Podcasts about Contrast

Tara opens the nine o'clock hour for callers, diving into hot-button issues from immigration fraud

Tara hosts the nine o'clock hour with live calls

Tara unpacks the chaos at America's borders, at sea, and inside government programs. From U.S. military strikes on alleged drug-running “shipwreck crews”

In today's episode, we welcome back one of my favorite souls on the planet Sarah Prout, bestselling author, artist, and one of the world's greatest manifestation teachers. Together, we explore how manifestation is changing, why your intuition is becoming louder, and how your angels are preparing you for a year of profound expansion. We talk about embracing the journey instead of chasing the destination, trusting God's timing, creative flow, divine feminine and masculine energetics, identity shifts, perimenopause as spiritual initiation, and why the best is truly yet to come for you. This conversation is cozy, honest, mystical, and full of reminders from Spirit that you are supported, guided, and deeply loved. Book a Reading or Explore the Angel Membership If you feel the nudge I want to hear my angels clearly, I want to work with them every day — your next step is waiting for you.

Contrast between today's macro backdrop and the 2021 Bitcoin peak, with tighter liquidity, higher rates, and far stronger structural support for BitcoinCory's base case: no classic 80% “crypto winter” drawdowns anymore and a strong chance of new all-time highs in 2026John's “yearly lows” chart framing: rising annual Bitcoin floors as proof of real accumulation and diminishing panic sellingLarry Fink, Harvard, sovereign wealth funds, and major banks (BofA, Vanguard, Schwab, Citi) as long-term Bitcoin buyers, not momentum touristsDiscussion of CFTC-approved spot Bitcoin trading on designated contract markets as another on-ramp for pensions and endowmentsBig critique of prediction markets and “scambling” (scam + gambling) as an extractive, nihilistic, fiat-era attempt to financialize everythingCory and John argue that crypto casinos, meme coins, and prediction markets are a giant gambling funnel that ultimately pushes people toward Bitcoin's seriousnessBitcoin and energy: riffing on Elon Musk and Jensen Huang's comments about Bitcoin turning stranded or excess energy into a universal monetary batteryMicroStrategy's new USD reserve is framed as a cosmetics move to soothe institutions and make their Stretch preferreds more attractive, not a change in core strategyCory pushes back on “Operation Chokepoint 2.0” de-banking narratives, distinguishing between true systemic exclusion and individual risky accounts being dropped Swan Private helps HNWI, companies, trusts, and other entities go beyond legacy finance with BItcoin. Learn more at swan.com/private. Put Bitcoin into your IRA and own your future. Check out swan.com/ira.Swan Vault makes advanced Bitcoin security simple. Learn more at swan.com/vault.

In this week's mixtape rewind, we go back a couple of years to when Matt and Sam did a deep dive into music supergroups.Imagine loading a playlist where legends keep walking through the door. That's the ride we built as we dive into supergroups that actually deliver, from the crunch of Audioslave and the finesse of Cream to the indie cohesion of Boygenius and the pure joy of the Traveling Wilburys. We chase the central mystery behind these collaborations: when distinct sounds collide, what holds, what changes, and why does it matter?We start with the gravitational pull of great voices. Chris Cornell gives Audioslave immediate identity while Tom Morello adds that unmistakable edge, and Maynard James Keenan turns A Perfect Circle into a masterclass in mood without copying Tool. Then we test chemistry in the engine room: Chickenfoot fires up old-school rock craftsmanship, and Them Crooked Vultures stretch grooves into cinematic builds powered by Dave Grohl, Josh Homme, and John Paul Jones. For a genre swerve, Mount Westmore brings bass and swagger with Snoop, Too Short, E-40, and Ice Cube trading bars like it's a victory lap.Contrast keeps the mix alive. Wild Flag threads surfy drums with indie bite, and Boygenius shows how three solo voices can trade lead without crowding the song. Prophets of Rage fuse protest and power, pulling rap and rock tight around a sharp social focus, while The Highwaymen remind us that sometimes the most classic move—four giants trading verses—still lands hardest. And to cap it all, the Traveling Wilburys prove that when Bob Dylan, George Harrison, Jeff Lynne, Roy Orbison, and Tom Petty decide to have fun, the hooks practically write themselves.Be Yourself by AudioslaveBig Subwoofer by MOUNT WESTMOREWhite Room by CreamDown the Drain by ChickenfootElephants by Them Crooked VulturesRomance by WILD FLAGPassive by A Perfect CircleBruised by The BensLiving on the 110 by Prophets of RageHighwayman by HighwaymanSatanist by boygeniusWilbury Twist by The Traveling Wilburys Support the showVisit us at https://www.superawesomemix.com to learn more about our app, our merchandise, our cards, and more!

Titus 1:10-16 Pastor Eric Mounts

Goodbye, old certainties. Hello, paradoxical truths of existence. Welcome, the new wisdom of being here now. The book is written for anyone seeking a clearer understanding of the shift that 20-21st century science has plunged us into. The new science - including, among other challenges to our outmoded mechanistic worldview, quantum physics - has overturned our assumptions about what is real and what is possible. The Universe in Black and White, illustrated with simple and appealing black-and-white drawings throughout, entertainingly explores the changes of paradigm that have already staked claims upon our attention - whether we are ready for them or not. Materialism has become a superstition - quaint, fanciful and uncool. Our brave new world is full of paradox. Form has been discovered to be empty, while emptiness is full to overflowing. In the cauldron of our own human consciousness the seen and the unseen become alchemized into an astonishing cosmic reality, which Terry Favour illuminates with wisdom, verve and wit. Terry Favour, while sustaining herself as an artist and designer, has exhaustively pursued the answer to the question, 'Who are we?' This passion has led her across a varied terrain, weaving back and forth through spiritual philosophy and science, from East to West. - www.terryfavour.comBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-x-zone-radio-tv-show--1078348/support.Please note that all XZBN radio and/or television shows are Copyright © REL-MAR McConnell Meda Company, Niagara, Ontario, Canada – www.rel-mar.com. For more Episodes of this show and all shows produced, broadcasted and syndicated from REL-MAR McConell Media Company and The 'X' Zone Broadcast Network and the 'X' Zone TV Channell, visit www.xzbn.net. For programming, distribution, and syndication inquiries, email programming@xzbn.net.We are proud to announce the we have launched TWATNews.com, launched in August 2025.TWATNews.com is an independent online news platform dedicated to uncovering the truth about Donald Trump and his ongoing influence in politics, business, and society. Unlike mainstream outlets that often sanitize, soften, or ignore stories that challenge Trump and his allies, TWATNews digs deeper to deliver hard-hitting articles, investigative features, and sharp commentary that mainstream media won't touch.These are stories and articles that you will not read anywhere else.Our mission is simple: to expose corruption, lies, and authoritarian tendencies while giving voice to the perspectives and evidence that are often marginalized or buried by corporate-controlled media

Canada is building homes at a record pace, but a closer look reveals a growing disconnect between what's being constructed and what Canadians actually need, want, or can afford. While total units under construction sit at all-time highs, homeowner-oriented housing tells a very different story. Single-family home starts have fallen to levels not seen since 2009, even dipping below those of 25 years ago when adjusted for population growth. Over just three months, single-family starts are down more than 9%, condo starts are down over 11%, and yet purpose-built rental construction is up more than 30%. Building permits, the clearest leading indicator show Ontario and British Columbia at a 40-year low for single-family approvals, all but guaranteeing a future shortage of that housing type. The trajectory is clear: fewer Canadians will live in single-family homes, not by choice, but by supply design.That supply shift is already reshaping the rental market. Canada now has roughly 180,000 purpose-built rental units in the pipeline, including an extraordinary 16% of British Columbia's entire rental stock currently under construction. Contrast that with 2012, when fewer than 2,000 rentals were being built nationwide. Today, that number exceeds 35,000 annually. Vacancy rates, which hit a historic low near 1.5% in 2024, have already climbed to roughly 2.5%, with growing evidence they could push into the 4% range over the coming years. Rents are responding quickly. In Metro Vancouver, average one-bedroom rents fell in November to roughly $2,164 — down 9% year-over-year — with similar declines now seen across 17 of Canada's largest metro areas. For investors, particularly institutions that piled aggressively into rental housing, this is an inflection point worth watching closely.Against this backdrop, Ottawa has rolled out its latest housing intervention: Build Canada Homes, a new federal agency aimed almost entirely at affordable rental and social housing. The program brings long-awaited clarity around income-based definitions of affordability and outlines a three-pillar strategy focused on financing, building, and industrializing housing production. But it also exposes critical blind spots. The program does not target market-rate ownership or middle-class housing. Its standardized design catalogue emphasizes low-rise, low-density buildings, often with small unit sizes, at a time when cities are short family-sized homes and need density. Innovation is championed rhetorically, yet without a clear plan to reconcile higher upfront costs with housing volume or to modernize zoning and building codes that frequently block new construction methods before they scale.Absorbing this supply would normally rely on strong population growth. That engine is stalling. Telecom data tracking mobile phone additions shows population growth slowing sharply, with 2025 on track for one of the weakest increases in over 70 years — and federal policy aimed at slowing it further.Taken together, the picture is sobering. Canada is producing housing but increasingly rentals instead of ownership, volume instead of suitability, optics instead of outcomes. Until supply aligns with real demand, regulations match ambition, and confidence is restored, the housing crisis is unlikely to ease. The question isn't just what Canada is building it's who it's being built for, and whether that answer still works. _________________________________ Contact Us To Book Your Private Consultation:

Affordability Narrative Democrats were previously dismissing inflation and now emphasizing affordability. Democrats are trying to portray the economy as a disaster and blame Trump. Gas Prices & Energy Positive news: Thanksgiving gas prices at their lowest since the pandemic. National average forecast: $3.02 per gallon. Nearly 30 states have prices under $3; Oklahoma leads at $2.50. Liberal states like California have much higher prices ($4.63), attributed to regulation and taxation. Trend framed as a result of Trump’s energy policies. Holiday Spending U.S. holiday spending expected to top $1 trillion for the first time. Mixed consumer sentiment: Surveys show some tightening (Gen Z plans to spend 23% less). National Retail Federation predicts sales growth of 2.9–3.4%. Concerns about tariffs and shipping delays; advice to shop early. Thanksgiving Meal Costs Down 5% from last year, lowest in four years. Average cost for 10 people: $55.18. Sharp decline in turkey prices (down 16%). Contrast with Biden-era inflation: Prices surged 14% in 2021 and 20% in 2022. Overall increase of ~24% during Biden’s term. Please Hit Subscribe to this podcast Right Now. Also Please Subscribe to the The Ben Ferguson Show Podcast and Verdict with Ted Cruz Wherever You get You're Podcasts. And don't forget to follow the show on Social Media so you never miss a moment! Thanks for Listening X: https://x.com/benfergusonshowYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@VerdictwithTedCruzSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Thanksgiving “Recipes” for 30 MLB TeamsAL East Power ShiftsRed Sox add Sonny Gray, creating a potential rotation anchor alongside CrochetYankees uncertainties: Garrett Cole's health, unproven young armsOrioles lose Grayson RodriguezBlue Jays surge by adding Dylan Cease and retooling their rotationIs it now a Red Sox & Blue Jays division for 2026What does it take to get a top tier player  - Cash - Payouts - Location - TeamsBlue Jays Go All-InToronto surpasses the 2026 luxury tax for the first time.Dylan Cease deal building a legacy around young starter Trey Yesavage and a veteran rotation mix of Gausman, Berríos, Bieber, and CeaseBo Bichette's future with Blue Jays or elsewhere & getting out of Vladdy's shadowWhat does it take to get a top tier player  - Cash - Payouts - Location - TeamsWhat's cooking with the Rays RosterThe club DFA's Jake Fraley to avoid arbitration—then brings him back and save over half of a million .Cooking ‘up a stew for Tampa Bay's outfield mix: Jake Fraley, Ryan Vilade, Chandler Simpson, Josh Lowe, Jonny DeLuca, Richie PalaciIos, Jake Mangum.Does Rays' aggressiveness lag behind AL East rivals.Extend Junior Caminero – a punch of positivity for the future of the Rays & the fansLoving past Rays players including Isaac Paredes & Joey WendleKyle Tucker or Alex Bregman - who would you chooseLongevity vs immediate impact performanceMat  “you never want to pay for what they did. You want to pay for what they're going to do.”Kyle Tucker with Rays, Cubs, Dodgers and at what price Randy Arozarena - a talent undervaluedVernon Wells - Anthopoulos hot potato unloadedAnthony Rendon & Angels BuyoutGil Meche walked away from Royals leaving $12 million behindMeasuring beyond Analytics Mental health considerationsCharacter evaluation should factor more heavily into long-term contracts.Big-moment - Clutch ratingBeing a good teammate & building comraderyReflect on 2020 Rays' energy and Arozarena/Phillips sideline moments Contrast drawn with Anthony (Eeyore) Rendon negative presence & how moving on could re-energize Mike Trout and the Angels.World Baseball Classic Excitement WBC iconic moment - Trout vs. Ohtani Japan's dominance, Yamamoto–Ohtani Should MLB should pause season or adjust the All-Star break to improve WBC pitching quality.Scheduling Challenges Across Sports Overlapping sports calendars multiple leagues compete for fan attention.Women's Pro Baseball League – WPBL Draft Draft Day party at JetBlue Park in Fort Myers during the first WPBL draft.600+ players evaluated120 drafted4 teams, 30 draftees each, later trimmed to 15Notable talent: Kelsie Whitmore, Ayami SatoSeveral players from the USA Women's National Team  Reflection on MLB's support for women's softball vs. women's baseballPay to Play & Record – Youth sports can penalize parents & team standings if parents record sports at some locations.Find Mat at @matgermain.bsky.social or reach Mark @  baseballbizondeck@gmail.com BaseballBiz on Deck, @ iHeart Apple, Spotify, Amazon Music, & at www.baseballbizOnDeck.com Special Thanks to XTaKe-R-U-X for the music Rocking Forward

Maradona, Pele or Messi? It's the eternal debate. Who is the greatest footballer of all time? According to The Soccer 100, The Athletic's new book ranking football's hundred greatest players, the answer is Messi. But the North London based contributor Amy Lawrence cast a dissenting vote: she chose Pelé, deferring to those who witnessed the Brazilian king's dominance firsthand. The book's official ranking places Maradona second, Pelé third, then Cruyff, Ronaldo, and Di Stefano. But the list reveals something more interesting than rankings: the impossibility of comparing eras. How do we judge players like Alfredo Di Stefano or Ferenc Puskas we've only seen in grainy footage against those, like Messi or Ronaldo, whose every touch has been televised? And why do great footballers like Diego Maradona —masters of intelligence on the pitch—sometimes become such flawed and tragic figures off it?1. The Pelé Problem: Why Nostalgia Matters Amy Lawrence voted for Pelé as number one, even though The Athletic's collective ranking placed Messi first. Her reasoning? “When I grew up, when you spoke to people who were older than you, there wasn't a debate. Pelé was the best.” She deferred to those who witnessed him live—a rare admission that nostalgia might actually be wisdom, not sentimentality.2. Maradona's Genius Was Inseparable from His Madness Lawrence describes Maradona as playing “with a madness...there was something of the kind of intense creative artist about him.” He was a street footballer thrust into Italian mafia management, hacked and kicked because defenders “couldn't stop him by playing football.” His 1986 World Cup remains the most dominant individual performance in history—but his life became the cautionary tale of what happens when raw genius meets extreme celebrity.3. Cruyff Was the Anti-Ronaldo Johan Cruyff “encouraged everybody to think instead of just watch”—a philosopher-footballer who “was a bit of a rebel” and famously skipped the 1978 World Cup (possibly because his wife didn't trust him with the ladies). Contrast that with Cristiano Ronaldo, whom Lawrence describes as “built by design”—the AI-generated footballer, all machine, no poetry. If Ronaldo represents modern football's corporate efficiency, Cruyff embodied its lost intellectual soul.4. Women Journalists Don't Play the Gender Card—But Maybe They Should Lawrence, possibly the only woman among the ten journalists who compiled The Soccer 100, says she “never played the women's card” when arguing for players. But she admits that being a woman in a male-dominated field made her “just a bit more memorable” and perhaps allowed for “a slightly more sensitive line of questioning” that helped players relax. It's a fascinating tension: rejecting gender as relevant while acknowledging its subtle advantages.5. The Impossibility of Comparing Eras Makes These Lists Meaningless—and Essential How do you compare Di Stefano (whom most people have only seen in grainy footage) with Messi (whose entire career has been televised)? Or account for the fact that modern players rack up goals against Lithuania and Andorra, while older players “never got able to pick up goals playing against” minnows? Lawrence acknowledges “there was never any pretense that this was some kind of definitive list”—yet we need these lists anyway, because they force us to articulate what we value in greatness itself.Keen On America is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit keenon.substack.com/subscribe

Discover how virtual contrast supervision is solving radiologist shortages and transforming healthcare access in rural areas. We explore CMS compliance, real-world benefits, and why this remote technology might become permanent in the face of a projected physician shortage. Learn more at https://www.contrast-connect.com/blog/logistics-and-operations ContrastConnect City: Las Vegas Address: 309 Queens Gate Ct Website: https://www.contrast-connect.com/

Guest Darshan

Discover what imaging centers must do to stay compliant, how remote supervision solves staffing shortages, and why this shift improves patient safety and profitability. Learn more at https://www.contrast-connect.com/blog-post/the-acr-guidelines-on-contrast-supervision-for-2025 ContrastConnect City: Las Vegas Address: 309 Queens Gate Ct Website: https://www.contrast-connect.com/

Thoughts & Attitudes | Week 3: Gratitude (In Contrast to Criticism) // Ryland Walter // In this series, we'll explore how God can renew your mind and transform your attitude out of contempt and criticism into honor and gratitude. We'll find that our inner world shapes our outer life.

Ezekiel - Grief over Tyre, Tyre's King Overthrown, Judgment of Sidon, Israel Regathered.Hebrews - Jesus, the Example; A Father's Discipline, Contrast of Sinai and Zion, The Unshaken Kingdom.

Chaque jour, écoutez le Best-of de l'Afterfoot, sur RMC la radio du Sport !

Participants: John Steppling, Hiroyuki Hamada, John Bower and Dennis Riches. Topics covered: Putting the burden of saving the planet on the little guy, color revolutions ain't what they used to be: weird attempts at fomenting change in Mexico and Venezuela, public outrage forces Thailand to undo Israeli colonization of the popular tourist destination Ko Phangan, panic and don't stay calm: why the encouragement of fear and panic during the pandemic and the climate emergencies? Contrast and compare: Paul Thomas Anderson's films Inherent Vice vs. One Battle After Another. See Aesthetic Resistance on Substack for the links related to this episode. Music track: “Just a Mood” by Red Norvo Sextet (public domain).

Discover how resilient leadership is forged through pressure, capacity, and the barbell mindset—and learn how to build unshakeable strength under stress. Table of Contents Toggle IntroductionUnderstanding Resilient LeadershipWhy Resilient Leadership MattersCommon Challenges and Limiting BeliefsStep-by-Step Implementation GuideReal-Life Success StoriesMistakes to AvoidAdvanced Strategies for MasteryCall to ActionQ&A Section Introduction Resilient leadership isn't built in strategy meetings or motivational workshops—it's built under load. Most leaders think resilience is about staying calm, staying positive, or staying busy. But that's not resilience. That's performance acting. The truth is far more uncomfortable: resilient leadership is the capacity to take on more pressure without breaking—and to keep rising even when the weight feels unbearable. The keyword resilient leadership stands at the center of this conversation because the modern leader isn't collapsing from lack of skill… they're collapsing from lack of capacity. You don't fix that with time hacks. You fix it with training. This is where the barbell becomes your greatest teacher. In CrossFit, I learned early that the weight never lies. The barbell tells you exactly who you are under pressure. It exposes weakness, reinforces discipline, and demands growth. Leadership does the same. Today, you'll learn how resilient leadership is built the same way strength is built: friction, load, recovery, and progressive challenge. And you'll learn why leaders who avoid metaphorical weight become fragile while those who train under stress become unstoppable. Understanding Resilient Leadership Resilient leadership is the ability to stay centered, decisive, and effective under pressure—even as demands, uncertainty, and responsibility increase. It is the mental toughness for leaders that separates those who fold from those who rise. The misconception? People assume resilience is a personality trait. Something fixed. Something you're born with. But pressure doesn't care about personality. Pressure only cares about capacity. In the gym, capacity is measured by load: how much weight you can move, how well you can stay composed, and whether you keep form when things get heavy. Leadership works the same way. Many leaders crumble not because the weight is too much… …but because they never trained for it. Resilient leadership is trainable. It is measurable. And it grows through deliberate exposure to stress, challenge, and responsibility—just like strength training. The barbell metaphor leadership model teaches us that you grow capacity the same way you grow strength: gradually, intentionally, and with humility. Resilient leadership skills emerge from adversity, repetition, discipline, and reflection. They aren't earned by reading leadership books—they're earned by carrying the load. Why Resilient Leadership Matters The world is not slowing down. Expectations aren't decreasing. Pressure isn't easing. Your people, teams, and family don't need a leader who is simply informed—they need a leader who can remain grounded when the room is shaking. CrossFit taught me that strength is never about the first reps. It's about the last ones—the ones completed when your mind is screaming for relief. Those reps build the ability to perform under fatigue. In leadership, the equivalent reps come when:   You're tired but must stay clear.   You're overwhelmed but must still decide.   You're uncertain but must still lead. This is why resilient leadership training becomes essential. When leaders lack resilience, everything downstream suffers—culture, morale, communication, execution, and results. You can't give clarity if you don't have inner stability. You can't drive performance if you're emotionally depleted. You can't inspire trust when you're constantly reactive. High-performance leadership habits aren't built in moments of ease—they're built under stress. And if you're not deliberately building your resilience muscles, the weight of leadership will eventually break you. Common Challenges and Limiting Beliefs Every leader struggles with the same three traps: “If I just get through this week, it will get easier.” This is the business version of hoping the weight magically gets lighter. It doesn't. The load always increases—sometimes gradually, sometimes overnight. “Resilience means doing it alone.” This is outdated warrior mythology. In strength training, no one grows without coaching, programming, accountability, and a system that pushes them just beyond their comfort zone. “I need to avoid stress.” Avoiding stress is the fastest way to shrink capacity. Overprotection weakens the system. Stress doesn't destroy leaders—poor recovery and lack of training does. Resilient leadership isn't about dodging pressure. It's about expanding who you become in the presence of it. Step-by-Step Implementation Guide Here's how to build resilient leadership using the principles of the barbell metaphor leadership model: Step 1: Load Before You're Ready In CrossFit, if you only lift when it's comfortable, you'll stay weak. The same is true in leadership. Begin deliberately taking on responsibilities, conversations, and decisions that stretch your emotional and mental capacity, expanding your tolerance for uncertainty and increasing your ability to stay composed under pressure. Step 2: Train with Intent Resilient leadership training requires conscious practice—structured reflection, emotional regulation techniques, nervous system resets, and pressure management rituals—all performed consistently to reinforce mastery and build a dependable foundation for responding to real-world challenges confidently. Step 3: Embrace Micro-Adversity Just as strength grows through controlled stress, resilience grows through micro-adversity—cold exposure, tough conversations, difficult workouts, disciplined routines, and intentional friction designed to strengthen your capacity for discomfort and sharpen your psychological edge. Step 4: Recover Like a Professional Recovery isn't optional—it's strategic. Leaders who fail to schedule recovery confuse burnout for weakness. Proper recovery replenishes energy, restores clarity, reinforces emotional balance, and ensures you can consistently show up with strength when pressure inevitably increases. Step 5: Build a Coaching Environment Even elite athletes need coaches. Leaders who avoid coaching plateau quickly. Coaching accelerates growth by calibrating load, challenge, and perspective, helping you identify blind spots, strengthen performance habits, and stay aligned with high-level leadership standards. This is how you build mental toughness for leaders—reps, reflection, and regulated stress. Real-Life Success Stories I've watched executives transform their leadership capacity the same way athletes transform under the bar. One client came in exhausted, overwhelmed, and convinced he was failing. We rebuilt his leadership habits the same way we'd rebuild a lifting program—load management, mental conditioning, energy protocols, emotional hygiene, and progressive challenge. Six months later, he was leading with decisiveness, clarity, and unshakable presence. His team noticed it. His family felt it. His results proved it. Resilient leadership is visible. You don't have to announce it. People feel it. Mistakes to Avoid   Trying to lift everything alone – isolation kills resilience, drains emotional capacity, limits perspective, and slowly erodes your ability to lead with clarity and grounded strength.   Avoiding conflict – conflict is pressure; pressure is training, and sidestepping it prevents growth, weakens influence, reinforces fear-driven behavior, and ultimately diminishes leadership credibility.   Overworking – fatigue without recovery is collapse, and grinding nonstop destroys focus, reduces creativity, impairs decision-making, and trains your nervous system to operate in permanent survival mode.   Being reactive – reactions kill precision and signal instability, creating unnecessary chaos, damaging trust, and undermining the reliability your team depends on during high-pressure moments.   Ignoring feedback – leaders blind to feedback lose their edge, miss critical growth opportunities, repeat avoidable mistakes, disconnect from their people, and gradually fall behind more adaptive competitors. Avoid these mistakes and your capacity will skyrocket. Advanced Strategies for Mastery If you want elite-level resilient leadership, adopt the following practices:   Contrast training: move between high-pressure and calm states intentionally to strengthen adaptability, sharpen cognitive control, and train your nervous system to handle rapid transitions without losing clarity, presence, or emotional stability.   Identity conditioning: see yourself as a resilient leader first—actions follow identity, and reinforcing this self-concept through daily behaviors, rituals, and decisions helps you embody strength even when external circumstances attempt to knock you off center.   Load calibration: weekly reviews of your responsibilities, energy, and emotional weight ensure you’re managing demands intelligently, preventing overload, redistributing pressure effectively, and staying ahead of burnout before it sneaks up and compromises your leadership effectiveness.   Archetype integration: balance Warrior discipline, King vision, Magician strategy, and Lover emotional intelligence by consciously activating each archetype, aligning your behavior with your highest potential, and ensuring no single aspect of your leadership becomes overextended or underdeveloped. This is where resilient leadership becomes a lifestyle, not a skill. Call to Action If you skimmed this, go back. Skimming is fragile behavior. Resilient leadership requires presence, pressure, and precision. If this resonated, it's because you know the truth: the barbell doesn't lie—and neither does your life. You're either growing capacity or losing it. If you're ready to train your resilience like an athlete trains for competition—if you're ready to build the leadership strength your team, your family, and your future demand—then it's time to step up. Sharpen your edge. Elevate your capacity. Book your Power Strategy Session and let's forge your next level. Q&A Section What is resilient leadership? Resilient leadership is the ability to stay composed, decisive, and effective under pressure while navigating complexity and stress. It matters because modern leaders face relentless demands, and without resilience, performance collapses. Imagine trying to lift a heavy barbell without proper training—the weight crushes you. Leadership works the same way. How can I develop resilient leadership skills? By treating resilience like strength training: progressive challenge, intentional stress exposure, structured reflection, emotional regulation, and mentorship. Leaders who integrate these practices rapidly expand capacity and confidence. Why do leaders struggle with resilience? Because most avoid discomfort. Resilience requires deliberate exposure to challenge. When leaders avoid conflict, stress, or hard decisions, they weaken their capacity over time. What is the role of coaching in resilient leadership? Coaching acts like a training program—it provides structure, pressure calibration, feedback, and accountability. Without coaching, leaders plateau. With coaching, they grow faster and sustain results. How does the barbell metaphor apply to leadership under stress? The barbell teaches that strength comes from controlled pressure, repetition, and recovery. Leadership mirrors this exactly. You build capacity by showing up, doing the reps, and leaning into the weight instead of avoiding it. .lwrp.link-whisper-related-posts{ margin-top: 40px; margin-bottom: 30px; } .lwrp .lwrp-title{ }.lwrp .lwrp-description{ } .lwrp .lwrp-list-container{ } .lwrp .lwrp-list-multi-container{ display: flex; } .lwrp .lwrp-list-double{ width: 48%; } .lwrp .lwrp-list-triple{ width: 32%; } .lwrp .lwrp-list-row-container{ display: flex; justify-content: space-between; } .lwrp .lwrp-list-row-container .lwrp-list-item{ width: calc(25% - 20px); } .lwrp .lwrp-list-item:not(.lwrp-no-posts-message-item){ } .lwrp .lwrp-list-item img{ max-width: 100%; height: auto; object-fit: cover; aspect-ratio: 1 / 1; } .lwrp .lwrp-list-item.lwrp-empty-list-item{ background: initial !important; } .lwrp .lwrp-list-item .lwrp-list-link .lwrp-list-link-title-text, .lwrp .lwrp-list-item .lwrp-list-no-posts-message{ }@media screen and (max-width: 480px) { .lwrp.link-whisper-related-posts{ } .lwrp .lwrp-title{ }.lwrp .lwrp-description{ } .lwrp .lwrp-list-multi-container{ flex-direction: column; } .lwrp .lwrp-list-multi-container ul.lwrp-list{ margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; } .lwrp .lwrp-list-double, .lwrp .lwrp-list-triple{ width: 100%; } .lwrp .lwrp-list-row-container{ justify-content: initial; flex-direction: column; } .lwrp .lwrp-list-row-container .lwrp-list-item{ width: 100%; } .lwrp .lwrp-list-item:not(.lwrp-no-posts-message-item){ } .lwrp .lwrp-list-item .lwrp-list-link .lwrp-list-link-title-text, .lwrp .lwrp-list-item .lwrp-list-no-posts-message{ }; } Related Posts The 4 Stages of Personal Growth For Personal Success20 Mental Strength Character Traits – Part 2: Warrior Mind Podcast #367Chunking Down To Workable Pieces: Warrior Mind Podcast # 160Risk Taking: Warrior Mind Podcast # 147 11 Tips for Personal Development: Warrior Mind Podcast #324Unlocking the Power of Character Archetypes Through Spirit Animals: A Path to TransformationLife Rules Shape Our Reality- Warrior Mind Podcast #6658 Bold Steps to Stop Living in Fear and Take Control

Corbin Middlemas, Darren Lehmann and Tom Moody take you through the highly anticipated first day of the opening Ashes test in Perth. The team are joined by injured full-time Australian captain, Pat Cummins and English bowler Brydon Carse.Fast bowler Mitchell Starc ran through England with career best figures of 7/58. Ben Stokes followed this up with his own impressive bowling performance, he took a 5-fer for England.At the end of the opening day's play, Australia are trailing by 49 runs in the first innings with one wicket remaining. 

Bicycle touring numbers feel like they're down—fewer loaded panniers on the road, Adventure Cycling Association facing major financial headwinds, and a lot of long-time tourers quietly aging out. But is touring actually in decline, or is it just shifting into something that looks different—like bikepacking, gravel, and shorter, more flexible trips? In this episode I dig into Adventure Cycling's recent membership and financial update, talk through generational and economic trends, and explore whether we're seeing the end of an era… or just the end of one version of it. Is Bicycle Touring in Decline? What the ACA Letter Tells Us Recent email to ACA membership on a vote regarding selling their building in Missoula Membership down from almost 40,000 in 2023 to about 18,000 today. Donations down. Demand for guided tours has softened. Sales of maps/routes have dropped with free digital tools and GPS routes everywhere. Their diagnosis Members aging out of cycling. Some people don't feel enough value in a paid membership. Travel patterns are changing; inflation and costs are up; maybe fewer people committing to long guided tours. The building sale piece: ACA can sell their big, underutilized Missoula headquarters for ~$2.55M, then lease back just the space they need. The goal is to buy a "runway" of a few years to rebuild membership and modernize programs (digital experience, routes, tours, events). This is serious—membership halving in a couple of years is not a blip. But this is one institution. It's a single data point, not the whole story. Is ACA's Crisis Proof That Touring Is Dying? Possible "touring is in trouble" interpretation: If the biggest U.S. touring org is shrinking, maybe demand really is falling. Fewer people willing to pay for routes, maps, and guided tours could indicate less interest in traditional loaded touring. Alternative explanations: Value perception problem: If you can download GPX routes for free, people might not feel like they need a membership. Younger riders may not connect with a membership model or a print magazine in the same way. Business model problem vs. touring problem: Guided tours and paper maps are specific products. Those can decline even if DIY touring thrives. If a streaming-era kid doesn't buy DVDs, it doesn't mean movies are dead—just that the business model changed. Same question here: is ACA Blockbuster, or are movies in trouble? The Aging Out Effect The ACA explicitly mentions aging out of cycling. Talk through generational dynamics: A lot of classic touring energy came from the boomers and older Gen X. Long, multi-week tours require time, health, and often retirement or very flexible work. People aging out doesn't necessarily mean the activity is dying, but: If younger generations aren't replacing those numbers, you get a visible decline. Touring can look intimidating: expensive gear, big time commitments, safety fears. Possible barriers for younger riders: Student debt, unstable housing, fewer long chunks of vacation, higher baseline anxiety around traffic and climate disasters (heat, smoke, extreme weather). The Rise of Bikepacking and Off-Road Travel Ttouring may just be changing costume: More folks are drawn to bikepacking and gravel: lighter gear, off-road routes, "adventure" branding. Social media and brands push a certain aesthetic: frame bags, dirt roads, epic photography. Contrast vibes: Classic touring: fenders, racks, panniers, highways, small towns, campgrounds. Bikepacking: singletrack/doubletrack, BLM land, forest roads, more "expedition-y", often shorter but punchier trips. If someone is out for five days with bags on their bike, sleeping outside and moving every day… and we're calling that bikepacking instead of touring… did touring really decline, or did it just get relabeled? Is bikepacking now the umbrella term for bike adventuring? Is It Just a (pardon the pun) Cycle? Historical perspective: There was a big touring boom in the 1970s and again mini-waves around the early 2000s . We thought the 2020 COVID bike boom would impact things, but did it? Outdoor sports often rise and fall with the economy, culture, and media stories. Economic cycle: High inflation, higher travel costs, and general uncertainty can make long trips harder. At the same time, travel has become more fragmented: people take 3-day trips instead of 3-week odysseys. Cultural cycle: Right now, gravel and ultra-events (Unbound, etc.) get the headlines. Touring is slow and unsexy by comparison. Slow unsexy things tend to look "dead" for a while… until the next backlash against all the hype and burnout. We might be in the hangover phase after the COVID bike boom and a big cultural swing toward short, 'epic' experiences. Other Factors That Make Touring Feel Smaller Safety and traffic fears: distracted driving, speed, road rage, social media amplifying every horror story. Climate and weather extremes: heat domes, wildfire smoke, storms—touring has always danced with weather, but now the dice feel loaded. Information overload: paradoxically, infinite online info can make people freeze and not choose any tour. Shift to micro-touring: overnighters, weekend campouts, credit-card touring instead of epic cross-country runs. That looks less visible on the ACA radar but might be the real growth area. What ACA's Plan Signals About the Future Positive outlook: Selling an underused building to buy time to modernize could be a good sign. It's a choice to adapt instead of slowly bleed out. They're explicitly planning to invest in: More routes and route updates Digital and website improvements Stronger advocacy tools Expanded tours and member events The big question: Can an organization built around old touring models reinvent itself for a world of bikepacking, GPS, and dispersed, remote communities? Will they pivot toward being the hub for all forms of bike travel, not just pannier touring? Final Take: Is Touring Actually in Decline? Yes, in the classic sense. Fewer people paying for memberships, maps, and guided pannier tours. The touring demographic that built ACA is shrinking and aging. No, if you widen the definition. Bikepacking, mixed-surface, overnighters, and "ride-to-your-Airbnb" trips are essentially touring by another name. People are still traveling by bicycle; they're just doing it with different gear and routes. Mostly, it's in a messy transition. Legacy institutions and business models are under intense pressure. New formats (digital communities, route-sharing platforms, YouTube, social media) are where a lot of the energy lives now. The story isn't "touring is dying"—it's "touring is migrating." Go on any kind of bike trip—overnight, credit-card, dirt, paved, doesn't matter. Support whichever orgs, creators, or communities actually help them get out the door (ACA, local groups, creators, etc.). If you're an ACA member, vote on the building sale by November 24. Whatever side you land on it seems like this will likely define things for ACA for the next several years. •Bike touring has always been a niche. The question isn't whether the niche survives—it's what form it takes for the next generation. And we all get to shape that.

In this episode of Case Studies, Casey sits down with Dan Snow, Berkeley PhD and Harvard Business School professor turned BYU educator; for a thoughtful conversation on identity, reinvention, and choosing a life of deep purpose over conventional success.Dan shares his journey from the factory floors of Ford to the lecture halls of Harvard, and why he ultimately walked away from the elite academic path to teach and mentor at BYU. With rare humility and clarity, he unpacks the quiet courage it takes to start over, the challenges of being “the outsider,” and what it means to build a life that actually aligns with your values.They explore leadership, legacy, and how the most meaningful growth often comes from embracing discomfort. Whether it's navigating faith in unfamiliar environments or making high stakes career pivots, Dan's story is a powerful reminder that status isn't the goal, impact is.00:00 | Introduction & Chelsea's Journey03:55 | Education as Leadership Development07:34 | Dan's Upbringing in Colorado Springs13:30 | Being the Outsider & Building Empathy17:22 | Faith, Contrast, and Cultural Identity19:43 | Mission in Rome & Early Lessons in Rejection22:59 | The Pivot Away from Law School26:24 | Working at Ford & Career Clarity30:05 | Choosing a PhD Over Corporate Success31:48 | Berkeley, Humility, and Academic Culture39:30 | The Dissertation: Last Gasp of Carburetors45:26 | The Hidden Power of Applied Theory49:13 | Greatness, Grit, and the Clay Christensen Standard54:14 | Turning Talents into Purpose56:01 | Reinvention & The Power of Starting Over58:41 | Spiritual Greatness in Everyday People01:02:06 | Creation, Progress & the Human Drive01:03:04 | Teaching at Oxford & Global Perspectives Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

SUMMARY In this episode of "Vibe Science," hosts Ryan Alford and Chris Hansen interview Dr. Patrick Flynn, CEO of The Wellness Way and author of I Disagree. Dr. Flynn contrasts emergency medicine with holistic care, using vivid analogies to explain their roles. He shares personal stories, critiques conventional healthcare’s focus on symptoms, and emphasizes the importance of identifying individual stressors for true wellness. The discussion highlights hormone complexity, the need for personalized care, and the value of empowering people to take control of their health through education and prevention. TAKEAWAYS Contrast between emergency medicine and holistic health care Historical development and limitations of modern medicine Importance of perspective and balance in health The analogy of emergency medicine as a "fire department" and holistic care as a "carpenter" Consequences of relying on emergency medicine for chronic health issues The role of belief and mindset in health and healing Complexity and interconnectedness of the human body The philosophy and approach of The Wellness Way Emphasis on personalized care and addressing individual health stressors Vision for a future prioritizing wellness and prevention over chronic illness management  

Why "top-down" selling backfires in Japan's big companies — and what to do instead.  Is meeting the President in Japan a guaranteed win? No — unless the President is also the owner (the classic wan-man shachō), your "coup" meeting rarely converts directly. In listed enterprises and large corporates, executive authority is diffused by consensus-driven processes. Even after a warm conversation and a visible "yes," the purchase decision typically moves into a bottom-up vetting cycle that your initial sponsor doesn't personally shepherd. In contrast, smaller firms or founder-led groups may decide quickly, much like private U.S. SMEs or European Mittelstand. The trap is assuming a Western "economic buyer" model maps 1:1 to Japan's governance norms post-Abenomics (2013–2020) and as of 2025. Treat the Presidential meeting as a door-opener, not a done deal.  Do now: Reframe the "Prez" as an access node; design your plan for everything that happens after the elevator ride down. What actually happens after the big meeting? The President typically delegates "look into this" to a direct report, and your proposal enters an internal review pipeline. A junior staffer performs due diligence, then a section head reviews and either quietly stops the process or passes it up. If momentum builds, the division head circulates a ringi-sho (稟議書) with attached materials for cross-functional stamps (hanko). Each division repeats its own research — Finance, HR, Operations — before any re-contact with you. Compared with U.S. enterprise sales where a single VP can overrule, Japan's system prioritises organisational risk-sharing and face-saving. Expect additional nemawashi (root-binding) conversations you won't see. Every change to scope, pricing, or timing restarts the paper trail.  Do now: Ask early who will run due diligence, which divisions must stamp, and what the ringi packet must include. Why do direct reports sometimes ignore an explicit instruction? Because "check this out" isn't "make this happen" — the President's role usually ends at referral, not enforcement. In large firms (think Toyota-scale keiretsu or Rakuten-class digital groups), middle management owns process integrity. A public "order" in front of you may still be interpreted as permission to evaluate, not a mandate to buy. In the U.S., sellers might push back on "we'll think about it"; in Japan, they really do need to think — collectively. That's not stonewalling; it's governance. The deal can die silently at any stage if the section head sees mis-fit, poor timing (e.g., fiscal year planning in March), or brand risk. Your best lever is equipping mid-levels with a de-risked, spec-tight story that they can defend internally.  Do now: Translate the top-level promise into mid-level proof: ROI math, references in Japan, security/PII notes, and implementation flow. How long does the ringi cycle take, and what slows it down? Longer than Western sellers expect — and it resets with every material change. The ringi-sho builds consensus by circulating for stamps across affected divisions. Each unit repeats checks (vendor risk, budget fit, labour impact under Japan's 2023 work-style reforms, data residency for APAC, etc.). If you tweak scope or price, a fresh ringi often triggers. For comparison, an American SaaS deal might hit Legal once; in Japan, Legal, Information Systems, and HR may all run independent passes. Multi-site rollouts (retail, manufacturing) compound complexity versus single-site pilots. Sellers who rush or "pressure close" risk face loss among reviewers — a reputational cost that kills not just this deal but your next.  Do now: Time-box your asks, pre-bundle likely objections, and avoid last-minute scope surprises that force a re-circulation. How should you re-engineer your enterprise sales motion for Japan? Build a two-track play: executive alignment for vision + operator enablement for approvals. Track A (C-suite): anchor on strategy, external credibility (Japan references, security attestations), and clear business impact by quarter. Track B (middle-down): deliver a ringi-ready pack — problem framing, options matrix, risk mitigations, rollout plan, KPI table (adoption, uptime targets, ROI), and case miniatures from sectors like automotive, retail, and banking. Compared with Europe (works councils) or the U.S. (deal desk), Japan's reviewer set is broader; so your artefacts must be modular and stamp-friendly. Pro tip: craft a Japanese one-pager that a 25-year-old staffer can champion without fear.  Do now: Produce a bilingual ringi kit: exec summary, cost sheet, security appendix, phased pilot plan, and internal FAQ. What if the buyer is a founder-led or SME "one-man President"? Move fast — wan-man shachō environments can green-light on the spot, but still respect downstream implementers. Owner-operators (common in construction, logistics, specialised manufacturers) align closer to U.S. founder-CEO norms: if they decide, it happens. However, success still hinges on managers who must live with the tool or training. Win speed without burning adoption by pre-agreeing a post-signature cadence: kickoff, hands-on enablement, check-ins. Contrast: in multinationals and listed firms, assume consensus first, speed second. Use segmented pipelines and forecasting models for each archetype to avoid "phantom commits" based on executive enthusiasm alone.  Do now: Qualify leadership style early; if it's founder-led, offer rapid pilot + success plan; if it's listed, budget for consensus cycles. Quick internal checklist for a ringi-ready packet Executive one-pager (JP/EN) with outcome metrics and timeline Options matrix (do nothing vs. competitor vs. your solution) Security & compliance appendix (data flows, access, audit) Costing & ROI sheet (12–36 months, with sensitivity) Implementation playbook (roles, training, support SLAs) Reference mini-cases from Japan/APAC peers Do now: Attach this checklist to every enterprise proposal in Japan.  Conclusion: Stop "selling the Prez"; start enabling the process In Japan's large corporates, the President opens a door; the organisation makes the decision. Treat the executive meeting as your starting pistol, not the finish line. Win by equipping mid-levels to say "yes" safely, designing for ringicadence, and pacing your asks. In founder-led firms, move decisively — with respect for the managers who must land the change. That's how you convert enthusiasm into signed, implemented value in Japan, as of 2025.  FAQs Is aggressive closing effective in Japan? No. Pushy tactics create face risk for reviewers and can stall the ringi process; equip, don't pressure.  Do all Japanese companies work this way? No. Founder-led SMEs can decide top-down; listed and multinational firms lean consensus-first.  What documents speed approval? A bilingual, ringi-ready packet: exec summary, ROI, security, rollout, and references.  Next steps for leaders/executives Map the approval path (divisions, stamps, timelines). Build a standard ringi pack and local references. Train your team on Japan-specific cadence and language. Segment forecasts by "founder-led" vs. "listed corporate."  Author credentials Dr. Greg Story, Ph.D. in Japanese Decision-Making, is President of Dale Carnegie Tokyo Training and Adjunct Professor at Griffith University. He is a two-time winner of the Dale Carnegie "One Carnegie Award" (2018, 2021) and recipient of the Griffith University Business School Outstanding Alumnus Award (2012). As a Dale Carnegie Master Trainer, Greg is certified to deliver globally across all leadership, communication, sales, and presentation programs, including Leadership Training for Results. He has written several books, including three best-sellers — Japan Business Mastery, Japan Sales Mastery, and Japan Presentations Mastery — along with Japan Leadership Mastery and How to Stop Wasting Money on Training. His works have been translated into Japanese, including Za Eigyō (ザ営業), Purezen no Tatsujin (プレゼンの達人), Torēningu de Okane o Muda ni Suru no wa Yamemashō (トレーニングでお金を無駄にするのはやめましょう), and Gendaiban "Hito o Ugokasu" Rīdā (現代版「人を動かす」リーダー). Greg also publishes daily business insights on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter, and hosts six weekly podcasts. On YouTube, he produces The Cutting Edge Japan Business Show, Japan Business Mastery, and Japan's Top Business Interviews, which are widely followed by executives seeking success strategies in Japan.

Jérôme Rothen se chauffe contre un autre consultant, un éditorialiste ou un acteur du foot.

Imaging centers adopting virtual contrast supervision must follow strict CMS and ACR guidelines. This episode breaks down training requirements, technology standards, emergency protocols, and documentation needs. Learn how permanent virtual supervision policies starting in 2026 reduce costs while maintaining patient safety. Read more at https://www.contrast-connect.com/blog-post/cms-issues-extension-of-virtual-supervision?utm_source=chatgpt.com ContrastConnect City: Las Vegas Address: 309 Queens Gate Ct Website: https://www.contrast-connect.com/

The CMS 2026 rule makes virtual contrast supervision permanent, transforming how imaging centers operate. Discover what this means for patient access, compliance, costs, and the future of radiology staffing. Learn more at https://www.contrast-connect.com/ ContrastConnect City: Las Vegas Address: 309 Queens Gate Ct Website: https://www.contrast-connect.com/

Learn how virtual contrast supervision is transforming radiology operations with cost savings, extended hours, and faster response times. Hear about CMS's permanent 2026 regulatory change and what it means for your imaging center's efficiency and patient care. Read more at https://www.contrast-connect.com/blog-post/a-promising-future-for-virtual-medical-imaging ContrastConnect City: Las Vegas Address: 309 Queens Gate Ct Website: https://www.contrast-connect.com/

In the first seconds of any presentation, your audience decides whether to lean in or tune out. This guide shows you how to design those opening moments—before you speak and through your first sentence—so you command attention, create immediate relevance, and set up the rest of your message to land. What makes a powerful presentation opening in 2025? Your opening starts before you speak—and the audience decides in seconds. In a smartphone-first era, those first seven seconds determine whether people lean in or drift off. The "silent opening" (walk, posture, eye contact) forms a first impression before a single slide appears. Conferences, town halls, and startup pitches now feel like a live feed—attention is earned fast or lost. Do now: Plan the pre-speech moment (walk, stance, pause) as deliberately as your first words. Decide what you want people to think before you speak, then choreograph for that outcome. How do I control first impressions before I even speak? Pre-stage signals set expectations—own your bio, the MC intro, and foyer chats. Event pages, LinkedIn blurbs, and the MC's script shape the audience's mental model. Brief the MC with a single, crisp positioning line ("Built Asia-Pacific revenue from ¥0 to ¥10B") and avoid laundry-list CVs. In B2B, hallway conversations are part of the show; in government or academic settings, your written session abstract becomes the first "slide" attendees see. Do now: Write a 20-word positioning line for the MC; update the event blurb; greet attendees with energy to "seed" a positive narrative. What should I physically do in the first 10 seconds? Walk briskly, take centre stage, pause, then project your first line. Movement signals confidence across cultures; a slight, purposeful pause lifts anticipation and quiets side-chatter. A strong first sentence delivered at higher vocal energy breaks through device distraction. Australian audiences prefer relaxed authority; Japanese audiences value elegant poise and clear structure; US audiences reward pace and punch. In all markets, eyes up—don't bury your face in the laptop while fumbling with HDMI. Do now: Rehearse a "no-tech" start: walk → plant → 1-beat pause → first line with 10–15% more volume than normal. How can I hook executives with a captivating statement? Open with an analogy, a bold fact, or good news—then explain the relevance. Analogy makes complex issues tangible ("Launching this strategic initiative is like learning to drive—lots looks simple until you're in traffic.") Bold fact creates a pattern interrupt (e.g., demographic shifts, cost-of-delay, risk concentration). Good news reframes the room: cite an industry uptick, an R&D milestone, or a customer win to signal value early. Startups often lead with traction; corporates often lead with risk or opportunity size—choose the frame that matches your audience. Do now: Draft three openers (analogy, fact, good news). Pick one that best answers your audience's "why this, why now?" Should I start with a question—and which ones actually work? Use questions to gather info, drive participation, or create agreement—sparingly. Hands-up questions give you a real-time snapshot and wake the room. Physical prompts ("Stand if you've led a cross-border project since 2023") add energy in offsites and leadership programs. Rhetorical questions align minds without calling for a reply ("What costs us more—slow decisions or rework?"). In high-context cultures, rhetorical alignment often outperforms cold-calling; in US sales kick-offs, rapid polling can boost momentum. Do now: Script one of each: (1) hands-up, (2) physical prompt, (3) rhetorical alignment. Choose the lightest touch that fits the room. How do I keep phones down and attention up from the first sentence? Design an attention moat: short sentences, elevated volume, and immediate relevance. Open with the outcome your audience cares about ("By the end, you'll have a 3-step opening you can deliver tomorrow"). Use names, dates, and entities to anchor time and credibility. Contrast markets (Japan vs. US) or sectors (consumer vs. B2B) to create novelty. Then promise—and deliver—one fast, valuable tactic before your first slide. Do now: First line = outcome; second line = entity/time anchor; third line = quick win. Keep each under 12 words. The simple checklist to design your opening this week Follow this 7-point "First 30 Seconds" checklist—then rehearse twice. Bio/MC line set. Walk-plant-pause mapped. First sentence bold. Choose one hook (analogy/fact/good news). One question type ready. Relevance statement tied to current priorities (growth, hiring, AI, cross-border). Fallback if tech fails. Pro tip: keep a printed one-page run-of-show; use it when slides go rogue. Conclusion Openings are a system, not a sentence. When you control pre-stage signals, choreograph the first 10 seconds, and deploy a deliberate hook, you earn permission to lead—whether in Tokyo, Sydney, or New York. Rehearse the system this week and make it your default. About the author Dr. Greg Story, Ph.D. in Japanese Decision-Making, is President of Dale Carnegie Tokyo Training and Adjunct Professor at Griffith University. He has twice won Dale Carnegie's "One Carnegie Award" and received Griffith University Business School's Outstanding Alumnus Award. A Dale Carnegie Master Trainer, Greg delivers leadership, communication, sales, and presentation programs globally. He is the author of Japan Business Mastery, Japan Sales Mastery, Japan Presentations Mastery, Japan Leadership Mastery, and How to Stop Wasting Money on Training, with Japanese editions including 『ザ営業』 and 『プレゼンの達人』.

Are you in the "messy middle" of a challenge, tempted to give up when things get tough? Join Dr. Roger Patterson as he preaches from Exodus Chapter 14 on the essential nature of having a "Faith That Finishes." Drawing on the story of the Israelites facing Pharaoh's army at the Red Sea, Dr. Patterson explores the crucial difference between the Voice of Fear and the Voice of Faith. Just as the Texas A&M football team mounted an improbable comeback after being down significantly at halftime, you can press ahead and see God's victory. Key Takeaways: Understanding Bondage: We are often tempted to return to "bondage" (old habits/addictions) because of its false comfort, but living free is always better. The Voice of Fear (The Four C's): Learn to recognize the signs of fear in your life—when you are Caught by it, when your prayer is a quick Cry-out, when you Complain, and when you Contrast the past with the present. The Voice of Faith (The Four Declarations): Be encouraged by Moses' command: Fear Not, Stand Firm, Look Up (see the salvation of the Lord), and Be Confident (the enemy is done).   The Voice of the Father: God challenges your thinking, encourages you to use what's in your hand (your identity, income, influence) , and commands you to Go Forward even when you don't see the way.   The Voice of Finishing Faith: The story moves from Thus (what God has done) to Then (the people's response of singing and exalting the Lord). Don't quit on your marriage, children, or mission—keep moving to experience God's ultimate victory.   Scriptures Covered: Exodus 7:1-5 , Exodus 12:35-36 , Exodus 13:18 , Exodus 13:21-22 , Exodus 14:1-17 , and Exodus 14:30-15:2. Preached by Dr. Roger Patterson on November 16, 2025.

Appreciation and Introduction Gratitude for songs, testimonies, and prayer requests. Expresses contentment and appreciation for being in God's house. Acknowledges the presence and importance of the Holy Spirit. Reference to Acts 2:1-4 about the day of Pentecost. All were in one accord in one place. Sound from heaven like a rushing, mighty wind. Cloven tongues like fire appeared. All were filled with the Holy Ghost and spoke in other tongues. Worship and the Holy Spirit People worship differently, and that's okay. Anticipation of uninhibited worship in heaven. Appreciation for times when the "wind blows" in church (the Holy Spirit is present). There are times for stillness for the seed to fall. Desire for the Holy Ghost in the church. If the Holy Ghost wasn't present, would seek it elsewhere. If one doesn't feel the Spirit, there may be something wrong in their heart. Not the fault of others or external factors. God is not a respecter of persons; He blesses all equally. If you want the Holy Ghost, He will give you all you want of Him. If one doesn't like the Holy Spirit, this church may not be a good fit. The Holy Ghost needs to lead in everything done in the church. The Pastor's Perspective The more people filled with the Holy Ghost, the better for the pastor. Contrast between preaching to an unresponsive crowd and a Spirit-filled congregation. Signs of a Spirit-filled congregation: raised hands, tears, smiles, recognition of God's presence. God is the answer, and the question is when. God administers through the Holy Ghost. The Holy Ghost dwells within, not just visits. The Holy Ghost stays until the job is done, taking believers to the end. Belief that one couldn't make it without the Holy Spirit's help. Old Testament Examples of the Holy Spirit (Wind) The Word of God is discerned by the Spirit. The Holy Spirit helps people get what they need from the Word. Exodus 14:21 - Deliverance at the Red Sea Moses stretched out his hand, and the Lord caused the sea to go back by a strong east wind. The wind blew all night, dividing the waters. The Holy Ghost has been a deliverer. The Holy Ghost is a wind that will deliver the people of God all the time. The Holy Ghost is always working, whether one is conscious of it or not. The Holy Ghost frustrates the devil. Reference to Job, whose hedge was removed, but his life was protected. The Holy Spirit's deliverance is still moving today. Numbers 11:31 - Sustenance in the Wilderness The children of Israel murmured and were hungry. God sent a wind that brought quails from the sea. The quails fell around the camp, two cubits high (three feet deep). The Holy Ghost brings what is needed to make it another day. The wind of sustenance feeds the soul. The Holy Ghost moves to make sinners uncomfortable and saints rejoice. God used the Spirit to gather billions of quail. The wind brought sustenance when it was needed most. Reference to Ezekiel, where the Lord asked if dry bones could live. The bones came together, but they were still dead until the wind blew into them. 2 Samuel 5 - Assurance David sought God before going into battle. David asked if he should go up against the enemy and if God would deliver them. God loves zeal but also gives assurance. God told David to wait for a sign: the sound of a going in the tops of the mulberry trees. The wind will start blowing, and you'll know it's time to go. The wind gives assurance. The unction is needed to preach. Without the unction, it's just teaching. The Holy Ghost won't bear witness to anything untrue or false. The Holy Ghost will bear witness if your heart is for God. Jonah 1:4 - Repentance Jonah ran from God because he didn't want to preach to the people of Nineveh. You can't run from God; the Holy Ghost is everywhere. The Lord sent a great wind into the sea, causing a mighty tempest. The wind of God can break, stop, or wake one up. The wind of God blows to bring repentance. God can use the Holy Ghost to bring you to a place of repentance. New Testament Promise and Provision of the Holy Spirit (Wind) John 16:7 - Promise of the Comforter It is expedient that Jesus go away so the Comforter (Holy Ghost) can come. The Comforter is the Holy Ghost. Jesus had bound Himself to an earthly body and couldn't be everywhere. The Holy Ghost isn't bound to anything. Jesus promised to send the wind of God (the Holy Spirit). Acts 1:4-5 - Promise of Baptism with the Holy Ghost Jesus commanded them not to depart from Jerusalem but to wait for the promise of the Father. John baptized with water, but they would be baptized with the Holy Ghost. The Holy Ghost will lead and guide in all truth and righteousness. Acts 2:1 - Provision of the Holy Spirit On the day of Pentecost, they were all with one accord in one place. Suddenly, there came a sound from heaven as a rushing mighty wind. It filled all the house where they were sitting. The Spirit of God still does that today. When people are walking with God, the wind will blow in their lives. All that Jesus was trying to tell them became clear when the wind started blowing. John 3:7 - Born of the Spirit Jesus told Nicodemus that he must be born again. The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh and whither it goeth. So is everyone that is born of the Spirit. That which is born of the flesh is flesh; Jesus was talking about being born again in the spirit. The Holy Ghost had to blow over and be partaking in your salvation. God is saving your spirit, not your flesh. The Holy Spirit has blown in the lives of His children from the time He left them until now. The wind is still moving as long as the people of God are on planet Earth. Discernment of Spirits There are strange winds blowing today that are not of God. These winds are false and imitate the Spirit of God. They are a form of godliness but deny the power thereof. Try the spirits to see of what sort they are. Not every spirit that blows in your life is of God. People are getting caught up in smoke, mirrors, darkness, and strobe lights. These things appeal to the flesh and stimulate the emotions but are not of God. If it ain't of God, you ain't getting born again. Be sure every spirit you face is Him. Gratitude for the rushing mighty wind that blew into the hearts of those men and forever changed them. The wind leads or stops them, making them go to the left or right because He knows. Invitation and Closing Invitation for those who need the Lord to come forward. If you haven't felt the wind of God in a while, get right with Him. Repent of your sin, turn from it, yield yourself to God, and trust Him. He will forgive you of your sin and purge you of all unrighteousness. He will forgive you if you confess it. The wind of the Holy Spirit will start blowing in your life again.

In this episode, we sit down with Julia Shanks, consultant, teacher, and author of The Farmer's Office, to talk about the crucial role of business acumen in small-scale farming. We dive deep into financial management practices, routine bookkeeping, using QuickBooks, and how to properly deal with debt as a small farm business owner. Julia stresses that farmers are entrepreneurs who must understand their numbers, especially profit, not just revenue, to create sustainable, fulfilling farms. You'll get loads of actionable advice, relatable stories, and examples of small farm owners who are financially successful and happy. Learn more about Julia's books, courses, and more at The Farmer's OfficeTimestamps[2:47] Contrast of business savvy farmers vs. those who ignore their numbers[6:00] Why frequent financial tracking and setting profit goals are essential. [19:38] Julia's journey from aviation and culinary arts to farm financial consultant.[28:10] Advice for new farmers: starting with a clear desired take-home income. [32:14] Navigating cyclical cash flow and the challenge of building a financial runway. [44:28] Deciding what to grow: prioritizing personal goals over sheer lucrativeness.[1:05:15] Strategies for managing debt stress and scenario planning for investments. [1:10:00] The business pivot: how frequent financial checks enable rapid course correction. [1:26:14] Calculating cost of production (e.g., for a tomato) and factoring in labor. [1:43:23] Rapid Fire Q&ALinks Julia mentionedHow to track POS sales in QuickBooks: https://youtu.be/lZKEdZSXHSA?si=piT11k_9jCbF_7aeUpcoming Excel Templates workshop:www.thefarmersoffice.com/excel Free webinar: How to Grow Your Farm Business: More Profits (Not More Production).https://thefarmersoffice.com/freewebinar/ Quickbooks 7-Day Challenge: https://thefarmersoffice.com/qbo-7day/ SponsorsReal Organic Project: Get Involved. Get Certified. Join the movement to fight the co-opting of organic.New Society Publishing: Use code market25 for 25% off all booksLinks/ResourcesMarket Gardener Institute:  https://themarketgardener.com Masterclass:  https://themarketgardener.com/courses/the-market-gardener-masterclass Newsletter:  https://themarketgardener.com/newsletterBlog:  https://themarketgardener.com/blog Books: https://themarketgardener.com/booksGrowers & Co: https://growers.coHeirloom: https://heirloom.ag/The Old Mill: https://www.espaceoldmill.com/en/Follow UsWebsite: http://themarketgardener.com Facebook: http://facebook.com/marketgardenerinstitute Instagram: http://instagram.com/themarketgardeners Guest Social Media LinksJulia Shanks:Website: https://thefarmersoffice.com/ Book: https://newsociety.com/book/the-farmers-office-second-editionInstagram: https://instagram.com/TheFarmersOffice Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheFarmersOffice JM:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jeanmartinfortierFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/jeanmartinfortier 

Last week, we explored the invisible dance between light and shadow — how both energies shape our experience and invite us back to balance.This week, we move from reflection into embodiment.Join me for a short, guided meditation designed to help you feel that balance in real time — through breath, awareness, and gentle choice. Together, we'll practice noticing where our energy flows and remembering the quiet harmony that's always been within us.Take a deep breath. Exhale the noise. Let's return to balance — together.

Send us a textHave you ever meditated on the thief on the cross next to Jesus? In this week's episode of More Than a Song, I explore Melanie Penn's powerful track “Man On The Middle Cross,” a song sung from the perspective of that repentant criminal. His story—one of mockery turned to mourning, and ultimately to mercy—invites us to reflect deeply on the grace of salvation. Join me as we dive into Luke's Gospel and uncover the beauty of redemption through the eyes of a man who received eternal life in his final moments.Key PointsThe thief's perspective reveals grace. Melanie Penn's song gives voice to the repentant criminal, highlighting the radical mercy of Jesus and the simplicity of salvation through faith.Mourning and mocking are central themes in Luke's crucifixion account. These emotional responses reflect both the sorrow of loss and the rejection of truth, offering rich ground for reflection and study.The thief was a real person with a real encounter with Christ. Engaging Scripture with the understanding that its characters were real helps deepen our connection to the biblical narrative.The criminals were likely rebels, not petty thieves. Their crimes were serious—possibly insurrection—making the thief's redemption even more astonishing and powerful.Jesus was treated like a criminal, though He was innocent. He fulfilled Isaiah's prophecy by being “numbered with the transgressors,” showing His identification with sinners.Salvation is a free gift, not earned. Romans 6:23 reminds us that eternal life is given by grace, not merit—just as the thief received it in his final moments.Scripture ReferencesLuke 23:32–43 Luke 22–24 Isaiah 53:12 Romans 6:23Romans 3:23 Bible Interaction Tool Exercises (BITEs)Read in Context. Read and Listen to Scripture. Read Scripture Out Loud. Repetition. Word Study. Compare and Contrast. Remember the People Were Real. Additional ResourcesDownload the free Episode GuideStory behind the song "Man on the Middle Cross" - Melanie Penn on Friday With Friends - Bonus EpisodeComplete lyrics to all of the songs on her album, The Rising – A Resurrection Album, with Scripture references for you to explore - A gift from Melanie Penn herself! Click Here for the PDF.Learn more about my favorite Bible Study Software with a 30-day free trial and links to my favorite Bible resources - Logos Bible Software Affiliate LinkThis Week's ChallengeRead Luke 22-24 several times over several days. Make a list of every example of mourning. Make a list of every instance of mocking. Journal your observations and thoughts around both. Consider that the repentant criminal on the cross was a real person with a genuine experience of Christ and is truly in paradise with our Savior to this day. Believe in the Lord like this man and allow repentance to lead you to a right relationship and eternal salvaPurchase your copy of A Seat at the Table today! Change your music. Change your life. Join my free 30-Day Music Challenge. CLICK HERE.

 As the days get shorter and the weather turns colder, supporting your immune system becomes more important than ever. In this episode, we explore holistic ways to boost your immunity for your body, mind, and soul during the fall and winter months. From nutrition and lifestyle habits to emotional and energetic practices, we'll share practical tips to strengthen your defenses, reduce stress, and nurture overall wellness. Tune in to discover how to stay resilient, balanced, and vibrant all season long, while honoring the natural rhythms of your body and mind. In this Episode:- Physical immune support for the body- Daily detox and circulation rituals- Contrast showers- Hydration rituals- Immune supportive foods for fall- Herbs, adaptogens and supplements- Mind - mental and emotional immunity- Stress + suppressed immunity- Energetic and soul immunityYour immune sustem is a mirror of your inner and outer ecosystem. This season, instead of trying to "power through" let's honour the wisdom of this season and slow down, groudn, restore and realign. Connect with me:Instagram: @Pam_RoccaTik Tok: @Pam_RoccaWebsite: www.pamrocca.comWork with me:Channeling Session:https://calendly.com/divinehealth/60-minute-intuitive-channeling-sessionIntuitive Oracle Reading: https://calendly.com/divinehealth/60-minute-intuitive-oracle-card-readingIntuitive Reiki SessionIn-person:https://calendly.com/divinehealth/in-person-intuitive-reiki-healing-session-60-minsEnergy Work Sessions - Energy Healing: https://calendly.com/divinehealth/energy-healing-sessionIf you enjoyed this episode, please let me know so I can create more of the content you love. Also, please share the podcast with anyone you know who would love this community, these tools, information, and free resources. Have the most love-filled week and shine on, my friends.

Thank you for listening to the Classic City Church Podcast!This message from Senior Pastor Lee Mason is Part 8 of the sermon series Contrast.This message covers Mark 12:41-44.Date Given: November 9, 2025Visit us at CLASSICCITY.ORG

Explore with me the unseen networks of energy that shape our daily lives — the light that opens our hearts and the shadow that calls us inward. Through reflection and mindful awareness, we learn how to find balance between the two, honoring both as sacred parts of our wholeness. It's a journey back to presence, authenticity, and energetic harmony.Explore all the unique things:https://dot.cards/uniquebeautyandmeditation_

In this episode, we journey into the transformative lessons drawn from martial arts, personal growth, and mastering our own potential with Emmanuel Manolakakis. We explore the power of distilling real wisdom from collected knowledge, the significance of patience and self-control, and the remarkable difference between happiness and fulfillment. Through engaging stories and practical advice, we uncover how embracing pressure, focusing on what we can control, and developing our authentic selves can lead to lasting success—both on and off the mat.Timestamps: (00:00) - Michael Reddington introduces Emmanuel Manolakakis(04:09) - The difference between collecting knowledge and distilling wisdom.(07:02) - Importance of making personal decisions instead of matching others' bad choices.(10:04) - Contrast between depth of knowledge in the past and current information overload.(14:42) - Emmanuel Manolakakis discusses mastery as a journey, not a destination.(19:28) - How mastery requires patience, adaptability, and focusing on what you can control.(27:56) - Developing patience through teaching, martial arts, and life experiences.(34:57) - Practical tips for building patience using cold immersion and fasting.(41:58) - The value of calmness and responsibility, with lessons from archery.(50:42) - Overview of Emmanuel Manolakakis's book and the pursuit of fulfillment over happiness.Links and Resources:HOME | My SiteEudaimonia: The Highest Human Good: Manolakakis, EmmanuelSponsor Links:InQuasive: http://www.inquasive.com/Humintell: Body Language - Reading People - HumintellEnter Code INQUASIVE25 for 25% discount on your online training purchase.International Association of Interviewers: Home (certifiedinterviewer.com)Podcast Production Services by EveryWord Media

Nick Jeffery and John Granger do a Compare and Contrast test of the latest Cormoran Strike novel, The Hallmarked Man, and the previous seven books in Rowling-Galbraith's longest series of novels. Adapting a list of ‘Greatest Hits' moments from the first ‘Reading, Writing, Rowling' podcast John did with Katie McDaniel and a panel of Potter Pundits in Roanoke, Virginia, Nick and John share their favorite moments first from the series and then from Strike 8 before contrasting the quality of these highlights.The point of the exercise? Besides being a fun review of Strike-Ellacott adventures, a Greatest Hits collection of their highs and lows, Agency cases and sub-contractors included, the absence of any Hallmarked Man moments that merit a ‘Best in Series' badge suggests that Strike 8 will be remembered best for how it set up Strikes 9 and 10.Whatever your thoughts about that thesis, please share the scenes on your Greatest Hits list, both for the series and Hallmarked Man, per the numbered categories below. Nick and John have a few more to run through that they couldn't get to on their first ‘go' at this; feel free to share categories they should discuss in addition to the ones listed here:* Top Pat Chauncey scene* The One Scene that You Remember Most Often or ‘That Changed Your Life'* Top ‘Text-within-a-Text'* Funniest Scene* Top ‘Drop the Book' moment* Best ‘Narrative misdirection/Ostrananie' Moment* Conclusion: Series and Hallmarked manJohn is working on his charting of Hallmarked Man for the paid subscriber list as well as reviewing and revising his 2017 online course, ‘Wizard Reading Formula.' More on those projects and the Kanreki Series in his next conversation with Nick; stay tuned!Links to Ideas, Posts, and Theories Mentioned* Talbot's ‘True Book' in Troubled Blood* Kathryn Kent's weblog post in The Silkworm* The Goldfish in the Agency Office* Running Grave and Hallmarked Man overlaps, and Ryan Murphy's involvement.* Three Take-Aways from Hallmarked Man: What We Know Readers will say in Ten Years about Strike 8 Get full access to Hogwarts Professor at hogwartsprofessor.substack.com/subscribe

The media can be a fantastic source of information about insomnia, or it can be a lens that distorts and confuses the issue. In this episode we will:Contrast to contemporary insomnia articles from popular mediaUnderstand the difference between causation and relationshipsLearn how the use to percentages can distort the scale of an effectRead how media frequently confuses "sleep deprivation" and "insomnia"Evaluate an example of how media can positively educate and help readers understand insomnia betterProduced by: Maeve WinterMore Twitter: @drchriswinter IG: @drchriwinter Threads: @drchriswinter Bluesky: @drchriswinter The Sleep Solution and The Rested Child Thanks for listening and sleep well!

Nick Jeffery and John Granger do a Compare and Contrast test of the latest Cormoran Strike novel, The Hallmarked Man, and the previous seven books in Rowling-Galbraith's longest series of novels. Adapting a list of ‘Greatest Hits' moments from the first ‘Reading, Writing, Rowling' podcast John did with Katie McDaniel and a panel of Potter Pundits in Roanoke, Virginia, Nick and John share their favorite moments first from the series and then from Strike 8 before contrasting the quality of these highlights.The point of the exercise? Besides being a fun review of Strike-Ellacott adventures, a Greatest Hits collection of their highs and lows, Agency cases and sub-contractors included, the absence of any Hallmarked Man moments that merit a ‘Best in Series' badge suggests that Strike 8 will be remembered best for how it set up Strikes 9 and 10.Whatever your thoughts about that thesis, please share the scenes on your Greatest Hits list, both for the series and Hallmarked Man, per the numbered categories below. Nick and John have a few more to run through that they couldn't get to on their first ‘go' at this; feel free to share categories they should discuss in addition to the ones listed here:* Top Strike-Ellacott Moments* Ellacott taking care of wrecked Strike* Strike taking care of wrecked Ellacott* The Two having a frank conversation about the Agency, their vocation* The Two having a frank conversation about life and their relationship* Top Mystery Reveal* Top Agency Subcontractor moment* Top Agency case not the focus of the novel* Top Strike Confront-the-Killer moment,* Top “Magical” Moment (heart-rending/opening)* Top Moment-that-We-didn't-know-was-a-Moment-until-later* Top Saving People MomentJohn is working on his charting of Hallmarked Man for the paid subscriber list as well as reviewing and revising his 2017 online course, ‘Wizard Reading Formula.' More on those projects and the Kanreki Series in his next conversation with Nick; stay tuned!Links to Ideas, Posts, and Theories Mentioned* Roanoke ‘Reading, Writing, Rowling' Harry Potter Review[‘reading, Writing, Rowling's] first episode was recorded at CoLab in Roanoke, Virginia, at the May 2017 Roanoke Harry Potter Fest and celebrates 20 years of Harry Potter. Listen to a stellar crew of Hogwarts professors discuss [with hosts John Granger and Katy McDaniel] their favorite moments in the Harry Potter series, inspired by Bloomsbury Publishing's recent reader poll. Guests Louise Freeman, Elizabeth Baird Hardy, Emily Strand, and Lana Whited identify the best moments featuring the trio friendship, surprises and narrative misdirection, wizard magic, Snape, texts-within-the-text, and those inspirational messages that make the Harry Potter series profound and emotionally resonant to readers worldwide.* Rowling's Favorite Painting and What It Suggests about Her Artistry and Meaning: Caravaggio's ‘Supper at Emmaus'Professor Groves suggests strongly that what Rowling took away from her “mesmerised” “slow mining” of Caravaggio's Supper at Emmaus was the central Mystery of the Incarnation of Christ, the “guiler beguiled” idea of Aulen's Christus Victor. I find that argument compelling and want to build on it. There are embedded symbols in Supper at Emmaus that I think the fascinated Rowling would have noticed as she looked at the painting in the National Gallery, at the print on her wall in Exeter and London, and at the image on her first website, symbols beyond the “realism” of the Christ as imagined by Caravaggio and the revelation at the breaking of bread of His divinity.* Robin is Sterile Prediction: Chlamydia to Ectopic Pregnancy (December 2023)The thesis of this Hogwarts Professor essay — what I hope will be the subject of our second ‘Rowling Studies' podcast here — is that Robin Venetia Ellacott will not have children with Murphy, Strike, or any other partner, because she cannot, at least not without some extraordinary efforts via in vitro conception and surrogacy. I will attempt to explain how this infertility is possible, to detail the ‘Lake' suggestions from Rowling's life and personal experience that shows she is more than familiar with this condition among women, and to share the ‘Shed' literary markers in Running Grave and Rowling's other novels that this is indeed what she has in mind for Strike's partner Robin.Means Before Motive: How is it Possible that Robin is Sterile?In a word, “Chlamydia.”* The Hallmarked Man's Mythological Template ‘Cupid and Psyche's importance for grasping the depths of Strike 8, from the “necessity” of the Silver Vault and the three men in Robin's life, to spaghetti carbonara and ‘Maid of the Silver Sea' (links list to previous posts, 2021-present on this subject)* Charlotte Was Murdered, Mate; It Wasn't a Suicide* The Strange Death of Charlotte Campbell: Could the Psycho-Ex be the Focus of a Murder Investigation in Strike 8? (Nick Jeffery, November 2023)* Strike8: The Charlotte Campbell Murder Mystery: Nick Jeffery's Idea Checks a Lot of Boxes (John Granger, November 2023)* The Mysterious Death of Charlotte Campbell: Was It Suicide or Was It Murder? The ‘Rowling Studies' Pilot Episode (December 2023)* J. S. Maleksen's Re-read of Running Grave in Search of Ryan MurphyAfter reading HM twice, I re-read ‘Running Grave' with this theory in mind. It occurred to me that RFM might have read Charlotte's suicide note because it was in the police file. He might have even read through statements made by Charlotte's family members about Charlotte's relationship with Strike. At the very least, he would have read that Strike was in love with Robin and may have even bought into the ‘Strike was abusive to Charlotte' narrative and the ‘Strike has been in a romantic relationship with Robin since he broke up with Charlotte' narrative. This would explain why RFM is significantly more chippy towards Strike after Robin returns from Chapman Farm than he was at the beginning of ‘Running Grave.' Come to think of it, if Nick's theory is right and the suicide was a murder, it's quite possible that RFM may have been the lead investigator because, as we now know, he kinda sucks at his job. RFM would have had no reason to disclose any of this information to Robin because “she gets ratty every time he says anything against Strike.” Details identifying the investigating officer may not have been published. Alternatively, Iverson could have been the investigating officer and she could have shared this information with RFM and RFM can't tell Robin how he got the information because he had a fling with Iverson while Robin was at Chapman Farm.This might lead to an explanation as to why/how RFM fell off the wagon (guilt about having cheated on Robin and/or fear that Robin hasn't been honest about her relationship with Strike and/or his perception that Robin is being cowed by an abusive Strike)It makes sense to me that the period of time when Robin was at Chapman Farm is the most plausible and likely spot for JKR to have buried details about RFM, and his true character and motivations. The story as told from Robin and Strike's respective points of view intentionally distracted us from what RFM was up to during Robin's time at Chapman Farm. Indeed, he was often an afterthought of Robin's if she even thought about him at all.Incidentally, this makes the ‘RFM as gorilla man theory' more plausible because walking around with all of this information in his head could have motivated RFM to take extreme measures to get Robin to abandon Strike and the agency.I love your Substack and Podcast. Get full access to Hogwarts Professor at hogwartsprofessor.substack.com/subscribe

This is a live recorded message from Sunday service at City of Refuge South in Thomaston, GA. Thanks for listening. We pray it blesses you!

Waiting for Grain Reports Spooky Veterinarian Stories Contrast in the Weather   00:01:05 – Waiting for Grain Reports: K-State grain economist Daniel O'Brien kicks off today's show by discussing the changes in the futures and what recent news headlines have impacted the market.  Daniel O'Brien on AgManager.info   00:12:05 – Spooky Veterinarian Stories: Keeping the show rolling is A.J. Tarpoff, K-State Extension beef veterinarian, as he shares stories and spooky things that he has encountered or heard about as a veterinarian.   00:23:05 – Contrast in the Weather: Chip Redmond, K-State meteorologist, concludes today's show with his weather update which highlights our recent wet and cool weather and if we can continue to expect those conditions.      Send comments, questions or requests for copies of past programs to ksrenews@ksu.edu.   Agriculture Today is a daily program featuring Kansas State University agricultural specialists and other experts examining ag issues facing Kansas and the nation. It is hosted by Shelby Varner and distributed to radio stations throughout Kansas and as a daily podcast.   K‑State Research and Extension is a short name for the Kansas State University Agricultural Experiment Station and Cooperative Extension Service, a program designed to generate and distribute useful knowledge for the well‑being of Kansans. Supported by county, state, federal and private funds, the program has county Extension offices, experiment fields, area Extension offices and regional research centers statewide. Its headquarters is on the K‑State campus in Manhattan

In this special Halloween episode, Pastor Maxx Fisher joins Jill Devine to discuss modern day witchcraft and how prevalent it is in our everyday lives.Highlights from the episode include: Neopaganism Witches Wicca The term monad The use of Magic Christian DiscipleshipIf you have questions or would like to chat through some of the items discussed, please reach out to Maxx via email: mfisher@mlslions.orgNormal Goes A Long Way Website: https://www.normalgoesalongway.com/Normal Goes A Long Way Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/normalgoesalongway/Normal Goes A Long Way Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Normal-Goes-A-Long-Way-110089491250735Normal Goes A Long Way is brought to you by Messiah St. Charles: https://messiahstcharles.org/Normal Goes A Long Way is hosted on Zencastr. Create your podcast today! Get 20% off when you choose Zencastr for your podcasting needs: https://zencastr.com/?via=jill#madeonzencastr

Thank you for listening to the Classic City Church Podcast!This message from Senior Pastor Lee Mason is Part 7 of the sermon series Contrast.This message covers Luke 10:38-42.Date Given: October 26, 2025Visit us at CLASSICCITY.ORG

First say to yourself what you would be; and then do what you have to do.—Epictetus, "Discourses"Language is a powerful thing... a word tossed in the air can either build a fortress of confidence or sting like a summer hornet." Grandpa Bill's poem: Call me silly, call me smart... But if you toss a name that stings, it flaps its wings... and ouch, it zings!Today, we're talking about kindness, niceness, and the holistic medicine of good words. It's not just about manners; it's about optimizing our health and the relationship we have with our companions.The Vagus Nerve Connection: Explain that when we receive a kind word, our bodies release feel-good chemicals like oxytocin (the "cuddle hormone") and dopamine. This calms the vagus nerve, lowering heart rate and blood pressure—a true holistic healing response.The Ripple Effect: When we speak kindly to others, we experience the same benefit. Kindness is a two-way street for wellness.Kindness to Our Pets: Our dogs may not understand every word, but they absolutely grasp our tone and intention. A gentle voice for "Good boy!" or "Stay close" fosters a sense of security and strengthens their attachment to us. Contrast this with a sharp, angry tone which can elevate their stress hormones (cortisol).The Inner Critic: The harshest words are often the ones we say to ourselves ("I'm an idiot," "I'm always messing up"). This self-talk is toxic to our holistic health.BH Sales Kennel Kelp Tip: Challenge listeners to use the same gentle tone they use with their pet when they talk to themselves. Instead of "I failed," try: "That was a learning opportunity. I'll be kinder to myself next time."Affirmations as a Supplement: Encourage the daily use of simple, kind affirmations to reprogram the mind. (e.g., "I am capable," "I am enough," "I am centered.")Recap: Kind words are not just an accessory; they are a fundamental part of our holistic well-being and the cornerstone of a trusting relationship with our loved ones and our pets.Closing Challenge: For the next 24 hours, commit to replacing one harsh word (spoken or thought) with one gentle, kind one. Listen to the difference it makes in your body and your relationships."Thank you for joining me on the BH Sales Kennel Kelp Holistic Healing Hour! Choose your words wisely, and until next time, live kindly."#KennelKelpPodcast, #BHSalesKennelKelpHolisticHealingHour,#Wellness,#Kindness#PowerOfWords, #Niceness, #SelfCompassion, #MentalWellness,#HumanPetBond, #DogWellness, #KindDogTraining, #PositiveReinforcement, #DogTalk,#KennelKelpPodcast, #BHSales KennelKelpHolisticHealingHour,#KindnessMatters #PowerOfWords #Niceness #SelfCompassion #MentalWellnessPet Focus#HumanPetBond #DogWellness #KindDogTraining #PositiveReinforcement #DogTalk

Sleeve, bypass, or something new – which surgery really dominates the day?  This Bariatric Surgery Journal Club dives into the debate over which bariatric operation is best. We compare the outcomes of the gastric bypass, sleeve gastrectomy, and the newer Sadie procedure, exploring how bypass may have an edge in long-term diabetes remission and weight loss.  We also discuss revisional options for failed sleeves and the importance of matching the patient to the right operation for their specific needs. Hosts: - Matthew Martin, trauma and bariatric surgeon at the University of Southern California/Los Angeles General Medical Center (Los Angeles, California)  - Adrian Dan, bariatric and MIS surgeon, program director for the advanced MIS bariatric and foregut fellowship at Summa Health System (Akron, Ohio) - Crystal Johnson Mann, bariatric and foregut surgeon at the University of Florida (Gainesville, Florida) - Katherine Cironi, general surgery resident at the University of Southern California/Los Angeles General Medical Center (Los Angeles, California) Learning objectives: - Contrast the outcomes of Roux-en-Y gastric bypass, sleeve gastrectomy, and revisional options such as the single-anastomosis duodeno-ileal bypass (SADI) - Article #1: Hauge 2025, Effect of gastric bypass versus sleeve gastrectomy on the remission of type 2 diabetes, weight loss, and cardiovascular risk factors at 5 years (Oseberg): secondary outcomes of a single-centre, triple blind, randomized controlled trial https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40185112/ - Describe the design and unique triple-blind methodology of a single-center randomized trial comparing bypass and sleeve in patients with obesity and type 2 diabetes.  - Interpret the clinical relevance of the 5-year outcomes, including 63% diabetes remission with bypass vs 30% with sleeve.  - Examine secondary outcomes such as weight loss and cholesterol reduction, which favored bypass over the sleeve - Formulate patient-centered strategies for selecting bypass versus sleeve in populations with advanced metabolic disease, balancing efficacy with patient preference  - Article #2: The By-Band-Sleeve Collaborative Group 2025, Roux-en-Y gastric bypass, adjustable gastric banding, or sleeve gastrectomy for severe obesity (By-Band-Sleeve): a multicenter, open-label, three-group, randomized controlled trial https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40179925/ - Summarize the findings of this multi-center, open-label randomized controlled trial of over 1,300 patients comparing bypass, sleeve, and gastric banding at 5 years - Discuss the relative weight loss outcomes: 67% excess weight loss for bypass, 63% for sleeve, and 28% for adjustable gastric band - Evaluate the improvements in diabetes remission, hypertension control, and lipid management with bypass and sleeve compared to banding. - Analyze the declining role of gastric banding in modern bariatric surgery, while acknowledging its benefits compared to no weight loss treatment - Article #3: Thomopoulos 2024, Long-term results of Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) versus single anastomosis duodeno-ileal bypass (SADI) as revisional procedures after failed sleeve gastrectomy: a systematic literature review and pooled analysis https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39579238/ - Compare long-term outcomes of bypass versus SADI after failed sleeve gastrectomy, based on pooled analysis of over 1,000 patients  - Interpret the trade-offs: SADI provides greater weight loss and metabolic improvements, but carries a higher risk for malnutrition and fat-soluble vitamin deficiencies  -  Develop strategies for preoperative counseling, nutritional supplementation, and close long-term monitoring, particularly for patients undergoing SADI - Individualize decision-making for revisional surgery, considering factors such as patient goals, comorbidity burden, prior anatomy, BMI, and reliability with follow-up - Evolving revisional strategies will influence the next decade of bariatric surgical innovation   - Overall, bariatric surgery consistently improves weight, diabetes control, and cardiovascular risk. - The procedure of choice should be tailored to the patient through detailed discussion between surgeon and patient, aligning clinical evidence with patient goals and risks.   References 1.     Wågen Hauge J, Borgeraas H, Birkeland KI, Johnson LK, Hertel JK, Hagen M, Gulseth HL, Lindberg M, Lorentzen J, Seip B, Kolotkin RL, Svanevik M, Valderhaug TG, Sandbu R, Hjelmesæth J, Hofsø D. Effect of gastric bypass versus sleeve gastrectomy on the remission of type 2 diabetes, weight loss, and cardiovascular risk factors at 5 years (Oseberg): secondary outcomes of a single-centre, triple-blind, randomised controlled trial. Lancet Diabetes Endocrinol. 2025 May;13(5):397-409. doi: 10.1016/S2213-8587(24)00396-6. Epub 2025 Apr 1. PMID: 40185112. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40185112/ 2.     By-Band-Sleeve Collaborative Group. Roux-en-Y gastric bypass, adjustable gastric banding, or sleeve gastrectomy for severe obesity (By-Band-Sleeve): a multicentre, open label, three-group, randomised controlled trial. Lancet Diabetes Endocrinol. 2025 May;13(5):410-426. doi: 10.1016/S2213-8587(25)00025-7. Epub 2025 Mar 31. PMID: 40179925. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40179925/ 3.     Thomopoulos T, Mantziari S, Joliat GR. Long-term results of Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) versus single anastomosis duodeno-ileal bypass (SADI) as revisional procedures after failed sleeve gastrectomy: a systematic literature review and pooled analysis. Langenbecks Arch Surg. 2024 Nov 23;409(1):354. doi: 10.1007/s00423-024-03557-9. PMID: 39579238; PMCID: PMC11585492. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39579238/ Please visit https://behindtheknife.org to access other high-yield surgical education podcasts, videos and more.   If you liked this episode, check out our recent episodes here: https://behindtheknife.org/listen Behind the Knife Premium: General Surgery Oral Board Review Course: https://behindtheknife.org/premium/general-surgery-oral-board-review Trauma Surgery Video Atlas: https://behindtheknife.org/premium/trauma-surgery-video-atlas Dominate Surgery: A High-Yield Guide to Your Surgery Clerkship: https://behindtheknife.org/premium/dominate-surgery-a-high-yield-guide-to-your-surgery-clerkship Dominate Surgery for APPs: A High-Yield Guide to Your Surgery Rotation: https://behindtheknife.org/premium/dominate-surgery-for-apps-a-high-yield-guide-to-your-surgery-rotation Vascular Surgery Oral Board Review Course: https://behindtheknife.org/premium/vascular-surgery-oral-board-audio-review Colorectal Surgery Oral Board Review Course: https://behindtheknife.org/premium/colorectal-surgery-oral-board-audio-review Surgical Oncology Oral Board Review Course: https://behindtheknife.org/premium/surgical-oncology-oral-board-audio-review Cardiothoracic Oral Board Review Course: https://behindtheknife.org/premium/cardiothoracic-surgery-oral-board-audio-review Download our App: Apple App Store: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/behind-the-knife/id1672420049 Android/Google Play: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.btk.app&hl=en_US

The contrast effect is a bias where the perception of something is distorted by being compared to something else, making the differences between them seem greater than they are. SOURCES: BUSTER BENSON'S MEDIUM POST: https://medium.com/@buster/cognitive-bias-cheat-sheet-55a472476b18Contrast effect: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Contrast_effect#:~:text=%5Bclarification%20needed%5D-,Domains,The%20checker%20shadow%20illusionAnchoring Bias: https://medium.com/illumination/anchoring-bias-how-your-mind-tricks-you-into-wrong-decisions-c60b1ef8728eMore biases here: Bizarreness effect, Humor effect, Von Restorff effect, Negativity bias, Publication bias, Omission biasAnchoring effect: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anchoring_effectResources for Resisting a Coup: https://makeyourdamnbed.medium.com/practical-guides-to-resisting-a-coup-b44571b9ad66SUPPORT JULIE (and the show!): https://supporter.acast.com/make-your-damn-bedDONATE to the Palestinian Children's Relief Fund: www.pcrf.netGET AN OCCASIONAL PERSONAL EMAIL FROM ME: www.makeyourdamnbedpodcast.comTUNE IN ON INSTAGRAM FOR COOL CONTENT: www.instagram.com/mydbpodcastOR BE A REAL GEM + TUNE IN ON PATREON: www.patreon.com/MYDBpodcastOR WATCH ON YOUTUBE: www.youtube.com/juliemerica The opinions expressed by Julie Merica and Make Your Damn Bed Podcast are intended for entertainment purposes only. Make Your Damn Bed podcast is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/make-your-damn-bed. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.