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Hey friends, Chase here. Every summer, I revisit conversations from the archive that have stood the test of time. Not because I'm nostalgic, but because the best ideas don't expire. They deepen. This is another installment of Summer School—episodes I return to when I'm stuck. When a pattern I've been conditioned to see suddenly needs to be broken, I go back to the people who help me think differently. This one with Ben Uyeda is near the top of that list. Ben is a designer, entrepreneur, and creative force of nature who left a successful architecture firm and an Ivy League teaching gig to bring high-design ideas to the masses through media. His designs—widely shared, often free—have reached tens of millions of people and are being built around the world. And his most recent project? A 65-room hotel on 180 acres in the California desert, adjacent to Joshua Tree National Park, built with a team but rooted in the same hands-on curiosity that started with a concrete vase on YouTube. When this episode first aired, I called it one of the most shocking conversations of the year—not because Ben tried to shock anyone, but because I didn't expect it to blow me away. It did. It still does. His superpower is orthogonal thinking. Where most of us see the world through the patterns we've been trained into, Ben keeps asking the next question—about scale, purpose, risk, money, mastery, and what creatives actually want when they say they want "more." This conversation changed how I think about career growth. I think it can change yours too. "Forget scaling. What I think is really intriguing is this idea of escalation." — Ben Uyeda Summer School: Ben Uyeda on Escalation, Purpose, and Building Bigger Without Losing Yourself Ask Ben how he describes what he does, and he keeps it almost stubbornly simple: he designs things and he makes them. Those things range from a small concrete vase to a dining table to homes—and all the way up to Reset Hotel: 65 rooms on 180 acres near Joshua Tree. The leap sounds impossible until you understand his model. Most creatives, Ben argues, get trapped in a false choice. Either you're the solo maker—writing the book, building the table, running the photo shoot—or you're the manager of something massive, taking in everyone's opinions and slowly losing contact with the craft. He thinks the more interesting path sits between them: escalate. Scaling is repeating one thing at higher volume for better margins. Escalation is using each project as practice for a bigger adventure—vase to furniture to staircase to house to hotel—with new skills, collaborators, and risk at every step. There is no clean line from designing a vase to building a hotel. But there are incremental steps. In Ben's case, roughly five years from vase to house. Another five from house to hotel. Each jump maybe 50x to 100x in scale. The next project isn't the destination. It's skill-building—and an opportunity to meet the people you'll need when the economic risk gets larger. That distinction is the heart of this episode. And if you've ever chased "scale" when what you really wanted was growth, challenge, grit, relationships, and a life that still feels like yours, this one will hit hard. What You'll Hear in This Episode How Ben describes his work—from concrete vases to a desert hotel, and why he focuses on the doing Why small creative projects feel like Zen practice—and why bigger ones require learning to pass the ball The tension every creator knows: curiosity and economic safety often feel like they're pulling in opposite directions Scaling vs. escalating—and why most creatives think they want scale when they actually want challenge, skill, and connection The paperclip-to-house Craigslist story as a model for adventurous creative careers Why nature is becoming a luxury good—and how that thesis shaped Reset Hotel Ben's multi-year process for building a point of view: observations, post-its, journaling, and knowing when you're secure enough to ask bigger questions How to borrow pattern recognition from outside your field (Ben's favorite: food) What AI changes—and what it doesn't: reputation, responsibility, and embracing creative fear instead of waiting until you feel safe The story of Reset Hotel, Industry Night for creatives, and why physical immersion may be the next horizon Scale vs. Escalate This is the idea I keep coming back to—and the one that originally made this episode unforgettable. Typical entrepreneurial advice says: find a minimum viable product, then scale. For creatives, Ben says, that model often fails. Scaling optimizes for volume, repetition, and efficiency. Escalation optimizes for adventure: trade the paperclip for the lighter, the lighter for something bigger, and keep going—not by doing the same trade forever, but by graduating the game. Chase's own lived experience lines up with Ben's: escalation built the best things in his life—relationships, skills, grit, humanity. Scaling often decoupled him from those same things. That's the trap. People hear "economic upside" and chase repetition. What many of them actually want is escalating challenge—backstory, resources, personal development, network, connection—the exact texture of a project like building a hotel with your hands, your partners, and your reputation on the line. Ben didn't know this as sage wisdom going in. He learned it. Early ambition and big swings "worked," but felt like speedrunning a video game—fast completion with a strange emptiness afterward. Over time he learned something more useful about himself: his long-range visionary chess game is limited, but his commitment and belief once he chooses a path are incredibly strong. That self-knowledge became the architecture for taking on Reset. Nature as Luxury—and How a Hotel Got Built from a Thesis Ben's confidence in the hotel didn't come from a weekend of inspiration. It came from years of noticing. One signal: between roughly 2013 and 2016, monthly active users on Instagram and visits to national parks both exploded. The attention economy was booming—and simultaneously creating unprecedented demand for its opposite: walking through Yosemite or Joshua Tree, somewhere with little or no cell service. His larger thesis: as digital consumption becomes frictionless, we start craving the analog. The more algorithmically efficient our feeds get, the more we want to throw the phone aside, touch grass, hike, watch a real sunset. Because digital experiences got so good at being artificial, nature itself starts to feel like a scarce luxury—not just a pretty view from a coastal city, but immersive emptiness, dark skies, raw land. That thesis, plus an audience built by sharing design ideas, plus collaborators from craftspeople to investors, plus a shipping-container house project that opened new conversations—those pieces compounded into Reset. Ben is blunt that this kind of vision doesn't arrive as effortless brilliance. It's multi-year. Curious. Plodding. Built from obvious observations written on post-it notes until they start to arrange themselves into a next move. His practical advice for creatives trying to think at that altitude: Don't pour all your curiosity into tools and tactics alone. Also ask the scarier questions: What's my place in this discipline? What's my place in the broader economy? Earn enough security to think. For Ben, around $100k of income was the point where economic stress dropped enough for bigger questions to enter the process—not as luxury branding, but as creative fuel. Look outside your industry. Food is his favorite lens because he has emotional distance plus deep daily connection. Farm-to-table, farmers markets becoming aspirational, celebrities posting chickens instead of Bugattis—he's watching a backlash against efficiency and mass production. Then he asks: what's the design-and-craft version of that for me? Talk it out with peers. The work is often solo. The therapy and pattern recognition are better in community—ideally in person, without a competitive chip on your shoulder. Timecodes So You Can Jump Around 00:00 – Welcome and why this episode is part of Summer School 03:55 – Ben Uyeda joins the show 05:12 – How Ben describes what he does: design things, make them, from vase to hotel 07:33 – Are you bananas? Risk, scale, and building a hotel with your bare hands 12:51 – Forget scaling: why escalation is the more interesting creative model 14:12 – From YouTube vase to 65-room hotel—and the skill (and people) built along the way 16:27 – Chase on the difference between escalating challenge and chasing scale 18:42 – Did Ben know this going in—or learn it the hard way? 21:09 – Instagram growth, national parks, and the demand for the analog 24:24 – Why nature is becoming a luxury good 27:31 – How to build a creative thesis over years (not a weekend) 39:27 – Cheat codes: borrow pattern recognition from food (and other industries) 49:00 – AI fear, reputation, responsibility, and what still can't be automated 57:30 – Reset Hotel: dark skies, building the right way, and the first new ground-up hotel in the area in 15 years 01:07:36 – Where to follow the project—and Industry Night for creatives Why This Conversation Still Matters If anything, this episode is more urgent now than when we first recorded it. The creator economy still rewards the idea that the goal is to make one thing and multiply it forever. Platforms still optimize for volume. AI is accelerating that pressure—making certain end products cheaper and more abundant, and making a lot of talented people scared. Ben's counsel isn't "don't worry." It's the opposite. Be scared. Talk to friends. Diversify your thinking. Double down on reputation and responsibility—being the person clients call because you fix problems, even when the brief is imperfect. Accept that fear doesn't vanish when you "make it." Often it gets worse, because you feel like you have more to lose. And that's the trap: postponing the wild, scary, purpose-shaped adventure until you feel safe. Safety delayed often becomes safety that never lets you move. Meanwhile, the deeper trend he named—digital ubiquity creating hunger for physical, immersive, scarce experiences—keeps compounding. Reset Hotel is that thesis made concrete. Industry Night—his informal peer-to-peer gathering for creatives—is another version of the same idea: horizontal connection in a culture that keeps selling top-down scale. Whether you escalate toward something as large as a hotel or simply toward a braver version of your next project, the question remains the same: are you chasing repetition, or are you chasing a life? Keep Going Deeper If this conversation resonates: Reset Hotel: stayreset.com · @reset.hotel Ben online: benuyeda.com · Instagram · HomeMade Modern on YouTube Earlier conversation: Escalate & Evolve: A Blueprint for Career and Life with Ben Uyeda Follow Ben: Instagram | Website | YouTube Questions to Reflect On Am I optimizing for scale (repeat one thing) or escalation (grow into bigger adventures)? What would my "next size up" project be—not 100x overnight, but one honest step beyond what I've already made? Where am I chasing economic certainty in a way that quietly starves my curiosity? What obvious cultural observation have I been noticing—and what would it mean if I took it seriously for my own work? Am I pouring all my curiosity into tools and tactics while avoiding the harder questions about my place in the economy? Where am I postponing a meaningful risk until I "feel safe"—and what might that delay really cost? In an age of AI and infinite digital content, what physical, scarce, or immersive experience could only come from me? The Core Idea Most creatives don't actually want to become a machine that repeats the same win forever. They want a life that escalates: bigger challenges, deeper skills, richer relationships, and work that still feels like craft even when the coordination gets complex. Ben's path—from free design ideas online to a modernist hotel on the edge of Joshua Tree—isn't a prescription to go build hospitality. It's a reminder that purpose compounds through projects. Each one prepares you for the next. Each one brings in the people you'll need later. And the goal isn't to arrive as fast as possible. It's to grow into someone who can hold more risk without abandoning who they are. If there's one lesson worth carrying forward from this Summer School session, it's this: Don't confuse scaling with growing. The creative life you're probably hungry for is escalation—one braver project at a time.
In this Episode of the Secure Your Retirement Podcast, Radon and Murs discuss Concentrated Stock Positions and why so many pre-retirees and retirees are sitting on a mountain of Appreciated Stock without a plan for it. Whether it came from Company Stock Options at a long-time employer or from riding a big name higher over the past few years, a single stock that grows into half a portfolio changes the entire risk picture heading into retirement. Radon and Murs break down why Stock Diversification matters more now than it did during your working years, and why Capital Gains Taxes are usually the real obstacle keeping people stuck.Listen in to learn about the Tax-Efficient Investing strategies Nick Hyman is using with clients to unwind large positions without triggering an unnecessary tax bill. You'll hear how Tax-Loss Harvesting through Direct Indexing can offset gains, how a Donor-Advised Fund can move highly appreciated shares to charity with zero tax on the gain, and how bracket-aware selling fits into a coordinated Retirement Investment Strategy. If you're building a Retirement Financial Plan and Company Stock Options or one big winning stock are part of the picture, this episode lays out exactly where to start.In this episode, find out:Why holding a large Concentrated Stock Position is a different risk in retirement than it was while you were workingHow Tax-Loss Harvesting and Direct Indexing can help offset gains when you sell Appreciated StockWhy bracket-aware selling, year by year, is central to smart Retirement Tax PlanningHow a Donor-Advised Fund lets charitably inclined retirees give appreciated shares without paying tax on the gainWhy doing nothing about a concentrated position only compounds the problem instead of solving itTweetable Quotes:"When we're working and we have a salary and income coming in, if a stock goes down 20, 30, 40 percent, it's not as big of a deal because there's still income coming in the door." - Murs Tariq"If you just stay in this place of doing nothing, you only are compounding the problem. It's not getting better." - Radon StancilResources: If you are in or nearing retirement and you want to gain clarity on what questions you should be asking, learn what the biggest retirement myths are, and identify what you can do to achieve peace of mind for your retirement, get started today by requesting our complimentary video course, Four Steps to Secure Your Retirement! To access the course, simply visit POMWealth.net/podcast.
Serve No Master : Escape the 9-5, Fire Your Boss, Achieve Financial Freedom
We think of AI as living in the cloud — but it runs on physical chips, factories, and supply chains that break in the real world. Jonathan Green talks with supply-chain expert Mohannad Gomaa about the logistics of AI: why modern supply chains are dangerously brittle, how AI helps spot trends and de-risk sourcing, and why resilience — not just efficiency — is the strategy that matters now. Key Takeaways: • Modern supply chains are brittle — the tiniest disruption can cascade into shortages • AI helps you spot trends and decide where (and from whom) to source • Forecasting that stops at volume level leads to costly misallocation • Diversify your supplier portfolio; don't optimize purely for cost • Resilience, not just efficiency, is the supply-chain strategy for the AI era Notable Quotes: "Supply chain models are very brittle to the tiniest disruption." — Mohannad Gomaa "It's that resilience part — one of your supply chain strategies — that's what really matters." — Mohannad Gomaa Connect with Mohannad Gomaa: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mohannadhazemgomaa Website: https://mgostrategy.com/ Enjoyed this? Follow The Artificial Intelligence Podcast and share it with someone running operations or a supply chain.Connect with Jonathan GreenThe Bestseller: ChatGPT ProfitsFree Gift: The Master Prompt for ChatGPTFree Book on Amazon: Fire Your BossPodcast Website: https://artificialintelligencepod.com/ Subscribe, Rate, and Review: https://artificialintelligencepod.com/itunesVideo Episodes: https://www.youtube.com/@ArtificialIntelligencePodcast
Add up your income from the last six months, then imagine losing your single biggest client tomorrow. For a lot of freelance writers, that one client covers half the income, or more. If that's you, this episode is about the biggest risk you might be carrying right now and what to do about it. I start by reframing what independence actually means for a solo writer. You never stop depending on something. The real question is whether you chose those dependencies on purpose or slowly adopted them without noticing. Then I get specific about the most common one, the single anchor client. I tell the story of how a great, reliable client can grow into 60 percent of your income before you realize it. Then they lose an account, and most of your business is gone in one email. From there, I give you a few practical recommendations: how to run your own concentration number, how to build a second income leg before you need it, where AI genuinely helps, and how to keep a little marketing going even when you're full. What You'll Learn A simple way to measure how much of your business rides on one client, and the number that should worry you Why you never really stop depending on something, even when you're solo, and the dependency most of us drift into The four places concentration hides: one client, one referral source, one channel, one type of work How a great, reliable client can become your biggest risk without you noticing Three practical recommendations for spreading your income so no single client can sink you Where AI genuinely helps you take on more work without burning out Why reducing your reliance on a great client feels disloyal, and why it isn't The one small step to start this week Key Ideas & Takeaways 1. You Never Stop Depending on Something. Going solo doesn't remove dependence. You depend on clients, on referral sources, and on the channels where work comes from. The writers who last choose those dependencies on purpose, instead of slowly adopting them without noticing. 2. The Risk Hiding Inside a Great Client. The better the client, the easier it is to let them grow into most of your income. A reliable agency client becomes 60 percent of your business, you stop marketing, and then they lose an account. In one email, most of your income is gone. 3. A Big Client Can Be a Job in Disguise. When one client is half your income or more, you don't have a business with clients. You have a job with one boss, and none of the protection, perks, or benefits a real job provides. You've taken on all the risk of employment and kept none of the safety. 4. Run Your Concentration Number. Add up what each client paid you over the last year and find the percentage your biggest one represents. If it's over 40 or 50 percent, that's your project for the quarter. You don't have to panic. You just have to know it. 5. Build a Second Leg Before You Need It. The aim is to grow a second and third source of income around your big client, so no single one can sink you. You keep the big client. You just stop letting them be the only thing holding you up. 6. AI Buys You the Bandwidth to Diversify. Most of us let a big client take over because we're already maxed out. When used properly, AI takes a lot of the production load off your plate, the research, the first drafts, the repetitive pieces. Those freed-up hours are what let you take on another client without working nights and weekends. 7. The Hard Part Is Emotional. Reducing your reliance on a great client can feel ungrateful, even disloyal. But diversifying protects you and your family when something goes wrong on their end, and that's usually out of your control. That's just being a responsible owner of your business. Action Steps Run your concentration number this week. Add up last year's income by client and find your biggest client's percentage. Over 40 to 50 percent means it's time to act. Pick one realistic second leg: a new type of client, a new channel, or a new service. Take one small step toward it this week. Hand one production task to AI (research, a first draft, a repetitive piece) so you free up hours for finding that next client. Block one or two hours a week for marketing, even while you're full, so your pipeline never goes cold. Think about where your income is too concentrated, then start building, one small step at a time, over the next few weeks.
Know Your Nonprofit with Jeanna Davis E5: Diversify Your Funding Sources Host: Jeanna Davis - Nonprofit Consultant | Grant Writer | Owner at JMD Enterprises & Associates | Speaker | Commissioner | Community Leader | SBE/MBE Certified Produced by Elite Conversations Podcast Media https://eliteconversations.com/
Most founders treat fundraising like a necessary evil — something to endure, survive, and move past so they can get back to building. Jason Fishman, founder and CEO of Digital Niche Agency, has spent a decade proving that's exactly backwards.With over 500 deals under his belt and campaigns that have collectively generated hundreds of millions in revenue and capital raised, Jason breaks down how modern founders are using regulated investment crowdfunding (Reg CF, Reg A+, and Reg D) not just to fill their bank accounts, but to build armies of shareholders, brand advocates, and strategic partners. The real asset isn't the money — it's the 20,000 investors who now want you to win and will tell everyone they know.This episode is a masterclass in treating your capital raise as a full-blown marketing campaign.Key Takeaways4:14 — How Jason discovered fundraising is a marketing exercise. Working at a social gaming company in LA, he created 75 versions of a pitch deck and saw firsthand the inefficiencies — and the upside — of a well-executed raise.7:01 — Why the warm-intro VC mindset is outdated. The traditional approach limits founders to who they know. Reg CF and Reg A+ let you target anyone — including non-accredited investors — and build a shareholder base of tens of thousands.8:48 — The planning principle most founders ignore. If you need funds in a year, start today. Fundraising isn't a sprint — it requires seeding relationships and building infrastructure long before you launch.10:48 — The traffic math behind a successful Reg CF campaign. You need 50,000–100,000 visits to an offering page to generate ~1,000 investments. Understanding digital marketing metrics — not just dollars raised — is the real measure of momentum.14:37 — Reg D vs. Reg CF vs. Reg A+ — how to choose. A clear breakdown of all three exemptions: who can invest, minimum investment levels, filing complexity, timelines, and when each makes sense for your stage.22:05 — How crowdfunding creates negotiating leverage with VCs. A graphene-industry client hit their full $5M Reg CF raise in 43 days — then used that crowd as a "waiting list" to walk away from unfavorable VC terms.23:52 — Which industries work best for community-driven raises. It's not just consumer brands. B2B companies, biotech, modular homes, and AI companies are all succeeding — what matters is a compelling market narrative.28:34 — Storytelling is the real conversion lever. The 3-1-3 method: break your pitch into 3 sentences, compress to 1 sentence, then distill to 3 words. If someone can't repeat your idea at a coffee shop, they won't invest or refer.36:55 — The #1 mistake founders make when marketing a raise. Not starting early enough — and assuming the offering page will do the work. The top 10% of deals get the majority of investments; the bottom 50% do no marketing at all.40:28 — The right vs. wrong way to use AI in your raise marketing. AI slop is rampant. The rule: don't use it unless it's better than human. AI accelerates experts — it doesn't replace them.42:47 — The future of capital formation is large crowds, fast. Prediction markets, digital communities, and A-list endorsements point toward a world where raises fill overnight — whoever builds the audience first wins.Tweetable Quotes"Twenty thousand investors isn't twenty thousand line items on a cap table. It's twenty thousand people who now want you to win — and who will tell everyone they know." — Jason Fishman"The community, the audience, is actually the most valuable part. It is a marketing exercise well beyond the funds raised." — Jason Fishman"If you fail to plan, you plan to fail. Look at fundraising as already accomplished — then figure out the steps to get there." — Jason Fishman"The fewer words used, the better. People need to be able to understand what you do so well that they feel comfortable explaining it to someone else." — Jason Fishman"AI slop is far too prevalent. Don't use it unless it's better than human — for any software, any tool, any AI." — Jason Fishman"If I scroll your offering page and the headlines don't sell me, I'm gone. It could be the most amazing company ever — but the storytelling sold you short." — Jason Fishman"Raise money like you're building a following, not begging for a bailout." — Jeff MainsSaaS Leadership Lessons1. Your investors are your first growth channel — treat them that way. The companies winning with community raises aren't just collecting capital. They're recruiting advocates. Every shareholder is a potential referral source, customer, and word-of-mouth engine. Build your raise strategy like a customer acquisition funnel, not a one-time event.2. Plan your raise 12 months before you need the money. Fundraising has a long cycle — regulatory filings, audience warming, relationship seeding. Founders who wait until they need capital have already lost the game. Start building your investor community before your runway demands it.3. The offering page is your highest-stakes landing page. Optimize it like one. You need 50,000–100,000 visits to generate ~1,000 investments. Apply e-commerce conversion thinking: glance test, bold headlines, social proof above the fold, and clear immediacy (time-limited share prices, investment bonuses). If the headlines don't convert, the product never gets a chance.4. Simplicity isn't dumbing down — it's the highest form of clarity. Use the 3-1-3 method: 3 sentences → 1 sentence → 3 words. If your investor can explain your company at a dinner table, they will. If they can't, they won't invest — and they definitely won't refer anyone. Complexity kills conversion.5. Crowdfunding creates leverage — don't give it away too early. A crowd of investors is a negotiating asset. Founders with a demonstrated ability to raise from retail investors can walk away from unfavorable VC terms and return to the crowd. This only works if you've built the infrastructure before you need the leverage.6. Diversify your capital-raise strategy the same way you diversify your marketing stack. Don't put all your eggs in one basket — not in SEO, not in one broker-dealer, not in one VC relationship. The founders who succeed build multiple traffic sources, multiple audience touchpoints, and multiple investor pipelines working simultaneously. One channel is fragility. Multiple channels are momentum.Guest Resourcesjfishman@digitalnicheagency.comdigitalnicheagency.comhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/jafishman/Episode SponsorThe Futureproof Series - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLfkXKUPZ5xuOqMPR7_gzGybncTtavyR1NThe Captain's KeysSmall Fish, Big Pond – https://smallfishbigpond.com/ Use the promo code ‘SaaSFuel'Champion Leadership Group – https://championleadership.com/https://jeffmains.com/books/SaaS Fuel ResourcesWebsite - https://championleadership.com/Jeff Mains on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffkmains/Twitter - https://twitter.com/jeffkmainsFacebook - https://www.facebook.com/thesaasguy/Instagram - https://instagram.com/jeffkmains
In this hard-hitting episode of War HOGG Words of Wisdom presented by On The Range Podcast, 29-year U.S. Army Special Operations veteran Rick Hogg breaks down the harsh realities of today's social media landscape. Rick exposes how Big Tech platforms use opaque algorithms to decide which creators and businesses get organic reach — often throttling, shadowbanning, or de-monetizing content from firearms training, tactical education, law enforcement, and conservative voices while pushing paid promotion. He also dives deep into data absorption — how platforms harvest massive amounts of creator and user data for profit, AI training, targeted suppression, and behavioral control. Drawing from his real-world experience building War HOGG Tactical and On The Range Podcast in a heavily moderated space, Rick shares battle-tested strategies to fight back.You'll learn practical steps to build resilience: Diversify beyond algorithm-dependent platforms Create owned media assets (website, email list, podcast) Use plain-language SEO for evergreen firearms training and tactical content Protect your brand with content hygiene, platform diversification, and data backup plans This episode delivers no-BS wisdom on algorithmic bias, reach suppression, data privacy, and the censorship industrial complex — essential listening for content creators, business owners, law enforcement professionals, and responsibly armed citizens who refuse to let Big Tech control their message. Train Hard. Stay Safe. Be 1% Better Every Day. Watch/Listen to the full episode: YouTube (War HOGG Tactical): https://www.youtube.com/@WarHOGGTactical YouTube (On The Range Podcast): https://www.youtube.com/@ontherangepodcast Official Website & Episodes: https://www.ontherangepodcast.com/ War HOGG Tactical: https://www.warhogg.com/ Join the exclusive On The Range Podcast CREW (early access, bonus content & more): https://www.patreon.com/ontherangepodcast Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/on-the-range-podcast/id1508883740 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0GBzNxHfhWv0VPlSEkP4Q4 Keywords optimized for SEO: War HOGG Words of Wisdom, Rick Hogg, On The Range Podcast, social media algorithms, reach suppression, algorithmic throttling, data harvesting, data privacy, censorship industrial complex, Big Tech censorship, shadowbanning, firearms training content, tactical creator strategies, evergreen SEO, platform diversification. This episode is part of the War HOGG Words of Wisdom series — short, direct, mindset-first lessons from a combat-proven Special Operations veteran.
This week Wil and Langdon Reid of Wilson Fairchild pull up a chair beside Dave to show you what a life in music actually looks like from the inside. These guys grew up on a tour bus in the ’70s and ’80s watching their dads, Don and Harold Reid, play eight years with Johnny Cash before becoming The Statler Brothers, a side-stage masterclass we all wish we had. You’ll hear the advice that shaped them: nobody can put you in the music business and nobody can take you out, so you’d better love the life and want it bad. You’ll get the manager horror stories (let’s just call him Peter), the reminder that every musician is an entrepreneur, and the hard, useful stuff most players dodge: build a P&L, diversify, manage cash flow first, and when it rains, fill up your buckets. Treat every gig like it matters, because you never know who’s in the room: never punish the people who showed up, and don’t play to the empty seats. Then you’ll dig into the craft that made the family famous: blood harmonies. Learn every part, let the piano teach you how the notes relate, and practice early in the morning just to find your pitch. You’ll discover why four voices were an act nobody wanted to follow, why going from two parts to four is an exponential lift, and where the modulation earns its keep. Through all of it runs one thread: be believable. Whether it’s a vanity song that tells your audience exactly who you are or a closer like It’s Amazing What a Hug Can Do, you sell it because you mean it. That’s the whole game: Always Be Performing, every seat, every song, every night. 00:00:00 Gig Gab 542 – Monday, July 13th, 2026 July 13th: National Barbershop Music Appreciation Day Guest co-hosts: Wil Reid and Langdon Reid of Wilson Fairchild 00:02:19 Post-gig snacks Nachos Chocolate Milk Twinkies Exempt from the food pyramid 00:05:17 Growing up on a tour bus in the 1970s and 1980s A Masterclass in performance art Their Dads, Don and Harold Ried played with Johnny Cash for 8 years before going out on their own as The Statler Brothers Watching from side stage 00:07:25 At 16 and 14, Wil and Langdon started band practice and gigging 00:08:07 Advice from Their Dads “Nobody can put you in the music business, and nobody can take you out” You gotta love the life. You gotta want it really bad. 00:09:24 Learning what to do…and what not to do 00:09:37 Manager stories! The manager who hangs on to you, waiting for something to happen, instead of doing work to make it happen for you. A tuition moment: “Let's just call him Peter” 00:13:20 Our dads were businessmen Managing and building a retirement as a musician Business Brain – Every musician is an entrepreneur Coming from nothing, sharing a bedroom, make enough to live check-to-check When it rains, fill up your buckets! 00:18:37 The dreamers are the ones generating the income 00:20:24 Build a P&L for your music business 00:23:10 Diversify yourself, produce yourself, protect yourself CD Baby Concert Pay Manage cash flow first 00:24:36 Every gig has an opportunity for you You never know exactly who is in the audience “Never punish the people who showed up” – Parthenon Huxley “Don't play to the empty seats” – Charlie Daniels 00:28:35 Singing “blood harmonies” together Tip 1: learn to sing every part Tip 2: playing piano will teach you how the notes work and relate together Statler Brothers were “Country lyrics with southern gospel harmonies” Tip 3: practice singing early in the morning just to learn your notes 00:34:30 Learning to blend with other people “Bach says no!” 00:36:00 Always think about the piano for harmonies Their dads, The Statler Brothers, were the first group in country music. Four voices were an act to follow! 00:39:30 Their sons, Jack and Davis Reid…the next generation Four part harmonies with their boys! 00:40:22 And now…harmony blend Going from two parts to four parts is an exponential lift! Dallas Corbin on Gig Gab – Rock is how high can you go? Country is how low can you go? Where is Skid Row of 2026? 00:50:00 The value of the modulation 00:54:17 American Songbook: Country Classics and Gospel Favorites on Gaither Music 00:58:10 Always be believable 01:01:00 The value of vanity songs in your set Show your audience who you are 01:04:00 It's Amazing What a Hug Can Do 01:06:00 Gig Gab 542 Outtro Follow Wilson Fairchild @wilsonfairchild on IG Contact Gig Gab! @GigGabPodcast on Instagram feedback@giggabpodcast.com Sign Up for the Gig Gab Mailing List The post Growing Up Statler: Wilson Fairchild on Harmony, Hustle, and the Working Musician’s Life – Gig Gab 542 appeared first on Gig Gab.
Singapore equities have delivered exceptional returns in recent years, even outperforming a globally diversified portfolio over certain periods. Is this time to rethink your portfolio to focus more on Singapore stock?In this podcast episode, Glenn, our Senior Portfolio Manager, joins Joyce, our Client Adviser, to explore why recent market winners do not necessarily stay ahead, why a strong economy does not always translate into the best investment opportunity, and why many Singaporeans may already be more exposed to Singapore than they realise through their jobs, CPF and property.Rather than chasing what has worked recently, Glenn shares a timeless investing principle that has helped investors stay disciplined and navigate changing market cycles with greater confidence.If this conversation has prompted you to reflect on your own investment approach, our complimentary investment eBook is a great next step. Drawing on more than two decades of managing our clients' portfolios, it shares the investment philosophy that guides our decisions and offers a practical framework for navigating market volatility. Grounded in long-term evidence rather than short-term market movements, it is designed to give investors the highest probability of achieving successful long-term investment outcomes: https://providend.com/publications/#investmentTo understand the conversation better, you can begin with reading the article that inspired this episode here: Why Recent Market Outperformance Does Not Replace the Need for Global DiversificationMusic courtesy of ItsWatR.The host of this episode, Joyce Chng, is a Client Adviser at Providend, the first fee-only wealth advisory firm in Southeast Asia and a leading wealth advisory firm in Asia.Did you know that our Providend's Money Wisdom podcast is now available in video format on YouTube? Follow us on our YouTube channel for new episode on Thursday at 8pm.Mentioned in this episode:Download Investment eBook Today!Download our Investment eBook titled “A More Reliable Way to Get Enough Investment Returns: Even During Times of Market Uncertainty” here: https://providend.com/publications/#investment
In 2022, 6 coaches joined Claire Pedrick MCC at The Coaching Inn to talk about getting work Listen here https://thecoachinginn.podbean.com/e/2022-business-of-coaching-special-extended-edition/ When Sarah and Gayle suggested we meet again, we said a definite yes. So here's what they are learning… Thank you to Gayle Hudson, Sarah Clein, Mayuri Hargest, Gary Crotaz, Sarah Brooks and Caroline Tapken. Key insights: Building a sustainable coaching business takes time; early relationships are crucial. Diversify and integrate coaching into other work to avoid pressure and burnout. Authentic marketing, mainly via LinkedIn and word-of-mouth, often outperforms paid advertising. Pricing should reflect experience and client value, not just industry standards. The importance of community, ongoing learning, and enjoying the coaching journey. Flexibility and aligning work with personal strengths and values lead to greater fulfilment. Contact: Contact us through Linked In https://www.linkedin.com/in/gayle-hudson/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarahcleinknackeredwomenscoach/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/mayuri-hargest/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/drgarycrotaz/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarahbrookstuos/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/caroline-tapken/ Contact Claire by emailing info@3dcoaching.com or join our coaching community where you can talk with other listeners. Further Information: Subscribe or follow The Coaching Inn on your podcast platform or our YouTube Channel to hear or see new episodes as they drop. Find out more about 3D Coaching and get new ideas and offers in our weekly email. Keywords: coaching business, new coaches, coach marketing, coaching career growth, coaching business tips, building a coaching practice, coaching clients, coaching pricing, coaching supervision, portfolio career, LinkedIn marketing for coaches, coaching in organizations, coaching journey, coaching business development, authentic marketing, coach training, leadership coaching, speaking out at work, finding your niche, coaching podcast We love having a variety of guests join us! Please remember that inviting someone to participate does not mean we necessarily endorse their views or opinions. We believe in open conversation and sharing different perspectives.
Scott Galloway doesn't do soft-pedal advice. In this Greatest Hits conversation, the NYU professor, entrepreneur, investor, and author of The Algebra of Wealth joins Joe to talk about why building wealth is less about chasing passion, picking the perfect stock, or waiting for retirement -- and more about focus, discipline, diversification, time, and relationships. Before that, Joe and OG dig into a 401(k) lawsuit involving AllianceBernstein and why comparing your portfolio to the wrong benchmark can send your plan sideways. Later, Alex calls in with a big early-retirement question: how do you access retirement money before age 59 and a half without triggering penalties?What You'll Walk Away WithWhy Scott Galloway says money is not the story -- it's the ink in the pen that can help you build deeper relationships with less anxietyThe "follow your passion" problem: why Scott believes young people should look first for talent, certification, and industries where they can become excellentWhy boring careers can create extraordinary lives -- especially when they offer income, stability, and room to build optionsScott's wealth equation: focus, stoicism, diversification, and time -- and why each piece matters more than trying to look brilliant for one lucky momentThe savings muscle: why measuring spending, gamifying saving, and surrounding yourself with the right people can change behavior faster than good intentions aloneWhy diversification is financial Kevlar -- it may not make you look like a hero, but it can keep one bad investment from becoming a fatal woundThe retirement myth Scott wants to burn down: why the goal isn't necessarily to stop working, but to make work a choice instead of a trapThe 401(k) benchmarking lesson: why Joe and OG say your benchmark should be your goal, not whichever index happened to win over the last decadeWhy chasing the S&P 500 because it recently crushed everything else can become dangerous when you forget that market leadership rotatesWhat the AllianceBernstein lawsuit teaches participants: ERISA protects against imprudence, not against every disappointing stretch of market performanceAlex's early-retirement question: the difference between accessing 401(k) money after separation from service at age 55 and using SEPP rules before thenWhy substantially equal periodic payments can work -- but also why OG says you want experienced help before touching those rulesWhy splitting IRA assets into separate buckets may create more flexibility for early-retirement income planningWhy This Matters NowA lot of people want the shortcut: the best stock, the best index, the perfect retirement number, the magic career move. Scott Galloway's message is more durable than that. Build skills. Save consistently. Avoid lifestyle traps. Diversify. Give time room to work. Keep the people around you strong. That's not flashy, but it is the kind of advice that still works when the market, the economy, and your life refuse to cooperate.From the BasementJoe and OG start with a retirement-plan lawsuit that turns into a bigger conversation about how Stackers should judge their own portfolios. Then Scott Galloway pulls up a chair at the card table to talk about wealth, work, saving, relationships, his mom, Sizzler, bourbon, Tom Petty, and why you don't need to be a hero to build real financial security. Doug brings trivia about the first camera phone, plus a few modeling notes of his own. Later, Alex asks how early retirees can tap retirement accounts before 59 and a half, and the basement joke-off marches toward its dramatic, deeply mathematical conclusion.Resources MentionedScott Galloway -- The Algebra of WealthStacking Benjamins Newsletter, The 201 -- stackingbenjamins.com/201OG financial planning calendar -- stackingbenjamins.com/ogStacking Benjamins voicemail line -- stackingbenjamins.com/voicemailStacking Benjamins Community, The Basement -- stackingbenjamins.com/basementStacking Benjamins YouTube channel -- youtube.com/stackingbenjaminsInvestmentNews article by Emil Halasz on the AllianceBernstein 401(k) lawsuitJL Collins -- The Simple Path to WealthPaul Merriman and Peter Mallouk -- referenced during the benchmarking and diversification discussionIRS Rule 72(t) / SEPP rules -- referenced for early retirement account withdrawalsSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Check the episode transcript hereABOUT MARK KHURIMark Khuri is the CEO and Co-Founder of SMK Capital Management, a family-owned private equity real estate firm with over two decades of experience acquiring, managing, and investing in institutional-quality, recession-resistant assets. A real estate investor for more than 20 years, Mark has analyzed thousands of opportunities and successfully bought, renovated, sold, and invested in over 120 properties valued at more than $1.5 billion, forming and managing over 70 real estate partnerships. Through strategic partnerships and private syndications, SMK pools investor capital into professionally managed, passive real estate portfolios designed to deliver consistent cash flow, long-term growth, and attractive risk-adjusted returns—opportunities typically difficult for individual investors to source and underwrite independently. THIS TOPIC IN A NUTSHELL: · Mark Khuri's Journey from Corporate Finance to Real Estate Investing· Building SMK Capital Through Syndications & Fund of Funds· Lessons Learned from Investing as Both a GP and LP· Understanding the Fund of Funds Investment Model· How Fund Managers Create Value for Passive Investors· Diversification Across Asset Classes & Real Estate Sectors· Negotiating Better Terms Through Institutional Partnerships· The Sponsor Due Diligence Framework: What Really Matters· Evaluating Track Record, Teams & Transparency· Why 99% of Investment Opportunities Get Rejected· Finding Opportunity in Today's Commercial Real Estate Market· Conservative Underwriting & Risk-First Investing· Cash Flow, Positive Leverage & Realistic Return Expectations· Red Flags Every Passive Investor Should Watch For· Managing Risk Through Debt Structure & Capital Stack Analysis· Why Mark Avoids Most Ground-Up Development Projects· Market Selection Strategies Across Different Asset Classes· Building Wealth Through Long-Term Investing & Patience· Networking, Mentorship & Growing Investor Relationships· Real Estate Lessons from Early Investing Mistakes & Challenges· Problem-Solving Through Market Cycles and Economic Uncertainty KEY QUOTE: "A sponsor having a bad deal isn't always a red flag. What matters is how they handled it." ABOUT THE WESTSIDE INVESTORS NETWORK The Westside Investors Network is your community for investing knowledge for growth. For real estate professionals by real estate professionals. This show is focused on the next step in your career... investing, for those starting with nothing to multifamily syndication. The Westside Investors Network strives to bring knowledge and education to real estate professionals that is seeking to gain more freedom in their life. The host AJ and Chris Shepard, are committed to sharing the wealth of knowledge that they have gained throughout the years to allow others the opportunity to learn and grow in their investing. They own Uptown Properties, a successful Property Management, and Brokerage Company. If you are interested in Property Management in the Portland Metro or Bend Metro Areas, please visit www.uptownpm.com. If you are interested in investing in multifamily syndication, please visit www.uptownsyndication.com. We would like to thank our Sponsors: OffsitePros and MyMoneyWorksForMe #FundofFundsStrategy #GeneralPartner #Syndicator #TrackRecord #MarketSelection #LongTermInvesting #MarketCycles #Development #PositiveLeverage #InvestingStrategies #Syndications #RealEstateInvesting #RealEstateInvestor #PassiveInvesting #WealthBuilding #CashFlowInvesting #FinancialFreedom #MultifamilyInvesting #InvestorEducation #RealEstateWealth#PassiveIncome #CommercialRealEstate #InvestmentStrategy #PortfolioDiversification #LongTermWealth #InvestorMindset #WealthStrategy CONNECT WITH MARK KHURI:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-khuri/ Email: info@smkcap.com CONNECT WITH US For more information about investing with AJ and Chris: · Uptown Syndication | https://www.uptownsyndication.com/ · LinkedIn | https://www.linkedin.com/company/71673294/admin/ For information on Portland Property Management: · Uptown Properties | http://www.uptownpm.com · Youtube | @UptownProperties Westside Investors Network · Website | https://www.westsideinvestorsnetwork.com/ · Twitter | https://twitter.com/WIN_pdx · Instagram | @westsideinvestorsnetwork · LinkedIn | https://www.linkedin.com/groups/13949165/ · Facebook | @WestsideInvestorsNetwork · Tiktok| @WestsideInvestorsNetwork · Youtube | @WestsideInvestorsNetwork
Send us Fan MailIf your fundraising calendar is back-to-back grant deadlines and event planning, you might be stuck on a treadmill that's working against you. Grants and events share something that doesn't get talked about enough: they're two of the highest time investment portfolios in the fundraising world. The good news? If you're good at grants, you're already sitting on a foundation of skills that translate directly into individual giving, corporate, and social enterprise.On this week's episode of The Small Nonprofit Podcast, Maria Rio is joined by Caitlin McBride, CFRE, a Certified Fundraising Executive with over a decade of experience who is on a mission to make fundraising feel less chaotic and more doable for small nonprofits.Get the FREE 30-Day Board Fundraising Challenge here: https://www.gofurthertogether.ca/30-day-challengeWe guide your board through 30 actionable things they can do to support your nonprofit's fundraising, helping them feel confident representing the mission. You don't need to figure it out alone. Book a Discovery Call with Further Together if you need help raising money in a way aligned with your values. Support the show
When we begin our businesses, we often get caught in the cycle of trading time for money, especially when it comes to service-based businesses. In this new series, we're chatting all about growing your business beyond services so that you can break this cycle and mindset. Today, we're discussing how you can build diverse revenue streams as an entrepreneur.This episode originally aired on July 31, 2023 as the kickoff to a diversify your revenue series. Check out the following episodes within that series:75: Affiliate Marketing for Content Creators76: 3 Ways to Know If Your New Offer Will Sell Before You Create It77: How a YouTube Channel Will Help Diversify Your Business Revenue78: Stepping Into the World of Digital Products79: Navigating Sponsorships & Brand DealsToday's episode is brought to you by my Affiliate Marketing Jumpstart Guide. I've developed an affiliate marketing strategy that has brought me freedom in my business and I'm sharing this strategy in my free guide!
What happens when affiliate marketing is no longer just SEO, and media buying becomes a core part of user acquisition strategy?Lee-Ann Johnstone sits down with Kamila Łuksza-Szpyt, Managing Director and Marcin Kumięga, Director of Business Development at Voluum to discuss how iGaming and affiliate programs are shifting away from single-channel dependency and into a multi-layered acquisition model driven by affiliate media buying strategy, AI, and real-time optimisation.For years, SEO affiliates and review sites dominated acquisition strategies. But that model is breaking down under pressure from AI search, rising traffic costs, and changing user behaviour. The result is a major shift: brands are now forced to rethink what “affiliates” actually mean, and expand into broader user acquisition strategies.Kamila and Marcin break down what is really changing inside the industry; traffic diversification and testing budgets to tracking, attribution, and why many programs fail in their first 30–60 days of media buying.Affiliate Media Buying Strategy: Key Talking Points Why SEO-only affiliate strategies are losing visibility in iGamingHow AI search and Google AI Overviews are changing traffic distributionWhy media buying is becoming a core user acquisition channelWhy data tracking and technical setup are critical for successHow AI is changing optimisation and reporting workflowsWhy affiliates and media buying should not be treated as competing channelsThe role of attribution in connecting campaigns across the funnelWhy iGaming Is Moving From SEO to Multi-Channel AcquisitionThe traditional iGaming model relied heavily on SEO affiliates, comparison sites, and review pages to drive traffic. That model worked because search behaviour was stable and predictable.Kamila and Marcin explain that this is no longer the case. AI-driven search, Google AI Overviews, and shifting consumer behaviour are reducing organic visibility and pushing brands to rethink their dependency on SEO.At the same time, media buying channels such as push, pop, native, programmatic, and paid social are opening up at scale. This creates a wider, more competitive acquisition environment but also a much larger opportunity pool.Instead of relying on one predictable funnel, brands now operate across multiple fragmented touchpoints, making diversification not optional, but necessary.The First 60 Days: Where Most Media Buying Strategies FailOne of the strongest insights from the episode is how many programs fail early due to poor setup and expectations.Kamila highlights two consistent issues:Brands expect fast ROI without proper testing phasesBudgets are either too small or too widely spread across traffic sourcesMarcin adds that another major issue is mindset: many operators still treat media buying as a replacement for affiliates rather than a complementary user acquisition channel.The reality is that successful campaigns rely on structured testing, proper tracking setup (UTMs, postbacks, attribution), and a clear understanding of what success actually means before scaling begins.Without this foundation, optimisation becomes guesswork rather than strategy.Listen to Learn More About Affiliate Media Buying and AI Why SEO alone is no longer a sustainable acquisition strategyHow AI is reshaping both traffic and optimisation workflowsWhat brands consistently get wrong in the first 30–60 days of media buyingWhy tracking infrastructure is critical for performance marketing successHow to properly structure testing budgets across multiple traffic sourcesTimestamps to Go Direct[03:22] Why AI search is reducing organic traffic[06:55] Biggest mistakes brands make when starting media buying[08:55] Why tracking and technical setup determine success[10:58] Funnel differences between SEO and paid media[15:00] Budget allocation and traffic source strategy[25:50] How AI is changing media buying workflows[32:15] Real-world success case: +30% conversion rate uplift[36:54] Rapid fire: AI, LTV, and scaling mistakesCall to ActionMedia buying is no longer treated as a side experiment by many affiliate programs. It is becoming part of a broader user acquisition strategy, sitting alongside SEO, partnerships and other performance channels.Kamila and Marcin from Voluum break down exactly how brands can approach this shift with structure, testing discipline, and the right tracking infrastructure to avoid costly early mistakes.If you're working in affiliate marketing, user acquisition, or performance media, this episode shows what is changing right now — and what you need to fix before scaling.Sign up for the Affiverse Newsletter at affiversemedia.comAlready subscribed? Share this episode with any affiliate, operator, or affiliate manager working to build trust in online gaming.Subscribe to the Affiliate Marketing Podcast on Apple PodcastsSubscribe to gain insights into scaling campaigns with accountability, sensitivity, and trust, even in the era of AI and automation.Click here to rate and review, scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select "Write a Review."Send me a text with your questions
Target Market Insights: Multifamily Real Estate Marketing Tips
Bobby Casey is an international tax strategist and lifelong entrepreneur. He is the founder of Business Anywhere and a managing partner of Global Wealth Protection, helping entrepreneurs legally reduce taxes, protect assets, and run borderless businesses. Raised in an entrepreneurial family, Bobby started his first company at 19 and went on to build and sell several businesses, including a restaurant, a real estate company, and an installation company that served Fortune 500 clients. After hiring a specialist to handle his own asset protection and company structuring, he became fascinated with the work and turned it into Global Wealth Protection. Business Anywhere grew out of that consulting practice as a platform to automate company formation, compliance, and renewals. Today Bobby works with entrepreneurs and investors around the world, many of them location independent, and lives across multiple countries himself. Make sure to download our free guide, 7 Questions Every Passive Investor Should Ask, here. Key Takeaways Never register your own LLC; a commercial registered agent keeps your name and home address out of public record Build asset protection in layers, starting with privacy, then legal structures like LLCs, trusts, and foundations Match your spend on planning to the assets at risk, because going cheap upfront can cost far more later Use AI and online research to prepare, then validate every decision with a qualified professional Diversify your income streams so no single client or channel can sink the business Topics From Corporate Installs to Working Only With Entrepreneurs Bobby started his first company at 19 and later sold a restaurant, a real estate business, and an installation company Tired of serving large corporate clients, he chose to work exclusively with entrepreneurs How Business Anywhere Was Born After automating company renewals for his consulting clients, he spun the software into a separate platform Business Anywhere handles formation, registered agents, compliance, banking, and payment processing online Roughly half of its clients are non US persons, from a NJ plumber to a Canadian investor with US property living in Mexico The Case Against DIY LLCs Filing your own LLC forces your name and home address into public record for anyone to find A missed service of process notice can get your LLC revoked Two Florida Lawsuits, Two Outcomes A client shielded by a registered agent ignored a frivolous class action and it disappeared A client who filed his own LLC was served personally and settled for around $800,000 Asset Protection as Layers Bobby compares protection to a castle's moat, walls, and drawbridge More assets demand more layers, from privacy to trusts and foundations The Real Mistake Is Being Cheap AI tools and forums give narrow answers because they lack the full context of your situation A strong CPA or advisor often returns far more than the fee they charge Think of Protection Like Insurance You pay for structure hoping you never need it The cost is trivial against a multimillion dollar judgment
What if your future isn't built on one paycheck but on every seed you dare to plant?You only get 24 hours a day. So how do you make them grow? On this episode of Bacon Bits with Master Happiness, host Marty Jalove sits down with Sweta, owner of Lucky Stop in Round Lake and Events Director at the Lake Villa-Lindenhurst-Round Lake Area Chamber of Commerce. But that's just the surface. Bartender, VIP hospitality pro, dancer who toured 21 cities in China, former private investigator, certified paralegal, her whole life is a masterclass in diversification. The chemistry crackles from the first minute: Marty's curiosity, Sweta's surprises, and a lot of "wait, you did what?" energy.In this episode, you'll:Discover why diversifying your skillset, not just your income, changes everything.Learn how to build a strong base before you branch out.Reframe networking as showing up, not showing off.Understand why adaptability is your new superpower.Unlock how to turn one passion into a brand-new income stream.It all runs on the BACON plan: Build your base, Assess your assets, Create multiple streams, Optimize your time, and Navigate your network. Practical, doable, and a little fun.Hit follow, share it with someone ready to grow, and leave a review. The more seeds you plant today, the more you'll harvest tomorrow. Grab your shovel, your garden is waiting.www.MasterHappiness.comwww.WhatsYourBacon.comwww.BaconBitsRadio.com
Being a business owner requires you to be flexible, and sometimes that means changing your methods in order to continue to grow and stay relevant. Having more than one way to generate revenue can be a game-changer in your business and a key part of revenue diversification and maintaining consistent cash flow. In today's episode, I'm sharing how diversifying my revenue allowed me to build an entirely new business focused on multiple revenue streams and long-term stability and opened doors I used to only dream about.Mentioned in this Episode:Brand Authority BlueprintEpisode 75: Affiliate Marketing for Content CreatorsHoneybookEpisode 74: Growing Beyond Services: Building Diverse Revenue StreamsConnect with Joy:Instagram: instagram.com/joyymichelleYoutube: youtube.com/channel/UC-Ou6jRKxcjMrVMxWxLO_fQFacebook: facebook.com/joymichellephotographyCoach with Joy: joymichelle.co/coachingIf you're enjoying the content we're creating on the podcast and want to connect with others who are called to both, make sure you come join us in the PhotoBoss® with Joy Michelle Facebook Group!Join Now >>CLICK HERE TO GET 30% OFF YOUR FIRST YEAR OF HONEYBOOK!
Who gets a seat at the table when the decisions that shape our communities are made? Many of those decisions happen in a place most of us rarely think about: the boardrooms of nonprofit organizations. Across the Rochester region, hundreds of nonprofits receive millions of dollars in public funding and philanthropic support to serve the community. Yet for decades, many of the people those organizations were created to serve had little or no representation on the boards that set their policies, priorities, and long-term direction. Guest host Julio Sáenz and his panel discuss a local initiative that has become a national model for diversifying one of the community's most influential centers of power: nonprofit boards of directors. In studio: LaCerius Cross, leadership development program coordinator for the United Way Nydia Padilla, co-founder of the Latino Leadership Development Program Septimus Scott, class of 2023 graduate and leadership development steering committee member of African American Leadership Development Program Rodney Young, one of the first graduates and past coordinator of the African American Leadership Development Program ---Connections is supported by listeners like you. Head to our donation page to become a WXXI member today, support the show, and help us close the gap created by the rescission of federal funding.---Connections airs every weekday from noon-2 p.m. Join the conversation with questions or comments by phone at 1-844-295-TALK (8255) or 585-263-9994, email, Facebook or Twitter. Connections is also livestreamed on the WXXI News YouTube channel each day. You can watch live or access previous episodes here.---Do you have a story that needs to be shared? Pitch your story to Connections.
If you're relying solely on selling your jewellery, you're not alone. But it doesn't have to be the only way to build a successful jewellery business. In this episode of the Jewellers Academy Podcast, Anna Campbell is joined by jeweller, tutor and author Kelly Twigg to explore the many ways jewellers can diversify their income while staying true to the craft they love. From selling jewellery through different channels to teaching workshops, affiliate partnerships, repairs, supporting other jewellers and making better use of the skills you already have, this conversation is packed with practical ideas to help you build a more resilient and sustainable business. Whether you're looking to reduce the pressure on jewellery sales, create additional income streams or simply spark some new ideas for your business, this episode will leave you thinking differently about the opportunities available to you. In this episode, we discuss: Different ways to sell your jewellery Teaching workshops and online courses Affiliate partnerships and brand collaborations Offering specialist services to other jewellers Repairs and remodelling Using your wider business skills Unlocking value from scrap metal, tools and equipment Finding income streams that fit your skills and interests About Anna Campbell Anna Campbell has worked with the London Jewellery School and Jewellers Academy since 2012, helping thousands of jewellers develop both their making skills and their businesses. She has taught on many programmes, including the Jewellery Business Academy, and is the founder of Jewellery School Scotland, host of the Good Girl Rebellion podcast, co-host of the Full of Ourselves podcast and an international bestselling author. About Kelly Twigg Kelly Twigg is the founder of Willow & Twigg Jewellery and a jewellery tutor at Jewellers Academy Brighton. Best known for her beautiful sea glass jewellery and practical educational content on social media, she enjoys sharing the tools, techniques and business lessons she's learned throughout her jewellery journey. Kelly is also the author of an upcoming book on making sea glass jewellery.
One income stream is not security. It is a single point of failure. In this episode of The Level Up Podcast, Paul Alex breaks down why relying on one client, one platform, one product, or one channel can put your entire business at risk. Let's be real… If all of your revenue comes from one client… One algorithm… One offer… Or one traffic source… You are not truly protected. You are exposed. In this episode, you'll learn: Why a single revenue stream creates massive vulnerability How one platform change or client loss can destroy an unstable business Why multiple income pillars create stronger financial security How diversification gives founders more confidence, leverage, and peace of mind The truth is simple: True wealth is not a single thread. It is a web. A strong business has multiple ways to generate cash flow. Multiple ways to acquire customers. Multiple products or services that support the mission. Multiple pillars that keep the company standing if one gets hit. High-level operators do not build their entire financial house on one pillar. They spread the risk. They create backup systems. They build complementary channels. And they protect the foundation before the storm ever comes. Because when your income is diversified… Your posture changes. You negotiate stronger. You lead with more confidence. You sleep better at night. Build the web. Protect the cash flow. Diversify the revenue. And keep leveling up. Your Network is your NETWORTH! Make sure to add me on all SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORMS: Instagram: https://jo.my/paulalex2024Facebook: https://jo.my/fbpaulalex2024YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCGhDAD1JyGGzSQUPD9lc9HQLinkedIn: https://jo.my/inpaulalex2024 Looking for a secondary source of income or want to become an entrepreneur? Check out one of my companies below to see if we can help you: www.CashSwipe.com FREE Copy of my book “Blue to Digital Gold - The New American Dream”www.officialPaulAlex.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Liz Ann Sonders, chief investment strategist at Charles Schwab & Co., says that "there is so much short-attention-span money driving the market right now ... looking for the shiny new object," that investors want to diversify throughout artificial intelligence businesses, taking profits and rebalancing especially when specific stocks go parabolic, to capture profits and avoid some of the volatility being created by enormous expectation levels. Sonders says that an "aggregate recession" remains "a ways away," but she notes that there have been rolling recessions, with services weaking currently, coming off a manufacturing decline earlier in the year. As a result, she suggests considering sectors that could be in line for pullbacks rather than expecting a credit crunch or a mistake by regulators to create a broad-based decline. Justin Baer discusses his new book, "House of Fidelity: The Rise of the Johnson Dynasty and the Company That Changed American Investing," and digs into some of the details that turned the notoriously secretive and private company from a firm for Boston elites into a the investing powerhouse whose accounts and funds touch the lives of one in five American adults. Niki Glen, Northwestern Mutual wealth management advisor discusses the latest data from Northwestern Mutual's 2026 Planning & Progress Study, which showed that true financial independence remains beyond the grasp of many Americans. One in five U.S. adults believes they will never achieve financial independence, which is borne out in survey results showing that more than 40 percent of adults — including a surprisingly high percentage of Baby Boomers, who are all at or beyond retirement age — continue to rely on their parents for financial support. More than half of Millennials (who range between 30 and 45 years old) were still dependent on financial help from their family.
Diversifying income streams, building community, and personal storytelling with Rebecca Blackwell. ----- Welcome to episode 576 of The Food Blogger Pro Podcast! This week on the podcast, Bjork interviews Rebecca Blackwell. Last week on the podcast, Bjork chatted with Jenna Arend. To go back and listen to that episode, click here. How Rebecca Blackwell Turned Food Blogging into a Six-Figure Digital Business from an RV Rebecca started out as a food blogger, but somewhere along the way, she traded a stable paycheck for a life on the road, running her digital business full-time from an RV! In this episode, she opens up about what that transition actually looked like: the risks she took by leaving a steady job, how the RV lifestyle reshaped her thinking about work and creative freedom, and why she made the strategic decision to manage multiple websites rather than rely on a single income stream. The conversation also gets into the community side of Rebecca's business. Specifically, how she's used Substack to build genuine connections with a growing audience of food writers. She shares practical advice on growing a newsletter, engaging readers, and landing sponsorships that feel like a natural fit. You'll also hear her talk about how she's navigating the challenges of AI and shifting search algorithms, why leaning into personal storytelling has been her biggest differentiator, and what she's learned from building community through mastermind groups and in-person retreats. Three episode takeaways: Diversify your income streams: Branching out to different avenues instead of relying on a single blog or platform gives you more creative freedom and financial stability, especially important in an era of unpredictable algorithm changes! Personal storytelling is your biggest differentiator: As AI and search engines continue to evolve, what sets your content apart isn't information. it's your unique voice, perspective, and lived experience. Rebecca's journey from food blogger to RV-dwelling digital creator is a perfect example of a story no algorithm can replicate. Community is a growth strategy: Whether it's building a newsletter on Substack, joining a mastermind group, or hosting retreats, investing in genuine relationships with your audience and peers pays dividends that go far beyond traffic and page views. Resources: A Little and a Lot Of Batter and Dough Rebecca's Substack: Let's Get Lost Tiny Shiny Home Designing Your Life Substack Mastermind for Food Writers The Food Writers Business Lab Kit Follow Rebecca on Instagram here and here Join the Food Blogger Pro Podcast Facebook Group Thank you to our sponsors! This episode is sponsored by Member Kitchens. Learn more about our sponsors at foodbloggerpro.com/sponsors. Interested in working with us too? Learn more about our sponsorship opportunities and how to get started here. If you have any comments, questions, or suggestions for interviews, be sure to email them to podcast@foodbloggerpro.com. Learn more about joining the Food Blogger Pro community at foodbloggerpro.com/membership.
Another wave of panic has hit the crypto market. Bitcoin is falling, Ethereum is bleeding, and altcoins are rapidly losing momentum as traders rush to exit leveraged positions. More than $660 million has already been wiped out in liquidations, turning what began as a pullback into a full-scale risk-off event as the A.I. tech bubble shows signs of weakness. ~This Episode is Sponsored by OKX~ Trade RLUSD/XRP on OKX + claim the new user offer! Deposit and trade $200 to unlock $100 ➜ https://bit.ly/OKXRP Use code: paulbarron *Terms Apply* 00:00 intro 00:05 Sponsor: OKX 01:00 Markets Crash! 01:59 Morgan Stanley on Porfolio Management 02:23 Peak Concentration 03:17 Mag 7 Cap-Ex Spending & Issuance 04:04 Corporate Bonds 04:05 Gareth Soloway: Market Breakdown? 05:20 SpaceX downgraded by MSCI & Softbank 07:32 Micron earnings tomorrow 08:37 Bitcoin vs Gold & S&P500 09:20 TradFi gives up on Bitcoin 10:06 A.I. Rotation continues 10:39 South Korea fails to enter developed markets 11:50 Samsung stock growth 12:36 Private Credit bubble 13:13 Robinhood vs Coinbase 13:55 Diversify into Stocks and Crypto 14:54 JD Vance on Iran Deal 15:05 Iran denies White House facts 15:36 Oil price limbo 16:16 CLARITY Act lowest odds since January 17:19 Stay Tuned 17:34 outro #Crypto #Bitcoin #AI ~Everything Crashing!?
Send us Fan MailWe unpack why motivation collapses after a setback and how to stop treating your biggest goal like a single risky bet. We use a “goal portfolio” system so your momentum survives bad weeks, missed deadlines, and slower seasons without burning out. • framing lost momentum as a goal design problem, not laziness • using an investor mindset to diversify motivation and reduce risk • building a blue chip long-term vision that aligns with your values • creating dividend plays with daily and weekly wins you control • adding a hedging goal to protect identity and emotional well-being All you have to do is click the link below Drop it in the comments section Make sure that you subscribe so that you don't miss what's next To Reach Jordan:Email: Jordan@Edwards.Consulting Youtube:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9ejFXH1_BjdnxG4J8u93ZwFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/jordan.edwards.7503Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jordanfedwards/Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jordanedwards5/Hope you find value in this. If so please provide a 5-star and drop a review.Complimentary Edwards Consulting Session: https://calendly.com/jordan-edwardsconsulting/30min
In this week's episode, we take a look at eight reasons to diversify your ebooks sales beyond just Amazon and Kindle Unlimited. This coupon code will get you 50% off the audiobook of Dragonskull: Wrath of the Warlock, Book #7 in the Dragonskull series, (as excellently narrated by Brad Wills) at my Payhip store: WARLOCKJUNE The coupon code is valid through June 22, 2026. So if you need a new audiobook this summer, we've got you covered! TRANSCRIPT 00:00:00 Introduction and Writing Updates Hello, everyone. Welcome to Episode 306 of The Pulp Writer Show. My name is Jonathan Moeller. Today is June 5th, 2026 and today we'll discuss eight reasons you should diversify your book sales beyond Amazon. We'll also talk about Coupon of the Week and give a progress update on my current writing, publishing, and audiobook projects. So let's start off with Coupon of the Week. This week's coupon code will get you 50% off the audiobook of Dragonskull: Wrath of the Warlock, Book #7 in the Dragonskull series (as excellently narrated by Brad Wills), at my Payhip store. That coupon code is WARLOCKJUNE. As always, the coupon code and the links to my Payhip store will be available in the show notes for this episode. This coupon code is valid through June 22nd, 2026, So if you need a new audiobook for the summer as you go on a summer road trip, we have got you covered. Now let's talk about my current writing, publishing, and audiobook projects. As of this recording, I am 80,000 words into Blade of Thieves, which puts me in Chapter 17 of 25 of my outline. So we're closing in on the end. I think we're going to be about 110-115,000 words or thereabouts in the rough draft. So hopefully a couple more solid pushes and we'll get there to the end. I hope to be at 90,000 words by this point, but there is quite a lot to do in real life so we didn't quite get there, but 80,000 words is still better than nothing. For Cloak of Frost, as of this recording, I am now 9,000 words into it and that will be my main project once Blade of Thieves is done. I was hoping to have Blade of Thieves come out in June, but July is looking more likely at this point. Hopefully Cloak of Frost will come out the month after Blade Thieves comes out, whenever that is. In audiobook news, I'm pleased to report that Blade of Wraiths (as excellently narrated by Brad Wills) is now out at all audiobook platforms. Get it at Audible, Amazon, Apple, Google Play, Kobo Books, Chirp, my own Payhip store and all the usual audiobook stores. At the moment, I have no other audiobooks in active production, but once Blade of Thieves is done, Brad will also be recording that. Later this month, Hollis McCarthy is scheduled to start on Cloak of Worlds and in July, Leanne Woodward is going to record Dragon-Mage, the most recent Rivah book. So we don't have any audiobooks being produced right now, but we will in the future. So that is where I am at with my current writing, audiobook, and publishing projects. 00:02:32 Main Topic of the Week: Beyond Amazon: Reasons to Diversify Your Sales Platform Now onto our main topic this week, Beyond Amazon: Reasons to Diversify Your Sales Platform, which is something you know I do quite often given how often I talk about my links to my Payhip store on this very podcast. For a long time, the conventional wisdom has been that Amazon has 80% of the US book market and putting your ebooks into Kindle Unlimited was the best route of success because of that monopoly and some of the algorithmic benefits Amazon gives to KU authors. While it's true that certain genres (especially LitRPG and romance) are almost exclusively focused on Amazon and KU in the US, going exclusive with Amazon is not necessarily the best course of action for everyone, especially if you're interested in growing your international sales. Today we'll talk about reasons why putting your books in KU is limiting and in the interest of fairness, in two weeks, we will also be doing an episode later [about] when putting your book in KU is a good idea and some of the benefits of that. But today we're going to start with the benefits of diversification. Here are eight reasons you might want to consider moving beyond just Amazon, which is often called going wide in the Indie Publishing world. #1: Increasing your global reach. It may surprise you to know that the Kindle store is not available in every country and that other countries have a strong competitor to the Kindle store. For example, in Canada, Kobo is Amazon's main competitor and has traditionally a strong market share there, quite a bit larger than Amazon Canada based on my own sales data. Kobo is also very strong in many European markets. Additionally, because there are many more Android users internationally than there are in the US, Google Play Books is important in non-US countries. It's also an easy platform for users and integrates into the Google ecosystem as well. Data usually finds that while the iPhone [iOS] is dominant in the United States, Android tends to be the majority mobile operating system in the rest of the world. So if you want to access Android users in the Google Play Book Store, then you want to be on Google Play Books. #2: Some people are boycotting Amazon. There are many readers who boycott Amazon or American-led companies for a number of reasons. It is possible to overstate the strength of these. I've seen many people be alarmed about Amazon boycotts impacting their sales, but it never really seems to materialize. I suspect a lot of the boycotting thing is much louder online than it is in real life. That said, it is undeniable. There are people who will not buy ebooks or anything from Amazon for a variety of reasons. So if you sell your books only through Amazon, you're missing out on that group of readers. Some categories of romance have also been affected by Amazon boycotts, so it's worth investigating other options if you're an author in these categories. #3: Kobo Plus. Kobo offers a subscription program called Kobo Plus that unlike KU, does not require exclusivity to participate in it. Over three million ebooks and 100,000 audiobooks (quite a few of which are mine) are available to subscribers for less than the cost of a KU subscription. Kobo has been gaining popularity in the US in part due to their subscription program. I have to admit my own personal experience with Kobo Plus as an indie author has been almost entirely positive. When it first came out, I was a little leery of it, but then I decided to test it out by putting Frostborn into it and that did quite well and I was pleased enough with the results that now I just put everything in Kobo on Kobo Plus and that has paid off because the majority of my month to month Kobo revenue and the majority of my yearly Kobo revenue comes from Kobo Plus now. In March and April, I had two of my best months ever on Kobo in the 14 years I've been publishing with Kobo entirely off the strength of Kobo Plus. So my experience with it has been if you write a really long series like that that generates a strong read through (like Frostborn is 15 books, Sevenfold Sword was 12 books, Cloak Mage as of this point is up to 14 books), then it would be definitely advantageous to you to investigate Kobo Plus. #4: It gives you the chance to support independent booksellers through bookshop.org. This past year, bookshop.org made a deal with Draft2Digital that made it possible for indie authors to put their books on the bookshop.org platform. In the past, has not been particularly easy or straightforward for small indie bookstores to sell ebooks, so this is an opportunity for physical indie bookstores based in the US. For American readers who want to shop local but still read ebooks, it's nice to be able to offer them an option that benefits their local communities. It also gives these bookstores a way of supporting local authors without having to find physical space for them within the store itself. Bookshop.org is still in the early stages of accepting indie ebooks and there are some things that need to be worked out with features on their app, especially about user complaints about a lack of flexibility with DRM-free e-books. Still, romance and what the site calls "serious nonfiction" are growing rapidly on the platform, so it's definitely worth exploring, especially for authors in those categories. If they do succeed in their plans to put out their own ereader, that would make the platform even more attractive to many book buyers. #5: Direct sales equals greater profit, extras, price fixability, et cetera. Having your own sales platform (typically hosted on sites like Payhip and Shopify) gives you far more control over your sales platform. It also gives you a far greater cut of the profits. To give an example, if I do a coupon code for one of my audiobooks on my Payhip site to make it 50% off like I did earlier in this episode with the Dragonskull: Wrath of the Warlock coupon, I still earn a similar amount as if someone had bought it for full price on Audible. A direct sales platform also allows you to create discounts for sales far more easily than on other platforms. Additionally, you don't have to wait for ebooks or audiobooks to get through processing on a direct sales site like you do with ACX and the other sites, which makes when a book or audiobook is ready for sale far more predictable. You can also bundle things with ebooks like such as the book file in multiple formats or bonus items like maps, worksheets, or charts. On the other ebook sites, this isn't typically possible. Direct sales gives you a greater flexibility in terms of selling. You can include bonus items and it's also a good fallback position if one of the main sites isn't working. I first got into direct sales in 2021 because Barnes & Noble had its big ransomware hack then and for a while it was impossible to publish new things to the platform and I believe that was when Ghost in the Vault came out and since I couldn't publish that on Barnes & Noble until the ransomware problem was fixed, I directed people to the Payhip site instead. #6: Library sales and Kindle Unlimited. The popularity of the Dungeon Crawler Carl series and the Project Hail Mary audiobook made a lot of people aware of the fact that exclusivity agreements with Amazon and Audible have often been structured to leave out options for library ebook platforms or require maneuvering or additional deals in order to make it possible. The popularity of Libby in particular is growing here in the United States, especially as people are having to shift their leisure spending from things like books and entertainment to covering basic necessities like housing, transportation, fuel, and food costs due to the poor state of the economy. If library sales and library readers are important to you, then going wide is your best option for reaching the library market. Myself, I haven't particularly pursued the library market. I haven't refused it either. I usually, when the option is available, click on the toggle switch to publish it to a library service, but then don't think about it very much after that, but there are many indie authors who are very interested in getting in libraries and have pursued that quite a bit through these programs. #7: Vendor lock-in/user preference. There is a concept called vendor lock-in, meaning that ebook buyers have a particular platform that they default to when buying ebooks because that is where the ebook collection is based and they want to keep their books together instead of spread across several different apps. Many Barnes & Noble and Kobo users are not interested in ebooks from Amazon or KU for this reason and won't even follow a favorite author to another platform. It's important to have an option available for these readers. #8: DRM free. [Digital Rights Management] Having a DRM free copy of an ebook is extremely important to many readers and that is what makes an ebook purchase a true purchase instead of a highly conditional license. Sites like Kobo allow ebook buyers to limit their searches to only DRM free titles and many will not buy a book that is not available without DRM. My Payhip store, all the files you get from that when you buy an ebook or an audiobook are DRM free as well. For myself, a large portion of my sales come from outside Amazon, so that's why I've never been fully exclusive with Kindle Unlimited and instead rotate a small selection of my series in and out of KU. Over the years, I've experimented with having various books in KU and starting in 2023, what I settled on doing was that I would write three series ongoing. Two of those series would be available on all ebook platforms and one of those series would be available in Kindle Unlimited, which allowed me to pursue both markets at once. As of right now, the wide series are Blades of Ruin and Cloak Mage and the Kindle Unlimited series is Half-Elven Thief. Once Half-Elven Thief is completed, I will take it out of Kindle Unlimited and take it wide and start a new series for Kindle Unlimited. Overall, I found it's worthwhile to be wide even when pursuing Kindle Unlimited with some of my books because typically in an average month about 45 to 55% of my revenue comes from Amazon and the rest comes from all the other platforms put together. So while Amazon is typically half, that's not nothing, it's only half and the rest of the revenue comes from all these ebook platforms I've been cultivating over the years. So the conclusion is that the beauty of KU's current agreement is that you only have to commit to being exclusive for a short amount of time, specifically three months, and then can always return to it if you want to try going wide for a while. It's also important to note that growth on other platforms may be slow and if you're going to try them out, it's important to be patient and have realistic expectations. It's the benefit of being an indie author that we can experiment and make decisions quickly based on data and reader preferences. Going wide may not be the best decision for everyone, but the results may surprise you, especially over time. The cumulative effect of things is often easy to overlook, but it does add up over time. Part of the reason I think my books do so well with Kobo Plus is because they've been on the Kobo website for the last 14 years, which gives them time to accumulate reviews and additional word of mouth. So when someone is browsing Kobo Plus for something to read and they see this long book series with a bunch of good reviews, it becomes easy for them to try it through Kobo Plus. So that is it for this week. This week we talked about going wide. Next week I don't have time to record a full-time episode, so we're going to do another audiobook sampler roundup, which will be fun. The week after that, in two weeks from today, we are going to talk about the benefits of going to Kindle Unlimited as a contrast to this episode and I will talk about some of my Kindle Unlimited experiences (both good and bad). So thank you for listening to The Pulp Writer Show. I hope you found the show useful. A reminder that you can listen to all the backups at https://thepulpwritershow.com. If you enjoyed the podcast, please leave your review on your podcasting and platform of choice. Stay safe and stay healthy and we'll see you all next week.
Crit Thomas says it's concerning that AI is driving most of the market and creating heavy concentration in tech. While emerging markets and top performing sectors appear diversified, Crit warns that market gains become narrow once removing a top three name. He offers his advice on staying protected from a potential reversal. ======== Schwab Network ========Empowering every investor and trader, every market day.Subscribe to the Market Minute newsletter - https://schwabnetwork.com/subscribeDownload the iOS app - https://apps.apple.com/us/app/schwab-network/id1460719185Download the Amazon Fire Tv App - https://www.amazon.com/TD-Ameritrade-Network/dp/B07KRD76C7Watch on Sling - https://watch.sling.com/1/asset/191928615bd8d47686f94682aefaa007/watchWatch on Vizio - https://www.vizio.com/en/watchfreeplus-exploreWatch on DistroTV - https://www.distro.tv/live/schwab-network/Follow us on X – https://twitter.com/schwabnetworkFollow us on Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/schwabnetworkFollow us on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/schwab-network/ About Schwab Network - https://schwabnetwork.com/about
Healthcare industry: medical transportation, medical billing, homecare business
What if the fastest path to doubling your NEMT revenue had nothing to do with Medicaid? In this episode of Inside the Lamp, NEMT consultant and sales expert Joe Siddle joins RouteGenie Co-Founder and Growth Partner Jonathon Anthon to share the exact strategy he's used to help NEMT providers break into school transportation contracts and unlock a whole new revenue stream.Joe walks through his proven approach to winning school contracts, including a real-world example of 40 daily trips translating to $200K a month in additional billing. He covers how to research your market, size up the competition, close the deal, and why saying "yes" to opportunities outside the typical NEMT lane builds the kind of reputation that compounds over time.Jonathon also shares the RouteGenie features that make scaling into student and non-NEMT transportation actually manageable, from contract templates to passenger app notifications.What you'll hear:0:47 Joe Siddle's background2:16 The step-by-step process of an NEMT consultant4:33 Post-sale marketing and contract execution8:59 RouteGenie features that make growing your business easier12:08 RouteGenie templates for non-NEMT transportation12:53 RouteGenie passenger app and notifications13:54 How to reach Joe SiddleWant to be a guest on Inside the Lamp? Fill out the invite form: https://forms.gle/dATuK6brMqghWBpw7Want to see how RouteGenie helps NEMT providers diversify and scale?Book a demo: https://routegenie.com/get-a-demo/Call: 1 (877) 599-6560Connect with RouteGenie:Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/routegenie/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/routegenie/X: https://twitter.com/theroutegenieInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/routegenie/Disclaimer: The information provided in this episode does not, and is not intended to, constitute legal, financial, medical, or business advice. All content is for general informational purposes only and may not reflect the most up-to-date information.
We are now recording an audio version of written posts that we will upload to Apple, Spotify, and YouTube, which you can listen to by clicking the button the play button above.As the Strait of Hormuz (SoH) Crisis completes its third month and on-again/off-again peace talks drag on, we are starting to see the outlines of various structural themes emerging, and, as importantly, some that are not. Thematically we see the following:* Power Surge! Our Power Surge! super-cycle theme has not only not been knocked off track by the SoH Crisis, but has likely been enhanced based on “the four Ds” of pragmatic energy policy orientation we discuss below. Recently completed 1Q 2026 earnings season shows the AI (artificial intelligence) and broader digital transformation theme is as strong as ever.* Geopolitical Super Vol. Geopolitical Super Vol remains our commodity macro framework, in particular for crude oil prices. Since Russia-Ukraine and through SoH-to-date, we have resisted crude oil super-cycle framings while also, importantly, rejecting perma bear doom-and-gloom. The unforgiving math of global oil demand being forced down to circa 95 million b/d of supply from around 105 million b/d pre-crisis suggests recession is the most likely clearing mechanism rather than a structural increase in long-dated oil prices in the event a significant disruption to flows persists. To be clear, we do see scope for a modest increase in long-end oil on the order of $10/bbl to account for both cost inflation and an increased geopolitical risk premium.* Molecules to markets. In our view, getting molecules to markets is the more pressing strategic imperative for countries than simply trying to find the molecules in the first place. In traditional energy, this puts a premium on well-positioned midstream and downstream assets. In the upstream business, there is always an opportunity to find acreage that is well positioned on the future cost curve. Having a midstream or downstream solution (e.g., LNG) may be an increasing success factor for larger E&P (exploration and production) companies.* New business models > pure-play (for larger companies). The era of extreme pure-play specialization we think will fade, or at least will no longer be the dominant ask of investors. Business model evolution is likely to continue to separate leaders from laggards. Examples we find intriguing include pressure pumpers and midstream companies diversifying into behind-the-meter (BTM) power, US shale gas producers expanding into midstream and potentially LNG, refiners that have grown midstream capabilities, midstream companies that have grown export opportunities, and the expanded commercial trading opportunities that larger companies have pursued. The list is growing.* Brownfield > greenfield (usually). The advantage of doing more from existing assets is something both countries and companies have in common. Brownfield almost always beats greenfield on profitability and speed-to-market, though a best-in-class greenfield project like Guyana oil is the type of exception that exists to the general rule.From an energy policy perspective, the Strait of Hormuz Crisis reveals what we are now calling the four Ds of country-level energy policy aspiration:* Do as much Domestic production as possible;* Diversify energy sources and technologies;* Do more from existing assets; and* embrace Digital transformation and AI.Subscribe to Super-Spiked to receive all content via email. Also available on https://veriten.com.The Four Ds of Pragmatic Energy PolicyThe four Ds are the pragmatic policy implication of country leaders recognizing energy's natural hierarchy of needs (Exhibit 1). On the right side of Exhibit 1, we rank (higher on list is better) resource rich countries and resource challenged areas in terms of federal policy orientation that recognizes energy's natural hierarchy of needs and implementation of the four Ds relative to a given country's strengths and weaknesses.Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates among resource rich regions and China among resource challenged areas we see as having favorable federal energy policy orientations. Laggards are not surprising: Western Europe, California, Canada, and Australia. What KSA, UAE, and China have in common are national leadership that emphasizes the ideas of “all of the above,” maximum (or optimal) output of what you can control, and unapologetic “their own country first” mentalities.Super-Spiked subscribers know we have a very favorable view of Canada's oil and gas potential and the leading companies in the province of Alberta. We had an unfavorable view of the federal energy policies pursued by the prior Trudeau regime, with the jury out on the current Carney administration. On the latter, we appreciate that the rhetoric has improved off a low starting point. The proof will be in the policy implementation pudding.No country should aspire to follow the path of California or Western Europe and their “climate first” ideology (dishonorable mention goes to many states in the US northeast). Sadly, poor energy policy choices made in those areas are going to mean that less fortunate consumers and businesses in developing Asia suffer from being outbid for needed energy like LNG, jet fuel, and diesel during times of stress, as we last saw in the early days of Russia-Ukraine. It has been some time since we have done a deep dive on Australia; our sense would be that it is in the Canada category of having substantial oil and gas resources that the world would massively benefit from, but is being held back by ill-advised climate-first ideology by its national leaders.Exhibit 1: A Hierarchy of Energy Needs & Country Policy Objectives and OrientationSource: Veriten.Doing More From Existing AssetsIn previous issues of Super-Spiked, we have discussed three of the Ds: do as much domestic production as possible, diversify energy sources and technology, and embrace digital transformation and AI. Therefore, in this post we will expand on the “do more from existing assets” theme.* A major advantage the developed world has over China, India, and other developing areas is a large installed base of assets and infrastructure. Prematurely retiring old power plants in the name of “energy transition” and “The Climate Crisis” is the type of 2020-2023 mistake that has hurt competitiveness and affordability in the United States and Western Europe. In power generation, we are intrigued with trying to answer the question of how much new generation from legacy sources (e.g., natural gas, BTM, and traditional nuclear) is needed versus how much new generation technology is needed (e.g., fuel cells, enhanced geothermal, advanced nuclear) versus how much can existing grid utilization be improved via flexible loads and various grid enhancing technologies. How much more can we get from existing is important to how much we need from the other two options.* In crude oil markets, we do not believe there is the urgency to figure out “what's next” from a resource perspective as there was in the 2004-2014 super-cycle. To be clear, this comment is intended at the macro level; individual companies are almost always in need of figuring out what's next. Exploration and capital spending is likely to grow but we do not believe the kind of re-rating that happened during China/BRICs is warranted now. Rather we are most intrigued with what companies are doing to extend asset life (i.e., resource to production ratio) via a combination of technology application, business development, and midstream/downstream investment that can ensure molecules get moved to markets and turned into usable end products. Ironically, the Middle East looks like a compelling upstream opportunity for western oil and gas firms, given improved fiscal terms in certain areas. We have long held a favorable view of Canada (our concerns about its federal energy policies notwithstanding) and Alaska. Recent developments in many Latin American countries warrant a fresh look at the region for western players.* The largest areas that seem ripe to “do more from existing” include US shale oil, US shale gas, Middle East oil, Canada's oil sands, Venezuela oil, and developed market power grids.Growth and opportunityThe five areas of energy where we are most confident in growth include:* US and global power generation* Midstream and downstream infrastructure for crude oil and various metals and minerals* Grid enhancing technologies* US and global natural gas* Renewables and storageThe long-term opportunity to grow nuclear power is going to prove to be compelling for many countries, justifying the required patience in terms of time to development. Nuclear is the ultimate baseload, domestic, clean energy source.We remain open-minded about emerging and new energy technologies. We are seeing current growth in fuel cells and optimism about enhanced geothermal on the power generation side of the business. The SoH Crisis will accelerate adoption of electric vehicles and LNG trucks in particular in oil importing countries for diversification and affordability reasons.The success of new business models should diminish investor and activist demand for pure-playsThere is a misperception that investors prefer pure-plays or that investors only want more dividends and stock buybacks. Investors prefer companies that generate superior profitability with differentiated growth. Both are needed to sustainably outperform: profitability AND growth.The challenge in mature, cyclical sectors is that corporate over-enthusiasm for growth usually erodes profitability to the point where investors demand a disavowal of growth in favor of profitability and returning capital to shareholders. To be sure, if structural demand growth for a given commodity is something like 1%-2% per year, the expected growth rates for the largest companies within that sector is unlikely to be any more than +/- 1%-2% of the broader demand trajectory.As businesses mature and growth slows, the demand by investors to focus on sub-parts of the business often increases in order to enhance the combination of per share growth and profitability for a particular business segment. The post-2014 oil super-cycle bust and growth in U.S. shale turbocharged the demand for pure-plays, especially within the traditional oil & gas value chains. Certain pure-play shale oil producers, midstream companies, and refiners in fact performed exceptionally well.Power is clearly in a super-cycle and traditional oil and gas is operating with a Geopolitical Super Vol macro backdrop (a dramatic improvement from the post super-cycle bust phase of 2015-2020) and business opportunities abounding in the different product lines and geographies.SoH Crisis FAQQuestion 1: Has an oil super-cycle begun?Answer: No. Our core view remains Geopolitical Super Vol, not super-cycle.Q2: Have the odds of “peak oil demand” increased?A: No, we don't think so. However, we are concerned that if the Strait remains significantly disrupted that the painful adjustment down in global oil demand could mean that we spend a good part of the remainder of this decade recovering back to pre-crisis demand levels as incremental supply is brought online. In our view, the timing of a more permanent peak in oil demand is unknowable so long as the other seven billion people on Earth continue to use only a fraction of the energy The Lucky 1 Billion of Us take for granted.Q3: Isn't AI and the resulting power demand growth forecasts a bubble waiting to pop?A: No or, perhaps more accurately, not at this time. The fact that numerous stock markets like the U.S. (S&P 500), Japan (NIKKEI), and South Korea (KOSPI) are at or near all-time highs may indeed reflect complacency with the risk of global recession due to the ongoing SoH Crisis. We would differentiate stock market complacency with an AI bubble. We see it in the areas where we spend a lot of time: digital transformation and the application of AI is a game changer for numerous businesses. The stock market may well experience a major correction if the world tips into recession. Whatever short-term setback that might mean for near-term power generation we think would be akin to the Great Financial Crisis hit to oil demand in the middle of the China/BRICs super-cycle of 2004-2014, i.e., it was temporary.Q4: Don't investors prefer “pure-plays” over diversified companies? A: That view is missing our point. Investors prefer companies with competitive profitability and differentiated growth opportunities. The demand for “pure-plays” typically is the result of a mature sector experiencing a structural downcycle and investors being disappointed on both profitability and growth. And for sure, some companies should remain as pure-plays. The larger a company's market capitalization and overall size, the less we think a pure-play business model makes sense, be it basin or geography or asset type or business line. For small-caps and new technologies, the pure-play business model is often logical.Q5: So E&Ps will merge with refiners?A: No, we aren't expecting that type of integration or diversification. A future “integrated E&P” likely means some combination of midstream and commercial exposure as opposed to a historical upstream-refining mix, as an example.⚡️On A Personal Note: Work Hard. Golf Hard.It's been a great three-week stretch of Spring golf ramp-up. 8 rounds in 5 days in and around Troon, Scotland the first week of May and then our NJ club's flagship member-member Governor's Trophy tournament over Memorial Day weekend featuring 45 holes of match play over 2 days. Day 2 of Governor's featured a good Scottish cold snap of low 50s weather and a light drizzle. Glad my rain pants got more work in and happy to be in sunny Houston as I finish writing this.At Governor's you can always see the short-game comfort from the returning Florida crowd versus those that stayed north over what is typically a 4-5 month winter hiatus. I failed to take advantage of part-time Houston residency this past winter and my partner and I didn't win our flight for the first time since 2021. Five 3 puts—FIVE!!!—from yours truly in Round 2 and two more missed make-able putts in Round 3 were seven half-point giveaways we did not overcome. Based on my accounting, my partner cost us only 2 points versus my 3.5, so the disappointing performance is on me. I'll need a stricter winter routine next year.I will say the Scotland golf intensity helped stamina at Governor's. The intensity and deliberate pace of hole-by-hole match play is usually mentally and physically draining. I didn't feel that this year. For future reference: I need to play 36 more often! It forces an easier swing. It improves mental resilience. Seems better than a cold plunge.Does a high level of golf intensity make you a better energy equity analyst, advisor, or board member? For sure it does. There is no question about this. Are we advising our companies to settle for mediocrity? That an 8% return on capital is good enough? That sector average TSR is fine? Of course not.Work Hard. Golf Hard.A Lot of Great Golf In Scotland: Western Gailes Near The Top Of My ListSource: Super-Spiked selfie.The Calm Before The Governor's Trophy StormSource: Super-Spiked.⚖️ DisclaimerI certify that these are my personal, strongly held views at the time of this post. My views are my own and not attributable to any affiliation, past or present. This is not an investment newsletter and there is no financial advice explicitly or implicitly provided here. My views can and will change in the future as warranted by updated analyses and developments. Some of my comments are made in jest for entertainment purposes; I sincerely mean no offense to anyone that takes issue.Subscribe to Super-Spiked to receive all content via email. Also available on https://veriten.com. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit arjunmurti.substack.com
When farmers sell their crops, they usually receive six cents for every dollar you spend on the end product at the grocery store, according to federal data. But a new processing facility is giving farmers a chance to sell a particular crop locally. That could put more money in their pockets.
Surging long-term bond yields underscore our view that traditional portfolio diversification is being challenged in today's macro regime. Beata Harasim, Senior Investment Strategist at the BlackRock Investment Institute, explains why investors may need a Plan B built around broader sources of return.General disclosure: This material is intended for information purposes only, and does not constitute investment advice, a recommendation or an offer or solicitation to purchase or sell any securities, funds or strategies to any person in any jurisdiction in which an offer, solicitation, purchase or sale would be unlawful under the securities laws of such jurisdiction. The opinions expressed are as of the date of publication and are subject to change without notice. Reliance upon information in this material is at the sole discretion of the reader. Investing involves risks. BlackRock does and may seek to do business with companies covered in this podcast. As a result, readers should be aware that the firm may have a conflict of interest that could affect the objectivity of this podcast.In the U.S. and Canada, this material is intended for public distribution.In the UK and Non-European Economic Area (EEA) countries: this is Issued by BlackRock Investment Management (UK) Limited, authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Registered office: 12 Throgmorton Avenue, London, EC2N 2DL. Tel:+ 44 (0)20 7743 3000. Registered in England and Wales No. 02020394. For your protection telephone calls are usually recorded. Please refer to the Financial Conduct Authority website for a list of authorised activities conducted by BlackRock.In the European Economic Area (EEA): this is Issued by BlackRock (Netherlands) B.V. is authorised and regulated by the Netherlands Authority for the Financial Markets. Registered office Amstelplein 1, 1096 HA, Amsterdam, Tel: 020 – 549 5200, Tel: 31-20- 549-5200. Trade Register No. 17068311 For your protection telephone calls are usually recorded.For Investors in Switzerland: This document is marketing material.In South Africa: Please be advised that BlackRock Investment Management (UK) Limited is an authorised Financial Services provider with the South African Financial Services Board, FSP No. 43288.In Singapore, this is issued by BlackRock (Singapore) Limited (Co. registration no. 200010143N). This advertisement or publication has not been reviewed by the Monetary Authority of Singapore. In Hong Kong, this material is issued by BlackRock Asset Management North Asia Limited and has not been reviewed by the Securities and Futures Commission of Hong Kong. In Australia, issued by BlackRock Investment Management (Australia) Limited ABN 13 006 165 975, AFSL 230 523 (BIMAL). This material provides general information only and does not take into account your individual objectives, financial situation, needs or circumstances. Before making any investment decision, you should assess whether the material is appropriate for you and obtain financial advice tailored to you having regard to your individual objectives, financial situation, needs and circumstances. Refer to BIMAL's Financial Services Guide on its website for more information. This material is not a financial product recommendation or an offer or solicitation with respect to the purchase or sale of any financial product in any jurisdictionIn Latin America: this material is for educational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice nor an offer or solicitation to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any shares of any Fund (nor shall any such shares be offered or sold to any person) in any jurisdiction in which an offer, solicitation, purchase or sale would be unlawful under the securities law of that jurisdiction. If any funds are mentioned or inferred to in this material, it is possible that some or all of the funds may not have been registered with the securities regulator of Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Mexico, Panama, Peru, Uruguay or any other securities regulator in any Latin American country and thus might not be publicly offered within any such country. The securities regulators of such countries have not confirmed the accuracy of any information contained herein. The provision of investment management and investment advisory services is a regulated activity in Mexico thus is subject to strict rules. For more information on the Investment Advisory Services offered by BlackRock Mexico please refer to the Investment Services Guide available at www.blackrock.com/mx©2026 BlackRock, Inc. All Rights Reserved. BLACKROCK is a registered trademark of BlackRock, Inc. All other trademarks are those of their respective owners.BII0526-5517737-EXP0527
It's a deep dive into the Hidden Gems Investing mailbag as Jon, Matt, and Rachel handle questions regarding international diversification, stocks that have lost momentum, and the changing cybersecurity landscape due to AI. Jon Quast, Matt Frankel, and Rachel Warren discuss: -Magnificent 7 stocks vs international diversification -How to diversify into Japan and India -Stocks that have lost momentum: MercadoLibre and SoFi -The threat to SentinelOne from Anthropic's Mythos Companies discussed: Apple (APPL), Amazon (AMZN), Microsoft (MSFT), Meta Platforms (META), Alphabet (GOOG)(GOOGL), General Motors (GM), Berkshire Hathaway (BRK.A)(BRK.B), Realty Income (O), Digital Realty (DLR), Pinterest (PINS), Walt Disney (DIS), Toyota (TM), Sony Group (SONY), iShares MSCI Japan ETF (EWJ), iShares India 50 ETF (INDY), iShares MSCI India ETF (INDA), Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS), iShares Core MSCI Total International Stock ETF (IXUS), Vanguard International High Dividend ETF (VYMI), Nestle (NSRGY), MercadoLibre (MELI), SoFi (SOFI), SentinelOne (S), Nvidia (NVDA), Crowdstrike (CRWD), Palo Alto Networks (PANW), Zscaler (ZS) Host: Jon Quast Guests: Matt Frankel, Rachel Warren Engineer: Dan Boyd Disclosure: Advertisements are sponsored content and provided for informational purposes only. The Motley Fool and its affiliates (collectively, “TMF”) do not endorse, recommend, or verify the accuracy or completeness of the statements made within advertisements. TMF is not involved in the offer, sale, or solicitation of any securities advertised herein and makes no representations regarding the suitability, or risks associated with any investment opportunity presented. Investors should conduct their own due diligence and consult with legal, tax, and financial advisors before making any investment decisions. TMF assumes no responsibility for any losses or damages arising from this advertisement.We're committed to transparency: All personal opinions in advertisements from Fools are their own. The product advertised in this episode was loaned to TMF and was returned after a test period or the product advertised in this episode was purchased by TMF. Advertiser has paid for the sponsorship of this episode.Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
In today's episode, we'll dive into a fascinating twist on the e-commerce journey — what happens when you buy back the very brand you once sold. Ben will share the lessons, emotions, and strategic insights behind exiting — and then re-entering — your own business. Highlight Bullets> Here's a glimpse of what you would learn…. Ben Leonard's entrepreneurial journey with Beast Gear, from initial investment to seven-figure exit.Challenges faced after selling Beast Gear to Thrasio, including mismanagement and loss of brand identity.Importance of effective inventory management and the consequences of overleveraging.The significance of building a genuine consumer brand beyond basic Amazon tactics.The role of intellectual property protection and the impact of neglecting it.Insights on the operational difficulties during the COVID-19 pandemic and its effects on e-commerce.Strategies for diversifying sales channels and avoiding dependency on a single platform.The importance of quality in products and overall business operations.Marketing strategies for brand awareness, including the use of influencers and social media.Lessons learned from reacquiring and reviving a brand in a competitive market.In this episode of the Ecomm Breakthrough Podcast, host Josh Hadley speaks with entrepreneur Ben Leonard, who built Beast Gear into a seven-figure brand before selling it to aggregator Thrasio. Then buying it back after mismanagement caused revenue to collapse. Ben reveals how Thrasio abandoned the brand-building strategies that drove Beast Gear's success, mishandled inventory, and neglected intellectual property protection. He shares lessons on diversifying beyond Amazon, maintaining product quality, and building genuine customer communities. Ben also discusses his new dad-focused baby carrier brand, Tuco, and offers actionable advice on scaling e-commerce businesses sustainably.Here are the 3 action items that Josh identified from this episode:Build a brand, not just an Amazon listing Engage customers off-Amazon (TikTok, email, events) and create a loyal community—not just traffic.Treat inventory like risk, not just growth Forecast per SKU, avoid over-ordering, and ensure sell-through within ~6 months to prevent cash flow disasters.Diversify early and protect your moat Expand beyond Amazon (Shopify + social channels) and actively enforce IP to protect your brand from copycats.Timestamps:00:00:34 Introduction to the EpisodeThe host introduces the guest, Ben Leonard, and the topic: buying back his brand after selling it to an aggregator.00:02:14 The Brand's Decline Under New OwnershipBen confirms his brand crashed after he sold it to the aggregator Thrasio due to mismanagement and operational failures.00:05:41 The "Magic" Thrasio IgnoredBen explains his original success came from building a true brand with customer relationships, which the new owners dismantled.00:09:27 The Financial FalloutBen reveals the brand's revenue plummeted from $6 million to about half a million dollars under Thrasio's ownership.00:13:13 Three Key Mistakes by the AggregatorThe host summarizes Thrasio's critical errors: inventory mismanagement, ignoring off-Amazon branding, and failing to protect intellectual property.00:19:51 Why You Must Diversify Beyond AmazonBen stresses the need for Amazon sellers to act like real brands and diversify channels to build a sustainable business.00:22:23 The Revival Playbook for Beast GearBen outlines his bootstrapped strategy to revive the brand, focusing on TikTok Shop and rebuilding community goodwill on a budget.00:27:08 Launching a New Brand: TucoThe conversation shifts to Ben's new venture, Tuco, a baby carrier startup designed specifically for dads.00:32:22 When to Implement Brand Awareness StrategiesBen and Josh discuss when a brand should start investing in top-of-funnel marketing and diversifying beyond its primary channel.00:37:40 Three Actionable Takeaways for Brand OwnersThe host summarizes key lessons: diversify with solid processes, avoid inventory leverage, and work with creators for brand awareness.00:42:13 Ben's Final Three QuestionsBen shares his most influential book (The E-Myth), favorite AI tool (Claude), and an e-commerce professional to follow.00:45:51 How to Connect with BenBen shares the best places for listeners to find him online, primarily LinkedIn and his personal email address.Resources mentioned in this episode:Josh Hadley on LinkedIneComm Breakthrough ConsultingeComm Breakthrough PodcastEmail Josh Hadley: Josh@eCommBreakthrough.comTools and Websites"Shopify": "00:03:03""Amazon": "00:03:03""TikTok": "00:09:54""YouTube": "00:19:51""TikTok Shop": "00:23:10""Meta Ads": "00:24:07""WordPress": "00:35:58""Email Marketing": "00:36:33""Claude (AI Tool)": "00:43:03""LinkedIn": "00:45:09""Ecomm Breakthrough Website": "00:46:24"Books"Quit Stalling and Build Your Own Brand by Ben Leonard": "00:01:01""Building a StoryBrand by Donald Miller": "00:21:31""The E-Myth Revisited by Michael Gerber": "00:42:25"Videos"Brand Rescue Mission": "00:08:17""Escaping the Amazon Goldfish Bowl": "00:19:51"Podcasts"Operators Podcast": "00:09:54"Other Mentions"Forbes": "00:01:01""Peregrine Commerce": "00:25:41""Sean Cowie": "00:44:09"Episode Sponsor:This episode is brought to you by eComm Breakthrough Consulting where I help seven-figure e-commerce owners grow to eight figures. I started my business in 2015 and grew it to an eight-figure brand in seven years.I made mistakes along the way that made the path to eight figures longer. At times I doubted whether our business could even survive and become a real brand. I wish I would have had a guide to help me grow faster and avoid the stumbling blocks.If ...
PREVIEW for Later Today: Iraq's New Oil Ministry Faces Critical Export and Budget Challenges. Guest: Bridget Toomey. Bridget Toomey examines Iraq's urgent need to diversify oil export routes beyond the Strait of Hormuz. The new ministry must repair post-war facilities and address a looming budget crunch while managing production levels.1700
You wake up, check your portfolio, and realize one stock has quietly become your entire retirement plan. Maybe it came from an employee stock purchase plan. Maybe Grandma left you a pile of Apple shares. Maybe you bought NVIDIA in 2012 because you liked the graphics card and forgot about it. However you got here, the problem is the same: one company now owns you. Joe and OG walk through exactly how to unwind it -- slowly, tax-efficiently, and without making the emotional decisions that cost people the most money.What You'll Walk Away WithThe four ways people end up with concentrated stock -- and which one has the easiest fix that most people skip entirelyWhy inheriting stock is actually the best time to diversify -- and the step-up in basis rule that eliminates most of the tax billThe conveyor belt strategy for employee stock purchase plans that keeps you collecting the discount without piling up company riskWhy "I'll just grow around it" almost never works -- and the math behind why your stock tends to outpace your ability to diversify around itThe question Joe asked every client in this situation: which outcome would upset you least -- and why that's the right starting pointRSUs as a paycheck, not a loyalty pledge -- and the mental reframe that makes it easier to sellWhat the Merck/Vioxx story teaches about why the tax bill is almost never the real reason to hold concentrated stockWhen a slow systematic sell makes sense versus ripping the Band-Aid -- and how to decide which one you can actually live withThe estate planning mistake that turns a free inheritance into a massive capital gains bill -- and why the $1 trick backfires every timeThe insurance planning framework OG and Anna walk through: life, disability, long-term care, and property/casualty -- including the umbrella policy most people skipWhy This Matters NowIf you've spent years building something -- through your career, through conviction, through an inheritance -- the last thing you want is to lose it all because one company had a bad quarter. The diversification conversation feels complicated, but the framework is simpler than most people think. The hard part isn't knowing what to do. It's making the decision when the stock is moving and your emotions are loud.From the BasementJoe and OG dig into concentrated stock risk -- how people get there, what it actually costs them, and the five strategies for getting out without making it worse. OG and Anna return for episode two of their financial basics series with a full insurance planning walkthrough -- including the disability insurance gap most people don't know they have. Doug arrives with Mount St. Helens trivia and a dryer situation that may or may not involve auto parts. Stacker Molly's car repair HSA story gets a full investigation and a satisfying resolution.Resources MentionedStacking Benjamins Basics Guide -- season one and season two workbooks free at stackingbenjamins.com/basicsguideStacking Benjamins Newsletter (The 201) -- stackingbenjamins.com/201Stacking Benjamins Vault -- stackingbenjamins.com/vaultStacking Benjamins Community -- stackingbenjamins.com/basementYahoo Finance / CNBC insider trading tracker -- referenced for monitoring executive stock salesSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Today, Paul and Evan start the show by discussing the common misconception that investing is simply learning about companies so you can pick the “right” ones. The two advisors explain that this method doesn't even work for the brightest minds in the industry. Paul shares an interview from the news this week that claims the economy would be soft without the influence of AI. Listen along to hear how this claim connects to the myth of picking winners and learn how confident investors use diversification to build portfolios that won't fail during the market's natural ups and downs. Want to cut through the myths about retirement income and learn evidence-based strategies backed by over a century of data? Download our free Retirement Income Guide now at paulwinkler.com/relax and take the stress out of planning your retirement. This material is for general educational purposes only and is not personalized investment, financial, tax, or legal advice. Past performance does not guarantee future results. Nothing here is an offer, solicitation, or recommendation for any security or strategy. All financial decisions involve risk, and you should consult qualified professionals before acting on this information. Advisory services offered through Paul Winkler, Inc., an SEC-registered investment adviser.
In this episode, Greg Judy shares practical, field-tested lessons on building profitable and resilient multi-species grazing systems. This remastered session dives into the infrastructure, grazing strategies, drought planning, and diversified income streams that help producers improve pasture performance while reducing dependence on costly inputs. From fencing and portable paddocks to hunting leases and soil health, Greg explains how intentional management can dramatically improve both profitability and land resilience.
Join Moe & Javaid as they analyze the markets after earnings continue to propel the markets to new highs. What are the latest developments in the conflict in Iran and when will there be a resolution? Are earnings enough to propel the market to more new highs? What are some of the key indicators to watch for? What do oil markets and bond markets tell us about the market? Listen now to get the answers to these questions and more! Want to see the charts Moe & Javaid are discussing? Check out the Compak YouTube channel! http://www.compak.com/youtube
A big single-stock win can feel like freedom one day and a tightrope the next. This plan walks through how a family holding ~$15M in NVIDIA shares can turn concentrated success into stable, low-stress wealth—without torching liquidity on taxes.Start with the only question that matters: How much diversified capital is needed to fund a confident lifestyle?Reverse-engineer that number, then use precise tools to reach it, keeping meaningful upside while lowering single-stock risk.What's inside this episode: - Decide your lifestyle floor first: Define the minimum diversified capital required to fund spending needs with confidence.- Complement, don't duplicate: Use separately managed accounts (SMAs) to add what's missing so exposure isn't stacked on top of NVDA, Apple, and Amazon.- Create tax “ammo”: Systematic tax-loss harvesting and long/short SMAs to build a reservoir of losses that can offset gains when trimming the position.- Account coordination, not silos: Asset location that overweights missing exposures—international, small caps, real assets—inside 401(k)/403(b) to hit global targets while cutting tax drag.- Optimize NVIDIA employee benefits: Mega backdoor Roth contributions paired with a generous 401(k) match for higher tax-advantaged compounding.- Thoughtful de-risking: Selective pruning vs. selling everything—manage taxes, sequence risk, and liquidity step by step.- Advanced tools, clear trade-offs: Exchange funds, covered-call overlays for selective income, and charitable gifting of appreciated shares via donor-advised funds.- Portfolio-level management: Make decisions across all accounts, not account-by-account.- Graduate from accumulation to optimization: Shift the focus to risk control, tax efficiency, and reliable cash-flow.Who this helps- NVIDIA employees with RSUs/ESPP and sizable NVDA exposure- Founders and tech execs holding concentrated single-stock positions- Anyone looking to diversify without a massive tax bill and buy long-term peace of mindThe bottom line— fund the lifestyle floor with diversified assets so one ticker never dictates your future, or your mood.--Advisory services are offered through Root Financial Partners, LLC, an SEC-registered investment adviser. This content is intended for informational and educational purposes only and should not be considered personalized investment, tax, or legal advice. Viewing this content does not create an advisory relationship. We do not provide tax preparation or legal services. Always consult an investment, tax or legal professional regarding your specific situation.The strategies, case studies, and examples discussed may not be suitable for everyone. They are hypothetical and for illustrative and educational purposes only. They do not reflect actual client results and are not guarantees of future performance. All investments involve risk, including the potential loss of principal.Comments reflect the views of individual users and do not necessarily represent the views of Root Financial. They are not verified, may not be accurate, and should not be considered testimonials or endorsementsParticipation in the Retirement Planning Academy or Early Retirement Academy does not create an advisory relationship with Root Financial. These programs are educational in nature and are not a substitute for personalized financial advice. Advisory services are offered only under a written agreement with Root Financial.Create Your Custom Strategy ⬇️Get Started Here.Join the new Root Collective HERE!
T&A: Tens And Aces. An AP Blackjack podcast. Turning the tables from Las Vegas to Local Casinos
In Episode 134 of The Tens and Aces Podcast, host Mike AP sits down with Doug, an advantage player (AP), software developer, and founder of savvyscrath.com. Doug's incredible journey connects multiple worlds—online and live poker, blackjack, machine advantage play, comp hustling, and even a tech-driven edge in lottery scratcher ticket prediction. This episode explores how data, networking, and innovation can transform gambling into a measurable skill—and even a profession.Doug began in the golden age of internet poker, grinding on Full Tilt Poker and PokerStars before the 2011 “Black Friday” crackdown reshaped the landscape. Transitioning to live poker, Doug's curiosity led him into blackjack apprenticeship, where he honed card counting skills and gained real-world experience as a banker at a California card room—a unique legal structure where players compete against each other, not the house.Doug dives deep into the quirks of California card rooms, explaining how they operate legally under player-banker rules. However, growing pressure from tribal casinos and regulatory shifts have forced many to close. His insider perspective reveals how policy changes can reshape entire ecosystems of legal AP opportunities.Never content with one niche, Doug advanced into machine advantage play and comp hustling—leveraging casino promotions and rewards for profit. He even built small teams to sign up players for bonuses, showing how creative networking and data collection unlock hidden value in casinos.Doug stresses that advantage players shouldn't define themselves solely as card counters: diversification is survival.Doug's crown achievement is a groundbreaking data-driven lottery system. His platform, savvyscrath.com, tracks state lottery data—sales, ticket availability, and prize pools—to calculate real-time expected value (EV) for scratcher games in over 19 U.S. states.Key innovations include:Automated analysis of public lottery dataDynamic probability models to find “+EV” ticketsModel Context Protocol (MCP): a proprietary AI interface allowing conversational data queries for personalized strategy insightsDoug's system effectively turns government-released data into actionable advantage play—bridging gambling, analytics, and software engineering.Doug shares how AI is reshaping discovery and marketing, but warns about hidden bias in search results and AI outputs driven by affiliate marketing. True advantage play now includes data skepticism—learning to question information sources and use AI as a lens to uncover niche opportunities others overlook.Echoing Richard Munchkin's mantra that “Your network is your net worth,” Doug emphasizes the power of connections in the AP world. Information-sharing circles can be the difference between profit and burnout. For Doug, advantage play is not a hustle—it's a mindset applied to everything from travel and spending to career optimization.Doug recalls buying his first scratcher on his 18th birthday, netting a $150 win—an early glimpse of the edge-seeking determination that defines his career. His nostalgic storytelling blends humor and insight, contrasting the analog gambling days with today's data-driven ecosystem.Diversify your edge: Don't rely solely on one AP method—adapt and expand.Leverage tech: Data tools and AI open new, overlooked profit zones.Stay networked: Collaboration and relationships multiply opportunity.Adopt the AP mindset: View everyday life through the lens of efficiency and edge-finding.advantage play podcast, blackjack, card counting, online poker history, California card rooms, machine advantage play, comp hustling, lottery scratcher analytics, savvyscrath.com, Doug advantage player, Mike AP podcast, Tens and Aces Episode 134, data-driven gambling, AI in casino strategy, Model Context Protocol MCP, AP mindset, gambling technology trends, blackjack apprenticeship
8/16: Scott Harold discusses Japan's $10 billion lending initiative to counter Chinese influence in Asia. He also explores Japan's efforts to diversify energy sources, including nuclear power and importing American LNG.1654
Stewart O. Heath, Founder and CEO of Harvard Grace Capital, a private equity real estate firm that helps business owners build wealth through passive, … Read more The post The silent risk of relying solely on your business for income and how to diversify appeared first on Top Entrepreneurs Podcast | Enterprise Podcast Network.
Six years of building a global business teaches you things no business school will. What actually drives revenue. What wastes your time. What you wish someone had told you before you started. In this episode, Sophia Matveeva shares the six lessons that have shaped how she built Tech for Non-Techies — trusted by Oxford University, Microsoft, Techstars and the Royal Bank of Canada — without external funding, without a PR agency, and without a technical background. You'll learn: Why fundraising and bootstrapping are both hard — and how to choose which hard is right for you Why your personal brand builds business faster than your company brand How to diversify revenue without losing focus Why human judgement is the scarcest resource in the age of AI That mind management is not a luxury — it is infrastructure Why paying experts is one of the best business decisions you will ever make Sophia also shares the evening she was convinced her business was unsolvable, why she has no regrets about bootstrapping her second company, and what a billionaire founder and a Facebook marketing expert taught her about building for the long term. Timestamps: 00:00 - Introduction: Six lessons from six years in business 02:46 - Lesson 1: Raising money vs getting customers - Choose your hard 07:28 - Lesson 2: Build your personal brand before your company brand 12:08 - Lesson 3: Diversify your revenue, but stay focused 14:29 - Lesson 4: AI is a game changer, but human judgment makes it valuable 16:48 - Lesson 5: Mind management is not optional 19:05 - Lesson 6: Pay experts to compress your learning curve 21:26 - Summary and closing Free Live Masterclass — 27 April 2026 How to get featured in the Financial Times, Forbes and Wall Street Journal — without a PR agency
In this conversation, Josh Ryan shares his journey from a real estate agent to a financial advisor, detailing the challenges he faced during the 2008 financial crisis that led him to become a financial advisor. He discusses the concept of the 'Family Vault' as a financial safety net, the establishment of a virtual family office, and the importance of business acquisition and commercial real estate in wealth management. The discussion emphasizes proactive strategies for financial planning and legacy creation.Chapters:00:00:00 - Introduction and Welcome to the Show00:01:07 - Key Principle: Concentrate to Get Rich, Diversify to Stay Rich00:02:27 - Guest Introduction: Josh Ryan and His Background00:04:13 - Josh Ryan's Journey into Financial Services00:10:08 - The Concept of the Family Vault00:12:00 - Understanding the Virtual Family Office00:19:01 - Business Acquisition as Part of a Family Office Strategy00:24:02 - The Importance of Commercial Real Estate in Wealth Building00:30:04 - Partnering with Clients for Business Acquisitions00:33:15 - How to Connect with Josh Ryan and Closing RemarksConnect with Josh Ryan:https://cornerstoneroscoe.com/ Learn More About Accountable Equity: Visit Us: http://www.accountableequity.com/ Access eBook: https://accountableequity.com/case-study/#register Turn your unique talent into capital and achieve the life you were destined to live. Join our community!We believe that Capital is more than just Cash. In fact, Human Capital always comes first before the accumulation of Financial Capital. We explore the best, most efficient, high-integrity ways of raising capital (Human & Financial). We want our listeners to use their personal human capital to empower the growth of their financial capital. Together we are stronger.LinkedinFacebookInstagramApple PodcastSpotify
4. Evan Ellis reports on Brazil's strategic rare earth minerals and a U.S. deal to diversify supplies away from China. He also notes the impending presidential election, where polling shows Lula and Bolson's son neck-and-neck. (4)1854 CURRIER & IVES MISSISSIPPI
Great conversations won't matter if no one discovers your show. Most listeners see you before they hear you, which means your visuals shape whether they press play. This is something podcasters need to capitalize on! In this episode, John A. DeMato shares how to use intentional visual storytelling to attract the right audience so the first impression of your show draws people in for more. Get ready to make your podcast impossible to ignore!MORE FROM THIS EPISODE: HTTPS://PODMATCH.COM/EP/377Chapters00:00 The Importance of Visual Storytelling in Podcasting02:49 Crafting Your Podcast's Visual Identity06:01 Auditing Your Visual Content08:57 Creating Engaging Visuals for Promotion11:53 Maintaining a Consistent Visual StrategyTakeawaysVisual storytelling is essential for attracting listeners.Good first impressions are crucial for podcast success.Your visuals should reflect your personality and podcast tone.Regularly audit your visual content for alignment.Diversify your promotional visuals to engage your audience.Authenticity in visuals helps build listener trust.Visuals should serve a purpose and enhance your message.Creating a visual strategy is an ongoing commitment.Stay updated with your visuals to reflect current identity.Engaging visuals can turn casual listeners into loyal subscribers.MORE FROM THIS EPISODE: HTTPS://PODMATCH.COM/EP/377
After reviving the oldest operating soda fountain in the state of Wyoming, I can tell you firsthand that there is something deeply meaningful about bringing an old place back to life. Yet, like most things we romanticize from a distance, it's usually a whole lot less romantic up close.Since buying the soda fountain five years ago, I've had a lot of people ask about following in my footsteps. So in this podcast episode, I pulled together a few of the lessons that I feel are the most important when it comes to running a small-town business. Here we go.Podcast Episode Highlights:The element of risk in running a small town businessLesson #1: Solve a problemLesson #2: Respect the history—but also listen to your gutLesson #3: Diversify. Or else.Lesson #4: Don't forget to market to out-of-townersLesson #5: Create an experienceLesson #6: Lean into your liabilitiesLesson #7: Don't listen to your customers too muchFinal thoughtsResources Mentioned in This Podcast Episode:Find my Old-Fashioned on Purpose planner here: https://www.prairieplanner.com/Learn more about Chugwater Soda Fountain events here: https://www.chugwatersodafountain.com/OTHER HELPFUL RESOURCES FOR YOUR HOMESTEAD:Sign up for weekly musings from my homestead: https://jillwinger.substack.com/Get my free homesteading tutorials & recipes here: www.theprairiehomestead.comJill on Instagram: @jill.wingerJill on Facebook: http://facebook.com/theprairiehomesteadApply to be a guest on the Old-Fashioned on Purpose podcast: https://www.theprairiehomestead.com/podcast-guest-applicationDid you enjoy listening to this episode? Please drop a comment below or leave a review to let us know. This can help other folks learn about this podcast and we also really appreciate the feedback!
On May 16, 2003, a silent alarm was triggered inside Blue Ridge Savings Bank in Greer, South Carolina. When officers arrived just minutes later, they found the bank empty and the cash drawer cleared out.In a small utility room at the back of the building, they made a devastating discovery. Head teller Sylvia Holtzclaw, along with customers Dr. Eb Barnes and his wife Maggie Barnes, had all been shot and killed.Surveillance footage from inside the bank was missing. Grainy video from nearby gas stations showed a red car speeding away from the area, but investigators were never able to identify the driver. More than 20 years later, the triple homicide at Blue Ridge Savings Bank remains unsolved, and detectives are still searching for the person or people responsible.If you have any information, please contact the FBI Office in Greenville, South Carolina at (803) 551-4200 or the Greer Police Department at (864) 848-2151.Editor: Shannon KeirceResearch/Writing: Haley GraySUBMIT A CASE HERE: Cases@DetectivePerspectivePod.com SOCIALInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/detperspective/Twitter: https://twitter.com/detperspectiveFIND DERRICK HERETwitter: https://twitter.com/DerrickLInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/DerrickLevasseurFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/DerrickVLevasseurCRIME WEEKLY AND COFFEECriminal Coffee Company: https://www.CriminalCoffeeCo.comCrime Weekly: https://crimeweeklypodcast.com/shopADS:1. https://www.GetAcreGold.com - Diversify your portfolio and sign up today!2. https://www.HungryRoot.com/Detective - Use code DETECTIVE for 40% off and a FREE item for life!