Drafting of a plan or convention for the construction of an object or of a system; process of creation; act of creativity and innovation
POPULARITY
Categories
In this deeply reflective and expansive conversation, Darin sits down with poet, speaker, and consciousness explorer Adam Roa for a raw dialogue on creativity, stillness, identity, and the courage it takes to live from integrity instead of performance. From viral art and the pressure of platforms to darkness retreats, emotional sovereignty, and redefining success, this episode explores what it really means to listen inwardly in a world addicted to noise. This is not a conversation about answers. It's a conversation about asking better questions and trusting the quiet moments where truth lives. What You'll Learn in This Episode How art and creativity act as accelerators for human consciousness Why stepping back from visibility can be an act of integrity, not avoidance The emotional cost of constant output and public expectation What happens when identity dissolves and certainty disappears Why stillness, darkness, and solitude reveal what discipline cannot How to rebuild meaning when old belief systems fall apart The difference between inspired expression and performative sharing Why emotions are not obstacles — but the point of being human Chapters 00:00 – Welcome to SuperLife and the mission of sovereignty and conscious living 01:00 – Sponsor break: Truniagen 02:18 – Introducing Adam Roa and his global impact through poetry 03:10 – Why art reaches places words alone cannot 04:28 – First impressions of Adam's viral poem and emotional resonance 06:05 – How "You Are What You've Been Looking For" reached 250M+ people 07:18 – Art as permission to feel — and why healing requires emotion 08:27 – Why personal transformation must include the emotional body 09:32 – Serendipity, readiness, and owning your inner authority 10:31 – Seeing yourself on the stage before the invitation arrives 11:35 – Limiting beliefs and the illusion of needing permission 12:26 – Offering your gift freely — and the moment everything changed 13:19 – Preparation meets opportunity: why readiness matters 14:21 – Acting when something feels wrong in the world 15:43 – Fear, courage, and why confidence is built — not bestowed 17:31 – Why manifestation happens through action, not just meditation 18:33 – Why fear disappearing is actually dangerous 19:48 – Fear as proof that you care — the opposite of apathy 21:02 – Creating new realities instead of fighting reactive systems 22:50 – Sponsor break: Fatty15 and cellular health 26:31 – Creativity in the age of AI — amplification vs. outsourcing 27:26 – Repressed trauma and uncovering the roots of the self 28:45 – Creativity as pattern recognition and personal evolution 30:30 – Depression, breakups, and art as a pressure release 31:41 – Plant medicine as a doorway to childhood revelations 33:07 – Ayahuasca vs. Iboga: radically different spiritual journeys 35:11 – Why facilitation and container safety are critical 37:44 – The risks of unsafe ceremonial spaces and faux shamans 40:57 – The importance of indigenous-focused healing perspectives 42:44 – Finding the "doors" within through meditation and breathwork 43:55 – Building meaningful work without becoming noise 46:03 – Overcoming survival instincts from a premature birth 48:08 – Following the desire for hope, possibility, and solutions 49:55 – Meditation, gamma states, and stream of consciousness 50:49 – Visualizing the higher self and the glowing library 51:37 – SuperLife Patreon: deeper conversations and community 53:30 – Five days in complete darkness: stripping identity away 55:23 – Hearing the whisper of God beneath the mental noise 57:39 – Why the voice of the omnipresent sounds like your own 59:20 – Returning to the modern world and electromagnetic signals 1:02:04 – Choosing silence and authenticity over performative posting 1:03:54 – Integrity, vulnerability, and the dangers of unsafe platforms 1:07:38 – Creating from truth rather than chasing algorithms 1:08:27 – Crazy Love: journal entries on the messy arc of relationships 1:10:18 – Self-revelation: finding yourself reflected in the art 1:12:18 – Breaking the 12-year loop and choosing new patterns 1:13:51 – The iterations of love and the cycle of constant change 1:16:30 – Authenticity vs. the "Guru" facade of social media 1:19:41 – Art as a time capsule for past consciousness 1:22:31 – Triggers as access points for personal healing 1:23:43 – Giving yourself permission to play and be "unproductive" 1:26:12 – Life as a soul scavenger hunt guided by curiosity 1:28:24 – Reaching the breaking point and shifting from push to magnetism 1:29:58 – Investigating deep pain and the process of rebirthing 1:31:38 – Designing a collective society with intention 1:33:10 – Closing poem: "Heaven" — the courage to feel all of life 1:35:45 – Gratitude for the miracle of the next breath 1:37:34 – Digging for the love of life and turning the page to heal Thank You to Our Sponsors Truniagen: Go to www.truniagen.com and use code DARIN20 at checkout for 20% off Fatty15: Get an additional 15% off their 90-day subscription Starter Kit by going to fatty15.com/DARIN and using code DARIN at checkout. Join the SuperLife Community Get Darin's deeper wellness breakdowns — beyond social media restrictions: Weekly voice notes Ingredient deep dives Wellness challenges Energy + consciousness tools Community accountability Extended episodes Join for $7.49/month → https://patreon.com/darinolien Find More from Adam Roa Website: adamroa.com Instagram: @adam.roa Book: Crazy Love Find More from Darin Olien: Instagram: @darinolien Podcast: SuperLife Podcast Website: superlife.com Book: Fatal Conveniences Key Takeaway: "The most impactful thing you can do for the world is learn how to love life, all of it. Not by avoiding pain, but by having the courage to feel deeply, because contained within emotion is the very key that sets us free."
Before you blame yourself for that last bad decision, consider this: what if it wasn't a character flaw, but a design flaw in your hardware? This episode dives deep into the science of why humans make predictably irrational choices. We explore five critical pillars that govern our decisions: from the biological constraints of sleep, stress, and blood sugar, to the psychological traps of present bias and choice overload, the pervasive influence of social reinforcement, and the powerful impact of behavioral economics like the sunk cost fallacy. Topics discussed: - Bad decisions- Five pillars of decision-making- Biological constraints- Behavioral economics- Psychological glitches- Social & cultural reinforcement- Systems & environmental design- Designing environments for effortless good choices---------- My Live Program for Coaches: The Functional Nutrition and Metabolism Specialization www.metabolismschool.com---------- [Free] Metabolism School 101: The Video Serieshttp://www.metabolismschool.com/metabolism-101----------Subscribe to My Youtube Channel: https://youtube.com/@sammillerscience?si=s1jcR6Im4GDHbw_1----------Grab a Copy of My New Book - Metabolism Made Simple---------- Stay Connected: Instagram: @sammillerscienceYoutube: SamMillerScience Facebook: The Nutrition Coaching Collaborative CommunityTikTok: @sammillerscience----------“This Podcast is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute the practice of medicine, nursing or other professional health care services, including the giving of medical advice, and no doctor/patient relationship is formed. The use of information on this podcast and the show notes or the reliance on the information provided is to be done at the user's own risk. The content of this podcast is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment and is for educational purposes only. Always consult your physician before beginning any exercise program and users should not disregard, or delay in obtaining, medical advice for any medical condition they may have and should seek the assistance of their health care professionals for any such conditions. By accessing this Podcast, the listener acknowledges that the entire contents and design of this Podcast, are the property of Oracle Athletic Science LLC, or used by Oracle Athletic Science LLC with permission, and are protected under U.S. and international copyright and trademark laws. Except as otherwise provided herein, users of this Podcast may save and use information contained in the Podcast only for personal or other non-commercial, educational purposes. No other use, including, without limitation, reproduction, retransmission or editing, of this Podcast may be made without the prior written permission of Oracle Athletic Science LLC, which may be requested by contacting the Oracle Athletic Science LLC by email at operations@sammillerscience.com. By accessing this Podcast, the listener acknowledges that Oracle Athletic Science LLC makes no warranty, guarantee, or representation as to the accuracy or sufficiency of the information featured in this Podcast."
Are your goals outgrowing your daily discipline?In this episode, Kevin and Alan explain why most people fall short, not because they lack ability, but because their standards, systems, and execution are misaligned. Drawing from years of coaching experience and their own journey of building success from the ground up, they break down what it takes to develop focus, financial intelligence, emotional control, and long-term resilience in a world built for distraction.This conversation challenges comfort-driven thinking and replaces it with clarity, structure, and personal accountability. If you want results that last, this episode will reset how you approach growth. Do not just listen. Upgrade your standards and live them daily._______________________Learn more about:Alan's coaching, “Business Breakthrough Session.” Your first 30-minute call is FREE. This call is designed to help you identify bottlenecks and build a clear plan for your next level. - https://calendly.com/alanlazaros/30-minute-breakthrough-sessionTrack the Work. Earn the Results. To know more about the "Next Level Fitness Accountability Group," reach out via Instagram.Kevin: https://www.instagram.com/neverquitkid/Alan: https://www.instagram.com/alazaros88/_______________________NLU is not just a podcast; it's a gateway to a wealth of resources designed to help you achieve your goals and dreams. From our Next Level Dreamliner to our Group Coaching, we offer a variety of tools and communities to support your personal development journey.For more information, check out our website and socials using the links below.
Get the inside scoop on SXSW EDU 2026 as Mike Palmer sits down with Kayla Meyers from SXSW EDU to preview what's heading to Austin this March. From a reimagined city-wide footprint to the biggest podcast stage lineup yet, we're breaking down why this year is a must-attend for anyone in the education ecosystem. Kayla shares her journey from museum curator to the mastermind behind the conference's "impeccable vibes," offering a deep dive into the trends shaping the 2026 program. What we covered:
How and why would humans live far from stars? Explore deep space habitats, artificial suns, megastructures, and life beyond planetary systems.
How and why would humans live far from stars? Explore deep space habitats, artificial suns, megastructures, and life beyond planetary systems.
Oral airways have looked basically the same for nearly a century despite dramatic changes in patient populations, sedation practices, and monitoring standards. What if a simple design change could bring significant improvements to safety and efficacy? In this episode, CRNA John Brown and entrepreneur Jason Keen of Arete Medical Devices share the story behind a newly designed oral airway that aims to solve problems anesthesia providers have quietly worked around for decades. Here's some of what you'll hear in this episode:
Starting a law firm doesn't automatically make you a business owner—designing one does. In episode #600 of the Lawyerist Podcast, Stephanie Everett and Zack Glaser kick off a four-part series on how to design a law firm intentionally, rather than defaulting into a business you didn't mean to build. They unpack the biggest myths lawyers believe when starting a firm, why being a good lawyer isn't enough to create a sustainable business, and how relying on personal heroics instead of structure quietly traps firm owners over time. Stephanie breaks down the three constraints that cause most firms to struggle, the three distinct paths law firms can take, and the key questions lawyers should ask early to align their business model with the life and career they actually want. Listen to our other episodes on Law Firm Strategy & Business Design. #583 – From Survival to Strategy: Scaling Your Law Firm Finances, with Bernadette Harris Apple | Spotify | LTN #575 – From Overwhelmed Lawyer to Strategic Law Firm Owner, with Chad Fox Apple | Spotify | LTN #570 – Uncover Your Firm's Journey with the New Small Firm Scorecard™, with Stephanie Everett Apple | Spotify | LTN #568 – How to Build a Law Firm You Can Sell, with Victoria L. Collier Apple | Spotify | LTN Have thoughts about today's episode? Join the conversation on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, and X! If today's podcast resonates with you and you haven't read The Small Firm Roadmap Revisited yet, get the first chapter right now for free! Looking for help beyond the book? See if our coaching community is right for you. Access more resources from Lawyerist at lawyerist.com. Chapters / Timestamps: 00:00 – Introduction 01:15 – Why This Isn't About “Starting” a Law Firm 03:45 – The Biggest Myth Lawyers Believe About Firm Ownership 06:50 – Heroics vs. Structure 10:30 – The Three Constraints That Trap Law Firm Owners 12:45 – Every Firm Is Choosing a Business Model (Whether You Realize It or Not) 14:30 – The Three Paths Law Firms Take 18:55 – When Your Goals and Design Don't Match 20:55 – How Clients Actually Buy Legal Services 23:30 – What Breaks If Demand Doubles 25:00 – Clarity Beats Certainty 29:15 – What to Do in the First 30 Days 33:40 – Where to Go Next
In this episode of The Retreat Leaders Podcast, Shannon sits down with Dan Berger to talk about something the retreat industry doesn't discuss nearly enough: belonging. Dan shares his personal journey—from selling his event-planning software company for $100M, to grappling with his own sense of belonging, to ultimately creating Assemble Boise, a retreat and gathering space intentionally designed for human connection. Together, Shannon and Dan dive into: Why men are facing a serious belonging and mental health crisis How retreats can act as temporary communities that create lasting impact Why small, intimate spaces outperform big, flashy experiences How retreat leaders can design environments that feel safe, connective, and meaningful And why belonging—not content—is what people are actually paying for This is a grounded, honest conversation about the responsibility retreat leaders hold and the opportunity they have to create spaces that genuinely change lives. What You'll Learn in This Episode Why people aren't craving more content—they're craving connection How Dan's "belonging tank" framework applies directly to retreat design The four belonging personas every retreat leader should understand Why men's retreats and men's groups are more needed now than ever How intentional hospitality creates trust, safety, and transformation What post-COVID human connection really looks like (and why retreats are booming) Notable Concepts Discussed The "Belonging Crisis," especially among men Retreats as containers for community, not just experiences Small-group power vs. large-scale events Ethical considerations around AI and preserving human-made experiences Designing spaces that do the emotional work before the programming begins Email Dan to get a free copy of his book, or to book his amazing retreat center and get a 3rd night free: dan@assemblehospitality.com Buy Dan's Book here: https://amzn.to/4qvuyts About Dan Berger Dan J. Berger is the author of The Quest: The Definitive Guide to Finding Belonging, and the CEO of Assemble Hospitality Group. He previously sold his SaaS company, Social Tables, for $100M. He lives in Boise, ID with his wife and daughter. Connect with Dan here: https://assembleboise.com/ The Retreat Leaders Podcast Resources and Links: Learn to Host Retreats Join our private Facebook Group Top 5 Marketing Tools Free Guide Get your legal docs for retreats Join Shannon in Denver at the Retreat Industry Forum Join our LinkedIn Group Apply to be a guest on our show Thanks for tuning into the Retreat Leaders Podcast. Remember to subscribe for more insightful episodes, and visit our website for additional resources. Let's create a vibrant retreat community together! Subscribe: Apple Podcast | Google Podcast | Spotify ------- TIMESTAMPS Dan's Background and Journey (00:01:22) Dan shares his personal history, adoption, move from Israel, hospitality career, and founding a software company. Writing the Book on Belonging (00:02:01) Dan discusses writing his book about belonging and its self-help/academic approach. Importance of Belonging in Retreats (00:03:01) Shannon and Dan explore why belonging is central to retreats and how retreats foster community. Men's Groups and Community Building (00:04:10) Dan describes his men's group, its structure, and how it builds ongoing relationships. Men's Belonging Crisis (00:05:53) Dan addresses the challenges men face with belonging, emotional expression, and the need for safe spaces. Retreats as Solutions for Men (00:08:13) Discussion on how retreats can help men, and Dan's hesitation about hosting men's retreats. Benefits of Extended Retreats (00:09:10) Shannon explains the deeper impact of multi-day retreats versus short meetings. Belonging Frameworks for Retreats (00:09:48) Dan introduces two frameworks from his book: the "belonging tank" and four belonging personas. Book Offer and Belonging Differences (00:12:09) Dan offers a free book to listeners and discusses gender differences in belonging. Motivation for Opening a Retreat Center (00:13:59) Dan explains his shift from corporate retreats to opening a dedicated retreat facility. Design and Features of The Symbol Boise (00:17:25) Dan details the layout, amenities, and unique aspects of his Boise retreat center. Transparency and Marketing for Retreat Leaders (00:18:40) Shannon praises the clarity and marketing of Dan's facility for retreat organizers. Special Offer for Retreat Leaders (00:19:41) Dan shares a booking discount and explains the profitability and versatility of his space. Closing and Resources (00:21:00) Shannon wraps up, shares links to Dan's resources, and thanks him for joining.
She's back, and she brought her boldest advice yet. Vivian Tu, New York Times bestselling author and founder of Your Rich BFF, joins us to talk about her new book Well Endowed and why now is the time to rethink how you spend, save, and build the future you want. Vivian and Jean get real about what it means to be truly wealthy—not just financially, but emotionally and generationally. From burnout to budgeting to luxury trap purchases, this episode is your permission slip to stop spending for the wrong reasons and start aligning your money with what actually matters. What we're diving into: The “values detox” every spender needs How to know if that splurge is really worth your time Why premium doesn't always mean better (hello, MVP rule) What Vivian's learned from the vibrant, retired women in her Miami building How to design a retirement that's anything but tired Why estate planning is non-negotiable—even in your 30s Resources & Links:
Stay Connected Beyond the Podcast Subscribe to our Substack to get episode updates, event announcements, wellness tips, and personal thoughts from Marnie and Stephanie delivered straight to your inbox. If you love the show and want to support what we're building, consider a paid subscription for $30 annually. Your support helps fund podcast production and allows us to continue bringing you meaningful, high-quality conversations. https://theartoflivingwell.substack.com/ _______________________________________ We all say we don't have enough time - but what if the real issue isn't time at all, but how intentionally we're using it? In this timely episode, we explore how to stop letting life happen by default and start designing your days, weeks, and year with purpose. In this practical and reflective solo episode of The Art of Living Well Podcast®, hosts Marnie Dachis Marmet and Stephanie May Potter break down how to intentionally plan and design your time in 2026. From understanding where your hours are really going to building simple systems that support your health, relationships, and energy, this conversation focuses on sustainable habits - not overwhelm. Through real-life examples, personal experiments, and coaching insights, Marnie and Stephanie share actionable tools to help you step off the hamster wheel, reclaim your time, and create a year that actually feels good to live. _______________________________________ What You'll Learn in This Episode: ● How intention and systems matter more than motivation ● Why small, consistent habits outperform big goals ● How to design your year without overloading January ● The power of visual planning and seeing your year at a glance ● How to build habits in manageable 10-15 minute increments ● How to create anchors or buckets for health, work, relationships, and adventure ● Ways to reclaim time from distractions like phones and notifications ● Why flexibility and grace are essential when building new habits _______________________________________ Noteworthy Quotes from the Episode: ● "If you don't design your year, your year will design itself." - Marnie Dachis Marmet ● "If it's not on your calendar, it's not real." - Stephanie Potter ● "We don't rise to the level of our goals. We fall to the level of our systems." - Stephanie Potter ● "Motivation is not going to tap you on the shoulder and say today's the day." - Marnie Dachis Marmet ● "You are the only one who can make 2026 amazing for yourself." - Marnie Dachis Marmet ● "Small, consistent actions create momentum over time." - Stephanie Potter _______________________________________ Episode Breakdown with Timestamps: 00:00 - If you don't design your year, your year designs you 02:09 - The 8760-hour reality check where your time actually goes 03:40 - Why goals fail without systems (Atomic Habits logic) 06:55 - One habit every 90 days using the calendar method 08:24 - The 5-minute habit rule that changes your identity 17:02 - Three questions that decide how your 2026 will feel 21:36 - Non-negotiables and how to protect time for what matters Episode with Erin Newkirk: https://www.theartoflivingwell.us/blog/episode-10-learn-how-to-work-your-best-life-with-erin-newkirk _______________________________________ Our Favorite Wellness Support: Looking for a clean, plant-based boost for energy, focus, and immunity? We love ENERGYbits algae tablets - a simple, nutrient-dense superfood made from pure algae.
Andrew Hulbert built Pareto from scratch, scaled it to about £50M in revenue, and exited for around $100M, retiring at 37. But the most interesting part of his story is what happened next. In this episode, Andrew explains how he avoided the post-exit crash many founders experience by preparing himself personally, not just preparing the business. We talk about working with a business psychologist, the “Exit Island” concept, how he decompressed after closing, and why the things that looked like success (cars, status, noise) were far less fulfilling than reconnecting with his wife, kids, friends, and health. This is a practical, honest conversation for founders who are approaching an exit and wondering: Who am I without the business, and what comes next? We cover: preparing for exit mentally, clean exits vs earn-outs, identity after exit, relationship repair, health during the sale process, significance and meaning, and what Andrew would do differently if he built it again. Guest: Andrew Hulbert Host: Jerome Myers Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
In episode 558 of 'Coffee with Butterscotch,' the brothers dig into how community engagement is shaping the ongoing development of How Many Dudes, from reacting to feedback to refining what players latch onto. They talk about the role luck plays in getting eyes on a game, and how fast iteration helps them adapt when discovery, localization, or influencer interest suddenly spikes. The conversation centers on staying nimble, listening closely, and adjusting strategy as the game and the audience keeps evolving.Support How Many Dudes!Official Website: https://www.bscotch.net/games/how-many-dudesTrailer Teaser: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IgQM1SceEpISteam Wishlist: https://store.steampowered.com/app/3934270/How_Many_Dudes00:00 Cold Open00:26 Introduction and Welcome02:05 Demo Update for 'How Many Dudes'05:29 Analyzing Player Engagement and Discovery Queue06:51 Localization Strategies for the Chinese Market09:43 Cost Implications of Localization13:50 Reflections on Game Development Philosophy17:45 Execution vs. Concept in Game Design22:05 Iterative Development and Player Feedback29:47 Strategic Shifts in Game Development Approach30:54 Navigating Game Development Constraints33:27 Marketing Strategies and Market Gaps36:12 The Unpredictability of Entertainment Products40:17 Designing for Marketability and Engagement44:58 Adapting to Market Changes and Direct Sales49:15 The Role of Luck in Game Success54:21 Building a Resilient Game Development StudioTo stay up to date with all of our buttery goodness subscribe to the podcast on Apple podcasts (apple.co/1LxNEnk) or wherever you get your audio goodness. If you want to get more involved in the Butterscotch community, hop into our DISCORD server at discord.gg/bscotch and say hello! Submit questions at https://www.bscotch.net/podcast, disclose all of your secrets to podcast@bscotch.net, and send letters, gifts, and tasty treats to https://bit.ly/bscotchmailbox. Finally, if you'd like to support the show and buy some coffee FOR Butterscotch, head over to https://moneygrab.bscotch.net. ★ Support this podcast ★
#768 If you don't know where you're going, how will you ever get there? In this powerful lesson from Module 3 of the Build My Money Machine program, Choose Your Own 7-Figure Adventure, host Justin Williams explores the importance of personal clarity and how it directly fuels your path to entrepreneurial success. Using lessons from Alice in Wonderland, brain science, and Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs, you'll learn why most people are lost — and how to rise above the noise by defining your ideal life. From e-foils to business models, this episode is packed with stories, mindset shifts, and a practical visioning exercise to help you design your dream life and figure out what it will take to fund it. Let's get clear, get focused, and get ready to build! (Original Air Date - 6/5/25) What Justin discusses on today's episode: + Why most people lack direction + Power of personal clarity + Lessons from Alice in Wonderland + How the brain filters information + The Bader-Meinhof phenomenon explained + Maslow's Hierarchy and goal setting + Creating your ideal life vision + Aligning business with personality + Estimating the cost of your dream life + Designing a business like a game Watch the video podcast of this episode! Did you love this episode? Listen to Module 2 next! Ready to create a 7-figure business of your own? Go to BuildMyMoneyMachine.com to get started today! To get access to our FREE Business Training course go to MillionaireUniversity.com/training. To get exclusive offers mentioned in this episode and to support the show, visit millionaireuniversity.com/sponsors. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
In this episode of Builders Wanted, we're joined by Ann Rich, Senior Director of Design at Adobe. Kailey and Ann dive into the intricate world of product design where empathy drives innovation. They discuss the challenges and strategies in leading design at scale, how Adobe builds trust in the era of generative AI, and the importance of cross-functional collaboration. Ann shares insights on inclusive design, co-innovation with customers, and the evolving role of designers in creating user-centric and technologically advanced solutions.-------------------Key Takeaways:Successful AI-era design requires deep technical understanding alongside creative craft—designers must know the models and technology behind their interfaces to bridge human needs with AI capabilities.Speed and adaptability are essential as market paradigms can shift between conception and launch, requiring experimentation, customer co-innovation, and iterative validation over traditional research cycles.Design leadership gains influence by grounding decisions in data and user needs rather than aesthetic opinion, transforming design into a strategic driver in executive and engineering conversations.-------------------“ [Design] is really changing from a two-way model of communication and interaction to a three-way or more discussion. That's really thinking about it being a human, the interface they're working on, and then all of the things happening behind the scenes. In order for someone to be successful with what you're designing, designers have to start understanding the technology behind it. Because in order to deliver on the use case, you actually have to understand the technology and it will change the interface.” – Ann Rich-------------------Episode Timestamps:*(01:50) - Ann's mission at Adobe as a design leader*(08:15) - How trust factors into Adobe's design process*(16:53) - Ann's approach to inclusive design*(25:08) - What design teams should stop doing*(31:12) - A recent project that made a measurable difference for users*(39:06) - Ann's advice for designers looking to elevate their voice-------------------Links:Read Ann's Article How to Adapt Your Design Practice for the Age of Generative TechnologyConnect with Ann on LinkedInConnect with Kailey on LinkedInLearn more about Caspian Studios-------------------SponsorBuilders Wanted is brought to you by Twilio – the Customer Engagement Platform that helps builders turn real-time data into meaningful customer experiences. More than 320,000 businesses trust Twilio to transform signals into connections—and connections into revenue. Ready to build what's next? Learn more at twilio.com. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
What does it look like to build a career that blends technical mastery with creative freedom? In this episode of Wine After Work, Bryce sits down with Nicole Roe, founder of R. Nickson Interiors, to talk about her unconventional path from construction to couture-level interiors — and what it takes to carve your own lane in a male-dominated industry. With more than 15 years of experience across construction and design, and a degree in Building Construction from Georgia Tech, Nicole brings a rare blend of technical credibility and expressive creativity. She shares how her background allows her to design spaces that aren't just beautiful, but deeply functional and aligned with how her clients actually live. In this conversation, we cover: Transitioning from construction into high-end interior design Building confidence and credibility as a woman in male-dominated spaces Why understanding the full construction process changes how you design Scaling a boutique design firm with operational control (including launching a warehouse and receiving space) Designing homes that support real life, not just aesthetics Nicole also opens up about balancing entrepreneurship with motherhood, creativity with structure, and ambition with authenticity — all while raising four energetic boys and building a design brand that refuses to fit into a single box. If you're navigating a career pivot, building a business, or redefining success on your own terms, this episode will resonate. https://rnicksoninteriors.com/ https://www.instagram.com/rnicksoninteriors/
In manufacturing, the biggest constraint isn't labor, equipment, or margins. It's time! When you're crunched for time or feel like you're constantly fighting fires, you lose out on valuable opportunities for curious conversations and stronger connections. Overtime, this can lead to issues like communication breakdowns, slowed productivity, and a culture where people are burnt-out and not showing up as their best selves. In this episode, I'm joined by guest Brian Herriot to take a look into how manufacturing leaders can rethink work, leadership, and scheduling to build stronger team . . . without burning people out or lowering standards. Brian is an author and speaker who draws on his own successful business experiences to help others design clear, actionable small business and money management strategies and build their path toward sustainable freedom. He's also the author of the upcoming book Time Freedom: Rethink Your Work and Money to Create a Life You Love Now. In this episode, Brian uses his practical, human-centered approach to tackle topics like why traditional shift models are breaking down, how time freedom shows up on the shop floor, and what leaders can do right now to improve engagement, retention, and ownership. 02:10 – Frontline leadership must acknowledge that traditional manufacturing management models no longer align with modern workplace culture or employee engagement in manufacturing. 03:30 – Gen Z expects leadership in manufacturing plants to adapt to their lives, not the other way around 06:55 – Great manufacturing culture comes from seeing teams as humans first, not just labor inputs on the production line 09:10 –Employee ownership models and open-book management strengthen trust in leadership, manufacturing relationships, and accountability in manufacturing 11:25 – Manufacturing retention improves when leaders focus on team engagement in manufacturing rather than just output and efficiency 12:45 –Frontline leaders must recognize that many employees juggle multiple jobs and need coaching in manufacturing that supports life beyond the plant 14:10 – Flexible schedules, job sharing, and project-based roles can close the showing up gap while improving manufacturing innovation and retention 15:35 – Time Freedom as a Leadership Strategy Leadership transformation happens when manufacturing leaders design roles that allow experienced workers to scale back without fully exiting 18:55 –Helping employees understand their financial future reduces anxiety and strengthens employee engagement in manufacturing 22:35 –Deeper conversations about money, time, and work build emotional intelligence, vulnerability in leadership, and a stronger coaching culture Connect with Brian Herriot Learn more about Time Freedom Pre-order Time Freedom and use the code Trevor to get free access to the audiobook
In this powerful episode of the Dead America Podcast, host Ed Watters sits down with Tom Kubiniec, President and CEO of Secure It Tactical, to explore an extraordinary journey of reinvention, innovation, and fearless problem solving. Tom's story begins as a heavy metal guitarist profiled by Guitar Player Magazine in 1984, before chronic tendonitis forced him to walk away from music and rebuild his life from the ground up. What followed was an unlikely path into computer supply sales, hospital laptop security, and eventually a phone call from the FBI asking if he could store an “MP5”—which Tom initially thought was a laptop model. That moment launched him into the world of military weapon storage, despite having no firearms background at the time. By boldly claiming expertise where none existed, Tom spent 18 months surveying every Special Forces armory in America, documenting failures, and becoming the authority he said he was. This episode dives deep into the creation of the patented Cradle Grid system, a revolutionary design using one moving part to replace outdated bracket systems with 88–230 components. Tom also exposes hard truths about gun safe fire ratings, decentralized storage strategies, high stress access failures, and why most safes can be breached in seconds. Listeners will gain insight into: • How innovation is born from questioning everything • Why decentralized weapon storage offers tactical advantages • The myth of fire rated gun safes • Designing systems for fight or flight conditions • Building a company without a college degree or military service • Facing fear through land speed racing and extreme climbing This episode is a masterclass in entrepreneurship, engineering innovation, and resilience, showing how curiosity, courage, and relentless learning can redefine an entire industry. Keywords: Tom Kubiniec, Secure It Tactical, military weapon storage, Cradle Grid system, gun safe myths, decentralized storage, Special Forces armory, SEAL teams, firearms storage innovation, entrepreneurship, Inc Magazine fastest growing companies, land speed racing, overcoming tendonitis, Ed Watters, Dead America Podcast. 0:57 - From guitar player to CEO—how chronic tendonitis ended a music career and started a business odyssey 2:15 - The telemarketing grind and building the first company in a Panorama City apartment 5:12 - Creating taperac.com in the late 90s and becoming a major player in hospital laptop security 6:45 - "Can you store an MP5?"—The FBI call that changed everything 8:47 - Walking into Fort Bragg with zero military experience to pitch Special Forces Command 10:15 - "I'm considered the leading authority"—claiming expertise that didn't exist yet 12:27 - Training with the best shooters in America after never owning a gun until 2008 16:14 - Why decentralized storage beats one big safe—thieves spend 9 minutes in your house 17:19 - The master bedroom is the LEAST secure room in your home 23:26 - Why lightweight modular safes make more sense than 1800-pound monsters 23:39 - Fire ratings are fake—the biggest scam in the gun safe industry 31:36 - Ammunition storage—why putting ammo in sealed safes creates pipe bombs 36:08 - If your ammo's been in a fire, throw it away—ballistics change and barrels can blow 37:16 - The Cradle Grid system—Home Depot development and one moving part 40:27 - "Question everything, build better solutions, never settle for good enough" 43:51 - Land speed racing at Bonneville—hitting 172 mph in a 750cc car and going for 220 49:59 - "At 172, my helmet was pinned to the roll cage from vibration—I couldn't read the dash" 52:26 - The greatest days of your life are when you work through your fears 55:15 - Ice climbing Mount Athabasca—the voice that said "it's worth it" at 2,000 feet 1:01:48 - No college degree required at Secure It—military experience beats a master's degree 1:06:52 - Fail fast—"Nobody screws up more stuff than I do in this company" 1:08:40 - Building memories vs. playing video games—how to make time move slower 1:13:43 - Solving chronic tendonitis after three years unable to golf or play guitar Website https://www.secureitgunstorage.com/ Social media links LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tomkubiniec/ FB: https://www.facebook.com/gunstorage/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/SecureItGun... #TomKubiniec #SecureItTactical #DeadAmericaPodcast #EdWatters #EntrepreneurJourney #InnovationMindset #MilitaryEngineering #ProblemSolving #BuiltNotBorn #IndustryDisruptor #LeadershipStories #ResilienceMindset
Are your meetings indistinguishable from 1940s wartime sabotage tactics? You're not alone. In this episode, Rebecca Hinds, author of Your Best Meeting Ever: Seven Principles for Designing Meetings That Get Things Done, reveals why corporate meetings have become the single most dysfunctional practice in modern organizations—and how to fix them. Brandon and Rebecca explore a radical idea: what if we treated meetings like products, applying the same design principles that make great products great? From "meeting doomsday" (a complete calendar reset) to Amazon's study hall approach, Rebecca shares actionable strategies that organizations like Slack, Dropbox, and Shopify have used to declare war on meeting bloat. You'll discover why double-booking has become a toxic badge of honor, how the visibility bias makes us associate presence with productivity, and why crowdsourcing your agenda using the "Dory method" can transform boring monologues into engaging collaboration. Rebecca also tackles the AI paradox—why more meeting bots might be making your meetings worse, not better—and shares the "iron rule" that every leader needs to embrace. If you've ever walked out of a meeting wondering what you just accomplished (or why you were even there), this episode is your blueprint for change. Don't miss Rebecca's insights on why meetings are the most important—and least optimized—product in your organization. KEY TIMESTAMPS 00:01 - Introduction and welcome to Rebecca Hinds 00:08 - Brandon introduces Rebecca's book Your Best Meeting Ever: Seven Principles for Designing Meetings That Get Things Done 00:24 - Rebecca explains why meetings are the most important yet least optimized product in organizations 00:58 - The fascinating 1943 OSS sabotage manual story: how wartime meeting sabotage tactics mirror modern corporate meetings 01:33 - Why we use meetings as a "lazy substitute for smart thinking and real work" 03:24 - The toxic "badge of honor" culture: why busyness in meetings signals importance but kills productivity 04:08 - What does it mean to treat meetings like a product? Introduction to the seven product design principles 04:18 - Meeting debt explained: How meetings accumulate technical debt just like software products 05:57 - Meeting Doomsday: The 48-hour calendar cleanse and complete reset strategy 06:13 - Case studies: How Slack, Dropbox, and Shopify implemented organization-wide calendar purges 08:05 - The IKEA effect: Why employee involvement in rebuilding calendars creates lasting change 26:15 - Amazon's study hall approach: How six-page memos and silent reading time revolutionize high-stakes meetings 27:19 - Fighting boring meetings: The Dory method for crowdsourcing agendas 27:37 - User-centric meeting design: Why the organizer and biggest talker are the most satisfied (and why that's a problem) 29:28 - The automation paradox: Why AI and meeting bots might be making bad meetings worse 29:57 - Calm technology: The right way to integrate AI into meetings without letting bots outnumber humans 32:12 - The iron rule of meetings: Treating attendees' time as more valuable than your own 33:39 - Where to find Rebecca's book and connect with her work 34:09 - Closing and final thoughts A QUICK GLIMPSE INTO OUR PODCAST Podcast: Transform Your Workplace, sponsored by Xenium HR Host: Brandon Laws In Brandon's own words: "The Transform Your Workplace podcast is your go-to source for the latest workplace trends, big ideas, and time-tested methods straight from the mouths of industry experts and respected thought-leaders." About Xenium HR Xenium HR is on a mission to transform workplaces by providing expert outsourced HR and payroll services for small and medium-sized businesses. With a people-first approach, Xenium helps organizations create thriving work environments where employees feel valued and supported. From navigating compliance to enhancing workplace culture, Xenium offers tailored solutions that empower growth and simplify HR. Whether managing employee relations, payroll processing, or implementing impactful training programs, Xenium is the trusted partner businesses rely on to elevate their workplace experience. Discover how Xenium can transform your workplace: Learn more Connect with Brandon Laws: LinkedIn | Instagram | About Connect with Xenium HR: Website | LinkedIn | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | YouTube
On this episode of Inside the Firm, how to win more work, then we have a new fed chair, and finally are young, laid off, or can't find a job then join us as we go back Inside the Firm!
I‘m joined today by a legend of from the world of architecture, Abdel Wahed El Wakil. I sat down with him a couple of weeks ago in Doha, where he now lives, to document his incredible journey, his vision for architecture as an industry, and Islamic architecture in particular. Abdel Wahed has designed buildings around the world, including in Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Paris and London. He also studied and worked under his mentor, Hassan Fathy, an architecture legend in his own right. We'll be continuing our conversation next week, where Abdel Wahed tells me about the evolution of architecture and materials, so stay tuned! This episode is brought to you by: EFG Hermes One, your one app for investing in more than 35 stock markets worldwide. Star Investing today! Azza Fahmy Jewellery Chapters: 0:00 Coming up 10:42 Architecture's Purpose 19:10 Materialism vs Spirituality 23:21 Cultural Revolution 26:34 Designing for the Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies 37:58 Reviving Community Spaces 41:40 Lightning Round Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
In the late 2000s, two French mountain athletes set out to build a running shoe that captured the feeling of flying. Jean-Luc Diard and Nicolas “Nico” Mermoud had spent decades inside the innovation engine at Salomon—where product was obsession. In 2007, as Nico recovered from a brutal ultramarathon around Mont Blanc, the founders fixed on a problem that Big Footwear didn't care about: downhill running was destroying bodies. Their solution: make the shoe bigger, softer, and shaped like a rocker.At first, their prototypes looked like clown shoes. Runners who preferred minimalist footwear laughed at them. Retailers said no. But the founders kept doing the one thing that they knew could reverse things: they made people try them.HOKA went from under $3M in sales in 2012 to more than $2B a year—and in this episode, you'll hear how it happened: the risky design, the early cash crunch, and the strategic partnership that helped them win the U.S. market.What you'll learn:How to think of a shoe as a machine, not just a piece of apparelThe go-to-market weapon that worked: relentless demo-ing Why outside money can't always solve a cash flow bottleneck (and what does)How HOKA used performance proof to avoid being dismissed as a gimmickWhy HOKA partnered with Deckers—and why it wasn't just about capitalHow to keep a “rebel” mindset as competitors start copying youTimestamps:(Timecodes are approximate and may shift depending on platform.)[07:12] George Salomon's leadership lesson: the CEO who sought advice from an intern[11:11] Nico's first day at Salomon: testing ski prototypes on a glacier[18:42] The ultramarathon race where Nico's legs crumbled (and why)[21:29] A breakthrough insight: performance changes with surface (leaves, lava, snow)[31:25] Designing a sneaker as if it were a car: engine, tires, seat[40:00] The “clown shoe” prototype—and the first successful run [47:22] Elite runners kickstart the brand [49:02] The hard part nobody glamorizes: factory minimums, bank demands, anemic cash flow[53:31] Deckers enters: the minority investment that unlocks the U.S. (without killing the brand)Hey—want to be a guest on HIBT?If you're building a business, why not get advice from some of the greatest entrepreneurs on Earth?Every Thursday on the HIBT Advice Line, a previous HIBT guest helps new entrepreneurs work through the challenges they're facing right now. Advice that's smart, actionable, and absolutely free.Just call 1-800-433-1298, leave a message, and you may soon get guidance from someone who started where you did, and went on to build something massive.So—give us a call. We can't wait to hear what you're working on.***This episode was produced and researched by Rommel Wood with music composed by Ramtin Arablouei.It was edited by Neva Grant. Our engineers were Patrick Murray and Kwesi Lee. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
#766 What happens when a CRO expert ditches slides, skips keynotes, and bets big on human connection in a post-Zoom world? In this episode, host Brien Gearin welcomes back longtime friend and fellow Cincinnati native Sahil Patel, CEO of Spiralyze, for a conversation that goes beyond CRO and A/B testing. Sahil shares a behind-the-scenes look at why his team decided to launch their first-ever live event, Above the Fold, and what it really takes to plan an in-person experience that people are excited to travel for. From choosing the right location and audience to designing hands-on workshops, pricing tickets, and balancing sponsors without ruining the attendee experience, this episode is packed with practical insights for entrepreneurs and marketers considering hosting their own live event — whether for 10 people or 1,000! What we discuss with Sahil: + Why live events matter now + Craving human connection post-Zoom + Choosing the right event location + Designing workshop-only experiences + No slides, no keynotes philosophy + Attracting the right attendees + Inviting speakers with real reps + Pricing tickets strategically + Sponsors without killing the vibe + Creating a standout guest experience Thank you, Sahil! Check out Spiralyze at Spiralyze.com. Follow Sahil on LinkedIn and YouTube. To get access to our FREE Business Training course go to MillionaireUniversity.com/training. To get exclusive offers mentioned in this episode and to support the show, visit millionaireuniversity.com/sponsors. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Interior designer Julia Miller is back in the hot seat—and this time, we're diving into Brunel, her brand-new custom furniture line built on intention, style, and quarter-inch precision. We unpack what it's really like to get featured in Architectural Digest, why peer compliments hit different, and how designing homes is more like writing love letters than anything else. Also: a friendly PSA to never flip your designer's marble coffee table upside down. (Sorry again, Julia.) Support the show - https://www.curiousbuilderpodcast.com/shop See our upcoming live events - https://www.curiousbuilderpodcast.com/events The host of the Curious Builder Podcast is Mark D. Williams, the founder of Mark D. Williams Custom Homes Inc. They are an award-winning Twin Cities-based home builder, creating quality custom homes and remodels — one-of-a-kind dream homes of all styles and scopes. Whether you're looking to reimagine your current space or start fresh with a new construction, we build homes that reflect how you live your everyday life. Sponsors for the Episode: Pella Website: https://www.pella.com/ppc/professionals/why-wood/ Contractor Coalition Summit: Website: https://www.contractorscoalitionsummit.com/ Where to find the Guest: Website: https://www.yondinteriors.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yondinteriors Where to find the Host: Website - https://www.mdwilliamshomes.com/ Podcast Website - https://www.curiousbuilderpodcast.com Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/markdwilliams_customhomes/ Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/MarkDWilliamsCustomHomesInc/ LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-williams-968a3420/ Houzz - https://www.houzz.com/pro/markdwilliamscustomhomes/mark-d-williams-custom-homes-inc
With host retail coach Wendy Batten https://wendybatten.com/podcast-intro/ Episode Overview There is a retail trend I'm seeing that is growing across independent retail shops worldwide and I'm sharing all about it in this episode. Let's talk about analog wellness. So what exactly is it? I'm diving into just that in this episode: what it is; how customers are craving slower, more human experiences and how brick-and-mortar retailers are uniquely positioned to meet that need. I'll explain why this shift has little to do with what you sell and everything to do with how customers feel when they're in your shop. I'll share why this matters now, especially as people step back from constant screens, noise, and digital overload. Listeners will come away with a clearer understanding of how analog wellness shows up in retail, how it connects to hospitality and experience-driven sales, and why this approach strengthens loyalty, word of mouth, and long-term growth. Our Key Topics What analog wellness and analog wellbeing mean in a retail context Why customers are seeking slower, tactile, in-person experiences The role of brick-and-mortar shops as places to exhale and feel seen How experience and hospitality replace price-based competition Ways retailers are creating gathering spaces and community moments Why invitations and connection matter more than urgency or discounts Key Takeaways for Retailers on Analog Wellness Customers are craving calm, connection, and human interaction, not constant stimulation. Brick-and-mortar shops can serve as a third space beyond home and work. Experience and how customers feel now drive loyalty more than price. Small, intentional moments of hospitality can create lasting impact. Designing around customer feelings strengthens sales and relationships. "Analog wellness is not anti-technology. It is pro-human." -Wendy Batten This week, I would love for you to listen in and reflect on how your shop can become a place where customers slow down, feel seen, and want to linger. Are there ways you are already doing it now? Jump into my DMs on Instagram and tell me about it! Resources Mentioned and Related Episodes: Retail Sales & Marketing Accelerator (On-Demand)A practical course designed to help shop owners stop guessing and start making clearer, data-informed decisions around sales and marketing. Join my Love List! Episode 252: Creating a Culture of Hospitality in Your Retail Business with Guest Expert Stephanie Miller Vincent Episode 268: Awesome Isn't Accidental: Raising the Retail Standards in Your Shop About your host, Wendy Batten In case we haven't met…I'm Wendy Batten. I've been a small business owner, coach, and mentor for over 25 years. I help thoughtful, established entrepreneurs step into their role as CEO and build businesses that are profitable, meaningful, and supportive of the lives they want to live. My work blends real-world strategy with a life-first philosophy, shaped by lived experience, not theory. I've been there! Through honest conversations and practical insight, I invite you into bigger thinking about leadership, possibility, and how to build both business and life on purpose. For more support from Wendy Hang out and connect with Wendy on IG All of Wendy's current programs and services for shop owners can be found HERE. Never miss an episode! Subscribe to the Creative Shop Talk Podcast and get the tools, inspiration, and strategies you need to thrive as an independent retailer.Click here to subscribe to iTunes! Loved the episode? Leave a quick review on iTunes- your reviews help other retailers find my podcast, and they're also fun for me to go in and read. Just click here to review, select "Ratings and Reviews" and "Write a Review" and let me know what your favorite part of the podcast is. So grateful for you! Thank you!
This week on the pod, Jeremiah McCall returns to talk about the publication of his book, Designing History Games for Class. We also chat about his current educational designs, and about how he assigns game design projects to his students so that they learn more about history. https://gamingthepast.net/about/Register for Kathleen Mercury's course, Deep Dive by Doing: https://cmichpress.com/product/course-registration-for-deep-dive-by-doing/Beyond Solitaire is proudly sponsored by Central Michigan University's Center for Learning Through Games and Simulations, where learning can be both playful and compelling. Check them out here: https://www.cmich.edu/academics/colleges/liberal-arts-social-sciences/centers-institutes/center-for-learning-through-games-and-simulationsCheck out CMU's game offerings here: https://cmichpress.com/shop/All episodes of my podcast are available here: https://beyondsolitaire.buzzsprout.comEnjoy my work? Consider supporting me on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/beyondsolitaire or getting me a "coffee" on Ko-fi! https://ko-fi.com/beyondsolitaireContact Me: Email: beyondsolitaire at gmail.comTwitter: @beyondsolitaireInstagram: @beyondsolitaireFacebook: www.facebook.com/beyondsolitaireWebsite: www.beyondsolitaire.net
What does it take to stop avoiding pain and instead use it as a guide for rebuilding the body? The same movements that caused injury can heal it when performed slowly, partially, and with intention. "What we try to do is get people to understand that if you have pain, if you have a limitation, you don't stop doing the thing that hurt it. You do the thing that hurt it, slow, partial, light, take it down to the baby amount, the tolerable amount, and then start pushing it back up the scale. And by the time you can do it fast and heavy again, you're healed. Congratulations." ~ Sean Hannah (9:19) The conversation explores why most people avoid the slow, deliberate work required to truly rehabilitate injuries rather than just return to basic function. The distinction between physical therapy (designed for baseline recovery) and full joint remodeling (a months-to-years process typically reserved for elite athletes) forms the foundation of the discussion. The key insight is that healing requires doing the same movements that caused injury—but slower, lighter, and more partial—rather than avoiding them entirely. Pain emerges as a multifaceted phenomenon with three distinct layers: actual tissue damage, neuropathic pain (trauma responses encoded in nerves and fascia), and centralized pain (psychological amplification based on beliefs and language). The conversation addresses how someone might present with a knee problem but actually need a full head-to-toe biomechanical remodel, with the knee simply being where the dysfunction surfaces most visibly. The discussion also touches on the origins of the nickname "Seanobi" (an Irish ninja wordplay), the value of intuitive three-dimensional movement versus linear athletic training, and the importance of having something worth playing for as the motivational spark that makes the difficult rehabilitation process possible. Takeaways Remodeling versus physical therapy — Physical therapy aims for basic function, but returning to athletic capability requires a separate, longer process called remodeling that most people don't know exists. The spark — Without something you love doing that's disappearing or already gone, you won't sustain the slow, frustrating work of rehabilitation. Same movements, different parameters — Healing doesn't require new exercises; it uses the same movements that caused injury, performed slower, lighter, and more partially. Three layers of pain — Pain includes actual tissue damage, neuropathic responses stored in nerves and fascia, and psychological amplification based on perception and language. Language affects pain signaling — The words used to describe pain directly influence how much pain is felt; changing the narrative can dampen signaling and allow greater loading. The blowout point — A presenting injury like a knee problem is often just where a full-body biomechanical imbalance surfaces most visibly. Tissue-specific protocols — Pace, load, and angle can be adjusted to target specific tissues: nerve and fascia respond to different parameters than muscle and bone. Guarding responses — Much of chronic pain isn't damage but protective contractions and nerve issues that require precise loading to release. Threading the needle — Effective rehabilitation requires enough stress to trigger healing responses without crossing the threshold into new damage. Intuitive versus linear training — Three-dimensional, intuitive movement serves rehabilitation and durability, while linear athletic training like Olympic lifting builds speed and power for sport. The dial metaphor — Training exists on a spectrum from slow, rehabilitative, three-dimensional work to fast, linear, athletic work, and the dial can be adjusted based on daily capacity. Becoming your own maintenance mechanic — The goal of guided rehabilitation is independence—learning to address pain and maintain the body without ongoing professional help. Resources Monkey Do — "What Moves You?" Sean Hannah's guided mobility and joint remodeling programs. Monkey Do on YouTube — video content related to the mobility and rehabilitation approach. Designing curriculum, teaching seniors, and the mid-range — Sean's previous conversation on Movers Mindset covering related topics. Katy Bowman — mentioned regarding how too much "vitamin flat and level" is a problem. Iron Gump / MIST — a Movers Mindset conversation discussing meditative strength training. Parkour Generations — the organization behind American Rendezvous where Craig and Sean last met in person. (Written with help from Claude.ai) --- Hello
Are there any downsides to taking part in upsides?In Episode #512 of 'Meanderings', Juan & I discuss: how the internet moved from corporate networks to open protocol networks to blockchain networks, Dixon's framing (read, write, own), why he thinks open protocols like RSS struggled against corporate platforms, where blockchains might change take rates, the real-world viability of tokenomics, if ownership will matter for in a future of AI, micro‑payments and abundant digital goods, games vs music business models and whether people will actually care about on-chain ownership if everything becomes cheap and effortless to access. No support for this week :'(Stan Link: https://stan.store/meremortalsTimeline: (00:00:00) Intro(00:00:25) Book pick: Read, Write, Own by Chris Dixon(00:04:16) Corporate vs protocol networks; email and the open web(00:07:23) Owning the network: why blockchains change incentives(00:13:25) Governance, take rates and platform lock-ins(00:17:56) Music vs gaming revenues: models and innovation(00:21:30) Protocol pessimism and the RSS debate in podcasting(00:25:04) Value for value: Podcasting 2.0 funding dilemmas(00:30:08) Could a blockchain fund open infrastructure?(00:34:27) Designing a micropayments-first podcast app(00:38:22) Do users care about digital ownership?(00:41:48) Abundance thesis: free content and data trade-offs(00:45:30) Will advertisers pay users directly?(00:49:45) Will ownership still matter in an abundant world?(00:53:01) Digital status, scarcity and beachfront reality(00:58:48) Extreme efficiency futures: cars, housing and cost curves(01:03:05) Human status, achievement and digital provenance(01:08:33) Voice-first generation and app-less experiences(01:14:47) Ownership vs access: memories, messages and guarantees(01:16:54) Wrap-up: book verdict and sign-off Connect with Mere Mortals:Website: https://www.meremortalspodcasts.com/Discord: https://discord.gg/jjfq9eGReUTwitter/X: https://twitter.com/meremortalspodsInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcasts/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@meremortalspodcastsValue 4 Value Support:Boostagram: https://www.meremortalspodcasts.com/supportPaypal: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/meremortalspodcast
In this episode, I sit down with Jane Langof, feng shui master, consultant and educator, to explore a different kind of noise - not the mental noise or the pace of modern life, but the subtle and often unnoticed energy within our homes, workspaces and daily environments.For over fifteen years, Jane has helped people understand the powerful connection between their inner world and physical surroundings, blending ancient feng shui principles with modern living. We unpack how energy flow, design, clutter and intention can either support clarity and wellbeing or quietly drain our focus, relationships and rest.At its heart, this episode is an invitation to slow down and notice what your surroundings are communicating back to you. When your environment is aligned, it becomes easier to think clearly, rest deeply and live with intention instead of overwhelm.If you've ever felt scattered, unsettled or stuck without knowing why, this conversation may help you see your space and yourself - in a completely new way.Inside this podcast:- How your home environment quietly influences your inner world- Why clutter creates emotional and mental weight- What feng shui really is beyond myths and superstition- How small shifts in space can change how you feel daily- Why intentional living begins with awareness of your surroundingsConnect with Jane:Instagram → https://bit.ly/3NEWWuP Website → https://www.fengshuiconcepts.com.au/ LinkedIn → https://bit.ly/3LLljGD Connect with Steve:Instagram → https://bit.ly/3KARQhR LinkedIn → https://bit.ly/48sw8Vj Episode Highlights00:00:00 - The silent noise within our homes and personal spaces00:01:30 - Chaos in life reflected through physical environments00:03:00 - What feng shui really is beyond superstition00:05:00 - Energy flow and its impact on wellbeing and success00:07:00 - From accounting to feng shui and finding alignment00:10:00 - The relationship between inner and outer worlds00:13:00 - Why changing your space requires personal responsibility00:15:00 - Morning routines, gratitude, and setting energy for the day00:17:00 - Clutter as one of the biggest drains on mental clarity00:19:00 - Letting go of excess and creating lighter environments00:21:30 - Designing homes with energy in mind from the start00:24:00 - Bedrooms as the foundation for sleep and relationships00:27:00 - Clearing energy after relationship breakdowns00:30:30 - Colour, water features, and energy amplification00:34:00 - Creating workspaces that support focus and creativity00:38:00 - Using the five senses to raise the energy of a space00:42:00 - Teenagers, clutter, and emotional development00:45:30 - Small, achievable steps to regain control of your space00:49:00 - Practical feng shui versus online misinformation00:52:00 - Human connection over AI generated advice00:54:00 - Final reflections on intentional living and awarenessABOUT THE PODCAST SHOWThe Noise of Life is a podcast that shares real stories, raw truths, and remarkable growth. Hosted by Steve Hodgson a coach, facilitator, speaker, and Mental Health First Aid Instructor. This podcast dives deep into the “noise” we all face, the distractions, doubts and challenges that can pull us away from who we truly are.
Smart Agency Masterclass with Jason Swenk: Podcast for Digital Marketing Agencies
Would you like access to our advanced agency training for FREE? https://www.agencymastery360.com/training Do you feel you're giving everything to your agency and only getting exhaustion as a result? Agencies grow best when they're built around clarity, empathy, and self-awareness. Whether it's pricing, boundaries, team management, or AI, the common thread is intention. Today's featured guest understands that you don't need to hustle harder. You need to design smarter, around who you are, how you work best, and what kind of business you actually want to run. She'll share her perspective on agency growth, self-awareness, leadership, and how AI should actually be used inside a modern agency and provide a real look at what it takes to build an agency that's profitable, human, and sustainable without losing yourself in the process. Ingrid Schneider is the CEO and founder of Stay in Your Lane, a fractional CMO and franchise development agency, and Train in Your Lane, an AI education company helping teams build real AI intuition. What started as fractional work after being laid off during the pandemic has grown into a 16-person team running full marketing departments, launching brands, building LMS platforms, and training companies like Ben & Jerry's and Ace Hardware on how to actually use AI to solve problems. In this episode, we'll discuss: Going from survival mode to self-worth: pricing and confidence. How to set boundaries and protect your brain. Design an agency that energizes you, not drains you. Managing people, not just performance with a human-first approach. Subscribe Apple | Spotify | iHeart Radio Sponsors and Resources This episode is brought to you by Wix Studio: If you're leveling up your team and your client experience, your site builder should keep up too. That's why successful agencies use Wix Studio — built to adapt the way your agency does: AI-powered site mapping, responsive design, flexible workflows, and scalable CMS tools so you spend less on plugins and more on growth. Ready to design faster and smarter? Go to wix.com/studio to get started. Building an Agency on Trust and Integrity Ingrid doesn't come from a tidy, linear career path. After being laid off as a CMO during the pandemic, she made the decision to not work for anyone else again. She started doing fractional CMO work to replace her salary, focusing on trust, authenticity, and doing the work well. What began as a solo operation three and a half years ago is now a full team serving a wide range of clients. Some rely on Ingrid's team to run their entire marketing department. Others bring them in for focused, fractional engagements. The growth didn't come from aggressive sales tactics—it came from being reliable, human, and honest about what they were good at. Learning Your Worth and Unlearning Survival Mode When Ingrid landed her first client, she charged $3,000 a month for two brands. And that client still complained about pricing. Like many agency owners, she was focused on replacing her salary, not building a business. Survival mode has a way of shrinking your sense of value. Learning her worth didn't come from a pricing spreadsheet. It came from personal work deconstructing old beliefs, recognizing her own capabilities, and understanding the impact she could have on others. Ingrid talks openly about how her upbringing and past experiences shaped her tendency to underprice herself and overextend. As her confidence grew, so did her standards. She began collecting people with grit, sometimes hiring for attitude over experience, and building a team she trusted deeply. The biggest lesson for her was: if you don't believe in your value, your pricing, and your agency, will reflect that. Preventing Agency Burnout: How to Set Boundaries Running a business can be incredibly stressful, which is why many owners can relate to being in fight or fly mode all the time. However, this is the worst thing for both your health and your business because chronic stress will affect your brain and get you to a point known as "flipping your lid." According to Ingrid, this term, which she learned from Dr. Daniel Siegel, describes what happens when stress pushes you into fight, flight, or freeze. Logic goes offline. Creativity disappears and everything feels harder. For agency owners, this shows up as exhaustion, impatience, and bad decisions, and healing will mean confronting the reality that you can't run a business well if your body and brain are in survival mode. In her case, Ingrid found healing by emphasizing boundaries as a leadership responsibility. Knowing where your value is best served, trusting your team, and recognizing when their lids are flipped allows you to lead with empathy instead of pressure. The agency doesn't need a burned-out hero. It needs a regulated, self-aware leader. Designing an Agency That Energizes You, Not Drains You This is a lesson that agency owners that currently feel miserable with their business and wanting to give up should learn. Drawing your boundaries will look different to everyone, but you can start by asking yourself what you want to do every day and what you never want to do again. Just draw a circle on a piece of paper and start writing. Inside: the work that gives you energy. Outside: everything that drains you. You'll see that most likely what you need is to redesign your agency around this. You can't be all things to all people. Agency that try usually end up miserable and unprofitable. Wins and losses both matter, but only if you're paying attention to what they're teaching you. Topline revenue means nothing if you hate how you're earning it. Sustainable growth comes from aligning what's good for the business with what actually fills your cup. That alignment is what keeps agencies alive long-term. Managing People, Not Just Performance with a Human-First Approach As an empath, Ingrid leads with a people-first approach rooted in Trust-Based Relational Intervention (TBRI). When something goes wrong, she looks at three things in order: herself, the system, and then the person. Are expectations clear? Do they have the resources they need? Is she showing up with patience? Perfectionism isn't the goal in her agency because perfection is stressful, unrealistic, and unnecessary. Instead, the focus is on doing really good work while protecting the team's mental energy. This is where AI comes in, not as a shortcut for thinking, but as a way to remove the minutia that burns people out. This has been the case for Ingrid, who enjoys managing people. If this is not your case, then focus on hiring people who can manage themselves. But remember you have to learn to let go if you want a self-managing team. There are countless ways to reach the same outcome and speed isn't always the metric that matters most. Sometimes the "slow" work produces the best results. Using AI to Empower Teams, Not Create More Noise Ingrid's approach focuses on education and the fact that everyone should be training their AI intuition to be able to understand how an AI tool works and how it could help them. She trained her own intuition by changing her social media algorithms to feed her AI micro-learnings. From there, it became about application: looking at every agency task and asking, Can AI help solve this better? Her team runs weekly "show and tell" sessions where they demo how they used AI to solve real problems. There's also an AI policy but it's framed as a permission slip, not a rulebook. Team members can experiment with tools on a company card, and if they prove value, the agency commits. The bigger point is this: if you're not empowering your team to use AI thoughtfully, you're holding them back. This isn't about pumping out more content—it's about freeing up human brains to do the work that actually matters. Do You Want to Transform Your Agency from a Liability to an Asset? Looking to dig deeper into your agency's potential? Check out our Agency Blueprint. Designed for agency owners like you, our Agency Blueprint helps you uncover growth opportunities, tackle obstacles, and craft a customized blueprint for your agency's success.
Welcome to episode 316 of Grow Your Law Firm. In this episode, Ken is joined by Allison Williams, a longtime practicing attorney turned law firm growth coach and founder of Law Firm Mentor. Allison shares her personal journey from burnout and near disaster to building multiple seven-figure businesses by systematizing every part of her firm and eliminating what she calls "crushing chaos." The conversation explores why being a great lawyer has little to do with being great at running a business, how lack of systems keeps firms stuck in overwhelm, and why working harder is often the worst possible strategy. Allison and Ken dig into practical, realistic ways law firm owners can regain control of their time, improve profitability, and build firms that support both professional success and personal life. The discussion also tackles AI's growing role in law firms, where it adds leverage, where it creates risk, and how it can dramatically reduce training time and operational costs when used correctly. What you'll learn in this episode: From Burnout to Breakthrough - Why hustle and long hours eventually fail law firm owners - How a single wake-up call led to building scalable systems Systematizing Without Overwhelm - A simple method to get processes out of your head and onto paper - Why improving systems by 10–15% beats starting from scratch Diagnosing the Real Source of Chaos - Identifying whether marketing, people, or operations cause the most pain - Focusing first on the problems that cost the most time and money Using AI to Create Leverage, Not Liability - Where AI boosts efficiency in training, workflows, and documentation - Why AI must be used carefully in legal work and decision-making Pricing, Profitability, and Long-Term Stability - How raising prices can improve client quality and firm performance - Designing solutions that reduce today's stress and prevent future burnout Resources: LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/allisoncwilliams LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/law-firm-mentor-llc Facebook: facebook.com/LawFirmMentor Additional Resources: https://www.pilmma.org/the-mastermind-effect https://www.pilmma.org/resources https://www.pilmma.org/mastermind https://calendly.com/jenna-pilmma/strategy-session-with-pilmma AI for PI Expo: www.pilmma.org/ai-for-pi-expo
What does it really take to design learning that works?In this episode of Conversations with Rich Bennett, Rich is joined by instructional designer, professor, and podcast host Jackie Pelegrin, who brings nearly two decades of experience in higher education and curriculum design.Jackie breaks down what instructional design actually is, why so many online courses fail to engage learners, and how education must be built with intention, empathy, and real-world outcomes in mind. The conversation also explores AI in education, adult learning challenges, podcasting as a teaching tool, and how Jackie turned one of her most popular podcast series into a book.Whether you're an educator, trainer, podcaster, or lifelong learner, this episode delivers practical insights and behind-the-scenes wisdom on designing learning experiences that truly stick.Send us a textVote for us hereSupport the showRate & Review on Apple Podcasts Follow the Conversations with Rich Bennett podcast on Social Media:Facebook – Conversations with Rich Bennett Facebook Group (Join the conversation) – Conversations with Rich Bennett podcast group | FacebookTwitter – Conversations with Rich Bennett Instagram – @conversationswithrichbennettTikTok – CWRB (@conversationsrichbennett) | TikTok Sponsors, Affiliates, and ways we pay the bills:Hosted on BuzzsproutSquadCast Subscribe by Email
Episode Overview In this episode, John Kitchens sits down with Richelle Davis, founder of Davis Real Estate Group, for a powerful conversation on building a referral-based real estate business rooted in trust, systems, and intentional leadership. Richelle shares her journey from serial entrepreneur to real estate CEO—and how she's built a highly profitable business without paid leads, without burnout, and without sacrificing her family, values, or quality of life. From creating systems that protect the client experience to leveraging community relationships as a growth engine, this episode is a masterclass in sustainable, long-term success. If you're tired of chasing leads, feeling trapped in production, or building a business that owns you instead of the other way around, this conversation will challenge how you think about leadership, leverage, and scale. What You'll Learn in This Episode From Entrepreneur to Real Estate CEO Richelle's path from entrepreneurship into real estate leadership Why business fundamentals matter more than real estate tactics How CEO thinking creates clarity, confidence, and consistency Building a 100% Referral-Based Business Why trust and reputation outperform paid lead sources How to become a real estate advisor for life—not a transaction chaser The standards required to earn consistent referrals at scale Systems That Create Freedom Why checklists and repeatable processes are non-negotiable How systems protect the client experience as you grow The difference between being busy and being effective Leadership, Team, and Culture Hiring for values, integrity, and long-term alignment Why Richelle intentionally limits team size How internal trust creates external credibility Community as a Growth Engine Why local involvement builds long-term brand authority Leveraging community relationships to fuel organic referrals Turning service, gratitude, and reciprocity into scalable growth Escaping Burnout and Reclaiming Time How Richelle stepped back to a 2.5-day workweek without losing momentum Why leverage starts with clarity—not delegation Designing a business that supports life instead of consuming it Resources & Mentions Agent to CEO Framework John Kitchens Executive Coaching → JohnKitchens.coach Working Genius by Patrick Lencioni Davis Real Estate Group Community-based referral and relationship strategies Final Takeaway You don't need more leads—you need more clarity. Richelle Davis proves that when you lead with trust, build real systems, and serve your community with intention, you can scale a real estate business without chaos, burnout, or compromise. Freedom isn't built by doing more. It's built by leading better. "We don't see ourselves as transactional agents—we're advisors for life." – Richelle Davis Connect with Us: Instagram: @johnkitchenscoach LinkedIn: @johnkitchenscoach Facebook: @johnkitchenscoach If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe and leave a review. Stay tuned for more insights and strategies from the top minds. See you next time!
Follow optYOUmize Podcast with Brett Ingram: LinkedIn | YouTube | Instagram | Facebook | Website Summary Brett Ingram speaks with Katie Krimitsos, founder and CEO of the Women's Meditation Network. They discuss Katie's journey from a traditional career in healthcare to entrepreneurship, her passion for meditation, and how it has transformed her life and the lives of others. The conversation explores the benefits of meditation, common misconceptions, practical tips for beginners, and how to balance the demands of entrepreneurship and family life. Katie emphasizes the importance of intuition and self-awareness in both personal and professional realms. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to the Optimize Podcast and Guest Background 06:44 Katie's Journey into Entrepreneurship and Meditation 13:16 The Benefits of Meditation for Self-Awareness 18:38 Common Misconceptions About Meditation 26:25 Practical Tips for Beginners in Meditation 33:51 Balancing Life as an Entrepreneur and Parent 37:40 Final Thoughts and Key Takeaways #meditation #mindfulness #personalgrowth #personaldevelopment #entrepreneurship #optyoumize #brettingram #entrepreneurpodcast #podmatch Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
LISTEN and SUBSCRIBE on:Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/watchdog-on-wall-street-with-chris-markowski/id570687608 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2PtgPvJvqc2gkpGIkNMR5i WATCH and SUBSCRIBE on:https://www.youtube.com/@WatchdogOnWallstreet/featured Big investment firms are suddenly realizing that people are living longer, healthier lives—and treating it like a breakthrough. A new Morgan Stanley paper frames increased longevity as a transformational economic force, arguing that 21st-century finance will shift from accumulation to decades-long retirement drawdowns. But this isn't new information, and the proposed solutions miss the point. Designing income models around 40-year retirement periods ignores how real people live, work, adapt, and evolve over time. Life doesn't unfold in neat phases, and treating retirement as a prolonged financial drought forces unrealistic saving, delayed living, and joyless tradeoffs. Longevity demands a whole-life approach, not marketing-driven theories and rigid planning models. It's financial preparation—not financial planning—that actually works.
In this episode, Katerina sits down with Avideh Haghighi, architect and founder of Zero Houz, to explore what it truly means to commit to sustainable living through architecture. Avideh shares her unconventional path into the profession, rooted in a deep love for art, and how sustainability captured her interest long before it had a name. The conversation dives into the financial realities of building sustainably and why understanding costs is essential to making meaningful change. Avideh discusses renovating her own decades old home as a living case study, transforming it into a net-zero energy residence and proving that high-performance, energy-efficient homes do not have to come with significant cost premiums. She also unpacks the sometimes contradictory nature of building codes, including solar requirements that may not always align with the most efficient design solutions. Throughout the episode, Avideh opens up about entrepreneurship in architecture as an ongoing process of learning, adaptation, and values-driven decision-making. Together, she and Katerina explore how Zero Houz is evolving into a broader model for sustainable development and how architects can lead by example in shaping a more resilient, intentional built environment. Mentioned: Sign up for Zerohouz newsletter here! www.zerohouz.com https://www.instagram.com/zero.houz/?hl=en https://www.facebook.com/zero.houz/ Grab your copy of The Mindful Blueprint for Launching Your Architecture Firm Use code honeycomb20 for 20% off! Support the podcast on Patreon! Subscribe to the From the Honeycomb newsletter! Meditate with Katerina on Insight Timer Follow From the Honeycomb on Instagram! Podcast Audio edit by LadyToluu Soile https://www.fiverr.com/users/bamisesoile/seller_dashboard. Intro music provided by kabgig / Pond5 By accessing this Podcast, I acknowledge that the entire contents are the property of Katerina Burianova, or used by Katerina Burianova with permission, and are protected under U.S. and international copyright and trademark laws. Except as otherwise provided herein, users of this Podcast may save and use information contained in the Podcast only for personal or other non-commercial, educational purposes. No other use, including, without limitation, reproduction, retransmission or editing, of this Podcast may be made without the prior written permission of the Katerina Burianova, which may be requested by contacting honeycombeeblog@gmail.com This podcast is for educational purposes only. The host claims no responsibility to any person or entity for any liability, loss, or damage caused or alleged to be caused directly or indirectly as a result of the use, application, or interpretation of the information presented herein.
Episode 87: Andrew Stiles - HIs experience and tips for designers working with publishers - Top 5 games we take everywhereGet to know Andrew Stiles and his incredible journey to being a published designer. We talk tips for meeting with publishers, pitches, and sell sheets. Then we talk about 5 games that we usually will have with us, just in case. Then end with celebrating meeting people, other board gamers, and the next generation of gamers.00:00:00 Introduction to Andrew Stiles00:01:53 Andrew's Journey into Game Design00:04:22 Inspiration Behind Wine Cellar00:06:49 The Process of Getting Published00:10:48 Balancing Hobbies and Game Design00:15:24 Networking and Pitching to Publishers00:21:59 The Art of the Sell Sheet00:25:36 Thoughts on Rejection and Persistence00:27:38 Crafting the Perfect Pitch00:30:59 Collaboration with Publishers to develop games00:32:03 Designing with Expansions or Promos in Mind00:34:04 Managing Multiple Prototypes00:34:20 Summary - 3 Key Tips for working with publishers00:35:00 5 Games we take everywhere00:36:46 Forest Shuffle00:38:35 Flip 700:40:51 Azul Travel Edition00:43:24 Duck and Cover00:45:52 Voyages00:49:02 Scout00:51:17 Marvel Remix00:53:11 Trinket Trove00:56:54 Wine Cellar and Lost Cities00:59:28 Rumble Nation01:03:10 Moment of Positivity01:10:32 Where to find Andrew and His GamesAndrew Stiles on FacebookTantrum Con, Gama, Origins, Gen Con, and maybe Pax UnpluggedTabletop Submarine & the Dice, Camera, Action PodcastsDigging for Dinos Garden Club & Pedal Wine Cellar3Tricky Pigs01:14:42 Outro(Please note that these time stamps might not be accurate due to the use of dynamic ads.)If you like cooperative games, check out Take Time from Libellud.https://www.libellud.com/en/our-games/take-time/ BGG Store: https://boardgamegeekstore.com/ Web: https://boardgamegeek.com/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@boardgamegeekTwitter: https://twitter.com/BoardGameGeekEmail: podcast@boardgamegeek.com
We're talking with executive coach, entrepreneur, and all-around epic human Travis Ensley about how to design a life you actually want to be living. And guess what? It all starts with 4 deceptively simple - but powerful - questions that Travis has been using with himself, his family, and now the high-level leaders he coaches. We dig into: What these 4 questions are Why they actually work (no fluff here) And how YOU can use them to make meaningful changes… whether you're running a team, building a business, or just ready to live with more focus and intention. Travis also opens up about the journey behind his new book, Field of Focus: A Field Guide for Navigating Time, Teams & Technology - a practical, BS-free guide for folks who want to make the most of their time without losing their minds in the process. Oh - and you'll hear about some of the 700+ cups of coffee Travis and I have had. (Seriously!) This one's packed with stories, laughs, and real-life wisdom you can use immediately. FULL SHOW NOTES HERE: https://mitchmatthews.com/445/
You Don't Need to Try Harder. You Need to Understand the Patterns Running Your Mind.In this solo episode, Marc breaks down a pattern he's seen across 500+ conversations, boardrooms, and personal turning points: capable, intelligent people who know what to do, yet still feel overwhelmed, stuck, or out of alignment.This episode introduces a practical framework for designing a Mental Fitness Blueprint. A system that helps you understand your mental operating pattern, align your practices to what you're actually building, and recover faster when life gets messy.Think of this as a blueprint for your next 90 days, not just what you'll do, but how your mind will support you along the way.Show Partners:Get your MENTAL FITNESS BLUEPRINT here! A special thanks to our mental fitness + sweat partner Sip SaunasPersonal Socrates: Better Question, Better LifeConnect with Marc: https://konect.to/marcchampagneTimestamps:00:00 — Why this solo episode needed to be said01:40 — The pattern Marc kept seeing across 500+ interviews03:10 — Why insight alone never creates change04:40 — The hidden cost of running life without a mental system06:30 — Why most mental fitness advice doesn't work09:00 — The three things every mental fitness system must do10:50 — Mental operating patterns (and why none are “wrong”)13:40 — Designing your next 90 days from the inside out15:30 — Daily rituals that actually match how you work16:40 — The reset protocol: Pause, Reset, Re-enter18:10 — How this expands your operating range over time19:40 — Why self-knowledge is becoming the ultimate advantage21:00 — Building your own system vs. using the Blueprint23:00 — The real risk of doing nothing*Special props
In this episode of The Motivatarian Exchange, Dionne Woods sits down with Michelle Allen, the artist and creative force behind the globally recognized brand Allen Designs, for a heartfelt conversation about building a creative life by design. From the unexpected way cat clocks changed her life and career, to her love of list-making, bike riding, and creative structure, Michelle shares how motivation evolves over time—and what it really looks like to let go when burnout creeps in. Together, Dionne and Michelle explore the tension between discipline and play, productivity and rest, and how honoring your own rhythms can lead to more meaningful, sustainable creativity. Michelle reflects on decades of creative entrepreneurship, teaching, and fine art, offering wisdom on staying curious, embracing imperfection, and continuing to grow—even when motivation feels distant. This episode is a reminder that creativity doesn't have to be forced; it can be shaped gently, intentionally, and with joy. If you're a creative navigating burnout, craving clarity, or reimagining what's next, this conversation will leave you feeling seen, encouraged, and inspired to keep going. In this episode, we talk about: Motivation through different seasons of life Burnout and the permission to let go Why lists bring freedom (not pressure) Building creative momentum without overworking Finding inspiration in everyday rituals Designing a creative life that actually fits you About the Guest: Michelle Allen is a Tucson-based artist and founder of Allen Designs, known for her joyful, expressive functional art and iconic designs that celebrate beauty in imperfection. Her work has been featured at juried art fairs, wholesale markets, and in homes around the world. In addition to her commercial success, Michelle is deeply committed to teaching, painting, and inspiring others to live more creatively. Connect with Michelle: Website: michelleallenart.com Instagram: @michelleallenart YouTube: Michelle Allen Art New episodes of The Motivatarian Exchange are released every couple of weeks, featuring honest conversations with creatives about motivation, creativity, and connected growth.
Regional casino resorts don't win anymore by adding square footage — they win by designing experiences that keep guests longer and spending more. That's the focus of this episode of #NoVacancyNews. I'm joined by Kelly Devine, Principal and Partner, and Emily Marshall, Principal and Interior Design Leader at HBG Design, and guest host Dr. Suzanne Bagnera to talk about the evolution of regional gaming resorts and what operators should be paying attention to right now. We use Gun Lake Casino Resort in Michigan as the case study, breaking down how design decisions directly affect length of stay, guest behavior, operational efficiency, and profitability. This isn't about pretty spaces for Instagram — it's about building resorts that actually perform. What stood out to me is how intentionally HBG starts with operations first. They design the engine before the body, which explains why these projects drive measurable business results instead of just visual impact. We cover:
London Writers' Salon co-founder Matt Trinetti and Head of Writer Experience Lindsey Trout Hughes share prompts from our Dreaming Big in 2026: Creative Goal Setting for Writers workshop – designed to help writers get clear on what they actually want from their writing life in 2026, and translate that desire into a plan that can survive reality in the first 1-3 months of the year.Through 8 steps – from identifying desire to committing to a 48-hour move – Matt and Lindsey step through over a dozen prompts, discuss why each is important for writers to think about, and share what's coming up for them personally for the year ahead.Download the free workbook: community.londonwriterssalon.com/dreamingbigTimestamps:(00:00) Introduction(02:07) Step 0: Two Words (bringing in & leaving behind)(08:05) Step 1: Identifying what we truly desire(17:42) Step 2: Vision (translating desire into clear vision)(25:18) Step 3: Moving from wanting to deciding(34:35) Step 4: Building a project bank(42:02) Step 5: Finding a first season focus(47:32) Step 6: Designing your creative practice(59:00) Step 7: Your 30-day plan & 48-hour move(01:04:50) Step 8: Opening up to support(01:09:40) Conclusions and next steps You'll learn:A simple “two words” ritual to decide what you're bringing into 2026 (and what you're leaving behind).Prompts to identify what you truly desire, including what you might feel embarrassed to say out loud.How to reframe desire as a helpful signal instead of something “selfish” you should downplay.How to build a project bank so you can choose one focus without feeling like you're abandoning your other ideas.Ways to use simple lists to spark clearer project options.How to choose a first-season focus (a three-month container) so you're not trying to hold the entire year at once.The importance of defining what “done” looks like for the season and setting milestones that make progress visible.How to design a writing practice while planning for obstacles before they derail you.How to set a measurable 30-day goal, choose your first moves, and turn intention into proof. About London Writers' Salon:London Writers' Salon is a community and membership that helps writers make meaningful progress on their work, stay committed to a writing practice, and find creative friends around the world. Members can build consistency through Writers' Hour, develop craft through interviews and workshops, and connect with a global community of writers. Resources & Links: Download the free workbook at: community.londonwriterssalon.com/dreamingbigJoin Writers' Hour - daily silent writing sessions: writershour.comAttend live events and workshops – Become a Member: community.londonwriterssalon.com/membership For show notes, transcripts and to attend our live podcasts visit: podcast.londonwriterssalon.com.For free writing sessions, join free Writers' Hours: writershour.com.*FOLLOW LONDON WRITERS' SALONTwitter: twitter.com/WritersSalonInstagram: instagram.com/londonwriterssalonFacebook: facebook.com/LondonWritersSalonIf you're enjoying this show, please rate and review this show!
Today, it is my pleasure to speak with Alicia Fritz, Founder and Principal Designer of A Day in May Events, an event production firm sought after for mastering the art of entertaining. With a mission to preserve the unique history and life experiences of her clients and their families, Alicia and her team have been entrusted as strategic partners for their private, legacy clients for close to two decades. Since 2007, Alicia has built a dedicated staff of event specialists and creative thinkers who operate with a methodical and intuitive system that prioritizes collaboration with their clients, respectful partnership with their creative teams and an unwavering commitment to a flawless event. Alicia has been recognized as one of the country's top event planners by VOGUE and Martha Stewart Weddings to name a few. From the serene, idyllic coastline of Northern Michigan to the exquisite landscape of the South of France, Alicia and her team rarely create in the same place twice and welcome the challenge of producing these exceptional moments for beloved clients in unchartered territory. Alicia describes the world of events for UHNH families and their family offices, and highlights the occasions, formats, and experiences for which families most commonly turn to a professional, experiential event production specialist. She walks us through some of the unique aspects of events in the family wealth space and talks about the unique challenges, opportunities, and needs that family offices must understand and manage when overseeing such events. Alicia offers her tips for engaging family members – especially the rising gen – during family events and gatherings organized by the family office or the family leadership. Producing elaborate, experiential events takes a village of service providers. Alicia provides practical suggestions for families and their family offices on how to work with the universe of specialized vendors to make their events special and memorable. Enjoy this illuminating conversation with one of the leading professionals in the UHNW events production space.
This week, we're revisiting one of our most impactful and requested episodes: a heartfelt conversation between CPA MOMS founder Mayumi Young and Brand Ambassador Nicole Kale about designing a career that truly supports your life. If you've ever felt like your job is running your life, this episode is your reminder that it doesn't have to be that way. We're bringing this episode back because its message is timeless — and especially needed right now. You'll learn why knowing your values is essential, how to pause when you're overwhelmed, and how to reclaim the driver's seat in your life and career. Enjoyed this episode? Join a network of like-minded women at http://cpamoms.com/start and get the support you need to build the practice you want.
Sometimes the real magic behind building a standout brand isn't the product at all — but the women it brings together. For Charis Jones, founder + CEO of Sassy Jones, community has always been the secret ingredient. What started as a side hustle selling wholesale jewelry while working at GEICO has evolved into a bold, multi-million-dollar fashion brand — and an even bolder movement of women who gather, travel, celebrate, and grow together both online AND off.In this episode of REWARD: The Podcast of The Trust, our founder Ali Brown sits down with Charis for a vibrant, behind-the-scenes look at how Sassy Jones was built through intuition, proximity, and unapologetic connection. From driving cross-country in her minivan to meet customers face-to-face, to hosting unforgettable community experiences (including a trip to Egypt), Charis breaks down what it *really* takes to turn customers into a devoted community.This conversation is a powerful reminder that in an increasingly digital world, the brands that win are the ones brave enough to go deeper — and offline.On this episode of the #REWARDPodcast, you'll hear:How Charis transitioned from corporate life to founding Sassy Jones — without a master plan Why personal storytelling and meaningful details are essential to building a brand that lasts The underestimated power of offline connection in creating trust and loyalty (trade shows, road trips, real conversations)How a single challenging customer moment unlocked Charis's creative direction and design instinct (this was our favorite!)Ali's insight on why human connection is the ultimate differentiator in today's digital-first marketplaceIf you're building a brand and wondering how to create deeper loyalty, richer relationships, and real resonance — this episode is your invitation to think beyond the product and back into community.And, learn more about The Trust and Charis! Learn more about The Trust – our tight-knit community for 7+8-figure women entrepreneurs Learn more about Charis' company Sassy JonesFollow Charis on Instagram + YouTubeConnect with us on social using the hashtag #RewardPodcast and share your key takeaways from this episode!
In a world overflowing with business content and quick-fix success formulas, authentic dialogue about what gives life meaning can feel rare. On this episode of Christopher Lochhead: Follow Your Different, we have a conversation with Daniel Coyle, bestselling author of “The Culture Code” and the new book “Flourish.” We unpack why thriving individually and collectively goes far beyond achievements. Their dialogue serves as a blueprint for building a life and community that feels connected, alive, and meaningful. You're listening to Christopher Lochhead: Follow Your Different. We are the real dialogue podcast for people with a different mind. So get your mind in a different place, and hey ho, let's go. Beyond the Mountain: What Happens After Success? For many, life is a climb toward results: career milestones, fame, or financial rewards. Both Lochhead and Coyle share how, after reaching some form of the summit, people often ask “What's this all for?” The answer, according to years of research on happiness and human development, isn't another achievement. Instead, life satisfaction comes from meaningful relationships. Despite this, Western culture pushes us to optimize, perform, and automate, treating life and business as machines instead of thriving ecosystems. To flourish means to recognize life as something to be tended like a garden, not a hill to conquer. The Paradox of Results and Meaning High performers often value discipline, drive, and outcome; the thrill of legendary results. Coyle acknowledges the paradox: results are important, but without serving something higher, they feel empty. Achieving big goals can even hollow out life if not connected to deeper values or service beyond oneself. True flourishing involves aligning your pursuits with something greater and knowing what you want to exist in the world even if you're not there. As Coyle puts it, life's best moments often come when “you kind of vanish” into connection, contribution, or flow: whether with people, ideas, or experiences. Cultivating Flourishing in Daily Life If flourishing is rooted in shared, joyful, and meaningful growth, how can we cultivate it amid daily pressures? Coyle's advice is to start small and intentionally reflect on where you already feel most resonant, moments when you lose yourself in work, play, or connection. Track these periods and aim to create more of them. Meaningful relationships come from deep questioning and mutual investment, not from perfect routines or solitary habits. Prioritize the “animate” parts of your life: the conversations, surprises, and even the messiness of real relationships, which are hallmarks of flourishing communities and partnerships. Ultimately, flourishing is mutual: you cannot thrive alone, and your aliveness helps those around you come alive too. The message is clear. Achievements matter, but without connection and mutual flourishing, they become hollow victories. Designing a flourishing life is not only possible but necessary for real fulfillment, and it starts with tuning into what gives your days meaning and builds authentic relationships along the way. To hear more from Daniel Coyle and how to flourish in business and daily life, download and listen to this episode. Bio Daniel Coyle is a bestselling author and leading voice on peak performance, talent development, and organizational culture. He is best known for The Talent Code, The Culture Code, and The Little Book of Talent, which explore how individuals and teams achieve extraordinary results. Through immersive research with elite sports teams, businesses, and creative organizations, Coyle uncovers the habits and environments that spark learning, trust, and sustained excellence. His work translates complex science into practical, actionable insights. Coyle's writing has been featured in The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, and Harvard Business Review. As a sought-after speaker, he helps leaders build cultures that drive growth, resilience, and long-term success. Links Follow Daniel Coyle! Daniel’s Blog | LinkedIn | Facebook We hope you enjoyed this episode of Christopher Lochhead: Follow Your Different™! Christopher loves hearing from his listeners. Feel free to email him, connect on Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), Instagram, and subscribe on Apple Podcast / Spotify!
AJ and Johnny sit down with Daniel Coyle, bestselling author and culture researcher, to explore what it actually means to flourish — and why flourishing is never a solo pursuit. Drawing from his research into thriving communities around the world, Daniel explains why growth, meaning, and fulfillment emerge from connection, friction, and shared purpose rather than individual achievement. They unpack how modern life fragments attention, why efficiency and isolation undermine belonging, and how small, human-scale practices — from rituals to shared meals to “yellow door” moments — can reawaken connection. This conversation reframes success away from optimization and toward aliveness, showing how community, presence, and intentional messiness create lives and workplaces that truly thrive. Chapters: 00:00 – Why flourishing is mutual, not individual05:00 – The problem with modern efficiency and isolation10:00 – Task attention vs. relational attention15:00 – Friction, annoyance, and the price of community20:00 – Rituals, stillness, and grounding practices25:00 – Why collision creates creativity and growth30:00 – Building communities that flourish at work35:00 – Designing productive mess instead of control40:00 – Yellow doors, fear, and unexpected connection45:00 – Creating community instead of waiting for it A Word From Our Sponsors Stop being over looked and unlock your X-Factor today at unlockyourxfactor.com The very qualities that make you exceptional in your field are working against you socially. Visit the artofcharm.com/intel for a social intelligence assessment and discover exactly what's holding you back. If you've put off organizing your finances, Monarch is for you. Use code CHARM at monarch.com in your browser for half off your first year. Indulge in affordable luxury with Quince. Upgrade your wardrobe today at quince.com/charm for free shipping and hassle-free returns. Grow your way - with Headway! Get started at makeheadway.com/CHARM and use my code CHARM for 25% off. This year, skip breaking a sweat AND breaking the bank. Get your summer savings and shop premium wireless plans at mintmobile.com/charm Curious about your influence level? Get your Influence Index Score today! Take this 60-second quiz to find out how your influence stacks up against top performers at theartofcharm.com/influence. Episode resources: DanielCoyle.com Check in with AJ and Johnny! AJ on LinkedIn Johnny on LinkedIn AJ on Instagram Johnny on Instagram The Art of Charm on Instagram The Art of Charm on YouTube The Art of Charm on TikTok flourishing, human connection, community, belonging, meaning, fulfillment, thriving, shared purpose, modern life, isolation, presence, attention, rituals, shared experience, relationships, creativity, growth, aliveness, togetherness, intentional living, community building Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Relentless drive isn't the problem for most high performers. The real breakdown happens when self-belief collapses after early success and hustle turns into motion without direction. This episode is part of The Best of Habits & Hustle, a series where we revisit some of the most impactful conversations we've shared. In this one, I'm joined by Rob Dyrdek to challenge the idea that working harder fixes everything and explore why success stalls when it isn't intentionally designed. We also talk about rebuilding belief after hitting bottom, mastering time as a strategic advantage, and designing systems that create real wealth without burning your life down. Rob Dyrdek is a serial entrepreneur, producer, and former professional skateboarder. He is the creator of Ridiculousness and the founder of Dyrdek Machine, a venture studio that has built 18 brands with six exits totaling over $550M. Rob is also the CEO of Existence and the mind behind Time Creationism, a framework focused on engineering time at scale. What We Discuss: (00:02) Losing self-belief after early success and why hustle stops working (11:38) How subconscious belief shapes trajectory more than effort (13:27) Hitting rock bottom and the decision to reprogram belief (19:18) Why self-belief isn't motivation, it's data and mastery (46:41) Designing time as a strategic asset instead of reacting to life (52:03) Why balance must come before scale, not after (56:47) Building systems that create wealth without burning your life down Thank you to our sponsors: Prolon: Get 30% off sitewide plus a $40 bonus gift when you subscribe to their 5-Day Program! Just visit https://prolonlife.com/JENNIFERCOHEN and use code JENNIFERCOHEN to claim your discount and your bonus gift. Therasage: Head over to therasage.com and use code Be Bold for 15% off Air Doctor: Go to airdoctorpro.com and use promo code HUSTLE40 for up to $300 off and a 3-year warranty on air purifiers. Momentous: Shop this link and use code Jen for 20% off Manna Vitality: Visit mannavitality.com and use code JENNIFER20 for 20% off your order Amp fit is the perfect balance of tech and training, designed for people who do it all and still want to feel strong doing it. Check it out at joinamp.com/jen Find more from Jen: Website: https://jennifercohen.com Instagram: @therealjencohen Books: https://jennifercohen.com/books Speaking: https://jennifercohen.com/speaking-engagement Find more from Rob Dyrdek: Instagram: @robdyrdek Facebook: @robdyrdek Youtube: @robdyrdek