedit the character out since Lucas has spent some money on adding new effects to the trilogy to bring in line with the new movies. Skeleton Crew made me think of the movie Flight of the Navigator with Star Wars added, so I enjoyed that even though it's mainly for kids. I have fond memories of Space Invaders with the sidekick from the original Fall Guy TV show. Again, made for kids though adults can enjoy if they watch tongue in cheek.   Andrew says: There are only three Star Wars movies, of which Empire Strikes Back is my favorite. I really enjoyed Mandalorian Season One. Now Star Wars is dead to me, except for lightsaber battle videos. I really like the Princess Bride Battles. I played TIE Fighter, Dark Forces, and Knights of the Old Republic.   Tom says: Favorite film, Rogue One. With you on Mandalorian Season Two as favorite TV show. Favorite game, Rogue Squadron.   Tracy says: My favorite was Return of the Jedi.   Jenny says: Thrawn Trilogy for sure! Dark Forces was my very first computer game, so it's always going to hold a special place in my heart.   William says: The unofficial remasters of the original trilogy from preserved reels are a godsend.   MG says: Knights of the Old Republic was quite good and Knights of the Old Republic 2.   John K. says: I'm a grim dark sort of guy. Really liked Rogue One but it's slightly edged out by the original Episode IV. I absolutely love Andor but honestly, have not hated anything. Enjoyed them all. I was a nut for the original X-Wing game. Got good enough to one shot TIE Fighters with one quad shot and rarely missed and learned how to solo Star Destroyers pretty easily, though it would take forever. Having played the game that John K. is talking about, I can agree with him that you could take down Star Destroyers in your X-Wing if you knew what you were doing, but it really would take forever.   Dave says: Book wise, I really enjoyed the Thrawn books by Timothy Zahn, also the X-Wing series by Michael A. Stackpole was a personal favorite.   And finally Michael says: I agree on Empire Strikes Back though as a kid, I disliked the lack of upbeat movie. Also really liked the Solo movie. I confess I found the Thrawn books underwhelming, though the original Star Wars novelization is pretty good. And finally, I got to agree on TIE Fighter, such great game. Also, I have a soft spot for Jedi Knight: Dark Forces 2.   For myself, I would have to break it down into four categories because Star Wars media covers so many different formats now. For favorite movie, I would say Empire Strikes Back, with Return of the Jedi as the runner up. For the favorite TV series, Season 2 of The Mandalorian. For my favorite book, The Thrawn Trilogy by Timothy Zahn, with Revenge of the Sith by Matthew Stover, Darth Plagueis by James Luceno, and The Darth Bane Trilogy by Drew Karpyshyn coming in as strong runners up. Seriously, if you're listening to this podcast, you probably enjoy reading books, so these five are definitely worth your time.   For my favorite video games, I would say TIE Fighter, with Knights of the Old Republic as a very close runner-up. But TIE Fighter was definitely my favorite. In the game, you play as an Imperial pilot, and the designers had the clever idea of making the Empire sympathetic by having the player spend most of the missions hunting ruthless pirates, suppressing alien civil wars, and fighting renegade Imperial warlords who are trying to overthrow the Emperor. In the last two expansion packs for the game, the player is flying as Grand Admiral Thrawn's elite pilot against the renegade Grand Admiral Zaarin, and finally defeating Zaarin after like forty missions was VERY satisfying.   So those are my favorite Star Wars media items. As we can see.  there is quite a range of opinion in the answer to that question.   00:06:54 Main Topic: Ebook Formatting Tools   Now let's move on to our main topic, which is ebook formatting tools. And this is an important thing for indie authors to discuss because if you do want to self-publish your books, it is one of those foundational skills you have to master. You need to know what kind of file format the platforms you're publishing to you take and how to produce it. Now this is something you can hire out but you really, really shouldn't in my opinion, especially because some ebook formatting services charge as much as $2,000 to turn a Word document into files ready to upload for ebook stores. Considering that it is something you can easily do yourself with free tools and a little bit of practice, spending any amount of money on it is probably a waste. I mean, there's a difference between the kind of intricate formatting you would need for say, a full color medical textbook with illustrations and a 60,000 word romance novel. Fortunately, all the major software programs are nowhere near as expensive as $2,000 a book and don't have as much of a learning curve as you might expect. Both video and written tutorials are plentiful for all of these options, making it easy to learn at your own pace. Today we're going to go over four software options for formatting ebooks and discuss their pros, cons, and the best uses for them. Although some of these products have word processing functionality and other features built in, today we'll focus on just the ebook formatting part of the software. #1: The first option we will look at is Atticus. Atticus is from the same company that makes Publisher Rocket, which is a software program I've spoken of very favorably of on the show over the years. The company has made an effort to understand the needs of authors over the years and added new features to Publisher Rocket consistently as time went on. The company Kindlepreneur has also made significant enhancements to Atticus since it launched. As of the time of this recording, it is a one-time purchase option that has free ongoing updates and the current cost is $147 (in United States dollars). Expensive, but the founder of the company Dave Chesson has said frequently he doesn't like software subscriptions. So hopefully this will continue to be a one-time fee and not become a subscription thing.   So here are the pros to using Atticus. It is less expensive than Vellum and has the same features. It works on operating systems other than Mac. In theory, since it has a web client, it can work on any platform. Reviewers say it is very pleasant to use and those who want a lot of customization options are generally happy with it and it has a nice tool for creating and reusing the template for things like author bios or link pages.   The con is that it does require an Internet connection to use and you have to have a computer connected to the Internet. Some people also prefer not to have their work stored in the cloud like Atticus does. Some users report slowness while opening or closing or when saving a file, especially if it's a book with a high word account. Because of the online requirement, there can be issues related to syncing. It does not support .mobi as a file export option. However, that's not a big deal anymore because Amazon is officially phasing out the .mobi file extension and is requiring people to use .epub. So this is not a major point and it's only for people who have a customer base with very old e-readers that can't handle .epub.   And finally, Atticus does not offer a free trial period if you just want to try it out, but does offer a refund within the first 30 days if you try it and decide that you don't like it. So what users would find Atticus the best? It's probably best for PC or Linux users who don't want a Mac and also want to have lots of fine control of your formatting or customizing your layout. Atticus is also heavily built around collaboration, where different people can work on the same file. So if you do work with a team (and many indie authors do) or are co-writing a book, then Atticus might be a good tool for you to use.   #2: The second program we're going to look at is called Vellum.  Vellum has been seen as the default option for ebook formatting for a lot of writers for a while now. As of the time of recording, there is a one-time purchase option that has free ongoing updates. The current cost is $199 for the ebook only version or $249 for the version that includes paperbacks. Vellum has gone on sale occasionally in the past, usually for Cyber Monday in November. The pros for Vellum are that many reviewers consider it the best option for ebook formatting and say it delivers professional results without too much work and a minimal learning curve. Vellum lets you try out the software for free, but you won't be able to export the files you're publishing until the software is purchased. Like Atticus, it offers a 30 day window for a refund.   Vellum is not cloud-based software and it can be used offline. So if you are, for instance, working on a laptop on the road with spotty internet connectivity, this can be a lifesaver. Now for the cons and the biggest con is a big one- that Vellum is Macintosh only. You need to have a Mac to use it and it is not currently available for Windows and Linux. The developers have said that presently they have no plans to port it to either Windows or Linux. It will also not work on iOS, so that means you can't run it on your iPad or your iPhone. You can in theory use it on a PC with a Mac OS virtual machine, but people have reported very mixed success with that. The other con is that it is the most expensive option. So the users this is best for I think would be if you already have a Mac or you are willing to buy a Mac for just one piece of software. #3: The third software program we're going to look at is called Jutoh. Jutoh is a labor of love, mainly created by two people in the UK and has been around for a long, long time. As of the time of this recording, there is a one-time purchase option that costs $45 (US dollars) and a Plus version for $90 that supports some additional features. It currently offers a free trial that you can download and install, but functionality is limited in the trial version. The pros of Jutoh is that it works on Windows, Mac, and most versions of Linux. It is not cloud-based software/is local to your computer. It does not need a constant Internet connection to function. Reviewers frequently praised how responsive their customer support is and of the paid options we are discussing, it will be the least expensive of all of them. The cons are the interface is a bit dated. It does kind of look like something from the early 2000s in terms of the buttons and where they are. Because of that, it can be more difficult for some users to use than Atticus or Vellum. It does not create PDFs or print ready files, so you would not be able to use it to format your files for print books, which is something both Atticus and Vellum offer. I think this is best used for users who want a less expensive option than Atticus or Vellum or a PC user who wants a non-cloud based option.   #4: The fourth and final program we're going to look at is called Kindle Create. And as of this recording, it is the only one of these four options that is free. It is a free download. This software is created and maintained by Amazon. The pro? It's free and you can use the .epubs it creates to upload your books onto other platforms. Just because you've made your ebook in Amazon Create, that doesn't mean you can't use the file for Barnes & Noble and Kobo and Apple and so forth. You can go ahead and do that. However, because it is free software, there are quite a few cons to it. The functionality is pretty limited and only a few fonts are available. It is not good with complex layouts and Amazon's own documentation recommends not using it for books with tables, footnotes, or complex text formatting.   The program doesn't handle edits well. There are people who write books in Vellum even though the developers don't exactly recommend that. And Atticus is designed to have books written in it. However, Kindle Create definitely cannot handle that very well. Windows and Mac are supported, but you can't install it on Linux. Kindle Create no longer supports .mobi as a file export option since Amazon is moving away from that option and most other vendors haven't used it ever. That is a minor point.   I think Kindle Create is best used by users who are just starting out and don't have much in the way of budget and have books that don't require a lot of complex formatting. Kindle Create is actually quite good for novels because novels in general don't have a lot of complex formatting and because it's free, it has a little bit of a steeper learning curve, but that can be advantageous as well.   So looking at those four options, what do I use and why? Well, for the first seven or so years I was self-publishing, I didn't use any of these. I used a program called Sigil, which is an .epub editor. And if Kindle Create has a high learning curve, Sigil's is much higher because you're essentially editing the raw guts of the .epub file.   I was content using that for a number of years, but what I needed was a program that would make uploading print books and formatting print books much easier because at the time I was using Create Space and Create Space required a specialized Word template that was just an enormous headache to use. And the reason that many of the Frostborn books have exactly 24 chapters is because I had a template that worked really well with 24 chapters for print books and I wasn't going to mess that up by trying to add a chapter or have one fewer chapter. So for some of the Frostborn books, I made sure there were 24 chapters.   Obviously this was not a tenable situation for the print books, even though I was happy using Sigil for the eBooks. So I eventually heard good things about Vellum. In 2018 (I believe) I got a used Mac and installed Vellum and started using that for print books. I was much happier with that.   Because the books looked so good in print, I eventually switched over to using Vellum for formatting my ebooks as well and I've been using that ever since. So my main ebook format writing program (as of May 9, 2025) is Vellum and I have a Mac specifically for that purpose. However, I also has high praise to say about Jutoh. I got started using Jutoh because for a while, Smashwords required you to upload a book using a specialized Word format. They didn't accept .epubs for the longest time and formatting a book in that proper Word format for Smashwords was a large headache, I have to admit. I never managed to get it automated quite right. And I had frequent problems with Smashwords rejecting the Word document I uploaded and so forth. Eventually, I discovered that Jutoh also had an export option for creating Smashwords-friendly Word documents. So I tried it out and that was just a godsend, I have to admit. It saved me so much time. So for about seven years as well, I used Jutoh for Smashwords formatting. However, in 2024 after Smashwords was acquired by Draft 2 Digital and the two companies became more and more merged, Smashwords changed and now accepts properly formatted .epubs. They don't do that specialized Word document thing anymore, which has made it much easier to upload files to Smashwords, I must say. But that also means that I've used Jutoh less and less in favor of Vellum because I no longer need those specially formatted Word documents. However, I do have nothing but positive things to say about Jutoh; it is a very good program. If you don't want to shell out the $249 for Vellum or if you don't have a Mac, I think Jutoh is an excellent option for you to use. I have never actually used Atticus, but it's popular enough that I wanted to talk about it on this show. I do know a lot of people who have used it to good effect. Just bear in mind the pros and cons we mentioned. And as for Kindle Create, there's nothing wrong with it. I think it's good starting point, especially if you're just starting out and want to format your book without paying a lot of money or having to pay $2,000 to someone on the Internet to do it. I do think it's a good starting point, even though it's very basic and for your first couple of books, it would be good. But as you get more experienced and want to branch into things like print books, you'll probably want a program with greater functionality like Jutoh, Vellum, or Atticus. So myself, I use mostly Vellum (with Jutoh occasionally), and that is what I use for ebook formatting.   So that is it for this week. Thank you for listening to The Pulp Writer Show. I hope you found the show useful. A reminder that you can listen to all the back episodes at https://thepulpwritershow.com. If you enjoyed the podcast, please leave your review on your podcasting platform of choice. Stay safe and stay healthy and see you all next week.   00:19:53 Audiobook Excerpt   And now we'll close out the show with a short excerpt from Ghost In the Assembly, as narrated by Hollis McCarthy. [Remainder of podcast is audiobook except]

Prepare for a powerful conversation with Tate Stock, Founder and CEO of Chirp and viral Shark Tank standout. Stock and wife Hannah partnered to launch what is now Chirp. Soon after, Tate found himself negotiating between offers from: Kevin O'Leary, Robert Herjavec, and Lori Greiner as Mark Cuban and Daymond John made things both difficult and smarter.Stock's launch of a product made of sewer pipe and yoga mats was crowdfunded as a side hustle first and molded into a $100M+ brand used by millions of back pain sufferers.Watch Bold Encounters at MarkSpencerCook.com/Podcast, YouTube.com/MarkSpencerCook, and also on Apple, Spotify, and most podcast platforms.Everyone faces the pressure to succeed at work—to lead one's own work and sometimes others to scale fast but stay real, as a person. Tate Stock reveals how his startup breakthrough began not with perfect branding—but with bold pivots and testing face-to-face conversations with real customers.Discover how to move fast without faking success. Tate shows how shifting your use and message—not always your product design—can unlock opportunities, how imperfect efforts outperform polished delays, and why direct interaction beats expensive strategy decks every time.Embark on a smarter path to meet needs and succeed at life's work—help others—for fit and meaningful growth. Apply Tate's methods today to test ideas, validate servees, and create momentum fast.Tate Stock has redefined how wellness can reach the masses, moving from yoga to back pain, and gaining national attention:• Viral back pain relief company with 6M+ wheels sold• Shark Tank Season 12 standout with high-profile negotiations• Named to Forbes 30 Under 30 – Manufacturing & Industry• Grew from garages to big-box retailers, then direct ecomm.Explore how Tate's experience with crowdfunding, messaging pivots, and literally no-nonsense, transparent leadership can reshape the way entrepreneurs grow teams and results:• Launch products even if they're not perfect• Test customers before investing too much• Pivot messaging to unlock massive new markets• Work side-by-side with your family without sacrificing either• Lead with transparency, not politics• Buy freedom with your earnings—not just stuff• Create direct feedback loops from real people• Treat trade shows like laboratories for truthQuestions Explored:• How do you discover your real market?• What makes Shark Tank deals intense?• Can fake listings help test demand?• What's better than balance?• How do bold pivots outperform branding?Lessons Learned:• Pivot messaging to reach new markets• Sell relief, not theory• Face-to-face tests beat surveys• Build before it's perfect• Let customers lead your evolution• Family-first is a business strategy• Launch even if it's messy• Transparency builds faster teamsConnect with Tate Stock:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tatestock/Website: https://gochirp.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/gochirp/See more at: MarkSpencerCook.com/PodcastMarkSpencerCook.com | WindfallPartners.comLinkedIn: LinkedIn.com/in/@MarkSpencerCookOther Social Media: @MarkSpencerCook

On this week's episode of Vinyl Fridays Brandon & AP Lindsay are happy to welcome local musician and DJ Danielle Sines. Originally from Michigan, Danielle has been forging a path through the Chicago music scene for the past ten years. Her band Impulsive Hearts are amazing and you should check them out August 9th at The Cubby Bear. We are also looking forward to their fourth album which is currently in the works. In addition to being a musician Danielle is also an avid vinyl collector. No stranger to spinning records, she can be heard every Tuesday as DJ D-Rock from 12pm - 3pm CST playing a wide range of music on CHIRP Radio  107.1FM on the dial and CHIRP.ORG on the inter webs.  ————————————————————————————————— Vinyl Fridays theme song & bed music by Dazzleflage Bed music: Apache by Jorgan Ingmann             Apache 65' by Davie Allan & The Arrows                  Apache The Incredible Bongo Band     Biradio.libsyn.com Instagram: @birp60406 Facebook: @blueislandradio If you'd like to support the show visit Patreon.com/blueislandradio

DETAILS & REGISTRATION FOR THE FREE MAY AUTISM SUMMITIn this second interview with Beth Lambert, founder and executive director of Documenting Hope, Dr. Tony Ebel delves into the groundbreaking research being conducted on environmental stressors and chronic illness in children. Beth shares insights from their CHIRP and FLIGHT studies, highlighting how the "total load" of modern environmental factors is impacting children's health. The conversation covers the importance of addressing foundational health issues before pursuing specialized treatments, the problems with diagnostic labels, and how parents can take back control of their children's healing journey outside the conventional medical system.[00:01:00] Introduction to Beth Lambert and Documenting HopeOverview of their mission to explore environmental impacts on children's healthBeth's expertise on the "perfect storm" and "total load" theory[00:06:00] Success story of EthanCase study of a child experiencing significant improvements through nervous system-focused careTransitioning from sensory overload to normal family activities[00:10:00] The CHIRP StudyChild Health Inventory for Resilience and Prevention explainedHow modern environmental factors create "too much, too early" for developing children80,000 untested chemicals and their cumulative impact[00:16:00] The FLIGHT StudyDocumenting how children heal through root cause approachesBio-individuality of each child's healing journeyMaking healing protocols more accessible and scalable[00:25:00] Foundational approaches vs. advanced treatmentsWhy basics (sleep, digestion, breathing, movement) must come before specialized interventionsGetting nervous system regulation before extensive testingDr. Tony's clinical observations on sequencing interventions properly[00:31:00] Multi-factorial nature of developmental conditionsDiscussion of RFK Jr.'s announcement about autism causesWhy a single-cause explanation for autism is problematicThe complexity of communicating "total load" to the public[00:41:00] Moving beyond diagnostic labelsThe problem with diagnosis as identityWhy optimizing health matters more than fixing a labeled conditionDifferent levels of autism and how they're wrongly grouped together[00:45:00] Taking power back from the conventional medical systemGoal-oriented approaches instead of diagnosis-centered careAccessible solutions that don't require insurance approvalBuilding a different paradigm for children's healing[00:51:00] Future Documenting Hope initiativesGet connected at www.documentinghope.com-- DETAILS & REGISTRATION FOR THE FREE MAY AUTISM SUMMIT Follow us on Socials: Instagram: @pxdocs Facebook: Dr. Tony Ebel & The PX Docs Network Youtube: The PX Docs For more information, visit PXDocs.com to read informative articles about the power of Neurologically-Focused Chiropractic Care. Find a PX Doc Office near me: PX DOCS DirectoryTo watch Dr. Tony's 30 min Perfect Storm Webinar: Click HereSubscribe, share, and stay tuned for more incredible episodes unpacking the power of Nervous System focused care for children!

How marginalized people in Milwaukee are impacted by climate change. The wonders of warbler season. Whether cats should be allowed outdoors and managing their adventurous aspirations.

From knocking on doors for windshield repairs to building a $700K/month SaaS company, Ryan Fenn's journey is anything but typical. In this episode of The Home Front with Jeff Dudan, Ryan shares how dropping out of high school, hustling at car washes, and creating an online course laid the foundation for CHIIRP — a text automation platform now disrupting home services. Whether you're building a franchise, running ads, or scaling a SaaS, this interview is a blueprint in grit, faith, and next-level lead conversion.

From knocking on doors for windshield repairs to building a $700K/month SaaS company, Ryan Fenn's journey is anything but typical. In this episode of The Home Front with Jeff Dudan, Ryan shares how dropping out of high school, hustling at car washes, and creating an online course laid the foundation for CHIIRP — a text automation platform now disrupting home services. Whether you're building a franchise, running ads, or scaling a SaaS, this interview is a blueprint in grit, faith, and next-level lead conversion.

Better late than never, right?! The boys' are struggling a bit just like the Seattle Kraken against the Minnesota Wild and shit gets weird, fast. This week's Kraken Reaction has Jeff talking about the team on the road versus the Chicago Blackhawks and why the vibes are still high, how the Peggars came into Climate Pledge and stole a win, why Brandon Tanev took a shot at Shane Wright, and the arrival of Jani Nyman. Three Stars of the Week has everything from Joey's countdown to Asia, drummers on TikTok, Sleep Token, 1/2 off wine bars and 5am nights, March Madness coinciding with Spring, and Jeff has an all-time experience at a phone store. Ending, as always, with the Chirp of the Week. 02:34 Kraken Reaction 26:00 Draft Kings DEAL FOR LISTENERS! Subscribe: -On All podcasting apps. Rate & review on iTunes, Apple Podcasts, and Spotify! -Follow us on Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram at @KrakenPod! This Episode is Brought to you by DraftKings! New episodes every week on The Hockey Podcast Network. Release the Kraken! #SeaKraken

In this episode of Acceptable Accuracy, Philip and Tyler sit down with Andrew from NavComm to dive into the world of civilian radio communications. Why should you own a radio when cell phones seem so reliable? We explore practical use cases and break down the differences between FRS, GMRS, and HAM radio—covering ease of use, licensing requirements, and realistic communication distances. Andrew shares essential radio recommendations, must-have accessories, and how to integrate comms into your overall preparedness setup. Plus, we tackle radio programming, from basic on-device setup to using CHIRP software for configuring repeaters and optimizing performance. If you've ever considered adding a radio to your readiness kit, this episode is packed with everything you need to get started.

Google's Chirp 3 is coming to Vertex AI, Roblox announces text-to-shape generator Cube 3D, Alphabet spins off laser internet startup Taara. Show Notes

Google's Chirp 3 is coming to Vertex AI, Roblox announces text-to-shape generator Cube 3D, Alphabet spins off laser internet startup Taara. MP3 Please SUBSCRIBE HERE for free or get DTNS Live ad-free. A special thanks to all our supporters–without you, none of this would be possible. If you enjoy what you see you can supportContinue reading "Discord Announces Social SDK For Game Developers – DTH"

Former Cowboys defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence and Micah Parsons went at it on X last night.

BACK from Mardi Gras and Jeff has some serious goofy nuggets planning to do. This week's Kraken Reaction covers everything this year's NHL trade deadline including the grade the Seattle Kraken received from ESPN, what trading Oliver Bjorkstrand means for the organizations, a farewell to Yanni Gourde and Brandon Tanev, the direction of the organization, future plans for Philip Grubauer, way too early free agency predictions, and much more. Three Stars of the Week has everything from Jeff's newly discovered hate for Universal Studios, a full Disney and Mardi Gras recap, the most amazing roller coaster ever, the Seattle Seahawks imploding, and Joey's first big boy camera ahead of his Japan trip. Ending, as always, with the Chirp of the Week. 03:57 Kraken Reaction 48:12 Draft Kings DEAL FOR LISTENERS! Subscribe: -On All podcasting apps. Rate & review on iTunes, Apple Podcasts, and Spotify! -Follow us on Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram at @KrakenPod! This Episode is Brought to you by DraftKings! New episodes every week on The Hockey Podcast Network. Release the Kraken! #SeaKraken

HAPPY MARDI GRAS Y'ALL! See ya on the other side. Joey is in full form and to really enjoy this episode we recommend watching on our YouTube @KrakenPod. This week's Kraken Reaction covers Eberle and the Seattle Kraken coming back from the break, how Seattle cannot get enough of Finnish dudes (and neither can we), how the Seattle Kraken could have made playoffs this season, Shane Wright goes on a popular podcast to give us some awesome intel, and Berkly Catton is a fucking STUD...call up soon? Three Stars of the Week features everything from Joey hosting for Mardi Gras parades to the Januszek (Polish) household being bitten by the hockey bug, crawfish boils, gospel core, a last minute escape to Disney, and a possible record night out on the town. Ending, as always, with the Chirp of the Week. 13:09 Kraken Reaction 38:00 Draft Kings DEAL FOR LISTENERS! Subscribe: -On All podcasting apps. Rate & review on iTunes, Apple Podcasts, and Spotify! -Follow us on Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram at @KrakenPod! This Episode is Brought to you by DraftKings! New episodes every week on The Hockey Podcast Network. Release the Kraken! #SeaKraken