Podcasts about CSB

Don’t miss this massive channel shift! Subscribe to our Newsletter:https://theultimatepartner.com/ebook-subscribe/ Check Out UPX:https://theultimatepartner.com/experience/ In this episode of the Ultimate Partner Podcast, host Vince Menzione sits down with Alexandra Zagury, Corporate Vice President of Channels at Microsoft, to explore ecosystem shifts, partner-led growth, and AI transformation. https://youtu.be/9jrSGX5bM90 Key Takeaways Microsoft’s telemetry and propensity data offer unprecedented insights that many partners are currently failing to unlock. Partners must evolve past basic licensing models and build comprehensive managed service stacks across the entire customer lifecycle. Establishing an AI Center of Excellence on the Microsoft platform is critical for capturing future market share and technical intensity. The modern tech ecosystem demands a shift from product-led growth to true partner-led growth driven by multi-partner collaboration. Renewal engines targeting 110% to 125% retention require an always-on motion starting well in advance of contract expiration. Investing in sales readiness and precision velocity training ensures that end sellers can effectively articulate the value of the Microsoft platform. If you're ready to lead through change, elevate your business, and achieve extraordinary outcomes through the power of partnership—this is your community. At Ultimate Partner® we want leaders like you to join us in the Ultimate Partner Experience – where transformation begins. Key Tags Microsoft, telemetry, Hyperscalers, channel, small medium enterprise, telcos, hosters, SSPs, Cisco, CSP, agentic GTM, propensity data, SPX, PUPP, cloud descent, MSPs, managed XDR, Agent 365, skilling, co-sell, renewals, flywheel, AI Center of Excellence, enterprise Transcript Alexandra Zagury Audio Podcast [00:00:00] Alexandra Zagury: One of the things that I think is the best kept secret at Microsoft is the telemetry that we offer our partners. [00:00:08] Vince Menzione: You can feel it happening. The ecosystem is shifting beneath us, the way Hyperscalers are partnering, how AI is remaking the channel and what it means to win in 2026. Welcome to the Ultimate Partner Podcast. [00:00:22] Vince Menzione: I’m Vince Menzi, own your host, and each week I sit down with leaders at the intersection of technology. Partnerships and outcomes. The voices shaping how ecosystems actually work. We talk about what’s real, what’s changing, and what it takes to lead in this era where the partner channel isn’t just part of the strategy. [00:00:41] Vince Menzione: It is the strategy because being in the room changes everything. Let’s [00:00:46] Guest: start. [00:00:50] Vince Menzione: I am thrilled because I get to have a leader that is somewhat new in role and is the corporate vice president of channels for Microsoft. And so Alex is here to, is joining us for the first time at Ultimate Partner. I’m thrilled to have you. Thank, thank you so much. Thank you so much. Welcome, welcome. [00:01:14] Vince Menzione: Thank you. Thank you. You and I are gonna be in the center seat in the middle. Okay. Yeah. Yeah. We wanna. So I am thrilled. Um, you’re relatively new in your role at Microsoft. [00:01:24] Alexandra Zagury: Seven months. [00:01:25] Vince Menzione: Seven months, [00:01:26] Alexandra Zagury: yes. [00:01:26] Vince Menzione: Wow. That’s a, that’s a crazy. So take us through, ’cause for those who don’t know you, but a little bit of an introduction, your title, your role, CVP, and uh, your remit. [00:01:37] Vince Menzione: Let’s talk about that and what your organization is focused in, in your mission. Yeah. [00:01:41] Alexandra Zagury: So hi everybody. Really exciting to be here. Thanks for the invitation, Vince. I always love to be with partners and with the channel. So my, I came to Microsoft to lead a new role, which we call Global Channel Sales, and it was part of the strategy of Microsoft to really bet on the growth in small, medium enterprise. [00:02:04] Alexandra Zagury: With the channel partner led growth. So my remit is really to lead our managed partners, but also to lead the strategy when it comes to the channel. Very specifically looking at the telcos, the distributors, the hosters. The sis and, uh, the SSPs of course. And, and so my role can be summarized in one word growth, and that’s what we do every single day is map our ambition to your ambition and figure out how we actually conquer this age of ai. [00:02:40] Vince Menzione: It’s a pretty big role. It’s a pretty, you know, I forgot about hosts ’cause we don’t, we don’t talk about them as much these days in the cloud. [00:02:48] Alexandra Zagury: Still a lot [00:02:48] Vince Menzione: of opportunity. You’ve got, and you’ve got all the telcos as well, which are pretty significant organizations, right? Lumen Field, just around the corner. [00:02:56] Vince Menzione: Mm-hmm. Right up the. Right up, I said across the river, but it’s across the pond in Seattle. And, uh, what does that look like from an organization perspective in terms of dollars? Are you allowed to disclose numbers? [00:03:08] Alexandra Zagury: No, we [00:03:08] Vince Menzione: don’t talk numbers. Okay. And, but you have a long career in this type of environment, in this role. [00:03:15] Vince Menzione: 10 years at Cisco, right? [00:03:17] Alexandra Zagury: Mm-hmm. [00:03:17] Vince Menzione: Tell us a little bit more about your background, [00:03:18] Alexandra Zagury: please. Yeah, sure. Um, well I started out as a, a sales leader. Uh, actually I started out in banking, if you wanna go all the way back. Um, but I fell in love with the channel actually, when I was at Yahoo, believe it or not. Wow. [00:03:32] Alexandra Zagury: Because it was the first interact sales model that I had the privilege to operate in, and I really understood. Stood the power of going through a channel. And then I was at Blackberry where I, I, I also, um, well had various sales leadership roles, but our model was all through, was all through the channel. [00:03:51] Alexandra Zagury: Yes. Um, some startups and then help [00:03:54] Vince Menzione: in those days too, right? [00:03:55] Alexandra Zagury: Yeah. It was all sps and I learned from Jim Balze the channel fundamentals. So, um, and then ended up, of course, at Cisco the last. Nearly 11 years, which I think is also one of the greatest channel companies. Yes. And really has thrived in a partner, partner led growth, and in a partner led model. [00:04:12] Alexandra Zagury: And so when, when Microsoft called, I mean, this was just the opportunity of a lifetime. To lead the channel during an era where we’re all getting disrupted, we’re all having to blueprint new systems, new ways of working, where go to market is getting identified, and we’re all having to figure out how to become customer zero ourselves, but then also how to go to market. [00:04:36] Alexandra Zagury: With, with agents. And so this was the, the most exciting time that I could think of to join the Microsoft ecosystem and really take us to the next level. [00:04:44] Vince Menzione: Well, your background is perfect for this. I, I, Rodney Clark is a friend, has been a guest on the podcast and in, in the studio, and I think of Cisco is the quintessential channel company. [00:04:56] Vince Menzione: Like when I think about how channel got created and how it worked well, it was always Cisco that did it. So give us like your perspective now, like seven plus months and like how does this feel like you’ve You’ve got a big remit and, uh, various, uh, routes to market. We’ll call them, uh, channels to market. [00:05:14] Vince Menzione: So take us through a little bit of that, like Yeah, sure. [00:05:16] Alexandra Zagury: Describe [00:05:16] Vince Menzione: the transition, what it’s been like [00:05:18] Alexandra Zagury: for you. So one of the things we’re focused on is supporting the channel through the transformation, and we look at it in a couple of lenses. The first lens is really helping the channel become customer zero. [00:05:29] Alexandra Zagury: We really believe that the partners that invest in. Actually identifying their own processes and their own go go to market are the channels, are are the partners that it can actually win because if you are using it, you’re gonna be able to sell it. The second layer is all about technical intensity, and I’m very passionate about this because I see it from two lenses. [00:05:51] Alexandra Zagury: One is. I would like each and every of our partners to lead in building an AI Center of Excellence based on the Microsoft platform. It is a unique opportunity. I can give you lots of numbers, right? We’ve all heard about the trillions of agents that are gonna be here by 2030. We’ve all heard about the tam. [00:06:12] Alexandra Zagury: I mean, our TAM is going from 777. Million to over a billion, uh, to over a trillion. I, it’s, the numbers are just enormous, insane, right? Over half a billion of customers in our base that are using, that are, that are based already on the Microsoft platform. So all the goodness of our IU IQ platform can be unlocked with all the services that the partners can build. [00:06:36] Alexandra Zagury: So investing in that technical skilling and building those practices are gonna be, is gonna be essential. The third part. The third pillar is all about ag agentic, GTM. So once you’re actually using, uh, the Microsoft platform, you’re gonna have to reimagine all your business’s pro processes, your sales processes, and the more that you are integrated into how we do, how we do things. [00:07:00] Alexandra Zagury: One of the things that I think is the best kept secret at Microsoft is the telemetry that we offer our partners. Yeah. I mean, it’s unbelievable. I’ve never seen the quality of propensity data. And now I’m gonna give you the ABCs, which is please, A SPX, which is where we get all our copilot data, PUPP, which is our proposal upsell, uh, planner, right, cloud descent, where you can actually get your next action directly to your sellers. [00:07:27] Alexandra Zagury: There is just so much goodness that we give, which is part of our, our investment in partners. Which takes me to the fourth pillar, and that is all about value alignment and one of the things that I’m very focused and I bring with me from, from Cisco and the work that I did with MSPs is really thinking through what is that value exchange between us and the partner. [00:07:49] Alexandra Zagury: I believe that I’m in the business of earning your trust. Earning your preference. And, and, and we do that by really mapping that value alignment. So not just, one of the things that the whole industry has copied from Microsoft is really looking at our incentives across the customer lifecycle. Yes. So really mapping the value alignment across the customer lifecycle, not just at the point of the deal. [00:08:13] Alexandra Zagury: ’cause that was the whole purpose of CSP. That’s right. The investments we make in tele telemetry, the investments we make in our go-to-market assets and having those bi-directional feedback loops so that we can be continuously improving. So those are sort of the things that I’m thinking about every day. [00:08:29] Alexandra Zagury: There’s a couple of others as we lead and support you in this transformation. ’cause I think of my job as to supporting and driving growth with you so that we have that joint ambition. But also supporting the transformation that both of us are on this journey. [00:08:44] Vince Menzione: And Microsoft was the first with Jay McBain was with us yesterday, and we talked, we’ve talked about this before, but you were the first company to take and look, get rid of the old metal systems, right? [00:08:55] Vince Menzione: The bronze, silver, gold, mm-hmm. And move to basically a point system for partners so that they can come at it from a kind of a global perspective on how they drive success. What was, um, what did you learn about this partner community, your first months that you didn’t expect? [00:09:12] Alexandra Zagury: Can I say something controversial? [00:09:14] Vince Menzione: Absolutely. Okay. [00:09:14] Alexandra Zagury: I love, [00:09:14] Vince Menzione: we love controversial, [00:09:15] Alexandra Zagury: so I think one of the things that I was surprised was that I didn’t see all the partners really unlocking the value of CSP. Yeah. What do I mean by that? When Microsoft moved to the Point System, and I was on the other side, really, I was so jealous of CSP when I was running managed services. [00:09:34] Alexandra Zagury: Here’s an offer that is for partners, for Partner that gives you that initial. Guarantee in terms of the margin that helps you throughout the customer life cycle with all the incentives and, and programs that we have. And I didn’t see, I mean there are some partners, but I was surprised not seeing more partners really building their value stack and their services across the lifecycle. [00:09:59] Alexandra Zagury: And I think there’s such a great opportunity now to do that. That was one of the most surprising things I thought. Oh my gosh, there must be so many, so many services stack, so many people really unlocking, unlocking that, that value. That was a, that was a little bit surprising. [00:10:14] Vince Menzione: Why? Why do you suppose, why do you suppose that was happening? [00:10:17] Alexandra Zagury: I think some of the things that we were listening here, there’s some, sometimes complexity. There are things that we still have to. Get better on, and I’m one of the first ones to say that like our partner experience, we have, um, you know, a lot of focus right now on partner center and ensuring that we’re identifying it. [00:10:36] Alexandra Zagury: I don’t know if I can say it, but, you know, one of the things that we’re looking at is replicating internally. We have Agent J. That supports our sellers through the sales process. Nice. We’re looking at having something similar for our partners. Very cool. Getting some claps there. So, yeah, so, uh, I think, you know, that I, some, there are some lockers that we, we have to acknowledge a lot of them are operational and comes with being a 50-year-old company. [00:11:02] Vince Menzione: I, I’ll give you my perspective too. I wanna get your thoughts on this. ’cause I got to, I’ve gotten to know this MSP community, which is a, you mentioned managed services and that, um, I think that some of them, well, I think Microsoft is leaning in, in a much bigger way. Um, we had Jose on stage yesterday and just the, the energy around the room, there he is, he’s back here. [00:11:23] Vince Menzione: The energy in the room around the MSP community is palpable and it maybe it wasn’t there a few years ago. Maybe some people got off the bus, so to speak, like they weren’t really paying attention mm-hmm. To all the change and all the investments. That you men, you’re mentioning or being made to support this, would you, what would you say about that? [00:11:42] Alexandra Zagury: Yeah, I’d say that that that is correct, but I’d also say that what I learned, you know, leading MSP at Cisco was that. All the stars have to be aligned, right? And if one thing is not right, if you don’t have product market fit, if you, if you, if you don’t have a good way to, uh, consolidate your offer, if you don’t have that investment in practice development, like there’s a series of things that we need to get right. [00:12:07] Alexandra Zagury: And I think Jose and I spent a lot of time thinking through those things and we’re, we’re ready to, to welcome the community and specifically around security. I mean, that was the second thing that I was really surprised because I lost so many deals on the other side to Microsoft, and I was like, and then I come on this side and I’m like, there’s all this opportunity everywhere. [00:12:28] Alexandra Zagury: I look underneath this chair, this opportunity, and I’m like, why are people not going after it? There is the opportunity to build managed XDR solutions, the opportunity to reinvent the song. There’s, there’s just so much opportunity and I think people get so stuck in the. Just thinking of it from a licensing model and not thinking it from the, the full on end-to-end value that you can then unlock through the best licensing model on the planet. [00:12:55] Alexandra Zagury: And so, look, we’re here, we’re, we’re ready to talk to all of you and, and really figure this out ’cause we are gonna place really bet big bets next year on ensuring that we’re growing with the MSP community. [00:13:08] Vince Menzione: So what are you personally focused on in changing Microsoft to drive this. [00:13:13] Alexandra Zagury: Well, uh, I don’t know. [00:13:14] Alexandra Zagury: Changing is a, is a, is a big word. Well, I like evolution, change, [00:13:17] Vince Menzione: evolution, evolving. [00:13:18] Alexandra Zagury: You know, I [00:13:19] Vince Menzione: transition. [00:13:21] Alexandra Zagury: I think there is, there is a couple of things that I’ll say that one of the things that I, I’m really focused on right now, the first one is skilling. We’re at a time of such transformation. That investing in skilling, and if you look at our skilling model, it has four pillars. [00:13:37] Alexandra Zagury: The first pillar we’re best in class, in which is certification specializations, and making sure that our ecosystem is certified to go to market. The second one, which we call project ready. It’s sort of how we help you, uh, technically skill the folks that sit in your practices. And there’s more work to do there, and there’s more that you can learn about how we can actually help you. [00:13:59] Alexandra Zagury: And then the middle part I’m obsessed with right now, which is sales ready and tech sales ready. So it is ensuring, because AI is new for everybody. Yes. It’s a muscle, it is a proposition that you have to sell it’s value that you’re selling. I, I love what the gentleman from Lenovo was talking about. It’s, it’s that CSB always on motion. [00:14:21] Alexandra Zagury: Yes. And so really getting very crisp to the end seller at the, at the reseller. For example, at the end, seller at the partner about why Microsoft. Why now, how do I sell and how do I win? And giving them the assets, the competitive battle cards, the, the, the ability to end objection handling all these. Great, we have them. [00:14:45] Alexandra Zagury: I mean, the amount of content we have, but it’s about doing it at what I call precision velocity. [00:14:51] Vince Menzione: Precision [00:14:51] Alexandra Zagury: velocity, right? Which is this concept of how do we get very precise at a persona level. So that we get the velocity of impact. And so I’m, I’m very obsessed with that right now. And there’s two other things I’m very obsessed with, right? [00:15:04] Alexandra Zagury: The other one is this practice building, ensuring that we are together building these AI centers of excellence, um, especially for all our managed partners. This is something that I’ve put on, uh, every single PDM in our org is gonna, is gonna be talking about that. And then the third one is one that I find super interesting, which I think all of us. [00:15:25] Alexandra Zagury: Have a lot of work to do, which is partner to partner. [00:15:29] Vince Menzione: Yes. [00:15:29] Alexandra Zagury: If we look at a customer outcome, thank you. A customer outcome is built of many partners, right? There’s so many different touch points. I think some folks talk about seven partners in, in a customer outcome, and so how do we actually. Use agents, use agent solutions to suddenly unlock this opportunity because most of the time you’ll see an SSP with an si, maybe an ISV in the middle of a transaction to deliver on that customer outcome. [00:16:04] Alexandra Zagury: Yes. So what can we Microsoft do? And I’d love ideas, right? I haven’t cracked this. I don’t think the industry has completely cracked this. It’s more of a, a science than, than, well, more of an art than it is a science today. So that’s the third thing that I, I, I’d love to really improve and, and get better at. [00:16:20] Vince Menzione: I wish you got to see my slide earlier. ’cause I had the seven seats. I had this, I had the seven partners surrounding the customer. Customer is able to make their decisions now because with their cloud commitments [00:16:31] Alexandra Zagury: mm-hmm. [00:16:32] Vince Menzione: They’re in the, they’re in the seat where it used to be. I would rely on the partner to tell me what to do. [00:16:38] Vince Menzione: I, I’m cobbling together the best solution for my organization. Based on the trusted partners, to your point, those seven seats, and that’s partner to partner action. And Jay McBain was here yesterday and he took us through a great example. It’s AstraZeneca, that Microsoft won AWS, thought they were gonna win the deal, and then there were Microsoft partners in involved. [00:17:00] Vince Menzione: And the, the decision was made in December, but the deal didn’t happen until July. And that whole process was because all these different partners showed up. And influence the decision and the solution areas for that customer. [00:17:12] Alexandra Zagury: Yeah, that’s the best example of PLG partner led growth in action, which I think, again, that is the other thing that I’m super excited about is that actually p proving in the AI era that it’s about PLG as partner led growth, not the other PLGI. [00:17:31] Vince Menzione: I love that. I love that. Instead of product led growth, it’s partner led growth. So I understand there’s three layers that you’re very interested in that you want, you were gonna take us through today. Okay. Do you know about this, [00:17:44] Alexandra Zagury: the layers [00:17:45] Vince Menzione: of we have, uh, copilot chat. Oh, yes. 365 and, and agents. [00:17:49] Alexandra Zagury: Yeah. [00:17:50] Vince Menzione: From a product perspective, I thought maybe, [00:17:51] Alexandra Zagury: yeah, sure. [00:17:52] Alexandra Zagury: This is, I mean. This is the, uh, advantage of choosing the market Microsoft platform. Yeah, so as you look, look at it, there’s, there’s definitely different options, but when you look at Microsoft, what’s really, really interesting is that we have all the, all the layers. There’s no AI without data, and we’ve got that data foundation. [00:18:15] Alexandra Zagury: We also have the intelligence data foundation, right? Then we’ve got the, the layer of actually building those AI agents, and then the last layer that we have is actually the experience or the application layer. So when you look at our platform is a completely integrated platform with the different choices. [00:18:35] Alexandra Zagury: We are not behold, beholden to one LLM or another LLM. You’re actually able to bring your data and, and bring the LLM that you want to deliver on the, on the outcomes that you need. And I think that is very, very unique about our proposition. Yeah, I [00:18:50] Vince Menzione: agree. [00:18:50] Alexandra Zagury: But the other thing that is unique, it’s the most exciting product out there. [00:18:55] Alexandra Zagury: Agent 3, 6 5, our own oh oh seven. It really is a differentiated proposition that every single partner can build services around. Starting with your advisory services, tell me customer, what is it that you are thinking of? Then you actually move on to thinking about security because again, just like there’s no AI without data, you have to start with that data foundation. [00:19:24] Alexandra Zagury: There’s no AI without security and no security without ai. And so really thinking through how, uh, agent 3, 6, 5, I love it. I get these claps once a, I love, love really thinking about how Agent 3, 6 5 really unlocks, not only. A security budget, but an observability budget because you can do both. You are talking to both, uh, folks at the customer, right? [00:19:47] Alexandra Zagury: You can actually start talking about how you’re gonna actually govern all of these agents, manage all of these agents, but also there’s the observability layer, which is gonna tell you what actually can you do? How can you actually deliver on the outcomes that we all want from ai, which is productivity. [00:20:05] Alexandra Zagury: Experience and efficiency and all the other things. So I think this is the biggest opportunity this channel has ever seen, and every single partner is gonna have to make a choice on what platform they’re gonna lead with, and we believe it should be ours because it is completely integrated across these three layers with our very own oh oh seven. [00:20:30] Vince Menzione: I wanna get your perspective, but it feels like many of these partners in the MSP community are stuck at that CSP level. We were having this conversation about getting through that, coaching ’em through it. What would your be your perspective on that? [00:20:44] Alexandra Zagury: Um, I’d say, uh, use this moment to unlock that opportunity. [00:20:50] Alexandra Zagury: First off, invest in your skills. Get your, get your team skilled and, uh, on Microsoft, build your center of excellence. Map out your strategy where actually you’re gonna monetize and use all the different assets that we have. And if you are being really, um, I mean, most of them are serviced through a distributor. [00:21:12] Alexandra Zagury: Make your distributor accountable for supporting you in packaging the offers and giving you the, uh, information that you need in terms of skilling. And then in terms of co-selling, again, distributor has a lot of tools that can help you understand how to unlock the co unlock, the co-selling opportunity with Microsoft. [00:21:35] Alexandra Zagury: I think that’s another really big competitive advantage that Microsoft has. When, uh, Microsoft changed what it started by, by, by changing its strategy. I think clarity is kindness. We were very, very clear that where we want, we wanted partners, of course, to play an enterprise with a services stack, but we were very clear that we were betting on a partner led growth in small, medium enterprise, right? [00:22:03] Alexandra Zagury: And so we’ve built our whole operating system. Around that. And so I think it’s really about finding the information that you know you want, planning your strategy, getting skilled and go to market with us. Our co-sell Advantage is very, very unique. It is one of the only companies that has the sales teams completely aligned because CSP is our hero motion. [00:22:29] Vince Menzione: So being with a customer through the journey on CSP, but also renewals are a big component of growth. Talk to us about that. [00:22:36] Alexandra Zagury: Yeah. Renewals are, uh, a machine and an engine that is just absolutely beautiful. It’s your [00:22:42] Vince Menzione: flywheel. [00:22:43] Alexandra Zagury: It is your flywheel. Um, and it is the gift that keeps on giving. We, of course, have a very focused, um, and in fact, one of the things that I’ve done since. [00:22:52] Alexandra Zagury: Uh, since we’ve started, it started a very focused motion in terms of looking at our renewals. We have very specific targets. We, we like to see a renewal at 110% at the moment of renewal. And then we like to see a motion, t plus three, T plus six. That gets us to that a hundred and and 25%. But what we’ve also found out is that this needs to be an always on motion. [00:23:18] Alexandra Zagury: So one of the things that we’re doing is using this concept of precision velocity becoming very rigorous. ’cause we have all the data. Yeah. In terms of what is that next action, and really looking at starting that renewal process, we see that the partners that are able to reach the targets are the ones that start at T minus. [00:23:36] Alexandra Zagury: Six, maybe T minus three, you’re cutting it, but T minus six. And really building that constant motion, getting out in front Yeah. With the customer is really important. And then of course, we now even have these amazing go back motions, uh, with, with our partners where we actually, after the renewal, we go and. [00:23:56] Alexandra Zagury: The renewal was not at the target. We just constantly keep on going. Uh, going back with the, with the partners and we’ve unlocked a, a bevy of data. We, our operating model, we call it the pods, where the PDM sits at the center and orchestrates it with all the different roles that we have. And so we now have a very systematized moment, uh, motion of how to do the renewals. [00:24:18] Vince Menzione: So for the partners in the room, what’s one investment that they should make and what should every partner in the room do differently? Going into, uh, July 1st. [00:24:27] Alexandra Zagury: Well, I think the first thing, remember, CSP is our hero motion, so really for, uh, real, really focused on that. But the one investment, can I say two? [00:24:38] Vince Menzione: Please, please. [00:24:38] Alexandra Zagury: Your time. The, the first one is skilling, right? This is the time. [00:24:43] Vince Menzione: Yeah. [00:24:43] Alexandra Zagury: Technical intensity is super, super important, and really making those investments in skilling not only from a practice perspective, your your, your technical practice, uh, teams, but also from a sales readiness perspective. [00:24:59] Alexandra Zagury: This is a new muscle. It’s we’re all learning how to truly sell outcomes, and so getting your sales teams ready. Is is really important. And then the second one very tied to that is building your AI Center of Excellence based on the Microsoft platform. Because as we go into FY 27, you will see that the partners that prefer and grow with us are the ones that will see the investment come to them. [00:25:28] Vince Menzione: So I want to use the term front. I I, I’ve been avoiding the term frontier firm, but I think it is super critical. Everything I’ve heard today, like you need to be customer zero. You need to get in train, advance on it and go build against it. [00:25:41] Alexandra Zagury: Absolutely. Well, if you had, let me a third, I would’ve said customer zero. [00:25:46] Vince Menzione: You have it? Alright. We have less than a minute. Would you be okay if we ask for like maybe one question? Yeah, absolutely. We’ll do like one, maybe two. So good to have you by the way. Thank you, Vince. So nice to have you here. [00:26:04] Vince Menzione: I think we did such a good job. Oh, here we go. Here’s, here’s fun. A mic is coming your way. [00:26:20] Vince Menzione: Thank you. Here we go. Okay. [00:26:22] Guest: So we’ve been very keen on, um, skilling our people, and I still find it very hard to get all of the information out of Partner Center to get a complete global view. Are you and your team thinking about maybe having an MCP server access and having a real portal working with that data? [00:26:41] Alexandra Zagury: You just touched on one of our areas of improvement. Absolutely. In fact, um, thank you for, stay tuned for holding us accountable to that. That is definitely one of the things that we’re working on is how to integrate skilling hub into partner center. Right. As most of you will know, there are it Qs, and so that’s one of the things that we are definitely prioritizing, but thank you for holding me accountable to that one. [00:27:09] Vince Menzione: Awesome. [00:27:13] Vince Menzione: We have one more back here, David. I see. We wanna see how fast they can move that microphone across the room. Relay system here. The relay team. There we go. [00:27:25] Guest: That was excellent, Alexander. Thank you. And welcome. [00:27:28] Alexandra Zagury: Thank you. [00:27:29] Guest: Can you point to a specific example? ’cause I think it’s so critical what you highlighted just the skill piece and the customer outcomes piece. [00:27:35] Guest: Right. Can you point to a specific example of a story that you really love that highlights, uh, customers lighting it up with ROI. [00:27:44] Alexandra Zagury: Yeah, I think, you know, we’re, we’re, we’re a platform, so I just saw a win wire. Like at Microsoft, we get these win wires all the time about how an SSB actually won a, a deal against one of these big AI only companies. [00:28:00] Alexandra Zagury: And it was really about selling the full platform, right? Yeah. Because if, if you, if you put a full platform against an LLM proposition, I mean, the full platform really stacks up because it’s completely integrated. It’s not behemoth to one, you’re not making a bet on one company. And it really highlighted our mantra around trust and intelligence. [00:28:24] Alexandra Zagury: The customer was able to see, they, they were an M 365 customer, so all their iq, all their intelligence was already there. They knew that they, there were guardrails against it. They had a problem with shadow ai and by actually standardizing on copilot and going on that journey from copilot paid to agents, they sue the, they saw the full, uh, value proposition. [00:28:49] Alexandra Zagury: And so we won that deal and it was one of the. First E seven deals that we won, so it was great. [00:28:55] Vince Menzione: Fantastic. Great. Congratulations. [00:28:57] Alexandra Zagury: Thank you [00:28:58] Vince Menzione: Alex. I am so honored and thrilled that you got, you chose us to be your I I would say the first big Yeah, absolutely. Presentation in front of the partner community. [00:29:07] Vince Menzione: I’m so excited to have you. [00:29:08] Alexandra Zagury: Thank you [00:29:09] Vince Menzione: guys, and hopefully many more times ahead with us. [00:29:10] Alexandra Zagury: Absolutely. Invite me at anytime. [00:29:12] Vince Menzione: Okay. Well, thank you [00:29:13] Alexandra Zagury: so much. [00:29:14] Vince Menzione: Thank you. So great [00:29:15] Alexandra Zagury: to have you. Thank [00:29:16] Vince Menzione: you so much. Thanks for listening to The Ultimate Partner Podcast. If today’s conversation resonated, share it with a partner leader in your network. [00:29:26] Vince Menzione: Subscribe where you listen, and head over to the ultimate partner.com. For show notes related content and the resources for this episode. And if you haven’t already, now’s the time to register for the Ultimate Partner Live Event in Reston, Virginia, October 26th through October 28th. Until next time, keep showing up in the rooms that matter because being in the room changes everything.

Ethel Baker, CSB, from Buffalo, New York, USAYou can read Ethel's editorial in the Christian Science Sentinel.

Evan Mehlenbacher, CSB, from Richland, Washington, USAHear more of Evan's experience on this week's episode of Sentinel Watch.

Gospel People | Week 2 | Faith in What? | Pastor Tyler Sollie | Life Center Tacoma Faith is TRUST... and trust is only ever as good as its OBJECT. Biblical faith is defined by WHAT IT TRUSTS, not by HOW HARD IT BELIEVES. Genesis 15:1-6 (CSB) It's not the strength of your FAITH - it's the strength of your GOD. Biblical faith doesn't DENY REALITY; it trusts a GREATER REALITY. RIGHTEOUSNESS is a DECLARATION, not an ACHIEVEMENT. Romans 4:2-5 (CSB) The RIGHTEOUSNESS God REQUIRES from us is the RIGHTEOUSNESS God has PROVIDED for us in Jesus. Romans 4:16-25 (CSB) Romans 1:16-17 (CSB)

Matthew 8:1-4 CSB

Chet Manchester, CSB, from Upper Black Eddy, Pennsylvania, USA

Gospel People | Week 1 | What Grace Makes Us | Pastor Tyler Sollie | Life Center Tacoma εὐαγγέλιον [euaggelion /yoo·ang·ghel·ee·on/ ] Gospel = Good News The gospel doesn't just change what we DO or what we KNOW; it changes WHO WE ARE. Genesis 3:15 (CSB) 1 Corinthians 15:1-11 (CSB) “If Jesus rose from the dead, then you have to accept all that he said; if he didn't rise from the dead, then why worry about any of what he said?” - Timothy Keller | The Reason for God The gospel is not EARNED, it is RECEIVED Ephesians 2:8-9 (CSB) The gospel is not just INFORMATION we BELIEVE; it is IDENTITY and BELONGING

We're so glad you are here! Thanks for checking out Sunday's message!-- SUNDAY'S NOTES --The sons of the prophets said to Elisha, “Please notice that the place where we live under your supervision is too small for us. Please let us go to the Jordan where we can each get a log and can build ourselves a place to live there.” “Go,” he said. Then one said, “Please come with your servants.” “I'll come,” he answered. So he went with them, and when they came to the Jordan, they cut down trees. As one of them was cutting down a tree, the iron ax head fell into the water, and he cried out, “Oh, my master, it was borrowed! ” Then the man of God asked, “Where did it fall? ” When he showed him the place, the man of God cut a piece of wood, threw it there, and made the iron float. Then he said, “Pick it up.” So he reached out and took it. 2 Kings 6:1-7 CSBThe weight that accompanies our daily activities is never too much for God's divine attention to detail. When the king of Aram was at war with Israel… 2 Kings 6:8 NLTGod's will for your life will always face opposition, but never an opposition that's greater than God. He would confer with his officers and say, “We will mobilize our forces at such and such a place.”2 Kings 6:8 NLTOne of the enemy's favorite and most effective strategies is spiritual ambush. For the waywardness of the simple will kill them, and the complacency of fools will destroy them; but whoever listens to me will live in safety and be at ease, without fear of harm.” Proverbs 1:33 NIVBut immediately Elisha, the man of God, would warn the king of Israel, “Do not go near that place, for the Arameans are planning to mobilize their troops there.” So the king of Israel would send word to the place indicated by the man of God. Time and again Elisha warned the king, so that he would be on the alert there. 2 Kings 6:9-10 NLTHoly Spirit will never leave you without the insight and authority you need to avoid the enemy's ambush.The king of Aram was enraged because of this matter, and he called his servants and demanded of them, “Tell me, which one of us is for the king of Israel? ” One of his servants said, “No one, my lord the king. Elisha, the prophet in Israel, tells the king of Israel even the words you speak in your bedroom.” So the king said, “Go and see where he is, so I can send men to capture him.” When he was told, “Elisha is in Dothan,” he sent horses, chariots, and a massive army there. They went by night and surrounded the city. 2 Kings 6:11-14 CSBLearning the enemy's ambush strategies may cause a direct attack, but is necessary for lasting victory.When the servant of the man of God got up early and went out, he discovered an army with horses and chariots surrounding the city. So he asked Elisha, “Oh, my master, what are we to do? ” 2 Kings 6:15 CSBBoth opposition and opportunity can be overwhelming if we only see in the natural. Elisha said, “Don't be afraid, for those who are with us outnumber those who are with them.” 2 Kings 6:16 NLTx + GP = ∞Any finite thing + God's power = Limitless possibilitiesThen Elisha prayed, “O LORD, open his eyes and let him see!” The LORD opened the young man's eyes, and when he looked up, he saw that the hillside around Elisha was filled with horses and chariots of fire. 2 Kings 6:17 NLTOne of life's greatest blessings is the God-given gift to see our circumstances through faith rather than fear.As the Aramean army advanced toward him, Elisha prayed, “O LORD, please make them blind.” So the LORD struck them with blindness as Elisha had asked. 2 Kings 6:18 NLT Pray specifically that whatever has been your nemesis will be rendered powerless in the name of Jesus.And he led them to the city of Samaria. As soon as they had entered Samaria, Elisha prayed, “O LORD, now open their eyes and let them see.” So the LORD opened their eyes, and they discovered that they were in the middle of Samaria. 2 Kings 6:20 NLT God's ability to turn the table on trouble is tremendous and should never be overlooked or taken for granted. -------------------------------------------------Download the 828 Church app!To view our latest e-newsletter, the Midweek Momentum, and subscribe to our weekly updates, go here! https://linktr.ee/828church

Hebrews 9 Par-rah-GHEE-no-my = Appear, Appearing, Arrive, Arrived, Come, Coming Three “Appearing's” of Christ His First appearance (Hebrews 9:1-10) “The Word became flesh and dwelt among us. We observed his glory, the glory as the one and only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.” John 1:14 CSB His Heavenly appearance “But when Christ appeared as a high priest of the good things having come, He entered through the greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made by hands, that is, not of this creation; and not through the blood of goats and calves, but through His own blood, He entered the holy place once for all time, having obtained eternal redemption. For if the blood of goats and bulls, and the ashes of a heifer sprinkling those who have been defiled, sanctify for the cleansing of the flesh, how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without blemish to God, cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?… For Christ did not enter a holy place made by hands, a mere copy of the true one, but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us;nor was it that He would offer Himself often, as the high priest enters the Holy Place year by year with blood that is not his own. Otherwise, He would have needed to suffer often since the foundation of the world; but now once at the consummation of the ages He has been revealed to put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself. Hebrews 9:11-14, 24-26 NASB His Second Appearing “And just as it is destined for people to die once, and after this comes judgment, so Christ also, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time for salvation without reference to sin, to those who eagerly await Him.” Hebrews 9:28 NASB “For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time for my departure is close. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. There is reserved for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give me on that day, and not only to me, but to all those who have loved his appearing.” 2 Timothy 4:6-8 CSB “God's saving grace, you see, appeared for all people. It teaches us that we should turn our backs on ungodliness and the passions of the world, and should live sober, just and devout lives in the present age, while we wait eagerly for the blessed hope and royal appearing of the glory of our great God and savior, Jesus the Messiah. He gave himself for us so that he could ransom us from all lawless actions and purify for himself a people as his very own who would be eager for good works.” Titus 2:11-14 NTFE “Look, I am coming soon, and my reward is with me to repay each person according to his work. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end…The spirit and the bride say, “Come!” And let anyone who hears say, “Come!” Let the thirsty come; let anyone who wants the water of life take it freely… Yes, I am coming soon.” Amen! Come, Lord Jesus! The grace of the Lord Jesus be with everyone. Amen.” Revelation 22:12-13, 17, 20-21 CSB Even So Come Hebrews 9 Par-rah-GHEE-no-my = Appear, Appearing, Arrive, Arrived, Come, Coming Three “Appearing's” of Christ His First appearance (Hebrews 9:1-10) “The Word became flesh and dwelt among us. We observed his glory, the glory as the one and only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.” John 1:14 CSB PIC goes here His Heavenly appearance “But when Christ appeared as a high priest of the good things having come, He entered through the greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made by hands, that is, not of this creation; and not through the blood of goats and calves, but through His own blood, He entered the holy place once for all time, having obtained eternal redemption. For if the blood of goats and bulls, and the ashes of a heifer sprinkling those who have been defiled, sanctify for the cleansing of the flesh, how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without blemish to God, cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?… For Christ did not enter a holy place made by hands, a mere copy of the true one, but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us;nor was it that He would offer Himself often, as the high priest enters the Holy Place year by year with blood that is not his own. Otherwise, He would have needed to suffer often since the foundation of the world; but now once at the consummation of the ages He has been revealed to put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself. Hebrews 9:11-14, 24-26 NASB His Second Appearing “And just as it is destined for people to die once, and after this comes judgment, so Christ also, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time for salvation without reference to sin, to those who eagerly await Him.” Hebrews 9:28 NASB “For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time for my departure is close. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. There is reserved for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give me on that day, and not only to me, but to all those who have loved his appearing.” 2 Timothy 4:6-8 CSB PLEASE PUT THE VIDEOS HERE “God's saving grace, you see, appeared for all people. It teaches us that we should turn our backs on ungodliness and the passions of the world, and should live sober, just and devout lives in the present age, while we wait eagerly for the blessed hope and royal appearing of the glory of our great God and savior, Jesus the Messiah. He gave himself for us so that he could ransom us from all lawless actions and purify for himself a people as his very own who would be eager for good works.” Titus 2:11-14 NTFE “Look, I am coming soon, and my reward is with me to repay each person according to his work. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end…The spirit and the bride say, “Come!” And let anyone who hears say, “Come!” Let the thirsty come; let anyone who wants the water of life take it freely… Yes, I am coming soon.” Amen! Come, Lord Jesus! The grace of the Lord Jesus be with everyone. Amen.” Revelation 22:12-13, 17, 20-21 CSB

Pastor David continues our series through The Sermon on the Mount with his exposition of verses 27-30.(v27) OUR HEARING OF THE COMMANDMENT;Exodus 20:14, Deuteronomy 5:18,1 John 2:5-6 (CSB),Matthew 22:36-40(v28) OUR HEART WITH THE PROBLEM;Job 31:1 (CSB),Proverbs 6:25,Deuteronomy 10:12, 16,Ezekiel 36:25-27,2 Samuel 11:1-5,Proverbs 4:23 (NIV),1 Timothy 2:9-10,Psalm 119:9-11(v29-30) OUR HANDLING OF HEART AND MIND.Matthew 18:7-9,Matthew 15:18-19,Genesis 39:11-12,Psalm 119:9, 11,Colossians 3:1-3

Annette Dutenhoffer, CSB, from Longmont, Colorado, USAFor more inspiring ideas from The First Church of Christ, Scientist, be sure to check out our audio landing page at christianscience.com/audio.

Amy Richmond, CSB, from Boston, Massachusetts, USA If you'd like to read about Amy's experience, check out her testimony in the Christian Science Sentinel.We'd love to hear your inspiration. To submit your Daily Lift, go to christianscience.com/dailylift.

Kevin Ness, CSB, from Boston, MassachusettsHear more about Kevin's experience on this week's episode of Sentinel Watch.

We're so glad you are here! Thanks for checking out Sunday's message!-- SUNDAY'S NOTES --Now Naaman, commander of the army of the king of Syria, was a great and honorable man in the eyes of his master, because by him the LORD had given victory to Syria. He was also a mighty man of valor, but a leper. 2 Kings 5:1 NKJVThose places beyond human control or remedy are some of the best places to encounter God.And the Syrians had gone out on raids, and had brought back captive a young girl from the land of Israel. She waited on Naaman's wife. Then she said to her mistress, “If only my master were with the prophet who is in Samaria! For he would heal him of his leprosy.” 2 Kings 5:2-3 NKJVThe most convincing witness to the lost in our world, is a heart that trusts God even in trials and trouble. And Naaman went in and told his master, saying, “Thus and thus said the girl who is from the land of Israel.” Then the king of Syria said, “Go now, and I will send a letter to the king of Israel.” So he departed and took with him ten talents of silver, six thousand shekels of gold, and ten changes of clothing. 2 Kings 5:4-5 NKJVSo Naaman went with his horses and chariots and stopped at the door of Elisha's house. Elisha sent a messenger to say to him, “Go, wash yourself seven times in the Jordan, and your flesh will be restored and you will be cleansed.” 2 Kings 5:9-10 NIVBut Naaman went away angry and said, “I thought that he would surely come out to me and stand and call on the name of the LORD his God, wave his hand over the spot and cure me of my leprosy. 2 Kings 5:11 NIV The only thing we have to offer God is our love, expressed through a life lived gladly and gratefully for Him.Are not the Abanah and the Pharpar, the rivers of Damascus, better than all the waters of Israel? Could I not wash in them and be clean?” So he turned and went away in a rage. 2 Kings 5:11-12 NIVThe philosophy that says, "I can run my life better than God," always ends poorly for those who choose it.But his servants approached and said to him, “My father, if the prophet had told you to do some great thing, would you not have done it? How much more should you do it when he only tells you, ‘Wash and be clean'? ”So Naaman went down and dipped himself in the Jordan seven times, according to the command of the man of God. Then his skin was restored and became like the skin of a small boy, and he was clean. 2 Kings 5:13-14 CSBComplete obedience to the Lord's commands releases the miracle of His grace and goodness in our lives. Then Naaman and his whole company went back to the man of God, stood before him, and declared, “I know there's no God in the whole world except in Israel. Therefore, please accept a gift from your servant.” But Elisha said, “As the LORD lives, in whose presence I stand, I will not accept it.” Naaman urged him to accept it, but he refused.2 Kings 5:15-16 CSB When grace and mercy meet humility, deep, lasting healing happens, and divine destiny is established.Gehazi, the attendant of Elisha the man of God, thought, “My master has let this Aramean Naaman off lightly by not accepting from him what he brought. As the LORD lives, I will run after him and get something from him.” 2 Kings 5:20 CSB Gehazi came and stood by his master. “Where did you go, Gehazi? ” Elisha asked him. He replied, “Your servant didn't go anywhere.” 2 Kings 5:25 CSBDeception and rebellion will make you foolish, and will always make a fool of the one who embraces them.Elisha said, “Didn't you know I was with you in spirit when that man stepped down from his chariot to greet you? Tell me, is this a time to look after yourself, lining your pockets with gifts? Naaman's skin disease will now infect you and your family, with no relief in sight.” Gehazi walked away, his skin flaky and white like snow. 2 Kings 5:26-27 MSGIf you trade your integrity for earthly pleasure of treasure it will cost you eternal wisdom and wealth. The most convincing witness to the lost in our world, is a heart that trusts God even in trials and trouble. -------------------------------------------------Download the 828 Church app!To view our latest e-newsletter, the Midweek Momentum, and subscribe to our weekly updates, go here! https://linktr.ee/828church

In this episode, Magi and Tori break down the most recent CSB final report: Bio-Lab Inc. Conyers Fire and Chemical Release. This incident caused 17 days of local lockdowns, including almost two weeks of school closures, and caused an estimated $50.5 million in damages. While thankfully there were no injuries associated with this event, it certainly is an extreme example of the havoc that can be caused when safeguards fail, which is much more likely when they are not up to proper process safety standards. Tune in to hear more details, and to learn what can be done to prevent incidents such as these! The chemicals stored in the warehouse where this incident occurred were trichloroisocyanuric acid (TCCA), trichloroisocyanuric acid (TCCA) formulations, sodium dichloroisocyanurate (NaDCC), and Bromochloro 5,5-dimethylimidazolidine-2,4-dione (BCDMH) as well as other chemicals.To read the full incident report, check it out here.For more CSB final report breakdowns, check out the episodes below!:Episode 147 - Incident Breakdown: November 12, 2024 Explosion at the Givaudan Sense Colour Facility in Louisville, KYEpisode 146 - Incident Breakdown: October 10, 2024 Toxic Release at PEMEX Deer Park RefineryEpisode 145 - Incident Breakdown: July 14, 2023 Explosion at Dow Louisiana Operations

Are you hurting right now? Could you use some Super Self Care? Listen in as Renee shares insights aplenty into how we can make life just that little - or a BIG - bit easier.  Renee received her bachelor's degree from the University of Texas at Austin and her master's degree in Clinical Child Psychology from Virginia Tech. She started her career as a case manager for the intellectual and developmental disabilities population at the local Community Services Board (CSB). While working, she obtained her Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) and Certified Substance Abuse Counselor (CSAC) certifications and was promoted to her first supervisory position in 2000. While in this position, Renee discovered her passion for program development and leadership. She continued to work at the CSB managing programs that supported individuals with mental health needs and/or developmental disabilities until she came to DePaul in January of 2017. Renee was already familiar with DePaul's mission of hope and belonging as she was previously a foster parent for the organization. For almost six years, Renee has been the Vice President of Child and Family Services overseeing the Foster Care, Independent Living, Adoption, and Community-Based programs. During her time at DePaul, her restructuring of the CFS Leadership Team allowed for the expansion of the Independent Living program and the reimagining of pre-service training for prospective foster parents. Renee's collaborative style was instrumental in increased cross-divisional and cross-program successes. Renee values community partnerships and is a member of the Roanoke City and Roanoke County Community Policy and Management Teams (CPMT). Renee is also on the Family Focused Treatment Association Board, a national organization that provides support to agencies in the child welfare system, as well as the Project Discovery Board, a program that provides support to first generation college-bound students across Virginia. https://www.linkedin.com/in/renee-brown-lpc-csac-20b93bba/ https://www.instagram.com/depaulcommunityresources/ https://www.facebook.com/DePaulCommunityResources https://www.depaulcr.org/ Guests and the host are not (unless mentioned) licensed pscyho-therapists and speak from their own opinion only. Seek qualified advice if you need help.

Hurt and Held | Pastor Nate Birdine | Life Center Tacoma Luke 8:40-56 (CSB) Luke 7:34 (CSB) Central Idea: The Pain of Life is opportunity to be close to God not push him away. The pain of life does not mean there is no presence of God Psalm 34:18 (CSB) You can be around Jesus but never reach out 2 Chronicles 16:11-14 (NLT) We are called to live a resurrected life John 20:24-27 (CSB)

Stewardship: The Freedom of Owning Nothing | Pastor Eric Boles | Life Center Tacoma Matthew 25:14-30 (CSB)

Why is it so difficult to build meaningful friendships—and what does the Bible say real friendship should look like?In this message, we explore a surprising picture of friendship found in the early church and consider what may be keeping us from the relationships we desire.Scripture: Acts 2:41–42; Galatians 5:22–23 CSB

We're so glad you are here! Thanks for checking out Sunday's message!-- SUNDAY'S NOTES --We are called to conquer, not coexist, with anything that opposes God's will and His Kingdom.Any foe you don't fight and finish may one day finish you.Joshua was now old, advanced in age, and the LORD said to him, “You have become old, advanced in age, but a great deal of the land remains to be possessed.” Joshua 13:1 CSB Sunday's victories mean little if they don't lead to possessing new spiritual territory in our everyday lives. I myself will drive them out before the People of Israel. All you have to do is allot this land to Israel as an inheritance, as I have instructed you. Joshua 13:6 MSG A delegation from the tribe of Judah, led by Caleb son of Jephunneh the Kenizzite, came to Joshua at Gilgal. Caleb said to Joshua, “Remember what the LORD said to Moses, the man of God, about you and me when we were at Kadesh-barnea. Joshua 14:6 NLT What do you do, what kind of faith do you have, when you are at a personal Kadesh-Barnea?None of the people who have seen my glory and the signs that I did in Egypt and in the wilderness, and yet have tested me these ten times and have not obeyed my voice, shall see the land that I swore to give to their ancestors; none of those who despised me shall see it. But my servant Caleb, because he has a different spirit and has followed me wholeheartedly, I will bring into the land into which he went, and his descendants shall possess it. Numbers 14:24 NRSVThe closer you are to the Promise Keeper, the greater your faith to believe and possess His promises.I was forty years old when Moses, the servant of the LORD, sent me from Kadesh-barnea to explore the land of Canaan. I returned and gave an honest report, but my brothers who went with me frightened the people from entering the Promised Land. For my part, I wholeheartedly followed the LORD my God. So that day Moses solemnly promised me, ‘The land of Canaan on which you were just walking will be your grant of land and that of your descendants forever, because you wholeheartedly followed the LORD my God.' Joshua 14:7-9 NLTWholehearted, faith-filled following is the only way to walk into and posses the Promise Land God has for you.Now, as you can see, the LORD has kept me alive and well as he promised for all these forty-five years since Moses made this promise, even while Israel wandered in the wilderness. Today I am eighty-five years old. I am as strong now as I was when Moses sent me on that journey, and I can still travel and fight as well as I could then. Joshua 14:10-11 NLTFaithfully follow and work while you wait, and you'll discover the real reward was in following Jesus all along.Now give me this hill country that the LORD promised me that day. You yourself heard then that the Anakites were there and their cities were large and fortified, but, the LORD helping me, I will drive them out just as he said.” Joshua 14:12 NIVFaith doesn't minimize but rather right-sizes the enemy in comparison to God and the power of His promise. So Joshua blessed Caleb son of Jephunneh and gave Hebron to him as his portion of land. Hebron still belongs to the descendants of Caleb son of Jephunneh the Kenizzite because he wholeheartedly followed the LORD, the God of Israel. (Previously Hebron had been called Kiriath-arba. It had been named after Arba, a great hero of the descendants of Anak.) And the land had rest from war. Joshua 14:13-15 NLTCaleb drove out from there the three sons of Anak: Sheshai, Ahiman, and Talmai. Joshua 15:14 CSB There is no giant capable of keeping you from experiencing God's goodness and favor in your life. -------------------------------------------------Download the 828 Church app!To view our latest e-newsletter, the Midweek Momentum, and subscribe to our weekly updates, go here! https://linktr.ee/828church

“Be doers of the word and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.” (James 1:22, CSB)

Russ Gerber, CSB, from Mission Viejo, California, USAYou can read Russ's article in the Christian Science Sentinel.

Pastor David continues our series through The Sermon on the Mount with his exposition of Matthew 5:13-16.OUTLINE(v13)  the purposes of Christian SALT;(vv14-15) the placement of Christian LIGHT;(v16) the result of our light SHINING.(v13) the purposes of Christian SALT;Colossians 4:6,Matthew 5:11,Luke 14:34-35,Romans 12:2(vv14-15) the placement of Christian LIGHT;Ephesians 5:11-16,John 8:12,Luke 8:16(v16)the result of our light SHINING.Colossians 1:10-13 (CSB),John 15:8 (CSB),1 Peter 2:12,2 Corinthians 8:21,Philippians 2:14-15,1 Peter 3:15Redeemer Church Member Covenant,(paragraph 6)

Key Bible verses: Genesis 2:8-9 (CSB); Genesis 3:1-10 (CSB); Genesis 3:24 (CSB); Exodus 25:8-9 (CSB); Exodus 40:34-38 (CSB); Ezekiel 10:18-19 (CSB); Ezekiel 43:1-5 (CSB); Matthew 27:45-51 (CSB); John 1:1-5 (CSB); John 1:14 (CSB); Hebrews 10:19-22 (CSB)

In this episode, Magi, Jackson, and Tori break down some of the incidents in volume 4 of the CSB's Accidental Release Reporting Rule (AR3) and some of the key takeaways that can help prevent future incidents. This episode covers confined space safety, the importance of following detailed safety procedures, and more!Looking for more information on Simultaneous Operations (SIMOPS)? Check out the episode below:Episode 123 - Simultaneous Operations - a Safe Work Practice from CCPSFor more about the Accidental Release Reporting Rule, check out volume one here, volume two here, volume three here, and volume four here, and be sure to check out other episodes in our AR3 series!Episode 121 - ARRR Summaries & Trends Episode 125 - AR3 Volume TwoEpisode 127 - CSB AR3 Breakdown - Preventing Incidents with Proper Lockout/Tagout (LOTO)Episode 130 - CSB AR3 Breakdown: Preventing Injury with Proper PPEEpisode 131 - CSB AR3 Breakdown: Human Error and Incompatible ChemicalsEpisode 132 - AR3 Volume ThreeEpisode 136 - AR3 Breakdown - Pressure Relief: When do you need it and where does it go?

Mark 9:7 | A cloud appeared, overshadowing them, and a voice came from the cloud: “This is my beloved Son; listen to him!” (CSB)

Mark 9:38 | John said to him, “Teacher, we saw someone driving out demons in your name, and we tried to stop him because he wasn't following us.” (CSB)

Numbers 11:1 | Now the people began complaining openly before the LORD about hardship. When the LORD heard, his anger burned, and fire from the LORD blazed among them and consumed the outskirts of the camp. (CSB)

Why are some verses missing from the NIV, ESV, CSB, NLT, etc., in comparison to the KJV and NKJV? Why are Matthew 17:21, John 5:4, Acts 8:37, and 1 John 5:7 missing from newer translations of the Bible?

Principle 11 – Matthew, Practicing Integrity      Matthew 5:31-37       We are to build all relationships on trust and honesty.        NEW! - Let us know what you think of the program! Support the show

Freedom in the Gap | Pastor Eric Boles | Life Center Tacoma Luke 24:13-20 (CSB) Freedom FROM and freedom IN The gap is where HOPE and REALITY don't match Luke 24:21 (CSB) Jesus REFRAMES what He doesn't immediately REMOVE Luke 24:25-27 (CSB)

We're so glad you are here! Thanks for checking out Sunday's message!-- SUNDAY'S NOTES --In those days there was no king in Israel; everyone did what was right in his own eyes. Judges 21:25 NKJV Ruth 1:1-4 CSB Ruth 1:8-10 NLTGod's Kingdom doesn't allow for divided allegiance. It's not "this and that"; it's "this or that."Ruth replied, “Don't ask me to leave you and turn back. Wherever you go, I will go; wherever you live, I will live. Your people will be my people, and your God will be my God. Wherever you die, I will die, and there I will be buried. May the LORD punish me severely if I allow anything but death to separate us!” When Naomi saw that Ruth was determined to go with her, she said nothing more. Ruth 1:16-18 NLTGod's greatest blessings begin with the courageous decision to follow Him, no matter the cost or outcome. - (Josh)So Naomi returned from Moab, accompanied by her daughter-in-law Ruth, the young Moabite woman. They arrived in Bethlehem in late spring, at the beginning of the barley harvest. Ruth 1:21 NLTSo Ruth went out to gather grain behind the harvesters. And as it happened, she found herself working in a field that belonged to Boaz, the relative of her father-in-law, Elimelech. Ruth 2:3 NLTBoaz went over and said to Ruth, “Listen, my daughter. Stay right here with us when you gather grain; don't go to any other fields. Stay right behind the young women working in my field. See which part of the field they are harvesting, and then follow them. I have warned the young men not to treat you roughly. And when you are thirsty, help yourself to the water they have drawn from the well.” Ruth fell at his feet and thanked him warmly. “What have I done to deserve such kindness?” she asked. “I am only a foreigner.”“Yes, I know,” Boaz replied. “But I also know about everything you have done for your mother-in-law since the death of your husband. I have heard how you left your father and mother and your own land to live here among complete strangers. May the LORD, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to take refuge, reward you fully for what you have done.” Ruth 2:8-12 NLTAt mealtime Boaz called to her, “Come over here, and help yourself to some food. You can dip your bread in the sour wine.” So she sat with his harvesters, and Boaz gave her some roasted grain to eat. She ate all she wanted and still had some left over. When Ruth went back to work again, Boaz ordered his young men, “Let her gather grain right among the sheaves without stopping her. And pull out some heads of barley from the bundles and drop them on purpose for her. Let her pick them up, and don't give her a hard time!” Ruth 2:14-16 NLTSpiritual poverty always finds miraculous provision when it meets the matchless love of Jesus, our Redeemer!So Ruth worked alongside the women in Boaz's fields and gathered grain with them until the end of the barley harvest. Then she continued working with them through the wheat harvest in early summer. And all the while she lived with her mother-in-law. Ruth 2:21-23 NLTThen Ruth came quietly, uncovered his feet, and lay down. Around midnight Boaz suddenly woke up and turned over. He was surprised to find a woman lying at his feet! “Who are you?” he asked. “I am your servant Ruth,” she replied. “Spread the corner of your covering over me, for you are my family redeemer.” “The LORD bless you, my daughter!” Boaz exclaimed. “You are showing even more family loyalty now than you did before, for you have not gone after a younger man, whether rich or poor. Now don't worry about a thing, my daughter. I will do what is necessary, for everyone in town knows you are a virtuous woman. Ruth 3:8-12 NLTEvery act of trust and surrender opens a door to deeper places of beauty in relationship with Jesus. Now in those days it was the custom in Israel for anyone transferring a right of purchase to remove his sandal and hand it to the other party. This publicly validated the transaction. So the other family redeemer drew off his sandal as he said to Boaz, “You buy the land.” Then Boaz said to the elders and to the crowd standing around, “You are witnesses that today I have bought from Naomi all the property of Elimelech, Kilion, and Mahlon. And with the land I have acquired Ruth, the Moabite widow of Mahlon, to be my wife. Ruth 4:7-10 NLTSalmon was the father of Boaz (whose mother was Rahab). Boaz was the father of Obed (whose mother was Ruth). Obed was the father of Jesse. Jesse was the father of King David. Matthew 1:5-6 NLT-------------------------------------------------Download the 828 Church app!To view our latest e-newsletter, the Midweek Momentum, and subscribe to our weekly updates, go here! https://linktr.ee/828church

We begin a new series through the Old Testament book of Proverbs called How to Build a Life, the art of living according to the book of Proverbs. In this opening message from Proverbs 1:1-7, Grant Clark makes the case that in an age drowning in information yet starved for wisdom, the good life is not something we invent from scratch by looking inward, but a skill we receive from God by starting with him.The series began with a diagnosis of why the modern world leaves us disoriented:"For most of us, somewhere along the path to adulthood comes the unsettling realization that most people are winging it. They don't know what they are doing. They don't know where they are going. And they aren't sure what the point is. To some extent this is just the challenge of growing up and figuring out life, but there is something special about the modern world which has disoriented us and our moral imaginations... We lack guiding principles and authority figures to orient us toward the Good Life." - Alan Noble (To Live Well)The first challenge is the information age. We have more content than we could ever consume, but access to information is not the same as wisdom. Data is very different to discernment."From the dawn of civilization to 2003, five exabytes of data were created. The same amount was created in the last two days." - Eric Schmidt (Former Google CEO)The second challenge is the age of authenticity, in which the old authorities, institutions, and inherited ways of living have all come under suspicion, so we are left trying to build a life from scratch."Expressive individualism is also iconoclastic because it involves an inherently critical position toward culture. It inclines us to suspect that society is always trying to squeeze us into its mold and make us inauthentic... It sees traditional forms of external authority and social existence as intrinsically oppressive. Therefore, traditional religious institutions and teachings could be seen as less plausible, as hindering innovation, and as a negative, oppressive moral force." - Carl Trueman (The Desecration of Man)So what is a proverb? A proverb is a simple, but insightful saying, meant to train us in moral skillfulness. Proverbs are not life hacks, inspirational quotes, or success formulas. As wisdom literature, a proverb is a principle, not a promise, prophecy, or precept."A proverb is a short sentence based on long experience." - Miguel de CervantesAnd what is wisdom? Wisdom (Hokmah) is "skill in the art of godly living." This wisdom is the skill of living in God's world, according to God's design."Its function in scripture is to put godliness into work clothes." - Derek KidnerWhere is this wisdom found? The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge (Proverbs 1:7; 2:6; 9:10). We start by coming to God as the foundation we build our lives upon, and when we see him rightly, everything else comes into focus."I believe in Christianity as I believe that the sun has risen: not only because I see it, but because by it I see everything else." - C. S. Lewis (Mere Christianity)But what is the fear of the Lord? Thomas Aquinas described two types of fear: servile fear (the fear of punishment) and filial fear (the fear of offense). Proverbs calls us not to a cowering dread of God but to a reverent, relational fear of him."The fear of the Lord is a life-rearranging, joyful, awe and wonder before the greatness of who God is and what he has done that deeply humbles us, and makes us come alive." - Tim KellerProverbs sets before us two ways to live, the way of the wise (humble and teachable) and the way of the fool (proud and resistant to correction), and it invites us to ask God for wisdom (James 1:5; Proverbs 4:5) and to pursue it actively: call out for it, seek it, treasure it, love it, prize it, and hold on to it.Ultimately Proverbs points beyond wisdom to Jesus, the true and wiser King. He does not only teach the way of wisdom, he is wisdom itself (1 Corinthians 1:24; Colossians 2:3), and he saves us from our own foolishness, which is a matter of the heart. Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it (Proverbs 4:23).Verses referenced:Proverbs 1:1-7 (CSB)Proverbs 1:7 (CSB)Proverbs 2:6 (CSB)Proverbs 9:10 (CSB)Proverbs 2:5 (CSB)James 1:5Proverbs 4:5Proverbs 3:13-15 (CSB)1 Corinthians 1:24 (CSB)Colossians 2:3 (CSB)Proverbs 4:23 (NIV)

Key Bible verses: 1 Peter 2:11-17 (CSB)

To the Ends of the Earth | Week 12 | Courage When It Counts | Pastor Tyler Sollie | Life Center Tacoma Being the Church will require COURAGE Acts 28:30-31 (CSB) It is easy to want the "without hindrance" ending without embracing the COURAGE required to get there. Hebrews 10:35-36, 39 (CSB) God is faithful to LEAD and PROVIDE. That doesn't mean you won't need COURAGE. Acts 23:11 (CSB) Courage to proclaim JESUS Courage to be MISUNDERSTOOD and MISREPRESENTED Courage to maximize OPPORTUNITIES through DISCERNMENT Courage to face the STORMS Courage to SHAKE IT OFF and KEEP GOING Acts 28:5 (CSB) Where is this kind of courage found? The VOICE of JESUS Acts 23:11 (CSB) Proverbs 28:1 (CSB) Deuteronomy 31:6, 8 (CSB) Isaiah 41:10 (CSB) John 16:33 (CSB) The COMMUNITY of BELIEVERS Acts 28:15 (CSB)

We're so glad you are here! Thanks for checking out Sunday's message!-- SUNDAY'S NOTES --Every abominable thing that the Lord hates they have done for their gods, for they even burn their sons and their daughters in the fire to their gods. Deuteronomy 12:31 ESVJoshua son of Nun secretly sent out two men as spies: "Go. Look over the land. Check out Jericho." They left and arrived at the house of a harlot named Rahab and stayed there. Joshua 2:1 MSGDivine Providence1) God is relentless in His effort to rescue, redeem, and restore. For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose heart is loyal to Him. 2 Chronicles 16:9 NKJVGod is faithful to find those who's hearts are sincerely searching for Him.Before the men fell asleep, she went up on the roof and said to them, “I know that the LORD has given you this land and that the terror of you has fallen on us, and everyone who lives in the land is panicking because of you. For we have heard how the LORD dried up the water of the Red Sea before you when you came out of Egypt, and what you did to Sihon and Og, the two Amorite kings you completely destroyed across the Jordan. When we heard this, we lost heart, and everyone's courage failed because of you, for the LORD your God is God in heaven above and on earth below. Joshua 2:8-11 CSB2) Recognizing God as God is the first step on the pathway to salvation and restoration.3) Honest pursuit of God and His will is powerful for you and all those near to you. Now please swear to me by the LORD that you will also show kindness to my father's family, because I showed kindness to you. Give me a sure sign that you will spare the lives of my father, mother, brothers, sisters, and all who belong to them, and save us from death. The men answered her, “We will give our lives for yours. If you don't report our mission, we will show kindness and faithfulness to you when the LORD gives us the land.”Joshua 2:12-14 CSB4) Surviving becomes thriving when we align ourselves with God, His wisdom and direction. By faith the walls of Jericho fell down after being marched around by the Israelites for seven days. By faith Rahab the prostitute welcomed the spies in peace and didn't perish with those who disobeyed. Hebrews 11:30-31 CSB You see that a person is considered righteous by what they do and not by faith alone. In the same way, was not even Rahab the prostitute considered righteous for what she did when she gave lodging to the spies and sent them off in a different direction? James 2:24-25 NIV5) Redemption is a story written in red that testifies to the sovereign work of our loving Savior King! When we enter the land, you tie this scarlet cord to the window through which you let us down. Bring your father, mother, brothers, and all your father's family into your house. Joshua 2:18 CSB Shout!, God has given you the city! The city and everything in it is under a holy curse and offered up to God. Except for Rahab the harlot she is to live, she and everyone in her house with her, because she hid the agents we sent. Joshua 6:16-17 MSGThe men who had been spies went in and brought out Rahab, her father, mother, brothers, and all the other relatives who were with her. They moved her whole family to a safe place near the camp of Israel. Joshua 6:23 NLTNahshon had Salmon, Salmon had Boaz, his mother was Rahab, Boaz had Obed, Ruth was his mother, Obed had Jesse, Jesse had David, and David became king. Matthew 1:4-6 MSG-------------------------------------------------Download the 828 Church app!To view our latest e-newsletter, the Midweek Momentum, and subscribe to our weekly updates, go here! https://linktr.ee/828church

Family Meeting, Psalm 48:9-14 (CSB), Pastor Kyle Fellows

Family Meeting, Psalm 48:9-14 (CSB), Pastor Kyle Fellows

This is The Briefing, a daily analysis of news and events from a Christian worldview.On today's edition of The Briefing, Dr. Mohler discusses the 4-year anniversary of Dobbs, the culture war in France over air conditioning, classical arguments for the natural law, if members of a church should be concerned about their church's switch from the KJV to the CSB, and the leftist takeover of the sacred harp community.Part I (00:14 – 10:43)The 4-Year Anniversary of the Dobbs Decision: This was a Major Win for Unborn Life, But the Culture of Death is Still Pressing ForwardPart II (10:43 – 15:00)The Hot Issue in France: France's Culture War Over Air ConditioningAir conditioning creates political divide after France records hottest day by BBC (Hugh Schofield)Part III (15:00 – 18:24)Are Classical Arguments for Natural Law Robust Today? If So, How Should They Be Defended in Our Day? — Dr. Mohler Responds to Letters From Listeners of The BriefingbyPart IV (18:24 – 25:10)Should I Be Concerned That My Church Wants to Change from the KJV to the CSB? — Dr. Mohler Responds to Letters From Listeners of The BriefingPart V (25:10 – 29:03)What are Your Thoughts on the Leftist Takeover of the Sacred Harp Community? — Dr. Mohler Responds to Letters From Listeners of The BriefingSign up to receive The Briefing in your inbox every weekday morning.Follow Dr. Mohler:X | Instagram | Facebook | YouTubeFor more information on The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, go to sbts.edu.For more information on Boyce College, just go to BoyceCollege.com.To write Dr. Mohler or submit a question for The Mailbox, go here.

Robin Hoagland, CSB, from Centerville, Massachusetts, USAYou can read Robin's editorial in the Christian Science Sentinel.

John Tyler, CSB, from Washington DCWe'd love to hear from you. Share your inspiration as a Daily Lift. Go to christianscience.com/dailylift to submit your contribution.

To the Ends of the Earth | Week 11 | The Gift of Conviction | Pastor Doug Myers | Life Center Tacoma Acts 20:22-25 (CSB) Acts 20:36-38 (CSB) Acts 21:1-14 (CSB) Conviction, commitment and clarity are not personality types. They are fruit of a surrendered life. Conviction doesn't DEMAND agreement - it INVITES witness Acts 4:19-20 (CSB) Commitment doesn't MINIMIZE the cost - it's the willingness to COUNT AND PAY it Hebrews 12:1-2 (CSB) Clarity when lived CONSISTENTLY becomes CONTAGIOUS Proverbs 3:5-6 (CSB) Luke 22:42 (CSB)

Pastor David continues our series in the Sermon on the Mount with his exposition of Matthew 5:7.(7A) THE CONDITION AND ATTITUDE OF THE MERCIFUL;Colossians 1:13, 2:6-7a,Titus 3:3-6,Exodus 34:6,1 Peter 1:3,Romans 5:8,Micah 6:8 (NKJV),Colossians 3:12,Luke 6:36,Ephesians 5:1,James 3:17,Jude 1:20-23 (CSB),2 Timothy 1:16,Proverbs 14:21,Luke 10:3-37 (NIV),Second London Baptist Confession,Chapter 22, Paragraph 8(V7B) (AND) THE PROMISED OUTCOME OF THE MERCIFUL.Psalm 18:25,Hebrews 4:16,2 Timothy 1:18,Jude 1:1b-2Second London Baptist Confession,Chapter 32, Paragraph 2

Deborah Huebsch, CSB, from San Juan Capistrano, California, USAHear more of Deborah's story on this episode of Sentinel Watch.

To the Ends of the Earth | Week 10 | Who Are You? | Pastor Josiah Thomas | Life Center Tacoma Acts 19:11-15 (CSB) Believe in the POWER of God Acts 19:11-12 (CSB) Know the PERSON of Jesus Acts 19:13-15 (CSB) Matthew 7:21-23 (CSB) Respond with ACTION Acts 19:16-20 (CSB) Luke 9:23-24 (CSB) Acts 19:20 (CSB) 2 Corinthians 5:17 (CSB)

Ralph talks to journalist and M.Div. Chris Hedges about Pope Leo XIV's encyclical on artificial intelligence. Then, Ralph speaks with Rick Engler (former member of the US Chemical Safety and Hazards Investigation Board) about Trump's proposed closing of that agency. Finally, Ralph pays tribute to some recently departed friends.Chris Hedges is a Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist, who spent nearly two decades as a foreign correspondent in Central America, the Middle East, Africa and the Balkans. He is the host of The Chris Hedges Report, and he is a prolific author— his latest book is A Genocide Foretold: Reporting on Survival and Resistance in Occupied Palestine.I think that Pope Leo kind of missed the point of AI. In that he describes that it could be a positive force for Catholic education (these are his words), compassionate health care, creative platforms that tell the Christian story with truth and beauty. I think those were all indications to me that he didn't quite understand what AI is about. It's not about education, it's not about compassion, it's not about truth, and it's not about beauty. It is a very pernicious force that will go beyond, of course, replacing all sorts of labor, but creating a world where fact and fiction are blurred together.Chris HedgesI think that mass organization is kind of all we have left as we barrel towards an authoritarian state. Congress doesn't function, certainly doesn't function as Congress was designed to function. They have surrendered their traditional constitutional authority, including, of course, the call for Congress to declare war. And this kind of unitary executive branch—this was put into place, by the way, before Trump. He's just taken advantage of it…And I think that it's absolutely fundamental that we recapture that kind of militancy, that kind of organized workforce that has traditionally throughout our history been such an important corrective to democracy—along with, of course, journalism.Chris HedgesRick Engler is a former U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board member and labor advocate who founded the New Jersey Work Environment Council. He has advocated for successful landmark state and national public policies that ensure workers and the public's “right to know” about potential chemical dangers, and that promote safer processes, chemical incident prevention, and whistleblower protection.The CSB is unique. I mean, nobody would think of abolishing the National Transportation Safety Board. And no one should think about abolishing the Chemical Safety Board, which does the same thing. It's not about issuing, in this case, fines or violations. It's about trying to understand the underlying causes of what led to these incidents.Rick Engler[Trump's allies] have a certain religious fervor about this. When I talk to plant managers, the plant managers of the corporations are much more careful and nuanced in most cases. They don't want their own plants to explode. But somewhere at the higher corporate levels, I think they're just willing to take the risks that the tradeoff for them is: Trump is supporting them in so many ways, why interfere? Why become part of some nuanced opposition to the most extreme EPA attacks? But I do think the elimination of the CSB is driven by the Trump administration in a way that wouldn't be happening if it was just left to the chemical industry trade associations alone. I'm not sure that's an adequate answer. I'm actually kind of puzzled by it. Because it's also really clear that if there was any one major incident, it would cost so much money—not only in the human tragedy of the lives lost and neighbors harmed and evacuations and shelter-in-place and property damage, but these incidents destroy facilities.Rick EnglerNews 6/12/26* Our top stories this week come to us from California, where, after an excruciatingly protracted wait, authorities have finally called some of the most high-profile races. In Los Angeles, Democratic Socialist City Councilwoman Nithya Raman has secured the second slot in the mayoral race, beating out reactionary former reality television star Spencer Pratt, PBS reports. Pratt garnered significant attention from conservative media for his slick AI-generated ads and his false claims about living in an airstream trailer after his LA home burned down in the recent fires. In actuality, he was living in the posh Bel Air hotel, billed as a campaign expense, per TMZ. Now the question becomes whether or not Raman will be able to expand her coalition to unseat incumbent Mayor Karen Bass in November.* If Raman's victory is the good news however, the bad news is that Trump-endorsed Republican Steve Hilton will advance in the gubernatorial race. He will face off against former California Attorney General and Secretary of Health and Human Services Xavier Becerra, who has accepted large campaign contributions from the California Association of Realtors, the California Medical Association and even Chevron, per CalMatters. This outcome means progressive billionaire Tom Steyer will not advance. Many are placing the blame for this on former Congresswoman Katie Porter, who remained in the race despite clearly failing to achieve any real viability throughout the race. This has drawn comparisons to Elizabeth Warren's perceived role as a spoiler candidate vis-a-vis Bernie Sanders in the 2020 Democratic Primary, particularly since Porter is a highly visible protégé of Senator Warren. In his concession speech, Steyer closed by telling his supporters “Pay attention. Know what you deserve, and know who is on your side. Understand who the villains are, and say their names out loud. Continue to demand more from your leaders and your government, until they give you the California – and the country – you know you deserve. I will be with you all the way.”* Elsewhere in California however, progressives scored major victories. In California's 22nd congressional district, Bernie Sanders-backed Randy Villegas secured a spot in the top two, beating out his opponent Jasmine Bains, who enjoyed the backing of AIPAC and 53 corporate donors, according to the American Prospect. He will face Republican incumbent Congressman David Valadao in November. Even more impressive is the victory of progressive challenger Mai Vang in California's 7th district primary, where she actually emerged as the top vote getter, beating out longtime incumbent Congresswoman Doris Matsui. However, because Matsui, who is 81 years old, won the second-most votes, she will still advance to the general election.* Another much-anticipated primary was held this week on the exact other end of the country. In Maine, Graham Platner trounced his opponents in the Democratic Senate race, winning over 70% of the vote despite a concerted campaign against him in the national press. In his victory speech, CNN reports Platner wrote off the smears, saying “They don't know Maine.” Furthermore, he said “If you believe, as I do, that we can change our politics, and change our country, then you must also believe that people can change…To all those who feel let down, disappointed, or disillusioned. It is my job to earn your trust, your faith, and your support. And I will spend every day of this campaign, and if I have the privilege, every day in the United States Senate, doing exactly that.” Platner will face off against five-term incumbent Senator Susan Collins in a race that will be decisive if Democrats are to have any chance of retaking the Senate in the 2026 midterms.* Turning towards the plains, two candidates are starting to show a surprising level of viability in heavily Republican, rural states. First, in Idaho, Todd Achilles is running as an independent against Republican incumbent Senator Jim Risch. Achilles served as a tank commander and armor officer in the Army before a varied career in the corporate world, education and now politics, according to Independent Voter News. The most striking development in this race is a new poll showing that while “Achilles starts out…behind by 14 points at 48-34…once voters hear biographical information about him and negative messaging about Senator Risch, he gains a full 17 points…[leading] Risch, 41% to 38%.” If accurate, this would be a stunningly close race in a state where registered Republicans outnumber registered Democrats by a margin greater than 5-to-1.* In South Dakota, Brian Bengs, another veteran turned educator – turned, in this case, National Park Ranger – is running shockingly close to incumbent Republican Senator Mike Rounds in a head-to-head matchup. According to the South Dakota Standard, the latest polling shows Rounds leading Bengs 44% to 40%, with 16% undecided. Moreover, like the Achilles poll, when voters are given biographical information about Bengs and negative messaging about Senator Rounds, that margin flips to 44% in favor of Bengs, compared to just 42% for Rounds. If these polls are accurate and independent candidates – not just Achilles and Bengs but also Dan Osborn in Nebraska and Seth Bodnar in Montana – prove viable, perhaps even victorious, in states long seen as out of reach for non-Republicans, there will have to be a serious reckoning with the toxicity of the Democratic Party brand in the American heartland.* In Michigan, progressive candidate Abdul El-Sayed has picked up perhaps the most critical possible endorsement in the state: that of the United Auto Workers. In a statement, the union wrote that “UAW members in Michigan want a fighter in Washington, D.C. who isn't afraid to push forward a strong working-class agenda with moral clarity…From Medicare for All to banning stock buybacks, Dr. Abdul El-Sayed is ready, eager, and well-equipped to move our core issues in the U.S. Senate.” Whether because of this endorsement or not, El-Sayed now seems to be in the driver's seat in this primary. This endorsement dovetails with UAW President Shawn Fain's rumored frustration with the mainstream labor movement for not doing more to back labor candidates, such as Clare Valdez in New York, who was a UAW organizer before entering the State Assembly.* On the House floor meanwhile, lame-duck dissident Republican Congressman Thomas Massie delivered a barn-burner of a speech this week, demanding that the government reopen the investigation into the 1967 Israeli attack on the USS Liberty, Al Jazeera reports. The attack on the Liberty, a US Navy vessel, killed 34 service members and injured 171 others. For decades, Israel has claimed that this was nothing more than an accidental incident of friendly fire, but the surviving veterans have long disputed this explanation, contending that it was a deliberate attack, either as a “false flag operation or because they simply didn't want anybody observing what they were doing that day.” Massie called on the House to “give them closure…It's long overdue. And then they can have their justice.”* Looking to Latin America, the presidential election in Peru is, predictably, coming down to a razor thin margin, WLRN reports. This race, between left-wing Senator Roberto Sánchez and Keiko Fujimori, perennial presidential candidate and daughter of former dictator Alberto Fujimori, currently stands at 50.004% for Fujimori and 49.996% for Sánchez, with 98.258% of the votes tabulated. Sánchez was favored to win after the in-country votes were counted, then Fujimori pulled ahead when the votes from Miami came in, other absentee votes eroded that margin and gave Sánchez the edge once again but Fujimori has yet again pulled ahead by a hair. This is Fujimori's fourth presidential campaign, making it to the runoff each time but ultimately losing by the narrowest of margins.* Finally, in Colombia, Progressive International reports that while Colombian President Gustavo Petro presides at the United Nations Security Council, “conservative forces in the country's legislature have conspired against the constitution to ‘SUSPEND' his presidency — just 11 days from the run-off presidential election.” While Reuters adds that the proposal must be “debated and approved by all ‌16 ⁠members of the [legislative Commission of Investigation and ​Accusation] and subsequently by the Senate before it can take effect,” it is hard to see this as anything besides an opportunistic grab for power while the proverbial cat is away. Petro's four-year term ends in August; the runoff in the presidential election, between leftist Ivan Cepeda and right-wing lawyer Abelardo ​De La Espriella, will be held on ​June 21st.This has been Francesco DeSantis, with In Case You Haven't Heard. Get full access to Ralph Nader Radio Hour at www.ralphnaderradiohour.com/subscribe

In this episode, Rob and Jess break down the CSB final report on the fatal 2024 explosion at the Givaudan Sense Colour facility in Louisville, KY. They discuss the importance of knowing exactly what kind of hazards your facility is working with, implementing Process Safety Management when you are not legally required to do so, and how vital it is that facility personnel know when to troubleshoot and when to evacuate. Tune in to find out more!Stay tuned to the end for a special announcement from Jess about future episodes!For more information about the incident, check out the final report here!Looking for more CSB incident breakdowns? Check out the episodes below:Episode 146 - Incident Breakdown: October 10, 2024 Toxic Release at PEMEX Deer Park RefineryEpisode 145 - Incident Breakdown: July 14, 2023 Explosion at Dow Louisiana Operations⁠Episode 129 - Incident Breakdown: Explosion, Molten Salt Eruption, and Fatal Injury at TS USA Liquid Nitriding Facility⁠Episode 128 - Incident Breakdown: Honeywell Geismer, LA Incidents

After the deadly chemical tank rupture that killed 11 people last Tuesday at a paper mill in Longview, questions continue to loom over the community — including what environmental impacts the chemical spill could have on the city and nearby Columbia River, as well as the potential cause of this disaster. It’s Washington’s deadliest workplace incident in nearly a century.   Officials from the U.S. Chemical Safety Board arrived in Longview last Wednesday to investigate the cause of the chemical disaster. The future of the board has been uncertain in recent months after a proposed budget from President Trump would have defunded the federal agency, and a recent house bill restored the board's funding by $8.2 million. But yesterday afternoon, the House Appropriations Committee adopted an amendment brought by U.S. Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez to add over $5 million to preserve the full funding for the CSB.   We’ll hear more from Gluesenkamp Perez, whose congressional district includes Longview, for more on the investigation and its impact on the Longview community.  

Amy Richmond, CSB, from Boston, Massachusetts, USAFor more inspirational content from The First Church of Christ, Scientist, be sure to check out our audio landing page at christianscience.com/audio. 

Bishop Robert Kasun, CSB