Podcasts about Earning

Welcome back to another episode of the unSeminary podcast. Today we're joined by Lou Pizzichillo, Lead Pastor of Community Church on Long Island. Community Church launched in January 2020—just ten weeks before the world shut down—then relaunched after 52 weeks online. Now averaging around 1,200 people across Thursday and Sunday services, Community is known as “a church for people who don't go to church.” In a region where skepticism toward organized religion runs deep, Lou and his team are building trust by creating space for honest questions, lived-out faith, and tangible community impact. Is your church serving in a skeptical environment? Are you trying to reach people who already think they know—and don't like—what church is about? Lou shares practical wisdom on posture, transparency, and earning trust one decision at a time. Starting where people really are. // On Long Island, while some residents may identify culturally with faith traditions, most see church as judgmental, hypocritical, or irrelevant to everyday life. Lou quickly realized that the biggest obstacle wasn't apathy—it was reputation. Rather than fighting skepticism, Community Church chose to acknowledge it. The church repeatedly communicates three cultural values: You can belong before you believe. You have permission to be in progress. And there's no pretending. These aren't slogans—they shape how the church operates. Permission to be in progress. // One of the most resonant phrases at Community is “permission to be in progress.” Many people assume that following Jesus requires instant agreement with every doctrine and behavior expectation. Instead, Community encourages people to wrestle honestly with the claims of Christ first. Secondary issues and sanctification come later. This posture doesn't mean watering down truth—it means sequencing it wisely. By focusing on who Jesus says he is, rather than debating every peripheral topic, the church keeps the main thing central. No pretending—and real transparency. // Transparency builds credibility in skeptical contexts. Stories of real life—parenting mistakes, marriage tensions, leadership missteps—often resonate more than polished success stories. At the same time, Lou draws a boundary between “scars and wounds.” He shares what he has processed, not what he is still unraveling. This authenticity signals that faith isn't about perfection but transformation. For many in the congregation, seeing a pastor admit imperfection dismantles years of distrust toward church leaders. Becoming an asset to the community. // Community Church doesn't just talk about loving Babylon—it demonstrates it. Early on, Lou realized trust would not come through marketing but through partnership. Before launch, the church created “12 Days of Christmas,” giving away gifts purchased from local businesses. In year one, stores hesitated to participate; by year seven, businesses were reaching out to collaborate. What began as skepticism has shifted to partnership because trust was earned gradually. Serving instead of competing. // A defining moment came during the annual Argyle Fair, a 30,000-person event held across the street from the church—on a Sunday. Rather than fight the inconvenience, Community canceled services and mobilized volunteers to serve the fair, providing parking and manpower. When the event was rescheduled due to rain, the church canceled services a second week to honor its commitment. Lou describes this as a defining cultural moment: demonstrating that service isn't convenient—it's convictional. Earning trust through inconvenience. // Lou recounts being called to the mayor's office days after launch to address parking concerns. Instead of pushing back, the church chose to rent additional parking space—even when legally unnecessary—to honor neighbors' concerns. In another instance, Community canceled a planned Christmas light show after Village neighbors expressed concern about traffic. Though disappointing internally, the decision earned significant community goodwill. Lou believes canceling the event built more trust than hosting it would have. Posture over persecution. // Lou cautions leaders against defaulting to a persecution narrative when facing resistance. Most pushback, he says, comes from practical concerns—not hostility toward Jesus. By listening humbly and responding thoughtfully, churches can win trust among the large percentage of community members who are neither strongly for nor against them. To learn more about Community Church, visit communitychurch.net or follow @communitychurch.li on social media. Thank You for Tuning In! There are a lot of podcasts you could be tuning into today, but you chose unSeminary, and I'm grateful for that. If you enjoyed today's show, please share it by using the social media buttons you see at the left hand side of this page. Also, kindly consider taking the 60-seconds it takes to leave an honest review and rating for the podcast on iTunes, they're extremely helpful when it comes to the ranking of the show and you can bet that I read every single one of them personally! Thank You to This Episode’s Sponsor: TouchPoint As your church reaches more people, one of the biggest challenges is making sure no one slips through the cracks along the way.TouchPoint Church Management Software is an all-in-one ecosystem built for churches that want to elevate discipleship by providing clear data, strong engagement tools, and dependable workflows that scale as you grow. TouchPoint is trusted by some of the fastest-growing and largest churches in the country because it helps teams stay aligned, understand who they're reaching, and make confident ministry decisions week after week. If you've been wondering whether your current system can carry your next season of growth, it may be time to explore what TouchPoint can do for you. You can evaluate TouchPoint during a free, no-pressure one-hour demo at TouchPointSoftware.com/demo. Episode Transcript Rich Birch — Hey friends, thanks so much for listening in, tuning in into today’s episode. I’m really looking forward to today’s conversation. We’re talking with a leader leading a prevailing church in frankly a part of the country that is not known for tons of prevailing churches. And so it’s an opportunity for all of us to lean in and to learn.Rich Birch — Super excited to have Lou Pizzichillo with us from Community Church. They’re in Babylon, New York on Long Island. They’re known as a church for people who don’t go to church. They’re big on being real, bringing real questions, struggles, hangups, doubts, disappointments, and failures. Lou, welcome to the show. So glad you’re here today.Lou Pizzichillo — Thanks so much. Yeah, it’s a privilege to be here.Rich Birch — Yeah, it’s an honor that you would take some time to be with us today. Why don’t you kind of tell us a bit of the Community story, kind of give us a flavor of the church, help us kind of imagine if we were to arrive this weekend, what what would we experience?Lou Pizzichillo — Yeah. So we have an interesting history. We launched in January of 2020. And so we were open for 10 weeks.Rich Birch — Great time.Lou Pizzichillo — I know it was perfect. And then we closed down for 52 weeks, and we relaunched. But because of that, what’s been really cool is, you know, when you’re launching a church, the launch team is a big deal. And to launch twice, we’ve had really like two two launch teams. And so team culture has always been a real big part of our church.Lou Pizzichillo — But yeah, we like to say that we’re a church for people who don’t go to church. and So we try to keep things pretty casual. We try not to assume that there’s any interest or experience with the people who are showing up on a Sunday. And yeah.Rich Birch — Nice. Give us a sense of, so like size and like your, you know, the ministry style, that sort of thing. Like what would you help us kind of place what the, what the church is like if I was to arrive, arrive on a weekend?Lou Pizzichillo — Yeah, we’re a pretty contemporary attractional church. We’ve got services on Thursday night and on Sunday morning. So we say the weekend starts on Thursday. Rich Birch — Love it. Lou Pizzichillo — We call Thursday night thurch, which is… Rich Birch — Oh, that’s funny. Thurch. Lou Pizzichillo — Yeah, it was a joke at first, but then it kind of like, I don’t know, just kind of gained a life of its own.Rich Birch — Yes.Lou Pizzichillo — So yeah, so the church over the course of the weekend, right now we’re at about 1,200. And it’s exciting. There are a lot of new people. And things are constantly change changing. Change is that really the only constant for us.Rich Birch — Yeah. Yeah, that’s so good. Well, you’re on Long Island, and I can say as somebody who I ministered for years in New Jersey, I’m from Canada, I I get that people don’t wake up on Long Island on Sunday morning and think, hey, I should go to church today. Lou Pizzichillo — Yeah, yeah.Rich Birch — You’re serving a community that is is more unchurched than other parts of the country, which is a challenge for planting. So help us understand, you know, help us just kind of get into the mindset or the um perspective of people who are outside of the church. What do they view on, you know, Christianity? Tell us, give us a sense of of kind of what you’ve learned, you know, planting in that kind of context.Lou Pizzichillo — Yeah. So one thing that was really helpful right off the bat was somebody mentioned to me, they were like, you know, I’m not a gym person. And so when a new gym opens up in town, I don’t even really notice it.Rich Birch — Right.Lou Pizzichillo — And they’re like, I think it’s the same thing for church people.Rich Birch — Right. Lou Pizzichillo — It’s like, if you’re not a church person, then you don’t really notice when churches are doing things. And so that’s like, really, it’s a big reason why we’re so vocal about saying it we’re a church for people who don’t go to church, you know?Rich Birch — Right.Lou Pizzichillo — Um, and yeah, from there, honestly, we found that the biggest obstacle with people here is the existing reputation of church, of what church is like and what church people are like.Rich Birch — Yes.Lou Pizzichillo — This church is seen as very judgmental, hypocritical, fake, exclusive, impractical, you know, it’s something you just do to kind of check the boxes and then you go on with your life. I’ve spoken to even a lot of, um, like devout Catholics here who have, have said like, they don’t, they do their church thing because, because it’s what they think that they’re supposed to do, but they’re, what they are doing in church does not translate to everyday life.Lou Pizzichillo — And so church is seen as kind of an impractical thing. And, that’s kind of the starting point for a lot of people who we’re trying to connect with.Rich Birch — Yeah, I’ve heard it said in other contexts, it’s like, not that people don’t know the church. It’s like, it’s what they know that they don’t like.Lou Pizzichillo — Yeah, yeah.Rich Birch — It’s like, they have a sense of, you know, that that reputation. Are there any, maybe even stories or engagement you know conversations or engagements you’ve had with folks that have kind of brought that reputation to the fore. That obviously has led you to say, hey, we’re going position ourselves as a church where people don’t go into churches. Was there something that kind of influenced that as you were having, you know, even in these early years as you’ve been kind of get the ball rolling?Lou Pizzichillo — A big part of it honestly is a lot of my extended family. Like they’re, most of them are not church people. You know, they have a lot of respect for God. Like most people on Long Island, uh, especially, you know, most kind of nominal Catholics, like they would say they’re Italian or Irish. They say, oh, of course, Jesus is my savior. You know, like they, they know the right things to say, but in terms of what it actually means on a regular basis, it’s like kind of a totally different thing. So, so yeah, I mean, that’s kind of, kind of where we’re starting.Rich Birch — Yeah. Yeah, absolutely. So, you know, people have criticisms about the church and they have criticisms of of their experience with the church. How do you discern between criticisms that maybe you either need to be challenged, like, hey, that’s actually just not true, or like, oh, that’s a critique that is actually fair, and we’re going to try to steer in a different direction, ah you know, than that. Help us think about those, you know, when we think about skepticism towards the church.Lou Pizzichillo — Yeah, I think, honestly, the best thing for us has just been to have a posture of listening.Rich Birch — That’s good.Lou Pizzichillo — Because even even if their claims aren’t valid, a lot of their experiences are. And so, you know, they’re like, there’s somebody who’s been going to the church for a while now, and somebody that was very close to them has like a pretty intense story of church hurt, like real damage. And so to know that he’s walking in with all of this baggage and that there are a lot of other people walking in with that baggage that don’t let you know that they have that baggage… Rich Birch — Right. Lou Pizzichillo — …just kind of giving them the space to, to be hurt and for it to be real. That’s been huge for us just having that kind of posture of humility. Rich Birch — Yeah, that’s good. So that obviously has led to the way you’ve developed either the way you talk about ministry or the values that are underlining, you know, the ministry.Rich Birch — What has been important for helping communicate or articulate to people like, hey, this is a place that you can show up, you know, before you, you know, you’ve kind of bought it all. It’s like, Hey, you there’s a place to explore that sort of thing. Help us think through how do you communicate and then how do those, whether they’re phrases or yeah that sort of thing, how does that translate then into the values of how you actually operate?Lou Pizzichillo — Yeah. So big thing is for us, it’s training the team, like getting those values into the team and helping them to understand what that looks like in a concrete way. So we say, like a lot of churches say, you can belong before you believe. And the the illustration I give almost every single time, I’m like, if somebody walks in with a church, with a shirt that says, I hate God, we are glad that person is here, right? Rich Birch — Right.Lou Pizzichillo — Like we’re not assuming that they are walking in with interest or experience. And they might have a story that’s a lot more complicated than we know. So um so yes, we try to celebrate that.Lou Pizzichillo — When somebody walks in and they’re very open about their beliefs and their views not lining up with us, that’s something that we celebrate, right? Like because these are the people that we want here.Lou Pizzichillo — The other value that’s been really helpful for us is to say that people have permission to be in progress. And that has to do with their actions, the choices that they make, but also the things that they believe. And so you can be on board with some of our beliefs and not be on board with all of our beliefs. And we’re okay with that, right?Lou Pizzichillo — Like rather than just saying, okay, I accept all of it at one time. And now I completely agree that everything in the Bible is true. And, you know, I endorse it. Like we just kind of give people space to say, okay, like let’s maybe let’s start with the claims of Jesus, like right to this guy really rise from the dead. And now let’s look at what he says about things like the Old Testament, you know?Lou Pizzichillo — And so that’s that’s been a huge thing. We go back to that over and over and over again. It started as kind of like a main point in a sermon where I was like, you’ve got permission to be in progress. And so many people repeated it back to me that I was like, okay, this needs to be woven into our culture because it needs to be articulated…Rich Birch — Right.Lou Pizzichillo — …or people just assume, okay, if I’m going to say I believe, I got to say I believe it all. And there’s no room for disagreement.Lou Pizzichillo — And then from there, we say like, you got you can belong before you believe, you got permission to be in progress. And if both of those things are actually true for us as a church, then we can also say like our third value is no pretending.Lou Pizzichillo — Like you don’t have to pretend to be on board with certain things if you’re not there yet. And I think if we create an environment where people can be real and dialogue and be open about the things that they’re, you know, that they disagree with, I think that’s where there’s real hope for ultimately ending in a place of alignment.Rich Birch — Yeah, permission to be in progress to me feels very like a very Jesus value It feels like, oh, that to me, that’s like when I read the New Testament, that feels like the way he oriented himself to the people around him, right? There were clearly people that were like the rich young ruler came to him and was like, you know, asked a pointed question. Jesus gave a clear answer, and he didn’t, you know, Jesus didn’t, even though he said harsh words to or clear words, I would say, all was it always done in an environment of trying to say, hey, we I want you to be a part of this conversation. I’m really trying to be on the same side of the table. How do I bring you along?Rich Birch — Can you, like, let’s double click on permission to be in progress. Talk us through what that looks like. Because I think, I think so many churches draw very strong lines on like, you got to believe these 15 things to be a part here. Even if we wouldn’t explicitly set that say that, it’s like implicit in our cultures.Rich Birch — How does your culture look different when you say, hey, you’ve got permission to be in progress? What would be some of the things that might stand out to us as like, that’s a little bit different than how maybe some other churches handle this?Lou Pizzichillo — Yeah. So we have like we have values, but then we also just have sayings, right? Like it it is too hard for me to define what the most important values are. Like I get too obsessed with the wording and how we’re going to phrase things. And so in our our conference room, we have a big whiteboard and we write down little sayings. We actually write them in permanent marker on the whiteboard, which is wasteful, but at least we have something to reference.Lou Pizzichillo — So when somebody says something and we’re like, hey, that’s a culture thing, it gets written on the board. One of the things that came up that’s really helped us with this idea of permission to be in progress is that the goal is to get people to Jesus and everything else is secondary. Everything else comes after that.Rich Birch — That's good. Yep, that’s good.Lou Pizzichillo — And so I’m not going to like get into it with someone over a secondary issue or really something that’s an issue of sanctification, when we believe sanctification is the work of the Holy Spirit, right? Maybe your view on that will change after you understand who Jesus is and begin to follow him.Lou Pizzichillo — And so in a lot of ways, I feel like when we when we get too into the issues, we’re putting the cart before the horse, right? Rich Birch — Yes.Lou Pizzichillo — And so we’re trying to bring people to Jesus and show him show them what he’s like. And ah that that has been clarifying when it comes to permission to be in progress.Rich Birch — Yeah, that’s so good. And I think in heavily church context, when we kind of assume, oh, basically everyone here has some level of faith, those secondary issues can become like a really big deal. It’s like we spend a lot of time talking about those things.Rich Birch — But when the majority of people we’re interacting with you know, they haven’t, they haven’t really, really wrestled with what they think about Jesus and the difference he can make in this life. And we got to keep that, that really clear. Rich Birch — So no pretending is an interesting value as a communicator. How do you live that out in the way you show transparency? There’s this interesting thing years ago, I had one of the ah preacher that I love or communicator. I just think the world of, you know, he talked about how there’s this tension when we’re, communicating that, you know, we’re we’re trying to be transparent, but up into a point and how, where is that point? And how do we do that in a way that’s not, that brings people along? So ah what what does that look like for you even as a as ah as a leader to say, hey, it’s not my job to pretend. I’m going to just be honest and transparent, authentic to where we are? Lou Pizzichillo — Yeah. Well, I mean, I can definitely say that every time I tell a story that has me screwing up, it is it is the thing that people come to tell me about. Rich Birch — Yes.Lou Pizzichillo — Like, oh, thank you so much for telling me about you know the way you spoke to your kids… Rich Birch — Yes. Lou Pizzichillo — …or the thing that you said to your wife. Or it is just by far the thing that people love to hear. And that’s been encouraging. Now, I have had people like throw it back at me and that that comes with the territory. But I think that the stories of how that’s been helpful for people um like dramatically outweigh the people that are going to you know weaponize that stuff against you.Lou Pizzichillo — Something else I heard, um I think Brene Brown said this in one of her books. She said she doesn’t share things she hasn’t processed through yet.Rich Birch — Right.Lou Pizzichillo — And that for me is a really helpful thing. Like If I’m in the middle of something and just in the thick of it, it’s not the time for me to like bring that to the congregation. I think that could be really unhealthy for a lot of reasons.Lou Pizzichillo — So that’s, that’s kind of something that, and it doesn’t mean I can’t share something that just happened. You know sometimes I’ll explain an issue that just happened with my kids. That’s different than something I’m still processing and haven’t resolved yet.Rich Birch — Right. I think she said it’s the difference between scars and wounds, right? You can talk about your scars. That’s like, that’s an area that has, has had some level of healing to it versus an open wound, right? Like this is a part that’s, that’s still gaping.Lou Pizzichillo — Yeah.Rich Birch — And, uh, you know, we don’t necessarily want to to share that. And that, you know, uh, that is a change. So I’m, you know, I’m of a certain age, been in this game a long time. And I remember when we first started, when I first started, that generation that came before me, people wanted like the superhuman religious leader. They wanted the like pastor to be, to have their stuff a hundred percent sewed up. Like, don’t tell me that you’re a real human. They didn’t want that.Lou Pizzichillo — Yeah.Rich Birch — You know, and that has completely reversed.Rich Birch — People are like, no no, like you said, we, we need to be transparent, open, authentic. People know that we’re not perfect. Lou Pizzichillo — Yeah. Rich Birch — They know that we don’t have it all together. Lou Pizzichillo — Right.Rich Birch — And when we try to hide that, when we try to, in your language, pretend that actually is repulsive, it pushes them away. Lou Pizzichillo — Yeah.Rich Birch — One of the things that stood out to me just by reputation, kind of seeing your church is it appears that you guys have a conviction around getting out and serving the community, actually making a difference in the community. You know, it strikes me as very ah a very James-approach, faith in action – it’s it should make a difference in our community. What how do talk to me about what that looks like for Community. How does that, even your name, Community, you know, Church, reflects that. Talk talk to talk to me about what that looks like.Lou Pizzichillo — Yeah, so we’re pretty clear. Like we we tell people we want to be an asset to the community. We want people to be glad we’re here, whether they attend our church or not. And so that started really early. Actually, before we launched, we did this thing called the 12 Days of Christmas where, so our church is in a village, right? So there are a lot of local businesses around us. What we did is during the 12 days leading up to Christmas, we went to shops and we gave away gifts from those shops. There was a different shop every day for the 12 days leading up to Christmas. So we planned this out ahead of time. But we would post on social media and be like, Hey, today the, you know, the shop is Bunger surf shop. The first 25 people there are going to get beanies from Bunger surf shop.Lou Pizzichillo — And we paid for them. We sent the, Bunger agreed to hand them out. And people went to go get them. And what was, so it was a win, win, win, really. Like the people who participated got free beanies, the surf shop are like all the different shops in the village. They got people to go, they got traffic to their business, right?Rich Birch — Yeah, yeah.Lou Pizzichillo — Because people went in then bought other stuff. And it helped us communicate that we we say we want something for you, not from you, right? We want to be an asset to the community. And so it helped us communicate that message. And the response to that has been great.Lou Pizzichillo — Now, what’s interesting, if this doesn’t tell you something about the church’s reputation, on year one, before we launched, it was very hard to get 12 shops to agree to do this with us. Like they were like, you’re a church? I’m sorry. No, we’re not doing it.Rich Birch — Forget it. Yeah.Lou Pizzichillo — Now it’s year seven. Right now we’re in the middle of our our seventh year and there are shops lining up to do it. There are shops reaching out to us, asking us to collaborate.Rich Birch — Wow.Lou Pizzichillo — They’re helping to pay for the stuff. So it’s actually in some ways getting a little bit cheaper.Rich Birch — Huh.Lou Pizzichillo — And it’s just cool. It’s shown like this posture of partnership with what’s going on… Rich Birch — Yes. Lou Pizzichillo — …rather than, okay, there are the shops and then there’s the church. Rich Birch — Yes.Lou Pizzichillo — And yeah, we actually have a someone on staff now who first heard about the church on year one during the 12 days of Christmas. She started coming to the church. she eventually got baptized and now she’s on staff. And it’s just like, it has been so, so cool.Rich Birch — Yeah, I love that. That’s what a cool, you know, even just a cool tactic, kind of an expression of that. Is there other ways, other kind of activities like that, that you’re engaged with throughout the year that would could illustrate this idea of being for the community, being an asset to the community? What would be another example of that that that’s happened?Lou Pizzichillo — Yeah. So there is this fair that happens right across the street from the church. It’s called the Argyle Fair. It’s it’s around a lake. There are about 30,000 people that come to this fair. And the fair is on a Sunday during church.Lou Pizzichillo — The first year that we were here and had services during that Sunday, it was a mess. There were people you know like parking all over the place. It was hard to have services. Traffic was crazy. And we left church and my wife and I walked to the fair and just felt like something didn’t feel right. Like there’s some, here’s something everybody’s doing and we’re fighting against it.Rich Birch — Right.Lou Pizzichillo — So we went to the people who ran the fair and we were like, is there any way we can help? Like, is there, what do you guys need? And right away she was like, we need volunteers and we need parking. And as a church, we are uniquely equipped with volunteers and parking. Rich Birch — Yes.Lou Pizzichillo —And so really it was there, like that almost right away, we were like, okay, next year, ah we’re going to be on board with what you’re doing.Rich Birch — Wow. Wow.Lou Pizzichillo — And so we decided to cancel services. And in the weeks leading up to that, we teach about the importance of serving the community. It’s kind of like the grand finale to whatever, you know…Rich Birch — Yes.Lou Pizzichillo — …outreach series or message is being given.Rich Birch — Yeah.Lou Pizzichillo — And um yeah, so we teach on that. And then we’re like, hey, you know, two weeks from now, we’re not going to have services. Instead, we’re going to go out instead of staying in here talking about serving, we’re going to go out there and serve. And, you know, we’ve said like… Rich Birch — Love that. Lou Pizzichillo — …yeah, what’s what’s happening out there is not more spiritual than what’s happening in here. It’s a different way to express and grow in our faith. So we did that. And the response has just been unbelievable. Like the community has loved it. The the fair has had the help that they need. The people in our church have loved it. But this year we actually it got rained out on the first week. And so they postponed it to the next week.Rich Birch — Oh, wow.Lou Pizzichillo — And that made it tough for us because now we were like, okay, are we going to cancel church two weeks in a row? Rich Birch — Right. Lou Pizzichillo — And we had a meeting about it and like looked at our values, looked at what we were talking about. We were like, you know what, this is actually an opportunity for us to really double down and say, we’re not doing this out of convenience. We’re doing this because it’s a value. And so I called up the guy who was running the fair and he was like, I get it. If you can’t do it, I get it. And it felt, it was, it was amazing to be able to say on the phone, like, Hey, we’re with you, uh, no matter what. So, uh, so we did and it was, it was awesome.Rich Birch — That’s incredible. Like ah that, again, that what a vivid example, because I think there’s a lot of church leaders, if we’re honest, we’ve been engaged in the conversation that’s literally on the opposite side of that, where we’re like, man, how do we, these people, they’re, you know, they’re cramping our style or whatever. It’s like we naturally default towards that rather than to serve. Rich Birch — Take us back early in the discussions because I think a lot of us have not done a good job in building trust bridges in our communities. And you know trust isn’t built with just you know, one conversation. It takes time, right? It takes, like you said, those those first 12 days of Christmas, you couldn’t get anybody. And now here’s seven years later. We want we want to get to the seven years later part really quickly.Rich Birch — But ah those early conversations, how are you handling yourself, interacting with the like other people, you know, approaching them, having those conversations. What did you learn in the early dialogue that could help us if we’re trying to build, you know, deeper community trust in a place that just is so skeptical of that we’re coming with, just looking to take from our people.Lou Pizzichillo — Yeah. I mean, you have to be willing to be inconvenienced. I think that’s been a big part of it.Lou Pizzichillo — On week one, so we we launched literally on the first day and launch day was bigger than we thought it was going to be. And on that Monday, I was called to the mayor’s office, the mayor of the village.Lou Pizzichillo — And I was like, okay, thought I was going to go have a conversation. And when I got there, it was the it was him, it was the head of code enforcement and the fire chief all in a room waiting for me Rich Birch — Oh, gosh. Lou Pizzichillo — And they had pictures of cars parked all over the street. And I I realized there, like, there was a real concern about what this church was going to be in the community.Rich Birch — Right.Lou Pizzichillo — And so from there, we’ve just been looking for opportunities to earn trust. The neighbors have made it very clear that they don’t like cars parking on the street. And so we, we began paying for a lot so that we could take the cars off of the street. We don’t have to, they can legally park in the street, but we rent the lot. We told the owner of the property why we’re doing it. And he got on board with what we’re doing. We’re now in a place, kind of a long story, but we now don’t have to pay for that lot.Rich Birch — Wow.Lou Pizzichillo — We also, like the trust has been earned one decision at a time. We were going to do this big thing in the parking lot. We did a parking lot renovation that took the whole summer. After the summer, we were like, hey, in our new parking lot, let’s put on a Christmas show. We’ll run it throughout two weeks in December.Lou Pizzichillo — We had an animator who goes to the church. He like had this great idea for a show. He’s like, we’ll project it on the building. People will drive in. We’ll run it multiple times a night, do it for a few weeks throughout December. We were calling it Christmas in Lights.Lou Pizzichillo — So we put this whole plan together. He’s making the thing. We start advertising it and the village comes to us and they’re like, you’re in violation of the code. You can’t do this. And and they’re giving us all these reasons that I felt like didn’t really hold that much weight, you know.Rich Birch — Right.Lou Pizzichillo — But in thinking about it, I do understand the inconvenience it would have been. We just had a major parking lot renovation. There were huge trucks making tons of noise for months. Rich Birch — Right.Lou Pizzichillo — And now that’s finally over. And we’re going to ask the village to deal with the traffic of a show happening every single night, you know, for a few weeks in December.Rich Birch — Right Right.Lou Pizzichillo — And so I went to the mayor and I was like, hey, ah it’s a new mayor at this point. But I just sat down with her and I was like, hey, listen, if you have concerns about this, I want you to feel the freedom to just come to me and say, this is a lot for the neighbors. Like, what do you think about pulling this in?Lou Pizzichillo —And it was cool. It was an opportunity for the two of us to kind of bond, like there was some trust earned there and we canceled the show. We decided not to do it. And I released a video explaining why we weren’t doing it.Rich Birch — Wow.Lou Pizzichillo — And the amazing thing is that I think canceling the show accomplished more than we would have accomplished if we actually did the show.Rich Birch — Interesting.Lou Pizzichillo — Like it earned, it was so well received when people found out that we weren’t going to do it. They were like, and even the people that attend the church, they were like, I want to be part of a church that supports their community like this.Rich Birch — Right.Lou Pizzichillo — And so it went really well, and it was a lot less work, and so it was it was kind of a win all around. Rich Birch — What did the animators say? I feel but feel bad for that person who started doing that work. Did they understand. Obviously, they’re bummed or concerned.Lou Pizzichillo — He was bummed out, but he’s one of the nicest people you’ll ever meet, and so he he totally got it. And he’s on board with what we’re trying to do, and when he knew the reason why, he was totally, totally supportive of it.Rich Birch — Interesting. So where have you seen churches kind of get this wrong as we’ve tried to engage with the community? Maybe a common a pothole that we fall into or a way that we stub our toes, you know, a thing maybe you’ve you’ve you’ve seen that we just, we you know, kind of consistently make the same mistake.Lou Pizzichillo — Yeah. You know, one of my mentors told me a while ago, he was like, when you’re thinking about the church in the community, he’s like, there’s a small percentage of people that are for you. He said, there’s, there’s also a small percentage of people that are anti-church and they always will be, and you’re not going to change their minds.Rich Birch — Right.Lou Pizzichillo — And he’s like, but then there’s this large percentage that’s just kind of going to go one way or the other. And he’s like, that’s the percentage that you really have to be intentional about connecting with.Rich Birch — Right. Right.Lou Pizzichillo — And so I think, you know, it is very easy to tell the story like, hey, they don’t want us to do our Christmas show. This is persecution… Rich Birch — Yes. Lou Pizzichillo — …you know, and we got to fight and suffer for the name of Jesus. And ah we’ve just found that that’s not always the case. Rich Birch — Right. Lou Pizzichillo — You know, it’s people that don’t want to be inconvenienced and they may love church, but there’s there’s all this stuff going in the community. Maybe they maybe they have you know other reasons why. So i think I think it’s just the posture.Lou Pizzichillo — Like a lot of, most people, most people aren’t unreasonable. And I think if we give them the chance to really articulate what’s going on, I’ve been surprised at how understandable a lot of the feelings have been, a lot of the resistance to church comes from real stories, real experiences.Rich Birch — Right, right.Lou Pizzichillo — And so, yeah, I think it’s the you know the whole like persecution thing or suffering or that is real and people do really experience that. But a lot of times I think we’re a little too quick to say, oh, this is what that is when really it may not be.Rich Birch — Well, and it it’s, ah in some ways, it’s like a low form of, well, it’s a leadership shortcut for sure to like demonize, to like, oh, there, those people are come out to get us. You know, any leader that’s led before realizes, oh, that’s like a that’s a tool that actually works. People respond to that, but, but we don’t want to do that. Like that isn’t, these are the people we’re trying to love and care. These are people we’re trying to see point towards Jesus. They’re not our enemies.Lou Pizzichillo — Yeah. Yeah.Rich Birch — They’re not, you know, they’re, they’re not, they might just not like parking, like you at the end of the day.Lou Pizzichillo — Right. Right.Rich Birch — And so let’s not, let’s not get over-revved, ah you know, on that. And unfortunately there are, I know, you know, way too many churches that have got themselves on the wrong side of this. And it’s very hard to backwards engineer out of that. Once you go down that road of like, we’re going to try to go negative with our community. That just isn’t, it’s just, it’s, it’s very difficult to to step back from that.Rich Birch — If you think about a church leader that’s listening in today and they’re, they’re saying, Hey, They’re thinking we want to do a better job being trusted more locally, trusted by local leaders, trusted by other you know businesses in town, that sort of thing. What would be a couple first steps you think they could take? A couple things where they could start to try to build that kind of trust with the community around them?Lou Pizzichillo — Yeah. You know, I think I’m a big believer in praying for those opportunities. And also just giving things a second look, you know. When you’re in a situation that may seem like a challenge or something that may seem like it’s getting in the way, to just stop and think, okay, is, is there an opportunity here to build trust with the community?Rich Birch — Yeah, that’s good.Lou Pizzichillo — Because we, and when we say the community, we’re not just talking about this nebulous, you know, idea of Babylon village. There are people there.Rich Birch — Right. Right.Lou Pizzichillo — And if those people see this church as trustworthy, they may come here, you know, when their relationships are falling apart or when they’re looking for answers.Rich Birch — Yep.Lou Pizzichillo — Um, and so it’s really just been… We have great people here who have bought into what we’re doing, who have really helped us to see like, this is an opportunity to win with the community. And yeah, you gotta, you have to look outside the box and, and also be willing to, there, there are moments like with Church Has Left the Building—with the fair—and with the Christmas and light show, there are moments where they’ll see, okay, do you really care? Do you really care?Rich Birch — Yes. Yes.Lou Pizzichillo — Like are how how much will you inconvenience yourself? And I mean, the payoff from that has just been huge, even though it’s been an inconvenience and our giving goes down that week and it throws off the series and we got to restructure the calendar.Rich Birch — Right.Lou Pizzichillo — It has gone, there’s there’s never been a time where we’ve regretted it.Rich Birch — Yeah, it’s good. And, you know, there’s no doubt one of the things I think we can in our our little world of kind of church leadership, I think we can forget often that people in the communities that we’re serving, they really don’t have any frame of reference for a church of 1,200 people. Like they that that isn’t people’s normal perception of what a church is. Like a church is 25 people or 50 people in a room somewhere super small.Rich Birch — And, and their perception can be, they just don’t, they just don’t have any idea. What is that? What’s that look like? And some of that can skew negative because it’s busy and blah, blah, blah, all those things. And so we’ve, we, we have to take it on ourselves when our church gets to the size that you’re at or larger to try to help them understand and see though this is like really positive for the community and actually point towards that.Lou Pizzichillo — Yes.Rich Birch — Yeah, it’s good.Lou Pizzichillo — Yes. And, and like along those lines, ah it’s also perceived as a source of power, right? Like if, if there, if you have 1500 people that all believe the same thing and you’re trying to run a village or a community, there is this, this sense of like, okay, well, are they going to be for us or against us? Like, are all these people going to be anti-village?Rich Birch — Right.Lou Pizzichillo — And so there is like that, that instinct to kind of protect from this group of people that make, make things really hard for us. But over time, as they begin to see like all these people are, are behind us, they’re here to support us and they want to make this place better.Rich Birch — Yes.Lou Pizzichillo — It’s, it really is a beautiful thing. And we’re not there yet as a church, but we’re getting there. And, uh, we’ve just seen a lot of, lot of positive signs and, uh, Yeah, think it’s paid off.Rich Birch — So good, Lou. That’s, that’s great. Just as we wrap up today’s conversation, any kind of final words you’d have to, ah you know, to leaders that are listening in thinking about these issues today?Lou Pizzichillo — Yeah. I mean, I think I would just say it’s worth it. It's it’s messy. It does make things difficult. It can be inconvenient. And when you have people who don’t go to church coming to church and you give them permission to be in progress, you get a lot of hairy situations. And we have a lot of conversations where we’re trying to figure out which way to go.Rich Birch — Yeah, 100%.Lou Pizzichillo — But it’s in those conversations that we cant kind of stop and remind ourselves like, Hey, we’re, we’re glad that these people are here and we’re glad that these are the problems that we’re having. And, the end of the day, this is what we feel like it’s all about. So.Rich Birch — Yeah, it’s so good. I just want to encourage you as you’re leading, you’re doing a great job and and it’s been fun to get a chance to get a little window into what’s going on at Community. Want to encourage you and your your team, just you’re doing the right thing. If people want to track with the church or with you online, where do we want to send them to connect with you guys?Lou Pizzichillo — Yeah, so communitychurch.net is our website. On Instagram, we’re communitychurchli, we’re @communitychurchli, and we try to keep that handle throughout all the platforms. So YouTube, same thing. But yeah, that’s it.Rich Birch — Great. Thanks for for being here today, Lou.Lou Pizzichillo — Thanks for having me, Rich. It’s an honor to be here, and I love what you guys are doing for the church.

Road grit meets breast cancer courage in this wild ride from Daytona to Homer that turns one biker into a full‑on breast health champion for his fiance Kathy and uninsured women at The Rose. - Why one long‑distance biker took on the Hoka Hey Motorcycle Challenge to honor his fiancée Kathy and support uninsured women with breast cancer at The Rose. - The brutal, beautiful 11,000‑mile route from Florida through Hurricane Debby, the Keys, the red rocks, Canada, and into Homer, Alaska—and what those miles revealed about people’s kindness. - How a “subset of the biker community nobody hears about” quietly raises over a quarter‑million dollars for charity and reminds us that health, dignity, and access to breast cancer care matter more than anything we own. Please consider sharing this episode, or making a donation at therose.org so more women receive breast cancer screening and care. Subscribe to Let’s Talk About Your Breasts on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, iHeart, and wherever you get your podcasts. Key Questions Answered What is the Hoka Hey Motorcycle Challenge, and why do riders call it a spiritual challenge instead of just an endurance ride? How did Mike’s 11,000‑mile ride from Daytona to Homer work, and what did it take to earn “elite rider” status in 14 days? What was it like to ride the Florida Keys in the middle of Hurricane Debby on a loaded bike? How did small‑town strangers—like “Swamp Rat” in Georgia and Gayleen in Taos—step in to help exhausted riders and restore Mike’s faith in people? How did turn‑by‑turn paper directions, back roads, bad signage, and constant detours change the way Mike experienced the country and its communities? What kind of preparation, bike choice, and vetting does it take to even get a spot in Hoka Hey, and why is the field limited to about 100 new riders? How did Kathy’s metastatic breast cancer diagnosis push Mike to turn his love of riding into fundraising for The Rose? In what ways did this ride shift Mike’s beliefs about what matters more: money and stuff, or people, health, and community? How did the ride help Mike process anger about healthcare priorities and inspire him to speak out for women facing breast cancer? Why does Mike say it’s “not about the miles, it’s about what’s in those miles,” and how does that connect to living with and caring through breast cancer? Timestamped Overview 00:00 Dorothy introduces Mike and the Hoka Hey Motorcycle Challenge; Mike explains the event’s purpose, its origin with Jim Red Cloud, and the charity focus for indigenous communities and riders’ chosen causes. 04:45 Earning “elite rider” status, riding 11,017 miles in 14 days, and what it felt like to hit the Homer finish at midnight with his best friend. 07:40 Florida and the Keys in Hurricane Debby: sideways rain, flooded roads, soaked gear, and pushing through when you can’t even use a kickstand. 09:48 Sleeping by the bike, “Swamp Rat” opening the fire station, a Jamaican officer letting him ride on after a red light, and Gayleen in Taos handing out treats and directions. 13:30 Logistics, road confusion, unlabeled highways, extra detours, and the constant puzzle of staying on route while exhausted and chasing time. 17:32 Why Mike rode for Kathy and The Rose: their breast cancer story, her metastatic diagnosis, and turning frustration and helplessness into a fundraiser that reached 27,000 dollars. 21:43 What the journey taught him about people, poverty, food insecurity, generosity, and how stepping away from news and politics reframed what really matters. 23:05 The rules of the ride: American‑made bikes only, relentless back roads, long days in the saddle, sleeping in wet clothes, and learning to read paper directions while riding. 28:30 Dorothy frames Mike’s story as a story of America and of charity: the goodness of strangers, the power of bikers riding for breast cancer care, and why these miles matter for women they’ll never meet.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Episode Summary Free markets only work when signals are honest. Today's money signals are distorted so people work harder, earn more, and still feel stuck. In this episode, Curtis exposes the myth of free markets, explains why money friction is engineered into the system, and reveals the three silent wealth leaks draining households and business owners every day. What you'll learn Why distorted money signals break personal decision-making How locked money forces debt as default liquidity The real reason people feel behind even with good incomes The three wealth leaks most people never measure: -Interest -Taxes -Opportunity cost -Why budgeting fails when the system itself is broken Most people don't overspend they're oversiloed. Their money exists, but it's trapped when life happens. Want help identifying your leaks and rebuilding cash flow control? Go to practicalwealth.net and book a Clarity Call. We'll map your cash flow, find the leaks, and outline your first corrective moves.   Episode Resources Take the Next Step with Curtis May: Business Owners: Assess Your Challenges with Cash Flow → https://curtis-73no5r8j.scoreapp.com Private Banking Readiness Assessment → https://curtis-qljorw8q.scoreapp.com How Ready Are You to Be Your Own Bank? → https://curtis-hzw1jezd.scoreapp.com The Practical Wealth Show with Curtis May Keywords Myth of free markets Debt paradigm Cash flow control Money signals Liquidity and control Opportunity cost Household capitalism Private reserve Infinite banking Personal economy Cash flow mapping Financial systems Episode Highlights 00:00–00:31 - The myth of free markets and distorted money signals 00:31–01:24 - The debt paradigm and why institutions don't play by the same rules 01:24–02:08 - Asset-rich, cash-poor: why high earners still feel broke 02:08–02:58 - The leaky bucket: interest, taxes, and opportunity cost 02:58–03:26 - What if you could use money and still keep it growing? 03:26–04:26 - Real-world example: business owners saving, borrowing, and leaking simultaneously 04:26–05:22 - Wealth leaks beyond interest: mortgages, retirement, education 05:22–06:16 - Institutional incentives and why people play a rigged game 06:16–06:55 - Why budgeting isn't the solution—structure is 06:55–08:04 - Cashflow mapping vs reactive money management 08:04–08:44 - Parkinson's Law and why money disappears without systems 08:44–09:38 - Separating accounts and creating cash flow clarity 09:38–10:47 - Cash flow stress, revenue targets, and business discipline 10:47–11:43 - The "red pill" moment of understanding money systems 11:43–12:55 - Control, liquidity, and why structure reduces stress 12:55–14:04 - Earning more by creating more value 14:04–15:27 - Stewardship, leadership, and becoming the bank 15:27–15:49 - Final call to action and next steps  

Cynthia Garcia's story is one of the most powerful Marine Corps stories you'll ever hear. As a single mom, she ran into a Marine recruiting office seeking protection — and that moment changed her life forever. Today, she's an active-duty United States Marine Staff Sergeant, but her journey through Marine boot camp, recruiting duty, deployment, and motherhood was anything but easy.In today's Urban Valor Episode, we look into what it really takes to become a female Marine, the mental battles of Marine Corps boot camp, the pressure of being a mother in uniform, and how the Marines gave her something she never had before — belonging.Cynthia enlisted in 2014 after struggling with identity, self-doubt, and adversity. She almost quit during the final hike at boot camp. She faced harsh leadership in the fleet. She served on deployment in Africa and the Middle East. She became a Marine recruiter and helped change the lives of dozens of young men and women — some of whom credit her for saving their lives.But this story goes deeper.From nearly stepping out of formation at the Crucible…To becoming the very leader others depend on…To raising a daughter diagnosed with a rare genetic condition while serving on active duty…Cynthia didn't join for glory.She joined because she needed protection.And she never left!

Episode 112How to secure the right mentor. A leader's guide to getting a yes.EPISODE DESCRIPTION Mentorship can accelerate your leadership growth, sharpen your thinking, and expand your perspective but how do you actually secure the right mentor?In this episode of The Lonely Leader Podcast, James Rule moves beyond the “why mentorship matters” conversation and dives into the practical strategies leaders need to confidently approach, engage, and build meaningful mentor relationships.Wanting a mentor is easy. Earning a yes from the right one requires intention, clarity, and skill.KEY TAKEAWAYSHow to identify your true leadership development gaps.The right way to approach a potential mentor.How to prepare for conversations that impress, not waste time.The behaviours that earn trust and follow up meetings.How to handle rejection with confidence.Simple follow up strategies that build lasting relationships.EPISODES TO CHECK OUT NEXTEpisode 67 - Accelerated Learning: How mentorship fuels your leadership journeyEpisode 57 - Lessons from my leadership journey (Part 1)Episode 58 - Lessons from my leadership journey (Part 2) ABOUT THE HOST James is an experienced mentor, coach and thought leader who works with a range of clients from FTSE 100 companies, SME´s the NHS and wider public and not for profit sectors.His twenty year career in elite sport initially as a professional rugby player but predominantly as a chief executive has given him an invaluable insight in managing the success, failures and pressures associated with leadership at the highest level.As a high performance coach James specialises in enhancing resilience and leadership development. He is a passionate advocate of the notion that to find lasting fulfilment we need to take a holistic view of high performance. CONNECT & CONTACT Website www.thelonelyleader.co.ukThe Lonely Leader's LinkedIn James' LinkedInInstagramEmail: hello@thelonelyleader.co.uk NEWSLETTERSign Up to The Leadership Accelerator Newsletter for advice, inspiration and ideas, you'll also receive James' Tackling Imposter Syndrome guide.THIS SHOW WAS BROUGHT TO YOU BY LONELY LEADER MEDIA Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Topics Include: Raja Maupin The Hyperpot by Glenn AdamsonHadrian MendozaToshiko TakaezuIsamu Noguci MuseumThe Armory ShowCibone O'te KintsugiLichenGhetto GastroThe Spirit of Intimacy

What if the thing that looks like a distraction is actually the move that saves your startup? This episode breaks down why the “stay focused at all costs” advice can be risky when you're still figuring out what actually works. The hosts challenge the myth of the linear startup path, arguing that side quests—small, intentional experiments with capped downside—create learning, reduce single points of failure, and help you earn the right to pivot with evidence instead of vibes.They share how Fundable's early equity crowdfunding push revealed founders were unprepared to raise money, which led to a major side quest: doing diligence on about 100 companies, talking to 200+, and acquiring six venture-backed businesses—work that became the genesis of startups.com. Along the way, they highlight the value of the quest itself (market intel, understanding what not to do, faster learning) and even mention an extreme near-distraction: briefly considering buying Atari.The conversation also reframes common “side quests” like doing services work while building a product, arguing that bringing in revenue to stay alive isn't a distraction—it's the business. They clarify the difference between a side quest (exploration) and a pivot (committing to a new direction), and point to the podcast itself as an example of a side quest that became a major long-term asset after a rough start.What to listen for:00:40 The AI Newsletter Moment That Sparked the Topic01:47 What a “Side Quest” Means for Founders03:45 The Myth of the Linear Startup Path06:34 When Focus Becomes a Liability: Certainty, Ego & Roadmaps10:04 Side Quests as the Ongoing Lab (and Why It Never Ends)12:01 Case Study: Fundable 2012 and the Crowdfunding Gold Rush15:48 The Pivot: Founders Needed Help, Not Just a Platform18:07 Side Quests Done Right: Controlled Experiments (…and Almost Buying Atari)18:42 The Wild Idea: Almost Buying Atari (Nostalgia vs. Distraction)19:48 Why Side Quests Matter: Learning More Than the Outcome20:42 Founder-Forward Deal Talks & Market Intel as a Force Multiplier22:10 Side Quests as “Insurance”: Selling the Learning to Skeptics23:48 The Classic Startup Side Quest: Services to Pay the Bills27:14 Side Quest vs. Pivot: Exploration First, Commitment Later27:52 The Podcast as a Side Quest That Became Core to the Business30:26 Earning the Right to Pivot: Evidence, Courage, and Finding Truth34:20 Closing: De-Risking Through Exploration + Startups.com Community InviteResources:Startup Therapy Podcasthttps://www.startups.com/community/startup-therapyWebsitehttps://www.startups.com/beginLinkedInhttps://www.linkedin.com/company/startups-co/Join our Network of Top FoundersWil Schroterhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/wilschroter/Ryan Rutanhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/ryan-rutan/

The conversation addresses the issue of majoring in the minor and emphasizes the importance of focusing on the basics. It explores the paradox of 1% better, the hierarchy of foundation and optimization, levels of mastery, earning the right to worry about the minor, the compound effect, the basics done well, complexity as a crutch, optimizing the major things, and the importance of masculinity and prioritization.TakeawaysStop majoring in the minorFocus on the basicsChapters00:00 The Issue of Majoring in the Minor05:41 Earning the Right to Worry About the Minor18:49 The Importance of Masculinity and Prioritization

In this episode, I dive deep into the anti-hustle truth about valuing your time and knowledge as a woman in business. I talk about why setting up a ‘Book a Call' page on your site isn't just about making money—it's an energetic shift that breaks the cycle of over-giving and under-earning. You'll hear practical steps for listing out your natural genius, putting a price tag (yes, one that feels uncomfortable), and why just doing this exercise—even if you don't want to take calls—changes everything. I unpack how this simple move challenges the culture of free emotional labor and helps all women see the value in what they know.The less you give away for free, the more room there is for real abundance to show up.

Joining host Michael Azevedo on this episode is Angela Lynn Tucker, the director of an inspiring and informative new documentary called "The Inquisitor," which tells the story of the life and career of Barbara Jordan.   As a young girl growing up in Houston's Fifth Ward, Barbara Jordan was taught to defy expectations. She understood that to succeed, she would need to forge her own path.   With relentless determination and unyielding tenacity, Barbara Jordan made history as Texas's first Black state senator and in 1972 the first Southern Black woman elected to the U.S. House of Representatives.    At a time when the idea of a Black woman holding power seemed inconceivable, Barbara Jordan created a roadmap for change.   "The Inquisitor" chronicles the life of Congresswoman Barbara Jordan, whose electrifying voice and moral clarity during President Richard Nixon's impeachment captivated the nation. Earning her the moniker “The Inquisitor.”   The film will premiere on 2/23 on PBS as part of the Independent Lens series.   Making Media Now is sponsored by Filmmakers Collaborative, a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting media makers from across the creative spectrum. From providing fiscal sponsorship to presenting an array of informative and educational programs, Filmmakers Collaborative supports creatives at every step in their journey. About the host: www.writevoicecreative.com and https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-azevedo/   Sound Engineer: A.J. Kierstead

On this week's episode of Inside the Headset – Presented by CoachComm, we're joined by Brent Vigen, head coach at Montana State University. Coach Vigen shares his journey from graduate assistant to national championship head coach and reflects on the lessons that shaped his leadership philosophy. He discusses learning under Craig Bohl, developing players at a high level — including his experience coaching Josh Allen and what it takes to build and sustain a championship culture. In this conversation, Coach Vigen breaks down: Earning credibility as a young coach Leading fellow staff members early in his career Building and maintaining standards within a program Motivating players after winning a national title The importance of serving the coaching profession through the AFCA Board of Trustees This episode is packed with practical insight for coaches at every level who are focused on leadership development, culture building, and long-term program success.

All links and images can be found on CISO Series. This week's episode is co-hosted by me, David Spark, the producer of CISO Series, and Steve Zalewski. Joining us is our sponsored guest, Cliff Crosland, co-founder and CEO, Scanner.dev. In this episode: Earning autonomy gradually The blast radius question The reality check Today's value, tomorrow's evolution Huge thanks to our sponsor, Scanner All your security logs end up in cloud storage like AWS S3. Scanner makes them searchable in seconds and runs real-time detections directly on that data. No pipelines, no re-ingestion. 100x faster than traditional data lakes, 10x cheaper than SIEMs. Loved by analysts. Built for AI agents. Learn more at scanner.dev.

Episode DescriptionIn this bonus episode of the Lead Ministry Podcast, Josh Denhart shares how churches are gaining unprecedented access to public schools by serving real community needs. Drawing from his background as a science educator, Josh explains a practical outreach approach that builds trust, creates goodwill, and opens doors for the gospel.If your church has felt shut out of public schools or unsure how to begin those conversations, this episode offers a clear, proven path forward rooted in service and wisdom.Key Topics CoveredWhy churches lost access to public schools – Understanding the relational gapGood works and goodwill – Earning the right to be heard againThe Day of Science – A bridge building outreach modelKey Quote“We must serve our way into the hearts of people.”Scripture ReferencesJoshua 3:7 – “I will begin to exalt you in the eyes of all Israel.”1 Peter 3:15 – “Always be prepared to give an answer for the hope that you have.”TakeawayAccess to public schools is not gained through arguments but through service. When churches meet real needs with excellence, doors reopen and trust is restored.Call to ActionWe hope this episode encourages and equips you. Share it with a friend and stay tuned for more resources each week.Stay Connected for More ResourcesVisit our website: http://leadministry.comFollow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LeadVolunteersFind us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/leadvolunteers

207. Invisible Divides in the Workplace (with Ivonne Furneaux)   In this episode of The Visibility Factor podcast, Susan's guest is Ivonne Furneaux. She is a keynote speaker, workplace strategist and founder of emPower Up Consulting, where she helps organizations lead through change and close the invisible gaps that undermine trust, engagement and performance. With more than 20 years of experience inside complex, global organizations—including Target, UnitedHealth Group, WeightWatchers, OfficeMax and Anywhere Real Estate—Ivonne has led enterprise communications, employee experience, culture, change and Diversity, Equity & Inclusion during periods of transformation, uncertainty and growth. Grounded in both lived experience and formal training, Ivonne brings a human-centered approach to culture and communication. Using her proprietary “Ghost Gaps” concept and 4I Framework, she equips leaders and employees alike with actionable strategies to build more connected, engaged workplaces and careers. Ivonne Furneaux has a diverse background in corporate communications and DEI. The concept of 'ghost gaps' highlights invisible divides in the workplace. Workplace identity significantly impacts employee engagement and experience. Visibility in the workplace is crucial for connection and engagement. Organizational culture is shaped by the actions of all employees, not just leadership. The 4I framework can help organizations address ghost gaps effectively. Earning buy-in for change requires appealing to both hearts and minds. Sponsorship is more impactful than mentorship for career advancement. Transparency in communication builds trust within organizations. Investing in employees at all levels fosters loyalty and engagement. The book that Ivonne recommends is Fantasticland by Mike Bockoven Article that Ivonne wrote: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/invisible-workplace-divides-sabotaging-employee-ivonne-furneaux-qhkhc Follow Ivonne on social media: Website: https://ivonnefurneaux.com  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ivonnefurneaux/ YouTube: @IvonneFurneaux  Instagram: @ivonneinreallife Link to Order Your Journey to Visibility Workbook Thank you for listening to The Visibility Factor Podcast!    Check out my website to order my book and view the  videos/resources for The Visibility Factor book and Your Journey to Visibility Workbook. As always, I encourage you to reach out! You can email me at hello@susanmbarber.com. You can also find me on social media everywhere –Facebook, LinkedIn, and of course on The Visibility Factor Podcast! I look forward to connecting with you!          If you liked The Visibility Factor Podcast, I would be so grateful if you could subscribe and leave a review wherever you listen to podcasts! It helps the podcast get in front of more people who can learn how to be visible too!       

This episode is for informational purposes only and is not financial advice. Please consult a qualified professional before making any financial decisions.In this episode, we unpack the uncomfortable truth about high income and financial instability. Earning six figures , even $250K+ annually, can create new financial risks.Brenton Harrisonhttps://www.newmoneynewproblems.com/subscribeMy Men Richard/Richard Lesperance⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠richard.lesperance@gmail.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://linkedin.com/in/richardlesperance⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@mymenrichard

Today's episode is for the woman who's doing well on paper…earning more, climbing higher, checking the boxes of financial success— and yet still wondering if she's making the smartest moves with her money. Because here's the truth: more income doesn't automatically mean more clarity, more confidence, or even more security.In fact, high-earning women often face a unique set of financial blind spots—from over-relying on tax strategies to holding too much company stock, to quietly navigating complicated power dynamics at home and at work. And those mistakes can be costly if we don't name them.To help us unpack all of this, I'm joined by someone whose passion for empowering women financially is unmistakable the moment you hear her speak—financial advisor Maggie Johndrow who is a partner at Johndrow Wealth.In this conversation, we talk about the quiet financial mistakes high-earning women make, how taxes can mislead our biggest decisions, what to know about RSUs and stock options before they surprise you with a bill, and the emotional—and practical—realities of being the breadwinner at home. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What does it actually take to build a non-alcoholic spirit that the bar world respects?In this episode of Business of Drinks, Chris Abbott, co-founder of The Pathfinder, walks us through how the NA brand scaled to more than 20,000 nine-liter cases in 2025 — up over 80% year-over-year — by doing something many emerging brands skip: Earning credibility on-premise first.From Day One, The Pathfinder wasn't positioned around what it doesn't have. Instead, the team spent two years developing a fermented and distilled hemp-seed base, layered with 20 botanicals, so bartenders could treat it like a real spirit. Their key insight? If you want back-bar respect, build like a spirits brand — not a wellness brand.Chris shares why they went after the hardest accounts first — bars you can't buy your way into — and how landing 50 to 100 serious on-premise placements before leaning on distributors changed the entire conversation. As he observes, case studies are helpful, but visible traction in elite accounts is what turns heads inside distribution (and for consumer brand awareness).He's also transparent about what really motivates distributor partners. It's not just growth charts. It's whether reps believe they can make money selling the brand. Once that clicks, velocity follows.We talk about the unexpected upside of scarcity (including an early COVID-era stockout that created outsized buzz), why the company resisted the typical CPG urge to launch multiple SKUs too early, and how RTDs were introduced later as a smart trial and versatility play — not as a distraction from the core bottle.Retail expansion through Total Wine and Whole Foods became another proof point. When Pathfinder started selling in markets where the founders weren't personally hand-selling or training staff, that's when they knew product-market fit had moved beyond the echo chamber.At its core, this is a conversation about disciplined growth. Chris returns again and again to fundamentals: Unit economics, profitable scaling, and earning the right to expand into new states and new channels.If you're building in non-alc, spirits, THC, functional, or any emerging drinks category where credibility with the trade matters, this episode offers a replicable blueprint for how to do it — and how to scale without losing focus.For the latest updates, follow us:Business of Drinks:YouTubeLinkedInInstagram @bizofdrinksErica Duecy, co-host: Erica Duecy is founder and co-host of Business of Drinks and one of the drinks industry's most accomplished digital and content strategists. She runs the consultancy and advisory arm of Business of Drinks and has built publishing and marketing programs for Drizly, VinePair, SevenFifty, and other hospitality and drinks tech companies.LinkedInInstagram @ericaduecyScott Rosenbaum, co-host: Scott Rosenbaum is co-host of Business of Drinks and a veteran strategist and analyst with deep experience building drinks portfolios. Most recently, he was the Portfolio Development Director at Distill Ventures. Prior to that, he was the Vice President of T. Edward Wines & Spirits, a New York-based importer and distributor.LinkedInCaroline Lamb, contributor: Caroline is a producer and on-air contributor at Business of Drinks and a key account sales and marketing specialist at AHD Vintners, a Michigan-based importer and distributor.LinkedInInstagram @borkalineIf you enjoyed today's conversation, follow Business of Drinks wherever you're listening, and don't forget to rate and review us. Your support helps us reach new listeners passionate about the drinks industry. Thank you!

I've been wanting to do a Game of Thrones related Podcast for a while. Here we go.

Discover why Paul sounds the emergency alarm in Galatians chapter 1 against the danger of adding human effort to the finished work of Jesus

Discover why Paul sounds the emergency alarm in Galatians chapter 1 against the danger of adding human effort to the finished work of Jesus

Discover why Paul sounds the emergency alarm in Galatians chapter 1 against the danger of adding human effort to the finished work of Jesus

(0:00) Intro(0:02) Khutba, Qur'ani Aayat, Ahadis, Dua(1:15) Zahir aur Batin ke Gunahon se Tauba(1:45) Gunahon mein Halal aur Haram ka Tasawur(3:00) Jab Mushrikin ne Compromise ki Baat ki(4:37) Pakistan Assembly mein Sharab ka Qanoon(5:07) Haram o Halal ka Chakkar (Legal vs Haram)(7:50) Smuggling ke Bayan par Aetrazat ka Jawab (Smuggling ki Earning)(9:57) Hakim ki Ita'at kahan tak jaiz hai(10:49) Smuggling ki Earning kab Halal hoti hai(11:39) Islam vs Government Strategy(12:36) Islam mein Maal ka Haq(13:03) Doosron ka Maal Ghasab karne walon ke liye Wa'eed(14:15) Customs Haram Business kaisay banta hai(14:25) Kis ka Paisa Harrap karna kitna bara Gunah hai(15:07) Market Price vs Assets Value(20:12) Sood ki Haram Qism(21:57) Haram Muawza (Late Fee Penalty ka Masla)(22:51) Ijara aur Monopoly(23:48) Schools ki Reality(24:27) Haram Muahida(25:37) Schools ki Late Fee Penalty(26:01) Charon Imamon ka Fatwa(26:52) Muftabihi Qaul(27:38) Penalty na li jaye to kya ho(28:48) Late Payment par Saza (Imam Malik ki Gunjaish)(32:46) Mannat vs Muahida(33:51) Maali Jurmana(35:23) School Fee se Sadqa(36:06) Rafee Bhai ka Mashwara(36:57) Gunjaish ki Soorat(37:22) Na-Haq Maal Khana(38:03) Hakumat ka Nizam(38:44) Solar Panels aur Pakistan ka System(39:22) Bahir Mulkon ka System(39:54) Pakistan ka System(40:56) Pakistan ke Haq mein Baat(41:20) Agar Pakistan Hath se gaya(42:00) Karachi ke Badtareen Halaat(42:48) Strong Defence par No Compromise(43:55) Haram Muawza ka Masla(44:08) Tax System(44:25) Ijtemai Kaam mein Zabardasti Maal Lena(46:14) Ijtemai Qurbani ke Usool(49:52) Ijtemai Qurbani ka Tajurba(50:28) Fiqh mein Khareed o Farokht(52:02) Ijtemai Qurbani ka Profit/Loss(54:42) Fiqhi Qaidah(55:15) Forex Trading(55:35) Sood ko Halal Karna aur Gumrah Fatway(58:51) Nabi ﷺ ka Farman Ummat ke Hawalay se(59:10) Ghamdi ki Gumrahiyan(1:01:47) Khulasa Bayan(1:02:41) Adalti Khula(1:07:21) Pakistani Qawaneen aur Family System(1:08:13) Assembly Law Makers ki Reality(1:08:55) Parliamentarians ko Mufti sb ka Challenge(1:09:45) Islam vs Western Society(1:13:52) Cancer Patient ke liye Dua(1:14:28) Hospital Visit Advice (BP, Sugar)(1:19:08) Panadol ke Side Effects?(1:20:45) 40 ke baad BP Control(1:21:39) Motapay ki Wajoohat(1:22:35) Gosht Khor vs Sabzi Khor(1:23:23) Ghar ka Jhagra (Pratha Incident)(1:23:50) Nabi ﷺ ki Khorak(1:24:09) Motapay ki wajah se Shadi(1:24:56) Diesel ke Prathy(1:25:29) Awareness Workshops ka Mashwara(1:28:55) Gharailu Jhagron ka Hal (Diet Plan)(1:31:32) Balochistan Listener se Mulaqat(1:32:10) Valentine Day ka Wabal(1:35:19) Chitral se Aane wala Listener(1:36:02) Kidney Patient aur Roza(1:36:49) Juma ki Namaz kab Nafiz hui(1:37:02) Haram Rozi ka Namaz par Asar(1:37:23) Qarz aur Khudkushi ka Masla(1:38:59) Qabar mein Dobara Tadfeen(1:40:55) Bari Mannat ka Hal(1:43:32) Zillat ya Imtihan?(1:45:58) Khawateen ke liye InDrive Bike Ride(1:46:50) Kala Jadu ka Ilaj Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

New podcast episode! Planning Out A Hunt Test/Field Trial Season

Welding productivity is one of the most misunderstood topics in the industry—and it's costing shops serious money. In this episode, Jason Becker sits down with Nate Bowman to break down the reality behind arc-on time, operator factor, deposition rate, and weld volume. Together, they explain why welders aren't "only welding 11 minutes an hour," how over-welding quietly drains profitability, and how small operational changes—like proper weld sizing or adding an extra grinder—can save thousands of dollars over time. This conversation isn't about blame. It's about data, efficiency, and building high-performance welding operations that benefit both welders and business owners.  

I Make Good Money… So Why Do I Still Feel Broke - Bougie Budgeting for High-Earning Women with the Budget Besties You make good money… so why do you still feel broke? If you're a high-earning woman who looks successful on paper but still feels behind financially, this episode is for you. In this eye-opening conversation, Rebecca Whitman sits down with Budget Besties—Shana & Vanessa, best friends, business partners, and master financial coaches helping women stop wondering “Where did my money go?” and start building wealth with clarity and confidence. They reveal why overspending isn't the real issue, why budgeting feels emotional (even when you're smart and capable), and how disorganization—not discipline—is quietly draining your bank account. Most importantly, they share how to create a simple, automatic system that allows you to save, spend, and invest without sacrificing your bougie lifestyle. This episode proves you don't need to hustle harder, restrict yourself, or give up travel, dinners, or luxury to feel financially secure—you just need the right system. ✨ WHAT YOU'LL GET FROM THIS EPISODE • Why making more money doesn't automatically create financial peace • The real reason budgeting feels emotional, overwhelming, and exhausting • How disorganization quietly leaks money every single month • A simple automatic system that builds wealth for you • How to enjoy a bougie lifestyle without guilt, shame, or sabotage • The first step to feeling calm, confident, and in control of your finances

The landscape of Social Security is changing yet again. As we enter 2026, six big changes will impact both current and future retirees. I break down everything from the new cost of living adjustment (COLA), increases in the earnings test limit, and updated eligibility requirements, all the way to shifts in the full retirement age and the solvency projections for the Social Security Trust Fund. You'll also hear practical tips on maximizing your Social Security benefits, how to prepare for what's ahead, and why it's more important than ever to have a solid retirement plan in place.  You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in... [00:00] Social Security updates in 2026. [04:23] Social Security Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA). [09:00] Social Security earnings and credits. [13:41] Social Security benefits timing. [15:31] Social Security cuts looming in 2033. Key Social Security Changes in 2026 On the show, you'll hear an overview of these changes, helping you to prepare and adjust your financial plans accordingly. From increased earning limits to the solvency of the trust fund, here's what you need to know. 1. Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA): A Modest Boost One of the most anticipated changes each year, the Social Security cost-of-living adjustment (COLA), has been set at 2.8% for 2026—slightly higher than last year's 2.5%. This increase is designed to help benefits keep pace with inflation and is calculated automatically based on the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W) (as explained by Ryan Morrissey ). For retirees, this means an average monthly benefit increase of around $56 for singles and $88 for married couples. However, COLA's impact can be offset by hikes in Medicare Part B premiums, which have risen to $201.96 for 2026. This nearly $18 increase represents a 9.6% jump—higher than the COLA percentage—reminding retirees to monitor both Social Security and Medicare in tandem for accurate budgeting. 2. Earnings Test Limits: Collecting While Working If you want to claim Social Security before reaching your full retirement age and continue working, new earnings test limits apply. For those aged 62 until they reach full retirement age, the annual earnings limit is now $24,480, with benefits reduced by $1 for every $2 earned above this threshold. If you're in the year you hit full retirement age, the limit jumps to $65,160. Exceeding this means your benefit will be reduced by $1 for every $3 extra earned. Importantly, once you reach the month of your full retirement age, these limits disappear, and you can collect benefits without reductions regardless of income. 3. Earning Credits for Eligibility To qualify for Social Security, you must earn at least 40 credits over your working lifetime. For 2026, you'll receive one credit for each $1,890 earned per quarter—a slight increase over last year's $1,810. Most individuals accumulate the required credits after about 10 years of work. Earning more than 40 credits doesn't increase your benefit, but working longer and earning more can boost your payout through the average indexed monthly earnings calculation. 4. Social Security Wage Base Increase Social Security taxes apply to income up to a set wage base, which in 2026 rises to $184,500. Both employees and employers pay 6.2% up to this limit, which has increased by $7,500 over the last year. If you're self-employed, you cover both portions (12.4%). There's no cap on what you pay into Medicare, with a rate of 1.45%, and an additional 0.9% for higher earners. These thresholds have not been adjusted for inflation, making planning essential for those with larger salaries. 5. Full Retirement Age: Incremental Shift The gradual increase in full retirement age culminates in 2026. Those born in 1959 can claim full benefits at age 66 and 10 months, while anyone born in 1960 or later sees their full retirement age rise to 67. This change marks the final step in modifications enacted by the 1983 Social Security Act. After age 67, there are no planned increases—unless Congress takes further action. 6. Social Security Trust Fund: Solvency Concerns The long-term outlook for the Social Security Trust Fund remains a concern. Per the latest trustee report, benefits could be cut by 23% in 2033 if Congress does not act. Recent laws have expanded eligibility but also reduced system inflows, raising questions about solvency. For now, we don't need to panic; proactive planning and staying informed are key. Regularly review your Social Security status and plan contributions, and consider how these changes affect your overall financial strategy.  Resources Mentioned Retirement Readiness Review Subscribe to the Retire with Ryan YouTube Channel Download my entire book for FREE Connect With Morrissey Wealth Management  www.MorrisseyWealthManagement.com/contact   Subscribe to Retire With Ryan

What went wrong in the gold medal match against Sweden in mixed doubles curling to force the US to settle for silver? Sloane Martin joins on that and all the curling action she's been calling for NBC.

I Make Good Money… So Why Do I Still Feel Broke - Bougie Budgeting for High-Earning Women with the Budget Besties You make good money… so why do you still feel broke? If you're a high-earning woman who looks successful on paper but still feels behind financially, this episode is for you. In this eye-opening conversation, Rebecca Whitman sits down with Budget Besties—Shana & Vanessa, best friends, business partners, and master financial coaches helping women stop wondering “Where did my money go?” and start building wealth with clarity and confidence. They reveal why overspending isn't the real issue, why budgeting feels emotional (even when you're smart and capable), and how disorganization—not discipline—is quietly draining your bank account. Most importantly, they share how to create a simple, automatic system that allows you to save, spend, and invest without sacrificing your bougie lifestyle. This episode proves you don't need to hustle harder, restrict yourself, or give up travel, dinners, or luxury to feel financially secure—you just need the right system. ✨ WHAT YOU'LL GET FROM THIS EPISODE • Why making more money doesn't automatically create financial peace • The real reason budgeting feels emotional, overwhelming, and exhausting • How disorganization quietly leaks money every single month • A simple automatic system that builds wealth for you • How to enjoy a bougie lifestyle without guilt, shame, or sabotage • The first step to feeling calm, confident, and in control of your finances

Earning, spending, investing and shopping overseas has never been easier, but it has never been more complex either. If your money is constantly moving between currencies, countries, and platforms, it can feel like you're doing everything right on paper while still losing value through fees, exchange rates and timing. In this episode of Everything Counts, Motheo Khoaripe explores what it really means to live a global financial life. He's joined by Dan Buntman, Product Lead for International Banking at Investec, and Bonnie Dalglish, Private Banking Forex Lead, to unpack how South Africans are spending, earning and investing in an increasingly borderless world. The conversation dives into the explosive growth of online and global shopping, the rise of multicurrency lifestyles, and why so many people feel their money is harder to track than ever before. From foreign income and international subscriptions to offshore investing, travel, and digital nomad life, the episode highlights the hidden costs and blind spots that can quietly erode your finances. You'll learn how exchange rates, fees, and payment timing impact your money, why separating currency conversion from spending can be a game changer, and how new banking technology is simplifying global payments behind the scenes. The experts also explain how multicurrency accounts and intelligent routing can help reduce friction, avoid unnecessary conversions, and give you more control when your life stretches across borders. If your lifestyle, income, or investments are international (or heading that way) this episode will help you understand how to make your global money work harder for you, with less stress and more control. 00:00 Introduction 02:00 How popular is online shopping? 04:00 How are South Africans online shopping overseas? 05:10 Banking allows global shopping 06:10 How are South Africans living and spending across borders? 09:00 What to consider when it comes to multi currency spending 09:30 Buying foreign currency vs global spending 11:00 How banking innovations make international spending easier 12:00 What is a multi currency account? 13:00 The technology behind multi currency accounts 15:15 Benefits of a multi currency account 17:05 How many people are using multi currency accounts? 19:30 Key takeaways for international spending 21:00 Conclusion Investec Focus Radio SA

God, be merciful to me, a sinner (Luke 18:13b). Glory to God!

Unlock Las Vegas value with this Rio Las Vegas trip report! Join Justin Vacula on the Hurdy Gurdy Travel Podcast with co-host Darren as we break down how Hyatt Globalist benefits, smart booking strategy, and low-variance video poker can add up to an affordable and fun Las Vegas stay. We cover what it's like staying at Rio Las Vegas, why it can be a hidden gem for value-focused travelers, and how to think about Hyatt points, elite status perks, resort fees, comps, tier credits, and casino loyalty without getting lost in the weeds. We also explain why multi-hand or multi-play video poker games can lower risk while still earning meaningful rewards. We also share updates on upcoming meetups, conferences, and travel plans, plus a quick discussion of tools like CardPointers for staying organized with credit card points and benefits.

In this episode of the Scaling Japan Podcast, we explore the world of copywriting in Japan, a critical but often misunderstood part of doing business in the Japanese market.We're joined by Yuji Kobayashi, CEO of Kakusha and lead Japanese copywriter for Scaling Your Company, and Asama Toyozawa, CMO of AI Market with past experience at global firms like Spotify and Taboola.Together, we unpack why trust-based messaging, tone, and phrasing are essential for success in Japan and how Western-style copywriting can fall flat if not localized properly.From dissecting campaigns by brands like Nike Japan to understanding how language and psychology influence consumer behavior, this episode offers practical tips and cultural insights for businesses targeting Japanese customers.Whether you're a founder, marketer, or localization professional, this is a must-listen episode for creating Japanese copy that converts.

In this episode of the Uplevel Dairy Podcast, Peggy Coffeen interviews Nathan Abel, the next-generation dairyman at Abel Dairy Farms. Nathan shares insights on how his hands-on experience, education, and incorporation of technology are helping him prepare for future leadership and ownership roles. He discusses his educational journey, the importance of learning both the technical and business aspects of dairy farming, and the challenges and strategies for implementing new technologies. Nathan also highlights the value of community involvement and ongoing learning as essential components for the farm's sustainable growth. This episode emphasizes the pivotal role of modern software solutions in revolutionizing dairy operations.This Episode is Brought to you by Milc Group Milc Group is a dairy software company that brings real-time, actionable data to dairy farms across the world. They are dedicated to revolutionizing the dairy industry with their user-friendly cloud-based software. ONE™ by Milc Group is our all-in-one app that brings together all the important aspects of your dairy together in one place. With products such as feed and animal management software, people training, dairy facility monitoring, and scale management, Milc Group is committed to providing producers with tools they need to succeed.00:00 Introduction to the Next Generation of Dairy Farming00:38 Sponsorship Message from Milc Group01:11 Nathan Abel's Journey Back to the Family Farm01:56 Educational Path and Early Decisions05:59 Hands-On Experience and Internships08:03 Integrating Technology into Dairy Farming14:25 Leadership and Team Dynamics19:18 Community Involvement and Future Vision22:19 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

It’s so important to be able to not only earn trust but to keep it. This week Deanna and Judi break down the importance of this, and share the how to’s. The post Earning the Trust of Your Leader appeared first on Join The Movement!.

Chris Hogan joins Golic & Golic to discuss the keys to the game, Super Bowl stories (including the after-parties), and why this Patriots team is special and shouldn't be counted out. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Wealth preservation at the $1M to $10M level isn't about finding the next unicorn; it's about structural discipline. In this solo episode, Sam Silverman dismantles the "Portfolio Paradox", the stress of having high net worth but low liquidity, and reveals his comprehensive framework for deploying $1 million effectively.We move beyond the accumulation mindset to the architecture of allocation, breaking down the specific "jobs" every dollar must play, from providing sleep-at-night liquidity to capturing asymmetric upside.In this episode, we cover:The Portfolio Paradox: Why portfolios that look good on paper often cause massive stress due to illiquidity traps and analysis paralysis.The 5-Point Filter: The rigorous stress test every deal must pass, balancing Yield, Appreciation, Liquidity, Tax Efficiency, and Impact.The 4-Bucket Blueprint: A detailed breakdown of the target allocation: 15% Liquidity, 30% Predictable Income, 40% Long-Term Growth, and 10% Asymmetric Bets.Earning Illiquidity: Why you must "earn" the right to lock up capital in private equity by first establishing a foundation of liquid cash and income.Asymmetric Sizing: The "Zero" Rule for high-risk ventures; how to size bets so that a total loss changes nothing, but a win changes everything.Links & Resources:Newsletter: Join the Mechanics of Money weekly deep dive: https://www.mechanicsofmoney.coInvest: Invest with Silverman Capital: https://silvermancapital.coAbout the Host: Sam Silverman is the Founder of Silverman Capital, a private equity and real estate investment firm. Mechanics of Money is the audio playbook for high-net-worth individuals moving from "High Earner" to "Sophisticated Allocator."

(Disclaimer: Click 'more' to see ad disclosure) Geobreeze Travel is part of an affiliate sales network and receives compensation for sending traffic to partner sites, such as MileValue.com. This compensation may impact how and where links appear on this site. This site does not include all financial companies or all available financial offers. Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Enrollment may be required for select American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more.  ➤ Free points 101 course (includes hotel upgrade email template)⁠https://geobreezetravel.com/freecourse⁠  ➤ Free credit card consultations ⁠https://airtable.com/apparEqFGYkas0LHl/shrYFpUr2zutt5515⁠ ➤ Seats.Aero: ⁠https://geobreezetravel.com/seatsaero⁠ ➤ Request a free personalized award search tutorial: https://go.geobreezetravel.com/ast-form If you are interested in supporting this show when you apply for your next card, check out https://geobreezetravel.com/cards and if you're not sure what card is right for you, I offer free credit card consultations at⁠https://geobreezetravel.com/consultations⁠!Timestamps:00:00 Introduction to Gift Card Buying Tips00:18 Meet GK: The Gift Card Expert00:33 How GK Earned 5 Million Alaska Miles01:30 Getting Started with Gift Card Reselling04:29 Credit Cards for Maximizing Points08:19 Scaling Up Your Gift Card Reselling10:02 The Kroger Advantage12:57 Logistics of Gift Card Reselling15:55 Bulk Selling Gift Cards to Banks16:19 The Challenges of Reselling Gift Cards17:16 Streamlining Gift Card Entry18:10 Mitigating Risks in Gift Card Transactions20:17 Time Commitment and Earnings Potential23:17 Scaling Up and Managing Risks28:24 Getting Started with Gift Card ResellingYou can find Julia at: ➤ Free course: ⁠https://julia-s-school-9209.thinkific.com/courses/your-first-points-redemption⁠➤ Website: ⁠https://geobreezetravel.com/⁠➤ Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/geobreezetravel/⁠➤ Credit card links: ⁠https://www.geobreezetravel.com/cards⁠➤ Patreon: ⁠https://www.patreon.com/geobreezetravel⁠You can find GK at:➤ Website: ⁠The Whales Club⁠Opinions expressed here are the author's alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post. The content of this video is accurate as of the posting date. Some of the offers mentioned may no longer be available.

"Community is what fills you up. Earning money is what helps you pay your bills."  Real leadership shows up when success expands beyond personal gain and turns into responsibility for others. Building something meaningful takes communication, commitment, and a willingness to step into problems rather instead of avoiding them. When people align around purpose instead of convenience, work becomes fulfilling, communities strengthen, and momentum grows naturally through shared effort.  Eric Axelrod explains how decades in recruiting taught him the fundamentals of listening, problem-solving, and guiding people through uncertainty—and how those same principles fueled the creation of Wood For Good. What began as helping a few families during COVID quickly turned into a scalable community effort because volunteers found purpose, connection, and pride in meaningful action. He highlights how isolation weakens societies, while shared service restores confidence, energy, and human dignity.  Eric is a longtime recruiting executive and nonprofit founder based in Vermont. Through Wood For Good, he mobilizes volunteers to provide firewood to families facing heat insecurity, demonstrating how entrepreneurial skills can be redirected toward community resilience and lasting impact.  Expert action steps:  Listen deeply before acting—real solutions come from understanding people, not assumptions.  Lead with visible passion—energy and sincerity create momentum and trust.  Treat obstacles as opportunities—how you interpret problems determines your progress.  Learn more & connect:  https://wood4good.org/  Socials:  https://www.facebook.com/Wood4GoodVT/  https://www.instagram.com/wood4goodvt  Visit https://www.eCircleAcademy.com and book a success call with Nicky to take your practice to the next level. 

UFC 325 had some really great moments and finishes throughout the card. Ruffy over Fiziev, BSD over Dan Hooker and some not so great. Chief of the worst was just the booking in the main event, Diego Lopes vs Alexander Volkanovski looked like Lopes vs Volk 1. It was a dominant performance the first time and it was only 9 months ago. What was even the point?

In this message, Ben unpacks the profound truth that "Grace is opposed to earning, but not effort," tackling the common spiritual struggle of feeling the need to perform for God's love. He shares his personal journey of moving away from a "spiritual grind" to finding real freedom in his faith, challenging the idea that we're responsible for earning a percentage of our own grace. Discover how to re-center your identity as a beloved son or daughter of God, and learn two simple, life-changing shifts—slowing down your approach to Bible reading and adopting a practice of continual "Help, Thanks, Wow" prayer—that have re-energized his relationship with Jesus and can do the same for you.

What happens when we decide to be present, patient, and kind in the middle of one of the hardest stretches of the school year? In this week's episode of Aspire to Lead, Joshua Stamper welcomes back Dr. Christopher Culver to explore the science of kindness and belonging, the impact of chronic stress on educators, and why self compassion must come before we can sustain compassion for others.​Dr. Culver shares vulnerable pieces of his own story, including seasons of deep darkness and imposter syndrome, and explains how those experiences shaped his work on kindness, his bilingual children's book about belonging, his new book Be the Light, and his Science of Kindness podcast. Listeners will gain practical strategies to lead with presence and patience, protect their own mental health in high stress seasons, and create school cultures where every person feels seen, valued, and included.About Dr. Christopher Culver:Dr. Christopher Culver is a proud product of Oklahoma education and has served educational communities for more than a decade as a classroom teacher, secondary principal, and most recently as a cabinet-level administrator. Dr. Culver is a product of a divorced family and split time between Tulsa & Wyandotte, OK and Fayetteville, NC during his childhood. Currently, Dr. Culver serves as a consultant with expertise in kindness, culture and understanding Gen Z/Gen A, and as an adjunct professor at Oklahoma City University, teaching future teachers and leaders. He is highly sought after and well known for his high-energy, passionate, engaging, and motivational professional development. Participants call him “engaging, charismatic, dynamic, and enthusiastic.” He has his pulse on today's generation. Earning an EdD researching culture, motivation, and the collective impact on teacher retention, Dr. Culver is focused on spreading kindness, improving mindset, cultivating culture, and educating about Gen Z/A. He believes that if you cannot find the light, be the light! Keep shining, friends! Follow Dr. Christopher Culver: Website: www.orangesparrow.org Twitter (X): DrChrisCulver Instagram: DrChrisCulver Facebook: DrChrisCulver Linkedin: Dr. Christopher (Chris) Culver YouTube: DrChrisCulver Podcast: https://scienceofkindness.com/ — NEW Aspire to Lead Cohort: Join the March 1st Launch Ready to move from teacher to administrator? The Aspire to Lead Cohort is a monthly leadership program designed for educators pursuing administrative roles. Get expert training, peer accountability, interview prep, and a clear roadmap to advance your career. December 1st cohort launching soon. Limited spots available. READY TO JOIN? Apply for the Aspire to Lead Cohort: https://bit.ly/47xWzIu Limited spots available. Next cohort starts 3/1/26

Podcast Description: In Part 2 of this two-part episode of Whiskey, Jazz & Leadership, host Galen Bingham continues his inspiring conversation with Annie Meehan, motivational speaker, author, and resilience expert. Annie dives deeper into her P3 Purpose Formula, a transformative approach to discovering your purpose by turning pain into passion and ultimately into purpose.   This episode is packed with actionable insights on how to live intentionally, lead authentically, and make decisions that align with your values. Annie shares how her invisible board of directors, including names like Oprah Winfrey, Brene Brown, and Simon Sinek, guides her in making tough decisions. She also opens up about her faith, her journey to earning the prestigious CSP designation, and how she uses her story to inspire others to live by choice, not by chance or circumstance.   What You'll Learn in This Episode: The P3 Purpose Formula: How to turn pain into passion and purpose. Living Intentionally: Why every day is a choice to be amazing. The Invisible Board of Directors: How mentors like Oprah Winfrey and Simon Sinek inspire her decision-making. Faith and Authenticity: How Annie's faith shapes her leadership and connection with others. Earning the CSP Designation: What it means to achieve the highest distinction in professional speaking.   What you drinking? Galen pours a glass of Ridgemont 1792 Small Batch Bourbon (93 proof), a smooth and foundational whiskey that perfectly complements the depth of this conversation. Meanwhile, Annie sips on honey and ginger kombucha, a refreshing and healthy choice that reflects her commitment to living with intention and balance.   Want more? For four dollars a month, you can become a Patreon VIP. You'll get early access to every Part Two episode. A deep archive of exclusive conversations. Insight into who's coming next. And direct access to Galen himself. Join the VIP circle today Click Here. Cheers to leadership that matters!

Picking up a camera is often the start of a life-changing journey. And when it's combined with a focus on community building, the determination to lead by example, and shrewd entrepreneurial skills—this basic action can have a ripple effect with the potential to change countless lives. In today's show, we speak with creative community trailblazer CJ Wolfe, who has built a passion for pictures and infectious team spirit into a multifaceted brand that encompasses rental studios, a creative agency, and a non-profit organization with a mission to educate and inspire disenfranchised youth.  Listen in and discover how CJ tapped the determination and leadership skills instilled in him as a student athlete to build a thriving business from the ground up. As an advocate of the 10,000-hour rule, he put in the time and focused on studying the industry and its varied tools and processes, to propel both himself and his community to the next level. When asked what advice he'd give to young photographers just starting out, CJ notes: "…have your third eye open to what's going on around you, and how you can fit that into your story, into your art, into your creativity with your camera. Because nowadays, photographers, you're just not a photographer. Like, there's so much more to that now." Guest: CJ Wolfe Episode Timeline: 2:55: CJ's first camera, his pictures of fellow athletes, and learning camera settings on the fly. 6:29: The skills CJ learned from sports that have helped him build his business.  10:37: The challenges involved in establishing a 600-square-foot photo studio and rental business.  16:55: Building the business by studying the industry and the needed tools and trusting that process.  20:52: Establishing the CJ Wolfe Foundation as a non-profit organization and building the staff.  24:57: Earning people's trust, changing the perception of the neighborhood, and looking to establish studios in other cities.  31:23: Looking ahead to another five years and having more impact, plus CJ's plans to get back to his own photography. 33:59: CJ's advice for photographers who are just starting out: Always be open to learning new things about storytelling and marketing.  36:55: CJ's upcoming plans related to upcoming photo activations and major events going on in Philadelphia.   Guest Bio: CJ Wolfe first picked up a camera in 2018, while pursuing college studies as a student-athlete. Since that time, he's become a staple within Philadelphia's creative community, influencing sports, music, and lifestyle through his creativity behind the scenes and, most importantly, behind the camera. Early on, CJ recognized a major gap in his hometown—a lack of safe, inspiring spaces for photographers to refine their craft, showcase their talents, and build professional networks. Responding to that need, in 2020, he founded Immortal Vision Studio, which quickly grew into a trusted rental powerhouse for photo and video production. Now operating two boutique studios totaling 6,000 square feet and booking over 2,000 appointments a year, this homegrown business has become a cornerstone of the city's creative community. Additionally, in 2023, CJ founded Immortal Vision Agency as a creative firm producing high-impact content for brands and businesses, while simultaneously elevating local talent to the world stage. Working together with his team, CJ has produced work for Red Bull, Footlocker, Ethika, ASAP Ferg, Lil Baby, Meek Mill, and Allen Iverson to name just a few.   Stay Connected: CJ Wolfe Website: https://www.cjxwolfe.com/  CJ Wolfe Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cjxwolfe/   CJ Wolfe LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cj-wolfe   CJ Wolfe Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/discover/scott-beardslee  Immortal Vision Studio Website: https://www.immortalvisionstudio.com/  Immortal Vision Studio Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/immortalvisionstudio/   Immortal Vision Studio Youtube: https://www.www.youtube.com/@immortalvisionstudio/  Immortal Vision Studio LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/immortalvisionstudio  CJ Wolfe podcast segment at B&H's Bild Expo: https://www.bhphotovideo.com/explora/podcasts/photography/bild-2025-recap-with-cj-wolfe-maria-clinton-benjamin-von-wong  Credits: Host: Derek Fahsbender Senior Creative Producer: Jill Waterman Senior Technical Producer: Mike Weinstein Executive Producer: Richard Stevens  

You make good money… so why do you still feel broke?If you're a high-earning woman who looks successful on paper but still feels behind financially, this episode is for you. In this eye-opening conversation, Rebecca Whitman sits down with Budget Besties—Shana & Vanessa, best friends, business partners, and master financial coaches helping women stop wondering “Where did my money go?” and start building wealth with clarity and confidence. They reveal why overspending isn't the real issue, why budgeting feels emotional (even when you're smart and capable), and how disorganization—not discipline—is quietly draining your bank account. Most importantly, they share how to create a simple, automatic system that allows you to save, spend, and invest without sacrificing your bougie lifestyle. This episode proves you don't need to hustle harder, restrict yourself, or give up travel, dinners, or luxury to feel financially secure—you just need the right system. ✨ WHAT YOU'LL GET FROM THIS EPISODE • Why making more money doesn't automatically create financial peace• The real reason budgeting feels emotional, overwhelming, and exhausting• How disorganization quietly leaks money every single month• A simple automatic system that builds wealth for you• How to enjoy a bougie lifestyle without guilt, shame, or sabotage• The first step to feeling calm, confident, and in control of your finances 

(Disclaimer: Click 'more' to see ad disclosure) Geobreeze Travel is part of an affiliate sales network and receives compensation for sending traffic to partner sites, such as MileValue.com. This compensation may impact how and where links appear on this site. This site does not include all financial companies or all available financial offers. Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Enrollment may be required for select American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more.  ➤ Free points 101 course (includes hotel upgrade email template)https://geobreezetravel.com/freecourse  ➤ Free credit card consultations https://airtable.com/apparEqFGYkas0LHl/shrYFpUr2zutt5515 ➤ Seats.Aero: https://geobreezetravel.com/seatsaero ➤ Request a free personalized award search tutorial: https://go.geobreezetravel.com/ast-form If you are interested in supporting this show when you apply for your next card, check out https://geobreezetravel.com/cards and if you're not sure what card is right for you, I offer free credit card consultations athttps://geobreezetravel.com/consultations!Timestamps:00:00 Introduction to Southwest Airlines Refund Policies00:14 Meet Max Craig: Travel Expert and Points Guru00:28 Southwest Airlines Program Updates and Strategies03:08 Southwest Airlines Partner Airlines and Limitations07:31 Changes in Southwest Airlines Fare Types15:24 Southwest Airlines Companion Pass: Strategies and Benefits18:08 Southwest Airlines Credit Card Strategies29:16 Earning and Maximizing Southwest Points30:39 Sustainable Strategies for Southwest Frequent Flyers32:09 Repositioning Flights and Final ThoughtsYou can find Julia at: ➤ Free course: https://julia-s-school-9209.thinkific.com/courses/your-first-points-redemption➤ Website: https://geobreezetravel.com/➤ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/geobreezetravel/➤ Credit card links: https://www.geobreezetravel.com/cards➤ Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/geobreezetravelYou can find Max Craig at:➤ Facebook Group: Optimize Southwest Companion Pass and Rewards https://www.facebook.com/groups/optimizesouthwest Opinions expressed here are the author's alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post. The content of this video is accurate as of the posting date. Some of the offers mentioned may no longer be available.

This episode is the continuation of the most important financial conversation you'll have in 2026.In Part One, we built the foundation: ▪️ Why you cannot manage your way into wealth ▪️ Rule #1: Money Follows Value, Not Effort ▪️ Rule #2: Demand Sets Your Income Ceiling ▪️ Rule #3: Income Growth Requires DiscomfortIf Part One explains how income grows, Part Two explains why some people scale—and others plateau.In this episode, we cover: ▪️ Rule #4: Letting Go Is a Wealth Skill ▪️ Rule #5: Proximity to Power Is the Real Cheat Code ▪️ Rule #6: Skill Stacking Determines Your Pricing Power ▪️ Rule #7: Sacrifice Buys Leverage (But Only Temporarily)This episode is for you if: ▪️ You earn more than you used to, but it still feels unstable ▪️ You're working harder without seeing nonlinear returns ▪️ You sense the problem isn't effort—it's structure ▪️ You want money to compound quietly, without burning outSaving preserves wealth. Investing multiplies it. Earning power creates it.But knowing when to scale, when to release, and when to stop sacrificing is what turns income into something that lasts.----------------------------Go Deeper with Old Money Courses:Old Money Mindset to learn how to think like a wealthy womanOld Money Method to set up a money machine that grows your wealth effortlessly----------------------------Free Resources: Shop Amber's Classic Wardrobe Staples + Skin, Hair & Health Holy Grail ProductsOld Money Monthly Newsletter for what's rich in culture, shopping and our communityDownload your FREE Net Worth TrackerDownload your FREE Simple Money Plan (better than a budget, designed for your richest life)----------------------------Connect with the Old Money Podcast:Community: Join the Old Money Country ClubWeb: OldMoneyPodcast.comEmail: OldMoneyPodcast@gmail.comInstagram: @OldMoneyPodcastTikTok: @OldMoneyPodcast----------------------------Copyright (c) Old Money 2026.The content presented in this podcast is intended to entertain, educate, inspire and support listeners in their personal and professional development and does not constitute business, financial, or legal advice. Please note that this episode may contain paid endorsements and advertisements for products and services for which individuals on the show may have a direct or indirect financial interest in products or services related to the episode.

In this episode, Ian sits down with Henry Wagner, Chief Marketing Officer at Megaport, to explore how marketing teams can earn attention in increasingly crowded and skeptical B2B markets.Henry shares why Megaport invests in unconventional campaigns, like building an eight-bit video game to celebrate a major company milestone, and how smaller, calculated bets often outperform large, high-risk sponsorships. He breaks down his philosophy of “doing science, not alchemy” in marketing, emphasizing rigorous testing, learning, and iteration over narrative-driven guesswork.Key Takeaways:Creative risk is easier to justify when bets are small and frequent. Contained experiments often deliver outsized attention with limited downside.Great marketing teams run science, not alchemy. Measurement, iteration, and learning beat intuition and narrative.LLMs change discovery, but not the need for authority. Clear, structured, problem-focused content still wins—measurement just looks different.Episode Timestamps: *(14:16) The Trust Tree: *(17:56) The Playbook: *(46:32) Quick Hits: Sponsor:Pipeline Visionaries is brought to you by Qualified.com. Qualified helps you turn your website into a pipeline generation machine with PipelineAI. Engage and convert your most valuable website visitors with live chat, chatbots, meeting scheduling, intent data, and Piper, your AI SDR. Visit Qualified.com to learn more.Links:Connect with Ian on LinkedInConnect with Henry on LinkedInLearn more about MegaportLearn more about Caspian Studios Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Don't let a buyer slash your purchase price during the final days of a deal because you failed to prepare your financials for heavy scrutiny. View the complete show notes for this episode. Want To Learn More? Quality of Earnings in M&A – The Ultimate Guide Most Common Deal Killers When Selling Your Business M&A Due Diligence | Checklist & Overview Additional Resources: Selling your business? Schedule a free consultation today. Sign up for an Assessment and Valuation of Your Business. Courses: The Art & Science of Selling a Business Download The Art of The Exit: The Complete Guide to Selling Your Business Download Acquired: The Art of Selling a Business With $10 Million to $100 Million in Revenue If you have any topic or guest suggestions, please email them to podcast@morganandwestfield.com.

The rapidly accelerating AI revolution raises profound questions about jobs, human purpose, and economic survival as white-collar work is quietly displaced at scale. As universal basic income shifts from theory to political reality, a deeper question emerges: what happens to motivation, creativity, and freedom when human labor is no longer essential?Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-highwire-with-del-bigtree--3620606/support.

This episode is a deep exploration of purpose, initiation, and what it truly means to live in right relationship with ourselves, each other, and the natural world. I'm joined by Tim Corcoran, founder of Purpose Mountain and co-director of Twin Eagles Wilderness School, whose life's work is devoted to helping people reconnect with their soul-level calling through nature-based mentoring and rites of passage.Tim shares his personal journey from a conventional path in computer science to a life shaped by wilderness immersion, indigenous wisdom, and long-term mentorship. We explore the cultural gap created by the absence of meaningful rites of passage in modern society, and how that absence often leads people to unconsciously create their own initiations through suffering, addiction, or crisis. Tim offers a radically different framework—one rooted in intentional initiation, deep nature connection, and guided vision quests that help individuals discover who they are and why they're here.We also dive into the mechanics and philosophy behind vision quests, including fasting, solitude, mindset, and the importance of preparation and integration. Tim explains why these experiences are not about endurance or bravado, but about presence, humility, and listening—both to oneself and to the living intelligence of the Earth. We talk about mentorship as a reciprocal relationship, resilience as a cultivated capacity, and how true healing often emerges from being witnessed over time rather than chasing peak experiences.This conversation is a powerful reminder that purpose isn't something we invent—it's something we remember when we slow down, step outside, and allow life to speak back.Visit purposemountain.com to sign up for a Vision Quest or Discover Your Purpose mentoring.DISCLAIMER: This podcast is for educational purposes only and not intended for diagnosing or treating illnesses. The hosts disclaim responsibility for any adverse effects from using the information presented. Consult your healthcare provider before using referenced products. This podcast may include paid endorsements.THIS SHOW IS BROUGHT TO YOU BY:REAL PROVISIONS | Get a free bag of venison chips with your order at realprovisions.com/lukeBIOPTIMIZERS | Get up to 26% off Masszymes and other Bioptimizers products and bundles at bioptimizers.com/lukeFOUR SIGMATIC | Get a free bag of their bestselling mushroom coffee at foursigmatic.com/lukeQUANTUM UPGRADE | Start your 15-day free trial at lukestorey.com/quantumupgradeMORE ABOUT THIS EPISODE:(00:00:00) From the Matrix to the Mountains: Awakening to a Different Path(00:22:03) Earning the Right to Ask for a Vision(00:40:20) What Makes a True Initiation(01:01:50) The “Greatest Hits” of a Vision Quest(01:20:08) Wilderness Skills as Medicine(01:34:58) Finding Your Role in the Tribe(01:55:21) Vision Quest vs. Psychedelics(02:20:14) Holding Pain Without Losing Your HeartResources:• Website: