Podcasts about Curiosity

On today's Saturday Matinee, examine the human voice to learn what it can reveal about history, identity and expression across time. Link to Curiosity Meets The Past: https://smitinathan.com/podcast Support the show! Join Into History for ad-free listening and more. History Daily is a co-production of Airship and Noiser.

Exploring Midlife and Music with Matthew Perryman Jones | Curious Goldfish PodcastJoin Jason English on the Curious Goldfish Podcast as he sits down with singer-songwriter Matthew Perryman Jones on a random back porch in Nashville. In this episode, they discuss the essence of midlife, uncovering hidden parts of oneself, and approaching life with a sense of curiosity and wonder. Matthew opens up about his personal journey with music, dealing with mental health, and his evolution as an artist. Listen in for deep insights into midlife authenticity and enjoy a unique performance of 'A Long Way Home From Here' from his Cold Answer album.00:00 Introduction to Midlife Reflections01:13 Welcome to Curious Goldfish03:15 Interview with Matthew Perryman Jones04:00 Turning 50: Reflections and Insights06:14 Life in Nashville and Music Career Beginnings13:57 Exploring Creativity and Songwriting20:26 Curiosity and Personal Growth27:39 Reflecting on Missed Opportunities28:18 The Healing Power of Music29:18 Overcoming Personal Struggles30:57 The Journey to Becoming a Musician33:59 Navigating Mental Health Challenges36:01 The Impact of Social Media on Youth38:05 Creating Music with Emotional Depth39:01 The Story Behind 'Cancion de La Noche'42:51 The Unique Recording Process49:26 Comparing Songs with Taylor Swift51:15 Current Artistic Journey and Future Plans

• Santa bit: hates his house, trapped at the North Pole, built his own prison • New-year housing + Fed rate cuts/interest shifts; sponsor: Bart Marek real estate (CFL experts, referrals, free consult) • After-Christmas mess: cleanup/trash, hangovers, household sniping, accidentally tossing important stuff • "Best Of" setup: clips across ACT/AMT/OG/BDM/Friday Free; Friday Free framed as semi-secret; Love Thy Neighbor included • Big thanks: T&D Media supporters + BDM members (money + community), events/merch/customer service, choosing them over other subs • Fake tribute → clarify Tony P is alive; real appreciation; staff love for Tracy (events/Beerfest), Melissa (social/video; curates Best Of), Merchman Eric (10+ years) • Colette/Andrea on-air counseling; Colette's media rise; joking 'no thanks' because she's doing too well • LTN main thread: sex vs connection—love languages (touch vs non-touch), 'new love language' joke, high-libido/sex-schedule/competitive frequency talk • Libido mismatch: exhaustion, sex feels long when you're not in it; resentment when you 'give in'; distractions/comments/chores can kill desire fast • Biology vs emotion debate: hormones/medical jokes; expert framing—men more spontaneous desire, women often need arousal + emotional safety/connection first • Connection fix ideas: empathy for workload, affection/conversation/help as warm-up; 'chores for sex' joke; phones/screens making partners feel unseen; groping without connection gets rejected • Burned-out pursuer: repeated rejection → emotional shutdown; warning it's hard to reverse; address disconnection early • Gesture fail story: wildflowers/plants meant as romance get lost in clutter/poor placement; gestures ≠ what partner asked for; define what "connection" means • Curiosity tools: better-than-'how was your day?' open-ended questions; admit it may feel clumsy but it's genuine care • Long-term love reality: honeymoon/limerence chemistry vs decades-long seasons; social-media comparisons distort expectations; longevity ≠ quality • Practical 'homework': non-sex touch as glue—two 6-second kisses, 20-second hugs, cuddling without turning it into sex pressure • Fireworks sponsor bit: preview/plan online, don't overpay big-box; escalating 'bigger fireworks' jokes • Random riffs: White Claw flavors (session vs Surge; clementine/orange fave); beer spa disgust + sanitation questions; dream of a giant martini-glass event prop • BDM block: tiers/schedule, app/site upgrades; 11+ year archive; protected stories + experiments like "Pukes of Hazard" and listener puke tales • Puke highlights + open-mic disaster: food-poisoning + religious intervention injury → losing religion; concussion/freezer/bar pukes; drunk dad pukes on disabled comic's shoes; host cleanup + backlash • Travel/adventure: COVID cancellations; South Africa; rhino dehorning conservation (heli tranquilizer, blindfold/earmuffs, horn=fingernail regrowth, secret storage, strict penalties); wild dogs + miserable moose safari/gnats/bog rant • Old radio/prank nostalgia: open Facebook posting + planted 'evidence,' corporate reprimands, later regret about wasting time • Home repair panic: buzzing/flicker danger signs, being talked down to; DIY vs pro, cost/insurance fear; aluminum wiring reveal (burned outlets, Illumicon/drywall confusion, inspection vs real safety) • Personal/comfort stuff: mentor/father-figure reflections; stereotype flip when mentor posts with new Xbox; gaming talk (Diablo IV); mortgage refi sponsor (proactive review, wait for the right moment) • Best Of guests: Green Jelly/Green Jello's Bill Manspeaker—lied into a deal, frantic claymation, MTV legend, Tool connections; Ross vs Bob Zany scheduling drama + 'final appearance' vibe • Family/kid segments: mud walk logistics + owl-pellet misunderstanding bet; Tracy + kid guest 'White Claw kid' gag (repeatedly: no alcohol); dance-discipline talk; library macramé → earrings biz (pricing vs integrity/'no outsourcing') + handwritten card ### • Social Media: https://tomanddan.com | https://twitter.com/tomanddanlive | https://facebook.com/amediocretime | https://instagram.com/tomanddanlive
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Most sales outreach blends into the noise not because sellers lack effort, but because they approach prospects the same way everyone else does. In this episode, Ashley Winston breaks down why traditional outreach tactics fall flat and how sales professionals can stand out by leading with relevance, clarity, and genuine curiosity. We explore how to create conversations that feel natural, human, and worth responding to.Why Prospects Ignore Most Sales Outreach (00:02:10 – 00:03:35)Ashley explains that buyers aren't ignoring messages because they're rude, they're overwhelmed.Generic outreach, vague value statements, and self-focused messaging give prospects no reason to engage.The real issue isn't volume, it's relevance.The Biggest Mistake Salespeople Make in Messaging (00:03:35 – 00:05:10)Most outreach talks about the seller instead of the buyer.Ashley shares why messaging that leads with credentials, features, or company history immediately creates disengagement.Prospects care less about who you are and more about whether you understand them.How to Personalize Without Overcomplicating It (00:05:10 – 00:06:55)Personalization doesn't mean writing long messages.Ashley explains how small signals like role relevance, timing, and context, dramatically increase response rates without extra effort.Relevance beats creativity every time.Using Curiosity Instead of Pressure (00:06:55 – 00:08:30)Rather than pushing meetings, Ashley encourages sellers to spark curiosity.Open-ended questions invite conversation and reduce resistance, making prospects feel in control instead of sold to.Pressure ends conversations. Curiosity starts them.How to Earn Replies Without Chasing Prospects (00:08:30 – 00:10:05)Ashley breaks down why follow-ups fail when there's no value added.Each touchpoint should introduce a new insight, observation, or reason to respond not just “checking in.”Silence is feedback. Adjust accordingly.What High-Performing Sellers Do Differently (00:10:05 – 00:12:10)Top performers focus on quality conversations, not activity metrics.Ashley explains how intentional outreach, patience, and consistency lead to better pipeline health and stronger relationships.Selling is about connection, not coercion.Key Lesson: Make It About Them, Not You (00:12:10 – 00:13:55)When outreach is centered on the buyer's world, challenges, and priorities, responses come naturally.Sales success comes from empathy, relevance, and respect, not persistence alone.“If your message doesn't immediately answer ‘Why should I care?', it won't get a reply.” – Ashley WinstonResourcesWant help applying these strategies directly to your pipeline and hitting your quota?Join The Sales Evangelist Mastermind, a 90-day program designed to help you close more deals and hit your number.Learn more at thesalesevangelist.com/mastermindSponsorship OffersThis episode is brought to you in part by HubSpot.With HubSpot Sales Hub, your data, tools, and teams come together on one platform to help you close deals faster. Try it at hubspot.com/sales.This episode is brought to you in part by LinkedIn.Tired of prospects not responding? Get a free 60-day trial of LinkedIn Sales Navigator at linkedin.com/tse.This episode is brought to you in part by the TSE Sales Foundation.Improve your LinkedIn outreach and land 3–5 appointments with our LinkedIn Prospecting Course.Visit

If you've been dragging some of last year around with you, or you've been feeling that strange mix of excitement and pressure that shows up every January, this episode is calling your name. Closing out the year, the POTC cohosts are bringing you a conversation about how creativity can be a lifeline, a mindset shift, and a really enjoyable way to start 2026 feeling more like yourself.Walking you through simple ways to reflect on the past year, we share some creative exercises that spark real insight and explore how tuning into your creative side can help you make meaning, connect with people, and better handle the tough stuff life throws at you. If you're craving more joy, connection, or just a new angle on the year ahead, you're bound to find something that resonates.So settle in, and join us in starting the year with intention, curiosity, and a little touch of creativity.Listen and Learn: Reflection Exercises, including: Finding Meaning: Reflecting on the past year, where were you last New Year's, and what were your biggest highs and lows since thenMeaningful Moments: Reflecting on two or three meaningful moments from the past year and vividly recalling the sights, sounds, and feelings of each experienceLessons, Wins and Moving Forward: Reflecting on your past year to uncover lessons from mistakes, celebrate achievements, and clarify what truly matters to you as you move into 2026Vision for the Year Ahead: Reflecting on what you truly want, the areas you've neglected, and the values you want to prioritize in the year aheadHow incorporating creative, life-affirming activities can boost your well-being and help you navigate life's challengesPractical exercises and tips to spark more creativity in your life in the new yearResources: Access the New Year's Reflection Questions from this episode (.pdf or editable MS Word versions available) Debbie's Guided Journaling Substack with writing prompts and a 30-day journaling challengeYear Compass worksheets: https://yearcompass.com/Word of the Year and Unravel Your Year worksheets by Susannah Conway: https://www.susannahconway.com/unravel Creative Mornings: https://creativemornings.com/ Jill | Betrayal Weekly: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/jill-betrayal-weekly/id1615637724?i=1000726003078 If you have a story connected to trauma, crime, or someone who's caused harm—and you feel ready to share it—Jill would love to hear from you. You can book a free 30-minute consult at:https://jillstoddard.com/contact-us About the POTC CoHosts: Debbie Sorensen, PhD, Co-hostDebbie (she/her) is a clinical psychologist in private practice in Denver, Colorado with a bachelor's degree in Psychology and Anthropology from the University of Colorado, Boulder, and a Ph.D. in Psychology from Harvard University. She is author of the book ACT for Burnout: Recharge, Reconnect, and Transform Burnout with Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, and co-author of ACT Daily Journal: Get Unstuck and Live Fully with Acceptance and Commitment Therapy. She loves living in Colorado, her home state, with her husband, two daughters, and dog. When she's not busy working or podcasting, she enjoys reading fiction, cooking, traveling, and getting outdoors in the beautiful Rocky Mountains! You can learn more about Debbie, read her blog, and find out about upcoming presentations and training events at her webpage, drdebbiesorensen.com.Jill Stoddard, PhD, Co-hostJill Stoddard is passionate about sharing science-backed ideas from psychology to help people thrive. She is a psychologist, writer, TEDx speaker, award-winning teacher, peer-reviewed ACT trainer, bariatric coach, and co-host of the popular Psychologists Off the Clock podcast. Dr. Stoddard is the founder and director of The Center for Stress and Anxiety Management, an outpatient practice specializing in evidence-based therapies for anxiety and related issues. She is the author of three books: The Big Book of ACT Metaphors: A Practitioner's Guide to Experiential Exercises and Metaphors in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy; Be Mighty: A Woman's Guide to Liberation from Anxiety, Worry, and Stress Using Mindfulness and Acceptance; and Imposter No More: Overcome Self-doubt and Imposterism to Cultivate a Successful Career. Her writing has also appeared in The Washington Post, Psychology Today, Scary Mommy, Thrive Global, The Good Men Project, and Mindful Return. She regularly appears on podcasts and as an expert source for various media outlets. She lives in Newburyport, MA with her husband, two kids, and disobedient French Bulldog. Michael Herold, Co-HostMichael (he/him) is a confidence trainer and social skills coach, based in Vienna, Austria. He's helping his clients overcome their social anxiety through Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and fun exposure exercises. (Though the jury is still out on whether they're mostly fun for him). He is also a certified therapeutic game master, utilizing the Dungeons&Dragons tabletop roleplaying game to train communication, assertiveness, and teamwork with young adults. Or actually, anyone ready to roll some dice and battle goblins in a supportive group where players want to level up (pun!) their social skills. Michael is the head coach of the L.A. based company The Art of Charm, running their confidence-building program “Unstoppable” as well as workshops on small talk, storytelling, vulnerability, and more. He is the scientific advisor and co-producer of their large podcast with more than 250 million downloads. As a member of the Association for Contextual Behavioral Science (ACBS), Michael is the current President of the ACT Coaching Special Interest Group with nearly 1,000 coaches worldwide, and the co-founder of the ACT in Austria Affiliate of ACBS, a nationwide meetup for ACT practitioners in Austria. He's a public speaker who has spoken at TEDx, in front of members of parliament, universities, and once in a cinema full of 500 kids high on sugary popcorn. In a previous life, he was a character animator working on award-winning movies and TV shows such as “The Penguins of Madagascar” and “Kung Fu Panda”. That was before he realized that helping people live a meaningful life is much more rewarding than working in the film business – even though the long nights in the studio allowed him to brew his own beer in the office closet, an activity he highly recommends. Michael grew up with five foster kids who were all taken out of abusive families. His foster sisters showed him how much positive change is possible in a person if they have the love and support they need.Emily Edlynn, PhD, Co-HostEmily (she/her) is a licensed clinical psychologist specializing in pediatric health psychology who works in private practice with children, teens, and adults. She has a BA in English from Smith College, a PhD in clinical psychology from Loyola University Chicago, and completed postgraduate training at Stanford and Children's Hospital Orange County. Emily spent almost ten years working in children's hospitals before pivoting to private practice, which allowed her to start a writing career. Emily has written her blog, The Art and Science of Mom, since 2017 and a parenting advice column for Parents.com since 2019. Emily's writing has also appeared in the Washington Post, Scary Mommy, Good Housekeeping, Motherly, and more. She recently added author to her bio with her book, Autonomy-Supportive Parenting: Reduce Parental Burnout and Raise Competent Confident Children and has a Substack newsletter. Emily lives with her husband, three children, and two rescue dogs in Oak Park, IL where she can see Chicago's skyline from her attic window. Yael Schonbrun, PhD, Co-hostYael (she/her) is a licensed clinical psychologist who wears a number of professional hats: She has a small private practice specializing in evidence-based relationship therapy, she's an assistant professor at Brown University, and she writes for nonacademic audiences about working parenthood. She has a B.A. from Washington University in St. Louis, a Ph.D. in clinical psychology from the University of Colorado, Boulder, and completed her postgraduate training at Brown University. In all areas of her work, Yael draws on scientific research, her clinical experience, ancient wisdom (with an emphasis on Taoism), and real life experiences with her three little boys. You can find out more about Yael's writing, including her book, Work, Parent, Thrive, and about her research by clicking the links. You can follow Yael on Linkedin and Instagram where she posts about relationship science or subscribe to her newsletter, Relational, to get the science of relationships in your email inbox!Related Episodes: 410. Creativity and Making Things with Kelly Corrigan and Claire Corrigan Lichty345. Writing for Personal Growth with Maureen Murdock211. Subtract with Leidy Klotz73. Essentialism with Greg McKeown257. The Gift of Being Ordinary with Ron Siegel 37. Post-Traumatic Growth with Diana and Debbie375. Midlife: From Crisis to Curiosity with Meg McKelvie and Debbie Sorensen 285. What Do You Want Out of Life? Values Fulfillment Theory with Valerie Tiberius 351. You Only Die Once with Jodi Wellman 138. Exploring Existence and Purpose: Existentialism with Robyn Walser 329. The Power of Curiosity with Scott ShigeokaSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Curiosity supercharges your memory, slows down the aging process, and even makes hostile relationships harmonious. This incredible design feature opens doors in our minds and hearts. Curiosity is key to seeking and finding spiritual truth, wisdom, and understanding. Curious? Join us to find out how it works!

SHOW NOTES:  On this show…we're pushing pause to reset the story we tell ourselves before we set the goal. Because goal setting isn't just about what you want to accomplish. It's about the mindset you bring into it. The beliefs you're carrying. And the expectations you quietly place on yourself before you ever take the first step. Have you ever said yes to a goal, a project, or a commitment simply because you could? Not because you truly wanted to. Not because it fit your life right now. But because you felt capable, responsible, or maybe even a little afraid of what it would say about you if you didn't? For a long time, I thought that was growth. If I could do it, I should do it. If I was asked, I should say yes. And while that mindset served me in some seasons, it eventually led to feeling stretched thin, overwhelmed, and disconnected from what I actually wanted. Last year, that realization turned into a mantra for me. “Just because I can, doesn't mean I should or have to.” It wasn't about doing less. It was about choosing better. Giving myself permission to pause, evaluate, and decide instead of reacting. More recently, my husband and I landed on another mantra that started as a joke but turned out to be surprisingly powerful. “I can do anything. Now, what do I want to do?” And at first, it sounds almost playful. But the more we sat with it, the more we realized how much it shifts the conversation in our own heads. Instead of starting with doubt, it starts with belief. Instead of asking, “Am I capable enough?” it asks, “What actually matters to me right now?” That small change removes the need to prove anything. It creates space to choose instead of justify, to explore instead of second-guess. When you begin with “I can,” doors don't close before you even reach them. Curiosity replaces fear. Possibility replaces pressure. And suddenly, goals stop feeling like tests you have to pass and start feeling like options you're allowed to consider. CHALLENGE: Pause before setting your next goal and ask yourself one honest question: “Do I want this, and why?” Choose a mantra that reflects who you are now, not who you were trying to be, and let belief lead instead of doubt or obligation. I Know YOU Can Do It!

Psychologists have typically believed that we become less curious as we age, but recent research has shown curiosity actually becomes more targeted and specific in our later years. In this episode from September, Madeleine Finlay hears from Dr Mary Whatley, an assistant professor of psychology at Western Carolina University, and Dr Matthias Gruber of Cardiff University's Brain Research Imaging Centre to find out why we change in this way, and how maintaining broad curiosity into older age can help keep our brains young. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/sciencepod

[Original air date: June 5, 2025]How can finance leaders identify where their capital is silently going to waste and where it can be better used to drive growth? In this episode, CJ interviews Russell Lester, the CFO of Tropic, where capital allocation is both the product and the mission. Russell introduces the concept of “spoilage”, deployed capital that fails to deliver its intended value. He also talks about “levers”, positive actions that force multiply your efforts, and “leakages”, headwinds or detractors that sap momentum. Russell believes it is the job of the CFO (or “Chief Alignment Officer”) to proactively go looking for these levers and leakages. He then explains how he uses his “center of the table” framework to redeploy the freed-up capital to fuel growth. Russell also covers how to address misalignment, what helicopter skills are and why you need them, what a data safari is and why you should take one daily, and why every CFO needs a spend management tool.—SPONSORS:Tipalti automates the entire payables process—from onboarding suppliers to executing global payouts—helping finance teams save time, eliminate costly errors, and scale confidently across 200+ countries and 120 currencies. More than 5,000 businesses already trust Tipalti to manage payments with built-in security and tax compliance. Visit https://www.tipalti.com/runthenumbers to learn more.Aleph automates 90% of manual, error-prone busywork, so you can focus on the strategic work you were hired to do. Minimize busywork and maximize impact with the power of a web app, the flexibility of spreadsheets, and the magic of AI. Get a personalised demo at https://www.getaleph.com/runFidelity Private Shares is the all-in-one equity management platform that keeps your cap table clean, your data room organized, and your equity story clear—so you never risk losing a fundraising round over messy records. Schedule a demo at https://www.fidelityprivateshares.com and mention Mostly Metrics to get 20% off.Sage Intacct is a cloud financial management platform that replaces spreadsheets, automates workflows, and keeps your books audit-ready as you scale. It unifies accounting, ERP, and real-time reporting for finance, retail, logistics, tech, and professional services. With payback in under six months and up to 250% ROI, and eight years as the customer-satisfaction leader, Sage Intacct helps you take control of your growth: https://bit.ly/3Kn4YHtMercury is business banking built for builders, giving founders and finance pros a financial stack that actually works together. From sending wires to tracking balances and approving payments, Mercury makes it simple to scale without friction. Join the 200,000+ entrepreneurs who trust Mercury and apply online in minutes at https://www.mercury.comRightRev automates the revenue recognition process from end to end, gives you real-time insights, and ensures ASC 606 / IFRS 15 compliance—all while closing books faster. For RevRec that auditors actually trust, visit https://www.rightrev.com and schedule a demo.—LINKS:Russell on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/russell-lester-aa98463/Tropic: https://www.tropicapp.io/CJ on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cj-gustafson-13140948/Mostly metrics: https://www.mostlymetrics.com—RELATED EPISODES:Wasted Capital and Where to Find It The CFOs Guide to Spoilage Levers Leakageshttps://youtu.be/xOby7CcdljI—TIMESTAMPS:00:00:00 Mostly Classics: Russell Lester on Capital and Alignment00:00:48 Sponsors — Tipalti | Aleph | Fidelity Private Shares00:04:07 Russell Lester Joins the Show00:06:45 Capital Spoilage and Wasted Spend00:08:34 Why Spoilage Goes Unnoticed Inside Companies00:10:16 Creating Accountability for ROI00:11:08 Spoilage Beyond Tools and Software00:13:04 Strategy Drift and the Sunk Cost Trap00:14:14 Sponsors — Sage Intacct | Mercury | RightRev00:17:44 Levers and Leakages: A Framework for Momentum00:19:27 Identifying Levers Across the Funnel00:21:48 Efficiency Levers Inside the P&L00:23:31 Common Spend Leakages in Practice00:24:21 The Center of the Table Framework00:26:47 Budget Ownership vs Corporate Stewardship00:28:49 The CFO as Chief Alignment Officer00:31:31 Trust, Tact, and Executive Leadership00:33:35 Helicopter Skills for Finance Leaders00:35:41 Curiosity as a CFO Superpower00:36:02 Data Safaris and Asking Better Questions00:38:16 Breaking Down Net Dollar Retention00:40:32 Navigating Data Overload00:42:16 Building a Single Source of Truth00:43:03 Intelligent Spend Management in Action00:44:44 Capital Allocation as the CFO's Core Job00:46:04 How Spend Management Drives Growth00:49:14 Why Companies Delay Spend Tools00:50:49 A Career Mistake with Investors00:52:49 Auto-Renewals: Revenue vs Leakage00:54:07 Advice to a Younger CFO#RunTheNumbersPodcast #CFOLeadership #CapitalAllocation #FinancialStrategy #SpendManagement This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit cjgustafson.substack.com

Microplastics are everywhere, from our oceans and ecosystems to our food, water, and bodies, but their story began with a simple question: what are we missing? In this episode, we're joined by Dr. Richard Thompson, marine biologist at the University of Plymouth and the scientist who coined the term microplastics. Tune in to hear how curiosity led to a landmark discovery, why plastic pollution is fundamentally a design problem that affects public health, and why science must now shift from defining the problem to rigorously testing solutions.Dr. Richard Thompson is a Professor of Marine Biology at the University of Plymouth and a leading authority on plastic pollution. His research has shaped global understanding of microplastics and informed major policies to improve environmental health, including the EU Marine Strategy Framework Directive and legislation banning microbeads in cosmetics. As an independent scientist, his work guides policymakers, industry, and the public toward safer and more sustainable use of plastics.

In this conversation, Dominic Lawson shares his journey from Christianity to Judaism, exploring the complexities of faith, cultural identity, and personal growth. He reflects on his upbringing in the Bible Belt, the questions he had as a child, and the impact of a major life event on his spiritual exploration. Through a series of meetings with religious leaders, he found a sense of belonging in Judaism, emphasizing the importance of making the world a better place. Now, as part of an interfaith family, he encourages open dialogue and exploration of faith for his daughter. In this conversation, Dominic Lawson shares his journey of converting to Judaism from Christianity, discussing the complexities of navigating his religious identity, family dynamics, and the cultural implications of his faith. He emphasizes the importance of empathy, community service, and the spiritual practices that resonate with him, while also reflecting on the appreciation he has developed for Christianity through his Jewish lens. The dialogue explores the challenges and joys of embracing a new faith, the significance of high holy days, and the encouragement to explore spirituality in a way that feels authentic to oneself.Chapters03:00Introduction to Conversion Journey05:00Upbringing in the Bible Belt11:00Questions and Curiosity in Faith12:51Rebellion or Curiosity?16:49Cultural Identity and Community20:41College and Exposure to Other Faiths24:41Inflection Point: Divorce and Self-Discovery25:40Exploring New Beliefs27:03The Chosen People: A Responsibility to Improve the World28:56The Journey of Conversion: A Year of Learning31:14Finding Common Ground: Jewish and Black Experiences32:55Questioning Beliefs: The Role of Inquiry in Judaism34:01Interfaith Dynamics: Navigating Family and Faith36:29Creating a Unique Family Tradition: Blending Faiths38:35Spiritual vs. Cultural Identity: Defining Jewish Practice41:30Community and Service: The Heart of Judaism42:54Appreciating Christianity: A New Perspective45:10Family Reactions: Sharing the Journey of Conversion49:22Exploring Religious Identity and Assumptions51:47Understanding Jewish Practices and Dietary Laws54:32Incorporating Jewish Traditions into Daily Life56:53The Journey of Conversion and Personal Growth58:20Curiosity Questions: Reflecting on Faith and Identity01:03:05The Intersection of Black Culture and Judaism01:09:37Encouragement for Spiritual ExplorationDominic Lawson - Guest Info and Podcasts:Mental Health RewrittenBlack is AmericaThe B-WordInstagramLinkedInLike what you heard? Share with others and follow us @ponderingthoughtspodcast Instagram

Text Dr. Lenz any feedback or questions In this enlightening episode, we welcome special guest Luke Thompson, who has a diverse background as a philosophy professor, pastor, author, and theology professor. Luke shares his insights on existential questions, particularly focusing on how different worldviews interpret pain and suffering. He delves into the perspectives of renowned philosophers like Jean-Paul Sartre and Friedrich Nietzsche, contrasting them with Christian viewpoints, especially those of St. Augustine and the biblical book Ecclesiastes. Through an engaging dialogue, Luke discusses the significance of having a meta-narrative and the implications of living with or without transcendent meaning. This conversation promises to provide profound reflections for anyone grappling with chronic pain, existential questions, or the search for purpose in life.With on YouTube Here00:00 Introduction to Our Special Guest: Luke Thompson00:42 Understanding Fibromyalgia: A Chronic Pain Condition01:26 Exploring Different Spiritual Paradigms01:47 Existence vs. Essence: Sartre and Augustine05:15 The Meaning of Pain and Suffering07:54 The Concept of Metanarrative12:57 Solomon's Wisdom: Everything is Meaningless17:37 Nietzsche's Madman Parable: God is Dead22:59 Short-Term vs. Cosmic Meaning28:47 The Source of Human Value30:17 The Role of Curiosity in Science32:45 Understanding Pain and Suffering35:24 Finding Meaning in Life's Pleasures38:21 The Christian Metanarrative47:08 The Importance of a Metanarrative50:36 The Impact of Losing a Metanarrative55:03 The Deeper Why Questions01:00:13 Final Thoughts and Reflections Click here for the YouTube channel International Conference on ADHD in November 2025 where Dr. Lenz will be one of the speakers. Joy LenzFibromyalgia 101. A list of fibromyalgia podcast episodes that are great if you are new and don't know where to start. Support the showWhen I started this podcast and YouTube Channel—and the book that came before it—I had my patients in mind. Office visits are short, but understanding complex, often misunderstood conditions like fibromyalgia takes time. That's why I created this space: to offer education, validation, and hope. If you've been told fibromyalgia “isn't real” or that it's “all in your head,” know this—I see you. I believe you. This podcast aims to affirm your experience and explain the science behind it. Whether you live with fibromyalgia, care for someone who does, or are a healthcare professional looking to better support patients, you'll find trusted, evidence-based insights here, drawn from my 29+ years as an MD. Please remember to talk with your doctor about your symptoms and care. This content doesn't replace per...

We're revisiting our chat with Phil Agnew, creator of the Nudge podcast, to explore how behavioral science shows up in everyday marketing. From pricing to persuasion, Phil shares examples and tactics that continue to resonate.

In this episode of Walk Talk Listen, Maurice Bloem speaks with Brian Adams, who has spent nearly three decades building bridges of respect and understanding across more than 40 countries in Africa, Europe, North America, and the Asia–Pacific. Brian reflects on curiosity as a defining thread in his life — a habit of asking questions that began in childhood, often driving his mother to distraction, and later shaped his work across cultures, faiths, and institutions. Growing up in poverty in rural Arkansas and later encountering deep diversity in places like France and West Africa helped him understand belonging as something richer than simple connection: a sense of unity, purpose, and shared humanity.   Drawing on his experience as Chair of the Board of Trustees of A Common Word Among the Youth (ACWAY), co-founder of the G20 Interfaith Forum, and founder of multiple dialogue initiatives, Brian explores dialogue as a lived practice, not a performance. He speaks about why openness about faith can strengthen trust, what youth teach us about honesty and discomfort, and how ACWAY's Interfaith Development Goals offer a values-based framework for engaging religious and cultural diversity alongside the SDGs and Inner Development Goals. The conversation closes with reflections on humility, inner development, and the invitation to move beyond knowing others toward actively serving those outside our own circles.   Listener Engagement: Discover the songs picked by Brian and other guests on our #walktalklisten here. Learn more about Brian via his LinkedIn, and the ACWAY's website. Share your feedback on this episode through our Walk Talk Listen Feedback link – your thoughts matter! Follow Us: Support the Walk Talk Listen podcast by following us on Facebook and Instagram. Visit 100mile.org or mauricebloem.com for more episodes and information about our work. Check out the special series "Enough for All" and learn more about the work of the Joint Learning Initiative (JLI).

In this episode of AMSEcast, host Alan Lowe sits down with William Harris, President and CEO of Space Center Houston, to explore the past, present, and future of human space exploration and what it means for American innovation. As the official visitor center for NASA's Johnson Space Center, Space Center Houston serves as the public gateway to human spaceflight. William shares how the center uses historic artifacts, immersive experiences, and cutting-edge STEM programming to demystify space exploration and inspire the next generation of innovators. From Apollo and the Space Shuttle to Artemis, Mars, and the James Webb Space Telescope, this conversation dives deep into how humans have made the impossible possible, often with limited technology but unlimited curiosity. William also discusses workforce development, diversity in innovation, the power of failure, and why STEM truly is for everyone. If you're fascinated by space, innovation, education, or the future of exploration, this episode offers a powerful reminder of what humans can achieve when curiosity, collaboration, and courage come together.   Highlights:  (00:00) Introduction to Amse Cast (00:46) Guest Introduction: William Harris (01:44) Exploring Space Center Houston (03:12) Key Exhibits and Artifacts (06:24) STEM Education Initiatives (08:57) Innovation Gateway Programs (16:40) The Legacy of the Space Shuttle (18:56) Artemis and the Future of Space Exploration (23:18) Unmanned Missions and Their Impact (35:14) Conclusion and Future Plans

In their annual tradition, Jen and Pete list their very favo(u)rite things of 2025.Specifically, in this episode Jen and Pete talk about their favo(u)rite:Fiction book.Non-fiction book.Podcast.TLATSOI episode.Thing they watched.Motto.Thing they discovered about themselves.To hear all episodes and read full transcripts, visit The Long and The Short Of It website: https://thelongandtheshortpodcast.com/.You can subscribe to our Box O' Goodies here (https://thelongandtheshortpodcast.com/) and receive a weekly email full of book and podcast recommendations, quotes, videos, and other interesting things that Jen and Pete are noodling on. To get in touch, send an email to: hello@thelongandtheshortpodcast.com.Learn more about Pete's work here (https://humanperiscope.com/) and Jen's work here (https://jenwaldman.com/).

In this episode of SuperPsyched, Dr. Adam Dorsay, a psychologist and podcast host, explores the complex dynamics of love and relationships. Joined by Allison Howe, a seasoned couple therapist, they delve into the challenges couples face in sustaining love and the unconscious ways people sabotage their relationships. They discuss the importance of the psychobiological approach to couple therapy (PACT), created by Dr. Stan Takin, and share actionable insights on improving emotional connections. Key topics include the impact of early attachment and nonverbal communication, the vital role of mutual vulnerability and empathy, and practical strategies like the PEPPR approach to overcome relationship hurdles. Listeners will gain valuable tools to foster healthier and more fulfilling relationships, whether facing current struggles or striving to strengthen their bond.00:00 Welcome to SuperPsyched00:21 The Paradoxes of Love01:05 Introducing PACT and Allison Howe03:06 The Importance of Love04:29 Understanding Attachment and Sabotage14:24 The PEPPER Approach to Relationship Success19:18 The Art of Apology20:04 The Power of Apology in Relationships21:22 Practicing True Repair in Couples Therapy23:46 The Importance of Mutual Happiness25:27 Collaborative Support and Redemptive Narratives31:00 The Role of Audience in Relationships36:20 Curiosity and Radical Amazement37:55 Conclusion and Final ThoughtsHELPFUL LINKS:Allison Howe

In this episode of the HR Mixtape podcast, host Shari Simpson sits down with Laura Maffucci, Head of HR at Crackle PR. They delve into the transformative role of AI in HR, discussing how organizations can leverage technology to enhance employee experience and adapt to a rapidly changing labor market. This conversation is particularly timely as HR leaders face the challenge of integrating AI while maintaining critical thinking and human connection in their processes. Listener Takeaways: Learn how to identify and nurture AI champions within your organization to drive innovation. Discover why curiosity and learning agility are essential skills for HR professionals in today's tech-driven landscape. Explore strategies for implementing effective talent assessment programs that prioritize skills over traditional job descriptions. Hit “Play” to gain insights on navigating the future of HR with AI! Guest(s): Laura Maffucci, Head of HR, Crackle PR

MEET US LIVE IN CHICAGO! LEARN MORE! www.cre8tivecon.com What if this year is not about becoming someone new but about becoming a stronger, more intentional version of who you already are? In this reflective solo episode of the Get Obsessed Podcast, host Julie Lokun, JD shares a powerful mindset shift for high achievers who feel overwhelmed by hustle culture, endless goal setting, and the pressure to constantly do more. Julie reflects on the magic of the holidays through childhood eyes, the reality of adulthood responsibility, and the moment she realized that more goals did not equal more joy. Instead of embracing the tired phrase New Year, New You, she invites listeners to focus on intentional living rooted in clarity, energy protection, and alignment. This episode is for entrepreneurs, creatives, leaders, and high performers who are ready to stop doing more and start doing what truly matters. What You Will Learn in This Episode Julie explains why New Year, New You is a myth and how New Year, Same You but Stronger creates sustainable momentum. She walks through the power of choosing one personal goal and one professional goal and how this approach reduces overwhelm while increasing fulfillment. Listeners will learn why protecting physical and emotional energy is a non negotiable and how saying no without overexplaining creates freedom. Julie also addresses why rest and sleep are essential for clarity, creativity, and long term success. On the professional side, Julie shares what it means to amplify fewer voices more powerfully. She explains why going deeper instead of wider creates exponential results and how aligned energy between collaborators is the foundation of meaningful growth. Intentional Living and Honoring Your Season This episode invites listeners to ask a critical question: What season of life am I in? Julie encourages integration over pressure and reminds listeners that growth does not need to happen on a single day. She emphasizes honoring the lessons learned from the past year and recognizing resilience, even when healing feels incomplete. The Proof of Life Mindset Julie introduces the concept of a proof of life list, a practice of acknowledging moments when you showed up despite adversity. Whether navigating relationship changes, health challenges, financial stress, or professional uncertainty, surviving counts and deserves recognition. Relationships Over Algorithms Julie shares why some of her most meaningful opportunities came from conversations rather than content. By dialing down social media and prioritizing real relationships, she found deeper connection and greater professional impact. Expansion, Curiosity, and Beginner's Brain Listeners are encouraged to say yes to growth without pressure. Julie explores the idea of expansion through curiosity, new conversations, and experiences that place you back into beginner's brain, a concept she learned from Jim Kwik. Planning Joy on Purpose If joy is not scheduled, stress will be. Julie challenges listeners to plan joy intentionally, whether through small moments of play, creativity, rest, or connection. Joy is not a reward. It is a requirement. Resources Mentioned Essentialism: The Disciplined Pursuit of Less by Greg McKeownJim Kwik's teachings on beginner's brain and limitless learningCre8tive Con 2025 in Chicago at www.cre8tivecon.com Featured Voice: Jim Kwik Bestselling author and world renowned brain coach Jim Kwik shares why creativity is no longer optional in today's fast changing world. At Cre8tive Con in Chicago, Jim will teach science based tools to help attendees think faster, focus better, and unlock the limitless potential already inside them. This Episode Is For You If You feel busy but unfulfilledYou are craving clarity instead of chaosYou want success without burnoutYou are ready to protect your energy without guiltYou are choosing meaning over more A Final Message from Julie You are not behind. You are becoming. This year is not about chasing more. It is about choosing meaning, honoring your season, and having the courage to protect what matters most. If This Episode Resonated Share this episode with someone who needs to hear it. Follow the Get Obsessed Podcast with Julie Lokun and leave a rating and review to help amplify conversations that matter. Host: Julie Lokun, JD  www.julielokunconsulting.comPodcast: Get ObsessedCategory: Personal Growth, Entrepreneurship, Mindset, Intentional Living, High Achievers Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

A conversation worth revisiting. Mónica Guzmán's work captures the spirit of Talkin' Politics & Religion Without Killin' Each Other at its best: fearlessly curious, deeply humane, and committed to bridging divides without sacrificing conviction. In this Best of TP&R episode, Corey revisits his wide-ranging and deeply grounded conversation with Mónica Guzmán — journalist, author of I Never Thought of It That Way, Senior Fellow for Public Practice at Braver Angels, and one of the most trusted voices in America's bridge-building movement. Together, they explore why outrage so easily masquerades as moral clarity, how curiosity can act as a cooling force in moments of political rage, and why dialogue and activism are not opposing paths but necessary partners. Mónica reflects candidly on her own fears, boundaries, and doubts — including how to know when understanding must give way to action, and how to stay vigilant without becoming certain too quickly. This conversation also digs into free speech, Congress's abdication of responsibility, the ethics of moderation and “proven falsehoods,” and why policing structure rather than content may be one of the most overlooked tools for healthier public discourse. If you're new to TP&R — or if you've been looking for a hopeful, serious, and intellectually honest entry point into what this show is about — this episode remains one of our clearest expressions of that mission. Calls to Action ✅ TELL A FRIEND ABOUT TP&R!!! Help spread the message of meaningful conversation. ✅ Subscribe to Talkin' Politics & Religion Without Killin' Each Other on your favorite podcast platform. ✅ Leave a review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or anywhere you listen ✅ Join the community on Substack: coreysnathan.substack.com ✅ Watch & subscribe on YouTube: youtube.com/@politicsandreligion Timestamps & Key Topics [00:00] Why revisiting this conversation matters right now [00:03] Processing elections without losing perspective [00:06] Recognizing when outrage needs curiosity [00:09] Congress, executive power, and shared civic frustration [00:12] COVID, free speech, and lived experience across divides [00:17] When understanding persuades — and when it doesn't [00:20] Boundaries, bridge-burning, and “loving from a safe distance” [00:28] Moderation, misinformation, and policing structure vs. content [00:37] Dialogue and activism — why we need both [00:45] What good journalism actually looks like [00:50] Where Mónica's bridge-building instinct began [00:57] Parenting, power, and conflict at the most human level [01:00] The real work of talking politics & religion without killing each other Key Takeaways • Outrage isn't clarity — it's often unexamined fear looking for certainty. • Curiosity doesn't weaken conviction; it strengthens discernment. • Dialogue without action can become navel-gazing — but action without dialogue is reckless. • Policing how we engage often matters more than policing what is said. • Bridge-building isn't naïve optimism; it's disciplined moral courage. Notable Quotes “Engagement is not endorsement.” “Dialogue without activism is navel-gazing. Activism without dialogue is doomed.” “Certainty is tempting — vigilance is harder.” “Sometimes courage looks like not burning the bridge.” Connect with Corey Corey is @coreysnathan on all the socials... Substack LinkedIn Facebook Instagram Twitter Threads Bluesky TikTok Our Sponsors Pew Research Center: pewresearch.org The Village Square: villagesquare.us Meza Wealth Management: mezawealth.com Proud members of The Democracy Group

Illana Raia's journey to entrepreneurship stemmed from her love of law and her personal experiences with mentorship. Despite loving her career as a mergers and acquisitions lawyer, she took a break to raise her children and later rejoined her firm. Realizing the impact of showing her daughter accomplished women at work, Illana envisioned scaling this experience to benefit other girls. She left her law practice, driven by the idea of creating a platform where girls could meet female leaders, leading to the founding of Etre.  Illana is the founder and CEO of Etre, a membership platform for girls believing that mentors matter as early as middle school. Illana brings girls directly into companies they choose to meet female leaders face to face.  Raia's National Research on the current state of girls confidence in 2022 and 2024 has been featured by Forbes, CBS News, Yahoo Finance, and Nasdaq, and the most recent 2025 research was conducted in partnership with Hello Sunshine and launched at Cannes. Illana is Chair of the International Space Station, US National Lab Education and Workforce Subcommittee.  She serves on the National Girls Collaborative Project Champions Board, and was recently appointed to the Hackensack Meridian School of Medicine Board of Governors. Illana contributes to Forbes Business Council and has authored over 60 articles for Huffington Post, Ms. Matt. Magazine and Thrive Global. Illana was named one of the first 250 entrepreneurs on the Forbes Next 1000 list. An Inc 500 female founder and recognized twice by Fast company's world changing ideas, her award-winning book, Etre Girls Who Do You Want to Be? was released on the day of the Girl, 2019. Her second bestselling book, the Epic Mentor Guide, arrived during Women's History Month 2022. Prior to launching Etre in 2016, Illana was a corporate attorney at Skadden Arps in New York City, and a guest lecturer at Columbia University.  She graduated from Smith College and the University of Chicago Law School.   What You Will Hear in This Episode 02:13 Illana''s Journey: From Law to Entrepreneurship 03:59 Curiosity and Connection: Illana's Driving Forces and Career Shift 06:15 The Birth of Etre: Empowering Girls Through Mentorship 09:20 Scaling Etre: From Local to Global Impact 14:24 Navigating Challenges: Social Media and Confidence 17:37 Etre's Mentorship Program: How It Works 18:58 TED-Ed Club: Empowering Young Girls to Speak 20:02 Connecting Through Social Media and Our Website 24:06 Building a Network of Incredible Mentors 33:04 The Role of Age and Diversity in Our Programs   Quotes " The things you most enjoy, the things that bring you the greatest amount of, of reward and joy are things you cannot do with a phone in your hand, whether that is swimming or surfing or skating or painting.  Playing your sport, writing your next short story, the thing you love to do is probably better done without a phone in your hand. " " I believe in the power of the cold email or the cold DM with all my heart,  I'm stunned every day by the women who say yes to a conversation or answering a question by email because it's for the next generation. " Never underestimate the, impact that 10 minutes of your time is gonna have on that next future engineer, future leader, future founder."   Mentioned etregrils.com   eConnect with Bonnie Substack Newsletter: Own Your Ambition Gendered Ageism Survey Results Forbes article 5 Tips to own the superpower of your age IAMMusicGroup   Purchase my book Not Done Yet on Amazon:    If you enjoyed this episode of Badass Women Podcast, then make sure to subscribe to the podcast and drop us a five-star review  

In today's episode, Carly sits down with Scarlett Leung, Chief Brand Officer and Co-founder of Pretty Tasty, a collagen tea company. Scarlett shares her unconventional path from accountant, to turnaround CEO, to CPG founder, and how growing up around intense family entrepreneurship shaped her views on work. This conversation covers Scarlett's experiences navigating parental expectations, making big career pivots without a rigid 5-year plan, and the stripped-back, unglamorous reality that is founding a consumer brand.References:AllSaints: https://www.allsaints.com/Carolina Herrera: https://www.carolinaherrera.com/Deepak Chopra: https://www.deepakchopra.com/Deloitte: https://www.deloitte.com/global/en.htmlEstée Lauder: https://www.esteelauder.com/FreshDirect: https://www.freshdirect.com/Gucci Group / Kering: https://www.kering.com/Honest Tea: https://www.honesttea.com/L'Oréal: https://www.loreal.com/en/Lancôme: https://www.lancome-usa.com/LVMH: https://www.lvmh.com/MIT: https://www.mit.edu/Philip Morris International: https://www.pmi.com/Pretty Tasty: https://www.prettytasty.com/PwC: https://www.pwc.com/Sugarbreak: https://www.sugarbreak.com/Target: https://www.target.com/Uniqlo: https://www.uniqlo.com/University of Waterloo: https://uwaterloo.ca/Virgin Group: https://www.virgin.com/Waterloo Sparkling Water: https://www.drinkwaterloo.com/Timestamps:(01:17) Growing up with an entrepreneurial family(06:59) The decision to study accounting(09:47) Should you choose a risky career path?(13:39) Unpacking Scarlett's unique career journey(18:12) Lessons learned from a travel-heavy role(22:51) Why you need to advocate for yourself(23:39) Why Scarlett went to MIT business school(26:11) Scarlett's superpower in business(31:10) Pretty Tasty's culture manifesto(32:55) The journey to founding Pretty Tasty(36:16) Developing the collagen product(38:44) The one thing most CPG founders miss(40:05) Advice for someone starting a company(42:15) Scarlett's scariest founder moment(44:41) How to navigate a quarter-life crisis

New Year's resolutions? We're doing it differently this time. In this episode, we ditch the pressure and emotionally tap in to what your next-level life actually wants from you. We talk about releasing what's expired, creating boundaries that invite new experiences, and stepping forward without dragging last year's baggage behind you. Also discussed: how one connection can completely shift your perspective, the joy of finally hooking up the ice maker (life upgrade unlocked), reading more books, and the very real question—are holiday decorations… aggressive? Come for the emotional clarity, stay for the laughs and unexpected realizations. Music: Christmas HipHop: https://pixabay.com/music/beats-christmas-hip-hop-273171/ Deck the Halls: https://pixabay.com/music/christmas-deck-the-halls-xmas-background-music-60second-for-short-video-vlog-178752/

If you're curious as to whether you have any stored emotions or trauma that might be causing your illness, preventing you from achieving your goals, or even just showing up as the best, authentic version of yourself, I invite you to take my free Stored Emotions and Trauma QuizWhat if the heavy cloud you're dragging around is actually your next lesson trying to get your attention?In this episode, I'm getting real about the funk I've been in for the last few months and what it's taught me about these intense transition periods. I've been moving through a season of irritability, misalignment, and low energy while still holding an inner knowing that something good is on the other side. Reflection and curiosity helped me start asking what I can learn here, what needs to be seen, and why certain patterns keep repeating.What shifts when you move from “why is this happening to me” into “how is this happening for me,” even when fear and frustration are loud? You'll see why you can't muscle through these seasons alone and how having a trusted team around you can hold space, reflect truth, and remind you you're not the only one feeling this way. You'll Learn:[00:00] Introduction[02:44] Why emotional fog can signal a new layer of growth[05:21] What happens when curiosity replaces self-judgment[08:56] How to see the lesson behind repeating patterns[12:38] Why shifting to “for me, not to me” changes everything[16:47] What opens when you name fear without shame[19:33] How approaching discomfort with love and grace softens resistance[23:12] The reason you can't integrate shadow work alone[27:55] What support from the right people makes possible[31:18] How allowing others to hold space moves healing forwardFind More From Dr. Stephanie Davis:Dr. Stephanie Davis | WebsiteQuantum Rx | InstagramQuantum Rx | Skool

Jacob Kendall: Curiosity, Creativity, and Rethinking How We Grow OlderDr. Jacob Kendall—gerontologist, social worker, and two-time open-heart surgery survivor—joins us to share a fresh lens for understanding health across place, and time. Drawing on his signature strengths of creativity, curiosity, and humor, Jacob challenges one-dimensional thinking about aging and advocates for a pro-aging mindset grounded in fairness and forgiveness. This conversation will transform how you think about growing older—and inspire you to approach life's challenges with both scientific rigor and deep humanity.A visualization of the aggregated VIA Strengths of people who have been guests on the podcast after adding Jacob's top VIA Strengths: Creativity | Fairness | Curiosity | Humor | ForgivenessAudio Editor: Kyle Gross (https://kylegross.myportfolio.com/)Recorded on: 11/19/2025

AI isn't coming for your job. Someone who's willing to learn faster than you is.   In this Inside Out episode, I explore a simple but confronting idea: in times of massive change, it's not the experts who win — it's the learners. Inspired by Eric Hoffer's quote about learners inheriting the earth, this episode looks at how AI is accelerating the gap between people who stay curious and people who cling to what they already know. This isn't about becoming technical or mastering every new tool. It's about identity, humility, and the willingness to start again.   Inside the episode: Why expertise now has a shorter shelf life Learners vs "the learned" in the AI era Curiosity as a competitive advantage Why adaptability matters more than certainty The mindset shift required to thrive in change If AI feels intimidating, overwhelming, or confusing, this episode reframes the conversation in a way that puts the power back in your hands.

In this episode, we break down the pursuer–withdrawer dynamic and why partners so often misunderstand each other during conflict. We explore how our nervous systems, personal histories, and internal stories shape the meaning we make of our partner's behavior. By slowing down and getting curious, couples can interrupt the cycle and create more connection instead of escalating disconnection. Main Talking Points • Pursuer vs. withdrawer • Meaning-making stories • Nervous system responses • Projection in conflict • Windows of tolerance • Curiosity over certainty Check Out Relationship Academy Give Me Discounts! Cozy Earth -  Black Friday has come early! Right now, you can stack my code “IDO” on top of their sitewide sale — giving you up to 40% off in savings. These deals won't last, so start your holiday shopping today! Beducate - Use code relationship69 for 65% off the annual pass. Skylight - Use code “IDO” for $30 off your 15 inch calendar.  Function - 160+ Lab Tests for $365. Amazfit - Use Code “IDO” to get 10% off Spark My Relationship Course: Get $100 off our online course. Visit SparkMyRelationship.com/Unlock for our special offer just for our I Do Podcast listeners! If you love this episode (and our podcast!), would you mind giving us a review in iTunes? It would mean the world to us and we promise it only takes a minute. Many thanks in advance! – Colter, Cayla, & Lauren Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welcome to another episode of Restoring the Soul with Michael John Cusick. In today's conversation, Michael is joined by Dr. J.R. Briggs, author of the book The Art of Asking Better Questions: Pursuing Stronger Relationships, Healthier Leadership and Deeper Faith. Together, they explore why the questions we ask—of God, ourselves, and each other—are so central to personal transformation, deep connection, and spiritual growth.Drawing from years of research, lived experience, and insights from both ancient and modern sources, J.R. Briggs unpacks how better questions (not just more of them) shape the quality of our lives and relationships. They dig into why vulnerability, humility, curiosity, and wisdom are essentials for good questions, and how great question-askers build trust, intimacy, and growth.The conversation is rich with practical tips, stories, and wisdom on becoming people who don't just demand answers, but who pursue lives oriented around questions of substance and consequence. Whether you're a leader, friend, partner, or simply someone seeking deeper relationships and faith, you'll walk away inspired to ask, listen, and connect in new ways.Support the showENGAGE THE RESTORING THE SOUL PODCAST:- Follow us on YouTube - Tweet us at @michaeljcusick and @PodcastRTS- Like us on Facebook- Follow us on Instagram & Twitter- Follow Michael on Twitter- Email us at info@restoringthesoul.com Thanks for listening!

It didn't always seem inevitable that Margaret Pak would end up running one of Chicago's most thoughtful and distinctive restaurants. She studied statistics, built a long career in finance and analytics, and spent years inside corporate systems where stability and structure were the goal. But alongside that work she fostered a quieter obsession for the culture surrounding food and food service. After a series of career pivots, unexpected layoffs, and some chance meetings with some of the city's more eccentric culinary characters, Margaret began following that instinct into kitchens, pop-ups, food halls, and eventually full restaurant ownership. Curiosity became craft, mentorship, and a deep respect for process: learning knife skills on prep shifts, absorbing lessons from chefs and collaborators, and shaping a truly authentic culinary voice. Today, Margaret is the co-owner and chef behind Thattu, an Avondale restaurant focused on Kerala cuisine, pop-up collaboration, and creating opportunities for emerging chefs., She joins us in the studio to talk through her winding journey, touching on career reinvention, the realities of building a restaurant from the ground up, and what it means to honor tradition while finding your own way forward -- and so much more!

In this episode, Stewart Alsop sits down with Joe Wilkinson of Artisan Growth Strategies to talk through how vibe coding is changing who gets to build software, why functional programming and immutability may be better suited for AI-written code, and how tools like LLMs are reshaping learning, work, and curiosity itself. The conversation ranges from Joe's experience living in China and his perspective on Chinese AI labs like DeepSeek, Kimi, Minimax, and GLM, to mesh networks, Raspberry Pi–powered infrastructure, decentralization, and what sovereignty might mean in a world where intelligence is increasingly distributed. They also explore hallucinations, AlphaGo's Move 37, and why creative “wrongness” may be essential for real breakthroughs, along with the tension between centralized power and open access to advanced technology. You can find more about Joe's work at https://artisangrowthstrategies.com and follow him on X at https://x.com/artisangrowth.Check out this GPT we trained on the conversationTimestamps00:00 – Vibe coding as a new learning unlock, China experience, information overload, and AI-powered ingestion systems05:00 – Learning to code late, Exercism, syntax friction, AI as a real-time coding partner10:00 – Functional programming, Elixir, immutability, and why AI struggles with mutable state15:00 – Coding metaphors, “spooky action at a distance,” and making software AI-readable20:00 – Raspberry Pi, personal servers, mesh networks, and peer-to-peer infrastructure25:00 – Curiosity as activation energy, tech literacy gaps, and AI-enabled problem solving30:00 – Knowledge work superpowers, decentralization, and small groups reshaping systems35:00 – Open source vs open weights, Chinese AI labs, data ingestion, and competitive dynamics40:00 – Power, safety, and why broad access to AI beats centralized control45:00 – Hallucinations, AlphaGo's Move 37, creativity, and logical consistency in AI50:00 – Provenance, epistemology, ontologies, and risks of closed-loop science55:00 – Centralization vs decentralization, sovereign countries, and post-global-order shifts01:00:00 – U.S.–China dynamics, war skepticism, pragmatism, and cautious optimism about the futureKey InsightsVibe coding fundamentally lowers the barrier to entry for technical creation by shifting the focus from syntax mastery to intent, structure, and iteration. Instead of learning code the traditional way and hitting constant friction, AI lets people learn by doing, correcting mistakes in real time, and gradually building mental models of how systems work, which changes who gets to participate in software creation.Functional programming and immutability may be better aligned with AI-written code than object-oriented paradigms because they reduce hidden state and unintended side effects. By making data flows explicit and preventing “spooky action at a distance,” immutable systems are easier for both humans and AI to reason about, debug, and extend, especially as code becomes increasingly machine-authored.AI is compressing the entire learning stack, from software to physical reality, enabling people to move fluidly between abstract knowledge and hands-on problem solving. Whether fixing hardware, setting up servers, or understanding networks, the combination of curiosity and AI assistance turns complex systems into navigable terrain rather than expert-only domains.Decentralized infrastructure like mesh networks and personal servers becomes viable when cognitive overhead drops. What once required extreme dedication or specialist knowledge can now be done by small groups, meaning that relatively few motivated individuals can meaningfully change communication, resilience, and local autonomy without waiting for institutions to act.Chinese AI labs are likely underestimated because they operate with different constraints, incentives, and cultural inputs. Their openness to alternative training methods, massive data ingestion, and open-weight strategies creates competitive pressure that limits monopolistic control by Western labs and gives users real leverage through choice.Hallucinations and “mistakes” are not purely failures but potential sources of creative breakthroughs, similar to AlphaGo's Move 37. If AI systems are overly constrained to consensus truth or authority-approved outputs, they risk losing the capacity for novel insight, suggesting that future progress depends on balancing correctness with exploratory freedom.The next phase of decentralization may begin with sovereign countries before sovereign individuals, as AI enables smaller nations to reason from first principles in areas like medicine, regulation, and science. Rather than a collapse into chaos, this points toward a more pluralistic world where power, knowledge, and decision-making are distributed across many competing systems instead of centralized authorities.

I am so grateful to have my dear friend and colleague, Olga Geissler, back on the pod! I met Olga through The Naked Mindset Facebook group and we have been able to maintain a wonderful friendship outside of that group!Olga is a registered nurse who works in a high stress trauma PACU. She also is a coach whose passion is helping women reach their highest level of health and wellness especially those who are working to be alcohol free.Some topics from today's episode include:⭐️Consider taking a 31-day break from alcohol to reset and reflect.⭐️Alcohol may take more from you than it gives.⭐️Societal pressures often influence drinking habits.⭐️Abstaining can lead to improved mental clarity and health.⭐️Personal growth is possible through reflection and support.⭐️Free January offers a supportive community for exploration.⭐️You have the power to choose your identity and habits.⭐️Curiosity about life without alcohol can be transformative.⭐️Shame and guilt can perpetuate drinking habits.⭐️Support and community are key to successful change.Rock That Fitness Membership IS THE BEST ONLINE FITNESS PROGRAM EVER FOR THE HIGH ACHIEVING WOMAN OVER 40. YOUR ROADMAP TO BREAKING FREE FROM DIETING & CONFUSION TO FINALLY ACHIEVING A STRONG, LEAN BODY! If you're committed to building muscle, shedding fat, aging strong, and finally saying goodbye to dieting forever, RTF will give you the roadmap you need to make it happen—without the endless cycle of restrictions and frustrations. Join the priority list for early access and EXCLUSIVE BONUSES!! ⁠https://www.rockthatfitness.com/rock-that-fitness-membership-waitlist⁠As a reminder, if you have a chance, please rate and review the podcast so more women just like you can learn more about the Rockstar way! I appreciate you for your support and love ❤️Olga's Links:Free January with Coach Olga: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1750095492349350/?ref=share&mibextid=NSMWBTRTF# 70 Alcohol and Your Health with Guest Olga Geissler https://spotifyanchor-web.app.link/e/n03syo36oEbRTF# 78 Navigating Holiday Parties & Alcohol with Family, Friends, andFestivities! https://spotifyanchor-web.app.link/e/7kRBZkbbbGbRTF# 117 Navigating Alcohol and Perimenopause with Olga Geissler https://spotifyanchor-web.app.link/e/YtHXWMdf2LbRTF# 134 Alcohol and the Holidays: What Every Woman Over 40Needs to Know! https://spotifycreators-web.app.link/e/YApD7liuZObRTF# 155 From Self-Sabotage to Self-Compassion: Break Free from Negative Self-Talk, Regret & Unforgiveness https://spotifycreators-web.app.link/e/5GTRmKpzRTbRTF# 177 The Power of Managing Your Mind: How to Stop Letting YourSubconscious Run the Show https://spotifycreators-web.app.link/e/eVpOwKnAcZbOlga Geissler Instagram https://www.instagram.com/olgageissler/Peak Wellness Revolution Facebook Page https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100092759019529Peak Wellness Revolution Website: https://www.peakwellnessrevolution.comRock That Fitness Links:Download the FREE POWER BUNDLEhttps://www.rockthatfitness.com/30-day-challenge-and-protein-guideJoin the Rockstar Fit Chicks Weekly Newsletter  https://rockthatfitness.kit.com/e10d0c66ebCheck Out Our Exclusive Offer for Extensive Lab Work with Marek Health ⁠https://www.rockthatfitness.com/rock-that-fitness-marek-health⁠Head to the Rock That Fitness Instagram Page https://www.instagram.com/rockthatfitness/ Music from Uppbeat (free for Creators!):https://uppbeat.io/t/cruen/we-got-thisLicense code: RBWENWHGXSWXAEUE

What if the future of marketing is a lot more human than we think? Today's guest, Mark Schaefer, has been shaping that future for decades — and he was actually on this show ten years ago. So this is part reunion, part masterclass. Mark's a futurist, bestselling author, Rutgers faculty member, and Drucker-trained strategist whose ideas guide brands from Adidas to the U.S. Air Force. His ten books and his top-ranked show The Marketing Companion have become industry staples. He's also a longtime friend who somehow manages to push your thinking and make you laugh at the same time. What You'll Learn in This Episode Why the future of marketing belongs to the most human companies, not the most automated ones How AI can scale trust, creativity, and teaching without killing the brand When removing friction actually damages customer relationships Why curiosity is becoming the most important career skill in the AI era How marketers must act as brand defenders when technology pushes too far Episode Chapters (00:00) Reunion and why this moment matters (02:00) Why this is the most amazing — and unsettling — time in marketing (04:20) Scaling humanity with AI and the MarkBot experiment (07:30) The most human company wins (and what that really means) (10:40) When AI goes too far and brands lose trust (12:30) Harley-Davidson, friction, and knowing your customer deeply (17:00) Curiosity as a career strategy in an AI world (27:00) The brand that made Mark smile About Mark Schaefer Mark Schaefer is a globally recognized futurist, keynote speaker, educator, and bestselling author. With more than 30 years of experience in marketing, PR, and global sales, he has advised organizations ranging from startups to Adidas and the U.S. Air Force. Mark studied under Peter Drucker, teaches in Rutgers University's graduate program, and holds seven patents. He is the author of ten influential books used at universities worldwide and the host of the top-ranked podcast, The Marketing Companion. Known for blending sharp insight with humanity and humor, Mark's work helps leaders navigate what's next without losing what matters. What Brand Has Made Mark Smile Recently? Mark couldn't stop smiling about Nutter Butter — a once-forgotten cookie brand that decided to go full weird. By embracing surreal, chaotic, almost inexplicable short-form videos, the brand ditched boring category conventions and leaned into creativity with nothing to lose. The result? Tripled sales and a case study in what happens when brands stop playing it safe and start being interesting. Resources & Links Connect with Mark on LinkedIn. Check out his website, BusinessesGrow. Listen & Support the Show Watch or listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, Amazon/Audible, TuneIn, and iHeart. Rate and review on Apple Podcasts and Spotify to help others find the show. Share this episode — email a friend or colleague this episode. Sign up for my free Story Strategies newsletter for branding and storytelling tips. On Brand is a part of the Marketing Podcast Network. Until next week, I'll see you on the Internet! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welcome to a special, festive edition of Impact Quantum! In this episode, Frank La Vigne and Candice Gillhoolley come together for a lively live-streamed conversation, celebrating the launch of the Impact Quantum Advent Calendar—a creative twist on the traditional highlights reel. Instead of the usual show format, the hosts highlight some of the most memorable moments from their groundbreaking third season, which saw both the podcast's popularity and the quantum industry itself hit new highs.Tune in as Frank La Vigne and Candice Gillhoolley reflect on fascinating quantum developments from the past year, share behind-the-scenes stories, and discuss the making of their unique advent calendar filled with daily clips and insights. From quantum biology to quantum sensing and everything in between, this episode is bursting with curiosity, contagious enthusiasm, and plenty of holiday cheer. Whether you're an avid listener or new to the quantum conversation, there's no better way to wrap up the year and get ready for all the exciting things coming in season four. Happy holidays from the Impact Quantum team!Linkshttps://impactquantum.com/adventcalendar/ Time Stamps00:00 "Impact Quantum Advent Calendar"06:23 "Episode Highlights and Full Link"08:18 "Project Progress and Challenges"13:17 "Quantum Biology and Scent Similarities"16:26 "Quantum Planting's Emerging Potential"21:08 "Broken French and Family Tales"21:47 "Old Mower for Tiny Lawn"26:16 Nvidia Robotics Deal Anecdote31:06 AI and Quantum: Fascinating Progress32:02 "Holiday Special Podcast Episode"

In this episode of Brain Driven Brands, Sarah and Nate pull back the curtain on the exact AI prompts they actually use to generate high-performing ad ideas—the ones that don't sound robotic, generic, or like every other brand on the internet. After revisiting one of the show's most-downloaded episodes, Sarah shares why most AI-written copy fails, how she rebuilt her prompts from first principles, and what happens when you tell AI which psychological mechanisms to use before it writes anything at all. Together, they live-test these internal prompts on a real brand ad (cowboy boots), exploring how different psychological levers change the creative direction entirely—including: First-principles thinking paired with loss aversion Quiet status signaling and open loops Curiosity-driven hooks and reverse psychology Instead of asking AI to write headlines or scripts, Sarah shows how to use it to generate raw ad concepts—and why the last 10% (the human part) is where all the money is made. This episode is part live teardown, part psychology lesson, and part behind-the-scenes look at how six-figure ads are actually born—not from clever wording, but from properly framed ideas. If you care about better creative, higher prices, and ads that don't feel like ads…this one's for you. Sarah Makes Nate Cry With a Prompt Episode: https://open.spotify.com/episode/2cVZ3nIE8YUMAlO6Qm0NFN?si=UWSUywsJTmqoz5bkRVgADw

Russ Mashmeyer's journey from fine art student to Meta's AI Product Design Director reveals the unexpected connections between creativity and code. Growing up in suburban Georgia where "everything was new," Russ found himself drawn to New York's layers of history, studying fine art at NYU before joining a touring indie band called The XYZ Affair. What began as building Flash websites for his band evolved into a career defining how we interact with technology.~ Now leading Meta's Pathfinding team, he explores rapid prototyping of AI-powered products, helping designers and creators understand AI not as a replacement for human creativity but as an accelerant for bridging skill gaps.Russ brings a unique perspective to AI development, viewing it through the lens of cultural history—from photography's disruption of fine art to desktop publishing's transformation of graphic design. He argues that AI models deliver "mediocre, average expected results" by design, making human taste, perspective, and cultural awareness more essential than ever. Key TakeawaysSoftware as artistic medium requires the same creative intuition as traditional fine art, just expressed through different tools and faster feedback loopsThe best preparation for emerging fields is developing insatiable curiosity about how things work rather than mastering specific technical skillsCultural and historical context matters more than ever in AI development—understanding what resonated with people before helps predict what will matter nextAI models are designed to produce average results, making human taste, lived perspective, and cultural relevance the differentiating factors in creative work"Naïve optimism"—the mindset of "how hard could it be?"—is essential for innovation, especially in spaces where no one is an expert yetChildren benefit enormously from watching adults play, fail with smiles, and create together, normalizing creativity as a lifelong practiceEvery major technological shift creates cultural upheaval, but society consistently figures out how to metabolize new tools and elevate them to art formsThe most powerful use of AI raises the floor of competence in areas where you have skill gaps while you remain exceptional in your core strengthsTreating your first band like a startup teaches essential lessons about entrepreneurialism, feedback loops, and creating products people loveNew technology succeeds when it serves human intent rather than replacing human creativity, becoming a tool that unlocks what people inherently want to doBuilding in public fields where no one is an expert yet levels the playing field—depth of historical knowledge matters more than technical seniorityThe transition from planning perfect UIs in Figma to sculpting functional prototypes with AI represents a fundamental shift from drawing to three-dimensional creationEmergent capabilities in AI models—features that weren't explicitly designed—mirror how creative misuse of instruments led to entirely new musical genres Daring Creativity. Daring Forever. Podcast with Radim Malinic daringcreativity.com | desk@daringcreativity.com Books by Radim Malinic Paperback and Kindle > https://amzn.to/4biTwFcFree audiobook (with Audible trial) > https://geni.us/free-audiobookBook bundles https://novemberuniverse.co.ukLux Coffee Co. https://luxcoffee.co.uk/ (Use: PODCAST for 15% off)November Universe https://novemberuniverse.co.uk (Use: PODCAST for 10% off)

TODAY ON THE ROBERT SCOTT BELL SHOW: A Sunday Conversation With Robert and Super Don – Faith, Curiosity, and Seeking Truth Beyond Belief Systems https://robertscottbell.com/a-sunday-conversation-with-robert-and-super-don-faith-curiosity-and-seeking-truth-beyond-belief-systems/https://boxcast.tv/view/a-sunday-conversation-with-robert-and-super-don--faith-curiosity-and-seeking-truth-beyond-belief-systems---the-rsb-show-12-21-25-wi7mvjqgfjtutyqn4hkr Purpose and Character The use of copyrighted material on the website is for non-commercial, educational purposes, and is intended to provide benefit to the public through information, critique, teaching, scholarship, or research. Nature of Copyrighted Material Weensure that the copyrighted material used is for supplementary and illustrative purposes and that it contributes significantly to the user's understanding of the content in a non-detrimental way to the commercial value of the original content. Amount and Substantiality Our website uses only the necessary amount of copyrighted material to achieve the intended purpose and does not substitute for the original market of the copyrighted works. Effect on Market Value The use of copyrighted material on our website does not in any way diminish or affect the market value of the original work. We believe that our use constitutes a 'fair use' of any such copyrighted material as provided for in section 107 of the U.S. Copyright Law. If you believe that any content on the website violates your copyright, please contact us providing the necessary information, and we will take appropriate action to address your concern.

Jimi Gibson is an entertainer, magician, public speaker and Vice President of Brand Communication at Thrive, an Internet Marketing Agency. Jimi uses magic metaphors to explain the principles behind successful digital marketing. A valuable, Abracadabra, listen.  Along the way we discuss – Magic (1:05), Magic Principles applied to Business (11:00), a verbal Magical Trick (14:00), the Magic Script: Connection, Curiosity, Conversion (18:30), Thrive: Digital Marketing (25:45), AI Magic (31:15), the importance of Content Clarity (36:15), and E.E.A.T.: Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, and Trustworthiness (36:45). Avail yourself to Jimi's magic @ Thrive. This podcast is partnered with LukeLeaders1248, a nonprofit that provides scholarships for the children of military Veterans. Send a donation, large or small, through PayPal @LukeLeaders1248; Venmo @LukeLeaders1248; or our website @ www.lukeleaders1248.com. You can also donate your used vehicle @ this hyperlink – CARS donation to LL1248.  Music intro and outro from the creative brilliance of Kenny Kilgore. Lowriders and Beautiful Rainy Day.

What does a life driven by curiosity really look like? In this episode of the 10Adventures Podcast, we sit down with Martyn Williams, whose extraordinary journey spans remote mountain ranges, Antarctica expeditions, teaching in the Yukon, and deep inner exploration through meditation and human potential work. Martin shares how early experiences walking the hills of Wales sparked a lifelong connection to nature, how curiosity led him into some of the most extreme environments on Earth, and why inner exploration ultimately became just as important as physical adventure. From pioneering expeditions to the South Pole and across Antarctica, to mentoring troubled youth through nature-based learning, to living and training in an Indian ashram, this conversation explores what happens when you keep asking, “What's next?” This is a wide-ranging, reflective episode about adventure, resilience, simplicity, and learning how to live with less fear — and more meaning. Whether you're an adventurer, a creative, or someone searching for a calmer and more intentional way of living, this episode offers powerful insights into human potential and the art of exploration — both outer and inner.

Do you ever feel a profound connection with nature?  Dive into a captivating conversation with Julie Brams - American forest therapy guide and author of "The Nature Embedded Mind". Julie emphasizes the necessity of reclaiming our relationship with nature, "We are never separated from nature; it's time to reclaim that connection!" To truly embrace our connection with nature, we must acknowledge the ties that bind us to the Earth and each other. By fostering kinship with the natural world, we can find comfort, wisdom, and healing. Julie's insights remind us that our mental and emotional well-being is intertwined with the health of our planet. As we reclaim our nature-embedded minds, we pave the way for a more harmonious existence with the Earth, ultimately leading to a more just and sustainable world.Throughout the conversation we explore the deep kinship we hold with the natural world and how this connection can lead to healing and understanding. From the emotional landscapes of joy and grief to the transformative power of observation and presence.Pod Partners Rock: Australian Medicinal Herbs    Code: Future5Loved this? Try these:Alice Irene Whitaker - Finding Seeds of Presence in the WoodsLeah Rampy - The Trees Teach Resilience, Beginning and Ending in SilenceSupport the ShowCasual Support - Buy Me A CoffeeRegular Support - PatreonBuy the Book - Futuresteading - live like tomorrow matters, Huddle - creating a tomorrow of togethernessWe talked about:- Remembering our belonging to land, life, and each other- We are inherently interconnected; separation from nature is a learned narrative that can be unlearned- Reclaiming a nature-embedded way of being is essential for personal and collective healing- Observation, presence, and attentiveness deepen our relationship with the living world- Curiosity and play open pathways for reconnection, learning, and resilienceJoy naturally emerges as we reweave ourselves into ecological rhythmsGrief is a valid and necessary response to loss, signalling care and commitment to life- Healing the earth and healing ourselves are reciprocal, inseparable processes- A heart-centred approach to relationships strengthens communities and future possibilitiesSupport the show

Elf on a Shelf: Part 1 Her stalker wasn't who she thought he was; Based on a post by LingeringAfterthought, in 3 parts. Listen to the Podcast at Steamy Stories. Honey smiled at the long line of children waiting to see Santa, flipping her phone from Google Translate back to see the information of the next little girl in line, who was looking up at her somberly with large liquid brown eyes. In her small face was a familiar mixture of fear and hope. Wonder; it was wonder in her eyes, Honey thought. Unlike the tired and jaded adults, dutifully shifting their weight from foot to foot, holding overstuffed shopping bags and all the coats of their kids as they distracted themselves on their phones, the children got more and more excited as they drew near the man in the furry red suit with white trim. Honey loved working with the children; because like them, she sometimes could still see the magic. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Norman shift uncomfortably in the painted plywood throne made for him to sit with the children and discuss their good behavior and of the wishes that they hoped would come true. Even at age 62, Norman still saw the magic with his merry bright blue eyes, but it faded when his prostate pained him. When the photographer got the shot the parent wanted, Honey walked to where most of the long line could see her as Norman flashed her a look of worshipful gratitude. The adults' faces immediately fell, knowing what was coming. "I'm afraid Santa needs to take a quick break because apparently the reindeer have begun arguing again!" Norman put his gloved hands up to his real beard, pulled a comically dismayed face, jumped up from his throne, and ran off toward the restrooms. Honey shook her head mournfully and continued, "The reindeer were all practicing their Christmas carols when Comet and Cupid couldn't decide how many times Santa checks his list in Santa Claus is Coming to Town! Does anyone here remember how it goes?" she asked, scanning the line for people game enough to help. Honey scampered back and forth along the line trying to choose among the eager volunteers, her white-trimmed, pink fur skirt flaring out around her thighs, her long legs clad in sparkly curly-toed ruby slippers and candy cane swirl stockings catching the eyes of several fathers. Suddenly, she gasped listening carefully to her headset, "Nina?" she called out. "Comet and Cupid say they will only stop arguing if 'Nina' gives the answer. Is there a 'Nina' here today? Nina?" Honey looked around at the crowd carefully until the little girl with the big brown eyes, who had been quietly waiting 57 minutes in line, gathered the courage to raise her hand. "Oh! Are you Nina?" she asked, running over and crouching down near the girl. "We just adopted her; she only speaks Portuguese," the weary woman holding her hand said quietly. Honey gasped and smiled widely, "Voc fala portugu s Nina? Maravilhosa!" she said, watching the little girl's eyes brighten excitedly. "Voc pode me dizer quantas vezes o Papai Noel verifica sua lista?" she asked, holding her microphone out to the little girl. "Duas vezes!" Nina said confidently into the mic. Honey listened carefully to her headset, concentrating, "'Duas vezes' it is! They've stopped arguing!" she announced. "But now, they want us all to sing the song in Portuguese! Nina, voc vai me ajudar a ensin -los a m sica?" she asked. Nina nodded and slowly she and Honey taught the familiar song to the crowd in a new language. As always, a hush came on the crowd when Honey began to sing. Heads raised up from forgotten phones. Vague smiles drifted onto the turning heads of passers-by in the mall as they paused in their frenetic search for gifts. It wasn't so much that Honey's voice was beautiful, though it certainly was. It was more that when Honey sang, it seemed to make the things that didn't really matter melt away. To those that believed in such things, Honey's voice was magic. When she sang, people held their breath and didn't even miss the air. Honey closed her eyes as she sang next to Nina. It was a newly acquired habit. Though she had been taught to let her eyes slowly drift over the audience, letting them make a connection with each person as she sang, she didn't do that anymore. She knew he was out there. She felt his presence frequently as she worked, but it was only when she sang that he came out into the open. She couldn't hold her voice steady when she saw him watching her, so she closed her eyes and let the magic continue for the crowd. When the song ended, Honey opened her eyes as the crowd cheered, finding his powerful form immediately as if she had been commanded to look at him. Zach. He had changed a lot in the year since he brought his sister's children through the long Santa line, drawing her almost too-large dark blue eyes to him then, as easily as he did now. After bringing his nieces and nephews through the line, he'd gone home and brought all his neighbors' kids to see Santa in five more trips, watching her the entire time. He looked at her as if he'd never seen anything like her in the world, like he couldn't believe she was real. She had loved feeling his eyes on her then, hearing his voice. She had wanted to climb up in his lap, feel his large arms curled around her, whisper to him about how good she had been that year, and of how much she hoped he would make her wishes come true. Of course, all that was before he'd told her he wanted to kill her. Zach's face looked leaner now, though his body seemed even larger, if such a thing was possible. His brooding, deep-set eyes were not merry, as they had been when children climbed his tree-like body in her line last year. They weren't nervously soft and adoring of every part of her, as they had been at their candle-lit dinner. His eyes weren't rageful or insane as you might expect from someone visiting their object of murderous hate, but rather; they were tortured, trapped. Pain and quiet desperation had taken up restless residence in the windows to his soul. Honey knew she shouldn't look at him so much, but she just wished she could understand what she had done wrong. Once the line of children and parents had cleared, it was long past the official closing time. Honey cleaned up the display and prepared it for the next day while Norman took one last lingering trip to the restroom. Her phone showed numerous messages from work friends from her other job asking where she was. The firm had planned a Christmas party at Gatsby's, a gorgeous club worthy of F. Scott Fitzgerald's glamorous hero. It was also the place where Zach had taken her on their first and last date. The Gatsby's waiter had looked stunned and confused when she shakily ordered herself an "angel shot," the code-phrase used to quietly ask bartenders or wait staff for help when you felt threatened, but after his initial shock, the waiter immediately escorted her secretly to a taxi waiting outside before Zach returned to the table. Gatsby's had saved her life; but she didn't want to go back there. After avoiding call after call from Zach, she finally answered and politely asked him never to call her again. To her surprise, he didn't. He never spoke to her again. Unless she sang, she never even saw him, but she felt his presence almost everywhere. It felt like she was haunted by him; haunted by something wonderful and magical that, inexplicably, went horribly wrong. Her phone buzzed again, the display showing that the firm's senior partner wanted to FaceTime her. Steeling herself, she answered. "Honey Lane where in the hell; oh my god lookit you!" Aaron Timberman held the phone high above his head with his long ex-basketball-player arms and Honey saw a crowd of her co-workers crowd into the picture behind him. "Um, hi sir. Sorry I'm late to;" "You're an elf!" "Um, yeah. It's a volunteer thing;" "Wait, wait, wait; you have the shoes? You know, with the; toes?" he slurred, motioning his finger in a spiral motion. Honey bit her lips and tilted the camera down her body, showing her entire costume, tilting her foot to show off the curled toe. "I'm sorry it got late tonight, but I'll be there as soon as I can get home and get changed;" Timberman looked around at the crowd surrounding him, "Guys, do we wanna see Honey Lane here at the party in some boring old Anne Klein shit, or do we want the elf?" he yelled, pointing at the screen. Behind him, almost a dozen of her co-workers began chanting "Elf, Elf, Elf, Elf!" "Get yer ass over here, Elf," Timberman ordered, poking at his screen several times before effectively ending the call. A few minutes later, Norman finally came back from the restroom and gave Honey a ride over to Gatsby's in his red SUV bedecked with a bumper sticker that read, "My other car's a SLEIGH!" Honey hopped out after getting bits of advice from Norman that would have been appropriate several decades ago. With flaming cheeks, she brushed the furry white pompom from her hat out of her face and told the smirking ma tre d which party she wanted, sighing when he grinned widely and escorted her through the middle of the main dining area, much to her horror. When the doors to the party room opened and she was greeted by another round of "Elf, Elf, Elf, Elf," she didn't feel much better. She was starving, so she headed over to the buffet and began loading up a plate with delicious-looking things on ice in shot glasses, impaled on sticks, or immersed in flames. She just spied a quiet table in a dark corner and was winding her way toward it to it to scarf down her only food since breakfast before she could be drawn into a drunken debate. That was the plan, anyway. "Hunnybaby! Lookit you! C'mon we gotta dance!" Lee James slurred to her fur-trimmed tits. With a sigh, she smiled and laid her plate down on a nearby table, promising to herself that she would eat right after enduring a dance with the favored junior partner. Unfortunately, after Lee angled her awkwardly around the dance floor, they'd drawn so much attention that everyone wanted to get pics of themselves toasting and dancing with the Christmas elf. At some point, she found herself in Timberman's arms with a glass of champagne in her hand. "Um; what?" she said, almost asking herself how she had gotten there. "I said you look lovely, tonight, Honey. Much better than in a shawl and sheath dress," he said, quickly twirling her around as they reached the edge of the dance floor. "Twirling makes my skirt go up; I'm dizzy," she murmured. A familiar dark figure flashed in the background and disappeared as Timberman turned her again. She looked around, trying to find the figure again, but she couldn't see him anywhere. Why was he there? Had she been singing again? "Well, I'll make sure nobody twirls you, my dear," he said, twirling her and smiling as her skirt flew up her long candy-cane striped legs. "The wives wouldn't like it." "I like your wife's dress Mr. Timberman; looks warm. It covers her ass when she sits, too," she slurred, frowning in confusion at the dark red drink in her hand now. Zach was frowning, and then he just looked blurry again as she swirled around. Maybe swirling made it harder for him to kill her. Why did he want to kill her? It just wasn't fair. Timberman leaned down and dipped her, "I'll make sure to give her your compliments. You know, if you like what wives wear, you should consider getting married. Lee is quite taken with you, you know," he said, stroking his hand against the soft pink velvet of her dress. Honey found herself drifting away and wandering inside her head again, thinking about Lee; he was handsome in an overly-polished way, said funny things, but they always sounded a little mean, like he wanted to be the only one laughing; and he also took her away from the food plate that just floated by on a table. It was still full. She should have eaten that food. What time was it? "He likes my boobs; and he doesn't want to kill me," she agreed eventually, surprised to find that Timberman was gone and she was dancing with Lee James again. "Well, I can't blame him for that; they're fucking perfect; just like everything else. I'm gonna come on them after you suck me off; he murmured, pulling her closer against him. "Let me take you home, Honey; penthouse view of the city; "Umm; no, that's not home; I live in the; railroad place; with the trains?" Honey explained, pointing in what she thought was the direction of the Lowertown Commons. Why did every guy think she lived with them tonight? "Sounds charming, Eliza Doolittle; you should trade up. You don't know how much I'd love twist your arms back and fuck this ass wide open over my balcony tonight," he said, reaching his hand under her skirt and greedily squeezing her bottom. "You'd like that, wouldn't you Honey? I can tell; Lee whispered, his cologne invading her head and making her queasy. "I feel sick; Honey whimpered and staggered away, trying to find the quiet table where the food was that would make her less drunk. The dance floor was confusing, though, always turning around and thumping and flashing. She leaned against a pillar until she got a better sense of where she was. She liked the pillar. It was big and strong; and it stroked her hair. "Honey; wake up, Honey. Open your mouth. You need to take these," the vaguely familiar voice said, cutting through the sleep that had been blocking out some of the pain she felt everywhere. She obediently opened her mouth and the hand put two caplets on her tongue. A water bottle squirted a little cool liquid into her mouth until she moaned and sucked harder, desperate for more. "Not too much. Wait until you can hold that down. I'll give you more in a bit. You don't want that IV back, do you?" "Nuh" Honey groaned. She hated needles. Sure, just about every part of her body hurt more than a needle did, right now, but somehow needle pain felt personal. Like with Zach. He didn't seem like someone who went around wanting to choke everybody; just her. She was nobody special; just a simple girl who kept lawyers organized and tried to be nice. Then, someone wonderful like Zach thought she needed to die. That hurt. Something about her made him go from being tender and intensely loving to someone who; it just didn't make sense. What did she do? Mercifully, sleep faded the pain and clouded her thoughts. Voices below her intruded into a wonderful dream where she was bouncing on clouds. Though not in the same room, the voices seemed strangely clear. "I can't; Terry, she cries when I do that," the pills voice said, making her eyes fly open. She knew that voice. She hadn't heard it for a year, but she would never forget it. Her body reacted with a confused mix of emotions, her cheeks flushing and adrenaline searing a path all through her at the same time. "That's because it hurts her. You know what hurts more? Bedsores. Man up. Use the pillows to prop her weight against the parts that aren't hurt on whichever side. It's either this, or she goes back to the hospital, and I have it on good authority you won't be allowed to visit after what happened." "She was screaming; Zach gritted. "Yeah, well they were putting her shoulder back in. People scream. That still doesn't excuse what you did. Since when did you become such a pussy about pain?" Terry asked. "since her." "oh my god." "Shut up," Zach grunted. "Oh my god; "Yeah, that's not shutting up." "The great Z-dog has been taken down;" "Shut up, maggot, it's not like that. I'm just taking care of h;" "By a little bitty pink Christmas elf; Terry laughed. There was a scuffling sound and then a loud whoomp and a forceful exhalation of air. "So, I turn her every few hours until she can do it for herself?" Zach asked, casually. "Yes, sir," Terry choked. "Anything else?" "Clear liquids until she can hold stuff down. Talk to her. Ask her questions. If she seems disoriented or part of her face goes slack, she goes back to the hospital. Don't fuck around." "Got it. Are you squared away, or do we need to discuss this further?" "Squared away, sir," Terry choked, then gasped in relief, panting faintly. "Jesus Christ, you haven't lost your touch. We on for the hump tomorrow at 0 500?" "No. I'm gonna stick close here until she's;" "Got it. Hey, maybe they have those Baby Bjorn things in elf-size. Then, you could just strap her onto your ba; ow! ow! ow, ow, ow!" "You weren't particularly attached to the rest of that sentence, were you, maggot?" Zach growled. "Sir, no sir; Terry squeaked. "I didn't think so. You'll be back here Wednesday," Zach stated, more as an order than a question. "Yeah, if you want me to. Honestly, right now she just needs rest and TLC more than a medic. That stands for 'tender loving care' by the way, not;" "You were just going," Zach said, as the voices moved to another end of the room below her. "Hey, you wanna know what makes an elf's toes curl up like tha;" Terry asked, his question cut off by the slamming of the door. Honey listened, trembling and terrified as Zach paced the floor below her. Though his voice hadn't changed, he sounded nothing like the man that had wooed her so tenderly a year ago. He sounded dangerous, brutal even. He definitely sounded like the kind of person that went around wanting to choke everyone, she thought, strangely relieved that her heartbreak felt a little less personal. How could she have been so wrong in her impression of him? She looked around the room, understanding now how the voices had reached her so easily. She was in an open industrial loft bedroom that opened onto the main floor below. Looking around, she realized she must be in Zach's huge bed, though if the crisply made side next to her was any indication, he hadn't been sleeping in it with her. Looking down her body, she gasped quietly. Her left arm was in a sling strapped to her chest, her legs were covered in bruises, and the right leg that was being stabbed with an invisible knife right now, was wrapped up in an air cast boot. What had happened to her? The last thing she remembered was feeling sick as she tried to get away from Lee's groping hands on the dance floor. After that; nothing. How did she get here? A beeping noise sounded below and Zach walked across the room to what sounded like a kitchen. The sound of water being poured into a cup, the ringing of a spoon stirring it, a pill bottle being opened. Honey shivered, realizing he was probably coming up to her, soon. She closed her eyes and tried to slow her breathing, feigning sleep. Steps ascending to the loft bedroom. Ankle stabbing, stab, stab, stab, stab with every panicked heartbeat. A tray went down on the nightstand next to her. A chair across the room was lifted and set down by the bed. Honey told herself to breathe slowly, willing the tears welling behind her lids not to leak out of her eyes. He would leave her alone if she was sleeping, wouldn't he? "You're not sleeping," Zach's voice stated, quietly, and her stomach clenched in fear. "You've been waking up for these pills every four hours like a junkie. I know you don't want to talk to me, Honey, but until you're squared away, you're gonna have to. So, cut the crap, open your eyes, and let's get this done." Honey opened her eyes to see his grim face looking down at her. With one blink, large tears rolled down her pale cheeks, and Zach's jaw set angrily. Sitting down in the chair, he put his elbows on his knees and leaned his massive shoulders forward, looking at her. His hands looked like they could crush rocks as he gripped them together. "Let's get some things straight. I don't know what you think you know about me, but acting like I'm some kind of psycho is pretty shitty. You want nothing of me, that's fine, but you're hurt because you screamed and flung yourself down some stairs rather than let me help you to an Uber. You're staying here until you're well, because some shithead at that party gave you enough roofies to be in a coma for almost 3 days and I'm not dragging my ass to that rat trap of yours in the Commons every day to make sure they don't come back while you're weak. Are we clear?" he asked. Honey swallowed and nodded, wincing at the pain in her neck and head. That just seemed to make Zach angrier. "While you are here, you will do as you're told. You will eat what you get, and you will not complain. You see these, here?" he said, holding up the magic caplets that made everything better. "These are the last ones you're getting. I'm switching you to ibuprofen and Tylenol because, unchecked, this Sackler shit will fuck you up for good and that's not happening on my watch. Do you understand?" he asked. "Yes," Honey whispered. At the sound of her voice, Zach's mouth twitched, but at least he didn't look as angry as when she'd nodded and winced. "You will follow your doctor's orders to the last goddamn word. You will rest. You will do your therapy. You will let me help you and you will ask me for what you need because I am not a fucking mind reader. And so help me, if you do anything stupid like get out of that bed without me here to help you, or push yourself away from me like you did at Gatsby's, or any other drama shit that hurts even one hair on that head again, I will personally make you regret you were ever born." "Yes, Zach," Honey breathed, confused. Two more tears rolled down her cheeks. Without thinking, she leaned over to wipe them off on her shoulder and cried out in pain. Zach squeezed his clenched hands together and several of his knuckles cracked. "You don't use my name. You don't get to use my name. You're not getting under my skin again, you hear me?" Zach growled, using his rough knuckle to wipe her tears. "Orders a fucking angel shot in my own fucking club; fuck you. I don't have a name, you don't have a name. You're nothing to me. Understand?" "Yes, sir," she whispered. Honey leaned forward and took the last spoonful of broth into her mouth and swallowed, looking longingly at the noodles at the bottom of the cup. Zach caught a drop of broth at the bottom of her lower lip with the spoon and returned it to her mouth. "No," he said, seeing where her eyes lingered. "I can do it," she pleaded. "Please; I haven't had anything solid since; how long has it been?" "I said, no. You throw up on another pair of my skivvies and I'll be doing laundry twice a week," Zach said, dabbing her mouth with a paper towel. "Why do I have to wear your boxer briefs anyway? They feel weird. They have this hole-flap thing; and there are some places that aren't supposed to feel a breeze," Honey said, lifting the blanket to look down at his underwear loosely covering her hips. "Are you complaining?" he asked quietly. Honey's eyes darted quickly to his face, "No sir," she murmured, looking down at her lap. "I just thought if I had some of my things here, you wouldn't have to do the laundry so much." "I'll worry about what I have to do, Honey," he said, unthinkingly using her name. Startled, she looked up to see his eyes wandering over her, his massive t-shirt sleeves going down past her elbows. She felt ridiculous and disheveled, but something about the way he looked at her made her hold her breath. Then, without another word, he slurped the noodles out of the cup and took the tray downstairs. After that, the two settled into a quiet routine of him feeding her, giving her medicine, and watching her sleep most of the day. She would sometimes awaken to the soft repetitive sounds of him running on a treadmill, or the clinking of him lifting weights downstairs where she couldn't see him. Then, he would go to the bathroom and shower. After his shower, he came upstairs again in his towel and took some clothes from his dresser before going back downstairs to change. Honey found herself looking forward to those few seconds each day, watching his droplet-covered torso twist as he leaned over his dresser. He frowned as he flipped through his carefully folded underwear. "You wearing the grey ones?" he asked, not looking at her. Honey peeked under the covers, "Um, yes sir," she replied. "I'm supposed to wear the grey ones today," he grumbled to himself. Honey didn't say anything. Zach was the one who picked out which underwear she wore today. He was the one who looked away while he painstakingly slipped the old ones off her hips and pulled the new ones over her boot and up her legs until her bottom was covered again. There was nothing about her life that wasn't chosen and executed by him. If he wasn't happy about the color of his underwear, that was his fault. Still, Zach kept rummaging around in his underwear drawer as if another crisply folded grey pair would somehow magically appear. Finally, rather than offend him by laughing, Honey spoke, "Um; you know, if they're clean, I could wear the pair I had on when I went to the hospital and you could have these. It would get you back on schedule; Zach lifted his head from the drawer and glared at her, as if he thought she was making fun of him. Honey held carefully still and shrugged her uninjured limb. She wasn't making fun, she just wanted to help. The movement caused the huge neckline to gape over to the side, revealing her bare shoulder. She waited as Zach stared impassively at her, the vein at his neck throbbing. After a long moment, he walked over and stood next to her, the tuck of his towel right next to her face. With every breath, she inhaled the scent of his wet body and the bar soap he used. A rivulet of water painstakingly slid from his chest and down his abdomen, until finally disappearing into the tightly twisted white cotton. Honey glanced up to see that he had been reading her face as she watched the droplet's progress. With a shaking breath, she blushed and pulled the covers higher with her good arm. With a twist of his mouth, Zach pulled the neckline back over her shoulder again and quickly left the room. That night, after leaving her with a video baby monitor watching her on the nightstand, Zach returned with a bag of her underwear and some of her nightgowns. After watching her excitedly sort through them, Zach pushed them aside and sat on the edge of the bed. "There were a bunch of boxes with tags on them in your living room. What's that about?" he asked. Honey's eyes dropped, "Oh; that's the charity gift thing for kids. You sign up and get them something they wished for and wrap it up so they can have something under the tree, when they wouldn't have something otherwise. It's nice, you know? I signed up for a bunch and I was supposed to wrap them and get them back to the law firm, but I guess; sorry kids," she trailed off. Looking furious, yet carefully impassive at the same time, Zach cursed under his breath and left again, returning with the packages and a huge stack of unused Styrofoam clamshells from Gatsby's, and dumped them on the bed next to her. For the next few hours, they "wrapped" the presents, Zach carefully fitting items into an appropriate-sized takeout box, and Honey trying to make them pretty with ribbons. As she watched him work, occasionally cursing under his breath, she found herself smiling at his frowning face when he was strategizing how to fit a basketball into three disassembled clamshells. "What are you laughing at?" he said, glaring when he caught her at it. "I wasn't laughing. I was smiling." "Why were you smiling, then?" he asked. "I guess; I just like you; sir," she said, glancing over at him. Honey saw a hopeful softness steal into Zach's eyes until he forcibly wrestled it down and a look of hooded sarcasm shaded them. "Yeah, well; fool me once," he sneered. Angry, Honey closed her eyes, blocking him out the only way she could. "You know, that's; that's not fair. Not after what you said; you scared me!" she said, frustrated that, once again, tears were rolling down her cheeks. Zach choked out a mirthless laugh, "I scared you? What did I say, Honey? What did I fucking say? God! I was on eggshells all night trying not to fuck it up with you and then you just; why? Those creeps you were dancing with at that party, those fucking 'nice guys' that drugged you, they were saying shit that made my skin crawl! I didn't even kiss you! I couldn't! I could barely breathe just for looking at you on our date; you looked just like a fucking angel. What did I say, Honey? What did I say?" Honey reached over and grabbed her phone, flipping through her photo album to a screenshot taken shortly before she blocked his number. "You didn't say it; you texted it. I remember watching you leave for the restroom thinking I'd met the love of my life and then you sent me this; she said, handing her phone to him. Zach took the phone, his face going from an angry red to pale horror in a matter of seconds. "This; this; he gasped, "I didn't; send this; to you; he said, shaking his head. "Whoever had your phone did, sir!" she said, emphasizing the last word, making him wince. "I spent the last year thinking you wanted to do that to me; to kill me. Every time I felt you watching me, every crowd I saw you show up in, every dark room I had to go into, that's what I thought about. I thought that a man I was head over heels about; that I could be so wrong about him. So, excuse me for thinking I liked you, sir. I promise it won't ever happen again!" Honey cried herself to sleep that night, refusing to speak to, or even look at Zach again. When she awoke, the bedroom was empty, and a glass of water and a pain pill were waiting on the nightstand. After swallowing the pill, she stared at the ceiling, furious. She didn't want to be there anymore, to be helpless and dependent on him, to obey all his stupid rules. He didn't deserve to take care of her. So, she tightened the straps on her boot and increased the air pressure to hold her broken ankle tightly enough to walk without her crutches. Then, she took off Zach's t-shirt, pulled on her elf dress, and called herself an Uber. It was when she saw the anticipated arrival time of 8 minutes that she realized her mistake. There was no way for her to get down from the loft and out of the apartment quietly in that amount of time. If she used the crutches, she would be able to descend the stairs quickly enough, but they made such a distinctive clicking racket that they would surely wake up her gorilla-like guard. If she hopped down the stairs on her good foot, it might have worked, but her good arm was on the opposite side and she kept losing her balance. Eventually she decided on the most painful course, of going down on her good and bad legs, using her good arm for support. Her boot thunked horribly the first few times, until she got the hang of it and could place it more quietly on the next step and then hop her good foot down to support it before the scream inside her could escape her lips. By the time she reached the bottom, though, she was shaking with pain and exhausted. Curiosity forced her to look around the rest of the apartment as she caught her breath, sitting on the bottom step. It was clean and unmistakably masculine. Exercise equipment took up a lot of the space not already claimed by a leather couch and TV arrangement. Zach lay on the couch, made up with sheets to act as a bed, his feet sticking out over the arm, his hand tucked under the back of his head, his chest rising and falling under the rumpled sheet. If she wasn't so angry, she'd find him handsome; or maybe he still was handsome, she thought grudgingly, closing her eyes miserably and looking away. Why couldn't he be ugly? Life wasn't fair. Uber. Right. Screwing up her courage for what was ahead, she stood and slowly hobbled across the hardwood floor, agonizing over every painful thump and noisy squeak until she finally reached the door. She unlocked the five locks on his large door, each of them being well-oiled and working perfectly. She expected no less of her anal-retentive, grey-skivvies-on-Tuesdays captor. Finally, she tugged open the heavy door to find endless flights of icy steel-mesh stairs leading all the way down to the street where her Uber was waiting. "Oh, you gotta be kidding me; she cried, breaking down into tears. A strong arm slid down around her waist and mercifully shifted her weight off her throbbing foot, "I know. It sucks. You should try it with a rucksack full of bricks," Zach said, leaning his head down and breathing into her hair. "I want to go home," she whispered. "Let me take care of you; please," Zach murmured into the top of her head, "I; it was my fault this happened to you. I scared you, I know that now; but, please believe me that I would never want to hurt or frighten you like that." "It wasn't just that text," she said, pulling her head away and looking up at him angrily. "All year, I never had a moment's peace. Even when I couldn't see you, I could feel you waiting in the quiet or dark places. Even if you weren't there;" "I was there," he confessed. "I was always there. I didn't understand what had gone wrong. You didn't want to talk to me, and the world just didn't make sense to me unless I knew where you were, what you were doing; unless I knew you were safe." "Maybe you knew I was safe, but I didn't! I thought I'd done something; that somehow I deserved to have this beautiful, scary monster hunting me. I couldn't stop thinking about what I'd done to destroy something that was so; wonderful." "You didn't do anything, Honey. Nothing at all. You were perfect. You were so perfect that I couldn't keep; you didn't do anything wrong. I never meant to send you that message; please, please believe me." "Why did you send it?" she asked, finally looking up into his eyes. The dark blue liquid pools of her eyes turned violet in the moonlight, and Zach felt a tightening in his chest. "I; I can't tell you that; but it was never meant for you." "You mean, you meant to send that message to someone else? To hurt them like that?" "Honey, I; Zach said, looking around, unable to meet her eyes, "Please, I can't; you wouldn't understand; my life isn't like that anymore." "I want to go home, Zach; please," she whispered. Zach closed his eyes for a long moment before he swallowed and nodded, looking like he was in more pain than she was. "I'll take you home tomorrow, okay? Or Terry will, if you don't want me to. He'll check the place out, make sure you're set up and safe there. You're tired, you're hurting, and your Uber's gone, now. Let me take you back upstairs and you can go in the morning. Please." At that moment, a throb of pain shot through her entire leg, and as angry as Honey was, she knew she couldn't face her empty apartment without a few more hours of rest. "Okay," she whispered. To be continued in part 2, Based on a post by Lingering Afterthought, in 3 parts, for Literotica.

Hi friend — welcome back to The Habit Within! I'm Camille Kinzler, and today's episode is one of my favorite kinds of conversations — the kind that seems simple on the surface, but actually changes the way you see your life.We talk a lot about food, supplements, habits, and routines… but what if one of the most powerful influences on your health isn't what you're doing — it's who you're doing life with?In this episode, I explore how the people you surround yourself with don't just shape your mindset or behavior — they literally shape your biology. Through the lens of epigenetics, nervous system regulation, and lived experience, we'll look at how proximity, conversations, and emotional environments quietly influence your energy, hormones, and resilience.In this episode, I share:A sweet listener story about staying grounded during busy seasons — and why small, shared rituals matterThe simple “broccoli for breakfast” moment that perfectly illustrates the power of proximityWhy we naturally absorb the habits, language, and rhythms of the people around usHow relationships influence gene expression through epigenetics (think dimmer switches, not destiny)The role of co-regulation — and why calm, grounded people teach your nervous system how to respond to the worldWhy “keeping up with the Joneses” can be nourishing when we choose the right JonesesHow to notice who you gravitate toward in social settings — and what that reveals about your internal stateThe difference between growth rooted in self-judgment versus growth rooted in curiosity and playA gentle invitation to seek out relationships that support who you're becomingThis episode isn't about cutting people out of your life or forcing change. It's about awareness. Because when you understand how deeply your environment shapes you, you get to choose proximity with intention — and that choice can quietly transform your health, your energy, and your joy.Big TakeawaysYour relationships influence your nervous system, hormones, and gene expression.Growth happens through proximity — often without effort or force.Calm, regulated people help your body learn safety and ease.Curiosity-based growth creates expansion; shame-based growth creates pressure.Small exposures can create big shifts over time.I'd love to hear from youWho in your life helps you feel calmer, lighter, more yourself?Reach out to them this week — or send me a message and tell me what this episode stirred in you.If you're tired of feeling exhausted, irritable, moody, and just not like yourself, schedule a free 30-minute consultation so I can help you feel like YOU again Fill out this brief form (2 min) to schedule a free 30-minute call. Love the show? Leave a 5-star review, and let me know what hit home for you. Find me on Instagram @camille_kinzler and leave me a DM!

In this episode, Dr. Jud Brewer, explains why anxiety is a habit and how curiosity breaks that habit loop. He discusses the difference between anxiety and worry, and why curiosity and self-compassion are critical when it comes to change. Dr. Brewer shares insights from his clinical work and research on digital therapeutics and AI therapy, and how both emphasize the value of learning from setbacks and building distress tolerance for lasting transformation. Help us make the podcast better—share your input in a short survey:: ⁠⁠⁠oneyoufeed.net/survey. ⁠⁠⁠Thank You! Exciting News!!!Coming in March 2026, my new book, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠How a Little Becomes a Lot: The Art of Small Changes for a More Meaningful Life is now available for pre-orders!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Key Takeaways Exploration of mental health and the role of habits in anxiety management. Discussion of the parable of the two wolves and its relation to neuroscience and habit reinforcement. Examination of the science of habit formation and the limitations of traditional habit replacement strategies. Insights into digital therapeutics and the development of app-based mental health treatments. Analysis of the potential and challenges of AI in therapy, including ethical considerations. The importance of human connection in therapy and the unique value of human therapists. The role of curiosity in managing anxiety and the distinction between anxiety as a feeling and worrying as a behavior. The impact of self-criticism and shame on behavior change and the importance of self-compassion. Techniques for cultivating distress tolerance and the gradual process of emotional growth. Mindfulness practices, such as noting, to enhance awareness and reduce reactivity in challenging situations. For full show notes,⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠click here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠!⁠ Connect with the show: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow us on YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@TheOneYouFeedPod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Subscribe on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Apple Podcasts⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Spotify⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Follow us on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ If you enjoyed this conversation with Dr. Jud Brewer, check out these other episodes: How to Manage Your Hunger Habit with Dr. Jud Brewer Habits for Healing Anxiety with Dr. Jud Brewer By purchasing products and/or services from our sponsors, you are helping to support The One You Feed, and we greatly appreciate it. Thank you! This episode is sponsored by: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Aura Frames⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠: For a limited time, save on the perfect gift by visiting ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠AuraFrames.com /FEED ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠to get $35 off Aura's best-selling Carver Mat frames – named #1 by Wirecutter –  by using promo code FEED at checkout. This deal is exclusive to listeners, and frames sell out fast,  so order yours now to get it in time for the holidays! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Uncommon Goods ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠has something for everyone – you'll find thousands of new gift ideas that you won't find anywhere else, and you'll be supporting artists and small, independent businesses. To get 15% off your next gift, go to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠UNCOMMONGOODS.com/FEED⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠: Post your job for free at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠linkedin.com/oneyoufeed⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Terms and conditions apply. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Book a Discovery Call for Relationship Renovation CoachingOrder Relationship Renovation at Home Manual from AmazonJoin Our Patreon CommunityTake the Emotional Safety Assessment QuizIn the final episode of our four-part Intimacy Gap series, we focus on how couples can move forward — not by “getting back” what they once had, but by intentionally creating a new intimacy story together.Many couples feel stuck when intimacy changes. Desire feels mismatched. Emotional connection fades. Sex becomes pressured or avoided. In this episode, we explore why intimacy isn't something you find again — it's something you build over time through emotional safety, curiosity, and shared experiences.We talk about how play and novelty reduce defensiveness, why new experiences create powerful bonding moments in the brain, and how small, realistic shifts (not grand gestures) can dramatically improve emotional, physical, and sexual connection. We also break down the different types of intimacy — emotional, physical, sexual, spiritual, and intellectual — and help couples clarify what they want their intimate relationship to feel like now.This episode offers a practical framework for:Letting go of old intimacy stories that no longer fitCreating a shared vision for connection that honors both partnersBuilding habits that foster desire without pressure or obligationAddressing real-life blocks like stress, parenting, mental health, and time constraintsShifting intimacy from a task into an experience of connection and pleasureWe also emphasize that intimacy is a living practice, not a one-time conversation. Couples who revisit these conversations regularly — with curiosity instead of defensiveness — build more secure, resilient relationships over time.In This Episode, We Cover:Why play and novelty are essential for long-term intimacyHow to create a new intimacy story instead of chasing the pastThe role of emotional safety in rebuilding desireHow stress, avoidance, and pressure quietly sabotage connectionPractical ways to bring intimacy into everyday life (not just the bedroom)A simple reflection exercise to identify how you feel desiredAction Step for ListenersTake a few minutes to reflect — alone or with your partner:How do I feel desired emotionally?How do I feel desired physically?How do I feel desired sexually?These answers can become the foundation of your new intimacy story.Want More Support?Our Relationship Renovation at Home Patreon includes a full, step-by-step intimacy series designed to help couples build emotional safety, repair communication, and create lasting connection at their own pace. If cost is a barrier, reach out — we want this work to be accessible.Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/he-said-she-said/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

SummaryIn this engaging conversation, Benjamin Lee and Tina Englisch reflect on the challenges and triumphs of the past year, emphasizing the importance of recognizing the need for rest and the dangers of the sustainable pain zone. Tina shares her journey as a TEDx speaker and author, discussing the courage required to step out of comfort zones and the significance of decision-making in effecting change. They explore the obstacles faced in personal growth and the joy found in authenticity and self-expression, while also looking ahead to future projects and goals.TakeawaysRest is essential for creativity and well-being.Recognizing the need for a break is a strength.The sustainable pain zone can manifest in various aspects of life.Courage is necessary to step out of comfort zones.Decision-making is crucial for personal growth.Obstacles can be navigated by exploring multiple options.Authenticity leads to greater joy and fulfillment.Life is too short to stay in uncomfortable situations.Curiosity can drive personal and professional exploration.Embracing change can lead to unexpected opportunities.Chapters00:00 Reflecting on a Year of Growth03:14 Escaping the Sustainable Pain Zone06:16 Recognizing and Overcoming Discomfort09:20 Courage to Change12:23 The Power of Decision Making15:25 Embracing Curiosity and Fun18:16 Looking Ahead to 2026Listen to all of my episodes at https://icandopodcast.comBooks, Blogs, and Newsletter at https://benjaminlee.blogTina Englisch Website https://www.tinaenglisch.com/Purchase Tina's book on Amazon at https://a.co/d/0iatYWO

We're closing out our 10-part Wellness Series with a conversation that couldn't feel more fitting. Today's guest is my friend Brad Stulberg, who returns to the podcast to talk about his new book, The Way of Excellence: A Guide to True Greatness and Deep Satisfaction in a Chaotic World. I read this book over the past couple of months and finished it on the plane heading to a busy week of interviews at the running event, and I genuinely felt more grounded and prepared because of it. Brad has been on the show many times, and I always leave our conversations with tangible takeaways for how to live and lead better. He's the author of The Practice of Groundedness, Master of Change, Peak Performance, and The Passion Paradox, and he brings such a thoughtful, practical lens to ambition, growth, and fulfillment. In this episode, we talk about caring deeply, the inevitability of failure, and why caring, even when it opens us up to heartbreak, is still worth it. We also touch on goal setting as we head into a new year and how to think about excellence in a way that's sustainable and meaningful. I hope you love this conversation as much as I did and that it leaves you feeling encouraged as we wrap up this series. Check out Brad’s work and pre order his newest book at BradStulberg.com What we talked about: December as a natural season for reflection, and the tension of “ramping down” while launching something big The Way of Excellence and how excellence can be a mindset you practice, not just an outcome you achieve “Brave New World” as a fear-to-curiosity reframe for big moments (races, interviews, parenting, hard lifts) Curiosity vs fear, and why curiosity helps you perform better (and feel better) under pressure Caring deeply as the cost of stepping into the arena, and why “too cool to care” is actually insecurity Excellence as heartfelt (not robotic) and a critique of “pseudo excellence” culture and optimization obsession Cold plunges and “hacks”: what's legit, what's hype, and when hard things are useful vs unnecessary Identity and the “house with rooms” metaphor (runner, parent, creative, partner) so one setback doesn't collapse your whole sense of self Reading vs short-form video for attention, cognition, and emotional health, plus habits that support focus New Year goals: why resolutions fail, and how values-based goal setting helps you climb the right mountain Sponsors: Eternal This entire Wellness Series has been made possible by Eternal, a science-backed preventative health company for people who take their health and training seriously. Eternal offers comprehensive, integrated primary care, advanced testing, and personalized health planning. They go beyond biomarkers to provide real answers, proactive care, and support for athletes and active humans alike. Learn more and become a member at https://eternal.co. Lagoon Sleep If you're ready to upgrade your sleep, Lagoon pillows are truly a game changer. Their customizable pillows are designed to help you fall asleep faster, stay cool, and wake up without neck or shoulder pain. You can adjust the fill to make it perfect for you. Save 15% by going to https://lagoonsleep.com/lindsey and using the code LINDSEY at checkout. Lindsey Hein Coaching & Training Plans I've been coaching runners since 2013 and currently have space for a few one-on-one athletes. If you're training for your first half or marathon, chasing a PR, or aiming to qualify for Boston, I take a holistic, week-by-week approach to coaching. I also offer half marathon and marathon training plans for beginner through advanced runners, designed with conservative mileage progression and simple strength and mobility work. Visit https://lindseyhein.com and use the code DECEMBER2025 to get $10 off training plans through the end of the year. If you're interested in one-on-one coaching, email me at lindsey@sandyboyproductions.com. Brad's new book, The Way of Excellence, is linked here. Thanks so much for being here and for supporting the Wellness Series.

(Insight Meditation Society - Retreat Center)

We're wrapping up the year by replaying the episodes you loved most in 2025 while we spend time with our friends and family over the holidays! AKA the episodes you guys streamed the most! Thank you so much for your support of the podcast in 2025. We hope you have an amazing holiday surrounded by loved ones, peaceful moments, and memories in the making. Cheers!   Let's talk about what everyone's thinking but not always saying: is my sex life normal? In today's innuendo-filled episode, we're diving into five key areas to check in on with your partner: communication, desire, pleasure, connection, and exploration.    Coming from the unique perspective of being previously married to men and now in a relationship with each other, we share our insights on how deep intimacy can truly go in these five categories. We'll also discuss why women fake orgasms (and the impact on both partners) and explore possibilities of why younger generations are having less sex overall. Get ready for an open, honest, and insightful conversation that just might change the way you approach intimacy!   Podcasts mentioned: Pillow Talks | Vanessa + Xander Marin Sex with Emily | Dr. Emily Morse   Some key takeaways from this episode include: Desire doesn't diminish, it evolves. Long-term relationships don't always mean your passion will fade. Instead, your desire can shift and deepen in ways you may not have expected, but you have to be intentional about it. Honest communication creates a ripple effect. Open conversations with your partner can strengthen not just your relationship, but also your interactions with all the people you interact with.  Curiosity sustains intimacy. Staying curious and open to exploration—both emotionally and physically—keeps the connection alive and thriving. Just keep that open communication about boundaries!   MUD/WTR is a coffee alternative consisting of 100% organic cacao, ayurvedic herbs and functional mushrooms. With just a fraction of caffeine found in coffee, you get energy, focus and immune support without the crash! Use this link for 15% off your purchase, or $20 off PLUS a 15% discount if you subscribe!   Hilliard Studio Method takes working out to the next level to produce results that are nothing short of a total mind-body transformation. If you're ready to get in incredible shape, you can work out with us in-person at our Charlotte studio, join classes from home via Zoom, or sign up for our on-demand streaming service! HSM In-Person Classes HSM At Home (Via Zoom) HSM Streaming   Be Powerful with Liz & Lee is focused on helping you find your inner power and for us to share our thoughts on society, culture, and current events. As the team behind Hilliard Studio Method in Charlotte, North Carolina, we love all things wellness and will also share info on how to live your healthiest life mentally, physically, and emotionally.   Podcast contact info: Liz's Instagram  Lee's Instagram Hilliard Studio Method HSM Facebook Liz & Lee's YouTube

In this powerhouse episode of the Business of Strength Podcast, Coach Joe Strong sits down with Matt Wiedemer—champion powerlifter, longtime private-sector coach, trainer to UFC legend Jon Jones, and the owner of BEAT Personal Training, one of the most profitable hybrid gym models in the industry.What starts as a conversation between two lifelong strength nerds quickly turns into a masterclass in business, coaching, culture, and leadership. Matt shares the real story behind his rise—from sleeping in trucks to train at Westside Barbell, to building 6- and 7-figure training businesses, to running a thriving 16,000+ sq/ft hybrid PT + membership gym that prints cash and changes lives.This episode is equal parts raw, hilarious, practical, and deeply insightful.WHY GYM OWNERS & COACHES MUST LISTEN:Because Matt says what EVERYONE is thinking—but won't say out loud.From broken work ethics in young trainers, to the lies gym owners tell themselves, to why being “busy” is the blessing you once prayed for—Matt speaks the truth every strength entrepreneur needs to hear.Because he reveals the hybrid business model that prints money.Matt breaks down exactly how BEAT produces $110,000+ per month in PT and 1,500+ members at $60/mo, why both sides feed each other, and why most gym owners miss the opportunity sitting right in front of them.Because this is what mastery REALLY looks like.Obsession. Curiosity. Competing. Note-taking. Testing. Constant self-evaluation. Matt shows you the path to becoming the kind of coach clients never leave.Because community—not equipment—is the differentiator.People remember how coaching changed their life, not what brand of squat rack you bought. Matt shares how his team builds deep relationships that keep people training for decades.Because this episode will make you a better leader immediately.Whether you're managing employees, growing locations, fixing culture problems, or trying to get out from under your own weaknesses—Matt gives you the playbook.Don't forget our next LIVE event is Trainer School 2.0 at VH-HQ January 23rd. This program will sell out so grab your seat today: https://trainerschool.businessofstrength.com/Support our Sponsors: TurnKey Coach - https://turnkey.coach/business-of-strength/Naamly - https://www.naamly.com/Ignite Entrepreneurs Marketing Agency - https://bos.ignite-entrepreneurs.com/home-5858-8099#col-XsKe1v0T3M

Is there a correlation between a person's Working Genius (WG) pairings and their emotional intelligence (EQ)? Also, how can you use your Working Genius results to strengthen your emotional intelligence?In episode 102 of the Working Genius Podcast, Pat and Cody explore how Working Genius and emotional intelligence intersect, and where they don't. They explain that while no Working Genius type predicts EQ, the Working Genius model is a powerful tool for developing the self-awareness and social awareness that foster emotional intelligence.Topics explored in this episode: (02:27) Is There a Link Between Genius Types and EQ?* Pat clarifies that Working Genius and EQ are independent, emphasizing that self-awareness (not wiring) drives emotional intelligence.(05:29) Self-Awareness, Rough Edges, and Workplace Behavior* How understanding your working frustrations increases EQ.* How low self-awareness manifests in everyday interactions.(11:14) Social Awareness, Curiosity, and Understanding Others* Why EQ requires not only self-awareness but also a genuine desire to understand others.* Connecting curiosity to humility and vulnerability, noting how Working Genius accelerates relational understanding.(17:35) Building Relational EQ * How to lovingly offer feedback that raises another person's emotional intelligence.* How self-awareness and understanding others—not your Genius letters—are what transform your effectiveness and relationships.This episode of The Working Genius Podcast with Patrick Lencioni is brought to you by The Table Group: https://www.tablegroup.com. We teach leaders how to make work more effective and less dysfunctional. We also help their employees be more fulfilled and less miserable. The Six Types of Working Genius model helps you discover your natural gifts and thrive in your work and life. When you're able to better understand the types of work that bring you more energy and fulfillment and avoid work that leads to frustration and failure, you can be more self-aware, more productive, and more successful. The Six Types of Working Genius assessment is the fastest and simplest way to discover your natural gifts and thrive at work: https://workinggenius.me/about Subscribe to The Working Genius Podcast on Apple Podcasts (https://apple.co/4iNz6Yn), Spotify (https://open.spotify.com/show/3raC053GF5mtkq6Y1klpRU), and YouTube (https://bit.ly/Working-Genius-YouTube). Follow Pat Lencioni on https://www.linkedin.com/in/patrick-lencioni-orghealth, http://www.youtube.com/@PatrickLencioniOfficial, and https://x.com/patricklencioni. Be sure to check out our other podcast, At The Table with Patrick Lencioni, on Apple Podcasts (https://apple.co/4hJKKSL), Spotify (https://open.spotify.com/show/6NWAZzkzl4ljxX7S2xkHvu), and YouTube (https://bit.ly/At-The-Table-YouTube). Let us know your feedback via podcast@tablegroup.com. This episode was produced by Story On Media: https://www.storyon.co.

Scott and Wes chat with YouTuber and security consultant Matt Brown about breaking into IoT devices, extracting firmware, and decoding the hidden tech inside everyday gadgets. Matt shares his methods, the legal boundaries, and the wild stories behind his most interesting hacks. Show Notes 00:00 Welcome to Syntax! 01:21 Curiosity in Hacking 03:28 Understanding IoT Devices 07:15 Brought to you by Sentry.io. 07:40 Linux vs Microcontrollers 10:11 UART Console Access 13:56 Firmware Extraction Techniques 14:19 Guessing Usernames and Passwords 19:22 Extracting Password Hashes 23:15 Legal Considerations in Hacking 30:06 Where does the inspiration come from? 31:20 Using Logic Analyzers 37:45 CAN Protocol in Automotive 45:42 Influence of Lewis Rossman 54:05 Sick Picks & Shameless Plugs Sick Picks Matt: Key Person of Influence Shameless Plugs Matt:Matt Brown on YouTube, Brown Fine Security Hit us up on Socials! Syntax: X Instagram Tiktok LinkedIn Threads Wes: X Instagram Tiktok LinkedIn Threads Scott: X Instagram Tiktok LinkedIn Threads Randy: X Instagram YouTube Threads