Podcasts about CPP

Karen Stintz joins Jerry for Party for Two to discuss the top stories of the day. Nearly half of CPP is invested in the US, and only 12% is invested in Canada, does this matter to you? The Blacklock's Report with Tom Korski dives into Ottawa's business. Jerry speaks to Hila Fakliro, a Nova Music Festival Survivor who is in Toronto for the exhibition, and while here, her apartment building in Tel Aviv was struck by a missile.

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Falo sobre Recurso Extraordinário com Agravo (ARE) 1042075, de relatoria do Min. Toffoli, em que o STF estabeleceu que, contrariando sua própria jurisprudência (e a do STJ), a polícia pode invadir os dados do celular de um réu sem ordem judicial. Trata-se de um caso de Prova Obtida por Meio Ilícito e cuja decisão contraria, inclusive o Marco Civil da Internet e a EC. 115/2022.

Welcome back to a second episode on the Canada Pension Plan (CPP).My guest is Jason Yee, a true CPP ninja. Jason guides us through CPP and its 2019 & 2024 enhancements to outline the key features of the plan & helps us understand what we will get from it in the future.Discussion Points:Jason's background (2:43)CPP basics (5:05)Key features of CPP (6:27)Why is CPP so polarising? (9:26)What determines what we will get out of CPP? (11:32)CPP enhancements: why & how do they help us? (13:21)What about years of lumpy/low income? (17:32)Considerations for when to start CPP (21:36)CPP payout scenarios (23:16)Take home points for the busy professional (26:16)Closing thoughts (28:05)Jason Yee:Contact:  greetings@finepointsolutions.caCompany website:  https://finepointsolutions.ca/All our CPP ideas & resources:  https://finepointsolutions.ca/ideas-resources/LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/yee/YouTube channel:  https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCwuA3EIkAUT1xIPy3lqJwPgYatin Chadha:Email: beyondmdpodcast@gmail.com LinkedIn: Yatin ChadhaHow to support beyond MD:connect with me on LinkedIn: Yatin Chadhacredit card referral link: https://americanexpress.com/en-ca/referral/business-platinum?ref=yATINC4uFw&CPID=100373056

Brandon Payne, executive director for the National Council on School Facilities, joins this month's episode of Security Management Highlights to discuss how to integrate security and safety into school facility planning and funding during both retrofits and new builds. Then, Kevin Jones, CPP, PCI, addresses key considerations for arming security professionals, from legal liability to insurance to continuous training. Additional Resources Read more from Brandon Payne about school facility management and where security and safety fit in here: https://www.asisonline.org/security-management-magazine/articles/2025/04/k12/school-facilities-managers/ Meet many of the other essential partners in school safety and security in this Security Management series: https://www.asisonline.org/security-management-magazine/articles/2025/04/k12/ Want to help drive school security forward? Keep an eye out for the forthcoming ASIS International School Security Standard. Learn more here: https://www.asisonline.org/publications--resources/news/blog/2024/press-briefing-school-security-standard/ Read more about arming security teams in the June issue of Security Technology: https://www.asisonline.org/security-management-magazine/monthly-issues/security-technology/archive/2025/june/ Hear more from Kevin Jones, CPP, PCI, in his latest article about considerations for selecting the right weapons for security: https://www.asisonline.org/security-management-magazine/monthly-issues/security-technology/archive/2025/june/how-to-make-a-weapon-selection-when-arming-your-security-team/

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Elias Makos welcomes back Anthony Koch, Former National Spokesperson for Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre and current managing principal at AK Strategies, and Raphaël Melançon, a political analyst for Noovo and CTV Montreal News at 5. He is also the president and founder of Trafalgar Strategies. A Quebec City bar sparked outrage after posting a job ad on Facebook seeking a barmaid who was not “woke,” pro-Liberal, pro-CAQ, or supportive of COVID-19 health measures A new Leger poll shows that 61% of Quebecers now support lowering the legal blood alcohol limit for driving from 0.08% to 0.05% Elbows up! Except if you're the Canada Pension Plan. The CPP fund’s U.S. exposure has grown to 47%, despite calls for it to increase investments at home

Jake Hoffman and Joe Lynch discuss the container payment portal and the rise of AI in freight. Jake is the Chief Technology Officer of Gnosis Freight, a logistics tech company focused on the lifecycle of a shipping container as it moves around the world. About Jake Hoffman Jake Hoffman is the Chief Technology Officer of Gnosis Freight, a logistics tech company focused on the lifecycle of a shipping container as it moves around the world. He has led the engineering team since the company's inception in 2017, bringing a deep understanding of technology and trends in the industry to bear in driving the company's technical strategy. About Gnosis Freight Gnosis Freight is a leading provider of supply chain visibility and execution software, made available through its proprietary Container Lifecycle Management® (CLM) platform—the world's first supply chain platform focused on the full lifecycle of your shipping containers. Powered by the most complete, accurate, and low latency container tracking data available, the CLM platform provides logistics professionals with a smarter way to track and manage their containers, from booking until returned empty. Gnosis Freight's global footprint encompasses a diverse customer base, including top cargo owners (BCOs), ocean carriers, forwarders, truckers, 3PLs, technology providers, and other critical supply chain partners—all utilizing the CLM platform to achieve new levels of efficiency, cost savings, and collaboration within their supply chain. Key Takeaways: The Container Payment Portal and the Rise of AI in Freight Jake Hoffman and Joe Lynch discuss the container payment portal and the rise of AI in freight. Jake is the Chief Technology Officer of Gnosis Freight, a logistics tech company focused on the lifecycle of a shipping container as it moves around the world. Container Lifecycle Management® Platform: Gnosis Freight specializes in its proprietary Container Lifecycle Management® (CLM) Platform, which provides comprehensive visibility and execution software for the entire lifecycle of shipping containers, from booking until they are returned empty. Real-time Container Tracking and Data: The CLM platform is powered by highly accurate and low-latency container tracking data, enabling logistics professionals to efficiently monitor and manage their containers. This real-time data is crucial for optimizing container movements and reducing dwell times. Partnership with PayCargo for Hapag-Lloyd's Container Payment Portal (CPP): Gnosis Freight has integrated its CLM platform with PayCargo's payment network to power Hapag-Lloyd's new Container Payment Portal (CPP). This collaboration aims to streamline import demurrage payments and accelerate cargo movement for Hapag-Lloyd customers in the U.S. AI for Automated Compliance and Invoicing: While not explicitly stated as "AI," the CPP's ability to provide "Automated real-time OSRA-compliant invoice generation based on pickup date" strongly implies the use of intelligent automation or AI to process data, apply rules, and generate compliant invoices efficiently, reducing manual effort and errors. Streamlining Operations and Enhancing Efficiency: The CPP, a result of the Gnosis-PayCargo partnership, offers features like real-time container status updates, seamless electronic payments, and integrated dispute resolution tools. These functionalities are designed to enhance cargo movement efficiency, reduce container dwell times, and improve payment processes for all stakeholders. Addressing Regulatory Compliance: The Container Payment Portal directly addresses compliance with the Ocean Shipping Reform Act of 2022 (OSRA) and the revised demurrage and detention rules from the U.S. Federal Maritime Commission (FMC), simplifying complex regulatory requirements for Hapag-Lloyd customers. Digitalization and Innovation in Shipping: The integration of advanced payment processing with comprehensive container tracking through the CPP represents a significant step forward in the digitalization of the shipping industry, showcasing Gnosis Freight's commitment to delivering innovative logistics technology solutions. Learn More About The Container Payment Portal and the Rise of AI in Freight Jake Hoffman | Linkedin Gnosis Freight | Linkedin Gnosis Freight Container Lifecycle Management: Gnosis Freight Streamlines International Logistics with Jake Hoffman Big Changes at the Port with Lauren Beagen The Logistics of Logistics Podcast If you enjoy the podcast, please leave a positive review, subscribe, and share it with your friends and colleagues. The Logistics of Logistics Podcast: Google, Apple, Castbox, Spotify, Stitcher, PlayerFM, Tunein, Podbean, Owltail, Libsyn, Overcast Check out The Logistics of Logistics on Youtube

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Ready to take a deep dive and learn how to generate personal tax free cash flow from your corporation? Enroll in our FREE masterclass here and book a call hereAre you unknowingly putting your investments or your Canadian portfolio at risk by focusing too narrowly on familiar markets?Many investors, especially in Canada, believe they're achieving portfolio diversification simply by owning a range of stocks or index funds. But today's episode reveals a critical blind spot: geographic concentration. Whether you're a real estate investor, a business owner, or growing your wealth portfolio, ignoring global diversification could expose you to unnecessary risk — especially in unpredictable markets like today's.Listen in to discover:Why investing heavily in Canadian or even U.S. markets might leave you dangerously exposed.How large pension funds like CPP approach portfolio diversification — and what you can learn from them.Practical, simple strategies to achieve true global diversification without overwhelming yourself with research.Press play now to uncover hidden risks in your portfolio and learn smarter ways to protect and grow your wealth!Discover which phase of wealth creation you are in. Take our quick assessment and you'll receive a custom wealth-building pathway that matches your phase and learn our CRA compliant tax optimized strategies. Take that assessment here.Canadian Wealth Secrets Show Notes Page:Consider reaching out to Kyleif you've been……taking a salary with a goal of stuffing RRSPs;…investing inside your corporation without a passive income tax minimization strategy;…letting a large sum of liquid assets sit in low interest earning savings accounts;…investing corporate dollars into GICs, dividend stocks/funds, or other investments attracting corporate passive income taxes at greater than 50%; or,…wondering whether your current corporate wealth management strategy is optimal for your specific situation.This episode explores essential topics like diversification, investment strategies, and geographic diversification, while emphasizing risk management and how to avoid home country bias. We dive into tools like ETFs, insights from pension funds, and the risks of overexposure to Canadian equities, compared to broader opportunities in global markets. You'll also learn strategies for financial planning, wealth creation, asset accumulation, and financial growth, along with principles of wealth management, financial independence, and asset protection. Whether you're focused on true wealth, corporate finance, or net worth growth, we cover tactics foReady to connect? Text us your comment including your phone number for a response!Canadian Wealth Secrets is an informative podcast that digs into the intricacies of building a robust portfolio, maximizing dividend returns, the nuances of real estate investment, and the complexities of business finance, while offering expert advice on wealth management, navigating capital gains tax, and understanding the role of financial institutions in personal finance.

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Join Faisal Karmali and Rob Gerrie for More Than Money as they talk with Bonnie-Jeanne MacDonald, Director of Financial Security Research, from the National Institute on Ageing about a new proposal called the Pension-Back Benefit which would see your estate get a lump-sum payment of your CPP if you die before you can start drawing it. Are there any dangers in choosing an executor of your will who doesn't live in your province or country? Faisal and Rob will chat with Erin Bury from Willful.co about what to think about before choosing an executor that doesn't live near you. And Retirement Coach and owner of Retire Ready Canada Jennifer Rovet will be on to talk about the importance of digital decluttering as you retire.

Join Faisal Karmali and Rob Gerrie for More Than Money as they talk with Bonnie-Jeanne MacDonald, Director of Financial Security Research, from the National Institute on Ageing about a new proposal called the Pension-Back Benefit which would see your estate get a lump-sum payment of your CPP if you die before you can start drawing it. Are there any dangers in choosing an executor of your will who doesn't live in your province or country? Faisal and Rob will chat with Erin Bury from Willful.co about what to think about before choosing an executor that doesn't live near you. And Retirement Coach and owner of Retire Ready Canada Jennifer Rovet will be on to talk about the importance of digital decluttering as you retire.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On today's episode of Power House, Diego chats with Seth Gellis, the president of Community Preservation Partners, about the critical role that affordable housing plays in the US housing market. Having built over 16,000 units across 19 states, Seth shares CPP's mission of preserving and developing affordable multi-family housing. They plan to do that by advocating for pro-housing policies, providing support to low-income populations, and getting involved in communities in need. Seth also talks about housing demographics, CPP's future initiatives and where we go from here. Here's what you'll learn: CPP focuses on affordable multifamily housing. 75% of Americans can't afford the median price of a home. Accessible, affordable housing is essential for upward mobility. CPP uses low-income housing tax credits for financing. It's important that community members get the chance to live where they work. CPP is involved in multifront policy advocacy for affordable housing. Related to this episode: Community Preservation Partners Seth Gellis | LinkedIn ⁠HousingWire | YouTube⁠ Enjoy the episode! The Power House podcast brings the biggest names in housing to answer hard-hitting questions about industry trends, operational and growth strategy, and leadership. Join HousingWire president Diego Sanchez every Thursday morning for candid conversations with industry leaders to learn how they're differentiating themselves from the competition. Hosted and produced by the HousingWire Content Studio. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

How does the Windfall Elimination Provision affect Canadians collecting both CPP and U.S. Social Security—and what's changing?In this episode of Snowbirds Expat Radio, host Gerry Scott is joined by guest Sharon Conrod, CPA of Hanson Cross-border Tax Professional Corporation for an in-depth conversation about the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and its implications for cross-border retirees. Together, they explore the history of WEP, recent updates, and how these changes may benefit Canadians who have worked in both countries.The discussion also touches on the Government Pension Offset (GPO), the differences between U.S. and Canadian retirement systems, and the importance of understanding how these policies intersect.If you're planning your retirement across borders—or already collecting benefits—this episode provides timely insight into how these evolving rules may impact your financial planning.Key Takeaways:WEP was designed to adjust U.S. Social Security benefits for individuals receiving non-covered pensions, like Canada's CPP.Recent changes may help reduce the impact of WEP for many Canadian retirees.The Government Pension Offset (GPO) affects spousal benefits and operates separately from WEP.Understanding the WEP calculation formula is essential to estimate your actual benefits.Political developments may influence the future of WEP and Social Security rules.Comparing CPP and U.S. Social Security isn't always straightforward due to structural and tax differences.Canadian residents can now apply for CPP without worrying about automatic reductions to U.S. benefits.

Fábrica de firmas: Miles de afiliaciones falsas en Primero la Gente, CPP, Perú Primero y Voces del Pueblo. En el Congreso, la hija política de Acuña  gana S/19 mil al mes en un cargo sin mérito. Y el comandante de la PNP usó policías como albañiles.

C10 Talk episode #311, Jefferson Bryant, an automotive enthusiast and author, discussed his journey into the automotive world, particularly focusing on LS and LT engine swaps for Chevy and GMC trucks. He began his career as a product designer in car audio before transitioning into writing about automotive topics. Jefferson highlighted his extensive experience working on various truck models, including C10s, C20s, and K10s, and shared insights on the growing popularity of LS and LT engine swaps among truck enthusiasts. He emphasized the importance of understanding engine specifications, the advantages of specific engine types, and the practical considerations when embarking on an engine swap project. Jefferson also discussed the various components involved in the engine swap process, including wiring, fuel systems, and cooling systems. He emphasized the need for proper wiring harnesses and the significance of using high-quality components to ensure reliability and performance. Additionally, he provided insight into the common challenges faced during swaps, such as selecting the right fuel tank and ensuring proper installation of sensors. With his extensive knowledge and experience, Jefferson aims to guide enthusiasts through the complexities of LS and LT swaps, making the process more accessible and enjoyable for both seasoned mechanics and newcomers alike. Great catching up with you Jefferson, thanks for your efforts and creating a go to source for the C10 Nation when it comes to swapping their trucks.    Episode #311 is brought to you by out Title Sponsor LMC Truck. Keeping Generations on the Road - www.lmctruck.com https://upcarparts.com/c10-chevy-truck/ -Get your parts. Build your passion. www.brotherstrucks.com - Your source for 1947 Chevy and GMC restoration truck parts.  www.classicperform.com - CPP your suspension, steering and brake source! www.dakotadigital.com - The best upgrade for your cab - VHX, HDX, and the Retro Rad RTX!  www.vintageair.com - Vintage Air has a sure fit kit for you and your C10 - Made in the USA!         

In celebration of PayTalk's 5th anniversary, we're bringing you an XXL episode with twice the insights! Join host Nina Talley as she sits down with global payroll experts Max van der Klis-Busink, MCIPP, RPP, and Robert Gerbin, CPP, to unravel the complexities of global payroll governance. This special extended episode explores the rapidly evolving landscape of international payroll compliance, the delicate balance between standardized processes and local requirements, and how innovative technologies are transforming payroll governance from a necessary function into a strategic advantage. Our experts share actionable frameworks for building resilient global payroll operations and offer practical advice for payroll professionals navigating cross-border challenges. Get involved in the conversation, join Max and Robert at the 2025 Payroll Congress! 

Running a profitable photography business is tough, but my guest in this episode proves that it can also be wildly profitable—if you take full responsibility for how you run it.Meet Allison Tyler Jones, CPP, Master Craftsman, educator, photographer, author of four books, and host of the REWork Podcast. I have to say that how she shares her vast knowledge and the foundations of a successful business, in a clear and super fun way, makes this a “must listen more than once” way. According to Allison, is not your average photographer. She does not sell printable digital files, but she does run one of the most profitable portrait studios in the country. Instead of quick-turnaround sessions, she creates large-format wall art, family galleries, and custom albums designed specifically for her clients' homes. Her signature style? A mix of lifestyle, commercial, and a little bit of chaos—what she calls "Art That Happens to Be Your Family."In this episode, we're getting real about what it takes to build a thriving photography business, including:How shifting to a value-based model attracts better clients and bigger salesThe importance of taking full responsibility for every aspect of your businessHow setting clear client expectations leads to long-term successWhy staying in touch with your clients every year is the smartest way to have a solid businessAllison's advice is direct, practical, and refreshingly honest. She's here to challenge the way photographers think about pricing, client relationships, and profitability—because at the end of the day, success comes down to one thing: Owning it.Bonus! Allison is giving away her Time-Blocking Tool—because let's be honest, we could all use a little more time and a lot more structure. Grab it here!Connect with her at:support@dotherework.comwww.dotherework.comwww.atjphoto.comConnect with Photography Business Coach Luci Dumas: Website Email: luci@lucidumas.comInstagram FacebookYouTube

We have a great Round Up / Lowdown on Canadian specific topics.... You American's might wanna tune in tho!   Mass Integration on the rise in Que, Elbows up over Pokemon cards in a Coscto parking lot... guess where. Yep. Brampton   PP signalling with letter re Hola Muhola!   Meanwhile Danielle Smith starts out with long list for Carneyage to undo for Alberta.   Canada - The most European Non European country signals to the EU, meanwhile the EU wants to use their private capital to finance the war machine. You can't make this stuff up.   What about Alberta and the national CPP. And did the tariffs on China effect our 600 million dollar investment on China EV's from the CPP?   We go over the ICAIE report from late 2023 - The Growing Harms of Cross-Border Illicit Trade Vectors and Threat Convergence to Canada's National Security. If this doesn't get you thinking about our relationship with USA.....   The depopulation exemption on ostriches is still in play although it might end and all due to PCR testing.   Legit Climate change hysteria from MLA's in BC! And buckle up Canada - GFANZ is in play and USA is talking about it, in a Judicial Report. A sincere heads up from American oil rigs for Alberta to get their shit together quick   Value for Value. You Canadian News deconstruction with zero ads. Please donate! Thanks for watching and listening. https://eh-list.ca/ Support the show directly: https://grimericacbd.com/ CBD and THC Tinctures and Gummies! https://grimerica.ca/support-2/ http://Grimerica.ca/shrooms and Micro Dosing The Eh-List YouTube Channel: https://youtube.com/@theeh-list?si=d_ThkEYAK6UG_hGX Our Adultbrain Audiobook Podcast and Website: www.adultbrain.ca Our Audiobook Youtube Channel:  https://www.youtube.com/@adultbrainaudiobookpublishing/videos Support and extra content http://www.grimericaoutlawed.ca/support. Substack and Subscribe. https://grimericaoutlawed.substack.com/ or to our Locals  https://grimericaoutlawed.locals.com/ or Rokfin www.Rokfin.com/Grimerica Patreon https://www.patreon.com/grimericaoutlawed Darren's book www.acanadianshame.ca Check out our next trip/conference/meetup - Contact at the Cabin www.contactatthecabin.com www.grimerica.ca/Shrooms  and Micro-Dosing Other affiliated shows: www.grimerica.ca The OG Grimerica Show www.Rokfin.com/Grimerica Our channel on free speech Rokfin Join the chat / hangout with a bunch of fellow Grimericans  Https://t.me.grimerica https://www.guilded.gg/chat/b7af7266-771d-427f-978c-872a7962a6c2?messageId=c1e1c7cd-c6e9-4eaf-abc9-e6ec0be89ff3 Leave a review on iTunes and/or Stitcher: https://itunes.apple.com/ca/podcast/grimerica-outlawed http://www.stitcher.com/podcast/grimerica-outlawed Sign up for our newsletter http://www.grimerica.ca/news SPAM Graham = and send him your synchronicities, feedback, strange experiences and psychedelic trip reports!! graham@grimerica.com InstaGRAM https://www.instagram.com/the_grimerica_show_podcast/  Purchase swag, with partial proceeds donated to the show www.grimerica.ca/swag Send us a postcard or letter http://www.grimerica.ca/contact/ ART - Napolean Duheme's site http://www.lostbreadcomic.com/  MUSIC Tru Northperception, Felix's Site sirfelix.bandcamp.com    Links to the stuff we chatted about: https://www.ourgreaterdestiny.ca/p/icaie-report-colossal-scale-of-international?utm_source=post-email-title&publication_id=832740&post_id=159156905&utm_campaign=email-post-title&isFreemail=true&r=24pqe&triedRedirect=true&utm_medium=email https://lawyerlisa.substack.com/p/eu-plan-to-use-europeans-private?utm_source=post-email-title&publication_id=1287362&post_id=159342647&utm_campaign=email-post-title&isFreemail=true&r=24pqe&triedRedirect=true&utm_medium=email https://x.com/ryangerritsen/status/1901634358730973274 https://x.com/Ab51_Project/status/1901750010079060063 https://x.com/AnnRolle_/status/1901017931057623156 https://x.com/chrisdacey/status/1901595877942174100 https://x.com/FoodProfessor/status/1901436700670234704 https://x.com/cbcwatcher/status/1901353901141508126 https://x.com/Bob31685906/status/1901307197092737056   Darren's links: https://www.theepochtimes.com/opinion/quebec-is-replacing-multiculturalism-with-integration-english-canada-should-do-the-same-5823509?utm_source=OP_article_paid&src_src=OP_article_paid&utm_campaign=opinion-2025-03-19-ca&src_cmp=opinion-2025-03-19-ca&utm_medium=email&est=KsP4djGXC2jVUacDJOoMv7sk9QQWwcwin4XOeq3RN%2Ba7ash1%2FVgsX%2BR0P1ZhNwR6 https://x.com/sarbrajskahlon/status/1900594893065703658/photo/1 https://x.com/abdaniellesmith/status/1900672150530650457?s=43 https://x.com/cnm5000/status/1901295018201223573/photo/1 https://bcrising.ca/save-our-ostriches/ https://x.com/tablesalt13/status/1901317991783973313?s=43 https://x.com/thevivafrei/status/1902115262582632766/video/1

Ever wonder how retirement income is taxed in Canada? We look at tax brackets, RRSPs, RRIFs, TFSAs, CPP, OAS, and pension income is crucial for optimizing your retirement tax strategy. They explain marginal vs. average tax rates, the impact of dividends and capital gains, and how to minimize OAS clawbacks. Tune in to learn how to reduce your lifetime tax bill and keep more of your savings working for you.  Read the full show notes and find more information here: EP 133 Show Notes

DESCRIPTION Rafael Abanilla, PTMP, CPP, Senior Vice President at Parking Concepts, discusses Breeze, Parking Concepts and client success. SPONSORS For a quarter century, the Parking Industry Expo has been where parking professionals come to shape the future of our industry. This March 31st through April 3rd, join us as we celebrate PIE's 25th anniversary – our biggest and most innovative expo yet. Connect with industry leaders, discover cutting-edge technologies, and be part of the next chapter in parking excellence. Don't miss this milestone event. Register now at parkingtoday.com/pie25 and use discount code ParkingPod25 for an exclusive 50% off Parking Podcast discount. This episode is brought to you by Parker Technology, the customer experience solution of choice for the parking industry. Our solution puts a virtual ambassador in every lane, to help parking guests pay and get on their way in under a minute. Whether you utilize our customer service team, your team in conjunction with our software platform, or a combination of both, we help you capture revenue, provide better customer service, enable your staff to focus on higher priority tasks, and keep traffic moving. With the Parker Technology solution, you'll also enjoy access to real-time call data and recordings. Learn more at parkertechnology.com/parkingpodcast and subscribe to our podcast “Harder Than It Looks: Parking Uncovered.” This episode is brought to you by Scheidt & Bachman USA. Scheidt & Bachmann USA markets state-of-the-art Parking Solutions and Fare Collection Systems: the most innovative and advanced solutions in the US. Learn more at scheidt-bachmann-usa.com. This episode is brought to you by Breeze: Parking Concepts' digital platform that makes the parking experience a Breeze! For more than 50 years, PCI has been proactively managing parking & transportation operations with unparalleled integrity & service. Learn more at parkingconcepts.com. This episode is brought to you by Parkmobile. Parkmobile, a part of EasyPark Group, is the leading provider of smart parking and mobility solutions in North America, using a contactless approach to help millions of people easily find, reserve, and pay for parking on their mobile devices. Learn more about parkmobile.io. This episode is brought to you by Parkalytics. I wish this solution was around when I was an operator and consultant doing parking studies and chasing parking lease deals. What Parkalytics does is that they will take drone images of parking lots and/or on-street parking for a given time period and then upload those images into their parkalytics software. Within a matter of seconds, it will provide you parking counts, turnover studies, utilization studies, you name it. You can now wow your clients or supervisors by having a complete snapshot of the parking usage for a fraction of the price of a traditional parking study. Learn more at parkalytics.com. WEBSITES AND RESOURCES https://www.parkingcast.com/ https://parkingtoday.com/podcast/ www.parkertechnology.com/parkingpodcast scheidt-bachmann-usa.com parkingconcepts.com https://parkingconcepts.com/breeze/ https://parkmobile.io/ https://www.parkalytics.com/ 2025 PARKING TODAY PIE CONFERENCE HUGE DISCOUNT: Visit parkingtoday.com/pie25 and use discount code ParkingPod25 for an exclusive 50% off discount as a fan of The Parking Podcast. MERCH Check out some of our awesome parking themed t-shirts and other merch at parkingcast.com/swag. MUSEUM Check out some of our artifacts from the world's first parking museum at parkingcast.com/museum.

Sid Singh is a Indian American Human Rights Lawyer … he's also an amazing comedian living and touring Europe full time.   Sid zoomed in from Sweden to chat with Jacques about his new special, “Illegally Funny” on YouTube.   A friend of Jacques sent him an IG reel from Sid's special that went viral and lucky for CPP, Sid didn't block us when we asked if he'd do our humble little pod.   Sid's comedy is smart, political, thought provoking and brutally honest.   Sid also … was on a legal team that beat Grifter & Chief Frump at The Supreme Court.   Yes, he is that good at both.   Great lengths will be gone thru so see Sid in NY or CA his next  trip back to States.   Give him a follow: SidSinghIsFunny on IG and YT   Opening: Gomer By Beyond Id (The Stovin Years on Spotify)   Closing Song: Tucker by Dan Cray (The Trump Era on Spotify)   Thanks to Sid for letting up use clips from his special on this pod. 

In this episode of PayTalk, we're joined by Carney Kim, CPP, SHRM-SCP, Principal Consultant at Carney Consulting LLC and Region 4 Advisor for PayrollOrg, who shares valuable insights on building a successful consulting practice. This episode explores the realities of transitioning from corporate payroll, including establishing credibility, implementing process improvements, and balancing multiple professional roles. Through real-world examples, Carney demonstrates how to build client trust and manage organizational change. Are you interested in exploring a career in payroll consulting? Join PayrollOrg to access networking opportunities and professional development resources by visiting payroll.org. You can also connect with us via email at podcasts@payroll.org or leave a comment on PayrollOrg's Facebook page.  

Whether you're considering a career change, debating how to get more involved in your industry, or want to connect more thoroughly with community stakeholders about your security program, this SM Highlights episode has something for you. Security leadership recruiter Kathy Lavinder outlines pathways—and pitfalls—on the journey into private security careers. To celebrate ASIS International's 70th anniversary, former ASIS presidents Eduard Emde, CPP, and Godfried Hendriks, CPP, share the history of the association and how volunteerism helps move the industry forward. Then, Domingo Ibarra explains how he leveraged community partners to demonstrate security's value to the organization beyond traditional “guns, guards, and gates” perceptions. Additional Resources Learn more about career transitions in this collection of Security Management articles: https://www.asisonline.org/security-management-magazine/articles/2024/09/career-transition/ ASIS members can access a new eBook about career transitions for free as part of the 2025 ASIS Member Appreciation Month here: https://store.asisonline.org/how-to-boost-your-career-transition-potential-ebook.html?_gl=1*x4hi*_gcl_au*MTc4NTk0Njc0OS4xNzM3MzgyNDE0*_ga*MjEyODY5NzQ4MC4xNjY3NDE3ODkw*_ga_0ZPVSP549B*MTc0MTAxNTI0NC4yNDA2LjEuMTc0MTAxNzQzNS4wLjAuMA.. Read research from The Clarity Factory about hiring: https://www.clarityfactory.com/blog/effective-transitions-from-public-to-private-sector-security Learn more about ASIS career resources: https://www.asisonline.org/professional-development/career-hq/ Learn more about ASIS certification: https://www.asisonline.org/certification/why-get-certified/ Join the ASIS Mentoring Program: https://community.asisonline.org/resources/mentoring?_gl=1*devdb1*_gcl_au*MTc4NTk0Njc0OS4xNzM3MzgyNDE0*_ga*MjEyODY5NzQ4MC4xNjY3NDE3ODkw*_ga_0ZPVSP549B*MTc0MTAxNTI0NC4yNDA2LjEuMTc0MTAxODI1OS4wLjAuMA.. Want to learn more about how to make security a value-generator rather than a cost center? Read the latest research from ASIS International. https://www.asisonline.org/security-management-magazine/articles/2025/02/asis-research-security-trends/measuring-security-business-role/ Learn about the National Landlord Training Program here: https://www.cdri.com/library/CDRI_LTP_National_5_4.pdf

We unpack the power of Tax-Free Savings Accounts (TFSAs) as a game-changing tool for retirement income planning. Discover how TFSAs provide tax-free growth, flexible withdrawal management, and significant estate planning benefits. Learn why integrating TFSAs with RRIFs, CPP, OAS, and other income sources can minimize taxes, avoid OAS clawbacks, and optimize your retirement strategy. Tune in for actionable insights and real-life examples to maximize your TFSA and achieve tax-efficient retirement income!  Read the full show notes and find more information here: EP 130 Show Notes

Discover essential retirement planning updates for 2025! Joe and Lindsay break down new RRSP and TFSA contribution limits, updates to CPP and OAS benefits, inflation adjustments, key tax changes, and capital gains rules. Learn how to maximize your retirement savings, minimize taxes, and stay invested for long-term success. With practical tips on budgeting, income planning, and key deadlines like the RRSP contribution deadline and tax filing date, this episode is packed with actionable advice to help Canadians optimize planning for retirement.  Read the full show notes and find more information here: EP 129 Show Notes

Retirement planning can feel overwhelming—how much do you really need? What's the best way to withdraw from your savings? And what happens if the markets take a downturn right as you stop working? These are real concerns for Canadians, and in this episode, we tackle them head-on. I'm joined by Adam Bornn from Parallel Wealth, one of the most trusted voices in Canadian retirement planning on YouTube. Together, we answer real questions submitted by viewers of my YouTube series, Second Act, covering everything from how to start a retirement plan to managing cash flow, tax efficiency, and withdrawal strategies. Whether you're just beginning to think about retirement or looking for expert insights on optimizing your income, this episode is packed with valuable takeaways. What We Cover in This Episode: How to start building a retirement plan from scratch The importance of having a vision for retirement beyond just the financials Different withdrawal strategies, including managing income-producing ETFs Why tax efficiency is crucial in the decumulation phase Common mistakes retirees make when it comes to CPP, OAS, and RSP withdrawals How to structure your income for predictable cash flow in retirement The impact of sequence of returns and how to mitigate risk Planning for major expenses like vehicles, home repairs, and long-term care Why reviewing and adjusting your plan regularly is essential Listener Questions Answered: How do you plan for cash flow when using income-producing ETFs? What's the best withdrawal strategy for an RRSP? How do you manage a TFSA used as an emergency fund? How does retirement planning differ for couples, especially when one spouse passes away? How often should you review and adjust your retirement plan? Resources & Links: Parallel Wealth YouTube Channel Beavis Wealth YouTube Channel – Second Act Retirement Series CPP Calculator by PWL Capital If you found this episode helpful, don't forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone who could benefit from better retirement planning!

We examine perhaps the most important piece of the complex puzzle of the Hartman case: what Sophie wrote about it in her journals.  We're joined by Dr. James Hamilton, an MBP expert with a PhD in clinical psychology, to walk us through some of Sophie's most chilling journal entries collected in the case files. We also look at Sophie's disturbing internet search history during the time of C's alleged Central precocious puberty (CPP) diagnosis.  After being separated from Sophie, M and C are placed with Sophie's mom and sister. Detective Lee discusses the problems that arise when placing children with people that are most likely going to side with the perpetrator. In April of 2022, C and M are returned to Sophie and criminal charges are subsequently dropped. Andrea offers a key insight into how this might have happened by revealing a surprising member of Sophie's legal team: her sister, Megan Carter.  *** Links and Resources: Dr. James Hamilton: https://www.munchausensupport.com/who-we-are/ Check out Olivia LaVoice's podcast, The Bakersfield Three: https://www.iheart.com/podcast/867-the-bakersfield-three-128074552/ Learn more about our featured non-profit and mutual aid organizations: https://www.nobodyshouldbelieveme.com/nsbm-supports/ Check out You Probably Think This Story's About You: https://brittaniard.com/podcast Click here to view our sponsors. Remember that using our codes helps advertisers know you're listening and helps us keep making the show! Subscribe on YouTube where we have full episodes and lots of bonus content. Follow Andrea on Instagram for behind-the-scenes photos: @andreadunlop Buy Andrea's books here. To support the show, go to Patreon.com/NobodyShouldBelieveMe or subscribe on Apple Podcasts where you can get all episodes early and ad-free and access exclusive ethical true crime bonus content. For more information and resources on Munchausen by Proxy, please visit MunchausenSupport.com The American Professional Society on the Abuse of Children's MBP Practice Guidelines can be downloaded here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Joe and Lindsay answer the most common questions about the Canada Pension Plan (CPP). They explain what CPP is, who qualifies, how to apply, and how to estimate your benefits. You'll learn about the maximum and average payouts, survivor benefits, tax implications, and whether to take CPP early, at 65, or delay to age 70. With insights on integrating CPP into retirement income planning, this episode is a must-listen for Canadians preparing for a secure and comfortable retirement.  Read the full show notes and find more information here: EP 128 Show Notes  

Falo sobre o dado de que, dos 28 mortos pela PM/SP na operação escudo, 17 dos inquéritos foram arquivados pelo MP/SP.

In this episode of PayTalk, we're joined by Carlanna Livingstone, CPP, Payroll Manager at Funko, and Bruce Phipps, CPP, Senior Principal Product Manager at Oracle — both committee chairs of PayrollOrg's State and Local Topics Subcommittee of the Government Relations Task Force. This episode explores the complex landscape of state and local payroll taxes, including emerging challenges from remote work, natural disaster responses, and the implications of evolving tax policies. Learn how states are adapting their approaches to taxation, what payroll professionals need to know about reciprocity agreements, and how to navigate the increasing complexities of paid family leave legislation across multiple jurisdictions. Are you interested in staying current with state and local tax developments? Join PayrollOrg's State and Local Topics Subcommittee by visiting payroll.org. You can also connect with us via email at podcasts@payroll.org or leave a comment on PayrollOrg's Facebook page.

Are you tired of feeling uncertain about whether to pay yourself with a salary vs dividends from your incorporated business?As a Canadian entrepreneur, you want to keep more of your hard-earned money in your pocket, but conflicting advice on how to structure your income can lead to confusion, overlooked tax advantages, and missed opportunities for long-term wealth. This episode dives into the specific salary benchmarks and dividend strategies you need so you can stop second-guessing and start optimizing your personal and corporate finances.Taking the guesswork out of deciding between salary and dividends can help you address short-term needs like daily expenses and long-term goals like retirement or future expansions. By clarifying which approach fits your unique situation, you'll ensure you're not only meeting today's financial demands but also setting yourself up for a stronger, more secure financial future.You'll learn: Discover the exact salary milestones that unlock extra benefits like CPP and RRSP contribution room.Uncover when dividends might be more advantageous for your situation to reduce immediate tax headaches.Learn proven methods to manage retained earnings so you don't end up overtaxed in the future.Hit play now to learn how to keep more money in your hands and less in the government's.Ready to take a deep dive and learn how to generate personal tax free cash flow from your corporation? Enroll in our FREE masterclass hereBook a Discovery Call with Kyle to review your corporate (or personal) wealth strategy to help you overcome your current struggle and take the next step in your Canadian Wealth Building Journey! https://canadianwealthsecrets.com/discovery Canadian Wealth Secrets Show Notes Page:Consider reaching out to Kyle if you've been……taking a salary with a goal of stuffing RRSPs;…investing inside your corporation without a passive income tax minimization strategy;…letting a large sum of liquid assets sit in low interest earning savings accounts;…investing corporate dollars into GICs, dividend stocks/funds, or other investments attracting corporate passive income taxes at greater than 50%; or,…wondering whether your current corporate wealth management strategy is optimal for your specific situation.Most Canadian business owners assume that choosing between salaries and dividends is just a matter of tax optimization, but the truth is, it's a critical decision that impacts everything—from CPP and RRSP contributions to retained earnings, corporate structure, and long-term wealth management. The wrong strategy can stall your net worth growth, limit your passive income, and even delay early retirement. Whether you're focused on active or passive investing, maximizing capital gains, or leveraging compound interest for financial independeReady to connect? Text us your comment including your phone number for a response! Canadian Wealth Secrets is an informative podcast that digs into the intricacies of building a robust portfolio, maximizing dividend returns, the nuances of real estate investment, and the complexities of business finance, while offering expert advice on wealth management, navigating capital gains tax, and understanding the role of financial institutions in personal finance.

Everybody enters facilities through parking lots or parking garages, but these areas are often an afterthought for security, says lawyer Michael Haggard. But considering crimes of opportunity as well as liability issues, that uneven focus can be costly for organizations and commercial property owners. Also in this episode of SM Highlights, Eddie Sorrells, CPP, PCI, PSP, president of DSI Security Services and vice-president of ASIS International, digs into the who, what, when, where, and—most importantly—the why behind security incident reports. Additional Resources Want to learn more about parking lot security solutions? Read more from Security Management here: https://www.asisonline.org/security-management-magazine/articles/2025/01/garages/parking-security-solutions/ What legal risks do organizations face in parking lots? Read this roundup of recent cases: https://www.asisonline.org/security-management-magazine/articles/2025/01/garages/legal-report-parking-liability/ Why do security organizations get sued? Read the top five categories here: https://www.asisonline.org/security-management-magazine/articles/2024/08/lawsuits/5-reasons-security-gets-sued/ Dig deeper into incident report writing skills and value in this collection of articles from Security Management: https://www.asisonline.org/security-management-magazine/articles/2025/01/incident-reports/ What should your incident reports entail? Here's a primer from the ASIS Protection of Assets manual: https://www.asisonline.org/security-management-magazine/articles/2025/01/incident-reports/incident-reporting-form-sections/ Want to refresh your memory about one of the most consequential incident reports of all time? Read our summary of the Watergate incident: https://www.asisonline.org/security-management-magazine/articles/2025/01/incident-reports/watergate-incident-report/

In 2020, the Hartmans grow even more isolated as Covid hits: Sophie pulls C out of school citing worsening health and breaks with the church community who've been supporting her and her daughters.  Concerns for abuse grow as Sophie begins to push a new narrative that C has central precocious puberty (CPP), a condition that causes the body to go through puberty prematurely, After making an initial DCF report in 2019 and tracking Sophie's demands for increasingly invasive procedures: Seattle Children's Child Abuse Team files an official report to the Department of Children, Youth, and Families. Her daughters are subsequently placed in protective custody and Sophie is charged with assault of a child in the second degree.  We hear from the Seattle reporter who broke the story, Olivia LaVoice and dig into the extensive documentation from the  investigation with Detective Michael Lee, a major crimes detective in Texas and co-founder of the National Crimes Against Children Investigators Association.. Andrea also talks with Dr. Mary Zupanc, a pediatric neurologist and epilepsy specialist with over 30 years of clinical and research experience with AHC. She gives listeners a better understanding of AHC by describing the history of the disorder, the various symptoms, common environmental triggers, and how clinical diagnoses of AHC are made. *** Links and Resources: More about Dr. Mary Zupanc: https://www.childneurologysociety.org/awards/mary-l-zupanc-md/ Check out Olivia LaVoice's podcast, The Bakersfield Three: https://www.iheart.com/podcast/867-the-bakersfield-three-128074552/ Chad Goller-Sojourner's Sitting in Circles with Rich White Girls: Memoir of a Bulimic Black Boy will be adding show dates in spring 2025. Click HERE for more information.  Preorder Andrea and Mike's new book The Mother Next Door: Medicine, Deception, and Munchausen by Proxy Catch Andrea and Mike at their Seattle Book Launch Event: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/andrea-dunlop-and-mike-weber-the-mother-next-door-tickets-1097661478029 Learn more about our featured non-profit and mutual aid organizations: https://www.nobodyshouldbelieveme.com/nsbm-supports/ Check out You Probably Think This Story's About You: https://brittaniard.com/podcast Click here to view our sponsors. Remember that using our codes helps advertisers know you're listening and helps us keep making the show! Subscribe on YouTube where we have full episodes and lots of bonus content. Follow Andrea on Instagram for behind-the-scenes photos: @andreadunlop Buy Andrea's books here. To support the show, go to Patreon.com/NobodyShouldBelieveMe or subscribe on Apple Podcasts where you can get all episodes early and ad-free and access exclusive ethical true crime bonus content. For more information and resources on Munchausen by Proxy, please visit MunchausenSupport.com The American Professional Society on the Abuse of Children's MBP Practice Guidelines can be downloaded here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

January is Mental Wellness Month! It is a time to reflect, reassess, and recalibrate our mental health strategies. This month's episodes are dedicated to raising awareness around mental health, emphasizing self-care, and working to break the stigma surrounding mental illness. Each week will feature a guest from a local provider or group practice in Nebraska, offering insights into the diverse mental health profession and the various providers who support the community. Tune in to discover new resources, hear expert advice, and learn how you can prioritize your mental wellness in the year ahead.Yasmin Henderson ATR-BC, LIMHP, LPC, LADC, CCTP is an Art Therapist, Founder & Owner of Creative Counseling & Studio. Yasmin is a nationally registered art therapist, licensed independent mental health practitioner, licensed professional counselor, licensed alcohol and drug counselor and certified clinical trauma professional. She received her Master of Science in Art Therapy from Mount Mary University in Milwaukee Wisconsin. She has worked with children, adults, persons in recovery from substances, people struggling with severe and persistent mental illnesses, parent-child dyads, families, and couples. She specializes in art therapy, EMDR, CPP, DBT, trauma-informed & multiculturally sensitive care. Yasmin has over 20 years of experience in social services and 10 years as a practicing therapist.Yasmin also co-founded with Michelle Mastny Inclusive Healers of the Heartland (IHHI). The purpose of IHHI is to advocate for increased education for health providers treating diverse populations. In addition, we strive to center the narrative of diverse providers; foster industry leadership; and connect thought leaders to the communities they serve.Contact Yasmin:Website: www.creativecounselingandstudio.comFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/creativecounselingandstudio/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/creative_counseling_studio/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/creative-counseling-and-studio-llcInclusive Healers: www.inclusivehealers.comFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/inclusivehealersLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/inclusive-healersSubscribe, rate, & review The Shrink Show podcast: Facebook, Instagram , YouTube, X

On this episode, Pete and Julie welcome Amy Travis, CPP, to discuss her journey from buttering garlic bread to embracing cutting-edge technology to transform payroll. Amy shares how her passion for process improvement and innovation led her to integrate AI tools into her daily workflow, and how to navigate the challenges of adopting AI, build AI-driven agents for employee self-service, and engage the transformative potential of intelligent automation in payroll operations. Connect with Amy: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amy-travis-cpp-81b543a7/ Connect with the show: LinkedIn: http://linkedin.com/company/hr-payroll-2-0 X: @HRPayroll2_0 @PeteTiliakos @JulieFer_HR The 2025 Payroll Profession Confidence Index survey is now live! Be sure to join in and share with your peers: https://www.payrollinfluences.com/ppci

Southern California is on fire.  It's gonna be the most devastation national disaster in US history and already the GOP and good god- fearing Christians making it worse by saying LA (So Cal) deserves it.    We recap Jacques' and buddies Wayne and Anthony's NYE's gigs as well as Mike Koutrobis' (and Gianni Saltalamacchia's) Nick's Gig.   Jacques also had the privilege of being at the Worcester Bravehearts / Woo Sox press conference this week where he sat with close friend, greatest voice of in-stadium host AND former CPP guest Rodney – to see announcement of Futures League game being played at Polar Park this July!   Joe talks some Zelda- Jacques talks NO Application on the 25k view clip of his rescue foster Trexi in her new wheel chair – Parenting tips and … more?   IG/FB: Carnivalpersonnelpodcast – TiKTok: JacquesFunny   Opening: Struggle by Beyond Id (on The Stovin' Years on Spotify)   Closing Song: Pepsi by Beyond Id (recorded live at WMFO Mikey D Show, on The Stovin' Years on Spotify)

In this episode of PayTalk, we're joined by Daniel Thompson Jr., MBA, CPP, SHRM-PMQ, AVP of Payroll Services for Bath and Body Works. Daniel shares his inspiring journey from stumbling into payroll to building a fulfilling career over two decades. He discusses the importance of understanding the value payroll professionals bring to organizations, the impact of technology and AI on the industry, and the significance of mentorship. Daniel also offers insights into navigating industry transformations and managing stress in high-pressure roles. Tune in for valuable advice on career development and the human side of payroll. Join the conversation! Reach out at podcasts@payroll.org or by commenting on PayrollOrg's Facebook page.

When the UnitedHealthcare CEO was killed in New York City in early December 2024, executive protection and corporate security professionals worldwide had to grapple with increased fear, criticism, and demands. Chuck Tobin and Caleb Gilbert from the International Protective Security Board join the SM Highlights podcast to discuss close protection and pre-attack indicators. But growing pressure on private security can have personal ramifications—Eric Davoine outlines how burnout is a serious challenge for security professionals and what ethical leaders can do about it. Additional Resources Read more about the UnitedHealthcare CEO killing from Security Management in a number of articles, including: • Security Professionals Grapple with Criticism, Board Mandates, and Public Anger in the Wake of Targeted CEO Attack: https://www.asisonline.org/security-management-magazine/latest-news/today-in-security/2024/december/aftermath-ceo-attack/ • UnitedHealthcare CEO Shot and Killed in Manhattan: https://www.asisonline.org/security-management-magazine/latest-news/today-in-security/2024/december/unitedhealthcare-executive-protection/ • Copycat, Contagion, and the Robin Hood Effect as Risk Enhancers in Targeted Violence: https://www.asisonline.org/security-management-magazine/articles/2024/12/robin-hood-effect/ Want to learn more about executive protection? Here are the recommended resources from Chuck Tobin and Caleb Gilbert: • ASIS International Executive Protection Community: https://community.asisonline.org/subjectareahome?CommunityKey=067c2745-7d91-4044-b7f4-11edd0e782b1 • International Protective Security Board (IPSB): https://ipsboard.org/ • ASIS International Standards and Guidelines: https://www.asisonline.org/publications--resources/standards--guidelines/ Learn more about mental health and burnout in security in the latest coverage from Security Management here: https://www.asisonline.org/security-management-magazine/articles/2025/01/burnout/ Read more about burnout from Eric Davoine and Gigi Agassini, CPP, here: https://www.asisonline.org/security-management-magazine/articles/2025/01/burnout/tackling-burnout/ How does burnout differ from operational stress? Learn more here: https://www.asisonline.org/security-management-magazine/articles/2019/07/under-pressure-managing-team-wellness/ Having trouble keeping your high-performing team engaged but not burned out? Read insights and guidance here: https://www.asisonline.org/security-management-magazine/articles/2022/09/how-to-keep-high-performance-security-teams-motivated/ Explore how best to manage across private security and former public sector professionals here: https://www.asisonline.org/security-management-magazine/articles/2024/09/career-transition/

Our last episode of 2024! Not too many Podsequences this year, we'll have to try harder in 2025.  Only 2 big recap shows for this episode, so let's just dive right into some of the things we discussed, such as Adam taking an airplane to make beer, more inanimate objects replacing Joe from CPP, keeping business local, navigating the THC landscape,  the Indianese and MILF Mountain disappointment, and what we're looking to do in 2025. Credit for this episode's intro and outro, "Christmas Spirit" goes to Sergio Prosvirini on PixaBay https://pixabay.com/users/top-flow-28521292/?utm_source=link-attribution&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=music&utm_content=265741 https://pixabay.com/music//?utm_source=link-attribution&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=music&utm_content=265741 **The music used in the NFL Deathmatch Challenge is by DonRock the Imposter on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mqKSIaE_QE8 @donrocktheimposter912 Week 17:  Gnome's Pick : Bengals Marco's Pick : Bills Julia's Pick : Eagles Current points going into Week 17:  Gnome : 8 Marco : 12 Julia : 11 ----- This episode covers the following shows : Barstool Perspective (YouTube) - 12/20/2024 - 2024: The Year That Was Blake's Craft Beer Podcast - Ep 42 - Craft Beer Summit 2024 - Part 3 - Cincinnati Panel We also mentioned: Adam Makes Beer Craft Parenting Podcast's continued daily Beervent posts ----- What we drank :  Streetside Brewery - Citrus Suh, Brah? - NEIPA Rhinegeist - Truth Bomb - Imperial IPA Maine Beer Co - Lunch - IPA ----- Want a list of upcoming Cincy Beer Events to come right to your inbox? Sign up for the Cincy Beer Events Newsletter: https://cincybeerevents.eo.page/9hkcr Episode recorded on 12/23/2024 at our amazing podcast host, Higher Gravity Summit Park! https://highergravitycrafthaus.com/ Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed by Truth, Beer, and Podsequences are those of the participants alone and do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of any entities they may represent. ------  Check out our other podcast where we tell you all about the upcoming Cincy Beer Events! https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/truthbeerpod Links to everything at http://truthbeerpod.com/ or https://truthbeerpod.podbean.com/ Find us on all the social medias @ TruthBeerPod Email us at TruthBeerPod@gmail.com Subscribe, like, review, and share! Find all of our episodes on your favorite Podcast platform or https://www.youtube.com/@TruthBeerPod ! Buy us a pint!  If you'd like to support the show, you can do by clicking the "One-Time Donation" link at http://truthbeerpod.com ! If you want exclusive content, check out our Patreon!  https://www.patreon.com/TruthBeerPod If you'd like to be a show sponsor or even just a segment sponsor, let us know via email or hit us up on social media! ----- We want you to continue to be around to listen to all of our episodes.  If you're struggling, please reach out to a friend, family member, co-worker, or mental health professional.  If you don't feel comfortable talking to someone you know, please use one of the below resources to talk to someone who wants you around just as much as we do.   Call or Text 988 to reach the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline Chat with someone at 988lifeline.org http://www.988lifeline.org ----- Our Intro, Outro, and most of the "within the episode" music was provided by Gnome Creative. Check out www.GnomeCreative.com for all your audio, video, and imagery needs! @gnome__creative on Instagram @TheGnarlyGnome on Twitter https://thegnarlygnome.com/support http://gnomecreative.com http://instagram.com/gnome__creative http://www.twitter.com/TheGnarlyGnome

Happy holidays! We'll be sharing snippets from Latent Space LIVE! through the break bringing you the best of 2024! We want to express our deepest appreciation to event sponsors AWS, Daylight Computer, Thoth.ai, StrongCompute, Notable Capital, and most of all all our LS supporters who helped fund the gorgeous venue and A/V production!For NeurIPS last year we did our standard conference podcast coverage interviewing selected papers (that we have now also done for ICLR and ICML), however we felt that we could be doing more to help AI Engineers 1) get more industry-relevant content, and 2) recap 2024 year in review from experts. As a result, we organized the first Latent Space LIVE!, our first in person miniconference, at NeurIPS 2024 in Vancouver. Today, we're proud to share Loubna's highly anticipated talk (slides here)!Synthetic DataWe called out the Synthetic Data debate at last year's NeurIPS, and no surprise that 2024 was dominated by the rise of synthetic data everywhere:* Apple's Rephrasing the Web, Microsoft's Phi 2-4 and Orca/AgentInstruct, Tencent's Billion Persona dataset, DCLM, and HuggingFace's FineWeb-Edu, and Loubna's own Cosmopedia extended the ideas of synthetic textbook and agent generation to improve raw web scrape dataset quality* This year we also talked to the IDEFICS/OBELICS team at HuggingFace who released WebSight this year, the first work on code-vs-images synthetic data.* We called Llama 3.1 the Synthetic Data Model for its extensive use (and documentation!) of synthetic data in its pipeline, as well as its permissive license. * Nemotron CC and Nemotron-4-340B also made a big splash this year for how they used 20k items of human data to synthesize over 98% of the data used for SFT/PFT.* Cohere introduced Multilingual Arbitrage: Optimizing Data Pools to Accelerate Multilingual Progress observing gains of up to 56.5% improvement in win rates comparing multiple teachers vs the single best teacher model* In post training, AI2's Tülu3 (discussed by Luca in our Open Models talk) and Loubna's Smol Talk were also notable open releases this year.This comes in the face of a lot of scrutiny and criticism, with Scale AI as one of the leading voices publishing AI models collapse when trained on recursively generated data in Nature magazine bringing mainstream concerns to the potential downsides of poor quality syndata:Part of the concerns we highlighted last year on low-background tokens are coming to bear: ChatGPT contaminated data is spiking in every possible metric:But perhaps, if Sakana's AI Scientist pans out this year, we will have mostly-AI AI researchers publishing AI research anyway so do we really care as long as the ideas can be verified to be correct?Smol ModelsMeta surprised many folks this year by not just aggressively updating Llama 3 and adding multimodality, but also adding a new series of “small” 1B and 3B “on device” models this year, even working on quantized numerics collaborations with Qualcomm, Mediatek, and Arm. It is near unbelievable that a 1B model today can qualitatively match a 13B model of last year:and the minimum size to hit a given MMLU bar has come down roughly 10x in the last year. We have been tracking this proxied by Lmsys Elo and inference price:The key reads this year are:* MobileLLM: Optimizing Sub-billion Parameter Language Models for On-Device Use Cases* Apple Intelligence Foundation Language Models* Hymba: A Hybrid-head Architecture for Small Language Models* Loubna's SmolLM and SmolLM2: a family of state-of-the-art small models with 135M, 360M, and 1.7B parameters on the pareto efficiency frontier.* and Moondream, which we already covered in the 2024 in Vision talkFull Talk on YouTubeplease like and subscribe!Timestamps* [00:00:05] Loubna Intro* [00:00:33] The Rise of Synthetic Data Everywhere* [00:02:57] Model Collapse* [00:05:14] Phi, FineWeb, Cosmopedia - Synthetic Textbooks* [00:12:36] DCLM, Nemotron-CC* [00:13:28] Post Training - AI2 Tulu, Smol Talk, Cohere Multilingual Arbitrage* [00:16:17] Smol Models* [00:18:24] On Device Models* [00:22:45] Smol Vision Models* [00:25:14] What's NextTranscript2024 in Synthetic Data and Smol Models[00:00:00] ​[00:00:05] Loubna Intro[00:00:05] Speaker: ​I'm very happy to be here. Thank you for the invitation. So I'm going to be talking about synthetic data in 2024. And then I'm going to be talking about small on device models. So I think the most interesting thing about synthetic data this year is that like now we have it everywhere in the large language models pipeline.[00:00:33] The Rise of Synthetic Data Everywhere[00:00:33] Speaker: I think initially, synthetic data was mainly used just for post training, because naturally that's the part where we needed human annotators. And then after that, we realized that we don't really have good benchmarks to [00:01:00] measure if models follow instructions well, if they are creative enough, or if they are chatty enough, so we also started using LLMs as judges.[00:01:08] Speaker: Thank you. And I think this year and towards the end of last year, we also went to the pre training parts and we started generating synthetic data for pre training to kind of replace some parts of the web. And the motivation behind that is that you have a lot of control over synthetic data. You can control your prompt and basically also the kind of data that you generate.[00:01:28] Speaker: So instead of just trying to filter the web, you could try to get the LLM to generate what you think the best web pages could look like and then train your models on that. So this is how we went from not having synthetic data at all in the LLM pipeline to having it everywhere. And so the cool thing is like today you can train an LLM with like an entirely synthetic pipeline.[00:01:49] Speaker: For example, you can use our Cosmopedia datasets and you can train a 1B model on like 150 billion tokens that are 100 percent synthetic. And those are also of good quality. And then you can [00:02:00] instruction tune the model on a synthetic SFT dataset. You can also do DPO on a synthetic dataset. And then to evaluate if the model is good, you can use.[00:02:07] Speaker: A benchmark that uses LLMs as a judge, for example, MTBench or AlpacaEvil. So I think this is like a really mind blowing because like just a few years ago, we wouldn't think this is possible. And I think there's a lot of concerns about model collapse, and I'm going to talk about that later. But we'll see that like, if we use synthetic data properly and we curate it carefully, that shouldn't happen.[00:02:29] Speaker: And the reason synthetic data is very popular right now is that we have really strong models, both open and closed. It is really cheap and fast to use compared to human annotations, which cost a lot and take a lot of time. And also for open models right now, we have some really good inference frameworks.[00:02:47] Speaker: So if you have enough GPUs, it's really easy to spawn these GPUs and generate like a lot of synthetic data. Some examples are VLM, TGI, and TensorRT.[00:02:57] Model Collapse[00:02:57] Speaker: Now let's talk about the elephant in the room, model [00:03:00] collapse. Is this the end? If you look at the media and all of like, for example, some papers in nature, it's really scary because there's a lot of synthetic data out there in the web.[00:03:09] Speaker: And naturally we train on the web. So we're going to be training a lot of synthetic data. And if model collapse is going to happen, we should really try to take that seriously. And the other issue is that, as I said, we think, a lot of people think the web is polluted because there's a lot of synthetic data.[00:03:24] Speaker: And for example, when we're building fine web datasets here at Guillerm and Hinek, we're interested in like, how much synthetic data is there in the web? So there isn't really a method to properly measure the amount of synthetic data or to save a webpage synthetic or not. But one thing we can do is to try to look for like proxy words, for example, expressions like as a large language model or words like delve that we know are actually generated by chat GPT.[00:03:49] Speaker: We could try to measure the amount of these words in our data system and compare them to the previous years. For example, here, we measured like a, these words ratio in different dumps of common crawl. [00:04:00] And we can see that like the ratio really increased after chat GPT's release. So if we were to say that synthetic data amount didn't change, you would expect this ratio to stay constant, which is not the case.[00:04:11] Speaker: So there's a lot of synthetic data probably on the web, but does this really make models worse? So what we did is we trained different models on these different dumps. And we then computed their performance on popular, like, NLP benchmarks, and then we computed the aggregated score. And surprisingly, you can see that the latest DOMs are actually even better than the DOMs that are before.[00:04:31] Speaker: So if there's some synthetic data there, at least it did not make the model's worse. Yeah, which is really encouraging. So personally, I wouldn't say the web is positive with Synthetic Data. Maybe it's even making it more rich. And the issue with like model collapse is that, for example, those studies, they were done at like a small scale, and you would ask the model to complete, for example, a Wikipedia paragraph, and then you would train it on these new generations, and you would do that every day.[00:04:56] Speaker: iteratively. I think if you do that approach, it's normal to [00:05:00] observe this kind of behavior because the quality is going to be worse because the model is already small. And then if you train it just on its generations, you shouldn't expect it to become better. But what we're really doing here is that we take a model that is very large and we try to distill its knowledge into a model that is smaller.[00:05:14] Phi, FineWeb, Cosmopedia - Synthetic Textbooks[00:05:14] Speaker: And in this way, you can expect to get like a better performance for your small model. And using synthetic data for pre-training has become really popular. After the textbooks are all you need papers where Microsoft basically trained a series of small models on textbooks that were using a large LLM.[00:05:32] Speaker: And then they found that these models were actually better than models that are much larger. So this was really interesting. It was like first of its time, but it was also met with a lot of skepticism, which is a good thing in research. It pushes you to question things because the dataset that they trained on was not public, so people were not really sure if these models are really good or maybe there's just some data contamination.[00:05:55] Speaker: So it was really hard to check if you just have the weights of the models. [00:06:00] And as Hugging Face, because we like open source, we tried to reproduce what they did. So this is our Cosmopedia dataset. We basically tried to follow a similar approach to what they documented in the paper. And we created a synthetic dataset of textbooks and blog posts and stories that had almost 30 billion tokens.[00:06:16] Speaker: And we tried to train some models on that. And we found that like the key ingredient to getting a good data set that is synthetic is trying as much as possible to keep it diverse. Because if you just throw the same prompts as your model, like generate like a textbook about linear algebra, and even if you change the temperature, the textbooks are going to look alike.[00:06:35] Speaker: So there's no way you could scale to like millions of samples. And the way you do that is by creating prompts that have some seeds that make them diverse. In our case, the prompt, we would ask the model to generate a textbook, but make it related to an extract from a webpage. And also we try to frame it within, to stay within topic.[00:06:55] Speaker: For example, here, we put like an extract about cardiovascular bioimaging, [00:07:00] and then we ask the model to generate a textbook related to medicine that is also related to this webpage. And this is a really nice approach because there's so many webpages out there. So you can. Be sure that your generation is not going to be diverse when you change the seed example.[00:07:16] Speaker: One thing that's challenging with this is that you want the seed samples to be related to your topics. So we use like a search tool to try to go all of fine web datasets. And then we also do a lot of experiments with the type of generations we want the model to generate. For example, we ask it for textbooks for middle school students or textbook for college.[00:07:40] Speaker: And we found that like some generation styles help on some specific benchmarks, while others help on other benchmarks. For example, college textbooks are really good for MMLU, while middle school textbooks are good for benchmarks like OpenBookQA and Pico. This is like a sample from like our search tool.[00:07:56] Speaker: For example, you have a top category, which is a topic, and then you have some [00:08:00] subtopics, and then you have the topic hits, which are basically the web pages in fine web does belong to these topics. And here you can see the comparison between Cosmopedia. We had two versions V1 and V2 in blue and red, and you can see the comparison to fine web, and as you can see throughout the training training on Cosmopedia was consistently better.[00:08:20] Speaker: So we managed to get a data set that was actually good to train these models on. It's of course so much smaller than FineWeb, it's only 30 billion tokens, but that's the scale that Microsoft data sets was, so we kind of managed to reproduce a bit what they did. And the data set is public, so everyone can go there, check if everything is all right.[00:08:38] Speaker: And now this is a recent paper from NVIDIA, Neumatron CC. They took things a bit further, and they generated not a few billion tokens, but 1. 9 trillion tokens, which is huge. And we can see later how they did that. It's more of, like, rephrasing the web. So we can see today that there's, like, some really huge synthetic datasets out there, and they're public, so, [00:09:00] like, you can try to filter them even further if you want to get, like, more high quality corpses.[00:09:04] Speaker: So for this, rephrasing the web this approach was suggested in this paper by Pratyush, where basically in this paper, they take some samples from C4 datasets, and then they use an LLM to rewrite these samples into a better format. For example, they ask an LLM to rewrite the sample into a Wikipedia passage or into a Q& A page.[00:09:25] Speaker: And the interesting thing in this approach is that you can use a model that is Small because it doesn't, rewriting doesn't require knowledge. It's just rewriting a page into a different style. So the model doesn't need to have like knowledge that is like extensive of what is rewriting compared to just asking a model to generate a new textbook and not giving it like ground truth.[00:09:45] Speaker: So here they rewrite some samples from C4 into Q& A, into Wikipedia, and they find that doing this works better than training just on C4. And so what they did in Nemo Trans CC is a similar approach. [00:10:00] They rewrite some pages from Common Crawl for two reasons. One is to, like improve Pages that are low quality, so they rewrite them into, for example, Wikipedia page, so they look better.[00:10:11] Speaker: And another reason is to create more diverse datasets. So they have a dataset that they already heavily filtered, and then they take these pages that are already high quality, and they ask the model to rewrite them in Question and Answer format. into like open ended questions or like multi choice questions.[00:10:27] Speaker: So this way they can reuse the same page multiple times without fearing like having multiple duplicates, because it's the same information, but it's going to be written differently. So I think that's also a really interesting approach for like generating synthetic data just by rephrasing the pages that you already have.[00:10:44] Speaker: There's also this approach called Prox where they try to start from a web page and then they generate a program which finds how to write that page to make it better and less noisy. For example, here you can see that there's some leftover metadata in the web page and you don't necessarily want to keep that for training [00:11:00] your model.[00:11:00] Speaker: So So they train a model that can generate programs that can like normalize and remove lines that are extra. So I think this approach is also interesting, but it's maybe less scalable than the approaches that I presented before. So that was it for like rephrasing and generating new textbooks.[00:11:17] Speaker: Another approach that I think is really good and becoming really popular for using synthetic data for pre training is basically building a better classifiers. For filtering the web for example, here we release the data sets called fine web edu. And the way we built it is by taking Llama3 and asking it to rate the educational content of web pages from zero to five.[00:11:39] Speaker: So for example, if a page is like a really good textbook that could be useful in a school setting, it would get a really high score. And if a page is just like an advertisement or promotional material, it would get a lower score. And then after that, we take these synthetic annotations and we train a classifier on them.[00:11:57] Speaker: It's a classifier like a BERT model. [00:12:00] And then we run this classifier on all of FineWeb, which is a 15 trillion tokens dataset. And then we only keep the pages that have like a score that's higher than 3. So for example, in our case, we went from 15 trillion tokens to 3. to just 1. 5 trillion tokens. Those are really highly educational.[00:12:16] Speaker: And as you can see here, a fine web EDU outperforms all the other public web datasets by a larger margin on a couple of benchmarks here, I show the aggregated score and you can see that this approach is really effective for filtering web datasets to get like better corpuses for training your LLMs.[00:12:36] DCLM, Nemotron-CC[00:12:36] Speaker: Others also try to do this approach. There's, for example, the DCLM datasets where they also train the classifier, but not to detect educational content. Instead, they trained it on OpenHermes dataset, which is a dataset for instruction tuning. And also they explain like IAM5 subreddits, and then they also get really high quality dataset which is like very information dense and can help [00:13:00] you train some really good LLMs.[00:13:01] Speaker: And then Nemotron Common Crawl, they also did this approach, but instead of using one classifier, they used an ensemble of classifiers. So they used, for example, the DCLM classifier, and also classifiers like the ones we used in FineWebEducational, and then they combined these two. Scores into a, with an ensemble method to only retain the best high quality pages, and they get a data set that works even better than the ones we develop.[00:13:25] Speaker: So that was it for like synthetic data for pre-training.[00:13:28] Post Training - AI2 Tulu, Smol Talk, Cohere Multilingual Arbitrage[00:13:28] Speaker: Now we can go back to post training. I think there's a lot of interesting post training data sets out there. One that was released recently, the agent instructs by Microsoft where they basically try to target some specific skills. And improve the performance of models on them.[00:13:43] Speaker: For example, here, you can see code, brain teasers, open domain QA, and they managed to get a dataset that outperforms that's when fine tuning Mistral 7b on it, it outperforms the original instruct model that was released by Mistral. And as I said, to get good synthetic data, you really [00:14:00] have to have a framework to make sure that your data is diverse.[00:14:03] Speaker: So for example, for them, they always. And then they see the generations on either source code or raw text documents, and then they rewrite them to make sure they're easier to generate instructions from, and then they use that for their like instruction data generation. There's also the Tool3SFT mixture, which was released recently by Allen AI.[00:14:23] Speaker: It's also really good quality and it covers a wide range of tasks. And the way they make sure that this dataset is diverse is by using personas from the persona hub datasets. Which is basically a data set of like I think over a million personas. And for example, in the tool mixture to generate like a new code snippet, they would give like the model persona, for example, a machine learning researcher interested in neural networks, and then ask it to generate like a coding problem.[00:14:49] Speaker: This way you make sure that your data set is really diverse, and then you can further filter the data sets, for example, using the reward models. We also released a dataset called Smalltalk, [00:15:00] and we also tried to cover the wide range of tasks, and as you can see here, for example, when fine tuning Mistral 7b on the dataset, we also outperformed the original Mistral instructs on a number of benchmarks, notably on mathematics and instruction following with ifevil.[00:15:18] Speaker: Another paper that's really interesting I wanted to mention is this one called Multilingual Data Arbitrage by Cohere. And basically they want to generate a data set for post training that is multilingual. And they have a really interesting problem. It's the fact that there isn't like one model that's really good at all the languages they wanted.[00:15:36] Speaker: So what they do is that like they use not just one teacher model, but multiple teachers. And then they have a router which basically sends the prompts they have to all these models. And then they get the completions and they have a reward model that traces all these generations and only keeps the best one.[00:15:52] Speaker: And this is like arbitrage and finance. So well, I think what's interesting in this, it shows that like synthetic data, it doesn't have to come from a single model. [00:16:00] And because we have so many good models now, you could like pull these models together and get like a dataset that's really high quality and that's diverse and that's covers all your needs.[00:16:12] Speaker: I was supposed to put a meme there, but. Yeah, so that was it for like a synthetic data.[00:16:17] Smol Models[00:16:17] Speaker: Now we can go to see what's happening in the small models field in 2024. I don't know if you know, but like now we have some really good small models. For example, Lama 3. 2 1B is. It matches Lama 2. 13b from, that was released last year on the LMSYS arena, which is basically the default go to leaderboard for evaluating models using human evaluation.[00:16:39] Speaker: And as you can see here, the scores of the models are really close. So I think we've made like hugely forward in terms of small models. Of course, that's one, just one data point, but there's more. For example, if you look at this chart from the Quint 2. 5 blog post, it shows that today we have some really good models that are only like 3 billion parameters [00:17:00] and 4 billion that score really high on MMLU.[00:17:03] Speaker: Which is a really popular benchmark for evaluating models. And you can see here that the red, the blue dots have more than 65 on MMLU. And the grey ones have less. And for example, Llama33b had less. So now we have a 3b model that outperforms a 33b model that was released earlier. So I think now people are starting to realize that like, we shouldn't just scale and scale models, but we should try to make them more efficient.[00:17:33] Speaker: I don't know if you knew, but you can also chat with a 3B plus model on your iPhone. For example, here, this is an app called PocketPal, where you can go and select a model from Hugging Face. It has a large choice. For example, here we loaded the 5. 3. 5, which is 3. 8 billion parameters on this iPhone. And we can chat with this and you can see that even the latency is also acceptable.[00:17:57] Speaker: For example, here, I asked it to give me a joke about [00:18:00] NeurIPS. So let's see what it has to say.[00:18:06] Speaker: Okay, why did the neural network attend NeurIPS? Because it heard there would be a lot of layers and fun and it wanted to train its sense of humor. So not very funny, but at least it can run on device. Yeah, so I think now we have good small models, but we also have like good frameworks and tools to use these small models.[00:18:24] On Device Models[00:18:24] Speaker: So I think we're really close to having like really on edge and on device models that are really good. And I think for a while we've had this narrative. But just training larger models is better. Of course, this is supported by science scaling laws. As you can see here, for example, when we scale the model size, the loss is lower and obviously you get a better model.[00:18:46] Speaker: But and we can see this, for example, in the GPT family of models, how we went from just a hundred million parameters to more than a trillion. parameters. And of course, we all observed the performance improvement when using the latest model. But [00:19:00] one thing that we shouldn't forget is that when we scale the model, we also scale the inference costs and time.[00:19:05] Speaker: And so the largest models were are going to cost so much more. So I think now instead of just building larger models, we should be focusing on building more efficient models. It's no longer a race for the largest models since these models are really expensive to run and they require like a really good infrastructure to do that and they cannot run on, for example, consumer hardware.[00:19:27] Speaker: And when you try to build more efficient models that match larger models, that's when you can really unlock some really interesting on device use cases. And I think a trend that we're noticing now is the trend of training smaller models longer. For example, if you compare how much, how long LLAMA was trained compared to LLAMA3, there is a huge increase in the pre training length.[00:19:50] Speaker: LLAMA was trained on 1 trillion tokens, but LLAMA3 8b was trained on 15 trillion tokens. So Meta managed to get a model that's the same size, but But it performs so much [00:20:00] better by choosing to like spend the sacrifice during training, because as we know, training is a one time cost, but inference is something that's ongoing.[00:20:08] Speaker: If we want to see what are like the small models reads in 2024, I think this mobile LLM paper by Meta is interesting. They try to study different models that are like have the less than 1 billion parameters and find which architecture makes most sense for these models. For example, they find that depth is more important than width.[00:20:29] Speaker: So it's more important to have models that have like more layers than just one. making them more wide. They also find that GQA helps, that tying the embedding helps. So I think it's a nice study overall for models that are just a few hundred million parameters. There's also the Apple intelligence tech report, which is interesting.[00:20:48] Speaker: So for Apple intelligence, they had two models, one that was like on server and another model that was on device. It had 3 billion parameters. And I think the interesting part is that they trained this model using [00:21:00] pruning. And then distillation. And for example, they have this table where they show that, like, using pruning and distillation works much better than training from scratch.[00:21:08] Speaker: And they also have some interesting insights about, like, how they specialize their models on specific tasks, like, for example, summarization and rewriting. There's also this paper by NVIDIA that was released recently. I think you've already had a talk about, like, hybrid models that was all interesting.[00:21:23] Speaker: And this model, they used, like, a hybrid architecture between state space models and transformers. And they managed to train a 1B model that's really performant without needing to train it on a lot of tokens. And regarding our work, we just recently released SmallM2, so it's a series of three models, which are the best in class in each model size.[00:21:46] Speaker: For example, our 1. 7b model outperforms Lama 1b and also Qt 2. 5. And how we managed to train this model is the following. That's where you spent a lot of time trying to curate the pre training datasets. We did a lot of [00:22:00] ablations, trying to find which datasets are good and also how to mix them. We also created some new math and code datasets that we're releasing soon.[00:22:08] Speaker: But you basically really spent a lot of time trying to find what's the best mixture that you can train these models on. And then we spent some time trying to like we also trained these models for very long. For example, small M1 was trained only on 1 trillion tokens, but this model is trained on 11 trillion tokens.[00:22:24] Speaker: And we saw that the performance kept improving. The models didn't really plateau mid training, which I think is really interesting. It shows that you can train such small models for very long and keep getting performance gains. What's interesting about SmallLM2 is that it's fully open. We also released, like the pre training code base, the fine tuning code, the datasets, and also evaluation in this repository.[00:22:45] Smol Vision Models[00:22:45] Speaker: Also there's, like, really interesting small models for text, but also for vision. For example, here you can see SmallVLM, which is a 2B model that's really efficient. It doesn't consume a lot of RAM, and it also has a good performance. There's also Moondream 0. [00:23:00] 5b, which was released recently. It's like the smallest visual language model.[00:23:04] Speaker: And as you can see, there isn't like a big trade off compared to Moondream 2b. So now I showed you that we have some really good small models. We also have the tools to use them, but why should you consider using small models and when? I think, like, small models are really interesting because of the on device feature.[00:23:23] Speaker: Because these models are small and they can run fast, you can basically run them on your laptop, but also on your mobile phone. And this means that your dataset stays locally. You don't have to send your queries to third parties. And this really enhances privacy. That was, for example, one of the big selling points for Apple Intelligence.[00:23:42] Speaker: Also, right now, we really have a lot of work to do. So many frameworks to do on device inference. For example, there's MLX, MLC, Llama, CPP, Transformers, JS. So we have a lot of options and each of them have like great features. So you have so many options for doing that. Small models are also really powerful if you choose to specialize them.[00:24:00][00:24:00] Speaker: For example, here there's a startup called Numind, which took small LM and then they fine tuned it on text extraction datasets. And they managed to get a model that's not very far from models that are much larger. So I think text extraction is like one use case where small models can be really performant and it makes sense to use them instead of just using larger models.[00:24:19] Speaker: You can also chat with these models in browser. For example, here, you can go there, you can load the model, you can even turn off your internet and just start chatting with the model locally. Speaking of text extraction, if you don't want to fine tune the models, there's a really good method of structure generation.[00:24:36] Speaker: We can basically force the models to follow a JSON schema that you defined. For example, here, we try to force the model to follow a schema for extracting key information from GitHub issues. So you can input free text, which is a complaint about a GitHub repository, something not working. And then you can run it there and the model can extract anything that is relevant for your GitHub issue creation.[00:24:58] Speaker: For example, the [00:25:00] priority, for example, here, priority is high, the type of the issue bug, and then a title and the estimation of how long this will take to fix. And you can just like do this in the browser, you can transform your text into a GitHub issue that's properly formatted.[00:25:14] What's Next[00:25:14] Speaker: So what's next for synthetic data and small models?[00:25:18] Speaker: I think that domain specific synthetic data is going to be, it's already important, it's going to be even more important. For example, generating synthetic data for math. I think this really would help improve the reasoning of a lot of models. And a lot of people are doing it, for example, Quint 2. 12 math, everyone's trying to reproduce a one.[00:25:37] Speaker: And so I think for synthetic data, trying to specialize it on some domains is going to be really important. And then for small models, I think specializing them through fine tuning, it's also going to be really important because I think a lot of companies are just trying to use these large models because they are better.[00:25:53] Speaker: But on some tasks, I think you can already get decent performance with small models. So you don't need to Pay like a [00:26:00] cost that's much larger just to make your model better at your task by a few percent. And this is not just for text. And I think it also applies for other modalities like vision and audio.[00:26:11] Speaker: And I think you should also watch out for on device frameworks and applications. For example, like the app I showed, or lama, all these frameworks are becoming really popular and I'm pretty sure that we're gonna get like more of them in 2025. And users really like that. Maybe for other, I should also say hot take.[00:26:28] Speaker: I think that like in AI, we just started like with fine tuning, for example, trying to make BERT work on some specific use cases, and really struggling to do that. And then we had some models that are much larger. So we just switched to like prompt engineering to get the models And I think we're going back to fine tuning where we realize these models are really costly.[00:26:47] Speaker: It's better to use just a small model or try to specialize it. So I think it's a little bit of a cycle and we're going to start to see like more fine tuning and less of just like a prompt engineering the models. So that was my talk. Thank you for following. And if you have [00:27:00] any questions, we can take them now. Get full access to Latent Space at www.latent.space/subscribe

With @B1GKurt & @JWeggleston7 unable to join JTG... friend of the Pod John Alden @AldenOnTheAir - and Hoosier fan - was kind enough to join me! We recap each B1G performance in the CPP...as well as break down the shenanigans we saw from The Four Letter Network. Take a listen! #AskForAmador Pod Time Stamps:  6:00 - Indiana @ ND 21:00 - SMU @ Penn St 28:00 - Tenn @ OSU 35:00 - Us taking the SEC to task

What makes Warren Buffett's investment legacy so iconic, and how has his advice shaped the world of investing? In this episode, we delve into Warren Buffet's investment philosophy and the lessons he offers everyday investors. In our conversation, we unpack the impact of his investment strategies on the financial world, debunk common misconceptions, and discuss how his strategies have changed over time. We also examine the structural barriers to replicating his success, the complexities of scale and changing market dynamics, and the parallels between his approach and modern asset pricing models. Discover Warren Buffett's astonishing historical returns, his perspectives on diminishing returns for active managers, and the misunderstood nuances of his advice regarding index funds. Gain insight into academic research on Warren Buffett's success, his pragmatic view on cash holdings, and his opinion on the value of dividends for investors. Tune in to learn about the world's greatest investor and how you can apply his wisdom to your own portfolio!   Key Points From This Episode:   (0:04:55) Warren Buffett's legacy and Berkshire Hathaway's performance history. (0:13:04) The problem of diminishing returns to scale and finding skilled active managers. (0:18:37) Reasons Buffett repeatedly advises most investors to choose low-cost index funds.  (0:23:14) Why identifying skilled managers before they outperform the market is impossible. (0:30:15) Research explaining Buffett's success using multi-factor asset pricing models. (0:35:30) Insight into why Berkshire Hathaway holds large cash reserves as part of its strategy. (0:44:02) Buffett's views on dividends and why his focus remains on reinvestment. (0:48:16) Why diversification concentration is a bad strategy and Buffett's investing superpower. (0:57:07) Aftershow: Ben's experience of being on The Wealthy Barber podcast. (0:58:07) Reviews and feedback from the episode with Randolph Cohen and Michael Green. (1:04:58) Changes to our year-end episode format and what listeners can expect.   Links From Today's Episode: Meet with PWL Capital: https://calendly.com/d/3vm-t2j-h3p Rational Reminder on iTunes — https://itunes.apple.com/ca/podcast/the-rational-reminder-podcast/id1426530582. Rational Reminder Website — https://rationalreminder.ca/  Rational Reminder on Instagram — https://www.instagram.com/rationalreminder/ Rational Reminder on X — https://x.com/RationalRemindRational Reminder on TikTok — www.tiktok.com/@rationalreminder Rational Reminder on YouTube — https://www.youtube.com/channel/ Rational Reminder Email — info@rationalreminder.caBenjamin Felix — https://pwlcapital.com/our-team/ Benjamin on X — https://x.com/benjaminwfelix Benjamin on LinkedIn — https://www.linkedin.com/in/benjaminwfelix/ Mark McGrath on LinkedIn — https://www.linkedin.com/in/markmcgrathcfp/ Mark McGrath on X — https://x.com/MarkMcGrathCFP Dan Bortolotti on LinkedIn — https://www.linkedin.com/in/dan-bortolotti-8a482310/ CPP by the Fire — https://pages.pwlcapital.com/webinar_cpp_by_the_fire Braden Warwick on LinkedIn — https://linkedin.com/in/braden-warwick-a40b48a3/ PWL Capital CPP Tool — https://research-tools.pwlcapital.com/research/cpp Berkshire Hathaway — https://berkshirehathaway.com/ Berkshire Hathaway Shareholder Letters — https://berkshirehathaway.com/letters/letters.html Richard Ennis — https://richardmennis.com/author/richard-m-ennis Home Trust — https://hometrust.ca/ Ben on The Wealthy Barber Podcast — https://thewealthybarber.com/podcast/ben-felix-a-deep-dive-into-the-world-of-investing-twb-podcast-5/ Episode 61: Ted Seides — https://rationalreminder.ca/podcast/61 Episode 220: Jonathan Berk and Jules van Binsbergen — https://rationalreminder.ca/podcast/220 Episode 332 - Randolph Cohen & Michael Green — https://rationalreminder.ca/podcast/332   Books From Today's Episode:   The Intelligent Investor — https://amazon.com/dp/B0CBQ18KDB/   Papers From Today's Episode:    'Buffett's Alpha' — https://doi.org/10.2469/faj.v74.n4.3 'Mutual Fund Flows and Performance in Rational Markets'— https://journals.uchicago.edu/doi/abs/10.1086/424739

F100 Talk is brought to you by  -  Title Sponsor - www.lmctruck.com - Keeping generations on the road. www.mar-k.com - More then just the BEST wood for your F100!  www.vintageair.com - With over 40 years in the business, they have an AC kit for your classic Ford Truck.  www.ClassicPerform.com - CPP has F100 parts, from brake upgrades, to steering supports and more.  www.azproperformance.com - Travis and his crew at PRO, have been helping Classic Truck Builders build their dreams for over 10 years now. Give them a call they would love to help you with your truck too.  www.dojamat.com - Retro Mats done right!

Special RE-Posting with our good friend BILL FAY.   In this episode from Dec 17 2023 - We talk Bills new Happy Texas play ... where Jacques spend a few days in NYC couple week back hanging with Bill as he prepped for the Investors showcase with full cast and music - figure this be a fun time to repost this one. Enjoy ... again. Legendary Film Maker and … Co-Founder of Legendary Pictures, Bill Fay zooms in to chat with Joe, Biff and Jacques … who for reasons we still don't understand has been a close friend and mentor to Jacques for 20 years! The first two film companies Bill worked for out of college went bankrupt … and then he learned to fly a plane to be Hollywood's man on the ground in Africa ... along the way working with folks like James Cameron for (politely putting it) eccentric film maker Rodger Corman to producing such block busters The Patriot and Independence Day with Director Roland Emmerich. Along the way ACCIDENTLY doubling his 24-year-old selves lives saving by making a 3-day investment based on getting to see a sneak preview of Back To The Future Bill (and partner Thomas Toll) created Legendary Pictures in 2000 with a plan for a slate of big budget (largely Superhero / Action) films … Along the way just for giggles … also produced the Hangover (well for giggles and 470m at Box office making it largest grossing rated R comedy in history.) Bill also talks his favorite project, a small indy sci fi horror called Replicate … well favorite project Jacques was an associate producer on. Bill did fly to see Jacques she he was living in Qatar in 2026 … and in Qatar gave college lectures and gave road map to finance minister of how too get their country on the film making map. Bill currently is CEO of Steric Systems – a company that has developed a electronic process of smoothing liquor and spirits at distilleries.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a45uEuVH6jI Steric Systems has grown exponentially over last few years … which leaves very little time for the other new company Bill started with his brother … a Salmon spread they've made for friends and family for years … at a few pound batches at a time … now scaling up (pun intended) to 7500 lbs test with a national food chain retailer.    Bill and Jacques now have the stage show rights to the 1999 movie Happy Texas and hope to have a 6 weeks test run (maybe in Seattle) next fall.  To be clear … BILL has the rights, Jacques just loves the movie and wants to work on the play!   CPP on IG: @CarnivalPersonnelPodcast and on Twitter: @Carnival Podcast                                                                                             Biff on Twitter is @BiffPlaysHockey Joe on Twitter is: @Optigrabber Jacques on Twitter is @CarnivalPodcast and FB @JacquesLambert   Opening Song: WKRP parody by @Model_CHP3Y (Twitter and Youtube)   Closing Song: Other Break by Dan Cray and Beyond Id (1993)  

On our Wondering Wednesday episode this week, we break down how to calculate your cents per point (CPP) to better understand the value of your points redemptions. We walk you through two straightforward methods for calculating CPP, empowering you to assess the true worth of your points, as well as three examples of why transferring points gets you maximum value!Whether you're booking travel or redeeming rewards, knowing your CPP helps you make informed decisions and maximize your benefits. Tune in to gain clarity on your points' value and enhance your rewards strategy!Facebook Group | Support the Show: Buy Us A CoffeeFind Us On InstagramMary Ellen | JoReferral LinksSouthwest Airlines CardCapital One Venture CardFavorite Bank CardsFavorite Bank Business CardsVenture X CardAmex GoldAMEX Platinum

Why 401k and other defined contribution schemes are flawed, leading to a generation of workers unprepared for retirement. What are the solutions to fix the mess.TopicsWhy 401k and other defined contributions haven't worked, despite their popularityWhy defined benefit pension plans declinedWhy 401k plans are treated like emergency fundsHow to combine the best of 401k and defined benefit pension plansSponsorsLinkedIn Jobs – Use this link to post your job for free on LinkedIn JobsMonarch Money – Get an extended 30-day free trialInsiders Guide Email NewsletterGet our free Investors' Checklist when you sign up for the free Money for the Rest of Us email newsletterOur Premium ProductsAsset CampMoney for the Rest of Us PlusShow NotesThe Shift that Redefined Retirement Security by Shashwat Vidhu Sher—SSRNWas the 401(k) a Mistake? by Michael Steinberger—The New York Times MagazineWho Has Retirement Accounts? New Data Reveal Inequality in Retirement Account Ownership by Maria G. Hoffman, Mark A. Klee and Briana Sullivan—United States Census BureauU.S. Retirement Assets: Data in Brief—Congressional Research ServiceWhere do my CPP contributions go?—CPP InvestmentsRelated Episodes460: Should You Be Invested 100% in Stocks Before and During Retirement? A Recent Study Says Yes. 441: What If Social Security Had Been Privatized?279: Why All Retirees Should Consider an Income AnnuitySee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In addition to our regular weekly podcast, we also host an Ask Us Anything Live on YouTube once a month where the Frequent Miler team answers listener questions about points, miles, rewards cards, and whatever else comes to mind. This episode originally aired on October 2, 2024. Greg was busy vacationing, but the rest of the gang answered a broad range of listener questions about points, miles, and rewards cards. (00:35) - Is the Maldives worth it? (06:25) - Nick, how painful will the virgin dynamic pricing be? (08:03) - Is anyone finding it harder to use debit cards for money orders? (10:45) -Why is award availability to Asia so bad right now, and is there any relief in sight? (15:13) - Which US airport hub do you like to transit through (ie ease of traveling through terminal, number of connecting destinations, lounge access, etc) (18:40) - Miles and Earn Burn is saying that the recently AMEX Biz Gold to Plat upgrade offer links may not be "safe" to use. What is your take? (20:44) - When do you think the strata elite or wells beyond will come out? (24:37) - In general, what services do you rec for big or ongoing purchases that don't usually take credit cards? Other than the % fee, should we be careful using these services? (29:40) - Delta Amex companion certificates terms are very restrictive. Any best practices to find eligible fare class for non-holiday weekends far in advance? Read Greg's post about companion certificates here: https://frequentmiler.com/travel-companion-tickets/ Watch our How To video about using Delta Companion Certificates here: https://frequentmiler.com/how-to-use-delta-companion-certificates-video/ (31:42) - What has been the most outstanding deal so far in 2024 and will you do a coffee break if an outstanding deal happens? (36:33) - Hi FM Team, what was your most difficult / challenging travel experience and what did you learn from it? (49:25) - What do you guys think about Aero plan card in the context of them extending the PYB for travel at 1.25 Cpp especially with possible transfer bonus from Chase. Good way to cash Chase UR Points ? (51:32) - Does Amex allow stacking of offers? Specifically, looking to stack a $100 credit with a 15k MR point bonus for a Leading Hotels resort in Rome. The hotel is listed on both Amex offers. Thanks (52:47) - ​​If the Barclays Aviator red converts to Citi Strata, can I product change to a Custom cash and immediately apply for Citi Strata for the SUB? (54:10) - Is there any airline proram where if i buy my ticket with miles I can still earn miles? TY 4 all you do! Subscribe and Follow

Last time we spoke about the Nanchang and Autumn Harvest Uprisings. On August 1st, during the Nanchang Uprising, the CCP's 2nd Front Army inflicted heavy casualties and seized substantial weaponry. Reorganized under He Long and Ye Ting, the army, then 20,000 strong, celebrated in Nanchang, attracting new recruits. However, faced with an imminent counterattack, they retreated south in what became known as the "little long march." Despite initial successes, like capturing Huichang County, internal strife and harsh conditions reduced their numbers significantly. By the end of August, they reached Guangdong, but relentless opposition from Nationalist forces led to severe losses. The remaining forces retreated east, encountering brutal battles and a final, devastating defeat. Scattered, the remnants sought refuge and eventually regrouped, with leaders like Zhou Enlai and He Long navigating exile and adversity. The uprising marked the CCP's first armed resistance against the KMT, a prelude to continued revolutionary efforts, notably the Autumn Harvest Uprising, amid widespread, strategic shifts in CCP policy and leadership, including Mao Zedong's influential role.   #120 The Guangzhou, Gansu and Red Spear Uprisings Welcome to the Fall and Rise of China Podcast, I am your dutiful host Craig Watson. But, before we start I want to also remind you this podcast is only made possible through the efforts of Kings and Generals over at Youtube. Perhaps you want to learn more about the history of Asia? Kings and Generals have an assortment of episodes on history of asia and much more  so go give them a look over on Youtube. So please subscribe to Kings and Generals over at Youtube and to continue helping us produce this content please check out www.patreon.com/kingsandgenerals. If you are still hungry for some more history related content, over on my channel, the Pacific War Channel where I cover the history of China and Japan from the 19th century until the end of the Pacific War. Last we left off the Nanchang and Autumn Harvest uprisings saw mixed to….lets be honest kind of lackluster results. Both certainly saw their hardships for the passionate people involved. Countless gave their lives for a cause they truly believed in. This was China's warlord era, so many differing groups made grand promises for bright futures, such as warlords, the KMT and of course the CCP. The CCP having undergone the White Terror, now sought to unleash their own independent revolution, now released by the shackles of the KMT.  On the 7th the CCP Central Committee held an emergency meeting, where Chen Duxiu was criticized for his appeasement of the KMT right wing. It was also during this meeting, the CCP formalized how they would go about implementing a land revolution and armed uprisings. The CCP then received strong suggestions from Joseph Stalin, that they should unleash a major uprising to seize control over a province, hinting at performing such a deed in Guangzhou in the hopes of taking Guangdong. In accordance the head of the CCP Qu Qiubai decided they needed to persuade soldiers to their cause to perform such a thing. Many within the CCP leadership did not support such plans, deeming the chance of winning control over a province to be highly unlikely, but their Soviet advisors were strongly pushing for it.   On the 20th Zhang Tailei, the secretary of the Guangdong CCP provincial committee, discussed plans for a provincial wide uprising. They would mobilize the workers and peasants to hold riots in key locations within Guangdong, particularly Guangzhou. The ultimate plan was to seize Guangdong by establishing uprising committees in Beijiang, Xijiang and Guangzhou. In early October the Nanchang uprising suffered tremendous losses at Chao'an and Shantou. This setback changed the minds of those seeking to seize all of Guangdong and instead they directed their efforts to mobilizing workers in Guangzhou to carry out political and economic struggles. On November 17th within Guangdong and Guangxi, petty warlords began a little war. This was between the KMT aligned warlords Zhang Fakui and Li Jishen. The CCP Central Committee believed this little war was a major opportunity and jumped to exploit it.  Zhang Fakui was vulnerable in particular. He was colluding with Wang Jingwei at the time, his primary job was to eliminate the pervading influence of the CCP in the Guangzhou area. Zhang Fakui's troops continuously rounded up suspected communists and kept a close eye on the Soviet consulate at all times. Zhang Fakui's troops were more or less brutalizing the common people, not a tasteful job by any means and one that demoralized them. It was because of this the CCP knew they might be able to win over some of his troops to their side. The CCP played upon the low standard of living and economic instability of warlord era China, hoping to appeal to the masses for a Soviet communist style system rather than what the KMT proposed. Here is a taste of some of the slogans they wrote on placards and proclaimed in major city centers: Raise the Soldiers' Pay to 20 Silver Dollars! Food for the Workers! Land to the Tillers! Knock Down the KMT and the Warlords! Kill All the Country Bullies and the Evil Landlords! Confiscate the Capitalists' Homes and Give Them to the Rebel Masses! All Authority to the Workers, Peasants, and Soldiers! They passed the “resolution of the Guangdong work plan”, this would require the Guangdong Provincial Party Committee to expand some riots using workers and peasants within the cities and villages; incite soldiers to mutiny and resist the war and hopefully direct all said into a general riot to seize power. They would first begin by mobilizing farmers to refuse to pay winter rent and riot if they could. On November 26th, Zhang Tailei went to Guangzhou from Hong Kong covertly and convened a secret meeting with CPP members there. During these meetings it was decided they would take advantage of Zhang Fakui troops, who were currently very demoralized from fighting battles they honestly wanted nothing to do with. Within Guangzhou was the 4th army teaching corps and part of the guards corps amongst smaller CCP militia groups. Zhang Tailei would act as chairman, Huang Ping and Zhou Wenyong would all lead the uprising. After the meeting Zhang Tailei and the others went to the Teaching Corps and Guards Corps to mobilize them, as well as begin training some worker Red Guards who formed into 7 regiments and 2 death squads with Zhou Wengyong as their commander in chief. The Fourth army teaching corps was reorganized from a KMT political school with Ye Jianying as their leader. In early December, Comintern agent Heinz Neumann arrived in Guangdong, to add the uprising. Its said he had a large influence on the committee and took a leading role in what happened. Ye Jianying formed a communist infiltrated cadet regiment roughly 1200 men strong, that would form the core of their army. Added to this was an ad-hoc Red Guard of about 2000 armed workers. On December 6th the Guangdong Provincial Committee chaired by Zhang Tailei approved a declaration and letter to the people as well as made arrangements for the establishment of a Soviet government in Guangzhou. They had decided to enact the uprising on December 12th. In the meantime the headquarters and staff for the uprising were established, Ye Ting would be commander in chief and Ye Jianying would be his deputy. On the eve of the uprising, Wang Jingwei and Zhang Fakui both became aware of the impending uprising so they immediately began disbanding the teaching units, imposed martial law in Guangzhou and transferred their main forces back to Guangzhou. The CCP found out the jig was up so they unleashed the uprising ahead of schedule on the morning of the 11th.  At 3:30am under the leadership of Zhang Tailei, Ye Ting, Huang Ping, Zhou Wenyong, Ye Jianying and Yang Yin, the entire teaching regiment, part of the guard regiment and the armed worker Red Guards totaling about 5000 people, 2000 of which were the Red Guards, launched a surprise attack upon key points in Guangzhou from several directions. Some Soviets, Koreans and Vietnamese in Guangzhou also were said to participate in the uprising. I read that last one from a single source and I kinda doubt it. In fact evidence suggests the CCP leadership was extremely mixed on this uprising. Commanders Ye Ting, Ye Jiangying and Xu Xiangqian strongly suggested against going through with it, arguing they were too badly armed to have any success, only 2000 of them even had rifles. The CCP began by first seducing troops of Zhang Fakui. The first units to enter the city were the infamous dare-to-die units. As the name suggests, these men were like a suicidal vanguard stormed police stations, seizing their weapons and cars. They also took control over city buses and trucks to spread the incoming Red army units throughout the city as fast as possible. Along the eastern route, under the direct command of Ye Ting the main force quickly defeated an infantry regiment stationed in Shahe, capturing 600 prisoners, numerous small firearms and eliminated an artillery regiment stationed at Yantang. On the middle route, part of the teaching regiment and Red Guards captured the KMT Guangdong Provincial government building sitting on the commanding heights of Guangyin Mountain, known today as Yuexiu Mountain. On the southern route, the 3rd battalion of the Guards regiment and Red Guards attacked the headquarters of the 4th army and their arsenal, but encountered stiff resistance and were unable to capture them. Meanwhile peasants in Fangcun, Xicun and suburbs of Guangzhou launched uprisings with some gaining urban worker cooperation. Within 4 hours of battle the uprising was providing results, excluding the headquarters of the 4th army. The armory, rear office of the 12th division of the 4th army, the police forces and urban area north of the Pearl River was secured. They took control over government buildings, the central bank which at that time had a very large silver reserve and numerous barracks. To suppress any resistance they began grabbing KMT troops who refused to comply and executed them in the streets. They also marked and burnt down the residences of KMT officials. They had eliminated numerous enemies and captured 20 artillery pieces and 1000 small arms. That same day members the new Soviet government of Guangzhou was formed with Su Zhaozheng becoming its chairman. Upon its establishment the Guangzhou Soviet declared a “letter to the people” with decrees.  Meanwhile during the outbreak of hostilities, Chen Gongbo, the chairman of the KMT Guangdong provincial government, Zhang Fakui, Huang Qixiang the commander of the 4th Army and other KMT officials hastily fled to the headquarters of Li Fulin's 5th army stationed over at the Haizhong temple on the south bank of the pearl river. There they ordered the 12th division, the 78th rgiment of the 26th division, the 25th division in Dongjiang and the 1st and 2nd regiment of the 1st training division in Shunde to march upon Gaungzhou. This saw roughly 15,000 NRA troops converging upon the city. On the 12th more than 3 of Zhang Fakui's divisions and part of Li Fulin's 5th army assembled along the south bank of the pearl river with the support of British, American, French and Japanese warships and marines. They prepared a counterattack from the east, west and south. The communists fought desperately against much superior forces in terms of numbers, training and equipment. They suffered heavy losses, including the death of Zhang Tailei. Zhang Fakui's troops arrived one after another gradually surrounding the city. At a critical moment the CCP leadership called for a retreat from the city to preserve the forces they had left. The surviving 1000 Reds fled Guangzhou in the early hours of the 13th whereupon they were reorganized into the 4th Red division. They fled to Huaxian, then Haifeng and Lufegen counties where they joined others performing uprisings in the Dongjiang and Youjiang areas. A few survivors went to Shaoguan, joining survivors of the Nanchang uprising led by Zhu De and Chen Yi. After the KMT secured Guangzhou they carried out a bloody suppression of anyone suspecting of being a communist or sympathetic to the cause. The CCP estimated that perhaps more than 5700 people were killed. The Soviet consulate in Guangzhou was also attacked around 8pm on the 13th. All of its personnel were arrested and according to the testimony of Soviet Consul Pokhvalinsky, diplomats Ukolov and Ivanov “Each of them had a sign tied to their body that read: ‘Russian Communist, anyone can punish him at will.' … Along the way, people threw things at them, hit them, stabbed them with knives, and spit on them.” They both would later be shot, alongside the deputy consul named Hasis. Ye Ting, was scapegoated, purged and blamed for the failure of the Guangzhou uprising, despite the fact he was one of the commanders arguing it should have been called off in the first place. Enraged by how he was treated, Ye Ting fled China and went into exile in Europe. Although the Nanchang, Autumn Harvest and Guangzhou uprisings had all failed to achieve their primary objectives, they did kindle a fire within China. Rather then become demoralized and whither away, the communists pushed even more uprisings and would grow each year. This began what the CCP refers to as the “ten year civil war”, a period that will end in 1936. Now we are going to take a little break from the Chinese Civil War until we hit the early 1930's, but there have been quite a lot of events overshadowed by the Northern Expedition. I of course can't get into everything that was going on in China during the late 1920's, but I thought it be a good idea to at least tackle some of the big ones. If you remember all the way back when I was listing the different warlord cliques, one of them was the Ma clique. Feng Yuxiang's Guominjun had been shoved into the northwest after the Anti-Fengtian war and one province his men began to oversee was Gansu. At the time famine, natural disasters and the forced seizure of farming land for opium cultivation drove the people of Gansu to rebellion. Two Hui Muslim Generals, Ma Zhongying and Ma Tingxiang exploited the situation to perform a revolt against the Guominjun in 1928.  Prior to this, there had been a lot of ethnic/religious fighting within the province of Gansu. An American botanist named James Rock wrote accounts of how he saw fighting between the Hui Muslims ld by the warlord Ma Qi and Tibetan Buddhists at the Labrang Monastery. Back in 1917, Tibetans in Xunhua had rebelled against Ma Anliang because of over taxation. Ma Anliang did not report this to the Beiyang government and was reprimanded for it, seeing Ma Qi sent by the Beiyang government to investigate and suppress the rebellion. Ma Qi commanded the Ninghai Army in Qinghai and used his forces to seize the Labrang Monastery in 1917. This was the first time non-Tibetans had taken the monastery. Because of this ethnic/religious riots broke out between Muslims and Tibetans seeing Ma Qi defeat the Tibetans. Afterwards he heavily taxed the town of Labrang for over 8 years and repeatedly quelled uprisings. In 1921 he crushed Tibetan Monks trying to retake the monastery. In 1925 a full blown Tibetan rebellion broke out, seeing thousands attacking Hui Muslims. Ma Qi responded by deploying 3000 troops who quickly retook Labrang and machine gunned thousands of Tibetans trying to flee. Ma Qi would besiege Labrang numerous times seeing Hui Muslims, Mongols and Tibetans all fighting for control over Labrang, but by 1927 Ma Qi gave it all up. Ma Qi became the governor of Qinghai and moved on. However, that was not the last Labrang would see of General Ma Qi. The Hui forces looted and ravaged the monastery again and in revenge Tibetans skinned alive many Hui soldiers. One of the most common practices was to slice open the stomach of a living soldier and then put hot rocks inside the stomach. Many Hui women were sold to the ethnic Han and Kazakhs. Children were adopted by the Tibetans. Now come 1927, Feng Yuxiang became the governor of Gansu. To control the region, Feng Yuxiang incorporated and promoted Hui Muslim Generals within his Guominjun. Feng Yuxiang placed Liu Yufen with 15,000 troops to act as governor while he jumped into the northern expedition. There was a particularly nasty earthquake that year, followed by drought and famine. Liu Yufen responded to the situation by overtaxing the populace. During the later half of the northern expedition, Zhang Zuolin fomented any rebellious fires he could amongst his enemies and he could see within Gansu there was an opportunity to exploit. He began sending shipments of weapons to the son of Ma Anliang, Ma Tingxiang who unleashed a revolt against Liu Yufen in Liangzhou. The revolt soon spread and this saw Ma Tingxiang unleash a siege against Hezhou in the spring of 1928. To support the siege, Ma Zhongying recruited Hui, Dongxiang and Salar Muslims, forming an army nearly 10,000 strong. By November, the Hezhou besiegers numbered 25,000 and were beginning to starve. So the men were directed towards the Tao River Valley in the south where they began slaughtering Tibetan monks. They burned the place of the Tibetan Tusi Chief King Yang Jiqing after defeating his 3000 man strong army and sacked the Tibetan city of Chone. The Tibetan areas south of Gansu were laid to waste. At Taozhou Tibetan militias tried to fight off the force of Ma Tingxiang but were defeated. However they did inflict severe casualties upon Ma Tingxiang's forces. This only emboldened more atrocities, seeing muslim forces burn printing presses and temples of the Tibetan Buddhists in Chone. The muslims then looted the Gompa (for those who don't know a Gompa is a sacred Buddhist spiritual compound, sort of like a buddhist university) and massacred the Tibetan Buddhist monks of the Labrang monastery.  The Austrian-American botanist Joseph Rock witnessed much of the carnage and even found himself stuck in a battle in 1929. He described seeing Muslim armies leaving behind Tibetan skeletons over wide areas and decorated the Labrang Monastery with severed Tibetan heads. During the 1929 battle of Xiahe near Labrang, severed Tibetan heads were apparently used as ornaments by Hui Muslim troops within their camps. Rock stated “how the heads of young girls and children were staked around the encampment. Ten to fifteen heads were fastened to the saddle of every Muslim cavalryman. The heads were "strung about the walls of the Moslem garrison like a garland of flowers" The blood flowed until 1929 whence Liu Yufen with support of Feng Yuxiang finally drove off their forces. Its estimated up to 2 million died in the war across Gansu. Ma Tingxiang tried to defect to Chiang Kai-Shek, but would find himself captured later by Feng Yuxiang who executed him. Another notable rebellion occurred in the good old province of Shandong, because where else right?  You may remember me talking about a small group known as the Red Spear Society. They were a movement made up of peasants, who formed self-defense militias during China's Warlord Era. There were numerous branches, but the largest one was in Shandong, particularly within Laiyang county. They of course were so numerous in Shandong because of our old friend the Dogmeat General Zhang Zongchang. Zhang Zongchang notoriously abused the populace of Shandong with gross mismanagement, over taxation and pure brutality. Lets also be honest, Shandong just keeps rearing its head through this podcast series, its basically the melting pot for uprisings. In the fall of 1928, banditry rose exponentially across the Shandong Peninsula, leading more and more villages to join the Red Spear Society trying to defend themselves. Meanwhile with Zhang Zongchang defeated and tossed into exile in Dalian, his subordinate, Liu Zhennian became the new ruler of the province. Liu Zhennian had defected to the KMT at the very last moment, betraying his master so he could steal his fiefdom. Liu Zhennians rule was just as bad if not worse than the Dogmeat General. He overtaxed the population, though a little less than Zhang Zongchang mind you. He used his personal army to brutalize the population, many of his troops simply became bandits looting and pillaging the countryside. All of this further antagonized the Red Spear Society.  In 1928 the Red Spear Society organized a militant tax resistance, causing Liu Zhennians officials to fear even going near a village, particularly at Laiyang and Zhaoyuan where large concentrations of Red Spears were. Now the Red Spears were not the only problem that would hit Shandong in the late 1920's. Our good friend, Zhang Zongchang, exiled in Dalian could not take it anymore and wanted to seize back his power base from his former subordinate. He formed a plot to perform an uprising in Shandong with the help of Chu Yupu and Huang Fengqi. Zhang Zongchang first enlisted the help of one of his former White Russian Commanders, Generals Grigory Semyonov and Konstantin Petrovich Nechaev. Zhang Zongchangs plan to recapture Shandong rested upon the tens of thousands of his former soldiers still within the province. Many of them had not joined the NRA and instead tossed their lot in as bandits. Within quite a precarious economic situation without a real leader, many of them were willing to come back to Zhang Zongchang. These men were certainly not in the best shape. They were demoralized, lacked weapons and training, but they did have one thing going for them. Their war was to be against Liu Zhennians forces and not the crack NRA. Liu Zhennians forces were technically part of the NRA, but in reality they were just a bunch of under trained Fengtian troops who had no real allegiance to the new Nationalist government. They had zero support from the population of Shandong, whom they terrorized. Zhang Zongchang would also have the financial backing of Japan for his little venture.  When Zhang Zongchang came over to Shandong, this caused Liu Zhennians garrison units at Longkou and Huangxian to mutiny in late January of 1929. The local commanders, Liu Kaitai, Xu Tienpin, Li Xutung and Kao Pengqi all began working to overthrow Liu Zhennian. They renounced their allegiance to the KMT and began a revolt. Roughly 3000 men strong consisting of Zhang ZOngchangs former Shandong troops and some Ex-Zhili forces they began to loot and pillage Longkou, Huangxian and Dengzhou. The foreign communities in these parts fled to two Japanese warships at harbor. The Imperial Japanese Navy then sent a squadron to protect their citizens in the area. This was soon followed up by 20,000 troops of Liu Zhennian. However instead of facing Liu Zhennian's men, the mutineers fled into areas defended by the Red Spears. The mutineers and Red Spears formed an alliance, and they prepared an offensive against Longkou. In February the rebels gained the upper hand and pushed Liu Zhennian into the Zhifu area in northeastern Shandong. On February 19th, Zhang Zongchang, Chu Yupu and Huang Fengqi landed at Longkou with a small detachment. The mutineers promptly joined their old master and as he set up a new HQ at Dengzhou. From there they marched upon Zhifu. 15 miles short of Zhifu Zhang Zongchang's now 5000 man strong army ran into Liu Zhennians near Fushan. Zhang Zongchang was hopelessly outnumbered, but luckily Huang Fengqi had spent most of February recruiting their old comrades and managed to assemble 26,000 troops. Meanwhile, Liu Zhennian now had fewer troops than Zhang Zongchang and his KMT backers did not support him very much. What he did receive from the KMT was 200,000 rounds of ammunition, and roughly 50,000 yuan for military funds. Furthermore he was impaired by the presence of the IJN who were secretly supporting Zhang Zongchang by not allowing NRA reinforcements into the area. After a series of skirmishes, Zhang Zongchang arrived at Zhifu with a force nearly 25,000 strong, while Liu Zhennian only had 7000 men left to defend the town. On february 21st the two sides clashed and surprisingly it was Zhang Zongchang who lost. Despite their numbers, they simply were not armed well enough to fight an army who enjoyed fortifications. Another issue they faced was the fact, Zhang Zongchang was not even present during the battle. Zhang Zongchang suffered 500 casualties, roughly 200 deaths and 300 captured, perhaps worse he lost nearly 3000 rifles and 15 machine guns. He pulled back his army to Dengzhou, undaunted by the defeat. Zhang Zongchang's troops then began pillaging the local population. Zhang Zongchang began negotiations with Liu Zhennian trying to convince him to surrender. Certainly Liu Zhennian was not in a good state, by February 25th roughly 15,000 of his troops near the area of Weihaiwei had defected to Zhang Zongchang. By the end of the month Zhang Zongchang effectively controlled eastern Shandong. It was around early March when Zhang Zongchang announced a new warlord coalition, consisting of himself, Chu Yupu, Qi Xieyuan, Wu Peifu, Bai Chongxi, Yan Xishan and countless Fengtian commanders who would soon launch a campaign to defeat the KMT. You are probably thinking to yourself, some of those names don't make any sense, why would they join old Dogmeat? They didn't, he simply made the entire thing up, because he had something cooking in Beijing. Zhang Zongchang sought to foment an anti-KMT movement in north China. On March 2nd, 20 armed men wearing civilian clothing suddenly disarmed the Shanxi Army guards at the Yonghe Temple. These men then fired into the air signaling a regiment loyal to Zhang Zongchang to perform a mutiny. The mutineers quickly manned the temple walls, barricaded themselves in and seized control over nearby fortifications. From their vantage points they began shooting at the local populace causing panic and disorder. Then at lightning speed the KMT forces in Beijing surrounded the Yonghe Temple and forced the mutineers to surrender. Only 2 mutineers were killed, 35 were wounded, but a lot of civilians had been hurt. Despite being a bit comical if you think about it, the Beijing Revolt as it became known received a lot of press. The Nanjing government then took some steps to prevent any more Shandong NRA troops from joining the rebels. Meanwhile back over in eastern Shandong, Zhang Zongchangs troops had literally razed 6 large towns and 50 villages to the ground, apparently in retaliation because someone tried to assassinate Zhang Zongchang. It would not take much for those back under the Dogmeat Generals rule to want to kill him. He was back to his old brutal ways, going even above and beyond. It is said captured women were being sold as slaves at Huangxian for 10-20 mexican dollars. One of Zhang Zongchangs commanders, General Li Xudong had his forces plunder Laizhou before returning to the frontlines around Zhifu. Liu Zhennians forces were likewise looting, albeit on a smaller scale. Liu Zhennian was also ignoring orders from Chiang Kai-Shek to control his men and act in accordance with NRA protocols, IE: no raping, looting and such. The civilian population of Zhifu were so brutalized many simply fled for Dalian. There emerged a growing international concern for the foreign community in eastern Shandong. Several foreign warships began to anchor there. Meanwhile the Red Spear Society was occupying parts of Shandongs hinterland, expanding their influence as countless villages and towns joined them for protection. The Red Spear Society were not the only ones forming localize self defense forces. Being Shandong, the act of doing so had been as ancient as time it self, a lot of irregular armed groups rose up such as the one 2000 man strong army led by Wang Zucheng known as the “southern army” and another force calling themselves the White Spear Society. This group was explicitly raised to defend local villages from Zhang Zongchangs men, but quickly found themselves under attack from local armed groups as well. The White Spears, like the Red Spears, formed a powerbase in Shandongs hinterland.  By early March, Zhang Zongchang and Liu Zhennian agreed to a 5 day ceasefire. Zhang Zongchang followed this up by trying to bribe Liu Zhennian to defect back to him. He offered him 100,000 yuan but in Liu Zhennians words "I thought my loyalty was worth at least 500,000 yuan". Zhang Zongchang was unwilling to pay that much, so Liu Zhennian remained on the side of the KMT. Thus both parties gathered more troops to do battle, once the 5 days were over Zhang Zongchang attacked Zhifu. While under siege, Liu Zhennian received 7000 reinforcements from a local warlord named Sun Dianying. Unfortunately soon after, one of Liu Zhennians regimental commanders, Colonel Liang defected to Zhang Zongchang, opening the gates of the city. Liu Zhennians forces managed to retreat in good order eastwards as Zhang Zongchang began brutalizing the local population. A 6 day long spree of rape, murder and looting devestated Zhifu. By March 28th the Japanese and KMT government signed an agreement resulting in the departure of Japanese forces from Shandong. Meanwhile Liu Zhennian's army had fled to Muping where they found themselves yet again under siege. Liu Zhennian sortied to attack his assailants, inflicting 2000 casualties. As the siege progressed, Liu Zhennian offered to surrender on April 4th, but Zhang Zongchang refused, thinking he had the win in the bag. Unfortunately for Zhang Zongchang, his men gradually sought to plunder the undefended countryside rather than maintain the siege, greatly reducing his strength. During a final attempt to take Muping on April 22nd, Zhang Zongchang's army was routed. Liu Zhennian launched a counter offensive forcing most of Zhang Zongchangs men into the countryside. Countless simply became bandits again, Zhang Zongchangs big attempt to retake the province had crumbled.  Zhang Zongchang yet again fled to Dalian, leaving Chu Yupu with just under 5000 men. Chu Yupu fled to Fushan where he took its 20,000 inhabitants hostage. For 13 days Chu Yupu was besieged by NRA forces. During those 13 days, Chu Yupu's men raped, murdered and looted. Apparently they tied up over 400 women and children to be used as human shields during the siege as well. Chu Yufu eventually surrendered, whereupon numerous women and girls committed suicide having become raped and pregnant. Over 1500 NRA and 2000 rebels were reportedly killed during the siege of Fushan. The city that had been plundered heavily for 13 days, was then plundered by the besiegers. Chu Yupu had secured a deal with the KMT to be allowed to go into exile in Korea with 400,000$ worth of silver. Now again back to those Red Spears. By the summer of 1929 they had ballooned into what was effectively a proto-state around Dengzhou. They had established a magistrate, taken over all the local administration and introduced land and head taxes to fund themselves…which is ironic. Within their territory they refused to pay governmental taxes. They introduced a forced conscription of at least one member of each family. The taxes collected funded buying arms and ammunition and any NRA or KMT officials who came near were shot on sight. It got to the point if anyone was caught speaking without the local dialect they were turned away. By august they were roughly 60,000 strong and were too large for Liu Zhennian not to deal with any longer. On September 23rd Liu Zhennien unleashed an encirclement campaign between Dengzhou and Huangxian, performing a scorched earth policy. His troops destroyed 18 villages and largely burned down another 60 killing everyone they encountered, whether man, woman or child. By November the Red Spears in the area ceased to exist. It was just another sunny day in Shandong province.  I would like to take this time to remind you all that this podcast is only made possible through the efforts of Kings and Generals over at Youtube. Please go subscribe to Kings and Generals over at Youtube and to continue helping us produce this content please check out www.patreon.com/kingsandgenerals. If you are still hungry after that, give my personal channel a look over at The Pacific War Channel at Youtube, it would mean a lot to me. The Guangzhou uprisings was another testament to the lengths the CCP would go to try and carve out a new communist China. The Gansu and Red Spear uprisings were just a few amongst countless tales of the absolute mayhem and chaos that was China's warlord era, when the real victims were always the same, the common people of China.