Podcasts about Doctorate

Beyond Probiotics: Rebuilding the Gut Microbiome as an Ecosystem with Dr. Oscar Coatzee and Danielle Arnold  and host Dr. Ben Weitz.   [If you enjoy this podcast, please give us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts, so more people will find The Rational Wellness Podcast. Also check out the video version on my WeitzChiro YouTube page.]   Podcast Highlights Rethinking Probiotics: Keystone Anaerobes, Butyrate, and Microbiome Ecosystems with Designs for Health Dr. Ben Weitz introduces the Rational Wellness Podcast episode challenging the assumption that gut issues are solved by adding more traditional probiotics, arguing microbiome repair is an ecosystem and function problem. He interviews Dr. Oscar Cozo and Danielle Arnold of Designs for Health about differences between transient aerobic probiotics (e.g., lactobacillus/bifidobacteria) and keystone anaerobic strains that form the microbiome's foundation, can engraft, drive down gut oxygen, and support cross-feeding. They discuss live, refrigerated delivery for anaerobes; a spore-capable keystone strain (Anaerostipes); and a case study showing improved food allergies, normalization of Akkermansia, increased butyrate-related effects, and reduction of opportunists without antimicrobials. They cover butyrate's roles (tight junctions, mucus, immune regulation, HDAC inhibition), fiber and resistant starch strategies, stool testing (GI-MAP additions for anaerobes and short-chain fatty acids), diet restriction concerns, and practitioner support and case report publishing with Designs for Health. 00:00 Show Intro and Mission 01:00 Probiotics vs Ecosystem Thinking 02:56 Aerobes vs Anaerobes Explained 07:06 Keystone Species and Engraftment 09:18 New Anaerobic Strains and Allergy Research 11:06 Live Shipping and Feeding the Strains 14:03 Case Study Crowding Out Dysbiosis 18:03 Rethinking the Five R Protocol 24:26 Testing and Prebiotic Pairings 26:52 Butyrate and Microbiome Benefits 28:40 Conventional Probiotics Still Matter 35:04 Sponsor Break Apollo Wearable 36:37 Crowding Out Pathogens and Fungi Role 39:58 Archaea and Mucosa 41:21 Mucus Layer and Biofilms 43:11 Feeding Keystone Microbes 44:18 Fiber Targets and Tolerance 46:51 Probiotic as SIBO Option 48:54 Resistant Starch Basics 51:52 Stool Test Dysbiosis Patterns 54:32 Akkermansia and Metabolism 56:44 Histamine Bugs and Enzymes 01:02:26 Gut Healing Nutrients 01:05:34 Diet Diversity and Reintros 01:08:21 Wrap Up and Product Details 01:13:10 Podcast Outro and Clinic Info   Dr. Oscar Coatzee has over 25 years experience in psychology and nutrition and is currently the VP of clinical education and practitioner support at Designs For Health. He has a bachelor's degree in psychology and a PhD in Holistic Nutrition and  Doctorate of Clinical Nutrition. Danielle Arnold is a clinical nutritionist and Functional Medicine practitioner and she serves as a clinical support specialist at Designs for Health, training healthcare providers in test interpretation and patient care. Dr. Ben Weitz is available for Functional Nutrition consultations specializing in Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders like IBS/SIBO and Reflux and also Cardiometabolic Risk Factors like elevated lipids, high blood sugar, and high blood pressure.  Dr. Weitz has also successfully helped many patients with managing their weight and improving their athletic performance, as well as sports chiropractic work by calling his Santa Monica office 310-395-3111.

Dr. Sharon Elefant, Founder & CEO of The Nonprofit Plug, shares her journey from healthcare administration to nonprofit leadership, emphasizing the importance of management skills for nonprofit success. She discusses the complexities of addressing homelessness and mental health issues. Dr. Elefant also highlights her favorite nonprofit causes and offers valuable resources for those looking to make a difference in their communities.Nonprofit Strategist • Educator • Community AdvocateDr. Sharon R. Elefant is a nationally recognized nonprofit strategist, educator, and community advocate dedicated to helping mission-driven leaders turn bold ideas into sustainable, fundable organizations.As the Founder and CEO of The Nonprofit Plug, Dr. Elefant has supported more than 1,000 nonprofit leaders, helped launch and scale over 500 nonprofit organizations, maintained a 100%IRS approval rate, stewarded over $5 million in nonprofit assets, and supported organizations that have collectively secured more than $15 million in funding. At the core of her work is a simple belief: good intentions deserve strong infrastructure.What The Nonprofit Plug DoesUnder Dr. Elefant's leadership, The Nonprofit Plug provides end-to-end nonprofit support, including:● Nonprofit formation & IRS compliance (501(c)(3), 501(c)(6), and beyond)● Grant strategy, grant writing, and funding pipelines● Donor cultivation, contribution tracking, and fundraising systems● Financial management, bookkeeping, and compliance readiness● Strategic planning, program design, and impact measurement● Board development, governance training, and leadership coaching● Fiscal sponsorship education and alternative impact modelsA Global Perspective on Social ImpactDr. Elefant serves as an international advisor to nonprofits across sectors including housing and homelessness prevention, youth development, mental health access, animal welfare, veteran services, workforce development, financial literacy, and community wellness. Her work spans local grassroots startups to established organizations preparing for multi-year funding and national growth. She is widely respected for her ability to build bridges between nonprofits, funders, and community partners, aligning mission with measurable outcomes and long-term financial health.Educator, Speaker, and MentorIn addition to her consulting work, Dr. Elefant is an adjunct faculty member teaching undergraduate and graduate courses in nonprofit management, health administration, financial management, and program planning. She has facilitated workshops, bootcamps, and training events for hundreds of nonprofit founders and leaders, breaking down complex topics like grants, compliance, and finances into practical, empowering guidance.She is a frequent podcast guest, keynote speaker, and panelist, known for her candid, accessible style and her ability to demystify the nonprofit world while challenging outdated narratives about funding, sustainability, and leadership.Veteran Advocacy & LeadershipPreviously serving as Director of Veteran Outreach & Community Development with Team AMVETS, Dr. Elefant led major partnership and fundraising initiatives, helping double annual donations to nearly $1 million and expand veteran support programming nationwide.Academic & Global ExperienceDr. Elefant holds a Doctorate from Central Michigan University, with academic training in health management and public policy. Her global experience includes setting up rural health clinics in Belize, participating in international public health conferences, and engaging in United Nations seminars abroad. Her doctoral research focused on innovation theory and global systems change, further shaping her strategic lens.Get In Touch With Dr. Sharon Elefant:WEBSITE / SOCIAL :http://www.thenonprofitplug.com/ @thenonprofitplug on most Social platforms.‍ ‍

An episode from Liberty Behind Bars Ministry, a ministry serving the incarcerated across America located in Belfast, New York.“I spent half of my life in and out of jails, prisons, rehabs, and other facilities.  Unfortunately, the programs that were offered did not help me to become a productive member of society, it just made me a better inmate.  What changed me, was a new life in Jesus Christ and reading/studying a King James Bible.Many prisons, jails, and other institutions have heard from many of their inmates that they are changed due to religion. However, most are seen back within the next year or two. As God gave Moses a burden for the Children of Israel, so God gave me a burden for those in jails and prisons. Churches send missionaries to foreign countries, in support, hopes and prayers, they can win the nationals to Jesus, train them and then send the nationals back to their own people. This is what Jesus has done for me. He saved me out of this life of crimes and addiction, and now sends me back to my people who are in jails/prisons, to win them to Christ and send them back to their own people.This is where Liberty Behind Bars Ministry steps in.  Not only do we minister to those behind the jail walls we help them transition into society; differently than they did in the past.  The goal is to break the cycle of recidivism and help people have a changed life in Jesus Christ.  I have my Doctorate in Christian Biblical Counseling and use this knowledge to not only help those within the jail/prison walls, but also to support their family members. You may also write to us at:Life Behind Bars MinistryP.O. Box 264Belfast, NY 14711 Have A Blessed Day, Life Behind Bars Ministry” This message is part of the KJV Bible Preaching Churches Podcast, a ministry dedicated to making faithful, King James Bible preaching available to all; especially those who may have limited access to sound biblical teaching.Our purpose is simple: to exalt the Lord Jesus Christ, uphold the authority of the Holy Scriptures, and point souls to the truth of God's Word. Every message shared through this podcast comes from likeminded, Bible-believing churches and ministries that hold firmly to the King James Bible as the final authority in faith and practice.This podcast is used as a Gospel resource and teaching tool, including outreach efforts to individuals who are incarcerated. We believe God's Word is living, powerful, and able to work in hearts wherever it is heard.If you are a pastor, preacher, or church that faithfully preaches from the King James Bible and would like to learn more about being part of this podcast, or if you have questions about this ministry, you are welcome to reach out.The KJV Bible Preaching Churches Podcast is directly supported by Doss Metrics LLC | Ministry Services based out of Cleveland Texas. If you have any questions regarding this podcast, or the churches hosted on the podcast, please reach out to us directly at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠dossmetrics@gmail.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or write to us at: Doss Metrics | KJV Bible Preaching Churches Podcast1451 McBride Rd.Cleveland, TX 77328 God Bless#dalemorey #Libertybehindbars #Christianpodcasts #KJVPodcasts #BiblePreachingChurches

Welcome back to another episode of School Counseling Simplified. Today I am interviewing Lacey, a school counselor and IMPACT member. In this episode, we are talking all about class lessons and the engaging formula she uses to keep students involved and excited about learning. Lacey Dixon is an enthusiastic educator that leads with positive intention while fostering a nurturing, growth-oriented inclusive environment for her school and community. She holds a Doctorate in Educational Leadership and Innovation, a Masters in School Counseling, and a Masters in Instruction that has served her well as a seventeen-year education veteran and first-generation college student.   This school year marked a turning point as she began her new journey as a first-year school counselor.  Previously, she served as a secondary agriscience educator and FFA advisor, an ag relationship manager in the private sector and instructional leader at an intermediate school.  Blending her love of teaching, and intuitive ability to build strong relationships with students, Dr. Dixon strives to create a learning environment where all students feel loved and welcomed from the moment they walk through their school doors.  Cultivating social emotional intelligence and mindfulness among staff and students, continues to shape her everyday interactions and school initiatives for the promise of a better tomorrow.  What do you love about school counseling? When asked what she loves most about school counseling, Lacey shares that she enjoys building relationships and having the opportunity to do something different every day. She works with students in grades four through six and teaches lessons within professional learning communities. She values incorporating social emotional learning into her lessons and is passionate about helping students feel loved and welcomed each day. How do you manage class lessons at your school? Lacey has developed a clear and engaging structure for her class lessons. She begins by gathering student input about what they enjoy, ensuring their voices are heard. Each lesson starts with a Smartboard open and includes morning movement such as dances or short videos to energize students. From there, she leads affirmations, inviting students to repeat statements like, "I belong in this classroom just as I am." Next, she introduces an activator, which may be a short video or a definition connected to the lesson objective.  The class then moves into the main activity, often including a take home component to help students create meaning beyond the classroom.  She closes with a reflection component to reinforce learning. Her lesson framework includes a physical activity, affirmation, activation, activity, and reflection. What does a typical day look like for you? In a typical day, Lacey balances lunch and bus duties, small groups, individual student sessions, and teaching class lessons three days per week. Each day brings variety and opportunities to connect with students in different ways. What advice do you have for new counselors? For new counselors, Lacey offers thoughtful advice. She encourages counselors to extend grace to themselves and their students. She recommends focusing on immediate priorities rather than trying to do everything at once. She also emphasizes the importance of having trusted colleagues or friends to lean on, as the role can be demanding and emotionally heavy.  Resources Mentioned: Join IMPACT Connect with Rachel: TpT Store Blog Instagram Facebook Page Facebook Group Pinterest Youtube   More About School Counseling Simplified: School Counseling Simplified is a podcast offering easy to implement strategies for busy school counselors. The host, Rachel Davis from Bright Futures Counseling, shares tips and tricks she has learned from her years of experience as a school counselor both in the US and at an international school in Costa Rica. You can listen to School Counseling Simplified on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, and more!  

If you're on Wegovy, Zepbound, Ozempic, or Mounjaro — and worried about what happens when you stop — this episode is for you. The fear of gaining it all back is real. But weight regain is not inevitable. It's manageable. And I'm going to show you how. "What happens when you stop your GLP-1?" This is one of the most common questions I get in my clinic every single week. It's time I answered it publicly — with science, not fear. In this episode, I break down exactly what happens in your body when you stop your GLP-1, why weight regain happens, and the five pillars you need to protect your results, whether you're stopping by choice or out of necessity. Listen now! Episode Highlights: The physiological reason hunger surges and metabolism slows when you stop GLP-1s  What the SURMOUNT-4 clinical trial tells us about weight regain after stopping Tirzepatide Who is at highest risk for regaining weight  The 5 pillars of weight maintenance: protein, resistance training, carb awareness, appetite retraining, and medication transition strategy Connect with Dr. Alicia Shelly: Website | drshellymd.com Facebook | www.facebook.com/drshellymd Instagram | @drshellymd Linked In | www.linkedin.com/in/drshellymd Twitter | @drshellymd About Dr. Alicia Shelly Dr. Alicia Shelly was raised in Atlanta, GA. She received her Doctorate of Medicine from Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine in Cleveland, OH.  Dr. Shelly has been practicing Primary Care and Obesity medicine since 2014.  In 2017, she became a Diplomat of the American Board of Obesity Medicine. She is the lead physician at the Wellstar Medical Center Douglasville. She started a weekly podcast & Youtube channel entitled Back on Track: Achieving Healthy Weight loss,  where she discusses how to get on track and stay on track with your weight loss journey. She has spoken for numerous local and national organizations, including the Obesity Medicine Association, and the Georgia Chapter of the American Society of Metabolic and Bariatric Surgeons. She has been featured on CNN, Fox 5 News, Bruce St. James Radio show, Upscale magazine, and Shape.com. She was named an honoree of the 2021 Atlanta Business Chronicle's 40 under 40 award. She also is a collaborating author for the, "Made for More: Physician Entrepreneurs who Live Life and Practice Medicine on their own terms''. Resources: FREE! Discover the 5 Reasons Your Weight-Loss Journey Has Gotten Derailed (And How To Get Back On Track!)

An episode from Liberty Behind Bars Ministry, a ministry serving the incarcerated across America located in Belfast, New York.“I spent half of my life in and out of jails, prisons, rehabs, and other facilities.  Unfortunately, the programs that were offered did not help me to become a productive member of society, it just made me a better inmate.  What changed me, was a new life in Jesus Christ and reading/studying a King James Bible.Many prisons, jails, and other institutions have heard from many of their inmates that they are changed due to religion. However, most are seen back within the next year or two. As God gave Moses a burden for the Children of Israel, so God gave me a burden for those in jails and prisons. Churches send missionaries to foreign countries, in support, hopes and prayers, they can win the nationals to Jesus, train them and then send the nationals back to their own people. This is what Jesus has done for me. He saved me out of this life of crimes and addiction, and now sends me back to my people who are in jails/prisons, to win them to Christ and send them back to their own people.This is where Liberty Behind Bars Ministry steps in.  Not only do we minister to those behind the jail walls we help them transition into society; differently than they did in the past.  The goal is to break the cycle of recidivism and help people have a changed life in Jesus Christ.  I have my Doctorate in Christian Biblical Counseling and use this knowledge to not only help those within the jail/prison walls, but also to support their family members. You may also write to us at:Life Behind Bars MinistryP.O. Box 264Belfast, NY 14711 Have A Blessed Day, Life Behind Bars Ministry” This message is part of the KJV Bible Preaching Churches Podcast, a ministry dedicated to making faithful, King James Bible preaching available to all; especially those who may have limited access to sound biblical teaching.Our purpose is simple: to exalt the Lord Jesus Christ, uphold the authority of the Holy Scriptures, and point souls to the truth of God's Word. Every message shared through this podcast comes from likeminded, Bible-believing churches and ministries that hold firmly to the King James Bible as the final authority in faith and practice.This podcast is used as a Gospel resource and teaching tool, including outreach efforts to individuals who are incarcerated. We believe God's Word is living, powerful, and able to work in hearts wherever it is heard.If you are a pastor, preacher, or church that faithfully preaches from the King James Bible and would like to learn more about being part of this podcast, or if you have questions about this ministry, you are welcome to reach out.The KJV Bible Preaching Churches Podcast is directly supported by Doss Metrics LLC | Ministry Services based out of Cleveland Texas. If you have any questions regarding this podcast, or the churches hosted on the podcast, please reach out to us directly at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠dossmetrics@gmail.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or write to us at: Doss Metrics | KJV Bible Preaching Churches Podcast1451 McBride Rd.Cleveland, TX 77328 God Bless#dalemorey #Libertybehindbars #Christianpodcasts #KJVPodcasts #BiblePreachingChurches

Brenda J. and Karen W. welcome Dr. Terence Lester to the show. Dr. Lester is an author, storyteller, public speaker, and community activist, as well as the founder and executive director of Love Beyond Walls. In this episode, we discuss his powerful book From Dropout to Doctorate: Breaking the Chains of Educational Injustice. This conversation becomes raw, honest, and deeply personal as Dr. Lester shares his journey and challenges us to think differently about educational injustice. In a surprising twist, he also turns the conversation around and asks Brenda and Karen a few thoughtful questions of his own. A powerful episode about resilience, truth, and breaking cycles. https://www.lovebeyondwalls.org

In this client spotlight, I speak with Dr. Jeanette Villanueva Padilla about her journey from completing her master's degree to earning her doctorate while parenting, working full time in higher education, and navigating uncertainty along the way. She describes that season of life as a “kaleidoscope” and reflects on how coaching supported her in clarifying priorities, managing time and energy, building sustainable writing practices, setting boundaries, and staying connected to her why. Now a senior higher education leader with 26 years of experience and Senior Budget Manager for MBA Programs at USC Marshall, Dr. Villanueva Padilla shares how she pays it forward by mentoring peers and supporting students of color, and offers encouragement about patience, faith, and honoring your own timeline. You are invited to join the April cohort of the GECC, my group coaching program. You can learn more and get on the waitlist here.  If you liked this episode, check out our previous client spotlight episodes. Get your free copy of my Grad School Femtoring Resource Kit here. Support our free resources with a ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠one-time or monthly donation⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. You can connect with Dr. Jeanette Villanueva Padilla on LinkedIn. To download episode transcripts and access more resources, go to my website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://gradschoolfemtoring.com/podcast/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Audio and transcript edited by Yessi Sanchez. This podcast is a proud member of the Genuina Media network. *The Grad School Femtoring Podcast is for educational purposes only and not intended to be a substitute for therapy or other professional services.* Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Dr. Samuel Arroyo joins the Inside Circle Podcast to share the journey from Spanish Harlem street life to a 40-year New York State sentence — and the slow, deliberate work of real transformation. After becoming involved in organized drug activity and serving nearly 15 years in prison, he began confronting what he calls his "violence problem," using education and deep self-examination to break patterns rooted in intergenerational trauma. In this conversation, Dr. Arroyo speaks candidly about reentry pressures, nearly returning to crime, the decision to stop "throwing a brick," and how fatherhood reshaped his commitment to change. Today, he works nationally with justice-impacted communities, helping others interrupt the same cycles he once lived inside. https://insidecircle.org/

In this episode, the JAAPA podcast team discusses the evolution of post-professional doctoral programs for Physician Assistants (PAs) with Dr. Kari Bernard and Dr. Aisha Hussein. They explore the history and growth of Doctor of Medical Science (DMSc) programs and the diverse educational opportunities these programs offer. We further delve into the DMSc Consortium and the hot topic discussion of accreditation for these programs.

What has happened to the anointing in today's Church? What are we missing, and what can we do about it? In this episode, Dr. Ray discusses the anointing in the Church, why he believes it is lacking, and what steps the Church can take to invite the Holy Spirit back into the house of God. 1 John 2:27  But the anointing which you have received from Him abides in you, Help Dr. Self continue this show - partner at www.icmcollege.org/donate  Answer your call by enrolling with the International College of Ministry at www.icmcollege.org/enroll  Purchase Dr. Ray's latest book, "The Call." God called you, and you answered: this is what you need to know! Click Here  Follow and subscribe to Self Talk with Dr. Ray Self on our podcast website: https://www.icmcollege.org/selftalk.   Click here to purchase Dr. Self's book – Hear His Voice, Be His Voice, or visit Amazon.com. Click here to purchase Dr. Self's book – Redeem Your Past and Find Your Promised Land, or visit Amazon.com. Or our new podcast website at https://www.buzzsprout.com/2249804   For show topic suggestions, email Dr. Ray Self at drrayself@gmail.com Enjoy free courses offered by the International College of Ministry Free Courses Show host bio - Dr. Ray Self founded Spirit Wind Ministries Inc. and the International College of Ministry. He holds a Doctorate in Christian Psychology and a Doctorate in Theology. He currently resides in Winter Park, Florida. He is married to Dr. Christie Self and has three sons and a daughter. 

In this episode, Guy talked with Dr. Mario Martinez, explaining it inspired him to test biological vs chronological age and offering a partner discount for DNA-related tests. Dr. Martinez discussed longevity myths, arguing centenarians—not gerontologists—are the key evidence, and that genetics account for about 20%. He described "inflammaging," noting centenarians show compensatory immune responses and research suggesting some inflammatory processes become anti-inflammatory; in a study of 50 centenarians, average biological age tested about 25 years younger. He critiques biohacking and excessive supplements, emphasizing lifestyle, perception, and emotions. Martinez outlined eight factors—four perceptions (time, aging, health, self-valuation) and four emotions (generosity, gratitude, admiration, curiosity)—and introduced the Centenarian Consciousness Index (CCI) plus GlycanAge finger-prick testing to track biological age over time. They covered curiosity as an antidote to default-mode self-sabotage, cultural "portals" that enforce aging, moderation, connection, self-care, and language cues like saying "thank you" instead of "no problem." About Dr. Mario: Dr Mario Martinez is a licensed clinical psychologist who specializes in how cultural beliefs affect the interaction of productivity, health and longevity. He is the founder of Biocognitive Science and the Empowerment Code. He developed an organizational model that views productivity and wellness as inseparable components of sustainable profits. The Empowerment Code is the first organizational training program that brings combined principles of cultural psychoneuroimmunology, cultural neuroscience and cultural anthropology to the workplace.  Based on parameters that allow the immune system to make several hundred thousand decisions per minute, the Empowerment Code offers an organizational language that maximizes creativity, initiative and productivity, while diminishing conditions that contribute to chronic illnesses. Martinez holds a Masters degree in clinical psychology from Vanderbilt University and a Doctorate in clinical psychology from the University of Madrid.  He also has post-doctoral training in psychopharmacology from Farleigh Dickinson University. Because of his work in how cultural beliefs affect the immune system, Martinez has investigated alleged cases of stigmata for the Catholic Church, the BBC, National Geographic and Discovery Channel. He lectures worldwide on his theory of Biocognition and teaches Empowerment Code principles to top US corporate executives and to global organizations in Europe, South America, Africa, and Asia Pacific. Key Points Discussed:  (00:00) - You're Not Getting Older — You're Being Programmed! (00:42) - Host Intro DNA Tests (02:46) - Meet Dr Mario (03:22) - Centenarians Secrets (06:17) - Inflammaging Explained (08:14) - Biohacking Myth (11:47) - Time Perception Power (14:39) - Phone Stress Loop (17:34) - Blue Zones Beyond (20:09) - Measure Your Healthspan (23:54) - Eight Longevity Factors (26:45) - Culture And Black Sheep (30:00) - Giving Without Strings (30:50) - Admiration Beats Envy (31:14) - Curiosity and Centenarians (31:55) - Default Mode Self Sabotage (34:09) - Demons Sirens Take Action (36:00) - Reinforcement Mindbody Code (36:24) - Inflammation and Age Bias (41:16) - Outlier Lifestyle Markers (44:24) - Toxic Family Milligrams (46:02) - Solitude Versus Loneliness (49:15) - Words Trigger Chemistry (49:45) - Oviedo Effect Authenticity (51:51) - Closing Australia Plans How to Contact Dr. Mario Martinez:www.biocognitive.com   About me:My Instagram: www.instagram.com/guyhlawrence/?hl=en Guy's websites:www.guylawrence.com.au www.liveinflow.co''

Weight loss and hormone health After 40 isn't about restriction, it's about rebuilding strength, balancing hormones, and creating sustainable habits that actually last. In today's episode, Maraya Brown is joined by Dr. Anthony Balduzzi, to break down hormone health, strength training, metabolism after 40, nervous system regulation, and how to create lasting energy and vitality in midlife.   About The Guest: Dr. Anthony Balduzzi is a health and weight loss expert and the founder of the Fit Mother Project and Fit Father Project, two of the leading health and weight loss programs for busy moms and dads over 40. He holds dual degrees in Nutrition and Psychology from the University of Pennsylvania and a Doctorate in Naturopathic Medicine. Dr. Balduzzi is most proud of helping more than 60,000 families in over 100 countries lose weight, get healthy, and transform their lives through his programs.   Connect with Dr. Balduzzi: Website: https://www.fitmotherproject.com/ Facebook: @fitmotherproject Instagram: @fitmotherproject YouTube: @fitmotherproject Podcast: The Fit Mother Project Podcast   The Women's Vibrancy Accelerator Trifecta: Your 90-Day Health Reset Ready to take your health to the next level? The Women's Vibrancy Accelerator Trifecta offers deep, personalized support to help you regain control of your energy, hormones, and well-being. This program includes: Three one-on-one calls with Maraya Dutch Plus Test and full assessment Bi-weekly live Q&A sessions Self-paced health portal covering energy, hormones, libido, and confidence   Podcast listeners get an exclusive discount. Use code PODCAST. Learn more and enroll now: https://marayabrown.com/trifecta/ _______________________ Free Wellness Resources Access free tools like the Menstrual Tracker, Adaptogen Elixir Recipes, Two-Week Soul Cleanse, Food Facial, and more. Download now: https://marayabrown.com/resources/ _______________________ Subscribe to The Women's Vibrancy Code Podcast Listen on Apple Podcasts, YouTube, and Spotify. _______________________ Connect with the Show Find us on Facebook,  Linkedin | Website | Tiktok | Facebook Group _______________________ Apply for a Call with Maraya Brown Start your journey with personalized support. Apply here: https://marayabrown.com/call  _______________________ About Maraya Brown Maraya is a Yale and Functional Medicine-trained Women's Health and Wellness Expert (CNM, MSN). She helps women feel energized, confident, and connected to themselves and their lives. With over 25 years of experience, she specializes in energy, hormones, libido, confidence, and deep transformation. _______________________ Disclaimer The content of this podcast is for informational, educational, and entertainment purposes only and does not constitute medical or professional advice. Listeners should consult with a qualified professional before making any health decisions.     This Podcast Is Produced, Engineered & Edited By: Simplified Impact 

In this episode, I talk with Dr. Courtney Conley, world renowned foot expert and author of Walk: Rediscover the Most Natural Way to Boost Your Health and Longevity One Step at a Time, about why walking is not exercise—it’s a physiological necessity. Dr. Courtney makes the bold case that walking speed should be the sixth vital sign. Research shows that a slower walking pace can be predictive of things like dementia and increased cancer risk, and that simply adding 500 steps to a 2,500-step baseline can reduce all-cause mortality by 7%. We also challenge the 10,000-step myth and explain why living in the 5,000–8,500 step range delivers powerful benefits—especially when you sprinkle in five-minute “movement snacks” and intentional faster walking. We go deep into foot strength and modern footwear, including why one in three people over age 45 has foot pain, how constant cushioning can weaken the foot, and why pronation is mandatory for a healthy gait. Dr. Courtney explains her “24-hour shoe clock” concept—there’s a time and a place for everything, but the goal is trending toward barefoot functionality so the foot can do what it was designed to do. It’s a practical, motivating conversation about strengthening your feet, improving your walking speed, and reclaiming this fundamental human movement that impacts every system in your body. Dr. Courtney Conley holds a Doctorate in Chiropractic Medicine and bachelor’s degrees in Kinesiology and Human Biology. She is the founder and creator of Gait Happens and has worked with professional athletic organizations including the Phoenix Suns, New York Yankees, Cleveland Browns, New York Giants, San Francisco 49ers, and Minnesota Vikings. Dr. Conley serves as Head of Patient Care at Total Health Solutions and Total Health Performance, premier healthcare destinations known for their comprehensive, science-based approach to patient care. TIMESTAMPS: Our survival as a species has hinged on one key factor: movement. (Dr. Conley) [01:17] Why are we treating the foot so much differently than we're treating the rest of the human body? [07:07] Gait Happens is an online educational company. [10:48] The super cushioned shoes can improve performance because it allows your foot to not have to do the work that it is designed to do. But you need to get your feet stronger. [14:32] One out of three people over the age of 45 have foot pain. [18:39] Walking should be integrated throughout the day. [24:10] On the bottom of the foot, we have many sensory receptors. When we put cushioned shoes on, we compromise some important sensory information. [27:09] The speed of one's gait can be predictive of longevity. [28:43] When the heel hits the ground, it starts the cascade of the foot unlocking or pronation. That is a mandatory thing that has to happen. [34:46] The 10,000 steps we have heard so much about is kind of a myth. [39:36] Walking is all about rotation. You are nourishing your joints. You’re loading your spine and bones. Your muscles are active and your nervous system is engaged. [46:28] There is a difference between ambient walking and intentional walking. [47:40] In her clinic, the most common things she sees are heel pain and big toe pain. [49:18] Many folks in the running population who are heavy users of the elevated cushion shoes visit her clinic to learn ways to strengthen their feet. [53:17] What exercises and strengthening can people learn from your book? [54:38] Your shoe should respect the anatomy of the foot. The widest part of your foot should be the toes. [58:44] LINKS: Brad Kearns.com BradNutrition.com - 20% OFF Your First Order! B.rad Superdrink – Hydrates 28% Faster than Water—Creatine-Charged Hydration for Next-Level Power, Focus, and Recovery B.rad Whey Protein Superfuel - The Best Protein on The Planet! Brad’s Shopping Page BornToWalkBook.com B.rad Podcast – All Episodes Peluva Five-Toe Minimalist Shoes Walk: Rediscover the Most Natural Way to Boost Your Health and Longevity Human Locomotion Gait Happens Dr. Courtney Conley We appreciate all feedback, and questions for Q&A shows, emailed to podcast@bradventures.com. If you have a moment, please share an episode you like with a quick text message, or leave a review on your podcast app. Thank you! Check out each of these companies because they are absolutely awesome or they wouldn’t occupy this revered space. Seriously, I won’t promote anything that I don't absolutely love and use in daily life: B.rad Nutrition: Premium quality, all-natural supplements for peak performance, recovery, and longevity; including the world's highest quality whey protein! Get 20% OFF your first order! Peluva: Comfortable, functional, stylish five-toe minimalist shoe to reawaken optimal foot function. Use code BRADPODCAST for 15% off! 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Show SummaryOn this episode, we have a conversation Today we're having a conversation with Vietnam Era veteran and nurse Joanne Malear, who is the coordinator of the 11th Hour Squadron. They are an all-volunteer organization that believes in taking care of dying veterans like family. They can be there at a loved one's bedside during those final nights when family members are at home getting much-needed rest.Provide FeedbackAs a dedicated member of the audience, we would like to hear from you. If you PsychArmor has helped you learn, grow, and support those who've served and those who care for them, we would appreciate hearing your story. Please follow this link to share how PsychArmor has helped you in your service journey Share PsychArmor StoriesAbout Today's GuestJoanne Melear is a former U.S. Navy nurse and the founder of the 11th Hour Squadron, a volunteer initiative dedicated to ensuring that veterans in hospice care are not alone at the end of life. Drawing on her military medical experience and deep commitment to lifelong service, she created the program to bring trained veteran volunteers to sit bedside, provide companionship, and honor fellow service members in their final hours.Links Mentioned During the Episode11th Hour Squadron Website PsychArmor Resource of the WeekThis week's PsychArmor Resource of the Week is the PsychArmor course Caring for Veterans Through the End Of Life: Compassionate Communities. In this course, you will learn how you can provide compassionate care through the end-of-life for those who have served our country. You can find the resource here:  https://learn.psycharmor.org/courses/caring-for-veterans-through-the-end-of-life-1 Episode Partner: Are you an organization that engages with or supports the military affiliated community? Would you like to partner with an engaged and dynamic audience of like-minded professionals? Reach out to Inquire about Partnership Opportunities Contact Us and Join Us on Social Media Email PsychArmorPsychArmor on XPsychArmor on FacebookPsychArmor on YouTubePsychArmor on LinkedInPsychArmor on InstagramTheme MusicOur theme music Don't Kill the Messenger was written and performed by Navy Veteran Jerry Maniscalco, in cooperation with Operation Encore, a non profit committed to supporting singer/songwriter and musicians across the military and Veteran communities.Producer and Host Duane France is a retired Army Noncommissioned Officer, combat veteran, and clinical mental health counselor for service members, veterans, and their families.  You can find more about the work that he is doing at www.veteranmentalhealth.com  

What does courage look like under fire? In captivity? In command? In service? This edition of Long Blue Leadership was recorded on location at the U.S. Air Force Academy's 33rd National Character and Leadership Symposium. We've explored these questions with our guests and captured the conversations for you. Ted Robertson, Multimedia and Podcast Specialist for the Air Force Academy Association and Foundation, hosts this special episode featuring voices shaped by combat, crises and lifelong service. Their message to cadets is clear: Leadership is earned through character, and character is forged in hard moments. - Seg. 1: Lt. Col. Mark George and C1C Jaime Snyder, officer and NCLS cadet director, respectively, set the stage for this year's NCLS and for the podcast. - Seg. 2: Senior Master Sgt. (Ret.) Israel "DT" Del Toro on courage in times of crisis. - Seg. 3: Task Force Hope developer and facilitator Maj. Tara Holmes on preparing future leaders to handle crisis before it happens. - Seg. 4: Former POW Maj. Gen. (Ret.) Edward Mechenbier '64, on leading in circumstances out of your control. - Seg. 5: Annapolis grad and Vietnam-era aviator, Capt. (Ret.) J. Charles Plumb on how character breeds courage. All of our guest's lives and careers reflect the reality of this year's theme through combat, crisis and service.     CONNECT WITH THE LONG BLUE LINE PODCAST NETWORK TEAM Ted Robertson | Producer and Editor:  Ted.Robertson@USAFA.org Send your feedback or nominate a guest: socialmedia@usafa.org   Ryan Hall | Director:  Ryan.Hall@USAFA.org  Bryan Grossman | Copy Editor:  Bryan.Grossman@USAFA.org Wyatt Hornsby | Executive Producer:  Wyatt.Hornsby@USAFA.org      ALL PAST LBL EPISODES  |  ALL LBLPN PRODUCTIONS AVAILABLE ON ALL MAJOR PODCAST PLATFORMS     FULL TRANSCRIPT OUR SPEAKERS:  - Host, Ted Robertson, Multimedia and Podcast Specialist, United States Air Force Academy Association and Foundation  - Seg. 1: C1C Jaime Snyder, NCLS Cadet Director; Lt. Col. Mark George, NCLS Officer  - Seg. 2: Senior Master Sargent Israel Del Toro  - Seg. 3: Maj. Tara Holmes, Task Force Hope  - Seg. 4: Maj. Gen. (Ret.) Edward Mechenbier '64  - Seg. 5: Capt. (Ret.) J. Charles Plumb   Ted Robertson 0:00 Welcome to Long Blue Line Podcast Network coverage of the 33rd annual National Character and Leadership Symposium. I'm Ted Robertson, multimedia and podcast specialist for the Air Force Academy Association & Foundation, coming to you from Polaris Hall located here at the United States Air Force Academy. This year's symposium centers on the theme Courage to Lead in the Profession of Arms: Combat and Crisis-tested Character, where attendees and cadets will explore how courage in all its forms shapes leaders when uncertainty, fear and consequence are real. Our coverage will start with the Center for Character and Leadership Development's Lt. Col. Mark George and NCLS director, Cadet 1st Class Jaime Snyder. They'll set the stage not only for NCLS, but for today's coverage. Then we'll talk with four key leaders speaking at the symposium, including Senior Master Sgt. (Ret.) Israel Del Torro on keeping courageous during times of crisis. We'll also talk with Task Force Hope developer and facilitator, Maj. Tara Holmes, on preparing leaders to handle crisis before it happens. Then, former POW, Maj. Gen. (Ret.) Edward Mechenbier, USAFA Class of '64, on leading in circumstances out of your control. And finally, Annapolis grad and Vietnam-era aviator, Capt. (Ret.) J. Charles Plumb, on how character breeds courage. All of our guests' lives and careers reflect the reality of this year's theme through combat, crisis and service. So I want to bring in our first two guests to help, as I said, frame the discussion today. We're going to dig in to learn what this is all about and sort of the “why” behind it. Cadet Jaime Snyder, 2026 NCLS director. Cadet Snyder, you've helped lead the organizing of the National Character and Leadership Symposium — 33rd year for this, as you know, and part of that work, you've trained cadets and permanent party. I'm going to ask you to explain permanent party, all of which helps strengthen your own public speaking and leadership communication skills. You want to kind of expound on that a bit? C1C Jaime Snyder 2:20 Yes, sir. So a part of my role being in NCLS is to, one, provide the guidance, the support and resources on the cadet side to succeed. But what really makes NCLS special is that we integrate permanent party with cadets. So oftentimes me, in supporting and training permanent party, is giving them cadet perspective, because while they're over here and the Center for Character and Leadership Development, we're over there in the Cadet Wing, and I can be the mediator between both parties. Ted Robertson 2:46 Let's talk a little bit about permanent party. What does that term mean? Who does that describe? C1C Jaime Snyder 2:52 Oh yes. Permanent party describes the civilian and military faculty that works in the Center for Character and Leadership Development that assists with the execution of NCLS — the National Character and Leadership Symposium. Ted Robertson 3:05 How big is the team behind this event every year? C1C Jaime Snyder 3:08 It's kind of complex where we'll get search cadets. We'll get a large number of volunteers, approximately around 300 from the Cadet Wing. Internal staff consists of 50 cadets who work it throughout the entire year, and around 50 staff members who are permanent party who work in the Center for Character and Leadership Development. Ted Robertson 3:29 I want to bring in next Lt. Col. Mark George, who is the experiential and training division chief and NCLS program director, the very fortunate man that gets to work for some incredibly talented cadets. Col. Mark George 3:43 That is absolutely true. Thanks to for having us on. Cadet Snyder has done an outstanding job leading this team. I came into this a little bit late. You know, we've had some reorganization here at the Academy, and after some shuffling, I got the honor and the privilege to take over NCLS while the planning was well underway. So my job was to just make sure this train kept rolling, that people had the resources that they needed, the top cover they needed. And as Jamie said, he was training me as a permanent party member to make sure that I had the cadet perspective. And then, you know, we were moving this ball forward as we got to this event. Ted Robertson 4:23 So coming up in the podcast we'll get to the sort of “why” and what's at the core of NCLS. Colonel, let's start with you. What is National Character and Leadership Symposium designed to do for cadets?   Col. Mark George 4:38 Sure. The National Character and Leadership Symposium — NCLS — is designed to bring exemplars that embody the core values and the traits that we want cadets to have when they become leaders on Day 1 and inspire them to a lifetime of service.   Ted Robertson 4:57 Cadet Snyder?   C1C Jaime Snyder 4:59 We definitely see at USAFA, there is a clear correlation with NCLS and character development. One thing we want cadets to get out of NCLS is to further develop leaders of character who are going to join the fight in the Air Force and Space Force, and that's why I see the epitome of NCLS as it's an opportunity to hear people's perspectives as well as learn from it and apply it to their daily lives. Ted Robertson 5:24 Gentlemen, this year's theme focuses on the courage to lead in the profession of arms. Cadet Snyder, we'll start with you. How did that theme come together, and why is it especially relevant for cadets right now? C1C Jaime Snyder 5:40 With our current structure at USAFA, we've had some implement of change. We recognize that the future war conflict is more prevalent than ever, and that it's important for the cadets to understand that we're changing the way we approach training, as well as what we're learning in curriculum. So this NCLS was an incredible opportunity to discuss courage when leading in the profession of arms, but furthermore, courage and crises-tested character. Which is what we're trying to further push along with what we do in training as well as what we teach in leadership. Ted Robertson 6:15 You make good decisions when your character is strong. You make those decisions with integrity when your character is intact and it's strong. Would you agree with that, Colonel? Col. Mark George 6:25 Absolutely. And I think Cadet Snyder hit the nail on the head that we really want the cadets to understand that the environments that they're stepping into are going to require that courage to do hard things. In my day, like we didn't necessarily think about the fight in that way. You know, we were kind of stovepiped in. And these cadets, whatever environment they may be stepping into, the next conflict is going to require a lot, a high demand of them, and their character is their foundation for that. Ted Robertson 6:59 One of the things you can say about this event is that it brings together voices from combat, crisis, athletics, academia and industry. How intentional is that mix, Cadet Snyder, and what do cadets gain from hearing such different perspectives on leadership and character? C1C Jaime Snyder 7:18 I think by hearing different perspectives, you get to see how universal courage is. When we say courage, it's not just one thing, it's also moral, social, spiritual. And by looking at different versions of courage, you can understand that there's different ways to actually apply courage. Understanding that courage is not the absence of fear, also knowing that courage is not simply being a confident individual. That it's more complex than you may define courage, and so you can then apply it that way — by looking at different perspectives. Ted Robertson 7:53 Colonel, I'll address this one to you as well. Col. Mark George 7:56 Sure. Courage — we're talking about courage here, and there's a heavy focus on the combat side with this year's speakers. The thing that sticks out to me is that courage always involves a decision to do the hard thing. And that's what all of our speakers brought this year. They're showing how in different environments, whether it's in a prison cell in Hanoi or up on the Space Station or — there's a hard decision and the right thing is sometimes pretty obvious, but it doesn't mean it's easy. It does not mean it's easy to do. And so courage always involves a decision to do the right thing. Ted Robertson 8:39 Cadet Snyder? C1C Jaime Snyder 8:40 What he said I find to be very true — understanding that courage is not simply doing something physical, but also in a leadership role, especially — we're talking to cadets who are going to soon be commissioned officers. It's important to know that you need to make the right decision on and off the battlefield. Ted Robertson 8:58 So from your perspective as a cadet — and this one is just for you, Cadet Snyder — what does it mean to help shape an event like NCLS while you're still developing as a leader yourself? C1C Jaime Snyder 9:10 What I've seen through NCLS is taking the time to relax. Don't focus on the future and focus where you're at right now, and that's character development. So don't let the pursuit of tomorrow diminish the joy today. We all have this aspiration to graduate, throw our hats in the air, Thunderbirds fly over. But right now it's important to focus on character development as that's going to be important as future officers. Ted Robertson 9:35 That makes 1,000% very clear sense. But I do want to ask you, less than 100 days from the day you toss your hat — you're giving me a big smile right now — talk about how that feels right now for you. C1C Jaime Snyder 9:47 It's incredible, and a part of it is less daunting, because I can say this institution has really prepared me to commission, and so it's more liberating than daunting for me. Ted Robertson 9:58 Col. George, I'm going to direct this one straight to you, and this is an ask of you from the leadership perspective: How do we events Like NCLS fit into the broader effort to intentionally develop leaders of character here at the Academy. Col. Mark George 10:14 So I get the honor of leading the experiential and training division in the Center for Character and Leadership Development. So we're all about creating experiences and those opportunities for cadets to have different types of environments where they'll learn about character. And right now, NCLS is an opportunity to listen to where people's character was tested, how they overcame it. And then we also have different events that we try to put the cadets in where we'll actually test their character. And that could be on the challenge tower, it could be through our character labs where we're having discussions. NCLS is a huge part of that, because the planning cycle is so long. Ted Robertson 10:59 Cadet Snyder? C1C Jaime Snyder 11:00 Yes, sir. One thing I wanted to add on to that is with NCLS, one thing that makes this event the most unique experience that I've had is the fact that we get to engage in meaningful dialog. This isn't a brief. This is an experience for everyone who attends. I've had the opportunity to talk to Col. George's son, who aspires to possibly come to the Air Force Academy. So I don't want to say this is just for cadets, but it's also a promotion tool. And understand that what we do at NCLS is very important. And anyone who wants to attend can come and see what we're doing and how important it is.   Col. Mark George 11:33 I want to thank you for that, by the way. He looks up to you, and that meant a lot.   Ted Robertson 11:37 That's pretty visionary stuff. That's touching the next generation. That's fantastic. All right, this is for you both. When cadets look back on NCLS years from now, what do you hope they're going to remember feeling or being challenged to do differently?   C1C Jaime Snyder 11:56 There is a very strong human component to NCLS, and with that, there's a human experience. Understanding that we're getting speakers and we'll see their bios that they're incredible. They have incredible stories of making the right decision when tensions were high, and getting to hear their stories and understand that they ultimately were no different than we are. Some of them were Air Force Academy graduates. Some graduated from the Naval Academy, West Point, other colleges, but they were young, 20-year-old people like we were as cadets. And so getting to understand where they're coming from, human experience is vital to NCLS, and how do we grow and understand where they're coming from? Ted Robertson 12:38 Col. George? Col. Mark George 12:39 Yeah, I think what I would want the cadets to remember is how these speakers made them feel. You're right, you won't remember every nugget of wisdom that was said. I just had the opportunity to talk with Gen. Scott Miller, and he was an incredible leader. And I feel like everything he was saying was gold. I wish I'd been able to write it down. But he really makes you feel like you understand just how important your role is going to be as a young leader. And when you come away as second lieutenants from this place, you've had incredible opportunities and now you're stepping out in the real world. I would think I want the cadets to remember that like, “Hey, what I do matters, and how I lead is very important to getting this mission done.”   Ted Robertson 13:24 Lt. Col. Mark George and C1C Jaime Snyder, officer and cadet in charge of the 33rd NCLS. Congratulations on the event. Well done, and thank you for spending time here with us on the podcast today. Hearing from both the cadet perspective and the senior leadership behind NCLS makes one thing very clear: This symposium is intentionally designed not just to inspire but to prepare future leaders for moments when character will be tested. And that brings me to my first featured guest, a man whose life story embodies what combat and crisis-tested character truly means. Israel “DT” Del Toro, welcome to the podcast. It's an honor to be with you here at the National Character and Leadership Symposium. Senior Master Sgt. (Ret.) Israel Del Toro 14:18 Thank you, Ted. Thanks for having me. Good to see you again.   Ted Robertson 14:21 Yes, it's not the first time we've gotten to spend some time together. Senior Master Sgt. Israel Del Toro 14:24 It's always great to talk to people, try and spread the word of the whole spark and the promise of my dad. Ted Robertson 14:30 The spark and the promises are the two things that really stood out to me about that interview — your heart and your soul man, from a very, very early age. Senior Master Sgt. Israel Del Toro 14:39 You know, losing my dad at 12, and then a year and a half later, losing my mom to a drunk driver, and being the oldest, you know, having to now kind of step up to be, like, the parent figure to my younger siblings. It was challenging.   Ted Robertson 14:55 Out of all of that, you wound up as a retired — you are currently a retired senior master sergeant. You took responsibility for your siblings, as you say, after you were orphaned as a teenager, and ultimately in the service combat-wounded airmen, and you survived catastrophic injuries against incredible odds, and that did not keep you down. One of the things that you did was you became an Invictus Games gold medalist. You're now a national speaker, and you talk a lot about resilience and purpose.   Senior Master Sgt. Israel Del Toro 15:27 Yes, sir. Yeah, Invictus, I won gold in shot put. It was pretty awesome. You know, everyone was just going nuts. Ted Robertson 15:37 You kind of make me feel like that was a soul-feeding, motivating time for you.   Senior Master Sgt. Israel Del Toro 15:42 It was. At that time, I was probably one of the senior guys, kind of. Obviously, I was one of the senior guys, wounded guys on the team, and so a lot of people looked up to me. And sometimes I wish — people would say, “Man, it's great. You're such trailblazer.” You're sometimes like, “Man, I just want to be one of the guys. I just, I just want to be No. 10.” You know, everything's all done, and no one's focusing everything on me. But it's a burden that I'm willing to carry on to try and continue to help people.   Ted Robertson 16:19 I want to linger here in your background a bit, because it's more than just impressive. I think impressive is pretty trite to describe what your background is. Let's start with before the Air Force and before combat, and just how your life demanded responsibility at such a young age. And what I want to ask is, how did stepping up for your family shape the leader that you became? Senior Master Sgt. Israel Del Toro 16:40 Well, I contribute that totally to my dad. I truly do. My dad was there. My dad, you know, I went everywhere with my dad. My dad — you know, he came from Mexico to this country, and he gave up a lot. You know, my family in Mexico is very wealthy, their ranchers and all that. He came here with nothing. And he always used to tell me, he's like, “Don't ever be envious of someone that's successful. Learn from them. Ask them questions.” He also used to tell me, “If you don't succeed, it's no one else's fault by yourself. Don't blame where you came from, where you grew up from, the situation. It is only your fault.” So my dad always had told me these little lessons and obviously the last lesson he gave me the night before he passed: Always take care of your family. And that just stayed with me, that kind of continued to shape me all throughout my life, all through my journey, at a young age to teenager to young adult to the military and to now, to this day, that really guided me to who I am. Now, it's like, I always hear people say, “Oh, man, I don't know if I can do it.” I was like, “Yeah, you can. You Just never know. You weren't ever put in that situation” I always believe — you always hear the fight or flight. “What are you gonna do?” I just fight, and I continue to fight. I just don't see the flight in me. And, you know, being the promise of take care of your family. Yes, I tell people, that originated with my family — my brothers and sisters. But throughout time it has evolved to now anyone I see that's having a hard time that needs maybe to hear a story or read a book or hear a journey to help them find that spark, because I see them now as my family. I see that as my family, as my mission now.   Ted Robertson 18:50 Let's stay with spark for a minute. It's just one of my favorite things that you've ever talked about. You're down, you've been badly burned, you're worried about whether you're going to survive, and a medic is helping you out, and he does something for you. He says something to you.   Senior Master Sgt. Israel Del Toro 19:07 Yeah, you know, the medic — I always like to say, you know, yes, I'm Air Force. Those guys were Army, and we bust each other's chops. But, we're all brothers and sisters, and we're down range, you know? We take care of each other, we tell stories, we talk about our family. So these guys knew what had happened in my past with my family. So when I'm, you know, laying there, after I coordinate getting air, and I started the adrenaline going down, I started getting scared. I was having a hard time breathing, and I just wanted to lay down and sleep. The medic came and reminded me, “DT, remember what you promised your son, that you'll never let him grow without his dad. Fight for your son. You got to fight for your son.” And he's just making me yell it. You use anything you can to keep your guy motivated, to help that spark go, keep going. And that's what he did. He found that spark to keep me going, to keep me fighting until that medevac came and to get me on that helicopter, to the FOB, to the hospital, and then to eventually San Antonio. Ted Robertson 20:24 After that injury, that's when the fight shifted. You had to get off the battlefield. You had to get that out of your head. You had to start battling for your recovery. So what did courage look like when progress seemed like it was slow and at one point nothing was guaranteed? Israel Del Toro 20:46 Yeah, it, you know, when he had a shift from now being on the battlefield to now a different kind of battle and your recovery, your way of life — it's difficult because you have people telling you this is what your life's going to be. You know, being told that you're never going to walk again. You got to be in a hospital for another year and a half, respirator for the rest of your life and your military career is pretty much over. You know, I like to say there's two choices again: Who you're going to be? Are you going to take the easy path, which is, I'm going to sit in a chair, accept what they say, hate life, you know, curse the world. Are you going to take the hard path where I want to fight? I'm going to show you I can do this. I'm going to prove that I still have value, and I want to come out of this ahead and show not only my son but the rest of the world. You stay positive, you find that spark, you will come out ahead. Ted Robertson 21:48 All right, last question on your background, because we're going to roll all this into why you're here and what messages you want to share with the cadets and the attendees that are here. You did something I don't think most human beings would even think about after that ordeal that you had been through all those years, everything. You reenlisted, and it wasn't just a medical milestone. It wasn't because you could, it was a conscious decision. So what internal commitment had to come first for you to make that decision. Israel Del Toro 22:22 You know, I guess it was, for me it was I loved my job. I knew I could teach, I could be prepare these next guys to [be] the next generation operators. Ted Robertson 22:38 You've never stopped being committed. You've never stopped. So it brings you to NCLS. This is the 33rd year for NCLS, and when you speak to cadets here, what message do you want them to take away with them? Senior Master Sgt. Israel Del Toro 22:53 I guess my message more is about that when you're in the military, no matter whatever happens to you, you still have a role to play. Even when I got hurt, did I miss being with my teammates? Yes, but now refocusing, OK, I'm here in this hospital, and I see all these wounded guys here as I guess I'm wounded also, but in my head is like I was still NCO in the Air Force. I still have a job to do. Yes, I'm hurt, I'm wounded, but the job of a leader is, no matter where you're at, is you try and take care of your troops. You try and make things better for them, even if you never see any of the benefits — that is your role. And so that's kind of what I want to leave with these guys that, you know, you're going to always have  challenges throughout your career, but you've always got to remember it's not about you, it's about the guys under you to take care of you. You know, I had a group of cadets yesterday and they were just asking me about leadership. So you know what? The best way to be a great leader is to earn the respect of yourtroops. If you demand it, you're not a leader, but when you earned the respect and they'll die for you, that is the greatest feeling. You know, I gave an example of one of the best moments I had after my injury, is after I got hurt, they sent my replacement, and he comes in and obviously introduce him to the scout team, to the Army company, individuals in leadership, and then the SF team, and all these guys I'm supporting. And the guy comes in like, “Hey, I'm here to replace DT.” And all of them, “You can't replace DT.” And I told that was the best moment that that's the best moment of respect, because I had Army guys saying, “He's our guy.” And that's the thing I told them, it's like, when you get to that moment when your guys say, “Nah, he's our guy,” I was like, “He can't replace him.” That is where you've truly earned the respect of your troops.   Ted Robertson 25:21 Israel, the only word that I can pull out of myself right now for your journey to describe it as “remarkable,” and you continue to give of yourself, and that's a wonderful thing. Your opportunity for a couple of final thoughts here, before we close out.   Senior Master Sgt. Israel Del Toro 25:38 Final thoughts, man, putting me on the spot, aren't you. I guess my final thoughts would be, you can't do it on your own. I'm not here right now, because I did it my own. I did it. I'm never gonna say that I did. I had friends, I had family, I had my wife that were by my side all throughout my journey to medical individuals. And I had those dark times, and I'm going down that spot, that rabbit hole, they were there to pull me out of it. So I think it's like, you know, don't try and do it on your own. We all need help. You know, the goal is, don't be prideful. There's a reason pride is one of the seven deadly sins. But, you know, ask for help, ask for advice. It's not going to hurt you. If anything, it will make you stronger and better. That's parting thoughts for the individuals listening to this. Ted Robertson 26:53 Perfect. Israel “DT” Del Toro, what a privilege to sit with you again. Want to say thank you from all of us for your service and continuing to lead by the example, which is a very rich and broad and deep example. Your story reminds us, and should remind us, that courage doesn't end with just survival. It always continues in service to others. Israel, thank you for being here.   Senior Master Sgt. Israel Del Toro 27:18 Thanks, Ted. I appreciate it. Thanks for having me again.   Ted Robertson 27:21 Israel's story reminds us that crisis and moral injury don't always arrive on a schedule, and that leaders are often expected to navigate those moments without ever having been taught how. That's where our next conversation takes us: into the intentional work of preparing leaders before crisis arrives. Maj. Tara Holmes, welcome to the podcast. It's great to have you with us as part of the National Character and Leadership Symposium.   Maj. Tara Holmes  27:46 Thanks for having me; glad to be here.   Ted Robertson 27:48 You are currently deputy chief of staff here at Headquarters USAFA. You are formerly chief of cadet development for CCLD, the Center for Character and Leadership development. By way of background, you flew.   Maj. Tara Holmes  28:01 So I am a B-52 electronic warfare officer by trade, and then moved over into white jets. So instructed in the in the T-1 and I've kind of been in education and training for, I'd say, since about 2017.   Ted Robertson  28:19 You also hold a Doctorate in Business and Management, and you are an AETC master instructor. I will let you explain AETC.   Maj. Tara Holmes  28:27 Air Education Training Command, that's one of the that's our majcom that's responsible for education and training, and they have a pathway to become a master instructor. So I finished the qualifications for that while I was in white jets and working over at Squadron Officer School.   Ted Robertson  28:46 So let's talk about your work with Task Force Hope. We'll talk about what Task Force Hope is, but you are and have been a developer and facilitator of Task Force Hope, which is a crisis and moral injury leadership workshop.   Maj. Tara Holmes  29:01 Task Force Hope is about providing immediately useful tools to our workshop participants to prepare them to lead through crisis, whether that is no-kidding combat related, or whether that's crisis on the home front, going through stuff in life that's really hard. We work through a series of key concepts and exercises, through storytelling and participant engagement that hopefully provides our participants some self-awareness and some tools to recover as it deals with their relationships.   Ted Robertson  29:39 We talked about this. There's a lot of nuance in what you're teaching these people. There's discernment in it. Who should you talk to, who you should trust with information that you want to share? Because ultimately, some of this becomes a pressure release valve, right?   Maj. Tara Holmes  29:52 Yeah, so one of the key concepts that we talk about is worthiness, right? I think often people feel pressure to not share what they're going through because they don't think their problems are worthy of attention, whether theirs or someone else's. That's one thing that we spend a lot of time on. And like you said, you know, who to who to share with, and at what level, some people are more free with sharing than others, and that's OK. So we work through some frameworks that help illustrate how people can kind of work through those levels, or gain some self-awareness and some clarity around where they fall. Something that is a, you know, deep seated secret for you, maybe something that somebody else is willing to openly share, they just don't see it as that big of a deal. So it's definitely about self-awareness and learning some tools to help relieve some of the pressure and drain on our batteries, as it were, that comes from holding these things in.   Ted Robertson  30:52 People who are attending the workshop are going to learn some things that they may not realize are draining their batteries. You're teaching them to discern what those are, and to be careful to try to avoid those. It sounds like an example to me of things that we don't realize we do, that drains us, right, instead of energizes us.   Maj. Tara Holmes  31:10 So we use the kind of metaphor of a smartphone, right? So there are things that drain us, that are big, that we're taking a lot of energy to conceal the hard things that we're dealing with in our life. But then there's, like, the pesky background apps, there's the things that are always running in the background of our lives that drain our energy without us really even noticing it. You know, so for me as an officer, but also as a mom and a spouse, some of the things that are always draining my batteries are my to-do list, the laundry app, maybe social media apps. Sometimes I've probably spend way too much time reading the news these days. That's kind of always on for me. We have these big things that are draining our batteries, but then we have these like small things that are constantly going on, right? So Task Force Hope is about recognizing what those things are for us and then making a commitment to ourselves to make this space and time to recover.   Ted Robertson  32:09 So that brings us to a really unique place. You kind of function at the intersection of character, leadership and development pretty much every day. So how do you define character when you're responsible for shaping it across an entire Cadet Wing.   Maj. Tara Holmes  32:24 To me, character is the essence of who they are. It is how you show up day after day. It's the habits that you have. That's why, when you do something out of character, people are able to say that. You know, we talk about building character strengths as building blocks towards certain virtues. And virtues is really excellence of character. So it's easy to talk about how to be an excellent athlete, or how to be an excellent academic, right? And that's one of our core values, is being excellent. Well, how do you have excellent character? It's really about leveraging your character strengths in a way that can lead you to be more virtuous, and that's the goal.   Ted Robertson  33:05 You've served, both operationally and as an instructor. Tell me how those things shape the way you think about preparing leaders not just to perform but to endure.   Maj. Tara Holmes  33:19 What comes to mind is the importance of training and building those habits. We're, you know, in the previous question, we talked about it in terms of character. You know, you can, you can use any kind of training. It's about building readiness, right? And being able to build those habits so that when you are faced with a challenge, you have a way to work through the challenge, right? That really came out for me, both operationally and as an instructor. So operationally, you rely on your training to get your job done, and then as an instructor, you're helping others build those habits so that one day when your students are faced with challenges, they can rely on their training as well.   Ted Robertson  34:01 We've talked a bit about your experiences and how they shape the way you think about preparing leaders, not just to perform but to endure. And now let's bring it right down to the direct connection between Task Force Hope and why you are here talking about this program to attendees at NCLS. When we talk about Task Force Hope, it's a program that is really designed to prepare leaders to navigate crisis and recover from both emotional and moral injury. What can you tell me about a gap that a workshop like this fills, that traditional leadership education sometimes or often misses?   Maj. Tara Holmes  34:38 Task Force Hope is preventative in nature. It's training to prevent people from letting their burdens get the best of them so that they can show up. They have the tools to show up fully charged when stuff hits the van. And not only that they do that for themselves, but then they can help their teammates or their subordinates also get there. It's self-awareness, because we all perform self-care differently, and what you need to recharge your batteries is different from the way that I would do it. So it's being intentional and having some tools to be able to identify what works for you and then how to make space in your life, and building that commitment to yourself, to make that space so that the next time that you face a crisis, you're not facing it at 10%, you're full up, you're ready to go. So it's that sustained self-care, if that's what you want to call it. And it's important to say that you know, in a 75-minute session, we're really doing our best to provide exposure to key concepts and these tools. What we hope is that people walk out with the start of something. It's not it's not the end of their work to be done.   Ted Robertson  35:54 How often do you hear the question, “Why didn't I hear this earlier in my career?”   Maj. Tara Holmes  36:00 Every workshop. Last year, after the workshop, we had a 1970-something graduate say that exact thing. For me personally, I had four people say something, you know, “Hey, I was a cadet here in '90-something, '80-something, 2000-something. And, you know, I really wish that I would have had this earlier.” So that's what we're trying to do. We're trying to bring it as early as we can.   Ted Robertson  36:26 OK, so our last question of our visit, if cadets take just one lesson from Task Force Hope and NCLs this year, what is your hope for that lesson to be?   Maj. Tara Holmes  36:39 My hope is that they're worth it. No problem is too big or too small to be dealt with, and like we talked about earlier, I think often people keep things to themselves because they feel like they shouldn't bother others, or there's their supervisors or their teammates with what's going on in their lives. And that's a drain. Like, that's a drain on the system. It eats up your energy, right? But our cadets are worth it. Whatever they're dealing with, big or small, is worthy of being addressed. I hope that's the takeaway, and that we all deal with things, right? We don't always know what other people are dealing with.   Ted Robertson  37:22 Maj. Holmes. Thank you for the work you're doing to prepare future leaders, not just to lead in moments of clarity, but to stand firm in moments of crisis. We appreciate you being here.   Maj. Tara Holmes  37:32 Thanks, Ted.   Ted Robertson  37:33 That focus on preservation, resilience and moral courage brings us to our next conversation, one shaped by combat, captivity and a life of service under the most demanding conditions. Coming up next, my conversation with Maj. Gen. (Ret.) Edward Mechenbier. Gen. Mechenbier, welcome to the podcast. It is a huge honor having you here, sir.   Maj. Gen. Edward Mechenbier 37:56 I hope you feel that way in a half hour so well,   Ted Robertson  37:59 Well, the conversation does promise to be interesting, because your life is… interesting. That was a pregnant pause, sir.   Maj. Gen. Edward Mechenbier 38:07 Yeah, I've enjoyed it. It's different.   Ted Robertson  38:11 Just to sort of frame things, you retired as a major general, and what year was that, sir,   Maj. Gen. Edward Mechenbier 38:15 2004   Ted Robertson  38:16 And you were USAFA Class of '64. You're a Vietnam-era pilot, having flown F-4s, you were shot down on your 113th combat mission, but that was you also your 80th over North Vietnam. OK, prisoner of war. Then for almost those entire six years following that, being shot down. You come with 3,600 flying hours across lots of different aircraft.   Maj. Gen. Edward Mechenbier  38:42 I was privileged fly either for primary capability or for familiarization with 43 different airplanes.   Ted Robertson  38:49 And now you describe yourself as a lifelong advocate for veterans and public service.   Maj. Gen. Edward Mechenbier  38:56 Well, yeah, I mean, I go to a couple prisons in Ohio, and “work with” is probably overstating my role. Veterans who are incarcerated for long periods of time. But my role is just to go there, spend some time, shoot the breeze with them, no agenda, no desired learning objective and let them know that somebody outside knows that they're there.   Ted Robertson  39:19 What I want to do is spend some time in your background. All right, I want to start with combat and captivity and how that tests leadership in its most extreme forms. And this is in course in keeping with the theme of NCLS here, what did character mean to you when circumstances were entirely beyond your control?   Maj. Gen. Edward Mechenbier  39:38 The Vietnamese kept us in small groups of one and two or three guys. I mean, we never really until near the end and later on when we got a little organization. But it got very down, very personal, when at one time, I was in a cell with four guys, three Class of 1964 Air Force Academy graduates and one poor Oklahoma State University graduate, and amongst the four of us, we had a senior ranking officer. And of course, you got the same rank, you go alphabetical. And so we made Ron Bliss the senior ranking officer in our room. We had a communication system. We had guidelines that, you know, which were basically consistent with the code of conduct. You know, name, rank, serial number, date of birth, don't answer further questions. Keep faith with your fellow positions. That was the key. Keep faith. Never do anything that you'd be embarrassed to tell somebody you did.   Ted Robertson  40:34 What you're explaining is how different leadership looks, and even how you describe it, how different it is from command. So now it comes down to trust and accountability and courage, and how do those show up in those conditions?   Maj. Gen. Edward Mechenbier  40:51 It was really a matter of, we always knew we were still in the fight. That was one thing that was with us, and so you just kind of conducted yourself with, OK, I'm not going to let myself be used. Now, we also knew that the more you resisted pushed back, the less likely they were to make you go meet an antiwar delegation or write a confession or do something else like that. So they tend to pick on, if you will, the low-hanging fruit or the easier guy to get to. So we always wanted to set the bar just a little bit out of their reach.   Ted Robertson  41:25 All right, having gone through all of that, it really can change people quite profoundly. So when you look back at it, what leadership lessons stayed with you long after you got out of captivity?   Maj. Gen. Edward Mechenbier  41:39 In the movie Return of Honor. Capt. Mike McGrath, Navy guy, describes the guys in their ability to resist torture and do things. And that's what you learn. Everybody's got a breaking point. If mine's here and somebody else's is there, that doesn't make me better or worse than them. So you learn to appreciate the talents and the weaknesses. If you know the foibles, the cracks in everybody around you and not to exploit them, but to understand them, and then to be the kind of leader that that they need.   Ted Robertson  42:12 Sir, one of the recurring themes when you're discussing leadership with leaders right is knowing something about each of your people so that you can relate to them in a way that that works for them and motivates them.   Maj. Gen. Edward Mechenbier  42:23 Yeah. Mark Welch, who's also a graduate and he is a chief of staff of the Air Force, always had a saying: “If you don't know what's going on, it's because you didn't ask.”   Ted Robertson  42:32 Now we're going to roll all that into your long journey between captivity and your visit here to NCLS this year. When you're speaking to the cadets at this year's event, what's your main hope? What do you hope they understand about courage before they even ever face combat?   Maj. Gen. Edward Mechenbier  42:54 Well, courage is a reaction to a clear and present threat. Nobody knows how they're gonna — know he's gonna say, OK, I'm gonna go to Vietnam and I want to get shot down, and when the Vietnamese capture me, I'm going to give them a middle finger and I'm going to be the meanest bad ass and hardest-to-break prisoner. Yeah, it's how you respond to the to the immediate perception of bodily harm or being used or something else like that. So courage is, yeah, it just happens. It's not something that you can put in a package and say, “OK, I've got courage.” It's how you respond to the situation, because you might respond quite differently than what you think.   Ted Robertson  43:35 And I have to say, you presented your story and you delivered your message in kind of a unique way. You drew from some contemporary references, specifically three clips from a movie that you like, that I was curious. How did you sum up your entire life in three movie clips from Madagascar? How did you do that?   Maj. Gen. Edward Mechenbier  43:57 Well, the three movie clips — when I watched the movie, I was looking at it, I have got two favorite movies. Madagascar is one, and the other is a Kelsey Grammer movie, Down Periscope. I mean, I think that is a perfect study in in leadership. But in the movie Madagascar, the premise was penguins can't fly, but yet it opens up with them applying resource, innovation imagination, and they eventually get this airplane to fly. OK, great. Success. Well, like everything else in life, things go wrong, and you got to have, No. 1, a backup plan, an exit ramp or a control mechanism for the disaster that's pending. So that's the second movie clip we saw. And then the third one was towards the end of the movie, when the crash landing has happened and the skipper asks for an accounting, and he's told that all passengers are accounted for, except two. And he says, that's the number I can live with. And the message there is, you go through life — you're going to have successes, but you're going to have failures, and failure has a cost, and it's not always pleasant, but that's OK, because that's life.   Ted Robertson  45:15 How do you explain how leaders can prepare themselves morally and mentally for moments they can't predict or control.   Maj. Gen. Edward Mechenbier  45:25 Watch movies like Madagascar and Down Periscope. You know, there's a breadth of unintentional, if you will, guidance on how to be a leader, if you know where to look or if you're looking for it. I mean, that's part of the whole progress program at the Academy. Nobody's going to say, OK, here's a scenario, lead these resources to a proper conclusion. It's kind of like, OK, here's the situation. What do we do? What can we do? What can't we do? It's like, in my presentation, I talk about being able to run across a pasture in nine seconds, in 10 seconds, but if the bull can do it, you're in trouble. So you got to realign your thinking, you got to realign your goals and you got to realign the application of resources. So that's the leadership part, right there. It's a realization of what you can and what you can't do. It's a realization of what you, your people, your resources, can and can't do. It's a realization of what the technology you have at your disposal to do your mission can and can't do. So it's all about workarounds and being flexible. And then the other thing is, we live in a world that just seems to be everything's got a prescription and a protocol on exactly how to do everything. Doesn't work that way. You got to be able to go left and right. You got to be able to be a little imaginative.   Ted Robertson  46:42 What parting thought did you leave the cadets with?   Maj. Gen. Edward Mechenbier  46:45 That failure is part of life. It's not death. And I'm part of an organization called American 300 — we go around and talk to young enlisted people and all the services to get them to understand that failure is a learning opportunity. It's not a dagger in the heart, and don't be afraid or ashamed to try, because if you don't, you'll never know what your true potential is. So with the cadets, we close with that last part from the movie Madagascar that basically said, OK, success comes with a price. Be aware and accept it.   Ted Robertson  47:23 All right, we've got to close it out here, but recap, if you would one more time that message that you want cadets to leave here with from having heard you speak.   Maj. Gen. Edward Mechenbier  47:32 You are now a living, breathing, viable, productive part of our United States Air Force. You bring talents that are unique. Apply them, but understand that they're all very transitory, and you have part of a larger community. If you stick with a community rather than the “I did,” “I want,” I have,” you'll go a long way.   Ted Robertson  47:54 All right, and stepping outside of that very briefly for your final thoughts, what would you like to leave listeners with today.   Maj. Gen. Edward Mechenbier  48:01 Be proud of the young men and women who are in our military now, not just those at the Air Force Academy. You know, our whole military structure has changed over the years. You know, it's a dynamic world. You got to be flexible and embrace change. We're so reluctant to change. Change is fine, except when you try to change me, is the old saying, but we all have to change. We have to be part of the world in which we live.     Ted Robertson  48:26 Gen. Mechenbier, I want to thank you from all of us for being here sharing those leadership lessons of yours and a lifetime of service that will continue to shape others — future leaders — for a very, very long time to come. We appreciate you very much.   Maj. Gen. Edward Mechenbier  48:43 Thank you much.   Ted Robertson  48:44 Our final conversation brings us to leadership at the strategic level, where decisions affect institutions, alliances and the nation itself. Capt. Charles Plumb, welcome to the podcast today, sir.   Capt. J. Charles Plumb  48:56 Thanks, Ted. Appreciate being here.   Ted Robertson  48:59 It is a privilege to have you. You retired as a Navy captain in 1991 and you have not slowed down, not one inch since. We're going to talk a little bit about the work that you're doing in some very interesting spaces. And what informs all of that. Naval Academy, Class of '64.   Capt. J. Charles Plumb  49:15 Yep, the Great Class of '64.     Ted Robertson  49:17 The great —that's how you express class pride?   Capt. J. Charles Plumb  49:20 Everybody knows the Great Class of '64.   Ted Robertson  49:23 So you are an Annapolis man.   Capt. J. Charles Plumb  49:25 I am, in fact.   Ted Robertson  49:26 No doubt. And a pilot. You flew F-4 Phantoms, and you are a Vietnam-era pilot. You spent most of your time over North Vietnam. Sometimes you got sent to South Vietnam, depending on what was going on. But you said that you have flown 74 combat missions.   Capt. J. Charles Plumb  49:45 Actually 74 and a half, Ted. I have one more takeoff and I have landings.   Ted Robertson  49:50 We should remember that, because it's a very important part of your life we haven't talked about yet. Since you got out of captivity, and then you retired a few years later, you became a published author and a speaker, and as such, you have been to every state, several countries, 5,000 presentations you've delivered in the leadership and character development space. Is there any reason you should not be here at NCLS?   Capt. J. Charles Plumb  50:24 Well, I appreciate that. You know, this is a great symposium, and I'm really proud to contribute to it.   Ted Robertson  50:32 Captain, you are a former POW.   Capt. J. Charles Plumb  50:36 Yes, I was shot down on my 75th mission and captured, tortured and spent the next 2,103 days in communist prison camps.   Ted Robertson  50:49 You said you got moved around a lot.   Capt. J. Charles Plumb  50:52 We did. I was in six different camps, and some of those camps more than once. We never really understood why. We kind of suspected that they wanted to try to deny any fraternization with their guards, and they wanted to keep us on our toes, because they recognized that being military guys, we were going to have leadership, and we were going to have organization and community and we were going to organize, to fight them, and they didn't want that. So they moved us around and kind of shuffled us up, which didn't work. We always had a military organization in every camp that I ever went to.   Ted Robertson  51:31 You found ways to support each other. You found ways to have a leadership structure, even in captivity.   Capt. J. Charles Plumb  51:39 We were all fighter pilots or air crews and most of us were we, you know, we had 10 Air Force Academy grads from '64 in five Naval Academy grads from '64 and so we had in a lot of other academy grads. I don't remember how many, but probably 70 total academy grads. And so, you know, we were, we were dedicated. We were lifers. We were, you know, we were very focused guys, which helped out a lot that we knew a lot about military leadership.   Ted Robertson  52:11 You grew up in the Midwest, and you married a Midwestern girl.   Capt. J. Charles Plumb  52:15 I did, my high school sweetheart the day after I graduated from Annapolis, we got married in the chapel, and my buddies were holding up their swords as we came out of the chapel. So it was a beautiful day.   Ted Robertson  52:27 Let's go back to how you found your way to the Naval Academy.   Capt. J. Charles Plumb  52:32 I was a farm kid from Kansas. Never seen the ocean, never been out of the four states of Kansas, Nebraska, Iowa, Missouri. Never been in an airplane, and I needed an education. Found that the Naval Academy offered me an education.   Ted Robertson  52:50 Outside of Air Force Academy circles, you probably already know that we think of, you know, salty sea dog sailors when we think of people going in the Navy, but you chose aviation.   Capt. J. Charles Plumb  53:02 I did. As a kid, I would see these Piper Cubs fly over and I was fascinated by flight, and wondered if I'd ever be able to ride in an airplane. That was my thought when I was a kid. I didn't have any hopes of ever being a pilot, you know, let alone a fighter pilot. That was, I was out of the realm. Nobody, as I grew up, ever told me that I could do that, or I should do that, or, you know, it would be a hope of mine to ever pilot an airplane. But I went to the Naval Academy and found out that was one of the options, and I took advantage of that option.   Ted Robertson  53:43 Yeah, and it led you, of course, to over North Vietnam, and the rest is that part of your history   Capt. J. Charles Plumb  53:51 Launched on the aircraft carrier Kitty Hawk on my wife's birthday, the 5th of November, wave goodbye to her, and promised her I'd be back in eight months. I didn't make it.   Ted Robertson  54:04 Hard. Very hard story to hear. Let's talk about all of that informing your presentation now, again, 5,000 of these delivered in the leadership and character development space, but you talk a lot about, in your presentation — and you keynoted here at NCLS — the mental game side of this, the integrity, the choices that you have to make, and character that sort of frames all of that.   Capt. J. Charles Plumb  54:38 My message to the cadets, and really to most of my audiences, is around challenge and adversity. And I tell the cadets that they work awfully hard trying to get a degree. They study, they go to computers, they read books all to get a degree. And what I point out to them is that more important than the degree that they will get from the Air Force Academy is a character that they build while they are here. That the integrity first, you know, is part of their motto. And if, in fact, they can learn and live that integrity, if they can learn and live the commitment that they have, if they can learn in and live these kind of ethereal things, the things that you can't measure, things you can't define, the things that, you know, that crop up in your in your mind, in the back of your mind, are more important than the lessons they learn from a computer. And so that's kind of my message.   Ted Robertson  55:49 You know, we're in a leadership laboratory here. The art and the science is character development. And you're talking about a kind of character that leads people to make good decisions and make those decisions with integrity in mind. How did that play into your captivity and getting you through that?   Capt. J. Charles Plumb  56:09 You know, of course, I studied leadership at the Naval Academy, and I think that my period of experience more than teaching me anything, it validated what I had learned. And the whole idea — and I love the fact that this is called, you know, the Character and Leadership Symposium, because lots of times you see leadership without character, that's a negative kind of leadership. And if a leader does not have character, he doesn't last very long, and he's not very effective. And so if you can keep your character up front, the leadership can follow easily. And that's pretty much what we had in the prison camps. Several of the qualities of leadership that I promote are the things that almost came natural in a prison camp. First of all, we had to find a focus, a reason. We had to find, you know — and that was developed by our leadership in the prison camp. Return with honor — that was our motto, return with honor. And we all rallied around that.   Ted Robertson  57:22 So all of that said, you're standing here in front of a really big group of people as a keynote speaker, lot of cadets, mostly cadets, yeah.   Capt. J. Charles Plumb  57:31 Now there were cadets. I'm speaking on a panel with Ed Mechenbier, my good buddy, and we're on a panel with mostly cadets. The first presentation, the keynote was by invitation only. So there were a number of civilians in the audience, number of cadets. There were Naval Academy midshipmen in my audience today. And we had ROTC people, and, you know, from all over the country. So it was quite a wide audience.   Ted Robertson  58:04 Quite a wide audience. And so if we were just focusing on what you leave with cadets, what do you want them to take away from their experience today?   Capt. J. Charles Plumb  58:15 I hope they understand my message, that more important than the degree that they graduate with, is the character that they graduate with, and the importance of the integrity that that they learned here, because that was vital in the prison camp, is integrity. We had to have each other's back, and when we when we finally were released, we refused to be released until all the sick, injured and enlisted men had gone home, and it was a question of integrity, is a question that this is the right thing to do. It's not the easy thing to do. Largely, the integrity thing to do is not the easiest thing to do, and that's what I wanted to leave with the cadets. In addition, I want them to know that regardless of what situation they're in, they still have a choice, and their choice is the way they respond to the surrounding adversity situation that they're in.   Ted Robertson  59:21 An Annapolis grad of '64, Midwest kid from Kansas who makes it into the cockpit, and like you said, 74 and a half flights, then some time in captivity, then to a published author with thousands of presentations all over the country, and some in in other countries. What final thoughts would you like to leave today, sir?   Capt. J. Charles Plumb  59:47 Well, you know, I think I've already told you, you know, you're a great interviewer, Ted, and I appreciate your questions. I think, finally, this whole idea of self-determination and I think that we all, and not just the cadets, but graduates and families and business people, families. You know that we all have choices, and sometimes when we deny the choice and give up that ability to make our life better for ourselves. And you know, we do it sometimes even when we're not even thinking about it. It's just automatic to blame somebody else for the problem, and in doing so, we give away that choice.   Ted Robertson  1:00:34 Don't give away the choice. Yeah, build that character and stick by your integrity all the time. Capt. J. Charles Plumb, what a privilege it is to meet you, sir. Glad that you're here at NCLs and keynoting like you are, and I do hope that our paths cross again.   Capt. J. Charles Plumb  1:00:52 Ted, thank you very much. I appreciate your willingness to tell my story. Thanks for that.   Ted Robertson  1:00:57 You're welcome, sir. Thank you. Ted Robertson Close As we've heard throughout these conversations, courage isn't a single moment. It's a lifelong practice, from cadets just beginning their journey to leaders shaped by combat and crisis to senior commanders responsible for forces and futures. Character is tested when certainty disappears and it's revealed by how we choose to lead. That's the challenge of the National Character and Leadership Symposium, and it's a challenge that extends far beyond these walls. I'm Ted Robertson, thank you for joining me for our Long Blue Line Podcast Network coverage of the 33rd National Character and Leadership Symposium. This podcast was recorded on Saturday, Feb. 21, 2026.         The Long Blue Line Podcast Network is presented by the U.S. Air Force Academy Association & Foundation      

Raising Expectations with Pastor Joe Schofield, Dr. Paul Hall, Stefanie Thayer, Dr. Craig Thayer, Pastor Ron Greer Guest, Dr Sheila Schuller Coleman - Limitless Faith and the Possibility Thinking Friends, We are delighted to have Dr. Sheila Schuller Coleman as our guest to share her testimony and ministry! She is the first born child of Robert H. Schuller. As such, she had a front row seat to watching God move in her father's life. She served as assistant producer of the Hour of Power and also as his senior editor for more than 12 of his manuscripts, including “Tough Times Never Last but Tough People Do”, and “The Be Happy Attitudes”. In addition, Sheila has 16 years of experience in education. She combines a love for children with a deep devotion to the church. Sheila holds a Doctorate in Education from UCI and has authored several books, including “Unearthing the Lost Treasure: Wisdom”, which features an endorsement by Dr. Ben Carson. And her latest, “Claiming the Identity of Christ's Children. A Handbook for Families”. Today, she serves as the Founder and Lead Pastor of Hope Center of Christ in Orange, California. It is a house of prayer, the spiritual pentagon for the international prayer movement, Heart of a Warrior: Delivering the Children of the World for Christ. She actively partners with 15 ministries that are being an answer to the varied attacks on our children world-wide. This episode of Raising Expectations features an inspiring dialogue with Dr. Sheila Schuller Coleman, daughter of the legendary Dr. Robert H. Schuller. The conversation explores the miraculous journey of the Schuller ministry—from an obscure Iowa farm to a global television platform—emphasizing the transformative power of "limitless faith" and the resilience required to navigate life's "bumpy roads." The "Raising Expectations" Mission and Team The program, hosted by Pastor Joe Schofield and his wife Melba, serves as a platform for leaders of all backgrounds to address life's most pressing questions through the lens of faith. The "extended family" of co-hosts includes Dr. Paul Hall, a counselor and writer; Dr. Craig "Tank" Thayer, a trauma surgeon and author of Saved: Finding God in the Ordinary; and Pastor Ron Greer, who works with Man In The Mirror to mentor men. The team emphasizes that faith in Christ provides answers to life's two biggest questions: how to live with purpose and what happens after death. From Iowa Pastures to the Drive-In Church Dr. Sheila Schuller Coleman shares the humble origins of her father, who was raised on a "dead-end dirt road" in Iowa. Despite not being an athlete or having significant resources, he felt a divine calling at age five, famously practicing his sermons for the cows in the pasture. Upon moving to California to plant a church, he found no established congregation and adopted a missionary mindset, knocking on doors to ask neighbors what they needed. This led to the innovative "drive-in church" at a theater snack bar, where the motto was "Come as you are in the family car," allowing people who felt uncomfortable in traditional settings to hear the Gospel from their vehicles. The Theology of the Seed and Limitless Faith A core theme of the discussion is the "theology of the seed," based on Matthew 17:20. Sheila recounts her father's belief that while anyone can count the seeds in an apple, only God can count the apples in one seed. This perspective encourages believers to look past their "lack"—whether in health, resources, or education—and focus on a "limitless God." Sheila illustrates this faith through a childhood memory of her father taking her out into a terrifying Iowa thunderstorm to show her "God's power on display," teaching her that faith is a gift required for the tasks God assigns. Global Expansion and the "Hour of Power" The ministry's reach expanded exponentially following a suggestion from Billy Graham to put the church service on television. Graham even loaned his production team to help launch the Hour of Power. The program eventually broke historical barriers, becoming the first religious program broadcast in the communist USSR on Channel One Russia after a meeting between Dr. Schuller and Mikhail Gorbachev. This global impact was rooted in the elder Schuller's refusal to be deterred by critics; he famously stated that he didn't care what other pastors said about him because they were already saved—his focus remained entirely on the unsaved. Navigating Adversity and Maintaining Hope The dialogue concludes with profound advice on handling trials. Using the "potato" analogy, Sheila explains that just as big potatoes rise to the top of a wagon on a bumpy road, challenges forge character and tenacity in those who refuse to quit. She also shares her grandfather's wisdom: "Never cut a dead tree down in the wintertime." This serves as a metaphor for not making irreversible decisions during seasons of despair, as life often remains in the "stump" waiting for spring. The hosts and guest emphasize that hope is the last thing to lose, and God always has the "last word," which is ultimately good. The legacy of Dr. Robert H. Schuller, as recounted by his daughter, serves as a testament to the idea that no beginning is too small for a "limitless God." By embracing the "possibility thinking" that defined the Hour of Power, individuals can find the tenacity to grow through their trials rather than just go through them.

In this powerful episode, longtime HPNA member Linda Blum, APRN shares experiences from the last few years of her rich nursing career in volunteerism —training incarcerated caregivers in a California state prison hospice program. Linda explores the ethical complexity of end-of-life care behind bars, from POLST conflicts and CPR decisions to pain management in a correctional setting where Medicare rules don't apply.  Through ELNEC education and interdisciplinary collaboration, she's helping nurses, correctional officers, and incarcerated caregivers reclaim agency and restore dignity at the end of life. This conversation examines moral distress, serious illness communication, and the transformative power of “risking love” in some of the most marginalized settings.  A moving reflection on bearing witness, professional courage, and the light within us all. About Humane Prison Hospice Project  The Humane Prison Hospice Project is developing a humanitarian, cost-effective, and transformative solution to ensure that those aging and dying in prison receive compassionate care. Since 2017, the Humane Prison Hospice Project has worked to ensure that incarcerated individuals receive compassionate end-of-life care from trained peers. Humane implements a comprehensive 80-hour, 15-module curriculum to train incarcerated individuals as peer caregivers, equipping them with the skills to provide hands-on care and emotional support to their aging and terminally ill peers. Graduates of this program are part of a growing movement to humanize end-of-life care behind bars. Since launching this initiative, we have trained over 150 peer caregivers across California prisons, and are bringing our programming to three states—Michigan, Washington, and Oregon—marking our first step toward national replication. Learn more on their website: https://humaneprisonhospiceproject.org/  For anyone listening who has experience in hospice, nursing, programming in prisons or facilitating, and you live in CA, WA, MI, or OR, Humane is seeking volunteer facilitators who participate in trainings for peer caregivers in prisons across each state. We'd love to hear from you -- please reach out to Camila Ryder at camila@humaneprisonhospiceproject.org with your name, location, and any relevant experience. If you're interested in learning more, register via Zoom for one of our virtual monthly Informational Meetings.      Linda Blum, GNP, MSN, RN   Linda Blum, GNP, MSN, RN, is a retired gerontological nurse practitioner living in California. Born and raised in New York State, she moved to the Bay Area over 45 years ago. Her early career included work in virology and immunology laboratories before she left a PhD program after the birth of her first child. She later worked as a birth doula and photographer and entered nursing school intending to become a nurse midwife. Instead, her path led her to the care of people with serious illness. She often jokes that she has a poor sense of direction and found end of life, not beginning of life, as she prefers anxious children to anxious parents.  Linda worked in home infusion and home hospice as a case manager and manager before returning to school for her at UCSF and then completing a palliative medicine fellowship at the VA in Palo Alto. She was  hired as the first clinician to provide palliative care/medicine consultation at California Pacific Medical Center.  Since retiring in 2023, Linda has volunteered her time and expertise with the Humane Prison Hospice Project, where she facilitates training for incarcerated individuals serving as peer caregivers. Her passion is helping to train nurses and professional staff in the carceral setting using a modified ELNEC curriculum.  Linda enjoys traveling, caring for her grandchildren, and telling silly jokes and puns. Her spirit animal is a penguin—preferably a Gentoo—and if you ask for photos, your inbox may quickly overflow.     Brett Snodgrass, DNP, FNP-C, ACHPN®, FAANP Dr. Brett Snodgrass has been a registered nurse for 28 years and a Family Nurse Practitioner for 18 years, practicing in multiple settings, including family practice, urgent care, emergency departments, administration, chronic pain and palliative medicine. She is currently the Operations Director for Palliative Medicine at Baptist Health Systems in Memphis, TN. She is board certified with the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners. She is also a Fellow of the American Association of Nurse Practitioners and an Advanced Certified Hospice and Palliative Nurse. She completed a Doctorate of Nursing Practice at the University of Alabama – Huntsville. She is a nationally recognized nurse practitioner speaker and teacher. Brett is a chronic pain expert, working for more than 20 years with chronic pain and palliative patients in a variety of settings. She is honored to be the HPNA 2025 podcast host. She is married with two daughters, two son in laws, one grandson, and now an empty nest cat. She and her family are actively involved in their church and she is an avid reader.

Good Morning Nashville ☀️ ITS THE LAST EPISODE OF BLACK HISTORY MONTH! ✊

Do you have moody faith? Faith in its fullest form does not depend on your feelings. It comes from your spirit. When it seems like your faith is not working, when all hope is lost, that is when it matters most that you keep believing God. When all hope seemed lost for Jairus and his daughter, Jesus told him to keep believing. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego spoke their faith even in the face of the fiery furnace, and God delivered them unharmed. Faith, faithfulness, and trust are layers that God is building into your life to deliver you no matter what you are facing.  

Brenda J. and Karen W. welcome Dr. Terence Lester to the show. Dr. Lester is an author, storyteller, public speaker, and community activist, as well as the founder and executive director of Love Beyond Walls. In this episode, we discuss his powerful book From Dropout to Doctorate: Breaking the Chains of Educational Injustice. This conversation becomes raw, honest, and deeply personal as Dr. Lester shares his journey and challenges us to think differently about educational injustice. In a surprising twist, he also turns the conversation around and asks Brenda and Karen a few thoughtful questions of his own. A powerful episode about resilience, truth, and breaking cycles. https://www.lovebeyondwalls.org

Drs. Jensen and Richey welcome Lieutenant Commander Brittany Lovett, DPM, a native of Mount Laurel, New Jersey, to Dean's Chat!She began her military career in 2008. She enlisted in the Air National Guard in 2008 and readily embraced her MOS (108th Services) whilepreparing meals and providing hospitality to her fellow Airmen on McGuire Air Force Base. She was meritoriously promoted to Senior Airman and took her first leadership role over six other junior Airmen. While enlisted, she attended Rutgers University in Camden, New Jerseyand earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology in 2010. LCDR Lovett was competitively selected for the Healthcare Program Scholarship, and commissioned as an Ensign in the Naval Reserves in April 2012.After completing her Doctorate of Podiatric Medicine Degree from Barry in 2015, University in 2015, she was promoted to Lieutenant. In 2015, she completed Officer Development School in Newport, Rhode Island. LCDR Lovett then reported to Womack Army Medical Center, Fort Bragg, North Carolina, where she was selected as Chief Resident. As the Chief Resident, she overseen 5 other junior residents, diligently taking call monthly, establishing clinical templates, and coordinating surgical schedules, while performingover 400 surgeries. LCDR Lovett successfully completed Residency in 2018, in addition to publishing an article Wound Management of a Pediatric Spina Bifida Patient Secondary to a Dog Inflicted Fifth Digit Amputation. She successfully completed a three-year foot and ankle reconstructive surgical residency, and became board certified in American Board of Podiatric Medicine. In 2018 she reported to Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, Bethesda, Maryland where she was competitively selected as the Department Head of Podiatry at the White House Medical unit and the Navy Command Legal Officer within her first year on board. Additionally, she was appointed as the Unit Budget Officer and National Capital Region Podiatry Deputy Product Line Chair where she developed best practices and ensured seamless coordination of and administrative support for 1,434 Officers and Sailorsassigned. As a result of her sustained leadership skills, she was hand selected as Navy Medicine Readiness and Training Command Bethesda Division Officer where she ensured 100% medical readiness of 370 service members. She fulfilled a vital role while serving on the COVID 19 Vaccination Task Team. While touring at Walter Reed, LCDR Lovett's passion for healthcare administration grew. In 2021, she graduated summa cum laude from Louisiana State University, earning a Master of Healthcare Administration degree. In 2022 LCDR Lovett reported to Naval Medical Readiness and Training Command, Jacksonville, FL. She serves as a Staff Podiatrist, Clinical Manager of Ophthalmology Department, Southeast Region Suicide Prevention Coordinator, Caregiver Operational Stress Relief Team Lead, Vice President of the Southeast Medical Service Corp Association, and a Member of the Climate Resiliency Team.In 2025, LCDR Lovett was hand-selected to serve as the Department Head of the Navy Manpower Analysis enter at NAS Jacksonville, leading initiatives to enhance warfighter optimization and fleet readiness. LCDR Lovett is certified by the American Board of Podiatric Medicine and is an active Federal Services member of the American Podiatric Medical Association. Her personal awards include Joint Commendation Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal , Humanitarian Service Medal, and numerous unitand service award.Enjoy this wonderful interview!

Is love truly blind? Just ask the Love is Blind contestant who accidentally glued her eyeball shut (we're not laughing, you are). Today, we're celebrating Sarah's birthday by hoping she gets to do what she loves most, sneaking food into the cinema. We also vent about a torturous hike ruined by unprompted motivational speeches from men on the trail. Then, we get into the science of attraction. Think you have a "type"? Sarah explains why you're wrong, who you actually like, and why the person of your dreams is probably already off the market.The Dating Debate: Be honest, do you actually have a "type" or do you think it's all a myth?#LoveIsBlind #DatingMyths #RelationshipAdvice #DatingPsychology #MovieSnacks #HikingAdventures #TrailEtiquetteBrain Candy Podcast Website - https://thebraincandypodcast.com/Brain Candy Podcast Book Recommendations - https://thebraincandypodcast.com/books/Brain Candy Podcast Merchandise - https://thebraincandypodcast.com/candy-store/Brain Candy Podcast Candy Club - https://thebraincandypodcast.com/product/candy-club/Brain Candy Podcast Sponsor Codes - https://thebraincandypodcast.com/support-us/Brain Candy Podcast Social Media & Platforms:Brain Candy Podcast LIVE Interactive Trivia Nights - https://www.youtube.com/@BrainCandyPodcast/streamsBrain Candy Podcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/braincandypodcastHost Susie Meister Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/susiemeisterHost Sarah Rice Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/imsarahriceBrain Candy Podcast on X: https://www.x.com/braincandypodBrain Candy Podcast Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/braincandy (JOIN FREE - TONS OF REALITY TV CONTENT)Brain Candy Podcast Sponsors, partnerships, & Products that we love:This episode is sponsored by Betterhelp. Sign up and get 10% off at https://betterhelp.com/braincandySee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this show, Dr. Ray conducts a self-interview with Dr. Sandrew Wright, an experienced addiction counselor. They discuss the seriousness of addictions within today's Church, explore ways to confront these issues, and examine how they can be addressed both biblically and through effective Christian counseling.  John 8:32  "and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free." Help Dr. Self continue this show - partner at www.icmcollege.org/donate  Answer your call by enrolling with the International College of Ministry at www.icmcollege.org/enroll  Purchase Dr. Ray's latest book, "The Call." God called you, and you answered: this is what you need to know! Click Here  Follow and subscribe to Self Talk with Dr. Ray Self on our podcast website: https://www.icmcollege.org/selftalk.   Click here to purchase Dr. Self's book – Hear His Voice, Be His Voice, or visit Amazon.com. Click here to purchase Dr. Self's book – Redeem Your Past and Find Your Promised Land, or visit Amazon.com. Or our new podcast website at https://www.buzzsprout.com/2249804   For show topic suggestions, email Dr. Ray Self at drrayself@gmail.com Enjoy free courses offered by the International College of Ministry Free Courses Show host bio - Dr. Ray Self founded Spirit Wind Ministries Inc. and the International College of Ministry. He holds a Doctorate in Christian Psychology and a Doctorate in Theology. He currently resides in Winter Park, Florida. He is married to Dr. Christie Self and has three sons and a daughter. 

Learn how AI agents are reshaping enterprise decision-making, AI governance, and brand creativity. Daniel Hulme, Chief AI Officer at WPP & CEO of Satalia/Conscium, explains how AI agents, decision intelligence, and his concept of “brand brains” (AI systems designed to create brand-specific, production-grade content) are changing how organizations operate. He shares why companies don't have data problems but decision-making problems, and how AI can augment human creativity at scale. Key Moments: From Academic AI Research to Enterprise AI Systems (01:50): Daniel traces his 25-year journey in AI, from studying intelligence and consciousness at UCL to building real-world systems inside global enterprises. He explains how curiosity about what it means to be human ultimately shaped his approach to building practical, responsible AI at scale. AI Agents and Risk: Why AI Needs Governance (05:50): Daniel introduces a defining metaphor, describing AI agents as intoxicated graduates—confident, fast, and often wrong. He uses this framing to explain why unchecked agent deployment is risky and why governance, testing, and supervision are essential as organizations scale AI. What Most Organizations Get Wrong About AI Testing: (14:00): Daniel breaks down the difference between testing for knowledge versus testing for real capability. He argues that most companies stop at surface-level validation, creating a false sense of safety and trust. How AI Changes Business Decision-Making (24:45): Daniel challenges the traditional analytics mindset, arguing that dashboards and insights rarely lead to better decisions. He explains why AI should be designed to make decisions directly and why humans are fundamentally bounded when dealing with complex optimization problems. Brand Brains and the Future of Creative Differentiation (30:25): Daniel introduces the concept of “brand brains,” explaining why generic generative AI content won't create competitive advantage. He shows how agentic systems can produce brand-specific, production-grade content that actually differentiates businesses. Key Quotes: “ There are many things that our brains do that are different to large language models that I think will inspire us to create much more energy-efficient machines.” -  Daniel Hulme   “Giving human beings better insights doesn't typically lead to better decisions… So working backwards from the problem to the data historically, for me, has been a success.” - Daniel Hulme   “The reality is that those agents will go wrong… So there's going to be much more emphasis over the next year or so on governance [and] on making sure that they are capable of doing that job.” - Daniel Hulme  Mentions WPP's AI “brains” Will AI ever be better than humans at predicting what humans want? | WPP The Hidden Spring: A Journey to the Source of Consciousness by Mark Solms Guest Bio  Dr. Daniel Hulme is a globally recognised expert in Artificial Intelligence (AI) and investor in emerging technologies. He's the CEO of Satalia, an award-winning AI company that was acquired by the world's largest marketing company in 2021, WPP, where he is now the Chief AI Officer. Daniel has been recognised as one of the world's leading keynote speakers as well as one of the top ten Chief AI Officers globally. Amongst his many technology investments, Daniel is also Founder and CEO of the World's first commercial research organisation to understand Machine Consciousness, Conscium. With over 25 years academic experience with AI, Daniel received his Masters and Doctorate in AI at UCL. He was previously Director of UCL's Applied AI Masters Programme, where he is now UCL's Computer Science Entrepreneur-in-Residence. Daniel is also an Impact Board Member of St Andrew's University Computer Science department and the University of Sussex Informatics department, focused on using AI to solve business and social problems. Hear more from Cindi Howson here. Sponsored by ThoughtSpot.

Hey friends — this episode dropped one day late, and honestly? That feels fitting. Because we're talking about peace… and sometimes peace means slowing down.This week on Anchored by the Sword, I'm joined by Tara Dew, author of Overflowing Peace: What God Says About a Peace-Filled Life.Tara serves alongside her husband, the president of New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary, where they help train men and women who are called to take the gospel to some of the most broken places in the world. She's also a wife, a twin mom (yes — twins!), a Bible teacher, and now the author of a powerful new book walking slowly through Psalm 23.In this conversation, we talk about: • Her freedom story and meeting Jesus at a young age • Being released from perfectionism and people-pleasing • What Psalm 23 really means when you study it slowly • Quiet waters in a loud, anxious world • The valley of the shadow of death — and the promise that we walk through it • The difference between noise, poison, and true Living WaterIf you've been feeling overwhelmed, exhausted, or like your mind never shuts off — this episode is for you.Because peace isn't the absence of struggle.It's the presence of the Shepherd.Bio:Tara Dew is a national speaker, author and Bible teacher. She has loved Jesus for as long as she can remember, trusting Him to be her Savior at the age of five years old at a Billy Graham Crusade. She felt called to ministry in the high school youth group, where she also met her husband, Jamie. Her primary ministry is to her family, as she is the mother of two sets of fraternal boy/girl twins called “the Dew Krewe.” Tara holds a Bachelors of Arts in Human Communication (2003) from Meredith College, a Master of Arts in Teaching and Learning Elementary Education (2012) from Liberty University and a Doctorate in Education (2018) from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. Tara's dissertation was entitled “Survive or Thrive: An Exploration of the Preparedness of Southern Baptist Pastors' Wives.” Tara is the president's wife, serving the students, staff, and faculty of New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. She teaches as an adjunct professor in the Ministry to Women program. She also directs and teaches in Thrive: A Ministry Wives Certificate Program. She has authored two books, “Overflowing Peace,” releasing in 2026 and “Overflowing Joy,” released in February 2024. Tara also has an upcoming Lifeway Women's Bible Study about the fruit of the Spirit releasing in May 2027.Through all of the ministry opportunities, two of Tara's passions have remained the same: God's Word and women. Anchor Verses:1 Timothy 4:12John 15:5Psalm 23Connect with Tara:Website: https://www.nobts.edu/president/about-tara-dew/default.htmlFB: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61559548471008***We love hearing from you! Your reviews help our podcast community and keep these important conversations going. If this episode inspired you, challenged you, or gave you a fresh perspective, we'd be so grateful if you'd take a moment to leave a review. Just head to Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen and share your thoughts—it's a simple way to make a big impact!*** 

Making her debut appearance this week on the Rick Flynn Presents worldwide podcast is Licensed Psychotherapist and Sex Therapist DR. TIFFANY STANLEY. Dr. Tiffany Stanley is a licensed psychotherapist and sex therapist helping women and couples reclaim desire, intimacy, and self-trust. Tiffany is a Nationally and Internationally Board Certified and Licensed Psychotherapist and Supervisor, an AASECT Certified Sex Therapist and holds a Doctorate in Clinical Sexologist, specializing in sexual therapy and generalized psychotherapy for adult women, men and couples. Contact Dr. Tiffany Stanley at: www.TiffanyStanleyTherapy.com

Show SummaryOn this episode, we have a conversation Today we're having a conversation Mark Solomon, co-founder of the Veterans Community Project. We talk about their innovative approach to ending veteran homelessness through tiny home communities, wraparound support, and a mission to ensure every veteran has both housing and connection.Provide FeedbackAs a dedicated member of the audience, we would like to hear from you. If you PsychArmor has helped you learn, grow, and support those who've served and those who care for them, we would appreciate hearing your story. Please follow this link to share how PsychArmor has helped you in your service journey Share PsychArmor StoriesAbout Today's GuestMark Solomon is a Naval Reserve Officer and co-founder of the Veterans Community Project, an organization dedicated to ending veteran homelessness through innovative housing and supportive services. Drawing on his own military experience and the challenges veterans face transitioning to civilian life, he helped launch the project in 2014, leading efforts to create a tiny-home village and comprehensive outreach center in Kansas City that connects veterans with resources such as health care referrals, employment assistance, and counseling.Links Mentioned During the EpisodeVeterans Community Project Website PsychArmor Resource of the WeekThis week's PsychArmor Resource of the Week is the PsychArmor course Finding Veteran Support Programs. No matter what issue you're facing, you can use the power of the internet to reach out and get the help you deserve. You can find the resource here:  https://learn.psycharmor.org/courses/Finding-Veteran-Support-Programs  Episode Partner: Are you an organization that engages with or supports the military affiliated community? Would you like to partner with an engaged and dynamic audience of like-minded professionals? Reach out to Inquire about Partnership Opportunities Contact Us and Join Us on Social Media Email PsychArmorPsychArmor on XPsychArmor on FacebookPsychArmor on YouTubePsychArmor on LinkedInPsychArmor on InstagramTheme MusicOur theme music Don't Kill the Messenger was written and performed by Navy Veteran Jerry Maniscalco, in cooperation with Operation Encore, a non profit committed to supporting singer/songwriter and musicians across the military and Veteran communities.Producer and Host Duane France is a retired Army Noncommissioned Officer, combat veteran, and clinical mental health counselor for service members, veterans, and their families.  You can find more about the work that he is doing at www.veteranmentalhealth.com  

Send a textRecognising & treating female pattern hair loss W/ the Dubai Hair Doctor Michael Ryan is a world-renowned clinical trichologist, trained with the Institute of Trichologists in London, and is now based in Dubai.He specialises in female pattern hair loss, and shares his experiences of treating hair loss in different countries and different cultures.Michael states how key the emotional aspect of hair loss can be, and why he decided to pursue a Doctorate in psychology to be able to better support patients.He explains that female pattern hair loss, in his experience, is the most misdiagnosed form of alopecia.We talk about HRT, along with his tried & tested avenues for treatment.Connect with Michael:Instagram Hair & Scalp Salon Specialist course Support the showConnect with Hair therapy: Facebook Instagram Twitter Clubhouse- @Hair.Therapy Donate towards the podcast Start your own podcastHair & Scalp Salon Specialist Course ~ Book now to become an expert!

Every single week in my clinic, I see smart, motivated people stuck in their weight loss journey not because they're doing something wrong, but because they believe something wrong. The myths surrounding weight loss are so deeply embedded in our culture that even some physicians still repeat them. And the cost? Shame, delayed treatment, and people giving up on themselves unnecessarily. I've spent over a decade watching these myths do real damage and I'm done staying quiet about it. In this episode, I'm breaking down the top 5 weight loss myths I wish my patients would stop believing and replacing them with what the science actually says. If you've ever said "I just need more willpower" this episode is for you. Listen now!   Episode Highlights: Why "calories in, calories out" is an oversimplification of a complex metabolic system How metabolic adaptation explains why what worked before stops working Why obesity is a chronic, relapsing disease  The truth about weight loss medications and why using them is NOT cheating Why the scale is just data, not a report card, and what metabolic progress really looks like Why stopping everything after weight loss leads to weight regain, and what to do instead   Connect with Dr. Alicia Shelly: Website | drshellymd.com Facebook | www.facebook.com/drshellymd Instagram | @drshellymd Linked In | www.linkedin.com/in/drshellymd Twitter | @drshellymd   About Dr. Alicia Shelly Dr. Alicia Shelly was raised in Atlanta, GA. She received her Doctorate of Medicine from Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine in Cleveland, OH.  Dr. Shelly has been practicing Primary Care and Obesity medicine since 2014.  In 2017, she became a Diplomat of the American Board of Obesity Medicine. She is the lead physician at the Wellstar Medical Center Douglasville. She started a weekly podcast & Youtube channel entitled Back on Track: Achieving Healthy Weight loss,  where she discusses how to get on track and stay on track with your weight loss journey. She has spoken for numerous local and national organizations, including the Obesity Medicine Association, and the Georgia Chapter of the American Society of Metabolic and Bariatric Surgeons. She has been featured on CNN, Fox 5 News, Bruce St. James Radio show, Upscale magazine, and Shape.com. She was named an honoree of the 2021 Atlanta Business Chronicle's 40 under 40 award. She also is a collaborating author for the, "Made for More: Physician Entrepreneurs who Live Life and Practice Medicine on their own terms''.   Resources: FREE! Discover the 5 Reasons Your Weight-Loss Journey Has Gotten Derailed (And How To Get Back On Track!)

In this episode, Alicia discusses her work with Dialectical Behavior Therapy and Radically Open DBT. She explains that she was first exposed to DBT in her predoctoral internship at Marin General Hospital, where part of the rotation was to run a DBT group and fell in love with its practicality and giving people real tools they could take away. She explained that it was great to see clients using the tools and finding success, so she got went and got trained with Marsha Linehan, Ph.D. and Behavioral Tech and made DBT her focus. She explained that DBT is especially helpful for clients who describe themselves as emotionally sensitive or struggle to “ride the wave” of emotions that feel overwhelming. Alicia discusses the five modules of DBT that she works from, including mindfulness, distress tolerance, affect regulation, interpersonal skills, and “walking the middle path,” (which is related to validation and reinforcement in family emotional dynamics). Alicia goes on to explain the use of the modules in working towards emotional awareness, getting through emotional crises, and radical acceptance of emotions. We also discuss coping skills and exposure therapy and how there are tools to expand one's window of tolerance as well as self-soothing skills utilized to sit with one's emotions. We speak on what dialectics in DBT refer to: holding two truths at a time, as opposed to relying on rigid, black-and-white thinking, which can exacerbate feelings of distress and overwhelm. Alicia discusses Radical DBT, or Radically Open DBT, and how it is different from regular DBT as it expands radical openness, self-inquiry, and accepting imperfection in oneself in treating emotional OC (overcontrol) disorders such as Anorexia Nervosa, OCPD, and chronic depression. We discuss how RO DBT benefits clients who experience rigidity in their overcontrol as well as shame, anxiety, and hypervigilance in their daily life. Alicia discusses her website, Therahive, which provides DBT skills online for clients as well as training for therapists to make DBT accessible throughout the world. We discuss how important having a supportive community is for clinicians who are providing DBT and how DBT's model includes a therapist consultation group. Lastly, we discuss phone coaching with clients and how it is utilized with clients who are struggling with self-harm and other behaviors and how therapists navigate personal boundaries around time with family and time off, while also being available for clients in need. Alicia Smart, PsyD is a licensed clinical psychologist in California with over 20 years of clinical experience providing evidence-based mental health care to children, adolescents, adults, and families. She began seeing clients during graduate training and has worked across community mental health, medical, and private practice settings throughout her career. Alicia earned her B.A. in Psychology and Chemistry from New York University and her Doctorate in Clinical Psychology (PsyD) from the California Institute of Integral Studies. She is a DBT-Linehan Certified Clinician and has extensive experience treating mood and personality disorders, trauma, anxiety, grief, ADHD, autism-spectrum presentations, and chronic emotion dysregulation. Her work frequently integrates DBT into suicide risk management, neurodivergent-affirming care, and complex relational systems. She is the Founder and Clinical Director of Guidepost DBT in Corte Madera, California, where she oversees a team of therapists providing comprehensive Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) and evidence-based care. In addition to clinical leadership, Alicia provides training, supervision, and consultation to clinicians seeking advanced education in DBT and related approaches. Alicia is also a co-founder of TheraHive, an innovative online DBT skills and learning platform designed to make high-quality DBT education more accessible to individuals and clinicians worldwide.

Season 5, episode 7.In this week's episode we explore the topic of ‘doing your doctorate' with three fantastic guests,  Richard McDonald, Sarah Roeschlaub, and  Dr Robert Grant. Our panel share their doctoral journeys, discussing why they pursued a PhD, what the process actually looks like, the challenges, the rewards, and why LGBTQ+ research is so important at this level.If you are an LGBTQ+ teacher and would like to be part of Jo Brassington's brilliant PhD research project, looking at the power of networks, please get in touch: j.brassington@strath.ac.uk.We love to hear your feedback, so please rate and review this episode. You can find out more about Pride & Progress on our website: ⁠⁠www.prideprogress.co.uk⁠⁠Thanks for listening!

Curious? Watch Our Money Makeover Bootcamp!Ready? Buy Our Simplified Budget System Now!Amanda joined us to talk through a super relatable moment: they've built a solid budgeting system… and now the question is what to do with a big, scary student loan balance once the car is paid off. Add in military life + possible paycheck disruptions, and you've got a perfect “real life” money crossroads.The best part? Amanda's already doing the work—multiple spending accounts, savings buckets, paycheck-ahead living—and it literally protected their family during a potential shutdown pay delay. Budget bestie win of the year.

In this podcast Brooke talks with Katherine Wilford, who earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Health and Exercise Science from Colorado State University (2006), her Doctorate in Physical Therapy (DPT) from Boston University (2009), and her Doctor of Science from Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center (2023). Kat has 16 years of clinical experience working with individuals with musculoskeletal pain. Her research interests include exploring the connection between sociocultural constructs and sensorimotor control as it pertains to musculoskeletal injury risk assessment. In this episode, we discuss how Kat and her team synthesized existing literature to shed light on how cultural beliefs, gender roles, and societal expectations shape movement patterns.

Host Polly Swingle is joined by the physical therapists, occupational therapists, speech therapists, and clinical psychologists involved in the creation and implementation of the Memory Health Program (MHP) at The Recovery Project. This program is built to support both those living with dementia and their loved ones through their journey with compassion, expertise, and personalized care. Visit therecoveryproject.net to learn more!Abbey Seevers is an Occupational Therapy Doctoral student at the University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC) where she plans to graduate in May 2026. Abbey earned her Bachelor of Science in Applied Human & Sport Physiology at Wayne State College in 2023. She has a passion for working with patients with dementia and has a long history working as a Certified Nursing Assistant in long-term memory care and home health throughout her high school, college and graduate schooling years. For her Doctoral Capstone project at UNMC she has partnered with TRP to develop this Memory Health Program.Jordyn Sebastian, MA, CCC-SLP, graduated with a master's degree from Eastern Michigan University. She is licensed in SPEAKOUT! and a certified VitalStim provider for dysphagia therapy.Riley Janssen, OTD, OTRL, is a licensed Occupational Therapist who earned her Doctorate in Occupational Therapy from Western Michigan University. She joined The Recovery Project in 2024 following graduation. Riley serves as one of the occupational therapists on the Power Over Parkinson's program team at the Clinton Township location. She is passionate about working with individuals with neurological conditions and is committed to ongoing learning and evidence-based practice to provide the highest quality care.Dr. Madeline Wideman, PT, DPT, has been a Physical Therapist at The Recovery Project since 2018. She earned her Bachelors degree in Allied Health Science from Bowling Green State University in 2014 prior to her Doctorate of Physical Therapy from Oakland University in 2017. She specializes in neurological and orthopedic diagnoses with a primary focus in spinal cord injury and CVA. She is also dry needling certified.Dr. Tiffany Tuttle is a clinical psychologist who provides mental health services to adults and older adults with underlying medical issues. She treats depression, anxiety, distress, and assists in trauma recovery. She has over 20 years of experience providing counseling and her approach is strength-based, supportive, and always patient centered. Helping individuals live their best life despite barriers they have encountered is a hallmark of the work Dr. Tuttle provides her patients. She can be reached at 248-245-2306 and found online at patientcenteredpsych.com.Learn more about The Recovery Project! View our website at www.therecoveryproject.net Call us 855-877-1944 to become a patient Follow us on Instagram Like us on Facebook Thanks for listening!

Send a textDr. Dom Clum is the creator of The Insulin Friendly Living model for improving insulin resistance and other advanced metabolic health conditions. His health, weight loss and wellness programs and strategies have now reached hundreds of thousands of people across the U.S. and internationally.He now combines this experience with years of clinical work to build one of the most comprehensive integrative lifestyle programs available today. Countless people have used his programs to improve significant metabolic health issues from weight loss resistance to problems on the insulin resistance spectrum including- metabolic syndrome, pre and type 2 diabetes, thyroid and adrenal conditions, as well as addiction and early depression in men.Dr. Clum graduated from Life University in Marietta, GA with a degree in Human Nutrition. He then moved to Life Chiropractic College West in California where he graduated with his Doctorate of Chiropractic.He and his wife started a fully integrated wellness center bringing holistic services of chiropractic, massage, metabolic nutrition, metabolic workouts in their onsite gym, wellness psychology, and medical services.Find Dr. Don Clum at-FB- @Insulin Friendly Fasting SecretsIG- @donclumofficialhttps://insulinfriendlyliving.com/Find Boundless Body at- myboundlessbody.com Book a session with us here!

Send a textFunding is moving, deadlines are looming, and your team is stretched. In this episode, Dr. Brandi Rae Hicks, a grant strategist, educator, and builder of billion-dollar portfolios, shares a clear resilience framework that any nonprofit can use to stay steady amid disruption and grow stronger on the other side. Her Six-step framework includes: mission clarity, collaboration, community trust, servant leadership, transparent finances, and practiced optimism. Get your notepad ready. This episode offers practical advice you can use now.Dr. Hicks also shares accessible pathways to upskill through Serve University's training, capacity-building, and grant services. If you're ready to replace anxiety with a roadmap this conversation gives you tools you can use this week. Subscribe, share with a colleague who needs it, and tell us which pillar you'll strengthen first.Guest BioDr. Brandi Rae Hicks is a grant-writing and fundraising diversification expert dedicated to helping nonprofits and small businesses secure sustainable funding and grow financially. With over 20 years of experience, she has helped organizations secure over $1 billion in grants and major gifts, guiding them through prospect research, proposal development, multi-year funding strategies, and donor stewardship. As Senior Grant Writer and Managing Director at SERVE University, she specializes in building high-impact grant portfolios and creating diversified fundraising models, including FranklinCovey, Morehouse College, Center for Civil and Human Rights, National Black MBA Association, and CARE USA. Dr. Hicks develops grant writing training programs, toolkits, and workshops to strengthen organizations' fundraising capacity. She created grant writing certification programs at SERVE University and designed the Organizational Resilience Qualities Assessment Tool©, widely used by nonprofits and small businesses to evaluate financial sustainability. A Cleveland Foundation Fellow, Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses Alumna, JumpStart Cohort Member, and 2025 Honoree of the Who's Who in Black Cleveland, Dr. Hicks has led national grant training initiatives with organizations like the Georgia Center for Nonprofits, Grant Professionals Association, and Candid. She is a member of the Grant Professionals Association and the Association of Fundraising Professionals. Dr. Hicks holds a Doctorate in Organizational Leadership, an MBA in Marketing, and an MPA in Nonprofit Management. Dr. Hicks remains committed to advancing philanthropy through strategic funding and capacity-building.Like what you heard? Please like and share wherever you get your podcasts! Connect with Ann: Community Evaluation Solutions How Ann can help: · Support the evaluation capacity of your coalition or community-based organization. · Help you create a strategic plan that doesn't stress you and your group out, doesn't take all year to design, and is actionable. · Engage your group in equitable discussions about difficult conversations. · Facilitate a workshop to plan for action and get your group moving. · Create a workshop that energizes and excites your group for action. · Speak at your conference or event. Have a question or want to know more? Book a call with Ann .Be sure and check out our updated resource page! Let us know what was helpful. Music by Zach Price: Zachpricet@gmail.com

Send a textIn this episode of Never Been Sicker, Michael Rubino talks with Dr. Alex, a chiropractor who approaches chronic symptoms through immune response, nervous system function, nutrition, and environmental triggers. They unpack common root causes behind headaches, brain fog, fatigue, hormone issues, and histamine imbalance, plus why so many people are told “your labs look normal” while still feeling awful.They also explore how mold exposure can affect different people in the same home in completely different ways, why fixing the environment is often step one, and how detox should start with foundational pathways like digestion, hydration, sweating, and lymphatic support. Dr. Alex shares how he uses testing to personalize protocols and why there should always be a plan, not just a prescription.If you are dealing with chronic symptoms, suspected mold exposure, histamine issues, or fertility concerns, this conversation will help you understand what to look at next.00:00 Intro: Michael welcomes Dr. Alex00:30 Dr. Alex background: pain, spine, neuro issues, immune response01:30 Why people seek help and why symptom chasing fails02:10 Headaches: structural causes vs histamine and hormones03:00 Histamine explained in simple terms and why it matters04:20 Why Dr. Alex moved into a functional approach05:30 Chronic inflammation from “healthy” foods and hidden triggers07:10 “Test, do not guess” for the body and the home09:00 Never Been Sicker: rising prescriptions and chronic illness10:10 Why chiropractors do not prescribe and the herbal foundation11:20 “Where is the plan to get people off meds?”13:00 No quick fixes: the effort required to actually heal15:20 Nutrition confusion and why bio individuality wins16:30 Same house, different symptoms: immune response differences19:20 Environmental toxins are involved for most patients21:00 Michael explains hidden mold drivers and building science basics23:00 Why you cannot heal fully while still living in exposure24:05 Infertility, hormones, and mold disruption26:00 Using the Dust Test and pairing it with body testing28:00 How Dr. Alex realized mold was part of stubborn cases31:15 Biggest lie: “You'll be on meds for life” and “labs are normal”36:00 Care matters: rushed appointments vs real root cause time38:30 Detox foundations: lymph, hydration, movement, sweating40:45 Why random binders can backfire if pathways are blocked43:00 Controversies: normalizing toxins, fluoride, root canals45:00 Where to find Dr. Alex and his practice-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Show SummaryOn this episode, we have a conversation Today we're having a conversation with Michael Witt, Community & State Outreach Manager for the DirectEmployers Association. DirectEmployers is a non-profit member association built by employers, for employers, and we talked about how they support their member employers to better serve the military and veteran population as well as how DirectEmployers has worked to become a PsychArmor Veteran Ready OrganizationProvide FeedbackAs a dedicated member of the audience, we would like to hear from you. If you PsychArmor has helped you learn, grow, and support those who've served and those who care for them, we would appreciate hearing your story. Please follow this link to share how PsychArmor has helped you in your service journey Share PsychArmor StoriesAbout Today's GuestMichael Witt is the Community & State Outreach Manager for DirectEmployers Association (DE). DE is a non-profit member association built by employers, for employers. After 21 years of service with Iowa Workforce Development, including Division Administrator of Field Operations, oversight of WIOA federal programs and state workforce programs, he works closely with DE's 1k+ Member companies to implement strategies for improved recruitment and retention of skilled talent across the country.Links Mentioned During the EpisodeDirectEmployers Association WebsiteDirectEmployers VetCentral Webpage PsychArmor Resource of the WeekThis week's PsychArmor Resource of the Week is the Behind the Mission Podcast episode with Lori Adams, in episode 122. During this conversation, Lori and I talk about the National Association of State Workforce Agencies, the national organization representing all 50 state workforce agencies, D.C. and U.S. territories. These agencies deliver training, employment, career, business and wage and hour services, in addition to administering the unemployment insurance, veteran reemployment and labor market information programs. You can find the resource here:  https://psycharmor.org/podcast/lori-adams  Episode Partner: Are you an organization that engages with or supports the military affiliated community? Would you like to partner with an engaged and dynamic audience of like-minded professionals? Reach out to Inquire about Partnership Opportunities Contact Us and Join Us on Social Media Email PsychArmorPsychArmor on XPsychArmor on FacebookPsychArmor on YouTubePsychArmor on LinkedInPsychArmor on InstagramTheme MusicOur theme music Don't Kill the Messenger was written and performed by Navy Veteran Jerry Maniscalco, in cooperation with Operation Encore, a non profit committed to supporting singer/songwriter and musicians across the military and Veteran communities.Producer and Host Duane France is a retired Army Noncommissioned Officer, combat veteran, and clinical mental health counselor for service members, veterans, and their families.  You can find more about the work that he is doing at www.veteranmentalhealth.com  

If you're waking up at night to pee, dealing with frequent UTIs, bladder leakage, painful sex, or chronic constipation during perimenopause or menopause — this episode is for you.In Episode 92 of Functional Moms Podcast, we talk with pelvic health physical therapist Elizabeth Stryker about how hormonal changes impact your pelvic floor — and what you can do to fix it naturally.Many women are told these symptoms are “just part of aging.” They are not.You'll learn how pelvic floor physical therapy can dramatically improve urinary health, reduce recurrent UTIs, relieve constipation, improve sexual health, and even help with jaw/TMJ symptoms.Elizabeth Stryker is a pelvic health physical therapist and founder of Pelvic Stability PT in New Jersey. She earned her Doctorate of Physical Therapy from Thomas Jefferson University and completed advanced training at the Cleveland Clinic Foundation specializing in pelvic floor dysfunction and neurological impairments.In this episode, we discuss:✔ Why pelvic floor dysfunction increases during perimenopause and menopause✔ Why you keep waking up at night to pee (nocturia explained)✔ How pelvic floor PT helps prevent recurrent urinary tract infections (UTIs)✔ The surprising connection between TMJ and the pelvic floor✔ Pelvic floor therapy for chronic constipation✔ What to expect during a pelvic floor physical therapy session✔ How to reduce bladder leakage naturallyIf you're searching for answers about:pelvic floor therapy, menopause, how to stop waking up at night to pee, frequent UTIs in menopause, bladder leaks after 40, pelvic pain menopause, constipation, pelvic floor, painful sex menopauseThis episode will give you actionable education and hope.Connect with Elizabeth StrykerWebsite: https://www.pelvicstabilitypt.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pelvicstabilitypt/

My guest today is LoraKim Joyner, a passionate protector of parrots, who knows that the health of one is interconnected to the health of all beings. LoraKim received her B.S in Avian Sciences, her Doctorate in Veterinarian Medicine, a Masters in Preventive Veterinary Medicine, which led to meaningful work in bird conservation throughout Central and South America. Years later she saw the need to address human well-being and obtained her Masters in Divinity and was ordained a Unitarian Universalist minister and became certified in NonViolent Communication.  LoraKim's expansive experience covers, bird education, research and conservation, parish ministry, co-founder of the non-profit organization One Earth Conservation and leading transformational projects in Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Guyana, Suriname and Paraguay. Her mission and motto is "Unconditional Solidarity" with the acronym U.S., which  reflects that it takes all of us to protect parrots, protect people and protect our planet! Get a literal and figurative bird's eye view of LoraKim's multi-species ministry, community collaborations, and nurturing nature approach where she honors the inherent worth, dignity and needs of all individuals, while she spends the months of March and April in Honduras. There she will be supporting the efforts of the local people who are trying to save their forests and birds from poaching and abuses. Support her inspiring efforts to protect their natural resources by holding the government accountable. Check out the Show Notes for links to One Earth Conservation where you can donate, follow the live-steam, and share on social media to spread the word of Joyner's heart and mind opening work. While exploring additional ways to get involved, on the site of One Earth Conservation, also check out the list of books written by Joyner.  Enjoy the podcast!!  Links: GoFundMe Solidarity Campaign www.oneearthconservation.org/ amoloros@gmail.com

God is looking for people on earth whose lives produce results. Smith Wigglesworth's life produced results from heaven like few others in all of history. What was his secret? How did he pull God's will from heaven to earth? 

You're doing all the right things—showing up to the gym, getting your steps in, strength training—but that scale? Still not moving. Sound familiar? In this episode, I'm breaking down exactly how to eat to support your workouts without sabotaging your weight loss goals—and without overthinking it. No sports nutrition degree required, I promise. I've seen too many patients work incredibly hard in the gym only to undo their progress at the kitchen table. Exercise is powerful, but nutrition determines whether that exercise actually works for weight loss. And once you understand a few simple principles about pre- and post-workout nutrition, everything clicks into place. Learn why exercise alone doesn't guarantee weight loss, which common myths are holding you back, and how to fuel strategically for recovery and results.   Sign up for the Back on Track: Setting the Vision for your health Masterclass:  https://drshellymd.kit.com/ecc62a0638   Episode Highlights: Why exercise is powerful but nutrition determines whether it works for weight loss The truth about eating before and after workouts  Pre-workout fuel: when you need it, when you don't, and what actually works Post-workout recovery: protein targets, hydration basics, and avoiding the "reward" trap Special considerations for insulin resistance, PCOS, perimenopause, and GLP-1 users How to match your food to your workout type and intensity   Connect with Dr. Alicia Shelly: Website | drshellymd.com Facebook | www.facebook.com/drshellymd Instagram | @drshellymd Linked In | www.linkedin.com/in/drshellymd Twitter | @drshellymd   About Dr. Alicia Shelly Dr. Alicia Shelly was raised in Atlanta, GA. She received her Doctorate of Medicine from Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine in Cleveland, OH.  Dr. Shelly has been practicing Primary Care and Obesity medicine since 2014.  In 2017, she became a Diplomat of the American Board of Obesity Medicine. She is the lead physician at the Wellstar Medical Center Douglasville. She started a weekly podcast & Youtube channel entitled Back on Track: Achieving Healthy Weight loss,  where she discusses how to get on track and stay on track with your weight loss journey. She has spoken for numerous local and national organizations, including the Obesity Medicine Association, and the Georgia Chapter of the American Society of Metabolic and Bariatric Surgeons. She has been featured on CNN, Fox 5 News, Bruce St. James Radio show, Upscale magazine, and Shape.com. She was named an honoree of the 2021 Atlanta Business Chronicle's 40 under 40 award. She also is a collaborating author for the, "Made for More: Physician Entrepreneurs who Live Life and Practice Medicine on their own terms''.   Resources: FREE! Discover the 5 Reasons Your Weight-Loss Journey Has Gotten Derailed (And How To Get Back On Track!)

 Welcome to the Weekly Lead. I'm Doctor Becky Tirabassi, and every week I wanna encourage you to be a leader in your sphere of influence. Will you join me for this week's message? I'm back. As promised, in 2025, I finished my Doctorate of Ministry, took in hiatus from the weekly lead, and now in 2026 I'm back with an excerpt from my dissertation, A Call to Burden Leaders to Pray. Each week I'm going to read from my dissertation to encourage you if you are a burdened leader. So let's begin the preface to a call to burdened leaders to pray: Alone Alongside Until by Dr. Becky Tirabassi. We begin with the preface in February of 1984...   ANY questions on HOW to LEAD a prayer meeting, the free ebook, or for daily encouragement to read through the Bible in a year, or for Becky's resources, visit: https://linktr.ee/BeckyTirabassif   Please follow Becky daily @BeckyTirabassi on Instagram or Facebook or email Becky: Media@beckytirabassi.com   For the seriously burdened leader, an eBook version is available here.

A Valentine's lesson on Smith and Polly Wigglesworth. The love story of two people who loved the Lord. From ministry to marriage, to miracles, and the baptism of the Holy Spirit. If you have ever sought God on why miracles happened in Bible times but not in our time, this Bible study is for you. 

Dr. Oscar Coetzee has over 25 years of experience in psychology and nutrition and is currently serving as the VP of Clinical Education and Practitioner Support at Designs for Health. His academic credentials include faculty positions at Georgetown Medical School, Notre Dame University, and the University of Bridgeport. Born and raised in South Africa, Dr. Oscar's educational background includes bachelor's degrees in criminology and psychology, master's degrees in Psychology and Human Nutrition, a PhD in Holistic Nutrition, and a Doctorate of Clinical Nutrition. He is recognized as a pioneer in nutritional science, focusing on metabolic syndrome, intestinal permeability, type 2 diabetes, sports performance, and chronic inflammatory diseases. In this episode, Tara sits down with Dr. Oscar Coetzee of Designs for Health to explore how gut health, genetics, and nutrition intersect with anxiety, depression, and overall mental wellness. They unpack keystone gut microbes, LPS and leaky gut, why whole‑food diets and polyphenols matter, and how functional labs like stool and organic acid tests can guide targeted support. Dr. Coetzee also explains the limits of DNA‑only protocols, the concept of "psychoneutrogenomics," and the expanding lab and education resources available for therapists, health coaches, and other practitioners.   RESOURCES: Learn more about Dr. Coetzee here: https://www.designsforhealth.com/ Instagram: @designsforhealth Get 15% off Peluva minimalist shoe with coupon code COACHTARA here: http://peluva.com/coachtara   CHAPTERS: 00:00 – Intro & Who Is Dr. Oscar Coetzee? 03:40 – Sponsor Segment: Peluva Minimalist Shoes 07:10 – From Psychiatry to Nutrition & "Psychoneutrogenomics" 14:20 – Gut Microbiome Basics and Mental Health Connection 21:30 – Keystone Anaerobes: Akkermansia, Roseburia & Friends 27:30 – LPS, Leaky Gut, Anxiety and Depression 33:40 – Genetics, Neurotransmitters and Why DNA Isn't Destiny 42:30 – Functional Testing Roadmap for Mood Issues 49:10 – Tools & Labs for Practitioners at Designs for Health 52:10 – Final Takeaways for Supporting Mental Health via the Gut   WORK WITH TARA: Are You Looking for Help on Your Wellness Journey? Here's how Tara can help you: TRY THE APP FOR FREE: http://taragarrison.com/app INDIVIDUAL ONLINE COACHING: https://www.taragarrison.com/work-with-me CHECK OUT HIGHER RETREATS: https://www.taragarrison.com/retreats   SOCIAL MEDIA:  Instagram @coachtaragarrison TikTok @coachtaragarrison Facebook @coachtaragarrison Pinterest @coachtaragarrison   INSIDE OUT HEALTH PODCAST SPECIAL OFFERS: ☑️ Upgraded Formulas Hair Test Kit Special Offer: https://bit.ly/3YdMn4Z ☑️ Upgraded Formulas - Get 15% OFF Everything with Coupon Code INSIDEOUT15: https://upgradedformulas.com/INSIDEOUT15 ☑️ Rep Provisions: Vote for the future of food with your dollar! And enjoy a 15% discount while you're at it with Coupon Code COACHTARA: https://bit.ly/3dD4ZSv   If you loved this episode, please leave a review! Here's how to do it on Apple Podcasts: Go to Inside Out Health Podcast page: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/inside-out-health-with-coach-tara-garrison/id1468368093 Scroll down to the 'Ratings & Reviews' section. Tap 'Write a Review' (you may be prompted to log in with your Apple ID). Thank you!

Today's guest is Zac Cupples, PT, DPT, OCS, CSCS, a physical therapist and strength coach known for bridging rehabilitation and performance. He's the founder of ZacCupples.com and is respected for translating complex concepts around respiration and movement mechanics into practical tools coaches and clinicians can immediately apply to improve efficiency, reduce pain, and enhance performance. The bridge between sports performance rehab is an important one. In the midst of movement mechanics that drive good rehab, and high intensity lifting, lies the knowledge that can help athletes make continual gains while staying robust and healthy for their sport. On today's show, Zac explores how an athlete's structure influences movement, strength training, and even injury risk. He shares his track background and how it shaped his coaching, then unpacks concepts like narrow vs. wide “ISA” builds, why some athletes struggle to feel their hamstrings in traditional lifts, and how tools like front loading, box squats, machines, and sprinting can solve it. He also digs into long-duration isometrics, mobility vs. flexibility, and finishes with a fun lightning round. Today's episode is brought to you by Hammer Strength. Use the code “justfly20” for 20% off any Lila Exogen wearable resistance training, including the popular Exogen Calf Sleeves. For this offer, head to Lilateam.com Use code “justfly10” for 10% off the Vert Trainer View more podcast episodes at the podcast homepage. (https://www.just-fly-sports.com/podcast-home/) Timestamps 1:23 – Early Athletic Experiences 5:36 – Muscle Activation Challenges 11:22 – Structural Constraints and Movement 25:17 – Rethinking Traditional Strength Training 29:17 – The Role of Machines in Training 36:54 – Weight Shifts and Mechanics 40:45 – Long Hold Activities in Rehab 53:21 – Internal vs. External Rotation 59:27 – Flexibility vs. Mobility 1:07:06 – Lightning Round Questions 1:14:04 – Future Plans and Coaching Focus Zac Cupples Quotes "You got to preserve moving fast because that's how you catch yourself from falling." "It assumes everyone has the same body but no two people are going to perform both of those movements the same way, and it's not going to load the same way." "I start the majority of people with a box squat, because the way I think about a hinge is it's different from a squat because the hips are going to be moving more along that horizontal path." "It's way more useful to think, am I moving up and down? Am I moving side to side? And then just pick exercises within what a person has available." "If someone can't produce certain rotations, and I know that you need those rotations to do this movement, you probably got to find something else to train that pattern within their constraints." "You just have to find the hinge variation that they can execute. And if they don't have much to do that, you have to create constraints." About Zac Cupples Zac Cupples, PT, DPT, OCS, CSCS is a physical therapist, strength coach, and educator specializing in human movement, respiration, and performance optimization. He is the founder of ZacCupples.com and has become widely known for translating complex biomechanical and neurophysiological concepts into practical strategies that clinicians and coaches can immediately apply. Zac earned his Doctorate in Physical Therapy from Marquette University and is board certified as an Orthopedic Clinical Specialist. He has completed extensive post-graduate education through the Postural Restoration Institute (PRI) and integrates principles of respiration, pelvic mechanics, thoracic positioning, and neuromuscular control into both rehabilitation and performance training. Through his online courses, seminars, and educational content, Zac has influenced thousands of clinicians and coaches worldwide. His work bridges the gap between rehab and high performance, helping athletes move more efficiently, reduce pain, and unlock higher levels of strength and speed through better positional awareness and strategic breathing. Zac currently treats clients and consults internationally, while continuing to produce educational resources aimed at elevating the standard of movement practice in both clinical and performance settings.

Have you ever wondered what it truly means to live life free? To live a life unhindered and unobstructed, in this show, Dr. Self explores and explains why you're hindered and obstructed and how to break free and move forward without so many obstacles blocking your path. Gal 5:1 It was for freedom that Christ set us free; therefore keep standing firm and do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery.  Help Dr. Self continue this show - partner at www.icmcollege.org/donate  Answer your call by enrolling with the International College of Ministry at www.icmcollege.org/enroll  Purchase Dr. Ray's latest book, "The Call." God called you, and you answered: this is what you need to know! Click Here  Follow and subscribe to Self Talk with Dr. Ray Self on our podcast website: https://www.icmcollege.org/selftalk.   Click here to purchase Dr. Self's book – Hear His Voice, Be His Voice, or visit Amazon.com. Click here to purchase Dr. Self's book – Redeem Your Past and Find Your Promised Land, or visit Amazon.com. Or our new podcast website at https://www.buzzsprout.com/2249804   For show topic suggestions, email Dr. Ray Self at drrayself@gmail.com Enjoy free courses offered by the International College of Ministry Free Courses Show host bio - Dr. Ray Self founded Spirit Wind Ministries Inc. and the International College of Ministry. He holds a Doctorate in Christian Psychology and a Doctorate in Theology. He currently resides in Winter Park, Florida. He is married to Dr. Christie Self and has three sons and a daughter.  

In this week's podcast episode, we're sharing a 2026 refresh of one of our most requested and revisited conversations, originally recorded in 2021. We're joined by pelvic floor physical therapist Jill Ehrmantraut of Apex Therapy for an honest and affirming discussion about pelvic floor health, physical healing, and sex after the NICU and birth trauma.Jill helps us understand how birth, trauma, and chronic stress impact the body, the nervous system, and the pelvic floor. Together, we talk about common but often unspoken changes after birth, including pain with sex, muscle tension, weakness, scar tissue from C sections, emotional release held in the body, and why pelvic floor therapy can be an essential part of healing for both vaginal and C section births.This conversation gently demystifies pelvic floor therapy, addresses fears and misconceptions, and reminds moms that discomfort, pain, and changes after birth are common, but they do not have to be your normal. Jill shares practical insight, reassurance, and hope for moms navigating physical healing after the NICU.As you listen, we hope you feel validated, empowered, and encouraged to seek care that honors both your body and your story. Healing is not linear, postpartum is lifelong, and you are never alone in this sisterhood!  Jill is a Board-Certified Women's Health Clinical Specialist (WCS) with advanced training in pelvic rehabilitation for females, males and children. Jill graduated with her Doctorate of Physical Therapy from the University of Mary, Bismarck, ND in 2010. She has advanced training in the treatment of pelvic pain, pregnancy and post-partum issues, urinary and fecal incontinence, pelvic organ prolapse, constipation, and neurogenic bladder in women, men, and children. She also has years of experience in treating female pelvic floor dysfunction, pelvic floor dysfunction during or after cancer treatment, pediatric pelvic floor dysfunction, and post prostatectomy incontinence in males. She is the second physical therapist in the state of North Dakota to obtain a Certificate of Achievement in Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy. Jill is a member of the American Physical Therapy Association and a part of the Academy of Pelvic Health Physical Therapy. She is also certified in Functional Dry Needling Level 1 and Pelvic Floor dry needling/Level 2.To get connected with Jill and Apex Physical Therapy & Wellness: https://apexptwellness.com/This podcast episode is not an attempt to practice medicine or provide medical advice. All information, content, and material on this website is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical or mental health advice, diagnosis or treatment.To get connected with DNM: Website | Private Facebook Group | InstagramSupport the show

Zach is the Lead Pastor and co-founder of Restore. Born and raised in Austin, he holds a Bachelors of Science in Communication, a Masters of Theology, and is currently pursuing a Doctorate of Ministry at Duke Divinity School. Zach is also the author of the forthcoming book, Better Ways to Read the Bible, which is all about transforming the Bible from a weapon that condemns, oppresses, and excludes into a tool that liberates. Zach is the co-founder and board member of the Post Evangelical Collective--a group of pastors, artists, and leaders committed to full inclusion, holistic justice, deep and wide formation, a gracious posture, and the Way of Jesus. He also serves on the boards of the Austin Church Planting Network and the Austin chapter of the Multi-Faith Neighbors Network.