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Latest podcast episodes about Duolingo

Perpetual Chess Podcast
EP 487- Matt Rathkey on Chess Improvement, Jazz Improvisation, and Learning How to Learn 

Perpetual Chess Podcast

Play Episode Listen Later Jun 16, 2026 74:45


Can a background as a professional jazz musician help you improve at chess? Matt Rathkey says “yes.”. Matt is this week's guest on The Adult Improver Series. Like many players, he fell back in love with chess during the COVID pandemic and soon found himself playing regularly, watching top-level broadcasts, and solving puzzles. Along the way, he drew upon lessons from years of studying music, particularly the role of pattern recognition, deliberate practice, and improvisation. After years of dedication,  Matt has raised his Chess.com blitz rating from roughly 1200 to over 1900.  Matt also has a fascinating day job. He is a learning designer on Duolingo's chess team, helping build what has quickly become one of the largest entry points into chess in the world. Launched last year, Duolingo Chess now has more than 7 million daily active users, most of whom are new to the game. Matt shares his improvement advice, discusses the parallels between jazz and chess, and reflects on what he has learned about the science of skill acquisition.  This was a fun conversation, and it is encouraging to see so many new players discovering chess through Duolingo. 00:00 Introduction  Join the free Perpetual Chess Discord here: https://discord.gg/7KxjmaTW Sub to my free newsletter here:  https://benjohnson.substack.com/ Join the Perpetual Chess Patreon community here: https://www.patreon.com/c/perpetualchess 02:00 Matt Rathkey joins 04:10 The Return to Chess: A Pandemic Story 07:04 Rediscovering Chess: The Queen's Gambit Effect 10:08 Setting Goals: The Journey to 1500 Matt's USCF rating page: https://ratings.uschess.org/player/13412385 13:09 Learning Through Observation: Active Engagement 16:04 The Importance of Tactics in Chess 18:48 Understanding Openings: Beyond Memorization 21:41 Chess Culture and Personal Growth 24:42 The Future of Chess: Duolingo's Chess Course 34:56 Overcoming Chess Intimidation 36:48 Duolingo Chess: Making Chess Accessible 39:44 Engaging with Oscar: The Duolingo Chess Bot 42:53 Learning Pathways in Duolingo Chess 46:41 Designing Effective Chess Lessons 51:08 Personalized Learning in Chess 53:14 The Intersection of Music and Chess 01:02:06 Advice for Chess Improvement 01:08:24 The Journey of Continuous Improvement Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The 404 Media Podcast
Meet Me at the Opsec Rave (with Imani Thompson)

The 404 Media Podcast

Play Episode Listen Later Jun 15, 2026 53:20


This week, I'm thrilled to be joined by Imani Thompson. Imani is a digital security trainer and host of a series of events called Cache Me Outside, where she and partner orgs help people understand their personal security, divest from big tech platforms, and learn how to stay safe online. She recently hosted a “de-Googling” party and a self-doxxing rave. We get into how platforms have tried to make surveillance cute, why that damn Duolingo owl emotionally manipulates you, and why learning about privacy best practices when surrounded by community works.  Follow Imani on Instagram A 'Self-Doxing' Rave Helps Trans People Stay Safe Online Now you can break up with big tech at a bar: ‘cybersecurity disguised as a party' Fix It With Piggy YouTube Version: https://youtu.be/C4WVYBEIgzM Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Decrépitos
Decrépitos 477 - VACILO NA COPA 03 - Finalmente Começou!!

Decrépitos

Play Episode Listen Later Jun 13, 2026 78:43


Mais um VACILO NA COPA no aaaar!! E hoje ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Daniel Bayer⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ e ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠João Carvalho⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ comentam o início do mundial e falam sobre a falta que faz um Duolingo na FIFA.FINANCIE ESTE VACILO:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Assine o plano BOGA VIVA e participe do nosso GRUPO SECRETO NO TELEGRAM!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠MANDA PIX:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠livepix.gg/decrepitos⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠PARTICIPE PELO E-MAIL:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ouvinte@decrepitos.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ANUNCIE COM A GENTE:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠comercial@decrepitos.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠© Copyright 2026 - Decrépitos Podcast - Todos os direitos reservados.

Savvy Social Podcast
Social Media Is Doing a Lot. Here's What Actually Matters.

Savvy Social Podcast

Play Episode Listen Later Jun 11, 2026 31:14


Ever open Instagram, TikTok, LinkedIn, or YouTube and suddenly feel like your entire marketing strategy needs to be thrown into the sun?Same.Social media is doing a lot right now. Carousels are dead. Carousels are back. AI is the future. AI is ruining everything. Post daily. Post less. Be everywhere. Pick one platform. Use trends. Don't use trends.It's a lot.In this episode, Andréa breaks down why social media feels so overwhelming right now and what business owners actually need to focus on instead of chasing every update, trend, and hot take.You'll learn why most marketing advice feels stressful even when it isn't technically wrong, how to filter advice through your own capacity and goals, and the five things that still matter no matter what the platforms are doing.In this episode, we talk about:

Randy Baumann and the DVE Morning Show
6.9.26 Randy Baumann and the DVE Morning Show HR 3

Randy Baumann and the DVE Morning Show

Play Episode Listen Later Jun 9, 2026 35:27 Transcription Available


With the Steelers headed to Paris in the fall, Yinzers will want to download a custom version of Duolingo to get accustomed to the French language. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

french pittsburgh steelers duolingo yinzers dve morning show randy baumann
SO FIRED
Everything We Can't Talk About

SO FIRED

Play Episode Listen Later Jun 8, 2026 31:29


Parrot earrings from a dead woman's jewelry box, a homemade NA Paloma recipe, and the hottest guy in Denver showing up at Chelseas's work. Chelsea and Lindsay get into the wannabe Christian influencer who prays over his wife's period on TikTok, the couple who exposed their best friend's cheating boyfriend on camera and lost every friend they had (plus got pregnant in the middle of it), the AI fruit soap opera that's somehow 30 episodes deep, and a full spoiler-filled recap of Friends and Neighbors season 2. Line dancing dates, the bed rot challenge, chess lessons via Duolingo, and why neither of them wants to hang out with anyone else ever again.Send us a textSupport the showLike, subscribe, and share with that one friend who needs a reason to laugh. Find us @honestlysmartless on Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube.Connect with Honestly Smartlesshonestlysmartless.comIG: @honestlysmartlessTikTok: @honestlysmartlessChelsea's IG: @chelsea_turanoLindsay's TT: @dr.lindsayregehrYouTube:  Honestly Smartless

The Marketing Millennials
The Social Media Marketing Masterclass with Zaria Parvez, Head of Social at DoorDash, ex-Duolingo | Ep. 422

The Marketing Millennials

Play Episode Listen Later Jun 5, 2026 38:28


What happens when a green owl, a handful of improv rules, and zero fear collide? You get Duolingo, the internet's most unhinged, hilarious, and effective brand. Zaria Parvez is the creative force behind that chaos. As Duolingo's first-ever social media hire, she helped grow the brand from 50,000 to over 16 million followers, turning a dusty owl costume in the office into one of the most recognizable (and meme-worthy) characters on the planet. She opens up about how she built a culture of creativity rooted in improv, boldness, and trust. She shares how her team turned social media into the heartbeat of the brand and why “fear is the most expensive mistake” in Marketing. You'll learn: -The wild origin story behind Death by Duo, the campaign that hit 1.7 billion impressions with no paid ads. -How Zaria uses improv comedy principles to fuel creativity, collaboration, and confidence. -Why giving social teams approval power and autonomy is the key to moving at the speed of culture. Whether you're a Marketer, creator, or someone who just loves a good brand story, this episode will change the way you think about creativity online. Wrike brings structure, visibility, and accountability to work, so companies can make better business decisions, improve efficiency, and reduce risk. Learn more at https://wrike.com/tmm Follow Zaria: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zaria-parvez-645983140/ Follow Daniel: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@themarketingmillennials/featured Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/Dmurr68 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/daniel-murray-marketing Sign up for The Marketing Millennials newsletter: www.workweek.com/brand/the-marketing-millennials

Dr Mary Travelbest Guide
Naxos, Greece and 911 details

Dr Mary Travelbest Guide

Play Episode Listen Later Jun 5, 2026 12:15


  Welcome back to the  Dr. Mary Travelbest Guide podcast.   The FAQ: While planning a trip to Taiwan and South Korea, someone I was guiding asked, "Is 911 a universal emergency code worldwide?" I looked into this and found a helpful answer. Here's the answer: 911 is not universal. Abroad, the number differs, and sometimes each service has its own. Commonly: 112 in the EU, 112/999 in the UK and Ireland, 000 in Australia, 111 in New Zealand, 110/119 in Japan, and 112/119 in South Korea. For Europe, 112 is the key number to remember. It works everywhere in the EU, is free, and will connect you to emergency services from any phone. In the UK, both 999 and 112 work. A few country-specific examples matter because they can trip up travelers. Australia's main emergency number is 000; the government says 112 can also be connected from mobile phones there, but 000 is the primary number. New Zealand uses 111 for police, fire, and ambulance services, and 105 for police non-emergencies. Japan uses 110 for police and 119 for fire/ambulance. In South Korea, 112 is for police, and 119 for fire/ambulance/medical emergencies. Tourism guidance says you can ask for an interpreter by saying "English please" or "Interpreter please." What else should travelers know beyond the number? Don't assume 911 works overseas. In some places, it may redirect, but don't rely on it. Know the local emergency number before you travel. Always know your location—hotel, street, intersection, train station, or landmark—for fast communication with emergency operators. When calling, clearly state which service you need: police, ambulance, or fire. Save your embassy or consulate number, but call local emergency services first. If you are in the EU, official guidance notes that 112 is free and available on public and mobile phones. One more thing to consider in my response to the question is that emergency numbers are for urgent danger only. Some countries also have non-emergency numbers. For example, New Zealand uses 105 for non-emergency police matters, while the UK uses 101. Knowing that helps you avoid tying up emergency lines. In summary, solo travelers should memorize 112 for Europe, and always look up the emergency number for each country before traveling. This ensures you are prepared for emergencies wherever you go.   60-second confidence challenge Your challenge today, Confidence Challenge, is to be ready for an emergency: A few smart habits help a lot. Before each trip, put the following items in your phone notes and in your bag: local emergency number, hotel address, embassy/consulate contact, travel insurance emergency line, and one family contact. If your phone is locked, add your emergency contacts and any major medical facts to the lock screen or Medical ID. And know the emergency code in that country. If you like today's Confidence Challenge, my book series delves into safety and security, while moving through the 5 steps to solo travel, from easy to more challenging, with foreign language communication tips. You can find the series at the link in the description.    See Book A for addressing this concern.  Find it on the website​​ at https://www.5stepstosolotravel.com/ or on Amazon. I will be doing pre-orders soon for Book C in the series, so please look out for that.  Today's destination is Naxos, Greece.  The Greek island of Naxos is one of those places that quietly steals your heart. https://www.visitgreece.gr/islands/cyclades/naxos/ If you're a woman over 50 thinking about taking a slightly more adventurous step in your solo travel journey, this is your place. Not too crowded, not too complicated, but just enough unknown to stretch you in the best way. Let's start with the journey. I took the Blue Star ferry from Athens around noon, passing through Paros on the way. Round-trip from Athens port was about $85 with a Eurail discount of 30% The ferry ride is part of the experience. It's calm. It's scenic. It gives you time to sit, read, think,  or do nothing at all. And for many of us, doing nothing is the hardest and most valuable skill to relearn. The hotel where I stayed was called the Galina, a short 300-meter walk from the water and beach. It was run by two brothers whose parents founded it over 40 years ago. The room was delightful, and the location was excellent. The breakfast I had the morning before leaving was perfect, featuring all the delicious Greek foods I wanted to try, and I ate my fill. It was included in the room price, which was about $85 US, and it was definitely worth it because I completely relaxed and enjoyed my stay.   During my time on Naxos, I went swimming twice and enjoyed walking around the island. I loved getting lost while exploring the shops selling a variety of merchandise like T-shirts and knick-knacks. it was a treat! I didn't buy anything, but just looking around made me feel great. I also had a nice dinner at a restaurant called Taverna, which cost $21. I ordered shrimp served on a plate with rice and salad, along with skewers of meat (souvlaki). Naxos is not a rush through destination. I swam twice at St. George Beach. I  wandered the old town and got completely lost in the castle area, the Venetian Astro district. And here's something worth questioning: When was the last time you allowed yourself to get lost on purpose? No Google Maps. No urgency. Just curiosity. Because that's where confidence grows, not in perfect plans, but in small uncertainties. I'll talk more about getting lost in my mistakes later on. "On an island, it's usually easy to find your way back" was one of my thoughts while exploring. One of my favorite moments was hiking up St. George Hill, past an abandoned restaurant, to catch the sunset. The place was run down, with graffiti and weeds that made it look cluttered. But the views were magnificent. No crowds. No ticket. Just a view that reminded me why I travel. And then there's the Portara, the Temple of Apollo. Just a 10–15 minute walk from town, sitting dramatically at the edge of the sea. It's iconic—but still peaceful if you time it right.  https://explore-naxosisland.com/places/baco https://www.xwhos.com/record_labels/1/naxos.html One day, something unexpected: a conversation at the beach with an Aussie man who was on the construction project for a bar on the seafront called Baco Seaside, 4.4 stars. You never know who you may run into at the beach. For details, James was 32, bald, and a good storyteller. He has no idea I travel the world and write about it for women like you. We watched each other's belongings when we wanted to go swimming. Never leave your items on the beach unattended. .https://explore-naxosisland.com/places/baco Travel introduces you to people you were never supposed to meet, and yet somehow you do. If I had more time, and you should plan for it, I would visit: More beaches beyond St. George and The museums in the Venetian castle. Here is more of the history you will learn while in the area. Naxos is a Greek island in the South Aegean, the largest of the Cyclades (sic la deeze), spelled Cyclades, a group of islands. Its fertile landscape spans mountain villages, ancient ruins, and long stretches of beach. The namesake capital (also called Hora or Chora) is a port town filled with whitewashed, cube-shaped houses and medieval Venetian mansions. Kastro, a hilltop castle dating to the 13th century, houses an archaeological museum. https://www.xwhos.com/record_labels/1/naxos.html Let's talk about Greek, yes, the language. I tried. I really did for fifteen days on Duolingo. However, I still struggled.And here's the truth: you don't need to be fluent. But you do need to be willing to try—and to feel a little uncomfortable. That's part of Step 5 travel. Greek is harder to learn than I thought. I've been using Greek Duolingo for the past 15 days, but it hasn't helped me as much as I hoped. It has been an experience nonetheless; I've learned a few Greek letters, but I still struggle to pronounce any words. Here are three I practiced.   Gia sas Yah sahs is hello Parakalo is "pah rah kah Lott" is pleased Efharisto is ef hah ree stoh is thank you Don't underestimate Naxos. Give it at least 2–3 nights. Because when a place makes you feel relaxed that quickly, that's rare. If you're building your confidence as a solo traveler in Greece as a Step 5 newbie, Start with a place like Naxos. Easy ferry access Walkable town Safe, welcoming vibe Plenty to do—but no pressure to do it all Are you traveling to check off places on a list… or actually to feel something? Here is why many travelers end up loving Naxos: It gives you sand, swimming, and a real town. It has more of a lived-in, less staged feeling than some headline islands. You can combine beach time, sunset views, old alleys, and inland villages without needing a huge travel plan. Or expense. It works well for people who want Greece to feel pleasant and manageable. When Naxos is not the best pick: Pick Crete if you want the deepest mix of archaeology, cities, dramatic nature, and a longer, road-trip-style island trip. Pick Sardinia if your main goal is exceptional Italian beaches and a larger standalone Mediterranean holiday. Pick Santorini if the caldera views are the whole point. Pick Mykonos if nightlife and scene matter a lot.  Naxos is often the better island for people who actually want to relax and feel Greece, not just check off the most famous name. My missteps: Getting lost in Athens   The hostel manager pointed outside. "Don't go that way when you leave," and I did not ask for details, assuming it was a bad area with a high crime rate. I did get lost a few times nearby, though, finding my way back. I may have walked that way by accident. Here's my detailed story: I found the metro station from the airport, which served the modern, faster blue line. I changed lines at Monastiraki and arrived at Omonia Square, but I got a bit lost. The neighborhood was quite confusing and not very safe, with only small markets around. I felt scared at times. One night after returning from Naxos, it was 9:15 PM and dark when I finally reached the hostel, safe and ready for another day.  AI was used to select some of the suggestions for this episode.   Connect with Dr. Travelbest 5 Steps to Solo Travel website Dr. Mary Travelbest X Dr. Mary Travelbest Facebook Page Dr. Mary Travelbest Facebook Group Dr. Mary Travelbest Instagram Dr. Mary Travelbest Podcast Dr. Travelbest on TikTok Dr.Travelbest on YouTube In the news  

Joey and Nancy on WIVK
Full Show 6-4-26

Joey and Nancy on WIVK

Play Episode Listen Later Jun 4, 2026 37:59


Joey’s kids have been begging to get on Duolingo to play the games. Joey’s just glad that they are learning something on it. Nancy has been playing a game called Yarn Fever. Karly has been playing Monopoly Go and the daily games on LinkedIn. Nancy saw a sign for a laundry service that would pick up your clothes, wash and fold them, and bring them back. She thinks that Joey and his ADHD would love to do that job. Hot Tea: Garth Brooks is reportedly looking to sell his music catalog for $2 billion. Matt Damon revealed that he bartended in Knoxville in the 90s to prepare for a movie role. A passenger was restrained by another passenger, a Ju jitsu instructor, after trying to open the exit door and the cockpit door. Joey has been having issues with his crawlspace and was super excited to buy a new dehumidifier for it. It came with an app to monitor the humidity levels, and he’s been checking it constantly. He’s spent an average of 15 minutes per day on the app. Poop cruise round 2? A family had to move rooms on a Carnival cruise after sewage water came up through the shower drain and flooded her room. Lucky 7 for $50 to the Copper Cellar Family of Restaurants One of the missing eagles from Dollywood was spotted in a woman’s garage in Karns. Group Therapy: My Boyfriend is Stalking Me on Life360 See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Current
Why David Sedaris hates the word “husband”

The Current

Play Episode Listen Later Jun 4, 2026 22:04


David Sedaris talks about his latest essay collection The Land and Its People. He reveals the news he'd kept from his family, that he secretly married his long-time boyfriend Hugh in 2016, and he reflects on his Duolingo obsession, his visit with Pope Francis, the aging process, and more.

WIVK 107.7 Podcasts
Full Show 6-4-26

WIVK 107.7 Podcasts

Play Episode Listen Later Jun 4, 2026 37:59


Joey’s kids have been begging to get on Duolingo to play the games. Joey’s just glad that they are learning something on it. Nancy has been playing a game called Yarn Fever. Karly has been playing Monopoly Go and the daily games on LinkedIn. Nancy saw a sign for a laundry service that would pick up your clothes, wash and fold them, and bring them back. She thinks that Joey and his ADHD would love to do that job. Hot Tea: Garth Brooks is reportedly looking to sell his music catalog for $2 billion. Matt Damon revealed that he bartended in Knoxville in the 90s to prepare for a movie role. A passenger was restrained by another passenger, a Ju jitsu instructor, after trying to open the exit door and the cockpit door. Joey has been having issues with his crawlspace and was super excited to buy a new dehumidifier for it. It came with an app to monitor the humidity levels, and he’s been checking it constantly. He’s spent an average of 15 minutes per day on the app. Poop cruise round 2? A family had to move rooms on a Carnival cruise after sewage water came up through the shower drain and flooded her room. Lucky 7 for $50 to the Copper Cellar Family of Restaurants One of the missing eagles from Dollywood was spotted in a woman’s garage in Karns. Group Therapy: My Boyfriend is Stalking Me on Life360 See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Macoholicy
166. Witaj w Apple – tanio już było

Macoholicy

Play Episode Listen Later Jun 4, 2026 39:22


W tym odcinku Grzegorz zostaje wodzirejem, choć bardzo nie chce nim być, Michał odpala sportową rywalizację w Duolingo, a Apple po raz kolejny udowadnia, że do ekosystemu można wejść właściwie dowolnymi drzwiami – nawet przez zegarek kupiony dziecku. Rozmawiamy o tym, jak jeden Apple Watch potrafi uruchomić lawinę zakupów, dlaczego tata w rodzinie pada jako ostatni, czy Grzegorz powinien nagrać film z przeprosinami dla wszystkich, którym kiedykolwiek polecił Apple, oraz dlaczego „nie będzie tanio” to nie ostrzeżenie, tylko prognoza pogody. Po drodze pojawia się aukcja charytatywna, społeczna tkanka Okuniewa, licytowanie za pomocą puszczania oka, dresiarze z wózkami, Super Duolingo, potrojenie punktów, nauka włoskiego, niemieckiego, hiszpańskiego i szachów oraz pytanie, czy punkty naprawdę uczą, czy tylko bardzo skutecznie drażnią ambicję Michała i Grzegorza. Jest też kącik Onewheelowy, jazda bez błotnika, błoto, deszcz, drugi Onewheel jako objaw burżuazji oraz rozmowa o tym, czy błoto składa się z wody, czy jednak z błota. W kąciku kulturalnym Michał zaczyna „Hail Mary”, Grzegorz kupuje filmy na Apple TV, a cyfrowe zakupy sprzed lat okazują się nadal istnieć, ku zaskoczeniu wszystkich, którzy już dawno pogodzili się z tym, że nic w internecie nie jest naprawdę nasze. Na koniec zaglądamy jeszcze do iTunes Music Store ukrytego w aplikacji Music, historii zakupów Michała, cringowych Gwiezdnych Wojen, „Ready Player One”, Star Treka, Spider-Mana Noir i czarno-białej wersji serialu, która technicznie brzmi lepiej niż fabularnie. Zapraszamy!

Chit Chat Money
Duolingo Stock: Value Play or Value Trap? Plus, An Update On Rocket Lab With Simon Erickson

Chit Chat Money

Play Episode Listen Later Jun 3, 2026 57:21


On this episode of Chit Chat Stocks, Brett and Ryan speak with Simon Erickson on all things Duolingo and Rocket Lab. We discuss: (00:00) Introduction (03:44) The AI Narrative and Duolingo's Position (06:38) Understanding Duolingo's Business Model (09:42) Growth and User Engagement Strategies (12:45) Challenges and Market Dynamics (15:54) Valuation and Financial Performance (18:53) Management and Future Outlook (29:43) Rocket Lab (36:49) Strategic Acquisitions and Growth Plans (40:37) Financial Strategies and Market Positioning (45:46) Valuation Insights and Market Expectations (50:17) Comparing Rocket Lab and SpaceX 7investing: ⁠https://7investing.com/⁠ ***************************************************** Subscribe to our newsletter, Emerging Moats: ⁠emergingmoats.com⁠  ********************************************************************* Chit Chat Stocks is presented by Interactive Brokers. Get professional pricing, global access, and premier technology with the best brokerage for investors today:  ⁠https://www.interactivebrokers.com/⁠  Interactive Brokers is a member of SIPC.  ********************************************************************* Fiscal.ai is building the future of financial data. With custom charts, AI-generated research reports, and endless analytical tools, you can get up to speed on any stock around the globe. All for a reasonable price.  Use our LINK and get 15% off any premium plan: ⁠⁠https://fiscal.ai/chitchat⁠  ********************************************************************* Disclosure: Chit Chat Stocks hosts and guests are not financial advisors, and nothing they say on this show is formal advice or a recommendation. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Scam Goddess
The Fake MAGA Influencer w/ Sydnee Washington & Marie Faustin

Scam Goddess

Play Episode Listen Later Jun 2, 2026 62:57


Get excited, CONgregation! Laci is joined by bestie babes Sydnee Washington and Marie Faustin (Mess Podcast) to dig into Emily Hart, a MAGA influencer who turned out to be an AI generated baddie created by a 22-year-old med student in India. The gals chat about sea otters, scamming hippos, lease agreements, Duolingo, and Waymos. Listen to Mess wherever you get your podcasts. Stay schemin'! Keep the scams coming and snitch on your friends by emailing us at ScamGoddessPod@gmail.com. Follow on Instagram: Scam Goddess Pod: @scamgoddesspod Laci Mosley: @divalaci Sydnee Washington: @justsydbw Marie Faustin: @reeezy   Research by Kathryn Doyle    SOURCES https://www.wired.com/story/ai-generated-maga-girls/ https://www.businesstoday.in/technology/story/who-is-emily-hart-how-an-indian-medical-student-fooled-dumb-maga-fans-with-ai-526820-2026-04-22?utm_source=rssfeed https://www.cbsnews.com/news/trump-shares-fake-swifties-for-trump-images/ Subscribe to SiriusXM Podcasts+ to listen to new episodes of Scam Goddess ad-free and a whole week early. Start a free trial now on Apple Podcasts or by visiting siriusxm.com/podcastsplus. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Morning Somewhere
2026.06.02: Now Just The Worse Case Scenario

Morning Somewhere

Play Episode Listen Later Jun 2, 2026 34:28


Burnie and Ashley discuss Game of Thrones, climate change changes, Ben McSweeney, Animated RvB, not being first, SpaceX IPO rules, Duolingo resurrects old streaks, and the many forms of the RT logo.

Queer Money
5 Gay Retirement Cities Where English Is Widely Spoken | Queer Money Ep. 644

Queer Money

Play Episode Listen Later Jun 2, 2026 13:38


Retiring abroad sounds fabulous until you realize you may need to learn a new language, decode a new healthcare system, and explain your brunch order with hand gestures.So, what if you want the adventure, affordability, and lifestyle upgrade of retiring abroad, but without giving Duolingo your entire retirement?In this episode of Queer Money, we're breaking down five great gay retirement cities in English-speaking countries or places where English is widely spoken. These destinations offer a mix of LGBTQ+ friendliness, affordability, healthcare access, expat communities, and retiree-friendly lifestyles, especially for gay men over 40 who are dreaming about retiring abroad without feeling completely lost in translation.We look at Adelaide, Australia; Cebu City, Philippines; St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada; Cape Town, South Africa; and George/Garden Route, South Africa. Each city gets our full Queer Money treatment: why it's fabulous, the reality check, the queer vibe, what your wallet needs to know, and its Queer Money Retirement Rating.Some of these cities offer big queer energy, beaches, wine country, mountains, and nightlife. Others are quieter, calmer, more affordable, and better suited for gay retirees who want peace, safety, scenery, and a lower cost of living.We also talk about the not-so-sexy but very necessary parts of retiring abroad, including visa rules, healthcare planning, legal protections, safety, and why affordability alone should never be the whole plan.Takeaways from this episode:You'll learn which English-friendly cities are best for LGBTQ+ retirementwhich destinations offer the strongest affordabilitywhere queer legal protections are stronger or weakerwhy your dream retirement abroad needs both a lifestyle plan and a money plan.Thinking about retiring abroad but not sure what it'll cost or where to start? Grab the Queer Money Retire Abroad Planner and CalculatorMentioned in this episode:What if your portfolio came with a visa and passport?That's exactly what the Optimize Portugal Golden Opportunities Fund can do, bringing together diversification, tax efficiency, and a path to EU residency and a passport. Click the link below to explore your ticket to Europe. Get Your Portugal Golden Visa Here!Get Your Portugal Golden Visa Here!

Business Pants
BLAME: Carnival data breach, Danone methane reduction, GM loses a director

Business Pants

Play Episode Listen Later Jun 2, 2026 44:02


DAMIONCarnival Corporation's data breach exposed personal data of nearly 6 million customers: An April social engineering attack on an employee account compromised names, dates of birth, and government-issued ID numbers. WHO DO YOU BLAMESkills: Technology & Cybersecurity: Experience with information technology and cybersecurity matters is increasingly important to mitigate the risks our business faces, promote innovation and maintain a competitive edge in a rapidly evolving technological ageLeast represented 5/11CEO Josh WeinsteinNO: at Carnival since 2002, started as General CounselSir Johathon BandNO: First Sea Lord and Chief of Naval Staff, the most senior officer position in the British Navy (2006 to 2009, when he retired); Admiral and Commander-in-Chief Fleet (2002 to 2006); Served as a naval officer in increasing positions of authority (1967 to 2002)Jason CahillyNO: CEO Dragon Group LLC, provides capital and business management consulting and advisory services worldwide; The NBA: CFO & Chief Strategic Officer; Goldman Sachs: Partner; Global Co-Head of Media and Telecommunications; Head of Principal Investing for Technology, Media & TelecommunicationsNelda ConnorsNO: CEO/Chair Pine Grove Holdings, a privately held investment company; CEO Atkore International, manufacturer of electrical, safety and infrastructure solutions; VP Eaton Corporation, electrical and automotive supplierLaura WeilNO: Founder Village Lane Advisory LLC, specializes in providing executive and strategic consulting services to retailers COO New York & Company, women's apparel and accessories retailer; CEO Ashley Stewart, women's apparel retailer; CEO Urban Brands, apparel retailer; COO AnnTaylor Stores, women's apparel retailer; CFO American Eagle Outfitters, apparel retailerAudit Committee: Oversee management's risk assessment processes to identify principal and emerging risks, including financial, IT, cybersecurity and non-HESS operational risksLaura Weil*: NOJason Cahilly: NOJeffrey Gearhart: NOWalmart Corporate Secretary and lawyerStuart Subotnick: NOCEO at Metromedia Company, wireless/communications, until 2010; Carnival director since 1987 Health, Environmental, Safety and Security Committee: Oversee management's processes to identify principal and emerging health, environmental, safety, security and sustainability-related risks, including those related to ship operations and cybersecurity, RAAS health, environmental, safety, security audits, IAG and external investigations into significant ship incidents, and health, environmental, safety, security-related hotline complaints, and assess the steps management has taken to minimize such risks.Sir Johathon Band*: NONelda Connors: NOHelen Deeble: NOFormer CEO P&O Ferries Division Holdings, shipping and logistics businessKatie Lahey: NOExecutive Chair Korn Ferry Australasia, leadership and talent firmMicky Arison (75%): Exec Chair and former CEO and 7% stockholderThe CEO Pay Ratio1,063:124 retail CEOs made as much in a day as their typical employee earned in a year — and a big one didn't. WHO DO YOU BLAMEThe separation of CEO and Chair: Hamilton E. James Chair/Ron Vachris MMNot uniqueOnly 50% of the board is men. WTF?uniqueOne share = one voteNot uniqueState of HQ = WashingtonAlso StarbucksState of Inc = WashingtonAlso StarbucksPledge of allegiance to stakeholdersCostco generally has: Higher wages; Better benefits; Lower turnover; Higher sales per employee.Industry-leading employee compensation AND Self-imposed low-margin pricing philosophyWalmart only low-margin pricingOther comps:Todd Vasos of Dollar General, Shane O'Kelly of AutoZone, Gerald Morgan of Texas Roadhouse, Jack Sinclair of Sprouts Farmers Market, William Stengel of Genuine Parts Company, Michael Creedon of Dollar Tree, Ronald Sargent of Kroger, Lauren Hobart of Dick's Sporting Goods, Joshua Kobza of Restaurant Brands Inc., Kecia Steelman of Ulta Beauty, Scott Boatwright of Chipotle, Ted Decker of Home Depot, Bob Eddy of BJ's Wholesale Club, Corie Barry of Best Buy, James Conroy of Ross Stores, Chris Turner and David Gibbs of Yum Brands, Chris Kempczinski of McDonald's, Marvin Ellison of Lowe's, Brian Cornell of Target, Ernie Herrman of TJX Companies, Doug McMillon of Walmart, Brian Niccol of Starbucks, Hal Lawton of Tractor Supply Co, Laura Alber of Williams-SonomaFigma Gets an Activist Investor. Exhibit A on Why Companies Don't Want to Go Public. Figma's first year as a public company hasn't gone well. Findell Capital Management said it needs to take steps to shed its unwarranted reputation as an artificial-intelligence “loser.” WHO DO YOU BLAME?Figma founder and CEO Dylan Field: Owns 10% of shares but 72% of voting power: Class B shares worth 15 votes per shareDylan owns 158 Class A Shares (or 0.00003556% of 444,278,887)And Chair$5B net worth$865M total summary compensation in 2025; $91M in 2024Nominating Agreement:Figma must nominate Dylan Field to be a director and include him in the proxy statementThe company must use its resources to back him up and actively convince other shareholders to vote for him In response to a question about how he was going to change the world, Dylan said he was going to build better software for drones.Bro fest sausage party2 of 9 directors are womenTop 5 NEOs all dudesPeter ThielForced Dylan to drop out of Brown for a dumb fellowshipVC Blowhardiness on the BoardVC dude John Lilly (Greylock): Lead Independent Director2nd longest tenure (2014)Member of the Audit Committee; Member of the Nominating Committee (only Lilly and Rimer)VC dude Andrew Reed (Sequoia)Director at debt-maker Klarna Group (also way down since IPO): down roughly 54% from its initial $40.00 IPO price, and down nearly 68% from its all-time highMember of the Compensation Committee (which modeled Dylan's pay package after Elon Musk)VC dude Danny Rimer (Index Ventures)Director since 2014B.A. in History and Literature from HarvardMember of the Compensation Committee (which modeled Dylan's pay package after Elon Musk)Member of the Nominating Committee (only Lilly and Rimer)Luis von AhnDuolingo co-founder and CEO2025: shared an internal email outlining Duolingo's new "AI-first" strategy where Duolingo would “gradually stop using contractors to do work that AI can handle”Stated that "AI is a better teacher than humans" and that the future role of teachers would be reduced to providing "childcare."Blamed the controversy on a "lack of context" in his original statements"AI-First" memo goes viral: $389; today $118MATTDanone, Starbucks shine in methane-reduction rankingDanone is the only company in the group aligned with the Global Methane Pledge, an initiative backed by 150 countries that targets a 30 percent reduction in global levels of the gas by 2030. The French multinational also leads the pack in progress toward its target, having come close to hitting it five years ahead of schedule.WHO DO YOU CREDIT?Chair of the CSR committee Lise Kingo (9% influence), one of three directors tagged as merit directorsmaster's degree in Responsibility & Business from the University of Bathbachelor degrees in Religions and Ancient Greek Artbachelor's degree in Marketing and Economicscertificate as International Director from INSEADEx Novo Nordisk environmental affairs, internal audit, compliance, human resources, communication, branding and sustainabilityHelped create the UN SDGs and the UN Global CompactSomehow only bats 559 on carbon intensity (career) and 415 for scope 1/2 (career)Also, using deference metrics, the ONLY DIRECTOR tagged as fully independentEmployee rep member of the CSR committee Bettina Theissig (5% influence) and the employees of DanoneThe committee charter mandates employees get a say: At least two thirds of the CSR Committee must be independent, as defined by the AFEP-MEDEF Code. At least one Director representing employees must be a member of the Committee.In France (Danone's domicile), the European Investment Bank found that French employees were the most aware of environmental issues - 82% of French employees said they were highly concerned about environmental issues, highest in EuropeLead Independent Director and chair of the Nom/comp committee who put together the comp plan, Valerie Chapoulaud-Floquet15% influence, second to the 18% influence CEO (democracy!!), got 99.16% shareholder approval in April (even as CEO got 89.73% approval and pay got 93.19% approval)20% of short-term pay and 30% of long-term pay is based on hitting sustainability targetsWhen you pay a CEO to do a thing, they are more likely to do a thingEx-CEO Emmanuel FaberOusted in 2021 by the board of directors and activist investors, he transformed Danone into an “enterprise a mission” (a French version of a B corp)Investors voted 99% in favor of the move and a year later ousted Faber, the board resigned, and the new board and CEO are basically moving back towards being environmental leaders because it paid offShort term share price laggedHe said in 2024 that nature is “at the core” of Danone, It took the stock 3 years from Faber's ousting to return to Faber levels - and in the meantime, they were sued for plastics and emissionsIsn't this HIS win?Current CEO Antoine de Saint-AffriqueBecause CEOGM Board Director Jonathan McNeill Stepping DownCEO of DVx Ventures. Ex COO at Lyft Inc. and ex president, Global Sales, Delivery and Service at Tesla, current director at Lululemon, GM director since 2022, on the Governance and Corporate Responsibility committee and Risk and Cybersecurity committee.We know that half of boards on average think someone on the board should be replaced - did the GM board not like McNeill?WHO/WHAT WOULD WE BLAME FOR PUSHING MCNEILL OUT?Outsider dude bro DRLet's be honest, McNeill worked at much more… modern?... companies than GMThe board is OLD SCHOOL - ex Northrop Grumman, ex Visa, ex Lazard, ex HP, ex eBay, ex Novartis, ex Walmart, other directorships at Goldman, Huntsman, P&G… these are professional, insular boardsMeanwhile, he's investing as a VC in AI, other auto/mobility startups, comes from boards that are bro founder lead (Tesla, Lyft) He's invested in AI, crypto, heavy tech, intertwined with VCs all overNot deferential enoughBarra is connected to 94% - THE ENTIRE - boardMcNeill has the highest network power on the board at $9tn, higher than even Mary Barra (who is super connected), but is NOT a power player in the board community of GM - the dominant board communities for GM are massive blue chip US companies, where McNeill has deeper connections in smaller IT/tech focused companiesHe doesn't need the pay, he gets nothing for the connections really, he has connection to Barra but his network is different - was he too independent?Pissed he doesn't have enough influence McNeill has the LOWEST influence on the GM board at 4%He's relatively new, younger, working as a VC where you have a lot of power of capital allocation“I don't need this shit” effect?Too many womenMcNeill's dvX ventures portfolio team is 6 dudes and 1 womendvX entire operations staff is two woman - guess what they do“Chief of Staff” (ie, HR)Executive Assistant (yes, listed on the team)Board is 2 women, 3 men (McNeill not on board)This one seems unlikely I guess?Too busy, meh, move onOne of dvX portfolio companies is curbee, with GM Ventures' Kurt Baumgarten on the board (and the dvX co-founder is founder of Curbee)McNeill on at least 3 of his portfolio boards or advisory committees, plus LULU and GM…

The Future of Everything presented by Stanford Engineering
Best of: The future of computer-aided education

The Future of Everything presented by Stanford Engineering

Play Episode Listen Later May 29, 2026 32:19


Commencement season is here and, as many students are closing one chapter and stepping into the next, it's a nice moment to ask: what did learning really look like for these students, and how might it change for the next generation? With those questions in mind, we're re-releasing a conversation with Computer Science Professor Chris Piech on the future of computer-aided education. Chris studies how computers can and will help students learn. His message isn't that teachers are obsolete — far from it. He shares that the future of education certainly involves AI, but that we must never lose the human element. Whether you're a new grad, a lifelong learner, or an educator wondering what's coming next, this one is well worth another listen. Have a question for Russ? Send it our way in writing or via voice memo, and it might be featured on an upcoming episode. Please introduce yourself, let us know where you're listening from, and share your question. You can send questions to thefutureofeverything@stanford.edu. Episode Reference Links: Stanford Profile: Chris Piech Connect With Us: Episode Transcripts >>> The Future of Everything Website Connect with Russ >>> Threads / Bluesky / Mastodon Connect with School of Engineering >>> Twitter/X / Instagram / LinkedIn / Facebook Chapters: (00:00:00) Introduction Russ Altman introduces guest Chris Piech, a professor of computer science from Stanford University. (00:01:44) Teaching People to Code What programming is and why learning to code can be challenging. (00:02:54) Motivation in Learning Why joy and motivation are central challenges in education. (00:03:54) Recent Learners as Teachers How near-peer teachers helped scale a Stanford coding course to thousands  (00:07:10) AI and Computer Programming How generative AI is changing coding for students and professionals. (00:09:24) The Joy of Programming How AI tools can expand what learners are able to create. (00:12:41) Experiments with Teaching What experiments reveal about one-on-one teaching & AI support. (00:14:39) Rethinking Assessment The value Piech sees in computational assessment. (00:16:38) Fairness in Grading Why AI grading raises questions about bias, context, and real-world use. (00:20:59) Feedback & Assessment How computers can evaluate creative and less structured assignments. (00:22:21) Dream Grader A system that interacts with student projects to understand and assess them. (00:25:30) Beyond the Classroom How assessment tools can also support medical testing. (00:26:52) Measuring Vision More Precisely Using adaptive testing to improve eye exams and track subtle changes. (00:27:57) Generative Grading What is generative grading and how can it actually function and be useful? (00:29:44) Teachers and AI Together Why the future of grading may depend on combining teacher insight with AI support. (00:31:33) Conclusion   Connect With Us:Episode Transcripts >>> The Future of Everything WebsiteConnect with Russ >>> Threads / Bluesky / MastodonConnect with School of Engineering >>>Twitter/X / Instagram / LinkedIn / Facebook Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Dr Mary Travelbest Guide
Niterói, near Rio de Janiero, Brazil and getting started with travel

Dr Mary Travelbest Guide

Play Episode Listen Later May 29, 2026 13:32


Where in the world am I? In San Diego, talking about Niterói, near Rio de Janeiro, Brazil This episode has an FAQ about how you can get started with travel, Step 1. Then we talk about Niteroi, near Rio, Brazil. We cover my missteps, trying to get an Uber without service in Brazil. The FAQ is: How do we get started on my travels when I haven't been anywhere? Answer: The first step in your exciting travel journey is to set a goal! What inspires you to explore the world? Do you have a specific timeline in mind that gets your adventurous spirit ready to go? Is there a destination that fills your heart with the desire to go? Perhaps you're waiting for the perfect companion to join you on your travels. These are all meaningful questions that resonate deeply.   Let's get creative! Grab a piece of paper and some colorful crayons, and start drawing your travel dreams. Imagine yourself soaring high in the sky on an airplane, sailing on a beautiful boat, or riding a scenic train to a picturesque destination. Visualize the globe and focus on that one special place you want to visit — and think of the journey to get there and back home. The thrill of dreaming, planning, and contemplating all the endless possibilities is where the magic happens! Even if your travels remain a dream, the joy of imagining them is a treasure you carry with you.   I'd like to share a thought from Viktor Frankl's inspiring book, "Man's Search for Meaning." He penned his reflections during a harrowing time in his life, reminding us of the power of our memories and imagination. I encourage you to relish this time and, first, travel in your mind. Dream boldly, for it's the first step toward making those dreams real. 60-second confidence challenge Your challenge today, Confidence Challenge in Niteroi    The excitement surrounding the confidence challenge in Niteroi was truly invigorating, as millions of people came together in this vibrant city. After spending three wonderful weeks in South America, I arrived in Rio with a solid use of Spanish. However, Portuguese is the primary language spoken in Brazil. Despite this, I found it exciting to communicate by mixing my English and Spanish, and I was pleasantly surprised at how well people understood me.   If you're planning a trip to a new country like Brazil or some of the others I travel to, I highly encourage you to try out the free versions of Duolingo for a week or two beforehand. It's a challenging method for learning essential phrases like "please," "thank you," and "where's the bathroom?" Plus, knowing how to count a little will surely improve your experience. Embrace the challenge and be present in every moment of your journey! If you like today's Confidence Challenge, my book series delves deeper into language skills, while moving through the 5 steps to solo travel, from easy to more challenging, with foreign language communication tips. You can find the series at the link in the description.    See Book A for addressing this concern.  Find it on the website​​ at https://www.5stepstosolotravel.com/ or on Amazon. It's a several-part series. Today's destination is Niteró, near Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Just across the bay from the vibrant city of Rio de Janeiro lies a charming suburb that I hadn't discovered before, and I'm so thankful I had the opportunity to stay there for nearly a week! I can't wait to share some of the amazing adventures I experienced during my 90-day journey around the world.   Did you know Brazil has more cows than people? It's true! With a population of 214 million, there are approximately 238 million cows, which means plenty of milk and cheese to enjoy. Niterói truly enchanted me, so here's how I got there.   I started my adventure by strolling through Rio's bustling central area, full of excitement. With my backpack in tow, I hopped on the metro to the stunning coastline. After a lovely 15-minute walk to the ferry, I enjoyed a delightful ride across the bay, surrounded by fellow commuters soaking in the scenery as the sun set. While I could have taken the bridge by bus or car, the ferry was such a refreshing way to leave the city behind and embrace the calm of Niterói. Once I arrived at the dock, I could not get wifi. I'll talk about that later in the second on my mistakes.   What an incredible adventure I had! Livia, my host, arranged for an Uber remotely, which was such a thoughtful gesture. By the time I intended to grab a ride, the sun had set, and the area near the port was buzzing with energy. I walked through a vibrant outdoor market, soaking in the lively atmosphere as I searched for a good meeting spot. I stumbled upon a taxi stand and a newspaper kiosk, where I chatted with the friendly locals about how to navigate my Uber pickup. Thanks to Livia's excellent instructions, the driver found me swiftly, and off I went!   Although the ride took us down some unpaved and bumpy roads, I was filled with excitement. When I finally arrived at Livia's home, it was dark, and I had a moment of uncertainty about whether I was in the right place. But as soon as Livia's family welcomed me with open arms, I knew I was exactly where I belonged for the next five days.   I was shown to a comfortable room with its own bathroom, and I quickly became acquainted with the family's adorable pets and loved ones. I felt an overwhelming sense of warmth and happiness. The next morning, I awoke to clear skies and breathtaking views of Rio de Janeiro right from my window. What a magnificent sight!   Let me tell you a bit more about my wonderful hosts! Livia's mom, Valeria, is a delightful person, and her dad, Julio, speaks six languages.  They even have a charming cat named Poseidon. Livia has such interesting aspirations; she's exploring international relations and climate change, studying law, and even aiming to take a UK diplomat exam—what a challenging and rewarding path.   I'm staying in a house nestled in the jungle; it's newly built and offers a stunning view of the trees and the city of Rio. It's just across the bay. My host family has a fascinating history; they lived on a ship for 8 years, which must have created unique experiences. Last night, I watched the show 'Sirens' on Netflix and found it hard to fall asleep, definitely paying for that this morning! I woke up at 7 am to the sound of the radio playing in Portuguese, so I think I'll need to practice in Duolingo again soon.   Today, Livia, her dad, and their dog, Flucky, went to the beach while I enjoyed refreshing coconut water and delicious meals. I also discovered a hidden gem surfing spot that most locals don't know about! In a moment of creativity, I created a mini garden at my hosts' home by clearing rocks and debris, planting seven lovely plants, and creating a decorative circle of white stones. I watered it both tonight and in the morning.    I had the pleasure of attending a vibrant local Forró party, full of lively music and joyful dancing, including Salsa! The delicious food, featuring corn dishes from the Northeast, was a highlight—especially the tasty Mandioca root vegetables and Uta yucca. Everyone wore plaid for this energetic dance celebration! It was a fantastic experience that we didn't want to miss.   I had a wonderful day at Itipu beach, almost completely solo.  I encountered some delightful birds and a handful of other adventurous solo travelers. The tranquility created a perfect setting for relaxation: the cool breeze and shimmering water added to the charm. After walking a mile from my Uber drop-off, I met the friendly Samara from Mato Grosso, Brazil, who works in refrigeration for chicken. While enjoying lunch and reading a business book by American business leader Jack Welch, we had an inspiring chat.  Plus, her husband, Andre, kindly shared his hotspot with me for my Uber, making my day even smoother and more enjoyable!   What an incredible experience I had with my Uber! When the car broke down, that's right. It just stopped. the driver jumped into action, showing impressive skills by getting under the vehicle to fix it right there on the roadside. It was fascinating to navigate the situation without speaking the same language, which made it even more interesting! I almost called for another ride, but my Uber app and phone were acting up. After about ten minutes of dedicated work, he successfully fixed the issue and took me to my destination. This unforgettable ride truly highlighted the resilience and resourcefulness of people. I left with a smile and a fun story to share!   I was so excited to go out to dinner at a fantastic all-you-can-eat restaurant.  The quality and service were promised to be exceptional, making it the perfect way to show my appreciation to my wonderful hosts on my last night in Niteroi. I indulged in a delicious Rodizio meat buffet, which was a real treat! The flavors there were delightfully unique compared to what I was used to back in the USA. I couldn't wait to try everything—from the intriguing Cupin meat to fresh pineapple juice with mint, crispy fried bananas, Guarana, and Farofa made from manioc. That culinary experience was truly memorable and full of surprises! Your trip to Niteroi may be different from mine, but I will never forget how I felt cared for by the Servas hosts, and it was relaxing for me for a few days.   I got the Uber to leave Niterio, sadly. Went to the ferry with driver Katia, the first woman driver I have had all month!  It drizzled on arrival in Rio again, so I was glad I had a taxi for about $5 instead of walking, and I stayed dry.   My misstep: I couldn't get an Uber because of bad settings. I did not have service on my phone.   I had an unexpected Wi-Fi adventure that turned out to be a great learning experience! When I arrived in the charming town of Niterói on a busy Friday night, I discovered my Wi-Fi had been accidentally turned off, and I hadn't even noticed. This made ordering an Uber a bit tricky, but I remembered that McDonald's offers Wi-Fi, so I decided to stop there for some help. I ordered my ride but had to dash across the street to meet the driver. Unfortunately, the heavy traffic made it challenging for him to pick me up, and he had to leave. Not to be discouraged, I walked a few more blocks in search of better reception, but that didn't pan out either. Fix your settings before you need an Uber.   Today's tip: Check your phone's settings regularly.    Here's a helpful tip: if you find yourself in a similar situation, don't forget to check your phone's settings first! I learned the importance of keeping my settings up to date to avoid hassle in the future. Use AI to help you with what to click on or off if you are confused. You won't break it!    Thanks for listening, and I'll see you on the next journey. AI was used to select some of the suggestions for this episode.   Connect with Dr. Travelbest 5 Steps to Solo Travel website Dr. Mary Travelbest X Dr. Mary Travelbest Facebook Page Dr. Mary Travelbest Facebook Group Dr. Mary Travelbest Instagram Dr. Mary Travelbest Podcast Dr. Travelbest on TikTok Dr.Travelbest on YouTube In the news  

Raleigh Mennonite Church
The Spirit of Communion: May 24, 2026

Raleigh Mennonite Church

Play Episode Listen Later May 28, 2026 12:19


Acts 2:1-13 RMC's soon to be pastor, Trey Ferguson, preached on Pentecost Sunday, reflecting on the arrival of the power of the Holy Spirit that empowered his followers to preach the Gospel to multitudes of people in their own heart languages, no Duolingo required. In the upper room their must have been a deep sense of anticipation, waiting on the arrival of God's invitation to a partnership with God in their work. This mirrors our own anticipation as we await to see the wonders God will show us in partnering RMC with Trey and his wonderful family. How will the Holy Spirit empower this community of believers and its new pastor? Raleigh today is as cosmopolitan as Jerusalem in the time of Christ, full of new people arriving from all over the world with heart cultures of their own. Trey reminds us of the truth that as a descendant of Africans, it bears witness to an act of colonization that he is fluent in English rather than Igbo. Pushing people away from their heart language separates them from their common story and culture, and cements outsider control. Pentecost is the Holy Spirit's act of affirmation of all of people yearning to commune with God, that reaches out to people in a way that makes the most sense to them, bringing them into communion with God and other believers without colonization or coercion. As RMC strives to become a multilingual and intercultural church, we sit in anticipation of what the Holy Spirit might do with our efforts to imagine a community that embodies this spirit of communion.

Fresh Air
David Sedaris wants to be better (at everything)

Fresh Air

Play Episode Listen Later May 26, 2026 46:04


Humorist David Sedaris says the best part of reading his work to an audience is earning the laughs — or the groans. "A collective groan is fine with me," he says. Sedaris reflects on his Duolingo obsession, AI, and why he'll continue writing and touring as long as he possibly can. His new book of essays is ‘The Land and Its People.' He spoke with guest interviewer Sam Fragoso, host of the podcast ‘Talk Easy.' Also, John Powers reviews two new mystery novels: ‘The End of the Sahara,' by the Algerian writer Saïd Khatibi, and ‘An Enigma by the Sea,' by Italian authors Carlo Fruttero and Franco Lucentini. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.NPR Privacy Policy

Fresh Air
David Sedaris wants to be better (at everything)

Fresh Air

Play Episode Listen Later May 26, 2026 46:04


Humorist David Sedaris says the best part of reading his work to an audience is earning the laughs — or the groans. "A collective groan is fine with me," he says. Sedaris reflects on his Duolingo obsession, AI, and why he'll continue writing and touring as long as he possibly can. His new book of essays is ‘The Land and Its People.' He spoke with guest interviewer Sam Fragoso, host of the podcast ‘Talk Easy.' Also, John Powers reviews two new mystery novels: ‘The End of the Sahara,' by the Algerian writer Saïd Khatibi, and ‘An Enigma by the Sea,' by Italian authors Carlo Fruttero and Franco Lucentini. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.NPR Privacy Policy

Japanese Podcast | 英会話 - Lazy Fluency
Breaking Down Japanese Social Taboos - LF #216 (Japanese Listening)

Japanese Podcast | 英会話 - Lazy Fluency

Play Episode Listen Later May 25, 2026 41:51


You may have heard that slurping is polite in Japan. Today we breakdown common etiquette myths and taboos and whether they are true or not! Taboos, Interpreting, Duolingo, and more! タブー、通訳、デュオリンゴなど! Send us questions at:  lazyfluency@gmail.com Join the Community: Discord: https://discord.gg/VGSd94Tp4P Book Club! https://discord.com/channels/1204531163377442866/1440725472878006355 Support on ko-fi:  https://ko-fi.com/lazyfluency

Planet Upload
AI Has Officially Taken Over (on YouTube)

Planet Upload

Play Episode Listen Later May 22, 2026 26:28


Today: Lauren and Josh break down the latest news from Google I/O and what it means for your content. We dive into the history of ContentID, how YouTube is handling deepfakes with its new likeness detection tool, and X's AI-powered push to match creators with brands. Plus, we discuss Tom Brady's move to YouTube and Duolingo's crazy new focus module.00:00 Welcome to Creator Upload01:59 Viacom's massive 2007 YouTube lawsuit03:11 The birth of Content ID06:23 Gemini Omni comes to YouTube Shorts07:33 YouTube's new AI likeness detection13:28 X enters the creator marketplace era14:28 How Creator Connect uses AI16:23 Meta's Threads catching up to X19:27 Duolingo locks you out of apps22:18 Tom Brady's new YouTube trivia show23:54 Why athletes thrive on YouTubeCreator Upload is your creator economy podcast, hosted by Lauren Schnipper and Joshua Cohen.Follow Lauren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/schnipper/Follow Josh: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshuajcohen/Original music by London Bridge: https://www.instagram.com/londonbridgemusic/Edited and produced by Adam Conner: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adamonbrand

Foundry UMC
We Know Who We Follow: Jesus

Foundry UMC

Play Episode Listen Later May 20, 2026 30:42


Rev. Jonathan Brown 05/11/2026 Sometimes the things that become central to who we are begin as a surprise. They do not always arrive with a clear plan, a perfect explanation, or a sense that we understand exactly what we are saying yes to. Sometimes a door opens, an invitation comes, a possibility appears, and only later do we realize that something important in us began to take shape there. When Francis came to us at eleven, he spoke very little English. I spoke no Spanish. Katy knew a bit. And DC Child and Family Services seemed to consider a person bilingual if they had Google Translate on their phone. Every day, I thank God because his young mind has been able to adapt to our language, while I still find myself cursing Duolingo. And since Francis became part of our family, he has also become an accomplished cyclist. He has won two Under 19 series championships, and he spends his free time training to get better. At our local bike shop, someone told us he was a unicorn because he fell in love with cycling even though his parents were not already obsessed with it. This was not a family culture he simply inherited. It became his. One day after a race, I was kind of in awe of him and all he had accomplished, and I asked him, “Francis, how did this happen? How did cycling become your thing?” And he said, “Do you remember when I first moved in with you, and you asked if I wanted a bike?” I said, “Yes.” And he said, “I did not know what you were saying, and I did not want to be rude, so I just said yes. Then I fell in love with it.” I love that. Because so much of life is like that. One day, seemingly out of the blue, something comes into our lives that we did not plan for and could not have predicted. At first, it may feel random. It may feel small. It may feel like a simple yes to a simple question. But over time, that unexpected beginning can become a practice, then a passion, then a major part of who we are. A bike becomes more than a bike. A first ride becomes a rhythm. A rhythm becomes a love. A love becomes part of someone's identity. And that helps me hear Mark's story with fresh ears. Simon and Andrew do not wake up that morning knowing they are about to become disciples. James and John do not begin the day expecting their lives to turn in a new direction. They are working. They are casting nets. They are mending nets. They are living the life they know. Then, seemingly out of the blue, Jesus walks by and says, “Follow me.” What may have felt sudden in the moment becomes the beginning of their identity. They will come to be known as disciples, apostles, witnesses, people whose lives are forever shaped by Jesus. One ordinary day becomes the day they discover the call that will define them. In this first movement of our series, we are asking one of the most basic and important questions Christians can ask: Who are we? In a culture that often tells us our worth depends on success, power, control, or fear, the gospel speaks a deeper truth. We are beloved. We are called. We are connected. We are sent. And today, we begin with this: we know who we are because we know who we follow. We follow Jesus. Mark tells the story with striking simplicity. Jesus passes along the Sea of Galilee and sees Simon and Andrew casting a net into the sea, because they are fishers. Jesus says to them, “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of people.” Immediately, they leave their nets and follow him. Then Jesus goes a little farther and sees James and John, the sons of Zebedee, mending nets in their boat. He calls them too, and they leave their father in the boat with the hired men and follow him. That whole scene unfolds with surprising simplicity. Jesus walks along the water and sees ordinary people in the middle of their ordinary work. The call of Jesus meets them right there, in the texture of daily life, among boats, nets, family, labor, and responsibility. Before they have time to prepare themselves, before they know where the road will lead, Jesus invites them into a new life. He finds them in the routines they know and calls them toward a future they cannot yet imagine. That is good news, because many of us assume that if God is going to call us, we need to be somewhere else first. We need to become more faithful, more prepared, more certain, more spiritually mature. But Mark tells us Jesus calls people in the middle of life. Jesus calls them as they are, but he does not leave them as they are. “Follow me,” he says, “and I will make you fishers of people.” That phrase can sound strange to us, especially when it has been used in ways that feel manipulative or aggressive. But Jesus is calling them into a way of life that gathers people into the nearness of God. He is calling them to participate in healing, mercy, liberation, forgiveness, and beloved community. Jesus calls these first disciples to walk with him until his way becomes their way. That is discipleship. Discipleship is the lifelong practice of being shaped by the one we follow. That is why this sermon title matters: “We Know Who We Follow: Jesus.” The church is always tempted to forget. We are tempted to follow success, fear, nostalgia, outrage, or whatever gives us belonging without transformation. But Christians belong to Jesus Christ. And Jesus shows us who God is. As we follow Jesus through Mark, we see what God's life looks like in the world. We see Jesus announcing good news, healing bodies, restoring people to community, touching those others refuse to touch, feeding hungry people, welcoming children, challenging religious hypocrisy, confronting oppressive powers, and refusing to abandon the vulnerable. We see him going to the cross rather than returning violence for violence. We see him raised by God, with the promise that death and empire and abandonment do not get the final word. So when we say, “We follow Jesus,” we are saying our lives are being reoriented around the crucified and risen Christ. We are saying that the clearest picture we have of God's character is Jesus eating with sinners, touching the untouchable, forgiving enemies, blessing the poor, challenging the powerful, and giving himself in love. That is not ideology. That is a way of life. This is where our United Methodist tradition helps us. Methodism began as a renewal movement of people who wanted to follow Jesus with their whole lives. Early Methodists gathered in societies, classes, and bands. They prayed together. They confessed sin together. They studied scripture together. They gave money to the poor. They visited the sick and imprisoned. They held one another accountable in love. As the movement grew, John Wesley gave the people called Methodists what became known as the General Rules: first, do no harm; second, do good; third, attend upon all the ordinances of God. In more recent years, Bishop Rueben P. Job helped many United Methodists recover the power of these rules in his book Three Simple Rules: A Wesleyan Way of Living . Job summarized Wesley's General Rules in language that has become familiar across our tradition: do no harm, do good, and stay in love with God. These rules are a way of asking, every day, “What does it mean to follow Jesus here?” What does it mean to follow Jesus in this conversation, this conflict, this family, this workplace, this church, this neighborhood, this moment? There is a sitcom called The Good Place that, beneath all the jokes, bright colors, frozen yogurt shops, and absurd afterlife architecture, is really about moral formation. The show begins with Eleanor Shellstrop waking up after death and being told that she has made it into “the Good Place.” But Eleanor quickly realizes she does not belong there. In life, she had been selfish, rude, careless, and often cruel. So at first, her moral project is not really about becoming good. It is about passing as good. That is part of what makes the show so funny and so honest. Eleanor wants to learn enough ethics to blend in. She wants goodness as a disguise. And if we are honest, that is not always far from how people can treat religion too. We can learn the language, the gestures, and the right answers. We can learn how to pass as good. But Jesus does not call us to pass as faithful. Jesus calls us to follow. And this is where Chidi becomes so important. Chidi Anagonye is a moral philosophy professor. He knows the ethical theories. He can explain Kant, Aristotle, utilitarianism, virtue ethics, and moral duty. If anyone should know how to be good, it should be Chidi. But Chidi's problem is that knowing about goodness does not automatically make him free to live it. He is so afraid of making the wrong choice that he struggles to make any choice at all. His knowledge is real, but it has not yet become courage. His ethics are serious, but they have not yet become love in motion. That makes Eleanor and Chidi surprisingly helpful for the church. Eleanor reminds us that faith is not about passing as good. Chidi reminds us that faith is not only about knowing what is good. Knowledge matters, but knowledge alone is not discipleship. Discipleship is when what we know becomes a life. Discipleship is when truth becomes practice. Discipleship is when grace becomes courage, mercy, forgiveness, service, and love. Over time, Eleanor and Chidi both change because they are drawn into a deeper kind of formation. Eleanor has to practice honesty, compassion, and care for someone beyond herself. Chidi has to practice trust, courage, and choosing love even when he cannot calculate every possible consequence. In other words, both of them have to be discipled beyond appearance and beyond certainty into faithfulness. That is what makes The Good Place surprisingly Wesleyan. The characters become different not because they master one idea or earn enough points, but because they keep practicing a better way of being human. Christian faith is not self improvement with hymns. The gospel is grace. It is God meeting us before we are ready, loving us before we are worthy, and calling us before we fully understand where the road will lead. But grace does not leave us unchanged. Grace begins to form us. That is why the Methodist tradition has always cared about practices. We practice faith because practice keeps us open to the love that is already working on us. We practice doing no harm. We practice doing good. We practice staying in love with God. And over time, through the mercy of God, those practices begin to shape us into people who look a little more like the one we follow. The first rule is: do no harm. Harm is not only physical violence. Harm can come through words, neglect, silence, systems, assumptions, jokes, posts, grudges, and the people we refuse to see. To follow Jesus is to ask: Is my life causing harm? Are my words causing harm? Are my habits causing harm? Are my comforts causing harm? Most of us are not being asked to leave literal nets on the shore, but we may need to ask what nets we are holding. What old ways of being keep catching us? What habits make us feel safe but keep us from love? The second rule is: do good. Christian faith is about participating in God's healing of the world. “Follow me,” Jesus says, “and I will make you fishers of people.” In other words, your life is going to become part of God's work of gathering, healing, feeding, forgiving, restoring, and liberating. Sometimes doing good is serving someone who cannot repay you. Sometimes it is telling the truth when silence would be easier. Sometimes it is forgiving someone, apologizing, showing up, or acting with courage at work or at home. The third rule is: stay in love with God. Wesley's original language was “attend upon all the ordinances of God,” meaning the practices that keep us open to grace: public worship, prayer, searching the scriptures, receiving communion, fasting, Christian conversation, and works of mercy. In other words, stay close to the practices that remind you who you are and whose you are. Because we cannot follow Jesus for long on outrage, willpower, or guilt alone. We need grace. We need prayer. We need worship. We need scripture. We need communion. We need community. We need people who help us remember when we forget. And we do forget. The disciples forgot. Peter left his nets immediately, but later denied Jesus three times. James and John followed Jesus, but later argued about greatness. They followed, but they stumbled. They were called, but they were not instantly complete. And that should comfort us. Following Jesus does not mean we never fail. It means that when we fail, grace calls us again. This matters because the world is full of rival formations. Every day, something is trying to disciple us. Fear disciples us. Consumerism disciples us. Nationalism disciples us. Algorithms disciple us. Anger disciples us. Anxiety disciples us. The endless need to prove ourselves disciples us. The endless need to belong by having an enemy disciples us. So the question is not whether we are being formed. The question is: Who is forming us? So when we talk about discipleship, we are talking about formation. We are talking about what shapes our loves, habits, reflexes, speech, courage, compassion, and imagination. The world is constantly discipling us into anxiety, resentment, consumption, suspicion, and fear. But Jesus calls us into another formation. Jesus says, “Follow me,” and then teaches us the way of mercy, justice, courage, humility, forgiveness, and love. And when Jesus says, “Follow me,” he is giving us both a command and a promise. “Follow me, and I will make you…” The making belongs to Jesus. The transformation belongs to grace. Jesus calls us as we are, and then grace begins its work. Grace teaches us to do no harm. Grace strengthens us to do good. Grace draws us deeper into love with God. Grace makes us into people who can bear witness to another way of life. So this week, choose one small way to follow Jesus intentionally. Serve someone. Forgive someone. Act with courage in your work or home. Do no harm. Do good. Stay in love with God. Not because these practices save us by our own effort, but because they open our lives to the grace that is already calling us. Because somewhere, even now, Jesus is walking along the shoreline of our ordinary lives. He sees us. He knows us. He calls us. And his invitation is still the same: “Follow me.” May we have the grace to leave behind what binds us. May we have the courage to walk in his way. May we have the humility to be made new. And may our lives become a clear witness to the truth we proclaim: we know who we follow. We follow Jesus. Amen.

After Earnings
Duolingo CFO on the Going “Big" Strategy, AI Content Growth & Expanding Beyond Languages

After Earnings

Play Episode Listen Later May 18, 2026 26:23


Ann Berry is joined by Gillian Munson, CFO of Duolingo to discuss the company's transformation as it pursues user growth over short-term revenue. They dive into Duolingo's expansion beyond language learning, growth opportunities across Asia, and how AI is accelerating content production. Gillian also reflects on transitioning from Duolingo's board to stepping into the CFO role.00:00 Gillian Munson, CFO of Duolingo, Joins01:47 Go big or go home: the strategy shift explained03:32 The cost of not swinging for a billion users04:05 Analyst skepticism addressed05:36 Shots on goal: product, Asia, and performance marketing07:28 Speaking features, AI ingredients, and learning outcomes08:00 Chess, math, and music as new growth vectors10:03 Asian language learners and China's English boom11:34 AI-powered content creation13:51 Where AI costs show up on the P&L14:42 Gross margin compression and investment guidance15:05 2026 guidance: bookings, revenue, and EBITDA targets16:18 The balance sheet: $1B+ cash and buyback strategy18:01 M&A appetite: tuck-ins vs. transformational deals19:34 Why Duolingo is staying software-focused20:43 Gillian's transition from board member to CFOAfter Earnings is brought to you by Stakeholder Labs and Morning Brew.For more go to https://www.afterearnings.comFollow UsX: https://twitter.com/AfterEarningsTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@AfterEarningsInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/afterearnings_/Reach OutEmail: afterearnings@morningbrew.com$DUOL Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Twenty Minute VC: Venture Capital | Startup Funding | The Pitch
20VC: Lessons from Jensen Huang on "Founder Mode" | How to Know if OpenAI or Anthropic Will Kill your Company | How USV Liking Music Made Them $1BN on an Investment | The Five Year Desert to Product Market Fit & a $5.3BN Valuation with Shiv Rao @ Ab

The Twenty Minute VC: Venture Capital | Startup Funding | The Pitch

Play Episode Listen Later May 16, 2026 64:37


Shiv Rao is the CEO and Co-Founder of Abridge, a leader in generative AI for healthcare. The company reached a $5.3 billion valuation following a $300 million funding round with investors including Jensen Huang, Henry Kravis, USV, Bessemer Venture Partners and Elad Gill. A practicing cardiologist, Shiv has scaled the company to 450 employees and partnered with major health systems like Emory and Yale.  AGENDA: 04:00 — You just have to survive long enough to not die 06:00 — Did USV liking music make them billions of dollars? 13:58 — The three variants of an AI native company 15:00 — How do you know if foundation models are going to kill or help you? 22:15 — Why OpenAI and Anthropic doing consultancies is such an obvious move 41:00 — Biggest lesson from Jensen Huang at Nvidia 41:00 — What Founder Mode truly means 52:00 — What the founder of Duolingo taught me about sacrifice 56:37 — If I started a company again, Elad Gill would be the one investor I go to    

Masters of Scale
Duolingo's battle for learning in an AI world, with Luis von Ahn

Masters of Scale

Play Episode Listen Later May 12, 2026 31:38


When Duolingo CEO Luis von Ahn sent an internal memo about AI last year, he didn't expect it to go viral — or to ignite a firestorm about the future of work. Now he joins Rapid Response to unpack what he got right, what he got wrong, and what the backlash taught him about the real limitations of AI. Von Ahn also reveals why he's made a deliberate pivot in 2026: chasing users, not revenue — and what that bet says about how big Duolingo can get before ads become inevitable. It's a candid reckoning with hype, growth, and the surprisingly complicated promise of technology in education.Visit the Rapid Response website here: https://www.rapidresponseshow.com/See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

DarrenDaily On-Demand
The Hidden Force to Help Multiply Your Impact

DarrenDaily On-Demand

Play Episode Listen Later May 12, 2026 4:56


Darren Hardy draws on behavioral economics and research from Google, Apple, and Duolingo to reveal five leadership nudges that change behavior more reliably than instructions or incentives alone. In this one, he maps each strategy directly to your team and where to start. Get more personal mentoring from Darren each day. Go to DarrenDaily at http://darrendaily.com/join to learn more.

Masters of Scale: Rapid Response
Duolingo's battle for learning in an AI world, with Luis von Ahn

Masters of Scale: Rapid Response

Play Episode Listen Later May 12, 2026 31:38


When Duolingo CEO Luis von Ahn sent an internal memo about AI last year, he didn't expect it to go viral — or to ignite a firestorm about the future of work. Now he joins Rapid Response to unpack what he got right, what he got wrong, and what the backlash taught him about the real limitations of AI. Von Ahn also reveals why he's made a deliberate pivot in 2026: chasing users, not revenue — and what that bet says about how big Duolingo can get before ads become inevitable. It's a candid reckoning with hype, growth, and the surprisingly complicated promise of technology in education.Visit the Rapid Response website here: https://www.rapidresponseshow.com/See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Professor Game Podcast | Rob Alvarez Bucholska chats with gamification gurus, experts and practitioners about education

Get the free Core Drives in the Wild guide, behavioral design applied to real products: professorgame.com/WildCD Episode Summary Tetiana Kobzar, product designer with 18 years of experience and creator of the Comportance Framework, joins Rob to share how behavioral design turns clinical and educational software into products people actually want to use. She walks through the seven steps of Comportance (goal, baseline, emotion, hypothesis, minimum validation, cadence, and iteration) and shows how it shaped a gamified speech therapy app for Alder Hey Children's Hospital and a mini-game replacement for 27 cognitive assessment tests. The conversation covers why founders overload products with functionality, why Duolingo's Black Hat motivation works for some users and burns out others, and how Octalysis fits inside a wider behavioral design practice. Listeners leave with a practical structure for designing engagement and a sharper read on when game-based beats gamified. About the Host Rob Alvarez is Head of Engagement Strategy, Europe at The Octalysis Group (TOG), a leading gamification and behavioral design consultancy. A globally recognized gamification strategist and TEDx speaker, he founded and hosts Professor Game, the #1 gamification podcast, and has interviewed hundreds of global experts. He designs evidence-based engagement systems that drive motivation, loyalty, and results, and teaches LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY® and gamification at top institutions including IE Business School, EFMD, and EBS University across Europe, the Americas, and Asia. Key Takeaways The Comportance Framework runs seven steps in order: define the goal, set the baseline metrics, design the emotion (motivation and positioning), state one hypothesis, build the minimum validation, set the measurement cadence, and iterate. Most founders skip the goal and emotion steps and jump straight to functionality. Tetiana's team at Alder Hey Children's Hospital replaced weekly-only speech therapy with a gamified app where clinicians set tasks as mini games, letting kids practice pronunciation between sessions while the therapist tracks progress. A separate Tetiana project replaced 27 pen-and-paper cognitive assessment tests with mini games on tablets, capturing extra signal (timestamps, finger tremor, voice recordings) that paper tests cannot measure. Most products fail not because users are irrational but because founders treat them as rational agents. Behavioral biases and cognitive overload kill engagement faster than missing features. The Pareto trap in client work: founders spend 80% of their attention on the 20% of clients who complain, while the 80% of healthy clients who quietly bring most of the revenue get under-served. Reverse the ratio to protect recurring revenue. Duolingo's streak mechanic is heavy Black Hat motivation. It drives high retention but creates rage-quit risk: a user who loses a 4,000-day streak rarely returns. The near-miss has to threaten loss without delivering it. Game-based design (where the experience itself feels like a game) opens more creative options than gamification (points, badges, leaderboards bolted onto a non-game product), but both belong inside a wider behavioral design practice. Topics Covered 0:00 — Why Duolingo's Black Hat motivation backfires 0:24 — Rob's intro and the Core Drives in the Wild guide 2:47 — Daily life after the acquisition 4:14 — Favorite fail: design for the end game 8:16 — Alder Hey speech therapy app and 27 cognitive tests as games 11:26 — Game-based versus gamified, and where the line blurs 15:44 — Where Octalysis fits inside the Comportance Framework 17:11 — The seven steps of Comportance, walked end to end 23:50 — Cognitive overload and treating users as humans 27:24 — Duolingo streaks, near-miss design, and rage-quit risk 31:42 — Book picks: Cialdini, Yu-kai Chou, Don Norman 33:29 — Civilization, board games with the kids, final advice Get the free Core Drives in the Wild guide, behavioral design applied to real products: professorgame.com/WildCD About Tetiana Kobzar Tetiana Kobzar is a product strategist and behavioral designer with 18 years of experience building software for healthcare, wellness, and education. She is the creator of the Comportance Framework, a seven-step methodology that brings behavioral science structure to product design. Her recent work includes a gamified speech therapy app for Alder Hey Children's Hospital and a tablet-based replacement for 27 cognitive assessment tests, and she shares behavioral design ideas through her #BehaviouralDesignThursday LinkedIn series and industry talks. Find the Guest Online LinkedIn Tetiana-kobzar.com Instagram TikTok Mentioned in This Episode Proposed guest: someone from Duolingo Recommended book: Actionable Gamification by Yu-kai Chou Recommended book: Influence by Robert B. Cialdini Recommended book: The Design of Everyday Things by Don Norman Favorite game: Civilization series Duolingo Is Not A Free Language Learning App, It Is... (The Octalysis Group) Alder Hey Children's Hospital speech therapy app (Tetiana's project) Comportance Framework (Tetiana's seven-step methodology) Octalysis Framework by Yu-kai Chou Free Resources and Get in Touch Core Drives in the Wild: Professor Game Free Guide Get Daily Value on Your Email Let's chat about your gamification project YouTube LinkedIn Instagram Facebook Start Your Community on Skool for Free Ask a question

The 7investing Podcast
Is Duolingo (NASDAQ:DUOL) Stock a Buy After a 77% Drop? | Q1 2026 Earnings Deep Dive

The 7investing Podcast

Play Episode Listen Later May 8, 2026 24:06


Duolingo (NASDAQ:DUOL) is down 77% over the last year while the S&P 500 is up 32% but 7investing founder Simon Erickson is defending the owl. In this deep dive into Duolingo's Q1 2026 earnings, Simon breaks down why the bearish narrative around slowing top-line growth and AI competition from OpenAI and Google (NASDAQ:GOOGL) may be missing the bigger picture: Duolingo is one of the most capital-efficient software businesses in the market, with a 37% return on invested capital, a cash ROIC of 99.4%, 50%+ free cash flow margins, and zero long-term debt.Simon also covers the optionality that most analysts are overlooking — Duolingo's math app, music lessons, chess, and the internationally recognized Duolingo English Test — and explains why CEO Luis Von Ahn's methodical, profitability-first approach makes this a compelling long-term hold even as short-term sentiment stays negative.Stocks Mentioned:Duolingo (NASDAQ:DUOL)Alphabet / Google (NASDAQ:GOOGL)OpenAI — private#Duolingo #DUOL #GrowthStocks #TechStocks #StockAnalysis #BuyTheDip #EarningsReport #AIStocks #SoftwareStocks #StocksToWatch #InvestingIn2026 #7investing #Simonerickson

DH Unplugged
DHUnplugged #801: Robot Takeover Begins

DH Unplugged

Play Episode Listen Later May 6, 2026 65:46


Good overall earnings season – still going strong Economic reports show a mixed picture – but still good enough Semi-annual earnings report option gaining steam Saying goodbye to Spirit Airlines Markets PLUS we are now on Spotify and Amazon Music/Podcasts! Click HERE for Show Notes and Links DHUnplugged is now streaming live - with listener chat. Click on link on the right sidebar. Love the Show? Then how about a Donation? Follow John C. Dvorak on Twitter Follow Andrew Horowitz on Twitter Warm-Up - Good overall earnings season - still going strong - Economic reports show a mixed picture - but still good enough - Semi-annual earnings report option gaining steam - Saying goodbye to Spirit Airlines - EGGS - Breaking News! Markets - Are markets riding tariff refund wave? - Oil shoots up then slips back after Iran tensions rise and fall - New Highs - NAZ100 powering ahead - Huge Capex and OBBBA NEED A NEW CTP - CMG (last time was 2017) Ship Sailing - Seems that under the protection of the USA - a Maersk ship passed through the Strait - But how many can they do a day like this? - Oil down after a huge spike yesterday due to IRAN striking UAE Big Shakeup - US transportation stocks plunged after Amazon announced expanded logistics offerings that will turn it into a major competitor for parcel carriers and air freight companies. - The move is a threat not just to other couriers' grasp on e-commerce, but potentially to more profitable areas such as healthcare, which UPS and FedEx have made a central part of their strategies. - Amazon will offer freight, distribution and fulfillment, and parcel shipping to standalone customers, and its announcement "could be a watershed moment for North American freight transportation companies," according to Morgan Stanley analyst Ravi Shanker. - FedEx Corp. shares fell 9.1% in their worst day in more than a year, while rival United Parcel Service Inc. dropped more than 10%. -- Logistics firms Forward Air Corp. and GXO Logistics Inc. suffered double-digit declines. Old Dominion Freight Line Inc., among other truckers, slid almost 7%. --- FYI - Did you know... last year there was a total of 23.9 BILLION packages shipped in the US. 25% was delivered by Amazon, Fed and UPS delivered a third. Off the Hook - Chump Change - Elon Musk agreed to pay $1.5 million to settle Securities and Exchange Commission allegations that he cheated Twitter shareholders by failing to properly disclose his growing stake in the social media company. - An Elon Musk revocable trust would pay the penalty to end the SEC's lawsuit, which is still subject to court approval, and Musk didn't admit to the regulator's allegations. - The SEC said the deal would be the largest penalty the agency has levied against an entity or individual for allegedly failing to file a beneficial ownership report on time, but Musk's attorney called it a “small fine”. - Musk didn't admit to the regulator's allegations, according to a filing on Monday. This could be something... - Sonos Inc. shares climbed after reporting revenue that jumped 8% and said that it is filing for tariff refunds totaling $40 million. - The company reported second quarter revenue of $282 million, up 8% year over year, and strong growth in international markets. - Sonos is forecasting adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization between $20 million and $48 million for the current quarter - Are markets riding higher also on the tariff refunds? ---- The US government is paying back up to $166 billion in revenue it collected through sweeping global tariffs that were struck down by the Supreme Court in February, with the first payments set to go out on May 11. AND - General Motors raised its 2026 guidance after significantly beating Wall Street's first-quarter earnings expectations following a roughly $500 million benefit from the U.S. Supreme Court decision to terminate and refund certain levies AKA - tariffs. OPEC? - In an unexpected announcement - The United Arab Emirates will exit OPEC on May 1, in a major blow to the cartel that coordinates production among many of the world's largest oil producers, particularly those in the Middle East. - OPEC+ to raise June output quotas by 188,000 bpd - Most members cannot meet targets due to Hormuz closure - Quota increase removes UAE share after it left OPEC+ and OPEC (so just a make-up) - Meanwhile, they cannot meet the iutput as no place to put the oil.... --- This all looks and sounds good but there is no substance. ---- Saudi Arabia produces 10 million barrels a day (Biggest in OPEC). USA produces 13 Million .... Spirit Airlines - Goodbye - shutdown Saturday night at 3PM - The administration had floated a last-ditch bailout that would have given the federal government a controlling stake in the airline, but the proposal stalled amid resistance from key creditors, whose approval would have been required for the deal to go through. - Meanwhile, most ticket holders will get refunds. --- Already Jetblue and others are looking to fill the void by offering more flights from airports that Spirit serviced. -- Takes a low cost alternative off the market and potentially will be a negative for consumers - less competition - WHICH IS EXACTLY WHAT BIDEN ADMINISTRATION DID NOT WANT BY BLOCKING JETBLUE MERGER JC - are you listening?? - Duolingo beats Q1 revenue estimates, driven by 21% growth in paid subscribers - CFO Gillian Munson says investments target long-term user retention - Duolingo aims for 100 million daily active users by 2028 - Guided a bit lower and a strategy shift toward prioritizing user experience and long-term retention over near-term monetization, as it invests in product quality and engagement to build a larger base of paying subscribers. (DUMB?) - Share down 8% CHIPS - Samsung Electronics reported an over eightfold increase in first-quarter operating profits on Thursday, hitting a new record and beating analysts' estimates on the explosive growth of its chip business. -  Revenue: 133.9 trillion Korean won ($89.96 billion) vs. 132.69 trillion won expected - Operating profit: 57.2 trillion won vs. 55.28 trillion won expected - The South Korean technology giant's quarterly profit climbed more than 750% from a year earlier to a fresh record. - The company also posted record revenue, up about 70% year over year. AMD Reports Conf Call: AMD paired strong current-quarter execution with a more ambitious long-term AI and server CPU outlook. The biggest positives were the stronger EPYC trajectory, rising confidence in MI450/Helios demand, and the upgraded server CPU TAM view. - The company now sees the server CPU TAM growing more than 35% annually to over $120 billion by 2030, up from its prior long-term view. - The main caution points were second-half PC and Gaming demand pressure from higher memory and component costs. - Margins 55% - Stock up 15% AH Apple Chips Deal? - Apple Inc. has held exploratory discussions with Intel Corp. and Samsung Electronics Co. about producing main processors for its devices in the US, as a secondary option beyond Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. - The discussions with Intel and Samsung are preliminary and have not resulted in any orders, with Apple having concerns about using non-TSMC technology. - Apple is considering additional suppliers due to supply-chain disruptions, including recent shortages driven by the build-out of AI data centers and higher demand for Macs, with CEO Tim Cook saying the company has less flexibility in the supply chain than normal. - Discussions - yet Intel up 14% on the  news (after a 100% run in April) Flashback - 2 weeks - Remember when OpenAi came out with some news that they missed revenue and user growth goals? - Took down tech for a day a couple of weeks ago.... Tech earnings - Overall tech earnings were solid. - Bbig takeaway is that the group (MAG7) are still spending a buttload on expansion into AI etc. Capex $$$$ - Meta was hit on theor outlook (which is why they came back and announced further layoffs) AI Layoffs - Recall - "AI will not take jobs" - More announced this week - Coinbase today - How long until the robots take over? - Recent Announcements AI Job Cuts EGGS - Consumption of eggs is associated with a lower risk of being diagnosed with Alzheimer's Disease for those 65 years and older, according to researchers at Loma Linda University Health - Eating one egg per day for at least five days a week reduces risk of Alzheimer's by up to 27%, researchers found. --- More: Eggs are known to be a source of key nutrients that support brain health. Sabaté said. Eggs provide choline, a precursor to acetylcholine and phosphatidylcholine, both of which are critical for memory and synaptic function, the study stated. Eggs also contain lutein and zeaxanthin—carotenoids that accumulate in brain tissue and are associated with improved cognitive performance and reduced oxidative stress. Eggs also contain key omega-3 fatty acids, and yolks are particularly rich in phospholipids, which constitute nearly 30% of total egg lipids and are essential for neurotransmitter receptor function. LIV Losing Saudi Arabia - LIV Golf will lose its financial backing from Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund after the 2026 season, the fund announced Thursday. - "PIF has made the decision to fund LIV Golf only for the remainder of the 2026 season," a representative for the PIF, Saudi Arabia's sovereign wealth fund chaired by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, told ABC News on Thursday. - "The substantial investment required by LIV Golf over a longer term is no longer consistent with the current phase of PIF's investment strategy," the statement continued. "This decision has been made in light of PIF's investment priorities and current macro dynamics. - Looking for Private Equity to step in Cars - The Beijing Auto Show that opened to the public this week is a showcase for how hypercompetition in China has driven new car prices in the world's largest car market to ?a fraction of the level of the next-largest market, the U.S. - In China, there are more than 200 battery-powered models, including hybrids, for sale at less than the equivalent of $25,000, according to DCar, an information and trading platform. - Plenty at the $10k - $12k level Death Squads - Friday, The White house announced plans to add firing squads, electrocution and gas asphyxiation as alternative methods of executing people convicted of the gravest federal crimes - Only THREE federal executions in the last 50 years Weekly Picks Ideas Worst Stocks this Year Worst Stocks   Love the Show? Then how about a Donation? THE WINNER OF THE CLOSEST TO THE PIN for NETGEAR   Winners will be getting great stuff like the new "OFFICIAL" DHUnplugged Shirt!     FED AND CRYPTO LIMERICKS   See this week's stock picks HERE Follow John C. Dvorak on Twitter Follow Andrew Horowitz on Twitter

SportsTech Allstars: Startups & Key Initiatives
The Human Readiness Platform Winning Championships - Andrew Powell, Ethos #258

SportsTech Allstars: Startups & Key Initiatives

Play Episode Listen Later May 6, 2026 32:15


In this episode of the Sports Tech AllStars Podcast, we present Andrew Powell, CEO and Co-Founder of Ethos.The conversation explores how two college roommates built a human readiness platform out of a dorm room at UNC, why the mental side of sport remains the most underinvested edge in elite performance, and how the same technology that helped the Seattle Seahawks win a Super Bowl is now training US Air Force fighter pilots.TakeawaysThe mental side of sport is still the most underserved performance leverEthos started as Duolingo for sports playbooks and has evolved into a full human readiness platform serving the NFL, NCAA, US military and enterprise clientsCoaches spend 95% of their time finding insights and only 5% ensuring players actually understand them - Ethos flips that ratioMichigan credited Ethos insights with a game-changing interception in the national championship gameThe translation from NFL playbook training to fighter pilot combat tactics was more direct than expected The majority of Ethos revenue now comes from the US Department of Defense, with sports and commercial clients each representing around 20%AI agent workflows for coaching staffs are the next frontier NIL and the professionalization of college sports are creating new commercial opportunities that the industry is still structuring aroundMore data and better tools do not homogenise sport To learn more, visit: https://www.ethossystems.com/companyGet in touch with Andrew Powell at: linkedin.com/in/andrew-powell-15180731 Hosted by ⁠Rohn Malhotra⁠ from ⁠SportsTechX⁠ - Leading source of Investment and Innovation insights in sports. As promised, here's your small surprise:Unlock your 30-day growth plan (worth €49) on the SportsTechX Intelligence Hub for free!Simply verify your company details and you get access to 1,500+ investors, programmes, initiatives and events in the sportstech ecosystem.Here's how to get set up and if you'd like a walkthrough of the platform, feel free to book a call here.More from SportsTechX:Explore the SportsTechX Intelligence Hub, an interactive database of over 8,000 sports tech companies, 8,000+ deals, 1,000+ investors, programs and events - HEREDownload the latest Global Sports Tech Ecosystem Report - HERESign Up for the Sports Tech Weekly Newsletter for more news, features & insights on Sports Tech - HERE Stay Connected and follow for more:LinkedInYouTubeSpotifyApple PodcastChapters00:00 Introduction 02:28 The Dorm Room Origin Story of Ethos 04:16 Why Athletes Are Drowning in Data But Starving for Clarity 05:09 The Learning Science Behind the Platform 06:45 How Coach Insight Data Changes Everything 08:37 Why Mental Readiness Is the Last Untapped Edge in Elite Sport 09:12 Working With the Seattle Seahawks on Their Super Bowl Run 11:55 Cognitive Development, Memory and the Underplayed Mental Game 12:45 From NCAA Basketball to NFL - The Sports Portfolio 14:49 Human Readiness Beyond Sport - The Rebrand From Learn to Win to Ethos 15:45 How NFL Playbook Training Translates to Fighter Pilot Combat Tactics 20:02 What Makes Ethos Different From Corporate Learning Management Platforms 21:23 Revenue Split: Military, Sports and Commercial 22:24 AI Agents for Coaching Staffs25:06 Does More Data Make Sport Less Exciting?27:39 Formula One, Adrian Newey and Why Better Baselines Create More Innovation 28:27 What the Next 12–18 Months Look Like for Ethos 29:55 Favourite Sporting Moment

Do This, NOT That: Marketing Tips with Jay Schwedelson l Presented By Marigold

Partner with Jay! https://www.jayschwedelson.com/contactㅤPre-order Jay Schwedelson's new book, Stupider People Have Done It (out June 9, 2026). All net proceeds are donated to The V Foundation for Cancer Research—let's kick cancer's butt: https://www.amazon.com/Stupider-People-Have-Done-Marketing/dp/1637635206ㅤCheck out Jay's YOUTUBE Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@schwedelsonCheck out Jay's TIKTOK: https://www.tiktok.com/@schwedelsonCheck Out Jay's INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/jayschwedelson/ㅤBig shoutout to our sponsor, Knak!Marketers, you know the pain… You spend hours on a campaign, and then it gets stuck in review cycles and barely looks like what you started with.Knak makes it simple. Design emails and landing pages, collaborate, and launch - all in one place. No tool hopping, no messy handoffs, with AI built in to help you move faster.See how it all works, get started at knak.com/demoㅤTurns out Gmail and Apple Mail are quietly scanning your emails for very specific phrases, and if you're not using them, your open rates are leaking out the back door. Jay Schwedelson breaks down the new Attentive data on signal phrases, why Duolingo's plan to be "less unhinged" might be a strategic miscalculation, and a Google AI mode stat that should make every marketer obsess over their email list. There's also a Gravitron story from 1989 that you absolutely cannot unhear.ㅤBest Moments:(00:30) The new "signal phrases" AI email summaries are hunting for at the top of your messages(01:15) Why "What's included:" is the number one structural cue beating every other phrase(02:15) Duolingo's CMO promising fewer butt jokes and why that's the wrong call(03:30) Reddit's 69% ad growth and why intent beats scrolling brain rot every time(05:00) Google AI mode hits 75 million daily users with 93% zero-click queries(06:15) The Gravitron incident, the angry adult, and a $10 shirt purchase at age nine

CAFÉ EN MANO
758: El mercado volvió a máximos, Apple cambia y Klarna preocupa | Carlos Feliciano

CAFÉ EN MANO

Play Episode Listen Later May 5, 2026 72:45


En este episodio de Café en Mano, vuelve Carlos Feliciano de CAF Investments para hablar de lo que está pasando en los mercados: por qué la bolsa volvió a máximos históricos, qué significa el rebote después de la caída, y hacia dónde se está moviendo el dinero ahora mismo. También hablamos del petróleo, la guerra, AI, Spirit, Apple, prediction markets, day trading, errores con el 401(k), Klarna, Shopify y las historias de terror financieras de atletas como Allen Iverson, Mike Tyson y Floyd Mayweather.Además, tocamos temas bien importantes como el cambio en la Reserva Federal, por qué “aunque no te guste el juego, tienes que jugarlo”, el caso del soldado preso por apostar sobre Maduro, la caída de Chegg por culpa de AI, y qué señales te dicen que estás financieramente apretado.Recuerda que todo lo discutido en este episodio es opinión y no debe interpretarse como asesoría financiera personalizada.Link para reservar tu cita con Carlos: https://calendly.com/cafinvestments/15min☕ Consigue tu café en cafedoscaminos.comUsa el código CAFEMANO para 10% de descuento.#CaféEnMano #CarlosFeliciano #Finanzas #Inversiones #Bolsa #Apple #Klarna #401k #AI #PuertoRicoCapítulos00:00 Intro + Fius Telecom + Café Dos Caminos + disclaimer financiero01:10 El mercado volvió a máximos históricos y por qué rebotó tan fuerte04:30 Guerra, petróleo y por qué el mercado ya se movió a otra cosa06:40 El dinero volvió a AI e infraestructura08:40 Nuevo presidente de la Fed: Kevin Warsh y lo que puede cambiar11:40 “Aunque no te guste el juego, tienes que jugarlo”13:42 Spirit se va a quiebra: qué pasó realmente18:00 Por qué a Carlos no le gustan las líneas aéreas como inversión21:22 Tim Cook sale de Apple y la presión de AI sobre la compañía26:40 OpenAI, Anthropic y cómo AI ya destruyó negocios completos29:30 FTX tuvo 8% de Anthropic: la locura que pudo ser30:20 El caso de TOG y el desastre financiero de los creadores sin control33:00 Se acabó el Pattern Day Trader rule: lo bueno y lo peligroso35:20 Prediction markets, Polymarket y el soldado preso por apostar con info privilegiada40:17 Robinhood, apuestas y por qué esto puede explotar feo46:00 Pregunta de YouTube: crédito, quiebra y cómo empezar de nuevo financieramente51:30 Errores con el 401(k), rollovers y opciones a los 59 1/255:00 Chegg, Duolingo y empresas que AI está aplastando57:32 GameStop y por qué sigue viva aunque no tenga sentido59:00 Historias de terror financieras: Allen Iverson, Mike Tyson y Floyd Mayweather1:04:30 Shopify, Klarna y la señal de que estás en problemas financieros1:07:00 Cierre + dónde seguir a Carlos / CAF Investments

What The Flux
RBA hikes rates to a decade-high | Chemist Warehouse heads to the UK | Duolingo loses its winning streak

What The Flux

Play Episode Listen Later May 5, 2026 6:59 Transcription Available


The Reserve Bank has hiked rates for the third consecutive meeting to 4.35%...and this is the highest cash rate in over a decade. Chemist Warehouse is taking its discount pharmacy model to the UK after buying into a British chain that’s been losing millions. Duolingo has beat its quarterly targets… but its share price is still slumping 11% on the news. _ Download the free app (App Store): http://bit.ly/FluxAppStore Download the free app (Google Play): http://bit.ly/FluxappGooglePlay Daily newsletter: https://bit.ly/fluxnewsletter Flux on Instagram: http://bit.ly/fluxinsta Flux on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@flux.finance —- The content in this podcast reflects the views and opinions of the hosts, and is intended for personal and not commercial use. We do not represent or endorse the accuracy or reliability of any opinion, statement or other information provided or distributed in these episodes.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Audio Long Read
Where Duolingo falls down: how I learned to speak Welsh with my mother

The Audio Long Read

Play Episode Listen Later May 4, 2026 48:04


Once violently defended from extinction, Welsh is still a part of daily life. By learning my family's language, I hoped to join their conversation By Dan Fox. Read by Matt Addis. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/longreadpod

The Smattering
First Fridays 30. May 2026

The Smattering

Play Episode Listen Later May 4, 2026 47:48


Join Jason and Jeff for the May First Fridays stream as they review the Portfolio Contest leaderboard, debate Duolingo's AI risks, and unpack the Starbucks turnaround under Brian Niccol.02:01 Gemini Promo Video Fails04:11 Portfolio Contest Update09:44 Late Entries Penalty Tab11:38 Ratings Reviews Push13:46 Title Month Mixup17:21 Duolingo Earnings Debate22:43 AI Efficiency Threats24:56 SaaS Risk Positioning26:40 Gemini Video Fail30:18 AI Thumbnail Drama33:14 Starbucks Turnaround Signs37:19 China Strategy Shift40:44 Operational Fixes Ahead42:47 Disruption Beyond Rivals43:49 Earnings Season WinnersCompanies mentioned: AMD, AMZN, BE, DUOL, FIX, GOOG, GOOGL, HOOD, IBM, KNSL, LKNCY, MELI, META, NOW, ROKU, SBUX, SOFI, TTD, TXN, VRTFind where to listen & subscribe,  portfolio contests, and contact information at https://investingunscripted.com*****************************************To get 15% off any paid plan at fiscal.ai, visit https://fiscal.ai/unscriptedListen to the Chit Chat Stocks Podcast for discussions on stocks, financial markets, super investors, and more. Follow the show on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or YouTube*****************************************Join our PatreonSubscribe to our portfolio on Savvy Trader

Supra Insider
#109: Inside Maven's shift from EPD specialists to flexible builders | Rishin Banker (VP Product @ Maven)

Supra Insider

Play Episode Listen Later May 4, 2026 38:22


What happens to the product development process when the lines between who builds, who designs, and who decides start to disappear?In this special episode of Supra Insider, recorded as part of the Blurring Lines series with Aster AI, Ben Erez sits down with Rishin Banker, VP of Product at Maven, to explore how a 25-person team is rethinking product development in real time. Rishin opens with a concrete shift: Maven went from two to three concurrent projects to five to six, same headcount, smaller pods, more decision-making at the team level. The unlock wasn't hiring. It was front-loading strategy so more people could move into the build phase at once.They explore how Maven's head of design shipped a full marketing page to production end-to-end, why months of foundational design system work made that possible, and where Figma still fits. Rishin also gets into the tensions he's navigating, unexpected handoffs, competing priorities when people build in silos, and the difference between projects that can live in their own container versus ones that need specialist input from the start.If you're a product leader restructuring your team for the current moment, a designer or PM excited about building more but unsure how to navigate the role blurring, or curious how a lean startup is actually operationalizing these changes day to day, this episode is for you.A special thanks Alex Pavlou and our friends at Aster AI for hosting this session!All episodes of the podcast are also available on Spotify, Apple and YouTube.New to the pod? Subscribe below to get the next episode in your inbox

This Was The Scene Podcast
Ep. 281: The Mimsies w/ Casey Castille

This Was The Scene Podcast

Play Episode Listen Later May 1, 2026 82:51


The Mimsies were an underground band associated with the late 1990s and early 2000s DIY music scene. Their sound combined straightforward melodic elements with a raw, unpolished style typical of independent releases from that era. While they did not achieve widespread commercial success, they developed a small following through word of mouth and local performances. The band is often noted for reflecting the aesthetic and approach of the broader underground punk and indie communities. Having Aspergers The Flaming Lips Moving the band to LA Blurring the lines with band members Labels wanting her to leave the band Having health issues Her perspective from playing Warped Tour 3 times Wesley Willis And a ton more Check out her book Create What Others Miss: A movement-building guide for brands, leaders, and creators who refuse to stay ordinary. It's a playbook for building brands that matter by trusting instinct, spotting cultural shifts early, and turning those insights into scalable stories, with examples from companies like Spotify, LEGO, and Duolingo. Lastly you can hire me as a Freelancer for the following: Design support includes: • Branding and visual identity • Marketing and campaign design • Social, print, and digital assets Video work includes: • Podcast video clips • Short-form content for Reels, Shorts, TikTok, and ads • Long-form edits for interviews, webinars, and YouTube • Sizzle reels and brand videos • Explainer and marketing video edits • Captioning, on-screen text, and light motion graphics If any of this lines up with something you need, feel free to reach out or keep me in mind!

Judge John Hodgman
Pace Dismissed

Judge John Hodgman

Play Episode Listen Later Apr 29, 2026 85:01


KLAXON! KLAXON! It's the MaxFunDrive!  The best time of year for you to become a Maximum Fun member! Memberships start at just $5 a month, which gives you access to our entire library of bonus content. And for just $10 a month, you can get JJHo AD FREE! Join NOW at maximumfun.org/join! Whether you are a brand new member, current member upgrading, or longtime member at whichever level where you feel comfortable, THANK YOU FOR CONTINUING TO KEEP JJHO GOING! Lex brings the case against his wife, Lauren. Lauren is serious about getting her steps in - even during the frigid East Coast winter. When it's too cold to walk outside, Lauren gets her steps inside the house. Even though there's a treadmill in their finished basement! The problem is, she's driving Lex - AND their kids - nuts! Who's right, and who's wrong? It's your last chance to get all of your HEATED RIVALRIES and disputes for Rachel Reid (GAME CHANGERS, HEATED RIVALRY)! Are romance novels as valid an art form as other fiction? What is the best romantasy series? What is the WORST romantasy series? Which romantic trope is too played out? Submit all of your romance adjacent cases to maximumfun.org/jjho or email hodgman@maximumfun.org. Thanks to reddit user u/Melvillean for naming this week's case! To suggest a title for a future episode, keep an eye on the Maximum Fun subreddit at reddit.com/r/maximumfun! Judge John Hodgman is member-supported! Become a member to unlock special bonus episodes and more. Memberships start at just $5 a month. Just tap here!

Vlan!
[Solo] On a confondu confort et progrès. C'est une erreur qui coûte cher.

Vlan!

Play Episode Listen Later Apr 23, 2026 46:11


Cet épisode solo est un développément de ma newsletter à laquelle vous pouvez vous abonner ici!Depuis vingt ans, la Silicon Valley nous vend la même promesse : une vie fluide, sans résistance, où tout est à portée de clic. Et on a dit oui. Collectivement, sans jamais vraiment en discuter. Le café en dosette plutôt que le café moulu. La playlist algorithmique plutôt que les morceaux glanés un à un. La livraison en deux heures plutôt que la sortie en ville. Individuellement, chaque choix semblait raisonnable.Dans cet épisode, j'explore ce que cette idéologie du "frictionless" nous a réellement coûté, au-delà de l'addiction aux écrans et de la perte d'emplois : une vie qui glisse sans s'accrocher nulle part, une capacité à raisonner qui s'atrophie, un monde commun qui disparaît, et une génération entière structurellement fragile face aux vraies tempêtes.J'interroge les travaux de Matthew Crawford sur la résistance productive, de Tim Wu sur la commodité comme idéologie dominante, d'Hannah Arendt sur le monde commun, de Jonathan Haidt sur la santé mentale des adolescents depuis l'arrivée des smartphones, de Pablo Servigne sur le "réseau des tempêtes" comme seule vraie résilience, et d'Hartmut Rosa sur la résonance. Je m'appuie aussi sur Viktor Frankl, Harry Frankfurt, Sherry Turkle et Cal Newport.Ce n'est pas un texte technophobe. Je commande sur Amazon, je prends des Uber, j'utilise Claude Cowork tous les jours. Mais je me demande, honnêtement, ce qu'on a accepté de sacrifier sans jamais en discuter collectivement. Et si le vrai futur, ce n'était pas un futur sans friction, mais un futur dans lequel on utilise les outils pour monter le niveau d'exigence, pas pour le faire descendre.CITATIONS MARQUANTES1. "La commodité, dans sa version la plus avancée, ne supprime pas juste la contrainte. Elle supprime aussi l'expérience."2. "Une vie dans laquelle il n'y a aucune friction est une vie dans laquelle nous mourons dans le même état que celui dans lequel nous sommes nés. Il ne s'est strictement rien passé." (Michael Dandrieux)3. "On a remplacé le raisonnement par l'accumulation de contenus et de données. Et ces deux choses ne sont pas du tout équivalentes."4. "Des livrables plus beaux, des décisions moins bonnes." (dirigeant d'un cabinet de conseil en stratégie)5. "La démocratie est un effort. Pas seulement un effort de l'intelligence rationnelle. Un effort de confiance aussi. D'aimer son prochain qu'on ne connaît pas." (Edward Snowden, via Flore Vasseur)IDÉES CENTRALES1. La friction n'est pas un bug, c'est ce qui nous constitue Timestamp estimé : 06:30 – 14:30 Matthew Crawford le formule mieux que quiconque : l'engagement avec la résistance du monde réel est précisément ce qui nous constitue comme humains. Quand vous apprenez un instrument, la difficulté des cordes, les fausses notes, la coordination des doigts, c'est ce qui crée la compétence. Et avec la compétence : la fierté, la dignité, le sens. Une application qui jouerait à votre place vous donnerait le son mais pas la musique. Le résultat sans le chemin. Et sans ce chemin, vous avez perdu l'essentiel. La Silicon Valley a fondé son modèle entier sur l'idée inverse : le chemin est le problème, le résultat est tout ce qui compte. C'est une erreur anthropologique majeure.Pourquoi c'est important : Cette inversion du rapport à la difficulté n'est pas anodine. Elle redéfinit ce qu'on entend par compétence, par satisfaction, par vie accomplie.2. Le monde commun est en train d'être démantelé, et c'est une catastrophe démocratique Timestamp estimé : 17:30 – 26:00 Hannah Arendt avait conceptualisé le "monde commun" comme l'espace partagé où se construit la politique, l'humanité, la rencontre avec l'Autre. Ce que la Silicon Valley a systématiquement attaqué, pas par malveillance mais par logique économique, c'est exactement cet espace : chaque moment dans le monde commun est un moment non monétisé. Résultat : des "fantômes collectifs" qui occupent le même espace physique mais vivent dans des réalités informationnelles complètement différentes. Et une démocratie qui continue à s'animer mais qui a perdu sa fonction : elle produit du bruit, pas de la délibération.Pourquoi c'est important : La montée des autocraties, le repli tribal, l'incapacité à cohabiter avec la différence : ce n'est pas qu'un problème politique. C'est un problème d'espace. On a supprimé les lieux où on apprenait à vivre avec ceux qui ne pensaient pas comme nous.3. Déléguer la pensée, c'est perdre la capacité d'apprendre de ses erreurs Timestamp estimé : 26:00 – 37:30 Les grands modèles de langage prédisent sans comprendre pourquoi. Ils corrèlent sans expliquer. Et quand on utilise un outil qui prédit sans expliquer, on obtient des réponses dont on ne peut pas évaluer la validité si on n'a pas cheminé sur le sujet. L'effet de contentement fait le reste : le résultat a l'air assez bon pour qu'on ne dépense pas l'énergie cognitive à voir si on serait arrivé à autre chose par soi-même. Des livrables plus beaux, des décisions moins bonnes.Pourquoi c'est important : La question n'est pas "est-ce que l'IA va remplacer les journalistes ?" La vraie question : est-ce qu'une société dans laquelle pas suffisamment de personnes ne s'entraînent à évaluer un argument est encore capable de se gouverner elle-même ?4. Une génération protégée de l'inconfort mineur devient catastrophiquement fragile face à l'inconfort majeur Timestamp estimé : 37:30 – 46:30 Jonathan Haidt montre comment la corrélation entre smartphones et dégradation de la santé mentale des adolescents depuis 2012 est réelle et préoccupante. La thèse intuitive de Greg : si on protège quelqu'un de tout inconfort mineur, on lui retire les occasions de développer la capacité à gérer les inconvénients majeurs. Pablo Servigne ajoute la dimension collective : la résilience, ce n'est pas une infrastructure, c'est du lien. Et ce que la Silicon Valley a vendu, ce sont des substituts de lien : larges et superficiels plutôt qu'étroits et profonds.Pourquoi c'est important : La logique frictionless crée ses propres victimes : elle optimise pour les conditions normales et rend les gens catastrophiquement fragiles face aux conditions anormales.5. La discipline de la résistance comme réponse systémique, pas individuelle Timestamp estimé : 01:03:00 – 01:08:00 Greg refuse le solutionnisme individuel. Il ne propose pas une liste de hacks. Il propose un concept : choisir consciemment de ne pas déléguer certaines choses précises, pas toutes, pas par idéologie, mais parce qu'elles vous construisent. Ce qu'Hartmut Rosa appelle la résonance : ces moments où quelque chose dans le monde vous touche vraiment, vous transforme, vous répond. La résonance ne se commande pas. Elle surgit dans la lenteur, l'attention, le contact vrai avec quelque chose qui résiste.Pourquoi c'est important : Le futur dont Greg parle n'est pas nostalgique et pas technophobe. Il utilise les outils pour monter le niveau d'exigence, pas pour le faire descendre. C'est une position nuancée dans un débat qui ne l'est généralement pas.QUESTIONS STRUCTURANTES THÉMATIQUES(Newsletter solo : pas d'invité. Voici les questions que le texte soulève et auxquelles il répond, utilisables comme fil éditorial ou comme amorces de discussion.)1. En quoi la promesse d'une vie "sans friction" est-elle devenue une idéologie, et pas seulement une amélioration technique ?2. Qu'est-ce qu'on a vraiment perdu en supprimant les petites résistances du quotidien, au-delà de l'inconfort évident ?3. Pourquoi la difficulté est-elle constitutive de la compétence, de la fierté et du sens, selon Matthew Crawford ?4. Comment la logique économique des plateformes explique-t-elle l'attaque systématique sur le "monde commun" d'Arendt, sans qu'il y ait besoin d'invoquer une théorie du complot ?5. Quelle différence y a-t-il entre raisonner et générer, et pourquoi cette distinction est-elle cruciale pour comprendre ce que l'IA fait à notre capacité de décision ?6. Comment l'atrophie de l'esprit critique, accélérée par les outils IA, peut-elle devenir un problème démocratique, pas seulement individuel ?7. En quoi une génération numériquement protégée de l'inconfort mineur devient-elle structurellement vulnérable face aux crises majeures ?8. Quelle est la différence entre une technologie qui augmente les capacités humaines et une technologie qui les remplace ? Comment faire la distinction dans ses propres usages ?9. Qu'est-ce que le concept de "résonance" de Hartmut Rosa apporte au débat sur la relation à la technologie, au-delà du débat sur l'addiction aux écrans ?10. Que signifie concrètement "une discipline de la résistance", et pourquoi ce n'est pas la même chose qu'un retour en arrière ou un rejet de la technologie ?RÉFÉRENCES CITÉESPhilosophes et penseursMatthew Crawford, philosophe américain entre philosophie et mécanique moto. Livre cité : "The World Beyond Your Head". Thèse : l'engagement avec la résistance du monde réel constitue l'humain. Bloc 4, ~08:00Tim Wu, professeur à Columbia. Livre cité : "Les marchands de l'attention". Concept : la commodité comme valeur suprême ayant remplacé la liberté et l'individualité. Bloc 5, ~11:30Hannah Arendt, philosophe. Concept cité : le "monde commun", espace public partagé nécessaire à la démocratie et à la rencontre avec l'Autre. Bloc 7, ~19:00Harry Frankfurt, philosophe américain. Distinction : le mensonge vs le "bullshit". L'IA comme infrastructure industrielle pour le bullshit. Bloc 10, ~35:00Viktor Frankl, psychiatre, fondateur de la logothérapie, survivant des camps de concentration. Thèse : les humains supportent n'importe quelle difficulté si elle a un sens, et s'effondrent face au confort vide de sens. Bloc 15, ~59:00Hartmut Rosa, sociologue allemand. Concept cité : la "résonance", ces moments où quelque chose dans le monde nous touche et nous transforme. Livre sous-jacent : "Résonance". Bloc 16, ~01:03:30Sociologues et psychologuesMichael Dandrieux, sociologue, ami de Greg. Citation : "Une vie sans friction est une vie dans laquelle nous mourons dans le même état que celui dans lequel nous sommes nés." Bloc 6, ~16:00Jonathan Haidt, psychologue américain. Thèse : corrélation entre l'arrivée des smartphones (2012) et la dégradation de la santé mentale des adolescents, en particulier les filles. Bloc 11, ~38:00Sherry Turkle, professeure au MIT. Livre cité : "Ensemble mais chacun seul". Thèse : on peut être hyperconnecté et ne jamais vraiment rencontrer personne. Bloc 8, ~24:30Cal Newport, auteur. Formule citée : "La capacité de produire quelque chose de valeur est proportionnelle à la capacité de se concentrer sur des choses difficiles." Bloc 9, ~29:30Pablo Servigne, chercheur sur les effondrements, invité de Vlan!. Concept cité : le "réseau des tempêtes" comme seule vraie résilience. La résilience, c'est du lien, pas une infrastructure. Bloc 11, ~41:00Invités de Vlan! citésKim Chapiron, réalisateur, ancien invité de Vlan!. Observation : depuis 2001, aucune superproduction hollywoodienne sans un musulman armé présenté comme terroriste. Bloc 10, ~32:00Flore Vasseur, réalisatrice de "Meeting Snowden", ancienne invitée de Vlan!. Citation d'Edward Snowden extraite du film : "La démocratie est un effort." Bloc 15, ~01:00:00Sociologue de la ville (non nommé), ancien invité de Vlan!. Observation : plus une ville est grande, plus elle rend seul. Bloc 8, ~25:30Études et donnéesÉtude dans le métro canadien : des passagers forcés à parler à des inconnus pendant 3 semaines étaient significativement plus heureux que ceux qui ne l'étaient pas. Bloc 7, ~18:30Rapport d'Universciences cité : 76% des Français pensent avoir un bon esprit critique, mais 40% refusent de parler avec des personnes ayant un avis opposé. Bloc 10, ~33:00Plateformes et dirigeantsReed Hastings (CEO Netflix), citation paraphrasée : "Mon plus grand concurrent, c'est votre sommeil." Bloc 7, ~22:00Outils technologiques mentionnés par GregClaude Cowork, Amazon, Uber, Dropbox, Google Maps, Deliveroo, Uber Eats, Netflix, ChatGPT, Instagram, Tinder, Duolingo, Khan Academy.TIMESTAMPS CLÉS00:00 - Intro : je déteste la discipline, mais j'ai peur qu'on me vole ma vie Greg installe la tension centrale : son aversion à la contrainte vs sa lucidité sur ce qu'on accepte de sacrifier sans s'en rendre compte. L'expression "c'est pratique" comme porte d'entrée d'une idéologie.01:30 - La voiture à 10 cm du sol La métaphore fondatrice. Une voiture de sport surélevée de quelques centimètres ne roule pas, le moteur tourne en vain. Sans friction entre les pneus et le sol, aucun mouvement. C'est exactement ce que la Silicon Valley nous a vendu depuis 20 ans.04:00 - Google Maps décide de ton chemin. Netflix de ce que tu regardes. Tinder de ta vie. L'inventaire de la délégation totale. Chaque décision existentielle progressivement confiée à une plateforme. Et la question posée : confondons-nous facilité et progrès ?06:30 - L'anecdote du frigo vide à Lisbonne Greg rentre chez lui, frigo vide, premier réflexe : app, Uber Eats, Netflix. Il réalise ce qu'il rate : les conversations avec les commerçants, les rencontres fortuites, les surprises de la rue. "Ces petites collisions ponctuent la réalité et lui donnent de la texture."09:00 - Matthew Crawford : la friction n'est pas un bug, c'est ce qui vous constitue comme humain Introduction du philosophe qui travaille entre la philosophie et la mécanique moto. Son idée centrale : la résistance du monde réel est ce qui nous fait humains. Exemple de l'apprentissage d'un instrument de musique : sans la difficulté des cordes et des fausses notes, on a le son mais pas la musique.11:30 - Tim Wu : la commodité est devenue une idéologie, plus prégnante que n'importe quelle position politique Professeur à Columbia, auteur des "Marchands de l'attention". La commodité a remplacé la liberté et l'individualité. Et on y est arrivé micro-décision par micro-décision, sans jamais voter pour.14:30 - La journée où il ne s'est rien passé Le sentiment de regarder ses journées et de réaliser que rien n'a résisté. Rien n'a laissé de trace. Michael Dandrieux, sociologue : une vie sans friction, c'est mourir dans le même état qu'on est né.17:30 - L'étude du métro canadien et Hannah Arendt Des passagers forcés à parler à des inconnus pendant 3 semaines sont les plus heureux. Arendt et le "monde commun" : l'espace partagé sans lequel la démocratie ne tient pas. Ce que la Silicon Valley a attaqué, par logique économique pure : chaque moment dans le monde commun est un moment non monétisé.23:00 - "Les fantômes collectifs" et Sherry Turkle Des gens qui occupent le même espace physique mais vivent dans des réalités informationnelles parallèles. Turkle : "Nous sommes ensemble mais chacun seul." Et le paradoxe : plus on est connecté, moins on rencontre l'Autre qui dérange.26:00 - L'IA rend les présentations plus belles et les décisions moins bonnes Un dirigeant de cabinet de conseil stratégique. La distinction entre raisonner et générer. L'effet de contentement. Cal Newport : la valeur est proportionnelle à la capacité de se concentrer sur des choses difficiles.31:30 - L'esprit critique sous perfusion 76% des Français pensent avoir un bon esprit critique, 40% refusent de parler à qui pense différemment. L'IA comme la plus grande expérience d'atrophie collective de l'esprit critique. Harry Frankfurt : l'IA comme infrastructure industrielle pour le bullshit.37:30 - Jonathan Haidt et la génération fragile Depuis 2012 et l'arrivée des smartphones : hausse spectaculaire de l'anxiété et de la dépression chez les adolescents. Protéger de l'inconfort mineur, c'est retirer les occasions de développer la capacité à gérer l'inconfort majeur.41:00 - Pablo Servigne et le réseau des tempêtes La résilience n'est pas une infrastructure. C'est du lien. Des liens denses, réels, entre des gens qui se connaissent vraiment. Ce que la Silicon Valley a vendu : des substituts de lien, larges et superficiels, qui ne tiennent pas quand la vraie tempête arrive.46:30 - La question inconfortable : pouvez-vous rester seul deux heures sans écran ? Pas en retraite de méditation. Juste un dimanche après-midi ordinaire. Le silence dans la salle, c'est la réponse. L'idéologie frictionless a détruit notre capacité à supporter notre propre compagnie.52:00 - Duolingo, Khan Academy : la friction productive comme modèle alternatif Des technologies qui construisent des capacités plutôt que de s'y substituer. L'intelligence conative comme test ultime : est-ce que cet outil libère ma puissance d'agir ou crée une béquille ?57:00 - Ce que la Silicon Valley n'a pas compris La paresse intellectuelle n'est pas californienne ("Panem et circenses" date de 2000 ans). Ce qui est nouveau : l'échelle et la sophistication. Viktor Frankl : les humains supportent n'importe quelle difficulté si elle a un sens.01:03:00 - La discipline de la résistance et Hartmut Rosa Pas une liste de hacks. Un principe : choisir consciemment de ne pas déléguer certaines choses parce qu'elles vous construisent. Rosa et la résonance : elle surgit dans la lenteur et le contact vrai avec ce qui résiste. Le futur qu'on n'a pas encore construit. Suggestion d'épisode à écouter : [SOLO] Qu'est-ce qu'une bonne vie et autres questions métaphysiques de rentrée (https://audmns.com/DHiQJnu)Hébergé par Audiomeans. Visitez audiomeans.fr/politique-de-confidentialite pour plus d'informations.

Personal Injury Marketing Mastermind
420. The Undivided Attention Hack for Personal Injury Firms w/ Shawn Porat

Personal Injury Marketing Mastermind

Play Episode Listen Later Apr 22, 2026 15:56


Shawn Porat is the founder and Chief Fortune Officer of OpenFortune — the media platform turning the humble fortune cookie into a high-impact PI marketing channel. With distribution across 30 countries and 300M impressions a month, OpenFortune has delivered viral wins for brands like Capital One, Duolingo, and even investor Gary Vaynerchuk — who calls it “the new Super Bowl ad.” If you think billboards are your only out-of-home option, think again. In this episode, Shawn shares the strategy, the science, and the stories behind turning a slip of paper into a marketing powerhouse. For more resources on how to dominate your market, visit us at Rankings.io. Listen to the full episode with Shawn Porat on Personal Injury Mastermind, powered by Rankings.io, below: Spotify Apple Podcasts Watch the Episodes On YouTube OpenFortune Website | LinkedIn If you like what you hear, hit subscribe. We do this every week. Buy tickets for PIMCON 2026: https://hubs.li/Q04bf9vT0  Subscribe to our newsletter: pimnewsletter.beehiiv.com Get Social! Personal Injury Mastermind (PIM) powered by Rankings.io is on Instagram | YouTube | TikTok

The Family Gamers Podcast
Episode 420 – Gamification

The Family Gamers Podcast

Play Episode Listen Later Apr 22, 2026 68:31


What is gamification? Does it have any relationship to board gaming? We examine the concept this week. 0:00:00 Fact for 420 Where did the reference “420” come from to refer to smoking marijuana? Sponsor Message Did you know that you can talk to our sponsor First Move Financial for free? First Move is a fee-only firm, which means that until you sign on as a client you’re not paying to talk to them. If you’re curious what it would cost to get help from First Move you can visit firstmovefinancial.com/familygamers and scroll down, there’s a calculator there where you enter your income and net worth and it will tell you your estimated monthly fee. 0:05:10 What We’ve Been Playing Dragonarium *Iliad (our review)A Place for All My Books *Tidal Blades 2: Rise of the UnfoldersS’mores Galore: Roast and Write (review soon)SpringWombat Poo * * = First time on the podcast 0:30:00 The Family Gamers Community Welcome to our newest members in the Facebook community! #Backtalk You shared your strategies for teaching board game manners on the #backtalk channel of the Discord. 0:35:45 Gamification: The Good and The Not-So-Good According to Merriam-Webster: “the process of adding games or gamelike elements to something (such as a task) so as to encourage participation.” So, this is things that are not games with game-like elements added to them for motivation: like learning math, or working on fitness goals, or meeting work quotas. Types of gamification (from GoCadmium “Gamification in Learning 2026”): Achievement-based (leaderboards, badges, status levels) Social gamification (team-building exercises, collaboration to achieve a goal, peer recognition) Progress-based (things to “unlock” – skill trees, extra content, etc.) Rewards-based (incentives, either virtual or real-world: discounts, prizes, etc.) Gamification examples we thought about: Hotel/airline gold/platinum status Merit badges (but not military honors) Book-It is obviously rewards-based gamification! Store loyalty programs. Everything from simple “collect 10 stamps, get a free coffee” to the more sophisticated programs with big national chains that give incentives or unlock special offers by getting to a different “level”. These can push you to buy just a little bit more or more often than you would otherwise. (Supermarkets, Kohl’s Cash, CVS Extrabucks, etc.) Fitness apps often use multiple kinds of achievement-based gamification, to hook different kinds of people. Leaderboards, badges, and “personal best” tracking. They may include rewards or social collaboration as well. (We discuss Apple Fitness, Peloton. Company fitness challenges often are rewards-based.) Duolingo also uses achievements (streak-tracking!), while having obvious progress-based elements as well. Lose It! rewards you for “streaks” as well – including simply tracking your calories every day, even if you don’t meet your other goals! We think good gamification gives you a framework to work on your goals as well as the incentives to improve. What does this mean for our families & our kids? We think of two meta-examples. The 5×5 challenge (picking 5 games to play at least 5 times). Also the balancing B-mods and “leveling up” from Board Games For All Ages. Can we bring elements we like in board gaming to other behaviors we want to encourage? Gamification can be GOOD when it helps shore up existing motivation. But it’s not good when it is (a) the only motivation or (b) encouraging unintended behavior. Be wary of using gamification to substitute for real motivation! We describe using “chore cards” as a type of gamification. Kids removed the cards when done, kind of like an achievement system in reverse (having an empty line was the goal) – and it “unlocked” their screen time for the day. I feel like learning to read should naturally feel progress-based. As you improve, you get more opportunities to read what you want! Some schools make it too achievement-ish if they focus on “reading levels” rather than the fun of reading. Don’t be tempted to gamify everything and turn it into too much pressure on your kids! We’ve seen this in sports, academic achievement (GPA/grades), and other competitions. It’s okay not to be the best at everything! We share our experience with Marvel Puzzle Quest, which was a little too good at motivating us to play. 1:06:00 New Backtalk Question Have you ever gamified anything at home that would otherwise just normally be a part of life? Maybe it’s to help you be motivated, or maybe it’s for your kids? Chores, fitness, something else entirely? Tell us on the #backtalk channel on our Discord, or in our Facebook community. Find Us Online: Facebook: @familygamersaa and thefamilygamers.com/communityTwitter (X): @familygamersaaInstagram: @familygamersaaTikTok: @familygamersaaBluesky: @familygamersaaThreads: @familygamersaaYoutube: TheFamilyGamers or join the Family Tabletop Community on Discord! thefamilygamers.com/discord Or, for the most direct method, email us! andrew@thefamilygamers.com and anitra@thefamilygamers.com. PLEASE don’t forget to subscribe to the show, tell your friends about the show, and leave us a review at Apple Podcast or whatever your podcast subscription source is. We’re also on Amazon Music, TuneIn, and Spotify. You can also now find us on YouTube Music! So pull it up and give us a listen while you’re toiling away at work :) Music for The Family Gamers Podcast is provided with permission from You Bred Raptors? The Family Gamers is sponsored by First Move Financial. Go to FirstMoveFinancial.com/familygamers to learn how the team at First Move Financial can help you pile up the victory points. The post Episode 420 – Gamification appeared first on The Family Gamers.

Market Mondays
MM #308: Tim Cook Leaves Apple! | Market Crash Coming?, Recession Risk & $1M Investing Strategy

Market Mondays

Play Episode Listen Later Apr 21, 2026 122:44 Transcription Available


In this episode, we break down the biggest stories moving the market right now—from the recent oil surge and what it means for traders, to whether the market is truly strong or being propped up by manipulation. We also cover S&P 500 entry levels, recession risks tied to global conflict, and the impact of tariff refunds on the economy.We dive into key plays including Palantir's long-term outlook, the best utility stock between NRG, Duke, and Southern, and whether names like Duolingo and HIMS are opportunities or traps. Plus, we revisit the Tim Cook vs. Steve Jobs debate and what real impact in business looks like.We also share our trading tip and investing fact of the week, discuss when to scale in futures, risk management lessons, and strategies for building and managing a $1M portfolio.#MarketMondays #StockMarket #Investing #Trading #WealthBuilding #FinancialLiteracy #SP500 #OilPrices #Palantir #RiskManagement #FuturesTradingAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

On Brand with Nick Westergaard
The OLIPOP Strategy for Category Disruption

On Brand with Nick Westergaard

Play Episode Listen Later Apr 20, 2026 34:35


Mark Lester and David Lester are brothers who have turned a shared history of high-level brand strategy into a family legacy of innovation. David is the co-founder of OLIPOP, the prebiotic soda that has fundamentally changed the beverage landscape by blending gut-health science with the nostalgia of a classic cola. Mark, co-founder of the consultancy Squint, has spent his career at R/GA and We Are Pi shaping the strategic direction of global icons like Nike and Samsung. Together, they represent a unique bridge between the rigor of global brand building and the intuition required to launch a category-defining startup. What You'll Learn in This Episode The hidden strategy of finding category value in plain sight How to break only one rule really hard to drive innovation Lessons from building a billion-dollar brand using global marketing rigor Why the discovery channel of the retail store still beats direct-to-consumer The unique dynamic of using brotherly advice to jump into the entrepreneurial unknown Episode Chapters (00:00) Intro (01:24) Growing up in Northern England with entrepreneurial roots (04:28) The Nashville hike that launched a business partnership (06:59) Concepts for innovation and the "break one rule" mantra (12:29) The philosophy of Squint and finding hidden value (15:15) Managing the shift from family connection to business collaboration (18:02) Navigating the pivot from D2C back to retail discovery (24:48) Lessons in building brands for scale from the very beginning (28:11) Brands that make the Lester brothers smile About David Lester and Mark Lester David Lester is the co-founder of OLIPOP, the prebiotic soda brand that has achieved over half a billion dollars in sales by blending gut-health benefits with classic nostalgia. Before turning his focus to functional beverages, David spent a decade in global innovation and marketing at Diageo, working across three continents to master the discipline of consumer goods. Mark Lester is the co-founder and Chief Strategy Officer of Squint, a strategic brand consultancy that helps global icons like Nike and Netflix unlock hidden value. With a background at R/GA and We Are Pi, Mark brings twenty years of big-brand experience to the challenge of category disruption. What Brands Have Made David and Mark Smile Recently? The brothers recently shared a smile over the enduring power of brand nostalgia and personality. Mark is energized by the intelligent copywriting of David protein bars and the experience-led branding of Duolingo, while David finds joy in the community-built legacy of Atlanta's Octane Coffee and the timeless playfulness of Nintendo. Resources & Links Connect with David and Mark on LinkedIn. Learn more about Squint and OLIPOP. Listen & Support the Show Watch or listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, Amazon/Audible, TuneIn, and iHeart. Rate and review on Apple Podcasts and Spotify to help others find the show. Share this episode — email a friend or colleague this episode. Sign up for my free Story Strategies newsletter for branding and storytelling tips. On Brand is a part of the Marketing Podcast Network. Until next week, I'll see you on the Internet! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Global News Podcast
US Vice President suggests talks with Iran could resume

Global News Podcast

Play Episode Listen Later Apr 14, 2026 27:12


JD Vance says progress was made in discussions with Iran at the weekend and the ball is in Tehran's court. But he also accuses the Iranians of "economic terrorism" over the partial closure of the Strait of Hormuz. He was speaking hours after the US began enforcing its own naval blockade of Iranian ports. President Trump warned that any Iranian vessel that approached the blockade would be "immediately eliminated". He also said Iran couldn't be allowed to blackmail the rest of the world and extort money by imposing restrictions on shipping through the Strait of Hormuz. Iran responded by calling the US blockade "piracy" and threatened retaliation. Also: After Mr Trump criticised Pope Leo, we look at the history of spats between popes and politicians; Colombia plans to cull its hippopotamus population; a BBC Eye investigation reveals life-threatening malpractice on a Pakistani hospital ward; Hollywood actors, directors and filmmakers oppose the Paramount-Warner Brothers Discovery merger; and Duolingo asks taxi drivers to assess the conduct of job applicants.The Global News Podcast brings you the breaking news you need to hear, as it happens. Listen for the latest headlines and current affairs from around the world. Politics, economics, climate, business, technology, health – we cover it all with expert analysis and insight. Get the news that matters, delivered twice a day on weekdays and daily at weekends, plus special bonus episodes reacting to urgent breaking stories. Follow or subscribe now and never miss a moment. Get in touch: globalpodcast@bbc.co.uk

Morning Somewhere
2026.04.13: Found Family Plan

Morning Somewhere

Play Episode Listen Later Apr 13, 2026 31:38


Burnie and Ashley discuss long term relationships, Houston sports, treadmill gaming, family plans, Duolingo, pawn shop economics, paintball, military drafting, Kindle drama, most ever platforms, and mobile gaming, the lame juggernaut.