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If your marketing grew like a dividend-reinvestment plan, would you still let a quarterly target dictate every decision? Agility requires stacking returning gains faster than the market changes—think compound interest, but for marketing campaigns. Today we're going to talk about the Compound Marketing Engine, agentic AI, and why “data-driven” still needs greater adoption among leaders.To help me discuss this topic, I'd like to welcome Chris O'Neill, CEO of GrowthLoop. About Chris O'Neill Chris O'Neill is CEO of GrowthLoop and a board director at Gap Inc. (NYSE: GPS). His 25+ year career includes leadership roles at Google Canada, Evernote, and Xero, and board experience at Tim Hortons. As an advisor and investor, his portfolio includes Koho, Plus AI, and Neeva (acquired by Snowflake). Chris lives in Northern California with his wife, two children, and their dog Teddy. Chris O'Neill on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/croneill/ Resources GrowthLoop: https://www.growthloop.com https://www.growthloop.com The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow Catch the future of e-commerce at eTail Boston, August 11-14, 2025. Register now: https://bit.ly/etailboston and use code PARTNER20 for 20% off for retailers and brandsDon't Miss MAICON 2025, October 14-16 in Cleveland - the event bringing together the brights minds and leading voices in AI. Use Code AGILE150 for $150 off registration. Go here to register: https://bit.ly/agile150" Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstromDon't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://www.theagilebrand.showCheck out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com The Agile Brand is produced by Missing Link—a Latina-owned strategy-driven, creatively fueled production co-op. From ideation to creation, they craft human connections through intelligent, engaging and informative content. https://www.missinglink.company
Specialty pharmacy is one of the most critical areas of care—especially for patients with complex and chronic conditions—but scaling the business isn't always easy. In this episode, Lori Maraist shows how pharmacists can do both. Lori, the Chief Operating Officer at Professional Arts Specialty Pharmacy, shares how she scaled her team from a small operation to a nationally recognized pharmacy with over 100 employees. She dives into how to carve out niches in specialty care, build a strong culture across a large team, and hire intentionally in high-stakes clinical environments. Whether you're already in the specialty sector or just looking to learn more, Lori's episode is one you won't want to miss. 00:00 - Introduction to Lori Maraist and Professional Arts Pharmacy 02:11 - Lori's Early Pharmacy Journey and Leadership Origins 06:16 - Evolution from Compounding to a Diversified Pharmacy Model 10:22 - Lessons in Change Management and Staff Buy-In 14:11 - Clinical Programs and Commercial Product Expansion 22:14 - National Licensure and Wound Care Specialization 31:00 - Hiring Philosophy and Building a Scalable Team 38:42 - Advice for Scaling a Pharmacy and Picking Leaders Hosted By: Mark Bivins | Chief Growth Officer, RedSail Technologies Johnathon Duhon | Director of Sales, PioneerRx Guest: Lori Maraist | Chief Operating Officer at Professional Arts Specialty Pharmacy Looking for more information about independent pharmacy? Visit https://www.redsailtechnologies.com
Subscribe to DTC Newsletter - https://dtcnews.link/signupIn this bonus episode of the DTC Podcast, we reconnect with Liam Millward, Co-Founder & CEO of Instant, the retention marketing platform helping top e‑commerce brands turn anonymous traffic into incremental revenue. Instant installs in minutes, identifies up to 40% of previously unknown visitors, and triggers branded email flows through Klaviyo—no manual setup required.https://instant.one Why DTC listeners should care:As acquisition costs rise and margins tighten, converting the traffic you're already paying for is non-negotiable. Liam shares how Instant helps brands like ThirdLove, Truly Beauty, and Karen Kane generate compounding email revenue—often seeing 11–21x ROI in weeks, not months.In this episode, you'll learn:How Instant identifies and emails 40% of anonymous visitorsWhat makes Instant AI's flows more effective (and hands-free)Real-world case studies showing rapid, scalable email revenue growthWhy retention teams are using Instant as their co-pilot for Q4 prepWhat separates brands who see huge value vs. those who don'tIf your site gets traffic but your email list isn't growing fast enough—and your flows aren't converting as they should—this is the bonus episode to get ahead before Q4.Timestamps:00:00 - Why 98% of website traffic goes unidentified02:00 - Instant's founding story and mission04:30 - How brands can prep for Q4 success08:00 - Turning traffic into ROI through identification10:00 - Instant's results with brands like Liquid IV13:00 - Compounding revenue through retention16:00 - Who Instant is best suited for18:00 - A/B testing and measuring incrementality21:00 - Automating flows with Instant AI24:00 - What's next for InstantHashtags:#dtcpodcast #ecommercetips #blackfridaystrategy #emailmarketing #conversionrateoptimization #q4prep #retentionmarketing #klaviyo #incrementalrevenue #marketingautomation #shopperidentification #directtoconsumer #growthstrategy #founderstory #metaads Subscribe to DTC Newsletter - https://dtcnews.link/signupAdvertise on DTC - https://dtcnews.link/advertiseWork with Pilothouse - https://dtcnews.link/pilothouseFollow us on Instagram & Twitter - @dtcnewsletterWatch this interview on YouTube - https://dtcnews.link/video
If your marketing grew like a dividend-reinvestment plan, would you still let a quarterly target dictate every decision? Agility requires stacking returning gains faster than the market changes—think compound interest, but for marketing campaigns. Today we're going to talk about the Compound Marketing Engine, agentic AI, and why “data-driven” still needs greater adoption among leaders.To help me discuss this topic, I'd like to welcome Chris O'Neill, CEO of GrowthLoop. About Chris O'Neill Chris O'Neill is CEO of GrowthLoop and a board director at Gap Inc. (NYSE: GPS). His 25+ year career includes leadership roles at Google Canada, Evernote, and Xero, and board experience at Tim Hortons. As an advisor and investor, his portfolio includes Koho, Plus AI, and Neeva (acquired by Snowflake). Chris lives in Northern California with his wife, two children, and their dog Teddy. Chris O'Neill on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/croneill/ Resources GrowthLoop: https://www.growthloop.com https://www.growthloop.com The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow Catch the future of e-commerce at eTail Boston, August 11-14, 2025. Register now: https://bit.ly/etailboston and use code PARTNER20 for 20% off for retailers and brandsDon't Miss MAICON 2025, October 14-16 in Cleveland - the event bringing together the brights minds and leading voices in AI. Use Code AGILE150 for $150 off registration. Go here to register: https://bit.ly/agile150" Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstromDon't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://www.theagilebrand.showCheck out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com The Agile Brand is produced by Missing Link—a Latina-owned strategy-driven, creatively fueled production co-op. From ideation to creation, they craft human connections through intelligent, engaging and informative content. https://www.missinglink.company
Biohacking a Post-Vacation Weight Loss Stall: What My Tracker RevealedClick On My Website Below To Schedule A Free 15 Min Zoom Call:www.Over40FitnessHacks.comOver 40 Fitness Hacks SKOOL Group!Get Your Whoop4.0 Here!
Chad Hyams and Bob Stewart explore the power of compounding across various aspects of life beyond just financial interest. They explore how habits, skills, fitness, content creation, relationships, kindness, and mindset can all yield significant long-term benefits. Using examples from their personal experiences and insights, the duo highlights the importance of consistency and its transformative impact. The discussion underscores the exponential growth potential when these areas are nurtured consistently, transforming everyday actions into profound improvements over time. Join Chad and Bob to discover how to harness the power of compounding in your life. ---------- Connect with the hosts: • Ben Kinney: https://www.BenKinney.com/ • Bob Stewart: https://www.linkedin.com/in/activebob • Chad Hyams: https://ChadHyams.com/ • Book one of our co-hosts for your next event: https://WinMakeGive.com/speakers/ More ways to connect: • Join our Facebook group at www.facebook.com/groups/winmakegive • Sign up for our weekly newsletter: https://WinMakeGive.com/sign-up • Explore the Win Make Give Podcast Network: https://WinMakeGive.com/ Part of the Win Make Give Podcast Network
Tired of watching small mistakes drain your gym's profits? Here's how to stop paying the “dumb tax” once and for all.In this episode of “Run a Profitable Gym,” Chris Cooper explains how seemingly small business mistakes compound into million-dollar losses over time. More importantly, he tells you how to stop making these gym-sinking errors.Coop presents three types of mistakes that destroy gym profitability:Compounding problems get worse over time. Example: hiring without proper training systems.Delaying problems punish you for procrastinating. Example: avoiding necessary price increases.Mounting problems are fueled by the increasing momentum of repeated errors. Example: dumping more members into a gym with a broken pricing model.Chris also gets brutally honest about his own expensive mistakes as a gym owner, and he calculates the real cost of inaction and poor systems so you can see how errors affect P&L statements.Tune in for the full breakdown and then take action before profit-killing mistakes put you on the path to bankruptcy.LinksGym Owners UnitedBook a Call 0:01 - Intro1:39 - Compounding problems7:59 - Delaying problems11:43 - Mounting problems14:58 - What's the cost of change?
How strong is your dividend growth portfolio? Send it to us for a free evaluation at dcm.team@growmydollar.com. Plus, join our market newsletter for more on dividend growth investing. If you've ever struggled to stay disciplined in a world chasing growth or yield at all costs, this episode is for you. Whether you're a seasoned dividend investor or new to the strategy, clarity, intention, and long-term thinking are essential to compounding your wealth over time. In this month's episode, Greg reflects on a personal story about trying to sell his daughter's old Honda CR-V. What begins with a frustrating lowball offer turns into an unexpected reminder of the core principles behind successful dividend investing. It's a story that sets the stage for a broader discussion on the power of focus and the cost of distraction. Greg then connects this lesson to recent decisions within the portfolio:Why we sold Emerson Electric ($EMR), even after years of ownership and recent price gains.A quick update on Rémy Cointreau ($REMYY) and why the story has improved.Whether Stanley Black & Decker ($SWK) is a value play or a value trap.
Start Your Business Lean: MVP, Compounding, and Multiple Incomes
Dan Shipper is the co-founder and CEO of Every. With just 15 people, Every publishes a daily AI newsletter, ships multiple AI products, and operates a million-dollar-a-year consulting arm—all while their engineers write virtually zero code. It's the most radical example of AI-first operations, and Dan is a prolific writer who has become a leading voice on how AI is transforming the way we build and work.Learn:1. Why Dan thinks AI won't steal jobs en masse—and may actually reshore many jobs to the U.S.2. The most underrated AI tool for non-programmers3. An inside look at Every's AI-first workflow4. Why every company needs an “AI operations lead”5. How Dan's team uses an arsenal of AI agents (Claude, Codex, “Friday,” “Charlie”) in parallel, treating each AI like a specialist with unique strengths6. Why generalists will thrive in an AI-first world, as rigid job titles blur and everyone becomes a “manager” of AI tools7. Dan's playbook for making any company AI-first—from the CEO setting the example, to hosting internal prompt-sharing sessions, to upskilling teams on AI tools—Brought to you by:CodeRabbit—Cut code review time and bugs in half. Instantly: https://www.coderabbit.ai/DX—A platform for measuring and improving developer productivity: https://getdx.com/lennyPostHog—How developers build successful products: https://posthog.com/lenny—Transcript: https://www.lennysnewsletter.com/p/inside-every-dan-shipper—Where to find Dan Shipper:• X: https://x.com/danshipper• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/danshipper/• Podcast: https://every.to/podcast—Where to find Lenny:• Newsletter: https://www.lennysnewsletter.com• X: https://twitter.com/lennysan• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lennyrachitsky/—In this episode, we cover:(00:00) Welcome and introduction(04:04) Hot takes on AI and job reshoring(07:06) The power of Claude Code for non-coders(14:35) The future of AI in business operations(18:45) AI's role in enhancing human skills(22:26) The evolution of AI tools and their applications(25:40) Building an AI-first company(29:50) Innovative AI operations and team dynamics(35:35) Dan's AI stack(41:26) Compounding engineering(48:29) The impact of AI on learning and development(50:10) Accelerating career growth with AI(51:36) Revolutionizing code review and workflow(53:07) The importance of coding knowledge(57:26) Building AI-driven products(01:02:01) Innovative fundraising strategies(01:08:45) Consulting and AI adoption in companies(01:17:01) The allocation economy and future skills(01:20:12) The value of generalists in the AI age(01:24:07) Lightning round and final thoughts—Referenced:• Claude Code: https://www.anthropic.com/claude-code• Gemini CLI: https://blog.google/technology/developers/introducing-gemini-cli-open-source-ai-agent/• Microsoft Copilot: https://copilot.microsoft.com/• Cursor: https://www.cursor.com/• Base44: https://base44.com/• Solo founder, $80M exit, 6 months: The Base44 bootstrapped startup success story | Maor Shlomo: https://www.lennysnewsletter.com/p/the-base44-bootstrapped-startup-success-story-maor-shlomo• The rise of Cursor: The $300M ARR AI tool that engineers can't stop using | Michael Truell (co-founder and CEO): https://www.lennysnewsletter.com/p/the-rise-of-cursor-michael-truell• Plato's Argument Against Writing: https://fs.blog/an-old-argument-against-writing/• From ChatGPT to Instagram to Uber: The quiet architect behind the world's most popular products | Peter Deng: https://www.lennysnewsletter.com/p/the-quiet-architect-peter-deng• Granola: https://www.granola.ai/• Tobi Lutke's post on X about context engineering: https://x.com/tobi/status/1935533422589399127• Tobi Lütke's leadership playbook: Playing infinite games, operating from first principles, and maximizing human potential (founder and CEO of Shopify): https://www.lennysnewsletter.com/p/tobi-lutkes-leadership-playbook• Every: https://every.to/• Cora: https://www.cora.computer/• Sparkle: https://makeitsparkle.co/• Spiral: https://spiral.computer/• Lex: https://lex.page/• Nathan Baschez on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nbashaw/• Kate Lee on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kate-lee-506768/• Katie Parrott on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/katieparrott/• Animalz: https://www.animalz.co/• Rachel Woods on X: https://x.com/rachel_l_woods• Nityesh Agarwal on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nityeshaga• Claude Opus 4: https://www.anthropic.com/claude/opus• Codex: https://openai.com/index/introducing-codex/• Superwhisper: https://superwhisper.com/• Wispr Flow: https://wisprflow.ai/• Notion: https://www.notion.com/• Kieran Klaassen on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kieran-klaassen/• Friday: https://www.friday.run/• Charlie: https://www.gocharlie.ai/product/ai-agents/• Avengers: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Avengers_(Marvel_Cinematic_Universe)• Alex Duffy on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alex-d/• Danny Aziz on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dannyaziz/• Dia: https://www.diabrowser.com/• Reid Hoffman's website: https://www.reidhoffman.org/• Starting Line VC: https://www.startingline.vc/• Walleye Capital: https://walleyecapital.com/• At This $10 Billion Hedge Fund, Using AI Just Became Mandatory: https://every.to/podcast/at-this-10-billion-hedge-fund-using-ai-just-became-mandatory• Reflexive AI usage is now a baseline expectation at Shopify: https://x.com/tobi/status/1909251946235437514• Klarna CEO Sebastian Siemiatkowski on Getting AI to Do the Work of 700 Customer Service Reps: https://www.sequoiacap.com/podcast/training-data-sebastian-siemiatkowski/• The Pin Factory: https://www.adamsmithworks.org/pin_factory.html• Deadwood on HBO: https://www.hbo.com/deadwood• Joel Spolsky on X: https://x.com/spolsky• Jason Fried's website: https://world.hey.com/jason• Jason Fried challenges your thinking on fundraising, goals, growth, and more: https://www.lennysnewsletter.com/p/jason-fried-challenges-your-thinking• Sam Harris's website: https://www.samharris.org/• Bill Simmons on X: https://x.com/billsimmons—Recommended books:• War and Peace: https://www.amazon.com/War-Peace-Vintage-Classics-Tolstoy/dp/1400079985• Anna Karenina: https://www.amazon.com/Anna-Karenina-Leo-Tolstoy/dp/0143035002• Playing and Reality: https://www.amazon.com/Playing-Reality-Routledge-Classics-86/dp/0415345464• The Death of Ivan Ilyich: https://www.amazon.com/Death-Ivan-Ilyich-Leo-Tolstoy/dp/1468014315• A Swim in a Pond in the Rain: https://www.amazon.com/Swim-Pond-Rain-Russians-Writing/dp/1984856022• The Master and His Emissary: The Divided Brain and the Making of the Western World: https://www.amazon.com/Master-His-Emissary-Divided-Western/dp/0300245920/—Production and marketing by https://penname.co/. For inquiries about sponsoring the podcast, email podcast@lennyrachitsky.com.Lenny may be an investor in the companies discussed. To hear more, visit www.lennysnewsletter.com
Keir Starmer has struck again. Compounding his reputation as a ruthless operator – like Michael Corleone – he is settling all family business by removing the whip from a number of troublemaking MPs, including Neil Duncan Jordan, Chris Hinchcliff, Brian Leishman and Rachel Maskell. This comes after each led respective revolts on winter fuel, planning reform, Grangemouth and the welfare changes. Rosena Allin-Khan, Bell Ribeiro-Addy and Mohammed Yasin have all lost their trade envoy roles too.Many of the MPs who have been cast adrift are from the new intake, and so today we are joined on the podcast by Mike Tapp, MP for Dover and Deal, to give his reflections on a year in office. On the podcast: he offers James Heale his advice on stopping the boats; details how Labour can start to deliver tangible change for people in constituencies much like his own; explains why Keir was right to suspend his fellow MPs; and gives us an insight into the future Labour stars from the new intake.Produced by Oscar Edmondson.We are hosting a Coffee House Shots live tomorrow (15th July) at The Emmanuel Centre in Westminster. Join Tim Shipman, Michael Gove and Isabel Hardman to debate: Are the Tories toast? Click here for tickets.For more Spectator podcasts, go to spectator.co.uk/podcasts.Contact us: podcast@spectator.co.uk
In this episode of Cutaneous Miscellaneous, host Nicholas Brownstone, MD, welcomes David Osborne, PhD, an industry expert in topical drug formulation, for an in-depth discussion on formulations and compounding in dermatology. Dr Brownstone begins with a board review on the structure and function of the epidermis, covering the 5 layers of the skin and key cellular junctions, with mnemonic tips to aid retention. In the main segment, Drs Brownstone and Osborne explore the fundamentals of topical formulation, including principles of localized drug delivery, ingredient selection, and the role of Fick's law in product diffusion. Dr Osborne shares insights on formulation challenges, selecting the right solvents and excipients, and key considerations such as ingredient stability, packaging, and accurate measurement of actives. The episode wraps up with practical pearls for dermatologists interested in product development, including which ingredients to avoid. Tune in for a high-yield, practical discussion!
Increase Your Impact with Justin Su'a | A Podcast For Leaders
In this episode I talk about compounding changes.
Today's episode is about technical debt, not as a cautionary tale, but as a lens. We take a closer look at where debt comes from, how it quietly rewires teams, and why paying it off is rarely just a matter of “cleaning up code.” Along the way, we'll examine two real-world stories: one where unaddressed debt led to a $440 million disaster, and another where a company used an infrastructure overhaul to rebuild architectural trust. This is about more than code. It's about momentum, memory, and the systems we inherit.
Last time we spoke about Black Saterday and Operation Iron Fist. Conflict erupted in Shanghai on August 13, when Japanese marines disguised as civilians provoked Chinese guards, resulting in fierce gunfire and urban warfare. Both sides engaged in skirmishes around vital locations, with the Eight Character Bridge becoming a focal point. On August 14, air raids misfired catastrophically, killing over a thousand civilians in what became known as "Black Saturday." In an attempt to regain control, Chiang Kai-shek authorized Operation Iron Fist, a bold offensive targeting Japanese strongholds. The attack commenced early on August 17, involving coordinated assaults aimed at exploiting weak points in the enemy defenses. However, poor coordination, entrenched opposition, and the complexity of urban combat resulted in further devastating losses for the Chinese troops. By August 18, Operation Iron Fist had failed, with the Japanese reinforcing their positions and announcing a strategic shift towards expanded military engagement. #158 The Battle of Shanghai Part 3: The Chinese Counteroffensive “Drive them into the Sea!” Welcome to the Fall and Rise of China Podcast, I am your dutiful host Craig Watson. But, before we start I want to also remind you this podcast is only made possible through the efforts of Kings and Generals over at Youtube. Perhaps you want to learn more about the history of Asia? Kings and Generals have an assortment of episodes on history of asia and much more so go give them a look over on Youtube. So please subscribe to Kings and Generals over at Youtube and to continue helping us produce this content please check out www.patreon.com/kingsandgenerals. If you are still hungry for some more history related content, over on my channel, the Pacific War Channel where I cover the history of China and Japan from the 19th century until the end of the Pacific War. On August 18, the Japanese military reinforced their presence in Shanghai, shipping an additional 1,400 marines from Manchuria to bolster the ranks of the Japanese Shanghai Special Naval Landing Force or “SNLF”. Yes, all of you who don't listen to my Pacific War week by week podcast are going to get a lot of acronym lessons soon. And yes, they are not quote en quote real marines, but like most telling these stories its easier to refer to them this way. This influx of troops was a significant escalation in the ongoing conflict, heightening tensions as the battle for control intensified. As the battle in Shanghai raged on, a growing sentiment emerged among Chinese leaders that crucial chances had been squandered. On August 18, Chiang Kai-shek sent his trusted aide, Deputy War Minister Chen Cheng, to confer with General Zhang Zhizhong at the front lines. They assessed the situation and agreed that instead of attacking the heavily fortified Hongkou area, they should redirect their focus to the Yangshupu district. The aim was to breach the defenses and split the Japanese forces along the Huangpu River. This strategic shift was precisely what the German military advisers and frontline commanders had anticipated, signaling a decisive move away from their earlier hesitance to engage within settlement boundaries. As attrition took its toll on the Chinese troops already committed in Shanghai, the responsibility for the offensive was placed on the newly arrived 36th Infantry Division, a unit highly trained by German forces. They were positioned to advance from the eastern edge of Hongkou, with two regiments tasked to march south toward the Huangpu. In the early hours of the 19th, two regiments of the 36th launched their long-planned attack, moving swiftly towards the front lines. The night was illuminated by the flames of sabotage and incendiary bombs, aiding visibility amid the chaos. However, the assault quickly faced significant challenges. Many of the Chinese soldiers were inexperienced, becoming easy targets for Japanese infantry positioned in rooftops and upper-story windows. In the absence of cover, some troops were forced to take shelter behind the fallen bodies of their comrades. For a moment, the Chinese troops felt a surge of hope, believing they could push the Japanese into the Huangpu River. General Zhang Fakui, observing from the opposite bank, envisioned a breakthrough. However, upon reaching Broadway, parallel to the river, they confronted a formidable barrier. High walls guarded the wharves, and even the largest artillery pieces struggled to breach the defenses. Attempts to scale the steel gate resulted in devastating fire from entrenched Japanese machine gunners, while fortified factories like the Gong Da Cotton Mill proved equally impenetrable. As the Chinese forces suffered under relentless bombardment, their momentum diminished. The 88th Infantry Division, previously effective, showed signs of disarray and hesitated to engage. Compounding their woes, Japanese reinforcements arrived, swelling their ranks to 6,300 well equipped marines. Despite these challenges, the Chinese committed to deploying their newly acquired British built Vickers tanks, a symbol of their efforts to modernize their military over the years. But with each hour, the balance of power tilted further in favor of the Japanese forces. Meanwhile the 87th Infantry Division was assigned two armored companies, yet it suffered catastrophic losses. The tanks, recently shipped from Nanjing, had crews untrained in coordinated assaults, and many were left without infantry support. The Chinese forces struggled to secure adjacent streets, allowing Japanese armor to outflank and destroy their tanks. The Japanese, too, faced coordination challenges between their armor and infantry, resulting in some of their tanks being annihilated by Chinese anti-tank weapons. On the 20th, General Zhang Zhizhong inspected the Yangshupu front and encountered a former student leading a tank company ready to attack the wharves. The tanks, hastily repaired and ill equipped for battle, faced fierce enemy fire, and the young officer expressed concern about the infantry's ability to keep pace. Despite Zhang's insistence that the assault must proceed, the attack ended in disaster as the tank company was decimated by shells from anchored vessels. The battle blended modern warfare with tactics reminiscent of earlier centuries. An officer named Wu Yujun managed a position during a Japanese cavalry attack on the 18th. After two unsuccessful assaults, Wu set an ambush that resulted in the annihilation of the Japanese riders. This incident illustrated the stark contrast on the battlefield where Chinese soldiers often confronted a technologically superior enemy while grappling with their own inexperience. Many of the Chinese units arriving in Shanghai were very green, countless having never faced battle before, and their lack of experience proved costly in the initial days of fighting. Brigade Commander Fang Jing of the 98th Division observed that his soldiers constructed inadequate fortifications that crumbled under the Japanese 150mm howitzers. He lamented, “Often, the positions they built were too weak and couldn't withstand the enemy's artillery,”. On the 20th, 5 Chinese aircraft returned after yet another unsuccessful attack on the Japanese battleship Izumo, which remained anchored in the Huangpu. During their flight over western Zhabei, they encountered two Japanese seaplanes. One Chinese pilot broke formation, diving steeply to fire a brief machine-gun salvo, but his plane was quickly shot down, bursting into flames before crashing. The Chinese attacks had posed a significant threat to Japanese bombers, particularly the vulnerable Mitsubishi G3M medium aircraft targeting Shanghai and central China. Japan's First Combined Air Group suffered heavy losses, with half of its medium attack planes damaged or destroyed within the first three days of fighting. However, the Chinese pilots, largely inexperienced and inadequately trained, began to falter against the superior Japanese fighters, eventually withdrawing from the skies over Shanghai. Ground troops expressed frustration over the lack of effective air support, as they rarely saw their planes after the 20th, instead carrying out major troop movements only under the cover of darkness. The Japanese air superiority drastically affected operations on the ground, dictating when Chinese soldiers could eat and transport supplies. Without effective fighter protection and limited anti-aircraft capabilities, the Chinese troops were left exposed. Most of their anti-aircraft weaponry consisted of 20mm Solothurn guns that were ineffective against aircraft and were more often used against infantry. Officers hesitated to use these guns for fear of revealing their positions to the enemy. By the morning of the 21st, the 36th Division had been relentlessly attacking the wharf area for over 48 hours, yet victory remained elusive. Although some tanks had infiltrated the wharf, they were met with dishearteningly strong Japanese defenses and a well-manned enemy presence. The commanders recognized that they had advanced too quickly without securing their flanks, and their reserves, which could have provided crucial support, remained in the rear. Reluctantly, they concluded that a withdrawal was necessary. The retreat was a painful acknowledgment that pushing the Japanese into the Huangpu River would not be as straightforward as hoped. Part of the Chinese failure stemmed from an inability to execute joint operations across different military branches. German advisors noted that artillery support for the forces in Yangshupu from the Pudong side was limited. In contrast, Japanese naval guns were actively providing support, significantly relieving the pressure on their marines. This imbalance resulted in heavy losses for the Chinese, with the 36th Division suffering over 2,000 casualties by the late 22nd. Meanwhile, Japanese naval aircraft attempted to impede the movement of additional Chinese troops to Shanghai by bombing the railway from Suzhou. Although several bridges were destroyed and railway stations sustained damage, the delays were minimal, offering some reassurance to Chinese commanders who understood that reinforcements were essential for a successful continuation of the battle. The light cruiser Jintsu, carrying the 3rd Division, set to land six miles north of Shanghai, while the 11th Division would disembark a dozen miles further up the Yangtze River. By the evening of the 21st, the task force arrived at the Yangtze River and the Saddle Islands off the river estuary. The soldiers had to transfer to smaller vessels capable of navigating the shallow waters of the Huangpu River. On the 23rd, Matsui Iwane got aboard the light cruiser Yura and was greeted by Rear Admiral Chuichi Nagumo, then the commander of the 8th cruiser division. Yes, the same man who would be blamed for losing at Midway in 1942. The Japanese fleet had made a strategic sweep as far south as Hangzhou Bay the previous day to disrupt Chinese troop movements and force them to spread thin along the coast. However, with the landings imminent, it was clear the assault would happen at Wusong and Chuanshakou. Initially, Matsui preferred landing both divisions at Chuanshakou for a sweeping advance into the lightly defended countryside west of Shanghai, which would encircle tens of thousands of Chinese soldiers. The 3rd Fleet, however, proposed a bolder strategy: the 11th Infantry Division would proceed with the landing at Chuanshakou, while the 3rd Infantry Division would land at Wusong, directly confronting the heavily concentrated Chinese forces around Shanghai. This plan aimed to exert pressure from both the front and the rear, a tactic that could yield success but risked high casualties if faced with stiff Chinese resistance. Aware of the operation's risks, the naval officers sought to ease potential tensions with their army counterparts by offering over 500 elite marines to support the assault, preparing for what could be a pivotal moment in the campaign. Shortly after midnight on the 23rd, the marines designated as the primary assault wave at Wusong arrived in a convoy of steamers from Shanghai. Their arrival was eagerly anticipated, as they would spare the 3rd Division from being the first to land. As the naval artillery barrage reached a deafening climax, the boats glided across the smooth water towards the shore. Any time a Chinese machine gun opened fire, it drew immediate response from the Japanese gunners, swiftly silencing the threat. Meanwhile, trench mortars onshore targeted the advancing vessels, but their rounds fell harmlessly into the water without causing any damage. At 3:00 am, the first landing craft reached the bank, dropped anchor, and lowered its ramp. The marines waded ashore, climbing the 15 foot high dike to survey the terrain. Suddenly, machine gun fire erupted from a Chinese position just 50 yards away, cutting down several marines. Undeterred, the marines charged with fixed bayonets across the open field. An explosion marked the spot where a soldier had triggered a landmine, followed by more detonations, but there was no retreat; they pressed on, swarming over the Chinese trench and engaging in a brief yet fierce hand-to-hand struggle. Within moments, they had taken the position. The marines quickly cleared the area, paving a path to their immediate objective, a military road running parallel to the Huangpu River. While setting up defensive positions, the 3rd Division began to disembark at the water's edge. By 8:00 a.m, the divisional command stepped ashore as the last unit to arrive. Meanwhile, naval pilots were busy bombing and strafing roads further inland to impede any enemy reinforcements. The landing had unfolded with remarkable success, marking a significant moment in the operation and setting the stage for greater advances by Japanese forces. Meanwhile the 11th division began setting foot on the beach north of Chuanshakou at 3:50 am. As the soldiers advanced towards the town's outskirts, they encountered only minimal resistance as Chuanshakou was defended by a single Chinese company. Matsui was pleased with the outcome; everything had unfolded according to plan and, in fact, better than he had dared to hope. Casualties in both divisions were surprisingly low, amounting to little more than 40 soldiers. At 5:30 am, Zhang Zhizhong received an urgent phone call at his new headquarters in a small village near Nanxiang. On the line was Liu Heding, commander of the 56th Infantry Division, reporting that an enemy force of unknown size had landed near Chuanshakou. With heavy bombardment disrupting communications, details were scarce, but Zhang immediately recognized the gravity of the situation: a new front was opening, complicating his command significantly. Realizing he could not effectively manage the situation from Nanxiang with communications down, Zhang decided to head to the command post of the 87th Infantry Division in Jiangwan, a town closer to the landing area. By the time he arrived at the 87th Division's base, it was nearly 9:00 am. He was informed that the Japanese had not only landed at Chuanshakou but also at Wusong. Recognizing the urgency, he quickly dispatched half of the 87th Infantry Division and a regiment from the recently arrived Training Brigade, an elite unit fresh from Nanjing, to respond to the threat. Given that the 56th Infantry Division alone could not secure the area around Chuanshakou, Zhang assigned the 98th Infantry Division to defend most of the Yangtze riverbank under threat. He also dispatched the 11th Division, which had just arrived in the Shanghai area with Deputy War Minister Chen Cheng to move toward Luodian, a town just a few miles from the landing zone at Chuanshakou. Meanwhile, the Japanese forces were advancing swiftly. While the main landing contingent engaged in fierce fighting for control of Chuanshakou, a small unit of a few hundred soldiers was dispatched down the road to Luodian. Marching under the scorching August sun, the reservists, weary from the trek, found little resistance upon reaching Luodian. They hastily set up camp without adequately preparing defenses, making them vulnerable targets. Later that afternoon, advance units of the 11th Infantry Division reached Luodian, shaken but determined to attack even after facing air raids on their journey. The ensuing skirmish was swift; within an hour, the Japanese were repelled. Back over at Wusong Hu Guobing received orders to push back the Japanese on August 21st. He led his regiment towards the Japanese lines, as his platoons dispersed further, dividing into smaller squads. Soon, the sharp crack and rattle of small arms fire resonated along the regiment's front. Battalion Commander Qin Shiquan, a graduate of the Central Military Academy, led two companies toward the enemy positions, taking care to remain unnoticed. When they drew close enough, he ordered his bugler to sound the charge. Then, raising his Mauser pistol, he turned to face his men and shouted, “Attack! Attack!” This sudden noise revealed his position, making it vulnerable. Japanese observers hidden nearby quickly relayed his coordinates to warships offshore. Within minutes, shells began to rain down on the unit with alarming accuracy. Amidst the storm of fire unleashed by the Japanese, all semblance of order disintegrated, and chaos ensued as each unit fought to survive. Hu Guobing spent most of the day dodging Japanese aircraft that circled overhead, waiting for targets to emerge. As Hu Guobing recalled “It felt as though the enemy could see everything. It was crucial not to act rashly. Our only real options were to take cover in a hole or hide behind a ridge”. The gunfire continued throughout the afternoon and did not relent until darkness began to fall. Only then could the soldiers breathe a little easier, grab a few bites of their field rations, and quench their parched throats with sips from their water canteens. Seizing the relative safety of night, they hurried to improve their positions, knowing that once dawn arrived, it would be too late; a shallow trench or inadequate camouflage could spell doom. Although it had been Chiang Kai-Shek's decision to place Zhang Zhizhong and Feng Yuxiang in charge of Shanghai, now designated the 3rd War Zone, he was having regrets. In a telephone conversation with Feng Yuxiang shortly after the Japanese landings, Chiang emphasized the importance of monitoring the younger front-line commanders. He urged “Don't hesitate to give them advice,”. Feng assured him that he would not hold back. He then recounted an anecdote about General Nogi Maresuke, who, during the Russo-Japanese War of 1904-1905, allegedly delegated all major decisions to his chief of staff. Feng told him “The frontline commanders possess courage and a fighting spirit. Their role is to take orders and engage in battle. Mine is to stay back, like Nogi, write a few poems, and wait for the inevitable,”. Chiang persistently insisted, “Regardless of the situation, don't be shy. Share your insights with them.” “Of course,” Feng responded. “If I notice something amiss, I'll address it without hesitation. You can count on me.” However, this assurance did little to calm Chiang's concerns. A great concern was Zhang Zhizhong. Much of his rhetoric about fighting the Japanese seemed to lack substance. Zhang had not demonstrated the necessary resolve to launch attacks against the small Japanese forces in the city when decisive action could have turned the tide of the battle. With Japanese reinforcements firmly entrenched in two locations within the greater Shanghai area, it was now too late to pursue a quick victory over the enemy. Compounding the issue, Zhang appeared to spend an excessive amount of time making grandiose statements to the newspapers rather than focusing on the ground situation. Chiang's frustration was palpable, and it was shared by his German advisors, who concurred that Zhang lacked the requisite “toughness” to confront Japanese resistance effectively. The decision to send Deputy War Minister Chen Cheng to the front was an early indication that Chiang was considering replacing Zhang. In a particularly humiliating twist, Zhang was not even informed of Chen Cheng's appointment and learned about it indirectly through other field commanders. Fearing that he was being sidelined, Zhang Zhizhong hurried to the 3rd War Zone headquarters in Suzhou to assess the situation. While in Suzhou, called Chiang, whom began harshly criticizing him for being so far behind the front lines. “What are you doing in Suzhou? What are you doing in Suzhou?”. Zhang Zhizhong replied “Mr. Chairman, I'm back in Suzhou to discuss important strategic matters. Otherwise, I'm constantly at the front What's the matter with you?” Chiang was incensed by this perceived disrespect. “What's the matter with me? You ask me what's the matter with me!” His voice rising to a hoarse shriek, Chiang Kai-shek abruptly hung up. At this point, Zhang must have had little doubt that his days as the chief field commander were numbered. The Japanese landings had accomplished their immediate objective of relieving pressure on the small marine forces holed up in Shanghai. As a result, the Chinese were forced to halt their attacks on Hongkou and Yangshupu and had to reconsider how to allocate their resources across various fronts. If the Japanese landing party grew large enough, the Chinese forces could risk becoming the target of a Japanese pincer movement. In essence, within a few days, they had shifted from an offensive posture to a defensive one. Against this backdrop, Chen Cheng, leading the 15th Army Group, arrived in Suzhou on August 24th. His presence aimed to bolster resistance, and he was also there to familiarize himself with local conditions, as he was expected to take on a greater role at the front shortly. Chen's confident demeanor and readiness to overrule local commanders indicated that real authority already resided with him. While he agreed with Zhang Zhizhong's plans from the previous day to counter the landings, he deemed them insufficient given the threat posed by the fresh Japanese troops. Consequently, he ordered that more soldiers be redeployed from Shanghai proper to the landing zones. To counter the dire situation, Falkenhausen devised a plan aimed at reigniting enthusiasm for the offensive among the Chinese forces. During a meeting on the 25th, he proposed rallying all troops in the Luodian area to mount a coordinated attack from all sides against the Japanese landing force. Emphasizing the German preference for a decisive strike, he aimed to push the invaders back into the Yangtze. The assembled officers expressed their agreement with the plan. However, as dawn broke, the optimism from the night's discussions began to wane. It had been 48 hours since the landings, and the Japanese army had solidified its foothold at Chuanshakou, rapidly approaching a point of strength that would make it nearly impossible to dislodge them. Tanks and artillery were assembled along the riverbank, while engineers constructed a pier to facilitate the faster unloading of troops and supplies. They had already established a bridgehead that extended 10 miles in length and reached a depth of five miles, initiating the construction of a road heading inland, an evident preparation for a major offensive. In a secret report to Chiang Kai-shek, Falkenhausen outlined the challenging situation as the Japanese consolidated their material advantages. “It should be noted that the enemy's army and navy operate in close coordination. Although their land-based artillery is still relatively weak, this is offset by their robust naval artillery and ship-based aircraft,”. He further noted that the airfields on Chongming Island contributed to Japan's now “complete air superiority, as a result, the main operations on our side should be executed after dark.” From late August onward, most Chinese movements occurred after sunset. Only then could Chinese and Japanese infantry engage on more equal footing, without the overwhelming advantage provided by air support. Night became the great equalizer in the uneven battle for Shanghai. During the day, the relentlessly active Japanese forces seemed to be everywhere. They deployed rubber boats up small rivers to scout and disrupt. Their observation balloons hovered on the horizon, keeping a vigilant watch on the Chinese and swiftly scrambling aircraft upon detecting any movement. They combined technological superiority with a bravery that bordered on the suicidal; when faced with the prospect of capture, many Japanese soldiers preferred death. Following a fierce battle in the vicinity of Luodian, the Chinese retrieved the body of a sergeant major who had committed hara-kiri, while a gravely injured private was found attempting to slit his own throat with his bayonet. Luodian remained the immediate target for nearly all the Japanese forces in the area, facing the same Chinese units that had driven them out on August 23rd. The Chinese were well entrenched in and around the town, but they lacked the numbers to consider launching offensive operations against the Japanese at Chuanshakou. Instead, their priority was to strengthen their defenses. While waiting for the Japanese to resume the assault, they endured massive and sustained bombardment. Among the Chinese officers, there was a growing sense of crisis and a palpable fear that their defensive line could collapse at any moment. From their perspective, the Japanese appeared to be gaining momentum. However, the situation looked quite different from the Japanese invaders' point of view. Japanese casualties began to rise as the Chinese reinforcements sent to the Luodian area started to make an impact. Two days after the landings, the number of dead and injured from the 11th Division had exceeded 400, and the toll continued to climb. Among the casualties was a senior staff officer who was killed moments after stepping off his landing craft at Chuanshakou, struck down by a Chinese aircraft that had evaded Japanese fighter cover. The death toll escalated so quickly that not all bodies could be cremated, as was customary for the Japanese; privates and junior officers were hastily buried instead. For an army that prided itself on honoring its fallen soldiers more than those left alive, this was a significant blow to morale. The 3rd Division faced different challenges in its sector. It was subjected to relentless attacks on the first day of the landing and had to repel two further major enemy assaults on the second day. Additionally, it experienced occasional shelling from Chinese artillery located on the Pudong side. The greatest threat, however, came from the division's right flank. North of the landing zone lay Wusong Fortress, which had been guarding the approach to Shanghai since the wars against British and French forces in the mid-19th century. From their fortifications, Chinese infantry and artillery continuously targeted the Japanese as they disembarked from their boats and advanced inland. They also fired upon small vessels navigating up the Huangpu River, delivering supplies to the division. As the 3rd Division expanded its bridgehead in the days following the landing, Wusong Fortress remained a persistent threat, impeding the buildup of Japanese forces on shore. Compounding the Japanese sense of being encircled, the village of Yinhang to the south was also under Chinese control. This, combined with the steadily increasing number of Chinese defenders in front of the landing zone, created a challenging tactical situation for the Japanese. Although initial casualties had been lighter than the planners had feared, the number of Japanese losses began to rise. By the 25th, the 3rd Division, often referred to as the “Lucky” Division, reported over 300 accumulated casualties. Two days later, that number had escalated to 500, the majority of whom were killed in action. On the 28th, the 3rd Division was finally able to capture the village of Yinhang, freeing itself somewhat from the tactical constraints it had faced up to that point. On the same day, following an intense naval bombardment, the 11th Division launched an assault on Luodian. Leading the charge was Wachi Takaji, a 44-year-old regimental commander who surged forward with his sword drawn, personally dispatching several enemies along the way. The Chinese defenders were driven out of the town and fled down the roads leading inland. By noon, Luodian was firmly under Japanese control. However August 29th marked a significant triumph for Chinese diplomacy, as Chiang Kai-shek's signed a non-aggression treaty with the Soviet Union. The pact between Nanjing and Moscow laid the political and diplomatic groundwork for Soviet military aid to China while ensuring that the Soviet Union would not reach an agreement with Japan as long as hostilities continued. Initially, Chiang Kai-shek had been wary of Soviet intentions, expressing concerns in his diary on August 1st, when the diplomats were preparing the treaty, that he feared the Kremlin might use the agreement to pressure Japan into signing a similar pact with Moscow. However, following the signing, skepticism gave way to optimism. Three days after announcing the treaty, Chiang confidently predicted in a speech that the Soviet Union would eventually enter the war against Japan. Chiang would not be wrong about that, but it would only come in 1945, officially. Soviet dictator Joseph Stalin had a clear reason to encourage China to engage in a full-scale war with Japan: it would secure Russia's western flank while he focused on the strategic challenges posed by a Europe dominated by Hitler. A conflict with China could drain Japanese resources, thereby reducing the threat from Asia in the long term. Exasperated British diplomats attempted to warn Chiang Kai-shek about what they perceived as a Soviet ruse, advising that the Russians “only have their own interests in mind.” Nevertheless, this did little to undermine the Chinese leader's belief in the Soviet Union's willingness to help. At a deeper cognitive level, there was a reason why Chiang Kai-shek and his associates clung to the belief that not only Soviet aid but also direct Soviet participation in the hostilities was imminent. This aligned with their expectations of how a war with Japan would unfold. The Chinese General Staff's War Plan A, drafted in 1937, was based on the premise that a conflict with Japan would soon trigger a larger conflict involving either the Soviet Union or the United States. Thus, the key objective for China was to withstand the superior Japanese forces until relief could arrive from a more powerful ally, whether that be Russian or American. This strategy was not as naive as it might seem; it was based on the understanding that neither Moscow nor Washington would want to see Japanese power grow too strong on the Asian mainland. Despite the capture of Luodian and Yinhang, the Japanese continued to face significant challenges. Their grip on the Shanghai region remained highly precarious, relying on control of two isolated pockets north of Shanghai and a beleaguered garrison within the city. Due to their numerical inferiority, they were under intense pressure from Chinese forces. The landings at Wusong and Chuanshakou had initially bolstered the manpower in the Shanghai area by fewer than 8,000 troops, and although reinforcements were gradually arriving, the pace was slow. Matsui Iwane recognized the need for a more radical increase in troop levels to achieve a decisive outcome. By the end of August, he cabled Tokyo, arguing that to complete the operation successfully, he required a total of five divisions or at a minimum the release of the 11th Division's Amaya Detachment, currently stationed in northeast China, to reunite with the division at Chuanshakou. The Japanese imperial staff and navy command responded mostly favorably, agreeing to redirect the detachment to Shanghai alongside several units of the elite marines. One week after the landings, Wusong Fort continued to pose a significant problem for the 3rd Division and the navy, which was responsible for supplying the division. Chinese artillery fire made anchoring near the landing zone a perilous endeavor, resulting in several naval officers being killed when caught in the wrong place at the wrong time. At times, the shelling was so severe that vessels had to interrupt their operations and retreat to a berth in the middle of the Huangpu River, unloading only part of their supplies. Matsui now planned for the 3rd Division to launch a frontal assault on Wusong, while the 11th Division would maintain a support role, dispatching only one regiment to assist. The attack commenced at 10:00 am on August 31rd. Following an intensive naval and aerial bombardment involving 30 planes, a regiment from the 3rd Division boarded landing craft, sailed down the Huangpu River, and landed on the riverbank north of Wusong. Throughout the afternoon and into the evening, the soldiers engaged in fierce skirmishes with scattered Chinese units in front of Wusong in preparation for a final entry into the city. Meanwhile, the Asama Detachment from the 11th Division initiated its part of the offensive by marching along the bank of the Yangtze toward Shizilin. On the morning of September 1st, the Japanese tightened their grip on Wusong. The regiment from the 3rd Division seized a hamlet west of Wusong and readied for an assault on the town itself. The defending Chinese forces put up strong resistance, and it was not until late afternoon that the Japanese made any significant progress, aided by artillery fire from their ships. The Asama Detachment experienced somewhat greater success that day, successfully capturing the fort at Shizilin in the afternoon. The Japanese launched their final offensive against Wusong at dawn on the 2nd. To their surprise, the fort fell with relative ease. By 10:00 am, Matsui saw the Rising Sun flag hoisted over Wusong. “I felt boundless gratification,” he noted in his diary. With the fall of Wusong, the town of Baoshan became the last major obstacle to uninterrupted Japanese control of the riverbank, stretching from Chuanshakou to the outskirts of Shanghai. The fort at Baoshan also posed a significant threat to Japanese naval operations due to its strategic location at the confluence of the Yangtze and Huangpu rivers. Chiang Kai-shek fully recognized the importance of Baoshan and ordered a battalion of the 98th Infantry Division to hold the town at all costs. Baoshan had one notable advantage: like many ancient Chinese towns, it was encircled by a thick city wall that had historically helped fend off invaders and still served its defensive purpose well. The Japanese were acutely aware that Baoshan favored defense, and even a small contingent of Chinese forces could potentially hold out for an extended period. On the 4th, the 3rd Division sluggishly advanced toward Baoshan. Around mid-afternoon, an artillery unit arrived to assist by bombarding the city wall. Despite this support, the Japanese soldiers, sent in waves to scale the wall, suffered significant casualties and failed to penetrate the defenses by nightfall. At noon on September 5, Japanese bombers launched an air raid on Baoshan, while naval artillery rained shells indiscriminately over the town's gray roofs. The land attack began an hour later when Japanese tanks advanced toward the town gates. The Japanese pressed the Chinese defenders into a shrinking perimeter. By sunset, the defenders were left with only 100 soldiers. The night passed without incident, as the Japanese refrained from attacking without air support, but everyone knew that dawn would herald the end. Just as the sun rose above the horizon, the assault resumed. As the city neared its fall, the defending commander Yao Ziqing ordered a soldier to escape and report the situation to his superiors. Unnoticed by the Japanese, the soldier scaled a wall and fled into the surrounding countryside, becoming the sole survivor of the battle. He carried with him a message from the battalion: “We are determined to stay at our posts and to continue fighting the enemy until each and every one of us is killed.” I would like to take this time to remind you all that this podcast is only made possible through the efforts of Kings and Generals over at Youtube. Please go subscribe to Kings and Generals over at Youtube and to continue helping us produce this content please check out www.patreon.com/kingsandgenerals. If you are still hungry after that, give my personal channel a look over at The Pacific War Channel at Youtube, it would mean a lot to me. Despite initial Chinese hopes for a counteroffensive by the newly arrived 36th Infantry Division, their inexperience and poor coordination led to heavy losses. As the Japanese gained reinforcements, they executed strategic landings at Chuanshakou and Wusong, overwhelming Chinese defenses. Amidst escalating casualties, Chinese troops struggled to maintain morale. However, their resolve to fight persisted, even as defeat loomed over the besieged city and its defenders.
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Join Brian Decker and Arrin Wray as they unpack the three “compounding risks” that can threaten your nest egg—and show you how to turn them into advantages: Why delaying taxes in a traditional IRA could cost you (and your heirs) over $1 million, and how proactive Roth conversions lock in today's rates. Five proven inflation hedges—from planned cost-of-living adjustments to strategic home-equity moves—to keep your spending power intact. The hidden danger of sequence-of-return risk and why distribution strategies with laddered, principal-protected accounts are your best defense. Download free checklists, a sample income plan, and “The Decker Approach” book at DeckerRetirementPlanning.com → Safer Retirement Education. Schedule your no-cost retirement review today: 833-707-3030.
There's been a lot of noise lately around semaglutide, tirzepatide, and other GLP-1 medications—especially as the FDA cracks down on certain compounded versions. But what's really going on? And what should patients and providers know? In this solo episode, I unpack the truth behind the headlines. We'll clarify what GLP-1 medications actually are (hint: they're not insulin), why they're in such high demand, and how compounding pharmacies legally stepped in during national shortages. I'll also break down the difference between 503A and 503B pharmacies and share how to spot quality in compounded meds. Whether you're a patient, provider, or pharmacy pro, this episode clears the fog around GLP-1s and gives you real tools to stay informed.
In this episode, Stig Brodersen speaks with Guy Spier who has outperformed the S&P 500 since 1997, with a 9.6% vs. 8.8% CAGR. They explore why Guy invested in The Economist, and how friendships, service, and living by an inner scorecard guide his life and investment philosophy. IN THIS EPISODE YOU'LL LEARN: 00:00 - Intro 02:27 - Why Guy Spier decided to invest in The Economist. 13:16 - How Guy is living by his inner scorecard. 55:16 - Why friendships are there for a reason, a season, or a lifetime. 55:16 - How does Guy invest in friendships? 01:09:03 - How to facilitate thoughtful conversations with friends. 01:22:03 - How do you seek wisdom? 01:44:04 - How do you identify how to best be of service? 01:57:43 - What money can and can't buy you. Disclaimer: Slight discrepancies in the timestamps may occur due to podcast platform differences. BOOKS AND RESOURCES Join Clay and a select group of passionate value investors for a retreat in Big Sky, Montana. Learn more here. Join the exclusive TIP Mastermind Community to engage in meaningful stock investing discussions with Stig, Clay, Kyle, and the other community members. Stig's interview with Guy Spier about his track record and risk. Stig's interview with Guy Spier about investing and life. Stig and Preston's interview with Guy Spier on his book, The Education of a Value Investor. Stig and Preston's interview with Guy Spier about his lunch with Warren Buffett. Guy Spier's book, The Education of a Value Investor – Read reviews of the book. Subscribe to Guy Spier's Free Newsletter. Guy Spier's podcast and website. Check out all the books mentioned and discussed in our podcast episodes here. Enjoy ad-free episodes when you subscribe to our Premium Feed. NEW TO THE SHOW? Get smarter about valuing businesses in just a few minutes each week through our newsletter, The Intrinsic Value Newsletter. Check out our We Study Billionaires Starter Packs. Follow our official social media accounts: X (Twitter) | LinkedIn | Instagram | Facebook | TikTok. Browse through all our episodes (complete with transcripts) here. Try our tool for picking stock winners and managing our portfolios: TIP Finance Tool. Enjoy exclusive perks from our favorite Apps and Services. Learn how to better start, manage, and grow your business with the best business podcasts. SPONSORS Support our free podcast by supporting our sponsors: SimpleMining AnchorWatch Human Rights Foundation Onramp Superhero Leadership Unchained Vanta Shopify HELP US OUT! Help us reach new listeners by leaving us a rating and review on Spotify! It takes less than 30 seconds, and really helps our show grow, which allows us to bring on even better guests for you all! Thank you – we really appreciate it! Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://theinvestorspodcastnetwork.supportingcast.fm Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://theinvestorspodcastnetwork.supportingcast.fm
In episode 304 of Business Coaching Secrets, hosts Karl Bryan and Rode Dog dive into the “rules of money” every business coach must know, why being new in a market can be your superpower, and the realities behind popular business myths. The episode combines practical financial wisdom with actionable strategies for business coaches seeking lasting growth and wealth—while reminding listeners that higher-level thinking trumps shortcuts, and focusing on product is the ultimate accelerator. Key Topics Covered The Weight of Local Celebrity and the Power of “New” Karl Bryan compares the pressure faced by athletes like Mitch Marner in their hometowns to the challenges coaches feel when becoming “local legends.” Being new in a market is reframed as a hidden advantage—fresh faces wield a psychological “superpower” that can accelerate growth, provided coaches leverage it rather than fear it. Rules of Money for Business Coaches Money is fundamentally “a game of doubles”—constantly look for trajectories to double investments, whether in marketing, skills, or assets. Compounding is a key driver: marginal utility and small improvements across many areas trigger outsized, accelerated results. Patience and “aggressive patience”: real wealth (for you and your clients) is built by “hurrying up and waiting” rather than chasing quick wins or lotteries. Taxes and fees are often ignored but are the #1 expense for most people and require intentional, strategic management. Product, Sales, and Marketing Mastery Success flows from being excellent at your product first—if your service delivers, sales and marketing get dramatically easier. Sales is one-to-one, marketing is one-to-many, but “product” is what truly solves the problem and generates lasting referrals. The classic principle: “You can't sell or market your way out of a bad product.” Standing Against Popular Business Myths Myths like passive income, four-hour workweeks, and “do what you love and make millions” are unpacked as misleading for most coaches. Instead, the actionable advice is to become extremely good at your craft, focus on profit margins, and fall in love with what you do best. Selecting Ideal Coaching Clients Your ideal client is “you, five years ago,” and those with strong profit margins. Focus on helping highly coachable, successful people, not just anyone willing to pay. Beware of spreading yourself thin with multiple streams of income before your main business is thriving. Notable Quotes “Being new is like a superpower—like new, sex, and chocolate.” “Money is a game of doubles… have a path to turn $1,000 into $2,000.” “You can't sell and market your way out of a bad product.” “Needing nothing attracts everything.” “If you buy stuff, you end up with stuff. Not needing something is the same as having it.” “If you can sell, you can't coach. If you can coach, you can't sell.” “Play big. The anxiety isn't from overwhelm—it's from knowing you're capable of more.” Actionable Takeaways Leverage Your “Newness”: Don't be afraid to enter new markets; position yourself as the fresh expert to stand out and attract attention. Focus on Doubling and Compounding: Aim to double the outcomes of every investment—financial, time, or client results. Teach your clients about the magic of compounding: small, smart improvements in multiple areas add up fast. Be Aggressively Patient: “Hurry up and wait”—apply urgency in action, but patience in expecting results. Master Your Product: Strive to be the absolute best and (eventually) the only choice in your niche. Constantly refine your coaching deliverables and operating systems to make getting clients effortless by reputation and results. Prioritize the Right Clients: Go after highly coachable, growth-minded, and profitable clients—ideally, those you were like 5 years ago. Challenge “Feel-Good” Myths: Don't get distracted by gimmicks promising fast wins or easy lifestyles. Focus on skill-building, operational leverage, and real profitability. Understand Your Real Expenses: Taxes, fees, and interest are the true drains on wealth—work with pros and educate yourself to minimize them for you and your clients. Resources Mentioned Profit Acceleration Software (by Karl Bryan) Book: The Psychology of Money by Morgan Housel Book: Money Master the Game by Tony Robbins Book: The Four Hour Workweek by Tim Ferriss (discussed critically) Networking Groups & Masterminds Focused.com for tools, resources, and the community If you enjoyed the episode, please subscribe, share with a fellow coach, and leave a review. See you next week on Business Coaching Secrets! Ready to elevate your coaching business? Don't wait. Listen to this episode now and make real moves toward your goals. Visit Focused.com for more details on Profit Acceleration Software™ and join our thriving coaching community. Get a demo at: https://go.focused.com/profit-acceleration
Ever feel like you're doing all the right things financially … but still don't feel rich?That's more common than you think – and there's a reason behind it. In this episode, we break down the mindset shift that can transform your investing outlook: the compounding click. That's the moment when everything changes, and you suddenly realise your efforts are paying off.Tune in to hear:Why wealth often feels invisible in the early years of investingThe $0.01 to $10 million example that shows how compounding really worksWhen most investors hit their “click” moment – and what it feels like Want to fast-track your own compounding click? Check out our free guides and tools on property investment NZ.Don't forget to create your free Opes+ account here.For more from Opes Partners:Sign up for the weekly Private Property newsletterInstagramTikTok
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Matt Zeigler and Bogumil Baranowski join Robert Hagstrom for a very special hour-long discussion. The episode originally appeared on Excess Returns Podcast, and it is reposted here with permission from the podcast hosts. Enjoy!Legendary investor and author Robert Hagstrom joins Excess Returns to explore timeless investing principles—and how they've evolved in today's market. In this wide-ranging conversation, Robert shares stories from working with Bill Miller, insights on Warren Buffett's approach, and the philosophical foundations of long-term investing. He also issues a stark warning about the rising popularity of private equity for retail investors.Whether you're a Buffett disciple, a fan of focused investing, or just curious about how great investors think, this is a conversation packed with insight.
In episode 303 of Business Coaching Secrets, host Karl Bryan shares deep Zen reflections inspired by a close friend's challenging life circumstances, emphasizing the essential role of gratitude, silence, and presence both for life and business success. Karl then dives into hard-hitting truths about the business coaching industry, the pitfalls that plague most coaches, actionable frameworks for greater results, and the mindset shift required to create real transformation for clients. If you're serious about sustainable growth and impact as a business coach, this episode is a must-listen. Key Topics Covered Cultivating Presence and Silence for Clarity Karl reflects on conversations with friends battling adversity and recounts lessons from loss and near-death scenarios—how true insight, gratitude, and creative solutions often arise in moments of silence and self-reflection. He underscores that both coaches and their clients can tap into breakthrough moments by intentionally slowing down. Biggest Issues Facing the Business Coaching Industry Karl outlines why the lack of industry barriers leads to a “Wild West” scenario, where passion alone is a poor substitute for genuine skill in diagnosing and solving problems. He warns against focusing only on what you love instead of what you're actually good at—both for coaches and their clients. Seeing Solutions vs. Obstacles An instructive horseback riding story drives home the difference between those who focus on what's in their way (“the line”) and those who focus on what they want (“the water”). This mental model is applied to both coaching practices and client growth. The Installer Mindset: Systematic Success Over Winged Efforts Karl distinguishes between “hiders,” “wingers,” and “installers” in business coaching, advocating for software-based, process-driven approaches—like Profit Acceleration Software—to reliably diagnose and improve businesses rather than hoping for magical results. Fall in Love With the Process, Not the Glory True long-term progress stems from loving daily tasks (prospecting, lead generation, client problem-solving) rather than glamorizing the end destination. Consistent singles—not home runs—build championship businesses (and coaching practices). Tiered Pricing and Delayed Gratification Strategies Karl shares practical pricing strategies for new coaches: scaling client fees gradually to win trust, build results, and land long-term, high-value accounts—using parallels with Tom Brady's career strategy. Profit Trumps Revenue: The Domino Effect Coaches must help clients focus on profit (not just more revenue or scale), reverse engineer essential metrics like accounts receivable, and use frameworks such as the 80/20 principle to identify the true levers in any business. Compounding, Checklists, and the Discipline of Incremental Gains Stories about checklists in aviation and medicine, along with the power of daily 1% improvements and compounding, reinforce the crucial role of systems and marginal gains for coaching and client breakthroughs. Mindset Conditioning and Daily Habits Karl closes by urging coaches to instill positive self-talk, create highlight reels of past wins, and optimize the first moments of each day for powerful, subconscious influence. Notable Quotes “Some people see the water and some people see the line… Are you focusing on problems or on solutions?” “If you were diagnosed with three months to live, you wouldn't obsess about your to-do list—you'd sit in silence, appreciate life, and discover real gratitude.” “Don't do what you're passionate about… do what you're good at. That's where the results and magic happen.” “You can't transfer that which you don't own. If you don't have conviction and belief in your coaching, you'll never give it to your client.” “Profit is the domino that knocks over all the other dominoes.” Actionable Takeaways 1. Replace Busyness with Strategic Silence: Encourage both yourself and clients to regularly unplug from notifications and to-do lists. Make space for stillness—true breakthroughs happen in these moments. 2. Go Beyond Passion—Focus on Skill: Don't just ‘help people' because you're enthusiastic; get great at diagnosing true problems, reverse engineering solutions, and delivering tangible results. 3. Target Profit, Not Just Scale: Help clients focus on building profitable, simple businesses—not just bigger ones. Use frameworks to uncover the highest-leverage activities and products. 4. Implement Tiered Pricing: Start with a small retainer (even $100/month if needed), prove value, and scale clients up to full rates ($2,000+/month) as trust and results build. 5. Use Checklists and Systems: Adopt proven checklists for yourself and your clients (like pilots and surgeons do) to eliminate costly “pilot error” and ensure discipline. 6. Harness the Power of Daily 1% Improvements: Remind clients that small daily gains compound rapidly—leverage the 80/20 rule to identify and focus on the few actions driving the most results. 7. Condition Your Subconscious: Start each morning with empowering beliefs. Repeat mantras like, “Getting clients is easy, getting clients is fun” to rewire your thinking for success—and teach this to your clients. Resources Mentioned Profit Acceleration Software™ – Karl Bryan's proprietary diagnosing and growth tool for business coaches. Jumpstart 12 Operating System – A structured path for installing reliable progress in client businesses. Moneyball (Film) – Recommended for its business analogies on compounding small wins and strategic thinking. The Six-Figure Coach Magazine – For more on 80/20 thinking and practical coaching strategies. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, share with a fellow coach, and leave a review. See you next week on Business Coaching Secrets! Ready to elevate your coaching business? Listen now and take your next big step. Visit Focused.com for information on Profit Acceleration Software™ and join our thriving coaching community. Get a demo: https://go.focused.com/profit-acceleration
Andrew Craig returns for his second appearance on the podcast, and in this episode, we delve into why so many people make investment mistakes—or choose not to invest at all. We also explore the UK's wealth crisis, discussing its causes and potential solutions. Andrew shares insights from his latest book Our Future Is Biotech, revealing the groundbreaking scientific advancements that could lead to healthier, longer lives.Join us as we discuss the role of financial literacy, the biotech revolution, and the power of compounding in creating lasting personal and financial growth.00:00 The UK's Wealth Crisis: An Overview00:25 The Biotech Revolution: A New Era01:06 The Cash ISA Dilemma01:45 The Impact of Financial Journalism03:37 The Economic Consequences of Poor Investment06:57 The Global Wealth Disparity13:31 The Role of Technology in Wealth Creation19:56 The Importance of Financial Literacy32:45 Healthy Eating Habits from Childhood33:20 Economic Growth and Wealth Creation34:46 Reflecting on the 1970s Economy36:54 The Future of Biotech47:44 Gene Editing and CRISPR Technology52:08 The Rise of Autism and ADHD58:45 The Complexity of Human Biology01:04:55 Discussing Chris Hemsworth and Free Solo01:05:09 The Importance of Visualization in Extreme Sports01:05:43 Pushing the Frontiers of Human Capability01:06:53 The Power of Compounding and Consistency01:08:49 Exciting Advances in Microbiome and Bioremediation01:10:05 The Miracles of Precision Medicine01:12:49 The Abundance of Modern Life01:15:40 The Importance of Reading and Continuous Learning01:18:49 The Impact of Podcasts on Personal Growth01:22:29 Economic Models and Government Intervention01:26:58 Concluding Thoughts and ReflectionsDiscover AndrewWebsite - https://plainenglishfinance.co.uk/YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCME6xVzdcA7q_RfhRaRIkPALinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrewcraigpef/?originalSubdomain=ukBooks - https://plainenglishfinance.co.uk/booksGet In TouchLinkedIn - www.linkedin.com/in/jay-lawrence-5a4b3357/Website - ambitiousmindspodcast.comInstagram - www.instagram.com/ambitiousmindspodcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
For more info on how I can help you visit my site, BetterByDrBrooke. There is a huge divide on using compounded pharmacies vs. your standard local pharmacy. On one hand many things compounding is the only way you can get bioidentical hormone therapy and on the other hand there's a ton of fear around using these seemingly “unregulated” facilities and formulas. As always, the truth is in the middle and I cover the myths about regulation, what the role of these types of formulas are and much more in this episode! Stuff I Know You Will Love A healthy microbiome feeds on healthy fibers and who gets enough these days? And even when we make the effort, getting a wide variety of different types of fibers is a big challenge in our busy lives. ZBiotics new probiotic product: Sugar to Fiber, turns sugar (sucrose) from your diet into a unique fiber rarely found in our daily diets that directly feeds those healthy gut bugs - it's almost magic. Easy, tastes great and you can save 15% with code BETTEREVERYDAY at zbiotics.com/bettereveryday! If you are looking for an expert prescriber for HRT during your perimenopause or menopause journey but are at odds with your local provider being a bit behind current best practices or you simply can't find anyone near you to help, it is MIDI to the rescueI! I've worked with a number of telehealth services in my search for providers that are up to date on modern menopause medicine, have great customer service and who are licensed in all 50 states and I'm so thrilled to have found my provider with MIDI. If you too need help with getting HRT please use this link bit.ly/drbrookemidi to try MIDI with no membership fees and insurance billing available. Learn more and save 60% off your starter box when you subscribe at Ollie.com/bettereveryday Be sure you connect with me in my FREE PRIVATE Facebook group: Hormones & Happiness with Dr Brooke where other amazing, like minded women like YOU are already hanging out! Join us! Follow Dr Brooke on Instagram and get signed up for my awesome emails here. Seriously, I write really great emails, or so 1000s of women tell me and I'd like to send you one too. To work with Dr Brooke click here and if you loved this episode please leave a review!
Last time we spoke about the victory at Okinawa.. As American forces led by General Buckner advanced, they captured strategic key points, driving the Japanese into a desperate retreat. Despite overwhelming odds, the remaining Japanese defenders, embodying the samurai spirit, fought to the bitter end, hoping to gain time for their homeland's defenses. On June 21, faced with inevitable defeat, Generals Ushijima and Cho chose to commit seppuku in honor of their duty. Their tragic decision underscored the deep commitment to their cause, an adherence to the warrior code. By this point, countless Japanese soldiers surrendered, acknowledging the futility of their fight. As the month drew to a close, the Americans secured Okinawa, a hard-won victory shadowed by staggering casualties, more than 107,000 Japanese lives lost and significant American losses. This battle not only symbolized the relentless spirit of those who fought but also the tragic costs of war, forever etched in history as a vivid reminder of sacrifice and the haunting price of conflict. This episode is Liberation of Luzon Welcome to the Pacific War Podcast Week by Week, I am your dutiful host Craig Watson. But, before we start I want to also remind you this podcast is only made possible through the efforts of Kings and Generals over at Youtube. Perhaps you want to learn more about world war two? Kings and Generals have an assortment of episodes on world war two and much more so go give them a look over on Youtube. So please subscribe to Kings and Generals over at Youtube and to continue helping us produce this content please check out www.patreon.com/kingsandgenerals. If you are still hungry for some more history related content, over on my channel, the Pacific War Channel you can find a few videos all the way from the Opium Wars of the 1800's until the end of the Pacific War in 1945. For most, the battle of Okinawa basically ends the Pacific War, but the truth is the war was raging all over the place. The second most noticeable place would be Luzon, where the remnants of General Yamashit'as 14th Area Army were still resisting in the northern and eastern mountain ranges. Yet here too, the curtains were beginning to fall. As we last left off, it was mid-April 1945, and the fierce struggle for the liberation of Luzon was reaching a critical phase. General Eichelberger's 8th Army was actively engaged in offensives across the Visayas and Mindanao, while General Krueger's 6th Army focused its might on two primary sectors in Luzon. The stakes were high, the liberation of Luzon was crucial for securing Manila and restoring the Filipino government that had been disrupted by the war. In the northern sector, General Swift's 1st Corps was grappling with General Yamashita's formidable Shobu Group, who were entrenched in this mountainous terrain, making the fighting particularly arduous. Meanwhile, General Hall's 11th Corps was applying relentless pressure on the opposing Shimbu Group, led by General Yokoyama, in the vital areas east of Manila. Starting in the northern reaches of Luzon, we find General Clarkson's 33rd Division making tangible advances, having secured Route 11 up to Camp 3, as well as segments of the Galiano Road and the Tuba Trail. This area, known for its treacherous paths and thick jungle, posed significant challenges, but the troops pressed on. Northward, General Beightler's 37th Division was also on the move, with its 129th Regiment overcoming all enemy resistance along Route 9, reaching the critical town of Sablan by April 14. Not to be overlooked, Colonel Volckmann's guerrilla 121st Regiment had carved a path up Route 4 to the strategically important Bessang Pass, known for its rugged terrain that offers a natural defense. General Mullins' 25th Division was making notable progress towards Balete Pass, gaining crucial footholds on Crump Hill and Myoko Ridge. These positions were essential as they provided elevated vantage points over the surrounding valleys. On the western front, General Gill's 32nd Division had successfully secured the western Salacsac Pass but still faced stiff enemy positions in the eastern pass, where Japanese forces were well-prepared to defend. With the arrival of the bulk of the 37th Division in early April, Swift was poised to launch a dynamic two-division drive towards Baguio, a city nestled in the mountains that had become a strategic goal due to its position and resources. While Clarkson's units continued to engage in patrol actions in the Arboredo, Agno, and Ambayabang River valleys, there was limited progress in these areas. However, the 129th Regiment initiated a decisive attack on Sablan on April 11, successfully breaching Japanese defenses there by April 14. On that pivotal day, the 148th Regiment took charge of securing Route 9 through Calot, a vital corridor for advancing troops. Meanwhile, the 130th Regiment encountered fierce resistance as it pushed west of Asin along the Galiano Road, exemplifying the tenacity of Japanese forces determined to hold their ground. As the battle raged, General Yamashita was already strategizing to evacuate Baguio. By April 19, he made the decision to relocate to the Bambang front, leaving Major-General Utsunomiya Naokata, one of his trusted chiefs of staff, in command of the remaining forces. Despite the growing pressure on Route 9, the Japanese command seemed out of touch by the second week of April 1945. They inaccurately assessed that the primary thrust of General Swift's 1st Corps would come along Route 11, allowing them to become complacent. This misplaced confidence led to a failure to redeploy troops to counter the increasing threat on their right flank. Instead of fortifying their defenses, they appeared to adopt an inexplicable, almost defeatist attitude, unusual for a military as disciplined as the Imperial Japanese Army. Compounding this lack of urgency was the intense effort from the 14th Area Army headquarters to evacuate civilians and supplies from Baguio, a city perched high in the Cordillera Central mountain range. This evacuation served as a clear signal that the situation was deteriorating, yet the Japanese command remained strangely passive. Yamashita's mindset regarding the unfolding crisis was evident when he made personal preparations to depart for the Bambang front on April 19. In a move echoing his earlier strategy for the Bambang area, he established an independent command for the Baguio front before his departure. Utsunomiya's responsibilities also included nominal command over the 19th Division, stationed north of Baguio, but his control was hampered by significant communication difficulties that plagued the Japanese forces. The first notable action Utsunomiya took was to relieve the 58th Independent Mixed Brigade from the 23rd Division's control, seeking to streamline command. Under Yamashita's directive to hold Baguio for as long as possible before retreating to a new defensive line, Utsunomiya issued an order for all troops along the existing Main Line of Resistance "hold out to the last man." His tone betrayed the grim reality, coming across as almost ironic given the mounting pressures they faced. Meanwhile, General Sato's 58th Independent Mixed Brigade was frantically working to fortify defenses along Route 9, southeast of Calot. However, their efforts came too late to prevent the 148th Regiment from swiftly capturing Yagyagan on April 15, gaining a crucial foothold in the area. In response to this setback, Sato began sending reinforcements to the Irisan Gorge starting April 16, apparently under Utsunomiya's orders. This narrow, treacherous gorge, surrounded by steep cliffs, was seen as a pivotal point for a last-ditch defense. The Japanese troops managed to repel the initial assaults from the 148th Regiment on April 17, but as night fell, the Americans executed a series of enveloping maneuvers, ultimately securing Ridge A. The following morning, the 148th seized Ridge C; however, their frontal assaults against Ridge B were met with fierce resistance and ended in failure. On April 19, the tide began to turn. After a devastating air strike and concentrated artillery fire that neutralized most of the Japanese positions on Ridge F, the Americans finally captured Ridge B. Concurrently, other American units seized Hills D and E, effectively cutting off the Japanese retreat route. The relentless pressure continued, and the next day, Ridges F and G were subjected to intense attacks, which ultimately resulted in their capture. This relentless campaign forced the Japanese to withdraw to Ridge H, where they continued to regroup. After heavy bombardment, the Irisan Gorge was finally cleared on April 21, sending the surviving defenders scrambling in retreat. As these operations unfolded, the 130th Regiment was busy repositioning two battalions from the Galiano Road to the junction of the Yagyagan Trail along Route 9, poised to mount a coordinated attack on Asin from both the east and west. On April 22, they launched their offensive, catching the Japanese defenders by surprise and effectively dismantling their defenses. By the afternoon of April 23, the Galiano Road was opened for American forces, marking a significant advancement in their campaign. Concurrently, the 129th Regiment had taken over operations from the 148th Regiment and advanced against only scattered resistance, making significant progress as far southeast as the junction of the highway and the Galiano Road. However, their advance was ultimately halted due to concerns about a potential threat from the north. Seizing on this hesitation, General Utsunomiya decided to leave small delaying forces at Trinidad and Baguio, while initiating a general withdrawal to the north and northeast. With Utsunomiya's defensive lines weakened, American patrols were able to enter Baguio on April 24, met with surprisingly little resistance. By April 26, the 129th had effectively secured most of the city, facing only negligible opposition. Simultaneously, elements from the 123rd and 130th Regiments worked diligently to eliminate the remaining Japanese defenses on nearby Mount Calugong, along the Tuba Trail, and on Mount Mirador, ensuring the area was cleared for further American operations. Despite these American successes, Utsunomiya managed to escape with approximately 10,000 troops to the Baguio-Aritao supply road, a crucial evacuation route for Japanese forces. As the end of April approached and into the first days of May, the 37th Division continued to mop up the surrounding areas, further securing Trinidad. Meanwhile, the 33rd Division also pressed forward, capturing the Balinguay-Itogon-Pitican sector, enhancing their control over the region. Looking eastward, General Gill's demoralized 32nd Division was still engaged in fierce fighting through the Salacsac Pass, hampered in their advance along the Villa Verde Trail. During the second week of April 1945, observers from the 6th Army headquarters reported alarming morale issues within the 32nd Division, echoing concerns that General Krueger had personally noted during previous visits to the front lines. The soldiers of the 126th and 128th Regiments were on the brink of complete mental and physical exhaustion. Front-line troops, many of whom had spent significant time overseas, were becoming overly cautious, possibly from the toll of constant combat. Conversations among the men frequently centered around one urgent topic: their rotation back to the United States. The once aggressive spirit characteristic of these combat troops was waning rapidly. With dwindling numbers and pervasive personnel issues, it was clear that the division would struggle to mount any spectacular gains in the coming days. If they couldn't quicken their pace along the critical Villa Verde Trail, reaching their objective, Santa Fe, by the targeted date of June 1 appeared increasingly unlikely. Delays would be catastrophic; they risked being trapped on the trail by the heavy rains of the impending wet season, which typically began in late May. Such circumstances would severely hinder their ability to withdraw and salvage their equipment from the treacherous mountainous terrain. Meanwhile, the Japanese forces retained key terrain advantages, allowing them to economically utilize their troops and reinforce their front lines almost at will. In stark contrast, the rugged landscape severely restricted the 32nd Division's maneuverability, forcing them to repeatedly launch costly frontal assaults with their diminishing strength. While terrain and weather conditions presented significant challenges, the growing personnel crisis loomed as a critical factor likely to further limit the division's progress in the days ahead. Compounding their challenges, General Iwanaka's reconstituted 2nd Tank Division had suffered heavy casualties, leaving General Konuma unable to provide further reinforcements. On April 17, the rested 127th Regiment finally began its move to relieve the beleaguered 128th Regiment at the western pass, launching operations to clear the last remnants of Japanese forces from the Hill 506-507 area. Although Hill 506B fell rapidly on April 19, and Hill 507C was captured three days later, American forces struggled to completely clear Hill 507D until May 2, underscoring the tenacity of the Japanese defenders. Despite the challenges, enough ground had been cleared by April 26 for the 2nd Battalion to initiate a drive east along and south of the Villa Verde Trail, aiming for the strategically important Hill 508. The Japanese forces, sensing this new threat, responded with fierce counterattacks from both the east and north, managing to delay the American capture of Hill 508 until April 29. The intense fighting illustrated the importance of this elevation, which offered vital visibility over the surrounding landscapes. In the days that followed, the 2nd Battalion expanded its control over Hill 508, establishing a defensive block on the Villa Verde Trail to the north while successfully repelling a series of heavy Japanese counterattacks. Meanwhile, the 3rd Battalion made significant strides by attacking and capturing Hill 509, further consolidating American positions in the area. Simultaneously, the 2nd Battalion of the 126th Regiment launched an offensive south from Hill 511, seizing Hill 515 on April 24. They advanced into the area north of Hill 508 while the 1st Battalion navigated through the rugged terrain of Hills 513 and 514, pressing southward to Hill 516. Their advance culminated in the capture of the crest of Hill 525, where they established a critical block on the Villa Verde Trail. However, the cost of these advances was significant. Due to the heavy losses incurred during these operations, the barely rested 128th Regiment began the process of relieving the exhausted 126th on May 3. Shortly after, the 128th's 2nd Battalion launched an assault southeast, successfully capturing Hill 526 on May 7, while some elements initiated a drive towards Hill 527. To the further east, General Mullins' 25th Division was persistently pushing its Santa Fe offensive against stubborn Japanese resistance. In a stroke of fortune, a successful aerial reconnaissance mission revealed that ground located just 1,000 yards west of their position might offer a more favorable route of advance to Balete Ridge, providing a welcome alternative to the challenging Myoko mass itself. On April 22, a reconnaissance force from the 27th Regiment successfully moved undetected to the southern slope of Balete Ridge, positioning themselves for a critical advance. The following day, the rest of the 2nd Battalion began to push toward Lone Tree Hill, while other units continued to exert pressure on the entrenched Japanese defenses at Myoko. Moving forward with enthusiasm and encountering negligible resistance, the Americans reached Lone Tree Hill on April 25, effectively bypassing the main concentrations of enemy forces. By April 27, the 2nd Battalion had advanced an impressive half mile beyond Lone Tree Hill, with its forward elements only three-quarters of a mile from Balete Pass. However, they were compelled to halt their advance due to the potential threat of an enemy counterattack looming on the horizon. Meanwhile, on April 23, the 35th Regiment began its ascent up Kapintalan Ridge, steadily making progress despite the challenging terrain. By April 27, their leading troops had reached a prominent knob located midway between Route 5 and Lone Tree Hill. The 161st Regiment was also making strides, continuing its attack northward towards Kembu Ridge, where they successfully secured Hill 4625 and the entirety of Highley Ridge by April 28. On that same day, the 27th Regiment began reinforcing their positions on Lone Tree Hill, while elements of the 2nd Battalion initiated a southwest push along Kapintalan Ridge to support the 35th Regiment advancing up Route 5. However, they encountered a formidable strongpoint and were only able to gain 350 yards of new ground northeast from the knob. Simultaneously, elements of the 27th Regiment advanced a modest 500 yards southwest by May 4, indicating the ongoing struggle. That morning, the 1st Battalion of the 161st Regiment seized the southeastern nose of Kembu Ridge, securing a valuable tactical position. At the same time, the 2nd Battalion pushed troops onto the ridge, extending their reach half a mile to the northwest, further consolidating American control in the area. As a breakthrough appeared imminent, General Krueger began dispatching Beightler's 37th Division to the Bambang front on May 2, with all elements of the division departing the Baguio area just three days later. With these reinforcements securing his rear and taking control of the Myoko massif, General Mullins ordered the 27th and 161st Regiments to concentrate their forces for a coordinated attack aimed at enveloping Balete Pass from both the east and west. On May 5, the 161st swiftly broke through Kembu Ridge and advanced to Haruna Ridge, while the 27th Regiment pushed west-northwest along Wolfhound Ridge. However, they faced fierce resistance, gaining only 350 yards against tenacious Japanese defenders. On May 8, Company I successfully launched a southwest offensive from their stronghold along a bare-crested ridge, while Company A deployed on Kenbu Ridge and began ascending the final sections of the Digdig River gorge. The following day, these two companies finally made contact with each other and linked up with the 161st on Haruna Ridge. By May 10, Wolfhound Ridge was secured, coinciding with elements of the 35th Regiment completing the clearance of Route 5 from Kapintalan to the pass. In the meantime, the 35th Regiment, along with units from the 27th, continued their assault on Kapintalan Ridge, which was ultimately secured by May 13. Meanwhile, the 148th Regiment renewed its attacks on Myoko Ridge, where Japanese resistance began to collapse by May 11. With these gains, Balete Pass was now secure. The Americans had incurred 565 men killed and 1,745 wounded during the drive, while General Okamoto's 10th Division experienced catastrophic losses, with nearly 7,000 men killed and a complete breakdown of their control and communications. Reflecting on the situation in Salacsac, by May 8, the Japanese position was deteriorating rapidly. In response, General Iwanaka made the critical decision to dispatch troops aimed at cutting the supply line to the 2nd Battalion of the 128th Regiment, with the intention of safeguarding his main stronghold at Mount Imugan. On that day, the 1st Battalion of the 128th Regiment began to push eastward, facing strong resistance, while elements of the 2nd Battalion moved west from Hill 526, struggling to make any significant progress. By May 10, Japanese forces successfully severed the track between Hills 525 and 516, forcing much of the 128th and one battalion of the 127th Regiment to allocate considerable resources to eliminate the Japanese pocket that had formed in that area. Meanwhile, the 33rd Division was left disheartened as it found itself assigned a holding mission to secure the Baguio-Bauang-San Fernando area. Their operations were limited to minor local gains and long-range reconnaissance, which did little to impact the overall situation. During May 1945, the only significant action undertaken by the 33rd Division took place along a trail connecting Santa Rosa in the Ambayabang Valley to Tebbo, located on the Agno River five miles south of Pitican. The division focused its efforts on clearing Japanese forces from the high ground situated between the main trail and the upper reaches of the Ambayabang Valley. On May 9, a battalion of the 130th Regiment advanced south from Baguio via Pitican and reached Tebbo, only to find the barrio abandoned. Meanwhile, on May 5, the 136th Regiment began its advance up the Ambayabang Valley. Approximately three miles south of Tebbo, they became embroiled in a ten-day battle, resulting in the deaths of a few hundred Japanese troops. However, these enemy forces posed little threat to the 33rd Division, their primary mission being to block American attacks toward the Baguio-Aritao supply road from the south. As the rainy season approached, 1st Corps and the 33rd Division had long since abandoned plans to use the valley as a route of advance against the Japanese supply lines. Consequently, the 136th Regiment relinquished the terrain it had gained along the valley and the trail to Tebbo almost immediately after capturing it. By May 15, all troops of the 33rd Division began their withdrawal, a challenging task compounded by heavy rains that had transformed the Pitican-Tebbo trail and the trails in the Ambayabang Valley into quagmires. The final destruction of the Japanese blocking force in the valley had little impact on the strategic plans or dispositions of 1st Corps or the Shobu Group, as the Japanese quickly replenished their outposts. By the end of May, the 33rd Division was left executing reconnaissance missions without significant enemy contact or major advances. The division remained in a state of restless anticipation, awaiting developments on the Bontoc and Bambang fronts before the 6th Army would authorize a new drive deeper into the rugged mountains of northern Luzon. Turning to the north, the guerrilla 121st Regiment achieved a significant victory on April 21 by overrunning the last Japanese positions on Lamagan Ridge. About a week later, they completed their occupation of Lower Cadsu. However, during the first part of May, the 121st Regiment faced formidable challenges as they advanced over steep terrain against increasingly fortified Japanese defenses, bolstered by reinforcements from General Ozaki's 19th Division. In the south, Hall's 11th Corps made good progress throughout mid-April, successfully pushing General Yokoyama's 41st Army, previously known as the Shimbu Group, further east from Manila. Concurrently, General Hurdis' 6th Division continued its offensive against the Kobayashi Detachment at Wawa Dam, achieving a notable success by securing the crest of Mount Mataba on April 17, marking a significant tactical gain in the ongoing battle. Despite General Hurdis' hopes to swiftly advance against Mount Pacawagan and Wawa Dam, persistent personnel issues forced him to halt any offensive actions until the 145th Regiment could relieve the 20th Regiment in the Montalban area. The 145th eventually began its assault on Pacawagan on April 21. However, even with effective supporting fire that destroyed much of the enemy's defenses, American forces struggled to secure a foothold on the mountain until the end of the month. Meanwhile, the 1st and 63rd Regiments continued to hold their occupied ground until they were relieved late in April by the 151st and 152nd Regiments of General Chase's 38th Division, which then officially assumed control of the offensive operations. In the southern part of Manila, significant water supply problems prompted General Hall to redeploy General Wing's 43rd Division northward in preparation for an offensive against Ipo Dam. By mid-April 1945, an acute water shortage had developed within the city of Manila. General MacArthur informed General Krueger about the dire situation, noting that south of the Pasig River, Manila had access to no water sources except for that supplied by Army tank trucks and shallow, often contaminated wells. This shortage significantly hampered sewage disposal throughout the city, as water pressure from the overtaxed Novaliches Reservoir, the only reliable source was insufficient to carry off waste. As a result, flush toilets were frequently clogged, forcing many citizens to resort to using gutters and esteros for defecation. Restaurants and nightclubs, which were heavily frequented by off-duty American troops, struggled to maintain even minimum sanitary standards. The situation was exacerbated by a steady influx of military units and civilians into the metropolitan area, raising concerns about the imminent threat of severe epidemics breaking out in the city. On April 19, MacArthur suggested to Krueger that the 6th Army could resolve Manila's water supply crisis by seizing "the reservoir in the Montalban area." He inquired how soon the installation could be captured. This query puzzled Krueger, who was aware that the only true reservoirs linked to the Manila water system were located west of the Marikina River and had been under American control since February. Furthermore, Krueger understood that Wawa Dam, the nearest water supply installation to Montalban, was no longer connected to the metropolitan system. He subsequently asked MacArthur if by "reservoir in the Montalban area," he meant Ipo Dam, the only major water installation still in Japanese hands. Krueger's question seemingly led to further examination of Manila's water system at General Headquarters, Southwest Pacific Area (GHQ SWPA). On April 22, MacArthur radioed back to Krueger, confirming that Ipo Dam was indeed the preferred objective. He emphasized that capturing the Ipo installation would effectively solve Manila's water supply problems. Upon receiving this directive, Krueger ordered the 11th Corps to launch a drive on Ipo Dam as soon as possible. This shift in forces meant the 112th Cavalry Regiment had to move south to take over the vacated positions. General Wing conducted a reconnaissance-in-force that revealed the Kawashima Force's defenses south of Route 52 were considerably weaker than those around the main highway. In light of this intelligence, the plan for assault was set into motion. On the night of May 6, the 103rd Regiment was ordered to advance towards Mount Katitinga and prepare to attack the dam. Supporting this effort, the 172nd Regiment would strike across a two-mile-wide front to the left of the 103rd towards the dam, while the 169th Regiment was tasked with demonstrating along Route 52 to pin down Japanese forces in the Bigti region. Additionally, Marking's Fil-American Yay Regiment at Norzagaray was to make a feint drive eastward north of the Angat River, targeting Mount Kabuyao. During the first three days of May, General Chase conducted probing attacks in preparation for a concerted offensive aimed at Wawa Dam, which was set to begin on May 4. Simultaneously, General Yokoyama observed what he believed to be a slowdown in enemy progress, leading him to conclude that American forces must be redeploying northward or evacuating from Luzon entirely. This prompted him to prepare a limited counteroffensive, consisting of a series of harassing and delaying actions designed to pin down enemy forces on this front. Consequently, Yokoyama was not anticipating a major offensive on May 4. However, on that day, the 145th Regiment managed to gain up to 1,000 yards along the northern and northeastern slopes of Pacawagan, while the 152nd Regiment advanced approximately 500 yards northward along Woodpecker Ridge. Although these territorial gains were not monumental, Yokoyama became increasingly concerned about the strength of the American attacks and made the urgent decision to launch his counteroffensive. As Japanese forces hurried to reposition for their counterattacks, the 145th Regiment struck eastward, successfully seizing the rocky summit of Mount Binicayan. Meanwhile, the 152nd continued its efforts along Woodpecker Ridge. This coordinated assault completely surprised General Kobayashi's troops, rendering their planned counterattack impossible as they were forced to shift their focus to defending their critical positions. In the southern sector, General Kawashima dispatched one battalion toward Montalban; however, the heavy air assaults that preceded Wing's offensive made it impossible for the Japanese unit to organize effectively for their attack. Adding to the Japanese troubles, the remnants of the Noguchi Force were unable to provide any significant reinforcements. Despite the surprise and disarray among the Japanese defenders, they could not prevent the 145th from capturing the crest of Binicayan on May 9. The troops stationed on Woodpecker Ridge experienced some success by halting the advance of the 152nd and initiated a week of increasingly aggressive dawn and dusk raids starting on May 14. Recognizing the futility of the ongoing conflict, which had resulted in over 1,300 Japanese casualties, General Yokoyama ordered an immediate withdrawal of all units involved on May 15. However, these orders would not reach the front lines until a week later. In the meantime, capitalizing on the element of surprise achieved during the night attack on May 6, General Wing launched an offensive that made excellent progress. The 103rd Regiment rapidly gained control of the western slopes of Katitinga and advanced swiftly along the ridgeline toward Hill 1000. Meanwhile, the 172nd Regiment reached the foot of a rocky ridge two miles southeast of Bigti, and the Marking Regiment encountered no resistance as it marched over seven miles eastward, ultimately halting just a mile and a half northwest of Kabuyao. The only significant resistance encountered occurred at Hill 535, where elements of a guerrilla unit were repelled by Japanese defenders. The unexpectedly weak Japanese opposition prompted the 43rd Division to sustain its offensive momentum without pause. By May 11, the 103rd had secured Hills 805 and 810, while the 172nd was probing Japanese defenses on Fork Ridge and advancing to the southwestern slopes of rocky Hill 815. The Marking Regiment had successfully overrun Kabuyao, though they were unable to capture Four-Corner Hill. At this point, Japanese resistance began to stiffen as American forces clashed with General Kawashima's main defenses. In response, Wing ordered the 169th Regiment to mount a limited attack on Osboy Ridge and directed the Marking guerrillas to launch a strong assault toward Ipo. Supported by artillery, Colonel Marcus Augustin succeeded in breaking through Four-Corner Hill on May 12, marking a critical turning point in the offensive. Unaware of Kawashima's precarious situation, Yokoyama directed the Kawashima Force to initiate a new counterattack against the left and left rear of the 38th Division, deeming the situation for the Kobayashi Force to be more critical. As a result, Kawashima was compelled to divert one battalion for this unnecessary assault, which weakened the Japanese defenses. This strategic miscalculation enabled General Wing to make significant gains on May 13, with the 103rd Regiment capturing Hill 860, the 172nd clearing much of Hill 815, and the Marking guerrillas seizing the summit of Hill 803. The extent of these advances prompted Kawashima to ultimately disregard Yokoyama's orders and recall his assault battalion. This battalion promptly mounted a counterattack against the Americans in a futile attempt to regain lost ground, managing only to restrict the 103rd and 172nd Regiments to minor gains on May 14. Simultaneously, Colonel Augustin's patrols crossed the Angat River unopposed, discovering that the dam remained intact and the powerhouse on the south bank was largely undamaged. However, the patrol force, too weak to hold these installations, retreated before dawn to the crest of Hill 803, where the remainder of the regiment was occupied with mopping up remaining resistance. Looking further south, General Griswold's 14th Corps had already secured most of southern Luzon and had successfully landed General MacNider's 158th Regiment in the Bicol Peninsula. In response, the remnants of the Fuji Force and the depleted Kogure Detachment decided to evacuate the open Santa Maria Valley, opting to retreat to more defensible positions at the Kapatalin Sawmill. This allowed Griswold to move the 7th and 8th Cavalry Regiments into the valley, with the former beginning a drive along Route 455 on May 6. Following a heavy air and artillery bombardment, the cavalrymen launched their assault on the sawmill on May 9 and swiftly overran the enemy defenses by mid-afternoon. After a brief pause to reorganize, the 7th Cavalry advanced up Route 455, leaving their vehicles behind, and reached Lamon Bay by May 13. Meanwhile, on the Bicol Peninsula, progress had been agonizingly slow throughout late April. It wasn't until April 28 that the Cituinan Hills were fully secured, leading to the collapse of organized Japanese resistance in the region. Following this, the 158th Regiment began moving northwestward toward Iriga and San Agustin, rapidly overrunning the remaining weak enemy positions along Route 1. Progress continued to be painfully slow, and it was not until 28 April that organized Japanese resistance finally collapsed. The task of clearing the Cituinan Hills cost the 158th Infantry approximately 40 men killed and 235 wounded; the Japanese lost almost 700 men killed in the region. Although the 158th RCT did not know it, the reduction of the Cituinan Hills marked the end of large-scale organized resistance on the Bicol Peninsula, where no more than 1,400 Japanese remained alive as of the end of April. Simultaneously, the 5th Cavalry Regiment captured Calauag on April 14 and began a two-pronged advance toward San Agustin by the end of the month. On May 2, San Agustin was finally taken as elements of both regiments converged there. Guerrillas had informed XIV Corps, which acquired control of the 158th RCT on 22 April, that a Japanese force of some 2,500 men was dug in along the slopes of Mt. Isarog, an extinct volcano centering eight miles northeast of San Agustin. This report the 5th Cavalry and 158th Infantry proved false in a series of patrol actions between 2 and 15 May. The next day, the 16th, General MacNider radioed to General Griswold that the Bicol Peninsula was secure and that no signs of organized Japanese resistance remained. The two regiments continued patrolling for some weeks until, on 6 June, the 5th Cavalry returned to southern Luzon. The 158th RCT busied itself with the problem of reorganizing and equipping guerrilla forces and in mid-June turned over responsibility for further mopping up to the Filipinos. To that time the operations to clear the Bicol Peninsula had cost the USArmy units involved approximately 95 men killed and 475 wounded. The Japanese had lost over 2,800 killed and 565 captured, including 350 Formosan labor troops whom the Japanese Army had left to fend for themselves. I would like to take this time to remind you all that this podcast is only made possible through the efforts of Kings and Generals over at Youtube. Please go subscribe to Kings and Generals over at Youtube and to continue helping us produce this content please check out www.patreon.com/kingsandgenerals. If you are still hungry after that, give my personal channel a look over at The Pacific War Channel at Youtube, it would mean a lot to me. In June 1945, amidst the Pacific War, American forces sought to liberate Luzon from General Yamashita's entrenched troops. Under Generals Eichelberger and Krueger, the 8th Army faced fierce resistance in the mountains and vital routes. As Japanese defenders struggled, the Americans advanced strategically, leading to fierce battles across treacherous terrain. The turning point came with the seizure of Baguio, crucial for the campaign.
Sales is changing fast. What once relied heavily on cold calls and manual follow-ups is now being reshaped by artificial intelligence. In this exciting episode of the Grow your B2B SaaS Podcast, Joran Hofman sits down with Frank Sondors CEO at Forge, who is a leading expert in sales and AI integration, to uncover how companies can use AI to build smarter, faster go-to-market strategies. Frank shares how he built his own company to $3 million in revenue in just one year by combining AI with smart sales processes. He talks about new roles like the GTM engineer, how AI agents can support sales teams, and why blending human effort with AI is the key to long-term success. Whether you're a startup founder or leading an enterprise team, this episode is packed with practical advice to help you sell better in today's fast-moving market.Key Timecodes(0:51) - Guest intro: Frank Sondors and his ecosystem of tools(1:36) - Building an ecosystem similar to Apple and Frank's sales journey(2:34) - Profit margins and the role of AI in business scaling(3:43) - Rapid growth and scaling with minimal headcount(4:41) - Old vs new go-to-market strategy leveraging AI(5:41) - The role of GTM engineers in sales and pipeline generation(6:45) - Sales development engineers and their responsibilities(7:40) - Increase in tech usage in sales and admin work reduction(8:32) - How AI can craft personalized emails (9:23) - Assembling custom workflows using tools like Zapier(10:15) - Voice AI agents for customer follow-up (11:06) - The value of human interaction in sales(11:55) - Decision making: AI agent vs human interaction (12:56) - Testing AI agents after hours and A/B testing strategies(13:57) - The misconception of automating all sales processes with AI(14:56) - Evolution and effectiveness of AI in business(16:10) - The resistance and acceptance of AI in the market(17:11) - The necessity of being profitable without VC funding (18:05) - Resistance to AI and the inevitability of change(19:39) - Implementing agents at scale and the role of NA10 people(20:32) - Encouraging team-wide automation and innovation(21:28) - Using WhatsApp as a channel for customer communication(22:28) - The importance of first impressions and human interactions(23:28) - The role of WhatsApp in increasing response rates(24:40) - Integrating WhatsApp with Slack for seamless communication(25:42) - Being available across multiple channels for customer engagement(26:08) - Feeding the right context to AI agents for effective interaction(27:10) - Starting with ChatGPT for AI integration(28:03) - Treating ChatGPT as a business coach(29:02) - Encouraging team use of ChatGPT for problem-solving(30:02) - Optimizing repetitive tasks with AI(31:09) - Personal pain points and the role of AI in alleviating them(32:05) - The focus on building a great product and selling it(32:38) - Testing AI agents vs humans and employee concerns(33:10) - The future of labor distribution and AI(34:09) - The role of humans in supervising AI agents(35:08) - The evolution of sales roles and the end of email templates(36:20) - AI agents communicating with each other in business(37:30) - The importance of context in AI interactions(37:45) - Advice for SaaS startups from 0 to 10K MRR(38:49) - Speaking to customers aggressively and leveraging networks(39:44) - Building in public and social selling strategies(40:33) - Doing things that don't scale and leveraging communities(41:31) - The importance of hiring the right team from 10K to 10M ARR(42:22) - The challenge of hiring and firing for growth(43:14) - The value of hiring autonomous employees(44:06) - The problem of babysitting employees and hiring practices(45:06) - Compounding business strategies for growth(46:55) - Ensuring cofounders have the right competence(48:47) - The importance of pricing based on consumption(49:49) - De-risking for growth and the role of sparring partners
[Join our community at my Substack where we continue these conversations with deeper dives into the biggest lessons from each episode, plus my regular essays and behind-the-scenes thoughts: https://bogumilbaranowski.substack.com/]Barry Ritholtz is the founder and Chief Investment Officer of Ritholtz Wealth Management, overseeing billions in client assets and helping investors avoid costly mistakes while building lasting wealth. He's the acclaimed author of “How Not to Invest,” sharing hard-won lessons from decades in the trenches. Barry is also the creator and host of Bloomberg Radio's “Masters in Business,” one of the most influential business podcasts in the world, where he interviews top minds in investing and economics. Today, we're thrilled to welcome his unique perspective to the conversation.3:00 - Barry's unconventional approach to budgeting: "my attitude was, gee, if you want to do this, that and the other, you want to have the freedom...then you better make some more money"5:30 - The Instagram culture problem: Only seeing assets, not liabilities. Story about Instagram influencer working all day on vacation selfies8:00 - Why successful people buy new cars and lattes if they can afford them - safety features matter more than saving pennies11:00 - Kawhi Leonard's $103 million contract vs 25-year-old car example illustrates financial recklessness of extreme cheapness14:00 - Money as tool vs wealth distinction: Dollar's job is medium of exchange, not century-long store of value17:00 - Two WWI soldiers story: $1,000 buried vs invested becomes $40 vs $32 million after 100 years20:00 - Why US geographic advantages created investment success: two oceans, natural resources, innovation hubs24:00 - Politics and investing make terrible bedfellows - both Democrats and Republicans miss gains when their party loses28:00 - Compounding interruption is what matters, not who's in White House32:00 - Why experts can't predict: Beatles, blockbusters, Tom Brady all missed by professionals who knew the industries38:00 - Stock market vs economy during pandemic: market cap weighted toward tech giants, not local businesses42:00 - Belfer family trifecta: lost $2 billion in Enron, Madoff, FTX - lessons about single stock risk and staying wealthyPodcast Program – Disclosure StatementBlue Infinitas Capital, LLC is a registered investment adviser and the opinions expressed by the Firm's employees and podcast guests on this show are their own and do not reflect the opinions of Blue Infinitas Capital, LLC. All statements and opinions expressed are based upon information considered reliable although it should not be relied upon as such. Any statements or opinions are subject to change without notice.Information presented is for educational purposes only and does not intend to make an offer or solicitation for the sale or purchase of any specific securities, investments, or investment strategies. Investments involve risk and unless otherwise stated, are not guaranteed.Information expressed does not take into account your specific situation or objectives, and is not intended as recommendations appropriate for any individual. Listeners are encouraged to seek advice from a qualified tax, legal, or investment adviser to determine whether any information presented may be suitable for their specific situation. Past performance is not indicative of future performance.
Robert Hagstrom returns to discuss the investing principle he believes most value investors still misunderstand—despite decades of evidence from Warren Buffett. In this conversation, we explore why focus investing works, what traditional value investors got wrong about the Magnificent Seven, and how the industry's obsession with low P/E ratios and short-term tracking error leads to missed opportunities. Hagstrom also reflects on lessons from working with Bill Miller and explains why evolving your investment approach is essential for long-term success.In this episode, we discuss:How Hagstrom fell into money management by accidentWhat Buffett's 1983 letter taught him about investingThe dangers of rigid value investing frameworksWhy most active managers fail over timeThe key to compounding that investors overlookDrawdowns, tracking error, and the psychology of focus investingWhy private equity's appeal is mostly an illusionWhat Buffett's surprise CEO handoff really means for Berkshire Hathaway
In this episode, host Tsitsi Mutiti, breaks down the true meaning of wealt, going beyond just money, and introduces the Three C's of Wealth Creation: Commitment, Compounding, and Consistency.Through engaging stories and real-life examples, Tsitsi shares how these timeless principles can transform not only your financial future but also your personal growth and wellness. Whether you're just starting your wealth-building journey or looking to deepen your habits, this episode offers practical advice to help you stay focused and motivated.What You'll Learn in This Episode:• Why wealth is holistic, encompassing health, mindset, and personal development, not just finances.• How the 3 C's: Commitment, Compounding, and Consistency lay the foundation for long-term success.• Why commitment is critical to overcoming setbacks and staying aligned with your financial and life goals.• How compounding works, and why time is your most valuable asset when it comes to growing wealth.• The role of consistency in daily habits and how it leads to exponential results over time.• Why small, intentional actions matter more than occasional big efforts.Join The Wealth Conversation Community: community.thewealthconversation.comImplement the 3 C's Of Wealth Creation: https://calendly.com/thewealthconversation/your-wealth-reset-sessionDownload our free guide: https://subscribepage.io/uXbkXo
Watch video here.Join Paul Merriman, Chris Pedersen, and Daryl Bahls for a deep dive into questions facing today's investors! In this episode, our team tackles a wide range of topics designed to help you make smarter financial decisions, whether you're a seasoned DIY investor or just getting started.Main Topics Covered:1. Midcap Funds – Are They Necessary? 2:24We break down why midcap funds often get left out of recommended portfolios, the impact of fund overlap, and whether including them really adds value or just complexity.2. Listener Allocation Questions 12:49Hear real-life portfolio allocation questions from our listeners—including how to balance S&P 500, value, and midcap funds. The team discusses the pros and cons of various strategies and how to avoid unnecessary overlap.3. The Risks of Small Cap Growth 19:10Discover why small cap growth funds can be risky, the historical performance data, and why value funds may be a better long-term bet for most investors.4. Hourly Advisors & DIY Investing 22:41Thinking about ditching your advisor and going DIY? We discuss the benefits and challenges of working with hourly advisors, how to find one that supports your strategy, and the importance of sticking with a plan you understand.5. Capital Gains & Taxes 27:45Got questions about selling investments and minimizing taxes? While we don't provide personal tax advice, our experts outline the key considerations and why consulting a tax professional is essential for big moves.6. Financial Freedom Mindset 30:05It's not just about retirement—it's about saving for freedom! Learn how reframing your financial goals can keep you motivated and focused for the long haul.7. Avantis vs. DFA Funds 31:15Curious about the differences between Avantis and DFA ETFs? Chris and Daryl compare these two fund families, explaining how their philosophies align, where they differ, and how to choose the best fit for your portfolio.8. AVGE for Granddaughter? 38:32Paul shares his personal approach to investing for his granddaughter, comparing AVUS, AVUV, and AVGE, and why teaching young investors about asset class behavior can be more valuable than just chasing returns.9. Should You Avoid Growth Funds? 45:53They explain why “growth” funds aren't always what they seem, the pitfalls of chasing expensive stocks, and why a tilt toward value and small cap may offer better long-term results.10. The Rule of 72 – Power of Compounding 52:47Learn how to use the Rule of 72 to teach young investors (and yourself!) the massive impact of compound returns over time. It's a simple math trick that can change your financial future.Daryl references this table- Sound Investing Portfolios 1970-2024- https://tinyurl.com/4xabhke5
Discover all of the podcasts in our network, search for specific episodes, get the Optimal Living Daily workbook, and learn more at: OLDPodcast.com. Episode 3181: Liz from FrugalWoods explores how small frugal habits, like DIY haircuts, trigger a compounding effect that goes beyond money, boosting self-reliance, deepening relationships, and even saving time. Her take on frugality reveals how insourcing everyday tasks can lead to long-term freedom, personal growth, and a stronger sense of capability. Read along with the original article(s) here: https://www.frugalwoods.com/2016/06/27/frugality-is-a-compounding-game/ Quotes to ponder: "We've saved a combined $2,688 thus far, and will continue to save $1,032 every single year." "Realizing that we're capable of doing things ourselves opened a door for Mr. FW and me to start performing tons of tasks on our own." "Rather than trying to stretch out the time between haircuts or use coupons or hunt down discounts, we simply removed this expense wholesale." Episode references: EconoMe Conference: https://economeconference.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Discover all of the podcasts in our network, search for specific episodes, get the Optimal Living Daily workbook, and learn more at: OLDPodcast.com. Episode 3181: Liz from FrugalWoods explores how small frugal habits, like DIY haircuts, trigger a compounding effect that goes beyond money, boosting self-reliance, deepening relationships, and even saving time. Her take on frugality reveals how insourcing everyday tasks can lead to long-term freedom, personal growth, and a stronger sense of capability. Read along with the original article(s) here: https://www.frugalwoods.com/2016/06/27/frugality-is-a-compounding-game/ Quotes to ponder: "We've saved a combined $2,688 thus far, and will continue to save $1,032 every single year." "Realizing that we're capable of doing things ourselves opened a door for Mr. FW and me to start performing tons of tasks on our own." "Rather than trying to stretch out the time between haircuts or use coupons or hunt down discounts, we simply removed this expense wholesale." Episode references: EconoMe Conference: https://economeconference.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Discover all of the podcasts in our network, search for specific episodes, get the Optimal Living Daily workbook, and learn more at: OLDPodcast.com. Episode 3181: Liz from FrugalWoods explores how small frugal habits, like DIY haircuts, trigger a compounding effect that goes beyond money, boosting self-reliance, deepening relationships, and even saving time. Her take on frugality reveals how insourcing everyday tasks can lead to long-term freedom, personal growth, and a stronger sense of capability. Read along with the original article(s) here: https://www.frugalwoods.com/2016/06/27/frugality-is-a-compounding-game/ Quotes to ponder: "We've saved a combined $2,688 thus far, and will continue to save $1,032 every single year." "Realizing that we're capable of doing things ourselves opened a door for Mr. FW and me to start performing tons of tasks on our own." "Rather than trying to stretch out the time between haircuts or use coupons or hunt down discounts, we simply removed this expense wholesale." Episode references: EconoMe Conference: https://economeconference.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Discover all of the podcasts in our network, search for specific episodes, get the Optimal Living Daily workbook, and learn more at: OLDPodcast.com. Episode 3180: Liz of Frugalwoods lays out a powerful mindset shift: frugality isn't about deprivation, it's about compounding small, consistent choices into lasting financial freedom. Through relatable examples like DIY haircuts and slashing repeated monthly expenses, she shows how simplifying life can actually multiply your long-term wealth and happiness. Read along with the original article(s) here: https://www.frugalwoods.com/2016/06/27/frugality-is-a-compounding-game/ Quotes to ponder: "Frugality is a compounding game. Or more accurately, money is a compounding game: either it compounds in your favor if you're saving and investing, or it compounds to your detriment in the case of debt." "We are what we repeatedly buy. And our ultimate financial destiny is enshrined in the spending decisions we make on a daily basis." "Hair will grow back; your money won't." Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Discover all of the podcasts in our network, search for specific episodes, get the Optimal Living Daily workbook, and learn more at: OLDPodcast.com. Episode 3180: Liz of Frugalwoods lays out a powerful mindset shift: frugality isn't about deprivation, it's about compounding small, consistent choices into lasting financial freedom. Through relatable examples like DIY haircuts and slashing repeated monthly expenses, she shows how simplifying life can actually multiply your long-term wealth and happiness. Read along with the original article(s) here: https://www.frugalwoods.com/2016/06/27/frugality-is-a-compounding-game/ Quotes to ponder: "Frugality is a compounding game. Or more accurately, money is a compounding game: either it compounds in your favor if you're saving and investing, or it compounds to your detriment in the case of debt." "We are what we repeatedly buy. And our ultimate financial destiny is enshrined in the spending decisions we make on a daily basis." "Hair will grow back; your money won't." Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
In this episode I'm joined by Dr Nayan Patel, compounding pharmacist to discuss the impact of perimenopause and menopause on thyroid issues, explore various thyroid medications, and emphasise the importance of building a solid foundation as well as dealing with the tricky 'pointy-end' sex hormones!00:00 Introduction to Thyroid and Hormonal Health02:51 Understanding Thyroid Medications05:54 Exploring Compounded Thyroid Solutions08:45 The Importance of Stress Management11:56 Diet and Insulin's Role in Hormonal Health15:00 Practical Stress Management Techniques18:04 The Interplay of Stress, Diet, and Hormones25:50 Managing High Stress and Sleep Solutions26:46 The Toxicity of Insulin and Its Effects27:55 Dietary Recommendations for Insulin Control31:29 Understanding Hormonal Changes in Women36:12 The Role of Hormones in Menopause41:49 Recognizing Symptoms and Seeking Hormonal Support47:41 Understanding Hormonal Patterns and Menopause48:53 The Importance of Early Hormone Treatment50:41 Hormone Replacement Therapy: Types and Methods52:23 The Role of Compounding in Hormone Therapy54:41 Finding the Right Doctor for Hormonal Health56:36 The Need for Specialized Knowledge in Hormonal Treatment58:48 Managing Hashimoto's and Hormonal Balance01:01:14 Glutathione and Thyroid Health01:03:58 Addressing Symptoms: The Importance of Basics01:06:40 Resources for Further Learning and SupportDR. NAYAN PATEL is a sought-after pharmacist, wellness expert, and thought leader in his industry. He has been working with physicians since 1999 to custom-develop medication for their clients and design a patient-specific drug and nutrition regimen. He has been the pharmacist of choice to celebrities, CEOs, and physicians themselves. He recently published his first comprehensive book, The Glutathione Revolution: Fight Disease, Slow Aging & Increase Energy. After 11 years of clinical research on the master antioxidant, glutathione, Dr. Patel and his team developed a patented technology to deliver Glutathione topically, changing the game on how best to absorb GSH systemically. Connect with Dr Patel:centraldrugsrx.com or aurowellness.comhttps://www.instagram.com/Aurowellness/Let's Talk Thyroid is a podcast where we explore different aspects of living thyroid-friendly lifestyle positively & practically to help you thrive and not just survive.⭐️ WEBSITE: https://letstalkthyroid.com
Our teacher today is Will Thorndike, co-founder of Compounding Labs and author of the acclaimed book, “The Outsiders.” In our opinion, Will has emerged as one of the most influential and innovative investor minds of the past few decades. And if you care about long-term value creation and the art of capital allocation, chances are you've also benefited from some of his ideas. In 1994, he founded Housatonic Partners, a pioneering private equity firm known for its unusually long holding periods and its leadership in the search fund space alongside his mentor and Stanford professor Irv Grousbeck. Will helped to originate the modern search fund model, backing early career CEOs to buy and grow businesses with long-term horizons and radically aligned incentives. Since then, he has invested in the majority of the top 20 search fund outcomes to date, including Asurion, which he recently profiled on his podcast 50X. We explore Will's full arc from the research that led to “The Outsiders” to his decades as an investor to the new frontier he's now helping to shape. We talk about what makes a business truly enduring, why great leadership and resource allocation remain so misunderstood, and how the right people, structure, and alignment enable companies to compound over time. Please enjoy this class with Will Thorndike. For the full show notes, transcript, and links to mentioned content, check out the episode page here. —-- Joys of Compounding is a property of Pine Grove Studios in collaboration with Colossus, LLC. For more episodes of Joys of Compounding, visit joincolossus.com/episodes. Editing and post-production work for this episode was provided by The Podcast Consultant (https://thepodcastconsultant.com). Follow us on Twitter: @Buhrman_Rick | @PaulBuser | @JoinColossus Show Notes (00:00:00) Welcome to The Joys of Compounding (00:00:57) Introducing Will Thorndike (00:03:35) The Rise of Long Duration Serial Acquisition Holding Companies (00:07:25) The 50X Podcast Journey (00:16:29) The Origins of Will's Investing Career (00:18:11) Stanford's Influence and Key Mentors (00:23:48) The Search Fund Model Explained (00:39:18) The Outsiders: From Concept to Acclaim (00:46:33) The Influence of Leverage and Share Buybacks (00:47:30) Personal Reflections on the Book's Impact (00:52:54) Experiments in Public Markets: CNX and Perimeter (00:58:35) The Evolution of Inorganic Growth Models (01:02:52) The Power of Long-Term Ownership (01:14:52) The Importance of Relationships and Learning
Dr. Allen Williams (Understanding Ag and Regenified LLC)is back with us today as he walks us through several things that can increase productivity and profitability through your grazing management. From the initial management in the early part of the grazing season, to the rule of Compounding, rule of Disruption, a great discussion on weeds and we'll conclude with a practice that is quite simple, but we rarely practice that ties the entire discussion together. Grab your pen and paper because grazing school is now in session… and this one you don't want to miss. Show Notes: Phone App referenced: Picture This. Website for Material: www.understandingag.com/ Books Referenced: Weeds, Control Without Poisons by Charles Walters Jr. Weeds, Guardians of the Soil by Joseph Cocannouer Weeds and What They Tell by Ehrenfried Pfeiffer #workingranchmagazine #ranchlife #ranching #dayweather #weather #agweather #beef #cows #livestock #cattle #cowdog #weeds #grazing #observe #adaptivegrazing
It is an uphill battle for "Jane" to maintain her anonymity in the Sean "Diddy" Combs trial due to the extraordinary public interest and media scrutiny surrounding the case. The combination of Combs' celebrity status, the severity of the charges—racketeering, sex trafficking, and related offenses—and the cultural weight of the #MeToo movement has turned this trial into a national spectacle. Every courtroom development is being live-blogged, dissected on social media, and aggressively pursued by entertainment outlets, making it difficult for any witness to avoid public exposure. Additionally, "Jane" has provided some of the most graphic and emotionally charged testimony thus far, implicating Combs in deeply disturbing acts that drive the government's core narrative of coercion and abuse. Her role is so central that her testimony is likely to be the subject of intense post-trial analysis and media pursuit, increasing the risk of her identity leaking through unofficial channels even if the court maintains a protective order.Moreover, federal courtrooms, unlike many state courts, do not allow video recording or live broadcasting, which does offer some protection. However, this is counterbalanced by the aggressive reporting of major outlets and the presence of numerous journalists in the courtroom, all eager to unearth every detail about the key witnesses. The very nature of "Jane's" testimony—recounting intimate and traumatic experiences—has already made her a figure of intense curiosity. Compounding this, her prior relationship with Combs, her visibility in the New York nightlife scene, and mentions of specific events and dates in testimony create a breadcrumb trail that determined parties, whether members of the press or online sleuths, could follow to uncover her real identity. In such a high-profile case, history shows that anonymity is difficult to preserve once public and media obsession reaches a certain pitch.to contact me:bobbycapucci@protonmail.comsource:Who is Jane? Diddy trial's anonymous witness testifies
It is an uphill battle for "Jane" to maintain her anonymity in the Sean "Diddy" Combs trial due to the extraordinary public interest and media scrutiny surrounding the case. The combination of Combs' celebrity status, the severity of the charges—racketeering, sex trafficking, and related offenses—and the cultural weight of the #MeToo movement has turned this trial into a national spectacle. Every courtroom development is being live-blogged, dissected on social media, and aggressively pursued by entertainment outlets, making it difficult for any witness to avoid public exposure. Additionally, "Jane" has provided some of the most graphic and emotionally charged testimony thus far, implicating Combs in deeply disturbing acts that drive the government's core narrative of coercion and abuse. Her role is so central that her testimony is likely to be the subject of intense post-trial analysis and media pursuit, increasing the risk of her identity leaking through unofficial channels even if the court maintains a protective order.Moreover, federal courtrooms, unlike many state courts, do not allow video recording or live broadcasting, which does offer some protection. However, this is counterbalanced by the aggressive reporting of major outlets and the presence of numerous journalists in the courtroom, all eager to unearth every detail about the key witnesses. The very nature of "Jane's" testimony—recounting intimate and traumatic experiences—has already made her a figure of intense curiosity. Compounding this, her prior relationship with Combs, her visibility in the New York nightlife scene, and mentions of specific events and dates in testimony create a breadcrumb trail that determined parties, whether members of the press or online sleuths, could follow to uncover her real identity. In such a high-profile case, history shows that anonymity is difficult to preserve once public and media obsession reaches a certain pitch.to contact me:bobbycapucci@protonmail.comsource:Who is Jane? Diddy trial's anonymous witness testifiesBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-epstein-chronicles--5003294/support.
Consistency and compounding our daily decisions has more to do with our future outcomes than what job we have or where we live. There are people in every area of the world that have healthy lives, wealth to retire on, and thriving relationships. They are consistently making decisions that compound into positive results. Visit ConfidenceThroughHealth.com to find discounts to some of our favorite products.Follow me via All In Health and Wellness on Facebook or Instagram.Find my books on Amazon: No More Sugar Coating: Finding Your Happiness in a Crowded World and Confidence Through Health: Live the Healthy Lifestyle God DesignedProduction credit: Social Media Cowboys
It's graduation season here at Stanford and students are getting ready to collect their diplomas and take their education out into the real world. A couple years ago, we sat down with Tina Seelig, a professor in our Management Science and Engineering department who's done a lot of research on how we can teach skills including imagination, creativity, innovation, and entrepreneurship — all things that can come in handy when you're setting out to make a positive contribution to the world. We're re-running this episode today, so whether you're a new grad trying to figure out your next steps, or someone simply looking for a solution to a big challenge, we hope you'll tune in again and be inspired. Have a question for Russ? Send it our way in writing or via voice memo, and it might be featured on an upcoming episode. Please introduce yourself, let us know where you're listening from, and share your question. You can send questions to thefutureofeverything@stanford.edu.Episode Reference Links:Stanford Profile: Tina SeeligConnect With Us:Episode Transcripts >>> The Future of Everything WebsiteConnect with Russ >>> Threads / Bluesky / MastodonConnect with School of Engineering >>> Twitter/X / Instagram / LinkedIn / FacebookChapters:(00:00:00) IntroductionRuss Altman introduces Tina Seelig, professor of management science and engineering at Stanford University.(00:02:04) Is Entrepreneurship Teachable?Whether entrepreneurial traits can be learned or are innate.(00:04:22) Parsing the Creative ProcessDifferences between imagination, creativity, innovation, and entrepreneurship.(00:05:52) Universality of Entrepreneurial SkillsHow entrepreneurial skills apply to industries beyond tech.(00:07:33) Teaching with FramestormingA method to redefine problems before jumping to solutions.(00:10:29) Framestorming vs BrainstormingThe concept of “framestorming” and why it's critical for innovation.(00:12:05) Inventing the Future CourseTina's course where students debate the ethics of emerging technologies.(00:13:35) Creativity and Ethical ConsiderationsThe importance of separating ideas from judgment while innovating.(00:16:20) Anticipating the DownsideHow students often identify ethical risks in technologies even experts miss.(00:18:49) Creativity and LeadershipWhy leaders need creative problem-solving and entrepreneurial thinking.(00:19:42) Teaching LeadershipCultivating leadership through values-driven education and training.(00:21:01) Combatting Leadership StereotypesCreating diversity cohorts to show leadership comes in many forms.(00:22:58) How to Engineer Your Own LuckOutlining the differences between fortune, chance, and luck.(00:25:50) The Micro-Decisions of LuckHow consistent effort and initiative lead to perceived “luck.”(00:27:34) Conclusion Connect With Us:Episode Transcripts >>> The Future of Everything WebsiteConnect with Russ >>> Threads / Bluesky / MastodonConnect with School of Engineering >>>Twitter/X / Instagram / LinkedIn / Facebook
Our teacher today is Katie Koch. Katie is the President and CEO of the TCW Group, a storied firm with over 200 billion in assets under management and a fascinating 50-year legacy as a pioneer in the investment industry. Katie just took the TCW reins in 2023 after more than 20 years at Goldman Sachs. She joined Goldman right after college as the self-proclaimed least capable person in the firm and rose to become chief investment officer of their 300-billion-dollar public equity business. Please enjoy our class with the wonderful force multiplier, Katie Koch. For the full show notes, transcript, and links to mentioned content, check out the episode page here. ----- Joys of Compounding is a property of Pine Grove Studios in collaboration with Colossus, LLC. For more episodes of Art of Investing, visit joincolossus.com/episodes. Stay up to date on all our podcasts by signing up to Colossus Weekly, our quick dive every Sunday highlighting the top business and investing concepts from our podcasts and the best of what we read that week. Sign up here. Follow us on Twitter: @ArtofInvest | @Buhrman_Rick | @PaulBuser | @JoinColossus Editing and post-production work for this episode was provided by The Podcast Consultant (https://thepodcastconsultant.com). Show Notes (00:00:00) Welcome to Art of Investing (00:02:38) First Question - ‘What Choice Would You Make If You Knew You Would Not Fail?' (00:05:00) Katie's Childhood and Lessons from Parents (00:13:24) Her Experience at the University of Notre Dame (00:24:15) Katie's 20-Year Career at Goldman Sachs (00:36:16) The Importance of Mentorship and Sponsorship (00:41:18) Building Meaningful Relationships for Career Growth (00:43:24) The Transition from Goldman to TCW (00:48:15) The Importance of Humility and Collaboration in Leadership (01:01:35) The Significance of Diversity in Investment Firms (01:07:30) The Role of a CEO and Building a Successful Team (01:10:42) Transitioning from Investor to Operational Leadership (01:12:06) Differentiating an Investment Organization (01:15:59) Balancing Family and Career
Check the episode transcript hereABOUT ADAM BERGMAN Adam Bergman is an author, former tax and ERISA attorney, and the founder of IRA Financial - an industry leader in self-directed retirement solutions. Through Adam's leadership, IRA Financial has helped over 25,000 clients take control over their retirement and invest over $4.6 billion of retirement funds into alternative assets. Adam has authored 9 books on self-directed retirement plans, and is a leading voice in the self-directed retirement industry. Prior to starting IRA Financial, Mr. Bergman was a tax and ERISA attorney at White & Case LLP, Dewey LeBoeuf LLP, and Thelen LLP, three of the most prominent corporate law firms in the world. He received his B.A. (with distinction) from McGill University and his law degree (cum laude) from Syracuse University College of Law. He then went on to receive his Masters of Taxation (LL.M.) from New York University School of Law. He is a member of the Tax Division of the American Bar Association and New York State Bar Association. THIS TOPIC IN A NUTSHELL: Adam's career and transition to retirement advisoryWhat Is a Self-Directed IRA?Tax Benefits of Self-Directed IRAsSolo 401(k)s for Business OwnersIRA Financial's Client ExperienceCommon Use Cases for Real Estate InvestorsFreedom of Investment ChoiceSolo 401(k) vs IRA: Key DifferencesThe Power of Compounding & Roth AccountsConnect with Adam KEY QUOTE: "The goal isn't just to get rich. It's to get rich tax-free." ABOUT THE WESTSIDE INVESTORS NETWORK The Westside Investors Network is your community for investing knowledge for growth. For real estate professionals by real estate professionals. This show is focused on the next step in your career... investing, for those starting with nothing to multifamily syndication. The Westside Investors Network strives to bring knowledge and education to real estate professionals that is seeking to gain more freedom in their life. The host AJ and Chris Shepard, are committed to sharing the wealth of knowledge that they have gained throughout the years to allow others the opportunity to learn and grow in their investing. They own Uptown Properties, a successful Property Management, and Brokerage Company. If you are interested in Property Management in the Portland Metro or Bend Metro Areas, please visit www.uptownpm.com. If you are interested in investing in multifamily syndication, please visit www.uptownsyndication.com. #RealEstateInvesting #SelfDirectedIRA #Solo401k #TaxFreeInvesting #AlternativeAssets #RetirementPlanning #WealthBuilding #IRAInvesting #FinancialFreedom #PassiveIncome #InvestWithIRA #DiversifyYourPortfolio #CheckbookControl #RothIRA #PreTaxIRA #TaxDeferredGrowth #HardAssets #TangibleAssets #SelfDirected401k #RealEstateIRA #PrivateInvestments #RealAssets #IRACompliance #InvestmentFreedom #RetirementWealth #AssetControl #SmartInvesting #WealthStrategy #RecessionResistant #LongTermWealth CONNECT WITH ADAM:Website: https://www.irafinancial.comYouTube: IRA FinancialLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adambergman1 CONNECT WITH US For more information about investing with AJ and Chris: · Uptown Syndication | https://www.uptownsyndication.com/ · LinkedIn | https://www.linkedin.com/company/71673294/admin/ For information on Portland Property Management: · Uptown Properties | http://www.uptownpm.com · Youtube | @UptownProperties Westside Investors Network · Website | https://www.westsideinvestorsnetwork.com/ · Twitter | https://twitter.com/WIN_pdx · Instagram | @westsideinvestorsnetwork · LinkedIn | https://www.linkedin.com/groups/13949165/ · Facebook | @WestsideInvestorsNetwork · Tiktok| @WestsideInvestorsNetwork · Youtube | @WestsideInvestorsNetwork
In this episode, Don and Tom rewind to the not-so-golden era of Wall Street paperwork, bringing a modern perspective to old-school investing habits. They tackle listener questions around dividend investing, the allure of individual stocks, and whether the 'buy and hold forever' mindset still holds up in the era of ETFs. Along the way, they dismantle outdated advice, give historical context to stock certificate culture, and steer listeners back toward diversified, evidence-based strategies. A little nostalgia, a lot of myth-busting. 0:00 — Opening thoughts on old-school investing1:30 — Why dividend stocks still captivate investors (and why they shouldn't)3:45 — Caller wants to hand-pick dividend stocks for income—Don's got a better plan6:12 — The problem with nostalgia-driven portfolios7:55 — What a pile of stock certificates used to represent—and what it doesn't anymore9:40 — Why ETFs offer smarter, cheaper, saner exposure to dividends12:18 — Tom reflects on the emotional appeal of owning "pieces of companies"14:02 — Another caller asks: Should I dump my dividend ETF for higher-yield stocks?15:40 — Compounding, risk, and the illusion of control17:00 — Why chasing yield can lead to capital destruction19:15 — Final thoughts: Don't mistake familiar for safe, or paper for value Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Summary In this conversation, Sam from Financial Samurai shares insights on wealth building, investment strategies, and the importance of intentional spending. He has a net worth over $10 million. He discusses his journey from a finance career to becoming a successful author and investor, emphasizing the significance of real estate and public equities in his portfolio. Sam also reflects on the mindset shift towards spending and investing in education for his children, culminating in the release of his new book, 'Millionaire Milestones.' Sam shares his insights on building wealth, the importance of compounding, and the milestones necessary for achieving financial independence. He discusses the structure of his book, 'Millionaire Milestones', and emphasizes the significance of saving and investing strategically. Sam also reflects on his personal experiences, aspirations for family travel, and the lessons learned from childhood that shape his financial philosophy. He encourages listeners to be intentional with their finances and to seek knowledge from those who have succeeded before them. Takeaways *Sam's new book focuses on building wealth for freedom. *His net worth grew from $3 million to over $8.5 million. *Diversification in investments is key to financial stability. *Maxing out 401k and Roth IRA is essential for retirement. *Taxable brokerage accounts should be prioritized for flexibility. *Real estate provides stability and utility compared to stocks. *Intentional spending became a focus after age 45. *Investing in education is a valuable long-term investment. *The importance of adapting investment strategies over time. *Sam's journey reflects the balance between saving and enjoying life. The experience of 30 years in finance is invaluable. *It's important to read and learn from others' experiences. *Investment milestones are crucial for financial growth. *Compounding interest significantly increases wealth over time. *Financial independence allows for freedom of expression and action. *Intentional living and travel can enrich family experiences. *Spending should be intentional and meaningful. *Childhood lessons shape financial perspectives. *The journey to wealth requires consistent effort and strategy. *Engaging with mentors can accelerate financial learning. Sponsored by: Indeed Indeed.com/unveiled Shopify Shopify.com/unveiled
Christian Mayer, with an institutional trading background, transitioned from equities to forex, focusing on fixed sized mean-reversion strategies with fundamental correlations where structural edge is statistically likely. His initial losses led him to a research and systematic-driven approach, and back testing. He trades with fixed position sizes, wide stop losses, and avoids compounding to minimize exposure to fat-tail risks and black swan events. Emotionally disciplined yet honest about the psychological strain of prolonged drawdowns, Christian blends rigorous quantitative methods with thoughtful strategy design. With a successful track record, including a second-place finish in one of the World Cup Trading Championships in the Forex category, he also created GlobalFXanalytics.com to respond to the demands of traders wanting to understand more about his forex strategy and view his strategy's performance. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Lower income consumers are already struggling, and the end of the de minimis exemption will make things even harder for them. (00:21) David Meier and Dylan Lewis discuss: - Domino's earnings sending the same warning signals as Chipotle – lower income eaters aren't ordering as often.. - Temu and Shein pushing tariff increases to American consumers over the weekend. - Old Dominion Freight Lines and Saia signaling fewer goods are coming into the U.S. (15:53) Motley Fool Analyst Anthony Schiavone and Ricky Mulvey take a look at homebuilders and the four major economic forces hitting those stocks. . Companies discussed: DPZ, CMG, PDD, SAIA, ODFL, DHI, DFH. Host: Dylan Lewis Guests: David Meier Producer: Ricky Mulvey Engineers: Dan Boyd, Rick Engdahl Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices