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We continue checking in to haunted hotels in Colorado. Just a stones throw away from the Black Monarch (featured in last weeks episode) is the Victor Hotel, then in Colorado Springs we visit the Broadmoor. Both are beautiful lodging locations and home to resident spirits, intense paranormal activity and so much more.CREDITS & LINKS MUSIC COURTESY OF:Bobby Mackey “Johanna”CITY SHOUT OUTS:
Join us as we continue in our series "Camp Paul"Join us every Sunday online or in-person at 9:00am & 11:00am. 4005 Lee Vance Vw, Colorado Springs, CO 80918 Website: rockfamilychurch.com Connect Card: https://rfc.churchcenter.com/people/forms/528074 Prayer Requests: https://www.rockfamilychurch.com/prayer-request Start Serving: https://rfc.churchcenter.com/registrations/events/category/92573 Join a Small Group: https://rfc.churchcenter.com/registrations/events/3287086 Facebook: facebook.com/rockfamilychurch Instagram: instagram.com/rockfamilychurch Tik Tok: tiktok.com/@rockfamilychurch Youtube: youtube.com/@RockFamilyOnline#ColoradoSpringsChurch #Faith #Jesus #Worship #ChurchOnline #SundayMessage
“I'm so passionate about creating a world where fraud is rare and trust between a member and their credit union is a given.” - Shanthi ShanmugamThank you for tuning in to The CUInsight Network, with your host, Robbie Young, Vice President of Strategic Growth at CUInsight. In The CUInsight Network, we take a deeper dive with the thought leaders who support the credit union community. We discuss issues and challenges facing credit unions and identify best practices to learn and grow together.My guest on today's show is Shanthi Shanmugam, CEO of Casap. She joins me for this episode to discuss the winding path that took her from studying computer science at UC Berkeley to helping credit unions rethink one of the most stressful moments in the member experience: disputes.Throughout our conversation, Shanthi makes it evident that she is passionate about building technology that feels human. She shares stories from her time at Facebook and Robinhood, including the moment when she realized that she wanted to spend her career solving problems that genuinely matter to people. Hear how that mindset eventually led to the formation of Casap, an AI-powered platform helping credit unions reduce fraud losses, improve dispute resolution, and strengthen member trust without losing the human judgment these situations often require. We also dig into why disputes are far more than just operational headaches, with Shanthi explaining why they're “trust moments” that can determine whether a member stays loyal to their financial institution or walks away entirely.As we wrap up the episode, Shanthi talks about her love for custom suits, Bollywood dancing, Colorado Springs, and why Stephen Covey's The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People still resonates with her years after first reading it. Enjoy my conversation with Shanthi Shanmugam!Find the full show notes on cuinsight.com.Connect with Shanthi:Shanthi Shanmugam, CEO of Casapshanthi@casaphq.com casaphq.com Shanthi: LinkedIn Casap: LinkedInShow notes from this episode:Film mentioned: RatatouilleCharacter mentioned: RemyBook mentioned: The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen CoveyIn this episode:[1:00] - When she was young, Shanthi dreamed of traveling worldwide through dance and teaching others to love it.[2:27] - After Berkeley and Facebook, Shanthi pursued product work that was focused on meaningful human impact.[5:01] - Learn how ChatGPT inspired Shanthi to launch Casap and reimagine trust-centered fraud prevention.[8:16] - Hear how Casap helps credit unions improve member experiences and reduce fraud via AI-powered dispute management.[11:13] - Shanthi identifies three major gaps in the dispute process - starting with credit unions needing more transparent support.[12:36] - The second gap is fragmented systems which weaken fraud decision-making.[13:57] - Thirdly, better dispute insights are needed to differentiate between legitimate cases and attempted fraud.[15:09] - Shanthi points out that disputes become defining moments that shape long-term member loyalty and retention.[17:49] - Shanthi illustrates the difference between agentic AI and other AI tools.[20:28] - I praise Casap for balancing fast automation with compassionate human support.[21:08] - Casap aims to become credit unions' broader AI operating system beyond just dispute management.[23:24] - Hear why Shanthi credits her mother with being a good leader.[25:36] - Shanthi reflects on a trip to Colorado Springs which offered her a refreshing conference experience outside the usual Vegas routine.[26:39] - Shanthi empathically believes that everyone should read The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen Covey.[27:14] - Shanthi reveals that monthly check-ins help her balance rapid company growth with family and personal priorities.[29:49] - Shanthi expresses gratitude for credit unions.
Christina Hello, everyone, I'm Christina Darnell, the managing editor of MinistryWatch. Welcome to the MinistryWatch podcast. In today's extra episode, I talk with Warren Smith about some news items that are slightly (even significantly) outside of our normal charity and philanthropy “beat.” So, Warren, what's up first? Warren Last Friday, just days before the Southern Baptist Convention gathered for its annual meeting in Orlando, Florida, SBC megachurch Pastor Jack Graham said in a social media post that the SBC has never had a “systematic sexual abuse crisis” and described what prompted a 2021 independent investigation by Guidepost Solutions as a “reckless hoax.” Christina Speaking of reckless, given all the evidence for serious issues in the SBC, that seems a pretty reckless thing to say. Warren Agreed. I have met Jack Graham a few times, and he seemed like a normal guy. I clearly missed the signs. This statement is so dislocated from reality as to make my head swim. Christina The Houston Chronicle documented nearly 400 cases of sexual abuse in Texas alone. The Guidepost Report on the SBC found hundreds more. Warren Graham's view seems to be that the problem was not systematic and was instead a function of how large the SBC is (“a few bad apples”). Even if that was true (and I do not think it was), the failure to respond quickly and adequately to survivors was surely systematic, a product of the culture of the SBC. That said, the SBC has, in recent years, taken solid steps toward reform. I applaud the denomination for that. But Graham's comments are not helping. Christina While we're on the subject of the Southern Baptist Convention, the SBC has released new demographic information, and Ryan Burge has analyzed it. Warren Here's a passage from one of his recent weekly newsletters: “I've said this on many occasions, but the rise of the SBC from 1945 through 1990 will never ever be replicated again in the history of American religion.” The SBC peaked at $16.2 million in 2006. Today it has about 12.3 million. This 25 percent decline in a generation is due to a lot of factors, including a general secularization of culture. But to claim that the sex abuse scandals played no role strains credulity. Christina The Southern Baptist Convention is meeting this week, but the SBC is not the only thing in the news. Warren That's right. A new study is out from Communio and the Institute for Family Studies. Among the findings: “Children raised in homes where faith is discussed regularly are more than twice as likely to attend church and say religion is very important to them when they become adults.” The study is called Passing the Torch: How Faith Moves Across Generations, and it claims to be the “most comprehensive examination to date of how parents successfully pass on faith to the next generation.” The report also found that when both parents attend church weekly, 41 percent of children do the same in adulthood, compared to 29 percent when only one parent attends. Children who report a strong relationship with both parents are 97 percent more likely of believing in God as adults than those with weaker parental relationships. Christina We do not often cover the Catholic Church, but a story from our hometown of Charlotte caught your attention this week. Warren Prosecutors say a Catholic Charities employee in Charlotte embezzled and laundered money by using a business credit card. The damage was more than $13,000. Leah Stewart, age 46, was arrested in late April. She faces felony charges over the unauthorized credit card charges. We do not cover Catholic charities much, but this one was in my hometown, so I could not help but notice. Also, it gives me another opportunity to note that we can learn from this situation. To find out how your organization can put safeguards in place to avoid financial fraud, click here. Christina And our last story is a bit of good news. Warren That's right. There's so much news about people doing bad things, it's nice sometimes to catch people doing good things, especially when they happen to be friends. Christina And one of them is right here in Charlotte. Warren That would be Rod Culbertson. He has “graduated” to emeritus status at Reformed Theological Seminary here in Charlotte after a long and distinguished career as a pastor, campus minister with Reformed University Fellowship, and a longtime professor at RTS. “Emeritus” is what you call someone who has retired but who does not believe in retirement as a biblical category! Christina And who's the other one. Maria Montserrat Alvarado, the current president and COO of U.S.-based Catholic media giant EWTN News, will lead the Vatican's communication office, the Vatican announced Tuesday (June 2). Montse, as I know her, is not yet 40 years of age, and she will be the youngest person to lead a Vatican dicastery in recent memory and the first woman who is not a religious sister to be a Vatican prefect, a task historically reserved for cardinals. When I first met Montse, nearly 20 years ago, she was barely in her 20s and working for The Becket Fund, the religious liberty legal organization. We have reported on their work often here at MinistryWatch. It was clear even then she was a rising star. Indeed, in 2017 she became the Executive Director there. So, Montse and Rod, I will be praying for you both as you enter news seasons of life and ministry. Christina Warren, we need to wrap things up here. Any final thoughts before we go? Warren I'm in Colorado Springs and Denver this week. I'll be doing a reader lunch in the Springs on Thursday and in Denver on Friday. Let me know if you would like to join us. My email is wsmith@ministrywatch.com. I also want to mention that June is the end of our fiscal year. We've had a good year, so far, but we still have about $45,000 that we need to raise between now and June 30. If that number sounds huge, I'd like to remind you that the average gift to MinistryWatch is less than $100. But they add up. If you have been listening to us here on the podcast for a while, but have never given, I'd like to ask you to consider a gift so MinistryWatch can continue our work. Just go to www.MinistryWatch.com/donate Christina That brings to a close this EXTRA episode of the podcast. The producer for today's program is Jeff McIntosh. I hope you'll join Warren and me again on Friday. We'll be bringing you the news of the week, from a MinistryWatch perspective. Until next time, may God bless you.
In this special internal episode of the Colorado Business Podcast, Andrew Hazzlee of Vehement Visuals, Marcus Alvarado of Red Mojo Marketing, and Chris Seegers of Exceptional Business Advisors sit down for a rare host roundtable.Instead of interviewing a guest, the team turns the microphones inward to talk about what they are building, what they are learning, and where business is headed in Colorado.Chris breaks down the idea behind his life, wealth, and business operating systems, why business owners need a real plan for more than just revenue, and why building a company should not come at the expense of your family, health, faith, or future.Marcus shares updates on Red Mojo, the growth of his digital marketing agency, SEO, paid ads, web design, strategic partnerships, and how the podcast continues to fuel deeper relationships with entrepreneurs across Colorado.Andrew opens up about the evolution from the Colorado Springs Business Podcast to the Colorado Business Podcast, the future vision for building a larger media company, and why the best marketing still comes down to telling real human stories.The conversation also dives into AI in business, customer service, sales, community building, Colorado Springs, long-term thinking, and why human connection may become even more valuable as technology moves faster.If you are a business owner, entrepreneur, marketer, creator, or someone who cares about the future of Colorado business, this episode is for you.Chapters:00:00 Welcome to a rare internal episode02:40 Why this episode matters03:11 Chris shares updates from Exceptional Business Advisors04:35 Life, wealth, and business operating systems07:00 The book trilogy behind the operating system08:02 Building a business without losing your life08:55 Acquisitions, security, and business growth11:35 Why cities need better operating systems15:00 Managing multiple businesses at once22:15 The growth of the Colorado Business Podcast25:42 From Colorado Springs Business Podcast to Colorado Business Podcast26:19 Why story is still the best marketing29:41 Building a better future for Colorado30:49 Why Colorado Springs still matters38:08 Marcus shares updates from Red Mojo41:37 What Red Mojo does43:14 The bigger media company vision45:22 AI, sales, and human connection01:02:39 Alignment, faith, and congruence01:13:30 Dream guests and the future of the show01:28:39 Final thoughtsSubscribe for more conversations with Colorado entrepreneurs, founders, business owners, and leaders building what comes next.
Support us on Patreon to get access to video episodesCome see us LIVE on July 10th + August 14thWe've got a situation... Things get real in this special live episode, as we leap into the world of MTV for the first time evah!Audra and Julia were joined on the panel by Molly Bushey and Tevin Tollermack (Kristen Pichette)Support our PlayersCome see Pride Improvaganza on June 12th!Visit peakimprov.com to check out Julia's shows and classesFollow The Flock on InstaFollow Love at First Laugh on InstaFollow Friends of the Pilot on InstaWe are an ad and listener supported podcast, but mainly listener supported. Consider supporting our production over at patreon.com/gateleapers. All supporters get ad-free audio episodes. Premium supporters get video recordings + our bonus monthly live comedy gameshow Slidesplitters!Music: BoucheDag by Alexander Nakarada (serpentsoundstudios.com)Licensed under Creative Commons BY Attribution 4.0 Licensehttps://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/fandomonium-a-fandom-comedy-game-show--5150861/support.
(This podcast was previously published on July 18, 2021) Jesus Ministries, Joan Boney ... A pastor in Colorado Springs, Colorado (USA), sent me an email with the following requests: He would like to know this from me: 1. Your word of exhortation on today's churches. 2. How God has led you to where you live with Pam in Colorado Springs?
What's up, fraud fighters, and welcome to Fraud Forward.I recorded this live from Safeguard's AI Deep Dive Retreat at The Broadmoor in Colorado Springs, and y'all, let me tell you something: this was not just another room full of AI buzzwords. This was fraud leaders, payment experts, financial institution professionals, fintech voices, marketplace operators, and risk leaders all sitting in the same place asking one very real question.What happens to fraud prevention when artificial intelligence changes everything?The future of AI fraud is not some far-off thing we are all fixin' to deal with later. It is already here. We are seeing AI change the speed, scale, and complexity of fraud operations right now. We are seeing it show up in synthetic identity fraud, AI scams, AI identity verification, agentic AI fraud, fraud detection automation, governance conversations, and the pressure fraud teams are already carrying every single day.But this episode is not about panic.It is about realism.It is about what fraud fighters are seeing, what institutions are building, where the gaps still are, and how we keep humans at the center while fraud keeps accelerating around us.What you'll hear in this episode:A practical conversation about the future of AI fraud and what it means for fraud operationsHow AI fraud prevention is changing across banking, credit unions, fintech, payments, marketplaces, and risk teamsWhy synthetic identity fraud, AI scams, and identity fraud prevention are becoming major areas of concernHow AI in fraud prevention can help investigators analyze data, identify patterns, and reduce noiseWhy AI governance in fraud prevention cannot be treated as something we clean up laterHow agentic AI fraud, know your agent, and KYA fraud prevention are becoming part of the next conversationWhy human-in-the-loop fraud detection still matters, even when fraud analyst AI tools are getting betterHow fraud fighters and AI can work together without replacing the people who know this work bestA reminder that responsible AI risk management has to include governance, empathy, collaboration, and practical controlsWho should listen:Financial institution leaders and fraud professionalsRisk, compliance, and cybersecurity teamsFraud operations teams and investigatorsCredit union and community bank leadersBanking fraud prevention teamsCredit union fraud prevention teamsFintech, payments, and marketplace risk teamsBSA, AML, KYC, and identity teamsRegulators and policy advisorsIndustry advocates and victim support professionalsMedia professionals covering scams, fraud, AI, and financial crimeAnyone trying to understand how AI-driven fraud affects real people, real institutions, and real fraud teamsThis conversation is for the fraud fighters who are not just trying to check a compliance box. It is for the teams trying to protect members, customers, and communities while also figuring out how to use AI-powered fraud prevention without creating new risk.
What does it take to become a Paralympic gold medalist? For Team USA Paralympic hand cyclist Kate Brim, the answer goes far beyond training and racing.Host: Torie Giffin, Owner Buffalo Lodge Bicycle ResortGuest: Kate Brim, Paralympic hand cyclist for team USAIn this inspiring episode of Pedal The Springs, Kate shares her remarkable journey from a spinal cord injury at age 19 to standing atop the podium at the Paris Paralympics, where she earned gold in the time trial and bronze in the mixed team relay.Kate opens up about the difficult road she faced after Paris, including a kidney infection, ICU hospitalization, months without riding, and the daily realities of living with Type 1 diabetes while relying on TPN nutrition. After more than a year away from international competition, she returned to racing at the Para-cycling World Cup in Chiang Mai, Thailand—the first Para-cycling World Cup ever held in Asia—where she captured victories in all three events she entered.We discuss the physical and mental demands of elite para-sport, traveling internationally with 95 pounds of life-sustaining medical equipment, and the incredible “team behind the team” of coaches, trainers, nutritionists, family, and supporters who make success possible.Kate also shares her favorite rides around Colorado Springs, including Gold Camp Road, Cheyenne Canyon, Fountain, and Garden of the Gods, and discusses road safety for hand cyclists, the high cost of adaptive sports equipment, and the growing visibility of para-cycling in the United States.Before her injury in 2017, Kate was a competitive rower and outdoor enthusiast. Today, she trains full-time as a Paralympic athlete while living and training in Colorado Springs at the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Training Center. Through every challenge, she continues to embody the grit, determination, and resilience that have defined her journey.Whether you're a cyclist, athlete, caregiver, or simply someone facing challenges of your own, Kate's story is a powerful reminder that setbacks do not define us—how we respond to them does.Follow Kate:Instagram: @QuadKateFacebook: Kate BrimStrava: Kate BrimLearn More:U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Training Center: https://www.usopc.org/training-centers/colorado-springsUSA Cycling Para-cycling: https://usacycling.orgFollow Pedal The Springs for more stories from the people, places, and events that make Colorado Springs one of America's great cycling communities. Post-Episode Update: When this interview was recorded in April, Kate was just days away from receiving her diabetic alert service dog, Sobako. Since then, Sobako has already proven to be an invaluable companion, alerting Kate to low glucose levels during training and helping her safely manage her Type 1 diabetes while pursuing her athletic goals.Kate has also continued her remarkable comeback, winning gold medals in both the road race and time trial at the Para-cycling World Cup in Italy as she prepares for the World Championships in Huntsville, Alabama this September—the first Para-cycling Road World Championships ever held in the United States.Pedal the Springs is produced and presented by the Buffalo Lodge Bicycle Resort, the only bicycle-themed lodging and must-stay for cyclists coming to Colorado. Check us out at https://www.bicycleresort.com for more information.Episodes are recorded in the Studio 809 Podcasts community podcast studio at The Next Us. https://thenextus.spaces.nexudus.com/?public&Find other great podcasts produced in and for the Pikes Peak Region - at https://studio809podcasts.comDon't miss an episode of Pedal the Springs. Follow on your favorite podcast app.
Episode 138 When One Plus One Equals Three: A Conversation with National Aphasia Synergy In this episode you will discover: 1. People with aphasia hold the map. At NAS, people with aphasia don't just have a seat at the table — they built the table. Real peer leadership changes everything about how an organization thinks and acts. 2. Recovery is about more than speech. The isolation and psychological distress that follow aphasia are just as real as the communication challenges — and just as deserving of attention and support. 3. Peer-befriending is life participation in action. When people with aphasia support one another through shared experience, that's not a supplement to good care — it is good care. 4. Sinergia: one plus one equals three. When survivors and professionals work as true equals, something greater emerges than either could create alone. June is National Aphasia Awareness Month, and around here, that means it's time for one of my favorite podcast traditions. For the past few years running, we've spent this month in conversation with people who know aphasia from the inside — those living it every day. Today is no exception, and this one is a conversation I've genuinely been looking forward to. Welcome to the Aphasia Access Conversations Podcast. I'm Katie Strong from Central Michigan University, where I lead the Strong Story Lab, and I'm a member of the Aphasia Access Podcast Working Group. Aphasia Access is dedicated to transforming services and environments so people with aphasia can participate more fully in life — and today's guests are living proof of exactly what that looks like. Today I'm speaking with two leaders from National Aphasia Synergy — known as NAS — a peer-led nonprofit founded in 2021 by people with aphasia, for people with aphasia. NAS was built on the belief that those living with aphasia are best positioned to support others on the same journey. Through peer-befriending, technology empowerment, and community building, NAS works to end the isolation that so often follows a stroke — connecting people across the country through a shared sense of what they call Sinergia: the idea that when survivors and professionals work as true equals, one plus one equals three. Today's conversation feels especially meaningful to me. I've had the privilege of seeing Trish and Amy in action at conferences like Aphasia Access and ASHA — learning from their presentations and watching their advocacy make ripples far beyond those conference walls. As someone who researches friendship and aphasia, I've followed the peer befriending movement closely — it began in the UK, and when I heard that NAS was bringing it to the United States, led by a peer organization, I thought: this is what life participation actually looks like. Before we get into the conversation, let me tell you a bit more about our guests. Trish Hambridge is the President and Founder of National Aphasia Synergy. Trish has lived with aphasia since her stroke in 2008, and that experience is the foundation of everything she has built. A former project manager for AppleCare, Trish has become not only a powerful advocate but a published researcher — partnering with research teams to influence the questions being asked and the evidence being built in our field. Her co-authored work spans game-based rehabilitation design, posttraumatic growth in aphasia, and the measurement of motivation and psychological needs in aphasia rehabilitation — all published in leading journals including the American Journal of Speech-Language Pathology. She has spoken at conferences including the Aphasia Access Leadership Summit, Aphasia Access Chautauqua and ASHA, serves on the Disability Advisory Committee in Dunedin, Florida, and is a member of Voices of Hope for Aphasia. Her vision brought NAS to life, and her leadership — in the clinic, in the research literature, and in the community — continues to shape it. Amy Walters is the Vice President of National Aphasia Synergy. Amy has lived with aphasia since her stroke in 2018 — a stroke that, in a striking twist of fate, occurred while she was attending a neurosurgical conference. A Harvard graduate with a Master of Public Health from Johns Hopkins, Amy spent 30 years as a senior leader in the medical device industry before her stroke, and she has channeled that same expertise and drive into aphasia advocacy. She has presented at neurosurgical conferences to raise awareness, participates in aphasia groups across the country, and brings a remarkable combination of professional knowledge and lived experience to everything NAS does. So — let's get into the conversation. Katie Strong: Trish and Amy, welcome. I'm so excited to have you both here today and learn about what's going on in National Aphasia Synergy. Trish Hambridge: Thank you for the chance to meet. Amy Walters: We are so pleased to be here with the Aphasia Access Community. Katie Strong: Well, we're delighted that you are sharing your time and expertise with us. I wanted to get started by asking about National Aphasia Synergy. How was it created? Just wondering if you could share the origin story of the organization and how that concept of synergy or working together defines your mission. Trish Hambridge: Long time ago, I had a stroke, major stroke. But I was the same person then as I am now. I remember sitting on the hospital patio in San Jose and Karen, my good friend from college and speech therapist was there, and she was teaching everyone about aphasia. My friends and family were so patient. I remember my Dad talking to me and say, "You are stubborn." and I said, "Thank you!" Because that choice – being subborn - changed everything and gave me the chance to get my identity back. Katie Strong: So, Trish, just to verify, you're saying your stubbornness got you where you are right now. Trish Hambridge: Yes, but yes! Katie Strong: Love it. Trish Hambridge: Sorry to say, I have issues! But going back to the beginning, I had only had five words. Even my 'yes' and 'no' were flipped. Traditional homework is not my cup of tea. Shhh! Quiet, I'm lazy! I needed a better strategy, and I found it with P2Go. It's so much more than an app. It is the tool that gave me my voice back. Katie Strong: I love that, so if I'm understanding correctly, traditional homework is not for you, and that you really needed something that was technology based, which goes back to your expertise in your life, career to be able to really help you communicate, and it was the P2Go. Trish Hambridge: Yeah, yeah, is small, is so, is easy, my opinion. Katie Strong: Well, that's what we're here for today, is your opinion. Trish Hambridge: In 2016, a move to Dunedin, Florida changed everything. I joined Voices of Hope and finally found my community. Then the pandemic hit. But it couldn't stop our connection. We moved to Zoom. I want to be honest, though: some of my friends didn't make it through that storm. Their pain is part of this journey. We build this community in their honor. Katie Strong: Oh, that's really touching, you know. It is. It's hard, so many friends don't stay in our lives for many reasons, but aphasia can really be a challenge for friends sticking around. Trish Hambridge: Yeah, and the technology is not my cup of tea. Katie Strong: Wonderful, wonderful. Thank you for sharing that. Trish Hambridge: In 2021, I stepped up. I moved from a 'Lead Pathfinder' to the Founder of National Aphasia Synergy. I reached out to Debbie Yones, the big cheese of Voices of Hope. She and the Board Director gave me wise advice to help me grow. I didn't do it alone. My sister and my sister-in-law helped me think through the logistics. They helped me build the support for the nonprofit. Because of them, my vision became a reality. Katie Strong: So, your consultation with those important people to your life really helped National Aphasia Synergy become a reality. Trish Hambridge: Yeah. Finally, I asked Amy to join the mission. She became part of the organization. Now, we are moving forward together. Katie Strong: Thanks, Trish. I love that. Amy Walters: Thanks, Trish. Nine years ago, I had my stroke at the neurosurgical conference. Ironic, right? Yeah, the conference was in Colorado Springs. I was in a medically induced coma for 10 days and diagnosed with Global Aphasia. Then I was airlifted to the Shepherd Center in Atlanta, Georgia, where I had a craniotomy and cranioplasty. On the flight I remembered thinking, "Am I in a simulator? What's happening to me?" Katie Strong: Wow! That sounds surreal! Amy Walters: My career was in clinical affairs for a medical neurosurgical device company, so I am professionally and personally familiar with neuroplasticity. I know how crucial neuroplasticity is to our physical, mental, and emotional recovery. National Aphasia Synergy was born from a deep need for collaborative survivor-led company. Katie Strong: The advocacy you're doing is really amazing, and I'm so excited for our listeners to be able to hear more about it. Amy Walters: Thank you. When we look at the aphasia community today, we see massive gaps. Most organizations are built for us, but they aren't led by us. The 'medical way' focuses only on the speech deficit, but it leaves a gaping hole in mental health, identity, and social connection. The research is heartbreaking: 40% to 60% of stroke survivors with aphasia experience chronic depression, and in early recovery, a staggering 93% experience high levels of psychological distress. This isn't just about the survivor—46% of our family members also face depression. Our mission is to bridge those gaps. We aren't just here to 'fix' speech; we are here to empower the whole person. We call it Sinergia—the Greek word for Synergy. It means we don't work in silos. We don't have 'experts' on one side and 'patients' on the other. We have a partnership where 1 plus 1 equals 3. Katie Strong: I love it! Amy Walters: We are moving away from the isolated patient model and toward a Sinergia where survivors and professionals work as equals to reclaim our lives. We are here to educate and empower our peers to use technology to reclaim their voices. But more importantly, we are here to promote peer-befriending. We reach out to those who are new to this path or struggling to find their way, because no one should walk this road alone. Katie Strong: I know, Amy, I just am so excited. I've been watching this peer befriending happen over in the UK, or reading about it, and hearing about it, and I was just so delighted when I heard that National Aphasia Synergy was taking this up and helping us to, to have a really solid connection. I think one of the things that breaks my heart the most is when I meet someone who has aphasia, who's been living with aphasia for a really long time, and they've never met anyone else who had aphasia. Amy Walters: Heartbreaking. Katie Strong: It really is. It really is. Amy Walters: Our goal is to develop a national community that encourages optimism. We believe a positive outlook isn't just a 'nice feeling'—it is a strategy for recovery. Katie Strong: Heck, yes! Amy Walters: At NAS, we don't just look for what's lost; we build on the strengths that remain. There were gaps in the Aphasia Community. Trish Hambridge: Speech Therapists and care partners are vital to recovery. They have good intentions, but the 'medical way' is often the wrong way. Katie Strong: Yeah, yeah, it's not quite the right way. Trish Hambridge: Many researchers only survey the Speech Therapists and the partners. But what about me? What about us? What am I, chopped liver? Think about the last time someone completely iced us out. It hurts, right? It honestly chips away at our sense of self, leaving us clueless as to where we actually fit in. Katie Strong: Yeah, so Trish, just to recap this for the listeners, you're saying when somebody ices you out, you're asking the listeners to reflect on how that really feels, Trish Hambridge: Yeah, I email [a researcher], and have offered [to be a part of their team] but they are like "Oh no, but sorry." Katie Strong: I hear, I hear you. Yeah and I think what you're bringing up - and you and Amy are bringing up such a great point that as the aphasia research community has not always included people with aphasia. Or they're only including people with mild aphasia versus more severe types of aphasia, so I love that you're calling this out and shining light on it. It's, it's time. Trish Hambridge Here's what the research tells us. Therapists and partners see the journey from the outside. But those of us living it? We know the honest truth. Katie Strong: Yeah, yeah, so as the clinicians, the therapists, and the care partners see that journey from the outside, and you all are living it for sure. Trish Hambridge: It is the 'Chicken and the Egg' problem: Does the partner change first? Or does the people with aphasia change? The answer is: The Environment. We must change the environment to find true recovery. We need to move from being 'patients' to being Lead Pathfinders. Katie Strong: Yes, so I love it. You're, you're flipping the script there and reclaiming your identity, or renegotiating it from that patient role to being a lead pathfinder. I love that terminology. Thank you. Thank you. One of you said this earlier that organizations are for people with aphasia, but National Aphasia Synergy is led by people with aphasia. Why is this distinction critical for the community to understand, and how does it change the way an organization is run? Amy Walters: Right, Katie. In the past, organizations were built for us, like a charity. But National Aphasia Synergy is different. We are led by people with aphasia. We are moving from 'being helped' to leading. This is more than an organization. It is a revolution of identity. At National Aphasia Synergy, we are flipping the script on leadership. Our Board makes decisions with one clear priority: putting voices with aphasia at the forefront. That means leaders like Trish, Bruce, and me are the ones making the big calls. We collaborate with wonderful professionals, like Kait, our SLP, Helen, our Financial and Secretarial support and Will Evans, our Volunteer Consultant. They are essential to our success. They ensure our communication is accessible and our business stays strong. I always think of our board meetings being like a United Nations meeting with "international representatives" (i.e., China, France, Japan, etc.) each of us is coming to the table with a different lived experience, different aphasia types, etc. We work together to "translate" and work through our differing communication styles. But make no mistake: The people with aphasia are the primary drivers of the vision. The professionals provide the tools, but we hold the maps. Katie Strong: Such a great analogy. I love it and it also sounds like your work is fun too. Amy Walters: Driving you crazy, but you mean you mean you mean, yeah. Hold the phone! Katie Strong: Oh, that's great. I love it. Well, what does National Aphasia Synergy offer that others should know about? Trish Hambridge: Look at what we have built together: First, our Peer Befriending Program. A team of four SLPs and four people with aphasia worked as equals to create our training. Today, we have 15 volunteer Allies trained and ready to support the community. Katie Strong: I love it. So, 15 people with aphasia, volunteer Allies, have been trained as peer befrienders to go out and connect with other people who newly have aphasia. Trish Hambridge: Right, but anything like… Katie Strong: Or rather, anybody who has aphasia that they're wanting to connect with. Trish Hambridge: Come! Come! But we meet on Zoom. Katie Strong: On Zoom, right? Yeah, absolutely. This is all virtual, which is amazing, you know, because you get a good reach, a really, a really great reach. What else is going on? Amy Walters: Second, our Aphasia & Mental Health Video. We have four excellent SLPs sharing the research, stats, resources and the power of neuroplasticity. And we also surveyed 10 people with aphasia to capture the honest truth of our emotional journeys and provide 10 essential tips for recovery. Trish Hambridge: I always start with a roadmap. But originally, we were filming something completely different. But three weeks before the shoot, I went to Debbie and asked: 'What do you think?' She said, 'There are enough basic videos out there... why doesn't NAS focus on Mental Health?' Katie Strong: Yeah, okay. So, you were doing all this planning, and then three weeks before the shoot, you went and talked to Debbie and said, "What do you think?" And she said, "There's already enough videos out there on basic aphasia, but not on mental health. I love it! Trish Hambridge: Yeah and so I agree!!! We agreed right away. We made a right turn... And changed the plan on the fly! I ran a preview for my friends at Voices of Hope. They loved it, but they asked the killer question: 'Where is the actual resource? Where do we go for help?' Katie Strong: Trish, you are speaking to my heart here, and I know I'm one of those "outsider perspectives" as a clinician. But we just don't have great resources for mental health. It's really challenging. So, I love that your friends at Voices of Hope called you out on that. What happened after that? Amy Walters: That was the lightbulb moment, right? Trish Hambridge: Yeah, a video wasn't enough—we needed a map. So, we built the Aphasia and Mental Health Resources paper. The researchers and I had some serious back-and-forth debate, but that's how you get a solid plan. We ended up with something really cool: real tools for real people. Katie Strong: Love, love it! Trish Hambridge: Third, our Adaptive Growth Culture paper. This provides a brand-new map for recovery that the whole world can use to look past the 'broken parts.' Katie Strong: Yeah, Trish, I've heard you speak on this. That talk you gave it, ASHA. I'm going to say listeners, particularly clinicians, you should check this out, because we need to get our clients with aphasia, our lead pathfinders with aphasia to be able to think in this sort of way, so yeah, Trish Hambridge: But like I have like the speech therapist and the caregiver, and people with aphasia - it like, look right -- is the good plan. Katie Strong: Love it, fantastic, Amy Walters: Kait and I shared five powerful aphasia stories on video to show our diversity, our strength, our inhumanity, frankly. All of this lives on our National Synergy website. These aren't just projects, they are the proof that when people with aphasia lead, we create world that actually works for us. Katie Strong: Oh, this is fantastic. And we'll have links to your website in the show notes, but you can certainly Google National Aphasia Synergy, and the website pops right up. I've been exploring it for a little bit, but I was looking at it again this morning, and there's just such great, great stuff on there. So please go and check it out. Well, I'm curious, Amy and Trish, what's on the horizon for National Aphasia Synergy, and how can our listeners, whether they're Aphasia Access members or people living with aphasia get involved or support your work. Amy Walters: We are so proud of what we have built, but we are just getting started. This is our Call to Action. Trish Hambridge: We want the world to get excited about Mental Health! Katie Strong: And I think get excited about your Adaptive Growth Culture too. Trish Hambridge: Yeah! We recently presented a poster at the Chautauqua virtual conference, and the feedback from Aphasia Access members was powerful. The keynote speaker, Dr. Nina Simmons-Mackie, spoke about moving from 'managing a condition' to 'owning a life.' That is exactly what we do! We focus on the strengths, the emotions, and the identity that the old medical model ignores. Katie Strong: Yeah, so okay. So, Trish, you, you were, I think you presented you National Aphasia Synergy presented a poster at the Chautauqua, the Aphasia Access Chautauqua recently. Trish Hambridge: First time presenting a poster! Katie Strong: I love it, I love it. Yep, and the feedback that you got from the Chautauqua attendees was spectacular, right? And that's when, and, and, and Dr. Simmons-Mackie or Nina Simmons Mackey took that idea and we wove it into her keynote at the end, right, and talked about how it's important for us to support people and people with aphasia and care partners move from managing a condition to owning a life. I mean, that that's powerful stuff. I love it! Trish Hambridge: I'm so honored. Katie Strong: Well, you are out there making an impact. Amy Walters: Thank you. We are building something historic, and we want you to be part of it. Here is how you can join the revolution: Trish Hambridge: To the speech therapists and researchers, Help us build our evidence base. We want the test that adapted growth culture map to prove how it improves mental health and builds confidence. Don't just watch from the sidelines—come test this with us! Soon, I'm taking the Adaptive Growth Culture to the global stage. I'll be at the International Aphasia Rehabilitation Conference in Athens. Katie Strong: You'll be at the International Aphasia Rehabilitation Conference, or IARC, in… Trish Hambridge: Athens!! I am presenting our Adaptive Growth Culture Poster to the top minds in the field. Katie Strong: Fantastic. Trish Hambridge: We have built the roadmap. Now, the researchers will provide the data-driven proof. It is time to see the Adaptive Growth Culture in action. We are moving from lived experience to clinical evidence. Katie Strong: I love it, moving from lived experience to clinical evidence. Amy Walters: That's right, that's right, Trish. If you run a community group, a local program, or a support network, we want to connect with you. Help us build this referral network so that no one is left behind in isolation. We aren't just looking for 'places to go' to pass the time. We are looking for places where we can belong and grow. We are looking for communities that see our potential, not just our deficits. To my peers with Aphasia: Your voice is our power. Share your story or send us a shout-out with your favorite tips and tricks. We also need Buddies for our Peer Befriending program. Help us show the world that we are truly 'owning our lives.' To the Volunteers: We are looking for passionate people to join our Board of Directors. We specifically need one more person with aphasia, as well as SLPs, care partners, and friends. The only requirement? You must believe in the Adaptive Growth Culture. Whether you have the tools or you hold the map, there is a seat at the table for you. Visit us and let's grow together! Katie Strong: Amazing. I hope that our listeners will take you up on the offers that you just laid out there, and that they'll also go out there and share with others that they need to hook everybody up with National Aphasia Synergy. It's a great organization. I enjoyed learning about it more today. And Amy and Trish, I so appreciate you both being here with us and sharing your stories and the amazing work that's going on in National Aphasia Synergy. Trish Hambridge: Thank you. Aphasia Access is fantastic! Katie Strong: I'm glad that you're enjoying Aphasia Access, too. It's a great network, and it's great that we're having lots of communities continue to grow and blossom to support people living successfully with aphasia. Amy Walters: Hear, Hear! Katie Strong: Thanks. You too. Amy Walters: Thank you. Katie Strong: Have fun in Greece. Trish Hambridge: Yay! Amy Walters: Jealous! Katie Strong: Me too, me too. Amy Walters: Bye, bye. Trish Hambridge: See you. Bye. On behalf of Aphasia Access, thank you for listening. For references and resources mentioned in today's show, please see our show notes, available on our website at www.aphasiaaccess.org. There you can also become a member of our organization, browse our growing library of materials, and find out about the Aphasia Access Academy. If you have an idea for a future podcast episode, email us at info@aphasiaaccess.org. For Aphasia Access Conversations, here at Central Michigan University in the Strong Story Lab, I'm Katie Strong. Resources Below is a list of links to the National Aphasia Synergy (NAS) resources and other organizations as discussed: NAS Website: https://nationalaphasiasynergy.org NAS email: info@nationalaphasiasynergy.org NAS Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/WeRSynergy (to keep up with what's going on at NAS and for inspirational, adaptive growth mindset content) NAS YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@nationalaphasiasynergy1410 (to watch our Aphasia Stories series, learn about resources, and tune into our quarterly video newsletter, "The Synergy Turf" to hear real people with aphasia) NAS Adaptive Growth Culture paper: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1VIq0juI4FTPKqF0Cev8qZAI5I5po5ouO/view?usp=share_link NAS "You Have Options!" Paper: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1PBgvb1mDrjnFASaK_dpGL2gnZND_CjaU/view?usp=share_link NAS Aphasia & Mental Health video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GThkxrKbQTI NAS Aphasia & Mental Health Resource paper: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1pXbFLtZJ8KZ9Pxpg3HVZHBEd_D7BnsED/view?usp=share_link NAS Aphasia Stories video series: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLk1GJP6QGrPDOapMhQlmAUBHfVb5-Mnfi&si=BIuoNmeu-TM-ab65NAS Peer Befriending: To get involved with NAS Peer Befriending, contact info@nationalaphasiasynergy.org o Flyer: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1dCETc1pZck59mw6OgaEjZGnXWOcdSlCh/view?usp=sharing o Video: https://youtu.be/0RNvCeh0BKM Referenced resources and organizations: Proloquo2Go AAC App mentioned (what Trish uses): https://www.assistiveware.com/products/proloquo2go Voices of Hope for Aphasia: https://www.vohaphasia.org/
What does it take for a nation to treat space not as a scientific hobby, but as a strategic necessity? Live from the 41st Space Symposium in Colorado Springs, Torsten Kriening sits down with Major General Michael Traut, Commander of the German Space Command, for a candid conversation about turning vision into execution.This episode moves from strategy to hard numbers: Germany's historic €35 billion (rising to roughly €45 billion) space investment, the new Space Safety and Security Strategy with its 65 named missions, and SATCOM Stage 4 - the largest space programme the Bundeswehr has ever attempted, a multi-orbit constellation of several hundred satellites modelled on the U.S. SDA's "rolling fleets" approach.Traut speaks frankly about the tensions shaping Europe's space moment: speed versus competition, the SPOCK reconnaissance awards and the risk of new monopolies, SIGINT from space, inspector satellites and counter-space capabilities, and how national capability (SATCOM Stage 4) and European cooperation (IRIS²) can reinforce rather than rival each other. With the clock ticking toward 2029, it's a clear-eyed look at how Germany intends to become a partner others can lean on - and why time, not money, is now the scarcest resource.Essential listening for anyone tracking the future of European security in orbit.To read: German Space Safety and Security StrategySpace Café Radio brings you talks, interviews, and reports from the team of SpaceWatchers while out on the road. Each episode has a specific topic, unique content, and a personal touch. Enjoy the show, and let us know your thoughts at radio@spacewatch.globalWe love to hear from you. Send us your thought, comments, suggestions, love lettersSupport the showYou can find us on: Spotify and Apple Podcast!Please visit us at SpaceWatch.Global, subscribe to our newsletters. Follow us on LinkedIn and X!
Eloel is your KRDO Pet of the Week from the Humane Society of the Pikes Peak Region! She is a nine-month-old tricolor & blue tick Australian Cattle Dog mix who came into HSPPR as a stray. Want to know more about Eloel? Visit hsppr.org or visit in person at 610 Abbot Lane in Colorado Springs. Adoption hours are 11 am – 5 pm weekdays and 11:00 am – 4:30 pm on weekends. Visit our Pet of the Week webpage so you don't miss a featured pet! KRDO Pet of the Week
Eloel is your KRDO Pet of the Week from the Humane Society of the Pikes Peak Region! She is a nine-month-old tricolor & blue tick Australian Cattle Dog mix who came into HSPPR as a stray. Want to know more about Eloel? Visit hsppr.org or visit in person at 610 Abbot Lane in Colorado Springs. Adoption hours are 11 am – 5 pm weekdays and 11:00 am – 4:30 pm on weekends. Visit our Pet of the Week webpage so you don't miss a featured pet! KRDO Pet of the Week
What happens when you stop doing things virtually and actually show up for each other?Jon, Will, and returning MTM guest David Valadez reflect on a weekend in Colorado Springs that started with an excruciating Spartan 10K — 7 miles of mud, hills, barbed wire, and shared struggle — and ended with something harder to measure. Every wall and climb was a reminder that we are stronger together than we will ever be alone. Outside the race, the moments kept coming: Jon's Family embracing the gang for dinner, and a visit to Dan Carcillo's plant medicine retreat center in Golden.This is a short episode about the one thing that accelerates everything else — real, in-person community between men. It's one of the core tenets of Men Talking Mindfulness: we are stronger together, and this weekend proved it.MORE ABOUT DAVID VALADEZ:Business advisor to the show, investor, partner, and advisor across multiple business ventures and startups. In 2018 he walked away from a corporate operations career — including senior roles at Convergint, a global systems integrator in security and building automation — to focus on investing in and advising growth-stage companies. He also brings a background in youth sports performance leadership as former VP of Operations at Dedicated Athletes and Legerity Sports Performance. David is a Partner at Kitsap Olhava Management and one of the men behind the scenes at MTM.Check out his past ep:Men's Journey Through and Healing After DivorceIN THIS EPISODE:-Why shared struggle creates a depth of connection no Zoom call can replicate-How co-regulation works — and what Jon's wife saw in him after just one weekend-The visit to Dan Carcillo and Experience Onward — what happened in that room-Why doing something hard together is different from just hanging out-The first step if you've been isolating — and how to take it -A direct invitation to join MTM community and future in-person eventsTired of just listening and want to become more mindful?Take our Awareness to Action COURSE (A2A)12 modules structured curriculum on attention, presence, practices & performance — plus an inspiring community built in for connection.https://focusnowtraining.com/a2a-course→ This episode is a living example of what A2A is building — community as the foundation of growthGET MORE FROM MTM:Join our free weekly Substack newsletter → Click HERECheck out our MTM Website to see what else we are up too!mentalkingmindfulness.comGET FOCUSED!! (Corporate Trainings)Does your company need help, or would you like to reduce safety incidents?? Head over to focusnowtraining.com - we have you covered!Produced by Robert Lopez cratesaudio.comHosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.
In this episode of The Mandy Connell Show, Mandy Connell dives into a thought-provoking conversation with a self-proclaimed democratic socialist, Deep Singh Badhesha. As a first-generation American, Deep shares his fascinating story of growing up in a conservative Colorado Springs community and how his experiences shaped his views on politics and social issues. From his early days as a libertarian to becoming a passionate advocate for democratic socialism, Deep's journey is a compelling exploration of the complexities of the American left. The conversation touches on a range of topics, including healthcare, government accountability, and the challenges of implementing a universal healthcare system. Mandy and Deep engage in a respectful and insightful discussion, challenging each other's perspectives and ideas. The episode also delves into the complexities of socialism and capitalism, with Deep arguing that socialism has failed in the past due to human nature, but also highlighting the successes of collectivist societies like China. Meanwhile, Representative Jeff Crank joins the show to discuss the war in Iran and the potential implications for the midterms. He shares his thoughts on the current situation and the need for a more nuanced approach to dealing with Iran. The conversation also touches on the importance of regular order in the legislative process and the need to address the country's growing deficit. Plus FOX31 Chief Meteorologist Dave Fraser stops by for a quick update on today's crazy weather!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
In a candid conversation, Representative Jeff Crank shares his insights on the recent loss of US Space Command in Colorado Springs and the efforts he made to secure new investments for the area. He also discusses his thoughts on the war in Iran and the importance of supporting Israel. Representative Crank talks about the challenges his district faced when US Space Command was relocated, but instead of fighting the decision, he chose to work with the administration to secure new investments for the area. He shares the exciting news of a new Space Operations Center being built in El Paso County, which will bring in over 5700 jobs. He also discusses the importance of working with other levels of government to achieve positive outcomes for his community.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Southgate Campus
Join us as we continue in our series "Camp Paul"Join us every Sunday online or in-person at 9:00am & 11:00am. 4005 Lee Vance Vw, Colorado Springs, CO 80918 Website: rockfamilychurch.com Connect Card: https://rfc.churchcenter.com/people/forms/528074 Prayer Requests: https://www.rockfamilychurch.com/prayer-request Start Serving: https://rfc.churchcenter.com/registrations/events/category/92573 Join a Small Group: https://rfc.churchcenter.com/registrations/events/3287086 Facebook: facebook.com/rockfamilychurch Instagram: instagram.com/rockfamilychurch Tik Tok: tiktok.com/@rockfamilychurch Youtube: youtube.com/@RockFamilyOnline#ColoradoSpringsChurch #Faith #Jesus #Worship #ChurchOnline #SundayMessage
What does it really mean to be a good neighbor?In this message from our series Tell Me More About…, Pastor Rick Rusaw unpacks one of Jesus' most well-known teachings, the Parable of the Good Samaritan found in Luke 10:25-37. As Jesus answers the question, “Who is my neighbor?”, we're challenged to move beyond comfortable faith and embrace a life marked by compassion, action, generosity, and genuine love for others.Through powerful stories and practical application, Pastor Rick reminds us that following Jesus means more than believing the right things. It means seeing people the way God sees them, stepping into messy situations, being willing to be inconvenienced, and loving our neighbors as ourselves.Jesus said that all of Scripture hangs on two commands: love God and love your neighbor (Matthew 22:37-40). This message challenges us to evaluate what we truly love, how we treat the people around us, and whether we're living out the mission God has placed before us.Scripture References:• Luke 10:25-37• Matthew 22:37-40• Deuteronomy 6:5• Leviticus 19:18At Trace Church in Colorado Springs, we believe every number has a name, every name has a story, and every story matters to God.Sunday Service Times8:15A | 10:00A | 11:45ALivestream 10:00A MST
Car culture is in dire straights, with racetracks closing and communities cracking down on modified cars, it's never been harder to be a car enthusiast. I talk with Tayven from Primul Garage about his car show event which seeks to bring the community back into cars right here in Colorado Springs. Whether you enjoy wrenching on cars, optimizing performance, or just want to understand what's going under the hood, this is the car show that talks about everything with four wheels and then some! Wash Your Car with The BEST from Chemical Guys while Supporting The Show On The Radio in Colorado: AM1460 & FM101.1 The Answer — LIVE Sat 2pm, Sun 9am & 6pm • 100.7 The Word — Sat 7pm • 91.7 KLZR — Sat 10:30am Stream live On The Radio! Join the community on Facebook! ️ Support SEMA's Work #automotive #carpodcast #coloradosprings #carshows #showcars #carenthusiast #carculture Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
With a passion for historic artifacts and collections, Sarah Woods' path led her from the Midwest to the heart of Colorado Springs – the El Pomar Foundation. Established by philanthropists Julie and Spencer Penrose back in 1937, El Pomar continues to make an enormous impact on the community. Learn about the legacy of the Penroses, including the beloved attractions they're responsible for creating, and the rich history you can explore through El Pomar.
"It's not about the satellites and rockets - it's about the data." That single line captures a career that has reshaped how the world thinks about space. Live from the Cheyenne Mountain Resort on the eve of the Space Symposium in Colorado Springs, Torsten Kriening sits down with Major General (Ret.) Clint Crosier for a rare, candid conversation across three transformations.Crosier was the lead architect of the U.S. Space Force - and he takes us behind closed doors: the empty white board, the 30-day deadline from the President, the "antibodies" inside the Pentagon, and the day on Capitol Hill when he first believed it would really happen. He recounts commanding the global GPS constellation through a live, on-orbit operating-system swap for a billion users, and launching national-security payloads from Vandenberg in the tense weeks after 9/11.Then comes transformation number two: building the AWS Aerospace & Satellite business from zero to thousands of customers worldwide, and proving that space is, at its heart, a big-data problem - from a Snowcone on the ISS to edge computing on orbit. The conversation looks ahead to commercial GEOINT, allied integration, the Moon, Mars, and the cloud following customers all the way to the edge of the solar system. And it closes with transformation number three: Crosier's new venture, Delta V Strategies, and an open invitation to build what comes next.A masterclass in leading change in the space domain. Essential listening.Space Café Radio brings you talks, interviews, and reports from the team of SpaceWatchers while out on the road. Each episode has a specific topic, unique content, and a personal touch. Enjoy the show, and let us know your thoughts at radio@spacewatch.globalWe love to hear from you. Send us your thought, comments, suggestions, love lettersSupport the showYou can find us on: Spotify and Apple Podcast!Please visit us at SpaceWatch.Global, subscribe to our newsletters. Follow us on LinkedIn and X!
Christina Hello, everyone, I'm Christina Darnell, the managing editor of MinistryWatch. Welcome to the MinistryWatch podcast. In today's extra episode, I talk with Warren Smith about some news items that are slightly (even significantly) outside of our normal charity and philanthropy “beat.” So, Warren, what's up first? Warren Ministry Brands, the leading provider of church management software and online giving solutions, has opened a new corporate headquarters in a suburb of Atlanta. Christina Warren, it's not like you to be taken in by a corporate press release. What caught your attention about this move? Warren A statement announcing the opening said the company has “upwards of 700 employees across the United States and Ireland, including 54 in the Atlanta area.” Ministry Brands says it has more than 90,000 churches and non-profit organization customers and facilitates more than $6.45 billion in charitable giving annually. That's a huge business, focused just on churches and ministries. I've asked the president for an interview, and – to their credit – they're going to give me one. So stay tuned for more information about this organization. Christina If you cover religion, like we do here at MinistryWatch, one of the big events of the year is coming up, and that's the Southern Baptist Convention's annual meeting in Orlando. Warren Stay tuned to MinistryWatch for our coverage of the event. The annual meeting is often an opportunity for other meetings to happen, and one that caught my attention was one hosted by the Evangelical Council for Abuse Prevention (ECAP). Stand Up: Standing for Vulnerable Adults Against Abuse and Exploitation” is a ticketed luncheon on Tuesday, June 9, during the annual meeting. The event is sponsored by the SBC Executive Committee's Abuse Prevention & Response Department, led by Jeff Dalrymple. Christina The luncheon will convene ministry leaders, disability advocates, and abuse-prevention experts to address a crisis the Church can no longer afford to overlook. Warren To learn more about this important topic, check out this article by Dalrymple, whose daughter has autism. It highlights important issues all churches – not just those in the SBC – need to face. Christina We normally don't report about ourselves, but our MinistryWatch database has hit a milestone. Warren We'll soon be looking for another name for the MinistryWatch 1000 database, because just passed the 1500 mark, representing $55 billion in annual revenue. We hope to have 2000 ministries in the database by the end of the year. If you don't use “The Database,” as we call it, check it out here. Christina We have a story that is adjacent to our database. Warren MinistryWatch rates a ministry's efficiency and transparency, but rating a ministry's effectiveness has been an elusive measure for us and for others. We can measure how much a ministry spends on fundraising, but how can you really measure whether a discipleship ministry causes people to grow spiritually? Or whether an evangelism ministry who claims people made “decisions” for Christ are following up, and that those people are still following Christ a year or a decade later? Coming up with ways to measure ministry effectiveness is sort of the “Holy Grail” for people in my business. Christina I'm guessing that's why you were fascinated by news from World Vision that they were making the attempt to create such a measurement. Warren They are calling it the “Hope and Love Measure,” and they claim it is the first “validated tool to quantify how children experience God's love.” I must confess that I remain apprehensive, but fascinated. You can read more about that new tool here. And stay tuned: I'm interviewing World Vision President Edgar Sandoval later this week, and we'll take a deeper dive into this tool in a future episode of the MinistryWatch podcast. Christina Among the bigger news stories of the week was Pope Leo's new encyclical, Magnifica Humanitas last week. Warren He made the announcement surrounded by AI experts, including Anthropic co-founder Chris Olah. My friends at AXIS, who I often turn to for succinct translations of cultural events through a biblical lens, said, “The pope spoke of the need to ‘disarm' artificial intelligence so it might become a tool to promote the common good. He insisted that, although the Church won't always have ‘technical answers,' it does bring the wisdom that ‘every person is unique and irreplaceable, a free and intelligent subject with a conscience, capable of seeking God, serving one another, caring for our common home.' His call was for AI to be developed in such a way that these human realities are served, instead of being displaced. And yes, at one point, he did quote Gandalf.” For the full (42,000-word) text, click here. Christina Warren, we need to wrap things up here. Any final thoughts before we go? Warren I was in Knoxville last week attending an event hosted by my former colleagues and good friends at The Colson Center for Christian Worldview. I was able to connect with MinistryWatch readers and listeners. I'll be in Denver and Colorado Springs in next week. Let me know if you would like to join me for lunch. My email is wsmith@ministrywatch.com. Christina That brings to a close this EXTRA episode of the podcast. The producer for today's program is Jeff McIntosh. Until next time, may God bless you.
Scott Caulfield is one of the most respected voices in collegiate strength and conditioning, currently serving as Director of Strength & Conditioning at Norwich University. In 2025, he was named the National Strength and Conditioning Association College Strength & Conditioning Coach of the Year, recognizing decades of impact as a coach, educator, and leader in the profession.Before returning to Norwich in 2021 as the school's first-ever Director of Strength & Conditioning, Caulfield spent more than a decade with the NSCA in Colorado Springs, where he served as Head Strength Coach, Coaching Education Manager, and Performance Center Manager. In that role, he helped shape coach education nationwide while collaborating with organizations across the NCAA, MLB, NBA, NFL, and Olympic sport systems.His coaching journey also includes stops at Dartmouth College and Colorado College, along with experience in private sector performance and military fitness. A U.S. Navy veteran and Vermont native, Caulfield is known for blending high standards, real-world leadership, and relationship-driven coaching.$1 Trial Membership to SCN
Opinions on how many conclusions to draw from Roots’ 0-1 loss to Colorado Springs range from “none” to “some, who knows how many”. The conversation quickly turns to more entertaining forms of media, and plumbing.
In this episode of the Colorado Business Podcast, we sit down with Colorado entrepreneur Amber Martin, owner of Reveal Med Spa in Colorado Springs, to talk about the intersection of business, wellness, hormones, aesthetics, and patient care.Amber shares her entrepreneurial journey, how Reveal Med Spa grew from a young business into a community of over 1,000 patients, why her background in television and marketing shaped the way she built the patient experience, and how intentionality became one of the core principles behind the brand.This conversation goes far beyond the typical med spa discussion. Amber breaks down hormone replacement therapy, perimenopause, men's health, women's health, skin tightening technology, patient education, and why so many people feel dismissed when they say something feels off in their body.We also talk about emerging aesthetic technology, including radio frequency skin tightening, the growing awareness around perimenopause, and how Reveal Med Spa is creating an experience where patients feel seen, supported, and cared for.If you are interested in wellness, entrepreneurship, Colorado Springs business, hormone education, med spa growth, or the future of patient centered care, this episode is packed with insight.Chapters00:00 Intro01:23 Amber Martin's background before Reveal Med Spa03:15 Why the 80921 area made sense for Reveal Med Spa06:21 Growing pains in the first 18 months of business08:01 Building a patient experience with intention09:22 New skin tightening technology at Reveal Med Spa13:16 Why younger patients are exploring skin tightening16:16 Radio frequency, no needles, and patient demand18:07 Addressing skepticism around new aesthetic technology21:40 Hormone replacement therapy and the brain23:38 Perimenopause, menopause, and overlooked symptoms32:00 Why awareness around perimenopause is growing33:08 The gap in women's medical research36:51 Why hormones affect both men and women37:27 Perimenopause, identity, mood, and brain changes01:09:39 Where to find Reveal Med Spa01:10:04 Reveal Med Spa's Best of the Springs recognitionSubscribe for more conversations with Colorado entrepreneurs, business owners, creatives, and community leaders.
"I think the US in general doesn't pay much attention to European space." That's how Dr. Michael Gleason of the Aerospace Corporation opens - and it's exactly the blind spot this conversation sets out to expose.Recorded live on day two of the 41st Space Symposium in Colorado Springs, Torsten Kriening sits down with the analyst whose latest paper, "Geopolitical Awakening: The European Union and Space," made a lot of Europeans uncomfortable - not because he got it wrong, but because an American got it right. It's Gleason's ninth paper on EU space activities across more than twenty years of watching the continent's slow, incremental, and now suddenly accelerating progress.The conversation digs into what mapping Europe's space ecosystem from the outside reveals that insiders often miss. Gleason walks through the political-will framework he first built in 2004 - policy, institutions, senior-leader attention, and money - and explains why, with up to €60 billion on the table in the next EU budget, he believes this time Europe means it. Then comes his one truly original insight: as EU funding flows into ESA, the share could climb past 50%, and that "different color of money" might quietly loosen the geographic-return rule that has held European space together for forty years.From strategic autonomy (and what Washington actually hears when Europeans say it - "not much") to dual-use tensions around Galileo, Copernicus and IRIS², from missile-warning data sharing to the role of NATO, this is a clear-eyed, transatlantic exchange. And it ends on a provocation worth sitting with: the most uncomfortable thing isn't Gleason's conclusions - it's that a European institution didn't write the paper. Strategic autonomy, as Torsten argues, starts with self-understanding.Torsten's Op'ed: #SpaceWatchGL Opinion: Who Understands European Space Better - Washington or Brussels?Space Café Radio brings you talks, interviews, and reports from the team of SpaceWatchers while out on the road. Each episode has a specific topic, unique content, and a personal touch. Enjoy the show, and let us know your thoughts at radio@spacewatch.globalWe love to hear from you. Send us your thought, comments, suggestions, love lettersSupport the showYou can find us on: Spotify and Apple Podcast!Please visit us at SpaceWatch.Global, subscribe to our newsletters. Follow us on LinkedIn and X!
Dr. Eligar Sadeh, Tuesday, May 5, 2026, #4535Quick summaryThe Space Show featured a discussion with Eligar Sadeh, editor of the Journal of Astropolitics, about the recent Space Symposium in Colorado Springs and cislunar space governance. Sadeh explained how the symposium focused heavily on establishing U.S. dominance in cislunar space, particularly through the Artemis program, with emphasis on being the first mover in establishing governance structures and rules of engagement. The discussion covered concerns about NASA science budget cuts, the sustainability of the Space Launch System, and the role of public-private partnerships in lunar development. Sadeh noted that while the U.S. space community emphasized military and strategic priorities, international scholars, particularly from developing space nations, were increasingly contributing to astropolitical research through his journal. The conversation also touched on challenges with Starlink satellite congestion and the potential for space asset disruption, though Sadeh emphasized the importance of establishing international governance frameworks to prevent harmful interference in space.Detailed SummaryEligar discussed his recent activities, including his work as an adjunct professor at the University of Colorado, his involvement with the journal Astropolitics, and his focus on lunar governance and astropolitics. He highlighted the growing interest in cislunar space and lunar governance, noting a significant increase in paper submissions to the journal and plans for a special issue and international conference on the topic. Eligar also mentioned the prominent role of defense and military interests in the current space industry, particularly with the Space Force's increasing budget and focus on space superiority. The conversation touched on personal updates, including Eligar's children's current activities and his relationship status.Eligar discussed the emerging focus on cislunar space at a recent space symposium, highlighting the strategic importance of establishing governance structures and securing gravitational high ground in the Earth-Moon system. He noted that while the Artemis program aims for aggressive lunar exploration and potential human habitation by 2032, there are significant challenges with the Space Launch System's sustainability and the reliance on new commercial capabilities like SpaceX's Starship. Eligar emphasized that the civil program appears to be a cover for establishing U.S. superiority in the cislunar domain, particularly in response to geopolitical competition with China and Russia.The discussion focused on concerns about proposed NASA science cuts and their impact on the space community. Eligar noted that while there was awareness of these cuts during networking discussions at the Space Symposium, there was limited pushback, with many participants appearing to align with the Trump administration's direction. The conversation then shifted to broader governance challenges in the cislunar domain, with Eligar emphasizing the need for maintaining space as a commons and establishing rules for interoperability among the 62 states participating in the Artemis program. The discussion concluded with a reference to a 20-year-old paper co-authored by Eligar and David on public-private partnerships in lunar development, which remains relevant to current space governance challenges.Eligar discussed the challenges of establishing a permanent lunar presence, highlighting issues such as freedom of movement, resource utilization, and the harsh lunar environment, including metallic and adhesive dust. He emphasized the need for reusable and sustainable lunar transportation systems, suggesting that achieving a cost of $100 per kilogram with Starship could be crucial. Eligar also explained the concept of cislunar space as the gravitational high ground incorporating Lagrange points between Earth and the Moon, which provides access to various orbital domains and the lunar surface. Joe noted the disconnect between desired goals and current capabilities, advocating for increased repetition in accessing lunar space to support a permanent presence.The discussion focused on NASA's lunar mission plans and budget constraints. Joe expressed concerns that the Moon Enterprise would likely crowd out other NASA programs due to limited congressional funding, similar to previous large initiatives like the Space Shuttle and International Space Station. Eligar agreed that SLS is not sustainable, noting it's only planned for up to Artemis 5 with a cadence of one launch per year, and emphasized the geopolitical aspects driving the lunar race, including the need for reusable transportation systems and establishing a presence in the Aitken Basin for potential mining opportunities.The discussion focused on the Space Symposium's emphasis on getting to the lunar surface first rather than focusing on sustainability or cost efficiency. Eligar noted that while there was general support for the Artemis program and Accords, there was limited discussion about alternative lunar surface models or modifications to the current Artemis plan. The conversation highlighted a potential disconnect between the symposium's rhetoric about achieving rapid progress and budgetary realities, including concerns about over-reliance on Starship variants and cuts to science programs. John suggested that the science program cuts might be a strategic budget maneuver similar to defense programs, with the expectation that Congress would eventually restore funding.Eligar discussed NASA's proposed permanent lunar presence around 2030 and debated various technical choices in rocket design and propulsion. The conversation then shifted to concerns about space congestion, particularly with multiple satellite constellations being planned by different countries, though Eligar noted that cislunar space remains decades away from similar congestion issues. David raised questions about the global scope of the astropolitics journal, with contributions coming from scholars in developing space states who are focused on using space for socio-economic development rather than military dominance.The group discussed perceptions of Jared Isaacman and NASA's leadership in space governance, particularly regarding the Artemis program. Eligar explained that while there are good ideas in the current approach, there are concerns about U.S. dominance in space policy, noting a European concept of “equivalence” where different countries could develop governance approaches independently while maintaining interoperability standards. The discussion highlighted the tension between U.S. efforts to establish space superiority and the need for international cooperation, with Joe emphasizing that China and the U.S. are the dominant powers in space, making other countries effectively choose between aligning with one of these powers.We also discussed the growing importance of satellite communication systems for military purposes, with Joe noting that multiple countries are developing Starlink-like systems following the Ukraine war. They explored the challenges of denying access to these systems and the potential for kinetic attacks on satellites, with Eligar emphasizing the importance of establishing governance structures and rules of the road in space. The discussion concluded with Eligar providing an update on the journal Astropolitics, which is growing in influence among emerging space powers and has expanded its editorial board with new members including someone from the Romanian Space Agency.Eligar then mentioned plans for a special issue of Astropolitics journal focused on lunar astropolitics, governance strategy, and policy dynamics in cislunar space, with a global conference planned for early next year and publication expected in a year to year and a half. He agreed to provide David with contact information for potential guests for the Space Show and discussed the possibility of updating a previous article with Haym and himself in the fall. Regarding the timeline for returning humans to the Moon, Eligar expressed doubt about the 2028 target, suggesting 2030 would be more realistic due to ongoing challenges with the lunar landing vehicle.The group discussed public-private partnerships in space, with Eligar noting that realistic timelines for landing vehicles are now around 2030 rather than 2028 due to delays on both Blue Origin and SpaceX sides. Joe raised questions about international public-private partnerships, particularly in countries like India, while Eligar shared insights about emerging space capabilities in countries like Brazil, Cambodia, Thailand, and Indonesia. The discussion concluded with plans to follow up on these topics in a future issue of Astropolitics journal, with Eligar offering to rewrite and get the paper peer-reviewed.Special thanks to our sponsors:American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Helix Space in Luxembourg, Celestis Memorial Spaceflights, Astrox Corporation, Dr. Haym Benaroya of Rutgers University, The Space Settlement Progress Blog by John Jossy, The Atlantis Project, and Artless EntertainmentWe use Zoom phone numbers for program participation.For real time program participation, email Dr. Space at: drspace@thespaceshow.com for instructions and access.The Space Show is a non-profit 501C3 through its parent, One Giant Leap Foundation, Inc. To donate via Pay Pal, use:To donate with Zelle, use the email address: david@onegiantleapfoundation.org.If you prefer donating with a check, please make the check payable to One Giant Leap Foundation and mail to:One Giant Leap Foundation, 11035 Lavender Hill Drive Ste. 160-306 Las Vegas, NV 89135Upcoming Programs:Please note that due to out of town guests for a family party, our next live Space Show program will be June 9, Tuesday, 7 PM PDT. Please check the Upcoming Show Menu on our home page for updates as they appear. Thank you. Get full access to The Space Show-One Giant Leap Foundation at doctorspace.substack.com/subscribe
Need to know where to take items like metals and electronics? Look to Colorado Industrial Recycling and ITAD Electronics for your needs. These businesses help make our region more sustainable and resilient by recycling challenging items.Want your business to be more resilient? Check out the Colorado Green Business Network! They offer free information and assistance to help your business to reduce energy, water and waste, save money, and thrive.Host Mary Barber welcomes Bryan Valentine of ITAD Electronics Recyclers, Andy O'Riley of Colorado Industrial Recycling, and Konrad Schlarbaum of the Colorado Green Business Network for this May/June Sustainability in Progress discussion.LINKS:ITAD Electronics Recyclers: https://www.ierpro.comColorado Industrial Recycling, Inc: https://www.coloradoindustrialrecycling.comColorado Green Business Network: https://cdphe.colorado.gov/dehs/sustainability/cgbnSustainability in Progress is a program of the Peak Alliance for a Sustainable Future.The mission of Peak Alliance for a Sustainable Future is to promote regional sustainability and advance the Pikes Peak region's 2030 Sustainability Plan (PPR2030) https://peakallianceco.org/rsp/ through regional collaboration and outreach. Connect with us at https://peakallianceco.orgThe following environment/sustainability organizations in the Pikes Peak region collaborate to produce the Peak Environment podcast about environmental stewardship, sustainable living and enlightened public policy in the Pikes Peak Region.Peak Alliance for a Sustainable Future https://peakallianceco.org/Pikes Peak Permaculture https://www.pikespeakpermaculture.org/350 Colorado Springs https://350colorado.org/colorado-springs/GrowthBusters https://www.growthbusters.orgKeep up with all the organizations and events making our area a better place to live. Follow on your favorite podcast app so you don't miss an episode.
"Space is a team sport." With that single phrase, German Major General Wolfgang Ohl captures the shift that defined Germany's presence at the 41st Space Symposium - and perhaps the decade ahead for European space defense.Recorded live on the final day in Colorado Springs, Torsten Kriening sits down with the Deputy Director of the Armed Forces Department at the German Ministry of Defense for a candid, strategic conversation. Germany arrived this year with a footprint never seen before: its largest-ever cross-ministerial delegation, a whole-of-government booth under the banner of the national space security and defense strategy, and - for the first time in its history - a federal ministry with "space" in its name.But the real story is what sits behind the €35 billion headline figure (€45 billion across civil and defense combined). General Ohl walks us through the language everyone was using in the keynotes - burden sharing, and increasingly, burden shifting - and what it means now that American partners may one day pull critical capabilities from the European theater. ISR, space-based missile defense, resilient constellations: which of these can Europe substitute, and how fast?From Olympic Defender and Combined Space Operations to bringing space assets into NATO's defense planning process, from the framework-nation concept that lets smaller allies plug into German capabilities to the hard questions of interoperability and sharing classified data in an age of AI and spoofing - this is a clear-eyed look at how Europe builds a genuine pillar in space. Not as a slogan, but as a requirement.Honest, forward-looking, and grounded in the realities of the free world's defense. Press play.Space Café Radio brings you talks, interviews, and reports from the team of SpaceWatchers while out on the road. Each episode has a specific topic, unique content, and a personal touch. Enjoy the show, and let us know your thoughts at radio@spacewatch.globalWe love to hear from you. Send us your thought, comments, suggestions, love lettersSupport the showYou can find us on: Spotify and Apple Podcast!Please visit us at SpaceWatch.Global, subscribe to our newsletters. Follow us on LinkedIn and X!
In this episode of Space Cafe Radio, host Torsten Kriening, Publisher of SpaceWatch.Global, sits down with Marshall Smith, CEO of Starlab Space, at the 41st Space Symposium in Colorado Springs. The conversation reconnects a story that began in Bremen back in 2018, when Marshall was wiring together SLS, Orion, and Gateway at NASA, and now finds him on the other side, building the commercial future he once championed from inside the agency.From NASA Insider to Commercial BuilderMarshall reflects on his transition from NASA, where he was always "commercial at heart" - pushing the system to go faster, do things differently, and question whether all those requirements were truly necessary. Now leading Starlab, he gets to put those convictions into action.The Time is Now for Commercial LEO"Now's the time to turn over Low Earth Orbit to commercial enterprise."After 54 years of space stations and more than two decades of permanent crewed presence on the ISS, the industry has learned enough. The technology readiness is there. The standards are there. The time has come for commercial enterprise to take over LEO so NASA can focus on the harder things- Moon, Mars, and beyond.Where Starlab Stands TodayMarshall reveals concrete progress: Starlab is past Critical Design Review with NASA (completed in December), in manufacturing, building structures, with long-lead items in process. They're roughly five to six years into the typical six-to-ten-year development cycle for a complex space vehicle. Some say they haven't hit the hard part yet, but Marshall responds: "We have the capability, we have the experience. Eyes wide open."The Real Gap RiskThe ISS retires around 2030. China's space station is operational today. Marshall is candid about the leaks, the aging equipment, the obsolete components, and the uncertainty about whether extension to 2030 or 2032 will be possible. Starlab's launch target is 2029 - and they intend to be there before the gap opens.Recreating the ISS Partnership - CommerciallyStarlab is a joint venture with Voyager as majority shareholder, joined by Airbus, Mitsubishi, MDA, Palantir, and Hilton -a multinational structure that recreates the ISS partnership at a commercial and business level. The same companies that built parts of the ISS are now building the commercial successor.Starship as the Launch PlanMarshall explains why he's not worried: Starship has already been to orbit, and Starlab only needs to reach orbit and deploy - no Moon landing required. By the time Starlab launches, Starship will likely be on its seventh version.The Manufacturing VisionMarshall hints at semiconductor manufacturing, biopharma, pill production, fiber optics, and a proprietary concept that could revolutionize the pace of in-orbit manufacturing. He predicts the demand will be so great that companies might want their own dedicated Starlab modules - and that copies could be built in roughly one to two years.The iPhone Moment for Space Stations"In 2007, somebody built a platform called an iPhone. It had a few games, didn't even do FaceTime. Now you can't walk around without your phone. CLDs are platforms. Ten years after operations begin, you're going to see things you would've never imagined - maybe ordering a replacement heart tuned to your DNA, printed in space."On Artemis 2Having been involved in Artemis 1 and 2 at NASA, Marshall shares his personal joy at the mission's success. For him, it's a signal to the world that humanity is going back to deep space, to the Moon's surface, building Moon bases, going to Mars.The Bigger Mission"It's about becoming a multi-planet species. Maybe one day becoming a multi-stellar species. I know that sounds crazy to some people. That's why I do this. Because I don't want to see us being here locked on this planet a thousand years from now."Marshall draws the parallel to the 1400s - when explorers asked "what if we cross this big body of water?" - and now humans are asking the same question about the void of vacuum. The exploration accelerates. We were built for this.For Listeners Who Think BigThis is a conversation about commercial space stations, the urgency of LEO transition, the iPhone-platform future of orbital manufacturing, and what it means to become a multi-planet species.Space Café Radio brings you talks, interviews, and reports from the team of SpaceWatchers while out on the road. Each episode has a specific topic, unique content, and a personal touch. Enjoy the show, and let us know your thoughts at radio@spacewatch.globalWe love to hear from you. Send us your thought, comments, suggestions, love lettersSupport the showYou can find us on: Spotify and Apple Podcast!Please visit us at SpaceWatch.Global, subscribe to our newsletters. Follow us on LinkedIn and X!
Former Mesa County Clerk Tina Peters was released from prison today after Governor Jared Polis commuted her sentence. We ask Matt Crane, executive director of the Colorado County Clerks Association, about the release and the Trump administration's pushback against voting by mail. Then, Purplish breaks down the candidates for governor: today, the two Democrats; tomorrow, the three Republicans. And we share another commencement speech during graduation season; this time, Vice President JD Vance who spoke at the US Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs.
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Live from Fort Worth, Texas! The Bardtenders head to Fort Worth for the third annual Heard House to bring you live episodes with some amazing hospitality professionals. The Bardtenders had the chance to stay at the Heard House sponsored by Heard Card Game where bartenders from around the country came together to share their stories, gain access to education opportunities, and create some amazing memories along the way. Join us over the next several weeks as these bartenders share their experiences in the hospitality industry!In this episode of "The Mixing Glass", Tobias Steeves discusses his journey in the world of hospitality, building a customer base in a small community in South Dakota, and The Flying Spaghetti Monster. ------------Tobias Steeves grew up as a Military Brat across the country with his 8 siblings, but started his hospitality and bartending journey in downtown Colorado Springs, CO, at The Archives (an underground cocktail bar) where he cut his teeth as a barback/bartender and was there for several years.Tobias has worked at several other bars over the years and is a member of the US Bartenders' Guild. He has competed in numerous cocktail competitions and won the 2021 Fernet Branca Barback Games. He was also the runner up in 2022's Patron Perfectionist, 2021's Hampton Water Rocking Rose by Bon Jovi, and has had multiple World Class by Diageo top 10 /and top 30 placements. In 2021 Tobias moved to Spearfish, South Dakota, and after 6 months of living there he took ownership of a small local Italian restaurant where he began building up the local cocktail and beverage scene through the restaurant. In July of 2025 he built and opened his first cocktail lounge in the basement of the building where my restaurant is located. Tobis is also a self-proclaimed massive nerd and loves Fernet!----------Don't miss out on any of the action! Head to www.bardtender.com to stay up to date with all of the Bardtender content, find resources for mental and physical well-being, get access to education materials, and check out what all of our bards are up to!Support the show
The fullness of the spirit works exactly the opposite way as being drunk with alcohol. It doesn't show you less of reality but shows you more. Welcome to Sunday Service Wish you were here! Newsong, Colorado Springs (starts at 10:00am) Subscribe to text updates. Text the words text alert to 94000 Subscribe to emails (bottom of page on newsongcs.com) Listen to podcasts. Keywords newsong foursquare Watch services on Youtube. Keyword newsongcs Follow us on Facebook, Instagram & TikTok keyword newsongcs 3 ways to give to Missions, Disaster Relief, Tithes, or Offerings 1.. newsongcs/com/give 2. Text Giving - text the word EASY to 94000 3. Mail - P.O. Box 75818 • C.S., CO 80970
Pentecost: Being Baptized in the Holy Spirit means so much more than we settle for... Welcome to Sunday Service Wish you were here! Newsong, Colorado Springs (starts at 10:00am) Subscribe to text updates. Text the words text alert to 94000 Subscribe to emails (bottom of page on newsongcs.com) Listen to podcasts. Keywords newsong foursquare Watch services on Youtube. Keyword newsongcs Follow us on Facebook, Instagram & TikTok keyword newsongcs 3 ways to give to Missions, Disaster Relief, Tithes, or Offerings 1.. newsongcs/com/give 2. Text Giving - text the word EASY to 94000 3. Mail - P.O. Box 75818 • C.S., CO 80970
Colorado Springs Mayor Yemi Mobolade — the independent who won a culturally conservative city by running as a true centrist who refuses to be boxed into either party — joins the Chuck Toddcast to make the case that quality-of-life governance still beats partisanship when voters are actually given the chance to choose it. Mobolade, who adapted his governing principles from Abraham Lincoln, argues that there's a genuine and growing appetite for leadership that isn't red or blue — but warns that working for unity is incredibly hard and tiring work that few politicians want to do anymore. He walks through Colorado Springs' fight to retain Space Command after Trump and Biden moved the headquarters back and forth between Colorado Springs and Huntsville, Alabama, and explains why he ultimately chose not to sue over the relocation (the decision was within the president's purview, and burning that bridge would have cost the city more than it gained). Mobolade describes hiring his own mayoral opponent Wayne Williams after the campaign — a move he calls part of his "radical collaboration" approach — and argues that mayors don't have the luxury of partisan posturing because their job is fundamentally about producing deliverables for actual residents who want safer streets, better services, and a higher quality of life. The conversation moves into the practical challenges facing every American mayor in 2026, with data centers emerging as the political pain point in nearly every community across the country. Mobolade describes calling an emergency meeting to develop a data center strategy for Colorado Springs, walks through the balanced-but-responsible-growth framework his team has settled on, and explains the tradeoffs honestly: residents are worried about quality-of-life impacts, but the tax revenue from data centers is exactly what cities need to fund essential services. Larger data centers in his city are now forced to pay impact fees to offset their costs, some are being placed on military bases for security purposes, and Mobolade is candid with residents that they cannot have the services they demand without the revenue base to pay for them. The conversation turns to Colorado Springs' housing shortage — the city has been named one of the best places for young people, but only if young people can actually afford to live there — and Mobolade discusses his work with HUD to expand supply, his belief that the country needs genuine innovation in finding cheaper ways to build, and his frustration with a Colorado political landscape that he says no longer has room for center-left and center-right voices the way it used to. His closing argument is the one that ties the whole episode together: the country needs more independent leadership, not because partisanship is bad in theory, but because the current version of it is incapable of delivering the basics that voters actually care about. Link in bio or go to https://getsoul.com & enter code TODDCAST for 30% off your first order. Thank you Wildgrain for sponsoring. Visit http://wildgrain.com/TODDCAST and use the code "TODDCAST" at checkout to receive $30 off your first box PLUS free Croissants for life! Timeline: (Timestamps may vary based on advertisements) 00:00 Mayor Yemi Mobolade joins the Chuck ToddCast 01:30 The people care more about quality of life than partisanship 02:45 Adapted governing principles from Abraham Lincoln 03:45 Colorado Springs is culturally conservative, yet elected an independent 05:30 Ran as a true centrist, hard to box in his politics 06:45 There’s an appetite for leadership that isn’t red or blue 7:30 Trump & Biden moved space command back and forth from Co. Springs 08:45 The city fought hard to keep space command 09:30 Worked with the mayor of Huntsville to ensure smooth transition 10:30 Why did you decide not to sue over relocation of space command? 11:15 The decision was within the president’s purview 12:30 The city is safer now than when he took office 13:45 A mayor’s job is to produce deliverables for the people 15:45 There’s a lack of competition of ideas in Colorado politics 16:45 Have a good relationship with the governor and statehouse 17:30 People get too stuck in their partisan lanes 18:00 Working for unity is incredibly hard and tiring 20:15 There used to be room for center-left and center-right in Colorado 21:15 Hired his mayoral opponent Wayne Williams 21:45 Wayne ran a more traditional campaign, Yemi ran on different leadership 23:00 The goal was radical collaboration and the community embraced it 23:45 Data centers are a political pain point of every local community 24:30 Called an emergency meeting to discuss data center strategy 25:15 The sweet spot of data center policy is balanced but responsible growth 26:00 Residents are worried data centers will lower their quality of life 27:30 Data centers being placed on military bases for security 29:30 Larger data centers are forced to pay a fee to offset impact 33:00 Data centers bring in much needed tax dollars 34:00 The city budget needs the revenue to provide essential services 34:30 Residents want services but no data centers… can’t have it both ways 36:30 Colorado Springs also struggling with a housing shortage 38:30 Working with HUD to try to increase housing supply 39:15 Colorado Springs named one of the best cities for young people 40:45 Need innovation in housing construction, find cheaper ways to build 42:30 The country needs more independent leadershipSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Chuck Todd opens with the latest from the Iran war's increasingly costly stalemate, arguing Trump doesn't actually want a deal — he wants the ability to declare an accomplishment without ever looking like he capitulated, the same trick he ran with NAFTA and the JCPOA where he ripped up agreements only to sign nearly identical ones under new names. June, Chuck warns, is when the energy shock will start showing up in domestic prices, every day Hormuz stays closed exponentially increases the damage, consumers may begin behaving irrationally and hoarding, and a single bad natural disaster on top of all this could trigger a genuine crisis. But the heart of the episode is Chuck’s meditation on a single phrase: character is destiny in politics. It's not whether character flaws exist — everyone has them — but when those flaws become public and start affecting the people you were elected to serve. Trump's character problems were on display long before he ever became president, but his defenders now include the exact same Rubios and Grahams who used to blast him as morally unfit. And the most uncomfortable part of Chuck argument for the Democratic base: the same progressives who mocked Trump supporters for excusing his behavior are now using essentially identical defenses for Maine's Graham Platner — who has been accused of sexting in 2023, behavior that isn't youthful indiscretion and isn't going away. Chuck argues political parties used to function as imperfect but real vetting organizations, that once voters become emotionally invested in a candidate they will defend literally anything, that running for office sometimes becomes a substitute for therapy rather than a vehicle for service, and that democracy itself depends on elected officials being able to separate their personal motivations from their public obligations — something Biden failed at when his family obligations led to those preemptive pardons. He notes the Bidens were genuinely beloved before the election but Biden's ambition did real harm to his party, his family, and his own legacy. Todd points to Pope Leo as a potential moral leader Americans seem desperate for at exactly the moment when neither party seems remotely interested in finding the best possible actors. He observes that Platner vs. Collins is starting to feel like a rerun of Trump vs. Clinton in 2016 — two candidates voters genuinely don't want to choose between — and closes with quick hits on Jill Biden's forthcoming memoir, the California gubernatorial primary (where Xavier Becerra and Tom Steyer could finish in the top two), and the increasingly strange Los Angeles mayoral race in which Karen Bass appears to be deliberately ignoring Spencer Pratt because she would much rather face him in a general election than the genuinely formidable Nithya Raman. Then, Colorado Springs Mayor Yemi Mobolade — the independent who won a culturally conservative city by running as a true centrist who refuses to be boxed into either party — joins the Chuck Toddcast to make the case that quality-of-life governance still beats partisanship when voters are actually given the chance to choose it. Mobolade, who adapted his governing principles from Abraham Lincoln, argues that there's a genuine and growing appetite for leadership that isn't red or blue — but warns that working for unity is incredibly hard and tiring work that few politicians want to do anymore. He walks through Colorado Springs' fight to retain Space Command after Trump and Biden moved the headquarters back and forth between Colorado Springs and Huntsville, Alabama, and explains why he ultimately chose not to sue over the relocation (the decision was within the president's purview, and burning that bridge would have cost the city more than it gained). Mobolade describes hiring his own mayoral opponent Wayne Williams after the campaign — a move he calls part of his "radical collaboration" approach — and argues that mayors don't have the luxury of partisan posturing because their job is fundamentally about producing deliverables for actual residents who want safer streets, better services, and a higher quality of life. The conversation moves into the practical challenges facing every American mayor in 2026, with data centers emerging as the political pain point in nearly every community across the country. Mobolade describes calling an emergency meeting to develop a data center strategy for Colorado Springs, walks through the balanced-but-responsible-growth framework his team has settled on, and explains the tradeoffs honestly: residents are worried about quality-of-life impacts, but the tax revenue from data centers is exactly what cities need to fund essential services. Larger data centers in his city are now forced to pay impact fees to offset their costs, some are being placed on military bases for security purposes, and Mobolade is candid with residents that they cannot have the services they demand without the revenue base to pay for them. The conversation turns to Colorado Springs' housing shortage — the city has been named one of the best places for young people, but only if young people can actually afford to live there — and Mobolade discusses his work with HUD to expand supply, his belief that the country needs genuine innovation in finding cheaper ways to build, and his frustration with a Colorado political landscape that he says no longer has room for center-left and center-right voices the way it used to. His closing argument is the one that ties the whole episode together: the country needs more independent leadership, not because partisanship is bad in theory, but because the current version of it is incapable of delivering the basics that voters actually care about. Finally, Chuck hops into the ToddCast Time Machine to revisit two stories that occurred on the same day… the Tiananmen square massacre, and Poland’s first post-soviet elections. He also answers listeners’ questions in the “Ask Chuck” segment. Predict the action all the way through the finals. Sign up now for your twenty-five dollar bonus on https://fanduel.com/predicts Link in bio or go to https://getsoul.com & enter code TODDCAST for 30% off your first order. Thank you Wildgrain for sponsoring. Visit http://wildgrain.com/TODDCAST and use the code "TODDCAST" at checkout to receive $30 off your first box PLUS free Croissants for life! Timeline: (Timestamps may vary based on advertisements) 00:00 Chuck Todd’s introduction 05:30 Iran war/ceasefire has settled into a costly stalemate 06:45 Trump doesn’t want a deal, just ability to declare an accomplishment 07:30 Trump doesn’t want to look like he capitulated 08:00 Trump ripped up other deals, then got same deals with new names 09:15 June will be when the impacts of energy shock show up domestically 10:30 Every day Hormuz remains closed exponentially increases the damage 11:30 Consumers may begin to behave irrationally, start hoarding 12:30 If a natural disaster hits during energy shock, it could be major crisis 13:45 Pulling out of WHO has exacerbated Ebola outbreak 15:00 We can’t foresee all negative impacts, we just know they’re coming 16:15 Character is always destiny in politics, it’s a matter of when people see it 18:00 Everybody has their own motivation for voting, character isn’t always important 18:45 People defending character flaws are a huge part of the problem 20:00 Rubio & Graham used to blast Trump’s character, now defend it 20:30 People criticizing Trump’s behavior are now defending Graham Platner’s 22:00 People run for office for a variety of reasons, and sometimes not good ones 23:15 Sometimes entering politics become a substitute for therapy 24:30 Character matters because it’s predictive 25:30 Trump’s character flaws did not stay private, they became public 26:30 Biden ran for office when his kids were in crisis 27:30 Biden’s family obligations competed with public ones, gave preemptive pardons 28:15 Democracy depends on elected officials separating personal & public 29:15 Political parties used to be vetting organizations, even if imperfect 30:00 Once people become emotionally invested in a candidate, they defend them 30:45 Character flaws don’t just disappear, they show up… and affect us all 33:00 Democrats in a difficult spot having to defend Graham Platner 33:45 Plater accused of sexting in 2023, these aren’t youthful indiscretions 34:45 Eric Swalwell’s indiscretions were ignored until they became too much to ignore 37:15 Platner can still win, Susan Collins has worn out her welcome 38:00 Progressives may have put blinders on for Platner 38:45 People who mocked support for Trump using same defenses for Platner 40:00 At some point credibility will matter to a majority of voters 42:30 Trump’s bad behavior has alienated 1/3rd of Republican voters 44:30 Trump is politicizing celebrating America 250…making it hard to celebrate 45:45 Trump’s character flaws were on display well before he became president 46:30 The Pope may become the moral leader Americans are desperate for 48:30 Parties don’t seem to be worried about finding the best possible actors 49:30 Platner vs. Collins feels like a rerun of Trump vs. Clinton in 2016 51:15 Jill Biden to release new memoir - Bidens seem insulated from public opinion 52:15 Before election, the Biden family was fairly beloved by most 52:45 Biden’s ambition did real harm to the party, family and their legacy 53:30 The Bidens are good people and people were willing to overlook their flaws 54:30 Xavier Becerra & Tom Steyer could finish in Top 2 spots in CA gov primary 56:30 Karen Bass has mostly ignored Spencer Pratt in LA mayoral race 57:00 Bass wants to face Pratt rather than Nithya Raman 1:07:00 Mayor Yemi Mobolade joins the Chuck ToddCast 1:08:30 The people care more about quality of life than partisanship 1:09:45 Adapted governing principles from Abraham Lincoln 1:10:45 Colorado Springs is culturally conservative, yet elected an independent 1:12:30 Ran as a true centrist, hard to box in his politics 1:13:45 There’s an appetite for leadership that isn’t red or blue 1:14:30 Trump & Biden moved space command back and forth from Co. Springs 1:15:45 The city fought hard to keep space command 1:16:30 Worked with the mayor of Huntsville to ensure smooth transition 1:17:30 Why did you decide not to sue over relocation of space command? 1:18:15 The decision was within the president’s purview 1:19:30 The city is safer now than when he took office 1:20:45 A mayor’s job is to produce deliverables for the people 1:22:45 There’s a lack of competition of ideas in Colorado politics 1:23:45 Have a good relationship with the governor and statehouse 1:24:30 People get too stuck in their partisan lanes 1:25:00 Working for unity is incredibly hard and tiring 1:27:15 There used to be room for center-left and center-right in Colorado 1:28:15 Hired his mayoral opponent Wayne Williams 1:28:45 Wayne ran a more traditional campaign, Yemi ran on different leadership 1:30:00 The goal was radical collaboration and the community embraced it 1:30:45 Data centers are a political pain point of every local community 1:31:30 Called an emergency meeting to discuss data center strategy 1:32:15 The sweet spot of data center policy is balanced but responsible growth 1:33:00 Residents are worried data centers will lower their quality of life 1:34:30 Data centers being placed on military bases for security 1:36:30 Larger data centers are forced to pay a fee to offset impact 1:40:00 Data centers bring in much needed tax dollars 1:41:00 The city budget needs the revenue to provide essential services 1:41:30 Residents want services but no data centers… can’t have it both ways 1:43:30 Colorado Springs also struggling with a housing shortage 1:45:30 Working with HUD to try to increase housing supply 1:46:15 Colorado Springs named one of the best cities for young people 1:47:45 Need innovation in housing construction, find cheaper ways to build 1:49:30 The country needs more independent leadership 1:50:30 ToddCast Time Machine - June 4th, 1989 - Tiananmen Square massacre 1:51:00 The image of a man standing in front of a tank is iconic 1:52:00 On the same day, Polish citizens were casting ballots in a post soviet election 1:52:30 One communist system responded with elections, another responded with force 1:53:30 The Chinese students protesting were easy to empathize with 1:54:15 At the time it felt like freedom was advancing and communism was retreating 1:55:15 The elections in Poland humiliated the communist government 1:56:00 Chinese leaders closely watched events in Europe 1:56:45 Protest movement in China was one of the largest in their history 1:58:15 Chinese government cracked down on reformers and protest movement 1:59:00 Martial law was declared and troops moved into Beijing 1:59:45 We don’t have an accounting of the total death toll of protestors 2:00:15 The image we all remember is “tank man” 2:00:45 The incorrect assumption was that China’s middle class would demand rights 2:02:00 China proved that their model could survive and remain durable 2:04:00 Tiananmen ultimately was the birth of the current bipolar world 2:05:00 Poland chose the ballot box, China chose the tank 2:05:30 Ask Chuck 2:05:45 Would you ever consider running for president? Colbert as a running mate? 2:09:00 Do you think Paxton heads into the general overconfident? 2:15:45 Could the “Wyoming Rule” be a more realistic step than expanding house? 2:18:45 Any lesser known founding fathers that deserve more credit? 2:23:45 Thoughts on the Catholic church as a source of moral authority? 2:27:45 Any advice for people needing to step back from news while staying informed?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Race tracks are closing across the country and the latest is the Pikes Peak International Raceway in my home town of Colorado Springs. This is disappointing for race fans and grassroots motorsports fanatics alike. I discuss the reason behind it and why it's way harder to combat than we think. Whether you like drifting, road course racing, autocross, time attack, or drag racing, this affects you. Whether you enjoy wrenching on cars, optimizing performance, or just want to understand what's going under the hood, this is the car show that talks about everything with four wheels and then some! Wash Your Car with The BEST from Chemical Guys while Supporting The Show On The Radio in Colorado: AM1460 & FM101.1 The Answer — LIVE Sat 2pm, Sun 9am & 6pm • 100.7 The Word — Sat 7pm • 91.7 KLZR — Sat 10:30am Stream live On The Radio! Join the community on Facebook! ️ Support SEMA's Work #automotive #carpodcast #pikespeakinternationalraceway #PPIR #racing #racetrack #motorsports #drift Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
FEATURED Join DADAWESOME DAY - Monday June 1st, 2026 - text "book" to (651) 370-8618 to learn more and receive updates on Monday, June 1st. Join the next DADAWESOME ACCELERATOR coaching group - APPLY HERE SUMMARY Most men are getting lived by their lives instead of actually living them. In this conversation, Alan Briggs unpacks how a life of constant escape leaves us empty at the end of the day, and what it looks like to design something we can actually engage with instead. From Yes Days with your kids to preparing for the car ride home the way you'd prepare for a business meeting, Alan brings practical insight that will reshape how you show up as a dad this week. TAKEAWAYS ---The best dads aren't the ones with the most time. They're the ones who prepare for the small moments with the same intentionality they bring to work. ---A coming of age year for your son doesn't require waking up at 4 a.m. It just requires showing up consistently and inviting other trusted men to speak life into him. ---Celebrate who your kids actually are instead of trying to make them love what you love. Curiosity is the doorway to connection. ---We were built for both meaningful work and real rest. Without a healthy theology of both, we swing between burnout and apathy. ---The question that changes everything: What is the good life for you and your family three years from now? GUEST Alan Briggs is a coach, author, and adventurer based in Colorado Springs. He runs two and a half companies, including a coworking space, and spends his days helping leaders find a lighter, more sustainable way to live and work. He's the author of multiple books, including his latest resource on anti-burnout, and the host of his own podcast for leaders. Alan and his wife are raising four kids ranging from 12 to 23, including two adopted children. He loves the mountains, disc golf with his son, and learning to cheer for his kids in the worlds they love most. QUOTES "Most men are getting lived by their lives. They are not living their lives. They are letting choices make them. They are not making intentional choices." "I prepare for business meetings. Do I prepare that well for a date with my wife, a date with my daughter, a car ride? Almost always, no." "You don't have to be up at 4 a.m. with your kid. You don't have to do it every day. But do something that affirms you've got what it takes." "Celebrate exactly who they are and exactly what they love doing, instead of trying to make them love the things that you love doing." "We are not the sum of what we carry. Our identity and who we are loved by is so much more important than what we are as dads." LINKS Join the DadAwesome Prayer Team: Text "pray" to (651) 370-8618 Send a Voice Message to DadAwesome Apply to join the next DadAwesome Accelerator Cohort Subscribe to DadAwesome Messages: Text the word "Dad" to (651) 370-8618 Send a Voice Message to DadAwesome 7-Day Video Series: dadawesome.org/book DadAwesome Podcast: dadawesome.org/podcast Free Chapter + Intro Video Series: dadawesome.org/book Apply to join the next DadAwesome Accelerator Cohort: Email awesome@dadawesome.org Subscribe to DadAwesome Messages: Text "Dad" to (651) 370-8618 Dad Awesome book: dadawesome.org/book Alan Briggs - H2LEADERSHIP Alan's BOOKS
June can feel especially heavy for Christian parents navigating the complexities of loving a child who identifies as LGBTQ while also holding to biblical convictions. In this episode, Melinda Patrick offers compassionate encouragement for parents who feel caught between truth and relationship, conviction and compassion, grief and hope. This conversation is not about fear, outrage, or culture wars. It is about staying anchored in Jesus — emotionally, spiritually, and relationally — while walking a difficult parenting journey with humility, wisdom, and faithfulness. Melinda reminds parents that culture should never disciple our emotions more than Christ disciples our hearts. You will learn 7 ways to stay anchored: Don't panic. Stay in prayer instead of control. Keep relationship where possible. Stay rooted in Scripture. Watch your tone. Allow yourself to grieve honestly. Remember God loves your child more than you can imagine. Mentioned in This Episode Piercing the Night by Lindsey Kiser Charles Spurgeon Dutch Sheets Still Faithful mini-series Episode 117 of The Bridge Between Us Encouragement for Parents As Pride Month unfolds: stay close to Jesus stay rooted in Scripture stay humble stay faithful The Gospel is still powerful. The Holy Spirit still moves. And Jesus is still drawing people to Himself. You are not alone in this journey. Keep abiding. Keep trusting. Keep re-presenting Jesus. Resources & Next Steps Listen to previous testimonies on The Bridge Between Us Begin the Still Faithful mini-series starting with Episode 117 Subscribe to Melinda's newsletter for ongoing encouragement and equipping Stay tuned for the upcoming mini-series: Walking Wisely, beginning July 1 Restored Hope Network annual HOPE conference - June 12-13 - Colorado Springs, CO
Christina Hello, everyone, I'm Christina Darnell, the managing editor of MinistryWatch. Welcome to the MinistryWatch podcast. In today's extra episode, I talk with Warren Smith about some news items that are slightly (even significantly) outside of our normal charity and philanthropy “beat.” So, Warren, what's up first? Warren I subscribe to Kate Bowler's Substack and read this week that she had spoken at Church of the Resurrection in Kansas City. When she wrote that this United Methodist congregation had 25,000 members, I was a bit incredulous. Christina United Methodist churches do not usually grow that large, especially these days. Warren So, I did some fact-checking, and she is right, though most online sources also say that weekly attendance at the church is closer to 6,000. Still, that is big. The church is centrist in theology and has so far managed to stay in the United Methodist Church without suffering a meltdown in attendance, though its growth has flattened in recent years. I am going to keep my eye on the church. It will be an interesting bellwether for the future of the UMC. Christina Moving on, there's a leadership transition coming up at a significant Christian organization. Warren After nearly six years of service, Kevin Van Horne has stepped down as Executive Director of International Fellowship of Evangelical Students/ USA. His last day was Friday, May 15, 2026. According to a statement from the organization, “Kevin led IFES/USA through a season of significant change, helping to serve our global fellowship and partners well. We are deeply grateful for his leadership and for the ways God has worked through him.” Dave Shepherd (Director of Finance) has been appointed to serve as Interim Executive Director. IFES was a MinistryWatch Shining Light Award winner in 2023 and has maintained excellent ratings from us since then. Christina Warren, I know you are always interested in demographics and statistics. But something special caught your attention this week. Warren That's right, and before I say what that was, let me as some rhetorical questions. What is the most significant problem facing America and the world? Nuclear winter? Global warming? Artificial intelligence? I would submit for your consideration the coming depopulation of the earth. For at least 30 years, most reputable demographers have been saying that the world population growth is slowing and will likely top out soon. By the year 2100 the world will be in the midst of a significant population decline. Christina And one thing that caught your attention is just how much this population decline will impact all areas of life on earth. Warren That's right. This decline will have enormous implications for every aspect of life. Cities built for millions of people will disappear, leaving a rotting infrastructure. Economic growth will be impossible. We are already seeing towns in the Midwest and West disappear. That trend will accelerate. Christina I've got to admit, Warren, that that sounds a bit melodramatic. Warren I think it's fair to be skeptical, but population demographics is one area of social science that has pretty sound prediction models. Birth rates have fallen to record lows, and they don't change that much from year to year. So it's actually pretty easy to predict what the population will be in the future. And the numbers don't look good. But if these predictions seem a bit melodramatic to you, I suggest reading a new article from The Atlantic, The Great Depopulation. A world with a shrinking and aging population will offer great opportunities for ministry, but for almost every country on the planet, it will be a culturally wrenching reality. Christina On May 17, an event called ReDedicate 250 brought speakers to the National Mall in Washington. The speakers included Eric Metaxas, Mark Driscoll, Sean Feucht, and Greg Locke – all men we've written about here at MinistsryWatch. Warren That's right. They are a part of what some are now calling the Dissident Christian Right. Christina What does that mean? Warren They are not quite Christian Nationalist, but not mainstream evangelical, either. Most assessments have judged the event as kind of a bust. A few thousand people attended, but DCR pundits had predicted many more. For example, The Christian Post reported that Robert Jeffress predicted the gathering “could be the nation's largest religious gathering in more than 50 years.” It is not clear what the attendance figures for this event forbode for the DCR movement, but the weak attendance was a surprise to me and to many who have been following the movement. Christina And there was a notable passing last week. Warren My friend Bob Woodson died last week at the age of 89. If you do not know about Bob's life and the legacy he leaves behind, I recommend reading John Stonestreet's excellent tribute. It was an honor for me to be a part of the Colson Center team that presented Bob with a Wilberforce Award in 2018. He was sui generis. One of one. I will miss him personally, and our country will miss his leadership. I helped arrange a trip for him to The King's College in 2010 to do a live interview with Marvin Olasky. That interview is worth a listen, and you can find it here. Christina Warren, you've mentioned before, that you are a fan of Carey Nieuwhof's leadership podcast. This week he dropped one of his most personal episodes ever. Warren He recounts how, about 20 years ago, he experienced a period of profound burnout. It is part of a two-part series on how to avoid burning out. I strongly recommend it. You can find the first episode here. Christina Warren, we need to wrap things up here. Any final thoughts before we go? Warren I'll be in Knoxville this week attending an event hosted by my former colleagues and good friends at The Colson Center for Christian Worldview. If you'd like to have lunch with me on Friday, let me hear from you. I'll be doing similar lunches in Denver and Colorado Springs in June. Let me know if you would like to join us. My email is wsmith@ministrywatch.com. Christina That brings to a close this EXTRA episode of the podcast. The producer for today's program is Jeff McIntosh. I'm Christina Darnell, along with Warren Smith. Until next time, may God bless you.
In this heartfelt episode, Amy sits down with Danielle, a Finding Hope leader in Colorado Springs, to talk about the devastating impact addiction has had on her life and family. Danielle vulnerably shares how she lost her dad to the disease of addiction, watched other family members struggle, and later faced the heartbreak of her own son battling addiction. Through the pain, Danielle also shares how Finding Hope became a turning point in her healing journey—helping her break free from shame and guilt and giving her the courage to share her story openly. Her honesty, faith, and hope are a powerful reminder that no one has to walk this road alone. This episode is for anyone who has loved someone struggling with addiction and needs the reminder that healing, community, and hope are possible. FindingHope.Today HopeAfterLoss.Today FHRetreat.comHALRetreat.com runforhoperace.com
What does it really take to build a company that lasts?In this episode of the Colorado Business Podcast, we sit down with Vince Colarelli, founder of Colarelli Construction, for a powerful conversation about leadership, family, purpose, grit, and what it means to build something that goes far beyond buildings.Vince shares how his upbringing, education, career in architecture and engineering, and early experiences around remarkable leaders shaped the way he thinks about business. But this episode is not just about construction. It is about values. It is about people. It is about building an organization where how the work gets done matters just as much as the work itself.From choosing family over career, to starting Colarelli Construction in 2003, to mentoring the next generation of leaders, Vince brings a thoughtful perspective on what it means to create impact in Colorado Springs and beyond.This conversation covers leadership, business ownership, company culture, generational wisdom, foster care, social impact, innovation, and why grit may be the glue that holds it all together.GuestVince ColarelliFounder of Colarelli ConstructionTopics CoveredColorado Springs businessConstruction leadershipBusiness ownershipCompany culturePurpose driven leadershipFamily valuesMentorshipSocial impactFoster careInnovationGenerational leadershipEntrepreneurshipBuilding a lasting companySubscribe for more conversations with Colorado entrepreneurs, business owners, and community leaders shaping the future of Colorado.
The College Essay Guy Podcast: A Practical Guide to College Admissions
Hi, friends, and welcome back to our series, "On Becoming: The Art and Craft of Personal Storytelling." where we take a close look at personal essays written by real students, talking about why we love them, what makes them work, and how they came to be. In this episode, I'm joined by Hillary Dickman, Senior Assistant Director of Admission at Colorado College. In past episodes, we've really broken down these essays and gotten into the nooks and crannies of what makes them work. But in this episode, I really wanted to get a sense of how Hillary sees essays from an admission reader's perspective. We get into: What Hillary hopes to learn about a student when she sits down to read their essay What a great essay can do that the rest of the application can't How much essays matter and whether or not that's changed over the last few years. Why Colorado College does not have any AI reading essays or applications and doesn't have plans to. She gives us an inside look at what it's like having your essay read in committee by as many as 13 people, and There's a moment in the episode where she imagines that I'm the co-reader reading the application with her and gives me the notes that she would give on the student if I was in the admission office with her. I loved our conversation. I hope you enjoy it too. Hillary Dickman is originally from the San Francisco Bay Area and holds a Bachelor's and a Master's degree in Speech Communication from Miami University in Oxford, Ohio. She began her career in higher education teaching at the University of Cincinnati and the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs. Since 2021, she's been part of the admission team at Colorado College, and has also navigated the college admission process as a parent — her older daughter is a recent graduate of Wellesley College, and her younger one is a student at Colorado College. Play-by-Play: 2:12 – What is often happening in admission offices during April and May? 3:14 – When Hillary reads a college essay, what is she hoping to learn about a student? 4:55 – What can a great essay do that the other parts of the application cannot? 6:05 – Hillary sets context for the essay and the student who wrote it. 7:35 – Hillary reads the essay, which we're calling, "Where I Grew Up." 11:59 – How does the author explore community building through this essay? 15:09 – What is the benefit to orienting the reader towards the topic early in the essay? 17:43 – Hillary describes the process of reading applications in teams and presenting files to a partner. 20:35 – Hillary breaks down how an admissions committee works. 24:15 – Hillary shares what makes it easy to advocate for a student and why real self-reflection stands out. 26:23 – Ethan and Hillary break down why a recurring theme and unique details can make your essay stand out when admissions officers are reading quickly. 31:12 – Why does Colorado College choose not to use AI systems to read student applications? 35:23 – How do small, specific memories keep an admissions officer engaged in your story? 40:06 – Does Hillary see the importance or role of the college essay changing in the future? 46:43 – What does Hillary love about her job? 49:12 – Closing thoughts Resources: "Where I Grew Up" Essay State of College Admission - National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC) What do colleges look for in students? College Essay Guy's Personal Statement Resources College Essay Guy's College Application Hub
This week's Memorial Day guest is a Retired Navy Seal turned Mindfulness Coach.Jon Macaskill spend 24 years as an enlisted sailor and a commissioned US Navy SEAL Officer prior to moving his family to a ranch in Colorado Springs where he now teaches mindfulness, grit, and resiliency through Keynote Speeches, workshops, online platforms, and also as the Co-Host of The Men Talking Mindfulness Podcast. Jon loves clearing a path for others so they can live their best, most fulfilled lives. Boy was this a good one. In this episode, we discussed:Being More Playful and Taking Yourself Less SeriouslyAll Things Meditation/Mindfulness, includingThe Benefits of MeditationHow to Live a Mindful LifeAlso You Can Incorporate These Into Your Daily LifeWe also discussed:Reducing Negative Self TalkAlways Giving It Your BestJon's Experience With Psilocybin Therapy (Also Known As Magic Mushrooms)Please enjoy this week's episode with Jon Macaskill ____________________________________________________________________________I am now in the early stages of writing my first book! In this book, I will be telling my story of getting into sales and the lessons I have learned so far, and intertwine stories, tips, and advice from the Top Sales Professionals In The World! As a first time author, I want to share these interviews with you all, and take you on this book writing journey with me! Like the show? Subscribe to the email: https://mailchi.mp/a71e58dacffb/welcome-to-the-20-podcast-communityI want your feedback!Reach out to 20percentpodcastquestions@gmail.com, or find me on LinkedIn.If you know anyone who would benefit from this show, share it along! If you know of anyone who would be great to interview, please drop me a line!Enjoy the show!
Southgate Campus
Happy Memorial Day, sweet mama.
Christina Hello, everyone, I'm Christina Darnell, the managing editor of MinistryWatch. Welcome to the MinistryWatch podcast. In today's extra episode, I talk with Warren Smith about some news items that are slightly (even significantly) outside of our normal charity and philanthropy “beat.” So, Warren, what's up first? Warren Fidelity Charitable has released an interesting study. Among the findings: “Most pre-retiree and retiree givers (ages 50-80) are committed to giving and avidly supporting their favorite causes. Of the donors surveyed, over half of pre-retirees (56%) and retirees (59%) gave $1,000 or more—and 17% of all donors gave $5,000 or more—to IRS-qualified charities in 2023.” Christina Fidelity Charitable may think that level of support is “avid,” but it sounds pretty anemic to me. Warren It is. Retirees and so-called “pre-retirees” both give far less than the biblical tithe, or 10 percent of their income, taken in the aggregate. That said, working people in their 50s and 60s are often in their peak earning years, and often have their home paid for and their kids through school, so there is some evidence that they are giving more, just not a lot more relative to their income. Christina Any other interesting findings in this study? Warren The Fidelity study found that “more than three-quarters of these pre-retirees and retirees (78%) say that charitable giving plays a significant or pretty important role in their lives” and “almost one-quarter of pre-retirees and retirees (24%) say charitable giving is much more important than other financial priorities.” Christina Retirees are also spending more time as volunteers. Warren “In the last year, over two-thirds of pre-retirees (71%) and over half of retirees (55%) volunteered,” the report said. “Nearly 9 in 10 retired respondents who currently volunteer agree that volunteering is a way to remain active (88%) and connected (91%).” Christina Let's shift gears. The Anglican Church in North America has been in the news lately because of its chaplain corps. There was an ugly split a few months ago. But today, some good news. Warren Rear Admiral Carey H. Cash, an ACNA (Anglican Church in North America) chaplain, is the new Chief of Chaplains for the United States Navy Chaplain Corps. Rear Admiral Cash will provide spiritual leadership and pastoral oversight for Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard personnel and their families, strengthening spiritual readiness, moral resilience, and compassionate care in the midst of the unique challenges and demands of military service. Christina Warren, I already know that you are sucker for data and lists. Forbes magazine has a new list out, its annual list of billionaires. What can that list say, and what does it mean? Warren The new annual list from Forbes says there are now 3,428 billionaires on Earth. In 1987, the year Forbes started keeping track, the list had 140 names. The list included more than 400 new entries to the list. The growth of rich and super-rich motivated Washington Governor Bob Ferguson to sign into law the state's first income tax of any kind — a 9.9% “millionaires' tax” on income over $1 million. Christina And even some Christian groups are chiming in the subject. Warren The Christian online journal Mere Orthodoxy has an interesting analysis of the list. Its conclusion: the current wealth inequality is unjust. Christina But you disagree with most of the conclusions of this article. Warren I do. Most of the billionaires are rich because of their ownership in companies that create tens of millions of jobs. And there is that most important and overlooked fact of all in this conversation, and that is that we all die, and none of us take it with us. Most if not all the billionaires on the Forbes list got there because they built companies and stewarded them over time. Their personal wealth is usually incidental to the wealth they have created for others. Now, don't get me wrong. I think – as the Bible teaches – that those with wealth have much greater responsibilities. To whom much is given, much is expected. And the Bible has special condemnation for those of us who have wealth and yet ignore the poor, or structural injustices. But to make a blanket statement about the inherent injustice of wealth are painting with too broad a brush, and are ignoring many wealthy yet honorable people of the Bible. But, in a spirit of equanimity, here is the article. You can decide for yourself if its arguments hold water. Christina I also know you cover the world of journalism. And there have been some changes in the conservative journalism space. Warren The Daily Wire, after having its day in the sun, appears to be on the decline. The online magazine Puck recently reported a “sudden, precipitous decline of Ben Shapiro's Daily Wire,” with “sweeping layoffs and a steep drop-off in audience.” Christina On the other hand, the more even-handed Dispatch seems to be thriving. Warren I was particularly pleased to hear that The Dispatch had promoted my friend Michael Reneau to Executive Editor. According to a statement from The Dispatch, “Michael got his start in local journalism in East Tennessee, rising through the ranks to serve as editor of The Greeneville Sun before moving to national journalism, and eventually serving as editor of WORLD Magazine.” Christina You wrapped up your Signs and Wonders column this week with a few statistics from THINQ. Warren I was stopped in my tracks by some recent factoids from my friends at THINQ, the Nashville-based ministry led by Gabe Lyons. Among their gleanings: 23.7% of all Christian clergy in the U.S. are women, up from 2.3% in 1960. (Axios). And almost a quarter of American women aged 60 and over (24.3%) are on antidepressants. (CDC) You can sign up for THINQ's email bulletins here. Christina You're recording today from Dallas. That's the latest stop in what seems to be a lot of travel this spring. Warren I have had a lot of travel, but I'm not suffering. It has been tiring, but a lot of fun. It was a delight to meet with about 25 MinistryWatch supporters in Dallas this week. It is always fun to tell our story, but to tell it to such an enthusiastic and knowledgeable audience is even more fun. We will be doing similar events in upcoming weeks in Knoxville, Denver, and Colorado Springs. Let me know if you would like to join us. My email is wsmith@ministrywatch.com. Christina That brings to a close this EXTRA episode of the podcast. The producer for today's program is Jeff McIntosh. I'm Christina Darnell, along with Warren Smith. Until next time, may God bless you.