Podcasts about Difficulty

How do you handle the immense pressure of designing a creative live event specifically for creatives? And as technology rapidly evolves, should church production teams be embracing or avoiding Artificial Intelligence (AI)?In this episode, we are joined by Luke McElroy, the visionary founder of the SALT Conference and the SALT Community. Luke pulls back the curtain on the difficulty of live events, sharing the inspiring origin story of SALT and what it actually takes to run a massive gathering for church technical artists. We also zoom out to discuss the profound, eternal impact that worship and production teams have on their congregations every single Sunday.In this episode you'll hear: 0:00 The Reality and Difficulty of Live Events4:00 Luke McElroy (Founder of SALT Conference) Joins8:45 The Origin Story of the SALT Conference15:30 Behind the Scenes: Running Events for Creatives18:15 The Eternal Impact of Worship and Production Teams22:50 The Pressure of Designing a Conference For Creatives26:30 Storytime: The Christian Magicians Disaster35:40 The Big Debate: Should Church Production Use AI?45:20 Church Tech Disaster Story: "We Couldn't See a Thing"Get expert help and care on your next integration project with our friends at HouseRight here.  Hang out with us at The Mix in Vegas here! Get more money back in your budget and more space in your closet by selling us your used gear here. Resources for your Church Tech MinistrySell Us Gear: Does your church have used gear that you need to convert into new ministry dollars? We can make you an offer here. Buy Our Gear: Do you need some production gear but lack the budget to buy new gear? You can shop our gear store here.  Connect with us: Sales Bulletin: Get better deals than the public and get them earlier too here!Early Service: Get our best gear before it goes live on our site here. Instagram: Hangout with us on the gram here! Reviews: Leaving us a review on the podcast player you're listening to us on really helps the show. If you enjoyed this episode, you can say thank you with a review! 

Colonel Jeff McCausland discusses stalled negotiations with Iran, noting the heavy influence of the Revolutionary Guard Corps over the diplomatic process. He analyzes the military difficulty of seizing Kharg Island and the profound impact of Ukrainian drones on the Russian front, suggesting that drone saturation has leveled the battlefield and interdicted Russian resupply lines. (11)1900 THE PERSIAN PROBLEM

I invite you to consider the gentle middle path between effort and surrender. Many of us carry the weight of unfinished tasks, unanswered questions, and endless mental to-do lists into bed. But sleep does not arrive through more effort. It arrives when we allow ourselves to rest in balance. In this episode, you'll discover a fascinating insight from neuroscience about the brain's nighttime processing systems, learn an ancient wisdom teaching about the importance of rhythm and moderation, and hear a relatable story about someone learning that not every problem needs to be solved before sleep. As your body softens and your mind quiets, you'll be guided into a peaceful state where balance replaces striving, allowing sleep to come naturally. Perfect for: Racing thoughts at bedtime Anxiety and overthinking Difficulty letting go of unfinished tasks Deep relaxation and restful sleep A DAILY MESSAGE FOR YOUR HEART Dear Friend, As we arrive at Day 6 of our journey together, I want to remind you of something important: You do not have to carry everything. So many of us believe that if we think a little harder, plan a little better, or stay awake a little longer, we'll finally find peace. But peace isn't found by doing more. Sometimes it's found by allowing ourselves to stop. Tonight's theme is balance. Balance isn't having everything figured out. It's knowing when to set things down and trust that tomorrow is another day. If your heart feels heavy tonight, give yourself permission to release the pressure to solve every problem before sleep. The unfinished tasks can wait. The unanswered questions can wait. You have done enough for today. You deserve rest, not because everything is complete, but because you are human. As you listen tonight, may you find the balance between effort and surrender, between doing and simply being. I'm so glad you're here. With love, Mary This is day 6 of a 7-day meditation series, "Sleep Meditations to Stop Overthinking," episodes 3521-3527.   THIS WEEK'S MEDITATION JOURNEY A Seven-Day Journey into Rest, Release, and Inner Calm When the day grows quiet, the mind can become surprisingly loud. This seven-day guided sleep meditation series is designed to help you gently step out of repetitive thinking, release the mental weight of the day, and create a more peaceful transition into sleep. Each evening introduces a different calming practice, including visualization, affirmations, slow breathing, mudra, chakra meditation, layered relaxation, and a Yoga Nidra–inspired weekly review. Together, these practices guide you through a soothing emotional journey: Release. Rest. Ground. Protect. Nurture. Balance. Embody. Throughout the series, you'll explore a blend of modern mindfulness, gentle nervous-system support, ancient yogic wisdom, reflective storytelling, and compassionate encouragement. This is not about forcing your mind to become blank or making sleep happen on command. It is about changing the way you relate to your thoughts—learning to notice them without following every one, softening the urge to solve everything at night, and allowing your body to remember how to rest. Over the course of the week, you'll be invited to: Release unfinished thoughts and worries Give yourself permission to rest Ground your awareness in the breath and body Create a sense of emotional safety at bedtime Meet overthinking with compassion instead of criticism Bring multiple calming practices together Reflect on what helps you feel most peaceful and supported Each episode also includes a daily reflection question and a supportive Message for Your Heart to help you carry the practice beyond the meditation. You do not need to finish every thought tonight. You do not need to solve tomorrow before it arrives. Let this series become a gentle evening ritual—a place to set down the day, quiet the mind, and return to yourself. Press play, settle into a comfortable position, and begin your seven-day journey toward deeper rest and a calmer relationship with your thoughts. THIS WEEK'S CHALLENGE: THE NIGHTSTAND SURRENDER RITUAL Each night, write the thought taking up the most mental space. Fold the paper, place it in a small bowl or box beside your bed, and say: "This thought may rest here while I rest." Revisit the notes only during daylight.   FUN NAMES FOR YOUR CONTAINER The Thought Hotel• Tomorrow's Department The Worry Vault The Resting Place   MEDITATION TECHNIQUES: DAY 1: VISUALIZATION Guided Sleep Meditation to Stop Overthinking and Release the Day River of Thoughts visualization: place each worry on a leaf and let it drift downstream. DAY 2: AFFIRMATION "At night, I release the day and return to peace." DAY 3: Bedtime Breathing Meditation to Calm Racing Thoughts and Fall Asleep 4-6 grounding breath: inhale gently for 4, exhale comfortably for 6, for about 10 rounds. DAY 4: SHAKTI MUDRA  Fold the thumbs inward, soften the index and middle fingers over the thumbs, and let the ring fingers and pinkies touch. DAY 5: ANAHATA HEART CHAKRA Center of the chest• compassion soft green or rose light expanding with each easy breath. DAY 6: LAYER ALL THE TECHNIQUES TOGETHER   DAY 7: REFLECTION AND CELEBRATION   SHARE YOUR MEDITATION JOURNEY WITH YOUR FELLOW MEDITATORS Let's connect and inspire each other! Please share a little about how meditation has helped you by reaching out to me at Mary@SipandOm.com or better yet -- direct message me on https://www.instagram.com/sip.and.om. We'd love to hear about your meditation ritual!   WAYS TO SUPPORT THE DAILY MEDITATION PODCAST SUBSCRIBE so you don't miss a single episode. Consistency is the KEY to a successful meditation ritual. SHARE the podcast with someone who could use a little extra support.   I'd be honored if you left me a podcast review. If you do, please email me at Mary@sipandom.com and let me know a little about yourself and how meditation has helped you. I'd love to share your journey to inspire fellow meditators on the podcast! All meditations are created by Mary Meckley and are her original content. Please request permission to use any of Mary's content by sending an email to Mary@sipandom.com.   FOR DAILY EXTRA SUPPORT OUTSIDE THE PODCAST Each day's meditation techniques are shared at: sip.and.om Instagram https://www.instagram.com/sip.and.om/sip and om Facebookhttps://www.facebook.com/SipandOm/   SIP AND OM MEDITATION APP Looking for a little more support? If you're ready for a more in-depth meditation experience, allow Mary to guide you in daily 30-minute guided meditations on the Sip and Om meditation app. Give it a whirl for 7-days free! Receive access to 3,000+ 30-minute guided meditations customized around a weekly theme to help you manage emotions. Receive a Clarity Journal and a Slow Down Guide customized for each weekly theme.   2-Week's Free Access on iOS https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/sip-and-om/id1216664612?platform=iphone&preserveScrollPosition=true#platform/iphone   All meditations are created by Mary Meckley and are her original content. Please request permission to use any of Mary's content by sending an email to Mary@sipandom.com.Let go of repetitive negative thoughts.   Music composed by Christopher Lloyd Clark licensed by RoyaltyFreeMusic.com, and also by musician Greg Keller.

The 16th episode of the Lead with Empower podcast, recorded just before Memorial Day weekend, features hosts Dan and Zack discussing the nuances of designing team-building experiences. Determining Difficulty Levels Finding the "sweet spot" for a group's challenge level is described as an art that requires significant inquiry during the sales and design process. Key factors used to gauge the appropriate level of difficulty include: ●       Group Size: Larger groups often face more internal conflict due to "too many cooks in the kitchen". To manage this, facilitators may break a large group of 50 into smaller lanes of eight or nine people to ensure everyone remains engaged. ●       Physical Exertion: Programs are tailored to the group's daily activity levels; for example, a high school sports team would receive a more physically demanding program than a corporate group that is typically sedentary. ●       Age and Wiring: Adults tend to overthink and strategize extensively before acting, whereas younger participants often dive into problems immediately without a set strategy. ●       Desired Outcomes: Facilitators ask whether a client wants pure fun (an outing), professional skill development, or a mix of both to determine the program's structure. Stages of Group Development The hosts reference Bruce Tuckman's research on group dynamics to explain how they adjust activities based on a team's current stage: ●       Forming: New groups with social barriers are given low-complexity icebreakers (e.g., favorite hobbies) rather than deep personal sharing. ●       Storming: Teams experiencing power struggles or conflict are given collaborative tasks without competition to avoid creating further division. ●       Norming: As people settle into roles, activities with clearly defined, different roles are used to highlight how individual strengths contribute to team success. ●       Performing: Groups that are "firing on all cylinders" are given more challenging levels to prevent complacency. Facilitation Tactics ●       Frontloading: To maintain trust, facilitators inform groups at the start if there are multiple tiers of difficulty or if an activity might be modified to build momentum after a struggle. ●       Managing Mistakes: Facilitators use "nickel and dime" rule enforcement as a tool for difficult or uncooperative groups. Conversely, for groups showing high effort and positive growth, facilitators may overlook "hustle mistakes" near the end of a program to ensure the experience concludes with a sense of accomplishment. ●       Core Objectives: Every program aims to achieve three things: Engagement, Challenge, and Accomplishment. Episode Timeline: ●       Never Quit Mentality (03:01): The speakers emphasize giving 100% effort until the "clock hits zero," using the New York Knicks' historic 22-point comeback as a prime example. ●       The Difficulty "Sweet Spot" (06:51): Facilitators must find the right challenge level; too hard leads to participants giving up, while too easy results in "dead air" and disengagement. ●       Inquiry-Based Sales (08:22): A program's success starts during the sales process by asking if a client wants pure fun, a mix of learning, or intensive skill development. ●       Large Group Friction (13:10): Groups of 30 often take twice as long as groups of five because "too many cooks in the kitchen" can cause members to work against each other. ●       Adult vs. Youth Problem Solving (16:01): Adults frequently overthink and delay action to find a "perfect" answer, whereas youth often dive into tasks without any plan or strategy. ●       Tuckman's Stages of Development (20:56): Facilitators use the four stages—forming, storming, norming, and performing—to assess group dynamics and choose appropriate activities. ●       Avoiding Storming Competition (25:13): For groups in the "storming" phase of conflict, facilitators avoid competitive tasks that could "feed the fire" of existing internal power struggles. ●       The Power of "Frontloading" (28:17): To maintain trust, leaders should inform groups ahead of time if an activity has multiple tiers or harder levels rather than using a "sneak attack" challenge. ●       Strategic Rule Enforcement (32:16): Facilitators may overlook minor "hustle mistakes" for engaged teams but strictly enforce rules (a "nickel and dime" approach) for difficult or argumentative groups. ●       The Ultimate Goal (35:16): Team building's purpose is for participants to leave feeling positive and confident, ready to apply lessons to their real-world environments. ●       Selecting a Partner (39:00): Organizations should choose partners who ask deep questions about group outcomes and physical exertion levels rather than offering a "cookie-cutter" approach. Find out more at https://lead-with-empower-podcast.pinecast.co This podcast is powered by Pinecast.

NSW legends Brad Fittler and Andrew Johns try to make sense of the axing of Haumole Olakau’atu. Joey believes Casey McLean will recover in time to play Game 2, but has serious doubts over Mitchell Moses. Red Hill in turmoil, Broncos season in jeopardy and the boys pinpoint where the major issue lies. (0:00) Jai Arrow at the Big Freeze(0:51) Rabbitohs to honour Jai(1:43) Kane Evans’ emotional interview(4:25) Olakau’atu axed from Origin(6:31) Dylan Lucas primed to perform(8:17) Joey’s weather forecast(8:38) Injury cloud around Casey McLean(9:18) How does Daley utilise Api?(9:54) D-Day for Mitchell Moses(11:05) Payne Haas returns(12:25) NRL pedigrees with Joey & Freddy(13:25) 1997 State of Origin series(15:10) Playing under Tommy Raudonikis(16:02) How will Billy use Reece Walsh?(17:41) Difficulty of managing interchanges(18:34) Will Marky Mark’s name fit on the jersey?(18:58) Multiple changes to the Maroons(19:19) Ponga-Munster-Walker combo(19:39) Ponga-Munster feud(20:07) Joey and Freddy’s feud(20:58) Best position for Walsh off the bench?(22:17) Red Hill in turmoil(22:54) Broncos’ run home(23:44) Madge at risk of losing his job?(25:12) Injuries the reason for Broncos' downfall?(27:03) Gal’s greatest Origin moment(28:46) Blues end the QLD dynasty(30:28) Freddy & the Eighth medal(34:26) Having A Crack, sponsored by Sportsbet(37:47) Thursday Night Footy preview(38:26) Friday Night Footy preview(40:07) Sunday Arvo Footy preview(41:15) Advice from the boysSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Do not stop because something is difficult. Difficult means it can be done, it just needs more effort, confidence, never giving up and above all divine intervention from God.

Find us online at calvarykearney.com or visit us in-person at Central Elementary School at 10:30 on Sunday mornings.

In Dante's Inferno, the lustful are not burned. They are swept, a great relentless wind moves them endlessly, helplessly, no footing, no direction, just the next gust carrying them where it will. This week's episode is a weekend reflection; slower, more meditative, less about publishing and craft and more about the soul-work questions underneath. Lust in its oldest, broadest sense—unrestrained wanting. The fire the Greeks understood. The Cyclops's single eye. Odysseus making himself Nobody to escape the cave. Emily Dickinson's delight in being Nobody too. And the difference between failure (which you can face) and self-abandonment (which is harder). This is from a nonfiction book I'm working on. If the reflection register resonates, stay close—these weekend episodes will keep coming.The Difficulty is the podcast of Crossroads Publishing Group, a new IBPA-pledged hybrid press based in Chattanooga, TN. We publish serious nonfiction in three lanes—Argument, Reflection, Witness.00:00 What this episode is — the weekend reflection lane01:00 Dante's lustful — swept endlessly by the wind02:30 The id, duende, and Heraclitus on fire03:30 The Cyclops — single eye, all surface, all appetite05:00 Odysseus calls himself “Nobody” — and it saves his life06:00 Emily Dickinson's “I'm Nobody. Who are you?”07:00 The American problem with being Somebody08:00 Personal — what got abandoned along the way09:00 Failure vs. self-abandonment10:00 Soul work, calling, and the descentCrossroads Publishing Group: crossroadspublishing.groupLearn more about two engagement opportunities happening right now: https://crossroadspublishing.group/start/ Get full access to The Descent at chadprevost.substack.com/subscribe

Sometimes being faithful to the Lord means finding difficulty rather than ease. Today as we discuss Isaiah 6, we look at the Lord's call for Isaiah and the warning that God's calling for Isaiah going to be rough. We can be encouraged that difficulties in life and service to the Lord may be part of the call God has for our life too! DISCUSSION AND STUDY QUESTIONS: 1.    In your life, where are you serving the Lord? When times get difficult in that service, how do you tend to respond?  2.    Verse 1 contains Isaiah's vision of the Lord. What (of the Lord) fills the temple? What is this? What does its size indicate about the Lord?  3.    In verse 2, what stood above the Lord? The podcast mentioned that the name of these beings literally means "burning ones" and yet, they cover their faces. What does this indicate about the presence of the Lord?  4.    In verse 3, what did the seraphim call out to the Lord? What is the importance of repeating this three times? What does this indicate about the Lord's character?  5.    In verse 5, how does Isaiah react to this vision of the Lord? What was his main concern? Why?  6.    In verse 6, what does the Seraphim do? How might it have been possible for this seraph to be holding a burning coal?  7.    In verse 7, what is the result of the Isaiah's lips touching the coal? How might passages like Numbers 31:22-23 help us understand the impact of fire on a person's sin?  8.    Notice the "us" in verse 8. What does this indicate about the nature of God?  9.    What does the Lord ask in verse 8? What does Isaiah's response indicate about his heart to serve the Lord?  10.    What does the Lord tell Isaiah he is to do in verse 9? How will the people respond in verses 9 & 10?  11.    If the Lord gave you this commission, how would you feel? Along these lines, what did Isaiah ask at the beginning of verse 11? Why? What was the Lord's answer?  12.    What kind of judgment does the Lord foretell in verse 12?  13.    What glimmer of hope does the Lord give Isaiah in verse 13? Why is this all a person needs to be faithful in their ministry?  Check out our Bible Study Guide on the Key Chapters of Genesis! Available on Amazon just in time for the Genesis relaunch in January! To see our dedicated podcast website with access to all our episodes and other resources, visit us at: www.keychapters.org. Find us on all major platforms, or use these direct links: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6OqbnDRrfuyHRmkpUSyoHv Itunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/366-key-chapters-in-the-bible/id1493571819 YouTube: Key Chapters of the Bible on YouTube. As always, we are grateful to be included in the "Top 100 Bible Podcasts to Follow" from Feedspot.com. Also for regularly being awarded "Podcast of the Day" from PlayerFM. Special thanks to Joseph McDade for providing our theme music.   

Homily for Corpus Christi Sunday.

Follow me @samirkaji for my thoughts on the venture market, with a focus on the continued evolution of the VC landscape.Welcome back to another episode of Venture Unlocked, the podcast that takes you behind the scenes of the business of venture capital.In this episode, I'm joined by three deep tech investors and friends of the show, Nate Williams, Sunil Nagaraj, and Guy Perelmuter, for a roundtable on the state of deep tech and the changing venture landscape. We dig into what deep tech really means today, why it's suddenly attracting so much capital, and how economics, government tailwinds, and AI as a “killer app” have pulled these once niche technologies into the mainstream. We also explore the growing concentration of capital in a handful of hyperscale winners, the tension between consensus vs. non-consensus investing, and what all of this means for emerging managers, LPs, and founders operating at the zero-to-one stage.Thanks for listening to another episode of Venture Unlocked. I hope you enjoyed this conversation with Nate, Sunil, and Guy. If you'd like to get Venture Unlocked content straight to your inbox, go to ventureunlocked.substack.com and sign up, or head over to Apple Podcasts or Spotify and subscribe. Thanks again for listening.Nate Williams is the Founder and Managing Partner of DeepTech seed firm UNION (Union Labs, Union Peak VC funds) and formerly served as an Entrepreneur-in-Residence (EIR) at Kleiner Perkins focusing on vertical “Physical AI” opportunities across Climate/Resilience, PropTech, and Mobility. Nate has made over 40 early-stage investments, including Urban Sky, Butlr, Antimatter (acquired by Databricks), Proxy (acquired by Oura), Ruby Robotics (acquired by Intuitive Surgical) and Klue (acquired by Medtronic). Before transitioning to full-time VC, Nate built a track record as a hands-on operator with senior leadership roles across startup, growth, and turnaround stages, culminating in successful exits for 4Home (to Motorola, 2010), Motorola Mobility (to Google, 2012), Motorola Home (to ARRIS, 2013), and August Home (to Assa Abloy, 2017). Earlier in his career, Nate was an Analyst in the Digital Home Group at Intel Corp. Nate holds an MBA from UCLA Anderson School of Management and a Bachelor's degree in Comms from the University of Connecticut.Sunil Nagaraj is the Founder and Managing Partner of Ubiquity Ventures, a seed-stage venture firm investing in “software beyond the screen,” including robotics, AI, industrial automation, and frontier technologies. Prior to founding Ubiquity, Sunil spent over a decade at Bessemer Venture Partners, where he invested in companies across cloud computing, developer tools, and emerging technologies. He is widely recognized for his early conviction in deep tech and infrastructure-driven innovation before it became mainstream in venture capital.Guy Perelmuter is the Founder and Managing Partner of GRIDS Capital, a venture firm focused on deep tech, AI, and advanced industrial technologies. With a background spanning engineering, technology, and investing, Guy has built his career around backing highly technical founders tackling complex global problems. He is known for his insights into the convergence of AI, infrastructure, and industrial transformation, as well as his emphasis on technical depth and long-term value creation in venture investing.Timestamps:Topics in this conversation include:* Definition of Deep Tech by Technical Prowess and Advanced Engineering (2:51)* Hardcore Technology, Difficulty to Build, and Hardware Misconceptions (3:51)* Drivers Of Deep Tech Tailwinds: Maturing Technologies and Government Push (6:12)* Excess Investor Interest After SpaceX and Other Breakout Successes (9:18)* Historical Analogy to Electrification and AI as New Infrastructure Layer (14:43)* Need For Specialized Deep Tech Expertise and New VC Org Structures (19:36)* Schizophrenic Risk-on Behavior and King-making of Consensus Winners (22:08)* Why Normal M and A and IPO Outcomes Still Matter For Smaller Funds (26:53)* Fund Proliferation, New Managers, and What Will Prove Transient (28:49)* Access Capital, Hollywood-ization of Venture, and Coming Bust Risks (33:34)* Consensus Growth Obsession, 10x Expectations, and Metric Distortions (38:02)* How Seed Managers Adapt and Curate Downstream Capital for Portfolios (41:01)* Founder-led Investor Selection and Power Shifting To Specialist Seed GPs (44:53)* Myths About VC Impact, Trend Surfing, and Overstated GP Influence (48:18)* Final Thoughts and Takeaways (53:11)Follow me @SamirKaji and give me your insights and questions with the hashtag #ventureunlocked. If you'd like to be considered as a guest or have someone you'd like to hear from (GP or LP), drop me a direct message on X. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit ventureunlocked.substack.com

Topics covered:A field report from week one of Crossroads Publishing Group—what's coming in the door, what's surprising, what's confirming.What a hybrid press actually is. A working definition: a publisher where the author shares the financial risk via a fee (broadly $5K to $45K, depending on the engagement), in exchange for real editorial work, professional production, distribution under the press's imprint, and a higher royalty share than traditional contracts.Why the vanity-press confusion exists, and why it's no longer accurate to the category as it stands in 2026.The IBPA Hybrid Publisher Pledge—the trade-association standard the legitimate hybrid presses meet (and the vanity operations don't).Three case studies of serious hybrid presses: She Writes Press (founded by Brooke Warner, 2012; 500+ titles; Industry Innovator Award from the Book Industry Study Group in 2017; Warner is chair of the IBPA) Greenleaf Book Group (Austin; operating since 2003; 1,500+ titles; multiple New York Times bestsellers) Lucid Books (Texas Christian hybrid; 5,000 authors in 20 years of operation)Three structural reasons the hybrid category is growing while the Big Five contracts: * The agent and Big Five pipeline is capped (≈1,000 active US agents, 3-5 new clients each per year) * Platform requirements at traditional imprints have become unworkable for serious working writers * The math of a hybrid contract is often better for the author: The traditional advance reality in 2026: $5K-$25K for non-celebrity nonfiction, declining year over year, with the author doing the marketing anyway, on a 10-15% royalty, with the publisher owning the ISBN.Why this matters for The Difficulty‘s actual listeners — coaches, therapists, consultants, pastors, mission-driven leaders, retired executives in second and third acts, working professionals in midlife transition.Five questions to ask any hybrid press before you give them a dollar:One — Are they IBPA pledged? If not, why not? Two — What is the author royalty split, in a specific number, with accounting schedule? Three — What editorial work is actually included in the price — developmental, line, copy, proofreading; at what stage; how many rounds? Four — Where does your book actually go after publication? Real distribution (Ingram, Amazon, Bookshop.org, library channels like Baker & Taylor and OverDrive) or just a SKU on a website? Five — What is the editorial selection rate? A serious hybrid press turns books down.About Crossroads Publishing Group:Crossroads is a hybrid press for practitioner authors—coaches, therapists, consultants, mission-driven leaders, and working professionals with a serious book and a body of insight. Three main category lanes on the site. 80% net royalties to the author. IBPA-pledged criteria built into the model.Inquiry door: crossroadspublishing.groupCall to action:If you're a practitioner author with a serious book and the hybrid path sounds like it could be yours, visit crossroadspublishing.group to start the conversation. Feedback on the show is welcome — what episodes are speaking to you, what you'd like to hear more or less of. Get full access to The Descent at chadprevost.substack.com/subscribe

For more thoughts, clips, and updates, follow Avetis Antaplyan on Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/avetisantaplyan⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠In this episode of The Tech Leader's Playbook, Avetis Antaplyan sits down with Bruce Cleveland, a venture capitalist, former CMO, Chief Executive Officer, engineering executive, author, and creator of the Market Engineering framework. Bruce has helped build and scale major technology companies including Oracle, Apple, Siebel, and C3 AI, and has invested early in companies such as Marketo, Workday, and Doximity before they became category-defining successes.The conversation explores what separates legendary technology leaders from average executives, why most startups misunderstand traction, and how market engineering can become the difference between burning capital and building enduring demand. Bruce shares behind-the-scenes lessons from working with leaders like Tom Siebel, why category creation requires naming and framing a problem, and how founders can create market appetite before pouring money into demand generation.Avetis and Bruce also discuss the future of AI, why expertise may become the ultimate moat, the rising importance of forward deployed engineers, and why product engineering alone is no longer enough. Bruce closes with insights from his books, including Traversing the Traction Gap and Market Engineering, offering founders and executives a practical roadmap for building markets that do not yet exist.TakeawaysLegendary companies rarely feel obvious while they are being built. Even inside Oracle's early days, the path forward was filled with uncertainty.Great leaders attract great talent by building a mission, culture, and problem worth committing to.Bruce's framework starts with naming and framing the problem so the market can understand, remember, and adopt the category.The best executives build deep networks that act like external sensors, helping them “see around corners.”Bruce invested early in companies like Marketo by focusing on business problems he understood before obvious market traction existed.Startups should not confuse product-market fit with market-product fit. The market must want what the product provides.In the AI era, expertise becomes more valuable because humans still provide judgment, context, accountability, and nuanced decision-making.Chapters00:00 Introduction to Bruce Cleveland01:02 Lessons from Oracle's Early Days03:50 What Great Founders and Leaders Still Get Right05:13 The Power and Difficulty of Category Creation10:22 Building a Category Without an Existing Brand13:33 Bruce's Three-Step Category Creation Framework18:30 Leadership Lessons from Tom Siebel24:13 What Separates Great Executives from Average Ones28:47 What Bruce Looks for as an Early-Stage Investor36:19 Market Engineering vs. Demand Engineering44:22 Testing Demand Before Overbuilding Product53:11 Why Expertise Is the Real Moat in the AI EraBruce Cleveland's Social Media Link:https://www.linkedin.com/in/brucecleveland/Bruce Cleveland's Website Link:https://www.tractiongappartners.com/Resources and Links:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.hireclout.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.podcast.hireclout.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/hirefasthireright⁠

This microcast episode focuses on recognizing signs that aging parents need help and how to approach caregiving with respect and sensitivity. It offers practical tips for observing changes, maintaining independence, and planning supportive care.Aging Parents: Signs They Need Help & What To DoRecognizing when aging parents need help is usually aboutpatterns of small changes over time. This guide combines warning signs with practical steps you can take to support independence safely.Common Signs They May Need Help• Decline in ability to manage daily tasks• Changes in memory, thinking, or judgment• Physical health or mobility issues• Emotional withdrawal or isolationHome & Daily Living Warning Signs• House becoming messy or unsafe• Unopened mail or unpaid bills• Expired or spoiled food• Poor hygiene or wearing same clothes repeatedlyMemory & Cognitive Changes• Forgetting appointments or medications• Getting lost in familiar places• Repeating questions frequently• Poor financial or safety judgmentPhysical & Health Warning Signs• Frequent falls or bruises• Difficulty walking or standing• Weight loss or lack of appetite• Skipping medications or doctor visitsEmotional & Social Changes• Withdrawal from hobbies or activities• Depression or anxiety• Avoiding calls or social interaction• Increased irritability or mood swingsWhat You Can Do• Observe patterns before acting• Have respectful conversations focused on independence• Introduce small supports like cleaning or meal help• Address home safety (grab bars, lighting, fall hazards)• Involve medical professionals when needed• Plan ahead for finances and care preferencesUrgent Warning Signs• Repeated falls• Getting lost• Medication misuse• Self-neglect• Major personality or cognitive changesComplete Check-In List• Review home cleanliness and food safety• Monitor memory and bill paying• Check mobility and fall risk• Confirm medication management• Assess mood and social activity• Evaluate driving safety• Review financial behaviorAction Plan• Minor issues: Add light support (cleaning, reminders)• Moderate issues: Attend doctor visits and increaseinvolvement• Major issues: Limit risks and consider in-home care

There is a quiet voice inside of you that represents your intuition and consciousness, and you have spent so long ignoring it that you have forgotten what it sounds like. You often decline its invitation to return to peace and presence by staying busy on purpose, scrolling past our feelings, and performing a version of "okay-ness" because being honest is much harder than being busy."Coming Home" is a call to stop using motion to avoid meaning. It is the difficult realization that peace is not geographic; it is not waiting for you on the other side of a new city, a new job, or a new country. You cannot engineer the right circumstances to quiet the noise if you are unwilling to change your internal posture.In this The In-Between episode, Rocky sits with a challenging question: What if peace isn't the absence of pressure, but a return to reality and the courage to finally acknowledge the life you actually have?What you'll hear:The Ignored Internal Voice: Why you choose a hundred shallow distractions over one real conversation with your own intuition.The Illusion of Geographic Peace: Why changing your scenery is often confused with changing your posture, and why peace is never geographic.The Difficulty of Honesty: How stopping the "run" forces you to face your weariness, fears, and the people who have been quietly waiting for you to come home.Returning to Reality: How peace is found in the small daily decisions that move you toward the life you want by paying attention to the one you are currently living."Peace is not the absence of pressure. Peace is a return to reality."Once a month, Rocky hosts Somewhere in the Middle, a gathering for people who are done performing and ready to be real. Come be human with us.Get To Know RockyRocky Garza is a keynote speaker, executive coach, and host of Real with Rocky. He helps leaders trade performance for presence and to lead like themselves, not someone else.Connect with RockyCome be human with us at Somewhere in the Middle: https://www.rockygarza.com/confidenceFollow Rocky on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rockygarza/Connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rockygarza/Visit the website: https://www.rockygarza.com/

Show Highlights: Shared vision misconceptions affecting integration success. [02:38] What's often thought of as an integration thesis but isn't. [05:21] What an integration thesis is and three core questions. [06:24] Leadership alignment and consistent interpretability necessity. [08:28] Difficulty executing integration as per deal negotiations. [11:34] Financial vs. strategic framing for M&A success. [12:56] Planning integration theses for scale vs. capability deals. [18:37] Two essentials and key steps in geographic expansion. [20:01] Approaches to vertical integration and defensive acquisitions. [20:56] Why preparing an integration thesis pre-LOI matters. [23:41] Practical questions to test your integration thesis. [25:09]  If you are interested in connecting with Joe, go to LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joemosher/, or schedule a call at www.moshercg.com.

Dana and Tom with 5x Club Member, Jesse Sertle (Fellow group member of CineMadison) discuss The Rock (1996) for its 30th anniversary: directed by Michael Bay, written by David Weisberg, Douglas S. Cook, and Mark Rosner, cinematography by John Schwartzman, editing by Richard Francis-Bruce, music by Nick Glennie-Smith and Hans Zimmer, starring Sean Connery, Ed Harris, and Nicolas Cage.Plot Summary: In The Rock, a rogue U.S. general (Ed Harris) seizes Alcatraz Island and threatens San Francisco with stolen chemical weapons, forcing an unlikely duo—a bookish FBI chemist (Nicolas Cage) and a vanished‑from‑the‑grid ex‑spy (Sean Connery) —into the island's fog‑shrouded fortress. As they infiltrate the abandoned prison's tunnels and rusted battlements, the mission becomes a tense clash of wills and philosophies, where loyalty, guilt, and the weight of past secrets press in as heavily as the Pacific mist. The Rock turns into a high‑stakes pressure cooker, inviting you into a world where every corridor hums with danger and every choice feels like it could tip the balance.Guest:Jesse Sertle (5x Club Member)Fellow group member of CineMadisonPreviously on Rounders (1998), Easy Rider (1969), and Once Upon a Time in Hollywood (2019), Star Wars (1977)@jsertle on IGChapters:00:00 Introduction, Cast, and Background for The Rock03:00 Welcome Back, Jesse Sertle06:04 Tom's Difficulty with Michael Bay08:55 Relationship(s) with The Rock14:07 Michael Bay19:28 Nicolas Cage23:24 Sean Connery25:23 How to Enjoy Any Michael Bay Movie26:25 Plot Summary for The Rock27:23 What is The Rock About?28:41 Did You Know?32:39 First Break33:22 What's Happening with Jesse Sertle?34:03 Best Performance(s)39:51 Best Scene(s)47:22 Second Break48:14 Best/Funniest Lines51:24 The Stanley Rubric - Legacy57:09 The Stanley Rubric - Impact/Significance01:01:45 The Stanley Rubric - Novelty01:05:02 The Stanley Rubric - Classicness01:11:53 The Stanley Rubric - Rewatchability01:16:10 The Stanley Rubric - Audience Score and Final Total01:17:49 Remaining Questions for The Rock01:20:19 Thank You to Jesse and Remaining Thoughts01:23:33 CreditsYou can also find this episode in full video on YouTube.You can now follow us on Instagram, Twitter, Bluesky, Threads, YouTube, or TikTok (@gmoatpodcast).For more on the episode, go to: https://www.ronnyduncanstudios.com/post/the-rock-1996-ft-jesse-sertleFor the entire rankings list so far, go to: https://www.ronnyduncanstudios.com/post/greatest-movie-of-all-time-listKeywords:The Rock, Michael Bay, Nicolas Cage, Sean Connery, Ed Harris, 90s action movies, film critique, behind the scenes, movie analysis, film analysis, movie review, 90s cinema, rewatchability, film legacyRonny Duncan Studios

Today, Pastor Jack teaches that difficulties develop hope. Without it, we're liable to stumble and fall. Hard moments can build within us a stronger faith, a humble attitude, and the courage to stand for the truth.

by Elder Chris McCool, Pastor (preached on May 17, 2026) As we began to see yesterday, God’s children who are living in this sin-cursed world are living in the difficult time between regeneration and resurrection. We long for the “sweet by and by,” but we dwell in the “nasty here and now.” But there are...

A quick reminder that behavior problems are not always “won't do” problems. Sometimes they're “can't do yet” problems. In this Misfit Minute, Caitlin breaks down why consequences alone don't teach skills like waiting, emotional regulation, frustration tolerance, or communication, and why practicing coping skills during calm moments matters so much.Key Takeaways• You can't punish a skill deficit away—Consequences alone don't teach missing skills• Behavior often communicates missing abilities—Difficulty waiting, coping, or communicating may be skill deficits• Replacement behaviors must be taught—Students need to learn what to do instead• Practice during calm moments matters most—Skills are harder to learn when already escalated• Reinforce progress, not perfection—Growth happens through repetition and support• Shift from “defiance” to information—Repeated behavior may signal a need for more teaching and practice• Long-term behavior change requires instruction—Not just reacting after the behavior happensResources• Need support teaching replacement behaviors and coping skills? Check out these behavior support visuals: https://abainschool.com/k858• “Can't Do vs Won't Do” visual → https://abainschool.com/mm15• DTT vs NET teaching → https://abainschool.com/ep5• Check out the FBA mini-series! Start here → https://abainschool.com/ep31Join Us• Join the Misfit Behaviorists Facebook group → https://abainschool.com/misfits• Subscribe for more ABA and special education quick tips• Share an example of a skill you realized needed teaching instead of consequencesJoin the Facebook group for collaboration and freebies: The Misfit Behaviorists

Today, Pastor Jack teaches that difficulties are a part of the Christian life, and we should not run from them. Instead of avoiding hard situations, we need to trust in the Lord, and stay faithful, knowing that He is working through those challenges.

🧭 REBEL Rundown 🔑 Key Points 🧩 Human Factors: The unseen behaviors, distractions and considerations critical in emergency medicine and the ICU, influencing patient care beyond just medical knowledge.🎯 System Design: Effective system design directly impacts team performance by creating environments that facilitate optimal decision-making. 🏥 Real-world Application: The application of human factors in healthcare leads to better team dynamics, reduced stress, and improved patient outcomes. 👷🏽‍️It’s Everyone’s Job: Building a culture of adaptability and openness to change can lead to better healthcare delivery, communication and interprofessional relationships🛠️ Practical Solutions: Start the conversation in departments for actionable and pragmatic changes to current healthcare environments to enhance practitioner efficiency and patient care quality. Click here for Direct Download of the Podcast. 👀Previously Covered and Related Content: REBEL EM: Titles Don’t Make LeadersREBEL MIND: Moving from Junior to Senior Leadership in Emergency CareREBEL MIND: The Dunning-Kruger EffectREBEL MIND: Growth vs Fixed Mindset 📝 Introduction Welcome back to Rebel MIND, the podcast where we sharpen the person behind the practitioner. MIND stands for Mastering Internal Negativity during Difficulty. This series emphasizes productivity, provider performance, and team optimization to ensure we are at our best during high-pressure situations. In this episode, host Dr. Mark Ramzy chats with special guests and master educators about the concept of human factors.Dr. Chris Hicks is an emergency physician and trauma team leader at St. Michael’s Hospital in Toronto, Assistant Professor in the Department of Medicine at the University of Toronto, and co-founder of Advanced Performance Healthcare Design, a physician-led simulation and design group. Dr. Andrew Petrosoniak is an emergency physician and trauma team leader at St. Michael’s Hospital, and Medical Director of the Unity Health Toronto Simulation Program. He’s an Assistant Professor at the University of Toronto where his research focuses on simulation for systems and design improvement and optimizing the care of the bleeding patient. Along with Dr. Hicks, he’s also President of Advanced Performance Healthcare Design, a consulting firm that works with high-performance teams and uses simulation to enhance and design better healthcare spaces Cognitive Question How can the integration of human factors improve decision-making and performance in emergency medicine and critical care environments? ️What are Human Factors? In the context of healthcare, human factors encompass the interplay between humans, the systems they work within, and the effectiveness of their interactions. It includes elements like communication, system design, environmental conditions, and behavioral patterns affecting individual and team decision-making processes. It’s the collective impact of individual behaviors, team dynamics, and the physical environment on performance and outcomes. The aim is to eliminate issues arising from human error by creating systems and environments that naturally guide and support optimal performance. 🏥How This Applies to the Emergency Department or ICU? Efficient integration of human factors in high-pressure settings like the Emergency Department (ED) or Intensive Care Unit (ICU) helps mitigate the risks associated with stressful and chaotic environments. By focusing on system designs that account for human behavior, healthcare professionals can reduce errors, enhance team coordination, and ultimately improve patient care. This is crucial as teams are often required to make rapid, life-saving decisions in these environmentsThe design of clinical spaces can either hinder or help efficient care. Poorly arranged equipment or cluttered workspaces increase stress and impede decision-making. Implementing structured design principles, such as dedicated equipment zones and clear visual cues, can streamline workflows and enhance team coordinationIt actually helps pave the way for more efficiency because you end up “working smarter instead of harder”.It speaks directly to the Daniel Kahneman’s theory of Type 2 Thinking – which is a slow, analytical cognitive process requiring deliberate thoughtWe’ll likely create a whole dedicated episode to this but if you want to read more ahead of time on it, check out his book Thinking, Fast and Slow ⏩Immediate Action Steps for Your Next Shift **Assess Your Environment**: Take note of any clutter, noise, or layout issues in your workspace that could hinder optimal performance. Identify problem areas that could be optimized.**Recognizable Hard-Stop** – Implement a “Stop-Point” Check for areas or issues that involve more than just patient safety (ie. workflow inefficiencies, sign-out, throughput, etc). Use predefined benchmarks during procedures to ensure clarity and efficiency.**Foster Open Communication** – Encourage an environment where every team member feels comfortable discussing their thoughts and decisions without fear of judgment.**Prototype Solutions** – Work with colleagues to identify problems and brainstorm quick, cost-effective solutions that could be tested in your department.**Role Clarity and Preparation** – Ensure roles are clearly defined and team members are prepared with necessary resources readily available during high-stakes scenarios.**Test and Refine** – Conduct quick pilot tests of new setups or processes during quieter times and gather feedback from your team. Conclusion Human factors play a critical role in shaping healthcare outcomes. Through structured system designs and attention to team dynamics, it is possible to reduce inefficiencies and enhance both patient care and provider well-being. It requires a shift in perspective from seeing design and systems as separate from human behaviors, to seeing them as intricately linked. By incorporating these principles, healthcare professionals can create environments that inherently support better, safer, and more effective patient care. 🚨 Clinical Bottom Line Incorporating human factors into healthcare isn’t just about preventing errors—it’s about creating an ecosystem where the healthcare team is empowered to perform at their best, even under the most challenging conditions. Implementing small, iterative changes can create a meaningful impact, paving the way for improved systems and processes. This starts by redesigning systems and environments with human factors in mind, which can significantly improve both the efficiency of care delivery and the safety of the healthcare environment. Further Reading Petrosoniak A, Hicks C. M&M rounds 2.0: the future of performance improvement. CJEM. Feb 2025PMID: 39979684Petrosoniak A, Hicks CDesign, build, train, excel: Using simulation to create elite trauma systems. International Anesthesiology Clinics. Publish Ahead of Print.Request the Article herePetrosoniak A, Hicks C, et al. Design Thinking-Informed Simulation: An Innovative Framework to Test, Evaluate, and Modify New Clinical Infrastructure. Simul Healthc. 2020 Jun 2020.PMID: 32039946Bleetman A, et al.Human factors and error prevention in emergency medicine. Emerg Med J. May 2012PMID: 21565880Hayden EM, et al.Human Factors and Simulation in Emergency Medicine. Acad Emerg Med. 2018 Feb 2018PMID: 28925571 Meet the Authors Mark Ramzy, DO Co-Editor-in-Chief Cardiothoracic Intensivist and EM Attending RWJBH / Rutgers Health, Newark, NJ Chris Hicks, MD, Med Co-Founder of Advanced Performance Assistant Professor of Emergency Medicine, University of Toronto, Canada Andrew Petrosoniak, MD, MSc Co-Founder and President of Advanced Performance Medical Director of Unity Health Toronto Simulation Program Showing Slide 1 of 3 The post REBEL MIND – Human Factors: The Hidden Architecture of Emergency & Critical Care Medicine appeared first on REBEL EM - Emergency Medicine Blog.

by Elder Chris McCool, Pastor (preached on May 17, 2026) In this sermon, we deal with the difficulty of living as a disciple of Christ in a sin-cursed body in a sin-cursed world. When we are born again, the struggle with trusting Christ and facing tribulations begins, and we must struggle daily to deal with...

What failure teaches, if you let it....

Today, Pastor Jack teaches that difficulties are often a test of a real commitment towards the Lord. Anyone can follow God when life is easy. But, when it becomes difficult, that's when it shows whether or not we are truly committed to His will.

Scott and Josh run down your questions! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Check out Cam's latest novel / audio drama here! Lord of Hatred isn't just the best Diablo IV expansion we've gotten so far, it might be the best story the franchise has ever told. In this episode, we're taking a closer look at every aspect of the magnificent new campaign and freshly overhauled endgame experience. We're also exploring the lethal new Warlock class and performing an exhaustive 'State of the Game' update on all the reworked core systems that make Sanctuary tick. Finally, we zoom out to ask some larger questions about the (bright) future of this franchise. LINKS: Patreon, YouTube, Spotify, Instagram Feedback & Theories: secondbreakfastpod@gmail.com 00:00 Introduction / Outline 02:52 Time Played 03:25 Overall Impressions 09:12 Campaign (Full Spoilers) 10:00 New Locations 16:17 Fantasy Aesthetics 17:53 Plot vs. Dialogue 20:44 Side Quests 22:12 Villains 28:03 Boss Fights 32:22 Major Deaths 37:51 Returning Characters 40:15 Story Reflections 41:26 Endgame: War Plans 47:20 Class Update: Warlock 57:24 Couch Co-Op Update 59:24 State of the Game 59:41 Skill Tree Update 01:02:08 Gear Stat Update 01:03:06 Horadric Cube 01:04:36 Quality of Life 01:05:07 Charms & Set Bonuses 01:07:52 Fishing 01:10:28 Technical Update 01:12:01 Difficulty 01:13:11 Reliquaries 01:14:02 Pets 01:15:23 Fun Factor 01:18:41 Comparing Expansions 01:23:41 Endgame Ambitions 01:27:19 Future of the Franchise 01:33:48 Closing Thoughts

In this high-energy episode of Tall Boy Radio, Beans sits down with a guest who knows a thing or two about precision, endurance, and the thrill of the hunt. Joining us is Logan Poleon, better known to the community as the Geocaching Ninja.While Logan is a fierce competitor in the Ninja Warrior leagues—mastering salmon ladders and warped walls—he spends his "downtime" navigating the world's largest treasure hunt. Today, he's trading the obstacle course for the GPS coordinates to give us the ultimate deep dive into the world of Geocaching.Beyond the Blue Dot: Logan explains how to truly master the Geocaching app. If you're just using it to find the nearest container, you're missing out. Learn about filters, offline maps, and the hidden features that turn a casual stroll into an elite expedition.The Art of the Hide: Thinking of placing your own cache? It's not as simple as dropping a Tupperware box in the woods. Logan breaks down the ethics, maintenance, and creative considerations you need to master before, during, and after you hit "publish."The Power of Community: From local meetups to the massive scale of Mega Events, discover why the social side of geocaching is just as rewarding as the finds themselves.Gamifying the Hunt: Drawing from his Ninja Warrior background, Logan discusses how to bring a competitive edge to the hobby—tracking stats, chasing milestones, and pushing your physical limits to reach those "Difficulty 5" terrain caches.The Ninja's Gear Bag: Don't get caught unprepared! Logan shares his essential kit list—from "Tools of the Trade" (TOTT) to the safety gear every serious cacher should carry.Logan Poleon is a multi-discipline athlete and geocaching advocate. Whether he's competing in Ninja Warrior or trekking miles into the wilderness to find a micro-cache, Logan brings a unique blend of athleticism and analytical thinking to everything he touches.Check out Logan on InstagramInstagramtallboyradio.com

Today, Pastor Jack teaches that Jesus came for people who know they need help. Trials can deepen our appreciation towards the Lord, and difficult experiences often make us more grateful, more prayerful, and more aware of God's presence in our lives.

Today, Pastor Jack teaches that difficulties help us recognize our need for God. When life is easy, we often ignore Him. But, the hard times push us to seek Him and depend on Him more.

Almost 9 years since the big split of the Bitcoin community, it's time to learn more about how the Bitcoin Cash chain developed. Calin Culianu is the creator of Fulcrum, an efficient privacy-preserving SPV client. Steve Thurmond is the most ardent advocate for Cash Stamps: a convenient paper wallet system that's used for gifting. Throughout the episode, more BCH community members will join to have the conversation that you will never hear on any other Bitcoin podcast. Time stamps: 00:01:09 Introducing Calin Culianu & Steve Thurmond 00:02:37 The Evolution of Bitcoin Cash 00:03:59 Who is Behind Bitcoin Cash Now? 00:06:34 Narratives and Misconceptions 00:07:53 Vlad's Perspective on the Fork 00:09:44 Bitcoin's Capture and Speculative Nature 00:11:48 Vlad's Journey with Lightning Network 00:16:07 Blockstream and the "Banker" Conspiracy 00:18:33 The Security Budget Debate 00:22:12 The Problem with IOU Systems like Lightning 00:24:02 Vlad's Disappointment with Onboarding 00:24:58 Ethereum's Rise Amidst Bitcoin's Infighting 00:27:52 The Bankers Won, But Crypto Still Exists 00:32:16 The Future of Bitcoin and Firing Core Devs 00:33:08 The Wall of Consensus in BTC 00:39:19 The Multi-Coin Future 00:42:48 Bitcoin Cash's Development Philosophy 00:49:08 Craig Wright's Controversial Involvement 00:55:16 The Impact of Contentious Forks 00:58:55 The Resilience of Bitcoin Cash 01:02:32 The Value of Open Source Competition 01:08:51 Greg Maxwell's Influence 01:12:00 The Ecash fork 01:25:02 Introducing New BCH Community Members 01:26:38 Building Smart Contracts on Bitcoin Cash 01:34:06 Why UTXO is Better than EVM 01:40:07 Can You Run a BCH Node? 01:41:07 The Flawed "Run a Node" Narrative 01:53:27 The Dangers of RBF and the Importance of 0-Conf 02:05:07 One-Minute Blocks Proposal 02:08:02 Finality and User Experience in Wallets 02:12:13 The "It's Just Money, Bro" Philosophy 02:41:39 What Can You Buy with BCH? 02:48:28 The Permissionless Nature of BCH 02:52:12 The Paradox of Layer Twos 02:57:18 The Stigma of Building on BCH 02:58:21 The Changing Culture of Bitcoin Cash 03:11:35 Ordinals and the "Spam" Debate 03:17:07 Would BCH Still Have a Nice Dev Culture If Michael Saylor Started Buying? 03:28:14 Quantum Computing and Satoshi's Coins 03:42:59 The Tail Emission Debate 03:50:11 The Culture is the Ultimate Defense 03:53:16 The Politicization of Bitcoin Development 03:59:26 Privacy and Fungibility 04:02:21 The Future of Privacy on BCH 04:36:12 Fulcrum: An Electrum Server Implementation 04:38:54 The Litecoin Question 04:49:13 The Difficulty of Recreating Bitcoin's Genesis 04:51:38 The Long-Term Bet on SHA-256 04:54:12 A Break and Introduction to Rosco 05:48:33 CashScript and Smart Contracts on BCH 05:55:22 BCH vs. Ethereum Smart Contracts 06:03:05 The UTXO Stack and Abstraction Layers 06:43:30 The Avalanche Pre-Consensus Question 06:45:51 The "Tax" Fork 07:04:06 The Failed Attack on Bitcoin Cash 07:08:58 The 2018 Inflation Bug Disclosure 07:22:46 The Michael Saylor Phenomenon 07:28:41 The Arrest of Roger Ver 07:39:28 Spending Crypto in the Real World 07:44:22 The End of Crypto-Friendly Spaces in Europe 07:52:05 Prediction Markets and Community Sponsorship 08:08:17 Robin Linus is Jealous of BCH Opcodes 08:09:50 Final Thoughts and Conclusion

Send us Fan MailS6 E132 - Can't Sleep? Try This Meditation for Insomnia & Racing ThoughtsCan't sleep? If you're lying awake at night with racing thoughts, sleep anxiety, frustration, or middle-of-the-night wake-ups, this guided meditation for insomnia is designed to help you stop fighting sleep and relate to wakefulness with more calm, mindfulness, and self-compassion.In this episode of Sleep Takeout, clinical psychologist Dr. Daniel Baughn guides you through a gentle Leaves on a Stream meditation adapted specifically for insomnia, nighttime anxiety, and difficulty falling back asleep. Rather than trying to force sleep, empty your mind, or “make yourself relax,” this practice helps you notice sleep-related thoughts, feelings, and body sensations without judgment — and then gently return your attention to the image of leaves floating down a stream.This meditation may be especially helpful if you struggle with:Difficulty falling asleepWaking up in the middle of the nightEarly morning awakeningsRacing thoughts at bedtimeSleep anxietyFear of not sleepingFrustration about being awakeChecking the clockWorrying about tomorrowFeeling tense, restless, or alert in bedInsomnia-related body sensationsOverthinking at nightTrying too hard to sleepThis practice is rooted in mindfulness, self-compassion, anxiety treatment, and principles often used alongside Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia, also known as CBT-I. The goal is not to force sleep to happen. The goal is to soften the struggle with wakefulness, notice thoughts and sensations more gently, and give your mind something steady and compassionate to return to. If you are awake at 2 AM, 3 AM, or 4 AM wondering, “Why can't I sleep?” or “How do I calm my racing thoughts at night?” this episode can help you practice a different response: noticing, allowing, and returning. Use this guided sleep meditation when you are lying in bed, during a nighttime awakening, before sleep, or anytime you want to practice letting go of anxious thoughts about sleep.In this episode, you'll practice:Mindfulness for insomniaA Leaves on a Stream meditationLetting go of racing thoughtsNoticing sleep anxiety without judgmentResponding kindly to nighttime wakefulnessBecoming aware of body sensations without fighting themReturning attention gently when the mind wandersReducing the struggle around being awakeThis episode is not about perfect sleep. It is about building a calmer, more compassionate relationship with your mind and body when sleep feels difficult.00:00 Welcome and Setup01:19 Visualize the Stream02:13 Place Thoughts on Leaves03:30 Handle Feelings and Sensations05:52 Let Go of Control07:20 When the Mind Hooks You08:55 Kindness in the Night09:46 Nonjudgmental Awareness11:54 Closing Rest and Return✨ Real rest isn't just about falling asleep, it's about feeling at ease again. I'm Dr. Daniel Baughn, sleep psychologist and co-host of Sleep Takeout. I help professionals and high-achievers who seem to have everything together on the outside but can't quite turn off their minds at night. Sometimes, a simple conversation can be the start of real change.

DuckTerritory's Matt Prehm and Erik Skopil took a look at Oregon's 2026 football schedule. The two broke down each game, making predictions and looking at possible challenges before assessing the difficult of each month. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Many women in their 40s, 50s, and beyond find themselves asking the same painful question....“How did I end up here again?”In this episode of Healing Forward with Barbara La Pointe, I sit down with psychotherapist, soul-healer, and life-guidance coach Nathalie Volan to explore how unhealed childhood wounds—especially mother wounds—can quietly shape our adult relationships.We discuss how unresolved emotional trauma can create patterns that leave women vulnerable to narcissistic, emotionally abusive, manipulative, or toxic romantic and business relationships.If you've ever struggled with:✨ People pleasing✨ Repeating painful relationship patterns✨ Narcissistic abuse recovery✨ Difficulty setting boundaries✨ Emotional exhaustion✨ Toxic friendships or business partnerships✨ Feeling unseen, unheard, or never “enough”Healing doesn't begin with blaming ourselves. It begins with understanding the root.About Nathalie VolanNatalia Volanberg, PhD, is a psychotherapist and Clarity Breathwork practitioner who helps women—especially in midlife—heal from narcissistic and abusive relationships. With a global background spanning Russia, Canada, Asia, Europe, and now Mexico, she specializes in helping women retrain their nervous systems to break free from repeating harmful patterns in love and business.  Nathalies Education:• Masters in Counselling (Monash University, Australia)• Psyche Embodied residential workshops with Marion Woodman, Jungian analyst, teacher, lecturer, and author (New College, University of Toronto) 2004–2005• Sexuality Studies / History (HonsBA, University of Toronto, Canada) 2000–2005• Jungian Studies courses with Ann Yeoman, Jungian Analyst and author (New College, University of Toronto) 2003–2005• History of Psychiatry / Psychiatric Illness courses with Edward Shorter• Pre-medical studies in Chemistry, Biology, and Physics (Seneca College, Toronto, Canada) 1998–1999Connect with Barbara La Pointe | Healing Forward

Bryan seeks the best way to handle constant arguments, emotional pushback, and being ghosted by parents when disagreements don't go their way. Call 1-800-DR-LAURA / 1-800-375-2872 or make an appointment at DrLaura.com Follow me on social media: Facebook.com/DrLaura Instagram.com/DrLauraProgram YouTube.com/DrLaura Join My Family!! Receive my Weekly Newsletter + 20% off my Marriage 101 course & 25% off Merch! Sign up now, it's FREE! Each week you'll get new articles, featured emails from listeners, special event invitations, early access to my Dr. Laura Designs Store benefiting Children of Fallen Patriots, and MORE! Sign up at DrLaura.com Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In 1917, Virginia and Leonard Woolf set up Hogarth Press in their dining room with about forty pounds of operating capital. Five years later, Sylvia Beach published Ulysses from a Paris bookshop after every major publisher refused it. A few months after that, Hogarth Press published The Waste Land — another book the corporate houses had passed on. In a span of five years, two small presses founded by writers and bookshop owners redefined what English-language literature could do in the twentieth century.The publishing moment we are living through in 2026 looks remarkably like that one. The big houses have closed their doors to the writer of serious nonfiction without an existing platform. Agents have become the new editorial gatekeepers. The book that takes seven years to write is structurally homeless in the corporate system.This episode argues for what comes next — a return to the editorial tradition that produced the literary canon. Crossroads Publishing Group is a boutique press in that tradition. Two lanes: Leadership (Covey/Lencioni/Collins) and Reflective (Solnit/Whyte/Hollis/Tooze/Klein). Hybrid model, legitimately operated. IBPA-pledged. CLMP member.The Founding Voice cohort opens today. The first three writers signing a publishing engagement — Editorial Framing Brief or above — receive a dedicated Difficulty episode profile, inclusion in the first seasonal catalog, and permanent recognition on the Crossroads website as a Founding Voice. Pricing is not discounted. The recognition is structural.→ Engagements: crossroadspublishing.group/engagements → Submit: crossroadspublishing.group/inquire → Discovery call: Book on Calendly Get full access to The Descent at chadprevost.substack.com/subscribe

The Practice of Finding Meaning in Difficulty

The practice of finding ease in difficulty means learning to relax even when circumstances are challenging. This guide explores how ease is not the absence of difficulty but a way of being with difficulty that does not add suffering to pain.

Speaker or Performer: Drew HarrisScripture Passage(s): II Timothy 3:10-17Date of Delivery: May 24, 2026

On today's Call Sheet podcast, Coach Kevin Smith dives in on Aaron Rodgers returning to Pittsburgh, and why his reunion shines a light on the difficulty team's face when attempting to land a franchise quarterback. This podcast is a part of the Steel Curtain Network, a proud member of the Fans First Sports Network. Check out Meinelschmidt Distillery at meineldistillery.com and use the code SCN10 to save 10% at checkout! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Scott Bedgood started his career covering Little League games at the Tyler Morning Telegraph in Texas. Now Scott is a journalist, author, content marketer, and clean-comedy stand-up opening at The Ryman in just a few days.This is the first interview episode of The Difficulty, and Scott is the right writer to launch the format with. His through-line is storyteller, and the way he's threaded that line — from sports journalism through self-publishing Lessons from Legends (interviews with twelve College Football Hall of Fame coaches including Barry Switzer, Steve Spurrier, and Tom Osborne) into a stand-up comedy career that started as a newsletter project four years ago — is exactly the kind of working-writer path this show exists to surface.

State of the art technology shows weakness against cheap drone. Difficulty: 70 years ago.

Sophie McDowall explores the complex difficulty of balancing free speech rights with moderating radicalist audio content. She identifies Islamic art bands with ties to Hamas that use music to oppose coexistence. (16/16)1960 UNGA WITH NASSER

For the past six months, people have been asking me to do an episode on managing anxiety. We are living in genuinely anxious times, and the real things to be anxious about are not in short supply. So here it is. For me, anxiety feels like unease. Like I am forgetting something. Like something is wrong, even when I cannot point to what it is. I have noticed a clear uptick in clients describing this lately, too. Difficulty sleeping, intrusive thoughts, a body that cannot relax, the sense of panic gathering. This is anxiety that interferes with daily life and makes it difficult, or even impossible, to do the things we want to do. If this is you, you are not alone, and there are things that help. Read the show notes for today's episode terricole.com/831

We talked about some of the strangest and coolest research topics in endurance sports for this episode! Basically, the science discussions went long, so we just ran with it.The main discussion was on how to stop cramps, laying out 10 theories. But put on your tin foil hats, because we think the cramping conspiracy runs deep. Our theory: cramping is connected to fatigue resistance is connected to all endurance performance, and thinking about cramp prevention might revolutionize all training theory even for athletes who never cramp. IT GOES DEEP!We also talked about a new missing link heat study, connecting altitude blood changes to long-term passive heat training. It was especially weird because the researchers were unsure of exactly why it happened. Those are the most fun study moments!Other topics: very short-term changes in fat max and fat oxidation (featuring the wildest figure we have seen in a long time), the difficulty of studies due to large error bars and small effect sizes, the crossover point in metabolic research, the incredible Dark Wizard documentary, and a question on relationships.For a clue about what was censored, here's the hint: I caught mommy [bleeping] [bleepa blaus].We love you all! HUZZAH!-David and MeganClick "Get 40% Off" button for 40% off at The Feed here: thefeed.com/swapBuy Janji's amazing gear: https://janji.com (code "SWAP")The Wahoo KICKR Run is the best treadmill on the market: https://www.wahoofitness.com/devices/running/treadmills/kickr-run-buy (code “SWAP”)For training plans, weekly bonus podcasts, heart rate zones, articles, and videos: patreon.com/swap

Live May 18, 2026 | Yaron Brook Show(Bonus Episode Season 12, Episode 10)Protecting Freedom in the Courts -- Conversation with Joshua Windham | Yaron Brook ShowCan the Courts Still Defend Freedom? Joshua Windham on ICE, Surveillance, Property Rights & the Future of LibertyWhat happens when government power collides with individual rights? And are America's courts still willing to defend freedom when it matters most?In this bonus episode of the Yaron Brook Show, Yaron sits down with Institute for Justice senior attorney Joshua Windham to discuss ICE detentions, government surveillance, property rights, economic liberty, and the growing battle over the Fourth Amendment.From wrongful detentions and warrantless searches to attacks on economic freedom, this conversation explores how fragile liberty becomes when courts defer to government power — and why state constitutions may become the next major defense of individual rights.The episode also dives into constitutional interpretation, judicial philosophy, Scalia's legacy, asylum law, Weimar Germany parallels, and the future of the Supreme Court.If you care about freedom, constitutional limits, and the future of individual rights in America, this is a must-watch conversation.Watch Now: https://youtube.com/live/SXMjmDf0ClsAbout: Joshua Windham is a senior attorney at the Institute for Justice and co-director of IJ's Project on the Fourth Amendment. He specializes in constitutional litigation involving economic liberty, property rights, and government surveillance, and has won major state constitutional victories protecting individual rights in Pennsylvania and Tennessee.Learn more about Joshua Windham here: https://ij.org/staff/joshua-windham/Learn more about the Institute for Justice: https://ij.org/Main Discussion0:00 — Why the Courts Matter More Than Ever0:43 — Introduction & Welcoming Joshua Windham1:42 — Inside the Institute for Justice4:06 — ICE Rights Violations & the Upcoming Supreme Court Case9:52 — The Repeated Detentions of Leo Garcia Venegas12:16 — Constitutional Limits on Law Enforcement19:01 — How Common Are Wrongful Detentions?21:15 — Government Surveillance & Fourth Amendment Battles26:44 — State Constitutions & Property Rights28:01 — Can the Supreme Court Be Challenged on Surveillance?30:45 — Building Legal Precedents Against Government Overreach40:10 — Legislation vs Litigation: Where Change Happens41:47 — Why Economic Freedom Gets Less Protection Than Speech47:41 — Real Estate Licensing & the Right to Earn a Living51:27 — Economic Liberty Cases & State Courts55:30 — Why Individual Rights Still Matter56:02 — Rationality, Philosophy & the Judiciary58:27 — The Difficulty of Legislative TestimonyLive Audience Questions59:26 — Is There a Better Constitutional Method Than Textualism or “Living Constitution”?1:03:21 — First Supreme Court Argument: Advice for a Young Attorney1:06:34 — Convenience vs Privacy: Can Surveillance Tech Be Ethical?1:07:51 — Are Courts Standing Up to Trump?1:10:03 — Weimar Germany: Why Didn't the Courts Stop Tyranny?1:10:41 — Birthright Citizenship & Constitutional Interpretation1:12:03 — Should Judges Go Beyond the Arguments Presented?1:15:36 — Voting Rights Act & Recent Court Rulings1:16:16 — The Origins of the Exclusionary Rule1:18:04 — How Lawyers Can Improve Legal Writing1:20:32 — Antonin Scalia & the Fourth Amendment1:23:49 — Which State Supreme Courts Are Most Interesting?1:27:33 — Is This the Most Pro-Free Speech Supreme Court Ever?1:30:39 — The Current State of Asylum Law1:31:31 — Should the Eighth Amendment Have More Teeth?1:37:08 — Should the Supreme Court Expand?1:38:10 — More Questions in the Pinned Comment#Constitution #SupremeCourt #FourthAmendment #PropertyRights #EconomicFreedom #GovernmentSurveillance #IndividualRights #InstituteForJustice #FreeSpeech #capitalism #ObjectivismThe Yaron Brook Show is Sponsored by [The Ayn Rand Institute](https://www.aynrand.org/starthere)[Energy Talking Points, featuring AlexAI, by Alex Epstein](https://alexepstein.substack.com/)[Express VPN](https://www.expressvpn.com/yaron)[Hendershott Wealth Management](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X4lfC...) &(https://hendershottwealth.com/ybs/)[Michael Williams & The Defenders of Capitalism Project](https://www.DefendersOfCapitalism.com)[Support the Show](  / yaronbrookshow  )[Sponsor the Show](askyaron@yaronbrookshow.com/)[One-time donation](https://bit.ly/2RZOyJJ)Join the [Yaron Brook Show YouTube channel](   / @yaronbrook  )  Like what you hear? Like, share, and subscribe to stay updated on new videos and help promote the [Yaron Brook Show](https://bit.ly/3ztPxTx)Continue the discussion by following Yaron on [Twitter](https://bit.ly/3iMGl6z) and [Facebook](https://bit.ly/3vvWDDC )Want to learn more about Ayn Rand and Objectivism? Visit the [Ayn Rand Institute](https://bit.ly/35qoEC3)Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/yaron-brook-show--3276901/support.Yaron is the executive chairman of the Ayn Rand Institute and a world class speaker. He is the coauthor of the national best-seller Free Market Revolution: How Ayn Rand's Ideas Can End Big Government, Equal is Unfair: America's Misguided Fight Against Income Inequality and In Pursuit of Wealth: The Moral Case for Finance. He speaks around the world on a variety of topics including the morality of capitalism, Ayn Rand and her philosophy, finance and economics, and the value of inequality.

Khutbah: Belief gets you through difficulty 100% of your donations today goes towards the means of providing accessible Islamic knowledge to people around the world: supportqalam.com. Like us on Facebook: facebook.com/qalaminstitute Follow us on Twitter: twitter.com/qalaminstitute Follow us on Instagram: instagram.com/qalaminstitute Subscribe on Youtube: youtube.com/user/qalaminstitute

Self-compassion in difficulty means treating yourself with the same kindness you would offer a friend who is suffering, especially when you have failed or struggled. This guide explores being gentle with yourself in your darkest moments, acknowledging that difficulty is part of the human experience, and offering yourself warmth rather than criticism. The quiet moment is where you learn to hold your own suffering with compassion, meeting yourself exactly where you are.

This week, we start a two-part series on the Irish War of Independence and The Troubles. England's difficulty is Ireland's opportunity.

Forever Giant Rich Aurilia weighs in on recent trade of Patrick Bailey and the Giants' decision to call up Bryce Eldridge. He shares his thoughts on the move, citing the potential for Bailey's offensive struggles and the team's desire to get young talent in the lineup. The conversation also touches on the Giants' current roster and the challenges of balancing playing time for young players.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.