Podcasts about Delve

Join Pastor Derek Walker from the Oxford Bible Church as he explores the inspirational story of Mephibosheth. Delve into the biblical narrative revealing the profound lessons about covenant love, redemption, and the transformative power of God's promises through Jesus Christ. This enlightening talk offers a deep understanding of the parallels between the ancient covenant made between David and Jonathan and the eternal covenant between God and humanity through Jesus. The story of Mephibosheth is a picture of our salvation in Christ. David (God) made a covenant with Jonathan (Jesus), and those in Jonathan who accept the covenant (Mephibosheth) receive his blessing.

Join Pastor Derek Walker from the Oxford Bible Church as he explores the inspirational story of Mephibosheth. Delve into the biblical narrative revealing the profound lessons about covenant love, redemption, and the transformative power of God's promises through Jesus Christ. This enlightening talk offers a deep understanding of the parallels between the ancient covenant made between David and Jonathan and the eternal covenant between God and humanity through Jesus. The story of Mephibosheth is a picture of our salvation in Christ. David (God) made a covenant with Jonathan (Jesus), and those in Jonathan who accept the covenant (Mephibosheth) receive his blessing.

The Mandalorian and Grogu have made their long-awaited publishing debut. Mad Cave Studios has come to Star Wars with this fun adventure with our favorite bounty hunter and his ward. Join the duo as they set to save the people of Nevarro with some help with some friendly Anzellans.Covers: The Mandalorian and Grogu: Danger in the Dark #1

Could AI revolutionize the surety industry, enhancing efficiency and decision-making? Join us as we chat with Greg Davenport of Digital Bond Advisory Services, LLC, Brad Rasmussen of Merchants Bonding, and Jason Callison of Tinubu as they unpack the transformative impact of AI on surety practices. Delve into real-world applications, from automating data entry to empowering underwriters with advanced analytics. Discover how the industry is navigating challenges and seizing opportunities in this fast-evolving landscape, ensuring that human expertise remains at the forefront. This episode is a must-listen for all surety professionals to begin to understand AI's potential in the surety industry! With special guests: Greg Davenport, Founder, Digital Bond Advisory Services, LLC Brad Rasmussen, CIO, Merchants Bonding Jason Callison, Surety Customer Solution Architect, Tinubu Hosted by: Kat Shamapande, Director, Professional Development, NASBP and Mark McCallum, CEO, NASBP Sponsored By Applied Surety Underwriters

Delve into the transformative world of AI in the produce industry with host Vonnie Estes and guest Steve Statler, CEO of AmbientChat AI. Explore the intersection of AI, IoT, and supply chains, focusing on how agentic AI can revolutionize food logistics by enhancing efficiency, reducing waste, and improving consumer experiences. Gain insights into the implications of data ownership, AI standards, and the evolving dynamics between tech giants and traditional players. This episode offers a comprehensive look at the future of food supply chains and the vital role of AI.Key TakeawaysAgentic AI: Moves beyond data visibility, offering actionable insights and system-wide improvements in the produce supply chain.Data Ownership: Crucial for leveraging AI technologies in supply chains; businesses must ensure control over their data to retain agency.Physical AI in Logistics: Innovations like sensor-tagged shipping crates drastically improve supply chain efficiency and minimize waste.Consumer Empowerment: AI can customize and optimize food buying decisions, potentially increasing fresh produce consumption.European Initiatives: Europe's efforts in digital product passports may set a global standard for ethical data management in supply chains.Guest ResourcesSteve Statler is the CEO of AmbientChat AI and the host of the Mr. Beacon podcast. With an extensive background at the intersection of AI, ambient IoT, traceability, and supply chains, Steve is a recognized thought leader in the technology sector. His previous work with Wiliot, an Israeli semiconductor company, highlighted his innovation in ambient IoT, pioneering advances like affordable and ubiquitous temperature-sensing tags. Steve is passionate about the transformative potential of AI in physical supply chains, seeking to enhance efficiency and sustainability.Show LinksInternational Fresh Produce Association - https://www.freshproduce.com/Fresh Takes on Tech - https://www.freshproduce.com/resources/technology/takes-on-tech-podcast/Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/InternationalFreshProduceAssociation/Twitter - https://twitter.com/IntFreshProduce/LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/international-fresh-produce-association/Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/intlfreshproduceassn/

Sun Chaser Kickstarter, Dwarf Delve Premiere, Graphite Premiere, Plum Road Tea Dream Premiere. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

I double dare you to endure. God won't let Satan touch you without purpose. Delve into the story of Job for encouragement through your trial. 

How can organic writing and leaning into the pivot help your stories stand out? And how can you pitch a story as a discovery writer if you genuinely don't know what's going to happen next. Steven James gives his writing tips after more than 20 years as an author. In the intro, Better Than Free in an Age of AI [Kevin Kelly on Tim Ferriss; Kevin Kelly on The Creative Penn]; Future Vision XPrize; A Different Kind of Bucket List. Today's show is sponsored by Draft2Digital, self-publishing with support, where you can get free formatting, free distribution to multiple stores, and a host of other benefits. Just go to www.draft2digital.com to get started. This show is also supported by my Patrons. Join my Community at Patreon.com/thecreativepenn Steven James is the multi-award-winning and international bestselling author of 21 novels across thrillers, YA, and science fiction, with more than a million copies sold, as well as the author of non-fiction craft books for writers, a writing teacher, and the host of The Story Blender podcast. You can listen above or on your favorite podcast app or read the notes and links below. Here are the highlights and the full transcript is below. Show Notes How to lean into organic writing, and what to focus on instead of plot How characters unfold on the page, and why an attitude beats a background Producing an outline for an agent or publisher when you genuinely don't know what happens next Don't pitch the plot, pitch the pivot The four choices you have in every scene, and why logic plus surprise is the engine of story Faith, moral clarity and big questions You can find Steven at StevenJames.net. Transcript of the interview with Steven James Jo: Steven James is the multi-award-winning and international bestselling author of 21 novels across thrillers, YA, and science fiction, with more than a million copies sold, as well as the author of non-fiction craft books for writers, a writing teacher, and the host of The Story Blender Podcast. So welcome to the show, Steven. Steven: Thanks for having me, Jo. Good to be here. Jo: Great to have you on the show. First up— Tell us a bit more about you and how you got into writing and publishing. Steven: Oh, gosh. Well, the thing is, when I was a kid, I fell in love with stories. My uncle would always, whenever we got together for the holidays—Christmas, New Year's and so on—he would take my sister, my brother and myself into a corner of the room while the other adults had coffee, and we would just sit there, and he would get this look in his eye and he'd say, “I'm going to tell you a story.” We were transported to another world. We were swashbuckling with pirates, or facing down a grizzly bear in Alaska, or flying over the desert on a flying carpet, or whatever. I fell in love with imagination and stories and everything. So I started reading as much as I could, mostly short stories. They had a programme at our library called the paperback book exchange, where you bring a paperback book and you leave it, and you can take any one of the paperback books that they had. You could keep it as long as you wanted. If you wanted it for your life, that's fine, or you could just bring it back as soon as you finished reading it. Anyway, I went crazy over the summers reading short stories, mainly. As I got older, I was like, “I think I want to be a storyteller.” So I actually got my master's degree in storytelling. Then I started to travel and tell stories, but I had three little daughters at home, and I was like, “I don't want to be gone 300 days a year when they are growing up.” So I ended up starting to write stories instead of travel, and then it just kind of shifted in that direction. That was in '97. Oh my goodness, that's long. '97, '98. So then I started to write books, and then eventually in 2007, I think, my first novel came out. Now, mainly, I've been writing novels ever since. Jo: It's so interesting. Was it a job, storytelling? Is that what you did before you became a book writer? Or did you have a different job? Steven: I mostly would go to events, conferences, schools and so on, and do a family-friendly storytelling show. So I would tell personal stories, some folktales reimagined. I would go to different events around the country. Mostly it was that. Then I started to shift. I wrote for magazines for a while—80 different magazines I wrote for over those years, a couple of hundred different articles, stories. I was like, “I'm just going to try to make a living telling stories.” So the shift has gone back and forth between actually telling stories and writing stories, but these days, I don't know. I'm still speaking. I'm still out there teaching. Jo: That's so interesting, because it's obviously a completely different thing to tell a story in person than it is to write a story. So when you decided to shift that way, what did you have to learn and unlearn? Because your thoughts on the page are so different to when you can make eye contact with an audience. Steven: That's a good point. I kind of started by telling stories back when I was in college, so I sort of moved from telling to writing. And you're right, there's so much that's lost, whether it's eye contact or pauses. On a printed page, there's always the same amount of space between every word—a space. But when you tell stories, obviously you pause for effect in different places, different areas, and so it's quite different. So if I have an idea for a story, I usually have to decide, is this going to be written or told? And then I do it in that medium. Then if I want to, let's say, tell a written story, I almost have to relearn it, or retell it very differently. You have gestures, body language. All of those things are obviously lost in text, so they are very different. I think for me it's been good, because when I tell stories, I hear different characters speaking, so that when I write, usually dialogue comes fast to me. I can hear what people are saying. I don't always know where they are. I don't always know the setting. I don't even know the scene necessarily, but I can hear the dialogue. Then it also helps me to step into the characters, like when I'm writing different points of view, so that I think I can do a good job of getting into that character's mind, as if I were that person. I think some of that comes from just telling stories. Jo: You've taught so many writers over the years, and it's interesting you said that you hear characters' dialogue. I see visual film in my mind. I don't hear any voice at all. It's all silent. I struggle with dialogue, but I do great world building. Do you find that this really is different by the author? I feel like we fall into these different groups. Steven: Yes, I do. I kind of feel like that's very true as far as what comes first, whether it's a description of a place, whether it's the action. I mean, basically a story has dialogue, narration—or we call it sometimes exposition—and description. Those three things. Every story has those three things, and those are the three that we use to tell a story, a novel. So some people tend to drift into one or the other as sort of their default setting: dialogue, description, or action. That's true. I think also something else that's interesting about writers is they tend to fall into either the camp of being a wordsmith or a storyteller. Not everyone, but I feel like some people are wordsmiths, where I read what they're writing, and I'm like, “Man, this is so powerful, evocative,” whatever. Maybe there's no story there. It's just really interesting writing. Other people just are natural storytellers, and they have to really work on the wordsmithing. I think that's me. I'm more naturally just a storyteller, but it takes me a long time to get the descriptions to where I want them, to choose exactly the right word. That takes me more effort. Some people have to build up the storytelling muscles. I have to build up the wordsmithing muscles. Jo: Well, part of the reason I wanted to talk to you is because you talk about this thing called organic writing in your book Story Trumps Structure, which is out now in a second edition. I call it discovery writing, so similar to you. But most people in the writing community seem to obsess about plotting and planning. So talk about your process of organic writing. You say in the book, “Trust the fluidity of the process.” Tell us more about that. Steven: Well, I remember in high school even, when my teacher got up front and he kind of got this very almost wise look on his face, and he goes, “A story is something with a beginning, a middle, and an end.” I'm sitting there in high school like, “Well, so does a bratwurst. What are you talking about here?” A description of a chair has a beginning, a middle, and an end. The sentence, “Preheat the oven to 450 degrees,” has a beginning, a middle, and an end. My view is that saying a story is something that has three acts is like saying that a pizza is something with three toppings. It might have three. It might have one. It might have five. So the idea for me is not to worry about structure, trying to tick off the boxes of a template, a formula you find online, a fill-in-the-blanks kind of a thing. But instead, to actually look at what lies at the heart of the story—the character, the tension, the struggle, the pursuit, the pivots and plot twists, and the payoff at the end. As you develop those aspects of the story, I feel like you need to worry less and less about following a formula. The more you understand what lies at the heart of a story, I feel like the less you need to plot and the less you need to write by the seat of your pants. A lot of people say, “Oh, you write by the seat of…” No, I don't write by the seat of my pants, because I know what a story contains, so I know that in a certain scene a character will make certain choices that are unpredictable but that escalate the tension, and different things like that. I'm a huge proponent of discovery, as you say, or organic writing. I won't get the quote exactly right, but Ray Bradbury said something along the lines of, “Plot is the tracks left in the snow after your characters have run by on their incredible destinations. It cannot precede action. It is the chart that remains when an action is through.” So he's saying plot is not what precedes action. After the action, you have plot. So the whole idea of trying to plot out a story before you write it is going about writing exactly backwards. Plot doesn't precede action. It's the result. So I always tell people, “Don't worry so much about the plot. I want you to look at the pursuit.” A plotter might say, “Well, what should happen?” And they'll just come up with something. But an organic writer—a pursuit-based question would be, what does the character want? Now, when I know what the character wants, I will know what should happen. So literally, it will lead me to the story. Focusing on plot will not necessarily lead you to the story. It might lead you down the wrong track. Jo: Then in terms of your actual writing process— Do you start writing without knowing the ending? Do you write in order? Is the organic side also in the process? Steven: I've never started a book where I know how it will end. So I usually start with either a character that's fascinating or, in some cases, a premise, a question. Then as I write, I explore the possibilities of where it might go. I've tried to outline a scene—like one scene, not a whole book—and it never works. I can't even outline one scene. I've tried, and I'm like, okay, that's… What I end up with is completely different from it, so it's just a waste of time and effort for me to try to outline or plot out a story. I'm much more interested in the pathway the characters will take as they face obstacles and setbacks in their pursuit. As the struggles and the tension develop, what choices will they make? That's how the story will unfold for me. Jo: I'm similar. Then I also wonder— Do you do character sheets and character bios, or do the characters also unfold organically? Steven: Absolutely, I don't do any of the sheets and bios and stuff. The characters really come to me as I write. I begin to get to know them. I always tell people, a character with an attitude is more interesting than a character with a background. So a lot of people will spend a lot of time on, like, where's this character gone to college, and what's their first pet's name, all that stuff. I'm not trying to dump on that idea. I get that that can be helpful. But I'm like, how would I know that until I've spent time with them? Then once I begin to spend time with them, I'm writing and I'm like, “Nah, this doesn't seem like what that character would really say or do,” so I have to go back and rejigger the story to hopefully make it fit with that character. Then I like to give the characters some sort of attitude. I'm not talking about a negative or judgy attitude, but an attitude about something that is unique or different, and that makes them not a template character, not an archetype or whatever, but unique. Sort of this constellation of unique traits, characteristics, maybe wounds, flaws and so on, that create a character where you're like, “This is a character like none I've ever seen before. I want to spend time with this character.” Jo: Then you're spending time with the character by writing what's happening, as opposed to writing loads of stuff beforehand and then starting to write. You're actually finding all of this out during the process of writing. Steven: Yes, and I think it's kind of like getting to know someone. If I were to say, “Okay, I'm going to write down Jo's bio,” or whatever—okay, I'm making stuff up, because I don't know you super well. If we were to spend time together, hang out, whatever, talk, over the course of time I would start to know, oh, she likes this, she doesn't like that. This is important to her. This is what she would weep or pound the table over—whatever, all of the things that come with time. It's like a friendship in real life to me. So I can't sit down and tell you what a character in real life would think and say and do if I don't know them, but the more time I spend with them, then the more I'm able to predict that accurately. I think the mistake a lot of people make is they think, “I'm going to get to know this character with a background,” and then they start writing it, and instead of looking at the context, they look back at the—I don't know what you call it—the background or something like that. I always feel like what you mentioned earlier is, like, hold it loosely in your hand. Trust the fluidity of the process. As you're writing, you have an instinct. “Ah, I think this character would say this or do this.” So trust that. Trust that instinct. Trust that moment in the story, instead of trying to go back to an outline, back to a character description, or whatever it might be. So I'm a big proponent of looking at the context—not just what happened, but what is the result? So looking at the impetus and the implication of the choices and the activities. When something occurs, what would the character naturally say or do or think or respond? Then what would that cause? What's the implication that that would have on the rest of the story, on the rest of the characters? So, really trying to keep your finger on the pulse of the story, and adapt as you move forward through it. Jo: I love all of that, but I also am very aware that you've been in traditional publishing for over 20 years, and one of the things with agents and publishers is that they often ask for an outline. So how do you manage that? Or how did you more earlier in your career, because I imagine they just trust you now. Earlier in your career, or people listening who want to pitch but they write in this organic way, how do we deal with that kind of thing? Steven: Well, okay, so there's two good questions. One is about producing an outline for an agent or editor or publisher and so on. The other is how to pitch a story. So the first: I would write the premise down, and maybe a paragraph or two, and then where I think it might go. Basically, I would focus on the questions that the characters will face, maybe the moral dilemmas, the sacrifices they have to make, the world they live in. I kind of know that stuff, and I can write a couple of paragraphs about that. But beyond that, I just don't know what's going to happen, so I can't really provide more. I'm looking at my shelf at the books that I've done, and mostly that's what I've done is kind of a couple of paragraphs focusing on the premise and the problem, the struggle, and so on like that. As far as pitching a story, I always tell people, “Don't pitch the plot, pitch the pivot.” I think that there's a screenwriter—I think that he talks about this a little bit. I've not read the book Save the Cat, but people have told me, “Oh, he kind of brings this up in that book.” The idea is to pitch the irony instead of what occurs. So sometimes when I tell people to pitch, or I give them ideas, one process that you can use is: when, must, before, or else. So, when this occurs, this character must do something before this, or else. So you have the character, you have the struggle, you have the inciting incident, you have the stakes, and you have the countdown. It works well for thrillers. So for instance, like Jaws. When a man-eating shark starts eating people in a small seaside village, the sheriff must stop him before more people die and the town loses its economy. So there you have when, must, before, or else. Now, no one's going to buy the story based on that, because there's no irony, there's no pivot. It's just a description of the plot, and that's what most people pitch. So I always tell people, pitch the part of the story that you wouldn't expect. So for instance, in there you might pitch: when a shark starts eating people in a small seaside village, the only one who can stop him is afraid of the water. Now you're like, “Oh, well, that's interesting. How does that happen? What happens there?” With my book Broker of Lies, the pitch was something like, when a high-level Pentagon redactor ends up on the run, he must stop a terrorist attack before he's neutralised by the people he trusts the most. So the pivot is that the people he trusts at the Pentagon the most are actually trying to neutralise him because he's on the run, and all that kind of stuff. So why would they be trying to do that? Well, that's interesting. So it's always looking for the irony, the pivot. Why is this character the last one in the world who would ever be equipped to tackle this problem or face this issue? So that's one way to do a pitch. Obviously there's lots of them, but I think your goal with a pitch is to get them to say, “Tell me more.” It's not necessarily to summarise the whole story. Jo: That's great advice. So you teach writers—I first saw you at ThrillerFest, I think it was 2012—and you do events, you run writing retreats. So you work with a lot of authors, and I wondered, what are the challenges that you see from authors with, say, five books? So not the beginner authors, because obviously there's a lot of challenges. But those who, let's say they've got the three to five books, things are going all right, but they're like, “How do I get to the next level?” What are the craft issues, or the business issues as well, that mid-list authors face? Steven: Well, business, I'm not the guy to ask. I could try to answer that, but I mean, basically: meet your deadlines and write something amazing. Try to be easy to work with, but also stand up for what you wrote as far as working with editors. It's sort of a fine line you have to walk. The one thing that over the last few years I've really noticed in a lot of writers who are in that space is that they don't have many pivots. They tend to write predictable stories, and that's why they tend to stay where they're at—whether it's because they're following an outline or a plot formula or whatever it is. So when I talk about a pivot, I mean a moment in the story where something happens that's both unexpected and inevitable. For instance, if you're reading a story, you want things to make sense. You want them to be logical. That's one thing. But you don't want them to be too predictable. If it's too predictable, it's boring. It's like, I'm not interested. So we also want surprises. We want these two things. We want logic, and we want surprise. When those two things meet and you have a moment in the story where it's like, “I didn't see that coming, but that totally makes sense,” that's what we want, and we want that in every scene. I feel like a lot of authors don't have that in every scene. Now, you might say, “Well, every scene?” Well, yes, because basically those two factors, logic and surprise, can only meet in four different ways. You could have something that's very logical but has no surprises. That's going to be boring. It's going to be too predictable. We don't want that. You could have something that is very surprising but not logical. It makes no sense. A lot of stuff is surprising, but that's not what we want, because it's unbelievable, and it's like, what is going on here? You could have something that has neither logic nor surprise, which obviously we don't want that. The only other option is to have a moment that is both logical and surprising. So you have a choice in every scene. You have four choices, actually. You can have it be predictable and boring. You can have it be nonsensical. You can have it be unbelievable. Or you can have a pivot. So I find myself trying to really coach people on pivots. They'll say, “Oh, well, do I need it in every scene?” I'm like, “You can choose, but do you want it to be predictable or boring or nonsensical, or do you want it to really drive the story forward?” I think it's because people have been taught structure and plot and three acts and all this kind of stuff, but they haven't been taught this idea—even though it's not something I made up. Aristotle, in Poetics, thousands of years ago, put it a little bit differently, but he said, “The reversal of the situation”—what I call the pivot—”is the moment at which the action veers around to its opposite”—that would be what I call surprise—”subject always to a rule of probability or necessity”—which is the logic. So he's basically saying the same thing in just a little bit different language, but you have these three factors. You have logic, you have surprise, and you have them come together in a specific moment. I don't know why it's not taught more. I have never found anyone who teaches pivots. I have not found any books, so I wrote a book recently about how to use pivots. It's so central, and I think great storytellers naturally do it. You'll read a book, or you'll maybe watch a show, and you're like, “Oh, I didn't see that coming. That totally makes sense.” I don't see anyone else out there really focusing on teaching that. So that's a huge thing for me, really, to help people move up in their writing, elevate it to a different level. Jo: Is that Delve, Pivot, Propel? Steven: Yes. That book came out a couple years ago. We just re-released it. I updated it some, but it talks pretty much in depth about pivots and how to actually use those to propel the stories forward. Jo: Maybe you could just give us one tip on how to do that, because going back to the organic writing—let's say I've been organically writing, and every time a character has a decision to make, I think at that point about what I want to write and I write it. Are you suggesting that we go back in the edit and look at the end of every scene and redo it? Because I can't imagine that I would get this right every time. I would need to do that in an edit, I think. Steven: I think for me, when I'm writing, I'm always asking myself a series of questions. One is, what would the character naturally do? I want to make it believable and natural. Let them do it. I want to escalate the tension, so I'll ask myself, “How can I make things worse?” Then I'll always ask myself, how can I add a pivot to this scene? So as I'm writing a scene—again, I don't know how it will end when I start it—but if I use the first idea that comes to mind, probably a lot of readers would guess that as well, because it's the first idea that comes to mind. It's probably logical and probably predictable. That's why most stories end up being too predictable. It's because we go with the first idea that maybe we had. So I try to discard that. Maybe the second idea, just discard it. Then I start thinking, okay, now if I've discarded the obvious, what is going on? What's below the surface? So to answer your question, I'm looking for what isn't what it appears to be, or who isn't who they appear to be, or a surprising way to bring together plot threads that I didn't see related before. So it's always looking for the unexpected, the surprise, because most of the time that is what we're missing. Now, if you have a great surprise, then you have to lean into making it believable. So you've got to move into that idea of, well, what would the character naturally do? You can't just have him do something ridiculous and then say, “Oh, it's for my twist.” No, you can't do that. You've got to play fair. So it has to be believable, causally related, logical, and surprising. That's what you're shooting for. Those are the questions going through my mind. So as I'm working on a scene, I'm like, “How could I end this?” Or include something that people won't see coming right away. The best ideas always come to me then. It's so interesting. A lot of people will say, “Oh, don't write organically,” or, quote, “by the seat of your pants,” whatever they'll say, “because then you might write yourself into a corner.” I'm like, “Yes, absolutely write yourself into a corner. That's what I'm trying to do in every scene.” And then you write yourself out of a corner in a way that's logical and surprising. The best twists I've ever come up with have been when I'm in a corner. So why would I warn people against going to the place where the best ideas await them? That just seems mean. Why would I do that? No, I want you to have the best possible ideas. So yes, look for corners, write yourself into them, and then write yourself out of them in a way that's both logical and surprising. Jo: I guess also it needs to be genre specific. We write mainly thrillers, and there is this fine line, isn't there? I love Stephen King, but one of the most unbelievable endings is Under the Dome. I still remember feeling betrayed. I don't know if you've read that one, but— Steven: Oh, no. Jo: I was like, “I'm sorry, you've just changed genre in the last chapter of the book. What is going on here?” Steven: That's actually interesting. The fourth question I ask… So I ask, what would the character naturally do? How can I make things worse? How can I add a pivot? But the fourth question is, what promises have I made that I have not yet kept? So genre, to me, is a promise. You build up a promise in your writing at the beginning of the book, and then I feel like as we write, we have to honour that. So if we bring something up that's super interesting, bring it back or whatever. Keep your promises. Keep your narrative promises. It's true of really any genre. Let's say you're writing a romance. You want to respect the conventions, but not fall into the clichés. So there's going to be a moment where the lovers meet, right? They haven't met before. I don't know what they call it, a meet cute or a cute meet. I think they call it a meet cute, I guess. Jo: Yes. They do. Steven: Anyway. So they're going to meet, right? And you're like, “Oh, I'll just have them meet.” Well, try to do it in a way we haven't seen before. Add something else to the scene. Add a third element, as my friend Bob Dugoni likes to say. Add something a little bit that we're like, “Huh, I've never seen that before.” We know they're going to meet, but let them meet in a way that we don't anticipate, that we can't predict right away, that isn't exactly by the numbers, and then you're going to be on the right track. Jo: So then, talking about reader expectations and genre, I wondered if I could also ask you about your Christian faith, because many people listening are people of faith, and some people want to write a Christian book. Other people want to bring their faith into, say, a mainstream type thriller in an authentic way. So how do you balance your faith and your writing? Because I think you have some series that are more sort of Christian than others. Steven: It's interesting. When my first novel came out—The Pawn, like a chess piece, The Pawn—back almost 20 years ago. Gosh, 20 years ago. Nineteen. But anyway, when it came out, someone wrote to me and said, “Is this a Christian book?” I'm like, “What would make a book not Christian?” I'm like, maybe if it has a lot of idolatry, or witchcraft, or maybe sexuality or graphic violence. Then I'm like, oh, wait, that's… No, that's the Old Testament. So it's interesting, because people have asked me similar questions over the years. My books are not sermons in disguise. I'm trying to write great stories that anyone of any background or faith will enjoy. I always ask big questions. I let my characters wrestle with questions that matter, I think. Do my choices matter? Is there hope? Is there a God? Is there no God? Do I have free will? Can I find forgiveness? Can I offer forgiveness? Can I extend it, or whatever? So I always try to base the stories on something deeper. I do believe that there is good and there's evil in the world. That's part of my worldview. So when people talk about moral ambiguity, I don't want to write or read something that's morally ambiguous. I want moral complexity, but I also want moral clarity. So whenever you write, the question is, what are you justifying and what are you condemning? And if you're justifying something that's morally—I would say wrong, actually—then I don't feel like that's the kind of book I would want to write. So I want to write stories that explore good and evil, that explore our world, human nature, in an honest way. I feel like when you write honest stories, people, no matter what their background or whatever faith, then they will connect with it. I think a lot of people, if they start off with an agenda—whatever that agenda might be, let's say it is a Christian agenda, like I want people to trust in Jesus, let's say—so they write a story. Well, what you're doing, you're actually starting your story with an answer, and drama is not built on answers, it's built on questions. So you're actually diminishing the amount of tension. You're also diminishing the possibility of a pivot, because we all get where you're going. It's predictable, but there's probably no surprise. You're diminishing the payoff at the end, because we're like, “I saw that coming. I exactly knew where you were going with this.” So instead, I don't start with an answer. I always start with a question, or in some cases a moral dilemma, like, what's more important, protecting the innocent or telling the truth? That's interesting to me. If I had to choose between the two, would I tell the truth or would I protect the innocent? It's interesting, because people might come down on different sides of it. They might say, “Oh, you should always tell the truth,” or they say, “You always should protect the innocent.” I'm like, okay, well, let's explore it. Let's literally ask the question. So I come from a certain worldview, but I've written characters who have very different worldviews from me. I'm always just trying to be honest with the character, ask big questions, tell a story that examines human nature and sort of the paradoxes of the human condition in a way that will resonate with really whoever the readers might be. Jo: And of course that worldview is part of your author voice and part of what readers come to you for. I also notice that you have some pretty diverse different series. How do you manage that diversity of series under your one brand? Do you find your readers move from one to the other, or do you have different readerships? Steven: You mentioned the B word—brand. That's what publishers are always telling me: “What's your brand?” I'm like, “I don't know. You tell me what my brand is.” I've done fantasy, science fiction, conspiracy. I've done spies and police procedurals and crime and suspense, thrills, whatever. So I would say the one thing that really ties all my stories together is probably just suspense. They are stories with suspense. Some are more high concept thrillers, some are more dark fantasy, but they're built around suspense. So I guess that would be intelligent suspense, maybe, if I was trying to come up with a brand. Something like that. Because I don't want them to be dumbed down. They're not dumbed down stories, so they're a little bit more complex than you might find in other places, but always built around the idea of suspense. Suspense to me is basically—my definition is apprehension born of concern. So we're concerned about a character, and we're apprehensive because there's peril around the bend, or right in front of them. So I want the readers to really care about a character, and then try to build the story and the suspense around that empathy or sympathy that we have for the character. Jo: I think it's really interesting, because again, you mentioned 2007—we're coming up on 20 years since first published. The publishing industry has changed a lot. So what do you think has changed most in publishing for you, and what are your thoughts on routes to market for new authors these days? Or even established authors who are finding that things have changed, which they obviously have. Steven: Well, I'm not a marketer, I'm not a businessman. I'm just a storyteller at heart. So I just keep writing stories that I would be intrigued with reading, stories that I feel like are resonant. Then I look for publishers for those. I've been to a variety of different publishers over the last decade. I've done some different types of stories. I feel like you have to just write the story instead of trying to write for a specific market trend or something like that. So I might not make as much as some of my friends, I might not sell as many books, but I feel like I have to write certain stories if they grab ahold of me. There's a Native American—I think the Pawnee tribe, anyway, in the United States—but they were saying that all the stories that exist are out there already, and when one finds you, it's your job to share it with the world. I think that's kind of interesting. Sometimes—maybe it's just true for you, I don't know, Jo—but it's like a story will grab hold of me, or an idea, and I'm like, “I can't shake it.” That's a story that I want to tell the world. I would say that stories are becoming shorter, dumber. People are trying to write faster. They're trying to write several books a year, and as a result of that, some of the quality has gone down. This is all unfortunate. I'm still sort of a dinosaur. I still tend to write longer, complex stories. But people have shorter attention spans and whatever, and they're not reading as much. The structure of stories, I think, is changing slightly, where people will have to spend more time on a hook to really grab the attention of the readers. Then there might be a longer slow period, or more info dumping, which I'm not a fan of. So they kind of look like, “I want to get readers hooked at the beginning, and then get them to flip pages.” So I tend to set up my stories a little bit differently than that. So I'm not the best guy to ask about marketing and sales and stuff like that. I feel like, write a story that will not let you go. And if you do that, I feel like that's the kind of story that will resonate with readers, because there's a deep honesty to it. You care, you're passionate about it. It's not just something you're trying to spin out just to sell books. That's my view. Jo: I guess I also feel that writers are doing other things. So you have non-fiction, you have your podcast, you do events. I see you sell books direct from your website. It's like the business expands into multiple streams of income, so that the art doesn't have to pay all the bills. Steven: That's interesting. I do love to teach writing at conferences, events, and speak at different things. So I guess if you think about it that way, my brand might be just story, or storytelling, or something like that. Really trying to get out there, and whether it's speaking or writing, just tell a great story. So it's so interesting when I work with publishers and they'll ask, “What's your brand?” Basically it's like, “What's your box?” is really what they're asking. What box can we stick you in that will make it easy for us to package you and sell you? I know myself, and just a lot of authors that I know, we don't think in a box. Every one of my stories is not boxy. It's not the same. They're different. I know a lot of authors like that too. So it's unfortunate. I get it, that it's part of them trying to market and sell the books. I understand that, but I think being honest, genuine with the story, doing the very best you can, writing a worthy book, and then letting them come up with a way to categorise it, is probably the best bet. I don't know. Jo: We're almost out of time, but this is obviously a podcast, and you have a podcast. So tell us about The Story Blender Podcast and what people might find over there. Steven: Yes, I appreciate it. Basically, I interview some of the leading writers and storytellers in the world every week, and the goal is for great storytellers to share the secrets of great storytelling. So I basically pick their brains, kind of like what you were doing with me today, and find out what projects they're working on, and really just try to get insights into storytelling. So it's tons of fun. I've been doing it now for a number of years, and I guess I've interviewed over 250 different authors and writers from around the world, and so I always enjoy it. It's a ton of fun. It's The Story Blender, and people can find it anywhere. Jo: So where can people find you and your books and everything you do online? Steven: Probably the best place is StevenJames.net. I think I'm on different socials @readstevenjames, so you can look me up there—Facebook, Instagram, X, and so on. I think they're all under readstevenjames. Check out the website, drop me a note. I always enjoy hearing from readers. Jo: Well, thanks so much for your time, Steven. That was great. Steven: Thanks, Jo. I appreciate it. Good luck. The post Organic Writing And The Power Of The Pivot In Fiction With Steven James first appeared on The Creative Penn.

Brian sits down with Maggie Reese for a candid conversation about her journey through competitive shooting, personal loss, and finding her way back to the sport. Maggie didn't grow up shooting despite firearms being in her household. Her dad took her to the range at 18 with a "learn how it works, then decide" approach, and she was hooked. Starting with a 1911 .45 (and stubbornly sticking with it despite plenty of mansplaining), she showed up at the 2007 Steel Challenge World Championships in Piru completely unprepared and was welcomed in by legends like Taran Butler, Dave Sevigny, Todd Jarrett, and Julie Golob, an experience that shaped everything that followed. Taran especially became a lifelong influence, pushing her into USPSA and 3-gun, and eventually introducing her to Michael Voigt, the longtime USPSA president who became her husband. Their marriage centered around shooting, travel, and shared passion until Michael's death from cancer, which coincided with a difficult period caring for her parents through her mom's dementia and eventually losing both of them. Maggie stepped back from serious competition and cycled through sponsorships with Colt and then Ruger while working through burnout. Recently, a phone call with Taran led to him sending her a TTI Combat Master and pushing her to shoot Area 2, where she rediscovered her love for the sport. She discussed her strong feelings on junior shooter sponsorships, believing kids should be kids without adult-level performance pressure, her instruction work with Girls Just Want to Have Guns, her role on the Women's Outdoor Media Association board and their Amateurs and Experts podcast, and her approach to advocacy through demonstration rather than debate. The Michael Voigt Scholarship Fund at USPSA came from her and Mike Foley's decision to redirect funeral flowers toward supporting the next generation. Maggie is now shooting her first IDPA match this weekend, embracing red dots on everything, and easing back into the sport on her own terms. Elevate your game with our trusted partners: Right To Bear Use Code HuntersHD10 When you sign up part of your contribution will go back to the Shooting Sports. Get Carry Insurance with a Company that Supports the Shooting Sports.  IWI Use Code HDG15 for 15% off your order  RealAvid Use Code RAHHDG for 10% off your order  Ghost HolsterUSA Use Code HuntersHD 15% off Jessie James JJFU Coffee Use Code HuntersHD for 5% off ACE Virtual Shooting Use Code HHDG for 10% off your subscription and physical handset. Imperium Roots Use Code HuntersHD for 20% off Speed Beez Use Code HuntersHD for 10% off Discover the world of competitive shooting sports through the eyes of industry leaders, top athletes, and match directors in the Behind the Lens Podcast, hosted by Brian Conley of Hunters HD Gold. Delve into captivating conversations that reveal the passion, dedication, and skill that define the shooting sports community. Brian, a steadfast supporter of the shooting sports, brings unique insights and expertise to each episode. Uncover the latest trends, techniques, and stories from the people who shape the shooting sports landscape. Join us as we explore the dynamic world of competitive shooting, the shooting industry, and the remarkable individuals who make it all possible. Hunters HD Gold Links: Website: https://huntershdgold.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/huntershdgold/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HuntersHDGold YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCBWH4kOqaX-x34uYOviQ-tg United States Practical Shooting Association Official Eyewear: https://uspsa.org Steel Challenge Shooting Association Official Eyewear: https://scsa.org Metal Madness Official Eyewear: https://mmssa.net/

Brian sits down with Maggie Reese for a candid conversation about her journey through competitive shooting, personal loss, and finding her way back to the sport. Maggie didn't grow up shooting despite firearms being in her household. Her dad took her to the range at 18 with a "learn how it works, then decide" approach, and she was hooked. Starting with a 1911 .45 (and stubbornly sticking with it despite plenty of mansplaining), she showed up at the 2007 Steel Challenge World Championships in Piru completely unprepared and was welcomed in by legends like Taran Butler, Dave Sevigny, Todd Jarrett, and Julie Golob, an experience that shaped everything that followed. Taran especially became a lifelong influence, pushing her into USPSA and 3-gun, and eventually introducing her to Michael Voigt, the longtime USPSA president who became her husband. Their marriage centered around shooting, travel, and shared passion until Michael's death from cancer, which coincided with a difficult period caring for her parents through her mom's dementia and eventually losing both of them. Maggie stepped back from serious competition and cycled through sponsorships with Colt and then Ruger while working through burnout. Recently, a phone call with Taran led to him sending her a TTI Combat Master and pushing her to shoot Area 2, where she rediscovered her love for the sport. She discussed her strong feelings on junior shooter sponsorships, believing kids should be kids without adult-level performance pressure, her instruction work with Girls Just Want to Have Guns, her role on the Women's Outdoor Media Association board and their Amateurs and Experts podcast, and her approach to advocacy through demonstration rather than debate. The Michael Voigt Scholarship Fund at USPSA came from her and Mike Foley's decision to redirect funeral flowers toward supporting the next generation. Maggie is now shooting her first IDPA match this weekend, embracing red dots on everything, and easing back into the sport on her own terms.Elevate your game with our trusted partners:Right To Bear Use Code HuntersHD10 When you sign up part of your contribution will go back to the Shooting Sports. Get Carry Insurance with a Company that Supports the Shooting Sports. IWI Use Code HDG15 for 15% off your order RealAvid Use Code RAHHDG for 10% off your order Ghost HolsterUSA Use Code HuntersHD 15% offJessie James JJFU Coffee Use Code HuntersHD for 5% offACE Virtual Shooting Use Code HHDG for 10% off your subscription and physical handset.Imperium Roots Use Code HuntersHD for 20% offSpeed Beez Use Code HuntersHD for 10% offDiscover the world of competitive shooting sports through the eyes of industry leaders, top athletes, and match directors in the Behind the Lens Podcast, hosted by Brian Conley of Hunters HD Gold. Delve into captivating conversations that reveal the passion, dedication, and skill that define the shooting sports community. Brian, a steadfast supporter of the shooting sports, brings unique insights and expertise to each episode. Uncover the latest trends, techniques, and stories from the people who shape the shooting sports landscape. Join us as we explore the dynamic world of competitive shooting, the shooting industry, and the remarkable individuals who make it all possible.Hunters HD Gold Links:Website: https://huntershdgold.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/huntershdgold/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HuntersHDGoldYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCBWH4kOqaX-x34uYOviQ-tgUnited States Practical Shooting Association Official Eyewear: https://uspsa.orgSteel Challenge Shooting Association Official Eyewear: https://scsa.orgMetal Madness Official Eyewear: https://...

Star of the West End Ruthie Henshall opens up like never before about her extraordinary, real-life Cinderella story with Prince Edward, detailed in her captivating memoir, The Showgirl and the Prince. From their passionate five-year romance, secret weekend escapes to Balmoral and Windsor, to keeping their connection quiet behind palace walls, Ruthie shares the raw truth. She also reveals delightful, never-before-heard details about her intimate encounters with the late Queen Elizabeth II, Princess Diana's candid humour, and Prince Philip's legendary wit. JOIN OUR VIP COMMUNITY: Want even more exclusive royal insights? Delve deeper into the stories that matter with bonus expert content on everything royal, available right now to our VIP community. Sign up via hello! magazine/subscribe. 00:00 - Introduction & The Cinderella Story 02:15 - Discovering the Diaries: Why Now? 05:20 - Giving Edward the "Heads-Up" 06:45 - Choosing the Stage Over the Crown 09:00 - The Golden Era of West End 12:00 - The Heavy Burden of Secrecy 16:00 - Addressing the Headlines & "Gay" Rumours 22:00 - First Love & Romantic Escapes 27:00 - Pagers, Bricks, and Royal Switchboards 31:00 - Raising Her Daughters & Finding Peace 34:25 - Behind Closed Palace Doors: The Queen & Prince Philip 37:45 - Connecting with Princess Diana & Sarah Ferguson 41:00 - The Surreal Balmoral Cookout From HELLO! magazine Hosts: Laura Benjamin and Emily Nash Producer: Millie Jackson Editor: Chelsey Ranore Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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Some jewels are like history books… The most beautiful and mysterious pieces have often belonged to famous figures, and the events they have witnessed are worthy of an adventure novel! This summer, Voice of Jewels invites you on a voyage through space and time, from ancient Carthage to Versailles and Bogota, to the Age of Enlightenment, as well as taking in the intrigues of the French court during the Renaissance! Rediscover stories of love and power, where jewels are synonymous with faith, bravery, and luck!Voice of Jewels is a podcast by L'ÉCOLE, School of Jewelry Arts, with the support of Van Cleef & Arpels. Unveiling the stories and secrets behind History's most fascinating jewels.Written by Martin Quenehen and Aram Kebabdjian, performed by Edoardo Ballerini, and produced by Bababam. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Explore three of the most brutal firsthand stories from Reddit about catching a loved one cheating, along with the revenge that followed. Delve into the raw emotions and consequences that these stories bring to light. Watch this next: YouTube Link Instagram | TikTok Have a recommendation for stories to cover? Be sure to drop it in the comments! 0:00: Intro0:16: Story 18:55: Story 215:12: Story 3 #Redditrevenge #cheatingspouse #brutalstories #revengestories #darkest See show notes: https://inlet.fm/malevolent-mischief/episodes/6a51b2003e0e859e56814419 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

It has been an absolutely explosive week on the royal beat, and hosts Andrea and Emily are unpacking every single jaw-dropping moment in our latest episode. From a tense 11th-hour accommodation showdown at Buckingham Palace to a devastating ruling in his long-running high court lawsuit, Prince Harry's fleeting UK visit has been anything but smooth sailing. Emily takes us behind closed doors to share what it was really like to be in the room with the Duke of Sussex the exact moment the high court news broke. But it's not all courtroom drama! We are celebrating the Princess of Wales's triumphant, heartwarming return to the spotlight following her incredible Three Peaks challenge, including the sweet family moments you didn't see. Plus, we look back at gorgeous, sun-soaked royal appearances at Wimbledon from both Catherine and Queen Camilla, Prince William's quirky seaside adventure (complete with a legendary "Silver Winkle"), and the King's bold, headline-making appearance in a military tank. JOIN OUR VIP COMMUNITY: Want even more exclusive royal insights? Delve deeper into the stories that matter with bonus expert content on everything royal, available right now to our VIP community. Sign up via hello! magazine/subscribe. 00:00 - The Royal Beat Never Stops 01:00 - Buckingham Palace Chaos: Harry's 11th-Hour Room Rejection 03:50 - The 48-Hour Rule & Monarchy HQ Logistics 05:50 - A Communication Breakdown: Father vs. Son 07:30 - In The Room: The Moment Harry's Devastating Verdict Dropped 10:15 - "The Ultimate Whitewash" — Harry & His Lawyer Fight Back 12:30 - The £50 Million Cost & Who Is Paying For The Lawsuits 14:00 - The Ultimate Betrayal: Who Actually Leaked The Secret Palace Photos? 16:20 - Can King Charles Ever Trust Harry Again? 18:40 - Scones & Sovereignty: What Archie & Lilibet Know About The King 20:00 - Prince William, Hastings, & The Mystery of the Silver Winkle 21:50 - Podcasts & Pop Royalty: William on Travis Kelce's Show 23:30 - The Wimbledon Queue: Catherine's Heartwarming Surprise 24:50 - Solo on the Mountain: Inside Catherine's Three Peaks Challenge 27:10 - Princess Charlotte's Sweet Gift & The Middleton Family Reunion 28:30 - Queen Camilla Beats The Scorching London Heatwave 29:40 - King Charles Ready For Battle: A Bold Tank Appearance 31:00 - Paw Patrol & Poetry: The Princess of Wales Visits Evelyn Hospital 32:45 - A Right Royal Holiday Wrap-Up From HELLO! magazine Hosts: Andrea Caamano and Emily Nash Producer: Millie Jackson Editor: Sonni Hendrickson Executive producer: Charlie Atkin Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

https://www.FKNpods.comJoin Paige Carter on a deep dive into the enigmatic world of the Federal Reserve, often described as a private banking system with profound control over America's money supply. Delve into the heart of debates surrounding its transparency and accountability, as conspiracy theories and official narratives clash. Examine the Federal Reserve's unique structure and its role in shaping U.S. monetary policy, while uncovering historical events that have fueled skepticism and controversy over its operations. Is the Fed truly an impartial guardian of economic stability, or does its complex structure conceal a hidden agenda?As we navigate the chain of public statements, historical records, and firsthand accounts from insiders, discover the contradictions that challenge the Federal Reserve's official narrative. What unresolved specific questions remain about the Fed's accountability to the public? And how do its secretive operations impact perceptions of its role in financial markets? This episode ventures into the shadows of America's central banking system to uncover truths that have long been obscured from view.

Join hosts Jacqueline Smith and Ryan Greigg on the 15 Point Plan Podcast as they explore how managing energy can significantly impact personal and professional success. Delve into effective strategies to identify energy-zapping habits and improve decision-making. Discover insights into how energy levels affect relationships and performance, with an emphasis on the importance of sleep and its effect on cognitive function. This episode stresses energy management as a crucial investment in yourself, offering key statistics and practical advice for achieving happiness, reduced stress, and fulfillment in both life and business. ---------- Connect with the 15 Point Plan: 15 Point Plan: https://WinMakeGive.com/15-point-plan/ Win Make Give Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/WinMakeGive Learn more about the co-hosts: Jacqueline Smith: https://www.instagram.com/jacquelinerae_smith/ Ryan Greigg: https://www.instagram.com/ryanparkgreigg/ Book one of our co-hosts for your next event: https://WinMakeGive.com/speakers/ Part of the Win Make Give Podcast Network

Brian sits down with Alan Turner to mark his two-year anniversary at USPSA. An army brat who grew up on bases from Fort Huachuca to Fort Drum, Alan has been around firearms his entire life and was a competitive discus and javelin athlete before blowing out his knees in the Army Reserves. His career wound through the Boy Scouts, New York State Assembly political campaigns, and CEO roles at multiple United Way chapters, along with authoring a leadership book for nonprofit executives. Alan came into USPSA in July 2024 during a turbulent period and immediately focused on the fundamentals: getting the finances under control, opening the books, and establishing structure. Two years in, membership has grown roughly 20% (from around 38,000 to over 46,000), quarterly unaudited financials are posted publicly, and initiatives like the new $35 junior membership, a scholarship bumped from $500 to $2,500, the club referral program, and a resource manual for clubs are all live. Alan previewed the first-ever annual Report to the Membership on August 5 at 8 PM Eastern — a virtual meeting where the board will answer grouped member-submitted questions and share audited financials. Discussion also touched on multi-year national dates being planned for 2027-2029, potential reduced nationals fees for juniors, and Steel Challenge's growth trajectory. Alan closed by emphasizing that the atmosphere has shifted from "sky is falling" to forward momentum, with a goal of eventually reaching 100,000 members while keeping the sport family-friendly and fun.Elevate your game with our trusted partners:Right To Bear Use Code HuntersHD10 When you sign up part of your contribution will go back to the Shooting Sports. Get Carry Insurance with a Company that Supports the Shooting Sports. IWI Use Code HDG15 for 15% off your order RealAvid Use Code RAHHDG for 10% off your order Ghost HolsterUSA Use Code HuntersHD 15% offJessie James JJFU Coffee Use Code HuntersHD for 5% offACE Virtual Shooting Use Code HHDG for 10% off your subscription and physical handset.Imperium Roots Use Code HuntersHD for 20% offSpeed Beez Use Code HuntersHD for 10% offDiscover the world of competitive shooting sports through the eyes of industry leaders, top athletes, and match directors in the Behind the Lens Podcast, hosted by Brian Conley of Hunters HD Gold. Delve into captivating conversations that reveal the passion, dedication, and skill that define the shooting sports community. Brian, a steadfast supporter of the shooting sports, brings unique insights and expertise to each episode. Uncover the latest trends, techniques, and stories from the people who shape the shooting sports landscape. Join us as we explore the dynamic world of competitive shooting, the shooting industry, and the remarkable individuals who make it all possible.Hunters HD Gold Links:Website: https://huntershdgold.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/huntershdgold/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HuntersHDGoldYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCBWH4kOqaX-x34uYOviQ-tgUnited States Practical Shooting Association Official Eyewear: https://uspsa.orgSteel Challenge Shooting Association Official Eyewear: https://scsa.orgMetal Madness Official Eyewear: https://...

3d6 DTL dives head-first into Brad Kerr's OSE Quick Delve Against the Horselord in our first recorded in-person session! Arson! Unnecessary taxidermy! Patricidal mandolin pluckers! Very sudden trees! - Against the Horselord was written by Brad Kerr.Purchase it here.- The adventure uses Old-school Essentials, by Necrotic Gnome. It is a restatement of the classic fantasy role-playing rules from 1981. Check it out here.- This episode was filmed live at Between Two Cons, organized by Yochai Gal, Brad Kerr, and Sam Mimeli of the Between Two Cairns podcast. Check it out here.- Explore more 3d6 Down the Line at our official website! Access character sheets, maps, past campaigns, and lots more! - Listen to the audio podcast version on all major podcatchers, including:Spotify Apple Podcasts Podbean- Support our Patreon , and enjoy awesome benefits! - Purchase Feats of Exploration , an alternate XP system for old-school D&D-adjacent games! - Grab some 3d6 DTL merchandise! - Join our friendly and lively Discord server! - Maps used in the channel banner by *Dyson Logos* .- Intro music by *Muzaproduction*.

Brian sits down with Carmen Lout for a wide-ranging conversation about her remarkable journey through competitive shooting, dog training, skydiving, and bodybuilding. Carmen shares how she got started with firearms in her 30s while living in Atlanta, transitioned from IDPA to USPSA and eventually 3-gun, and became a range officer within six months of joining the sport. Despite battling lifelong knee problems and multiple surgeries, she's built an impressive resume that includes over 1,000 skydives, training search-and-rescue canines (including her dog Tyr now serving with Harris County Sheriff's Office in Houston), and — most recently — stepping onto the bodybuilding stage at age 50. Now living in Myrtle Beach and working in contract manufacturing, Carmen is easing back into competitive shooting while balancing powerlifting events and fitness shows. Throughout the episode, she reflects on the "two-mile dirt road" philosophy of welcoming newcomers into intimidating spaces like gun ranges and gyms, the importance of learning the rules to protect the sport, and her belief that inspiring others — especially women — is what drives everything she does.Elevate your game with our trusted partners:Right To Bear Use Code HuntersHD10 When you sign up part of your contribution will go back to the Shooting Sports. Get Carry Insurance with a Company that Supports the Shooting Sports. IWI Use Code HDG15 for 15% off your order RealAvid Use Code RAHHDG for 10% off your order Ghost HolsterUSA Use Code HuntersHD 15% offJessie James JJFU Coffee Use Code HuntersHD for 5% offACE Virtual Shooting Use Code HHDG for 10% off your subscription and physical handset.Imperium Roots Use Code HuntersHD for 20% offSpeed Beez Use Code HuntersHD for 10% offDiscover the world of competitive shooting sports through the eyes of industry leaders, top athletes, and match directors in the Behind the Lens Podcast, hosted by Brian Conley of Hunters HD Gold. Delve into captivating conversations that reveal the passion, dedication, and skill that define the shooting sports community. Brian, a steadfast supporter of the shooting sports, brings unique insights and expertise to each episode. Uncover the latest trends, techniques, and stories from the people who shape the shooting sports landscape. Join us as we explore the dynamic world of competitive shooting, the shooting industry, and the remarkable individuals who make it all possible.Hunters HD Gold Links:Website: https://huntershdgold.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/huntershdgold/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HuntersHDGoldYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCBWH4kOqaX-x34uYOviQ-tgUnited States Practical Shooting Association Official Eyewear: https://uspsa.orgSteel Challenge Shooting Association Official Eyewear: https://scsa.orgMetal Madness Official Eyewear: https://...

What you need to know about nutrition: A conversation with a dietitian Join Ry and guest Mel a clinical registered dietitian specializing in mental health and working in gut health specifically for IBS and SIBO, in this episode of "Take Care of Your Body By Ry" as they delve into all things nutrition. From discussing how to nourish your body to tips on improving your relationship with food, Delve into the crucial role dietitians play in individuals' lives, unraveling the significance of their expertise in guiding our nutritional choices. Explore the profound impact of nutrition on our overall health, uncovering the interconnectedness of physical and mental well-being. Get ready to be empowered to make informed decisions about your health and witness the transformative power of nourishing your body from within. Tune in for an enlightening discussion that will leave you inspired to embark on a journey towards a healthier, more balanced lifestyle. (9+) Instagram

What you need to know about nutrition: A conversation with a dietitian Join Ry and guest Mel a clinical registered dietitian specializing in mental health and working in gut health specifically for IBS and SIBO, in this episode of "Take Care of Your Body By Ry" as they delve into all things nutrition. From discussing how to nourish your body to tips on improving your relationship with food, Delve into the crucial role dietitians play in individuals' lives, unraveling the significance of their expertise in guiding our nutritional choices. Explore the profound impact of nutrition on our overall health, uncovering the interconnectedness of physical and mental well-being. Get ready to be empowered to make informed decisions about your health and witness the transformative power of nourishing your body from within. Tune in for an enlightening discussion that will leave you inspired to embark on a journey towards a healthier, more balanced lifestyle. (9+) Instagram

Explore the vital connection between gut health and overall well-being as host Myrna Young engages with Dr. Michael Biamonte, founder of the Biamonte Center for Clinical Nutrition. Delve into the world of supplementation, uncover why standard approaches often fail, and learn about the role of candida in gut health. Dr. Biamonte shares insights on personalized nutritional testing, the environmental impact on health, and the significance of understanding supplementation needs. Tune in to discover how to achieve true health balance.About the Guest:Dr. Michael Biamonte is the founder of the Biamonte Center for Clinical Nutrition. With over 30 years of clinical practice, Dr. Biamonte is a pioneer in advanced nutritional testing. He utilizes aerospace-level technology in human health to uncover reasons why so many people remain ill despite seemingly doing everything right. Dr. Biamonte's extensive research and innovative methodologies focus on accurately diagnosing supplementation needs, nutritional deficiencies, and the impact of these factors on gut health and overall well-being.Episode Summary:As a visionary in his field, Dr. Biamonte introduces listeners to the intricate connections between supplementation, nutritional deficiencies, and the gut-brain axis. The discussion provides profound revelations on the effective use of supplements, why conventional approaches might often miss the mark, and the astounding role the gut plays as a "second brain" in maintaining health.Dr. Biamonte shares his in-depth research on the often unrecognized perils of unbalanced supplementation, emphasizing the dual necessity of genetic and functional testing to decipher the true nutritional needs of individuals. Highlighting the significant toxicity challenges brought on by modern environments, Dr. Biamonte offers a provocative perspective on health interventions, underscored by his extensive experience and groundbreaking work in applying aerospace-derived technologies to human health assessments.Key Takeaways:The Gut as the Second Brain: The gut's role extends beyond digestion, significantly influencing mental health and overall well-being. Its microbiome balances are crucial in maintaining health.Dangers of Unchecked Supplementation: Taking supplements without proper testing can lead to more harm than good, creating imbalances and possibly triggering adverse effects.Candida's Hidden Threats: Commonly associated with yeast infections, Candida in the gut is a frequently overlooked catalyst for various disorders, articulating a need for specialized treatment and recognition.Advanced Testing for Personalized Health: Utilizing both genetic and functional testing can identify specific health predispositions and present deficiencies, promoting more targeted and effective health interventions.Environmental Toxins and Health: Modern environmental toxins play a significant role in health challenges, underscoring the necessity of comprehensive detoxification as a facet of medical treatment.Timestamp Summary0:00 Exploring the Gut-Mind Connection and Nutritional Imbalances6:13 Balancing Zinc and Copper for Prostate Health9:02 The Importance of Personalized Supplementation and Functional Medicine17:59 The Impact of Environmental Toxins on Health and Autism21:26 Candida's Impact on Gut Health and Mind Connection28:10 Aerospace Technology and Advanced Algorithms in Health Diagnostics29:38 Overcoming Candida: A Journey to Permanent Solutions35:31 Identifying Candida Through Symptoms and Timeline Analysis38:03 Understanding Candida Treatment and Its Impact on Health41:03 Exploring Sleep Issues and Hormone Testing with Dr. Biamante44:00 Exploring Health, Supplements, and the Gut-Mind ConnectionSponsors of this episodePartner with the Transform Your Mind podcast Your brand is featured through:• A CEO or expert interview that positions you as a thought leader• Host-read pre-roll and mid-roll ads woven naturally into other episodes• And long-term visibility across our full media ecosystem: TV, Radio, Podcast, YouTube, streaming To explore a brand partnership, visit https://myhelps.us/partner/Enhance your health from within. N1o1 Nitric Oxide Lozenges are designed to naturally restore your body's nitric oxide levels, supporting circulation, energy, and vitality. Backed by groundbreaking .N1o1 Nitric Oxide LozengesNitric Oxide Activating SerumN.O. Beetz Nitric Oxide Supplement https://tidd.ly/4leyRaPGet 10% off with coupon code "transform"See this video on The Transform Your Mind YouTube Channel https://www.youtube.com/@MyhelpsUs/videosTo see a transcripts of this audio as well as links to all the advertisers on the show page https://myhelps.us/Follow Transform Your Mind on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/myrnamyoung/Follow Transform Your mind on Facebookhttps://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063738390977Please leave a rating and review on iTunes https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/transform-your-mind/id1144973094Feedspot Top 100 Mental Health Podcast For sponsored Brand interviews and sponsorship inquires please visit Partner With The Transform Your Mind Podcast | Myrna Young Life Coach

Explore the unexpected benefits of financial worries with host Phillip Ramsey on the Uncommon Wealth Podcast. Delve into how managing money wisely can uncover personal growth and offer a deeper sense of security. Phillip contrasts everyday financial challenges with the immense pressure faced by trillionaire Elon Musk, highlighting that financial abundance might not be the ultimate goal. Discover why embracing financial anxieties can lead to a richer, more intentional life, and learn how these experiences contribute to an uncommon path filled with gratitude and personal development.

In this sermon by Chris Montgomery, explore the significance of cities from a spiritual viewpoint. Delve into the historical and biblical context of urban centers, their cultural influence, and their role as spiritual battlegrounds. Learn how Christians are called to engage with and transform their cities, spreading the culture of heaven in their communities. This message encourages believers to live commissioned lives, embodying the word of God and fostering relationships that reflect their faith.

This is one of the oldest stories I ever thought up, younger only than Lawton. But the first draft from the early 2010s was always far too rough to release, and had been outgrown by the time I began recording and releasing stories here. This month, I wiped the slate and rewrote it from the ground up, and hopefully breathed new life into it. It's a Delve story, simple and providing only a glimpse of the things from below ground, as with a lot of early Delve stories. This was mostly an exercise in trying to write a truly short (less than forty minutes or an hour) horror story again, but this version still ended up nearly twice as long as that original rough draft from over a decade ago would have been.   It was hard finding a place to record this, as I've had a lot of unexpected travel come up this month, but I think I did well enough. Due to those difficulties, there's a place near the middle where the audio goes toaster mic mode for a minute or two due to some noise removal I had to do for background sound. While regrettable, it's short and will, as ever, serve to weed out the sort of pedantic people I don't want consuming the work anyhow, so I've left it in. The first draft of the South Sea Cycle horror novel is completely finished, and while it'll likely still be a month or two tinkering on it before I'm ready to record and release it, you might want to revisit those stories in the South Sea playlist if it's been a while. You certainly won't have to have read/listened to any of those older stories to understand and enjoy it, though.

Join Chris Montgomery in this insightful sermon as he explores the biblical stories of Eve and Cain to uncover the deeper issues behind sin and disobedience. Delve into the narratives from Genesis chapters 3 and 4, and learn how misapplication and misunderstanding of God's word impacted humanity. Discover the relevance of these lessons today and how they can guide us back to a God-centered life.

https://www.FKNpods.comUnearth the secrets of Plum Island's infamous animal-disease research facility in this gripping episode of "The Conspiracy Files with Paige Carter." Delve into the shadows of this restricted site, where official accounts of secure operations clash with reports of secret experiments, disease leaks, and unexplained outbreaks. Investigative journalist Paige Carter probes into sealed archives, redacted documents, and testimonies from insiders who defy the narrative of a strictly controlled environment. What lies beneath the surface of Plum Island, and what forces are at play to maintain its shroud of secrecy? As power structures and institutional control mechanisms come under scrutiny, we're left questioning the hidden truths that this island harbors.Journey through the tangled web of historical records and insider accounts that challenge Plum Island's narrative. From its post-war origins to its present-day operations under the Department of Homeland Security, this investigative deep-dive lays bare the contradictions and institutional secrecy that foster a culture of silence. Explore how financial channels and legal shields have fortified its operations against public scrutiny, leaving crucial questions unanswered. As we sift through the layers of power and secrecy that have guarded Plum Island for decades, the need for truth becomes ever more pressing.

In this episode, Dr. mOe Anderson and Kaylie Nitchie, CEO of Fuzzy Verify, a tool for verifying digital identities. Delve into the alarming rise of online dating scams and AI-generated deep fakes. Kaylie shares her personal experience with online deception and how it inspired her to create Fuzzy. They discuss the importance of online safety, the role of AI in fraud, and practical steps to protect oneself in the digital age. Quotes from Kalie: "I met somebody who I thought was just perfect on paper... everything was a complete and utter lie." "Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned... I'm so focused on the direction that I'm going and helping people stay safer online." "We need a persistent layer of identity... a universal standardization of what it means to be verified." Key Takeaways: Online dating scams are becoming increasingly sophisticated, often involving real-life interactions. AI deep fakes pose a new threat, making it easier to create synthetic identities. Fuzzy offers a verification badge that consolidates online and offline identities. Transparency and verification are crucial in exposing bad actors online. Legislation is slowly catching up to regulate online safety and protect users. Personal vigilance and using tools like Fuzzy can significantly reduce the risk of online scams. If this episode made you think differently about your digital life, share it with a friend and start that conversation. Be sure to subscribe, like, and share, so you never miss an episode of Perpetual Motion. And as always, change your words and change your world.   To find out more & the Fuzzy Watchdog Waitlist, go to FuzzyWatchdog.com Follow Kalie & Just Lookin' Out: YouTube: @justlookinoutpodcast IG: @justlookinoutpod IG: @kalienitzsche.    Would you like to be a guest on this podcast? Join Podmatch and get access to this show and 1000's of other podcast hosts looking for guests to interview. https://www.joinpodmatch.com/perpetualmoetionwdrmoeanderson    Learn more about Dr. mOe's services and books on her website at www.drmOeAnderson.com.  Follow her on social media!  @drmOeanderson Elevate your public speaking skills with 1x1 or online Public Speaking Coaching (https://drmoeanderson.com/coaching/) Feature your business on this award-winning podcast or book Dr. mOe for a speaking engagement! Contact her today! info@drmoeanderson.com   Please support this indie, woman-owned, small business providing free educational and inspirational content. Use one of these secure, fee-free ways to support the production and distribution of this award-winning show:  1. Buy Me a Coffee: https://buymeacoffee.com/drmoeandu 2. CashApp: $drmoeanderson 3. Venmo: @drmoeanderson      

Explore real firsthand stories of brutal revenge on those entitled individuals often referred to as 'Karens.' Delve into these intense narratives sourced from Reddit's vast collection of tales. Watch this next: Watch this next Connect with us on Instagram: Instagram and TikTok: TikTok ❓ Have a recommendation for stories to cover? Drop it in the comments! 00:00:00: Intro00:00:16: Story 100:13:00: Story 200:20:10: Story 3 #revenge #entitledKarens #Redditstories #horrorstories #realstories See show notes: https://inlet.fm/malevolent-mischief/episodes/6a335f5b0be0176341df7035 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Join Pastor Kent Christmas in this enlightening video as he explores the concept of peace, a universal yearning in today's turbulent world. Through a spiritual lens, Pastor Christmas discusses how true peace is not found in worldly possessions or circumstances but through faith and the teachings of Jesus Christ. Delve into biblical insights and discover how to find lasting peace in your life, regardless of external challenges. This video provides an inspiring message of hope and reassurance for those seeking tranquility and spiritual fulfillment.

The CEO of a $4 billion compliance company on how her biggest competitor was faking it, and what that means for AI startup culture.Christina Cacioppo, co-founder and CEO of Vanta, joins Eric Newcomer to talk about the scandal that shook the compliance world. Her $4 billion competitor Delve was caught pre-filling compliance reports without doing the actual security work — and customers had no idea. Christina explains how Vanta figured it out, why fake compliance is a better product experience than real compliance, and what happened to Delve's customers after the story broke.The conversation also covers the AI hype cycle and whether it is crypto 2.0, why AI is both the biggest threat and biggest tailwind for security companies, the broken VC equity social contract, and what it really takes to build a $4 billion company without losing sight of the fundamentals.Subscribe for weekly conversations with the founders, investors, and executives shaping the tech industry.

Chad Hyams and Bob Stewart host Mike Linares, an expert in health and longevity. Delve into aging, fatigue, brain fog, and the science behind reversing the aging process. Explore lifestyle strategies and supplements like NMN and NAD. Mike discusses the benefits and limitations of popular health trends such as cold plunges, saunas, and red light therapy, providing practical advice on living healthier. Discover the potential of fasting, glutathione, and stem cells. Mike Linares, a successful YouTube educator, shares insights from his work with Longevity Farms and Rejuvenate Peptides. Connect with Mike https://simplenursing.com/author/mike-linares/ https://www.instagram.com/mike.linares/?hl=en ---------- Connect with the hosts: •    Ben Kinney: https://www.BenKinney.com/ •    Bob Stewart: https://www.linkedin.com/in/activebob •    Chad Hyams: https://ChadHyams.com/ •    Book one of our co-hosts for your next event: https://WinMakeGive.com/speakers/   More ways to connect: •    Join our Facebook group at www.facebook.com/groups/winmakegive •     Sign up for our weekly newsletter: https://WinMakeGive.com/sign-up •     Explore the Win Make Give Podcast Network: https://WinMakeGive.com/   Part of the Win Make Give Podcast Network

Join us for a candid and humorous conversation covering aging, relationships, weekend activities, and practical life tips. Delve into personal stories, advice, and reflections on everyday life and health. Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Wine Talk 02:53 Aging and Beauty Standards 05:46 Weekend Recap and Family Activities 09:11 Upcoming Events and Celebrations 12:15 Home Improvement and Maintenance Issues 18:11 Grocery Shopping Adventures 30:08 Listener Questions and Podcast Interaction 30:36 Navigating Family Dynamics and Distance 36:29 Understanding Boundaries and Relationships 43:24 Communication in Marriage: Secrets and Conflicts 50:40 Anniversary Expectations and Relationship Milestones 57:53 Listener Questions: Advice and Insights

Send us Fan MailOne of the most common things people hear in sports, business, and personal development is, “Don't think about the outcome.”I understand why people say it. If you become obsessed with results, pressure can build quickly. You can lose focus, force things, and start worrying more about the future than what needs to happen right now.But I also believe something important gets missed when people say that.You need something to shoot for.You need vision.You need purpose.You need a target that inspires you to get out of bed in the morning and keep moving forward when things become difficult.When I was part of the New York Rangers, we absolutely thought about the outcome. From the first day of training camp, the goal was clear. We wanted to win the Stanley Cup.That vision mattered.It created belief inside the locker room. It gave players direction. It unified the team around a common purpose. Nobody walked into that season hoping to simply “see what happens.” We believed we could accomplish something special.But here is the key.After setting the goal, we put it aside.We did not wake up every day talking about lifting the Stanley Cup. We focused on what needed to happen that day. Practice. Conditioning. Recovery. Communication. Accountability. Film sessions. Competing in drills. Supporting teammates. Managing emotions. Preparing mentally and physically.The outcome gave us direction.The process gave us progress.That lesson applies to every part of life.So many people today either become obsessed with the result or they lose motivation because the result feels too far away. They focus so much on the future that they stop being present in the daily work that actually creates success.Championships are not built in one moment.Confidence is not built in one moment.Transformation is not built in one moment.It happens through consistent daily action.One workout at a time.One healthy decision at a time.One conversation at a time.One practice at a time.One choice at a time.The people who perform at a high level understand how to stay present while still keeping a larger vision in mind. They know how to separate goals from daily execution.That is where mindset becomes so important.Pressure often comes from living too far ahead mentally. You start worrying about whether you will succeed, fail, impress people, make money, win the championship, recover from adversity, or achieve your goals.Meanwhile, your power only exists in the present moment.The best athletes and performers are able to bring themselves back to the task directly in front of them.The next shift.The next meeting.The next rep.The next opportunity.That does not mean the goal disappears. The vision remains in the background as fuel and motivation. But your focus stays connected to preparation and execution.This is something I have seen repeatedly, both in sports and in life.The people who grow the most are usually the people who commit to the process without constantly needing immediate results. They trust the work. They understand that progress takes time. They know there will be setbacks, adversity, frustration, and moments where things do not go according to plan.But they continue showing up anyway.That is where real confidence comes from.Confidence is not just positive thinking. Confidence is built through preparation, repetition, resilience, and learning how to stay steady under pressure.Even during difficult moments on our Stanley Cup team, we did not panic and suddenly abandon the process. We trusted our preparation. We trusted each other. We trusted the work we had already put in.That mindset matters everywhere.In business, people often focus so much on the final goal that they burn themselves out chasing quick results.In health and fitness, people become discouraged because they do not see changes fast enough.In parenting, athletes, leadership, and personal growth, people sometimes expect overnight transformation.But meaningful growth rarely happens overnight.The process is where growth lives.The process teaches discipline.The process teaches patience.The process teaches resilience.The process teaches presence.And many times, when you fully commit yourself to the daily process, the outcome begins to take care of itself.That does not mean every goal will happen exactly the way you imagined. Life does not always work that way. But focusing on the process gives you the best possible opportunity to create success while also enjoying the journey along the way.At the end of the day, having a vision is important.Goals matter.Dreams matter.Outcomes matter.But after setting the goal, the challenge becomes learning how to return your attention back to the daily work required to get there.Stay present.Trust the process.Focus on what you can control.Keep showing up.That is how big goals eventually become reality.Discover the limitless potential of The Healthy Mindset Application (App) with our exclusive Application Assess, Educate, Coach approach. Begin your journey of personal transformation through The Healthy Mindset App Podcast, featuring meditations, breathing exercises, and invaluable coaching insights. Our methodologies cultivate a growth mindset, empowering you to adopt self-coaching practices while engaging in mindfulness and resilience building. Delve into personalized 1-on-1 coaching sessions with Mike Hartman through The Healthy Mindset Coaching On Demand, focusing on goal setting and confidence enhancement. Each participant receives a tailored Audio MP3 Debriefing based on their assessment, ensuring personalized guidance every step of the way. For inquiries about 1:1 coaching or speaking engagements, please email Mike@Hartman.AcademyBook A Session https://calendly.com/coachingondemand/performancemindsetcoaching?month=2024-05Healthy Mindset For Athletes & Workplace Athletes Workbook https://www.amazon.com/Healthy-Mindset-Athletes-Workplace-Everything-ebook/dp/B0B55CFSCJ 

Delve into the shadowy world of unsanctioned "bush track" racing and the significant risks it poses to horse welfare, jockey safety, and the broader U.S. equine industry. Julie Broadway is joined by AHC Legislative Affairs specialist Amanda Kadilak and intern Aditri Singh to discuss their multi-year investigation into these illicit operations. Additionally, this month's legislative report explores how current trade policies and tariffs are directly impacting the economic landscape for horse owners and businesses.HORSES IN THE MORNING Episode 3963 –Show Notes and Links:Your Hosts: Julie Broadway (President) and Emily Stearns (Health, Welfare, and Regulatory Affairs Liaison) of the American Horse CouncilSponsors: Populous and SmartEquineSubscribe to the American Horse Council Podcast - Search American Horse Council Podcast on your podcast player.Guest: Amanda Kadilak, Government Affairs Liaison for the AHCGuest: Aditri Singh, Intern for AHCFollow Horses In The Morning on FacebookFollow the American Horse Council on Facebook, Instagram and X (formerly Twitter)Time Stamps:01:06 - Bush tracks explained03:00 - Guest introductions06:00 - Scale of bush tracks08:24 - Research and legal gaps12:16 - Disease spread and EIA16:00 - Impact on sanctioned racing19:01 - Agencies and strategy22:19 - Enforcement examples24:35 - Cultural and community angle25:30 - What listeners can do27:54 - Smart Equine sponsor + tariffs topic31:36 - Hay and live horse trade38:50 - Tariffs, prices, and wrap-up

Delve into the shadowy world of unsanctioned "bush track" racing and the significant risks it poses to horse welfare, jockey safety, and the broader U.S. equine industry. Julie Broadway is joined by AHC Legislative Affairs specialist Amanda Kadilak and intern Aditri Singh to discuss their multi-year investigation into these illicit operations. Additionally, this month's legislative report explores how current trade policies and tariffs are directly impacting the economic landscape for horse owners and businesses.HORSES IN THE MORNING Episode 3963 –Show Notes and Links:Your Hosts: Julie Broadway (President) and Emily Stearns (Health, Welfare, and Regulatory Affairs Liaison) of the American Horse CouncilSponsors: Populous and SmartEquineSubscribe to the American Horse Council Podcast - Search American Horse Council Podcast on your podcast player.Guest: Amanda Kadilak, Government Affairs Liaison for the AHCGuest: Aditri Singh, Intern for AHCFollow Horses In The Morning on FacebookFollow the American Horse Council on Facebook, Instagram and X (formerly Twitter)Time Stamps:01:06 - Bush tracks explained03:00 - Guest introductions06:00 - Scale of bush tracks08:24 - Research and legal gaps12:16 - Disease spread and EIA16:00 - Impact on sanctioned racing19:01 - Agencies and strategy22:19 - Enforcement examples24:35 - Cultural and community angle25:30 - What listeners can do27:54 - Smart Equine sponsor + tariffs topic31:36 - Hay and live horse trade38:50 - Tariffs, prices, and wrap-up

Before my open heart surgery, I realized something very important. You can't always control the situation, but you can control how you prepare mentally for it.There were definitely moments of fear, uncertainty, and a lot of unknowns. What helped me most was going back to the same mindset tools I've taught athletes, executives, and teams for years.The first thing I focused on was deep breathing. Slowing my breathing down helped calm my body and clear my mind when things started speeding up emotionally.Visualization also became important. I kept picturing myself getting through surgery successfully, recovering, and getting back to the people and moments I love most. I thought about sitting at home with my dog Puffins, enjoying the simple things we often take for granted.Meditation helped me stay present. Instead of thinking too far ahead or getting lost in fear, I focused on one moment at a time, one breath at a time.Positive self talk mattered too. I reminded myself that fear is normal, but belief still matters. I kept telling myself to trust the process, trust the people helping me, and trust my mindset.Most importantly, I leaned into gratitude. I thought about family, relationships, purpose, and all the things still worth fighting for. That mindset helped carry me through some very difficult moments.These tools did not remove the challenge, but they helped me face it with more calm, clarity, and strength.Discover the limitless potential of The Healthy Mindset Application (App) with our exclusive Application Assess, Educate, Coach approach. Begin your journey of personal transformation through The Healthy Mindset App Podcast, featuring meditations, breathing exercises, and invaluable coaching insights. Our methodologies cultivate a growth mindset, empowering you to adopt self-coaching practices while engaging in mindfulness and resilience building. Delve into personalized 1-on-1 coaching sessions with Mike Hartman through The Healthy Mindset Coaching On Demand, focusing on goal setting and confidence enhancement. Each participant receives a tailored Audio MP3 Debriefing based on their assessment, ensuring personalized guidance every step of the way. For inquiries about 1:1 coaching or speaking engagements, please email Mike@Hartman.AcademyBook A Session https://calendly.com/coachingondemand/performancemindsetcoaching?month=2024-05Healthy Mindset For Athletes & Workplace Athletes Workbook https://www.amazon.com/Healthy-Mindset-Athletes-Workplace-Everything-ebook/dp/B0B55CFSCJ 

You don't rise to the occasion, you rise or fall to your level of preparation.This Memorial Day episode features reflections from figures like Chef Robert Irvine and Michelle Mace-Curren on military service and leadership. Delve into the deep driving forces behind dedication and self-sacrifice, exploring the critical role of preparation in overcoming impossible challenges.WHAT YOU'LL LEARN- Chef Robert Irvine's mission to help those lost- The reason behind a 30-year Air Force veteran's call for help- Why micromanaging doesn't constitute leadership- 4 principles for building strong, loyal teams- The significance of 1% of the US population serving in the militaryQUOTES THAT HIT"Because there are people out there that need my help." - Memorial Day "If you're worried about something right now that your worry will not affect, you're wasting your energy." - Memorial Day "My because is simply because we're temporary." - Memorial Day CHAPTERS00:03 Mick Unplugged: Your Because00:46 Chef Irvine's Because: Helping Others02:12 Tough Love and Relatability05:48 Overcoming Impossible: Start with Chapter One07:29 Empathetic Leadership: Beyond Micromanagement10:51 Military Service: A Daughter-in-Law's Journey17:03 My Because: A Free Nation22:43 Robert J. Ono's Because: Family28:02 Bin Laden Raid: The 90-Minute Flight32:31 Preparation: Master the Basics33:23 CZ Lopez: Purpose and Misfortunes43:17 Michelle Mace-Curren: Legacy and LeadershipQUESTIONS THIS EPISODE ANSWERSQ: What does Chef Robert Irvine consider his "because"?A: Chef Robert Irvine says his "because" is that there are people out there who need his help, and he uses his platform for the betterment of others who are less fortunate.Q: How does Michelle Mace-Curren define her "because" as an entrepreneur after military service?A: Michelle Mace-Curren finds her "because" in creating her legacy now, seeing the tangible inspiration in front of her eyes when she gives keynote speeches, and knowing that her work impacts people's lives.Q: Why is preparation essential for leaders, according to Robert J. Ono?A: Robert J. Ono emphasizes that leaders must be prepared for contingencies and master the basics, because "you don't rise to the occasion, you rise or fall to your level of preparation."Connect & Discover Our Memorial Day Heroes:Chef Robert Irvine Website: ChefIrvine.comChef Robert Irvine Instagram: @chefirvineRobert Irvine Foundation: RobertIrvineFoundation.orgJoAnne Bass LinkedIn: @jo-bassJoAnne Bass Instagram: @thejoannebassRob O'Neill Website: RobONeill.comRob O'Neill Instagram: @mchooyahCZ Lopez LinkedIn: @ramoncolonlopezCZ Lopez Instagram: @therealczcolonlopezMichelle "Mace" Curran Website: MaceCurran.comMichelle "Mace" Curran Instagram: @mace.curranReady to Unleash Your Inner Game-Changer? Mick Hunt's BEST SELLING book, How to Be a Good Leader When You've Never Had One: The Blueprint for Modern Leadership, is here to light a fire under your ambition and arm you with the real-talk strategies that only Mick delivers. Grab your copy now and level up your life: Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Books A MillionFOLLOW MICK ON:Spotify: MickUnpluggedInstagram: @mickunpluggedFacebook: @mickunpluggedYouTube: @MickUnpluggedPodcastLinkedIn: @mickhuntWebsite: MickHuntOfficial.comWebsite: howtobeagoodleader.comSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

THE FIGHT I NEVER EXPECTEDI'm sharing this story in hopes that it helps someone listen to their body, stop procrastinating, and realize how important health, relationships, and community truly are before it's too late.Three months ago, I went to New York City with my kids for the New York Rangers 100 year anniversary celebration. I was grateful to be included and reconnect with so many great people and memories. Just before all of this happened, I had the opportunity to speak to around 100 anesthesiologists and nurses about mindset, adversity, and perspective. At the time, I had no idea that only a short time later I would be in the hospital myself fighting through one of the biggest challenges of my life. Life can change fast. During the trip, I started feeling off physically, but honestly thought I was just exhausted or run down. Like many people, I tried to push through it and figured it would pass. When I got home, Cheryl could tell something was not right. She pushed me to go to the hospital and looking back now, Cheryl truly helped save my life along with Dr. T and the medical team. Doctors discovered a serious infection that turned into sepsis. Dr. T later told me that if I waited any longer, I may have only had a couple days left. The sepsis eventually spread to my mitral valve, which led to open heart surgery. Everything changed fast after that. I spent almost a month in the hospital. There were moments of fear, exhaustion, uncertainty, and times where I could barely communicate. I ended up losing over 30 pounds during the process. After leaving the hospital, I spent another month at home recovering with a midline in my arm for six weeks while continuing treatment and focusing on getting stronger again. People always talk about mental toughness. I would love to tell you I was mentally strong every second through all of this, but that would not be true. What I learned is that sometimes mindset is what keeps you fighting when the body feels exhausted. One of the biggest reasons I'm sharing this story is because I want to help wake people up so they do not make the same mistake I did. Too many people push through symptoms. Too many people procrastinate. Too many people think they will be fine and ignore signs that something may really be wrong. I almost waited too long. If something feels off, get checked out. Do not keep putting it off thinking it will just pass. Listen to the people around you who care about you. This experience also taught me there is nothing weak about leaning on others when life gets hard. Cheryl, my kids, my mother, father, brother, sister, uncle, Marty, my doctors, nurses, close friends, former teammates, and so many others carried me through one of the toughest times of my life. My teammates continuously checked in on me throughout the entire experience with support, encouragement, prayers, and messages that meant more than I could ever explain. Mark Messier said it best when he told me, “You dodged a bullet this time.” That really stayed with me. There are honestly too many people to thank individually, but this experience reminded me how important community and relationships really are when life gets hard. Dr. T, Dr. Michaels, Dr. Harley, and all the nurses were unbelievable. Their care and support during this fight meant everything to me. Now, three months later, I'm back doing a lot of conditioning and working hard to get myself back into a healthy lifestyle and better shape again. Step by step, I'm rebuilding my strength, gaining my weight back, and continuing to recover. After everything that happened, I feel more than fortunate to have a second chance at life.Life threatening moments remove the noise. You stop worrying about small things. You become grateful for simple moments again. Being home. Quiet mornings. Coffee. Time with people you love. This experience changed my perspective on life, and maybe sharing it can help somebody else before it is too late. I'll continue sharing stories, experiences, and conversations around mindset, adversity, gratitude, health, relationships, and what really matters in life. Sometimes the hardest moments teach us the most. Discover the limitless potential. Discover the limitless potential of The Healthy Mindset Application (App) with our exclusive Application Assess, Educate, Coach approach. Begin your journey of personal transformation through The Healthy Mindset App Podcast, featuring meditations, breathing exercises, and invaluable coaching insights. Our methodologies cultivate a growth mindset, empowering you to adopt self-coaching practices while engaging in mindfulness and resilience building. Delve into personalized 1-on-1 coaching sessions with Mike Hartman through The Healthy Mindset Coaching On Demand, focusing on goal setting and confidence enhancement. Each participant receives a tailored Audio MP3 Debriefing based on their assessment, ensuring personalized guidance every step of the way. For inquiries about 1:1 coaching or speaking engagements, please email Mike@Hartman.AcademyBook A Session https://calendly.com/coachingondemand/performancemindsetcoaching?month=2024-05Healthy Mindset For Athletes & Workplace Athletes Workbook https://www.amazon.com/Healthy-Mindset-Athletes-Workplace-Everything-ebook/dp/B0B55CFSCJ 

This Week In Startups is made possible by:Grasshopper Bank - https://grasshopper.bank/twistLinkedIn - https://linkedIn.com/twistNorthwest Registered Agent - https://northwestregisteredagent.com/twistPlaud - https://Plaud.ai/twist Why raise $200 million if you are already profitable? That's the question Jason and Alex put to Mercury's founder and CEO, Immad Akhund, after the entrepreneur raised another massive round for his upstart, technology-friendly bank. TWiST then welcomed Kled founder Avi Patel to discuss the startup he considers a clear ripoff of his own company. Jason gavels in verdicts on all parties involved, including Y Combinator and venture capital firm General Catalyst. The show closes with a news lightning round, including OpenAI's decision to offer $2 million in token credits to hundreds of startups.Guest Links:Mercury https://mercury.comMercury funding announcement https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260520511817/en/Mercury-Raises-$200-Million-Series-D-at-$5.2B-ValuationImmad Akhund on X https://x.com/immadKled https://www.kled.ai/Avi Patel on X https://x.com/avipat_/Avi's complaint https://x.com/avipat_/status/2055384102409253056General Catalyst https://www.generalcatalyst.com/Y Combinator https://www.ycombinator.com/Delve https://techcrunch.com/2026/04/23/another-customer-of-troubled-startup-delve-suffered-a-big-security-incident/Discussion links:Anthropic's attack on secondary trading https://techcrunch.com/2026/05/12/anthropic-warns-investors-against-secondary-platforms-offering-access-to-its-shares/Vanta https://www.vanta.com/twistTimestamps:0:00 Welcome to This Week in Startups!2:14 Plaud: If your work depends on conversations — interviews, meetings, calls — you need a Plaud NotePin. You can check it out at https://Plaud.ai/twist and use code TWIST for 10% off!3:27 Immad Akhund (Mercury) joins to discuss $200M raise6:33 Mercury's origin story and path to $650M run rate9:53 Northwest Registered Agent - Get more when you start your business with Northwest. In 10 clicks and 10 minutes, you can form your company and walk away with a real business identity — Learn more at https://northwestregisteredagent.com/twist14:23 Stablecoins: where they work, why Mercury won't launch its own20:13 LinkedIn - Thanks to our partners at LinkedIn! Post your job for free at https://linkedIn.com/twist then promote it to get access to LinkedIn Jobs' new AI assistant.22:38 AI agents, and the future of money movement27:30 Why Mercury raised less this round30:11 Grasshopper Bank - Time is money. Don't waste either. Go to https://grasshopper.bank/twist and get an exclusive $500 cash bonus just for opening an account.42:48 Avi Patel (Kled) joins to discuss copycat startups57:06 Jason's verdict on YC's hacker culture & "appearance of impropriety"1:17:39 Sam Altman's $2M-in-tokens-for-equity offer to YC founders1:24:32 NYC hotel housekeepers cross $100K in time under new union contract1:30:14 Minimum wage, immigration & the case for raising it slowlySubscribe to the TWiST500 newsletter: https://ticker.thisweekinstartups.comCheck out the TWIST500: https://www.twist500.comSubscribe to This Week in Startups on Apple: https://rb.gy/v19fcpFollow Lon:X: https://x.com/lonsFollow Alex:X: https://x.com/alexLinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexwilhelmFollow Jason:X: https://twitter.com/JasonLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasoncalacanisCheck out all our partner offers: https://partners.launch.co/Great TWIST interviews: Will Guidara, Eoghan McCabe, Steve Huffman, Brian Chesky, Bob Moesta, Aaron Levie, Sophia Amoruso, Reid Hoffman, Frank Slootman, Billy McFarlandCheck out Jason's suite of newsletters: https://substack.com/@calacanisFollow TWiST:Twitter: https://twitter.com/TWiStartupsYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/thisweekinInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/thisweekinstartupsTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thisweekinstartupsSubstack: https://twistartups.substack.com

Join Chad Hyams and Bob Stewart as they sit down with Mark Roberge, former sales leader at HubSpot and author of "The Science of Scaling." Delve into the nuances of effective selling, understanding customer value, and the art of scaling businesses using data-driven strategies. Roberge shares insights on the importance of customer retention metrics, social selling, and the evolving landscape of tech startups. Perfect for entrepreneurs eager to refine their approach and maximize growth while maintaining meaningful customer relations. Discover actionable strategies in sales and scaling, blended with personal insights on mental health. ---------- Connect with the hosts: •    Ben Kinney: https://www.BenKinney.com/ •    Bob Stewart: https://www.linkedin.com/in/activebob •    Chad Hyams: https://ChadHyams.com/ •    Book one of our co-hosts for your next event: https://WinMakeGive.com/speakers/   More ways to connect: •    Join our Facebook group at www.facebook.com/groups/winmakegive •     Sign up for our weekly newsletter: https://WinMakeGive.com/sign-up •     Explore the Win Make Give Podcast Network: https://WinMakeGive.com/   Part of the Win Make Give Podcast Network 00:00 Navigating Work Events, Disneyland, and Guest Introductions 04:28 Teaching Sales and Entrepreneurship at Harvard Business School 09:21 The Evolution and Strategy of Effective Social Selling 14:01 Identifying Retention Indicators for Business Growth 20:15 Scaling Businesses Through Strategic Growth and Profitability 23:51 Discovering Unique Value Through Customer Interaction and Feedback 30:51 Mental Health Advocacy Through Book Proceeds and Tech Evolution 34:48 Avoiding Common Pitfalls When Scaling a Business